Not Stolen From Angie's Blog

Oh and in MUCH more exciting news! Angie and I have begun our support raising for our return trip to Iraq. Yup! It officially began yesterday when we sent our November Newsletter. If you would like a copy of it and didn't get one, shoot me an email and I'll make sure you get one. The highlight of the newsletter (in Angie's opinion)was our "Creative Ways to Give!" Over the next few weeks, we'll be sending out HUNDREDS of letter to people and churches across the country asking for their support, and while walking out the door the other talking about how we ONLY need 100 of those HUNDREDS to pledge $50 a month in order to meet our goal, it dawned on us that HUNDREDS of stamps are VERY expensive! At least, they are when neither of us are working steadilyy full time! We know that we will have to send to hundreds of people in order to gain the needed support, and we know that God will supply just what need in order to GO. BUT, we need stamps in order to do that! HA!

Well, stamps are no match for GOD, right!? So, stamps became a creative way to give to our ministry! I mean, we can totally believe for God to show a few people how THEY are TRULY supporting the work of our ministry by simply mailing us STAMPS, right? I'm not being sarcastic either! As we walked out the door and talked about it in the car, I think we had this moment (at least Angie did) where we remembered that it may be someone's joy to pick up an extra book of stamps at the Post Office, knowing that every 20 stamps mails out 20 letters which may yield another person's support for our ministry. It's strange how God works like that, right?

Nothing

I wanted to update the old blog today, but I don't have much to say.

Some days I really wish I were still in IQ and I can't wait to go back. I've been feeling like that a lot lately, too.

And when I watch or read the news (and, let's face it, it's mostly read since TV news is too busy pandering to the lowest common denominator..) I can't help but think that the time to work in IQ is getting short, especially in the north. I wonder if the US pullout will see the Turks invade the north to stamp out the PKK. And what about Iran?

I pray that I'm wrong and the door that was opened following the Gulf War (and especially after the US invasion) will stay open forever, but it seems unlikely.

The Rest of the Story

On Wednesday I took a pre-interview assessment with the State of Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, or ODJFS for those in the know. I told everyone it was a civil service exam because that was easier to explain.

Anyways, I showed up at the proper place at the proper time. I sized up the competition and thought I had a pretty good shot. And then I saw the test. Like any good test-taker, I scanned all of the questions first. So, I knew I was in trouble right away.

I know nothing about state welfare laws. Turns out, though, that's a big part of the work at ODJFS. Who knew?

Really, though, these were tough, in-depth questions. This isn't the type of thing you learn, it's the type of stuff you pick up working the entry-level position and then use when you test up to the higher level.

So I answered the first five questions as I struggled to decide whether or not to waste my time with the exam. I mean, I didn't want to look like an idiot in front of the other testers.

The first five were based on a section of law which was included with the test, so I answered those and the multiple choice at the back (I mean I can take a multiple choice test on almost anything). So I had maybe 20 points out of 54 - assuming, of course, that I got 100% on the ones I'd answered. I needed 45 points to get an interview.

I decided to re-read the remaining questions. Once I had done that I decided to turn the test in and walk out. I had already wasted 30 minutes of my life, why waste an additional 2 hours making questions up for a job that I was clearly not qualified for?

I mean, what would I have done at the actual interview? Hard to tell.

I left the testing room and decided that I didn't really want to work for ODJFS anyways. The acronym is hard to type. Plus, why would I want to work for an organization that makes their employees jump through hoops?

I think it was the pay. Yeah, the pay is definitely the answer to that last question...

Jobs For Which I Am Unqualified

1. Neurosurgeon
2. Russian Spy
3. King of Spain
4. Ballerina
5. Human Services Developer 2. Apparently.

This Even Beats the Wicker Reindeer!

Sis and I discovered the most ostentatious house today. She, Angie and I visited it again later when it was illuminated. You can view the pictures over at Cinderella Jenkins.

Why is it that the poorer the neighborhood, the more inflatable decorations per capita? I think in Bexley the rate is .003 inflatables per person. On the Hilltop it hovers around 19.995.

I Want Panera

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Did you know they sell giftcards.?

5 Songs

In an earlier post I mentioned my new favorite website, WebJay. It's a site that allows me to create an online playlist and share it with y'all. So far, I've made two playlists, one for Christmas and another with songs I like.

I want my next playlist to be songs submitted by you. So give me five songs (and artists) that you're listening to now.

Here, I'll start:

1. Where Does the Good Go? - Tegan and Sara
2. When You Were Young - The Killers
3. Beautiful Disaster - Kelly Clarkson
4. Snowden - Doves
5. Leaving New York - REM

Iran So Far Away...

So, what's the deal with Iran? Seriously.

Among other things - threatening Israel, meddling in Lebanon and Iraq, building a "peaceful" nuclear program - it seems that Iran has been shipping arms to Somalia. That's right, Somalia.

I'm sure the Somalis can do enough damage without Iran's help.

The following is from the BBC.

Powers 'stoking Somali conflict'
By Laura Travelyan
BBC News, UN headquarters, New York

Islamist militias control most of Somalia
Iran, Syria and eight other countries are violating a United Nations arms embargo to send weapons to Somalia, according to a UN-commissioned report.

It says Tehran and Damascus have links with the Union of Islamic Courts, a militia that controls much of Somalia.

