Alliegator Bytes

The Greatest...

2011-05-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.
--Wendell Berry Farmer

Well, the thesis isn't finished yet.

At least the defense is over... (most terrifying 90 minutes of my life!) But now i'm discouraged by the "restructuring" and rewriting of my 78-page baby that my advisor insisted upon. I just really don't want to work on it. At all. But I guess if I want anywhere close to an "A" on this... i'd better get cracking.

So that's why I'm, ironically, writing in my blog at 4:30 a.m. Yay me.

It's just that i'm having waaay more fun living life than "doing school." I'm sure it's a common problem among students. I think it means i'm ready to graduate.

Slightly unrelated, i've realized that my blog has little to no focus. So i'm going to try something. I am always looking for great inspirational quotes from famous (or not so famous) people, so from now on i'm going to start each post with a quote and work from there.

So before you read any further, please read the quote at the top again.

Isn't that fantastic? So it's in this point of my life when i have no idea what i'm doing next - i can't rely on syllabi or class schedule to tell me how to fill my time - that i have come to my real life! College, although full of great experiences, is just a dip into the ocean of life. It's a small section of very controlled, yet wild, experience that puts the polish on a work in progress.

The point is, if I was to stay here in this moment forever i would miss out on everything. Even what i've experienced here won't stay - friends move home, relationships move on, and buildings are torn down. I've already gotten to see a few of those moments already (not the least of which, when AU tore down Miller Hall this past winter).

But, even in the sight of such depressing goodbyes, my reckless optimism is bubbling to the surface: this will be the GREATEST. No matter what that means.

I think that this video from The Foundation for a Better Life expresses that nicely... And I hope that you reader - whoever you are - feel more confident about your life right now. Because no matter what is happening right now, just remember that it's only a moment.

I AM THE GREATEST _(fill in the blank)_. No matter what that looks like or what the future brings. I will figure out what my calling is, no matter how long that takes. The real journey has begun...

The Little Tramp In "That Dastardly Thesis"

2011-04-03T18:26:00.001-07:00

"Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot."
--Charlie Chaplin

Today I am Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp."

Here I am, in black and white, looking dashingly comedic in my tiny coat, baggy pants, bowler hat, white makeup, and tiny mustache. I plop down at my desk and start pounding away on a manual typewriter. (Of course it makes no sound - these were the days before we had the ability to record and playback sound with moving pictures - but you can imagine the tit-tit-tap-tap of the keys.)

I type ferociously, as though I'm in a horserace, urging my steed to gallop forward. For a moment, my hands pull back and gracefully tap at the letters, while I look toward the sky with a silly grin on my face. Then it's back to the horserace, keys tapping furiously. I tilt forward, trying to lend more momentum to my work.

As I type, the whole desk begins to tip and the camera pans out... The desk is sitting precariously on a pole extending over what is sure to be a deathly chasm. The pole is bending, soon it will break and I will fall! Everything will fall, my papers will scatter, the manuscript will never be turned in on time and all will be lost!

I look at the camera inquisitively, continuing to type because I can't lose any time. I look down to the side and realize what the audience has already seen - the precipice! The chasm! I look back to my typewriter, trying to get the last words in. Back to the chasm. To the typewriter. The pole continues to bend...

-- CRACK! --

The titlecard informs the audience that sound has occurred. Sight returns and I am falling, falling with my typewriter... still typing...

Back to reality. I think this means I've gone crazy.
Only 20 more pages to go until I finish the first complete draft of my thesis!
Duedate: April 13!

::sigh:: I guess this means no "Greek" reruns tonight. Or going out with the friends. Or snack breaks. Well, maybe a snack break... or two.

A More Appropriate Hero

2010-11-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie: I have been quite upset by the recipients chosen for the past few Nobel Peace Prizes. Al Gore? President Obama? Really.

Honestly, I was beginning to think that the whole Nobel Peace Prize thing was another award gone terribly mediocre (in the vein of most American film and TV awards). But thank you, esteemed academy, for proving my suspicions wrong. FINALLY they have awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to someone who has actually done (and is doing) something extraordinary for world peace.

Congratulations to Mr. Liu Xiaobo - a man who is currently imprisoned (2009-2020) for his work fighting for human rights in China. You, sir, are a true hero and I am encouraged to hear that the world still applauds the courageous, the unvanquished, the vigilant. May the citizens of the world be inspired by your bravery and be reminded to never fear the sometimes cruel consequences of free speech.

