2009 Christmas Album
Here it is, the official song list of the annual Christmas album. It was tough this year finding just the right versions of each song, and for the most part I think we got everything we needed. (Which isn't bad considering we heard 30 sec increments of it on itunes and judged the whole song on it...) We shortened it to 11 this year, which is around 40 minutes. Have a couple extra songs that we downloaded then took off for one reason or another.
The theme is "It's the message, not the music."
Christmas 2009 Song List
1. Let It Be Christmas -- Alan Jackson
2. Carol of the Bells / Sing We Now of Christmas -- BarlowGirl
3.O Holy Night -- Martina McBride
4.Mary Did You Know -- Kutless
5. Drummer Boy -- Eclipse
6. We Three Kings -- Worship Jamz
7.Christmas Must Be Something More -- Taylor Swift
8.O Come All Ye Faithful -- Third Day
9. I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day -- Casting Crowns
10. We Wish You a Merry Christmas -- Weezer
11. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays -- NSYNC
Here's to another great album!!
Here Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake!
This has got to be #1 on the Top Ten Things I Would NEVER Do!
The lanky Texan stands among hundreds of slithering rattlesnakes and prods them with special tongs that allow him to snatch the reptiles at arm's length.
"I'm sorting out the dead snakes," said Soles, wearing protective pants as he occasionally picks up a lifeless rattler from the bundle and throws it into a bucket outside the pit.Read the whole thing
here!
My personal opinion is that the hippie tree huggers and scientists need to get over it! I don't think we will ever run out of rattlers. Besides, I think it would be fun to see, so they need to do it until I can get there!
Labels: hippie tree hugger
You and me baby ain't nothin' but mammals...
Most of you have probably heard about this by now, WTHR 13 investigates is working hard on the story...School district: Sixth graders had sex in class
Indianapolis - For months it's been a well-kept secret. But now Warren Township Schools confirm a disturbing case of sex in the classroom. The illicit activity has parents concerned and a district at a loss for words.
Shop class gives students a chance to learn outside of the book. But at Warren Township's Raymond Park Middle School, two students engaged in illicit acts in view of goggled eyes.
13 Investigates was tipped off by a disturbed resident who writes:
"...during school hours in a classroom with an experienced teacher present, two sixth graders completed the act of intercourse...at least ten students were witnesses. No disciplinary actions were taken against the teacher... All teachers were told to keep quiet."
Middle school students having sex in a busy classroom while a teacher is present? Warren Township Associate Superintendent Jeff
Swensson confirmed it's true. It's been kept under wraps since November.
The principal at Raymond Park Middle School would not speak to us about the incident or parents concerns. The superintendent in charge of middle schools in the district also backed out of an on-camera interview and instead provided a three-sentence statement:
"Two students were involved in inappropriate conduct in a lab class last semester. We have investigated the matter and taken appropriate action. The school corporation considers the matter closed and will have no further comment."
Associate Superintendent Jeff
Swensson told Eyewitness News off camera the teacher didn't know what was going on because another student acted as a "look-out." But once the teacher discovered the behavior, immediate action was taken.
Swensson says the students involved were recommended for expulsion. But he did not say whether the board followed that recommendation.
Warren Township School Police were not aware of the incident and say no report was made even though the children were recommended for expulsion.
We sought comment from all seven Warren Township School Board Members about how this case was handled. No one was available to speak with us.
And of course since it got national attention they had to run an update here...which siad nothing new, but you can read it anyways if you like.Finally, they decided that we meeded one more so they ran this update, which again does about nothing!Hmmm...I guess the job of the media is to cause a fuss and a frendzy, especially if the organization is supported by your tax dollars. There has been a lot of speculation associated with this case, student heresay (which normally is worth a grain of salt), and basicially no evidence or information since everyone is keeping there mouths shut tight. I am going to guess that someone will pay enough or find the right person that a staff will betray the school so wath carefully for the rest of the story.I am not one to judge or start more of a stir, but here is what I think. This is a symptom of bigger problems, namely the degregation of our society and an overcrowded classroom. When we restore some morality to our schools and culture, things like this will be the exception not the rule. We need to threaten real punishment on the students and their parents. When people have nothing to be scared of, and have no moral compass you get a troubled society. I love America, but are getting in trouble quick!
