1. The mystery of how the yeast will work.
2. Using my new mixer.
3. Punching down dough.
4. Picking out toppings.
5. Cheese. (I love cheese)
6. The new pizza stone that (e:janelle) gave me for Christmas.
7. The new peel that (e:janelle) also gave me.
8. The blast of hot air from a super hot oven.
9. The art of sliding the pizza off the peel.
10. Eating it (duh)
Drew's Journal
My Podcast Link
12/30/2008 00:50 #47217
10 Things I like about making pizzaCategory: 10 things
12/24/2008 11:02 #47168
Stille NachtCategory: religion
12/23/2008 08:57 #47147
Rick Warren IIThey were talking about him on the radio again today, and I am sick of it. You can't be upset about this guy re: gay marriage and not be also upset about Obama BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SAME POSITION.
Both are in favor of civil unions, but not calling them marriage.
If Obama sold out by picking him, it was because of some other difference. The pick is consistent with everything he has said regarding gay marriage.
If people are going to turn their backs during the invocation (which has been suggested) they should also turn their backs during the inaugural address.
I'm not saying that the guy is great. I'm just saying we should use a consistent standard to judge.
Both are in favor of civil unions, but not calling them marriage.
If Obama sold out by picking him, it was because of some other difference. The pick is consistent with everything he has said regarding gay marriage.
If people are going to turn their backs during the invocation (which has been suggested) they should also turn their backs during the inaugural address.
I'm not saying that the guy is great. I'm just saying we should use a consistent standard to judge.
james - 12/23/08 12:56
The major difference between the two of them is on prop-8. Warren actively encouraged people to vote to take away rights from people, where as Obama spoke out against it. Another preacher with a barffy position on gay marriage is one thing, but someone with so much influence working against civil rights is a jack ass.
However, as I said before, I really could care less about Warren. Obama has a very pro-gay rights preacher giving the benediction. Athletes from the Special Olympics will be in the parade. The message he is going for is unity. And you cannot unify diverse groups of people in the first time in nearly twenty hyper-partisan years without some people being uncomfortable. Part of the message Obama ran on was this unity, the end of partisan politics. Now that he reaches his hand towards someone who is not in step 100% with progressive politics we get upset.
For the first time the people who voted for a president are upset when he fulfills a campaign promise.
The major difference between the two of them is on prop-8. Warren actively encouraged people to vote to take away rights from people, where as Obama spoke out against it. Another preacher with a barffy position on gay marriage is one thing, but someone with so much influence working against civil rights is a jack ass.
However, as I said before, I really could care less about Warren. Obama has a very pro-gay rights preacher giving the benediction. Athletes from the Special Olympics will be in the parade. The message he is going for is unity. And you cannot unify diverse groups of people in the first time in nearly twenty hyper-partisan years without some people being uncomfortable. Part of the message Obama ran on was this unity, the end of partisan politics. Now that he reaches his hand towards someone who is not in step 100% with progressive politics we get upset.
For the first time the people who voted for a president are upset when he fulfills a campaign promise.
changeisgood - 12/23/08 11:26
Obama is a pragmatist. He needs the Right to be accountable and answerable in this administration. He needs them to have a vested stake in the policies Obama plans to present. If the ‘followers of Jesus’ are to put their money where their mouths are, they would have to support and endorse measures that uplift the poor and benefit the middle class. If they are shut out of the process and decision-making, it is so easy for them to stay on the fence regarding legislation and initiatives as merely opposition in the other side in office. But if you are in the tent, you must put up or shut up. Health care insurance for the uninsured and several other hot button issues are going to be approached early in Obama’s administration. He needs the power and push of the right wing on the things they agree on. Crafty and crazy like a fox he is. A coalition government works better.
