My Christmas and a Couple of Pet Peeves

Christmas was amazing. I got out of the hospital, my family drifted in and finally all eight of us were home. Briana was adorable and it was wonderful to have her home, but when I got woken up by her crying several mornings I just decided in my mind that I was never having any kids. In fact, spending the holidays around so many kids has just been great birth control for me.

Irregardless, I had a wonderful time opening gifts and eating big meals with families. I also refuse to list here everything that I got for Christmas; it's rather pointless. And no I didn't receive underwear, just books and clothes and stuff.

It started snowing last night and I'm so glad! We are getting accumulation and everything is white outside. I love it. It's good payback too, because I was feeling gipped. It's still snowing right now, so that's dope.

Despite the happiness, I still manage to have a lot of stomach pain and stuff. I also caught something last night and felt very nauseated this morning. I vomited mucus and air and it was very painful. I've been trying to sleep it off. I just feel horrible.

I started reading The Church of Facebook recently in a bookstore out of curiosity. I'm afraid it's much too unhelpful but I haven't finished it yet. Basically it talks about how the social networking website changes the way we are connected to each other as people. I don't know about you, but I find myself checking my Facebook account like I check my e-mail, or even when I'm bored, and I hate that. Frankly, there is so much personal communication that we use Facebook to substitute for and I doubt it's very healthy. Sometimes I just feel so impersonal and it's disappointing and sickening me.

Furthermore, a couple of things just bug me about reading books. Firstly, I hate it when the table of contents is very vague. I've seen Tables of Content that are just a bunch of nouns ending in -tion. It drives me crazy. I've started to actually pay attention to the TOC because it usually helps to get an outline, overview of the book whether you are reading it or to see if you want to read it. Somebody needs to tell these authors! Bah. So unhelpful. Secondly, I hate-hate-hate those little quotes from the book inserted into the text. I don't know what to call them. Sneak peeks or previews? Or book quotes? Frankly, I think it's unintelligent to add these. First they distract me from reading the text, and secondly they don't really add anything to the book. If I think it's important I'll underline or highlight it. I don't need you to insert a quote that you think is important or interesting. Sometimes the sneak quotes or just plain dumb, like you just read it and then it quotes it again in the text. I just don't read them because they are taken directly from the book anyway and I'm already reading the book! Can I just read the book?

So yea...

My Body Feels Weird But My Heart Is Happy

So I sit on here on the beloved couch with my head feeling kinda weird. Maybe it's the long road trip, or the amount of reading I've done, or the Percocet I took today. The absolute most wonderful news is that I'm home, and there's no feeling like it, and for the first time in my life the words of that great Christmas song, "I'll be home for Christmas" ring true for me. I'm home from the hospital. I was released a little early actually - yesterday. Spent Wednesday feeling horribly sick and Thursday morning in a little under 3 hours of surgery. Right now I'd very much like to avoid thinking about the three days after surgery in which I was in Christ Hospital. I encountered a man who I think holds the nation's record for loudest snorer. I also endured not being able to sleep, lots of pain, needles, nausea, beeping machines, and lots of other stuff I'm blocking out of my memory or refuse to talk about publicly. And through it all I'm glad that I have found strength in Jesus and am so thankful for all the people who love me. I still am dealing with pain, discomfort and lack of consistent gastrointestinal activity. But the happy outweighs the sad, and when we got home I took my niece Briana on a tour of Grandma's house and we had bonding time and I made her smile. I held her and read my book later on too. It's so nice to shower and get all clean, eat Chinese food, and spend time with my family. Please ignore my grammar as I am currently on drugs. Also, please keep praying for my recovery that I will not have so much pain and that my bowel movements will be regular once again.

My toes are cold. I have to go put socks on.

-Sammy

Overheard

Being a patient transporter, I often interpose conversations in elevators. For example, I hop from the lobby's main elevators to 4 south, walk to the North wing, grab a stretcher, take the West wing elevators to C level and exit to the ED. It's a fun job. I love running around - suits my personality. Today I walked into an elevator and heard this: "crows feet. Then you would just imbricate the lesser curve..." It was one doctor talking to another. I'm thinking silently, "Wow, I need to throw around words like that in my elevator conversations." Co-workers and I later discuss the possibilty of saying stuff like, "Hey, did you imbricate that patient in 26?"

Later, I'm on 6 and see a nurse on the phone in the hall. As I pass her, she says in a loud and annoyed voice, "I shouldn't have to press 1! I'm in America."

I'm also in my second year of Greek studies in college, and I happened to run across a few words that impressed me. They're like Greek words on steroids. Multisyllabic words like the future passive indicative verb, σκανδαλισθησεσθε ("I am shocked") and future passive indicative verb, διασκορπισθησονται ("I scatter") from Mark 14:28. And let's not forget the aorist middle infinitive from Ephesians 1:10, ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι ("to recapitulate"). Σκανδαλισθησεσθε comes from the verb σκανδαλιζω (skandalidzo), which is how we got our English word, "scandalous." Hey, I'm impressed.

What?! You mean the president of the pathological liars club wasn't completely honest with you?!? I am shocked!

Agh! The "big turkey" approaches.

On Art, Images, Stories and Literature

"Symbols, metaphors, allegories, and images move the whole person - the emotions and senses as well as the intellect. The rich, evocative words of literature are far more powerful than factual description." - Charles Colson, How Now Shall We Live, 440

Freshman. Ha.

A freshman confided in me and I have the guts to post it on the world wide web.

He confesses, "I learned college wasn't all about fun and games. I thought college was a glorified vacation."

I chuckled politely while dying with laughter on the inside.

-Sam

postscript: "Can't wait" til thanksgiving!

Make Mine Pointy

Megan: "Are you one of the guys to get a beard for the christmas program?" She queried me.
Sam: "Yes, why?" He laughed.
Megan: "Because I so want to make yours!" She replied.
Sam: "Insist that you make mine! And give me a short little point on my chin!" He inserted excitedly.
Megan: "We will see...That seems a little more king-ish. Are you a king?" She inquired, pondering.
Sam: "Bah, I'm a zealot." He said resentfully, as a true zealot would.
Megan: "Anyways, I'm gonna make yours."
(Blah, blah, blah, insert boring part here about the number of guys who need beards for the play.)
Megan: "Anyways, I'll do yours and probably Lucas' and Michael's." She replied emphatically. "Thanks! Talk to you later." She promptly said her exit line.
Sam: "Heyheyhey. No problem." He said casually. "Talk to you later. And do a good job on mine!" He said in an excited, encouraging, and demanding sort of voice.
Megan: "I most certainly will!" She saluted.
Sam: "That's all corporal."

To Whom It May Concern:

My brother Jonathan, went to Starbucks tonight on the graciousness of Adam Profitt's D-group. However, someone said that he was working tonight. He's not.

Furthermore, Jonathan went to Starbucks tonight on the graciousness of Adam Profitt's D-group. However, someone said that he was going on a date tonight. He didn't.

So whoever you are...

Stop saying these things.

*chuckles*

My Eyes Feel Weird

Ah, yes, college - where we laugh at teachers who try to cover topics in the last 3 minutes of class, experience "analytic shock" from writing papers, and stay up til 1 in the morning working on test reviews.

-Sam McConkey

A Critical Review

The Shack
William Paul Young

Introduction

The Shack is quite frankly a narrative theology. The book is basically Young's theology with a story intertwined to state and explain his theology. What bothers me is that the narrative seems very forced. In fact, at one point the author inserts a choppy statement about God washing the dishes in between his dialogue with the main character. The first chapter uses very high diction that is very eloquent and surreal at times. Then the next several chapters recount the story of his daughter and how she was murdered, and move along very rapidly only to slow to a grueling pace that involves a teaching session with God at the shack. The book ends predictably with a dreamlike "happily ever after" ending. Furthermore, the ending brings questions to the readers mind that are never addressed when the book ends in a quaint way. Overall, the novel does not have a good flow and is poorly written.

Young admits that the book wasn't written for us. The Shack wasn't even meant to be published. However, the book has been published and so he should be willing to accept any criticism of the book and not dismiss it as irrelevant because it wasn't written to us. Also, the book is very much unlike Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, contrary to the comparison that Eugene Peterson makes. I have to take issue with several statements that Young makes. Below is enumerated the specific content which I disagree with or question.

The Bible

First of all, Young states that we have shoved God not into a box, but into a book. "Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (p. 68) While I understand Young's point that we can't reduce God to systematic theology lectures given by intelligentsia, I don't think that He depicts the written word of God fairly. As God's Word or message to us, shouldn't we treasure the Bible, and see it as the primary way the High King of Heaven speaks to us?

