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    <title>Squonk</title>
    <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222</link>
    <description><![CDATA[I'm a Christian Puppeteer and all around swell guy.  Born and raised in the Chicago area...land of the Cubs, Bozo the Clown, the Italian Beef Sandwich, and where the people have discovered the way God intended the Hot Dog to be served.]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>Inaugural Party</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/1040084</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today I happened to catch some of the festivities in Washington leading up to Tuesday's inaugural.  OK, full disclosure, I didn't vote for Obama but I wish him nothing but success.  Even though I don't agree with all his views, he's my President...well he will be in a few days.  I will be praying for him and our country.

Anyhow, I caught some of this shindig at the Lincoln Memorial on TV.  They had Stevie Wonder singing with Usher and then Samuel L. Jackson came out and said a few things about Martin Luther King Jr. before introducing U2.  They sang "Pride (In the Name of Love)" which is about Dr. King.  This is all fine.  I mean, we should be celebrating, not the man who will be sworn in later this week (or any of his predecessors for that matter), but the peaceful transition of power we've maintained in this country for 230  years.  But what I wonder is why do we only bring out the celebrities for these things?  Why not have regular folks...a construction worker from Queens, a mother from Kansas City, a rancher from Wyoming...come out there and talk about Martin Luther King rather than Mace Windu?

Note: I've got nothing against Mr. Jackson?  The dude would slice my rear in half with his purple lightsaber and leave me crying by the reflecting pool.  But hey, there's a lot more America just to the East of that Hollywood sign.  Could'nt this be a more inclusive American experience and not one that only featured the "elite."
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:12:28 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/1040084</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>A crime against Chicago food</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/690522</link>
      <description><![CDATA[So I'm in Pekin, IL for my niece's wedding.  Pekin is just outside of Peoria, which is where I went to college for a few years, so it's good to be back.  Tonight we grabbed dinner at a Chicago style food place called Chicago Hut.  Of course, I had to get "da beef," the Italian Beef Sandwich...Chicago's own.  So I place my order, the girl asks is I want sweet or hot peppers.  I go for sweet.  Then she asks if I want cheese on it.  Cheese!?!  Cheese!!!!!  I almost called the Vienna Beef Police right there.  You don't put cheese on an Italian Beef Sandwich!!!

The beef was good, no problems there.  But there are some things you just don't do.  The Italian Beef comes with sweet or hot peppers, dripping wet...cheese should not even enter one's mind.  There was a great poster in the place of a Chicago style hot dog which said "Rated NK-17 - No Ketchup for persons over 17."  The poster speaks the truth and next to it should be one with a picture of the Italian Beef that says, "You want cheese on this?  Go to Philly."]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:13:46 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/690522</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>The Manitou Arcade</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/444834</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today I visited one of the coolest places on the face of the planet...the arcade in Manitou Springs, Colorado.  Manitou Springs is at the foot of Pike's Peak.  When you ride the cog railway to the top of the peak the guide always tells you that if the train should slip and start sliding back down the mountain there are two big springs there to stop it...Colorado Springs & Manitou Springs.  Anyhow, it's an old west town that now is home to many antique shops, native American art shops, and various people who occasionally smell like illegal substances.  The arcade is tucked behind some of the old buildings and it has the greatest collection of game machines you will ever see.  I'm not just talking your Dig Dug, Galaga, Q*bert and such.  They have those, but we're talking classic pinball machines from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  Some of these machines still cost just 10 cents.  

So if you're ever in the Colorado Springs area...visit the Air Force Academy, see the Garden of the Gods, go to the top of Pike's Peak for some donuts...but make sure you spend some time at the arcade in Manitou Springs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:59:23 -0800</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/444834</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Rockies One Win Away</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/271989</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This is very strange...It's October and the city of Denver is going nuts over baseball and couldn't care less what the Broncos are up to.  Usually it's all Broncos, it's great to see the Rockies well on their way to the World Series!

