Friend of Spiderman

Good Night, and Good Luck

2008-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

This is my last post from this weblog. It is not a sad day, though, seeing that I am moving to bigger and better things.
I have moved my blog to what I believe is a better web hosting site, called WordPress.

My new address, along with all the posts from this weblog is:

www.brianmeagher.wordpress.com

I do hope that you will follow my journey along with me. Thanks for all the support I have had thus far!

७.२.८

2008-07-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

Wrapping up. That is what I am doing.
The last of everything is happening. I said goodbye to my family. I am sleeping downtown tonight at CCF so I dont have to drive about an extra hour tomorrow morning, coming down 85 to get on 75. I went to Bowen Homes the last time this morning, and I was with my last group. They prayed over me, which was cool.
I am sad to leave. I have made a lot of friends, and a lot of general contacts, as well as just general differences on people's lives. I know I have. It is hard to explain to you how good it feels to have a kid ask me what happened to my hair, because he didnt recognize it without it, or hearing them yell my name from inside their house, and be excited and run out to play with me. These are lasting impressions.

On a sidenote, yesterday Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) started passing out the first series of Section 8 vouchers for those that qualified. They have 90 days to move out. This is the beginning of the move out of Bowen Homes. Sad, but reality in this section of town. Atlanta in 5 years will be different, I guarantee it.

I am all packed in my car, and am planning on waking up at 4 in the morning, to be on the road by 4:30. I think it should be good to get home early. I am excited to see those who are in the metro Detroit area, and to share my story there.

This is my last post from Atlanta. Thank you for those that prayed for me, as well as called me/emailed me/left fun comments. It has been a journey, and I appreciate everyone of you for sharing it with me. I hope that we can connect face to face when I return back to Michigan.

७.२.7

2008-07-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

This is a good summary of what has happened inside of me, what I have learned, and how I have lived my life over the past month and a half. I am not saying this in vain, because by no means has living having my light actually shine been easy. I still have screwed up, but Jesus still shines. Chris Tomlin sang these words last night, and I just was energized by them tremendously. I hope that you get charged by them, and that light and life come flowing out of you.

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

७.२.६

2008-07-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Story time. This goes up there with the drugs and the shootings and the snake.

I spent an hour with the police on Thursday, and the story really stinks because of why.

So we were playing in Bowen Homes, like we normally do. There were three groups there with us, but the first two groups, who had knocked on doors and played had left, leaving the third group who got there late and didnt knock on doors, but were there until about an hour after the other 2 groups left. And I was the only staff person there with the last group. That is important information.

So then comes the time for us to leave (2:30) and the group really has to be somewhere by 4, and they needed to actually leave. There was a little girl who wasnt going home, and would cry that she wanted to. Normally we just leave all at the same time, but right when we were about to, this group of girls (6-10 years of age) says that they dont know this little girl, about age 2, and dont know where she lives. So, the group leaves, and I am there with 7 children, one of them not knowing where she lives and isnt really talking. I didnt know what to do. So I called my boss, and she said this has never really happened before, but I would be able to figure it out. So as I was asking if anyone knew this little girl, the other 6 kids I was with called over the police, who happened to be driving by. That was not my plan, seeing as the kids are taught to hate the police in this hood, and I knew that it would tense the situation. But thankfully we had a really nice man, who understood why I was there, and once I explained the situation, got on his horn and started making phone calls.

The story was that "someone" saw the girl get dropped off by a grey van. So right away the police officer was a little ticked that someone would just drop off their 2 year old with whomever. I guess that makes sense, right? I talked with this officer, and about 5 other officers within the next hour. They decided that they were going to send the girl to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), and had called for an APD car from downtown to come pick her up.

Sidenote: DFCS means that once the girl gets sent there, her parent[s] get in trouble, and go through basically a custody battle, if you will, to get her back, if they get her back. It is a horrible process, especially for the actual outcome of this story.

Ok, so it had been over an hour, and the car was not there yet, and I had been talking with them for a while now and everything, and her mom comes in. She said that some people knocked on her door (first group) and said that they would bring her back. So really fast, it went from mom's fault to my fault (since I was the one in charge), and the mom got mad, took her baby, and left. I was mad at the group for not telling me before they left that they took her with the notion that they were bringing her back. Not a good situation. I told my boss, and he called up the church, and told them what happened, and everything got settled. You could point all the fingers you want, but the facts are that this lady sent off her 2 year old. I am not talking like almost 3, either. She gave the birthday, and it was like this baby just turned 2, and that is why she didnt know her name, where she lived, or anything. She was so stinkin young! And the horrible thought of having this little baby, and her mother, now going through DFCS, and turning their world upside down. It was just a rough afternoon, to say the least. I am glad I dont have to deal with that.

७.२.५

2008-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

I may or may not have mentioned that I like kids. In particular, I like babies. For some reason, I feel like I just am comfortable, and playing with kids and babies just seems natural to me. I have found out on this internship that not everybody is like that, either. I mean, some people are just really not good at playing with kids. It is very odd to me that people just dont do well. Oh well, I will just take my abilities and move forward with that.

The other day I went to lunch with Kate (E2L staff member/friend/awesome person) and her family. She is from England. Her cousin was visiting from England with her friend, and then her sister was there also with her mom. Her mom and dad are foster parents, and so right now they have 2 young babies, Mimi and Tracie. Mimi is 15 months and Tracie is 6 months old. So they are young, and it was a pleasure being with them. I got to hold Tracie for a long time while we ate and it made my day for sure. I didnt have my camera that day, so I asked Kate for some pictures of them. These are the babies in their normal habitat.

७.२.४

2008-07-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Time is winding down here in Atlanta. I realized today how sad I actually am about leaving. I know I am ready to go home, but I really feel like I have connected deeply down here.
I dont know if I mentioned it in an earlier post, but the CCF people at Georgia Tech were trying to convince me to transfer to Georgia Tech. Oh how complicated that would be, but the thought raced through my mind.

I had a sit down with Vince (E2L Executive Director) the other day. It was really cool to hear how the director has kept the doors open for the last few years, with times being so difficult and everything. I think it is all just hitting me that my time is slowly winding, and it is making me sad.

One month from now I will be in Alabama for Field Training. Wowzers.

७.२.३

2008-07-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Last night was so weird. I was driving home, and about 500 yards from my house, I saw something moving in the road. I thought it was a stick, but it was distinctly black. I drove slower, and saw it slither away. Yes, that is right, it was a snake. Gross to the max. Now, you may not know me well enough to know that I absolutely hate snakes. I have many stories about how much I hate them, but I am trying to get that fear out of my head. So here are the 3 possibilities of what kind of snake it was, based on where I am in the country:

The Black Rat Snake

The Indigo Snake

or the Black Racer

My thoughts are that it was a Black Racer just because of how fast it slithered off the road (I hate the word slithered...it gives me chills), but I dont really know.
Ok, enough talk about snakes.

७.२.१

2008-07-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am back. Back from Peachtree City, and back to attack, but not really.
I got to hang out with some SAU graduates, which was awesome. Mike, Crissie, Austin, and Jono all live down here, and are going to go to the Bethel Atlanta School of Supernatural Ministry.

Peachtree City has over 80 miles of golf-cart paths. Everyone has one there. Needless to say, there is a bit of money there. All the SAU grads minus Jono are living with host families until they get their own place. We went to the fireworks over the lake after a dinner at a church, which was free (saweet!).
Saturday we went to a place called Tea Fusions, and then just chilled, and cut my hair,

and then watched a movie at night.
Sunday was the intense day, going to Bethel Atlanta (3 hours) and then up to Atlanta for feeding homeless. However, when we arrived in Atlanta, there were roads blocked off, and we couldnt figure out how to get there with those roads blocked off, so we were just going to go to the hospital to pray for people. I ended up having a 2.5 hour discussion with Mike in the car once we got there, and then ended up going home.
I got home, and then decided I was still going to go to IHOP even though the people I was with all weekend werent going to come due to other reasons. So I went to that service, which was sweet (3 hours, as well). So I had a lot of God, and a lot of Jesus, and a lot of the Spirit. I was tired.

७.२.0

2008-07-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

I have a good weekend planned, I think. I am going south a bit, to Peachtree City (the city that people move around on golf carts), and hanging out with SAU people.
Mike, Jono, Elijah, Austin, and whoever else lives there are the people I will be hanging out with. Tentatively the plan is for me to stay the night with them, and then either Saturday or Sunday we are going to go to IHOP-Atlanta. International House of Prayer, that is, not International House of Pancakes. I think, though, that if I do that, that I should go to an IHOP after IHOP just to say that I went to IHOP and then went to IHOP. We will see, though.
Have a great July 4th if I dont talk to you.

७.१.9

2008-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Today I went to lunch with my boss and the former development director, named Mavi. She left due to having a baby, which is sweet. He is 4 months now. We went to some place, and her and her husband were sitting on one side, and Amanda and I on the other. The three of them were talking, and I basically ate really fast.

I then volunteered to hold the baby, which was awesome. I held him for upwards of half an hour.

There is just something about holding a baby that makes life just stop. Needless to say I had a great lunch.

७.१.8

2008-07-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

It is Wednesday now, and I am still in the office. It is funny working in this building because people know that we work on the 5th floor, all based on the 5 of us not wearing business clothes. For instance, my rolled up jeans, flip flops, tshirt, mohawk and beard sort of give it away where I work, when I have my keys out and they see me in the elevator. I know they are all jealous.

I decided to make a list of all the things that go through my head when I work here. I have looked a lot up, since I dont do much else, but this list is lately what I have been thinking of, and comparing them, as if one can win over the other. Here it is:

John McCain vs. Barack Obama
John Stewart vs. Stephen Colbert
Facebook chat vs. G-Chat
Blue vs. Red Gatorade
Free Methodist vs. United Methodists
Air Mattress vs. Real bed
Tigers vs. Braves
Olympics vs. Field Training (grrr)
Maps vs. GPS

That's all. Life, as you can see, is super exciting around here. I am now trying to figure out what I am going to do with a day off. Not to mention that it is the 4th of July, so I ought to do something, ya know?

७.१.७

2008-06-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend was yet another eventful weekend. I have yet to not have something to do on a day off, and I think I like that.

First off, Saturday was really a bad day. I mean, I got to sleep in, but I didn’t have anything to do during the day. I ended up sleeping until 1:30 before getting up, and then took a shower. I ate some waffles and muffins that were in the fridge (my first meal that I haven’t bought other than last night’s dinner) and then watched team USA play Michigan in Ann Arbor. So then I read my Field Training manual, which I need to know what is going on in it.

I was hungry, so decided I was going to get something to eat. I have recently come into contact with Firehouse Subs, which was founded by firemen. They are delicious, and relatively cheap, so I have had about 5 subs in the past 4 days. Balance meals, right? I thought so.

I then came down here to Atlanta, where I got invited to hang out with the CCF people. We went to the movie “Wanted,” which I thought was good. Sorry, Dad, that I didn’t wait to go see it with you. It would have been one of those “guy” movies we could have seen together.
But it was good, and someone paid for my ticket, which was nice. He said that since I drive and don’t get paid, and that he had money on his gift card, that he didn’t mind. What a nice guy, James is.

I then slept at the CCF house, which was sweet. I mean, I didn’t have to drive back and be tired again. We got up, and went to church, which I really enjoyed.
After, we went to lunch, and of all the places in the city to go to, I saw 2 Spring Arbor folk who are living down here this summer. It was awesome to meet up with them and find out that we will be able to hook up sometime. I am stoked about that.
I watched the Euro Cup final at a CCF-er’s house, and when we got back to CCF, we found out that one of the cars was stolen. So we had to call the police and tell them everything, etc. It was an interesting end to a strange weekend.

Hopefully this week is not full of too many surprises. I think I have had my share with the drugs, violence, and theft this week.

७.१.६

2008-06-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today has been a relaxing day. I went to bed around 11, and got up at 1:30. I figured it was a deserved sleeping time after how much I worked this week. I did the math, and figured out that I put in 63 hours, 32 of them by the end of Tuesday. With all the ups and downs of the week, I was just ready to sleep.

As the end of my internship approaches (okay, it is a month away) I am looking forward to Field Training. I sometimes wake up feeling nervous about it. I read all my materials daily, but just dont feel ready for it in August.

I have to keep trusting God through all this.

७.१.5

2008-06-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

Alright. It has been more than 12 hours since the shooting. I think I will explain what happened now. This possibly could be a long post, so hopefully you are comfortable, even though this story may possibly not be the nicest.

I go into a neighborhood that is very bad on a weekly basis. It is called Bowen Homes, and I love going there. We knock on doors, and get the kids to come out to play with us in the community center parking lot. We walk up and down the streets, knocking on all the apartment doors. They know us there as Kid's Explosion, which was a program that we used to run. They have no problem with having 30 white kids there, because they know that means that their kids 1. are off their chest, and 2. they will most likely get something.

Background information:
There is one road that is a circle that goes around the whole community called Wilkes Circle. It connects to Yates Drive, which is the road you turn into the community in. Wilkes forms a "U" shape from the 2 places you can turn on it, being a circle. There are 2 roads that also run in between the "U" called Chivers and Walden. The community center we play at is at the bottom of the "U" where Chivers and Wilkes Circle meet. the main two rows of apartments are between Chivers and Walden. We walk those streets every time we are there.
Also, Bowen is in the zip code 30318, which is what is known as the worst zip code in the southeastern United States. They are tearing this community down, and moving people out. The situation really stinks, since one major motivator is the value of the land to the city, and not the people. This obviously would make people upset, and recently has been causing more tempers to be flared up, as you would imagine.

Okay, so background info aside, let's shoot to the story (pun intended).

I had gotten to Bowen about 2 hours before the rest of the group because either my or my boss's texting wasnt working. She said they were going to be late, but I didnt know that. So I was there and sat in my car for a while, and for some reason, something in the air didnt feel right. There were more people outside than normal, but it was only 3:30, so I didnt really think anything of it.

