Well, dear BF is off to training in lovely and scenic Manhattan, Kansas. When he called last night, he was complaining about the weather- apparently it was in the teens/low twenties which is quite a big jump from lows in the fifties here in Texas. Adding further to his frustration is the fact that the military, in all it's wisdom, designed a schedule in which they were rushed up from Texas only to have a day off today, in-processing tomorrow and Thursday through Monday off. Basically, those days which he could have spent with me or his daughter are completely wasted. Typical military. He's completely frustrated and will start looking to transfer to a special assignment for the last of his military career. Selfishly, I would love to have him set in recruiting for the next three years until retirement.
I have been wondering if our relationship hasn't outpaced itself a bit. A lot of the problem is that he wanted things more settled and certain before he left. Which I could understand, what's the use of pinning your hopes on someone who may or may not be there in eight months when you return. Its a pretty common story in the military- boy meets girl. Boy gets deployed. Boy returns to find girl with other boy in bed. Sometimes people have returned to full divorce petitions. Every one I know who has deployed has that in the back of their minds when they leave a loved one. So I really do understand why things progressed so quickly.
Its going to take quite a bit for me to shift him out of my focus for the next few months. I have to graduate and I can't let anything distract me too much. Fortunately the worst is over with last semester and I am looking forward to many of my courses this semester. I have added a second job at the hospital- its an extern position which will help me learn the ropes there and gain the skills I will need as a nurse. I feel I have a good grasp of why things are done and what to look for in patients, but the actual skills are a bit weak due to a lack of opportunities to practice. Unfortunately, you can't just start an IV on someone because you want the practice. Something silly about ethics. Whatever. Pfft.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Holiday Happenings
Well, spent Christmas with the parents. I drove back to Midland with the mutts in tow on the Saturday before Christmas (having neatly planned being only able to stay with them for five days). It was a nice trip though. My mother and I didn't have enough time to start any fights, what with the holiday preparations and what not. The only major contention was my oldest dog, Lilith. I had allowed my parents to keep her after I managed to get a house with a large backyard because they were convinced that my other small dogs would drive her crazy. However this holiday I couldn't stand watching my mother feed a now obese ten year old dog cheesy-beefy rice. So, Lilith has returned home with me. And it was a great decision, for her at least. She's on a good diet now and I have taken her to the dog park a number of times. She trots around the park trying to break up the fights between other dogs and once Pongo has annoyed another dog beyond all measure, Pongo hides under her belly for protection.
The dog park is an interesting phenomenon. All the "how to net and pen a suitable dating partner" books and articles always mention dog parks as a great place to meet people. I can only assume that this is because they have never actually been to one. For those of you who have not, its a culture unto itself. People stand around watching their dogs telling each other elaborate (and mostly made up) stories about how wonderful their dogs are with the occasional interjection of "Molly, stop that! No!" and "Oh, she never does that at home....". No one introduces themselves. We introduce the dogs. I am now officially "Lilith's, Pongo's and Beaudroux's Mom". I mean, I always wanted a title, right? We spend time tickling other people's dogs, throwing balls for them, laughing with them and sitting with a huge pile of dogs around us. But we barely look at the other humans around us. Because the dog park is literally, for the dogs. So, by all means- take your dog to the dog park. They will never be happier then running around and interacting with all the other crazy mutts. But don't expect too much on the human side of things, for at the dog park the dogs definitely rule.
And in other news, the man I am dating is about to be sent off for training. He deploys to Afghanistan in March. We just started dating, so who knows what so many months separated will do. My timing has always been a bitch.
