Achievement Unlocked: DR. SEUSS

 

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 15
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:DR. SEUSS

• Post a blog - Achievement: "BEGINNER" Give yourself a pat on the back. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 10 Days - Achievement: "TWEETER" Link to Facebook. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 30 Days - Achievement: "THE IN-CROWD" Write a blog about myself. 10 points.
• Post On Blog For 60 Days - Achievement: "JOURNAL" Buy a video game. 15 points
• Post On Blog For 6 Months - Achievement: "BLOGGER" Buy and spend 40 Wii points. 25 points.
• Post On Blog For 1 Year - Achievement: "BLOG MASTER" Buy a book, DVD, and game. 50 points.
• Save $100 - Achievement: "PIGGY-BANK" Spend $10 on books. 5 points.
• Save $500 - Achievement: "PENNY PINCHER" Spend $50 on yourself. 10 points.
• Save $1000 - Achievement: "SAVER" Spend $100 on yourself. 25 points.
• Save $5000 - Achievement: "INVESTOR" Spend $500 on yourself. 50 points.
• Read 1 Book - Achievement: "DR. SEUSS" Smile, you read a book. 5 points.
• Read 10 Books - Achievement: "HARRY POTTER" Buy 5 more books. 10 points.
• Read 25 Books - Achievement: "WHEEL OF TIME" Buy 10 more books. 25 points.
• Read 50 Books - Achievement: "STEPHEN KING" Buy 25 more books. 50 points.
• Write 1 New Review - Achievement: "FAN" Post review on blog. 5 points.
• Write 10 New Reviews - Achievement: "SCHOOL EDITORIAL" Buy a notebook. 10 points.
• Write 25 New Reviews - Achievement: "TOWN PAPER" Buy a book on writing. 25 points.
• Write 50 New Reviews - Achievement: "CRITIC" Buy 5 books. 50 points.
•  Write A Short Story - Achievement: "NOVICE WRITER" Buy a book of short stories. 25 points.
•  Write A Novel - Achievement: "WRITER" Buy 10 books by at least 5 different new authors. 100 points.
•  Run A Mile Without Stopping - Achievement: "TRACK" Buy $25 in clothes. 10 points.
•  Bike 10 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "TRAINING WHEELS" Buy a bike light. 10 points.
•  Bike 25 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "HUFFY" Write about your travels. 15 points.
•  Bike 50 Miles In One Day - Achievement: "LANCE ARMSTRONG" Go out to dinner. 25 points.
•  Own A Car - Achievement: "LEMON"  Drive to Vegas and par-tay! 100 points!
•  Get My License - Achievement: "DRIVER'S ED" Go out to dinner, drink and celebrate! 50 points.
•  Own An MP3 Player - Achievement: "IPOD" Spend the day loading music onto it. 15 points.
•  Work Full-Time - Achievement: "9-5" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get Promoted - Achievement: "MONKEY SUIT" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get A Raise - Achievement: "CHA-CHING" Spend $50 on yourself from next paycheck. 20 points.
• Live On My Own - Achievement: "INDEPENDENT" Throw a party. 25 points.
• Live In A Two-Bedroom - Achievement: "SPACE" Buy 2 bookcases. 30 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Week - Achievement: "ITS A START" Smile. 5 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Month - Achievement: "FRESH BREATH" Buy a new brush. 10 points.
• Brush My Teeth For 6 Months - Achievement: "SQUEAKY CLEAN" Take more pictures. 20 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Year - Achievement: "SHINY" Buy a new camera. 40 points. 
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "SCRAWNY" Join a gym. 10 points.
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 2 Minutes - Achievement: "BOOT CAMP" Buy a game and book. 20 points.
• Do 100 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "MUSCLE MAN" Buy new clothes and take more pics. 40 points.
• Survive The Buffalo Wild Wings "Blazin' Challange" - Achievement: "BLAZIN'" Blog about event. 15 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Month - Achievement: "MAID" Buy a decoration for the bedroom. 5 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For 6 Months - Achievement: "JANITOR" Take pictures of the clean place. 25 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Year- Achievement: "MR. CLEAN" Buy another bookcase and 20 more books. 40 points.

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Advice #3

Advice #3: How to age a beard

I found this trick accidentally. If you have at least a few days growth of beard and want to pepper it and look older, use deodorant. White, streak-free deodorant. I used Axe Dry. It gives you a salt-and-pepper beard with a nice scent.

How do I know this? I put deodorant on my face. Why? I was afraid I would perspire too much if we played Twister again. We played it last night and I was sweating like a fat woman on a Richard Simmons workout tape. Like a Northerner in an Arizona summer. Like a gamer about to finish a no-save Halo 3 single player game on Legendary during a lightning storm.

And the girl I was playing against was cute too. A short, lithe, dark-haired, stubborn, twig of a girl. She was determined to win and my legs were determined to give out on me. Which would not have been good for her seeing as I had occupied all four corners and was hovering over her. I could have dropped and us as an excuse toed it be close to her, but I took the high road, rolled to the side and admitted defeat.

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"Things that annoy me" OR "Musings of an angry person"

• Internet that comes in waves. My internet is like pulling the petals off a flower. It works. It doesn't. It works. It doesn't. It works... It... doesn't. Damn.
• Stupid people who need to be removed from the gene pool.  I don't care what your native language is. This is the United States. Learn English.
• Random volume changes during a movie. I HATE it when I'm trying to watch a movie at 2 o'clock in the morning, volume turned to a nice level, and there is eardrum-shattering explosion in the middle of a really quiet scene. Or gunfire that doesn't start until AFTER you adjust to volume up to hear the important plot dialogue. Think about it. What would you do if you were talking to someone who's voice got really quite and then YELLED for no APPARENT reason?
• Anyone who likes to feel superior then others by voicing their opinion on things that no one mentioned. "Are my pictures ready? I want to make sure the 'JESUS' is centered. I'm a Christian. Jesus is the one true god. Oh, you're an athiest. I'm sorry you'll be burning in the fiery pits of Hell. What's my total?"

That is all for today.

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Death Thoughts

"Tomorrow's not promised to me or to you.
Death is coming for us all, what you going to do?"

I can't say this is an epiphany caused by a brush with Death. Its more like a few scuffles and brawls with Death's second cousin, Billy. My sister survived breast cancer, but just found out my mom has skin cancer. Cancer is very common in my family. Its the one thing we all have in common. Its the family birthmark. Only two adults so far haven't shown signs, myself and my middle sister. Both of us are in our twenties.  I'm not getting my hopes up.

Ashley died from a seizure caused by a blood clot in her brain. I've been experiencing migraines, nausea, and numbness and had a possible mild stroke only a week or so before her death. Probably nothing (or so the doctors claim) but who's to say. I need to have a word with the Big Man running things upstairs, the Super Supervisor if you may. And until I do, I don't plan on going anywhere. Stubbornness is also a large trait in my family. Why else would be still be procreating if not out of spite for the human race?

I was tempted to write a will, but then thought, why bother? I have nothing of value and its not like anything is going to matter after I pass anyway. Can't keep any of it. Most will probably be donated or boxed up forever.

Migraine is coming back, time for the pills. G'night.

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Advice #2

Advice #2: Ask, do not tell.

