tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74248424862796362152024-03-14T07:38:05.692-05:00Not My SoapboxNot My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-11949741498282118002014-08-15T16:54:00.001-05:002014-08-15T16:54:15.835-05:00Collegiate Amateurism as Developmental LeagueOne of my favorite sports commentators is <a href="http://www.npr.org/people/2100422/frank-deford" target="_blank">Frank Deford</a>. He's got all the sass one could want from a sports <a href="http://xkcd.com/904/" target="_blank">talking head</a>, but uses his position to point out some of the more ridiculous things sports in America. <br />
<br />
His two most recent commentaries touch on the subject of collegiate amateurism and weather or not student athletes should get paid. An interesting idea he brings up at the end of his <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/08/06/338045596/are-nba-and-nfl-rules-bush-league" target="_blank">August 6th piece</a> is <br />
<br />
<em>"More sensibly, though, let's just acknowledge the truth — that colleges are minor leagues — and let the NBA and the NFL draft the best players out of high school and have them mature on college teams. The pros would pay tuition and the players would be salaried, just like baseball minor leaguers." - Frank Deford</em><br />
<br />
I actually kind of like this idea. I can see how it would have problems but I like it anyway.<br />
What if instead of individual teams the whole league paid the students and their tuition. You could declare your intent to go pro and if they liked you enough they would pay you to go to school as their official Developmental League. But this way there wouldn't be specific teams hitching up with specific schools and we the fans wouldn't lose all the drama that comes with recruiting athletes. Once their student athlete time was over then they would enter a draft, either as it is now, modified a little, or a separate one for these kind of paid student players, and then bam; into the pros they go. This could still allow for walk-ons and unpaid players that think they still have a chance to enter the pros in a sort of secondary or supplemental draft (which the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_supplemental_draft_picks" target="_blank">National Football League already does</a>).<br />
<br />
That all being said I am actually a big fan of the way Major League Baseball <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_draft" target="_blank">does it</a>. Players can be drafted out of high school, but if they go to college then they are off limits till they finish their Junior year or turn 21. In this case nobody is being forced to go to school, but if they decide to go then they have to stick to it.<br />
<br />
Much better than the National Basketball Associations "One and Done" policy. Ugh.<br />
<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334813512265456213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-39133380186002853032014-07-10T15:12:00.003-05:002014-08-15T11:48:03.776-05:00 Government Regulation and Job KillingIn the wake of recent supreme court decisions ruling in favor of the Environmental Protection Agency and their authority to<a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/03/supreme-court-says-epa-can-regulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions/" target="_blank"> regulate green house gas emissions</a> there has been a lot of push back from conservative groups. There have been several declarations that these new regulations will kill jobs and hurt the American economy. That may be true, but <em>I </em>would like to see the numbers on that. What evidence is there to support these claims? Let's be clear, I'm not saying that there isn't any evidence to support that, or that it's even wrong. I am saying that no one has <em>provided<strong> </strong></em>any, that I am aware of. It does make intuitive sense on some level, but that's not good enough in these situations.<br />
<br />
This conflict is a prime example of the two sides talking <em>past </em>each other. No one is really listening as much as trying to be heard. We all do this. We should not.<br />
<br />
On the other side of this dispute are environmentalists. They are saying that if these regulations are not enacted that climate change will continue at it's current rapid pace and future generations will have even grater environmental problems than we do currently with our extreme droughts and super storms. I'm sure you've heard it all before. Here's the thing; these claims are scientifically backed by the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community and their experiments, collections, reports, and studies. If you want to be surprised by <a href="http://www.xkcd.com/1321/" target="_blank">ice in St. Louis</a> and agree with <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/01/07/jon-stewart-of-the-daily-show-rips-fox-news-on-climate-change/" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> that this looks more like "global cooling" or a hoax, that's fine. There are observations to support that. I mean, it was cold last winter. Like <em>cold </em>cold. In the winter. It may have frozen in New York, but other places around the globe were having record highs. In short, denying climate change is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludacris" target="_blank">ludicrous.</a> <br />
<br />
But anyway, so there's plenty of data to support the regulations. I would like to see the data on how many jobs will be lost because of them.<br />
<br />
Regardless of the climate change debate, which I'm now going to try and leave behind (because it is part of my soap box, and this blog is not that) I'd like to offer an alternative point of view on abiding by these regulations. Why would we, at the local - state - federal- global level take this <a href="http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/texas-could-easily-meet-new-co2-rules-with-efficiency-and-demand-response" target="_blank">challenge head on</a>, and find economical ways to meet the standards? Instead of "killing" jobs we could <em>create</em> more jobs. Any plants that might be shut down would be shut down because they couldn't meet the standards within the years long time frame. <em>Years long time frame. </em>Those workers would/ should be trained and placed in the new/ growing sectors of renewable energy. A greater emphasis could be put on those emerging industries creating thousands of new, well paying, jobs. Just imagine if Texas had a tenth of the petroleum work force doing wind and solar work out in west Texas? To be fair, I don't have the numbers for this, but it's just as anecdotal. Seems like a win win win. More jobs, less pollution, more saving of the dolla' dolla' bills y'all.<br />
<br />
I am not an economist, so maybe I'm totally wrong. But if I am how? (cite your sources) I will readily cede when presented with solid backup. <br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334813512265456213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-32912559097201144982014-07-06T20:29:00.003-05:002014-07-06T22:09:50.551-05:00An Ode to Mimi and DebtnumsThey were just two stupid cats. But no, they were not stupid.<br />
Mimi was like a dog, wise, and friendly<br />
we joked that he was "Master Control".<br />
He would often lay there curled to the side of his cat bed with his eyes wide open, "directing traffic".<br />
InDebt could open doors and knew exactly where to stand to zoom out the door when somebody got home.<br />
<br />
At night, when they would go out they would share just one cat bed. They looked like yin and yang. Orange and black, except the orange was perhaps a "bit" bigger. <br />
<br />
I could always count on Mimi to sit with me, and could always count on InDebt to be easy to find.<br />
<br />
Debtnums, the great big butterball, a mobile space heater who only wanted to be fed. Looked like a lion, but could be out roared by a kitten. <br />
Mimi who just wanted a warm lap that he could kneed his claws on. Was very good at letting you know exactly what he needed.<br />
<br />
They were always what I needed when I got home. The (sometimes begrudging) constant company that would tolerate my heaping affections, at least until they'd had enough and just walked away.<br />
<br />
It'll feel a little less like home, even if it is a little less covered in cat hair.<br />
<br />
In memory of Mimi Siku (aprox)'96 to June '14 and InDebt '98 to June '<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">14</span><br />
<div>
<br />
... the Great Master Control in the Sky...<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z-wFeBTpOtiw-y3npVwBUNYjb5_KzoHdm9vYzeWLHGhBoLF5LzxYutkzKDnU3Szm9cHHHySZBhJz7jYnz3Ct8vNNKcebrZrtZkGRsX1khtCKAy1a7YstgQdo-89nryhcwA6HKzsKrfNB/s640/blogger-image--945837266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z-wFeBTpOtiw-y3npVwBUNYjb5_KzoHdm9vYzeWLHGhBoLF5LzxYutkzKDnU3Szm9cHHHySZBhJz7jYnz3Ct8vNNKcebrZrtZkGRsX1khtCKAy1a7YstgQdo-89nryhcwA6HKzsKrfNB/s640/blogger-image--945837266.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uOWqHyfUZUCl7Ft1mIP7qZQSQWBV0ObAej85ZiRedHRdAqB_nygZoZXV6g-YGw6YH2C5y62eZgWO0LpuTRI8SvrwyZujl-y1aioy6SdYdmFyJeB33ciRG6TtEjqD_Ld0SjBaTQCtuH4/s640/blogger-image--719184907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9uOWqHyfUZUCl7Ft1mIP7qZQSQWBV0ObAej85ZiRedHRdAqB_nygZoZXV6g-YGw6YH2C5y62eZgWO0LpuTRI8SvrwyZujl-y1aioy6SdYdmFyJeB33ciRG6TtEjqD_Ld0SjBaTQCtuH4/s640/blogger-image--719184907.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334813512265456213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-51870299575967615872014-07-03T12:10:00.002-05:002014-07-03T12:12:01.744-05:00Sexism and StereotypesCan a man sing about a women, how he loves her, wants to love her, etc. and it not be sexist? Can a woman sing about a man in the same way and it not be sexist?<br />
Are those scenarios inherently sexist?<br />
<br />
Now, I readily acknowledge and point out that the way some people just are is absolutely sexist and that is inexcusable. But even though Robin Thicke's songs are out of line and absolutely offensive (as are the people who lend credence to his lyrics), can people still yearn for a, for lack of a better term, stereotypical mate?<br />
<br />
Can a young woman long for "Mr. Right" to come along, even though she doesn't <em>need</em> him? (She might be interested in another she, but that wouldn't be sexist. Or at least I don't know how it would be if it is.) Is it wrong for a young man to pine for the "perfect" woman? (apply all the same qualifiers)<br />
I guess what I'm getting at is, is holding stereotypes wrong? And I think I'm answering; not necessarily. Having expectations is part of what it means to be human. Even though stereotypes are often misguided and incomplete expectations, we don't have much else to go on when we are totally unfamiliar with something. As long as one is aware that their expectations are not reality and is willing to modify them as they become more informed it can be ok. (Following this line of thinking, is racism still racism?)<br />
<br />
What would a genderless love song sound like?<br />
<br />
How do Purity Balls and Purity Rings get along with Free Love and Feminism? Are the values that the "other" side holds wrong/ invalid? <br />
<br />
It would be sexist (or racist) to vote against a woman (or a man for that matter) because she was a woman (or a minority). Would it be sexist (or racist) to vote for someone because they were a woman (or a minority)? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Man I sound like an incoherent rambling teenager.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334813512265456213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-14532870901690129652014-07-02T09:14:00.001-05:002014-07-02T10:54:42.353-05:00Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom BandWas Amazing! Through a series of, fortunately fortuitous, unfortunate events my wife and I got to go see HL&TCBB a few weeks ago on Friday July 6, 2014 with some friends of ours in Austin, Texas.<br />
There were several amazing moments throughout the night, but the one that sticks in my mind is when Hugh played his popular rendition of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUz-WqUw4Ic" target="_blank">St. James Infirmary</a>. Although he may not be the best vocalist in his ensemble (a title which he gladly cedes to Sisters Jean McClain and Gaby Moreno) Hugh is an absolutely fantastic pianist. I was several times reminded of my father who would often play the piano while I was growing up. His comedic chops were readily prevalent as he quickly built report with the audience and did not hesitate to involve members of the band. <br />
Hugh was not the only person who reminded me of people I know. The Trombonist, Elizabeth Lee, immediately reminded me of both one of my sisters and a former roommate who plays trombone. The way she moved and hit her power stance when playing a solo was highly engaging. <br />
<br />
I think they are done touring in the us for now, but <a href="http://hughlaurieblues.com/" target="_blank">here is link</a> to their tour dates in case that changes in the future.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10334813512265456213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-52128819503101088732013-10-02T21:11:00.000-05:002013-10-02T21:13:29.813-05:00Entitlement and Expectation<br />
Are the Millennials entitled, lazy, distractible knuckle heads; or are they under paid (often times not paid), fast moving, tech savvy folk who just do not work the way your Grandmother did?<br />
<br />
<br />
If I am honest I would have to say a little of both.<br />
This post was originally inspired by <a href="http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2013/09/04/33560/are-millennials-lazy-distracted-and-overly-demandi/" target="_blank">this article.</a> Shortly after seeing that article, I came upon two more.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html" target="_blank">This one</a> is very abrasive, and although I do not disagree with the majority of what is said I do take exception with the incredibly harsh tone. I feel I must also point out that even the author points out that the Baby Boomers are different than the Greatest Generation. He even implies that that is because the Greatest Generation raised the Boomers to be that way. Now, nowhere that I noticed did they highlight that perhaps the Millennials or Gen Y Yuppies (or whatever) are the way they are because of the way the Baby Boomers raised <i>them. </i>Not that that would excuse being lazy or entitled, but if the Greatest Generation made the Baby Boomers so hard working and understanding of their place in life, then Gen Y (or X or whatever) were made to be entitled special little princesses etc. because of the Boomers. (I don't know about you, but I got the impression that the author was an aging member of the Boomers, which would be ironic.)<br />
