A Little Serious

I try not to be political here, however, the leading article in the Washington Post today just calls for a comment or two. (You can find the article here). Jack Abramoff is everthing I do not want to be, ever. He is everything I want to stay away from - so far, he seems to be a sleazy, corrupt, selfish, scandalous, lying... fill in the rest... man. Oh, and "Abramoff also worked on behalf of the apartheid South African government" according to the Post. So add the label racist as well. (Ironic that he supported the apartheid government given his Jewish heritage.)

What gets me more are comments from people like Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), who defend Abramoff saying "I think he's been dealt a bad hand and the worst, rawest deal I've ever seen in my life. Words like bribery are being used to describe things that happened every day in Washington and are not bribes."

Notice the "happened every day in Washington". And yet we have the audacity to go tell other countries, particularly developing nations - mostly in Africa - how to fight corruption and clean up their politics!

The good news is that such drivel is finally coming out, even on Capitol Hill, after being dragged out by Spitzer on Wall Street. May the Deity bless Abramoff's prosecutors.

My Tree...

 


In keeping with tradition, here's my tree courtesy of a wonderful and very beautiful fellow Jayhawk... and, yes, it's a real tree! 

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a wish for a happy, prosperous, blessed, and wonderful new year to you!

It's 55 degrees with sunny skies in the capital on Christmas eve - somewhat odd! But, perhaps it captures what the actual weather was like 2000 years ago. Soon to come: pictures of DC during Christmas - stay tuned!

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la... la la la....

DC on a winter night

 


A view of the city from Rosslyn. Can you spot the Capitol? 

King of Stocks

 


When he speaks, listen. 

BOOYAH THAT!

 
 

B... B...B... BOOYAH!

 
 

"ARE YOU READY SKI DADDY?!"

 


B...B...B...B...B...BOOYAH!!

Doctor UNH, Esquire gave the Kansas Jayhawks a BIG *BOOYAH* on the show today - I love you Cramer! 

Metro opens doors...to jail!

Once again, my esteemed reader has asked that I update. I do apologize, again, for not being very good about updating. Quite frankly, sometimes there aren't too many thoughts... a Jayhawk's brain can only handle so much - well, this one's.

But here's some useful information: do not eat in the metro. You will get arrested, i.e. handcuffed and kicked out at the next stop. This is exactly what's been witnessed recently. There are signs that warn passengers that it is unlawful to eat in the metro, but who would've thought you'd get arrested! Well, now you know...

Does he really work?

 


It's all in a day's work! 

Where's Waldo?

 


A white Tuesday morning: happy snow day! Can you spot Waldo the snowman? 

Fill this: Crossnumber

What's the latest buzz in the nest? Su Doku - a number puzzle. I always watched in great awe as friends and colleagues completed crosswords. Now, I've found something that I can actually complete! Su Doku is like a crossword puzzle, except with numbers. So, perhaps we can call it crossnumber puzzle. Here's a link to more information.

Keep this in mind...

"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give."

- Winston Churchill

Purpose

"Keep a clear eye towards life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in His sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received... but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage."

- Saint Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226, Founder of the Franciscan Order

Nameless Bird

 

No jackets, no coats, no gloves, no worries, not a care in the world, does it even know I have a picture of it? 

The Bay Bridge

 

Check this thing out - a bridge over the bay that stretches for several miles. So, if you have gephyrophobia (scare of bridges), then either don't drive over it or keep your eyes closed, perhaps even take a nap! 

Good Evening!

 


A sunset on the Chesapeake Bay - majestic! 

Ocean City, MD

 


This is a picture of some of the hotels on the coastline in Ocean City, MD. 

Garden vs. Bay

 

This was our backyard at the house we stayed. It's the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, December is a rather cold month in Maryland, thus we weren't able to take advantage of any water activities other than capture a picture of the bay.

So, what do you prefer in your backyard: a garden or a bay? 

My new car!

 



It's not my new car, of course. But, it's the crazy store owner's car. 

What is this!?!

 


What is this?! That's exactly what I was thinking when I saw it. It's a building with a lot of scrap on it in Ocean City, MD. I'm not sure of the intent, but it's whacky either way. Does having this in the neighborhood decrease surrounding property value? My guess..... absolutely! 

God said No

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

-Taken from Donn's Center of the Universe

Good Morning!

