A blog for those who think all PitBulls should be banned.

Found this blog through a link on a friend's blog.  BAD RAP Blog is the blog home of "Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls".  These guys have a lot to say about the breed that so many Americans hate and fear.  The blog contains news on rescue operations, adorable pictures and videos of well-cared-for pits and their friends and families, and all kinds of info for those who just don't know much about this breed.  But most importantly they hold to the belief that you can't blame a dog for having bad/cruel/evil owners.  Kudos guys!

A bit of Christmas Cheer...

Sophie trimming the tree

I had to doctor Masha's picture because her fur picked up the yellow from the floor and looked all golden. She's smiling though -- really!

Vali does NOT like the tree -- this is as close as he would pose with it!

I <3 WebComics

Ok, so as I started to say yesterday, now and then the internet is a good place. Or at least directs me to a good link.

Many of you may have noticed the Project Wonderful ad display over there on the right. Sometimes the folks who apply for ads here have really crappy blogs or sites and I don't even give them a second look. I do approve most of them though. Other times something pops up that is simply GREATNESS.

Yesterday morning fell into that second category.

I've always loved webcomics. Unfortunately more often than not the views expressed in them (and the language/violence/sexuality/whatever) are not something I'd be comfortable linking here. There are a ton of great comics I read on a regular basis but I don't promote. But now and then one comes to my notice that doesn't offend any of my sensabilities. The one that submitted an ad for my PW widget yesterday went a step further.

This guy actually drew a comic I COMPLETELY AGREE with. It starts out as him explaining his own faith. Pretty much everything written in that section is something that I could have personally spoken. Several are things that I HAVE personally spoken. That's right -- a webcomic that promotes faith in Christ, rather than laughs at it, dismisses it, or is openly hostile toward it. And then, as if that weren't enough to make me pass on the link to everyone I know, he begins a superhero story based on a Christian character. WOW. I simply don't have the words. So, to RHJunior, THANK YOU for The Fellowship of Heroes. I hope it's ongoing. I'm afraid that it might not be. Can't really tell for sure, but I can't wait to read the next page. Also, for what it's worth, you've earned a permanent link here on my blog. Any comic that correctly uses the term Hineni has earned my utmost respect.

Life, the universe and everything.

Every now and then the web hands me a gift.  Something I'm not expecting that practically jumps into my lap and makes me glad to be a part of this crazy thing called the blogosphere all over again.  Lemme back up a bit. 

I've always enjoyed having a blog.  Even when I don't really maintain it well, I've always liked being part of a larger community.  I know my readership is small at best and I'll never rank up there with the top bloggers in the world, and I'm completely happy with that concept.  I don't think I want to be well known or well read.  That comes with some pretty hefty responsibility, and I'm 99.99% certain I'm not up for the task. 

Still, being a blogger carries certain perks.  I can write whatever I want and I don't have to edit it down to something fit for consumers.  I don't have to worry about keywords or sellability.  I don't have to dumb it down for the masses.  I can write whatever pleases me, whatever's on my mind, and no one can tell me "you can't say that."

I'd like to think that some of the things I've written here have impacted those who've read them at least in some small way.  I'd like to think that somehow God has used my writing for His purposes.  If I'm wrong, I simply don't want to know.  I've been told that the internet is my mission field.  Sounds strange I know, but it seems true to me. 

But now and then the internet becomes too much.  Lets face it, this "information superhighway" is a lot scarierer than the name implies.  There are all kinds of horrific things out there and every time I read about some webcam suicide or child predator, I guess I lose a bit of heart.  I wonder how any one person can make a difference in the face of such darkness.  I forget two crucial things:

1. It's not about me.  Never was.  Therefore it's not UP TO me to make a difference.
2. Even in the darkest place, a single point of light is visible to all around.

I guess I've always known there are others out there who feel the same way.  I know some of them personally and others I've only read, but I know they're there.  Then there are the billions I've never even heard of.  I know there are plenty of Christians out there striving to make a difference here on the web, and I know that more than a few of them are bloggers like me.  I guess from that I know that there are others that feel the way I do about it all, though I don't often think about it. 

So I wonder, how do other Christian bloggers keep going when it seems pointless?  How do they continue to be a light in the darkness even when they can't see another light for miles around?  Even when the darkness seems solid and thick, an impenatrable wall?

But that's not really where I intended to take this post.  This was supposed to be a plug for another site...  I guess I'll do that in a separate post since this one has gotten so lengthy. 

So does this mean that I'm getting back to my daily scripture messages?  In truth, I don't know if that feature will ever come back.  I never claimed that those came 100% from me in the first place -- so I don't know if the inspiration for them has dried up or if it's just kind of sleeping right now.  I know that I can't write them without God's help, so until He says it's time for another round, they're still tabled.  Though I wouldn't be surprised if they pop in from time to time.

For now, I guess I'm a bit unfocused but willing.  I'll try to write here more often and I'll try to make it more relevant than acapella tributes to John Williams (though I still am impressed with that particular video). 

It's sure to be an interesting ride for those who want to join me. 

Check back tomorrow for the link that inspired this post. 

a good thing just got better

Gmail, the world's best free web-based email, now has themes!  Similar to the way you can customize your iGoogle site, you can now customize the look and feel of your gmail account.  There are several color palettes to chose from as well as things like nature scenes and cartoonish characters.  If you have a gmail account, just click on options (top right) and then themes to chose one.  If you don't have a gmail account... why not?

Ok, so I'm completely geeking out today...

It's my birthday.  Humor me.

Hat tip to nazham.com

Job Hunting...

Well, I said I'd start posting more often and I pretty well meant it, so here goes.

