Recently, and over my strident objections (ex post facto objections because I only found out about it after the durn thing had been purchased), a Wii was introduced into Orgle Manor.
My greatest fear was of an endless series of battles among the Llama-ettes over the thing akin to a gang of seagulls fighting over a dead crab on a beach. Fortunately, as I am the only person in the house who knows how to correctly hook the plugs into the back of the teevee (where the Wii has to take turns with the DVD player), I have made it clear that the instant I hear any squabbling, I will put the kybosh on anyone playing the thing. So far, this seems to have worked.
The only game that we allow the Llama-ettes to play is the sports package - tennis, golf, baseball and bowling. And of course, because it's there and because I'm a guy, I've tried it out for myself.
And you know what I realized last evening? I really don't like it. Sure, the novelty of the technology is gripping at first, but the truth is that the thing seems to fall flat awfully fast. I find the graphics to be off-putting, the music to be irritating and the games themselves to be in the end rayther dull. I suppose there are many other games out there with considerable more bang and flash, but of course I don't want the gels playing them and I am certainly not going to buy them only for myself.
Here's a formula for addictive fun: XBOX360 + (Halo3 or Call of Duty 4).
Not recommended unless you can do without sleep or can slip an extra 20 hours a week into your schedule.
Posted by: JohnL at April 04, 2008 10:59 AM (QyxlX)
3
Wii's for kids? I thought it was more or less the same thing as an X-box.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at April 04, 2008 11:41 AM (XQywO)
4
Xbox360 and Playstation 3 both went for pushing the envelope on the technology as much as possible, and are fighting for the hardcore gaming crowd. So, the best titles on those platforms tend to be the most realistic, fast moving games, which have been largely first person shooters.
The Wii is different. It's aimed at being fun, aimed at families, and aimed at non-gamers, largely. Which tends to mean not a lot of blood and guts.
In the category of games you might like that are available on the Wii, I might suggest Lego Star Wars [assuming, of course, you haven't already played it]. [I should say I haven't played the game, in any version, but it's gotten great reviews, seems to have ported to the Wii well, and if your kids can watch the movies, you probably wouldn't have any problem with them playing the game].
Posted by: owlish at April 04, 2008 04:02 PM (J/qnW)
A Fairfax circuit judge has awarded a favorable judgment to a group of 11 Anglican churches that were taken to court last fall after breaking away from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in late 2006.
In an 83-page opinion released late last night, Judge Randy Bellows ruled that Virginia's Civil War-era “division statute” granting property to departing congregations applies to the Northern Virginia congregations, which are now part of the Nigerian-administered Convocation of Anglicans in North America.
“The court finds that a division has occurred in the diocese,” the judge wrote. “Over 7 percent of the churches in the diocese, 11 percent of its baptized membership and 18 percent of the diocesan average attendance of 32,000 [per Sunday] have left in the past two years.”
The lawsuit, which is the largest property case to date in the history of the Episcopal Church, involves millions of dollars of real estate and assets. With the finding that a division has occurred, the congregations get to keep the property under Virginia law.
Because the diocese and the national Episcopal Church are expected to challenge the constitutionality of Virginia's division statute, the judge has already scheduled arguments for that trial for May 28.
I hesitated about whether to post this at all, given a) that I'm no longer involved and b) that tempers tend to flare 'round here when I post about TEC. In the end I decided to run with it because this is nooz and, if you're interested in this sort of thing, pretty weighty nooz at that.
Curiously, I really don't feel much - what? - passion about the matter anymore. Fifteen months ago, when I was still serving on my church's vestry, I got hauled up and castigated in executive session for daring to speak my thoughts on the Diocese's handling of the breakaway parishes. That was probably the low point of my entire relationship with TEC. But since then, as has been documented ad nausium here, other factors both longstanding and immediate intervened, the result being that I find myself watching this business from an almost academic point of view now. (I use the Star Wars metaphors above simply out of habit.)
Of course, objectively speaking, I still think the Diocese's handling of this matter has been appalling. However, from what I understand, poor old Bishop Lee is receiving his marching orders directly from 815 Central Command in Manhattan and doesn't have much real choice. I sincerely hope that at some point the Episcopalians and Anglicans within Virginia can patch up their grievances with each other and work together for the Greater Good.
Yips! to BabyBlue, who has lots more.
AHEM YIPS from Steve-O:
Frankly, I'm tired of this, and instead of responding by pointing out TARCC's (what, offensive sounding acronyms are only for other people's churches?) record in its, ahem, litigation over the past decade, I'm just going to kiss you both and walk away.
