My blog...a glimpse into the meanderings of my mind.

I'm still alive...

2009-11-04T12:56:00.001-05:00

Yup....title says it all...might get back into this thing sometime...we will see...

Maybe....

2007-12-03T23:10:00.000-05:00

Maybe I've remembered that I post thoughts and such here...
Maybe I'm still alive...
Maybe I've changed jobs since the last post....
Maybe I've gotten new hobbies...
Maybe I've developed new friendships...
Maybe I've acquired new vehicles...
Maybe I look a little different...
Maybe....just maybe things have changed...

Pillows and Blankets and such

2007-02-20T14:35:00.000-05:00

Just so all you happy peoples out there who read this can know...lack of sleep messes you up. The past 2 days i've not been able to get to sleep until the early AM...this morn it was almost 7:30, and i was in bed at around 1:30. The night before wasn't quite as bad, but still was later than is healthy. The second thing is the quality of sleep has been greatly deteriorated over the past several weeks...resulting in restlessness, tossing and turning, and some very, very odd, freaky, and sometimes horrifying dreams...not to mention the fact that all this has been causing mild halucinations here and there...[SARCASM]it's great i love being awake most of the day and seeing/hearing things that aren't really there[/SARCASM]

Anywho...in case you were wondering...that's how i'm doing. Other than that, and a lack of employment, it's all mostly peachy :D

Anybody want a peanut?

2007-01-08T13:45:00.000-05:00

Well my fellow fans of reading what's going on...I have something interesting for you. This weekend I not only rearranged some furniture...but I also created a chair. Yes, not bought, or stole, or borrowed, or found on the side of the road, created. Using my skills in...ummm...chairish making stuff I turned ordinary household objects into a cozy litlle chair.

And now for your viewing pleasure behold **fanfare** THE CHAIR!!!

Just so you understand what's going on, these photos go in sequence from the different stages of creation...the only thing that's missing is a photo of the original uncut...barrell. Enjoy the creativity that I now call "chair"!!

IT'S ALIIIVVVEEE!!!!

2006-12-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

Errrmmm, actually "it's" not but I still am. I've been accused of being a slacker in regards to posting here for you happy people (thanks JESS). So I'm here letting you know that life still exists, and I still am drawing breath. With that said, I will now wish you all a late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Holiday was good for me....got to go home and see the family...which is always good.

Anywho, I've got stuff that must be done, and you need not waste anymore time reading my ramblings...so we shall depart!

I don't know

2006-09-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

Over the past week I've had a lot of time to think (something bout 12 hrs alone in a car will do that...). Now I know that some of you who know me well are starting to say "uhoh" and "what now?" Thankfully none of the thinking that occured should have you worried. However, much of the thought processes have been more analytical and reflective.

I did my best to set aside all the mental gyrations, misgivings, feelings, and such that usually factor into my odd frame of thinking, and then just step outside my "life" and take a look at what's going on. I pondered where I am, how I got there, and why. I conisdered things I've done and said, the events that ultimately led up to those, and tried to determine the best course of action to remedy things that needed to be so.

I saw how I let things from my past (feelings, events, etc) dictate my future, and thus propel me back into the same feelings, etc. that I sought to avoid. I also thought over all the events in the past few months that have put me into the position that I'm now in. And how not only my actions, but also the actions of others has directed me into this spot.

All this thinking, I saw it. It all made sense. I totally understand and can follow what logic there has been in everything. I looked back and saw how little things went undealt with and pushed aside until they became major problems. I saw how each decision, no matter how minute, has in some way, shape, form or fashion affected my life and the lives of those around me. I saw all this. Some of it hurt to see, b/c I knew the pain it caused me or people close to me. Some of it I saw and would gladly do again.

Yet amid all this reflecting I came away with one central thought: "I don't know." Yes I know seems odd to say it, since I said I understood it all, but it doesn't just apply to that...

I don't know where I'd be without the people closest to me, and who have over many, many occasions (whether I noticed or knew or not) proved their concern, care and love for me.

I don't know what life would be like if I could go back and change but one or two small tiny things.

I don't know where all this is headed.

I don't know why people put up with me sometimes.

I don't know how I got this far.

I don't know...there's just so much...

No matter how much I think about it there will be mysteries--things that I completely do not and will not understand. However there is one thing I know for a fact: I am more grateful than I could ever express with word or action to those of you who have been there for me, and have done everything you could to help out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has not gone unnoticed, and will not ever be forgotten.

Do you know??

2006-09-13T16:58:00.000-05:00

To those who feel up to the task...the following link contains something for you to do. Simply you must pick 5 words from the list that you feel best describe me. This will tell everyone who sees it a bunch of stuff. The more people who do it the better results...etc.

So now's your chance...click the link and pick those words!!

link

An ode to calamity

2006-09-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

Well have I played the part of a fool,
Wrapt up in selfish misery,
Knowing naught of sorrow's rule.
Too late the light of truth I see,
Where much to my chagrin,
Instead of being lovely,
All turned rotten within.

Alas, tis true. Oh too often we see the problems we've been sowing only when the first fruits come to harvest. I would give all my earthly possesions, sacrifice my very limbs if I could but undo this hurt I've brought to those dear to me. The error of looking always at self is only noticed when you run face-first into your mirror which those who love you have attempted to move from your path. And then not only have you been hurt, but those who care about you are hurt as well. It is only then do you see that the pain you caused yourself pales in comparison to the hurt you endure knowing you've hurt someone dear.

As I emerge from the remnants
of shattered, broken self-pity,
I see reflected in the fragments
A baser shade of me.
As I beg of those I injured
Forgiveness.
I feel the pain they've endured.

Words fail as I seek to express my sorrow. Never has pain been so great as when you helplessly watch yourself hurt a friend. A thousand apologies given for a thousand days I fear would ne'er suffice to mend such a hurt. And yet I, I have done this...I have done it without knowing what it was I did...without knowing until the hurt had been done. All the treasures of the world would be too little a price to pay for a chance at forgiveness.

Like the phoenix from ashes,
So must I rise from this folly.
The phoenix burns anew like torches,
Yet I am not made fresh from this folly.
In time wounds must heal,
Scars will attest to the folly
Yet the pain will be remembered as real.

restrictions and such

2006-08-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

As some may know there are certain restrictions placed upon indiviuals who drive. One such restriction is the "a" restriction...and those of you who have it know what I'm talkin about.

Well, last night I learned...via good experience...why exactly that restriction is necessary. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to make a 20 minute drive from a friend's house back to mine without the aid of my corrective lenses. Those of you who know me well know that I'm decently blind without some sort of optical correction.

