Wednesday Wrap-Up

Random observations for a Wednesday:

– Television and motion picture writers went on strike this week. It’s fascinating to see Hollywood types out trooping the picket lines and stopping production of shows for the new fall season. Can’t say that it affects me at all (not to be narcissistic or anything…). I haven’t watched a network sitcom or drama (or reality show for that matter) in years. If it’s not on Discovery or History or doesn’t involve the throwing of a ball or shooting of a puck I’m not terribly interested. Perhaps when they’re out walking in circles these writers might actually drum up some original ideas beyond cops, docs, and lawyers.

– Ever notice that when someone begins a sentence with, “Don’t take this personally…” that you automatically take it personally?

– I got an invitation in the mail today to be one of the 40 participants in the Oxford Round Table in the spring of 2008. It came first class mail, hand-signed, so it doesn’t seem like one of those invitations like “Who’s Who” or anything. The forum is focused on the relationship between religion and politics and involves government officials, university presidents, academics business heavyweights and other movers and shakers. Could be totally out of my league, but it’s fascinating stuff. I wrote the Oxford people to see why they sent an invitation to such a prestigious and heady event to a pastor with a mere master’s degree serving a church in the mountains of Utah. No reply yet. The thing ain’t cheap, neither. The Forum itself is $2940 US, plus airfare to London. I can’t blow my whole continuin ed budget on one event. Still, it’s intriguing to be invited. I’ll keep you posted.

– If you haven’t yet had a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks, stop reading this and go get one…right now. Very, very good and will put you in a Thanksgiving mood.

– Ed Gonzalez, our maintenance guy, and I moved a big-screen TV and a sofa bed out of a condo today for donation to the church and our furniture mission. Ed and I are both small guys and it must have been comical watching us huff and puff this stuff into Ed’s truck. To wit, three burly guys from a plumbing company were working in the condo at the time and literally stood and watched us move the stuff without offering so much as encouragement. Helping us lift a 300lb. couch must have been against union policy or something. So much for random acts of kindness!

– I can’t think of many things I’d rather do more than have lunch with a very good friend. Had lunch today with my friend Brian, who pastors First UMC in Salt Lake. That made my day. The lingering effect of the large burrito I ate at Loco Lizard, however, did not.

– Last night at my son’s Cub Scout pack meeting the boys were supposed to get some plastic badges with their progress toward rank beads to put on their uniforms. Interestingly, they were allowed to see them, but not touch them or put them on their uniforms. Why, you ask? The plastic badges were painted in China, thus had some lead in the paint. OK, I get that that’s a problem for toddlers who stick everything in their mouths, but do they expect 8 year-old boys to lick these things like lollipops? How much lead do you think was in the paint of every single toy those of us over the age of 35 slobbered on when we were kids, yet somehow we made it to adulthood without going crazy (mostly). Seemed a bit over the top paranoia to me, but I’m glad the leaders are looking out for the kids’ safety.

Pardon me now while I go look for some plastic to chew…

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