Last Saturday, while preparing our new ministry office space for our move next Saturday, my wife and I had to go shopping for some shelf paper for the kitchen and cleaning supplies. Being around the lunch hour, we decided to get a bite to eat at the cafe in Target. After eating our hot dogs, Kathy went to get a cart and I went to get a refill on my Diet Coke.
When I came out of the dining area, I noticed Kathy slowly pushing a cart my direction with a very distubed countenance. As she came closer, it became obvious that she was crying. I came to her side and asked what was wrong. I feared that she had fallen or hurt herself in some way. (She had tripped and fallen in a parking lot a few days before, so the look was familiar.) Kathy was too upset to talk.
For a minute or two I waited for her to settle down and tell me what was wrong. When she was able, she told me she had just seen a lady that looked just like Mildred Nervig, one of her mother's dear friends. Of course, it wasn't Mildred, because she had passed away even before Kathy's mom did last October.
This is how grieving typically works. From out of left field, something reminds you of your loss, and in an instant, you can be transported to an emotional place you did not expect.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The A** Obama is Looking to Kick
According to news reports, President Obama said he has been talking with various experts for weeks “so I know whose ass to kick.” I can tell you, Mr. President, whose rear-end to kick. In fact, several of those experts should have already told you. I was introduced to this culprit as a teenager in the US Navy. This villain is responsible for much chaos and calamity in our world.
His name is Murphy. He is credited with the creation of a famous law that cannot be revoked, though every government and court of every nation surely would wish to do so. His law says, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
So, Murphy is really responsible for the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Murphy did his thing when that Blow Out Protector devise failed. Something that could go wrong, did.
Engineers busy themselves trying to Murphy-proof things they build. For instance, a receptacle for a 220 volt dryer in our homes will not be mistaken for the place to plug in the vacuum cleaner that operates on 110 volts. The two receptacles are quite different. This is a design feature to keep Murphy at bay. In our newer vehicles, we must have our foot on the brake in order to put the vehicle in gear. This is another design feature to prevent accidental shifting in gear that can be destructive, even deadly.
Most of us consumers are aware of many everyday features that are attempts by designers to Murphy-proof things we use. Few of us are aware of the degree of thought given to Murphy when things are made. This certainly includes oil wells on land and sea. One thing can be counted on, Murphy will take advantage of any opportunity. Systems, designed to back up other critical systems that fail, can also fail; though rare, it happens. And, when it happens, the results are much like having had no backup system.
So, Mr President, if you can find Murphy, kick his butt for me, too. I’d really like that. If, however, you find Murphy as illusive as everyone else I have known, beware of just kicking any available to you. In your job, you’re surrounded by "asses", many of them worthy of being kicked. Though “kicking butt” may make you feel better and boost your approval rating, it won’t necessarily make anything better.
His name is Murphy. He is credited with the creation of a famous law that cannot be revoked, though every government and court of every nation surely would wish to do so. His law says, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
So, Murphy is really responsible for the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. Murphy did his thing when that Blow Out Protector devise failed. Something that could go wrong, did.
Engineers busy themselves trying to Murphy-proof things they build. For instance, a receptacle for a 220 volt dryer in our homes will not be mistaken for the place to plug in the vacuum cleaner that operates on 110 volts. The two receptacles are quite different. This is a design feature to keep Murphy at bay. In our newer vehicles, we must have our foot on the brake in order to put the vehicle in gear. This is another design feature to prevent accidental shifting in gear that can be destructive, even deadly.
Most of us consumers are aware of many everyday features that are attempts by designers to Murphy-proof things we use. Few of us are aware of the degree of thought given to Murphy when things are made. This certainly includes oil wells on land and sea. One thing can be counted on, Murphy will take advantage of any opportunity. Systems, designed to back up other critical systems that fail, can also fail; though rare, it happens. And, when it happens, the results are much like having had no backup system.
So, Mr President, if you can find Murphy, kick his butt for me, too. I’d really like that. If, however, you find Murphy as illusive as everyone else I have known, beware of just kicking any available to you. In your job, you’re surrounded by "asses", many of them worthy of being kicked. Though “kicking butt” may make you feel better and boost your approval rating, it won’t necessarily make anything better.
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