The Christmas season is upon us. Isn't that nice? In just a few weeks you will get a couple of weeks off from school. It is always nice to get a break, especially when you have been working hard. I am sure all of you have been working hard. Why wouldn't you?
Your first basketball game is a little over a week away. I know that this will be news to many TC students, hopefully though to none of the players. Whose idea was it to schedule our biggest rival, a conference opponent nonetheless, as the first game of the season? I sure hope you guys do well against them.
I should have something truly profound and sublime for you next week, so stay tuned. Right now though I am suffering from mental constipation. My pearls of wisdom are locked tight in the oysters of . . . see, I can't even think of a witty metaphor. What is wrong with me?
That is all.
The semi-whenever newsletter for one of the many Doan Families.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
What are we doing?
Addie picks up the car keys from the table as we are eating dinner. She says, "Beep! Beep!" (the sound the car makes when we unlock it) "Vrooom!" (the sound the car makes when we start it) "Hop in your seat." (the sound Dad makes when he gets in the car) She is quite the smart and perceptive girl. All our kids are. She is learning more and more how to manipulate Dad. She will have 3 ponies by the time she is 5. She is extremely cute. She is quite the showperson. Whenever we have guests she performs her acts of silliness for them.
Aidan had his fourth birthday party on Sunday. He turns 4 tomorrow. He had a great time. He loved his cake. He received a whole bunch of Thomas stuff. He also received the movie Cars, which he has seen no less than 4 times already. He keeps asking us if he is still 4. We tell him that he is. He is always asking me to come play with him. He isn't sick of me yet.
Sonya is her same smiley self. She has broken a couple of teeth. (Note: the teeth are intact. They have just broken through her gums.) Her favorite activity is to sit in her exer-saucer and watch her brother and sister play. She finds them very amusing. She also likes to drool on me. She hasn't started talking yet, but she gaggles has though she is trying to communicate something. She had a very stinky and green diaper this morning, which I had to change. I don't think I am in the mood for split pea soup anytime soon.
Jenni has obtained a job at a local hospital. She will be working there a couple of shifts per week. She is cutting back on the medical transcription. She is very excited about this.
I am 75% sure I have a teaching position at a local Christian school starting in January. I should get the final word from them in about 2 weeks. Whatever happens, I am going the stop working at my present place of employment. The hours are too tough on me and the family. Also, I am called to work with in education. I don't feel quite right doing anything else.
That is what we are doing.
That is all.
Aidan had his fourth birthday party on Sunday. He turns 4 tomorrow. He had a great time. He loved his cake. He received a whole bunch of Thomas stuff. He also received the movie Cars, which he has seen no less than 4 times already. He keeps asking us if he is still 4. We tell him that he is. He is always asking me to come play with him. He isn't sick of me yet.
Sonya is her same smiley self. She has broken a couple of teeth. (Note: the teeth are intact. They have just broken through her gums.) Her favorite activity is to sit in her exer-saucer and watch her brother and sister play. She finds them very amusing. She also likes to drool on me. She hasn't started talking yet, but she gaggles has though she is trying to communicate something. She had a very stinky and green diaper this morning, which I had to change. I don't think I am in the mood for split pea soup anytime soon.
Jenni has obtained a job at a local hospital. She will be working there a couple of shifts per week. She is cutting back on the medical transcription. She is very excited about this.
I am 75% sure I have a teaching position at a local Christian school starting in January. I should get the final word from them in about 2 weeks. Whatever happens, I am going the stop working at my present place of employment. The hours are too tough on me and the family. Also, I am called to work with in education. I don't feel quite right doing anything else.
That is what we are doing.
