For quite some time I've enjoyed Breyer's Ice Cream. Not just orally, but also intellectually - in terms of "ice cream theory."
By this I mean the fact that a side by side comparison of Breyer's with most other name brands would reveal a stark contrast in ingredients. Unlike Breyer's, many brands have much more to offer in terms of "goo." After the initially unsurprising list of substances like milk, cream, & sugar - one finds things like guar, carob bean and xantham gums, carrageenan and caulk from your Aunt Edna's vintage 1950's bathroom.
Being an art graduate, I recognize binders when I see them. The gummy stuff in many ice cream tubs is something that holds the ingredients in suspension - to reduce separation and increase consistency. In this case, apparently, to make that consistency more moss-like. (interestingly, carageenan is a kind of algae) I would imagine that this additive also pads the profit margin. After all, algae just sorta shows up - it's available for whoever wants it. (and who wants it?)
Anyhow
When some friends in my bible study brought over some ice cream for dinner the other night, I couldn't help but notice a difference. When I partook of the Breyer's Snickers Ice Cream, something seemed amiss. My tastebuds indignation was proven righteous when I looked at the ingredients. Sure enough - gum. Gum in my Breyer's.
I hoped to blame a non-Breyer's source for this adulteration, so I also checked the Vanilla "extra-creamy" which had no surrogate-branded ingredients. I found that at the corporate level, "extra creamy" simply means "extra-gooey." It too contained some of the bounty of the microbe-farm. (And dare I ask what produces "guar?" Sounds like something emitted from an insect's butt - shudder! "Hey - wait a second...these aren't flecks of vanilla!")
Anyhow - my intellectual enjoyment of said ice cream is bound up in its simplicity. A handful of common ingredients, albeit rich ones, mixed together for my delight. Does it get runny quickly - yeah! It's just a couple liquids and sugar whipped up and cooled down. But it's pure. It's yummy. It's intellectually beautiful. It might bring my life to a premature end, but I will be fat and happy on all counts. (unless heart attacks actually hurt - but don't burst my bubble)
But now, I've found this troubling insight. Gum in my Breyers!? Have they now added a division for algae production? Couple of guys with big slimy tanks full of who knows what, just watching the algae grow? What's going on? Perhaps it's clandestinely referred to as the "Breyer's Cultural Division" if you catch my meaning.
I can't help but feeling like I've been let down. The box still says "all natural ingredients", but I no longer know what that means. Indeed - algae is pretty natural. But so are lead and mercury. What should I do?
Sadness. I have no pithy analogy or illustration about life here. I'm just sad that there is gum in my bowl, and I just want to know why. WHY!?
Oh well. There are worse things in life.
If I stop by an ice cream stand in the near future, maybe I'll ask for a Petri dish instead of a waffle cone. But then again - for me personally, I'm going to try an avoid eating algae, mold and anything that sounds at all like "Xantham"
Monday, September 26, 2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
May I Rest in Peace
What's the deal with sleeping?
Whatever it is, I could sure use some. I've been going hard the last few weeks with work (starting things up on campus) and bonus work (creating the video promo for our Christmas Conference. You can check out the finished product on the website... www.christmasconference.com ) and man am I tired. Had a couple 3 hours of sleep nights. Oof.
I'm easily sidetracked, which leads to taking longer to get work done, which leads to staying up late and sleeping less, which tends to make me easily sidetracked. the Wee Hour Spiral. Perhaps I should watch some reality TV. Gosh - those shows. Apparently little brainwave activity on the reception end of them, and the creation end of them. But I should be finishing my video now, but since I'm blogging, I'll stay up late to finish. Ah well, no sonorous snoring tonight.
So, instead of doing the sleeping thing, I'll muse about it. (if I could blog while I slept - now THERE would be something useful - though I'd wager my subconscious mind is in desperate need of spellchecking)
But why sleep? I know why I need to - so my contacts cease burning. But ultimately why - farther back, when it all started?
If evolution is true, what naturalistic advantage could have arisen from sleeping? If this gave some incremental benefit to your sex life (or a-sex life in the case of lower life forms) thus making you more "evolutionarily successful" when would that have come into the mix? Early on? Paramecium siesta - probably not. You'd have to go to higher life forms that actually do the sleeping thing.
Having watched a number of wildlife specials, it has dawned on me that most higher lifeforms fall into the biological classification we know as "Meat." (the subcategories are something like; 1) Things I will eat 2) Things I won't eat and 3) Chinese Food, which exists in that foggy state between 1 and 2. This is more true of Chinese Chinese food, which is much better than American Chinese food, in part because of its mysteriousness.)
Anyhow, where is the evolutionary advantage for the first member of the heard who takes the plunge into unconsciousness? "Hey - you other gazelles just jump and frolic around for while. Me? I think I'll lay down for a little while on this buffet table and be completely unaware of my surroundings."