God and Violence

Young implies that God hates violence or has a strong distaste for it. "She disappeared into the cabin...still carrying the gun by two fingers, a full arm's length away from her." (p. 90) This is simply unbiblical. (Scripture) While we may question resorting to violence in a particular situation as not being Christlike, the author seems to suggest that God hates violence completely. This is just a misrepresentation of God's character.

God as a Woman

Further, the author paints God as an African-American female to break his "religious stereotype." Papa says that this gender confusion is simply a mixing of metaphors to keep him from falling back into his religious conditioning. (p. 95). Later in the book, as Mack "matures" God changes to a old man with long, white hair. While it is true that God has revealed his nature in Scripture in both masculine and feminine ways, e.g. Exodus 15:3, Psalm 68:5, Matthew 23:37, Young raises a moot point. The primary way that Scripture refers to God's nature is in a way that is masculine. It quite frankly is confusing to call God "Papa" yet see him as a woman. It doesn't seem to represent God's concern for gender distinction. (Deut. 22:5) Thankfully, we don't have this issue with the real God!

Jesus' Divinity

The main character asks, "But what about all the miracles? The healings? Raising people from the dead? Don't those prove that Jesus was God - you know, more than human?" God replies, "No, it proves that Jesus was fully human...He [healed the blind] as a dependent, limited human being trusting in [God's] life and power to be at work within him and through him." (pp. 101-102) This is utter nonsense. Jesus did act in His divinity when performing miracles, and this was one of the ways that people knew he was the son of God. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, but he performed the miracles as divinity. Also, Young uses a poor illustration of a bird choosing not to fly to illustrate Jesus "limiting himself." The language is just confusing. It seems that Young simply misunderstands the Incarnation.

Holiness Is Not an Emotion

Later in the book, the Trinity has a time of "devotion" where Mack is surprised to see that each member of the Godhead expresses verbal love and admiration to each other instead of the Father pulling out a huge King James Bible. I quote Young here, "To be in the presence of such love expressed seemed to dislodge an inner emotional logjam, and while he didn't understand exactly what he felt - it was good. What was [Mack] witnessing? Something simply, warm, intimate, genuine; this was holy. Holiness had always been a cold and sterile concept to Mack, but this was neither." (p. 109) While I don't deny the blissful feelings the Holy Spirit sometimes imparts to our hearts, I must contend that holiness is not an emotion. Also, Young states that scars (from the crucifixion) are clearly visible on God the Father's wrists. This is patripassionism, an absolute heresy.

We Are Not all God's Children

Next, Mack tells Papa that she seems to be especially fond of a lot of people, and asks, "Are there any you are not especially fond of?" She replies, "Nope, I haven't been able to find any. Guess that's jes' the way I is." This catches Mack's interest so he asks, "Do you ever get mad at any of them?" She replies, "Sho 'nuff! What parent doesn't?...I don't like a lot of the choices they make, but that anger - especially for me - is an expression of love all the same." (p. 121) The problem here is that we are not all God's children! (John 8:44) Jesus tells us that before we enter into relationship with God we are spiritually dead and children of the devil.

Punishment

In the same conversation Papa also tells him, "I'm not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." (p. 122) There is an element of truth in all this. Sin is a harsh taskmaster. The way of the transgressor is hard. (Proverbs 13:15) But to say that God doesn't need to punish sin is absolutely wrong. This calls into question God's essential character and we may ask, "So God is not a God of justice?" Love demands that justice be fulfilled. Any person in their right mind wouldn't say that a judge shouldn't sentence a murderer and rapist because the judge is a loving judge. God's love being part of his essential character demands that justice be fulfilled. Notwithstanding, in saying this we must also consider our freedom to choose right or wrong, and God's redemptive plan to save us from Hell through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Trust and Humility

Young also has an interesting perspective on trust and humility. The Holy Spirit (Sarayu) speaks and says, "You cannot produce trust, just as you cannot 'do' humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me." (p. 128) If the author is correct here then I could trust someone who repeatedly sinned against me as long as I knew they loved me. Of course, their actions outweigh their words, thereby nullifying my feeling of trust in them. Furthermore, I can also infer that if I don't "feel" loved then I cannot trust God. I disagree with Young here because I believe that both trust and humility are conscious choices on our part in the relationship. That is, trust is an element of faith (Hebrews 11:6) and humility is the acknowledgment that all that I am and all that I have comes from God.

Eternal Submission

Later, Jesus in speaking with Mack about eternal submission within the Godhead says, "Submission is not about authority and it is not about obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect." (p. 147) Again, there is an element of truth in this. Submission does involve love and respect, but it also necessitates obedience and submitting to authority. (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33; John 14:28) Mark Bird explains this well in a paper on eternal generation and eternal submission. He says, "Eternal submission doesn't mean that Jesus is a lesser being than the Father, or inferior in any way; it simply refers to an authority structure within the Trinity, which is reflected in human relationships." Young simply misconstrues this doctrine.

Feminism and I Corinthians 11

The author makes an interesting statement about men causing much pain in the world. Speaking as Jesus, he says, " The world in many ways would be a much calmer and gentler place if women ruled. There would have been far fewer children sacrificed to the gods of greed and power." (p. 149-150) It is interesting that the author seems to momentarily jump on the feminist's bandwagon here. Recent research has shown that women do offer a rational and placid aspect to leadership, but the best type of government/leadership is one with co-gender involvement. Later on, Jesus tells Mack that God's desire was "to create a being that had a fully equal and powerful counterpart, the male and the female." (p. 150) This is not Biblical. I Corinthians 11:3 establishes the structure in relationships. God is the head of Christ. Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of a woman. While woman are not to be treated as inferior, men and women are not entirely equal. For example, men are responsible for spiritual leadership in the home. Wives are to submit to their husbands (within Scriptural bounds). All of this is not logical without authority structure and headship.

Jesus' Example

Young makes a gross overstatement concerning the example of Christ in Scripture. Jesus tells Mack, "Seriously, my life was not meant to be an example to copy. Being my follower is not trying to 'be like Jesus.' it means your independence is killed." (p. 151) Sure, I get that we can't ask, "What would Jesus do?" in every situation of our life, but why are we called Christians in the first place? Was it not because they saw Christ in the believers at Antioch? I understand that this can quickly turn into a form of legalism, but if being like Jesus isn't a large part of what the Christian life is about, then what is being a Christian all about? This issue can be easily misunderstood because of what Young says here in the book.

Grace Theology

The author also is a very strong supporter of grace theology. This is the belief that Christianity is "all about relationships and simply sharing life." (p. 180) This theology emphasizes God's grace and our relationship with Him to the neglect of discipleship, repentance, justice, punishment, structure, institutions and responsibilities. Grace theology is a reaction to legalism and strictness among conservative Christians. While it may sound good, it simply neglects elements of the Christian faith that are vital. Grace theology also has the potential to damn souls who live in sin, but claim God's grace and a relationship with Him. I John 2:3 clearly tells us otherwise.

Sin and Salvation

In response to Mackenzie asking for God's forgiveness regarding his sin of lying, God replies, "Did that a long time ago, Mack. If you don't believe me ask Jesus. He was there." (p. 191) This seems to cheapen the importance and sacredness of Calvary. While Christ died provisionally for all of our sins - past, present and future - we must personally appropriate his forgiveness each time we stumble and sin. Christ's work on the cross does not give us a once-and-for-all pass to automatically be forgiven when we sin. Of course, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us. (I John 1:9)

God's Expectations

The Shack also proposes ideas about God's lack of expectations for us. Papa speaks up and says, "Honey, I've never placed an expectation on you or anyone else. This does not mesh with what Scripture says. (Genesis 17:1, I Peter 1:16) If God does not expect anything of us, then aren't we free to do whatever we want? Young states that the idea of expectation that someone doesn't know the future and is trying to get a desired result. Hence, since God knows everything about us, he has no expectations of us. Furthermore, the author tells us that because God has no expectations of us, we never disappoint him. (p. 208) This is totally false. God does have expectations of us and his heart is pained when we make wrong choices. He is a person whom the Bible describes as having emotions. i.e. anger, compassion.

