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Introduction To The House of Carr
Introduction To The House of Carr

You've Been X-Punk'd!

I haven't blogged much this past week because I was sorta busy. My wife is turning thirty in two weeks and Saturday we threw her a surprise party. The set-up, however, was months in the making.

Kelly knew I was going to throw her a party this year, and figured it would be a surprise. About eight weeks ago I created a fake volunteer reception for the Cincinnati Preservation Association. I researched the interwebs to find some info about some historic houses in the neighborhood near the Walnut Hills Church and made up a flyer, even making it look believably flawed. Apparently Kelly bought it hook, line, and sinker because even after the surprise she asked if I faked the event.

It seemed like we were against smooth waters until this week when I discovered we wouldn't be able to decorate on Friday night. This meant we'd have to redezvous at the church early Saturday morning to get things set up. Kelly's parents were in town to help get Kaelyn ready and ended up getting a hotel room to make this work. So I pretended to not be able to sleep, woke up at 5:30 to go to Panera [something I occasionally do], and got out of the house to make it seem natural. We made it to the church to set-up but I had to get home early while the rest of the crew took care of the decorations.

So later in the day, when we were all dressed up to go to this event, I took us on a diversion to the church where I had created another fake event. I received a fake cell call asking for assistance at the church. Kelly said it was my voice-inflection on the phone that led her to figure things out. But she was still surprised to see friends and family all dressed up too. We did our best to make it a black-tie affair and it worked out very well. I'm sure I'll get some pictures up soon.

I will say that I would suck cheating on my wife. I was under a lot of stress constantly lying to her for a good reason; I can't imagine what weaving a web of total deceit would do to my brain. This past week I started the most ridiculous conversations with Kelly to avoid the subject [like I give a rip about High School Musical 2]. By last night I was so exhausted, but it was so worth it. Kelly is still the most amazing thing that ever happened to me and I'm glad she had a day to remember.

A huge thanks to Dave and Bev, Kelly's parents, who went the extra mile to make sure their daughter had a party to remember. They stayed the night Friday, giving us a chance to go see a movie, and protecting the sanctity of the surprise. Bev put together the decorations making a seventy year-old church fellowship hall look elegant. They were amazing. And also big thanks to Sheryl [and Ed too] who helped get the cakes, set-up early Saturday morning, and cleaned up too. All of you made this happen.

Now that the weekend's over, I'm going to sleep.

Maybe we'll do this again in thirty years, Kel.

Righting [Perceived] Wrongs

I knew a band once called "Right The Wrong." Not sure what happened to them. Sticking with Apple news, a lot of iPhone owners were feeling buyers remorse yesterday when the company dropped the phone's price by $200. I like what I read about it yesterday: it was an "early adopter" tax. My opinion: it's a free market system in the US, so if you paid that amount to got what you wanted. If I buy a 2008 car now, they're not going to give me the money back when they cut prices on them next year.

But Apple's a company that cares about public perception so it wasn't too surprising today when Steve Jobs offered old iPhone owners $100 in store credit. Giving back millions in profit might not seem the smartest move but they're investing in the future.

I predict this will be an iPod Christmas for many.

Cold Draft

Reluctantly, I'm playing a little fantasy football. I've noted before the superiority of fantasy baseball and my non-participation in FF leagues. But I was persuaded this year by the opportunity to participate in a league with blogging church planters from around the country. Some of them I've interacted with, some I've just started reading. I'll be putting their sites up on my links shortly. Anyway, I had a pretty decent draft except that the ESPN auto-draft option wouldn't let me make my second pick, leaving me with Clinton Potis. Sure, Portis is good, but I've never really liked him. Hopefully he'll have a banner year.

And I was surprised, being the only Cincinnati guy, how quickly the Bengals jumped off the board. I was able to snag Chad Johnson, but every other major player went quicker than I thought would have.

So here's my line-up. FYI, I had the fifth pick in a snaking draft.

1. Shaun Alexander, Sea RB [local guy over Addai]

2. Clinton Portis, Was RB  [didn't want him; wanted Travis Henry]

3. Chad Johnson, Cin WR [lives two blocks from us]

4. Antonio Gates, SD TE [stud]

5. Matt Hasselbeck, Sea QB [He'll work]

6. Donald Driver, GB WR [Farve will work him hard this year]

7. Reggie Brown, Phi WR [Steal at this pick]

8. Jon Kitna, Det QB [Good back-up, has plenty of options]

9. Tatum Bell, Det RB [If the offense spreads, he'll get yards]

10. Greg Jennings, GB WR [Could break out this year]

11. Cowboys Defense/Special Teams  [Best left at this pick]

12. LenDale White, Ten RB  [USC Running back needs to get a watch]

13. Randy McMichael, StL TE    [Good offense for him]

14. Maurice Morris, Sea RB [Shaun Alexander's Back-up]

15. Chris Henry, Cin WR [Just for fun]

16. Olindo Mare, NO K [Was still left]

WEBN Fireworks

With a sleep deprived little girl, we skipped this year's Riverfest fireworks again. I think next year we'll walk down the street so she can see them in person. It's interesting to hear the reverberations of the big blasts from time to time. Surprisingly, some aren't nearly as loud as the Reds game winning fireworks. But I do have to suggest we start a petition urging Channel 5 to never purchase the television rights again. There is a huge difference between the other two networks and this one. Channel 5 is horrible when it comes to these live events. I keep rubbing my eyes thinking my contacts are blurry when it's actually they're cheap cameras.