So thankfully nothing major happened...just a couple of almost minor incidents that made the trip rather harrowing. The first was fog. Picture this, you can't see a thing...it's all blurry, but your headlights give enough light that you can stay on the road, though the haze on your windshield distorts them. Then you drive into a patch of fog, and the side of the road disappears, as does everything but the trail of your headlights. You try to use the good half of your broken glasses and close the other eye, but that only makes things worse b/c you have absolutely no depth perception at all (and the fact that the lense is a prescription too strong doesn't help either...).

That's how the whole ride home went...only I didn't ever try to put the glasses on again, b/c I learned that was just going to make it worse. Most of it was highway, so as long as I could see reflectors I could gauge where I was and stay in a lane. Until I had to turn off the highway...that was rough, almost turned into a ditch, and then just about drove straight into the front yard of a church...

A tribute

2006-08-01T17:26:00.000-05:00

Emptiness is felt without you,
Knowing that you're gone.
Tears flow unbidden
As memories come rushing in.
The past seems like yesterday,
But too far away.

As I hold you dear to heart,
Knowing as we'll be apart,
Your love will not be unfelt
As your example lights my way.

All that is within me
Wishes upon the past
Thinking it went too fast
To know more of you.

If I'd had the chance to say,
These words would ring true,
"MeeMaw, I love you,
each and every day."

since i was told to post...

2006-07-18T20:43:00.000-05:00

yup...i've been instructed, by a friend, that i neeed to post something, cuz, APPARENTLY, it's been a little while since I have. Now I don't know the specifics of that...but that's what I was told. I can't say that there's much new other than um...having the brains of my laptop completely fry and then have to be replaced, and uh...some other stuff happened...like...oh going to the doctor for a work related problem and finding out that I have bicepital tendonitis...whooohoooo, and then I...um...ate something, and went to bed, the end.

LOL! I really just don't know what to say for there's not much that needs to be said. Yes i could ramble on bout this n that n the other thing, but....eh...what's the use, i ramble enough as it is...why add more steam to the atmosphere?

UGH

2006-06-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

Well, today has been very interesting to say the least. Today began my trip to Michigan for one of my good friend's wedding, which I just happen to be in as a groomsman. It all started around 5:40 when I rolled out of bed to get ready to leave, etc. Brandy and I left greenville around 6:20, and had a decent trip despite the thick traffic between gwinnett and the 285 bypass. That was all good.

I got to the airport, and thru security and even to my gate by 10:00 for my 10:45 (on time) flight to Flint, MI. That was when all the fun began...to start with my blood sugar started gettin all flaky do to nervousness, and such, but I was able to get calm enough not to notice that at all. I sat around my gate, keeping tabs on the time, and noticed that the time for my flight was ever approaching, and I was hearing nothing about it. Since it's been years since I flew, and this was the first time I've flown alone, I just shrugged it off as worry. Little did I know that I should've been worried. For the gate on my boarding pass, and the gate the plane arrived at differed completely. And this difference wasn't just a matter of number, no...it was in a totally different concourse. Anyhow, I'm getting ahead of myself. Around 10:35-10:40 I gathered my stuff and went to find out where in the world my plane was. After waiting in line I got to the desk to inquire about it around 10:45 (yes, the time I was supposed be going down a runway...) and found out then that it wasn't at D35 NO SIREEE it was at C33, and I missed it...which the lady behind the counter was nice enough to point out to me (as if I didn't already know...). Thankfully, there was another flight going up there this afternoon...at 2:00. Which meant I had to sit for oh 3 hours in an airport b/c someone somewhere goofed up.

By the time I did actually make it to flint, which was around 4 pm, I was exhausted and hungry (turns out I'd only had a cookie, 2 small kruellers, and 1.5 frappachinos...due mainly to a lack of desire to eat...despite the hunger [yea, figure that one out....]). Currently, my day will continue to drag on. I've eaten something (honestly not enough cuz I'm still starving...), and ridden another hour and a half to get to my friends city (midland, MI), helped move stuff around for the reception on Saturday, met family and such...then in about 45 minutes we have to drive back to Flint (bout an hour to hour or so) to pick another groomsman from the airport, swing by some funny named town to get some forgotten honeymoon plans of mike's that a co-worker (of mike's) is bringing home with him from the capitol building in Lansing where mike works. Then after another hour's drive we'll get to the hotel where we get to (may i say "finally") sleep.

So, tis been one L-O-N-G day...and who knows what the rest of the weekend shall hold...

To you, my father...

2006-06-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

Well, to those of you who don't know, today is my dad's birthday. Yup he gains another notch on the ladder of life, another rung in his belt, and a new peg for his leg. Hehe. ;) So, dad, hope this day goes well, you have an awesome time, get some good food (which if grannie's cooking I know twill be good), and generally take it easy on this your birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

yes, i'm still here

2006-06-07T18:29:00.000-05:00

in case any of you people were wondering i am still alive, here, and such. there just hasn't been that much to post about, nothing is going on other than the normal stuff that has already been written about...sorry to disappoint, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Little Things....

2006-05-20T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it seems that it's the little things that you live for. Seemingly small and insignificant actions of others that just make your day. That little word, phone call, smile, kiss, presence or even just tone of voice brings a joy that will never be able to completely be expressed in words, though it be very much appreciated. Rough days never seem as rough, and good days are made so much better just by that little thing.

Sadly, sometimes it's also little things that really seem to mess things up. Words taken out of context, attitudes misunderstood, feelings not known, circumstances unexplained, or actions mistaken. Such little things become the penny the derails the train, or the thorn that cripples the mighty lion. They render you feeling frustrated that something's happened, upset that you've caused pain, angry at yourself for being so blind, sad that all seemed to fall apart, pessimistic about both past and future, and many times scared.

When these little things become big things for whatever reason, time seems to come to a crawl. Every second seems like hours, every feeling gets intensified, and bajillions of thoughts scream through your head. Sleep comes as a relief, but seems to be so very close yet so very far, far away.

When little things become big things your stomach never feels right, and only distraction takes your thoughts away. Yet all you want to do is focus on that one thing. Your thoughts jump to conclusions as your mind searches its maze of experiences for something to compare it to.

When little things become big things they mean a lot more. The joy you receive or the pain you feel seems so much more real that you become blinded and cannot see reality. Thus you place your self either in an extreme emotional high or the deep gutters of despondency.

When little things become big things you don't know what to do. They leave you just sitting there either enjoying or resenting the rush of feelings that are flooding your heart. Reactions (complete with possible consequences) must be carefully weighed and excercised with extreme caution, thoughts must be checked, rechecked and then filtered by reality, and feelings must be controlled.