Forgiveness and Repentance

Finally, the author confuses the issue of forgiveness and repentance in relation to sinning against God and against man. God opens the wound of the hurt that Mack has experienced because of losing his daughter. "So what then? I just forgive him and everything is okay and we become buddies?" Mack states softly and bitterly. God replies, "You don't have a relationship with this man, at least not yet. Forgiveness does not establish relationship. In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship." (p. 227) We must be careful not to confuse this issue. It is true that forgiveness does not necessarily establish a relationships with people who have wronged us, but we can only be in a right relationship with God on the basis of God's forgiveness. Philip Brown says it well in reference to forgiveness, "God is omniscient. He doesn't forget anything. When He forgives us, he removes it from the record. God can also unforgive and put sins back on the record book. His "forgetting" our sin is merely removing our sin from his focus." (cf. Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:15-35) Also, it is important that we understand that God doesn't forgive anyone of willful sin without repentance. We must not confuse God's forgiveness and our own forgiveness of others. It's an entirely different aspect of the issue. Furthermore, in an emotional frenzy, Mackenzie cries out, "Help me, Papa. Help me! What do I do? How do I forgive him?" God answers, "Tell him." Mack is still confused, "How Papa?" God tells him, "Just say it out loud. There is power in what my children declare." Mack begins to whisper in tones at first halfhearted and stumbling, but then with increasing conviction, "I forgive you. I forgive you. I forgive you." (p. 229) While the notion sounds nice and wonderful, this is not biblical forgiveness. Brown also says, "God requires from us a willingness to forgive, but not an act of forgiveness if they refuse to repent. If we actually forgave them, they would no longer be responsible according to the record book." (cf. Romans 12:19; Leviticus 19:18)

Conclusion

In summary, The Shack is a puppet that the author uses to explain his belief's about God. Unfortunately, many of the author's ideas are not biblical. This book should only be read by mature Christians or those who are scripturally grounded in what they believe.

I Offer No Apologies

...for the lack of blogging. I've had surgery. I'm recovering. I've been catching up with homework. What I do promise is a soon coming post on the full story of my...story. Everyone's been asking about what I've gone through and how I'm doing, so I'm just about ready to start a website. Also, I plan to post Cafeteria Recipes. How to make your own food when the menu just won't do.

"Did you know your head weighs 8 pounds? So whenever I weigh myself I deduct 8 pounds."
-Esther Gary

What's Your Sign?

Eden Park Drive exit. McMillan Ave before Interstate 71. Corner of Auburn. Ridge Ave South exit on the corner. Taft exit - 1st Stoplight. Homeless people with signs fashioned of cardboard and indelible black marker held up by dirty fingers. At best they're simply listing their problems and asking for help, at worst it's manipulation in 20 words or less. And I might add, they're pretty skilled. One sign says, "Homeless and hungry. Anything helps. God bless!" Another sign says, "Hungry. Out of work. Need a kidney." Wait! Kidney? Yes, kidney. Some even ask for specific items on their signs, like a certain kind of food.

The topic came up at lunch today. So the deep philosophical question was posed, "What would your cardboard sign say?" Hannah Emery's sign simply states, "Poor college student. Tired of taking mama's money. Need a car. Cell phone busted. God bless!" Mel says, "Cheap College Kid with sweet-tooth. Need Oreos." We wondered where they get the sharpie markers to write the sign. John pipes in, "It's written in blood." Here's one, "Homeless. Roommate has swine flu. Need place to live."

So the next time you see a sad face attached to a cardboard sign on the side of the road, promptly tell them, "I'M the poor college student. You give ME food and money!"

Content

This is before my surgery. Right before I found out I had an incurable disease.

I'm at the hospital on my lunch break, (Just realized I used historical present tense for all you Greek scholars out there. Romans 7) Anyway, I just finished my chili and am sitting in a waiting area reading my book with the time I have left. This little boy trots up to the water fountain. Now he's about 5 years old and the same height as the fountain. His mother tags along behind him. He runs up to the fountain and turns it on and leans in. Then, a second later he turns around with a cringing look on his face and tells his mother, "Eww, up my nose."

I also went to Winton Woods Park a couple of weeks ago and on the way back passed a United Methodist Church that offered Yoga for parishioners on a weeknight and Meditation on Mondays at 7PM. I laughed incredulously.

And I just had the most amazing apple pie that my roommate made. I was impressed. Of course, he did call his mother on this whole ordeal. *strokes chin thoughtfully*

Backpack.

Whatevah happened to 'da distinction of 'da classes?

Little Pieces

My life feels like a hundred little pieces right now. All this disorganization and chaos. I'm living out of cardboard boxes. There are a lot of questions I don't have answers to, and won't for a while. I'm trying to catch up with all my classes and homework. I'm torn between the privileged and the routine. The temporary apartment is so nice, but I'm torn between it and my longing for the normal. The routine. The scheduled. The semi-permanent. The comfortable.

And I'm healing.

Better.

That's how I am.

It's As If You Were Sitting Across the Room From Me, Friend...

Hi guys.

Candid time.

Begin...

I'm here at the apartment. The pain is lessening every day. I showered myself today. That's a big deal for me. I still feel very weak. The most painful thing I did today was sneezed. I tensed up my abdominal muscles and it turned out very weird, like a stifled sneeze. I took my medication. I ate half a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I'm not sure when I will be able to physically or mentally go back to class. I think I can handle collateral reading, so I might start that tomorrow.

I'm so glad to be out of the hospital. You sit there and see people moving around with no pain, and laughing, eating, lifting things, walking around, and you think, If only these people knew how absolutely wonderful it is to be doing those things. What a privilege!

I don't know why I'm going through this. God is perfecting me, somehow. He's got a plan. I'm not too blind to see that. But it is quite confusing being in the middle of it. The pain, the disease, is teaching me something. It hurts. I don't know why. I don't know what. But whatever brings my God glory. Emergency surgery has a why of rearranging your life and it's perspectives and priorities. Today my concerns were shelter, food and hygiene.

Until later, I remain a recovering lover of God.
-Sam

Healing

Well, I am...better...well enough to be mobile and walk in the hallways. Still not fully recovered, but the doctors say that I am progressing really fast. My diet has changed from nothing to clear liquids, and I only have minimal pain when moving around. You'd be surprised how much an incision in your stomach affects just about every move you make, especially turning in bed. I am still receiving a steady intake of drugs and have visits all the time from medical personnel. (Therefore, I can't get much sleep.) Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

From the hospital,
-Sam

WANTED: Available students to do homework for me. Any expertise in Greek II? Contact Room 5030 at the Hospital.

I Feel Fine, Okay, Happy, Perfect, Great, Good, Alright...

New York Times articles: I will eventually find one that interests me. Here's a couple:

Statisticians at the University of Vermont are saying that song lyrics and blogs are adding to a new group of psychology. They state that song lyrics and blog posts are not reactive as surveys and polls are when stating one's emotional levels. These researchers feel that by using today's technology they can get results that are volunteered by people rather than getting a forced or canned answer to questions. "They’re not being surveyed in the usual way. You mess with people when you ask them questions about happiness. You’re not sure if they’re trying to make you happy, or have no idea whether they’re happy. It’s reactive.”

These researchers downloaded 232,000+ songs from 20,000+ artists. They also found 9 million sentences in blogs from 2005-2009 that included the verb form "I feel..."They even analyzed all the State of the Union speeches to find the emotional level of our country. Some findings were pretty much expected with September 11, 2001 at the low point. However, when Barack Obama was elected Americans used the word "proud" predominantly. They're even doing this in Europe, statistically finding out how the economy affects people. Danes in Denmark statistically rated the highest emotionally.

"Christmas and Valentine’s Day regularly popped as positive times, although words like “guilty” were associated with Christmas and “waste” and “lonely” with Valentine’s Day.
The researchers also analyzed the emotional content of blogs by the age of the blogger, and they found a curious pattern. Teenagers, true to form, rated the lowest, with an abundance of “sick,” “hate” and “stupid.”" So how do you feel?

I also read an interesting article about this great neglect of feet and all things foot. People are just plain embarrassed by their feet. I mean, we'll take the time to shower, shave and apply lotion, but most of us ignore our feet. Those who do pay any attention just paint their toes different colors.

"Dr. Nicholas Romansky, a podiatrist with two offices near Philadelphia, Pa., said he had patients so ashamed of their feet that they didn’t allow their spouse or fiancé to see them. “They have sex with socks on,” he said. “Some people think their feet are ugly. You see nice hands, but feet take a beating.” That’s in part because of neglect. “People don’t think about their feet until they fail them,” Dr. Romansky said, adding that many of his patients think soapy water is all that’s needed to clean the feet and don’t bother to rub with a washcloth.“We need to be proactive,” he said. “Most Americans are always in a rush or too fat to bend over.”"

I suppose it's just that feet simply smell, and get dirty more easily. Of all the body parts, they do all the work, taking the beating and rarely get any care. Suppose when it comes down to it that we just don't like the idea of messing around with our feet. Not to mention I have this friend that has podiaphobia.

Boondocks

With today's technology, I can easily find out where random phrases come from. Have you ever been to someone's house in the country that lived in the boondocks? Where in the world does that come from I wondered. Come to find out...

When American GIs returned from Asia at the close of World War II, besides Victory they brought home a new word to add to the lexicon -- "boondocks". It is derived from bundok the Philippine word for mountain and decribes a place that is remote and inaccessible.

