.
.
Today was the fourth time I have been out and about in the woods, valleys, mountains, passes, and such. Shooting, again and as usual. The Xterra was tested in a small way, down a cutback switch of a single lane wash that passes for a road. Thankfully, the only thing we met were a few atvs of the smaller variety. Though I believe other vehicles could have been negotiated just as easily. At the bottom of that road was a nice little stream. We stopped by it to see what, if anything, might be stirring. I would guess almost two dozen shadows flitted away under that water. Few were large, but there were some decent pan sized shadows to be sure.
We continued on until we found a rather large ground squirrel area and decided to see if a few would stand still long enough for us to shoot. No luck today. The sage brush is high and thick, the squirrels were fast and wary, if numerous. We did get a few shots off, and perhaps one or two needed to change their shorts, but no kill shots. He was using his rifle and I was using my pistol, both .22 caliber.
The road was quite rough, steep, rocky, and occasionally seriously rutted. I had to navigate, keeping speed in check, and looking closely for various potential problems. The Xterra did fine, and I was satisfied with my driving as well. There were areas I shifted into low (the Xterra has drive, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st gears, plus 4x4 hi, 4x4 lo, and electrically locking rear differentials). At the right speed, the trip if bumpy was fine. Having 9 1/2" of real total clearance helps a great deal. I think my passenger was fine with my driving as well. I cannot get him to use his seat belt on the highway, and he chose not to use it even on the rough road. I am not going to force him if too I will not pay any ticket he might get.
On the way back, after seeing the fish in the creek, I decided today was the day. I have been holding off, trying to get all financial matters back in hand, and avoiding spending as much as possible. But today was indeed the day. I finally have my fishing license. At $70 dollars, probably plus tax and other b.s., I had best get to wringing the dollars back out of it in fish. Though I will continue to take my neighbor for shooting a few times a week, I think I will need to go on my own some too. Simply put, where I want to fish, hike, and maybe even shoot, I am not sure he is able to go. And, I might want to shoot, fish, or even swim longer or shorter than what he would like to do. I did buy my swimming trunks, by the way, now targets too.
I checked the Wal-Mart stores last not, but to no avail. They did not have the A/C at either store. It looks like it will take a week or two to get here, and I am not sure it will fit. Gack, I hate not being sure. Still, if it does not fit, I can still make some revisions. Revisions I would have to do for any other A/C in any case. Plus, I think the 8k would be perfect for my place. It could turn it into an ice box if I needed, or just idle and keep it in good stead too.
But, right now, I am trying to live on the cheap. Until money comes in, refunds arrive, and banking is normalized, I am living on luck and debt. Oh well. You have to do what you have to do. I ought to dig out my digital camera, at least, to try and get some pictures. I never did end up buying a film camera, time and money all became too tight too quickly. But the digital should make sharing easier.
Update: The a/c is on it's way. I did not order the one D.C. suggested. After a few careful (ha!) measurements, I decided I would have to build something no matter, so I went with the regular one (which I think will accordion out a bit more). I would have had to work with both sides and top on the other, but also had to mess with both top and narrower side issues. These slide windows are taller than full size and equal to or wider than some standard windows. It will be a week or more before it arrives, so I should have plywood cut, screws, and such by the time it arrives. Cheap is fine but I need cool.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Christmas vacation.
.
.
After some serious searching I finally found all that I need to arrange the Christmas vacation. It looks like a cabin is open and there are flights that match the needs of my lady friend. I have one final thing, or set of things, to check with here. The flights at the times she wants or needs each have an additional stop and the cabins require us to ski to them! It sounds exciting to me, even if the rout is almost four miles in. We will have to bring some gear with us, as well, so it will be a 'working vacation'. For me, I am all in for it. I will need to send her a checklist of things she will need to bring, some of which if she does not have I will help with. Though I think she has most of it or will get it herself. Who knows. We will mess with those details as the time draws nigh.
Though this will short my credit a bit now, it should all be paid for when the time comes. By then, I should not only have this paid for, I would guess I will have my credit cards zeroed again, and some money in the bank. I must admit, at this point though, the prospect of buying the tickets and making reservations is a bit nerve tingling in the bad way. Sticker shock works like that. But having it done and over, in time, will be reassuring. I suppose it goes along with 'having your cake and eating it to'. All things have their price and their pleasure, but only one of those at a time, as the saying suggests. I think it is better to pay the price first, then lounge in the pleasure. Yes, I know, it does not quite fit, nag, nag, nag. :p
I am excited about the deal. It will be interesting to see if skiing and lodging a bit in the boonies is as good for her as is canoeing and kayaking. If so, we might have to make this a regular event. I know I am quite interested. If nothing else, I might have to find other friends who like such things or simply go on my own. We (by we, I mean I) will even have to chip off my own wood for the pot belly stove. She will, I am sure, be happy that the cabin I have chosen is not, itself, in avalanche territory. Nor is the approach to it in avalanche threat. If, like all the other cabins avalable, much of the area around the chosen cabin is in avalanche area. All of the other cabins and some of the approaches to the other cabins are in avalanche lanes. *laughs* I guess that is how the nether regions are, in the mountains anyway.
