Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sabbatical

Though I am currently not prepared to take a sabbatical from the job, I am prepared to take a hiatus from blogging. Things are crazy here at Albatross Manor. We are undergoing renovation. I am getting closer to doing some REI. I am trying to get back to my business. And we desperately need to teach some NFP to this starved area!

I really never hoped it would come to this, but it is time for a break. I will be back and re-charged soon.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Pro-Mom

Because pro-lifers in the Philly area are too awesome for words.

How to protect yourself from the Flu

...without getting stuck in the arm. Sardonic Catholic Dad has some great advice on avoiding the flu through homeopathy and nutrition.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

NFP Class

Learn NFP in New Jersey

November 3, 2009
7 - 9:30 PM
St. John Neumann
Mt. Laurel, NJ


Way to go, Camden Diocese, even if you are in NJ.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Regulations hurt the little man

So, I finally set aside time and remembered to go to Prosper.com to set myself up as a micro-lender. I was hoping to make a better rate than my savings account and help some troubled people get out of dire straits. Instead, I find out that Prosper is not licensed in my state. I hope this situation is remedied soon.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Why forced vaccination is evil

I've pretty much stayed out of the Gardasil debate, since it falls in my general bin of, "I'm not going to inject my children with infectious agents unless I am totally convinced of the benefits." I'm certainly not going to do it because some doctors' group, that probably gets kickbacks from the manufacturer, recommends it.

Now, I know that Merck is on my side in pointing out that the vaccine is almost useless. I wish they would talk to their marketing department.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Local TOTB

Mother of Divine Providence Parish in King of Prussia will have speakers from the Theology of the Body Institute at 8pm on Wednesday. Although I have heard Christopher West speak, I'm thrilled to see what type of students come out of this Institute. I'm always looking to improve my marriage. Speaking of which, I better go help with the little one.

Financial Freedom Tour

Ask me how this night could change your life!

October 28, 7:00 pm

Parsippany, NJ
Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales Ryan Montgomery
Presidential Gold Ambassadors Les and Joyce Ferguson
Sheraton Parsippany Hotel
199 Smith Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-515-2000

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Proof is in the Powder

I'm thankful that my company cares enough to invest in studies to show the success of our products. I'm hoping this will break the unfair stereotype that nutrition companies are bamboozlers who are out to scam people in an unregulated industry. Our company cares enough to run the Kalogris Foundation; we are not in it for a scam. If I scam you, take your money elsewhere!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Long have I waited

I have been hoping to own the musical work of Nick Alexander for over a year now, patiently awaiting a brave soul to order them for me. My wife obliged for my most recent birthday and I have been basking in the Catholic "Weird Al" glow ever since. Since I received his entire discography, it is hard to pick a favorite but, "Nahum, Zephaniah, Malachi" (parody of 867-5309) is far and away my most listened to. As "Weird Al" includes a token polka, Nick includes a praise song. It is an awesome way to close an awesome album.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Respect Life Month

And what a great way to start Respect Life Month, A Baby's Breath held Johnny's Run today with an excellent turnout. Congratulations to all those who finished!

Also in Pro-Life news, 40 Days for Life is going strong, helping women save their babies' lives.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Real Hope

I wish I had been as mature as these two in college, then I could have a successful Plan B already in place. Instead I have to work to build a Plan B while re-directing energy from Plan A.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Samurais and Cowboys

I have needed a good movie list for a long time. While perusing the usual suspects, I came across a great archive of movies for boys at MommyLife. I'm off to Netflix to update my queue.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lessons in the Pages

I am usually self-conscious about crying while reading bedtime stories to my girls, but Angel in the Waters is definitely worth it. It is a beautiful telling of birth from the eyes of the child; but it is more than that. It passes on spiritual and eschatalogical truth in a way that is both simple and deep. The art is well above most children's book art and is a pleasure to see. Read this to your kids, they will ask for it, and don't be afraid to cry.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Much to my relief

SherryTex is back! Visit her and cheer her on! She has written a great blog for a long time, I'll forgive her the brief hiatus since I desperately missed her. Her pieces are most excellent humor, distilled from family living, with the occassional serious piece so that a reader can see her soul.

Link me, link me!

Why an Engineer should have Kids

Although the common engineering reason to become a father is happiness in having a woman, in the Earth's gravity well, who actually tolerates being married to an engineer, the most convincing argument for an engineer to have kids is efficiency.

This was confirmed by my recent post-birth conversation with a fellow engineering bud from Penn State. When I asked him what he thought about fatherhood, his first comment was that he couldn't believe how much time he wasted before children.

From an engineer's perspective, child-induced efficiency occurs in: reduction of TV hours (tv/7) unless you want your kid quoting C.S.I., falling asleep faster (z^4) if sleep is to be had at all, reading dozens of books (12b) in a 9-month window to decide how to be a parent, completing laundry in 1/3 the previous time (t/3) despite the fact that the load doubles (2L) with kid clothes, countless hours of free entertainment (1/E-> 0) by watching your newborn try to find his fist, and handyman skill increasing (12h) to keep the house safe.

But the best part is love growing in your home (3L). Nothing makes life better than that.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Radiant Home

Enough is enough. It is a beautiful, cool night after a brief but necessary rainfall and I have to keep all my doors and windows shut for a radon test. I despise this crazy money-making scheme. Paying to pump air out of my house because miners got lung cancer. At least I can still choose not to have my future home tested.

Monday, September 7, 2009

What's missing?

A Christian, homeschooling, parody songwriter who is for limited government; what's not to like about Tim Hawkins?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Painting the Nursing Picture

The Art of Breastfeeding was a good read on the whole picture of breastfeeding. The science was very well covered, including both the nutritional content of mother's milk and the physiology of the mother's and child's bodies. Even though I have plenty of experience with breastfeeding, I learned quite a bit about the underlying biology. I do wish the book had more further covered lactational amenorrhea , since that is of particular interest to me. A good read, I'm glad that I bought it.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Defining Me

Jen over at Conversion Diary is full of great ideas for us bloggers to get known, so welcome to all who travelled here from her "defining blog post" post. Let me know what you think of my vaguely organized pile of me.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Response to Friend Two

Friend Two from Facebook, "Actually, now that we're steaming ahead on this discussion, let me pose the matter in another light as I'm curious for your view from this angle: For a moment, divorce the parenting issue from the gay marriage issue. Not all couples (straight or gay) want to be parents. For many couples, marriage is a commitment to each other that basically acknowledges that "now it's harder to walk away, so we will work together to make this work," you know, the whole richer-or-poorer bit. This is a commitment to each partner, and is not directly related to God's view or consent. I'm talking marriage as a social matter, not a religious one. Consider also the fact that making/keeping gay marriage illegal or illegitimate doesn't make "gayness" go away. It just doesn't.

