Thursday, July 16, 2009
Moving Day
My blog has moved. This will be the last post on this site. The new blog address is http://ralanboyle.wordpress.com/
Monday, July 13, 2009
Awaken!
I find myself, today, unable to awaken.
Saturday was both a hard and great day. Our good friends moved from one apartment to another. I really like the area that they moved to and I am happy for them. They had about 8 people able to help them move which was marvelous. The weather was great and the day went well. I did not feel like everyone pulled their weight but so is the problem with volunteer labor. I have a tendency to get anxious and therefor frustrated easily with moving days. I have a phobia of being in the way in any situation and, since a moving truck is usually blocking an alley or road, that escalates into a manic desire to work quickly. It is an unhealthy issue I have. They got moved in with no major problems. I found myself on the stairs portion of our assembly line from the truck to the apartment and strained my back. I am feeling better now, but was not worth much Saturday afternoon or evening.
Sara, bless her, was working even though she has been fighting off a sinus infection. She is now drugged up and napping.
Sunday, we helped put up shelves in the new apartment which I was happy to do. It gave us some quality time with our friend and gave me something to do with my afternoon. Plus we got some free Thai food out of the deal, which is always a good thing.
I find myself, today, unable to awaken.
I'm not sure if it is the tired body, the quiet house or lack of focus on which task to handle. I find myself spinning and unable to really get traction on my to do list and I'm not sure how to handle it. I've got some reading I should do but I fear that will put me to sleep. I've got some cleaning I need to do but I don't have the energy or motivation. I've got some research I need to do but I just p[lain don't want to.
I think its time for lunch.
Saturday was both a hard and great day. Our good friends moved from one apartment to another. I really like the area that they moved to and I am happy for them. They had about 8 people able to help them move which was marvelous. The weather was great and the day went well. I did not feel like everyone pulled their weight but so is the problem with volunteer labor. I have a tendency to get anxious and therefor frustrated easily with moving days. I have a phobia of being in the way in any situation and, since a moving truck is usually blocking an alley or road, that escalates into a manic desire to work quickly. It is an unhealthy issue I have. They got moved in with no major problems. I found myself on the stairs portion of our assembly line from the truck to the apartment and strained my back. I am feeling better now, but was not worth much Saturday afternoon or evening.
Sara, bless her, was working even though she has been fighting off a sinus infection. She is now drugged up and napping.
Sunday, we helped put up shelves in the new apartment which I was happy to do. It gave us some quality time with our friend and gave me something to do with my afternoon. Plus we got some free Thai food out of the deal, which is always a good thing.
I find myself, today, unable to awaken.
I'm not sure if it is the tired body, the quiet house or lack of focus on which task to handle. I find myself spinning and unable to really get traction on my to do list and I'm not sure how to handle it. I've got some reading I should do but I fear that will put me to sleep. I've got some cleaning I need to do but I don't have the energy or motivation. I've got some research I need to do but I just p[lain don't want to.
I think its time for lunch.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Irrational Rationallity
The other night one friend of mine asked another, "Do you not want for something more?"
The speaking friend had been explaining about how she had rejected Catholicism as a young adult and was now searching for spiritual fulfillment. She had spent some time considering herself as an atheist and found it terribly unfulfilling. She was unwilling to return to the religion she had left behind, and seemed to be spinning frantically in circles reaching out to the passing, flickering glimpses of something she couldn't quite make out.
The friend she was speaking to is an atheist who rejected the Hinduism of his family after moving to the USA and dredging through academia. He had been told that a rational person can not believe in something which cannot be empirically evidenced. His courses convinced him that, while the scientific method has not yet discovered all that there is to know, it has certainly disproved the idea of a spiritual world.
His response was simply that he did long for there to be more, but since there was nothing more, it was a silly desire.
Oh, how far we've come as a society! We know so much! We are so advanced that we have abandoned reality in order to map our surroundings.
One man said, "It is only that which we do not yet understand that we call God."
I say, "It is God that we do not yet understand. It is that which we do not understand that we call not God."
God is in everything and yet he is superior. He is not "he" and he is both "he" and "she". He is the scientific method and he is art. He is the answer and he is the question. He is our reality yet we do not realize him. He is found all around us yet he will not be discovered.
