Happy 100th!

This week during the Katrina posts, Duct Tape, Dixie, and Me rolled over the 100 mark. That's right, kids. The duct taper here has officially posted over 100 weblog entries. I'm enjoying every one, and I think I'll buy myself a fresh roll of duct tape to celebrate the occasion.

Just for Fun
So I'm all for quick engagements. Why beat around the bush? And I'm all for using technology to get to know one another. But even I am having a hard time endorsing this one. A couple who've never met in person were wed Thursday over the Internet in a virtual ceremony. They used a video link so her parents could get a first look at their new son-in-law. Looks like we can replace the original phrase "tying the knot" (whatever that meant) with "firing up the laptop."

Links I Surfed Today

Walt Disney World History 101 - How to Buy 27,000 Acres of Land and No One Notice

History of the Spork - my favorite disposable utensil! If they ever make a silverware version of this, I'm registering for a set when I get married.

Recipe for Homemade Finger Paint - Hey, hey! Finger painting was my best sport in school! Guess what I'm going to do this weekend?

Muslims Killed in Stampede

You've probably heard by now that over 400 people were killed in a stampede in Mecca during an Islamic religious ritual. It's very sad to see such sudden, dramatic loss of life.

What I didn't realize was that this has been an ongoing problem, notably evidenced by the death of 1,426 participants in 1990. I'm still trying to decide how to comment appropriately. I will say that I think this further demonstrates the extreme fervence of Eastern Muslims. Knowing the danger involved, they still choose to risk the danger and participate in a ritual. God help us as Christians. As Apostolics especially, do we live up to that same level of commitment and devotion? In the absence of required rituals do we take for granted the need to put life on the line to uphold our convictions? Or in my questioning do I run the risks of comparing ourselves one to another? Is it fair to compare Muslim fervence to Christian devotion?

Eat Your Heart out PETA!

Recently I posted my fury at PETA for its last Anti-fishing campaign. Between my animal-rights-animosity and my love for fishing, the PETA campaign to stop "evil fishers" prodded me onto a soapbox.

When I saw the live bait vending machine at Wal-Mart (below), it built my faith that there are still normal people in the world and that PETA hasn't swayed the public yet. In part of my ongoing love-hate relationship with animal rights activists, I post the picture for your viewing pleasure. I don't know if this is a "Dixie" thing or common to all the states, but it excites me to know that East Baton Rouge's rural nature, appreciation for fishing, and realistic take on life and animals has been noted by Wal-Mart.

Good News: Ice Cream, Chocolate, and Revival

Let Me Help You…
Discover one of those most delightful treats you can give yourself or your favorite blogger (hint, hint). Three words: chocolate covered cherries. Now I’m not talking about the gooey kind in the heart-shaped box on the discount aisle left over from last year’s Valentine. I’m talking about fresh, straight-from-Seattle chocolate coated bing cherries. I first discovered the little jewels through a friend’s trip to Washington (state). Wow, are they good. It’s like a chocolate covered raisin on steroids. People (myself included) turn up their noses at first, but then they try it and are hooked like me. You’ve got to try them. Trust me.

Drum Roll, Please
Cake Batter ice cream flavor is back at Cold Stone Creamery! I discovered that the “new” Cake Batter has been unveiled. So the question you’re all asking yourselves: is it as good as the original Cake Batter flavor? Well, I have to say it’s close. It’s very close. But surprisingly, it’s not quite the same. I am qualified to say because I was the #1 fan of the original flavor. It is still my favorite flavor, but something is ever-so-slightly different. Kind of reminds me of an early Ninetyandnine article: “The Virtues of Vanilla.”

Revival Report
An Indiana church is experiencing an incredible harvest of souls. 84 have received the Holy Ghost in 6 weeks! (The church is in the 100-150 range total, so the church has exploded in a matter of weeks.) Folks known around town for alcoholism, drugs, and crime have been among those getting the Holy Ghost.

Good things are happening everywhere. We are in the middle of an extended fast in Denham Springs for a healing service at the end of the week, and already I’ve experienced God at work firsthand. Be looking for special reports soon.

Hurricane Humor

I know, I know.... Today's title sounds inappropriate, especially after the pictures of the bleak Katrina destruction. But the truth is that because we are humans, funny things pop up around the most somber incidents.

Thanks to our link pal Paula (see Fresh Links on Ninetyandnine) for passing on a little Louisiana humor regarding the hurricane displacement.


Baton Rouge Advocate columnist Smiley Anders included the following report on December 14.

Bob Baker says he saw on a south Louisiana TV station an interview with a lady who had evacuated from New Orleans. The interview was conducted by a reporter from a Boston TV station. The reporter asked the interviewee how such total and complete devastation of the churches in the area had affected their lives. The lady from New Orleans replied, "I don't know about all those other people, but we get our chicken from Popeyes." Says Bob, "The look on the interviewer's face was priceless."
Source: Smiley Anders, December 14, 2005, The Advocate

If you're not food-oriented, the joke may seem more like a riddle than anything. The catch is that the New Orleans native heard Church's and not churches.