Obama is a pragmatist. He needs the Right to be accountable and answerable in this administration. He needs them to have a vested stake in the policies Obama plans to present. If the ‘followers of Jesus’ are to put their money where their mouths are, they would have to support and endorse measures that uplift the poor and benefit the middle class. If they are shut out of the process and decision-making, it is so easy for them to stay on the fence regarding legislation and initiatives as merely opposition in the other side in office. But if you are in the tent, you must put up or shut up. Health care insurance for the uninsured and several other hot button issues are going to be approached early in Obama’s administration. He needs the power and push of the right wing on the things they agree on. Crafty and crazy like a fox he is. A coalition government works better.
drew - 12/23/08 11:19
lol
lol
matthew - 12/23/08 11:15
Gosh (e:drew), if you love Rick Warren so much maybe you should marry him. oh wait, than god wont love you anymore.
Gosh (e:drew), if you love Rick Warren so much maybe you should marry him. oh wait, than god wont love you anymore.
drew - 12/23/08 09:41
yeah. I liked Hodgman's take, too.
yeah. I liked Hodgman's take, too.
jim - 12/23/08 09:13
This is similar to what John Hodgman said: :::link::: And, you'd be surprised how much I agree with you both.
I know this post wasn't directed particularly at me, but just to throw in my 2 cents, and like I mentioned in my post, or the comments to my post, on the subject -- I'm not particularly thrilled with Rick Warren but didn't expect Obama to make me very happy in this arena anyways.
Unfortunately, whereas I can judge Obama on many fronts, Rick Warren I can only judge the merits of on a few subjects, and find myself disliking him on all of them except for maybe that he's at least showing some of the good aspects of Christianity like charity.
This is similar to what John Hodgman said: :::link::: And, you'd be surprised how much I agree with you both.
I know this post wasn't directed particularly at me, but just to throw in my 2 cents, and like I mentioned in my post, or the comments to my post, on the subject -- I'm not particularly thrilled with Rick Warren but didn't expect Obama to make me very happy in this arena anyways.
Unfortunately, whereas I can judge Obama on many fronts, Rick Warren I can only judge the merits of on a few subjects, and find myself disliking him on all of them except for maybe that he's at least showing some of the good aspects of Christianity like charity.
mrmike - 12/23/08 09:09
Cleveland? I must have football on the brain still. Meant to say Warren.
Cleveland? I must have football on the brain still. Meant to say Warren.
mrmike - 12/23/08 09:08
I'm not so sure I see the big deal. It's actually backing up what Obama said he would do. The selection to me seems one of inclusion, reaching across the aisle, bringing in everyone (choose your cliche). I don't agree with Cleveland on, well, most things, but his reading a prayer isn't any kind of political statement, it's a prayer.
I'm not so sure I see the big deal. It's actually backing up what Obama said he would do. The selection to me seems one of inclusion, reaching across the aisle, bringing in everyone (choose your cliche). I don't agree with Cleveland on, well, most things, but his reading a prayer isn't any kind of political statement, it's a prayer.
12/22/2008 19:16 #47142
It's sadder when they loseCategory: football
12/18/2008 11:00 #47098
Purpose Driven LifeCategory: religion
(e:jim) had a reaction against the Purpose Driven Life, a book by Rick Warren:
This quote was singled out in particular:
This spiritual servitude only has negative connotations in a culture that is obsessed with asserting the rights of the individual. Civil rights, human rights, gay rights, minority rights-we hear about this constantly. Instead of asserting our rights-even if we have the freedom to do so-we are choosing to set them aside for a greater thing: the opportunity to serve the living God. What are you setting aside in order to serve God?
I believe that Rick Warren here is right, but incompletely right, and wrong, but incompletely wrong. I will explain.
Christians are called to put others ahead of themselves, and to put God's will ahead of theirs. Because we are often selfish, this is good for the world, and good for us (when we actually try it, but that's another post).
We get this idea, of course, from Jesus. We believe that Jesus had every authority, every "right" and yet refused to assert those rights violently. He gave up his rights, and suffered, even though he was innocent.
