|
Cosand
|
read my profile
sign my guestbook
Name:
Country: United States
State: Washington
Metro: Seattle
Gender: Male
Interests: Comic books, running, theology, sci-fi, books, cats, computers, writing, quotes, sittin' and talkin', gathering together to discuss all things Lost.
Expertise: IMAX projectionist of multiple years, comic book reader of more years, Quaker all my life, jogger of far too many miles
Occupation: Other
Industry: Entertainment
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
11/17/2005
|
|
| That darn moderation see-sawOnce again I ponder the question, how much of the real world do I let into my world? Fun songwriter, name of Matt Nathanson. Checked out his CD from the library even though I was tempted to buy it straight out. Glad I did. On the first few songs, it sounded fun. But eventually it became an entire CD lamenting his relationships with women. I avoided buyer's remorse. Huzzah! However, my more topical concern is that of... well, the topics. The second song, "Higher" is essentially and ostensibly about a subject that I don't ponder over too much. Sex. He's talking about her holding him close and hips moving... then there's a clever play on words about "coming on" where he lingers on that first syllable for a dramatic amount of time. Yes, the liner notes say "come on"... but please. Who're we kidding? Look, somebody wants to sing about sex (as clearly he does), that's fine. Freedom of speech. Artist's Voice. Expressing oneself. I'm behind all of that. But that doesn't mean I'm going to make time for it in my personal life. There's the common myth that men think about sex every 7/8/52 seconds (pick your number. It changes depending on the source). I think that concept is bunk, but I don't think the logic behind it is. People get a little too consumed by sex. Why do you think rape happens? I figure there are better things to deal with, so I try to limit my sex-obsessed behavior. I don't read Playboy, I have no interest in Angelina Jolie, and I can do without songs that spend 3 minutes babbling about sex with some partner who they don't talk to anymore. All that being said, there is a song of Nathonson's on my MySpace page because I think it is fantastic. It's fun. It's played with gusto. And the crowd loves it. So I'm not going to pretend that I avoid all references to sex. (Shoot, I have several DVDs where women appear topless. Not my preferred scenes, but I'm not one who usually throws the baby out with the bathwater in media.) Short version? I keep it to a reasonable amount. As my Mom put it about 15 years ago, "You're the one who has to answer to God at the end." I don't think there's a hard set limit. I think you and God can figure out what amount of indulgences are allowed in your life. I think it is always wise to aim for the side of simple/least indulgences... but to each their own. Shoot, I was considering taking a break from church. Skip a few Sundays in a row. But then a black woman told a fantastic story about segregation in Florida and it made me quite glad that I had attended. And the more church I miss, the more stories like this I might not hear. Doesn't mean I won't skip to visit family or if I've had a friend ask me to go fundraising with them. Though it will encourage me to limit the time I spend away from church (espeically since the "other" world does quite a good job at distracting me as is). Yeah, my church ain't exaclty sexy, but apparently there are enough things around me that are. I'll commit a bit more to that first group than the second, thanks. Toodles -PC, see-saws, balance; I don't even have the balancing skills to ride a bike, darnit! | | |
| Ego: More than just a 4 point Scrabble wordHowdy, Yep. It's that time again. Time when I spend time pondering me and all my me-ness. The problem with it all? Exercise. I'm too good at it. "Wow Philip. You poor thing. You're good at exericse?!?! That's... I mean... that's just terrible." Hold your horses. I'm gettin' there. See, I was born skinny. (Thanks Dad!) And tall. (Thanks Mom!) So I like running. It's easy for me, it shuts my brain down, and it guarantees that I get my sorry butt outside. I enjoy it. It's fun for me. For Earth Day, I ran 13 miles to work. Ran 6 miles on my "quiet" day yesterday. I just like running. It just so happens that it is good exercise. Keeps me healthy, and of course, keeps me thin. Then I see ads for tv shows where you're supposed to exercise, not only to lose weight, but so that you can win that million dollars if you're the biggest loser. :| Uh huh. My skinny self takes umbridge at that. What happened to being healthy/ exercising... oh... I dunno... because you're supposed to? (If you really want to incur my scorn, smoke a cigarette while wobbling out of a hummer and into a steakhouse. My eyes'll explode from shooting daggers) In all things exercise related, I defer to the wisdom of Jess. She's a trainer, she does triathalons, and she's biked from Seattle to Portland. Multiple times. I seriously considered calling her or e-mailing her, and asking: What do you do when you find yourself being overly competitive and judgemental of those around you? I was at Greenlake and there was a woman there, I kid you not, whose buttocks were each the size of my head. Wearing spandex. Judgemental Cosand wants to kick in screaming. And there's the fact that if I take the fastest entrance to work, I walk through the smoking area. I have judgement issues. I don't deny it. I'm reasonably smart, reasonably fit, and reasonably successful. So people thare aren't? I have a hard time understanding how they "let that happen". The quotation marks mean i know as I'm thinking the thoughts how pompous and misguided they are. My solution for now? As a great and wise communications major? What tools will I employ to better get along with the world? Shut up. That's what God had to tell me yesterday morning. And it makes pefect sense. If I'm less busy trying to talk, be interesting, and get my point