Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. The beautiful decorations; the smells of pine, cookies, and peppermint; and the brisk wind with a magical blanket of snow all lift my spirits. Um... Well, here in the south, you can delete the part about the snow, unfortunately. Somehow, the excitement of the season makes me happy to brave the hustle and bustle (err... crazed and panicked).
But, what I like the most about Christmas, is the spirit of Christmas. It's not about Santa Claus bringing presents, although perhaps it is about the spirit of the real St. Nicholas who unselfishly gave of himself to make sure others were happy. It's not even about Jesus coming for us as a baby. Even though I'm very glad that He did, Jesus wasn't born in December nor was Christmas originally a religious holiday. However, taking time to remember God's gift of Jesus does help us remember what living in this world should be about for Christians every day.
The spirit of Christmas is precisely what those symbols remind us. There are things more important than wealth and position. Not only that, but God has given each one of us so many blessings and so many opportunities to bless others. With the spirit of Christmas, people remember that it's important to get together with family, to spend time in church, and to give to others in need. A very important start to the Christmas season is Thanksgiving, the too often forgotten holiday these days. However, the Christmas spirit need not end with the reviling of the New Year. It should happen all the time.
So, I wish every one a Merry Christmas, even if it isn't white... Take time to enjoy it.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Take the Test
|
I AM 57% HIPPIE! 
I am not a child of the 60’s but my heart is true to the cause, man.
I realize that being a hippie is not just bell bottoms and tie-dye. It is also about the drugs and smelling bad, too! |
Heh heh.... Other great tests on this website too. See if you are an evil genius, geek, raver, or just an internet addict. ;)
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
The Evolution of Intelligence
Last weekend my husband and I were driving home when we had to stop for a herd of goats in the road. Yes, goats! These goats were running down the road, not disturbed one bit by the cars all around them. You see, they had a mission! A billy and his harem were running together as one towards home. When they got there, as one, they turned into their driveway and then proceeded to jump back into the fence. Well, actually the billy crawled under the fence where he had dug himself a place to get through. I can just imagine the plans that billy made for their Saturday afternoon stroll. He paid attention to when the farmer would be away and when he would be around. Then, a crawl space was dug to get out. In a matter of days, the billy had the freedom to take his nannys for a walk around the block and get them back in time for supper.
There are many people that would say my theory was totally ludicrous. These are the same people that say that animals can't think or feel. But, I ask, how else would one explain unity instead of chaos? Of course, that's just what an evolutionist does. Chaos becomes unity and unity becomes superiority.
So, where does that leave the common man, homo sapiens? Well, lets see, where does that leave us? We have become so superior that we now have an obesity epidemic. Our technology is so great that we never get a break because we're always available via cell phone. Since we're always available we're always busy and our children are left behind. Fortunately, we have another great invention called the television, America's great babysitter. But did you know, children that watch an abundance of TV not only do poorer academically, but are also less creative, not as logical of thinkers, and have poorer social skills.
Now, I'm not antitelevison at all. I enjoy watching my favorite shows as well. But there is something to be said about how we balance our lives and place our priorities. Perhaps we could step down from our superiority and learn something from the goats. If we can do that, perhaps we are superior indeed.
There are many people that would say my theory was totally ludicrous. These are the same people that say that animals can't think or feel. But, I ask, how else would one explain unity instead of chaos? Of course, that's just what an evolutionist does. Chaos becomes unity and unity becomes superiority.
So, where does that leave the common man, homo sapiens? Well, lets see, where does that leave us? We have become so superior that we now have an obesity epidemic. Our technology is so great that we never get a break because we're always available via cell phone. Since we're always available we're always busy and our children are left behind. Fortunately, we have another great invention called the television, America's great babysitter. But did you know, children that watch an abundance of TV not only do poorer academically, but are also less creative, not as logical of thinkers, and have poorer social skills.
Now, I'm not antitelevison at all. I enjoy watching my favorite shows as well. But there is something to be said about how we balance our lives and place our priorities. Perhaps we could step down from our superiority and learn something from the goats. If we can do that, perhaps we are superior indeed.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
More Election Trivia
Well, Kerry was very civilized and magnanimous in conceding the victory to Bush. It takes a great man to not be a poor loser and to want to continue to have a good working relationship with the winner.
