Getting Her Throat Ripped Out

Last Tuesday, Rachael had her tonsils taken out. We were told that it would be quite painful for her, but 2 trips to the emergency room and one re-cauterizing later, Rachael said it has been the most painful thing in her whole life. And this is her third surgery since turning 20.

Actually, she didn't really "say" that she signed it - she can't talk yet so I've had to brush up on my ASL skills (my previously nonexistent ASL skills).

Here's the before and after pics of her throat. Gross, but informative (if you like that kind of thing) Note the huge swelling in the before pic that is simply not there in the after pic - those were her tonsils. They've been swollen since she got mono as an undergrad and have consistently bothered her. I guess it's good that she got them out, but a week of lukewarm liquid diet and loads of pain make it seem like a worse choice than before.

:. A Completely Different Kind of "Inspirational" Calendar

Now, this is the kind of youth group that parents can be proud of their kids being involved in. A youth group in Germany has put together a calendar for 2006, with each month sporting a photo interpretation of a biblical erotic scene. Photos include a "bare-breasted Delilah cutting Sampson's hair and a nude Eve offering an apple."

Apparently there's a market for this - the first printing sold 2000 copies and they're currently selling the second. I wonder what the youth group hopes to accomplish with this project. Is this a fundraiser for them to go to camp next summer? It's certainly a far cry from bake sales and magazine subscriptions.

Still The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

As I told you a little while ago, Rachael is in a play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! for the Lee's Summit Community Theatre.

The play is about the Herdmans, a family of children who sign up for the Christmas pageant at church, when they’re told there are free snacks at practice.

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.

Tickets are $6 and are available at the door or from any actor in the show. Proceeds go to benefit Giant Step Special Needs Day School - a nonprofit for physically and mentally handicapped children and their siblings in the Kansas City Area.

There will be 3 performances on Saturday, December 10 at 11 am, 1 pm, & 7 pm. The play will be performed in the upper level of Paradise Park (located at 1021 NE Colburn Road in Lee’s Summit).

This fundraiser will benefit a wonderful group of kids. Please come out next weekend to help make their holiday season a wonderful one.

Carpet:1 - Skin:0

Rachael and I joined a volleyball league with Paul (Rachael’s Dad) for the fall. We have a really good time each week. There are a few drawbacks. One is that the church has carpet on the floor. I tend to be the kind of player that tries to get to the ball no matter what. This means that I often will have a solid rug burn or a skinned knee by the end of our match each Tuesday.

This changed last week when I slid on the side of my leg and melted my skin off. Or rug-burned my skin off.

<--- the day after it happened

and two weeks later:

It's Only, Like, My Favorite Resolution Ever!

State Legislatures pass resolutions all the time that are afirmations of individuals or groups that the state is 'officially' proud of (we have one hanging on our wall from the legislature afirming that the state of Missouri is proud of Rachael and that she's a good kid - I might post it sometime). But this resolution, passed 69-0 (with one rep absent) by Idaho house of Representatives, has to be the best.

Oh, and by the way - this is legit.

__________________________________________________________________

The Legislature of the State of Idaho in the Fifty-eighth Legislature First Regular Session – 2005 in the House of Representatives

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29

By Ways and Means Committee

A concurrent resolution stating legislative findings and commending Jared and Jerusha Hess and the City of Preston for the production of the movie Napoleon Dynamite.

Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

Whereas, the State of Idaho recognizes the vision, talent and creativity of Jared and Jerusha Hess in the writing and production of “Napoleon Dynamite”; and


Whereas, the scenic and beautiful City of Preston, County of Franklin and the State of Idaho are experiencing increased tourism and economic growth; and


Whereas, filmmaker Jared Hess is a native Idahoan who was educated in the Idaho public school system; and


Whereas, the Preston High School administration and staff, particularly the cafeteria staff, have enjoyed notoriety and worldwide attention; and


Whereas, tater tots figure prominently in this film thus promoting Idaho’s most famous export; and


Whereas, the friendship between Napoleon and Pedro has furthered multiethnic relationships; and


Whereas, Uncle Rico’s football skills are a testament to Idaho athletics; and


Whereas, Napoleon’s bicycle and Kip’s skateboard promote better air quality and carpooling as alternatives to fuel-dependent methods of transportation; and


Whereas, Grandma’s trip to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes highlights a long-honored Idaho vacation destination; and


Whereas, Rico and Kip’s Tupperware sales and Deb’s keychains and glamour shots promote entrepreneurism and self-sufficiency in Idaho’s small towns; and


Whereas, Napoleon’s artistic rendition of Trisha is an example of the importance of the visual arts in K-12 education; and


Whereas, the schoolwide Preston High School student body elections foster an awareness in Idaho’s youth of public service and civic duty; and


Whereas, the “Happy Hands” club and the requirement that candidates for school president present a skit is an example of the importance of theater arts in K-12 education; and


Whereas, Pedro’s efforts to bake a cake for Summer illustrate the positive connection between culinary skills to lifelong relationships; and


Whereas, Kip’s relationship with LaFawnduh is a tribute to e-commerce and Idaho’s technology-driven industry; and


Whereas, Kip and LaFawnduh’s wedding shows Idaho’s commitment to healthy marriages; and


Whereas, the prevalence of cooked steak as a primary food group pays tribute to Idaho’s beef industry; and


Whereas, Napoleon’s tetherball dexterity emphasizes the importance of physical education in Idaho public schools; and


Whereas, Tina the llama, the chickens with large talons, the 4-H milk cows, and the Honeymoon Stallion showcase Idaho’s animal husbandry; and


Whereas, any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote “Nay” on this concurrent resolution are “FREAKIN’ IDIOTS!” and run the risk of having the “Worst Day of Their Lives!”


Now, therefore, be it further resolved by the members of the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho Legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate concurring therein, that we commend Jared and Jerusha Hess and the City of Preston for showcasing the positive aspects of Idaho’s youth, rural culture, education system, athletics, economic prosperity and diversity.


Be it further resolved that we, the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the State of Idaho, advocate always following your heart, and thus we eagerly await the next cinematic undertaking of Idaho’s Hess family.


Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and she is hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Jared and Jerusha Hess, the Mayor of the City of Preston and the Principal of Preston High School.


Statement of Purpose
The purpose of this resolution is to recognize and commend Jared and Jerusha Hess for their cinematic talents by which they have increased the nation’s awareness of Idaho.

UTSA Students offered Porn for their Bibles

On Wednesday, a group of atheists at the University of Texas – San Antonio asked students to exchange Bibles for porn magazines, making some religious leaders angry.

Student Ryan Walker, a member of the student group Atheist Agenda, said, “We consider The Bible to be a very negative force in the history of the world.”

Atheist Agenda members were on campus asking students to exchange religious materials for pornographic magazines.

Only five students so far have exchanged their bibles for porn.