2117 Imagine if you could create the church you wanted, any way you wanted.

Put together a worship service exactly the way YOU want: hymns, no hymns, drums, no drums. Are you from Wisconsin, start Polka Mass! Start a building campaign, ask for donations. Relax. It's just a game. Available from e-church. It is a parody--I hope.
HT Pastor Petersen.

2116 A faith-based initiative?

First the Democrats forget they were the ones who first sounded the alarm about WMD before Dubya became President. Now they are having trouble remembering they were briefed about the domestic intelligence program. But I think Cheney got in the best line.

"Rep. Jane Harman, Mr. [Jay] Rockefeller's House counterpart [Rockefeller was briefed on the domestic surveillance program], has opined that the administration broke the law by failing to brief every member of the intelligence committees. Says Mr. Cheney, "If we had done that since the beginning of the program back in '01--I ran the numbers yesterday--if we did the full House and Senate committees, as well as the elected leadership, we'd have had to read 70 people into this program" instead of eight or nine. Expecting that many congressmen to keep a secret is a faith-based initiative." James Taranto

2115 Souper Bowl Sunday

Many places are collecting cans of soup for food pantries tomorrow. I haven't been to the supermarket in awhile, so I had to go through my own pantry and pick out the soup items, and tossed in some instant mac/cheese, which I think I bought for this purpose, since I don't use it.

I read someplace that instant macaroni and cheese was one of the three liberating inventions for women in the last 150 years. That's silly. Everyone knows it was panty hose.

If you clean out the pantry, you'll have a good excuse to make home made soup, which is probably better for you.

Baked potato soup is very hearty--you can lighten it by using less cheese and bacon and low fat sour cream.

2114 Blog Guru

I took a test at Chatterbean about blogging and came out a "Blog Guru." Just ask me anything. Don't know if there is a higher category. But I do have seven blogs.

"Blogs are nothing new to you – you've weathered your share of blogstorms and maybe even started a couple yourself. You may remember reading "weblogs" in 1997, when Jorn Barger started "logging the web" in Robot Wisdom. Since then, the "blogosphere," the total of blog-related websites, has exploded. As a blog guru, you've probably encountered blog novelties out such as the milblog, a soldier's military chronicle. "Dark blogs" are no mystery to you either – you might even be a member of these hidden, invitation-only websites."

bloggers
Internet quizes

2113 To the bloggers at Philippi

Whatever is true

Whatever is noble

Whatever is right

Whatever is pure

Whatever is lovely

Whatever is admirable

Blog about those things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul

Philippians
Paul's Epistles
How to blog

2112 New Year's Resolutions Redux

After the hustle and bustle of Thursday Thirteen I try to go back and look at some of the writers, check out their bio and their earlier entries. Joe mentioned his New Year's resolutions since he just started blogging in December 2005. He's a 41 year old divorced father with musical ability who has returned to college to become a teacher. He wrote:

Joe: "My resolution is to be a better christian, a better person, and a better father than I was the day before."

I rarely make resolutions or set goals since I am a problem solver by nature. We problem solvers get physically ill when some chipper, pie-in-the-sky supervisor says, "Let's set some goals for this project," because we believe she already knows exactly where she wants to end up and the task force, committee, or volunteers are there for window dressing. So I left this comment at Joe's blog.

Norma: "In our annual report at Ohio State University Libraries we always had to include goals for the next year and cite how we did on last year's goals.

My boss told me something I've never forgotten (I'm not a goal setter by nature, but this was required.) Always make them measurable and achieveable, so you'll look good next year.

"I will play a board game once a week and attend a sporting event twice a month with my son to be a better father (I'm assuming these are activities he would like)," might give you something to work with. "Better" is a bit nebulous and subjective.

At Judgement, there are no "better Christians." There are only sheep and goats. No "better sheep" or "not so great goats." It's a very clear division. You might say, "I will increase my quiet time by 5 minutes daily," or something like that to grow in the faith. It's measurable, and if you tell a friend, or your son, it's accountable.

And to be a better person? Well, here you have some great choices. "Every Tuesday on the way to work I will let one very surprised driver into traffic ahead of me." Measurable--when you get to Dec. 2006. You could have 40 or even 50 successes to feel good about.

Joe never asked me for my opinion on his New Year's Resolutions, but hey, if you leave your comments open, I just might say something.