     There is an old proverb that says "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar." Unfortunately, that is a lie. But the principle is true. Asking someone if they can do something, and telling them to do something is two different things. I have the unfortunate experience to deal with that exact scenario this evening. I was working in my area and a Team Lead from another department asked me if I could help him in his department. I told him I would if I wasn't busy but won't know immediately. About 15 minutes later another supervisor comes by and TELLS me that since I'm not busy I NEED to work that department. Bear in mind I'm the only one working my department and the only one who works nights that is trained in my department. No managers, no supervisors are trained. JUST ME. Five other people in the whole store are trained, but they are either day shift or weekend shift. I'm the only night crew person. And they TELL me I HAVE to leave my area to work theirs. I was the last one out of the store and almost an hour late getting out. Managers and supervisors expect call us team members and team leads but only when it affects them. No one offered to help me when I got back to my area and found the system locked up and had to reboot. But heaven forbid I don't clean up their mess. Screw it! Tomorrow, I'm going to the General Manager and telling him that if any of the supers or managers want me to help in their areas than they can cover my area while I do that. And if they can't, well then their on their own.

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Roommate Needed!

     My roommate and I have been butting heads, like usual. And I am getting sick and tired of living with her and having her always around. We live in a one bedroom and I've taken to sleeping on the couch to avoid being in the same room as her. She can't hold down a job and her daddy is paying all of her bills. She is so pampered and spoiled it makes me sick. Her dad is paying for her rent, car, phone, college (all of it), and giving her hundreds of dollars a month for spending money. It must be nice having no responsibilities.

Now before I go any farther, let me tell you a little more about my roommate situation. My roommate is spoiled, obsessed with VHS tapes, unemployed, rarely cooks or cleans, is clingy, immature, and, oh yeah, my ex-girlfriend. That's right, I'm sharing a one-bedroom apartment with my ex.  But not by choice. We used to live together until I moved out at the end of April. Then I lived on my own. I was going to get a new roommate in August, but could support myself financially regardless. And then I did something stupid and quit my full-time $10.50/hr job because of another POSSIBLE job. Which turned me down. And my back-up part-time 7.85/hr job turned me down as well. I was screwed. I needed a miracle. My new roommate couldn't support us both, she was working at the back-up place. So I needed another roommate, and my ex hated her roomie that she had. Problem solved. At least temporarily. I put a band-aid on a knife wound thinking that would fix it. And it did, for a while. But with no space and no privacy things started getting dicey. For one, she wanted to get back together. Thats a big no-no for me. I don't date an ex. Period. Nothing good ever come of it. And we dated for 13 months and it didn't work out. There is a reason for that and dating more won't change it.

     Anyway, I think its time for a change. If I get full-time at Sam's then I won't be worried. I'll live on my own. I can even survive on 32-35 hours a week as long as its steady and doesn't drop. If not, then I'm willing to split a TWO-BEDROOM with someone. I am setting conditions for myself and them however.

1. No one I have dated or will date in the near future.
2. No one who won't pull their weight. A job is a must!
3. Someone I know, but not too personally.
4. Preferably someone who is mature and respects boundaries.
5. No sex addicts!
6. No one super messy. I don't care about their room or if its a little messy in the main area, but nothing gross or disgusting
7. Any pets brought in are their responsibility. A housebroken pet. No more than one!

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but if I do I'll write them down. Lets hope for the best!

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Poll: Reese's Preference - Cups or Pieces

It all started with an argument between my roommate and I. I am a Reese's Pieces person. She prefers Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. So I decided to take a poll among my friends. Here are the results. 24% prefer Pieces. 76% prefer Cups. What do you think? Are you a Pieces Person or a Cup Person?

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Achievement Unlocked: TWEETER

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 10
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:TWEETER

My Facebook 

• Post a blog - Achievement: "BEGINNER" Give yourself a pat on the back. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 10 Days - Achievement: "TWEETER" Link to Facebook. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 30 Days - Achievement: "THE IN-CROWD" Write a blog about myself. 10 points.
• Post On Blog For 60 Days - Achievement: "JOURNAL" Buy a video game. 15 points
• Post On Blog For 6 Months - Achievement: "BLOGGER" Buy and spend 40 Wii points. 25 points.
• Post On Blog For 1 Year - Achievement: "BLOG MASTER" Buy a book, DVD, and game. 50 points.
• Save $100 - Achievement: "PIGGY-BANK" Spend $10 on books. 5 points.
• Save $500 - Achievement: "PENNY PINCHER" Spend $50 on yourself. 10 points.
• Save $1000 - Achievement: "SAVER" Spend $100 on yourself. 25 points.
• Save $5000 - Achievement: "INVESTOR" Spend $500 on yourself. 50 points.
• Read 1 Book - Achievement: "DR. SEUSS" Smile, you read a book. 5 points.
• Read 10 Books - Achievement: "HARRY POTTER" Buy 5 more books. 10 points.
• Read 25 Books - Achievement: "WHEEL OF TIME" Buy 10 more books. 25 points.
• Read 50 Books - Achievement: "STEPHEN KING" Buy 25 more books. 50 points.
• Write 1 New Review - Achievement: "FAN" Post review on blog. 5 points.
• Write 10 New Reviews - Achievement: "SCHOOL EDITORIAL" Buy a notebook. 10 points.
• Write 25 New Reviews - Achievement: "TOWN PAPER" Buy a book on writing. 25 points.
• Write 50 New Reviews - Achievement: "CRITIC" Buy 5 books. 50 points.
•  Write A Short Story - Achievement: "NOVICE WRITER" Buy a book of short stories. 10 points.
•  Write A Novel - Achievement: "WRITER" Buy 10 books by at least 5 different new authors. 100 points.
•  Run A Mile Without Stopping - Achievement: "TRACK" Buy $25 in clothes. 10 points.
•  Bike 10 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "TRAINING WHEELS" Buy a bike light. 10 points.
•  Bike 25 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "HUFFY" Write about your travels. 15 points.
•  Bike 50 Miles In One Day - Achievement: "LANCE ARMSTRONG" Go out to dinner. 25 points.
•  Own A Car - Achievement: "LEMON"  Drive to Vegas and par-tay! 100 points!
•  Get My License - Achievement: "DRIVER'S ED" Go out to dinner, drink and celebrate! 50 points.
•  Own An MP3 Player - Achievement: "IPOD" Spend the day loading music onto it. 15 points.
•  Work Full-Time - Achievement: "9-5" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get Promoted - Achievement: "MONKEY SUIT" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get A Raise - Achievement: "CHA-CHING" Spend $50 on yourself from next paycheck. 20 points.
• Live On My Own - Achievement: "INDEPENDENT" Throw a party. 25 points.
• Live In A Two-Bedroom - Achievement: "SPACE" Buy 2 bookcases. 30 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Week - Achievement: "ITS A START" Smile. 5 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Month - Achievement: "FRESH BREATH" Buy a new brush. 10 points.
• Brush My Teeth For 6 Months - Achievement: "SQUEAKY CLEAN" Take more pictures. 20 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Year - Achievement: "SHINY" Buy a new camera. 40 points. 
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "SCRAWNY" Join a gym. 10 points.
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 2 Minutes - Achievement: "BOOT CAMP" Buy a game and book. 20 points.
• Do 100 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "MUSCLE MAN" Buy new clothes and take more pics. 40 points.
• Survive The Buffalo Wild Wings "Blazin' Challange" - Achievement: "BLAZIN'" Blog about event. 15 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Month - Achievement: "MAID" Buy a decoration for the bedroom. 5 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For 6 Months - Achievement: "JANITOR" Take pictures of the clean place. 25 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Year- Achievement: "MR. CLEAN" Buy another bookcase and 20 more books. 40 points.