A concise explanation of the award's basis from the Nobel press release:

For over two decades, Liu Xiaobo has been a strong spokesman for the application of fundamental human rights also in China. He took part in the Tiananmen protests in 1989; he was a leading author behind Charter 08, the manifesto of such rights in China which was published on the 60th anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 10th of December 2008. The following year, Liu was sentenced to eleven years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion of state power". Liu has consistently maintained that the sentence violates both China's own constitution and fundamental human rights.

The campaign to establish universal human rights also in China is being waged by many Chinese, both in China itself and abroad. Through the severe punishment meted out to him, Liu has become the foremost symbol of this wide-ranging struggle for human rights in China.

Oslo, October 8, 2010

Official press release in full as released by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Reported here in The Alaska Standard.com.

Miami, meet LeBron. Part 2

2010-10-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

B is greater than A.
C is greater than B.
Thus C is greater than A.

I'm enjoying this logic. Because this equation means that in some way by beating the Celtics tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat. What's that LeBron? Looks like the Cavs really can win without you.

The Cavs are a team. And what's more, they're a team backed by the indignant pride of Clevelanders. Thank you Cavs for bringing Cleveland's faith from a philosophical ideal to a material fact.

Thank you Cavs for justifying and validating every Cleveland fan's list of reasons why they won't follow LeBron to Miami. We will win and we will win with dignity, spirit and true sportsmanship.

Look out NBA fans - it's gonna' be a great season.

"Cavs Shock Celtics in 1st Game Without LeBron" - Sports Illustrated

Miami, meet LeBron. He likes to "win."

2010-10-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

What's the matter, Miami... LeBron's shoelaces trip you up?

I'm sure Cleveland beat poets are having a field day... with the ego-based shoelace flat-on-your-face metaphors, helping us explore the real meaning of WITNESS, talent and teamwork.

Good luck with that 1 on 5 action boys... sounds like a party. And by party I mean an unfair fight in a dark alley. Sure, your guy throw a mean 3-pointer and shove a mammoth strong arm in the competition's face... but since when was this game about ONE?

If the good people of Miami were hoping to see a team of "superstars" take the floor, soaring over the competition, I think they were seriously misled. And that is the true reason that Cleveland fans or former LeBron fans scoffed at Miami back in July. Did you really think that LeBron was going to play nice?

That guy is out for one thing: fame. He believes that he is already a champion and that the only thing standing between him and the title of "World's Greatest" is the critics who are keeping him down.

NEWSFLASH: it's not about you LeBron.

And until he realizes this and let's go of the ball for a while, I think that Miami will see a lot of games like last night's against the Celtics: close, but not close enough.

What's the matter Miami? Are you feeling buyer's remorse yet?

What if LeBron hadn't gone to the Heat. What if he joined some other team where he could be not just a superstar, but the superstar. I think that LeBron may find himself suddenly double-teamed by pairs of giants. When the other franchises learn how to use their big players together, Miami will be at a disadvantage. Until LeBron learns to play with his teammates and not just for his team (aka for himself), Miami will not see the super forces it was expecting.

Have we forgotten that Jordan earned his fame by bringing game on the court? People loved Jordan because of his skills - what he showed them he could do, not just the potential. LeBron may have already used up his potential. I mean seriously, does he have any new tricks? ESPN quoted a Celtics fan reacting to excited cheers for LeBron's dunk in the second quarter, "He's supposed to do that. That is not impressive." Worse than that, very rarely has his skill come through with enough "kinetic energy" to carry recent games.

People loved Jordan because he showed the world what could be done when an incredible athlete displayed jaw-dropping moves. Sure LeBron can impress, but what's new? And when he's not single-handedly winning games... and he's whining about not winning games... it's probably time to stop trying to win the game on your own. You don't have it. Just stop.

Miami's biggest mistake in assembling their "dream team" was thinking that LeBron would be a team player. I guess it's possible... if he drops the "King James" crap.

He explained last night's defeat for Miami, “When you have so many options, it’s something I’m not accustomed to, having that many threats out on the court at the same time.” Welcome to basketball, LeBron. Meet your teammates.

YouTube Tuesday... Walk Barefoot.

2010-03-29T23:24:00.000-07:00

So my post for today does have to do with YouTube (::SUCCESS::)... but it's not my usual playlist of vids.

Here's what happened: I was watching a video from livelavalive that was on my subscriptions list called "One Day Without Shoes." Now having observed how random that kid can be in his videos, I assumed that someone dared him to walk around without shoes on one day. Or he just decided to try it as an "experiment" so he could muse about people's reactions in a video.
False.