The speaking friend had been explaining about how she had rejected Catholicism as a young adult and was now searching for spiritual fulfillment. She had spent some time considering herself as an atheist and found it terribly unfulfilling. She was unwilling to return to the religion she had left behind, and seemed to be spinning frantically in circles reaching out to the passing, flickering glimpses of something she couldn't quite make out.
The friend she was speaking to is an atheist who rejected the Hinduism of his family after moving to the USA and dredging through academia. He had been told that a rational person can not believe in something which cannot be empirically evidenced. His courses convinced him that, while the scientific method has not yet discovered all that there is to know, it has certainly disproved the idea of a spiritual world.
His response was simply that he did long for there to be more, but since there was nothing more, it was a silly desire.
Oh, how far we've come as a society! We know so much! We are so advanced that we have abandoned reality in order to map our surroundings.
One man said, "It is only that which we do not yet understand that we call God."
I say, "It is God that we do not yet understand. It is that which we do not understand that we call not God."
God is in everything and yet he is superior. He is not "he" and he is both "he" and "she". He is the scientific method and he is art. He is the answer and he is the question. He is our reality yet we do not realize him. He is found all around us yet he will not be discovered.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Boyle's Theory of Relativity
The basic difference in Galileo's theories of space/time and Einstein's is that Einstein noticed that time itself is relative to the perceiver. Everybody knows E+mc^2- do you know what that means? Basically it means that the mass of something is equal to its energy and that, coupled with velocity, one can calculate its time offset relative to the viewer.
More recently in 2008, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois discovered that a single atomic particle can exist simultaneously in multiple locations.
These two discoveries by very reputable scientific sources are only two in a long list of discoveries that directly oppose the basic principals of the modern scientific worldview.
The idea that a single reality, ultimately accessible to man's mind, can be discovered and agreed upon by all is a product of post-enlightenment arrogance. Sure, Galileo was pre-enlightenment era but these thought processes have to be based in the past. He was ahead of his time.
I do not think that science is the end all authority on reality, but it is one why is learning about the world around us. Science has now discovered that time is relative, and that space is relative. I think the only why this will be truthfully understood is with the understanding that our existence in the world around us is relative as well.
Wht do you think?
More recently in 2008, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois discovered that a single atomic particle can exist simultaneously in multiple locations.
These two discoveries by very reputable scientific sources are only two in a long list of discoveries that directly oppose the basic principals of the modern scientific worldview.
The idea that a single reality, ultimately accessible to man's mind, can be discovered and agreed upon by all is a product of post-enlightenment arrogance. Sure, Galileo was pre-enlightenment era but these thought processes have to be based in the past. He was ahead of his time.
I do not think that science is the end all authority on reality, but it is one why is learning about the world around us. Science has now discovered that time is relative, and that space is relative. I think the only why this will be truthfully understood is with the understanding that our existence in the world around us is relative as well.
Wht do you think?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Stigma and Stigmata
For those of you skimming for a thesis statement you'll not find it until the final sentence. (thesis statements are stupid)
There are things in our culture that we have chosen to stigmatize as evil or generally negative. Many of us have lived our lives surrounded by the culture of quazi-Christian American conservativism. (that has nothing to do with politics)
This culture has many agendas but there are a few that bother me more than others. Certainly I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, I simply think it is best for that opinion to be well founded.
Generally these fall into the category of ethical scapegoats. The Hebrew people ceremonially placed their sins on a goat and sent it out to die. Likewise, we force our sins and shortcomings on things and send them out hoping they will die.
Blame the music industry - Most of the time Rap and Heavy Metal get blamed for youth violence. I am unable to stand up for rap because I am unfamiliar with it. I would like to point out that many of the bands that get blamed for encouraging violent acts do just the opposite.
Example:
Disturbed has been called "a major influence" on at least two the the televised School Shootings since 2000. Disturbed consistently writes anti hate and anti violence lyrics; "You are my mortal enemy, You try to say that you love life then find another way to kill life." Social justice- "These are the hands we were given so so get up and make this a place worth living in." Forgiveness - "all that I want is forgiveness one more time."
For the sake of time I'll stop there, although I'd be happy to email a long list to anyone interested.
