Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:31-35 –
‘Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“‘Who are my mother and my bothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

These couple verses resonated with me for a few reasons. The first of which, is that since I’ve been studying the concept of working together as the body of Christ (and all its implications), this certainly aligns with that. The rest sort of disseminates from there.

I came across this while reading through Mark because I love the simplicity and candor in God’s call to his disciples. ‘As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Aphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.’ –Mark 2:14.

While just as much of our life involves us personally picking up our cross to follow Jesus, I think that the same directness applies when we consider that that particular call does not mean we seclude ourselves from everyone else. Too often I fall into the convention of believing that other Christians don’t exist in the world outside my house or church. The key is becoming cognizant, that beyond those walls (be it metaphorical or physical), we need extend our limits and be willing to fellowship with everyone who makes up the body. This principle is so lucidly displayed as Jesus refutes his disciple’s statements, claiming that as followers of Christ we are all brothers and sisters.

God has designed our journey with him to be both personal and corporate. His Word encourages us to regularly be engaging and strengthening each other through our company and as followers of God’s will.

Twenty Fifth!

Woop! It's Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

Enjoy, and praise how great God is.

Christmas, Prayer, and the like

Andy Rooney and Prayer:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect – somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

But what about the atheists? Is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority Rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.

God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him.

So Get This..

I've actually collected, or have, or have thought 'hey that would make a good post here on my blog' with a few things the last couple days. But at present, I'm freaking bushed and need to take a nap. So maybe later today and/or tomorrow (granted, if I remember and remember them) I'll post fo' real. Wouldn't that be grand?

Darnit

Darnit. I was getting better at updating at least once a week for a while there. Alas...


Well, I'm just going to blame my computer virus of last week on my forgetfulness to update in the last past couple [weeks]. It's like when you were a kid: We'll play pretend.

88.5

I’ve been listening to 88.5 for the last four or so months now. For various reasons, when normally I was always adamantly against much radio listening and preferred my iPod to the monotony of public radio, I've figured something out. Driving home from school today, listening to it, I discovered philosophically why I like it: They play one in ten songs I know. Normally this is terrible because I hate change, but it allows me to leave the shores of my comfort, without actually changing anything. Then the one in ten songs that I do know, allows me to, if I become scared of losing sight of the shore, to have an anchor or line to pull myself back from. Yes, or I could totally just change the radio station to something else, but that would take away from the ridiculousness of the philosophizing I just did. Let me be weird, will you?

Logical Disproof

If you had an alligator that’s hungry and want to eat something – and you had an elephant that can typically tromp at some rate of speed and could crush the gators skull or a fat, slow pig, in the opposite direction but equal length away from the alligator and said alligator is going to chase after either the elephant or pig for it’s lunch – as a gator, which one would you go for?

“Well the pig, obviously,” the audience choruses. Right?

So then why does the “greater than” symbol always eat the “bigger one”!? The bigger one would beat its brains out and eat it for lunch. So to conclude, math, as usual, and despite claims of its ‘objective’ nature, makes no sense! Case closed.

One Hundredth!

This is my one hundredth post on here! Woo!

Actually, when you think about it, that's kind of a pathetic number over the course of the last fifteen months or so. And to think, when I originated created this blog, I thought for sure it was only a matter of time until I terminated Xanga and switched over here. So much for that idea.

Sent By Ravens, "Best in Me"

This is a song I've heard in the last week, and for some reason it's really struck a chord in both my life and those I've been around. I wanted to share the lyrics.
-----

This room is thick with words
a mess a mess
of secrets and thieves
but can't you see that we're all the same
just vessels and we're all afraid

forgive me I don't mean to intrude
you see my hands are shaking too

just settle down, this storm won't last forever
we're built for more than this world
I'm not that strong, honestly I'm not
but you always see the best in me

now I'm naked
at least you see me for who I am
so fragile
I wait with hope that the coming change won't blow us away

forgive me I don't mean to intrude
you see my hands are shaking too

just settle down, this storm won't last forever
we're built for more than this world
I'm not that strong, honestly I'm not
but you always see the best in me

am I something you can be proud of now

just settle down, this storm won't last forever
we're built for more than this world
I'm not that strong
honestly I'm not
but you always see the best in me

am I something you can be proud of now

Christie

New Jersey has a Republican governor!?!? I've never heard of such an absurd thing!

Two Words

I guess because I'm an English major I tend to notice certain oddities dealing with language. (Although, I must admit, I detest saying that because then everyone assumes I'm perfectly competent in every aspect of the language, and as a result should never err in any form of writing or speech. But, in fact, I'm far from such a status, and perhaps the reason I'm pursing English is to amend those inconsistencies. I think this tangent stopped making sense, and it's very possible I'm imagining this to be true, when, in reality, no one has even noticed.)

