pbh4
4.03.2007
Favourite Sport?
What's your favourite sport?
What's mine? Hmmm, some to think about maybe:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports)
/ soccer / football / baseball / basketball / volleyball / running / cycling / skiing / wakeboarding / swimming / rock climbing / sky-diving / hang-gliding / hiking / mountain biking / fishing / sailing / horse riding / archery / wrestling / tennis / lacrosse / martial arts / fencing / ultimate frisbee / paintball / handball / racquetball / canoeing / kayaking / table tennis / badminton / hockey / skating / bowling / rugby / water polo / surfing / scuba diving / motorcycling / racing / ice skating / golf / softball /
And one sport I more recently found out about and think is pretty stinkin cool is Australian Rules Football, check it out if you dare.
I suppose there are a lot to choose from, but also what is my favorite for what reasons. To watch? To compete in? To do for fun? To keep me in shape? To meet new people? To do on my own? To do to relax? To release energy? To get tired? To take out aggression? To kill time?
Some ok questions relating to one aspect of my personality. What's my answer you ask? Well, I suppose it depends on the day. If I could play a sport and get paid to do it, I'd probably like to do baseball or volleyball, because they are team sports and get to play in a lot of different places. For baseball, I'd love to be a pitcher, to be a part of a lot of the tempo of the game and getting to try to be very precise in placement of the pitches. For volleyball, I think beach volleyball would be a blast. Team sports I think are more exciting when your winning and more trying when you're losing. If I had to play an individual sport I think it would be tennis, I think it is such a beautiful game, how could you not want to play it.
So I skirted around my own question a little, but heck that's ok. Just a thought for today. There's always many more floating around in this noggin...
What's mine? Hmmm, some to think about maybe:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sports)
/ soccer / football / baseball / basketball / volleyball / running / cycling / skiing / wakeboarding / swimming / rock climbing / sky-diving / hang-gliding / hiking / mountain biking / fishing / sailing / horse riding / archery / wrestling / tennis / lacrosse / martial arts / fencing / ultimate frisbee / paintball / handball / racquetball / canoeing / kayaking / table tennis / badminton / hockey / skating / bowling / rugby / water polo / surfing / scuba diving / motorcycling / racing / ice skating / golf / softball /
And one sport I more recently found out about and think is pretty stinkin cool is Australian Rules Football, check it out if you dare.
I suppose there are a lot to choose from, but also what is my favorite for what reasons. To watch? To compete in? To do for fun? To keep me in shape? To meet new people? To do on my own? To do to relax? To release energy? To get tired? To take out aggression? To kill time?
Some ok questions relating to one aspect of my personality. What's my answer you ask? Well, I suppose it depends on the day. If I could play a sport and get paid to do it, I'd probably like to do baseball or volleyball, because they are team sports and get to play in a lot of different places. For baseball, I'd love to be a pitcher, to be a part of a lot of the tempo of the game and getting to try to be very precise in placement of the pitches. For volleyball, I think beach volleyball would be a blast. Team sports I think are more exciting when your winning and more trying when you're losing. If I had to play an individual sport I think it would be tennis, I think it is such a beautiful game, how could you not want to play it.
So I skirted around my own question a little, but heck that's ok. Just a thought for today. There's always many more floating around in this noggin...
Labels: thoughts
¶ 2:56 PM 0 comments
3.29.2007
Good but not Safe
Don't know why but while I was running today this quote popped into my head from one of C.S. Lewis' books - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.
"Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
I love that line...
"Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
I love that line...
Labels: thoughts
¶ 4:05 PM 0 comments
3.25.2007
Security?
Yet another reminder of how fragile life is and how anything can occur in the blink of an eye. This last week was pretty full of activities and so many things. Let me go just to the weekend. Friday I went to Bernie and Jamie's wedding reception. It's always good to see everyone and participate in all the activities. Unfortunately for me, as the evening went on, I heard some boys playing basketball outside. So Shelton and I went over and starting playing with them. I proceeded to turn my ankle and get a nice fat bruised ankle. This plays in for the following day.
