Well - it's been quite some time since I've written anything down.
It's not that things haven't been bouncing around my head, or that I haven't had any desire to get some of those thoughts (and mis-thoughts) down, I've just not really had time.
I just finished what was my final semester working on a college campus. I'm transitioning to an office-type job within the same organization. I'm looking forward to some things that will be different, in particular having a role that will allow for some more creativity. Though, I will miss the personal contact and interactions with students. I will miss that quite a bit, which does cause some sadness.
It's been a bitter-sweet thing - this leaving behind of one world for another. Resistance or hesitancy about transition seems natural, although we tend to think that we should feel otherwise. After all, even if you know something good is coming, we tend to not want to let go of what is already familiar and experienced. At the other end of transition, something great lurks. (this is a chief hope, isn't it?) But it's unattained. Smokey.
Smoke is real. I can see it, I can smell it, I can even interact with it. But it's hard to grasp. That's what promises of the future feel a little bit like to me. Perhaps it's my pessimistic bent, but I'm a not-so-interested-in-the-two-in-the-bush type.
Anyhow - I let go of this 10 year interaction with students a little hesitantly. It's been a busy fall, and it's a little hard to say good bye to what is familiar and loved. Especially when it's people. But, I have a feeling that I'll enjoy this next stage of life - until I have to slowly, cautiously be coaxed to open my hand, relinquish control and move to the next thing. I should be more open handed I think.
After all - in a campus environment you have to get used to letting go. Students only stay for 4 or 5 years and then we part company. I suppose then that the thing I'm most sad about it giving up the view of that parade. It's been such a joy to watch students come, grow, learn, change, and head out. It's been a good seat, with a great view. It will go on - students will come to college, learn who they are, who God is and catch a vision of their future - smokey as it may be - and depart for it. I'll just have to enjoy that from a distance.
I wonder what things I will fall in love with next? The thought that love, with all its entanglements and surprises, is transferable and lasting is really the thing that makes the future tenable.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Night
Twilight passed.
The luminous sojourner
again glides his way across
a pin-pointed canopy.
His pale efforts to expose
cannot reveal that which
is apparent to me here;
The muted songs of night,
the Still for lack of light.
The solitude,
my day's repast,
in which I take delight.
The luminous sojourner
again glides his way across
a pin-pointed canopy.
His pale efforts to expose
cannot reveal that which
is apparent to me here;
The muted songs of night,
the Still for lack of light.
The solitude,
my day's repast,
in which I take delight.
My Day in Court
I rehearsed my defense for a couple months.
Last week I was in court. I was the defendant.
Without getting to over-zealous, I had a run in with the evil empire that is the local parking enforcement. Here is a rule to keep in mind: By choosing to park anywhere in a college town, you have automatically revoked your rights. College towns have helicopters hovering overhead with meter maids that zip line in within seconds of the moment that parking restrictions become effective.
Shoot - I wasn't going to get too over-zealous.
Here's the short explanation. I was rendezvous-ing with my wife to swap cars. Parking restrictions began on this street at 5. I waited with my car from 5:00 to 5:07, when she arrived. She was pregnant, had to pee so we went into the home of our friend, in front of which we had parked. We said hi. She peed. We said thanks and goodbye, returning to our cars at 5:12 - each of which had a ticket. (I could still faintly hear the helicopter flying off that had just zipped in the parking Nazi.) We got one at 5:10 and one at 5:11.
Man. I was mad.
Karen (our friend) had 2 parking passes for guests, but we thought in the time we'd be there we wouldn't need them. Indeed - it may have taken her 4 minutes just to find them!
So - two tickets totalling $30. No way was I paying.
Here's the short story on how it works. You refuse to pay. They send a court summons. You plead not guilty. You pay the fines + some hefty court costs. ($115 was what I sent in!) You come on your appointed date. You plead your case for not being guilty. Then comes the verdict.
I'll tell you how it played out in a minute, but for now here is what was really really interesting to me:
I was scared to death.
Weird huh? I really believe that I was in the right. My thoughts - rehearsed in my head for days and days prior: the purpose of the law is to protect residents from having random non-resident people (OK - students) from leaving their cars parked on resident's streets all the time, causing inconvenience and loss of room to park. I was a guest of the resident, I was there for 5 minutes with the resident, and there is certainly, or should be, enough flexibility in the law for pregnant women to pee at a friend's house. I truly believe that I didn't deserve those tickets.
Yet - I was in the court room and my heart was pounding. I was not coming in with a lie. I wasn't really angry with the meter maid (from her perspective, I couldn't expect her to do any differently) and I felt that justice would support me.
So why was I so intimidated and nervous?
I think the answer has to do with authority. In the court room, I have rights (and happily in the American system whether you think it's broken or not) I didn't really have anything to fear for my personal well-being. But in terms of my case - of the judgment, decisions, penalties and effects, the judge had complete authority. What he decided would be what happened. I could present my perspective, but he had authority, true authority to make his determination reality.
To enforce this sense of authority, the judge sat really high. I was surprised and hadn't thought about this. The room was small, maybe about twice the size of my living room. But when I stood up and seated judge looked at me I was still a good couple of feet below his eye level. I'm over 6'. He was near the ceiling.
I was in no personal danger, I felt I was in the right, but I was still pretty intimidated. This over a couple parking tickets.
I believe that one day we all will have to stand before a Judge. He will not be evaluating one particular instance of infraction, but the whole of our lives. His authority will be total. His ruling will be completely accurate - nothing will be hidden or manipulated. His ability to carry out a sentence will be sure. Everything we've ever done will be laid bare, seen for what it is.
The thing with a court case is that you're either proclaimed guilty or not. The issue isn't whether you have done more good than bad, the question is "did you break the rule or not?" We have all broken rules. This should cause a reaction in us - something must be done.
This is what the Bible is all about. God doesn't want us to bear the sentencing, so he gives us an opportunity to settle - out of court. Do you know what it is? Ask me. I'd love to tell you.
For my situation, I broke even. (Which is really a win in a parking ticket case in a college town!) The Judge decided that I'd pay one ticket, and he would dismiss my wife's ticket and the court fees. I could have (should have) waited by the cars while she was in our friend's house. Seemed like the best I could get, so I was pretty happy. Glad to pay the $15. I didn't bear the full weight of the penalty - just a little.
That's a good deal - in the case of parking tickets. . . and life.
Last week I was in court. I was the defendant.
Without getting to over-zealous, I had a run in with the evil empire that is the local parking enforcement. Here is a rule to keep in mind: By choosing to park anywhere in a college town, you have automatically revoked your rights. College towns have helicopters hovering overhead with meter maids that zip line in within seconds of the moment that parking restrictions become effective.
Shoot - I wasn't going to get too over-zealous.
Here's the short explanation. I was rendezvous-ing with my wife to swap cars. Parking restrictions began on this street at 5. I waited with my car from 5:00 to 5:07, when she arrived. She was pregnant, had to pee so we went into the home of our friend, in front of which we had parked. We said hi. She peed. We said thanks and goodbye, returning to our cars at 5:12 - each of which had a ticket. (I could still faintly hear the helicopter flying off that had just zipped in the parking Nazi.) We got one at 5:10 and one at 5:11.
Man. I was mad.
Karen (our friend) had 2 parking passes for guests, but we thought in the time we'd be there we wouldn't need them. Indeed - it may have taken her 4 minutes just to find them!
So - two tickets totalling $30. No way was I paying.
Here's the short story on how it works. You refuse to pay. They send a court summons. You plead not guilty. You pay the fines + some hefty court costs. ($115 was what I sent in!) You come on your appointed date. You plead your case for not being guilty. Then comes the verdict.
I'll tell you how it played out in a minute, but for now here is what was really really interesting to me:
I was scared to death.
Weird huh? I really believe that I was in the right. My thoughts - rehearsed in my head for days and days prior: the purpose of the law is to protect residents from having random non-resident people (OK - students) from leaving their cars parked on resident's streets all the time, causing inconvenience and loss of room to park. I was a guest of the resident, I was there for 5 minutes with the resident, and there is certainly, or should be, enough flexibility in the law for pregnant women to pee at a friend's house. I truly believe that I didn't deserve those tickets.
Yet - I was in the court room and my heart was pounding. I was not coming in with a lie. I wasn't really angry with the meter maid (from her perspective, I couldn't expect her to do any differently) and I felt that justice would support me.
So why was I so intimidated and nervous?
I think the answer has to do with authority. In the court room, I have rights (and happily in the American system whether you think it's broken or not) I didn't really have anything to fear for my personal well-being. But in terms of my case - of the judgment, decisions, penalties and effects, the judge had complete authority. What he decided would be what happened. I could present my perspective, but he had authority, true authority to make his determination reality.
To enforce this sense of authority, the judge sat really high. I was surprised and hadn't thought about this. The room was small, maybe about twice the size of my living room. But when I stood up and seated judge looked at me I was still a good couple of feet below his eye level. I'm over 6'. He was near the ceiling.
I was in no personal danger, I felt I was in the right, but I was still pretty intimidated. This over a couple parking tickets.
I believe that one day we all will have to stand before a Judge. He will not be evaluating one particular instance of infraction, but the whole of our lives. His authority will be total. His ruling will be completely accurate - nothing will be hidden or manipulated. His ability to carry out a sentence will be sure. Everything we've ever done will be laid bare, seen for what it is.
