tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641078805192321592024-02-18T20:13:48.099-08:00diadelkendallEverything's coming up Kendall.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-77526197348456008072013-02-13T06:54:00.000-08:002013-02-13T06:54:19.447-08:00Less TalkRadio, that is. I have given up talk radio for lent. I LOVE talk radio. If I could do anything in the world, it would be a talk radio host. Not Rush or Glen Beck, but like the guys on the Ticket in Dallas or Ron and Fez. <br />
This is a big give up for me. It is what I listen to at the gym, in the shower, at work and in the car. I even listen sometimes just sitting on the couch. But not for the next 40 days. I hope to fill all that time with meditation, teaching podcasts (yes, totally different than talk radio), and some soul-edifying music. And I hope that at the end of that, I will have a better understanding of who I am in Christ and what he has done to allow me to do what I do.<br />
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Are my blogs too short? They could almost be tweets.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-36287834847062785642013-02-12T08:06:00.000-08:002013-02-12T08:06:00.493-08:00The State of MeThe union? Don't really feel like a political discussion today. <br />
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The state of me is strong. At least strong-ish. <br />
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There was a lot of rhetoric during the election about whether we were better off than we were four years ago. On the eve of lent, an intense time of personal reflection, I think taking some time to answer that question on an extremely local level is appropriate. <br />
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So, am I better off than I was 4 years ago? Emotionally? Spiritually? Am I healthier or wealthier? No. No. Yes. Yes.<br />
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So today I will celebrate the yes's and attempt to explore how to improve the no's. Lessez bon temps rouler!<br />
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diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-17622087709610811502013-01-29T16:25:00.003-08:002013-01-29T16:25:40.820-08:00People with Opposing Views<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">We learned about each other as people with opposing views, not as opposing people."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't plan on posting other people's writing on here much, but <a href="http://we%20learned%20about%20each%20other%20as%20people%20with%20opposing%20views%2C%20not%20as%20opposing%20people./">this article </a>by the Executive Director of Campus Pride and his relationship with the CEO of Chick Fil A just perfectly reflects my heart towards conflict. It applies to every divisive issue facing our communities, our churches and our nation. It is referred to in the article as "the blessing of growth." And it is something I have been convicted about for the last 18 years or so since someone asked me who I thought Jesus was calling dogs and pigs in Matthew 7:6. Until that time I had been taught, without exception, that this verse was about discernment. But the more I spent time thinking about, studying and seeking, the less I agreed with that interpretation. I suppose it is finally time I blogged about that. I will.</span>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-82672942089933638922013-01-27T07:55:00.000-08:002013-01-27T07:58:48.913-08:00Michael BoltonI love CBS Sunday Morning. Watching it has become a ritual. Since I refuse to set my alarm on Sundays, I don't usually watch "all" of it, but I do watch until it ends. The Bob Schieffer cross-talk is nothing but a tease in Beaumont, TX because the moment of nature here is followed by a SETX not-quite-megachurch pastor. But I digress. <br />
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Can it be it digression if you haven't started talking about what you were going to talk about? I guess it is the title of the post. So yeah, I have digressed. Double-digression? This could go on for a while.<br />
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<a href="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/25500000/Michael-Bolton-michael-bolton-25540784-1061-1041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/25500000/Michael-Bolton-michael-bolton-25540784-1061-1041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
BUT IT WON'T - MICHAEL BOLTON.<br />
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He was featured on CBS Sunday Morning today (so it wasn't really a digression). I had a couple of his albums in my early to mid teens. I know it was around that time because I know I listened to them as I drove around in my 1981 Camero Berlinetta And you know what, I liked them. I liked his music. I liked it in the truest sense. Hearing him sing engaged me in his words and created a common emotive. It was a soundtrack perfectly suited for my <a href="http://diadelkendall.blogspot.com/2013/01/words-of-fathers.html">pursuit of happiness</a>.<br />