So, for gay couples that would be gay whether they can be married or not, and who don't want kids, answer this: What's the harm? Why not let them commit to each other the same way straight couples do?"

My response is that I have never brought God into any of my arguments so far, so I will gladly leave Him to defend Himself. The marriage commitment as you describe does not exist. Due to no-fault divorce, marriage means almost nothing in legal terms. It is currently easier to legally break a marriage contract than it is to break a bicycle warranty. The social approval of childless marriages only dates back to about the 1920s and the advent of feminism and mass produced contraception. The social and legal benefits of marriage were designed to create a family, not to allow two people to be DINKs.

I never claimed that "gayness" would go away. We still have thieves, even though there are laws against stealing. We still have drunkenness, even though there are an assortment of preventative laws. Laws enforce social norms and teach what is acceptable and not for a civilized society. The anti-social behavior is wrong, regardless of whether the law prohibits it.

Marriage is about love and sex. Sex is about procreation and love, even Freud agrees. The two can not be separated any more than nutrition and pleasure can be separated from eating. If they are separated, the act is perverted, much as bulimia perverts eating.

"What's the harm?" is not a sufficient argument to overthrow hundreds of years of social custom and the only stable arrangement to raise the next generation. The harm is that a counterfeit is passed as the real thing. Two men can not express love the way a man and a woman can. It is a lie that men and women are interchangeable. The love of a man and a woman is fruitful; the love of two men or two women is sterile (I also maintain that contracepted sex is a lie, even in marriage).

I counter with a question. What's the harm in allowing a brother and sister to marry if they are not going to have kids?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My Health Business

I really thought that real estate investing was going to be the path for me, but I am so thankful that I chose a nutrition business. With results like these, we are doing our part to improve health care.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Unconstitutional

I suppose that I have diverted far afield of the Natural Family Life, but there won't be much of a natural family left if this unconstitutional power grab happens.

Friday, August 21, 2009

What I'm up to

Ok, three unrelated items to record for posterity:

I just watched Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog on Hulu. I think I adored it.

John C. Wright wrote a thorough explanation of non-religious arguments against homosexuality. I haven't read it all but I plan to.

With great sadness, I witness the end of Chocolate for Your Brain. May SherryTex move on towards more inspiration and sell a book sometime soon.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Beating around the Bushel

A book review of The GEO Principle by Tom Bengtson

I purchased this book after hearing the author speak about God in the workplace at a CCL Convention. As a budding entrepreneur, I've been striving for more meaning in my work than pushing papers across my desk and climbing the ladder at the expense of time with my family. I have been working, rather poorly, to incorporate God into my work life with various levels of success over the last 9 years of my career and this book is an excellent summary of many of the points that I discovered on that journey. It didn't offer any dazzling insight but it was a confidence boost that I'm on the right path. Most importantly for my development, it contains a list of actions and suggested readings which is very helpful. In the "self-improvement" and "career development" sections of my bookstore it is often difficult to separate the gold from the dross, so I tremendously appreciate a listing of books which do not insult my morals or my religion. I wish I had been handed this book at my college graduation; I might have saved much time and improved my faith by removing the bushel from my candle more often.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Head of the House

Jennifer at Conversion Diary has a great take on the whole "man as the head of the household" issue. It is great, of course, since it generally matches my own opinions and understanding of the issue. I am constantly amazed at the sparks that this issue brings up, even among people who are faithful to the teachings of the Church. I have to say that people of the more common, "everyone is exactly equal" opinion have ceased to amazed me and earn only the nod and smile response. I always feel they are just parroting back some idea that they have never actually processed like a kid in class who is just saying what the teacher expects.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Feisty old people

Man, I love the elderly. They totally rock. It's gonna be a great mid-term election.

Looks like Specter's gonna have great luck on the other side.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Marky Mark

The Catholic Church scores another Big Hit with the sacramental marriage of Mark Wahlberg.

Since it was Roman Catholic, it must have been an Italian Job!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

A Healthy Business

I admit that this whole Reliv thing had gotten shoved to the back burner and almost forgotten about with the arrival of my son and preparing my house for the market. It's amazing how when I need a sign to continue, God provides one. I got an e-mail from an old contact who is interesting in buying from me since her old distributor is incommunicado. I am diligently following the ethical guidelines from Reliv to ensure that she travels up her line of sponsorship to find a distributor to work with her. It's good to know that other distributors would do this for me, if the roles were reversed. It's also good in the current health care "crisis" to be providing a solution.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

NFP Week Round-up

Since I completely wiffed on NFP Week, I deciced to provide a round-up of the great posts by more diligent bloggers.

Chocolate for Your Brain - Sherry writes a touhcing post with a polite exchange in the comments

Inside Catholic - A very interesting read

And some others.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Eat It

From Yeoman Farmer, comes this great article on urban farming. I suppose that growing a significant portion of my own food is a dream that I will never realize, but it would be awesome to provide for for myself and my family while working from home as a small business.

Small business, local food.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Good Morning DSA!

Here is a clip from Good Morning America which has Tory Johnson talking about direct selling. After my nice paternity leave to adjust to my son, I have to say I'm much more motivated to work from home. Now, if only I can start turning that into action.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Families Support

I am dumbfounded by the gratuitous generosity of our family and friends. The freezer and fridge are stuffed with yummy meals. The promises of food and assistance extend well into the future. And our latest addition is going to be stylishly clad for the next three months.

Response to Friend One

Friend One, exported from a Facebook exchange on same-sex marriage, "Sorry for not being clear earlier. Of course we need rules, laws, and the like. The point I was trying to make was based on the assumption that gay marriage was legal. If we have equal rights, than I can choose whether or not to participate, I can choose to belong to groups who may or may not participate, and so on.