Lost in the Blogosphere! (did I spell that right?)
Recently I have been turned on to a couple different blogs that relate to the educational field (I added them to the links at the side). I try to look at them everyday and see what is new, read up, and judge what is credible and of use, but there is so much. Just this morning I found myself leaving a page open so I could read it later (all 13 pages of it), and then tonight I highlighted and copied 8 more pages and bookmarked another site...why...because in my opinion this is stuff that will help me become a better leader someday. Hopefully!
Here is my problem, 21 pages a day of reading (and that doesn't count the blogs themselves, just PDF files that I found worthwhile) leads to about 7,665 pages a year! How on Earth can I do that?
So I have to learn to find a balance, but I am so eager to learn from those who have gone before me that it will be hard. Somedays there will be 1 or 2 pages, someday there will be 50, but no matter what I have to realize that we are fallible and limited. We aren't sponges that soak up everything, but to make up for that we have rational, discretionary thoughts that helps us weed out and set limits...I just hope mine kicks in before I get overly consumed!
On another note, I have a student in my 3rd grade class that this year to date in the Accelerated Reading program (you read books and take comprehension tests) has read a total of 2,686,592 words just in AR books (that doesn't count reading for class, textbooks, writing, billboards, magazines, newspapers, labels, etc...) and it is only March! WOW!!!!! (I bet he could read 7,665 pages a year and not flinch!)
Pizza Hut Soley Accountable for Obesity in Children
CNN is once again enlightening us
here and bashing Pizza Hut for motivating and rewarding students who read.
Really now, leave the good guys alone and allow kids to get a reward for their work. Parents have the decision, if they want to let their kids have pizza that's their perogitive...get off their back!
I have to believe that there is some better use of a reporter than to cover this stuff. But hey it's not my dime!
Labels: education, hippy tree hugger
Wawasee Still #1...in my book!
I must say that I have never been prouder to be a Wawasee Fan! The girls Varisty Basketball Team played thier heart out against Brebuf, but still came up short. The first three quarters were amazing, ending at 38 all, but the last 8 minutes was painstaking to listen to!
Lucky for us we are young and will be back next year with a little more experience and a larger chip on our shoulder. GO GREEN!
Also good luch to the boys as they play Monday night @ Northwood. Northwood topped us during the regular season, but fear not...the Warriors are going to skin the Panthers!
Is this a leap year?
GO BLUE!So here it is the day after the Super Bowl and I find myself sitting here, teeth chattering, limbs half frozen, and I can't help but to mull over the fact that it is not a leap year. That simply means that I have one less day to celebrate the Colts' World Championship! That is worse that the 6 and 7 degree weather we will have over the next few days! OK...so in a week I will be over the whole thing, but until then I get to rub the local Bears fans' faces i the mud! (That is the joy of living in the center of the two teams), most Colts fan will not have near the opportunity to gloat over the fact that the bears were impotent last night. The boys from the Windy City were too winded on defense, and the no shows on offense just couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way of the stampede! (However, Props to the Muuuussss #87, you got skills, and have had since your days as a Panther!)I heard today that Las Vegas has the west coast boys from San Diego as favorites from next year. But Peyton got the sweet taste of vistory in his mouth, so watch out...like a dog that gets hold of a chicken, once you get that taste in you, you'll stop at nothing to get it back! We've said good-bye to the Poor Pats era, and the Precise, Powerful, Peyton Period is upon us!So I'll say it again...GO BLUE!
For Every Season Turn, Turn, Turn!
May 2...Hmmm....Summer has come and gone, yet I still find no time to post I wonder why? I guess I could use the old excuse that I have no time, but in reality all of us have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days (sometimes more) a year! So the better question is, "Where have I been spending my time? And what on earth is so important that I can't blog on a regular basis?
Part of it is my job. I just spent another blissful 4 weeks coaching 4th and 5th grade girls basketball. I love it! Not to mention the other teaching aspect for 8+ hours a day.
Another part would be classes. I am currently enrolled in a graduate class in which I am turning a new leaf and reading every page, doing all my own assignments, and golfing less! It has been a struggle, but so far so good!
