Ever judge the quality of your friendships by how much time you spend on your friends? Do you ever worry that you really don't care about certain friends simply because you never talk to them or interact with them? It's kinda scary if you give it much thought. Really shows who is truly important to you in your life.
But anyways...
Finally picked up my AA at NorthHenn. Wow, what a wonderful experience it is dealing with those admissions people. I have never once had a helpful experience interacting with those offices. Everyone is always rude and put out to help you in any way. And that guidance counselor I met with years ago? What a bunch of help. "What do you want to do? Ok, get your AA and then transfer. Now get out." Sheesh.
My goal this summer is to be out of the house by the end of said summer. I think it's about time, don't you? Sure. I'm just curious how I'm going to do that. Already I'm strongly thinking of getting out of the bakery. I do not ever want to work another graduation season/thanksgiving/christmas in that place. Any other department that doesn't involve food, perhaps, but not the bakery. And honestly I'd rather just get out of Costco all together. I'm not too keen on working in such a big Fortune 500 place, even though managers start at $50g. Life's not all about money, right?
As I explained to my manager in a little talk one day, the most important reason I could never stay at Costco is the cost to your personal life. Managers are expected to work at least a 12 hour day, one day off. And those hours can be from 5 am to 10 pm or really at any time. Can I get married and raise a family on that? "Shoosh, kids, daddy needs to sleep. I know it's only 6 pm, but he has to be at work at 4 am."
No thank you. So really, other than Supervisor, I'm as far as I want to advance at Costco.
So I'm seriously of finding another job. Problem is, I can't accept less than $12, and I'd prefer not to have wrist killing 60 lb bag manual labor. I shouldn't be living off extra strength Tylenol and Tylenol PM in order just to stay asleep at night.
I'm already thinking of how to move out of my parents and into the frat. First step is to do something with all this crap I've accumulated. The wrong answer is to toss it all. I'd have all of college paid off if my mom hadn't sold off my vintage Star Wars collection for pennies. And yes, she realizes she messed up, lol.
So, I've got some purchases to make before I can move into the frat. One, storage boxes that are water proof. Those will be for cd cases, books, magazines, etc. Misc stuff, really. I went through all my mags a few weeks ago and threw about a foot high stack away. What's left are keepers. Preferably I'd like to send them to a bindery, but that'd cost. My boxs of comics can be stored safely at my parents. They've been tucked away for three years now, with me just pulling them out to inventory or add to them on occasion. Those are fine.
(BTW, just Star Wars comics, I'm sitting on over a grand. Maybe two or even three grand.)
Next thing is obviously clothes. What's really important to bring to the frat, what can I leave her and grab when I really need them. But the most important thing, at least in my little world, is my television. Space is at a premium at the frat, and I definitely need my TV for dvds and games. (Might even buy a 360 and Xbox Live on the frat's high speed connection!!) So I'm strongly thinking of abusing Best Buys' return policy in a paycheck or two and trading in the SlimFit HD for maybe a 32" LCD flat panel or something. I love my TV despite it's flaws, but it's still too big for the frat.
So I've got some goals. Which I'm dwelling on daily. Still, it's gonna be a while before I actually make the move.
Pray with me on this.
Jun 12, 2007
Jun 4, 2007
Frat house
The last few days I've been giving serious thought to moving into the frat house. But here's the thing...
I. DO. NOT. WANT. TO.
Just like I didn't want to go Summit; didn't want to go to college classes; didn't want to go to church; didn't want to go to work; didn't want to do nearly anything.
And yet I do, and need to, and will do so.
I recognize I need to get out of my comfort zone. Life will not improve at this rate, and nothing will change unless it is forced to.
Could I afford to live away from home? Yes, I probably could. I'd have to get real creative with my finances, and the thought of paying for school and having debt over my head terrifies me. School is the big thing hanging over my head; the thought of owing someone $50,000 really scares me. But then again, a friend of mine just bought a house, and I imagine that is freaking him out although he hides it very well.
I do not want to move into the frat house. It's not how I pictured my life going, and it's certainly not a "fun" thing to do. I'd much rather move in with Haueser and Joe, but there are other factors preventing me from doing that...not the least of which is that Joe stole my room. Seriously...
But there is something Jonathan told me that has been stuck in my head. To paraphrase, moving into the frat would be a great place for me to grow both in Christ and with others, teaching me not only how to better care for myself on my own, but how to relate to other people my age, and especially how to treat Christian women. And all those things are what I know I need. Just as how I came back from Summit with a desire to learn to cook, so I have the desire for all these other items too.
I do not want to end up living in the frat for the next 10 years with no ambition to move out and get my own place, content to just keep serving on the campus and living with a bunch of peeps. I have goals and dreams in life; marriage is one of them. But am I willing to live at the frat for a year or two before getting on my own feet? Sure, I guess.
Another part of me does not want to give certain people ("holy pricks") the satisfaction of having me live in the frat house. These are the same people who I'd rather not give the satisfaction of seeing me baptized in the Spirit. No kidding, if these people came up to me right after I was baptized and wanted to lay hands or give me a word, I'd either tell them to f*ck off if I was feeling nice, or I'd turn around and deck them if I was mad. I DO NOT LIKE THEM, and that is something God will have to change for me.
I do realize that those are very childish emotions, but I'm learning. Baby steps.
Other reasons why I do not want to live in the frat house...Well, first off, I'm not sure I could have a roomie. I know how I sleep, and as my friends can testify, I'm not easy to sleep in the same room with. Frequent nightmares, talks in sleep, occasional sleep walks, etc. Even if I don't remember them the next day does not mean they did not occur. Oh, the stories I could tell. So I'd have to go solo probably. (I imagine this is something God and I will have to work on when I get married)
Also, I am not at all crazy about living downtown. I barely feel safe walking the streets of Crystal at times. I can't imagine going out for a late night stroll downtown alone. Parking on the loop is better than parking behind the frat too, and yet I don't enjoy that. I enjoy it even less when it's below zero.
Also, and this was a big reason for me staying away from Christian universities, I am not cool with people going all holy and legalistic against me. If I want to listen to some U2 while playing a video game after working a 12 hour shift, don't you dare come in my room and tell me I should be listening to Hillsong United while reading my Bible! I will not put up with it. Period. Go be holy on someone else. You can encourage me, but the instance you start telling me how to live my life, we've got problems.
Ok, those are my biggest issues with moving into the frat. I'm trying my best to be partial and weigh the pros against the cons. I'm praying about it too, and hoping for a word from the Lord...beyond everyone from church coming up to me and saying it'd be good for me. That's advertising; not helpful.
I doubt there is some way I can snag Jelani's old room as a single; that'd be ideal. Cause I'd prefer to be upstairs with Cole and Ore and Chris and everyone, as opposed to tucked away in the basement...although down there I can listen to my music and play my games and movies without fear of disturbing or offending anyone!
So we will see. Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.
I. DO. NOT. WANT. TO.
Just like I didn't want to go Summit; didn't want to go to college classes; didn't want to go to church; didn't want to go to work; didn't want to do nearly anything.
And yet I do, and need to, and will do so.
I recognize I need to get out of my comfort zone. Life will not improve at this rate, and nothing will change unless it is forced to.
Could I afford to live away from home? Yes, I probably could. I'd have to get real creative with my finances, and the thought of paying for school and having debt over my head terrifies me. School is the big thing hanging over my head; the thought of owing someone $50,000 really scares me. But then again, a friend of mine just bought a house, and I imagine that is freaking him out although he hides it very well.
