Soul for sale! Soul for sale!
Does someone need a soul? Do tell!
For the Devil would take it
I couldn’t push it in his hands,
He said, “Boy you must have me mistaken,
I only purchase useful lots of land.”
And dear Jesus wouldn’t buy it
I couldn’t bribe him with two pence of pain
He said, “Son you must have me mistaken,
I only save those souls which call my name.”
Oh, Soul for sale! Soul for sale!
Will anyone take this soul? Do tell!
For the butcher and barber
Both just shook their heads in shame
I guess they have no use for souls
Who give them no great gain
And the King and Queen and peasants
Oddly gave all the same reply:
“What good is swapping souls my friend?
It won’t change your choices in the end.”
Soul for sale! Soul for sale!
Please! Will you take this soul? Do tell!
So I asked the dead poets and Rhyme if indeed
First, this claim was true, and then what I would need
And they all agreed and conveyed to me
That to sell my soul was like not loving you
This they said-
“The actions one takes is never based on the future,
Nor the present-
And with the exception of when unchecked feelings surge,
The history of the memories and eyes of the owner,
Are the two dominate tools used for most common sinners.
So you see why you cannot stop loving that soul?
While the future is bleak, the past overflows!
And you, being you, are in a particular bind,
For better or worse, to the worse you are blind.
And so with only good memories of everyone else
You are bound to love them, though as for yourself,
Seems not so fortunate as it’s your soul you would sell
And for two pence of pain? Come, you’d better listen up well
See, whether or not your soul is crooked or straight
All you can do to improve the choices you make,
Is to not rely on your own strength to carry this weight,
For only by losing your life, eternity will you gain.”
12.06.2009
11.06.2009
Of Studio 7
I had a concert tonight... it was good, one of the things I love about ameture gigs is that you get to hear other musicians that arn't popular and mainstream and you get to see which ones are going to be the good undiscovered bands that no one may ever hear about, but you were there to play with them and give them your regards. Most of them have just EP's out so most of the their songs remain unrecorded, and I don't know there is something about being privilaged to hear songs live that no one else has heard, might here. It makes you feel pretty special. Tonight, these gentlemen named Dear Penny caught me with a cover song. It's called "Come Back Down" by Ivory but they did an excellent, simple, moving version...
"i know sometimes, people say it'll be all right.
but i have to think, it's not that way in her mind.
and everything's not fine, so don't tell her it takes time.
cause everywhere she looks, she's reminded of his life, his life
it was dark that night, but she could still see his eyes
shining upon her, the stars in the sky
and it was so bright, giving life to the sky
reminding her lover, of all the color in his life, his life
can you come back down
you two can ride your bikes
and dance, and laugh, and forget about such thing as time
can you come back down
you two can have the nights
and dance, and laugh, and forget about such thing as time
can you come back down
and bring her back a smile
and take her with you
at least I think that's what
she'd like .."
"i know sometimes, people say it'll be all right.
but i have to think, it's not that way in her mind.
and everything's not fine, so don't tell her it takes time.
cause everywhere she looks, she's reminded of his life, his life
it was dark that night, but she could still see his eyes
shining upon her, the stars in the sky
and it was so bright, giving life to the sky
reminding her lover, of all the color in his life, his life
can you come back down
you two can ride your bikes
and dance, and laugh, and forget about such thing as time
can you come back down
you two can have the nights
and dance, and laugh, and forget about such thing as time
can you come back down
and bring her back a smile
and take her with you
at least I think that's what
she'd like .."
11.04.2009
Of ReSpect
It's like going to your window as a child, and looking out you see an unfathomable black sky pinned without wrinkle to some flat surface behind it. There in the perfect dark you see the night calmly let through its first star. And as you look up your not sure what it is about the scene that makes it so... well now you can't even find the words to describe it, probably because your not even old enough to get a handle on the feelings your even feeling. Is it the single light on a backdrop of all black? Is it the innocence of youth that can appreciate real beauty before growing up and being thrown into public school cliches and overcome by any new, popular shiny toy? Is it the simplicity of the picture unlike that of life, where some don't even know their father's name? Well, whatever it is, somehow you know, while in that instant, that this is the appropriate time to make a wish.
That is what it was like seeing Miss Regina Spektor. It was a concert sure, there was the wild cheering leading to the encore, the opening band repeatedly thanking her, the spot lights who's beams pierced the fog machines' smoke filling the great space above, the "Have my babies!" guy(s), and the general theatrical feel that comes with all of it. But what made the show for me, was that I realized just how much her music stood by itself. At one point I could just close my eyes pray and wish that she was a toy monkey I could just let play for hours or days on end without the pause of resetting the stylus on the record player. Some bands put on elaborate shows and dance around and have the music blasting, the lights blinding, and everyone is just there to have a good time- however you interpret that. But I felt like Regina didn't need to do all that, and it wasn't in her personality to. Instead she just played her songs like she had just come upon them on the spot, free and fun. At times the instruments would clam down, and it was just her and the 20+ speakers in the auditorium reminding me that classical real music can still exist in the 21st century of synthesizers and Auto-Tune. And better yet it feels like every other lyric becomes completely personal for the listener, whether it be, "Your using your headphones to drown out your mind" or "He stumbled into fate and thought, 'God this is all there is'", somehow they just connect to you, to a memory, to a feeling, to a wish. There unique, clever, and very lovable and as such become very distinct and different from the mainstream, which, combined with her folk-jazz-Dance Anthem of the 80's shoots her music right into your heart. The more you know of her, the more you need.
"It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye..
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye.."
