It's amazing how having a 6-year old in the house changes your entertainment options. DVR doesn't help. The Disney Channel doesn't help very much either. What I have noticed is that I now spend an inordinate amount of time watching Phineas and Ferb.
Three months ago, I'd never even heard of Phineas and Ferb. Two months from now, we'll probably be past it. But for the moment, we watch a lot of P&F.
Now, the question is, how can the 6-year old and I get her mother (mrs. kcrazorback) to stop making us watch that show so often? She's addicted.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
eternally optimistic
Generally speaking, I'm an optimist. I believe that if the final out of the baseball game hasn't yet been made, my team can still win--even if they are down by a bunch of runs. I believe that if the team hasn't been eliminated from playoff contention yet, they still have a chance--like the Kansas City Royals, who are 23.5 games back in the AL Central right now.
As the inevitable fall approaches, however, optimism gives way to pragmatism. In fact, I become so pragmatic that each September (or even late August), I keep a spreadsheet that forecasts when my team will be eliminated from the playoffs that year. This year, the earliest possible date that the Royals can be eliminated from playoff contention is, drumroll(?), TODAY. In fact, if Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago all win their respective games, the Royals will be done. The most likely date of elimination is tomorrow (09/09/09). Regardless, my pragmatism forces me to accept the outcome and defeats my optimism today. Yes, you can say I was stupid for sticking with the team to the very end.
The worst part is now we have to start rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. As baseball season turns into football season, my pragmatism becomes depression. I am already longing for baseball spring training when I can be optimistic again.
Wait a second, if Detroit can lose all of their remaining games except one to Minnesota and then Minnesota can lose all of their remaining games except five to Chicago and then Chicago loses all of their remaining games and, of course, Cleveland would have to lose almost all of their remaining games, the Royals could still win the division. Optimism springs eternal!!! (for a few hours)
As the inevitable fall approaches, however, optimism gives way to pragmatism. In fact, I become so pragmatic that each September (or even late August), I keep a spreadsheet that forecasts when my team will be eliminated from the playoffs that year. This year, the earliest possible date that the Royals can be eliminated from playoff contention is, drumroll(?), TODAY. In fact, if Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago all win their respective games, the Royals will be done. The most likely date of elimination is tomorrow (09/09/09). Regardless, my pragmatism forces me to accept the outcome and defeats my optimism today. Yes, you can say I was stupid for sticking with the team to the very end.
The worst part is now we have to start rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. As baseball season turns into football season, my pragmatism becomes depression. I am already longing for baseball spring training when I can be optimistic again.
Wait a second, if Detroit can lose all of their remaining games except one to Minnesota and then Minnesota can lose all of their remaining games except five to Chicago and then Chicago loses all of their remaining games and, of course, Cleveland would have to lose almost all of their remaining games, the Royals could still win the division. Optimism springs eternal!!! (for a few hours)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
needing mercy, showing mercy
I recently had an interesting conversation with someone from my church. Before I had said much more than "Hi," he put up a defensive wall. As I laid the foundation for what I would ask him, he argued with me. When I asked him for his help, he turned me down.
Near the beginning of that conversation, I found myself also defending my statements. But rather than continue to argue (my typical response), I picked up on the fact that something else was going on with this person and I changed my tactics to simply being nice and allowing for future conversations.
Something else was going on. I still don't know what. But I have realized that Mr. X does not oppose me or the work we are doing. Satan does oppose me and the work we're doing.
We must resist Satan with full force. We must also be gracious and show mercy to each other with full force. It's what Christ modeled for us (no one ever before of since or into eternity has or will show mercy with as much force as He did at the cross). It's what I need.
Near the beginning of that conversation, I found myself also defending my statements. But rather than continue to argue (my typical response), I picked up on the fact that something else was going on with this person and I changed my tactics to simply being nice and allowing for future conversations.
Something else was going on. I still don't know what. But I have realized that Mr. X does not oppose me or the work we are doing. Satan does oppose me and the work we're doing.
We must resist Satan with full force. We must also be gracious and show mercy to each other with full force. It's what Christ modeled for us (no one ever before of since or into eternity has or will show mercy with as much force as He did at the cross). It's what I need.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
first day of first grade
The start of school is a magical time.
Children, who have been conditioned for three months to do whatever they want to do, are being returned to a disciplined academic environment.