Blame the video games- the Grand Theft Auto series has been controversial since its inception in 1997. Each edition increases that controversy as each edition more clearly depicts acts of violence and sexuality. In 2007 and 2008 several car jackings were called "GTA style" suggesting the game had influenced the criminals. While one cannot prove influence it would be worth pointing out that all but one of these car jackings were committed by teenagers under that age of 18 which is the minimum age to purchase the game. Yes, they card for the game just like cigarettes and alcohol because it is not intended for children. If one is going to point the figure at GTA then they must also point the figure at the parents who let the kids play it and whoever illegally bought it for them.
Blame the Movies and Blame TV also top the list but we don't have time to fight them all.
The point is. Why do we so badly need to blame someone else? Our culture is all about us versus them. We pit our children against each other in everyday possible. We picket and riot all the time. Political parties argue viciously everyday. Religions declare war on one another. Denominations demonize each other and races and genders continue the ignorant hostility.
Why are we so afraid to look at ourselves and say that we are the problem? Because really, WE ARE THE PROBLEM!
There are things in our culture that we have chosen to stigmatize as evil or generally negative. Many of us have lived our lives surrounded by the culture of quazi-Christian American conservativism. (that has nothing to do with politics)
This culture has many agendas but there are a few that bother me more than others. Certainly I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, I simply think it is best for that opinion to be well founded.
Generally these fall into the category of ethical scapegoats. The Hebrew people ceremonially placed their sins on a goat and sent it out to die. Likewise, we force our sins and shortcomings on things and send them out hoping they will die.
Blame the music industry - Most of the time Rap and Heavy Metal get blamed for youth violence. I am unable to stand up for rap because I am unfamiliar with it. I would like to point out that many of the bands that get blamed for encouraging violent acts do just the opposite.
Example:
Disturbed has been called "a major influence" on at least two the the televised School Shootings since 2000. Disturbed consistently writes anti hate and anti violence lyrics; "You are my mortal enemy, You try to say that you love life then find another way to kill life." Social justice- "These are the hands we were given so so get up and make this a place worth living in." Forgiveness - "all that I want is forgiveness one more time."
For the sake of time I'll stop there, although I'd be happy to email a long list to anyone interested.
Blame the video games- the Grand Theft Auto series has been controversial since its inception in 1997. Each edition increases that controversy as each edition more clearly depicts acts of violence and sexuality. In 2007 and 2008 several car jackings were called "GTA style" suggesting the game had influenced the criminals. While one cannot prove influence it would be worth pointing out that all but one of these car jackings were committed by teenagers under that age of 18 which is the minimum age to purchase the game. Yes, they card for the game just like cigarettes and alcohol because it is not intended for children. If one is going to point the figure at GTA then they must also point the figure at the parents who let the kids play it and whoever illegally bought it for them.
Blame the Movies and Blame TV also top the list but we don't have time to fight them all.
The point is. Why do we so badly need to blame someone else? Our culture is all about us versus them. We pit our children against each other in everyday possible. We picket and riot all the time. Political parties argue viciously everyday. Religions declare war on one another. Denominations demonize each other and races and genders continue the ignorant hostility.
Why are we so afraid to look at ourselves and say that we are the problem? Because really, WE ARE THE PROBLEM!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dribble and Such
The Squash plant survived. It is on the back porch. It is hot in our apartment, in the 80s, so we got a window unit. It is still hot, but slightly less so. Today I got to know Kerry Holton. He will be a good friend. We are on the same page about a lot of things, and, better yet, we are not on the same page about everything. If everyone agreed about everything no one would learn anything. No one would think and no one would grow. How boring life would be. We seem to agree about the important stuff anyway.
I'm still hot. I'm going into the living room to sit in front of the window unit.
I'm still hot. I'm going into the living room to sit in front of the window unit.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Lement of the Squash
They laughed at me. Said it couldn't be done. As we speak I have two respectable sized squash growing on my plant which spent its entire life indoors with nothing other than soil, water and the light from the window. There are also several tiny squash starting to develop.
Now the bad part. This is actually two plants. i grew them from seed, two seeds planted together formed two nice plants. One was weighed down by its fruit and broke nearly in two at the base. That was yesterday morning, I splinted it and today it looked like it grafted together and would survive. Also today I discovered it is entirely infested with worms and gnats. I don't understand, the thing has never been outside, how could it possibly have worms? Nevertheless, it was not just a few but a full on infestation, which means it must be taken outside. I can not have that in my apartment which already has a bug problem. While carrying it outside the splinted plant broke in half. I am sad about my squash, the two vegetables may never ripen. I got so close and all this happened, I really think that if the problems had not all come at once they could have been handled.
