tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63289894056937503912024-02-02T10:52:04.512-05:00Happy Nat: Heathen DadA place to sort out raising a child as an atheist parent.HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-23051443018791809452008-01-16T09:09:00.000-05:002008-01-16T21:29:53.706-05:006 Months and 2 Years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-HsYyOB672rHhpJTOoNEXg74DnqfHfzEFRs5lD2OaoxaL_2CosuJ6acxNIju1rkk6dcGtiOQpGkKL8QhQcAwGdKrlETZ6jDIkpiD15mJuRA-SO6mdck51QiHclULz2zjt-8MRhdqg80Z/s1600-h/100_144102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-HsYyOB672rHhpJTOoNEXg74DnqfHfzEFRs5lD2OaoxaL_2CosuJ6acxNIju1rkk6dcGtiOQpGkKL8QhQcAwGdKrlETZ6jDIkpiD15mJuRA-SO6mdck51QiHclULz2zjt-8MRhdqg80Z/s320/100_144102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156206115857900850" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yesterday Nora turned 6 months old. It is amazing how fast it has gone, but all parents say that don't they? She is more fun everyday and is so cute it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">regoddamndiculous</span>. This past weekend she really laughed for the first time. Instead of her normal excited squeal she had a steady stream of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hee</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hees</span> that had the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Happynatress</span> and me in tears. It was so cute we broke down and got a video camera, not we just need to figure out how to work the camera.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7w-CFDsYXgr0kdWooq69_DEdt8C61XU8lo_D_zTPjK0GrBCOXX4tzX_LIhyphenhyphen3AVCcYrH651QQpwp-LXMYQkemBNnNT4qvpldTUcBsnZWmdNrbk21Z4yAeYZ_vA0zDtAu-osI0ZcwIhCJF/s1600-h/100_1403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7w-CFDsYXgr0kdWooq69_DEdt8C61XU8lo_D_zTPjK0GrBCOXX4tzX_LIhyphenhyphen3AVCcYrH651QQpwp-LXMYQkemBNnNT4qvpldTUcBsnZWmdNrbk21Z4yAeYZ_vA0zDtAu-osI0ZcwIhCJF/s320/100_1403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156206124447835458" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> will be two years since Mom died from brain cancer. I had almost a year to deal with the loss of Mom before we knew Nora was on her way. I remember thinking how happy she would have been for us and I know she would have been a great grandmother, as I got to see her with my niece and nephew as they grew up. I suppose I will always feel a bit sad that I waited to have a child as long as I did and that Nora will never get to meet her grandmother.<br /><br />I think of Mom quite often as I interact with Eleanor as I find myself using the same phrases and playing the same games. As I was growing up she taught me to think for myself and to not be afraid to challenge the status <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">quo</span>, even when she was the status <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">quo</span>. Although we butted heads at times one of her main concerns was that I had thought out my position. When we disagreed she would listen to my reasoning and if not except it, she would respect it as my conclusion. I hope to raise my daughter to be an independent thinker as this is one thing I will always have from Mom.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqt48XxNgjNFjbCx0YZgpze7QkXHy0zM944A1NrnF7IdrHUX5Xsl_SQPYxBjzDGVcCtXmgVjvQBM5QDBf1txNqn43ypTiwN4ltjtwD93NwuBQNFWeOcfEVma0giTOLuF6gOWnNJZVuHBL/s1600-h/100_1425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqt48XxNgjNFjbCx0YZgpze7QkXHy0zM944A1NrnF7IdrHUX5Xsl_SQPYxBjzDGVcCtXmgVjvQBM5QDBf1txNqn43ypTiwN4ltjtwD93NwuBQNFWeOcfEVma0giTOLuF6gOWnNJZVuHBL/s320/100_1425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156206128742802770" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div>HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-11868548489558450342008-01-10T20:13:00.000-05:002008-01-10T20:51:17.261-05:00Joel Osteen is a FlakeIt has taken a while to get back into the swing with the Oregon trip for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">xmas</span> and my Buckeyes laying another egg in the National Championship Game. But I've been catching up on my reading and I just read this <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2180590/">article</a> about Joel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Osteen's</span> new book on the Slate. I've seen him before but I've paid as much attention to him as any other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mega church</span> preacher, which is next to nil. I was interested now because my Dad's new girl friend gave him a copy of the book to read. Dad has always been a Christian and gone to church, but his new lady is way <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">churchy</span>. So I was a bit concerned about Joel's message. From what I can gather other than being a ridiculous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cheesedick</span> there isn't much to worry about in his message.