As has probably been recognized at this point, I've been sort of busy.
I have realized how crappy I am at managing my days, which means that as I write two papers and prepare a proposal for a research project, my days extend from one to the next with me even realizing it. I have yet to go to bed before 1:00 AM, and that day was an exception: most days I go to bed around 2:30 or 3:00 AM. My goal is to get it all done by Wednesday night when I drive south. It won't happen. But I'm trying. I may pull my first all-nighter of the year (or college career) within the next few days. Tonight, I'm forcing a sundown-to-sundown Sabbath on myself, which really defies all logic, but it's happening.
And I was crazy-busy before this week, but I now have another element in my life. Yes. It finally happened. I know I swore it never would, but it did.
I have a girlfriend. Her name's Anna.
And she's AMAZING.
Um...yeah. Hehe.
I'm trying really hard to not get sick, but I feel that there's enough crap growing in this apartment that I'm bound in inhale something destructive at some point. This will probably be my first post before break, and likely until I get back from break. I haven't really kept up on blog stuff, so I apologize. But I've got other priorities.
I Know
How Dare I.
lol
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Day 65
Somehow I made it through the week. Tuesday and Wednesday were burly, as predicted, but once I hit the "send" button and emailed my paper off to my professor, I sank down into the swivel chair in the computer lab, decided to skip my class, made my way back to my apartment and fell onto my bed for an hour long nap. Before eating dinner and going to my friend's house to do laundry and waste time. It was incredible.
Thursday I woke up and went to Starbucks in the morning, then called my Grandpa and had a really good conversation. Then, I think I made ramen and went to campus. Yes. Yes I did, because I got on my skateboard for the first time in two months, and my slackline for the first time in two weeks. By the time I was done with that, I had time for about an hour of studying before dinner, after which I went climbing and watched a movie in the library, Triumph of the Will.
Triumph of the Will is a movie made in 1934 in Germany documenting the Sixth Nazi Party Conference (or Congress, I can't remember.) Lots of smiling people, laughing kids, and "Heil Hitlers." It was sort of chilling, really, to watch people get sucked into the whole super-nationalism thing. It was interesting thinking of parallels within the United States, though many of our prejudices are somewhat under the surface (meaning not blatantly obvious) My favorite parts were the ones with the flags. They sing the national anthem, we sing the national anthem. They do the "Heil Hitler," we put our right hand over our hearts. Just something to think about.
This week is finally over. I'm planning on a Sabbath tomorrow, but we'll see how that goes. I know that I need one, but it's a matter of what I feel like doing. I'm working on a question for a history paper and am having a really good time researching. Honestly. I am starting to really like microfilm. I'm SUCH a nerd.
Thursday I woke up and went to Starbucks in the morning, then called my Grandpa and had a really good conversation. Then, I think I made ramen and went to campus. Yes. Yes I did, because I got on my skateboard for the first time in two months, and my slackline for the first time in two weeks. By the time I was done with that, I had time for about an hour of studying before dinner, after which I went climbing and watched a movie in the library, Triumph of the Will.
Triumph of the Will is a movie made in 1934 in Germany documenting the Sixth Nazi Party Conference (or Congress, I can't remember.) Lots of smiling people, laughing kids, and "Heil Hitlers." It was sort of chilling, really, to watch people get sucked into the whole super-nationalism thing. It was interesting thinking of parallels within the United States, though many of our prejudices are somewhat under the surface (meaning not blatantly obvious) My favorite parts were the ones with the flags. They sing the national anthem, we sing the national anthem. They do the "Heil Hitler," we put our right hand over our hearts. Just something to think about.
This week is finally over. I'm planning on a Sabbath tomorrow, but we'll see how that goes. I know that I need one, but it's a matter of what I feel like doing. I'm working on a question for a history paper and am having a really good time researching. Honestly. I am starting to really like microfilm. I'm SUCH a nerd.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Day 61
I am very tired right now. Nearly everyone I've talked to (or taken the time to talk to) has told me I look it. It's that time of the quarter. Professors are starting to want the papers they've assigned, in addition to the reading they've assigned. I honestly don't remember being this tired and stressed out, and I've realized that when this happens I basically don't want to do anything at all but listen to my music. There are about 6 people with whom I can hold a conversation. Everyone else, more or less, gets ignored.
