Parenthood: Work, Or Something Different?

September 6th, 2008

As the world continues to examine the resume of Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Americans are heating up the blogs with debates on balancing family life and professional life.

But—distinct from current blogging on the subject—often in this area there seems to be a disturbing linguistic implication, in both print and speech: that parenthood, in contrast to paid work, is something other than…well…work.

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Christian Vegetarians?

September 4th, 2008

Followers of the trend have what they believe to be Scripturally-based reasons for the path they’re pursuing, and it is interesting to see these reasons explained.

 

I realized that a growing number of Americans refrain from eating meat for various reasons, myself included. But I wasn’t aware until recently, when looking for some seasonal recipes on the Internet, that there’s in fact a vital Christian movement promoting vegetarian living.

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Brian Becker on Rick Carl and Company

September 3rd, 2008

Brian and Rick get together after a month off and try to cram an hour show into a 20-minute segment. Here are the new techie things that were discussed on the show:

Google Chrome - http://tools.google.com/chrome

Blackberry Bold - http://news.cnet.com/blackberry-bold-debut/ (review)

Photo storage & sharing - Flickr.com - http://Flickr.com

PSP 3000 - http://news.cnet.com/psp-3000-another-minor-psp-upgrade/  (coming in October)

semo.net Certified Repair Technicians - http://semo.net/repair/ - $22.50 for basic repair!

semo.net 1M Cable Internet for $29.95 - New Customer Promo - broadband@semo.net
(email for more info or to sign up - restrictions & commitment required)

semo.net Wireless Extends to County Road 302 & Hidden Hills Subdivision - broadband@semo.net
(email for more info or to sign up - restrictions & commitment required)

White After Labor Day: Non-Issue, or Unholy Crime?

September 2nd, 2008

…what happens if you wear white after Labor Day? Do you get a ticket from the fashion police?…Are you turned away from eating establishments? Do they quit accepting your money at PTA or place of worship? I think our mothers are laughing because they gave us one of those life rules that we’re afraid to break. Kind of like—clean your plate—there are starving children somewhere.

QVC Community Blog, September 3, 2007 

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A “Thank You” to Patrol Base Kaufman!

August 30th, 2008

It’s true, we’re being buffeted on all sides by the high cost of fuel, and by all the other prices that have shot into the stratosphere because of it. But it’s like they say: Whenever you’re having a perfectly hideous time of it, one of the best things you can do to regain a sense of contentment and balance is this…Find somebody out there that you can help, then focus on making that happen!

And, too, it is written (and you know, if it’s not actually written, then somebody ought to take this down right away):

Times may be hard,
the future may look rough;
but for a soldier in the field
anyone can score
a few Oreos with Double Stuff!

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Update from Iraq: For Al Qaeda, Nowhere to Hide in Samarra

August 28th, 2008

This is a communication from MSG Jeffrey Pennington, currently stationed at Patrol Base Kaufman, Samarra, Iraq: 

Enemy activity here is starting to increase as we push Al Qaeda further out of the city. As their backs are against the wall, and they have few if any places to hide, more frequent battles have been taking place. One such battle [recently] claimed the life of a U.S. soldier in the unit that operates in Samarra with us.

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Quirky Theme Weddings II: Not of This Earth!

August 26th, 2008

Today, some really wild visuals featuring a kind of wedding I didn’t know about before this past June.

We touched on this in the first installment of Quirky Theme Weddings, but I had to dig a bit deeper to see if the Star Trek wedding in that piece was more of a one-off type of thing, or part of a larger trend…

Turns out it’s part of a trend, all right, and the links below are a portal to a world where few southeast Missourians have ever gone before…but there are other people around the globe who apparently spend a lot of time there. And I mean, a lot.

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When School Seems the Impossible Dream

August 24th, 2008

“I’m about 9 or 10. I’ve been studying for the past year.”

Neeraj, a girl from from India
PBS Wide Angle program,
Back to School

“My [late] father told me to go to school, and not to rest.”

Nanavi, a girl from Benin
Back to School

As youngsters throughout the U.S. return to the classroom, I’m reminded of the mixed feelings with which my friends and I approached that prospect when I was little.

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Brick’s: From Off-Road Dream to Reality!

August 20th, 2008

“It’s a whole ’nother world, a whole ’nother culture,” says Scott Brickell, who, with father Jay, took the plunge and converted the family homestead into Brick’s 4×4 Farm 2 ½ years ago. (A born multi-tasker, Scott is, additionally, a music industry professional based in the Nashville area. As owner of BrickHouse Entertainment, he manages such acclaimed Contemporary Christian acts as MercyMe and Phil Wickham.)

Now officially known as Brick’s Off-Road Park, the Brickell spread in Poplar Bluff is home to a variety of adrenaline-boosting diversions for the hard-driving SEMO set.

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Neighbors: Carpooling It on the Grocery Run!

August 14th, 2008

One of my own nifty neighbors has gone from “Roving Random Shopper” to “Carpooling Shopper with a Plan”.

“If I ever had any free time, I used to just hop in the minivan and cruise,” says this 40-something healthcare worker. “If I saw something I liked in a window, or if somebody put up a “Sale!” sign I could see from the highway or whatever, I’d just pull over and pop in if I wanted,” she remembers with a smile. “But that party’s over!”

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