Learning As I Go

Long overdue update

2011-03-22T18:26:00.000-04:00

Wow, where did the time go! So much has happened since October that I hardly know where to begin.

I guess for me the most significant change was on Valentine's Day when Heather accepted my marriage proposal. We won't be getting married until next year, but that 1 change really changes everything else in my life.

I've decided that in order to be able to afford the wedding, I'll need to get either a second job or a new one as soon as I can. I'm currently taking a class, but as soon as that's over I need to get busy and hunt for something.
In order to have the time to have a second job I've let Lighting the Way Ministries know that they'll have to find someone else to run the table ministry. I can sponsor someone at UT if they can find someone to actually do it, but I just don't have the time anymore.

Heather and I both got our orange belts in Isshin-ryu karate last week. I don't feel like I'm ready for it, but Master Mills does, so I guess that's what matters.

Quick Update

2010-10-19T17:54:00.000-04:00

Well I've been a little busy lately so I thought I'd update the 1 or 2 people that actually read this. I recently put together a website for my karate instructor Pete Mills. He's a great guy and a wonderful instructor. If you're in the Knoxville area be sure and check out his class.

Also I'm dating a wonderful lady named Heather. She's a day care worker and she sure has the patience for it. If she can put up with me then kids should be easy.

Anyhow, I'm hoping to set up the table ministry at UT again on Friday, weather permitting. Unfortunately I don't have anyone to help with the table so it should be interesting getting everything from the parking garage to the location.

Lighting The Way : Update

2010-10-13T18:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I've managed to set up the table ministry a couple of times and have had the opportunity to speak with some wonderful young people at the UT campus. I'm scheduled to set up there again on the 22nd of October. Hopefully the weather will be good enough to set up.

LTW Moves forward

2010-07-20T16:38:00.002-04:00

I just spoke with Claudette Litz who runs the outreach table at the entrance to the Smoky Mountains park. She's going to get the table and banner for me to start the outreach ministry at the University of Tennessee. Our next step will be to get materials for the table itself. Claudette's daughter Dwayna brought me a box of samples that will allow me to get started. I'll need to reproduce a bunch of the cd's and dvd's she brought.

Lighting The Way

2010-07-14T22:44:00.003-04:00

I'm currently working with Dwayna Litz, founder of Lighting the Way Ministries in an effort to start an outreach table on the University of Tennessee campus. I'm excited about working with Pastor Hollie Miller of Sevier Heights Baptist Church as we try to obtain funding to get this started.

I'm also a bit nervous as I've never done anything like this before. I pray that God will give me the wisdom to do this and the grace and courage to speak His will in a loving way.

"What Can I Do?" by Paul Baloche

2010-06-30T20:29:00.004-04:00

Ok, God really does some cool and unusual things. I just got a message from a fellow I didn't know who thought I was some other guy named Tom Duvall. Apparently they had been having a discussion about Paul Baloche (who I'd never heard of before up to this point). Since I wasnt sure if it was someone I'd met at church a...nd just didnt recognize the name, I popped over to youtube to check him out. This great song is what I found. Needless to say, we quickly figured out it was a different Tom. Still, this chance encounter has introduced me to a new great artist.

Come to find out he also authored some of the songs we sing at Sevier Heights Baptist Church

Dearborn Police: Defending Islam against the Constitution

2010-06-22T16:34:00.002-04:00

As this YouTube video demonstrates, political correctness and fear of Islam are combining to squash the First Amendment of the Constitution.

The Secrets of Jujitsu, A Complete Course in Self Defense

2010-06-11T19:21:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to the book "The Secrets of Jujitsu, A Complete Course in Self Defense", a book written near the turn of the last century meant to teach US army troops the art of Jujitsu. Enjoy!

Martial Arts and the Bible

2010-05-29T11:06:00.004-04:00

Here's a great article about how God views Christians fighting. The question of "turn the other cheek" vs defending one's family is explored.

David Platt

2010-05-28T22:52:00.003-04:00

David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.

A sermon delivered by the pastor of The Church at Brook Hills at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting's Pastors Conference.

The Son

2010-03-05T16:54:00.002-05:00

I found this story on another site and just had to share it.

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The fatherwas notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.. It's a gift.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence..