That is all.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
A cinephile's grumblings
I think I am being swindled by my Blockbuster video store. Every time I return a DVD, they charge me a $1 rewind fee. I have a hunch this isn't legit. Thankfully, I don't rent too many movies from them. Most of the movies I watch I get from Blockbuster Online. I like this program because it is inexpensive (I can get 8 movies a month, which includes 4 free in-store movies) for a mere $9.95. That boils down to around $.85 per movie. I also like this program because the selection online is far broader than the selection in any store I have entered. I can get the obscure 1950's Italian films that only I like. Most of the movies I see on the shelf at the video store look ridiculously stupid. Yet, they are on the shelf because people watch them, and some people actually like them. At work every weekend they show the guys there a movie. Most of them are really, really bad, like "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift", "Hulk", and "The Transporter 2"--the last one being a thoroughly idiotic and absurd action-fest. Some of the guys like these movies. Some of you may like these movies (the movies listed are just a minimal sampling). Why? They aren't good. They don't mean anything. They may be entertaining in an anti-brain activity, cartoony sense. Americans today do not know what a good movie is. I have taken upon myself the task of educating fine young Americans in truly worthwhile cinema, and dispelling the notion that many explosions and CGI = many thumbs up.
Following is a list of 5 (or so) great movies that everyone needs to go out and see right now.
1. Casablanca--You can look at any legitimate list of greatest films, and this is sure to be in the top ten. Everything about this film is great. The acting is amazing. Every person delivers his/her performance as well as it can be delivered. The story is engaging. This isn't merely a love story. It is also a spy story, a patriotic war story, and redemption story all wrapped into one fascinating masterpiece. The dialog is crackling. There exists no other film with better dialog. It is smart, sarcastic, sentimental, and unforgettable. The music is delightful. This is a great film. Go out and watch it right now.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird--Only monkeys and New Yorkers can watch this film without feeling a tug on their heartstrings. This film is sentimental without being heavy-handed. It is such a sincere, touching drama. Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch is rightly regarded as one of the greatest heroes of American cinema. They story here is so simple yet so effective. Anyone who has every had a role model in their life, or anyone who has ever grown up, must see this film.
3. Psycho-- I could have put any number of Hitchcock films here, including Strangers on a Train, Notorious, Rear Window, North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Birds--all of which are masterpieces. Alfred Hitchcock is the most influential filmmaker of all time. If kids today have not seen one his films, they have seen the influence of one of his films. "Psycho" is one of my favorite. Hitchcock is the master at manipulating his audience. He shows you only what he wants to see so that you think exactly what he wants you to think. This film has been so often imitated and parodied, it is hard for us to understand the initial impact of the film. It is highly entertaining.
4. The Searchers--I might chose another John Ford film here, like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which I like as much. "The Searchers" is considered by many to be the greatest western ever. It is one of John Wayne's best performance. John Ford, the director, is probably the second most influential filmmaker of all time. He had a tremendous impact on Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Some of the comedy of the film is a bit hokey, but overall it is a masterpiece.
5. Citizen Kane--This is it. This is the greatest film ever made. This is the most influential film ever made. Many people will not like it. Many people, including myself, cannot watch it enough. I enjoy ever single frame of the film. I like ever line of dialog. I find this film highly enjoyable, though it is important for its innovations (nearly every shot in the film was innovative). People ought to see this film.
There are many other great films. These are some of the greatest. These are some of the essentials. Go and watch these films.
That is all.
Following is a list of 5 (or so) great movies that everyone needs to go out and see right now.
1. Casablanca--You can look at any legitimate list of greatest films, and this is sure to be in the top ten. Everything about this film is great. The acting is amazing. Every person delivers his/her performance as well as it can be delivered. The story is engaging. This isn't merely a love story. It is also a spy story, a patriotic war story, and redemption story all wrapped into one fascinating masterpiece. The dialog is crackling. There exists no other film with better dialog. It is smart, sarcastic, sentimental, and unforgettable. The music is delightful. This is a great film. Go out and watch it right now.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird--Only monkeys and New Yorkers can watch this film without feeling a tug on their heartstrings. This film is sentimental without being heavy-handed. It is such a sincere, touching drama. Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch is rightly regarded as one of the greatest heroes of American cinema. They story here is so simple yet so effective. Anyone who has every had a role model in their life, or anyone who has ever grown up, must see this film.
