Only the Lonely: The Non-GC Crowd

Headlines
Roberts sworn in as Chief Justice, Reporter leaks about the leak, blah, blah, blah…

Top 10 Things To Do If You’re Not at GC
Since there are probably many of you like me stuck at home while all the ol’ pals are away at Conference, I thought I’d share my ideas for fun things to do back at home.

10. Recreate your own GC with finger puppets, complete with tiny choir loft, crowded halls at service time, and dramatic offering services.

9. Visit a neighboring church while your pastor is away, pick out a potential “Bible Study partner”, and drop the ever-popular pick up line: “Greet me, I’m a visitor.”

8. Enjoy National Mud Pack Day (Sept 30).

7. Find out what a “mud pack” is.

6. Create new games for the next church bridal/baby shower… the clincher: involve duct tape.

5. Manicure your pets… involve duct tape.

4. Zip over the pond and check out The Great British UFO Show on Saturday. It’s no GC, but hey, I hear Elvis makes a cameo appearance during tea.

3. Get a jump start on Christmas shopping at The Duct Tape Pro Shop. (Don’t forget about your favorite blogger—hint, hint.)

2. Learn how to yodel.

1. See if duct tape is waterproof. No, wait, I’ve already tried that.

To Help You Feel Better About Yourself
Did you know air conditioning units have filter thingys? Did you know they’re supposed to be changed out every six months or so? If you don’t…. well, let’s just say there’s a loud popping noise and the heavy smell of burning involved. Don’t ask.

Hair and Food--Normally a Poor Combo, but...

Sports
I’m in a sports mood after the LSU debacle, contrary to the world around me. You should see the depression that has settled over the guys in our office. Ladies, it’s like how you feel when you go to the mall and discover the skirt you bought full price a week ago now on the 75% clearance rack.

This Week in Pictures

Also, this sports story caught my eye. A varsity football player was recently sidelined in a game for not wearing proper knee padding and shoe equipment. The reason is because Bobby Martin has no legs. But he's a football player, and he redefines the term persevere. You can believe no official will tell him he can't play again.

Politics
I don’t know what to think of the DeLay episode. And what’s worse, I don’t know if I even care right now. I’m so sick of all the finger-pointing after the Rove drama and now the FEMA fracas. By this time, I’m just tired of hearing about it. Would we were New Zealand and our politicians kept promises and kept things lively.

Three of My Favorite Topics
Check out this article on hair, art, and history.

Today’s Trivia
It’s a food quiz! The sad part is that I guessed at every single question except the dirty rice and only scored 30%. Agh! Suddenly having flashbacks of the drivers’ license test!

Hurricane Rita Picture

Please pray for the First United Pentecostal Church in Cameron, LA as you lift up the many churches affected by Rita and Katrina.

Surfin’ USA

Thanks to faithful friends and readers, I’ve collected some interesting links for your perusal today:

http://www.lulu.com/tp
Here’s a new way to handle rejection letters. I’ll remember this in 2078 when I finally get around to writing my book.

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/words.html
A mind tangler of sorts: The Stroop Effect

http://www.americansc.org.uk/Online/hogtext.htm
An interesting article in a UK academic journal: “The Image of the Pig in Southern Culture”

http://usadeepsouth.ms11.net//baloney.html
And speaking of… here’s commentary on the greatness of… baloney!

Those of Us Left Back on the Farm

I Don’t Wanna Talk About It
Sorry for the late post. I’m in mourning. Or maybe frustration. How do you say “letdown” in Cajun French? Yes, I am prepared to eat crow. After proudly mouthing off to you Vol Fans about LSU’s supremacy, we dropped a 21-0 halftime lead to lose in overtime 30-27. And I just don’t want to talk about it. If you do, check out The Benchwarmer(s): A Tale of Two Halves.

I’m also in mourning/frustration over being stuck at work while the lucky ones among us live it up at GC. Oh to roam the arena halls, stay up all night catching up with out-of-state friends, and feel the surge of power that comes from thousands of Apostolics getting their praise on. Always in a meeting like that, there’s just something so exciting about walking in and seeing that many Apostolics. Alas, my conference hopping days are over now that “annual leave accruement” and “making rent” are part of my growing-up vocabulary. But there are lots of fun people that were able to go, and they will be blogging about it. Check it out.

“New Car Smell” Could Be Toxic
Recent report links the “new car smell” to potential toxic chemicals. And by the way, the report features a picture of the 2005 Camry, aka my beloved Snowflake.

Hurricane Update
As part of our ongoing hurricane coverage, I just wanted to let you all know I’ve been in contact with Wendy, and she and her family are safe. I for one am thankful to hear good reports and know that God has protected so many.

Orville Would Be So Disappointed

Hurricane Update
Well, Rita has moved north, and to all of you in Arkansas, Tennessee, etc getting the storm, try to stay dry. Rita is a rainmaker. More water in The Big Easy and damage to TX/LA. Thankfully it seems that response has been effective, and there are no major reports of fatalities in Lake Charles/Galveston/etc. As officials give the all-clear signal for residents to return home, I hope to hear more about the area, which I'll pass on.

We are Fine
In my neck of the woods we got a lot of wind and rain. One little dramatic episode with the patio swing being picked up by a gust and thrown onto the air conditioning unit. But that was about as wild as it got. We had power back within 24 hours and life goes on. Even heard today that our family in the area were able to evacuate safely, so we feel very blessed and thankful.

One of the things this crazy month has done to me is make me want to cherish my time with my family. So I’m making a point to enjoy that as much as possible. My mom even gave me both her crawfish soup and homemade chocolate pie recipes this weekend, and--no, I'm not sharing. And my dad caught me up with the latest report on his yearlings (horses) and puppy litter.

Now it's back to work. I've retired weekend leeann, and assumed my working girl leeann persona. I feel like Mr. Rogers when he walks in and puts on that goofy sweater. It's sort of his way of changing gears. I need a cool sweater for work so I can make the week/weekend switch.

A Little Popcorn Drama
Oh, a funny thing happened this weekend. I don't know if it makes me feel old or just... I don't know. But on the way to the folks' after work Friday, I stopped in the local convenience store at the end of our road. Since we've lived there my entire life, the owner has practically watched us grow up over the years, and I try to stop in when I go home for the weekend.

While there, I browsed the aisles for popcorn. And this is going to make me sound bratty I know, but still--I’m not a big fan of microwave popcorn. I only eat popcorn if you make it on the stove yourself. I call it "real" popcorn the same way I call fresh-out-of-the-garden vegetables "real" as opposed to the "fake" vegetables that come out of a can.

Well I couldn't find any popcorn at all, so I finally ask one of the girls stocking shelves. She looks about 15 and when I ask, she points me around the corner. But turns out they only have the microwave, aka "fake" popcorn.

"No, I’m looking for the regular popcorn. I don't like the microwave kind," I try to explain without sounding like one of those snotty customers I know she'll talk about later.

But she looks at me blankly, "What do you mean?"

It kind of took me back, so I try to explain, "You know, the popcorn seeds," I say, and then realize they're not so much seeds and add "kernels."

Still nothing, so I continue, "They come in a bag and you can pop them yourself on the stove."

"Ohhh," she finally says slowly but in such a way that I don't believe she knows what I’m talking about yet or else she just wants to make me feel stupid. "Yeah, no we don't have that kind."

...So not only do I think it's a travesty that "real" popcorn is not readily available to the general public, it upsets me that there may be a young generation coming on that does not even know popcorn can be made any way other than the microwave! Agh! How old do I feel? Next thing I know, you're going to tell me they don't know what cassettes and floppies are!