1. Christmas shopping is an experience in controlled anarchy.
2. Are gift cards really gifts? Or are they just a cop-out because people really don't want to be bothered taking the time to shop for a meaningful, heartfelt gift?
3. Big football games bring communities together--too bad one team has to lose because the excitement leading up to the game is something to be savored. OK--so the Ravens lost to the Steelers, ugh!
4. Meeting new people, drinking wine, blending wine at the winery. Having the wine we blended with two other couples selected as the best was really cool and to have it be the three-day winner, even cooler. We are going to buy a couple cases when it is released next year.
5. Holiday weekends are busier than weekdays during the season.
6. During the Holiday Season, travel and frustration are synonyms.
7. The roads between Baltimore and Charlottesville are fairly empty on Sunday mornings. I guess everyone is sleeping off the night before or preparing to go to church.
8. Tina is a Craigslist warrior--she found a person selling off their Snow Village collection as really reasonable prices and we were able to get many great pieces for less than one new in the box piece. Oh, yeah, they were all in the box too, just not "new."
9. We have been watching Nicole's dogs over the weekend, and I have learned what a canine vacuum cleaner is. Jefferson, the beagle can suck down a bowl of food in the blink of an eye.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Playing Not to Lose
Ever watch a football team go into the prevent defense with 2 minutes left in the game clinging to a narrow lead--and lose?
All the time, right?
That is why it was so satisfying when the Ravens ran out the clock on Sunday and did not provide the Buccaneers the opportunity to test their offense against the Raven's prevent defense.
But even more--I am beginning to realize that in these situations something occurs in the mind. The team or player goes form being offensive and looking to score to being defensive and trying not to lose.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am playing some of the worst racquetball of my life right now. To say that I am frustrated by my play and some of the dumb things I do over and over again would be an understatement.
Understanding that racquetball games are to 15 points (unless it is a tiebreaker which is only to 11), I am struggling to figure out why I can be down in a game one day 4-14 and comeback to win 15-14; while on another day I can be ahead 10-4 and lose 12-15.
I am doing something, changing something, thinking differently, and playing differently. I only wish I knew what it was.
I think though (especially after blowing a lead Thursday morning) it has to do with a subtle shift in focus from playing to win to playing not to lose. I go defensive and I become so focused on not blowing the lead that I forget to focus on winning the point. And, like the NFL teams I have watched so many times, I blow the lead and lose.
At least that what I think is happening.
I have to be careful not to handle everything in my life using the playing not to lose thought process--or things will get really bad.
But on the other hand--I play racquetball for fitness and fun--so is it really all that bad? The sane side of me says, no. The competitor in me says yes--it really sucks.
Hey--today is a new day and who knows what fun I'm going to have in life today.
All the time, right?
That is why it was so satisfying when the Ravens ran out the clock on Sunday and did not provide the Buccaneers the opportunity to test their offense against the Raven's prevent defense.
But even more--I am beginning to realize that in these situations something occurs in the mind. The team or player goes form being offensive and looking to score to being defensive and trying not to lose.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am playing some of the worst racquetball of my life right now. To say that I am frustrated by my play and some of the dumb things I do over and over again would be an understatement.
Understanding that racquetball games are to 15 points (unless it is a tiebreaker which is only to 11), I am struggling to figure out why I can be down in a game one day 4-14 and comeback to win 15-14; while on another day I can be ahead 10-4 and lose 12-15.
I am doing something, changing something, thinking differently, and playing differently. I only wish I knew what it was.
I think though (especially after blowing a lead Thursday morning) it has to do with a subtle shift in focus from playing to win to playing not to lose. I go defensive and I become so focused on not blowing the lead that I forget to focus on winning the point. And, like the NFL teams I have watched so many times, I blow the lead and lose.
At least that what I think is happening.
I have to be careful not to handle everything in my life using the playing not to lose thought process--or things will get really bad.
But on the other hand--I play racquetball for fitness and fun--so is it really all that bad? The sane side of me says, no. The competitor in me says yes--it really sucks.
Hey--today is a new day and who knows what fun I'm going to have in life today.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Christmas Shopping
People who know me, understand how much I love to go shopping during the Christmas season.
There is nothing better in the world than waiting for what seems like hours to get into the parking lot and then dueling like knights of old encased in armor on their steeds for a parking spot. And an especially fun game is stalking the other shoppers as the make their way to their cars burdened with all of the items they just purchased. Just remember--extra points are awarded for nudging their knees with your bumper but not causing them to fall down.
Once my car is parked, I love playing dodge the distracted drivers as I make my way to the store doors by acting like a combat soldier under fire. You never know where the mini Cooper with your name in its bumper is going to come from.
Of course--once in the store the free for all mentality just adds to the ambiance of the season. Truly the slower and weaker shoppers are at a disadvantage. The battles occurring at the sale bins are truly epic. To the victor goes the sale items.