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GIUANxVqYC1Qv0oE-DmazF6CyaUnj5lRMLgPmJAFP7mxHAr-z-aeHSAGTyros0C33n7PuB2AJF-6Glpvh4croWl0kP1leaqV_2faE5vtCTKveA8FNg4lIdtbjC_EI2lg80h8RpTOjLdb/s1600-h/080102_FB_osteen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GIUANxVqYC1Qv0oE-DmazF6CyaUnj5lRMLgPmJAFP7mxHAr-z-aeHSAGTyros0C33n7PuB2AJF-6Glpvh4croWl0kP1leaqV_2faE5vtCTKveA8FNg4lIdtbjC_EI2lg80h8RpTOjLdb/s320/080102_FB_osteen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154023533737157922" border="0" /></a>It sounds like his message, in this book at least, is a mix between a generic self improvement book and The Secret. He suggests that God wants us to have good posture and to learn to smile on purpose. Which while it seems silly God would care isn't bad advice for anyone. Even I, as a person who slouches and usually has a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">scowl</span> on his face, would have a hard time arguing with these points. What is rather disturbing to me is how active God is in helping Joel just because he is a good positive person.<br /><br /><blockquote>For it turns out that the divine hand turns up everywhere, at least in Joel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Osteen's</span> life. God upgrades his reservations to first class on a long international flight; God spares his car in a water-planing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">wipeout</span> on the Houston interstate; God allows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Osteen</span> and his wife/co-pastor, Victoria, to flip a property "for twice as much as we paid for it" in a once-sketchy Houston neighborhood; God swings a critical vote on the Houston zoning board to permit Lakewood to move to its mammoth Compaq Center digs—and God even saw fit 35 years earlier to ensure the engineer who designed the ramps leading to the Compaq Center provided easy parking access for Lakewood.</blockquote>This is the line of thinking that really bothers me about Christians. Good things that happen in our life are not due to hard work, smarts, determination, or even luck they are all examples of God working his magic in their lives. They act as though they are powerless to change their life without the help of an outside influence. Many Christians sell themselves short, which maybe should be a surprise when the basis of their religion is that we are all sinful evil beings from birth. Call me a crazy optimist, but in most cases people have all they need within themselves. <br /><br />The other obvious problem with the idea of God working so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">intimately</span> with everyday things in your life is what about the bad things that happen. Did your aunt die in a car crash because she wasn't positive about God? Why does God not care about starving children all over the world, but helps Joel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Osteen</span> flip a house for a huge profit? If we give God the credit for the good, how does he not take the blame for the bad, or get a shrug for the mundane?<br /><br />Dad's lady friend is all about God working in her life. In fact, "God brought her and dad together. It is truly God working in their lives." Which is fine if they believe it, but I could have sworn it was match.com that brought them together. Oh well, to each their own, until they start asking about Nora being baptized/going to church I can leave it alone. And as far as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">mega church</span> preachers for my Dad to follow, he could do a lot worse than Joel I suppose. Anyone have any thoughts on Joel?HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-37756062177797415712007-12-18T22:13:00.001-05:002007-12-18T22:35:35.520-05:00Leaving For Portland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_Ttf12EXYX1ff6q5mNSSz7XDZVc7oNzWVfF368MGGtxLWDAqWC5IE0YLf0XYs1togHaQlDs1GHoOo9cAuUmp-9cBNNAST8FfT5WwdKWIzaCevOc7ZhUWBXv_tiESfr5gZYtShaw0Qv9v/s1600-h/100_129301.