One day when I was going through basic training in the army we were having an inspection in the barracks, the Sergeant Major himself was our inspector.
During the inspection he stopped in front of me and requested my weapon. (M-16 service rifle). I handed it to him and he asked if I had cleaned the weapon. I stated that I had. He asked if I had any "Q-tips". since I did (and since they were a standard part of our toiletries so he also knew I had) I said yes I did.
He asked for one and when I provided him with the "Q-tip" he swabbed inside the trigger mechanism and managed to get about 5 grains of dust in a corner I had not been able to access. He showed this too me and gave me a helpful, friendly suggestion on an easier way to clean that part.
After he left the rest of my Squad bay came down on me like a ton of bricks.
"Why didn't you lie to him and tell him you didn't have any "Q-tips"?"
"Why did you help him to get you in trouble?"
"Dude you are an idiot."
were a sampling of the questions I faced.
My response was, "why are you worried about it?" no one got in trouble, all of us passed the inspection, there was no reason for the fuss.
If anyone was going to suffer for the attention it would have been me and me alone.
However had I lied and said I did not have that Q-Tip then either he would have found out about that lie, or I would have been in trouble for not having an item I was supposed to have.
And EITHER of those scenarios could have put all of us in the dog house.
So I have to wonder what is the deal with our society? when we are so ready to compromise our selves for a potential gain that is really only perceived?
And why do we feel we have to dump on people who have the courage to be truthful and honest? Even when we are not affected? That is my question.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My Faith
I gotta tell you, I am a Christian.
Some are offended by people who believe as I do, but let me tell you about one of my experiences.
When I was about 15 I had an experience that I call my "road to Damascus" experience.
You see, just like what happened to Paul on his way to Damascus, I was also one day walking along a road and I felt the need to accept Christ as my savior.
The sensation I had was more than just a feeling to me.
The experience I had was very much like a voice speaking directly to me, to my heart or soul if you will. And I knew what that voice was.
A few weeks later I was hit by a car while I was riding my bike. the car was speeding and my bike was in poor condition to begin with.
I saw the car coming at me at the last second and that same voice as before told me to turn my wheel away, I did and because of that move, the car caught my back tire and threw me on the hood of the car instead of taking me under.
While rolling around on the hood I briefly lost consciousness, when I came to again I was standing at the side of the road, slightly stunned.
This all occurred at a corner where the local fire department had a shed where it stored "extra" fire engines. (the fire Department was all volunteer). Usually they did not ever need to take the engines out for much, by chance on the day in question, they had taken one of the fire engines out.
This is why about 2 minutes after the accident there was A fire engine on the scene. the only one in it was the engineer but He pulled over to the side of the road and turned on his lights.
An Ambulance was driving by at the top of the hill on the way to the ambulance drivers house so he could get some lunch, he saw the fire engine with lights on and he and his partner decided to investigate, within Three minutes of my accident the ambulance was there.
A neighbor heard the ruckus and came to investigate recognized me and went to call my mom. THE ONLY CALL MADE.
soon she too was on the scene.
I was given all that I needed in that moment, and there were way to many "coincidences" for it to NOT have been planned.
When I arrived at the hospital I was checked by the doctor who found several skin abrasions from traumatic contact with a rough surface (road rash) and a mild concussion.
I believe right there that God Stepped in and worked in my life.
Recently I started reading a book by John Piper titled Future Grace.
In this book I have read that we sometimes fall into the "Debtor's Ethic" where we feel like we have to repay someone for times when they do something nice or give us gifts. But the gratitude we feel towards God for the gifts, the grace, he gives us can not be repaid.
The only "payment" we can make on such a thing is to expect the continuing of his work in our lives or "Future Grace".
I think this is easier for me to understand because in the event's of my car accident I see All these different ways that God worked.
First, he started getting things ready before I would need them, Having the fire Department pull an Engine from that location which would need returning.
Second, he met me in my need WHEN I NEEDED it. Not before not after but When I had a need he provided it.
Third, the provision he gave was full and complete to the last amount necessary. There was no more nor less then I needed.
When I see that Grace then, According to Piper, I need to realize I can never repay God for that. All I can do is to thank him for that grace. And Always trust in him that he will know my need and provide for it... When I need it.
Now that is a great thing.
Some are offended by people who believe as I do, but let me tell you about one of my experiences.
When I was about 15 I had an experience that I call my "road to Damascus" experience.