That is what it was like seeing Miss Regina Spektor. It was a concert sure, there was the wild cheering leading to the encore, the opening band repeatedly thanking her, the spot lights who's beams pierced the fog machines' smoke filling the great space above, the "Have my babies!" guy(s), and the general theatrical feel that comes with all of it. But what made the show for me, was that I realized just how much her music stood by itself. At one point I could just close my eyes pray and wish that she was a toy monkey I could just let play for hours or days on end without the pause of resetting the stylus on the record player. Some bands put on elaborate shows and dance around and have the music blasting, the lights blinding, and everyone is just there to have a good time- however you interpret that. But I felt like Regina didn't need to do all that, and it wasn't in her personality to. Instead she just played her songs like she had just come upon them on the spot, free and fun. At times the instruments would clam down, and it was just her and the 20+ speakers in the auditorium reminding me that classical real music can still exist in the 21st century of synthesizers and Auto-Tune. And better yet it feels like every other lyric becomes completely personal for the listener, whether it be, "Your using your headphones to drown out your mind" or "He stumbled into fate and thought, 'God this is all there is'", somehow they just connect to you, to a memory, to a feeling, to a wish. There unique, clever, and very lovable and as such become very distinct and different from the mainstream, which, combined with her folk-jazz-Dance Anthem of the 80's shoots her music right into your heart. The more you know of her, the more you need.
"It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye..
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye.."
10.25.2009
Of Silence Pt. 2
"Listen to me," said the Demon,
as he put his hand upon my head.
"I'll tell you of a dreary region,
Where never had I Silence met.
"The river forever swift and cunning
Weaves and cuts between the stones
Glistening and sings continuously
Soft, dangerous songs and new unknowns.
"In tumult and convulsive strength
It's saffron sickly hue bares on
It flows onward to the sea at length
Yet palpitates as time is long.
"The sun gazes a red, ghastly stare
Rebuking the river's murmured prose,
And casting from its red eye a glare
That put the trees in fiery clothes
"Ah, the trees in giant counsel moan,
Their might have gained by unknown age,
Gently yet pow'rfully sway to and fro
Passing their secrets to neighboring sage.
"And from their summits, one by one,
Drop everlasting drops of dew
Being called down of Fate to become
Strange poisonous flowers at their roots.
"And the wind blew the clouds westward
Both with endless ways, arcanely deep,
And so I lay, being seen and heard,
Exposed to elements who where exposed to me.
"All at once the moon arose in crimson
Above the mist it quickly crept
I'll tell you of a dreary region,
Where never had I Silence met.
"And behold I saw on opposite shore
A great rock set since moments begun
Who had seen every sort of friend and foe,
And by virtue of presence was Deity's son.
"And on the rock I saw a shadowed man
Whose face was the only determined trait,
And I hid myself 'neath the shrubs and sand
As to observe the soul and know his state.
"His mind, lofty with thought, was made known
To me as I studied with what stature he stood.
On his cheeks I saw the fables of sorrow,
A disgust with mankind, in long solitude.
"His eyes where weary but steadfastly set,
His brow bones proved his spirit was sure,
The strong will from his expression was easily read,
Yet his child-like features began to quickly mature.
"For there on the rock beginning to form
Ancient symbols and lines I scarce can recite
As I peered and deciphered my spirit was torn,
DESOLATION was written by omniscient knives.
"At that same moment the river rose
Thrashing as its command was obeyed,
It threw angered white foamy throws
As it tossed its onslaught without restraint.
"The trees shrieked with mass terror,
The winds tore them hither in disdain
The clouds inhaled and breathed out thunder;
Sent lighting slashing through the haze.
"Sleet razor blades sent from heavens ghost,
Bore in precision on the now seated man,
His hands held his face, his body exposed,
He trembled as Judgment grew ever exact.
"And when the moon had come to take
It's climax atop the spiteful sky
The steadfast man was fully traced
And I became astonished by the sight.
"For naked and malnourished he sat,
Thin and sickly and of poor countenance,
A cripple! Born in the gutters as rats
I hardly believed he withstood the advance!
"And the winds fiercely fought for control
To gain an advantage on the now seated man,
His hands held his face, his body exposed,
He trembled as Judgment grew ever exact.
"But eyes of the man, as I had seen before,
Remained unmoved by circumstance.
Yea, but at this time he raised his voice
And called that mercy might come to past.
"And there on the rock beginning to form
Ancient symbols in heightened anger bled bright
As I peered and deciphered my spirit was torn,
For SILENCE was written by omniscient knives.
"And in almost in a noise of its own
Across the sky fled Silence's ghost,
He hushed the winds and laying hold,
Stiffened the trees, their secrets lost.
"The waters calmed, nay, died within
The sleet ceased and the sky warned,
When fell upon them Silence's grin,
So thunder and lighting no longer warred.
"A silence greater than that before time
Settled on every atom around the man,
And he sprang to his feet in great divide,
Turning his ear to heaven, feeling damned.
"Now here he cried out to the Divine
Such a weeping was never seen or heard,
But the earth, bound as Silence binds,
Replied not the slightest a whisper.
"And the man, who had for long endured
Fire and rain and in meekness prevailed,
Could not hold the depth Silence procured,
As it sank deeper than what is naturally felt.
"And the man rose and fled the sight,
Renting his clothes as he ran in vain,
Screaming wild things I shouldn't write,
I have never yet to see him again.
And the Demon fell back in his tomb
Laughing as he entered the musky cavity
But I could not laugh this time with him
And he cursed me for it, as I took my leave.
Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's "Silence: A Fable"
as he put his hand upon my head.
"I'll tell you of a dreary region,
Where never had I Silence met.
"The river forever swift and cunning
Weaves and cuts between the stones
Glistening and sings continuously
Soft, dangerous songs and new unknowns.
"In tumult and convulsive strength
It's saffron sickly hue bares on
It flows onward to the sea at length
Yet palpitates as time is long.