The other time-consumer is mowing MY yard...nice not to have a yard I rent :) Unfortunately, the sun has been hiding, and rain has been abounding so the yard has taken over! Not to mention the whole you neeed to unpack, so why don't you sit and watch Prison Break, House, or Survivor instead.
So I guess I have found lots to do,and I am sure that I will continue to lfind lots to do. Maybe I'll try to get the blood from the turnip and squeez in some time to write a little more. At this rate I will see you in January!
What would you do?
What would you do if you came home and heard this from your student?
Two couples are suing a Boston-area public school district, claiming it usurped their parental rights by exposing their sons -- in kindergarten and second grade -- to lessons that included homosexual romance without telling the parents.The couples, who describe themselves as "devout Christians" in their federal lawsuit against Lexington, Mass., public schools, charged that the small school district violated state law and their civil rights when it taught their sons about a "lifestyle" the parents consider to be immoral and failed to let them know in advance."This isn't about gays. It's about human sexuality, broadly," Jeffrey Denner, the parents' attorney, said Friday. He said his clients would be equally disturbed if their young sons were learning about "heterosexual prostitution" in school."Age is very important," when deciding when a child should be taught about sexual issues, Mr. Denner said. "Parents should be making the determination" as to when their children should be introduced to such topics, because parents "have the right to make value-laden decisions" on behalf of their offspring.In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs accuse Lexington Public Schools and the town of Lexington of breaking the commonwealth of Massachusetts' so-called "opt-out law." The statute requires public schools to notify parents when the instructional curriculum "primarily involves human sexual education or human sexual issues," so that concerned parents can remove their children from class.However, the Lexington school district views reading materials and discussions about same-sex couples as part of lessons on diversity and families, not sexuality. So it does not believe it is obliged to tell parents about them. School officials say the topics of homosexual "marriage" and families may come up in the classroom, unannounced and unplanned.The school system says it started developing its policy of including homosexual couples in its instruction on families about seven years ago, as more and more same-sex parents moved into the Lexington area."The Lexington school system is committed to creating an environment that is warm and welcoming to everyone. Lexington is a diverse community that respects all of its students and parents," schools Superintendent Paul Ash said in a written statement."In Massachusetts, gays have equal rights. We have gay marriages. Our kids see it, and it's part of our overall curriculum. We're talking about what kids see in today's world," Mr. Ash told the Associated Press last week in response to the filing of the parents' lawsuit.Plaintiffs in the case are Joseph and Robin Wirthlin and David and Tonia Parker. Last month, the Wirthlins complained after learning that a Lexington teacher read a storybook to their son's second-grade class about two princes who fall in love, wed and live happily ever after. The school district said the reading was merely part of a unit on marriage. The Wirthlins said they should have been told in advance of the reading, but were not.I personally want to smack the teacher upside her head, however... I think suing is a little over the top, or a ploy to get the media involved. There are proper channels in elected board members and upper administration to see before your lawyer. Maybe it is a money making scheme...You Make The Call!!
Is this good government?
Check out this story about the California senate, and what they have been up to lately...
