tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52619472011-07-30T21:24:12.270-05:00Yep. It's Joe.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.comBlogger3541100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-15155021263903789522010-01-23T22:34:00.002-06:002010-01-23T22:54:50.041-06:00

I wonder if Facebook is somehow supplanting my urge to blog. Maybe because I'm able to share five-second "soundbyte" versions of my thoughts and opinions, I don't need (or see the point?) to expand them into ten-minute ramblings. Hmm. So is this a good thing? Am I being less narcissistic, or less open? Am I saving time, or losing touch?

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-81075133297602193472009-12-31T12:58:00.004-06:002009-12-31T13:41:27.924-06:00

Nearing the end of my third decade on this planet, I pause to wonder what the future holds. In many ways, the world seems a less stable and more fearful place than ever. Our leaders continually find new and creative ways to disappoint us, and problems we thought long ago solved have proved to have only been symptoms of far greater systemic failure. And yet, it also seems to me that we as a human

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-58712840361459244052009-11-07T23:50:00.000-06:002009-11-08T01:21:00.752-06:00

As I type this, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed healthcare reform bill HR3962 by a margin of 220-215. I wouldn't go as far as some to call this an "historic" occasion, as the bill is far from perfect, and likely far from actually achieving its proposed goals. For my part, though, I wish opponents would clarify exactly what problems they have with the idea, you know, without calling

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-49092435768078294312009-10-23T20:00:00.002-05:002009-10-23T20:10:10.698-05:00

Well, I ran the half-marathon. Six months ago. Summer came and went. I'm teaching third grade now. I'm typing this on my new iMac. I built a ramp to our shed and a firewood rack beside it. We're replacing our roof. We went to Scotland. Saw Stonehenge, Caldwell Castle, and the Raglands. Read several books. Took up cruciverbalism as a serious hobby. Met Will Shortz. Pixar's "Up" made me cry. I'm on

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-10317941583474941052009-02-21T01:30:00.002-06:002009-02-21T02:07:32.459-06:00

New cake post!We're studying WWII at school, and I have become completely fascinated by the sheer scope and magnitude of the Japanese internment here in the U.S. It is simply appalling that a nation could act in such obvious contradiction to its foundational principles. Don't get me wrong, Jim Crow and Uncle Remus take plenty of luster off the "all men created equal" shtick; but locking up

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-4410146459392458642009-02-12T21:12:00.001-06:002009-02-12T21:13:44.977-06:00

Happy Birthdays all around: Abe Lincoln, Charles Darwin, and Karen Caldwell!

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-69753348664067615492009-02-09T00:03:00.002-06:002009-02-09T00:09:54.056-06:00

So, Google has a new offering: Latitude. You download it onto your mobile device, and it syncs with the Google Maps software to pinpoint your exact location. The big feature they're bragging about to market it? Friends and family can find you, too! Anytime! Woohoo! Finally, Google has found a way to tap into that ever-elusive stalker demographic.And the satellite company they've contracted to

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-43849263604604519762009-01-16T11:14:00.003-06:002009-01-19T01:01:29.912-06:00

Only here..."Sumner County Schools will be closed on Friday, January 16 due to the extremely cold weather."I enjoy the break as much as anyone, but we were supposed to have a test today, and now this has turned into a four-day weekend (MLK on Monday), so we'll have to review another day at least to refresh everyone's memory, and then after the test, I can't really introduce brand new material at

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-39412544829380200932009-01-01T11:20:00.001-06:002009-01-02T11:35:49.196-06:00

Okay, count me in.Tara has committed to training for and running in a half marathon this Spring. I've been on the fence, but now I'm not. Prepare the nipple cream!Happy New Year.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-35767565612998441902008-12-23T19:11:00.002-06:002008-12-23T19:30:32.029-06:00

A few years ago, I made a CD mix for my parents with twenty or so songs that we used to listen to at our house every Christmas growing up. It's an eclectic selection, which I like, and I'm only sorry I couldn't capture the scratch of the record player, too (yes, we listened to our Christmas music on vinyl. And it rocked.) Mariah Carey's O Holy Night is there, as well as Carol of the Bells and

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-6967558586010609122008-12-16T15:42:00.002-06:002008-12-16T16:05:50.732-06:00

Well, we've officially cancelled school three times already. January should be interesting...It seems this season just gets busier and busier every year. Still, I love it. I imagine this is because somewhere in the recesses of my mind I'm conflating the simple December calendar month with visions of Norman Rockwell paintings; horse-drawn carriages toting teams of Victorian carolers through

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-18161577371388654712008-11-14T17:05:00.002-06:002008-12-16T15:42:46.544-06:00

Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 8:00 pm CST: I listen to Georgia Congressman John Lewis describe this year's presidential race through the eyes of someone who fought and bled for equality a generation ago and then sat on the couch next to Dr. King in 1964 to watch the announcement of a new Civil Rights Act on television. I weep.Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 10:00 pm CST: The polls close on the west coast

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-66071487483397662132008-08-26T11:51:00.000-05:002008-08-27T01:56:49.481-05:00

Incredible, edible, Neyland Stadium. More pics at our Caldwell Cakes blog. Check it out.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-28798156554948788052008-08-03T00:33:00.004-05:002008-08-03T00:38:21.891-05:00