I also think that, for the most part, people are capable of having their special story and yet still knowing how they fit in the world as a whole. I think that a country full of people who are ok with being cogs in a machine would be really depressing. Perhaps the author did not mean it so drastically.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://medium.com/the-nib/6050f2c25497" target="_blank">The second</a> article highlights a problem that a lot of fresh outs have. Finding a job. But not just a job, finding one <a href="http://www.systemcomic.com/2010/06/10/the-system-383-interns/" target="_blank">that Pays Money.</a> As an applied science kinda guy, I have never had to, nor will I ever have to (I hope), endure something as irritating as working for no money. I would like to do work. And get paid. I want to be able to go to work, spend all day getting things done and then get paid at the end of the month like "everybody" else.<br />
Is that so much to ask?<br />
I don't want in at the top (although if I am qualified and able to do what is required then, why not?) I want in at the "working so I can pay my bills" level.<br />
Furthermore, I would go crazy in a job where I was not actually accomplishing anything. I don't <i>want </i>that, and I don't know anyone who does.<br />
<br />
A general consensus about my generation is that we would skate by on as little as possible. I would postulate that my generation will not be any worse about that than any other. <br />
<br />
We want to prove ourselves, and want to do so the way that we were taught we could.<br />
Give us a chance, you'll be surprised. <br />
<br />
<br />
Some Additional articles:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youthradio.org/news/article/life-lessons-from-laundry/" target="_blank">Here</a> is an interesting segment where a young man and his grandfather talk about these same subjects. Some great points are made by both I think.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/09/10/219372252/the-most-and-least-lucrative-college-majors-in-1-graph" target="_blank">Here</a> are some interesting statistics that may contribute to many of the issues brought up in this post. I do think that it is much easier to not seem like a leach on society if you have a degree in science or engineering as opposed to philosophy or social work.<br />
<br />
I'll also say that <a href="http://www.paperitis.com/productivity/multitasking-on-learning.html" target="_blank">this</a> is probably not good for anybody.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Would love to hear your thoughts, agree or disagree.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-10801647127990001732013-08-27T16:20:00.000-05:002013-08-27T16:20:27.647-05:00"William Wallace is one of the worlds best offensive leaders, espicailly in 'Come from behind' situations", Modern Tribalism and Athletics.Football season is about to be upon us so I thought I would address something I have been thinking about off and on for a while about athletics, from grade school through pro. <br />
<br />
Imagine with me real quick an ESPN analyst talking about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace" target="_blank">William Wallace</a> as if he were a modern day college football Quarterback with highlights playing in the back ground; "Not only is he a great leader on the field, I mean look at how he uses his long sword so effectively against King Edwards team, but he is also an academic all Scotland! He makes the Wallace Tartan Proud..."<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span>
Not hard to imagine right?<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span>
To help set the mood watch these videos and then we'll get going.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5VX2Q1Vty8" target="_blank">Baylor Football Hype Video from 2010</a>, my favorite get pumped song. Obviously Baylor is my "tribe."<br />
I remember getting supper pumped watching that before football games.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KETF6t2_fKA" target="_blank">Baylor Football Hype Video for 2013,</a> Baylor's hype video for this year. I am currently getting pumped for this season.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span>
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span>
These are songs and videos that are intended to coalesce Baylor fan energy into showing up and making noise, much like marching songs and rebel yells, and battle cries. <br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span><br />
Is it the same?<br />
<br />
I would argue yes. Much like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan" target="_blank">Clan Tartans</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms" target="_blank">Coats of Arms</a> School colors logos and brands indicate which "tribe" a given person belongs to. When I wear my Baylor shirt to the grocery store everybody knows I am a Baylor guy. <br />
<br />
<br />
Rivalries<br />
<br />
Families are divided and battle lines are drawn over things like which school one went to and who beat whom in this years football game.<br />
A classic example of this and a good illustration of its extremes is the Rivalry between the University of Texas (UT) and Texas A & M (aTm). Two years ago aTm deiced to leave its long time home and traditional rivalries for the "greener" pastures of the SCE (there are many things to talk about there, but not in this post). The State wide out cry for UT and aTm to keep playing each other every Thanksgiving or at least every year was strong enough that potential laws were written up in the state Senate. Ironically, the strongest voices were from aTm fans who were the ones leaving the conference and the long standing rivalry.<br />
<br />
When Football and other sports are important enough that people feel the need to identify (using everything from bumber stickers to the shirts they send the kids to school in) this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVN5afLqPur7GwRibVwKzQqXeiAXoZ9jXyrV5Jq74dJhVBGSAhGK9lSGVMCioonLjPy7KV_X8SKxp-w0ifKTGRGal6CVifLM7gZX0cjjnsRkr4rs36DHPoNn_cSRlRCdaWV4e-oo4tUpj/s1600/housedivided.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVN5afLqPur7GwRibVwKzQqXeiAXoZ9jXyrV5Jq74dJhVBGSAhGK9lSGVMCioonLjPy7KV_X8SKxp-w0ifKTGRGal6CVifLM7gZX0cjjnsRkr4rs36DHPoNn_cSRlRCdaWV4e-oo4tUpj/s1600/housedivided.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
about themselves and their family, you know they mean business. <br />
<br />
<br />
"I hate the Redskins"<br />
<br />
Now here is an interesting tidbit, and I think it is what sparked this line of thinking in the first place.<br />
I have an Aunt who lives in Dallas. That makes her a Cowboys fan through and through and she totally is. That is kind of unfortunate because the Cowboys have been just good enough to suck for a long time (read: Tony Romo). But anyway... my wife and I were at Thanksgiving at her house last year and the Cowboys were playing their annual Thursday night Thanksgiving game. This last year it happened to be against the Washington Redskins. That is innocuous in and of it self except for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Griffin_III" target="_blank">RGIII</a>. My Aunt and her husband are both Baylor grads and are Baylor through and through. Robert Griffin the Third is the best thing to have happened to Baylor Athletics since... ever, probably. Maybe with the exception of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Teaff" target="_blank">Grant Teaff</a>.<br />
<br />
My Aunt said, part way through the second quarter where her schools Heisman winning quarterback was scoring four touchdowns on her Cowboys in less than fifteen minutes; "I hate the Redskins".<br />
<br />
This surprised me. <br />
<br />
Now my Aunts allegiance to the Cowboys trumped her allegiance to Baylor. I suppose not really, Griffin was playing for her rivals not for her team anymore. He had graduated and been drafted and was a Redskin not a Baylor Bear I suppose. But my thinking was and still is that once a Bear, always a Bear. It seems to me that that reasoning is shared by many, that is why you don't see people support the schools where they got their Graduate degrees as much as their Undergraduate Alma-mater . <br />
<br />
It stood out to me that her aggression against the Redskins was that ingrained in her. "Almost clan like" I thought. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Packers<br />
<br />
A few years ago the Green Bay Packers won the Super bowl.<br />
A friend of mine went to that game. She not in the same state (as the game or the team) but is a part of a Pack family with tradition going back generations. Many of them, including her, own stock in the team (which I think is cool by the way).<br />
She dropped a few thousand of her own dollars to go to that game and enjoyed the crap out of it.<br />
<br />
What stood out to me about this instance was the fierce dedication that caused a college student to spend a very pretty penny for her "tribe."<br />
<br />
<br />
Last one then we will wrap it up.<br />
High school foot ball in Texas <br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span><br />
<span id="goog_89187791">Preface; I grew up in Southern California so all my Texas High School Football knowledge and experience is second hand. </span><br />
Particularly in small towns <a href="http://texashsfootball.com/" target="_blank">High School Football</a> in Texas is life and death. The movie Friday Night Lights is no exaggeration. On weeks when a home game is being played whole towns will shut down on Friday night. If their team makes the playoffs bus loads of small town folk ride into the big city to support their boys. Its scary and inspiring at the same time. <br />
<br />
<br />
Wrap up<br />
<br />
Is this a bad thing? Is it ok that our educated populace degenerates into often drunken always loud and rowdy tribal fans every weekend for all of Fall (and then some for basketball and other sports)?<br />
<br />
I think it is ok. Most of us know how to be a good sport about it all, and nobody is actually being killed or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace#Capture_and_execution" target="_blank">drawn and quarted</a>.<br />
<br />
Usually.<br />
<span id="goog_89187791"></span><span id="goog_89187792"></span><br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-72738222280243339042013-07-07T18:52:00.001-05:002013-07-07T18:52:12.059-05:00Not an easy title; Homosexuality and the Bible A few years ago, my father went through the Bible verse by verse and wrote about them. A few days ago, my aunt posted this in a note on Facebook. She went though and picked out verses pertaining to homosexuality and what my dad had written about them. A good read in general, as he is a fantastic writer, but also has some very good points (about homosexuality and otherwise).<br />
<br />
Below, with permission, is the unedited note my aunt posted with my thoughts thrown in at the end.<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These are the verses that supposedly address homosexuality in
the bible. Several years ago, my brother Courtney went through the
bible verse at a time to see what it really says. It also took him about
5 years to do this. I looked up each verse listed below and his
interpretation of them. His interpretations are the most reasonable and
fair I've ever seen. For anyone interested, his entire analysis of the
bible is here:<br />
<br /><a href="http://cbduncan.duncanheights.com/Faith/Bible_Const/Bible_Const.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://cbduncan.duncanheights.com/Faith/Bible_Const/Bible_Const.html</a><br />
<br />This is lengthy, but worth the read if you are intrigued. <br />Be sure not to overlook his thoughts on homosexuality in the bible and other final thoughts at the bottom.<br />
<br /><a href="http://cbduncan.duncanheights.com/Faith/Bible_Const/BibleConcluded.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://cbduncan.duncanheights.com/Faith/Bible_Const/BibleConcluded.pdf</a><br />
<br />Genesis 19:1-29<br />Leviticus 18:22<br />Leviticus 20:13<br />Judges 19:22-23<br />Romans 1:18-32<br />1 Corinthians 6:9-11<br />1 Timothy 1:10<br /><br /><b>Genesis 19:1-29; Sodom and Gomorrah</b><br /><br />I'm
offended by all of this apparent mis-prioritization that majors in
making a villain out of Lot's unnamed wife, more or less ignoring the
rest. Let's see what the text plainly says.<br />The two angels came to
Sodom and found it as wicked as reported. Worse, they and their host
were threatened. The intent to destroy the city was confirmed. The
sins of Sodom were primarily inhospitality, violence, and abuse although
nearly all of modern culture sees it as primarily homosexuality (thus
the term "Sodomy"). It's not even obvious from this text if
homosexuality itself is an issue. It might be a second or third tier
wickedness, it might not, it just doesn't say. <br />Lot was saved only
because of Abraham's righteousness and pretty much against his own will
and certainly that of his wife. He was hospitable, unlike his
neighbors.<br />Lot's "involuntary" drunkenness may excuse his sin of
incest with his daughters (though not theirs). Their relationship is
hard to grasp. First he tries to throw them to the wolves, then they do
this. It is interesting though that the text makes no value judgment
on this at all, not on the drunkenness, not on the incest, not on the
father or the daughters or the sons, not even on offering to give them
away to protect a guest. All that it says is that the sons were made
into nations. The blessing the daughters had sought was achieved.<br /><br /><b>Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 18 in general.</b><br /><br />Here
is a list of people for a man not to have sex with along with
rationale. (Rationale is rare in the Bible, at least so far.) The
rationale is of two types. 1. It is not good to have sex with a close
relative. 2. The surrounding countries, that is, Egypt where they are
coming from, and Canaan, where they are going, do these practices, and
because they did they "became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I
punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants."