The dog park is an interesting phenomenon. All the "how to net and pen a suitable dating partner" books and articles always mention dog parks as a great place to meet people. I can only assume that this is because they have never actually been to one. For those of you who have not, its a culture unto itself. People stand around watching their dogs telling each other elaborate (and mostly made up) stories about how wonderful their dogs are with the occasional interjection of "Molly, stop that! No!" and "Oh, she never does that at home....". No one introduces themselves. We introduce the dogs. I am now officially "Lilith's, Pongo's and Beaudroux's Mom". I mean, I always wanted a title, right? We spend time tickling other people's dogs, throwing balls for them, laughing with them and sitting with a huge pile of dogs around us. But we barely look at the other humans around us. Because the dog park is literally, for the dogs. So, by all means- take your dog to the dog park. They will never be happier then running around and interacting with all the other crazy mutts. But don't expect too much on the human side of things, for at the dog park the dogs definitely rule.
And in other news, the man I am dating is about to be sent off for training. He deploys to Afghanistan in March. We just started dating, so who knows what so many months separated will do. My timing has always been a bitch.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
We'll Keep the Light On For You
The Internet was awash in forwarded emails and blog postings of the news about the secession of the Diocese of San Joachin from the Episcopal Church. The Bible study couldn't start until we had discussed it. Will other dioceses follow? What will it mean to us? Will there even be an Episcopal Church in that part of California?
Of course there will. If the leadership of San Joachin doesn't want to be an Episcopal diocese any more, someone else will do that. If they are successful in taking all their property with them, as they hope to be, new Episcopal churches will be planted and will grow in other locations. It will be an exciting time and place to be a young priest, I think: to be part of that missionary response, making common cause with those who treasure the comprehensiveness, diversity and respect for conscience most of us have come to consider one of Anglicanism's great gifts.
Maybe it's time for this to happen. It cannot have been to anyone's soul's health to be primarily identifiable by being against things for so many years. There needs to be more to faith than what one opposes. The glamour of seeing oneself as part of a faithful remnant is both seductive and addictive -- will these dioceses, who have nursed their grievances for so long, even know who they are if they are no longer aggrieved? I hope they do, and that now, free from the onerous burden of their association with us, they can turn their energies to better things.
For it must be true that they, like the rest of us, take seriously the duty we all have to care for those in need. I hope they turn to that work as soon as possible, that they -- and we -- don't choose to squander time, energy and huge amounts of money in protracted fights over buildings and bank accounts. All of us need to ask ourselves if those things are more important than getting free of the malignant tumor of factionalism that has developed its own blood supply and sucked way too much energy from the body of Christ, energy urgently needed by a world that longs for the love of God and doesn't even know it.
And one thing more: this moment in history will come to an end. The time may come when we are one again. We need to welcome that moment with an open heart. Let's keep the door open and leave the porch light on.
Copyright © 2007 Barbara Crafton
Found here: The Geranium Farm
Commentary:
A friend and I were talking after EfM last night about this very issue. In any diocese that leaves, indeed, in any church that leaves TEC, there is and will always be those few individuals who do not wish to leave. I find myself appalled at the lack of support for the very real emotional and spiritual crises in which they find themselves. What is being done as a church body to succor and help them? For I see nothing and I hear very few express concern. I suppose I am highly irritated at our Presiding Bishop for getting so caught up in the legality of the issues that it seems she forgot that churches are not buildings. Churches are not places, or revenue or grants. Churches are people. And there are people who are being set aside at the moment for what I know is a very difficult litigation. However, and this is a big however, to ignore members of our own church body for reasons of connivance is to not act as the leader and spiritual guide for all members of the church body. And shame on our PB for forgetting that.
Of course there will. If the leadership of San Joachin doesn't want to be an Episcopal diocese any more, someone else will do that. If they are successful in taking all their property with them, as they hope to be, new Episcopal churches will be planted and will grow in other locations. It will be an exciting time and place to be a young priest, I think: to be part of that missionary response, making common cause with those who treasure the comprehensiveness, diversity and respect for conscience most of us have come to consider one of Anglicanism's great gifts.