The Lining Is Silver

My days have been filled with work. Saturday I worked 13 hours. 7-330, home for a nap, and 5-10 in the ER. 5 hours Monday and 8 hours yesterday and today. This morning I got up at 445. What a day. But I took a nice nap this afternoon. I've made myself a sandwich, folded laundry and put it away, listened to music, watched a few shows, and ate a full rack of Oreos.

I'm bored. Working several days and spending them without my girlfriend.

Good thing my friend Carrie and her guy are coming over tomorrow. Mel's coming back and we all are going to CE and I'm making dinner.

Isn't it nice to know
That the lining is silver
Hey!
Isn't it nice to know
That we're golden
Wa-oh

I Have A Plan

I can count on my fingers the amount of suspense/horror movies I've seen in my lifetime. Problem is, horror movies are so impacting that you just remember them for a long time. Throw in my creative and imaginative mind and you can just arrest my attention. But I have a plan to rid the world of horror movies and suspenseful, scary scenes in movies. Frankly, if the characters in horror movies followed these rules, there would be no basic plot to the movie. Please don't be disappointed...it's simple.

1. Always, and I repeat, always call for backup. Police. Friends. Whoever.
2. Do not under any circumstances open the door. Especially when they knock and ring and don't respond to, "Who is it?"
3. Don't answer the phone. No, really, don't! It's probably some breathy, raspy, creepy voice on the other end. Or possibly dead air.
4. Never investigate any lights, noises, or movement. Don't ask why.
5. Never be curious! Ever! Curiosity kills. Cats too.
6. Do not even think about going inside the house. It's a death wish.
7. Never investigate the scary unknown. Be apathetic and content to just shrug it off.
8. Never split the group up for any reason. This may work in action adventure if you have a cunning plan, but not in the horror genre.
9. Do not make impulsive decisions. Think rationally. Slow down and let your brain work, not your emotions.
10. Stay away from any weird, creepy animals or people.
11. Avoid dark, isolated places. Move someplace sunny. When was the last place the set of a horror movie was sunny with lots of people?
12. Never go anyplace without a GPS, you inevitably will turn the wrong way.

(Add more as comments)

Beware: Topic Change

So I'm thrilled about my brother Jon coming to my college this fall. I was kind of having pleasant thoughts about it earlier in the summer when I found out, but now I'm really pumped about it. He and I are going to be rooming together, so after two years of college and last years fantabulous roommate, I have my brother as a college roommate. It'll be dope showing him the ropes. And as normal, it won't be a problem dealing with him. Right Jon? Right!?? I'm just kidding. But no, the more I think of it the more I see, "Jon, pick up your socks!" "Hey Jon, there's milk in the fridge and you're welcome to it anytime, but you're buying next week." Not to mention, when we want it to be, it can be our castle, our home, our world.

I anticipate good things.

Contrary To Popular Opinion

I do not go out with my girlfriend and blog together with free wi-fi. We have it here at the apartments. And no wireless internet is ever free. And please note that we did not blog on the same day. No, I'm not defensive.

I don't know what is up with my patients at work. A non-psychotic dialysis patient told me I smelled good this week when I came to transport her. My job occasionally makes me smile and laugh.

As far as movie classics go, I've never seen one. One of those manly movies that a guy is supposed to watch before he dies I suppose. Saving Private Ryan. So I watched it yesterday, sitting on the couch, right after I made Tuna Fettucine Alfredo. And I had another salad crave. Zesty Italian dressing please. It was a sit-around-and-watch-things-all-day kind of day.

The World Would Be Different If We Could Read Each Other's Thought Clouds

I. ask. my. kindred. friend. to. give. me. a. quote...
"Yes. You may quote me...in a quote."
Then she snorted.
"I love my pumpkin nutmeg candle."
"Also I'm gonna name my next dog Karma. Good Karma! Bad Karma! Staaaaay. Stay."
"Are you really gonna publish this?"
"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming."
"You know once you pop, you just can't stop."
"Hey, look, a squirrel!"
Then she sipped her water bottle and returned to typing.
It's a love affair with lappy.
And. my. girlfriend. is. hanging. over. me. impatiently. wanting. me. to. go. get. icecream. with. her.

This Headache Won't Go Away

*sits chuckling to self about how much legal fun he's had*

For the 4th time in my life I went to Cedar Point in Sandusky. New to this was my bro Jonathan. Welcome to the club. Mel and Rosie went too. Much happiness was had by all. You know...falling several hundred feet at 93 mph (Millenium Force), or dropping at a 95 degree angle (Maverick), or shooting down a track at 120+ mph (Top Thrill Dragster), or sniffing the air while flying through it (Raptor). One thing new was that we learned how to play games in line to pass the time. As far as everything else, well...we just won't say.

For the 1st time in my life I went tubing today. You know, tow a tube at 10-25 mph behind a boat on the lake and hold on for dear life. Or whoop, and yell, and laugh as I did. The greatest thing is being spun at the edge of a curve. You're flyin. Or there's also being bounced over waves, and getting water sprayed in your face, but mainly you just hope your arms won't get too tired, or that the waves will be relatively small. *laughs* Here's the downer. Josh and I hit a wave and my head hit his shoulder bone. Ouch.

I had so much fun I'm sad I don't have pictures to prove it. But then again, why would I produce any? Just think...I'm off to Roxbury next week.

Where's My Hug?

I was looking back at my archives and saw that I could approximate how busy and stressed I was based on the number of times I blogged in the month. For example, I usually range in between 11-16 and during my crazy semester this spring it averaged 2-6 a month. Then I had a realization. Then I realized my realization. I like to say that I'm busy. People ask me how I'm doing, or how my life is, and inevitably, if I don't say that I'm doing good, then I tell them that I'm busy. I don't know why yet. An empty day on my calendar is a wasted day to me. Like, I feel I always have to be doing something. I've picked up a fast pace and I feel like I can't part with it. And I don't think that's good.

More fascinatingly is this:

"A number of academic studies have found that hugging, hand holding, and other forms of TLC ease anxiety by calming areas of the brain that register alarm and can even lower blood pressure too." -Source unknown (tacked to a bulletin board in the hospital's cancer center)

Today and Tomorrow

Because my hours are scarce Central Transport at work offered to let me work down in the Cancer Center for a couple of days. Today and tomorrow. Odd and ends stuff, but it was so slow today. I took dirty linens from exam rooms to Bio and ran an errand with the HUC, but not much. Everyone down there is really nice. I learned what Dosimetry is. And they have Medical and Radiation Oncology. I sat in the Mold Room a lot and listened to the Research Freezer hum and a couple of Physicists talk about a new Nucletron from Holland.

I also found that the little spider who has been living on my driver's side car mirror was back. Unfortunately, Buck overstepped his bounds and explored my windshield. So I pressed the little button and turned on my windshied wipers. Next, I got back to my apartment and was taking off my socks and found another spider on the hardwood floor. Those nickle-sized quick runners. I murdered him viciously too. However, I think it's a sign. Ah, a movie title! Revenge of the...nevermind.

-Sammy

Eggs

I called my Mom, but she wouldn't answer. I have a dozen in my fridge, but cooking my eggs easy over is just getting a little old. But how in world do you hard boil an egg? I mean, I know you put eggs in a pan and put water over them and boil them, but for how long, and what about water temperature and...? With Mom deserting my desperate cry, well not really, but please answer your phone the next time I have a life and death crisis, I set out to do what any 21st century college male adult would do...I googled it. "how do you hard boil an egg" I clicked on what looked to be most helpful. A Wikihow video website. The things you do, when you're alone, and hungry. Oh, and I prefer mine as a finger food with salt and pepper.

The Operation

Performed Operation Adrianna's Rescue today. Blogging from her now. It's been a while. 

It's amazing how this summer has given me an adultish outlook. Adultish. It looks like adultery or amish. Anyway, I just thought it looked weird. I just got back from grocery shopping and I went over to Katrina's apartment and Rochelle came over to, then we got Chinese. Regardless, grocery shopping, cleaning, washing dishes, laundry, going to work...makes me feel much older. Of course, then there's the junior in college this fall statement. I'd prefer not to get started on that one. 

More to come...

-Sammy

I'm a Polar Bear

Where'd all my bloggers go? WHAT? Is it the SUMMER or something? Oh...yea. It's a sad world people.

I absolutely refuse to drink diet soda. It's got aspartame and phenylketonurics. No thanks. Besides, it tastes nasty.

My favorite shows are Psych, Hogan's Heroes, and the Andy Griffith Show.

I love dogs, I really do. I hate it when they lick my face. Frankly, it's disgusting.

And apart from my allergies. I'm really starting to think summer's not so bad. Of course, I'm a polar bear...

