Feeling Advent-ish...?

There's nothing like 70 degree, late November, days to get me in the mood for Advent...well, maybe not.

BUT, Christmas is my favorite time of year. Heck, I start looking for an excuse to play Christmas music once the leaves start changing colors.

Today though, lets talk about Advent. (I'd love to hear some of your childhood, church, or family traditions)

This year I'm excited, because Cora is old enough to really participate in the festivities. And since we kicked off Advent yesterday at church, I thought this might be timely.

So this year my Advent will look like this...

Reading the lectionary texts nightly as a family (slowly
walking through the Christmas story). Slowing down. More
nights in front of the fireplace. More singing. More drives
to see the "pitty lights." Cold nights out by the fire pit.
More time seeing friends. Giving. Reading. Writing.
More mistletoe with Kate. Creative cooking. Parties.
Hot apple cider. New Christmas Carol
arrangements. Better harmonies.
Decorating cookies. Love.
Family.

"His law is love and His gospel is peace"

Saying Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope today is a wonderful day of family, friends, rememberance, laughing, and gluttony :-)

Beyond the pies, turkeys, and carb overloads, just stop for a minute to take it all in and say thanks.

Last night we got to catch up with some great friends and family under the firework-lit-sky while being serenaded by Aaron Neville and Manheim Steamroller - talk about thanks!

::See More Deatiled Wonderment Here::

Peace everyone!
-Ross

Cora & The Sound of Music

-Ross

Oprah in 2012...???

I'm calling it now...

Oprah is ending her show in 2011 to be named President Obama's VP for the 2012 re-election.

What do you think?

Like it or not, its an unstoppable ticket.

-Ross

Money Money Money Money...

Have you been affected by the financial meltdown?

Do you know anyone who has been?

Truth be told, even if your job is still intact and you own no stocks, you've still been affected by the joblessness and economic downturn.

But hasn't the recent news been uplifting? Every night the news outlets tell us that the recovery money is being allocated and distributed. New jobs are being created. All good right?

CNN.com ran this article this morning:

"hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars were spent in nonexistent congressional districts, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board said Wednesday.

The errors, first reported by ABC News, were seen on Recovery.gov summary pages breaking down how many stimulus dollars were received in each state's congressional districts....

A report released Wednesday by the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity said it found such errors on pages for all 50 states, four territories and Washington, D.C. More than $6.4 billion in stimulus funds was shown as being spent -- and more than 28,420 jobs saved or created -- in 440 false districts, it said."

::READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE::

So, who do we trust? Heck, I had to scroll through CNN's website for a couple minutes before I noticed this. Why? If a company posted 6.4 billion dollars worth of fake income, it would be a top story that no one could miss. (I suppose I should be glad they ran it, but it seemed pretty hidden to me)

1 word. Integrity.

That's all. Discuss amongst yourselves (Mike Meyers style).

Peace,
Ross

Crazy Ninja News...

So apparently this really happened.

"Seattle police say a man who thought he was ninja was impaled on a metal fence when he tried to leap over it."

(that's normal, right?)

READ THE ENTIRE STORY...

Welp, that's all. (I assume everyone has the need to keep up-to-date with ninja's in the news).

Peace,
Ross

Like These Posts???...Want MORE???

Thanks SO SO SO VERY MUCH to everyone that reads the blog! Thank you everyone that passes it along to friends and family. I truly hope over the past couple of years that its brought some laughs, joy, and serious debate.

So...if you like continuedconversation, and want more updates, then follow me on TWITTER for the most up-to-date ideas, news, thoughts, and quandaries...

You can follow me @rosschristopher

twitter.com/rosschristopher

I have to admit...I was anti-twitter for a while. I forced myself to create an account, and now I'm addicted to it..you too can share the addiction :-)

PEACE,
Ross

Drops Like Huge Squirrels...

That's right folks, I said it...huge squirrels (that's with a very soft "h").

Last night Kate and I attended Rob Bell's, Drops Like Stars tour event at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City. As always, he delivered amazingly and we were moved and inspired.

The setup was great too...dinner and conversation in Westport at Californio's with friends (hard to beat).

Earlier in the day, my best friend Brandon Schultz (BRS Photography) did a photoshoot with us. So be watching for those pics to surface! Fun times on the Nelson lawn!!!

That's all I have for now...

Peace,

Ross

Olive, May I

Olive, May I
(c) 2009 Ross Christopher Donaldson

verse 1
we were two, three, now four
and we've made this love story;
a perfect story of who we are
and here we go...

CHORUS
olive, may i have this dance
to settle your tiny cries of midnight
let's dance till you smile
olive, may i have this dance tonight

verse 2
through many sleepless nights
i hold you tight, i hold you tight my love
and i see your smallest smile,
to know its a complete love

CHORUS
olive, may i have this dance
to settle your tiny cries of midnight
let's dance till you smile
olive, may i have this dance tonight

BRIDGE
so we dance
and we sing
and we love what we've become

CHORUS
olive, may i have this dance
to settle your tiny cries of midnight
let's dance till you smile
olive, may i have this dance tonight

Convergence Vlog - IT's DONE!

Welp folks, its done!



-Ross

Inspiration!

Beauty & art intertwined in a perfect way!
-Ross

Love This!

My mother-in-law passed this my way this morning, and it's too good to keep to myself!



-Ross

A Conflicted Culture

Nearly everyday I try to visit CNN.com to take the daily poll. There's always some interesting topics. It's a broad spectrum of issues; from international law to local jurisprudence, weighty issues to pop-icon news. I like to see where I stand with the general 200,000 folks that also take the daily polls.

This past week though, one of the poll questions reiterated my previously stated notion that the US is an extremely conflicted culture.

Last week, CNN.com asked, "Should the U.S. military offer H1N1 vaccinations to Guantanamo Bay detainees?"

Now, remember that the news reported majority of American's calling for the closing of Guantanamo Bay due to humanitarian reasons. I assumed that the bulk of America then, would have checked YES on this poll.

However, to my surprise, 63% said NO.

The point of my blog isn't to tell you what's right or wrong. Rather, its to further healthy conversation and debate ("healthy" is the critical word here).

So, how can a nation that cries for humanitarian reasons to close Guantanamo Bay, also vote overwhelmingly to deny basic health care?

READ MORE HERE

Please feel free to chime in and continue the conversation!

Peace,
Ross