June 2007

Cell Phone Karma

June 30, 2007

A friend sent me this video this morning and I had to share it! email Topics: Humor

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Photo Hunt: Sweet

June 30, 2007

This Week’s Theme: Sweet My sweet boys paused on the stairs leading to the beach from our favorite hotel in Pismo Beach to let Mom snap their photo. Topics: Photo Hunt

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How many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days?A minimum of four: 2 earrings in each ear, although I actually have 4 holes in each earlobe, so most days I wear 8 earrings. I also wear my favorite necklace and a watch. I infrequently wear rings because I have carpal tunnel syndrome which causes my fingers to be tingly and somewhat numb all the time, so rings bug me.

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Seek the Best Result

June 25, 2007

How do you pray for others? Do you pray for a specific result?

For instance, if you have a friend or family member who is ill, do you pray that they “get well,” “recover fully” or use similar verbiage?I took a class on prayer a few years ago and the facilitator taught us something very simple, but profound. We say the Lord’s Prayer which includes the words “thy will be done” but we otherwise don’t seem to pray that way. Instead, in prayer, we say things like “let me get that job or raise or …” or “please help ______ get better soon” or “please give me …” Garth Brooks sang about lost love and, of course, many of us recited all too often the familiar words, “please make ______ love me …”

In reality, what we should always pray, according to that teacher, is a request that the Lord’s will truly be done. That’s a harder thing to do because it requires us to step outside of our self and self-centeredness to surrender to another’s will. That’s a hard thing to do, especially if you are a Type A person who is used to being in charge of your own destiny and unaccustomed to giving up control about major aspects of your own life.

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Monday Candle Moment: A Peaceful Crossing Over and Closure

June 25, 2007

Cancer has or will touch all of our lives, either through our own struggle with the disease or that of a friend or loved one. As I get older, more and more of my friends and classmates are being diagnosed with various forms. A couple of years ago, one of my friends from school was […]

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Preparing to Write: Take an Individualized Approach

June 24, 2007

Do you remember Night Shift, a film starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton? There were a couple of scenes in which Keaton’s character drives Winkler’s to distraction by incessantly talking into a tape recorder that he keeps in his pocket, preserving reminders and great ideas as they come to him for later use. One of his […]

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I am Woman, Hear Me Roar

June 24, 2007

Today’s Guest Author is Izzy Dean, a thirtysomething work-at-home mom of two young children and resident concierge & butler to three cats. She was a graphic designer in her previous life but now she practices bad housekeeping and good butt-wiping, sometimes at the same time, and works from home as a web designer and copywriter. She can also be found writing for her personal blog IzzyMom, serving as editor of Props and Pans and as a contributor at Mamapop.

I am Woman, Hear Me Roar

by Izzy Dean

One of the first things I noticed about becoming a stay-at-home mom was how isolating it was. In my neighborhood at least, everyone was at work all day. Nobody to talk to. Nobody to complain to. Nobody to ask if I was doing it right or wrong. And it pretty much sucked.

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Photo Hunt: Shiny

June 23, 2007

This week’s theme: Shiny BigBob’s shiny new* ride! (*2007 Toyota Tacoma) Topics: Photo Hunt

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Friday’s Feast #149

June 21, 2007

Appetizer

Name a funny habit you have.

I think with my tongue. I don’t even realize I’m doing it, but when I really concentrate or exert, I stick my tongue out. My friends in water aerobics class were laughing at me the other day because I was doing it while pumping weights.

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A Cautionary Tale: The First Amendment, Good Taste and Writers’ Rights

June 21, 2007

This article is a cautionary tale for all bloggers.

Background

I feel compelled to tell you about a situation here in the blogosphere that saddens me, but illustrates, yet again, the need for bloggers to deal with each other in good faith and with integrity and respect. This is a topic I wrote about recently, concluding that we all have a responsibility to post responsibly.

I recently submitted “Thirteen Reasons I Wish You Could Have Known My Father” to a blog carnival. I previously participated in one of the “proprietor’s” carnivals, e-mailed casually with him on a couple of occasions and recently, as you saw from the “sticky” post that appeared here for a few days, agreed to host an upcoming edition.

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Wordless Wednesday #1

June 20, 2007

I’ve decided to start participating in Wordless Wednesday here, in addition to on my main site, Colloquium, as a way of looking at my weight and how it has fluctuated throughout my life.

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Thirteen Movie Recommendations

June 20, 2007

Looking to beat the heat by relaxing with a DVD for a couple of hours this weekend? You might want to consider some of the following films that I have enjoyed and would watch again or, in some cases, again and again and again …

1. Romantic comedy: “Must Love Dogs” or “Shall We Dance“
2. Historical Drama: “Sophie’s Choice,” “Anne of the Thousand Days,” “The Man in the Iron Mask” (Richard Chamberlain t.v. from the 1970’s or Jeremy Irons film version — both are very good) or “The Count of Monte Cristo” (again, the Richard Chamberlain t.v. version from the early 1970’s is a classic, but the Jim Caveziel film is also excellent)

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Back to Writing

June 19, 2007

I haven’t written here for a while.