Well, it's happened.This week, while complaining about percieved low-brow ads from the McCain camp, an Obama strategist said he was surprised by the attacks because--and I'm quoting here--"John is an honorable man."I don't know if he meant to evoke Shakespeare, but it made me love him, and his candidate, all the more.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-63065781908428147382008-07-31T00:31:00.002-05:002008-07-31T00:51:47.342-05:00

The Today Show is for rich people.Sorry, it just needed to be said. During the summer months, I usually don't start tutoring at Huntington until 9 or 10, so I'm getting a good look at all the network morning shows for the first time. And basically, the conclusion I've come to is that people with my level of disposible income are simply not their target audience. The other day one of the programs

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-15742545083169609382008-07-25T23:10:00.000-05:002008-07-26T01:44:22.771-05:00

I finished reading Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture a few hours ago. If you don't know, he's a computer science professor diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given just a few months to live. Traditionally, retiring professors give a "last lecture" as sort of a farewell to arms; an endcap to a full career. Except, in his case, it was to be farewell, period--and a chance to say all the things he'll

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-15834692009829918322008-07-09T00:16:00.002-05:002008-07-09T01:00:04.105-05:00

Spent the weekend of the 4th in Memphis with the Caldwell extended family. Now that Tara and I live closer, we're able to attend some of the lower-key gatherings (besides Easter and Thanksgiving, that is), but it does feel a little wierd to be there without Mom and Dad. We were always "the Knoxville Caldwells" who only showed up a few times a year--which is fine with me, mind you, but it's been

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-57040065444892376032008-07-01T21:06:00.002-05:002008-07-01T22:41:21.570-05:00

We saw The Happening last night, and I'll say this much: it may be my least favorite Shayamalan film, but it is simultaneously one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen, and also one of his best turns as director.Even though my birthday was a couple of weeks ago, this weekend Tara and I celebrated with one of our themed parties. We enjoy them, but kind of have to consider them practice for

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-1397832334039228762008-06-26T15:37:00.004-05:002008-06-26T15:42:10.958-05:00

I guess they wanted to end the term with a bang....too soon?

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-9442003029778465132008-06-25T13:17:00.000-05:002008-06-26T15:44:11.494-05:00

This week, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is an unconstitutional punishment for child rape.Now, I typically rank even murderers a notch above child molesters on the "deserves to live" scale, but today I heard something that made me rethink that position. One of the morning shows interviewed a man who had been the victim of rape as a child, but supports the Court's decision. He

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-11975705779760988242008-06-18T22:37:00.002-05:002008-06-18T23:50:09.745-05:00

Anybody ever see that movie Multiplicity? Michael Keaton clones himself, then the clone clones himself, then that clone clones himself, and so on. It's a goofy comedy, of course, but the point is that each reproduction is less and less like original (the final copy is practically brain-dead).This is how I feel about reality television.MTV, I suppose, takes the dubious honor as father of the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-15096195370540871462008-06-10T01:27:00.002-05:002008-06-10T01:30:58.961-05:00

It's odd, but I think I'm finally starting to understand grown-ups.At least once a week (sometimes more), I have to mow the grass. If I want better water pressure in the shower or tighter weatherstripping at my front door, I do it myself. Virtually every sunrise is guaranteed bring me new things to fix or work on in and around our house. While this makes me proud, it is also turning me into a

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-72630178021807584122008-06-02T23:41:00.002-05:002008-06-03T00:59:31.219-05:00

Two weddings, two weekends, two surprises. Check and double check.Not only did we have to make Ben's cake, but Tara was also the maid (matron?) of honor, so she was pulling double duty (teehee...doody) the whole time. Everything went off without a hitch, and at the reception, there was contra dancing! Did I spell that right? If you don't know what that is, the term describes those big folkish

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-88347537739072920792008-05-27T17:00:00.004-05:002008-05-27T20:21:35.926-05:00

Gaze, humanity! Gaze upon the wonder that is "The Groom's Cake!" (patent pending.) More details over at Caldwell Cakes.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-80189076909254723912008-05-06T15:40:00.002-05:002008-05-06T15:43:46.928-05:00

From Jonathan's blog today:"Because I am a pastor, I am of course very guarded about who I voted for. This is not the place for me to discuss such things, regardless of how strongly I may or may not feel about Barack Obama. Whether or not I support the Obama campaign, I would never let you know. I would not even give sideways, smarmy indications that I think you should vote for Obama, because

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-32801038013477361912008-04-28T03:20:00.002-05:002008-04-28T03:30:32.184-05:00

My last post was heyitsjoe's 333rd. Wow.Anyway, we've started moving into the house. Our lease doesn't run out at the apartment until the last week in May, so we have the luxury of taking a few things at a time. Chase brought his friend Chris (and Chris' trailor!) on Saturday, and plus the two carloads Tara and I had already taken over, we got at least a third of everything moved. Woohoo!Of

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-53690274327098303092008-04-25T22:25:00.000-05:002008-04-25T22:26:31.059-05:00

Homeowners!

