Exploding Knees

Once again, being completely consumed by the Olympics, I watched gymnastics as the commentators comment (that's what they do, and its a good name for the job). So the commentator is commenting and he says, "let's pray his knee doesn't explode on the dismount." Uuhh, that's good advice. Exploding knees...not cool!

Note to the commentator: could we use less vivid words?

-Ross

More Olympic Fever

I've never been so drawn into the olympics as I am this year. Maybe its my inner love of Chinese food??? I doubt it, but you never know. So much raw talent - a perfect example of someone following a passion and talent - I watch amazed.


Actually, I think what I'm drawn in by is my sick desire to see some hard core crash-and-burn-wipeouts...and between the parallel bars, high bar, balance beam, pommel horse, diving, badminton, etc., there's bound to be some amazing spills. I'm watching closely.

Who's with me???

-Ross

Olympic-style Unity (let's just sing)

The Olympics. Such an opportunity for national healing. The perfect forum for civilized contest. A great medium for bringing differing nations together.

So I thought we might all join them in "Olympic Solidarity" by joining in song as we all sing the Olympic Song.

Sing to your hearts content...

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da (repeat)

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da (repeat)

That was nice.

-Ross

Ruffled Feathers?

As I watched our neighbor walked her 3 legged greyhound this morning I got to wondering-- why do some people make it their life mission to rescue abused dogs but wouldn't even consider doing the same for a child?

now, to be honest, i don't know my neighbor or the person down the street who takes in abused brittany dogs, so they may also adopt abused and neglected children. but i don't know for sure.

so watching them walk up the street, i then started thinking about our culture's obsession with pets. pets that are family members. pets that are children. you've seen them- the people who dress up their dogs and actually treat them as children. now, i'm all for caring for your pet, loving it, caring for it in an attentive and responsible manner, but there is some line that has been crossed in the recent years.

so back to my thoughts this morning- i wondered, why do some people care more for animals than humans, and i think it boils down to unconditional love. pets provide unconditional love, humans do not. caring for humans is riskier than caring for animals. and this saddens me. we miss out on so much by avoiding human relationships- yes they are messy, yes they hurt, but they are so much richer than any animal could ever provide. and guess what, there is someone who provides unconditional love- God. and God is the ultimate relationship being, God craves a relationship with us and craves for us to be in relationship with others. to be in community.

which brings me back to my neighbor. remember that i know what kind of dogs she walks but i don't know if she has also adopted abused children. i should know. i see her walking dogs everyday, tomorrow i should say hi.

p.s. a perfect example: people cloning their dogs, "Owner calls clones of her beloved dog 'a miracle'"

Sexual Ridiculousness

Yesterday I heard a radio ad put out by Planned Parenthood. I'm kinda shocked at the things I'm hearing...very callous, vulgar, degrading - but funny. The ad ends with a website being pitched: http://www.takecaredownthere.org/



So naturally, I checked it out. There's a handful of "funny" videos designed to "teach" tweens and teens about sex, STI's, etc. Now I fully understand that PP isn't targeting me in these videos. I even understand that abstinence isn't the #1 goal of PP. But even with those 2 HUGE grains of salt, I was saddened to see a multi-million dollar campaign, paid for by taxpayers, being spent in such a ridiculous, degrading, lackadaisical, and trivial way.

Now I'm not so black and white to say that preaching abstinence is the fix all. But there's a TON of gray area between TrueLoveWaits and what PP is showing. Even a little respect toward love, intimacy, sensuality, etc would be nice. It's a wonder only 55% of American's contract an STI in their lifetime. According to PP, sex is just as random an activity as dating. It works hand-in-hand. You date, you have sex. You don't date, you masturbate. Obviously self-control, self appreciation, and self worth are not part of the PP agenda.

So even though I laugh, i'm saddened by our culture and our so-called-leaders that believe and promote in such campaigns as this one, TAKE CARE DOWN THERE, by PP.

-Ross

The 2009 All Star Game vs. The Outback Awesome Blossom

So tonight we're at the St. Louis Cardinals game and this scene unfolded...

Each game, 1 lucky fan is given 3 items to weigh against a secret item inside a briefcase. The choice is theirs to make and live with. Here's tonights scenario:

Item #1 - 2 tickets to an upcoming Cards game (not bad)
Item #2 - $25 dollars Cardinals cash - to be spent anywhere inside the stadium (a real plus since beer is $8 each)
Item #3 - 2 tickets to the 2009 All Star Game being held in STL (ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME?!?!?!)

or...chance it against the mystery prize in the briefcase

Well, to make a long story short, the woman picks the briefcase and gets a $45 Outback Steakhouse gift card. Way to go you idiot! Hope you enjoy the awesome blossom...

Sheesh,
Ross

Pet Peeves...

so this has been bothering me now for a bit...
why, if you are an non-profit organization that relies on the use of volunteers, do you not follow up with people who want to be volunteers.

two different organizations here in st louis give people the option to fill out an online form to start the process of being a volunteer. they prefer you to fill out this form, not really giving you a phone number to call unless you search for it on other pages on the site, so fill out the form i did. no calls or emails...

i've even filled out one of the place's form twice. no calls or emails. now, i don't believe i am unqualified to volunteer for either of these organizations. i'm willing to do any of the tasks requested and i even have background that would be beneficial to both organizations. even if they don't need me as a volunteer, don't you think they would still follow-up?

it's really kinda making me mad. so if anyone has any suggestions for organizations to get involved with- organizations that actually follow-up with people, let me know.

-kate