Long lines at the registers after fighting through the throngs of shoppers to exfiltrate my desired purchases provide a much needed opportunity to catch up on my email on my iPhone. I mean, it is not like I have anywhere else I'd rather be, right?
At the register, the weary eyes of the totally burned out cashier barely acknowledge my existence as he calls out my total amount due, which rivals the national debt. "Thank goodness for American Express," Chris said as she smiled at me indicating that I was paying for this trip to Toys R Us.
And then back out into the darkness of the over loaded parking lot to secure safe passage to the car. Again risking life and limb by dodging distracted, confused, and frankly upset drivers who, like me a few hours ago, could not find suitable parking for their too large SUV.
Safely back home with the gifts parked, I realize that this was only step one. Next--wrapping, then transporting and opening and clean up. but that is still a few days away.
I love Christmas shopping.
Please sir, can I have some more?
There is nothing better in the world than waiting for what seems like hours to get into the parking lot and then dueling like knights of old encased in armor on their steeds for a parking spot. And an especially fun game is stalking the other shoppers as the make their way to their cars burdened with all of the items they just purchased. Just remember--extra points are awarded for nudging their knees with your bumper but not causing them to fall down.
Once my car is parked, I love playing dodge the distracted drivers as I make my way to the store doors by acting like a combat soldier under fire. You never know where the mini Cooper with your name in its bumper is going to come from.
Of course--once in the store the free for all mentality just adds to the ambiance of the season. Truly the slower and weaker shoppers are at a disadvantage. The battles occurring at the sale bins are truly epic. To the victor goes the sale items.
Long lines at the registers after fighting through the throngs of shoppers to exfiltrate my desired purchases provide a much needed opportunity to catch up on my email on my iPhone. I mean, it is not like I have anywhere else I'd rather be, right?
At the register, the weary eyes of the totally burned out cashier barely acknowledge my existence as he calls out my total amount due, which rivals the national debt. "Thank goodness for American Express," Chris said as she smiled at me indicating that I was paying for this trip to Toys R Us.
And then back out into the darkness of the over loaded parking lot to secure safe passage to the car. Again risking life and limb by dodging distracted, confused, and frankly upset drivers who, like me a few hours ago, could not find suitable parking for their too large SUV.
Safely back home with the gifts parked, I realize that this was only step one. Next--wrapping, then transporting and opening and clean up. but that is still a few days away.
I love Christmas shopping.
Please sir, can I have some more?
Weird News
I read the following on a page in the Presidential Prayer Team website:
IN THE NEWS: A sedative commonly used to euthanize animals may be used on death row inmates in Oklahoma to substitute one of the three drugs in the state’s lethal injection formula. U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot rejected a motion by death row inmates who argued that the use of a drug called pentobarbital amounted to a “cruel and unusual punishment.” Friot said the drug did not pose a substantial risk of serious harm. There has been a nationwide shortage of sodium thiopental, a key component in the three-drug cocktail that causes unconsciousness. The decision could have a ripple effect across other states.
OK--I thought lethal injection was supposed to cause death? So wouldn't it seem that the drugs used to deprive a person of life should be dangerous?
That's the idea, right?
I'm confused.
IN THE NEWS: A sedative commonly used to euthanize animals may be used on death row inmates in Oklahoma to substitute one of the three drugs in the state’s lethal injection formula. U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot rejected a motion by death row inmates who argued that the use of a drug called pentobarbital amounted to a “cruel and unusual punishment.” Friot said the drug did not pose a substantial risk of serious harm. There has been a nationwide shortage of sodium thiopental, a key component in the three-drug cocktail that causes unconsciousness. The decision could have a ripple effect across other states.
OK--I thought lethal injection was supposed to cause death? So wouldn't it seem that the drugs used to deprive a person of life should be dangerous?
That's the idea, right?
I'm confused.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas Tree Number 2
Not an elegant name at all--but we remember the commercials where number 2 tries harder?
This year our second tree--the one adorning the family room in the basement--is our retro tree. It is a blast from the past and recalls the colored lights of our childhood trees.
Our children have only been treated to trees with white lights--but when Chris and I were children, in the time before mini-lights, trees were decorated with colored lights--and the lights were big. We did not recreate the big bulb trees, but we decided to have a colored light tree to compliment the white light tree on the main level of the house.
Patrick already commented--"there won't be any presents under that tree" as he was retrieving Chewie from a playdate last evening. He remains very loyal to the white light tree style.
That's OK--variety is a good thing.
Chris and I enjoyed sipping wine and decorating this tree last evening listening to Christmas music playing in the background. We had tried the colored lighted tree some years ago, and I was able, with assistance form a cool new Christmas light tool I bought, to get the strands all working and so at least we didn't have a great expense buying lights.
The house is nearly decorated. Only a few more objects to display--specifically the Snow Village Here Comes Santa annual pieces, and then we will be fully Christmified. Well, I think there may be some reindeer on their way to grace our front lawn--but who knows?
