Sorry, I know this isnt what the Blog’s really about but I just got home and I wanted to tell you all that……….

I PASSED MY DRIVERS TEST!!!!

oh and happy late 18th BIRTHDAY BEN!!!! (Hope it was great!)

I’m pumped… so… yeah

~Lor

Hey, sorry I was unable to blog for the past few days, but here I am now.  I don’t really know what to talk about.  Plus I have to do some stuff, so bye!

My mom told me today, that she was asked a question from a woman she works with. 

The woman told her that her son is considering joining the Army.  Her family has had nobody that has ever been or even is in the military, and her son does not know anybody, and never knew anybody who was in the military.  So why is he considering joining the Army?  This woman absolutely hates the military, hates the war, hate our president, and hates the government.  She asked my mom, ‘What would you do, what would you say to to my son, what should I do, or say to him?’

My mom told me, and I totally agree, that first of all you should eliminate your hate for the president/government with you hate for the war/military, because politics have nothing to do with our military.  Yes, the president does chose when the military acts, and did start the war, but who are the real people fighting the war?  Our military.  Even though, the president may make all the choices, but the military are the ones that truely do everything for the country, at least when it comes to protection and wars. 

Then when you separate your two hates, you can realize that our president is making things worse, when the military are the ones trying to make things better for the people by defending our country with the command of the president. 

This is why I wear one of those rubber bracelets everyday that says, ‘SUPPORT OUR TROOPS’,  becuase I believe in supporting our troops and getting them through this no matter what the president throws at them. 

If someone thinks about joining the Army, what would you say to them?  Would you tell them how much you hate our country and their decisions and that joining the military and joining the fight is a useless idea and that they should definetely not?  Or would you tell them that they are old enough and can make their own decisions?  Or would you tell them that helping the only people willing to fight for our country who chose not to stay a civilian and complain, no matter if they like the government or not? 

As most of you know, my sister is in the military and is serving in Iraq as we speak.  Eventhough she absolutely hate the government and does not agree with their ways, she continues to fight for her country and wants to get out of there. 

The military is all we have at this point.  They are the only ones willing to fight for the safety of our country whether or not they believe in the government’s ways. 

So there is only one question I have for you this time …

If you had a friend thinking about joining the military, if you are considering joining, or if you of a friend got offered to join, what would you do?

Thinking about everything I told you, don’t just put you automatic answer.

Colleen

On sunday, Mikey was talking to us about something that sparked my mind and sent my thoughts wandering …

Have you ever realized that the only electronics our grandparents had were radios, maybe TVs, telephones, etc.  They pretty much just had the “basics”.  Our parents’ generation got a bit more involved in technology with the invention of videocassette players, microwaves, computers, etc.  With the world moving in a generally steady pace forward, our generation came along and sent the techology world booming.  Our generation brought a much larger demand for technoloy as the gadgits kept becoming more and more advanced.  Our generation brought the invention of ipods, laptops, CD players, CDs, DVDs, a various supply of cell phones, HD TVs, Tivos, Walkmans, robots, robotis toys, etc, the list goes on and on.  As the new gadgits keep coming in, kids these days keep upping their demand for more and more advanced and fun gadgits.  The market for technology has skyrocketed in the last few decades reaching heights further than anyone back in the 60s, 70s, or whenever could have imagined.

Over the years computers have gone from small green screens with only one, green font, to laptops thin enough to carry around all day, and even HD laptops and computers with a vast array of programs, colors, and links to almost anywhere in the world.  Music has gone from static filled radios, to records, to cassettes, to CDs, to ipods.  Proof that our generation is getting more and more involved and technologically advanced was just a second ago where I could not remember the name of ‘those things that spin on a turntable’, a record.  Not knowing the name of something invented not that long ago.  Was it brain fart?  Probably, anyone who knows me knows that i have alot of those.  Or was it proof that our generation is reaching new heights in the technological world?

My dad is watching TV as i am writing this blog, and I happened to be listening about special new machines that can sense whether there is a problem in a structure (like a crack) such as a bridge, hopfully preventing manmade structural flaws and long use wearing that can cause problems like the tradgity that happened in Minnesota of August this year where a bridge suddenly collapsed leaving everyone surprised and flabbergasted.

