ButlerBloggers Headlines

• Multi-day accumulation totals - if the accumulation amount for one day is too small, provide an accumulation today for more than one day. This increases the accumulation total, but you have to remember it is spread over several days, not one day.
• 30 second commercial teasers - always play 30 second teaser commercials hinting at impending doom, school closings, etc, but don't really tell the whole story yet. Tell the viewer they have to wait for the next scheduled newscast.
• Live report from the snowiest place in the area outside of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh is located in Allegheny County. If the snow forecast for Allegheny County is too small, have a reporter travel outside of Allegheny County (at least an hour drive) and broadcast a live report of the "horrible" conditions.
• Report accumulation totals from an untreated surface like an empty parking lot - To make it look worse than it really is, have the live broadcast with a reporter showing the accumulation total from an untreated surface like an empty parking lot. An untreated surface will have more snow that a treated, well traveled road.

Hyping up the winter weather is one of my pet peeves with the local media. Just think how bad it will be when a real snow storm hits.

Application deadline is January 23, 2009.

Today’s Steelers-Chargers game was a very strange football experience. The final score — 10 to 11, Steelers winning by a hair — doesn’t even look like a football score.

In addition to keeping Pittsburgh on top of their division, the game made an impact on my fantasy football game for the week. Thanks to Roethlisberger throwing the ball effectively, and to the Steelers offense scoring at least 10 point, I won my fantasy game.

My team is dead last in my fantasy league and has little hope of escaping that basement. I’m sanguine about it; what can you do? Still, it’s nice to have a second win for the season. Go team!

(Photo credit: Heinz Field at night, originally uploaded by cynthiacloskey.)

The Purchase Line Red Dragons football team fell to the Portage Mustangs in last night's semi-final round of the District Six playoffs.  That probably means little to most of you, but PL is my alma mater, and I had hoped that this would be the year that they went all the way!  The Red Dragons finish the year at 11-1, which is amazingly better than "back in the day," when I played for them.  We didn't win 11 games in my entire high school career.  Congratulations to Coach Dave Small and the Red Dragons for another great year.  You make all of us PL grads proud!

Emmy and I were driving to have lunch with Nancy's brother and sister-in-law and the rest of our immediate family after worship this morning (actually early afternoon), when big snowflakes started coming down as we drove.  What a beautiful form of precipitation!  I know folks have differing opinions about snow, and every other aspect of the weather, but Emmy and I were immediately ready to go home and get out the Christmas decorations.  While, we didn't, the snow reminded me that winter will soon be here with all that entails.  It also means another year is nearly over.  Where has 2008 gone?  One thing's for sure--there's still lots of time to live the remainder of 2008 for Jesus (unless He returns before it ends, in which case time will suddenly be irrelevant for all eternity!), and to bring Him honor.  Whether the snow continues, or whatever the weather, I'm grateful that God created snow, and so many other reminders that Someone greater than I is in charge!

For generations, small tissue papers were staples of wedding invitations.  Recently, Carlson Craft has discontinued tissues with most of their invitations printed with ink.  Here's Carlson Craft's message to their dealers:

At Carlson Craft, we believe it is our responsibility to make a positive impact on the communities in which we live, work and serve.  Therefore, our commitment to th environment is reflected in our industry leadership.

To extend out commitment to the environment, as of November 3, 2008, tissues will no longer be included with Carlson Craft wedding invitations, with the exception of engraved invitations.

Based on Carlson Craft's research, we have found that most customers no longer use tissues with their wedding invitations.  In the past, tissues were used as a buffer to prevent wet ink from smearing.  Today's ink does not smear, therefore tissues are no longer necessary.

Most brides choose ink printed invitations, which are lower cost and more colorful.  These invitations will not include tissues.  Some brides, however, still choose to have their invitations "engraved", which uses a different type of ink applied in a different way, leaving a raised surface and giving a more classic, elegant look.  These invitations will still include tissues, and you should still use the tissues to protect the printing of an engraved invitation.

Cindy over at My Brilliant Mistakes recently posted her response to a meme she found through Andrea’s Lip Smacking Wit. The instructions were:

Leave a comment and I’ll give you a letter. Post ten things you LOVE that begin with that letter.  Then give a letter to anyone who leaves a comment for you… and the cycle will continue.

O, cool!

