An Actual Baseball Related Post

They're re-running (I like that word better than repeating) Albert Pujols' and wife's interview on Focus On The Family today. Actually the first part was yesterday and the second one today.

If you missed it and want to listen go here for part one and here for part two.

Albert has gotten some grief from some fans for being aloof and not as approachable as guys like David Eckstein. But I understand this perfectly, and say more power to him. Heck, I'm not even a world class athlete, and I've been known to be the same way. Some view this as arrogance or pride. I don't. The problem is, many do not respect another's right of privacy, to have a personal life away from his vocation. I could, and can, get a bit surly, too, if everyone wants a piece of me all the time. Come here, go there, I need this, I need that, can you do this for me, why not, I guess you're not very nice after all, you don't "act" like a Christian. It makes a person who is a little on the introverted side want to withdraw. I don't know him, and don't know if this is the case, but I can see how this could be and I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now.



At any rate, at least he isn't Barry Bonds...yet!

Wednesdays Readings

Exodus 25 and 26. Matthew 24.

Scottius Maximus Word Of The Month

For February 2007, it is "jonesing".



Jonesing- "to have a strong need, desire, or craving for something." Per the Urban Dictionary.



Let's use it in a sentence.



"Man, I've been jonesing for some Barbie Fairytopia Cereal since yesterday."






Yesterday a little girl was eating a bag of that stuff in front of me. I was hungry and it smelled so good, I was plotting a way to snatch it from her when I saw her spit one of the bits out back in to the clear bag. But that aroma lingered for quite awhile.



Now I want it bad. It has little marshmallowy bits and purple and red crunchy morsels. Kind of like a cross between Sir Grapefellow and Baron Von Redberry.



I'd go buy a box. But how does a 43 year old male go into a store and buy a box of Barbie Fairytopia without inciting riotous laughter?



And since when do we have gender specific cold cereal? Why can't our society get past these discriminatory practices and move in to the 21st century?



So that I can have a little peace before I die.

Reading Assignments

Yesterday was Exodus 19, 20, and 21, and Matthew 22. I dig the parable of the wedding banquet.

Today Exodus 22, 23, and 24. Matthew 23.

Have A Fun Friday Post

I love Lark News. Where else can you stay updated about the Borat/Franklin Graham controversy, the Jesse Duplantis/Jerry Lewis connection, Kirk Cameron's DVD fiasco, and the dreaded "Wolf" Warning System?

Readings Update

Friday- Exodus 12 and 13. Matthew 20.

Weekend- Exodus 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Matthew 21.

Thursday Readings

Exodus 9, 10, and 11. Matthew 19.

And, since it will happen 11 months from today, I'd like to be the first to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Wednesday Readings

Exodus 7 and 8. Matthew 18.

Three Kicks And You're Out

A yankee lawyer went duck hunting in eastern North Carolina. He shot and dropped a bird but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly gentleman asked him what he was doing.
The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field. I'm going in to retrieve it."
The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial attorneys in the U.S. and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything!"
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we do things here in North Carolina. We settle small disagreements like this with the NC Three-Kick Rule."
The lawyer asked, "What is the NC Three-Kick Rule?"
The farmer replied, "Well, first I kick you three times and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up."
The yankee attorney quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old southerner. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the city feller. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy work boot into the yankee lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees. His second kick nearly wiped the man's nose off his face. The barrister was flat on his belly when the farmer's third kick to a kidney nearly caused him to give up.
The yankee lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet and said, "Okay, you old redneck southerner, now it's my turn."
The old North Carolina farmer smiled and said, "Naw, I give up. You can have the duck."

Hat tip to Mark Lowry.

Tuesday Readings

Exodus 4, 5, and 6. Matthew 17.

And does anyone really "get" Matthew 16:27 and 28 from yesterday? I know it must be taken in context to the rest of the statements, but I don't understand what he is saying. He can't be talking about the 2nd coming. Some say he is talking about the transfiguration, but how does that fit with rewarding each person for what he has done?

Today's Readings

Exodus 1, 2, and 3. Matthew 16.

Yin Yang

I like to see two sides to everything.

I'm thrilled the Bears are in the Super Bowl. Yay! It's been 21 years.

I hated to see the Saints lose. BECAUSE THEIR UNIFORMS ROCK!

