We went to the Nashville Zoo last night for their children's Halloween event. We had a great time, but the hightly was the creepy, crawly, slimy animal show. At the end, they ask for some volunteers and Jacob was chosen. He and the other kids then got to hold a yellow burmese python. Jacob loved it. He even kissed the snake, which in one of the pictures you can see him bending down to kiss it.
There are also a few other pictures from last week's YMCA Fall Festival thrown into this album. I will later update
this album to include all of the year's Halloween pictures once we are through with the season.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I voted yesterday
I did early voting and without a wait in line, I voted. My presidential choice is...[his website]
Go on, check it out and see who I voted for. I will wait for you.
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Yep, I voted 3rd party this election. During the Republican Primary, I voted for Ron Paul. Earlier this year, Paul gave his endorsement to Baldwin and his Constitutional Party. I felt this was a good year to go outside the 2-party system.Let me say I don't agree with everything Baldwin stands for. As you can see from his Issues section, he is far more of an isolationist than I believe the US should be or for that matter can be at this point in our history. I am not keen on the UN, but we can't just get out of it without making matters far worse for the world and the US, if for no other reason than to keep our Security Council veto position and not give it up, as Russia learned in the Korean War. But, I am aligned with him on his pro-life stance, removing our troops from Iraq (it is time now and it costs too much!) and the Constitutional Party and Baldwin share a commitment to reduce our deficit and bring our spending under control. I would like for them to verbally state the way to reduce our debt and deficit, and I believe the only way to do this, of making cuts in Social Security, Medicare and defense spending. Everyone dances around this, but we are going to have to do it sometime because they make up the majority of our US government spending.
But just as important as Baldwin's positions, I believe the US desperately needs a 3rd party (or more parties) to break up the duopoly of the two major parties in government. Their yin-yang take on any political issue generates so much hate and animosity. I am so frustrated that I have to choose a candidate just because of his party affiliation even as the party becomes more diluted as it takes on more issues to support, many of which are taken just to be on the other side of what the other major party is taking.
Since I have started voting, I don't recall ever not voting for a Republican candidate, but McCain was a weak Republican candidate whom I don't feel confident in the sincerity of his views. I think Senator, and soon to be President, Obama is a poor choice so I was left with an opportunity to vote 3rd party.
For the other Tennessee-based elections, I applied my incumbent principal: unless there is a strong overriding reason, I vote against the incumbent. I support term-limits, and until they are made law, I will do my own term-limiting voting. For US Senate, Lamar Alexander (R) was running for re-election, and I voted for an independent candidate. Alexander is facing a Democratic candidate, but his is strongly favored to win. I also voted against US Rep. Bart Gordon, who was running against only one independent candidate.
For Tennessee Senate, it was a race between incumbent Diane Black (R) and just a Democratic challenger. I did not know anything about the challenger, so I wrote-in a candidate, my wife Shannon. She would be better than either one of them.
I did vote for an incumbent in the Tennessee House. And, he was a Democrat. Bob Bibb is a first term representative from my district. He has not been there long enough to have much of a record, but he claims to be conservative Democrat (pro-life, pro-marriage). But my overriding reason for voting for him was that his mother Marian Bibb goes to my church, and Shannon and I think much of her. You can learn something about a candidate by his momma. So for this year, he gets my vote. But if he wins and runs for re-election, I am voting against him. As an adendum to my incumbent principal, the overriding reason can only over ride once. Good luck Rep. Bibb. If it is up to me, you only have two more years to serve your state.
Go on, check it out and see who I voted for. I will wait for you.
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Yep, I voted 3rd party this election. During the Republican Primary, I voted for Ron Paul. Earlier this year, Paul gave his endorsement to Baldwin and his Constitutional Party. I felt this was a good year to go outside the 2-party system.Let me say I don't agree with everything Baldwin stands for. As you can see from his Issues section, he is far more of an isolationist than I believe the US should be or for that matter can be at this point in our history. I am not keen on the UN, but we can't just get out of it without making matters far worse for the world and the US, if for no other reason than to keep our Security Council veto position and not give it up, as Russia learned in the Korean War. But, I am aligned with him on his pro-life stance, removing our troops from Iraq (it is time now and it costs too much!) and the Constitutional Party and Baldwin share a commitment to reduce our deficit and bring our spending under control. I would like for them to verbally state the way to reduce our debt and deficit, and I believe the only way to do this, of making cuts in Social Security, Medicare and defense spending. Everyone dances around this, but we are going to have to do it sometime because they make up the majority of our US government spending.
But just as important as Baldwin's positions, I believe the US desperately needs a 3rd party (or more parties) to break up the duopoly of the two major parties in government. Their yin-yang take on any political issue generates so much hate and animosity. I am so frustrated that I have to choose a candidate just because of his party affiliation even as the party becomes more diluted as it takes on more issues to support, many of which are taken just to be on the other side of what the other major party is taking.
Since I have started voting, I don't recall ever not voting for a Republican candidate, but McCain was a weak Republican candidate whom I don't feel confident in the sincerity of his views. I think Senator, and soon to be President, Obama is a poor choice so I was left with an opportunity to vote 3rd party.
For the other Tennessee-based elections, I applied my incumbent principal: unless there is a strong overriding reason, I vote against the incumbent. I support term-limits, and until they are made law, I will do my own term-limiting voting. For US Senate, Lamar Alexander (R) was running for re-election, and I voted for an independent candidate. Alexander is facing a Democratic candidate, but his is strongly favored to win. I also voted against US Rep. Bart Gordon, who was running against only one independent candidate.