Randomly,
Sam

The News

There are some times when reading and watching the news is very rewarding.

For example, President Obama has got me feelin so fly. He reportedly killed a fly on CNBC daytime television that was bothering him. This happened Wednesday. Apparently, news anchors had no problem in dishing out jokes like, "This is the first expose of bugging in Washington." More was cranked out about "The No Fly Zone," "I'd like to be a fly on the wall," and "Obama is now a Ninja." Just google this: video of obama killing fly

More shocking is this: Mom goes on a crusade against junk food. No cupcakes allowed. She's targeting the school cafeteria, but even goes on campaigns against Girl Scout cookies. She is termed as the "New York City Cupcake Mom." She even calls Santa Claus fat. There's something worthwhile to dedicate your life to.

This one made a "Wow!" burst from my lips. On the today show, an 18 year old goes to a tattoo shop and asks for 3 small stars on her face. She "falls asleep" and leaves the parlor with 56! Now she's suing. Yahoo TV's Nikki Boyer has a great question, "How do you fall asleep while getting a tattoo?" This is Belgium by the way folks. No worries for you American teenagers out there. But wait, there's more. The guy doing the tattoo's says she was awake and never complained until her father got mad. You should check out the picture of the tattoo artist.

In other news, Sammy slept about 18 out of 24 hours in the last 24. I have been sick and am trying to sleep it off. I took a double dose of night-time cold/flu meds last night and am still taking my generic Z pac for this infection. Ugh.

Road Trip Home

Decided to take the longest ride to church yesterday. Wanted to go to my home church so Mel and I decided to wake up early and go! So after 3 hours and 45 minutes I watched my Mom's mouth open in surprise, then turn up in a smile. It's so fun to come up and surprise family.

Haven't felt well over the weekend, and that's stating it moderately. [Insert list of symptoms here.] Spent a lot of time feeling miserable last night. Went to the doctor today. Came home with two prescriptions and a diagnosis of acute max. sinusitis and gastritis.

Worked 3 days straight @ Christ last week. Trying to rest up now and enjoy my time home.

Voila!

And stuff...

The Glass Table

Rosie likes my "Everything is wet." sentence from my last blog so I decided to include her in this blog. Here we sit at the glass table

Rosie: The glass table of kitchenness!
Sam: So what do you like about the glass table?
Rosie: *laughs* It's not funny! *continues laughing*
Sam: Okay, so glass table aside, what is your favorite part of vacation?
Rosie: The people. Me likey the people. I like the people.
Sam: Why? What people? Why do you like the people?
Rosie: It's a very difficult question Sam. *thinks* Um, They're all different. They're all differently loud and crazy, you know? You know Joey, he does all those loud, "Oh no!" screams. Then he sits there and watches cartoons. We love Joey. So Miriam has all those first born tendencies She all sweet and loud and takes charge. I love vacation.
Sam: So you said everyone is differently loud and crazy? Do you think I'm loud and crazy?
Rosie: I thought that was kind of a given.
Sam: *laughs*
Rosie: Are you enjoying vacation with us? *she looks at Sam with pondering look* I'm just kinda wondering.
Sam: Yea, I am. You guys are very happy. Happy happy.
Rosie: What do you like about vacation though?
Sam: Um...
Rosie: I mean the glass table is pretty sweet.
Sam: Yes, it is. Um....I like the people. I know you already said that. I like the fact that I can relax, which I haven't been able to do for a long time. It's pure....like whatever. *Sam struggles with descriptive words* I like how you just jump in the pool at the end of the day, and go exploring at undisclosed locations, and go out to eat, you know....
Davy: Ow! Ow! Ow! *dances in pain*
Sam: That was Davy
Rosie: That was intersting
Sam: No, that was Davy. He just ran by really fast, like a tornado, and hurt himself on the glass table.
Rosie: So surprising! (Notice the sarcasm)
Sam: There's that glass table again.
Rosie: *crosses arms*
Sam: Rosie doesn't like the fact that I type everything she says and does.
Rosie: [CENSORED]
Sam: Wow. *laughs*
Rosie: Garr
Sam: So basically the point is...
Rosie: We likey vacation.
Sam: Uh-huh. And we just thought we'd share. We're so nice like that.
Rosie: We are pretty...*shrugs*...you know, awesome.
Sam: No jealousy. Just happiness. Romans 12:15 please!
Rosie: Be happy!

Can And Will

Here I sit in Cleveland International Airport - Gate C26 - waiting on our flight to Orlando. Mel is next to me on the floor, curled up, eyes closed. Davy is fidgeting next to me, while the rest of the family is down a couple gates at the coffee shop. The port shows signs of life. Trucks and tugs bustle around. Steam comes from D6 across the lane. A small jet just rolled by. Everything is wet. The sky is gray. If the sun rose today, I don't know when it did. Everything outside is dismal matching the feeling of my body. I struggled to sleep early this morning and maybe somewhere around 230 was able to catch a half hour or hour. I don't know. I kept on waking up. It stormed last night, and has been raining since. My stomach has that nasty, ecky feeling that I feel whenever I am really tired and haven't gotten sleep. It's been years, literally, since I've flown commercially. It's all nostalgic for me. Heh. But I blog, because I can and will. On the contrary to what's happening right now, I am pretty rawr excited about vaca. A week in Florida, c'mon! There's a man sleeping across the walkway, flat on his back, arms across his chest, bag under his head. For those who aren't motivated by coffee and pastries, as in eating and drinking them, because drinking coffee is a great motivator, there seems to be a, "N0-thank-you-It's-too-early-to-smile" mood hovering over this terminal. I don't know if it's the weather or the fact that the clock reads 748EST. I lower my dope purple sunglasses onto my nose and smile contentedly. Ha. Vacation.

Red

That's it. I'm done for. All my cousins. 4 namely, have had, are having babies, my sister makes 5. I feel incredibly adultish. Yes, adultish.

An excerpt from Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

"On the contrary. It's Gussie's favorite dish..."
"Indeed, sir? That is very gratifying."
"Gratifying is the word. What a lesson this teaches us, Jeeves - never to despair, never to throw in the towel and turn our face to the wall, for there is always hope."
"Yes, sir. Would you be requiring anything further?"
"Not a thing, thanks. My cup runneth over."
"Then I will be saying good night, sir."
"Good night, Jeeves."

I *gasp* clapped my hands in excitement today. In fact I might be so bold as to say that I jumped up and gravity brought me back down. This process was repeated twice or thrice. The reason? The future.

To Enjoy

Here I sit with brown t-shirt and green pants inwardly laughing at all those people who planned memorial day picnics today. It's raining. I planned nothing, but...

To cook my breakfast - 6 eggs and juice.
To read my books. Holy Bible, Living Water, Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves.
To officially enjoy this wet day.

-Sam

College Kid Finds New Home In Summer Apartment

I can read the shocking headlines now. Sorry -No links to tabloid photos will be posted here.

I find it funny how I sit here now with everything changed.

I just moved into my apartment today with the help of my family. (Woo-hoo!) Thank you Mom, Jon & Josh! I'm sorry that I am not posting any pictures. Well, no...I'm not sorry, but anyway...you'll get over it soon.

How about now?

So out of the dorm and into the apartment for several months this summer. I'm working at Christ Hospital, and will somehow manage to do all prioritized things in between. Like vacations, youth camp, and lots of reading. My current book is Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by Wodehouse.

It's such a blessing to have a place, especially now that the stress is gone, or severely lowered. And now I'm going to go finish dinner. (Like you cared)

=)

-Sam

Nocturnal

I'm turning all nocturnal. My pupils are staying dilating and my visions is getting better. My hearing is improving. My skin is turning pale. Pretty soon I'll gain my wings. Actually, I'm quite scared. This really can't be good. I proposed to take a nap @ 2:30 yesterday afternoon and woke up @ 10:30 - 8 hours later. Accidental, of course. Now it's 2:30 AM and I'm raring to go.

Ryan, stop laughing at me!


In the home stretch of finals. Currently taking a break from working on stuff that has to be completed by tomorrow. I, uh...wonder how I'm going to get it all done. Grace + perseverance?

I work tomorrow. Ha. I wonder if I should sleep beforehand?

In a recent passing conversation with the campus pastor of my college I was impressed by wisdom. He said, "Sometimes you need to know when to preach a sermon and when to serve doughnuts." This morning, doughnuts were served. You see, wearing jeans to class and serving doughnuts for chapel is perhaps the best thing you can do for a stressed out, finals-approaching college student. Meredith commented later on combining doughnuts into the sermon, which I think is novel. The fact is, psychology must be integrated into Christianity. For all you nouthetic counselors out there, sometimes a sermon or Scripture verse is the last thing a person needs.