Lately I've been looking for a job.  I don't need anything fancy, but something that will bring in some extra cash while allowing me to be home evenings and weekends would be suitable.  Problem is, right now it seems that very few companies are hiring.  I could always do retail, but that would be seasonal work which pretty much negates any chance of having weekends free. 

So I was wondering if anyone out there in blogland might have any leads on some kind of work-from-home program that is both LEGITIMATE and FREE to start.  I won't pay money to work for someone else, so that's out.  And I don't  want one of those "you could make a million dollars on your first day!" kind of scams.  But I do know that there are some real work from home jobs out there.  If you know of any, please leave me a note in the comments to this post.  Thanks!

I really should update more often...

Quite a pleasant email I got this morning.  Blogged has rated this site!  Not only that, but I got a somewhat positive review even though one of the judging criteria was frequency of updates (which I've clearly fallen behind on lately).  7.8 of 10...  not too bad -- I'll take it!  Imagine what it would have been had I continued to post regularly.  Ah well, can't change the past.  Maybe it'll motivate me to update more in the future though!

Had to share this.

Please watch it to the end, and by all means research the claims for yourself and see if they're true!



Hat tip to Andy from Political Friends.

Squirrels!

Many of you have probably been closely following the relief efforts going on along the gulf coast in the wake of Hurricane Ike. If so, you may have heard about the wildlife who have also been affected by this great natural disaster. WildRescue has been charged with the care and feeding of more than 100 baby squirrels who have been transported up here by the caring folks down in the Houston area. When our President, Diana, heard that the rehabbers down there were overwhelmed with the wildlife being brought in to their facilities, she put out the call for people here in the Denton area to learn to care for these precious little ones. Volunteers came out of the woodwork to one of the three classes she taught in a single weekend and all of the squirrels were distributed among them. We are eternally grateful for the work of people who care so much about these small survivors.

But not everyone seems as pleased with the efforts as we are. The local NBC news website today posted a poll question: "Do you think it's a waste of resources to rescue squirrels from the Texas Gulf Coast?" Sadly, they added no explanation or information on the subject, just that one misleading question that makes it sound as if the resources being used to care for these little guys are being taken from other relief efforts. All of the resources that WildRescue, and many other wildlife groups like us, have used toward the care and feeding of the Houston squirrels has come from private donations given specifically for the purpose of caring for animals in need. Quite a bit of it has come out of the pockets of the rehabbers themselves. As always, we are an all volunteer group and every dime we receive goes toward the care of creatures in need. So I would encourage all who are reading this to visit the poll and let them know what you think of the issue. Please also take a moment to click on the Contact Us link at the top of the page and tell the folks there at NBC know exactly what you think of their poll.

UPDATE: NBC finally posted the whole story, sort of... be sure not to miss the comments. I find the difference in spelling and grammar between the opposing sides of the argument to be quite telling. Meanwhile, Fox News got it right.

Andy's Goin to Kazzyland!

A good friend of ours is about to launch his international missions ministry, and he could use your help! Andy is going to Kazakhstan, with the backing of East-West Ministries to begin a Celebrate Recovery ministry there. Celebrate Recovery is basically a broader, Christ-centered version of AA, dealing with a wide range of addictions and habits. Right now there isn't a program over there to help folks deal with and move past addictions, so this is a much needed concept. Andy has been working with AA for years here in the Dallas area, and about three years ago decided it was time he took his show on the road. Following is a letter he sent out to friends, family and prayer partners as he prepares to embark on his journey.

Well, 3 years have passed since we came back from Kazakhstan and I announced, “I am supposed to live there!” Everyone said, “Yeah sure”, but here I go!! My Launch Date is set for September 15th, 2008. A lot has changed since I first envisioned moving to and living in a foreign country.

I quit my job of 12 years! Then, I went to language school in South Carolina. Now I am back, getting all geared up to go. MY plan was to live in “Ust”, a city of 300,000 and work with the Rodnik church and its’ 5 daughter churches. Due to governmental constraints and new laws being passed, this will not be. I will NOT be living in “Ust”, at least for the first year. I will be living in “Almaty”, the former capitol and current business center for the entire country! In Ust there are only 2 or 3 full-time American missionaries left; in Almaty there many more!! For me that means more support, accountability and Americans to show me the ropes! The city has 1.2 million people, and a LOT more alcoholics who need to know how to have a relationship with Christ!

Also, East-West will also help me to go to MANY cities across the entire country, including “Ust”, throughout the year! This will help me, as I will be more of a consultant and I will be training people in how to lead this ministry themselves rather than trying to depend on me. This is VERY important, as if I am ever the “leader” of any ministry, if I leave, the ministry usually dies. I am not going to be a hero, just a helper. Again, I will go to MANY cities, not just one!!!!!! If you ever want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!!

I need your help. I love and appreciate all who are already “in the game”!! I would not have gotten this far without you. Many have sent care packages, to include “sugar covered Gummi Worms”! That’s a new one on me! (YES I ate them!!) Now I have more “needs” (that doesn’t sound right!). I am going to go over some of them now.

I need e-mails and soon will have Skype! I need some folks to e-mail or call me and ask how I am doing. When I say “I’m fine”, ask again!! Ask me about the cultural differences and how I’m doing with them. Ask how I am doing with temptation. Ask how long it has been since I sent out a “Hello” to everyone, etc. You get the drift.

I need more folks praying! You must be doing this now, for I have come this far. Keep going! Now I need prayer for the Visa to get approved, more financial support, and for my trip to California August 12th-16th for the Celebrate Recovery “Summit”. Northwest Bible Church has paid for almost everything! I am going to get more training before leaving, and meet folks who can help me along the way. (p.s. I just got back, it was GREAT!)