The chocolate chip cookies on my counter have as much of a chance. I know that there are biological reasons that sleep is good, but there does seem to be something more to it, doesn't there?
I have a 13 month old son, whom I love with everything in me. Watching him sleep is great. He sleeps well too. I think sleep, at a metaphysical/spiritual level, points us to a Father. Little John falls into the 'meat' category, and in wilder times when the food chain isn't as linear for us, he's at risk. Especially as a little kid. Little more chance against some wild animal than my chocolate chip cookies have against me. (I expect their defenses to remain low, but hope his will increase.)
John can rest because I am here. His dropping into unconsciousness (though he can't ultimately resist it) points to my presence. I will be there for him - to protect, to supply, to comfort and love him. He can sleep at ease, with no fear of what may come while he is dreaming, because I am his Father, and I would die to save and protect him.
For me, when I do manage to sleep, I rest pretty well. I believe there is a Father who, like me with my son, is there and vigilant. Perhaps I rest even better than little John (or should anyhow) because my powers to love, protect, watch and supply are limited by my own humanity. Very limited. God as a Father is unlimited. I can sleep soundly and secure. Not that bumps, bruises, scrapes, cuts and minor head trauma won't come in my life, but He's there for those as well.
An Old Testament verse comes to mind, something like this: "He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." I can't watch my son all night - I too must succumb to my needs. But there is one over whom no one must watch, for He watches over all and has no needs.
My sleep then could be an expression of trust. A physical need for restoration and regeneration, but also a spiritual need to be protected and other-reliant. I love that John sleeps well. He trusts us, and that makes me pretty stinking happy.
For those of you who call Him Father, I hope you go and sleep soundly tonight. I think Someone will be there, watching, listening...and smiling.
Goodnight John. Goodnight Father.
Whatever it is, I could sure use some. I've been going hard the last few weeks with work (starting things up on campus) and bonus work (creating the video promo for our Christmas Conference. You can check out the finished product on the website... www.christmasconference.com ) and man am I tired. Had a couple 3 hours of sleep nights. Oof.
I'm easily sidetracked, which leads to taking longer to get work done, which leads to staying up late and sleeping less, which tends to make me easily sidetracked. the Wee Hour Spiral. Perhaps I should watch some reality TV. Gosh - those shows. Apparently little brainwave activity on the reception end of them, and the creation end of them. But I should be finishing my video now, but since I'm blogging, I'll stay up late to finish. Ah well, no sonorous snoring tonight.
So, instead of doing the sleeping thing, I'll muse about it. (if I could blog while I slept - now THERE would be something useful - though I'd wager my subconscious mind is in desperate need of spellchecking)
But why sleep? I know why I need to - so my contacts cease burning. But ultimately why - farther back, when it all started?
If evolution is true, what naturalistic advantage could have arisen from sleeping? If this gave some incremental benefit to your sex life (or a-sex life in the case of lower life forms) thus making you more "evolutionarily successful" when would that have come into the mix? Early on? Paramecium siesta - probably not. You'd have to go to higher life forms that actually do the sleeping thing.
Having watched a number of wildlife specials, it has dawned on me that most higher lifeforms fall into the biological classification we know as "Meat." (the subcategories are something like; 1) Things I will eat 2) Things I won't eat and 3) Chinese Food, which exists in that foggy state between 1 and 2. This is more true of Chinese Chinese food, which is much better than American Chinese food, in part because of its mysteriousness.)
Anyhow, where is the evolutionary advantage for the first member of the heard who takes the plunge into unconsciousness? "Hey - you other gazelles just jump and frolic around for while. Me? I think I'll lay down for a little while on this buffet table and be completely unaware of my surroundings."
The chocolate chip cookies on my counter have as much of a chance. I know that there are biological reasons that sleep is good, but there does seem to be something more to it, doesn't there?
I have a 13 month old son, whom I love with everything in me. Watching him sleep is great. He sleeps well too. I think sleep, at a metaphysical/spiritual level, points us to a Father. Little John falls into the 'meat' category, and in wilder times when the food chain isn't as linear for us, he's at risk. Especially as a little kid. Little more chance against some wild animal than my chocolate chip cookies have against me. (I expect their defenses to remain low, but hope his will increase.)
John can rest because I am here. His dropping into unconsciousness (though he can't ultimately resist it) points to my presence. I will be there for him - to protect, to supply, to comfort and love him. He can sleep at ease, with no fear of what may come while he is dreaming, because I am his Father, and I would die to save and protect him.
For me, when I do manage to sleep, I rest pretty well. I believe there is a Father who, like me with my son, is there and vigilant. Perhaps I rest even better than little John (or should anyhow) because my powers to love, protect, watch and supply are limited by my own humanity. Very limited. God as a Father is unlimited. I can sleep soundly and secure. Not that bumps, bruises, scrapes, cuts and minor head trauma won't come in my life, but He's there for those as well.
