Category Archives: Current Events

Current events and culture, however loosely defined.

Keeping Up and Other Ramblings

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I apologize for wasting your time if you read this.  I’m sure there is something (anything) else that is a better use of your time.

I love this time of year, truly, but it is exhausting.  Some people have jobs that have stress throughout the year, but mine seems to pile up in the first 4 months of the year.  But that’s where all the fun and joy seems to fall, too, so I wouldn’t change it.

Since I’m tired after working a 11-hour work day (I’m writing this Tuesday evening), I’m going to write about the first thing that comes to mind.  Technology.  Perhaps this comes to mind as in the last month or so I’ve gotten both a Nook and a Windows 7 phone (yes, my 6th cell phone in 9 years).  Plus, I’m currently listening to the chapter on media from Thom Rainer and Jess Rainer’s The Millennials.

(Side note: Jess talks about how his journey with media began with Oregon Trail…didn’t it for most of us older millennials?  I loved that game, especially since it counted as “school!”)

When I got my last new phone a year and a half ago (I had to get another so soon as I’m switching back to AT&T for work…4th company switch!), I talked about how much cell phone technology has changed.  My phone is, of course, not only my only phone and how I primarily communicate (via text), but also my mp3 player, GPS (haven’t used it yet, but will the next time I need directions), and the camera I use more often than not (to film video, too).  If I wanted, I could use it to check email or watch videos, but I haven’t done that, yet, either.

I love the all-in-one-ness of today’s cell phones, and I assume it will continue.

Interesting statistics (sorry, that’s what you get for me writing while listening!): 13% of my generation (born 1980-2000) write blogs.  Millennials like me (with graduate degrees) are most likely to use social media.  Ha, am I just a statistic?

So what are your thoughts on the technology trends?  What are your hopes?  Your concerns?

At Least Do It for the Sticker

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I can’t believe it’s Election Day again.  It feels like it was just Election Day 2008…am I the only one who thinks that?

I actually haven’t been following politics as closely as I used to.  It seems like it’s all the same old debates, and no one in politics really seems to see things like I see them.  That’s okay…just means that I have to spend a lot of time researching, thinking, and praying over whom to vote for.

Regardless, I’ll be voting today.  If you’re a US citizen 18 and older, you better be too (unless, of course, you voted early).  No one can speak for you like you can speak for yourself, so don’t remain silent.

I may not be very patriotic, but voting is one of my favorite parts of being an American.

Photo by Jessica Whittle Photography

Out of Oblivion: Facebook Takeover

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Remember, this was 4 1/2 years ago!

Monday, January 30, 2006

According to Facebook:

1.3% of Southeastern Baptist reads The Bible.

I’m thinking that number is slightly off. I hope.

Monday, February 27, 2006

I think facebook is taking over the world. Don’t get me wrong, I like facebook, and it helps me keep in contact with my friends all over. Yesterday on the news there was a story about a tragedy involving two UNC students. The pictures they had of them were off their facebook profiles (properly cited). Who would have thought that facebook would have become a reliable news source?

This weekend was so relaxing! I watched movies, read, and studied a little. I still have quite a bit of studying to do for my tests tomorrow, but I’m much more in a studious mood this morning than I was even last night. Maybe I’ll continue the semester’s work after all.

Three more days of class and then it’s spring break! It’s not as exciting without Glorieta, that’s for sure. I’ll just be staying around here, working, and catching up on school work. That works for me. The real break comes the next week when Miss Dana will be here! Yay for visitors!

Logical Conclusions

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How about a little controversy, shall we?  It’s been too long, hasn’t it?

If I only had to go by the reaction to the Judge Walker’s decision on California’s Proposition 8 that I saw on Twitter, Facebook, and television, I’d assume he was the people’s hero.  I hope that’s not quite the case…I know I’m not the only one saddened by last Wednesday’s decision.

Though I don’t know if I’ve specifically mentioned it (in 999 posts…yes, that makes tomorrow’s the 1000th…get ready for it!), I don’t think you’d be surprised to find that I take the biblical, traditional, and (until recent years) only definition of marriage.  We all have the right (regardless of our sexual preferences) to marry an unmarried adult of the opposite sex.  Equal rights.