It feels good to finally have that settled. Though I best get on reservations and such quickly. Tomorrow is a state holiday, so I cannot hold the cabin. And I will not make flight reservations until a cabin can be reserved. Though I can call her and leave a message to call me concerning the details. The bother, but it would be nice to see Tiger Lily again.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Pieces and parts.
.
.
After being here for three weeks, and having my internet active for a week, one would think everything would have been transitioned to my new account long ago. Not so. Just today was I able to get the primary business and blog stuff rolled over. My email account on my new system did not work like it was supposed to work. I had to play with it over a number of days for things to click. Then, to activate my account with the ISP to smooth out some final details, I needed (though did not know it) another code which ended up getting to me only a day or two ago. After figuring out which code went where, how this and that should be configured or at least figuring out how to configure it so that it does what I need, I finally do have most of that done.
My place needs a little tlc, but really, is still in pretty good shape. Taking out the trash, actually, is all that is needed. The trash and the recycling need to go out, to be more precise. Most of my systems are up and running, though a real air conditioner is being considered. Bit by bit, my bathroom and toiletries, a plunger, the computers, internet, and all are being arranged, plugged in, and getting going. Life here, on a personal basis, is nearly back to Iowa standards.
Money is becoming short, as I might have expected. I have plenty of credit, and actually plenty of cash, if it is split between two accounts, some of it in reserve for account requirements. I have a single bill left and several refunds ranging from $500 to $700 coming back. But being down to, seemingly, my last spendable nickles is always weird. Especially when I could use an A/C. I have plenty for food and small purchases, but $300 plus tax makes me grimace. August, and even September to a degree, are the hotter months. As such, I may just get the A/C now. As despicable as debt is, it has it's benefits too. Besides, I have more coming in than what I will be spending, apart, of course, from moving expenses.
Oh, and after negotiating times, dates, accommodations, and such, I do believe my lady friend and I have landed upon when she will visit. It will be good, for both of us, to have someone familiar to be with for Christmas. She had best not expect more than stocking stuffings for gifts, though. I do expect to throw in ski rentals, cross-country, for both of us though. Which means I will need to learn and then practice. The place for our stay is in prime cross-country area. It seems she has already learned and been going skiing there in Iowa, with other friends, this last winter. It should be a nice vacation for both of us. And of course, weather dependent, I might be able to show her around a little bit out here. Oddly, she has visited more of the parks in Utah than I have heard of in my preliminary searches. Still, I will nearly be native by the time she gets here. I do have a small Christmas present in mind for her, if I can find it.
My mother is safely on the ground and helping my brother recover from his emergency back surgery. She says he is doing very well, all things considered. He must have some of that resiliency that both Mom and I have. And the stubborn streak, or it would not have been an emergency surgery. I do think, that being brought to his knees in pain and the humbling nature of incapacity has lent to his understanding of not only who, but what, Mom is. I have been there and done that. And though at times I struggle with it, I have learned and try to back off, unless she encroaches too far, then I help her remember who, and what, I am. It is all good.
That is my life in a nutshell. I have things half done, things to do, and much done as well. I think with a proper cooling system in here, life might smooth out a bit more and more might get done more quickly. But it is working here, and well. Time will tell, but it is looking good. The future is so bright, I have to wear shades. Well, sort of.
.
After being here for three weeks, and having my internet active for a week, one would think everything would have been transitioned to my new account long ago. Not so. Just today was I able to get the primary business and blog stuff rolled over. My email account on my new system did not work like it was supposed to work. I had to play with it over a number of days for things to click. Then, to activate my account with the ISP to smooth out some final details, I needed (though did not know it) another code which ended up getting to me only a day or two ago. After figuring out which code went where, how this and that should be configured or at least figuring out how to configure it so that it does what I need, I finally do have most of that done.
My place needs a little tlc, but really, is still in pretty good shape. Taking out the trash, actually, is all that is needed. The trash and the recycling need to go out, to be more precise. Most of my systems are up and running, though a real air conditioner is being considered. Bit by bit, my bathroom and toiletries, a plunger, the computers, internet, and all are being arranged, plugged in, and getting going. Life here, on a personal basis, is nearly back to Iowa standards.