An Old Testament verse comes to mind, something like this: "He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." I can't watch my son all night - I too must succumb to my needs. But there is one over whom no one must watch, for He watches over all and has no needs.
My sleep then could be an expression of trust. A physical need for restoration and regeneration, but also a spiritual need to be protected and other-reliant. I love that John sleeps well. He trusts us, and that makes me pretty stinking happy.
For those of you who call Him Father, I hope you go and sleep soundly tonight. I think Someone will be there, watching, listening...and smiling.
Goodnight John. Goodnight Father.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Team Powerwasher Power
I spent most of the day on a ladder.
Had the day off today to compensate for a few Saturdays and I feel like I did a few Saturday's worth of work today. I powerwashed my house, and I'm peculiarly aware of some muscle groups - particularly of the arm variety.
The interesting thing really is that I paid for today's use of the powerwasher over a year ago. Early rental deposit? Nope. Unhappy customer credit? Nope. Bought it last year and forgot I had it until now? Nope.
Typically, I imagine most people would go one of two directions with the "I think I'll powerwash my house despite what the experts recommend and I'll need a powerwasher to do so" urge.
Alternative one is to add this tool to their tool belt. (It would be horribly uncomfortable to have a powerwasher strapped to your belt, so please remember that literalism can kill) There are a myriad of people like this where I live. Big houses, proportional shed, loose cash falling from them like Fall leaves. Between them and selling gargantuan packets of screws to people who need a total of 20 is why a local Home Depot can do a million in business on a good weekend. So, I could have fallen into category one.
Alternative two is the rental route. Again we find ourselves in Home Depot. (I find myself in Home Depot quite a bit more often than I had realized I would since buying a house. In fact, should I choose to disassemble my entire home, I'm sure I could find a bin, shelf, aisle or box for the sum total of it's parts at the store. There are probably 100 unrealized houses strewn across the expanse of that place. Rather than buying all those parts and assembling a fine, new home, I have chosen the "home replacement plan," wherein I slowly - over the course of decades - completely replace my home piece by piece. In the homeowner world, I'm more of a hemopheliac than an organ replacement. I suppose I should prefer the financial bloodletting to a major system failure. But what should I do with my 200 count boxes of screws left lying around after I use the 20 I need? Horrors! Now I need to buy another shelving unit! Sorry - was this a rant? Where was I?)
Ah yes - Rent. I could have rented my powerwasher. This is more up my alley. Though I chaff at the realization that after just 10 guys rent the $500 powerwasher for $50 a pop (please note my stellar math skills - It's an art degree that I have) it's all butter for the store, I do realize that it's the only way I'm going to have a powerwasher with which to powerfully wash. I 'own' it for a day but the real owner rakes in money like Fall leaves.
So did I rent the powerwasher? Nope. Nay - nor did I buy it. Well, sorta.
Turns out that a third alternative exists. One I don't usually think of. (Ok, a 4th really, but theft will lead to owning nothing and the only powerwashing going on would be in my brief and hyper-paranoid prison showers) So, there's another way for me to clean up the place.
Last year one of my new neighbors (I had just moved in) came to my door. Someone had the bright idea of harnessing the power of community. I live in a development based on the cul-de-sac (good concept, awful word) and probably 10 of the families in the immediate vicinity decided that instead of running out and buying it themselves, and instead of renting it for one stressed day - we'll use the power of community and get the best of both possibilities. I gladly wrote him a check for $50. I haven't used it until now, but I've lost nothing. I'll use it again sometime soon, and it won't cost me a thing. (ok - overpriced gas)
I wonder what else I miss along these lines? What other aspect of good community could help us all, were we to actually talk to our neighbors? I think there must be significant benefits that we miss out on when we're a society of loners - of fence builders and door closers. How many people really know their neighbors? What if, instead of a powerwasher, I could go to community for help with raising my kid, or a ride to work, or a hard situation? Could my $50 emotional investment yield a return of $500 in wisdom? Help? Love?
Of course - that depends. We share the powerwasher, but it has a regular place it's kept. Will everyone put it back when they're done? (it's 1 AM and as I write this it's sitting on my back porch - Hypocrite!!) Will they clean it up? Maintain it? Keep the parts, the directions and the warranty? Misuse it? There is a lot that could go wrong. It's a risk. My $50 could have been blown in the past year if the wrong kind of people were in it with me.
So far they haven't been. My neighbor knocked well. There are some in the neighborhood who were not asked. Some are not known, some are known - and were not asked. While there is wisdom in selection, you just never know.
For my part, I can't control the others in team-powerwasher. (But I could hose their flowerbeds if it got ugly) The person I can be responsible for is me. I can be the guy who is safe to invest in. I can be the guy who follows through and cares for our little community. I can be the door that others are able to knock on. That much I can do. If everyone follows suite, we should be ok, and I'll be powerwashing for years to come.
