We returned home from Ohio late last night, and this morning I started a new work schedule. One day each week, I'll work for 4 hours from home, then the remaining 4 days will be 9 hour days at the office. I took today as the half day from home. That helped alleviate the exhaustion of a short night. (Bearing in mind that with the Steelers playing tonight, it's not like I'm going to bed early)
So I got up this morning, finished cleaning out the van, hit the gas station for $2.05 / gallon, and returned it to Mom and Dad's. I put in 4 hours from my basement office, had a nice visit with an old friend who stopped by, and took the trash and recycle to their appropriate destinations. My darling wife surprised me with french toast for breakfast, and Rice and Beans for lunch. This evening, before the game, I'll practice singing in a quartet for an upcoming wedding, then Monday night Football. Go Steelers!!!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
11/03/2008 - Do you really have to care?
Well, about some things I suppose.
Caring about the people who are closest to us is important. Caring about leading consistent lives and doing what we can to make the world a better place are admirable things to care about. Politics lends itself to caring deeply, and sometimes in a misplaced manner. It's probably a good idea to care about your chosen career or vocation. Caring about religion gets some people through the day, and caring about money and success motivates others. Caring about other people's perception of us is a dangerous concept, and caring for others who don't seem to return the sentiment can be discouraging. There are lots of things I care about but realize that in the long run they are pretty secondary. Things like sports, movies, books, Coffee, etc...
You can certainly make the choice to "not care", many people have. For me though, if I don't care for people, then all I'm left with are a bunch of things and experiences that matter little if you're alone.
So you don't "really have to care." But it makes life a hell of a lot better.
----------------
Now playing: Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost
via FoxyTunes
Caring about the people who are closest to us is important. Caring about leading consistent lives and doing what we can to make the world a better place are admirable things to care about. Politics lends itself to caring deeply, and sometimes in a misplaced manner. It's probably a good idea to care about your chosen career or vocation. Caring about religion gets some people through the day, and caring about money and success motivates others. Caring about other people's perception of us is a dangerous concept, and caring for others who don't seem to return the sentiment can be discouraging. There are lots of things I care about but realize that in the long run they are pretty secondary. Things like sports, movies, books, Coffee, etc...
You can certainly make the choice to "not care", many people have. For me though, if I don't care for people, then all I'm left with are a bunch of things and experiences that matter little if you're alone.
So you don't "really have to care." But it makes life a hell of a lot better.
----------------
Now playing: Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost
via FoxyTunes
Sunday, November 2, 2008
11/2/2008 - Day's events
Slept in this morning, finally got up and around to church at 10:15. Visiting a friends church, one that has a reputation for appealing to young people and families. Lot's of energy and activity and programs. Meaningful worship and a youngish with-it pastor. Lots of things to recommend it for people who are seeking a more relevant church home.
Except....
Message this morning was entitled "Letters to a New President" and was almost pure regurgitation of standard evangelical talking points. It was the single most offensive sermon I have heard in person. His main points, with a short summary and my response.
1) Belief in a Sovereign God.
United States was founded with Christian principles guiding the founders, and functions best today if operating by Judeo-Christian principles.
Uh. No. Founding was done by a bunch of theists who didn't agree on everything but did feel that freedom to practice any religion was important to preserve. Their stance was that government should be separate from religion. To suggest that they intended government to be run by any specific religion is to invalidate their overall approach to freedom.
2) Marraige and Family Values
It's perverted for homosexual, lesbian, or gay people to love each other. Allowing gay marriage will destroy the very fabric of society.
Uh, love is love. Why is it a good thing for the government to get involved with telling who we can and can't love. Instead let's look for ways to encourage healthy relationships, loving families, and commitments that can make our society stronger. Isn't that better than demonizing people just because they see things differently than us.
3) Sanctity of Human Life
49 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. exponentially more than all the deaths by americans in war. This proves that abortion is the greatest moral threat of all time and must be countered at all cost.
Uh. While I am no fan of abortion and what it represents, I do recognize it as a choice that comes into play, particularly when the mother is poor and downtrodden to the point that she doesn't have any other recourse. I don't think the government should outlaw it. Rather they should do everything in their power to minimize abortion make it possible and advantageous for the mother to choose life.
4) Personal Responsibility
People shouldn't approach life with an entitlement attitude, and should instead focus on earning what they get. Free handouts only encourage people's sloth and greediness.
