WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

As you have probably noticed, the name of this blog is "Misplaced in Memphis". I guess that would indicate that I am not "from" Memphis. Well, I think there are a couple different ways I could answer where I am from, Erin and I have had this discussion a number of times. The discussion originated when we were in New York state. We stopped in a local ice cream store and the owner asked us where we were from. He had the tradition of placing a pin on a map for out-of-town customers. We had been in Memphis about six months. Where are we from? Are we from where we were born and raised? Are we from where we are living currently? What a paradoxical question. In this instance I think it is safe to say we are from Memphis.

A fellow church member who does not know if I am a member or not (I was in a different service than usual) asks me where I am from upon introduction. Could he be wondering if I am an in town guest or someone passing through? Am I from here in town? Do I preface it with "Well I am originally from Paducah, Kentucky but I live in Memphis now"? If I say, "I am from Memphis" am I making it sound like I am born and raised Memphite?



Someone please help me with this difficult question.

BYE BYE HAIR

Before-Wild Flowing Locks


During


This is me pondering whether or not to go with the mullet look...


After

The Fallout


It is Finished


Credit my wife for the handywork, the sheep shears worked perfectly

Left-Handed Man

Who needs Batman or Superman when we have biblical superheros like Ehud? Erin was doing her daily bible reading in Judges last night and we started talking about Ehud and the graphic story he stars in. Ehud's nemisis was Eglon King of Moab who was a fat man according to the text. I am picturing a Jabba the Hut type enemy. So Ehud used his Jedi-type skills to get Eglon to meet with him privately. Then Ehud used his sword on Eglon, he pushed it right into his belly with his left-hand, Eglon's belly was so big Ehud lost his weapon inside him. I think the next part is the comic relief of the story. Since Ehud locked the doors of the room he met the King in the followers of the fallen King could not get in. I find it hilarious that their first line of logic is to assume he is "relieving himself" (NIV). It was not until they "waited to the point of embarassment" when they went to check on him. I wish they recorded what the point of embarassment is. Ehud then went and took down ten thousand Moabites, his rallying cry being the LORD has taken down Moab. I can envision a "Lord of the Rings" moment here, but the cool thing is-this really happened!

Handknit by Erin Lewis

Erin finishing up her newest children's sweater. No, it is not for us. The finished product. Isn't it cute?

Erin's new personalized tags to identify her work.

Update: Rape/Murder Case

The jurors of the John Couey case voted 10-2 last week for the execution of John Couey for first degree murder and rape of an eight year old girl. Couey will be executed by the electric chair or lethal injection by the Florida Department of Corrections.

SUPER Kitchen Makeover

It sure is nice having an interior designer for a wife.....


Our "ultramodern" kitchen before the makeover Our "super duper ultramodern" kitchen after the makeover

OK I confess the kitchen on the bottom is not really ours. It is a kitchen that Erin designed for one of her client's at Da Depot. But, someday having an interior designer for a wife will pay off....

A Knit Tie

To the left you can observe me gracefully adorning a hand-knit time. You may assume that my wife made this. It may surprise you that...you are right. I am running out of clever things to say about my wife and her knitting.

The Day I Decided It is Necessary

Wednesday March 7, 2007

This is the day that I decided that some people need to be killed for things they have done. For several years I have been idealistic and opposed the death penalty. My mindset was influenced by pacifism and not realistic. I have known for a long time that sin has consequences. I have known that some sins have harder consequences than others. I never attributed the death penalty as a consequence to sin. I do now. You may be asking what in the world has caused such a change. If not, I am going to tell you anyway. A 48 year-old pervert kidnapped, sexually abused, and buried alive a nine year old girl. As I was waiting in the doctor's office I saw the verdict being read to the low-life. He showed no remorse, no emotion at all as the charges were being read. I was finding out about the case as the court proceeding was going on. I felt angry, then sick at my stomach, then angry, and so on. Oh, I may have failed to mention that this guy was on "probation" for prior sexual offenses. The probation system in Florida is another story. I am not sure why this case has moved me like it has; the thought of the poor girl being buried alive really gets to me. For more on the story click here.

Interestingly, I read a book only three months ago that told the true story of a man who was on death row wrongly accused of a murder. He eventually was released. Justice prevailed. I hope justice prevails in this case. John Couey deserves to die.

If you disagree with me, if you are not in favor of the death penalty, imagine your child, husband, wife, mother being sexually abused and buried alive. Gruesome thought isn't it? Does that person deserve death?

The Madness is Approaching

March has to be one of my favorite months. The changing of cold to mild. The anticipation of spring break. Most importantly it is time for a three week invasion of college basketball. This is what months of games has lead to. No more talk about who has the resume, the RPI, strength of schedule. After selection Sunday all will be resolved. The "bubble" teams will have either burst into the NIT or slid into the tournament with hopes of a miracle run. Speaking of miracle runs, that is how some colleges gain the attention of America (George Mason). And yes, all of America is aware of what is going on in the tournament. Especially with improbably teams going far like George Mason's final four run last year. The more likely reason that all of America knows what is going on is tournament pools. The brackets are incredibly easy to fill out, someone with no sports knowledge can fill one out in a few minutes. Whether there is a prize or not most people find it fun to see if they can predict upsets, the final four, etc.

I have noticed something strange about the tournament. It seems like the end of the tournament is usually not as exciting the beginning. The beginning has games during the day, multiple games at the same time, and potential upsets. It seems like unless your team is in the final four, it is more fun to watch games earlier in the brackets. I think this could be linked to filling out brackets. Longer the tournament progresses, the fewer games to look out for on your bracket.

So as I march into the madness, I plan on being the typical sports fan. Watching all the games I can, filling out multiple brackets for multiple pools (all money-free of course). I can hear that familiar CBS music now.....