But back to what I originally meant to say: I've noticed something. Two particular words, that is. These two happen to be: "Whet" and "Pique." The reason I bring these to your attention is because they're almost always associated with the phrases "Whet my appetite" and "My interest is piqued" or any variant thereof. However, what I don't understand is why these words have unique spellings as opposed to "wet" and "peak"? You see, when I ruminate the notion of becoming hungry and smelling some delicious morsel I'm about to ravish, what happens? I salivate! AKA, my saliva glands start.. getting wet! Not "whet," but wet. Follow? So let's apply the same logical approach to my interest and/or curiosity. If my interest in a subject matter is "low" that indicates boredom. If my interest in a subject matter is "high" that indicates.. interest. Therefore, if my interest has climbed to a high reaching level--it's highest, in fact--why then, can't my interest be "peaked"? So my conclusion resides in this inquiry: Why!?

I hopelessly demand answers!

Henry David

"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

Why is it that among all our peers who are supposed to, and intended to be there for us--we're still decaying internally? Where is the upfront, honesty and accountability that's supposed to exist in community, and more importantly in our fellowship with other Christians? Where did it go, and what have we become as a result?

Same Old Politics.. or is it?

Okay, so right now on the news, they're watching/debating the new senate bill that's being voted on today. The most prevalent aspect they're covering is the choice of Sen. Olympia Snowe. She's a republican from Maine and according to the pundits, 'her vote is going to make or break this bill.' She's under scrutiny because she is still undecided. Hold Up. She?? She's still undecided? How is that possible. She is a representative of the state of Maine, representing the will of the people she represents. Have I made my point clear? It's not up to her! It's up to the people and she should be voting to whatever the majority of the state desires! The state and people that she serves. Someone explain to me how we got this way? Has it always been like this??

When a government is no longer about the people, it's no wonder why our country is spiraling down the drain.

Excerpts and Indolence

All week I've been palm-to-foreheading myslef for my negligence to update this blog on any regimented schedule (aka at all). There were a couple ponderings I intended on pontificating about, but naturally the second I sit down to write them, my mind becomes a gray, mushy blob. Er.. wait? Never mind. Suffice to say, I forgot them. In substitute, I've provided the beginning of one of my stories which, like a million others, fizzled out quite undramatically. The rub is that I approved of this opening, but practically nothing to follow. If anyone wants to write the rest, I'm game.

Rain fell on the field. Heavy blankets gusted westward along the sun bleached grass, overgrown and bending in the wind. Drops rattled percussion on the roof and splintered across the windshield. Newly formed streams carved pathways between the clumps of summer dust and residue.
The peaceful rhythm of rain was interrupted by a crack of thunder nearby. The car rattled briefly, awakening its passenger, reclined and asleep in the driver’s seat. The rain continued swirling as she breathed in long, steady breaths, coming to life with the world of the waking. From underneath dark hair, her eyes watched as the drops continued battling against the pane. The collected pollen and splattered insects had been cleansed away. A blurry, hardly translucent image of the empty expanse lay ahead. Beyond the field were an undisturbed line of poplar trees. Barely visible, she could make out their thick, contrasting green from behind the veil of the rain, bubbling and popping as larger drops began colliding amongst the smaller vibrations, like the shake of maracas welcoming in a celebration.
But this was not a celebration. This mere chance of a summer thunderstorm did not seem chance at all. Instead, it was as if the rain knew, and had arrived for that purpose. This was goodbye.

Gone with the Wind

It is absolutely the most beautiful day out right this moment. This is seriously the weather paradise should have. Sunny, 68 degrees, and blustery. I was standing in the kitchen a few minutes ago and all the windows were open, the sun was shining in and a huge balmy breeze blew right through. I opened up my arms and just stood there. I wanted to start twirling and singing "The hiilllls are alive with the sound of muuuuusic!" But refrained. It was tough.

Gosh this is amazing.

9/9/09

Hurray! It's Nine Nine Oh Nine. Whatever that means!!

Why?

Why don't I ever post on here? And when I do, why is it such a lackluster effort? ...Like now.

Eek.

Yes, I Have

I found this on a site that I'll be posting as my Link of the Week on Monday for Xanga, but this nugget I thought was particularly dead on:

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

How Smart Is Your Foot?

Try this, it’s fun. And also aggravating. Apparently, it’s from an orthopedic surgeon. This will confuse your mind and you’ll keep trying, I did, over and over again to see if you can do it.

—While sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

—Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction no matter what.

Like I said: aggravating.

...

Wow, it's been forever since I last updated.

That sucks.

Why I Should Be President

It's true. I have legitimate reasoning as to why I should be president, and if not president, at minimum a renowned Senator.

Everyone's aware of the new "Cash for Clunkers" precedent from the government, right? Trade in your old vehicle and get up to $4,500 dollars toward the purchase of new car. Great idea right? I mean, you could tow something up to the dealership and still manage to get $3,000 dollars out of it. Man, our congressional system really nailed it this time....

