Dear Nature,
Despite the great efforts you have put forward against me in the past decade, I totally ate some eggs last night. And they were delicious.
In your face,
James
25.1.09
24.1.09
Who needs a TV?
It is not a party until you're calibrating a water-filtration pitcher to eliminate all the carbon dust, while wondering if Airborne NightTime is supposed to make bubbles that fast, and cooking a six-months' frozen turkey pot pie at 2:30 in the morning.
Take it. We know how to get down in 103.
[Edit: this pot pie is all dark meat! $0.69, Meijer??? I got ripped off.]
Take it. We know how to get down in 103.
[Edit: this pot pie is all dark meat! $0.69, Meijer??? I got ripped off.]
20.1.09
Propane and policemen
It strikes me as very odd that so many people around me have found it easy to be pessimistic about the next four years. Barack Obama, I think, speaks of a vision that has long been cast by political cynics, whom constitute most of my generation. Does he have the power to vanquish the political dogmas and infighting that make so many of us prefer to vomit than participate?
Well, no. Not by himself, and not in the time allotted.
However, he does represent a popular desire to change the way our representative sovereign state takes care of business around here. We're very lucky to have things the way they are, I'm convinced. Americans enjoy the kind of social freedoms that most of the world can only pray to have. The very fact that Obama was elected by a group of hundreds of millions of people is a testament to the unparalleled collaboration of philosophies of both liberty and community that exists in our nation. I'm proud to have been a part of it... sort of (I did vote for Nader). He is as hopeful as he is optimistic. And wouldn't you know, he and everyone else on that platform this afternoon spoke the words that we needed to hear:
Together, we've thrived; and together, we will continue to do so.
From this, though, we must temper the stoked fire of the desire of progress with the tradition of respect. The problems faced by our society are those provoked by a lack of ethical behavior.
Bankers who conspired to alleviate us of our money, instead of care for it on our behalf.
A long-planned and criminal occupation of a foreign nation, cleverly disguised as a "war", against a faceless enemy, who displays immeasurable qualities of both hatred and resolve; which is justified by a romanticized desire for global peace.
The postmodern family faces its worst challenges yet-- and their failures lead to a list of obvious, pervasive, and grinding defeats.
The popular disintegration of values regarding the life and well-being of another, to the end of personal convenience.
I hate to rain on the parade, but I can't help but point out just a few of the "gathering clouds and raging storms" Obama mentioned. He definitely has his work cut out for him...
... and so do we.
Well, no. Not by himself, and not in the time allotted.
However, he does represent a popular desire to change the way our representative sovereign state takes care of business around here. We're very lucky to have things the way they are, I'm convinced. Americans enjoy the kind of social freedoms that most of the world can only pray to have. The very fact that Obama was elected by a group of hundreds of millions of people is a testament to the unparalleled collaboration of philosophies of both liberty and community that exists in our nation. I'm proud to have been a part of it... sort of (I did vote for Nader). He is as hopeful as he is optimistic. And wouldn't you know, he and everyone else on that platform this afternoon spoke the words that we needed to hear:
Together, we've thrived; and together, we will continue to do so.
From this, though, we must temper the stoked fire of the desire of progress with the tradition of respect. The problems faced by our society are those provoked by a lack of ethical behavior.
Bankers who conspired to alleviate us of our money, instead of care for it on our behalf.
A long-planned and criminal occupation of a foreign nation, cleverly disguised as a "war", against a faceless enemy, who displays immeasurable qualities of both hatred and resolve; which is justified by a romanticized desire for global peace.
The postmodern family faces its worst challenges yet-- and their failures lead to a list of obvious, pervasive, and grinding defeats.
The popular disintegration of values regarding the life and well-being of another, to the end of personal convenience.
I hate to rain on the parade, but I can't help but point out just a few of the "gathering clouds and raging storms" Obama mentioned. He definitely has his work cut out for him...
... and so do we.
19.1.09
This is why I have a camera.
Snow is like my star.
It's altogether glorious; and by that, I mean that it's pretty. Though, I do enjoy the delicate silence. The hushed excitement of it falling, dancing in front of me... as it swoops down through the streetlight, a glimmer of beauty embraces my eyes. As it joins the top of my head and melts, I'm reminded that there are moments on earth where the present is heaven.
I can never forget that it's there-- snow reminds me of its uniqueness with every step I take. It reminds me of the fact that I have a camera. And that nothing ever stays the same. It is only possible to embrace what is constantly fluid, remembering that the Maker has thoughtfully shown me his love, time and time again.
It is the only good thing about the cold, I've said. I will admit, though, that I've never stood shivering as I experience this love of wonder and joy of life. It's not a good thing, it's a beautiful thing.
... he says, and she rolls her eyes.
It's altogether glorious; and by that, I mean that it's pretty. Though, I do enjoy the delicate silence. The hushed excitement of it falling, dancing in front of me... as it swoops down through the streetlight, a glimmer of beauty embraces my eyes. As it joins the top of my head and melts, I'm reminded that there are moments on earth where the present is heaven.
