Warnings, alarms, and text messages

Buying the weather radio was a good idea.  You just never know when you're going to wake up to a tornado warning in the Midwest, and I'd rather be in my bathtub than in bed when that happens.  I'm also signed up to receive text messages from a local news station in the event of severe weather, as you just never know when you're going to be at work or driving in the midst of a tornado warning.

This only becomes a problem if the thunder claps, the weather radio goes off, and you receive a text message within moments of each other as you're drifting off to sleep.  All for a severe thunderstorm.  I don't really need to know about a storm unless there exists a high chance it might kill me without further action on my part!

So while I await the storm's passing, or at least until the power goes out, I shall blog.  Normally I give you links of stories I have found interesting, but I thought tonight perhaps I'd share some blogs and sites I find interesting.  I have noted if I find them particularly humorous, as that seems relevant somehow.

American Papist - "Not Your Average Catholic"  (sometimes snarky)

I should note here the power is fading... how far can I get?!  *clicks save*  My laptop should be fine but I'll lose connectivity.  I wonder if this blog program I'm using saves to my disk or to the internet...

Catholic News Agency  (not really funny)

What Does the Prayer Really Say?  "Slavishly accurate liturgical translations & frank commentary on Catholic issues - by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf"  (witty but not really funny)

Ask Sister Mary Martha "Life is tough. But Nuns are tougher. If you need helpful advice just Ask Sister Mary Martha. She'll help you. Just don't expect any sympathy."  (high on the snark meter)

Conversion Diary  (also high on the fun meter)

American Catholic "Politics and Culture form a Catholic Perspective"  (can be witty, not really funny)

Lifehacker (not religous, can be funny)


Links
While I'm on this reading kick, here are a few links.

Looking for the tow truck driver.  Sometimes, it isn't about us.

Space Storm Alert: 90 Seconds from Catastrophe.  This is why I have the ability to make fire, clean water, and defend myself ready to go.  Well, among many other reasons.

Jesus Wasn't Always Nice

Liberal Harvard Researcher Agrees with Pope on Condoms

Not Said by Jesus (Cartoons)

Hello again!

Greetings, friends.

It has been quite some time since I last posted here, although if you are following me on Facebook you know I am alive and well.  If you are not with me on Facebook, why not?

Regardless, it has been a very busy spring.  Work is busy, CAP is busy, life is busy.  All very busy, but all good!  I have been thinking about what to post aside from my regular links and have decided to do a bit of advertising. And no, I'm not afraid I'm going to lose my job (so don't panic Dad), there's just some things I want to buy that do not currently exist in my budget.  So with no further introduction, I can help you with:

• Videos.  I make videos for Civil Air Patrol multiple times a year and would be happy to help you and your memories by creating simple videos to DVD.  Costs would depend on the quantity of source material, length of the final product, how many copies you want, etc.    I can only accept digital source material at this time, aside from a few scannable pictures.
• Websites.  I can also help you set up a simple website or blog to promote you or your business or stay in touch with your family.  If you are somewhat computer capable, you can also make your own with a google account for free (see, I'm honest).
• Basic computer tutoring.  If you need it fixed, you should probably take it elsewhere.  But if you are trying to figure out how to upload photos, I can help you.
• Excel.  I'm very good at Microsoft Excel and use it everyday for work.  If you've never used it and want to learn, just let me know!
• Algebra help.  I won't teach Algebra, but I can help you or your child if there is a specific area of need.  I have an engineering degree and took three semesters of Calculus and use Algebra every day.

Note the above list is for basic level things only.  If you need professional help, then please find professional help as you won't be satisfied with something less.  Costs vary by project and time involved.  Email me at jeo492@gmail.com if you want to know more.

If you're in the Springfield area and in need of general contracting work, I can't do it for you!  But I do know some people who can and will.  Email me for info.

No links today!

Merry Christmas!

Greetings, internet friends.

It has been an exciting fall.  On short notice, I was able to attend some training in Memphis with my company for two weeks.  That was interesting.  I also got to see some friends down there, who have undoubtedly thought I forgot about them and my promise to include them in my blog.  I have not!  I had the best food while away at their house, and they sent me back to my hotel with brownies.

December, as you know, is a busy time for me anyway.  This month has been no exception.  In addition to all the work related excitement, I hosted a party for my CAP squadron at my house.  I have never had that many people here at once, so that was fun.

I am still teaching at church, although we get a break for Christmas and for New Year's.  This has provided me with many opportunities to learn more.

As it has been some time since I updated, I have many links.  In no particular order!

A first hand account of the recent terror attacks in India.  Story has quick thinking, prayer, and a texting corporate security office!

Here's a somewhat disturbing graphic of an airplane, and what your chance of leaving alive after a crash might be.

If the Founders and Framers of America intended "separation of church and state," then many of the state constitutions are themselves unconstitutional.  Article.

I may have linked here before, but it amuses me greatly.  The Brick Testament.  Bible stories, with legos.

Amazing Holocaust love story.  Grab a tissue, if you're prone to needing them.

9 Brain Habits You Didn't Realize You Had.  I didn't realize it either, so don't feel bad.

God and Science, Professor and Student

If you've seen my personal laptop, you may have noticed the desktop image is some sort of weird graph thing.  I got it here:  Visualizing the Bible.  The one I have on my laptop is the first one on the page, showing the cross references found in the Bible.  On the other pages, there are other projects, and all look pretty interesting.