If I want the benefits of the community, I need to invest a little of myself and I need to follow through with caring for others' investments. To that end, I think I'll go put away the powerwasher.
And maybe someone in the cul-de-sac might need part of a box of screws.
Had the day off today to compensate for a few Saturdays and I feel like I did a few Saturday's worth of work today. I powerwashed my house, and I'm peculiarly aware of some muscle groups - particularly of the arm variety.
The interesting thing really is that I paid for today's use of the powerwasher over a year ago. Early rental deposit? Nope. Unhappy customer credit? Nope. Bought it last year and forgot I had it until now? Nope.
Typically, I imagine most people would go one of two directions with the "I think I'll powerwash my house despite what the experts recommend and I'll need a powerwasher to do so" urge.
Alternative one is to add this tool to their tool belt. (It would be horribly uncomfortable to have a powerwasher strapped to your belt, so please remember that literalism can kill) There are a myriad of people like this where I live. Big houses, proportional shed, loose cash falling from them like Fall leaves. Between them and selling gargantuan packets of screws to people who need a total of 20 is why a local Home Depot can do a million in business on a good weekend. So, I could have fallen into category one.
Alternative two is the rental route. Again we find ourselves in Home Depot. (I find myself in Home Depot quite a bit more often than I had realized I would since buying a house. In fact, should I choose to disassemble my entire home, I'm sure I could find a bin, shelf, aisle or box for the sum total of it's parts at the store. There are probably 100 unrealized houses strewn across the expanse of that place. Rather than buying all those parts and assembling a fine, new home, I have chosen the "home replacement plan," wherein I slowly - over the course of decades - completely replace my home piece by piece. In the homeowner world, I'm more of a hemopheliac than an organ replacement. I suppose I should prefer the financial bloodletting to a major system failure. But what should I do with my 200 count boxes of screws left lying around after I use the 20 I need? Horrors! Now I need to buy another shelving unit! Sorry - was this a rant? Where was I?)
Ah yes - Rent. I could have rented my powerwasher. This is more up my alley. Though I chaff at the realization that after just 10 guys rent the $500 powerwasher for $50 a pop (please note my stellar math skills - It's an art degree that I have) it's all butter for the store, I do realize that it's the only way I'm going to have a powerwasher with which to powerfully wash. I 'own' it for a day but the real owner rakes in money like Fall leaves.
So did I rent the powerwasher? Nope. Nay - nor did I buy it. Well, sorta.
Turns out that a third alternative exists. One I don't usually think of. (Ok, a 4th really, but theft will lead to owning nothing and the only powerwashing going on would be in my brief and hyper-paranoid prison showers) So, there's another way for me to clean up the place.
Last year one of my new neighbors (I had just moved in) came to my door. Someone had the bright idea of harnessing the power of community. I live in a development based on the cul-de-sac (good concept, awful word) and probably 10 of the families in the immediate vicinity decided that instead of running out and buying it themselves, and instead of renting it for one stressed day - we'll use the power of community and get the best of both possibilities. I gladly wrote him a check for $50. I haven't used it until now, but I've lost nothing. I'll use it again sometime soon, and it won't cost me a thing. (ok - overpriced gas)
I wonder what else I miss along these lines? What other aspect of good community could help us all, were we to actually talk to our neighbors? I think there must be significant benefits that we miss out on when we're a society of loners - of fence builders and door closers. How many people really know their neighbors? What if, instead of a powerwasher, I could go to community for help with raising my kid, or a ride to work, or a hard situation? Could my $50 emotional investment yield a return of $500 in wisdom? Help? Love?
Of course - that depends. We share the powerwasher, but it has a regular place it's kept. Will everyone put it back when they're done? (it's 1 AM and as I write this it's sitting on my back porch - Hypocrite!!) Will they clean it up? Maintain it? Keep the parts, the directions and the warranty? Misuse it? There is a lot that could go wrong. It's a risk. My $50 could have been blown in the past year if the wrong kind of people were in it with me.
So far they haven't been. My neighbor knocked well. There are some in the neighborhood who were not asked. Some are not known, some are known - and were not asked. While there is wisdom in selection, you just never know.
For my part, I can't control the others in team-powerwasher. (But I could hose their flowerbeds if it got ugly) The person I can be responsible for is me. I can be the guy who is safe to invest in. I can be the guy who follows through and cares for our little community. I can be the door that others are able to knock on. That much I can do. If everyone follows suite, we should be ok, and I'll be powerwashing for years to come.
If I want the benefits of the community, I need to invest a little of myself and I need to follow through with caring for others' investments. To that end, I think I'll go put away the powerwasher.
And maybe someone in the cul-de-sac might need part of a box of screws.
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