powerful language: But If Not

I never really put MLK Jr. into the "dead people I would like to meet" category, but after reading this, I will add him. Amazing use of language. And the meter of the speech is amazing as well, it almost propels you along.

"I say to you, this morning, that if you have never found something so dear and precious to you that you will die for it, then you aren’t fit to live.

You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be, and one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls upon you to stand for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid.

You refuse to do it because you want to live longer. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab or shoot or bomb your house. So you refuse to take a stand.

Well, you may go on and live until you are ninety, but you are just as dead at 38 as you would be at ninety.

And the cessation of breathing in your life is but the belated announcement of an earlier death of the spirit.

You died when you refused to stand up for right.

You died when you refused to stand up for truth.

You died when you refused to stand up for justice.”

To listen to the recording, click this sentence.

question

now that we have bailed out wall street, who is going to bail out america? I am just asking.

please vote...to the right...

take the poll

well, i was wondering how many of my friends use those paper seat covers when they go to the bathroom in public....so let me know on the right: ⇒

it is anonymous.

new blog header

So I am in love with etsy. What's etsy you ask? Well it is this "marketplace" for homemade items.

www.etsy.com

You can find lots of things for sale there, and the prices are great. I got the wedding place cards there and my new blog header! I love it. Alyson at Seventy and Sunny designed it for me. (Click this sentence for her shop.)

Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!






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wow

So we already know that 30 Rock is the funniest show on TV, and then here comes Tina Fey making Saturday Night Live relevant again.

This clip killed me. It is only 4 minutes...so take a look...



Best Line: "Ask this one about dinosaurs!"

out of the environment

biking long distances

So our friend Pete is riding his bike from New York to DC to support climate change outreach and edcuation programs. He needs to raise at least $2,250 in donations!

Can anyone remember when I did the Aids Ride 8 years ago? Raising the money was hard work...so if you can spare a few bucks, I am sure Pete would appreciate it.

Follow this link to visit his personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Clean Air - Cool Planet. (The sentence is a link.)

fight the aids

So my friend, Patrick, designed these totally cool t-shirts for the aids walk this year.

Maybe you could buy one?

Click here to see the other versions.

microwave popcorn without buying it

Did you know you can make microwave popcorn at home? You don't have to buy the pre-packaged microwave popcorn bags at the store.

All you need is a paper bag, popcorn, and some olive oil. Then you pop it for two minutes or until the popcorn stops popping.

Just perfect for a topical storm filled day in the nation's capital.

If you want more directions click this sentence.

(Oh and leave a note if you try this at home.)

that time of year again: apply for a Bosch Fellowship

I think I have two friends who are going to do it...but if anyone else is interested, please let me know! The Bosch Foundation is accepting applications until October 15th. (Click previous sentence for a link to more information.)

Basic run down of the program: Spend a year in Germany, first learning German and then working in two different “Stages” or work placements in your field of expertise. You have to be between 24 and 34 years young at the application date and most applicants have a graduate degree, but this is not required. Spouses and children are welcomed. You receive a monthly stipend which should more than cover your expenses and health insurance is paid for by the foundation. During the year the whole Bosch group makes three longer seminar trips around Europe meeting with leaders. I can’t say enough good things about the program.

Please let anyone you know who might be interested.

sean and catlin

My brother and his wife just delivered two very small pre-mature twin babies: Sean and Catlin. If you have a minute, you can learn more about them here, just click this sentence. What a scary thing this having babies can be. The babies were 26 weeks and two days along and were 890 and 870 grams respectively. Please keep them in your thoughts the next few days.

the moma