Yes, I’m turning 40 this year. And I realize that this past year – the last one in my 30’s – I have gone through a minor midlife crisis. Lacking the funds to purchase a sports car and being too in love with my wife and kids to start flirting with anything that would cause … Read more
Another good reason to homeschool your kids was offered by the high school of Arlington, Massachusetts: they aren’t offering to let students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom – even voluntarily. 17-year old Arlington high student Sean Harrington has been leading a crusade to allow the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited in … Read more
I had no idea this day even existed. I had to find out on the Facebook page of a 20-year old friend of mine. Today — June 15, 2010 — is the second annual National Man Day. Started by three brothers as a Facebook page, the idea has caught on with men across the country. … Read more
A company called “Wizards of the Coast” has re-packaged the iconic role-playing game “Dungeons & Dragons” into a bite-sized version that they’re hoping will attract us 40-something gamers of yore to play a stripped-down, abbreviated version of our old pasttime. We can recapture just a bit of the fun we had in our youth while not … Read more
Any other fans of LOST here? Whad’ya think of last night’s finale? I’m still mulling it over. I found it moving (not surprising, given the emotional investment I have in the characters after following them for 6 years), but it sure didn’t resolve some loose threads – including some important ones, I thought: When did … Read more
Logic divorced from compassion will lead you to some ugly conclusions. Like advocating openly for euthanizing some people to use their organs for other people. Would it prove or violate Godwin’s Law for me to raise the spectre of the Nazi eugenicists in this post? That will prevent the comboxes from having to bring it … Read more
This has got to win the IC prize for most heartwarming story of the week. It might even make Brian crack a smile (a benevolent one, not the evil grin he usually has going on). Seriously, this story’s so nice, it belongs on the Lifetime channel. Erik Martin, a 13-year-old boy living with liver cancer, … Read more
What can you say when the U.N. elects Iran to its Commission on Women’s Rights, elevating a backwards theocracy that made international news last week when one of its “respected clerics” claimed that immodestly dressed women cause earthquakes? Iran as a nation has a well-documented history of gender inequality and is an oppressive environment for women … Read more
Those familiar with the writings of St. Francis of Assisi will recognize the line from the hymn “All Creatures of our God and King” based on his writings. He portrays death as “kind and gentle,” certainly a minority view in our culture and even in our faith. It bespeaks a familiarity with death that seems … Read more
I know most of the talk today is probably going to be about the health care bill. But I wanted to share a gem of an article written by David Warren, a contributing writer here at IC. Mr. Warren takes up the topic of the euthanasia bill that is being debated in Ottowa’s House of … Read more
My 15 year old son and I attended a seminar today on discerning one’s mission in life. The day included exercises in self-assessment and was a good experience overall. Part of the preparation for the seminar was taking a Myers-Briggs test in order to determine your personality. I was looking forward to it because I’d … Read more
Michigan is nicknamed “The Wolverine State”, so it came as a bit of a shock to me to hear today that our only known wolverine has been found dead. Wait a second. Did that say, “Michigan’s only known wolverine”? We only had one? Why on earth did we get that nickname then? Well, one story … Read more
I know, I know… it’s been a long time since I rapped at ya (and I’ll buy a post-Lenten beer to anyone who can cite where that line is from). I’ve been in a job transition that has been rather consuming for a few months, though I’m hopeful that things are soon to settle down … Read more
As readers know, I live in Michigan. And our state is in one helluvan economic slump right now, due to a number of factors. Pundits continue to talk about what caused this, taking a macro view of our economic situation. I’d like to take a micro view – what unemployment and underemployment does to the … Read more
So much for my great entreprenurial idea for next year. It’s already been done! (H/T Top Tech)
Self. And this is never more evident to me than when I’m driving on the highway. Almost every time, I can count on there being at least one jackass…er… brother in Christ driving WAY over the speed limit who insists on tailgating the car in front of him until that poor schlep moves over and makes … Read more