My plans for the weekend include going home, and going to a friend's wedding, all the while trying to finish my finals. I've gotten to the point where all my friends getting married doesn't scare me anymore. Is this maturity or have I gone mad? I'm a realist. I'm accepting reality. I'd impress you with a list of things I must do for finals, but I have neither the time nor the patience to do that. The fact that I'm turning nocturnal should clue you in on how crazy my life has been, and will yet be!

Ryan, wake up!-Sammy

Farewell to the Beloved

iF you don't see me this week it's because I have died.

Well, apart from the mellowdramaticism, I'm fine. But I'll be doing nothing but homework and work. Perhaps, the two greatest combinations known to man! Okay, I couldn't help but add the sarcasm.

I'm glad that My Father has strength for me and can hold my hand. I'm glad that He counsels me. I'm so happy that at his right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16)

So farewell to all that is good. Sleep. Friends. Perhaps food. (Okay, so I enjoy being dramatic)

*in fast, high-pitched, eager, dramatic voice* Would you like to see my list of things to do before it's over? *in low, deep, monotone voice* Uhhhhh, nevermind

Can I frown? (Psalm 34:1)

-Sam

Honesty

When I leave here I want a tree with a plaque in memory of me, and a bullet hole placed in the skywalk in my honor. Oh, and please institute 24 hour cereal bar, maybe not my life but my death will accomplish something worthwhile.

I amuse.

But I am depressed. Oh yes, I leave not room for facades. The honest truth is that I am stressed out to the point of loss of appetite, anger, apathy, sickness, headaches, fatigue, wanting to avoid people, guilt, confusion, tears...Of course, I don't want your pitiful comments filled with pity. My life has torn me down spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Last night I was so tired and depressed I couldn't cry. Tonight, I cried and poured out this little heart to God. I'm just acting like a kid. He's holding my hand while He gets me through the end of this semester. It's been tough, but I've volitionally forced myself to connect my faith with my feelings. That is, deliberately choose to allow faith and my relationship with Christ to dictate how I feel and what I choose to do. So now I've raised my head.

Okay, honesty moment there.

Last week I went with a group of friends and bought candy and flew a kite at the park. Then we took a walk and bought ice cream like happy little souls. I'm sorry for cutting in line Dwayne. The kite's name was Nemo and he did a fairly good job. I like those Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. They're great. Those wax bottles? They are perhaps the nastiest, most un-candylike candy I have ever had. I spat mine out. Even after learning how to correctly eat them, I still refuse to place wax in my mouth.

Community Clean-Up was on Sat. If Highland looks any better it's because of me and others. I now have a deep hatred for all litterers. Not really. I was heavily disappointed at the lack of finding any needles or weapons. Bottles, wrappers, condoms, and cigarettes however were the nasty norm.

I worked. The hospital. Yea. I do patient transport. Quite amusing. I took a lady from the ER up to her room. Soon as I got to her room in the ER she was all nauseous and signaled for a pan to puke in. After some intravenous nausea meds, I thought, "Great, and I'm rolling her around on a stretcher." Before I go in the room, the nurse comes out again and says, "She's f----- crazy!" I thought, "Ooooooh, great." So here I go in the room, and tell the lady, "Hi. I'm Sam with Transport and I'll be taking you up to your room. She stares me in the eyes and says, "Is that your real voice?" I tell her, "Yes ma'am. It is." She responds, "Nooo. That is someone else's voice." I mean my voice is kind of deep, but I just looked around for this someone else as I placed gloves on my hand. Then she started talking nonsense and I think some of it was inappropriate, then she stares at me and says, "You have a big nose." I thought, "Ooookaaay."So then I proceed to pump up her bed and hook her up to an oxygen tank, even though she was on placebo oxygen, which made me laugh inwardly. As I unplugged the oxygen hose from the wall it makes a Psssss noise. She then freaks out and says, "Agh, the scary noise!" I laughed out loud. "No, ma'am. That's just the oxygen to help you breathe." So we finally get up to her floor and she's muttering something about someone who did her wrong and says, "I'm gonna cook 'em!" Then she lifts her head up from the bed and sees the EKG heart monitor. She looks at it and says, "Am I gonna die?" I said, "Yes ma'am, you are." Then she asks me, "How soon?" I, wanting to play along with her craziness, told her, "Oh, about 5 minutes...Get ready." She replied, "Okay." and laid her head back down on her pillow. It was incredulous. The nurse and I looked at each other and silently laughed. And that's the joy of working.

Thought I'd share.

-Sam

It's A Sign

When your co-worker tells you that you look horrible. He motioned with his fingers to represent the bags he saw under my eyes. Really, now...is it that bad? It does something to you psychologically when someone tells you that you look terribly tired. Terribly horribly...and things.

On a related note. I don't want to be nominal. What sets me apart from any other person? I am striving to be someone different, and in order to be that person, I aim to be more like Christ. I'm going to be the one with a smile. I'm going to be the one with compassion. With my interaction with people, I am pledging to be like my Father.

On a non-related note. I bought Lucky Charms and "fresh" strawberries tonight.

What? Oh, yea...there's a test tomorrow.

I'm In Debt...

...with time. I fully realize that it's no longer 66 and Windy. I also apologize to Trapper and others, who I have bitterly disappointed and ruined hobbies of blog surfing. I hope that you won't be too shocked or surprised.

So here I am, timidly typing out a post in what has been...weeks. I fear your response. I fear your rejection of my reasons. No, seriously. The story starts with my beloved Adrianna who fell ill over 4 weeks ago, on top of this my attempts at blogging on FS7600 were foiled by a bad connection which wouldn't let me sign in to Blogger. Then, for the last two weeks, being hounded by peers who would make comments to me about my lack of posts...every time I would sit down to blog, my conscience would bother me and I would do homework. It's not really that I don't have enough to do. It's that my self-discipline wouldn't let me spend time on blogging.

You see....you make time for what you want to do...And I didn't make time. So I now wince at the barage of comments I anticipate.

I'm not sure that I want to recap in a bulleted list everything I've done over the past month, but let me add this: I've started working at the hospital which has made my life increasingly busier.

Right now, I'm very excited about the sweet score God helped me achieve on my Greek test.

Also, I just finished talking to my high school buddy on Facebook. He's in Egypt, in the Army. Technology's amazing, but I feel so old. He told me, "I just got a car loan. Now I'm looking at houses. Two years ago my biggest worries were the weekend tournament."

And now I leave to go to drama practice. We go out next Sunday on the road. Test Wednesday. I work tomorrow 8 hours. It really...never ends.

66 and Windy

My heart is flowing up to my lips.
Give me a song.

The wind blows
[What else does it do?]

It blows away the curse
Reveals my heart for spring

Thanking God that I am driving back to the hilltop with my windows down and soul up,
-Sam

Start the March

Back to the march here.

Back at home? Yes, I sniffed the air. Particularly I blew my breath into it. And I hugged my puppy. And I ate awesome food.

Nice holiday it was.

I dislike past tense.

-Sam

Warning:

A metaphor is a code book. A simile is like a pillow.

In reference to television in one his sermons: "People use it as a babysitter - keeps 'em quiet. Damns their soul, but keeps 'em quiet." -Dr. Brown

One the way home my college friend asked me what I thought the two biggest issues are today in working with youth. It didn't take me long to think of them. I paused and thought. "Relationships and sex." I replied. With my passion for youth, and current work and study in youth ministry I cannot deny this or not be aware of it either. With our messed up dating system, young people are more and more confused and misled by sociey on what healthy relationships are. Whether healthy same sex or opposite sex relationships, but especially the latter. Secondly, the chemicals are being ignited and unfortunately bad choices lead to consequences. Sex ranks in my opinion as one of the leading problems as well, if not the top problem. To my surprise and confirmation, she told me her youth leader back at home, concurred with my opinion.

Then out of the blue she just commented, "And your car smells like herbal essences." I laughed wholeheartedly to this. "Ummm...thanks." I said. I then explained that my Mom gave me Green Apple car fresheners for Christmas. I still laugh about this. Not only that but as we were traveling along the highway, she looks out over the fields, and snow, and farms, and perhaps a few horses, and describes the country as "classy and romantic". I laughed again and told her, "Yea, thanks. You're describing the area where I live as classy and romantic. Wow."

Tony invited me to play volleyball with our cousins and himself on Monday. I came over. It's a brilliant idea really. All the girls were at his sister-in-law's baby shower, so all the guys get together for pizza and fierce volleyball. So glad I got to hang out with him. Also told Dwayne about the computer monitor I brought home to shoot. He's like, "No. Bring it over. We'll blow it up." We both laughed. I agreed.

You may have the permission to look at me strange following this news: I have disciplined myself while home on break to complete lots of homework. Yes, yes. Okay, honestly, stop shaking your head. And I've done lots. It's a good feeling.

