I've been reading a book lately. It's an Autobiography of Franklin Graham, who is the Chairman and President of Samaritan's Purse. Samaritan's Purse is a world wide relief organziation that tries to get relief aid to areas that are in great need. Learn more
It has always been a rare occasion that I sit down to think and feel about what I believe. In fact, on many issues I still don't know the best answer for me, personally. So, I'm going to try to figure a lot of this out in the next nine months before I graduate. Mainly, because I believe that a little knowledge and a strong opinion can be a dangerous thing. And I don't want to be a danger to anyone. So, bare with me in this series I'm starting called, "If I were a Politician." I work best when I use my imagination, so I am going to imagine myself in a role where I have to answer these questions. Please leave some constructive comments if you think you can be of some help.
"David Martin, what is your take on the abortion issue? Do you believe in women's rights or are you pro-life?"
I beleive that abortion is legal, but I don't believe that abortion is right. I don't think that it is right for me or my family. I agree that it may be the best thing for the mother at that time, bit I don't think that it is the best thing for the child being aborted, and I don't think it is the best thing for our country. To me, when a child is aborted a future citizen is lost. That means one less person in my consituency that is helping to further growth. To me an abortion means one less person making a positive difference in this world.
I am a realist though, so I realize that abortion is legal, and I think that it probably should be that way. I do, however, think it is very sad that there are so many abortions today. This nation as a whole has come a long way to expand a woman's rights, a woman's options, and a woman's responsibilities. People are fighting so hard to give a woman "a right to choose," but they fail to bring to our attention a woman's responsibility to choose. I believe that with every right and every privilge comes a responsibility. Women have fought hard to be in control of their bodies, so I say control them. Women have fought hard to have more reproductive options, so use them. If circumstances truly are out of your control as in a rape situation, then perhaps it is best for you to abort your baby, but we should not be needlessly excercising a hard earned right, just because we have not used these new found powers over our bodies. Now, because I do not have the support or the wherewithal to change the law I will instead challenge women to take more responsibility in their sexual roles so that they do not have to exercise this right to abortion.
We all seem to have such high expectations these days. I guess they're demands really. Yet, almost all of us want to work as little as possible. We want to maximize benefits and pleasure, but minimize the effort and the costs.
Then... we're bored. Soooo bored.
I say we in this, because I am noticing that I am like this and I think that there are others out there like me. In fact, I've seen others out there that are like me in this respect. I don't really know what I can do about them, but I do know that I need to remind myself that it takes a lot of work to accomplish things and that it takes a lot of effort and maybe some trade-offs to get things that are more important to me. Occasionally, you can have it all, but more often that's just not the case. Every day each person has to get up and do some daily maintainence type things or suffer certain consequences. We've got to brush out teeth, shower, take the time to eat, put clothes on, etc. Those are really just the minimums! Yet, so many of us are too shy about doing work of any kind, and sometimes we even skip out on little self-maintenence things. Dude, I tell you what... I'm glad that I get a stronger and stronger feeling when I have to get rid of my waste, or I'd probably skip on going to the bathroom occassionally... don't laugh, because you know you would too!
I don't want to say the 'L' word, because I think that has been said too much, and it over simplifies the problem.
Well, Wal-Mart is in the title, so I'll talk about that now. I think that Wal-Mart, McDonald's, Disney world, and other "the customer is always right" stores have really helped ease us into this mode of thought that I'm about to talk about. I think that when we know that we can return the things we don't like, and get our money back on things that we break or don't find less than 200% satisfactory... we get this feeling of entitlement. Why!?! What makes us think that so quickly? How are we always spoiled so fast? I just don't get it.
So, I think should cook up some theories here... to satisfy my demand for an answer.
Perhaps, this is all a pride thing. We visit these stores with a few dollars and we are treated too well. Like a drug, it goes straight to our heads... ruining us, because now we're demanding customer satisfaction from our government, our personal relationships, our sex lives, you name it. We demand perfection from other people as flawed and imperfect as ourselves -- not because we are thinking straight. No, because we're trippin' on this pride thing. Then we are disappointed or even angry when are expectations are not met. "How dare he or she not live up to my expectation in this way or that way!" ...we're sometimes even outraged.
While our expectations for others are increasing, often our expectations for ourselves decrease... or never fully develop. (if this is not the case, then we tear our self apart by not living up to some unrealistic expectation for ourselves and become overcritical and maybe even depressed.) These expectations for ourselves have dropped because of the entitlement thing again. Suddenly, we don't feel like we should have to ________. Fill in the blank for yourself. "I mean, why should I have to pick that up? or help that lady? or do that task? I didn't cause it! I don't have any part in it! I'm autonomous and I feel entitled!