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-70205630182767431322008-04-22T10:48:00.003-05:002008-04-22T10:57:12.109-05:00

“I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun’s energy… If sunbeams could be used as weapons of war, we would have had solar power centuries ago.”-Sir George Porter, August 1973Happy Earth Day, gang! Take a moment to read Dr. Seuss' The Lorax if you get a chance.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-39398168181970815552008-04-19T22:25:00.002-05:002008-04-19T23:31:58.599-05:00

And now a word from our sponsors.African American Lives is a PBS documentary series where a geneologist named Henry Louis Gates, Jr. researches the ancestry of certain black celebrities like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Tina Turner, Morgan Freeman, and several others. He doesn't just hand them a family tree, though. When the guest arrives, Gates sits down with him or her to review what is basically a

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-55800776471507637032008-04-10T23:47:00.001-05:002008-04-10T23:51:48.788-05:00

I, friends, am in limbo.I bought a house, but cannot move in until the end of the month. I have completed my curriculum, but the school year lasts through May. I'm pumped about Lori & Ben's and TR & April's weddings, but they are yet weeks from now.And me? I wait.Don't get me wrong--things are fine. I'm just "between moments." For a while there, there was a big flurry of stuff going on, and we

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-45200281284776760642008-03-20T23:20:00.003-05:002008-03-21T09:33:37.868-05:00

New post on Caldwell Cakes--it's been a while, but this one still turned out pretty well.At Merrol Hyde, the other fifth grade class is being taught by an interim teacher. She came out of recent retirement to fill in when my former teammate left (on good terms) after Christmas to take a government appointment. The new teacher has a very dry wit, and while certainly friendly, also has a bit of a

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-15954753589870821322008-03-09T14:29:00.002-05:002008-03-09T15:07:10.719-05:00

I miss cartoons.Allow me to clarify: Tara and I went to see Enchanted last week, and the first few minutes almost broke my heart. The movie, if you haven't seen it, opens with a bit of Beauty and the Beast-esque classic Disney animation. It's meant to be merely a vehicle for the story, even a parody at times, but all it did for me was make me miss the good old days. It just looked so good. Why,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-90456770839022373832008-02-15T16:03:00.002-06:002008-02-15T16:14:29.841-06:00

Well, this was initially going to be a post about my new favorite show, PBS' African-American Lives. But I guess that'll have to wait.This morning, my neice was born. That's right, a brand new human has come into the world. After, of course, gestating inside my sister for a while. Sick.Just kidding. It's fairly awesome. Tara drove over to Knoxville around 4 am today, and we'll both be headed back

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-87603339661738208582008-02-10T12:45:00.000-06:002008-02-10T14:04:43.407-06:00

When we talk about disillusionment, the word has an inescapable negative connotation. It speaks to dreams broken and hope lost. But what if the illusion only distracted from a better reality, deeper fulfillment, greater expectations?Would you rather hold on to the illusion than risk finding out I'm wrong?Zhubin and Bobby recently discussed on this blog a Time Magazine interview with Anglican

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-32627479185230442252008-02-06T10:39:00.000-06:002008-02-06T11:26:42.723-06:00

Got my first taste of tornado country last night. At first, we were just annoyed that the weather updates kept interrupting The Biggest Loser, and grew more and more so as the news flashes grew longer and longer and then usurped network programming entirely. However, when it started lightning every second or so and large hail started really smacking against the windows, the nonstop coverage

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-6635329917820186572008-01-27T18:10:00.000-06:002008-01-27T19:08:55.967-06:00

I heard an interesting comment on TV the other day concerning the unique nature of the 2008 primary season. Of course, this was before McCain's surge, but the observation was made that the presidency may be decided between a black man, a woman, a Mormon, and a Baptist preacher.No clear front-runner on either side, record turnout at the polls: exciting times, indeed.Been reading Obama's book, and

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-23906619499875598112008-01-19T01:06:00.000-06:002008-01-19T01:14:39.200-06:00

Cale, it seems all those years spent sketching superheroes from our Fleer trading card collections is finally paying off. My lesson today on social reformers of the early twentieth century featured John Williams' Superman theme (thanks, iPod!) and this:For the record, this was homecoming week at Merrol Hyde. I spoke briefly this afternoon with the high school librarian, who had been very much in

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-34218887571536523362008-01-14T15:57:00.000-06:002008-01-14T16:46:13.547-06:00

"Order the Monte Cristo sandwich, Joe. You'll probably like it." And I did. This is why I love her.Well, Zhubin, I finally finished Guns, Germs, and Steel. This textual monolith has literally consumed months of my free time. It's actually a fascinating journey through the history of human civilization, particularly the ultimate reasons why certain groups of people seem to have had a head-start on

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-41117482184500290352008-01-04T23:42:00.000-06:002008-01-05T03:20:45.053-06:00

For the past few days, I've been listening to a book on tape that Tara got me for Christmas. It's Bob Newhart's I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This (read by the author). Now, I have always enjoyed the comic stylings of the adorable stammerer himself--practically the inventor of the "poor schmuck" routine me and the guys became so fond of back in our Running With Scissors improv days--but this

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-5051184427815447412007-12-31T16:38:00.000-06:002008-01-01T11:50:00.219-06:00