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings.. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Thanks To A Blind Man, I Can See A Little More Clearly

2009-06-22T20:19:00.001-04:00

When I went to the laundry room today, I did what I normally do. I put my laundry in my truck and drove over to the building where the laundry room is and parked at the end of the sidewalk and took my stuff in to wash it. Then I left and ran a few errands and went back to put my stuff in the dryer. When it was time to pull the stuff out, I once again drove over there and parked right on the end of the sidewalk so it wouldn’t be far to carry it. Since I only get the chance to do laundry every couple of weeks there’s quite a bit and it’s pretty heavy.

At the end of the sidewalk where it meets the street are the diagonal painted lines indicating not to park there. I’ve always ignored it since there’s no ramp and that entrance isn’t wheelchair accessible. Let me first say I’ve learned my lesson and will never park there again.

As I was folding my clothes a blind man came in and it was obvious he was upset. As soon as he heard me he justifiably let me have it. Thanks to my truck he had a lot of trouble finding the sidewalk. Honestly, considering how upset he was I was surprised he kept his calm so well. I’m not sure I’d have been so nice. Anyhow, after he finished loading his clothes in the washer (and calmed down some) he explained the situation to me and asked me not to park there anymore.

I’ve not been so embarrassed at my inconsideration in a really long time and the more I think about it, the more I realize that there’s probably been dozens of times I should’ve been equally embarrassed but those around me were too kind to say anything. If you’re one of those people, I apologize.

If I Were The Devil - by Paul Harvey

2008-11-26T18:55:00.008-05:00

If I were the Devil. . .

I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;
I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's
effort, instead of God's blessings;
I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of
the other way around;
I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;
I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to
leadership;
I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;
I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent
machines to make it convenient;
I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals
are valued more than human beings;
I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was
grounds for a law suit;
I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I
would get sports heroes to advertise them;
I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the
mind of every family member for my agenda;
I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation.
I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family
crumbles, so does the nation;
I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and
movie screens, and I would call it art;
I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that there
lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;
I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who
call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically
correct;
I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and
the Bible is for the naive;
I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is
not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are good enough to get by;
Hmmm...I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are."

Duck Tales Inflation Lesson

2008-10-01T18:53:00.002-04:00

What with all the monetary problems perhaps its time politicians/Wall Streeters were sent back for a refresher course in basic economics. Here's a tutorial that hopefully even they can understand.

AL QAEDA TARGETS ARAB EVANGELIST FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO MUSLIMS

2008-09-16T20:45:00.000-04:00

You have probably never heard of Father Zakaria Botros. But you need to know his story. He is far and away the most-watched and most-effective Arab evangelist reaching the Muslim world, and by far the most controversial.

Read More..

Ponderings of a Christian American

2008-08-15T18:41:00.011-04:00

Today I was thinking about a sermon I heard back on the 4th of July. The pastor indicated that as Christians we shouldn't complain about our leaders, instead we should support our government leaders and pray for them. While I do agree we should support them as best we can and definitely we should pray for them, at what point do we quit supporting them? America was founded as a Christian nation, but there's no denying the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason against the English crown.

Thinking about this has led me to some conclusions about the true responsibility of a Christian. While we are citizens of the nation in which we live, our real citizenship isn't America or Germany or South Africa or China, it's Heaven.

While we can and must maintain participation in the community of humanity in order to provide witness to everyone for Christ, we needn't concern ourselves so much with the laws of the land that get passed (homosexual marriage for instance), though we should continue to effect the process so government coincides with biblical teaching when possible. Rather, we should concern ourselves more with winning our lawmakers and judges to Christ and electing Christian lawmakers/judges and they'll be in the position to pass and maintain godly laws for us all.

Yes, homosexuality is certainly is a sin and shouldn't be condoned, but you cant legislate morality. Jesus said anger is tantamount to murder - should we make anger illegal? The argument that homosexuality is a "worse" sin than anger, or lust, or sticking your tongue out at your mother (disrespecting one's parents) doesn't wash in God's eyes and it shouldn't wash in ours either. Sin is sin, period.

