The State of Indiana finally did something right. They passed the Daylight Saving Time bill. Now, sometime next April, Indiana will join the other 47 states in the 21st Century.
Thank God for House Representatives Troy Woodruff (R) and John Ulmer (R). Yes, I'm thanking two Republicans because they switched their red light to green at the last minute. The bill passed 51-46, a narrow victory by Indiana constitutional terms. Senate Bill 127 was almost killed in an earlier vote, 49-48 against changing the time. But, it wasn't dead. For a bill to be completely dead, the Indiana Constitution requires 51 votes against it.
Rep. Woodruff is a freshman in the State House. The people he represents were firmly against DST. In fact, he even previously pledged to ""always vote against this controversial piece of legislation." But, at the last minute, he changed his mind and voted his conscience. No doubt his constituents will be pissed, but "Some things are more important than re-election," Woodruff said. I find that attitude very refreshing in politics.
I am especially angered with local Democrats who voted against the bill because of politics. They knew this was the right thing to do for this state and it's economy, but instead decided not to work with the governor to get things done. They wanted to make deals: "I'll vote for DST, if you vote for slot machines." They didn't get the slot machines, so they pouted. That is childish behavior. This is starting to become a theme with the Dems, not just here but across the nation, and it's really tourqing me off.
But, now that this battle is over (and for you non-Hoosiers, it was indeed a battle), a new debate can begin. Should we be in the Eastern or Central time zone? And you know, I don't really care which one we're in. Having lived in both time zones, I think I would prefer living Eastern. That's strictly because my TV shows start at 8pm, which makes it feel like I have an extra hour to get things done (like exercise outside) and still catch my boob-tube favorites. If we end up Central, I won't complain. I'm more used to that.
There are numerous people who live along the Indiana/Illinois border. They are worried that this whole time change thing will mean that where they live and where they work will have an hour's difference. That is an understandable concern. But, along 24 lines across this enitre world, people are dealing with that problem. After all, no matter how you slice the time zones up, someone somewhere has to deal with the problem in daily life. So, I'm sure if it does become an issue, they will be able to handle it.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
You know I'm Cajun, right?
You know those shrimp cocktail rings you can buy in your local grocery's freezer section? Well, I just ate a 30 count shrimp ring. I mean, all 30 shrimp in one sitting. Now, before you get all bug-eyed about one person eat an entire shrimp cocktail ring all by his lonesome, let me explain.
There's Cajun in my blood. True, I claim the Irish more than the Cajun but that's just 'cause I like good beer as opposed to Bud Light. It's more about the drinking rights. But, I was born in deep southeast Louisiana in a small town about an hour's drive west southwest of New Orleans. Our house was just over a mile from Bayou Lafourche (La-FOOCH). I'm from down the bayou as we say. Though, far enough up the bayou to have culture and no accent. But, sha, I cun do a tick kay-jen akcent when da tyme be right, yeah.
Anyway, what does that have to do with 30 shrimp? Well, where I'm from, it was not uncommon for families to get together for a shrimp, crab or crawfish boil. In fact, during Lent, my family would generally eat about 10 pounds of crawfish on Fridays. With 4 people in my family, that's an average of 2 1/2 pounds of crawfish per person. That's alot of head suckin' and tail pinching. When you think about it that way, 30 shrimp is a lite snack.
Now, I'm in Indiana where there is no sea, therefore no seafood. Heck, I'm just happy I found a Popeye's that is only 20 minutes from work in the wrong direction. Of course, when I was younger, I was more fond of boiled crawfish than I was of boiled shrimp. But, here in Indy, a shrimp cocktail ring is about closest I can get to "cajun cooking." Yes, there is YATS, which I love, but it's alot less convenient than my local Kroger's. And after all, a shrimp cocktail ring is just frozen boiled shrimp. All I have to do is defrost and it's almost like home... Almost... Lord, I can't wait for Christmas vacation...
There's Cajun in my blood. True, I claim the Irish more than the Cajun but that's just 'cause I like good beer as opposed to Bud Light. It's more about the drinking rights. But, I was born in deep southeast Louisiana in a small town about an hour's drive west southwest of New Orleans. Our house was just over a mile from Bayou Lafourche (La-FOOCH). I'm from down the bayou as we say. Though, far enough up the bayou to have culture and no accent. But, sha, I cun do a tick kay-jen akcent when da tyme be right, yeah.