Here's some more facts I found to be interesting: 1. About 120 million Americans voted. That's about 60 percent of everyone eligible to vote, and the highest turnout since 1968.
2. Bush won a majority of the popular vote (more than half of all votes cast), the first presidential candidate to do so since 1988. In the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections, no one got more than 50 percent because other candidates in those races also won millions of votes.
I guess America really is solidly behind Bush. Let's use that strength and support our troops and those making decisions in this war on terror.
Here's some more facts I found to be interesting: 1. About 120 million Americans voted. That's about 60 percent of everyone eligible to vote, and the highest turnout since 1968.
2. Bush won a majority of the popular vote (more than half of all votes cast), the first presidential candidate to do so since 1988. In the 1992, 1996 and 2000 elections, no one got more than 50 percent because other candidates in those races also won millions of votes.
I guess America really is solidly behind Bush. Let's use that strength and support our troops and those making decisions in this war on terror.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Election Day - part 2
It is the day after election day, and we actually know for sure who the president will be. I am so glad it wasn't a repeat of 2000, with all the lawyers waiting like sharks at the polls for the blood of injustice.
Each presidential race, as I grow older, I find the political process even more fascinating. This race, while important in itself for the issues our country faces, has become more like the game of Survivor. Stratigists figure the electorial math this way and that, so they know where they need to campaign. In Tennessee, it's most likely that I will ever personally meet the candidates. Maybe I should move to Iowa.... Then there's all these superstions and trivia that people bring up. Did you know that: 1. During wartime, the incumbent president has never been ousted? (Still true) 2. A president who is the son of a former president has never been reelected to a second term. (Not true anymore) 3. The highest Halloween mask sale has consistantly predicted who would be elected. (Still true: Bush's mask sold more than Kerry's, but it was close as well) Fascinating!
So, as Tom Brokaw said last night, America has decided who to vote off the island. (I wonder what he really means by that?) It's another four years for George W. Bush. I hope he picks a better cabinet this time and that God is with all of them, as well as our Senate and House, as they attempt to lead this country for the better.
Each presidential race, as I grow older, I find the political process even more fascinating. This race, while important in itself for the issues our country faces, has become more like the game of Survivor. Stratigists figure the electorial math this way and that, so they know where they need to campaign. In Tennessee, it's most likely that I will ever personally meet the candidates. Maybe I should move to Iowa.... Then there's all these superstions and trivia that people bring up. Did you know that: 1. During wartime, the incumbent president has never been ousted? (Still true) 2. A president who is the son of a former president has never been reelected to a second term. (Not true anymore) 3. The highest Halloween mask sale has consistantly predicted who would be elected. (Still true: Bush's mask sold more than Kerry's, but it was close as well) Fascinating!
So, as Tom Brokaw said last night, America has decided who to vote off the island. (I wonder what he really means by that?) It's another four years for George W. Bush. I hope he picks a better cabinet this time and that God is with all of them, as well as our Senate and House, as they attempt to lead this country for the better.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Election Day - part 1
As we speak, the votes are being counted. I have cast my vote, and I hope everyone else has as well. (no matter who you voted for) Now, thanks to modern technology, I have the luxury of watching the votes come in state by state. As fascinating as that is, what does that really mean for states in the west? Could a voter be persuaded to vote for whoever is winning instead of who they think will do the best job? It reminds me very much of a high school race that is almost purely a popularity contest. Now, I know that most people would vote on the issues they're concerned about, but it often doesn't take that many votes to carry a state. Especially this year when the race is so close. I really think that people should be able to watch the race only after the polls have closed in their state, or at least the majority in their time zone. For swing states and perhaps other states, that could make the difference between one president or the other. For now, I will be content in just watching this year's race. May the best man win...
Monday, November 01, 2004
Book Review: The Good Earth
I was channel surfing the TV a few months back when I came upon Oprah. She was concluding the summer book and introducing the next book to read for her book club. I had thought about joining her book club now and again, but since the fall book was a classic and looked good, I determined to really get with the program. I was well rewarded.