State senators on Thursday endorsed Monday's boycott of schools, jobs and stores by illegal immigrants and their allies as supporters equated the protest with great social movements in American history.By a 24-13 vote that split along party lines, the Senate approved a resolution that calls the one-day protest the Great American Boycott 2006 and describes it as an attempt to educate Americans "about the tremendous contribution immigrants make on a daily basis to our society and economy.""It's one day ... for immigrants to tell the country peacefully, 'We matter ... (we're) not invisible,'" said Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, the resolution's chief author. She said immigrants make up a third of California's labor force and a quarter of its residents.Opponents said the nonbinding resolution was misleading because it failed to mention a goal of the boycott was pressuring Congress to legalize millions of undocumented people."It is a disingenuous effort to put the government of California on record supporting open borders," said Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside.The boycott, also called "A Day Without Immigrants," grew out of huge pro-immigrant marches across the United States in recent weeks. Organizers are urging people to stay home from school and jobs and avoid spending money on Monday to demonstrate their importance to the U.S. economy.California's top education official appeared with school officials in several cities Thursday to urge students to stay in school on Monday.State Superintendent for Public Instruction Jack O'Connell encouraged students interested in the immigration issue to voice their opinions by participating in protest activities - but only after attending their classes."If students need to protest, they should feel free to do so after school," O'Connell told students and reporters at San Jose High Academy. "We want students to exercise free speech, but not at the expense of their education."Rallies are planned for Monday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gardena, Bell, Santa Ana, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, Concord and other cities.School officials in San Leandro, meanwhile, said Thursday that rising tensions over the immigration issue may have contributed to a series of brawls between Hispanic and black teenagers.Over a dozen San Leandro High School students were taken into custody Wednesday following the fights that started on campus and spilled over into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store.While educators theorized that the stress children of immigrants are under while the immigration debate roils may have played a role in the violence, students told television station KTVU that racial tensions predated recent developments.Several senators equated the protest with the civil rights movement of the 1960s and other major events in American history.Segregation was ended in part because of the public bus boycott by blacks in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955, said Romero.Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, likened the debate over immigrant rights to the fights over slavery, women's suffrage, the internment of Japanese during World War II, and the Vietnam War.America wouldn't have been created without illegal action, said Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys. "They dumped a bunch of tea in Boston harbor, illegally. God bless them," he said.But Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, said lawmakers should not encourage lawbreakers even if they disagreed with the law."It is irresponsible for this body to advocate that students leave school for any reason," Cox said.He introduced a bill that would require a special school attendance audit on Monday, so that schools would not receive state aid for any student who was truant. School funding is based on attendance levels. O'Connell said the state would not grant waivers to schools that lose funding if students were absent while out protesting.The debate was personal and emotional for some senators.Sen. Nell Soto, D-Pomona, recalled watching as a child as immigration police swept up brown-skinned farmworkers, "not even asking if they were illegal or illegal."Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, described how her grandfather remained in the country illegally after overstaying a work permit during the 1940s, when he picked fruits and vegetables while American men were fighting World War II."This happened 60 years ago. And you know what? The story still continues," Escutia said, choking up as she described her 11-year-old son asking her about the controversy. She said the Great American Boycott should be renamed "the Great American Secret, and that is we all rely on someone who is here illegally."Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, while citing immigrants' contributions, said the nation's goal should be assimilation: "From many people, one people, the American people. One race, the American race."I mean really is this what taxpayers are paying them to do. I am thrilled that this will be a peaceful demonstration. Boycotts can be one of the most effective ways to get your point across, however I must disagree with a body of state government agreeing with it.My other concern with this boycott is the fact that this will only fuel an out of control fire, and give more power and rights to ILLEGAL aliens (I will not give the pleasure of being ILLEGAL citizens...cause they are NOT citizens!)They are not working or shopping. Everyone grab the checkbook, buy lots on Monday, fire those who don't come to work, and let's show ILLEGAL people that we don't want or need them!
Thwarted Plan at JFK
I know some don't catch the news much, so I would like to keep you informed about matters of national security... Click the picture to read a whale of a tail about a thwarted national disaster...
Radio Spots
Alright, so this will be a complete rant, so be prepared!!
As I left my abode this morning, I was riding in my hooopty going to work whne the news came on. They started doing a story about immigrant rallies in South Bend that brought out way more than I ever would have thought. I have been seeing these on the news lately, and I can't believe it. I have tried to put it out of my mind, but this is what I heard this morning, "They are rallying to make sure they are not treated as criminals, but given a chance to become a citizen."wait waitWAIT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? YOU ARE ILLEGALS, YOU DID NOT TAKE LEGAL MEANS TO GET INTO OUR COUNTRY...YOU ARE CRIMINALS! GO HOME!!!! I HOPE THEY TOSS YOU OUT ON YOUR CANS!!!!!inhale...exhale...The next spot was another doozy, it was a hospital commercial for a alcohol recovery center. The lady was like "alcoholism is a diease that can't be helped, but we can"... wait wait WAIT"A DISEASE" that would mean that there is something physically wrong with your mind, or body that doesn't let you function properly in your environment, and I have seen lots of drunks that hide it well, and function properly in public...leprosy is a disese, multiple schlerosis is a disease, schicophrenia is a disease...ALCOHOLISM IS A RESULT OF YOUR BAD DESCISIONS, NOT A DISEASE!!! breath in....breathe out...Now I understand you can have an addiction, but you undo wrong choices, by choosing to seek help in a medical facility, but you are not being delivered from the claws of a disease!I feel better, tell me what you think...