You see, just like what happened to Paul on his way to Damascus, I was also one day walking along a road and I felt the need to accept Christ as my savior.
The sensation I had was more than just a feeling to me.
The experience I had was very much like a voice speaking directly to me, to my heart or soul if you will. And I knew what that voice was.
A few weeks later I was hit by a car while I was riding my bike. the car was speeding and my bike was in poor condition to begin with.
I saw the car coming at me at the last second and that same voice as before told me to turn my wheel away, I did and because of that move, the car caught my back tire and threw me on the hood of the car instead of taking me under.
While rolling around on the hood I briefly lost consciousness, when I came to again I was standing at the side of the road, slightly stunned.
This all occurred at a corner where the local fire department had a shed where it stored "extra" fire engines. (the fire Department was all volunteer). Usually they did not ever need to take the engines out for much, by chance on the day in question, they had taken one of the fire engines out.
This is why about 2 minutes after the accident there was A fire engine on the scene. the only one in it was the engineer but He pulled over to the side of the road and turned on his lights.
An Ambulance was driving by at the top of the hill on the way to the ambulance drivers house so he could get some lunch, he saw the fire engine with lights on and he and his partner decided to investigate, within Three minutes of my accident the ambulance was there.
A neighbor heard the ruckus and came to investigate recognized me and went to call my mom. THE ONLY CALL MADE.
soon she too was on the scene.
I was given all that I needed in that moment, and there were way to many "coincidences" for it to NOT have been planned.
When I arrived at the hospital I was checked by the doctor who found several skin abrasions from traumatic contact with a rough surface (road rash) and a mild concussion.
I believe right there that God Stepped in and worked in my life.
Recently I started reading a book by John Piper titled Future Grace.
In this book I have read that we sometimes fall into the "Debtor's Ethic" where we feel like we have to repay someone for times when they do something nice or give us gifts. But the gratitude we feel towards God for the gifts, the grace, he gives us can not be repaid.
The only "payment" we can make on such a thing is to expect the continuing of his work in our lives or "Future Grace".
I think this is easier for me to understand because in the event's of my car accident I see All these different ways that God worked.
First, he started getting things ready before I would need them, Having the fire Department pull an Engine from that location which would need returning.
Second, he met me in my need WHEN I NEEDED it. Not before not after but When I had a need he provided it.
Third, the provision he gave was full and complete to the last amount necessary. There was no more nor less then I needed.
When I see that Grace then, According to Piper, I need to realize I can never repay God for that. All I can do is to thank him for that grace. And Always trust in him that he will know my need and provide for it... When I need it.
Now that is a great thing.
Mathematics... ERRGGHH.
I am always trying to improve myself and lately I have been reviewing my maths. (as they might say in England).
When I was a child I was "diagnosed" with a math learning disability, and I think I have finally figured out how to tell people what it is like.
My brain has great difficulty in handling the more abstract math concepts. It even has trouble with easier ones if I don't review them often enough. but usually I can do "linear math" 1+1=2, 3-2=1, 3x4=12 etc...
One time I asked my math teacher at the time (Algebra) "why do people exchange letters for numbers?" to which he responded "because it is easier that way." somewhat frustrated I continued my query with this statement... "so it is easier to say a+b=c than to say 1+2=3?" and the response I got back was "oh no no... a+b=a+b!" shortly after I dropped out of that class. but this brings me right up against my point.
See to me the purpose behind doing math is to come to a conclusion. I am comfortable with 1+2 because then I reach a conclusion, 3, but to say that the answer to the question is basically the question itself, is to make the point to doing math silly. I mean this really belongs in the category of Philosophy. You are asking a question to which there is no clear answer.
I find that most of the time, the problem I encounter is that people assume! they think that my brain will pick up these abstract concepts. they think that it is really quite basic and even simple. but it isn't.
It is somewhat like math is a rainbow.
O.k. stick with me on this one.
Let's pretend I am blind, I do not have the sense to see, everyone else around me does though. They can see Light (basic math) and they can see the rainbow (advanced math) but I cannot. Now try as they might they will never be able to get me to understand what a rainbow is. I have no basis to know or understand what color is I do not even know what light is.
How about if I am simply color blind? I do know what light is but to me everything is shades of grey! so I can see the light which is analogous to light but I cannot perceive or understand the colors you are talking about.
In short to me the struggle to follow math is like being without a basic sense which others have. And all those other people can not understand why I cannot "see" like they do. Most of my teachers have had that sense. But NONE of them ever took the time to try and show me how to experience the same thing. I am a bit like Helen Keller then, I need a teacher who can come along, see my need and find a way around my disability.