Watching these games this week, I'm reminded of the fall of 1984 when my Cubs were in the playoffs.  They did so well at first and then the Padres came from behind to take the series.  I can remember praying that the Cubs would win...literally praying.  I've been studying a lot about prayer lately...even so I've decided not to pray about the outcome of baseball games.  Not that I don't care...far from it, but I know someone has to win and someone has to loose.  I'm sure there are already plenty of people on both sides praying for victory... someone's prayer isn't going to be answered the way they hope.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:54:51 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/271989</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>World Vision Micro Mission</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/270132</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This morning we had our first Micro Missions day at Southlink Church.  I went with a group to the warehouse of World Vision up on the North side of town.  This ministry not only offers people the opportunity to sponsor children, but also helps build up communities in hurting parts of the world.  We spent the morning opening cases of T-shirts, which they said had been donated by Bono, and removing tags and labels and then sorting them by size.  It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and a very rewarding experience.  I look forward to doing it again.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:29:19 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/270132</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Fists with your Toes</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/233944</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Remember in the movie "Die Hard" the reason that John McClaine (Bruce Willis)  ended up barefoot in through most of the movie was that his limo driver suggested the technique of taking off shoes and socks and making "fists with your toes" on a nice carpeted floor to help relax.  

Recently I've been trying some different things when I pray.  The other day I dook off my shoes and socks and walked around on the carpet of my living room as I prayed.  Yes, I made occasional fists with my toes.  I actually found it helped me to focus better.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:03:04 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/233944</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>When you feel like you should pray for something</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/220082</link>
      <description><![CDATA[It's not unusual for me to be in the middle of a prayer when suddenly something pops into my mind.  Is that God telling me to pray for that something, or is my mind just wandering.  I know my mind has a tendency to drift, so even when I go ahead and pray for whatever just popped into my mind, I always wonder if I'm really just drifting.  Well, this morning in the middle of praying I suddenly heard "Indonesia & Singapore" spoken by the voice in my head.  Those countries really aren't "out of left-field" for me.  I've been to both of those countries and one of my coworkers just returned from a trip there.  I figured my mind was drifting but I prayed for those countries anyway.  As soon as I finished praying I turned on the TV and what did I see...earthquake in Indonesia...felt in Singapore as well.  I think that's the first time I can think of that God gave me an immediate confirmation of why he popped some thought into my head.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:26:38 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/220082</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>...So your protesting what now?</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/111355</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This morning a made a quick trip over to the bank before starting with the lawn mowing, weed pulling, and all that fun stuff.  At the intersection near the bank were two people holding typical protest type signs.  Now understand, we don't usually get protests in this part of town, so this was a pretty odd sight.  

Here's what their signs said:

"What kind of gas mileage do you get?  Does it matter to you?"

Oookaaay.  So exactly what does that mean?  I guess I don't understand what the point of a protest is when you don't make it clear what you are protesting.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:35:39 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/111355</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spidey</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/106070</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Well I can sleep well tonight, secure in the knowledge that Spider-Man is guarding my neighborhood.