Maybe it's time for this to happen. It cannot have been to anyone's soul's health to be primarily identifiable by being against things for so many years. There needs to be more to faith than what one opposes. The glamour of seeing oneself as part of a faithful remnant is both seductive and addictive -- will these dioceses, who have nursed their grievances for so long, even know who they are if they are no longer aggrieved? I hope they do, and that now, free from the onerous burden of their association with us, they can turn their energies to better things.
For it must be true that they, like the rest of us, take seriously the duty we all have to care for those in need. I hope they turn to that work as soon as possible, that they -- and we -- don't choose to squander time, energy and huge amounts of money in protracted fights over buildings and bank accounts. All of us need to ask ourselves if those things are more important than getting free of the malignant tumor of factionalism that has developed its own blood supply and sucked way too much energy from the body of Christ, energy urgently needed by a world that longs for the love of God and doesn't even know it.
And one thing more: this moment in history will come to an end. The time may come when we are one again. We need to welcome that moment with an open heart. Let's keep the door open and leave the porch light on.
Copyright © 2007 Barbara Crafton
Found here: The Geranium Farm
Commentary:
A friend and I were talking after EfM last night about this very issue. In any diocese that leaves, indeed, in any church that leaves TEC, there is and will always be those few individuals who do not wish to leave. I find myself appalled at the lack of support for the very real emotional and spiritual crises in which they find themselves. What is being done as a church body to succor and help them? For I see nothing and I hear very few express concern. I suppose I am highly irritated at our Presiding Bishop for getting so caught up in the legality of the issues that it seems she forgot that churches are not buildings. Churches are not places, or revenue or grants. Churches are people. And there are people who are being set aside at the moment for what I know is a very difficult litigation. However, and this is a big however, to ignore members of our own church body for reasons of connivance is to not act as the leader and spiritual guide for all members of the church body. And shame on our PB for forgetting that.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
For Your Consideration (2)
MP's constant posting of truly heinous singers has led me to search for something more easy on the ears-
Ollabelle's High on a Mountain
Ollabelle's High on a Mountain
Friday, December 7, 2007
Christmas Driving
Right, I went to the financial aide office and got a prepayment on next semester's loan so I decided to splurge on some frivolities today and went to the grocery store. Coming back from the store with my haul of tinned tomatoes, pasta, pears, oatmeal and Tofutti Cuties I realized something. Everyone driving since Thanksgiving had suddenly gone insane.
So, apparently unbeknownst to myself, the season's Creed is actually "peace on earth, goodwill towards man and cut off as many people as possible while making up your own lane." Seriously, what is it about Christmas that turns everyone on the road into a moronic poo head? I was almost hit twice on the way home and I live maybe five miles from Sun Harvest.
And what's worse is at least ONE of the cars in question had a "What Would Jesus Do?" sticker. I am not exactly sure about the actions of our Lord and Savior, however I am pretty sure that Jesus would have used his turn signals.
Which leads me to another thought. Once while in Sunday school we were talking about how we felt about people who advertise their Christianity. I find slapping the Christian symbols up on billboards, business cards and anything nailed down pretty off putting. I tend to find myself drawing back from people who proclaim their Christianity too loudly. Which is disconcerting really. Why do I feel such animosity towards others who share my faith? And thinking back on it, I can directly point to those drivers.
These are people who obviously find Christ important enough to advertise themselves as his followers. These are people who, supposedly, follow his teachings and want others to know that they are following his teachings. These are people who want to show others Christian love, empathy and charity. And apparently they find the best way to do so is to cut off other's while hurtling down residential streets at fifty. These are my fellow Christians? These are the people I am suppose to relate to spiritually?
Is there any wonder that people hate, fear or misunderstand Christians? We proclaim ourselves loudly, we proclaim our values loudly, we proclaim our faith loudly- but when the time for talking is over, our actions speak different messages. So often we see the face of faith that is, frankly, unbecoming more then that- stomach churning. We are as steeped in hypocrisy as we are in tradition.