By the same token there should be laws passed expressly giving ministers the right to deny marrying anyone he or she so chooses, for any reason he or she chooses. This is necessary not to keep the homosexual from getting married so much as protect the minister's legal ability to not condone the unbiblical act of a homosexual union. If the minister marries them he is, in effect saying "I believe this to be good in the sight of God." This puts the pastor in the untenable position of going to jail for not marrying them or giving up his ministry. Any other option would be going against the God he vowed to serve. The law hasn't gone down this path quite yet in the U.S., but it has in Canada and several other countries; it's only a matter of time.

The thing I have a problem with regarding homosexuality is the attitude within that community that regards the public school system as a legitimate indoctrination camp whereby they can force their moral agenda onto the children of America and stifle any opposing viewpoint by screaming "separation of church and state!" which isn't even a law much less part of the Constitution like they love to claim.

Oklahoma Rebellion

2008-07-29T21:18:00.001-04:00

Check out this article!

Lions and tigers and dinosaurs, oh my!

2008-07-23T20:18:00.001-04:00

Dinosaurs only lived "millions and millions of years ago", ehh? take a look at this!!

Chuck Baldwin For President!

2008-06-27T16:53:00.002-04:00

Please don't feel you have to vote for the Dempublicans yet again! Instead, why not vote for someone who actually beleives in the America our founding fathers envisioned?
Vote for Chuck Baldwin!
Mr. Baldwin is running for President representing the Constitution Party, the third largest political party in the U.S.A.!

WHAT ABOUT ABSTINENCE?

2008-06-26T17:18:00.000-04:00

Written by Robert Layton
I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students.

When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing.

When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material. What happened next was shocking.

There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand. The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say. The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach "facts" and the home was responsible for moral training. I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.

"Donuts at the back," announced the teacher during the break. "I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared. They're right by the donuts and mingle with the other parents." Everyone moved to the back of the room. As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials. I uttered a silent prayer for guidance.

My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder. "Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at me. "The donuts are good!" "Thank you, no," I replied. "Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet you." "Somehow I doubt that," I replied. "Won't you please join them?" she coaxed. Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, "Don't go." The instruction was unmistakable. "Don't go!" "I'll just wait here," I said.

When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags. She ignored me. Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children. Everyone please peel off your name tags." I watched in silence as the tags came off. "Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?" The gentleman across from me held it up. "Here it is!" "All right," she said. "The flower represents disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?" He pointed to a couple of people. "Very good," she replied. "The handshake in this case is intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease."

There was laughter and joking among the parents. The teacher continued, "And with whom did the two of YOU shake hands?" The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread. "Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."

It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now," it said, "but be humble." I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair. I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.

"Not all of us were infected," I said. "One of us ABSTAINED."

2008-06-21T16:41:00.000-04:00

Toby Mac - Irene
by wanzea

I've Moved!

2008-06-10T17:28:00.002-04:00

My move is done! It only took 1 day to move, an hour to clean up and 2 days to put everything away thanks to help from my sister, my mom and my neighbor Curtis. I'll post more later, for now I just need some rest.

Stairway to Heaven

2008-06-04T22:05:00.001-04:00

This is the best instrumental version of the classic "Stairway to Heaven" that I've personally ever heard. Enjoy!

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Stairway to heaven
by yroshimasystem

Time To Move

2008-06-04T19:12:00.004-04:00

Well, time to move (almost...moving Friday) I'm really excited about the move and cant wait to see what God has in store for my life next.

On the health front if you're one of the two readers that bother to come here you know I was told in Feb that I have type 2 diabetes. Well, I took that as a sign and got off my butt and started moving as well as drastically changing my diet. I've lost about 30 lbs so far and my goal is to lose about another 40-45 by Feb of 2009. I never thought I'd say it but I actually enjoy the exercise! Anyhow, I just thought I'd post an update before I moved.

Testimony Afshin - Muslim Journey to Hope

2008-06-04T19:02:00.001-04:00

The Physical Ashen Remains of Sodom & Gomorrah

2008-05-29T17:36:00.002-04:00

Happenings

2008-05-29T12:14:00.002-04:00

There's a lot going on right now but all for the better, Praise God.

I just had to buy 4 new tires, I'm moving apartments next week, and I just completed testing for a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea. The CPAP machine is 100% covered by my insurance though, so I'm happy. Also, I only had to spend 300$ for the tires (at Wally World), 100$ cheaper than Pep Boys was gonna charge, so that's good as well. The only thing left as far as I know is the move.

