Oklahoma Politics

I have seen a lot of campaign commercials this week. I am getting sick of people telling me how horrible their opponent is. I have gotten a list of people running this year. What do I plan to do with this list? Well I am going to leave it in the living room. Then every time I see an add were some jackass tells me why I shouldn't vote for the other guy/gal I mark their name off. If you can't tell me why I should vote for you then I don't plan to. If anybody is left by next Tuesday then they get my vote. I figure mostly Indies will get my vote, because they probably don't have the funds for commercials.

Nerds Unite!

Issue 19 of Nerd City is out. I cover Wonder Woman in this issue.

Just for Fun

There were 52 people with my name. There were 0 with my son's name. Andrick. I actually saw a person on tv a few months ago with the name Andrick, so he doesn't have the market cornered. (I hate cliches, but to lazy to care. I am struck with a good song idea.) The other Andrick lives in the outback of Australia though, and I am guessing won't lead to much confussion in mail.

Here is the link to find out how unique you are.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 52 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Skip a Stocking Stuffer, or Do This Also

Befor you read this I suggerst you walk one mile, and then drink a glass of muddy water.

Jars of Clay has found an organization called blood:water mission. One of the main goals is to combat the rampant AIDS epidemic in Africa. They plan to achieve this by bringing clean blood and clean water to this poverty stricken continent. JoC has set an ambitious goal of providing a thousand wells to communities that have no fresh water.

I think this whole idea is wonderful, but.... I think the fight against AIDS in Africa just seems overwhelming. The stats you hear and read are mind boggling. The idea of digging hundreds of feet down for water, or building elaborate aqueducts with minimal supplies, seems at the least ambitious. So let me say what I can comprehend, $1 provides clean water for 1 person for 1 year.

You spend $1.50 to $2 on a bottle of water. They can have a whole year of clean water for a dollar. Think about that. I bet you could provide 3 people with water for a year with the change in your car. I also bet you will read this, forget about it in an hour or two, and justify it by blaming "them" for their problems.

$1 provides clean water for 1 person for 1 year!

I Stole This from Esquire:
How to Attend a Party for the Shortest Possible Time

I figured with the holidays coming up some of you might find this useful. I promise to not bust you, if you don't bust me.

• Leave nothing at the coat check.
• The hosts deserve your respect and gratitude and are the only people who need to know you came. Immediately say hello and thank them for the invitation.
• Move around a lot so you get noticed. In the vital 15 minutes before you leave, slowly pull yourself away from the proceedings by talking to people who are closer to the door.
• Carrying drinks you're "supposed to deliver" is a great way to shorten a conversation. Keep your back to the door at all times, even when leaving.
• Enjoy yourself.
• Never explain why you're leaving unless pressed, in which case "the kids" is a universal, catchall exuse.
• Don't say goodbye. Send a thank-you note.

Couples probably need a little more extensive plan.

• Best to not seperate.
• Whoever is more directly connect to party should initiate steps towards leaving.
• Have signals worked out, so you don't bring up need to leave.
  
• Don't be caught checking watch. Try putting a vibrating alarm on your phone. Also looks like you just recieved a call. Incase "the kids" excuse doesn't apply.

I stole the first half of bullet points from Esquire. If you are interested in other similar articles- The Rules of Lateness, The Invitation Translator, How to Order Sea Bass in 7 Languages, and many more- then I suggest you pick up Esquire, The Big Black Book: The Style Manual For Successful Men.

Beer and How to Support a Ministerial Life

I tried a new kind of beer this evening. It is made by Trappist monks. They brew and sale the beer to support ministerial life. There are 6 or 7 Trappist breweries depending on what year it is, and if the monostary met the requirements. One requirement of labeling their beer with the Trappist name is that all profits go to charity.

I am trying a Chimay Rouge (Red) this evening. The Chimay's include a Rouge, a Bleu, Blanc and Doree. The Doree is very rare, and can only be drunk at the Chimay monistary or pub in the connecting town. So drink it if you ever get the chance, because it might be your only one.

Since I have not tried anything but the Red I will not going into great detail. I will say it is very smooth. It is a kind of a medium body and flavor with a slight bitter after taste. I would defiantly have another glass if I could. Unfortunatly I bought a trail pack with all three, and special glass to drink them. So I will have to wait for another glass until some other time.

Sometime in the near future (with in a week) I plan to try the other two. I expect to like the Blue the best. Since I prefer dark beers. I'll give you a little more Trappist history then, and my novice beer critiques too.

As a side note I previously had only heard of Trappist monks from a book Henri Nouwen wrote. I believe he went and lived with them from time to time, and it is a diary of those adventures.

Big Boy Toys, Ongoing for the Month of October (Updated 10-11-06)

Every year I get asked, what do you want for your birthday? I am not 5, or even 17, so G.I. Joes and other cheap items are out. What do you tell people at this stage of life? Books are such a boring response, and I can buy myself most anything reasonable I want. Unfortunatly, I don't think anybody plans on buying my the unreasonable items. When you were a kid clothes were the worst gift ever, but for some reason it is not really a bad gift as an adult. The main problem with clothes is... fashion. My sense of fashion is eclectic at best, and doesn't translate when stated as I need some t-shirts. I could always say get me a gift card to Hot Topics, J Crew, Hoolister, and Banana Republic (if you were doubting eclectic), but most people tell me gift cards are to impersonal. I guess I am extremelly impersonal, because gift cards are number one on my give list.

If you have any idea what I should ask for let me know. Otherwise here is an ongoing list. I am sure it will just become a X-mas list too.

I want...
1. Microsoft office for Mac
2. Equipment to make everything wireless in my house. (Also known as Andrick proofing.)
3. Superman/Batman issue #1. I need the Superman, and both together covers.
4. Barnes and Noble card renewed.
5. Starbuckes credit card that giver will pay off monthly.
6. Stationary Bike.
7. New stereo system car
8. New stereo system house
9. Airplane tickets to Ireland. Needs to be when U2 will be playing there.
10. Camping and hunting gear.

Updates....
11. The Boondock Saints rosary.
12. A nice wooden shoe polishing box and kit. Nothing to fance. Initials on box okay.
13. ipod. Please get from Apple Store, so I can use my Apple Care card (free maintance and 1hr tutor sessions).
*I will upgrade, so just do the gift card.
14. A pair of Persol sunglasses. Think Steve McQeen. (You take me to pick them out.)
15. If you can't do Ireland... see #9... then just 2 tickets to U2. Anywhere with in a 10hr (Denver) drive of OKC.

I guess I did have a few things in mind. Seriously, U2 in Ireland, think about it.