When little things become big things all you can do is accept them. However much you enjoyed or disliked it, nothing you say or do will change that it happened. If the pieces are shattered, pick them up and reassemble. If you're on cloud nine, bring yourself down.

When little things become big things life goes on whether you want it to or not. Living in a haze, daze, or other such altered state over what happens makes daily life so much harder. You want to either sit and relive the joy, or push the dread far far away. In either case, constantly it comes to mind and causes you to miss out on some things in life.

When little things make your day the rain clouds disappear.

When little things put you to sleep at night it's a much sweeter sleep.

When little things sound beautiful you sit awed by their beauty.

When little things are those kisses just at the right time they puts you in bliss.

When little things are just smiles they mean so much more.

When little things are being there to comfort, console, help, or just to be there they make the time so much better.

When little things mean more than can be put into words you can never truly express what you feel.

Mega Congrats!!

2006-05-09T18:10:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to post a big congradulations to all those who just commenced their lifes by walking across a stage to receive an empty diploma case. I truly hope that such emptiness will not be symoblic of the education so recently completed. Way to go guys!!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !

MMMM....sushi

2006-04-28T23:00:00.001-05:00

So...i went for sushi again tonight...and it was just as good as last time...and i've learned that i really don't care all that much for tako...it too bland and chewy....and as always, spicy tuna is just totally totally awesome.

Hope?

2006-04-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

Ever stop to think about hope? Tis an interesting line of thought...

Let us frist start with the dictionary, and establish what the common usage of said "hope" is.

hope (hp)

v., hoped, hoping, hopes. v.intr.

To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
Archaic. To have confidence; trust.

v.tr.

To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.
To expect and desire. See synonyms at expect.

A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.
Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.
One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.
often Hope Christianity. The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
Archaic. Trust; confidence.

idiom:

hope against hope

To hope with little reason or justification.

[Middle English hopen, from Old English hopian.]

hop'er n.

It, hope, obviously is an inanimate substance, that is, if substances can be considered inanimate and substances. Otherwise, hope is something never to be handled, felt or seen, through human senses. Yet, if hope truly is "desire and expectation rolled into one," then there must be some way of perceiving it.

Ah! Now the wheels begin to turn inside your head as you struggle to see things in the manner in which I do. Consider this, if something is incapable of being perceived then it follows that it is incapable of being defined. An accurate definition never contains the word being defined, and must, by nature of being "accurate" correctly and coherently sum up what it's defining. That being said, let us establish this sinple principle: definition, by default, requires perception.

Now, "the rub" lies with the ghastly term "perception." Simply put this "perception" comes from the use of the senses...sight, sound, taste, feel, and mind. Perception in the mind covers a vast realm of philosophical matters that need not be brought up here or at this time. It will suffice to say, that "true perception" lies solely in the mind, and the senses are but an extension of that perception. For our use we will deem that when an object was been "perceived" it has been grasped by the mind. Thus since it has been perceived, it can be defined.

Moving on to hope, we establish that though intangible, it exists as something to be perceived, thus enabling us, and others before us to create, and refine an adequate definition. I doubt that any of us would disagree with the statement that "the common usage of the word 'hope' today is that of 'expectant desire'." With that in our minds let us consider the validity of having hope.

The question at hand, "Is having hope really worth it?" or "Does hope truly help?", follows an interesting line of thought. Hope is "expectant desire." In other words, a desire of some sort exists, and you truly expect it to be fulfilled. Desire truly implies a want of some sort. Yet by default, no one ever gets all that they want, there is no possible way that every person could have everything they want, all the time. It is physically impossible. Thus it would follow that not every hope that one has will be fulfilled.

That brings us back to the question: "why should i hope if it's only going to be left unfulfilled?" The answer to that question varies from person to person. Those who tend to be optimists would reply that you should always "hope against hope" for the next time could prove better. Then the comes the reply from the pessimisstic side of the camp saying that you should give up hope for you will always be let down. What about those who take the middle ground? They tell you that it all depends on the situation at hand, and that only you can decide.

Where does this leave us? It leaves us with the ascertaition that hope, and the value of hope must lie within the individual. That which would be hopeful to me, could be ordinary to someone else. Does it pay off to "keep your hopes up"? That too must be answered solely by you. Since hope remains intangible, it also remains very subjective. Many elements of what some could consider hope lie deep beneath the surface of their personal understanding. And remain there.

The results are in...

2006-04-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

and it's totally official...sushi is like so totally awesome!! It's just so great!!

In case you didn't know...

2006-04-13T16:59:00.000-05:00

As you might not have known, many days of the calendar year can be designated with a name...usually that of a holiday like Christmas, or Valentine's Day. There are, however, lesser known "holidays". These are usually more fun, and have some sort of a purpose to someone some where. Yesterday, for example, was "stare up into the sky day." Now we come to the whole reason i write this TODAY. On this very day it has been designated, by the folks at suda.co.uk, that today is **trumpet fanfare** BLAME SOMEONE ELSE DAY!! Yes, on this day, and for this day only you have complete liberty to take all your problems, frustrations, etc. and blame anybody but yourself for them.

**REMINDER** This is not to be indulged upon, since it only happens once a year...and you never know who may be blaming you...

With that said...enjoy the rest of a responsibility free day!!

Stereotypes

2006-04-03T20:02:00.000-05:00

Ever stop to wonder where society would be if you couldn't magically put people into nice, predefined categories based upon some part of there life? Think about it...you could actually know people for who they are...wow imagine that!

Scenery

2006-03-05T22:42:00.000-05:00

I took this from the almost top of a mountain near Glassy Mountain. It's amazing what you can do with about 5-6 pics and good video software.

Faceplant

2006-03-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

You'll never guess what happened to me at work yesterday. Ok..maybe you've got some idea from the title of this post... While struggling to slide a bundle of aluminum angle, something gave way...I don't remember now if it was my feet or my hands, but regardless I plummeted, rather forcefully I might add, face first into said aluminum. My lip hit first...actually right below my lip...kinda equal with the bottom of my teeth, then the bridge of my nose, and finally the ridge just above my eyebrows. Needless to say...it hurts. I've got an ugly looking (editor's note: this cut just looks ugly b/c it's on the nose...it was not deep at all) cut on my nose, and a nasty (being very different from previously used ugly) looking bruise below my lip. It's all purple and red speckled...and the inside of my lip looks much worse. It feels really weird, b/c the bruised area is slightly swollen, and just hurts..like a bruise usually does.

Responsibility...