It was a good call to not take that FedEx job. And my Beta/Gamma RA buddies are reporting ridiculous amounts of work to be done up on the Ridge: One-on-Ones with every resident (at least 32 per RA) to be done by Thanksgiving break. Which, at weeks 8, 9 and 10, is nearly impossible. In fact, I would say that it is. Unless you are taking about six credits of school and your residents respect you fully and do everything you say (and have nothing better to do with their time but meet with you.) In addition, from what I hear, a write up is required to be submitted on each resident reporting on their growth and what they expect out of school.
GROSS. No thanks. They don't get paid enough.
Life is stressful, and I'll hope to be sleeping pretty soon. Tomorrow is a holiday. Which really doesn't mean anything different for me because I don't have school on Tuesdays anyway. So it'll be just another day in the life for me. I've got a ton of work to do. And it's supposed to rain, so I'll be stuck inside anyway.
I'm going to finish my Ramen, make some tea, read some Macho Paradox, and go to sleep. Must... make... it... through... Wednesday...AAAAAAAAARRRRRRGH.
It was a good call to not take that FedEx job. And my Beta/Gamma RA buddies are reporting ridiculous amounts of work to be done up on the Ridge: One-on-Ones with every resident (at least 32 per RA) to be done by Thanksgiving break. Which, at weeks 8, 9 and 10, is nearly impossible. In fact, I would say that it is. Unless you are taking about six credits of school and your residents respect you fully and do everything you say (and have nothing better to do with their time but meet with you.) In addition, from what I hear, a write up is required to be submitted on each resident reporting on their growth and what they expect out of school.
GROSS. No thanks. They don't get paid enough.
Life is stressful, and I'll hope to be sleeping pretty soon. Tomorrow is a holiday. Which really doesn't mean anything different for me because I don't have school on Tuesdays anyway. So it'll be just another day in the life for me. I've got a ton of work to do. And it's supposed to rain, so I'll be stuck inside anyway.
I'm going to finish my Ramen, make some tea, read some Macho Paradox, and go to sleep. Must... make... it... through... Wednesday...AAAAAAAAARRRRRRGH.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Day 57- The Conclusion to 56
I emerged from the Haggard Hall computer lab last night, ready to ask the woman working the coffee stand for some hot water for my tea. As I approached the double doors, I stopped dead in my tracks: out in Red Square (yes, within the context of what I'm about to tell you, it's ironic) was a large gathering of people, presumably college students chanting, banging pots and pans, and so on. All of a sudden, my historical background came flooding back to me, and the pieces fell into place as to why I was hesitant to vote for Obama and yet had been unable to articulate.
As I walked outside, while people were chanting "O-bam-a" to the point of ridiculousness, I was scared. As a supporter of neither political candidate and not wanting to pretend that I was a supporter of either of them, I was scared at the happenings. Yes, people were happy. That's fine. But I felt the presence of the "Obama Cult" stronger than I ever had before. To the point that it reminded me of the Stalin cult in late 1920s-50 Soviet Russia. I am not going to draw a parallel between the two events, because the situation is so drastically different that I would be lying to say that they are similar. But what I observed on the campus of Western Washington University on the evening of November 4th, 2008, was the glorification of an individual to the point that he WAS the United States. To the point that the identity of every individual gathered outside was found within that of the man elected to be the next President of the United States. At least that was my perception. But what do I know?; I walk around barefoot when it's 40 degrees outside.
So, I express formally my cynicism, if you hadn't picked up on it already. I would be just as uneasy as with McCain, though it would be because I have an idea of what to expect rather than not having an idea of what to expect.
God is in control. And I have better things to think about, things that I can actually effect. Things like ending male-perpetrated violence against women.
As I walked outside, while people were chanting "O-bam-a" to the point of ridiculousness, I was scared. As a supporter of neither political candidate and not wanting to pretend that I was a supporter of either of them, I was scared at the happenings. Yes, people were happy. That's fine. But I felt the presence of the "Obama Cult" stronger than I ever had before. To the point that it reminded me of the Stalin cult in late 1920s-50 Soviet Russia. I am not going to draw a parallel between the two events, because the situation is so drastically different that I would be lying to say that they are similar. But what I observed on the campus of Western Washington University on the evening of November 4th, 2008, was the glorification of an individual to the point that he WAS the United States. To the point that the identity of every individual gathered outside was found within that of the man elected to be the next President of the United States. At least that was my perception. But what do I know?; I walk around barefoot when it's 40 degrees outside.
So, I express formally my cynicism, if you hadn't picked up on it already. I would be just as uneasy as with McCain, though it would be because I have an idea of what to expect rather than not having an idea of what to expect.
