If you're not familiar with Mother Jones, she was a socialist and early leader of the labor moment. You can read one account of her life at the Illinois Labor History Society website. Friday, July 30, 2010
Scenes from the Road
On Wednesday, as I drove from Lincoln to Carbondale, I passed a sign for the "Mother Jones Memorial" in Mount Olive, Illinois. I probably wouldn't even have noticed it if not for exposure I'd had to Mother Jones Magazine. So I took a short detour from I-55 to a cemetary in town and found the memorial. She is buried near victims of the 1898 mine riot in the Virden coalfields.
If you're not familiar with Mother Jones, she was a socialist and early leader of the labor moment. You can read one account of her life at the Illinois Labor History Society website.
If you're not familiar with Mother Jones, she was a socialist and early leader of the labor moment. You can read one account of her life at the Illinois Labor History Society website. 
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Yesterday, I got to head into Chicago where several of us were meeting to celebrate our friend Dan's 60th birthday. We met at Salt & Pepper Diner in Wrigleyville for lunch and then walked up the street to Wrigley Field for the Cubs-Cardinals game.
Here's the crew . . . Tom Shaw from Moody Bible Institute, me, Steve Mortland from Taylor University, Roger Kieffer from Trinity International University, Dan Crabtree from Wheaton Academy and Chant Thompson from NACCAP . . .
Here's a shot of Dan singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the Seventh Inning Stretch . . .
I've been taking pictures of our LCU mascot in different locales so I got this photo after the game . . .
Here's the crew . . . Tom Shaw from Moody Bible Institute, me, Steve Mortland from Taylor University, Roger Kieffer from Trinity International University, Dan Crabtree from Wheaton Academy and Chant Thompson from NACCAP . . .
Here's a shot of Dan singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the Seventh Inning Stretch . . .
I've been taking pictures of our LCU mascot in different locales so I got this photo after the game . . .
After the game, four of us went to Carson's for Ribs (Dan's favorite meal) and had just a great time. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time. By the time we were done, Dan's rock history trivia convinced me that he is Rainman and I discovered that Chant's life story is better than Forrest Gump's.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Decision: LePhil "Prince" Muntz
An imaginary interview, only slightly less boring than the real thing . . .
Jim Gray: Thank you very much. Everybody is on pins and needles across the country, particularly those colleges who are in the running for LePhil Muntz.
Are you ready to go LePhil? Where is the razor?
LePhil Muntz: Left it at home.
Gray: What's new? What's been going on with you this summer?
LePhil: Man, this whole free agent experience, looking forward to it. Trying to choose a college, trying to avoid getting a job.
Gray: What have you thought about this process?
LePhil: This process has been everything I've thought and more. And that's what I did a few years ago; I put myself in a position to have this process where I can hear colleges’ pitches and figure out what was the best possible chance for me to ultimately attend and to ultimately be happy. Where I can make friends, earn a degree, have fun and grow.
Gray: You weren't able to be recruited because you went straight high school from junior high. Have you enjoyed this recruiting process now?
LePhil: Actually, I think I was pretty much in denial about the whole thing.
Gray: How many people know your decision right now?
LePhil: Not many. It's a very, very small number. Just you and my 369 friends on Facebook.
Gray: Your 369 friends or your 369 friends and all their friends?
LePhil: I’m not sure. I’ll have to check my privacy settings.
Gray: When did you decide?
LePhil: I think I decided a few days ago. I had a great conversation with my mom. Once I had that conversation with her, I think I was set. Oh, and when we got the financial aid offer.
Gray: So does the college that you're going to, that you'll announce in a few minutes, do they know your decision?
LePhil: They just found out.
Gray: They just found out?
LePhil: Yeah. Yesterday when my dad called and gave them $300 in deposits.
Gray: So the other colleges, on pins and needles, they don't know; they'll be listening to this?
Gray: No, they know. Or at least the ones I remember applying to know. I think I only applied three places.
Gray: Who in this process, LePhil, have you taken advice from and who has had the biggest influence?
