My moustache is older than most of the people who read this blog, I think—I started growing it in 1970 and, except for a 2-year hiatus while I was in the seminary, it has been on my upper lip since then. I have at various times had a beard, but not now for many years (maybe 15—my ex wanted me to grow a goatee so I did, and as soon as I threw him out I shaved it off).

There seems to be an organisation called the American Mustache Institute (they even have a web site) that feels that having a beard is somehow suboptimal. Looking at the website I think it exists only to sell merchandise and is somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But the man in the video below doesn't think so.

You might want to listen to this one with headphones if you're in an office, as it gets a bit fraught in the end. But, I have every sympathy for the poor guy and would cheerfully remind him that facial hair is one resource that is truly renewable! Just eat lots of protein and eschew the razor.

Thanks to Towleroad for a laugh when I sorely needed it.

First iPhone worm discovered

Apple iPhone owners in Australia have reported that their smartphones have been infected by a worm that has changed their wallpaper to an image of 1980s pop crooner Rick Astley. Once in place, the worm appears to attempt to find other iPhones on the mobile phone network that are similarly vulnerable, and installs itself again

On each installation, the worm - written by a hacker calling themselves "ikex" - changes the lock background wallpaper to an image of Rick Astley with the message: "ikee is never going to give you up".

When you're preaching, or giving any sort of speech, it's sometimes a bit unclear to you whether you're actually getting through or not. You can tell a less-then-optimal sermon by the rustling, the murmuring, sometimes even nodding heads. But the way you can tell if your message is being well-communicated is this: when you look around the church, there is no rustling, no murmuring, just people being silent and listening intently. That is the Bingo Moment. During the last few paragraphs of this sermon, I had a Bingo Moment, and afterwards I was complimented by some of the congregation. There is no more precious time for a preacher than to experience a Bingo Moment.

I was very lucky in another way today: the person reading the Jewish Scriptures picked up the wrong reading and read it through. Had I depended upon this reading for my sermon, I would have been a bit put out. I have seen other preachers in the same situation: they simply read the correct reading from the pulpit and ploughed on into the sermon. I'm glad I didn't have to do that this morning.

( Here is the sermon, behind the cut in case you aren't interested. )

On the local news this morniing, there is a report of a mother who died saving her 17 yr old son from the flames of a fire started by some idiotic teenagers putting fire works through there letter box.

This is a prime example of why i think you should have a permit to get fire works! and that they should only be avalable for ppl doing public displays!!

Who in there right mind would sitck a fire work through somones letter box!! It is insane!!!!! they cant say "oh i thought it would do no harm"
WTF DO U THINK IT WOULD DO!!!
just go out like nothing happend...it is an explosive!! meaning it explodes, and if exploded in a controled area will more then likely start a fire..

GOD! it makes me so damn angery! how can anyone be so careless. to take someones elese live in there own hands.
it is disbicable! i hope who ever did it gets cought and gets a life time sentance!

One of these days, im gona make a protest, and see how many ppl i can get to sign it.
this has to stop!

Guy Forks night/ Bon fire night/ Fire work Night

Has to be the WORST holiday of them all!
I think fireworks should only be sold to people with permits for doing big dispalys for the public!

I thinkk its great that familys do it for there children, as long as it is controled.

To many teenagers get there hands on fireworks. Living in a street where most of the teenagers IQ is less then 50 *I may be a little harsh there but i mean, they rid around on mini mottos and mottor bikes that are illegal and unisuerd, they sit in the park where little kids..LITTLE kids like aged 3-10 play and do drugs, then leave it all hanging around on the floor, the park is also next to a nursery but any way moving on*
They do stupid things with them! Last year we had fireworks at the windows and cars, year befor that they where setting them off in the park.
Im waiting for the yr we get one through the letter box.

On top of this it is highly unfair on animals. Rabbits can die of shock, so one loud bang and thats it my rabbit could die.
My cats are so scared there hideing under my brothers bed.
We have gone out and bought some herbal calming drops for both the cats and rabbit but they dont help as much as one would think.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to feel the fear of the ones you love.
I am finding it very hard to concentrate on anything.

Also take a minuet to think about the poor hedgehogs! they curl up in a nice warm pile of wood for the night, then it gets bruned!! and they get burned with it!!

I think its great we celebrate guy forks, but could we not do it a lil bit more silently..

…and many happy returns of the day.

Mr Quangle Wangle, grant us that

Is this the beginning of a prayer? If so, exactly whose god is "Mr Quangle Wangle"?

Enquiring minds want to know!