bore me to tears

I've moved!

2008-08-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

My new URL:
http://boremetotears.com

I'm actually still unpacking, but new posts will show up there, not here :)

Is it contagious?

2008-08-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm always the last to learn stuff.

Apparently, we're having a contest! Normally, I love contests, but this one is really dumb, so I'll be sitting it out. The contest is called, "Who is the most Christian?" and ev-er-y-body is playing!

Meet our latest contestant:

Nancy Pelosi: "[Obama is] "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."
source

A bit vague, I know.

Nancy, to which office has God called Obama to lead??? Senator or President? You forgot to say.

Darn, the suspense. She's gotta know, afterall. She obviously has a "personal relationship" with God. How else would she know that God wants Obama to be a leader?

Lucky for us, lots of people here in the Christian States of America (wink, wink -- we're God's favorite, you know) have personal relationships with God, so we shouldn't have to wait too long for an answer.

Rest easy. I'll continue to keep an eye on the blogs - and post all new findings.

Buckle up!

2008-08-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

But, you're gonna need a ticket!

ANAHEIM, Calif. – More than 11,000 people in Southern California accepted their “tickets” to Heaven over the weekend at the annual Southern California Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008.

“You can’t just walk in,” Greg Laurie (Crusade Organizer) said Saturday, using Disneyland as an example. But the price of the “ticket” is more than any person can afford.

“You can’t buy it. In fact, you can’t afford it. But the good news is Jesus Christ bought your ticket to Heaven when he shed his blood on cross at Calvary and he offers it as a free gift to you right now. Do you want it?”

story continues ~~>

In case you've never gone before, the Christianity ride is kinda like this!

*video link to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride*

It'd be like Reagan all over again

2008-08-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

...except with books this time, instead of movies...

Have you heard this story?

Did McCain Steal His "Cross in the Dirt" Story At Last Night's Forum From Solzhenitsyn?

*video link*

"Cross in the Dirt" story begins: 11:4531:44

If it's true... what a sad turn that would be, politics aside...

On tv, in my mail, now at my door

2008-08-16T12:22:00.002-07:00

This morning, a middle-aged Chinese couple rang my doorbell. As Harmless Dog launched into snarling Attack Dog Mode, I peered through the peephole. Either Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses, I assumed, so I didn't open the door. (Is that mean?)

Still watching from the peephole, I noticed that the woman was writing something on a piece of paper. They're probably just nice neighbors here to let me know that my garage door was open or one of our pipes had burst and water was streaming down the street. Now, I'm feeling bad.

After they left, I opened the door to read my note; it said, "Sorry we missed you." And the paper wasn't paper, but a "Yes on 8" campaign flyer. Oh. (Proposition 8 is a proposed California state constitutional amendment to be voted on in November that would ban gay marriage.)

I confess that it has always seemed odd to me that 1st generation immigrants to this country would actively campaign to deny rights to native citizens, many of whom have been here for generations. Yes, I know they're citizens now, entitled to participate fully in the democratic process and have their views represented... it just seems... tacky. In poor taste. Unconscionable.

Anyway, the part of the flyer that caught my eye is the following excerpt:

You may recall that the Attorney General's Office recently changed the ballot language to say that Proposition 8 seeks to "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." (I blogged about the change and its significance here.)

So, it's NOT "the same 14 words" from before.

Hmm. I wonder when these things were printed. Not that I'm suspicious or anything.

Oh yeah, he moved away

2008-08-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of years, we have had a registered sex offender (of an underage girl) living in our neighborhood. When we first found out about it, everybody panicked; then we realized that there was really nothing we could do about it other than tell our children to steer clear of him and his house. We didn't let it consume us; still, the heavy knowledge that he was close by was ever-present.

Well, very recently he moved - just as unceremoniously as he arrived; yet, it seems as though, as a neighborhood, we should do *something* to note a development this personally noteworthy.

So, what's the protocol for marking such an occasion? Anybody know?

Does it involve balloons?

Dancing?

Drinking?

Reciprocal gift giving?

Or, could it be that we just do a quickie blog post about it - and move on to something else?

Two can play the game

2008-08-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

Long-story, short: Girl and Best Friend (both firmly non-religious and sharp as tacks) went to a local "church faire" the other night. At the time, we knew very little about the occasion, other than it was an "Invite Your Friends" evening, with "crafts and games and stuff".