"The sun gazes a red, ghastly stare
Rebuking the river's murmured prose,
And casting from its red eye a glare
That put the trees in fiery clothes
"Ah, the trees in giant counsel moan,
Their might have gained by unknown age,
Gently yet pow'rfully sway to and fro
Passing their secrets to neighboring sage.
"And from their summits, one by one,
Drop everlasting drops of dew
Being called down of Fate to become
Strange poisonous flowers at their roots.
"And the wind blew the clouds westward
Both with endless ways, arcanely deep,
And so I lay, being seen and heard,
Exposed to elements who where exposed to me.
"All at once the moon arose in crimson
Above the mist it quickly crept
I'll tell you of a dreary region,
Where never had I Silence met.
"And behold I saw on opposite shore
A great rock set since moments begun
Who had seen every sort of friend and foe,
And by virtue of presence was Deity's son.
"And on the rock I saw a shadowed man
Whose face was the only determined trait,
And I hid myself 'neath the shrubs and sand
As to observe the soul and know his state.
"His mind, lofty with thought, was made known
To me as I studied with what stature he stood.
On his cheeks I saw the fables of sorrow,
A disgust with mankind, in long solitude.
"His eyes where weary but steadfastly set,
His brow bones proved his spirit was sure,
The strong will from his expression was easily read,
Yet his child-like features began to quickly mature.
"For there on the rock beginning to form
Ancient symbols and lines I scarce can recite
As I peered and deciphered my spirit was torn,
DESOLATION was written by omniscient knives.
"At that same moment the river rose
Thrashing as its command was obeyed,
It threw angered white foamy throws
As it tossed its onslaught without restraint.
"The trees shrieked with mass terror,
The winds tore them hither in disdain
The clouds inhaled and breathed out thunder;
Sent lighting slashing through the haze.
"Sleet razor blades sent from heavens ghost,
Bore in precision on the now seated man,
His hands held his face, his body exposed,
He trembled as Judgment grew ever exact.
"And when the moon had come to take
It's climax atop the spiteful sky
The steadfast man was fully traced
And I became astonished by the sight.
"For naked and malnourished he sat,
Thin and sickly and of poor countenance,
A cripple! Born in the gutters as rats
I hardly believed he withstood the advance!
"And the winds fiercely fought for control
To gain an advantage on the now seated man,
His hands held his face, his body exposed,
He trembled as Judgment grew ever exact.
"But eyes of the man, as I had seen before,
Remained unmoved by circumstance.
Yea, but at this time he raised his voice
And called that mercy might come to past.
"And there on the rock beginning to form
Ancient symbols in heightened anger bled bright
As I peered and deciphered my spirit was torn,
For SILENCE was written by omniscient knives.
"And in almost in a noise of its own
Across the sky fled Silence's ghost,
He hushed the winds and laying hold,
Stiffened the trees, their secrets lost.
"The waters calmed, nay, died within
The sleet ceased and the sky warned,
When fell upon them Silence's grin,
So thunder and lighting no longer warred.
"A silence greater than that before time
Settled on every atom around the man,
And he sprang to his feet in great divide,
Turning his ear to heaven, feeling damned.
"Now here he cried out to the Divine
Such a weeping was never seen or heard,
But the earth, bound as Silence binds,
Replied not the slightest a whisper.
"And the man, who had for long endured
Fire and rain and in meekness prevailed,
Could not hold the depth Silence procured,
As it sank deeper than what is naturally felt.
"And the man rose and fled the sight,
Renting his clothes as he ran in vain,
Screaming wild things I shouldn't write,
I have never yet to see him again.
And the Demon fell back in his tomb
Laughing as he entered the musky cavity
But I could not laugh this time with him
And he cursed me for it, as I took my leave.
Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's "Silence: A Fable"
Of Silence Pt. 1
When I go about my busy day each routine holds in store,
A motion or a memory because of you only i know,
Half the music and the movies that I've come to love,
Echo your presence and remind me of all I've given up.
My passions and pursuits have vanished from my heart,
And although I hold no appetite, dear Silence is the worst part.
I wonder if you spend your time the same way I spend mine,
For the same Seattle cloud and rain pour out from on high,
They pass above us both but we walk or separate ways,
I, fumbling along most the time, whispering your name.
I think of sending something sweet twenty times a day,
But then I feel so foolish I pretend the feelings never came.
I'm covering my crippled tracks you'll probably never see,
Because Silence is unbearable, who's knife is in his following.
See, with Silence I am never sure who is whispering,
The figures in the darkness never come to forms complete,
But separately, like creature teeth, keep me from my sleep.
So I toss and turn and fight my pillow and tare apart my sheets
Because I think he waits for me, like wolves dressed up as sheep.
Then Silence moves in suddenly, as I implore the source
From which a comforting sound can kill Silence's sword,
But hour after hour Silence presses deeper in,
Muttering his age old lies which captured greater men,
And so my empty stomach, having no substance left to give,
Now lets my strength grow thin, and the silence finally wins.
A motion or a memory because of you only i know,
Half the music and the movies that I've come to love,
Echo your presence and remind me of all I've given up.
My passions and pursuits have vanished from my heart,
And although I hold no appetite, dear Silence is the worst part.
I wonder if you spend your time the same way I spend mine,
For the same Seattle cloud and rain pour out from on high,
They pass above us both but we walk or separate ways,
I, fumbling along most the time, whispering your name.
I think of sending something sweet twenty times a day,
But then I feel so foolish I pretend the feelings never came.
I'm covering my crippled tracks you'll probably never see,
Because Silence is unbearable, who's knife is in his following.
See, with Silence I am never sure who is whispering,
The figures in the darkness never come to forms complete,
But separately, like creature teeth, keep me from my sleep.
