The Main Point - By Michael Main - MichaelMain.com

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2010-04-05T14:29:00.001-05:00

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Reprieve

2010-03-18T05:51:00.001-05:00

After two weeks of ignoring me, the folks at bloogle have fixed the screw up in the publishing of this blog. They still plan to do away with Blogger in any meaningful capacity for me, but their timeline has been pushed back until May. That means I can spend time during my week off messing with this thing, or I can put it on the back burner.

Yeah...guess which I chose?

Dearth Of A Blog

2010-03-10T14:03:00.007-06:00

-Writers note: Blogger/Google seems unable to publish this post at the moment which is ironic if not a bit of unintentional foreshadowing.

Okay, so here's the deal. Blogger/Google is doing away with its FTP (file transfer protocol) publishing. Who cares right?

Well I do, a little.
That's the way I publish this blog when I actually get around to writing something, which admittedly is a pretty rare event these days.

Blogger/Google (I'll just call it Blooggle) wants to "convert" this site to either one hosted by Blooggle or to a sub-domain...like blog.michaelmain.com. It sounds like no big deal, but it's really a pain and it doesn't make much sense to me to put the blog in a sub-domain when there's nothing on the primary domain of any consequence (please refrain from value judgments about the blog's value).
Also it pisses me off a little...I mean I went with blogger some seven years ago and now I'm of no value to them.

So anyway, I have been looking at various "conversion tools" and they don't seem to work very well, if at all. I was really thinking I'd just face facts and admit I'm not all that enamored with blogging and let this sucker die a slow death in the cloud of cyber rot, but now I'm consider another option.

What really makes changing blogging software (going to WordPress) a pain is trying to bring along all of my old posts/comments. I have attempted a couple of conversions in the past and they didn't work. Now I'm thinking maybe I'd be a lot less reluctant about this entire process if I simply set up a new site using Wordpress. Technically I suppose the archived material would still exist - nothing ever really dies on the Internet - but I'd be free not to have to try to bring it into the new set up. It would be like moving to a new house and not having to pack up all the crap from the previous home.

This sounds very appealing...in fact I'd like to do it with our actual house now that I think about it.

I really can't imagine there are gaggles of people scouring my past wisdom anyway. There's a good chance I will find some way to incorporate the archives much like the system I have set up currently, in fact I may be able to put in that exact coding...but I won't 'have' to...which seems to be key.

I know this is "inside baseball" sort of stuff, but then again I suppose this blog is too. I have some time next week to tinker with things and that's my current thinking. So either I'll do a rebirth of sorts...or I'll come up with a fabulous sign off...something original I'm sure.

Rube The Day

2010-03-08T05:24:00.000-06:00

Ash Wednesday Update/Ramblings

2010-02-17T16:23:00.002-06:00

I love this time of year...it's a time of self examination and I'm pretty good at that...plus I like finding new ways to make room in my life for God.   This season is going to be interesting. Amy and I have decided to do some church shopping again.    We've loved the church we've been part of for the past couple of years, but we don't feel like we've really connected with a community.   It's not the community's fault...it's probably ours.   So we've been visiting churches and I must admit our current church home is looking better. I thought I could see cobwebs growing during the sermon we sat through on Sunday.

There are some other things changing during this time. The future of this blog is a little dicey.   Blogger is eliminating its support for the way I compose and edit this space.   They say they're going to provide some type of conversion tool.   They haven't yet.    I will likely roll with the punches.    I now tend to think of the writing here like I do dreams, I don't try to examine it too closely or hang onto it any more.
---

I usually "fast" during this time. I've been on a modified fast for a few weeks now, although I blew it on Valentine's day to take Amy and our youngest daughter out for steaks. Come to think of it, I blew it this morning when I brought home breakfast tacos for Amy's birthday. Yeah, I'm a big spender.

Oh get over it, I brought home flowers too.

Happy Birthday my love!

That brings up something from my "I should mention this on the blog" file, which admittedly is stuffed full of stuff I haven't mentioned.   I recently received a copy of "The Daniel Fast", a book by Susan Gregory.

Susan sent it to me with a nice note.

A couple of years ago I wrote about Susan who had contacted me about getting more traffic to her website.   That apparently worked out for her. She wrote a book and mentioned me in the acknowledgments.