For Tennessee Senate, it was a race between incumbent Diane Black (R) and just a Democratic challenger. I did not know anything about the challenger, so I wrote-in a candidate, my wife Shannon. She would be better than either one of them.
I did vote for an incumbent in the Tennessee House. And, he was a Democrat. Bob Bibb is a first term representative from my district. He has not been there long enough to have much of a record, but he claims to be conservative Democrat (pro-life, pro-marriage). But my overriding reason for voting for him was that his mother Marian Bibb goes to my church, and Shannon and I think much of her. You can learn something about a candidate by his momma. So for this year, he gets my vote. But if he wins and runs for re-election, I am voting against him. As an adendum to my incumbent principal, the overriding reason can only over ride once. Good luck Rep. Bibb. If it is up to me, you only have two more years to serve your state.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Carnival is in Town
The carnival came to town last weekend, and my son just had to go. We good some good pictures of him, really capturing his joy and excitement at being there. I also got to eat my yearly funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade which was marvelous. A little late in posting these pictures, but I was too worn out last week because of all the Columbus Day celebration.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Columbus Day!
I doubt many people will read this post today as most of the US are not in front of their computers but out celebrating with friends and family on this most joyous and festive of American holidays: Columbus Day. Government employees, you deserve today off from work!
However, I am working this day as I find it personally offensive that Columbus Day is a federal holiday. Instead, I took off work on Thursday, October 9th, Leif Erikson Day.
However, I am working this day as I find it personally offensive that Columbus Day is a federal holiday. Instead, I took off work on Thursday, October 9th, Leif Erikson Day.
Friday, October 10, 2008
My Life as a Play: Why it is worth it
Setting: Daddy is reading Jacob bedtime stories. One book is a children's Bible, 
, with various stories in it. Daddy is reading the story of the Cruxifiction.
Daddy: "They nailed Jesus to the cross. 'Father, forgive them,' Jesus gasped. 'They don't understand what they are doing.' "
Daddy keeps reading the story. He notices Jacob sniffling. He looks down and sees tears in Jacob's eyes.
Daddy: What is the matter Jacob?
Jacob: Tears are coming out of my eyes. I am sad for Jesus. He is dying on the cross.
Daddy: If this was the end, it would be very sad because he is dying. But it is not the end. Look at the rest of the story.
Daddy reads the story on the Resurrection and how Jesus is now alive. Jacob stops crying and smiles.
Daddy: You see Jacob. Jesus died, but he did not stay dead. He is now alive.
Jacob: We should tell people.
Daddy: Tell people what?
Jacob: That Jesus is alive.
, with various stories in it. Daddy is reading the story of the Cruxifiction.Daddy: "They nailed Jesus to the cross. 'Father, forgive them,' Jesus gasped. 'They don't understand what they are doing.' "
Daddy keeps reading the story. He notices Jacob sniffling. He looks down and sees tears in Jacob's eyes.
Daddy: What is the matter Jacob?
Jacob: Tears are coming out of my eyes. I am sad for Jesus. He is dying on the cross.
Daddy: If this was the end, it would be very sad because he is dying. But it is not the end. Look at the rest of the story.
Daddy reads the story on the Resurrection and how Jesus is now alive. Jacob stops crying and smiles.
Daddy: You see Jacob. Jesus died, but he did not stay dead. He is now alive.
Jacob: We should tell people.
Daddy: Tell people what?
Jacob: That Jesus is alive.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
New Poll: When will Ava walk?
I put up a new poll to the right. Since Ava is now crawling (barely), walking is soon to follow. When will that be? We will find out, but your best guess is welcomed.
Actually, I am not really that anxious for her to walk. As she is my second, I have learned from Jacob the blessing of an immobile child. As cute as it is to see them walk, it opens up a whole new set of worries and concerns. Right now it is great that we can put her in her room, surround her with some little toys and walk away knowing she will still be in the room when we get back. Once she starts to walk and crawl better, then that option is gone.
Also, I was tried of seeing the old poll up for her name. In case you were wondering, most people call her Ava, Jacob and I tend to call her Ava Lauren and Shannon still has some regret we did not make her forename Lauren.
Actually, I am not really that anxious for her to walk. As she is my second, I have learned from Jacob the blessing of an immobile child. As cute as it is to see them walk, it opens up a whole new set of worries and concerns. Right now it is great that we can put her in her room, surround her with some little toys and walk away knowing she will still be in the room when we get back. Once she starts to walk and crawl better, then that option is gone.
Also, I was tried of seeing the old poll up for her name. In case you were wondering, most people call her Ava, Jacob and I tend to call her Ava Lauren and Shannon still has some regret we did not make her forename Lauren.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Ava is crawling
Ava truly crawled today for the first time, at her 7 month birthday. She has been close for a while, but she could not get her arms and legs working at the same time. Tonight, Jacob and I were playing on the floor with some new toys he got. Ava was sitting in front of Shannon with her new teether toy. She saw one of Jacob's toys, and she took off after it. She made it about 2 feet and picked it up. Mommy and Daddy were happy for Ava. Ava was happy to get the toy, but big brother was not pleased that Ava had his toy. He got it from her and pushed all of his toys about 5 feet away. I told him he better get use to it because from this point forward she is going to be in a lot of his stuff.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Panama City Beach 2008
Last week Jacob, Shannon and I went to Panama City Beach. We had a GREAT time. Weather, beach, food, evening outings were nearly perfect. We even got a memorable, but painful, story of Jacob getting stung by a jellyfish. You can see some pictures of his stung arm even though the pictures are not real clear. Ava stayed with my parents and they had a wonderful time with her, really the first extended period of time they have spent with her.
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