The group got there, and we started knocking on doors. I told Amanda, my boss, that I didnt feel comfortable walking down Chivers like we usually do (Chivers is the street where I saw all the cocaine on Monday: read previous post). So instead we walked down Walden Street, and then went back to the community center. Normally what we would have done would be to walk up Chivers, and come back down Walden, or vice versa, getting kids from both streets. But we left out Chivers today. God thing #1. When we got back to the community center, I was in charge of the church group, which was about 35 people. They had 3 15-passenger vans, all parked next to my car. Amanda and 2 girls went down Wilkes Circle to get some more kids across from the community center, so I was there by myself with the group, which was no problem (just remember Amanda, the experienced one, wasnt with me).

All of a sudden, there were a burst of quick loud POP POP POPs. Firecrackers are normal in this community, so after realizing that the kids were ducking, I yelled for our group to get down, as they were looking to me for instructions. After about 8-10 rounds, and it sounding super close, and it stopping, I had to make a quick decision since Amanda was not there to make the decision. I yelled for everyone to get in the vans. Everyone was in the vans in no time (literally, this possibly could have been the fastest 2 minutes of my life). Everyone was back with exception to Amanda and the 2 girls she had with her. I called her, and I was on the phone with her asking her where she was. They were running back as we were speaking, and more shots rang out, this time I could see the car that the guy was firing from inside. It was a blue Corsica without tinted windows. At this point everyone was back in the vans and down, with exception to myself, the leader of their group, Amanda, and the two girls. John, their leader, and I were hiding on the ground in between my car and the first van. As we saw the car drive up about 800 feet from us, and I was on the phone, there was another burst of POP POP POPs. This time it was about 12-15 shots, and when those rang out, I was down on the ground, even though he wasnt firing in our direction. He then sped forward, which was to the corner where I was at. He was going too fast, and ended up almost crashing into the curb. He had to back up, and when he did, I saw him, the gun, and was just praying that Amanda and the girls were safe. As he turned right to where Amanda and the girls were, apparently he drove really slowly past them, and then turned back up the next street. So in all that, he basically went around the whole block one time, and fired about 25 shots.

There are a few crazy things about the whole situation. First, we were not the intended target whatsoever. They like us there, and what we do is good for their community. The fact that I didnt feel right about walking down Chivers was odd, too, with the timing of when we would have gone up Walden and when the shooting started, we would have been right where it happened on Chivers. Another odd thing is that when we walk around, and there is a group of guys, I usually take the lead in approaching them, just so the teens from the church group dont have to go through all that awkward shock of men drinking/drugging/swearing/whatever-else-happens-in-groups-like-that. So As we were going up Walden, I talked with about 8 guys (all dressed alike, aka one of the 4 predominant gangs in Bowen) and told them what we were doing. They said they would send some of their girls out. None of them were older than 28. This is the group that the shooter was shooting at. He shot at them from the street we were on, and then drove to the other side of the street, since that is where they ran to.

I have yet to find out if anyone was killed or just shot. The local stations dont usually report stuff like this. Sad, but true life for them.

Taken from Vince's (our executive director) talk to the group in their debriefing:
"We dont do it because it is safe. WE do it because we believe that God is working and we are a part of that work. It isnt easy doing what he wants sometimes, and sometimes not physically safe. We trust God is working in the lives of those that we were with. These Kids live in this daily. They dont get a break from this hell...You can die living for God, or just die, and I have made up my mind."

I was rejuvenated after I heard him talk. I didnt say that I stopped shaking, I just said I was refueled.

७.१.४

2008-06-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

I dont know how to start off this post. I have been thinking about it for a long time, but there is no way to get around it.

I was in a drive-by shooting today.

I was in Bowen Homes, which is a place I am in 3-4 times a week, playing with kids at the community center and such, and then today, shots broke out, and we had to leave. That is the short story. Tomorrow at work we are going to compare stories, and swap how it all went down, but my version is that there were about 25 shots taken in 2 series (8-12 the first, 12-15 the second), no one from my group was injured, nor the kids we were playing with, I was about 1000 feet from the shootings, and that we are all okay now.

I can also say that I dont think I have ever feared something so much as that moment. I saw the gunman. I saw the gun. I knew my kids were safe in the van. He wasnt after us. Ill try to find the story online tomorrow, but it is unlikely that there will be anything at all.

Isnt it weird what I wrote in post 7.1.2 at the beginning? God is good, that is for sure. Ill have more in a later post.

७.१.३

2008-06-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

My sister is famous.

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jun/26/catherine-meagher/

Check it out.

७.१.2

2008-06-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am first starting by saying that in my last post I mentioned a ton of bad things. I want to assure you, the reader, that my safety is not compromised ever in the situations and neighborhoods I am in. I am completely safe. And I rely on God, whom I trust with my life. That is enough for me. So, with that said, let us continue.

This post is just going to be pictures with descriptions.

This is a collection of items I found on the ground at the place we did a VBS in Bankhead today. All 4 of these items were within about 5 feet of each other, and they werent the only ones. I was going to put a piece of glass in there, too, but decided against it. For those of you who dont know what it all is, it is a bottle cap for a beer bottle, 2 drug baggies, and a bullet casing.

This is the conference room while a group was listening to our executive director speak.

This was the last picture of me taken before I got my hairs cut. Notice the tshirt. Kelly got it for me, and sent it to me in the mail. I love getting mail. And tshirts.

This is my desk at work. I have only worked like 2 days there so far. Ill be there all next week, though. Air conditioning is so nice.

This is the whole office.

This is our conference room.

My new haircut. Like it?

That was the tour for today. If I feel like it, Ill update some more pics later. Tell me what you think.

७.१.1

2008-06-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

Work is fantastic. I love going in every day (Notice I said I love going in, not getting up to go in - that was key thinking).

These past 2 days have been awesome. They sort of blur together, but basically we did the same things, just in different order, and in different places, and with different people, but it was the same, basically. Ill touch on the highlights.

Taken from Wikipedia, this is the area where I hang out most of the time:
"Bankhead is also home to Bowen Homes and Bankhead Courts,housings projects in known for its rampant violence and drug dealing. It has become one of the most crime infested and poverty stricken areas in Atlanta."

That is the sort of area I hang out in, Bowen and Bankhead. So Monday we were in Bowen walking around, and to prove that statement true, I have a story. I lead groups to go knocking on doors to get kids out to come play with us. It is a very systematical way of knocking on doors, and it is very efficient, if done correctly. As we were walking, I approached a group of about 8-12 men (older than 18, younger than 27) who were just standing around drinking [beer] and talking loudly. I just mentioned to them why we were out walking, and as I was approaching them, I realized why so many of them weer banded so closely together and talking so loudly. One guy had his hand holding a bag discreetly by his pants. It was about a softball size of cocaine. That also explained the large amount of bills in the rubber band that the guys next to him had, and it also explained why one guy was upset with whatever was going on in the conversation. So, needless to say, we kept moving - quickly.

During the play time my job is basically to know what is going on in the community, and make sure that the groups are safe and know what they objective there is ( to play with the kids). Sometimes Ill jump in (every time, not sometime) and find the kid that is not being talked to, or is just standing around. I usually approach with high fives, and get down on their level, which is most of the time me sitting on the ground or bending over, depending on how tall they are. So I approached this one little kid who was all alone, and stuck out both of my hands. I was down on one knee, and as i had my hands out for high fives, instead of taking them, he just ran into my arms, and clutched me around the neck, and didnt really let go. It was as if he had been waiting for me to do that. So I picked him up, with him still clutching like his life depended on him holding me, and found out that he was 3 years old, his name was something I couldnt understand (not surprising. In fact, I could write a whole post just about names, and how some of them are so darn hard to understand/pronounce/spell). So that was one of those moments where the world stops and you are immersed in that kid. It was awesome.

Then about 40 minutes later i picked up another boy, who I think just wanted to play with my hat, but I picked up up, like he wanted me to, and I found out that he also was 3 and that his name was Travis. As I found this out, he began swinging his fists hard into my jaw. I mean like he punched me, and I have a bruise on my face from a 3 year old punching. I told him to stop because it hurt, said something to distract him from punching, and then he hugged me, which was sweet. I love little people hugs.

I let a girl named Lucy take my camera for a while, and take pictures.

This is a good example of what goes on. Lots of games, and I thought this picture was cool.

This is a picture of Lucy, who took a lot of picures for me.

This is a typical picture of what I do here. I could have picked a more motionless one, but this captured what happens more often than not.

७.१.०

2008-06-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Alright then. I have a little breathing room...finally. Let us play catch up.

This weekend was sweet. It started off with my first Braves game:

I had never been to one, and the CCF crew went, so I went along. Funny story now, but not so funny then - I actually got a nosebleed. We were 2 rows from the top. It could have been because we were so high, or maybe because of the dry air, but regardless, it happened. And after there were fireworks. Not because I stopped my nose from bleeding, but because it was Friday night. I love fireworks.

Then Saturday started my adventure. I slept in a bit, and then drove up through Georgia, through North Carolina, and then into Tennessee. I went to meet Kelly and her family. It ended up being a really sweet day and a half.
When I got there, I met with Kelly's mom, dad, and younger siblings, who had driven up from Mexico, for ice cream, and to meet in general. Then Kelly and the rest of the 20 members of her extended family came, and we all went out to eat. Then we went back to the cabin, and hung out all night, getting to know each other, and playing games and having a jolly ol' time. It was fantastic.

The next day (Sunday) every family except Kelly's family went hiking. This left us to relax and enjoy some quiet in the house together. It was a fun afternoon, and really relaxing. Kelly and I drove out to the mountains and did our own hiking, which was really just finding our own paths to the rivers or just taking pictures here and there. Here are some:

So it was a great time seeing her and her family. Then I made it back to my home in Lawrenceville by 1:30am, only to sleep for a few hours.

७.०.९

2008-06-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

I have worked over 32 hours in the past 2 days (Monday and Tuesday). I am a bit tired. I am going to write about my weekend in Gatlinburg with Kelly and her family, as well as what I actually did for those 32 hours of work. They are great.

I just need some sleep - that's all.

७.०.8

2008-06-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to go into something and coming out changed, or at least looking at it with a different perspective.

For the first time today, I realized that I was doing the work of Jesus. I tried to think of a better way to say that, but that was all I could think of.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 1:17, which says

"learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."

I have now participated in or have lead groups to do so with every ministry that this organization provides. Every time is different, and every time gets better.
My eyes were opened, for lack of better words, to seeing Jesus in the hands of the old. He is with them, even as they prepare to die. I see Jesus in the homeless - the ones who are ignored. They are just itching to have someone care for them - to have someone listen. I have seen Jesus in the workers for the Boys and Girls Clubs. To care for a child speaks volumes to me. To see Jesus in the abuse and drug-torn projects. It is not easy to see Jesus here, but when you looks, you can see him. He is there, providing safety, food, shelter, and community. And lastly, where Jesus is evident is in the child. One main ministry that E2L does is in the projects.
I am talking the projects that when I say I hung out there yesterday, Atlantans give me weird looks, as if saying "why in the whole world were you in that community?!?"

Love.

That is the best answer I can give. Jesus was so simple, yet we make him to be such a sophisticated man. He preached love, and that God is love, and that love will help all things. I can see Jesus in the kids at these broken places. Amidst the abuse they endure, amidst the neglect they receive so unwillingly, amidst the growling stomach, amidst the fear that tomorrow that they may possibly not be living - these kids, everyone of them in their own way gives out unconditional love. They share what they have. They care for each other. They become adults too soon.

I pray that you will be able to see Jesus somewhere today. His love is everywhere, you just may be looking at it from the wrong perspective.

७.०.७

2008-06-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

I saw on the news that a cargo plane crashed today. That seriously had to stink. Not to mention that the only guy on the plane died, but that it was a DC-10, which are stinkin huge. So if it had anything in it, then clean up would stink. I am sure that is the last of their problems, though.

Anyway, on another note, I am planning right now the Bowen Olympics for next week. Bowen is one of the communities that we go in on a weekly basis, and work doing different things. Called work projects, we bring groups in to pick up trash, and then play with the residents (children). It is a rockin good time, and I will post more stats. This area that Bowen is in is known as the most dangerous part of the southeast US. Lots happens here. In November alone, there were 30 murders. Most of these take place at dusk or night, so I am safe when I am there. We play with the kids, not middle schoolers or older folk.

The Olympics should pose an interesting change in how they play with groups, since we wil be doing it different, and I am leading the "organized games."

I also decided to take out boxing, archery, and wrestling, for the safety of the spectators and athletes. That motion passed with flying colors.

७.०.6

2008-06-16T19:59:00.001-07:00

I told some of you that I really like where I am living. I am living in a 9 bedroom house (I know, right!) and I have the basement to myself. Now saying 9 bedrooms makes you think rich right away, but I would tell you to wait. Now I would define rich as being like God has blessed them in finding this house for such a deal. The house is what we could call a fixer-upper. There are a lot of "projects" that the guy I am living with (Jonathon) has decided to do. So it is Jonathon and Angela, who are a youth and children's pastors (respectively) at a church of God nearby. Then they have 2 children, Noah who is 9 and Analise who is 5. They are just great. Analise loves to sing and just talk, which is a blessing, because she just makes everyone laugh. Noah is more of a logical thinker, and likes sports a lot.
They are great to live with, and my air mattress is holding up well after a week of being here. I only had to blow it up once so far.
I felt sort of bad this week because I didnt see them at all from Tuesday on, working over 60 hours this week, and practically just sleeping at their house, and nothing else. Did I mention I am not in Atlanta? I am about 30-40 miles northeast of ATL, in a town called Lawrenceville (home of the Mall of Georgia). So I have a bit of a commute, which proves to be a good time to relax after a hard day.
Here are some pictures Analise and I took earlier today. She is so great.