{sigh} This is funny to me, and it is sad to me. It's my life, it's your life, it's your next-door neighbor's life.
So, I've made an observation. I've conjured up some theory about the cause. I guess now it is time to dream up a solution and take some course of action for myself.
Well, I guess I need to stop taking the entitlement pill. I need to be less proud. I need to say that 'I should do that!' with the same conviction that I might say that someone should... be serving me better in whatever way I am thinking of at that particular moment. I should feel entitled to a life filled with a whole lot of work; a lot of which will be as mundane as brushing my teeth... especially if I am wanting to have a nice smile.
I saw DareDevil tonight at GatorNights, because it was free.
I had refused to pay to see that movie because I didn't want my money to support that Ben Affleck guy, but I do love Marvel comics and I was curious about how this comic book fleshed out onscreen.
So, the movie was alright. It only had one appearance of Electra really... two scenes. So sad.
Bullseye was kinda funny, but it was weird seeing Colin Farrell like that.
I thought the movie was really cartoonish. It reminded me more of a Batman movie than anything. Spiderman worked so well.. why don't these other Marvel movies try to be more real like that? I realize that X-Men has issues to overcome since they look unreal, but Daredevil could have been a little more real. I guess I am sick of Computer Graphics on people. It is cool on fires and inanimate things, but not on people.
OK, I am tired and this entry is poor. so..
I am interested in this and so I am posting about it.
Certain people feel the need to fail and be self destructive when they are hurting. I have seen this happen in many different situations, and so I want to clarify some thoughts on it. First a sampling of situations which might cause this behavior...
Breaking up with someone
Crying out for attention from someone in specific
Trying to achieve autonomy from an outside source of control
Losing in a game or other competition
OK, I think four example situations is good enough. You can probably think of some more yourself.
When situations such as these come up, the typical reaction for a passive aggressive person is to self destruct or feign an attempt at self destruction. The passive aggressive person would choose to lose the game badly... or "purposefully" to avoid a failure to win. This person would also try to fail in important life situations or even attempt to cause him/herself bodily harm in an attempt to wrest control from the targetted individual. This might be the former love or the outside source of control or anyone else.
I am realizing that this is often a sad and futile thing to attempt. Surely, there are times when the passive aggressive does manage to control his/her target by using their love and guilt to get the attention that is desired or even needed.
However, most of the time the attempt is an utter failure, which leaves the passive aggressive as a double failure who feels bad for failing in both trying to control the target and in whatever it was that he/she chose to fail in or destroy. On top of both of those failures, our passive aggressive also feels badly because he or she perceives the target as having less of a caring love than originally hoped for and anticipated.
So, I've come to the conclusion that self destruction as a means to behaving passive aggressively is a) a huge emotional and life-goal risk b) an often ineffective attempt to control another person or gain control of yourself from a parent/superior, and c) a tripled loss for someone who is already behind.
I don't know if this is anywhere close to what psychologists consider passive aggressive behavior, because I've never taken a psych class, but this is what I think of when I think of a passive aggressive person who is toying with self destruction.
Lastly, I think that people can also be passive aggressive toward God, and this can manifest itself in any number of ways, but I think it generally comes out when someone feels that it is inappropriate to express anger toward God. So, that person chooses to self destruct in some way, because he/she knows that God will feel bad about it. In this situation we have a mortal trying to control God by guilting Him into action.
I say, why don't you just pray, tell God you're pissed with Him, and ask him to do whatever it is that you are wanting Him to do. That might also work for the other people/situations that were mentioned above.
My Lifegroup was charged with making dinner for between thirty and fourty people this evening.
When I first heard about this I volunteered myself to help out. I had actually inquired about this on earlier weeks, because it seemed like an interesting challenge. It was. I messed up a few things along the way, like pretty late with bringing the food and not starting the green beans on time... OK, actually almost everything surrounding the green beans went bad, because I was waiting to hear from Joy so I could know what she does with them. I really like the way she does her green bean thing and wanted to emulate it exactly.
There were also successes though and we ended up with lasagne, fresh green beans, garlic bread, soda, and cake for everyone, and it cost less than $2/person.
I actually enjoyed the whole thing, and want to let my Lifegroup know that I didn't mind doing it at all. In fact, I felt at times like I should not have just taken over.
One part that I really enjoyed was going to Publix, because the second trip to Publix was no ordinary trip. I was picking up soda, cake, and garlic bread and I was stopped by a lot of people who wanted to ask me stuff about what I had in my basket. The first few times this happened I was really taken aback, because I'm a pretty reserved guy. After a while though it actually put me in a pretty good mood, because people were being really nice, and outgoing and assuming that I was outgoing because I practically had a party in my cart. Three girls came up and talked to me too, and one of them was pretty funny, so that probably helped. It was easily one of my most interesting and memorable trips to Publix.
