by Ethan Johnson
December 20, 2007

As any jaunt through the Interesting and Notable Layouts feature in this section will soon affirm, I'm not very good at scrapbook layouts. I do "OK" work, but in a nutshell, I'm very set in my ways and everything strikes me as the same old, same old. Same linear approach, same matted [something], same painted chipboard lettering, sigh. Considering the embarrassment of riches that is our craft room, one would imagine I'd make all of those tools and supplies sing, man. Mmmm, I'm slowly getting there. In the meantime, I needed something of a confidence booster before tackling the next project (and the next). Here's what finally emerged from my work space:

by Ethan Johnson
December 28, 2006

(Part I is available here.)

by Ethan Johnson
December 27, 2006

January:

Throw 2005 down the well...

by Ethan Johnson
July 28, 2006

James Woods once said that his villain roles were effective because the character believed in something, however at odds with the sensibilities of, well, everyone else. His portrayal of Byron De La Beckwith in Ghosts of Mississippi is a great example. What's to like about an unflappable racist? In modern times, Fred Phelps serves as an excellent case study of someone who comes off almost cartoonishly hateful, yet is unshakeable in his resolve. Having had my fair share of arch-nemeses, from time to time I reflect on those adversarial relationships and ask, what did these people want?

by Marlena Elias
December 23, 2000

During this holiday season, when our lives are filled with hectic schedules and shopping lists, I wanted to share a very special, heartwarming story with all of you. This story is about a boy and his special problem.

by Marlena Elias
October 21, 2000

Since this week we are remembering Ms. Roxanne the cat, it is also appropriate to mention my dog Eddie. I put Eddie to sleep on October 10, 1999, so I want to take this time to remember why I loved him so much.

by Marlena Elias
August 26, 2000

Magic the poo-diddley-pot is our one year-old Lhasa Apso. As many of you have read at this web site, Magic and his sister Racine are going through puberty. I would like to share with our viewing audience a few of Magic's affectations now that he is going through "the change."

by Ethan Johnson
February 25, 2001

Two things, too long to be blog entries, too short to get their own article:

What If: I was wondering what would happen if popular hotels and motels offered "non Bible" rooms. As the majority of the world is non-Christian, isn't it potentially offensive to foist the Bible off on "non-believers", just as the non-smoker finds second-hand smoke unpleasant, if not downright intolerable? I realize that the Bible is usually stashed in a desk or dresser drawer (turndown service usually does not include getting bashed upside the head with it, or hotel staff doesn't read you the story of Jericho at bedtime) and doesn't take up much space, but I wonder why someone (the Gideons?) feels the need to stock hotel rooms with the Bible, at all costs. And, why doesn't any other religious organization push for equal time? We could have a regular Christian Science Reading Room or occult bookstore in our nightstand!