Best Songs with Car/Truck/Motorcycle Metaphor

Anyone have an opinion on the best (or their favorite) songs using a car/truck/motorcycle metaphor? I just heard one of my favorites on the radio: "1952 Vincent Black Lightening" by Richard Thompson.

Sunday Baseball at the K

We arrived at Andy's church Sunday fifteen minutes late. We thought the service started at 10:45, but it started at 10:30. That set the tone for the rest of the day. Andy has already blogged the game and posted pictures from his digital camera.

It was a beautiful day for baseball at the K, and the seats contained more red-clad fans than blue-clad. But the blue-clad fans had more to celebrate when it was all over. David Eckstein's horrific day in the field gave the Royals a big lead in the first inning. The Cardinals never threatened that lead.

It was free hot dog and beverage day for the kids though. Plus, we earned free Krispy Kreme doughnuts since the Royals were able to get twelve hits (it turns out that if you give them more than three outs per inning they get a lot more hits). The Cards did take two out of three from the Blue Crew this weekend, so all was not lost for Cards fans.

The Birds at the K

Andy and I are taking the families to the K to see the Cards battle the Royals on Sunday. The K is a great place to watch a ballgame. It doesn't have the same electric atmosphere you'll find at Busch or at Wrigley, but it is a beautiful, relaxing ballpark.

One of the best things that can happen at the K is when Royals deliver twelve hits. That means your ticket stub is good for a dozen, delicious Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now, if they get twelve hits Sunday and lose, it will be a magic day. However, the Royals haven't had many games with twelve hits this year.

Willa be will attending her third MLB game and her second Cardinals game. Isa will be attending her first game ever.

Don't tell Andy, but it looks like the Royals will be using a Minor League call-up to pitch against the Cards on Sunday.

I'll be back on Monday with a full report.

Media Intimidation

Newsweek Magazine retracted a story about the mistreatment of the Holy Koran this week. Or, rather, they were intimidated into retracting the story by the Bush Administration. The story is probably true. It's been widely reported in the New York Times, Washington Post, ABC News, the Seattle Times, the Houston Chronicle, and others.

The Pentagon claims it investigated and found nothing. They must not have read any earlier inquiries or interviewed any of the released (i.e. innocent) prisoners.

This is plain and simple media intimidation. The kind that undermines democracy as most Americans envision it. Check out the Rude Man for more citations and a more profane take.

Nice Shorts, Andy!

Hey, everyone pop over to Andy's blog today and tell him how wonderful his shorts look. And don't forget to check out his daughter Cori who is quickly running out of teeth.

And then there was one...

After months of promising and planning, I have decided to leave the land of the unposted and strand Lou as the last remaining non-poster.

Welcome to the middle of the spring, affectionately known around our house as softball season. Amanda's team, Blue Springs Lightning Black, just played their 24th and 25th game earlier today and still has two left to play tonight. Tomorrow begins the single elimination tournament where the team could play as many as three more games. As of right now, their record is 20-5 (an .800 winning percentage ain't too bad). Before Nationals are played in Oklahoma this July (where it will be 108 degrees in the shade), the Lightning will probably play in the neighborhood of 70-75 games. To play 70-75 games in the old Khoury League would take you about five years. Amanda even got to play four games on her birthday. Now I know that to some of you, that seems like a lot of softball, but to many of us, that would have been ideal when we were growing up. Check out the team's website for more information. I try to keep it as current as possible with schedules, scores, and pictures.

Right behind Amanda is Lindsey. She is in her first year of machine-pitch ball and is having a blast. She has an intense competitive spirit (she'd fit right in with this group) and is going to be tough to keep off of the softball fields for the next couple of decades. Sorry, no website for the Superstars.

(OK, Lou, it's all on you.)

Big Show Cancelled!

Once again the Big Show is cancelled. Paulie is weatherbitten. He will let me know as soon as the show is rescheduled. I guess this isn't the time to take Paulie to the Boat.

Big Show Friday!

A reminder that Paulie's big show is Friday. I am planning on going. I'll just plan on being at Flat Branch shortly after 7 pm. The weather is looking good so far.

