A Little Fun on Monday!

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I thought Monday might be a good time for a GIVEAWAY! And because I've been extremely irresponsible I like you all so much, I'm actually going to give away two things to two lucky readers. Does it get any better than that? Of course it does, but on a Monday, this is as good as it gets!

First, way back in September, I won a drawing for a copy of "The Fourth Turning" from Jay (Cynical Bastard).


This was meant to be the start of a pay it forward kind of thing. Fortune Cookies, originally read the book and passed along to another blogger. When Jay passed the book on, he mentioned that it would be a fun thing to watch the journey of the book through the blogsphere. Then the book found it's way to my house and has been on hiatus (sorry!). It has now been begging to have it's pages fondled by another blogger. Who am I to say no? This book is not "light" reading, (click on the title link for more information) but is an excellent book. If you are a reader who prefers "mind candy," you might want to skip this one.

Next we have a brand-spankin' new copy of Tony Dungy's "Uncommon" (the copy I read was checked out from the library).


Although this book is geared towards men, its message - finding your path to significance - is one that certainly crosses gender lines. I found the book to be quite inspirational and a wonderful insight into raising Cam to be a successful and "significant" man. There is a CLEAR, Christian/Biblical leaning to this book. Tony Dungy is a Christ Follower who doesn't attempt to hide his faith. If just hearing "Christ Follower" makes you want to roll your eyes, you might want to skip this one.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to leave me a comment telling me which book you are interested in and why. Yes, you can put your name in for both of them if you'd like. I will draw names from all comments left no later that Thursday at 5PM central time. And yes, this means you will be subjected to a vlog (haven't had one of those in a while) of me selecting the winners.

Just remember, if you are a lucky winner, you'll have to give me your name and address. I know - scary thought!

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Who is More Important than the President?

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A U.S. Supreme Court Justice ... and we are about to get a new one.

For those of you who might not be familiar with the process, Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed with the "advice and consent" (majority vote) of the Senate (currently holding a Democratic majority). Once appointed, Supreme Court Justices effectively have life tenure. Their terms end only upon death, resignation, retirement, or conviction on impeachment. These are the people who determine how laws will be interpreted and upheld in the future. Although they may seem like nothing more than a geriatric coffee club, their decisions reach down and grab each and every one of us.

Friday, President Obama described what he would be looking for in David Souter's (set to retire in June) successor. Most of the qualifications Obama listed were those we expect to hear: legal experience or extensive legal training, spotless ethical record and devotion to the rule of law. But then he added another component - one he mentioned during his campaign - empathy.

"I will seek someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a casebook; it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people's lives, whether they can make a living and care for their families, whether they feel safe in their homes and welcome in their own nation," Obama said. "I view that quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles, as an essential ingredient for arriving at just decisions and outcomes."

This makes absolutely no sense. Empathy? It sounds great - warm and fuzzy - but empathy has no place in any courtroom, let alone the U.S. Supreme Court.

The American Heritage® Dictionary defines empathy as:

Direct identification with, understanding of, and vicarious experience of another person's situation, feelings, and motives.

Yet courts are required to be impartial - not favoring one more than another, treating all alike, unprejudiced, unbiased, disinterested, equitable, fair, just - in other words, empathy and impartiality are NOT synonyms.

It is likely this Justice appointment will not significantly change the "look" of the U.S. Supreme Court. Although David Souter was nominated by President George H. Bush, and initially aligned with the conservative side of the Court, he is now considered part of the liberal wing of the Court as will likely be true of his replacement. But looking for an empathetic replacement? That's just a slap in the face of the U.S. Judicial Branch.

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Friday Wrap-Up

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Because I want to sit at the cool table with Os and M ...

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is don't fart in your cubicle and try to blame it on your neighbor.

2. As a child, I used to really enjoy digging for clams.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of creepy, drug-dazed indigents in charge of large, powerful equipment filled with small children.

4. Any blooming flower is my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include a 32 oz coffee cup, a half-full bottle of Pepsi Max and a tube of Lip Vitamins Lip Oil (mango flavor).

6.Life sometimes makes me wanna curl up in a little ball in the corner and act like a dust bunny.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to grocery shopping (not really, but that's what I'll be doing), tomorrow my plans include cleaning out the front planting beds for perennial planting next weekend, laundry and church and Sunday, I want to go on a 15-20 mile bike ride!

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Generally, there are TWO (four if you count Mother's Day/Father's Day and Valentine's Day) holidays that people in long-term relationships feel should be formally acknowledged - birthdays and anniversaries. Of course, men and women sometimes differ on their expectation of "formal" acknowledgment, but most of the women I know think a card (purchased, hand made or even a sticky note on the fridge) is all that is needed.

When the day of your wedding anniversary rolls around and your wife leaves a card on the bedside table for you to find as you wake up (along with a cup of fresh coffee and your reading glasses so that you can actually see the card) coming downstairs 30 minutes later and saying, "I've just been too busy to card shop, but I'll make up for it today" is probably not going to earn you any brownie points.

Showing up that evening to meet for a beer and appetizers at your favorite micro-brewery, and still not having said card in your possession is likely going to make her want to spend the next anniversary at the micro-brewery without you.

Any guesses???

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When you tailgate me on the way to work and I am forced to choose between driving through a big puddle or hitting a semi-truck head on, I'll choose the big puddle every time. Yes, I reallize that means that I will splash muddy water on your white 2009 Accura, but flashing your lights at me because you felt I should have slowed down so as not to splash you was a little ridiculous.

Making sure you got to the front door at work before me, and letting it close in my face as you gave me a sneer? For a 56 year old woman that was extremely childish behavior. I really don't care that your family name is on one of the main streets in town. Next time I hope your window is rolled down when I drive through that puddle!

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