I am not trying to "cop out" here, with most senses you can tell if they are lacking. A blind man stumbles and cannot react like one with sight, a deaf man fails to hear... but a man who is color blind? how do you know he is color blind? by the LACK of ability he has to distinguish. same with those who are math impaired.
I once had the head of a math department in college tell me... "it is the student's job to learn, NOT the Teachers job to teach." to which I would now say... "then Why do I, the student, pay you, the school, (and thereby the teacher) to teach me this subject?
Why don't I collect a paycheck instead for learning?" I mean if it were truly that easy, why can't I simply pick up a text book and oop learn it all right there?
That department head, I say, was the one copping out. It is like telling the blind man, "well I rearranged all the furniture, but you have to figure it all out for yourself." If I go and rearrange the furniture than I ought to have the obligation to help him learn the new layout, so he doesn't get hurt, right? Right.
Where oh where are all the Annie Sullivans? I believe... no I KNOW that if I have this experience there are probably many others out there in similar straights.
I hope you have a great day catch you on the flip side.
When I was a child I was "diagnosed" with a math learning disability, and I think I have finally figured out how to tell people what it is like.
My brain has great difficulty in handling the more abstract math concepts. It even has trouble with easier ones if I don't review them often enough. but usually I can do "linear math" 1+1=2, 3-2=1, 3x4=12 etc...
One time I asked my math teacher at the time (Algebra) "why do people exchange letters for numbers?" to which he responded "because it is easier that way." somewhat frustrated I continued my query with this statement... "so it is easier to say a+b=c than to say 1+2=3?" and the response I got back was "oh no no... a+b=a+b!" shortly after I dropped out of that class. but this brings me right up against my point.
See to me the purpose behind doing math is to come to a conclusion. I am comfortable with 1+2 because then I reach a conclusion, 3, but to say that the answer to the question is basically the question itself, is to make the point to doing math silly. I mean this really belongs in the category of Philosophy. You are asking a question to which there is no clear answer.
I find that most of the time, the problem I encounter is that people assume! they think that my brain will pick up these abstract concepts. they think that it is really quite basic and even simple. but it isn't.
It is somewhat like math is a rainbow.
O.k. stick with me on this one.
Let's pretend I am blind, I do not have the sense to see, everyone else around me does though. They can see Light (basic math) and they can see the rainbow (advanced math) but I cannot. Now try as they might they will never be able to get me to understand what a rainbow is. I have no basis to know or understand what color is I do not even know what light is.
How about if I am simply color blind? I do know what light is but to me everything is shades of grey! so I can see the light which is analogous to light but I cannot perceive or understand the colors you are talking about.
In short to me the struggle to follow math is like being without a basic sense which others have. And all those other people can not understand why I cannot "see" like they do. Most of my teachers have had that sense. But NONE of them ever took the time to try and show me how to experience the same thing. I am a bit like Helen Keller then, I need a teacher who can come along, see my need and find a way around my disability.
I am not trying to "cop out" here, with most senses you can tell if they are lacking. A blind man stumbles and cannot react like one with sight, a deaf man fails to hear... but a man who is color blind? how do you know he is color blind? by the LACK of ability he has to distinguish. same with those who are math impaired.
I once had the head of a math department in college tell me... "it is the student's job to learn, NOT the Teachers job to teach." to which I would now say... "then Why do I, the student, pay you, the school, (and thereby the teacher) to teach me this subject?
Why don't I collect a paycheck instead for learning?" I mean if it were truly that easy, why can't I simply pick up a text book and oop learn it all right there?
That department head, I say, was the one copping out. It is like telling the blind man, "well I rearranged all the furniture, but you have to figure it all out for yourself." If I go and rearrange the furniture than I ought to have the obligation to help him learn the new layout, so he doesn't get hurt, right? Right.
Where oh where are all the Annie Sullivans? I believe... no I KNOW that if I have this experience there are probably many others out there in similar straights.
I hope you have a great day catch you on the flip side.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I had some weird dreams
Earlier today I took a nap. (I work nights and decided to catch a nap before my oldest daughter had to be walked to the bus for school.
During this peaceful repose (as peaceful as it gets with two little girls in the house.) I had a couple of weird dreams. one of them I can not remember but the other one;
O.K. here's what happened in brief (In the dream).