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Originality

I went to see Disney's Tangled Saturday night with my friend Jessica. I thought it was a decent movie. Had the same music director as Aladdin, one of my favorite childhood movies of all time, Alan Menken. Some of the music sounded very similiar. I could almost hear "A Whole New World" playing during one of the scenes. Jessica agreed. But this post isn't really about the movie. Its about the previews.

What has happened to Hollywood and movies these days. It seems more and more movies are remakes, sequels, adaptations, etc. Just from what I saw there was only one "original" movie: "Never Say Never", A movie about the life of Justin Bieber! WTF? There are many other celebrities I would chose for an autobiographical movie besides her, I mean him. But that is still not my biggest gripe. The list of previews I saw:

• Gnomio and Juliet - An adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. ANOTHER adaptation. You can only re-do a book or movie before you grind it into dust. Look at Godzilla, Friday the 13th, Scooby-Doo. All those ended up being horrible American remakes. I say 'American' because I can't criticize movies I have nothing to compare with. I also found of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" will be coming out next year as well. We'll see how that goes.
• Yogi - Take a beloved, old cartoon from Hanna-Barbera, CGI, and a few B-rated actor voices and you have the premise for a horrible movie. Every episode was less than 30 minutes long and focused on Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo trying to get picnic baskets. Through most of the episode Yogi failed and got injured. So how do you expect to get a 90 minute CGI movie to work? The target demographic, I.E. children, won't even know who Yogi Bear is. Quit destroying our beloved cartoons! You destroyed Scooby-Doo. You destroyed Alvin and the Chipmunks, Underdog, Fat Albert, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (I refuse to use the more modern "TMNT"), Garfield... What's next?
• Smurfs - I shouldn't have asked. Why? A bunch of blue elves living in a forest trying to not get killed by an old wizard. It can make a good cartoon, but a good CGI movie? NO. I'm waiting to see Captain Planet, Snorks, Sylvester and Tweety, and Sonic the Hedgehog live-action. Give it time, they'll do it. And don't say I didn't warn you.
• Cars 2 - Again, why? Disney, STOP MAKING SEQUELS! It didn't work for Aladdin 3, Pocahontas 2, Lady and the Tramp 2, Mulan 2, Tarzan 2, Bambi 2, Fox and the Hound 2, Cinderella 2 and 3, Little Mermaid 3, etc. Stop milking the movies. Make a movie, AND MOVE ON! The premise of this movie: Lightning McQueen and Mater are recruited by the motor vehicle version of MI-6 to save the world from terrorists. . . . . .THAT is the best you can come up with! REALLY?
• Voyage of the Dawn Treader - The 3rd movie of the Chronicles of Narnia series. If this succeeds, the Horse and His Boy would be next, followed by the Silver Chair, the Magician's Nephew, and the Last Battle. In that order. The first two did well in the box office, lets see how this one fairs.

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Week in Review 11/28/10

The news this week:

• I picked up a shift today as well as last Saturday to help with bills. Christmas is right around the corner and I haven't even started this year. I have at least half a dozen gifts to mail, if not more. Fun stuff.
• In the last three days I've gotten about 12 hours of sleep. I'm working early morning/open shifts this week when I'm used to working close. So this "staying up to 6-7am" schedule is killing my sleep. Ended up sleeping Friday from about 4pm-11pm and Saturday from about Noon-5pm. Sucks because I ended up missing a party with one Cali friend and almost missed hanging out with an out-of town friend from Flagstaff.
• Both Lucy and Jessica were in town. Jessica just wanted to hang out for a little while since she won't be here for Festivus, Lucy was throwing a party for a friend and wanted me to join her since she normally lives in Cali. I was tempted to do both, but ended up sleeping in. It might've been a good thing that I missed the party. I only would have known one person and no one else. There would be drinking and probably weed, if nothing stronger. I don't do drugs normally but might've had I felt awkward not fitting in. And everyone would be staying the night, that could've been fun ;) Or awkward... The really bad thing is that I have to work at 9:30am. Only an hour and a half to go.
• Festivus is next week. What is Festivus everyone asks? Well Festivus is "the holiday for the rest of us." Its from an episode of Seinfield. I use it as an excuse to get everyone together and shoot the shit. It was fun last year, hope it will be as fun this year.

Not much else in the news this week. Will update again soon

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Music #3

My taste in music varies with my mood. My collection includes:

• KJ-52
• Green Day
• Linkin Park
• Three Doors Down
• Three Days Grace
• Bon Jovi
• Kid Rock
• Relient K
• Lady Gaga
• Avenue Q
• Barenaked Ladies
• Fall Out Boy
• Flyleaf
• Lonely Island
• Natasha Bedingfield
• Nickelback
• Pillar
• Red
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Simple Plan
• Smash Mouth
• Thousand Foot Krutch
• tobyMac
• Weird Al Yankovic

 You'll notice that, along with the mainstream secular music, I have a few Christian artists in there. I'm not Christian, but I like the music and the message behind it. To me that what music should be, a good beat and good lyrics. 

There are a few songs that have been stuck in my head recently, all have memories attached.

I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie 

  I found this song a few years ago after I suspected a friend was close to death. Not Ashley, someone else. Her name was Amber. I was looking for hopeful songs about death and dying and found this one on a wiki website. When I listen to it I think of it more as a song of love than a song about death. One person devoted to another and willing to go with them so they won't be alone in the unknown, so they can be at peace.

Never Alone - Barlow Girl

  I've mentioned this song before, it is one of my favorites on more than one level and for more than one reason. But the reason I'm listening to it specifically was for the fact that I learned this was one of Ashley's favorite songs before she passed. And watching the music video I realized this song is about losing someone close, not about God specifically. It changes the meaning of the song when you think of it like that.

Sadie Hawkins Dance - Relient K

  I know, this song does not fit with the other two. So why such a light song about a high school dance with songs about death and losing someone? Honestly, I don't know. It just popped into my head last week and burrowed into my ear. I can't get rid of it. I used to sing it at boot camp when I had to clean to keep my spirits up. But I haven't listened to it since then. I wonder why that song?

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Coffee

I met this guy on the plane ride to Michigan for a vacation. Even though we had very different views on things, we also had much in common. Turns out he was a moderately wealthy business man who owned a lot of property and had quite a bit of money.  Apparently his grandfather was an explorer, expeditioner, and gold miner in Alaska. Mike sent me a signed copy of his grandfathers journal free of charge. El Sueno De Oro: The Dream of Gold. Random guy on a plane turned into a free signed book. I guess you never know who you'll meet.

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Propaganda, I mean... "Church Literature"

Literature from different churches.

I find it amusing that no matter how many churches I go to, no matter how many denominations, no matter how many are the SAME denomination, each church believes they are the ones going to Heaven AND what they preach is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I went to a Pentecostal church that believed woman cannot: cut their hair, wear pants, wear jewelry, and must obey their husbands. No matter what. Or else you risk burning in Hell for all eternity. Oh yeah, and to prove that you are "Saved" you MUST speak in tongues (their version being you repeat "alalalalalalalalalalalalalala" over and over again)

Or how about the hypocritical Assemblies of God church that believed "Love thy neighbor" until it is inconvenient or not benificial. I got in an argument with the Youth Pastor over a friend and all he was worried about was the $80.00 a gave to the church for a concert a few months away. I never brought up the money nor did I care about the money. You can see where their heart really lies. Their version of speaking in tongues is Jesus speaking through the women of the church.

