NBC Nightly News presented an inspiring tribute to Paul Newman this week. What I like about it is how the movie clips showcased Newman's intensity and how his charitable work and marriage are shown to be his crowning achievements. To think of all the lives he touched is astonishing. Plus, the video is fun to watch because he's just so easy on the eyes!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
More Pictures of Shoreacres Hurricane Ike Damage
My mother drove around our old neighborhoods to take pictures of Ike's aftermath. Included are Fairfield Drive, our old house on Meadowlawn and our old house on Silver Springs. There are also a few shots of damage on Miramar. Other photos of Miramar can be found here.
My sister also found this arial shot from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Houston Yacht Club (bottom right of the image) all the way up to Bayshore Elementary School (top left). You can click twice on the image to zoom in tight.
My sister also found this arial shot from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Houston Yacht Club (bottom right of the image) all the way up to Bayshore Elementary School (top left). You can click twice on the image to zoom in tight.
I Just Thought This Was Cool
It's no secret that I'm a serious American Idol fan. Here's a great video to get out the vote put together by CNN featuring Chris Daughtry singing "Feels Like the First Time." I didn't much like Chris during the AI show, but he has proven himself, along with Kelly Clarkson, to be a classic. Plus, he and Kelly combined almost take up more space than David Cook on my iTunes!
Speaking of David Cook. I'm not much liking his new song "Light On." I think it is over-produced and doesn't quite know what it is. Is it a glossy pop song? A classic 80's rock song? A ballad? Whatever it is, I think the kitchen has too many cooks and not enough Cook. And what about that picture? David Cook is one of the most photogenic people on earth, and they choose this almost angry, canned, make-up laden, double-chin showing shot? Please tell me the Powers That Be weren't saying, "well, he sold millions of units with that grotesque early picture, so maybe we're onto something." Blech. Nonetheless, the song has an ear-wormy quality to it, and it is nice to hear The Voice in a fresh context. I'll still buy the CD, but I'll probably deselect this track.
Speaking of David Cook. I'm not much liking his new song "Light On." I think it is over-produced and doesn't quite know what it is. Is it a glossy pop song? A classic 80's rock song? A ballad? Whatever it is, I think the kitchen has too many cooks and not enough Cook. And what about that picture? David Cook is one of the most photogenic people on earth, and they choose this almost angry, canned, make-up laden, double-chin showing shot? Please tell me the Powers That Be weren't saying, "well, he sold millions of units with that grotesque early picture, so maybe we're onto something." Blech. Nonetheless, the song has an ear-wormy quality to it, and it is nice to hear The Voice in a fresh context. I'll still buy the CD, but I'll probably deselect this track.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Shoreacres Damage from Ike
I wanted to share these pictures with you because they chronicle the damage that Hurricane Ike inflicted on that street I talked about in this post. The photos start at the Houston Yacht Club and follow Miramar Drive and some other roads to the entrance of the town. One thing that stands out, besides the extensive damage, is how all those huge rocks got picked up and dumped on the road.
I vividly remember the aftermath of Hurricane Alicia in 1983 that gutted my high school best friend's house. This time, the house, which had been restored after the first storm, has been reduced to a pile of sticks in an enormous puddle. It took me several passes through the set of pictures to even pick it out, but I finally recognized the mailbox and the houses behind. Judging from the pictures, I can say that this hurricane was far, far worse than Alicia in its destruction of this little piece of coastline.
Many thanks to the thoughtful person who took these pictures of a place that so many people love.
EDITED TO ADD: This post generated a huge number of hits. Obviously, people are hungry for information. If there are additional links with relevant information that you find in your searches, please put them in the comments section. Thanks.
I vividly remember the aftermath of Hurricane Alicia in 1983 that gutted my high school best friend's house. This time, the house, which had been restored after the first storm, has been reduced to a pile of sticks in an enormous puddle. It took me several passes through the set of pictures to even pick it out, but I finally recognized the mailbox and the houses behind. Judging from the pictures, I can say that this hurricane was far, far worse than Alicia in its destruction of this little piece of coastline.
Many thanks to the thoughtful person who took these pictures of a place that so many people love.
EDITED TO ADD: This post generated a huge number of hits. Obviously, people are hungry for information. If there are additional links with relevant information that you find in your searches, please put them in the comments section. Thanks.
Dr. House on Virtue
"However monstrous he may be, it doesn't stop me from liking him. I think, by and large, our love for people is not dictated by virtue. We don't only love virtuous people -- we don't even love virtuous people a lot of the time. Virtuous people can be really annoying." -- Hugh Laurie, actor from the FOX show "House" commenting on his own character.