New Year's Resolutions
Thursday Thirteen
Bloggers' comments
Goals

2111 Cindy Sheehan's T-shirt

would get her removed from Columbus bars, too. I noticed an article in yesterday's Columbus Dispatch about the dress code for the bars in the arena district (I think this is where they play hockey near the site of the old Ohio Penitentiary). It may vary depending on the bar/restaurant, but here's the list.

Sports jerseys are allowed only if the team is playing that day, otherwise, you can't wear your team's shirt.

Ball caps must face foreward.

No stocking caps or flat brim hats,.

No sleeveless and plain white T-shirts.

No bandanas.

No selective logos (no idea, don't ask).

No wristbands.

Chain necklaces must be tucked in.

No excessively baggy clothing.

No excessively baggy jeans.

No Timberland brand boots (I have no idea, don't ask).

And obviously, some people are crying discrimination. The dress code isn't this tough at our church. Hmmmm. We have no dress code for church, unfortunately.

Last night as we left the Irish Pub in Grandview (not it's actual name, but I'm not going back so it doesn't matter), I noticed a gal sitting at the bar (right at the front door) in tight jeans with a grand view of her butt crack. But I think she knew that. She could have used an oversized T-shirt. Fortunately, we'd already eaten.

2110 Music hath charms

and noise hath harms. If a blog blasts hip hop or rap or even loud Frank Sinatra when I click in, I'm outta there faster than you can say spam blocker. I no longer even look for the tiny script that says, "turns me off."

When I enter a sanctuary and the worship music is vibrating the floor and changing my heart rate, I exit faster than a serious sinner running up the aisle at a camp meeting. When I see people with ear buds dangling and tethered to a torture instrument for ears, I'm reminded I need to do some serious investing in hearing aids.

I heard today on the radio that 350,000,000 downloads of music have pretty much convinced some record stores to close. To my knowledge, this is one industry segment collapse that isn't being blamed on George Bush. A lot of those downloads are sitting on i-Pods where they communicate to the delicate ear parts like a buzz saw or a jet engine.

"There are two ways that noise exposure leads to hearing damage. Brief exposures to extremely loud sounds, like gunfire, can cause permanent damage. But consistent exposure to even moderate-level loud sounds wears out the hair cells in the inner ear, which are responsible for acute hearing abilities. When these cells are damaged by noise exposure -- like a loud concert -- they typically recover after two days of rest. With repeated exposure to loud sounds, however, the hair cells' ability to recover weakens. Eventually the hair cells die, leading to permanent hearing loss."
WSJ Jan. 10, 2006


hearing loss
i-Pods
noise

2109 On the way to Yes

Yesterday I wrote a blog about How to say No, and I didn't want to leave you with the impression I never say Yes to anything. So here's a few things I've said yes to this past week. I probably could have made a Thursday Thirteen out of affirmatives, but I liked the Prayer Job Jar better.

1. Yes to being communion servers this Sunday.
2. Yes to taking our neighbor's turn at mail delivery (for church).
3. Yes to three friends making an outing to an art show.
4. Yes to lunch with friends in Springfield, OH.
5. Yes to dinner out with two couples.
6. Yes to joining a couples group from church which meets twice a month.
7. Yes to typing a report and sending it for my husband for his volunteer activity at Lakeside.
8. Yes to joining an ad hoc writing group that meets twice a month.
9. Yes to finding a new dentist to replace the one who won't listen to me (OK, this is cheating, but it is a Yes to me). It's like trying to find a new plumber or hairdresser.
10. Yes to a walk in the park with my husband on a nice day.

2108 Observation at an art show

Last night I noticed a couple at an art opening. She was of an age and disability that she was probably a thalidomide baby, and he had some severe birth defects that were probably genetic requiring alterations in his clothing and life style, but they weren't interfering with his life. They had managed the trip down town at night in the rain, just like the rest of us, manuevering with a special van and wheelchair access. After all, who is more handicapped, those who never notice or enjoy art, or those who have to struggle a bit for access to it?

Some people, liberal thinkers in other areas such as the death penalty for serial murderers or the protection of the habitat of an endangered wild animal or insect, believe that if a child's life potential is limited or his parents are dull, poor or dark skinned then that child's life can be taken from him. For the good of all, of course, but especially for his own good. "Liberals love fetuses to death" could be their bumper sticker.