Technology
Maybe I am old school, irrational, whatever you want to call it, but I am coming to believe that all the new-fangled technology in the world is sometimes a bad thing. Let's look at what technology has done for us lately...automated phone lines that make talking to a real person the hardest thing to do, and you don't even try it if you don't have an hour to spare! Oh yeah, there are computers with spell check and language check which has all pummeled spelling and grammar skills into extinction. Cell phones that mean I can be found anywhere, anytime, day or night. Let's not forget the fact that TV, Mp3 players, and other multi-media devices have made lectures in school so boring that a recent study by the Christian Science Monitor says 70% of dropouts, are so bored that they just choose to quit.
Sure it's a little easier, but life is now lazier, and more complex. There are 2 edges to this sword, and although I appreciate most technology, I have to admit that it is not necessarily a good thing.
My cohort in crime growing up found this interesting tidbit of knowledge, which he elegantly titled on Feb 22, 2006. Cick below and enjoy!
http://martinite2004.blogspot.com/
Another interesting e-mail!
OK I know these e-mails are probably old and lame, but I am on a no work trip right now.....
I'll bet you didn't know......
Tomato juice was first served at a French Lick Hotel in 1925.
The first tomato juice factory was also in French Lick, IN.
The world's largest orchid species collection is found at Ball State
University in Muncie, Indiana.
The first regulated speed limit on Indiana roads was initiated in 1921. 20
- 25 mph!!
An average of 400 funnel clouds are sighted each year in Indiana.
The city of Gary, Indiana, was built on fill brought from the bottom of Lake
Michigan through suction pipes.
There are only two Adams fireplaces in the United States. One is in the
White House and the other in the Diner Home in Indiana.
Josie Orr, wife of former Indiana Governor Robert Orr, flew bombers and
cargo planes during World War II.
The Indianapolis Methodist Hospital is the largest Hospital in the Midwest.
One of the first complete bathrooms in Indianapolis was in the home of
Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley.
The career of Dorothy Lamour (famous for the Crosby-Hope Road Movies) was
launched in Indianapolis.
Aviatrix Amelia Earhart was once a Professor at Purdue University.
Crown Hill Cemetery (Indianapolis) is the largest cemetery in the U.S.
The library in For t Wayne, Allen County, Indiana houses one of the largest
genealogy libraries in America.
Wabash, Indiana was the first electrified city in the U.S.
Pendleton, Indiana was the site of the first hanging of a white man for
killing Indians.
The Courthouse roof in Greensburg, Indiana has a tree growing from it.
The world's first transistor radio was made in Indianapolis.
Clark Gable and wife Carole Lombard (a Hoosier) honeymooned at ! Lake Barbee
near Warsaw, Indiana.
The American Beauty Rose was developed at Richmond, Indiana.
Elkhart, Indiana is the band instrument capitol of the World.
Frank Sinatra first sang with the Tommy Dorsey band at the Lyric Theater in
Indianapolis.
Purdue Alumnus, Earl Butz, served as the Secretary of Agriculture.
U.S. 231 is the longest highway in Indiana (231mi les).
Johnny Appleseed is buried at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The singing McGuire Sisters spent their childhood summers at the Church of
God Campground in Anderson,Indiana.
The main station of the Underground Railroad was in Fountain County, Indiana
There are 154 acres of sculpture gardens and trails at the Indianapolis
Museum of Art.
La Porte County is the only county in America having two functioning
Courthouses. I think we can add Vanderburgh County in with that also.
Nancy Hanks Lincoln is buried in Posey County,Indiana.
Crawfordsville, Indiana (Montgomery County) is the only site in the World
where crinoids are found. (What is a crinoid, you ask? A form of
deep-water marine life that looks something like a starfish.)
Pendleton, Indiana was the site of the 'Fall Creek Massacre.'
A museum housing 3500 artifacts of pioneer heritage now exists
on that site.