I know it sounds hippy but there is a satisfaction from growing food from seed. It takes time and effort and i want my vegetables.
Now the bad part. This is actually two plants. i grew them from seed, two seeds planted together formed two nice plants. One was weighed down by its fruit and broke nearly in two at the base. That was yesterday morning, I splinted it and today it looked like it grafted together and would survive. Also today I discovered it is entirely infested with worms and gnats. I don't understand, the thing has never been outside, how could it possibly have worms? Nevertheless, it was not just a few but a full on infestation, which means it must be taken outside. I can not have that in my apartment which already has a bug problem. While carrying it outside the splinted plant broke in half. I am sad about my squash, the two vegetables may never ripen. I got so close and all this happened, I really think that if the problems had not all come at once they could have been handled.
I know it sounds hippy but there is a satisfaction from growing food from seed. It takes time and effort and i want my vegetables.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
God Chart
I visualized several ways that Christians view God. I don't know that any of them are invalid, but I think some may be more valid than others.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Fire with Fire
I think that there are different realms of reason. One has to use reason appropriate to the situation or the outcome is invalid. For example; If a person wants to talk about poetry, it is inappropriate to call into question the poem’s legal fortitude. Likewise a person does not site the symbiotic pattern of a warranty in court.
Conservative Christianity often argues that the ‘day’ spoken of in the Genesis 1 account of creation is a 24 hour rotation of the Earth. It would be invalid for a person to speak of poetic meaning in order to present evidence against this position because the person believing this is basing their position on the denotation of the word ‘day’ (in English, we will leave the Hebrew alone). Therefore, a person wishing to discount this opinion would need to do so using literal interpretation of this text without calling in outside evidence. Simply, this opinion has to defeat itself or else it can not be discounted as invalid.
Until yesterday that was where I stood. Never mind what I think about it personally, I could not discount the opinion using only interior/ non-poetic reasoning. That is, until I stumbled across reason in the text.
The definition of a day is one rotation of the Earth. This rotation is based on the position of the sun. The sun was not created until the 4th day, therefore it is self defeating to say that there was a literal ‘day’ period for the first 3 ‘days’.
Any rebuttals?
Conservative Christianity often argues that the ‘day’ spoken of in the Genesis 1 account of creation is a 24 hour rotation of the Earth. It would be invalid for a person to speak of poetic meaning in order to present evidence against this position because the person believing this is basing their position on the denotation of the word ‘day’ (in English, we will leave the Hebrew alone). Therefore, a person wishing to discount this opinion would need to do so using literal interpretation of this text without calling in outside evidence. Simply, this opinion has to defeat itself or else it can not be discounted as invalid.
Until yesterday that was where I stood. Never mind what I think about it personally, I could not discount the opinion using only interior/ non-poetic reasoning. That is, until I stumbled across reason in the text.
The definition of a day is one rotation of the Earth. This rotation is based on the position of the sun. The sun was not created until the 4th day, therefore it is self defeating to say that there was a literal ‘day’ period for the first 3 ‘days’.
Any rebuttals?
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Couch
Sara and I have a futon couch to give away if any one is interested. Its not in great shape but it looks okay. Our rabbit chewed on it in a couple places and its not all that comfortable. It is, however, free. If any one needs a couch/futon let us know soon because we are going to put it outside with a 'free' sign in a few days.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wedding
Yesterday I preformed my first wedding ceremony. It was a good experience. The bride and groom are friends of mine but were not themselves for the weekend. They were pretty stressed but everything came together. They had to overcome a lot in the planning of this particular wedding, most things went wrong.
The day came and went. There were about 170 guests. The ceremony was nice and went well. Except for one small thing; the sound guy didn't play the que for the Groom and I to make our entrance from a back room. We had no idea that the processional was going on without us, I guess everyone assumed that was how it was supposed to be even though that's not how we practiced it. The bride, upon reaching the front of the church had to point out that the groom and minister were absent. A groomsmen politely asked us to come out and join them all. So, not a great start. After that, everything went well. I did not really enjoy the process but I'm glad I did it and I am honored that they wanted me to do it.