While the larger objective of these events is, of course, to show that "church is so much fun" that the child will drag the entire family back to church the following Sunday ("save a child, save a family," as they say), I let the Girl go; I just forgot to warn her about scratching her back.

Girl: "Mom, you know how I sometimes bend my arm back like this to scratch my back? Well, they thought I was raising my hand and I got chosen to answer a question."

Me: "What was the question?"

Girl: "The question was, 'If Jesus can forgive sins, what does that make him?'"

Me: "What did you say?"

Girl: "I said, 'God' (in a conceding tone)... even though That! Makes! No! Sense! (complete with pleading arm motions). But, they gave me 3 tickets (to exchange for prizes) for getting the right answer (cheshire cat grin).

Later, Girl mentioned that Best Friend was going back the following night.

Me: "Why?"

Girl: "They're having cupcakes for snack (rolling eyes, laughing)."

Waiting until heads are turned

2008-08-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share what I found to be an interesting and important read at Questionable Authority about the Bush administration's latest behind-the-scenes attack on reproductive rights.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Apparently, the Bush administration has come up with another way to attack reproductive rights. The department of Health and Human Services has come up with a draft regulation that changes a number of definitions in an effort to make it easier for people to refuse to provide people with abortions, or birth control, or even with a referral to another provider who would be willing to provide these services...

The terms in question include "assist in the performance" and "abortion"...

[T]his case is more dangerous than most. It creates a federal definition that has human life beginning at conception, and it will make it much harder for women to receive the reproductive care that they're legally entitled to...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Read more - and comments - at..
Another Bush Administration Backdoor Attack on Reproductive Rights

It doesn't work

2008-08-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

Doc has a post up tonight mentioning StupidFilter, "an open-source filter software that can detect rampant stupidity in written English." A big fan of efficiency tools, I couldn't wait to test it out so, when I got to Worldnetdaily, I went straight to the Letters to the Editor and selected the following as my test sample text.

Dear Worldnetdaily,

This is something I've wanted to ask, but I don't know who to ask.

I'm a large guy. I'm 6' 4" and weigh 250 pounds. Through the years I driven different small cars, and as I get older I'm having trouble getting into and out of many of these small cars the Democrats are trying to push us into. Next year I plan to buy a pickup because I fit into a pickup.

Nancy Pelosi needs to bring the vote for drilling oil to the House floor.

I would love nothing better than to go bare knuckles in the ring with some of the leftist, male politicians who make up the stupid laws and regulations we have to deal with.

I don't fight girls – does this make me a sexist?

Scott

Results: Text is not likely to be stupid.

WT?? Not likely to be stupid? The letter is not only "likely to be stupid," it IS stu.... oh, nevermind. Just tell me there's chocolate in the house.

I regret we're unable to attend

2008-08-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Remember how I mentioned that I dropped the ball in getting tickets to the Presidential "Civil Forum"? (The Girl wanted to go, I procrastinated too long, and now the tickets are all gone.) Well, as luck would have it, I just learned that I have a fantastic excuse to use instead:

"I'm sorry, Sweet Pea, but the tickets were too expensive; the prices ranged from $500 - $2,000 per seat."

"And, only church members were eligible to buy them (with some exceptions)."

Oh well. As I learn more, I'd rather watch it at home anyway. With snacks. And the doors locked.

Protesters, spectators and off-the-charts security are expected to clog the streets...

In addition to the more than 6,500 audience members at the forum and the hordes of media who will swarm the area, police, expect anywhere from 800 to 1,500 anti-war and illegal immigration protesters...

...as well as a coalition of Minutemen organizations...

The Minutemen are coming??? These minutemen?

Encantador (lovely).

Come hither, bad boy

2008-08-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm pretty sure that this is a parody site, but you know how it goes. It's getting harder and harder to discern fact from fiction. So, having received your disclaimer, here's an excerpt - and link - from Date to Save, so you can decide for yourself. (Uh, this is kinda embarrassing but... could you pick me up a Flirt to Convert thong while you're over there? I totally forgot to get one. Thx.)

So, here you go...

XXOO

Hello, my name is Tamara! As you can probably tell, I'm a Christian woman who loves Jesus Christ and cares for all humans, even the wicked. What you probably don't know is that I'm hot.

