Rita Mania: Part 3 - Sunny Morning

Well, the worst has passed Austin by. All we got was some hot wind gusts. East Texas and Louisiana, on the other hand, got the brunt of the hurricane and those people are in my prayers. I'm also grateful that Rita was a Category 3 and not a Category 5 when it came ashore.

It did give me a good reason to stock up on canned goods and bottled water, though...

Best Wishes,
Allen

Rita Mania: Part 2

So, in preparations for this weekend and Hurricane Rita, I go to Walmart to get some essentials, like bottled water, canned goods, batteries, over-the-counter medicines, etc. I figured water might be scarce -- and it was -- but I had no idea how cleaned out the place would be!? It was like visiting after a looting or something! Almost all of the basic canned goods were gone, ALL bottled water was gone and batteries, especially "D" batteries? Forget it!

So, I got what I could from Walmart, which was considerable and went to another grocery store (HEB) for the rest. I found a few more items and they were just starting to stock some more bottled water. A gentleman next to me asked the stocker if he could take a case off the palate (a case is a 24-pack) and they stocker said "sure!" So, I did the same. When I got to the checkout line, the checker said "You found water??" (like this was a rare treasure, which it was) and I said "Yep!"

Still no "D" batteries, but oh, well, you can't have everything...

Keep in mind, this is AUSTIN. We're not even expecting the most severe weather. We are not evacuating.

But people don't want to take any chances, and I can't say I blame them. Hurricanes are unpredictable, after all. I think everyone's learned to take things seriously after Katrina.

More as things develop...

Best Wishes,
Allen

"Rita Mania" Begins

I've been made aware of the exact type of weather we could be facing -- even in Austin and Central Texas -- this weekend from Hurricane Rita. We got the leftovers of a hurricane a few years ago but it was just a little rain and wind gusts, nothing significant. This time around, we could get 75 - 100 mph winds, lots of rain and possible tornadoes. The severity will depend on if we are on the west or the east side of the hurricane. If we are on the east side of the hurricane, the effects are more severe.

I'm not worried at this point but my "caution meter" has gone up a few levels, especially now that Rita is a Category 5 hurricane. I've started praying for the people on the coastline, the people in Central Texas and for the Katrina evacuees who are having to be evacuated yet again. I can't imagine how traumatizing this must be for them.

In my job, I have been doing tech support for people all over the Central Texas area. I have helped many people displaced by Katrina from New Orleans, people who relocated here to Austin. Now, those people will have to face another significant hurricane, only weeks after being forced from their homes.

It's going to an interesting weekend, to say the least. More later...

Best Wishes,
Allen

Et Tu, Rita? Batten Down The Hatches



Okay, so now a new, potentially major hurricane heads towards the Gulf of Mexico. This one, Hurricane Rita, appears to be aiming for Texas. It looks to be heading for either Galveston or Houston. It shouldn't pose too much of a threat to Austin, as Austin is several hundred miles inland from the Gulf. We may get a lot of rain, wind and possible tornadoes from the outer bands.

The rumor mill wants to say that it could hit Louisiana. It could also turn back out to sea or go to Mexico. Only time will tell.

More here as we get closer to landfall...

Best Wishes,
Allen

Initial Thoughts On Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath

I am still not fully comprehending the total devastation caused by Hurricance Katrina. I've gotten to the point where I turn the sound down because the news commentary is either such a political blame game it's nauseating or the facts are just too heartbreaking to bear.

I pray for the survivors and the relief personnel and volunteers daily. I am emotionally wrenched as I read of new deaths and the causes of death. I sympathize till I start feeling numb, then I pray for the Lord to help me focus on Him and His goodness, understanding that He is in control of everything.

I know people in Louisiana but they were spared the worst of the Hurricane's damage. They are in the minority, to be sure.

Texas has certainly contributed to the relief efforts. I've been very proud of my state's involvment. Even Austin has been very involved, taking in and helping hurricane refugees. It's going to be a long road ahead for everyone involved.

Through ISAA, I've encouraged people to give cash or blood to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

I have to go for now. I'll blog more on this again soon...

Best Wishes,
Allen

Quick Update!