My wife and youngest daughter, Megan, were walking through a mall shopping, somehow it was open during MY usual hours not my family's (remember I work nights).
So there we were shopping, I do not know where my oldest daughter was. At one point Megan fell a little behind her Mother and I; and an unknown lady helped her to catch up to us again mentioning that "3 year olds go blind if they don't get enough sleep".
I looked at Megan's eyes and they were a kind of grey color like the iris had been washed out and her pupils were VERY black. Then we took her home to let her sleep so she could get her sight back.
It was a very weird dream!
Anyway the reason it is here, is because My wife asked if we could use that as a "threat" for our little girls; "if you don't sleep you will go blind".
And then she said I should blog it so here we are.
During this peaceful repose (as peaceful as it gets with two little girls in the house.) I had a couple of weird dreams. one of them I can not remember but the other one;
O.K. here's what happened in brief (In the dream).
My wife and youngest daughter, Megan, were walking through a mall shopping, somehow it was open during MY usual hours not my family's (remember I work nights).
So there we were shopping, I do not know where my oldest daughter was. At one point Megan fell a little behind her Mother and I; and an unknown lady helped her to catch up to us again mentioning that "3 year olds go blind if they don't get enough sleep".
I looked at Megan's eyes and they were a kind of grey color like the iris had been washed out and her pupils were VERY black. Then we took her home to let her sleep so she could get her sight back.
It was a very weird dream!
Anyway the reason it is here, is because My wife asked if we could use that as a "threat" for our little girls; "if you don't sleep you will go blind".
And then she said I should blog it so here we are.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The lost art of sandwich making.
Ah the wonderful world of food!
Our topic is Making a sandwich!
So many people think that in order to make a sandwich you just toss the ingredients on to a piece of bread and whammo you are good to go. I say there is more to it than that!
First you have to select your bread. do you want regular old sliced bread? or would a roll go better? this is the most important part of the experience I think. the Bread is the foundation! this is what you will build your feast on and not only does it need to taste good but for FULL impact it will have to LOOK good too.
O.K. you picked sliced bread, now what kind of Sliced? pumpernickel? Rye? White? Wheat? the choices are extensive. and each choice will contribute looks texture and flavor nuances that can really make or break the sandwich. If you are going for a sandwich with strong flavors in the ingredients, like Pastrami and Swiss, then you are O.K. with rye or pumpernickel. but if your fillers are going to be light in flavor you may need to go with white so the bread doesn't overpower your taste buds.
All right now that that choice is made we have to decide on the filler ingredients, You have meats, cheeses, vegetables all sorts to choose from, and Condiments.
In meats you have Roast Beef, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Turkey, Ham, Chicken, Meatloaf, Salami, Bologna (yes it is a salami, yes I still list it separately).
and there are even different meat types within each category... smoked, roasted, slow roasted, caramelized, Baked...
In cheeses you have Cheddar, Jack, Mozzarella, American, Swiss, Gouda, Monterrey jack, Provolone, Colby, Muenster... And the list goes on there as well.
After you select your ingredients you have to lovingly build the sandwich.
NOW my BIGGEST complaint is people skimp too much! There is a place to go easy and there is a place to max out.
If I want a pastrami on rye I want to TASTE the pastrami! I have seen people who think that A single slice of meat is sufficient. let me tell you IT IS NOT.
Pile the meat on! stack that baby well. and when you add your condiments, especially the "stronger" flavored ones like mustard, well that is where a little can go a long way.
If you add vegetables with strong flavors and or odors, rethink that part. you do not need to pile on a whole onion. just add enough that you get a taste of it. if you distribute two or three rings evenly throughout the sandwich you can get a pleasant burst of flavor in every bite without driving your coworkers out the door when you get back from lunch.
Most of the time I prefer the way Americans make sandwiches, although I believe the British did stumble onto a very nice trick.
Butter
If you spread some butter on your bread before construction, your wetter ingredients will find it harder to get to the bread and make it soggy (ewwww).
the butter creates a barrier that helps "hold liquids in" so if you are going to slap a nice big juicy slice of tomato you might want to think about that. (or pickles) And a bonus, I think, is that the butter ADDS TO THE FLAVOR EXPERIENCE. I mean c'mon a win win if ever I heard of one.
You can also add pepper or other spices for a whole new experience.
One last word of caution... for all of you who think quantity over quality is what it is all about. Yeah I am talking to you the guy with the dagwood there.