The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, is set in prerevolutionary China (early 1900's) and follows the life of Wang Lung, a simple, but shrewd farmer. The story begins with Wang Lung preparing to go to the house of Hwang (a rich family) to receive a kitchen slave, Olin, for his bride. Even though they are too poor even for a wedding, Wang Lung and Olin work hard and create a reasonable life for themselves until a terrible famine forces them into the city to beg. Fortune shines down on Wang Lung as he joins the people who make a rebellion against the rich families, and with the money he obtains, Wang Lung is able to go back to his land. With hard work and shrewdness of money, Wang Lung is able to prosper to the point of owning many servants, another wife, and even taking over the old house that the Hwang family had owned.
Throughout the book, no matter what Wang Lung faces, his land always brings him peace and happiness. Buck uses the symbol of the land to illustrate everything important in life. "Wang Lung sat smoking, thinking of the silver as it had lain upon the table. It had come out of the earth, this silver, out of his earth that he ploughed and turned and spent himself upon. He took his life from this earth; drop by drop by his sweat he wrung food from it and from the food, silver" p. 25. It is the land that gives him the wealth he desires and heals him from the depression of sheer poverty in the city. The land heals him from the lust of his concubine. And, when he is old, Wang Lung desires nothing more than to be back in his country house, watching the farming of his land. "It is the end of a family---when they begin to sell the land. . . .Out of the land we came and into it we must go---and if you will hold your land you can live---no one can rob you of land" p. 260.
My favorite character in this story is Olin. Even though China is very much a patriarchal society, it is really Olin that holds the family together in her quiet way. Women were seen as merely slaves to keep the house and bear sons. Wang Lung does not choose Olin as his wife, and believes her to be stupid and ugly. Yet, Olin not only does what is required, she goes out of her way to help her husband in the fields, give birth to her children quietly, and do whatever she can to make the family a success. Without Olin, Wang Lung would've starved in the city. Yet, it is not until Olin is dying that Wang Lung realizes he had a treasure that was as great as his precious land.
The Good Earth gives an intimate portrayal of preindustrial Chinese culture. Buck elaborately describes the houses, the cities, family life, holidays, and everything else so that one really feels he has been transported back in time. These pictures are descriptions of things she really saw and experienced during her many years living in China. Her storytelling language is easy to read, almost like poetry, yet provokes deep thought about what is really important in life. It is no wonder this novel won Buck a Pulitzer. I certainly recommend it.
The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, is set in prerevolutionary China (early 1900's) and follows the life of Wang Lung, a simple, but shrewd farmer. The story begins with Wang Lung preparing to go to the house of Hwang (a rich family) to receive a kitchen slave, Olin, for his bride. Even though they are too poor even for a wedding, Wang Lung and Olin work hard and create a reasonable life for themselves until a terrible famine forces them into the city to beg. Fortune shines down on Wang Lung as he joins the people who make a rebellion against the rich families, and with the money he obtains, Wang Lung is able to go back to his land. With hard work and shrewdness of money, Wang Lung is able to prosper to the point of owning many servants, another wife, and even taking over the old house that the Hwang family had owned.
Throughout the book, no matter what Wang Lung faces, his land always brings him peace and happiness. Buck uses the symbol of the land to illustrate everything important in life. "Wang Lung sat smoking, thinking of the silver as it had lain upon the table. It had come out of the earth, this silver, out of his earth that he ploughed and turned and spent himself upon. He took his life from this earth; drop by drop by his sweat he wrung food from it and from the food, silver" p. 25. It is the land that gives him the wealth he desires and heals him from the depression of sheer poverty in the city. The land heals him from the lust of his concubine. And, when he is old, Wang Lung desires nothing more than to be back in his country house, watching the farming of his land. "It is the end of a family---when they begin to sell the land. . . .Out of the land we came and into it we must go---and if you will hold your land you can live---no one can rob you of land" p. 260.
