caught in the Web

I want to answer TWO tags today. First, is Ted's meme from a couple weeks ago. Sorry for dragging my feet, Bro!

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If it's okay Ted, I'll offer what I already did in May '07 (eight facts about me) and January '07 (five odd things about me). Check them out to see what I have to say about priesthood, peanut butter and lightnin'.

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Now, our dear friend LL Barkat, author of Stone Crossings added another. No--she concocted another. Yes folks, this one is her very own invention.

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The rules:

1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. Link back to the person who tagged you.
3. Link back to the parent post, so she can track the meme.
4. Tag a few friends or five, or none at all.
5. Post these rules-- or just have fun breaking them.

.5 Ways Blogging Changed My Life

1. I am learning how to talk to people. Those who know me, might not think that's a problem for me, but when I see that someone has joined a photo event, it's not enough to stamp "nice picture" on each and every entry. Plus, it's tempting to always talk about me, and I am trying to be less egocentric with my comments. I have found that it's easy to offend, so I try to be careful about what I say.
2. Initially, I thought blogging would bring more non-Christians into my life, and it has, but most of the Christians I know outside of the blogosphere are people who's doctrine lines up very close to my own. Blogging has provided a bridge to believers of varying stripes. I think I have learned from some, and hope that one or two have learned something from me as well.
3. Every now and then, I like to use a word that is specific to a situation or maybe punctuate something with a little pizazz. I'm no linguistic purist, but I just want my vocabulary to expand beyond the 500 most basic words in the commoner's tongue. While blogging, I have never once heard that phrase I dread: "Why don't you just speak English?" And when someone uses a word I don't know, it is sooooo easy to look it up, since I'm already online.
4. Did you ever pray with somebody real time, who is on a distant location of this planet? Praying with and for people is a wonderful privilege. It's special to be able to do that with someone who I never see face-to-face.
5. If my photographs were never viewed, but stealthily filed in a tiny chip, I doubt that I would be taking as many pictures and learning as much as I am now. The friends who take good pictures, and the friends who I take pictures for, these folks have sharpened my picture-taking skills far beyond what I would have done without blogging.

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Let's see... I think we might like to hear from

Carletta, Halfmom, Kim, Louise, and Sandman.

Of course, anyone can join in, who feels so inclined.

Lime, are you game? :-)

book marked

Tagged by LL Barkat and Pete Juvinall.

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Pick up the nearest book

(of at least 123 pages).

Open the book to page 123.

Find the fifth sentence.

Post the next three sentences.

Tag five people.

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Page 123 was the start of a new chapter. It began with a poem and had a lot of white space. The fifth sentence was on the following page.

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Worst of all, I watched as his loving communication slipped farther and farther away.

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There was a time when he had greeted me with a happy smile saying jubilantly to the nurse, "Well, look who's here!" Or, "There she is!" But now his words were few, his eyed more shadowed and his manner alternately withdrawn and extremely restless.

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from Also My Journey by M. A. Atkins (p. 124)

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This is a second-hand book that someone put on a giveaway table. I picked it up because my dad and I were just talking about Alzheimer's that weekend. I think there is a possibility that I may end up taking that journey. My parents are fine for now, but who knows...

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Now, who to tag... 23 Degrees, imac, Mrrrr, Ornery by Nature and Ozlady.

Cuckoo's gift

I was tagged by Cuckoo. She asks: What Does Blogging Mean to Me!

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Rules of this tag:

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1. Name the person with link who tagged you.

2. Complete the questionnaire without changing the questions.

3. Tag 6 or more people.

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I was tagged by Cuckoo.

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Q1. Are you happy/ satisfied with your blog, with its content and look? Yes, I’m happy with Blogger. The look and content represent me well. I like the very clean, uncomplicated template that allows for a light, quick read. To me, Blogger feels more honest, and even less hormone dependent (if that makes sense) than other media.

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Q2. Does your family know about your blog? I find it surprising that some of the people I am physically closest to, don’t have the least interest in being a part of it. My wife has been looking into it more frequently, though, and I really appreciate that.