St. Meinrad Archabbey is located in Spencer County and is one of only two
archabbeys in the U.S. and seven in the world. (Abbey Press is an operation
of the archabbey.)
A Buzz Bomb (German - WWII), believed to be the only one on public display
in the nation, can be found on the Putnam County Courthouse lawn in
Greencastle.
Roberta Turpin Willett was born in Indiana.
Red Skelton was born in Vincennes, Indiana.
May West was from Bedford, Indiana. (as was Claud Akins).
Beaulah Bondi, Bronco John, Orville Redenbacher were from Valparaiso.
Sport announcer Chris Schenck was from Pendleton.
Forrest Tucker(actor) was from Pendleton, Indiana.
You can't ship wine to Indiana. (So how does it get here???????)
Bob Greise is from Evansville, Indiana. (Purdue boy)
Toni Tenille (of The Captain and Tenille) is from Indiana.
Oprah Winfrey built her residence in Indiana.
Florence Henderson is from Indiana.
John Mellancamp is a Hoosier and resides in Bloomington.
The much sought-after Hoosier Cabinets are an Indiana product.
90% of the world's popcorn is grown in Indiana.
The Jackson Five are from Indiana as well as 'SuperFan' Russ McLeod.
The birthplace of the automobile, the pneumatic rubber tire, the aluminum
casting process, stainless steel and the first push-button car radio was in
Kokomo,Indiana.
Pretty neat, huh? And you thought there was only corn in Indiana.
Unanswered Questions
Got this in an e-mail thought it was cute! Maybe I will change this blog to a funny e-mail extravaganza and tackle tough issues later!
1.Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE
2. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?
3.OK.... so if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the "Jags" and theTampaBay Buccaneers are known as the "Bucs," what does that make the Tennessee Titans?
4.If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one enjoys it?
5. There are three religious truths:
a. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
b. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.
c. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or at Hooters.
6. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
7. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
8. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
9. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?
10. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racecar is not called a racist?
11. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?
12 If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
13. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?
14. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?
15. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?
16. I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me .....they're cramming for their final exam.
17. I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use? toothpicks?
18. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?
19 If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
20. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
21. Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?
22. If a cow laughed, would milk come out of her nose?
23. Whatever happened to Preparations A through G?
As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice: When you put the two words "The" and "IRS" together it spells
"THEIRS"?
HA HA HA!!!
Q: What do you call 47 millionaires around a TV watching the Super
Bowl?
A: The Indianapolis Colts
Q: What do the Indianapolis Colts and Billy Graham have in common?
A: They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell Jesus Christ.
Q: How do you keep an Indianapolis Colt out of your yard?
A: Put up goal posts.
Q: Where do you go in Indianapolis in case of a tornado?
A: The RCA Dome. They never get a touchdown there.
Q: What do you call an Indianapolis Colt with a Super Bowl ring?
A: A thief.
Q: What is the difference between the Indianapolis! Colts and a
dollar bill?
A: You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.
Q: How many Indianapolis Colts does it take to win a Super Bowl?
A: Nobody knows and we may never find out.
Q: What do the Indianapolis Colts and possums have in common?
A: Both play dead at home and get killed on the road.
Q: Did you hear Ashley Manning (Peyton's wife) is pregnant?
A: Peyton's protection broke down.
I'll take a dip of the good stuff!!
Thanks to Time Magazine and my students recieving Time for Kids, I am the honorary recipient of Time Magazine...which I hate! They are liberal, annoying, and I think that it is a waste of a tree for them to send me one!
When I do read it, the only reason is there is an interesting cover story. ie greatest inventions, year in pictures, etc...
Which brings me to my rant! As I was looking through the year in pictures, I noticed that there is not one positive picture in the issue. There are houses burning, dead people, lonely people, stranded tsunami surviors, floods, dead popes, lonely military men in Iraq, and many more depressing photos, and the only thing they are convincing me of is that the world is in terrible shape.
I think this is hogwash! Where are the pictures of people recieving aid, the smoke announcing a new healthier pope, people enjoying the revitalized clubs in New Orleans (slim as that number might be), where are the new houses being built, the tents being set up for earthquake torn areas, insurgents being snuffed out and Iraqis voting.