The report, by experts monitoring the embargo, suggests that Iran may have tried to trade arms for uranium to further its nuclear ambitions.

Many of the countries named in the report reject the accusations.

Somalia has not had a proper government for more than 15 years.

The report says 10 countries are ignoring the arms ban. Ethiopia and Eritrea are named as the biggest violators.

Ethiopia is accused of sending weapons to the fragile government while Eritrea backs the Islamic opposition.

'Plane-load'

What is most striking about this report is the detailed links between countries such as Iran, Syria and Lebanon and the Islamic Courts Union.

For example, the authors say 720 Somali fighters went to Lebanon to help Hezbollah fight Israel in July.

Syria is said to have sent an aircraft full of guns to the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Iran is reported to have sent three shipments of arms to Somalia between July and September.

And one paragraph in the report says two Iranians were in Somalia looking into getting uranium in exchange for supplying arms.

No further details are offered. Iran wants uranium to further its nuclear programme, which it insists is peaceful, while western countries suspect Iran of wanting a nuclear bomb.

The UN Security Council is due to discuss the findings next week.

It seems to me that anyone looking for well-paying jobs with the US government should start brushing up on their Farsi.

We Need a Little Christmas

You can check out my Christmas Playlist over at WebJay.

While I was making it, I started thinking. What are your top five Christmas songs? And I don't mean generic songs, I mean song and artist.

Here are mine... I think.

1. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
2. Last Christmas - Wham!
3. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
4. Jingle Bell Rock - Brenda Lee
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - The Carpenters

New Look

Angie created this new look based on my favorite game.

What do you think if it? I'm not changing it, I'm just curious.

Rock Out. Whatever...

So much going on with me! That's why I haven't posted too much lately.

Just kidding. Or simply "jk" to those in the know.

I have a part-time job now working nigh stock at Bath and Body Works. It would be a great second job, but as a first job it kind of sucks. Not because it's hard or terrible or anything, but because some nights I only work, like, two hours. That doesn't equal much cash...

This Saturday is my big Kurd Party. That's what I'm calling it at least. I hope people show up and are interested in hearing what I did and what Angie and I plan to do in the future.

Oh and I am p-a-l-e. But, as the pic suggests, pale is the new tan, so I must be the new cool.

Which is nice since I was also the old cool.

Ok, Ok, Ok

I changed back, but I will be trying new things in the future, so be ready for the excitement!

So?

I am trying a new template here with the ol' blog.

Let me know what you think. I don't like that the links and profile are on the bottom, but maybe after a few weeks, I will grow to love it.

Maybe not. Who know?

Reader Submission

Joan submitted the following story. I thought it was fairly...awesome.

BELLAIRE, Ohio - An Ohio Valley football coach has received a threatening telephone call. According to a report from the Belmont County Sheriff's Department, Bellaire Football Coach John Magistro received a phone call from a man saying his team "better lose the game on Friday."

However, their game is on Saturday.

It will be the coach's final game on Bellaire's home field. Magistro is retiring at the end of the season.

The sheriff's department is looking into the call, which they say orginated in West Virginia.

Best line: However, their game is on Saturday. Booyah!

Do-Over Meals

Tonight, I went to dinner with Angie, Sis and Tanya. They went out while I went to orientation for my new part time job. I got finished early, so I called and met up with them at a Chinese place in Grandview.

Among other things, we discussed Do-Over Meals.

A Do-Over Meal is one that is eaten when your first meal isn't good enough. For instance, if you go to someone's house and they serve you pickle casserole and you eat a whole serving, but on your way home you stop at Taco Bell and eat again. You're eating again because the first meal was nasty and you deserve better, not because you're hungry.

There are numerous scenarios in which a Do-Over Meal may be eaten:

1) You eat granola for breakfast. Then you get a call to go out for waffles. You can't turn down the waffles.

2) You have a tuna sandwich for lunch. Maybe with chips and a cold soda. Then someone brings over Chipotle. You gotta eat the Chipotle.

3) You eat bean soup for dinner, which makes you feel sad, so you order pizza.

In each case, you had a meal, but ate the second, better meal as well. The second meal tastes better; that's why it's necessary.

I would say that a true Do-Over Meal more closely resembles the third example. In these cases, you consciously choose the second meal based on the horribleness of the first.

This is reason #4 that I am a little fat for hiking.

Ha Ha

Regardless of your take on the whole "joke" situation, this picture is funny.


It's especially funny if you think Kerry's a pompous ass, which I do. Haha.

For the Sake of Posting...

I don't have much to say, but I thought if I posted others might update as well.

I don't have any songs like the land of oz, no atrocious pictures like it's not the road... and no fun poetry challenges like Cinderella Jenkins, but what I lack I make up for with moxie!

I may have a job soon! That's exciting news. In fact, if I play my cards right, I may have two jobs soon! Won't that be fun!?! I will be able to buy Christmas presents...for myself...

I met with my pastor today and we had a really good discussion, which was great for me. I think you all know I've been harboring a little bit of church-related bitterness. I'm not saying I'm over it, but it is a step in the right direction.

Last week, I and a few others (ANgie, Sis, Brandy, Cristi and the mysterious Jessica) met with a representative from Community Refugee and Immigration Services or CRIS. It seems like a really great organization and I look forward to volunteering with them.

Hmmmm...what else?

Oh! Congratulations to Miranda for passing the Bar Exam!