७.०.5

2008-06-15T13:55:00.001-07:00

I am at the Chadwick's place right now. I am in Rome, Georgia, about an hour away from where I am in Atlanta. I am getting ready to leave, so I am sort of bummed. I got here last night, and Katy and I went to Schroeder's Restaurant, where we had dinner, and she showed me around town. When we got back it was sort of later (9:30) but it was still warm enough to swim, so we did. It was super fun and relaxing after a long 60+ hours of working.
This morning we went to church, where Mr. Chadwick preached. I went to the youth group thing with Katy, where she is an intern, and then we went to lunch at a steak house. This afternoon was totally relaxing, just watching the America's Best Dance Crew marathon on MTV. I did my laundry, too, so that was good. I have Monday off, so I think I will be able to relax then, too.

७.०.४

2008-06-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

Tonite was a long night. We got done working at 7, and then I drove over to Georgia Tech for the night. I grabbed some Chick-fil-A, which is really good. I scarfed it down so I would make it on time for going inside.
At CCF at Georgia Tech every Thursday during the week is a Bible study. I was invited by Kate, obviously, and so I went. Kate introduced me to a bunch of her friends, again, which was sweet, since they are all really cool people around my age and could care less that I dont go to GT. Her boyfriend is a really cool guy, too, and he beat me in ping pong. I guess I have the rest of my time here to beat him.
The Bible study was really cool. It was the first session with the new freshmen there, so I wasnt the only new person there. I did have the advantage of not being a freshman, so I didnt feel totally awkward. And the fact that all the guys there are really welcoming, too, helped a lot. The talk was good, and it was just good to connect with other college Christians in this crazy city of Atlanta. I also got a free tshirt, so that rocks, too.

After the Bible study, everyone always plays a sport, and this week's sport was soccer. So about half an hour after, everyone got dressed and played over at their intramural fields. I had so much fun, I cant even explain it. I wasn't the best, but I tried my hardest, and I had a blast, which I think is what counts in the end.

७.०.3

2008-06-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures from this week thus far. They are a small sample, and there are more to come here on this weblog. I have tons of stories to tell you if you want to hear them.

One of the things I have been learning is selfless love. Some of the kids we are coming into contact with quite possibly dont hear the words "I love you" very often. I had a little girl (around 7-9) the other day come up to me and tell me that she hated me. I bent over, looked her in the eye, and told her with all my heart that I loved her. I think it was the first time that I really felt like I said it honestly, and meant what I said. It was sort of an eye-opener to the fact that what I am doing is something worthwhile. I guess that is what it takes to make something happen inside.

The picture above is the view from where we are having the recreation time during the summer camp in the morning. That is the skyline of downtown in the background.

This picture is at the Holyfield Boys and Girls Club. I hung out with the younger kids a lot, and this was towards the end of the 7-8 year olds' break time. The teacher in the room cleared out the couches, and told everyone to grab a partner, where she then turned on music, and they salsa danced. Talk about funny/cute/awesome. I had a ball dancing with them

This is not the best picture, but this is something I will be doing every week. This is at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The groups there sort donated food. It sounds sort of boring possibly, but I love doing it.

७.०.2

2008-06-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

I have been here for not a week yet, and I feel connected. This is sweet. Somehow it worked out, though.

Ill talk about what I am actually doing here later (probably post 7.0.3) but right now Ill talk about what I do after work.
I work for Essential2Life (www.e2lonline.com). E2L, as we call it, consists of 4 full time people, and then me. There are Vince and Allison, who are married. Vince is the visionary, and Allison is the "office manager." Then there is Amanda, who is the person who brings groups around Atlanta, and then Kate, who helps Amanda, among other things.

Kate is a 21 year old Georgia Tech (yes, she is ridiculously smart) person who sort of just took me in. Tonite she invited me to go to Flicks on Fifth, which was so different. The city closes down a block of 5th avenue down, and they set up a huge screen, where they showed I am Legend. The cool part about it all was that I got to meet a ton of people. Kate is a part of Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF) at GT, which is sort of like Campus Crusade for Christ. I went to that house, where she lives, and met all her friends and then went out to the movie. I got back to my house tonite really late. I hope I can hang out with all them again.

Titles: ७.०.1

2008-06-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I have no more good ideas for titles and from this point on, I will be using a numerical system until I think of anything better. If you think of anything better, let me know. I love new ideas.

Welcome to Atlanta

2008-06-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Jermaine Dupri has a song called "Welcome to Atlanta" and it is fabulous. The look up the song's lyrics, because I am not going to post them, but they really are a good example of what Atlanta is like, to say the least.
I started my internship here, and I cannot blog on my other blog just because of a software issue, so I think I will just do this one for the summer instead. Hopefully I will have a reader or two, but either way, I just wanted to let ya'll know what was going on. Not to mention the fact that I dont have as much contact with everyone I normally do.
So that is that. Hope all is well.

Embracing Accusation

2008-05-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

This is a song by Shane & Shane. I have listened to it over 15 times since I have been working on my paper. Is it weird to have tears in my eyes in the library?

The father of lies
Coming to steal
Kill and destroy
All my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
Who can’t abide
He’s right
Alleluia he’s right!

The devil is preaching
The song of the redeemed
That I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
Embracing accusation

Could the father of lies
Be telling the truth
Of God to me tonight?
If the penalty of sin is death
Then death is mine
I hear him saying cursed are the ones
Who can’t abide
He’s right
Alleluia he’s right!

Oh the devil’s singing over me
An age old song
That I am cursed and gone astray
Singing the first verse so conveniently
He’s forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!

Cracking Down And Winding Up

2008-05-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks have been crazy. There has been little time spent doing normal things to me. I have stayed busy doing things I like doing: talking to people, planning, and even reading. Granted, my reading was for classes and papers, but I got to read things I wanted to read about.

One thing that has been frustrating to me, that I dont voice at all, is what has been happening with people. There have been a few times that someone has asked to talk to me, and they misinterpret that situation, as if I initiated it. Ill let you know if I am initiating anything with anyone. Also what is frustrating is when I am trying to talk to someone, or if it is obvious that I am in conversation, and someone interrupts. I mean, I know that I make myself available all the time to talk, so why dont you just talk to me then. Why is it every time that I have that half hour planned? Whatever.
I am glad this year is almost done.
I am also nervous for his summer. I hate being away again, even though I know Ill love it. I think Ill be stretched a lot, and moving toward that is exciting, especially with what God has planned for me. I think the other thing I am scared of is what is going to happen with friends over the summer. I hate not talking to them. I guess Ill find out who my true ones are, eh?

Is it Possible?

2008-04-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Honestly, now, why do our news sources today focus on people still that are bad influences? I mean, Britney Spears went from pop culture icon to a nobody. I mean, in all honesty, she represents a lot of the American society today - down and out, especially with her escapades with her children, husband, hair, and general life. However, the part that makes her different from the rest of American society is the fact that she can bounce back due to her income.

Today on the news, it was reported that she rear ended someone in her 2008 Mercedes.

Who the heck cares? If we continue to lift people like this to such a high pedestal, when will we ever have a "hero" who is good? We will never advance our minds, or the psyche to do more and to do better. We will always be stuck on the fact that maybe we could always get more and advance ourselves. This life is not about ourselves, it is about each other. I just hope that one day, we can wane people like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton out of the news. Just stop talking about them altogether, and move to people who are changing the world.

ah-choo? no, Peru!

2008-02-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

So it is Monday. One week from this moment, I will be in Mala, Peru, at the camp called Kawai. I am super pumped, and nervous at the same time. This trip will be quick, but packed with things.
I was thinking in chapel today about being still, and knowing that [God] is God. I was seriously pondering that, and thinking about what is coming up for me. I mean, I packed already. All of my clothes are in my car. It's not that I am obsessive with packing, but I didnt want to have to worry about laundry on Friday, when I needed to leave. Whatever. Make fun of me as you wish. Anyway, in all the hectic-ness of this week, with preparing to not be in class for a whole week, I decided that I needed to be still. I mean like one on one time with God. I have over and over been tested by things I know I struggle with, and I am starting to see what it is like to throw away idols, and focus on God. Weird stuff, to apply Bible lessons in real life. It makes you feel kinda good inside to put words into practice.
It is also weird preparing to leave, just due to the fact that a whole week in college is so much physical time you have to spend with people, and make relationships grow. Leaving from that time makes me feel like I need to appreciate who I have as friends throughout the week before I leave. There are certain people I have in mind, and I just need them to know I care about them.
Please pray that I will be able to prepare myself in every way I need to prepare to go.

Grown Men Dont Cry

2008-02-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

This morning's church service was probably one of the most moving services I have ever been to. There was so much going on, yet it was so simple.

I woke up with more on my mind then I would have liked. I am still pressured by myself to become the best, which isnt a bad thing, but I need to control how I act in certain situations, and waking up should be a time of rest, not go go go.
Anyway, I woke up, cut my hair, and prepared myself physically for the day, shaving, showering, and getting dressed. All I could think about was tonight's Warrior Spirit, which is a mock deployment for ROTCt. I am super pumped, because I am a team leader for Security Forces. I have no idea what I will be doing, and nor will I know until 5 oclock tonight. So needless to say I am getting antsy about that.

The Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church this month is focusing on missions. Funny how God planned that one out. I am leaving Spring Arbor University's campus on the last day of this month to go home, only to leave the next morning (March 1) to fly to Peru for a missions trip. After a week in Peru, I return home, and then go to school for a week, until I take off again for Atlanta on a missions trip with my school.

I have discovered that the times that I struggle the most with my temptations and relationship with God is about the month-ish or so before I go to serve the Lord. This is no exception. I have already had many distractions in the last week from my sights. I know that i am capable of doing a lot of things, and serving God is definitely on that list towards the top.

The church service today, getting back to that, was awesome. The man who spoke is one of my friends' dad, who is a missionary in the Philippines. He talked the whole time about the power of prayer, and the results of it. I really was not mentally or spiritually there at the beginning of the service, but when he started talking, I just felt this transformation in my heart. I realized that what he was talking about was exactly what I needed to be doing with my life, and I hadnt. I wasnt preparing myself the ways I should have been for these next few grueling weeks.

Nothing really hit me about what he meant until the very end. We sang as a church "You Said," which is a pretty powerful song. Here are some of the lyrics:

You said, Ask and I'll give the nations to you
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light, as it rises on us

As the song was being sung, and the church was commissioning in prayer some more missionaries to go out (I think there were 4) the pastor was standing near the alter, and he just started crying. I had not ever seen anything like this before, and I honestly couldnt put words to it, other than him really believing what he just said. I mean, he prayed right after that, and his heart truly asked God that we would not rest until his chosen people were shown Christ. I was so moved by this. So many times I get my priorities mixed up, and this man could cry in front of hundreds just because he had God's calling so close to his heart. I pray that over the next 12 days I can clean up and get my priorities straight so I can see Christ's light, as it rises on us.

exposed

2008-02-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day. Another holiday come and gone with a sour memory, and believe it or not, this one had nothing to do with anyone from the opposite sex, ha.

I dont usually get down on myself for things that I do wrong. I mean, I fix it, and move on. Today, though, a lot was put on the table, and I realized a lot about myself.

I was exposed, to say the least. I realized today that no matter how good of a facade I can put on now, sooner or later it will catch up to me.

In my reporting-in for ROTC today it was totally realized that I dont come out of my shell. For some reason I dont know why I dont, but I totally lack confidence when it comes to the environment I am in there. 100% turnaround from everything at Spring Arbor. I am sure there are people who dont understand how I am failing ROTC, yet doing fine in my classes and extracurricular stuff at SAU. It just doesnt make sense. Sometimes I feel like I lead a double life, and sometimes that is the way it seems, with the 45 minute drive between my lives.

The last time I felt this bad was when I went for my interview for my nomination with Senator Carl Levin. I was in a room with 2 Tuskeegee Airmen, some high ranking Navy officer, and a legislative assistant to Senator Levin. I failed my interview miserably, and they let me know it, and they also let me know that I wasnt going to receive my nomination. I went home from that, and immediately crawled under my covers, only to get out about 3 hours later when my mom came home and talked to me.

For some reason when I left Ann Arbor today, all I wanted to do was hide. I didnt want anyone to see me. I was very glad that I didnt have to go to lab after that, otherwise I would have probably felt even more uncomfortable.

Either way I just am starting to realize that I need to pick up the slack a whole lot, and it needs to happen really fast, otherwise I am going to be in a lot of bad business, and that is not where I want to be.

Peru Video

2008-02-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

Good bye

2008-02-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

Kaitlyn, know that you are in my prayers. You are a true friend, and I know you are going through a hard time with the knee surgery and your grandmother's death. Things will pick back up soon, and before you know it, we will be in Atlanta.
See you Friday.

Again:

Faithful God like faithful sunrise.

And Know That I Am God

2008-02-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

This morning was an interesting morning.

I got up last week on Sunday morning over an hour early for church due to the fact that I forgot what time church actually started. I go to the church right across the street, so I dont really have a commute time, persay. So last week I woke up, showered, got dressed, and then had about forty minutes to kill before I went to worship. I basically just sat on my couch and, well, sat. It was the best thing ever.

So this morning, I purposely set my alarm way too early for church, and did the same thing. I calmed my body down by the music I was listening to [eastmountainsouth] and sat in a calm state, preparing my busy mind to go before the Lord.

The Bible says to "Be still and know that I am God." I took this to the next level. I, for once in my life, understood what it meant to actually be prepared to go before the Lord. My dad always has his moments of being a different person before church, and until this morning, I never really understood what he was doing/meant by it.

This picture is of a throttle. My roommate and I were talking, and this image came to mind. I see myself as always being on full throttle, always going. This morning I pulled back on the throttle, and listened. Think of the image of being on a lake, and going at full throttle - you miss the quiet sounds of the lake [birds, water hitting the side of the boat, wind]. When you are at idle, and you just listen, you hear so much more than when you go.