Money is becoming short, as I might have expected. I have plenty of credit, and actually plenty of cash, if it is split between two accounts, some of it in reserve for account requirements. I have a single bill left and several refunds ranging from $500 to $700 coming back. But being down to, seemingly, my last spendable nickles is always weird. Especially when I could use an A/C. I have plenty for food and small purchases, but $300 plus tax makes me grimace. August, and even September to a degree, are the hotter months. As such, I may just get the A/C now. As despicable as debt is, it has it's benefits too. Besides, I have more coming in than what I will be spending, apart, of course, from moving expenses.
Oh, and after negotiating times, dates, accommodations, and such, I do believe my lady friend and I have landed upon when she will visit. It will be good, for both of us, to have someone familiar to be with for Christmas. She had best not expect more than stocking stuffings for gifts, though. I do expect to throw in ski rentals, cross-country, for both of us though. Which means I will need to learn and then practice. The place for our stay is in prime cross-country area. It seems she has already learned and been going skiing there in Iowa, with other friends, this last winter. It should be a nice vacation for both of us. And of course, weather dependent, I might be able to show her around a little bit out here. Oddly, she has visited more of the parks in Utah than I have heard of in my preliminary searches. Still, I will nearly be native by the time she gets here. I do have a small Christmas present in mind for her, if I can find it.
My mother is safely on the ground and helping my brother recover from his emergency back surgery. She says he is doing very well, all things considered. He must have some of that resiliency that both Mom and I have. And the stubborn streak, or it would not have been an emergency surgery. I do think, that being brought to his knees in pain and the humbling nature of incapacity has lent to his understanding of not only who, but what, Mom is. I have been there and done that. And though at times I struggle with it, I have learned and try to back off, unless she encroaches too far, then I help her remember who, and what, I am. It is all good.
That is my life in a nutshell. I have things half done, things to do, and much done as well. I think with a proper cooling system in here, life might smooth out a bit more and more might get done more quickly. But it is working here, and well. Time will tell, but it is looking good. The future is so bright, I have to wear shades. Well, sort of.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Out and about.
.
.
I have not had but one day here at the cave, to myself, in a while now. But I am not complaining. I have been out target practicing three times recently, business took a few days, and the auto needed an oil change and a minor recall taken care of today. Tomorrow I plan on going shooting again. But this time I am going to buy a target paper holder and target paper. I know the guns are doing well, finally, but I need to know how well, what changes I can make, and then get going on making the final adjustments. As well, I will be taking swimming trunks. Near the place I shoot in Logan Valley, there happens to be a stream. It is not a tiny little thing and it is not a full out river either. There are areas beavers or something have dammed it which provide handy little wading pools. Though it is not as cold as spring, it should provide enough cooling for my needs. I have been eying the little water greedily lately, and know I must take the plunge.
As well, and in spite of the cost for us out-of-staters, I really have to get a fishing license. I am so hungry for fish and the water looks good. I may have to get some water footwear too, as half of my last pair went away in the white-water event of '08. I can handle the cold, especially now. But some of my gear is still in storage. I do have my fishing gear out, but I could use some other things from storage. I will have to make that more of a priority. I need several things, from clothes, to gear, to books now.
I am getting more comfortable with the temps and dryness hereabouts. I need to moisturize much less often, and the heat is bearable if I can get out of it from time to time. I suspect that by the time it cools off, I will be ready for summer. The good thing is, I think winter here will be a breeze. I fully intend to figure out cross-country skiing this year. Maybe by December, when my lady friend suggests she will visit, I will be competent enough to take her out for that a time or two. Who knows though, she is a kook.
I really need to begin going through my stuff. I would like to get calculus under my belt again. I can do that in a few weeks if I push it. Then I can keep it sort of on top with a half a dozen hours of study a week. Physics needs to be studied as well. I would like to go over differential equations before too long, as well, but I do not have a good study pack for that, yet. I have not tried to make contact at the school yet, I suspect everyone is gone. Maybe in a week or two though, I will call and see if an adviser or professor or two is available and would be interested in discussing school.
I saw that I had not updated for the last few days. Though there really is not too much going on, I decided to do a minor post. Sorry, but heat and such make excitement a bit scarce.
.