In order to understand what I will be explaining next, you have to know about TOMS. I hope you already have heard at least something about TOMS shoes, because this company is amazing. They sell canvas shoes - really hip, happenin' canvas shoes - and for every pair that is bought they donate a pair to a kid who really needs them.

One Day Without Shoes is an additional campaign to spread awareness about worldwide poverty (specifically that causes kids to grow up w/o something so basic as shoes).

On April 8th. People will be barefoot. Everywhere.
The idea is that if a person sees someone walking around barefoot... in April... they're going to ask about it. Then the barefoot-e can talk about the cause and BAM. Another learned soul. (0r sole)
One Day Without Shoes - TOMS
I think that this is SUPER cool.

Also, it made me think: aren't Christians supposed to walk "barefoot"? Aren't people supposed to notice something different about them and ask?

Hmm.

¹⁸ Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ¹⁹ Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Duet. 11:18-19 NIV)

⁸ He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)

So you can definitely, literally walk barefoot - although that's probably not the best long-term choice (one day might be cool). Or, like the "barefoot" walking going on in these verses, we can walk day by day following the way of Jesus. Being humble, merciful, just, faithful... All of those things that people in this world so desperately need in their lives!

If TOMS can recruit millions of people to raise awareness for the way that they help meet the physical needs of beautiful children...

can't we raise awareness for the way that Jesus ends the spiritual poverty in hearts worldwide?

Go Fish

2010-03-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

The other night I was lying in bed thinking about love.

Okay, so maybe that statement is a little bit too dramatic. Really, I was just doing what I always do before drifting off to sleep: listening to my iPod, thinking about the day, mulling things over in general. One thing that was on my mind was the interesting aspects of getting to know someone - specifically someone that in the future you might consider dating.

There are those funny little random conversations at the beginning of the relationship, usually centered on a common interest or random comment like "Nice fanny pack" or "Yuck! Tofu dogs??" Often there is a lot of laughter or maybe some playful joking... (For some reason seeing how that person responds to and generates humor plays a big part in understanding - at least in my own relationships.)

Then comes the rapid-fire word association round:
Person A: Favorite food...
Person B: Pickles.
Person A: Coffee...
Person B: Dunkin Donuts.
Person A: Richard Nixon...
Person B: Hippies.

Some people may see this phase as the collection of "useless" knowledge about that person's preferences, but sometimes you really do "get to know" each other - if only on a surface level. But isn't it interesting how we approach the enigma that is another person by breaking them into little bite-sized pieces?

This is where my late-night revelation comes in. Isn't this phase a lot like playing the card game "Go Fish"? You have a certain combination of preferences and personality traits, much like a cards hand (the other person has their own hand). I just picture in my head this process of "getting to know each other" as asking "do you have a red five?" You find a match and set it aside, then ask another question. But sometimes, after several failed attempts to find a match among the cards, you decide that it is time to say "go fish" and you release the relationship to find your matches with someone else.

Unlike "Go Fish," the goal is not always to match all of your "cards" with the other person's - after all, they say that opposites attract - so I guess that's where the analogy begins to break down. Okay, I'll face it - the analogy isn't exactly perfect...

But isn't love a just little bit like "Go Fish"?

YouTubin' Tuesday... uh, Wednesday - Skilled

2009-11-18T20:59:00.001-08:00

Helloooooooo!

Well. I should've known that i wouldn't actually make weekly posts... because *psh* then it would mean that i was a faithful blogger, which we all know is completely false. Ha.

Alright, but I've gathered you all here to give you another dose of delish with the most entertaining clips i dug from YouTube.

Today's theme is "Skilled":

First up is a video from Mitchell Davis AKA livelavalive.

Now, i know that i featured one of his vids last time, but they are all random and they are all hiiii-laaarious. Love it. Love. It.

I have watched "North to Alaska" probably about 34 times in the past 2 weeks. I even downloaded the song. Mitchell Davis pretty much just mentions whatever he wants, plays with video effects and occasionally invites characters such as his grandmother (Jaunita/Paunita), grandfather (Leon) and Jerry.

So here is "Double Dare" - another wonderful moment in livelavalive world.

Next, an impressive array of skill at a Red Bull Street Skills show in Brazil. Even if you're not really a soccer fan you have to admit that this is pretty darn crazy.

Here, a guy in the UK makes good use of that wind at his back by "wind surfing" right over an entire pier. Now that's some jolly good crack!

Finally, a moon-walking baby. Oh it's totally fake... but can you IMAGINE if it was REAL???? haha

Cheers!