On Saturday Kevin turned the big 3-0 and the plan was to get in both skiing and wakeboarding in the same day (a-la California and in celebration of the 30th). Kev called me in the morning and I decided to opt out of heading up to Tahoe mainly due to the fact that my ankle was about twice as big and it was throbbing like there was no tomorrow (not to mention the fact that I think I had just crawled into bed following the reception). I told kev I'd get the boat ready to go and fueled up ready for the return. So I headed out on the river and hung out in the sun for a while. =) We wakeboarded in the chilly Sacramento River waters and planned to go out to grab a bite to eat just as the sun was going down. Kev and I dropped everyone off at Chevy's on the River and took the boat back to the Marina. We drove over and met everyone for some food. When we finished up we went back to the cars and I heard Shelton say -- 'Someone broke into my car'. The initial reaction is like really?! No way...! So we went over and checked it out. Yep, someone smashed the rear passenger window and threw some objects down the levee. Then a couple seconds later kev says the same thing -- 'Someone broke into mine too'. Yep, as we proceeded to look down the row of cars we could see that there were at least two others where there was glass on the ground -- not cool, what dorks.
From what we could make out this looked like a quick hit and run. There was not a lot of stuff missing, just a couple things. Kev lost the company gas card and from Sheltons car, my backpack was taken, in it camera, ipod, and wetsuit. That sucks!!
I always try to be aware of stuff like that and leaving things in the car, but sometimes this crap happens. Serious bummer, and it just takes a little bit of any sense of security that we may think we have. Anyway thought I'd share some of the story here with you as a reminder...
On Saturday Kevin turned the big 3-0 and the plan was to get in both skiing and wakeboarding in the same day (a-la California and in celebration of the 30th). Kev called me in the morning and I decided to opt out of heading up to Tahoe mainly due to the fact that my ankle was about twice as big and it was throbbing like there was no tomorrow (not to mention the fact that I think I had just crawled into bed following the reception). I told kev I'd get the boat ready to go and fueled up ready for the return. So I headed out on the river and hung out in the sun for a while. =) We wakeboarded in the chilly Sacramento River waters and planned to go out to grab a bite to eat just as the sun was going down. Kev and I dropped everyone off at Chevy's on the River and took the boat back to the Marina. We drove over and met everyone for some food. When we finished up we went back to the cars and I heard Shelton say -- 'Someone broke into my car'. The initial reaction is like really?! No way...! So we went over and checked it out. Yep, someone smashed the rear passenger window and threw some objects down the levee. Then a couple seconds later kev says the same thing -- 'Someone broke into mine too'. Yep, as we proceeded to look down the row of cars we could see that there were at least two others where there was glass on the ground -- not cool, what dorks.
From what we could make out this looked like a quick hit and run. There was not a lot of stuff missing, just a couple things. Kev lost the company gas card and from Sheltons car, my backpack was taken, in it camera, ipod, and wetsuit. That sucks!!
I always try to be aware of stuff like that and leaving things in the car, but sometimes this crap happens. Serious bummer, and it just takes a little bit of any sense of security that we may think we have. Anyway thought I'd share some of the story here with you as a reminder...
Labels: thoughts
¶ 8:44 PM 0 comments
3.24.2007
Ghengis Khan Quote
Here's an excerpt from one of the books I'm reading. Fairly interesting thoughts on one of the first relgious debates, I found it interesting, thought you might too. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World (pg 172-173):
The discussion continued for some time, and according to Rubruck's own account, it was obvious that he did not fare well in the sometimes acrimonious arguments. He was unaccustomed to debating with peopple who did not share his basic assumptions of Catholic Christianity. Evidently, Mongke Khan recognized the problems he was having and suggested that all the scholars present take time to write out their thoughts more clearly and then return for a fuller discussion and debate of the issues.
The Mongols loved competions of all sorts, and they organized debates among rival religions the same way they organized wrestling matches. It began on a specific date with a panel of judges to oversee it. In this case Mongke Khan ordered them to debate before threee judges: a Christian, a Muslim, and a Buddihist. A large audience assembled to watch the affair, which began with great seriousness and formality. And offical lay down the strict rules by which Mongke wanted the debate to proceed: on pain of death "no one shall dare to speak words of contention."