...oh wait, I thought up that exact idea in OCTOBER. October! As soon as Ford and GM began their collective bankruptcy and the government decided to give them billions upon billions of our tax dollars to them, I said to my parents (in a lengthy discussion, no less) "This is what they should do, they should give every American home about a $4,000 dollar credit to go purchase a new car. However, they have to trade in an older car that has high emission rates. This will enable a lot of newer, more fuel efficent cars to get on the road and the old ones, continuing to pollute the ozone--off the road." I went on to say that with this $4,000 dollar credit, the Big Three would be able to "bail" themselves out per se, and would still promote business and a product to boost the US economy.

So suffice it to say, I came up with the same freakin' idea 10 months before our entire government and 500-600 of our country's most productive and forward thinking minds. Oh wait! Their plan does have something mine didn't, maybe that's what took them ten additional months to come up with: A witty slogan in "Cash for Clunkers."

Believe it or Not

Someone sent these around at work. Apparently these are all real phrases that teachers on and cops said. I actually remember hearing one of them on "Cops," but the rest I'm not so sure. What do you think?

Teachers:

1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
2. I would not allow this student to breed.
3. Your child has delusions of adequacy.
4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.
7. This child has been working with glue too much.
8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell.
9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.
12. the wheel is turning, but the hamster is definitely dead.

Police:

1. 'You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through.'
2. 'Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while.'
3. 'If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document.'
4. 'If you run, you'll only go to jail tired.'
5. 'Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you.
6. 'You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?'
7. 'Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?'
8. 'Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket.'
9. 'The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?'
10. 'Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs, and step in monkey poop.'
11. 'Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.'
12. 'In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.'
13. 'How big were those two beers you say you had?'
14. 'No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can.'
15. 'I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.'
16. 'You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign here.'

Syllables

Since beginning to make contributions to Sieve and the Sand in April, I have been experimenting a lot with form poetry. Specifically short, syllable poetry: haikus, senryus, and tankas. So that being said, necessity would dictate that it’s crucial I’m aware of my syllable counts.
During the process of writing the aforementioned styles, I’ve had to repeatedly check, double-check, and verify the syllable count in each word I’m using. In doing so (in addition to using m-w.com like its my job), I’ve discovered a handful of words with a number of syllables that were not at all what I would have expected. Two examples include the words “against” and “blanket.” We’re told to sound the word out; A-gainst. Two syllables, right? Wrong. One. Blank-et. Two again, right? Wrong again. Still one syllable. Isn’t that so odd? I’m kind of curious as to who or what committee makes these executive language decisions—I’d like to be on it and bring a little reform to the syllable world.

Yum

My mother just made Cocoanut chip cookies. I've never had them before, never knew they existed, but they are quite possibly one of the most delicious cookie like substances I've ever eaten.

It's Coconuts shreddings,
Chocolate chips
and sweet milk... that's it. Rolled into balls, and baked just like regular cookies.

Try it! They're a taste of heaven.

Guess Who

Guess who's twenty two and who's birthday it is today???

Give up? Here's a hint:





Me.

Power Naps, Part 2

I'll guess that in... November, I posted a lament about my incapacity to take effective power naps. Not only could I not convince myself to sleep for 15-20 minutes and then immediately get up....leading to three hour naps, but I also couldn't prove if 15-20 minute power naps even worked. Of course, this was because I couldn't get up. It's a chicken/egg situation.

Well I have news! My ways have changed, if only momentarily! In the last week, I've managed to successfully sleep for 15-20 minutes, awaking when that time has expired to astounding results!!!! They do work! I only received four hours of sleep on Friday night into Saturday and with a fifteen minute power nap was able to continue going strong, with no drowsiness until three o'clock Sunday morning. That's a feat in a my book!

Precisely

This was just too cool('cause I'm weird like that) and had to share.

When I pulled into work this morning, I turned off the car just as the CD I was listening to changed to track 11, reading 0:00 for seconds played. So naturally when I started the car to leave, it began playing from the first second of the song. I'm driving home, rocking out to this one song--which happened to be Dead Poetic's "Paralytic" off their album "Vices"--and as I pulled in front of my house and turned the off the ignition, with no pause whatsoever. I looked at the time and the song ended as the key was turning at 4:23 seconds, and as I pulled the key out there was one extra second before the lack of electricity registers and it went to track 11, reading 0:00.

I don't know why, but I found that fascinating. So it took me EXACTLY four minutes and twenty four seconds to get home. Hush! I ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS!!

HB of O

If there's an absolutely MONSTROUS cornflake in my Honey Bunches of Oats, and no one is around to appreciate it, does it make a crunch??