Hi everyone! Life has been ridiculously busy again. I started a new job this week and have been enjoying it a lot. I also got some pictures from the recent First Light gig that I blogged about. All of the available pics are on the First Light website (link above).

Here's our logo, btw



All of First Light (me on bass guitar on left; drummer not pictured)


Singing our hearts out for the Lord


That's my wife at the mic! (in white)

And yes, I decided to play around with the blog design again. Do you like it?

Best Wishes,
Allen

Blog Design Changes, Part Whatever

Okay, so yesterday, I got tired of the other blog design. It would load but give errors and some other elements of it (such as painfully slow loading times) weren't working too well, so I found another template and have been slowly tweaking it over the past 24 hours. I do hope you like it. I think it's a cleaner template and a bit easier to read and follow. There were certain things about the previous version of the blog that I liked, such as the title graphics, so I am reincorporating them into this template.

Be patient, more changes to come soon!

Best Wishes,
Allen

Blistered Fingers And Happy Hearts

As a bass player and backing singer, I haven't played a 3+ hour show in many years. When I was in my 20's, it was no big deal to play 4 one-hour sets as part of a rock and blues band; that was a standard "pay your dues" gig, especially in Austin (and not for much money, either!). But that was over 10 years ago and I'm a different person now.

Friday night, First Light (the Christian band my wife and I are in) performed at a North Austin church for a wonderful group of people. Some were from Austin, some were from Mexico, some were from Nicaragua, some were from San Salvador and at least one was from Nigeria. Virtually all of them were enthusiastic and receptive to our music, our message and well, us in general.

The evening started with a special puppet show for the kids. The youth of the church we were visiting put on the puppet show, put to fast, humorous contemporary Christian music. They also turned off the main lights and used fluorescent lights to highlight the individual puppet characters, as if the puppets were a band (at the same time, there were other puppets that acted out other scenes that were related to the lyrics of each song). Needless to say, the kids loved it and most of the adults -- myself included -- were impressed.

That said, First Light (FL) didn't start performing until around 9:30 p.m. We did quite a few songs in just the first 75-minute set, which ran a bit long because we had some words of testimony (in English and in Spanish) in-between some of the songs. One poem was read in Spanish. Our style varies quite a bit, from jazzy Christian to Gospel to Tejano-esque and some is just "First Light." Vocals are
extremely important in FL. On any given song, we have 5 to 10 singers. It's important because that determines how the message of the lyrics is delivered, it's what sticks with people. You can have great music but if people don't know what you're saying, it kind of defeats the point of having singers. FL is essentially a Christian band with a mini-choir, strong lyrics with dynamic delivery and an original international flair.

After a midway 10-minute break around 11:00 p.m., we revved up for the second set. About halfway into that set, my bass-playing fingers really started hurting from the blisters that were starting to develop. There are several of our songs that are very bass-intensive and wonderfully complicated but very hard on the fingers. It goes with the territory. It was kind of humorous between songs because I would finish one song and have to "shake off the pain" from my fingers before starting up a new song.

An amazing thing happened near the very end of the concert. We had been playing light music behind the pastor, who was speaking to the audience and closed out with a prayer. Then he asked us to play our medley of "Victory Is Mine/At The Cross" again, so we did. And we all got a fresh burst of energy and played the song better than we had earlier in the evening (and that version wasn't bad). It was as if
we were just starting the show again. So, we finished the show as strongly as we began and "the crowd went wild!" Seriously, the audience was very nice to us and let us know they appreciated our being there and praising the Lord with us.

They had a dinner for us, even though it was after midnight. They food was good, too! We all got plates and munched down; that many hours of playing really builds up an appetite. We packed up and headed home and collapsed for the evening. It was a rare evening when our kids stayed up as late as us, but they're some of our biggest fans and enthusiastic supporters.

The evening was recorded, too. We'll get the 2-CD set in a couple of weeks. If you'd like a sampling of what First Light is like live, feel free to check out our music at the First Light website:
http://www.myspace.com/nccfirstlight

Best Wishes,
Allen

P.S. - First Light also played at our own church on Sunday. And my fingers have recovered.

