Post #37 Washington Wept...

Not much for today. I just wanted to post a pic that I think appropriately sums up our current national situation:

Post #34 100 things about me...

I normally don't do these things, but Michelle sent it to me, and I thought it would make for a good daily post.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
I have a scar on my left eyebrow from a pickup basketball game. I got undercut and ended up with 8 stitches. It coincidentally happened on the day my mother passed away. So I have a daily reminder of my mother.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Nothing. Our house is a cape cod, with sloped upstairs ceiling. Haven't quite figured out what to do with that.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I do all three. I usually snore if really tired or sick.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
I listen to a lot of different types of music, but I loathe country.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
4:30pm I think. My dad would know.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
I just want to be a good person and to make my wife as happy as she can be.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
Late night talks over hot chocolate with my mom.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
I am pretty possessive of my guitars. But I would say my prized possession is my degree; it not only cost me a ton of money, but also 13 years.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
I am just barely 6' tall.

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Not often. We used to go caving in Kentucky. There was one cave that was about a quarter mile long. You had to go through it on your belly and at one point, the ceiling was against your back. It was maybe 2 feet tall for a long portion.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Sometimes

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
I cry every time I watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
Getting old

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Mid-length light brown hair with highlights and green eyes. (that's what my wife has right?)

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
I did the proposing; next to a lake, at night.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Coffee!

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
I'm not picky. Just no mushrooms.

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A Texas Roadhouse Filet, medium rare.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
I am a big fan of black.

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
I know that I have, but can't remember when. I think I might have been in jr. high.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Anything from my grandmother.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Besides my wife? None that I no of. I am sure my wife can think of a few.

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
Nope. I did dislocate my thumb while skiing a few years ago and it pops out of place occasionally.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Not really a brand kind of guy. I like anything made in Europe. My Irish souvenirs are great.

25. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Female: It is difficult to pick one.
Male: I am typically a fan of anything Ed Norton does.

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Yep

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
2 dogs: Barkley and Dexter, one satanic cat: Max

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Maybe

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED.
23

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Typically, brunettes, but whatever color my wife's hair is.

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
"We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dreams." - Willie Wonka (the original)

33. FAVORITE PLACE?
Dublin, in any pub, with a pint of Guinness.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Insecurity disguised as arrogance.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yeah. A couple of writers and some musicians.

37. FIRST JOB?
My first real job was at a Rax restaurant.

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yeah. I remember making a few.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
Soulmates seems a little too much like a jr. high girl's dream. I think it is too "destiny" oriented. I think we have several people who we are compatible with.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
I was sleeping, but Michelle asked me to take Dexter out. So now I am doing my daily post.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
No. I have had a few procedures that required me to be under, but I have never been cut with a scalpel.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My glasses get a lot of compliments.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
Nope, but I probably should have.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I would love it if Michelle got pregnant. Other than that, I would love home brewery and a drum set.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
2. Names are up for debate.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not really.

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Arrogance, I like confidence, but when it comes off as just arrogant, I get turned off.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
I loved my senior year. Working with so many people on the yearbook and newspaper was great.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Never a name brand. I always get a store brand. Right now it is from Target.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Not really.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Maple glazed ham.

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
I procrastinate a lot.

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Not usually.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Maybe, but I would think that I was not very approachable, so maybe not.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
I used to. I am too old for that now.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Sure they matter. You don't want to be with someone you are physically repulsed by. But there are other very attractive qualities. I have met some very physically attractive people who are really ugly inside.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I just hold it in.

59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
To leave a positive influence on as many people as I can.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Action figures and my basketball.

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
Not many. Maybe 25-30.

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
I am too old for Barney. I was definitely a Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers kid.

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Nope, I never use sarcasm. It uses me.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Tough choice. I don't eat mashed potatoes often. I do like some mac n' cheese, especially if Ron and Aisa made it.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
I really just need someone who can tolerate me. It helps if they are kind-hearted.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
I never really had a nickname. Everyone always just called me "Box."

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER
I would love flying. But if I could go into the future and find out sports scores, then come back and bet on them: that would be freaking awesome!

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
LOST!

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Kill them with kindness. If that doesn't work, just kill them. haha.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Plain ole' vanilla.

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
yes.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
Yes, several

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
Work out, watch Biggest Loser.

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
East or West Coast of US, or anywhere in Ireland.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If they want to, that would be cool.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
News. I am a news junkie.

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Orange Juice

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO THE PHONE?
Michelle.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I want to say eyes, but it is probably a little south of there.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Read, play guitar, write, travel, work on project around the house.