A Mississippi church showed me that its ok to go to a mixed race church, as long as they don't actually mix.

I went to a church in Chandler, AZ where a patron even admitted to me they fall asleep during the sermon. It was my first time there. As we were leaving on of the younger ones flicked me off. You know they are all going to Heaven.

A couple of Mega-churches that show its cool to be secular, just donate money and bring your friends!

Etc, etc.

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Lessons

Various side lessons I passed while in training, 25 lessons in 6 weeks, not including normal classes. All of which were done in class, mostly when my work was done or the class part of the system was down. My teacher was pissed that I was doing side lessons, even though there was nothing else to do. I would have done more, but at the time I could only access the lessons in class. And to prove how well "Formal Education" really works these are the lessons I completed:

"Success Over Stress"
"When the Going Gets Tough"
"Managing Anger in the Workplace"
"Philippines"
"Managing Your Anger"
"Managing and Working With Difficult People"
"Communicating Effectively With Difficult Coworkers"
"Working With Arrogant and Duplicitous People"
"Working With Aggressive People"
"Proactive Approaches to Stop Negativity"
"Managerial Business Ethics"
"The Basics of Listening"
"Making the Change"
"Experiencing Anger"
"Achieving Success Without Authority: Personal Accountability"
"A Manager's Introduction to Business Law"
"Difficult People in the Workplace"
"Working With Negative People and Procrastinators"
"What is Emotional Intelligence"
"United States Army Values"
"Trafficking in Persons Basic Awareness Training"
"ATFP Level 1 Awareness Training for Service Members (CONUS)

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Ashley

Ashley Sherman

Age: 24

Born: 01/28/1986

Died:10/29/2010

This is Ashley as I knew her.

We met the night I started going to church regularly. Paul drove me to church that night and I was in the back seat when they arrived, he in the driver's seat and her next to him. It wasn't until a month later that they started dating. I knew he liked her from the beginning. I was very reclusive back then and didn't get to know her much. Or so I thought. I learned her favorite color was green and she wanted to be a teacher. She was the head of the church puppet team and loved children. She was held back early on in grade school and graduated high school in 2005, the same year I did. She was also a strong Christian.

We hung out a few times after her and Paul broke up, but just as friends, nothing more. I haven't seen her since 2007 when I took a cab out to Belleville, MI where she lived. We had lunch and, later, dinner. I took a cab back and hadn't seen her in person since.

We texted and talked since then, but by that point I was living in Arizona. I learned a lot more about her. She hated her family, but loved them much. She felt repressed and blamed for everything. She was so eager to move out, but with school and bills couldn't afford it. She still went to church, but was no longer a Christian. I don't know at what point she started questioning, but she realized the only people who cared when she went to church were her parents, and that was only because of their reputations. She still loved children, but wasn't so eager to have any of her own anytime soon. She started drinking and partying with new friends. She started living. When she finally started living, she finally moved out, she was close to graduating, and she died.

  She loved reading even though she had dyslexia and trouble spelling. Her favorite genres were the vampire  romance, horror, and fantasy. She used to love Twilight and True Blood. She also read the complete Sword of Truth series and many Stephen King books. It was from her recommendation that I started reading Wizard's First Rule.

  I can't say with certainty whether she was a Christian or not, but her parents seem to think so. But, then again, they never really knew her. Not the real her. She put on the Christian facade for them and the church-goers. Her dad was a deacon and pastor, her mother lead children's church. Only them. Only they judged. Us non-Christians didn't judge her for her actions. I knew she was finally starting to be happy, be free. She was going to visit me here soon. And she was going to be my date to my cousin's wedding in May.

I hope she was happy.

I loved her, but I could never say it. And now its too late.

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Chisholm Clan

 The OLD Wikipedia history of the Chisholm clan

Wiki has since then been updated

I wonder. Is Wikipedia like real-world history? Where it is changed on a whim of the winner? They say history is written by the winners, is that true? Would out history books be different if we had impartial views, or even better, if they were written by the "losers"? I'm curious to see what England, Germany, Japan, Afghanistan and Israel have in their history books. Are they as biased as ours?

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Book Review #15 - Braude's Treasury of Wit and Humor For All Occasions

Braude's Treasury of Wit and Humor For All Occasions
Jacob M. Braude

One of many quote books in my library, this book is easy to read and has a nice index when looking for a particular subject. May be good for speeches or toasts. If nothing else good for a chuckle or two when bored.

3/5

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Book Review #14 - The Gunslinger

The Gunslinger

Stephen King

Read this book in high school. Didn't remember too much so I reread it last month. Like the book, not one of my favorites. You will find a melting pot of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and western thrown together into a decent book. Maybe I'll read the next one, but this book didn't hook me like a lot of his stand alone novels do. We'll see how the rest of the series is.

4/5

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Book Review #13 - Late Night With David Letterman Book of Top Ten Lists

Late Night With David Letterman Book of Top Ten Lists
David Letterman

Just a book of lists. Some funny, some not. Most outdated and for the older crowd (late twenties and beyond). Younger generations would find this boring and out-dated. Good book for Letterman fans, but thats about it.

2.5/5

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Detailed Me

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

     I know I've already said quite a bit about me and I'm not trying to be narcissistic. I want to meet people, and almost anyone who reads this will probably never meet me. So this way I can introduce myself to you even though we never met. Its easier this way. I can collect my thoughts and not get flustered at embarrassing questions. So here goes.

     I am sarcastic. That is probably one of the first qualities people learn about me. And when I say sarcastic, I don't mean sometimes. I mean ALL.THE.TIME. I am probably the biggest smart-ass you will ever meet. I am also an asshole, jackass, dumbass, wise-ass, asinine, and just a plain ass sometimes.

     The second thing most people learn quickly is that I am an ass. And yet, not. I am a dick, but a kind one. It is almost as if I have two personalities, but I'm not schizophrenic. I'm a coin. One side heads, one side tails, but both the same coin. I don't know why I do the things I do. Maybe I'm afraid of getting close to people. I've had my share of disappointments. And I don't plant roots in one place long.

     I travel. A lot. I'm a gypsy in every way but name. I've lived in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, and Chandler, AZ., Westland and Shelby, MI. When I was in the Navy I briefly lived in Great Lakes, IL, Meridian, MS, and Atsugi, Japan. I've also lived in Washington and California briefly as well. Even if that doesn't sound like a lot, I have only lived in one house for more than 2 years, and that was only because I didn't have a choice. I had to live with my grandma until I graduated high school.

     I am not a family person. Or a people person. I am a loner. I like it that way. Yes, there is occasion where I prefer company, but not often. I like personal space and freedom. I want my own place, but unfortunately I live with my ex-girlfriend. Its a goal for my future.

     I have plans for my future. And they aren't go to college, have a family, become a millionaire or famous or popular. I want to own a used bookstore. A better word would probably be "media store". Its going to have books, VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, games of all types, records, etc. I want computers for people to use, and game systems for them to play with their friends. Pinball machines and arcade games. A reading room and another for tabletop games. The ultimate media mall.