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Somewhere along the line I realized he wasn't cool. I guess this is probably because he wasn't. At all. And for that reason alone, I stopped listening to his music. I stopped enjoying singing along at the top of my pubescent lungs to his super sappy love songs. I let others influence what made me happy. <br />
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It isn't always a bad thing to let the opinion of others shape us. If it weren't for the influence of my wife and in-laws, I wouldn't know how amazing a good spicy tuna handroll can be. And trust, it is crazy good. But allowing others to arbitrarily police your likes and dislikes based on their opinions usually results in less happiness, not more. <br />
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As I see my daughter struggling through the crockpot that is middle school, I hope she will always enjoy what she enjoys because it makes her happy. Wear that My Little Pony hoodie. Wear it proud, while I <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ezMbv2sr4&list=ALBTKoXRg38BA7fMsC5JwAppTaPLksUK2h">jam to the long-haired prince of late-century love songs</a>.<br />
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<br />diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-56620715907460492522013-01-21T08:12:00.000-08:002013-01-21T08:12:43.132-08:00Words of the FathersA lot of times in reflection, I come to a "new" realization. Only later to discover that many before have come to the same conclusion.<br />
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Many are talking about the intent of the words of the founding fathers lately. This week I have been pondering the intent of our nation's founders when they chose the phrase "pursuit of happiness" as opposed to just "happiness" (sorry not a 2nd amendment post). They simply stated "life" and "liberty." Why add pursuit? Why not just happiness.<br />
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This is what I have come up with in my own little head. Maybe it will serve as a primer for you to explore yourself.<br />
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We are, under the laws of this land, to have the unfettered right to life. The meaning of that sentence is not the subject of this post. But the simple truth is that the right is present and permanent. The same is true of liberty. These rights are assumed present at all times.<br />
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But happiness is not assumed. There is a lot of wisdom to that. Happiness comes and goes. I cannot assume happiness. I am not entitled to it ( I have been thinking a lot about that word "entitled" lately). In fact, if I am not careful, I can float through life so long without it that I stop missing it. Happiness takes effort. It takes pursuit. <br />
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The problem is that even if pursued, there is no guarantee. I may still be unhappy. For reasons beyond control, I may be faced with sadness or disappointment. That doesn't mean I shouldn't strive. That I shouldn't try. Pursue.<br />
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I believe that wise men, which I believe the founding fathers to be, understand the intrinsic value of pursuit. They understand that regardless of the outcome, pursuit makes us better. It brings growth. And growth is our purpose. <br />
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So today I will pursue happiness because I can. And because I should.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-23476983547672740842013-01-17T08:51:00.001-08:002013-01-17T08:51:12.446-08:00For MeI don't blog enough. Enough for who? Or is it whom? Dunno. Really should care as important as language is to my profession. But I don't. Apparently I do. Because I just looked it up. Whom. Objective pronoun...just sounds pretentious.<br />
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Enough for me. Throughout my life I have relished platforms. But over the last 15 years, I have, by choice, let those platforms slip away. For a long time I think I felt I had nothing more to say. But in reality, I just ran out of places to speak. And yet for the past 5 years or so, this blog has been sitting here collecting dust. <br />
<br />
Time to knock the cobwebs off of my mass communication abilities. Not because people are dying to hear what I have to say, but because I am dying from my own silence. Abilities unused become curses - the bird in a cage and all that. <br />
