Higher Education and Scouts

I don't really know where this is going, just some quick hits. I wanted mainly to get this blog from Scouting Magazine out there: Tackle the high cost of SAT, ACT test-prep software « Bryan on Scouting This is real, I have received the software, no charge. Now, have the boys used it....?

There are a lot of benefits to being a Scout. Eagle Scouts have access to scholarships that are just for them. National Eagle Scout Association
National Jewish Committee on Scouting
Scouting.org List

Research has proven that having Boy Scout listed on your resume carries weight. At Eagle Courts of Honor, there is often a presentation that has some fascinating statistics: for example, Roughly one boy in every 172 earns Eagle (0.6%). Yet over 15% of all US astronauts are Eagle Scouts. So are 10% of the cadets at both West Point and the Air Force Academy.

Gitarzan and His Jungle Band

I know, I couldn't believe it either, but a girl at work has NEVER heard this song.

So, just in case you haven't either, or haven't in a long time, I present the classic

Gitarzan

The video quality is poor, but that's because it's pre-MTV. Everytime I hear Jane sing I laugh like a loon. 

Got a girl named Jane

With no last name

Kinda homely thing

but he loves her just the same

Cause she kindles the flame

and it drives him insane 

when he hears her sing 

She really does her thing

It's her claim to fame

Come on, sing one Jane

The Road

Unless you just want to dig the Beatles again, the first 20 seconds or so will suffice

I don't really consider myself a religious person. I have faith in God and He answers my prayers often, but I see people who are, and I know the difference. I don't mean the constantly-talking about it, always-pushing it, loudly-proclaiming it type. I mean the ones who quietly just live it. They don't judge people (at least to others), they try very hard not to be negative about others, they seem to be very supportive of people, even strangers (yes, I have a couple of people in mind that I'm using as models for this bit). I want to be like that. It doesn't come naturally to me. That's why I'm thankful that I've found the church we go to now. Arlington United Methodist Church

I'll tell one story that illustrates the people at this church. Several years ago, we suddenly decided to start going back to church  (the reason is my secret, I promised God I wouldn't tell). So that Sunday we just showed up there at Arlington again after an absence of several years (I really don't know how many, 5 or 6 I think). The Associate Pastor welcomed us back from the pulpit before the service (I didn't even know she knew us), and Monica was back up there in the choir. But the point of this story: at one point during the service, an elderly lady I didn't know (or at least didn't remember) turned around and said "It's so nice to have your family back again." And that attitude is still the biggest asset this small congregation has. THERE ARE NO STRANGERS.

We've recently been working hard to start a new worship service at Arlington. We want it to appeal to people who have, for some reason, been turned off by church. Maybe they don't have time to get all dressed up. Maybe Sunday morning doesn't work for them. Maybe they don't like the "Please Stand" "Please be seated" "Please Stand" regimen of traditional services. Whatever. You've seen me post about it on Facebook. I went to the first organizational meeting for this thing back last year because I had done something similar 40 years ago (!) and thought that maybe I could help. What it's done is get me to thinking about where I stand and what I believe and such. To me, a worship service is a personal experience. It exists to provide you with a framework to lead you to a relationship with God. A road to follow, if you will.

So I would recommend The Road if you're curious. Sunday nights, simple supper at 5PM (simple but GOOD and filling), casual worship service begins about 5:45 and runs about an hour. Come as you are, childcare provided, no pressure.

Too Much Time

Had an interesting weekend, with what could have been a potentially serious issue on Saturday. Let me elaborate...

So I was scheduled to be Master of Ceremonies for an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Saturday. Now, to put this in perspective, this is probably one of the biggest events in most boy's lives to this point. Grandparents fly in, friends take off from work, and the family digs through years of scout memorabilia to make a display. There are usually snacks and such (sorry, don't know how to spell hors d'oeuvre) at a small reception. So this is pretty major. And whenever I'm asked to MC one (I've done two in the last few weeks and I'm scheduled for two more next month), I always try to answer as "I'd be honored" (and I am, really.)

Anyway, I had to work Saturday (I know, what a shock, huh?) and I was scheduled off at 1:30. So that's ok, even if a bit tight. I figure 20 minutes to get home, a few minutes to clean up and change, a minute or two of prep work, and I can be there at 2:30, no sweat. I told a couple of semi-supervisors at work that no matter what was going on, I HAD to leave at 1:30. Period. I didn't have a car, DJ had to work, so Monica was coming to pick me up. "Don't be late, I have to be there on time."

So I'm working hard. The schedule was a little messed up so I was by myself most of the shift (again, I know you're shocked). So I look at my watch, and the hands show 12:50. "Cool", thinks I. "I've got time to do this and that and so forth." I work hard, get a few more things done, look at my watch, it says 1:10. "Wow," says I. "That didn't take as long as I expected. Good, now I can do this real quick and then book on out of here." So I rock on a bit more, and I'm feeling pretty good. I'm really going to be able to leave things in better shape than I thought. I check my watch, it shows 1:22, and I'm heading to the time clock. I get to the break room, pull out my time badge, and the clock's digital read-out shows

1:55

"Is it really almost two o'clock?" I yell. "Yep," someone answers. "Holy S*%@!" I go running out the door,looking at my phone. There are 3 text messages from Monica. "I'm here" "Hello? I'm waiting" "Where are you?" So I call, tell her I'm coming, and go running out the door.

We made it on time, basically. At least, close enough to 2:30 that no one noticed.

See? Here I am.

The only thing I can figure is that, at some point there around 1PM, I must have hit the watch stem on the side of a box and pushed it in just enough to slow the watch down, not stop it. That's why time kept running and fooled me. And I can't STAND being late. But that's a subject for another post.

Notice how I didn't say ONE WORD about the obligatory "I can't believe it's been so long since my last post". Aren't you proud of me?