Anyway, what does that have to do with 30 shrimp? Well, where I'm from, it was not uncommon for families to get together for a shrimp, crab or crawfish boil. In fact, during Lent, my family would generally eat about 10 pounds of crawfish on Fridays. With 4 people in my family, that's an average of 2 1/2 pounds of crawfish per person. That's alot of head suckin' and tail pinching. When you think about it that way, 30 shrimp is a lite snack.
Now, I'm in Indiana where there is no sea, therefore no seafood. Heck, I'm just happy I found a Popeye's that is only 20 minutes from work in the wrong direction. Of course, when I was younger, I was more fond of boiled crawfish than I was of boiled shrimp. But, here in Indy, a shrimp cocktail ring is about closest I can get to "cajun cooking." Yes, there is YATS, which I love, but it's alot less convenient than my local Kroger's. And after all, a shrimp cocktail ring is just frozen boiled shrimp. All I have to do is defrost and it's almost like home... Almost... Lord, I can't wait for Christmas vacation...
Monday, April 25, 2005
Star Wars Weekend
How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good, all things considered. Got two passes to the Star Wars Celebration 3 Convention that went down in this past weekend. Thousands of geeks, nerds, dweebs and nerfherders assembled in beautiful downtown Indianapolis to celebrate all that is holy and sacred. You may call me "geek," but that's it.
So, Saturday, a co-worker and I took our families to the convention 'cause yeah we're geeks like that. With 4 passes between us, we would need 3 more for the kiddies. Unfortuneately, when we arrived, they had sold out of passes for the day. So, I told my co-worker to take them since they couldn't go on Sunday, then we'd get them later and go the next day.
Well, we were downtown and we rarely are and we were paying for parking. So, might as well hang around Circle City Mall for a spell. There were plenty of people dressed up as Star Wars character. I told my wife that I bet that she would be the hottest chick at the convention. Hot is defined as, "yeah, I'd do her." We began to see if that were true. There were some Mara Jade's, a few Twi'leks, even a Princess Leia in a golden bikini. But, truthfully, the closest we came to hot Star Wars chick action was a girl dressed up a Storm Trooper after she took her helmet off. Figures, the hot chick wanted a mask at the Gathering of The Geeks.
We did stumble across an interesting book. "Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters," by Dick Staub. It compares Christianity and it's teachings to the teaching of the Jedi and the Force. I said I was a geek.
We were downtown long enough for my co-worker to call me to find out if we were still downtown. They were getting ready to leave and thought we could use the passes for the rest of Saturday. We didn't have much time, but we were able to scope out the vendor's room. Got to figure out what we wanted and how much it would cost.
Sunday, I kind of didn't want to go. Church was calling. If we went to church, we'd have to miss the whole day of the convention. We had a wedding shower we had to be at. But, I went anyway. I'm not sure if the family knew how to nagivate downtown. I'm glad I did. The kid ended up buying a "Stone Cold" Steven Austin action figure... at a Star Wars Convention. Go figure. Later in the day, he was "givin' stunners" to the Ewoks. I bought two action figures from the Clone Wars Animated Series. One vendor wanted $25 for this (Mesa lika dis Sith Asajj Ventress). But I got it, and Mace Windu for $24. I'm sorry, but that vendor is an idiot - lots of merchadise to pack up in two hours, lower your price and make some money.
Anyway, a good time was had by all. Here's my favorite two pictures from the weekend. Admiral Ackbar walking the streets of downtown Indy and Me flashin' fingaz wit' the Fett. Wipe off that drool, you nerdz...
So, Saturday, a co-worker and I took our families to the convention 'cause yeah we're geeks like that. With 4 passes between us, we would need 3 more for the kiddies. Unfortuneately, when we arrived, they had sold out of passes for the day. So, I told my co-worker to take them since they couldn't go on Sunday, then we'd get them later and go the next day.
Well, we were downtown and we rarely are and we were paying for parking. So, might as well hang around Circle City Mall for a spell. There were plenty of people dressed up as Star Wars character. I told my wife that I bet that she would be the hottest chick at the convention. Hot is defined as, "yeah, I'd do her." We began to see if that were true. There were some Mara Jade's, a few Twi'leks, even a Princess Leia in a golden bikini. But, truthfully, the closest we came to hot Star Wars chick action was a girl dressed up a Storm Trooper after she took her helmet off. Figures, the hot chick wanted a mask at the Gathering of The Geeks.
We did stumble across an interesting book. "Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters," by Dick Staub. It compares Christianity and it's teachings to the teaching of the Jedi and the Force. I said I was a geek.