I have not had but one day here at the cave, to myself, in a while now. But I am not complaining. I have been out target practicing three times recently, business took a few days, and the auto needed an oil change and a minor recall taken care of today. Tomorrow I plan on going shooting again. But this time I am going to buy a target paper holder and target paper. I know the guns are doing well, finally, but I need to know how well, what changes I can make, and then get going on making the final adjustments. As well, I will be taking swimming trunks. Near the place I shoot in Logan Valley, there happens to be a stream. It is not a tiny little thing and it is not a full out river either. There are areas beavers or something have dammed it which provide handy little wading pools. Though it is not as cold as spring, it should provide enough cooling for my needs. I have been eying the little water greedily lately, and know I must take the plunge.
As well, and in spite of the cost for us out-of-staters, I really have to get a fishing license. I am so hungry for fish and the water looks good. I may have to get some water footwear too, as half of my last pair went away in the white-water event of '08. I can handle the cold, especially now. But some of my gear is still in storage. I do have my fishing gear out, but I could use some other things from storage. I will have to make that more of a priority. I need several things, from clothes, to gear, to books now.
I am getting more comfortable with the temps and dryness hereabouts. I need to moisturize much less often, and the heat is bearable if I can get out of it from time to time. I suspect that by the time it cools off, I will be ready for summer. The good thing is, I think winter here will be a breeze. I fully intend to figure out cross-country skiing this year. Maybe by December, when my lady friend suggests she will visit, I will be competent enough to take her out for that a time or two. Who knows though, she is a kook.
I really need to begin going through my stuff. I would like to get calculus under my belt again. I can do that in a few weeks if I push it. Then I can keep it sort of on top with a half a dozen hours of study a week. Physics needs to be studied as well. I would like to go over differential equations before too long, as well, but I do not have a good study pack for that, yet. I have not tried to make contact at the school yet, I suspect everyone is gone. Maybe in a week or two though, I will call and see if an adviser or professor or two is available and would be interested in discussing school.
I saw that I had not updated for the last few days. Though there really is not too much going on, I decided to do a minor post. Sorry, but heat and such make excitement a bit scarce.
Monday, July 20, 2009
At it again.
.
.
I have become used to it being 82 F in my apartment, and even going out and doing things on 90 to 100 F days. It has been a struggle. Drinking many types of fluid. Taking a breather when need be. Whatever. And I have become used to the arid nature of this new state. Moisturizer, and again water, plus a little closer attention to clues my body is giving off. Salt, too, in many forms, has become my friend. What I cannot yet do, well, or really at all, is to sleep when it is over 76 F. So, here I sit.
Now that the A/C has been off for a while, and as the night has gone on and the outside temps have dropped a bit, perhaps it will work well enough so that I may get some sleep. I have a few things to do tomorrow though I need not be awake too early to get to them. And yet I would like to work my schedule around so that I am up by 7:00 or 8:00. That requires getting to sleep around 21:00 to 22:00.
I will figure it out. At least I have nothing demanding that I be up early, so far. I suppose I just like to struggle. And struggle I do. Good night.
.
I have become used to it being 82 F in my apartment, and even going out and doing things on 90 to 100 F days. It has been a struggle. Drinking many types of fluid. Taking a breather when need be. Whatever. And I have become used to the arid nature of this new state. Moisturizer, and again water, plus a little closer attention to clues my body is giving off. Salt, too, in many forms, has become my friend. What I cannot yet do, well, or really at all, is to sleep when it is over 76 F. So, here I sit.
Now that the A/C has been off for a while, and as the night has gone on and the outside temps have dropped a bit, perhaps it will work well enough so that I may get some sleep. I have a few things to do tomorrow though I need not be awake too early to get to them. And yet I would like to work my schedule around so that I am up by 7:00 or 8:00. That requires getting to sleep around 21:00 to 22:00.
I will figure it out. At least I have nothing demanding that I be up early, so far. I suppose I just like to struggle. And struggle I do. Good night.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Target shooting and sightseeing.
.
.
I should have gone to church today, but I really want to scope out the places during the weekday when it is easier to get in and out. I have finally found the church, the second church that is, if I had not mentioned it. So, today, instead, my neighbor and myself went around the valley. He has lived here most of his life and all of his childhood and young adult years, so he knows a thing or two. He cannot drive currently, and has not been able to for some time. We end up making a pretty good team, as such. He knows where to go, I can and will drive. It might end up a daily thing. The only thing bad for him, I do not allow smoking in my vehicle. But we take breaks often enough for him I think.
