Improv Wisdom – A book Worth Reading

Improv Wisdom – A book Worth Reading

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My friend Carl Bettinger who practices law in New Mexico has been active in improv work to improve his trial skills. He recently recommended that I read Improv Wisdom, subtitled "Don’t prepare, just show up" written by Patricia Ryan Madson. Here are a few of the ideas and observations from this short, informative book: Remember "pisces mortiu solum cum flumine natant" (only dead fish go with the flow) Say yes: Cultivate phrases like "you are right, Good idea" etc Substitute…

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Global Warming is A Fraud – That’s Really What Some People Believe!

Global Warming is A Fraud – That’s Really What Some People Believe!

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As we all know, Galileo’s telescope observations and his calculations convinced him the earth revolved around the sun rather then the other way around. However, that was contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. After a Church trial in 1633 he was compelled to recant his claim, to be under house arrest for the rest of his life and to have his writings banned as well as his books burned. The Church insisted the Bible taught the opposite of…

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Confession on the Internet

Confession on the Internet

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The Los Angeles Times published an article about Catholic’s and confession. It says in the mid 1960’s thirty eight percent of Catholics went to confession at least once a month, but today only two percent go. Through most of the twentieth century Catholics viewed confession as a sacrament and a solemn obligation, but no longer. The article says there are now website’s where you can log in and anonymously list your sins. Of course, these are not sites sanctioned by…

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– Fame is Fleeting

– Fame is Fleeting

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Sic Transit gloria mundi is a Latin phrase which more accurately is translated as “Thus passes the glory of the world” but is most often interpreted as “Fame is fleeting.” Until 1963 the phrase was part of the coronation of a new Pope. Three times during the ceromony a person carrying a brass staff mounted by a brazier would kneel before the new Pope and warn him “Sancte Pater, sic transit gloria mundi” or “Holy Father, thus passes the glory…

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The Bush Adminstration Objects to Medical Coverage for Low Income Children – SCHIP Program

The Bush Adminstration Objects to Medical Coverage for Low Income Children – SCHIP Program

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The State Children’s health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is under attack by George Bush. The program began in 1997 which provides federal funds on a matching state fund basis to give health care to children unable to afford it. It was directed at families whose income was too high for Medicaid, but too low to afford private insurance coverage. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 357:1036 September 6, 2007) it has been enormously successful. Some 6 million have…

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Molly B – Saved from A Certain Death

Molly B – Saved from A Certain Death

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While returning from a fly fishing trip in the Dillon, Montana area, my wife, Lita, pointed out an article in the Great Falls Tribune about Molly B. The article reported that on January 5, of last year, this 1200 pound bovine was about be slaughtered at a packing house. While waiting in a pen outside she suddenly jumped the gate just minutes from her scheduled slaughter. With police, plant workers and animal control officers in pursuit, she ran down the…

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Nate Washington – May 2, 1914 – August 18, 2007

Nate Washington – May 2, 1914 – August 18, 2007

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Nate (Nathaniel) Washington died recently (August 18th) at 93 years of age. (See obituary) Nate practiced law in Grant County with Jim Wickwire. He was a man of many accomplishments. He was born in Coulee City. His dad died in a drowning accident when he was young. While attending Ephrata high school he was captain of the football and basketball teams as well as student body president. He attended the University of Washington during the depression only with the help…

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Joint Replacements & Football Great Dave Kopay

Joint Replacements & Football Great Dave Kopay

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I have three artificial joints as a result of being a mediocre football player in high school and college. I carry around two total knee and one hip joint replacement. There are no airports in the world I can pass through security without setting off the alarm. That’s why I was impressed when I read in the Seattle PI that Dave Kopay, the former Husky football and pro football great, has had two hip joint replacements, and a knee and…

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Republican Hypocrisy

Republican Hypocrisy

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I hesitate to add to the Senator Larry Craig story any more attention then the media frenzy now occurring, but Nina Burleigh’s blog entry about Ohio and the last election caught my attention. In writing about Republican hypocrisy and gays she reported something I didn’t know: "The Republican Party got Bush re-elected in 2004 by playing the homophobe card. In Ohio, their minions went door-to-door in Amish country and warned the historically non-secular inhabitants that if they didn’t get out…

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Love Me, Love My Dog – Leona Helmsley & Her Dog “Trouble”

Love Me, Love My Dog – Leona Helmsley & Her Dog “Trouble”

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When 87 year old Leona Helmsley died in New York she was living alone in a lavish apartment with only her dog. She left an estate of some $4 Billion dollars.When the will was read it told the story of her relationships with people during her life. Before her only son died, she had a falling out with her daughter in law Mimi Panzirer and with two of her four grandchildren from that marriage. The feud with Panzirer was serious…

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