2006-02-25T00:45:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been really, really annoyed by something someone else does? If you answer that question honestly...which of course you will...the answer's "yes." Now then, have you ever stopped to think whether you're guilty of the same annoyance? Often, at least so i've learned from my vast life experiences...., what annoys us about someone else lives, sometimes more blatanly, in our own lives. Consider this...you're working with this guy who, though you can get along with him just fine..., manages to drive you up a wall. When something "bad" happens it seems like the responsibility never comes to him...it's always something else...the machine...the pedal...the rollers. But no matter what...IT'S NOT HIS FAULT. And this starts to really perturb you...and you find yourself thinking..."why won't this guy just grow up, be a man, and take the blame?" As you ponder this, and stew over how much he annoys you...maybe the thought will hit you (or at least it should...) "ooo, i wonder if i'm ever that way...?" And if it does strike you, think on that thought, and maybe you'll see that even though you are annoyed...you should be understanding as well...sometimes....maybe...

Hilariousisity

2006-02-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

Oh, so funny...sad thing is I know people like this...

Are you as stupid as you think I am?

2006-02-17T18:49:00.000-05:00

Back in the day I couldn't really ever pin down a "pet peeve," yet all that has changed. I now have a number one peeve *drum roll* people treating me like I'm a complete idiot. Like where do people come off being so arrogant...it ticks me off. However, I must admit that, at times, I'm guilty of the same...maybe that's why it bugs me so much....

Singles Awareness

2006-02-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today happens to be the magical day that comes but once a year where all those who aren't in some sort of relationship get that fact thrown in their face over and over all day long. And that day happens to have been today...singles awareness day. A day for those who are single to "celebrate" the fact that they have no reason to give or receive chocolate hearts, stuffed bears (or other animals), or other such oddities otherwise associated with the "holiday" that occurs on this 14th of February.

Put your money where your mouth is??

2006-02-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

Remember all those new fashions that those infamous rappers are always comin out with? Well, guess what, they've done it again. Just when you thought a rapper couldn't get any more gold and silver onto his body, he finds a way to prove you wrong. The new fad is called "grills(or grillz)." Now, you're asking me what in the world that is, and that's what i said...but look at this article. Here I thought braces were considered tacky and unattractive, but I guess I was wrong. If this is so cool, I might have to look into getting myself a set. I've already been told by many people I've got a great smile and pretty teeth...so why not enhance them and make me smile shine?

Another birthday of note...

2006-02-03T21:53:00.000-05:00

Well, today is my youngest brother's, jonathan, birthday. He turned the whopping age of 8...and i'm sure he's loving every minute of it.

I wish i were a fish

2006-02-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had just one of those days where life just seemed to really go the wong way? Like you sleep in and are late to work, burn your muffins for breakfast, feel just horrible and like you're just a worthless piece of trash...

That's why i've decided to wish i were a fish! Think about it...bein a fish is so simple, all you are really ever concerned about is findin the next meal to eat, gettin rest you need it, and stayin alive when predators come crawling. No taxes, no cleaning, no stupid drivers, deadlines, or homework, and you wouldn't have to worry about feelings, or what other people think or anything but pretty much stayin alive. It would be great...swimming all the time. Just pure bliss.

It's your birthday..

2006-01-28T23:48:00.000-05:00

Well, Jessie, hope you've had a good birthday...

Life...?

2006-01-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

Have you ever sat down and thought about all the little things, and events in life that make you who you are? Consider this, would you be exactly where you are, doing exactly what you're doing today if one "little" thing in your life hadn't happened? Now, I'm not talking about the real minute things such as what you ate for lunch on the 4th of march, 1998, but about things such as people you meet and hang out with, or decisions you've made hear and there. Silly example...say sometime 2 years ago you where driving home from the store, and decided to take a different route than normal, and as a result of that choice got in a car wreck that ended up totaling your vehicle. Now think of how different you'd be today, if you hadn't gone that way. It's an interesting thing to consider. Everything that happens to us, ultimately does define us and make us who we are. It's what helps us to identify with other people who've gone through similar situations, and it's what helps to influence the way we act and think. All-in-all, it's something that's very interesting to think about...but not too much...

It's been a while...

2006-01-20T00:42:00.000-05:00

Seems that I haven't been here in almost a month to share my illustrious life with you my beautiful, eager audience. So, if I may indulge you, I'll take a few lines to detail what's been going on since the day after Christmas. To make it easier on me I'm just going to list them...but (this is an editorial warning) the list is in no way meant to be, supposed to be, or representative of any actual chronological order...it's just a list of things that have occured.

Got sick.
Drove back to G-ville.
Ate some really good meals.
Watched some movies.
Helped paint a friend's house.
Worked on some computer server systems.
Found my amp was fried.
Got sick.
Played some video games.
Chatted with some friends on the internet.
Got told I needed an appointment to renew a DL.
Worked hard...hehehe.
Got paid for doing something.
Made an awesome beef pot roast. *licks lips*
Got sick.
Played the piano.
Learned some stuff?...maybe.
Started back to school. :(
Got some worthless junk mail (yea...i'm grabbin into thin air).
How can I forget...Went to Wal-Mart!.
Worked some logic problems (sudoku...www.websudoku.com).
Took an IQ test. (Scored 129...range of normal IQ 71-130...I'm almost above normal...sweet)
And finally...Slept.

So for all of you die-hard fans, that's about as good of as synopsis as you're going to get. If you have any questions, feel free to comment them, and I'll address them as/if necessary.

And in conclusion I'd like to add two shoutouts.
1. Happy Birthday Grannie...sorry you won't see this...but still happy birthday.
2. Get Well Sooon MeeMaw...glad the surgery went well.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

Here's to you...hope you had a very good time celebrating Christmas this year.

Industrial accidents aka "Wrenchident"

2005-12-16T17:12:00.000-05:00

I've already introduced you to my overly cheerful, somewhat air-headed, over-achieving, new fellow employee "Dannie."

Well, here's something that happended to me, via his not thinking, on Monday. To make things easier to describe, and for you readers to picture, I'm going to draw a little picture and then tell the events that occurred upon that slightly painful day. In order to see the image clearly you'll want to click on it...

Well, either I or "Dannie" mispunched a piece...meaning we messed it up and we had to reset some parts in the machine in order to resume production. As you see in the pic, there was a wrench next to the "harped" piece. "Dannie" asked if he should take the piece of the rollers so we could look at it. I agreed. It was then that "Dannie" pulled the piece towards the twelve punch in order to get some momentum to pull it off. That action also moved the wrench towards the machine...and off the rollers...towards the floor...and straight into my ankly bone. I yelled (which was about all I could do other than beat the rollers with a pry bar I had in my hand). Thankfully nothing (as in my ankle) was seriously injured, though it has been kinda sore the past few days.