Tuesdays itinerary was not replete with friends. Went out to eat with Denver, Amber, Dani, RuthAnn, Angela, Keith and myself. Following, we went to [please don't laugh] Pet's Pajamas, and petted some of the puppies there. I took a casual, masculine approach to this intoxication of cuteness. Following, we graced the presence of B&N, complete with stand up relationship discussion and sit down theological discussion. Edifying is the adjective.

I went downtown today and met Netania at CC Coffee Shop. [Learned something new - Hers is a Hebrew name, like mine.] I had coffee and we talked of being adults and the old high school days. Refreshing.

I donned t-shirt and flip-flops and gave Toby a bath today since it was moderately warm. Then I played with Callie and got her all excited, but not without mud on my toes and arms. After supper Mom and I talked while I made chocolatechipcookies. Something I appreciated and made me feel home.

"I'm hoping. Spring - maybe - soon." -my brother Josh

Random.

-Sam

Somnambulism

I found an interesting article online about emailing people in your sleep. Supposedly it's a side effect of prescription medication. There's one you don't see! Side effects: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Chest Pain, Dizziness, and Somnambulism. If I happen to send you any weird party invitations, disregard them.

"According to a case described in the medical journal Sleep Medicine, a 44-year-old sleepwalker logged onto her computer and emailed out party invitations to friends. Fortean Times magazine looks at this case and several other bizarre episodes of somnambulism.

From Fortean Times:
The mails themselves were perhaps not up to the woman’s waking standard; each was in a random mix of upper and lower case characters, badly formatted and containing odd expressions.

The writers of the report have dubbed this new variation of sleepwalking ‘zzz-mailing’. They say: “We believe writing an email after turning the computer on, connecting to the Internet and remembering the password displayed by our patient is novel. To our knowledge this type of complex behaviour requiring coordinated movements has not been reported before in sleepwalking. She was shocked when she saw these emails, as she did not recall writing them. She did not have any history of night terr­ors or sleepwalking as a child.”

Unlike simple sleepwalking, they argue, the activities the woman engaged in required complex behaviour and coordinated movement, as well being able to remember her login details. She had no memory of the events next day. It’s thought that the somnambulistic episode may have been triggered by prescript­ion medication."

The Thrilling

.
Greek IB Test complete
.
Going home for a week of break.
.
Job interview next week

-Sam

I'm Not Givin Up

ασπαζομαι συ πολυς, πολυς, πλειων κρονοι

My List of Priorities:
1.) Be more materialistic
2.) Screw up work ethic
3.) Take drugs
4.) Eliminate sleeping out of my schedule
5.) Procrastinate
6.) Drink no milk
7.) Include more violence in my daily relations

"The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed" -Nicolas de Chamfort

I'm tired
And I'm resting in the grace
Of my king
I'm not giving up
Even though I've given up
Everything
[&]
I surrender
To the One
Who asks for my surrender
To my God
Who created me
I'm not ashamed
Of who I am in Christ
I'm not ashamed
Of who I am because of Him
My Abba and Adonai

I Feel...

Stupid highschoolers...It's not that we don't want them here...it's just, well yea, we don't want them here. Brent and I lucked out and we sleep well tonight without intruding guests in our room. However, as I write this I can hear feet running down the hall, and walls being banged. It amuses me how so far removed we college students are from highschool, like that was forever ago. We are so mature now. *laughs* Reminds me of Keith last year. I helped him place duct tape on the floor of his room in 3x3 squares for the kids who were staying in his room - kindly labeled "Person #1" and "Person #2". We also layed a line of duct tape in the middle of the room with "DO NOT CROSS" labeled on it. Ah, memories.

-Sam

Toast

The toaster popped. I jumped up from my seat with the same intensity. I strolled to the toaster thinking about why toaster's popped, and perhaps that the world's great mystery had been solved. So that's why they call them pop-tarts. Then I think of the quote "You can eat pop tarts, TM anytime of the day." I laugh to myself. However, the matter at hand is my toast. Burnt to a crisp as expected. I wave my hand about trying to get the smoke detector to be quiet. Next my attention turns to the toast at hand. Skill is a matter of importance here. Now you musn't get burnt. I could simply pull the tongs out of the drawer and remove the toast, but that would be cheating. Dainty fingers are skillful, but I don't have the fingers, just the skill. I pull my piece of toast with much precision from the hot toaster like pulling a diamond ring from a fire. With much success I let my prize slap on the countertop. Jelly is next on my agenda. Strike that, jam. I lean over and search the refrigerator door for marmalade. Blast! Jam will have to do, but jam is essential for a prize like this. And with delicious spread in hand, I begin the art of applying strawberry jam to burnt toast. Extra heavy to compensate for the taste of charcoal of course, and as I do, a "tra-la-la" comes to mind. Then suddenly, my day has started right.

-Sam

How Many Days are in January?

Pshaw. It's not enough. I mean, I can still see my car! I can still open the door at the bottom of the dorm. People are driving on roads, what is this!? They lifted the snow emergency? More snow! More ice! I have charcoal and lighter fluid! Or maybe let me take back the little heater I gave to Rochelle last week, but then I'll be all set. I mean, c'mon, the professors can still escape from their homes! We're back to having classes! This is not right. I must protest. I am not satisfied. Blizzard conditions! National weather records! I want more! Last semester we had the hurricane, this semester we had a snow storm, but it's really wimpy. Level 3 Snow Emergency for Cincinnati? Level 5 please! I want to go sledding off the roof of my dormitory! Daugh.

*breaks into laughter*

-Sam

(Tree Encased in Ice. 01/28/09)

I've Never Checked the Forecast So Much

If I were at home, I might take a ruler or yardstick out onto the front yard and measure the frozen precipitation. Random. Just to give you a semi-accurate account of the amount of snow received. Since I'm on the 4th floor of a dorm in Cincinnati, I shall not do that this time. However, we've gotten pounded with snow and ice in the last two days here.


This makes me happy. We've had two days off school as a benefit as well. Once again, the adventuresome group of Tattoo, Oreo, Trapper, Osprey, Falcon and Black Owl decided to be adventurous and trekked 1.2 miles through the snow to Panera. We did homework, ate, attempted to stay warm, dried our boots by the fire, and played a game. Much kudos (or as they say in the Greek "κυδος") to Black Owl for his muggable trek back to pick us up.

Due to Day 2's level 3 Snow Emergency issued in Cincinnati, we created our own Coffee Emporium in the Student Center. We did homework and played Scrabble. Crude. Rains. Pixies. Squire. Proven. Leaden. Jot. Gold. Bath. Bins. Stakes. Wider. Yews. Qua.





And I've enjoyed it all. Thank you God for the "bad" weather.

Conversations

Conversation in dorm hallway:

Brennan: (upon exiting from dorm room and encountering Phil & Sam in hallway) "Hey, how are the Greek students?"

Sam: (answers for himself) "Good!"

Phil: (comments about difficulty of Greek IB)

Brennan: (who is no longer in Greek after completing one semester) "I feel like the loser and the rebel, and it feels good."

Sam: (who is in Greek IB) "I feel like the man who persevered, and it feels better."

Brennan and Sam both laugh.

Brennan and Phil exit hallway right.

Sam exits hallway left, and blogs.

The Beauty of Koine Greek

How well do you know English? That's the key. If you don't you will certainly have a hard time understanding hortatory subjunctives, deliberative subjunctives, and prohibitory subjunctives. The latter is what gets me.

First an excerpt, shall we? "The subjunctive mood presents the action of the verb as probable. It expresses an action viewed as potential. Translate with auxiliaries may, might, or should." Next lesson, "Prohibitory subjunctive: The aorist subjunctive with μη prohibits an action and should be translated as a simple command." How can it be a command and be subjunctive? Oxymoronic? Maybe.

Greek also has emphatic negation. Double negatives don't cancel each other out, they increase the negation. However, since we can't use two negatives in English, we translate double negatives in Greek as increased negatives in English. Auxiliaries: never, not at all, by no means.

Indefinite Relative Clauses and....yea.

In other news, eating peanut butter from the jar helps with the confusion.