It was nice to come to this stage of my life. The word peace brings a whole new meaning for today.

Wish I Had a Good Title

2008-01-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

Faithful God like faithful sunrise.

Sometimes, you just need to press on. Stuff happens, and I wish I could just comfort those who need it.

Journey

2008-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

Got a little bored one night during break, and this is what came into fruition.

Seize the Moment

2008-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Seize the moment

Seize the moment before it’s gone,
For another day begins at dawn.
Embrace the night which brings you rest,
Awake and know you did your best.
Fight each fight, and run each race,
It matters not if you win or place.

Seize the moment, you’ll be blest,
The rest assured you passed the test,
For he who tries can never fail,
When God directs the ship we sail.
Seize the moment and hold it dear,
And rise by faith above your fear.

-Clay Harrison

Finding Me Out

2008-01-14T22:03:00.000-08:00

There is a verse in the book of Numbers that says something like "you may be sure that your sins will find you out." I am not one to admit a lot of things, but I admit that I screwed up here.

I definitely should sometimes just keep my mouth shut. I just say things that I shouldn't, and the people who recollect the words verbatim really screw me over. I think I lost two good friends tonite. I am not too happy about that, because I dont feel like I am 100 percent in the wrong. I mean, I know I shouldnt have said some things, but arent they responsible for asking what stuff means? Why do I have to define every bit of what I say, especially if I dont intend something to mean something has drastic as they make it.

Tomorrow brings another day. We will see what is in store. Keep pressing forward and hope for the best.

Interesting Thought

2007-12-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have been perusing through many books this break. Weird to some, but I do it anyway.

One book I have come across which has me captivated is this book that is about Ronald Reagan. It is called Reagan Inside Out. It was written to inform people who their current president was, so it is obviously dated. I read a book last year about Reagan, and I truly am interested in his life. He lived such an extraordinary life - to the fullest to say the least.

In the book, there is a picture of the Bible that his mother owned, and he was in possession at the time. In it were many many markings and notes in the margins. The reason that it is in the book is to signify how he was brought up, by his Bible reading mother - it was how he was trained from the start.

The authors point out one of her margin notes for 2 Chronicles 7:14 that this passage is "A most wonderful verse for the healing of the nations.

I think that it was interesting to see how our president heeded these words while he was in office, and interesting to see how these word apply to today.

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land

Feathers

2007-12-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

So I was thinking back on 2008, and while I was doing that, I came across this video.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/mailers/update-2008/video/large.html

(Sorry I didnt embed it. I figured it would be best to see it from their site)

Anyway, I was thinking back, as I watched this video, and thought about things that are currently going on in the world, more like the United States. We are in the Christmas Season right now, and soon we will be entering two more "seasons." They are what I like to call New Years Resolutions Season" and "Election Season." Treat for us Americans is that Election Season starts a little earlier this year.

So when I was thinking back about giving, my country, and how things work, I realized that our government worked well with this one scenario this year. They make it clear in this video. They say that the US has done more in the last 6 months than they have in the last 20 years, or something along those lines.

This is a great example of how it should work. The United States appointed Senior Diplomat Tim Shortley to go and be involved with the peace talks in Uganda, as a response to the 60,000 people around the United States who displaced themselves for a night.

I wish that the US had better communication within the government. As we are seeing now, 5 years after things have taken off, and we are more than knee deep in problems, the communication between agencies and task forces within the government was not as fluid as it should have been. I am glad to see that there is more communication, and life is straightening out.

I am excited to see where we will go in the next year. I hope that there is more talking, and more action in what the people want. I hope that 2008 will be a year of great advancements in global peace. I hope that our leaders will see what is going on, and want to change.

I hope that you will be inspired to change.

I hope that I will be inspired to change.

Stories from Spain pt.2

2007-12-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

On the Iberian flight to Madrid from London, I had the best sandwich I have ever had in my life. I know it is petty to talk about how good meat and bread could be, but this was the most scrumptious piece of culinary genius I have ever placed on my palate. This is what the sandwich was made of: exquisite malted bread brie-filled, pork loin, spinach, fresh rocket, anciane sauce, caramelized onions, and sunflower seeds. It was by far the greatest sandwich I have ever had, and not having anything to eat for about 12 hours had nothing to do with that decision.

So I eventually got to Spain, where I began to have some problems, the first being that my second bag of luggage was nowhere to be found. I didnt know what the man behind the counter was saying, so I just took the papers he handed me and left.
I am not one to show emotion in times of stress. For example, I always act like I know exactly what I am doing in situations where I most likely have no idea what is going on.
So to start off my time being in the city of Seville, or Sevilla, as the Spaniards call it, I had no idea what I was doing. Right away I remembered that my Spanish sucks on the fly, so to just approach a strange taximan would have me muster all of my thinking to be able to tell him what I needed. I handed him directions, and hopped in, hoping he would lead me to where I needed to be. We drove for about 20 minutes, until we were in front of a huge building. He said this was it, and I got out, with my bag, and paid him. He drove off, and I was alone on the street, my own way to find. There was not a doorbell for the house I was supposed to stay at, so I got really nervous. How dangerous was it to be in the street? Was this guy a bad guy? There were plenty of oddities of being in an unfamiliar place that kept streaming through my head.
I walked up a street to see if I was on the wrong one, but, in fact, I had been to the correct door. I called to the person watching television inside, and soon enough, I was inside with my new senora.

I got in, and I was brought to my room. Now bear with me in dealing with the fact that all of my conversations are in Spanish. I have no idea what to expect. She just told me that a boy was in my room, and I guess I didnt understand that she meant it was my roommate or what, but she brought me there, and on a bed was Dan. She turned on the light, and he started talking to me in English, which, for some odd reason, took me by surprise. We greeted, and then Senora said she would make dinner. It was now 1045 local time, but I was still hungry. Later I would come to find out that this is a normal eating time. So Dan and I had our first Spanish meal together, which was bread with what we thought was ketchup between the pieces, but it still tasted great since we were hungry. We then went to bed, since we were tired. I was finally settled in in Spain.

Stories from Spain pt.1

2007-12-17T21:47:00.000-08:00

So I have decided that I will tell as many random quips and stories from my three weeks that I spent in Spain, along with my excursions to Portugal, Gibraltar, and London. This most likely wont be interesting for 98% of the stories, but I am wanting to tell them to myself, so I can look back and remember later on in life. So here it goes.

Ill start in Detroit. My flight was supposed to leave at like 9 at night, and when I got to the airport, said my goodbyes, and walked in, my mom and grandma drove off right away. I found out that my plane was delayed for another 2 and a half hours. So I called my sister, and she came and picked me up, where we went to Starbucks, and drank our favorite drinks while spending quality time together. With my bags already checked in, I was all set to go through security, with the one carry on I had.
I sat in the new terminal in Detroit, waiting for my plane. I called my brother, and my friend from school while sitting there, which was weird, because it was one of those weird thoughts like "You could be the last person I ever talk to" kinda thing.
So the terminal was super cold, I forgot to mention. I dont like sitting by other people in airports, so I sat in another gate's chairs, close enough to hear when they were boarding. I ended up sitting near a girl who seemed like she was around my age. I mean, she wasnt like 30 is all I am saying. She was sleeping under a blanket, so I just started reading, not really paying any attention to her. She woke up like 10 minutes after I got there, and noticed she had fallen asleep reading a Mitch Albom book I had just recently read. I asked her where she was in the book, and that opened up a lot. Long story short, she started talking to me, and I found out she was the baton twirler person at Penn State. I thought that was pretty cool. The only thing was that she did not stop talking to me until I boarded. Whatever...she would forget about me after I left.

Flying through the night was good for me. I needed to sleep. My nerves were a jumping, as I was preparing myself for talking Spanish for 3 weeks. What had I gotten myself into? As we flew over Ireland in the morning, I felt really strange. I mean, I never saw such a clear view of anything from the air. I am talking no clouds or anything for miles from how high we were. And, I can honestly say that the shades of green of the country were immense. It was great.
I landed in London, and just started walking around. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I needed to find where my next plane to Madrid took off from. I had to switch terminals, which involved taking a bus through the airport. It was really weird. I mean, there were lines everywhere I went. I just followed along, and eventually I got to where I needed to go. It was also surreal that I was in London, of all places. Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world. I found out, and after people watching for a few hours, and spending 8 dollars (airport+pounds+american stupidity for buying a coke in an airport=8 dollars spent on a coke) on a coke, I finally boarded my plane. I was off to Spain...finally.

Stresses of my life

2007-12-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

So today I realized how much of a loser I am. I realized that I absolutely hate coming home for long periods of time. What was normal once is not normal now. There was once this same playing field, if you will, where everyone seemed fine, and you could just jump in anywhere, and feel great. Now I dont have that. I mean, I do, but I am past that stage, and to go back would not be moving forward. I am all for advanced thinking. I have been trying to think of how I have been molded, and putting together my ideas for something great. Something that other people would have wished they had thought of, because it is so simple.
So, as I sit here and type, I realize how seriously screwed up my life is right now. I have no schedule, I have no agenda. I am going crazy. Ever since school got out last week, I have been going crazy. I have nothing to turn in. I have nothing challenging my mind. I have no books I have to read, or papers to write. I just got out of debt, but am soon to be back in it when I go on my trips, but I am super no pumped about next semester, either, with weird things happening here and there.
I also think it is funny how I absolutely know, now, that no one reads this (and if you do, you probably found it on accident), how much of a loser I am, because I am writing my thoughts in an online journal. Great. Really great. We will have to work on that, wont we.

Dancing Rules

2007-10-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

Topic: Handling Dancing with the Opposite Sex

1. Students, especially males, may face tribulations in dancing with the opposite sex. Many students do indeed know how to dance, and make themselves look great. But when it comes to dancing, far too many people do not know what they are doing, and it causes a ruckus on the dance floor.

2. No matter where you are, knowing how to dance is essential when thrust into a “do or die” situation involving the opposite sex. Sometimes the counterpart wants to dance, and you have to be able to show them that you can, and with dignity of your own. Just imagine dancing with your mother there - that is dignity.

3. When asked to slow dance, there are two ways to hold each other. You can use the normal “tango” style, and have the female left hand and the male right hand extended slightly from the body, with the opposite hands on the counterpart’s hip. You can also use the more up to date style, involving the female to place both hands either around the neck or on shoulders of the male, and the male placing his hands on the hips (not buttocks) of the female. During both styles, singing is allowed, as long as it is kept to an indoor singing voice, and only if you aren’t drawing attention to yourself. Swaying back and forth is important, and not stepping on the female’s feet.

4. Beware of sexual harassment. There are many positions you can dance in during normal beats, and to have enough distance is clinch in certain situations. In the grinding type of dancing, many body parts are moving in provocative ways that could be offending to many, and cause problems in time.

5. Wearing good underclothing is necessary. For females, making sure your feet are protected is key, and that you aren’t perspiring too much. Taking breaks is a must. For males, make sure you have good socks to avoid blisters, and a good undershirt to soak up any perspiration that may have come through.

6. When picking up your date, bring a flower of some sort for them. The ladies always like corsages, normally matching their dresses. Bringing flowers for her mother also scores you extra points, as well. For the gentlemen, a boutonnière is not necessary, but a nice gesture for the happy couple.

7. You should arrive to the event on time, and the gentlemen should not refuse to dance if asked by a lady, as to be chivalrous. Dancing releases the soul, and keeps the inner movement going.

8. Dancing with the opposite sex takes a lot of self-respect, as well as respect for others, and is filled with challenges. Once these are overcome, the rewards are great, ending in a long lasting enjoyable experience.

Just Thought of It

2007-10-13T22:24:00.001-07:00

It is funny to me how one day you wake up, and things are normal - bland. The next you wake up and the adventure begins. No one can explain this phenomenon, but I like it nonetheless. The adventure in life is not what is ordinary, or out of the ordinary, or even extra ordinary.

Foreign Policy, Then and Now

2007-10-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

Funny how things change, right? I mean, even in my 20 years of life, I have a lot of memories of things that are different now. I mean, from haircuts to clothes, computers to phones, a lot has changed.
Back when George Washington gave his farewell address, he laid out the foundations to how our country would run in terms of foreign policy. He made sure things were clear in what he was saying – how to think, say, and do.
Some basic things he mentions in the address are as follow:
• Faith and Justice to all nations
• Peace and harmony with all
• Honesty – no favors
• Pride in Nation, Independence and Liberty
• Defending rights of merchants
• Religion and Morality as ONE
• Good policy jointed – based on what is right
• Cherishing public credit (paying debts)
• Neutrality – not favoring other nations unless we have a personal reason
So what in the world would I bring this up? Who cares what George Washington said some 200 plus years ago?

I do. And I am mad.

I am mad that our country is turning the way it is. I am not blaming one person. It is our society. We are structuring our lives to become more and more socialistic. We are straying from what this country was based on, like what our First President said our country should be like. We are straying so far from what he said, that I am ashamed to brag about my country to other nation states.

What gave us the notion that we could actually get away with separating religion and morality? And who made it alright.

Duh.

2007-09-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

So ti is funny to me, the more I learn, the more and more I get annoyed with America as a whole. I mean, I represented North Korea in Model Arab League, and I walked away being really annoyed at how the US treats foreign policy. Whatever. That will come in time.

This post is talking about how other countries look at the United States, based on economics. It is no wonder that people dont like the US, and our economics. Ill just list off 4 Socio-psychiatric determinants of demand:

- The desire for goods and services arises from our needs for social acceptance, security, and ego gratification.

- "Keeping up with the Joneses"

- Self preservation

- Expressions of affluence

I think it just irks me that they are teaching this sort of stuff, and yet there arent any changes. People are in so much debt with mortgages and bad credit, and no one is trying to stop it. We arent being responsible, and that is what the world is seeing.