     I love watching movies and TV, playing games, and especially reading books. I love to escape into another reality, another world. And all these things help me do that. Books the most. Books are a doorway into another dimension. Into another mind. Another world. Games and movies as well, but to a different extent. Books are the best escape from reality. Better than any drug as far as I know. That's not saying much seeing as I've never done drugs.

     I've been called a straight-shooter and even been confused for being a Mormon. And I'm not even religious. I don't smoke or do drugs, rarely drink, and my only really bad vice is swearing. I swear like a sailor, which I used to be.

     I was in the Navy for 9 months, including training. I got out on a "failure to cope" clause, General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. It was my first real job, and I was too immature to handle it. I survived BASIC, survived "A" School, survived Japan. It was the ship I couldn't stand. That and my boss. I didn't even mind the job. It was 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Storekeeper, E-3. I mostly worked in a storeroom organizing inventory. I love doing paperwork and inventory. I even organize my media (books, games, DVDs, VHSs, etc)

That's all for now. Want to learn more? Ask me. Talk to me. I have learned a lot during my life, and love learning more.

Other Blogs about me:

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Procrastinators: Leaders of Tomorrow

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

My name is Dan, and I am a procrastinator. Even as I type I am watching Netflix getting distracted at 5:30am. I am not sure why I procrastinate. I've been doing it for as far back as I could remember. Any time I lived with my dad he used to make me empty my backpack because he knew I had homework I didn't finish or even start. I think procrastination goes hand in hand with laziness. I was hoping to use this list, these Achievements, to help me.  Sadly, I've already started my procrastination on this project.  I was supposed to clean this weekend, but I worked Saturday and ended up sleeping all day Sunday. But I can't even use that as an excuse because I've still had plenty of time to clean. And with brushing my teeth I haven't since Saturday morning before work. I know that sounds disgusting, but the really disgusting part is the fact that I haven't regularly done it since elementary school. No one forced me, or pushed me to do it, so I didn't. Without an external influence I don't push myself to do anything that requires work on my part. Anyone know of any ways to change? To strive to reach these goal. To push myself without someone holding my hand?

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Death

      Tears are welling up in my eyes as I write this. I have to alternate between tv and the computer. Ironically, Dead Like Me. I picked that show in particular to desensitize  myself while I write this and think about the past. Its been almost a month now since she passed. Ashley Sherman, age 24. Born January 28th 1986, passed away October 29th, 2010. We were close, but not as close as we could have been. I knew a lot about her, more than most of her family and friends. Without realizing it, I went through the 5 Stages of Grief.  When I was first told via Facebook, I assumed it was a sick joke and denied it. It wasn't until I got a call from a second friend in another state the next day did I start to believe. And even then I didn't want to. I finally accepted the truth when I got the text from her family. Once I found out, I was pissed. Why? She was only 24. She was working her way through college to become a teacher. She just moved out. She had her whole life ahead of her! Why her? Why not me? I don't have any path or future in the planning. I don't have a college education or a career. I don't have any dreams. Then I thought, why bother? Why bother doing anything if I might die tomorrow? It was only a couple of weeks prior to that die that I myself may have had a stroke at work. Why plan for a future I may never see? Eventually I trudged on, shuffling my feet on step at a time. I'm still not over, not used to it. I still want to text her. Call her. Message her. I still remember. I still get sad. I wish I could have changed things. I wish things were different. I STILL wish it had been me instead. But I can't change the past, just remember it.

David C. Brown Funeral Home Belleville, MI: Obituaries

Above is the link to the funeral home where her body is laid to rest.

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Who I Am

DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

I'm a night person
A gamer who isn't too into games
A reader who doesn't read enough
A writer who doesn't write
A procrastinator
A wise old soul in a young body
I have a gut, thunder thighs, bad teeth, and only shave once a week
I used to cut
I'm a loner who cannot survive alone for long
I don't plant roots
I'm frivolous with money, but always lend it when I can
I'm irresponsible and pay bills
I'm immature, narcissistic, sarcastic, and passive aggressive
I like the night and darkness in general
I'm a stubborn Aries
I prefer earthy colors when I can
I escape with games, music, biking, and books
I'm intelligent but don't have a college degree
I like collecting and inventory in general
I have a future goal, but don't plan for the future
I'm shy but can be spontaneous

Hope you learned something about me. In my opinion who someone is isn't what they look like, how they act, what religion they are, where they live, who their family is, where they work or go to school. Those are simply signs and symptoms of who they are.  A person is the past, the mind, and the heart. Their goals and dreams, hope and future. Would you see all this in a glance? Or would you assume you knew me before we met? No one is completely the mask they wear on the outside. And the sooner we learn that the more we'll learn about each other and ourselves. Talk, experience, and learn. That will make you your future. Not THE future, YOUR future. Because there is no one future, one path, one answer. But you won't have as a rewarding path if you assuming the Goth walking by is emo and writes bad poetry, the cheerleader is a stupid slut, and the loner is going to either shoot everyone or shoot themselves. Watch, Listen, Speak, and Learn.

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Achievement Unlocked: BEGINNER

     DANIEL CHISHOLM - LEVEL 1
POINT TOTAL: 5
LAST ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED:BEGINNER

     How many of you out there play games? Kongregate, Xbox360, Super Smash Bros Brawl, World of Warcraft; all of these things have one thing in common. Achievements. Everything from killing to surviving, being quick, thorough, or strong, even just beating the game or unlocking content gives you an award. We all like getting awards and achievements, feeling like we accomplished something. Something about fulfilling a goal can be so rewarding.  So I began thinking, why doesn't life has an achievement list? A list of goals and accomplishments I can show off and get rewarded for. A way to "level up" as you will. Then I thought, why don't I make a list. No, not just a list. Not a New Year's List. A Life List. So here it is, my ever changing, ever growing, ever accomplished Life Achievement List. 100 points to a level, how many levels can you gain?