Today we went south. In trying to find a place to shoot near a dam and it's reservoir, if unsuccessfully due to the weekend crowds, he showed me some good places to fish. We also happened to drive by the Osmond's farmstead, hunting lodge, or second (third, fourth?) house out in the boonies a bit. I saw a lot of good country. As well, I know more surely where I would like to live. As well, and just by happenstance, the old road we ended up upon heading south is a shortcut to Ogden. If it has a lower allowed speed, it is half the length and a lot more scenic. I will probably take that rout as it will cut my gas usage in half, perhaps quarter it with the lower speeds. As I told him, I have more time then money and I prefer the quieter roads. It might be tricky in the winter, I will just have to find out.
It amazes me that I can drive from city to real country in such a short distance. I think the reason so much of the Southern area has stayed countrified is due to the lack of real space to expand. Builders want vast tracts they can exploit, not dinky areas they have to hedge around mountain, water, and other large problems. Yes, south of Logan is where I want to be. In 15 minutes I can drive from there to college or town. The roads are good and look to be kept well winter and summer. I would much rather have a farmer friend or 5 a half mile away than a city slicker of unknown nature 20 to 50 feet away any day. Fresh hay, horse and cattle smells, alfalfa, a meandering stream, that feels like home.
Since it is Sunday, and though I have written a bit, I thought I would write about another Christian topic. Being a good man.
I was talking with a young man, a pseudo atheist, about being good. I call him a pseudo atheist because, though raised in a Christian home, he really did not believe, or even seem to understand Christianity, or what the big fuss is about. I was not really interested in evangelizing and he was not interested in being converted, but we did hit upon a topic that was of interest to both of us. That topic regarding being good and what being a good man really meant.
He initialized it by saying that since he tried to do the right things and believed in good things, that he was indeed a good man. I sort of chuckled at this and though he did initially become a bit angry and defensive, I calmed him down enough to engage him. I suggested that I was not really laughing at him, just the simplistic notions that are being developed in the young by the school systems today.
To be a good man, for one, is very simplistic. In the secular world, it means, well, nothing other than feeling good about yourself. There are no rules to it. There is no means of measuring it, unless you say that committing a crime is a bad thing. But that carries little weight, as colleges love to hire high profile "ex"-terrorists, their mouthpieces, and such. So, really, being good in secular terms is completely fiction. You cannot be good and secular. You can only feel good and be secular, if in a very shallow way.
Being good, in my understanding, is actually impossible on one's own. The closest we, in my circle, can ever get is to do good deeds and abstain from doing things that are sinful. Doing a good deed requires several things. The first thing is that the deed be intentional and willfully aimed at being a good deed. The next is that the deed must be carried out with that same intention until it is completed (the means, in other words, must also be good). Finally, the deed must truly end up in a beneficent result (the ends must be successful and good). Barring any of those three things, no good deed, no matter how well intentioned, carried out, or the result, is actually a good deed. He looked a little baffled and asked some silly (yes, there are silly questions) questions. So, I went a little further.
I suggested that he imagine that developing then producing a good apple was a good deed. I suggested that the secular world would laud him for just the notion. But I said, that is not the same thing. To do the good apple, one must do a lot of work. First, one must research apples, people's tastes, growing seasons, soils, and locations, and then begin forming an idea about which apples to try to combine to make a certain taste, consistency, texture, and such. Then, one must find a place where all of those apple types may be grown, which apple tree type to be the main and which to splice, and then figure out all of the splicing needed. Then, after years, or more like decades, of work, he might produce a good apple.
Further, however, is this. Even if he happens to produce a wondrous apple, will everyone like it? Well, no. Some people simply do not like apples. Some people are allergic to apples. Other people who do like apples will not like that particular apple. So, even this good deed is limited in scope. Much as good deeds may truly be.
My remedy may be simple, but it is this. First, accept that you cannot be good to perfection or even close. Second, decide what to do about it. But understand, just because you feel good about yourself or your deeds, really look at those and see if that is deserved. Good deeds are a lot of work. As for myself, I try to keep my attempts at good deeds small. Little things done well, and lots of them, do more for the world than medium or large deeds, especially should they go astray. I do not have, as yet, the tools to do the right thing on any kind of scale. So a little time spent with someone I know needs it, setting aside my dragons breath, scales, an claws here, asking if others need help and then helping if so there, and other small things. I still fail. I fail to spend the time, to ask, and sometimes simply to do anything.
I do not know if this meant a thing to him, in the end. I think it sounded a bit complicated. But too, I think it bothered him that his teacher's belief that he was a great guy just because he was a guy and they were in school together might be wrong. I planted a little seed. I only hope it grows. I cannot even say that it was a good deed, it was not technically forethought. Though, it could be argued, I think about these things and try to implement that thought when encountering contrary thought. Then again, perhaps my initial laugh was in poor form, therefore nixing the thing. I cannot say for sure, but I can hope, for him and me.