I say "O" because Cindy assigned me that little loveable oval. The first things that popped into my mind, though, were Ovaltine and Oprah. Hmm. Neither one is exactly on my love list. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever had Ovaltine.

Then, all I could think of were food items: oatmeal, olives, and, again, Ovaltine — what the heck?! I like oatmeal and olives well enough, but I don’t love them. Anyway, once my mind stopped obsessing about Ovaltine, I came up with the list below:

Orchestras. I love the theater experience, and as a former band geek (flute and a brief stint playing french horn), love listening to orchestras, symphonies, and just about any live band. There is nothing like experiencing live music with musicians who can transfix an entire audience by playing songs in a way that makes it seem the notes are emanating from within them.

Oreos. Now here’s a food item I love! Oreos are kind of like my kryptonite; unfortunately, I can rationalize eating an entire box in relatively short order. Please, Oreos, use your power for good! Pretty please?

Obama. What I love about Obama — and more importantly what he symbolizes — is that he has brought us into a new era. He’s helped to break another racial barrier in the U.S. He’s given many Americans and our neighbors overseas hope and the inspiration to make changes. He used the internet and technology and got people interested in politics again — whether you love or hate him — and out of their homes to vote, something that many Americans have taken for granted in the past (myself included).

Ocean. Powerful, scary, beautiful, wonderous. There’s nothing like digging your toes in the sand, floating in the waves or watching the sun set over the water. Bonus: I’m excited to be leaving for a view of the Pacific tomorrow! California here I come!

The Office/My Office. Only in the last year have I started to watch The Office — and be still my Corporate America-made heart! How I love this show. If you haven’t worked in CubicleLand/a Cube Farm, or for a dopey boss (not that I have, current and former bosses who might be reading), or had weird coworkers (ditto on the not you! part) you may not get the humor, but I have and I do. The writing is great and the characters are not just one dimensional. Speaking of offices, I was moved into an office just this past week after several years in a very gray cubicle. I have a door! I have a door!

Did I mention I have a door?!

OK Go. Cindy actually introduced me to this group a few years ago. Their music is fun, catchy and can be sung while dancing on a treadmill. Well, by them. Me? I’d kill myself. OK Go - "Here It Goes Again"  

"O".  As in the shape of a child’s mouth on Christmas morning when he sees what Santa has left him, or the first time she watches fireworks explode in the sky.

The Other "O". As when an adult sees fireworks for other reasons. Mmm-hmm. Cue The Office joke: That’s what SHE said!

Om. Some days I’m really good at getting my Om on — staying in the moment, not letting things bother me, enjoying yoga, and literally and figuratively breathing easier; many days, however, not so much. I love the feeling of being at peace, living in the moment, and taking time out to just be. Note: yesterday, I treated myself to a hot stone massage. Not sure if that qualifies as a transcendental experience, but it sure must have been close. Om yeah!

Open.

Minds

Arms

Hearts

 Need I say more?

Leave me a comment and I’ll assign you a letter, too. Note that it will be about a week, since I’m off on a little vaca. So be good…and study up on your A-B-Cs.

The first 139 copies of Life Cycle of a Christian were printed and put into book form yesterday, and as the old Shake 'n Bake commercials used to say, "...and I helped!"  The only way to get the first copies completed on Friday was for Emmy and meto join the staff of the Eagle Printery for some collating, and then we got to go to the bindery and watch as they were "perfect bound" and cut.  The first printing of Life Cycle is 1,000 copies.  Here's a synopsis:

Why do some followers of Jesus mature rapidly in Him, while others don't seem to grow or mature at all?  In Life Cycle of a Christian, Chris Marshall not only answers that question, but provides biblical guidelines for believers who want to accelerate their own growth.  Whether you use Life Cycleas a personal study guide, in a home group setting, or a Bible study class, you will learn and grow deeper in your life as a Christian.....This step-by-step approach to growth doesn't provide "ten easy methods." It does provide time tested principles and practices he has sought to live in his own life for nearly four decades, and which he has been passing on to others during his quarter of a century in pastoral ministry. Life Cycle is a must read for those who are serious about putting Jesus first in their lives, and becoming more like Him each day.

Life Cycle costs $12.00 (US) and you can get your copy by posting a comment to this post with your name and mailing information.  Bulk order discounts are available.