3. Psycho-- I could have put any number of Hitchcock films here, including Strangers on a Train, Notorious, Rear Window, North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Birds--all of which are masterpieces. Alfred Hitchcock is the most influential filmmaker of all time. If kids today have not seen one his films, they have seen the influence of one of his films. "Psycho" is one of my favorite. Hitchcock is the master at manipulating his audience. He shows you only what he wants to see so that you think exactly what he wants you to think. This film has been so often imitated and parodied, it is hard for us to understand the initial impact of the film. It is highly entertaining.
4. The Searchers--I might chose another John Ford film here, like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which I like as much. "The Searchers" is considered by many to be the greatest western ever. It is one of John Wayne's best performance. John Ford, the director, is probably the second most influential filmmaker of all time. He had a tremendous impact on Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Some of the comedy of the film is a bit hokey, but overall it is a masterpiece.
5. Citizen Kane--This is it. This is the greatest film ever made. This is the most influential film ever made. Many people will not like it. Many people, including myself, cannot watch it enough. I enjoy ever single frame of the film. I like ever line of dialog. I find this film highly enjoyable, though it is important for its innovations (nearly every shot in the film was innovative). People ought to see this film.
There are many other great films. These are some of the greatest. These are some of the essentials. Go and watch these films.
That is all.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Dear TC Students, Thanksgiving edition:
Being thankful entails having the proper perspective. No matter where you are, no matter what state you are in, you can be grateful if you look at your circumstances with the proper lenses. No one has the right to be ungrateful. Equally, no one has the right to be grateful. Thankfulness begins when we realize we have no rights at all. In the eyes of God we are always in the wrong.
I work with young men you seem to be in a constant state of discontent. They (NB: I am painting with a huge brush here) have an uncanny ability in finding the bad of any situation. They complain they have holes in their socks. When we give them new socks (that is right--we give them their clothes) they complain that they did not get them soon enough. They complain about the food they receive, and they complain when they cannot get seconds. They complain that their schedule is too full, and they complain when they don't have enough to do. No matter what happens to them, they complain. Are not "we" not unlike "them"? It is easy for us to think of "them" as ungrateful, as long as we are not talking about "us". Seldom do we realize that "they" are "us". All of us are selfish. All of us are ungrateful. All of us want more than we have. Doesn't this all seem so silly? Why be un-thankful? Would not life be much easier if we rejoiced over every circumstance in our life, knowing that is not the worst that could happen? Should not we acknowledge that "every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of Lights"? Is it not true that everything the Father of Lights giveth us is good?
I sincerely hope that everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. I hope everyone enjoys the time they can spend with their family and friends. I will spending Thanksgiving at work. I am not very excited about it, but I realize that is God's plan for me. I do get Holiday pay for Thursday and Friday, and that will come in handy for Christmas. I will look for the good.
That is all.
I work with young men you seem to be in a constant state of discontent. They (NB: I am painting with a huge brush here) have an uncanny ability in finding the bad of any situation. They complain they have holes in their socks. When we give them new socks (that is right--we give them their clothes) they complain that they did not get them soon enough. They complain about the food they receive, and they complain when they cannot get seconds. They complain that their schedule is too full, and they complain when they don't have enough to do. No matter what happens to them, they complain. Are not "we" not unlike "them"? It is easy for us to think of "them" as ungrateful, as long as we are not talking about "us". Seldom do we realize that "they" are "us". All of us are selfish. All of us are ungrateful. All of us want more than we have. Doesn't this all seem so silly? Why be un-thankful? Would not life be much easier if we rejoiced over every circumstance in our life, knowing that is not the worst that could happen? Should not we acknowledge that "every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of Lights"? Is it not true that everything the Father of Lights giveth us is good?
I sincerely hope that everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. I hope everyone enjoys the time they can spend with their family and friends. I will spending Thanksgiving at work. I am not very excited about it, but I realize that is God's plan for me. I do get Holiday pay for Thursday and Friday, and that will come in handy for Christmas. I will look for the good.