They make the fireworks practically unwatchable, to the extent that I'm blogging this while they're still on. Can I get a witness?

EDIT: Then I can't stand the visit to cliche-ville after they end. Example:

"Every year they keep getting better and better"

BTW, I disagree. I think the WEBN music guy has a thing for Chris Isaacs. They play his one-hit every year.

Help Brooklyn

I'm not one for special causes. It seems everyone has one and everyone thinks theirs is the most important. The lolipop guild has been hanging around the local parking lots raising money for their special houses but it always makes me feel weird the way they loiter near your car. Every once in awhile I toss them some change but I can't stand it when they badger you for their cause. Transition: let me tell you about one special cause that I back 100%, so much so that I'm going to encourage you to think about supporting it. I told you of Kelly and Charlie's daughter Brooklyn who has Rett's syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects young girls. Since there's no cure they're always looking to assist research.

On Saturday September 22nd there's going to be a Stroll-A-Thon here in Cincinnati to raise money for research. You can participate in a few ways:

  1. Join us with Team Butler and come walk with us. Or . . .
  2. Cash money. You know how it works.

For more info you can drop me an email or, even better, ask Brooklyn's mom. Keep up-to-date with Brooklyn here.

Sox/No Sox

Quick baseball chat, especially since the Red Sox are my American League team. In the middle of a game Wednesday night, Major League Baseball sent an official to examine the uniform of Boston manager Terry Francona. He wears a pull -ver throughout the game, but MLB rules demand that all personel wear the actual uniform top during the game. Needless to say, Francona was ticked.

First, how stupid is this? Is there any other sport where the coach has to wear the uniform? The only thing dumber is the NFL being against their coaches wearing suits.

Second, it shows the priorities in the game when steroid use/abuse was overlooked for years but no way in Hades are they going to let a manager not wear his uniform. Bud Selig, history will reward you.

No worries. This is the year the Yankees miss the play-offs.

Facebook Fury

Is Myspace dying? It's not quite dead yet, but I think you could put it on the dead wagon. I really never liked Myspace because I felt it was Mickey Mouse. I check it once every few days to delete the p0rn spam I get there. Even though I suck at social networking, I've been excited about Facebook which is cleaner [except for all those crappy add-ons you people need to get over] but I've still maintained both because . . . well, how could I turn my back on all those friends?

It seems that the past month or so has seen an huge influx of new people to Facebook. In fact, it leads me to believe that many people will soon completely abandon Myspace. Someone recently told me that Facebook is becoming the site for "old[er] people" but I wonder if this is sour grapes. Whereas a lot of college friends now work the Facebook, few people from my high school have picked up on it.

So which side do you choose in the social networking Civil War? Or are you a border state? Or are you participating in the Underground Railroad?

Answer, friends: Myspace or Facebook?

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The Beat Goes On

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Some interesting stuff in today's City Beat, Cincinnati's liberal independent newspaper. Every Wednesday I try to read the online version in addition to our city's cotton-candy paper, CinWeekly. First was an interview with the heads of the three major local art institutions [Cincinnati Art Museum, The Taft, and the Contemporary Arts Center]. They have some interesting perspectives on the state of art and culture in the Queen City.

The second article is concerning an Enquirer business reporter who was recently fired. The word on the street is that he pissed off some local major corporations and the paper bowed to their power and let him go. It's difficult to find the truth in this story, as some people contend he was canned because he was overly abrasive. Regardless, I think it does speak to the way our society is shifting.

The goal of a business is to make money and media outlets do so through ad revenue. So when it comes to hard hitting journalism verses making the advertisers/customers happy they're inclined to deliver news that sells. So even if newspapers and television stations are attempting to be unbiased, there's always room for doubt when the segment on health care is being sponsored by Ambient.

I guess the truth is out there but finding it is getting more difficult. But at least when I'm looking for info on the Iraq, US Americans, and the Asian countries, I know where to go.

From Worst . . .

. . . to, er, worst. I was telling everyone I knew that the Reds were back in the playoff race. They were only 6.5 games out and the Central was wide open as everyone was choking. Then they go out and lose a double-header to the Pirates.

Nice.

Unless Petey Mac gets them to .500, he doesn't get the job.

