Time to get involved...

... and by "get involved", I mean blather on to no one in particular, or, more likely, no one at all. Watched the first debate tonight, and my impression was that Senator McCain clearly won, overall. Like others, I thought the first 1/2 hour was weak for Senator McCain, even though he had several chances to hit home runs. When they hit the foreign policy stuff, Senator McCain beat Senator Obama senseless, and with a friendly smile on his face. Senator Obama looked angry and, to me, came across as distinctly unlikeable. On the other hand, I'm in the tank for the Adult in the race.

Anyway, this video should be watched by anyone who wants to understand why we're potentially on the brink of a kinda-sorta 'nother Great Depression:

Sam's Conquering of A.L.L.

Sam Goertzen's blog - read it daily for inspiration and perspective!

http://samsconqueringofall-goertzens.blogspot.com

GPs going home, Happy Resurrection Day, Off to Kelowna Tomorrow...

...but not Robin. She has decided that she has too much work to do. A part of me is in slight panic mode, and has been disconcerted all weekend long, as I am leaving my work for 3 1/2 days. I'll go in for a 1/2 day tomorrow, then drive to Cache Creek or Kamloops in the afternoon... but I feel like there are too many things to get done here! Oh, well, sometimes it is really good to have a forced vacation. Robin just decided yesterday that she wasn't going to be coming, so here I go with the kids. Once we're on the road it'll be Grand, but the pre-trip anxiety is no fun. Of course, I was kind of ambivalent about the trip in the first place, so it is kind of ironic that I would end up going as the lone adult, now... sigh. Tally Ho!

Interesting to surf around on a Monday that is a holiday here, but not everywhere... and the kids on a two week break, too. Like Christmas!

To end, memories of Dinner with the GPs last Tuesday. (Robin was there, but apparently didn't make the phone video!)


Sorry, the sound really sucks - stupid treo 650 vidcam! Time to upgrade. The dessert Nick & Nat are eating is chocolate caramel spring rolls - yummy!

Perhaps the pain has subsided enough...

...that I can finally write of the loss of the gallant, tragic Patriots. In a way, it is much more memorable that they came one fluky play short of their perfect season. Greek/Shakespearian tragedies are made of this stuff, whereas if they'd won, it would've just been one more Super Bowl win. Besides, just think of the fire this experience is going to light in the belly of the returnees next season! On a more personal note, it is a great exercise in self-control and sportsmanship to have to suck it up when your 9 year old daughter and your wife are in the room cheering on Eli Manning (and the Giants, by extension)! Nick & Nat & I were very sad, Amy was thrilled, and Robin was satisfied. Now I know how the Bengals' fans felt in '89, or the Cowboys' in '81. On the other hand, I expect the Giants will go away next year when we have someone else come out of the NFC East, be it the rejuvenated Eagles, or the 'Boys, or even the Redskins, whereas the Patriots will likely reload and be right back in the hunt.

Turned out Brady really was hurting - big time hurting. He hasn't thrown that badly in a long time, and while much of it was due to the Giants' pressure, and they should get every bit of credit that they're due, normally he'd be connecting with his hot reads regardless of the pressure. He was not himself, and it is unfortunate that he is not getting more credit for the valiant performance he put in.

Which brings me to another point. Where does all this talk of "hubris", and "poor sports" come from? The public face of the Pats has been nothing but graciousness and humility all season long - always giving their opponents credit, always taking them seriously, always complementing them on their skill and abilities. Someone came up to me at church yesterday and said that none of the Patriots shook hands with the other teams' players or coaches after the game. I said "Bill Belichek did", and the point was conceded, but she went on to say that no one else did. Wow. She must have been watching the game on another planets' satellite system from mine. The end of the game was a bit weird, what with time running out and the field being flooded with people, and then the officials putting time back on the clock. Just goes to show, though, that people will see what they want to see, based on their preconceptions. How far this team has come from that 2001 underdog team. This game was like that one's evil twin... especially so as it showed the depth of many peoples' hatred of the Patriots that they'd root for a team from New York City instead!

Go Pats!

Marriage Refresher

So Robin & I are attending a marriage seminar this Friday eve/Saturday morn. Vern & Sue Tompke are leading it, which is quite a kick, since Vern & I went to school together from grade IV on. The first Bible Study I ever went to was led by Vern & Rob Husband, another Canyon Elementary Alum. Unfortunately, they can't stay to watch the Giants get killed by America's Team on Sunday afternoon. Vern was always a Cowboys fan (America's other team), and is responsible in large part for my '80s love of the '9ers - cuz they beat the Cowboys. One of my happiest childhood memories is playing football with Vern and Rob and Gerry Gartland down at the school. Anyway, I sure am looking forward to seeing them. Sue is a Dear, with a wonderful sense of humor, and those Chilliwack Vineyard folks are blessed to have the spiritual leadership of these folks.