I do not want to move into the frat house. It's not how I pictured my life going, and it's certainly not a "fun" thing to do. I'd much rather move in with Haueser and Joe, but there are other factors preventing me from doing that...not the least of which is that Joe stole my room. Seriously...
But there is something Jonathan told me that has been stuck in my head. To paraphrase, moving into the frat would be a great place for me to grow both in Christ and with others, teaching me not only how to better care for myself on my own, but how to relate to other people my age, and especially how to treat Christian women. And all those things are what I know I need. Just as how I came back from Summit with a desire to learn to cook, so I have the desire for all these other items too.
I do not want to end up living in the frat for the next 10 years with no ambition to move out and get my own place, content to just keep serving on the campus and living with a bunch of peeps. I have goals and dreams in life; marriage is one of them. But am I willing to live at the frat for a year or two before getting on my own feet? Sure, I guess.
Another part of me does not want to give certain people ("holy pricks") the satisfaction of having me live in the frat house. These are the same people who I'd rather not give the satisfaction of seeing me baptized in the Spirit. No kidding, if these people came up to me right after I was baptized and wanted to lay hands or give me a word, I'd either tell them to f*ck off if I was feeling nice, or I'd turn around and deck them if I was mad. I DO NOT LIKE THEM, and that is something God will have to change for me.
I do realize that those are very childish emotions, but I'm learning. Baby steps.
Other reasons why I do not want to live in the frat house...Well, first off, I'm not sure I could have a roomie. I know how I sleep, and as my friends can testify, I'm not easy to sleep in the same room with. Frequent nightmares, talks in sleep, occasional sleep walks, etc. Even if I don't remember them the next day does not mean they did not occur. Oh, the stories I could tell. So I'd have to go solo probably. (I imagine this is something God and I will have to work on when I get married)
Also, I am not at all crazy about living downtown. I barely feel safe walking the streets of Crystal at times. I can't imagine going out for a late night stroll downtown alone. Parking on the loop is better than parking behind the frat too, and yet I don't enjoy that. I enjoy it even less when it's below zero.
Also, and this was a big reason for me staying away from Christian universities, I am not cool with people going all holy and legalistic against me. If I want to listen to some U2 while playing a video game after working a 12 hour shift, don't you dare come in my room and tell me I should be listening to Hillsong United while reading my Bible! I will not put up with it. Period. Go be holy on someone else. You can encourage me, but the instance you start telling me how to live my life, we've got problems.
Ok, those are my biggest issues with moving into the frat. I'm trying my best to be partial and weigh the pros against the cons. I'm praying about it too, and hoping for a word from the Lord...beyond everyone from church coming up to me and saying it'd be good for me. That's advertising; not helpful.
I doubt there is some way I can snag Jelani's old room as a single; that'd be ideal. Cause I'd prefer to be upstairs with Cole and Ore and Chris and everyone, as opposed to tucked away in the basement...although down there I can listen to my music and play my games and movies without fear of disturbing or offending anyone!
So we will see. Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.
Passion and Purity by that Elliot chick
So I've been reading through Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot. It seems to always show up on the "Hit Lists" of Christians, along with titles such as Mere Christianity, My Utmost for His Highest, assorted works by Watchman Nee, and I Kissed Dating Goodbye (I'd advise staying away from that one).
Still don't understand why most Christians have never read The Screwtape Letters, though. But I digress...
Overall, I'd say it's a good book. I have maybe 15 pages to go or so, so not completely done, but I've enjoyed what I've read so far.
This Elizabeth Elliot chick seems to fit the mold of a lot of Christian ladies that I've known throughout my life. It's like they've become the spitting image of the woman as they've described themselves in the book. The only major difference is that there is no Jim in their life; and some of them are well into their forties. But highly used of God.
I do question Elliot's theology a bit though. She seems to like to pull phrases from the Bible at random to either confirm or deny her feelings on subjects. When questioning if it's lawful for someone to desire marriage, she pulls verses that basically call her the "whore of Babylon" in order to say that the desire is wrong. She takes scripture and twists it, whether intentionally or not. I don't understand how she can pull obscure Old Testament verses out instead of just reading through what Paul wrote on the subject.
And based on the quality of their letters, if that is what people talked like back in the 50's, I'm so very glad I live in the 00's! We like da way we talk, and you ain't changing us one bit!
Overall though I'd say it's an excellent book, far better than anything by Josh Harris or the Ludys (it's ok, I've met them, and while they are odd, they're ok), although the Ludy's book was pretty good.
It is a bit of an odd mindset this book has put me in, though. You start thinking of everything in life taking longer, as if that's the real grand master plan God has for everyone. I'm glad God does not have a chart somewhere in heaven where He checks off everyone's progress, keeping everyone to say the same rule and time. He's more hands on than that, thank God!
Guess that must be what the Spirit does...helps push us along and build us up. You know, all my life I've always thought that it was God who helped us, God who kept, God who did this and that for us. Reading through the NT over and over these past few weeks, I've begun to realize something. While yes it is God that is doing all these things, in reality, it's the Holy Spirit.
So why have I been fooled into thinking for so long that it was God the Father who worked in us instead of the Holy Spirit?
Still don't understand why most Christians have never read The Screwtape Letters, though. But I digress...
Overall, I'd say it's a good book. I have maybe 15 pages to go or so, so not completely done, but I've enjoyed what I've read so far.
This Elizabeth Elliot chick seems to fit the mold of a lot of Christian ladies that I've known throughout my life. It's like they've become the spitting image of the woman as they've described themselves in the book. The only major difference is that there is no Jim in their life; and some of them are well into their forties. But highly used of God.
I do question Elliot's theology a bit though. She seems to like to pull phrases from the Bible at random to either confirm or deny her feelings on subjects. When questioning if it's lawful for someone to desire marriage, she pulls verses that basically call her the "whore of Babylon" in order to say that the desire is wrong. She takes scripture and twists it, whether intentionally or not. I don't understand how she can pull obscure Old Testament verses out instead of just reading through what Paul wrote on the subject.
And based on the quality of their letters, if that is what people talked like back in the 50's, I'm so very glad I live in the 00's! We like da way we talk, and you ain't changing us one bit!
Overall though I'd say it's an excellent book, far better than anything by Josh Harris or the Ludys (it's ok, I've met them, and while they are odd, they're ok), although the Ludy's book was pretty good.
It is a bit of an odd mindset this book has put me in, though. You start thinking of everything in life taking longer, as if that's the real grand master plan God has for everyone. I'm glad God does not have a chart somewhere in heaven where He checks off everyone's progress, keeping everyone to say the same rule and time. He's more hands on than that, thank God!
Guess that must be what the Spirit does...helps push us along and build us up. You know, all my life I've always thought that it was God who helped us, God who kept, God who did this and that for us. Reading through the NT over and over these past few weeks, I've begun to realize something. While yes it is God that is doing all these things, in reality, it's the Holy Spirit.
So why have I been fooled into thinking for so long that it was God the Father who worked in us instead of the Holy Spirit?
May 24, 2007
Acts 10:44-48
You know, I've read this multiple times over the years. The whole book. The whole chapter.
SO WHY AM I JUST NOW UNDERSTANDING IT???
A group of people are filled with the Holy Spirit BEFORE getting baptized?
Why have I never heard this preached in church before??
Now I'm pissed off...
As far as I'm concerned, this completely blows any arguments out of the water. It's the Bible, for crying out loud! I can't argue with it.