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That may make me arrogant in your eyes, that I only want to speak if others are (at least possibly) listening. But speaking to others is my ability, not journaling in a closet. So a new entry will follow this one. And hopefully, another after it. And so on. And if you notice that not to be the case. Contact me and ask if I have found another platform to exercise my voice or if I have just decided to let it atrophy. <br />
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<br />diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-34015551596266718602012-08-13T11:30:00.004-07:002012-08-13T11:30:53.855-07:00Competing Ideologies <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I read <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/the-veil-of-opulence/?hp">this article</a> today. A lot I agree with, some I don't. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But I came away thinking...</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I don't know what causes perspective. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
If anyone has earned their place at the top of the earnings percentile, it is my father and father-in-law. They both came from absolutely nothing and moved their famillies into the upper (or at least upper-middle) class. And they are both die hard republicans. They hate unions and disproportionate taxing. They are in their 60s and feel that the opportunities are there and people are just lazy. They have more of a right to say it than I or most do.<div>
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But not all that have that right take it. My grandfather equally earned his way. He rose from being the child of immigrants to be a successful FBI-agent, lawyer and eventually judge. However, he believed in protecting the vulnerable in society and was a strong agent for change during the civil rights era. When his county was moving republican, he refused to switch parties and became the last democrat elected as judge in Denton County. </div>
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<b>The thing about ideology is, as the article suggests, it is almost impossible to make it impersonal. I think realizing it is personal is the beginning of respect for those with opposing ideologies. And that mutual respect is a requisite for finding common ground for real change.</b></div>
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diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-66171936264632654242012-05-23T11:17:00.003-07:002012-05-23T11:17:59.378-07:00The 5I am a fan of <a href="http://theinterrobang.com/">theinterrobang.com</a>, the website connected to The Ron and Fez Show. It is a community contribution driven site where contributors don't generally get credit for their contributions. I kinda like that - especially since the editor occasionally incorrectly edits my work. It certainly doesn't stop me from contributing. This is <a href="http://theinterrobang.com/2012/05/the-5-twenty-first-century-texas-film-directors/">my most recent contribution </a>as edited by the site administrators.<br />
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I have had one previous contribution to The 5. It can be found <a href="http://theinterrobang.com/2012/04/the-5-songs-that-blow/">here</a>.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-7081143696064002952011-11-16T14:04:00.000-08:002011-11-16T14:05:32.845-08:00Astros as division rivals?!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">I am upset about the apparently inevitable move of the Astros to the AL West. Probably for reasons different than most die-hard Astros fans.</span><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; ">I am a Rangers fan first and foremost. But when we moved to Houston, I was excited about being in the town of my favorite NL team. It is great to have a team to root for in each league without it EVER being a problem (save interleague mid-season games and the longshot hopes of a lone-star world series). I feel the same way about football. Remember hoping like crazy for a Cowboys Oilers Superbowl before the baby blues shit the bed against the Bills in '92? I do. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; ">While my NFL allegiances have changed (Texans #1 with Saints being my NFC team), I know many who root for both the Texas teams with one being their favorite. Same with baseball. Now, not only are both Rangers and Astros gonna be in the same league, but the same division. And I don't like it. I guess a lot of people love the Rockets/Mavs/Spurs rivalries, but I would rather hate some out of state team like the Eagles or the Yankess. </div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small; ">That is all.</div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-87101380939009739832011-08-24T19:44:00.000-07:002011-08-24T19:46:25.066-07:00NEWS!It's been a long time since the whole adoption thing seemed anywhere near this real. Check the news over at <a href="http://antcockrell.blogspot.com/2011/08/speechless.html">our adoption blog</a> thanks to Catherine.