So I toss and turn and fight my pillow and tare apart my sheets
Because I think he waits for me, like wolves dressed up as sheep.
Then Silence moves in suddenly, as I implore the source
From which a comforting sound can kill Silence's sword,
But hour after hour Silence presses deeper in,
Muttering his age old lies which captured greater men,
And so my empty stomach, having no substance left to give,
Now lets my strength grow thin, and the silence finally wins.
10.18.2009
Of Spiritual Warfare
Nervous neurons are stampeding
through the bliss that some call night,
My temples damp and screaming
beg me stop and make things right,
My hands they shake with poison,
my fingers war among themselves,
Each desiring their separate sins
that I work overtime to quell.
But like the billows of the ocean
against the jagged shore,
I'm somehow caught between the lens
and the thousand word report.
Yes, this epic endless energy
receives me no reward,
So I lunge into the empty air,
another line of lore,
Another line of conjured rubbish
that I might give myself some faith,
But after all when added up it's
finite verse infinite ways.
My billowing against the coast
will only find its peace,
If God, removes the Ancient host
or bids the winds to cease.
A faithful foll'wer is the bar,
that has been set for me to gain,
I can't expect on getting far,
save this muddy puddle sees some rain.
through the bliss that some call night,
My temples damp and screaming
beg me stop and make things right,
My hands they shake with poison,
my fingers war among themselves,
Each desiring their separate sins
that I work overtime to quell.
But like the billows of the ocean
against the jagged shore,
I'm somehow caught between the lens
and the thousand word report.
Yes, this epic endless energy
receives me no reward,
So I lunge into the empty air,
another line of lore,
Another line of conjured rubbish
that I might give myself some faith,
But after all when added up it's
finite verse infinite ways.
My billowing against the coast
will only find its peace,
If God, removes the Ancient host
or bids the winds to cease.
A faithful foll'wer is the bar,
that has been set for me to gain,
I can't expect on getting far,
save this muddy puddle sees some rain.
10.10.2009
Of the Rights of Americans
Lynnwood Transit Center - 11.40 a.m.
The rally officially started at 11, but naturally as a newborn reporter I had to make a stop to pick up my Starbucks fill and some smokes. I don't smoke, but I wanted to get in character so I snugged one up against my head and beanie, and started off toward the intersection where there was already a growing crowd holding signs saying, "Reject SB-5688, Marriage -> One Man, One Woman". People kept asking me if I wanted a sign, but I could take sides just yet, that would blow my cover. On the way to the intersection, I met a young man named Maxim. He claimed his opposition to same-sex marriage was not religious but that, "Would you want your son f[loving]g another dude? It's just unnatural!"
44th and 196th - 12.00 p.m.
Once I got here, there was about 5 - 10 people on each corner all holding signs and hollering at everyone honking. Here I met two young anti-protesting girls, one named Tarra, with signs saying, "Equal rights for ALL people". I watched as Maxim and Tarra began to squabble about the whole ordeal, Maxim - "I don't have sin in my family, it's as simple as that. I love the sinner hate the sin!" in response to Tarra's "How does it affect you?"
Tarra - "Half puppy dogs can go to school too! I don't care!" in response to my "What if a man wants to marry his dog?" The young people are fervent, I give them that, but they have much to learn if they ever plan to do anything meaningful.
Moments later I met an older man, Peter, who happened to be trying to converse with the young people but wasn't making much progress. He informed me of a bit of background to the situation. According to him, bill SB-5688 was passed without being voted on by the people, after enough signatures on a piece of paper, Referendum 71 became available to the people so that they could vote to nullify the bill, should Washington citizens vote for the referendum. Peter claimed that disease was six times higher in same sex relationships, being unhealthy for those in the relationship and increasing the hospital bills, which the state can't afford.
"Well ya it's going to cost the state lots of money to help these people contracting Hep C and A, and this is problem that we should help them out of." a voice from behind slipped in- "So your doing this out of love of other people?" I asked- "Well yes, most of these people think they have to live this life, and they don't and their unhappy, not only that, but children with same sex parents are confused and damaged" These are the words of an older woman named Kerry, who threw many stats at me as well in support that same sex relationships with families are bad news, none of which I got down, but she was very knowledgeable of the situation and had been politically active on this issue for some time.
40th and 196th - 12:41 p.m.
Here I found a woman by the name of Laural. In a protest, the only people there are those actually protesting, however Laural was one of the few troopers who participated in the anti-protest. When referring to Kerry stats, Laural challenged me to check my stats, she too had a few stats that provided proof for her point of view. She was able to give me some more information on this bill. According to her, this bill gave all the rights that a married couple now has, to "domestic partners" on the state level. To Laural, she was finally able to protect her "family" under the rights granted in bill SB-5688. Obviously there are more definitions of "family" that one, to Laural "family" meant, her and her wife, who eloped in Canada and now live in Washington as domestic partners with marriage-equivalent rights under SB-5688. Without these rights, she says that she cannot protect her family as she should be able to. The educated anti-protesters side is always nice to see.
Along 196th - 1:40 p.m.
On my way back about to call it a day, I spotted a diamond in the rough, there was a man, standing virtually alone, and he stuck out because he was the only non-Russian picketer I saw.
Brandon turns out to be a programmer at Microsoft, but was out that morning pursuing bigger visions of his. He said he read 14 books on the subject of marriage in the States and it's gradual decline over the past 50 years. He was a well spring of information - all of which was nonreligious but purely statistical and interestingly biological - a side I had yet heard from. A few of his claims are as follows: Marriage is not a package of rights, it's a family environment biologically proven to be the optimal situation in which to raise children. Marriage is a safety net for children but the easy of divorce and changing definition of "family" is a direct dismantling of an institution set up to protect children. The best interest of children should come first, however domestic partnership rights laws are only effect due to same sex partners wanting something they can't have, under the current laws. "If it [SB-5688] had no effect on marriage as a whole, I'd be alright with it." People always use the hospital visitation issue as a reason for this, and I agree, that is a problem, however this bill is not the solution.