-Sam

Random

1. I like to change the subject
2. My middle name is Lee
3. I love loud music
4. I love the smell of citrus
5. I bought gum today
6. I can speak short phrases in 9 languages. English. Spanish. French. German. Swahili. Greek. Russian. Hebrew. Arabic.
7. My wall calendar is missing February, March, August and September. I don't know why.
8. My house number is 3839.
9. 218 is my dorm room number.
10. My mailbox number is 313
11. On my bookshelf there are 102 books
12. My favorite shoes are converse
13. I have a deep love of scarves. Just bought a plaid one.
14. Scars fascinate me
15. I eat peanut butter straight from the jar
16. I name everything dear to me. Car: Toby. Computer: Adriana. Guitar: Oscar. Microwave: Dave. Pillow: Carlisa. Ipod: Neo. Cell phone: Sully. Rubber duckie: Chino
17. I just learned to snowboard
18. I preach on Philippians 2:12-18 soon
19. I love dreaming.
20. My Christmas tree is decorated with CD's and DVD's. It's still up.
21. My wall clock is square.
22. I write in my Bible
23. My favorite coffee shop is Coffee Emporium
24. I love punctuation
25. I am paradoxical
26. My chapstick has beeswax in it.
28. My shopping list has hydrogen peroxide and miracle whip on it - among other things.
29. My comforter is plaid. Plaid is dope.
30. I have a cartoon on my door.
31. My abilities include cooking, cleaning and laundering.
32. I have had my hair diffused.
33. I like dill pickles and green olives.
34. I've made chip dip with cottage cheese and spices. It gave my life meaning and purpose.
35. I thrive on randomness, unorginality, and eclecticism.
36. I have a plant. His name is Narcissus.
37. Allergies bother me.
38. I collect lamps
39. I've had 4 ear surgeries
40. I've flown in an airplane with Nate.
41. I've never had 2 sets of dentures.

-Σαμ ΜχΚονκη

Give Me Help

Jogged at 6:00 AM. 17 degrees. I need psychological help.

Am behind on sleep. Homework is literally never-ending.

Smacked my head on the concrete floor while diving playing volleyball. Details are fuzzy. I didn't go unconscious but witnesses said I laid there for a while. I felt woozy the rest of the night, but didn't pass out. My eyes weren't dilated and I had no blurry vision. I'm fine today for which I thank God. One thing bugs me: I never had a headache.

Toby came home from the hospital today with a transplant. He's doing much better.

Sjorring, Denmark's weather calls for rain tomorrow.

And thank you, Tattoo, Black Owl, Osprey & Vulture for the many laughs at supper.

Signing off.
Sincerely and simply,
Sam

011609 - Mission: C6389 (Codename: Random Adventure)

In the spirit of spirits, whose spirits linger in the spirit of friendship, we rendezvoused @ 18:30 for an evening anticipated by much excitement. (This emotion was no shock to us) First on the fun itinerary was a trip to (Classified) Park. There the urge to chase deer was resisted by me, and after said resistance instructed everyone to get out of the car. Tattoo thought surely I was going to line them all up and shoot them, but no, never fear, I, in an even more mysterious manner pulled a box from the trunk and again told them to follow. Once to park grill, I pulled charcoal bag out, doused said charcoal in happy fluid and Tattoo with much excitement (and this excitement leading to failure in correctly lighting phosphorus tipped stick) eventually was able to light the fire, and with a little more happy fluid, and short screams from female agents, we stood warming ourselves in the freezing cold by this fire. It is then that Oreo lamented the lack of marshmallows.

After pictures to document said mission, we left this place and traversed in gold sedan to Location 2: CE/HP. Credit Oreo for mission idea and Falcon for reconnaissance of this locale. CE/DT is our normal pick-up, however, we have found CE/HP to be quite satisfact'ry. (Sat'sfac'try is said in Brit'sh accent) There we merried ourselves with photography, laughter and stories. Added to this merriment was my beverage of Costa Rican coffee. We also pondered giving Untitled the title of Trapper. (She has a lovely green scarf, fit for Ireland.) "Here, lit'l leprachaun...No! Bring the pot'o'gold with ye." She does not agree to this correspondent name, will suit name later. My deepest apologies to the ladies and gents of whom we disrupted their lives by our merriment at this CE location. Also, our deepest apologies to Fluffy and Ginger: may the lives of a thousand coyotes be slain in your honor! Apparently (according to the sign, which happened to strike fear in my heart) there's a coyote problem at Location 2.

While forgetting to vote upon the next stop in our 3 stop adventure, we agreed (in a friendly manner, with no violence) that rendezvous point BN should be our destination, since we were content with coffee breath and not famished of heart nor stomach. Enjoyment was had of picture books, pop-ups, and a book on Ireland for dummies, (which I wonder why there's never any books for smart people!) of which I found the only enjoyment in learning Irish slang. Ask for a lift, not a ride! And I'm not taking the leak out of ya! Convos were pleasant, engaging, thoughtful, and delightful there. Once grouped, we viewed a little sarcasm and we, (Untitled, Falcon, Oreo, Tattoo and Osprey) with smiles on lips, warm hearts, and cold bodies, blew smoke into the air as we ended the evening.

As Bill Harris as so eloquently said: "There are worse things in life than having fun."

Maybe It's Cold Outside

Actually it's 3 degrees outside right now, and headed towards -7. And I went jogging at 9 degrees this morning. No, I'm not crazy...well yes I am crazy, but I stayed warm and did fine. Now if we can just get that dumping of snow I've wanted.

Don't know why, but I haven't started this semester feeling gung-ho at all. Normally, I'm pretty excited about the start of a semester, but this one is staring me down. Perhaps its the warnings I've received from friends who have gone through this semester in my education division. Feels...bleh.

For those of my friends whom I haven't shown this video. Check it out. Sarcastic's Anonymous. Hilarious!

-Sam

Hype

I wanna be a snowflake. So I can dance and fly through the air at the same time.


I'm hungry...for God. I want to feel his presence more. And not at a certain time on given days in a special service. I don't want warm, fuzzy feelings that fade. I want Him. I am His. I want more of Him. I want to be more like Him. Don't give me emotional hype. Give me Jesus. I wanna think and act like Him.

Filled with passionate desire,
-Sam

My TV Show Idea

I'm just chock full (chock, I love that word, isn't it fun to say?) of great ideas. Okay, so for a holiness reality TV show, what we should do is switch all the worship leaders and musicians at various churches and film this show to get everyone's reaction and behind the scenes of the switches. The show would also document how things go after the switch at these churches. We wouldn't tell the pastor or the congregation, only the various musicians and song leaders, etc. A great show idea - plenty of laughter all around I say.

More blogging later.

Our Attempts at Profundity and Levity

Under the due advice of Mel to blog about this, I have pondered what those artists of past centuries were thinking of when they painted those famous paintings, or set up the scene for great photographs.

The Lord's Supper? I can just see the painter..."Okay, Phillip can you lean in a little bit more?" "John, put your arm around Jesus....yea, that's it." "Hey Andrew move your hand a little more to the left....no, your left...yea, that's good."

Or maybe Washington crossing the Delaware? Okay George, put your knee right here...yea, like your looking out over the river. What are you doing with the flag? Hey, you with the oar, yea...kinda have an intense look on your face, and everyone else look cold!"

Robert E. Lee with his horse Traveller? Yea, okay, Mr. Lee for this shot I want you to just look out over the horizon...yea, good...Hey! Hey! Stupid horse. I'm sorry General Lee, it's just...Hey!"

Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Unnumbered Resolutions, and a Gag in my Mouth

May I forever hold the position and heretofore state that I love skiing and snowboarding. Went with my cousins to New York. Had a blast skiing. And thought I would try something new and go snowboarding. Ha. I got all bruised and scratched up. I am sore all over, but getting better. Landen asked me after I had just wiped out on snowboard, "Why do you keep on getting up and doing it?" I sighed and answered. "I live by a motto: Success is failure."

I don't normally do this at all. But let me succumb to it. I hereby resolutely resolve to establish good sleeping habits. Also on the list is to eat lots of food, and make sure its healthy and stuff. I also want to be outspoken in my faith and increase my passion for what God wants me to do and learn how to think like Jesus. So there, unnumbered, are my 2009 resolutely resolved resolutions.

I played goalie for soccer intramurals tonight. Rachel Crissinger is on my team. She's cool.

This semester promises (with much promising) to be a difficult one. Here we go! Somebody please place a large cloth in my mouth and gag me - I might start screaming if I don't control myself.

-Samuel

You Forced A Smile

I forgot how soon I have to go back to school. Posh. Don't wanna. The good news is that I've completed a decent amount of collateral and extra credit work for next semester. To quote that great quote that I love quoting: "It's back to the fake world."

I like green olives.

And lemon meringue pie.

I'm going skiing tomorrow.

-Sam

Blogging from a Hotel

Something I haven't done in a while. Comfort Suites. Monaca, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. High in the mid 30's today and I'll be dressing in black and going out into the cold and snow for the funeral. I have successfully been able to avoid a lot at the viewing. What really bothers me about all this is what well meaning people say to you. First of all, they know me and I don't know them. This bothers me. Second, they offer up predictable cliches about what a great guy he was. Fortunately, he lives up to the comments made after his death. If I get the nerve I post more later about him.