Point is... the whole challenge was actually exciting and enjoyable... even with my embarrassing failures and missteps. It makes me want to try other things that I'd never think I'd want to do.
This popcorn is just amazing. I have been buying and eating it for over five years now, and I still have not gotten sick of it. I just don't understand how it is so freaking good!
Even people that I know who insist on putting tons of butter, salt, or other additives on their popcorn enjoy this popcorn... without anything.
It's goodness is astounding, perplexing and addictive. Luckily, it is fairly good for you.
This weekend I am home (actually Naples) celebrating Joy's birthday a weekend early.
The weekend went really well, I'd say. Probably one of the better weekends of our relationship. To give a quick run-down of the events I'll just make an itenerary of sorts below in list form, because I am so in love with lists.
Friday Night
-I pulled up to Joy's house in Cape Coral.
-We ate dinner together, which consisted of spaghetti, green beans and corn. (Funny, those seem to be the same vegitables we had Saturday night at the dinner I planned, but these were canned.)
-We had cut up strawberries for dessert and then we were on our way to Naples.
-We stop at Albertson's to pick up breakfast foods and other supplies.
-In the Albertson's parking lot Joy opened her first present. It was the second season of Friends. This wasn't so great for me, because I had intended on giving her the first season first, and then suprising her with this second one later.
-We drove to the condo and Joy opened her second present (Friends: Season 1)
-We watched a few episodes of Friends
Saturday
-We woke up and I gave Joy her third present. This was a box that I had carefully packed because it contained -- pancake mix, raspberry syrup, Friends: Season 3 and her brithday card. Unfortunately Albertson's didn't have any Rasperries without mold, so...
-We went to Publix. We got raspberries, lunch, a nifty stop watch that I plan to use when I run and do other exercises, and other stuff.
-When we got home we ate lunch, we watched more Friends and then got ready, because...
-We went to the Naples Zoo, which has like six different species of large cats, seven plus islands full of monkeys, a lake full of gators, and other less memorable stuff like kangaroos, endagered this-es and thats. I forget everything already, but you can check it out by using Google and typing in "Naples Zoo."
-Home, shower, Friends, dinner (breaded and baked Tilapia with fresh green beans and corn on the cob -- I made the fish Joy did the vegis), more Friends, food in bed while watching Friends, and then sleep.
Sunday
-OK, that's today. Basically we packed up and headed to church. We were a bit late, but we didn't miss anything. (Ignorance is not only bliss, but it is an authoritative voice sometimes too.)
-We then had a romantic lunch at Wendy's followed by...
-Cape Christian Fellowship 101: Membership class. This was pretty cool, and very informative. I really love this church. Easily my favorite church ever.
-Went back to Joy's, hung out for a bit, Joy talked to Hannah, Hannah came over, more Friends, Goodnight Hannah, more Friends, Goodnight Joy.
-I'm home. I've done some stuff... talked to some people online, and now I'm adding a new entry.
THE END
By the grace of God I've finally managed to set up both my laptop and my cell phone so that the laptop can get online using my cell phone. This is how I did it...
Tucked to the side of the Wantingseed site under "outside reading" there was an article about Sprint. It turns out that they changed their Terms of Service and are now allowing customers who are on the Vision plan to use select phones as modems at no extra charge. Now, I thought it was cool that I could get online using the browser in my phone, but it got old pretty quickly. Using my phone as a modem with speeds up to 115kbs is something that will take at least a year to get old, I'm sure. This is really cool!
I really like this, and it could not have come at a better time, because this weekend is Joy's birthday weekend, and the plan is to go down to a condo in Naples and spend the weekend celebrating. ... ... Without Internet!
...until now.
THE HOW-TO:
This is for when I forget how I set this up and erase all my files or something.
Step 1: Go to RadioShack and buy a FutureDial cable (Product #17-789 for the LG5350) don't bother with the software unless you really want it, because it is not needed.
Step 2: Go to the Sprint Store and update your phone firmware to LX535021.
Step 3: Go to FutureDial.com and read + follow the instructions under Automatic USB Driver Installation. You should go all the way and even plug in the phone and turn it on.
Step 4: Go to the Sprint Dialer Download page and select your OS and then choose to download the PSC Connection Manager (SM) Software.
Step 5: Install the dialer after downloaded.
Step 5b: OK, the Sprint dialer is installed, but does not recognize a device.