Rubruck and the other Christians joined together in one team with the Muslims in an effort to refute the Buddhist doctrines. As these men gathered together in all their robes and regalia in the tents on the dusty planins of Mongolia, they were doing something that no other set of scholars or theologians had ever done in history. It is doubtful that representatives of so many types of Christianity had come to a single meeting, and certainly they had not debated, as equals, with representatives of the various Muslim and Buddhist faiths. The religious scholars had to compete on the basis of their beliefs and ideas, using no weapons or the authority of any ruler or army behind them. They could use only words and logic to test the ability of their ideas to persuade.
In the initial round, Rubruck faced a Buddhist from North China who began by asking how the world was made and what happened to the soul after death. Rubruck countered that the Buddhist monk was asking the wrong questions; the first issue should be about God from whom all things flow. The umpires awarded the first points to Rubruck.
Their debate ranged back and forth over the topics of evil versus good, God's nature, what happens to the souls of animals, the existance of reincarnation, and whether God had created evil. As they debated, the clerics formed shifting coalitions among the various religions according to the topic. Between each round of wrestling, Mongol athletes would drink fermented mare's milk; in keeping with that tradition, after each round of the debate, the learned men paused to drink deeply in preparation for the next match.
No side seemed to convince the other of anything. Finally, as the effects of the alcohol became stronger, the Christians gave up tring to persuade anyone with logical arguments, and resorted to singing. The Muslims, who did not sing, responded by loudly reciting the Koran in an effort to drown out the Christian, and the Buddhists retreated into silent mediation. At the end of the debate, unable to convert ofr kill one another, they concluded the way most Mongol celebrations concluded, with eveeryone simply too drunk to continue. ¶ 9:36 AM 0 comments
The discussion continued for some time, and according to Rubruck's own account, it was obvious that he did not fare well in the sometimes acrimonious arguments. He was unaccustomed to debating with peopple who did not share his basic assumptions of Catholic Christianity. Evidently, Mongke Khan recognized the problems he was having and suggested that all the scholars present take time to write out their thoughts more clearly and then return for a fuller discussion and debate of the issues.
The Mongols loved competions of all sorts, and they organized debates among rival religions the same way they organized wrestling matches. It began on a specific date with a panel of judges to oversee it. In this case Mongke Khan ordered them to debate before threee judges: a Christian, a Muslim, and a Buddihist. A large audience assembled to watch the affair, which began with great seriousness and formality. And offical lay down the strict rules by which Mongke wanted the debate to proceed: on pain of death "no one shall dare to speak words of contention."
Rubruck and the other Christians joined together in one team with the Muslims in an effort to refute the Buddhist doctrines. As these men gathered together in all their robes and regalia in the tents on the dusty planins of Mongolia, they were doing something that no other set of scholars or theologians had ever done in history. It is doubtful that representatives of so many types of Christianity had come to a single meeting, and certainly they had not debated, as equals, with representatives of the various Muslim and Buddhist faiths. The religious scholars had to compete on the basis of their beliefs and ideas, using no weapons or the authority of any ruler or army behind them. They could use only words and logic to test the ability of their ideas to persuade.
In the initial round, Rubruck faced a Buddhist from North China who began by asking how the world was made and what happened to the soul after death. Rubruck countered that the Buddhist monk was asking the wrong questions; the first issue should be about God from whom all things flow. The umpires awarded the first points to Rubruck.
Their debate ranged back and forth over the topics of evil versus good, God's nature, what happens to the souls of animals, the existance of reincarnation, and whether God had created evil. As they debated, the clerics formed shifting coalitions among the various religions according to the topic. Between each round of wrestling, Mongol athletes would drink fermented mare's milk; in keeping with that tradition, after each round of the debate, the learned men paused to drink deeply in preparation for the next match.
