"on dasher on prancer,
on dancer on vixen,
on comet on cupid,
on donner on blitzen!"
O hurry, Christmas...
10.26.2004
Crunch
Three papers, one day, and horrible procrastination. Braving the early morning hours together trying to salvage some decent grade, Galen and I decide on something infintely more important then summary or Senator Robert Byrd.
"on dasher on prancer,
"on dasher on prancer,
10.23.2004
Leaves to Remember
Last Wednesday I walked out of sociology and into a cold, windy, and decidedly gray afternoon. Harry Nilsson's Remember filled my ears as the chill stole my breath, and questions muddled my mind.
Long ago, far away, life was clear;
close your eyes...
Why is life so complicated? I have a simple mind...why can't life meet me halfway where I can at least sort through and understand it? Perhaps it does, maybe I should be very grateful that classes, people, relationships, and how many shots I want in my americano make up the bulk of my daily dilemmas. But even then, when I finish my term paper, sort out my problems with friends, and decide on two shots-I still feel swamped.
Remember, is a place from long ago;
Remember, filled with everything you know.
Remember, when you're sad and feeling down;
remember, turn around.
I was walking toward the PUB, away from Patterson Hall when I saw them in the trees that line the mall. The leaves-they are changing color. I'm sure this isn't news to anyone who has ever lived through the month of October, nor was it new to me. But last Wednesday, I turned up Harry's volume, stopped and studied them for a moment.
Remember, life is just a memory.
Remember, close your eyes and you can see.
Remember, think of all that life can be;
remember.
Ignoring the flood of students passing me on every side, I looked with wonder at the branches as they were stirred by the breeze against an ever-gloomy autumn sky. The leaves were green, red, yellow, magenta, orange, and tangelo. The thought that I must look ridiculous to everyone entered my mind, and I shoved it rudely aside. I felt the beginnings of goosebumps as I witnessed the incredible performance in progress around me. Noone watched but me, yet I feel sure that no symphony, concert, art, or thrill I have ever experienced can surpass the wonder in my soul in that moment.
Remember, life is never as it seems;
dream...Dream, love is only in a dream; remember.
Remember, life is never as it seems;
dream...
I stayed several minutes, drinking in the intricate beauty of the scene while standing in awe of He who orchestrates it. When I finally turned to walk up 9th street toward Streeter Hall, I still had my questions-but somehow, they didn't bother me a bit.
Long ago, far away, life was clear;
close your eyes.
Long ago, far away, life was clear;
close your eyes...
Why is life so complicated? I have a simple mind...why can't life meet me halfway where I can at least sort through and understand it? Perhaps it does, maybe I should be very grateful that classes, people, relationships, and how many shots I want in my americano make up the bulk of my daily dilemmas. But even then, when I finish my term paper, sort out my problems with friends, and decide on two shots-I still feel swamped.
Remember, is a place from long ago;
Remember, filled with everything you know.
Remember, when you're sad and feeling down;
remember, turn around.
I was walking toward the PUB, away from Patterson Hall when I saw them in the trees that line the mall. The leaves-they are changing color. I'm sure this isn't news to anyone who has ever lived through the month of October, nor was it new to me. But last Wednesday, I turned up Harry's volume, stopped and studied them for a moment.
Remember, life is just a memory.
Remember, close your eyes and you can see.
Remember, think of all that life can be;
remember.
Ignoring the flood of students passing me on every side, I looked with wonder at the branches as they were stirred by the breeze against an ever-gloomy autumn sky. The leaves were green, red, yellow, magenta, orange, and tangelo. The thought that I must look ridiculous to everyone entered my mind, and I shoved it rudely aside. I felt the beginnings of goosebumps as I witnessed the incredible performance in progress around me. Noone watched but me, yet I feel sure that no symphony, concert, art, or thrill I have ever experienced can surpass the wonder in my soul in that moment.
Remember, life is never as it seems;
dream...Dream, love is only in a dream; remember.
Remember, life is never as it seems;
dream...
I stayed several minutes, drinking in the intricate beauty of the scene while standing in awe of He who orchestrates it. When I finally turned to walk up 9th street toward Streeter Hall, I still had my questions-but somehow, they didn't bother me a bit.
Long ago, far away, life was clear;
close your eyes.
10.18.2004
101
I often share Meg Ryan's frustration of not knowing exactly what to say exactly when I want to say it. While she struggled in You've Got Mail to fire off a timely zinger as a comeback, today I walked away from Sociology 101 frustrated at my inability to argue. Comparing Marx and Durkheim, Conflict Theory and the importance of stratification. I was peeved at the presentation of Marx and the Conflict Theory because I knew-just knew they were wrong, but found myself without the words to form a halfway intelligent argument. The lecture was completely one sided, and while I so wanted to point out some inherent flaw, my mind refused to stop stuttering.
