A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis

Author: Charlie Pharis (page 18 of 165)

Sunday Night Unwind, 02.08.09…

Welcome back, Sunday Night Unwind! Where have you been? This is the first Sunday Night Unwind of 2009. Not that there hasn’t been any Sunday Night Unwinding going on, but just not a lot of posting. So, anyway, without further ado, here we go!

  • I got an earworm for that song on the TomTom radio ads. For the record, that song is “In a Persian Market” and it comes from some album of circus music. Circus music! Shazam!
  • My ability to count is slipping away. I thought we had more people in our service today than the “official” counters counted. Go figure….
  • We’re in the middle of a series called Constant Contact, and we’re focusing on how to listen to God. I think some people are getting uncomfortable with it. Which is good.
  • I was as tired as I’ve ever been after preaching today. I don’t know why. It’s a good tired, but tired nonetheless.
  • My TomTom earworm isn’t the only one I’ve had today! I woke up with The Spinners“It’s a Shame” in my head. That led me to set up a Spinners channel on Pandora. Still haven’t heard “It’s a Shame” yet, but in the process I discovered Slacker Radio.
  • Slacker is cooler than Pandora for one good reason: It plays on my CrackBerry! Yes!
  • Starting a new workout from Turbulence Training tomorrow.
  • It’s a case of “Physician, heal thyself” for me lately. Starting to put back on a little of the weight I lost. Not much, but enough to make me know I’ve got to get re-focused on health. Especially since I spend  the first part of most of my days tying to help folks develop healthy habits.
  • I’m also becoming more convinced of Charlie’s Undeniable Exercise Truth #1: “You can’t ever out-exercise bad nutrition.” I’m no expert personal trainer or anything, I don’t play one on TV, and I didn’t stay in a Holiday Inn last night, but that seems to be so basic that it’s not even funny! And so simple that it seems to be pretty profound! Your mileage may – but probably won’t – vary. Whatever….
  • I’m becoming more and more convinced that this so-called “economic stimulus” is a really crappy idea. The Congressional Budget Office now says it’s not only unnecessary, but probably detrimental in the short- and long- terms.
  • And what is the stinkin’ attraction of socialism, anyway? Quick, name an instance in history where it’s led to a better quality of life, more freedom and liberty, and prosperity. Still waiting….
  • I liked Starbucks a lot better when you never knew what kind of great coffee awaited you until you walked in the door. In the pre-Pike Place days, going to Starbucks was somewhat of an adventure. You got to try different blends, different tastes, and it was good. Now you get Pike Place. Or decaf Pike Place. That tastes like soap. And you might as well be drinking coffee from MickeyD’s, Waffle House, or the Patel Kwik Sack at the corner. Rant off….
  • I still don’t think there’s ever been a better movie than Casablanca. Please, God, don’t let anybody get the bright idea of remaking it!
  • One last thing: Do you hear that sound? The crack of the bat, the pop of a fastball hitting a leather catcher’s mitt, chatter from the dugouts…spring training is almost here! Yea, baseball! here’s hoping the crybabies will just get down to playing this season!

I hope you have a great Sunday evening, whatever’s left of it. Make your week count! It’s the only second full week of February you’re going to get this year! Peace!

Go Figure…

What He said: “Change.” What He did: Same old tired political hacks to fill His administration.

What He said: “No lobbyists.” What He did: At least 17 lobbyists in key positions.

What He said: “Bi- and Post-partisanship.” What He did: “I won.”

And on, and on, and on…

Great Quote Related to Government “Stimulus”…

I’m re-reading Tom Peters’s little Reinventing Work series. The first book in the series, The Brand You 50, includes this great quote that should be required reading for every American in the face of the mentality that has led to the socialistic government power grab, euphemistically known as the “stimulus package”…

America has always been the Self-Help Nation. Bootstrap Nation. Pioneer Nation. In the early years of our democracy, everybody provided for themselves and their families (and their neighbors in time of need). Nobody expected to be taken care of. Self-reliance, independence, and the freedom that goes with them were what we stood for, what defined us. And then, about 150 years ago, when Giant Corp. arrived on the scene (Giant Govt. came about 75 years later), we started to lose “it.” Our Franklinian “it.” Our Emersonian “it.” We succumbed — exactly the right word — to Babbittry. To Big Corp.-That-Will-Be-Mummy-and-Daddy-for-Life.