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
I have a big problem with ignorance and intolerance. I sometimes see them in myself. That hurts.

82. FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Candy bar: Kit Kat

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Yeah, my wife. Seriously.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown, but I think I see some gray.

86. EYE COLOR?
Hazel

87. SHOE SIZE?
12

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Not really into fast food. I do like Fazoli's a lot.

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Rusty bucket.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
I want to say no, but I haven't really given it a chance.

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
I am right now.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
I don't really have one.

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I play guitar and bass. I want to learn drums and piano too.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
I would like to say that I am an Independent, but I have never voted for a Republican.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Both

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships. Although...never mind.

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Groceries on Friday. I don't usually but much outside of that.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Not really, I would however, be down with being a house-husband.

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile.

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE:
Always falling more in love.

Post #22 On Pseudo-Intellectualism...

I have many intellectual interests. I love watching documentaries, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, etc. I do not claim to be an expert in anything, but I do have a pretty good working knowledge of several topics. That is why it drives me nuts when someone acts as if they are an expert in an area that they are just plainly ignorant in.

I work with someone who is like this. He acts as if he knows everything about everything. He cannot be reasoned with and he has all of the answers.

Why does this make me so crazy? I think it is because the underlying presumption when someone acts this way is that they have finished learning. I guess the other thing that bothers me about this is that this coworker believes that he is much smarter than he really is. Pseudo-intellectual. It makes me pity him a bit. That, to me, is a depressing thought. When we fail to learn more, we fail to truly experience life. Every day has an opportunity to teach us something.

Don't threaten to move, just do it!

Republicans and Christianists who do not think they can help unite our nation under our new President, should stop threatening to move, and just do it!

At this moment, we have a choice. We can admit that the direction of the country has not been consistent with the needs of the majority of the county. We can admit that our economy, education, housing market, job security, and positive worldwide political influence have all suffered under the Bush administration.

We can decide to be angry, scared, bitter, crass, immature, or unhelpful.

OR

We can choose to get behind our new leader. We can choose to unite and heal, to do what is good and right for our nation and for the world. We can drop arrogance and ignorance. We can choose to give each other the chance for a better future. We can choose to give our children and their children the opportunity to grow up in a nation that says, "We can achieve great things."

So, if you honestly believe that you cannot help unite our nation under President Obama, please, do the rest of us a favor. Stop making idle threats of moving to Mexico, Canada, or Australia, and just move. We want your help, but if you won't give it, then please don't be an obstacle.

A Rant

It drives me crazy to listen to someone explain how their perception, interpretation, or opinion is the only correct one. Do you know people who, no matter how wrong they might actually be, they will not budge about being right? I do. Many of them claim to follow Christ. Many of them are pastors, leaders, and teachers in some ministry or another.

For at least 2000 years, people have been interpreting the teachings in the Bible. A collection of writings such as the Bible spans many, many years. During those many years, cultural, political, and spiritual climates obviously changed. What was acceptable in the Old Testament is not in the New, for example. So even within the Bible itself, new interpretations were being made.

Then enters this man named Jesus, the son of Joseph. He says things like, “you have heard it said that…” and “but I say…” These are his new interpretations of old, long standing traditional teachings, often teaching handed down from generation to generation dating back to Moses. Many so-called laws were often evaluated in light of new cultural, political, and spiritual climates. Even Paul, a life long Jew comes to the conclusion that the dietary laws so crucial to the ritual and devotion of the Jews should no longer be binding.

So I sit in class and listen to pseudo-intellectuals debating whether the King James version is the only true version of the Bible, and other important matters, and I just go nuts.

If you put 100 followers of Jesus in a room and said, “OK, we gathered you here to hammer out the binding, non-negotiable, essential aspects of salvation.” You would be there a very long time, and you would not have a unanimous decision. In fact, I would say that if you tried that with 10 followers of Jesus, you may get 10 different answers regarding the “essentials” of salvation.

So why do I point this out? Because we can believe that we have “it” right. We can become drunk with arrogance, and become deaf to dialogue. We can lose all compassion and love and understanding. We can become the very Pharisees who crucified the One we claim to follow.

Are there tough questions that require tough answers? Sure.
Are the some answers that will offend and possibly marginalize other people? Perhaps.

But why do it in arrogance and ignorance instead of exploring possibilities in love?

Dan Kimball, an author of a few books about Christianity in today’s post-modern culture, has written a new book called, “They Like Jesus, but Not the Church.” A sad, but true reminder of negative impact that we are having in our culture.

Ghandi is quoted as saying, “Oh, I don't reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

And this is our legacy.

Sadly, I agree.