Little Things

I was at my friends today, or was it yesterday? The summer days get muddled and run together like mashed potatoes and gravy. Anyway, I was at his crib during some point in the last 48 hours. I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and reaching for the soap remembered why I love washing my hands there. Okay, that sounds weird, so I will explain: When I squeezed the soap dispenser I noted the orangey hue and realized this was my favorite hand soap, which his dear mother always has in stock. The reason I love this soap so fervently is the scent. Contrary to possible speculation that the orange colour may represent a orange(fruit) scent, this is not so. In fact, the soap is the most generic brand and ubiquitous scent quite possibly, of all soaps. If I’m fortunate enough to find a classy public bathroom carrying this soap, as opposed to that disgusting foamy concoction they call soap, I’m equally unable to establish which brand of soap this is so that I can purchase for my personal home use. However, after some in depth research and investigative reporting, I was able to determine that the brand Dial, does make it. I don’t know if it’s only them, but one is enough. Now all I need to do is find a way to purchase the soapy awesomeness in massive quantities. Does BJ’s sell soap??

I have to undercut my previous statements though, because as my title indicated, it’s little things like this— those pleasant and unexpected surprises— that make each day special, unique, and worth living to its fullest. If I were to constantly have the soap in my household, available to my disposal, the potential exists that I would lose, or no longer have, appreciation for the surprise finding that soap brings to my day and the smile to my face.

I know that’s really bizarre, but I also know that every person has something just as bizarre holding a special place in their life. So I guess what I’m really tryin’ to say is, what’s yours??

Tender is the Night

A couple months ago my friend Megan and I were in Barnes & Nobles. In particular, we were perusing over novels and works by famous and acclaimed authors. When I picked up a complication of Herman Melville’s other works aside from Moby Dick, Megan said, “You know, I wonder if the specific book we know and study by an author is the one that the author actually thought was his or her best work.” I thought that to be a really interesting point. Like, what if Herman Melville thought Moby Dick stunk, or Lewis Caroll thought he wrote much better novels than Alice in Wonderland? What were the favorite books each respective author has written and is each the same as the one we revere so much?
Lo, I’m currently reading Tender is the Night by, and its funny I even have to say his name, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Everyone knows The Great Gatsby, and most know This Side of Paradise, but neither one according to his testimony was his greatest work. Not even close. Fitzgerald thought Tender is the Night was by far, the best novel he had written. However, as it’s strikingly evident was not as well received by the media and critics alike. Most said it wasn’t very good and it steady declined in sales after selling only 12,000 copies in the first couple months after its release, tapering off to nothing. For that reason, the book is generally unknown to the public eye.
I found this so intriguing but also somewhat dismaying. I guess the concept is just plain weird, but finding an example that exactly corresponded with that conversation I felt obligated to elaborate on it and share my findings.

Cage Match, Round 2

I should post these more often. The occasions where I wonder what the difference between two very similar words are, happens more frequently that one might think.

Saving a spurious explanation, I'll cut straight to the point and let the words speak for themselves. (Get it? ...speak for themsel--Humor me!)

This weeks cage match: Collage versus Montage. I think through some research I've come to a minimal understanding of their differences, but any additional examples to assist in better defining them, would be welcomed.

Bio

For Sieve and the Sand, I had to create a "bio" for myself. Translated, that means make up complete, laughable nonsense. I did, but it's not posted up there yet, so I decided to post it here cause I thought it was a decent attempt a humor.

After a brief stint with a traveling troupe of gypsies known as “The Lollygaggers” across many regions of Russia and Greenland, BeigHartman thought it best to obtain a formal education. His studies at Tulane lasted three months before tree nymphs obligated him to pursue other aspirations in the Wyoming wilderness. Armed with a dreidel and taxidermy of his pet hamster, BeigHartman taught himself to read and write. Through careful study of geysers, he conceived what is commonly known as “The Harlem Shake” and “Crip Walk”. Shortly thereafter, BeigHartman exiled himself to Columbia, but due to extended litigations with international customs, left upon discovering that Columbia coffee has multifaceted usages. Some scholars as well as many prestigious quantum physicists have posited that BeigHartman lives to write, but this is blatantly false. In fact, the only reason he writes is because he procrastinates far too much to do anything else. To reach BeigHartman write to BeigHartman at sieveandsand.com

Famous... Again.

I know I haven't updated in forever, as usual. Many topics I could have posted, but you know how that goes--and even if you don't, too bad. The point is, once again, I am famous.

For those of you who don't know who Joe Flacco is, look up the Baltimore Ravens starting QB. Yeah, he's a millionaire. Yeah, he went to Audubon. Yeah, I hung out with him this afternoon. Eat it.

So, as it was with Kirsten Dunst and the Transitive Property, Joe Flacco's fame, too transfers to me by association. Take that chemistry! (Or any other science/math)

I'm frickin' famous. The end.

Happy May 10th

“Happy awkward-exchange-between-a-woman-who-looks-like-you-think-she-should-be-married-with-kids-and-as-such-a-mother-but-it-turns-out-she-isn’t-and-then-you-feel-like-a-jerk-for-pointing-out-that-out Day!”

Men

Stereotypes are only stereotypes because that have some truth to them right? I'm positive of it, even if it means throwing "my kind" under the bus.

