Both Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonini died yesterday. I already can picture next year's Oscar ceremony full of tributes to their films.
Pop quiz, hotshot, how many of their films have you seen? I have not seen a single film from either director, and I'm a big fan of foreign films. Bergman's films all seem kinda strange and I'm just not sure I'll have a Bergman film festival anytime soon.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Watching My Table (tennis) Manners
The South Bend Table Tennis Club has been on hiatus for the summer, so I've been making the drive over to Elkhart to play at their club. Much smaller, but you get a lot of play time in, so I enjoy going there.
In table tennis, you occasionally have those times where you hit the ball and it hits the top of the net and drops over for an easy point. Or, you hit the ball and it richochets off the side or back of the table, again for an easy point. When those instances occur, you are supposed to do one of two things: 1) say "I'm sorry" or 2) raise your hand to acknowledge you were lucky on that point. In other words, you're supposed to apologize for making those points.
So, when I make points in that fashion, I do the sportsmanlike thing and say I'm sorry or wave my hand. The thing is, I'M NOT SORRY! Hey, deal with it. Sometimes you get lucky breaks, sometimes not. Why should I apologize for scoring a point like that? If LeBron James gets a lucky bounce off the rim and makes a basket, does he stop and say, "You know, I'm really sorry about that, I hope next time it gets nothing but net. Please accept my apologies and I'll try better next time not to get so lucky." No way.
But, that's the way of table tennis. So, for all you players out there, if I ever play you and I score a point with a drop over the net or a bounce off the side, I'll follow protocol, but deep down, I ain't feelin' it!
In table tennis, you occasionally have those times where you hit the ball and it hits the top of the net and drops over for an easy point. Or, you hit the ball and it richochets off the side or back of the table, again for an easy point. When those instances occur, you are supposed to do one of two things: 1) say "I'm sorry" or 2) raise your hand to acknowledge you were lucky on that point. In other words, you're supposed to apologize for making those points.
So, when I make points in that fashion, I do the sportsmanlike thing and say I'm sorry or wave my hand. The thing is, I'M NOT SORRY! Hey, deal with it. Sometimes you get lucky breaks, sometimes not. Why should I apologize for scoring a point like that? If LeBron James gets a lucky bounce off the rim and makes a basket, does he stop and say, "You know, I'm really sorry about that, I hope next time it gets nothing but net. Please accept my apologies and I'll try better next time not to get so lucky." No way.
But, that's the way of table tennis. So, for all you players out there, if I ever play you and I score a point with a drop over the net or a bounce off the side, I'll follow protocol, but deep down, I ain't feelin' it!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Kentucky's State Drink
Dorene brought me back a couple 6-packs of a very popular drink from the hills of Kentucky. No, my relatives down there aren't running some distillery. It's the soft drink that folks down there are wild about . . . Ale-8.
I'm not completely sure why people love this drink so much, it's basically a form of ginger ale, but with a lot of sugar and caffeine. Basically a turbo version of Vernors. It tastes okay, but I'm not necessarily wild about it. But anywhere you go in Kentucky, especially around where it's produced, it's everywhere. I remember going out for breakfast one morning and literally half the restaurant had an Ale-8 on their table instead of (or in addition to) coffee or juice. Go to any gathering, and there are cases of the stuff.
If you do drink it, make sure you get it in the bottles, it does taste better, but I'm not sure why. Pop in general tastes better in bottles (the best is still Coca-Cola classic in the little bottles). For the best cold bottled pop ever, go to a little dumpy market called Jernagins in Pixley, California. Growing up, that was always a treat to stop by there. It was very, very cold, not quite iced over when you opened it, but just right. I'm sure the store is long closed by now, and pop is pretty much in cans now, but on a hot summer day, Jernagins was the place to be.