Step 6: Go to Device Manager (right-click on My Computer and select Properties-->Hardware-->Device Manager) make sure that your computer has accepted a new com port, something like COM4 or COM9, and maybe a new USB connection, the USB HIGH SPEED SERIAL, but if you don't see the new USB connection check all the other ones and look under the Power tab and see if that new COM port is receiving power.
Step 7: Close the Device Manager window, and go to the Phone and Modems option in the Control Panel. Click on Modems. There should be at least one connection (if the computer has one internal modem).
Step 8:Click on Add and in the new window remove the check mark from "Don't detect my modem; I will select it from a list".
Step 9: Click on next, you should now see 3 choices, select Sprint on the left window and Sprint PCS in the right window. Click on next, and click on finish in the followng window.
Step 10: Go to Control Panel-->Network Connections and select create a new connection. A "New Connection Wizard" will pop up. Select 'Connect to the Internet' then 'Set up my connection manually' then 'Connect using a Dial-up modem' Then uncheck the default modem and check the new "Modem - PCS Software Modem (COM#)" Type in Sprint as the ISP name. Hit Next. Type in #777 as the Phone number to call. Hit Next. On the next screen leave all the fields blank and uncheck the last two boxes. Hit Next.
Now you are done!
Oh, wait... I forgot to tell you how to set up the phone. Here's how you do that.
Look at the phone. Select Menu-->8 Settings-->9 Setup-->4 Data-In.
At this screen you need to change all three items.
1 Connection --> Off
2 Method --> RS-232C(COM Port)
3 Speed --> 115200 bps
OK, now you are really ready to go. Just open up that dial-up connection called "Sprint" make sure that everything is blank except Dial: #777 and click Dial.
Now you should be doing well.
If all that didn't work out for you seek help elsewhere. I'm no expert at this stuff.
Note: Click the Comments button to leave praise or to inquire about sending me a donation via Paypal. End Note.
| SOCIAL POSITIVES |
SOCIAL ILLS |
| Productivity |
Crime |
| Health |
Pre-mature Death |
| High Education rates |
Poverty |
| Innovation |
Excessive laziness |
| Limited waste / full use of resources |
Disease |
| Low environment impact |
Filth / Squalor |
| Religion and Religious freedom |
Waste |
| Opportunity for individuals |
Illiteracy / Ignorance |
| High Standard of living |
Environment degredation |
| Ease of transportation and communication |
Over-worked citizenry |
| Individual self-control |
Unhappiness |
| Happiness (or it's pursuit) |
Rudeness |
| Enjoyment of property |
Impending on one's enjoyment of property |
| Generosity |
|
| Privacy |
Lately I've actually been clicking on some of the pop-ups and other web banners I've seen, and I've noticed a trend that makes them more annoying than I had previously thought. The reason: When you click on the pop-ups it takes forever for this redirect program to run. Even now as I am typing the redirect for this "Win a Segway" Contest has still not finished redirecting me.
This has happened three out of the three times of tried pop-ups today.
->later<-
OK, I've refreshed the browser (just in case) and it is still not working.
Well, now I know one of the companies responsible for this annoyance.
Cydoor
Hate mail? Try, Limor Ztabari Director of Operations for Cydoor.
RTS bus drivers hate me. It's true, folks.
Two weeks ago, I stepped out in front of a bus to try to get it to stop for me, because the bus driver wasn't stopping for me... it didn't work. I had to get out of the way of a moving bus that didn't stop at it's designated stop. Needless to say, I missed the bus and had a hard time getting to class.
Today, it continued... this time it is partly my fault though. I forgot my wallet and with it my UF ID. I realized this, but decided to give the bus a shot anyway, because it was worth it when I considered the three mile walk home.
It didn't work. I have seen this bus driver almost every weekday for the past two months. I say hello when I get on. I say thank you when I leave. I even mix it up slightly sometimes too.
"No. If you don't have ID -- it's fifty cents."
No wallet --> no fifty cents --> no bus ride home.
'Miiiiike!!'
I didn't get all that much done today, but I did learn a lot along the way. I really want to improve the format of this weblog to make it more interesting, but to do that I feel that I need to learn a lot more HTML and PHP. So, that is pretty much what I have been doing for the last five hours, with a lot of breaks thrown in.
Tomorrow the plan is to go to the library and study Chemistry as much as I can stand and then to study Chemistry after I can't stand it anymore. Hopefully, I learn enough to get 150 of the 193 points available on this exam.
Confidence and faith (and some help) has really seen this through. I didn't really think I would be able to set up MovableType on my own, but Jordan told me that I should be able to, and so having faith in his judgement I went ahead and put a few hours into making this happen.
For this week the format of this site is going to remain in default land, but it is my intention to change it around a bit and make it something slightly less bland.