The thing with a court case is that you're either proclaimed guilty or not. The issue isn't whether you have done more good than bad, the question is "did you break the rule or not?" We have all broken rules. This should cause a reaction in us - something must be done.
This is what the Bible is all about. God doesn't want us to bear the sentencing, so he gives us an opportunity to settle - out of court. Do you know what it is? Ask me. I'd love to tell you.
For my situation, I broke even. (Which is really a win in a parking ticket case in a college town!) The Judge decided that I'd pay one ticket, and he would dismiss my wife's ticket and the court fees. I could have (should have) waited by the cars while she was in our friend's house. Seemed like the best I could get, so I was pretty happy. Glad to pay the $15. I didn't bear the full weight of the penalty - just a little.
That's a good deal - in the case of parking tickets. . . and life.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
They're the Problem
I blame everyone but me.
But I think I might be "normal."
If by normal I mean "typical." I tend to shift blame to others - or, more popular for me, my circumstances. (Turns out I sound more like Curly from the 3 stooges than I'd like: I'm a victim o' Coicumstances - nyuk nyuk nyuk.) I don't want to be a jerk or have character deficiencies. Nope. So, my gut response is blame shifting. Make someone or something else the jerk. You probably do it too.
I think this is why the public speakers and preachers I get the most out of are the ones that make me own my problems. I think that's why when I have occasion to speak, I'd like to be able to limit gracious talk and dole out some truth. (I wish I spoke better!) I think this is why Dr Phil is so popular.
Recently I had an almost-conversation where I wish I would have had the courage to shine a little light back at some people. (I also avoid conflict, which is why it's safer for me to blame circumstances rather than people)
At the start of this summer, I was in a shuttle bus heading toward a parking lot near the Philly Airport. We had been delayed, circling Harrisburg for a while before we came in to land. The shuttle driver pointed out the reason; "Parked right there is Air Force One. President is up at the nuke plant for a speech."
Regardless of your politics, we can all agree on one thing: It's the president's fault. It doesn't matter what or why - he's to blame. That's a convenient one, isn't it? He's leading and he's got all this control and I'm just a little somebody who has to deal with all the crap that comes around. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
That's the tack that the one guy in the shuttle went with. At the mention of Air Force One he talked about how rising gas prices were such a pain, and how the stupid president should do something about it. (Like what? Supply and Demand. We have nearly uncontrolled demand, the OPEC Nations largely regulate the supply. If we think it through, I don't think we want any president - regardless of politics - to start 'governmentalizing' major sectors of private industry. Imagine if every gas station operated like the DMV. Ugh.)
Anyhow - here are a couple questions I should have been bold enough to ask.
What kind of car do you drive?
Do you commute to work?
Ever use public transportation?
With how many people do you car pool?
What do you do to conserve energy/gas?
I didn't. I'm a weenie. But it was rather remarkable, as my friend and I drove home (rushing to beat the immenent highway shutdown for the returning President - who I blame for all the bad traffic on the way home) we decided to count how many cars in a row had just one person in them. On average, it was 9 out of 10 cars. Only 10% of cars had 2+ people, and of those, the vast majority were obviously families.
Shuttle Dude was wrong. I have the real power to do something - if a lot of I's can do something together. Consider: What would happen if everyone driving to work could just take a buddy. You know, I drive Luke in my car today, tomorrow he drives. No huge changes, like everyone goes public transport. Just simple 2 people car-pooling. Without doing any math or research, here are some potentials.
1 Commuting cars would use half the fuel they do now (That's a LOT!)
2 There would be nearly half as many cars during rush hour. (Glorious)
3 Less cars = Less congestion = faster commute with less stop & go = better fuel economy.
4 Reduced Fuel Consumption = Lower demand = lower prices.
5 More en route conversations with real people = less imbicilic morning radio hosts. (well, I can dream, can't I?)
Shoot - I could do way more than the president, if I actually did this. Problem: getting us all to do it. After all - the problem isn't me, it's those other guys. I need to have a Suburban Excursion to take my Armada on an Expedition to see the Sequioa. (I'll just take my Jetta, thank you)
Wouldn't it be great if we all took some ownership for stuff? If it's my fault, I can do something about it. If I blame you, I've just passed the buck. Nothing changed for the better, especially my ego. This would be great in lots of stuff - not just gas prices. Think of marriages, frivilous lawsuits, politics (gasp!) etc.
A little more personal integrity, honesty and ownership would be great for all of us.
And then we wouldn't have to watch Dr. Phil!
It's all his fault.
But I think I might be "normal."
If by normal I mean "typical." I tend to shift blame to others - or, more popular for me, my circumstances. (Turns out I sound more like Curly from the 3 stooges than I'd like: I'm a victim o' Coicumstances - nyuk nyuk nyuk.) I don't want to be a jerk or have character deficiencies. Nope. So, my gut response is blame shifting. Make someone or something else the jerk. You probably do it too.
I think this is why the public speakers and preachers I get the most out of are the ones that make me own my problems. I think that's why when I have occasion to speak, I'd like to be able to limit gracious talk and dole out some truth. (I wish I spoke better!) I think this is why Dr Phil is so popular.
Recently I had an almost-conversation where I wish I would have had the courage to shine a little light back at some people. (I also avoid conflict, which is why it's safer for me to blame circumstances rather than people)
At the start of this summer, I was in a shuttle bus heading toward a parking lot near the Philly Airport. We had been delayed, circling Harrisburg for a while before we came in to land. The shuttle driver pointed out the reason; "Parked right there is Air Force One. President is up at the nuke plant for a speech."
Regardless of your politics, we can all agree on one thing: It's the president's fault. It doesn't matter what or why - he's to blame. That's a convenient one, isn't it? He's leading and he's got all this control and I'm just a little somebody who has to deal with all the crap that comes around. Nyuk nyuk nyuk.
That's the tack that the one guy in the shuttle went with. At the mention of Air Force One he talked about how rising gas prices were such a pain, and how the stupid president should do something about it. (Like what? Supply and Demand. We have nearly uncontrolled demand, the OPEC Nations largely regulate the supply. If we think it through, I don't think we want any president - regardless of politics - to start 'governmentalizing' major sectors of private industry. Imagine if every gas station operated like the DMV. Ugh.)
Anyhow - here are a couple questions I should have been bold enough to ask.
What kind of car do you drive?
Do you commute to work?
Ever use public transportation?
With how many people do you car pool?
What do you do to conserve energy/gas?
I didn't. I'm a weenie. But it was rather remarkable, as my friend and I drove home (rushing to beat the immenent highway shutdown for the returning President - who I blame for all the bad traffic on the way home) we decided to count how many cars in a row had just one person in them. On average, it was 9 out of 10 cars. Only 10% of cars had 2+ people, and of those, the vast majority were obviously families.
Shuttle Dude was wrong. I have the real power to do something - if a lot of I's can do something together. Consider: What would happen if everyone driving to work could just take a buddy. You know, I drive Luke in my car today, tomorrow he drives. No huge changes, like everyone goes public transport. Just simple 2 people car-pooling. Without doing any math or research, here are some potentials.
1 Commuting cars would use half the fuel they do now (That's a LOT!)
2 There would be nearly half as many cars during rush hour. (Glorious)
3 Less cars = Less congestion = faster commute with less stop & go = better fuel economy.
4 Reduced Fuel Consumption = Lower demand = lower prices.
5 More en route conversations with real people = less imbicilic morning radio hosts. (well, I can dream, can't I?)
Shoot - I could do way more than the president, if I actually did this. Problem: getting us all to do it. After all - the problem isn't me, it's those other guys. I need to have a Suburban Excursion to take my Armada on an Expedition to see the Sequioa. (I'll just take my Jetta, thank you)
Wouldn't it be great if we all took some ownership for stuff? If it's my fault, I can do something about it. If I blame you, I've just passed the buck. Nothing changed for the better, especially my ego. This would be great in lots of stuff - not just gas prices. Think of marriages, frivilous lawsuits, politics (gasp!) etc.
A little more personal integrity, honesty and ownership would be great for all of us.
And then we wouldn't have to watch Dr. Phil!
It's all his fault.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Ill Grill Thrill with Molten Spill
My most practical advice piece yet. (my only one, actually) Here's my "I almost burned my house down and killed us all this month, but I didn't, and I lived so I can help you not almost burn your house down and kill yourself too" advice blog. (I'm thinking of making this a weekly series)
A friend donated us his old gas grill which we've enjoyed. Little did he know I'd be melting parts of it down to it's base metals. But we love it.
Oh - a word about the pleasures of having gas. (in my grill, that is) We had a charcoal grill which some people simply swear by. "You just can't get flavor from gas like you can from charcoal." I am willing to concede them this point, if they are willing to concede that the time to flavor increase ratio is too low. When I have time to go through the charcoal process, it will mean I've got lots of free time - during which I'm going to go out on a date or something. When you have 40 minutes to do dinner before you've got to be somewhere charcoal just won't do it. Imagine cooking directions like this; preheat oven for 45 minutes, then bake xxxx for one hour, but don't wait too long to start or you'll blacken it, or wait to long and run out of heat. So since I have gas (hee hee) I save meals and make up for what I lack in precision timing.
