Disgusting

Ultra-liberal "filmmaker" Michael Moore is at it again. Does anyone actually listen to this ignoramus? Sadly, yes.

Gustav: "Proof There is a God"

Please pray for the people of the Gulf Coast over the next few days. This has nothing to do with politics, except in the demented world of Michael Moore and his compadre Keith "I'm Really Just a Sportscaster" Olbermann.

The Substitute Teacher

On just their 5th day of school, Brian, Sean, and Colin had the pleasure of experiencing a substitute teacher at St. Anne's Academy today. Mrs. Kelly was away at a church function, so Mr. Kelly (relation) directed the morning session.

After beginning with the Morning Prayer (read twice -- once by Brian, once by Sean), we moved on to the Daily Gospel reading. Mrs. Kelly did not leave specifics in her lesson plan, so Brian had to direct Mr. Kelly to the passage we were working on. He got to the correct page, but we actually read a different section than has been read all week. No problem, the boys picked up on the story of the Transfiguration quickly. Brian identified Jesus and Moses. Sean and even Colin paid attention for most of the reading.

At Colin's request, we next read one of the Magic School Bus books (his favorite, I think in part because he can say "bus"). This book was all about bees. We all enjoyed learning how bees built a hive, store honey, etc.

It was now late morning, and the announcement of John McCain's running mate was nearing. Since the essence of home schooling is discovery and exposure to all sorts of different concepts, I moved the classroom to the family room so we could watch history being made.

I talked with Brian and Sean about what was going on. I explained that there is someone who runs the country, called the President, and the current President is George Bush (a fact that both Brian and Sean remembered much later today). I also explained that there are two people who want to be the next President, and their names are Barack Obama and John McCain. They had a little tougher time with this concept and remembering the names. But they did remember that we want John McCain to be the next President! Yes!!!

As the announcement drew near, I told Brian and Sean (and Colin too -- he seemed fascinating with the TV coverage, maybe it was all the waving flags) that John McCain was about to tell us who he wants to help him as President. I didn't think they would quite grasp the idea of a Vice President at this point. I explained to them that almost all the time, that person has been a man. But this time, it would be a woman. I know that didn't mean much to them, but it made me realize what a historical event we were witnessing. And I'm glad I was able to experience it with my three boys. By the time they are old enough to vote, having a woman on the Presidential ticket will hopefully be no big deal.

McCain/Palin '08!!!

Cool Site (for Baseball-Loving Engineering Geeks Only)

The rest of you (normal) people can feel free to skip this post.

The Physics of Baseball

The University of Illinois has an entire course, Physics 199bb, on this subject. Kinda makes me wanna go back to school.

Sound Familiar?

See if this reminds you of something:

Time's up. Here's the answer:

You decide...

Huh?

This is scary:

Here are the real facts.

Nancy Pelosi is third in line to the presidency. I hope that bothers you as much as it bothers me.

From Dream to Redeem

The history of the U.S. Men's Basketball team at the modern Olympics began with perfect domination, a 63-0 record and 7 consecutive gold medals earned heading into the 1972 games in Munich, Germany. Although I was just 8 years old at the time, the memory of the final moments of that game is etched in my mind as if it happened yesterday.

When the dust settled on a highly controversial finish, the Americans had tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of the Soviets, 51-50. To this day, the silver medals that were designated for the American team lay unclaimed in a Swiss vault.

1972 USA v. USSR Gold Medal Game

Twenty years later, following a rule change allowing professional players to compete, the U.S. assembled the fabled "Dream Team". Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and crew demolished the field in cruising to the gold medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

Since that victory, the record of men's basketball in international competition has been mixed. Despite winning Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000, it became clear that the Americans were no longer dominating the sport. Teams from several European countries had their own NBA players, and they generally came together better as teams than the Americans.

This trend came to a head in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, as the U.S. fought and scraped their way to the Bronze medal. Not winning Gold was one thing; this team didn't even have the chance to play for it.

Enter the "Redeem Team", our 2008 Olympic team. Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade and Coach K. A team of starts brought together in 2006 with the express purpose of restoring the U.S. to the top of the international basketball world.

So when it was announced that the Gold Medal game was to be shown live on NBC beginning at 2:30 am Eastern time, I knew I had to watch. And the "Redeemers" did not disappoint:

U.S. Reclaims Olympic Gold

Back where we belong!

Gotta Make the Donuts

And the campaign begins...

Don't Get Any Ideas, Gustav

So I'm reading an article on FloridaToday.com, as I've done about a million times since Tuesday. Amazing the habits you get into when you can't leave the house for 4 straight days. Then all of a sudden, without warning, comes this little tidbit:

Weather forecasters were keeping a close eye on a tropical weather system off the coast of Africa that is expected to reach the Caribbean within four days, tracing Fay's initial path.