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Q3. Do you feel embarrassed to let your friends know about your blog or you just consider it as a private thing? Wha…? If it was meant to be private, there are ways to do that. Leaving comments all over creation says I’m a social bugger and privacy is not my biggest concern. The more, the merrier!

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Q4. Did blogs cause positive changes in your thoughts? Absolutely. For example, I am more careful to avoid making fun of people. Playful teasing may be fine in some cases, but I try not to bash people whose ideologies clash with mine.

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Q5. Do you only open the blogs of those who comment on your blog or you love to go and discover more by yourself? Due to time constraints, my commenters definitely get priority, but I occasionally enjoy burrowing into the sidebars.

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Q6. What does visitors counter mean to you? Do you care about putting it in your blog? Did you ever say something out loud at a gathering, only to find out no one was paying attention? I use the site meter just to know that someone was listening, but I do not post the numbers and try not to let the stats rule over my content.

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Q7. Did you try to imagine your fellow bloggers and give them real pictures? I use a real photo of myself, and although I wish I knew what everybody looked like, I respect their privacy, and even enjoy the mystery of knowing a mind, but not a face.

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Q8. Do you think there is a real benefit for blogging? Many! Expanding your horizons, learning from people, receiving a blessing as well as being a blessing.

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Q9. Do you think that bloggers’ society is isolated from real world or interacts with events? It definitely has the potential do either. I try to use the blog to interact with head and heart issues rather than use it for regurgitating news highlights. Others, like David are best at turning those stories into good coffee table conversation.

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Q10. Does criticism annoy you or do you feel it’s a normal thing? I try not to take myself too seriously; taking criticism is a tricky thing. The ego that is never shaken is quite possibly out of control, but an ego can certainly be too fragile if criticism is always received negatively. I like to think that I am somewhere in the middle… sometimes apprehensive, but usually bouncing back quickly in a healthy way.

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Q11. Do you fear some political blogs and avoid them? I generally avoid them. There is simply not enough time to be a part of every special interest group. Even the ones that I agree with.

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Q12. Did you get shocked by the arrest of some bloggers? Some bloggers certainly ought to get arrested, but I wouldn’t mention any names… Martin! (Just kidding.) I have not heard about this arrest, but I believe we should be held accountable for our words. Does anybody have more details on this?

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Q13. Did you think about what will happen to your blog after you die? After I die, all my writings will be taken totally out of context. People will start reading it backwards and supposedly find messages there. The readership may even multiply to like, a couple dozen readers and sadly, I would have missed it all. There is a lump forming in my throat right now. Next question.

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Q14. What do you like to hear? What’s the song you might like to put a link to, in your blog? Nothing at all. I like music and have perfect hearing, but it’s a form of distraction. I never turn the sound on when I use the computer. When hovering through the blogosphere, I am exclusively in visual mode.

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Who shall I tag now? People, I won't be offended if you don't play, but rules are rules, so I'm tagging: Sandman, Oz Lady, 23 Degrees, Halfmom, Llama in Need, Taliesin and Pete

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Image by: Paintfloats

facts about Meme

Mrs. Nielsen tagged me. One of these days I need to get a Teflon jacket so the tags just slide right off! But Eve is good people, so instead of chasing her with one of those little bats you get a baseball games (they hurt), I'll play along.

1. Post the rules of the game.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

Facts:

1. I attended a High School Seminary expecting to become a Roman Catholic priest. I always pictured myself having grandkids some day, so that wouldn't have worked out.
2. I was never good at sports, but I have a varsity letter for wrestling because the school I went to my Freshman year was too small to have a JV team. I lost both exhibition matches.
3. My wife was married before. I got to raise her daughter as my own. Once, before we were married, I was horsing around at church, and accidentally kicked our little redhead in the mouth. She was the one bleeding, but it was me who almost died when her mom found out!
4. I did not have any friends until high school. I was an introvert from 1965 to 1979.
5. I love archery. When I was single, I used to go to the range a lot. The local pros gave me the nickname "Lightnin" ...I thought it was because I had a fast shot. They said it was `cuz "lightnin' don't strike the same spot twice."
6. I used to hate Star Trek TNG, but wound up being a devoted fan.
7. I used to love dogs and hate cats, but that is reversed now.
8. I'm obsessed with the pursuit of a perfect lawn (front yard only).