Similarly, if the Israelites do these things in these lands, it will
vomit them out too. Each prohibition is classified. Either the person
is too close of a relative and thus it would be dishonorable, or it is
"wickedness" or it is "detestable." We have seen these words before.
Eating an eel or a dolphin that came from the sea but did not have fins
or scales was called "detestable" for example.<br />Here is the list of
people who a man should not have sex with: his mother, his step-mother,
his sister, (that is, any daughter of his mother, step-mother, or
father), his grand-daughter (son's or daughter's), his aunt (father's or
mother's sister), his uncle's wife, his daughter-in-law, his
sister-in-law.<br />Also, he should not have sex with both a woman and her
daughter. He should not take both a woman and her sister as wives,
this creates rivalry. (We note that this was the situation with the
patriarch Israel himself, that his twelve sons were the children of two
rival sisters and their two servants.) Well, (it goes on to say) at
least not while the first wife is living.<br />A man is not to have sex with a woman during menstruation, or his neighbor's wife, or another man.<br />There is one prohibition for women. "A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it."<br />And
there is one general prohibition: "Do not give any of your children to
be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your
God."<br />While most of these relations would be considered to be some
form of adultery or incest, marriage itself appears to be only a
secondary matter here. Marriage may be assumed, either in place between
sexual partners or ex-post-facto, that is, a man having sex with a
woman is then be required to marry her (if possible and allowed), an
age-old shot-gun tradition.<br />The reason given for a man not having sex
with his mother is because it would dishonor his father, not because it
is incest. The reason given for a man not having sex with his
sister-in-law is because it dishonors his brother, not because it is
adultery. The reason given for not sacrificing children to Molech is
that it profanes God's name, not that the life of the child is sacred.<br />Although
not explicitly stated, these reasons and the comments about the
neighboring nations vomiting them out are sometimes construed to imply
that these practices all are parts of idol worship practiced by those
nations, false, competing, profane, and "wicked" religions, most of
which go back to the dawn of man's consciousness. (Recall the days
before Noah where so much of this was going on that God drowned
everybody in sight.) While this is probably true in part, it looks to
me like many of these cases just having to do with exercising respect
and self-control in the presence of attractive relatives.<br />The penalty for any of these is that "such persons must be cut off from their people."<br /><br /><b>Leviticus 20:13; Leviticus 20 in general.</b><br /><br />This
chapter gives the actual penalties for violating any of the laws put
down in the last chapter. There are three general types of penalties:
to have God turn away, to be put to death in some way, and something
less such as being childless.<br />Anyone who sacrifices their child to
Molech gets a death sentence. If their community just ignores it, he and
his family will all be cut off.<br />The penalty for consulting a medium or spiritist is that God will set his face against that person and cut them off.<br />Death
by stoning is prescribed for: cursing your father or mother, committing
adultery, sleeping with a daughter-in-law, another man, or an animal
(man or woman, as before). In all cases, both parties are killed,
including any animal involved.<br />(I've read that we, today, rarely enforce the death penalty against "rebellious and foolish" teenagers who curse their parents.)<br />Death by being burned in fire is reserved for all three people when a man marries both a woman and her mother.<br />Lesser penalties:<br />One is merely cut off from the people for marrying his sister or half sister or lying with a woman during menstruation.<br />The penalty of being childless is reserved for a man who sleeps with or marries his aunt or his sister-in-law. <br />The
penalty section closes with a reiteration of the language about the
land vomiting the people out for behaving in these ways (as the people
who live there now do) and an exhortation to be sure and make the
distinction between clean and unclean birds and animals. <br />Finally, anyone who is a medium or spiritist (as opposed to merely consulting one as discussed above) is to be stoned to death.<br />It
appears that God is trying to keep the people out of serious trouble
with each other and with him. One thing confuses me though. Throughout
this part, the terms "marry" and "sleeps with" or "have sexual
relations with" are used nearly interchangeably. For example, "If a man
marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored
his brother. They will be childless." <br />This isn't even good
grammar. Who is "they?" The first couple, the second couple, or all
three people? How can a person marry his brother's wife? Why isn't
that adultery? Who would perform such a ceremony if anyone knew the
situation? Is this the sin of Herod and Herodias that, by preaching
against it, got John the Baptist beheaded? Indeed, didn't we see that
the law actually requires a man to marry his brother's wife after his
brother's death if the original couple had been childless, in order to
carry on the line? Impracticable (or unfair, or in fact, contradictory
with this passage) as that may seem, this doesn't appear to be talking
about dead brothers, it appears to be talking about living brothers.<br />Perhaps
this is aimed at a case where the brother is out of the picture, has
walked out or is on a trip or working in another place or is of unknown
whereabouts and the brother who is present is taking care of his
in-laws. (Such situations and marriages were not uncommon in 19th
Century U.S.A.) I am just speculating now in an attempt to understand
what is really being said here; none of this is stated.<br />Around half
of the penalties specified in this chapter are worded in confusing or
ambiguous ways like this. The Hebrew language, from which this is
translated, is somewhat different from ours, and by implication the
Hebrew ways of thought are also somewhat different. One way to read
these is that they are really all the same, only with different
wordings. A modern conservative, after all, sees everything discussed
here as taboo. A modern liberal sees it all as antiquated and
irrelevant. I doubt that either reading is really what we are trying to
grasp here. <br />I concede that much of my confusion may result from
information or intent lost in translation. I maintain that a logical,
computer-parser-like reading of this text is highly problematic. To be
understood plainly against the simplest rules of logic or English
grammar, this text would need serious editing. I am glad not to be a
trial judge trying to fairly interpret and dispense these laws. <br />You
will recall that this exercise is one of studying the Bible as it was
provided to me, an average intellect, in print in my language. The
intent is not to get sidetracked into studies of Hebrew linguistics,
ancient cultures, or other background investigations. Why should it be
necessary to do these things to reach a God who is living and active
today and who has provided this text for that purpose? We claimed at
the outset that it must be possible for God to speak through these many
filters. We patiently persevere.<br />
<br /><b>Final thoughts on Leviticus.</b><br />
<br />This
wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. There is a lot of
interesting information in Leviticus, though it seems a bit
disorganized.<br />We have asked the question, "How is this relevant to
us?" We are not nomadic desert shepherds traveling toward a Promised
Land. It seems to us that it would be unreasonable to follow all of
these directives literally and verbatim. It seems that some of the
activities might even be illegal for us today, if not suspicious,
irrelevant, or obsolete.<br />In the course of taking the Bible seriously,
what do we do with such information, then? How can we implicitly think
of something we take seriously as irrelevant or obsolete? We seem
disinclined to take it all literally and it would be difficult and
problematic to do so in any case. Do we take information such as this
as instruction about the nature and approach of God? We find God here
to be perfectly exacting and, although patient, hardly able to tolerate
his imperfect creations in all of their rebellion and error. The
consequences for disobeying God are at the least elaborate and expensive
and at most deadly. Do we allegorize from this and ask God for modern
equivalents?<br />If this is what we should do, literally or allegorically, it is not what we do.<br />Modern
Christians teach and believe that all of these sacrifices are no longer
necessary or appropriate, Christ himself having made one single
sacrifice for all time, place, people, and peoples. This is dealt with
at length in the writings of Paul that we will get to later, but Jesus
himself said that not one pen stroke would pass away from the law before
"all was fulfilled." We've puzzled this elsewhere and continue to do
so. Does this mean that when we have mildew in our houses we have to
move ourselves and all of our stuff out for seven days then have the
preacher come over for an inspection? Does it mean that we have to tear
the house down if it doesn't improve? Does it mean that there is still
a ceremony for cleansing the house if it does improve, hopefully
without the need to kill any birds?<br />If we get a rash, are we unclean and in need of inspection and cleansing?<br />Is it possible for a Christian today to be "unclean?"<br />Does
it mean that a teenager who curses his parents should be put to death?
Does it mean that we should not eat any pork products or that we should
eat grasshoppers?<br />None of these have to do with the sacrifices for
sin that Jesus has superseded, they are just directions for right
living. In practice we, now, seem to ignore most of them, such as the
ones I've excerpted above, at our social convenience while whole
religious movements are built around others, such as the one sentence
admonition for a man not to lie with another man as with a woman, though
such acts are classified as "detestable", the same as eating pork.<br />My
question therefore is, "On what basis do we choose to neglect all of
these laws except for a few that we want to enforce on others?" We take
the Bible seriously. We believe that every word of it is the inspired
Word of God suitable for instruction and the building up of faith and so
forth, yet we selectively ignore large portions of it. On what
grounds? Tradition? Convenience? Social norms? Reason? Some brand
of apologetics? Denominational preference? Historically contextual
understandings? Well, why do any such reasons have supremacy over the
Bible itself?<br />I have no plan to begin following all of these
regulations to the letter myself. What does this mean about me, that I
am unacceptable to God? <br />We have learned some things about the
character of God here. If we had only Leviticus to study, we would
conclude that God was very exacting, that he wants fellowship with the
imperfect people but can barely stand to be around them. We would
believe that burning animals were his food and that the process smelled
nice to him. <i>A religion based only on Leviticus could not exist in today's western world.</i><br />As
a person looking for some things to do or be, simple or otherwise, to
know that I am right with God, I am disillusioned. As a person wanting
to get my religion straight, all I find here is hopelessness. As a
person who wants to use the Bible to hammer other people whose habits I
don't like, I don't find this material as compelling as others seem to.<br />We will have to continue through other parts of the Bible to find a God more like anything we have been taught as Christians.<br />
<br /><b> Judges 19:22-23; Judges 19 in general.</b><br />
<br />In those days Israel had no king. Here we go again.<br />A
man, a Levite who lived in a remote part of Ephraim, had a concubine.
She was unfaithful to him and returned to her fathers house. I don't
know if this unfaithfulness was unfaithfulness or if it was just the
fact that she left him and returned to her former home.<br />In any case,
the Levite got his donkeys and servant together and went on a trip to
this father's house to persuade her to come back. She agreed, but the
father, perhaps worried about the dangers of travel, persuaded them for
several days running to stay and eat and enjoy themselves there,
morning, afternoon and evening, and then because it was late to get
underway, to spend the night. After about the third day of this, the
man insisted on leaving regardless, even though it was already mid-day
when he pulled loose.<br />(Travel being dangerous in these times, it was
customary to leave as early in the morning as possible in order to have
as long as possible to get to a safe stopping place before dark.)<br />At
the end of that day they were near a city of the Jebusites and the
servant suggested stopping there but the man did not want to stay with
aliens, he wanted to stay in an Israelite city, so they pressed on to
Gibeah (occupied by Benjamites), arriving well after sunset. They went
to the square and waited there but no one took them in.<br />An old man
came in late from his fields and inquired with them about who they were
and where they were going. They said they had all the provisions they
needed for themselves and their animals and would be no trouble to
anyone. He invited them into his home and took care of them, showing
traditional hospitality, which was considerable work.<br />Later in the
night, men from the city showed up at the hosts door, pounding on it and
insisting that the old man turn out his guest so they could rape him.