I just went on a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a perscription.  As I approached the end of my block I saw a small figure standing on the curb facing me.  A small kid, probably about kindergarten age was standing there, dressed head to toe as Spider-Man.  He had the suit, the mask, even fake muscles to bulk him up.  As my van got closer he very seriously crouched down, one leg straight the other bent as he reached toward the ground with one arm.  The classic Spidey poss.  I couldn't help but smile.  And the best thing was 10 minutes later when I was on the way home, Spidey was still there and he did the same thing.  The kid made my day.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:40:04 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/106070</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Gas</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/52602</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I woke up at 4:30 this morning with a gas attack.  Ok, I know, I'm gettin' way too open with this blogging thing.  We all experience this kind of thing from time to time, but today has been horrible.  I'm going on 13 hours of this.  I had to leave work today because all I could do was sit in front of my computer and try to not think of the pain.  It's clearly not something else, like the appendix, it's just really annoying persistent gas.  I just walked around the block a few times to see if that would help, I think it worked a little.  I feel like a woman giving birth, I tell ya. You know how they always have them walk around the halls of the hospital as they are dealing with the contractions.  That's kind of what I looked like shuffling around my neighborhood.  My head was down, my arms weren't swinging much, I was kind of hunched over.  I looked kind of like how Ozzy Osbourne looks when he tries to send brainwaves to his leg muscles.  Not a fun way to start the holiday weekend.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 19:16:02 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/52602</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Sad Day</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/46673</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today was a sad day.  It was decided this morning that the church my family and I have been a part of for the last 5 years, since it started, will be closing it's doors.  The church was a church plant, and let me tell you it's no easy thing starting a new church.  Though it's sad, I'm kind of excited about whatever God has in store.  I definitely don't feel like we failed.  The church had it's up times and it's down times, but I feel like we reached a lot of people.  I also feel like God really stretched me during this time.  I'm sure He was preparing me for other things.  I'm sure the same is true for many of the people who were a part of this congregation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 20 May 2007 23:19:41 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/46673</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>People's Most Beautiful</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/18332</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today I noticed that People Magazine's Most Beautiful People issue is out. Once again, I did not make the list.  Through whatever process they use to determine this stuff, they've decided that Drew Barrymore is the current most beautiful person on the planet.  I've always been a bit baffled by this particular issue of the magazine.  Of course, all of the most beautiful people are celebrities of some sort.  I mean, you're never going to find some movie concession stand worker from Sheboygan on the list.  

So, exactly how do people come and go from this particular list.  I mean Reese Witherspoon made the list year, but she could just as likely be dropped next year.  And heck, a year from now she'll probably look pretty much the same as she does now.  It's pretty unlikely she's going to get dropped in a vat of chemicals or something.  It seems to me like other factors are involved. Helen Miren made the list this year.  She's pretty much looked the same as she does now for several years, but now that she's won the Academy Award she's beautiful enough to make the cut?  I think this list is not just about who's the most beautiful, but who's show or movie or album is a success right now.  Look at Patrick Dempsey, now that he's on Grey's Anatomy he's one of the most beautiful, but when he was bleeding out of his eyes in the movie "Outbreak" a few years ago no one seemed to care.  

Ok, you've got me, I am a bit bitter about not making the list again.  It shows, doesn't it.  I guess I can still hope for Time's Person of the Year.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:49:08 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/18332</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Pocket Full of Pepsi</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/8070</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I just did one of the dumbest things ever.  I was walking into my office building and accidentally bumped into the side of the doorway as I entered.  This caused the can of Pepsi in my coat pocket to explode.  So I dashed into the bathroom with a pocket full of Pepsi and then had fun mopping up the bathroom.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:51:04 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/8070</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Blood Diamond and Labyrinth</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/7212</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I finished watching "Blood Diamond" last night.  It's weird that it often takes me two sittings to watch a complete movie nowdays.  I just get too tired, and it's no comment on the quality of the movie, I'm just worn out.  Watching movies is one of my favorite activities and now I fall asleep while watching...that's not good.  At least I'm not falling asleep in the movie theater, not that I ever get to go to the movie theater.  

"Blood Diamond" was good.  Very violent, lots of hacking of limbs and such...not pretty.  I didn't quite buy Leonardo DiCaprio's accent, I must say.  Jennifer Connelly was in the movie!  Talk about a major crush when I was a teenager.  That's part of what made "Labyrinth" such a favorite movie for me way back.  I mean, it's a Jim Henson movie, produced by George Lucas, written by one of the guys from Monty Python, and the star is Jennifer Connelly...puppets, Star Wars, Monty Python, and Jennifer Connelly...those were like four of my favorite things in 1986!]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:30:26 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/7212</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>The Batman and The Buffy</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/6174</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There's a rumor floating around a bunch of the movie news sites today that Sarah Michele Gellar may have a role in "The Dark Knight," the upcomming follow-up to "Batman Begins."  Speculation is that she will play Harley Quinn to Heath Ledger's Joker.  I'm still not completely on board with Leger as the Joker.  At least they didn't choose Sean Penn (a man with not sense of humor to play the clown prince of crime?) as was once rumored...but I have to admit that I think Gellar seems like a good choice.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:37:17 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/537150406477222/posts/text/6174</guid>
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