If you want to know why the world is in such bad shape, it is because there is not enough good news being spread. Especially at this festive time of year, I would like to hear the great things humanity is doing, read the articles, and see the pictures. If the media would show some of this, I imagine that the world would slowly become a better place!
Sad but True
I saw a saw but true comic just the other day....I love teacher's lounge goodies!
There were three children sitting outside the principal's office. Two obviously mean children sitting there, one remarks that he was there for saying the s-h word, the other said a different choice four letter word. Sitting on the end ofthe bench was a terrified little boy, who seemed to be in shock. He shly remarks, I said "Chritstmas"!
The other teacher's lounge goodie, is completely unsupported by my own research, so I am trusting that the anonymous e-mail is accurate. Here is what it reads:
As you open your pockets for yet another natural disaster, keep these facts in mind:Marsha J evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross...Salary for year ending 6/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses.Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way recieves a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits.The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett recieves a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managinf this $2 billion dollar organizationLike I said I am not sure of the facts here, and it does sound a little spun to favor the Salvation Army (ok a lot), but if there is any credibility here I think it is worth noting!
Have a wonderful day!
True Wise Men
The following was sent to me by a friend the other day. He has more in depth critical thinkingin his big toe, than I do in my entire body. How ironic...We as a society have commercialized Christmas to the point where we lose the true meaning because of these guys bearing gifts, yet these the wisest of all in Bible time completely uncommercialized themselves!
Robert L. Short
1707 Candy Court South
Kokomo, IN 46902
Tel.: (765) 453-6639
Being both a Bible and a history student, I love finding out details missed by those who fail to investigate. Such details often unlock great stories to a whole new dimension of comprehension. Christmas and Easter are specialties of mine. At Christmas, there is no part of the Nativity more touching and interesting than the story of the Wise Men.
Matthew is the only gospel writer to give this story. Matthew wrote primarily to the Jews to convince them Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Thus, the vignette of the nativity stories he gives explain how Hebrew messianic prophecies were fulfilled through Jesus:
The genealogy shows his lineage from David.
The virgin birth reflects Isaiah’s Immanuel.
The Magi story explains how his exile was financed.
The holy family’s escape to Egypt fulfills the scripture, "Out of Egypt I called my son," (Micah 5:2).
The Bethlehem Massacre is seen in Jeremiah (31:15).
Every year at Christmas we are subjected to the popular notion that the Wise Men were "Three Kings" from the east or the "Orient" who followed westward an ever-shining beacon-bright star until it stopped over the manger. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
The "wise men" were "magi". The word is Greek, referring to the "secret arts" of astrology, divination of animal entrails and bones, use of potions and drugs to call up the dead and to speak to spirits. Their activities were outlawed by Hebrew law (Deut. 18:9-13) as "detestable". Yet, in Babylon, the probable site of their origin, they were highly respected by monarchs for giving advice to them from gods, the dead, and the spirit world, to guide royal actions.
These astrologers were cultic priests, complete with temples, sacrifices, revenue, rituals, etc. However, astrology was their primary form of information guiding their belief system. Nightly, they searched the skies for developments in the intricate dance of the heavens. They had books that detailed the meaning and significance of each of the heavenly bodies’ movements, conjunctions, appearance, and disappearance.
They noted over a period of a year a number of startling astral events. Planets, stars, and moon played out a sequence as clear to their beliefs as a giant billboard with electronically sequenced lights telling a story.
The events told them of the birth of a male child. He was to be the king of the Jews. He was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He was the King of Kings. He was the Son of God. Those four heavenly signs in a year’ s time were enough to totally rock their world. No one before or since has been foretold with such significance by astrologers. Nor could they be!
I once noted the frequency of occurrence of each of the heavenly bodies’ movements and calculated that the same conjunctions could not occur again for over 200,000 years – if then! These guys found something that was of eternal significance, far more than a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Their decision was the most dramatic of any I have ever noted in religious response, yet it is seen only by reading between the lines. They closed down their temples, removed the holy objects dedicated to their idols and gods (That is, they took the gold from the temple treasure, the frankincense used in ritual ceremony, and the myrrh used as perfume to preserve sacrifices) and went a few months travel to worship a new God!