1
I'm following the deposition of Bp. Schofield and the attempts to depose Bp. Duncan and Iker over at Standfirminfaith, myself. It raises all manner of fascinating questions of theology and ecclesiology. Honestly, I feel bad for TEC, because it feels like an episode of CSI where everything is learned only via autopsy, ballistics reports, and DNA analaysis. Interesting if watched from home, not so fun for the guy on the table.
Posted by: The Abbot at April 04, 2008 03:12 PM (ivbbD)
There is a difference, which I am sure you see. The Catholic scandal of the bishops in covering up sex abuse did not extend to matters of ecclesiology or theology. It was a simple scandal of moral corruption. No bishop left the church claiming that sex abuse was acceptable from the point of view of Catholic theology or moral teaching. It injured the church, to be sure, but no one was advancing pederasty as an acceptable moral lifestyle; no one was preaching it from the pulpit.
And I do not defend the bishops involved; I myself would see their heads on pikes.
TEC has at its heart a problem of theology -- is Scripture the word of God, or isn't it? Can the clear moral teaching of two thousand years be set aside? Can men marry men and women marry women? These are questions that are causing the communion of the church to shatter.
I am not throwing stones. I truly wish the Anglican church would stick to the theology it defended for the last 450 years, instead of casting it aside. I take no joy in watching it destroy itself, honestly, but that's what it is doing.
And I do not imagine that you take joy in seeing the Catholic church weakened by scandal either, Steve-O. I take no offense when you criticize Rome, because Rome is attacked by everyone, anyway. Stand in line. Rome can take it. :-)
Posted by: The Abbot at April 05, 2008 07:44 AM (QBuXz)
3
As a theologically conservative Anglican (I belong to an REC parish), I'm happy for these churches.
As a matter of litigation strategy, TEC could walk away from this defeat and correctly explain it as a function of Virginia's distinctive statute, meaning that it is not precedential for the property disputes elsewhere. Unhappily, my guess is that 815 will spend yet more of its dwindling resources to continue the fight.
Posted by: ScurvyOaks at April 08, 2008 11:23 AM (s7sYI)
Velociman took some snaps on his way down Georgia's High Tech Corridor recently. Judging from the pictures, there are many more High Tech Corridors throughout the south than I ever expected.
1
Hey, was that one of them thar horseless carriages? Glad to see they ain't got none of those new-fangled "aeroplanes". If God wanted man to fly, He'd have given us wings.
Posted by: rbj at April 04, 2008 09:21 AM (ybRwv)
2
Most of my traveling through Georgia was through Atlanta to points south but a few years ago I made a trip to Savannah on I-16. Was curious about the drive since the route pretty well follows Sherman's march to the sea. I don't know.
Maybe I missed something but the term "Forage liberally off the land" seems a bit out of date.
It looked to me that if Sherman tried to make that march today, they'd starve out before they were half way to Savannah.
Posted by: Tbird at April 04, 2008 11:09 AM (suYkk)
Regular readers know that ol' Robbo is no fan of air travel. After all, had God intended Llamas to fly, He'd have given them wings.
Nonetheless, life is life and we do the things that need to be done. And in all the travel I've been on in recent months, I've gotten considerably better at calming my fears.
Nonetheless, there's still one aircraft that I particularly cannot stand, and that is the Canadair CRJ 100/200 series. For whatever reason of aerodynamics, it appears that the approved glide-slope for landing one of these beasts requires a high and hard approach, capped off with a most alarming nose-down attitude until just off the tarmac.
It also seems that every time I land in one, it is in the teeth of a gusty cross-wind, something the CRJ does not appear to like very much. Of course, the bobbing, weaving and juking might also be due to the fact that the pilots who fly these crates are way down the totem pole and are either young rooks just starting out or else embittered older losers who have nothing to look forward to and therefore no real reason to care.
And by the way, in terms of scheduling, service and general who-really-gives-a-flying-rat's-patooieness, United Express out of Dulles takes the proverbial cake. Sheesh.
UPDATE: Oh, and just so you don't think I'm ranting against small jets in general (although I don't much like them), I do not have nearly the same gripe with the Embraer ERJ jets that I sometimes have to take: much more passenger-friendly flight characteristics imho.
1
I'm with you. I am hardly ever NOT motion sick, and a pretty good flyer in general, but the closest I EVER came to the little white bag was during the landing of one of these nasty little CRJs.