There is NOTHING in the text that suggest these people were already "saved." As it reads, they just now heard about Jesus from Peter. And IMMEDIATELY the Holy Spirit filled these men. Not just filled, but caused them to speak in tongues!!
And then it happens AGAIN in Acts 11:15-18!!
That's it. I'm pissed, and it's over. People have a lot of explaining to do.
SO WHY AM I JUST NOW UNDERSTANDING IT???
A group of people are filled with the Holy Spirit BEFORE getting baptized?
Why have I never heard this preached in church before??
Now I'm pissed off...
As far as I'm concerned, this completely blows any arguments out of the water. It's the Bible, for crying out loud! I can't argue with it.
There is NOTHING in the text that suggest these people were already "saved." As it reads, they just now heard about Jesus from Peter. And IMMEDIATELY the Holy Spirit filled these men. Not just filled, but caused them to speak in tongues!!
And then it happens AGAIN in Acts 11:15-18!!
That's it. I'm pissed, and it's over. People have a lot of explaining to do.
May 23, 2007
WHOA!! Just saw this a sec later
Video of the Kaiser Chiefs performing "Oh My God" from Trocaderos, back in April...
THE CONCERT I WAS AT!!
Oh, and this is my favorite song from them. At least to see live...
Both times I've seen them, this song was the standout song of the night. They let the audience finish singing, accomplished by throwing the lead singers mic into the crowd.
Not the best of sound quality...but an idea. Too bad you don't see me...I'd be almost directly underneath the video camera.
The band had some guy with a high quality handheld walking around the show all night, so the possibility exists that I might show up on some official video later on.
I mean, I was like 3 feet from the lead singer at one point...and only about 5 feet from the guitar player all night. Stranger things have happened.
THE CONCERT I WAS AT!!
Oh, and this is my favorite song from them. At least to see live...
Both times I've seen them, this song was the standout song of the night. They let the audience finish singing, accomplished by throwing the lead singers mic into the crowd.
Not the best of sound quality...but an idea. Too bad you don't see me...I'd be almost directly underneath the video camera.
The band had some guy with a high quality handheld walking around the show all night, so the possibility exists that I might show up on some official video later on.
I mean, I was like 3 feet from the lead singer at one point...and only about 5 feet from the guitar player all night. Stranger things have happened.
The Rock Connection...from the Beatles, to U2, to...?
"There are many things I could be proud of, if I'd only invented them...such as the wheel."
Kaiser Chiefs are rapidly becoming the new U2 in my little world. While they might not be big enough to sell out stadiums (except Live 8), they very much remind me of a young U2.
There is a theory floating around the internet that rock and roll is coming to a close.
http://www.theetherealconnection.com/home.php
This theory is based almost primarily on the album art from The Beatles and U2. The guy argues that The Beatles set the ground work for rock and roll. Then U2 came along a few decades later and took what the Beatles did and expanded it.
The theory goes that the last band of the Big Three is already winding up. The author believes it's Coldplay, based on this whole album art conspiracy thing.
Me? It's the Kaiser Chiefs, definitely.
-----------------------
One more shameless plug - U2:3D comes out to IMAX this summer. I'm going to arrange a showing, try to invite as many people as I can to go. It might not be the same as going to the concert...but on an IMAX screen, and with this new 3D technology, it's going to be nearly as good!
Would love it if you'd come.
Kaiser Chiefs are rapidly becoming the new U2 in my little world. While they might not be big enough to sell out stadiums (except Live 8), they very much remind me of a young U2.
There is a theory floating around the internet that rock and roll is coming to a close.
http://www.theetherealconn
This theory is based almost primarily on the album art from The Beatles and U2. The guy argues that The Beatles set the ground work for rock and roll. Then U2 came along a few decades later and took what the Beatles did and expanded it.
The theory goes that the last band of the Big Three is already winding up. The author believes it's Coldplay, based on this whole album art conspiracy thing.
Me? It's the Kaiser Chiefs, definitely.
-----------------------
One more shameless plug - U2:3D comes out to IMAX this summer. I'm going to arrange a showing, try to invite as many people as I can to go. It might not be the same as going to the concert...but on an IMAX screen, and with this new 3D technology, it's going to be nearly as good!
Would love it if you'd come.
May 20, 2007
Reflection on tonight's sermon
We are going through the book of Acts at church. We're up to chapter 9...and it's been, like, 22 parts already, so for a few months now.
Anyways, we are just finally hitting Saul's roadside conversion and subsequent 3 day fast/blindness/visit from Annias. (Mispeled)
I hate to call it a revelation...but I kinda had this weird insight during the sermon tonight. And now I'm having a hard time remembering it. (I don't take notes during service...I find I concentrate too much on the note taking instead of listening)
Whatever it was I thought of, it was scary. And yet also very powerful. Like, so powerful, that if I could write it up into a decent essay, and submit it to, oh, Relevant Magazine, it would likely be rejected. Or, it would get printed, and nearly every one of their readers would be up in arms about it.
Essentially, I stumbled upon the Gospel. I had the Gospel message, all in a nutshell, but told plainly and in a way no one had heard before. Or at least in a way I hadn't heard or understood before.
And it's killing me not being able to remember it. I might have to actually install the dreaded iTunes and download the podcast to try to remember.
Figured something else out though that I do remember. Saul is our modern day church goer. What was Saul? He knew the scriptures intimately, held them first in his life, believed himself righteous, kept a list of laws daily, and strove to do God's "work." Well, how did that turn out? He met Jesus, and realized how self righteous and lost he really was.
It seems that that is what a good number of current Christians are like. We see many people being reared in the church, brought up knowing nothing but the Bible and the Christian faith. They learn their Bible intimately, know how the church service goes, and know why it shouldn't go any other way. (This was me a few years ago.) A good handful of these people feel they are called to ministry in some form; a calling that simply seems to be someone telling them week in and week out, "go evangelize" or "minister."
(Perhaps that's a reason why so many would be pastors or youth leaders fall away from the faith. They were never really called. If God has not told you...if the Spirit has not told you that you should be in missions or ministry, then really, what right do you have to pursue something you aren't supposed to be? Churches break up over the stupidest things nowadays; ministers can't even control their flesh and end up leaving their flocks. If all our pastors, missionaries, and youth leaders were truly called by God to their posts, we'd have a much stronger church.)
Why do people go to seminaries? Typically to prepare for some kind of ministry. There are people going to Central who are over 35, have been taking classes for years, and just generally coasting through life, all in the belief that they are preparing themselves to serve God. Seminaries are there to train and instruct people in ministry, not just theology. But if someone goes because it's what "they are suppose to do next," isn't that the wrong reason? Will God bless them?
Should He? We are doing His job for Him. We are telling him, "I can be a preacher! I can be a leader!! It's what I'm suppose to do!!!" Shouldn't God be the one who tells you that you are going to be a preacher, a leader, etc? Yes, we have the Biblical command to share our faith. But not everyone has the same callling. "To some he called to be ministers; to some, deacons; to some, etc..."
As always, I really do not know where I am going with this. My thoughts are all jumbled and hard to put down. Perhaps I'm simply being heretical; I've been accused of it before.
Putting it down in as few words are possible:
Why do we do what we do?
Oh, and one more question - Why is ministry all too often narrowly defined as being a pastor, missionary, church planter, church worker (including youth and children), or witness...er?