Financial support. I need $4300 per month, and I am now receiving $2200 per month. East-West has created a website just for giving to me; eastwest.org/wickerdonate will go right to my page. Many would rather give straight to me, okey-dokey!! I need the new updated Rosetta Stone $550, a new computer for traveling (small and lightweight while still Windows XP friendly for Kazzylands network) $1500, airfare $2500, deposits for apartment (for Americans that may mean 1 year upfront!!) $2000, Brenthaven padded computer backpack $200 (gonna live out of it), international power converter $30, CVS stockpile of over-the counter meds $200?, cash donations, dinner invites, hugs, monthly donations – THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO GIVE!!

Again, I covet your prayers, and I will have an address after I leave and you will know it. Also, if you have no cashola, I still need you on my team!! This is the big push, and again, thank you for your help thus far.

Thy will be done.

3Jn 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee.

Andy Wicker

East-West Ministries

If you can help in any way, I know it would be greatly appreciated.

Musical Mondays: Happiness

August is "Happiness Happens Month" so this week's theme is Happiness.  Sounds like time for another TFK song to me! Song and lyrics all in one neat package:



Pandora's take:

1. Rawkfist by Thousand Foot Krutch (<3)
2. Faith That Breathes (Break Me) by By The Tree
3. We're All Going To Die by Blindside
4. A Love So Deep by Mumsdollar
5. Fire At Will by Jonah 33

 As always please add your link below ONLY IF you are playing along.  If you're not posting a Musical Monday, please don't add your link.

Friday Quizzes by BlogThings (again!)

What Your Ideal Wedding Dress Says About You

Your Personal Style: Classic and elegant. You prefer to make a statement with a few quality pieces. Your Ideal Wedding: Traditional and formal, but not tacky. You think the most beautiful weddings are understated. Your Philosophy on Marriage: It's a serious commitment, and the couple entering it should be ready to work for their relationship. Your Perfect Marriage: Is calm, stable, deep, and meaningful.

The Wedding Dress Test

You Are Black Tea

You have a bold personality. You're not afraid of simply being yourself. You have the courage to speak the truth. You are fearless in your actions. You come off as a bit intimidating and unapproachable. Only confident people are attracted to you. You don't try to scare off anyone. You're just an intense person!

What Kind of Tea Are You?

You Are Andale Mono

You are a geek, pure and simple. You spend a lot of time online. In fact, you probably love the internet more than anyone you know. You are picky about design, mostly for readability's sake. You are the type most likely to be irritated by a bad font.

What Font Are You?

Kinda scary how accurate these are this week...

Musical Mondays: Dog

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us and this week Musical Mondays is going to the dogs. There are more "dog" songs out there than most people would realize, and the one I've chosen is probably my favorite of them all. I am not really a fan of Sting, but the album "Brand New Day" is wonderful. I love the international and eclectic feel of it; the variety of styles and themes. This particular track has an obvious jazz feel to it, which is perfectly contrasted by the whimsical humor in the lyrics. Without further adieu, "Perfect Love... Gone Wrong."



Lyrics:

I've had a question that's been
preying on my mind for some time
I won't be wagging my tail for one good reason
It has to be a crime

This dog house never was the place for me,
Runner up and second best just ain't my pedigree
I was so happy, just the two of us
Until this alpha male
Turned up in the January sale

He won't love you
Like I love you
It won't be long now before that puppy goes astray
And what I like about this guy the most
He'd be my favourite lamp post
Devil take the hindmost

Je sais que c'est dur, mais il faut se
faire au changement, tu vois
J'ai neglige le primordial pendant trop longtemps crois moi
Je suis consciente, je vois bien que tu
souffres, mais ?a s'attenuera
Car c'est d'un homme plus d'un chien
don't j'ai besoin pres de moi
Cesse donc de grogner, mon choix est fait c'est comme ?a
N'en fait pas trop, ton attitude risque de t'eloigner de moi
Faut que tu comprennes, puisque tu dis m'aimer tant que ?a
Desormais nous sommes trois, lui toi et moi

It's a shaggy kind of story
Would I tell you if I thought it was a lie?
But when the cat's away the mouse will play,
I wouldn't dish around here
There's something fishy 'round here

I howl all night and I sleep all day
It takes more than biscuit, baby, to chase these blues away
I've got a long enough leash
I could almost hang myself
It's a dogs life loving you baby
But you love someone else
Now he's moved by basket
I'd like to put him in a casket
I'll wear my best collar to his funeral

Ta mauvaise foi, j'aimerais bien que ?a s'arrete
Me separer de toi, aujourd'hui ?a trotte dans ma tete
Moi non, j'en peux plus, tu n'est
q'un chien, c'est trop bete
La situation m'avait pourtant l'air d'etre des pius nette
C'est clair, que je l'aime c'est un
fait, ton ego?sme m'inquiete
Apres toutes ces soirees passees seuis en tete a tete
Chaque chose a une fin, et c'est la fin de la fete
Pour toi, car bient?t il n'y aura plus
que lui et moi, lui et moi.

To have found this perfect life
And a perfect love so strong
Well there can't be nothing worse
Than a perfect love gone wrong

You said I wasn't just your Christmas toy
I'd always be your boy
I'd be your faithful companion
And I would follow you through every thick and thin
Don't need nobody else
And we don't need him

Pandora's take:

1. Down In Here by Longwave
2. In Too Deep by Genesis
3. There There by Radiohead
4. A Thousand Years by Sting
5. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold by Prince (or whatever it was he was calling himself)

And finally, if you're playing along, don't forget to add your link below.  If you're not playing Musical Monday, don't add your link because I'll just delete it anyway.

A few random quizzes...