Honestly, we call ourselves the most powerful nation, but soon we will fall apart because we arent being responsible.

Letter From Peru

2007-09-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

This letter was sent out via email the day after the recent Peruvian earthquake, by Paul Clark, who is in charge of Scripture Union in Peru.

Dear friends all over the world!

How grateful we are for friends like you! During the past 24 hours, we have received more than 60 e-mails asking for news and assuring us of your prayers. We have also received phone calls from 10 of you who were able to make connection. We know that several others tried to no avail. The phones are working for periods of time and then they are cut again. We want to assure you that we personally along with Phoebe, our granddaughter, are safe as well as Billy, our son, and his family. It was quite frightening at the time as it lasted for 2 minutes which is quite long for an earthquake. Since then we have had dozens of aftershocks (tremors). All schools were closed today and Peru, especially from Lima towards the south to Ica, has been declared in a state of emergency.

The epicenter of the 8.0 earthquake that we experienced at 6:40 p.m. yesterday (August 15) was near the city of Pisco (100 plus miles south of Lima), along the Nazca Fault Line that runs along our Pacific Coast. It is estimated that 80% of the city was destroyed. The death count has passed the 500 mark and is steadily rising.

Some of you will remember Ica, the city in the dry desert where water is always scarce. Today, with the old pipelines shattered, there is no water. God has blessed us with one of the few wells in Ica. We have opened the gates and people are coming in to fill their pails with water from our pool. There is no electricity in the town at this time, so we cannot activate the 150 foot deep well. Once we can, we'll keep the water flowing. Our 5 Ica camp tents are being used by S.U. volunteers whose houses have collapsed. No damage was done to any of our buildings that are under construction for a new street boys' home and campsite.

The bridge between Lima and Ica has collapsed and meager help is therefore slow to get through. Our local news is full of pictures of people in the rubble beside dead bodies, quite lost as to knowing what to do. Having asked ourselves 'what would Jesus do?', we have decided to give away our Kawai tents, used in our camping season (Jan.-Mar) People out in the open, need help now. Marco Cordova (Ica staffworker) will receive them from us at the bridge and assures us he can get them over to those who need them.

Jose Principe (Pepe) is our staffworker in Arequipa. He is safe, but huge, thick adobe walls crashed in his home near Ica.

Several of you have asked about Kawai. Rosa, Raul and the 30 abandoned boys, some of them badly frightened, gathered in front of Casa Girasoles to sing and pray. Our Lord quieted them. No major damage was done there.

Abdon and Hermenegilda's house will have to be torn down. Severely damaged, it was on the verge of collapsing. This poses an immense financial problem for us. They have been moved to Villa Margarita for the moment.

Sadly, parts of the stained glass window of the Kawai Chapel is broken. But, we praise God for no loss of life.

40 feet of the southern boundary wall fell down and will have to be rebuilt.

We do not yet know the condition of the 48 schools we work in throughout that area nor details of the four and a half thousand children who are in our Christian Value classes.

Last minute: even as this letter is being written, Linda (our schools National Director) phoned in tears. Those of you who have worked in the schools near Kawai and Mala, will remember Alan, our staff worker. He lives with his sister, mother and grandmother in Chincha. Their house is now completely gone - a mound of earth and broken adobes covering their belongings. Linda and Moises, her husband, will leave tomorrow at 6 a.m. taking with them some supplies and particularly water, of which Alan has none. They, like others, have not had water for more than 24 hours now.

Many of you asked: What can we do? What do you need? Let us know how we can help. I would like to be of assistence if I can from this distance. Can we help? Anything we foreign supporters can do to help? Please let us know if we can help in anyway. Please let us know of any additional needs.

So, we have made a list that you might be able to help towards. Obviously, you cannot send blankets, warm clothing, nor food which is being collected here in Lima through some of the churches and civic organizations....but, at this moment, we need:

* House for Abdon (good construction, not adobe) $20,000.
* Help for Alan $5,000
* 30 tents for Kawai to replace those being given @$90 each
* 40 ft. of wall @$40 per ft. $1,600

Donations from the U.K. can be sent to S.U. England for their Peru account earmarked for the project you would like to participate in. From the U.S., a personal check can be made out to Union Biblica del Peru and sent to Union Biblica del Peru

% Paul Clark
Apartado 3159
Lima 1, Peru
The check needs to state in the memo section how you want it used.
We have a work team from S.U. England in Kawai until Saturday. The Oak Hall (England) team that arrived last night spent their first day in Chosica due to the road to Kimo being covered with rocks and debris. They have been clearing it today and tomorrow, the bus will take off with the group of 23 for the jungle. Another team from New York is in Kusi, so the work goes on in the midst of earthquakes!!

Thanks again so very much for your prayers.

Serving together,

Paul & Marty

The PA Creed

2007-09-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

I am a SERVANT. First and last.
God lives in me. I KNOW Him
and I am making Him known!

I will put others before myself.
I will WORK. I will SWEAT.
I will LOVE. I will CARE.
I will LISTEN with open ears.
I will see through
THE EYES OF CHRIST
And serve with all my
HEART AND SOUL.

~I am a PA and this is my creed~

Just a Crazy Weekend

2007-09-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

So basically this story is just bad altogether. It all is true, and retelling it gets a little more boring every time, so hopefully this doesnt bore you, if you are indeed reading it.

I went to Palos Heights, Illinois for a class back in May. I wrote down my story of what happened the weekend that we visited downtown Chicago.

So this weekend was definitely one of the most interesting ones I have had lately. Friday was uneventful. All of the Trinity students went home, since they live near, so it left the five people that arent from Illinois to chill alone. We were going to see a movie, but then realized that none of us had a car, so that sucked. We ended up watching some stupid chick flick on someone's computer. Whoo hoo.
The next morning, we got up, and drove with our professor to Chicago. We had an alright time, because the friend of our professor used to be a tour guide of the city, so he knew what he was talking about.
Long story short, I didnt go back to Palos Heights with them. I took a train out to Naperville, where my aunt and uncle live. I decided since I was in the area I would at least see them , and see one another we did. They took me to a Greek festival, which I definitely felt out of place at. It was fun though, hanging out at their house.
Sunday we went to church, had lunch, and in the early evening I decided I would go back. To get back to Palos Heights, though, I would have to take a train to downtown Chicago, then down to Palos Heights. The problem is that trains dont run on Sunday to Palos Heights, so I would have to stay downtown.
I decided I would stay with my friend who was there from school. I got downtown, and then found out that they werent able to host me that night, which sort of posed a problem. I had to improvise.
So basically I was alone in the city with no place to sleep. I figured I could figure it out later.
I started walking around, and made it from uptown to the Magnificent Mile. I was poking my head in bars and restaurants that were playing the Detroit Pistons and Tigers games, but not many places had them. Then I went to the ESPN Zone, where both were the games of the night. I totally just stood in the lobby watching both games, with crazy people yelling and screaming. I bet none of them were even from Detroit. Ha.
So I left there, and went over to Millennium Park to see if I could just sleep on a bench or something. I found out that it was a hot spot for internet, which meant I got online, and had a talk with one of my friends, who goes to SAU.
Then the park officials came and kicked everyone out, which meant that plan was out. So it was about 11:15, and I had nowhere to sleep. I decided I would go to Union Station, and sleep on the benches there. I mean, I have slept in train stations up and down the east coast, so I didnt think it would be that big of a deal.
Walking to the train station, I came across a very interesting group. It was weird, because where I was in town, there wasnt a lot going on, and all of a sudden, there was a ton of commotion. I decided I would walk on the other side of the street, and it proved to be a great idea. AS I walked by this hotel, the whole length of the block was covered by a lit awning, and under it were all males. Most of them had leather on, and a lot of them were hugging/kissing/being very affectionate. It was really awkward for me because it was one of those situations you dont really know how you are going to respond, and in that situation, I decided that I would just keep walking, and not try to take pictures. I mean, how often to you actually see weird dominatrix stuff? Only in movies is the answer, not in real life.
So I get to Union Station and situate myself on one of the benches. I got about an hour of sleep, when I was woken up by a woman police officer. I played it off like I wasnt sleeping, merely listening to my music, but I dont think she bought it. She said I couldnt sleep there, and I tried to explain to her that my train didnt leave until the morning. She said to go get a hotel or something, but either way I had to leave.
So then it was bad. I felt like I had pulled my last straw. What a bad feeling.
I then proceeded to walk around, and asked some random guy about where I could get a hotel. He gave me a weird look, like "You, a college student, pay for a hotel in Chicago?!? You must be crazy" and he said that I should try a hotel in the opposite direction that I was going. He gave me the "It's just around the corner" directions, and I ended up at a street that I probably wouldnt go down during the day, let alone in the dark of night by myself.
So I stood at the corner without seeing anything moving for about 15 minutes, when I cab drove up. I decided to wave him down, and ask if he had advice on where I could get a hotel. He asked where I was going, so I told him my story, and he said it would cost 65-70 bucks for me to get back to Palos Heights. I didnt have the cash, so I got out, and counted my money. I then offered him the 37 dollars I had in my wallet, and he agreed.

I made it back to my room at about 3 in the morning. It was a crazy night, and to explain all the little things, writing wouldnt even do it justice. I am just glad no problems happened, and I was watched over.

another movie post

2007-08-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

okay, so the last 12 hours was pretty uneventful.
along with packing for college, I made time for 3 movies. I will entice [you].

Elisabeth and my mom went out for the afternoon to shop and whatnot, and I stayed home. I wasnt exactly feeling up to par, so it was alright. Besides, I still had to do my laundry and packing things.
So I did that kind of stuff, and then they came home and told me that tonite was a movie marathon night. They had indeed rented 4 movies from the movie store, and we proceeded to watch them right then.

We started with Children of Men, with Clive Owen. I really wanted to see it, so I was excited, and I didnt know what to expect. Basically, in easy terms, the movie sucked. There was a point, but it was dragged out, and it was just a blah movie. The setting for the whole movie was dark, so you kinda came away from it feeling low, if you know what I mean. And then the ending just happened, with no explanations of what just happened. 1 out of 5 stars, and I am being gracious. Clive-read the script before you agree to the movie.

Right after that movie we watched Stomp the Yard. I liked it. I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars, and that is merely the fact that I like dancing. In the first part of the movie, with the opening dance battle, you had Miss Prissy, who is a fantastic dancer, along with Chris Brown, who should be in jail for some of his moves-they steal girls hearts every time. Anyway, the dialog was paining. We watched the "Inside the Director's Head" special feature after, and he made it quite clear that he focused on the dancing. Well, Mr. Director who no one knows: get better dialog. I could have written better dialog than that. Honestly.

Then I went to my friend Mike's house, where we watched the movie from 2002 Wet Hot American Summer. Probably one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. Very odd, in the sense of reality goes, but very funny plot (all in one day) and the amount of things, mixed with funny cuts and actors/stunt-doubles all in 90 minutes of funny time. A 3 out of 5 stars just because it was so bad, but also so freaking funny.

That was all.

ps. in regards to my last post about SuperBad: as bad of a movie it was, I still find myself quoting that movie a lot more than I give it credit for. So that may say something.

SuperBad

2007-08-18T08:07:00.001-07:00

So I havent written on this blog in a while, but I think I am going to start, and write about the things I cant really talk about on my other blog, or use different words to describe it. Who knows.

This is a short movie review. It is on the movie SuperBad.

Out of 5 stars I would rate it a 2. I was not impressed. I thought there were for sure funny moments, but when I watched it, I felt like I was back in high school again. My whole high school career I tried to avoid stupid people like the ones portrayed in the movie, and I just didnt like that. I was also with people who I thought would not have liked it either, and they ended up liking it, so whatever. I just thought it was bad. A lot of unnecessary swearing and talk about dicks. I mean it was funny for the first joke, then it just played on, and was just weird. I guess I am just not into dick humor.
That's all.

Kinda Funny

2007-01-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

This clip was taken from BBC:
"Moscow banned a gay march in 2006, citing the threat of violence. People who ignored the ban were beaten up by counter-demonstrators and arrested."

I guess I laughed because the threat of violence was why it wasnt allowed to go on, and people who ignored the arrest were beat up. Sort of ironic, eh?

Superhero Fight

2007-01-08T22:23:00.000-08:00

This video is featured on Youtube, and other various places. Hopefully you will see it, and leave a comment, or search on youtube and rate it. Search for Superhero fight, or bmeagher87, and rate it. That would be cool. More are coming.

Semester in Review

2006-12-29T13:23:00.000-08:00

Spring Arbor University has been great. For most people I have talked to, their first semester of college has not been much to brag about. Mine is the opposite. I have feated more things that I never thought I would do. I have succeeded in goals that I honestly have never met, and I have grown more than I feel like I have in a long time.
If I could do it over, I wouldnt, because I am moving forward right now. Now is the semester to see where God wants me. I have a lot on my mind of what I want, but I dont know if it is what God wants, so things get a little sticky there. I a anxious to see where I am in a year.

Get Pumped pt. 2

2006-12-06T18:14:00.000-08:00

Part 2. He is comig home as well. Get pumped. Read his blog if he updates it. Huah.

Worth Writing Again

2006-12-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

He is coming home. Less than a week. Get pumped.

It Bothers Me, 2nd edition

2006-10-31T21:31:00.000-08:00

This is short.
It bothers me that girls use Halloween as an excuse to dress like sluts and not wear enough clothing. Period. My opinion, not yours.
End.