"Is it fair for the CEO of a company to make 400x the salary of a new hire, when he probably does very little and delegates actual management to others? This creates a situation for him to exploit the employees. Why would he pay the employees more when that would take money out of his pocket? Profit corrupts." -ewu
As I walked away from Patterson Hall, shivering in the cold, bitter wind that has invaded Eastern Washington University, I tried to talk myself through it.
Why is it more fair for a doctor, lawyer, or even my dad (a manager at Boeing) to make the same amount as somebody on an assembly line? They have the experience, they work anywhere between 40-80 hours a week, are employed in stressful environments, are responsible for decisions affecting any number of people, and have sacrificed years and thousands of dollars at school-how is it more fair for them to make the same as a laborer working 8 hours a day putting the same ten bolts in a car all day long? I am not saying that our current capitalist system with its stratification is perfect. But I ask to be presented with a better alternative. One that does not end in anarchy, poverty, or dictators commanding nations at their every whim. I don't think that money is the only thing motivating people. I don't believe that without capitalism we would be back in the stone ages. But take away competition, and incentive for people to work hard and achieve-I do think this would be worse. It all comes back to human nature in the end. Our greed and desire for power is the reason some CEO's do exploit their companies. Human nature gave us Enron. Human nature also gave us Communist Russia. Is there nothing else? Maybe, perhaps not-but whatever solution we may reach will still lie within the limits of humans. Re-distribution of resources-it worked for the early church in Acts. In the end, it all comes back to our focus. I'll bet Jesus has some ideas on socioeconomics.
"Is it fair for the CEO of a company to make 400x the salary of a new hire, when he probably does very little and delegates actual management to others? This creates a situation for him to exploit the employees. Why would he pay the employees more when that would take money out of his pocket? Profit corrupts." -ewu
As I walked away from Patterson Hall, shivering in the cold, bitter wind that has invaded Eastern Washington University, I tried to talk myself through it.
Why is it more fair for a doctor, lawyer, or even my dad (a manager at Boeing) to make the same amount as somebody on an assembly line? They have the experience, they work anywhere between 40-80 hours a week, are employed in stressful environments, are responsible for decisions affecting any number of people, and have sacrificed years and thousands of dollars at school-how is it more fair for them to make the same as a laborer working 8 hours a day putting the same ten bolts in a car all day long? I am not saying that our current capitalist system with its stratification is perfect. But I ask to be presented with a better alternative. One that does not end in anarchy, poverty, or dictators commanding nations at their every whim. I don't think that money is the only thing motivating people. I don't believe that without capitalism we would be back in the stone ages. But take away competition, and incentive for people to work hard and achieve-I do think this would be worse. It all comes back to human nature in the end. Our greed and desire for power is the reason some CEO's do exploit their companies. Human nature gave us Enron. Human nature also gave us Communist Russia. Is there nothing else? Maybe, perhaps not-but whatever solution we may reach will still lie within the limits of humans. Re-distribution of resources-it worked for the early church in Acts. In the end, it all comes back to our focus. I'll bet Jesus has some ideas on socioeconomics.
10.17.2004
10.10.2004
Living...Just Living
Tonight I'm sentimental. Sorry, can't help it. It just occurs to me after spending the weekend with two of my best friends eating Italian, driving around, attending the symphony, watching movies, and climbing trees....it occurs to me what I want. To love God completely, to love every person completely. To be totally satisifed with Him so that my life is just blessing after blessing-opportunity after opportunity. It occurs to me that I wish to live as if everyday is my birthday and tomorrow I will die.
Tonight's music:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
by
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Tonight's music:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
by
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
10.06.2004
Dear God,
It is exciting to watch my friend as You reveal Your life to Him. Inspring-is that the word? His excitement reminds me what I felt when I first began to really understand and love You. He has that flash in his eye-it's just so fresh and is an incredible reminder of Your peace. I don't really understand...I just know it's True. Who I am-and who You are.
The hurricane I walk through-I am not meant to walk alone, still I do because I want to stop along the way. I want to turn down the alleys and push my hand into a shadow. I want to walk through hell with You as my guarantee, even knowing it is so much better to go with You. I know you are with me always, waiting with open arms-so I stand continuously in this moment of decision.
Today-I choose You. Today I feel Your peace.
Thank you.
The hurricane I walk through-I am not meant to walk alone, still I do because I want to stop along the way. I want to turn down the alleys and push my hand into a shadow. I want to walk through hell with You as my guarantee, even knowing it is so much better to go with You. I know you are with me always, waiting with open arms-so I stand continuously in this moment of decision.
Today-I choose You. Today I feel Your peace.
Thank you.
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