Alrighty now...who/whom shall I tag? Usually, I don't obey the Meme rules and tag people, but I'm feelin' crazy. Let's see if we can know some of these folks better:

Amusing Mom, Amy Goodyear, Andy Unedited, Ester, Inihtar, Greek Geek, Lee, Llama Momma, Martin Stickland, Pete Juvinall, Reconciliation Blog, Spaghettipie, Stacy, and Stacey

five reasons

Things have been strangely quiet in the blogosphere lately. I have neither had a surplus of time nor creative imagination for corralling a few measly words together for a post, but Charity is willing to let me ramble on about five reasons why I blog, so…

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Human beings (or becomings) are wonderful. My Manufacturer wired me for people and I am energized by social interaction.

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There are ideas that can be redeemed by releasing them into a dialogue. Ideas left unshared will dissipate and therefore, are worthless. I blog to participate in the exchange of these ideas, regardless of whether they are lofty or silly.

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One of my personal quests is for the understanding and establishment of the Third Place. The blogosphere is very real, but it’s not a physical place. Nevertheless, I think there are things that I can learn here (via blogging) that can be applied to a “brick-and-mortar” third place in my geographical community.

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I have a deep conviction that the only reason I am still sucking oxygen (after believing in Christ) is that I have a role in the Great Commission. In order to be “making disciples,” I need to be communicating with people. I was not satisfied with the quantity of people I previously encountered in my daily exchanges. Blogging allows me to interact with more people, Christians and non-Christians.

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And finally, why do I blog? I originally created a profile so that I could leave comments on somebody else’s blog. But after sampling this phenomenon and seeing how one can virtually eliminate the tintiddle, why would I not?

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About the picture. I had to find something related to the number five, and lo! Five eggs! You’ve heard of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) and FROG (Fully Relying On God), but have you heard about EGGs (Evidences of God’s Grace)?

hmmm... that's odd

I've been tagged!!!

Normally, I don't respond to e-tags, but I'll make an exception this time, because I'm curious to see how I would answer. ;-)

LL Barkat thinks there could be 5 odd things about me. Of all the nerve! There's NOTHING odd at all about me! (It's the rest of the world that's unusual.) Nevertheless:

Uno: I have the coolest archery nickname. Once upon a time, I used to do a lot of practice at the range, and I had fine-tuned my compound bow so well, that I had really, really fast arrows. The old pros that I hung around with started to call me "Lightnin'." What an awesome tag, right? Wrong. They had a great guffaw at my expense when they explained it's because, "Lightnin' don't strike the same spot twice." Aah, good times.

Dos: Does pillowhead bother you? When I was a little boy, I was semi OCD. Yeah, I was like a little Monk; my siblings called me “professor.” After taking evening baths, I used to try to fall asleep holding my head up from the pillow so my hair wouldn’t get messy. Nobody stopped me to explain that this was unnecessary. They just waited ‘till I grew up so they could laugh at my expense. Is there a theme beginning to form here?

Tres: There’s a birthmark on my left earlobe. It looks like an earring. Maybe you think that’s not a big deal, except for when you’re schmoozing ultra-conservatives and catch that look of enlightenment when they notice you’re a pot-smoking hippie who is going to try to get their girls in trouble. Well, that’s what the earring means, right?

Quatro: I attended Catholic seminary; I used to want to be a priest. As a little boy, when I played pretend, I would pretend to be a priest saying the mass.

Cinco: I mad an interesting discovery about my coworkers. I thought that they appreciated my witticisms, but now, I’m not so sure. Upon careful scrutiny, it would seem that I am not so much generating laughs as causing a gag reflex. They’re very similar, don’tcha know.

Well, maybe that last one doesn’t count. How ‘bout this. I love peanut butter. A lot. I wouldn’t say I crave it because I can’t find a theological tie-in. But my youngest son is going around repeating, “My dad loves peanut butter so much, he could eat peanut butter with DIRT.”