Uncle Roger's Notebooks of Daily Life

The Babbling Has Begun

Remember how I used to write for ParentDish and then I didn't and so I was going to be writing here a lot more because of all the free time? Notice how that lasted for a couple of months and then I disappeared again, more or less? There's a reason for that, and it's not just that I'm too old and tired to be doing this sort of thing anymore. (Get off my lawn, you whippersnappers!) Since October, I've been writing elsewhere.

Convert me!

Here's an open challenge to all true believers out there who are afeared fer ma everlastin' soul. Convert me. Save me. Convince me to accept Jesus (or Mohammed or Allah or Thor or whoever) as my true saviour. Go for it. There are a couple of rules, though.

Showstoppers 25

If you like musical theatre or, for that matter, any sort of performing arts, you should be supporting the next generation of actors, singers, dancers, and audience members. In the San Francisco Bay Area, that means supporting the Company. That's the Young People's Teen Musical Theatre Company, a free program for teenagers sponsored in part by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department.

The Company is celebrating its 25th anniversary -- that's 25 years of preparing kids for careers in movies, on television, and on Broadway, 25 years of preparing kids for careers as musicians, composers, and conductors, 25 years of preparing teens for life.

You can celebrate and support this phenomenal program Saturday, December 26th, 2009 as current and former Company members come together on stage at the Herbst Theatre for Showstoppers 25, a benefit gala featuring highlights from the Company's 25 year history and beyond.

For more info, visit the Company website at yptmtc.org or shoot me an e-mail.

Methinks 'tis a bit too late

Do you pray for the dead? Why?

It does not heel

One of the fallacies thrown about as justification for stripping gays and lesbians of their civil rights is that allowing two men or two women to marry would inevitably lead to things much worse -- polyamory, underage marriage, and bestiality. Of course, this simply isn't true, but let's take a look at these arguments as it they were possible outcomes of marriage equality.

Mistaken Identity

So Jared mentions to me that he's signed up to lead the pledge with his best friend.

A Trinity of Questions

I have, as of late, been seriously contemplating religion and its impact on our society. I am firmly on the side of reason and truly do not have any need for a belief in a higher power. My screw-ups are my own, but, then, so are my successes. In addition, as far as the answer to life, the universe, and everything, I'm okay not knowing. I don't have to know how life got its start or what was there before the universe (or even if there was a "before the universe").

25% off

I stopped in at Long's Drugs store number 84 in the Bayhill shopping center. I was there to pick up refills of my and Rachel's prescriptions, just as I had a gazillion times before. This time, however, was different. The store was different. No longer was it the familiar, familial Long's Drugs, but a cold, harsh, uncaring CVS Pharmacy.

Kidquotes

Daddy! Daddy! I can burp underwater! Wanna see me?

Jared, exploring new talents in the hotel swimming pool

Daddy, when I'm about ten, you need to buy a new car so I don't bump my head.

Sara, worrying that the minivan might not be big enough

What is that song about? Is it about somebody cleaning dust and they're singing about it because they're tired of it?

Sara, pondering the meaning of the classic Queen song, Another Dusty Dust

Something to Say

It's not a steady gig but at least it's something -- I've got an article published over at Momversation. It's called Unnecessary Necessities: Five Baby Essentials You Don't Need. Nothing spectacular, but I think it came out okay. Take a look and let me know what you think.

The thing is, whenever I read the title of the site -- Momversation -- I read it as Momservation. As in, I need to make a momservation for a momvacation. I'm not sure if I should call a reading specialist or my travel agent. Maybe I just need a momtini.

Je'Sus -- The Missing Goa'uld

In the 1994 movie Stargate, a team of soldiers travel to a distant planet where they encounter an alien who calls himself Ra (the Egyptian sun god). It turns out that the ancient Egyptian "Gods" were all just aliens on a power trip who used technology to appear divine and to enslave humans.

Mmm, Toasty!

Suppose I told you that the Quiznos Toaster (you know, the big talking toaster from recent commercials) told me that I should quit my job and move my whole family to South Bend, Indiana. Mind you, I don't know anyone in Indiana, but a few other people that talked to the toaster are going. What would you think? What do you think my wife and kids would think?

Things parents say

"Sara, don't tattle on your brother. Jared, don't eat the dishes."

The Differences

	Religion	Science
Why?	To gain a better understanding of the world around us and our place in it.	To gain a better understanding of the world around us and our place in it.
How?	Try to prove yourself right. If you can't, misinterpret or ignore conflicting data.	Try to prove yourself wrong. If you can't tentatively give yourself credit for possibly being right.
Next Step?	Publish your work in journals only people who already agree would read. Ignore or discredit criticism.	Publish your work in journals with credibility that are peer-reviewed. Expect others to point out your mistakes/prove you wrong.
New Data?	Ignore any new data or research that conflicts with your findings or twist the results so that they appear to support your idea.	Watch for new data or research that conflicts with your findings and start over to develop a new theory that incorporates new findings.
Examples	Association for Biblical Astronomy "Of all the sciences, the Holy Bible has more to say about astronomy than any other. The Scripture speaks of the sun, moon, stars, the host of heaven, planets, and constellations. It talks about the heavens, the firmament, and tells us that the lights in the sky were made for the earth, for man, to give light by day and by night, to serve as signs, and to determine the seasons."	The Astronomy Picture of the Day "Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer."

Leash Me Alone

Man's best friend is said to be the dog. Canis lupis familiaris, to be specific. Everybody loves dogs, right? From heroic Lassie to Duke, the lazy old hound dog that belonged to Jed Clampett of the Beverly Hillbillies, from the taco bell chihuahua to Disney's Ugly Dachshund, we all adore every last one of them, right?