I was at CVS purchasing a card for Mother's Day. Walking in, another couple was right behind me and we all ended up in the card aisle together. When we reached the Mother's Day section, I'm assuming the wife, turned to her husband and said, "We need to get her something with flowers, see anything with flowers on it?" It would be natural to guess they were referring to her mother or another close relative. Well, after about 15 seconds she picks up her first card with a flower on it. Glancing at it for a moment she holds it up to her husband's face and asks, "How's this?" Proving once and for all the epitome of the male race, the man said in a boisterous, enthusiastic and yet monotone voice, "Perfect!" Turned, and proceeded to walk to the checkout.

Luckily, I was able to withhold my laughter until I could move further down the aisle, but the example remains stride and true: Most men really are insensitive, uncaring, and unsympathetic morons. Gosh I love being a guy.

Cage Match

Tonight's highly anticipated battle is upon us! The fight for the ages: Resemblance vs. Semblance!

Yeah. Seriously. This has been bothering me. What's the difference between Resemblance and Semblance? Anyone, anyone? I use them interchangeably in my speech and writing and haven't had any issues doing so. The "re-" prefix is the only visual difference and yet it still doesn't appear to have any effect on differentiating the words. I've conducted minor research, AKA, looking up the definitions, which still hasn't helped. I need someone who's well versed in language and etymologies. The only sliver of variation I can find is that semblance would indicate "a return to what originally was" whereas resemblance indicates "a likeness to something independent of that which is being compared" HOWEVER note that I used a RE-turn in my definition of semblance, which is essentially adding the re- prefix onto semblance anyhow! Maybe I'm wrong and the definitions are the exact opposite, but I'm back tracking again to say it would suggest redundancy to say "return to resemblance".

It's fair to suppose I'm in a state of lunacy that I would be concerned with a trivial matter such as this, but nevertheless(also redundant but that's a topic for another time) now you have some insight into the current quagmire I find myself. Help! Anyone help?

Only in America

This took place in Charlotte, North Carolina . A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued and WON! (Stay with me.) Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous.. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable 'fire' and was obligated to pay the claim.
Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars that perished in the "fires".

Now for the best part...

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine. This true story won First Place in last year's Criminal Lawyers Award Contest. Only in America! NO WONDER THE REST OF THE WORLD THINKS WE'RE NUTS!

!!!!

Screw you blog which I cannot remember to updates on a daily basis even thought I have topics worthy of discussion!!

Dante

Dante’s Inferno was foremost inspired and written as a political essay to address the crimes and corrupt politics threatening to subvert the very social and religious fabric from which Dante’s life was built upon. The Inferno, despite a fictitious work, was a direct attack of the political and religious entities of Italy. Dante’s intent in writing the Inferno was to express his dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church and bring justice to those sinners. Dante assumed the position of a judge, condemning all those he felt had betrayed God, their country and more importantly, Dante himself. Unlike a benevolent god, Dante was not really concerned with redemption: he was concerned with bringing justice to, and taking out vengeance on those he felt had wronged him.

What was the purpose of posting this you may ask? Well because I don't have anything better to say and I just finished my essay on it. So that's why. Yeah, deal.

Harry Kalas

I was absolutely shocked to hear this news. When I looked earlier in the day, the news hadn't come in yet, only that he had fainted. It's hard to believe he's gone. It's not going to be the same watching Phillies games without him. I think at least the voice of the Phllies was able to see them win a Championship before time took him. But it's still a shame...

RIP Harry! You'll be missed.

Happy Easter!

He has risen, he has risen indeed!

I went to my older church today, just for the worship(cause its 10x better) and it was amazing. I felt so invigorated and filled with the Spirit. I just wanted to cry in happiness. T'was wonderful. God is good.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Over a Week

What else is new.

I was reading some blogs today and revisited some sites I haven't in a while. I came across Adbusters.org again. If you've never checked it out, its worth a looksy. There's this one fictional story I read on there back in September and I found it again. The story is both inspiring, but ultimately haunting. It's so ominous. Ominous seems to be my true word of the week despite whatever I posted in Xanga. But it's true, everything is ominous lately, I don't know why. In any case, check out Adbusters and look up "Somewhere to Go". I even bought the magazine issue the story appeared in just so I could have a hard copy. Its that good.

April 1st

This is a public service announcement:

Okay, every year on April 1st I forget to pull some sort of April Fools Joke and since it happens once a year, it sucks. A lot. So I just wanted to make everyone else aware, if you too forgot, to pull one.

Thank you and have a wonderful, joke filled day.

Melancholy

Since in the last three weeks to a month, this blog has also been reduced to a weekly post(albeit a much less lengthy and far less involving), I wanted to point out again, what a comprehensive loser I am. Also, I wanted to update as to not let it get too much longer than a week since my last update. I need an "update app" from my cell or something. Unfortunately, I don't own an iphone or this would easily be accomplished; whenever a random "I should put this in my blogger blog" idea pops into my head I could immediately type it on there. But since I don't own an iphone nor do I want/predict myself attaining one anytime in the near future, I'll have to reluctantly accept my inability to update regularly.