He said, No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest,
don't do this disgraceful thing. Look, here is my virgin daughter, and
his concubine, I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them
and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don't do such a
disgraceful thing.<br />This unthinkable event draws no moral commentary
in the narrative. One wonders what the rules of engagement were in this
time and place. I have been taught that it was a hosts highest duty to
protect his guests. It appears that the women, whether virgin
daughters or property wives, were mere property, sub-human.<br />But the
men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her
outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the
night, and at dawn they let her go. At daybreak the woman came back to
the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay
there until daylight. <br />When her master got up in the morning and
opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way,
there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her
hands on the threshold. He said to her, Get up; lets go. But there was
no answer. Then the man put her corpse on his donkey and set out for
home.<br />There is no sign in this story that the man cared anything for
this woman except for whatever his legal rights were. We can imagine
that this may have been why she left him to start with and why her
father tried to keep them all back at his house, perhaps hoping it would
be indefinite so that, under his roof, the man might treat his daughter
better. We can imagine these things but there is no support for it in
the text, at least apart from social context that we do not have here.<br />When
he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by
limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel.
Everyone who saw it said, Such a thing has never been seen or done, not
since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Think about it!
Consider it! Tell us what to do!<br />Who are they addressing? What do
they refer to, such at thing? The rape of the property concubine or
cutting her up into pieces and shipping the pieces around the country
for some reason? What is the source of outrage? Is this outrage?<br />
<br /><b>Romans 1:18-32; Romans I in general.</b><br /><br />Those
of you who are used to reading what I write are doubtless accustomed to
my bent towards parenthetical digression and lengthy intra-sentence
explanations with ever more complex detail, some relevant and some
irrelevant.<br />Well, my own style has never approached the opening greeting of Pauls letter:<br />Paul,
a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for
the gospel of God – [and, here we go] the gospel he promised beforehand
through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to
his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit
of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his
resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for
his names sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from
among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you
also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.<br />To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his saints:<br />And, though at this point he could simply say, Amen. Sincerely, Paul, he continues.<br />He
begins by making sure that they understand that he has been wanting to
come to Rome and that he has tried many times, but due to his many
responsibilities among Jews and Gentiles, wise and the foolish, has not
been able to work it out yet. He wants to come be with them so as to
give them gifts of faith and be mutually encouraged.<br />And this causes
him to think of preaching the gospel, which he wants to do in Rome. He
is not ashamed of it because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes.<br />With these pleasantries out of the way, he launches right into his initial point, the depravity of mankind.<br />People
have been godless and wicked from the beginning, and Gods wrath has
been shown against all this. Gods nature, invisible qualities have also
been obvious from the beginning. People have no excuse. They weren't
thankful to God for what he had done nor did they glorify him for it.
They became foolish and unenlightened.<br />In this depravity they did many evil things. The example Paul gives are:<br />- Worshipping man-made images of animals and such,<br />- Unnatural, lustful uses of their bodies, both women and men, doing indecent things,<br />- General
evil: greed, wickedness, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit,
malice, gossip, slander, hating God, insolence, arrogance, boastfulness,
disobedience to parents, and anything else they could invent:
senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.<br />God is righteous and
decrees a penalty of death for such things (for everything actually),
but people continue to do them and approve of other people who do them
too.<br /><i>Although these words can condemn nearly anything we see on
TV, they are most often used to proof-text against homosexual behavior.
Pauls point here, however, is not to condemn homosexuals in particular,
but to demonstrate that every person who is alive and breathing is
sinful and wicked. If you do not see yourself in this list of
depravities, you are not being honest with yourself. Paul does not
intend to give believers ammunition with which to condemn others, he
intends to demonstrate that the reader, the hearer himself, that is
everyone, is deserving of a punishment of death. Once you accept this,
you are ready for what comes next.</i><br />Paul says in effect, Consider
yourself depraved and hopeless, deserving death. In the next few
chapters we hope for some encouragement over against this condition.<br /><br /><b>1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Corinthians 5 & 6 in general.</b><br /><br />These
two chapters deal with sexual immorality, a particular case in the
church and in general. They also discuss disputes among those in the
church.<br />The particular case was of a man who has his father's wife
(his stepmother). Not only that but the church was proud of this. Even
the pagans don't do such things. Paul commands that this person be
handed over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his
spirit saved on the day of the Lord.<br />I'm sure that many books are written on this passage. Salvation occurs but only through serious purging.<br />He
then uses the image of the Passover, where Christ is the lamb and the
church is the unleavened bread. Such yeast as this is the yeast of
malice and wickedness.<br />God will judge those outside the church. Paul
and those within the church are only to judge within the church. Don't
associate with immoral people: greedy, swindlers, idolaters, and
slanderers.<br />Also, concerning internal disputes among Christians,
don't take these to ungodly judges. The very fact that you have
lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. The
church will eventually judge the earth. They will judge angels, so
they ought to be qualified to settle their own disputes and they should
do so internally. Again, the list is given of those who will not
inherit the kingdom of God: the sexually immoral, idolaters,
adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, greedy,
drunkards, slanderers, and swindlers.<br />Although everything is
permissible, not everything is beneficial. The body is meant for God,
not sexual immorality. Do you not know that your bodies are members of
Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them
with a prostitute? Sexual union makes people one in body, But he who
unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.Flee from sexual
immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he
who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.<br />These passages are among those of
which it is said that Christianity brought chastity and a renewed
emphasis on sexual morality into religion.<br />Nothing here imposes this
higher standard on all of society, it just says that, being saved from
the corruption of nature, the Christians are in a better place and are
to act like it.<br /><br /><b>1 Timothy 1:10; Timothy 1 in general. </b><br /><br />Paul begins:<br />“Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of
Christ Jesus our hope, “To Timothy my true son in the faith:“Grace,
mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”<br />In
his first section, Paul urges Timothy to stay on in Ephesus because
someone needs to be there to refute all the people espousing false
doctrine. In fact, Paul tells Timothy to “command certain men not to
teach” such things. Such teaching results only in controversy and that
is not what the faith is all about. Some have wandered off, talking
more than doing. Others want to be teachers of the law though they
don’t know what they are talking about.<br />The law is a good thing, but
it is not for the righteous, it is for the lawless as a corrective or a
signpost. The law is for people who kill their mothers or fathers or
commit adultery or perversions or trade slaves or lie or perjure or are
otherwise unholy, sinful, or irreligious.<br />Paul counts himself as a
man who had once been like that. He had been “a blasphemer and a
persecutor and a violent man.” He had acted in “ignorance and unbelief”
when he did so, however, and so was offered mercy and appointed to be
one of God’s most trusted servants.<br />“Here is a trustworthy saying
that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners – of whom I am the worst.” Christ’s act on Paul’s behalf
demonstrates the ultimate mercy.<br />Paul instructs Timothy to keep with
the prophesies “once made about [him],” to keep the faith and continue
fighting for it in good conscience.<br />Paul then names names: “Some
have rejected these [faith and good conscience] and so have shipwrecked
their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed
over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”<br />Holding to the faith does not appear to be a slam dunk.<br />Apparently
“handed over to Satan” means excommunication and means that they were
put out of the fellowship of the church to get along on their own in the
rest of the world, which is run by Satan, until (and unless…) they
learn correctness.<br />
<br /><b>Final thoughts!</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcbduncan.duncanheights.com%2FFaith%2FBible_Const%2FBibleConcluded.pdf&h=7AQFbipwy&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://cbduncan.duncanheights.com/Faith/Bible_Const/BibleConcluded.pdf</a><br />
<br /><b>A Case Study from the Bible 2010 September 28th- October 4th for October 25th</b><br />
<br /><i>Concerning homosexuality and the Bible.</i>
I’m not the authority on this but I have read the Bible and I have read
apart from the Bible on the subject. There were many reasons why I
wanted to go through the Bible systematically as I have and one of those
reasons, a minor one actually, was to see what was up with God and the
issue of homosexuality. There is a lot of noise out there on the
subject. My Bible and I should be able to figure something out.<br />In
Nehemiah 5:9-11, we read these commands of Nehemiah to the people in the
newly re-occupied Jerusalem which they were about to endeavor to
rebuild:<br />“So I continued, ‘What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t
you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile
enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money
and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them
immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also
the usury you are charging them -- the hundredth part of the money,
grain, new wine and oil.’<br />Usury to us means something like what they
do on payday loans, charging ten or fifteen percent for a one week
paycheck advance. Here, people were charging their countrymen one
percent for a loan. It doesn’t say per annum, one gets the idea that it
was one percent over the life of the loan whatever that might be.<br />Nehemiah was appealing to the Mosaic law as found in Exodus 22:25.<br />“If
you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be
like a moneylender; charge him no interest. If you take your neighbor’s
cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the
only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he
cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”<br />There is a similar sentiment in Psalms 15.<br />“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?”<br />“[He] who keeps his oath even when it hurts,<br />who
lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the
innocent.” Presumably the word translated “usury” refers to charging any
interest at all as it did in Nehemiah and Exodus.<br />(Yes, I understand that I’m proof texting here. Bear with me. There is a purpose.)<br />How many church buildings are built on borrowed money, paid back with interest? Sometimes even to members?<br />In
addition, an entire chapter of Leviticus, Chapter 25, deals with the
Jubilee. Jubilee is the central concept in Hebrew property ownership
under Mosaic Law. The land belongs to God, but is partitioned out to the
various tribes, clans, and families in subdivision. They can sell their
land, but every seven years, and every fifty years, property reverts
back to the original owner.<br />Leaving aside that this would be
unworkable in perpetuity unless the population remained static and
nothing in the world internal or external to the Jews changed from
generation to generation, this means that the trading of property was
never done except on a temporary basis. The sale price was to be
prorated based on the amount of time remaining until the Jubilee when
all property would revert. The same was true with slaves. They were
freed on the Jubilee. There were provisions for permanent sales and
permanent (voluntary) slavery, but it is clear from the text that these
were exceptions.<br />God ordained, in essence, leasing, not transferring and owning.<br />God’s
concern here seems to be that people not get enslaved to their economic
system. The money really isn’t that important. It is neither to be
hoarded by those who already have plenty nor withheld from those who
have little or nothing, for whatever reason they have nothing, deserved
or otherwise. Trust God, not money, not property, is the essence of what
it means.<br />There are numerous other instructions in the Law
apparently intended to make life a little more even, a little more
humble for the rich and a little more bearable for the poor such as
leaving the edges of a field unharvested so the poor can have at least a
little to eat. Americans consider this charity and are constitutionally
against it. To force such charity is considered unfair.<br />Some teach
this, perhaps legitimately, as instructions only for family and
neighbors, how to treat your brother Israelites. Maybe so but Jesus
answered the question, “Who is my neighbor?” with a story about a hated
Samaritan who helped a stranger on the road. Remember? Who is my brother
in Christ? Who is my neighbor? It’s not just my fellow Israelite, not
just my fellow Protestant, not just the members of my immediate family.
Jesus said that if I loved only them, what credit was that?<br />This is
only a small part of the Bible teaching on the subject of money,
property, employment, compassion, and fairness. If the Bible is
inerrant, if we are to take it at face value (some say “without
interpretation”), if we are to do exactly what it says without question
or clarification, as many preach, we cannot live in a capitalist
society. We can hardly be U.S. citizens. We cannot charge interest on
investments. Dividends, by contrast, are not even mentioned. Somehow the
Bible does not address complicated fiduciary arrangements. It treats
money as a neutral medium of exchange that leads people into “all sorts
of evil” when taken too seriously. Our system, by contrast, has all
sorts of ways to manipulate money, to some people’s incredibly
extravagant gain.<br />But what about building wealth and security? What
about enabling the finer things that are possible in a large society?