To be honest, my position is largely based on my own experience. I have several friends from the GLBT community. These are all people who are gay in the same way you and I are straight. It is not a choice for them. But it ends there -- beyond the fact that they desire a partner of the same gender, they are the same as you and I. They are not bad people. They are not committing a crime by being together. And in the example of my friends, having them marry would give us all so much more to celebrate. Why would we want to restrict their rights? Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry? If any given Church decides not to recognize gay marriage, then they do not have to.

You made a point in one of our earlier discussions that incest and polygamy are illegal, so gay marriage should also be illegal. To me, that illustrates our difference in opinion. If you group gay marriage in with incest and polygamy, then unfortunately I do not know of a way to explain why it's different other than to just say "it's different.""

My Response:

I find it very interesting to assume that homosexual marriage is legal. The fact that a debate is occurring disproves that point. I would appreciate a definition of the "right" being restricted. I shall assume it is the right to marry the person I love, something which is already severely restricted in law. I can marry the person I love provided that person is: over the age of consent, not related to me closer than second cousin, and unmarried. Of course, I must be over the age of consent and unmarried as well.

Friend, your assertion, that I may join groups which choose to participate or not, is not one that is shared by the majority of the "same-sex marriage" movement. When the governor of New Hampshire said he would veto same-sex marriage legislation unless it included explicit protection for churches, he was ridiculed by the bill's proponent. When the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage was a right, the Catholic Charities adoption program was forced to close unless it placed children with same-sex couples in direct violation of Catholic teaching. I believe that you and I would both be indignant at the idea of a group discriminating against couples based on their inter-racial status, and the "same-sex marriage" movement is using all the same civil rights legal precedent to frame the issue. It follows, therefore, that organizations will be forced to accept same-sex marriage or be closed.

I have not called anyone a "bad person." No person is a bad person, however, their actions may be bad. I decry anorexia, not anorexics; drunkenness, not alcoholics. I was friendly with a priest while I was in high school, he was a nice guy. In my experience, he was a normal guy except that he was a attracted to adolescent boys. Why should their love be illegal? Wouldn't we have more to celebrate if they weren't forced into a closet? Clearly, I am not arguing to legalize pedophilia but my experience could have led me astray if I didn't know the truth.

"Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry?" The fact that no reason is given, as to how same-sex marriage is different than polygamy or incest, exactly captures my concern. Why do we exclude anybody from marriage? Because marriage means something, something which began to be eroded by no-fault divorce and is further eroded by ignoring the difference in the sexes.

I have tried to present my response as best as I can, Friend. Thank you for the thoughtful exchange. I hope that we can continue in all civility.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Fourth!

Since I won't be able to attend a TEA Party in person, I publish this link and offer my support to those who are fighting to keep my money in my pocket. I also pray that the fiscal conservatives will not abandon the social conservatives in the next election, like they did in the last one. I also pray that fiscal conservatives will not abandon their principles in office, like President George W. Bush did.

I'm TEA'd, too!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

I've been busy

Dear Reader, thank you for your persistence in reading my work. I do certainly enjoy it. I've been a little preoccupied as of late so posts may be spaced even further apart than usual. I shall return soon, after all, I apparently have a troll to feed.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Out of the Park

David Warren does it again. He penned an amazingly concise article on feminism and fatherhood, with reference to some books that I am extremely interested in reading. Back to my duties, as overheard at a very special wedding Mass this weekend, to love and serve my wife. Until death.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

How to be a Family

Jen over at Conversion Diary has a spectacular article on how to survive the years of small children. I hope that I can take it all to heart. I will especially comment on the support network. Fortunately, I found a job near my boyhood home so we have been blessed to live near many of my friends and family. We have even encouraged other friends and family to move to the area! This is simply the biggest help imaginable at an amazingly affordable price. Having family and friends who help with the kiddos, in exchange for returning the favor and paying for take-out, is a great example of subsidiarity. Well, except for the take-out.

Monday, June 15, 2009

More on The Issue

Homosexuals were born that way, no wait, ignore our previous statements. Retractions like this, or more appropriately, the original unfounded assertion, make me sad about the current state of psychology. If scientists aren't dedicated to the truth, who can be?

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Still true

This is a nice summary article on what Gandhi, Freud, and Pope Paul VI have to say about contraception. And I thought Freud said nothing redeeming.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Hobbyists rule

Only in the USA could three grown men have enough time and money to develop something like this. I wish they could get into MOMA.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Tried a Response

Well, I finally tried to formulate a concise response as to why "same-sex marriage" should not be legal. I posted it in response to the Facebook poll which has been floating around for a few days. Here's hoping that the Tolerance Gestapo don't hunt me down and silence me for further defining a natural family life.

"Marriage is for children. Children have the right to be raised with a mother and a father who spend their whole life together raising their children in a loving environment. Biology clearly indicates that only a man and woman can create new life and that children are not fully, mentally developed until well into their 20s. Society provides benefits to marriage so that there is incentive to sacrifice for the next generation who need much guidance to reach maturity. Hopefully, they will have a chance to make it there."

Facebook failed to post it the first time I clicked. Interesting.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Idolatry is gross

I'm going to have to keep this site in mind.

How to cut your taxes, English

This article is awesome and it shows me how to finally avoid the entitlement taxes which will give me nothing in return.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Casual Dating

Dr. Gregory Popcak mentioned the dating hierarchy in his most recent Family Foundations article and it conveniently matched the one which I discovered in college: casual dating, exclusive dating, engagement, and marriage. It seemed eminently logical to me, once I started thinking things through instead of following what felt good.

I loved casual dating a lot. Hanging out with a girl with no commitment to future dates, just a chance to get to know a fellow human being, was a great experience to develop important marriage skills like friendship, communication, and listening. The girls I dated seemed to react to this in odd ways. One treated it like an interview and started firing questions. Another was almost mute as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can only guess that they assumed I would try to get myself invited to their rooms or something. Dates ending at the door to the dorm are the best for personal growth. Friendships can develop and last beyond these dates.

Exclusive dating was awesome once it followed the previous step. It indicated an increasing commitment to one woman. In the past when I jumped right to this step, it was forced and fake, as if I were acting a part. Once it followed casual dating, the work of breaking off ties to casual dates further emphasized the commitment to one woman.