Fortuitously, I was mulling over the particular current events of the nursing home shootings in North Carolina when it hit me: Why am I not discussing this via blog? So now I will.

The idea that had been central to my contemplations is of course, the shooting. However, my own reaction to the shootings is what had me both chiefly intrigued and perturbed. Unlike most catastrophes, mass murders, and other atrocities, I wasn't a state of utter horror, grief, and woe. My only reaction was puzzled response of: "Uh, what? He did what?" And then I asked, "Why?" But not a cry of pity and pain, Oh why, why! No. It was literally a question to him. Like, "Dude, the frick?" Why on earth would you do that?" I no longer seem to possess feelings of remorse for these types of tragedies because they're so bizarre more than anything. Foremost, as a result of these musings, I was reminiscent of a post someone else posted on their Xanga blog a couple months ago referencing our desensitization as a society; the concept of becoming numb and/or calloused to disaster, heartbreak, and the perennial occasions of people just "snapping".
Now that I have a minimal foundation out there, I'm not entirely sure what to do with it. This whole idea has really been bugging me. I feel modestly better just getting it out, but I wonder if I'm not alone. I didn't anticipate this exceeding more than a paragraph either , so dependent upon my lack of worthy topics for Xanga this week, I may repost. But I guess my purpose in mentioning all this, if there is one, is that the end of the world must be near. When we no longer have feelings, it's hard to believe that people can go on living much longer as emotionless androids with flesh.

Reposting!

Invariably while in bed this week, I was thinking; if I ever do go anywhere(When! Speak Positive!) with my writing, I’ll never be able to do the cool writer thing. Say what? The first two names as only initials and then the last name spelled out thing: C.S. Lewis, H.G. Wells, W.S. Merwin, H.P Lovecraft, J.K. Rowling, E.E. Cummings, JRR Tolkien, J.D. Salinger, you get the point. This would not work out for two reasons. The first is that all of the above are incredibly talented and renowned writers. Aspiring to their level would be ambitious but unlikely to be fulfilled. The second and more important issue is my initials. BSH. Let's break it down so you can see the true fault: B.S. Hartman. Hm, hm? Anyone seeing why that wouldn't be a good idea? Yeah, you know, the whole… BS thing?? Yeah, thought so. Readers picking up my book and the first thing they notice other than the title is that the author is BS? I just can't see that boding well. So much for that notion.

Famous!

Kind of! ...not really. Indirectly?

Guess who I hung out with on Thursday night?? Hm, hm! Guess! (btw, this is what I couldn't remember and now did.) Well if you say someone famous, you'd be right. Wanna know?

Kirstin Dunst! Yep, that's right, I frickin' hung out at a bar with Kirstin-freakin-Dunst!

...wait, no. No, I didn't. I hung out with her boyfriend. Shush! It's close enough!! And I really did. I hung out with Kirstin Dunst's boyfriend at the North Star Bar on Thursday. I went to see his band, Razorlight play there. Since he dates Dunst, and I hung out with him, by transitive theory, I'm now basically famous. You should probably get my autograph.


P.S. After seeing him, as far as looks go, I'm wondering why I'm not her boyfriend? Just sayin'...

Blast!

I had something I was rather excited to blog about earlier. Now, as I sit down in front of my computer rearin' to go; I have forgotten. Blast!!

I can't write enough down. Stuff still slips my mind. Watch too, as soon as I publish this post, I'll remember.

On Watching the Watchmen

...which technically answers the 'Who Watches The Watchmen?' question right?

So yeah, went to see Watchmen on Saturday with Noah and my sister. Leading up to it, and including opening night(which was Friday) I was hearing reviews. These reviews didn't seem too pleasing. In fact, they trashed the movie, calling it terrible. Well after it being such a great book I was disappointed by all the negativity surrounding the movie. Nevertheless, I had to see it for myself, and I have this to say:

What the heck were all those bad reviews about!? The movie was great. So often when novels are made into movie, there's so many liberties taken that by the time the end product is reached, the movie has hardly any semblance of its prior form. Watchmen followed the book very closely. Dialogue was piece by piece from the novel, even camera angles were almost exact. I don't understand where the issue of a 'terrible movie' arose other than this: Either the reviewers and average movie goers alike didn't read the movie. Thus because the story is complex they weren't able to fully comprehend it. Or, they still didn't read the book, and went into the movie thinking it was a run-of-the-mill, cookie cutter "Super Hero" movie. Which in reality, Watchmen is the antithesis of that!

I had only one and half criticisms about the movie. 1) The sex scene with Nite Owl and Silk Spectre was so incredibly... excessive. There are plenty of ways to imply that a certain act has occurred(like the book did) without making a two minute display of it. Ironically, much of the theme Watchmen is built upon is America's fascination with sex and immorality... and that scene proved it! ::Sigh:: So that definitely tainted it. 2) And this really isn't much a criticism, but they didn't include 'The Black Freighter' side story. Really, this would have been impossible and the movie was already almost three hours, adding that would be impossible. Plus, they're releasing it separately so I'm thrilled about that.