As you probably know, when you grill you need to burn off the stuff from the previous grilling. (unless you like grill jerky) Last time I decided to invest in the future; I'll burn off that stuff now! said I. So I took the meat off and cranked up the heat. In I went, ate, played with the kids, relaxed...etc.
Just before bed we were cleaning up the kitchen when it dawned on me: the grill.
It was no longer on. I was wondering how much propane we had left - and had it not been for the fact that it must have went out after just 3 hours, I'm sure I'd be blogging about what we salvaged from the ashes of our home.
I now have liquid metal (solder?) which dripped down onto the deck. The logo thing on the grill melted down half around the thermometer - which cracked from the heat. This sagged because the bolt and screw that held on melted! Plastic tray to the side? Melted away from the grill. Here are some pictures.
Anyhow - we're glad to still be alive. My advice to you is - be lazy. Wait to clean your grill until the next time. Or, I guess some of the non-flavor merits of charcoal: non-explosive, self-extinguishing.
Those aren't bad.
A friend donated us his old gas grill which we've enjoyed. Little did he know I'd be melting parts of it down to it's base metals. But we love it.
Oh - a word about the pleasures of having gas. (in my grill, that is) We had a charcoal grill which some people simply swear by. "You just can't get flavor from gas like you can from charcoal." I am willing to concede them this point, if they are willing to concede that the time to flavor increase ratio is too low. When I have time to go through the charcoal process, it will mean I've got lots of free time - during which I'm going to go out on a date or something. When you have 40 minutes to do dinner before you've got to be somewhere charcoal just won't do it. Imagine cooking directions like this; preheat oven for 45 minutes, then bake xxxx for one hour, but don't wait too long to start or you'll blacken it, or wait to long and run out of heat. So since I have gas (hee hee) I save meals and make up for what I lack in precision timing.
As you probably know, when you grill you need to burn off the stuff from the previous grilling. (unless you like grill jerky) Last time I decided to invest in the future; I'll burn off that stuff now! said I. So I took the meat off and cranked up the heat. In I went, ate, played with the kids, relaxed...etc.
Just before bed we were cleaning up the kitchen when it dawned on me: the grill.
It was no longer on. I was wondering how much propane we had left - and had it not been for the fact that it must have went out after just 3 hours, I'm sure I'd be blogging about what we salvaged from the ashes of our home.
I now have liquid metal (solder?) which dripped down onto the deck. The logo thing on the grill melted down half around the thermometer - which cracked from the heat. This sagged because the bolt and screw that held on melted! Plastic tray to the side? Melted away from the grill. Here are some pictures.
Anyhow - we're glad to still be alive. My advice to you is - be lazy. Wait to clean your grill until the next time. Or, I guess some of the non-flavor merits of charcoal: non-explosive, self-extinguishing.
Those aren't bad.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
More than Echos
My 2nd child was born just a week ago. Hannah. She's beautiful and my wife and I are thrilled. Even our son (2) seems to think she's pretty interesting. (we'll see if that one lasts!)
A thought that has been bouncing around in my head as I awaited her birth - how remarkable it is that my wife and I have created a life, and how significant that life is.
My worldview (which, though this seems intolerant in the present day; I think is the right one) has near its core the concept that we are eternal. We have souls that are enduring forever and life here and now in the world is but a foreshadow of the future one. We are not the source of our un-endingness, but have our very lives as a gift from God, and part of that gift includes eternity.
Anyway, with that worldview in mind, here is what is remarkable to me: My wife and I have now had a part in the creation of 2 eternal beings. For all eternity, there will be 2 additional persons that would not have existed if Rachael and I had not created them. (granted, our part is quite small in that act of creation, and still wholly dependent on God)
This might seem like a "well, duh" to you, but it really strikes me. I truly can shape the eternal future. Isn't that amazing? Our choice to have children will have real, direct and permanent effect on all of time. Forever will look different because we lived and loved and had kiddos.
When the bible talks about man being made in God's image this includes both being eternal, but also being a creator. Together, my wife and I have the capacity to create another life - one that will exist forever.
That is wild to me.
My life matters. The choices I make matter - not just in their immediate context and interactions, but forever! There are impacts and implications that will not be "echos in eternity" as the line from Gladiator goes, but they will be concretely eternal. I matter. My life matters. My choices matter - forever.
It's also interesting to me that having this temporary life here leading up to an eternal life elsewhere does not diminish this life's importance - quite the opposite. In this short span on earth, I will shape, to a humble degree, what that eternity will be like. This life is of gargantuine importance! It's a limited opportunity to make eternal impact.
Anything less cheapens it. I recently watched Aeon Flux. (which turned out better than it started) Without spoiling it, you realize that they are dealing with questions of immortality, quality of life and legacy. At the end there is a line that says "we're meant to die, and our job is to do the best we can and hope that the next generation will do better." (paraphrased)
This initially sounds poetic and true, but as I think about it - it's not. Just because death happens doesn't mean it's what's supposed to be. If it is supposed to be, why is it continually, in all cultures such a shock, a source of distress, a heart wrenching dissappointment? It certainly doesn't feel like it's the natural order of things. People throughout time have taken the opposite stance - regardless of culture or religious views. People cling to life, they strive to be cured of diseases, defy aging. Then they weep and somehow feel cheated when a mother, sister, son are taken away. It's not what we're meant for - we're meant to live. Death is completely unnatural.
Then, if my existence ends when I die and my hope is that the next generation to do better - well, that doesn't feel right either. If I no longer exist after I die - what do I care comes after me? There is zero benefit to me whether I have lived as a noble king or wretched pauper. If I'd been a self sacrificing saint or just sought my own personal comfort at the expense of others. It's irrelevant.
For the next generation then, the only concern I might have are for my kids and direct family. Other than that, I don't really care about anyone else. Why should I? (if I had that world view) But really - why will my kid's quality or quantity of life matter? If there is nothing after life here, then it doesn't really matter what life here was like - ultimately. If my kids live a great life, cure cancer, help countless poor and destitute and have monuments and statues named after them - what's the difference? They may as well have been murderous monsters if there is nothing after death. Ultimately, at the end of the human race our lives made no difference, because there isn't a greater context than the one we're in.
If there is just this life to lead and nothing afterward - all things to which we ascribe meaning and morality ultimately meaningless. All notions of purpose will be consumed by non-existence.
This isn't how people innately live either. People generally have a sense that what they do matters. They have a sense that there is a purpose to life. (even if they're not sure what it is, they still have a sense that there's one to be found) They have a sense that they could possibly do things that will outlast them.
Anyhow - with both my children, when they were born my first thoughts surrounded the idea of "potential." From their first minute of life I marveled that they too will have a hand in shaping eternity - hopfully with waves of goodness, nobility and selflessness. It will be their choice in the time they have here on earth.
I don't know how long they have, but I know that they whatever they choose to do will have much more than "echos in eternity" - They'll create very real, very lasting effects. I can't wait to see what they will be.
I think I'll go give them each a kiss and tell them how much and how long their little lives matter.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
My Comment to Gum-Land (Breyer's)
You might think I'm crazy for how much I am bothered by this, but that's fine with me.
I am disturbed by Breyer's Ice Cream and the changes they have made to their products. I recently noticed a change in texture and taste of their ice creams. With a little looking around I found out that they have suddenly added gums as fillers/binders - this after 130+ years without it.
I am perplexed and disturbed. I loved the quality, which they have compromised. What also bothers me is that they've snuck it in. Why after all these years?
I'm sure it's great for profit. Same prices, cheaper ingredients. (albeit reduced quality - but they're probably thinking no on will notice) But I don't like gummy ice cream, and Breyers was a source of much joy to me.
So - since I am crazy, I thought it might do me some cathartic good to let them know how I feel. The comment/letter I just sent them is copied below. Maybe I'm the only one who's noticed, or who cares.
-------
In the last year, I've noticed a change in the consistency and taste of your Breyers Products. It took me a little while to figure it out, and the answer has left me disappointed.
I'm a bit of an ice cream purist, and have loved Breyer's products. Simple quality ingredients = great ice cream. You were in a class of your own.
What I discovered recently was that you've incorporated gums into your ice creams. I had a several-year-old plastic tub of vanilla in my basement which I used as a storage container. When I compared ingredients with a recent box of vanilla, I saw the change. "Natural Carob Bean Gum."
You've joined the world of gummy ice cream.
I noticed a difference the first time. As did my sister & other friends. I'm doing them the service of showing them how the texture and flavor of a once great ice cream has been compromised. What I can't tell them is why.
Perhaps I am niave, but in my mind a great product will yield profitability. People know the difference, and quality stands the test of time. Perhaps there has been a fundamental value shift in your company? You've moved on from primacy of quality to profitability?
I'm moving on as well. You're now in the gum class, and I'll be looking for someone else to make a "pure" product. You've lost me.
BTW- the Double Churn campaign is a joke in my home. When we see the commercials we just shake our heads. Apparently creamy and gummy are synonymous to you.
We're not fooled. Good luck.
NOTE: Breyer's Promptly responded with a letter, and a coupon for free $5 worth of free ice cream. Apparently when you complain about low quality, they offer you more.
My wife read the letter to me over the phone while I was at work. Sadly, she then threw it away. I had hoped to post their reply here, so that no one could read it. (no one reads my blog) Alas.