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_Ttf12EXYX1ff6q5mNSSz7XDZVc7oNzWVfF368MGGtxLWDAqWC5IE0YLf0XYs1togHaQlDs1GHoOo9cAuUmp-9cBNNAST8FfT5WwdKWIzaCevOc7ZhUWBXv_tiESfr5gZYtShaw0Qv9v/s320/100_129301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145517557095214242" border="0" /></a><br />So tomorrow our happy little clan is heading to the Pacific Northwest for over a week for the Holidays. I've never spent Christmas out of Ohio and away from my family here, but I am looking forward to the trip. It is actually a great time to "leave" my family here for the Holidays (a long story I will try to post about in the new year). Any new experience is a good one in my mind and I look forward to seeing the Christmas traditions of my in-laws. From what I've heard the whole clan (15 Aunts and Uncles on one side) gather an Aunt's house . . .I don;t think there is any church involved.<br /><br />The experience of flying across the country with a 5-month old . . .I'm not so sure about. For years when I flew I would avoid the person/couple with young children and now we are that couple. Ah karma you damn dirty whore! We hope for most of the trip she looks like she does in the picture below. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwnArxxUQZnmAcyInb9DHiHNqAAIkp3SzSXWV5DWVKy7cNc77SbCtTq1_5z-5pHU003auQ5jLT9W06uNYxlHJaznbMEYxevYwjHnerkyp0MW6Q-aRxsYChQHtvtoWK7LRejZhP51930P-/s1600-h/100_1256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwnArxxUQZnmAcyInb9DHiHNqAAIkp3SzSXWV5DWVKy7cNc77SbCtTq1_5z-5pHU003auQ5jLT9W06uNYxlHJaznbMEYxevYwjHnerkyp0MW6Q-aRxsYChQHtvtoWK7LRejZhP51930P-/s320/100_1256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145517561390181554" border="0" /></a>And let us not forget the "true" meaning of Christmas. "And there was a bear with a buckeye hat living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FSM</span> appeared to them, and it's glory shone around them, and they were terrified. But the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FSM</span> said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is a Oregon Duck. This will be a sign to you: You will find a duck wrapped in green and lying in a manger."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZp64WM8EiGHJGXw1jZR-8JhZXHydS7aLarh7C-OGzPdTmvCnpePB3EuQAcsxwlxNVDoP7j3RUOFGdNJolFUclLiNTc24dMb5qdOePSilOAKuN_xuNvoZB7An6en-u2e_PwGScOcTvHX5/s1600-h/100_1341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZp64WM8EiGHJGXw1jZR-8JhZXHydS7aLarh7C-OGzPdTmvCnpePB3EuQAcsxwlxNVDoP7j3RUOFGdNJolFUclLiNTc24dMb5qdOePSilOAKuN_xuNvoZB7An6en-u2e_PwGScOcTvHX5/s320/100_1341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145517565685148866" border="0" /></a><br />This is the Nativity my grandmother had in her house for years, for some reason it ended up in my hands. I like the damn thing, despite being a heathen, but the baby Jesus is downright creepy so I replaced him with the Oregon Duck.<br /><br />Merry whatever you celebrate everyone!HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-3493474414147128002007-12-12T14:26:00.000-05:002007-12-12T14:46:17.848-05:00"War on Christmas" right here in Ohio!!Just saw this <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/12/12/Nativity_Up_Again.ART_ART_12-12-07_B1_LJ8OI70.html?sid=101">story</a> today in the Columbus Dispatch. Same old story, non christian boy sees the Nativity on state property, boy gets offended and complains, Nativity is removed, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Governor</span> steps in and has the put back up. . . .<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wha</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wha</span> what? <br /><blockquote><p>Gov. Ted Strickland weighed in a day after The Dispatch ran a story about the<br />controversy last week. Strickland told the state parks to put the scenes back<br />up.</p><p><br />"The governor believes that Nativity scenes are an appropriate part of<br />our traditional holiday displays," said Keith <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dailey</span>, a spokesman for<br />Strickland.</p></blockquote><br />Yup, apparently since the nativity is "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">traditional</span>" is is totally cool to have them. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Never mind</span> that baby Jesus is right in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fricking</span> middle of them . . . no religion there. Other "traditional" items cool with the gov, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">separate</span> drinking fountains for colored folks and women being denied the right to vote. Then he goes on to say that a menorah would be fine, but not a symbol for Zoroastrian because that is not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">traditional</span>. BTW, I love that the person who protested wanted a symbols of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zoroastrian</span> and Hindu with the Nativity.