No Child Left Behind

Little Paulie did very well on his standardized test until the "Manual Dexterity" & "Escape" sections appeared on the exam.

River of Earth Introductory Film

A film I edited for my English 132 Online class. It introduces the novel River of Earth as well as Appalachian issues and coal mining. Basically, it is a visual "interpretation aid" for those reading this novel.

Pic of the Day

A little research gem...

I am currently working on a film that will introduce the next novel (James Still's River of Earth) in my college research writing course (it is an online course and multimedia presentations work well to deliver the lesson). In the pile of internet files and images I have been sorting through, I found one little gem. As I am researching images of poverty in Appalachia and the rural south, I have come across many scenic mountain views, dirt-caked coal miners and rickety country shacks. However, no other picture seems to speak to me quite like this clipping from the Roanoke Times (notice what ol' Melissa is holding in her right hand):

Dog Attack

When I arrived home from work today, I was greeted by a cacophony of barks and a barrage of dog kisses. As I had shuffled in half-awake and grumpy from the day, this attack really put things into perspective. For those who never get to experience such joy, I decided to give you a little taste of my homecoming welcome (almost every day).

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thought for the Day

G.I. Joe Can Kick Ass, But Can He Resurrect?

If you are like me, you are searching for an action figure to trump all other action figures. Well, look no further, Fishermen Inc. has answered with their collection of Jesus action figures. You can get a surfing Savior, cliffhanging Christ, or (probably most apropos) a homeless Hosanna. I am personally fond of the rodeo and biker figurines.
While I in no way endorse purchasing such grossly irreligious paraphernalia (I point you to the ambiguously pacifistic Jesus below), you still should check out the website. Click HERE to go there.
Yes, that is an M-16 slung around his should, and yes, those are fingerless shooting gloves. By the way, Jesus needs some more up-to-date pixelated desert camo. When did he last fight? Desert Storm?

I Absolutely Love These Pictures

These were totally my friends in middle school...Long live black t-shirts and rat-tails.

In Search of Bobby Fischer

Chess uber-champ Bobby Fischer died today in Iceland. Fischer was a Cold War hero who later became an ex-pat - I love irony. He was also a crazed, self-hating anti-Semite.



Read the Breitbart story HERE.

First Temple Seal is found in Jerusalem

In the Biblical book of Nehemiah, there is talk of the first keepers of the temple, the Temech family. This family was sent into exile during the Babylonian occupation.

This archeological find is extremely exciting in the Biblical studies world. It is a direct connection between Biblical scripture and archeological proof. Below is a picture of the seal. The link to the story can be found HERE.

Does this Picture Really Need a Title?

Retro T.V. on the W3

Even though the content is brought to you by AOL (and I swore I would never support that McInternet company), the following link is a great source for television shows from today back.

CLICK HERE

Just recently I viewed a skilfully plotted post-modern episode of Head of the Class where the tension between Arvid (the nerdy guy with glasses) and Denis (the chubby computer whiz) really encapsulated the transcendental question deep within us all....well not really. But the show was really horrible to watch.



If you ever wonder where those fabulous shows from childhood went, don't worry. I have found them, and they ain't so fabulous anymore. The fairy dust of childhood television has been wiped from my eyes. With all that said, though, In2TV.com really has some great old shows and memories just waiting to be harvested. Enjoy.

A Thought For Primary Election Day

The late Hunter S. Thompson really has some astute political opinions, having penned many books on politics and political campaigning. In his book The Great Shark Hunt (1979), he said it best:

"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile—and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. We owe that to ourselves and our crippled self-image as something better than a nation of panicked sheep."

I Was So Much Older Then...

Every time I do it, I regret it. No longer am I made of rubber and can easily bounce back into place quite so easily. Yes, it is true...I am getting old. I had a fabulous weekend with my "boys" in Columbus, Ohio. We laughed, we reminisced, we drank, we smoked and we ultimately paid for it. I woke up Sunday morning feeling like

1) I had been dragged behind a train

2) I had been beaten by a group of bikers

3) I was trying to act much younger than I am

Everyone seemed to be getting healthier. Most of us have stopped smoking, started eating right and overall improving out lots in life. However, there remains an unspoken melancholy regarding the loss of some of the ignorance of youth. This is all a good thing...getting smarter, getting healthier, getting "right" with ourselves.