Sorry About That

2006-10-31T18:14:00.000-08:00

So I realized this week that I havent updated my weblog in a while. I also realized how annoyed I get with people that dont update their blogs. I mean, I check like 10 people's blogs on a daily basis, most of them more than once. I feel bad that people say they check mine, and yet I still have nothing written. I have no excuse. I mean, I update my blog that I get paid to write, but not the one that the people who care about me read? I think that is a little messed up.
Ill just give a recap of whats been going on in my life.
I write for my school, in two ways. I am a student blogger, where I have a blog on the Spring Arbor website. I also write for the school paper, where I am a sports writer. Really I just go to the games I normally would be going to anyway, and write a short article about what I saw. Pretty easy if you ask me. I also started taking pictures, as well, getting to use a camera way too advanced for me and my clumsy hands to use. There is a lens that can be attached that can take pictures all the way across a soccer field, and still have a bust of someone like the goalie. It is so sweet.
I have been studying a lot. I have many classes that keep me going with a lot of busy work. I am reading like 3 books right now. Zach and I have been in the process of preparing for Christmas in our room by makig room for a Christmas tree. I have been busy with ROTC, which I am still a little uneasy about. I, just last week, failed my pretest for my physical test for my scholarship. I have no excuse for it, but I will be fine, since I have like a month to prepare for it again. Just a bummer finding out that I failed when I thought I passed.
Other than all of that, my floor is now 5-1 in intramural football. I play on the defensive and offensive line so I can hit people. I dont know why I never did that before. It make things a lot more interesting when you out all your effort into hitting someone. I am happy here at SAU, and glad that I am starting to see who I am in Christ more and more as I live my life.

Busy at College

2006-10-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

You can check out my other videos at Youtube.com by searching for bmeagher87

IT'S HERE

2006-10-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

Finally, the highly anticipated day that everyone has been hearing rumors of, and wanting to know more. Well, here it is. I am unveiling my link to my other weblog, which is for my school, Spring Arbor University. I am a student blogger, writing about my life. I post more than 3 times a week and everything. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.arbor.edu/journals/brian/

Tuesday Hero Post

2006-10-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

This post needs an apology. I didnt make a hero post last week. I am sorry. I know some of you devoted readers to this sad blog were hoping to see who last week's her was, and I didnt do it. I didnt have time last week, to answer some questions, and, yes, I have plenty of heroes to write about quite yet. So hopefully we are good with that.

This week's hero post is a generalized post. I would like to commend all of the people who give blood. Blood donors are very important people, in my mind.

Not saying that I am important because I gave blood today, but I feel that blood giving is so rare for people that the ones who do give are special. It takes courage to step up, put your fears aside, and give blood. True, there are people who get sick and stuff, but that is besides the point. At least they got sick trying to do something right instead of not even trying because of their fear of blood or needles.
Suck it up, I say, give blood and save some lives.

Here's to you, blood donors.

Shoes

2006-10-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today, walking to church, Zach, Ashlee, and I had an interesting discussion. We talked about shoes and how they make us feel. It was funny, because it seems like such a stupid topic, so to carry out a whole conversation about it is so ridiculous. Here is what we discussed, and how it makes an impression on us.
We started talking about my shoes, which were the boots taht I worked in Peru. They look like the steel-toed boots that a construction worker would wear, but they went with what I was wearing, so I wore them after cleaning them a bit. Ashlee was confused why I wore them, so I told her that they make me want to work, and feel tough and sweaty, reminding me of Peru and the work there. She went on to say that her shoes, Chuck Taylors, made her feel rebellious. Then Zach, wearing a pair of Doc's, claimed that his made him feel rich. It all just made me think of how something like shoes can make people feel certain ways. I dont know how to end this entry. It was more of just my thoughts that went along with it. End.

Movie Weekend

2006-10-14T23:56:00.000-07:00

So this weekend has been slow. I have had a lot of time to do whatever I need to do. Of course, in a college student's mind, doing what I need to be doing includes, but not limited to, catching up on movies.
Normally I like watching movies by myself. I like to watch them alone so I can form my own opinion of a movie without people bugging me or asking questions or talking throughout it.
This weekend, starting Thursday, I have watched:
Brick
Phantom of the Opera
Boondock Saints
Rudy
I Heart Huckabees
Sideways
Crash
Hero
Braveheart

All of these movies, however, I did not watch alone. In fact, only about 2 of them did I watch alone. I watched movies in people's rooms as they decided to watch them, and I decided to share my movie pleasures with people. For instance, tonite, I shared Rudy with my friend in UHall today during open hours. She had never seen it, so I opened her eyes to what she had been missing. Then I came back to my dorm, and started talking about the Boondock Saints, and ended up watchig it in my room with about 8 other guys, most of them who have never seen it. It turned out to be a great night, and if the saying goes, sharing is caring.

Tuesday Hero Post

2006-10-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

No hero post this week. Sorry.

On Notice/Dead to Me

2006-10-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Stephen Colbert has too good of a show. I laugh every time I watch it. However, I think reading his website is probably funnier. Not to be funny, I just liked the idea, I decided to make my own "On Notice/Dead to Me" list. And Jon Stewart wont be on the dead to me list.

On Notice

Cuba
Tigers
eBay sales
Rick Baxter
Taco salad
Cartel

Dead to Me

Fidel Castro
Rain
Cigars
Cowboys and Indians
Unnecessary emails from ROTC cadets
Burnt popcorn

Dining-In

2006-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

Friday night was my first formal dinner with the Air Force. My unit, Detachment 390, hosted MSU's ROTC, Detachment 380 for dinner at the Four Points Sheraton hotel in Ann Arbor. The uniform was formal wear, meaning instead of the blue shirt, there was a white shirt and no cover. All the cadre (teachers) from both schools were there, and I ended up sitting next to Captain Luna of MSU. The speaker was Brigadier General Peplinski, who is the commander of the 127th Wing, which is at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. He has over 3,400 flight hours. It was a great night, and I cant wait for the next one to happen. It was fun hearing the MSU-UM rivalry jokes. I even had to sing the U of M fight song (which I hate). I am not declaring myself a MSU fan, but is it weird that I knew more words to that song than I did to the U of M song? Oh well, I guess I am a part of U of M now, whether I like it or not.

It Bothers Me, 1st edition

2006-10-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

Recently I have had some troubling conversations. I have had the opportunity, now, after being at school for over a month, to have some pretty interesting conversations with people. I have come up with a little something that I think will explain what I have in mind, but maybe I am just stating facts.

The topic is fear. Why do people fear, and what is fear? My answer: their fear is because of what is unknown to them. A little more pertinent to me, persay, but I have noticed that there seem to be many people who seem fearful of people going into the military. I have concluded that since they see people getting killed in Iraq right now, that all the military is in direct danger of getting killed, therefore, they fear all those going into the military.

This is where I have a problem. I feel like people are fearful because they are just not educated, or that they don't have all the answers. If you knew even a little of how the military, in this situation, works, then you would understand that only about 1%, if that, of all military personnel have actually been in immediate danger. Let me explain it like this: for an Air Force pilot to go up and fly, it takes anywhere from 80-100 men to prepare his flight, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That means that if he gets shot down, all 100 of the people don't die. All of those people could still be safe in their beds while he is out fighting, but that doesn't mean that because they are in the military that they are going to die.

I guess what I am saying is that fearing for someone or something is sometimes just ignorance. Most of the time it isn't, but it is always a possibility. Then you have the fear in a scary situation, where you have no control of what is happening, but again, there are preventitive measures in learning about what to do in such a situation available out there.

I think that I know what I am talking about about this, and I wrote down some things, and it caused some ruckus in my head. Hope that was clear enough.

Just In Case You Actually Wondered What My Dad Does

2006-10-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

By Richard Truett
Oct. 2, 2006

Imagine being General Motors engineer Chris Meagher.

In 1979, one of his first assignments after getting out of school was Cadillac's V8-6-4 cylinder deactivation system, a device that turned out to be one of the biggest black eyes GM engineering ever suffered. Its only year on the market was 1981.

Fast forward a quarter of a century. Gas prices are rising and fuel economy standards are tougher. The pressure is on to boost the fuel efficiency of V-8 truck engines. Meagher, now 49, thinks it's time to give a new version of the cylinder deactivation system a shot.

Surprisingly, the assistant chief engineer for GM's small-block engines didn't encounter much resistance. GM Powertrain chief Tom Stephens approved funding for the initial research, with one catch.

Stephens told Meagher the new system had to switch between eight and four cylinders so seamlessly that the driver wouldn't perceive it. If Meagher's engineers couldn't get the system to work that smoothly, it wouldn't make production.

GM rolled out Active Fuel Management in the fall of 2004 on its 2005 mid-sized SUVs.

The new Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large SUVs got the system this year. It is also used on cars such as the Chevrolet Impala SS and Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.

Active Fuel Management boosts fuel economy by around 8 percent in some driving situations. By 2008, GM expects to equip as many as 2 million V-8 and V-6 engines annually with the system.

The cost per engine is about $50. So far, complaints from consumers are nonexistent, according to GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which monitors complaints about safety-related engine performance.

GM had reasons other than better fuel economy to get a new cylinder deactivation system right the second time: competition.

The Chrysler group planned to roll out its own cylinder deactivation system, called Multiple Displacement, on its Hemi V-8. And Bob Lee, the Chrysler group's vice president of powertrain product engineering, issued nearly identical orders as GM.

"We set extremely stringent requirements for system functionality, including making sure the system's operation would be imperceptible to the customer," says Lee. He says Chrysler had been tinkering with cylinder deactivation since the early 1990s and thought it would be ready for production in early 2004.

Chrysler beat GM to the market with its version of cylinder deactivation by about six months. And it wasn't just Chrysler. Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Toyota also had cylinder deactivation systems in production or on the way.

But the competition didn't have the baggage of Cadillac's failed 1981 attempt at the technology.

Meagher knew exactly where GM went wrong with V8-6-4. He says the problems on the Cadillac system stemmed from faulty throttle-body fuel injectors, primitive computerized engine management controls and flawed execution.

Cars often bucked and jerked and stalled. The situation was so bad that Cadillac dealers often disconnected the system because it couldn't be fixed. V8-6-4 cost Cadillac plenty in terms of lost prestige, lost sales and lost market share.

Yet when it did work, the fuel economy gain could be as high as 16 percent. And that's one reason why GM decided to give cylinder deactivation another try. Few innovations yield such a large gain in fuel economy.

"We knew that we were going to have to attack truck fuel economy. We started asking ourselves, 'How can we do that?' " says Meagher. "You go right back to this whole idea of operating on only what you need vs. what the engine is capable of."

Today's Active Fuel Management switches between eight and four cylinders only. Meagher says a V-8 with the banks of cylinders at 90 degrees is thrown out of balance when it is running on six cylinders.

On a V-8, two cylinders in each bank are shut down, turning the V-8 into a V-4; with a V-6, one bank of three cylinders shuts down.

The computer power and engine controls in the early 1980s weren't nearly powerful or precise enough to make the system work consistently or seamlessly.

Although Cadillac pulled the system after the 1981 model year, Meagher says GM engineers never gave up on the idea.

Eaton Corp., the original supplier of Cadillac's system, also kept working on cylinder deactivation, says Steve Buente, president of Eaton's Automotive Group. Buente says Eaton signed several development contracts with automakers in the 1980s and 1990s, but no cylinder deactivation systems reached production.

But the idea kept evolving. By 2003, Meagher says, he knew the new version could be a winner.

In the original Cadillac system, the rocker arms shifted to prevent valves from opening, which shut down cylinders. In the modern system, oil to the valve lifters is cut off, keeping the valves closed.

In the 1981 Cadillacs, the throttle was controlled manually by a braided metal cable connected to the accelerator pedal. Today, when the Active Fuel Management system switches between eight and four cylinders, a computer moves the throttle so the engine's torque output remains the same. That helps eliminate bucks and jerks.

Says Meagher: "By moving the throttle without you knowing it, or doing anything to the (gas) pedal, I can make that shift unperceivable."

Meagher says GM worked with at least three suppliers to develop the new system. GM chose Eaton and Delphi Corp. as its suppliers.

Chrysler uses a similar system in its Hemi engines. The Mercedes system is now out of production, while Honda and Toyota apply a different cylinder cutoff technology to their overhead-cam engines.

And one other big change enabled GM engineers to improve the new system. The company has invested hundreds of millions in powerful supercomputers that enable engineers to design parts and see how they work on screen.

"Back in the late '70s when we were developing the system, it was all trial and error," says Meagher. "We had to build it, try it, build it, try it. Now our tools for developing this kind of stuff are just so much better.

" 'Flawless' is a pretty strong term for an engineer. But it has been a great launch. We've had no issues with the system."

Weekly Hero Post

2006-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

In lieu of a recent 21st birthday, I thought I would make this week's post of my older sister, Elisabeth. You may or may not know, but her birthday was Monday. She is now 21. I love her a ton. She goes to MSU, and is studying to be a nurse. She is a loving and caring person, which makes her a good candidate for working in a hospital. She is tenderhearted and very compassionate. I love her to death, and miss her when we are at separate schools.

Prayer Meeting

2006-09-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

So I dont think I can justify what happened at this prayer meeting I went to last night. I thought it would only be like 30-45 minutes, and I ended up being there for almost 3 1/2 hours. Who does that? Honestly.
I cannot tell of what went on there, but there was healing. I have never been in a place and actually felt like God was there. I felt like he was sitting there with me as people prayed. It was the best night I have had, spiritually, in a heck of a long time. Thanks, Matt, for taking me.

Excitement

2006-09-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Just in case you are wondering, I do have a job on campus now. You may think that job describes a form of work or physical stress. Maybe you think of work as that filler time between sleep. For me, however, work is now awesome. I got job working for university communications. I will now be a student blogger. I do not mean this particular blog. I mean another blog which will be accessable through the school website in a couple weeks. I will get paid to write down all the fun things I do here at SAU. Isnt that exciting?

Hero Post

2006-09-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

This weeks post for my Tuesday hero is Hallene Gabel. She doesn’t need an introduction, but she does require a little bit of background. Where did she come from? Why did she make such an impact on my life? How is she so stinking cool?