Weekend Readings

Friday- Genesis 44 and 45. Matthew 14.

Weekend- Genesis 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50. Matthew 15.

I Once Did 12

Think you're in shape? Think again.

Cleaning Out The Drawer

I've "acquired" so many posts that I have intended to link to or to comment about, my post drawer is crammed tight. So I'm releasing them today. Have at them.

From the Cardinals Compartment-
- According to current rosters and performance projections, the Cardinals should win 86 to 88 games in 2007. And that's why they play the games, right? To see who can predict the outcomes the best. It's kind of like why we have elections- to see who can predict the outcomes the best. Anyway, it's kind of a fun January exercise for thinking about baseball.

From the I Just Landed On Earth and Am Trying To Fit In Compartment-
- Here's a story found off of Gizmodo that is quite entertaining. It's written by a guy who just bought a TV after living without one for many, many years.

From the I Want One Of Those Compartment-
- The Beer Tap Back Pack. No explanation necessary.
- If you've ever tried to dial a cell phone with your gloves on (I hate to admit that I have), then you need these gloves. They have little nibs on the fingers that let you manipulate electronic devices without removing the gloves.
- The Home Motion/Flight Simulator. Now you can get airsick in the comfort of your own abode.

From the I Don't Want One Of Those Compartment-
Barbie and her scooper. More specifically, I don't want Barbie's Dog. Looks like he's eating what Barbie's trying to scoop. I've already had one of those models, and they have very bad breath.

From the I Actually Had One Of Those Compartment-
- Remember Jarts? Lawn Darts? I can't tell you how much fun I had tossing those heavy metal projectiles through the air as a kid. Ever try to see how high, or how far, a Jart can be tossed? How about how deep you can stick one in the ground? Ever try to catch a Jart? Such great memories. Fortunately, such toys are now outlawed. But to relive the fun, go to this article about the Top 10 most dangerous toys of all time. In addition to Jarts, I had the Creepy Crawlers Thing Maker. I even posted about it last year. Hey, Mom, how come I never got the Atomic Engergy Lab?
- To play online Jarts, click here.

From the My Garden Will Be Better This Year Compartment-
- It's the Sniper BB Gun, ready to take out chipmunks and bunnies whenever you see the need. With a range of 150 feet, I'll be able to use this sucker from any window in the house.

From the Boy Do I Feel Inadequate Compartment-
- Read the contrasting stories of Richard Proenneke and Christopher McCandless. Now tell me why I should pay money to send my kids to college- to learn what exactly?

From the Why This President Is Incompetent Compartment-
- The lack of pardon for these border patrol agents who shot a drug smuggler and now face jail time.
- Chess champion Garry Kasparov explains how Bush has lost sight of the chess board as a whole while being focused on one little piece: Iraq. Which is causing us to lose.

From the Religion Of Peace Compartment-
- Here's the link to the UK Channel 4 undercover report on the British Green Lane Mosque. It's interesting that the land that gave birth to the religion, Saudi Arabia, is called the extremist form of the religion. Don't they know the Muslim "Prophet" Muhammed- multiple wives, marriage/sex with a 9 year old girl, murder, and slave keeping? Why, you can hardly discern the differences between this religion's founder, and Jesus Christ, can you?

From the Muslims Will Conquer This World Compartment-
- Muslims in Spain are wanting to take over churches in order to worship. Europeans and Americans are just too plain stupid to notice. And unwilling to defend their culture. Tolerance will be the end of us. Check this out.
- Say Goodbye to Europe at World Mag Blog links to a good piece about Muslim and Western birthrates, and how Muslims will eventually dominate by sheer numbers.

And finally...


From the Experience Life Don't Record It Compartment-
From World Mag Blog, a poem:

"The Vacation, by Wendell Berry

Once there was a man who filmed his vacation.
He went flying down the river in his boat
with his video camera to his eye, making
a moving picture of the moving river
upon which his sleek boat moved swiftly
toward the end of his vacation.
He showed
his vacation to his camera, which pictured it,
preserving it forever: the river, the trees,
the sky, the light, the bow of his rushing boat
behind which he stood with his camera
preserving his vacation even as he was having it
so that after he had had it he would still
have it. It would be there. With a flick
of a switch, there it would be. But he
would not be in it. He would never be in it."

Trust Me, I Had Nothing To Do With It

I've never even been to Louisiana.