Nothing like a good wrench hit on the ankle to keep you jumping in the middle of the day. ;-) I later accused "Dannie" of trying to take me out b/c I can punch so much faster than he...

Modern convenience (or 3 posts in one)

2005-12-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

You learn how used to having something you are when it suddenly disappears in an ice storm. Namely, electricity. Most of Greenville has been w/o power since sometime yesterday morning. The fun part? The earliest predictions of having it back is sometime Sunday...which means at least 2 more nights w/o power, and 1 more day to have to try and find somewhere that has power to keep warm and occupied.

This ice storm, which has left about 300,000 of us without electricity, rolled in overnight Wed, and (obvioiusly) has caused a lot of damage. It caused me (though not without due cause and want of being safe) to "skip" my final Thursday morning...thankfully, I had been informed in advance that I could make it up later that afternoon, or sometime today if such an event (missing due to ice) occured.

------
Today has proved to be an interesting day...to start with, I don't have power. Which means that I didn't wake up on time, b/c the usual means of waking (a stereo playing) wasn't available. Then when I did wake up, only an hour after I was to be at work, it was cold. And not just cool, but colder than I keep the inside of my fridge...so cold that when I walked outside to go to work, it felt warm. Now that isn't saying much, for at the time it wasn't more than about 40° outside. After leaving work...which was about as boring as it normally is on a Friday, I headed home to get changed quick (I really couldn't "clean up" b/c I didn't want to waste the warm water I still had in the water heater...), and headed to school to (try and) study a little then take my final.

The final actually went about as well as it would've if I had gone to school Thursday morn and taken it then. Sadly, that means it didn't go so hot...I felt there were quite a few questions that I had no earthly clue to the answer. But, as I have been often reassured by various authoritive roles in my life, sometimes, life happens. Which is the position I am now in.

------
Here's the third part of this "3-n-1" post.

Last night, after a frantic scramble around town to find a place that could serve us food, and get us fed in time to get where we needed to go, we (my dad, sister, and I) made our way downtown to the Peace Center for the Performing Arts. There we attended a concert by Christopher Parkening, and Jubilant Sykes...all courtesy of my mom (thanx a bunch mom!!). The performances by the two artists was exceptional. I loved it. The combination of voice and guitar continues to be an inspiring method of performance, but coupled with the skill of Parkening and the awesome range of Sykes the combination is even better.

Stuff

2005-12-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

Well, turns out that part of my job description now includes training. That's right, my shop has a new "production associate," and it's been my job to teach him how to put holes in pieces of metal. The fun part is that I really don't feel qualified to be teaching him. Then there's the fact that since he's new, he doesn't know all the things that I do...which is ok, b/c alot of that is self-explanatory...but it seems that this new guy (whose name shall be renederd as dannie to not name names...) doesn't see these things. So he's always asking what to do, and following me around (sometimes it's almost like a little puppy dog...).

Here's how it "affects" me...at first I was patient...but now it's almost getting annoying...and it's becoming harder and harder to refrain from spurting out sarcastic comments about here and yon, etc.

The other BIG thing...Dannie is a morning person...and an almost always nice guy, alot of times kinda spacey, almost airheadedish...but a MORNING PERSON!!! As you may well guess, or know, I am NOT a morning person...I'm more like a late morning, afternoonish type of person. So the clash of personality I'm experiencing with Dannie at work I'm trying to keep under wraps b/c he, Dannie, would feel so bad if he knew...i'm mean like real bad...

So, I'm just doing what I normally do and not letting it affect me, and hope that he will eventually figure things out the way I think that he should. :lol:

Gloomy Mondays

2005-12-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, summer has come and passed...that means, at least for g-ville, more rain. Such as day was yesterday...and as the rain would fall down I would just stare out my window. It was gloomy...dark...so dark that the my shadow, who sometimes is the only one who walks beside me, could hardly be found. What made it more gloomy was that it seemed there nothing to do and nothing to lose for trying to have a good day.

2005-11-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

Here's to those who want to know how the story goes, but don't want to read it. To find more of what follows visit rinkworks.

Hamlet

By William Shakespeare

Ultra-Condensed by Adrien Arnold

Hamlet

Whine whine whine...To be or not to be...I'm dead.

THE END

Leaving town...

2005-11-23T20:34:00.000-05:00

Tuesday after classes marked the beginning of thanksgiving break, and with it gave most of us the opportunity to go home to be with family. Thus are the circumstances of my saga tuesday night...

5:00--[cell phone ring] I answer
Dave - Hey, chris, i need a really big favor.
Me - what can i do for ya dave?
Do you think you could take me to the airport?
[dave's dorm room phone rings and he proceeds to talk to his mother for a couple of minutes about when he'd get home...Repeatedly telling her "ok mom, i'm in a hurry...i need to go...i'm in a hurry"]
What time do you need to get there?
If you could pick me up at 7:00 that'd be great.
5:05--end phone call

In between that phone call and leaving work at 5:30 I got directions to GSP from a co-worker who happens to have an evening job there loading cargo planes

I go home and while in the shower miss a phone call...

6:45--I check my voice mail while walking out of the house to go and get dave...
"hey chris, this is jessie (my cousin's girl...) all our rides to the train station have fallen through, and I was wonderin' if you'd be free to take us to the station"

6:50ish--I call Jessie and talk to her about a ride...she tells me that her train leaves at 11:00; she wants to be there at 10:15; she states that picking her up at 9:00 would work; and asks if I'll have room in my car for 4 girls. I agree that it'll work out.

7:00--I get dave and his suitcase and set out to the airport following the directions that I was given.

7:20--no sign of the airport...in fact the town we were fast approaching, simpsonville, was on the other side of greenville...after a call to wes, we realized that the directions he had given me left out a detail...at least a detail that I didn't know but he thought I did.

7:30--dave should've been getting to the airport right now...instead we'd just turned around to make a bee-line for the correct interstate.

7:45--Airport...safe and sound.

By 8:15-20 I arrive home, clean out my trunk and backseat in the car, then throw something fast into the microwave for supper.

8:30--Jessie calls and asks if I can come pick them up now...they're ready to leave campus. I ask for about 10 minutes to eat.

8:50--I pull back campus of BJU and help 4 girls load suitcases into my trunk.

From then at 8:50 until I dropped them off at the train station close to 10:00 I hung out with 4 girls...it was great. We went to walmart...got shakes at sonic (which was quite interesting since they all needed separate orders and didn't all have exact change...)...drove downtown...looked at a "pretty" bridge (which we drove over and executed a "hard" u-turn upon arriving at the other side...yea rwd)...then got to the train station where we almost convinced one of the girls that her train was the boxcar train on the rails in front of the station.