So the gist of why they added gum was this: "quality control" They said that since they could not control whether or not the ice cream was maintained at proper temperatures during shipping, unloading, stocking, sale and trip to consumer's home, they made the decision to add "natural" stuff (gum) to help maintain it's texture...or something.
Whatever. If people were calling in because their ice cream melted a little on the way home - I'd say "shop closer to home." Or "why don't you get your frozen foods last when you shop. They'll melt less. And stop chewing with your mouth open - that's disgusting!"
Either way, I'm sad. The bright spot? In this area I can get a few kind of flavors of ice cream from Turkey Hill which are just the pure stuff. It's called "Philadelphia Style" and hooray for the Fatties in Philly. At least someone knows how to make gum-less ice cream.
So - bye bye Breyer's. And the Double Churn Commercials are still just double the joke.
Sadly - John.
I am disturbed by Breyer's Ice Cream and the changes they have made to their products. I recently noticed a change in texture and taste of their ice creams. With a little looking around I found out that they have suddenly added gums as fillers/binders - this after 130+ years without it.
I am perplexed and disturbed. I loved the quality, which they have compromised. What also bothers me is that they've snuck it in. Why after all these years?
I'm sure it's great for profit. Same prices, cheaper ingredients. (albeit reduced quality - but they're probably thinking no on will notice) But I don't like gummy ice cream, and Breyers was a source of much joy to me.
So - since I am crazy, I thought it might do me some cathartic good to let them know how I feel. The comment/letter I just sent them is copied below. Maybe I'm the only one who's noticed, or who cares.
-------
In the last year, I've noticed a change in the consistency and taste of your Breyers Products. It took me a little while to figure it out, and the answer has left me disappointed.
I'm a bit of an ice cream purist, and have loved Breyer's products. Simple quality ingredients = great ice cream. You were in a class of your own.
What I discovered recently was that you've incorporated gums into your ice creams. I had a several-year-old plastic tub of vanilla in my basement which I used as a storage container. When I compared ingredients with a recent box of vanilla, I saw the change. "Natural Carob Bean Gum."
You've joined the world of gummy ice cream.
I noticed a difference the first time. As did my sister & other friends. I'm doing them the service of showing them how the texture and flavor of a once great ice cream has been compromised. What I can't tell them is why.
Perhaps I am niave, but in my mind a great product will yield profitability. People know the difference, and quality stands the test of time. Perhaps there has been a fundamental value shift in your company? You've moved on from primacy of quality to profitability?
I'm moving on as well. You're now in the gum class, and I'll be looking for someone else to make a "pure" product. You've lost me.
BTW- the Double Churn campaign is a joke in my home. When we see the commercials we just shake our heads. Apparently creamy and gummy are synonymous to you.
We're not fooled. Good luck.
NOTE: Breyer's Promptly responded with a letter, and a coupon for free $5 worth of free ice cream. Apparently when you complain about low quality, they offer you more.
My wife read the letter to me over the phone while I was at work. Sadly, she then threw it away. I had hoped to post their reply here, so that no one could read it. (no one reads my blog) Alas.
So the gist of why they added gum was this: "quality control" They said that since they could not control whether or not the ice cream was maintained at proper temperatures during shipping, unloading, stocking, sale and trip to consumer's home, they made the decision to add "natural" stuff (gum) to help maintain it's texture...or something.
Whatever. If people were calling in because their ice cream melted a little on the way home - I'd say "shop closer to home." Or "why don't you get your frozen foods last when you shop. They'll melt less. And stop chewing with your mouth open - that's disgusting!"
Either way, I'm sad. The bright spot? In this area I can get a few kind of flavors of ice cream from Turkey Hill which are just the pure stuff. It's called "Philadelphia Style" and hooray for the Fatties in Philly. At least someone knows how to make gum-less ice cream.
So - bye bye Breyer's. And the Double Churn Commercials are still just double the joke.
Sadly - John.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
A Deep Question
I have often speculated about a possibility for the afterlife that may be deep. Here it is, and think how this would truly demonstrate the Justice of God. (Or simply demonstrate that I don't use my time for productive pursuits - case in point: blogging)
Are Cat Hell and Dog Heaven the same place?
.
.
And there you have it. My deep thought and my shortest entry - All in one and all for you, my imaginary reader.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Breaking the Magic
Ba-zillions of dollar are spent by companies each year to compel the consumers of America that their products are truly necessary. After years of television, marketing experts have honed their craft to a point of magic. The know how to cast spells on the bulk of humanity. And it seems that those spells are pretty effective.
I find most of this bewitching to be pretty hilarious. I'm probably not the only one.
I just watched a hair dye commercial. I myself could be considered a candidate for such a product. I'm not that old, but my hair is a nearly-black color, and the white hairs seem to be multiplying around the sides. (oddly, and annoyingly enough - the white ones actually grow faster than the dark ones. Which, for my monthly hair buzzing means that I have little white wings protruding all over the place.) My hair is beginning the graying process, and people are starting to notice - and verbalizing it to me.
So I am in that target group - the still young guy who is suddenly becoming gray niche. This and many commercials could grab me. They don't.
For me, I break the magic through one or two methods.
1. When I watch a commercial, I ask myself "What is the literal message that the imagery would lead me to believe." or "What is being visually communicated."
2. I often ask these questions and watch the commercial with the volume muted. This way I can focus on what the images are telling me, rather than being told about the product. Most commercials are selling a feeling or an idea - and the product is tied to that emotion.
So - for instance - tonight I watched a few commercials in this way. The most stunningly ridiculous was in fact....the hair dye bit.
An unhappy, frowning man with some gray hair applies the product. Suddenly, there is a gorgeous, significantly younger, nymphomaniacle women who is all over him. He's now happy, desirable and he takes her to his home where he is tackled on the bed by her - breasts pressing him down - as he turns off the lights. Implied sex ensues.
Real message of commercial: Our product will get you sex with hot women.
Of course - that's not what the product is for. That's just what the subtext of the product is saying. That's the emotion they're appealing to. "This product will make you more desirable, it will make you feel younger, and look younger."
So what, you say. That's consumerism. Well, what's really going on isn't a positive. Here's why.
I think that much of our consumerism is built upon the foundation of fear. Think about this for a moment. How many products could you name that are targeted to counter just these 3 fears/concerns?
1. Reduced attractiveness/desirability
2. Physical Signs of Aging
3. Unhealthy Habits/Lifestyles
With just those three, I'll bet you'd fill a sheet of paper if you watched an average day's TV and kept a running list. It's amazing!
Here's my profound caveat: The problem is the solution.
The solution that these commercials offer is problematic. They address deep, broadly felt and very much real fears. People are aging. Our culture does have an unhealthy value on looking right. We do judge people by their sexual desirability. We do become sick. Some of us do need more money. We are overweight and unheathy. We're bored. We have serious medical conditions. We will disappoint, deteriorate, and die.
But the solutions these products offer up against those fears are, at best, superficial. They don't deal with the real problem - just the external perceptions. The problem isn't that my hair is gray, the problem is that my life is short, and these white hairs are a visible sign that my time is running out.
What I'm afraid is happening is that we are deluding ourselves. We think that these products can somehow save us from the real issues. And distracting yourself from a real problem through a temporary and superficial solution is no solution at all.
I am getting older. (So are you!) I could spend my mental energies, money and time seeking solutions to fight that. (hair dye, diet pills, cosmetic surgery..etc) But if that's been my focus, it still won't change that reality. What it will do is prevent me from asking better questions.
Questions like: What legacy will I lead my children? What am I doing today that will outlast me - have a positive effect on future generations. What things, if I don't do them now, will I wish I had done when I am old. Have I considered my eternal destiny - God, faith, and the afterlife? What are the most important things - what should I live for? What AM I living for now?! Will I have regrets based on the way I am living now?
But we aren't asking those questions. We're spellbound. Bewitched by the empty promises we see played out before us. Our hearts are captured by the possibility of being cool, or being found sexy. We're worried that we're looking more wrinkled, fatter, older. (we are) I could be more significant with a new car, a new technology toy. I could save a few dollars with this offer, this company, this product. I could be seen as younger, cooler, wiser, wealthier, smarter, happier if only I...
Snap out of it! Happiness is never found in externals but in eternals. And life is definitely not in what other people think of those externals. Decode those slick tricks, those crafted commercials. Watch them with the volume off. (better yet just turn them off!) Evaluate their promises. They're absurd.
No. Find out what will last, seek God, seek eternity, seek real life, seek wisdom to live today. Life is now - but it might not be tomorrow. Make the most of it. Turn off the TV and live what you've got.
I'm letting my grays show. They're real, and they are reminders. (My wife thinks they're sexy!)
I find most of this bewitching to be pretty hilarious. I'm probably not the only one.
I just watched a hair dye commercial. I myself could be considered a candidate for such a product. I'm not that old, but my hair is a nearly-black color, and the white hairs seem to be multiplying around the sides. (oddly, and annoyingly enough - the white ones actually grow faster than the dark ones. Which, for my monthly hair buzzing means that I have little white wings protruding all over the place.) My hair is beginning the graying process, and people are starting to notice - and verbalizing it to me.
So I am in that target group - the still young guy who is suddenly becoming gray niche. This and many commercials could grab me. They don't.
For me, I break the magic through one or two methods.
1. When I watch a commercial, I ask myself "What is the literal message that the imagery would lead me to believe." or "What is being visually communicated."