This morning I made a presentation to my supporting congregation. It went well, I will have private presentations with the leadership team, and also the mission committee on Wednesday.
The day came and went. There were about 170 guests. The ceremony was nice and went well. Except for one small thing; the sound guy didn't play the que for the Groom and I to make our entrance from a back room. We had no idea that the processional was going on without us, I guess everyone assumed that was how it was supposed to be even though that's not how we practiced it. The bride, upon reaching the front of the church had to point out that the groom and minister were absent. A groomsmen politely asked us to come out and join them all. So, not a great start. After that, everything went well. I did not really enjoy the process but I'm glad I did it and I am honored that they wanted me to do it.
This morning I made a presentation to my supporting congregation. It went well, I will have private presentations with the leadership team, and also the mission committee on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Donny
I've been thinking about my friend Donny quite a bit recently. He died unexpectedly last May. I worked with Donny for two years before he passed and got to know him pretty well. He had a wife and young child, he was 39. Donny didn't take care of his body; I think maybe he was was angry with his body because he had been confined to a wheel chair since he was a freshman in college. I heard he overdosed on pain medication but I don't really know what happened. I don't know why I've been thinking about him so much these last few days but I have, and it forces me to recognize that our lives here are finite. More so that I am really comfortable with. Donny was angry at God and I don't know what his relationship was really like.
Donny was an inspiration to paraplegics he often spoke publicly for charities and worked with people who were new to their chairs. He was a star player on a national champion roller basketball team. I remember him climbing the equipment shelves in the warehouse to get things from the top, jumping curbs, and carrying more boxes than the rest of us.
I hope he is happy.
Donny was an inspiration to paraplegics he often spoke publicly for charities and worked with people who were new to their chairs. He was a star player on a national champion roller basketball team. I remember him climbing the equipment shelves in the warehouse to get things from the top, jumping curbs, and carrying more boxes than the rest of us.
I hope he is happy.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Internet
I have acknowledged before that I live online. Everything I do is online. That’s why I am dieing. My internet has been on only for a second or two at a time for the last two weeks. When we moved in we signed on with Comcast simply because there was nothing else available. I assume many of you have had problems with Cable internet as well. There is a very simple explanation as to why this is the case. Remember how I used to be a Broadband Service Technician? Cable TV, Phone and Internet run on a system called Broadband, that just means there is only one ‘line’ or piece of copper that everything runs on, the internet signal is the highest and runs on the very outside of the piece of copper. That means that if ANYTHING touches the line: a bird pecking, a squirrel chewing, a tree falling, a rock shifting, even high or low temperatures, the line will permanently be unstable. PERMINENTLY. Even if a very skilled technician repairs the broken part, he still much connect the new and old lines together with means he will create a cut or ‘splice’ in the line.
AT&T is now available and we are switching. This will come with its own problems, but it should be significantly more stable.
AT&T is now available and we are switching. This will come with its own problems, but it should be significantly more stable.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Gambling
In many cultures traditional Christianity has demonized the practice of gambling. Pointing out cases of addiction it is spoken of alongside drinking alcohol as sinful activity. I'll save the conversation about alcohol for another time, though I can't help but mention that Jesus drank alcohol.
I have several thoughts on the subject of gambling and Christianity. 1st, if anyone can point out where this dogma comes from I'd be happy to take note. As best I can tell it is derived from the passages concerning financial stewardship. If one is branding this action a sin based on it not being good stewardship I'd like to point out that cable TV, a trip to the movies, eating at restaurants, and going on vacation would also be sinful under this line of reasoning. I would like to point out here that the Apostles gambled after the death of Judas in order to replace him. It was their way of understanding God's will.
Next, we seem to have demonized a game more than others, to the point of ludicrous injustice. Poker is often spoken of in the discussion of gambling. While racing and fighting are the oldest competition on which to be gambled and the lottery is the most popular, poker seems to be singled out. The game its self is often thought of as sinful, even when removed from gambling. Back in my years of traditional Christian education playing poker was expressly forbidden even when there was no gambling involved. Playing poker without money is no more gambling than playing Monopoly with children. As a side note I do want to point out that this same institution hosted an annual Spades tournament in which there was an entry fee and a prize awarded to the winning team. THAT IS GAMBLING!
