Halloween Embarrassment

So, I come in to work this morning to find a t-shirt with a Michigan emblem on my chair and a note that says "wear this".

Hmm.. what's up? I wonder. But since no one was lurking around I thought little of the request and went to work.

Later in the morning I hear a clearing of the throat.. and turn.. and what do I see?

3 of me. Yes, my colleagues decided I was going to participate in the annual costume contest at work because their costume was to be 'the guy with the glasses that walks around with no shoes on holding the UC berkeley mug talking about Michigan - and reading books while he walks'.

Yeah - that would be me.

Sheesh. Just ask Julie how 'excited' I would have been about this. NOT! But, they obviously had gone to some effort so I didn't want to be a spoil sport. So, I donned the t-shirt.. grabbed my mug and book.. and off to the contest we went to be judged in front of many of my co-workers. Oh, Yippee!

Fortunately, we did not 'win'. Thankfully, the judges were very discerning.

I'm told imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I guess I should be happy?????

Liberty vs. Charity

The word ‘entitled’ means to ‘have proper grounds for seeking or claiming something’.

Our constitution ensures that the citizens of America are ‘entitled’ to certain unalienable rights - among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Liberty is defined as ‘freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice’.

So, it appears that we, as Americans, were intended to claim freedom from the government establishing obligations on our part that are not in accordance with our way or thinking or choosing. That’s the form of ‘federal’ government that was established in America. That’s why the federal powers where limited to those enumerated (listed) in the constitution. They were intentionally very few.

Juxtaposed with that definition of a federal government is our personal, individual beliefs and practices. In my case, as a Christian, these are influenced by my religious beliefs whereby I am entitled (have grounds to claim) many blessings and mercies. At the same time I am called to develop a character that expresses many fruits (hospitality, loving, giving, mercy, etc.).

I would have no problem being queried about what grounds I have for seeking God’s ultimate forgiveness. My answer would be ‘I am only entitled to God's eternal blessings based on Christ’s payment of my penalty on the Cross and my acceptance of that act through faith’.

I would have no problem being queried about what grounds I have for claiming the right to retain my pay for the work I perform. My answer would be ‘we agreed that if I worked an hour you would pay me a certain amount – and I have worked that hour. Please pay me’.

At the same time – having been paid for my work – I find that my God seeks claim to what I have earned as well. He reminds me that He made me and gifted me and that I am able to earn as a result of His love. And He compels me to be virtuous about how I use what He has provided. In many cases He encourages me to be hospitable (showing kindness to strangers) and charitable (giving to supply the needs of others).

Interestingly, God also thought liberty a good idea. He viewed liberty as an essential element to his Kingdom. That is why He offers us free will to decide how we will abide His encouragement. That is why we are free in Christ to make many decisions about our personal behavior free from the judgment of man – yet accountable to Him.

As such, we find, in the Christian model, these two ideas simultaneously at work: the free exercise of liberty and charity. A call to work and good works. God trusts us to be able to properly constrain our sense of liberty through charity. And, he provides us the Holy Spirit to discern how to put this model in balance.

I love God and I believe that what He designs and what He provides is the ultimate expression of what should be. And I am thankful for the Holy Spirit which guides us.

So, I find myself trying to understand how we can apply this model to our government. I believe the founders of this great country understood this and did establish a balance. I believe they intentionally retained the difference between the concepts of Liberty and Charity in how they set America up.

Right now, what I observe is an effort (to some degrees on BOTH sides of the aisle) to subvert liberty and force charity.

On what grounds?

What are the proper grounds for claiming my hard earned money? Especially for purposes which I do not choose?

And what are the proper grounds for asking me to be charitable to people and organizations that I find an abomination?

I would love to hear those answers.

No, my suggestion is as follows: stop inventing new entitlements and stealing my liberty. Instead, move to minimize your sense of entitlement and return to teaching me and everyone a morality that encourages charity. Then trust the people to do the right thing by their neighbors.. or have to deal with Almighty God.

Amateur Economists II

The post previous to this was just a fun story.

Here's a not so fun story about something called the Alternate Minimum Tax or AMT.

