Happy Halloween

This bit from Bill Maher made me chuckle.

Halloween is child abuse. One day every year we lose our minds and send our children into the night to talk to strangers. And then when they get home, we throw away the one health food item -- the apple -- because it might have a razor blade and keep the big sack of processed poison.

The Sub-Standard

Faithful readers of this blog (and you know who you are -- yes, all three of you) probably know that few things frost my buns more than people trying to pull a fast one on God's people. A century ago, the Disciples of Christ/Open Membership fiasco was very public and the issues/differences were clear to everyone involved. This time around, the liberal shift is much more subtle. More info here. Follow the links to the articles to learn more.

What a bunch of weak-kneed, limp-wristed, pusilanimous, spineless capitulators. I used to say that straddling the fence can get mighty uncomfortable after awhile. But that's not true if you don't have any...er, um...nevermind.

Duh!

Air Force football coach Eddie DeBerry was reprimanded for saying out saying out loud what every sports fan knows: You need some blacks guys in the backfield if you want to win. The story is here. Another case of political correctness run amuck. A few nights ago, I watched the updated version of The Longest Yard. Chris Rock told Adam Sandler that there was no way that the team would win without some brothers. The line was humorous because it's true. For whatever reason, God seems to have gifted African Americans with the ability to run faster. Have you ever watched the Track & Field competition at the Olympics? Not many white boys in the sprints. It's not racism, it's fact. Ironically, across the page from this story, our local paper listed the NFL Fantasy Football Running Back ratings. Guess what? All of them are black! What a surprise!

Air Force's Athletic Director Hans Mueh, in an attempt to cover his butt and kiss-up to the PC crowd, said, “Fisher’s already apologized for that statement. What we’re talking about is speed. There’s speed that cuts across black, white, gray, blue, whatever.” Yeah, right Hans. You're an idiot. And that's why you are the A.D. at AIR FORCE.

God Bless America?

What's with the World Series seventh-inning stretch freakshow? Are they trying to find the most washed-up, horribly voiced, has-been that will take the gig?
Last night, Aaron Neville (moley, moley, moley...Mole!) butchered God Bless America. Tonight, Lyle Lovett took a shot at it and was almost equally as horrific (that whirring sound you hear is Kate Smith rolling over in her grave). Was Julia Roberts actually married to this goober?

David Crowder Band

I picked up a little CD by the David Crowder Band today. It has some oldies (by that, I mean late 90's stuff) like I Will Not Be Silent and Every Move I Make. Some of the songs are cast-offs that didn't make it on his other albums. Good stuff. And I am enjoying it. Kind of reminds me of my old friends Chris McCarthy and Dave McCants.

I Find This Man Annoying

I love post-season baseball, except for one thing: It means that I will be forced to listen to Tim McCarver. This guy annoys me to no end. He's like a combination of John Madden, Brent Musberger, and that know-it-all WNBA amazon announcer chick. He has a gift for stating the obvious. And he talks down to the viewers, like we don't know anything about the game. And then when a guy makes a boneheaded baserunning error, or the manager makes a decision with which Timmy disagrees, he just won't let it go. He goes on and on and on and on about it. Just shut up already!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Watched Ghostbusters with the family tonight. The kids enjoyed it, but Tracy said, "Now I remember why I didn't like that movie. It was stupid." I liked it. It's hard to believe that it's been 21 years since that movie was first released.

The Perfect Day Off

Yesterday was awesome. It was like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Began with a Preachers' Breakfast (hosted by the local Christian bookstore -- they gave us each over $100 dollars worth of books). Then nine holes of golf with my good friend John. After that we went for a run (just like the old days in Virginia). Tracy fixed a yummy lasagna supper which was followed by a great game of Euchre.

And the weather was as good as it gets this time of year. Perfect.

The Big 4-0

I hit the big 4-0 yesterday. Man, it still seems like I should be in my late 20's or early 30's.

Had a few friends over for a bonfire (roasted hot dogs and made s'mores).
About 8:30 I got a big surprise when our good friends (one of my Timothies) from Florida arrived. They took off from Tampa after services this morning and flew up here to spend a few days.

Earl Weaver, Where Art Thou?

Watched the end of Game Two of the ALCS. White Sox won courtesy of a terrible call. I'm a Cubs fan, which means that I have to be anti-Sox. But I would have been just as honked off if that call would have been made with the teams reversed (the Angels winning over the Sox). I don't understand why Mike Scioscia didn't argue more vehemently. Can you imagine what Earl Weaver or Tommy Lasorda would have done with that call? They would still be out on the field throwing a hissy fit and inventing curse words.

And People Wonder Why Disco Is Dead

A couple of weeks ago I started a new series: Retro...All the Way Back

Came on stage with Play That Funky Music White Boy playing. I think I was born a decade or two too late. Ya think?

Almost every guy over 50 said, "I used to have a suit like that."

Prefontaine

We watched Prefontaine last night. It had been in our Netflix que for a long time. This is a "must-see" film for any runner. Pre was a little before my time, but I have heard about him for years. The movie documents his life as a University of Oregon track star and Olympic runner. It also portrays legendary coach (and co-founder of Nike) Bill Bowerman. It showed him developing the Nike Waffle Trainer (which was one of my first running shoes). It also portrayed a couple of my early running heroes, Jeff Galloway and Frank Shorter. I have followed Galloway's training plans for many years, and I once ran in a race with Frank Shorter (and later got my picture taken with him).

I knew how the movie would end (he died in his prime in a car crash), but I underestimated the "verklemptness factor." When the hearse did the last lap around the UofO track and the crowd began to chant, "Pre! Pre! Pre! Pre!"....Gulp!

March of the Penguins

Took the family to see the March of the Penguins movie. It's hard to imagine anyone watching it and not believing in God. What incredible creatures these little tux-wearing birds are. Morgan Freeman's commentary kept it interesting. I couldn't help but wonder what the cameramen endured to film this. It's 58 below zero on the sunny days. Amazing creatures of an amazing God.