No side seemed to convince the other of anything. Finally, as the effects of the alcohol became stronger, the Christians gave up tring to persuade anyone with logical arguments, and resorted to singing. The Muslims, who did not sing, responded by loudly reciting the Koran in an effort to drown out the Christian, and the Buddhists retreated into silent mediation. At the end of the debate, unable to convert ofr kill one another, they concluded the way most Mongol celebrations concluded, with eveeryone simply too drunk to continue. ¶ 9:36 AM 0 comments
3.20.2007
Fear & Discovery
What are you afraid of? Fear is a powerful, unpleasant feeling of risk or danger, either real or imagined. I've heard that knowledge of what ever you are afraid of will satiate fear. I think that is true to a certain extent, that is until the logical side and heart don't connect on that issue. There are just some things that just don't match up rationally, and that is something that makes me human. I think some people don't admit that they are afraid of anything. And that just doesn't add up, sounds like they're afraid of being fearful. One of the things that lets me know that I'm alive are my feelings, whether it's joy at accomplishment, sadness in loss, or those butterflies in my stomach every once in a while. I know that once I get past that initial feeling of 'fear' it leads to discovery of a decision or action. So I remind myself to follow the path from fear to discovery, let my emotions give me a push to allow my logical self to make a move. Don't just stand there, do something!!!
What are you afraid of? Fear is a powerful, unpleasant feeling of risk or danger, either real or imagined. I've heard that knowledge of what ever you are afraid of will satiate fear. I think that is true to a certain extent, that is until the logical side and heart don't connect on that issue. There are just some things that just don't match up rationally, and that is something that makes me human. I think some people don't admit that they are afraid of anything. And that just doesn't add up, sounds like they're afraid of being fearful. One of the things that lets me know that I'm alive are my feelings, whether it's joy at accomplishment, sadness in loss, or those butterflies in my stomach every once in a while. I know that once I get past that initial feeling of 'fear' it leads to discovery of a decision or action. So I remind myself to follow the path from fear to discovery, let my emotions give me a push to allow my logical self to make a move. Don't just stand there, do something!!! Labels: thoughts
¶ 11:06 AM 0 comments
2.11.2007
Real Life
Life is not a facade
I'm not going to live my life trying to fit into a certain image
As much as I've realized my apperance does matter somewhat, I know that real life, a real smile can never be replaced by looking happy. Genuine happiness can not be duplicated, it can only be experienced and shared.
I recently had dinner with some fellow travelers I had met in China last May and who actually live close enough to me right now for a post work dinner. One thing I really remembered after talking about our various travels and looking through some pictures is that no matter the situation you are in, no matter the circumstances that occur around you can be happy. There were so many pictures that you could just see the joy in a lot of the childrens faces. Experiencing things for the first time, purity. Real life should not be complicated, you do not need things to be happy.
One of the things that I have experienced in my various travels throughot the world (esp in Africa, China, and Mexico) is that joy is an outcropping of your attitude, reaping what you sow. Peole can be so happy even when there are no things that should point you towards a happy place. Those things aren't where happiness comes from.
What do I spend my time doing? Those things that occupy my time are going to direct my experiences and situations in my life.
One of the things I have been pondering lately is the American society as a whole and my perceptions of its general demeanor. Here's a list of some words that come directly to my mind (not organized in any way whatsoever):
American dream, capitalism, money, greed, things, choices, productivity, busyness, accomplishment, purpose, family, work, time off, advancement, technology, health, justice, laws, rules, freedom, space, distance, internet, communities & non-communities, confusion, politics, hollywood, financial, wall street, computers, professionalism, retail service, corporations, businesses, automobiles, sports, hobbies, crafts, agriculture, parks, travel, retirement, senior citizens, TV, movies, resturants, fast food, impatience, careers, purpose, questioning, young, diverse, constitution, democracy
Basically it feels like to me that what is important in life needs to be clearly understood otherwise that may get neglected and pushed to the side in place of almost anything. Watching TV, clicking and typing away on the computer, working, working out, driving, you name it.
Life is not about entertainment, real life does not have to be clean, does not have to be flashy, does not have to be completely in order. Life is lived without regret.
Life is not a facade
I'm not going to live my life trying to fit into a certain image
As much as I've realized my apperance does matter somewhat, I know that real life, a real smile can never be replaced by looking happy. Genuine happiness can not be duplicated, it can only be experienced and shared.