The Bible talks a lot about that. Isn’t that storing up treasures on
earth where rust and moth destroy? Isn’t this putting faith in things
that are inanimate, that are temporary, that provide no safety? Aren’t
these prohibited nearly exactly in the words of Jesus, and of Moses?<br />At
the very least it would seem that the Bible wants God’s people to use
money to meet their needs and those of others, not to accumulate so much
of it that they can live on interest without needing to do anything but
banking. So much for the American Dream.<br />But, I will continue to be a
U.S. Citizen and will, with struggles, continue to try to function in a
capitalist economy, while trying to do the Godly thing: use resources
to help those who suffer in many ways, including from lack. Dad always
said, after all, “Grow where you’re planted.” I will live within my own
faith and faith community, trying not to fall into the traps of the
self-righteous religious establishment, but just trying to do the right
thing. God’s Word, as canonized , translated, and printed, is a
significant input but it is not the only input. I have to somehow carry
on in this way using the Bible as guidance, where it speaks, where it is
silent, where it conflicts, and where it challenges. I have to take the
prohibition against collateral on loans and the prohibition against
charging even one percent interest on a loan and the command to forgive
all loans periodically with a grain of salt. I plan leave my bank
accounts, loans and investments pretty much as they are.<br />The
characters of the Bible used wine fairly freely and openly, both
domestically and in sacred ritual, including Jesus himself, who actually
made quite a bit of the stuff as his first miracle. I have to accept
this even though my tradition teaches me that all ethyl alcohol is
inherently evil and not to be touched by anyone and even though I follow
that tradition, for the most part. I have to take my tradition with a
grain of salt too and, although I support drunk driving laws, I don’t
give the weight of the Bible to my tradition.<br />I have to accept that
the sanitation rules that I live under: what to do with women during
their periods, how to deal with refuse, how to deal with physical and
ceremonial cleansing, and so forth, are totally different in my culture
from anything commanded in the Bible. In some cases under penalty of law
in fact, I just do what my culture and what my customs prescribe,
taking the Bible as not directly relevant to those cases, though it in
fact it appears to speak directly to many of them.<br />Neither time nor
my new 230 MegaByte hard drive permit me to discuss every possible facet
of the irrelevance to my real life of an abstract concept such as
Biblical inerrancy or the Bible’s direction with respect to high finance
and a myriad other details of everyday life, but by now you can surely
see how it would go.<br />And so I have to realize that the world was not a
perfect place under Moses nor under Jesus, nor now, that things go
wrong with the people and the institutions. They go terribly wrong, and
yet we carry on, for the most part. We are saved from some of the wrong
through the power of Christ and we just live on with some of the other
wrong, according to the way in which he has chosen for each of us to
glorify God. Our salvation is not perfect until we leave this life.<br />When
I read I Corinthians 6:9 or Romans 2, or Leviticus 18:22, I have the
same stance. Certain acts may be “detestable” to Moses, but these verses
do not speak directly to me. I don’t have to go far to find verses that
do, and those are the ones through which God speaks to me.<br /><i>I saw a
piece of art in a studio at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota
that was a Bible on a lectern with every verse marked out in black
marker, like redacted classified material, except for Leviticus 18:22.</i><br />The faith of some is like that. I try for mine not to be.<br />It
is suggested that this verse may refer to temple prostitution, that is,
a religious violation, not particularly to particular sex acts. Anyway,
it doesn’t address female homosexuality at all. Maybe it is assumed it
doesn’t need to be addressed. Maybe it is intended that they not be
addressed. Maybe it never came up. Maybe nobody really cares.<br />As I
have said many times, one’s particular version of faith seems to depend
strongly on what parts of your sacred text you observe strictly and
which parts you explain away or ignore. Most don’t do this for
themselves, they rely on the dictates of their denominations,
non-denominations, seminaries, or other subdivisions of faith. Where do
all the versions come from? <i>“There is one Truth, one Religion. It becomes many when it passes through human beings.” -- Gandhi.</i><br />More
often than not, the rules chosen for strict observance are for the
other people to strictly observe and the ones ignored are the ones that
might have some impact on me.<br />When it comes to instructing or
pleading with or shunning people who seem to be spoken against in the
Bible in this way, well, I am friendly with bankers and beggars, and I
choose to associate freely with people who drink alcohol and people who
don’t. I do not advocate isolating women who are having periods, even
though some Native Americans, quite independent from the Bible, agree
with the Bible in strongly advising that they be isolated as impure. I
try to deal constructively with rebellious teenagers without resorting
to stoning (which would, in any case, be illegal in my culture) and I do
not call down hell fire on homosexuals, Bohemians, Samaritans, or
Democrats.<br />God may. He may also nail me for something and that’s what
I’m much more worried about. I’m not so worried about him nailing you.
That’s your problem. Whatever the case with God, it is not my place to
nail you.<br /><i>Perhaps in these debates we are missing the forest for
the trees. Perhaps we are missing the trees for the forest. Think about
it.</i><br />
<br /><b>My (Aunts) favorite final statement overall.</b><br />
<br />So,
yes indeed, everyone everywhere picks and chooses the parts of faith
that they want to live by and espouse, usually beginning from their
faith of heritage, usually figuring out how to apply it all to everyone
else. There is ignorance and misunderstanding everywhere. This is part
of the human condition. We are too finite to do otherwise. The wise
person will be cautious.<br />
<br /><b>My (Aunts) own final thoughts, if anyone gets this far.</b><br />
<br />
I
agree that people pick and choose what they want from the bible, and
then want everyone else to lives by their beliefs. Women are treated as
property in the bible. In some countries, it still works this way and I
am not OK with that. Our economy and banks function by charging
interest, and no one thinks anything of it. This is one of the biggest
issues discussed in the bible. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
There are under privileged people out there who struggle to survive and
yet others are worried about who marries who, or who sleeps with what. I
think we are living in an unbalanced society full of greed, and yet,
people want to use the bible to point fingers and judge. For those who
want to quote bible verses, lets go with Matthew 7:3; "Why do you look
at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to
the plank in your own eye?"<br />
<br />
<b>My (actual) own final thoughts.</b> <br />
<br />
I am very much like my father and agree with him just about to a "t".<br />
I'm registered to vote, but registered with the "declined to state" party, like he is. Which is fun because we get to go down to the last booth and vote with the communists, no-nazis, and hipsters (if they would vote). This is to say, I do not prescribe to any ideology that falls into party lines. I don't necessarily think that "if it works for you, it works" but I don't think that mine is the only true principles. As my dad said, I am not worried about what God thinks of you, I'm worried about what God thinks of me.<br />
<br />
Before we get to much farther, is gay marriage really the biggest "problem" we as a society have to face? Part one: no, there are actually serious issues that plague family life that should be fixed first I think. If no one abuses their child or spouse again, if every child is fed and has a chance to succeed, if people actually commit to each other when they wed (I can't take someone seriously when they spout about the "Sanctity of Marriage" when they have been divorced two or three times, like really dude?), if marriage and family life start looking like what "everyone" says it should then I think we could start talking about why two people who love each other should or should not get married. There should be a priority list man, come on. <br />
<br />
I am a firm believer in loving people first. I think that the followers of Jesus are called to love first as he did. What would the world be like if, instead of Christians being portrayed as judgmental, old fashioned, people who just don't get it; they were portrayed as people who went out of their way to love everybody. <br />
A good way to do that would be to go out of ones way to not hate on anyone, or even be perceived as hateful. It is not our place to judge, thank goodness. I know I would be screwed if it was.<br />
<br />
I <a href="http://twitter.com/TerrencePirate" target="_blank">twitted</a> the other day about how we, as Christians, are instructed to love. I will reiterate here.<br />
<br />
John 13: v. 34 - 35 NLT "34<span style="color: #990000;">So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.</span> 35 <span style="color: #990000;">Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." </span><br />
<br />
I think that these verses would be a pretty good Great Commission. <br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-76342633813566210452013-07-03T17:27:00.000-05:002013-07-03T17:27:13.940-05:00Waco Habitat Today my wife and I did some volunteering at <a href="http://www.wacohabitat.org/" target="_blank">Waco Habitat for Humanity</a> and it was awesome.<br />
<br />
We worked with some cool guys named Tom and Andrew (may have been Ryan... I can't remember). They both worked for Habitat and had been for a few years and were lots of fun to work with. Andrew is actually a premed student so my wife was able to dispense some Med School knowledge for his benefit as he taught us how to install windows:<br />
-Cut out the excess insilation<br />
-Tape up the siding<br />
-Tape the bottom again with some tar tape (carefully) <br />
-Caulk some weird plastic water sealing thingys to the bottom<br />
-Insert window and hold and adjust till all parts are level (at least a two person job, prolly three)<br />
-Once level, nail it all down<br />
<br />
We installed almost all the windows to two houses. Not gonna lie, I feel pretty accomplished.<br />
<br />
Tom, the other guy we were working with has a really cool story.<br />
He was born in Australia but grew up in the states. Calls Austin his home town. He traveled the world and is working with habitat before he gets bogged down with work and things. He was super with it and knew how to do what needed to be done. It was nice to see someone who has their life together and knows what he is doing and going to do. Gives me hope that I can too.<br />
<br />
<br />Looking around and watching all the other people work and see how the houses were coming together was really cool for me. It's one of my big dreams to one day build a house for my family. I've made my wife promise to make sure I have started it before we stop having kids. Working on building houses for habitat is something I've been meaning to do for a long time and am glad I can get experience while helping out those in need.<br />
<br />
All in all a good day,<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)<br />
<br />
Note: I'll be trying to post more and more, I am trying to write more and this is a conducive outlet. <br />
Thanks for reading.Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-69580703369010615172013-07-03T15:56:00.001-05:002013-07-03T15:56:54.771-05:00Yeah yeah yeahYes yes, long time no post.<br />
<br />
We can all get over it and move on, yes?<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
Moving on. <br />
<br />
Thanks <br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY) Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-9062775098544860592012-03-16T12:24:00.000-05:002012-03-16T12:24:02.036-05:00The Distorted Perception of Beauty<span style="font-size: small;">Hey all,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Over the last few years the entertainment world has exploded (I realize I’m stating the obvious, just go with it). With that in mind, the entertainment industry has influenced generations both young and old and told them that if they don’t look a certain way, then they won’t belong. Society will shun them and their lives will ultimately amount to nothing. THIS IS FALSE! You decide who you are and what you will do with your life. Focus on being you; not the cover model from some magazine.<br />
<br />
With spring break going on this week all around the nation, I felt that this post would be more applicable to the lives of high school and college students as well as everyone who looks back at those times and says to themselves, “I wish I still looked like that.” I thought this video served as a great reality check to what our culture perceives as beauty and how our perception of beauty has been warped by the entertainment industry over time. The video is sponsored by Dove (the soap company) and is pretty awesome. It's a whopping 1:14 minutes long, check it out here…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://legacy.baylor.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=8244687f2a244f4086a0ada78dfbb70c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3diYhCn0jf46U" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U</a><br />
<br />
That’s all I have today but I am curious to know your thoughts… How do you feel the expansion of media (entertainment, magazines, social media, etc.) has affected younger generations in America? <br />
<br />
HJG out</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss</span>Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-40492617784131731282012-02-13T23:50:00.000-06:002012-02-13T23:50:39.083-06:001st World ProblemsSo I was talking to some of my coworkers (all PHD and Masters students) and the topic came around to education and stuff. One of my Professors ask a question, and I think it may be one of the most important things I've heard a professor ask in my entire time in higher education.<br />
He said<br />
<br />
" So, how do we support a First World society with a Third World education structure?"<br />
<br />
I know, deep.<br />
Best part about this? We're all geologists, so you know, whatever.<br />
<br />
But the thing is, with half of kids now'a days being more or less forced into college and the other half not even ever thinking it's an option, what's going to happen to our society on an intellectual level? Some of my coworkers have taught in the past and were telling how everything is being dumbed down to the lowest common denominator so that kids will pass and graduate and the schools will get funded. It doesn't help much that there are also parents who, when their kid comes home with a bad report card, ask the teacher what they are doing wrong, not the child. Also, the unrealistic expectations of legislators who don't actually know what's going on in the education world and pass such pieces of horrible legislation as No Child Left Behind, which could go down as one of the worst programs ever instituted. <br />
