"Murphy was an optimist!"
Away with no cellphone signal July 12, 2009 1:32 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Amy, Daily Life, Family, Noah, Of Being Dad, Of Interest, ScoutsThe 13 year old boy left this morning for a week of adventure including fishing, orienteering, rock climbing, wilderness survival, and canoeing at Boy Scout Camp Daniel Boone. The 7 year old girl left a few minutes ago for 3 days of adventure at Girl Scout Camp Tanasi. They are both thrilled. I wish I could be with them to see their happiness, watch them work through their fears and learning, hear their giggles, and to get some camping in myself. I know they will both have a fantastic time!
Sarah comforting Amy during Amy’s first trip to Tanasi
Strikes a chord July 12, 2009 10:03 am
Posted by utterz in : Daily Life, PodcastingMobile post sent by djuggler using Utterli. Replies. mp3
Rainy driving ramble July 9, 2009 9:44 pm
Posted by utterz in : Daily Life, PodcastingMobile post sent by djuggler using Utterli. Replies. mp3
Apparently Utterli had the good sense to cut me off. I went on for about another 4 minutes. It was good!
add a commentWhat the Plinth?! July 8, 2009 1:31 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of InterestThis past Monday began a wonderful performance art piece in Trafalgar Square in London. I am thoroughly enjoying peeking in on the people of the United Kingdom as they create a living portrait of the UK over a 100 days from July 6 to October 14. Every hour for 100 days, a different person will stand upon the Fourth Plinth (see also), the massive base which would normally hold a statue of a king or warrior, and have that as their own space to do with as they please.
Antony Gormley on the Fourth Plinth from One & Other on Vimeo.
I have seen people just stand there, two have worked out on a rowing machine for their hour, one man danced for an hour and made jokes with the crowd, a woman has raised awareness of the plight of homelessness, and so much more. I have also learned that the British do actually say, "bloody hell!" That’s not just in the movies.
Visit http://www.oneandother.co.uk/ and experience this for yourself. This should be repeated in cities around the world!
This effort is huge! I’m just guessing that it is staffed full time by 15-20 people which would include fork lift operator, security including the entourage that escorts the lift every hour, bucket operator, camera operators, console/technicians, ambulance on standby, and so forth. One & Other is doing this in conjunction with sky ARTS and produced by Artichoke. The partners in the project are too numerous to list. Of course, the Fourth Plinth project wouldn’t be happening without the participants, the Plinthers. Nice work to all! Squirrel Queen likes it too.
add a commentThere is a time..turn..turn..turn July 7, 2009 8:23 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Interest
I soooo want this watch!
…designed by students from l’Ecole d’Arts Appliqués Genèva is a 100 % Swiss made product by Pierre Junod Switzerland and can be worn as a pocket watch, pendant or used as a small desk clock. The Materials are white hour hand & orange minute hand, anthracite anodized aluminum case, laser engraved figures, mineral glass, Swiss quartz movement…[Source, Watchismo, Eris Planetary Sphere Watch]
Seen on BoingBoing.
add a commentA peek into Knoxville July 6, 2009 9:29 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Interest
This looks like it should be near Gatlinburg or in Seymour or Sevierville but it is surprisingly close to downtown Knoxville. Unfortunately, I learned he recently got rid of the last goat and won’t be getting any more because the stray dogs kept attacking the goats.
add a commentJuggling and Fireworks tomorrow July 2, 2009 1:07 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Announcements, Daily Life, Health, Juggling, Of InterestI will be juggling fire, knives, people, and other things at West Park Baptist Church’s annual fireworks show tomorrow from 7pm-9pm. West Park is on Middlebrook across from Fox Lonas. Hope to see you there!
add a commentWho Watches the Watchmen? June 30, 2009 1:23 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Announcements, Of Interest, TV / MoviesRewards for being social June 30, 2009 12:08 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Cool Sites, Of Interest
I’m checking out Vyoom. It’s social media with a point/reward system. I’m generally apprehensive about these types of systems. None-the-less, sign up with this link and I’ll get 1000 points. For a limited time, they are giving new subscribers 75000 bonus points. What do points mean? Not sure yet. The review is coming.