Hallene is amazing. It actually is really hard to dictate how she part of me, but she is. She is the same age as my older brother Chris. They used to hang out and everything. Hallene was kind of always around. She started volunteering/working at Ward when I was a freshman in high school, and she stayed with it for all my four years. She has probably been on ever retreat that I have been on, and has been there for me. When I needed a ride home, Hallene was there. When my parents needed someone to stay with us youngins when they left, they would call Hallene, who would put up with us for a few days. She has been to Peru with me. She is a mentor whom I love. I have put her through a lot. She listens really well. She was with me when I had one of my concussions. She is probably one of the few people I feel like I have to talk to in order for me to date someone, since she knows me.

I am excited for her life, as she devotedly follows God. There are few people I would say have such a devotion to God as much as they do to coffee. She pretty much makes my day every time I see her, and is a great influence on my life.

Thank you, Hallene, for all you have done for me.

Lowell Luau

2006-09-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

So last night was the Lowell Luau. I had a ton of fun, but forgot my camera. It all started off with a 1/2 gallon milk chug, which was pretty funny. I wish I hadnt eaten the ice cream at dinner, otherwise I think I could have won. I didnt though. It all came out, but I kept my dignity, for I did it in the privacy of the bathroom. Oh boy. Then there was the slip n' slide on the side of a hill. Really all it was was a giant tarp going down a hill with water running on it, but it was super fun. I havea few cuts and bruises, but nothing major. I think every place that has a hill should have a permanent slip n slide going just in case anyone wants to do it. Then inside, there was karaoke, where I sang "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias. There wasnt really any good competition, so in my mind, I am the winner of that. That was the end of the Luau. Then I went to U Hall and played Apples to Apples, where I dominated, and then won two straight games of rummy before going to bed. What a good night.

Dos Mas

2006-09-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

You can check out two new articles of mine on the Crusader website.
http://www.crusaderonline.com/vnews/display.v

Weekly Hero Post

2006-09-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

Figuring I didn't want Sarah to snicker at me anymore, I figured I'd better hurry up and post my weekly hero post.
This week's hero is my father, Chris Meagher.

You may think I am just putting him in my hero post just because he is my father, but that is where you are wrong. He is a lot more than my father. He means a lot to other people, too.
He wears many hats along with dad.
Here are a few just for starters:
-Coach
-Teammate
-High School Latin State Champ
-Husband
-Teacher
-Chief Engineer
-Role Model
-Mentor
-Brother
-Writer
-Inventor
-Innovator
-Helper
-Hard Worker

These are just a few of the things that my father, the man after God's own heart, represents. He may or many not realize it, but he has made an impact, on what I figure, more than a thousand lives. He lives by the Book, and offers his wisdom and understanding of it to those who seek it. Although he is very anti-social, I think he heeds the advice "Only talk when it improves the silence." He loves those in need, and cares for other people's kids as much as he does for his own. His taste of humor is somewhat dry, but he makes up for it by laughing at my kind of stupid humor, as in Dumb and Dumber "We have no food, we have no jobs, our pets' heads are fallin off!" and the likes of Airplane! "Striker? Never heard of him. Wait. We were like brothers." Things like that make up for his regular humor.
He is a very knowledgeable in anything but pop culture, and for that, he gets made fun of, but I think it is fine in playing games, as long as he is on my team. I mean if I answer 5% of the questions, and he manages the other 95%, then I think we are okay.

I love him like no other. We have had our differences, but I could not ask for a better father. I love him with all my heart, for he has instilled in me what he believes. He has made me into the man I am today. He has taught me of integrity, and what it means. He has always pushed me to always do my best, in school and everything else. Working hard was never acceptable, and for his constant pushing I am thankful. His talks with me are more than a good memory, for they cannot be described. Riding in silence on long trips would mean more to me than talking for 24 hours straight.

Without him I don't think I would be where I am today. He has guided me into who I am, and for that, this week's hero is my father, Chris Meagher.

Cuba

2006-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Is Fidel Castro still alive? I saw a video of him supposedly making a recovering statement form his bed today, and the quality looked a bit fuzzy for it to be real. His brother, Raul, the other terrible one, just made some very Anti-USA remarks in a speech the other day. Sounds kinda fishy to me if Raul is already saying things his brother would say in such a short time. I think it is all set up.

What is That Ripe Age?

2006-09-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

So here is a pressing question in my head.
If the great philosopher Socrates states that you need to "know thyself," when is the time that you finally do? I mean for me, the question isnt so much knowing who you are. I am being specific, and aiming it towards politics. For me, I grew up in a Conservative home, but now am not sure if I agree with some of the things the party believes as a whole. The problem for me in this situation is when is the time that I have to choose sides? When is the time when I know myself well enough to know what I believe, and not what my parents believe? I think this applies to anyone who really considers it and sits down to ponder it. I mean, no matter what home you grew up in, your views were influenced majorly by your parents. If choosing a political party carries on knowing what you believe, then when is the time you know what you believe? I guess this is all just jumbled in my head, but I just am not sure.

Tubing

2006-09-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday some of the guys on my floor went tubing. That means that we went out on a boat and got dragged laying on a tube, for those of you who dont know. It was so much fun. I took many pictures, but here are a few. It was only guys, so it was good bonding with the ones who stayed here for the weekend, which was all of us who went (about 13 total). The host also provided hotdogs and burgers after, so that was a bonus. A good time was had by all.

Like Brother Bear

2006-09-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here is my first published article for the Crusader, Spring Arbor University's weekly publication:

Composure. Dominance. Team. These are all words that were created to describe the lady Cougars volleyball team. The 11-6 squad took the floor looking to improve their already great record against the Goshen College Maple Leafs.
The ladies decided to give the Spring Arbor fans a great show, seeing that this game is one of only 5 played here at the Arbor.
Kelsey Closson was all over the board with 34 of the teams 39 assists, and passing that makes Misty May look bad. Coach Carol Gates stated that “Kelsey was a key player for tonight’s game, for she read every defensive tip, and played great defense. She set the ball well tonight, and she aggressively set up our hitters so our attackers could get some great offense started.”
And Kelsey did just that. Setting diligently, Kelsey worked hard to set up quick kills for fellow teammate Rebekah Glass, who had 4 of the team’s 8 aces. Coach Gates said “Rebekah is an impact player for me. It doesn’t matter what match we are in, I know Rebekah is going to be in that match.” It was quite obvious Rebekah came to play when she scored 8 kills. “She’s going to work hard to put the ball down on that court, and work defensively to make sure the ball doesn’t hit.”
The team ended up going 30-11, 30-20, 30-24 in the sweep. The passing, blocking, and defensive skills proved to the fans-not to mention to the Maple Leafs-that they meant business, and were there to win. They dominated the air, with 47 team kills. The Cougars also had an overall height advantage. The average height of the Cougars is 5 feet 9 inches, which is on average, two inches taller than the Maple Leafs squad altogether. The ladies proved their power with show stopping blocks and digs. The team had 48 total digs, with Amy Czupich marking 15. Amy also put down 9 of the teams’ kills. Christina Becker helped out with 8 kills.
Coach Gates commented on what the team can work on, and said “They need to maintain a high level of intensity, no matter what happens on the other side of the net. They really have to keep pushing point for point. When you keep going back to the gym we can always work using more of the net offensively.” Coach also commented on her new depth with the team, causing for more play patterns and aggressive plays. “The team started doing some of that last year and we now have the athletes and skills to pull it off.”
Like any coach would claim “Defense wins ballgames.”
The ladies are now 11-6, and 2-0 in the conference. They head back out on the road for the next 8 games, and return on October 4th to Spring Arbor. Coach Gates finished with a final charge for the team “Today our goal was Goshen, tomorrow is Madonna. We don’t talk about playoffs at all. It is all what is right in front of us.”

Who Lives, Who Dies?

2006-09-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

For most people, the war going on in the Middle East is just a news story that we occasionally follow. For most people, 13 Marines dying in an attack doesn't personally affect them. The rising and falling gas prices are why people pay attention to the conflicts, and invertedly dont do anything but pay what is asked. It is just how it is.

When I recently flew out to California to visit my brother, Chris, I sat next to a nice lady on the plane. I really didn't want to talk to her, frankly, but I was kind enough o hear what she had to say. She was a middle school English teacher, about 27, loved reading, and I guess had an itching to talk to someone (me). She was reading from a magazine that I had never heard about before, and she explained to me that all of the articles in the magazine are written with intent to inform people of things going on, as opposed to rally people. It was kind of a mixer magazine, telling people things that we tend to shun, like the war in the Middle East.

She talked to me for about ten minutes before she started talking about this article that she cried over. I was kind of worried when she said I should read it. As she said that, she proceeded to tear the 2 pages out of the magazine. It kind of took me by surprise, but it was a nice gesture, I guess. She told me I didn't have to read it all, (was she really making me read this when I wanted to sleep so badly?) but when I started reading it, I couldn't get it out of my head. I had to read all of it.

Long story short, she said I could keep the article, and so I did. I have been wondering what I was going to write about it. There are many questions that pop into my head when I look at it over and over. Hopefully you wont think I am crazy for thinking some of these things, but I will try to reason as well.

The article is called God Mode, by Luke Mitchell. Needless to say, the title threw me because how she explained it, I was in for a ride.
To sum the four page article up in a few words, pretty much the United States government has taken steps in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where all the prisoners of our war are being held, to keep them from killing themselves. Sounds like an okay thing, right? Think again. They are not taking steps like taking shoelaces and sharp objects from them (they eat with plastic spoons, and wear sandals for the record) for that has been in place since day one, however long ago that was now. The US courts have now given control to the medical doctors now. There was a long debate who gets to decide who lives and dies, but more recently, the prisoners (without any communication) have all started a hunger strike. Over 60 inmates in Cuba have retreated to the lowest of low for a person, self starvation.

To fill you in on what starving yourself is, it pretty much means that when you decide your life sucks so bad that you have no other choice, you just start killing yourself by not eating a single thing. You deprive what your body needs, and eventually, your body starts shutting down.

The Pentagon decided that, since they were holding the people as prisoners, that it was their "moral responsibility" to keep their prisoners alive. The quote the main doctor gave goes as follows: "Our policy is not to prevent people from hunger striking. Our policy is to sustain life, is to prevent people from dying as a result of hunger striking." This is the quote I had the hardest time digging with.

I could work around the other nonsense this article had to offer, but this statement really mixed me up. This really has been a struggle for me to think over. My question really, and it was sort of faced, but not answered in the article, is who decides who lives, and who dies? Do you really have to strap a man down and shove tubes in his mouth and arms to pump food into him? Is that moral, just like letting him kill himself isn't? What do you think? Do you think it is a humans decision to let someone else die or stay alive? Who gets to be the lucky person to take away the dignity of killing himself? I can see someone doing that, too. Maybe I am just being a human activist in saying this, and siding with the Al Qaida or whatever, but don't you think taking away the right to kill yourself is possibly worse than actually doing it? You have absolutely no power in the world if you cant even get out of your absolute misery. I don't care if they killed one person or ten thousand. If they are dead, doesn't that take care of the problem anyway? We don't have to pay for them, either. That is another thought though.

This is probably the most serious post I have ever had, sorry for that. Sometimes I get pretty worked up about this article, and now I needed to spill the beans. Hope you enjoy!

Tuesday Hero Post

2006-09-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

This weeks Hero Post is a little different. Although this person is not a real person, I feel like he is an important person. If you know me at all, you probably would have thought I would have posted this guy as my first hero post, but I decided to wait and make myself creditable before going deep like this.

This week;s Hero Post is Spiderman, aka Peter Parker. I am a fan of Spiderman. Sometimes I may talk about him too much, but that is not important right now. This post isn't about how much I like him, it is to show how he is so amazing (no pun intended). Spiderman is a superhero of the people. He loves helping people. He is humble. I think he is humble because he wants to have a power without exploiting himself, but that is not the point. He wants to help people. Not to mention his good looks. I think sometimes I wish I were bit by a spider. I think that if everyone had qualities like Spiderman, the world would be a better place. We all have a little hero in us, whether we know it or not. We all have a special way of helping people, whether it be money, time, or even just to listen. When you actually sit down and give people yourself, then that can make all the difference in their life. Spiderman is not only just a childhood icon, he represents a lifestyle that we should daily follow.

These are my thoughts, not yours, so if you disagree, then please keep it to yourself. I feel too strongly about this to have someone down me on this. Thank you, and please be kind like Spiderman.

In Betweener

2006-09-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

So I decided just to keep a consistent look on my blog, I would add what I call an in betweener post. This is a post to make the blog look substantial and up to date. One to pretty much say nothing, but at the same time, keep readers wanting more. If you are reading this, then I guess this could serve as an apology as well, since I have not posted since last Tuesday. That may take some explanation. The internet has been down at Spring Arbor University. I called tech services here on campus about 7 times to try to figure why and what went wrong. They explained that there are two types of servers her on campus. One for the Spring Arbor email, and one for all of other internet (he was being nice and simplifying it for me, so I will for you as well). So the server that hosts the email has been up all the time, so email has been working. But for the other server that works all other internet, he explained that when people come back to school and hook up their computers with all the viruses, not referring to Macs here, that it creates this big problem, and they have to shut it off and fix every virus one by one. This took them roughly 6 1/2 days. So I have literally been reliant on word of mouth to see if anything has been happening in the world. Sorry if you have been worried. I am back, and promise not to ever have an in betweener again.

