Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Too Hungover from #FatTuesday, but Sober Enough to Drive? - Spirituality Commofidfied

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...does this solution work for you?

From The Belfry / joker takes flight

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Is the skateboard photoshopped in? Who cares...

Originally: Single greatest picture ever. Heath Ledger skate boarding over Christian Bale while they take a break on set of TDK. https://twitter.com/#!/suicidalidol/status/171243873669099520/photo/1

From The Belfry / joker takes flight

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Is the skateboard photoshopped in? Who cares...

Originally: Single greatest picture ever. Heath Ledger skate boarding over Christian Bale while they take a break on set of TDK. https://twitter.com/#!/suicidalidol/status/171243873669099520/photo/1

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Upon Turning 40: What I Really Wanted For My Birthday

A chocolate cake with white, confectioner's icing

A steak, medium-rare

A tall glass of water or wine or whiskey

The clamor of close friends at ease with one another

The silence to find my own thoughts

Two hours to buy new boots and a jacket 

The pinch of her jewelry as I squeeze my wife's hand

An extra hour each day to hear my children giggles

More failth and patience and passion

Less trepidation

Greater understanding and wisdom

Enough money to make life easier but not so much I forget who I am

Friday, February 10, 2012

Flightplan - a poem

Take my life and make it thine.

Fuel the stars, on me to shine.

Take these all, I beg of Thee.

Open my eyes, Thy will to see.

Guide me down the narrow path.

Praise you for salvation's bath.

I trust in Thee, O Lord Most High

And on Hope's wings again will fly.

                                              -mja

 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Real bird that inspired Poe's 'The Raven' stuffed, now in a museum

Real bird that inspired Poe's 'The Raven' stuffed, now in a museum

When it comes to literary greats, inspiration can come from anywhere. For famed gothic writer Edgar Allen Poe, one idea came from a raven, which inspired his famous poem of the same name about the foreboding bird. Now, that little black muse is enshrined in a history exhibit for all to see.

The actual bird that inspired the gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door can now be found by the public in the flesh (well, you know what I mean), as part of a new exhibit at the Philadelphia Public Library.

Named Grip, the pet raven was actually owned by author Charles Dickens - and was preserved by a taxidermist upon its death. The archive exhibit is in honor of what would be Dickens' 200th birthday.

The raven appeared as a minor character in Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge, which Poe panned in a Saturday Evening Post review of the book in 1841. His biggest gripe? The raven didn't get enough play.

The creepy bird imagery apparently stuck with Poe, because in 1845, he decided to give the raven the terrifying tale he deserved, writing "The Raven."

Taught in high schools and colleges around the world, the poem would go on to be regarded as one of the best examples of gothic poetry ever written.

If you're a fan of literary history and live in Philly, the stuffed raven is just a small part of the exhibit, which also features more than 1,000 letters written by Dickens.

This is was too good to NOT pass along.

Mightier than the Sword: Novel-T - wishlisted

Friday, February 3, 2012

Tough Ultrasound - My Wife's Report

Yesterday's ultrasound was tougher than I expected it to be. The summary is that they measured the spinal fluid @ the base of the baby's neck. An average measurement is btwn. around 1.5. Our little person was 4. This simply means that the baby may have some chromosomal abnormality like Down's Syndrome. We have decided to know definitively via amniocentesis on March 9th. I am slightly concerned but not fearful. We've handled many unique circumstances and people. This baby is already very loved and will be welcomed into our family with joy however God has designed him/her to be. Thank you always for praying with us!

You're Doing It Wrong: Pull My Finger, Jane Goodall

The Civil Wars - Birds of a Feather Lyrics

She's the sea I'm sinkin' in
He's the ink under my skin
Sometimes I cain't tell where I am
Where I leave off and he begins

I love you, Aimee!

The Civil Wars - Birds of a Feather Lyrics

She's the sea I'm sinkin' in
He's the ink under my skin
Sometimes I cain't tell where I am
Where I leave off and he begins

I love you, Aimee!