Best Error Message EVER

2009-11-15T21:54:00.000-08:00

You 404’d it. Gnarly, dude.
Surfin’ ain’t easy, and right now, you’re lost at sea. But don’t worry; simply pick an option from the list below, and you’ll be back out riding the waves of the Internet in no time.

• Hit the “back” button on your browser. It’s perfect for situations like this!
• Head on over to the home page.
• Punt.

(from Frugal Family Life blog)

Collecting

2009-11-11T18:09:00.000-08:00

I've been keeping tabs on everything for you
Making logs of long nights wasted
On familiar people whose names I can't remember
And crowded places that won't matter
Once you are here too.

I've been carefully saving each ridged reminder
The tops of glass bottles once savored
Now less satisfactory, the flavors bite;
In your absence
A cup of water would be kinder.

I've been frequenting the old haunts we respected
But even a thousand bottle caps
Can't make me feel collected.

YouTubin' Tuesday

2009-11-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

So after a long hiatus from a not-really-established-habit, I'm back again to share my top YouTube vids of the week.
And ::gasp:: it's only Monday... oh scratch that, very early Tuesday morning. So I'm (kinda) early!

This week the theme is all things ace programming - in other words, great British TV with the exception of the first video (although maybe there's some strange connection you could squeeze out of that one?? lol).

Alright, so first up is a video from LiveLavaLive/Mitchell Davis. I'm pretty sure I've put up a video from LiveLavaLive before, because I love almost all of them and would love to just watch like one per day. Because creativity pretty much follows Mitchell around like a lost puppy. In fact, I'm almost 90% sure that if creativity was a pet, Mitchell would own it. And he would feed it, love it and take good care of it. This video definitely shows not only creativity but craftmanship, because although most of us can tell right away how he did it you can't really pull the video apart. It's both simple and mindblowing at the same time.

I present to you... "_________" - LiveLavaLive

In other news...
A clip from a show that I LOVE LOVE LOVE - The IT Crowd. A show that ran 3 seasons on Britain's BBC4 from roughly 2006 to 2007. Supposedly they're working on a new season to be aired sometime in 2010. But alas, the only bits I'll probably get to see for a while are the ones people ferret to YouTube. Nonetheless, even after 7 views the clips are still funny. Here's an ace clip from the telly from the Football episode.

Probably one of the most impressive, yet random as anything videos you'll see this week: man dances crazy dance in 42 different countries. Yup.

A hilarious gameshow skit from an 1970's British comedy show called "The Two Ronnies."

It's quite possible that this leaping soccer ref is not in fact from the UK. So if someone knows more about club uniforms and the sort than i do... please forgive me.

How could we go through a quick skim of British TV comedy without looking at a clip from "The Mighty Boosh"? Arriving by first post - the post that hurts the most... here is some good juju.

Well, i hope you enjoy these clips as much as i do.

Laters.

Someday My Sunshine

2009-10-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

The most beautiful moment happened to me this week:

I was walking into the student center here on campus toting my bag of books, just going to check my mail between classes. Just as I was opening the double doors to the lobby this guy was just turning the corner about to go out the doors I was coming in. He was pretty tall, so I almost didn't look up at his face (usually I avoid prolonged eye contact with strangers and settle with a quick glance and a smile). I paused to make sure I wouldn't run into him or let the door slam on him, and for some reason I did look up at him as I smiled politely.

And the oddest thing - his eyes lit up like I've never seen a guy's eyes light up. He looked at me with this look that I can't even describe. It wasn't the your-forehead's-bleeding look or you've-"loser"-stamped-on-your-face. It was... fantastic.

After that whole dramatic "suspended in time" moment we were both on our way again. But as soon as I was carrying on through the lobby I started thinking about it. I think that was what it feels like to experience love at first sight.

Whenever I had thought about "love at first sight" before, I had been sort of a skeptic. A hopeful skeptic, but I just didn't really think an actual heart-warming moment could take place. How could someone fall in love with just one glance? That had to be just shallow physical attraction. Maybe these people who claim to have experienced it were just thinking of how the relationship began from a certain, measurable point. You couldn't possibly become connected to someone's soul in one blink of the eyes.

But no, I can tell you know that it does happen... somehow. Although, perhaps disappointingly, I'll tell you know that I have not seen that guy again. Immediately after he was gone I wished I would have smiled more brightly or even said hello. How did I miss that? Just to see what would've happened... It wouldn't have been a fake response - I just was so taken aback by his expression I forgot.