LePhil: I've taken a lot of advice from my friends and family. My agent, Ellen Zarfas, has been great. A lot of people that I look towards in a time of need or for advice, and ultimately they looked at me and said you ultimately have to live with your decision that you're going to make, and you have to do what's best for you, for your family and for you to ultimately be happy.
Gray: What was the major factor, the major reason in your decision?
LePhil: I think the major factor and the major reason in my decision was the best opportunity for me to live where I want to live. I also thought the environment of the campus might fit me well. And maybe I’ll play basketball, too. I have a lot of pent up hoops talent just waiting to break out.
Gray: Do you have any doubts about your decision?
LePhil: No. I don't have any doubts at all.
Gray: Are you still a nail biter?
LePhil: No, I never was. You really need to do your research a little better.
Gray: You've had everybody else biting their nails. So I guess it's time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know: LePhil, what's your decision?
LePhil: In this fall, this is very tough, in this fall I'm going to take my talents to Salem, Oregon and join Corban University.
Gray: Why?
LePhil: Um, weren’t you paying attention? I just told you why. Plus, it’s pretty out there.
Gray: What did your mother have to say about all this?
LePhil: Well, I mean, she did cry just a little and called all her friends in Oregon. So I think she’s pretty happy about my decision. She’s also looking forward to meeting Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Jim Gray: Thank you very much. Everybody is on pins and needles across the country, particularly those colleges who are in the running for LePhil Muntz.Are you ready to go LePhil? Where is the razor?
LePhil Muntz: Left it at home.
Gray: What's new? What's been going on with you this summer?
LePhil: Man, this whole free agent experience, looking forward to it. Trying to choose a college, trying to avoid getting a job.
Gray: What have you thought about this process?
LePhil: This process has been everything I've thought and more. And that's what I did a few years ago; I put myself in a position to have this process where I can hear colleges’ pitches and figure out what was the best possible chance for me to ultimately attend and to ultimately be happy. Where I can make friends, earn a degree, have fun and grow.
Gray: You weren't able to be recruited because you went straight high school from junior high. Have you enjoyed this recruiting process now?
LePhil: Actually, I think I was pretty much in denial about the whole thing.
Gray: How many people know your decision right now?
LePhil: Not many. It's a very, very small number. Just you and my 369 friends on Facebook.
Gray: Your 369 friends or your 369 friends and all their friends?
LePhil: I’m not sure. I’ll have to check my privacy settings.
Gray: When did you decide?
LePhil: I think I decided a few days ago. I had a great conversation with my mom. Once I had that conversation with her, I think I was set. Oh, and when we got the financial aid offer.
Gray: So does the college that you're going to, that you'll announce in a few minutes, do they know your decision?
LePhil: They just found out.
Gray: They just found out?
LePhil: Yeah. Yesterday when my dad called and gave them $300 in deposits.
Gray: So the other colleges, on pins and needles, they don't know; they'll be listening to this?
Gray: No, they know. Or at least the ones I remember applying to know. I think I only applied three places.
Gray: Who in this process, LePhil, have you taken advice from and who has had the biggest influence?
LePhil: I've taken a lot of advice from my friends and family. My agent, Ellen Zarfas, has been great. A lot of people that I look towards in a time of need or for advice, and ultimately they looked at me and said you ultimately have to live with your decision that you're going to make, and you have to do what's best for you, for your family and for you to ultimately be happy.
Gray: What was the major factor, the major reason in your decision?
LePhil: I think the major factor and the major reason in my decision was the best opportunity for me to live where I want to live. I also thought the environment of the campus might fit me well. And maybe I’ll play basketball, too. I have a lot of pent up hoops talent just waiting to break out.
Gray: Do you have any doubts about your decision?
LePhil: No. I don't have any doubts at all.
Gray: Are you still a nail biter?
LePhil: No, I never was. You really need to do your research a little better.
Gray: You've had everybody else biting their nails. So I guess it's time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know: LePhil, what's your decision?
LePhil: In this fall, this is very tough, in this fall I'm going to take my talents to Salem, Oregon and join Corban University.
Gray: Why?
