Archives for August 2004

Appeals court broadens prayer ban in Arkansas school district



LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A federal appeals court has banned prayers at an Arkansas school district’s mandatory staff meetings, even if the teacher who objected to the prayers is not there.The Eighth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court was right to forbid the prayers during staff meetings at the DeValls Bluff School District, but did so for the wrong reasons.

The appeals court said an injunction should have been granted because the school district endorsed a religion — not just because the teacher was offended.

The appeals court agreed, however, that the school superintendent, teachers and students have a constitutional right to wear religious jewelry and T-shirts.

This makes perfect sense to me. I am never surprised to see this issue crop up, but I am always amazed that some people have such a hard time understanding such a simple concept. I’ll “pray” for them and hope that they learn to see the light.

“VICTORIA — A renowned B.C. mountain climber has died from injuries sustained when he fell out of a tree while trying to rescue a cat. Daryl Hatten, 49, lived much of his life on the edge of mountains and cliffs. ”

In all fairness to cats (who should really be permanently exiled) this guy may have been a big klutz. Not very impresssive for a mountain climber.

“Bunol, Spain – Tons of flying tomatoes streaked the streets of Bunol red and left 20 000 visitors wallowing in a pond of pulped fruit as the tiny Spanish town celebrated the world’s largest food fight on Wednesday.”

As a man who loves slapstick comedy I would be lying if I said that I didn’t want to try this one day. And in good conscience I have to admit that I am very interested in participating in a monster pie fight. Who wouldn’t want to “Go Moe, Larry and Curly” on someone. A good creampie in the face is worth it. 😉

“Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack I went out for a ride and I never went back Like a river that don’t know where it’s flowing I took a wrong turn and I just kept going…” Hungry Heart



“Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend I want to guard your dreams and visions Just wrap your legs ’round these velvet rims and strap your hands across my enginesTogether we could break this trap We’ll run till we drop, baby we’ll never go back Will you walk with me out on the wire`Cause baby I’m just a scared and lonely riderBut I gotta find out how it feelsI want to know if love is wild girl I want to know if love is real…” Born To Run



“On his right hand Billy tattooed the word love and on his left hand was the word fearAnd in which hand he held his fate was never clear…”Cautious Man



” I get up in the evening and I ain’t got nothing to say I come home in the morning I go to bed feeling the same way I ain’t nothing but tired Man I’m just tired and bored with myself Hey there baby, I could use just a little help..”Dancing in the Dark



“Now I think I’m going down to the well tonight and I’m going to drink till I get my fill And I hope when I get old I don’t sit around thinking about it but I probably will Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture a little of the glory of, well time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister but boring stories of glory days…” Glory Days



“Tell me now baby is he good to you Can he do to you the things that I doI can take you higherI’m on fire…” I’m on Fire



“Now young faces grow sad and old and hearts of fire grow cold We swore blood brothers against the wind I’m ready to grow young again…” No Surrender



“Now those memories come back to haunt me they haunt me like a curseIs a dream a lie if it don’t come true Or is it something worse…” The River



“I can feel the soft silk of your blouse And them soft thrills in our little fun house Then the lights go out and it’s just the three of us You me and all that stuff we’re so scared of Gotta ride down baby into this tunnel of love…”Tunnel of Love



Bruce is keyed in to something primal. I know that I am not the only one who feels it, but sometimes it does feel like he takes pages from my book of life and expresses it more eloquently than I can.

As someone who has a mild digestive disorder I find that airline travel can be stressful. I am usually concerned about having access to the restroom. I don’t like window or middle of the row seats. I don’t like seats that cause me to be trapped by flight attendants and their drink carts.

Beyond that I have very broad shoulders so I find that flying coach is troublesome because the seats are never big enough, my shoulder hangs off the side and my knees hit the seat in front of me. Invariably I can be assured of being poked and prodded by carts and passerbys, not to mention that when the person in front of me leans back I get to sit with them in my lap.

Upon the odd occasion that it is a very attractive woman it makes it somewhat interesting, although since I do not have a chin/hair fetish it is never enough to make it enjoyable for the whole flight. Besides, I have yet to figure out a way in which to introduce myself that didn’t seem weird.

“Hi, you decided to utilize your seat reclining ability (helpful tip, women are not impressed nor relaxed when you use the word “utilize” like this in a sentence) and now you are really sitting on top of me. I’d gladly offer to let you sit on my lap, but the captain has the “seatbelt sign” turned on and I’d hate to get you in trouble. Once he decides to turn it off you are more than welcome to come sit on me. At least then I may have a momentary thrill and for a brief second feel like the extreme discomfort you are causing me is worth it.

Of course with the “immense space” provided by coach it won’t be long before I ask you to get off of my lap which will probably make you think that I think that you are fat and within no time at all you’ll be quite angry with me. Since you are female you’ll likely not tell me why you are angry, just simply get off of me while giving me the a look that would melt ice and I’ll sit there befuddled and greatful that circulation is returning to my thighs.

In order to avoid all of this nonsense I usually do one of two things. A) I find a way to get my own little section of the aircraft or I go to http://seatguru.com do a little research to see what I can do to improve my seating arrangements.

One day I plan on flying first class and avoiding all of these complications, but I am too busy handling my son’s tuition to do that now. Perhaps the Pony Express needs a new rider….