Loosen up and Look around

I understand people are busy. Life comes ceaselessly and without discretion.
You drive down the highway, and a determined woman keeps eyes forward and speeds up to block your lane change (just in case you were wondering if she saw you or not). Another still. Then a tired looking man waves you on. You think, "It's about time! I deserve to be let in! Rude people!" and then you continue your day. A little twitch in your shoulder tightens you up, but you don't notice. Did you ever stop to wonder why those people did what they did?
The first woman may be running late for an appointment to find out if her cancer is back. The second person may have just received their final notice on their home since they lost their job after being late one too many times for their child. The tired-looking man may be working 3 jobs to make ends meet for his family, and he let you go because he is feeling defeated.
We all stare forward and ignore AND give a tired gesture for another to go ahead of us. We must remember there are reasons we do this, and there are always reasons others do as well. So, when someone is rude, let it go. If it's not you, then just smile on. And when someone is kind, then just raise up your hand and give a gesture of gratitude. You never know the good it might do, and you might just save yourself from a pain in your neck.

One Gear in an Gazillion; Where does my health come from?

I hear this song say, "I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my health come from? My health comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth." My first thought is to say, I have health problems. I have P.C.O.S. and as a result have so many problems I have to worry about and deal with. It is as if I think I am the exception to that rule when in fact I am all the more example of that rule. So, I had one gear go to crap in my body out of a gazillion, and I feel sorry for myself because it caused damage in a few other areas of my internal function. Big huge whoop! How about I take this experience of how interconnected our bodies are and be thankful I am as healthy as I am? Imagine if one person had all the things wrong with them that all of your friends and family have separately...THAT could happen!!! Thank God it hasn't. How about I thank Him for reminding me of another reason I am so strong in faith. His Word is so true time and again. One example is we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It is scary sometimes to think how fragile we are in terms of composition and function. We stub our toes and the world must stop until the throbbing subsides. Our fever goes up a couple of degrees and we are sweating and vomiting. One untreated or "well-placed" puncture could bleed us dry. Be afraid of how fragile we are and in awe at how complex. We should all be on that "contradiction" commercial. We are stupid and smart, strong and weak, cruel and kind, and we are born Alive and Dead. Next time we think about our health and where it comes from, we should try to think on He who made us and what he might be trying to show us through our infirmity. It doesn't make the pain or consequences any less, but it just might allow something good and long lasting to come from what may otherwise only be suffering.

I shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to...

It has been way too long since my last posting, but I am back.

I am convinced that change is not only possible but necessary. This applies to tiny things and vast things as well. Some change happens naturally: Caterpillars transform, babies cry and livings things age and die, but even these happenings began with an idea. God thought them up, and they were. While man as a species does not wield near the same power as God, we were created in his image. Our minds are idea-makers. Most ideas stem from a need or void of some kind, and ideas produce more ideas that can sometimes lead to unexpected results. For example, toil spurred ideas for the wheel which led to the horse and buggy which eventually made cars possible which spurred ideas for trains and flight that led to commercial travel which made leisure travel, long distance commuting and relocation widely obtainable which has altered the entire dynamic of the family as it pertains to location and distance.
How are you going to change the future? Just a thought. :) Feel free to post your flow of earth-shifting ideas!

