Prayer Booths

They're big news in NY and some people are using them to pray.

NEW YORK (AP) — You could mistake it for a typical New York City phone booth. But instead of an image of a phone, the side panels depict folded hands — and the word "prayer" instead of "telephone." Oh, and there's a flip-down kneeler.
The Public Prayer Booth was conceived by Dylan Mortimer, a recent graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts who lives in Kansas City.
The 29-year-old said he wanted to spark dialogue about prayer.
The public installation is sponsored by the city's Arts in the Park program.
A pair of the booths can be found near the entrance to the Roosevelt Island tram in midtown Manhattan until Dec. 7.
Jackson, Tenn., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also have Mortimer Prayer Booths.

Funny Papers Friday Five

Presbyterian Gal posted this funny FF: "After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!"

1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?

I liked a lot of them and they changed as my age changed. I remember Lulu, Nancy and Slugo, Dondie (refuge child from WWII adopted by a rich man, yet constantly getting into dangerous situations.) I also bought comic books, the superman series in particular.

2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone? Dilbert! I tell Beloved she's the woman with the triangle hair.

3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?

Probably Peppermint Patty or Marcie who I know are more than just 'best friends." Charlie Brown is Marcie's 'beard.'

4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?

Have your read Dilbert?

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?

These are not my favorites-actually I never see them these days as the Times doesn't have a comic section-so I'm not sure. (I read the funnies in other people's Daily News or New York Post, but OF COURSE I would never buy those papers! Cough, Cough! Ahem.

Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?

The Far Side by Gary Larsen. I really miss it!

Wasilla Hilbillies-Stop me before I hurt myself

From Newsweek:

NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin's shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain's top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family—clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards. The McCain campaign found out last week when the aides sought reimbursement. One aide estimated that she spent "tens of thousands" more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband. Some articles of clothing have apparently been lost. An angry aide characterized the shopping spree as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast," and said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books.

ed note. Yea, I loose a lot of clothes, too!

Too Late for Prop 8

And You can Visualize the Catholic Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Council of Bishops as you watch this! So Sad.

No On 8: Home Invasion
by thereisnosp00n

On the other hand, I'm glad we went to Canada-The Home of the Free, apparently!

Sometimes

When I need a little amusement, and the time changes and I got up at 4 instead of 5 (even though I don't have to work today) and I have neuropathy-stabbing pains that won't let me sleep anyway-then I go to ZeFrank.
I find lots of amazing things to amuse me and have fun with. It's full of toys for adults, but not adult toys. Go there.
ZeFrank

Don't Cry for me Sarah Palin

'Borrowed' from Choral Reef (thank you)

Fried Brain Friday Five

Illustration, my brain, my ears, hair missing.

SMAMA posted this quick and dirty Friday Five:

And so I offer this Friday Five with 5 quick hit questions... and a bonus:

1) Your work day is done and the brain is fried, what do you do?

I SHOULD go swimming, but I DO take a nap.

2) Your work week is done and the brain is fried (for some Friday, others Sunday afternoon), what do you do?

See 1. or watch TV. Often at the same time.

3) Like most of us, I often keep myself busy even while programs are on the tv. I stop to watch The Office and 30 Rock on Thursday nights. Do you have 'stop everything' tv programming or books or events or projects that are totally 'for you' moments? 

These days it's the 'Lesbian arc' on Greys Anatomy. So exciting! What's gonna happen?

4) When was the last time you laughed, really laughed? 

At the office. What was so funny? Some ridiculous drama with a consumer that played itself out and the consumer left or was 'taken away.'

5) What is a fairly common item that some people are willing to go cheap on, but you are not.

Scott Toilet Paper  and Kleenex ( for all my delicate parts)

Bonus: It's become trite but is also true that we often benefit the most when we give. Go ahead, toot your own horn. When was the last time you gave until it felt good?

Every day at work.

Rachel Maddow on the Campaign

I /heart/ Rachel!

Friday Five Moving

Singing Owl posted this FF, " Tell us about the five favorite places you have lived in your lifetime. What did you like? What kind of place was it? Anything special happen there?"

These are not my favorite places, just my five first places...