Good night.
.
I should have gone to church today, but I really want to scope out the places during the weekday when it is easier to get in and out. I have finally found the church, the second church that is, if I had not mentioned it. So, today, instead, my neighbor and myself went around the valley. He has lived here most of his life and all of his childhood and young adult years, so he knows a thing or two. He cannot drive currently, and has not been able to for some time. We end up making a pretty good team, as such. He knows where to go, I can and will drive. It might end up a daily thing. The only thing bad for him, I do not allow smoking in my vehicle. But we take breaks often enough for him I think.
Today we went south. In trying to find a place to shoot near a dam and it's reservoir, if unsuccessfully due to the weekend crowds, he showed me some good places to fish. We also happened to drive by the Osmond's farmstead, hunting lodge, or second (third, fourth?) house out in the boonies a bit. I saw a lot of good country. As well, I know more surely where I would like to live. As well, and just by happenstance, the old road we ended up upon heading south is a shortcut to Ogden. If it has a lower allowed speed, it is half the length and a lot more scenic. I will probably take that rout as it will cut my gas usage in half, perhaps quarter it with the lower speeds. As I told him, I have more time then money and I prefer the quieter roads. It might be tricky in the winter, I will just have to find out.
It amazes me that I can drive from city to real country in such a short distance. I think the reason so much of the Southern area has stayed countrified is due to the lack of real space to expand. Builders want vast tracts they can exploit, not dinky areas they have to hedge around mountain, water, and other large problems. Yes, south of Logan is where I want to be. In 15 minutes I can drive from there to college or town. The roads are good and look to be kept well winter and summer. I would much rather have a farmer friend or 5 a half mile away than a city slicker of unknown nature 20 to 50 feet away any day. Fresh hay, horse and cattle smells, alfalfa, a meandering stream, that feels like home.
Since it is Sunday, and though I have written a bit, I thought I would write about another Christian topic. Being a good man.
I was talking with a young man, a pseudo atheist, about being good. I call him a pseudo atheist because, though raised in a Christian home, he really did not believe, or even seem to understand Christianity, or what the big fuss is about. I was not really interested in evangelizing and he was not interested in being converted, but we did hit upon a topic that was of interest to both of us. That topic regarding being good and what being a good man really meant.
He initialized it by saying that since he tried to do the right things and believed in good things, that he was indeed a good man. I sort of chuckled at this and though he did initially become a bit angry and defensive, I calmed him down enough to engage him. I suggested that I was not really laughing at him, just the simplistic notions that are being developed in the young by the school systems today.
To be a good man, for one, is very simplistic. In the secular world, it means, well, nothing other than feeling good about yourself. There are no rules to it. There is no means of measuring it, unless you say that committing a crime is a bad thing. But that carries little weight, as colleges love to hire high profile "ex"-terrorists, their mouthpieces, and such. So, really, being good in secular terms is completely fiction. You cannot be good and secular. You can only feel good and be secular, if in a very shallow way.
Being good, in my understanding, is actually impossible on one's own. The closest we, in my circle, can ever get is to do good deeds and abstain from doing things that are sinful. Doing a good deed requires several things. The first thing is that the deed be intentional and willfully aimed at being a good deed. The next is that the deed must be carried out with that same intention until it is completed (the means, in other words, must also be good). Finally, the deed must truly end up in a beneficent result (the ends must be successful and good). Barring any of those three things, no good deed, no matter how well intentioned, carried out, or the result, is actually a good deed. He looked a little baffled and asked some silly (yes, there are silly questions) questions. So, I went a little further.
I suggested that he imagine that developing then producing a good apple was a good deed. I suggested that the secular world would laud him for just the notion. But I said, that is not the same thing. To do the good apple, one must do a lot of work. First, one must research apples, people's tastes, growing seasons, soils, and locations, and then begin forming an idea about which apples to try to combine to make a certain taste, consistency, texture, and such. Then, one must find a place where all of those apple types may be grown, which apple tree type to be the main and which to splice, and then figure out all of the splicing needed. Then, after years, or more like decades, of work, he might produce a good apple.
Further, however, is this. Even if he happens to produce a wondrous apple, will everyone like it? Well, no. Some people simply do not like apples. Some people are allergic to apples. Other people who do like apples will not like that particular apple. So, even this good deed is limited in scope. Much as good deeds may truly be.
