Things Are Not Always as They Seem

My friend Eric (who seems to be MIA of late) sent me this information a while back. It's a host of optical illusions, which I really enjoy. I had only seen three or four of these, so it was quite the revelation.

I really liked this one. There is a human face somewhere in the mass of beans. The weird thing is that, once you see it, it's pretty much ALL you see.

I used to teach a high school course on World Cultures, and one of my opening activities was trying to explain ethnocentrism. One of the ways I did this was through optical illusions. I tried to get them to understand that the way YOU see things is not necessarily the way other people see things, or even the way they really are. Among a host of others, I used the classic old woman/young girl picture and let them try to prove their side before explaining the picture, and that both sides were right.

...and for some reason...

I simply LOVE The Sartorialist. It's simple, elegant, and beautifully done, just like the people portrayed on its pages. Along with this picture...


....he wrote:

So I asked this guy if I could take his photo.

With a slightly confused look and a deep French accent this young gentleman offered me a cigarette.

I explained again that I thought his outfit looked great and that I would like to take his photo. This time he got it.

He looked at me, then looked at his own outfit and said "you like my outfit because we are dressed the same."

I hadn't noticed but he was right!

We both had on jeans, blue cardigan, white shirt, and old-school sneakers.

I only hope I can carry it off as well as he does when I'm his age - please, anyone that knows me don't write in and say I'm already his age!!

Even his writing is elegant. Well done, sir. Well done.

It's just a cool little place to go and look at some well-dressed individuals, which provides a sharp counterpoint to my recent excursions to this place. ***shudder***

Schoooooool's out for...eternity?

I believe God uses unlikely people in unlikely ways. Still, this blog entry caught me off guard. I mean, who would think that God could use this guy:

This passage really jumped out at me:

"We have to make a choice. And everybody, at some point in their lives, has to make that choice. When people say, 'How do you believe this? Why do you believe this?' I just say nothing else speaks to my heart. This doesn't speak to my intellect, it doesn't speak to my logic -- it speaks right to my heart and right to my soul, deeper than anything I've ever thought of. And I totally believe it. That being said, I'm not a very good Christian. I mean, none of us are ever 'good' Christians. That's not the point. When you're a Christian, it doesn't mean you're going to be good; it means you've got a harder road to pull."

If you're going to take a 5 minute vacation...

...you could certainly do worse than this site. I love the shots of Zion.



That having been said, her artwork leaves more than just a little to be desired. To wit:

I like the Moon...

Every once in a while, I just need to visit the Spong Monkeys(go here and click on We Like the Moon on the left side) to remember not to get too serious about things. Today was one of those days. Tomorrow might be, too....

On those days when I need a second reminder, I use this as my back up plan, which works, quite frankly, almost as well...

The World According to PEEP

If you're like me, an integral part of the Easter experience, along with That multi-colored basket straw, new clothes for church and shoes that squeaked, was PEEPS!

For those of you interested, here is a Peeps Research Page, including information on their response to cold (Liquid Nitrogen and a hammer V. Peep!) and heat, among others.

Also, THIS SITE offers Peep Invaders and Peep-steroids, combining one of the classic food groups of my youth with two of the greatest games ever invented.

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) does factory tours. You can go HERE to see the tour of the Peep Factory.

If you just can't get enough, check out:
Peep Haikus...
Alien Abduction of Peeps...
Traveling Peeps...
Voodoo Peep...
And finally a comprehensive Peep Resource Page

Get on your bikes and ride...

I found THIS while taking a five minute vacation (my name for those brief periods between tasks when you need to clear your mind before moving on to the next task). Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

More perspective...

...on the recent discovery of a Judas document from my friend George to be found IN THIS ARTICLE...

The Gospel according to WHOM????

Early indications are that THIS is the Gospel according to Judas. One of the more amazing claims?

Craig Evans, a professor at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, Canada, said New Testament explanations for Judas' betrayal range from money to the influence of Satan.

"Perhaps more now can be said," he commented. The document "implies that Judas only did what Jesus wanted him to do."

Apparently, this Gospel was mentioned by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon about 180 AD, who stated the manuscript was a heretical document because it differed so drastically from mainstream Christianity. Until now, people believed the document was lost.

Elaine Pagels, a professor of religion at Princeton University, said, "The people who loved, circulated and wrote down these gospels did not think they were heretics."

In the understatement of the year...

Added Rev. Donald Senior, president of the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago: "Let a vigorous debate on the significance of this fascinating ancient text begin."

I'm certain "vigorous debate" doesn't even begin to explain what';s about to happen...

A second account of the story can be FOUND HERE.

Fish or Cut Balls...

Each of us bites off more than we can chew at some point in our lives. At those times, I'm thankful for those people who can exercise quick thinking and cut through things quickly. When I saw this fella, I knew exactly how he felt.



My friend Mary sent me this picture, as well as the person cutting through to save his life. She added the quote: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Thanks for a great reminder...