Needless to say I am better now. I am starting to get a little bounce in my step and can actually form a sound from my foggy, abused throat. Of course, the bounce could be from the coffee and thus fleeting in its longevity. Either way, there will always be a place for gluttony, drunkeness and overall childish behavior. However, I have to remember moderation. Many would say this "moderation" would keep me from such extremes; but if you believe in moderation, you need to take "moderation" even in moderation. Therefore, cut loose sometimes, let go and be wild...but remember, piety and self-flagellation are just around the corner.

Calling all Caffeine Addicts

Ever wonder how many cups of espresso or how many cans of Red Bull can kill you? I have and apparently so have others. On this website, you can enter your weight and your favorite caffeinated drink to get the deathly results. CLICK HERE to go to the webpage.

The Tao of the Bandit

I was sitting at home tonight watching one of the finest pieces of American cinematic narrative ever transferred to celluloid...Smokey and the Bandit (1977). This gasoline stenched, ultra machismo, uber-Southern film has some real gems of wisdom. I believe that the moustache brings forth the wisdom. For instance, I give you the following quote from the movie. While quizzing each other on the finer points of their culture, Bandit and Frog come to realization that they know nothing about each other's idea of culture. While she asks about Sondheim and Elton John and he about Waylon Jennings and Richard Petty, yet neither have a clue. Yet Bandits retort is rather poignant and apropos.

"When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in as to just how dumb you are."

Oh, Bandit; you are so dreamy.

Are You A Bubble Wrap Popper???

While not all of us are lucky enough to have a 6 ft roll of bubble wrap in our living rooms, we can still enjoy the Obsessive-Compulsive wonderment of virtual bubble wrap.

CLICK HERE TO START POPPIN'

Night of the Living Republicans

A little film brought to me by Jib Jab and brought to you by me. It stars my father and mother, deep in the heart of Democratic Athens County, Ohio.

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

If you haven't heard of this PR-meets-scientific-protesting phenomenon, then I suggest reading about it here. The "church" was designed in response to the Intelligent Design battle in public schools. The symbolism is permeating modern religious catalogs and magazines. There are even cars with visible FSM symbols like the one below:

Tomorrow is the First Day of Class

Here we go...another semester. I really do love what I do. I get excited before I go back to work. I suppose that is because every 15 weeks I get a new set of co-workers. Of course, I have done mine and they have yet to do their work. However, it is exciting to meet fresh new faces and then try to strike a nice balance of fear and excitement in them so that they, if willing to do the work required, stay on to enjoy the remainder of the semester. I do really wish for all of them the best of luck, but man am I going to work them.

Thought for the Weekend

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Einstein

Interfaith Dialogue Between Vatican and Muslim Scholars

Last year, 100+ Muslim scholars sent an open letter to the Pope seeking interfaith discussions. The Pope responded this year accepting the invitation for a meeting. You can see the scholars' open letter here and the Pope's response here. There is also an interesting Catholic News Service (the Vatican's PR wing) article that sums up the topic here. This is exciting news as we move into yet another realm of interfaith dialogue. Here's to hopin' something comes out of this...

Free Book Trading

Book Mooch is a great website that offers avid readers a chance to swap books for free. I have just started the process; but since I get tons of books sent to me at work, I decided to join.
CLICK HERE!

Religion and the Law

A Random Didactic Pic for JBD3 (Tre)

HFCC's Weather Station

Did you know that Henry Ford Community College has a weather station with a detailed weather webpage? Want to know what the weather is on campus right now? CLICK HERE!

My Biographical Writing on the Web

Phil Roman Biography

Kia Corthron Biography

Oni Lampley Biography

P.Diddy (aka Puff Daddy) Biography
(scroll down to "Sean Combs" article from Black Biography