Cajun? I think not...

I just picked up lunch at our cafeteria, and I am not pleased with my purchase. In an effort to eat healthy (like the rest of the nation during the month of January), I opted for the turkey. It was labled "Cajun," but it is far from. I recently had a discussion about how much sodium is in food that we order. Well, the preparer of this "Cajun" turkey must have overheard that conversation. I do not think there is one mg of sodium anywhere on the turkey.

I do not feel that this post is good enough given the length of time since my last post, so I will try to do better next time. I have a story to share (for the 1.3 readers I still have), but I need to formulate it.

Canadian Effects

It has been just over a year since I first arrived in Calgary, and I have noticed a few things that have stuck with me from my time there.

1. I sign my emails with "cheers." I know that is not uniquely Canadian, but it isn't very American either. I saw it a lot up there, and I liked it. So now I used it.

2. I say "for sure" all the time. Again, this is not unique to Canada (so few things are, actually), but it is definitely not native to Texas or Louisiana.

3. I still say "eh" at the end of some sentences. This one is more associated with Canada than anything else. I like that I have adopted it, actually.

So there you have it - the lasting effects of my trip to Canada.

There are various others that are not blog worthy, for sure. These are just the ones I want to share.

Subtle, eh?

Cheers,
Todd

Post Election Thoughts

Well, it is over. Twenty-plus months have finally come to an end, and the outcome is not what I hoped for. However, I like to think of my cup as being half full, so I will offer a few thoughts.

I watched the election results last night with some friends of mine, and none of us voted for the man who will be our next President. So the mood was a bit cynical and disappointed. However, when Senator Obama came out to give his speach, the reality of what was happening sunk in for me. A man who would have been counted as only 3/5 of a person when our country was formed was elected to the most powerful office in the world. The significance of that was breathtaking for me. I realize that is not news to anyone. It was not news to me last night; it just hit me in a fresh way. I am not saying that I suddenly think that Barak Obama is a good choice to lead our country - I still don't think he is. I was just impressed with the fact that he won considering the adversity his ancestors have had in this great land we live in.

On a much more eternal and important note, ever since I became a Christian, I have not looked to the government for my security. I know where my security is - it is in Heaven, held by the King of kings - Jesus Christ. So since I do not expect security from my government, I also do not fear my government. So I am not fearful or depressed by the outcome. As noted above, I still do not agree with Barak Obama's policies and philosophy of government, but my Heavenly Father knew the results of last night's election before the foundation of the world. If He allowed (or dare I say appointed) it to turn out the way it did, I need not resent the results. He has it under control. The Bible tells us that those who trust in Him shall not be put to shame. So four(or even eight) years is truly a blink of an eye.

That's all I got. Now go out and get a Red Cup of coffee from Starbucks. For the record, I think it is too early for these to be out; but they didn't ask me.

The Mystery of the Growing Pant Legs

Something odd is happening to my jeans. Normally, jeans or pants shrink after months of being worn. Well, it seems that one of my pairs of jeans is getting longer. I feel them under the heal of my shoe all the time (but I don't recall that they were that long when I bought them). Frankly, I am perfectly fine with this because I hate wearing pants that are the slightest bit on the high water side.

Happy Wall-Street-Bail-Out-Passage-Day to all of you...

Prince Ali...

I just had a meeting with one of our Internal Auditors, and his name is Ali. During the whole meeting, the song from Aladin was running through my mind. Fortunately, I was able to keep it in...

Prince Ali!
Mighty is he!
Ali Ababwa

Spin it, baby... spin it!

We Republicans love to criticize the "liberal media."

Well, this short video from The Daily Show shows how difficult it is to tell a story accurately when people keep spinning differently things depending on the situation. Granted, some of these clips may be taken out of context... but I think Jon has left enough context in to get his point across. And (unfortunately) he makes that point very well in my opinion.



What this video does not show is how the Democrats do the same thing when the tables are turned. Case in point: the private life of President Clinton was none of our business... but the private life of the daughter of a Vice President candidate is a different story.

For more on this, you may want to check out Thank You For Smoking. Fair warning, there is at least one scene in that movie that will be offensive to most viewers.

Overcoming Adversity at the RNC

I was called out for blogging about the DNC and not the RNC. I was told that this makes me a closet Democrat. I guess I am part of the liberal biased media that only reports on what the Blue Left is up to.

In an attempt to be "fair and blanced," here is my obligatory blog on the RNC.

In all seriousness, I have not been able to watch as much of the RNC. I have it all saved on my DVR, and I plan to watch the speeches this weekend. But I did make a point to listen to Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain. They both did a great job, in my humble but accurate opinion.

Let me say this about the RNC... there was not a lot of internal drama like there was in Denver last week. There was only one candidate, and the whole arena was solidly behind him. He and Palin didn't have to create any unity within the Party. They did have to present Palin as capable... and I think that was done with ease. She has the kind of gumption that I love. I love it in a leader... and I find it attractive in a woman. Of course, elections are not based attraction. But I digress.

They also had to create a little distance between McCain and President Bush. I liked how McCain wore a yellow tie last night. Don't think for a second that such a choice was not very intentional. He has the vast majority of the Red vote... he may get some of the Blue vote... but what he needs are the Independents.

McCain's best line last night (which I assume was on the fly): "Don't be deterred by the ground noise and static." He was not shaken at all by the protests and moles that infiltrated the RNC. I thought he handled it very well.

At the end of the day, the RNC may have overplayed the "service to country" card. But I still feel that it is an important and effective card. It means a lot to me, and I am sure it means a lot to many Americans. The man clearly comes off as not being in this for himself. Obama does not really send that same message.

I am looking forward to the debates... especially the VP one. Palin may have a little trouble with Biden, but I think she will be able to hold her own just fine. McCain will struggle a bit against the polished talk of Obama; but at the end of the day, I think he will pull it out.

I will proudly cast my vote for McCain/Palin.