I'm pretty sure that I will still remember that moment for the rest of my life. Because at that moment everything I had thought about falling in love shifted. Chances are, he wasn't "the guy" - unless he turns up again later in my life maybe - but at least I know that my guy is still out there. And some day I will experience moments like that that will last a lifetime.

Love at first sight is true. And it's beautiful.

How To Not Act Like A Total Freshman

2009-10-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

I never thought this day would come - when I would at times find myself utterly disgusted by freshman quirks.

I thought that I would always appreciate the eager faces and wild approaches to new-found freedom. I would never be impatient with them, or roll my eyes at their stupid questions because innocence can be adorable. After all, I was a freshman once and I loved it.

But here I am, in my junior year, insisting that there is no reason to be obnoxious. Ever. lol

Now, please, don't click away yet! Hear me out; I understand that college takes time getting used to and even as an upperclassman I don't claim to have everything figured out.
But here are a few tips that I think are common collegiate courtesy:

1. Please don't ask if you can go to the bathroom. Don't even think about raising that hand. No one cares that you need to leave the classroom to use the facilities - not even the professor. Trust me.

We are all adults here and everyone understands that sometimes these things happen. But when you raise that hand - making the professor think you've been listening intently and now have a brilliant question - you're rudely interrupting any focus the class may have had, wasting time and calling attention to yourself. Sometimes knowing that you're headed to the loo creates uncomfortable pictures we'd all rather be without. We would all be so much less embarrassed if you would just quietly excuse yourself. Thank you.

2. Kindly refer to your syllabus. At the end of each class please refrain from asking about assignment due dates, test dates, assigned reading, required texts...

All of this information is typically found on the syllabus; it is your bread and butter for knowing what's going on in class. That is the reason why in college you receive the syllabi at the beginning of the course period (semester/quarter). Essentially you've already been given the answer to your question. If you need another copy of the syllabus, or none was given to you, after class is an appropriate time to ask about such things. If anything changes, the professor is generally courteous enough to let you know in advance.

3. Listen. If you actually pay attention to what the prof is saying - particularly when they are telling you about homework requirements or what will be covered in the next class period - they will tell you pretty much all the relevant information.

Never, ever pose a question using the same words that the prof just used to tell the class something. i.e. PROF A.: "The net income is reached by subtracting expenses from revenues from the period." BILLY: "So to reach net income, do we subtract the expenses?" You catch my drift.

4. Follow foot traffic. So you're getting ready to be a leader in your field of study, preparing to launch a career as a pacesetter. Please do not apply this mindset to the sidewalk.

In times of great foot traffic there is a definite flow. Despite what your mother said, sometimes blending in is the healthiest way to get by. Oddly enough, in America foot traffic tends to mirror transportation flow: if you're going forward, walk on the right side (unless the crowds around you are doing otherwise). You never know when you may literally run into a crabby linebacker in your bobbing and weaving attempts to get ahead of the pack. And this could be very bad news.

5. Not everything needs a cute new name. Whoa there space cowboy, no need to print the new maps just yet. It's still okay to call your parents your "parents."

Try not to fall into too much of this "rents," "rooms," "ofic," "stu" nonsense all at once. (Who even knows what all of those stand for?) You will be cool. I promise. Sometimes all of us are guilty of trying way too hard to start trends. I did it when I wore miniskirts over pants in high school (although that totally rocked! lol okay, maybe not).

Just try not to force the "isms" all at once - college is a whole new world with a whole new culture. But please stay true to yourself: if it feels weird to you to call the dessert bar in the cafeteria "Fat Bar," then don't. It doesn't matter how many upperclassmen are doing it - you'll be doing your own thing before you know it. And maybe you will think of it as "Fat Bar." I leave that to your discretion.

6. Under NO circumstances mock an upperclassman. That may have been the way to rise to the top in your high school, but in college you just look petty.

In general, upperclassmen are giving you the benefit of the doubt - even if it doesn't seem like it. Depending on which school you're going to, people will not be mean to you just because you're a freshman. So do your part to keep up the mutual respect. Because even if they are totally judging you, the worst way to get beyond that is to act like a total dweeb. Prove them wrong!

If upperclassmen have certain ritual that looks stupid, keep in mind that you are part of a new class. You don't have to do it and they will have graduated and be gone before you know it.

So uh, yeah. Just some things to consider... There are many more little scenarios and tips I could share, but this is a good start I think. And remember this is not just a disgruntled rant, I'd really like you to be better off and have a few less bitter glances thrown in your direction. lol

Good night and good luck!

