This is the latest thing to be happening at Calvin Crest.
This Sunday, tomorrow, we will be sending Rick Harrison off with some stories, songs, prayers, and anointing to his new call in Southern California. Rick Irish will take the interim director's position beginning Monday morning. We are looking forward to what is instore as we enter this new season...
05 November 2005
A home town game...
Last night's football game (we won, by the way - still undefeated) was a treat to be at. I have seen many high school football movies, Friday Night Lights, Remember the Titans, Longest Yard, etc and enjoyed them very much. But it is different when you live in a small town and there is only one high school and everyone who is anyone attends the game. You see your pastor, grocery clerk, septic sucker guy, Harry Baker (the richest guy who owns the phone company), CHPs, Sheriffs, girl at the drive up window at McDonald's, the woman my son crashed into her car, her attorney who sued us and was my son's best friend's father, and many other people who just come because it is what is happening in town. We built a new stadium two years ago and it has boosted the attendance.
I bought and ate the obligatory linquisa sandwich, a cinnamon roll from the Country Fair Cinnamon Roll Concession, and a diet Pepsi. What a gourmet meal. It goes with the game. I wore my lamb's wool boots, a pair of Levi's, a turtleneck, a fleece sweatshirt, a leather jacket, a scarf that Hillary, my daughter knitted for me, and a cap, which kept me toastie warm and a bit fashionable.
I was amazed at the cheerleaders, I always am. Don't get me wrong I think they have a place at the game but I wonder about the "spirit gestures." After a cheer they do the special gestures with their hands, arms, maybe a quick kick or something. They were doing a kind of a typewriter spirit gesture after one that seemed new. Who comes up with these things? Is there a channel on Cable, "the Cheer Channel" or conferences where they learn the latest spirit gestures. Are there names for the gestures and strategies about when they plan on using them? In my day... there were no gestures, only encouraging words like "push 'em back, push 'em back, way back" or the simple "De-fense". Some times we would get confrontational with the opponent's crowd, "We got spirit, yes we do, we got spirit, how about you?" until the new rules came out prohibiting such unsportsmanlike conduct. It was fun... but no gestures.
I thought there should be some cheering outside of the "game". Maybe some spirit gestures at Von's. You know when you get through the checkout line, stop, then lift an arm, point and give a hoodie-hoot, Clap and do the the Typewriter spirit gesture. The bag girl just stared and didn't ask if I needed help taking the bread and milk out to the car like she always does. She didn't have the spirit, no she didn't. There was a crowd of shoppers in the canned goods aisle who only stared when I asked them to form a spirit tunnel for me to run through. They were at the game, I saw them. They still had some cinnamon roll remnant on their cheek.
I do have a problem when someone who is not paying any taxes yet, tells me to stand up for the kick off. Sometimes I can't get all the spelling down during the cheers, I have dyslexia, so again the academics rub it in my face. The whole seating arrangements are bad. We went with my daughter, Taylor and her soon to be husband, and I couldn't carry on a conversation with them because it was very linear sitting. And for someone like me who is more spacial I couldn't get a word in edgewise. The guy who sat behind me had an opinion about every call by the referee and the coach. He even criticized the cheerleaders and the band. Something about he was use to a more progressive cheer program like what was shown on the documentary film, "Bring It On."
The band seemed excited. Lots of drums and trumpet charges. I asked them if they knew any Fleetwood Mac and the conductor told me to sit down or he would call one of the Junior ROTC cadets over to escort me out. I told him I didn't like Fleetwood Mac at first either but Stevie Nick was a fox, even at 57. So sure enough the cadet came over to escort me out but luckily, the Badgers scored a touchdown and he had to run over and do pushups according to the score. I lost myself in the crowd and snuck back to my seat and behaved myself for the rest of the game...
I bought and ate the obligatory linquisa sandwich, a cinnamon roll from the Country Fair Cinnamon Roll Concession, and a diet Pepsi. What a gourmet meal. It goes with the game. I wore my lamb's wool boots, a pair of Levi's, a turtleneck, a fleece sweatshirt, a leather jacket, a scarf that Hillary, my daughter knitted for me, and a cap, which kept me toastie warm and a bit fashionable.