I just walked out of Charlie Wilson's War.Granted, we should have done more research (or at least looked at the rating), so I take full responsability for our horror in the first few minutes. However, we found ourselves more angry than anything else as we left the theater. I was really looking forward to this one, because I'm a fan of all the stars, the writer, and wry political satire in

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-72715806378759962042007-12-30T13:37:00.000-06:002008-01-01T11:53:12.574-06:00

Correction: "Chasing Green Lights" is about knowing when to speed up or slow down in life to keep from coming to a complete stop.A word now about The Golden Compass, but really more about the whole His Dark Materials trilogy. I like Philip Pullman. I like a lot of what he has to say about education (he used to be a middle school teacher) and even religion. I haven't read his other books, but he

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-32256024940306520372007-12-16T15:26:00.000-06:002007-12-17T17:51:12.590-06:00

Can a song be worshipful without mentioning God?What if it doesn't even reference--however indirectly--any sort of spiritual experience, phenomena, or doctrine? I was struck by these questions (and then other questions that necessarily follow in the metaphysical wake of the myriad possible answers) this morning at church. We had several guest musicians in to minister through songs celebrating the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-68300877615532151872007-12-08T12:33:00.001-06:002007-12-17T15:23:53.312-06:00

New cake post on Caldwell Cakes. Lori came into town for her birthday, and didn't even know the purse on the table was a cake! Success!Also, someone from central office came to observe my math class this week, and at the end of our follow-up meeting, she cleared her throat and said, "Okay, I'm now going to ask you a question. If the answer is no, you're going to think I'm the weirdest person in

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-88941324250115187012007-12-04T17:09:00.000-06:002007-12-04T17:16:45.237-06:00

Okay, gang, if you're stopping by here without at least skimming Jonathan's blog every once in a while, let me recommend it once more. Last week he posted about a survey that recently came out of Willow Creek Church. This is the mega-church commonly attributed with developing the "seeker-sensitive" approach (cappuccino machines in the lobby, etc.), but the survey shows that some staggeringly high

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-18714066140544877782007-11-30T21:07:00.001-06:002007-11-30T21:16:37.857-06:00

Oh, Charles M. Schulz, you speak to my heart from beyond the grave. But, you know...not in a scary ghost way.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-59562209410468206042007-11-28T15:26:00.000-06:002007-11-28T15:38:06.897-06:00

Chrima! Chrima ih heah. (That's "Christmas is here," for those of you who never knew Kirk Martin. Funny guy.)Lights, tree, stockings, decorative tins--you name it, we've got it (and yes, it was out the moment Thanksgiving was over). Tara and I had to agree last year that we would only spend a very small amount of money on new Christmas decorations each year, but it's going to be difficult. We

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-37082702208269321042007-11-20T23:37:00.000-06:002007-11-21T00:04:57.560-06:00

New favorite quote: "All suffering is bearable if it is seen as part of a story." -Isak DinesenNone of the following post has anything to do with it; I just like it.Frankly, people, I am shocked--shocked, I say--that anything ever gets done where boards or other official governing bodies are involved. Tonight I sat in on my first school board meeting, or should I say my first

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-25792654925808649052007-11-10T00:09:00.000-06:002007-11-10T01:45:35.261-06:00

Sigh.My head says Edwards, but my heart says Obama.My butt (from whence I poop) is still, inexplicably, rooting for the Republicans--who, for the record, actually have the second amendment and gay marriage listed on their websites as major campaign issues.Double sigh.Is it possible that we've all lost our minds? Seriously? That the majority of Americans, no matter what affiliation, really want to

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-30081686221149125852007-10-31T20:28:00.000-05:002007-10-31T20:30:11.167-05:00

Started a new blog for cake posts. http://caldwellcakes.blogspot.com

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-17162021724525145452007-10-27T17:13:00.000-05:002007-10-28T20:35:26.645-05:00

Around 2 am (yes, we were still up) the support beam in the legs gave out, and that was indeed a dark, dark time in our lives. With minimal scarring, though, things finally came together. It was a little awkward delivering the cake to a stranger's home, but the mom seemed very pleased.Mario, Scott? Bring it on.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-14904786591527141022007-10-26T16:33:00.000-05:002007-10-26T17:24:09.184-05:00

Mad Gabs is for learning!Can you figure these out? (Hint: they both have to do with Thus Sieve Ill Wore.)1. Thug Get Tease Burger Dress2. Apple Mat Oxcart DouseTara and I are gearing up for our toughest challenge yet. The lady who won our cake services in the silent auction wanted to cash in right away, since both her son's and her brother's birthdays are this weekend. It was really fun to talk

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-22487785675373401462007-10-13T23:57:00.000-05:002007-10-14T14:32:27.949-05:00

I think we can all agree that SNL doesn't bring the laughs anymore, but if you can find video of tonight's sketch about people getting punched in the face right before they eat, you should watch it. It's one of those new digital shorts, and it's funny.Bjork and Charles Barkley on "Iconoclasts" was pretty good, too.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-89278897392091149252007-10-09T19:11:00.000-05:002007-10-09T20:40:16.518-05:00