Engagement was the most confusing since there were certain traditions to follow for the proposal but nothing besides Pre-Cana and wedding planning beyond that day. Fortunately, I was bright enough to realize that I better make this future marriage work and devoured relationship books by Gary Smiley and John Grey. I wish I'd known about Dr. Popcak back then.

Marriage at the end of this chain was spectacular because I spent years committing myself to it. It was a culmination of practice, study, and ultimately sacrament, since the grace of the Lord flowed into me to further perfect my love so that I can make a better gift of myself to my bride.

Thanks for the support Dr. Popcak.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Primary Search

I found out that the PA primaries were to occur on Tuesday at 11pm the night before. A twenty minute web search got me all of the state-wide information, and the endorsements. At least the information is making it to the web and becoming more accessible.

When I got to the polls, I was number 98 for the day at 1pm. That is a sad turn-out. I'm betting I could get myself elected next year. Watch out Jury Commissioner!

Monday, May 25, 2009

The Blogger Who Wasn't There

This story demonstrates yet another reason why I distrust the traditional media. However I completely trust blogs. I take that back, I trust blogs as much as I trust people. I try to assess their character and I take to heart exactly as much as I assess to be true. However, the 24 hours news cycle and the need for sensationalism to draw crowds and sell advertising have corrupted much of the free press, not to mention the regurgitation of AP stories making the news totally homogeneous and uninformative. I'm hoping that the success of smaller local papers, like The Bulletin, will lead the future. I think it might, if the government doesn't "bail out" newspapers. Hmmm.... the government spending scads of money and getting control over some portion of the press. I wonder if there would be an uproar if a Republican President tried to pull that off?

Nah, I must be a right-wing conspiracy theorist. If I exist at all! Wuuuaahhhhaaaahhaaaa!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

"Is this your first?"

We've been getting that question a lot lately since we've been privileged to attend a few social events without the kids. The reactions to our answer exactly characterize the difficulties that the pro-life movement faces. Everyone has been bright and smiley while asking the question, but as soon as we say, "No we have two at home," their faces drop faster than the market after a stimulus package. We've even been treated to marital disputes, "I want another but my husband says no way." I'm expecting someone from the Voluntary Extinction Movement to club me over the head next time.

I'm starting to grasp the snarky responses that big families have built up over the years. Perhaps I am not ready to be a good witness to the Gospel of Life, but so far I have refrained from saying, "No. Now where did I leave those other kids?" so maybe there is hope for me yet.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Featured Author

Ellen Hrkach has been interviewed at Time with Tannia and covers lots of my favorite topics: NFP, books, entrepreneurship, and marriage. Maybe one day she can guide me through writing a novel, especially if I keep buttering her up with free links and reviews and advertising...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Subsidiarity in Practice

I hope to dwell more on this topic as I consider small businesses, the economy, and Catholicism. Actually, I better read more about the topic before I open my yap. But here is a Sardonic Catholic Dad with less compunction.

Conveniently, here is the Curt Jester with some actual research on sudsidiarity. It is my sincere prayer that this idea be embraced by all members of society and we get back to doing the work that needs to be done, instead of buying the Homer Simpson campaign promise, "Can't someone else do it?"

Monday, May 18, 2009

At Least I Can Advertise

I just realized that I haven't posted for almost two weeks, sorry for that, dear reader. Now that I am posting, I only have a few minutes to get out the word about the King of Prussia 10 Miler. My parish is sponsoring a ten mile race through King of Prussia. It is a challenging course, since King of Prussia is almost as hilly as Manayunk. The Knights will be there to support it, and my business will be there to sponsor it. So come and run or, if your are in shape like me, walk the 1 mile fun run or the 5K but whatever you do, please visit the sponsors who make the day a success!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Prime Reading

Book Review of Numbers Up by Kevin Clark


Impulse buying at the C.H.A.P.L.E.T. homeschooling conference led me to buy this novel which is clearly a Catholic response to the work of the infamous Dan Brown. The murder victim even wrote the name "DAN" in his own blood, instead of writing an intricate serious of impossible clues like in The DaVinci code. The two victims characterize the difference between the books. Numbers Up is straightforward, plausible, and concise whereas The DaVinci Code is obtuse, incredulous and verbose. Following the detective work of Paul Ondracek, into the murder of a famous mathematician, was a thrilling yet all to brief adventure involving many of the intellectual challenges of the modern era. At the end, I only wished for another hundred pages.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Big surprise

Well, Arlen Specter has finally announced that he is a Democrat. I am soooooo surprised. I do appreciate his work on the Senate Judiciary Committee but I don't know of any other accomplishment that was actually helpful to advancing culture. Of course, I take great affront with him putting down Rick Santorum who saved his bacon in the primary against Toomey. But he has been in the Senate since I was an embryo, I would be tempted to vote against him just because incumbents are annoying.

The guy looks worse than Strom Thurman ever did; he looks like the undead or a ghost.

....or maybe a spectre! (rimshot)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Too Long

Wow! I can't believe that I haven't written in so long. Thanks to all my trusty followers who have been checking in to look for something new, especially if you use Google Reader. My dearest has found a spectacular article at First Things which neatly summarizes the point of this blog.

As a wise woman once sang, "Children are our future." The first world has a rapidly declining population of children with a consequential lack of labor. In short, there are too many savers competing for too few investments so the returns are dropping like stones. Read the whole thing.

I offer a shower of thanks to Robert Kiyosaki for teaching me that my house is not an investment. I am also grateful to have chosen a home-based business which will help the elderly, instead of choosing real estate as my primary investment.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

On the other side of the tomb

Lent was especially beneficial and a rather easy spiritual practice this year. I toned my Lenten practices down this year, to the dismay of my more dedicated friends, because I wanted to actually carry them through the entire Lenten season and make a gift of myself to the Lord instead of failing miserably after two weeks. It was very rewarding and humbling to pass on my small gift to the Lord whereas my past failures are only humbling. Perhaps I haven't learned the humility lesson yet, as I blog about my exploits, but it was a great gift from God to learn a different lesson for a change even if it ultimately turned out to be a painful one.