You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle

You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things. You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks. You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach... Of all the types, you love summer the most.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

You are most like: Apple
You are an apple! You have a smooth outter appearance and your friends are never suprised when you walk in circles. It doesn't matter if your green or red ... your still sweet!
Take this quiz: The worlds simplest fruit quiz
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You will be famous for eating the most hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating competition You love life and enjoy doing what you feel like whenever. You are a free spirit and are not tied down by any social conventions. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Your result for The Which Lolcat Are You? Test...

Longcat

60% Affectionate, 41% Excitable, 44% Hungry

Protector of truth.


Slayer of darkness.


Loooooong.


Longcat may seem like just a regular lengthy cat, but he is, in fact, looong. For proof, observe the longpic.



It is prophesized that Longcat and his archnemesis Tacgnol will battle for supremacy on Caturday. The outcome will change the face of the world, and indeed the very fabric of lolcatdom, forever.



Be grateful that the test has chosen you, and only you, to have this title.



To see all possible results, checka dis.

Take The Which Lolcat Are You? Test at HelloQuizzy

Musical Mondays: Heat

This week's theme is "heat" so I've chosen "Now That You're On Fire" by MXPX, cause what's hotter than fire, right? I happened to come across this cool acoustic version of the song on YouTube, so that's the one I'm posting. The radio version (which I am more familiar with) is much more rocking than this (as he mentions in the song) but this version is also kinda neat.

MXPX is one of those bands that I really admire. They've "made it big" with songs on secular radio and MTV, and yet they haven't sold out. If you're not familiar with them, I highly recommend searching out some of their stuff. It will be completely worth it.

Lyrics:

You're old enough to know it's not your fault
You're strong enough to face your darkest conflict
Now you've woken from your nightmare, and now you're fighting back
And nothing can survive when you attack
This road to healing, hurts more than anything

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire

You've spent some time along this lonesome road
With no one waiting for you back at home
Just breaking hearts and living free and easy
Times have changed and now you're not alone
This road to healing, hurts more than anything

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire

More than anything I'd like to see
Better brighter days for you, for you and me

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire, now that you're on fire

Pandora didn't have the song unfortunately, so I simply plugged in the band and here's what they threw back at me:

1. Better Off Dead by New Found Glory
2. Memory by Sugarcult
3. The Party Song by Blink 182
4. Having A Blast by Green Day
5. For Fiona by No Use For A Name
   

As always, if you're playing along this week, don't forget to add your link to the list below!

The Best Thing About Me

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Honesty

Honesty is your greatest virtue.

Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully. This includes listening, and any action in the human repertoire — as well as speaking. And you? You cannot tell a lie. Both loved ones and strangers should trust you, because you won't (1) lie, (2) lie via omission, or (3) sit there and let lies be told. (Can you even let a sleeping dog lie?) All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your honesty runs deepest.
Your biggest risk is hurting the feelings of your most sensitive friends. However, most appreciate you for your candor.
Honest famous person: George Washington, if you believe the propaganda.
Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.
YOUR VIRTUES
20% Compassion
33% Intelligence
63% Humility
89% Honesty
50% Discipline
57% Courage
33% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy


Thanks Mr.P for the link... ;)

Musical Mondays: Freedom

This week the theme for Musical Monday is "freedom." I've chosen "Free to Conquer" by subseven. Here ya go:



Lyrics:

Kill the "you" that holds you back now
Just throw up - Just grow up
Let the blood flow on the ground now
Just throw up - Just grow up
Spit it out and breathe the air now
Just throw up - Just grow up
It's up to you to make the choice now
Just throw up - Just grow up

And we'll breathe the air
That we are free to conquer now

I'm sick and tired of being tired now
Let's get up - Let's wake up
Move your legs and comb your hair now
Let's get up - Let's wake up
Set your mind to do great things now
Let's get up - Let's wake up
It's our chance to make things right now
Let's get up - Let's wake up

Pandora:

1.  Nevertheless by Mumsdollar
2. Landslide by 7 Places
3. Something Greater by Olivia The Band
4. This Is The Life by Pocket Full of Rocks
5. One Thing Left To Do by Guardian

If you're playing along this week, don't forget to add your link to the list below!

Another Blogthings Friday...

You Have a Fairly Strong Willpower

Temptation doesn't get the better of you all that often. If you set your mind on a goal, you'll do your best to achieve it. And while you don't have a perfect record with willpower, you do okay. If you fall off the wagon with something, you're usually not off the wagon for long.

Is Your Willpower Strong?

What Your Sunglasses Say About You

You are down to earth, stable, and practical. You see the world as it is. You accept facts easily. You need to be shaded from overly dramatic and problem prone people. You feel sunniest when things are calm and peaceful

The Sunglasses Test

You Are Cheerios

Like other Cheerios eaters, you want to be a responsible adult. But you can't help but still be a kid at heart! You try to make good decisions. You're a clean cut, conscientious person. You're the type of person who would never skip breakfast. Part of you thinks that breakfast is too important to miss... But a bigger part of you knows it's too fun to miss!

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

Friday Quizzes: Blogthings again!

What can I say? I love this site!

You Are a Citizen of the World

Whenever possible, you try to pay attention to what's going on in the world. You are truly interested in all people and countries, no matter how far away from you they are. You try to learn, travel, and understand. Being a part of the whole world is important to you, and you're always working to be more internationally focused.

Are You a Citizen of the World?

You Are a Summer Person

You are energetic, outgoing, and active. You love to be out and about... hanging out with friends or getting things done. Summer is the perfect time for you to be as hyper as you want to be. In fact, during the rest of the year you feel half-asleep!

Are You a Winter Person or a Summer Person?