2. I often ask these questions and watch the commercial with the volume muted. This way I can focus on what the images are telling me, rather than being told about the product. Most commercials are selling a feeling or an idea - and the product is tied to that emotion.
So - for instance - tonight I watched a few commercials in this way. The most stunningly ridiculous was in fact....the hair dye bit.
An unhappy, frowning man with some gray hair applies the product. Suddenly, there is a gorgeous, significantly younger, nymphomaniacle women who is all over him. He's now happy, desirable and he takes her to his home where he is tackled on the bed by her - breasts pressing him down - as he turns off the lights. Implied sex ensues.
Real message of commercial: Our product will get you sex with hot women.
Of course - that's not what the product is for. That's just what the subtext of the product is saying. That's the emotion they're appealing to. "This product will make you more desirable, it will make you feel younger, and look younger."
So what, you say. That's consumerism. Well, what's really going on isn't a positive. Here's why.
I think that much of our consumerism is built upon the foundation of fear. Think about this for a moment. How many products could you name that are targeted to counter just these 3 fears/concerns?
1. Reduced attractiveness/desirability
2. Physical Signs of Aging
3. Unhealthy Habits/Lifestyles
With just those three, I'll bet you'd fill a sheet of paper if you watched an average day's TV and kept a running list. It's amazing!
Here's my profound caveat: The problem is the solution.
The solution that these commercials offer is problematic. They address deep, broadly felt and very much real fears. People are aging. Our culture does have an unhealthy value on looking right. We do judge people by their sexual desirability. We do become sick. Some of us do need more money. We are overweight and unheathy. We're bored. We have serious medical conditions. We will disappoint, deteriorate, and die.
But the solutions these products offer up against those fears are, at best, superficial. They don't deal with the real problem - just the external perceptions. The problem isn't that my hair is gray, the problem is that my life is short, and these white hairs are a visible sign that my time is running out.
What I'm afraid is happening is that we are deluding ourselves. We think that these products can somehow save us from the real issues. And distracting yourself from a real problem through a temporary and superficial solution is no solution at all.
I am getting older. (So are you!) I could spend my mental energies, money and time seeking solutions to fight that. (hair dye, diet pills, cosmetic surgery..etc) But if that's been my focus, it still won't change that reality. What it will do is prevent me from asking better questions.
Questions like: What legacy will I lead my children? What am I doing today that will outlast me - have a positive effect on future generations. What things, if I don't do them now, will I wish I had done when I am old. Have I considered my eternal destiny - God, faith, and the afterlife? What are the most important things - what should I live for? What AM I living for now?! Will I have regrets based on the way I am living now?
But we aren't asking those questions. We're spellbound. Bewitched by the empty promises we see played out before us. Our hearts are captured by the possibility of being cool, or being found sexy. We're worried that we're looking more wrinkled, fatter, older. (we are) I could be more significant with a new car, a new technology toy. I could save a few dollars with this offer, this company, this product. I could be seen as younger, cooler, wiser, wealthier, smarter, happier if only I...
Snap out of it! Happiness is never found in externals but in eternals. And life is definitely not in what other people think of those externals. Decode those slick tricks, those crafted commercials. Watch them with the volume off. (better yet just turn them off!) Evaluate their promises. They're absurd.
No. Find out what will last, seek God, seek eternity, seek real life, seek wisdom to live today. Life is now - but it might not be tomorrow. Make the most of it. Turn off the TV and live what you've got.
I'm letting my grays show. They're real, and they are reminders. (My wife thinks they're sexy!)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Peter Parker's Good Fortune
With the advent of widespread popularity of SuperHeroDom in movies and general culture, many have become familiar with "lesser knowns" of these characters. (indeed - the massive attraction to the superhero architype would be an interesting study from a sociological perspective - is this a felt need? A replacement of God, or a re-packaging of Greco-Roman mythology?)
For many, there seems to be some bizarre delivery of their powers. Through sometimes odd circumstances, normal people wind up with some new or augmented abilities. (if this is reoccuring mythology, the shift seems to have gone from "the gods are like us" to "we are becoming the gods." This too would be an interesting thing to explore, if it's there.) The Hulk, Wolverine, Fantastic 4...etc.
One such transformation that has long puzzled me is Peter Parker into Spider-man.
I am not so much confused by the premise of how he gets his powers, but more so at the tremendously good fortune Peter Parker had in receiving the augmentations/manifestations of spidery attributes that he did.
Consider his gifting: amazing strength and durability, augmented reactions, ability to adhere to and climb walls, webs spinning and his "spidey sense."
Why is it that Peter Parker only gets the good stuff? Consider some of the other possible attributes arachnae; independant mandbiles with poison laden fangs, 8 eyes, complete body hair, 8 seven-jointed legs, and the junk in the trunk: an enormous abdomen.
Similarly, his positive changes could have manifested very differently. What if his durability also came with an exoskeleton? How fortunate for him that his web slinging ability was in his wrists/hands and he doesn't just shoot spiderwebs out of his butt. (imagine him swinging around the city by his butt - doesn't quite inspire the same awe and respect, does it?)
[here I will grant my lack of superhero knowledge and say - I think in the 70's cartoon, he actually had a device that produced the spider silk for him, (market that Peter!) whereas in the recent movies, it was an anatomical feature. Which is true to the original, I do not know. But I do know that the mental image of spiderman swinging around by his butt is a irreducable souce of amusement for me]
So - Peter Parker: most fortunate of superheroes.
Though it's not shown, I'm sure he must have a strong penchant for eating flies.
For many, there seems to be some bizarre delivery of their powers. Through sometimes odd circumstances, normal people wind up with some new or augmented abilities. (if this is reoccuring mythology, the shift seems to have gone from "the gods are like us" to "we are becoming the gods." This too would be an interesting thing to explore, if it's there.) The Hulk, Wolverine, Fantastic 4...etc.
One such transformation that has long puzzled me is Peter Parker into Spider-man.
I am not so much confused by the premise of how he gets his powers, but more so at the tremendously good fortune Peter Parker had in receiving the augmentations/manifestations of spidery attributes that he did.
Consider his gifting: amazing strength and durability, augmented reactions, ability to adhere to and climb walls, webs spinning and his "spidey sense."
Why is it that Peter Parker only gets the good stuff? Consider some of the other possible attributes arachnae; independant mandbiles with poison laden fangs, 8 eyes, complete body hair, 8 seven-jointed legs, and the junk in the trunk: an enormous abdomen.
Similarly, his positive changes could have manifested very differently. What if his durability also came with an exoskeleton? How fortunate for him that his web slinging ability was in his wrists/hands and he doesn't just shoot spiderwebs out of his butt. (imagine him swinging around the city by his butt - doesn't quite inspire the same awe and respect, does it?)
[here I will grant my lack of superhero knowledge and say - I think in the 70's cartoon, he actually had a device that produced the spider silk for him, (market that Peter!) whereas in the recent movies, it was an anatomical feature. Which is true to the original, I do not know. But I do know that the mental image of spiderman swinging around by his butt is a irreducable souce of amusement for me]
So - Peter Parker: most fortunate of superheroes.
Though it's not shown, I'm sure he must have a strong penchant for eating flies.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
What Katrina Victims Taught Me
Most things here in New Orleans are not very well populated. There aren’t a lot of stores open, and many of the residents of some city sections are not back yet. Yet, there seem to be at least 2 places that are up and running - and very well populated.
In the first category are the churches. They have become recovery centers, food distribution points and temporary homes for out of state volunteers. Right now I am staying in a tent city run by a local group of churches. Good News Camp. There are 600 here. All kinds of people come here each day to be fed, cared for and ministered to.
In the second category are the bars. They are also well populated and may have been some of the first stores to be up and running. (judging by the quantity I’ve seen) They also attract people of all types. They are all over the city.
One could argue that, in some way, both of these places are serving the same purpose: escape from the pain of the present.
The bars offer something to numb that pain. Through alcohol, some people are able to escape from the depression, the loneliness, the hopelessness - by forgetting. Though only for a few hours, (or in some cases an entire evening)
The churches and relief efforts also offer an escape from the current pain. People let their hearts and minds escape to the future - to the possibility of something better than today.
They can move past their harsh present by dwelling on a better future.
Both means allow people to cope, but they are not equal.
Alcohol, though it may provide an escape, produces nothing. After the temporary relief, the user must return to the same reality - nothing has been done to change it. If the bars or the bottle are my method of dealing with unpleasant reality, there is little possibility of that reality changing. I will need to numb myself to that reality again tomorrow.
Faith and Hope, on the other hand, empower the heart to action. If I believe that a better day awaits me tomorrow and the day after that, I can participate in bringing it about now. I need not be debilitated by it. Hope trumps despair. It allows the bearer to continue on, fully acknowledging reality and moving despite it.
We had many opportunities to hear from some of the hardest hit residents of New Orleans. Some were deeply embittered. Some were defiantly hopeful. The contrast was wide.
Ida Mae, and elderly women whose home we gutted, told us about the 4 months she was away from New Orleans. She lived one week at a time in various places, than settled in for 2 months in Texas before she could come to a relative’s apartment in the city.
She was a hopeful one. She was fun to be with. She talked with us about how bright the future of her city could be. She was grateful for all that she still had. (it fit in one suitcase) She seemed to be grateful now for what had not yet come.
