wouldn't you like to know

It has been a few days now since the last time I blogged and those who will read this in post-blogdom will realize Christmas has come, gone, New Years is next, and that will go also. Read Ecclesiastes. Go read the whole book in the Bible even if you are not a Christian because it would perspective on situations that we as humans encounter on a daily basis.

Listening to oneself can be insightful

Introspective has its place and time. When you want to change/modify that behavior of yours that bugs the begeebbers out of your friends and family, turning inward is good. Before pointing out the faults of others, introspection is good also. But One should move on and listen to oneself or that still small voice inside. Questions pop up, "Am I where I want to be?", "Am I caring to others around me?", and any other question should have a person realize, What am I really asking, who, what, purpose, etc. Listen to your heart and soul. Then one may realize that listening to others' insight about you may help along with listening to oneself.

Christmas time is for believing

I was thinking back to when the Moon had the two planets next to it and the weather people were saying to see because we won't see it for another 44 years. How many people really took the time to view this? How many people really take the time to view the ordinary and come to realize the design and purpose on which they occupy this Earth. The more simple things I see, the more I see God and his creative touch on this Earth. We have a purpose. Believe it or not, Ripley.
There are some people who look up at the stars and wonder. Others look down at their feet crunching through the snow. The busy-ness of this life distracts us too much from the things we were meant to accomplish. The purpose of this life is too important to ignore and brush off to the side. The intent for us through God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit is too great to just say, "Hey, I am here." Don't end your sentence like that!! Why waste the creativity that the Triune God has given us on this Earth!! Why go through the motions? Worship Him in your daily lives through living the life we were meant to live. Yes, physical actions reflecting how we are to treat people and act towards others with Love(Agape) is worship. Respond or fade. Hardliners would claim to say Turn or Burn.
I am softy and think that is taking it too far. Meaningless, Meaningless. Find the meaning that turns to believing through the facts already laid out for us as God's creation on this Earth. -Nuff Preaching, preacher man. Okay. Enough for today.

Christmas, synopsis for the last 3

Not knowing what to really say. I have to say something don't I. Christmas. Some people would a catchy phrase to respond to that word. I thought of one in my head and that is as far as it will go.

Every year now, for the past 3 years, Some things have never changed about Christmas. My sister-in-law's husband messing with the traditions of her family to appease her husband(separated now for 3 1/2 years). Our Chevy Astro Van breaking down and getting fixed for about $500 to $1000 (still cheaper than payments). Playing in the snow with the kids or without.

The family tradition with my wife's family goes like this. For the past 5 years, (yes I have been married that long) My wife and I host a Christmas Eve get-together. Around 3:30, We have arranged the living room to fit 12-13 people. Appetizers, Church service, Supper, desert, White Elephant gifts. The five separate families (My wife's parents, her brother and wife, her brother's wife's parents, Ours, and her sister's.) Appetizers - each family brings one appetizer- we make 3 more. Chairs are out to sit and snack. They go to Church service while we re-arrange the living room to fit 13 people at 2 tables and make it look nice. Floating candles, salad, plates, bread, sparkling juice(My wife's dad's family are alcholics, he loves them but hates alcohol because of his childhood memories, one is: being left in the car while his dad drinks and passes out at the local bar during winter time. ) pork or chicken, chocolate covered bowls for ice cream and raspberries for desert. Every one manages to bring a recycled gift for the White Elephant game. Everyone grabs a gift opens it up and we alternate people to exchange to see who gets stuck with what gift. An individual pizza slice server set has floated around for 5 years now. That and a creepy looking Santa doll.
Now the downside to this lovely affair. My brother-in-law (my wife's sister's husband separated but still there-to put it's complicated is not an overstatement) will waffle whether to come and push my wife's sister to not come to either the Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. That includes the kids (2 nephews-fun but troublemakers-Boys!!) missing out on the Love. I do mean it. My in-laws are the embodiment of Love. They help when they can no strings attached with whatever. Me learning a new thing to fix in my house from (father-in-law). Helping pay for our van bills. Later with that. Christmas morning for My wife's family has happened the same for about 28-29 years. Her parents ask everyone to show up at the butt crack of dawn (6:30-7). Have a great egg bake, caramelized rolls, Flavored coffee, cocoa, cookies, (yeah you got full just reading). Opening the huge socks(hope to add a picture or two) full. These things are 3 feet long and could fit 2 infants or a 7 year old. Exchange gifts and be back home by 9ish. Crazy, fun, crowded, love it. My brother-inlaw thinks his own family needs traditions to supplant these events instead of working around them. Grab the E-Rolodex, file under Bitterness, Resentment, Feelings Hurt.
The Van. It has something go wrong, Alternator, Distributor cap, spark plugs, battery, wiring. Enough said. GRRR. God provides the help when we need it. See File, Love from In-Law parents.
Now with my favorite activity. Playing in the snow. See pictures when they are added. Until then picture in head, Fun, snowball fights, sculptures, forts, sledding. Go to Cold Stone and Order this size, LOVE IT!!! :}