Have you seen this show Pushing Daisies? It's most excellent. Imagine Tim Burton comes to ABC, and he wants to make a romantic comedy detective series in the vein of Big Fish or Edward Scissorhands. Well, it premiered last week, and already gets my stamp (cue stamp) of approval.Ned has the power to revive the dead with one touch. His next touch kills them again, this time forever. However, if he

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-87221758248925162902007-10-07T07:16:00.000-05:002007-10-07T08:07:14.370-05:00

I didn't want to move to Florida.I mean, I could have. Nobody would have stopped me.But I didn't want to. Just personal choice, plain and simple.So why, in spite of my obvious decision-making capability, am I enduring 80 degree weather in October? This is ridiculous. It looks like fall. The air is crisp and clear, but I walk outside and in about ten mintues I'm sweating!I once said October was my

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-55890008887138650392007-09-22T09:48:00.000-05:002007-09-22T14:41:59.097-05:00

Thursday night Tara and I attended "A Taste of Hendersonville," which was not in any way a hive of vampiric activity. Instead, it was kind of a county fair/community picnic sort of affair. Several local restaurants had set up booths where you could get a small sample of the menu items they consider top of the line. The idea was simple: go around eating for an hour until you choose a favorite.Joe

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-35675747936049622502007-09-16T15:07:00.000-05:002007-09-16T15:38:24.785-05:00

Professional football is infinitely less appealing to me than college football.Keep in mind that I'm not a huge sports guy, but I just noticed this. I watched the UT-Florida game with some friends in Lafayette yesterday, and then saw part of the Colts-Titans game in a restaurant this afternoon. When the Vols play, for instance,I am aware that it is something they are doing while they pursue an

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-7536717546475170192007-09-14T03:56:00.001-05:002007-09-14T06:53:15.774-05:00

Okay, okay. Go ahead and turn me in to the Literary Police. Lock me up without bail for at least as long as it takes to redefine the concept of postmodern literature.I love Harry Potter.It's a fairly new love, so it's still a bit tight around the shoulders, but I must simply embrace it. For a long time, I resisted, for the usual reasons (that it was drivel, not that it was evil). In fact, the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-6598083349395945552007-09-09T20:20:00.000-05:002007-09-09T21:04:24.018-05:00

I want to write.And not just a little. I want to write a lot. Like, books.I've been wrestling with the idea for quite a long time now, resisting in large part on the grounds that I'm just a schoolteacher, who cares what I have to say? (And when do I have time to say it anyway?)These days, though, I find myself scribbling thoughts on sticky-notes and talking Tara's ears off with countless theses

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-47827908601072618992007-09-08T22:11:00.000-05:002007-09-08T22:37:02.158-05:00

I found a Fuji!Some readers may be familiar with the West Knoxville Dairy-Queen-turned-Japanese-steakhouse and its most wonderful fare. If not, I mourn for you. TR and I used to stop by regularly to enjoy their combo plates, tiny menus, and the world's best shrimp sauce. Since moving away, a part of me has been a vast, empty hole; that is, until this week, on a whim, Tara and I picked up dinner

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-17041562518195476562007-08-28T17:16:00.000-05:002007-09-01T10:49:58.938-05:00

"But there is such a thing as good grief. Just ask Charlie Brown."Tara and I have been watching our way through Seasons 2 and 3 of The Office for a few weeks, gearing up for the big premiere next month. Personally, I think the series should have just ended this May--it was the perfect end to a perfectly told story. But you know, I loves me some Dwight, so I guess I'll let this one slide.Anybody

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-35567084520988698942007-08-17T02:01:00.000-05:002007-08-17T02:14:33.710-05:00

Good gravy, people! I am seriously into it now. Hardly have a spare moment, even with two planning periods during the school day. Loving the new digs, though. It's 2 am, and I want to sleep, so I'll get into specifics over the weekend.Is it winter break yet?

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-52788164888531929922007-08-09T01:30:00.000-05:002007-08-11T12:50:54.287-05:00

I'm not going to launch back into a essay-length New York story, but I realize I was cut short and feel obligated to mention at least that on our final day in the City, we attended an exhibit at the Museum of Natural History on mythical creatures--their origins, variations on tales told through generations and across civilizations. Very cool. That evening, we attended a taping of the Colbert

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-17575978848955754682007-08-05T12:18:00.000-05:002007-08-05T12:27:16.387-05:00

Chase's birthday was this week, and to celebrate with my in-laws, I had to swallow my UT pride. The Flemings are originally from Alabama, and unfortunately their inexplicable love for the place just won't die, even after many years in Volunteer county. This is difficult for me to say, so I'll just out with it, and we can worry about the emotional mess later: we baked him a Crimson Tide cake.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-16211238611949283742007-08-01T00:32:00.000-05:002007-08-01T01:00:56.977-05:00

Kitchen stuff is unpacked, and our new stove is fixed, so tonight we made a tricolor sconcigli pasta with shrimp and homemade tomato sauce. And a salad.If you're looking to read the kind of post-modern Christian thought that is lacking in so many pulpits (and pews!) these days, jump over to the blogs of Bobby Scott or Jonathan Martin. Per doing the same old thing, Bobby writes that the Church

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-2251189337960429802007-07-31T23:36:00.000-05:002007-08-01T01:02:08.679-05:00