After leaving the girls on the station I headed home where I frantically packed my stuff and tried to get everything ready for my own trip home the next day.

mixed up phone calls

2005-11-18T20:59:00.000-05:00

The oddest saga has been going on with my phone line. The other day I was standing next to my phone and answering machine. I called my home line from my cell to see if the answering machine would work. Oddly enough, my phone never rang, but someone picked up and said hello. On the presupption that I'd called the wrong number, I checked my phone bill, and learned that I hadn't dialed an incorrect number, I dialed mine.

It gets stranger...I've been working on getting my computer setup to act as a fax machine. Part of this involves making sure it can receive faxes from an external fax machine. So, today, I tried to use the fax at work to send something to my house. And someone answered the phone..."such and such a law firm." After several tries every time I got the same thing...a law firm. I googled my phone number and learned from the search that there are about 6 different people listed to my exact phone number. 4 of them are lawyers, and 2 are residential...none of them are mine.

In the end, I ended up calling bellsouth repair and they said they'd have a technician look at it and have it "fixed" (hopefully) by 7 pm monday.

Confused blonde drivers

2005-11-08T21:05:00.000-05:00

Last thursday I had the funniest thing happened at work on thursday. We had a package that was to go out by one of the more popular standard shipping companies (ie fedex, ups, dhl). Well, my supervisor called it in, then about an hour or so later he got a phone call from the driver who was to pick up asking for directions. He gave her, which I overheard, very specific directions to our shop..."across the street from backyard burgers, and behind caligor." An hour later, the phone rang.
I answered.
The lady on the other end asked "where are you? I called earlier, but still can't find it."
I asked where she was in return.
"In the parking lot of backyard burgers."
"We're across the street."
"You mean that wharehouse looking building?"
"I suppose so. We're the one with the Old Dominion truck out front."
"Oh, you're behind caligor."
It was so funny...especially when she got out of the truck and we saw the color of her hair. ;-)

Sorry, but I don't remember...

2005-11-07T11:32:00.000-05:00

The brain's a funny thing sometimes. It's amazing the things that you do and don't remember. For instance, I can remember numerous embarassing moments from my childhood, as well as other useless facts and items. Yet there are things that you think I would remember, but absolutely don't. Here's the example: Turn's out that when I drove to charlotte for the shop I somehow ran a red light. Here's what's so funny...they "caught" the act on camera, and sent the photos to the shop office. Well, my boss sat me down and asked me about the charlotte trip, showed me the pics, and asked if I remembered it...I don't. I was looking at the pictures, mentally going over what I did on the trip, focusing on the pictures, and realizing that it must've been me, but acknowledging that I can't remember. It's so funny, those pictures we're of me, but I absolutely couldn't remember. Long story short...I gave as ample an explanation as I could based on what I did remember of that trip. Thankfully, since the truck was registered to the company, I don't get any points on my record, and the shop will take care of the fine. Moral of the story: Remember what you do!

Cutsy wootsy

2005-11-05T19:56:00.000-05:00

For all you stuffed animal lovers out there, I present "Gigi" a fashion poodle complete with nails.

Ah, winter

2005-11-02T13:58:00.000-05:00

I was out running last night and remembered why I like winter a little better than summer. Other than the typical reasons of the temperature, and precipitation...I enjoy winter because of smoke. You heard me, smoke...not just any ol' smoke though, but cedar smoke. Some where out there on my "course" that I run, some one, last night, had their fireplace going, and had cedar logs on the fire. Oh, it smelled so good...if I hadn't needed to keep running, I would've stayed there, just smelling that aroma...

In other news, nothing's happening...call for more details. ;-)

For your enjoyment

2005-10-31T19:12:00.000-05:00

Here's another spamusement for you.

Fanatic...of sorts

2005-10-27T22:37:00.000-05:00

It's official. I am now on the verge of, or have already crossed the line of, being a health fanatic. You heard right, a health fanatic. I've started tracking what I eat for both carbs and calories (as best as I possibly can, of course), and have diligently (as bodily and such as possible) maintained my prescribed (by me, of course...see post on being a navy seal) workout routine. This diligence results in running even when it's cold outside. I just finished running 4 miles outside in the 45° air (it actually had the real feel of like 41°). Granted, there are more maniacal people than I when it comes to being "healthy," but for me, I've never been this pro-active about it.

This week at work one of my fellow employees asked why I had become so concerned about what I eat (calorie/carb intake), and exercising. Here are my reasons (some of which have been thought of after giving him my answer):
1. I've been given this body by God, why shouldn't I do my best to keep his temple heathy
2. If I strive to be healthy now it will be much easier when I really do need to be healthy
3. It's good for me
4. A healthy body (both in muscular endurance and fat content) will age better and live (no rare disease occuring) longer
5. It builds discipline and thus character (by doing what sometimes your body doesn't feel like doing)
6. I enjoy it (at least the exercise part...the whole counting what you eat gets old real fast)

These reasons (when taken individually) should be enough to motivate anyone to both eat correctly and to exercise often.

road to famousity

2005-10-24T21:46:00.000-05:00

Yep, I'm on my way towards being famous. I just found my first "on camera" cameo, and I think it turned out pretty well.

My last semester as an undergrad I took an English literature class on Shakespeare. It just so happened that that same semester a few new BJU admissions videos were filmed....and they filmed a segment of my Shakespeare class.

That's a screenshot were you can clearly see me...If you so desire you can view the complete video here.

Wish me luck as I'm sure this will begin a new era in my professional career.

whoo who!

2005-10-24T17:27:00.000-05:00

What a Saturday I had this weekend. A friend, Bob Wintemberg, and I spent the majority of our Saturday at Six Flags over Georgia. And boy did we have fun...there's nothing like getting whipped around at speeds in excess of 40 mph, or being dropped from 200 ft. ;- ) One interesting thing we continually noticed all day was the people. There are some interesting characters out there...and they all seemed to show up at six flags...but oh well.

Birthday

2005-10-17T19:01:00.000-05:00

Today is Noah Webster's birthday. That old codger is now 247 years old...and still writing those dictionaries. Well, at least his namesake is still publishing dictionaries. So, if you happen to see him, give your best wishes to him on his birthday.

Freedom is Mine!!

2005-10-15T20:42:00.000-05:00

This poorly drawn picture, known as "spamusement", can be found on a site dedicated to "art" from "spam". The titles for the pictures come from actual spam emails.