My favorite character in this story is Olin. Even though China is very much a patriarchal society, it is really Olin that holds the family together in her quiet way. Women were seen as merely slaves to keep the house and bear sons. Wang Lung does not choose Olin as his wife, and believes her to be stupid and ugly. Yet, Olin not only does what is required, she goes out of her way to help her husband in the fields, give birth to her children quietly, and do whatever she can to make the family a success. Without Olin, Wang Lung would've starved in the city. Yet, it is not until Olin is dying that Wang Lung realizes he had a treasure that was as great as his precious land.
The Good Earth gives an intimate portrayal of preindustrial Chinese culture. Buck elaborately describes the houses, the cities, family life, holidays, and everything else so that one really feels he has been transported back in time. These pictures are descriptions of things she really saw and experienced during her many years living in China. Her storytelling language is easy to read, almost like poetry, yet provokes deep thought about what is really important in life. It is no wonder this novel won Buck a Pulitzer. I certainly recommend it.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Journalists may learn to be unbiased yet...
Hallelujah! Tom Brokaw actually gave equal interviews to Bush and Kerry tonight on Dateline. He really pressed both of them to step up and really answer the hard questions we all want to know. Neither candidate was given an edge over the other. Perhaps the big news about unbiased journalism is really getting into some people's heads. Perhaps we can have more of the same no matter who becomes or runs for president. It's a hopeful thought anyway.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Truth and fiction are so often the same thing...
I am a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's middle earth stories. When I read the news that a new species of human was found in Indonesia that was similar to his hobbit descriptions, I was very excited. Just think, humans that adapted to jungle life by becoming as small as a 3 year old. How cool is that? I'm sure Tolkien wasn't a prophet, or was he? Anyway, he seemed to get this one right.
Compare that with the other big news in science. The revelations of Saturn's moon, Titan, seem so similar to me to Arthur C. Clarke's Space Oddesy description of Jupiter's moon, Europa. An icy planet with the right formulas for life. Wow! Of course, for those of you familiar with his books, he uncannily fortold many interesting things that have happened or been discovered in space. How weird is that?
Good writers help the common man discover more about the world, life, and himself. Sometimes, not even the writer realizes how well he does that. I wonder what we'll discover next?
Compare that with the other big news in science. The revelations of Saturn's moon, Titan, seem so similar to me to Arthur C. Clarke's Space Oddesy description of Jupiter's moon, Europa. An icy planet with the right formulas for life. Wow! Of course, for those of you familiar with his books, he uncannily fortold many interesting things that have happened or been discovered in space. How weird is that?
Good writers help the common man discover more about the world, life, and himself. Sometimes, not even the writer realizes how well he does that. I wonder what we'll discover next?
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
America is a democracy, not a dictatorship...
It's six days until election, and in some ways I've become more undecided than ever. All the noise and mud slinging back and forth and issues strewed way out of proportion. It's really obnoxious.
What really irritates me the most, is how much everyone is making of the presidential race. Yes, it is important to have a president with common sense, good values, and all that. What's more important though is to know and vote for good state and county representatives. These are the people that represent you and what you stand for. These are the people that make our democracy, a democracy. It doesn't matter squat what the president's plans are for health care, Iraq, or any number of things if congress and the house doesn't approve it. And, for all those little things in your life, many are state laws which are dictated by the govenor and the county representatives.
So please, those few of you who read this, vote on November 2nd. Your vote DOES count, especially when you vote for not only a worthy president, but good local representatives as well.
What really irritates me the most, is how much everyone is making of the presidential race. Yes, it is important to have a president with common sense, good values, and all that. What's more important though is to know and vote for good state and county representatives. These are the people that represent you and what you stand for. These are the people that make our democracy, a democracy. It doesn't matter squat what the president's plans are for health care, Iraq, or any number of things if congress and the house doesn't approve it. And, for all those little things in your life, many are state laws which are dictated by the govenor and the county representatives.
So please, those few of you who read this, vote on November 2nd. Your vote DOES count, especially when you vote for not only a worthy president, but good local representatives as well.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Everything I need to know I learn from Google
I'm not the type of person who likes a lot of fluff. I like simplicity and honesty. What's the point of beauty without substance? When I'm searching the internet (or anything else) the last thing I want is to go through tons of pretty pages, and not find the answers I want.