I want to use my beauty for GOD, and want to encourage Christian women (my sisters in Christ) to do the same, according to the Great Commission.

Calling all Hot Women of the LORD!!!

So, I created this web page, Date to Save, for information regarding the calling of Missionary Dating. First of all, it helps that you're good looking. Romans 12:1 says "to offer your bodies as living sacrifices." Since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), it makes sense that we should use our beautiful bodies to glorify HIS name, the Holy Spirit will work the strongest since He's in our body, right? That's the best position to be in!

XXOO

my sad confession

2008-08-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Girl gave me my marching orders when this event was first announced; I was supposed to get tickets. I didn't know how I would go about obtaining them, as we're no longer flock members, privy to flock secrets, entitled to flock privileges, so I procrastinated. Now, all the tickets are gone. And, I'm in trouble. And, looking for someone to break the news to her. Volunteeeers???

Already?

2008-08-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

And I thought I had a short attention span.

While the majority of Americans still say they consider climate change a serious issue, a new poll suggests public concern over the issue has ebbed since last year.
Story ~>

Our cornucopia runneth over

2008-08-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

I asked The Girl to put together a list of things she'd like to learn or do in our first semester of homeschooling.

Her list:

Buy a cornucopia at Thanksgiving.
Do paintings at the beach.
Play fun tricks on Dad.
Get 2 autographs.
Visit Sunny (our retired horse) every weekend.
Ride bikes around the Library.
Go snowboarding.
Go to the mall for an all-day shopping spree.
Have an awesome birthday party.
Publish my own book.
Get 2 guinea pigs.
Enter one of my paintings in a contest.
Travel to Baltimore and meet Duff from Ace of Cakes.
Learn French.

Maybe Math, Science and Composition will be on her next list.

Homeschool furnishings

2008-08-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post some pictures of where I sit and research curriculum and organize myself,... but it's too messy and disorganized to photograph right now ;)

Instead, inspired by recent stories of homeschoolers going out to buy student desks and chalkboards to start off the new year right, I thought I'd show off some of the great pieces that I hope to add to our classroom, as soon as I save enough money.

Charming, traditionalist student seating for The Girl.

A most handsome and impressive solid oak lecturn for me.

A beautifully hand-crafted "quiet time" cubby or reading nook.

And, a wonderful locked wooden box into which Sweat Pea can slip me anonymous notes telling me what a great mom I am.

But, what better way to equip the homeschool classroom than with this?

HT: Dawn, role model extraordinaire ;)

Bigotry known from reason

2008-08-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Following my recent post about Proposition 8, the proposed California state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, is an official announcement that California Catholics have joined the effort to defend "the world's most child-friendly institution."

Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron
Bishop of Oakland
Episcopal Advisor,
Catholics for the Common Good

"This conviction about marriage, while confirmed by faith, can be known from reason. Therefore, our efforts to enshrine this wisdom about marriage in the laws of our community are not an imposition of an ideology but a service of the truth which we make for the common good. This wisdom about the nature of marriage is not a form of discrimination, but undergirds our freedom to live according to God’s plan for us."

Other "Yes on 8" Catholic co-sponsors:

Knights of Columbus, California
The world's largest Catholic Family Fraternal Service Organization
California Catholic Conference
Official Voice of the Catholic Community in California's Public Policy Arena

educational resources fyi

2008-08-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Teaching Company is offering free lectures in honor of the 2008 Olympics:

Ancient Origins of the Olympic Games:
Lectures 1 and 2

Homeschooling victory in California

2008-08-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Opinion issued
HSLDA press release
CHN Legal Update

Excerpt:

In this dependency case, we consider the legality of, and restraints upon, home schooling in California.1We will conclude that: (1) California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education; and (2) the statutory permission to home school may constitutionally be overridden in order to protect the safety of a child who has been declared dependent.

1 We use the terms “home school” and “home schooling” to refer to full-time education in the home by a parent or guardian who does not necessarily possess a teaching credential.

A Secular Symbol of Death?

2008-08-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

Fair warning: Plant one of those noxious things on top of me and I'll return from the dead to torment you.

Ignorance outweighed by arrogance, or vice versa?