Others told us that if you live in New Orleans, you really need to drink in order to deal with it. They were not so hopeful. Nor were they very pleasant. They seemed to focus on what won’t fix itself and who was to blame. They could not see a better future. They had no hope, other than to avoid the problems.
I wish I were more like Ida Mae, but I fear I fall into the numbness category. I’m not living in a disaster zone but I don’t really need to be. I seek to escape and distract and numb myself from the shadowy parts of my life.
What if each of us faced the dark parts of ourselves with the perspective of faith and hope? What if we were unwilling to ignore, numb and distract ourselves from our own badness? Could we simultaneously acknowledge our 'sinfulness' and embrace a solution? (a whole other discussion is whether we need outside help to make it better!) What might the solution look like?
These things are worth thinking about - for all of us. And they are worth doing something about - for all of us.
In the first category are the churches. They have become recovery centers, food distribution points and temporary homes for out of state volunteers. Right now I am staying in a tent city run by a local group of churches. Good News Camp. There are 600 here. All kinds of people come here each day to be fed, cared for and ministered to.
In the second category are the bars. They are also well populated and may have been some of the first stores to be up and running. (judging by the quantity I’ve seen) They also attract people of all types. They are all over the city.
One could argue that, in some way, both of these places are serving the same purpose: escape from the pain of the present.
The bars offer something to numb that pain. Through alcohol, some people are able to escape from the depression, the loneliness, the hopelessness - by forgetting. Though only for a few hours, (or in some cases an entire evening)
The churches and relief efforts also offer an escape from the current pain. People let their hearts and minds escape to the future - to the possibility of something better than today.
They can move past their harsh present by dwelling on a better future.
Both means allow people to cope, but they are not equal.
Alcohol, though it may provide an escape, produces nothing. After the temporary relief, the user must return to the same reality - nothing has been done to change it. If the bars or the bottle are my method of dealing with unpleasant reality, there is little possibility of that reality changing. I will need to numb myself to that reality again tomorrow.
Faith and Hope, on the other hand, empower the heart to action. If I believe that a better day awaits me tomorrow and the day after that, I can participate in bringing it about now. I need not be debilitated by it. Hope trumps despair. It allows the bearer to continue on, fully acknowledging reality and moving despite it.
We had many opportunities to hear from some of the hardest hit residents of New Orleans. Some were deeply embittered. Some were defiantly hopeful. The contrast was wide.
Ida Mae, and elderly women whose home we gutted, told us about the 4 months she was away from New Orleans. She lived one week at a time in various places, than settled in for 2 months in Texas before she could come to a relative’s apartment in the city.
She was a hopeful one. She was fun to be with. She talked with us about how bright the future of her city could be. She was grateful for all that she still had. (it fit in one suitcase) She seemed to be grateful now for what had not yet come.
Others told us that if you live in New Orleans, you really need to drink in order to deal with it. They were not so hopeful. Nor were they very pleasant. They seemed to focus on what won’t fix itself and who was to blame. They could not see a better future. They had no hope, other than to avoid the problems.
I wish I were more like Ida Mae, but I fear I fall into the numbness category. I’m not living in a disaster zone but I don’t really need to be. I seek to escape and distract and numb myself from the shadowy parts of my life.
What if each of us faced the dark parts of ourselves with the perspective of faith and hope? What if we were unwilling to ignore, numb and distract ourselves from our own badness? Could we simultaneously acknowledge our 'sinfulness' and embrace a solution? (a whole other discussion is whether we need outside help to make it better!) What might the solution look like?
These things are worth thinking about - for all of us. And they are worth doing something about - for all of us.
Friday, February 03, 2006
What Doctors & Farmers Should Have in Common
This winter I found myself in an emergency room with a major poison ivy issue. (later I found out that it was something else) It was late at night, and the ER doctor was a little bit insulting.
Have you ever run into a cocky doctor? You know, the kind that presumes that they are an apex human being? Everyone else is certainly stupid or inferior by comparison. They are presumptuous, arrogant and think too highly of themselves and their skills.
This is not my opinion of doctors in general. There have been several in my family, and I have a half dozen friends who have recently completed Med School. They are great. Most doctors are wonderful, caring people. However, I find it curious when I see arrogance creeping in through their career choice.
Dear doctors: Your profession is on par with the humble farmer. Don't believe me?
Consider these similarities.
1. You, like a farmer, work with a complex life-system that you yourself do not create. It is pre-existent to your role. Neither you nor the farmer can take credit for it. You are working on something that was created outside of your influence. You can seek to understand it, but you cannot take credit for the system itself. You are mechanics.
2. You, like the farmer, must play by the rules of that pre-existent system. There are pre-set limits to what can and cannot be done, there are extant processes and timings and interactions that happen within that system. Neither you nor the farmer can fundamentally alter them. Your lines of work enhance, help or coerce processes that are already possible. Occasionally, you might be able to alter or suppress them, but you cannot create new ones.
3. You, like the farmer planting his seeds, do not fully understand or control the life process. You are environmentalists; you can create the most favorable conditions for your desired result, but you cannot make that result happen.
The farmer turns the soil, fertilizes, plants the seed and waters all in the right time frame but then he must wait - and hope. If the seed itself does not germinate, he has wasted his efforts. For all his soil preparation, control of conditions and timing, he cannot make that seed do what he hopes it will. It is not determined by him. He is at it's mercy because he is not ultimately in control.
Can you see the similarities with the humble doctor? Is it a more complicated system? Yes. Granted, there is much study and knowledge to be acquired, but at its foundation, the doctor does all he can to create an environment favorable to healing and good health, but he does all that and waits. He hopes. He is also dependent on that pre-existent life system to do what it should.
He may aid, augment, replace, remove, medicate and manipulate but he still is dependent on the system itself.
Happily for us all, most times the seed does sprout, grow and mature. Happily for us the body often heals, responds and recovers. I am glad for the environmentalists who raise the likelihood of food and health, but I do not think that they (or we) should move past the reality that we are all dependent - no matter how much we know.
We are not the creator, we are gardeners - and this from the very start of it all.
Have you ever run into a cocky doctor? You know, the kind that presumes that they are an apex human being? Everyone else is certainly stupid or inferior by comparison. They are presumptuous, arrogant and think too highly of themselves and their skills.
This is not my opinion of doctors in general. There have been several in my family, and I have a half dozen friends who have recently completed Med School. They are great. Most doctors are wonderful, caring people. However, I find it curious when I see arrogance creeping in through their career choice.
Dear doctors: Your profession is on par with the humble farmer. Don't believe me?
Consider these similarities.
1. You, like a farmer, work with a complex life-system that you yourself do not create. It is pre-existent to your role. Neither you nor the farmer can take credit for it. You are working on something that was created outside of your influence. You can seek to understand it, but you cannot take credit for the system itself. You are mechanics.
2. You, like the farmer, must play by the rules of that pre-existent system. There are pre-set limits to what can and cannot be done, there are extant processes and timings and interactions that happen within that system. Neither you nor the farmer can fundamentally alter them. Your lines of work enhance, help or coerce processes that are already possible. Occasionally, you might be able to alter or suppress them, but you cannot create new ones.
3. You, like the farmer planting his seeds, do not fully understand or control the life process. You are environmentalists; you can create the most favorable conditions for your desired result, but you cannot make that result happen.
The farmer turns the soil, fertilizes, plants the seed and waters all in the right time frame but then he must wait - and hope. If the seed itself does not germinate, he has wasted his efforts. For all his soil preparation, control of conditions and timing, he cannot make that seed do what he hopes it will. It is not determined by him. He is at it's mercy because he is not ultimately in control.
Can you see the similarities with the humble doctor? Is it a more complicated system? Yes. Granted, there is much study and knowledge to be acquired, but at its foundation, the doctor does all he can to create an environment favorable to healing and good health, but he does all that and waits. He hopes. He is also dependent on that pre-existent life system to do what it should.
He may aid, augment, replace, remove, medicate and manipulate but he still is dependent on the system itself.
Happily for us all, most times the seed does sprout, grow and mature. Happily for us the body often heals, responds and recovers. I am glad for the environmentalists who raise the likelihood of food and health, but I do not think that they (or we) should move past the reality that we are all dependent - no matter how much we know.
We are not the creator, we are gardeners - and this from the very start of it all.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Cookie Monsta
My wife was away at a retreat for a few days this week and I was on Dad duty - all on my own. I actually love it. Would do it full time if I could. We have a great time together. (I do, anyhow!)
While we were watching Sesame Street, I had an epiphany: Cookie Monster sounds an aweful lot like I'd imagine Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar would with laryngitis and sugar-induced excitability.
Don't know what that means, but I just needed to point it out. I will enjoy the show more now.
(Dat good Coookie!!!)
While we were watching Sesame Street, I had an epiphany: Cookie Monster sounds an aweful lot like I'd imagine Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggar would with laryngitis and sugar-induced excitability.
Don't know what that means, but I just needed to point it out. I will enjoy the show more now.
(Dat good Coookie!!!)
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Defrost Me
Hello imaginary reader!
It's nearly February and for the most part the weather has been unusually mild thus far. One snow, a couple short stretches of bitter cold, but all in all - not bad. Just today I was out in a sweatshirt with my 1.5 year old kicking around his mini soccer ball. Spring like! Yay.
