Merrry Christmas & God Bless

The Christmas Story
St. Luke 2: 1 – 14


And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a

decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of

Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is

called BethlehemTo be taxed with Mary his

espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days

were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought

forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger; because there was no

room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding

in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and

the glory of the Lord shone round about them;

and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of

David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the

babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Leonardo da Vinci. Adoration of the Magi.
1481-1482. Oil on wood. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

Props

Liberalism is a Mental Disorder.  I gotta give props to this guy.  I only wish I could be so eloquent.  

Do you Sudoku?

Sudoku is an addicting puzzle that I came across about two months ago in our local newspaper. I had never seen anything like it. Since I began solving the puzzles regularly, I’ve noticed more and more people doing the same. I’ve never been very good at crossword puzzles, and word-searches give me a headache; but this is one puzzle I can sink my teeth into.

The object of the puzzle is to fill in the missing numbers ( 1 - 9 ), keeping in mind each row, column, and 3x3 box can only have one of each number. The Level of difficulty is dependent upon the quantity of numbers given to you. (The below picture was captured from a program I purchased from http://www.sudoku.com/.) Here is an Easy puzzle.


(click on the image for a larger version to print and try yourself)
More free puzzles can be found at http://www.websudoku.com/.

Once you get the hang of it, it can be quite addicting, especially for someone with an OCD personality like me. I've become pretty proficient at the Medium level. But there are far crazier levels than I would care to try just yet.

Do you Sudoku?

Promotion

Well, since all of you are always the last to know… I’ll tell you.  

Natalie got the job!!

In case you have no idea what I’m talking about…  Natalie has been a General Manager for Denny’s since September 2004.  This October, she came across a company memo about a position opening up with the corporate support team as a Management Training Consultant.  It’s appeared to be everything she wanted but didn’t think she could get it because she was pregnant.  Of course they can’t discriminate for that reason, but if you have two or more candidates who seem equal and one is pregnant, which one would you pick?  

I bugged her and bugged her to apply anyway.  She did, she came, she saw, she kicked ass!  Her panel interview went very well; that is to say, she blew their socks off.  She had the option to go first and she took it so she could set the bar; and it paid off.  After her interview and five minute presentation (which she gave on how to make the best chocolate chip cookies), she knew it was in the bag.  Bringing a tray of the finished product probably didn’t hurt either.

She got the call last Friday (the interview was the previous Saturday).  We were, of course, dieing of anticipation for that whole excruciating week.  When they called, they said they wanted to call her that day and tell her she got it, but they had to go through the proper channels first.

She starts January 18th.  She will be responsible for coordinating the management training and conducting workshops for Denny’s stores from San Luis Obispo County through Los Angeles County (California), and all of Utah (I know… Utah?)  She gets a big fat raise, a company car, and expense account, and a laptop.  Now I’m going to have to get her a desk and share my office.  But I don’t mind… I am SOOO proud of her.  They will train her up until she takes maternity leave, and she will hopefully commence to consulting when she returns.  She will be traveling a lot, but my schedule is flexible enough, we’ll be able to manage with Baby Colby coming.

Yeah!!

Memories

If you read this, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me. It can be anything you want — good or bad — BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you’re finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON’T ACTUALLY remember about you

Thanks Hel.

24 Weeks Down & Counting

Isn't she beautiful?

What is in a Name?

What is in a name?  A lot, if you ask me.  While I don’t believe an individual’s personality, lifestyle, and future is determined by the placement of a name upon them, I have often found myself considering its significance.  Matt, George, Gary, Kristen, Mary, Hope, Faith, Star… When you hear theses names, do they conjure up an image?  Do you imagine someone you already know with that name; or, perhaps a stigma attached to the one who bears it?  How often do you ponder “That name doesn’t fit” when you meet someone?  I won’t insult anyone with my own preconceived notions of “Name Stigma.”

I was given the name Jack Eugene Dorris at birth.  A name I am proud to bear, now; but, once was a time in my youth that my name tortured me.  Tormented by my first name as it is the subject of many, many nursery rhymes.  Ashamed of my second, Eugene, for the stigma attached, “Nerd.”  And even harassed for my surname’s close relationship to Doris Day and how easily twisted it can become “Dorkis.”  All reasons evident to the youth.  However, I’ve come to appreciate my name; the name given to me after my grandfather, Jack Eugene Sturges.  (The Sturges Family—the subject of a blog to come, eventually.)

Once aware of the significance of my name, and in contemplation of procreation, I gave considerable thought to a Jack Eugene Dorris, Jr.  Jack, a strong name in its own right (or am I just delusional?), paired with the pride of its heritage, created a sense of warmth and meaning to my existence.  Modesty aside for a moment, I am quite proud of the man I have become.  Not for my wealth (or lack thereof), and not for the smart choices I’ve made in my past (few and far between), but rather for the growth as a person that my life’s path has given me.  And because of that, there is a sense of passing along that wisdom achieved to my offspring with the name.  I want my son to be every bit the man I am today and more; and, by giving him my name, a passing of the torch is instilled.  But, alas, this will not come to pass; for I am the only one who embraces the implications.  (It must be delusion, eh?)

Over bouts of discussion with Natalie and members of the family, a name for our first born has come to light.  The name originated as a lark in the entertainment of naming twins while visiting my family up north.  Premise: If you’re having a boy and a girl as twins, what would a cute set of names be?  Brie was quickly tossed into the ring for the girl.  But, what would compliment Brie for a boy?  How about Colby?  We all laughed at the thought of naming our children after CHEESE.  The funny thing is, the longer it sat with me the more I loved it!  Colby Jack Dorris.  It’s perfect!  Baby Colby, Cole, C.J.—it fits.  Granted, we are setting our child up for a lifetime of harassment; but what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.

What do people think when they hear your name?