Thanks Susan.

So that's an update of sorts... I know it's a little rambling. I hope, but am not promising, to write more during this season. As always I'm exploring my relationship with Christ, which is a daunting task.    I mean when something fails in that relationship it's pretty easy to figure out who to blame.

It's Sports Illustrated Day!

2010-02-10T07:24:00.000-06:00

The swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated is arriving in mailboxes.

Oh...I get a different sports magazine.

Dirty Politics

2010-02-04T07:07:00.000-06:00

I've heard of politicians slinging mud.

This is the first political ad I've seen where the candidate has thrown dirt...from a graveyard.

Enjoy The Weekend

2010-01-22T03:48:00.000-06:00

I don't mean to startle you, but...um...well, I did receive this email today from "End Time Ministries."

Take note of the subject line.

Finally!

2010-01-18T03:05:00.000-06:00

Finally! Exactly what the world needs, an emoticon for sarcasm.

Why would you read this?

2010-01-13T14:40:00.000-06:00

I'm fairly sure by now that no one should be checking this site any longer...considering I haven't written anything here in months. However I suppose I should at least say Amy and I are fine. Life is fairly uneventful, which may be part of the reason I don't feel compelled to write here. The cynics out there might suggest another factor be considered...laziness. I won't dignify that by saying something like, "Ya think?"

To put rumors to rest, I have not accepted a job as the new late night host for NBC, none of our children have drifted away in a home made balloon.

It's simply been a quiet season.

Just us and, of course, Tiger.

Wag Your Tail

2009-11-17T06:18:00.000-06:00

Right F-Stop for an F-18

2009-11-09T06:51:00.002-06:00

My son-in-law took this shot of an F-18 "flirting with the sound barrier" at the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show on Sunday.

Pretty cool.

Presidential Dressing

2009-11-04T07:02:00.000-06:00

Sorry, this is not a recipe for some special White House stuffing for Thanksgiving...that would probably require more pork than I could stomach.
However I was relieved that in addition to no longer having to worry about car companies, banks, and health care...I can also now not have to worry about how to dress thanks to the President. Yes, I now get advice on how to dress from President Obama himself at a website called "Obama Weather"

This is today's suggested outfit for San Antonio.

Presumably that's for this morning, since it's supposed to hit 80 degrees this afternoon. I went to work this morning in a heavy shirt, jeans and flip flops...but I'm not a jacket type guy. If I were to be wearing a jacket and sweater this afternoon I'd probably keel over...something I am trying to avoid at least until free health care is available.

I must say the President appears to have better web fashion sense than Angelina Jolie, who can also provide clothing suggestions based on the daily forecast.

Personally, I tend to doubt you'd ever catch Ms. Jolie dressed in "frumpy chic" attire...then again, it's not like a guy wearing flip flops at the office is going to be forecasting fashion trends any time soon.

Dem Bones

2009-10-30T07:02:00.000-05:00

Stream of consciousness...

Okay, so I'm writing news this morning for some radio stations in the Rio Grande Valley and there's a story about a guy who was hauled in by the feds on allegations he was making grenades at his house...makes you want to get out and meet your neighbors huh? Anyway, authorities also say they found "human and animal" bones at his home along with a blood stained shrine. Charming.

So I'm expecting this is going to turn into another murder story when I discover that police say the suspect apparently bought many of the remains "legally over the Internet."

Yeah, I know nothing should surprise us about the Internet...but I really wasn't ready for:

Apparently this is not as ghoulish of an outfit as it sounds. They provide legitimate specimens for schools, museums and "collectors."

The Brownsville Monitor quotes the founder of Skulls Unlimited as saying they get their "inventory" from "wherever we can get a legal supply"...including road kills.

That's for animals...for people bones, the prime choice is apparently Asia where there is not as much of a stigma to selling your dead relative's remains.

The quote I really love is this one: "Every culture is different, it would be taboo to sell grandma."

That should be of some relief to the Grandmothers out there.

Oh...almost forgot. This is the company's advertised "Special."

Gives a new meaning to the idea of getting a head start on your Christmas shopping.

Happy Halloween.