Posted by: caltechgirl at April 03, 2008 04:36 PM (IfXtw)
2
Most of the time a hard landing in a CRJ is because that is the first time a pilot has landed such an aircraft...being licensed in planes from small to about that size, but having only flow the small one until flying a CRJ full of passengers. And they were not all together very good at landing the little ones smooth.
My fear of airline flying has actually increased since marrying a flight instructor. Go figure.
Posted by: April at April 04, 2008 07:22 AM (Kauhr)
3
Flying in general sucks, get to the airport way in advance -- have to leave the Swiss Army Knife & Leatherman at home + no liquids, gels or shaving cream -- sit around and wait, take connecting flights that are at the other end of the airport or in a different building altogether, wait for luggage, cramped seating, ugh. The only time I have any semblance of fear though, is landing at Reagan National, where if you look out the window all you see is water, even when you're at the top of the sailboat masts. "Excuse me, Mr. Pilot sir, but shouldn't there be land when we are, ah, landing?"
I may take the train to Virgina this summer. Looks to be cheaper than both plane and car.
Posted by: rbj at April 04, 2008 09:31 AM (ybRwv)
4
Not being an executive-type, if I fly once a year, it's a busy travel schedule. But I remember living in San Diego, and how freaky it was to land there -- not because you approach over water, but because you're in your final descent over downtown. pilots hate it, they have to approach on a very flat slope until the last minute, when they drop like a rock.
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at April 05, 2008 12:58 PM (jiBuF)
This week is the start of soccer season for the Llama-ettes.
The eldest has been playing for the past two years on a very good team, the Creepy Green Leprechauns. They've won their division and captured 1st or 2nd place in the end-of-season mini-tournament three times in a row now (we have separate fall and spring seasons). It has been very gratifying to see the girls growing and coalescing from just a group of kids kicking a ball around to a real team working together for a common goal. All those elements of competitiveness which are carefully excluded from the younger levels of the league really have begun to become an important part of the play now.
Of course, I could go on all day about how gifted and talented the Llama-ette is and be (mostly) truthful about it. However, we have been concerned more and more lately with the fact that she is also prone to laziness. Last fall, I couldn't help noticing that she really was not pulling her weight on the team with any consistency - the times when she really did settle down and concentrate only proving what she could do when she wanted. (And it isn't just the sport - this is a trait we've noticed in the other things she does as well.)
Given the level of play expected out of the girls now and given this concern about the gel learning to make an effort, we've made it clear both to her and to her coach that if, in his opinion, she is not contributing to the team the way she ought to, we will not object to his benching or even cutting her. I'm not sure whether he would actually do this or not, but I reckon that if she thinks he might, the gel might just get off her duff and start trying harder. (The team had its first practice of the season yesterday and I'm told that indeed, she really put her back into it. We'll see if that continues.)
I've told a number of different people about this. Interestingly, about half of them agree whole-heartedly with the approach, while the other half seem horrified. What do you guys think?
1
Robbo-
Solidly in the "tough love" camp.
To me there is nothing more frustrating than playing with someone who plays when the spirit moves them.
This type of attitude is poison to team chemistry and drives coaches around the bend.
The hard part is determining if the player is having a "bad" day or developing a bad habit. Each instance has to be dealt with a bit differently...imo.
Posted by: Browndog at April 03, 2008 12:08 PM (+ez5o)
2
Roggo, totally with you on that. Playing soccer should be a privelege and therefore earned by working hard. If she is not putting herself into it, she should not waste the other players' time!Heck, it would save you all time and gas money (no inconsequential expense these days~)if she were not playing! Your time and effort are worth something too and why should you waste it to take her to games if she is not fully committed??!!
Posted by: Mrs. LMC at April 03, 2008 12:38 PM (LcCrz)
3
I have the same problem with my daughter and have had the same conversation with every coach she's had.
Posted by: Captain Ned at April 03, 2008 02:01 PM (2b8Uy)
4
Been a while since I last commented on your site. And I think the last time was about soccer.
How old is your daughter? If she's in 7th grade, she'll grow out of it. And, remember, children mature at different rates. She may be late or early getting into 7th grade space.
Experienced coaches keep one rule above all others. Are the kids having fun? And a lot of this has to do with the age of the children involved. Experienced coaches know the difference between kids in grade, middle and high schools, as well as U-19 and U-21 level.