You Are Salsa

You are an extremely outgoing and vivacious person. You are quite tolerant and open minded. You rather accept people than judge them. Adventurous and unpredictable, you have the reputation of a daredevil. Your taste in food leans toward very spicy and exotic dishes. Whether it's thai food or an extra spicy mexican meal, you're into the hot flavors. You get along with hot sauce personalities. Everyone else, not so much.

What Condiment Are You?

You Are a One Piece Swimsuit

You are a bit conservative and traditional. And you are not at the beach to put your body on display! You are a low maintenance person. You like to look good, but you're not vain. Your taste tends to be sophisticated. You always opt for classy over trashy.

What Kind of Swimsuit Are You?

Musical Mondays: Beach

Sorry for the late post this week! This week's theme is "beach" and my first thought of course was the Beach Boys, but since I just used them a couple of weeks ago, I decided to go with something else. Now then, those of you who know me know that I don't drink, so for me to pick a tune that's basically about alcohol is a bit out of character. My defense is that I loved "Margaritaville" long before I was old enough to understand any of the lyrics or to know what a Margarita is. So here ya go: (Apologies for the quality of the video, it was the best one I could find.) Lyrics: Jimmy Buffett Lyrics Margaritaville Lyrics Pandora's Picks:

1. Barometer Soup by Jimmy Buffett
2. Silp Slidin' Away by Paul Simon
3. Best Of My Love by The Eagles
4. I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song by Jim Croce
5. Cheeseburger In Paradise by Jimmy Buffett

Odd that there are so many songs on this list from the original artist, no? Anyway, if you're playing along this week, don't forget to add your link to the list below!

Musical Mondays: USA

This week's theme is USA and I decided to go with a song that discusses freedom.  Of course, the freedom talked about in this song is not the freedom granted by any nation or government, but rather the freedom of life in Jesus Christ.  So here, for your enjoyment, is Skillet's "Live Free or Let Me Die" (complete with lyrics, thanks to youtube!). 



Here's Pandora's take: (again, based on the artist because they did not have the song listed)

1. Push Me Away by Kutless
2. Awake by Seventh Day Slumber
3. The Flame In All Of Us by Thousand Foot Krutch
4. Away From The Sun by 3 Doors Down
5. Stay by Jeremy Camp

 If you're playing along this week, don't forget to add your link to the list below!

Friday Quizzes: How Anti-Social Are You?

Borrowed this one from Mr. President...

Your result for How anti-social are you?...

Anti-Social

You're definitely exhibiting strong anti-social behaviors. You probably have 2-3 very good friends and enjoy your alone time. Vintage records and fine scotch are some of the better qualities, heavy leaning towards nerd territory and virgin-dom are the worst.
Take How anti-social are you? at HelloQuizzy

In other news, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

Musical Mondays: Canada

In honor of Canada Day (tomorrow) the theme this week is Canada. What better song to honor the country to the north than Five Iron Frenzy's "Oh Canada"? Enjoy:



Lyrics:

Welcome to Canada, it's the Maple Leaf State.
Canada, oh Canada it's great!
The people are nice and they speak French too.
If you don't like it, man, you sniff glue.
The Great White North, their kilts are plaid,
Hosers take off, it's not half bad.

I want to be where yaks can run free,
Where Royal Mounties can arrest me.

Let's go to Canada, let's leave today,
Canada, oh, Canada, I S'il Vous Plait.

They've got trees, and mooses, and sled dogs,
Lots of lumber, and lumberjacks, and logs!
We all think it's kind of a drag,
That you have to go there to get milk in a bag.
They say "eh?" instead of "what?" or "duh?"
That's the mighty power of Canada.

I want to be where lemmings run into the sea,
Where the marmosets can attack me.

Let's go to Canada, let's leave today,
Canada, oh, Canada, I S'il Vous Plait.
Let's go to Canada, let's leave today,
Canada, oh, Canada, I S'il Vous Plait.

Please, please, explain to me,
How this all has come to be,
We forgot to mention something here.
Did we say that William Shatner, is a native citizen?
And Slurpees made from venison, That's deer.

Let's go to Canada, let's leave today,
Canada, oh, Canada, I S'il Vous Plait.

Pandora's suggestions:  (since they didn't have the song in their listings, these songs are what I got from putting in the artist, FIF)

1. Resolution by the OC Supertones (one of my fave bands ftw)
   
2. Bright Spring Morning by Suburban Legends
3. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin by Less Than Jake
4. A Better Place, A Better Time by Streetlight Manifesto
5. I Know More by The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones

If you're playing along this week, please add your link to the list below.

Musical Mondays: Summer

This week the theme is Summer, and I can think of no music that fits better than that of the Beach Boys. Summer never officially started for me until we popped the Beach Boys casette into the car radio and rolled the windows down. Picking a single song from their repertoire would be impossible though, so I found on YouTube a medley with a lot of their greatest hits rolled together into one package. Unfortunately, there's a long intro on this video, but the music starts about 1:10 for those who want to skip through.



As for lyrics, here are the lyrics for each of the individual songs that combined to form the medley:

• Good Vibrations
• Help Me Rhonda
• I Get Around
• Shut Down
• Surfin' Safari
• Babara Ann
• Surfin' USA
• Fun, Fun, Fun

Of course, I would highly recommend checking out the full versions of any of those songs if you like what you hear in the medley, and maybe even checking out some other tunes by the Beach Boys. You really can't go wrong there when you're looking for summery tunes.

Now, on to Pandora's picks:

1. "Hard Day's Night" by the Beatles
2. "Blue Moon" by the Marcels
3. "Because" by the Dave Clark Five
4. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys
   
5. "Little Bit O' Soul" by Music Explosion

If you'd like to play along with Musical Mondays, check out the rules here, post your tune, and then link it below!