Anyways, we are just finally hitting Saul's roadside conversion and subsequent 3 day fast/blindness/visit from Annias. (Mispeled)
I hate to call it a revelation...but I kinda had this weird insight during the sermon tonight. And now I'm having a hard time remembering it. (I don't take notes during service...I find I concentrate too much on the note taking instead of listening)
Whatever it was I thought of, it was scary. And yet also very powerful. Like, so powerful, that if I could write it up into a decent essay, and submit it to, oh, Relevant Magazine, it would likely be rejected. Or, it would get printed, and nearly every one of their readers would be up in arms about it.
Essentially, I stumbled upon the Gospel. I had the Gospel message, all in a nutshell, but told plainly and in a way no one had heard before. Or at least in a way I hadn't heard or understood before.
And it's killing me not being able to remember it. I might have to actually install the dreaded iTunes and download the podcast to try to remember.
Figured something else out though that I do remember. Saul is our modern day church goer. What was Saul? He knew the scriptures intimately, held them first in his life, believed himself righteous, kept a list of laws daily, and strove to do God's "work." Well, how did that turn out? He met Jesus, and realized how self righteous and lost he really was.
It seems that that is what a good number of current Christians are like. We see many people being reared in the church, brought up knowing nothing but the Bible and the Christian faith. They learn their Bible intimately, know how the church service goes, and know why it shouldn't go any other way. (This was me a few years ago.) A good handful of these people feel they are called to ministry in some form; a calling that simply seems to be someone telling them week in and week out, "go evangelize" or "minister."
(Perhaps that's a reason why so many would be pastors or youth leaders fall away from the faith. They were never really called. If God has not told you...if the Spirit has not told you that you should be in missions or ministry, then really, what right do you have to pursue something you aren't supposed to be? Churches break up over the stupidest things nowadays; ministers can't even control their flesh and end up leaving their flocks. If all our pastors, missionaries, and youth leaders were truly called by God to their posts, we'd have a much stronger church.)
Why do people go to seminaries? Typically to prepare for some kind of ministry. There are people going to Central who are over 35, have been taking classes for years, and just generally coasting through life, all in the belief that they are preparing themselves to serve God. Seminaries are there to train and instruct people in ministry, not just theology. But if someone goes because it's what "they are suppose to do next," isn't that the wrong reason? Will God bless them?
Should He? We are doing His job for Him. We are telling him, "I can be a preacher! I can be a leader!! It's what I'm suppose to do!!!" Shouldn't God be the one who tells you that you are going to be a preacher, a leader, etc? Yes, we have the Biblical command to share our faith. But not everyone has the same callling. "To some he called to be ministers; to some, deacons; to some, etc..."
As always, I really do not know where I am going with this. My thoughts are all jumbled and hard to put down. Perhaps I'm simply being heretical; I've been accused of it before.
Putting it down in as few words are possible:
Why do we do what we do?
Oh, and one more question - Why is ministry all too often narrowly defined as being a pastor, missionary, church planter, church worker (including youth and children), or witness...er?
May 16, 2007
An open invitation
Should of done this a long time ago...
Ahem! If anyone wants to come visit Marantha (my church) with me sometime, please, feel free to email me, leave a comment, a message with my parents, or whatever! I'd be more than happy to have you come with me. Provided you behave! (lol)
We meet Wednesdays and Saturdays, both at 7. For directions, leave a comment.
I don't know...I've been getting this feeling recently that a number of people are going to leave my life soon, a certain house mate being one of them. I just get this feeling that these people will be...lost, I guess, unless I can convince them to come visit my church. I realize this is stupid, as they are already Christians; but the difference between what I was like and what I'm becoming is staggering, my eyes have been opened to so much more, and I just want to share this with others. I want them to understand, to see for themselves.
So...I'd really appreciate it.
Also, there have come up numerous options regarding school and living locations. More prayer on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Ahem! If anyone wants to come visit Marantha (my church) with me sometime, please, feel free to email me, leave a comment, a message with my parents, or whatever! I'd be more than happy to have you come with me. Provided you behave! (lol)
We meet Wednesdays and Saturdays, both at 7. For directions, leave a comment.
I don't know...I've been getting this feeling recently that a number of people are going to leave my life soon, a certain house mate being one of them. I just get this feeling that these people will be...lost, I guess, unless I can convince them to come visit my church. I realize this is stupid, as they are already Christians; but the difference between what I was like and what I'm becoming is staggering, my eyes have been opened to so much more, and I just want to share this with others. I want them to understand, to see for themselves.
So...I'd really appreciate it.
Also, there have come up numerous options regarding school and living locations. More prayer on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 28, 2007
The Truth is cooling
Wow, things just seem to be getting better and better. Found another little story, err, I mean, study about global "warming."
The part I specifically liked?
Gore, ignoring the advice of several key Clinton Administration officials, took a last-minute flight to Japan in November 1998 to sign the Kyoto Protocol even though the Energy Information Administration, the official forecasting arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, found that meeting the treaty's requirements could increase gasoline prices by up to 66 percent and electricity prices by up to 86 percent, and throw up to several million Americans out of work.
The part I specifically liked?
Gore, ignoring the advice of several key Clinton Administration officials, took a last-minute flight to Japan in November 1998 to sign the Kyoto Protocol even though the Energy Information Administration, the official forecasting arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, found that meeting the treaty's requirements could increase gasoline prices by up to 66 percent and electricity prices by up to 86 percent, and throw up to several million Americans out of work.
The Clinton Administration, however, never sent the treaty to Capitol Hill for ratification, in large part because the Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging the Administration not to seek approval of any global warming treaty that "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States." President Clinton even signed appropriations bills in 1999, 2000 and 2001 prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from using any funds to "issue rules, regulations, decrees of orders for the purpose of implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol" unless and until the treaty is ratified by the Senate.
The Bush Administration, now struggling to move the country out of a recession, pretty much delivered the coup de grace to the Kyoto treaty last year when President Bush announced that the United States would withdraw from Kyoto, although it would continue to participate fully in the international meetings that developed it. On June 11, 2001, the President committed his administration to support for greater levels of funding for scientific research into climate change.10
In light of the new information, President Bush's decision to pursue more research seems especially perceptive.
Yeah, I'm getting fed up with all this bs. Please let it stop in 2009, one way or another.Apr 25, 2007
April 26th's Realization
I plan on writing a post about going to see the Kaiser Chiefs last Saturday, as well as another post offering a review of Jeffrey Overstreet's "Through A Screen Darkly," but that will have to be for later. For now, here's something I wrote on Facebook a while back. Thought I should share it with a wider group of people.
-----------------------
I'm slowly realizing something. (See, I get like this when I'm alone and thinking..) What I realized is something pretty important I'm guessing.
It's...what, 2007? I graduated from high school in 2003. Now, if I had played it safe, I could potentially be graduating from a Baptist college this summer, probably with a degree in accounting or youth ministry or something.
Odds are I would be in much better physical shape, probably have a girlfriend if not a fiance, maybe even have an internship lined up at Fourth or some other big name Baptist church.
But I would not be where I am now.
All those things above...those are things I want. A college degree, a wife, a job with a certain amount of prestige to it, better physical fitness...etc.
But...and I can't help but think this...
I would be spiritually bankrupt. I would be living a lie. I would be serving a false god, made up out of rules and regulations culled from theology and the church. I would have more in common the Pharisees than I would with the believers.
So...while I see all my old friends graduating, getting married, living the "dream" as I've had it...I should not complain. While the last few years have been tough, and especially have had their low moments...ultimately, God has a different path for me, and it's not what's expected.
The future scares me. But also excites me as to it's possibilities. It's time I get more serious and embrace that future.