Brandon was concerned mainly with children and the effect its going to have on them. He recommended a book, "Families Without Fathers" as a source with much facts and conclusions drawn in opposition to this bill and the want to redefine the family.
My living room - 12:15 pm
I personally do not agree with same-sex partnerships or marriage or anything of the sort, but I get these beliefs from my religion. However, how do I share my view with someone who is not religious? They won't understand and my religious proofs or theories tend be meaningless. Plus, I cannot tell someone "no" (as a Christian in America), simply because my religion says no and expect them to understand my view, let alone agree with it. That's not good enough. To pass bills, to protest bills, to have any sort of political or moral weight we need to be like Laural and Brandon. We have to be careful with statistics (considering source, study methods, and numbers), we must do the leg work, or rely on proven resources to understand the situation. There is nothing wrong with getting ideas from our religions, however, if you expect others to follow or agree, you must prove that such ideas truly do support the greater good of society as a whole, or this case our great state of Washington. Protecting the children is a huge issue for many protesters, however, most reasons for such a view were religious and personal, "I don't want my kid learning about that in schools." We need to be like Brandon and Laural and get away from the subjective, and understand the objective. Facts and ultimately truth on any subject is always objective. Now, I am no expert on the matter, but this is my blog, and so here is my view on S:
1) I am proponent of Equal Rights, however if we decide to redefine the family as a "domestic partnership" allowing same-sex relationships and eventually marriage, where do we decide to draw the line? Does it just get redrawn with each new generation? Many take offense when I say, "Are you going to deny the right of a Man to marry his animal? We'll it doesn't effect you right?" Our minds haven't degraded that far, but even Laural started to admit that if that's what the state decides, then that's what it decides. We can't compare the homosexuals with this far degraded state, don't misread me. Whoever I believe the State and Federal Laws cannot waver to socially acceptable norms. Even consider the boyfriend-girlfriend that have been living together for six years, sure they're not married but they're "domestic partners" and so they want all the rights the unmarried gays have, marriage will be dissolved for good, it will merely be a option, but change no legal rights, or even have any luster at that time.
2) To the Gay: you believe in Equal Rights no? and Freedom of Religion? Well many on the streets spoke to the fact that this bill assaults a Churches freedom of religion. A Church, choosing to believe in The Bible, cannot act like a church, they cannot reserve the right to deny from membership those whom they believe are practicing the religion as they see fit. If a gay wanted to be a member of my church we denied him, we could get in trouble from the law for discrimination, when it's simply that we believe it's a sin (that is, morally wrong) to be a homosexual. Also, parts of The Bible would be considered "hate speech" and we could not read them aloud, possibly even in our private meetings. Again, we should be free to worship as we wish, we are not imposing our ways upon the gays, or saying that we hate them as people, we hate their sin, as we hate all sin, even our own, however SB-5688 attacks our freedom if speech and religion. Which is unconstitutional I believe.
3) I have heard of the social studies, biological studies, and others that supposedly prove that homosexual lifestyles and raising children in same-sex parented homes is unhealthy morally, financially, and socially. I have done a bit of research and I agree, however, dear reader do not agree with ME, do not take MY word. I challenge you to take just an hour, and go search for these studies and if you have time read some books, they are not to hard to find. Have an open mind and try not to be selfish, I think we all agree that we cannot always have everything we want and everything we do affects others. One of the plight of the gays is, "how does it affect you?" Brandon said, "If it didn't affect marriage, I wouldn't care." So look at the stats and honestly ask, "Who is this affecting, and how?" If Religious folk and homosexuals, want to connect on any kind of ground to come to conclusion about what is best for society and our children, then be responsible, do some research and educate yourselves on the issue, find the facts, or get as close as you can. It's not about you, it's about those around you.
The rally officially started at 11, but naturally as a newborn reporter I had to make a stop to pick up my Starbucks fill and some smokes. I don't smoke, but I wanted to get in character so I snugged one up against my head and beanie, and started off toward the intersection where there was already a growing crowd holding signs saying, "Reject SB-5688, Marriage -> One Man, One Woman". People kept asking me if I wanted a sign, but I could take sides just yet, that would blow my cover. On the way to the intersection, I met a young man named Maxim. He claimed his opposition to same-sex marriage was not religious but that, "Would you want your son f[loving]g another dude? It's just unnatural!"
44th and 196th - 12.00 p.m.
Once I got here, there was about 5 - 10 people on each corner all holding signs and hollering at everyone honking. Here I met two young anti-protesting girls, one named Tarra, with signs saying, "Equal rights for ALL people". I watched as Maxim and Tarra began to squabble about the whole ordeal, Maxim - "I don't have sin in my family, it's as simple as that. I love the sinner hate the sin!" in response to Tarra's "How does it affect you?"
Tarra - "Half puppy dogs can go to school too! I don't care!" in response to my "What if a man wants to marry his dog?" The young people are fervent, I give them that, but they have much to learn if they ever plan to do anything meaningful.
Moments later I met an older man, Peter, who happened to be trying to converse with the young people but wasn't making much progress. He informed me of a bit of background to the situation. According to him, bill SB-5688 was passed without being voted on by the people, after enough signatures on a piece of paper, Referendum 71 became available to the people so that they could vote to nullify the bill, should Washington citizens vote for the referendum. Peter claimed that disease was six times higher in same sex relationships, being unhealthy for those in the relationship and increasing the hospital bills, which the state can't afford.