Musical Mondays: Dad

This week the theme is "Dad" in honor of Father's Day. It's no secret to most who know me that while my Dad was alive, we never got along. Just one of the many things that we didn't see eye to eye on was music -- he being a devoted country music fan, and me being into just about every style but country. Still, when I was too young to know much of anything about music, I listened to his radio station and there were certain songs that I did enjoy. Some of these songs have stuck with me even today, and while I loathe country music in general (I know, I'm living in the wrong state...) there are a few older country tunes that I do somewhat enjoy. The Grump laughs anytime I stop on a country station when scanning the radio dial.

My father's favorite musician of all time would have to be Willie Nelson. If you ever got him started on Willie, he could tell you the man's entire life story, possibly better than the artist himself could. This week I've chosen to use a Willie song that I used to sing along with from the time I was just a tot. I think my first words may have been "On the Road Again"... Well, maybe not, but it couldn't have come much later than that.

This version is taken from the movie "Honeysuckle Rose" which is almost as old as I am. Please ignore the dialog inserted in the scene...



Lyrics:

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again

Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

And Pandora's choices: (aka. "You might be a redneck if your music collection includes these tunes.")

1. "I'm Not Built That Way" by Billy Dean
2. "My Love Affair With Trains" by Merle Haggard
3. "Feelin' Single--Seein' Double" by Emmylou Harris
4. "(If It Weren't For Country Music) I'd Go Crazy" by Clinton Gregory
5. "Just in Case" by Exile

If you're playing along, please leave your link below!

Friday Quizzes courtesy of BlogThings!

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are intense and rebellious. You are intelligent... but in a very unconventional way. You are curious about the world. You love doing something new. In fact, you enjoy taking risks and doing things most people would shy away from. You are very physical. It's likely that you're athletic, but not into team sports. You have the soul of an artist. Beauty and harmony are important to you.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

What Your Fridge Says About You

You aren't greedy, but you don't really deprive yourself either. You strike a good balance with the stuff you buy. You tend to be a fairly thrifty person. You splurge occasionally, but you're mostly a saver. You are a very adventurous person. You love to try new things, and you get bored very easily. You are not very responsible, and you don't pretend to be. Life's too short to do what you're supposed to do. You are likely married, possibly with kids.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

Your Response is: Stay Calm

You don't have much of a fight or flight response. In fact, you rather do neither. You don't like getting worked up. You are able to approach most threats calmly and rationally. You don't let your emotions get the best of you!

How Do You Respond: Fight or Flight?

Musical Mondays: Remembering

Since today is Memorial Day, the Musical Monday theme of the week is remembering. Personally, I don't know any of our nation's fallen, so I can't really pay tribute to them individually. The song I chose may not seem to fit the Memorial Day theme perfectly, because it doesn't talk about fallen war heroes or the costs of war. It is a bit more hopeful than that. It talks about two men, on opposite sides of the globe, who grew up in cultures that hated each other, but came together and learned that people of any country or culture are still just people when it comes down to it. I would think that message would be honoring to those who have given their lives in service to their country, so I present to you, Leningrad by Billy Joel.



Lyrics:

Viktor was born in the spring of '44
And never saw his father anymore
A child of sacrifice, a child of war
Another son who never had a father after Leningrad

Went off to school and learned to serve the state
Followed the rules and drank his vodka straight
The only way to live was drown the hate
A Russian life was very sad
And such was life in Leningrad

I was born in '49
A cold war kid in McCarthy time
Stop 'em at the 38th Parallel
Blast those yellow reds to hell
And cold war kids were hard to kill
Under their desk in an air raid drill
Haven't they heard we won the war
What do they keep on fighting for?

Viktor was sent to some Red Army town
Served out his time, became a circus clown
The greatest happiness he'd ever found
Was making Russian children glad
And children lived in Leningrad

But children lived in Levittown
And hid in the shelters underground
Until the Soviets turned their ships around
And tore the Cuban missiles down
And in that bright October sun
We knew our childhood days were done
And I watched my friends go off to war
What do they keep on fighting for?

And so my child and I came to this place
To meet him eye to eye and face to face
He made my daughter laugh, then we embraced
We never knew what friends we had
Until we came to Leningrad

Pandora's top five: (BunGirl does not endorse any of these songs... listen at your own risk!)

1. My Hand Over My Heart by Marc Almond
2. Only the Wind by Pet Shop Boys
3. Some Good Things Never Last by Barry Manilow
4. Ferry Cross The Mersey by Aitken & Waterman Stock
5. A Salty Dog (Live) by Sarah Brightman

If you're playing along, please leave your link below!

dNeero Survey: Customer Service or Customer No Service - Part 4

Musical Mondays: Colors

This week the theme is Colors, so I chose a song from one of my all-time favorite Broadway shows, Les Miserables. Yes, I like Broadway. A lot actually. Anyway, the song is called Red and Black. For those unfamiliar, Les Miserables is the story of several intertwining lives set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. In this scene, the students are in a cafe planning their attack on the French government, when Marius (one of the main characters) wanders in after having just met and fallen in love with Cosette. Lyrics are included with the video:



Apparently Pandora doesn't have much in the way of Broadway soundtracks, so instead I will list here five of my favorite songs from Les Mis, with links to their youtube videos as well. Enjoy!

1. On My Own
2. One Day More
3. Bring Him Home
4. Stars
5. Do You Hear the People Sing

Of course, I love almost every song in this show, so I would highly encourage anyone who likes what they've heard of it so far to check out the others as well. And if you get the chance to see it performed live, go -- you won't be sorry. There is a reason this show was so popular for so long.