I recently had dinner with some fellow travelers I had met in China last May and who actually live close enough to me right now for a post work dinner. One thing I really remembered after talking about our various travels and looking through some pictures is that no matter the situation you are in, no matter the circumstances that occur around you can be happy. There were so many pictures that you could just see the joy in a lot of the childrens faces. Experiencing things for the first time, purity. Real life should not be complicated, you do not need things to be happy.
One of the things that I have experienced in my various travels throughot the world (esp in Africa, China, and Mexico) is that joy is an outcropping of your attitude, reaping what you sow. Peole can be so happy even when there are no things that should point you towards a happy place. Those things aren't where happiness comes from.
What do I spend my time doing? Those things that occupy my time are going to direct my experiences and situations in my life.
One of the things I have been pondering lately is the American society as a whole and my perceptions of its general demeanor. Here's a list of some words that come directly to my mind (not organized in any way whatsoever):
American dream, capitalism, money, greed, things, choices, productivity, busyness, accomplishment, purpose, family, work, time off, advancement, technology, health, justice, laws, rules, freedom, space, distance, internet, communities & non-communities, confusion, politics, hollywood, financial, wall street, computers, professionalism, retail service, corporations, businesses, automobiles, sports, hobbies, crafts, agriculture, parks, travel, retirement, senior citizens, TV, movies, resturants, fast food, impatience, careers, purpose, questioning, young, diverse, constitution, democracy
Basically it feels like to me that what is important in life needs to be clearly understood otherwise that may get neglected and pushed to the side in place of almost anything. Watching TV, clicking and typing away on the computer, working, working out, driving, you name it.
Life is not about entertainment, real life does not have to be clean, does not have to be flashy, does not have to be completely in order. Life is lived without regret.
Labels: thoughts
¶ 12:26 AM 0 comments
2.06.2007
Best 26 Bucks I've Spent in a While
So, I signed up for a 1 unit class, 1 night a week at one of the junior colleges here in sac. The JC system here is kind of connected, http://www.losrios.edu/, and I'm taking the class at SCC. It costs $20 per unit and classes go from Jan 22 - May 21 (18 weeks, w 1 or 2 of the classes off). You also have to pay a UTP (Universal Transit Pass) fee of $5 and $1 Student Representation Fee per semester. The UTP is so worth it because I can ride all the bus and light rail systems up here with my student ID for 'free'. A monthly pass for Sac RT (Sacramento Regional Transit) costs $80, but I can get it through work for $20. And I get it for $5 total through the school for 4½ months! Not that I use it a ton right now, but that's pretty cool. Also, since I'm a current student I can get student discounts, etc.
The class I'm taking is Advanced Volleyball from 7:00p - 9:50p on Monday nights and there are quite a few good players in there, it's been a lot of fun to be playing, although it's a long time! Not real educational in the book smarts sense, but a pretty cool thing to do. =) I may have to sign up for another class next semester, I saw they had motorcycle repair and maintenence, which could be pretty useful for general knowledge. ¶ 10:53 AM 0 comments
The class I'm taking is Advanced Volleyball from 7:00p - 9:50p on Monday nights and there are quite a few good players in there, it's been a lot of fun to be playing, although it's a long time! Not real educational in the book smarts sense, but a pretty cool thing to do. =) I may have to sign up for another class next semester, I saw they had motorcycle repair and maintenence, which could be pretty useful for general knowledge. ¶ 10:53 AM 0 comments
1.31.2007
Like a Child
Sometimes I let myself get too caught up in life and complications and work and heavy issues and really forget about who I am and what really makes me smile. =) I always try to have a big picture perspective, but really sometimes I've really just got to get back to that kid in me. Why do we always smile when a small child does something? Because it's cute? Because of their attitude? Becasue of their innonence? Or simply because it's pure? I think sometimes I just need to simplify - be young at heart. So before I get too caught up in things I want to accomplish or places I want to go or things I want to do, I've got to remember to be pure at heart. So all those difficult issues, you'll be there tomorrow, but my smile will be here today and to stay! =)=)=)=)