A friend of mine who I graduated high school with has admonished me on occasion that I seem to hate all Baptists; that the name Baptist automatically carries bad connotations with it. That's not true.
I don't hate Baptists. I respect, admire, and even love many Baptists. But I do hate the religion that has sprung up around it. But more importantly...seeing where they are at, what they live for and strive for...
I can't help but be thankful to God that He has chosen a different path for me.
Because I could not live life as a Fundamentalist Baptist.
-----------------------
I'm slowly realizing something. (See, I get like this when I'm alone and thinking..) What I realized is something pretty important I'm guessing.
It's...what, 2007? I graduated from high school in 2003. Now, if I had played it safe, I could potentially be graduating from a Baptist college this summer, probably with a degree in accounting or youth ministry or something.
Odds are I would be in much better physical shape, probably have a girlfriend if not a fiance, maybe even have an internship lined up at Fourth or some other big name Baptist church.
But I would not be where I am now.
All those things above...those are things I want. A college degree, a wife, a job with a certain amount of prestige to it, better physical fitness...etc.
But...and I can't help but think this...
I would be spiritually bankrupt. I would be living a lie. I would be serving a false god, made up out of rules and regulations culled from theology and the church. I would have more in common the Pharisees than I would with the believers.
So...while I see all my old friends graduating, getting married, living the "dream" as I've had it...I should not complain. While the last few years have been tough, and especially have had their low moments...ultimately, God has a different path for me, and it's not what's expected.
The future scares me. But also excites me as to it's possibilities. It's time I get more serious and embrace that future.
A friend of mine who I graduated high school with has admonished me on occasion that I seem to hate all Baptists; that the name Baptist automatically carries bad connotations with it. That's not true.
I don't hate Baptists. I respect, admire, and even love many Baptists. But I do hate the religion that has sprung up around it. But more importantly...seeing where they are at, what they live for and strive for...
I can't help but be thankful to God that He has chosen a different path for me.
Because I could not live life as a Fundamentalist Baptist.
Apr 18, 2007
New addiction...I mean, addition
See that new box on the bottom right hand side of the page? That's a LastFM box. Basically, it will show you the last ten songs I have listened to on my laptop, all courtesy of the amazing website LastFM.
My complete profile is right here.
While I'm still trying to figure out how to get that box to show completely in the corner...need to resize things somehow...I'm probably going to keep that design since I tend to like it the best out of all the pre-made ones they have. They DID have a U2 themed one, but the text was way too dark for the image they used.
Ah, but I haven't explained precisely what LastFM is. It's a free service that tracks the music you listen to via a plug-in that is available in a wide variety of players. It keeps track of which artists you listen to the most (U2), both weekly (U2) and overall (U2), as well as top tracks (Kaiser Chiefs??? Wahuuuh?).
Obviously since 1 out of every 3 songs I have on my computer is a U2 song of some form, that tends to dominate the charts. My only complaint is that the program does not differentiate between different albums. A song that was played at my Minneapolis concert, like Vertigo, will just show up as Vertigo from the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album. I could listen to 5 different versions of New Year's Day, remix, live, or single edits, and yet it will still show either War or The Best of 1980 albums. A handy plug-in that allows you to edit or supply albums and artwork would be nice.
One other nice feature of this program is the ability to choose which songs you "love", as well as tag songs. Tags can be pre-selected (rock, dance, country, whatever) or you can make up your own (all time favorite, great live, remix, spiritual - rock, etc). REALLY addictive.
I must admit, I have a little bit of apprehension putting this ticker on such a public place. I don't know if really everyone needs to see what I listen to. Most of this apprehension comes from past experiences, where someone would condemn me on the spot for listening to something with a drum beat, or was "secular" vs Christian. But you know what I figure now? I'm really not ashamed of the music I listen to. In fact, I'm rather proud of it, and desire to freely share it. U2 in particular has opened the door and allowed me to share Christ with people. I am definitely not ashamed of it. And yes, I listen to Metallica too. I have my reasons, which you can disagree with.
And besides...anything that is not of faith is sin, right? I think I have the faith to listen to rock and roll...
-------------------
Kudos to Granticus for All Because of You. We really need to get you and Dean a Memory Man unit.
My complete profile is right here.
While I'm still trying to figure out how to get that box to show completely in the corner...need to resize things somehow...I'm probably going to keep that design since I tend to like it the best out of all the pre-made ones they have. They DID have a U2 themed one, but the text was way too dark for the image they used.
Ah, but I haven't explained precisely what LastFM is. It's a free service that tracks the music you listen to via a plug-in that is available in a wide variety of players. It keeps track of which artists you listen to the most (U2), both weekly (U2) and overall (U2), as well as top tracks (Kaiser Chiefs??? Wahuuuh?).
Obviously since 1 out of every 3 songs I have on my computer is a U2 song of some form, that tends to dominate the charts. My only complaint is that the program does not differentiate between different albums. A song that was played at my Minneapolis concert, like Vertigo, will just show up as Vertigo from the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album. I could listen to 5 different versions of New Year's Day, remix, live, or single edits, and yet it will still show either War or The Best of 1980 albums. A handy plug-in that allows you to edit or supply albums and artwork would be nice.
One other nice feature of this program is the ability to choose which songs you "love", as well as tag songs. Tags can be pre-selected (rock, dance, country, whatever) or you can make up your own (all time favorite, great live, remix, spiritual - rock, etc). REALLY addictive.
I must admit, I have a little bit of apprehension putting this ticker on such a public place. I don't know if really everyone needs to see what I listen to. Most of this apprehension comes from past experiences, where someone would condemn me on the spot for listening to something with a drum beat, or was "secular" vs Christian. But you know what I figure now? I'm really not ashamed of the music I listen to. In fact, I'm rather proud of it, and desire to freely share it. U2 in particular has opened the door and allowed me to share Christ with people. I am definitely not ashamed of it. And yes, I listen to Metallica too. I have my reasons, which you can disagree with.
And besides...anything that is not of faith is sin, right? I think I have the faith to listen to rock and roll...
-------------------
Kudos to Granticus for All Because of You. We really need to get you and Dean a Memory Man unit.
Apr 17, 2007
Virginia Tech shootings
Those of you from Marantha who are on the campus talking to people...you who man the table at the hall...
This is going to be very important for the next few weeks.
I don't know how to say this without sounding like we're trying to "profit" from this tragedy...
But those of you who went to Summit know just how important this is. We know firsthand just what series of events led to this shooting. And we know what we can say about it.
I'll be praying all day. Let this event be for good.
This does not need to happen again.
This is going to be very important for the next few weeks.
I don't know how to say this without sounding like we're trying to "profit" from this tragedy...
But those of you who went to Summit know just how important this is. We know firsthand just what series of events led to this shooting. And we know what we can say about it.
I'll be praying all day. Let this event be for good.
This does not need to happen again.
Apr 6, 2007
Laptop Update #2
Sitting here waiting for the DivX codec to update...so got a minute or two of time to kill. Kinda nice to be able to blog from the comfort of my own room.
Ok, more new laptop impressions. Yes, I hate the mouse pad. I'm sure there is some way to tweak the settings, legally or otherwise, so that will happen later. I'm having an easier time typing this with the laptop actually sitting in my lap than on the kitchen table before.
Ok, have to mention this. The first cd to be played on my laptop...nay, the first official music on my laptop, not counting YouTube earlier...is...badum badum...
U2-Zooropa!! "What do you want?" indeed...
Great cd...great song. Sounds pretty good too...sore spot number one, cause it could sound BETTER...cause I am paying for it to sound BETTER!! Yet no better soundcard...stupid Dell.