As always, if you're playing along and posting your own Musical Monday, please add your link below:

Mabinogi G2 is out!

Musical Mondays: Mom

This week the theme is Mom, so of course, I wanted to pick a song that my Mom would like. A few months back, I introduced her to Pandora radio and she created her own station. She started out with the duo Ferrante & Teicher, and added in other tunes as she liked, to come out with a station that is uniquely hers. So, I picked out the first song that came up on that station as my Musical Monday: Laura by Erroll Garner. Enjoy!



Since this is just a piano instrumental, there are no lyrics to post. For the Pandora list, I decided to do something a little bit different. I simply chose the next five songs from Mom's station, and will list them here for you:

1. My Favorite Things by George Shearing
2. You Took Advantage of Me by John Eaton
3. Soft Sounds by Henry Mancini
4. Autumn in New York by Chet Baker
5. Who Me? (live) by Count Basie

As always, if you're playing along, don't forget to post your link below!

Friday Quizzes: Blogthings!

What Your City Walk Means

You are thoughtful and contemplative. You enjoy spending time alone with your thoughts. You are very introverted. You generally prefer quiet time by yourself to most social interactions. Money is fairly important to you. You aren't super greedy, but you enjoy spending money on yourself. You enjoy the world around you, and you thrive on new environments. You can be easily surrounded by natural or man made beauty.

The City Walk Personality Test

Proof that I am in fact a product of my generation:

You Belong in Generation X

You fit in best with people born between 1961 and 1981. You are fun, laid back, and very independent. You are willing to take risks and live your life however you see fit. You are casual, accepting, and friendly. You see everyone as your equal.

What Generation Do You Belong In?

You Are the Super Ego

While some people may think first and act later... you often don't act at all. You rather be safe than sorry, and you take ethics pretty seriously. Like everyone, you have some pretty crazy desires. But unlike everyone, you restrain yourself. You have high standards for your own behavior. And you happily exceed them.

Are You Id, Ego, or Superego?

dNeero Survey: Identity -- You

Musical Mondays: Flowers

This week's theme is flowers, and there's a song I've been really into lately that just fits perfectly. The first couple of times I heard "Rescue" by Seabird, I didn't like it at all. But the more I listened, the more I really got to like the song. Perhaps it's an acquired taste. I just love the visual imagery in this one, and the tune is one of those that you can happily hum all day and not be sick of. Or at least I can. LOL

Anyway, it's still new enough that I can't find it on YouTube or any of my other sources just yet. Course that could also be because when you put "Seabird Rescue" in as a search term, it brings back a TON of results, just none having to do with the song I'm actually looking for. So, if you'd like to hear it, and you really should, you can go have a listen at the Seabird MySpace page. Sorry, that's the best I can do. I tried.

Also, no cute little scroller today. Here's the lyrics:

I'm pushing up daisies, I wish they were roses
I feel like I'm drowning but nobody knows it
I'm pushing up daisies, I wish they were roses
I feel like I'm dying, just want you to notice

somehow the grave has captured me
show me the man I used to be
just when I feel my breath is running out

the earth moves and you find me, alive but unworthy
broken and empty, but you don't care
cuz you are my rapture, you are my savior
when all my hope is gone, I reach for you
you are my rescue
you are my rescue

I'm swimming to safety, but even with my best
if I don't see that rope soon, this might be my last breath

somehow the grave has captured me
show me the man I used to be
just when I feel my breath is running out

the earth moves and you find me, alive but unworthy
broken and empty, but you don't care
because you are my rapture, you are my savior
when all my hope is gone, I reach for you
you are my rescue

don't let me drown
can you hear me
cuz I am
"drawlin out" (not sure)
I'm underground
won't you pull me out

the earth moves and you find me, alive but unworthy
broken and empty, but you don't care
because you are my rapture, you are my savior
when all my hope is gone, I reach for you
you are my rescue
you are my rescue
yeah, you are my REScue
yeah! you are MY resCUE

I'm pushing up daisies, I wish they were roses
I feel like I'm dying, just want you to notice...

And once again Pandora has let me down, so here's what LastFM had to add:

1. Transition -- Air We Breathe
2. The Professional Superheroes -- Tee Jay
   
3. Brandon Deline -- Party Scene
4. A John Henry Memorial -- Sleepwalking
5. Chris Koza -- Crowded Bed

Personally, I've never heard of any of those, and wasn't really impressed with any of them either... but there ya go.

If you're playing along, drop in your link below!

WooooHoooooo!

Created by OnePlusYou

Thanks to Princess Jami for the link! Also:


Created by OnePlusYou

See! Fun for the whole family here at BunGirl HQ.

Musical Mondays: Springtime

This week's theme is springtime. Any song that makes you think of spring would work, or of course you can always choose to do your own thing and not stick to the theme.

As the Disney-lover that I am, many of the classical musical pieces used in Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will always be associated in my mind with the animations used in those films. In particular, Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919 Version) will always feel like springtime to me, because of the animated story Disney's team put to it. Here it is for your enjoyment:



Of course, there are no lyrics to go with this one, and sadly Pandora doesn't seem to recognize the song.

Please add your link to the list below only if you are actually participating in Musical Monday. If you're not sure what's going on here, click on "rules" above or check out some of the links found on previous weeks for examples. Anyone with a blog can play along, so please jump in!

Musical Mondays: Earth Day

For this week's "Earth Day" theme, I've chosen "God of Wonders". I think that as important as it is for us to take care of this planet on which we live, equally important is it to remember Who entrusted us with it in the first place. Often we hear from conservationists that "we did not inherit the world from our parents, we borrowed it from our children." While that's a good thought, it's not entirely accurate. We were given this earth by our Creator, Who made it for our home. We were appointed by Him as stewards, until such time as He should return and reign in glory. So, is it important to take care of what we've been given? I would certainly say so.