LePhil: Um, weren’t you paying attention? I just told you why. Plus, it’s pretty out there.
Gray: What did your mother have to say about all this?
LePhil: Well, I mean, she did cry just a little and called all her friends in Oregon. So I think she’s pretty happy about my decision. She’s also looking forward to meeting Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Gray: Thanks for joining us this evening, LePhil, and good luck in Oregon. Now to Charles Barkley for analysis . . .
Friday, July 09, 2010
Indy
This past week, I was in Indianapolis for the North American Christian Convention for three days. Jeannette, Jameson and Melody came along for a change of scenery. It was pretty hot out but they spent a few hours at the Indianapolis Zoo . . .
They also visited the children's museum . . .
They also visited the children's museum . . .
On our way out of town, we made a quick stop at the state capitol . . .
Monday, July 05, 2010
Fourth of July Fireworks - Two Kinds
In a roundabout way, I was able to get six front row tickets from our orthodontist to the Fort Wayne TinCaps game last night. I bought an extra SRO ticket and Hillary came along. As it turned out, the seats next to ours were empty so we didn't even have to hold Melody on our laps, though that's where she ended up for most of the game.
The TinCaps were playing the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Those poor guys had just finished a series against each other on Saturday night in Kentucky and then had to come up here to play again! I'm sure they were exhausted. Between that and the fact that this is low A ball played by some pretty young guys, the game was wild. The ball was flying everywhere and there were plenty of errors. In the second inning, Bowling Green scored eight runs and it looked like the game would be pretty mundane.
The TinCaps came back to some extent, though they still managed to leave the bases loaded at the end of the 6th. For the 7th inning stretch, Johnny Appleseed came down by us for the singing of God Bless America.
Note that Jeannette made sure Johnny's hands didn't wander at all . . .
MelodyJoy enjoyed Dippin' Dots at the game, celebrating her fifth Fourth of July as a US citizen.
In the ninth inning, we were down by four runs so I decided to go shopping for a TinCaps hat. From inside the store, I could tell there was a lot of noise in the crowd but when I glanced out the windows, it just looked like they were responding to a contest on the scoreboard. I finally made my way back to our seats and saw that the TinCaps had the bases loaded and were now down by just two runs with one out!
Bowling Green's pitcher, Alex Koronis, was in the process of throwing twelve straight balls, walking in three runs. (An aside: One interesting thing about going to a Single A game is watching young players completely implode and wondering if you've just seen the end of their MLB dreams.) 
After the game, while we waited for the fireworks, they threw Taco Bell t-shirts and balls into the crowd. MelodyJoy said she would share her ball with Jameson.
The fireworks, shot from a cart in center field, were surprisingly spectacular and we really enjoyed the end to the evening.
The TinCaps were playing the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Those poor guys had just finished a series against each other on Saturday night in Kentucky and then had to come up here to play again! I'm sure they were exhausted. Between that and the fact that this is low A ball played by some pretty young guys, the game was wild. The ball was flying everywhere and there were plenty of errors. In the second inning, Bowling Green scored eight runs and it looked like the game would be pretty mundane.
The TinCaps came back to some extent, though they still managed to leave the bases loaded at the end of the 6th. For the 7th inning stretch, Johnny Appleseed came down by us for the singing of God Bless America.
Note that Jeannette made sure Johnny's hands didn't wander at all . . .
MelodyJoy enjoyed Dippin' Dots at the game, celebrating her fifth Fourth of July as a US citizen.
In the ninth inning, we were down by four runs so I decided to go shopping for a TinCaps hat. From inside the store, I could tell there was a lot of noise in the crowd but when I glanced out the windows, it just looked like they were responding to a contest on the scoreboard. I finally made my way back to our seats and saw that the TinCaps had the bases loaded and were now down by just two runs with one out!
Bowling Green's pitcher, Alex Koronis, was in the process of throwing twelve straight balls, walking in three runs. (An aside: One interesting thing about going to a Single A game is watching young players completely implode and wondering if you've just seen the end of their MLB dreams.) I was almost afraid to return to my seat for fear I might jinx Fort Wayne. After all, the rally started while I was modeling different caps and ignoring the game.