Why?

First, let’s look at why I’m back at it. Life is Risky inspired me. I was cruising around from site to site as we all do … somehow I stumbled onto that site and a post entitled “1 could get you $100 — Postless.”

I am a lawyer and she did mention cold, hard cash, after all, so …

Where have I been? Well, I felt crummy for quite a while. Through two rounds of Cipro, to be exact, I had a miserable sinus and respiratory infection which impacted my breathing, and I coughed a lot.

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Wordless Wednesday

June 19, 2007

Here’s a close-up: The woman in the photo is holding a lamb. I only got a chance to get one shot of this beautiful stained glass window on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art before the security guard shooed me away. I apparently missed the announcement about “no flash photography.” wordless wednesday Thanks for […]

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Be Still and Know

June 19, 2007

“As Christians, we are called to convert our loneliness into solitude. We are called to experience our aloneness not as a wound but as a gift–as God’s gift–so that in our aloneness we might discover how deeply we are loved by God.” ~Henri Nouwen ~ When I first saw the quote for today, this verse popped […]

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Preparing to Write: Mind-Mapping — Where does the road lead?

June 17, 2007

I attended a writing course recently and was introduced to a concept that is not new, but was certainly new to me: Mind-mapping. I grew up in the age of “The Term Paper: A Manual and Model.” Raise your hand if you still have your copy! I do! It was an 8 1/2 by 11 […]

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What’s Your Story?

June 17, 2007

Chili of Don’t Try This At Home was tagged in conjunction with a meme so she decided to host a group carnival and I heard about it at An Island Life. It’s not too late for you to join in! Just answer the following questions on your own blog and leave a link to your […]

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Rediscovering What I Believe

June 17, 2007

Today, in conjunction with Blog Your Blessings Sunday, it is my extreme honor and delight to present the first of what I hope will be a series of articles by Guest Authors.

And it is my privilege to introduce you to my friend and first Guest Author, Robert W. Mattheis, Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Sierra Pacific Synod.

I first met Pastor Bob, as we knew him then, in 1974 when he was called to serve as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, the congregation to which I belonged and served on the music staff for many years. In 1994, St. Paul’s loss was the Sierra Pacific Synod’s gain when Pastor Bob was elected to the office of and became Bishop Bob, overseeing 215 ELCA congregations from Porterville, California north to the Oregon border and as far east as Elko, Nevada.He retired in 2002, and continues to reside here in Lodi. He is now active in Way of Christ Community, described as “a unique and evolving community looking to live, believe, worship and learn in a new way,” which is led by his daughter and son-in-law, Pastors Amy Jo and Peter Mattheis-Holmquist.

I asked Bishop Bob to be my first Guest Author for many reasons.

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Photo Contest: Humor

June 17, 2007

My entry: During a visit home from college around 1978, my mother asked me to clean some things out of my room so that she could use the space. I put some old wigs, falls, and hairpieces that I had used in college and community theatre productions on the pile of junk to be hauled […]

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Sunday Scribblings #64: Eccentricity

June 15, 2007

Eccentricity ~ Write about eccentric people you know or have heard or read about ~ This article is an entry in the Carnival of Family Life, hosted June 18, 2007, at This So-Called Life. My mother was the original “pack rat.” I refer to her as the “Mrs. Winchester of Storage” because, like the owner of […]

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Photo Hunt: Hair

June 15, 2007

Another shot of my father taken the same evening the photo contest entry … modeling some of my “spare hair.” We convinced him that it wasn’t a good look for him! Topics: Photo Hunt

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Friday’s Feast #148

June 14, 2007

Appetizer

Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________ …

… the fact that I don’t have to wonder about the home’s history such as when certain improvements were made or why repairs were done a certain way. Since my parents built this house in 1959, I know all of that information — and have all of the paperwork, too.

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Thursday Thirteen Edition #20: Thirteen Helpful Tips from ” Ready America”

June 13, 2007

“Ready America” is the U.S. government’s website containing valuable information about how to protect yourself and your family in the event of an emergency. A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail containing some of the illustrations used in the government’s literature, along with some alternate interpretations of what those graphics might mean. I assure […]

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Happy Father’s Day

June 13, 2007

My entry in the Joy in the Morning I Love My Dad Photo Contest.Congratulations to the winner, Leesha! ~~ My father, Kenny, with me on Easter Sunday 1969 ~~ This is one of the few photos I have of just my father and me. My article, “Thirteen Reasons Why I Wish You Could Have Know […]

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Wordless Wednesday

June 13, 2007

wordless wednesday Thanks for reading “Colloquium”! Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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What Happened to the Revolution?