Others in that liberal group, believe the reason for taking the child's life matters not at all. It's absolutely none of our business. We may have even been rubbing shoulders at the art show. It's not even up for discussion. Only the wishes of the woman (some call her "mother") providing his natural habitat, you might say, are valued. Better the little one should be a bird, rat or worm.

"In every child who is born conceived under no matter what circumstances and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again, and in him, too, once more, and each of us, our terrific responsibility toward human life: toward the utmost idea of goodness, of the horror of terrorism, and of God." James Agee, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

Thirteen Things about NORMA'S Prayer Job Jar 1. The jar is real, physical, clear glass and has a lid. 2. Originally the jar held bubble bath, had a pink ribbon around the lid, and was most likely a birthday gift when I was a teen. 3. When my children were small, this jar was our cookie jar. 4. It sits on the kitchen table, catching the sun’s rays (or the Son’s). 5. We pray one or two items from the jar each evening before dinner. Recently we’ve added Stephen Harper, Canada’s new PM, because we think he has a really big job, being a Conservative in such a liberal country. 6. Most often the prayer request is actually someone looking for a job, i.e., employment or career, so it really is a “prayer job jar.” 7. Sometimes the prayer is about God’s job--to bring someone to saving faith. 8. Sometimes the prayer is general, sometimes specific--it’s every Christian’s job to pray even if we don’t understand how or why. In fact, I think it is a command. 9. Although I haven’t kept a record, most job (career) prayers have been answered to the satisfaction of the job seeker. 10. Marriage solutions are another kettle of fish and loaves. A personality transplant? A memory freeze? Get that other woman a job transfer to Alaska? Maybe we should just cut to the chase and ask God for a miracle instead of a reconciliation or resolution? 11. Because of our age and the ages of our friends and family, health issues are frequently in the prayer job jar. This usually has to be a partnership between God and the unhealthy--it’s asking a lot of God to heal if a cancer or COPD patient won’t give up smoking or an arthritic or diabetic won’t lose weight. I mean, God does allow some free will here, and bad habits he may leave up to the person while he attends to someone a bit more willing to change. 12. The prayer job jar has made our prayer time much more interesting and meaningful for us, and probably for God, who I imagine gets a little bored with the rote stuff. . . "We thank you Lord for Jesus Christ/ and for the blood he shed/ we thank you for his risen life/ and for our daily bread." 13. Here’s a photo of the jar, cropped from another picture. Looks like just one or two pieces of paper, but I think it is a list. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. D. Challener 2. KDubs 3. Joan 4. Lazy Daisy 5. Uisce 6. Mar 7. Courtney 8. Jane 9. Colleen 10. Yellow Rose 11. Karen 12. Kelly 13. D. 14. Leslie 15. Killired 16. Nancy 17. Jen 18. Better safe 19. Stacie 20. Renee 21. Susie 22. Joe Norman 23. Barbara 24. MamaB 25. Emily 26. JK 27. Kimmy and Jacob

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2106 In the past three years

2,245 Americans have died for Iraqi freedom (Cindy Sheehan's t-shirt). During the same time period, there have been 3,573 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, and 7,155 suicides from CO poisoning for no cause or purpose whatsoever. (JAMA 295:4;398)

2105 How to say No

Now that I have your attention, here's a caveat. I never had to learn this--I was born with an over-developed ability to say "No." I could learn a little "Yes, please," or "Certainly, I'll get right on that." However, I have read a lot of blogs and served on a lot of committees and know how stressed out, tired, and cranky people (usually women) are when they've said Yes too many times. Life isn't fun then, but they don't know how to stop the music and get off the merry go-round. So here are my observations and suggestions:

1. You can't say NO because being over-committed makes you feel needed.

2. You can't say NO because being over-committed makes you feel important.

3. You can't say NO because being over-committed makes you feel self-righteous.

I'm not Dr. Sanity, but even I know you'll need to find something else to take up the slack if you just start with saying NO to everything and everyone. It could mess up your whole equilibrium. So, don't try this all at once.

4. Saying NO makes you feel unsafe.

5. Saying NO makes you feel unloved.

6. Saying NO makes you fear being left out.

Perhaps saying NO brings some flash backs of Mommy or Daddy saying "Don't you dare talk back to me, young lady," or memories of your junior high clique dressed in full blown bullying gear and you were afraid to say NO to the group for fear they'd turn on you next.