Now, having said all that touchy-feely stuff--which really is common sense if you spend a lot of years coaching kids--two years ago I explained to my youngest son that he "would" be running track that year, no questions asked. If he "chose" not to run, his parents would choose that he take the bus to school. His outside music lessons would end, as would his trips to Portland in order to perform with the youth symphony there. I even had one "hippy" mom come up to me to complain that I couldn't force my kid to do anything.
Last year my son ran at State and set a school record. This year he's Captain of the Varsity Track Team.
There are times when a parent has to lead. I remind both my sons that I'm not their friend. I'm their father. And in the years to come, no matter what their personal ups or downs, that distinction will prove to be an important one.
Kids, coaches and parents all have different reasons for doing a thing. You can coach and parent all day long. Is the kid having fun? Even if you're expectations aren't being met? In the long run, that will be the greatest determinant of individual success.
.
Posted by: OregonGuy at April 03, 2008 02:53 PM (Bx9y5)
5
I think you are right on target. If she can't be bothered than she should learn the consequences.
I'm all about consequences.
Posted by: Sarah G. at April 03, 2008 06:36 PM (Pp4ZX)
6
Should the Llama-ette continue in her soccer career and in a more serious vein, I would suggest looking into proper sports training. More seriousness in sports often leads to some serious sports injuries. The chances of these injuries can be reduced by both good physical conditioning and using good sports technique. I warn because of 4 ACL tears between myself and my little sis (three for the sis). Something my sister was late in appreciating is that women are 8 times more likely to tear their ACL then men (not sure how much gender imbalance applies to other sports-related injuries). Be forewarned.
Posted by: OrgleFan at April 03, 2008 11:39 PM (KnjHQ)
In honor of my crossing the Tiber, my sponsor gave me a small silver crucifix on a chain, together with tags of Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, which I've been wearing rayther discretely ever since.
Up till now, I don't think anyone else at Orgle Manor even noticed. This morning, however, the eagle-eyed ten year old spotted the chain round my neck as I was getting dressed for work. Her first question? "Who are you - Bling-bling Boy?"
Why, I oughta.......
What better way to unclench after a brutal three day bizness trip than to watch the Nats go to 3-0 in a brilliant defensive battle against the Phillies more characteristic of September pennant races than early seaon shaking out? (Boo-rah to Tim Redding for his pitching!) The Nats go for the sweep of Philly this afternoon.
And the new hero of Dee Cee? Ryan Zimmerman. He's been a team leader, but this year looks to be something special - two 1-0 victories, both off Z-man home runs, and last night he was stopping 'em at third like human fly-paper. The kicker? The guy's only 23.
Sure, it may come crashing down at any time, but at the moment, we own the National League East.
GO NATS!!!ME AND MY BIG MOUTH UPDATE:Nats lose to the Phillies in 10 on a ($#%&*!!bases-loaded walk by Colome. Never mind - we're still on top of the division for the moment.
1
My third baseman on my fantasy team. My only Nat on the roster (last year I had Dmitri Young, but upgraded to Prince Fielder this year). In the draft I passed on Chipper Jones and took Zimmerman instead, figuring there was more upside, and not willing to put up with Jones missing his usual 30 games a year due to nagging injuries. I'm hoping for 30 homers and 100 RBIs out of Zimmerman.
Posted by: The Abbot at April 03, 2008 10:28 AM (QBuXz)
2
I believe you'll find that young Ryan Zimmerman played at Good Ol' UVA during his college days.
My daughter still has a foul ball he delivered to within a few feet of her when we were attending one of those great ball games.
Posted by: Vic Barry at April 03, 2008 04:33 PM (v869R)
1
So glad to not be a "feminist" or a "sister" to this woman or women like her. It seems once you are, you can no longer just enjoy a movie or a show, but rather must watch through angry eyes for any possibility of transgression - however much warping you have to do to find the offense, it must be there.
Has to be an exhausting way to watch a movie.
Posted by: Nicole at April 02, 2008 12:38 PM (Lgaa+)
2
The author needs to relax, have a beer and chill out...or something.
I have become increasingly interested in examining Joss Whedon’s work from a feminist[1] perspective since I had a conversation with another lesbian feminist[2] sister at the International Feminist[3] Summit about whether Joss was a feminist[4].
We get it. You're a fgeminist, this is about feminism. It really does reveal how this woman's brand of "feminism" really should be "Feminism", since it's not just her philosophy of gender equality, it's an all-consuming religion through which she devoutly filters her entire reality.
And the humorless harping tone of the whole thing reminds me of the joke:
Q: How many Feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: That's not funny!