Here's to a free lunch...err...breakfast

2005-10-15T20:21:00.000-05:00

This morning the local swim team, Team Greenville Swim, hosted a benefit breakfast for a Hurricane Katrina victim from LSU. The son of the owner of the place I work at, Steve White, happens to be involved with them in some form. Well, he bought about 30 tickets and gave them to the employees of my shop, and, I, not willing to let a free meal go to waste, went this morning with a couple of friends. It was great...it was hosted by applebee's, and they served pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. The food was good...

New look...

2005-10-12T19:32:00.000-05:00

Yep, I got tired of the old format, so I looked around at the templates and chose this one for the new look of my blog. Hopefully I'll keep it, but we'll just see... ;-)

Here's a good quote...

2005-10-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

This quote comes from an extensive section on the "Theological Scene Today" of the chapter entitled "The Method of Theology" in Millard J. Erickson's book Christian Theology.

In the immediate context of "contemporizing the Christian message" (Erickson, by saying "contemporizing," means putting it "in the context of the present time" [23]) and trying to at the same time maintain a far enough distance so as not to have to change your message every generation this analogy may be found: "It is good not to have too much looseness in a mechanical device, since this leads to excessive wear. But if the mechanism is tightened too much, there may not be enough play to allow for normal movement of the parts, and they may snap" (68).

I post this, not simply to have something to post, or b/c of its good relation to developing a theology, but because it's very applicable to more than just the creation of personal statement of doctrine.

Need...more...en..e..r..g..y...

2005-10-07T18:39:00.000-05:00

The life of school, work, excercise, and such has finally caught up to me it seems. I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrell os to speak. But I'll keep on going. Nothing can stop me...well that's not true...though it'd be nice.

On the topic of energy, the workout program I'm doing seems to be working...maybe. I'm up to 9 miles a week and am averaging about 7.5 min/mi. I say averaging b/c the first mile is usually around 6.5 min and the last close to 8. As to the physical stuff, I'm noticing some muscle tone starting to emerge, but it's much too early to say for sure. ;-)

Excuses, Excuses

2005-09-30T19:16:00.001-05:00

Ever notice how when something goes wrong, or you don't do what you're asked, or don't meet a deadline, or some such failure you will typically have a "reason." Now this is no ordinary "argument" for why you coulda/shoulda/woulda but didn't. This "defense," which originated from deep within the right side of your brain, will in your thinking give a very vague answer to why you did(n't do) what you did(n't), and thereby solve the problem, and leave you not in "hot water" and feeling good about yourself. In the real world this "reason," or "defense" finds a better definition in "justification" or "rationalization." It simply is the result of you making an excuse...trying to rationalize and justify your (in)action(s) with a well-thought-out EXCUSE.

One other purpose in making excuses lies in a simple trait of humans. Generally, you want to feel good about yourself, whether it's how you look, act, or (more typically) how others see you. Thus an excuse is needed to show someone else (boss, officer, spouse, or friend) that you really wanted to do what they wanted/needed/expected you to do, but just couldn't. However good your explanation may be, your "feeling good" must measure up to one hurdle...the acceptance of the one making the excuse to. If they don't accept the reason you made for what you did(n't do) you feel just as bad as you did when trying to come up with that pitiful attempt to regain favor.

The irony of it all comes from the blatant simplicity of the whole usage of excuses. Most everything I've said above could be told you by any normal thinking adult...yet still, since Adam and Eve we make excuses and try to make ourselves look better when we fail to meet up to a previously set standard. It's all human nature...pre-programmed in from the factory...and there's no re-writing it (though it can be modified and adapted...).

Study, study

2005-09-23T18:49:00.000-05:00

Monday is my first systematic test, and it's going to be a doozy. It seems that the tests in this class are designed not just to see if you indeed read and comprehended the material, but to see if you went to the next level and put some thought into it. Granted I know this seems to be saying the same thing, but it's not. The difference is in "comprehed." You can comprehend w/o ever thinking about what you're comprehending. The difference is reasoning.

Definitions courtesy of dictionary.com
com·pre·hend (kmpr-hnd)
tr.v. com·pre·hend·ed, com·pre·hend·ing, com·pre·hends

To take in the meaning, nature, or importance of; grasp.
To take in as a part; include.

think (thngk)
v. thought, (thô´t) think·ing, thinks
v. tr.

To have or formulate in the mind.
1. To reason about or reflect on; ponder: Think how complex language is. Think the matter through.
2. To decide by reasoning, reflection, or pondering: thinking what to do.

The distinction the test is trying to make is that I not only have taken in the meaning of the material, but also that I have pondered and reflected on it (eg the difference between "the Bible directly speaks to the heart of the reader" and "the word of God immediately touches the reader's heart").

In other systematic news, I spent about 3.5 hrs in the library on campus reading for my reading report the next day. I am proud to say that in 920 minutes I read 359 pages. Hopefully that's enough...

Eat, Eat, Eat

2005-09-17T19:14:00.000-05:00

You know, I still haven't managed to eat 600 grams of carbohydrates yet this week. Just to give an example, here's a synopsis of what I ate the day I tried the hardest to crack 600.

2 glasses of milk
2 glasses of cranberry grape juice
1 cup of rice (equiv to 4 servings)
1 cup of chow mein (1 serving)
2 cans of mandarin oranges
2 bowls (approx 3 cups) of salad (spinach, romaine, carrots, and some other kind of lettuce I don't remember) w/ cheese and dressing
3-4 homemade pnut butter chip cookies
2 oreos
2 hamburger buns w/ butter and pepperoni

All tallied up, that's about 400-450g of carbohydrates. And that's a lot of food...if I could've held more, I would've eaten more. I gave up on counting how much I eat, I just try to eat high carb foods. Every once 'n a while I'll tally it up just to see how I'm doing, I almost made it yesterday w/o trying...I was happy. The one thing to be careful about when pounding in the carbs is sugar. Carbohydrates come from sugar, so it's recommended to eat foods that are "complex carbohydrates" which take longer to break down and will give you energy over a longer period of time.

Blubber...that's what I feel like, blubber

2005-09-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of rest after beginning the "totally out of my mind" (which is at least how I've come to view it) workout. To sum it all up, I'm sore. But I have managed to learn a valuable lesson (hehe right mcaviney) and consume 1+ gallons of water per day in two days. The hard part (other than the obvious physical excercise) is consuming 600g of carbohydrates...let me tell you, I'm beginning to think that's impossible...at least for me.

Day two of the workout to make me wish it wasn't healthy to be in shape begins tomorrow at 6:20 with stretching, a 2 mile run, and some nice, painful physical training. I can('t) wait.