A few years ago my wife and I bought a van. It was a total God-send. We had a newborn baby, my wife was staying home, I was commuting 30 minutes and it just made no sense to leave her car-less. Driving me to work everyday felt too much like middle school when I constantly had to bum rides from my Mom - usually when I missed the bus by 3 minutes.
The Van has been great. We had 1000 bucks. We asked a mechanic friend to be on the lookout for something coming in that looked good and was in good shape. He said that never happens, but ok.
I kid you not - 2 day later an old lady shows up with a 1990 Voyager: 91,000 miles, in great shape, No mechanical problems...etc. She says to our friend "Do you know anyone who wants to buy my van? I just drive it to church on Sundays and I'd like to get around $1000 dollars for it." Main reason she's selling; "it's a little to high for me to get into very well anymore."
We picked it up that night.
The lady was sweet and thrilled that we were so excited about it. We were grateful that barely prayed prayers had been answered. Suddenly and weirdly cool.
The one drawback is this: The van has no heat. On particularly cold days it's brutal. I've been an unhappy combination of too poor/too cheap to get it fixed. I drive that one in the winter. The fam won't get near it.
I'm quite a sight on the highways. Really. I look like Kenny from SouthPark. (please don't watch that show) I look like I'm trekking to the north pole, with just my eyes showing from an enormous puffy coat.
Several of my senses become muted, or mooted. (not a word) I'm practically deaf. Less protected portions of my body become uncomfortably numb. I have zero peripheral vision. Sometimes I just pull my hood back a little to see if I'm about to cut someone off. On really cold days I don't. (sorry)
But - it's Pennsylvania. It will not always be cold. I'm grateful for the van, but I don't treat it so well. Not like our Jetta, which we paid nearly new prices for. So, I do wonder if there is some kind of inverted principle at work here.
Jesus once told a story to illustrate love and gratitude. Who loves more? Someone forgiven a little bit, or someone forgiven enormously? Great story, but convicting.
I can't help but wonder if I would take better care of the gift-van if I had paid 10,000 for it rather than 1000. This makes me worry about my own gratitude level. The van was quite a gift, but I don't always see it this way. I often think - well, we don't need to do XX for the van - we only paid 1000 for it.
Why is it that I still remain most concerned about the things that have the most benefit to me? It's as if my response is dictated by my perception of return and investment. How much do I do that with my relationships? My parents? My wife? My kid? What about systems that I've benefited from? Schools, teachers, pastors? What about God?
I am pretty sure that I am called to a different economy. It's hard, but its true. I'm called the be other centered. To be compassionate with friends and enemies. To care for others in need. Help the orphans, the widows. To be a giver, not a taker.
If I'm too wrapped up in what I can afford, or what is helping me - I'll miss the point. I'll miss the sweetest portions of life. I want to live as a grateful person. A giver. That's hard sometimes.
Right not my son treats every little gift we give him as if we have given him the whole world. We hand him a wooden spoon to play with, and he's THRILLED. He wears those expressions right there for us to see, and that response thrills us. We love giving him good gifts because he really appreciates it. He beams and it is our delight and joy.
For me as an 'adult' I forget that - on both ends.
On the receiving end - I can be genuinely glad, grateful and overjoyed that people and God give me gift of all kinds. How cool it is to be a recipient of someone else's good will and kindness.
On the giving end - I want to have that effect on people. Bring them joy and gladness. Be the giver of good will and kindness.
It seems to me that if I do one well, I'll be likely to do both pretty well. One feeds the other.
So, me, quit playing down the gifts. Get excited and grateful over how good people are to you. Let that spark your desire to do things to make others glad. Even if I don't get the heat the van fixed, I need to make sure my little heart is the one body part that doesn't become cold.
It's nearly February and for the most part the weather has been unusually mild thus far. One snow, a couple short stretches of bitter cold, but all in all - not bad. Just today I was out in a sweatshirt with my 1.5 year old kicking around his mini soccer ball. Spring like! Yay.
A few years ago my wife and I bought a van. It was a total God-send. We had a newborn baby, my wife was staying home, I was commuting 30 minutes and it just made no sense to leave her car-less. Driving me to work everyday felt too much like middle school when I constantly had to bum rides from my Mom - usually when I missed the bus by 3 minutes.
The Van has been great. We had 1000 bucks. We asked a mechanic friend to be on the lookout for something coming in that looked good and was in good shape. He said that never happens, but ok.
I kid you not - 2 day later an old lady shows up with a 1990 Voyager: 91,000 miles, in great shape, No mechanical problems...etc. She says to our friend "Do you know anyone who wants to buy my van? I just drive it to church on Sundays and I'd like to get around $1000 dollars for it." Main reason she's selling; "it's a little to high for me to get into very well anymore."
We picked it up that night.
The lady was sweet and thrilled that we were so excited about it. We were grateful that barely prayed prayers had been answered. Suddenly and weirdly cool.
The one drawback is this: The van has no heat. On particularly cold days it's brutal. I've been an unhappy combination of too poor/too cheap to get it fixed. I drive that one in the winter. The fam won't get near it.
I'm quite a sight on the highways. Really. I look like Kenny from SouthPark. (please don't watch that show) I look like I'm trekking to the north pole, with just my eyes showing from an enormous puffy coat.
Several of my senses become muted, or mooted. (not a word) I'm practically deaf. Less protected portions of my body become uncomfortably numb. I have zero peripheral vision. Sometimes I just pull my hood back a little to see if I'm about to cut someone off. On really cold days I don't. (sorry)
But - it's Pennsylvania. It will not always be cold. I'm grateful for the van, but I don't treat it so well. Not like our Jetta, which we paid nearly new prices for. So, I do wonder if there is some kind of inverted principle at work here.
Jesus once told a story to illustrate love and gratitude. Who loves more? Someone forgiven a little bit, or someone forgiven enormously? Great story, but convicting.
I can't help but wonder if I would take better care of the gift-van if I had paid 10,000 for it rather than 1000. This makes me worry about my own gratitude level. The van was quite a gift, but I don't always see it this way. I often think - well, we don't need to do XX for the van - we only paid 1000 for it.
Why is it that I still remain most concerned about the things that have the most benefit to me? It's as if my response is dictated by my perception of return and investment. How much do I do that with my relationships? My parents? My wife? My kid? What about systems that I've benefited from? Schools, teachers, pastors? What about God?
I am pretty sure that I am called to a different economy. It's hard, but its true. I'm called the be other centered. To be compassionate with friends and enemies. To care for others in need. Help the orphans, the widows. To be a giver, not a taker.
If I'm too wrapped up in what I can afford, or what is helping me - I'll miss the point. I'll miss the sweetest portions of life. I want to live as a grateful person. A giver. That's hard sometimes.
Right not my son treats every little gift we give him as if we have given him the whole world. We hand him a wooden spoon to play with, and he's THRILLED. He wears those expressions right there for us to see, and that response thrills us. We love giving him good gifts because he really appreciates it. He beams and it is our delight and joy.
For me as an 'adult' I forget that - on both ends.
On the receiving end - I can be genuinely glad, grateful and overjoyed that people and God give me gift of all kinds. How cool it is to be a recipient of someone else's good will and kindness.
On the giving end - I want to have that effect on people. Bring them joy and gladness. Be the giver of good will and kindness.
It seems to me that if I do one well, I'll be likely to do both pretty well. One feeds the other.
So, me, quit playing down the gifts. Get excited and grateful over how good people are to you. Let that spark your desire to do things to make others glad. Even if I don't get the heat the van fixed, I need to make sure my little heart is the one body part that doesn't become cold.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The Age of Hyperbole
This is probably the greatest blog entry ever.
Or...at least I could claim that it's true.
Have you noticed that kind of phrase on TV and in advertisements? These days we are in the Age of Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say during a football game, or basketball game (...insert sport here) something to the effect of "This freshmen, or rookie.. blah blah... is probably one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century." or "this play will go down as one of the most remarkable ones in history."
Or TV commercials. Gosh. If you can remove yourself from their carefully crafted spell, they're really quite ridiculous. The greatest sale ever, the opportunity of a lifetime, it vastly improves the quality of my life. (How a garlic chopper improves the basic quality of life for someone, I have no idea. Heck, if that's true hand them out to the poor. Ship them to 3rd world countries. Except, garlic chopper are made in 3rd world countries?...Umm...) On and on.
So what. This isn't a big deal, it's just stressing the point they're trying to make, right? No harm done.
Well - maybe. But when it gets to the point that everyone is trying to accentuate their position by exaggeration, won't we lose our grip on truthfulness? Take for example the phenomenon of "shock." on TV. You know what I mean. Some network promises that this next episode will be so shocking...you know the speil.
The thing is, that as more and more people try to draw you in with shock, you, the sap headed viewer become decreasingly sensitive to that shock. So they have to do something more shocking. Which you will later, probably become desensitized to. But then everyone tries to use it to draw you in.
When I think of this one, I think of the whole lesbian/gay thing on TV. At first, just having a gay character was a shock. Fast forward and we have gay kissing on some shows (gross) and, not just a token gay character, but shows built around homosexuality. This is not good for anyone, not good at all. (I hear that it is now illegal and discriminatory to make negative comments about homosexuals or homosexuality in Canada. So, cousins in the great white north, you're welcome to come after me - but as of recently you'll have to have a passport to get across the line. Deal with it, A.)
