NEWS FLASH - Last Week of January '08

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life:



News (or current events)
Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.)
Work (thoughts on the job or employer)
Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural)
Family (or friends)
Love
Anxiety (a rant or a trouble)
Sports (also considered should be contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and
Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.
___________________________________________________________________
NEWS: The candidates in both parties' primaries are whittling down. On the Democratic side, there is just Clinton and Obama left. I think this will go down to the wire. If I were to make a prediction, I would say it will be Clinton at the convention. On the Republican side, there are still, technically, four candidates. It looks like just two have a chance, though; they are McCain and Romney. Huckabee is a very long shot at this point, but politics can change with the wind.
Experts say that the longer Huckabee is in, the better off McCain is because Huckabee and Romney are competing for the same votes. These so-called experts think political philosophy is the driving force with the voters in the Republican party. Romney and Huckabee are both more conservative than McCain, so the conservative vote is split therefore giving an advantage to McCain (because his support isn't split).
However, with my political science degree firmly in my hand, I disagree with the experts. I say that Huckabee takes away McCain supporters instead. Here is why: Huckabee's base is evangelical and fundemental Christians. These types believe that Romney belongs to a cult (the Mormon church). This religious belief trumps any political ideology loyalty for this group of people. Conservative Christians are mormophobes. Therefore, if Huckabee drops out, the support will swell for McCain, not Romney because Huckabee supporters will not back a Mormon. This is just my theory. Stay tuned to see if the TV experts or yours truly has a better grip on this election.
ENTERTAINMENT: I am anxiously waiting for the new 3-D U2 movie to hit my local Imax. A friend of mine saw it in Indianapolis and said it was unbelievable. U2 is timeless and I really miss 3-D movies anyway!
WORK: Busy. My intern believes when there is turbulence in the personal life, all other things are allowed to come to a grinding halt. She will learn or become part of the homeless masses.
SPIRIT: Had an argument with a close friend about God and evangelism. He has had a major life transformation so he is inclined to believe any other path (other than his specific one) may not lead to God. He wouldn't admit it as I worded it, but that is what he is arguing. I believe all true paths go through Christ (so does he), however, I believe there are many paths that will get you there. Christ is the key, though.
FAMILY: One sister is in the hospital. One is stranded by car trouble. My wife is . . . my wife. The comments on my last blog post made me realize more that there is no one there to care for me. My wife doesn't. Twice this week, I observed that if I want to do something that doesn't interest her, I do it alone or don't do it. However, when she is interested in something - even if I am not that much, I do it with her. I believe that is what a husband does. My gosh, marriage sure can be a lonely proposition.
LOVE: I think the girl in the local Grandy's has a crush on me. Today, she asked me if I am having "the usual". I didn't realize anyone paid attention to what I ordered. Then, she went back and made my stuff fresh and added cheese to my eggs. Then she apologized for my wait (which wasn't really outside of the ordinary) and gave me my meal for half price. I guess someone is looking out for me afterall. LOL
ANXIETY: I am tutoring a kindergartner that will not concentrate AT ALL. His twin sister can, but he can't or won't. When I work with letter flashcards, instead of thinking about the card, he just rambles off random letters. I try to work with him on just the concentration but he just doesn't get it. I really want him to succeed. Any suggestions?
SPORTS: Superbowl this week. I am hoping for the upset NY Giants over the Patriots. However, that isn't likely. Maybe the commercials will be good!
HOME: I have lost 17 pounds in the last three weeks. The low-carb diet is doing me justice. Anyone want to join me with the low carb? I am inventing and discovering some killer recipes!

18 comments:

Sayre said...

I hope your sister is doing okay - this is the disabled one, right? Sending good thoughts to her right now.

Too bad a little birdy can't let your wife know that other people think you're worth caring for. When one is feeling unloved or unsatisfied with how things are, those rather sweet crushes can begin to mean more than they should. That said - I'm sure it does your ego good to know someone thinks about you.

My diet has become somewhat lo-carb. The "Oh-crap-I-have-diabetes" diet is working for me though. I've lost 4 pounds this week just trying to do what I'm supposed to (and I know I haven't got it completely right yet). It's downright encouraging.

Chris said...

I'm rooting for you Jeff. You are a great guy and deserve a break.

Anonymous said...

We have distracted kids at karate. The Sensei said that they concentrated a lot better when he played games through the class. Perhaps there's a short game or reward you can give him as incentive for concentrating the rest of the time?

Loz said...

Well done on the weight loss my friend. And I'm with you - there are many paths to God

Michelle said...

Okay, I'm blunt at the moment because I'm sore and pain makes me grumpy (old health issues bugging me again) but... isn't the whole point of religious communitiues support? I know you haven't been back to your church recently, but... ? Haven't they noticed? Don't they care?

What's the point in creating spiritual communities that don't care and don't help out?

My grandparents had mormon friends and the missionaries used to help with their gardening - I mean my grandparents gardening... and they were Protestant-Catholic!