Although this "comedy" piece...ERRRRR...I mean..."news story", could stand by itself without the need for additional commentary, you'll want to read these comments. They're pretty funny.

Thursday Readings

Genesis 40 and 41. Matthew 13:31-58.

Wednesdays Readings

Genesis 40 and 41. Matthew 13:1-30.

How Many?

Lots.

Since the Bears won their game on Sunday, you wouldn't believe how many hits I have from people searching for Bears tickets. Yeah, like I got 'em.

Just wait until the Bears win this Sunday and make it to the Super Bowl. I'll be getting 1000s of hits a day.

Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl Bears tickets Super Bowl.

Readings Update

I'm a little late. Yesterday was to be Genesis 36 and 37, and Matthew 12:1-21.

Today Genesis 38 and 39, and Matthew 12:22-50.

Winter Baseball

I've been having my first baseball thoughts of 2007.

1- If anybody has MLB 2006 for PS2, please let me borrow it. There's something wrong with mine. I was about through the first two months of the season I was playing, but now after I load my season and try to play another game, it keeps freezing up. I can play the game otherwise and complete transactions, I just can't play or simulate any games. Which means if I can't fix it I've wasted all that time. And no jokes about how I've wasted my time anyway.

2- Baseball Mogul has yet to be played this winter on my computer. I guess I've been too busy.


3- I'm glad to see Mark Mulder re-signed with St. Louis. I would have hated to see him leave the way he pitched last year before going on the DL permanently in September. We still won without him. Making me think we'll be even better this year after he comes back.

4- Jim Edmonds had surgery to correct a hammer toe but shouldn't miss any regular season games because of it. If you don't know what that is, click here.

5- What's the rotation? Carpenter, Kip Wells, Anthony Reyes...well, Mulder, but he won't be ready until mid-season...Adam Wainwright, possibly...uhhh...I give up. I honestly don't know who else. But it doesn't really matter. I'm with Walt Jocketty. This will all shake itself out. See what you have in Spring Training, make a move then if you have to, and wait for the inevitable mid-season bargains to pick up. Worked with Jeff Weaver and Ronnie Belliard last year.

6- If you haven't seen the "claymation video" of the Cardinals-Mets epic NLCS last fall, click here. You'll leave the site both marvelling at it and feeling sorry for the poor sap who wastes his life doing such things. Kind of like the feeling you get every time you read my blog. Hat tip Viva El Birdos, who also had the following interesting post.

7- Who was the biggest boor to wear the Cardinals uniform? I vote for Keith Hernandez. Garry Templeton also comes to mind. Joaquin Andujar doesn't count because he was just plain crazy. And if we're strictly talking egomaniacs, how about Ozzie Smith?


We're a little more than a month until pitchers and catcher report. Wow, time flies.

Weekend Readings

Today- Genesis 29 and 30. Matthew 10.

Saturday and Sunday- Genesis 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35. Matthew 11.

The Obits

My childhood grew even smaller in my rearview mirror this week with the deaths of two people who helped entertain me as a child.


Yvonne Decarlo. None other than Lily Munster.


Iwao Takamoto. Character designer of Scooby Doo, Astro Jetson, and Penelope Pitstop.

Readings For Thursday

Genesis 27 and 28. Matthew 9:18-38.

Are you keeping up?

Also completed 525 Hindu Squats and 510 Hindu pushups so far this year not including today. Trying to stay on track, Deo Volente.

Wednesdays Readings

Genesis 25 and 26. Matthew 9:1-17.

We're Scraping The Bottom Now

Heard of monkey coffee? How about cat coffee?

Maybe this has gone on for centuries, but how can a planet that lets stuff like this happen survive?

People are feeding monkeys, or cats, coffee beans, letting the beans become digested, and then, upon exit, extracting the beans to make their coffee with. And big fools buy it for hundreds of dollars a pound.

I love the quotes...
"It smells a bit musty, but it roasts up real nice."
"Our coffee has a strong taste and an even stronger aroma."
"It has a strong coffee smell, but different. There is a distinct odor and flavor."

Yeah, I'll bet.


How tasty.

How does such an idea get started anyway? And what else are these same people working on now? I bet they know the infamous Russian Scientists.





"Ewwwww, that's disguuussssssstiiinnnnggg!"