YouTubin' Tuesday

2009-04-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know... it's only technically Tuesday for another 48 minutes. But I've been meaning to start this tradition for several weeks now and have missed it. HA! Caught this Tuesday by the toe.

::ahem::

Anyways... Here are a few videos I think you should watch.

First up, a very clever, very musical man named Billy Reid. He hails from Toronto and has been on Facebook since Dec. 2005. I have watched almost all of his videos and just can't get enough. With quirky melodies and endearing humor, he brings entertainment to events as mundane as "Sipping Smoothies While Your Grandpa's Snoozing." I left him a note saying that I think he would be great on the kids' show "Yo Gabba Gabba." He wrote me back saying, "Thanks - I would LOVE to work with Yo Gabba Gabba. - Billy" ::sigh:: Made my day... Now I just wish I worked for Yo Gabba Gabba so I could actually get him on there.

Without further ado, here's "Forest Ninja (I Love the Sasquatch)" from Very Tasteful/Billy Reid.

Pretentiousnesstion

2009-04-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Wow. So it's been a while since I've written on here...

Mostly because my trusty Macbook decided to fail. (The hard drive crashed actually, so I was without a laptop - forced to sneak time on my roommate's and spend long hours in the public computer lab - until Easter weekend.)

So here I am... and I don't even know what to write about. Hum.

I could make a comment about church words though: I was looking at my old church's website - admittedly looking for something to criticize.

And sadly, I found something.

Hear this - a visual scrape on the chalkboard: their "order of service" is completely, nothing but -tion words. It's ridiculous.

Preparation...

Adoration...

Celebration...

Exhortation...

Application...

Dedication...

Benediction...

What, are they summoning King James or something? Sheesh... Poke me in the eye with a quill.

I'll admit it, this criticism comes from a heart blackened with bitterness. I mean, things happened about this time last year that I won't even get into right now... but I'll say they should never happen at church.

And this display of such obvious pretentiousness was just too much for me to pass by. It just exemplifies so way that particular church has become - a snooty society of self-righteous small town folks. Now, actually I kind of feel bad saying that because it's not entirely true - nor would I want it to be true (once upon a time they were my church family and many of them are still my wonderful friends). But it's how they come off, whether they're aware of it or not. And that is EXTREMELY dangerous for a church.

There is nothing worse than becoming a people who looks down on the world and reprimands it when they are really supposed to minister to it by their love.

If the church is not reaching OUT... hear me, church? OUT. Not just to your own kids, your own shut-ins, your own troubled teens. Though that's all well and good, it's not going to necessarily grow the Body.

As I read their list of -tion words, trying to understand why they would use all of them, I couldn't help but hear something other than blameless worship. What I heard was

shun. shun. shun. shun.

Meet Mr. Gobi

2009-02-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

This is Mr. Gobi - a friend I made over dinner the other night.

His lopsided carroty smile and water chestnut eyes seemed kind to me,

but that mushroom nose looks a little brutish or maybe a little mischievous. And those sparse sprigs of green bean hair look pretty eccentric. Hmm... What do you think? Should we invite him into the study group?

Pentagon Lifts Photo Ban

2009-02-26T23:01:00.000-08:00

A very interesting development for all mediakind: the Pentagon has lifted the ban restricting media from taking or publishing pictures of fallen soldiers' coffins (and i would assume that this carries into forms of video also). Apparently this policy was one of the first things Obama requested to have revised when he became president. The ban dates back to 1991 during George H. W. Bush's term as president. MSN writes, "Some critics contended the government was trying to hide the human cost of war."

That quote caught my eye because I was just talking with one of my friends over lunch the other day about this very idea of the hidden costs of war. In recent times we're so inundated by various forms of media that hyper-cover some things but downplay others. (We were discussing why reinstating the draft probably wouldn't work/ be received well.) My friend mentioned that she thought there is less popular support for war because of all the media coverage. But the strange thing is that the media has not given us the visuals since 1991. Are we really as familiar with the cost of war as we think we are?

The final decision either to publish photos of coffins or leave them private is left up to the families of the soldiers. So we may not even see this new policy make much of a difference in what we see in the papers (or online). Will seeing the "human cost of war" really change our perspective on foreign affairs? With the popularity of war being so low already, does it really matter (in terms of journalistic license)?

The MSN article is here.

People Who Live In Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones... Unless They're Trapped

2009-02-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Welcome to one of the most interesting houses ever. Here we have a house in the countryside of Suffolk, England that has a sliding roof, allowing for year-round enjoyment of the natural environment. Sweet.

