Home Movie: Kevin vs. Dada
Kevin and Dada are two neighbors that were spending the day with Noah. I was filming a nerf war the trio was engaged in when inspiration struck. Oh sure there are better, but I’d say this is pretty good given how quickly we threw it together.
Norman for President
Politics frustrate me yet this year’s election has really stoked my fire. I feel I know more about the issues and the candidates than previous years and while I always feel the world is at stake on election day, I feel this particular race signifies a special cross roads in our political history.
People that throw their support behind a candidate because of their sex or race get to me. I feel people treat our political process like some middle school classroom. That said, the democratic nomination made it clear to the public that anyone has a shot, regardless of gender or color. They are fascinated with the concept and would like to be a part of that historical moment. Many get so excited they forget about the other weighty responsibilities the title “head of state” might entail. The Republicans finally understand how to tap that child-like excitement and curiosity. You can fill the gaps in your demographics by including someone charismatic on your ticket that is a degree different than past candidates. Forget the race to the moon. Expect to see both parties race to fill federal offices with civil servants of every shape and color.
In that same vein, I would like to nominate Goodboy Norman Featherstone as the National Pug Party presidential candidate. I don’t know his platform, but I am fairly certain we’ve not had a pug president before. Who doesn’t love pugs? (Quiet, Ian.) Hmn, I might should have screened him first. Norman, you don’t have any politically dangerous skeletons in your closet?
The Kitchen is Closed
Tuesday we discovered a simple but crucial part of our dishwasher is missing! Without that key component, our family is forced to return to the old fashioned means of washing dishes: making the women and children wash them by hand. (Wha? Me? But I’ll get dish wash hands!) The prospect of ordering a replacement part is irritating. The silverware basket was missing when we purchased this unit from a couple on craigslist. We expected to easily find a makeshift solution. We had no such luck and in the end were forced to fork over $30 for a replacement part.
Yesterday the microwave exploded `asploded as Elise tried to nuke a bag of popcorn for our guests. You might expect such an explosion would bury us in an avalanche of crispy kernels and bestow mutant powers upon us during the shower of rogue microwaves emitted during the explosion. The reality of the incident is much more mundane: smoke, a little flame and an unbearable stench.
Are these kitchen catastrophes somehow linked? Who might be behind such a nefarious plot? Stay tuned!
08.12.08Shame
I’ve done a great deal of thinking this year about shame. Is it counter productive or harmful? Is it ever appropriate? This past Sunday the brain cogs fell in place and the machine in my head finally turned out something worth sharing. My epiphany involves the relationship between shame and repentance.
First a few definitions: Shame comes from feeling unworthy, embarrassed, disgraced or responsible for an offense. Repentance means to be motivated by shame to change one’s mind. It implies an effort to avoid or counter the shameful act in the future. To clarify, repentance does not imply success. It merely implies effort.
Be definition shame must precede repentance, if only momentarily. Yet the two are meant to be mutually exclusive. A repentant soul shouldn’t be ashamed. In fact, any shame that remains in a repentant heart is the unhealthy sort meant to destroy us from the inside out. There is no truth or value to those internal accusations.
Shame can blind people to their own worth and obfuscate the most obvious solutions. It is our job to help guide ashamed people so they find quick and free release through repentance. We are also obliged to help people let go of residual shame once they have repented. People that deny or disbelieve heartfelt apologies seal shame and repentance in the same heart and are responsible for the damage done within.
It is silly to expect repentance from someone who feels justified or proud of their actions. I propose it is better to convince them of their shame first. If a child lies without remorse, shouldn’t we tell them they are a liar and treat them as untrustworthy. The goal isn’t to destroy their ego. Repentance is quick and free, even if it isn’t always easy. Sometimes I get the impression society expects us to preserve our children’s egos at the expense of their souls. If shame doesn’t come naturally and we can’t push them towards it then how will they ever learn and grow?
08.11.08Curse ye Double Parkers!
My wife has really run with this whole neighborhood watch. I suspect she may be leading a double life as a local crime fighter. I considered her example and how I too might contribute to society as I patrolled a parking lot for a free space. I came upon a pretentious double parked SUV. I had nothing with which to write the owner a nasty note, nor time to damage his vehicle. All I could do was stew in my impotent road parking lot rage. As I watched Madison practice at the stunt clinic I began to formulate a solution to my problem. I decided I would keep a short stack of notes to leave on cars I find double parked. Flyin’ Bryan helped me articulate my rage into appropriate curses. I included one on each note. Below are a few samples. Here is the complete set.
You are selfishly consuming two parking spaces. Learn to park or let someone else drive. I sentence you to an underwater vacuum sealed mortuary with the ghosts of a thousand filthy hippies.
and
You are selfishly consuming two parking spaces. Learn to park or let someone else drive. May your breath continuously reek of the meat of the Mujahmjah bean.
…and there’s more where that came from!