We were downtown long enough for my co-worker to call me to find out if we were still downtown. They were getting ready to leave and thought we could use the passes for the rest of Saturday. We didn't have much time, but we were able to scope out the vendor's room. Got to figure out what we wanted and how much it would cost.
Sunday, I kind of didn't want to go. Church was calling. If we went to church, we'd have to miss the whole day of the convention. We had a wedding shower we had to be at. But, I went anyway. I'm not sure if the family knew how to nagivate downtown. I'm glad I did. The kid ended up buying a "Stone Cold" Steven Austin action figure... at a Star Wars Convention. Go figure. Later in the day, he was "givin' stunners" to the Ewoks. I bought two action figures from the Clone Wars Animated Series. One vendor wanted $25 for this (Mesa lika dis Sith Asajj Ventress). But I got it, and Mace Windu for $24. I'm sorry, but that vendor is an idiot - lots of merchadise to pack up in two hours, lower your price and make some money.
Anyway, a good time was had by all. Here's my favorite two pictures from the weekend. Admiral Ackbar walking the streets of downtown Indy and Me flashin' fingaz wit' the Fett. Wipe off that drool, you nerdz...
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Funniest Thing I've heard in ages
The State of Indiana is currently embroiled in a debate over switcing to Daylight Savings Time. Indiana is one of three other states that don't "fall back" or "spring forward." Being from a state where all I knew was DST, this seems like a silly debate. Yet, apparently, this fight has been going on for years before I moved here.
The people who are against it have some of the most ridiculous reasons for being against it. But, the reason I heard on the radio today takes the cake. I was listening to my favorite radio talk show, Abdul in the Morning, when a caller brought up the DST issue. And this is what he said (Ver-fucking-batim):
Now, I am really digging the Bible these days, and I certainly don't mean any disrespect to God or his Word. But, are you friggin' serious? We can't have DST because it's not in the Bible? It's ass-backwards thinking like this that gives good Christians a bad name.
By the way, if you're reading this, yer sinnin' 'cause 'blogs and the internet ain't in the Bible. So, log off right now and pray for your soul not to burn in hell! *rolling eyes*
The people who are against it have some of the most ridiculous reasons for being against it. But, the reason I heard on the radio today takes the cake. I was listening to my favorite radio talk show, Abdul in the Morning, when a caller brought up the DST issue. And this is what he said (Ver-fucking-batim):
"I have several reasons for being against Daytime Savings Time, the first of which is because it isn't anywhere in the Bible."
Now, I am really digging the Bible these days, and I certainly don't mean any disrespect to God or his Word. But, are you friggin' serious? We can't have DST because it's not in the Bible? It's ass-backwards thinking like this that gives good Christians a bad name.
By the way, if you're reading this, yer sinnin' 'cause 'blogs and the internet ain't in the Bible. So, log off right now and pray for your soul not to burn in hell! *rolling eyes*
Monday, April 18, 2005
How it applies
In my email signature file, I include a verse from the Bible. John 4:34 says "Jesus said, 'My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.'" Sometimes, I feel weird about having it in there. Taken alone, I fear that it comes across as slightly arrogant and I wonder what people who aren't in tune with God and Jesus think of me for using it.
In the Bible, the disciples urge Jesus to eat something. He tells them "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." His disciples are like, "What the heck are you talking 'bout, JC?" That's when Jesus tells them where his nourishment comes from.
When I first read the Gospel of John, this was one of the passages that really stuck out to me. Obviously, man cannot live without food, but that's not what the meaning is. To me, this passage speaks about our faith in God, our hope that He will help us survive life, and the love we show him by living life according to His Laws. In this one passage, we get what IT is all about.
God has plans for us all. I'm just starting to figure out what his plans for me are. My use of John 4:34 serves as a constant reminder that I (we all) have a purpose. By following Jesus' teachings and doing God's will, we find purpose in this world and, ultimately, reach salvation.
In the Bible, the disciples urge Jesus to eat something. He tells them "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." His disciples are like, "What the heck are you talking 'bout, JC?" That's when Jesus tells them where his nourishment comes from.
When I first read the Gospel of John, this was one of the passages that really stuck out to me. Obviously, man cannot live without food, but that's not what the meaning is. To me, this passage speaks about our faith in God, our hope that He will help us survive life, and the love we show him by living life according to His Laws. In this one passage, we get what IT is all about.
God has plans for us all. I'm just starting to figure out what his plans for me are. My use of John 4:34 serves as a constant reminder that I (we all) have a purpose. By following Jesus' teachings and doing God's will, we find purpose in this world and, ultimately, reach salvation.
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