<br /><br />Then we get back to some good old stupidity from the local politicians. City Council member Chris Rodriguez said this about another <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nativity</span> in Columbus that was moved (not taken down) from the main steps.<br /><blockquote>"Personally, I think people should get over it and stop being so smug about<br />their rights. It's freedom of religion, not the freedom from religion." </blockquote><br />Smug about our rights? What the hell does that mean? You have rights but if you speak up for them you are being smug? Add in the the old tired line of, "not freedom from religion" . . *sigh*. All I can say is, you sir are a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">douche bag</span>.HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-21965456336454570062007-11-24T11:46:00.001-05:002007-11-24T11:59:41.108-05:00BackThings have been a bit crazy recently, but here is an update. Our trip the Key West was great. What a beautiful part of the country and it was fun to act like college kids for a couple of days. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cTO3gkpcBSHfee8bh_PXjXMGNf1u0AV24iz_bt4t3_2a4hoQuMTbwoF272yfaE4447hyphenhyphennD9HvV_DaF1fULdaUFfx5WGWxpKjNsZTTbqR1MO9AnnFNZqnYw_XHvTW6WKcsjI2T_ECNxmz/s1600-h/100_1165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cTO3gkpcBSHfee8bh_PXjXMGNf1u0AV24iz_bt4t3_2a4hoQuMTbwoF272yfaE4447hyphenhyphennD9HvV_DaF1fULdaUFfx5WGWxpKjNsZTTbqR1MO9AnnFNZqnYw_XHvTW6WKcsjI2T_ECNxmz/s320/100_1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449790684935106" border="0" /></a><br />Nora did great with Grandma watching her, but a couple days after we got back she got sick for the first time in her young life. She had a high fever for 3 or 4 days and was clearly not herself. It is tough watching someone so little and helpless not feeling good and her sad little cries broke my heart. All she wanted to do was curl up in our arms and fall asleep.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qb0VmoqSL3SEkT_pnR8R0W5ctN1fHnHUlXUl58svIz2qMKEIbA9ZAiYrrgMsTgMDHwRawErBrroDNBjuhal8nrjZXmuw2xukCj0HI59BbkFeMmmOwjcl3MwANQmT_QjG6kEdzgCwIvSg/s1600-h/100_1158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qb0VmoqSL3SEkT_pnR8R0W5ctN1fHnHUlXUl58svIz2qMKEIbA9ZAiYrrgMsTgMDHwRawErBrroDNBjuhal8nrjZXmuw2xukCj0HI59BbkFeMmmOwjcl3MwANQmT_QjG6kEdzgCwIvSg/s320/100_1158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449799274869714" border="0" /></a>While I was busy someone sent me a <a href="http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=121">link</a> to a great review of the creation "museum" in Kentucky. I know it has been talked about to death, but I thought this review was a good read. Plus he has 100 or so pictures with some fantastic captions. I knew the "museum" was crap, but reading some of the placards . . .I mean . . .wow. This quote from the review sums it up pretty nice, I think.<br /><blockquote>And this is, in sum, the Creation Museum. $27 million has purchased the very best monument to an enormous load of horseshit that you could possibly ever hope to see. I enjoyed my visit, admired the craft with which the whole thing was put together, and was never once convinced that what I was seeing celebrated was anything more or less than horseshit. Popular horseshit? Undoubtedly. Horseshit hallowed by tradition and consecrated by time? Just so. Horseshit of the finest possible quality? I would not argue the point. And yet, even so: Horseshit. Complete horseshit. Utter horseshit. Total horseshit. Horseshit, horseshit, horseshit, horseshit. I pity the people who swallow it whole.</blockquote>HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-12068083039147414972007-11-08T21:12:00.000-05:002007-11-08T21:32:41.794-05:00A Night OutLast night the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HappyNatess</span> and I got a chance to go out and see <a href="http://www.tmbg.com/">They Might Be Giants</a> in concert while Grandpa watched Nora. We have had a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">opportunities</span> to have some time alone but last night we got to grab a casual dinner and do what we do best (drink beer and catch a live show). I've seen the Johns in concert a dozen times or so, it is quite shocking to think back of the first time I saw them in 1989 as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sophomore</span> in high school. This time through Columbus they were back at the Newport Music Hall which has hosted a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">myriad</span> of acts from The Grateful Dead, to Billy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cyrstal</span>, to Bob Dylan to Pearl Jam.