So yes, I was saddened by Judge Walker’s decision.  But you may be surprised to know that what saddened me wasn’t primarily the decision against marriage.

First, I was disappointed that the federal government once again has unconstitutionally taken away power from the states.  If the people of California decided to refine “marriage”, I would have to accept that (though I would still argue that they are wrong).  That is their decision.  But the decision was taken out of their hands.  They no longer have that right.

And if they no longer have that right as the residents of California, I no longer have that right as a resident of North Carolina.

But more than that, what saddened me was that there is now a precedence for the out-right disregarding of gender.

We no longer have to use the slippery slope argument.  You can get a judge to almost anything as long as they have a legal precedence to do it.

And now there is.

If gender no longer legally matters in marriage, should it in a draft?  I think it’s pretty clear that the logical answer is “no.”

What about dorm room assignments?

The sex of chaperones on school trips?

“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27, NASU

I think this is a pretty good time to remind you of the comment policy.  Thanks, loves!

Photo by Joe Gratz

TV is Rotting My Brain

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Okay, so the title is overly dramatic, not to mention cliché.

But I can’t help but think that the amount of TV I’ve watched in the last couple of months isn’t healthy.  I don’t feel I watch excessively (maybe an average of 10-12 hours a week…you all know how much I read, but that still sounds like a lot), but I still feel too tied to that little gray box, or really, the little gray computer screen.

I hate being tied to a TV show.  Yet shows like 24, Glee, and So You Think You Can Dance “make” me come back week after week.  And then there are all the crime shows that suck me in.

During finale season, I repeatedly cringed as conversation after conversation, online and off, dealt with this show or that show.  And then just the other day we had some friends over, and the group of us sat around discussing TV for about an hour.  We could have intelligently discussed any number of topics, but we went for the lowest common denominator (and I definitely was a part of the problem on this one).

I guess that’s what I don’t like about TV…it IS the lowest common denominator, rarely challenging.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, sure.  There’s nothing wrong with mindlessly relaxing occassionally, but a book can have the same affect while improving your vocabulary and reading abilities without you even realizing it.

Like most things, TV’s best in moderation with a healthy dose of discernment and critical thinking.  Moderation has never been something that I’ve been good at.  If I start watching TV any given evening, I’m not likely to stop before going to bed (late).  So I’ve been trying not to start.  Aside from the previously-mentioned SYTYCD (hey, at least dancing is “the arts”), I don’t want to watch any TV during the week.

By cutting out a lot of my TV watching, I’ll be able to keep up my reading habit and be social (obv not at the same time).  And if I know what’s good for me, I’ll throw in some exercise, too.

Photo by schmilblick

Smileys Anonymous

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A post about my move is still coming.  I had intended to post it today, but I need my real camera (which is at work) to take decent pictures…phone pictures just won’t do for my fun blue room!

I have a problem.

I’m addicted to smileys (especially of the =), ;) and =P variety).

And LOLs. (which has gotten so bad that I start to think “lol”)

I need help.

I’m pretty sure that I was able to write without them at one point.  I don’t think they ever slipped into a paper during my school days.

But today I can’t seem to write a text or a blog comment without them.

Help!

Photo by ~Prescott

Taking Liberties with Liberty

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If you don’t like something in the American culture at large, is it okay to say it? Fight it? Encourage lawmakers to restrict it?

If the issue is the treatment of animals, the emission of greenhouse gases, or the enforcement of immigration laws, the answer seems to be yes.

But what if the issue is moral? Limiting pornography distribution, the defense of the traditional family, or the ending of legal abortion?

The answer seems to be no.

I know we Americans pride ourselves on our freedom.  I’m thankful to live here, truly.  But when did our inalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” come to mean “you mind your own business and I do whatever I very well please” ?

I’m okay if that “whatever” is just a difference of opinion.  Or just stupid.  But when it is something harmful to others or trashes and distorts one of God’s good gifts, a line has been crossed.

Civil discussion encouraged.

