Groundhog Day
Today marks the first day of February, and boy, does it feel like it with the bone-chilling cold weather outside. Tomorrow we’re supposed to find out if we’re going to have six more weeks of winter or not thanks to Punxsutawney Phil. I thought it’d be fun to share a couple of tidbits about Groundhog Day that you may not be aware of. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, “For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May…” Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. → Read more...
Super Bowl Shuffle
During the Chicago Bears’ NFC championship game on January 12, 1986, where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 24-0 to secure their place in Super Bowl XX, a game they went on to win, the snow started falling. It is said that some people and players thought it was George Halas, the legendary Bears founder and coach, watching from above and giving his blessing. Twenty-one years later, the Bears found themselves once again in the position of being one game away from entering the Super Bowl, the game that only two teams out of 32 can boast of being in. → Read more...
Closing of a Year, Pt. 1
Wow, it’s been a month. Well, close to one, anyways. So, what have I been doing ever since Christmas? Well, I made it through the holidays intact. Let me tell you single people a secret that long-term dating couples don’t share. Ok, ready? When you’re dating someone, you’re not just dating them, but you’re dating their family. I know it sounds so “duh!” but the realization usually doesn’t fully hit until the holidays because by then your calendar is so stuffed with plans with your family as well as their family and your extended family and their extended family. → Read more...
Twiddling Thumbs at Work
So, on this dreary, rainy Monday, I’m bored at work. All of my major projects are done and everything else I’m working on is small, requiring only an hour or two to complete. The rest of the week will be just like today: dull, rainy, and unusually warm for a Chicago winter. I’ve decided that this week I’ll make several posts in what I think ought to be mandatory viewing or reading for people. Let’s call this… Pop Culture 101. → Read more...
How highly apropos that we have our first snowfall ever (and it’s a major one!) on December 1st. Snow makes me happy. Driving in it does not. But the happiness outweighs everything else. EDIT: It’s also the perfect snow! Wet, heavy, sticky. It crushes underneath you when you walk. Perfect for snowballs and snowmen. It’s a beautiful winter wonderland outside. → Read more...
Happy Thanksgiving
To all my readers and to those who might stumble upon my Xanga today, I wish you guys a wonderful Thanksgiving. It’s a gorgeous day here in Chicagoland and I’m looking forward to being with my family and to being with a certain someone who, by this time next year, will officially be part of my family. Eat turkey, watch some football, be with your family, but most importantly, be thankful for the blessings God’s given you this year. → Read more...
Guys, I’d like you to meet Charlie and Swinger. They both just wanted to say hi! They were bought by Amanda to keep me company. So far they’re doing a remarkable job. → Read more...
Sin and Tortoises
One of the hidden secrets that adults don’t tell their children (or any children for that matter) is how difficult life actually is. It’s an unspoken truth, not uttered to children, perhaps in an effort to preserve their bright-eyed naivete about life. Perhaps we think that if we told the truth to children, it would be like Instant Coffee. Instant adults — just add hard-hitting life truth. We tell children that Jesus loves us and saved us from sin. → Read more...
Interlude
February 2, 2007
Xanga-Matt
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Matt
Before I get to part two of my post, which will close the threads I started in part one, I thought I’d take an interlude of sorts. A bit of a background first: At work, I’m responsible for writing a weekly email newsletter that goes out every Thursday. It covers what’s going on at the church, any events that people might be interested in, etc. I’ve recently started to open each e-letter with ruminations, sentiments, or thoughts that were on my heart that week. → Read more...