PeaceBang

PeaceBang’s Little Helper

I take back every bad thing I ever said about the i-Pod:

http://peacebang.blogspot.com/2005/05/mothers-little-helper.html

Yes, it can be used to tune out life, block out other people, and to provide a steady stream of blissful memories that can help us avoid our current reality. But I don’t use it that way.

I got mine in January and not only did it get me to and from Spain without a panic attack on the plane, it has made exercising something I look forward to.

Before the i-Pod, I got to the gym every once in awhile. I started getting more serious last October as I began to feel the stress-relieving benefits of regular exercise.

Then I got my i-Pod. I created several work-out playlists, and a cool-down list. I have started to think of the gym as my playground, and of exercise as something I just have to do, like brushing my teeth.
I started to enjoy my times at the gym more. I never socialized there in the first place, aside from friendly nods and some casual chat at the weights. I’m breathing too hard to chat, man.
Then I started downloading podcasts and now I kind of love going to the gym.
I subscribe to the following free podcast services:
The New York Times headlines
NY Times Worldview
NY Times movie reviews
Siskel and Ebert movie reviews (or whoever that new guy is)
WGBH Classical Performances
The Washington Post Politics On Air
A weird thing called Dublab (not sure what this is yet)
Open Source with Christopher Leyden
Salon.com Gabfest
American Experience (everything from Jesse James to the San Francisco earthquake to The Boy In the Bubble)

I am better informed now than ever. As a nice side effect, my blood pressure is down, my blood sugar is down, my cholesterol is down and my weight is down (not much, but down). I went out for a 30-minute walk today and stayed out for an hour. Why? My podcasts were really good.

I’m just really grateful for the damn thing.

PB’s "American Idol" Pick

Oh, and if you care…

Chris Daughtry. All the way.

I was HORRIFIED by that Pickler girl’s atrocious vocals and zombie eyes last week. Thank you for voting her off, America. We just can’t have that.

How To Feel Calm and Sweet Before Bed

I am addicted to looking at this eagle:

http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/

I like to talk to it.

“Hi Eagle! Your feathers are so pretty right now.”

“If you only knew how famous you were. You’re a very famous eagle.”

“Look at me! Look at me, eagle!” (tapping computer screen)

“Goodnight, Eagle. I love you.”

Beauty Tips For Ministers

Don’t forget about my new blog, Beauty Tips for Ministers!

EVERYone can enjoy it!

http://www.beautytipsforministers.blogspot.com/

GA Blogger Dinner

Folks, it looks like “Si! Por Favor!” for a tapas meal together at GA in St. Louis. I don’t think the restaurant will be near the convention center but let’s just be glamorous and take cabs.

Does anyone remember the name of the blogger who put together the wonderful list of St. Louis restaurants and resources? He recommended a couple of tapas joints and I want to look them up but I’ve plumb forgotten who he is.

Looking at my GA schedule thus far, Friday looks pretty good, but if I recall correctly, lots of people have seminary reunion dinners that night. How about Thursday as a preliminary suggestion and we’ll get a gander of the program on Monday and make it firm then?

Stay tuned…

PB

Our Father

I was in a group of 13 UUs today doing an exercise during which we were pretending to lead part of a funeral service. At one point the worship leader told us to join hands and recite the Lord’s Prayer together. Without hesitation, we all did.

It wasn’t until hours later when I realized, oh my god, everyone there (including several life-long UUs) knew the Lord’s Prayer by heart!

So for the UU Mom who was worried that her kids would never learn any prayer by heart,
http://uuminister.blogspot.com/2006/04/power-of-prayer-or-not.html#comments

don’t worry! They might soak one up by osmosis.

"On the Latest Form of Infidelity"

I went to the Andover-Newton library today to obtain a copy of Henry Ware, Jr.’s famous essay on the connection (or, as he writes, “connexion”) between the pulpit and the pastoral role. After the library assistant handed me the ancient book and I flipped through it, I realized to my great and hysterical delight that it contained the entire pamphlet war between Andrews Norton and George Ripley following Emerson’s Divinity School Address of 1838!!!

I have been wanting to read those slap-downs for YEARS and as of next week, after the library copies the pages for me, I can.

I’m sure some of you wonks out there will tell me that I could have found all these documents in some really accessible place, like on the coffee table in the Harvard Div School Library or something, but I don’t want to hear it. pooh.

I finished reading The State Boys’ Rebellion tonig…

I finished reading The State Boys’ Rebellion tonight at dinner and then drove to see Freddie in the nursing home. He was really lucid for awhile and was just as lovely and gracious as can be. He gave me two cute stuffed puppies from his carnival concession: prizes he won’t be able to use now since he’ll never be back on the circuit again.

I am so sad sad sad sad sad.

Fred had the worst childhood I have ever heard of. Oliver Twist had nothing on this guy. I look at his sweet face and I believe deep in my heart that his death will be his release into a bliss and peace beyond comprehending. I just know that God will make this right. I believe it, even though I have no idea how that happens. I believe it, yet I want so much to give him another lifetime to make up for the outrageous assaults and cruelty of this one. When a man says, “Feeding us radioactive oatmeal was the least of it!” it’s evidence of a really really bad life.

Please God, just let him not be afraid and not suffer.

Eugenics in America

I’m almost finished reading The State Boys’ Rebellion by Michael D’Antonio and just sick about it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743245121/002-8173977-1299232?v=glance&n=283155

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/29/60minutes/main614728.shtml

Its protaganist, Freddie Boyce, is in the end stages of colon cancer. I had the honor of meeting him last week. I cannot urge you passionately enough to read his story.

Happy Earth Day!

I blessed about thirty dogs today, sometimes by the armful (e.g., two placid mini dachsunds with the brownest eyes you ever saw).
I blessed a fat, peach-colored hamster, and two white mice (whose little boy solemnly told me, “If you want to take the mice out of the cage to bless them, um, you shouldn’t because they always poop on your finger!” I said I would just touch them on the top of their heads, and I appreciated the warning.)
Also up for a blessing: two tadpoles (no kidding) and a beautiful blue fighting fish named Nemo.
I blessed a traumatized cat who cowered in her carrying case, and was presented with a horseshoe from a new horse.
I fell in love with a rat terrier named Boo-Boo who came to church in a little argyle sweater.

I shared the service with an eminent visiting colleague, the Reverend Doggone Mather:

The final benediction ended, “Amen, Woof, Meow.”

And they said it couldn’t be done.