... before. I’m not against noise. Personally, I try to make as much noise as possible. I’m just against noise not orchestrated with my sleeping habits. And at this juncture of my career, sleeping has become a habit. In fact, I might describe it as an addiction. I tried breaking this...

... in my person. I don’t know about anyone else, but I take pride in my personal mettle. About two months ago my credit card company informed me somebody hacked into their records and stole my identity, along with approximately one million other customers. They went on to assure me that...

... and grandchildren being there as well. The prospects of the week were simply delightful. I believe with all the children and grandchildren, along with two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law, there were 13 people in this mountain log cabin. Although there were many wonderful activities...

... in my body. For example, I now find myself walking in my sleep. This is a new experience for me and I'm not sure what it means or what I should do about it. On the positive side, walking in my sleep is about the only exercise I really get these days, so I should not complain too much. It is...

... for our high school paper. Watch a few soap operas for the next few days and see for yourself how closely they resemble soap operas 36 years ago… And now for that thought provoking question that plagues men’s souls unceasingly through the bright shining of the day and through the untold dark...

... a winner. But take a step back or just start watching some tennis matches at your club and you'll begin to see the humorous situations that abound in our game. Of course, just like mother-in-law jokes are a staple of marriage humor, dysfunctional tennis dynamics are the source of most tennis...

... through my house. "If it's broken, I bought it." This is not to say everything in my house is broken, but to point out that everything has a breaking point. And, it's not to say I can't fix anything. I just can't fix anything that is broken.A case in point; my easy chair.A man's easy chair,...

... an abiding interest in arcane topics like curious, odd, or downright postively playful placenames), and part-time errant carpet knight, (a left-over piece of Karma from a previous lifetime)Valentine’s Day is rolling around again. What would February 14th be without all those wretched little...

... long established hobby has earned me a membership in the POP (People Observing People) Culture. The rules specify that each member must swear not to divulge anything observed.Being a minister, I'm not allowed to swear, so I am exempted from this rule.I love to get a nice hot cup of...

... THE ROOSTER!It’s time to dance with Dragons, bang on the drums, light those fancy firecrackers (left over from Halloween), crack open the fortune cookies, and let’s have a bash – ‘cause the "Rooster’s" back in town!For those of you who haven’t got a clue what’s going on, the party animals are...

... while giggling.Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, but if we're honest, we'll see that if we're suppressing a smile it's a sign that we're fully present. Not only that, but these are times when we could most use a little laughter to bring levity to an...

... for words any more which is bad news for slow-of-mind folk (like me).I have no “to-do” list and I don’t own a “Blackberry”. Furthermore, I have no need for “power naps” and I don't do “power lunches” (unless I'm wearing my tiara, holding my sceptre and handing out titles to members of the...

... on an aisle, he was in the middle). On the ten hour flight, he had me put something in or take something out of the overhead for him at least fifteen or twenty times. He just wouldn't leave me alone, and was constantly begging me to change seats with him, and grab a pen, and put this card in...

... includes utilities. Well, no shit, I'm going to go for it. All I have to do is find two roommates. Well I met some dude (we will refer to him as CrazyBones) in a class the semester before. He seemed a little off, but overall we got along and we had been in touch that summer and coincidently he...

... It felt like Spring had arrived! So, I (this person who vowed to never experience the outdoors until winter had passed) decided to briefly enjoy the weather and took off for a quick shopping spree; dressed in apparent Spring apparel, as I like to plan ahead. Of course, all was decently warm, as...

... Don't hate me because I'm thoughtful.I must admit to a certain aura of preoccupation at times. However, it is not as severe as the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage seems to think. I just have many things on my mind and at times, I am not fully conscious of my immediate surroundings.I...

... and it might be the sign of civilization having existed on the planet. Bob Rowntree received this URL link (http://www.uuswap.com/ecard_titan.php) from her girl friend on MSN this morning. When he felt suspicious about the trueness of the source, with an accidental click on the picture, Dave...

... not yet learned in life. My hope is, of course, to shorten this list drastically. Presently, I want to zero in on one thing I have learned, which has stood me in good stead for many years; how to have an argument with yourself and win.I once thought I could argue with my Significant Other and...

... happy?Because it's festive, flirtatious and frolicking February of course -- ahem ...the shortest month of the year. So find yourself some frisky fortune cookies and have fun!!Merry-making males better beware, because who knows when all those feisty females will cash in their "frequent flubber"...

... an international incident. Unknown person or persons have been sticking little US flags into piles of doggie poo for over a year now. Surprisingly the dog poo brigade has managed to target between 2,000 to 3,000 abandoned piles of excrement in Bayreuth public parks. Quite who actually...

... wonderful winter, and don't forget to write.Speaking of writing, I can sum up my feelings at this moment by saying, "I hate my computer."Perhaps, you may think the word "hate" a little too strong. Under normal circumstances, I would agree wholeheartedly. These, however, are not normal...

... "It's not too late to have your presents arrive on time." Somebody's been procrastinating - either Bill Gates or me (maybe I didn't refresh my browser). Or maybe my computer is trying to give me the hint to stop procrastinating and set about the task of writing this newsletter. Nah... Bill...

... or digest over a morning latte with a dab of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top.The never-ending drive to increase profits means employees everywhere must hunker down with their noses to the grindstone or else hustle their bustles out the door every day in search of new business.So,...

... faith in humanity. Human beings are flawed, imperfect creatures. I say this in a positive way because if humanity were completely positive and perfect we would have nothing to learn, and life would lose its vitality and mystery. Computers come from the same universal reality as humanity, so...

... any trouble in paradise these days; I wouldn't know if there was trouble, anyway. Nevertheless, I think my relationship to her could improve 100 percent — which needs a foolproof plan. Being a certified fool, all I need is a plan.Back in October, the folks at the church we serve sent my...