First Light Update

Tonight, First Light will be performing a two-hour concert in north Austin, Texas. First Light is the Christian band that my wife and I are in. An IR tie-in to that is that there are two IR married couples in the band (including my wife and I, of course). We will also be performing for people of several nationalities tonight, including
refugees from South America, Mexico and even Africa as well as a U.S. crowd. We'll be playing at a small but friendly and very accomodating church whose pastor we met at an April "Jesus Day" event that we played at in April. That pastor was moved by the spiritual nature of the "Jesus Day" performance and invited us to perform at his church, which we're more than happy to do.

It's been a while since First Light did 2 one-hour sets but we do have enough songs, enthusiasm and faith to just go for it. I've been excited all day. I invited just about everyone I could think of from the Austin Metro area and quite a few will be coming.

First Light had three rehearsals this week, in preparation for the performance. Last night's rehearsal doubled as sound check at the church itself. We were there till about 11:30 p.m. (we arrived just before 8:00 p.m.) but the sound was top-notch and we got a good rehearsal in.

The concert is going to be recorded, too, so that's really cool!

I'll give you an update on Monday on how things went...

Best Wishes,
Allen

What Are ISAA Pods?

I've started new podcasting for the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA). My last stint at podcasting was a fully recorded talk radio show called The ISAA Rapport (archives are still online).

This new podcasting will just be me audioblogging regularly on up-to-the-moment size, weight, and health-related topics.

Check it out and bookmark it!

ISAA Pods
http://isaapods.blogspot.com

I'll get back to IR topics as soon as possible.

Best Wishes,
Allen

Cooking With Allen: Grilled Chicken with Sausage and Vegetables

This may sound oversimplified but it is SO good, especially when you don't have a lot of time or ideas for a meal that can feed the whole family!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 onion (more if preferred) chopped semi-fine into thin chunks
- 1 lg. garlic clove, chopped fine
- black pepper (2 to 3 teaspoons)
- Seasoning salt (1 to 2 teaspoons)
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
- 4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 links of sausage, sliced to bite-size
- 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (I chose one with carrots, squash, zuccini, green beans and red and green peppers)

NOTE: I own a small electric "George Foreman" grill ($20), which is great for the kitchen on the fly, but any grill will do.

Directions:

1. Say a little prayer (if you're so inclined -- it helps!)
2. Rinse chicken breasts.
3. Grill chicken breasts 1 - 2 minutes on each side, then remove from heat
4. Lightly season chicken breasts with seasoning salt on both sides
5. Slice chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks on a cutting board
6. In a large skillet, sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until somewhat carmelized
7. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper to sautee mixture and blend together
8. Add chicken breast chunks to sautee mixture and blend together, let chicken cook a minute or two
9. Add sausage to chicken and sautee mixture, blend thoroughly and let cook a few minutes, add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper
10. Add frozen vegetables straight from package, blend them underneath the already cooked meat
11. Let vegetables cook a minute or two then re-blend with meat
12. Cook vegetables until they look slightly softened from the heat then remove skillet from heat.
13. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

Preparation time: Approximately 10 - 20 minutes (slightly more if using outside grill)
Cook time: Approximately 10 minutes

What I like about this recipe is that it gives the chicken that "grilled" taste, which goes well with the sausage, but adds a stir-fry element with the frozen vegetables. It's quick, cheap (I got all the ingredients for less than $15 at the grocery store), easy, healthy and it TASTES GREAT!!!

Suggested side-dishes: mashed potatoes, white rice or wild rice blend

Should I do a cook book? lol!

Best Wishes,
Allen

And On A Lighter Note...

My wife asked me to go uproot some very small (young) trees from our backyard yesterday. No big deal, I just got the shovel and dug down to the roots and cleared the way. On the way to returning the shovel, I saw how neglected our poor little back patio was: dirty and half-covered with at least a year's worth of dead leaves. I don't know why but I felt the strong urge to go get a broom and sweep away all the leaves, dirt and dust. Even though it's fairly narrow, I had forgotten how long and nice our patio was! I probably spent half an hour clearing it and then bagging the old musty leaves.

Even though it was 98 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside and I was sweating like crazy, I was determined to clean that patio off and make it look near-brand new -- and I did! It was extremely satisfying, even though I can't even tell you how much water I gulped down later to replentish my fluids.