Well, we're officially moved in to the new apartment/city/state/chapter in our lives, and so far things are good. We definitely own too much stuff for our own good, but I suppose it must be endured (after all, what's a home without decorative candles, a collection of world peas, and a My Little Pony wearing an ammo belt?)That last one is not a joke, although the item itself was based on one.Tara

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-81607760396366425742007-07-25T12:27:00.000-05:002007-07-25T12:54:51.066-05:00

This is a test of the Hey It's Joe Emergency Broadcast System. We'll return you to your regularly scheduled New York vacation narrative shortly.In the event of an actual emergency, this interruption would be followed by an important blog announcement, like, say, if I got a teaching job at a really good school in Hendersonville.You know, something like that.As it turns out, friends and loved ones,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-74463489922925342412007-07-23T01:19:00.000-05:002007-07-23T16:03:42.109-05:00

Before our tale progresses into Sunday morning, I need to step back and talk about our hotel. It was really elegant, which was an important factor I considered in planning the celebration of our first anniversary, but it was ultimately chosen because it also offered two things: wireless internet access and free breakfast. These have become, in our travels, some of the elements we value most in

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-2428670878244924212007-07-22T15:36:00.000-05:002007-07-22T16:51:34.008-05:00

Saturday in New York started with an attempt to visit the Statue of Liberty. We got off the subway in the Financial District so we could stop by the site of the World Trade Center first. It's not much to look at, but the enormous absence of something is conspicuous. All the same, I couldn't help thinking about those little crosses you see along roadsides. The way people were gawking and trying to

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-36282783035703653402007-07-19T00:39:00.000-05:002007-07-19T03:02:09.723-05:00

Friday was our first day in the Big Apple, and we spent it getting to know the city instead of rushing around from one tourist attraction to another. The Avalon hotel is just around the corner from the Empire State Building, and right off Fifth Avenue, so it made a great starting point for a brisk 50 or 60 block walk. For lunch, we picked up some hotdogs from a street vendor in Times Square, and

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-33336817237459589862007-07-17T19:08:00.000-05:002007-07-17T19:23:50.375-05:00

New York, like most Caldwell trips, was certainly an adventure. I'll update more when I get a chance, but for now I think the first day will suffice.The cost of transportation was a big concern for us, so we really spent a lot of time and energy planning out exactly which options would present the least financial burden without sacrificing too much convenience. For starters, we decided that

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-25909329306702561132007-07-11T06:45:00.000-05:002007-07-11T03:17:56.694-05:00

A few random thoughts at 6:44 am. Wait--make that 6:45 am.First of all, I got so caught up in whining that I forgot to announce that I've finally posted my Writing and Sharing Connections video on YouTube. My Master's thesis revolved around an action research project exploring a metacognitive approach to reading instruction, and I chose to present said research to my faculty advisors via a

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-43741963950447330592007-07-09T18:30:00.000-05:002007-07-09T19:06:26.178-05:00

Gang, I'm usually a particularly good interviewee. I know my strengths, I'm charming, and I have a reasonably impressive grasp of the English language. But last week, I gave what may have been the worst performance of my life (and I played a roller-skating bear in middle school.) I don't know what happened--for almost an hour I was either saying stupid things or missing opportunities to say

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-3000559941813057142007-07-05T11:41:00.000-05:002007-07-09T19:08:16.614-05:00

Am I the only one who didn't know who Idi Amin was? The Last King of Scotland came in yesterday (Blockbuster online = great idea) so we watched it last night with Mom and Dad (we're in Knoxville for the 4th, by the way). I was under the impression that it was merely a film about the friendship that develops between a Scottish doctor and an African president!Clearly, my grasp of modern world

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-80023893875662365342007-07-03T01:42:00.000-05:002007-07-03T02:10:12.546-05:00

Bored? Lonely? Marry your best friend--I've never been happier. Just needed to throw that out there.I've been impressed upon lately by much of what I'm reading, particularly a line from The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, where Ron Sider proposes what he feels is lacking from today's Christianity. "Orthodoxy and orthopraxis: right teaching with right action." Some time back, while

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-26745708495672991982007-06-26T18:24:00.000-05:002007-06-26T18:32:03.823-05:00

Well, I tried to get the sonogram up here, but our scanner's broken.No, silly. Not us--my sister, MB! For father's day, they gave Pop three cards. The first was signed by Jeremy. The second was signed by MB. Looking back, I suppose we should have put the pieces together, but at the time, no one was prepared when he opened the final card and read aloud, "Looking forward to meeting you. Love, Baby

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-78256844206383975692007-06-20T16:22:00.000-05:002007-06-20T16:40:28.604-05:00

Dear political candidates,Please make the "Skip to Main Page" button on your website larger than the "Sign Up Now!" and "Donate Immediately!" buttons. These options should come after I find out more about you anyway.Thank you very much, as I am sure you will each attend to this as soon as possible.Joe Caldwell, Undecided Voter #11278934-BBy the way, gang, Tara's sister Lori brought us peas from

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-7988208456217072892007-06-19T11:07:00.000-05:002007-06-19T11:57:17.429-05:00