My remedy may be simple, but it is this. First, accept that you cannot be good to perfection or even close. Second, decide what to do about it. But understand, just because you feel good about yourself or your deeds, really look at those and see if that is deserved. Good deeds are a lot of work. As for myself, I try to keep my attempts at good deeds small. Little things done well, and lots of them, do more for the world than medium or large deeds, especially should they go astray. I do not have, as yet, the tools to do the right thing on any kind of scale. So a little time spent with someone I know needs it, setting aside my dragons breath, scales, an claws here, asking if others need help and then helping if so there, and other small things. I still fail. I fail to spend the time, to ask, and sometimes simply to do anything.
I do not know if this meant a thing to him, in the end. I think it sounded a bit complicated. But too, I think it bothered him that his teacher's belief that he was a great guy just because he was a guy and they were in school together might be wrong. I planted a little seed. I only hope it grows. I cannot even say that it was a good deed, it was not technically forethought. Though, it could be argued, I think about these things and try to implement that thought when encountering contrary thought. Then again, perhaps my initial laugh was in poor form, therefore nixing the thing. I cannot say for sure, but I can hope, for him and me.
Good night.
God, the world, and all.
.
.
327.235, I think.
Well, maybe not. Unless you believe scientists have it, then it might as well be the answer.
Reading at Vox has been entertaining this way lately. It is interesting watching people with no faith trying to explain why they have no faith or prove that having no faith is correct. It is much like watching a kitten with a ball of yarn. If it was not so prevalent, it would be cute. But those kittens grow up to be monsters, and those monsters are the ones "ruling" this nation, and most others, currently. Not much to do about it other than to revolt, burn down the Ivory Towers, and exile those in power to the nations that currently exhibit their brand of death culture. Or, as is more likely, become persecuted to near extinction. Obama would fit right in in North Korea. His logic "works" there.
As for the ongoing 'debate', though. Vox does well with his arguments. I see no reason to add. Though often his debate style is more formal, so I decided to try my hand at it here, using methods that I prefer. I suppose the reason I am not an apologist is because my ways are based within faith and I am not interested in arguing the matters. I simply state why and that is all.
As for the world, and physical reality, and God, here is my go. While it is true that God is not all (animism, is what that would be), the way God can know all and be everywhere (though and again, not be everything), is that God made the world (henceforth world will mean everything physical). He designed the laws that govern what is, He knew what would happen if he did not just make it happen. In so doing, the world is within God, not the other way around. Time, space, the physical laws, and reality itself are sort of like a program a perfect programmer might write. More complex than any human writer could possibly imagine, and it works more flawlessly and seamlessly then seems possible, but it is the way of it.
As such, God does is neither defined by His creation nor is He in particular control of it (free will), at least where man is concerned. And yet, by defining or programming reality, His will is yet completely present and His definitions are paramount. What He has set forth will follow in their times, as he set forth, if not at a particular time. If something fails this time, because His chosen fails to do His will via free will, it will come around again with another chosen until it does happen. Programmers know this logic.
Why God is not subject to the program is much like why a programmer's life has little to do with his program. The programmer's life is centered around his values, his family, his boss, his interests, and such. The program he wrote does a specific task, once set in play, which impacts the programmer's life not a bit. The program functions as intended, if done rightly, on a little electronic device (or in this case the world), and probably at the behest of those who requested the work (in this case, God is both the writer and the client). God, too, lives outside of the program. Beyond, should He want, he has the capacity to rewrite the program as He might choose. My belief, however, is that he has no need to rewrite the program. All miracles, Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and other things that seem outside of what we know of the program, were all programmed in. It is our ignorance of the program, not some odd revision to the program, which surprises and astounds us.
Though in dark times, it might seem that God has abandoned us to dark people. It may seem God has turned his back on us. But if a closer view is taken, it is easy to note that it was not God who turned his back on us and left us to die. It is we who have turned our back on God and chosen evil instead of good. And, we will pay for it. It has always been this way, and it will be this way until none of us stand.
In spite of Vox's arguments, or mine, I believe the man he is arguing with and his ilk, now "rule". They will not be dissuaded, they cannot be debated, and they have no interest in the means, only in the ends. As I said, a kitten and a ball of yarn, only they have indeed grown, grown in numbers and power. It is the new boomer generation. And, they are murderous for their new faith (in science, government, socialism, a mix, or whatever). I worry about it, though too, I hand this worry to God. After all, it is His ball of yarn with which they play. Their claws, now long and bloody, are His too. They are within Him, not the other way around, despite any debate they might put forth.