Lord of all creation
of water earth and sky
The heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

Chorus:
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are Holy, Holy
The universe declares your Majesty
And you are holy holy

Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When i stumble in the darkness
I will call your name by night

chrous
lord of heaven and earth
lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the lord of heaven and earth (repeate 3 times)

holy......holy....holy god.....

Chorus

Precious lord reveal your love to me....
Father holy..
(backround)...Lord god almighty...

The "universe" declares your majesty
"you are" holy,holy,holy,holy
Halleujah to the lord of heaven and earth 9x

Pandora has this to say:

1. The River by Chris Tomlin
2. Forty by Lamont Hiebert & Jason Morant
3. Stand Up by Everyday Sunday
4. A Love Song by Stellar Kart
5. The Weight is Gone by Aaron Spiro
   

Please add your link to the list below only if you are actually participating in Musical Monday.

Expelled: Well Worth the Ticket Price.

I posted a week or so ago about wanting to go the movie Expelled, and I just wanted to follow up. I did, in fact, see it. Following are my thoughts on it.

Yesterday the grump and I ventured into a movie theater for the first time in 2008. Most of what Hollywood has to offer these days is boring, predictable and useless, so I don't generally bother paying for tickets to see it. I'll wait for NetFlix to have it, thank you very much. Expelled seemed different, so we decided to go see it on opening weekend. We were not disappointed.

The entire film is overlayed with the metaphor of our current scientific community's refusal to tolerate dissent being likened to the Berlin Wall. At the end, Ben's call to open up the discussion between the two opposing views of the origins of life is entwined with Regan's "tear down this wall" speech. The overall theme of the movie is NOT "God created the world" as many would have you believe, but rather freedom of speech and the freedom of researchers, editors and teachers to express ideas that are not necessarily in line with what science overall believes today.

I thoroughly enjoyed not only the content of the film itself, but also the style of presentation. I was entertained and I learned a few things along the way, and to me that is the hallmark of a good documentary. Critics of Expelled have said that it is both boring and one-sided, but I think they did a fantastic job of giving air time to those who oppose the concept of ID. They covered everyone from the raving lunatic who stated that there is no such thing as free will to the scientist who believes that life formed "on the backs of crystals," whatever that's supposed to mean. And I don't recall any moment of the film when I felt the least bit bored, despite it being a documentary.

Some of the more interesting parts of the film, in my opinion, were those in which Ben interviewed leading authorities on Adolph Hitler, who was a self-professed Darwinist. Hitler believed that the atrocities committed by his regime were of benefit to humankind in that he was helping along the process of natural selection. Of course, Hitler was not the only one to have used Darwin's theories to inflict their will on those around them. Just look up the history of "eugenics" if you're curious.

Many people believe today that if you don't agree with what the majority of scientists agree on, you don't belong in the scientific field. If those who didn't agree with the scientific thought of their day had kept silent historically, we would still believe the world to be flat and situated at the center of the universe. In order for science and thought to move forward, there MUST be dissenters. Otherwise, ideas stagnate. Now, whether Neo-Darwinism's explanations or Intelligent Design's are the true source of "life, the universe and everything" is hardly the point here. The point is that BOTH sides of the argument must be heard, researched and proven before any level of certainty can be derived. If you want to believe that man evolved from apes, that's fine. If you want to write papers, books, essays, articles and the like that are based around that theory, that's fine too. The very constitution of the United States of America guarantees your right to do so. But don't tell those who disagree that they don't have the the right to do the same.

I have long been disgusted by the refusal of many to hear anything that might come close to suggesting that God exists. I do have friends who are atheists, agnostics, humanists and anything else you can think of, but these people all share one quality. They respect that I am a Christian and do not belittle me for it. In return, I respect that they are not Christians and I don't try to change them. (Changing hearts is not my job... if you want to know more about that, feel free to leave a comment.) Currently though, our politically correct climate says that anyone who says that there is a "right" and a "wrong" should be silenced in the name of "tolerance".

Perhaps Expelled will serve as a wake up call to America. I doubt it, but I still hold out hope. Lady Bird Johnson once said, "the clash of ideas is the sound of freedom." I pray that we will again hear that sound in the hallways and offices of science and academia.

dNeero Survey: Social Influence

I'm a big fan of word-of-mouth recommendations. I love to try out new things. I'm always telling people about new stuff that I've found, and I value the opinions of other people I know much more highly than that of critics or advertisements. If someone has similar taste to mine, I figure I'm probably going to like the same things they do. Critics are usually way off base comparitively. The people in ads, well, they're being paid to say what they're saying so it loses all of its value to me.

Haagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees (and BunGirl LOVES Haagen-Dazs!)

Now here's a cause that I can get bee-hind! Right now the honeybee population in America is down by over 25%. This is a huge issue when you look at the impact honeybees have on their surrounding environment. We rely on them for so much more than just honey. Honeybees are responsible for the pollination of more than 100 different crops, and over 80% of the overall pollination in this country. Without them, we'd be unable to grow the fruits, nuts and vegetables that we so love.

Haagen-Dazs, that amazing maker of scrumptious ice cream, has decided it's time to get the word out about this crisis before it becomes worse. They've created a new flavor called Vanilla Honey Bee to help raise awareness. They're also donating to research into the problem, being conducted at Pennsylvania State University and University of California at Davis. If you'd like to learn more about why Haagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees, or what's going on with our little stripey friends, check out their beautiful new website on the topic. Oh, and go get some ice cream!