As I was running errands today, I saw a man with a beaten cardboard sign. The sign read “Need Help. Please Give.” He was standing in the median of Cypresswood Drive at HWY 249 [Map] .The car in front of me generously gave the man a few bucks as I locked my doors. She had the “Jesus Fish” on her car.
I thought, “That’s the right thing to do. Give to those in need. I’m sure that he’ll take the money and buy booze.” I sat there and drove off, never making eye contact with the needy man.
On the way back to my apartment, I stopped at Kroger–the grocery store at that same very intersection. You can see it on this satellite map. It’s just above the red dot.
Next door to Kroger is a liquor store. I think it’s called M&R Liquors. As I was leaving Kroger (and sitting in my car), I saw a man walk into the store. I thought to myself, “I’ve seen that man before…where do I know him from?”
Bam. It hit me. He was the man asking for money. He was the needy man spending the money he pilfered from generous motorists. I sat there for a few minutes, stunned, waiting for him to come out. To his credit, I couldn’t tell if he bought any liquor.
It makes you think about all of the folks who stand and ask for money on the corners…
Monthly Archives: November 2005
Adobe Technical Support
I just posted about Adobe Technical support. They were right, I was wrong.
Well, I was wrong because ML Credit Card services was stupid and told me that everything was fine. Then two hours later came the courtesy “fraud” call… Hmphpmp.
So to the poor Adobe tech support guy that I got mad at: Sorry.
To ML Credit Card Services: a call (even a computer one) would be very helpful. Or some sort of website that you can approve flagged purchases.
Reality
Do you ever wonder about how society perceives reality?
We live in an age where absolutes are shunned, morals are failing, and reality is different for everyone. Unfortunately, the only thing society agrees to be ‘real’ are ‘reality’ shows–which aren’t really ‘real’ at all.
Quick Hits
From Church Marketing Sucks: Stupid Church Rules
The “task force” considered your requests to provide links to your blogs on the Church web site at our last meeting. The following conveys the committee’s thinking on the subject at this point.
Whereas blogs are typically personal and should not be controlled, censored, or managed by anyone other than the owner of the blog; and
Whereas links and/or sub-links which may be placed on a blog could have content inappropriate to the purpose and audience of the church web site;
Therefore, the “Information Policy Task Force” of our church states that unless and until the IPTF is able to produce standards to which blogs must conform in order to be consistent with the purpose of the church web site, no blog references will be identified on the church web site.
Enough whereases? Give me a break!
And from Effective Ministry Notes: Technology is too important to ministry to be left to Techies:
Technology may end up being too important to be left to techies, Gartner said, and business executives may end up managing it as part of their regular roles.
Technology will become part of everyone’s job. Even more than it is now.
Quote of the Day
Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Romans 12:16, The Message
via Mike Taylor
Les Miserables
Have you seen the Paris riots? It seems to truly be “Les Miserables.”
What seems worse now: the racial problems in the US or the ones in France?
What seems better now: socialism or capitalism? 5% unemployment or 10%+ unemployment? A government that says, “You should get a job?” Or a government that promises you a job and doesn’t deliver?
This is not an attack on the French–but sometimes we mock what we have and demean it during our times of crisis (Katrina), but eventually I am reminded of how blessed we really are.
Gas Price Variation
Why does the Shell station close to my apartment sell gas for $2.39 a gallon [map to station] whereas, the shell station on FM 1960 [map to station] sells gas for $2.25 a gallon?
Why the fourteen cent difference for only a couple miles. Surely the cost of delivery isn’t that different? Is the price of gas based on what the local customers will pay?
Any ideas?
Women As Objects
It amazes me how women are still potrtayed as objects. Of course, by objects, I mean “Objects of Sex.” Even after the feminist revolution and the supposed enlighted society that we live in, women are still sexual object in marketing, music and media.
I saw a commercial for the Suit Mart here in Houston. The camera panned across four attractive young women–except the camera focused on their chests. Think of any major beer commercial…most have women as objects.
I listened to a song by the Black Eyed Peas the other day–I think it was called “My Hump” or something like that. The song was totally degrading for women. Throw in songs from Usher and virtually any other rapper, and you’ll find demeaning lyrics and actions.
Here’s the deal: I simply don’t understand why women are not offended by this demeaning talk and behavior. Most of my friends not only listen to Usher and the Black Eyed Peas, but they sing along with the songs. Occasionally I’ll here a comment about that being “gross.” But that’s about it.
It saddens me that our society allows and encourages such behavior. This is more damaging than any perceived “glass ceiling” in the corporate world.
People
These posts show why you should call/im/email/say “Happy Birthday:” TOP TEN REASONS why MY 25TH BIRTHDAY WAS THE BEST EVER! and My Top Ten Reasons for a Happy Birthday.
It’s so simple; it means so much. Why not just say “Happy Birthday!?”
Chinese Food
I ate chinese food tonight. It was very traumatic.
Actually, it was okay. Soy sauce still grosses me out and I have philosophical problems with a food group that relies so heavily on rice, but it was do-able.