aimless procrastination

you looked at this blog now get back to doing something useful. No, really! If you choose to continue to read this blog, you come to the basic understanding I had when it was wrote. I am procrastinating and aimless wandering the blogs, the web, and other social networks, and the usual stops at the library website, email, emusic, etc... So this will end and I will go back to where I should be doing something that is deemed productive by somebody. Maybe you will also. Read this twice. Nice.

newspaper clippings 3

U.S. urged to refine its nanotechnology study
Associated Press
Updated: 12/10/2008 11:11:03 PM CST

WASHINGTON — The government needs a more comprehensive plan for studying the risks of nanotechnology, the National Research Council said Wednesday.
Although the committee that prepared the report did not evaluate the safety of nanomaterials, it was critical of research efforts into its health and environmental safety.
Nanomaterials are made of extremely tiny particles — some thousands of times finer than a human hair — which have come increasingly into use in recent years, often in products such as skin care and cosmetics.
Consumer advocates and others have raised questions about potential risks from these materials and the National Nanotechnology Initiative was set up to coordinate safety research.
But the research council report said the initiative plan fails to provide a clear picture of the current understanding of these risks or where it should be in 10 years.
In addition, the plan does not include research goals to help ensure that nanotechnologies are developed and used as safely as possible. And though the research needs listed in the plan are valuable, they are incomplete, the report said.
It called for a new plan going beyond federal research to include research from universities, industry, consumer and environmental groups and others.
"The current plan catalogs nano-risk research across several federal agencies, but it does not present an overarching research strategy needed to gain public acceptance and realize the
promise of nanotechnology," David Eaton, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington and chairman of the committee that prepared the report, said in a statement.
The National Research Council is an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, an independent agency chartered by Congress to advise the government on science and technology.

Circle of Failure or failure cycle

________ (insert your own self-deprecating remark) It is the start of one's spiral downward to the circle of failure or otherwise known as a failure-cycle. Living up to the standard of our purpose is a difficult task for any of us. We struggle with it all the time. We don't want to commit a certain act that may cause personal harm or harm to another in some form or another (psychological, physical, emotional...). But we do. I do. Taking ownership is only a step in the right direction. Blaming others for failure when one knows everything was not done to prevent the failure is the wrong direction. One needs to recognize one cannot prevent everything from going wrong. Introspection only goes so far. Cleansing from within must occur in some degree in able to go beyond looking inward.
"Moving on" requires looking outward, onward to the purpose set before us. Humans are not perfect. I am not perfect. Humans cannot control everything. I cannot control everything or most anything at all. I can aim for self-control. Really, that is what this topic is about, isn't it? What can I do to stop actions that hurt myself? What precautions must I take to not get into situations that cause me harm? What can I do to help others, be kind to others. Here's a goal to start on: Do something Selfless. It might help one get out of the circle of failure and into a path for which is the purpose of this life.