Kcrazorback daughter, who really loves school, is not happy about this at all. Her classmates are not happy about this at all. Her mother and I are thrilled.
This morning, as I dropped her off at school, we yelled at the poor kindergarten parents (they're the ones holding up the dropoff traffic) to get a move on, "turn your car already."
I've realized that the 1st graders have a BMOC factor. They were in the school last year for kindergarten. They know their way around. They know each other and the teachers (for the most part). They are bigger than a whole bunch of the new students in the school. They know what not to eat in the cafeteria. They're savvy. They're a little suprised by the lack of play centers in the classroom (compared to K-garten) but they know a boatload of potty jokes and can discuss what's going on with the big-kid Disney TV. They are in their element.
From the 1st day: "All we did was go over the rules and color some sheets." Yeah, somehow, I think you're holding something back from dear old dad. Perhaps, they know what not to tell Mom and Dad about as well.
Children, who have been conditioned for three months to do whatever they want to do, are being returned to a disciplined academic environment.
Kcrazorback daughter, who really loves school, is not happy about this at all. Her classmates are not happy about this at all. Her mother and I are thrilled.
This morning, as I dropped her off at school, we yelled at the poor kindergarten parents (they're the ones holding up the dropoff traffic) to get a move on, "turn your car already."
I've realized that the 1st graders have a BMOC factor. They were in the school last year for kindergarten. They know their way around. They know each other and the teachers (for the most part). They are bigger than a whole bunch of the new students in the school. They know what not to eat in the cafeteria. They're savvy. They're a little suprised by the lack of play centers in the classroom (compared to K-garten) but they know a boatload of potty jokes and can discuss what's going on with the big-kid Disney TV. They are in their element.
From the 1st day: "All we did was go over the rules and color some sheets." Yeah, somehow, I think you're holding something back from dear old dad. Perhaps, they know what not to tell Mom and Dad about as well.
Friday, July 31, 2009
still clunking--no cash
Mrs. kcrazorback drives a clunker. It would have been eligible for the $4,500 rebate. And it is not worth $4,500 on the market. But, alas, it's worth that much to us. We were seriously tempted, however, to trade that sucker in earlier this week.
We already had one economical non-clunker. But I like having one clunker, too. It's not "green" but it fits our lifestyle really well.
In the words of Lacie (a family friend and 5 year old), don't get all up in my business.
We already had one economical non-clunker. But I like having one clunker, too. It's not "green" but it fits our lifestyle really well.
In the words of Lacie (a family friend and 5 year old), don't get all up in my business.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
update on 10s
I told you in this earlier post about the new models I picked up over the holidays. Here's a quick update on the 10s.
The 10s was a low price (I paid $7.99) basic scientific that I was very excited about. I'm not so excited any more. In spite of the fact that it's only a few months old, many of the LCD segments don't work. I'm ready to dismantle/destroy this one. Unfortunately, sometimes you don't even get what you pay for when what you pay is not very much.
Upon further review, I guess I should stick with the more expensive calculators. Say no to the 10s.
I have no complaints about the 35s I got at the same time.
The 10s was a low price (I paid $7.99) basic scientific that I was very excited about. I'm not so excited any more. In spite of the fact that it's only a few months old, many of the LCD segments don't work. I'm ready to dismantle/destroy this one. Unfortunately, sometimes you don't even get what you pay for when what you pay is not very much.
Upon further review, I guess I should stick with the more expensive calculators. Say no to the 10s.
I have no complaints about the 35s I got at the same time.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
they make me feel young
As I've gotten older, I'm noticing it more. Example: my arm aches quite a bit of the time. In fact, I described it to my doctor as it felt like what I imagine it would feel like if I'd pitched a Major League Baseball game the day before.
Jamie Moyer did pitch a MLB game yesterday. In fact, he won. Something he's done ten times this season--and six of his last seven starts have been wins. Moyer has 92 wins since he turned 40. He is now 46.
Tim Wakefield is my age (well, 2 1/2 months younger--he's 42). He is 11-3 this year and was an American League All Star.
Way to go old guys.
Jamie Moyer did pitch a MLB game yesterday. In fact, he won. Something he's done ten times this season--and six of his last seven starts have been wins. Moyer has 92 wins since he turned 40. He is now 46.
Tim Wakefield is my age (well, 2 1/2 months younger--he's 42). He is 11-3 this year and was an American League All Star.
Way to go old guys.
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