 


I had once tried to describe the beautiful sunrise that I woke up to one summer morning. Well, I finally managed to capture it and here it is. This picture was taken this morning from my apartment overlooking the Beltway. Isn't this just beautiful or what! 

Is your life this mayonnaise jar?

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee:

A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. "The golf balls are the important things - God,your family,your children,your health, your friends,and your favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained,your life would still be full.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house,and your car. "The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued,"there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

"The same goes for life. "If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend."

-Thanks to Xela for this.

Potter Lake Again

 


Is beautifulest a word? 

Potter Lake

 


Please spell pretty... 

Allen Fieldhouse: Renewed

 


Allen Fieldhouse recently underwent major renovation. As you see, it looks cleaner, brighter and ready for a mighty Jayhawk Basketball season! 

And once again...

 


Jayhawks vs Iowa State: 24 - 21, i.e. WE'RE BOWL ELIGIBLE! GO JAYHAWKS! 

Mile High Fraser!

 


A flagship of the campus - Fraser Hall can be seen from miles away!  

Knock! Knock!

 


Rumor has it that someone I know has a key to this building even though he/she is not a student, teacher, staff... 

Rock Chalk!

 
 

Black Friday

Everyone has a first. I had a first too: I participated in the annual Black Friday shopping madness. It was absolute and complete madness according to many television reports. Fortunately, though, I did not experience trampling and running over. But, I also did not wake up at some unrealistic hour (read 5 AM). Instead, it was a relaxing 9 AM stroll to the stores followed by tremendous spending.

In fact, I'll say it now: I think this year's retail revenues and profits should be incredible. For some reason, it seems as though the few people I talked to all went out and shopped this year, something they hadn't done in the recent past. In other words, I'm long retail, especially BBY for you home gamers! (That's Best Buy for the rest!)

On a similar theme, I'm thinking about JCP - JC Penny - given the volume of shoppers I experience earlier today. This will have to be on the radar screen for the days to come.

Apology & 'Money Plant'

To the devoted readers: a big big BIG apology for not updating for over three weeks. That's rather irresponsible of me, but what can I say - I live in Washington! Eventually, the ways and means of Capitol Hill get to me, no pun intended!

I seem to have a devoted reader who leaves anonymous remarks - the last one asked that I post something. Who are you?

I've been thinking about several things and now it's really more of a messy mingle in my mind about where to begin.

However, I would like to present something. In some cultures, it is often thought that having the so-called 'money plant' brings good luck to a home or a family in terms of wealth. Could it be possible that this purportedly lucky plant can be within monetary institutions? How weird is that! The very people that control the larger population's wealth rely on some charm to bring them some green too - not chlorophyll green, but dough.

Google This: A Picture

I have an idea for Google, the most wonderful, brilliant, stunning, fantastic, wealth-making company whose stock price now sits at $400 a share. It needs to work on creating a search of pictures. So instead of searching by using words or typing a description of the object in question, a user could input the image and search it. In addition to leading to exact hits, assuming the technology works well, it could potentially change the way business is done and the way in which we operate. One would no longer have to remember names of places or things, but simply snap a pic or two and then search for them to find more details. Of course, the objects would have to be somewhat unique. Faces, for instances, would be great. Met someone who might interest you? Google Picture them and find out if they're worthy of your time without having to know their name! Love a particular entree at the restaurant? Take a picture of it (before you eat it!) and then search for the recipe... The list is endless, but you get the picture, no pun intended!

1776: It happened here

I spent some time by the Potomac River in and around Rock Creek Park last weekend. It was one of the most powerful experiences for a very historic reason that dates back to the beginnings of the nation. To think of George Washington and his army of men crossing it, maneuvering around it, shedding blood... the list goes on... is very surreal especially when sitting right by the same water source that was pivotal in the Revoluationary War and, subsequently, the formation of the US. It's quite a remarkable story. Moreover, it was incredible to feel the peace and hear the silence and ruffles of leaves dropping from the multi-colored trees. And, all this inside the always bustling city of Washington! Need some peace and time to reflect? Visit Rock Creek Park!

Want to create change?

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy.

Oh how so true, so true. While I don't intend this to be a quotations page, I do think it's always good to keep some in mind. Tolstoy speaks much truth, I think most people would agree with him. Instead of analyzing the above aimlessly, I'll let you think about it.

More pretty trees... in fact, the grass is green too! 

A gorgeous autumn afternoon... also serves as evidence that the sky is blue, clouds are white and trees are green (and slightly yellow) in the Fall.