"Well ya it's going to cost the state lots of money to help these people contracting Hep C and A, and this is problem that we should help them out of." a voice from behind slipped in- "So your doing this out of love of other people?" I asked- "Well yes, most of these people think they have to live this life, and they don't and their unhappy, not only that, but children with same sex parents are confused and damaged" These are the words of an older woman named Kerry, who threw many stats at me as well in support that same sex relationships with families are bad news, none of which I got down, but she was very knowledgeable of the situation and had been politically active on this issue for some time.
40th and 196th - 12:41 p.m.
Here I found a woman by the name of Laural. In a protest, the only people there are those actually protesting, however Laural was one of the few troopers who participated in the anti-protest. When referring to Kerry stats, Laural challenged me to check my stats, she too had a few stats that provided proof for her point of view. She was able to give me some more information on this bill. According to her, this bill gave all the rights that a married couple now has, to "domestic partners" on the state level. To Laural, she was finally able to protect her "family" under the rights granted in bill SB-5688. Obviously there are more definitions of "family" that one, to Laural "family" meant, her and her wife, who eloped in Canada and now live in Washington as domestic partners with marriage-equivalent rights under SB-5688. Without these rights, she says that she cannot protect her family as she should be able to. The educated anti-protesters side is always nice to see.
Along 196th - 1:40 p.m.
On my way back about to call it a day, I spotted a diamond in the rough, there was a man, standing virtually alone, and he stuck out because he was the only non-Russian picketer I saw.
Brandon turns out to be a programmer at Microsoft, but was out that morning pursuing bigger visions of his. He said he read 14 books on the subject of marriage in the States and it's gradual decline over the past 50 years. He was a well spring of information - all of which was nonreligious but purely statistical and interestingly biological - a side I had yet heard from. A few of his claims are as follows: Marriage is not a package of rights, it's a family environment biologically proven to be the optimal situation in which to raise children. Marriage is a safety net for children but the easy of divorce and changing definition of "family" is a direct dismantling of an institution set up to protect children. The best interest of children should come first, however domestic partnership rights laws are only effect due to same sex partners wanting something they can't have, under the current laws. "If it [SB-5688] had no effect on marriage as a whole, I'd be alright with it." People always use the hospital visitation issue as a reason for this, and I agree, that is a problem, however this bill is not the solution.
Brandon was concerned mainly with children and the effect its going to have on them. He recommended a book, "Families Without Fathers" as a source with much facts and conclusions drawn in opposition to this bill and the want to redefine the family.
My living room - 12:15 pm
I personally do not agree with same-sex partnerships or marriage or anything of the sort, but I get these beliefs from my religion. However, how do I share my view with someone who is not religious? They won't understand and my religious proofs or theories tend be meaningless. Plus, I cannot tell someone "no" (as a Christian in America), simply because my religion says no and expect them to understand my view, let alone agree with it. That's not good enough. To pass bills, to protest bills, to have any sort of political or moral weight we need to be like Laural and Brandon. We have to be careful with statistics (considering source, study methods, and numbers), we must do the leg work, or rely on proven resources to understand the situation. There is nothing wrong with getting ideas from our religions, however, if you expect others to follow or agree, you must prove that such ideas truly do support the greater good of society as a whole, or this case our great state of Washington. Protecting the children is a huge issue for many protesters, however, most reasons for such a view were religious and personal, "I don't want my kid learning about that in schools." We need to be like Brandon and Laural and get away from the subjective, and understand the objective. Facts and ultimately truth on any subject is always objective. Now, I am no expert on the matter, but this is my blog, and so here is my view on S:
1) I am proponent of Equal Rights, however if we decide to redefine the family as a "domestic partnership" allowing same-sex relationships and eventually marriage, where do we decide to draw the line? Does it just get redrawn with each new generation? Many take offense when I say, "Are you going to deny the right of a Man to marry his animal? We'll it doesn't effect you right?" Our minds haven't degraded that far, but even Laural started to admit that if that's what the state decides, then that's what it decides. We can't compare the homosexuals with this far degraded state, don't misread me. Whoever I believe the State and Federal Laws cannot waver to socially acceptable norms. Even consider the boyfriend-girlfriend that have been living together for six years, sure they're not married but they're "domestic partners" and so they want all the rights the unmarried gays have, marriage will be dissolved for good, it will merely be a option, but change no legal rights, or even have any luster at that time.
2) To the Gay: you believe in Equal Rights no? and Freedom of Religion? Well many on the streets spoke to the fact that this bill assaults a Churches freedom of religion. A Church, choosing to believe in The Bible, cannot act like a church, they cannot reserve the right to deny from membership those whom they believe are practicing the religion as they see fit. If a gay wanted to be a member of my church we denied him, we could get in trouble from the law for discrimination, when it's simply that we believe it's a sin (that is, morally wrong) to be a homosexual. Also, parts of The Bible would be considered "hate speech" and we could not read them aloud, possibly even in our private meetings. Again, we should be free to worship as we wish, we are not imposing our ways upon the gays, or saying that we hate them as people, we hate their sin, as we hate all sin, even our own, however SB-5688 attacks our freedom if speech and religion. Which is unconstitutional I believe.
3) I have heard of the social studies, biological studies, and others that supposedly prove that homosexual lifestyles and raising children in same-sex parented homes is unhealthy morally, financially, and socially. I have done a bit of research and I agree, however, dear reader do not agree with ME, do not take MY word. I challenge you to take just an hour, and go search for these studies and if you have time read some books, they are not to hard to find. Have an open mind and try not to be selfish, I think we all agree that we cannot always have everything we want and everything we do affects others. One of the plight of the gays is, "how does it affect you?" Brandon said, "If it didn't affect marriage, I wouldn't care." So look at the stats and honestly ask, "Who is this affecting, and how?" If Religious folk and homosexuals, want to connect on any kind of ground to come to conclusion about what is best for society and our children, then be responsible, do some research and educate yourselves on the issue, find the facts, or get as close as you can. It's not about you, it's about those around you.