Final thoughts? I liked the movie. Was the book 10x better? Yes it was. There was so much more dark humor in the book that wasn't included or not understood by the audiences in the movie. There were definitely some other scenes that were left out, which is logical, but they didn't add much in, so I commend them for that. All in all, if I can purchase the 'clean' version as it relates to the aforementioned scene, it would be worth... watching.

Marching

I have to post because it's March. Truly, I think that's the only reason. Also, no one reads this so therefore I can write whatever I want. Yay. OK then. Mission accomplished.

Man I suck.

#20

After 13 amazing years, half of which I wasn't even watching football, Brian Dawkins is no longer a Philadelphia Eagle. I'll be honest, I'm genuinely upset by this. No, seriously, I might cry at some point. I was positive that the Eagles would sign him back this year, based on his wishes to end his career as an Eagle, and the club appeared to have the intent of doing so. Philly offered him a small contract, but apparently Denver's was exceedingly better, and today he signed with the Bronco's. A couple other Eagles have been trading and well, that's fine, because they weren't the heart and soul of this team. Dawkins however, was, and it really saddens me to see him leave. Boy, the draft pick we get for this better be one heck of a player.

Ugh. So it goes.

Torn

As in, I'm torn between a choice. Kind of.

I found this new band via some random persons music player on Xanga. Yeah, sorry Blogger.com. Anyway, the band had this LinkinPark-esque sound and while I'm not an enormous fan of their music, it merited further research.

Well the band is called Hollywood Undead. They're music is great. They Rap, Sing, and Scream, pretty much all in the same song(every song). Which is totally cool. As much as I normally have a disdain for rap, these guys make it work. Unfortunately, as in much of rap, the lyrics are, well, explicit? Like, really really really. So much so that even the "Clean" versions sound filthy. Yeah. Luckily, of the 4/5 songs I really like, they're probably the least explicit. But the question is this: Because I like them, should I disregard that they've disregarded any sense of censorship? Or should I stay away from music so violent and negative for its majority? ..or something.

So if you want to look them up, just be warned.

I think I might get the clean versions of the songs I like, that seems like an acceptable compromise right?

Sunday Discoveries

I may have said this before, but I wanted to elaborate. There's a Christian metal band I like called "Oh Sleeper". The name by itself sounds kind of odd and for two reasons I can think of immediately. 1) "I don't get it? What does the mean? And why is there an 'Oh' in it. That's weird." 2) There isn't much about metal music that makes you sleepy. It's probably difficult to dose off while someone is rocking out as hard as they do.

Luckily, I have answers!! It's part of a scripture from the bible!

Ephesians 5:14 "for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"

Wow! A Christian band with a name inspired by the bible, but not only that: They model their entire lyrical theme towards that end. All their lyrics contain references to finding light, waking up, spiritual warfare and rising from the dead. How cool is that??

Priorities

(It's been a week. Slacking as usual. Time for an update.)

So I was at Rutger's visiting friends this week. As we were driving around I noticed a lot of on-campus construction taking place and asked them about it. Well one of the buildings was a new visitors center(nothing's wrong with the old one.), another was a gargantuan fountain, and the last a 300 person or so amphitheater. Why all this renovation you ask? As explained by school bulletins and the like, because Rutgers' football team has been doing so well the past couple years there have been many more people coming to the school. Also last year, the school built a multi-million dollar weight room for football players only and a 40 million dollar addition is being added to the stadium. That being the case, "we want the school to look aesthetically pleasing."
Meanwhile, tuition for next year has risen significantly and all the buses enabling students to get to class have been cut. There weren't enough as it was, and I can personally vouch for that. Now, as much as I love football, can someone tell me exactly what is wrong with this picture?? I'd have to say it's punching you in the face right now. Where the heck are the priorities???? Why is this "university" more concerned about sports and notoriety than being an institution of higher learning. Why are they forgetting about it's purpose of education?

I think this applies universally to schools across the nation. And frankly, it's pitiful. No wonder our country is collectively going down the drain.

Thirteen and Fourteen

It's Friday the 13thhhh owwhhhH!!! Scary. Yeah, totally.

That's not why I'm posting this however. I'm posting in lieu of tomorrow. Yes, Valentines. I think because I have a sort of kind of Valentines this year I just wanted to reinforce my hatred of the last minute gifts and their overall cliche and tacky nature.

Chocolate. I hate it. Every guy who goes an hour before his date and buys a giant heart shaped Russel Stover box, should be shot. No questions asked. That's more blunt than saying, "I either completely forgot or I really just don't care about you at all." The devils advocate of this is that women LOVE chocolate. BUT we must remember it's still candy. Women are weight consciousness and this will not help that issue.