<br />diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-35454734096764731202011-08-03T20:12:00.000-07:002011-08-04T09:27:39.684-07:00A drink of water and little pity<a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA5NjE1MDk1MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMzMwOTM2._V1._SX450_SY346_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: right;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 346px; " src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA5NjE1MDk1MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMzMwOTM2._V1._SX450_SY346_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have an amazing wife. I don't get the chance to brag on her much these days as all of our friends appear to have moved from the wonderful, nurturing bosom that is Beaumont, TX. So I will brag here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday morning my back went out on me. All the way out. So bad that I couldn't walk to the bathroom sunday night. I literally could not walk for two days. Even today my walk strongly resembled all the grace and delicacy of Charles Laughton's Hunchback (pictured above).* </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most people only see the public "us." We are one of those couples that jousts and jests a lot in public and enjoy witty repartee, so much so that it makes people uncomfortable sometimes (which only eggs her on...it's okay folks - we've been together a dozen years - it's always been like this). But most people don't see how tender and maternal she really is. That is what makes my wife so amazing. One minute she can be busting balls so hard she puts the members of the <a href="http://www.friarsclub.com/">Friar's Club</a> to shame. Then, when I or the girls or a close friend need it, she instantaneously snaps into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale">Nightingale </a>mode.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These last few days she has taken care of all of her duties around the house, handled all my chores, took care of "your stupid dog," prepared CG for Kamp, sent care packages and letters to EG at Kamp, planned a last minute trip for the two of us to Mexico with layovers in Dallas and Branson (hard to explain - harder to do), packed for us and CG to be gone for 10 days in 3 cities, and all the while made sure I had anything my grumpy, helpless self needed, even </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She really is amazing. It isn't that I can't imagine being married to anyone else. I am sure if I tried I could imagine it. But why would I want to. We aren't perfect. But we are perfect for each other - well, she is perfect for me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">*The title is a quote from the same film - Quasimodo's response to why he cares for Esmeralda enough to rescue her.</div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-996694380032512162011-07-06T06:29:00.000-07:002011-07-06T06:38:30.542-07:00Fireballs FlyMore years ago than I would like to admit, I started an Independence Day tradition with my friends - Roman Candle War. Up until last Sunday, it hadn't happened in years. But the stars aligned this year. We were in North Texas at my parents' house for their annual celebration; many of my friends were able to make it. Many other idiots were there as well. And we had roman candles. Lots of them. (and safety goggles for all - that started year 2...)<div><br /></div><div>13 grown-ass men gathered in a 3 acre field. Each were given a lighter and 13-14 sticks with 10 shots each. That is and always has been the entire premise/set-up. as people spread out, somebody lights the first fuse and the war is on. Alliances were formed, which is rare. I was shot a lot, which is common. I got winded, which is new. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is such a fun experience shooting flaming balls from a mini-cannon at your friends. Actually, I didn't know many of the people. That didn't make the shooting any less fun. But warring with friends makes for better conversation afterwards. </div><div><br /></div><div>I thought about tying this up with some analogy or something else ethereal but decided against it. Roman candles stand alone.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-54298777312150475282011-05-13T09:44:00.000-07:002011-05-13T09:49:39.272-07:00Race at the Polls<p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday morning I dropped off my girls at their exemplary elementary school and headed to the voting booth. I had researched the candidates and knew who I would vote for.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also THOUGHT I knew how I would vote on the proposition to change the make-up of the BISD Board of Trustees. I considered all my thoughts on the merits of “yes” and “no” votes, because I do believe both sides do have merit.<span> </span>If you haven’t voted yet, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Enterprise</st1:city></st1:place> endorsement and alternative view lay them out simply and well. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">As I stood there hovering over the touch screen, </span>I recalled all of the talk I have heard and read from both sides of the issue. And this is when it got weird.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">As </span>I stood there my mind wondered to thoughts of how the two sides of this issue lie almost exclusively along either side of racial lines. All of the sudden, I wasn't thinking about the merits of the proposition, I was thinking about race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking about the comments on various blogs charged with accusations of race against one side or the other. I was thinking about my daughters and how wonderful their BISD experience had been under this divisive administration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking about the racial implications of the outcome of the election one way or the other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking about the distinct colors of BETTER and BEST.