That is all.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Ecclesiastical guidelines
Yesterday my family and I were late for church. This is a common occurrence, for we have kids. Many days it takes longer to prepare our kids for a trip to anywhere than it did to prepare for Operation Overlord. That is part of being a parent. We have come to expect to be late. Yesterday, however, we were late for a different reason. Addie's car seat broke, and we had to go buy a new one. As we were driving to church with the new car seat, I asked myself the question, "Are we going to arrive in time for church to count?" I began pondering this topic very intensely. At exactly what point are we "forsaking the assembling of ourselves"? I did some research on this. I studied all the major Baptist and Reformed confessions. I cross-referenced the writings of Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Edwards, Warfield, Piper, Jones, and at least 2 dozen other theologians. I have thus been able to establish several rules/guidelines for church attendance.
Since we are not always able to attend the whole service, we have various options to get our weekly church attendance "in the bag" (Calvin's words, not mine). Following are the possible configurations:
A. 75% (minimum 45 minutes) of any church service is considered by most theologians to be sufficient.
B. You can fulfill your requirement with one of several combinations:
1. 2 songs and the Scripture reading.
2. 3 songs and at least 2 prayers.
3. A musical special and a prayer or Scripture reading.
4. The offering and one other element of the service (Some theologians consider contributing to the offering to be an "insurance pass". Thus, you are set as long as you contribute at least 10% and at least one person sees you do it.)
C. Many of the more modern theologians agree that serving in the church can be used as a substitute, or "wild card" (Warfield's words). Following are examples of serving in the church:
1. Ushering people to their seats and taking the offering (You must do both in one service).
2. Serving in the nursery (This counts even if you served only during Sunday School).
3. Singing in a musical special (including the choir).
4. Driving the bus for Sunday School (You must attend one other church element).
5. Playing a musical instrument during church (This includes the prelude and the postlude).
6. Teaching a Sunday School class.
D. There are special occasions that qualify as an entire "assembling of yourselves together." Following are some of them:
1. A missionary speaker (Includes testimony and slide show).
2. A children's holiday program (Example: Christmas or Easter)
3. A pastor's birthday celebration.
4. An extended session of prayer.
E. There is one element of the service that nearly every theologian considers to be the "trump card." If you are present for the invitation, and if you go forward during the invitation, then you need not have attended any other element of the service.
I have tried to be exhaustive here, but I have surely omitted several options. Before executing any option not listed here, I would strong suggest you get the option approved by your pastor and/or deacon board. I welcome any comments or questions on this matter.
That is all.
Since we are not always able to attend the whole service, we have various options to get our weekly church attendance "in the bag" (Calvin's words, not mine). Following are the possible configurations:
A. 75% (minimum 45 minutes) of any church service is considered by most theologians to be sufficient.
B. You can fulfill your requirement with one of several combinations:
1. 2 songs and the Scripture reading.
2. 3 songs and at least 2 prayers.
3. A musical special and a prayer or Scripture reading.
4. The offering and one other element of the service (Some theologians consider contributing to the offering to be an "insurance pass". Thus, you are set as long as you contribute at least 10% and at least one person sees you do it.)
C. Many of the more modern theologians agree that serving in the church can be used as a substitute, or "wild card" (Warfield's words). Following are examples of serving in the church:
1. Ushering people to their seats and taking the offering (You must do both in one service).
2. Serving in the nursery (This counts even if you served only during Sunday School).
3. Singing in a musical special (including the choir).
4. Driving the bus for Sunday School (You must attend one other church element).
5. Playing a musical instrument during church (This includes the prelude and the postlude).
6. Teaching a Sunday School class.
D. There are special occasions that qualify as an entire "assembling of yourselves together." Following are some of them:
1. A missionary speaker (Includes testimony and slide show).
2. A children's holiday program (Example: Christmas or Easter)
3. A pastor's birthday celebration.
4. An extended session of prayer.
E. There is one element of the service that nearly every theologian considers to be the "trump card." If you are present for the invitation, and if you go forward during the invitation, then you need not have attended any other element of the service.
I have tried to be exhaustive here, but I have surely omitted several options. Before executing any option not listed here, I would strong suggest you get the option approved by your pastor and/or deacon board. I welcome any comments or questions on this matter.
