It's a cold, bright sunny day up in Bellingham, and I can only imagine what the conditions are like on Mt Baker. It's days like these I wish I was a ski bum, or was free to do whatever. Actually, I would go shredding tomorrow if I had my stuff up here. As the mountains gather snowpack and the snow season shapes up, I think of what I'm gonna do when I get done being here. This summer is up in the air, and while I am contemplating being an RA next year, I would love to just not have a home this summer, driving around the western states until I figure out where I'm gonna wind up. SO much fun to think about! I do know that I need to get out of the country for at least a few days sometime soon.
John is still in bed, though he seems to be awake at this point in time. He looks to be coloring something...meh.
I was also realizing I really miss making music with people. Jamming along to my iTunes is cool, but it's not the same thing as playing with real people. I need to be active right now.
AAAHHH GOING CRAZY
Am I ever going to fit anywhere?! Am I continually going to wish I was somewhere else? Most of the time, I'm content being here, but its days like today that make me wish I lived on a mountain somewhere.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Day 66 random thought
So I was standing in line today, in two different places, actually. One was Miller Market, the other was at the VU waiting to get lunch. I realized that some people just shouldn't talk for no other reason than their voices are immensely annoying. Really. I could probably be included in that. Yeah, that's not the Christian thing to think or say, but it was a moment I had where I was internally screaming "SHUT. UP." I don't know if anyone else thinks about these things.
For what it's worth, and to make myself look a little more humane, it was a fleeting thought. In part because they actually stopped talking and went somewhere else. Or I ran from them.
That's it.
For what it's worth, and to make myself look a little more humane, it was a fleeting thought. In part because they actually stopped talking and went somewhere else. Or I ran from them.
That's it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Day 65
I'm doing better, thanks for asking. I got my shizzle figured out and it feels good. I have a chunk of time I am going to use to explore some things I've been thinking about in my copious amounts of free time. I may write one now and one at a later date. We'll see what happens.
I was recently asked by a friend what I thought of the peace talks set to take place between Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and Ehud Olmert of Israel. A few things came to mind. Some of them I told him via Facebook, here are some other thoughts I had in addition to the ones I gave him.
First. It's great that Olmert and Abbas are trying to work things out. However. Don't let GW "help" them. Find someone else. It's ridiculous to me that he was (and is) so critical of what Clinton tried to accomplish, and yet here he is doing the exact same thing. He and the Hawks have been a disaster at foreign policy so far, and this is his last ditch effort at something worthwhile. Seriously. Make someone else do it.
Second. This just might work. Yes, they're optimistic. They were optimistic last time, too. I feel like the time is right for it, due to political stuff happening in Israel right now and the resurgance of the Likud party (Olmert is from the Labor party, I believe, because the Likud is very much against negotiations of this type. Well. Sharon was Likud. ANYWAY.) The opportunity may or may not arise for these talks again. Whether or not the agreement is recognized in future governments of Israel and Palestine, only time will tell.
Third. Even if this does work, you've still got Hamas in all their militancy that don't recognize Israel, and thus won't recognize any of their agreements. So. People are still going to die.
This isn't really a point I wanted to make, but I wanted to mention it. Saudi Arabia will be represented at these talks. This is interesting because they still don't recognize Israel's right to existance. They are clearly on the side of Abbas. But they will be there. They have a lot of clout because they have oil, so we'll see what happens.
The other thing. And I have been thinking about this for awhile. One of the things on the table is to be Jerusalem and who gets it. To Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, it's a holy place. Not to me. I believe Jerusalem used to be God's city. When Jesus died for us, it lost that special significance. God dwells within the Christ follower. The Church is his city, we are his chosen nation. Does that make sense to anyone but me?
Speaking as a budding historian, Jerusalem does indeed have historical significance. However. It's still dirt. It's a man-made place with man-made significance. Mortar, brick, stone, plaster, whatever. It's dirt. There's nothing holy about it. Same with Mecca, Medina, Bethlahem. I can't be any holier by visiting any of these places. There are so many things that matter more. Family. Friends. Time. Having a relationship with God. Music. So people fighting and blowing themseves up over who gets what holy site seems ridiculous to me. It's dirt.
Also, I must recognize there are differences in beliefs between a 20 year old caucasion male from Bellingham, Washington, a 60 year old Jew from Jerusalem and a 30 year old Palestinian that grew up in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
What does make sense to me, though, is the whole issue of people living in refugee camps because Europeans decided to kick out the people who were living in Israel and decided that the Jews deserved it more. I sympathize with the Palestinian's plight. I know I wouldn't like it if someone from Russia (or something) came knocking on my door and told me I had fifteen minutes to vacate because the land I live on was once the land of Native Americans, and now it was being given back to them. That would suck. I'd deal with it, but it would be lame.
So that's one thought. I will do the other one some other time.
I was recently asked by a friend what I thought of the peace talks set to take place between Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and Ehud Olmert of Israel. A few things came to mind. Some of them I told him via Facebook, here are some other thoughts I had in addition to the ones I gave him.