I can never forget that it's there-- snow reminds me of its uniqueness with every step I take. It reminds me of the fact that I have a camera. And that nothing ever stays the same. It is only possible to embrace what is constantly fluid, remembering that the Maker has thoughtfully shown me his love, time and time again.
It is the only good thing about the cold, I've said. I will admit, though, that I've never stood shivering as I experience this love of wonder and joy of life. It's not a good thing, it's a beautiful thing.
... he says, and she rolls her eyes.
15.1.09
"Good result"
I received another letter from my kid in Bangladesh today!
Background: I sponsor a child in Bangladesh through Compassion International. His name is Sujon, and he is currently in first place for the most awesome kid in the country.
He's in second grade... learning a lot... found Jesus (favorite verse is John 14:6, by the way)... and likes drawing. He wants to be a businessman, which I knew already, but he seems like a determined kid still. His dad works for a harvesting company, and his mom is a field laborer. He's a tweener of four kids, and he's six years old. He likes green, soccer, running... the only thing we could disagree on is that his favorite food is eggs (SICK). But you know what he asked me just now?
"Please pray for me that I may make a good result."
Profound much, kid? Yeah, Sujon. I think I can do that.
"Please pray for me that I may not squeeze the life out of you when I finally come to visit."
Background: I sponsor a child in Bangladesh through Compassion International. His name is Sujon, and he is currently in first place for the most awesome kid in the country.
He's in second grade... learning a lot... found Jesus (favorite verse is John 14:6, by the way)... and likes drawing. He wants to be a businessman, which I knew already, but he seems like a determined kid still. His dad works for a harvesting company, and his mom is a field laborer. He's a tweener of four kids, and he's six years old. He likes green, soccer, running... the only thing we could disagree on is that his favorite food is eggs (SICK). But you know what he asked me just now?
"Please pray for me that I may make a good result."
Profound much, kid? Yeah, Sujon. I think I can do that.
"Please pray for me that I may not squeeze the life out of you when I finally come to visit."
6.1.09
180 degrees away from a pillar of salt
It's interesting how simply going home makes me think about the way I used to be.
There are no specific points along the way where I can say that I stopped being one person and became another. It presents a sort of envy in me whenever I listen to a moment in time in someone's life, when they've decided to change, then and there. I'm either not that decisive, or not that indiscreet.
Today, though, made me ponder what I've done. It seems that I've managed to change my own direction just to spite the fact that this train hasn't come across any switches. It's as if the track was simply picked up and moved. Is this the wrong metaphor? Were the enemy troops in my soul expecting an ambush, instead of the slow beleaguering of goodness? Possibly, I've trained and weathered my own conscience to the point where all I can see to do is the right thing. I suppose it doesn't matter what the metaphor looks like; the point is clear and I'm off-topic. How could I have done so many things wrong? Was that what it took to bring me here?
Was it just switch after switch, until the landmarks by the tracks were drawn so commonly that I didn't bother to notice them anymore?
Was it just ambush after ambush, until the blood on my hands refused to be washed away, making it as skin and nail?
Was it another poor decision after bad advice, until I was forced to find my way back home in the faceless cold, time and time again?
All I could have done, and all I want to return to change-- it would be for nothing. The switches have guided my route from home, and the blood is tied to who I've become. It seems that this ridiculous and intense chain of events has made it impossible for me to move backward. For the first time in a long time, I am genuinely happy with who and where I am.
Now, in five years, I may look back and recall all of the poor decisions I'm about to make. Or, I may look back and say,
You know, I was really on to something.
There are no specific points along the way where I can say that I stopped being one person and became another. It presents a sort of envy in me whenever I listen to a moment in time in someone's life, when they've decided to change, then and there. I'm either not that decisive, or not that indiscreet.
Today, though, made me ponder what I've done. It seems that I've managed to change my own direction just to spite the fact that this train hasn't come across any switches. It's as if the track was simply picked up and moved. Is this the wrong metaphor? Were the enemy troops in my soul expecting an ambush, instead of the slow beleaguering of goodness? Possibly, I've trained and weathered my own conscience to the point where all I can see to do is the right thing. I suppose it doesn't matter what the metaphor looks like; the point is clear and I'm off-topic. How could I have done so many things wrong? Was that what it took to bring me here?
Was it just switch after switch, until the landmarks by the tracks were drawn so commonly that I didn't bother to notice them anymore?
Was it just ambush after ambush, until the blood on my hands refused to be washed away, making it as skin and nail?
Was it another poor decision after bad advice, until I was forced to find my way back home in the faceless cold, time and time again?
All I could have done, and all I want to return to change-- it would be for nothing. The switches have guided my route from home, and the blood is tied to who I've become. It seems that this ridiculous and intense chain of events has made it impossible for me to move backward. For the first time in a long time, I am genuinely happy with who and where I am.
Now, in five years, I may look back and recall all of the poor decisions I'm about to make. Or, I may look back and say,
You know, I was really on to something.
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