I dunno, I guess I saw the advantages of being able to sit outside under a covered patio or get a real grill and have friends over for barbecue or grilled chicken kabobs or such.

It passed the "kid test." My oldest son, Adam, said it looked like we had a new patio. And it passed the "wife test." She thanked me for doing it.

I get the same way about cleaning our bathroom and doing dishes (except, ahem, I don't wait years to tackle those -- lol!).

Do you ever get passionately driven about cleaning things or rooms or areas? Leave me a comment and let me know. Thanks!

Best Wishes,
Allen

London Follow-Up

I found out that my friend in London only lives a couple of blocks from one of the subways that was bombed. She was not injured but like many there, she was emotionally shaken by the experience. She and many of her neighbors are concerned about retribution attacks against Muslims in the area (my friend is Muslim and biracial: French and Algerian). My hope is that the strong condemnation of the attacks by London's Muslim leaders will diffuse some of that tension, especially if those same leaders help round up the Al Qaeda-linked terrorists that carried out these travesties.

My wife and I continue to pray for the London survivors and for the situation in general.

Best Wishes,
Allen

My Sympathies To London

I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies to the people of London, England today, following the brutal terrorist attacks in their subways and on at least one double-decker bus. I know people in the UK, some even in London. To my knowledge, noone I know personally was injured or killed in the attacks but that does not lessen my empathy for those who were. It could just as easily have been my friends...as easily as it could have been the United States or anywhere else in the world.

Targeting innocent civilians at morning rush hour, to inflict the most casualties, is as calculating and evil as the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is just as true in London as it was in New York as it is in Baghdad or Afganistan. There is no justifying it, regardless of how one views the political or even military decisions and viewpoints of the governments of the countries attacked.

This is the world we live in. This is the evil we must face every day.

Understanding that there are people to whom life means nothing while death and suffering is a means to an end and a great victory.

Some people say there's no Devil, but sometimes he makes himself plain and undeniable in the hearts of evil men.

But God is greater. God offers lasting hope and lasting salvation and true comfort while the Devil offers pain and suffering and temporary lust and temporary power.

My prayers and sympathies go out to the people of London. I may be one man but I stand with you today, and many others do also.

I John 4: 17 - 21 (King James Version)

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: bcause as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Best Wishes,
Allen

Happy Independence Day!

I woke up this morning thinking about an old friend of mine. He and I met in the 4th grade here in Austin in 1979. He was the first person I ever befriended who was from another country. In fact, he and his family were refugees from Laos who lived up the street from me and my family. I became protective of my friend because other kids picked on him for his "rough" English and being Asian.

Even after he and his family moved to Wisconsin, my friend and I stayed in touch via letters. When he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, we still stayed in touch via letters. He even visited me and my family a few times.

Around this time (jump ahead to the early 1990s), I moved to San Marcos, Texas, to attend Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). I was already engaged to Angel and we were starting to plan our wedding.

In one of my letters to my friend, I told him the good news of who I was in love with and planning to marry. Now, considering that my friend was planning to become a Methodist minister in Wisconsin, I figured he would be happy for me. He always had an interest in the ministry because it was Christian missionaries who rescued him and his family and made it possible for them to come to America.

Anyway, I assumed he might be upset because Angel and I were "living in sin" but happy because we wouldn't be doing that anymore if we were married. I got that one completely wrong! He was upset that I was engaged to someone of a different race. In retrospect, I believe he was sensitive to the subject because he'd told me that one of his sisters had had a child with someone of another race; in his view, this action had disgraced his sister and, in a way, their whole family.

I never heard from my friend again. Honestly, that hurt me to the core. It's been 10 years and it still lingers, when I think about it.

My friend who was going into the ministry might have reconsidered his position if he'd known that God would use this woman of another race to reach me for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My wife got saved first. Her example of living for Christ and expressing His love was what broke through my barriers of pride and ignorance of the Bible. The Bible speaks of love for all nations and loving everyone, not just people like yourself. Despite what some say, the Bible never discouraged interracial marriage, only marrying those who worshipped other gods. Even in the Old Testament, many who were of other nations were permitted to enter the Jewish faith and become part of the Jewish nation. And in the New Testament, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ made it possible for the free gift of salvation to become available to all nations.

