Cousins
One of the things I like about the long Thanksgiving weekend is having a chance to relax a little and catch up with family. This year was a little odd — a snowstorm kept some of the relatives away from the big dinner on Thursday. And two sisters had to work on Friday so nobody did much visiting or shopping. Still, we had one brother-in-law and our goddaughter/niece over for two nights. I cooked up our own small family feast on Friday. The guys took in some hockey on Saturday. I mostly napped and did the chauffer thing for the girls. Oh and I blogged a little and got a few photos up on Flickr.
Published on
November 26, 2005 in
Music.
Northview High’s Choral Boosters hosted a variety show last Friday night to raise money for the choral music programs. Meg and her friend Lea performed the Go-Go’s "We got the beat."
The girls did a great job, as did the 10-12 other kids on their various musical or dance numbers. I have to really admire the courage and confidence it took to get up on that stage to do what they did — nevermind all the long hours of practice each put into their performance. Sadly, I’ve never seen fewer people in Northview’s auditorium. Ever since they built the thing (5 years ago now?) whenever we go to a concert the place is so filled, you’ve got people standing along the walls and sitting in the aisles. But not for this concert. We had our choice of seats and the place was probably half empty. I suppose the $4 ticket kept people away. Too bad, ’cause they missed a wonderful show, not to mention a pretty painless way to help fund the vocal music program.
Alex sang Neil Young’s "Heart of Gold"
Isaac performed a practically flawless "Fur Elise" — with no lessons — just 11 months after he began playing piano.
(Photos = baaad. Sorry ’bout that. I was really hesitant to use the flash, and I was too far away.)
Daughter Suze is the blonde with curls. Meg was to the left, on the end. I was way to the right. (They’re altos; I’m a soprano.)
Westminster Pres. hosted the sixth annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service last night here in Grand Rapids. The Sanctuary Choir and Kirk Singers (high school age) sang the prelude and acted as lead on hymns. It was an amazing service where Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others came together in thanks. Read the Press account here.
A member of the Catholic Native American community lights a smudge pot to purify the area "so that good medicine can flow."
Photos: Grand Rapids Press
Published on
November 17, 2005 in
Web/Tech.
There have been few times since our family stopped service on the land line that I’ve regretted it.
But last night was one of those times and my advice to anyone contemplating such a move is this:
DO NOT EVER allow your phone to be in the vicinity of a swirling body of water. (I have similar advice for laptop computers and full glasses of wine, but that is another story.) Your phone will, of course, become immediately and (probably) permanently disabled, and well, there you’ll be: phoneless, friendless, and with no way of letting your family know you won’t be home for dinner (because, of course, they all have cell phones too, and no, you don’t know any of their phone numbers, because they’re in your cell’s contacts list so why do you need to?)
Secondarily, if you do find yourself with a soggy phone that no matter how hard it tries to power up can only just light up feebly, be sure it is before 4 p.m. on a weekday. Because you can’t order a phone from stock and take it with you right now (unless you want to activate a new phone number) and you must order before 4 in order to get your new device by the next morning.
Who knew?
So here I am. Phoneless since 5 p.m. yesterday with no relief in sight until the FedEx guy delivers at 10 a.m. on Friday. Thank goodness for email and instant messenger, at least.
The site CODE PINK Women for Peace reminds that Veteran’s Day originally was established in part "to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations …"
In their essay, "How to support our troops on Veteran’s Day," coauthors Medea Benjamin and Gayle Brandeis suggest that we can champion our men and women in the service without supporting the war itself.
This November 11, as we honor the sacrifice and courage of our veterans, let us recognize that the best way to support our troops is to call for their swift exit from Iraq, to guarantee them the care they deserve when they return, and to make policy changes that will stop us from ever again rushing into a reckless, oil-hungry war.
Published on
November 9, 2005 in
Life.
Many of you know that my employer and I have parted company as of Monday morning. Yes, it’s sudden. Yes it’s scary. And yes, it’s kind of exciting (in a scary, cautious sort of way).
This is to let you all know that blog posts may be a little sporadic for awhile. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to email, leave a comment, or pass my name along to anyone you know who may need the services of an excellent writer/editor/blogger. (See About.) Things will be a little rough going for awhile, I have no doubt. But I’m OK.
Published on
November 5, 2005 in
Seasons.
Looks a little different than it did in January, hmmm?
They looked off and on all summer for jobs. Suze is determined to save for a car. Meg wants more spending money. But with their week-long youth conference in Montreat and their three-week driver’s ed class, it was hard to find time for looking or working. Besides that, we told them, once you start working, you just won’t have the flexibility that you used to have.
In late September they noticed a new pizza place going in not far from here, across from Walgreens. A sign in the window said they were hiring. Suze went in and asked for an application right away — too soon, I guess, because they told her to call back the next day to see if they had the forms on hand yet. Meg went in later (Weren’t you just here? the manager asked her) to be told the same thing. They called on separate occasions and when the apps finally came in they applied separately.
They did the good thing and called a few days later, then again the next week. Separately, of course. The manager told each one he’d be calling people soon. And within a few days he did. He called Meg on a Friday and told her training started at 4 p.m. on Monday. For her and her sister.
So they’ve worked a couple of weeks now and should be drawing their first paycheck on Thursday. It won’t be much yet, since business is still start-up slow (The grand opening isn’t until next week) and they haven’t got many hours yet. But so far they’re handling it well. They’ve got stories to tell about mean people on the phone and dumb delivery drivers who try to take phone orders and lose them and all the "hott" guys that they wait on. It’s all different and fun. And except for the fact that they don’t drive yet and we have to get them there and back (at least it’s close to home, and yes, they can walk if they have to), I’m really glad they’ve taken on the responsibility of working.