Americans United and allied religious leaders and organizations take issue with a federal court decision allowing Utah officials to place crosses along highways to memorialize state highway patrol officers who have died in the line of duty.

State officials insisted that the Christian symbol is a secular symbol and can be used regardless of the personal religious beliefs of the officer being honored.

U.S. District Judge David Sam ruled in November of 2007 that the cross is a “secular symbol of death” and held that Utah officials and the Utah Highway Patrol Association can continue to erect the 12-foot crosses.
story ~>

Crosses are no more "secular symbols of death," than religious symbols of love. Erecting 12-foot crosses in the names of non-Christians is an insult.

(Fatigue)

Support AU
Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Can I be on the show?

2008-08-05T23:34:00.000-07:00

There are few reality shows for which I'd volunteer as a contestant.

American Idol - no thanks (can't sing)
So You Think You Can Dance - no thanks (can't dance)
Top Chef - no thanks (can't cook)
Project Runway - no thanks (can't walk in heels)
Last Comic Standing - no thanks (don't know any jokes)
Wife Swap - no thanks (explanation not needed)
Make Me a Christian - hmm......

An atheist, lesbian and playboy are just some of the non-Christians who agreed to participate in Bible studies and Christian mentoring as part of a *new television series* airing in the United Kingdom this month.

"Make Me a Christian" follows the three-week journey of 13 non-Christians who also include a witch, a Christian-turned-Muslim, an unmarried couple with a child on the way, and a family of six, who volunteered to give up their normal lives and attempt to live like Christians.

Now this one has... possibilities...

link ~>

Let me fix it

2008-08-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

You've probably seen this story:

US blogger to be tried for insulting Singapore judges

Peacemaker that I am...

Dear Justice Lai Siu Chiu ,

I am a great admirer of yours. I like the looks of you which tells me that you are a highly smart, yet friendly person. You also wear classic black well. It matches your hair.

Fondly, boremetotears (US blogger)

Dear Justice Belinda Ang,

I am a great admirer of yours. I like the looks of you which tells me that you are a highly smart, yet friendly person. You also wear classic black well. It matches your hair.

Fondly, boremetotears (US blogger)

Cloudy With a Chance of Nutballs

2008-08-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Have you heard? McCain supporters are planning to sabotage the Democratic National Convention!

(video link)

Oh, dear!

In addition to "Asking for Rain," saboteurs plan to infiltrate the event.

You'll be able to spot them by their umbrellas (to be carried in expectation of weather) and their floppy rain boots.

Otherwise, they'll try to blend in as best they know how.

They'll swap out their "War!" necklaces for ones that say "Peace."

And, shout out popular "Obama for President" slogans.

Otherwise, they may be hard to spot because they'll look like regular Americans.

Sounds like a nightmare

2008-08-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Has PZ Myers gone cracker-mad? Apparently, he has agreed to participate in a talk radio debate with Ray Comfort. About Intelligent Design. Seems like if there were ever an invitation that qualified for a proverbial "I'd rather get a root canal" reply,... but, he said, yes.

For those that may not know, Comfort is a popular Christian apologist who has provided endless hours of howling entertainment to atheists the world over.

The video that follows is, hands-down, his best work... in my opinion :)

The Banana: The Atheist's Worst Nightmare

Nick Gisburne responds:

The debate will take place Tuesday, 5 August, at 10am; details and PZ's announcement is here.

Remind me to log off each time

2008-08-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

A close call just now at Amazon.

I was getting ready to place an order for a book and noticed that someone (I'm guessing The Girl) added something to my "shopping cart" when I wasn't looking.

Pulse 5-Piece 22/10/12/14 Drum Set
(with Hardware)

Product Description: A blazing fusion set ideal for beginners or intermediate players that includes all the necessary hardware. Versatile size configuration works well for styles from pop to jazz and metal. A roadworthy covered finish will keep this set looking cool for years to come. Cymbals not included.

List Price: ~~$599.99~~
Price: ~~$329.99~~
Sale: $249.99
You Save: $350.00 (58%)

In Stock.

Nice try, Sweet Pea ;)

This one is easy

2008-07-31T23:46:00.000-07:00

The new Thinking Parents topic:

"What have you done that will never be noticed."

Thanks for listening.

No offense but I really hope the next topic will be a little more challenging.