It's a great day to be a Mountaineer...

...wherever you may be.

The Mountaineers took on Villanova and came out 48-21. The team started off slow, but once they got into a rhythm amazing things happened. Clearly, Coach Stew did an amazing job this summer. Just for a side note-- Announcers still come up with the greatest phrases---Noel Devine is like a ping-pong ball in a bathtub.

But, the Mountaineers could rejoice for more than just their own victory.
Virginia Tech lost to East Carolina... 22-27. The Mountaineers will have their work cut out for them next week when they play at EC.

Pitt lost to Bowling Green. (Tee Hee Hee) 17-27. Nuff' said. :P

And perhaps the best news of all:
Michigan lost to Utah: 23-25. Does anyone really miss Rod?!

Which of these...

Which two of the following items go together: a panda, a banana, and a monkey?

Don't think too much... What is your gut reaction?
Post your comments, and I'll explain.

what's the difference?

Men and Women are different. Whoa! Big shock! Stop the presses! We have to get this news out and now!

Please. Most of us know that men and women are different. It's not a mystery. However, it is something that American culture tries to suppress and forget about. This suppression results in heartache and confusion for so many people.

Taking time away from school work this week, I began to read John Piper's what's the difference? for the women's book study. This book is amazing. I have only read 2 chapters, and I already feel encouraged and challenged. I must recommend this book to anyone who is confused about the roles for men and women, but also for those of us who need a little encouragement now and then.

Excerpts:
At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man's differing relationships.

At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to women's differing relationships.

School Stuff

The tax form 1040 can be scary, but it can also be fun! So, do you take the standard deduction or the Schedule A deduction? Yes, I actually know what that I'm saying.

Io mi chiamo Laura Powell. Sono di Morgantown. Io sono studentessa di Italino. (Can you guess what that means?)

Economics gets more and more complicated, but who doesn't love a science that confirms your conservatism?!
Apparently liberal history books can get some things right: [Luther's] insight into the meaning of "justification by faith alone" was a gradual process that extended between 1513 and 1518. The righteousness that God demands, he concluded, did not result from many religious works and ceremonies but was given in full measure to those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ, who alone is the perfect righteousness satisfying to God. To believe in Christ mean to stand before God clothed in Christ's sure righteousness." (The Heritage of World Civilizations, Chapter 17, p.499)



Does CS101 every get old? I submit that it does not! Listening to Sean lecture, I was again reminded of things I had forgotten and I brushed up on other things. It's great to be working with the CS101 department on campus again. Not only do they help me maintain my knowledge of Microsoft Office, they are my friends. I can't imagine what school would be like without CS...

Lexicon, morphology, syntax, phonology, & semantics... these are all elements of my English 321 course. I think I might have been about to tell you something about 1 or 2 them before this week. Now, I am trying to master their definitions and use that knowledge to interpret data in the history of the English language. For example: Did you know that the insult hussy came from the Old English noun huss? Huss was a house wife... In present day English the meaning has changed quite a bit. This is part of semantics. Interesting, huh?



Management is critical to any business, but it is also important for people in general. We manage our finances, time, and lives every day. What are the core aspects of management? Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling.

These are some of the many thing I have learned this week... I can't wait to Week 2. Let's go Mountaineers!

New Look

School is starting once again and with it I have changed the look of my blog.

I expect to update you all tomorrow and Tuesday about my new classes and life/school stuff in general, but if I can't -- I will definitely post something by the end of the week.

Curiosity Concerning Consonance

Why is it that many of the famous superheroes have first and last names that begin with the same letter? Consonance is an interesting literary device, and maybe DC and Marvel thought their readers would remember the names more easily. In any case, I was trying to remember all the superheroes that have this characteristic and here is my list:

Clark Kent
Peter Parker
Bruce Banner
Reed Richards
Sue Storm
Matt Murdock
Scott Summers

Or their girlfriends:
Lois Lane
Lana Lang
Betty Brant
Pepper Potts
Vicki Vale

Or Enemies:
Lex Luthor
Green Goblin
Victor Von Doom

Curious, isn't it?

Our culture denies such truths

Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."

During the Sunday morning service, we read Psalm 127. I was again struck by this verse, and the joy of God's covenant favor. But, it also came to mind how many in our nation view children as a burden or even "tissue" that can be thrown away. Thanks be to God who gave us our "right to life." May God grant the leaders in our country this knowledge that they suppress.

Captain Awesome

Friday evening, Dee, Sammi, and I went to stay with Noah, Maggie, and Evangelia Berry. Mr. and Mrs. Berry had gone out of town for their anniversary. The kids, Dee, and I had a blast watching movies, swinging on the hammock, and playing house in general. But, one of the biggest highlights for all of us was the little kitten the Berry's were watching. Noah told us that they had been calling him "Grub," but Dee insisted that "Grub" was a "Captain Awesome." I couldn't help but agree. Even Noah was calling him "Awesome" by the time we left. Dee told me I needed to share pictures of the captain with the rest of you... So without further ado...

P.S. I realize this post sounds like it is related to superheroes... but that is not intentional. :P

Marvel vs. DC

Parody of I'm a Mac & I'm a PC

Songs about Superheroes

I wonder what its like to be a super hero
I wonder where Id go if I could fly around downtown
From some other planet, I get this funky high on yellow sun
Boy I bet my friends will all be...stunned, theyre stunned
- Matchbox 20 "Real World"

It may sound absurd...but dont be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed...but wont you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
Its not easy to be me...

Im only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me.
- Five for Fighting "Superman"


Doc Bruce Banner,
Pelted by gamma rays,
Turned into the Hulk.
(Ain’t he unglamorous!)

Wreckin’ the town with
The power of a bull!
(Ain’t no monster clown
who is as loveable!)
As ever-lovin’ Hulk!
Hulk! Hulk!
- Theme song to "The Incredible Hulk"


-Weird Al "Ode to a Superhero"

Superheroes

Superheroes. They come in black, red, blue, and green. Some are huge and muscular; others are average height and weight. Some have superpowers beyond belief: they have regenerative capabilities, the ability to fly, see through walls, shoot webs, use telekinesis, communicate telepathically, transform into a giant superhuman, and that’s just to name a few. Others are ordinary men; they used their wealth to make themselves heroes that evil-doers fear. With great gadgets and armor, they don’t need the powers that other superheroes were blessed with.

Given gifts of power (or mutation) to protect others: one defends a city, even when that means his job, relationship, and schooling will suffer… another cannot live a normal life; his friends see him only as a nerdy reporter, but adore his alter ego… many protect and would die for those who hate, even persecute them for their gifts... one man will forgo his love to protect the world from a power-hunger man bent on destruction…

These ones sometimes struggle with the heroic deeds they have been chosen for… But ultimately, any of them would sacrifice everything to do the right thing. Others chose to be the one who would sacrifice: one tries to live up to the legacy his father left under the cover of darkness… Without a secret identity, another tries to change the legacy his father created.
Maybe all you recognize the superheroes I am taking about: Spiderman, Superman, The X-Men, The Hulk, Batman, and Iron Man. Why do we love them so much? Nobility, justice, sacrifice, responsibility, and morality are all qualities that superheroes personify. (Even while wearing great costumes!)

This month and perhaps even continuing into September, I plan to post several superhero themed posts… I hope you enjoy random trivia and thoughts on superheroes.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Belated Birthday, Daddy!