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking about the lawsuits that had preceded this election, the ones ongoing and the ones that will likely follow no matter the outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking about whether a vote one way would be racist, or whether a vote the other way would be reverse-racism.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was thinking about a million things, not one of them being the merits of the proposition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In fact, when I got home my wife asked me how I had voted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I honestly couldn’t and still don’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am embarrassed by that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I take my right to vote seriously and perform that duty proudly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But that is how confounded and distracted I was.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">That is what modern racism does.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has become a tool.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And nobody uses it better than <st1:place st="on">Southeast Texas</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Somewhere along the line a group decided to make our children’s public education a racial issue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then the other side used accusations of racism to promote their position.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And back and forth it goes, ad nauseam, until I am sitting in voting booths deciding whether it is racist or reverse-racist to vote for or against the proposition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But here’s the thing - I think the people on both sides mean well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They all want a better school district.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They want the best for our kids.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think that everyone would agree that They do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But racism got in the way of meaningful dialog and unified advancement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">How can we come together as a city and be all that our children deserve without our legacy of racism tainting the issues and clouding our judgment?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is something I will be giving a lot of thought to in the coming weeks. I hope you will as well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-15710783444102095502011-04-01T06:26:00.000-07:002011-04-01T06:40:57.393-07:00The Year Round April FoolsEG emails now. And texts. And IMs. We monitor her activity and want her to learn to use this technology responsibly. And she seems to be learning how to do that. Today, in response to a FORWARD!!!!, I sent her the following advice. Figured I'd share.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">I love you. And I am proud of how smart you are. It is for this reason that I send this email. <div><br /></div><div>As you venture into the virtual world of emails and the internet, I have a very serious piece of advice for you. It is a lesson all of us can stand to be reminded of. </div><div><br /></div><div>TRUST NO FORWARDS. FORWARD NO FORWARDS WITHOUT VERIFYING.</div><div><br /></div><div>For some unknown reason, people start these email forwards. They can be about anything. Like the one below, it has been forwarded so many times there is no way to tell who is writing it. </div><div><br /></div><div>These emails usually claim to be about a close friend or relative. But even the ones that use real names of real people (usually famous people) are made up almost every time. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you get one of these emails, you can read it, but do so with a lot of doubt. There is only a slim chance it is accurate or even true at all. If you think it might be true, you can research to try to verify it. For another unknown reason, some people started a website dedicated to verifying these forwards. It is snopes.com. There are others I am sure. I usually start with snopes. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this case, a quick check of snopes shows that this email is not true. At best it is based on a singular incident out of India over 6 years ago. Just consider it an April Fools joke. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love you.</div><div><br /></div></span></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-52336453890988177032011-03-03T06:11:00.001-08:002011-03-03T06:22:36.655-08:00WINNING!I have so enjoyed the insheenity of the latest internet meme of the last several days. But I don't think the grand wizard of gnarlyisms could be more wrong about his definition of winning. <div><br /></div><div>On this, my 35th, birthday, I think about other men I know who are his age and WINNING! Really winning, running churches, touching lives, striving toward a heaven on earth. And I remember the impact they had on my life when they were this age. Thank you most to Norman and Doug. As 30-somethings, you both reached out so effectively to me during my formative years. And there were so many other Godly men who directed my path and the paths of others in their 30s. I am not the man you all were at this age. And sometimes I worry I have failed you in some way. </div><div><br /></div><div>But as I look back at the major steps we as a family have taken over the last 12 years, I have no doubt we have followed the path He lit for us. But the small decisions, the little steps, have left much to be desired - not being active in a church, not reaching out in real ways to the least of these, not looking for ways to give back to the next generation. <span class="Apple-style-span" >(That is a weird realization. The teens of today are literally a generation removed from me.