1. First residence Stambaugh St. Girard, Oh. I've talked about this before. My parents first house. It was a little Cape Cod attached to the property that was where my mother was born and where the family house rested. My Aunt, Uncle and cousin lived there. In between a huge backyard and orchard with Italian prune plum trees, sweet and sour cherry trees, peaches and pear trees, apple trees, a mulberry tree, a quince bush, and more all planted by my grandfather, John/Giovanni. The store, Yezzo's market was just up the street.

2. Second Residence, Ward Ave, Oh., Kind of like moving to the suburbs, though the suburbs of what? It was very differenc. Can't say I liked it, but I had my own room.

3. Then I moved to New York and lived in the end of a hallway in the English Basement of a townhouse in the West Village. It was curtained off and cost $15.00 per week. Had to be my favorite because it was my first place on my own in NYC!

4. Moved to a tenement in the East Village. We had two fires while I lived there. One was so bad I had to move out while the rebuild the walls and replaced the windows. Probably my least favorite.

5. Then I moved two blocks away, across the street from St. Marks in the Bowery:

The apartment was prewar-lots of nice windows and other architectural details. Lost it in the 'divorce.' I was there to watch the 1978 fire at St. Marks.

History and architecture of St. Marks
In 1651, Peter Stuyvesant, Governor of New Amsterdam, purchased land for a bowery or farm from the Dutch West India Company and by 1660 built a family chapel at the present day site of St. Marks Church. Stuyvesant died in 1678 and was interred in a vault under the chapel.

Stuyvesant's great-grandson, Petrus, would donate the chapel property to Episcopal Church in 1793, stipulating that a new chapel be erected and in 1795 the cornerstone of the present day St. Mark's Church was laid. The church was completed and consecrated in 1799. Alexander Hamilton would then provide legal aid in incorporating St. Mark's Church as the first Episcopal Parish independent of Trinity Church in the new world.

In 1828, the church steeple, designed by Martin E. Thomson and Ithiel Towne is erected. Soon after the two-story fieldstone Sunday School is completed. In 1838, St. Mark's Church establishes the Parish Infant School for poor children. Later, in 1861, St Mark's Church commissioned a brick addition, designed and supervised by architect James Renwick, Jr. and the St. Mark's Hospital Association is organized by members of St. Mark's. And at the start of the 20th century, leading architect Ernest Flagg designed the rectory.

While the 19th century saw St Mark's Church grow through its many construction projects the 20th century would be marked by community service and cultural expansion. Several Dutch dignitaries made stops by the church on their visit to the states. In 1952, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands would visit the church and lay a wreath given by her mother, Queen Wilhelmina, at the bust of Peter Stuyvesant. And later, in 1981 and 1982, Princess Margriet and Queen Beatrix, both of the Netherlands would visit.

In 1966, The Poetry Project and The Film Project (later to become the Millennium Film Workshop), were founded. And in 1975, The Danspace Project is founded by Larry Fagin; the Community Documentation Workshop under the direction of Arthur Tobler is established; and the Preservation Youth Project expands to a full-time Work Training Program and under the supervision of artisan teachers undertakes mission of the preserving St Mark's landmark exterior.

On July 27, 1978, a fire nearly destroyed St. Mark's Church. The Citizens to Save St Mark's was founded to raise funds for its reconstruction and the Preservation Youth Project undertakes the reconstruction supervised by architects Harold Edleman and craftspeople provided by preservation contractor I. Maas & Sons. The Landmark Fund emerged from the Citizens to Save St Mark's and continues to exist to help maintain and preserve St. Mark's Church for future generations. Restoration finished in 1986."

In case you were wondering

Public Radio reported this morning that the Republican National Party has spent $150,000 at Saks Fifth Ave. on Sarah Palin's wardrobe. I guess camo's just won't cut it on the campaign trail...

PS For those who watch "What Not to Wear" Stacey and Clinton give their contestents $5,000. to shop. Let's see. 150,000. divided by 5,000 is 30. Ever wonder how you would spend $5,000. pm clothes in two days? Now multiply that by 30! Hmmm. They Should have called Clinton and Stacey! If she doesn't get the job she should have to give the clothes to Dressed for Success (a non-profit to help people with disabilities or low incomes to get clothing for job interviews.)