Wow, this show that I am watching is all about new robots and machines, even electrodes inserted in the brain.  What a coincidence, that I happed to be writing this at the same time as this show!

My point is, is our generation becoming too advanced in technology and mechanics in which it can drastically change the lives of the next generation?  Will the next generation be so engaged in computer games, ipods, and the latest and greated technology, that they will be unable to decifer the difference between true life and cyber life.  Yes, I know that ipods, cell phones, etc are not cyber related, but computers are, and with the many computer games circling the web kids will be so engaged in catching stars, and jumping 50 foot walls, that during their time not spent on the computer, they will not be able to decifer the difference between cyberlife and real life. 

On the other hand, there are good effects of new technology.  With the sky rocketing demand for newer and better technology, in the later years to come our science and technological world can reach new heights.  Could we really discover other life out there, some people seem to think we are very, VERY close, others seem to think we already have?  Could we discover something so mind boggling that it spinns our whole perception of the world upside down?  Could people live in space on a daily basis and make frequent stops to and from earth just like a metro runs today, trasporting hundreds of people everyday?  Could we develope and new city in space?  Could we develope a series of cities or small manmade planets to make up for, or make a safe haven from our slowly deteriorating earth?  Could we have robots waling among us with a human – robot interaction that treats eachother as equals?

My take on blogs is to make your mind boggle and try to get you to think about things you have never thought about, and if you have, then to think about them in a totally different way.  I don’t know if I succeeded today, but if so please reply.  I know there are lots of people reading these, but the only comments I have gotten are from David, Lori, and Danny.  Oh, yeah which was the David that commented me?  I know my blogs are always very long, but bear with me.  During the day I pay close attention to things, constantly thinking about what I can blog about, and when I get infront of that computer and start blogging, my mind goes on full blast, and I forget to hold back and stop.  Well, now I will.  Pleas reply you guys, I love getting your comments!

 Colleen

Hey, it’s me again. Thanks for all your comments.  These are some pieces of a chain email that I recieved a few years ago and saved.  I thought it was funny, and I hope you enjoy it all and comment on them!

Only in America……you can get a pizza to your house faster than an
ambulance.

Only in America……are there handicap parking places in front of a
skating rink.

Only in America…..do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the
back
of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy
cigarettes at the front.

 Only in America……do we use the word ‘politics’ to describe the
process
so well: ‘Poli’ in Latin meaning ‘many’ and ‘tics’ meaning
‘bloodsucking
creatures’.

Only in America……do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille
lettering.

These are just a few of the 30 or so listed in the email. I thought they were funny, I hope you did.  Whay is the world, or should we say, America coming to.

And also, here are some funny ways to annoy people.  Enjoy.

Sing the Batman theme incessantly.

Specify that your drive-through order is “to go.”

If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.

If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.

Speak only in a “robot” voice.

Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly.

Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly.

Leave your turn signal on for fifty miles.

Declare your apartment an independent nation, and sue your neighbors upstairs for “violating your airspace”.

Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it was a “real hoot.”

Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and “cc:” them to your boss.

Make beeping noises when a large person backs up. 

Erect an elaborate network of ropes in your backyard, and tell the neighbors you are a “spider person.”

Finish all your sentences with the words “in accordance with the prophesy.”

Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you “like it that way.”

Staple papers in the middle of the page.

Ask 1-800 operators for dates.

Ask 1-800 operators for dates.

Honk and wave to strangers.

Dress only in clothes colored Hunters Orange.

Change channels five minutes before the end of every show.

Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints by the cash register.

Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.

Pay for your dinner with pennies.

Write “X – BURIED TREASURE” in random spots on all of someone’s roadmaps.

Stand over someone’s shoulder, mumbling, as they read.

Ask people what gender they are.

While making presentations, occasionally bob your head. like a parakeet.

Leave your Christmas lights up and lit until September.

Wear a LOT of cologne.

Sing along at the opera.

Mow your lawn with scissors.

At a golf tournament, chant “swing-batabatabata-suhWING-batter!”

Ask the waitress for an extra seat for your “imaginary friend.”

Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn’t rhyme.

Ask your co-workers mysterious questions, and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something
about “psychological profiles.”

Stare at static on the TV and claim you can see a “magic picture.”

Stare at static on the TV and claim you can see a “magic picture.”

Never break eye contact.