Well...here's the main deal with the laptop. You can not buy a new PC without getting Vista. Vista is too new, nothing runs on it, and I don't want it. So...we had to scrub out Vista. Complete deletion, reinstall with XP. We decided to create a smaller partition for XP in the hopes that we could get both XP and Vista installed; dual boot as it is called.
So far, only XP. Need to call Dell to ask some questions about the crappy discs they sent with the computer before we want to attempt to install Vista. Right now XP has maybe a 30 gig partition even though I have a 120 gig drive. Not to worry though, I have a 250 gig external sitting around somewhere...
Mad Dog, as it is called.
Now that I have this laptop...and keep on accidently hitting the mouse pad when I type...which pisses me off...anyways, I was thinking of trying something later on.
Live blogging from church. I sit there, have lots of questions, lots of observations, and tend to forget them after the sermon is over. Well, now I can blog them! Might be interesting to try sometime...
Ok, back to the updates. Later.
Final thought a minute later...now that I've listened to both Zooropa and Babyface...I'm already hearing parts of the songs I've never heard before. You know how awesome that is?? Hearing a new part or harmony or lick or something in the background....
Tight!
Ok, more new laptop impressions. Yes, I hate the mouse pad. I'm sure there is some way to tweak the settings, legally or otherwise, so that will happen later. I'm having an easier time typing this with the laptop actually sitting in my lap than on the kitchen table before.
Ok, have to mention this. The first cd to be played on my laptop...nay, the first official music on my laptop, not counting YouTube earlier...is...badum badum...
U2-Zooropa!! "What do you want?" indeed...
Great cd...great song. Sounds pretty good too...sore spot number one, cause it could sound BETTER...cause I am paying for it to sound BETTER!! Yet no better soundcard...stupid Dell.
Well...here's the main deal with the laptop. You can not buy a new PC without getting Vista. Vista is too new, nothing runs on it, and I don't want it. So...we had to scrub out Vista. Complete deletion, reinstall with XP. We decided to create a smaller partition for XP in the hopes that we could get both XP and Vista installed; dual boot as it is called.
So far, only XP. Need to call Dell to ask some questions about the crappy discs they sent with the computer before we want to attempt to install Vista. Right now XP has maybe a 30 gig partition even though I have a 120 gig drive. Not to worry though, I have a 250 gig external sitting around somewhere...
Mad Dog, as it is called.
Now that I have this laptop...and keep on accidently hitting the mouse pad when I type...which pisses me off...anyways, I was thinking of trying something later on.
Live blogging from church. I sit there, have lots of questions, lots of observations, and tend to forget them after the sermon is over. Well, now I can blog them! Might be interesting to try sometime...
Ok, back to the updates. Later.
Final thought a minute later...now that I've listened to both Zooropa and Babyface...I'm already hearing parts of the songs I've never heard before. You know how awesome that is?? Hearing a new part or harmony or lick or something in the background....
Tight!
Laptop Update #1
Well, I got my laptop. Actually got it last Tuesday. It's...got a lot of work to be done yet. I have it for the weekend then I'm giving it back TPTB to fix it some more.
Already the mouse pad is driving me nuts. The mouse icon bounces as I type this. WAAAAY too sensitive, I'm afraid I might delete the whole blog if I breathe on it.
More on this later...
Heh..."Granticus"...I am entertained.
Already the mouse pad is driving me nuts. The mouse icon bounces as I type this. WAAAAY too sensitive, I'm afraid I might delete the whole blog if I breathe on it.
More on this later...
Heh..."Granticus"...I am entertained.
Mar 28, 2007
What's not to LOVE??
Inspiron E1705, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB/2.00GHz/667MHz)
17 inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WUXGA, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for Inspiron 9400,E1705
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X 1400 HyperMemory, for Inspiron9400/E1705
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, for Inspiron
Roxio Creator Basic
8X DVD+/-RW Drive, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps) for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Trend Micro PC-cillin InternetSecurity, English, 15-Month Subscription
80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition
3 Year Limited Warranty
CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 3 Year
Thank you for choosing Dell!
Gonna be here in a week or so...
Pictures to follow.
Money to dissipate.
17 inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WUXGA, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for Inspiron 9400,E1705
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X 1400 HyperMemory, for Inspiron9400/E1705
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, for Inspiron
Roxio Creator Basic
8X DVD+/-RW Drive, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps) for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Trend Micro PC-cillin InternetSecurity, English, 15-Month Subscription
80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition
3 Year Limited Warranty
CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 3 Year
Thank you for choosing Dell!
Gonna be here in a week or so...
Pictures to follow.
Money to dissipate.
Mar 26, 2007
Blogdump time...Life's fiber.
Time for a blogdump. Why? Cause I'm sitting here at the computer, the windows are open, it's just a little too nice outside, there is a freshly poured glass of RC Cola sitting here...and I have lots of thoughts right now. Plus I have the day off...
--------------------
First off, a new link out of the way. The Secret History of Star Wars. Just ran across this on one of the forums I infrequently frequent, and while I haven't read it completely, looks to be an excellent read. If you want to know what went wrong literally anywhere in the course of the Saga, here you go.
--------------------
I've discovered an interesting thing about my Bible reading habits. Unless I'm forced to my a "Bible in A Year" plan or something, I will never choose on my own volition to read anything pre-Psalms or post Ezekiel. I know it would be good for me to read more of those books, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Spiritual failing or laziness? You decide.
Recently though I've been reading through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Acts. Yes, kinda diverse and random, but that's just where I'm at. And I've come to the conclusion that Proverbs and Eccl. are two of the more depressing books in the whole Bible. It's a two part thing; one, depressing because it shows just how far I have to come in terms of general wisdom and reliance on God; the second is it reveals just how messed up everyone else in the world is too. When you look around and all you see are the "fools" Proverbs is fond of, you start to get a little down. Add a dash of Rush Limbaugh and a scoop of today's "popular" culture, and you start despairing of life in general.
Ok, something specific from Proverbs that stuck out to me. Proverbs 26:4-5: "When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are." And then verse 5: "When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation."
So which is it? Please, feel free to enlighten me...I value input from Baptists, Centrals, and Pentecostals, and the occasional PenteBaptistcostal.
--------------------
A thought - Why do people who listen exclusively to Bach, Beethoven, and other forms of classical music tend to elevate their musical tastes over others? I understand simply preferring one form of music to another; but what is it that sets it upon a pedestal as the epitome of music?
--------------------
Picked up a copy of Jeffrey Overstreets' book Through A Screen Darkly. So far...not bad at all. I only meant to read the introduction before going to bed, but then I got through two chapters before putting it down. I'll write a full review of it later.
Jeffrey's website.
--------------------
The search for a laptop continues. One of my fellow coworkers suggested I look into Dells because of their financing options. I'll admit, the idea of spending $100 or less a month toward a laptop, as opposed to $1500 all at once, is enticing. So...with that idea in mind, I've visited two Dell kiosks (Dell Direct, excuse me), one at Southdale and the other at Rosedale. Southdale had a really nice laptop that I'd consider; it even had HDMI output. We messed around with some settings online, and came out with a really nice product.
The next day, I went to the Rosedale store to look at it again. Except, "it" wasn't there. In fact, they claimed that all kiosks had the same models, and they had never heard of that one. And the internet didn't have it either, although a day before it did. So now I'm fairly confused about the whole situation, and really don't want to drive back out to Southdale.
