I feel so much better having just rotated the air in my tires. My truck is running better, and my mileage improved by 15% when I drove more slowly. If you want, I can rotate the air in your tires for just $5 each. It's quick and easy - just let me know.

On a financial note, it is no fun paying off my credit cards every month, but it feels good at the same time. My income is matching my expenses, but I need my income to outpace my expenses to actually get anywhere this year. The goal? Well, to be totally debt free by the end of this summer. It's totally do-able, but I need to discipline myself (just like gaining weight). I'm not paying any rent, my truck is almost paid off, and school is over, except for some classes. If I can't figure out how to save away money now, I know it won't be any easier later in life.

At least I hear there are more and more things to pay for as your life goes on... Well, here goes to a productive summer.

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Televangelists are of the devil. And we're celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Azusa Street revival on TBN... Brent, I hope you're watching-a, cuz they are-a preaching-a, a ministering-a, and annointing-a for 24 hours. I'd talk more, but I'm being drawn into the opportunity to shout-a while the organ and drums-a are building the excitement as this pastor-a is a ministering-a right now. =)

Chris and Kristen - you should be here.

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Um, scratch that earlier comment about fiscal responsibility. I'm going to give a seed offering to this minister who's asking-a so sincerely-a. I'm sowing my seed! Of $40! Everyone, join in-a for the anointing-a!

Sorry, they're talking about Iranians-a as terrorists-a against the do-no-harm Israelis. I need to rescue Esther before she hyperventilates.

Hope you enjoy the new banner. =)

The quote is from a Chi Alpha theme which was originally from St. Francis Xavier, telling people to forget about the petty things that keep up us from doing what God has called us to do. In his case, he was calling people to India. In my case - in our cases - it's many things. An important reminder that always seems relevant.

Arrggg.... So I've had this ticker at the top of my screen for months now ^^^^ showing me at 150lbs. I'm actually now just a hair under that (still a full BMI point above underweight). Everybody deals with weight, and I know I don't eat enough. Today was particularly bad day having skipped the last 4 meals. Ew, I did realize it was that bad. Normally I eat something every 8-12 hours, and I have had two candy bars and three ice cream bars...

Eating takes time, costs money, and is work! I just want to weigh more and do nothing. You can do nothing [the challenge is refraining] and lose weight, but gaining is an active process - one that I'm doing poorly with!

So, in front of God, the world, and Xanga,

Today's Video Endeavor
 

If you hear the music but can't see the video, you need the latest version. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it! [Posted as a new entry since no one seemed to notice it in the other one!]

Pabst Theater / Riverside Theater

Hi you've won a pair of tickets to Glenn Kotche and Nels Cline of Wilco! just need your first and last name and we'll put the tickets at will call at the pabst box office have a great week!

This is going to be a lucky week!

Dianne brings up a good point about the suspensions and the high school I went to saying, "since it's a PRIVATE school it can do what it wants."

I agree that it can set standards and rules as a private institution that a public one ought to avoid doing. My concern is over the outcome - even if a private school can suspend students for things outside of the classroom, the question is should they take the liberty? As an example, one of my classmates back in her/my sophomore year began exotic dancing, something she was never disciplined for in any way. Most people didn't know about it. Today, though, had she blogged about it, she would most certainly be suspended or expelled. To me, there's a breakdown of the law - the police or social services should be catching that kind of thing because it's clearly illegal before turning 18.

The real concern is whether suspending or expelling would help someone who obviously is in great pain and is truly seeking out attention and affection in the wrong avenues. Kids have had messed up and hurting childhoods since Abel was killed by Cain. Now blogs and profiles can be printed and passed around a school board meeting like never before. In my mind, this steps up the responsibility of people who can make a difference to take the action and help instead of simply flushing the person and problem out of the bowl.

Punishment is for those that can self-correct. Rehabilitation is for those who are so lost that the North arrow needs to be installed in their internal compasses. And punishment is a great responsibility - just because an authority or board of authority knows about something does not mean it gives them the right to punish or a position to have a positive effect by punishing.

Your thoughts!

One grade is in! I've got an A- for Strategic Management. Tonight is the final hour in my MBA, unless I bomb it in which case there will be another final hour.

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Some kids at my old high school were suspended for profanity on their MySpace accounts, something that does not surprise me. It does make me question why they would want to step into such a messy issue, but it's something they're good at screwing up, historically. A la NCU.

I don't believe schools belong in the business of suspending students for things they do outside of school. If they do something illegal, let the law take care of it. If it isn't illegal, and if it's done outside the school, take a deep breath and realize that you're a school board member and need to keep the megalomaniac under control.

Am I missing anything? Should schools be allowed to suspend kids for _____ done outside of school?