And Christians are called to follow his way.
But that doesn't mean that Christian blacks had to be content with seperate and unequal. When Dr. King organized the Bus Boycott, he asserted the right to ride the bus by NOT riding the bus. Christianity, done right, exposes the selfishness of the systems of this world for what they are. In Selma, that meant that police were trying to FORCE men and women onto the bus.
So we do assert our rights, as individuals and as a group--Warren is wrong when he implies that Christians cannot be involved in standing up for individual/minority rights. But it's NOT about asserting our rights. It's about giving up our rights for others.
The biggest problem with the civil rights movement wasn't the actions of black Christians, it was the silence of white Christians. We stood by (for the most part) and refused to give up our rights for others. Comfortable silence is un-Christian. "That's their problem" is un-Christian.
So Warren is right that it isn't about us. But he removes the speck from the eyes of minority Christians, and (in this quote) forgets to mention the efforts of white (mostly) Christians to protect their rights to put up the 10 commandments, pass laws, avoid taxes, or whatever.
Now Warren, though he is far from perfect. DOES give up much of his rights. He never sees 90% of the money he makes, because it goes straight to Africa. Think about that before you criticize to harshly, because at the very least, the man is committed. How many other New York Times Best Selling Authors live in little houses in the city? While I would love to be able to give as much as he does, I might buy a nice car or cable tv first. Warren puts his money where his mouth is.
So he's right: We are supposed to give up our rights, but incompletely, because he didn't hit the "sacred cows" of the rights of majority Christians.
And he's wrong: We can and do and should assert our rights (Jesus did), but at least he not completely wrong, because the ironic way of claiming our rights is to lose them in public ways that expose the foolishness of those who take them.
ajay - 12/18/08 19:48
Sheesh... I have to run again.
Notice how these people (like Warren) expect _others_ to sacrifice for them.
So when their religion discriminates against others, they expect the others to not stand up for their rights.
When was the last time the Church gave up something to benefit people outside the flock?
Consider the marriage issue. It would have been something if the Church had said "OK, we don't like the idea that 'marriage' deems lots of legal rights; lets separate that out". But they did not.
To me, it is apparent that the Church's opposition to gay marriage is nothing to do with the whole 'man + woman' thing; but it has everything to do with denying the gays the right to enjoy their "lifestyle". It's a simple case of revenge: we can't prevent you from committing acts of sin, so we'll make you pay for it in other ways.
Sheesh... I have to run again.
Notice how these people (like Warren) expect _others_ to sacrifice for them.
So when their religion discriminates against others, they expect the others to not stand up for their rights.
When was the last time the Church gave up something to benefit people outside the flock?
Consider the marriage issue. It would have been something if the Church had said "OK, we don't like the idea that 'marriage' deems lots of legal rights; lets separate that out". But they did not.
To me, it is apparent that the Church's opposition to gay marriage is nothing to do with the whole 'man + woman' thing; but it has everything to do with denying the gays the right to enjoy their "lifestyle". It's a simple case of revenge: we can't prevent you from committing acts of sin, so we'll make you pay for it in other ways.
theli - 12/18/08 16:45
Heh, "doesn't not". Brilliant!
Heh, "doesn't not". Brilliant!
theli - 12/18/08 16:43
Really? He is so different from the mainstream as to not feel guilty if he doesn't not make an effort to save someone from hell? And he is still accepted publicly?
Anyway, yeah. Christians get a bad rep about a lot of things. And it's not applicable to all christians. But how many really stand up to others in the context of their own faith in other to change that?
Is it a case of "Not us. Not our problem."?
Really? He is so different from the mainstream as to not feel guilty if he doesn't not make an effort to save someone from hell? And he is still accepted publicly?
Anyway, yeah. Christians get a bad rep about a lot of things. And it's not applicable to all christians. But how many really stand up to others in the context of their own faith in other to change that?