This video - in spite of its crappy, disorienting clips - shows why I would love to be an architect. I mean, how fun would it be to think of these crazy ideas and then build them? The answer is incredibly fun. I'm totally inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright; I know everyone talks about Fallingwater but I think it's amazing that there was a river flowing through the living room. (Here's a picture of the outside of the house.) Do you know what i'm talking about? Now to figure out how to become an architect and build such houses without spending four more years in school... Hmm...

See also: the amazing upside-down house in Poland and a boatload of weird homes here

Operator

2009-02-15T22:06:00.000-08:00

Hello?

Have we lost connection?

I'm sure we have, because I haven't heard your voice in ages.

These pages swear that I still love you

But my words beg to differ.

They beg the sun the songs the sighs -

Everything that reminds me of you.

Tell them to quit connecting,

Stop the switchboard because I can't seem to put you down.

Stop before I have no other desire

Than to run back to you

Throw myself at your feet and demand that you take us seriously

This time. Then

I realize, and I see you for how it's remembered.

Why it was too much

Why it was too little

Why it never came to mean anything

Except for the flutters I had in my heart.

I'd pulled back that hesitant facade

But now replace it over that fervid face once more.

Don't you know how many times I've been here

Waiting for you

Just to respond?

Won't you say hello?

Don't you wonder how I'm doing?

Am I fine?

I've weathered many days of falling sorrow

Heavy unhappiness that keeps my lungs from rising

Brightness that breaks loose my tears.

But I'm getting better now.

I tell myself you say hello

I tell myself you're fine

I say your mother's well

And your career's on the rise.

I don't need you on the other line

I know you oh so well

We always were the same

Much too the same.

Hello?

Grammy Acts A Little Strange These Days

2009-02-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

"I broke my TV during the Grammy's Preshow when I realized I was watching the Grammy's Preshow."

~ Stephen Colbert 02.10.09

Well, I spent 2.5 hours or so Sunday night watching the Grammys. Yes, I did. I don't know why, exactly. Given, I enjoyed most of the show - at least what I caught in between the hoard of commercials. But I still think it's so much simpler just to watch E!'s "best/worst dressed" rundown and read the trophy-winners list on MSN the next day. To make myself feel better about all that time I wasted, I compiled a short list of reasons why I'm glad I caught the Grammys this year.

Six Moments That Made It Worthwhile:

6. Lil' Wayne gets the award for Rap Album of the Year and jauntily leaps onto the stage... right next to the trophy girl. She looked so scared - like his next act of joy was to swing her over his shoulder like a lumberjack and carry her away to his cop car. Or something. Anyways, her expression was awesome.

5. Alison Krauss comes to the podium to receive one of her many awards for her collaboration with Robert Plant. He had done most of the talking the entire night, but she finally gets a word in. She goes to lower the microphone by hand (like any normal mic) but it suddenly shoots down mechanically. She was so cute about it: mid-sentence she was just like "Oh... my.*giggle*" I love Alison Krauss.

4. Adele and Sugarland's duet version of Adele's song "Chasing Pavements." I love this song already, but the harmony from Jennifer Nettles was a beautiful addition. It was kind of funny to watch Nettles bob and rock and wave her hands toward a very calm Adele.

3. Ne-yo and Jamie Fox join Smokey Robinson and Abdul (Duke)Fakir for a Motown tribute medley. An awesome meeting of old-school and new-school R&B and a moment made even more significant Fakir's position in the group as the sole remaining member of the Four Tops. (That night he was to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Four Tops.)

2. MIA's wardrobe... or lack of one... for her number with the "Rap Pack" (according to Queen Latifah). Why didn't she just leave on that number we saw her wearing just moments before her performance? Even that billowy blueberry psychedelic craziness was better than Minnie-Mouse-forgot-the-rest-of-her-dress. Or was it "I-wanted-to-wear-my-bikini-but-I'm-pregnant."

Did she get overheated or something? What was she thinking? "Oh man, everyone's wearing gowns. Maybe it'd be cooler if I just went out in my tights." On-the-edge? Yes. Looking good? Mmm, not so much.

And what was that supposed to be anyway? The polka-dot patches covering her bust, butt and belly had the charm of an eyepatch and a bandanna at graduation. Last time I checked, the Grammys was a place to be classy as well as clever. Black tie - not sheer black netting.

All I could think was that poor poor baby. Someday they will be told about this and they will cover their face in shame, knowing that they were there.

And finally...