My take (redux): It stunk (and stinks) to high heaven.

But … Gloria, Gloria, Gloria … It Is Over!

Oh, that Tom Peters would be heard loud and clear by our alleged “leaders” at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue! Oh, that his manifesto would once again become the watchword of Americans of all stripes! And, oh that it would be before we sink further into the abyss of socialism!

Hello, Blog!

It’s me, the guy who used to hang out here. Remember?

I know, I know…you’ve felt neglected over the last little while. The new kids? Yeah, you’ve met them, right?

Well, let’s see…there’s Twitter. Yeah, kind of accomplishes the same thing you used to accomplish, only in 140 characters or less. Not nearly as time-consuming. I know, it’s not the same. Don’t have to think as much, there’s not as large a blank space staring at you, daring you, challenging you. But it is quick and hip and happening. And it goes with me all the time.

Yeah, speaking of going with me all the time, I guess you’ve also met the newest kid on the block, the Curve. I know, I’ve always been a pencil-and-paper planner kind of guy. Never thought I’d be interested in gadget calendars and to-do lists. It’s taking some getting used to, and I’m still not sure it’s any better. Just different. Maybe you know some people who can help me get better at using it more effectively.

What’s that? You miss me? Yeah, truth be told, I miss you, too, old pal. When I was hanging out with the Twitter kid the other day, I realized that a lot of the folks you turned me on to over the last five years or so are hanging out there, too. And I got kind of nostalgic for the good old days. Remember, when you were the new kid on the block? When you were fresh and hip and happening? Before the corporate types took you over? Yeah, those were the days.

Well, just wanted to pop in and say howdy. The Curve kid’s got a blinking red light that calls for me, beckons for my attention. I’ll be back. Soon. Yes, I promise.

But On the Other Hand…

…some things are blowing my socks off these days! Can I share with you two loyal readers some of those? You know, yin and yang, Ben and Jerry, peanut butter and jelly?

Today I’m way impressed by…

  • God’s grace!
  • His gift of Jesus Christ!
  • The lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie”!
  • Good friends, who put up with my hanging around!
  • Great books!
  • Tony Bennett’s Christmas albums, old and new!
  • The way things work out in spite of my inadequacies and failures!
  • Small unexpected gifts!
  • Some of the folks with whom I get to do life!
  • Starbucks Christmas Blend!
  • Cashews!
  • Old Bass Weejuns!
  • “Christmas in Dixie”!
  • God’s amazing provision!
  • Provino’s garlic rolls!
  • Christmas cards from great friends with absolutely elegant handwriting!
  • Reconnecting with old friends!
  • People who share what they know!
  • Encouragers!

Underwhelmed…

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I’m generally a pretty upbeat guy, who tries to see the brighter side of things, even when there’s not really a brighter side. OK, call me Pollyanna. But today, for some reason, I’ve noticed a few things that have left me a little less than impressed. You — all both of you loyal readers — don’t mind if I unload a list of underwhelming things today, do you? Here we go…

Today, I’m particularly underwhelmed by…

  • Twitter and Facebook when they don’t automatically update like they’re supposed to do. (In the interest of full disclosure, that feature is working again now.)
  • Small group leaders who don’t show up without notice.
  • Small group leaders who show up but aren’t prepared.
  • The service this afternoon at lunch.
  • Annoying car problems that will probably turn into major deals.
  • My own leadership as of late.
  • Modern Christmas music.
  • People who can’t — or won’t — make up their minds.
  • Church folks who just don’t “get it.”
  • My own ability to define “it” so that they do “get it.”
  • Politicians.
  • Workout plans that don’t seem to work.
  • Blamers.
  • Haters.
  • Bribers.
  • Obnoxious know-it-alls.

There you go. Thanks for letting me vent. What’s underwhelming you today?