Is it a case of "Not us. Not our problem."?
drew - 12/18/08 16:37
Your summary of Warren's theology is incorrect. While many Christians DO have this theology, whether or not it is the "conventional" one is up for debate. The Christianity of the Bible says little about hell, and has a different understanding of "mission." Ditto the early church.
Your summary of Warren's theology is incorrect. While many Christians DO have this theology, whether or not it is the "conventional" one is up for debate. The Christianity of the Bible says little about hell, and has a different understanding of "mission." Ditto the early church.
theli - 12/18/08 16:20
Is the theology really that great?
At the core of conventional christianity is a belief in hell. Because of hell, it is every christian's "mission" to save others. Very specific things are believed to send someone to hell. And a number of them are in direct contradiction with the desired, and thought to be "inalienable", rights of a good number of ethical people.
"Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Mission)"
If certain elements of the "mission" of such a large force is in direct contradiction to how you want to live your life, can you really be expected to respect that "mission" in any way?
Note that "tolerance", as currently practiced, is just an easy way out of having to deal with these issues. Those showing real tolerance would not attempt to force society to define a concept only according to their guidelines. (ie. Marriage) Those showing real tolerance would put more effort into teaching their own the same than in attempting to keep as many as possible on their "side". But, that's the "mission".
Yeah, I caught that NPR bit about Carlton Pearson... Interesting stuff. There's only a couple people in the world-wide clergy that I respect more at this point.
Yes, there are valuable and good lessons to be found from within religion. Still, religion isn't the only source for these lessons.
Is the theology really that great?
At the core of conventional christianity is a belief in hell. Because of hell, it is every christian's "mission" to save others. Very specific things are believed to send someone to hell. And a number of them are in direct contradiction with the desired, and thought to be "inalienable", rights of a good number of ethical people.
"Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Mission)"
If certain elements of the "mission" of such a large force is in direct contradiction to how you want to live your life, can you really be expected to respect that "mission" in any way?
Note that "tolerance", as currently practiced, is just an easy way out of having to deal with these issues. Those showing real tolerance would not attempt to force society to define a concept only according to their guidelines. (ie. Marriage) Those showing real tolerance would put more effort into teaching their own the same than in attempting to keep as many as possible on their "side". But, that's the "mission".
Yeah, I caught that NPR bit about Carlton Pearson... Interesting stuff. There's only a couple people in the world-wide clergy that I respect more at this point.
Yes, there are valuable and good lessons to be found from within religion. Still, religion isn't the only source for these lessons.
drew - 12/18/08 12:33
I guess a more concise way of saying what I said is that his theology is pretty good, but his theopraxis (the living it out) needs improvement (even if he does way better than the average mega-church pastor)
I guess a more concise way of saying what I said is that his theology is pretty good, but his theopraxis (the living it out) needs improvement (even if he does way better than the average mega-church pastor)
ajay - 12/18/08 12:29
Yeah, I like how Warren wants the gay folks to give up their rights so the Christians can cling to their concept of "marriage".
If Warren was serious about 'serving others' and 'giving up his rights', he would have opposed Proposition 8.
I would write a longer response, but I have to go now. More later...
Yeah, I like how Warren wants the gay folks to give up their rights so the Christians can cling to their concept of "marriage".
If Warren was serious about 'serving others' and 'giving up his rights', he would have opposed Proposition 8.
I would write a longer response, but I have to go now. More later...
Gladly.
15. Teaching pizza making skills to a foreigner? *Not so subtle nudge* *Not so subtle nudge* :D
13. The Fact that when you eat it cold the next day it tastes good but not the same as it did the day before
14. If you heat it up the next day it tastes good but not the same as cold or the way it did the day before
Amen, Drew!
I don't think beer can ever be wrong. (and if it is, I don't want to be right!)
12. how well it can go with the wrong beer.
11. How well it can go with the right beer