I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't gotten true salvation and been taught the Bible in truth and in love.

The only thing which mattered to me back then was that I loved this woman who happened to be of a different "race" and I wanted to marry her and start a family with her. For that, I risked (and sometimes lost) a lot. I lost friends, I nearly lost family relationships, I lost finishing college (at that time) but I gained the love of a lifetime. I gained someone who was willing to face the same risks. And once Christ came into our lives, we found the strength to continue on despite the adversities.

If only my friend had known this, I doubt he would have discarded our friendship so easily. And if he was truly Christian, then he had the charge from Christ Himself to love everyone.

I John 2: 7 - 11 (King James Version)

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

So what does all this have to do with July 4th, with Independence Day? My friend came to America to escape tyranny and death in Laos. He became a naturalized citizen, even serving his (new) country in the U.S. Military. He lived the American dream. He even went on to further give of himself by trying to give back to this great God for sending missionaries to rescue him and his family. But when this same God allowed challenges to come into his life, to see if my friend would still love and accept his sister and his friend, my friend's actions said "That's too much! I can't do that."

I wish my friend well. I don't even know if he's still alive. But if he is and if by some odd twist of circumstances, he gets to read this and recognizes himself in it, I want him to know, I forgive him, I still love him and I welcome his friendship.

Independence Day is about having the faith to stand for what's right, even when all odds are against you...hoping and praying that a just and loving God can make a way. And in the case of early America and my own marriage, He did and still does.

Have a Happy July 4th!

Best Wishes,
Allen

Some New IR Headlines

Biracial Teacher Returns Home With Hope
(Korea Times)

One in 4 Rural Bachelors Marry Foreigners
(Korea Times)

Comedian's Daughter Rain Has A Pryor Commitment
(SignOnSandiego.com)

Some New IR Links

Blogs

Rebecca Walker

A Mixed Blog

Mulatto Advocate

Multi and Biracial People of all Race

Discussion Boards

Black Women With Biracial Children

BMBK - The Resource Board For Moms of Black/White Biracial Kids

New IR Haven Logos & Old Star Trek Books

Ever since I found a site called Typogenerator, I've been toying around with new IR Haven logos. I think it's nice to have several available, to liven things up from time to time.

Let me know what you think of the latest one!

On an unrelated note, I found both The Ashes of Eden and The Return by William Shatner and Judith and Garland Reeves-Stevens. I read The Ashes of Eden in two evenings! Ironically, it was not my favorite book of the two, though it was an appropriate final send off for the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701A and the original crew in their last adventure together. It was also a great prelude for Avenger and ended on a great cliffhanger!

To me, The Return was what should have made it the movies instead of First Contact. Now, don't get me wrong: I really liked First Contact but the introduction of a Borg "Queen" sort of destroyed the effectiveness of the Borg Collective. If a Starfleet captain or crewmember could outwit the Borg Queen, they could (and later did) do tremendous harm to the Borg. The Return took a much better approach, exposing the Borg's strengths and weaknesses in behaving like the components of one huge machine.

The Return read like a good movie. Just enough character development and action to offset the drama, mixed with a "just right" pace. Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens' delved into and ably represented the Next Generation crew's personalities while still keeping the main focus on Kirk, Picard and Spock. Oh, and I can't leave out the Romulans! They made creepy allies with the Borg. Creepy -- but it worked and made sense. A very satisfying ending that fills in the gaps with Shatner and Picard when Generations left off while still building up to Avenger.

Okay, enough raving about Star Trek books...lol!

Best Wishes,
Allen

Some Blasian Links

For those who've never heard the term before, Blasian = Black + Asian

Blasian Forums

Blasian Nation

Blasian World

I'll look for more. It's hard to find well-maintained Blasian sites but they are out there...

Best Wishes,
Allen

How The Other 'Hafu' Lives

This article from Japantoday.com came out in May 2005. It is a very interesting editorial by Ai Uchida, a singer-songwriter for the Tokyo-based music group AVANT GARDE. This article is her take on being half-Japanese and half-American. It is upbeat, positive and definitely worth a read!

Best Wishes,
Allen