This brings me to my next point. While some non-gambling is labeled as sinful, some gambling is acceptable. I think the most extreme case of this is the stock market. Many Christians play the stock market and even make there living or fund retirement by playing it. In most forms of stock trading one buys tokens based on the odds of them gaining value, these tokens fluctuate in value based on lots of variables. The person then sells the tokens at a gain or loss based on how the odds worked out. That is almost exactly how poker works too.
I do not have a problem with the stock market, because I do not have a problem with gambling, but I welcome someone to explain to me how the two are not either both acceptable or both unacceptable by Biblical standards.
I really do welcome it. While I obviously have expressed a bias, I am open to learning the logic behind this cultural/religious phenomenon.
I have several thoughts on the subject of gambling and Christianity. 1st, if anyone can point out where this dogma comes from I'd be happy to take note. As best I can tell it is derived from the passages concerning financial stewardship. If one is branding this action a sin based on it not being good stewardship I'd like to point out that cable TV, a trip to the movies, eating at restaurants, and going on vacation would also be sinful under this line of reasoning. I would like to point out here that the Apostles gambled after the death of Judas in order to replace him. It was their way of understanding God's will.
Next, we seem to have demonized a game more than others, to the point of ludicrous injustice. Poker is often spoken of in the discussion of gambling. While racing and fighting are the oldest competition on which to be gambled and the lottery is the most popular, poker seems to be singled out. The game its self is often thought of as sinful, even when removed from gambling. Back in my years of traditional Christian education playing poker was expressly forbidden even when there was no gambling involved. Playing poker without money is no more gambling than playing Monopoly with children. As a side note I do want to point out that this same institution hosted an annual Spades tournament in which there was an entry fee and a prize awarded to the winning team. THAT IS GAMBLING!
This brings me to my next point. While some non-gambling is labeled as sinful, some gambling is acceptable. I think the most extreme case of this is the stock market. Many Christians play the stock market and even make there living or fund retirement by playing it. In most forms of stock trading one buys tokens based on the odds of them gaining value, these tokens fluctuate in value based on lots of variables. The person then sells the tokens at a gain or loss based on how the odds worked out. That is almost exactly how poker works too.
I do not have a problem with the stock market, because I do not have a problem with gambling, but I welcome someone to explain to me how the two are not either both acceptable or both unacceptable by Biblical standards.
I really do welcome it. While I obviously have expressed a bias, I am open to learning the logic behind this cultural/religious phenomenon.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
I catch a lot of slack when I say that I don't like Christmas. I do not reject it based on religious reasons, I reject it because it is used by companies to brainwash and obligate people into reciprocal quazi-gift giving. At least Christmas has mediocre historical legitimacy as a holiday.
Valentine's Day is several times worse. A holiday all but made up by Hallmark to push card sales after Christmas, Valentine's Day is nominally based on Saint Valentine. Just as Christmas, it is no more about good will then Saint Patrick's Day is about the Christianizing of Ireland; rather, it is entirely about corralling American culture into this required gift giving. A gift that is required is not a gift, it is a payment. For any of you who claim these gifts are not required, try not giving your wife a gift on Valentines day.
Mother's Day (and Father's Day) is even worse. With absolutely no historical basis it was created outright by Hallmark to boost card sales in early May, a time lacking of Holiday's. Now, a person who does not give a gift (or a card) to the mothers in their lives on this day will be demonized as a mother hater.
Since a gift which is required is a payment. And since The positions of wife and Mother are relationships that deserve and require year round respect. To require a nominal sacrifice on these obscure days is not only ludicrous but, in pure definitions; prostitution.
Why have we sunk to this level? Why do we allow our culture to turn such a great relationship into meaningless business?
Mother's Day is not a holiday. Go ahead, call me a crazy woman hater.
Valentine's Day is several times worse. A holiday all but made up by Hallmark to push card sales after Christmas, Valentine's Day is nominally based on Saint Valentine. Just as Christmas, it is no more about good will then Saint Patrick's Day is about the Christianizing of Ireland; rather, it is entirely about corralling American culture into this required gift giving. A gift that is required is not a gift, it is a payment. For any of you who claim these gifts are not required, try not giving your wife a gift on Valentines day.
Mother's Day (and Father's Day) is even worse. With absolutely no historical basis it was created outright by Hallmark to boost card sales in early May, a time lacking of Holiday's. Now, a person who does not give a gift (or a card) to the mothers in their lives on this day will be demonized as a mother hater.