Fan Made Bumblebee Costume.  You thought I was a geek...

This is kind of cool - video of Neil Armstrong's parents on "I've Got a Secret," the day he was selected as an astronaut.

No need to childproof your drawers and cabinets, get this dog.  Video.

Guy proposes by hacking video game.  Again, you thought I was a geek.  :)

Long list of funny religious quotes, jokes, and stories.

Fun, physics based web game.  Addictive.

Compare the sizes of the planets.

Adorable penguin story!

Completely random facts about science.  Worth a read.

Cat loves broccoli.  Video.  Too weird!!

The puppies are gone and Starbuck is alone. It is probably for the best though, since she had to expend a lot of energy maintaining her dominance as the puppies grew to over 50lbs each, with the boy getting above 60lbs before leaving.

From Puppies

Links
AFI Top 100 movies, in five words each.

This is what happens when a biologist learns how to knit.

This is kind of sweet. Holocaust survivor prepares for Bar Mitzvah.

Kitten, red light green light. Adorable. Video.

280,000 post it notes made into slinkies set to music. What's not to love? Video.

"These words to live by returned to mind a few weeks back when I read a complaint piece on Apocalypto by a scholar specializing in Mayan civilization. She protested: “They’re shown as these extremely barbaric people, when in fact, the Maya were a very sophisticated culture.” A quote like this can only mean that somewhere in higher education impressionable minds are being formed by somebody who knows all about the Mayans — and nothing about elementary common sense." An article about moral relativism.

How we became the United States of France.

PETA wants Ben and Jerry's to use human milk. Seriously. Cows are not here just to happily exist all by themselves. Sorry. We get to eat them in our burgers and they get to give milk for our ice cream. Suck it up.

How to survive falling out of a plane. Might be useful.

Watching the Growth of Wal Mart. Kinda cool, kinda creepy. See Wal Mart spread to a town near you.


Political Links

Kill and Destroy Video. "Featuring an interview with Jill Stanek, "Kill and Destroy" explores Barack Hussein Obama's support of infanticide in Illinois, an alarming decision that was opposed by every Democrat and Republican in the U.S. Senate."

Same topic. Induced Labor Abortion. Video, different source.

Obama's opposition to the Born Alive Protection Act. Video. Different source. The two opposing voices at the end there were interesting. The liberal voice had no backup information and was clearly clueless about the case. This is on a network I pretty much consider friendly to the Obama campaign.

I believe the word I'm looking for here is deplorable.

Here's one about Palin. There was a rumor she was responsible for banning books, but as it turns out, the list includes books not even written at the time she supposedly banned them. Oops.

Denver Bishop's response to Biden and Pelosi and their inaccurate reporting of Catholic doctrine and history.

Turns out Alaska's Governor position is one of the most powerful in the US.

BTW I'm Voting for McCain/Palin. A young African American man discusses his reasons for voting Republican.

Hello again September

Second post in a month! GO ME!

I am puppy sitting three large puppies.

From Puppies

Their owners are south of here, helping with hurricane relief. They are all 10-12 weeks old and each weigh more than 30 lbs.

Although Starbuck could be eating them, they mostly just play very rough.

From Puppies

So far, no one has died. Or even had blood drawn. They do scream a lot though when she throws them down. They scream a bit with each other, but they wail with her. It is very scary and sad, all at the same time. Click on one of the pics to see more.

Links! We'll start off with those not political in nature:

Kitten chases RC mouse. What could be more cute? (video)

Map and statistics of the great Soda VS Pop debate

Article on people who live without TV. This group is starting to include me.

Sort of political link, although nothing substantial. The most wonderful moment of Palin's speech, when her daughter licked her hand and fixed her baby brother's hand. ADORABLE. (video)

More fun: Tigh/Roslin 08. If you haven't seen BSG, you won't get the joke. But if you have, very funny!

Huckabee on The Daily Show (nothing too deep) (video)

More serious below.
Blog asks, is it okay to be a one issue voter when it comes to abortion?

An interesting explanation of the conservative position regarding less government.

Why Liberals Hate Palin

And finally, hating the sin without hating the sinner. One can hate abortion without hating women.

Hello!

Greetings blog world!

It was an exciting summer, complete with a CAP summer encampment. There's me on a 40 rappel tower with Nathan Scalia, the encampment Cadet Commander. He was not nearly as scared as I was to be up there. I think I faked it well.









Here I am, by myself, going off the skid. It is somewhat concerning you can't see the rope in this picture, but I assure you it is there. This one was less scary than the wall for some reason.











I have other pictures of me from encampment, but I look mean in them since I was being mean at encampment. If you had to keep control of 115 teenagers, you'd look mean too. It is the only way to survive!

Now that summer is over, I'm still doing CAP stuff at the local level and planning for the next encampment. They put me in charge of that one. At the squadron, we're doing the banquet tomorrow night. Should be a good time!

I'm also teaching at church again - all girls class for Confirmation.

Let's go on to the links!

Woman at the Well (Video)

Brazilian mother gives birth to baby who developed outside the womb. I didn't even know this was possible, and indeed it is rare.

An interesting article on the history of the Air Force uniforms.

Siblings separated by the Holocaust meet after 66 years.

Copy of a homily from this past weekend, discussing Nancy Pelosi's blunders in church history.