The lesson this time around was, "Easy Lent, hard Easter". The Octave of Easter was exceedingly difficult because joy would not come. My job was torturous, life was hectic, my civil leaders were ignorant if not downright malicious and I was a regular Mr. Grumpypants. My understanding of joy has deepened to the realization that joy should be present at all times. No matter if the situation is a happy one or a sad one, whether it is a beautiful Vigil Mass at my parish or watching the government destroy the future of my children and grandchildren, joy should be lived because the Lord of All has conquered death and He welcomes us into His eternal abode.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I am a Free Press

Since the major media outlets have not picked up on the protests surrounding tomorrow's tax deadline, I will report them here.

The TEA parties are actual grassroots protesters who detest the wasteful government spending in recent memory. Like me, they are frustrated with the massive bailout that was hurriedly passed by this Democratic House and President. Like me, they are also frustrated with the gigantic bailout passed by the previous presidential administration which opened the floodgates to the socialization of the banking system. In short, we know that we can spend our money better than the government. For example, I am trying to start my own business and potentially invest in real estate, while keeping my 401k growing. Any money the government gives me, goes to these ends. Instead, the government doesn't even trust me with an $800 stimulus all in one shot so they disburse it throughout the year.

So much for middle class support that was repeatedly promised in the campaign.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Rejoice, He is Risen!

What a blessed Triduum! We made it to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. I'm lovin' our parish even if the liturgies still couldn't adhere to all of the rubrics (Is it so hard to find 12 men to get their feet washed?). Due to our participation as teachers in RCIA, I had a small connection to the newly baptized and confirmed. The reborn always fill me with hope and give me a chance to repeatedly quote Chesterton. "Here comes everybody."

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Perfect Weather

Stunningly, the weather forecast was correct and it is a rainy, dreary Holy Saturday. Fortunately, I think that is the best way to commemorate this day in the tomb with Christ. I had a moderately successful Lent, although I picked rather small sacrifices; I gained more spiritual insight than the Lents where I tried to do everything. I believe I offered Christ the best I could and it was humbling to realize how little I can offer. I know the Lord appreciates any gifts, just like I appreciate my girls' clearing of the dinner table, no matter how much of their drinks they spill on the way into the kitchen.

My weather forecast for tomorrow....Sonrise! (rimshot)

I know, its a terrible joke but who can resist?

Friday, April 10, 2009

No Pics here!

The Joy of Catholicism
A book review of "Holy Sex - A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing Infallible Loving"
by Dr. Gregory Popcak

I was intensely curious about this book, not only because of the edgy title, but because of a sincere desire to help devoted Catholics have excellent marital relations. Dr. Popcak covers the subject well, answering most reasonable questions and concerns about moral, marital intimacy along with some outliers. He gives a few examples of conflicts and how they can influence a couple's attitudes and feelings in regard to the most intimate aspect of their relationship. That is when the book is at its best, sharing real stories of practicing Catholics. The "Catechism" side, if you will. Unfortunately, the "Joy of Sex" side is a bit too explicit for my taste, though I imagine it is vastly more modest than anything in the Relationship section of my local Barnes & Noble. For a difficult subject, Dr. Popcak did a good job but this still isn't quite the book I was hoping to find. However, I gained enough valuable insight to have no doubt that his next book will make it to my shelf.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Contract with Catholicism

Always glad to cheer for someone who just finished the toughest swim in the world. The Tiber is a difficult river to swim; there are rapids, rocks, and a dizzying array of voices encouraging you in both directions. However, given the general decline of Christianity in America, it's good to see transfusions of new blood into the Body of Christ.

Monday, April 6, 2009

My Heroes

Although Heroes has been somewhat disappointing in its predictable plot lines (X-Men, anyone?), I still find myself hooked. Partially this is due to the fact that the Heroes often have some questions about God and argue about the issues a bit. Also, lines like this will keep me watching:

"You're not a hero, you're just a politician."

In an era when people seem to be getting more and more prone to idolatry of the government or certain leaders, it's great for a prime time show to rip the mask off this lunacy.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Reporting on Ourselves

Since the media feel free to ignore massive national protests, we have to record and distribute ourselves. Check out Thine Eyes for a promo of a DVD on the March for Life. Tell me if you see me, I'm the one in the fedora.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Prediction: Media are Fools

I'm writing this at 8:30AM to contain my prediction that the news media have been fooled by a "virus" that is supposed to shut down the Internet today. I wish they would do research and learn what a "prank" is. I couldn't believe their coverage last night. But kudos to whoever thought that this type of juvenile joke would still garner attention. Sometimes, I just love pranksters for point out society's idiocy.

Another YouTube discovery

It's amazing what I get the hankering to unearth on the Internet. I recently had Final Fantasy VI pop into my head and remembered that I only saw Saban's desperation attack or limit break in later jargon. A quick YouTube search revealed a nice little video of all the character's desperation attacks.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Aloha free TV!

I have been sold. I just watched my first Hulu show, The Colbert Report. I do thoroughly enjoy that man. I only had to endure a few commercials, but it was definitely worth the investment. I never watched a whole episode before (terrible, I know). I love how Colbert uses The Word to point out how important subtext is in the current media environment. He rocks.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Tell everyone

Because I think the American Health Care system is about as good as it can ever get.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Birth and NFP

After chatting with a wonderful lady recently, I was reminded that birth is a critical part of NFP and found myself recommending The Bradley Method before it even fit the conversation. Though it often brands me as a nutcase amongst my friends, I think that natural fertility awareness fits perfectly with a natural birth. Giving birth is not a disease anymore than fertility is. Unfortunately, both require a significant investment in study to understand since current medical practice is to treat both as conditions which require intervention before trying to understand the basic operations. I believe this directly supports the pro-life movement since natural birth is awe-inspiring as compared to C-section. I pray that more children will enter this world through their God-given passage.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Doing my homework

My apologies to anyone who visited my site recently. I have removed AdSense pending my ability to correctly adjust it to prevent evil content from appearing. Lest there be any confusion, abortion is evil and I in no way support it or draw revenue from advertising for it.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Homesteading

Since everyone is trying to save money, Get Rich Slowly pulled out some great links to a homesteading magazine. If you want to be more financially secure, why not do it yourself? Even the Obamas have gotten around to gardening.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Not about St. Patrick

I suppose that I should write about St. Patrick for today, but since apparently everyone believes him to be the patron of getting drunk and corned beef, I don't think I have the strength to correct hordes of inebriated gluttons. Instead, I'll point out an awesome connection from the most recent episode of CSI:NY. Gary Sinise quoted Michael Kelly when he advised one of the CSI crew that marriage and family helps you become, "the best version of yourself."