Beyond big picture moral stuff, think of the effect on communication. Consider the resume. It is now so endemic that people exaggerate on their experience, abilities and character, that certain aspects of resumes have become unhelpful. If you can make you're burger joint experience sound profoundly remarkable, what am I to think? What's really real. Who's really the person I want? A truthful and helpful resume would probably get the shaft. So hyperbole becomes a requirement if you want to have a chance.
So - in my mind, I think the age of hyperbole is a bit annoying, if not harmful. Why can't we just speak plainly and truthfully about things. Call things what they really are. When does true truth get a shot? That seems more helpful to me. But, you might say, it's human nature to exaggerate, and try to make things we're invested in - especially ourselves - seem better than they are.
Sure, I would say, but it sounds more like a problem with humanity in general than with this particular time in history. These days we're just more slick at bending things. We're all shaders of truth.
Straight shooters might just call it lying. Isn't that shocking?
Or...at least I could claim that it's true.
Have you noticed that kind of phrase on TV and in advertisements? These days we are in the Age of Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say during a football game, or basketball game (...insert sport here) something to the effect of "This freshmen, or rookie.. blah blah... is probably one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century." or "this play will go down as one of the most remarkable ones in history."
Or TV commercials. Gosh. If you can remove yourself from their carefully crafted spell, they're really quite ridiculous. The greatest sale ever, the opportunity of a lifetime, it vastly improves the quality of my life. (How a garlic chopper improves the basic quality of life for someone, I have no idea. Heck, if that's true hand them out to the poor. Ship them to 3rd world countries. Except, garlic chopper are made in 3rd world countries?...Umm...) On and on.
So what. This isn't a big deal, it's just stressing the point they're trying to make, right? No harm done.
Well - maybe. But when it gets to the point that everyone is trying to accentuate their position by exaggeration, won't we lose our grip on truthfulness? Take for example the phenomenon of "shock." on TV. You know what I mean. Some network promises that this next episode will be so shocking...you know the speil.
The thing is, that as more and more people try to draw you in with shock, you, the sap headed viewer become decreasingly sensitive to that shock. So they have to do something more shocking. Which you will later, probably become desensitized to. But then everyone tries to use it to draw you in.
When I think of this one, I think of the whole lesbian/gay thing on TV. At first, just having a gay character was a shock. Fast forward and we have gay kissing on some shows (gross) and, not just a token gay character, but shows built around homosexuality. This is not good for anyone, not good at all. (I hear that it is now illegal and discriminatory to make negative comments about homosexuals or homosexuality in Canada. So, cousins in the great white north, you're welcome to come after me - but as of recently you'll have to have a passport to get across the line. Deal with it, A.)
Beyond big picture moral stuff, think of the effect on communication. Consider the resume. It is now so endemic that people exaggerate on their experience, abilities and character, that certain aspects of resumes have become unhelpful. If you can make you're burger joint experience sound profoundly remarkable, what am I to think? What's really real. Who's really the person I want? A truthful and helpful resume would probably get the shaft. So hyperbole becomes a requirement if you want to have a chance.
So - in my mind, I think the age of hyperbole is a bit annoying, if not harmful. Why can't we just speak plainly and truthfully about things. Call things what they really are. When does true truth get a shot? That seems more helpful to me. But, you might say, it's human nature to exaggerate, and try to make things we're invested in - especially ourselves - seem better than they are.
Sure, I would say, but it sounds more like a problem with humanity in general than with this particular time in history. These days we're just more slick at bending things. We're all shaders of truth.
Straight shooters might just call it lying. Isn't that shocking?
Friday, January 06, 2006
Minor Addictions, Major Profits
I have been embittered by reality.
Not long ago I met with a friend from high school. We hadn't seen each other for quite some time, so there was a good deal of life to catch up on. I enjoyed meeting her husband who is a pretty cool guy. Good time with us all together.
An interesting factoid came up during our conversation that has been bugging me ever since. He has ruined my enjoyment of gourmet coffee drinks. He used to work as a barrista at Starbucks, and he let me in on a little secret.
I'm not much for coffee, but I am minorly addicted to caffeine. (Maybe it's major?) Since I don't like coffee for the most part I have to use other vehicles for getting that drug into my system. But - the one drink I actually do like (quite a bit I'm afraid) at Starbucks is their Fappuccino.
I mentioned the above facts to my new friend, which prompted him to spring the secret on me. "Hey - take a guess what a medium Frappuccino costs Starbucks"
Here we enter into a pre-existing point of bitterness for me. I already resent paying what I considered to be a ridiculous price for something I see them putting mostly ice into! But I'm dumb enough to pay it.
My best jaded guess was around a buck. I thought "Hey, they charge around 3 or 4 bucks, and that seemed like a pretty hefty profit margin."
Apparently I am insufficiently crass. I guessed way too high. According to my friend, the medium Frapp costs this exorbitant bean company just 25 cents. This includes the cup, the straw and the works. 25 cents! Do the math. If I buy a $0.25 drink and pay $4. That means, for frapps, that for every $1 they put out, they will get $16 back. A profit of 15 times the cost! Wow.
Now, I'm even more bitter when the Starbucks urge strikes. In fact, I find it hard to justify giving them that much of my money and have stopped to get a drink less frequently. (I have NEVER bought food there. Cookies are like, $20 each) Now it feels like I'm making a corporate donation when I but something there.
There are at least 3 things that this drives me to conclude.
1. I have a greater appreciation for the bartering system in other countries. Perhaps in China I could go to a starbucks, have them tell me the total, laugh, then start trying to work the price down. I bet that I could get them down to a reasonable level - perhaps getting 2 Frapps for the price I normally pay for one. I could try this here, but I think they would be the ones laughing.
(I guess they're already laughing now...all the way to the bank!)
2. Caffeine is an addictive substance. This I already knew, but the reality that millions of Americans will go out of their way on a daily basis to shell out an extraordinary amount of cash for an inexpensive beverage points to some kind of addictive substance. Who, unmedicated and sober, would knowingly cough that much moolah up for a cup of chocolate, bean water and ice? Chemical dependence is no joke.
subpoint 2.5 - this is why caffeine-free coke sucks.
3. I have grown in assertiveness. I am normally pretty understating and relaxed about other people's mistakes - perhaps a little too much empathy, not enough antipathy. The one good thing about this new eye-opening knowledge is that when the Starbucks barristas and barristos and barristoids mess something up, you better believe that I'm going to make them replace it, or make it right. I better get their best stuff when I make my $3.75 donation.
Not long ago I met with a friend from high school. We hadn't seen each other for quite some time, so there was a good deal of life to catch up on. I enjoyed meeting her husband who is a pretty cool guy. Good time with us all together.
An interesting factoid came up during our conversation that has been bugging me ever since. He has ruined my enjoyment of gourmet coffee drinks. He used to work as a barrista at Starbucks, and he let me in on a little secret.
I'm not much for coffee, but I am minorly addicted to caffeine. (Maybe it's major?) Since I don't like coffee for the most part I have to use other vehicles for getting that drug into my system. But - the one drink I actually do like (quite a bit I'm afraid) at Starbucks is their Fappuccino.
I mentioned the above facts to my new friend, which prompted him to spring the secret on me. "Hey - take a guess what a medium Frappuccino costs Starbucks"
Here we enter into a pre-existing point of bitterness for me. I already resent paying what I considered to be a ridiculous price for something I see them putting mostly ice into! But I'm dumb enough to pay it.
My best jaded guess was around a buck. I thought "Hey, they charge around 3 or 4 bucks, and that seemed like a pretty hefty profit margin."
Apparently I am insufficiently crass. I guessed way too high. According to my friend, the medium Frapp costs this exorbitant bean company just 25 cents. This includes the cup, the straw and the works. 25 cents! Do the math. If I buy a $0.25 drink and pay $4. That means, for frapps, that for every $1 they put out, they will get $16 back. A profit of 15 times the cost! Wow.
Now, I'm even more bitter when the Starbucks urge strikes. In fact, I find it hard to justify giving them that much of my money and have stopped to get a drink less frequently. (I have NEVER bought food there. Cookies are like, $20 each) Now it feels like I'm making a corporate donation when I but something there.
There are at least 3 things that this drives me to conclude.
1. I have a greater appreciation for the bartering system in other countries. Perhaps in China I could go to a starbucks, have them tell me the total, laugh, then start trying to work the price down. I bet that I could get them down to a reasonable level - perhaps getting 2 Frapps for the price I normally pay for one. I could try this here, but I think they would be the ones laughing.
(I guess they're already laughing now...all the way to the bank!)
2. Caffeine is an addictive substance. This I already knew, but the reality that millions of Americans will go out of their way on a daily basis to shell out an extraordinary amount of cash for an inexpensive beverage points to some kind of addictive substance. Who, unmedicated and sober, would knowingly cough that much moolah up for a cup of chocolate, bean water and ice? Chemical dependence is no joke.
subpoint 2.5 - this is why caffeine-free coke sucks.
3. I have grown in assertiveness. I am normally pretty understating and relaxed about other people's mistakes - perhaps a little too much empathy, not enough antipathy. The one good thing about this new eye-opening knowledge is that when the Starbucks barristas and barristos and barristoids mess something up, you better believe that I'm going to make them replace it, or make it right. I better get their best stuff when I make my $3.75 donation.
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