God is in control. And I have better things to think about, things that I can actually effect. Things like ending male-perpetrated violence against women.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Day 56- The Obligatory Election Day Post
I haven't thought that much about politics today. Honestly. After settling on a third-party candidate due to a moral conviction to not vote for either candidate, I dropped off my ballot this morning and set my mind to school work. I was blessed with a great day of filled with peace and clarity of thought.
I must say it is funny how grouchy and argumentative people get on election day. I mostly watched people get passionate about hating political figures, and since I didn't vote for either of them I was totally fine listening to rants on either side of the debate, because I agreed with a lot of them no matter whom I .
Until people bring history into it and forget that I actually care about my chosen field of study. Or question personal character and moral conviction based upon someone's candidate of choice.
A few things people either a.) forget that I hate, b.) don't know that I hate, or c.) know that I hate but do anyway:
1.) When people look to me for validation/ support for their agendas, whatever they may be.
2.) Call countries like Russia (I think they mean USSR) or China communist.
3.) Call the US "the most moral nation in the world."
Unfortunately, basically all three things happened earlier today. Those of you that know me can guess what happened next. Thankfully, I bit my lip and left the room once I realized what I was starting to do.
Um. I've got a couple of theological ideas I'm mulling over, as well as one prompted by my hour of Halloween that I spent out of the house. I'm waiting to talk them out with someone before I post so I can get my thoughts in order, but look for some doozies coming. Like I said, I've had a lot of clarity of thought today. I'll be up for another six and a half hours, as I will be driving down to Burlington FedEx to inquire about a job down there.
So now I'm going to go outside, out into the realm of cell phone reception. Which means that I may have received several text messages saying "YAY OBAMA"
BOO, capitalism.
I must say it is funny how grouchy and argumentative people get on election day. I mostly watched people get passionate about hating political figures, and since I didn't vote for either of them I was totally fine listening to rants on either side of the debate, because I agreed with a lot of them no matter whom I .
Until people bring history into it and forget that I actually care about my chosen field of study. Or question personal character and moral conviction based upon someone's candidate of choice.
A few things people either a.) forget that I hate, b.) don't know that I hate, or c.) know that I hate but do anyway:
1.) When people look to me for validation/ support for their agendas, whatever they may be.
2.) Call countries like Russia (I think they mean USSR) or China communist.
3.) Call the US "the most moral nation in the world."
Unfortunately, basically all three things happened earlier today. Those of you that know me can guess what happened next. Thankfully, I bit my lip and left the room once I realized what I was starting to do.
Um. I've got a couple of theological ideas I'm mulling over, as well as one prompted by my hour of Halloween that I spent out of the house. I'm waiting to talk them out with someone before I post so I can get my thoughts in order, but look for some doozies coming. Like I said, I've had a lot of clarity of thought today. I'll be up for another six and a half hours, as I will be driving down to Burlington FedEx to inquire about a job down there.
So now I'm going to go outside, out into the realm of cell phone reception. Which means that I may have received several text messages saying "YAY OBAMA"
BOO, capitalism.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Day 54
After spending my weekend doing not that much of anything, I'm sitting in the kitchen of my apartment while roommates busily prepare their dinners around me. Having eaten my daily allotment of Sweet & Salty granola bars, I'm finishing off the coffee that I made a few days ago (I think.) The current song on the soundtrack is "Faithfully" by Journey, and I've spent my day getting somewhat caught up on the stuff that I really should have been doing all weekend, including working on a paper on Sheol for my Ancient Israel class, getting my analysis papers done, and picking a topic for my Southern Africa paper. I have very little interest in doing any of those things, so I am wasting time on this useless blog that maybe four people will read.
So a few developments in the life of Brandon.
1.) I am feeling a call to do cross-cultural missions work. I don't know what that looks like at all. But my "plan," however insignificant or incorrect it is from a divine standpoint, is to finish school and hang out in Bellingham until doors start opening and God's timing becomes apparent. If it works that way.
2.) I am meeting with a shift manager Tuesday morning at FedEx to possibly apply for a job there. The meeting time: 2:45 AM. The shift time: 2:30 AM-7:30 AM. We'll see what happens.
So a few developments in the life of Brandon.
1.) I am feeling a call to do cross-cultural missions work. I don't know what that looks like at all. But my "plan," however insignificant or incorrect it is from a divine standpoint, is to finish school and hang out in Bellingham until doors start opening and God's timing becomes apparent. If it works that way.
2.) I am meeting with a shift manager Tuesday morning at FedEx to possibly apply for a job there. The meeting time: 2:45 AM. The shift time: 2:30 AM-7:30 AM. We'll see what happens.
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