Well, I think we've made our last long distance transportation cakes. They just don't hold up for hours and hours of bumps, turns, and braking. Ah well. Spent a few days in Knoxville and Lafayette this weekend working our way into the good parts of wills I mean celebrating Father's Day. Had a blast, and even got to see TR and Scott to boot! TR is getting married next year (I think I've mentioned

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-19698589693385629892007-06-09T16:54:00.000-05:002007-06-09T17:16:19.922-05:00

Canned soup and turkey sandwiches. See, I told you sometimes they'd be normal (the sandwich bread was focaccia, though...)Well, we did it. Today we made our first serious going-out-of-our-way-but-not-off-the-deep-end contribution to saving this poor, blue speck of a planet. A while ago, we'd already started requesting no bag if we're only buying a few items, and today Tara and I bought oversized

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-65694254288471492362007-06-06T23:01:00.000-05:002007-06-06T23:16:13.903-05:00

It's back-porch grilling season, gang, and I'm a few meals behind, methinks, so 1) chicken penne with sundried tomato pesto and 2) portobella mushrooms with pan fried corn. Mm-mm-good.I spent a very long time this evening (a good twenty minutes or so) outside, balancing on the handrail of our front stoop with a magnifying glass, watching a spider spin its web. It's part of a new personal

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-74260058447698351652007-06-05T20:54:00.000-05:002007-06-06T23:00:21.737-05:00

Weddings are not manly. There's just no way around it, gang.They are also time-consuming.Oh, and we're moving to North Carolina. Charlotte, to be... Oh, sorry. I must have thought this was June 5, 2006. I see my error now, and should start over.Weddings still aren't manly, though, and it wouldn't be false even a year later to say there were no way around that fact.They demand a lot of time

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-18935744353457348282007-05-26T23:58:00.000-05:002007-05-27T00:16:54.871-05:00

UPDATE: My brother Cale is engaged! To be wed! Parangs one and all, cower before our embroidered napkins and precious metals!Well, for those of you who think I watch too much TV, this should be good news. All the season finales of our favorite shows are come and gone, and I've now had a chance (I'm pretty sure) to see all the promos for the major networks' summer programming choices. Um, how

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-11232841995579765252007-05-25T19:34:00.000-05:002007-05-26T23:57:17.788-05:00

"Sonic Risks" would be a good name for a rock band.I sit here writing on this, the anniversary of the birth of the summer blockbuster, and I can't help but think about how a few decades have changed the world. This afternoon on NPR I listened to an interview with a man whose company has developed a set of mathematical formulas that reliably appear in almost every hit song throughout the ages,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-32828037965490722362007-05-21T20:41:00.001-05:002007-05-21T21:02:53.257-05:00

As promised, here is MB's graduation cake (she's a religion major). Please note also that the Quran is not purposefully getting squashed--this was our first foray into the world of fondant molding and there was an...incident. The weight shift taught us an excellent lesson about balance and support, though, so chalk it up to experience.The great thing about fondant is that it is pliable; plus it's

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-23538057805719301652007-05-19T11:18:00.001-05:002007-05-19T15:38:35.711-05:00

Frankly, I just don't need "closure" at the end of a book.Oh, sorry. We'll get to that in a moment. This week has been a busy one, amidst a flurry of cake-making (see below), so no new fancy feasts; but I do feel I should amend my previous post about Caprese salad. The key ingredient, which my lovely and ever-observant wife points out that I omitted, is fresh basil. The salad must be plated with

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-45577310156712031442007-05-12T04:57:00.000-05:002007-05-12T05:23:59.821-05:00

I just woke up at like four in the morning, and haven't been able to get back to sleep. I thought I'd blog about some thoughts rambling about in my head, but something has preempted all that I once held dear.When I came in here, there was a roach at least two full inches long on the wall. Most of you know I hate bugs more than anything else on this planet (and two others), so it was all I could

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-39397030571389510062007-05-10T18:54:00.000-05:002007-05-10T19:48:59.538-05:00

For the record, leftover italian crusted chicken breast makes a great italian crusted chicken quesadillas.A few intriguing quotes I've read in the past few days:"I doubt that whether at this moment [God] would send down to earth even one of his nephews." (Experimental French composer Erik Satie, in personal correspondance)"What do you think you are doing by infesting the whole world? Because I do

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-49790391134784608552007-05-03T19:13:00.000-05:002007-05-03T20:41:23.385-05:00

I. Love. Caprese salad burgers. Tara makes these great hamburger patties with basil and oregano, and now she's topped even herself by creating the caprese salad burger. Caprese salad itself is simple: thick slices of mozzarella and tomato drizzled with balsamic vinegar (a delicious and healthy snack alone, believe me). Put it over meat and you're good to go.I've added a link to A Centrist Voice,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-70364087486418023062007-04-27T23:33:00.000-05:002007-05-24T21:40:44.664-05:00

Dinner tonight was an assorted seafood pasta with roasted green peppers in a portobello mushroom tomato sauce. Afterwards, I guess we didn't technically make the strawberry ice cream that we ate for dessert, but it was still heavenly.Next week, Tara's sister's fiance Ben graduates from Lee, so we'll be in Cleveland and are planning to make a special cake for the occasion. We formulated an idea,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-4809401027935143642007-04-21T22:52:00.000-05:002007-04-25T18:57:54.560-05:00