across; then I can let others talk, be more interesting, and have point-of-views that just might blow my mind. I've heard how some medicines can make you gain weight. I've heard how some people used to be joggers until they blew their hip. I've heard how having 5 kids makes it worth being a little poorer than they'd like. Or I might. Who knows unless I put my foot in my mouth and chew on it a little? I think Jesus was just as good at listening to people as he was talking. If he wasn't hearing what they were saying, how could he answer their prayers just right and give them just the miracle that they needed? Sure he was perfect, but I think he also gained insight by listening, really listening to people. And really? I'm not the world's most interesting person in the world. I do fine, but I don't need to have someone write a book on me. And I certainly don't need to be the center of attention. So really? Sitting back, relaxing, and shutting the sam hill up? Sounds just fine by me. Toodles -PC, figures sometimes there's two sides to every story. And sometimes there's more than two. | | |
| Bat-QuakerHowdy, Rather than ruminate on the humbling concept that I'm getting older, I'm going to focus on something else. Something happier. And simpler. Batman is close to being a good Christian role-model. Now, there's always been the Quaker side of me that ponders my love of comics. I don't like wrestling or football, so why do I care about people in spandex hitting each other when it is on a piece of paper or in cartoon form? I think I have another piece of it figured out. First off; wrestling? That's two people trying to prove their the best. Same with sports. Yes, there may be some small glimpse of an "epic battle between the underdog and the goliath", but to me? It's just two teams/people/entities going at each other for the fun of it. With nothing really achieved at the end. So I retreat to the world of comics where things are actually at stake. The way I have seen it (Ever since listening to the Audiobook version of Kingdom Come- Excellent, highly recommended), Batman can be simplified down to one simple concept. He's a man who doesn't want anyone else's parents to die. That's it. Everything he does is in service of that one goal. Flip over to Jesus. Everything he does is in servcie of getting people to God. Showing them love. I argue that Bruce Wayne is showing love... just in a very, very dark, ahem, violent way. I'm not saying I can still justify his methods. But his motives? He's trying to cut back on suffering! (And in his defence? A: He doesn't kill. B: Whe he does fight, he always starts off with a low level of violence and builds his way up. Yes, he wants to stop the criminals, but he doesn't believe in breaking bones "just because". And if he isn't good enough to stop them? Then he makes himself better. Figures out a way to outsmart them. Batman always finds a way. ;) He's cool ike that.) Show me someone else who spends all their time, resources, and numerous talents to help others. Who goes to bed wondering if he's done enough. If he's saved all the people he can. (Seriously, having your parents' shot and killed in front of you? And just for jewelry and money? Yeah, that kinda thing sticks with you.) So yes, Superman is "better". Kinder, nicer, more acceptable by government and the masses. But Batman? Self-sacrificing. Smart. And determinded to save as many people as he can from his nightmare. I'm okay looking up to those kind of ideals. (Just, y'know, not emulating -all- his actions.) Toodles -PC, reader of many things. Comics and not. | | |
| Some Healthy Reality (TV)Howdy, For the past few weeks I've let myself indulge. I've accepted a chunk of television that I frown upon. But by "a chunk" I mean one or two shows. So I think I just might survive. Previously, my only enjoyment in the world of reality tv was found in Beauty & The Geek. Even though it is produced by Ashton Kutcher (as close to a "tool" or a "Hollywood prettyboy" as I'm likely to get), I still find the show to have some redeeming qualities. As with most reality shows, there will always be a "winner". Clearly, a couple gets eliminated every week. But in the meantime? There's some actual positive stuff that occurs. !!!! I know! The geeks get to share their love of knowledge, science, and books with the attractive gals. At the same time, the lasses teach the fellows how to talk to women, what clothing suits them better, and the importance of self-confidence. No one expects a couple to magically become attracted to each other, there are no forced relationships, just teammates. Of course, the preview of next episode chose to highlight a moment when a nerd spits at the feet of a beauty. So yeah, not the highest quality of television. Better than most... but still beneath my standards. Then there's the more recent dabblings I've attempted. Here Come The Newlyweds. I admit, the main reason why I started watching this was because it was on right after Oprah's Big Give. Then there was a certain couple. The Krashins. Delightful. Sarcastic, cute, gave and took heckling back and forth. I thought they were great. My kind of couple. The type of folks I'd be friends with and have dinnerr with. She's saucy and sarcastic, he's resiliant and humorous. It worked. Then the people of the house decided that the Krashins were trying to "play" the others. That they were lying. Personally, I didn't see it. And of course, with any reality show, as soon as you get labeled as different, you're already on the way out. When they got booted, my interest waned. There were other couples that I thought might have some interest for me, but it wasn't to be. They had a race car derby that just looked stupid in previews. There was the perfect blonde couple that don't seem to understand each other at all who just drove me nuts. And there was bringing all the couples who'd been voted off before to have the might-be "winners" say what they really thought about the others. Y'know, so