10.05.2009
A Pastime of Mine
Thoughts and thoughts
and thinking spots
to think about thinking a lot
to think about how I'm really not
thinking about anything but thoughts.
though sometimes when responding ticks
to calling tocks
detracts my mind to think of clocks,
and how so locked
is the second had to create/erase
hours and days
'till the Duracell bunny's arm remains
raised
unable to drum away.
and thus dies the only scribe capable of
keeping track of breath and life
at least, that's what i think sometimes.
and sometimes i think musical thoughts,
and think that notes are trying to talk
or teach me how i ought to walk,
so grabbing my pen i start to jot
clefts and flats and random dots
but i can hardly understand these blots
of black ink slopped onto these crooked lines
barely showing any train of coherent thoughts.
yes, i see now! they're just not completely thought!
I will finish the next time i get off on this stop,
well, i think thats enough thinking on such a plot
I'll let you know when i finish- good day my blog.
and thinking spots
to think about thinking a lot
to think about how I'm really not
thinking about anything but thoughts.
though sometimes when responding ticks
to calling tocks
detracts my mind to think of clocks,
and how so locked
is the second had to create/erase
hours and days
'till the Duracell bunny's arm remains
raised
unable to drum away.
and thus dies the only scribe capable of
keeping track of breath and life
at least, that's what i think sometimes.
and sometimes i think musical thoughts,
and think that notes are trying to talk
or teach me how i ought to walk,
so grabbing my pen i start to jot
clefts and flats and random dots
but i can hardly understand these blots
of black ink slopped onto these crooked lines
barely showing any train of coherent thoughts.
yes, i see now! they're just not completely thought!
I will finish the next time i get off on this stop,
well, i think thats enough thinking on such a plot
I'll let you know when i finish- good day my blog.
9.29.2009
Of The Wooing of Women
I originally wrote this to reply to a blog on the subject of Dating/Courting. I have read all three of Josh Harris’s books and all are very good in different respects. But I must commend to you Sex is not the Problem Lust Is of all. I also have been in two completely different relationships, both immense learning experiences.
Words, Dating vs. Courting. Words don’t matter when it comes to a relationship between two Christians. Call it courting, call it dating, heck, call it twitterpegaleggin’. What matters most is that we do all things for the glory of God. In the end of the day that’s all that matters. Read the Harris books for a good look at what God wants for us in relationships.
Culture, Since Moses did it should we? We have practical instructions, like don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, and worship no other gods (including people!). I believe it doesn’t matter what culture we follow, using the concepts of Scripture we can determine what is and what is not acceptable to God’s character/law. How the patriarchs conducted business in their culture was in concordance to God’s instruction for them. This meant abiding by the Mosaic Law for a long period of time. Today we still follow the same God and the same Law. So again, it’s about concepts, which makes neither dating nor arranged marriages necessarily wrong. I’m pretty sure the only restriction the Word puts on marriage is that a Christian can marry whomever he wishes, they just have to be Christian too. However, biblically we should make a wise decision in spouse choosing and make sure the follow the character of the Proverbs 31 woman, and we also know that marriage is no light decision, it’s intended to last for life.
Twitterpegaleggin’, Christians and Dating. The problem with Christians today and courting/dating is that they do not have the right mind set about it. Joshua Harris in Sex is not the Problem (Lust is) provides an sadly insightful analogy: it is like we are trying to see how many poison pills we can take a day and notice the rotting effect it’s having on bodies. Be honest, Christian, we do. We see how much of the world we can be like and still place ourselves, self-righteously, under the title “Christian”. “If your hand causes you to sin cut if off!” we are called to be radical! Think how radically different God is from us, and we are called to be like him. We fail so much the non-christian has every right to say, “I am not so much different.” This is not how it should be.
Romantics, Are feelings the roots of a relationship, or the fruits? First we need to define romantic. Dictionary.com says:
Origins, did Christians make up courting to combat dating? I think courtship came first, not dating. Everything we have now started as something good but is now pursued and carried out in a sinful way. The act of “Courting”, I am most certain, came before the act of dating. This would not be hard to believe since I think we all agree that dating is much less godly way to go about relationships. The world took what God gave them, and made it their own by dowsing it in sin. I can’t prove that courting came first, I just think it did.
Expectations, the difference in most cases of Dating vs. Courting. I now believe that the only expectation that should be put on a couple, when they start “twitterpegalegin” (courting) is that the man is now expected to direct the friendship in such a way that he steers it toward answering the question, “Does God mean us to marry one another?” This is a very involved and articulate process, read Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris for a really good exposition on how to go about this process.
Arrangements, marriage today. I think culture does play a huge role as to how acceptable divorce is. However, the Fiddler on the Roof is an excellent example of how love really is an ability, and it really is, at it’s very core, sacrifice. Once you can do this for someone/anyone, you are capable of really, truly loving that person, be it brother, fish, or spouse. When a couple become one through marriage, they both sacrifice much of there freedom, will, time, habits, etc. and must love that other person to do so.
“We should date as few times as possible.” Why? I don’t like this idea. It implies that if you don’t get married the first time you date, something went wrong. If the point of dating/courting/twitterpegaleggin’ is to find out if your supposed to marry the other person, and as Christians I think we all agree that that is the purpose, if the result is “No.” it can be very fulfilling AND successful. And on the same note, someone can come to conclusion “Yes.” for all the wrong reasons and whole process becomes a failure. God is a god of perfection and order. There is a perfect, orderly way to go about dating that can result in nothing but happiness and God-glorification. Of course this is the ideal situation. The real is the hard part, the part we are privileged to experience.