• Post a blog - Achievement: "BEGINNER" Give yourself a pat on the back. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 10 Days - Achievement: "TWEETER" Link to Facebook. 5 points.
• Post On Blog For 30 Days - Achievement: "THE IN-CROWD" Write a blog about myself. 10 points.
• Post On Blog For 60 Days - Achievement: "JOURNAL" Buy a video game. 15 points
• Post On Blog For 6 Months - Achievement: "BLOGGER" Buy and spend 40 Wii points. 25 points.
• Post On Blog For 1 Year - Achievement: "BLOG MASTER" Buy a book, DVD, and game. 50 points.
• Save $100 - Achievement: "PIGGY-BANK" Spend $10 on books. 5 points.
• Save $500 - Achievement: "PENNY PINCHER" Spend $50 on yourself. 10 points.
• Save $1000 - Achievement: "SAVER" Spend $100 on yourself. 25 points.
• Save $5000 - Achievement: "INVESTOR" Spend $500 on yourself. 50 points.
• Read 1 Book - Achievement: "DR. SEUSS" Smile, you read a book. 5 points.
• Read 10 Books - Achievement: "HARRY POTTER" Buy 5 more books. 10 points.
• Read 25 Books - Achievement: "WHEEL OF TIME" Buy 10 more books. 25 points.
• Read 50 Books - Achievement: "STEPHEN KING" Buy 25 more books. 50 points.
• Write 1 New Review - Achievement: "FAN" Post review on blog. 5 points.
• Write 10 New Reviews - Achievement: "SCHOOL EDITORIAL" Buy a notebook. 10 points.
• Write 25 New Reviews - Achievement: "TOWN PAPER" Buy a book on writing. 25 points.
• Write 50 New Reviews - Achievement: "CRITIC" Buy 5 books. 50 points.
•  Write A Short Story - Achievement: "NOVICE WRITER" Buy a book of short stories. 10 points.
•  Write A Novel - Achievement: "WRITER" Buy 10 books by at least 5 different new authors. 100 points.
•  Run A Mile Without Stopping - Achievement: "TRACK" Buy $25 in clothes. 10 points.
•  Bike 10 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "TRAINING WHEELS" Buy a bike light. 10 points.
•  Bike 25 Miles In One Session - Achievement: "HUFFY" Write about your travels. 15 points.
•  Bike 50 Miles In One Day - Achievement: "LANCE ARMSTRONG" Go out to dinner. 25 points.
•  Own A Car - Achievement: "LEMON"  Drive to Vegas and par-tay! 100 points!
•  Get My License - Achievement: "DRIVER'S ED" Go out to dinner, drink and celebrate! 50 points.
•  Own An MP3 Player - Achievement: "IPOD" Spend the day loading music onto it. 15 points.
•  Work Full-Time - Achievement: "9-5" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get Promoted - Achievement: "MONKEY SUIT" Go out to dinner. 20 points.
•  Get A Raise - Achievement: "CHA-CHING" Spend $50 on yourself from next paycheck. 20 points.
• Live On My Own - Achievement: "INDEPENDENT" Throw a party. 25 points.
• Live In A Two-Bedroom - Achievement: "SPACE" Buy 2 bookcases. 30 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Week - Achievement: "ITS A START" Smile. 5 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Month - Achievement: "FRESH BREATH" Buy a new brush. 10 points.
• Brush My Teeth For 6 Months - Achievement: "SQUEAKY CLEAN" Take more pictures. 20 points.
• Brush My Teeth For A Year - Achievement: "SHINY" Buy a new camera. 40 points. 
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "SCRAWNY" Join a gym. 10 points.
• Do 50 Push-Ups in 2 Minutes - Achievement: "BOOT CAMP" Buy a game and book. 20 points.
• Do 100 Push-Ups in 5 Minutes - Achievement: "MUSCLE MAN" Buy new clothes and take more pics. 40 points.
• Survive The Buffalo Wild Wings "Blazin' Challange" - Achievement: "BLAZIN'" Blog about event. 15 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Month - Achievement: "MAID" Buy a decoration for the bedroom. 5 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For 6 Months - Achievement: "JANITOR" Take pictures of the clean place. 25 points.
• Clean Every Weekend For A Year- Achievement: "MR. CLEAN" Buy another bookcase and 20 more books. 40 points.

Unlocked: What Achievements Achieve In Games: How Achievements Have Become the New High Scores in Computer Games.

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Warning!

"Warning! The Contents of This Library May Have Ideas That Will Offend You."

I wish all places gave warnings like this. At least the library is honest and unafraid of the masses. Imagine if other places had honest leaflets in front.

At church: "Warning! Closed-minded hypocrites present."

At school: "Caution: Nothing you learn here will seriously help you in the real world."

At the hospital: "Just because its called an emergency room doesn't mean we are in any hurry to help you."

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Book Review #12 - Wisdom For Graduates

Wisdom For Graduates
 Alison Bing

This book is almost like every other quote book I have seen, and I've seen plenty.  It may be called "Wisdom for Graduates", but in reality it should be called "Cool Quotes I Found That I Could Combine, Mass Market and Publish With a Title That Gives People an Excuse to Buy This Book and Give It Away to Other People"

2/5

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Book Review #11 - Politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
James Finn Garner

Garner, being wit-impaired but by no means different or lesser able, turns classic, but by no means old, tales of non-gender or sexual orientation specific more politically correct.  Not saying they were right or wrong before, nor making them right or wrong with his unique, but by no means good or bad, style of humor.

That is the wording to expect through the entire book.  If you thought it was funny, you will enjoy the book.  Otherwise, read some Grimm or Jim C. Hines for better adaptations.

3/5

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Week in Review 02/14/10

Sorry about not posting last week, not much has happened worth noting.

New schedule at my job is killing my sleep schedule.  I was used to staying up until 3-4am, play some games or read, and crash until 11am.  Then eating and getting ready for work.  Leave at 12:30pm, work until 10pm, come home and repeat.  Now I have to be up at 4:30am (5am if I have a ride), work from 6am-1:30pm, and by the time I get home my body is worn out and ready to sleep.  But if I sleep in the afternoon I'm up all night and will be tired for work.  Its a vicious cycle.  And before I had weekends off, now I work on Saturdays.  Six day weeks getting up before the sun.  WTF?  I almost prefer the other shift.  Almost.

Bought some new books, total is up to 283.  Only 117 to go.  From the looks of things I should have five to six hundred by the end of the year, maybe more.  One can only hope.

In other random news, my rent check bounced because my work and bank can't seem to get along.  So my work mailed my check to me... last week.  Still hasn't arrived.  The irony is if my rent hadn't bounced I'd be flat broke.  As is I still have several hundred in the bank.  So maybe its not so bad after all.  Just need to get that check asap to get all my bills paid.

Working on my alternate blog as well, dan-chisholm.blogspot.com. hoping to have that done in a week.  Its a blog about the mementos in my life and why I have them, what they represent.

Not much else to report.  Hope something new happens, in the meantime,

Ciao

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River of Life

River of Life Assembly of God church.  Oh the things I can, and have, said about his church and the people whom inhabit it.  This particular blog will probably sound like a rant, but since I'm not talking to anyone in particular and this is about me I'm going to rant and rave, and hopefully in the process explain why I still keep mementos of that church with me.

I started going to that church in 2005.  At that time I knew three people at the church.  Andrew, my best friend at the time, was the one who first got me to show up once in a while, usually during special events.  Paul, whom I met in high school, was the one who got me going on a semi-regular basis.  And Stephenie, Paul's girlfriend, I had a class with the year I started going to church.

Now this isn't the first church I've been to.  It IS the first church I went to voluntarily.  There was some coercing involved, but it was still my choice.  More on the reasoning in a different blog later.

I went to that church from January '05 - April '06 almost regulary.  January was when I went on Wednesdays for the Youth group (Disciples of Christ).  October was when I started going on Sundays as well.  It was also that time that I started actually truely believing what they taught and said.  I prayed, I read my Bible, I did all the good Christian things.  And I was that way, on and off, until April.  April I went to Navy basic training and Aquire the Fire, more on those another time.