Tuesday Special Post

2006-09-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

This weeks post is extra special, since I forgot to post a Tuesday hero post last week. Today's post is not necessarily a hero post, rather it is a personal friend post.
This week's post is about my new roommate, Zack Tracy. Zack is a 18 year old male from Toledo, Ohio. Here are some excerpts from our interview earlier:

Brian: So Zack, how are you feeling right now?
Zack: Tired, but happy to be here.
Brian: Where is the farthest place you have traveled in relation to Spring Arbor?
Zack: Honestly...Florida. That is sad that Florida is the furthest place. Bummer
Brian: If you knew you were going to die tomorrow at 9 pm, name three people you would want to see, and 2 places you would go.
Zack: Are you kidding me? My gosh. (Thinking) That is tough. I guess my mom and dad, and uh, put down my brother Kyle. family is good. Australia and Israel. I always wanted to go to the Holy Land.
Brian:What is your intended major?
Zack: Undecided
Brian: If Jimmy cracks corn, do you care?
Zack: Yeah.
Brian: What are you most excited about for college life? Any people in particular?
Zack: Meeting people. Girls, duh.
Brian: How many girls numbers/emails did you get tonite playing volleyball?
Zack: I got some facebook. Same for me.
Brian: How many fingers am I holding up?
Zack: three
Brian: What kind of deodorant do you use?
Zack: Old Spice
Brian: What famous actor are you most commonly confused with?
Zack: Ok, this is a weird one. Everyone says I look like Steve the Pirate from Dodgeball.

As you can tell, the interview was fantastic. Both parties had a fabulous time, and the audience was well pleased. For those of you who want the whole interview, you can email me or message this post, and a reply will be on its way.

Come Fly With Me

2006-09-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

So some of you may know that I dated a girl named Bre my freshman year of high school. We remained friends throughout high school. I also have become friends with her parents, which is weird for some people, but not for me.

Yesterday, I went flying with Bre's dad, Mr. Ruark. He and his brother-in-law own a small LanceAir plane (Call sign N118MT). It is a four seater, and I have flown with him once when I was dating Bre. He loves flying, and always would ask me when we were going flying. I never really had an answer until a few weeks ago, when I thought it would be cool again to go with him. So we checked the weather for a couple weeks, and yesterday seemed to work.
So early Saturday morning, I drove to his house, and we drove to Willow Run, where the plane is, and we took off. Final destination: Marion, Indiana. For most people, Marion, Indiana probably doesn't mean much. For probably about 5,000 students and their families, along with the 4,000 people in the neighboring cities, I guess it means something, but my point is that it is just a small town in Indiana. However, I didn't tell you that it is also home to Indian Wesleyan University, and right down the road in Upland, Indiana is Taylor University, where Mr. Ruark's daughter, Bre goes to school.
So we are flying to this small town. There aren't many people in the town itself, let alone the airport. I mean, the place is so small it doesn't even have a control tower. So as a pilot, you have to announce yourself and coordinate who is landing and in the air and such. Not really a big deal. The problem for us when we got close was the fact that there were probably about 10 planes within 20 miles of the airport. That is a lot of air traffic, if you get the point. So, we were kinda wondering what was going on, and long story short, we landed, and the runway was lined with planes of all shapes and sizes, for the day was an airshow. It was pretty funny for us, since we were just there bringing cookies and doughnuts to Bre. There were people taking our picture as we landed and taxied to where we parked. We got out, and people came and started asking questions about the plane and stuff. It was funny, because I didn't really know anything, and everyone was impressed with the plane.
We went with Bre to Taylor and saw her dorm, and then went to Ivanhoe's. I had the Big Panther, which, although sounding enticing, doesn't really hit the spot.
That was my exciting day yesterday. I would have had pictures, but I left my camera at school. Maybe next time.

Defining Working Out

2006-08-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

I have a problem. Defining words. Not literally defining words, but defining them to where it means something to each person. Take, for example, music. I might say to my cousin that I like listening to a certain song because I like the beats or whatever. My problem is that. by definition, I said I liked it, not wanted to buy it. So if he goes out and buys it, and says that I reccommended it to him, well that would just be absurd to me. I didnt define it as I reccomend it to you, I just said I liked it.

Same goes to the term working out. For us Meagher's, or at least Chris and I, we arent exactly your Mike Mentzers or Steve Reeves's, but we stay in shape. For some, a good workout would be considered doing upper body, abs, and various other weight room activites. For Chris and I, we like to be lean, mean, big bad babe magnet machines. I know it is hard to take it all in, but for some of us, it doesnt take an hour and a half in the weight room to look as good as we do. For people like us, a workout to get bodies as god as us just takes a few push ups, sit ups, and a short run. Obviously, our physique shows that this workout doesnt have to be performed on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. For me, I am just starting back up for a little while just to tone what is already there.

Hopefully, Chad, this explains to you what I meant by working out. I know it is hard for you to believe, but the tiger is out is out of the cage and in the wild, working out again. You better watch it. He might getcha.

Waiting

2006-08-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

So the last few days has pretty much just sucked. I have had to start working out again, since I have to take a physical exam on Wednesday. I just ended Day Camp, which I am super excited for. However, everyone is leaving, and since I don't leave for a week, I wont have anything to do, since no one is home. I start orientation on Wednesday, but I will be free at night when I would have been with people anyway. I guess I will just have to wait and make music.

Tuesday Hero Post

2006-08-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Hero's post is coming a few minutes late. I hope this isnt bothering anyone who was waiting to see if this next person was yourself.

This week's hero is a man who I would call a second father in a mild way. His name is Louis Kuratko, or Colonel Kuratko to most people.
Colonel was my 1st hour teacher all 4 years of high school. I saw him pretty much everyday, and got to kow him pretty well. The class I had with hi was pretty different than other classes (JROTC). I mean, there was a lot of out of school activities we did, and Colonel would give rides home and such.
There were times that he would just take me out to dinner with his son and watch football. He was my mentor in a very large portion of applying to college. He made numerous phone calls for me, and for that I am grateful.
One time during the World Series my power went out, so I called him and went to his house to watch the rest of a game with him and his son, who is now a Navy pilot. I probably spent more time with Colonel outside of school than I spent with any one teacher for however long I had them at SHS in school. That is a lot of time if you look at numbers.
To Colonel I will always be thankful. He helped me through high school, and directed me to where I am today. His wisdom and knowledge of things that others do not know or comprehend is amazing to me, and for his sharing I am grateful.
Thank you Colonel for being my hero.

One more thing

2006-08-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

One more thing. I would have taken a picture, but then I would be called gay.

Schmit's Gay

2006-08-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a pool party/watch Anchorman time at Nate Drake's house. I was not in charge of inviting people, but in the end, it ended up being about 10-20 males. I am not kidding you. There were about 15 of us in the pool all at once, which got me thinking back to an old SNL skit that Chris Farley and Adam Sandler did, which was called Schmit's Gay, which was a beer, and was for a beer commercial. In short, it was just a bunch of dudes that were gay in a pool, drinking this beer.
I will clear up all rumors here and now that I am not, and none of the dudes in the pool were gay. It was just a funny moment. That is all.

DMX

2006-08-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

DMX just released a new song called "Lord Give Me a Sign." I reccommend it to you. It is good. Dont really know the meaning of it, or rather, his intentions on writing it, but i like what he says.

Sick

2006-08-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

I woke up today sick today. It was weird. I felt fine going to bed, then I had to get up before 6. I got up, did my thing in the bano, and went back to bed. I can honestly say it is the most I have slept in over 3 weeks. I guess it is what I needed. I feel fine now, which is good. Bad day to get sick, though. I mean, in day camp, it was a field trip day, and then I missed the format and anathallo concert. That sucks. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Pictures

2006-08-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Guess what. I figured out how to put pictures on my blog. You might want to research old posts to get a visual of what went down. Be careful though, I must warn, for one picture has blood in it. Enjoy.

Tuesday Hero Post

2006-08-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

This blog has recently established a new weekly post, as of 10 minutes ago.

This phenomenon is sure to be a crowd pleaser, and has potential to be great. First things first, it may take a few weeks to see your name on this list of great people, considering I have like 7 people already to write about.

This first post is about a new friend. I know it is hard to believe that I wouldn’t write about a family member or best friend to start such a post, but I think this girl deserves some credit.

Sarah Schultz.

I met Sarah though my brother, Chris, when I was visiting him in Los Angeles, California. Sarah has been a friend of Chris since he moved to California, and they hang out a lot. She is nice. I met her the day I came into Santa Barbara, and pretty much hung out with her the whole time I was in California, minus the first day.

First impressions are probably one of the most important things that I look for to decide whether I like a person or not, and Sarah made a lasting one. Normally I wouldn’t start talking deep questions to someone if I had only met them within the hour, but for Sarah it didn’t matter. The questions flowed, and as time gave, my mind went a-buzzing. She was always interested in talking, which was amazing, since everything she said was actually interesting, and I was locked into what she was saying. I honesty haven’t had such good conversation in a long time. Jamba Juice and people watching was probably the most fun I have had in a long time, considering it was pretty much just sitting down. No such thing as small talk with Sarah. She is very intelligent, and I don’t mean that in a light way. She is smart, like science and math smart. She has a heart of compassion, and is interested in making the world better for the people who reside in it. Sounds good to me. She is a bundle of fun, unless it is past 9 o’clock, to where she then gets tired and very irritated at the smallest things, since she isn’t sleeping, which to anyone around her is pretty humorous. For all I know, she could have been putting on a show while I was there, but she seemed pretty honest to me.

She is not slow to critique, and always willing to speak her mind. Very into fashion, she was very funny to sit by as we people/clothes watched, all while the deep questions flowed. Her idea of a game meant ask a deep question. For example: (Sarah speaking) “I have a fun game: We all go around and say where we want to live if we could, anywhere in the world and why.” Really it isn’t a game, more like a loaded question. No game there.

I had a lot of fun meeting Sarah, and hope that she comes to visit Michigan soon. Michigan is ready for Sarah Schultz. I can honestly say that Sarah was probably one of my favorite parts about visiting California. I wish I could have spent more time with her and my brother.

Beer, Baseball, and Beachballs

2006-08-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles-San Francisco rivalry is amazing. Something I would compare only to few things. Brothers. 2 hometown high schools. Gym class sports stars. The likes of these greats is where I would rank this rivalry. For many watching the game on television, seeing the Dodgers and Giants probably isn’t that exciting. Oh how wrong you can be.

My brother, Chris and I went to a LA Dodger game vs. the San Francisco Giants. Due to LA traffic, we decided to go early, and watch batting practice. For our viewing pleasure, Barry Bonds happened to hit about 13 homeruns in batting practice without moving much of his body. He was definitely the largest man on their team. I am not getting into a juice debate right now, either, so don’t ask. All I am saying is that it was pretty amazing to see someone hit that many homeruns with such little effort.

Our seats were 3 rows up in the section right above the press box.

I don’t think there was a better seat in the house. My brother kept score the whole game, and we even had hotdogs. We both didn’t leave or seat once the whole time once the game started. We had pretty much a whole row to ourselves, which was weird, since every other seat in our section was jam packed. There were plenty of beach balls throughout the stadium, which was a rare thing for me to see. I don’t mean like three or four beach balls, either. I mean like probably twenty in each section throughout the game. That’s a lot of beach balls flyin’ around in a whole lot of sections.

We did, however, have an incident that Chris and I are still a little confused about. Let me explain. During the whole game there were 4 guys sitting directly behind us. They were being normal, but a little loud the whole game. They drank beer, which made them a little tipsy, so I don’t think they were really thinking about what they were saying or starting to do. To be honest, I was scared of getting beer spilled on me. They at one point were up to $100 for a bet that one of them wouldn’t knock out the Cracker Jack vendor if he came back. I think that would have made for a more interesting blog entry if he actually had come back, but in this case, he didn’t, so I have to work with what actually happened. They ended up sitting there tapping be and oddly bugging be and bugging each other, waiting for the Cracker Jack vendor to show back up. Instead of the Cracker Jack guy though, they got a better visit. Four uniformed officers came down, escorting all four of them away. About 10 minutes later, to Chris’s and my confusion, another officer came down, and asked, of all people in that section, if we wanted to be moved, mind you it was the seventh inning. We declined, confused about why it was us, considering we hadn’t even said anything to anyone. Then two of the four came back to the game, we were told that they had gotten a warning, and then about three minutes passed before they were kicked out for good. I have to admit I was weirded out by them, but not enough to really care.

The Dodgers ended up winning with some big plays 3-2. I was excited for the home team to win. The stadium is beautiful. Think Blue.

Refs

2006-08-14T23:22:00.000-07:00

Who is the person who decided that they were better than a ref? I mean honestly, do refs come to work and criticize what you are doing wrong. I don’t think so (and that would be awkward). So the question is, what makes people better from the stands than the men on the playing field?

I start with a few points, not for my sake, but I think it is a good thing to dig down deep and look at. Lets go sport by sport.

Baseball:
More than 3 umpires, more than 10 people on the field at a time. My problem with people yelling at ums in this situation is the fact that most of the time, the people upset and yelling are the ones that are so far away, they may as well be making the call from outside of the stadium. I am talking about from the upper deck. Most of those people don’t even know enough about baseball to even know what a strike and a ball is, or how to decide it. I mean, if you are yelling from the stands 200 feet over a ball, as opposed to the guy less than 2 feet from it crossing the plate, don’t you think he has a better chance at making the right call? Ponder that one.

Football:
Refs and Umps in this sport. Enough to see most of the play at all times on the field. The great thing about football now (or not so great) is what we call the instant replay. Coaches can now ask a separate group of people to help the ref on the field make the call. Interesting that they aren’t asking fans to do so. Did I mention that 90% of the calls are made within 10 yards of the players? I think the closest you can even sit to the field is more than 20 yards. Case closed on football.

Basketball:
Ok, so I have to admit, basketball is a little harder to defend. 2-3 refs, depending on what level, and always 10 players. That is only 4-6 eyes to watch 10 people. Not even ratio. That’s all I have on basketball. Hopefully they make the best calls.

So why do we do this? Why all the yelling? I do it, and I am sure you do. Just remember that they are neutral and always trying to make the right call. And stop calling them Zebras, too. Not very original.