Fort Wayne's lead-off batter came to the plate and, rather than waiting to see if the pitcher might finally find home plate, he swung and missed on the first pitch. Moments later, he swung again and hit a weak little pop-up to the side of the plate. I've been on the receiving end of these little bloops while playing catcher in church league softball but it still was shocking to see the ball squirt out of the catcher's glove and hit the ground. I'm sure it must have been spinning like mad. Well, Jeudy Valdez didn't let this reprieve go to waste as he smacked the next pitch, I think, past the shortstop and two runs scored to give Fort Wayne the win, 12-11. It was a wild scene, with a couple of dozen young players, all dressed in red-white-and-blue uniforms for the 4th, leap into a dogpile on the field.
After the game, while we waited for the fireworks, they threw Taco Bell t-shirts and balls into the crowd. MelodyJoy said she would share her ball with Jameson.
The fireworks, shot from a cart in center field, were surprisingly spectacular and we really enjoyed the end to the evening.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Alex Wong on So You Think You Can Dance
I don't watch So You Think You Can Dance. Frankly, it just doesn't appeal to me at all. But a friend on Facebook mentioned the following routine, so I watched it online and "wow!" Alex Wong, according to the Facebook post, is trained in ballet, but adapts to hip hop well here. Very entertaining . . .
Field Trip
This morning, we decided to take Calvin, Jameson's tortoise, out for a walk in the backyard. Poor Calvin spends 99.9% of this life in the terrarium in Jameson's room so a field trip seemed a good idea. 
Calvin liked the area around our tree, filled with woodchips and lilacs, more than he did the grass. We also discovered that he has an impressive bladder capacity. Fortunately, he demonstrated this just as I got him out to the back porch, not while I was carrying him through the house. And I used antibacterial soap to wash off my leg and foot.
Calvin liked the area around our tree, filled with woodchips and lilacs, more than he did the grass. We also discovered that he has an impressive bladder capacity. Fortunately, he demonstrated this just as I got him out to the back porch, not while I was carrying him through the house. And I used antibacterial soap to wash off my leg and foot.Palmer's Snobbish Review of One Small Business
A couple of months ago, as I drove to the IACAC conference near Chicago, I stopped for dinner at a Burger King in Pontiac, Illinois. While I waited (and waited) for my order, I noticed a sign on the wall that outlined their corporate values. Since you can’t read them very well from this photo, let me restate them here for you, exactly as they appeared on the certificate.
OUR VALUES
• We hire new people who believe in our six values and live them personally
• The responsibility belongs to everyone at every level
• With theses values in places, our success will be long-term and unparalleled
• We reward those who go above and beyond to demonstrate the value
GET IT DONE
BELIEVING THAT ACHIEVING POSITIVE RESULTS, IS THE KEY TO CONTINUING SUCCESS FOR EVERYONE
PLAY FAIR
EXAMPLE IS NOT THE MAIN THING IN INFLUENCING OTHER, IT IS THE ONLY THING
HAVE FUN
TO LOVE WHAT YOUR DOING AND FEEL THAT IT MATTERS, COULD ANYTHING BE MORE FUN
DREAM BIG
WHEN YOU AFFIRM BIG, BELIEVE BIG AND PRAY BIG, BIG THINGS HAPPEN
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
YOU CAN GET ANYTHING YOU WANT IF YOU HELP ENOUGH PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT
WORK HARD
IF YOU WILL DO MORE WORK THAN YOU ARE PAID FOR, YOU WILL ULTIMATELY BE PAID FOR MORE WORK THEN YOU DO
Inspirational, no? It takes a lot of money to buy a fast food franchise, let alone an entire district full of them (though I have no idea what a Burger King district consists of). How could someone achieve the level of success necessary to own multiple Burger King restaurants and not [a] know better than to resort to these clichés and [b] have a clue about spelling, punctuation and grammar? And don't get me started on the cheesy clip art. Perhaps I’ve overestimated how much intelligence it takes to be successful in business.
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