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div>So my hope for my 36th year (it's a weird thing from Catherine's family) is that time we spend on the path will be productive time, time moving forward with each small step.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you all for your abundance of well-wishes. It is a wonderful reminder of the way each of you impacted my life. </div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-30698653133985756422011-01-23T08:22:00.001-08:002011-01-23T08:30:57.156-08:00History is such a tough thing to deal with. If we hold it too closely, we can never grow. If we don't revere it, we are, as they say, likely to repeat it. <div>Today, and over the past few weeks, I am dealing with a particularly difficult and painful part of my personal history. It is something I cannot avoid due to frequent reminders. And it is certainly something I don't want to repeat. So that leaves me in a funk. </div><div>I want to grow. I want to mature. I want to simultaneously learn and forget. Is that an option? Should it be? Is this the cross we must carry in order to be disciples? If so, I have a long way to go. Because most of the time, I just want to drop the cross and run away from it. If I am being honest (which I guess I am), I want to drop all my crosses, all the history that weighs me down. </div><div>And I know there's forgiveness and grace and mercy. But it doesn't seem to be a license to take those blessings and run. So here I sit, in the midst of my history, wanting to move forward, knowing I have to bring it with me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-46699329801160665272010-10-25T09:29:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:31:49.712-07:00Bill White for TexasA few of the reasons I am voting FOR Bill White - <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); ">Generally, I do not think Perry has done anything remarkable for Texas. He is a friend of big business, but that isn't enough. Bill White is no enemy of businesses. In fact, when he worked for Clinton, his job was basically to teach other countries capitalism. I also think Perry is less than stellar at representing our state to the world. When the national press mentions Perry, it is usually because he has said something outlandish to get media attention, like secession or not accepting federal funds (which he always ends up accepting). But I am not simply voting against Perry. If that were the case, I would not vote.<br /><br />I am voting for Bill White. I am voting for him because three issues I care about that the governor can affect are better entrusted to White. First, Texas courts have been closed down to countless victims of compensable negligence (probably the worst state at this point) by the legislature and supreme and appellate courts filled with Perry appointees. Then when people who champion those rights get legislation through both houses, Perry vetoes it. Bill White would allow the processes in place correct imbalance in the system. <div><br /></div>Second, our state has fallen FAR behind in education. Having two daughters in elementary school, this is an issue I care deeply about. Bill White has championed education even as a Mayor with little influence on the process. This is his primary campaign focus. And I believe he will be in a position to encourage education by supporting teachers, refocusing funding and working with the local districts to encourage better performance.<br /><br />Finally, Bill White has integrity the position needs and values I agree with. Long before seeking any political office, Bill Whitewas (and still is) a Sunday School teacher. The values that should accompany a committed Christian are evident even in his official actions. When Katrina ravaged New Orleans, he rallied the people of Houston to help. And they did. That type of compassion is missing from our current governor's office. Perry is much quicker to ask for help than volunteer to give it. </span></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-76648700900011956892010-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:002010-10-25T09:33:37.219-07:00FINAL PLEA<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR RICK PERRY!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>EVERYTHING is on the internet. Everything except Perr</div><div>y's famous run-in with the DPS trooper. How did that vanish? </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8EhinPVma_QBLaTzME4Oo-PA1Z_JIbgluzHPxgj5dhGPo2PUcZBtT-8l13Nj5z2axK-0RnI2KYLwj-yyRDL6lFN1zMLa1nt9T0dd5OTEeR96DZrqq6gIAhb3QCg6aprz1bYJ8nVwbAk/s320/Perry+Bumper+Sticker.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 85px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532020339462537602" /></div><div><br /></div><div>There is also no trace of the photos of as him as a yell leader. And we know how well publicized a pic of a proud yell leader is. Just check facebook!</div><div><br /></div><div>Gig 'em? Hook 'em? Whatever keeps him in office.