Teddy Bears/Stuff Animals. Really Pretty much just repeat everything I just said. Minus the gain weight part and add WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH A CHEAPY CORNY LOOKING TEDDY BEAR THAT SAYS IN GIANT BOLD LETTERS "I WUV U!"!?!?

Enormous/gaudy/overly sappy cards. Basically, because you don't have anything sincere or endearing to say to your significant other, you depend on a card to do it for you. Grow a pair and write something nice. And another thing, singing cards are a no. Cards as big as a piece of paper and larger, also a no. Crazy glitter everywhere(are you giving this to a 14 year old?) A no! Get something classy, with a central theme of your affection and appreciate and expound upon it.

The ironic thing is that because it's men buying these, their not even creative enough to have a large selection of really bad gifts. That's really it, and yet they rear their ugly/tacky/sappy/thoughtless heads and plague us once again. I'm not even a women and this hurts. ::sigh:: I truly feel bad for some of you ladies out there.

Two Days In A Row

Yes, that's right.

And... crap.

I'm breaking my streak. I think. Details later.

Does this even count as a post??

Ah Crap

Crap. Crap. Crap. And the occasion that causes me to have this crapola moment is for two reasons. So maybe just crap-crap.

1. I haven't written on here in a long time. Which is well, not news. I just cannot seem to find worthwhile topics/time/escape from my sloth to create more entries. For that, I apologize.

2. Second reasons is this: In the beginning of September, I quit poker. From addict to zilch. I'm not sure I've so much as picked up a poker chip since then. That has been an amazing feeling for me. Especially when people say, ah man..Brandon hurm hurm... something something poker. And go "Umm yeah, I don't play anymore, haven't since September." And I watch their unbelieving draws drop. Yet, it is truth, and I like seeing that happen. It's oddly satisfying. Well, tomorrow is Steve's birthday: He and Pat are going to A.C. to play in a tournament. I have been invited. I have work and can't go. Phew, no pressure right? Oh wait, I asked someone thinking they would say, ah sorry can't. Good, wouldn't have to. But NO! They said yes. Frick. Do I go!?!? Do I risk losing all the self.. self something that I've gained by proving that I could quit and directing my life in a better direction? Do I!!!??! Man I wish more people read this so I could get legitimate feedback.

On Fans

By fans, I mean, watchers of sports, not wind-making-machines. Since the Super Bowl was last night, I've concluded something about fans. (And since it would be out of season to discuss it later) When the camera men pan to groups of fans during atheletic contests, the fans always become rabidly excited and cheer. The problem I've realized is the type of cheering that takes place. It does not matter the sport, there are three activities that take place: 1) "We're number one!!!!"-while holding up there pointer finger, even if in fact their team is the Detroit Lions. 2) "WOOOO!!! YEAH!! WOOOO!!!" and 3) Grabbing and vigorously shaking their teams respective jersey.

The reason I bring this up is because I think something needs to change. After a while, like anything else, that sort of becomes old and mundane. We as fans, need to come up with some better ways of expressing our jubilation about both being on TV and supporting our teams.

Mountain Dew!

Where do you wanna go?
What do you wanna do?
What do you wanna drink? Mountain Dew, yeah!

I think it's getting late
And I can't stand up straight
I'm so thirsty I could use a different taste tonight

Mountain Dew in my head and on my mind
Mountain Dew in my head and feeling fine!

Ephemeral

A life.
Fleeting.
Something so genuine,
so unique, like a memory.
A flash, a thought.
A tick, a breeze.
Brief.
Something so trivial
so minor, like a breath
Gone.
In an instant, a second
a beat, a blink
And I am lost.
At a loss,
for words.


RIP Kenny

So Much For Resolutions

I don't think that any one will argue the year is 2009, that it is new years. Unfortunately, but rather clearly, despite all the resolutions, nothing seems to have changed. I mean, other than the date.

People are just as uptight as ever. As impatient and any other negative adjective of describing peoples behavior. It's sad really, that we epitomize this time of year for 'changing' when it could be accomplished at any point, and yet, we don't even follow that standard.

I felt like I had more to write on this, but just thinking of it makes me sort of angry, so I don't feel like continuing. Hah. Something more upbeat later perhaps!?

Gorilla

First off: I know I haven't blogged on here in forever. It upsets me. I've had a lot to write about but end my day going, 'Crap! I forgot again.' I'm hoping to change that.

I heard this phrase at the bank today; "Don't get on your gorilla suit!" and I wondering if anyone knew what that meant? I've never heard of it. So if you have, please let me know because I'm clueless. The women said it in response to something I may have gotten upset about? Like that gorilla's are angry or something? But I don't know if they are. So I'm not sure how such a statement would come into existence. It doesn't make any sense, but then again, maybe she's the only one who created it since I've never heard of it before. I even typed it in Google and.. zilch. So I'm lost.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is.... Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

Gah

After updating every day, I've forgotten/become lazy/etc again. I need more interesting things to talk about.

Suggestion box: Open!