In simple terms.. the AMT is a tax that was introduced around 1969/1970 that was intended to 'tax the rich' (you know, those bad guys..). How many rich people was it designed to affect?

Exactly 155. Seriously.

This 'tax code' was enacted by those fabulous amateur economists we call our governement. Yes! They finally got their chance to 'tax the rich' and redistribute their wealth to the middle and lower classes! Sweeeeet.

Ummm... except.. as amateur economists.. they messed it up pretty good.. and just 40 or so years later.. in 2010.. nearly 30 million taxpayers will be hit with this tax -- among them, a staggering 94 percent of married filers who have children and make $75,000 to $100,000.

155 vs. 30,000,000..... As Bob Uecker would say... 'missed by just .. that .. much'.

Gulp.

Of course, you say - these new fangled politicians that we have now are a way better crop of amateur economists. They'll never put ME in that kind of position!

Best of luck with that one folks.

Amateur Economists

Many of you know that I love thinking about and reading about economics.

Economics has long been dubbed 'the science of unintended consequences' because it is very difficult to properly anticipate just exactly what people will do when confronted with a change in economic policy. There have been some fun books written on the subject including Freakonomics which I highly recommend.

Here's a quick anecdote that makes the point:

In a local restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie on. I laughed as I realized he had given away his political preference.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server - explaining to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in abject disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need - the homeless guy I had passed outside as I entered the restaurant.

The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution economic experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn (he scooted right off to buy more alcohol) but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he earned. I thought the waiter would understand since the homeless guy quite obviously had the greater need for the money.

Hmmm. I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Making Mom Proud

Take a look at this poster found outside Hannah's dorm room. It was enough to make a proud Craft Queen weepy.

Yes, our little baby, Hannah hosted a craft project for her entire dorm. It was a tie dye extravaganza.

Julie was so proud of Hannah that she gave her an immediate 'field promotion' from Craft Princess to Craft Queen in Waiting.

Way to go Hannah. We love you!

Meet the Fiancée

Joel and Carissa flew in last weekend to spend some time with us and to get a chance for some of Joel's friends to have a chance to meet Carissa. Hannah also came down for a day to join the party.

J&C flew in late Saturday afternoon and we gave them an hour or so before the preliminary horde (comprising the Logans along with Auntie and honorary Logan Rachel) descended on them for a rousing game of prediction (a card game).

I think Carissa definitely got to see some of our 'unique' personalities as we played. And, I am certain she is perfectly clear on just how LOUD we all can be! It was fun to play and I am pleased to report that Rachel got her very first win!! Way to go Rachel!

Sunday morning featured Stan's Donuts (it was our turn to do goodies for the Church) and Highway (our Church) where the second horde decending on the kids. After church we drove Hannah back to school and the kids got to see Hannah in her native environment. Apparently, there is something in the water there.. because it was all we could do to drag Julie away from the Zebra Tattoo parlor without some body art! I don't think Carissa could stand the thought of watching her browse the images.. so she escaped across the street to a local book store to await the outcome.

When we were leaving and I was trying to get a picture of the three kids. Hmm.. two of the kids (can you guess who?) provided a great challenge to getting a decent picture! Here's the best I could do.

I think we were all very pooped.. so the visit to Berkeley was blistfully short. There were a lot of closed eyelids during the ride home.

Everyone took a break for a couple hours Sunday and then the third horde was upon us ... as we opened our home to some of our close friends to come by and hang out. Dinner was simple - pizza, chips and dips and brownies.. and it was just a more informal time for our friends to get to see (and grill!) Joel and Carissa again. It was good to see some of the moms that are supporting Julie and she goes through having her first child get married have a chance to meet and talk with Carissa a bit. All in all it was a fun and laid back evening.

Monday was a bit of a recovery day. The kids got a chance to sleep in late... and then Julie took them for some sightseeing, shopping and lunch in Los Gatos (which Hannah now knows is a Spanish name!). Later, they met up with Tod at Valley Fair Mall for some additional shopping. Joel and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to visit multiple paper stores. You just can't see enough paper punches to really lose the thrill. It's amazing.