School in July? June 27, 2009 5:41 pm
Posted by utterz in : Daily Life, Podcasting
Today’s Mystery Picture June 27, 2009 1:57 pm
Posted by utterz in : Daily Life, Podcasting
My last juggling performance with my brother was 15 years ago June 25, 2009 8:42 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Announcements, Health, Juggling, Of InterestThe 20th Knoxville Kuumba Festival begins tonight at 5pm. The last time my brother and I did a juggling performance on stage was at Kuumba Festival roughly 15 years ago (I may be off a year more or less). I was wounded at the time with a splinted finger so much of the performance for me was done with one hand. They had a camera crew but didn’t start filming until the end of our performance. So if it’s truly been 15 years, does this mean my brother and I need a reunion tour? Or do we have to wait another 5 years?
add a commentCan you donate some antlers? June 22, 2009 12:40 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Announcements, Of Interest, Philanthropy, Religion / Spirituality, Touchy SubjectsThe Center for Peace is in need of some new antlers for their sweat lodges. The Center for Peace is located in Seymour, TN and people travel from all over to visit.
We offer many opportunities, such as: Visionary Dances; Sweat Lodges; Fire Ceremonies; chanting/drumming gatherings; young people’s ceremonies and activities; Core Shamanism; Huna Shamanism; Vision Quests; teachings on drumming and working with fire; workshops on various topics such as numerology, fire walking, Druidic traditions, sound healing and chanting, shamanic studies, and many more; initiation ceremonies; supporting ceremonies in the local, regional, and international communities; and a safe, family-like environment to grow in. [Source, CenterforPeace.us]
If you have a set of antlers that could be used to say pick up a football and move it and are willing to donate them, they would be very useful to the Center for Peace.
I personally have attended several sweat lodges at the Center for Peace. Mostly recognized as a Native American tradition, non-Indian sweat lodges can be found in the fifth century BC. My personal experience has been that a sweat lodge is a ritual of spiritual cleansing not limited to a particular belief system or religion. The attendees has always been a diverse crowd religiously as well as professionally. I have met artisans, lawyers, philosophers, educators, land developers, environmental activists and others at the sweats. I believe the Center for Peace is yet another East TN treasure that few may know about. If you are so inclined, I highly encourage you to experience an activity at the Center for Peace.
add a commentThe kids are off to steal the nuke codes June 20, 2009 11:25 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Of InterestThe grandparents have taken 4 of the 5 children off to Oak Ridge for The Secret City Festival. (The socialite teenage girl has plans) Did you know you have to take proof of citizenship if you want to tour the plant? That means a photo id and a birth certificate or passport or something comparable. I’ve wanted to see The Secret City Festival since I heard about it but frankly my body and mind are still decompressing after being so tightly strung for the past several weeks. I’m more relaxed but literally still shaky like a tuning fork is playing in my head. I’m taking this day away from the computer and doing some things for myself that I’ve been neglecting. I have an important project in the batting box and I need to clear my mind so I can start fresh and strong tomorrow or Monday.
I find Oak Ridge’s history beyond fascinating. I love it when people tell their stories. I’ve only been to the Museum of Science and Energy (once) professionally so I have yet to see the exhibits. I’ve never seen the children’s museum (the kids go with the grandparents). I’m vowing to attend next year’s Secret City Festival!
3commentsMy Wife: Guest Blogger/Bad Parent June 17, 2009 7:19 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Cathy, Cool Sites, Daily Life, Family, Of InterestMy wife is a guest blogger at Scholastic Parents and a bad parent. Share your thoughts with her.
Read all her Scholastic Parents guest posts. Jump in and feel free to comment on each topic.
- Be anything you want to be, except that
- “Let’s go to the book store.”
- controlled chaos
- beginnings and endings
- It’s all fun and games until someone enters puberty.
- Lampyridae Hunting
- Rewards – obvious and otherwise
- (Scholastic Introduction): Making Summer Plans in a Tough Economy