Enter Google, stage right. Now, if Google were just a search engine in itself, I would be pretty happy. Here is a simple page with no banner or pop up ads, just a great easy tool to find what I need in the vast internet space. But Google is more than that... Google has a mission. The founders didn't start in it for money. They didn't go out to monopolize the computer industry and make everything fit for them. They wanted to be a useful part of someone else's business. All they wanted was a simple way to bring the world's information to the average person.
The great thing is that Google keeps trying to make that information easier to find. Just having a powerful search engine wasn't enough. There are tools to find books, define words, locate places, and more within the search engine. Then, to add to the simplicity Google provides a web browsing tool bar to BLOCK popup ads. They create a separate news area, that searches the world's news without bias. They provide an email service that doesn't annoy with banner ads or spam and is fully searchable. Of course their blogger is simple, yet powerful as well. There's even a catalog searching area. Now, they are adding a computer desktop to easily search your files. What will they do next?
Not only are these programs powerful, yet simple; have relevant ads, yet free from obnoxiousness, they also play well with most programs and are working on others. There's no bias or monopolizing like so many big companies do today. Just a mission to bring the world to everyone. So for that, I thank you, Google. Don't ever lower your standards. You are my computer hero.
Enter Google, stage right. Now, if Google were just a search engine in itself, I would be pretty happy. Here is a simple page with no banner or pop up ads, just a great easy tool to find what I need in the vast internet space. But Google is more than that... Google has a mission. The founders didn't start in it for money. They didn't go out to monopolize the computer industry and make everything fit for them. They wanted to be a useful part of someone else's business. All they wanted was a simple way to bring the world's information to the average person.
The great thing is that Google keeps trying to make that information easier to find. Just having a powerful search engine wasn't enough. There are tools to find books, define words, locate places, and more within the search engine. Then, to add to the simplicity Google provides a web browsing tool bar to BLOCK popup ads. They create a separate news area, that searches the world's news without bias. They provide an email service that doesn't annoy with banner ads or spam and is fully searchable. Of course their blogger is simple, yet powerful as well. There's even a catalog searching area. Now, they are adding a computer desktop to easily search your files. What will they do next?
Not only are these programs powerful, yet simple; have relevant ads, yet free from obnoxiousness, they also play well with most programs and are working on others. There's no bias or monopolizing like so many big companies do today. Just a mission to bring the world to everyone. So for that, I thank you, Google. Don't ever lower your standards. You are my computer hero.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Does racial profiling equal bigotry?
This morning I read in the news that the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is suing the FBI for questioning Muslims and Arabs about terrorist activity and for researching Muslim life by visiting mosques, etc.
Before I go any further, let me be the first to say that the joy of living in America is that anyone (no matter ethnicity, religion, or creed) is welcome. Being American means that we embrace diversity. I am so glad we have that freedom here. I also believe that, in its infancy, the ACLU was a very important part of giving that freedom to Black Americans who deserve it as much as anyone else in this country. I'm proud to be an American, and I'm proud to have friends of other cultures and belief systems.
However, because I'm proud to be an American, I want to see my country and my freedoms protected. So, let's make some observations. Out of the terrorist attacks we've seen to our country (and to others), what percentage of them were Muslim or Middle Eastern? Who is currently making threats to our country (and to others)? The FBI has done what any good detective does. They aren't accusing anyone or forcing anyone to involuntary interrogation. They're just investigating where their clues lead to protect ALL Americans, including law abiding Muslim Americans.
Let's say I observe a hit and run one day on the road. Since it happened so fast, I obviously don't know exactly who did it. I didn't even get the license plate number, but I did see that it was a Georgia plate (no offense to Georgians) and that it was a green SUV. When I give my report to the police, should they not use my information to their advantage? What if they said, "We don't want to be prejudiced, so we're going to stop every car we see that looks damaged." Or perhaps, "We can't be prejudiced, so unfortunately we can't find the person who did it." No! They're going to look for a green SUV with Georgia plates. Duh!
Not every Georgia driver with a green SUV drives recklessly. It would be ridiculous to think so, and it's ridiculous to think every Muslim is a terrorist. But, for that day every Georgian driving a green SUV might be slightly investigated. No infrigment of rights, just some questions and observations. And so, unfortunately we find ourselves in a world where we must observe a certain profile of people more closely. Is that bigotry? I don't think so. Just common sense in a bad, bad world.