Once thats done I'm sure more tests will come my way, but for now that's enough.

Powerful Sermon

2008-05-21T21:12:00.002-04:00

If you've not seen Paul Washer, you should. At this youth conference he preaches on Matthew 7:13-22 and shortly after beginning drops a verbal bomb on the crowd and afterwards you could hear a pin drop.

Changes, Changes

2008-04-30T22:59:00.003-04:00

Well, I had to cancel my trip. Thankfully it's for a good reason; I'm moving closer to work. The new place is bigger (thank goodness, I'm sick of the shoebox I've been in for the past 2 years). It also has 3x the closet space, which is also good. Plus I'll be close enough to ride my bike to work when its nice. I'll be moving in June so this summer's gonna be kinda busy.

On another front, I've started going to church again. I've been wanting to go for a while but mostly its big churches around here which I'm not used to. Anyhow I'm really enjoying the people in my class there, so I've decided to join. It's Sevier Heights Baptist Church.

As for school, the semester is almost over. I have a final art project to present tomorrow and one more test next week and I'll be done till fall. I was going to take a summer class but what with moving I don't think I will.

Update

2008-04-04T20:17:00.002-04:00

It's been pretty busy lately, but I needed a break so I thought I'd pop on here and post an update to my 1 or 2 readers.

School is going well, though I cant seem to catch up on my art class assignments. It seems every time I get caught up enough to start working on my big final project she throws another log on the proverbial fire. Add to that an art history class and a programming class and I feel like I'm about to drown any time now.

I've decided as soon as school's out for the semester I'm heading up to Cumberland Mountain State Park for a few days of well earned relaxation.

Spring Break

2008-03-14T17:36:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again at the University. Midterm exam cram sessions, students packing up for the beach, staff and faculty looking forward to a week of peace and quiet. Meanwhile those of us who are both staff and student simply look forward to a little rest before it all starts up again.
On a personal note, I'm planning my vacation in May and beginning to put together an aquarium for my apartment. I'm also planning a weekend trip up to Dollywood a couple days before Easter. Dollywood is only about 80 miles away from here, so it's a nice, inexpensive (with a season pass anyhow) mini-vacation that I'm really looking forward to.
As to the diabetes, I've lost around 20 lbs so far so I'm doing pretty good. Hopefully this time next year I'll be down to my weight in the military or at least close.

Oh, No!

2008-02-20T19:08:00.003-05:00

Well, I saw the doctor recently and found out I'm diabetic. I wasn't really surprised as I've been letting my weight go every since I got out of the military in '96. What did surprise me was how nonchalant the doctor was about it. It was almost like he said "yep, its a hang nail". This sounds odd but I now actually have a reason to be thankful to have been with my ex-wife (she had type 1 diabetes which is much worse). Being with her taught me pretty much everything I needed to know as a new diabetic.
I'm still learning of course, its been 13 years since we were together and there's been some pretty great strides in the realm of diabetes in terms of both the blood meters and diets. Fortunately though what I already knew has allowed me to get my blood sugar under control quickly so now I can concentrate more on losing weight and hopefully coming off the pills at some point (I hope).

UK Facing National ID Card Woes

2008-01-02T18:37:00.001-05:00

At first when I began reading this article about the National ID card and how it poses a loss of basic right to privacy I thought it was about how here in America we are facing the Real ID requirements to State driver's licenses. Unfortunately freedom seems to be dying everywhere, and Great Britain seems to be next on the chopping block. It shouldn't come as any surprise I suppose, given their love for surveillance cameras. In fact in Middlesbrough, England they've even gone so far as equip these cameras with loudspeakers so the operators can fuss at passersby dropping litter or whatever. Even George Orwell would be shocked at how far we're devolving.

Art Project Finished!

2007-11-29T18:30:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my sculpture "America is Entertained, Africa is Starving"

Here it is

Art Update

2007-11-16T18:52:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought I had my outhouse project done, but after talking to another artist about it I realize it needs a bit more work. Small, simple things are needed, but it's still not quite done. I should be able to finish it monday and then I can 100% concentrate on the elephant. I'm REALLY looking forward to this semester being over so I can quit spending so much money on materials.