Photo by Beverly & Pack

Even a Global Warming Skeptic…

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I have no idea why I’m writing an Earth Day post.  It’s not likely that this will be the first one you will read, if you spend any time at all in the blogosphere.  But over the past year I’ve been taking more intentional steps to take better care of our home.

I’ve already mentioned our garden a few times.  It’s been growing, especially the cucumber and tomato plant (which is already about 1/3 to half it’s full size).

I wish I could show you pictures, but that’s what I get for having supervised-visitation only with my plants (I joke that I feel like I don’t have custody of them as I haven’t yet moved in with Jen).

You’ll just have to picture growing plants (except for the mint which I apparently killed by burying the seeds WAY too deep).

Another thing that I’ve finally gotten good about it using reusuable shopping bags.  I’ve only gotten a few eye rolls from cashiers (that used to be me, so I understand), but it’s worth it on many levels.  I wish I could tell you my primary motivation for this is creation care, but that’s secondary.  I really just hate having to mess with plastic bags.

I’ve also been working on water usage. Still haven’t figured out how to help with the garden water, but I have figured out that I don’t need to run the shower while I’m shaving my legs.  Saves gallons of water, especially when it’s been a while since the last time I shaved (I apologize for any men reading this!).

I’m not trying these things because being green is in.  I’m doing them because I believe that as a Christian I’m called to be a good steward of everything God has given me, not just my time and money.  And that includes this beautiful planet God has given us for a home.

I’ve still have got a lot to learn.  That’s why I’m excited to read Green Like God which I just ordered from Amazon.  I heard about it on Carol’s blog, got excited about it, and then realized I knew who the author was, as he was a student at Southeastern when I was.

Even a global warming skeptic like me can take steps to take care of the Earth.

Have any more suggestions?

Photo by cygnus921

Give Life a Chance

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While sitting in my carrel waiting for my next tax client, I saw a sight that made me smile.

A child ran by.

Nothing unusual in a place that offers numerous services to families.  All children make me smile (except, perhaps, when they’re disobeying me), but I had extra reason to smile when I saw this cute little girl.

Under her blonde pigtails I saw a face touched by Down Syndrome.

I couldn’t tell you how long it’s been since I saw a small child with Down Syndrome.

Perhaps it’s just the children I’ve been around.  I see dozens of children a week between church and work.  But something makes me think that’s not just it.

According to a medical study mentioned in the Washington Post, there should have been a 34% in the number of children born with Down Syndrome from 1989 to 2005.   In actuality, there was a 15% decrease.

While I don’t wish more children to have Down’s Syndrome, I most certainly wish more children with Down Syndrome to have the chance to live.  Actually, I want ALL of them to have a chance to live.  Sadly, 92% of parents who find out they are expecting a child with Down Syndrome kill that child through abortion (according to the same study).

Statistics are just that–numbers.  But each child denied the chance to live (as if life and death should be in our hands) is one less child to bring a smile to our faces, to humble us, to give glory to our Creator.

I don’t necessarily think that pre-screening is a bad idea.  But if we’re going to use that screening to determine which child should live or die, it should be stopped.  What basis do we use to determine if a child should live or die?  Quality of life?  I think having a life is better than not having one.  Potential for early death?  There’s no earlier death than death in the womb.

What a price to pay for the sins of others.

Photo by Charlotte Morrall

Why I Love the Olympics

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There’s just something special about the Olympics, isn’t there?

My love of the Olympics is two-fold.  First, I simply enjoy watching sports.  I think it brings out the competitive side of me.  While I obviously have a preference of what sports I watch (college football, college basketball, PGA majors…in that order), I can watch almost anything and enjoy it.  The only known exception is soccer…blech.

As far as Olympics sports go, I’m pretty predictable.  My favorite winter sport is figure skating, and my favorite summer sports are gymnastics and swimming (probably because I know how fast they’re swimming).

But really, the second reason is what I want to talk about.  It’s the global aspect of it: people from all countries (except for our warm-loving friends for the Winter Olympics) come together for one cause.  Of course, we need to remember that world peace isn’t possible on our own terms.  But there is something special about people from different peoples coming together…reminds me of what heaven will look like.

Now THAT’ll be a place of world peace.

Photo by Dieter Drescher