Okay, maybe the missionaries were half-hoping for converts, but the point is they still genuinely cared and helped. That was back in the 1980s. Doesn't anyone else do that anymore? Care, I mean. :-\

and... what would Jesus say to your wife?

Think about that...

and... (I'm on a roll here! :-D )

THe school kid thing. I can't find a link, but we had a show on TV about a psychologist who is proving that all kids are "geniuses" if you teach them the right way. In some cases (I only watched half the show) she taught the alphabet to problem kids by sticking plastic letters into a bucket of water or hiding them in sand and making the kid "find" each letter.

It seems some kids react better to different stimuli. But, as I say, I only watched the first half and now I can't find the link. :-(

Have you tried looking on forums for kids with Attention Deficit? My one friend is a home-schooling mom and she finds those places highly valuable for exchanging ideas, advice, sympathy...

Michelle said...

PS...
I forgot!

Sorry about your sisters and BRAVO on the weight loss.

Jeff said...

Sayre: I know what you mean about the crushes, but there is no risk here. I don't entertain such thoughts. My life is too complicated as it is. ;)

Chris: Thanks. I will get one - eventually. :)

Kristarella: I have tried a few different kind of games. He seems to want to rely on the luck of a guess rather than the effort to get better. I will keep trying, though.

Jeff said...

Loz: Thanks, and yep about God - but it is a little trickier than it sounds. lol

Michelle: Thanks for everything. My church is so big, that they don't really know who's there or not. Small groups are important in my church to do that sort of thing, but I have never joined one.

I will look up the websites! Thanks again for your encouragement!

Jod{i} said...

we are continually on the same wave length...even if we dont always agree. Amazing of similar thoughts and where the head goes.
(in the middle of writing this comment, I got notification of email...and its your comment!) How scary is that!
I have to disagree with you, not that it would be a surprise...lol... but I like how you explained it in the comment you left. I like that! So I am disagreeing to agree with what we disagree on...hows that for boggling?
Rock on Jeff! Oh and I awarded ya!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jeff,
Your post had me going "yah!" "NO!" and "YAH!"

Good job on the Grandy's waitress. Your charms must be radiating big-time, and as a guy who was once in your position (marriage-wise) I can say, it feels good!

LOL at the comment about the intern. I know exactly what you mean.

and a final YAH to the weightloss. You're a better man than I, my friend.

goddessdivine said...

Kids with ADHD need constant stimuli. Games and anything creative are helpful; and keep things moving/changing, even though you're working on the same concept.

Your wife's ignoring you just breaks my heart.

Michelle--I love your comment on the missionaries!! While sure there's a small hope for conversion, the bigger thing is helping our fellow man.

The political arena is just crazy these days. It'll be interesting to see how things turn out.

Jodi said...

Low-carb diet: I started to try that, then school started and I got too busy to be consistent.

Kindergartener: Try www.starfall.com or try using magnetic abcs (anything to get his hands on something). Or, my students like dry erase boards and markers.

Attention: I've said it before and I'll say it again - drive from Evansville to Louisville and let me buy you a cup of coffee. Friend to friend. I will give you a smile and a listening ear. (smile)

J.

Anonymous said...

Nicely done with the weight loss, Jeff! I'm impressed.

I'm so sorry about your sister. So sorry.

Your wife...well...last time I checked, marriage is a partnership. No judgement...just sayin'.

Take care.

The Real Mother Hen said...

Marriage can be a bliss, or just misery. Sorry :(

Well, you want to teach my husband how to lose weight? Protein diet doesn't work for that guy... he likes sweet stuff. Sigh!

Jeff said...

Jod(i): Yes, I have always thought we were connected in some mysterious way with some thought activity. Here is another example. And yeah, we are destined to disagree about any agreement that disagreeing would have us to agree on.

Lippy: Ah the agreement of testosterone holding bloggers. The stuff that grunts are made of. I'm glad we strike a familiar chord.

Kristen: I am not sure the kid has ADHD. Maybe he does, but he can color a whole picture without bouncing off the walls or latching onto something else before he finishes.

Jeff said...

Hoosiergirl: I like the low carb diet because I don't have to think about it. Meat - yes. Bread - no.

Thanks for the tips. I will check into them.

Thanks for the sincere offer. It does sound tempting to get away for a chat. Who has the time, though?

Steph: You are so supportive. Thanks. The runnings of a partnership have to be learned. There needs to be an interest in learning them, however. Dang! More tutoring help needed!

Mother Hen: The secret to any diet is that one must desire to lose weight more than he desires harmful foods.

Sayre said...

It's sounding more and more like that boy might have a mild autism or Aspberger's disease. It's hard to diagnose, but a couple of people in my family have it and after diagnosis, realized that it explained a lot. My nephew sounds a lot like that kid. Perhaps he should be tested.

Brian said...

Hey Jeff! Back again. Pretty sure for good this time.

I have the advantage of reading this post after election day and the super bowl, and I have to say, your predictions, as always, are uncanny. I was thrilled to see the Giants win however. And "the play" was definitely one of the greatest moments in super bowl history.