Update

2007-11-13T02:35:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got the peanuts for my elephant art project. Also my mom brought me the
sash for it. I designed it but had to get her to sew it since I cant sew at all.

The outhouse project is close to being finished. I still need to put the seat in and make the door, but otherwise it's pretty much done. I'm hoping to finish it Wednesday so I can paint it.

Ron Paul: Tea Party '07

2007-11-13T02:34:00.000-05:00

Howdy

2007-11-11T04:14:00.000-05:00

Been busy working on a couple of art projects for class, and really enjoying it. One project is going to be an outhouse (yes, with a moon on the door) and the other one an elephant.

The teacher wanted us to build a container to hold a non-physical thing (love, logic, whatever) so I decided disgust would be my theme. If you've ever been inside an old fashioned outhouse you'll understand why I picked that to be my container.

The elephant project is going to be about 3ft tall and made of peanuts...I've been busy making paper machete to fill it so it wouldn't require so many peanuts, but I'm still worried I wont be able to get peanuts in such a large quantity.Needless to say I have some calling around to do on that one.

I'll post more as I go along.

Ron Paul for President 2008

2007-11-08T19:27:00.001-05:00

True Reason for Ron Paul's Low "Scientific" Polls

2007-11-06T22:03:00.000-05:00

Title says it all

Ron Paul on Iraq

2007-11-06T21:13:00.000-05:00

Ron Paul's take on Iraq. A very simple, logical look at the war.

Changes

2007-11-03T19:15:00.000-04:00

I know I've not posted here in a long time, but hopefully I'll have enough free time here to start posting again. I've come off of night shift and am working swings, so I don't have as much free time as I used to.

I'm also working on a couple of major art projects that currently have my whole apartment trashed. Not having a studio to work in SUX! Anyhow, I've got about a month to go on them. Once they're finished I'll toss up some pics.

Paul Dateh

2007-11-03T19:07:00.000-04:00

This guy rocks!

Redeemer, Savior, Friend

2007-05-03T04:11:00.001-04:00

Very good video, just thought I'd share it.

A Few Sketches

2007-04-30T21:39:00.000-04:00

Well, a buddy of mine wanted me to post a few sketches that I did in art class. I finally got my portfolio back from my teacher so here they are in all their glory. Feel free to comment, but go easy...it was only art 101 :)

Made the Newspaper

2007-04-29T18:42:00.000-04:00

Well, things have been kinda rough as you can see. Hopefully theyll improve by next week. Thanks goes out to Cito for this image

YouTube Warning Two

2007-04-29T04:27:00.001-04:00

Great rant about copyright infringement and how its getting out of control. Check out this and his other rants on YouTube

End of a Season, Beginning of a New

2007-04-26T02:09:00.000-04:00

My semester is now over. Well, almost over anyhow. Art 101 - finished. I managed to finish all the drawings I needed to...at 2am the night before, like a true freshman.I'll post a few of my drawings here once I get them back and can shoot them with my new digital camera. Only one English class to go and I'm done for the summer.

I went ahead and declared art as my major, and I'm planning on doing a Bachelor of Fine Arts - Media. What that basically means is a lot of photography and cinematography classes. I cant wait! I'm so impressed by so many photographers out there I cant even mention them. I hope I can learn enough to hold my own. If not I guess I can go to work at Olan Mills studios ha ha.

It feels funny being in school again at 40, but any chance to learn more should be grabbed onto with both hands. My job pays for 3 classes a semester and who am I to argue? To not take them up on it is like a pay cut. I generally only take 2; more than that tends to cut into my free time too much.

2- DM - Research

2007-04-22T00:17:00.001-04:00

This guy's pretty funny, check him out!

A Friend In Need...

2007-04-19T23:46:00.000-04:00

I just got word tonight that a good friend of mine had a heart attack earlier today. While I wasn't entirely surprised, it was in a way still a shock. He's had a lot of medical problems including high blood pressure and degenerative disc disease and some other problems, but he's only 30 years old and so it's still surprising on that level.

In case you don't know him, he's the author of Dysfunctional Playground. I first met him when we both worked for an Internet company down in Florida. When the company closed he moved back to his home state of GA and I returned to TN. We've kept in touch over the years through Dark Age of Camelot, an MMORPG that we both play.