I suppose that watching some more television can be OK. Although I'm still torn that our new digitally-ready TV allows us to get 2 dozen crystal clear channels for free. I sorta miss the old days of 5 fuzzy networks with the rabbit ears.

Now I really want to watch Albino Alligator.

Monday, March 16, 2009

A Resounding Response

As a former embryo, I oppose the murder of my compatriots. But I particularly like this response at the Weekly Standard.

CHT to CMR.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

More is not More

Here is an interesting article on the current state of food in the U.S. I have only recently learned about the agri-business farming practices through the great book "The Omnivore's Dilemma." Boy, do I want to be more like the Yeoman Farmer. At least I'm selling the type of nutritional supplements which can help compensate for these issues.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Dawn Appears in Philly

The chastity conference by the PNFPN was excellent once I found the parish. I think it would be great if churches had some type of large tower which was visible above the adjacent roofs. Maybe some type of universal symbol could be placed on top to distinguish it even further. That was my only gripe, and I am glad to get it out of the way.

Generation Life provided some great speakers, including a good friend. The King's Men had Mark Houck give a talk on male chastity which was spectacular. Of course, Dawn Eden stole the show. It is amazing that she can speak so engagingly when I have read her book and lurked on her blog for years. The woman sitting next to me actually leaned over at the end of Dawn's first talk and asked if I knew Dawn personally. That was quite a compliment. Dawn was charming and autographed my copy of "Thrill of the Chaste." She now joins my autograph collection: Dr. Greg Popcak, Ellen Hrkach, Donald Trump, Josephine Taylor, Weird Al, Trout Fishing in America, and Blackthorn.

It was a great day of networking too. It is always invigorating to have some pleasant conversation with people who get it. I even received compliments which confused me: "You're so young to be involved in this." If I'm not doing it, then who will?

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Going Green Since Humanae Vitae

A great post from Feminine Genius which reports on women ditching the pill to be healthier. Clearly, they are not concerned with their moral health, but choosing the right path, even for a minor good is still spiritually beneficial. Hopefully, these women will continue to reject the unhealthy contraceptive culture and embrace the narrow road of holiness.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Natural Healing

Part of living my natural family life is maintaining the scientific position that the body heals itself and medicine should either help or get out of the way. This jibes excellently with the practice of many chiropractors. I am honored to know some great practitioners and have them help my wife be at her peak to birth our kids. I also adhere to the scientific position that our bodies are amazing and we know very little about how they really work.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Facebook or Small Town USA

Through various conversations with friends, I have been contemplating the place that Facebook should have in a Christian life. Although I admit I have no experience of Small Town, USA. I imagine that in a small town with less mobile societies, relationships with friends as well as enemies often last decades. I imagine walking to the market and bumping into an old flame and a high school buddy before getting past the milk case. I presume that such a lifestyle would be very beneficial for practicing the love of neighbors, especially enemies, since you couldn't get away from them. I also imagine a great benefit to bumping into old friends and having chats more frequently than in modern days, when old friends cover four different states and hundreds of miles.

Facebook captures some of this second benefit, since status updates are somewhat equivalent to bumping into someone at the store and chatting about life. But Facebook cannot capture that bumping into enemies effect, since I choose who I want to bump into. In short, Facebook "friends" are not people who force me to grow in the most challenging Christian path of loving my enemies. At least I can keep up with my friends.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Another Reason to Love CCL

Family Foundations recently had a great article about home-based businesses, reinforcing my opinion that these businesses are beneficial to families and can be run in a Christian manner. I have been coming to this opinion over the course of the last year since I interact, as a business owner, with primarily stay-at-home moms (SAHM) and pastor's wives who also do this business. This explains why there are tons of cosmetics, jewelry, and make-up businesses yet none for power tools or video games. The article profiles a few women who run their business while taking care of their little ones. They remind me of farmer's wives who have to run the homestead so that their husbands can be successful, except in this disjointed age the businesses are separate instead of unified. I'm thrilled that CCL took the time to offer support to these wonderful women who are working to support their families while being true to their vocation as mothers.

I pray that I may reverse this disjoining trend and return to the homestead to work my business and be with my family.

P.S.- The article was in the November/December 2008 issue, I believe, but you will need to join CCL to read the whole thing.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

I think I'd rather have "Love Shack"




Your 80s Song is "Sweet Child O' Mine"



If you were transported back to the 80s, your life would be all about rock and roll.

You love the free wheeling, wild atmosphere of the 80s - even if there were consequences later on.



You think of the 80s as a time of partying hard and letting loose.

Even if you find a lot of the 80s nostalgia to be a bit lame, you truly believe there was no better decade.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Two Marketeers

After a brief and confusing debacle between Kennedy/Glazer and Kiyosaki, I wasn't sure who to trust. Thankfully, I have found an outside source who has actual experience with Dan Kennedy and his followers. I might have to check out some of his books.

HT: My Truck Buddy

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Signs of Actual Hope

I totally hope that I can raise a child with this type of public speaking ability, as well as with this level of compassion and concern for the less fortunate. As always, the children will lead us.

In related news, a North Dakotan is a person, no matter how small.

Monday, February 23, 2009

A Good Attempt

My darling dearest sent me this article for me to read and post. I think Juris Mater does a good job at writing the Theology of the Body in natural terms. There are a couple of rough spots but I really enjoy the work she did. Teaching NFP in the context of the Theology of the Body can be difficult, since most students need to learn the grammar of love (NFP) before they can learn the language of love (TOTB). I don't know how I could have grasped the TOTB without having practiced NFP for years. I pray all our students may get the picture faster than I.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

When in Doubt

Since I haven't written on my favorite topic in a while, I was thrilled to see that Danielle Been did it for me. I particularly love that her reason for co-sleeping and not co-sleeping are the same!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

What a Couple!