Uh, besides being the very antithesis of Jesus's work on earth, I find that this idea of Personal Responsibility is used most often as a way for the conservative, and especially the religious, crowd to absolve themselves from any responsibility in helping people. People want to help, but only on their terms. They want to only help people they deem worthy of receiving that help. This whole aspect of judging people and interacting only based on our morals or value judgements is odious to me.
The input from the pulpit was to pray (fine with that) and vote according to those four criteria (A little too formulaic for my tastes.)
So I sat and smiled, and carefully avoided indicating approval, or as is actually the case, massive disapproval of what was shared. In the same way that I don't want to accept political positions just because the powers that be say so, I recognize that it would be pretty self involved to expect every church to come out exactly where I do.
I respect each person's ability to decide for themselves. But not so much my idea of a good time this morning...
We left for home after lunch and are now on our way home. It's been a good weekend all around.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Politik
via FoxyTunes
Except....
Message this morning was entitled "Letters to a New President" and was almost pure regurgitation of standard evangelical talking points. It was the single most offensive sermon I have heard in person. His main points, with a short summary and my response.
1) Belief in a Sovereign God.
United States was founded with Christian principles guiding the founders, and functions best today if operating by Judeo-Christian principles.
Uh. No. Founding was done by a bunch of theists who didn't agree on everything but did feel that freedom to practice any religion was important to preserve. Their stance was that government should be separate from religion. To suggest that they intended government to be run by any specific religion is to invalidate their overall approach to freedom.
2) Marraige and Family Values
It's perverted for homosexual, lesbian, or gay people to love each other. Allowing gay marriage will destroy the very fabric of society.
Uh, love is love. Why is it a good thing for the government to get involved with telling who we can and can't love. Instead let's look for ways to encourage healthy relationships, loving families, and commitments that can make our society stronger. Isn't that better than demonizing people just because they see things differently than us.
3) Sanctity of Human Life
49 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. exponentially more than all the deaths by americans in war. This proves that abortion is the greatest moral threat of all time and must be countered at all cost.
Uh. While I am no fan of abortion and what it represents, I do recognize it as a choice that comes into play, particularly when the mother is poor and downtrodden to the point that she doesn't have any other recourse. I don't think the government should outlaw it. Rather they should do everything in their power to minimize abortion make it possible and advantageous for the mother to choose life.
4) Personal Responsibility
People shouldn't approach life with an entitlement attitude, and should instead focus on earning what they get. Free handouts only encourage people's sloth and greediness.
Uh, besides being the very antithesis of Jesus's work on earth, I find that this idea of Personal Responsibility is used most often as a way for the conservative, and especially the religious, crowd to absolve themselves from any responsibility in helping people. People want to help, but only on their terms. They want to only help people they deem worthy of receiving that help. This whole aspect of judging people and interacting only based on our morals or value judgements is odious to me.
The input from the pulpit was to pray (fine with that) and vote according to those four criteria (A little too formulaic for my tastes.)
So I sat and smiled, and carefully avoided indicating approval, or as is actually the case, massive disapproval of what was shared. In the same way that I don't want to accept political positions just because the powers that be say so, I recognize that it would be pretty self involved to expect every church to come out exactly where I do.
I respect each person's ability to decide for themselves. But not so much my idea of a good time this morning...
We left for home after lunch and are now on our way home. It's been a good weekend all around.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Politik
via FoxyTunes
11/2/2008 - Find a Quotation that moves you and write it down. Why does it move you?
Help me get down, I can make it,
Help me get down If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you, father.
These are lyrics from a song by the Killers. They remind me of how out of control life feels sometimes. There may have been a time when I thought I knew the answers, but not anymore. A situation came up several weeks ago, when I felt like God was moving things into place to answer a prayer and life might make sense. Things didn't fall into place, and life has moved in weirder directions since then. I sat and listened to this song, and struggled to retain what little confidence in a greater plan I still had. Right now life just doesn't really make sense, and I feel like every area of my life means I'm bothering someone, family friends and even God. My heart cries with the ache of what might be. but life demands we go on. So I'll just keep trying, and hoping that someone somewhere cares enough to help.
----------------
Now playing: The Arcade Fire - Intervention
via FoxyTunes
Help me get down If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you, father.