Plus, another guy at work told me that even though he was married, owned a car and a house, and had a full time job, he still couldn't get financing through Dell. And that scares me, since I've got nothing compared to him. Just more charm is all...
--------------------
I suppose I should wrap this up. But one final thought or two before I log off.
God has recently been bringing to my attention my attitude regarding certain people, be they from work, my school past, church past, future, or whatever. Namely, He has been saying "Be bigger than that. Get over it!" I will readily admit that there are plenty of people I DO NOT LIKE, for various reasons. Whether it was the person who decided to invite himself to my church and then proceed to make out with his girlfriend in the back of my car both to and from church; the former manager at work who abused my time and abilities and tried to set me up for the fall; the woman who taught me in my senior year while treating me like a four year old; the professor who would abuse prayer to God in order to use it as a tool to control a classroom; or the old youth pastor who publicly took you to task for trying to find God in other editions of the Bible besides the holy KJV.
There is a song that comes to mind when I think of these people...older song, goes something like..."You took Jesus from me"...or something...think the real lyrics were "I saw Jesus in you" but that can't have been the case...
But God is working. Get over it. And so I've been making steps to try to correct my thinking and change things around.
I might not still like you. I might choose to avoid you and not have any contact with you. But I do not want to be chained by you or embittered toward you anymore. For that I sincerely apologize.
It is way too easy to empower people unknowingly...
--------------------
Anywoo...time to sign off.
Leave a comment, I'd appreciate it.
--------------------
First off, a new link out of the way. The Secret History of Star Wars. Just ran across this on one of the forums I infrequently frequent, and while I haven't read it completely, looks to be an excellent read. If you want to know what went wrong literally anywhere in the course of the Saga, here you go.
--------------------
I've discovered an interesting thing about my Bible reading habits. Unless I'm forced to my a "Bible in A Year" plan or something, I will never choose on my own volition to read anything pre-Psalms or post Ezekiel. I know it would be good for me to read more of those books, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Spiritual failing or laziness? You decide.
Recently though I've been reading through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Acts. Yes, kinda diverse and random, but that's just where I'm at. And I've come to the conclusion that Proverbs and Eccl. are two of the more depressing books in the whole Bible. It's a two part thing; one, depressing because it shows just how far I have to come in terms of general wisdom and reliance on God; the second is it reveals just how messed up everyone else in the world is too. When you look around and all you see are the "fools" Proverbs is fond of, you start to get a little down. Add a dash of Rush Limbaugh and a scoop of today's "popular" culture, and you start despairing of life in general.
Ok, something specific from Proverbs that stuck out to me. Proverbs 26:4-5: "When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are." And then verse 5: "When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation."
So which is it? Please, feel free to enlighten me...I value input from Baptists, Centrals, and Pentecostals, and the occasional PenteBaptistcostal.
--------------------
A thought - Why do people who listen exclusively to Bach, Beethoven, and other forms of classical music tend to elevate their musical tastes over others? I understand simply preferring one form of music to another; but what is it that sets it upon a pedestal as the epitome of music?
--------------------
Picked up a copy of Jeffrey Overstreets' book Through A Screen Darkly. So far...not bad at all. I only meant to read the introduction before going to bed, but then I got through two chapters before putting it down. I'll write a full review of it later.
Jeffrey's website.
--------------------
The search for a laptop continues. One of my fellow coworkers suggested I look into Dells because of their financing options. I'll admit, the idea of spending $100 or less a month toward a laptop, as opposed to $1500 all at once, is enticing. So...with that idea in mind, I've visited two Dell kiosks (Dell Direct, excuse me), one at Southdale and the other at Rosedale. Southdale had a really nice laptop that I'd consider; it even had HDMI output. We messed around with some settings online, and came out with a really nice product.
The next day, I went to the Rosedale store to look at it again. Except, "it" wasn't there. In fact, they claimed that all kiosks had the same models, and they had never heard of that one. And the internet didn't have it either, although a day before it did. So now I'm fairly confused about the whole situation, and really don't want to drive back out to Southdale.
Plus, another guy at work told me that even though he was married, owned a car and a house, and had a full time job, he still couldn't get financing through Dell. And that scares me, since I've got nothing compared to him. Just more charm is all...
--------------------
I suppose I should wrap this up. But one final thought or two before I log off.
God has recently been bringing to my attention my attitude regarding certain people, be they from work, my school past, church past, future, or whatever. Namely, He has been saying "Be bigger than that. Get over it!" I will readily admit that there are plenty of people I DO NOT LIKE, for various reasons. Whether it was the person who decided to invite himself to my church and then proceed to make out with his girlfriend in the back of my car both to and from church; the former manager at work who abused my time and abilities and tried to set me up for the fall; the woman who taught me in my senior year while treating me like a four year old; the professor who would abuse prayer to God in order to use it as a tool to control a classroom; or the old youth pastor who publicly took you to task for trying to find God in other editions of the Bible besides the holy KJV.
There is a song that comes to mind when I think of these people...older song, goes something like..."You took Jesus from me"...or something...think the real lyrics were "I saw Jesus in you" but that can't have been the case...
But God is working. Get over it. And so I've been making steps to try to correct my thinking and change things around.
I might not still like you. I might choose to avoid you and not have any contact with you. But I do not want to be chained by you or embittered toward you anymore. For that I sincerely apologize.
It is way too easy to empower people unknowingly...
--------------------
Anywoo...time to sign off.
Leave a comment, I'd appreciate it.
Mar 22, 2007
OS X and XP
Now THAT is something I kinda like. I don't know why, not really...but I like it.
Macs. Interesting machines. Granted, most of my user experience with them is on that insanely crappy machine running in the Harpel's basement...you know, the Mac that takes a day and a half to open eye(sore)Tunes, can't view videos online because of it's dying screen, and has that annoying mouse that tends to forget it's attached to the machine.
Or are those just hardware issues? Hard to tell at times...
I should probably take the time to post a whole blog about this...later though. But I'll just say this up front here:
If I could get a Mac to do everything a PC does, and do it as well as a PC without relying on "illegal" programs to provide basic user compatibility, or any gimmicks (making movies, podcasts, "hey look a camera!"), can natively play any computer games I might already own and that I might wish to own in the future (within graphical reason), all for under $1500...
I'd buy a Mac. Although 95% of the time I'd still hate OS X with the exception of one or two programs.
I'm already learning slowly but surely to hate Windows Vista. Yes, it has only been out for a handful of months and needs time to shake the kinks. Yes, I still wish I could do everything in DOS cause I like having control (OS X, Vista, and to an extent the 95/98/XP family does the same thing).
It's the OS I can't get over. That and the Dashboard...ugh.
There will never be a perfect computer. This I know. The most I can hope for is an easy to understand and use experience. Which seems to be screaming Mac nowadays.
But so help me if I become a self-absorbed materialist left-wing jerk who appears in commercials...
Mar 20, 2007
A Very Convenient MisTruth
I've been getting really tired of many things recently. I'm really tired of Al Gore and his global warming...excuse me, climate change...agenda. Getting really tired of people telling me that Hillary Clinton "makes sense" and would be a good President. Getting really tired of people telling me that it "is so unfair!" that we are in Iraq.
Getting really sick and tired of all the stupid ignornant morons who are convinced that they know the truth without doing any research. REALLY. SICK. OF. IT.
New rule with me - if you think you have an opinion on a political subject, and you think your opinion is valid, then I'm going to ask you a few simple things. And if you have no idea what I am talking about, or try to work your way around the questions, then just shut your mouth. You are an ignorant cog in the masses. You are, simply, NOTHING. Grow up.