Hopefully now that he's been admitted to the hospital they'll at last give him the treatment he's not been getting due to no insurance. In any case, pray for my friend that he'll get well. I know I will.

Artistic Woes

2007-04-18T22:31:00.000-04:00

Well, I got a big shock today. My art teacher informed us that our class ends next Wednesday. He wants our sketchbooks totally full by then. I'm about 50% there, so that's about 80 or so drawings. On top of that he wants our final portfolio then and I'll need to draw 7 drawings for that and those will need to be high quality ones.

Sooo...I'm guessing I wont have time for much else for the next week. I'll try and post an update sometime this week, but no guarantees.

Chinese Resturaunt Headaches

2007-04-15T17:58:00.000-04:00

Ok, I thought about writing this article yesterday but I was still hot under the collar at the time. I'm glad I waited because I've had time to think about it now and maybe this wont come off as just ranting.

Yesterday while at work I ordered lunch from a local Chinese restaurant. I've ordered lunch and dinner from them for a couple of years now and they have good food and their delivery drivers are some of the most prompt in Knoxville. I've had absolutely nothing bad to say about them, until now....and its not entirely their fault.

Let me start from the beginning. I called, made my order, and decided to use my Visa debit card like I've done dozens of times before. I give my number, my expiration date....and then he asks me a question I've never had asked from a delivery place before. My billing address. I'm at work! Why do you need my billing address! Haven't you ever heard of invasion of privacy?

I confront him about this as nicely as I can muster, and he tries to tell me its to protect me in case someone steals my card. I reply that if my card is stolen its none of his business, I can have it canceled and if I don't its my problem, not his. He then complains they've been getting a lot of canceled cards and they're trying to protect themselves. This is understandably frustrating for any business owner, but its the cost of doing business. They can sue for their money or they can do the same thing Walmart does when they don't catch shoplifters....write it off on their taxes. The bottom line is its not my problem, don't try and take my right to privacy away.

The order taker then tries to explain they have a new credit card system and it requires it. He further explains that they don't even have a computer at the restaurant and they're an honest small business. Of course at this point I do feel kinda bad for the guy because I know this to be the truth. Credit companies have no souls; they need your name and address so they can sell them to marketing firms to send you useless junk mail.

Nevertheless, I don't let him totally off the hook. I tell him I believe him to be honest and don't think he'll steal my info, but I do reprimand his restaurant for choosing such an invasive company to do business with.

Do I feel sorry for him? A little, but maybe if enough people complain about all the intrusive behavior by these companies they'll start insisting the credit companies lay off. This continual invasion of privacy has got to stop! Between these intrusions by big business and the government we're quickly losing what made this country great.

So long as I'm not harming anyone else I should be able to live totally anonymously from Uncle Sam AND Uncle Sam Walton. Please, stand up for your rights, don't just roll over and let them be sold to the highest payed marketing agency!

Could a Speech From 1976 Predict What We Know As The News?

2007-04-14T12:45:00.001-04:00

Man this is so true, a perfect description of television and especially what we call "news" today.

School -n- Stuff

2007-04-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally finished and turned in The English Project. Now that I don't have that albatross hanging around my neck I can get back to doing things I enjoy, like surfing the web and working on my sketchbook. Night shift is so quiet most nights, thank goodness. Run a few checklists and pray nothing breaks...

WOW

2007-04-11T14:11:00.000-04:00

Hmmmm....

Kitchen Beatbox

2007-04-10T16:35:00.000-04:00

Beatbox Fame Game
Uploaded by loranger

I ran across this the other day and just thought it was kinda cool. Enjoy!

Kmart Hijinks

2007-04-10T01:14:00.000-04:00

I was cruising the web and came across this funny letter a Kmart manager sent to a customer's wife. The things people do for kicks

Blah Blah Blah ...

2007-04-09T21:37:00.000-04:00

So, a friend thought I should start a blog so here we go. I've no idea what I'm gonna post yet but Hopefully I'll have some material between night shift, DAOC and my classes at UT. Yes, DAOC as in Dark Age Of Camelot, an MMORPG I play when I have the time.