"I replaced the headlights in my car with strobe lights, so it looks like I'm the only one moving." - Steven Wright

I did a small plumbing job this morning replacing a shower faucet. It was Moen, and those can be a problem to work on. Like many, this one was stuck, but I have a puller designed for Moen faucets and I was able to get it out with that. Once the cartridge is out they’re simple to fix.

This guy is an Italian from New Jersey, retired from the trucking industry. If that description gives you a mental picture, it’s probably spot on. Nice guy who was very appreciative. He’d been ripped off by a plumber who replaced the cartridge on this faucet two years ago. That plumber did not put any plumber’s lubricant on the cartridge, which is why it failed so soon, and charged Carmine WAY too much. (Yes, that’s his name. Carmine, from New Joisey.)

I heard a player in the Australian Open interviewed after winning her match. She said, “There are some people who just believe in themselves. There are others who need experience to believe in themselves. I’m the second one of those.”

She’s right; it’s a continuum. I envy those who naturally believe in themselves. In the middle are people like this tennis player. At the other end of the spectrum are those who, even after winning, doubt themselves. That doubt can become a self fulfilling prophecy.

I missed the first half of the President's speech because of a dinner meeting - a very important meeting. A very important meeting that represents the core of my ministry as a pastor. So I was just fine with missing President Obama's speech.

I caught the second half and then listened to Rep. Ryan's response. It's probably unfair for me to respond to the Pres.' speech without hearing the whole thing, but if the first half was like the second I wonder where the money comes from. And a spending freeze doesn't do the job; we need spending cuts.

Rep. Ryan's speech struck me as...wonky. Not surprising since he's a budget wonk, but it reminded me of the disaster that was Gov. Jindal's response in '09. Ryan was certainly better, but hardly engaging.

Bottom line, neither speech makes much difference. By Thursday we'll be into a new news cycle and both speeches will be irrelevant. Actions matter, and the legislative outcomes, if there are any, will be what counts. At best the speeches give an indication of positions staked out by their respective parties, or party segments. And the positions seem to be all about money, where it comes from and how it's spent.

I didn't see. Were the Supreme Court Justices in attendance? There was talk that some or all wouldn't attend after last year's slam.
Grand Slam? on the Court?
Love it!