First. It's great that Olmert and Abbas are trying to work things out. However. Don't let GW "help" them. Find someone else. It's ridiculous to me that he was (and is) so critical of what Clinton tried to accomplish, and yet here he is doing the exact same thing. He and the Hawks have been a disaster at foreign policy so far, and this is his last ditch effort at something worthwhile. Seriously. Make someone else do it.
Second. This just might work. Yes, they're optimistic. They were optimistic last time, too. I feel like the time is right for it, due to political stuff happening in Israel right now and the resurgance of the Likud party (Olmert is from the Labor party, I believe, because the Likud is very much against negotiations of this type. Well. Sharon was Likud. ANYWAY.) The opportunity may or may not arise for these talks again. Whether or not the agreement is recognized in future governments of Israel and Palestine, only time will tell.
Third. Even if this does work, you've still got Hamas in all their militancy that don't recognize Israel, and thus won't recognize any of their agreements. So. People are still going to die.
This isn't really a point I wanted to make, but I wanted to mention it. Saudi Arabia will be represented at these talks. This is interesting because they still don't recognize Israel's right to existance. They are clearly on the side of Abbas. But they will be there. They have a lot of clout because they have oil, so we'll see what happens.
The other thing. And I have been thinking about this for awhile. One of the things on the table is to be Jerusalem and who gets it. To Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, it's a holy place. Not to me. I believe Jerusalem used to be God's city. When Jesus died for us, it lost that special significance. God dwells within the Christ follower. The Church is his city, we are his chosen nation. Does that make sense to anyone but me?
Speaking as a budding historian, Jerusalem does indeed have historical significance. However. It's still dirt. It's a man-made place with man-made significance. Mortar, brick, stone, plaster, whatever. It's dirt. There's nothing holy about it. Same with Mecca, Medina, Bethlahem. I can't be any holier by visiting any of these places. There are so many things that matter more. Family. Friends. Time. Having a relationship with God. Music. So people fighting and blowing themseves up over who gets what holy site seems ridiculous to me. It's dirt.
Also, I must recognize there are differences in beliefs between a 20 year old caucasion male from Bellingham, Washington, a 60 year old Jew from Jerusalem and a 30 year old Palestinian that grew up in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
What does make sense to me, though, is the whole issue of people living in refugee camps because Europeans decided to kick out the people who were living in Israel and decided that the Jews deserved it more. I sympathize with the Palestinian's plight. I know I wouldn't like it if someone from Russia (or something) came knocking on my door and told me I had fifteen minutes to vacate because the land I live on was once the land of Native Americans, and now it was being given back to them. That would suck. I'd deal with it, but it would be lame.
So that's one thought. I will do the other one some other time.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Day 63- Back Home
So I went home this weekend for Thanksgiving. Now, though, I'm home. In Bellingham. Because although there are some awesome things in Vancouver (thank you, friends!) I like it here better.
I would like to take this moment to express a few things. One: Thank you so much, you six people that read this, however often. It's awesome that you care about what I think and what's happening in my life.
Two: I'd like prayer. I have some things I have been thinking and praying about a ton. I won't go into specifics, because they aren't important. Just keep me in your prayers.
I all of a sudden feel quite...lame...overwhelmed, perhaps? The five hours of driving and two hours of rocking out I did this morning probably aren't helping the situation. I felt very encouraged by worship this morning, even though it's very different than church up here. Yeah, I played guitar, but I see things looking out at people that someone standing in the congregation doesn't notice. I'm gonna leave it there for now. I'm taking a walk.
I would like to take this moment to express a few things. One: Thank you so much, you six people that read this, however often. It's awesome that you care about what I think and what's happening in my life.
Two: I'd like prayer. I have some things I have been thinking and praying about a ton. I won't go into specifics, because they aren't important. Just keep me in your prayers.
I all of a sudden feel quite...lame...overwhelmed, perhaps? The five hours of driving and two hours of rocking out I did this morning probably aren't helping the situation. I felt very encouraged by worship this morning, even though it's very different than church up here. Yeah, I played guitar, but I see things looking out at people that someone standing in the congregation doesn't notice. I'm gonna leave it there for now. I'm taking a walk.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Day 61
Tired...I actually really miss Bellingham right now. I can't spend 4 hours in front of a TV by myself up there.
This morning I woke up at about 9:30, made coffee, and dashed out the door to the parts store. I spent the morning dealing with the belts on my truck, and it turned out to be more of a hassle than I thought it would be. Went and got lunch with James, then went to Costco and
Bi-Mart in search of a mini-refridgerator for my dorm in B-ham. I did find one, thanks for asking, then plopped my sorry butt right in front of the TV with my crochette hook, watched TV for awhile and then played Guitar Hero for about 45 minutes, meaning that everything I see resembles somewhat of a shape-shifting blob.
So I pretty much had a day running errands and being at home. I think I need to sit and read for a bit though...I have some stuff I have to catch up on.
Sorry, no big thoughts today.