I was amazed at the cheerleaders, I always am. Don't get me wrong I think they have a place at the game but I wonder about the "spirit gestures." After a cheer they do the special gestures with their hands, arms, maybe a quick kick or something. They were doing a kind of a typewriter spirit gesture after one that seemed new. Who comes up with these things? Is there a channel on Cable, "the Cheer Channel" or conferences where they learn the latest spirit gestures. Are there names for the gestures and strategies about when they plan on using them? In my day... there were no gestures, only encouraging words like "push 'em back, push 'em back, way back" or the simple "De-fense". Some times we would get confrontational with the opponent's crowd, "We got spirit, yes we do, we got spirit, how about you?" until the new rules came out prohibiting such unsportsmanlike conduct. It was fun... but no gestures.
I thought there should be some cheering outside of the "game". Maybe some spirit gestures at Von's. You know when you get through the checkout line, stop, then lift an arm, point and give a hoodie-hoot, Clap and do the the Typewriter spirit gesture. The bag girl just stared and didn't ask if I needed help taking the bread and milk out to the car like she always does. She didn't have the spirit, no she didn't. There was a crowd of shoppers in the canned goods aisle who only stared when I asked them to form a spirit tunnel for me to run through. They were at the game, I saw them. They still had some cinnamon roll remnant on their cheek.
I do have a problem when someone who is not paying any taxes yet, tells me to stand up for the kick off. Sometimes I can't get all the spelling down during the cheers, I have dyslexia, so again the academics rub it in my face. The whole seating arrangements are bad. We went with my daughter, Taylor and her soon to be husband, and I couldn't carry on a conversation with them because it was very linear sitting. And for someone like me who is more spacial I couldn't get a word in edgewise. The guy who sat behind me had an opinion about every call by the referee and the coach. He even criticized the cheerleaders and the band. Something about he was use to a more progressive cheer program like what was shown on the documentary film, "Bring It On."
The band seemed excited. Lots of drums and trumpet charges. I asked them if they knew any Fleetwood Mac and the conductor told me to sit down or he would call one of the Junior ROTC cadets over to escort me out. I told him I didn't like Fleetwood Mac at first either but Stevie Nick was a fox, even at 57. So sure enough the cadet came over to escort me out but luckily, the Badgers scored a touchdown and he had to run over and do pushups according to the score. I lost myself in the crowd and snuck back to my seat and behaved myself for the rest of the game...
04 November 2005
Where O' where...
I am sorry that I have been away for a while. I visited my son and daughter-in-law in Napa, been in a few meetings here and about as things wind down for Rick Harrison and Rick Irish ramps up.
I am very optimistic about the changes that will take place and the new spirit that we are sensing at camp as well in these meetings.
I am heading off to a Yosemite High Football Game. The team, by the way, are undefeated and highly ranked in California High School Football. It is great fun to be a part of a community that enjoys this instead of mocks it as trite and unsophisticated.
Will write tomorrow.
I am very optimistic about the changes that will take place and the new spirit that we are sensing at camp as well in these meetings.
I am heading off to a Yosemite High Football Game. The team, by the way, are undefeated and highly ranked in California High School Football. It is great fun to be a part of a community that enjoys this instead of mocks it as trite and unsophisticated.
Will write tomorrow.
25 October 2005
Living in the mountains...
There is something unique living up here in the Oakhurst-Coarsegold-Fish Camp Triopolis. Today, October 25, not only do we celebrate Pablo Picasso's birthday, but we close the power down in the entire area for the day to replace power poles. The entire area is blacked out.
The school are closed down for the week because of... well, umm, because, ummm, no one knows. They always have.
The Tarantula Festival is this weekend, just three weeks after the Chichansi Pow Wow.
I do love living here...
The school are closed down for the week because of... well, umm, because, ummm, no one knows. They always have.
The Tarantula Festival is this weekend, just three weeks after the Chichansi Pow Wow.
I do love living here...
18 October 2005
14 October 2005
I just like to hear myself type...
To anyone who reads this...