I'm thinking of several people in particular here, but I will not name names.
And now...to finally do away with all this nonsense about global warming, read this.
An Inconvenient Truth To Promote A Cause
My title, not the authors. Excuse the lame but intentional pun on Gore's "picture."
Getting really sick and tired of all the stupid ignornant morons who are convinced that they know the truth without doing any research. REALLY. SICK. OF. IT.
New rule with me - if you think you have an opinion on a political subject, and you think your opinion is valid, then I'm going to ask you a few simple things. And if you have no idea what I am talking about, or try to work your way around the questions, then just shut your mouth. You are an ignorant cog in the masses. You are, simply, NOTHING. Grow up.
I'm thinking of several people in particular here, but I will not name names.
And now...to finally do away with all this nonsense about global warming, read this.
An Inconvenient Truth To Promote A Cause
My title, not the authors. Excuse the lame but intentional pun on Gore's "picture."
Mar 19, 2007
God of Work, The Sequel!
Little bit of good news I should probably post on here, for those still wondering. I've been told that within the next week to 10 days, I should finally be able to take over the late baker's position, netting better hours and hopefully better pay.
Hopes are high...although I've heard this exact same thing (minus the time frame) a few times over the last few months. So...soon at least.
Hmm...kinda sounds like the withdrawal from Iraq talks. Oh wait...politics. Can't go there.
But anyways...I probably will not be able to get to church right at 7 with my new schedule...but depending on my level of nastiness and sweat, I should be able to be there by 7:30 or at least 8! Just in time for "the good stuff"...
Although, hopefully, I would love to be able to be there by 6:30. As I was talking to JP, I'd love to take over, or at least help with, the recording of the service and running of the soundboard. I've been doing it for several years now, already enjoy it, so it seems a perfect fit.
One last thing before I shuffle off...THIS is what has been taking all my time and attention recently. And it is amazing.
Hopes are high...although I've heard this exact same thing (minus the time frame) a few times over the last few months. So...soon at least.
Hmm...kinda sounds like the withdrawal from Iraq talks. Oh wait...politics. Can't go there.
But anyways...I probably will not be able to get to church right at 7 with my new schedule...but depending on my level of nastiness and sweat, I should be able to be there by 7:30 or at least 8! Just in time for "the good stuff"...
Although, hopefully, I would love to be able to be there by 6:30. As I was talking to JP, I'd love to take over, or at least help with, the recording of the service and running of the soundboard. I've been doing it for several years now, already enjoy it, so it seems a perfect fit.
One last thing before I shuffle off...THIS is what has been taking all my time and attention recently. And it is amazing.
Mar 17, 2007
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Live from Target Center
Wow...has it really been almost a year and a half since this show? Amazing...
The song of course is Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, from the Achtung Baby album. Just a little different arrangement from the original.
While the Minneapolis show was special because it was here in MN, obviously, as well as being the show where I officially "introduced" U2 to Joe and David...personally, I think my previous show in Chicago was better, May 12 (a few days after Bono's birthday). While the Chicago show was my very first U2 show, it was better for more reasons than that.
The one thing that bummed me about the Minneapolis show was the number of acoustic songs. Don't get me wrong; we got an awesome show, one that is always listed in the most downloaded Vertigo Tour shows online. "The First Time" was played, "Crumbs From Your Table" was played live for the first time, the above "Wild Horses" was also special...really, great song choices all around. But, in my mind, it was lacking.
What I really wanted, and especially wanted my friends to witness, was U2 overload. Specifically, the "ZooTV lite" segment on most Vertigo Tour shows: "Zoo Station," "The Fly," "Mysterious Ways," and "Until the End of the World" (especially this one). I got to experience this in Chicago...with the exception of "Zoo Station"... and it made my day. We in Minneapolis were treated to a variety of rare and acoustic songs; in Chicago, we got to see U2 rock out.
The more I look back on it, the more that Chicago show was the "perfect setlist" for me, or at least perfect for my first show. I got almost all the songs I've always wanted to see performed live. And I'm lucky enough to not only have audio cds of the show, but a really decent dvd of the show too (except for that annoying time delay in parts). For Minneapolis, I've only got a halfway decent (aka crap) audio copy. I know there are various cam shots from the show, which the above footage is from, but the only way I can get those is from a torrents site, and my internet connection doesn't have the horsepower to do that. One day...one day...
Still, I'm grateful for the shows that I got. Never mind that a friend of mine was literally on the edge of the ellipse during the tour opener, got to see them maybe 6 more times during that first leg, as well as getting to go see the last show of the tour in an open air stadium in Hawaii...
I'm still grateful.
Looking forward to the next tour!!
------------------
You know, if people were to try to get to know me based solely on the strength and topics of this blog, they'd think I was obsessed with U2. I'm not. At least not entirely. I know that more people read this blog than I know of...I'm always hearing about someone else reading or at least knowing about my blog. And if they don't want to take the time to comment, that's ok. I'll do my best to keep you entertained.
"Your mama is so fat...on a scale of 1 to 10, she's a seven-forty-seven." -Sharpton to Obama
I really need to start to diversify my blog posts...
The song of course is Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, from the Achtung Baby album. Just a little different arrangement from the original.
While the Minneapolis show was special because it was here in MN, obviously, as well as being the show where I officially "introduced" U2 to Joe and David...personally, I think my previous show in Chicago was better, May 12 (a few days after Bono's birthday). While the Chicago show was my very first U2 show, it was better for more reasons than that.
The one thing that bummed me about the Minneapolis show was the number of acoustic songs. Don't get me wrong; we got an awesome show, one that is always listed in the most downloaded Vertigo Tour shows online. "The First Time" was played, "Crumbs From Your Table" was played live for the first time, the above "Wild Horses" was also special...really, great song choices all around. But, in my mind, it was lacking.
What I really wanted, and especially wanted my friends to witness, was U2 overload. Specifically, the "ZooTV lite" segment on most Vertigo Tour shows: "Zoo Station," "The Fly," "Mysterious Ways," and "Until the End of the World" (especially this one). I got to experience this in Chicago...with the exception of "Zoo Station"... and it made my day. We in Minneapolis were treated to a variety of rare and acoustic songs; in Chicago, we got to see U2 rock out.
The more I look back on it, the more that Chicago show was the "perfect setlist" for me, or at least perfect for my first show. I got almost all the songs I've always wanted to see performed live. And I'm lucky enough to not only have audio cds of the show, but a really decent dvd of the show too (except for that annoying time delay in parts). For Minneapolis, I've only got a halfway decent (aka crap) audio copy. I know there are various cam shots from the show, which the above footage is from, but the only way I can get those is from a torrents site, and my internet connection doesn't have the horsepower to do that. One day...one day...
Still, I'm grateful for the shows that I got. Never mind that a friend of mine was literally on the edge of the ellipse during the tour opener, got to see them maybe 6 more times during that first leg, as well as getting to go see the last show of the tour in an open air stadium in Hawaii...
I'm still grateful.
Looking forward to the next tour!!
------------------
You know, if people were to try to get to know me based solely on the strength and topics of this blog, they'd think I was obsessed with U2. I'm not. At least not entirely. I know that more people read this blog than I know of...I'm always hearing about someone else reading or at least knowing about my blog. And if they don't want to take the time to comment, that's ok. I'll do my best to keep you entertained.
"Your mama is so fat...on a scale of 1 to 10, she's a seven-forty-seven." -Sharpton to Obama
I really need to start to diversify my blog posts...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