I'm not completely sure why people love this drink so much, it's basically a form of ginger ale, but with a lot of sugar and caffeine. Basically a turbo version of Vernors. It tastes okay, but I'm not necessarily wild about it. But anywhere you go in Kentucky, especially around where it's produced, it's everywhere. I remember going out for breakfast one morning and literally half the restaurant had an Ale-8 on their table instead of (or in addition to) coffee or juice. Go to any gathering, and there are cases of the stuff.
If you do drink it, make sure you get it in the bottles, it does taste better, but I'm not sure why. Pop in general tastes better in bottles (the best is still Coca-Cola classic in the little bottles). For the best cold bottled pop ever, go to a little dumpy market called Jernagins in Pixley, California. Growing up, that was always a treat to stop by there. It was very, very cold, not quite iced over when you opened it, but just right. I'm sure the store is long closed by now, and pop is pretty much in cans now, but on a hot summer day, Jernagins was the place to be.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
"I Shoulda Been a Teacha"
This time of year I always ask myself, "Why didn't I go into teaching." Dorene is down in Kentucky until next Tuesday with the kids, attending the annual Simpson reunion on the shores of Lake Cumberland (this family loves getting together, and the times I've been able to attend the reunion really is a lot of fun, they do it every year).
But, I'm not a teacher so I don't get my summers off. In fact, summer is my busiest time as I coordinate the new student orientation programs for IU South Bend. Since five times in the summer I'm responsible for about 400-500 students, parents and guests at each orientation, I can't exactly be out of the office much. I usually get a few days here and there but that's about it. But that's okay, I'm really glad Dorene is able to have the extra time in the summer with the kids, that is a real perk.
Oh yeah, I forgot. The reason I didn't go into teaching? You have to teach . . . .kids . . . .every day. I'll stick with my day job.
But, I'm not a teacher so I don't get my summers off. In fact, summer is my busiest time as I coordinate the new student orientation programs for IU South Bend. Since five times in the summer I'm responsible for about 400-500 students, parents and guests at each orientation, I can't exactly be out of the office much. I usually get a few days here and there but that's about it. But that's okay, I'm really glad Dorene is able to have the extra time in the summer with the kids, that is a real perk.
Oh yeah, I forgot. The reason I didn't go into teaching? You have to teach . . . .kids . . . .every day. I'll stick with my day job.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Anna at Church Camp
For the first time, Anna got to spend a week at church camp. She attended Junior Bible Camp at the Wesleyan Campground in Fairmount, Indiana. Dorene was there the whole week working in the kitchen, occasionally "spying" on Anna and the other kids from our church that went, but otherwise leaving her alone.
Anna had a great time. She said her favorite part was the chapel speaker. She has a cassette from the speaker that she has been playing non-stop since she got back. That was kind of nice to hear that with all the activities going on, she liked the chapel services the best.
Towards the end of the week, there was the big altar call service where emotions ran high (a church camp staple). Practically the whole camp went forward and tears were flowing. Dorene was there and said that as all this was going on, Anna and another camper were just sitting in the back, passing notes back and forth, basically oblivious to what was going on. The next day, all the kids went forward to gather aroound the speaker and sing a farewell song. Again, Anna just sat in the back, oblivious to all the emotion. Dorene finally went and got her and Anna went forward but asked "Where are we going . . .and what for?"
I remember attending church camp and how during the latter part of the week you'd have these services where it seemed everyone was crying and there was this emotional high. I too would have been just like my daughter, just sitting in the back waiting for all this to pass (and of course knowing that as soon as camp was over, a lot of what happened during those intense emotional times would all be forgotten).
Anna had a great time. She said her favorite part was the chapel speaker. She has a cassette from the speaker that she has been playing non-stop since she got back. That was kind of nice to hear that with all the activities going on, she liked the chapel services the best.
Towards the end of the week, there was the big altar call service where emotions ran high (a church camp staple). Practically the whole camp went forward and tears were flowing. Dorene was there and said that as all this was going on, Anna and another camper were just sitting in the back, passing notes back and forth, basically oblivious to what was going on. The next day, all the kids went forward to gather aroound the speaker and sing a farewell song. Again, Anna just sat in the back, oblivious to all the emotion. Dorene finally went and got her and Anna went forward but asked "Where are we going . . .and what for?"