It's unfortunate that a few bad people can make a bad mark on so many other great people. For that, I am sorry.
Before I go any further, let me be the first to say that the joy of living in America is that anyone (no matter ethnicity, religion, or creed) is welcome. Being American means that we embrace diversity. I am so glad we have that freedom here. I also believe that, in its infancy, the ACLU was a very important part of giving that freedom to Black Americans who deserve it as much as anyone else in this country. I'm proud to be an American, and I'm proud to have friends of other cultures and belief systems.
However, because I'm proud to be an American, I want to see my country and my freedoms protected. So, let's make some observations. Out of the terrorist attacks we've seen to our country (and to others), what percentage of them were Muslim or Middle Eastern? Who is currently making threats to our country (and to others)? The FBI has done what any good detective does. They aren't accusing anyone or forcing anyone to involuntary interrogation. They're just investigating where their clues lead to protect ALL Americans, including law abiding Muslim Americans.
Let's say I observe a hit and run one day on the road. Since it happened so fast, I obviously don't know exactly who did it. I didn't even get the license plate number, but I did see that it was a Georgia plate (no offense to Georgians) and that it was a green SUV. When I give my report to the police, should they not use my information to their advantage? What if they said, "We don't want to be prejudiced, so we're going to stop every car we see that looks damaged." Or perhaps, "We can't be prejudiced, so unfortunately we can't find the person who did it." No! They're going to look for a green SUV with Georgia plates. Duh!
Not every Georgia driver with a green SUV drives recklessly. It would be ridiculous to think so, and it's ridiculous to think every Muslim is a terrorist. But, for that day every Georgian driving a green SUV might be slightly investigated. No infrigment of rights, just some questions and observations. And so, unfortunately we find ourselves in a world where we must observe a certain profile of people more closely. Is that bigotry? I don't think so. Just common sense in a bad, bad world.
It's unfortunate that a few bad people can make a bad mark on so many other great people. For that, I am sorry.
Friday, October 22, 2004
People are only biased when they're against you...
Several months ago I saw a bumper sticker which read, "Mass Media Produces Ignorance." In this election year I find that to be more true than ever. This candidate says this, and the other candidate says that, and the media reports what it will.... I enjoyed watching the presidential debates, but I found it interesting that afterward, the commentary on what each person said took as long as the debate itself. Now, if I just watched each candidate for myself, why do I need someone else to tell me what they said and more than that, what they ment? (I must give NBC credit this time for including a small fact check segment after the last debate. It was totally unbiased and actually shed some truth on the candidates.)
Now perhaps it is just me, or the specific news clips I have happened to hear, but it seems to me that recently I hear much more of what Kerry blames Bush for not doing with a small rebuttal from Bush. However, the one time a certain media group shows a segment on the faults of Kerry, everyone jumps on them for being biased.
Here's a thought: why can't we be really unbiased and talk about the independant candidates as well. Could they perhaps be a part of the presidential debate? Does one really need to be a Democrat or a Republican to be president?
Let's not be mindless drones and let the media do our thinking for us. I'm not anti media. Journalism has an important place in society to inform. It's like a library of current events, but a library that should be totally nonfiction, without opionion. Opinion has a place as well, just not in the news...
Now perhaps it is just me, or the specific news clips I have happened to hear, but it seems to me that recently I hear much more of what Kerry blames Bush for not doing with a small rebuttal from Bush. However, the one time a certain media group shows a segment on the faults of Kerry, everyone jumps on them for being biased.
Here's a thought: why can't we be really unbiased and talk about the independant candidates as well. Could they perhaps be a part of the presidential debate? Does one really need to be a Democrat or a Republican to be president?
Let's not be mindless drones and let the media do our thinking for us. I'm not anti media. Journalism has an important place in society to inform. It's like a library of current events, but a library that should be totally nonfiction, without opionion. Opinion has a place as well, just not in the news...
Welcome to My Little Corner
Well, I've been thinking about publishing my thoughts for a long time. so now I'm finally getting around to it. We'll see how well I keep up with it...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)