Back To School

Started new session of class tonight at Xavier. Quick hits:

  1. My week-and-a-half break wasn't nearly long enough. I'm really pushing to get through this program so I keep telling myself that the time will fly by. I think I get a month off for Winter Break, so there's a bonus.
  2. Holy crap is it crowded! After a quiet little summer of taking classes the campus is now filled with college kids. I had to park about three hundred yards further out than I normally do. It even took me a couple of minutes to find my car; they need those Kings Island cartoon characters to help you remember your space. Note to self: it sucks wearing sandals while walking half a mile.
  3. I guess I had no idea how slutty college girls dress nowadays. There are probably some examples I could share with you but I won't. But it was shocking enough that I felt the need to admit it here.
  4. It's scary to look at a syllabus and realize the current class will take you through Christmas. I'm sitting there in shorts while reading about assignments due in December. I guess I should start my shopping.
  5. My Buddhism class is very promising. The professor lived over 20 years in Japan has written numerous books and articles on the topic. My current knowledge of the philosophy/religion is very limited so I look forward to further exploration.

Blame The Bears

You gotta follow the story concerning Lance Briggs who wrecked his $350,000 vehicle and left it there, later reporting it stolen. Looks like he's only going to get a fleeing the scene of an accident charge. That's a lot better than what he should be getting. Why would you leave your Lamborghini on the side of the road after an accident? Perhaps it's because you realized that a fleeing the scene charge is a lot better than a DUI.

Perhaps even more disturbing is the Bears' nonchalant attitude with Briggs, stating that he won't be suspended. With all the flack the Bengals have taken for having a team of jail birds I would suggest that the Bears have been much worse with Tank Johnson and now Briggs. ESPN should start spreading the love and calling out the Monsters of the Midway for being, well, monsters.

Hopefully Roger Goodell will man up and throw a suspension on him. It's only right.

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Thoughts To Ponder

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Crazy week here in town while we were gone. Two incidents, combined with the Michael Vick case, has me thinking. The first was the unfortunate story about a white woman who forgot her child in a car last week while her mother was at work; the little girl died from extreme heat left. There's a heightened interest in the case because the woman was affluent, driving a luxury car. It's a horrible accident, one from which the family will never recover, and many are chiming out about. While it's obvious it wasn't intentional, many people are demanding justice. The prosecutor is deciding whether or not to press charges and I would suspect none will be filed.

The second case is that of a black woman who was convicted of animal cruelty. A stray pit bull was roaming around her home in a lower class Cincinnati neighborhood. The woman's nephew, recognizing that the dog wouldn't leave, tied up the animal. In the course of a few days the animal, while trying to escape, strangled itself. The woman who owned the home [and had nothing to do with the dog] was charged with felony animal cruelty, convicted, and not allowed any bail. So she's sitting in prison, facing 180 days in jail in addition to the time she's already serving.

Now ignoring issues of race and economic status here, what does this say about how we are beginning to view life in our society? It would seem that the outrage over the deaths of animals far outweigh that of human beings. Would Michael Vick had been better off if he had killed a person instead of dogs? Why can you hunt deer or rabbits or birds legally, but being involved in the death of a dog is criminal?

I'm not saying that the mother of the little girl needs jail time; she's scarred for life. But where is the ethical center of this argument? How do we value the life of an animal?

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We Fail

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I've been on the edge today and it's not a post-vacation slump. I've yelled at Kelly numerous times today [sorry, babe]. I tried a little humor in the previous post to see if I could laugh myself out of a funk; it hasn't quite worked. I even cursed at a printer; it still refused to respond. I'm still wrestling with some emotions.Another Christian friend of mine is in trouble. This time it was self-induced. This time they did what they're accused of. And I never saw it coming.

It's crazy that, despite thinking I can read people well, I get blindsided by something they do.

Here's the deal, friends of faith: it's all about where your beliefs lie. If you trust in Christian leaders more than God, you'll be disappointed eventually. I want to be a good pastor and model Jesus perfectly. But despite my best efforts, I fail. That doesn't mean I give up on trying, but the people I minister to need a greater example than I could ever be.

And they have one in Jesus. And that's why He's the focus of all we teach: we fail, He doesn't.

Clap if you must . . .

. . . but I doubt this recent study will be included in the new Cincinnati Visitor and Convention brochure. I swear, I didn't add to the stats. And I'm not quite sure why the Youngstown media found this newsworthy. I guess it's part of their, "Thank God you don't live in Cincinnati" series. Regardless of their reasons, Youngstown is now on my list.

I'm gunning for you, county seat of Mahoning County.

The Iraq And The Maps

I know I'm late to the party, a week of vacation will do that to you, but did you catch the brilliance bestowed upon us by Miss Teen South Carolina? During the Q&A at the Miss Teen USA pageant, she was asked about why many people can't locate their own country on a world map. The quote is below, but here’s a link to the video.

"I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the US should help the U.S., um, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for our children."

This, friends, was brutal. Not even AC Slater could save her.

People don't have maps. I guess that makes sense. But how South Africa figures into the equation, I'm still unsure. And I'm not sure the Asian countries need our help, but I will go to the grave advocating our need to help the Iraq.