Comedy of errors

Yet another literary influenced topic. I still dislike ol' Wil but so be it.

So what's it like when things go so horribly wrong the situation becomes funny? We've all been there at some point - of that I am certain.  My two years of varsity football in high school certainly qualify. Our sad excuse for a coach took the most talented team in the league to a blazing 1 win 2 ties and the rest losses/  I'm still mad at him - LOL. At least I won lineman ofthe game in the one that we won.

Then there are the political comedy of error incidents.  Can you say John McCain and Sarah Palin?  Michael Dukakis in the tank?  Anyone remember Gary Hart? Then again several administrations have been nothing to write home about either. Would you consider the Watergate candal a comedy of errors?  I sure do.

So what does one do when trapped in a comedy of errors? I suggest pressing on and hoping for a quick result - get it over with,And remember - it's always beer:30 somewhere so relax and move on. Or listen to some [progressive rock - like Scotland's Comedy of Errors



That's this morning's quick shackake on this weeks topic.  Check out what the others have to say ==>

Commitment to the unverifiable

This week's LBC topic comes from an old fossil. It's an interesting topic worthy of thought but as is my style on these matters I will simply shoot from the hip, hopefully straight and true.

FOS loves a good debate, as do I.  Clearly the line has been cast hoping to set the hook on the topic of god.I'll bite.  I am NOT in the camp that believes in god that is the be-all end-all guide to life.  I do not believe in the virgin birth, jesus is the son of god, etc.  Those of you who know me have heard this and I'm sure expect this from me - when it comes to god,



I do not hold those beliefs against anyone and I try to respect all religions though I confess to a growing contempt and distaste for Islam. Beyond that statement, that's a subject for another day.

I also understand that what today is not verifiable one day may well be verified. I have that much faith in science and the abilities of man. it has always seemed strange to me that a god would give man these brains with  unlimited potential and then rail against us for using them.  Why - for example - cannot the theory of evolution be god's way of developing things? And really now - Noah's Ark?   could it be? Right.......



.Now to the best of my knowledge - and I'm sure the media would be all over the story if it has happened - nobody has actually seen and spoken with god -  and if ithappens how would it go? It'd be nice if it went like this
\


Somehow I do not see the god that needs to be feared having such a casual, meaningful conversation with us. Nothing makes me cringe internally more than someone who states he or she is a god-fearing individual. On the brighter side, the conversation need go no further with that person if they only intend to preach at me. Their world is black and white and clearly I inhabit the black side. To me though there are mostly shades of grey



Yep.  I will survive.  And if I am wrong in thinking the universe is somehow interconnected and there is some sort of spiritual one-ness to it all - well so be it,  At my age the answer is not that far off so I will know soon enough.  Pity I won't be able to share it with all y'all though.  Ya see - that's something we all discover for ourselves  at the end of the line.



That's my quick shack take on this week's topic.  Check out what Fos and the others have to say.

Peek a boo

This weeks topic comes from Ashok, It'll be interesting to see what he comes up with  -

Education

It's all about learning, folks.  Everything.  It's really that simple. If we cannot learn we are doomed to fail.

Central to learning of course is teaching.  If we do not learn how to teach we cannot learn.  Oh sure - some of us are innately curious and will  ponder something and even work it out but the solution is of little or no value if it cannot be effectively shared - taught to others.

Some 1800 or so years ago Roman emperor marcus Aurelius learned from his great grandfather "  to get me good and able teachers at home; and that I ought not to think much, if upon such occasions, I were at excessive charges" - sounds like home schooling was valued even then.  And that public education was not particularly well respected.

Things have not changed much - just listen to George Carlin (if hearing Carlin's strong language is bothersome read the text here )

Today kids have major obstacles to overcome to get educated - not the least of which is the public education system. Our rapidly declining middle class is typically working more hours for le$$ so they have less time to do their part in educating the kids.   And college? My college education cost me  less than $1000 for tuition and fees.  Books probably added another $1000 and it was very easy for me to pay my way through school. And remember - that was spread over 6 years. Today that same degree would cost in excess of $25,000 just in tuition and fees alone.  And thats for a BA in a California State University school.  It assumes of course that a child can meet the educational; requirements to enter the school. I'm not altogether certain a child going through the public school system here in Ft Worth, Texas would be able to demonstrate those skills - based on what I have seen of the education offered my grandchildren here.  I suppose I should rest easy as the politicians in both parties promise to make education their top priority.



What was it that George Carlin said?

That's a quick shack take on education.  Check out what the others in the LBC have to say about this important topic.

Movie review - Chef

I just watched one of the best movies I have seen in many years - Chef - written and directed by Jon Favreau - a particular fave of mine.

Chef is a small budget film populated with big name performers including Favreau himself, Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johansen, John Leguizamo in what is probably my favorite part he has ever played, Sofia Vergara, Oliver Platt and Robert Downey Jr.  It's definitely an eclectic mix but they are all excellent.

Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com) offers this summary:

“Carl Casper is an acclaimed chef with a family life that seems as decaying as his artistic freedom. Those frustrations boil over into a raucous viral-videoed public confrontation against a restaurant critic who panned his cooking of food that his boss ordered him to make against his instincts. Now with his career ruined, Carl's ex-wife offers an unorthodox solution in Miami: refit an old food truck to offer quality cooking on his own terms. Now with his young son, Percy, and old colleague, Martin, helping, Carl takes a working trip across America with that truck to rediscover his gastronomic passion. With Percy's tech savvy and Martin's enthusiasm, Carl finds that he is creating a traveling sensation on the way home. In doing so, Carl discovers he is serving up more than simply food, but also a deeper connection with his life and his family that is truly delicious in its own way.”

 This is a delightful film about people, food, attitudes and love. Anyone interested in food culture, chefs, restaurants and the restaurant biz will in my opinion spend an enjoyable 2 hours with this little gem.

Personl Debt

This weeks topic falls under the heading do as I say - not as I do.

In today's western society it seems rampant consumerism is the order of the day.  We need to spend spend spend.  But stuff to be happy.  Buy stuff to do your patriotic duty and make jobs,  Buy stuff. Buy more stuff.  The road to happiness is bought - and you don't even need money to buy.  Just use credit.  What the hell - the government runs on a huge deficit - so why not all of us?? Max out those cards.  Buy a house and car you can't afford.  It's the patriotic thing to do.



And then when you can barely breathe with the weight of your personal debt pressing in on you, you are on your own.  Every time your phone rings you cringe with embarrassment knowing its probably a debt collector that bought your debt for pennies on the dollar and is calling to threaten and harass you into payment of the debt that has now been inflated due to bogus charges added by various and sundry.  The collector will scream and yell, call you useless, threaten to sue and then offer some sort of payment plan.

Helluva way to live.  If you consider that living.

Or, you can try living within your means and not buying in to the bigger/flashier/more expensive is better scenario. Buy what you can pay for.  Stay away from credit -  use it wisely.  Don't sign away your family's future for a home or car you cannot afford.  Bank 10% of your earnings - regardless how hard that might be.  Discipline yourself and teach that discipline to your kids. Everyone will be better off in the long run. Be prepared for the worst and hope it never happens.  Instead of a $5000 cruise take a family trip to Yellowstone. Take a driving vacation like folks used to do all of the time.  I still remember the trip that took us to the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Mesa Verde, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. It was a great time. There is much to see and do wherever you live that will not leave you shackled with debt.

I've been down both sides of this road.  One works, the other is a recipe for disaster.



That's this weweek's shack take on the weekly LBC topic.  Check out what the other LBC members that posted this week have to say on the matter.