As far as school goes, well, it's the second full week, and I feel terribly behind. It's not really as bad as it seems, but will require more effort to keep things moving. It's kinda disheartening, I look at my syllabus and the list of outside readings that we are required to do some of, and think "wow, that's a lot to read!" The fun part comes in the comprehension, because, sadly, theology can be hard to grasp. So it takes me, on average, about 3 minutes to read a given page of outside reading. Which is good, except that it takes longer to read each selection. For example, Monday morning I spent 105 minutes reading 37 pages...granted that doesn't average out to 3 ppm, but it's real close. So it would seem that most my "spare" time will be going towards accomplishing at least enough reading to "get by." Sounds bad, but sometimes it's your best effort.

Future Seal

2005-09-09T18:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I found the best, non-weight workout around...or at least that's what I think. This week in my "free" time (which really wasn't free b/c I probably should've been doing reading for systematic) I managed to locate an 18 week workout program based on the navy seal training program. It's going to be painful, but very good. To sum it all up, at the end of the eighteen weeks I SHOULD (key word there) be able to do 400 pushups, 500 situps, 60 pullups, 300 dips MWF and run 6 miles a day, maintaining a 7:30 minute mile the whole time. 'Tis going to be fun...especially the mandated 4 quarts of water a day.

What's interesting is the swimming part of the workout routine (which, though it is one of the best aerobic excercises available, I will not be doing)...the requirement for week 15 is to swim 75 continuous minutes w/ fins 4-5 days a week. That's crazy...but very good for you.

At the end of this whole rigorous ordeal I hope to be a man who is a little more in shape than the one that started the program...

A day of Thumbs

2005-09-06T18:29:00.000-05:00

You know the saying "I'm all thumbs" or having a "week of Mondays"? WELL, that was today through and through. It seemed I just couldn't get anything straight...cutting things to short, dropping stuff off of a fork lift, even having a hard time driving a fork lift. All in all it was a rough day...I got behind on what I was supposed to do b/c of all the thumbs that kept getting in my way. Sadly it turns out all those thumbs were mine. :-\

What a week!

2005-09-03T18:57:00.000-05:00

Wow...this week has been non-stop. With classes work, services and other "hoop-lah" that's had to be done it's a wonder that I got to where I was supposed to be when I was supposed to be. The funny thing is, as busy as this week was, it seemed to drag like a gimp horse...crazy.

Currently, my mind has been overloaded with assignments and the such that I haven't had much time to think about posting something "thoughtful"...but there is something "in the cooker" so expect something mid next week.

Saturday

2005-08-29T16:08:00.000-05:00

Saturday marked the beginning of a 2+ year journey towards another diploma. I successfully checked in and registered for my first class as a graduate student at Bob Jones University...thus again removing myself from the "realm of grace" and becoming "subject to law"...well that's how a friend puts it...

Now don't get me wrong, I've read, understood, and agreed with the principles behind the student handbook. The only "problem" I have is how other people treat the rules. For some rules are a guideline to follow towards a better life, yet others see them only as something that gets in the way of their agenda. At times being regulated produces a false sense of spirituality and leads ultimately to hypocrisy. A lifestyle of living the rules but not being behind what they reflect. Another result of regulation is, simply put,"rule burnout"...an overload of obedience for the wrong reasons (e.g. not wanting to get punished, or look bad) that brings rebellion to those standards with it. It, being regulated, could also make it difficult for an individual to set personal standards, or uphold standards later in life. For example, Q-"why don't you smoke?" A-"Because ____ told me it was bad and I shouldn't do it."

I guess my main concern is that major lifestyle regulation can create either a false sense of security or a pure disregard for authority. The false sense of security lies in upholding every comma a period of the rules thus staying out of trouble and being a "good kid." The opposite, pure disregard, come from one of two mindsets...either a constant chafing against what you want to do, or blatant pride (thinking you're above the rules or wanting attention for being different).

How can this be remedied? Two or three possible solutions: Get rid of all rules (which would result in anarchy, of course), Reduce the number of rules to be more accommodating for an individual to set personal standards while still maintaining and teaching a biblical basis for the existing regulations, Or keep the status quo and teach bible based (where a relationship with Christ is the filter for all actions), not rule based (where a list of do's and don'ts dictate actions) living, while praying that parents will instruct their kids in the same way.

Grrrrr.....

2005-08-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

Why does life cost so much money? I mean you'd think that there'd be a way to get everything you need done w/o having all your bills come due at the same time in a month...it's just horrible. For instance, look at gas prices. They(the prices...) just keep going up, which consequentially raises the cost of living, but since everyone feels the affects of these hikes (including most employers) they are unable to do anything about raising their employees wages. Eventually, we'll all be driven to the poorhouse just to drive around town. To make matters worse, things could be better if it weren't for all the idiotic treehuggers and their comrades-in-arms in the democratic party. It irks me and probably the majority of the public. To bad someone can't think of some way to live normally at about half the cost required today...THAT would be bliss.

50 short years

2005-08-23T19:17:00.000-05:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! To my grandparents. You've certainly provided an excellant model for all of you family to live up to. Congrats!!

Drivers...sheesh

2005-08-22T18:49:00.000-05:00

You know, I'm beginning to think that a competency test should be given once a year for every driver with a license. Just how many times have you been frustrated out of your mind by that slow or unsafe (etc) driver in front of you, and then found out they were preoccupied with an emotional phonecall to their shrink. Think about how much safer it would be if those who aren't capable of mulit-tasking while driving were legally prohibited from doing so. I truly think that the number of accidents would go down if a competency based driving system were introduced. Such a system could be easily regulated by associating a "competency code" with each personal car. That way, should an officer catch someone violating their "competency", the competency limit would be enforced just like the speed limit with a fine or imprisonment. Imagine being able to drive around town and not have to worry about other drivers concentrating more on their phone call, makeup, homework (I do know people who have written papers driving to school), or the dog that insists on sticking its head out the drivers window. All those worries could just vanish... And on the positive side, should you prove to be able to handle such items while giving due attention to the road and other drivers around you, that ability would be legally yours. Sadly, such a law somehow, in some way would probably violate someone's "rights" and therefore be ruled as such...Oh well...wishful thinking...

Arm pics

2005-08-19T18:31:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is, what you've all been waiting for...the pictures of my forementioned arm cut.

Doesn't it just look great?

Owww my arm!!

2005-08-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

Well, this week proved to be quite interesting. The main "kink" in this week came in the form of a minor accident at work on Monday. Through sheer "luck" managed to slice a part of my arm while cutting a cardboard box with a utility knife. A trip to the dr's office, and 8 stitches later I was back at work wondering how in the world I'd be able to do anything without ripping my fresh stitches out. Funny how things like that happen...

Open for business

2005-08-16T19:31:00.000-05:00

Well, i've taken another step into the exciting world of technology and opened up a blog. Whooopee!