Weekend Schmeekend

FRIDAY 11.07.08

Friday is always a busy day because Grandmaw goes to town to get her hair done. It’s also the one night a week that we go to Catfish Express for take-out.

It’s a big deal to get take out because Papaw always loved Grandmaw’s cooking. So much that he would proclaim, “Why would I go out to eat? I have the best cook right here in my house.” She loved him dearly and fed him well.

But on this particular Friday night we ordered some steaks from the deer camp. They were paid for ahead of time and supposed to be delivered at 6pm. By 6:30, Grandmaw told Hubs and I to “go get fish.”

Of course, by the time we got back with the catfish the deer steaks had arrived. And let me tell you that they were so big it took us a week to eat three of them – not to mention all the catfish.

Schäfer loves it when his Nanamaw comes home from school.

SATURDAY 11.08.08

This morning, I was greeted with the most delightful news: Hubs made arrangements for us to go out! The Nanamaw was babysitting!

Our first stop was the library. We went to our normal spot and worked from about 11:00 – 3:00. Thank goodness the library shuts down at 3pm. It forced us to turn off the computer and get going.

Since it was Happy Hour and we hadn’t eaten lunch, we pulled into Sonic. We were enticed by their new “sticky bun dough blast”… a tasty, soul-warming experience with Gooey Chunks of Sticky Bun Dough, Praline Pecans and a Rich, Brown Sugar-Flavored Soft Serve.

I couldn’t wait for the soul-warming experience.

Unfortunately, it was too big and too sweet. Neither of us could finish it.

Hubs expresses his dissatisfaction.

After a quick trip to the mall, we ended up at Warehouse #1 for supper with our friend Tim whom we call Time.

Since our dinner conversation was so fabulous, I thought a little bloggy interview would be appropriate.

Why do we call you Time?
When I was in first grade I went to a day camp, and apparently somehow an “e” got added to my name, and the counselors called me “Time” the whole week.  I was too shy to speak up.  Good stuff.

List five reasons the economy is no where close to the Great Depression:

(the first four are from “Money” magazine):

1.  Unemployment  – in 1932 it was about 24%; as of September 30, 2008 it was a bit over 6%.

2.  Gross Domestic Product – in 1932 it shrank by 13%; at the end of September 2008 it was still growing at around 1.6% (anemic, yes, but still growth).

3.  Inflation Rate – 1932 saw deflation of about 10%; inflation in September was approximately 4%.

4.  Consumer Spending – in 1932 it shrank by 9%; it was still growing by .5% as of the end of September.

5.  It’s just not – surely we’ve all heard the stories of our grandparents and how they had to make major sacrifices just to keep life from completely unraveling.  Are we really experiencing anything like that right now?  It does feel a little ominous out there right now, but have people really changed the way they live and consume in a major way? If so, I haven’t really seen it.

“Generica” hmmm. define and give examples.
I didn’t coin this word, but it’s one of my favorites.  “Generica” refers to the stores, restaurants, strip malls etc. that can be found in every town and city in America.  The experience is always the same no matter if you’re in Spokane, St. Paul or Shreveport.  It’s kind of soulless and anonymous.  Examples include Applebees, Chili’s, O ‘Charley’s, Ruby Tuesdays, and Wal-Mart.  By visiting “Generica” you’re missing the real “America”.

Don’t get me wrong – I regularly and gladly patronize all the places named above (and more).  I just think local restaurants and businesses have so much more to offer and are just a lot more fun in general.

Speaking of local restaurants – let’s take a moment to enjoy our bread pudding which was served on fire:

Yum. I love flame. OK. Now where were we…

What are three books we must read?
My whole philosophy on reading has changed over the years.  I used to read only non-fiction because I just wanted to learn stuff.  However, I’ve realized as I’ve progressed through life that it’s sometimes difficult to keep the new ideas coming and the passion for life going.  For me, reading fiction is a great way to fire up the imagination and take me out of my everyday ho-hum.  So, I try to read both.

The funniest book I’ve read in a long time is “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole.  I read this on a plane and laughed out loud so many times people were starting to stare.  It’s kind of the “Ur” text of “Seinfeld” – lots of different character arcs all come together in goofy and funny ways.  The story is set in New Orleans, and if you have any kind of love or appreciation for the weirdness of the city, this is your book.

Sometimes it’s necessary to read a dreaded career book.  Doesn’t everybody just hate those?  I know I do.  Having said that, “The Adventures of Johnny Bunko” by Daniel Pink is a must read for anyone who feels a bit adrift in their career or life.  The author has written several well received books on career guidance – big heavy books.  However, he realized the audience who needs this the most (young folk) don’t have the patience or fortitude to read books like that anymore.  So, he wrote this book and had it made into a Japanese manga style comic book.  It’s very cool, and the advice is solid.

Thomas Friedman is one of my favorite authors.  He writes the “international column” for the New York Times and does a good job of trying to make sense of what’s going on in the world.  I don’t always agree with him (I think he’s OD’d on the whole green revolution), but he’s interesting and always has a point.  I read the “The Lexus and the Olive Tree” several years ago – this was a great book explaining the ramifications of globalization – both good and bad. His theory of why some countries thrive and some countries don’t make sense to me (it’s the strength of their civil society).   His newest book is “Hot, Flat and Crowded” , and it’s on my “to read” list.

I know I’m only supposed to write about 3 books, but I just have to recommend this one – Randy Alcorn’s “The Treasure Principle”.  This book totally changed my thinking about money, possessions and giving.  It’s a great antidote to the rampant and unnecessary consumerism around us.

One more word on reading – I think those of us who are Followers have a responsibility to know what’s going on in the world.  The Internet is a wonder and a marvel – so many newspapers and magazines are available and free.

Every day I read: my local paper, the Wall Street Journal (it’s not free, but worth the subscription price), the New York Times, the Washington Post, Fox News, MSNBC and several other sites.  I think it’s important to read opinions and points of view different from your own.  You don’t have to agree with it, but it helps to get you out of your own echo chamber.

What exactly does “Assistant to the President” mean?
I just started this new job about a week ago, so I will be able to answer this question a whole lot better several months from now.  But basically, I help my boss as she manages our business.   I help her keep the ball moving.

What’s your favorite Eskamoes?
Without a doubt, the “Southern Delight” – vanilla custard ice cream with peaches, strawberries and bananas.  Crazy good.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
The problem with being interested in a lot of stuff is being able to narrow it down.  I’ve been really interested in North Africa lately – maybe I would go to Morocco.  Doesn’t that sound exotic?

But, if I were to honestly answer this question I would probably have to say Penang, Malaysia.  That’s as close to paradise on this earth as I’ve ever seen.  I can’t believe I voluntarily chose to leave that place!

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
I could not live without my relationship to my Creator.   I simply cannot imagine going through life without a personal relationship with the One who loves me best.

On a superficial level, I don’t think I could live without my iPod.  I can’t believe how much I love that thing.  How can one little square bring so much joy?

What’s one thing you could live without?
Meanness, pettiness and selfishness – I know that’s three, but they sort of seem to go together.

On a superficial level, “Captain D’s”.

And there were so many more problems to solve, but instead we headed to the movies to see Fireproof.

SUNDAY 11.09.08

Thankfully, this morning we were at my Grandmaw’s fellowship. It was a two minute drive. Afterwards, we got in some serious Sunday rest. We scanned old photos. We visted Uncle Rawls. It was a good day.