Monday night was pretty low key with Jon and Rachel coming over - as well as Tim returning to town and getting a chance to meet Carissa. We played some Euchre - trying as hard as we could to let Joel win a game. It was very difficult.. but I think he finally did win one. So - with that.. it was off to bed and back to Oregon early Tuesday morning.

We really enjoyed seeing the kids again and are thankful that they sacrificed to come visit us for the weekend. We hope we didn't scare Carissa too much ;)

The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

After church this morning Julie made her annual pilgrimage to the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch. Hosted at the Palo Alto Arts Center this is an opportunity for a variety of local and regional glass blowing artists to show off and sell their work.



















The pictures below show that it is organized much like a regular pumpkin patch with the glass pumpkins arranged right on the ground across the facilities. The hosts for this event have a lot more faith in the children that accompany their parents than I would ;)

There are a great many varieties of pumpkins on display!



















Joining us for the visit were Jon and Rachel. As you can see, Rachel appeared confused to find a glass mushroom.. but was very enthusiastic about the pumpkins. She was the perfect model! I really like the picture of Rachel peering through the pumpkin. Jon was hilarious as a pumpkin model himself. I think he has a future :)




































Julie has a lot of fun meandering among the patch looking for just that right pumpkin to join our 'home patch'. Notice how happy Jules was when she found it! Thank God she didn't buy the one we saw for $2,500 ;)

Zondervan's Oops!

This morning, Julie is sitting in church - trying to find the passage that goes with the morning's sermon.. which was early in the book of Mark. At some point she nudges me and starts laughing after realizing there is something wrong. You see, her bible goes from Matthew 27 to Mark 7... in 1 page! Oops. Check out the picture and the page numbers. There are 8 pages missing!

So, then we're trying to figure out which is worse. The fact that her Bible is missing a few chapters... or the fact she's owned the bible for 3 years and is just now figuring out they were missing ;)

So, You Think You Can Dance?

Tuesday night Hannah and some of her close friends (and their parents) got to see 'So, You Think You Can Dance' live - at the Oakland Coliseum (or Oracle Arena as their corporate sponsors would like us to say). Many thanks go to our hosts for the evening who remain so generous towards us all!

The show presents the 12 finalists doing a number of group dances, solos, and some of the best dances that occured during the most recent season of the show.

Here's the 'fab four' (Courtney, Lisa, Hannah and Taylor) awaiting the start of the show from their seats. They all took time off from their busy college schedules - Courtney and Taylor even flying in from San Diego - for this can't miss show!

Okay.. I learned something about photography during the show. There is a reason that people have massive lenses that they use indoors in poorly lit situations. As it turns out - you need them to shoot action in the dark! So, anyone wanting to spend $2K on a lens for me.. go nuts.. and I promise to provide better pictures next season ;)

That being said.. it wasn't a total loss! So, here are some photos to share the experience with you. Remember.. click on any picture to see it full size!

These three photos are from a dance by Twitch and Katie called 'The Door'. It's about a girlfriend that comes back to her boyfriend's door.. to try to work out their relationship. Katie does an amazing of job of getting into the character and it's a lot of fun to watch. At first, it appears she's making progress ;) However, by the end you can see from the pictures that her boyfriend just isn't buying it!













This next picture is the best I could do to capture 'The Briefcase'. It's about a 'Jerk' that is tearing the heart from his girlfriend. The girls just SCREAMED when this one started and again at this moment in the dance.. where he is ripping out her heart! ;) It was fun to watch the show.. and it was great to experience with the girls going NUTS!

















The season 4 winner on the show was Joshua - a powerful, gifted dancer. Here's a picture from a dance he did with Katie (who I would have voted for as the winner). Both of them are tremendous. I can't say either did a dance throughout the season that I wasn't impressed with (remember the 'assisted run'?)!

















Here's a couple more shots that show more of the cast! We're definitely looking forward to next season. I think Julie is stretching at home right now before she starts training for try-outs! Wish her luck! And.. don't be overly impressed with that move that Gev is doing standing on his hands in the picture below. My friend Eric Stouffer does that most mornings just to limber up before work!