I can back to the church in December '06.  I ended my service and officially renounced my faith in February '07.  Why?  Because of the people.  And not just because they were hypocrites.  I know that is one of the biggest excuses for not going to church.  I stopped going because:

1. The church was twenty miles away.  I didn't have a car nor did I have directions.  I was always driven by one of my friends.  The friend who drove me the most was Paul.  Paul decided one day that it wasn't his responsibility to drive me to church, it was the church van's job.  He lived 2 miles away from me.  He had to drive past my street on his was to church.  The van, on the other hand, picked up members in another town in the opposite direction, usually leaving over an hour early and barely getting to church in time for the service.  His other excuse was he wanted to get to church early.  I never had a complaint and have gone with him to church early on multiple occasions.  Some days I even gave up a Saturday or Sunday just so he could spend time at church (or with his girlfriend who lived in the same town).  He got especially peeved at me when I started using Biblical verses against him.  Claimed I was reading them out of context.  Most notably Matthew 5:41
2. A few days later I get a call from the youth pastor asking me why I never made it to church.  Having told him my side of the arguement he said Paul was in the right and I need to apologize.  EXCUSE ME?  Now, I don't mind apologizing when I'm in the wrong, but I felt I was in the right.  And, if anything, he should be apologizing to me.  The pastor got angry with me and made Paul out to be a saint.  I told me, quite plainly, that if this is what the church teaches and Paul is an example of what the congregation really is then I want no part of it.  Now this is the part that really pissed me off:
3. Previously in January I had given the church $80.00 so I could attend the next Aquire the Fire concert.  When I spoke with the youth pastor he brought up, repeatedly, that he wouldn't be able to refund my money.  The thing is, I NEVER ASKED HIM TO.  Not once, during our whole hour-long conversation did I tell him to refund the money.  I even told him to give the ticket and spot to someone else.  All he cared about was the money, not losing a member of his congregation and youth ministry.  I donated over $1,000.00 during the time I was with that church, and never once did I ask for it back.  It was a tithe, a gift.  Why should I?  Even when I gave them the money for the concert ticket I didn't think about asking for a refund.  So why should I ask for one a month later because of some thickheaded pastor?

See?  See why I stopped going?  I know there is hypocrisy in church.  I've been to enough churches to know that.  What I don't like is hypocrite leaders and backstabbing friends.  The same guy who got me to got to church regularly is the same guy who got me out of church as well.  Its people like that that make me glad I no longer call myself a Christian.

So at this point you may be asking, why do you have this stuff if they were that bad of a church.  I keep it as a reminder of what I had when I was there, as well as why I stopped going.

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Book Review #10 - Stop, Rest and Think

Stop, Rest and Think
Fuad A. Kamal

This is an easy to read book filled with warm, fuzzy ideas.  Nothing too complicated, nor too deep.  Like many other books in my collection it offers short sentences, paragraphs, and parables to try and make you feel good and live a better life.  I'm not saying its a bad book, it will make you smile and think briefly at some points, before moving on the the next page.  It would be a book I would recommend for a light read while waiting at a doctors office or before an interview, as long as it isn't a long wait.


3/5

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Overseas

Photos of places I've never been.  Never seen.  Never traveled to.  Landmarks and buildings I have only see in pictures.  Rome, Italy, Amsterdam, France.  Places I've never been.  Heard stories though.  Seen pictures.  Someday I'll be telling the stories, showing the pictures.  Seeing the wonders first-hand.  Being able to describe every structure, tower, and arch.  Every monument, city, and street.  Someday I'll be able to afford a vacation.  Somewhere I can go and be a tourist, a traveler, sight-seer, and wayfarer.  Visitor and globetrotter.

Someday.

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New Books as of 02/13/10

New books from 02/01/10-02/13/10

• Tale of the Body Thief - Anne Rice
• Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
• Journals of Eleanor Druse: My Investigation of the Kingdom Hospital Incident - Eleanor Druse
• Fortune's Fool - Mercedes Lackey
• Book of the Dead - Douglas Preston
• Eckankar: Ancient Wisdom For Today - Todd Cramer
• Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare - Darren Shan
• United Studios of Self Defense Student Manual - Charles Manterra
• Knife of Dreams - Robert Jordan
• Tales of Mystery and Imagination - Edgar Allen Poe
• Revolution in World Ministries - K.P. Yohannan
• Cancer - Julia Parker
• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - John Berendt
• Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel - Arthur Golden
• Nights in Rodanthe - Nicholas Sparks
• Deptford Trilogy - Robertson Davies
• Philosophy of Religion; an Introduction - William H. Capitan
• Into a Dark Realm - Raymond E. Feist
• Murder in LaMut - Raymond E. Feist
• Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams
• White Night - Jim Butcher
• Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul - Douglas Adams
• Circle of the Moon - Barbara Hambly
• Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks
• Handbook to Literature - C. Hugh Holman
• Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy; 36 Systems - Robert Allen Harper
• Mastering the World of Psychology - Samuel E. Wood
• Sociology - Richard P. Appelbaum
• Anything is Possible: Humor and Wisdom for Success and Prosperity - Meiji Stewart
• Wisdom for Graduates - Alison Bing
• Visitation - Frank Peretti
• Exploring the Philosophy of Religion - David Stewart
• Divine Revelation of Hell - Mary K. Baxter
• Prey - Michael Crichton

Total so far: 283.  34 more than last time.  I deviated from the usual with some textbooks, religious fiction and nonfiction, and other nonfiction books in fields that interest me.  Even my fiction varied with some Nicholas Sparks and books turned movies.

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I.D.

Senior Year.  Graduating class of '05.  Let's look back on a few moments:

-Beaten up in 10th grade.  Scenario:  Walking to class with a girl friend.  Old flame decides to make snide comments and tries to force her to talk with him.  I saw she was uncomfortable so I stepped in.  No fighting, just talking.  She left as I distracted him.  As I was leaving his friend attacked me from behind.  I didn't fight back.  Outcome:  A bump on the head, a story that followed me until I graduated, and a school district that was afraid of my father.  The other guy...One hundred and eighty days kicked out of the school district and a lawsuit for aggravated assault.  Lesson:  Sometimes you have to stand up for someone, even if the opposition is stronger, larger, meaner, or more powerful then you are.  Looking back, I wish I had fought back.  However I didn't get hurt and no one else bothered me after that.  Although they did still mess with my friends.

-Cry in front of class, 10th grade.  Scenario:  Final Game day of class.  Picture Civilization meets Jeopardy meets Civil War times five high school classes.  It was the biggest thing in our school.  But more on that another time.  Anywho,  I embarrassed the teacher and declared war on him in front of the whole class.  A very dangerous move.  He has the most resources, largest army, and most power.  I was tempting fate.  He was able to 'kidnap' me and destroy my capital on the last turn.  As punishment I became his 'slave' and had to stand up in front of class and sing and do the motions for I'm a Little Teapot.  I have extreme stage fright.  After I finished I went to my desk and cried.  I was so embarrassed.  Outcome:  I was determined to not let myself get to that point again and overcome my stage fright.  I took public speaking, drama, creative writing, anything I could to get past it.  I still get nervous, but I have improved much since then.  That was a leading factor in me breaking out of my shell.  Lesson:  Sometimes your weakest moments end up creating your greatest strengths.

-Ask a girl out, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade.  Scenario:  Every one ended...well, I wouldn't say badly.  Just not well.  One felt I was too young (she was a year older).  Another already had a boyfriend, and the next year a girlfriend.  And the last wouldn't date me because I wasn't Christian, even though we had much in common outside of our beliefs.  I actually didn't have my first girlfriend until I graduated, didn't get my first real kiss until a year later from a different girl.  Outcome:  I learned from each person and tried to improve myself according to what they were looking for.  It wasn't until the last few years did I realize I shouldn't have to change for someone else, nor should they have to change for me.  Lesson:  Don't change who you are just to please someone else, only change to please yourself.

This is all I can remember that had a definite impact, but I'm sure there is more.  More things that had an impact.  Every small thing, every day something could have started a change in me or helped guide me to who I am today.