<br />
But even from a higher education stand point, it used to be that you could graduate from high school and get a job working at a company with a defense contract and make a really good living that way. But that was the 50's. In my parents generation the working degree was a bachelors, in present day a masters is the most desirable and more and more employers are looking for PHDs. What will happen 30 years from now when no one can get a decent job without 12 years of post doctoral work?<br />
<br />
There was a lot more we talked about, but now I want to hear ya'lls thoughts.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-47100742008115033742012-01-29T22:28:00.000-06:002012-01-29T22:28:09.147-06:00Poem 1Here is the first Poem of a possible many we may post now and then between the two of us.<br />
Be warned, I am not a poet. With that in mind you just to deal with my terrible prose.<br />
<br />
<br />
Quick on his feet<br />
Quick with a song or a word<br />
Slow in the morning<br />
Slows up to take things slow<br />
Speeding to his Doom ere the next fall of night<br />
<br />
He knows not how<br />
Yet a part of him does know<br />
He sits and ponders<br />
Ponders how he should spend his last moments<br />
<br />
Should he run rampant?<br />
Should he try and squeeze as much earthly joy out of his remaining moments as possible?<br />
Should he try to find help to prolong his existence?<br />
Should he seek absolution and make peace with the world?<br />
<br />
He decides to make a new friend<br />
With whom he would become friends was no great mystery<br />
If he was to not see another sunrise, he would be sure his new friend knew as much<br />
He wants to learn as much as possible from this new friend of his<br />
For this friend knows as much as anyone about where he was headed<br />
<br />
<br />
This friend has traveled up and down that road many times<br />
Yet he returns<br />
He returns to be there as a friend for any soul going down his path<br />
He returns to be there with any who need him<br />
Few ever befriend him<br />
Some are afraid <br />
Some do not know he exists<br />
<br />
These two head down the path toward endless night<br />
<br />
As his new friend takes his leave<br />
the man who is slow in the morning yet quick with a song<br />
continues onward down the path undaunted whistling a tune never heard before<br />
<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-33915002839703776942012-01-22T20:32:00.001-06:002012-01-22T20:34:01.871-06:00Sopaipilla So there's all this talk about SOPA/PIPA (and because I'm dyslexic I keep seeing Sopaipilla). If you don't know what that is you can find out what it's all about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_IP_Act" target="_blank">here</a>. As always, I am not a political expert, and everything I say are my own thoughts and opinions.<br />
My understanding of SOPAIPILLA is that if HJG or I posted the Dr. Pepper logo (for example)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8rKbqwAQP-QI-OA-iBTF0HNF4H9GggK3sml3XN7iL_1emVMvKU7UBRlT5TF2POCCxijiWVcPiq9dJKIA06RYp1v_40gUpVewJGvIogOGjqH9waAPRmcJgtIOxfKul7pMRW-mRRkkO22U/s1600/DrPepperRound.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8rKbqwAQP-QI-OA-iBTF0HNF4H9GggK3sml3XN7iL_1emVMvKU7UBRlT5TF2POCCxijiWVcPiq9dJKIA06RYp1v_40gUpVewJGvIogOGjqH9waAPRmcJgtIOxfKul7pMRW-mRRkkO22U/s1600/DrPepperRound.png" /></a></div>our blog could be taken down, we would be fined, and possibly imprisoned.<br />
Under current laws if we use a piece of copyrighted material and make money off it the company that owns the copyright could sue us for all the money we made and then some. With SOPAIPILLA the government could take action and Dr. Pepper might not even know we ever existed. Now, who's to say that the government would do that anyway? Certainly they wouldn't in most cases. But the mere fact that they could is a violation of all kinds of freedoms. I could be jailed just for the links I posted earlier, and Wikipedia wouldn't exist as we know it anyway.<br />
From a political stand point, if your against large government, like the Republican representative from Texas probably is, than one would think you would be against these laws on principle. <br />
<br />
The reaction from the internet community after the wide spread SOPA/PIPA Awareness events has been staggering. For example, <span id="goog_1666093534"></span><span id="goog_1666093535"></span><span id="goog_1666093539"></span><span id="goog_1666093540"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRqrM4VO5nbQteTypdW2zZVZ47Hj1Xr7I61MvLks_4PeXWIylMOpTZai-D5kMwf1XULIS3l7T1mT3K_gfMVPSXWa8o0AA3ODt-h-A6rBGTAJO0Af0rePmy_FIBSQnKhwGLG4NTNCLCpvB/s1600/394784_316866508358583_127295683982334_984264_823572433_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRqrM4VO5nbQteTypdW2zZVZ47Hj1Xr7I61MvLks_4PeXWIylMOpTZai-D5kMwf1XULIS3l7T1mT3K_gfMVPSXWa8o0AA3ODt-h-A6rBGTAJO0Af0rePmy_FIBSQnKhwGLG4NTNCLCpvB/s400/394784_316866508358583_127295683982334_984264_823572433_n.jpg" width="320" />.</a></div><br />
That kind of reaction is unprecedented in my generation I think. Turns out that we wants our internets. Best not be taking them. I'm not sure if I think that it's good or bad that our big statement is about "Free and Open Internet", but I suppose it could be worse. <br />
<br />
peace, <br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-83193832377397813142012-01-08T12:34:00.001-06:002012-01-08T12:47:43.824-06:00Simple Smile<span style="font-size: small;">HJG here… School is getting ready to start up again and I wanted to post something that’s been on my mind for a while now… it’s a message of encouragement, hope, and the pursuit of a brighter future (No, I did not mean for that to sound like a romantic comedy – just go with it…).<br />
<br />
Simple Smile – Part 1<br />
<br />
Terrence and I have talked a couple times about how the smallest of gestures can mean the world to someone. How the simple smile or the act of opening a door for a stranger can mean so much to someone you don’t even know. We all have our own path that we walk and a light that guides us down that path. When we lose faith in ourselves we fall and our light goes out. Now, many of us are lucky enough to have friends, family, teachers, and so on to pick us up in our time of need and to continue to light our path, to believe in us even when we don’t always believe in ourselves. But what about those people who don’t have those kinds of friends? Are they lost? No. The reason you smile is so that that person doesn’t have to feel alone. You don’t have to be the light that guides them by their side, just a light in the distance to let them know that they’re not alone and that someone, for however brief a second, thought of them and cared. <br />
<br />
Darkness comes in many forms. I’m not going to list everything because it would get a little out of hand… I will say that everyone has their own darkness, their own battles through which they must fight. Some battles must be fought by them and them alone. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any support. We’ve all had rough times. Times where we want to cry, to scream, to just be angry at a world that we perceive to be unfair. These are the most important times to be the light for someone. You don’t even have to say a word. Just give them a hug, hold their hand, and be there with them. There are times where people don’t want to explain what they’re going through because it’s too painful. These small gestures make difference. Don’t feel like you’re powerless to help someone because you don’t know them. Be the light for someone else because we don’t know what they’re dealing with, we don’t know the wounds, we don’t know the scars… I leave this message with one of my favorite quotes,<br />
<br />
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson<br />
<br />
Let you light shine,<br />
<br />
-HJG out</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss</span>Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-26696614462319758682012-01-04T01:28:00.001-06:002012-01-04T01:30:49.287-06:00wuv, tou wuvSo just about right after Christmas my fiancee, HJG, and another of my friends from school came out from Texas to visit me and my family in So Cal for new years. For purpose of this blog they shall be called "Belle"(fiancee) and "Fish" (our other friend).<br />
<br />
Much fun was had by all. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately Fish is allergic to cats... and we have 4. I know, we're crazy, whateves. He was super cool and was ok with camping out in the back yard though so it all worked out. (If he'd decided to sleep inside I'd have had to sleep under the panio, so I guess it's all for the best).<br />
But other than that, we played a lot of board games, in which HJG had redonkulous luck, and even finished a puzzle. Watched our schools bowl game in a West Hollywood bar, if that doesn't mean anything to you look it up. Think Electric Six. Went to the beach and buried a friend of mine in the sand. Me and Belle had breakfast with my folks, which bore much fruitful conversation I think.<br />
New Years Eve was awesome. We even managed to work some Swing dancing in.<br />
<br />
But that's all back ground stuff, some context for what I'm gonna write now.<br />
<br />
Belle being here and our wedding now being only six months away meant we did a lot of wedding stuff. As it turned out, not as much as I had intended. <br />
As it turns out, getting married is a big deal and as such requires a lot of planning, not just for the wedding, but for everything after that too. I know, who knew? Who thinks about marriage licenses, jeez. <br />
I'm worried that one day Belle will get fed up with my inability to actually get things done and all theses other things.<br />
My parents have been giving lots of advice and telling a bunch of stories, and from all this I've gleaned two major epiphanies: We are not my parents, our story will not be the same as theirs. But also, if they made it we can, and will, make it.<br />
<br />
I've also been made aware of how many people were actually involved with my growing up and getting where I am now. Sending invitations has been an enlightening experience.<br />
<br />
That's all for now, thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-38623783912970435012011-12-28T00:32:00.000-06:002011-12-28T00:32:19.780-06:00Gasp!So yes yes, it's been a long time. A very long time. Oops.<br />
Moving on.<br />
<br />
There's a lot of things to talk about so I'll just start somewhere and see where it takes me.<br />
<br />
I was born and raised in Southern California and now go to school and pretty much live in Central Texas. So I have friends that span all the things. All the things? All the things. Economic and family back grounds, religions, interests, and even political leanings (gasp!). <br />
<br />
It stuck me when I was catching up with my So. Cal. buddies and we discussed the Occupy movement. My Texas friends talk about it like it's a bunch of unambitious entitled little whinny ... people... where as my Cali bros went on about how right they were, corporate greed is evil etc. It's so cool how they have no leaders, how it's really a movement of the people. <br />
Now I think that both of these view points are right, and wrong. Should somebody that has two college degrees even have to work at Walmart? Well, yes, probably. They need to eat. But they shouldn't have to. <br />
Wouldn't it be great if the "people in charge" weren't so stupid? Or perhaps it's more complicated than that. Meh, whatever, I'm in the hard sciences.<br />
<br />
Speaking of "people in charge" and "stupid" and money problems, think about this: If (and I mean IF, there are plenty of reasons not to do this I'm sure) the U.S. Government cut the Defense budget in half and used that money on any or every other government program there would be way fewer budget problems. They might could actually pay for everything they do! (or don't do). Food for thought, how badly do you want that new F22 Fighter Jet (or whatever).<br />
Note: I am not, key word NOT, an economist. Take what I've said with a huge pile of salt or something.<br />
<br />
I'm working on making a budget for my own personal finances because I'm getting married in June. Yes, even me. I'm just lucky or something, she's the most bestest. But anyway, because of this I've been talking a lot with my folks about what it all means. And, as always, money is something that needs to be dealt with. So my dad wanted to go over all my skills and see if I am actually capable of getting a job that will pay the bills and bring the bacon. He wanted a list of six things that could be marketable skills, or at least would be attractive to potential employers. I don't remember what we said, so I'll make up some stuff now.<br />
<br />
-I can sing, I can dance (No, really. I can)<br />
-Proficient in Mac Windows and Linux/ Unix<br />
-Familiar with Office Suite and Adobe Suite. Also web <br />
-I can work in the field, you know field work. Eg. I now how to hike and can dig ditches really well, with or without a back hoe. <br />
-I know just enough Spanish to survive<br />
-I have much leadership experience<br />
<br />
Think that's good for much?<br />
<br />
Wedding planing is it's whole own thing. And we've only six months left! Oh nos!<br />
<br />
That's all for now. I've blocked out time to write here more often, so we'll see how that goes.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-83037955142654926532011-06-02T16:07:00.000-05:002011-06-02T16:07:58.842-05:00Good Man Part 3<span style="font-size: x-small;">What is a Good Man? Part 3<br />
<br />
Hey all, it’s been a while… a long while. Terrence and I have been busy with life and with school (Terrence also got engaged to one of the coolest girls I know). But hey, now its summer and we get to find new excuses! That’s actually connects to today’s topic. I’ve been told that my posts tend to be a bit long so I’ll try to work on that… sorry.<br />
<br />
Faults and Failure: Is it important for a man to have faults and/or to fail? No… but he does anyway, we all do. The difference lies with three questions. 1) Does he acknowledge the fault or failure as his own? 2) Did he learn from the mistake? 3) Does he take the steps necessary to correct the infraction?<br />
<br />
We all have the things that we struggle with. The important thing is to own the fault as your own and not make excuses that shift blame to other people or circumstances. That being said, there are always contributing factors to any situation that should never be completely ignored. However, owning the fault is only part of it though, learning from the mistake and standing back up after falling down is where a guy gets to show what he’s made of (your own comeback story). Failure is going happen… it’s just part of life. But are you going to sit there and be continually beat or are you going to learn to roll with the punches… your call. Closing thought: The only time you truly fail is when you learn nothing from the mistake.<br />
<br />
-HJG out</span><br />
<br />
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. SeussNot My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-4454910895345887072011-03-27T02:43:00.001-05:002011-03-27T12:34:55.867-05:00To Know or Not to Know?<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hey all! It’s been a while…<br />