Be Careful Where You Sit

2009-10-22T07:24:00.000-05:00

This may be the winner of the worst baby Halloween costume of 2009...

Really?

2009-10-19T10:06:00.001-05:00

Stream of consciousness....

I drive home on the backroads when I can...I mean I hit the highway and then at the first feasible chance I find a way to get home where I'm not going to be frustrated by traffic. Chalk it up to the fact that for more decades than I wish to count I've worked very early in the morning and the only thing I have contend with at that hour are drunks. I'm used to drunk drivers...I can't handle the maniacs in regular traffic.

So I'm driving home today on a little used road by our home called "Lookout." Amy and I have laughingly referred to it as "Lookout Mall" since it's usually strewn with crap folks have dumped for whatever reason: couches, mattresses, entire furniture sets, and Lord only knows what types of hazardous waste.

Today I had to swerve to miss a Christmas tree.

Today.

Today being October 19th.

I'm serious.

I am as much a procrastinator as the next guy, probably moreso but....IT'S OCTOBER! Someone just now is getting rid of their old dead Christmas tree?

They must live in a different reality.

I've decided "reality" is a subjective term...What's apparently real to me is not real to far more people than I wish to imagine, much less meet.

Yes, this idea was spawned by the realization that this nutjob "family" in Colorado apparently captured the media's attention (sorry I slept through that drama - if I can't fast forward past the commercials I don't watch it) by pretending their 6 year old kid was in some bogus weather balloon. All this in hopes of landing a contract for a "Reality" TV show.

Huh?

What reality are they in?

Are they in the reality that thinks the "Real" Housewives of____________ are ...."real" housewives?

I mean I never see these housewives taking out the trash or doing laundry or...well...being "real."

I've never seen them without make up much less making uncomfortable noises in the bathroom...not that I want to, I'm just sayin'....

My reality is not worth a sales pitch. That may change though, one day some network may actually pay me to videotape my seemingly senseless chore of washing three muddy dogs...that'll be compelling.

My reality is I have a dog that growls like Popeye...I'd post the video but in reality my SmartPhone is having a senior moment and I don't really want to sit here and figure it out.

My reality is I struggle to figure out why one car thinks the door is open when it rains and another decides the windows should stop working in wet weather ....Oh yeah, the windows only go down not up during thunderstorms.

My reality involves things like strange hairs growing in my ears faster than any other place on my body, and funky smells in the kitchen I can't seem to trace.

Pretending your kid is trapped in a makeshift duct-taped weather balloon? Wondering if you got the right return on your $100,000 dollar kitchen makeover? Having some commando come and redo your hair salon?

That's a different reality.

Time to face reality.
I'm never going to have a TV show.

A sitcom...well, that's a different story.

A Head Start On The Week

2009-10-19T06:55:00.001-05:00

Monday.

Everything seems fine.

Still something appears to be just not right.

Gotta get my head on straight.

(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Shoot

2009-10-14T06:28:00.000-05:00

The Mog Days Of Fall

2009-09-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

Fall arrived in South Texas exactly on schedule...I mean to the day.   It's cooler and it's wetter. We've actually had real rain, which is a blessing in almost every case...the exception being if your lawn has dried up and blown away during the past two years of drought and now your backyard is just dirt.

Rain + Dirt = Mud

Our smaller dogs, who are genetically inclined to be filthy, have it a little easier since they are a older, lazier and smaller.   Winston, whom we're convinced is mentally challenged to begin with, has decided not to venture off the remnants of concrete rubble we fondly refer to as our back porch.   This makes for some not so delightful surprises if you go outside barefoot without watching where you step.

Abby, who still has quite a bit of puppy vigor in her, hasn't quite figured out the rain plus dirt equation.   We can't really blame her, she's only seen rain a few times in her life.

However she's noticing the consequences.

She bounds outside and within a few seconds finds herself a little slower...a little heavier and much filthier.

Mud + Dogs =?

Several times each day she is now being transformed from a dog to a "mog'....half dog/half mud.

I suppose even when God blesses us there will always be days when we still must carry an extra load.

My eyes are ever on the Lord for only he will release my feet from the snare - Psalm 25:15

Taking The Plunge

2009-09-15T06:54:00.002-05:00

So these days I'm cranking out newscasts for a variety of radio stations, cities...states. I'm finding it interesting how many stories overlap...swine flu, cash for clunkers, health care...etc.

