I Am Toby Mac

So we're at Toys R Us earlier tonight with the whole fam. We were about to leave when Meka had a massive dirty diaper. Real close to a blow out. So being the dutiful dad I pretend to be, I snatched her up, grabbed the diaper bag and headed to the boys room.

So as I'm changing her diaper this little boy keeps kind of looking at me funny and came in and out of the bathroom a couple of times. Like normally happens in public bathrooms. I would have thought that was weird except for the fact that I was totally focused on trying not to get poop on my jacket.

Anyway...I walked out of the bathroom towards the check out where Cheryl and her mom were and this little boy came up to me and said, "Are you Toby Mac?" I chuckled and said "No, I'm not. Sorry."

Who knew I look like the niche celebrity Toby Mac? I must have looked pretty sweet rock starish!

(FYI: Toby Mac is a Jesus followin' recording artist probably best known for being in the band DC Talk that had that one hit, Jesus Freak.)

Worth a 1,000

The 9 Most Badass Bible Verses

CLICK HERE

Thanks to Josh Reitano for the link.

The Greenest Christmas Tree

Charlie Brown knew what was up.

Okay, so I have been reading up a little bit on the subject and it seems universally agreed upon that buying a real Christmas tree every year is a true act of environmentalism. The evidence is pretty compelling. I suggest you all keep your fakes if you got 'em but consider a real tree as well with that sweet smell, perfect needles, and slight sap for the good of the green world. Here are a few words of support on this matter:



While they're growing, Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases and emitting fresh oxygen. Every acre of Christmas Trees grown produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people. In the United States, there are approximately 500,000 acres of Christmas Trees, which means that 9 million people a day are supplied with oxygen thanks to these trees and 500,000 acres of land stay green and do not get parking lots.

The farms that grow Christmas Trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide refuge for wildlife while creating scenic green belts. Often, Christmas Trees are grown on soil that doesn't support other crops.

Real Christmas Trees Are Renewable.

Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms just like any other crop. To ensure a constant supply, Christmas Tree growers plant one to three new seedlings for every one tree they harvest.

On the other hand, artificial trees are a petroleum-based product manufactured primarily in Chinese factories. The average family uses an artificial tree for only six to nine years before throwing it away, where it will remain in a landfill for centuries after disposal.


See what other environmental experts have to say on the subject...

A Real Tree is five time more environmentally compatible than a plastic tree, according to this study by Swedish researchers.
The former president of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore, endorses Real Trees as the best environmental option for consumers.
The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in most artificial trees is boycotted by environmental groups. Read about the dangers of PVC.
The American Forests organization also supports the growth and use of Real Christmas Trees for many reasons.
For environmental reasons, Yoga Journal recommends a live or cut Christmas Tree over the use of an artificial tree.
According to an article in Newsweek, experts recommend that you should "always go real."

Song of the Week

So maybe this will begin a series of Christmas Songs of the Week?

This is a FABULOUS rocker from Reliant K. Meka and I were jamming out to it in the wagon tonight. She started head banging unsolicited.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Reliant K CLICK HERE

"According to the 23rd annual survey, the cost of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is $19,507 in 2007, a 3.1 percent increase over last year."

And there is some symbolism from the song as well.

1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Ultimately I agree with Reliant K: "What's a partridge? What's a pear tree? I don't know so please don't ask me. But I can guess those are terrible gifts to get."

McBengals

This toy kitten from McDonald's is what the Bengals are like. Nice turquoise collar.

So the Bengals looked good on the first drive. And then . . . they turned into the McKittens.

How many takeaways did they get? And how many times did they fail to score on them? I can't even COUNT that high without my calculator. Okay, it was 4. To the Steelers 1. Ugh. The Steelers were handing them opportunities on a silver platter.

In fact, coming into the game the Bengals were 4-0 when they were + on turnovers and 0-7 when they were - on the turnovers. That changed. Ugh.

If only I had a good reason to be a Packers fan. Oh yeah, it wasn't a good week for that either.

Back to writing my paper, which sounds like a refreshing break after watching the game.

Reason I Love My Job #47

I purchased from Walgreens:

-10 pairs of Queen sized nude colored pantyhose
-3 packs of 100 balloons
-3 pairs of Christmas socks
-One pair of flashing antlers

Big Head

London-based artist, Don Mueck.

S'more?

I googled s'more (don't ask why...let's just say I love my job) and I got this:


What the...?

Eden Willow Ferry

Born 11.54pm, November 18th, 2007
7 lbs. 2 oz.
Human & healthy.
Glory to God.

ahhhh, brooklyn

i have been asked quite a few times about where i lived in new york. this artist, michael arike, has done a better job of getting at my little area of williamsburg with these 2 aquatint prints than any photograph would have done (had i even taken any).

when my ship (or boxcar) comes in, i sure wouldn't mind living in new york again.

smile, let me get a glimpse of that skeleton!

with the peanuts holiday movies in full season, i thought that this was a pretty great sketch for the season.





this artist has done some great cartoon skeletal sketches at the website below. dig.

http://michaelpaulus.com/gallery/v/character-Skeletons/

Song of the Week

Everyone knows Alison Krauss is ridiculously good. If you diagree you get punched in the throat. Couple her with possibly the best American Songwriter ever, Stephen Foster and you get this...

Slumber My Darling // Alison Krauss

This track is on a couple albums. On is Appalachian Journey by Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor and Yo-Yo Ma. The other is a fantastic compilation of Stephen Foster songs called Beautiful Dreamer. I recommend them both highly but especially Beautiful Dreamer.

a wood hobo ring.

sabrina and i spent the weekend in asheville.

beautiful.

oh, and - WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

alright.

yep, that is a wooden ring i carved for her she is a-wearing. nothing but the best for my gal.

there is no finer lady on earth as far as i am concerned.

further and final proof that i am one incredibly lucky scamp.

I used to be a singer songmakerupper

We're in hyper-"nesting" mode getting ready for she-who-has-not-been-named & while purging compact discs found one of a couple songs LIVE @ the York St. Cafe in 2002. These are unreleased rarities so . . . whatever that means.

Run Joseph Run


The Letter

BUY NOTHING DAY // Am I actually going to do it this year?

This is not too far off the reality of how this community views athletics...

Chia Homer

Some friends threw us a baby shower a few weeks ago and invited student ministry folk. What does that have to do with Chia Homer? Relax. I'm getting there.

Some of the staff ladies got Cheryl a gift certificate to Valenti spa and Bob Guard said, "What about Brian? I'll take care of it." Ergo...Chia Homer. Or organic 1972 Afro sweet Homer, if you prefer.

Wicked fun.

Thanks Bob!

Song of the Week

Alright...hopefully this will be a new feature on the ferry blog and one that maybe my brotherititos will join in on. SONG OF THE WEEK.

A couple weeks ago I mowed my lawn for the first time since the middle of July since it hadn't rained pretty much at all. And I was listening to the old iPod and what shuffled up but Jake Speed & the Freddies, The Cincinnati Legends of Jeremiah Schmidt. Jake Speed is a creative, sometimes silly, often laugh out loud funny, old timey song writer. He clearly enjoys himself which comes across in the music.

So the song of the week...Christian Morlein Saves the Day. For those of you who don't know, Christian Morlein is a beer and was an actual human who started the brewery, a la Samuel Adams, eh? Xian Morlein is a Cincinnati brew and is mighty tasty. This song/story makes it all the more tasty. Also check out Morlein's fairly new OTR. Delicious.

Halloween Circa 1982

Meka Idol