I have a few quacks to give

At this point, every one and there brother has heard of the whole Duck Dynasty debacle.  Normally, I try to keep my mouth shut when it comes to controversial topics like this, simply because I don't like the drama.  However, every once in a while I get so annoyed that I just can't keep my mouth shut any longer, this would be one of those times.

First of all, it is a well known fact that the whole Robinson clan is full of conservative Christians.  So, is it really any surprise to anyone what his answer was when a secular magazine asks him what his stance is on homosexuality?  (Kinda like the time people boycotted a fast food restaurant that isn't even open on Sundays... but that's old news by now)  We all knew that he would be anti-gay.  So, stop acting so shocked.
With that being said, I am not here to argue semantics as to weather or not a lifestyle is right or wrong.  I have my convictions, but that is not what this post is about.  Phil has every right to express his beliefs.  However, he could have done so in a more loving manner.  So, that's where my support for him ends.  When it comes to a topic as personal and sensitive as homosexuality, it should be approached with more care than just saying "so where would I put my junk?".

The thing that upsets me the most about a lot of Christians these days, is that they are always crying about being persecuted.  Maybe we are reading different Bibles, but I am pretty sure that no where does it say that being a Christian will be loads of fun and every one will love you for you beliefs.  In fact, my Bible say the exact opposite.  So, maybe instead of making all the "AMEN Phil!" memes, and boycotting A&E, we should be doing things that will actually express the love of Christ.  Like working in a soup kitchen on Christmas (how glamours!), or participating in Angel Tree (yes, inmates would like their kids to get a gift from them on Christmas morning, too), or even just inviting an "outcast" over to join your family for dinner (don't worry if they stain the table cloth, that's what washers are for). To me that's really what being a Christian and sharing the gospel is all about.

 You know what else my Bible says?  To speak the truth in love.  So many miss those last two words. I've been guilty of it myself.  I think Phil missed it, too.  Like I said, I am all for Phil expressing his beliefs.  But, an evangelistic agenda spoken with offensive statements is not love.  It is not glorifying God, and it certainly will not bring any non-believers to your side.  Think about it, who in their right mind would want to become a Christian if that is how they treat people?  If Phil (and any other Christian out there) really wants to bring people to Christ, than love needs to be brought back into his message.

And with that, I believe I am done with blogging in 2013.

I am glad there are still good people in the world

I have lived in Rochester for going on 10 years now (yes, that does make me feel old).  The thing about living downtown is that often times you do not get off street parking.  Combine that with a snowy city, and you get a very messy parking situation.  

Finding parking can be a pain at times, but I knew that would be the problem when we agreed to rent this apartment, so I can't complain.  For the most part, I have been pretty lucky with the whole parking on the street thing... until this past Wednesday.

Tuesday had been a particularly snowy evening (like this whole week has been), so I gave myself a little extra time to clean off my car before I left for work on Wednesday morning.   I go to unlock my door and I notice that there was a note stuck in the handle.  I skim the note and began to panic.  Someone hit my parked car last night!  Not just a little ding or scratch that I could live with, but it was flat out crushed.  The guy left his name and phone number and asked me to call him.

 I was expecting it to be a fake number, but it wasn't!  The guy had already called his insurance company and filed a claim.  All I had to do was bring my car into the body shop and the rest was on them.  I was pleasantly surprised.

The whole situation got me thinking about society and how we view other people.  I will admit that I am the first to assume the worst in people.  But not everyone is a rotten person, not everyone is "out to get you".  The guy that hit my car was so upset.  He said he knocked on a few doors and tried to find me because he felt bad leaving without talking to me.  It gave me a new outlook, and I have been challenged to first look for the good in people, instead of assume the worst.  So maybe, this little situation was actually a blessing in disguise.

A few things

I feel like there is way too much to update you on and nothing to update you on all at the same time.  BUT, I do have photos for you for once. When does that happen anymore?

Drinking a Long Island Iced tea in a swanky lounge, overlooking the city of Chicago makes me feel both old and classy.  I can't say I hate it.  (But I can say I have turned into a lush... I only got half way through that LIT)

I have concluded that when I am rich (also known as never), I will have a jelly fish tank in my house.  I could watch this guy swim for hours!

The only thing I like about flying, is that I can see an aerial view of my city when I am coming home.  Everything else about flying I hate!  I am a nervous wreck, and about 50% of the time, I have to steal my neighbor's barf bag.

For the first time that I can remember, I am actually excited about eating healthy foods.  I have never been a huge health nut, and I am not athletic by any stretch, but things are slowly starting to change for me.  Dean says I watch too many food documentaries on Netflix, but I don't see anything wrong with that.  For once I am craving veggies instead of fried meat.  Since this small turn of events, I have lost 20 lbs in 6 months. I have a lot more to go, but considering I wasn't really trying and just making a few more healthy choices I think I can do it.  

That is... as long as I am not left alone in Wegman's (AKA the best grocery store in the world) when I am hungry.  Last night I stopped in after work to get butter to make cookies (yes I know that sounds oxymoronic after talking about healthy choices, but they were for work).  Butter was the only thing I needed.  Somehow I manged to leave the store with yogurt, protein bars, tea, a lunchable (I never eat those!), Shells and Cheese, Oreos, pudding, candy canes, gum, and... not butter.  Don't worry, I was still able to make my cookies because dean went to the corner store for me.  Mostly because he was afraid that I would spend an extra $50 if I went back for butter.