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/oppenheimer">Oppenheimer</a> opened and they were a fun duo. They are from Ireland and consist of a lead singer/drummer/toy keyboard/air horn player and a guitarist/keyboard/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">electronica</span> sound maker. They kind of reminded me of a mix of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TMBG</span> and Grandaddy, not sure I could take a whole CD from them but they were entertaining.<br /><br />It was nice to get out for a normal night, but we were both glad to see our girl after the show. This get away was a test for this weekend when we will flying down to Florida to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. Wow 5 years and it keeps getting better. My wife is really special to keep putting up with me. <br /><br />Grandma (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">HappyNatess's</span> mom) is flying in from Portland to to watch Nora while we are out of town so we know she will be in good hands. However, it will be tough to get on the plane and leave her for 3 days. I think it will be OK as long as we check in and hear she is doing fine. Grandma was here for Nora's birth and is VERY excited to get to see her again. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">have</span> a feeling she will be pushing on on the plane so her and Nora can play.HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-41483447473723822592007-11-01T23:26:00.001-04:002007-11-01T23:45:12.605-04:00Motivation!<a href="http://www.friendlyatheist.com/">The Friendly Atheist</a> challenged his readers to create a motivational poster for atheists from the site <a href="http://wigflip.com/automotivator/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AutoMotivemaker</span></a>. Here are my two entries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/1820621416_2dd4a29bab.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2203/1820621416_2dd4a29bab.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/1815066389_e5343db25b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/1815066389_e5343db25b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We all know how atheists love succulent babies. Having a daughter has made me love them even more. And let's face it, life is all about her right now so she should be in her first motivational poster.HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-53554114151938578072007-10-31T22:25:00.001-04:002007-11-01T09:49:51.584-04:00The Sky is FallingFor our first Halloween Nora dressed as a little chicken. I picked the chicken outfit for 4 reasons, 1) he has a damn fine Chicken mask that has been used on many Halloweens the past 15 years, 2) my fantasy football team is named The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gerneral</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tso's</span> Chickens, 3) it had no tail so she could fit in a car seat, and 4) it was not pink. The first time she tried it on Nora wasn't so happy with it as you can see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ZygwN7WA-THYy88mI7sd8yHvaWOLdohGj4IUKXt8w6Rlrsau8I06JvVLfjgTyyO5yyyZpI062w_YfLDgoRLQlPWp09nkBCKpt04_j5XrQHp-Ufh7L1KAWEjGfEeha0GTXihLTN3e-Z1/s1600-h/100_1124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127692758177087426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ZygwN7WA-THYy88mI7sd8yHvaWOLdohGj4IUKXt8w6Rlrsau8I06JvVLfjgTyyO5yyyZpI062w_YfLDgoRLQlPWp09nkBCKpt04_j5XrQHp-Ufh7L1KAWEjGfEeha0GTXihLTN3e-Z1/s320/100_1124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />However, once she got used to it she seemed to like it. She wore her outfit to daycare and then to see Grandpa. Nora is obviously too young for candy so Mom and Dad helped out by taking some from Grandpa while he was distracted by the chicken.