I am tired of Christians talking the talk without walking the walk. Words are easy, it is actions that proclaim our beliefs. If you speak of Christian love and then deny other's into the House of the Lord, do you practice Christian love? If you speak of forgiveness and hold grudges, are you really forgiving? If you speak of charity and do nothing to help your fellow man, are you really charitable? I say no. Christianity is more then a mantle we can put on or take off when convenient. It is more then words. It is our actions. Christianity is the sum of the decisions we make every day. It is the result, not the intentions. Not the plan.
So, when next you get into your huge SUV- contemplate your What Would Jesus Do? sticker. Ask yourself, would Jesus put himself so above the needs of others that he would not even notice other drivers? Would he be so concerned about shopping, chores or errands that he would never see the homeless on the side of the street? Would he consider himself the important actor and all others merely scenery on the stage of life?
Or would he know that people are watching his actions, for the speak so much louder then a few words quickly said and even more quickly forgotten?
So, apparently unbeknownst to myself, the season's Creed is actually "peace on earth, goodwill towards man and cut off as many people as possible while making up your own lane." Seriously, what is it about Christmas that turns everyone on the road into a moronic poo head? I was almost hit twice on the way home and I live maybe five miles from Sun Harvest.
And what's worse is at least ONE of the cars in question had a "What Would Jesus Do?" sticker. I am not exactly sure about the actions of our Lord and Savior, however I am pretty sure that Jesus would have used his turn signals.
Which leads me to another thought. Once while in Sunday school we were talking about how we felt about people who advertise their Christianity. I find slapping the Christian symbols up on billboards, business cards and anything nailed down pretty off putting. I tend to find myself drawing back from people who proclaim their Christianity too loudly. Which is disconcerting really. Why do I feel such animosity towards others who share my faith? And thinking back on it, I can directly point to those drivers.
These are people who obviously find Christ important enough to advertise themselves as his followers. These are people who, supposedly, follow his teachings and want others to know that they are following his teachings. These are people who want to show others Christian love, empathy and charity. And apparently they find the best way to do so is to cut off other's while hurtling down residential streets at fifty. These are my fellow Christians? These are the people I am suppose to relate to spiritually?
Is there any wonder that people hate, fear or misunderstand Christians? We proclaim ourselves loudly, we proclaim our values loudly, we proclaim our faith loudly- but when the time for talking is over, our actions speak different messages. So often we see the face of faith that is, frankly, unbecoming more then that- stomach churning. We are as steeped in hypocrisy as we are in tradition.
I am tired of Christians talking the talk without walking the walk. Words are easy, it is actions that proclaim our beliefs. If you speak of Christian love and then deny other's into the House of the Lord, do you practice Christian love? If you speak of forgiveness and hold grudges, are you really forgiving? If you speak of charity and do nothing to help your fellow man, are you really charitable? I say no. Christianity is more then a mantle we can put on or take off when convenient. It is more then words. It is our actions. Christianity is the sum of the decisions we make every day. It is the result, not the intentions. Not the plan.
So, when next you get into your huge SUV- contemplate your What Would Jesus Do? sticker. Ask yourself, would Jesus put himself so above the needs of others that he would not even notice other drivers? Would he be so concerned about shopping, chores or errands that he would never see the homeless on the side of the street? Would he consider himself the important actor and all others merely scenery on the stage of life?
Or would he know that people are watching his actions, for the speak so much louder then a few words quickly said and even more quickly forgotten?
How Misanthropic Are You?
| You Are 20% Misanthropic |
 You're definitely not misanthropic - in fact, you're probably a people person. While you may get annoyed with the world from time to time, you remember that everyone's only human! |
Huh, so I am people person. Well, I guess I knew that.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
For Your Consideration
I was dragged to the Tori Amos concert by my roommate on Monday night. I spent three hours in an uncomfortable chair which was obviously not designed for a woman who happens to be 5'10 and listened to a woman sing songs to which no one could understand the words. But the upshot is, I discovered a great new artist- Yoav. And so, without further ado.....
Beautiful Lie
Beautiful Lie
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