<br />
I’ve decided to take a break from the “Good Man” series, don’t worry though… it’ll be back.<br />
<br />
This week I’ll be taking a look into the idea of omniscience (all knowing)… <br />
<br />
The question posed is: If you could know everything, past, present, and future… would you want to and why?</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Warning ahead of time… I’m trying a different writing style… it’s a little sporadic but I think it’s a good way to get lots of ideas down and possibly spark someone to start thinking and maybe even post a comment (hint hint).</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Assumption- People are aware that you know everything… (scary)<br />
I have mixed feelings about this... my first inclination is no.<br />
<br />
I think that much knowledge would be too much to handle. Then there's the idea that with great power comes great responsibility... but that makes me feel as though the weight of the world rests on my shoulders. Then there's the idea that just because I know everything, doesn't mean that I can control outcomes... there will still be wars fought for reasons that can be rationalized (then again, how many wars can be rationalized) led by people who believe that they are doing what is “best" for their country/team/organization/whatever. That being said, I couldn’t live with the guilt created by these wars… whether it was between countries or just two people within a family. I don’t want the feeling of knowing that I could have done something… but didn’t (short run, yes people can handle a lot… but I would imagine that person would burn out and then they have to live with the idea that something bad happened to someone because they decided to take a break so you could recover…)<br />
<br />
To continue on the responsibility part... I think that there would be too high of an expectation put on. Everyone expects you to solve their problems. I imagine that would get kind of crazy... I imagine they would offer anything that you wanted but under the circumstances, would material things still be desired? (Yes, to some degree but not overboard). <br />
<br />
I also enjoy learning... knowing everything kills that automatically. I think it destroys spontaneity and also a good portion of comedy along with it... think about it. "tell me a joke." You know them all, nothing is new and therefore not funny (from your perspective). Having said that... you have an unmatchable power to make others laugh... I think that's pretty awesome (thoughts?)<br />
<br />
What does this do to your friendships, your family... you could even look at one of your cats and know what it's thinking... would you be alone in the world physically but always have people picking your mind?<br />
<br />
As you can see... it's possible to go on for a while... here's the other side of the coin.<br />
<br />
if you know everything, that means that you know how to deal with it in a way that keeps you sane. You know how to compartmentalize your thoughts and work things out without being overwhelmed. <br />
<br />
You know how to help people... awesome calling if you have it. <br />
<br />
Chance to be great… to change the world even… be the Peacemaker (or the new age Titan—depends on the person)<br />
<br />
I also think that if you get rid of the assumption that people know about your talent then don’t have all the pressure of people knocking at your door with problems they want you to solve… this may not get rid of the guilt of not solving those problems but again, if you know everything then you know how to deal with it… even turn off the power for a period of time<br />
<br />
All in all, I still don’t think that I would want the ability to know everything… I think it’s too much power to be in one person’s hands but those are just some of my thoughts… what are yours?</span> </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-HJG out “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shout out to my kid sister... Happy Birthday! </span></div>Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-55774288428920388742011-03-20T17:52:00.000-05:002011-03-20T17:52:24.078-05:00And then I found 20 BucksHey folks. Terrence here. Sorry about not posting anything in a while. It's been a busy and stressful couple of weeks. But who's hasn't? Excuses Excuses I know. Anyway... <br />
<br />
<br />
This weeks post is about stories. And how no story could not be made better by "And then I found $20."<br />
<br />
I Aced all my Finals! (And then I found $20)<br />
I got a new car! (and then I found twenty bucks)<br />
I won the lottory (and then I found 20 bucks)<br />
I got Married! (And then found 20$)<br />
<br />
It could have been the best day of your life, and it could have been twenty dollars better.<br />
<br />
Even bad stories are made better:<br />
I slept through class... (and then found 20$)<br />
I got hit by a car... (but found twenty bucks)<br />
I lost my keys... (while I was looking I found 20 bucks)<br />
<br />
I'm also confidant that it wouldn't have to be twenty dollars. It could be ten or five. Heck, even one dollar would be pretty cool.<br />
<br />
I'm also pretty sure there is a corollary that at least half the time a "high five" ensues after the statement. <br />
<br />
Bonus Challenge: If you can think of a plausible story that is not made better by "and then I found 20 bucks" I'll tip my hat to you.<br />
<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-43328400887615287352011-03-03T22:37:00.001-06:002011-03-03T23:43:04.036-06:00What is a Good Man? Part 2 - Courage<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mnTbl"><tbody>
<tr><td class="cntnttp"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="w100"><tbody>
<tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="w100"><tbody>
<tr><td class="bdy"><div class="bdy"><div class="BodyFragment"><div class="PlainText"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Hey all… This is Part 2 of my series of “What is a Good Man?” Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I’m just going to jump into this one… if you want to read more, go check out Part 1<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Courage- There are many forms of courage, too many to list here but I’ll touch on some of the most important ones.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first form of courage is what I like to call “Hero Courage.” It’s the knight in shining armor here to rescue everyone; this one is heavily correlated with bravery and compassion. I think that the bravery form is very rarely seen because it is very seldom called upon in the normal everyday life. It’s not really something you can train; in many cases it’s just simple instinct. I’d like to think that it comes out of love for others (I tend to think of the firefighters from 9/11). It’s hard to know if one has this kind of courage unless you’ve been put in a situation that calls for it. I’m not saying that every guy needs to save a life to be a man. You can be a hero to only one person and that would be enough. What’s more, the person can be a complete stranger. They don’t have to be in any kind of physical peril; more often than not it will be emotional. The guy who is there for others in their time of need to give a hug or to be a shoulder to cry on is a hero. This status of hero doesn’t have to be eternal, it can be momentary. This is the compassionate part; it just requires that a guy go out of his way to make someone else, for however brief a second, feel special and to feel like they are not alone. That same compassion carries over into relationships and can make or break friendships, families, jobs, and more. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Moxie is the next form of courage. It is fairly straightforward in its meaning but again is too often ignored. In the context of courage, I think “Moxie” is best exemplified when someone stands up for them self, or others, against their peers or an authority figure that has a equal or higher perceived level of power. Gandhi and Rosa Parks are fantastic examples of people with Moxie. It is exemplified in three ways here: resistance, voice, and action. In both examples, the people resisted the urge to (if there ever was one) to not react rashly and to not physically attack the opposition. Instead, they voiced how they felt, and they acted upon it in a nonviolent way that ended up causing a radical change in society. Another way to describe Moxie is to choose what is right instead of what is easy, even though there will more than likely be repercussions for standing up and voicing your opinion (think of early Christians). It takes courage to gain that voice and even more to act on it. A good man has the ability to do this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“Transitional Courage” is the idea it takes just as much courage to be a good follower as it does a good leader and cool thing about this form is that the transition between the two is seamless. Think of someone that you admire, your own hero… mine is my grandfather, he was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, a father of five, a good husband, a good friend, and a good… well, everything. As I’ve grown up, I’ve caught myself (and others for that matter) saying… “If I could only be half as good as him, I would be a good man.” Now I ask you this, if you were able to sit down and talk with that person, do you think that that’s what they would want for you, to be just half as good as them? NO! They would want you to be better than them. They wouldn’t want you to settle for anything under your full potential and it’s my bet that person sees a lot more potential in you than you see in yourself. A hero encourages others to reach beyond what they see in themselves, to test their limits and move past them. The courage comes in the willingness to follow others (sometimes blindly) towards the goals set before you. In the process of following the people you admire you will eventually come into yourself and you will start setting your own goals for your life and begin the process of working towards them. This is the point at which you begin to be more of a leader of your own life; instead of following in the footsteps of the ones you admire, you begin leaving footsteps for others to follow you (this does not mean that once you start down your own path that it is vastly different from the one you first followed, it can simply be a continuation of that path). What’s funny is that you may not even realize that you’ve made the transition at all, you may go through your whole life and never click to the idea that people are following you (hopefully not in a stalker kind of way). Now, how does this relate to being a good man? Set goals, find someone to admire and respect. A good man will have people who he aspires to (another good man); this is a point of humility and recognition (sign of respect) that there is still someone more skilled in the traits and qualities that he desires in his life. A good man will also have people who want what he has (beyond material possessions)… case and point, Jesus. The disciples followed Jesus and learned from him but they were also growing into themselves at the same time. Once Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples began leading others along the same path that they had walked with Jesus and they themselves continued down the path that Jesus had lain before them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next form of courage is an interesting one; it deals with curiosity and adventure as well as learning. For all practical purposes, we’ll call this one “Curious Courage.” This form of courage deals more with daring and your sense of adventure. A common example would be you’re sitting down at a bar or restaurant and making frequent eye contact with someone of the opposite sex… do you go over and talk or do you sit at a distance and wonder what would have become of the relationship had you walked over and started chatting… You have to have a drive to seek the unknown; this also provides a certain level of spontaneity. This is one of the more fun forms of courage that I think is lost as we grow older. This kind of curiosity also leads into learning. You have to have courage to ask questions. As a college student I find myself wondering about things all the time. So I seek out answers, whether they come from a book, a professor, a friend or relative, or even and child (it’s actually kind of scary to see how wise their answers can be sometimes). Aside from being curious and asking questions, the other side of the coin when it comes to learning, in reference to courage, is humility. In this case, the ability to admit “I don’t know.” For whatever given reason, many people, professors included, have a problem saying that simple phrase. They think its admitting weakness and so they avoid saying it. I actually hold a higher respect for people that can say “I don’t know” rather than making something up on the spot and supplying someone with a false answer. Now, just because you don’t know, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know… whatever the question is, go seek an answer and then go tell the person who asked you. It shows them a higher level of respect because you took the time to make sure they were supplied with the correct answer, regardless if it took a little more time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I’ve already touched on this a bit in the paragraph above but this “Humble Courage” goes far beyond the phrase of “I don’t know.” The two other phrases that I think people are most afraid of are “I was wrong” and “I’m sorry.” People go through their lives and still cannot bring themselves to say any of these three phrases. I think part of it a generational gap because I think people are getting better with about saying them. This form of courage is different from the rest. All of the forms until now are primarily based on instinct or rather something that is out of your control. They are hard to train and develop past the natural level at which you start. This is not the case with “Humble Courage.” Anyone can learn how to be humble at any point in their life. The best example I can think of is the classic Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol. Stay with me here… Scrooge starts off being this horrible, disgruntled old man who doesn’t care about anything but himself and his money. After seeing the three ghosts he realizes and admits that: He was wrong and he was sorry. Then he realizes that he doesn’t know how to be a good person or family member but he has the courage to knock on his nephew’s door and spending Christmas with him. There’s also the part of helping Bob Cratchit’s family. If he were to not do this, Tiny Tim wouldn’t have lived (sorry if I ruined that for you, go see the movie anyway… but make sure it’s the one with Patrick Stewart). Those three phrases all culminate to one all-encompassing phrase: “I’m scared.” But wait, what is Scrooge scared of? The answer is weakness, or rather, perceived weakness. What made the story so great is that despite his fears and faults, he still triumphed. And his actions had a ripple effect on those around him. None of that would have happened though had he not had the courage to admit his faults and stand up to his fears no matter how scary they may have been. This is just one example, there are thousands more… the great thing about “Humble Courage” is that it actually can be practiced on a daily basis. A good man has a handle on this and doesn’t let life go to his head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That’s it for this week, Terrance and I are going on spring break with a bunch of friends to an undisclosed location (it makes it sound cooler that way). Please leave your thoughts, comments, and questions… I really want to hear what you all have to say but I can’t read minds so speak up!<br />