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5IparDjuDRI3e1VgLkBsNDsz5AO73swShV67NSuQmUZCECGeT4SVNZL6IZq1NPklNmN_jeqO_8rGQXMxusYviqyo_jHPiqLJ-wJClj76_XHpkHvGtIbbygDdZlC6sBce15o8JV2s9eM/s320/PerryHookEm.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 295px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532020662313861426" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I do have legit points as well. See below. Adios, Mofos!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8g6NbfOHDW6Dxt4srGsn3LxGX7W1koBsyuAfhTsofzhAVNymhT0_be-hxykIAkuChNBA7VYb01icPVHNdleBjfFslH-VUmM5WDz6cCjScGBzT79uyvQZrZI8oRE6gzsgOV56NN7nJ8g/s320/Perry+Button.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532021498724344130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-56136487515580210452010-10-07T04:41:00.000-07:002010-10-07T04:47:07.917-07:00Infamy!<a href="http://oslersrazor.blogspot.com/2010/10/episode-8-in-which-diadelkendall.html">Arch nemesis</a>. Has a nice ring to it. The pronunciation of my handle? Not so much.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_owUkk_4OyqPbNG87KpajD_ti_jkW720mRZ2yRrml7FqeJgwAC551iN-dhdl-ihV4NbSrgowQ1-SyAMbmgNMQEvmqywUUoyijVjUI_7ZsNqUwnS2kbSWhSt9o8piumKAiLRjEJieRrs/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_owUkk_4OyqPbNG87KpajD_ti_jkW720mRZ2yRrml7FqeJgwAC551iN-dhdl-ihV4NbSrgowQ1-SyAMbmgNMQEvmqywUUoyijVjUI_7ZsNqUwnS2kbSWhSt9o8piumKAiLRjEJieRrs/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525269070475170642" border="0" /></a>(insert evil laugh)<br /><insert></insert>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-6732405082968177412010-09-20T05:57:00.000-07:002010-09-20T06:00:28.344-07:00Truest Self<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; "><a href="http://oslersrazor.blogspot.com/">Profsler</a> wrote today - "We are who we are, wherever we find ourselves, and those longings live very deep inside of us, calling out our truest name."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >It has struck a cord even as I am in the busy midst of preparing for trial tomorrow. Yesterday the fam made it to church for the first time in months. It was so good in so many little ways. I long to return to my truest self, to be called by my truest name. The longing is all there is for now. But it is more than not longing at all. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Please keep calling, louder and stronger, Lord. I will follow the sound of your voice.<br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Linkback - <a href="http://oslersrazor.blogspot.com/2010/09/minneapolis-monday-sports.html">Osler's Razor: Minnesota Monday: Running in leaves</a></div></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-6104318627366383012010-09-18T08:27:00.000-07:002010-09-18T08:36:13.188-07:00New SchoolE and CG are in a new school this year. We didn't move. We decided that the public school we are districted to is a better option for them than the private school we were in. This has proven to be true already. I am amazed at how superior it is academically to the "best" private school in Beaumont. Additionally, they are exposed to a MUCH more realistic cross section of our city (although still pretty white). All in all, very pleased. And the girls are adjusting well.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-56276417795498533782010-08-13T08:03:00.000-07:002010-08-13T08:04:29.788-07:00New post at <a href="http://antcockrell.blogspot.com/">ANTCockrell</a>. You can't have Lewis without Martin or Abbott without Costello.diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-26212333484762974382010-07-24T07:52:00.000-07:002010-07-24T08:03:42.660-07:00Death and All His FriendsThree weeks ago, one of the men I was as close to over the last 10 years as any passed away. He was my father-in-law's best friend. And we spent every holiday together, and many crawfish boils, pig roasts and even a goose hunt in Canada together. He was a good man and a good influence on my wife growing up, and to my daughters, even if he was a "right-wing nut job" (a term I used with the utmost affection with him). I miss him.<br /><br />The thing I have noticed about death is that it makes you re-evaluate <span style="font-weight: bold;">everything</span>. Carreer, attitude, faith, where you live, how you spend your free time and your money. I guess the impact of these things that are only important during our time in this skin is magnified when we realize how limited that time is (that is not a good LARC sentence). <br /><br />So I have been re-evaluating. And it seems a bit premature since I have only been where I am for a year. Maybe it is too soon to consider a next step. Maybe the next step is to further engage where I am. Maybe not. I honestly don't know and have gone back and forth on this a million times. And when it gets overwhelming and dreadful, I remember that all of these worries and even faith itself are temporary. And that gives me comfort, and a sense of urgency, which leads to dread. Nice, huh?diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-62020541924107810762010-07-22T07:28:00.001-07:002010-07-22T07:29:24.098-07:00AdoptionMany of you know, some of you don't. Either way, you should check out our (well, she's done all the work) blog about our pending adoption. <div><a href="http://antcockrell.blogspot.com/">http://antcockrell.blogspot.com/</a></div>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-664107880519232159.post-64001111402803047882010-05-11T13:25:00.001-07:002010-05-11T13:25:44.080-07:00K-StrassBrilliant. Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBzWHudBoiA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBzWHudBoiA</a>diadelkendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08042963195529673016noreply@blogger.com0