Since a gift which is required is a payment. And since The positions of wife and Mother are relationships that deserve and require year round respect. To require a nominal sacrifice on these obscure days is not only ludicrous but, in pure definitions; prostitution.
Why have we sunk to this level? Why do we allow our culture to turn such a great relationship into meaningless business?
Mother's Day is not a holiday. Go ahead, call me a crazy woman hater.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Illusion of Reality
One usual day a man called Wan was walking along his common path to work as was his custom. That day he came alongside another man as he did other days as well, this man is called Cerro. The two men moved along beside one another enjoying the world around them and considering their existence. Wan told Cerro about his theory that something existed outside of their understanding. That this entity intimately altered his actions. Cerro expressed to Wan that such a thing was impossible and that Wan should go to work, get something to eat, exercise, and feast on the vast amounts of knowledge at the local library. So he did, and thought no more of it.
One usual day a spec called One was walking along his common path to work as was his custom. That day he came alongside another spec as he did other days as well, this spec is called Zero. The two specs moved along beside one another enjoying the world around them and considering their existence. One told Zero about his theory that something existed outside of their understanding. That this entity intimately altered his actions. Zero expressed to One that such a thing was impossible and that One should go to the CPU, visit the CR-ROM, run in RAM, and feast on the vast amounts of knowledge at the local HDD. So he did, and thought no more of it.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Great Weekend
Friday was my day off so I slept in. I woke up around 11:30 to the news of my good friends inviting Sara and I for a walk and Lunch in Roscoe Village, a very cool part of the city. I was excited about that and threw my clothes on. We ate at a home cookin' style place which is tough to find around here, I had Chicken Fried Steak. The gravy was brown and the breading was thin, not the best chicken fried steak ever but I enjoyed it.
Saturday was 'The Rescue.' Invisible Children is an organization fighting for the freedom of the thousands of abducted children from uganda who have been forced into fighting for the LRA, an anti government force in the region. This has been going on for 23 years. The Rescue is an event designed to grow attention on the subject. In 100 cities around the world people marched the streets and gethered in public to be seen and write letters to senators and officials begging them to inact our government to intervien. The weather was beautiful whe we got there at 2:45, 76 degrees and sunny. By 6:30 it had dropped to 37 degrees and had been rainging for hours with no sign of letting up. We had bnot dressed for this weather and decided it would be unwise for us to contiune freezing, so we went home. Still a good day though.
Sunday, we went to church at Catching Life. It was thier last official service. A few members have said they arew going to stick around. Change is not always a bad thing, I hope this is as painless as possible. Our friends called us to go shopping with them at a local organic fooods store, we went and got a few things. Most of the time I feel like I'm throwing my money awey to buy organic but some of the prices were acctually pretty good. We ate dinner with Sara's friend from class and her husband, the food was good and it was nice to get to know another couple.
Good weekend.
Saturday was 'The Rescue.' Invisible Children is an organization fighting for the freedom of the thousands of abducted children from uganda who have been forced into fighting for the LRA, an anti government force in the region. This has been going on for 23 years. The Rescue is an event designed to grow attention on the subject. In 100 cities around the world people marched the streets and gethered in public to be seen and write letters to senators and officials begging them to inact our government to intervien. The weather was beautiful whe we got there at 2:45, 76 degrees and sunny. By 6:30 it had dropped to 37 degrees and had been rainging for hours with no sign of letting up. We had bnot dressed for this weather and decided it would be unwise for us to contiune freezing, so we went home. Still a good day though.
Sunday, we went to church at Catching Life. It was thier last official service. A few members have said they arew going to stick around. Change is not always a bad thing, I hope this is as painless as possible. Our friends called us to go shopping with them at a local organic fooods store, we went and got a few things. Most of the time I feel like I'm throwing my money awey to buy organic but some of the prices were acctually pretty good. We ate dinner with Sara's friend from class and her husband, the food was good and it was nice to get to know another couple.
Good weekend.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hydroponics and Biothermals
So, I have a tendency to get board in my free time and, during these times, I like to try new things. Several months ago I started experimenting with homemade wind turbines, I found that they are simple and that harvesting wind energy is simple and cheap. If I am going to harvest my own energy I don't want to buy the stuff to do it retail, that seems inconsistent.