First, practice in front of a full length mirror. Smile at your reflection, find a relaxed stance, and say, "No." Decide what to do with your hands so you don't look threatening. After a little practice, move on to the word NO followed by a truthful clause, such as "No, I won't be able to car pool next Tuesday because. . ." Don't equivocate! Don't be passive-aggressive. Make your NO mean just that. Above all, be honest. (Unless the reason is her kids are brats, then come up with a little fib.) Don't lead that person on or dawdle with long drawn out excuses. She's busy too and needs to move on to the next sucker person on her list.

After a few days of saying NO to the mirror, (hear it, see it, say it) we move on to "do it." (Those of you with LD experience will recognize the mantra.) Find a compatible friend, one who needs no favors, to role play with you. Give her a script of the most common requests you fall for (the kids need you, the school needs you, your parents need you, the poor need you, you are my last hope, etc.). Have her practice looking horrified, angry, hurt or disappointed at your response. Have her whine, beg and plead.

And get used to it, because you're on your way, babe. Bookmark this blog and return when you're feeling weak.

How to say NO

2104 Using a numerical code to oppose the war

Sam is a commenter over at Neo-Neocon, and he left a suggestion that protestors use a numerical code to identify themselves to others.

List of Anti-War Categories:
1. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on moral grounds.
2. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on legal grounds.
3. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on religious grounds.
4. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on political grounds.
5. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on military grounds.
6. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, because it was Bush's idea.
7. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, because it distracts us from the real War on Terror.
8. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, because it distracts us from saving the environment, feeding the poor, rescuing hurricane victims, fixing Social Security, etc.
9. People who oppose the Iraq war specifically, on a combination of the previous grounds.
10. People who oppose any war that the Republicans are involved in because of something or other to do with Big Oil or the Military Industrial Complex.
11. People who oppose any war the United States is involved in on any of the previous grounds.
12. People who oppose any war the United States is involved in because the United States is Bad.
13. People who oppose any war the United States is involve in because the United States is Good.
14. People who oppose any war white people are involved in because Western Civilization is Bad.
15. People who oppose any war anyone is involved in because War Doesn't Solve Anything.
16. People who oppose any sort of definite move on anyone's part because actions have unpredictable consequences and it's safer to have endless discussions about the nature of problems rather than taking actual steps to solve them.
17. Wussies.

So you could be a 1, 3, and 13 and use it in a greeting or a closing. Or a 6, 10, and 12. Saves a lot of time and lengthy introductions. Might even get you a date for Friday night.

2103 ALA sells "radical, militant" buttons

What a surprise! What a stretch! About 90% of them are, so what's new? Maybe they could make Cindy Sheehan an honorary librarian. Or that phony balony white professor posing as an Indian. Or Maureen Dowdy.

"ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom will sell the buttons for $2.00 (1-10 buttons); $1.50 (11-50 buttons); and $1.25 (51 or more). All proceeds support the programs of the office [to bring down the Patriot Act and to not support Cuban librarians in their fight for freedom]."

Just can't tell you how happy I am that I never joined the American Library Association. (I was a member of the Medical Library Association.) Want to know how bad things are for librarians? Take a look at the scale for professional dues. What other profession that requires a master's degree has salaries this low?

"The salary threshold for a lower dues rate also would be increased from $20,000 to $25,000. If approved by members, the changes would go into effect in September 2006. ALA also will provide an option for installment payments by credit card."

That's because ALA minds everyone's business but its own. I'd be embarrassed to have this on the website, and do a mailing instead.

2102 Tickled Pink

Long before there was excitement about gay cowboys, there was gay TV. I watched a production of Nick at Nite last night called "Tickled Pink," in which gay writers, producers, comedians and actors chortled and snickered over all the gay sub-text in the shows they'd been in that most of the time went right over the heads of straight people. And oh how the gay guys loved their divas--Mary Tyler Moore, Maud, Lucille Ball, Buffy the Vampire, Wonder Woman, etc. Any woman who stood up to the established norm was their heroine. It's probably not an accident that it is being shown this week. They were quite proud that 30-40 years ago, gays were being written into shows, and that all the straight people involved in the productions knew the lavender story board, but the audience was ignorant.

One of the unintended consequences of everyone coming out of the closet is that a whole vein of humor will have been mined out of existence.