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Life Lessons

• Silence is not always golden.  A kind word can change someone faster then silence.  I am a debt collector, and I get A LOT of angry people on the phones.  But every once in a while a kind soul comes on the line.  And its those people that cheer me up, that make my day.  Its those people I'll be more than happy to help and assist any way I can.  I may hate my job, and they may hate getting these calls, yet we end up having a nice conversation where both parties come out winners.
• The world is not black and white.  There are many shades of gray.  Sometimes you may have to do something that you feel is not right in order to get by.  A thief may steal to survive.  A man may have to kill to save a life.  A person may have to work at a morally ambiguous job to pay the bills.  But there is a point where you know what you are doing is wrong and you can change it.
• Trust your instincts.  Go with your gut.  Trust your conscience.  There may be a gray area, but that doesn't mean there isn't a right or wrong.  You know what is right and wrong and at what point you feel it is necessary to do something.
• Let people believe what they want to believe.  If you are religious, don't push your religion on other people.  That goes for suicide bombers, door-to-door evangelists, and preachers who pretend to have all the answers.  That goes double for those who berate opposing religious views and don't even follow their own beliefs or say someone is wrong and they are right simply because their Holy Book (Bible, Qur'an, Torah, Dianetics, etc) tells them so.
• Humans seem to be naturally rude, loud, nosy, angry, violent, aggresive, and mean.  I have yet to find the reason why that is.  And, again, it has nothing to do with their religion.  I've had priests threaten me, seen racist Christians, and known religious people to swear and yell at me.
• Cherish and learn from your past.  Keep mementos.  Treasure it.  Even if it is something you would rather not remember, it helped shape you as the person you are today.  And I said 'helped', not 'made'.  You are the only one who has the power to change yourself or make yourself.  No one else.  Remember that.
• Learn.  Every day.  Every day you have an opportunity to learn something new.  I learned I get a better shave with long, slow strokes of my razor than short, fast strokes.  And less nicks.  I also learn how to strategize and adjust every time I play a tactics or card battle game.  Just keep an open mind and two open eyes.
• This is only the beginning, there is more coming.

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Homework

Two assignments from high school.  Both A's.  Neither was good enough.  This is part of the reason I stopped trying to succeed.  I was berated if it wasn't perfect.  90 isn't good enough, 97 isn't good enough.  100 or nothing.  And heaven forbid I get a B or C.  I worked my ass off for these grades.  And for what?  A "you could do better."  I did enough to get by and did good in the classes I liked.  I never failed a class, just squeezed by with C's and D's.  Maybe I should have tried harder for myself.  But I knew what I was capable of.  I just didn't feel like applying myself.

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AAA

This is a certificate showing I passed a driver improvement program given at the base in Mississippi.  Pretty much you sit through a 8-hour class, take a test, and you supposedly get a discount on your insurance.  I slept through the class and don't drive.  I passed the test with an A.  The same year I received a letter for the Michigan Secretary of State telling me I get a discount on my driving because I had a spotless record.  I don't drive, have a license, or own a car.  I have a state ID.  So how is it I have two papers showing I should get a discount on my insurance when I don't even have a license?

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Commencement

Graduation, Commencement.

Proof you survived high school and are "ready" for what life is really like.  Not true.  High school does not prepare you for life.  High school prepares you for a desk job, that's it.  It shows you how to sit down and do what you are told Monday thru Friday.  It teaches you that its ok to take your work home with you and spent countless hours working on something that you won't even ever have a use for.  High school does not prepare you for the moral gray areas you run into every day in your life.  It doesn't teach you the value of hard work.  I graduated with a 3.0 and didn't get any rewards or accomplishments.  I was just another senior of '05.  I don't have a college education, nor any formal training outside of the Navy.  Yet I have been outside, I have seen, heard, and felt what cannot be taught.  I have learned more from life than I did in high school. 

I learned you have to make sacrifices sometimes in order to survive.

I learned there are rarely any multiple choice tests when it comes to problems in life.

I learned intelligence is good, wisdom is better.

I learned I may have worked for Wendy's, Toys R Us, Harkins, and Little Ceaser's. but at least I EARNED my money.

Commencement: When you forget everything you were taught in high school and start living and learning in the real world.

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Beads

I piece of leather and a string of beads.  What is it supposed to be?  What does it represent.

What is it supposed to be?  That I don't know.  Maybe a keychain?  An unfinished masterpiece perhaps?  A failed attempt at leatherworking?

What does it represent?  That I have more knowledge on.  I wish I could say this is from when I was at scout camp.  But I can't.  Its not mine.  My friend gave this to me to add to my collection, among other things you'll see later.  I gave up at leatherworking class at camp.  I ditched it to explore.  I even convinced him to ditch it.  We were in the woods with minimal adult supervision, what self-respecting boy wouldn't want to explore?  This is about as far as either of us got in that class.  Mine lost somewhere in the woods of a time long gone.  Such a simple thing, and simpler to make.  A strap of leather, a line of cord, and a handful of beads.  I wonder what the finished project would have looked like?

Makes me think about life too.  I wonder what the finished project will look like at the end?  Will it be what was imagined?  Or an unfinished project put to the side?

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Poem

Sailor drifting on an endless sea


Of hatred and despair

Everywhere the waves are churning

While he stands alone out there



His ship is slowly sinking

As buckets pour on in

And he still is alone out there

Lost in all his sin



The Son is covered by darkness

As he gazes towards the sky

Alone in the eternal ocean

Wondering when he will die



He stood against the waves so long

Fighting for all that's right

He wasn't always alone out there

He used to have the Might



Ages went as his strength weakened

Until it was too late

Now he stands facing the sea

Alone in all his hate



The waves reach their peak

As he braces for the worst

And after each impact

He asks why he is cursed



The final wave comes crashing down

As he says one last prayer

Engulfed is the one alone

And now no one is there



Ship drifting on an endless sea

Of peacefulness and care

Everywhere the waves are calm

While it stands empty out there



The waves have long abated

Nothing but the sailor's fears

And now the storm brought a light rain

A show of Heaven's tears.

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Letters

Letters

"I miss you..."

"I've had so many revelations from God..."

"Pastor Eddie read your note in front of the church..."

"Encourage you to keep going..."

"The Lord is in you..."

"Praying for you..."

"God has you in His hand..."

"Never give up..."

"Stay strong..."

"I'm praying that you're ok..."

"God Bless..."

"Pray God's strength and protection..."

"Hang in there..."

"Boring with you gone..."

"Please write soon..."

"How is your sarcasm doing?"

"Its good to see such determination in my friends..."

"Have fun..."

"Hope all is going well..."

"I catch myself looking for you around the house..."

"We hope this letter finds you well..."

"We want to say THANK YOU to your Navy commitment..."

"Should be getting easier now..."

"Very proud of you..."

"Keep your head up..."

"I'm glad you are staying close to the Lord..."

"I miss our conversations that used to last for hours on end..."

"Keep the faith Sailor..."

"Let us know how you're doing..."

"Do you regret going into the Navy?"

"I'm very proud of you..."

"Thanks for the long letters..."

"Kids these days...SHEESH!"

"Keep strong..."

"Stay focused..."

"How's Navy life treating you?"

"Looking forward to seeing you..."

"You have been on my heart..."

"You are not forgotten..."

"I miss ya."

Grandma

Aunt Bonnie

Justin

Jeff

Bro and Sis Lambert

Mom

Dad

Cassandra Haase

Charity

Mary and Barney Ban

Ashlee Marie

Andrew

Ryan

Robert

Paul Kinzckowski

Larry and Carolyn Bowen

Pastor Paul Marcum

Manda

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