Sometimes I let myself get too caught up in life and complications and work and heavy issues and really forget about who I am and what really makes me smile. =) I always try to have a big picture perspective, but really sometimes I've really just got to get back to that kid in me. Why do we always smile when a small child does something? Because it's cute? Because of their attitude? Becasue of their innonence? Or simply because it's pure? I think sometimes I just need to simplify - be young at heart. So before I get too caught up in things I want to accomplish or places I want to go or things I want to do, I've got to remember to be pure at heart. So all those difficult issues, you'll be there tomorrow, but my smile will be here today and to stay! =)=)=)=)Labels: thoughts
¶ 10:58 PM 0 comments
Friendship - Honesty, Openness, Trust, Communication
I recently came across a quote I had tagged a while back (years ago) in the Wishsong of Shannara (pg 370) and thought it was worth throwing up here:
“We are friends, [ ], and friends do for each other what they see needs to be done. Friendship is a thing sensed inwardly as much as a thing pledged openly. One feels friendship and becomes bound by it. It was this that drew [a friend] to me and gained me his loyalty. I loved him as he loved me, and each of us sensed that in the other. I have sensed it with you as well. We are to be friends, all of us, and if we are to be friends, then we must share both good and bad in our friendship. Your needs become mine.”
“What if my needs are too dangerous to share?”
“All the more reason that they must be shared. And shared with friends. We must help each other if the friendship is to mean anything at all.”
*modified*
Any arguments to the contrary would have meant nothing because a relationship between them is one of equals, and whose sense of commitment is such that there can be no compromise.
*modified*
It made me remember those that are close in my life and how much everyone's friendship means to me. Not to be too sappy, but really.
(ref: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1857231325/ref=sib_dp_pop_ex/102-7859103-0368102?ie=UTF8&p=S009#reader-link, then in the search type in 'friendship' and click on pg 370 to see the actual text)
“We are friends, [ ], and friends do for each other what they see needs to be done. Friendship is a thing sensed inwardly as much as a thing pledged openly. One feels friendship and becomes bound by it. It was this that drew [a friend] to me and gained me his loyalty. I loved him as he loved me, and each of us sensed that in the other. I have sensed it with you as well. We are to be friends, all of us, and if we are to be friends, then we must share both good and bad in our friendship. Your needs become mine.”
“What if my needs are too dangerous to share?”
“All the more reason that they must be shared. And shared with friends. We must help each other if the friendship is to mean anything at all.”
*modified*
Any arguments to the contrary would have meant nothing because a relationship between them is one of equals, and whose sense of commitment is such that there can be no compromise.
*modified*
It made me remember those that are close in my life and how much everyone's friendship means to me. Not to be too sappy, but really.
(ref: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1857231325/ref=sib_dp_pop_ex/102-7859103-0368102?ie=UTF8&p=S009#reader-link, then in the search type in 'friendship' and click on pg 370 to see the actual text)
Labels: books, quotes, thoughts
¶ 9:00 PM 0 comments
1.24.2007
Google You?
Have you ever google'd yourself? Do you find out anything about yourself? Is it insightful at all?
I think I found links to:
- ultimate team I was on in college {1}
- racquetball team I was on in college {1}
- reference to info I provided regarding an engineering competition in college {1}
- organized runs I've done {1} {2}
- organized bike rides I've done {1} {2}
- triathlons I've done
- article with my dad's name in it {1}
- questions I've posted to a CADD website {1}
- IM sports I played in college
If that's what the internet knows about me, that's ok, things could definitely be worse...
Have you ever google'd yourself? Do you find out anything about yourself? Is it insightful at all?
I think I found links to:
- ultimate team I was on in college {1}
- racquetball team I was on in college {1}
- reference to info I provided regarding an engineering competition in college {1}
- organized runs I've done {1} {2}
- organized bike rides I've done {1} {2}
- triathlons I've done
- article with my dad's name in it {1}
- questions I've posted to a CADD website {1}
- IM sports I played in college
If that's what the internet knows about me, that's ok, things could definitely be worse...
Labels: thoughts
¶ 3:03 PM 0 comments