I opened my Catholic Standard & Times to discover a great article about a wonderful couple who live the Church's teachings and spread the good news. I am so thankful for the many good examples of the faith which I have met in my work to share the glory of the Church's teaching.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Trash to Treasure

As part of being a good steward of my resources which is my main goal in living a natural family life, I have been searching for ways to save money on recurring expenses besides dropping the quality of my food. It seems to me that eliminating waste is part of the job of a good steward. For example, the replacing of cable with Netflix resulted in a net savings of approximately $40 per month. My next mission success in eliminating waste was in waste elimination (I'm so nerdy).

I have switched from Allied Waste Services to G&C Waste Services for a savings of approximately $10 per month. We will see if my quality of service stays the same but I have been eager to ditch AWS since the "Fuel Recovery Fee" was instituted. If AWS was a good steward they would manage their own costs instead of forcing the burden on to me.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Good Economic News

My business has made the paper as an industry likely to weather the economic crisis. I'm hoping to be able to help people with their finances, as well as with their health. It's good to know that my support network is as healthy as I feel on these products.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Freedom of Irony

Obviously, I'm strongly opinionated about a lot of things which is why this blog has gone rapidly astray from my original intent. However, this story is so ironic that I laughed out loud even as I checked to see if my civil liberties were intact. It's refreshing to see the AFA continue to push back, even though it would be easy to crawl into a hole after the countless attacks that they have endured. And I feel sympathy for the TV station, since it should be able to choose to air or not air whatever it wants.

If only people were more tolerant or something.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

God, Family, Business

I have been contemplating the difference between the corporate world and entrepreneurship. Corporate guy drops into office to go through e-mail before Sunday school. Corporate guy works 50-60 hours per week and commutes another 4-8 hours for maybe 60 waking hours with the kids. If he climbs the ladder, he earns the privilege of working more hours and traveling further from home.

Home-based network marketer lists God, Family, business as priorities. He gets home after doing his paid job in 40 -45 hours per week and reduces his commute to 1 hour per week with smart house buying and works his business from home for 1-2 hours per week, for maybe 75 waking hours with the kids. If he works his business, he earns the privilege of working from home all the time.

As I frequently pray, may God bless my business and all home-based businesses.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Calling Dr. Frankenstein

Two interesting articles, one referencing the Austrian creator of the pill and other which is his response. Although Mr. Djerassi has complaints about associating the population problem with the pill, he seems to have no complaints with his final quote in the first article. This quote is, "...natural methods of regulating fertility are the ones that are effective and that respect the nature of the person..." He also makes no retraction of his statement that the pill is a horrendously damaging environmental pollutant. It seems to me that many scientists now live to see their inventions abused and to see the damage that immoral technology can wreak. I have a much better appreciation of Frankenstein's Monster, now.

Incidentally, the comments on the first article are great, and the comments on the second article verge on the incomprehensible.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Whining for Authority

In a surreal moment last month, I was asking my Mom not to give in to my daughter because she was going through the usual histrionics. I said something to the effect of, "But Mom, you can't give in to her just because she's whining." So I whined to my mother in an attempt to convince her that parents should ignore the whining of their children.

Catch-22.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Margaret Sanger's Minions

Finally, a chance to write about NFP and the news. It seems our President has decided that the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives should busy itself with family planning. I was dumbfounded to hear this news since every blurb about this office before January 20, 2009 also included the words "separation of church and state." Apparently the ACLU is okay with this office as long as its mandate is to reduce the unwanted poor children. This is exactly the tactic which Margaret Sanger, foundress of Planned Parenthood, advocated to eliminate the poor and minorities. In light of the Speaker of the House saying that contraception provides financial stimulus through reducing the number of kids on government health insurance, it seems that Margaret Sanger is required at the DNC.

I pray that one day this illusion of "caring for the poor" by preventing their births will be publicly mocked and ridiculed so that we can get back to the scriptural command of feeding the poor (personally, instead of through a giant bureaucracy).

Thursday, February 5, 2009

In Case You Still Need a Reason to be Pro-life

From a good friend comes this horrendous story. A warning that the immense evil will probably make you queasy. How come a "clinic" that cares for women would charge a woman $1200 when she doesn't have the means to even support a child? $1200 would easily pay for a child's expense to the age of 6 months. I love the maturity line as well since it reflects society so well and it is completely backwards. To paraphrase G.K. Chesterton, the best thing about children is that they make adults.

At least there are organizations that help people for free. You could almost say that they actually care about women.

Almost Aesop

A book review of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling

I am surprised by how well the fairy tales of this book stand on their own, not just as small bits in the massive Harry Potter universe. I was expecting a lot of inside jokes and lore pertaining to the world of the boy with the lightning scar but each story made a satisfactory fable all by itself. Since no one other than Dumbledore himself writes the analysis of each fable, all the Potter trivia is still in the book, just not in the stories. This construct works amazingly well with the only hiccup being the forward, where the author has the annoying habit of writing as if she and her charity live in the world of Harry Potter and converse with the characters. Fortunately this small error, like the typo of an unmatched parenthesis on p. 85, are easy to overlook and I only found myself hoping that the book could continue beyond the far too brief hundred pages.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

We Bad, We Bad!

Check out our council, all the way at the bottom of this page.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

False Idols and Network Marketing

I feel that I've blogged on this before and it seems like quite the stumbling block to people who are otherwise interested in home-based business that I must comment on it.

Basically, the faith spreads like network marketing. Even though there have been some recent, excellent advertising campaigns about the Church and the faith. They are basically a rearguard effort where people who have fallen away return to the Church, which is glorious, but they don't seem to win new converts. The converts that I know either sell themselves into the Church by reading or they meet exceedingly kind and knowledgeable Catholics who listen and answer questions.

It is my sincere hope that network marketing will teach me how to listen to people and answer their questions so that I can transfer that skill to my faith life. Of course, I hope that it can do this without becoming a false idol or I will have to jettison it faster than a lifeboat on the Titanic. I have read accounts of people and even met some who acted as though their business was their God. I firmly believe that this is such a turn-off that these businesses will fail and businesses which know their proper place behind God and family will quietly grow and outlast the misguided ones. That is how good triumphs, a firm foundation and steady growth.