However, occasionally there are stories that are one of a kind...and for that you have to thank God

One such item appeared on the police blotter in Wichita, Kansas. Apparently police responded to a robbery call for a couple who were robbed amid the throes of passion...while in a dumpster.

These were not teens lacking a decent car back seat...the man and woman were in their 40's. However their hormones were apparently raging so rampantly that they trashed all sense of dignity and tossed themselves into a dumpster for what police describe as "an intimate moment."

Ah...romance.

Dumpster Susie, Dumpster Sam
Do the jitterbug out in Dumpster land
And they shimmy
And Sammy's so skinny

Alas, some uncouth bandits broke up the episode of lust in the dust (and goodness knows what else) by robbing the couple at knife point.

Police eventually caught the thieves and returned the couple's property....but that special moment...that one time refuse rendezvous ...that's something they can never get back...although I'm sure the memory will linger...until at least laundry day.

And they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed
Singin' and jingin' the jango
Floatin' like the heavens above
It looks like dumpster love..

He's Not Looking...RUN!!

2009-09-03T07:55:00.004-05:00

We happen to have the chief spokesperson for San Antonio's Catholic Archdiocese hosting one of our radio station's morning show today - he used to be my boss, it's not like we drag Deacons off the street. I saw this photo in the Wall Street Journal and had to ask him if perhaps the Catholic church needed to work on some trust issues with the Dalai Lama...

Photo Credit:REUTERS/Pichi Chuang

I Know....I Know...But....Look That Way!

2009-09-02T17:43:00.004-05:00

Yeah, yeah...haven't written anything except Amy and I are sailing new seas metaphors...that's all going great. I've actually been tied up lately...well, on blogger, trying to design an old fashioned "web log" for work related purposes, but have been a little stymied by the workings of the web and the fact that I want the system to be very simple and somewhat idiot proof.

Anyway, in God's most efficient manner He's gifted me with the perfect distraction from working on this project and writing any more about how I'm not writing more.

Look! A baby picture!

Erin - the very first guest in our "Upper Room Ministry" - is living a new life as a Mom!

She and her husband Ron have new son! Kyler!

Welcome to the world Kyler! You're in wonderful hands!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another - John 1:16

Psalm 134 - The Song of Michael

2009-08-19T20:47:00.003-05:00

So this is God..I see Him here.
I see Him and I face my fear.
I pray that He will guide my way
Yet I hear Him say "This is YOUR day."
This is free will...or so it's said
Will I rise up from the dead?
What matter such thoughts as these?
When the Lord, my God...I pray to please.

selah

Yes. It's Too Hot To Type.

2009-08-08T08:59:00.004-05:00

Finally an excuse. A previous commenter asked if I had essentially succumbed to the heat. Well, that's a better excuse than I was thinking of which was, "I've been riveted to the CSPAN coverage of Sonya Sontomayor."

This is I believe day 43 where the temperature will top 100 degrees in San Antonio, and rain...well, I don't even remember rain.

That's not really any excuse, in truth I haven't been focused too much on writing these days outside of my office. I have been focused on primarily on being quiet, listening for direction, eliminating some things from our lives that were taking our lives in a direction that was not pleasing to us, and I'm sure not to God.

This has been a tough season, weather-wise and life-wise. However we're getting through it and we're on the right path. It has been a lonely path at times and will continue to be for a while. So there are still some hills to climb, perhaps some rough seas and there are some adjustments which require Amy and me to continue to focus...on Amy and me.

Plus, it is still hot as Hell.

Please know we're fine. We'll be better.

The dogs are fine...they'll never be better. I've resigned myself to the fact that we attract psychologically damaged dogs.

The job is fine, better than it has been in a while, and I have nothing to complain about, which may also have resulted in a bit of writer's block since complaining is always a good way to start my writing juices.

There are better times ahead. I will write more, but some chapters of this stage of our lives are best held close to the vest...for now.

Amy and I are looking ahead...and seeing wonderful things to come.

The rough seas behind us, thanks entirely to God's grace.

Net Side Story

2009-07-19T14:49:00.002-05:00

I truly loved this...