This year our second tree--the one adorning the family room in the basement--is our retro tree. It is a blast from the past and recalls the colored lights of our childhood trees.
 |
| Christmas Three Number 2: The Retro Version |
Our children have only been treated to trees with white lights--but when Chris and I were children, in the time before mini-lights, trees were decorated with colored lights--and the lights were big. We did not recreate the big bulb trees, but we decided to have a colored light tree to compliment the white light tree on the main level of the house.
Patrick already commented--"there won't be any presents under that tree" as he was retrieving Chewie from a playdate last evening. He remains very loyal to the white light tree style.
That's OK--variety is a good thing.
Chris and I enjoyed sipping wine and decorating this tree last evening listening to Christmas music playing in the background. We had tried the colored lighted tree some years ago, and I was able, with assistance form a cool new Christmas light tool I bought, to get the strands all working and so at least we didn't have a great expense buying lights.
The house is nearly decorated. Only a few more objects to display--specifically the Snow Village Here Comes Santa annual pieces, and then we will be fully Christmified. Well, I think there may be some reindeer on their way to grace our front lawn--but who knows?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Family, Ministry, and Surrogates
Balancing life is hard.
There are many voices crying to be heard--and it is easy to lose the ones that need to be heard in the din.
What is most confusing for me, though, is when we lose sight of our primary focus and transfer that to others.
And so--here's the situation.
Family is first. Rule one.
We can argue about this, but we are born into families which are the core unit (created by God) of life.
People move through families--from child to teen to young adult to mid-life, to senior (the ones with wisdom). Families change with time and begin to include increasing numbers of generations. And generations replace generations as time goes on--those who change residence from the planet are replaced by those remain behind waiting.
At each step along the way--the person contributes or receives from the family. By the time one is a senior--they are contributing to the 2nd and 3rd generation behind them (grandchildren and great-grandchildren). These generations are the future and require the wisdom and maturity of the most experienced members of the family.
Sadly, I see situations where the senior members are eschewing the younger generations to focus upon surrogates more closely aligned with their age. This is a travesty and deprives the young generations of necessary interaction with the learned ones of the family. This is a false ministry.
Our primary ministry and focus must always be to the family and to the younger/youngest generations.
When we allow other factors to interfere--we are truly missing the boat. All through the Bible families and generations are mentioned in both good and bad examples.
Psalm 22:30-31 makes an interesting observation: A whole generation will serve him; they will tell the next generation about the sovereign Lord. They will come and tell about his saving deeds; they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished- NET Bible
The job of one generation is to teach succeeding generations.
Our primary ministry is to succeeding generations. When we deny our youth the access to the more senior members of the family--the transfer of knowledge and wisdom and relationships is stunted.
We become dysfunctional families and we lose sight of the primary ministry given to us and perhaps the most important ministry to which we are entrusted. Train up our youth.
Proverbs 4:1-5 (NET Bible)
Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.
Because I give you good instruction,
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son to my father,
a tender only child before my mother,
he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that you will live.
Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.
There are many voices crying to be heard--and it is easy to lose the ones that need to be heard in the din.
What is most confusing for me, though, is when we lose sight of our primary focus and transfer that to others.
And so--here's the situation.
Family is first. Rule one.
We can argue about this, but we are born into families which are the core unit (created by God) of life.
People move through families--from child to teen to young adult to mid-life, to senior (the ones with wisdom). Families change with time and begin to include increasing numbers of generations. And generations replace generations as time goes on--those who change residence from the planet are replaced by those remain behind waiting.
At each step along the way--the person contributes or receives from the family. By the time one is a senior--they are contributing to the 2nd and 3rd generation behind them (grandchildren and great-grandchildren). These generations are the future and require the wisdom and maturity of the most experienced members of the family.
Sadly, I see situations where the senior members are eschewing the younger generations to focus upon surrogates more closely aligned with their age. This is a travesty and deprives the young generations of necessary interaction with the learned ones of the family. This is a false ministry.
Our primary ministry and focus must always be to the family and to the younger/youngest generations.
When we allow other factors to interfere--we are truly missing the boat. All through the Bible families and generations are mentioned in both good and bad examples.
Psalm 22:30-31 makes an interesting observation: A whole generation will serve him; they will tell the next generation about the sovereign Lord. They will come and tell about his saving deeds; they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished- NET Bible
The job of one generation is to teach succeeding generations.
Our primary ministry is to succeeding generations. When we deny our youth the access to the more senior members of the family--the transfer of knowledge and wisdom and relationships is stunted.
We become dysfunctional families and we lose sight of the primary ministry given to us and perhaps the most important ministry to which we are entrusted. Train up our youth.
Proverbs 4:1-5 (NET Bible)
Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.
Because I give you good instruction,
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son to my father,
a tender only child before my mother,
he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that you will live.
Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.
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