<br />
Later!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-HJG “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss</span></div></div></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
<tr> <td class="nvft"><br />
</td> <td valign="bottom"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-9702552103259677322011-02-26T23:56:00.001-06:002011-02-26T23:56:47.113-06:00That Feeling and What's the Same and What's Different The feeling that I'm referring to in the title is one that have a hard time describing. It's this euphoric feeling of awesome. Being a part of the awesome, or at least witnessing it. Each of the things I'm going to list have had a profound impact on my life, not necessarily that the experience was life changing directly, but that it will certainly be remembered for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
The things I will list are events in my life that have been truly awesome. In no particular order. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.philipglass.com/music/compositions/concerto_fantasy_for_2_timpanists_orchestra.php">Philip Glass 14 Timpani Concert</a><br />
When I was in High School I took an independent project Music Theory class. As a part of this class I attended a concert featuring a piece by Phillip Glass. It was Concerto for 14 different Timpani Drums. There were two Timpanists with 7 drums each and they both had a cadenza (solo). It was epic.<br />
<br />
Gurren Laggan at AX 2010<br />
In the summer of 2010 I went to <a href="http://www.anime-expo.org/">Anime-Expo</a> and managed to get in the last twenty minutes of the second <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurren_Lagann">Gurren Lagann</a> movie. Now that may not mean much of anything to most of you, but we'll get into why later. When I was in the ballroom with all the other incredibly enthusiastic people watching the most epic parts of the show, getting caught up in the moments. It was fantastic.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rushing the field at BU Homecoming 2010<br />
In the fall of 2010 Baylor football became Bowl eligible for the first time since the mid nighties. Me and HJG were at the game that put Baylor over the .500 mark. Not only that but it was Homecoming. When the clock hit 0:00 every fan in the stands started jumping the railing and running out on the field to congratulate the players and start celebrating. The thing about it was that there had been a two hour rain delay four or five plays into the game. The two of us, HJG and I, stupidly stood there for the whole 2ish hours in the pouring rain. For us, at least, it only added to the level of win that was achieved that night. For many others it was cause to leave the game early and go home. For those that stayed it made victory that much sweeter.<br />
<br />
Presidents concert 2010<br />
Again in 2010, some friends and I (all in some choir or another on campus) participated in a concert honoring the interim president of Baylor. At this concert we preformed an arraignment of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with coral overlay. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4eGCGhS5XQ">Here is a video of it.</a> The sound and picture may not be that great. But to try and give reference: that's full orchestra and 200ish member choir being drown out by the fire works that start about 2:26 seconds in. Being a part of that and standing 30 feet in front of the cannons was.... well it was incredible. I'll be honest, a little pee came out. <br />
<br />
Parents concert 2008<br />
The fall of my freshmen year I was a part of the Baylor University Mens Choir, still am as a matter of fact. Every year for parents weekend the choirs put on a concert for all the visiting relatives. This is the only normal performance the whole year long where all the choirs get to (or have to) watch each other. That year the Chamber (or Acapella, I don't remember which... or if there's even a difference) choir preformed a piece by Morton Lauridsen, who is the music dean at USC last time I checked. It was his <i>O Magnum Mysterium </i>and it just about shut me down. I was glued to my seat and was overwhelmed with what was coming at me from the people on stage. I had been a fan of Lauridsen and this piece for years already, but hearing it preformed live put the hair on the back of my neck straight out. If you've ever had that experience you'll know what I'm talking about. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHAOaKdMTQ">For reffrence.</a><br />
<br />
These kinds of feelings are also brought on but graduating from high school and college (er... I assume) getting married (again, I assume) finishing a marathon, attending midnight showings of Star Wars or Harry Potter or going to a high billed concert.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been there?<br />
<br />
<br />
All these feelings were similar to me, from sports to anime to Tchaikovsky and on and on. Very different things all leading to Awesome.<br />
<br />
-Terrence out (TW-KoY)Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-13988914681067779542011-02-19T15:46:00.002-06:002011-02-19T23:53:39.908-06:00What is a good man? Part 1<span style="font-size: small;">"You're a good man Charlie Brown" - Peanuts</span><br />
<style>
"@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">HJG here, I’ve decided to start a series on what it takes to be a good man… Terrance and I will be trading off weeks for a while but my coming posts will more than likely be on this series… (unless I feel overly compelled to write something else randomly) Enjoy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">Okay, this is how this works… these are my thoughts on the subject. I am looking for input from anyone willing to give it but ask that everyone be respectful of others in their responses. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">There are many ways to describe a “man” and/or what it means to be “manly.” In many cases, a man is simply thought of as an adult male; the title of adult coming at different times for different cultures and time periods. For the sake of this thread, we’re sticking with twenty first century American males. Now that we’ve narrowed the playing field, let’s take a look at what it takes to be a good man. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">Okay, to start… I guess I should define “good” in the context what it means to be a “good man.” Many of these will overlap a bit but on the whole, I believe it to be a fairly conclusive list of traits that define “good.” This does not mean that a good man is limited to the traits I will list. I’ve put it a bullet point format to because it’s difficult to get all the traits in one coherent paragraph. Here we go…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">He must be a Man of God. As a Christian, this is one of my firmest beliefs, Jesus was, is, and is to come, the greatest man of all time. He alone is perfect. He contains all of the traits I will list over the coming weeks. By having a foundation in Christ, it sets the stage for everything else that the man stands for (or rather should stand for). This is a good way to see how a man loves. Is it with all of his heart or only part of it? This can also be a good indicator of how he will treat and commit to other people in his life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;">The next one on the list is unfortunately one of the more rare qualities amongst men these days: A Gentleman. This includes things like saying “excuse me” after sneezing, holding a door for someone, saying “please”, “thank you”, “yes sir”, “no sir”. Treating women (and people in general) with the respect they deserve. A lot of people think that being a gentleman just means not being a jerk, and in today’s society that tends to put a guy ahead of the pack… however, this does not make him a gentleman. It takes work, discipline, patience, and practice. You want to know what this looks like, go talk to a grandparent or an elderly person, someone who’s been around long enough to look you in the eye and tell you the truth about life. It is a lifelong commitment to excellence and while it is a difficult course to take, I believe it to be one of the most rewarding. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-HJG “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss</span>Not My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424842486279636215.post-60514685022272871542011-02-11T15:53:00.000-06:002011-02-11T15:53:27.204-06:00The Thread that Started it AllHere is an edited transposition of the original conversation that got this idea planted in our heads. After a few months of talking about doing something like this, Hippie Jedi Guy and I (Terrence) Decided to start this blog. <br />
<br />
** <br />
<br />
<b>Why Are You in School?</b><br />
<br />
<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I'm in school because I know I can succeed here. Despite how hard it is or how convoluted the system is I know I can bring myself up to the challenge. At time's I may falter, and I have made some big mistakes. But the more I grow and the more I learn the better person I become. It may take me longer than intended, but that shall not hinder me. For when I walk across the stage to receive my diploma it will not just be a piece of paper that signifies I was able to scrape by with at least a C+ average for 4 or 5 years, no. It will be a symbol of all that I have, and have yet to, accomplish. It will be a reminder of not just what I was taught, but who taught me. The wisdom of generations laid out for me, even if I didn't get it all. However, Professors and Doctors have not been, and will not be, my only teachers. This "University Education" is not merely what can be put down on paper. I learn more for the friends I have, the acquaintances I make, and the people I work with than I ever do in class. Which is not to say I learn nothing in class, on the contrary, it is to say that my interactions with my peers (an ever growing group of people not limited by age or position) teach me more than even my most engaging class. <br />
I am in school because I do not want to settle for less than my full potential. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Terrence hit it… I do not think there is really a better way to say it so I will merely expand upon what he has written.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am also in school, as Terrence said, to bring myself up to the challenge. Although the most difficult of these challenges will not be assigned by a professor, but by ourselves. It is these challenges that come to define us and who we are. Having said that, it will be in our failures that we learn the most and it will be our failures that make the coming victory all the sweeter. I would argue that while school may provide a good academic education with a diploma at the end of our four or five years; we never stop being a students. We never stop learning. In all honesty, it is after formal education in which we begin to learn how to live, how to be independent (completely), how to buy a house, how to be a good wife, husband, mother, father… the list goes on… in school we learn how to conquer minor fears but it does not always prepare us for the realization that there are bigger and more important things past academia. This is a quote that I’ve had for a while that deals with fear, it’s by </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Marianne Williamson</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }em { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you <i>not</i> to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> <style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The things we learn in the classroom will count very little by comparison to the things will we learn from the people we meet during this short time. This includes our peers, professors, acquaintances and the like. The person you hold a door for or make eye contact with as you go from class to class. These people may not even know your name. Then again, they don’t have to… all they know is that someone, for however brief of a second, thought of them and took the time to make them feel special. We are taught to be Children of Light and I believe that it is in these small moments that we live up to this name. Everyone goes through rough times but not everyone is aware of these hardships we faces on a daily basis and there are times in which a simple smile from a stranger can make the weather change for the better. We are to be a guiding light, to comfort those who need it but to also acknowledge that we occasionally need others to light our path as well. It is hopefully during our time in school that we find these people. Some of them will weave in and out of our lives and others will walk with us until the day we die. You may come to depend on them and them in you, in your times of need but the simple fact that someone is walking with you on your journey is comforting regardless of the situation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> <style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another good reason why I am in school is to develop a voice. To come into myself and to not be afraid to speak, to ask questions, to teach others and so on… The two things that everyone should learn how to say are: “I don’t know” and “I’m sorry.” I think that often times it is these two statements that keep people from speaking up in class and in life. Because people do not want to admit that they were wrong, no matter how minor the infraction and we would rather not put ourselves in a position in which we feel the need to apologize for our actions. Having said that, I don’t know everything… I will be the first one to raise my hand to that… but that’s what friends are for. To bring us back down on level with the world and to help us see how small we are but at the same time, encourage us to reach for the potential within ourselves that we too often lose sight of.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> <style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }
</style> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is in teaching and interacting with people that we learn most about ourselves and they in turn teach us more about ourselves than we could ever hope to learn from a book. So, I guess you could say that I am in school for purely academic purposes… but I will never stop being a student and I will never stop learning. I count myself lucky to know that no matter where my journey takes me… I will never walk alone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">**</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Huh... Looks like HJG actually wrote most of that. Who knew? </span> </div><br />
<br />
-Terrence outNot My Soapboxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12953108053251864765noreply@blogger.com9