Construct elaborate “crop circles” in your front lawn.

Make appointments for the 31st of September.

Those were the ones I thought were the best. Everytime I read the blogs people always talk about serious things, like the world, but this time, I chose to write funny stuff, just for your entertainment.  Some people might say that I gave up on this blog, but I would just say that i had some extra fun with it.  I remembered that I had saved these two chain emails that I got a coupld of years ago.  Some of you have probably also recieved these chain emails as well.  Oh yeah, and if any of you attempt these ways to annoy people, you’ll be my hero! HAHA! Just kidding!

Colleen

If you don’t know already, I am a dancer.  5 days a week, I spend around 3 to 4 hours at the studio.  Consantly I push body past its limits, constanly I stretch my ligaments (spelling?) beyond normal limits, contanly I suffer through pain and suffering all while trying to reach a dancer’s one common goal … perfection.  Even though ballet is strongly discouraged by doctors due to the lasting effects of joints, I keep at it.  I have hurt myself many times, and had to suffer through it.  I know I will have many joint problems when I am older and yet, I keep on going.  When I hear people say they sprained their anckle or see that people are on crutches due to a twisten knee, I think to myself, ‘they don’t know pain, they don’t need crutches, have they really experienced a true injury?’  Dance is my passion, I keep at it because I love it.  I keep going through the injuries, the pain, they bruises, the sore muscles, because I know in the end the result is worth it all. 

Is America running down a track were kids sit at home watching TV and listening to music. The answer is yes.  Kids these days get upset at the little things in life like missing their weekly TV shows, or if their computer fails to download their favorite songs, or even if they miss a school dance.  Well, due to my dance, I never have time to watch many TV shows, I never listen to music, unless it is in the car going to and from class, I yeah, I have never gone to a school dance, because of my dance studio and the strict policy of missing zero classes per year unless it is due to a family emergency or a vacation. 

Kids these days are missing the point or life.  Life is about perserverence (spelling?) it is about haveing fun, doing things worth while.  Although it may seem a bit harsh, kids these days are way to focused on themselves.  They need to learn how to let go of their little flaws and appreciate their strengths.  With me, I was horrible at pirrouettes a year ago, but I am better now.  I am getting better a fuettes, and torjettes.  Although none of those things may be very important to the people not involved in the dance world, my point is that with perserverence, people of today can reach their goals and learn to work on their flaws and appreciate their strengths.

So the real question is, ‘Are the people [not just kids] of America today starting to move into a world focused on the flaws of life instead of a world that tries to focus on positives?’

Common guys, this was my first blog, so if it wasn’t that great, I’m sorry.

Colleen

It doesn’t seem like anyone is posting this week.

I didn’t do the best job of posting regularly last week, so today I’m going to try to fill the void by getting something off of my chest. I’ve got an issue with this youth’s groups attitude towards work on the mission trip. Although we go down there to help people for the sake of helping them, to find jesus, not to bring him, I think we often lose sight of our purpose and get caught up in arrogance and a feeling of self-importance. I think the biggest issue that I saw last year was how people placed a value on the type of work they were doing. Although common sense tells us that working hard pulling nails for an hour is just as admirable as working hard doing stud walls, I think that almost everyone in our group would pick the latter. I know for a fact that many of us would, because we already have.

Although it is more efficient to have the same people get good at a single job, I can’t help but notice that it is a specific type of person who ends up doing that job. Out of all the people at Mrs. Dorris’s house doing stud wall, almost everybody had been on the first mission trip, almost everbody was a vocal member of our youth group, and almost everbody was a guy. I think that part of it is that people like to perceive themselves as skilled, or special. I know there were times when I was motivated not by a desire to do a good job on Mrs. Dorris’s house, but by a desire to be faster and better than the people I was working with. I don’t think that it’s fair that the same people end up doing the glorious jobs all the time. I think that if we expect the next mission trip to be a spiritual experience for everyone, then we must focus on giving everybody a chance to do work that they find to be meaningful. Not only do I think that keeping the same people on the more high profile work is unfair to the less assertive of our group, I think that it also prevents who do only the “good” type of work from getting something truly spiritual out of our mission trips. In order to truly call ourselves christians, we must find as much joy in pulling nails as we do in building walls, and we must give everyone an oppurtunity to do the work that they find meaningful.

-Ben