This story reminds me of this classic Hollywood Squares exchange:

"Peter Marshall: What are "dual purpose"cattle good for that other cattle aren't?
Paul Lynde: They give milk and cookies...but I don't recommend the cookies!"

For more Hollywood Squares fun, click here. The Paul Lynde quotes are voluminous and hysterical, but be forewarned, a little adult. However, you'll be spraying the computer screen from laughter, I guarantee it, and therefore they're not advisable to view while eating lunch or drinking.

Tuesday Readings

Genesis 23 and 24. Matthew 8.

Monday Readings

Genesis 20, 21, and 22. Matthew 7.

Weekend Reading

Genesis 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. Matthew 6.

Readings For Today

Genesis 12, 13, and 14. Matthew 5.

Be Prepared For A Thrill Today

As I'm putting on my pants today, my left leg misfired, and my foot caught something on the inside of my pants. My foot and leg were stopped and my ears heard what sounded like a rip.

I looked the pants over as good as I could and found no holes visible. So I concluded it must have been the zipper, which I discovered was not fully disengaged to begin with. Since I would have to change the rest of my outfit if I decided to wear another pair of pants, and since I am lazy, I just decided to go with it.

As soon as I'm pulling away from my house I'm having second thoughts about my decision. Maybe I missed something. Maybe I'm happily flapping in the breeze, blissfully ignorant.

So I begin to look myself over when I get out of the car and find some light. But then I think that is an awful strange thing to do to oneself where others can see. So I boldly pressed onward.

Around others, I feel strangely exposed and vulnerable. Can they see something I can't? Perhaps I am fodder for laughter the moment I'm gone. My fears are slowly becoming paranoia.

I fight the urge to look and feel around "down there" for a hole or tear or rip, concluding that would look worse for me than any real defect in my attire. So I carry on.

I try to convince myself that such things are no big deal. That it is just vanity. It's just a superficiality whether my clothing keeps me modest and humble. If that's what's important to somebody, they're just shallow, right?

Relaxing a little, I can begin to strut around. What have I got to be ashamed of anyway? Then I'm bothered by my conscience. Pride is very unbecoming, and, we are warned, comes before a fall.

So I slouch back down and begin to hurriedly move about. I check my fly on the run for the 12th time. The next nine hours of my day should be interesting, if not long.

My intention? To remain seated with knees together at my desk for as much of the day as possible. Toileting and eating are over-rated anyway. It'll be dark when I leave.

I should be fine.

I'm Reading

Today it's Genesis 9-11 and Matthew 4.

Good Radio Program

New Year's night on Moody Radio Network's Open Line, the guest was a gentleman named John Lennox.

It was fascinating to listen to this man, endowed with a brilliant intellect, humbly explain his faith and witness in the sometimes dark world of academia. He has what seems to be a genuine keen interest in those who don't believe.

Mr. Lennox is a renowned mathematician and Christian apologist, a professor at Oxford University. He can explain why he believes in such simple and logical language. A brilliant man.

To listen to the broadcast, click here. Then click on the archive link for 1/1/2007. You'll need Windows Media Player. It's well worth the time.

Daily Readings

1/2/07- Genesis 4 and 5. Matthew 2.

1/3/07- Genesis 6,7, and 8. Matthew 3.

This Is A Good Day To Get Started

Although making resolutions is not my bag, I do believe in setting goals for the year.

1- Read the Bible again from cover to cover. Cyberbrethren and Be Strong In The Grace posted about reading scripture and Psalms from the LSB, and reading through the Book of Concord. Follow the links for instructions on how to participate. I'm just going to go through my Bible. If you care to join me, today we'll do Genesis 1-3 and Matthew 1.

2- Learn more German and Spanish.

3- Taking into account God's will, illness, work, and just general business, I will do 20,000 Hindu pushups, 20,000 Hindu squats, and spend 5 hours in back-bridging.

4- A nice, round, well-written 150 posts this year. And I mean ones that make sense.

5- Complete at least one landscaping project.

D.V.


Then again, this sounds like a lot of work. Maybe I'll start tomorrow. Time for a nap.

What Was That All About?

On the news websites I saw pictures of people dancing, cheering, and celebrating. It's a new year, they said.

Then I went to bed. Then I woke up and went out this morning.

I don't know. Seems like the same old world to me.