I remember attending church camp and how during the latter part of the week you'd have these services where it seemed everyone was crying and there was this emotional high. I too would have been just like my daughter, just sitting in the back waiting for all this to pass (and of course knowing that as soon as camp was over, a lot of what happened during those intense emotional times would all be forgotten).
Monday, July 09, 2007
A Busy Sunday
Yesterday began at about 8:00 a.m. and ended at about 1:00 a.m. this morning.
It was a typical Sunday at church. But afterwards, we had a church board meeting, which was the first for Dorene and I after being recently elected to the board. Aside from voting out the pastor, it was uneventful. Okay, not really. We actually seemed to accomplish quite a bit in a short amount of time (as opposed to many meetings I've been a part of where you accomplish a little in a long time). We have a good group of board members and we both look forward to serving.
We scrambled home in time to let the dogs out and then came back to town. We went to a church across the street for a presentation of "Godspell," which was put on by none other than Huntington University (it still sounds weird to call it "university"). They did a great job. We took five of our youth and they all enjoyed it too.
"Godspell" has been around a long time, but it's an interchangeable production. If you've seen it before, this version may be a little different. Songs are mostly the same, but how they are presented can differ. For example, there are more modern day references to things like Dr. Phil and the cover art is lifted from American Idol. All the cast members (except for one that I found annoying) did a superb job. It's still touring this summer and I highly recommend it. The only downside is that I'm really beginning to feel old as I realized that it's conceivable cast members could be children of classmates I attended college with.
After the musical, we went back to our church and had pizza with the youth and talked about the musical and how it did (or didn't) stick to scripture. In actuality, it is pretty straight forward with scripture, just the presentation is unique.
We got home and it was time for Dorene and Anna to pack up. They headed out this morning for junior Bible camp in Fairmount, Indiana. They'll be there until Friday morning. Dorene is working in the kitchen all week. Cameron is spending today and tomorrow and Grandma and Grandpa Simpson's house. On Wednesday e'll be at our pastor's house during the day, then in the evening, I'll take him to Fort Wayne to be at Grandma and Grandpa Dennie's house. So, the little tyke is getting the tour this week.
It was a typical Sunday at church. But afterwards, we had a church board meeting, which was the first for Dorene and I after being recently elected to the board. Aside from voting out the pastor, it was uneventful. Okay, not really. We actually seemed to accomplish quite a bit in a short amount of time (as opposed to many meetings I've been a part of where you accomplish a little in a long time). We have a good group of board members and we both look forward to serving.
We scrambled home in time to let the dogs out and then came back to town. We went to a church across the street for a presentation of "Godspell," which was put on by none other than Huntington University (it still sounds weird to call it "university"). They did a great job. We took five of our youth and they all enjoyed it too.
"Godspell" has been around a long time, but it's an interchangeable production. If you've seen it before, this version may be a little different. Songs are mostly the same, but how they are presented can differ. For example, there are more modern day references to things like Dr. Phil and the cover art is lifted from American Idol. All the cast members (except for one that I found annoying) did a superb job. It's still touring this summer and I highly recommend it. The only downside is that I'm really beginning to feel old as I realized that it's conceivable cast members could be children of classmates I attended college with.
After the musical, we went back to our church and had pizza with the youth and talked about the musical and how it did (or didn't) stick to scripture. In actuality, it is pretty straight forward with scripture, just the presentation is unique.
We got home and it was time for Dorene and Anna to pack up. They headed out this morning for junior Bible camp in Fairmount, Indiana. They'll be there until Friday morning. Dorene is working in the kitchen all week. Cameron is spending today and tomorrow and Grandma and Grandpa Simpson's house. On Wednesday e'll be at our pastor's house during the day, then in the evening, I'll take him to Fort Wayne to be at Grandma and Grandpa Dennie's house. So, the little tyke is getting the tour this week.
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