I am an insignificant scum who really doesn't deserve any of the attention that I get. I like to blog because it makes me think. I don't think I am insignificant because I am no good, I am just aware of how many other wonderful people there are out there who are risking their lives, working hard, going unnoticed, and making a real difference in the world. I am humbled by the job that I have, by the people who care about me and would want to hear something I have to say. But please don't take anything I have to say as something that should make a difference in your life. If you are trying to follow the path that the Lord has laid out for you then I should not have any influence on you unless you grant me access to your heart. If you do grant me access, I will try to keep your trust by listening to the Lord WITH you, not for you.
I am sorry that my humor, my writing style, my trying to play with words would cause anyone any pain or conflict. To those whom I have please accept my apology...
I am an insignificant scum who really doesn't deserve any of the attention that I get. I like to blog because it makes me think. I don't think I am insignificant because I am no good, I am just aware of how many other wonderful people there are out there who are risking their lives, working hard, going unnoticed, and making a real difference in the world. I am humbled by the job that I have, by the people who care about me and would want to hear something I have to say. But please don't take anything I have to say as something that should make a difference in your life. If you are trying to follow the path that the Lord has laid out for you then I should not have any influence on you unless you grant me access to your heart. If you do grant me access, I will try to keep your trust by listening to the Lord WITH you, not for you.
I am sorry that my humor, my writing style, my trying to play with words would cause anyone any pain or conflict. To those whom I have please accept my apology...
12 October 2005
The witches of Macbeth...
There are people in life who never do anything but conjure up troubles for others. They sit at a distance and brew over what others are doing and speak ill of them. I've met them. They cackle out their distain for people who are trying but these witches never try. It is easy to cast spells on others from a distance but never reach out to help. They have opinions but never get to the truth. They crash parties and rarely do they bring a dish. They throw darts that prick and distract.
Useless. Friction. Tiring.
To misquote Carly Simon, They're so vain, they probably think this blog is about them...
Useless. Friction. Tiring.
To misquote Carly Simon, They're so vain, they probably think this blog is about them...
Misinformation, the new tool of terrorism...
I subscribe to a new emailing service and this was one of the reports I got yesterday:
-- Informant in Iraq admits information about a terror plot against New York subway was a hoax, sources tell CNN.
-- Informant in Iraq admits information about a terror plot against New York subway was a hoax, sources tell CNN.
11 October 2005
The wind in my hair...
Last night at about 8p, I drove home after "work" on my motorcycle. The moon was so bright, even though it was less than half full (or for some of my critics, half empty). The air was a bit brisk with the smell of autumn. I had a little music playing in the head set that was calling me to the "Danger Zone."
I had a huge smile on my face, which caught a lot of bugs, as I remembered my evening. I had spent the previous hour or so in the Cedar Lodge at The Premier, watching a video that the "Staff Kids" wrote, acted, and shot on the story of Robin Hood. A lot of the year-round staff was there to encouraged the kids on their show. But the entertainment surprised all of us. It was clever and well done. Sure, it had the usual kind of dialogue and shots that kid movies have but this was fun. We laughed deeply. The soundtrack held the suspense and the out-takes at the end capped it off with a lasting grin. I needed that, it was good for the soul.
TJ, the Kelseys, Sam and Scott, the Rose boys, and Josh did an outstanding job. I will not be surprised to be attending a premier of one of these talented young Spielbergs in Hollywood in the future. I will be able to say, "I knew them when..."
Thank you and well done.
I had a huge smile on my face, which caught a lot of bugs, as I remembered my evening. I had spent the previous hour or so in the Cedar Lodge at The Premier, watching a video that the "Staff Kids" wrote, acted, and shot on the story of Robin Hood. A lot of the year-round staff was there to encouraged the kids on their show. But the entertainment surprised all of us. It was clever and well done. Sure, it had the usual kind of dialogue and shots that kid movies have but this was fun. We laughed deeply. The soundtrack held the suspense and the out-takes at the end capped it off with a lasting grin. I needed that, it was good for the soul.
TJ, the Kelseys, Sam and Scott, the Rose boys, and Josh did an outstanding job. I will not be surprised to be attending a premier of one of these talented young Spielbergs in Hollywood in the future. I will be able to say, "I knew them when..."
Thank you and well done.
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