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzGuBj5vODvL-fJDEWNLK3TfR9wOJ3b_wTiZFFE5QU4GqvFRvgCH8sm6orCcBesErK1f76xudagpyUeAD0Ht2wlqbfunFa1Z1rqDsHoH3t67Mpt_tYZ7KP5z3v79qpZS58xCr__nTepd-/s1600-h/100_1140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127692783946891218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzGuBj5vODvL-fJDEWNLK3TfR9wOJ3b_wTiZFFE5QU4GqvFRvgCH8sm6orCcBesErK1f76xudagpyUeAD0Ht2wlqbfunFa1Z1rqDsHoH3t67Mpt_tYZ7KP5z3v79qpZS58xCr__nTepd-/s320/100_1140.JPG" border="0" /></a>HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-34507032416849261672007-10-28T10:37:00.000-04:002007-10-28T10:43:52.679-04:00Musings of a Proud Dad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRJQ9emM-FIRwv8Jbpp7zI2wCT_ab6eQ2U3rEImx5rfL8m1SYLT_d1LDAhnsLn8VNvh_QAw3QiGhk8-1Sau8CGykIiD2ARvxUNPHTX8AEFQg5mFDAQMYp3-qEYSP4sVK2gdaoPgrHk80X/s1600-h/P1011192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRJQ9emM-FIRwv8Jbpp7zI2wCT_ab6eQ2U3rEImx5rfL8m1SYLT_d1LDAhnsLn8VNvh_QAw3QiGhk8-1Sau8CGykIiD2ARvxUNPHTX8AEFQg5mFDAQMYp3-qEYSP4sVK2gdaoPgrHk80X/s320/P1011192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126397237126823842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">If nothing else raising a child causes one to think about life.<span style=""> </span>As I’ve watched other children in my life grow up I always focused on their physical development.<span style=""> </span>I would notice them growing bigger, learning to walk, and watching them play (and swim).<span style=""> </span>Seeing Eleanor start to recognize and really react to us it really occurred to me the vast amount of development that happens in the first few years of life and as she becomes an adult in society.<span style=""> </span>I guess the totality of what Wendy and I get to witness has become apparent the last few weeks.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Eleanor grows up she will not only learn to walk, talk, write, etc, but she will also develop a consciousness of her own.<span style=""> </span>She will ask all the big questions about why we are here and her place in the world.<span style=""> </span>Nora will have a chance to look at the stars in wonder.<span style=""> </span>She will be able to question the existence of<span style=""> </span>god(s) and come to her own conclusion if we are alone. She will form opinions about everything from art and music to politics.<span style=""> </span>For a geeky sociologist to be able to observe her proceed in all areas of life is an amazing privilege.<span style=""> </span>To realize that I have a prominent role in the development of her self is truly humbling.<span style=""> </span>I guess I’m saying I like this dad gig.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUMluhXIta7HBRjF9LAScq0u9bWJ2gnibo0TiuGFTPciTQe-7lK6OjkkxNTx84O9fpsU0TmstQ6bbff9Pj41wQ0K2Vn8xYPpSFL1_eHXT7WhkG0KOtBRclF9H7Yz0g6P-NhfXd9IFgBJo/s1600-h/100_113101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUMluhXIta7HBRjF9LAScq0u9bWJ2gnibo0TiuGFTPciTQe-7lK6OjkkxNTx84O9fpsU0TmstQ6bbff9Pj41wQ0K2Vn8xYPpSFL1_eHXT7WhkG0KOtBRclF9H7Yz0g6P-NhfXd9IFgBJo/s320/100_113101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126397245716758450" border="0" /></a><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ></span>HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6328989405693750391.post-90873069973544575552007-10-26T11:24:00.000-04:002007-10-26T11:35:23.694-04:00First posts are usually insipid . . .and this one will be no different. I'm a mid-thirties first time dad to a beautiful 3 month old girl, Nora. We already have a family blog for friends and family to keep up to date with our girl through the million or so pictures we have already taken. Due to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">religiosity</span> of both my wife's and my family I felt rather constrained to keep the posts all puppies and sunshine and not deal with the issues of being heathen parents. I don't know where this blog will go but I've been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">inspired</span> by reading many other blogs of people in similar situations. So here we go . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP2_MDRjOd7htkUJcAMnKQusudqYZqg3EjbN_xdIfD06EOhw6tMzPcdrAUK_7ugi7KjApJN0_krBG2enB9RkHJ3eckaEzn0UxWduhGUfBGFsTEK3WTye9-KfV-LXFEl25q3siR0TsdpTI/s1600-h/100_0856.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125666989607288722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP2_MDRjOd7htkUJcAMnKQusudqYZqg3EjbN_xdIfD06EOhw6tMzPcdrAUK_7ugi7KjApJN0_krBG2enB9RkHJ3eckaEzn0UxWduhGUfBGFsTEK3WTye9-KfV-LXFEl25q3siR0TsdpTI/s320/100_0856.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>HappyNathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829300035896356278noreply@blogger.com2