As is obvious, they do not even realize that, even in the darkness they bring, they are His tools. They will do His bidding. They will serve those who have called them to power with the justice of God as they so richly deserve. Honestly, though, I think they know. I think they despise that there is something out there beyond them, I know they would love to flush God from man even as they believe in their own corrupted way, but even they know the most draconian of their governances have been unable to do so. Now, too, I would suggest the Christian lites of the world leave the Church. Go be humanists or whatever. If your names are on the roll, having voted for Obama will not save you. Leave the Church and become the dark tools that you are at a safe distance.
Well, I will stop there. I erased some of it, but nothing more than extra rant. Maybe I should have stopped with the programming theme. Who knows.
Have a great Sunday.
.
327.235, I think.
Well, maybe not. Unless you believe scientists have it, then it might as well be the answer.
Reading at Vox has been entertaining this way lately. It is interesting watching people with no faith trying to explain why they have no faith or prove that having no faith is correct. It is much like watching a kitten with a ball of yarn. If it was not so prevalent, it would be cute. But those kittens grow up to be monsters, and those monsters are the ones "ruling" this nation, and most others, currently. Not much to do about it other than to revolt, burn down the Ivory Towers, and exile those in power to the nations that currently exhibit their brand of death culture. Or, as is more likely, become persecuted to near extinction. Obama would fit right in in North Korea. His logic "works" there.
As for the ongoing 'debate', though. Vox does well with his arguments. I see no reason to add. Though often his debate style is more formal, so I decided to try my hand at it here, using methods that I prefer. I suppose the reason I am not an apologist is because my ways are based within faith and I am not interested in arguing the matters. I simply state why and that is all.
As for the world, and physical reality, and God, here is my go. While it is true that God is not all (animism, is what that would be), the way God can know all and be everywhere (though and again, not be everything), is that God made the world (henceforth world will mean everything physical). He designed the laws that govern what is, He knew what would happen if he did not just make it happen. In so doing, the world is within God, not the other way around. Time, space, the physical laws, and reality itself are sort of like a program a perfect programmer might write. More complex than any human writer could possibly imagine, and it works more flawlessly and seamlessly then seems possible, but it is the way of it.
As such, God does is neither defined by His creation nor is He in particular control of it (free will), at least where man is concerned. And yet, by defining or programming reality, His will is yet completely present and His definitions are paramount. What He has set forth will follow in their times, as he set forth, if not at a particular time. If something fails this time, because His chosen fails to do His will via free will, it will come around again with another chosen until it does happen. Programmers know this logic.
Why God is not subject to the program is much like why a programmer's life has little to do with his program. The programmer's life is centered around his values, his family, his boss, his interests, and such. The program he wrote does a specific task, once set in play, which impacts the programmer's life not a bit. The program functions as intended, if done rightly, on a little electronic device (or in this case the world), and probably at the behest of those who requested the work (in this case, God is both the writer and the client). God, too, lives outside of the program. Beyond, should He want, he has the capacity to rewrite the program as He might choose. My belief, however, is that he has no need to rewrite the program. All miracles, Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and other things that seem outside of what we know of the program, were all programmed in. It is our ignorance of the program, not some odd revision to the program, which surprises and astounds us.
Though in dark times, it might seem that God has abandoned us to dark people. It may seem God has turned his back on us. But if a closer view is taken, it is easy to note that it was not God who turned his back on us and left us to die. It is we who have turned our back on God and chosen evil instead of good. And, we will pay for it. It has always been this way, and it will be this way until none of us stand.
In spite of Vox's arguments, or mine, I believe the man he is arguing with and his ilk, now "rule". They will not be dissuaded, they cannot be debated, and they have no interest in the means, only in the ends. As I said, a kitten and a ball of yarn, only they have indeed grown, grown in numbers and power. It is the new boomer generation. And, they are murderous for their new faith (in science, government, socialism, a mix, or whatever). I worry about it, though too, I hand this worry to God. After all, it is His ball of yarn with which they play. Their claws, now long and bloody, are His too. They are within Him, not the other way around, despite any debate they might put forth.
As is obvious, they do not even realize that, even in the darkness they bring, they are His tools. They will do His bidding. They will serve those who have called them to power with the justice of God as they so richly deserve. Honestly, though, I think they know. I think they despise that there is something out there beyond them, I know they would love to flush God from man even as they believe in their own corrupted way, but even they know the most draconian of their governances have been unable to do so. Now, too, I would suggest the Christian lites of the world leave the Church. Go be humanists or whatever. If your names are on the roll, having voted for Obama will not save you. Leave the Church and become the dark tools that you are at a safe distance.
Well, I will stop there. I erased some of it, but nothing more than extra rant. Maybe I should have stopped with the programming theme. Who knows.
Have a great Sunday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)