I don't mind people who are screwed up, as long as they are honest about themselves and honest about the fact that people really do screw up. One of the things I like about the character Dr. House is that he is unashamedly wounded, yet he still manages to get up in the morning and save other people's lives. It is the "unashamedly wounded" part of his personality that appeals to me most. It is hard to explain, but I find people who don't hide behind contrived virtue and who are honest about their fragility to be the most interesting. True virtue, of course, is very attractive, but that is not to discount the equally helpful personality that is openly and honestly vicious and doesn't lose hope or stop searching.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14
And the humility required isn't a "look how I lower myself" humility. It is an honest, and very difficult, reckoning with the way things really are. When others around us are honest and truly humble, it makes the job of our own getting up in the morning without losing hope so much easier. And even if the journey has transformed vice into virtue, to hide the past, however ugly, undermines the effectiveness of one's witness and, hence, the power to encourage others.
Virtuous people can be really annoying, if it is virtue without genuine, tangible, human humility.
I don't mind people who are screwed up, as long as they are honest about themselves and honest about the fact that people really do screw up. One of the things I like about the character Dr. House is that he is unashamedly wounded, yet he still manages to get up in the morning and save other people's lives. It is the "unashamedly wounded" part of his personality that appeals to me most. It is hard to explain, but I find people who don't hide behind contrived virtue and who are honest about their fragility to be the most interesting. True virtue, of course, is very attractive, but that is not to discount the equally helpful personality that is openly and honestly vicious and doesn't lose hope or stop searching.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14
And the humility required isn't a "look how I lower myself" humility. It is an honest, and very difficult, reckoning with the way things really are. When others around us are honest and truly humble, it makes the job of our own getting up in the morning without losing hope so much easier. And even if the journey has transformed vice into virtue, to hide the past, however ugly, undermines the effectiveness of one's witness and, hence, the power to encourage others.
Virtuous people can be really annoying, if it is virtue without genuine, tangible, human humility.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tea Wisdom
The tea that I drinks has little inspirational sayings printed on the paper that is attached to the string. Usually, they are as daft as "You are the truth" but today's was "Patience pays." A good message for me to hear today, especially!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Fun With Flowers
I found these espresso cups at my first (oh, so many years ago and one addiction later) estate sale for five dollars. The flowers are from my friend's wedding. I thought they made a great pairing (the couple, of course, and the cups and blossoms!).
And I had to add this one that I took at the wedding. Justine was good enough to help me photoshop it, because it was hopelessly out of focus.
And I had to add this one that I took at the wedding. Justine was good enough to help me photoshop it, because it was hopelessly out of focus.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hiding Cords on the Countertop
If you have an old scented oil diffuser, use it, instead, to hide the cords of items you put on the countertop. Just stuff the rolled-up cords into the place where the candle goes. Here I have the cords of my phone charger and electric pencil sharpener (recently acquired -- I woke up this morning to the squeal of its motor. Let's hope the novelty wears off soon).
Sunday, September 7, 2008
One Favorite Place
Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather to take a walk to one of my favorite places. Just one mile up the Panhandle Trail bike path in Weirton, WV is a peaceful little spot with a bubbling and winding creek, huge trees, and plenty of stones for skipping. Along the way are picturesque views of the creek and an old bridge. I'd have to say it is one of my favorite places. And I think it is becoming one of my kids' too.
It has been a hectic summer, one where I've often felt unraveled and out of sync. Being in this gorgeous, natural setting today really opened me up, in a sense, so that I could just allow myself to be struck by something that recalled me back to my better self. You know how it is when you can just sit there and take it all in and be reminded of your small place in this bigger world? For me, that was a welcome relief.
It has been a hectic summer, one where I've often felt unraveled and out of sync. Being in this gorgeous, natural setting today really opened me up, in a sense, so that I could just allow myself to be struck by something that recalled me back to my better self. You know how it is when you can just sit there and take it all in and be reminded of your small place in this bigger world? For me, that was a welcome relief.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
"When I Grow Up I Want an iPhone"
Dominic: "Mama, when I grow up I want to buy an iPhone."
Me: "Oh really? Why?"
Dominic: "Because I can't have Daddy's."
Me: "What would you do with it?"
Dominic: "All those stuffs like Daddy does with his."
Me: "Like what?"
Long pause, then,
Dominic: "When you grow up can you still do kids stuff on the iPhone?"
Me: "Yes."
Dominic: "OK."
Me: "Oh really? Why?"
Dominic: "Because I can't have Daddy's."
Me: "What would you do with it?"
Dominic: "All those stuffs like Daddy does with his."
Me: "Like what?"
Long pause, then,
Dominic: "When you grow up can you still do kids stuff on the iPhone?"
Me: "Yes."
Dominic: "OK."
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