The shows are again scheduled for 10:30 and 11:30 pm at the Deja Vu comedy club in Columbia, MO.

Come on out! Enjoy the show!

**UPDATE** Jeff has offered his home for pre-show beers and laughs. This sounds like a great option to me. If you want directions leave a comment here or email Jeff or me.

Hit over the Head

Since someone said I've been hitting readers over the head with my beliefs, I wanted to give examples of what it really means to hit someone over the head with beliefs. In Kansas, they want to teach a religious belief as if it were a credible alternative to the foundation of modern biology. In Texas, they want to exclude Gays and Bisexuals from being foster parents. In Waynesville, North Carolina, nine members of the East Waynesville Baptist Church had their membership revoked because they are Democrats.

I just write what I think and encourage everyone else to do the same. I think it does all of us good to see the humanity of the people arguing from the other side. Too often the media highlight the differences and shield the humanity that binds us. This dehumanization makes it easy to discriminate against those who are different. It makes it easier to turn hate on other humans. It makes it easier to turn weapons on other humans.

This site is here for all to participate. All points of view will be considered and argued here. However, no one should be criticized for expressing their opinions here.

Anyone who knows me can become a contributor. Just email me your wish to join and an email address.

**UPDATED** Changed to reflect the correct state for Waynesville.

Mulholland Drive

Blog Daddy was able to rent some movies this week. Shelly and I both watched Napoleon Dynamite. I watched Mulholland Drive while she slept.

I have thought about Mulholland Drive for a couple days. It was a good flick. I'm a big David Lynch fan. I think the whole movie is Diane Selwyn's fantasy or dream. After she wakes up I think we see the reality that brought about her fantasy. I believe she had Camilla killed in reality. In her dream, Camilla survived, Diane re-entered her life with a new identity. I loved the Silencio scene. I'm not sure of the scene's meaning though. I'll keep thinking about it.

Napoleon Dynamite as a good flick too. Tons of laughs in that movie. Thanks for the suggestions.

**UPDATE** In the Silencio scene, Rebekah Del Rio does a Spanish version of Crying that is amazing. It is called Llorando. You can hear a clip of it here.

Going Shopping

I went to the zoo with Mrs. Laws kindergarten class today. We had a blast. I was going to post a picture from the trip, but most of the pictures are still on the film in my camera. This gem was on the roll that I had developed today though. The girls are heading out to do a little shopping. They are quite a pair.

Another Magical Evening

The Cards scored seven runs in the top of the ninth to beat the Reds 10-9 last night. John Mabry hit a two-run shot to put the Cards ahead. It's going to be a fun season.

Maybe they can reach the 100-win mark again.

In a couple of weeks I'll be attending the big interleague matchup at the K. I'm going with Andy who for some reason is a big Royals fan. How're you feeling about that game these days, Andy?

Dignity

The Real Live Preacher wrote yesterday about children in the worship service. My wife and I have always wanted our children to worship with us. Without them the service would seem superficial to us.

Sometimes, of course, the children bring a touch of chaos into the service. Some people are upset by this. The Preacher looks at it a little differently.

So away with the idea that worship is meant to be produced by experts and performed by professionals. Away with the idea that worship takes place up on a stage where it can be carefully orchestrated, controlled, and reproduced week in and week out, like some sort of TV show. I don’t want order in church; I want dignity. And dignity comes not from control, but from understanding who you are and taking your rightful place in the world.

Some control is surrendered, but the payoff is immeasurable.

I find a similar problem with the Bush Administration these days. Keep the immigrants out, they say. Prevent war with war, they say. Our beliefs are what these people need, they say. We can control them, they say.

But it will never work. You don't change the way people see you with bombs and guns. You can't beat them over the head with your own beliefs.

It takes compassion. It takes love. It takes the recognition of dignity in others.

Sometimes there will be chaos. It won't be easy. But if you want to change people's hearts, you must care for them and recognize their dignity.

The van speaks for itself

This van often is parked on a main thoroughfare in my neighborhood that connects to a main thoroughfare across the street from a middle school. The van speaks for itself . . .

Not lacking in artistic flavor

It gets better

In all its glory