"We could be dealing with Hurricane Gustav next week in the Caribbean," state meteorologist Ben Nelson Nelson said.


You have got to be @#$%* kidding me. All I have to say is "Stay away, Mr. Gustav...STAY AWAY!" No more Mr. Nice Guy.

Hey Rich -- where's that sponge?

I Came Back

Will He Come Back?

Of course, the answer is yes. After bravely going where no Kelly man had gone before, through the frighteningly-high waters to blessed freedom! Minton Road, here I come! I have never been so glad to see a traffic signal ever!

To celebrate, we loaded up the entire Kelly Clan and headed over to El Chico. Quesadillas, fresh homemade guacamole prepared table-side, 2-for-1 margaritas, and chocolate chimichangas (yum). We ate until it wasn't comfortable. And then we went to Target.

Hello world...we're back!!!

Beam Us Outta Here

I love our house and neighborhood, but this is getting ridiculous:

Oh Goodie (from Kelly's Korner)

I tried to get out today, but apparently my car had other ideas. Seems the starter and any other electrical parts that took a bath yesterday are still in the drying out process. Our street is beginning to show some pavement in the middle.

Both ends of the block still have problem areas. Hopefully they clear up enough for us to successfully exit the neighborhood later today.

Go Away, Fay

This:


reminds me of this:

The Thing That Wouldn't Leave (click on the arrow to play)

"I'm thirsty...is there anything in the fridge?" -- Tropical Storm Fay

Introducing FloridaKellys.net

Just when you thought you had enough Kelly websites to peruse (Kelly's Korner, 350 Degrees, St. Anne's Academy), we are proud to present:

FloridaKellys.net

Enjoy!

What Starts With "Exp..." and Ends with "Thinker"

This is all you need to know about the presumptive Democratic nominee for President:



"I would not have nominated ah Clarence Thomas. Ah I don’t think that he ah .. ah .. ah I .. I … I don’t think that he was an exp … ah, a strong enough jurist or legal thinker …"

The Biggest Upset You Didn't Hear About

OK, so maybe I'm a little biased because (a) I'm an American, and (b) I played water polo in high school. Nevertheless, this one is a contender for biggest upset of these Olympic Games.

U.S. Keeps Medal Hopes Alive With Stunner Over Croatia

Too bad it wasn't for a medal. Hopefully our team isn't done rocking the world.

Thanks Be to God

The last step in Brian and Sean's night-time routine is when I sit on each of their beds and talk a little about what's in store for tomorrow. Here's how tonight's conversation with Brian went:

Me: "You know where we're going tomorrow, buddy?
Brian: "I don't know."
Me: "Where we always go on Sunday -- church."
Brian: "No, I don't WANT to go to church. I am not going to church" (or similar whining).
Me: "But we need to go to church to thank God for all of the gifts he has given us. One hour a week really isn't much considering how much he's given us."
(I can tell I'm not making the sale. Time to turn it up a little.)
Me: "Can you think of some gifts that God has given us?"
Brian: "Uh, Mommy and Daddy?"
Me: "Good! Who else?"
Brian: "Sean and Colin? And me! And Bailey!"
Me: "Right...good!"
Brian: "And Gramma and Grampa! And Aunt Kellie!"
Me: "Very good. Anyone else?"
Brian: "Daddy, I think my brain hurts."
Me: "OK, but there are still more gifts."
(With some prodding, Brian named the rest of his extended family -- Grandpa Kelly, all aunts and uncles and cousins.)
Me: "See how much God has given you. You almost couldn't get through them all because your brain hurt!"
Brian: "Daddy, I'm going to give someone a gift tomorrow."
Me: "Who's that?"
Brian: "It starts with a 'G'."
Me: "God?"
Brian: "Right Daddy. I'm going to thank God tomorrow."
Me: "I'm sure that will make him very happy, buddy."

Welcome to Florida

We are coming up on the one-year anniversary of our big move to Melbourne. And what a great year it's been. Even the weather has been fantastic. After a couple of weeks of September steaminess, we were treated to an unexpectedly mild winter and spring. The temperature/humidity combo didn't really get unbearable until mid-late June or so.

I guess we were due for a wake-up call then. It looks like tropical storm Fay will hit at least some parts of Florida, possibly as a Category 1 hurricane, on Monday or Tuesday. Please keep us and our extended families in your thoughts and prayers. Guess it's time to take a look at the hurricane shutter DVD the builder gave us at closing.