Coffee Klatch

Here is a list of things I wish I’d known before I went out in the Real World. (Okay, I didn’t come up with these, but they’re still true.)

~ Any and all compliments can be handled by simply saying “Thank you” though it helps if you say it with a Southern accent.

~ Some people are working backstage, some are playing in the orchestra, some are on-stage singing, some are in the audience as critics, some are there to applaud.

~ Know who and where you are.

~ When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste.

~ Never continue dating anyone who is rude to the waiter.

~ If you tell a lie, don’t believe it deceives only the other person.

~ The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship: “I apologize” and “You are right.”

~ Everyone seems normal until you get to know them. [MY FAVORITE!]

~ When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It’s easier to eat crow while it’s still warm.

~ If he or she says that you are too good for him — believe it.

~ I’ve learned to pick my battles; I ask myself, “Will this matter one year from now? How about one month from now? One week? One day?”

~ If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!

~ Living well really is the best revenge.

~ Being miserable because of a bad or former relationship just proves that the other person was right about you.

~ Be really nice to your friends because you never know when you are going to need them to empty your bedpan and hold your hand.

~ Work is good, but it’s not important.

~ Never underestimate the kindness of your fellow man.

~ A person needs only two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t, use the tape.

~ You are the only person who can truly make you happy.

~ And finally…

Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect; it just means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Are you looking for something new and interesting to use for your computer’s desktop wallpaper? I found a site today that has loads of free, high-quality images. It’s at VeryVeryFun.com. The search that took me to this site was looking for pictures of places in Europe. There is a very nice collection of Europe HD Wallpapers at this site, as well as lots of images in other categories, too.

I just sent a birthday greeting to Buzz Aldrin!

On January 20, 2010, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin turns 80 years old. To honor the man who has contributed so much to space exploration and the world, The Planetary Society will be presenting him with a giant birthday card — a card with the good wishes of people from all over the world!

These birthday wishes will be delivered to Buzz at a party being held in his honor on January 23, so don’t wait!

You can send Buzz Aldrin a birthday message online at:
http://www.planetary.org/special/fromearth/buzz

I’ve been thinking about flu medicine lately. Probably because I’ve had the flu since Sunday and all three of my boys have been home this week.

Anyway, when you think about flu medicine, you probably think of Tamiflu or medicines that have “Cold/Flu” in their name. When you compare the ingredients, though, these are mostly cold medicines with pain reliever added.

So what should you do if you have the flu but no cold symptoms? Take medicines to treat your symptoms (like usual). Take some Acetaminophen and some digestive aids if you need them. I’ve been using Pepto-Bismol (or equivalents) and Papaya, which contains digestive enzymes and comes in chewable pills.

I’m not sure what makes the prescription version of Tamiflu different from the over-the-counter version, but that would be the only reason to seek out a specific flu medicine.

What do you all take when you have the flu?

The unfortunate summary message of the Wizard of Oz is summed by Dorothy’s statement:

Well, I – I think that it – it wasn’t enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em – and it’s that – if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with!

Oh, but anyway, Toto, we’re home. Home! And this is my room, and you’re all here. And I’m not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and – oh, Auntie Em – there’s no place like home!

The final line, “there’s no place like home” says it also, but her explanation is really unfortunate. It’s like she’s saying that all you’ll ever truly want is what you already have. Or don’t dream bigger than your current boundaries. Your heart’s desire is what you’ve always had.

Talk about discouraging growth, learning, and expanding your horizons! I suppose it could be a pre-WW2 midwest U.S. mentality. “Why leave and go to the city? All you’ll find is heartache.” Your true heart’s desire is right here with us.

That’s the one part of the Wizard of Oz that I dislike. The whole point of the movie gets summed up with the idea that people should stay where they are and be content with what they already have.

My $0.02.

