You Have Got to be Kidding

Surely this is a joke. For allowing her students to name a teddy bear "Muhammad"?!? And some people think Christians are not tolerant.

The Homestead

This is the old family homestead. My grandfather and my Grandmother's brothers built it. They planted the trees, too. They were a lot smaller when I was growing up.

My mother wanted to sell it recently, but we talked her out of it.

It is a very relaxing and peacful place, and a convienent distance to the most beautiful beaches that I have seen.

Andy is a Minister

My brother Andy is a youth minister. He has a different last name because he has a different Dad.

Enchanted

I confess, I found Enchanted enchanting. It was a gentle parody of previous Disney movies, at times roll on the floor funny and almost always entertaining. It was one of those movies that will appeal to all ages. It deals with important themes like balancing between love and fantasy without being at all heavy handed about it. The characters and the pacing were excellent. I thought Amy Adams (Katy in The Office) was terrific.

While I think Susan Sarandon an excellent choice to play a witch, I am not a big fan of hers and fortunately she was not in the movie a lot, although she dragged down the ending somewhat. And of course the whole spouse swapping theme was a little disturbing, but I am glad everyone went on to live happily ever after. (uh oh, did I say too much?)

Thanksgiving

I am in Pensacola visiting my Mother and my brother Andy and his family. The picture is of my mother and my nephew Elias.

My mom gave Nathaniel a BB Gun. He has been patrolling the yard hunting for squales. I am not exactly sure what a squale is but I think it is a very very large squirrel.

Trying to Get Into My High School Alumni Association

On Nov 19, 2007 10:29 AM, Kim Jessop wrote:

Hi Chris,

What year would you have graduated? Can you give me the names of some of your classmates so I can verify? If I can verify that you attended PL I can enter you into the directory.

If my memory serves me correctly, I would have graduated in 1980. My older sister Taffy Nystrom graduated in 1979. I got a varsity letter in wrestling my sophmore year under coach Sole (not sure spelling) who was also my math teacher. I wrestled in the under 98 lbs category. I got a varsity letter, because I was the only one on the team that fit that wieght class. I was also on the cross-country team with my best friend Erik Newmark. We used to run to Tower Records and check out the records then run back to the school. Mark Baldwin was my other best friend. The things I did with him were not legal. Alas, no girlfriend. I think the women were smarter back then. I was not able to fool any until later in life.

Chris

New Neutrality

And now an important announcement from our Internet friends:



Bonus points if you know who they are.

My Favorite Artist

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Abortion

I skipped my senior year of high school and went straight to college at 17. Within a year or so of my being there I met a pretty art major named Cheryl who was a couple of years older than me. She was more experienced sexually than me, and I was an eager and willing student. It was not long before we had unprotected sex. Then one day she missed her period. So she went to the school nurse's office and got tested for pregnancy and we learned that she was pregnant.

We did not believe in abortion so we did one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. After a long discussion, we went to her house in the middle of the night and woke up her parents and I told them that I was sorry, but that I had gotten their daughter pregnant and I wanted to marry her.

Her parents were pillars of the church types, and they recommended that we get an abortion. I was humbled by my ill behavior toward their daughter and wished to defer to the more experienced elder. So I agreed.

A few days later she started her period. Apparently there was a miscommunication over the test results.

I never respected her parents after that, because I knew that they chose image over substance. They chose the appearance of Christianity over the truth of Christianity. And, of course, they never respected me after that because they knew what we were doing before we were married.

Over not much time and with the encouragement of her parents we grew apart. It was shortly after the end of this relationship that I met my wife.

Now when I hear of someone who has had an abortion I feel sadness for what might have been. I feel the pain that I imagine that they feel. I feel how hard it must be to hold on to secrets, and to feel the walls they must feel when they can not even tell people who should be so close to them.

One thing I can never feel is judgment towards them. I could never throw stones. How could I? I made the same decision that they did many years ago.

Outdoorsy?

One of my co-workrs said I was really starting to look "outdoorsy"! Is that even a word?