There is much, much more to the full story. Please criticize. In closing, here are a few things I beliebe time has taught me.
Marry your best friend. – Janet Ash, my computer science teacher at community college
Real love still exists when you strip away all the emotions and feelings of it. – Christ’s example
Love (sacrifice for) the Lord your God first (put him before your “lover”), then love (sacrifice for) your neighbor (put their betterment before all your desires). – Truth
Imho, Daniel.
Words, Dating vs. Courting. Words don’t matter when it comes to a relationship between two Christians. Call it courting, call it dating, heck, call it twitterpegaleggin’. What matters most is that we do all things for the glory of God. In the end of the day that’s all that matters. Read the Harris books for a good look at what God wants for us in relationships.
Culture, Since Moses did it should we? We have practical instructions, like don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, and worship no other gods (including people!). I believe it doesn’t matter what culture we follow, using the concepts of Scripture we can determine what is and what is not acceptable to God’s character/law. How the patriarchs conducted business in their culture was in concordance to God’s instruction for them. This meant abiding by the Mosaic Law for a long period of time. Today we still follow the same God and the same Law. So again, it’s about concepts, which makes neither dating nor arranged marriages necessarily wrong. I’m pretty sure the only restriction the Word puts on marriage is that a Christian can marry whomever he wishes, they just have to be Christian too. However, biblically we should make a wise decision in spouse choosing and make sure the follow the character of the Proverbs 31 woman, and we also know that marriage is no light decision, it’s intended to last for life.
Twitterpegaleggin’, Christians and Dating. The problem with Christians today and courting/dating is that they do not have the right mind set about it. Joshua Harris in Sex is not the Problem (Lust is) provides an sadly insightful analogy: it is like we are trying to see how many poison pills we can take a day and notice the rotting effect it’s having on bodies. Be honest, Christian, we do. We see how much of the world we can be like and still place ourselves, self-righteously, under the title “Christian”. “If your hand causes you to sin cut if off!” we are called to be radical! Think how radically different God is from us, and we are called to be like him. We fail so much the non-christian has every right to say, “I am not so much different.” This is not how it should be.
Romantics, Are feelings the roots of a relationship, or the fruits? First we need to define romantic. Dictionary.com says:
a. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of romance; characteristic or suggestive of the world of romance: a romantic adventureNow I consider myself one of the most romantic people I know, and I think anyone who knows me would agree. But based on this definition, romance seems like it could mislead someone into feeling things which may not exist. And some of us already know I don’t really believe in feelings, they tamper with reason, they fluctuate constantly, they are practically the definition of bias, and they are not a good source for good decision making. This also poses the question what is love? Well, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” -1 John 3:16. And read 1 Cor. 13 (my favorite passage). Love is not a feeling, it is an ability that must be learned and refined, it does not come naturally to a person. So romance? I don’t think it’s necessary in a relationship at all, it’s a gift that comes with it. And it is absolutely not required in order to truly love someone. It is one of the most wonderful things, but its existence before marriage must be carefully watched as to not get out of hand, otherwise it could lead to disaster.
b. fanciful; impractical; unrealistic: romantic ideas
c. imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc
d. characterized by a preoccupation with love or by the idealizing of love or one's beloved
Origins, did Christians make up courting to combat dating? I think courtship came first, not dating. Everything we have now started as something good but is now pursued and carried out in a sinful way. The act of “Courting”, I am most certain, came before the act of dating. This would not be hard to believe since I think we all agree that dating is much less godly way to go about relationships. The world took what God gave them, and made it their own by dowsing it in sin. I can’t prove that courting came first, I just think it did.
Expectations, the difference in most cases of Dating vs. Courting. I now believe that the only expectation that should be put on a couple, when they start “twitterpegalegin” (courting) is that the man is now expected to direct the friendship in such a way that he steers it toward answering the question, “Does God mean us to marry one another?” This is a very involved and articulate process, read Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris for a really good exposition on how to go about this process.
Arrangements, marriage today. I think culture does play a huge role as to how acceptable divorce is. However, the Fiddler on the Roof is an excellent example of how love really is an ability, and it really is, at it’s very core, sacrifice. Once you can do this for someone/anyone, you are capable of really, truly loving that person, be it brother, fish, or spouse. When a couple become one through marriage, they both sacrifice much of there freedom, will, time, habits, etc. and must love that other person to do so.
“We should date as few times as possible.” Why? I don’t like this idea. It implies that if you don’t get married the first time you date, something went wrong. If the point of dating/courting/twitterpegaleggin’ is to find out if your supposed to marry the other person, and as Christians I think we all agree that that is the purpose, if the result is “No.” it can be very fulfilling AND successful. And on the same note, someone can come to conclusion “Yes.” for all the wrong reasons and whole process becomes a failure. God is a god of perfection and order. There is a perfect, orderly way to go about dating that can result in nothing but happiness and God-glorification. Of course this is the ideal situation. The real is the hard part, the part we are privileged to experience.
There is much, much more to the full story. Please criticize. In closing, here are a few things I beliebe time has taught me.
Marry your best friend. – Janet Ash, my computer science teacher at community college
Real love still exists when you strip away all the emotions and feelings of it. – Christ’s example
Love (sacrifice for) the Lord your God first (put him before your “lover”), then love (sacrifice for) your neighbor (put their betterment before all your desires). – Truth
Imho, Daniel.
I have a Follower.
His name is Mikie. He writes sometimes, and made me make this blog. Now I write too.
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