Yesterday I started thinking about my container garden. Potatoes have electrical storage capacity which means it should be practical to harness the energy given off by the biothermal activity in my garden. I'm going to work on that.
Also, I planted a few of my sprouts hydroponically (water only). I know people have grown vegetables this way before so am going to see if it is a practical way to grow these. If so it will mean less expense and not having to carry soil home.
Yesterday I started thinking about my container garden. Potatoes have electrical storage capacity which means it should be practical to harness the energy given off by the biothermal activity in my garden. I'm going to work on that.
Also, I planted a few of my sprouts hydroponically (water only). I know people have grown vegetables this way before so am going to see if it is a practical way to grow these. If so it will mean less expense and not having to carry soil home.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Pray4Chicago
Pray4Chicago went great!
I'm pretty pumped that there weren't any major bumps in the road on this first event. Additionally I'm pretty pumped, because I just busted out some old school Metallica I haven't heard in awhile. We had 16 people for the event, which I think was just the right number. Six of them were teenagers. The event was not designed for teenagers but we thought it would be beneficial to them so we invited a few, I think that went well. It had been a long time since I'd been around a group of high schoolers. We covered 4 areas of the city, Mark and I went to Lincoln Square becuase we needed to take care of other buisness and not stray too far from my apartment in case we were needed back at base. Other groups went to the Near South Side, the Lower West Side, and Lakeview. I think it served it's purpose well. In the future I think we will stress the importance of pairs traveling together rather than a group of 3 or 4.
I'm pretty pumped that there weren't any major bumps in the road on this first event. Additionally I'm pretty pumped, because I just busted out some old school Metallica I haven't heard in awhile. We had 16 people for the event, which I think was just the right number. Six of them were teenagers. The event was not designed for teenagers but we thought it would be beneficial to them so we invited a few, I think that went well. It had been a long time since I'd been around a group of high schoolers. We covered 4 areas of the city, Mark and I went to Lincoln Square becuase we needed to take care of other buisness and not stray too far from my apartment in case we were needed back at base. Other groups went to the Near South Side, the Lower West Side, and Lakeview. I think it served it's purpose well. In the future I think we will stress the importance of pairs traveling together rather than a group of 3 or 4.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Deep Fried Night
Sara has class on Tuesday and Wednesday nights so this evening I was poking around the kitchen trying to find something to deep fry. I got out a couple potatoes, sliced them, salted them and dumped them in a pot of oil. While slicing, I thought to myself about how things are changing. It was once ok to eat french fries, especially if you were going to go to the trouble of making them yourself.
Anyway, I digress. I am now frying a chicken breast. I want to have a bunch of guys over for a Deep fried night. I think it will be good for us.
Anyway, I digress. I am now frying a chicken breast. I want to have a bunch of guys over for a Deep fried night. I think it will be good for us.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Proactive/Reactive
So I've been told that I live proactivly and that a lot of people live reactivly. This is a new concept for me. I think it is part of my control freak personality to want to know the outcome of whatever situation I am walking to, or at least to anticipate probable outcomes. I spend a lot of time going over possibilities in my head and thinking about how I would react.
It is ok to be unsure of where you stand on a subject but, for me, it is important to be able to give an account for your words, or actions. Even if your account, or possition, would be different on a different day. I don't know what that means any more than I know whether it is true that a lot of people do not spend as much time thinking proactivly as I do. I had never consdered it before today.
As you approch a situation, do you consider how you would handle various possibilites whith it?
Is this a good thing or simply an avanue for stress?
I don't know, I'll think about it.
It is ok to be unsure of where you stand on a subject but, for me, it is important to be able to give an account for your words, or actions. Even if your account, or possition, would be different on a different day. I don't know what that means any more than I know whether it is true that a lot of people do not spend as much time thinking proactivly as I do. I had never consdered it before today.
As you approch a situation, do you consider how you would handle various possibilites whith it?
Is this a good thing or simply an avanue for stress?
I don't know, I'll think about it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Spirit/Energy
I have met two people separately who describe their understanding of what Spirit is as energy. They describe it as what holds molecules together, what connects all matter, and as the force of life. This is interesting as it is a view of spirit with which I am not familiar. I do not yet know of any group of people proclaiming this view and so I will be interested to explore it. These two people do not know each other and were not present as one another were describing their thoughts.
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