May the Church and my business be so blessed.

Friday, January 30, 2009

PNFPN Conference

Philadelphia Natural Family Planning Network

&

Philadelphia Catholic Medical Association

&

St. Mary Medical Center

Present

THE THRILL OF THE CHASTE

DO ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS REALLY WORK?

Saturday MARCH 7, 2009

8:00 AM- 3:00 PM

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL TRINITY PARISH CENTER

611 KNOWLES AVE

SOUTHAMPTON, PA 18966

Additional information available at www.pnfpn.org

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Dear Jon

I admit that I liked the idea of the Daily Show but it seemed to immediately degenerate into the same ol' political humor. I'm glad that humor is still in.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Free Wisdom

I was going to pay for Berkshire Hathaway's shareholder letters and here they are, free and reproduced with permission. Posting may be light for the next year, while I try to read all this good stuff.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Week of Irony

God bless my pastor for calling last week the most ironic week ever in American history. "The dream was fulfilled" and a black man became president the day after a national holiday honoring the founder of the civil rights cause. Consequently, that newly elected president reversed the Mexico City policy and doomed millions of foreign children to death at an abortionist's hands on the day after such barbarism was made the law of the land in this country. In other words, when the oppressed take charge, the first thing they do is find someone else to oppress.

Continuing my tradition from last year, I gathered photos of the various faiths who joined us in the March for Life. In honor of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King:

Jews

Gentiles

Protestants

Catholics
will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"


And I will keep marching until justice is served and equality is extended to all members of the human family. I will be a voice for the voiceless.

Because I Hate Bad Science

I forward a brilliant compilation of the various and voluminous refutations of man-made global warming.

No doubt, our educated and erudite government will take these voices into account before issuing destructive carbon emission rules for vehicles.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Direct Growth

Here is a FOX Business segment on direct selling. I think the vice president of the DSA does a good job of dispelling myths and explaining things in the 3 minutes that she has. I was also amazingly relieved to find that the hosts were not presenting bias against the idea in their questions.

But who is the Fuller Brush Salesman?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Rise of the Female Engineers

Tinkerbell is a female engineer heroine. So the first competent Disney engineer is a fairy. I'm glad that Disney has finally honored us engineers with a lead character considering that up until now, Disney engineers were abysmal. We had Belle's father, "crazy, old Maurice" whose wood-chopper nearly decapitates his daughter with flying logs. For civil engineers, there was the beaver in "Lady and the Tramp" who seems competent, since he nearly finishes a dam, but is vulnerable to charlatans who pass off a muzzle as a log-hauler and is so uncoordinated that he almost brains himself in his own backyard. Not a sterling selection.

Actually, I did forget one competent engineer though he has no lines and dies in the first ten minutes of the movie, Tarzan's dad is an engineer to admire. He builds a treehouse with pieces of a shipwrecked boat and keep his family alive for weeks in a hostile land, ultimately giving his life to save his son. We need more engineers like that.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Natural, Naturally

I've been thinking that I should actually define some of my terms, namely, "natural," "family," and, "life." It seems that many of the arguments held in the public square often ignore this first step and consequently, no one learns anything. This is the power of the media when they define something a "right" or a "choice" but refuse to explain the term. So here is my dictionary:

Natural - I'm not a trained philosopher, but I believe I use this term in the correct philosophical sense of the nature of an object. This is amazingly similar to the Object Oriented software use of the term object. That is to say, an object has certain attributes and should behave in a certain way.

Family - By this term, I refer to the usual nuclear family of husband, wife, and children who came from their union. As John Paul II has stated, the family is the building block of society so I believe that all learning and decisions should revolve around this nucleus.

Life - By this word, I am trying to indicate an integration of everything. My intellect, my will, my emotions, my conscience, my enjoyment of video game, my love of books should all result in a more rounded person. If something is out of proportion, the whole edifice can collapse. In short, an integration of myself with the universe and, ultimately, God. You could call it small "c" catholicism.

Glory and Wonderment

The day has finally arrived! Check out this great news! I love this organization and I am thrilled that this has come to pass. Attend the PNFPN conference and meet Dawn Eden! More information to follow.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What Will You Tell Your Children?

I am so honored to have the chance to participate in the greatest civil rights movement in the history of the United States. I love the feel of leaving my family for the day, safe in the home that I provide, and marching on D.C. to provide witness to the millions who have died on the altar of abortion. I'm blessed to live in a country where I can protest the political establishment and come home to my job, my house, my freedom, and my family.

God bless the U.S.A.

Monday, January 12, 2009

What are you trying to catch?

Should any woman wear fishnet stockings to work? Apparently, fishnets are the latest attempt by fashion designers to take something 'edgy' and mainstream it. Within a week of picking up a magazine for women who are professionals (not to be confused with professional women) and reading that fishnets are a fashion necessity, I saw a co-worker wearing them at work. The magazine set the 'standard' as holes smaller than half an inch so that the stockings are still classy and my co-worker's stockings meet this standard. Now, I greatly appreciate when women dress like women in any situation, but modesty would seem a necessity at work. I'm hoping that my co-workers don't see the recent campaign by Bebe and start showing up to work with handcuffs.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I Love These Guys

I know I should have watched this by now, but I had to post it before I forgot about it. I love this apostolate and I hope to see it grow and succeed beyond its founders dreams. I'm proud that these guys are part of my generation.

And I'll watch it soon. I swear.

Monday, January 5, 2009

I Can't Say it Enough

Those fellows at Creative Minority Report have repeated my favorite news story. They have also re-designed the entire website. Check them out.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Have Babies!

I know this has been floating around for a billion years, but I finally watched it at the urging of a good friend. It is a great compilation of some of the things I've been thinking for years. This rapid population implosion is disastrous for society on every level, and things are only beginning to get worse.

Most interestingly, it backs the conclusion that a strict Darwinist is forced to admit that Religion and Faith are proven to be evolutionarily selected. Darwinism states that traits which are better adapted for survival will lead to more offspring from those members of the species who contain those traits. Therefore, since more offspring come from people of faith, faith is better adapted to survival than secular humanism or atheism or any other worldview.

I think I read something like that in a book. Something like, "The meek shall inherit the earth."