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at April 02, 2008 09:06 PM (jiBuF)
1
The first Deputy Attorney General of the first Clinton administration, Harvard Law professor Philip Heymann, resigned his office rather than continue to serve in that Administration.
Reportedly, after Vince Foster's death Heymann confronted Bernard Nussbaum (the first Clinton White House Counsel)with "Are you trying to hide something"? when Nussbaum would not seal Foster's office.
It is interesting that Nussbaum was HRC's pal on the Watergate Impeachment committee.
Congrats to Robbo for the Nationals' big win yesterday to kick off the season in their brand new digs.
The competition overall in the NL East promises to be tougher this go around. It's time for the Metsies to shake off the humiliation of last season when they hit September and went down faster than Monica Lewinsky in a blue dress.
Being as the weather in NY is kind of crappy today, I don't mind having the season start in Miami later this afternoon. So, to paraphrase Princess Leia in "Return of the Jedi", now where going to find out if Johan Santana is worth the price they paid. Go Mets!
UPDATE:
Oh yeah. Worth every penny.
Off at the crack of dawn to the hinterlands on bidness, returning Wednesday night. Talk among yourselves until then.
In the meantime, I've no business staying up to see whether the Nats can pull off a win in their first game at the new park, but by golly, I'm a-gonna do it.
Yip! Yip!
UPDATE: Yeah, Baybee! Nats take over first place in the National League East on a 9th Inning shot over the left center wall by Ryan Zimmerman! Woo Hoo!!
this news clip. A would-be mugger showed a five-inch blade to a geriatric former paratrooper and demanded his cash. The fellow knew something about close combat from World War II and Korea and went on to show this teenager he had picked the wrong seasoned citizen. Via Dr. Rusty and Hot Air.
when the Future ROTC Scholarship Recipient and his little sister went up to the altar with all the other children at the start of Mass this morning. Moments later, the monsignor asked the assembled kiddies: "What was your favorite part about Easter?" My son promptly responded in a loud voice: "Buzz Lightyear!" and struck the Buzz pose from Toy Story. The priest responded dryly that he would be sure to ask the Gospel writers to include Buzz Lightyear. Mrs. LMC took it well enough but I was ready to crawl under the pew.
"No one wants to see Iraq war movies. No matter what we put out there in terms of great cast or trailers, people were completely turned off. It's a function of the marketplace not being ready to address this conflict in a dramatic way because the war itself is something that's unresolved yet. It's a shame because it's a good movie that's just ahead of its time."
Ahead of its time? God help us if we ever reach a point when gratuitous America-bashing becomes popular with movie audiences.
1
I would direct Hollywood to the following stories that would have all the all the making of blockbuster:
* Michael P. Murphy, USN
* Paul Smith, US Army
Unfortunately, Lt Murphy and Sgt Smith are unavailable as they are deceased. But a good place to start learning their stories are their Medal of Honor citations....
Posted by: kmr at March 29, 2008 05:55 PM (3i2Pe)
2
Amen, KMR. Time was, Hollywood was proud of being American. I haven't seen any of this crop of cr*p and won't. Turns me off the rest of Hollywood too.
Swiped from similarly non-cussy Groovy Vic.
I can't seem to find any definition of what is considered "cussing" on the link. If we're talking about the George Carlin Seven Dirty Words sort of thing, I can say that I just about never use such language - in real life or on the blog - because I think it low. Taking the Lord's name in vain? Well, that's a somewhat different matter and rayther a bad habit of mine.
** Spot the quote. And if you can't? Why damme, it's too bad!
The Missus, seized by the daemonic energy that seems to routinely use her for an outlet, decided to take the gels off to the Smithsonian's Kite Festival this afternoon. This is one of the kick-off events for Dee Cee's National Cherry Blossom Festival, which also starts this weekend and is perfectly timed this year because I understand the cherries are in peak bloom at the moment.
I've got a lot of work to do today so did not object all that strenuously beyond pointing out that a) kite-flying might be problematic, since there's not much wind today, and b) everybody and his brother is going to be down on the Mall. You can call me a misanthrope if you like, but that kind of crowding gives me the creeps: I wouldn't go within ten miles of the place at a time like this, especially whilst shepherding our three maniacs. Just thinking about it makes me tired.
In the meantime, I just can't help posting this classic sketch, which has been floating about in my mind ever since they left (sorry about the sound quality):
Yes, yes, I kid. But I kid because I love.