Never have I seen it written in all the stories and all the commentaries such a gripping tale of forsaking the old for the new. Never have I seen such an act of faith to pay homage.
By the time they could arrive in Jerusalem, perhaps hundreds of them, not three (which was a number based on the types of gifts), Jesus was now at least two. We know that because the word "child" (vs. 9,11) is a translation for what we call a "toddler". Also, Herod sent troops to Bethlehem to kill all boys "two years old and under." (vs. 16) Also, by now, the family was settled in a "house" (vs. 11), not the manger.
These men gave their gifts in worship to their new God and King, a fabulous treasury. They pledged their undying allegiance to Him. In an act of protection, they circumvented King Herod’s authority to return to Babylon. O how I wish the archaeologists would discover what happened to them then.
Can we drop all of our unholiness and come before the King? Can we give up our comforts, our livelihood, our reputations, our way of life, our treasures, and follow after Him? Can we risk our very lives to pursue the deepest allegiance of our hearts? If so, perhaps we are wise men.Out of time, but there is more to come on this later!
Is there any common sense in the house?
I have long since believed that the whole No Child Left Behind legislation was a load of unattainable expectations, but I have never just sat and listed all the ways that it is lacking.
Thanks to the Doc Stock and the National Council of Churches I don't have to! Check out this article. I believe I agree with most if not all the points they make.
http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/LeftBehind.pdfWhat do you think?
PROPS TO BLACK CRUNCH!
Just imagine, on 5 different occasions, with 5 great teams, more experienced players, and lots better moral Norhtwood has entered the High School Postseason and finished at the Dome!
With the title at their fingertips, it was squandered away. Of 311 teams that have played for a State Championship Northwood Ranked a measly 311.
0-5 Why would fans even show up?
This year started out abismal, going 3-6 during the regular season. Pitiful, dispicable, shameful.
Sad eh!
Chatard on the other hand has never lost in the dome. Unblemished 7-0. The epitomy of perfection. Ranked 1 of 311. Nothing but the best!
For more proof 2 years ago these teams met and it was a blowout...see above records if ou don't know who won! Not even close. One team fired up, another on vacation!!
Not this year though. 7-0 now has a new meaning. No longer does Chatard hold the rights to 7-0...Now it stands for PANTHER POWER! I could not believe my eyes when the dust settled and Northwood had a 7-0 victory! Against all odds, with a freshman and sophmore dynamic duo scoring the lone touchdown of the game. The only Chartard shutout since 2001!
Rags to riches! David beating Goliath! HISTORY!
I am not impressed by much, but this is definitely impressive in my book. My hats off to that entire squad, the coaches, inexperienced and experienced players alike, and the fans who would never dream of counting their team out.
Soak it up, it may never get any sweeter!
OH SNOW!!
Don't you just love those days where you awake to a peaceful dry morning? I do! However, on this morning by the time I showered and ate, my morning was nightmare! Snow fell, roads iced, and I about took out a stop sign, 2 kids, and even more cars!
This was just a really good reason to have a car with anti-lock brakes!!
Happy Turkey Day Eve!! Hope your holidays are grand, and you and yours have traveling safety!
Thanksgiving
Here it is Thanksgiving again, and really truly I have a ton to be thankful for. My wife is hot, I have a house, can save some money, a good career, I don't want for much...I don't ask for anything that I know I can't have or afford! I have a wonderful family, great in-laws, good friends. I have traveled, done much, have a great church, and am well adjusted!
But I gave my students a writing prompt the other day that made me think too. What would a person who has absolutely nothing to be thankful look like? Now I am not talking about someone who thinks they have nothing to be thankful for, but someone who genuinly doesn't. I have to admit I honestly have a hard time considering this. Everyone has something, even if it is skewed. Abused people seem to be thankful for the person who abuses them, sick people can still be thankful that they are being treated, have people with them, or at least have the knowledge that they are going to meet their maker (hence having time to prepare for it). Homeless have a shelter that they can go to if they choose (in most instances).
So I have to ask myself was I unfair to my kids, is there really such a person? Is there truly anyone out there who has nothing, absolutely nothing to be thankful for?