Today is "chili cook-off" day at work. I am surprised chili cook off day has not been done by The Office, yet. Anyway, there are about a dozen varieties of chili created by the various groups here, most of them so hot as to be not edible by humans. There are also drinks and desserts. Any day where they have free beer at work is by definition a good day.

Bicycle Racing

Most people do not know that I am also a bicycle racer. I recently raced in the MABRA Cross Series #6 race where I placed first in the 35+-45+ event.

You can barely see me in this picture where I am on the left. I am using a hole shot as a springboard to drag Barry Holman, Karl Connolly and Ron Huebner away from a hard charging field.

No Need to Fear Old Age

I guess there is no need to fear old age after all.

My Music Page

Have you seen my music site on virb.com?

Wild Parrots of Austin

On more than one occasion I have seen wild parrots at the intersection of Metric and 183 here in Austin. Once I saw them grazing in the grass on the Goodwill side. Today I saw three green parrots on the power lines and trees on the other side of Metric where the auto parts store is. It reminded me of the ones in San Francisco.

Brandon Promoted

Football is a very big deal here in Texas. My nephew Brandon who is staying with us has been playing freshman football. So many boys play that they have two full freshmen football teams. The freshman football season is now over. Brandon was one of 10 boys selected from the freshman team to be promoted to the varsity team and participate in the state championship tournament. Even though it is unlikely that he will get a chance to actually play, it is a huge honor.

Talk About Words of Wisdom...

"The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man is when he is a baby." - Natalie Wood

Saggy?

As I lose weight and approach my goal weight I can not help but notice that I still have a pooch belly and love handles. I am forced to come to the conclusion that maybe I am not fat. Maybe I am just saggy?

Personality Test (Meaning)

This is the famous Dr. Phil personality test. Supposedly Dr. Phil scored 55 and he also gave this test to Oprah who got a 38.

The meaning of the scores are the first comment to this post.

Personality Test

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question. At the end post your answer in the comments section. There are no right or wrong answers.

Ready??

Begin.

1 When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon and early evening
c) late at night

2. You usually walk...

a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you. . .

a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with. .

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you ...

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted..

a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are. .

a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...

a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7 (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points and post it in the comments.

191.6

6.6 to go

My new sermon is up.

Latest

I just found out that job #1 has approved job #2. They have determined that there is no conflict of interest. See I called it.

Thank you for your prayers. Looks like back to work for me. Work is a blessing. Work is a blessing.

One Day Follows the Next

Someone quit at job #2 so it is possible that I could be brought on from contractor to a permanent employee, which would be a good deal if job #1 lets me go. I have not heard anything new about job #1 but I work there tonight, so I expect I will hear something when I go in.

I broke the 195 barrier today. I am now at 194.6. 9.4 pounds to go. I can fit comfortably in my old jeans. People notice that I am thinner. Less calories and more exercise seems to be working.

I really think that I got overweight because of gluttony. You get older and you realize that maybe not all of your dreams are going to come true. Food is a cheap pleasure. A cheap thrill. Drinking, smoking, drugs, and extra sex are all looked down upon, but no one looks down on you if you order a milkshake for $2. It is something that you can do to make your life a little brighter, even if just for a moment.

Like all sins it catches up with you, but oh so slowly, perhaps just a few extra pounds a year. In the ancient world gluttony was one of the seven deadly sins, but people laugh at the idea today. And yet according the Center for Disease Control obesity is an out of control epidemic.

Depressed Today

I am in one of my depressed moods today. I get like that sometimes. I always hate that because I feel like I am complaining when I know I am blessed and have nothing to complain about.

I really do not like my #1 job and there are several advantages to me if they let me go (like back vacation and freeing my retirement account). In fact if they let me go, likely the windfall I would get from my retirement account combined with the drop in income would allow me to settle with the IRS. Not to mention all of the free time I would have. Since there are so many advantages to me getting fired, I expect I will end up not getting fired and keeping my job, but you can see why I am ambivalent. Plus, like I said, I am depressed.

Halloween was nice last night. Should have some pictures of the kids in costumers shortly.