Love Hurts When It’s This Funny

September 2008 contains some of the most highly anticipated comedy-show season premieres of any season. Yes, this is partially due to last season’s Writer’s Strike that successfully discombobulated most scripted show schedules. Some shows like Saturday Night Live and Scrubs were tapped for new episodes for months. Other shows like Ugly Betty, The Office, The Big Bang Theory and 30 Rock (just to name a few) were left short on episodes, but I believe the “nail on the head” reason for this September’s collective anticipation is its undeniable familiarity with love-connections.
Let’s start with The Big Bang Theory. This show portrays comedy at its smartest. The laughs make it fun, while the show’s nerd-level punch-lines leave viewers feeling like they are part of a cult-classic calling. This show brings viewer inside-jokes to a whole new level. In last season’s finale, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), the sweet super-nerd, was finally on a real date with friend Penny (Kaley Cuoco), the sweet beauty across the hall who is tired of the stereotypically non-committal, burly-man fling, and the episode ended before the date had even had a chance to begin! Will it go anywhere? Will they kiss, or more??? Will Leonard’s friends have any such luck? Guess we’ll have to watch to find out! (TBBT premieres Monday, September 22nd at 8/7 CST on CBS)
Next on the agenda is How I Met Your Mother. This show, as the title insinuates, is about Ted (Josh Radnor—future Ted’s voice is Bob Saget) and how he met his children’s mother as told by him to his children. The real kicker here is no one watching the show knows who the mother is or if she has even appeared on the show to date. The first mother-suspect was Robin (Cobie Smulders). She and Ted dated for much of the second season, but by the end of the season 3, Ted has proposed to another woman named Stella (Sarah Chalke). This show is kind of a mystromedy: That is to say a mystery romance and comedy all in one. (Yes, I made that word up.) With the suspense of the unknown and the naturally comedic influence of Ted’s friends Marshall (Jason Segel), Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin, this show is definitely a show worth checking out! (HIMYM premieres Monday, September 22nd at 8:30/7:30 CST on CBS)
Moving on we have Ugly Betty (two time Golden Globe winner, 2007) starring America Ferrera as Betty Suárez. Betty works as a personal assistant for Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius) at a fashion magazine named Mode. Here, Betty earns the nickname Ugly Betty among the fashion world stereotypes due to her unique attire and clumsy disposition. Not all people think this, though. By last season’s finale, viewers were left on edge with a marriage proposal from Henry (Christopher Gorham) (whose ex-girlfriend, Charlie (Jayma Mays), returned to have a baby she claimed was his) and a romantic proposal from Gio (Freddy Rodriguez) (a handsome and simple newcomer) to go to Rome with him. Besides this love triangle, there are a number of sub-plots in this show to keep any viewer occupied. How will this storyline pan out? Watch and see! (UB premieres Thursday, September 25th at 8/7 CST on ABC)
Brothers and Sisters is another show with previously untapped love potential. After William Walker (Tom Skerritt ) died, he left his mistress (Holly Harper ) a small fortune who told her daughter Rebecca (Emily VanCamp) that William was her father. For two seasons of awkward moments, obvious screw-ups and resolved issues, Rebecca finds out that her mother had lied to her. Rebecca moved out from her mother’s home and surprisingly deeper into the Walker family than ever. By finale time, Rebecca had realized there was one thing that would definitely make this whole experience worthwhile: This situation allowed her to meet Justin (Dave Annable), and now that they are not related, Rebecca and Justin can explore a long awaited romance. I can’t wait to see the drama this adds…not that it needs any more ;). Tune in to this show to see more. (B&S premieres on Sunday, September 28th at 10/9 CST on ABC)
Chuck is another show with romantic suspense. Chuck (Zachary Levi ) was a normal guy until he was “downloaded” with top-secret spy information; and, he is now the last copy of these details. He has flashes of these spy details that are usually brought on by a face, name or word that is in these files. One CIA agent in charge of protecting Chuck is Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski). Chuck is in love with Sara, and they were an item until Chuck broke up with her. Shortly after this, Bryce (Matthew Bomer) (Sarah’s ex, Chuck’s previous nemesis and a supposedly dead/rogue CIA agent) comes back. Sarah still has feelings for Bryce, and Chuck can’t deny their compatibility during a synchronized fight scene during which Sarah and Bryce almost kiss. Will Chuck get the girl, or is Sarah destined for Bryce? (Chuck premieres on Monday, September 29th at 8/7 CST on NBC)
Finally, The Office (a Golden Globe, Emmy & Peabody Award- winner) has to have the most couple-drama of any comedy debuting this September. For newcomers, it is important to know that The Office is kind of a “mockumentary” on the everyday lives of the employees of the Scranton, PA branch of Dunder Mifflin Inc. DMI sells paper and a personal touch. The regional manager, Michael Scott (Steve Carell), is basically an HR rep’s nightmare. Perhaps that is why Toby (Paul Lieberstein, also writer and co-executive producer) (the previous HR rep) left for Costa Rica in the finale last year. (Not to mention the fact that Pam the receptionist never picked up on any of his advances.) Michael has a way of saying and doing things that would usually enrage me and yet end up making me laugh. (Maybe viewers forgive him for his social stupidity and the sad reality that he once aspired to “have 100 kids so he could have a 100 friends” and is currently unmarried and has no children.) In last season’s finale, Jim (John Krasinski) was to propose to Pam (Jenna Fischer). This is much anticipated as they actually grew up together and have been close friends through each others’ relationships. Jim purchased fireworks for Toby’s farewell party so as to use this opportunity to pop the big Q, much to the delight of Michael (since he “hates” Toby for always ruining his inappropriate fun) who wanted a celebration grand enough to match his own pure joy in seeing Toby go. Much to my own personal dismay, Andy (Ed Helms) “stole” Jim’s proposal by asking Angela (Angela Kinsey) to marry him right before Jim had the chance to ask Pam. Angela reluctantly agreed to marry Andy as everyone was watching including Andy’s parents. This left Dwight (Rainn Wilson, Angela’s secret ex-boyfriend (although Jim and Pam know)), understandably crushed as he knew Angela still had feelings for him due to various conversations he had with Andy. Angela was still mad at Dwight for previously running her cat over, and she had basically been content in punishing Dwight for this by dating Andy. At the very end of this episode, the camera guy accidentally catches Angela cheating with Dwight in the office. (Angela and Dwight both saw the camera guy too.) As if this all wasn’t enough, Michael’s ex-girlfriend and ex-boss Jan (Melora Hardin) returns visibly pregnant. She breaks the news to Michael (who initially thought it was his child) that she had gone to a sperm donor clinic. Michael vows to “do the right thing” and raise the child as his own. Also, the new HR rep is a new prime target for the single men in The Office; although, she mistakenly thinks Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) is mentally challenged (that is a whole other article). (The Office premieres Thursday, September 25th at 9/8 CST on NBC)

Overall, I am excited for this fall’s line-up, and I strongly advise any TV viewer seeking comic relief to check out any and all of these shows this September. Also, make this page your home page, so you can keep up with the latest in TV comedy!

Presidential Race Brainstorm 1

President Bush is not at the Republican Convention. Good for McCain. Why? Let me give you a few reasons:

• President Bush has failed to implement a plan to save Social Security
• The Bush Administration's mismanagement and lack of leadership after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina cost even more lives than necessary.
• President Bush is Big Oil. (look it up if you don't believe.) He has allowed oil prices to rise with little more than a shaken fist. In June of 2000, the average price per gallon was $1.62. As of July 17, 2008, the average gas price was a record average high of $4.11. (This shows a 154% increase during Bush's presidency so far.) During Bush's 2000 campaign, he blamed President Clinton for the $1.64/gallon gas prices. In June of 1992, before Clinton began his presidency, the average price was $1.18 per gallon. ( This shows ONLY a 37% increase compared to the 154% increase in the last 8 years.) So, if Bush believed that high gas prices were Clinton's fault before, then he must concede that they are even more so his fault now. (I say more so since he gets not only $ in his wallet but also in his campeign from this industry.)