June 11, 2007

Originally published as part of Peeve Week 2: Culture/Relationships at Ronalfy.com! What Happened to the Revolution? It began with “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” in 2000. Before long, that stunning media debacle was matched by “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” and “Average Joe.” And now, premiering June 18, 2007, NBC brings us “Age of Love” […]

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In “other” Words: Faith Leads to Candle Moments

June 11, 2007

“Faith never knows where it is being led,but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”~ Oswald Chambers ~ The concept of faith is a fascinating one whether you are talking about it in general terms or within the context of belief in a higher power. You can’t reach out and grab it, roll […]

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Preparing to Write: The Critical First Step

June 10, 2007

What is the most difficult and challenging aspect of your job? For many people who are required, as part of their professional responsibilities, to draft coherent written reports, summaries, memoranda and correspondence, writing is the task they dread most. Moreover, many employers complain that the one area in which they find their employees most lacking […]

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Featured Villager

June 10, 2007

Blog Village has honored me by declaring me their “Featured Villager” this week! I was interviewed by Janey Loree of “Notes that Touch the Heart … ”

Here’s an excerpt:

Janey Loree ~ Why did you name your blog “Colloquium”? Is your blog personal, business, therapeutic, or just plain fun?
JHS ~ The word has several meanings, but this one is the reason I picked the name: “An informal meeting for the exchange of views.” That’s what I hope this blog is: A place where people feel comfortable dropping by, reading my ramblings, and sharing a thought, feeling, opinion or viewpoint.

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Friday’s Feast #147

June 8, 2007

Appetizer What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food? These days … rice cakes.Soup On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name? 1. At the most. Salad Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why? I have two: Frank and Marie on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” I […]

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Thursday Thirteen Edition #19: My Thirteen All-Time Favorite Characters on “The Sopranos”

June 7, 2007

This has been the longest week … But then, in some ways, it could last forever for all I care. Waiting for the final episode of “The Sopranos” is excruciating. But once Sunday comes, the reality will hit me: This Sunday’s episode will be the final one. Ever. Torture. “The Sopranos” is simply the best show ever […]

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Wordless Wednesday

June 6, 2007

My crazy nephews spelling out “2007” following the youngest’s graduation from Tokay High, my alma mater! He graduated with highest honors, as signified by the gold tassel. The white collar is only awarded to National Merit Scholars. He graduated #7 in a class of more than 600, taking mostly Advanced Placement classes, playing trumpet in […]

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Gratitude Tuesday: Edition Number One

June 5, 2007

I’m going to be participating in Ceeci’s wonderful project, Gratitude Tuesday. Here is the way she describes the rules: They’re simple, there are none. It’s bedlam and chaos, not really. It’s you being you, you letting everyone know what you love, what you’re grateful for, what makes you and your day happy. I would love to […]

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In “Other” Words: Do You Identify With and Relate to Martha or Mary? (Part One)

June 5, 2007

“What used to make us stumble, God can use to make us stand. What once made us bow our heads in shame, He can use for His glory.“ ~ Joanna Weaver~ Having a Mary Spirit As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made […]

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Monday Candle Moment: Healing Needed

June 4, 2007

This week’s Monday Candle Moment will be brief, but profound: There are a number of folks in my life — friends and family — in need of prayers for healing right now. I’m not at liberty to disclose details, but ask those participating in Monday Candle Moments to send out prayers for those in need of […]

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Public Speaking: Please Be Prepared!

June 3, 2007

We’ve all had the unfortunate experience of being an audience member when a speaker is struggling to get through his/her presentation or, worse, doesn’t realize that he/she has lost the audience. Sometimes it gets so bad that the speech becomes unintentionally humorous, leaving the audience attempting to squelch inappropriate laughter. If you are called upon […]

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Sunday Scribblings #62: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

June 3, 2007

This photo was taken at the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) in the heart of New York City on a hazy, late March morning. I was on the observation deck 70 floors up when I snapped this view of Central Park, flanked on either side by rows and rows of city structures. I love […]

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Photo Hunt: Art

June 2, 2007

This Week’s Theme: Art A number of buildings in downtown Lodi boast murals, so I decided to feature some of my favorites. Even Lodi’s water tower features artistic touches: photo hunt Thanks for reading “Colloquium”! Topics: Photo Hunt

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Friday’s Feast #145

June 1, 2007

Appetizer Name something you think is “the best.”“The Sopranos” is the best series ever in the history of television.(You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?)I can’t believe there are only two episodes left! Soup On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today? 2. Salad What kind of […]

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June 2007

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