My favorite new show on the Food Network is called Ace of Cakes--it's a look behind the scenes of a Baltimore company that makes personalized cakes. There's a lot of science and engineering involved in some of their creations, and I seriously can't get enough. In fact, Tara convinced me to give it a shot myself this week. Naturally, it doesn't look like the pros', but we were proud of the result.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-40970532377986874652007-04-15T22:12:00.000-05:002007-04-16T00:44:33.918-05:00

Writing around 10 pm. Haven't gone downstairs all day. Fever 101. Not done throwing up yet.Being sick is terrible.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-23127835691583127762007-04-14T11:40:00.000-05:002007-04-16T00:59:39.688-05:00

I've been thinking lately about a business summit I filmed last year. The host was a firm called TapRoot, and their field is root cause analysis. The summit lasted three days, and my job required me to attend selected seminars basically from 8 to 6. Let me first explain the idea behind the services they provide:Root cause analysis is all about taking accident investigation to the next level.

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-35463703631007575342007-04-06T17:12:00.000-05:002007-04-16T00:52:36.685-05:00

We're camping at various sites over Spring Break, so a steady diet of delicious tuna patties was our regimen until yesterday when the hassle became too bothersome and we resigned ourselves to a still delicious but not-so-aesthetically-pleasing tuna hash.The other day at lunch, Jonathan leaned in excitedly and asked me to tell him about the other folks that I have linked to the right. Apparently,

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-10532752609458713762007-03-19T22:44:00.000-05:002007-03-19T23:02:53.570-05:00

A flurry of post ideas hit all at once yesterday afternoon, but they'll have to be put on hold. Jeannette informs me that our old buddy from middle school, Hemant Mehta, just published his first book. It's called I Sold My Soul on eBay: Viewing Faith Through an Atheist's Eyes, and I'm gonna have to check this one out, gang.After the flogging from Dawkins and what sounds like a stinging rebuke

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-70336345306490457042007-03-13T18:24:00.000-05:002007-03-13T19:21:04.699-05:00

Had drinks with David Bernheim last night.(Tara's out of town, so don't expect any impressive cooking updates for a bit.)Anyway, B and his family are in Charlotte visiting his father-in-law (did anyone else know the Bernheims met here at UNCC?) so he emailed Mom and got my cell number. I met him at his hotel after dinner and we sat in a TGI Friday's next door until after midnight. It was great to

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-13269326342024233702007-03-11T14:05:00.000-05:002007-03-11T14:21:46.221-05:00

Huevos rancheros!Do me a favor, gang. When someone new shows up, try to make them feel like they've made a good decision. I'm talking about new coworkers, new members of an organization, new neighbors, whatever. You don't have to be best friends, or take them out to lunch or something--just say, "Glad to have you here, Blank." And then the next time you see them, acknowledge the previous

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-5296337814460883452007-03-10T15:47:00.000-06:002007-04-16T00:57:48.615-05:00

Sweet italian turkey sausage with fettucini in pesto sauce. We bought a "just add water!" pesto mix, but Tara worked her magic with a little EVOO and ground pine nuts. Turkey sausage and wheat noodles (they're green, by the way) are all we cook with now that I officially have high cholesterol. They taste the same, but phooey!Well, it finally happened yesterday. I snapped and took a kid to the

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-50089133942012728192007-03-08T20:15:00.000-06:002007-03-08T21:09:54.045-06:00

Matzo ball soup and BLTs. Yes, a traditional kosher dish from the "Jerusalem" section in our local grocery, alongside a sandwich built mainly around strips of sweet, sweet pork fat.A couple of other Renovatus bloggers (linked through Jonathan, if you're looking) have recently proposed that wonder is the natural state of man. Essentially, this line of reasoning says that we are most ourselves, our

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-37872722587645134482007-02-27T22:03:00.000-06:002007-02-27T22:25:00.598-06:00

Rigatoni alfredo and fried plantains, plus vanilla malteds for dessert.Looks like Studio 60 is biting the dust. It's a shame, I think, but my disappointment is tempered by an editorial I read yesterday. It was published in November, but still rings true, especially in light of the "until further notice" bump in favor of Teen Angst Mob Drama. Most people think the show failed because it took

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-71206862042339398592007-02-24T22:00:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:11:00.162-06:00

First of all, this was meant to be a comment on Scott's blog, but I couldn't get the little text-verification image to load. Darn you, internet security! Also, we're on the road, so no food adventures to relate.Tara and I had a long discussion over breakfast after reading your last post (concerning teen murderers blaming their actions on video games). She feels that if you're weak-minded enough

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261947.post-2947166193978049932007-02-23T02:51:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:12:16.211-06:00

Tara's been whipping up some really impressive stuff lately that I just can't take credit for, since I (downcast expression of shame) haven't participated. Stir-fry vegetables, steaks, seasoned chickens, deep fried chickens, waffles, secret-recipe stuffings, and casseroles have filled my nights with wonderment and sweet, sweet fullness. She even welcomed me at the door one day with a handmade

Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09053598550393228637noreply@blogger.com3