Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat

Not to imply that I ever daydream, but...
On this morning's newscast, the team was talking about fishing somewhere her in the area. That led the weathercaster to remember fishing with his father in 1974, listening to the car radio when "Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation played. So then the traffic person asked if they remembered "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat" from Guys and Dolls. The weather dude started singing it. I think I should have gone into meteorology. He has too much fun.

That led my own easily-influenced brain to remember Korea. What? That's right. When I was there one time, I went over to a community-type theater production of Guys and Dolls. I rode the subway about 20 minutes to get there. Found the theater OK. There were a lot of kids there. While we waited, someone who spoke English asked me if I knew it was only in Korean. I said I knew that, but was familiar with the story and felt I would be able to follow the production. I understood few words, but did follow the story, and they kept the English names. So, they would be speaking unintelligibly (at least to me), then I would here Sky Masterson or another name. It was hilarious. Hey! Why am I telling you this? The song referenced above actually had a repeated word that I understood. It sounds like Ahn-juh, and it is the word for sit down. I thought of it because of the discussion on TV.

I think we are going to a park tonight to play with the girls and listen to live Jazz. I hope it cools down before then.

The Sounds of non-Silence

Let's go ahead with today's Clarity of Vision.
Last night, I woke up not hearing something. That's weird, huh? So, around 2am, I woke up thinking something did not sound right. Of course, in today's world, we can hardly get away from man-made noises. I heard that fan on the A/C. Sometimes, I can hear the pool pump from the bedroom, but it does not kick-off until around 5am. I heard the drip of the water in the humidifier. I heard a helicopter fly overhead, probably carrying a patient to a hospital 3 miles away. So, what woke me? I did not hear our bedroom sound machine running. I think that was it. Crazy that our minds can "hear" a missing noise.

God built us as amazing creatures, all our organs and mind working together as a whole. So, somehow, my mind knew the "normal" nighttime sounds I hear, and last night, it didn't sound right.

Hey, we saw Wolverine last Saturday. It was very good, although not necessarily great. Liev Schreiber was a good bad-guy, though. This weekend, Star Trek.

I did not talk to Dad, but I am sure they would have let us know if something had gone awry. Who created that word? It looks like someone just typed some letters together and then decided to make it mean something.

This is not to imply that being a project manager is like being a robot. We have to be more creative than that. Speaking of work stuff, I am coming to a crossroads of deciding whether I want more money (which means expanding responsibilities and some tasks I do not enjoy as much) or more job satisfaction (which means limiting my opportunity to get that money). Y'all can pray that I make the decision that places me where God wants me and not necessarily what I want. Come on, you've all been in this type of a situation, whether it is a job, where to go to church, who to date. It is sometimes such a challenge to take myself out of the equation, even though I want to. Strike that last sentence. I should say it is always a challenge to do that.

I think Alison has turned in her final paper now. Could she (we) all be finished with the program? Stay tuned and I'll let you know.

I didn't talk to Dad yesterday, but it sounds like he is returning to his jovial self.

No, Justin, I did not run 6.75 miles last night. How about you?

He's Baaack

Oh come on, people. Of course I don't really do that. I rarely make it past 4. Ha ha.

Finally, Dad came home from the hospital yesterday. The infection in his arm is cleared up, and he hopes to resume chemo on Friday. We all hope it happens and he can get back to getting better.

I think Ali finished her last paper yesterday for her Masters. Yeah! No more proofreading.

Craig, you could be right. Maybe if I ever syndicate this, I will replace yesterday's tag line with yours.

A Short Post

This is a short post for more than one reason. One, the comic strip is about short cubes. Two, I don't have time to write too much detail. I will take a moment for you, though.

Dad is still in the hospital. He plans to get out today, but I think they are giving him the chemo treatment before he leaves. Wow. I am glad he is not paying a daily charge for parking his car there. Yeah, as if he's not paying plenty the stay anyway.