These are lyrics from a song by the Killers. They remind me of how out of control life feels sometimes. There may have been a time when I thought I knew the answers, but not anymore. A situation came up several weeks ago, when I felt like God was moving things into place to answer a prayer and life might make sense. Things didn't fall into place, and life has moved in weirder directions since then. I sat and listened to this song, and struggled to retain what little confidence in a greater plan I still had. Right now life just doesn't really make sense, and I feel like every area of my life means I'm bothering someone, family friends and even God. My heart cries with the ache of what might be. but life demands we go on. So I'll just keep trying, and hoping that someone somewhere cares enough to help.
----------------
Now playing: The Arcade Fire - Intervention
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, November 1, 2008
11/1/2008 - Day's events
So I thought I'd also try to use the blogosphere to keep track of a few of my thoughts on the events of each day. We'll see how it goes. Today was a Saturday, spent in Ohio with our family. We headed out mid-morning, and after stopping at Java Jo's, Heini's, and the AAA office in Cleveland, we found ourselves at the Rock & Roll hall of fame and museum. The next number of hours was spent wandering the exhibit halls, watching various interviews and videos, and listening to a lot of music. It was an enjoyable though tiring day, and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the music culture.
High points...
John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for Beautiful Boy and In My Life
Introducing someone to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah
John Lennon and Bob Marley's signatures on the same wall panel
Being acquainted with 80% of the music I heard.
We ate supper at Max and Erma's in Canton. and had a good time together.
Ended up back at our host's house, and people wound down for the evening.
----------------
Now playing: The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
via FoxyTunes
High points...
John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for Beautiful Boy and In My Life
Introducing someone to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah
John Lennon and Bob Marley's signatures on the same wall panel
Being acquainted with 80% of the music I heard.
We ate supper at Max and Erma's in Canton. and had a good time together.
Ended up back at our host's house, and people wound down for the evening.
----------------
Now playing: The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
via FoxyTunes
11/1/2008 - What did you accomplish last year
Made it through.
Worked through applying to an adoption agency with my wife, we're now approved, and waiting.
Lost 40 lbs.
Served as a bridegroom in both family weddings this summer.
Registered to Vote.
Raised a pint with an old friend.
Visited Washington DC at the peak of cherry blossom season.
Vacationed in Southern California.
Worked through applying to an adoption agency with my wife, we're now approved, and waiting.
Lost 40 lbs.
Served as a bridegroom in both family weddings this summer.
Registered to Vote.
Raised a pint with an old friend.
Visited Washington DC at the peak of cherry blossom season.
Vacationed in Southern California.
Friday, October 31, 2008
10/31/2008 - List five things you want
1. Acceptance
2. Respect
3. Peace of mind
4. Love
5. A Child
1. Acceptance has been a real issue for me lately. Watching and wondering if people realize the message their ambivalence sends. I want to be overwhelmed with peoples acceptance.
2. Other people respecting who I am. Respecting my opinions and viewpoint. Respecting my feelings
3. I want to have the peace of mind that allows me to savor the ordinary and bask in the wonderfulness of the mundane. I want to see every day as a gift, and enjoy every relationship as precious.
4. Love can be shown in so many different ways, and while the fact that I am loved may be true, I want every indication otherwise to be blown away in affection from friends and family.
5. My wife and I have enjoyed a wonderful marriage for nearly ten years. I do not want for companionship or partnership with her. We have long wanted children and years of fertility treatments, have yielded no fruit. As I write we are on the waiting list to be chosen as adoptive parents. The waiting time is increasing, and it is hard to remain eager all the time, but I recognize that desire for a child in my heart. For myself and for my wife.
2. Respect
3. Peace of mind
4. Love
5. A Child
1. Acceptance has been a real issue for me lately. Watching and wondering if people realize the message their ambivalence sends. I want to be overwhelmed with peoples acceptance.
2. Other people respecting who I am. Respecting my opinions and viewpoint. Respecting my feelings
3. I want to have the peace of mind that allows me to savor the ordinary and bask in the wonderfulness of the mundane. I want to see every day as a gift, and enjoy every relationship as precious.
4. Love can be shown in so many different ways, and while the fact that I am loved may be true, I want every indication otherwise to be blown away in affection from friends and family.
5. My wife and I have enjoyed a wonderful marriage for nearly ten years. I do not want for companionship or partnership with her. We have long wanted children and years of fertility treatments, have yielded no fruit. As I write we are on the waiting list to be chosen as adoptive parents. The waiting time is increasing, and it is hard to remain eager all the time, but I recognize that desire for a child in my heart. For myself and for my wife.
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