Sometimes when you really want something that will totally treat and tantalize your taste buds, Try just one or two meats. If you overload on the quantity of ingredients you will miss out on some of the subtler flavor sensations that are out there. And that would be a crime.
The worst president?
talking about politics.
I have heard, recently, some people who seem ready to hand out the "worst president" award. they seem to think that George Bush Qualifies.
The Criteria they use is...
(1)"He lied." I will not debate the truthfulness of this point, I do not know what motivations the president had for saying anything but it seems to me that much of what people claim to be lies could be misunderstandings, or simple mistakes. A lie is when you KNOW the truth but deliberately deceive. if you are lied to or believe what you are saying then it is not, Officially, A lie.
(2)"He started a war." o.k. first off, in my next political post, I will address the point about congress having to declare the war. If you meant to say our country went to war during his administration that would be more accurate. and if you look at history you can see that George Bush does NOT Stand alone in this area.
(3) "The financial Crisis happened during his watch" o.k. there is some validity there. BUT is this enough to award him the title of the worst president?
After all the Great Depression happened during Herbert Hoovers time in office. and as of this point in time that was still worse than what we are currently going through.
(4) "He didn't serve in the military as much as he claimed." Hmm, this is an interesting point. Of course we could always point out that his service was never characterized poorly by his superior officers
All in all I have to state I think History will actually look much more kindly on Bush than we do right now. After all We think Abraham Lincoln was one of the best presidents ever and if we were to judge him the same as we do Bush, his list of accomplishments are as follows...
(1) His military experience was in the militia where he was busted down in rank from Captain to PRIVATE.
(2) After being elected President Eleven states SECEDED from the Union resulting in the civil war. (some of those who seceded did so specifically because he was elected)
(3) he managed the Civil war VERY poorly and was unable to appoint a commander to the army who was worth anything for over 3 years! (he even appointed a general to command the army AFTER HE FIRED THAT GENERAL ONCE BEFORE for poor performance.)
(4) he was wishy washy about WHY we went to war for the first year of the war. Until he finally decided to sign the Emancipation proclamation, making it a war " about ending the slave trade."
(5) That war resulted in the largest number of American Soldier Deaths in a war, EVER. (620,000)
BUT we believe he was one of the greatest Presidents ever and still acknowledge and celebrrate his birthday to this day.
Yes I think History will be MUCH kinder to George Bush than we are now.
I have heard, recently, some people who seem ready to hand out the "worst president" award. they seem to think that George Bush Qualifies.
The Criteria they use is...
(1)"He lied." I will not debate the truthfulness of this point, I do not know what motivations the president had for saying anything but it seems to me that much of what people claim to be lies could be misunderstandings, or simple mistakes. A lie is when you KNOW the truth but deliberately deceive. if you are lied to or believe what you are saying then it is not, Officially, A lie.
(2)"He started a war." o.k. first off, in my next political post, I will address the point about congress having to declare the war. If you meant to say our country went to war during his administration that would be more accurate. and if you look at history you can see that George Bush does NOT Stand alone in this area.
(3) "The financial Crisis happened during his watch" o.k. there is some validity there. BUT is this enough to award him the title of the worst president?
After all the Great Depression happened during Herbert Hoovers time in office. and as of this point in time that was still worse than what we are currently going through.
(4) "He didn't serve in the military as much as he claimed." Hmm, this is an interesting point. Of course we could always point out that his service was never characterized poorly by his superior officers
All in all I have to state I think History will actually look much more kindly on Bush than we do right now. After all We think Abraham Lincoln was one of the best presidents ever and if we were to judge him the same as we do Bush, his list of accomplishments are as follows...
(1) His military experience was in the militia where he was busted down in rank from Captain to PRIVATE.
(2) After being elected President Eleven states SECEDED from the Union resulting in the civil war. (some of those who seceded did so specifically because he was elected)
(3) he managed the Civil war VERY poorly and was unable to appoint a commander to the army who was worth anything for over 3 years! (he even appointed a general to command the army AFTER HE FIRED THAT GENERAL ONCE BEFORE for poor performance.)
(4) he was wishy washy about WHY we went to war for the first year of the war. Until he finally decided to sign the Emancipation proclamation, making it a war " about ending the slave trade."
(5) That war resulted in the largest number of American Soldier Deaths in a war, EVER. (620,000)
BUT we believe he was one of the greatest Presidents ever and still acknowledge and celebrrate his birthday to this day.
Yes I think History will be MUCH kinder to George Bush than we are now.
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