Kendall spent the first part of Friday night with us. She was in a great mood and that made it even more fun. Then both girls came by yesterday and we visited for a spell. There's a word you don't hear much anymore.

OK, I've got a bunch of meetings today, with the first starting in 18 minutes at another building. Have a good day.

This Little Piggy Has the Flu

OK, the boss doesn't really have any kind of flu, but I had to pick a generic position so even non-corporate types can relate.

Hmm. Dad is still in the hospital. Staying longer than it takes to read one book is too long. Of course, any length of time in the hospital is too long. I'll leave it to Dad to talk about getting shoved into the MRI machine with a diameter slightly less than the breadth of his shoulders. He should also talk about being identified as an engineer by his clothes.

Kendall is coming over tonight for a while. Kathie is feeling puny, and Alison is going out with some friends, so it may fall to me to entertain her. I think all I have to do is give her some things to destroy or throw and she'll be happy.

Luke (Skywalker, not the Physician)

So, I branched out into potential movie tie-ins today. No, I paid no royalties. There will be no guest appearances in my strip (that I know of right now). Still, we shall see. Thinking of Clarity of Vision, I do slant it towards my team and work environment, but as you read it, feel free to translate the ideas into your work situations. It should usually still apply. Yes, even preachers.

We dropped by to see Dad in the hospital last night. The dude just wanted to have a chance to sit and read, so they let him have a room for the night. Since he was there anyway, they stuck a needle in his arm and called it macaroni. Sorry. I branched into potential music tie-ins for a second. He is on an antibiotic drip to try and clear up his arm infection so he can resume chemo. Please pray for a quick recovery.

Alison has been called to substitute teach all this week. That's great news, but still keep praying for a job for her. She finishes her masters on May 12.

I didn't run last night for 6-1/2 miles. Whew! I am tired just thinking about what I did not do. Maybe tonight, I can not run for 8 or so miles.

OK, silliness aside, let's end with a little prayer from Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Sailing, Sailing Over the Ocean Blue

A co-worker leaves for a cruise this weekend, so I decided to give her a comic strip sendoff.

Thinking about a blog title for today made me think of the Let's Sail Away song by my friend, David Butler. The Rasberry Jam sang it several times back in college, as did the Brothers B. I believe that even Preacher Bro would approve of this one. I do remember the chorus, so I'll share that now.

Let's sail away from Almighty God above,
'cause if we give in now, He might smother us with love.
Don't surrender yet, or He'll give us all new life,
And wouldn't it be terrible without this hate and strife?

Why do we struggle against that when we know His Will surpasses anything we can imagine? We think we can handle things without Him. We neglect His Word, when we should be spending time listening to Him talking to us personally. We decide to sleep in on Sunday instead of worshiping with fellow believers. And yet, just as we wish for our kids, He desires that good and perfect Will for us, His children. I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief.

Another Day, Another 58.2 Cents (or whatever a dollar is actually worth)

Today's cartoon is a bit edgy, I admit, but I will share it with you anyway.


Let's see. What about yesterday? A couple of things are worth sharing, and they are a good news, bad news situation. Which one do you want first? We will start with the bad and end on an up note. Unfortunately, Alison did not get the Casa Grande teaching position. However, she is now getting valuable practice in interviewing and developing sample lessons to sell herself. We know God will guide her where she should be, and I have certainly been in jobs where God said this is not for you. The good news is that, again, tests show my cancer has not returned.

Anything up for today? Nothing stands out in my mind, but we will see what God has in store. Think on Psalm 188:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Do Not Despair

Despite what you may read into today's cartoon...
Do not despair. God is in control of all things. Yes, death may enter our lives. Some of us may lose jobs or be without one. We may have members of our family facing illness or cancer. We may have personal struggles that make us wonder if God really hears our cries. Remember that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us that God even cares for the common sparrow, so He certainly loves us more than them.

It is easy for us to focus on the problems rather than The Solution, Jesus. Help me, Lord, to dwell on the blessings you grant me every day.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things.