1. Radiohead performs "15 Step" with the USC marching band. Wow.

I actually just discovered this song a little while ago and I love it. I thought it was innovative when I just listened to it as it appears on the album - the unique rhythms and everything- but then to hear their creativity "live." This was definitely my favorite performance of the night. These days it's so rare to hear a band that actually sounds good live, much less a band that is both good on the record and better live.

Amateur Photos of a Snow Day

2009-01-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

We had a snow day for real yesterday! The whole campus was closed because of the enormous amount of snowfall we got during the night, morning, so on and so on. *sigh* Wonderful.

I really wanted to try my hand at snowflake pictures, so here they are. They're not as nice as I wanted them to be (I'll blame the equipment), but it was still awe-inspiring to see how beautiful these little things are.

"I should hardly admire more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat."

- Henry David Thoreau, 1856

One of the Most Interesting Things You'll See Today

2009-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

"Her Morning Elegance"

Directed by: Oren Lavie, Yuval & Meray Nathan

Photography: Eyal Landesman

Featuring: Shir Shomron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY

I stumbled upon this as I surfed YouTube's homepage (I often "stumble" there too) and I really enjoyed its creative, whimsical feel. I'm a sucker for random YouTube vids in general - from well-done to absolutely cheesy - but this one I think is particularly good. You'll probably be a little weirded-out by the first 40 seconds or so, but I can almost promise you'll like the video. If I knew how to do this sort of thing (photoedit/meld/whatever they did that turned out so cool) I would probably start making quirky videos about absolutely everything. So maybe it's a good thing, for your sake, that I have no idea. =)

Anyways... Enjoy!

Class is Cancelled!

2009-01-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

Oh I love these days!

Even if it only gives me that extra 75 minutes before my next class... it's a wonderful feeling. Funny though - today was the day I finally pulled a nice lunch together to take with me to class. (Because of my schedule this semester I don't get a lunch time on T/Th.) Oh well, I guess I'll just sit here in the comfort of my room to eat my lunch and watch "Friends."

::sigh:: Nothing wrong with that!

A Life Colored By Simplicity

2009-01-26T14:06:00.001-08:00

The best things in life are simple.

"Stop and smell the roses" sounds cheesy until you actually do it one day and find that the roses were your favorite moment of the day.

One day over Christmas break I took a trip to the library. On my way I stopped at a little bakery in town that I love to visit (they have the best iced sugar cookies and all sorts of fun pastries). I've gone there many times since I was really little and this special treat has become a tradition. So there I was, gazing thoughtfully at allll of the cookies behind the glass on those paper-lined trays... I finally picked a yellow duck (so cute) and paid the woman behind the counter. Then she started just chatting, telling me about their Christmas rush. I was amazed to find out that for the hundreds of cookie trays this tiny bakery prepared for Christmas orders, they only had two bakers to share between their two locations. And who said American work ethic is dead? (True, it's slumbering more often than not. But shouldn't we have more faith in ourselves? And get our butts off the couch and away from "The Bachelor"? It's really a shame that the horror stories of embezzlement, greed, adultery, etc. tend to color our newspapers and consequently our idea of modern business.) Anyways, the woman continued and told me all about how her husband, in the wee hours of that morning, had cleared the entire road in front of the bakery (clogged by snow and quickly flooding as the day warmed). But it wasn't even what she shared that touched me the most, it was the delivery; she talked to me as if we had known each other for years (when really I'd never seen her there before). Later as I walked the sidewalk eating my duckie I smiled at the thought of her considering me a sort of friend-for-the-moment.

When it comes to writing, those are the moments I most love to write about. Why? One, because they give a moment in my personal life - something tangible - that I can easily share with you. They give something for me to build on, that I think you may have experienced before, something relatable. Two, because they often mean the most and tell a lot about the person to whom they were important. Why do I crave those sugar cookies whenever I'm in town? Maybe it's really that feeling of belonging, that small town charm that keeps me coming back time and time again.

Maybe I'm getting away from my point. My point is that life is too short not note what touches our daily routines. What matters most to us? Personality is too precious and interesting not to explore what makes us who we are. Even if no one else wants to listen to us talk about ourselves.

So I guess my purpose in starting this blog is to feel more comfortable just writing and writing and writing. That way I won't waste so much time waiting for my ideas to be fully "writable" (whatever that means). And my hope is that what I write about interests you as a reader too (I'm not just writing this for myself, you know).

So come listen if you will. Come see what I see in the everyday - the random, quirky, beautiful things in life. Please come back as often as you'd like. And be encouraged to enjoy every moment of your life - especially what seems to be the most simple of moments.