Are you a fan of Bacon? So is Archie McPhee! I just received the current Archie McPhee catalog in the mail and here is a list of things you can buy related to bacon:

• Bacon Mints – Yes, Bacon Mint flavor
• Bacon Gumballs – Sweet & Meaty. Great for blowing bacony bubbles!
• Bacon Jelly Beans – Not quite as tasty as the real thing, but better for your arteries
• Gummy Bacon (strawberry flavor)
• Bacon Flavored Toothpicks
• Bacon Flavored Dental Floss
• Bacon Flavored Lib Balm
• Bacon Soap – “From your head to your feet, you’ll smell like cured meat!
• Bacon Squeezins – Stainless Steel Water Bottle
• Bacon Strip Adhesive Bandages
• Bacon & Egg Tote Bag
• What Would Bacon Do? folder with spinner
• Bacon Air Freshener – “Makes your car smell like a pan of sizzling bacon”
• Bacon Watch – Face has Mr. Bacon and band looks like bacon strips
• Bacon Wallet



• Bacon Belt – Yes, just like what it sounds like!
• Mr. Bacon bendable action figure – and his arch enemy, Monsieur Tofu
• Mr. Bacon’s Big Adventure Board Game – Navigate your way through areas like the Mustard Marsh, the Wiener Wasteland, and the Sausage Sea!

You can see all these and more on their website: http://www.mcphee.com

Other items on their website include a bacon lunchbox, a bacon placemat, an I Love Meat bacon wristband, and an action figure of St. Anthony, the Patron Saint of Bacon!

With so much strife in the world, we Christians have a true opportunity to live our faith. It doesn’t have to be in big, world-shaking ways, but just in our daily lives. We are called as Christians to spread God’s love and peace throughout the world. Think how much the world would be changed if we all did that right where we are in our daily lives.

To live a Christian life is a simple thing if difficult. There are several books in the New Testament that have the same thing to say to us:

Romans 12:18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Do everything in love.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:13b-14

Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

That’s four of St. Paul’s letters that end with a specific admonishment to live in peace with others. Jesus also reminds us in John 13:35 that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for each other. St. John thought it so important that he focused his entire first letter on the topic of love.

Combining these two ideas, a powerful and effective way for us to bring Christ’s light to the world is for us to love each other and those around us, living at peace with them as much as it is possible for us.

It doesn’t often cost us much in effort, time, or money. It can be as simple as holding a door open for someone who has their hands full or saying a kind word. It is treating everyone we meet like they’re God’s creation and a bearer of His image. They are infinitely valuable in the eyes of God and we’ve been repeatedly told in God’s Word that this should be part of how we live our lives as Christians — two very compelling reasons.

Be alert for opportunities to show God’s love to others and spread His peace. These opportunities are all around you every day. If all Christians truly lived like this, we could transform the world.

Have you ever heard of the Wilhelm scream? It’s a stock sound effect that goes back to 1951 in a movie where some soldiers were wading through a swamp and one guy got bitten by an alligator and pulled under. His scream has been used in over 140 movies. According to the Wikipedia article:

The scream for that scene was recorded later in a single take along with five other short pained screams, which were slated as “man getting bit by an alligator, and he screams.” The fifth scream was used for the soldier in the alligator scene—but the 4th, 5th, and 6th screams recorded in the session were also used earlier in the film—when three Indians are shot during a raid on a fort. Although takes 4 through 6 are the most recognizable, all of the screams are referred to as “Wilhelm” by those in the sound community.

Some of the movies that use the Wilhelm scream are all the Star Wars movies, all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, all the Lord of the Rings movies, all the Indiana Jones movies, Toy Story, King Kong (2005), Transformers, Spiderman, and some individual “classic” movies like Poltergeist, Swamp Thing, Willow, Them!, PT109, and Spaceballs.

Check out a huge list at http://www.imdb.com/keyword/wilhelm-scream/

I finally found the website for filing a complaint about traffic problems in Indianapolis. You can use this form to explain your complaint and the Indianapolis Metro Police Department will forward it to the appropriate department.

Just visit http://www.indy.gov/eGov/IMPD/Enforcement/Traffic/Pages/traffic-problem.aspx

Erich Kunzel, a world-famous conductor and founder of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra has passed away from cancer at the age of 74. Here are some links to more information and memoriae about him.

Cincinnati Enquirer Obituary

ErichKunzel.com

Tribute from the Cincinnati Pops

Wikipedia Article & Bio