they could get some good prime time, face-to-face confrontation and maybe conflict to boost their ratings. Oh, and the host thinks he's funny. Let it be said, that show just ain't for me. But if the Krashins are the kind of people I think they are, then they're swell. However, in this sea of putrid filth, there's a little glimpse of non-suckyness. Oprah's Big Give. Thousands of people applied to be on this show. They gave up about 2 months of their time so they could race around spending thousands of dollars. On other people. They took time away from their families and jobs to take care of others. As someon who feels like God is calling me towards servitude, that's a nice little concept to reel me in. And of course, there's the whole "winner/elimiation" tactic which I'm sure will come up in the season finale next week. But I'm hoping that the people will choose to do something good with the million dollars they win. Like give it away. I'd like to think the 2 months they've been helping others less fortunate than themselves will stick and they'll find creative ways to spend a million dollars on others. That, and the finale has Jennifer Aniston. Who I love. :) Personally? My votes for Steven. He's 42, and he has it pretty good. Job, wife, house, a few kids. But to watch him last night? When he went back to visit his home town for 4 days? That man loves his familiy. I mean, slap the word "family-man" on a t-shirt and give it to him. The way his daughters run to see him, the amount of time he spends hugging his wife and giving her flowers... there isn't any real way to doubt it. He gets invested in other people's families, he takes time to talk to the kids... he's just a solid guy. He looks just fine, but he's not a model by any means. He has some harsh words to say about selfish people, but he clearly has a good heart. So for this guy to go out and spend all his time helping others? Yeah, that's a show I'll get behind. And yes, there are faults to this show to. For example: Last night they had all the contestants fly from Chicago to Orlando. There they had John Travolta fly them in his 707 plane from Orlando.... to Chicago. ??? Yes, they wasted two plane trips worth of oil to add a Travolta moment. For ratings, I'm sure. And I understand as well as most that television is a profit industry. But it still angers me that they'd waste those resources for nothing more than a created "moment". Bah. And 'I find it odd that most of the generous "donations" are from companies that just so happen to advertise during the show itself. Target. Sprint. Ford. Shopping sprees. Phones used by contestants. Free cars. It just feels like mutual back scratching. I suppose there's nothing wrong with giving advertising rights to companies that are nice enough to donate items... yet there's a lingering "how much of this was prearranged?" feeling to it. However, if you find a way to help that many people and still get good ratings, I can't really argue with your results. Oprah's Big Give warms my heart in the same way that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition used to. (Tai gets annoying, and the designers were getting petty. So I ditched 'em.) Helping people, giving stuff away, and putting it on tv. Not brilliance, not Lost by any means, but certainly something I don't mind spending my time on. Huzzah for tv with heart. That's what I say. Toodles -PC, convinced the world can always use more heart | | |
| Stewardship: Hold the private planeHowdy, As I've said before, my pastor is keen on speaking about funds. Recession. Giving recklessly. I, of course, being the opionated twerp that I am, have my own thoughts. So, in theory (for future reference, all "In theories" from here on are from my pastor's chat yesterday) we're supposed to not worry about things. Not have finances in mind. I don't buy that. I figure that God gave us a brain, and that God wants us to use it. That if God puts us in a position where we can have a 401K (for me, 403b), then we might as well use it. If it doesn't even come close t compromising what I believe in, then why shouldn't I just go aheah? Let's say we all embrace Buddhism. That we all take up lives of being nomads and asking for alms from strangers so we'll have enough to eat and dress ourselves in. If we are all peasants, then who's going to be the one with all these blessings to bestow upon us? (I don't really care for "things" here, I'm mainly talking about shelter, warmth, clean food....) I always fancy myself as someone who keeps up the homefront, so why not have a few things laying about to make their stay easier? Perhaps I'm making excuses. That we're all meant to have nothing and just have enough to get buy, and nothing else. But I doubt that. No, my thinking is that God let's us have nice things. And then it's our responsibility to make sure that we keep our focus on God, and not on our things. That we can have fun with our PSP/favorite bike/golf clubs, but don't become obsessed with them. Won't lend them out. Will break someone else's things just to upset them or because we're jealous of what they have. I think God gave me the ability to work 2 jobs and sleep just fine, so I am okay saving a little extra and buying a few more books and DVDs than others. I also believe that I loan those items out more than others. Take what God gives you, and make it work for everyone. Enjoy the nice things, but remember who was kind enough to give it to you. That's how I see it. Should a recession come? I probably have room for a temporary roommate while they job hunt. And they'll have things to do to take their mind off of things. I loan out comics to friends looking for a literary fix. I'm just a smaller version of a library. Here to entertain and encourage. And I can't imagine God having a serious problem with that. Of course, I could always be wrong. It's happened before. ;) Toodles -PC, has no problem disagreeing with most authority figures (sometimes I'll do it just for fun!) | | |
|