That is all.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Dear TC Students, Vol. 10:
I have to give credit where credit is due. This joke comes from Garrison Keller.
Two penguins are sitting on an ice floe.
The first says, "It looks like you are wearing a tuxedo."
The second says, "What makes you think I am not?"
I am glad to hear that the soccer team won second place at state. I am sorry to hear about it three weeks late, but that is another thing. It seems the game was close. Congratulations guys. Also, congratulations to the guys who made the first and second All-State teams. I am glad that you all had a good season.
Basketball season is upon us, and I am completely thrilled. I get to "supervise" the basketball team at my work. I don't know if I will be doing much if any coaching. At least I will be close to the world's greatest sport. I am excited to hear Mr. P. is coaching the girl's team. I know he will do a fantastic job, yea, even a phoenominal job. I hope you seniors, and you know who you are (At least, I hope you know who you are. You are seniors, after all.), take charge of them team. You ladies need to be the leaders, in listening to your coach, in staying focused on your school work, in working hard in practice, and in playing with all your might from whistle to whistle. You ladies are going to have a great season. It is there for the picking. You just have to dedicate yourself to grabbing it.
The same goes for you guys. Whatever disappointments you have had in the past are in the past. You have new opportunities before you. As of right now, you haven't lost a game. You guys need to focus, listen, and invest. Coach Weston knows what he is talking about. If you are willing to learn, he is willing to work with you. You guys are going to have a great season. Give your all all the time.
I should say something about school. I hear that is important as well. Remember, if you don't study hard in school, you will be stuck in Iraq. That is not right. If you don't study hard in school, you will be an ignorant fool, whose only hope in life is to "make it big" on some stupid reality show. Trust me, you don't want that lot.
Another joke presumably from Mr. Keller:
A man once owned a horse that was very smart. He taught the horse Algebra, Geometry, Geography, History, Government, and Biology. He couldn't teach the horse any Philosophy, though. I guess you can't put Descartes before the horse.
Keep your head's up.
That is all.
Two penguins are sitting on an ice floe.
The first says, "It looks like you are wearing a tuxedo."
The second says, "What makes you think I am not?"
I am glad to hear that the soccer team won second place at state. I am sorry to hear about it three weeks late, but that is another thing. It seems the game was close. Congratulations guys. Also, congratulations to the guys who made the first and second All-State teams. I am glad that you all had a good season.
Basketball season is upon us, and I am completely thrilled. I get to "supervise" the basketball team at my work. I don't know if I will be doing much if any coaching. At least I will be close to the world's greatest sport. I am excited to hear Mr. P. is coaching the girl's team. I know he will do a fantastic job, yea, even a phoenominal job. I hope you seniors, and you know who you are (At least, I hope you know who you are. You are seniors, after all.), take charge of them team. You ladies need to be the leaders, in listening to your coach, in staying focused on your school work, in working hard in practice, and in playing with all your might from whistle to whistle. You ladies are going to have a great season. It is there for the picking. You just have to dedicate yourself to grabbing it.
The same goes for you guys. Whatever disappointments you have had in the past are in the past. You have new opportunities before you. As of right now, you haven't lost a game. You guys need to focus, listen, and invest. Coach Weston knows what he is talking about. If you are willing to learn, he is willing to work with you. You guys are going to have a great season. Give your all all the time.
I should say something about school. I hear that is important as well. Remember, if you don't study hard in school, you will be stuck in Iraq. That is not right. If you don't study hard in school, you will be an ignorant fool, whose only hope in life is to "make it big" on some stupid reality show. Trust me, you don't want that lot.
Another joke presumably from Mr. Keller:
A man once owned a horse that was very smart. He taught the horse Algebra, Geometry, Geography, History, Government, and Biology. He couldn't teach the horse any Philosophy, though. I guess you can't put Descartes before the horse.
Keep your head's up.
That is all.
Monday, November 13, 2006
New every morning
God's mercy is new every morning. Actually, it is new every time I look at my kids.
My crying little princess.
My curious little princess.
Aidan loves toys.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