2101 A fine speech

He's no Reagan, but he isn't as long winded as Clinton, a lot prettier to watch than Carter, and much more inspiring than his dad. It was a fine speech. "Hindsight alone is not wisdom," Bush said. "And second-guessing is not a strategy."

"President Bush's 2006 State of the Union address was a familiar stew: a dash of Reaganesque optimism, a pinch of Clintonian small-bore initiatives, a heaping teaspoon of Truman-like tough talk, and a generous portion of warmed-up leftovers from previous policy speeches. But as familiar as the ingredients of the President's Jan. 31 oration were to viewers, they formed a tasty recipe for American business." Business Week

"Hampered by huge budget deficits and an unpopular war, President Bush will seek to take charge of the election-year agenda Tuesday by declaring America must break its dependence on Mideast oil and calling for training 70,000 math and science teachers to improve the nation's competitiveness." Forbes

Since nothing was done to fix Social Secuity, last year's poster child, I won't hold my breath on the energy theme.

2100 No matter what else Bush does

this will be his longest lasting legacy. Roberts and Alito.

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. was sworn in as the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice on Tuesday after being confirmed by the Senate in one of the most partisan victories in modern history.

Alito was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court building across from the Capitol at about 12:40 p.m. EST, court officials said."

2099 Case 2-2006 is dumb as a rock and supporting an entire industry with our tax money

Sipping my Starbucks today, I opened the NEJM, Jan. 19 issue to p. 284, "A 31-year-old, HIV-positive man with rectal pain" is the title of the case. Reading a bit further. He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, regularly uses marijuana and meth. He is unemployed. (What a surprise!)

He has AIDS, rectal discharge, pain when defecating and blood in his stool, pelvic pain, nausea, and weakness. It's the pain, not the AIDS that has sent him to the doctor this time. He has regular anal intercourse without condoms with his "usual partner" who also is HIV positive, and he has other partners.

He was diagnosed 12 years ago (as a teen-ager) and has had sporadic care over 10 years including zidovudine, lamivudine, nelfinavir, and ritonavir-lopinavir, but has been inconsistent. A year ago he was sick and hospitalized with some things too long to spell or pronounce, but I know they are bad, and received cephalexin, clarithromycin and ethambutol.

After discharge from the hospital he received didanosine, stavudine, and efavirenz, after which he developed Kaposi's sarcoma, oral thrush, rectal herpes simplex and anal condylomas. Then he was treated with acyclovir, fluconazole, and dapsone.

For the current problem, he got ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Now he is diagnosed with proctitis--a first for him. The list is narrowed to gonorrhea, herpes simplex, chlamydia and syphilis--all common among men who have sex with men--but lab tests showed he didn't have those (small miracles).

So there are more tests, as his symptoms ease and then return--probably because he keeps reinfecting himself with more anal sex. The diagnosis section of the article says "he should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases, . . . and a thorough contact investigation should be initiated."

He is referred for a sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy, and it is determined he has lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis. (Never heard of if, but so far I know it is very expensive and self induced.) I won't even describe what the author says will happen if this condition goes untreated, but apparently the patient shares many of the clinical and epidemiologic features of other men in an outbreak that appears to be centered in the Netherlands and has spread to Western Europe, United Kingdom and the U.S. Now he's treated with doxycycline, which resolved his symptoms.

Now his "partner" is feeling poorly with the same symptoms.

My mind is going cha-ching, cha-ching for Medicaid and the drug companies. A marriage between the pharmaceuticals and gay men with the state governments the attendants. There are about 100 pages of text in this journal, and 55 pages of advertising by pharmaceutical companies.

The internet is listed as one of the means to spread these diseases that case 2-2006 has, as men find sexual partners across great geographic distance. Sort of gives a new meaning to computer virus, doesn't it?

2098 Another tip for right brained offices, dens and studios

It's OK to pile rather than file! Oh, thank the Lord! That's chapter 6 of Organizing from the right side of the brain, by Lee Silber. Reading further. Oh, oh. There's a codicil. "As long as you can find what you need when you need it." Hmmm.

What about when it's clean and you can't find it? Remember that extensive housecleaning and studio reorganizing I wrote about in December? Forgotten it already? Here and here. The other day my husband said, "I'm out of burnt umber. Have you got any?" I was pretty sure I didn't have any because it's not on my palette, but never mind, I couldn't find my watercolor tubes anyway. Everything is clean and tidy, but something better turn up quick, or I'll have to make a run to Dick Blick's soon.