Protected: So much (for) gratitude….

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Lindsborg Ice Storm

 

Holidays

The holidays are upon us. I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving next week, wherever you will be. Jen and I will be in the Pacific Northwest from Tuesday through Sunday. So here’s wishing you a good feast to you and yours, from there.
As it happens, I have a fairly grand holiday break set up [...]

Thirty-Three

I have been contemplating this place and time in life–being 33. It is an interesting but hard to define stage. I have particularly been trying to explore the concept of the Jesus Year, as Jesus was supposedly 33 for the bulk of his ministry, betrayal, and death. The concept is that by the age of [...]

Two for 2008

It seems like there’s been a sad chain of obituaries on the blog lately.  I’m a little hesitant in the midst of those to post something so frivolous, but it’s an exciting frivolous.  At least, I can’t help but get a little giddy about these two news items today. 
Click the links below [...]

How’s the Weather?

Today in Eau Claire is cool and sunny. One of the first tastes of fall coming on. Eliot had his last day of pre-school soccer camp today (we lost one to zero, though most of the kids didn’t know who won and who lost or what team they were on or which direction to [...]

The Ivory Tower

I’m writing this post from my new office at Macalester College. It feels right now rather incredible to be here, even just for one semester, teaching one class. And it’s exciting and a little daunting to have an office in the department and the building where I used to take classes myself, meet with professors [...]

Indiana Jones IV

 (Click for a much larger photo)
I would just like to announce to all of you that Indiana Jones is officially underway with Speilberg at the helm and Ford, Connery, and Cate Blanchett along for the ride.
Video after the break.
Oh, and…first. 

Tob-sequitur

I declare this the king of Goldberg machines:  http://baynhamtyers.com/contraptionII.html
Cocaine + Corn=http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=54522&in_page_id=2
Our childhood dreams are a reality: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4217989.html
The little red spot: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=452130&in_page_id=1965
J.E.’s next clock: http://technabob.com/blog/2007/06/18/modern-flip-clock-updates-an-old-standard/
The new Transformers movie is already obsolete: http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/more_than_meets_the_eye
Nature already had it figured out: http://www.sycamorefan.com/fan/feature/features.html

YouTube Friday — The Hollow Men

So here I am at the McPherson Public Library buzzing on coffee from the Main St. Deli.  Now seems like an appropriate time to post Marlon Brando reading “The Hollow Men.” Enjoy if you dare.

Public Service Announcement!

I meant to post these before all of your New Year festivities.  I fear by forgetting, I’ve done everyone a terrible wrong.  I’m surprised they don’t make these articles mandatory reading in schools now-a-days.  I posted them here, because you need to know! 
Click on the thumbnails to read the full version.
    
Seriously, I didn’t realize things like this [...]

2006

The last couple of days, I’ve been repairing a hole in our dining room ceiling, sanding, priming, and painting. Meanwhile, I’ve had on Minnesota Public Radio and occasionally CNN. Everything is abuzz with list of “The Top _________ of 2006″ (fill in the blank with “celebrities,” “movies,” “songs,” “albums,” “newsmakers,” and so on). Most of [...]

2007

And now, looking ahead, it must be asked: what do you foresee in 2007? This can either be predictions of important events or people, or it could take the form of personal New Years resolutions. It’s always such a reflective time. I’m reminded that the month of January comes from Janus, the Roman god of [...]

Warning

I just received an email from Staci (Shoemaker) Schmid, who has informed me that a Fifteen-Year Class Reunion for the MHS graduating class of 1992 is planned for August 2007. She has asked me to provide her with any emails or mailing addresses for classmates.
You heard it here first.
–Shotts

It’s Never Too Late Music Thursday

Apologies about not posting this yesterday.  Understandably, there was turkey to be eaten.  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  One thing I was thankful for yesterday was the many years of white meat (and tofurkey), cranberries, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and wine we all had the privilege of sharing together.  Not to mention [...]