This morning I woke up at about 9:30, made coffee, and dashed out the door to the parts store. I spent the morning dealing with the belts on my truck, and it turned out to be more of a hassle than I thought it would be. Went and got lunch with James, then went to Costco and
Bi-Mart in search of a mini-refridgerator for my dorm in B-ham. I did find one, thanks for asking, then plopped my sorry butt right in front of the TV with my crochette hook, watched TV for awhile and then played Guitar Hero for about 45 minutes, meaning that everything I see resembles somewhat of a shape-shifting blob.
So I pretty much had a day running errands and being at home. I think I need to sit and read for a bit though...I have some stuff I have to catch up on.
Sorry, no big thoughts today.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Day 60- Thanksgiving Shouldn't Start This Early
I am up early this morning for no other reason than having to drive two hours to get to our family gathering. We call it the TDA - like when a rabbit get's pulled from a hat- for Tai, Adent, Douglass. Usually the TDA involves being at some location that's near a body of water or a mountain. But anyway.
Do ya'll (yes, all three of you) know how funny it is that we pick one day out of our lives to be thankful for all we've been giving. I've been really blessed with friends and family, and there are more days out of the year that I realize this. However, there aren't as many of them as there should be. Just a thought.
So Happy Thanksgiving. Everyday. I love you all.
Do ya'll (yes, all three of you) know how funny it is that we pick one day out of our lives to be thankful for all we've been giving. I've been really blessed with friends and family, and there are more days out of the year that I realize this. However, there aren't as many of them as there should be. Just a thought.
So Happy Thanksgiving. Everyday. I love you all.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Day 58: Let's Bash Jesus, Round 2
Ok. So that's not entirely accurate. The people who were bashed are people I would say deserve it. Like Pat Robertson (I think he is the one that said Arial Sharron [former PM of Israel for those of you care] deserved to have a stroke) and Rush Limbaugh. And mostly just religion in general.
So here's the context. Reading this book called "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, in which religion has become the state. Yes, it's distopic, the story of a woman in this society. It's in the northeastern part of our country..which has been historically....PURITAN. Yay for those who knew that. Anyway. In this country, the Republic of Gilead, who are fighting a perpetual war with the Baptists, and this woman, and all women, are entirely under the thumb of men. Their sole purpose is for reproduction, and sex in Gilead has no pleasure what-so-ever. People don't even get naked while it's happening. And here's the crazy part. Atwood incorporates biblical scripture, verses that ACTUALLY exist, to justify the actions of those in the society. For example. Remember the story of Hagar? You know, Sarai's servant who was given to Abraham to have Ishmael? Yeah. She quotes it. It's justification for sex between a man and the handmaidens (yes, this guy has like thirty of them,) since children are scarce. It's completely Puritan to the max extreme, beyond how even the Puritans did things. Wrong-doers, whether they performed an abortion 10 years in the past, or recently had a homosexual affair, are killed, then hung on a hook with a bag over their head for all to see. They call it the Wall.
This is absolutely terrifying. If this happened, I'd go live in the mountains where no one could find me and probably freeze to death. As we discussed this, numerous people spoke up saying they thought this could realistically happen. I sure hope not.
It made it a little better to hear religion bashed when I myself am critical of it sometimes. I believe that God himself would be critical of a society such as the Republic of Gilead, due to the complete absence of love in the society. As a result, so am I. I was truly terrified reading this book. And I still have more to read. Fun.
The sun is out. And I'm going home tonight. I'd better go enjoy the skating while I can. Peace out, and enjoy whatever you've got going for the day.
So here's the context. Reading this book called "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, in which religion has become the state. Yes, it's distopic, the story of a woman in this society. It's in the northeastern part of our country..which has been historically....PURITAN. Yay for those who knew that. Anyway. In this country, the Republic of Gilead, who are fighting a perpetual war with the Baptists, and this woman, and all women, are entirely under the thumb of men. Their sole purpose is for reproduction, and sex in Gilead has no pleasure what-so-ever. People don't even get naked while it's happening. And here's the crazy part. Atwood incorporates biblical scripture, verses that ACTUALLY exist, to justify the actions of those in the society. For example. Remember the story of Hagar? You know, Sarai's servant who was given to Abraham to have Ishmael? Yeah. She quotes it. It's justification for sex between a man and the handmaidens (yes, this guy has like thirty of them,) since children are scarce. It's completely Puritan to the max extreme, beyond how even the Puritans did things. Wrong-doers, whether they performed an abortion 10 years in the past, or recently had a homosexual affair, are killed, then hung on a hook with a bag over their head for all to see. They call it the Wall.
This is absolutely terrifying. If this happened, I'd go live in the mountains where no one could find me and probably freeze to death. As we discussed this, numerous people spoke up saying they thought this could realistically happen. I sure hope not.
It made it a little better to hear religion bashed when I myself am critical of it sometimes. I believe that God himself would be critical of a society such as the Republic of Gilead, due to the complete absence of love in the society. As a result, so am I. I was truly terrified reading this book. And I still have more to read. Fun.
The sun is out. And I'm going home tonight. I'd better go enjoy the skating while I can. Peace out, and enjoy whatever you've got going for the day.
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