Thoughts and Essays

2006-06-18T20:12:00.000-05:00

Hello people on blogspot.

I'm a very dependable person, am I not.

I forgot about you all.

Unfortunate.

But I don't have xanga lock on my xanga site. So go read that. I never thought I would quite here, but it is much easier to post there than here. And I have a few comments everynow and then.

I would comment on your sites if our web server would let us. But it won't. Another reason I put blogger behind me.

God bless each of you and your journey.

Once Again

2006-03-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated for a while. Mostly because I'm not sure about my blog/s. But I'm back once more to cram some sort of something into this post.

Today marked the ending of 'Youth Rally' here at BMC. I had a better time than I thought I might. On the other hand I could've had a better time if I had tried harder. Reflecting on the event, there were so many things I could have done to socialize that I didn't do. Then again, I did better that I had hoped. All in all, it was great and I am better for it.

The sessions by Ken Miller were very, very good. Extremely good. They really hit home. I hope others left as challenged as I was -hopefully more. It really made me think. Is my music in that area of freedom which is within God's will? My literature? My speech? My life? Hmmm. I probably have fudged the lines of the inward boundary somewhat.

Well...it's over. But the memories remain. The volleyball was rather poor, but the basketball was viciously good. I loved watching the guys from Delaware work the ball with each other. They're amazing.

School tomorrow. Same old same old. And not the same at all. But if only I could see it that way.

Well sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, tis time to depart.

Numbers 6: 24-26

Killer Whales

2006-02-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

Killer whales are big blubbery mammals that swim in the ocean day and night. They eat meat and other food. They like to chase their tales through the water. Killer whales and fighter jets.

Power. Thunder. Majesty. Atomic. Explosion.

Ted Gearsnaker listened to his F-16's Pratt and Whitney F100 jet engine (29,000 lbs. thrust) wine into action. Check. Check. Check. Ready. Navigation? Radio? Ready. Gotcha. Rolling. Hanger doors open. Through the doors. Break, cut throttle. Stop. Both hands visible to the guys down below. Missiles now armed. Canopy down. Power.

Swinging swiftly onto the taxi strip, Ted Gearsnaker powers his F-16 to runway A12. Tower: clearance. Thumbs up to wingman, let's roll! Throttle smoothly forwards...break release. And....

Power. Thunder. Majesty. Atomic. Explosion.

In a flash, F-16 Turnpike is up and away. Straight up and gone.

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This has nothing to do with the above.

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This doesn't either.

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And prayers are nice. And no, I don't struggle with thoughts of joining the air-force. An no, that is not a parable. Only lack of thoughts.

Work Ethic

2006-02-05T19:32:00.000-05:00

Recently, at a prayer meeting, the youth class discussed a portion of scripture (Matt. 6:25-34) which talks about taking no thought for the morrow. One of the subjects that came up was work -which may or may not have anything to do with Matthew 6. But since work is such a painful thing for me -at times- I thought I should ponder on that for the moment.

So, to start: I don't understand some people (duh, Nathan. We don't understand you). Some people will get home late from a social, get up at 6.00 and go work hard all day. Man! I start to sweat at the thought. What makes some people this way? I wish I had the gene.

My problem is not so much the hard work -but the endlessness of it. Day after day, after day, after day, after week, same old, terrible, dry, ugly, dirty, hard, work. How do people cope? (with Cope?).

The only answer I can find is that these people must have a passion for their job. Great! But what about me? Me who the only job I could have a passion for is beyond my spiritual guidlines (ok, ok, so I like fighter jets). Of course, somewhere, sometime a job that I know I can enjoy will probably come up. Is searching for a job that I enjoy something I should refrain from?

So what makes your job so great -or so terrible?

As I look towards summer (at least I'm still in school) I wonder where I should go. Construction? Electrical? Farming? Mowing Grass? Plumbing? Drywall?-- Not that I have many choices (mainly construction). In some ways I'm scared of the summers. What I do now may/will effect what I do in life. Things like mowing grass may bring the money (and I enjoy mowing -though don't try to make me do it for a living), but it doesn't do me much good. And that is the most important thing. What will do me the most good?

Well, this post veered away from work ethic. But this is what I meant to say anyway -I think. Though work ethic is defenantly something I need to work on.

Friends or Fiends?

2006-01-26T16:38:00.000-05:00

Friendships have been high on my 'ponderings' list.

--Who do I count as friends?

Does that include everyone I'm not enemies with? I've met Ken Ham several times. He's been friendly -therefore he is my friend? Yet if he were to ask me if I was his friend, what would I say? I'm certainly not his enemy.

Or does it only include (in essence) the people with whom I am intimate with? Take for instance the friendships between David and Jonathan. Aren't all friendships supposed to be like this? Of course, if this is true, only a few true friends are left.

--Where do we find our friends?

I tend to make my best friends out side our community (in fact, outside of VA --actually outside the east). Why? I think there might be several answers. 1) we can act ourselves 2) there are no prejudice 3) and there are new people. Sounds simple. And finally, if someone appears more liberal than you are -do you tend to.... (a) make a quick friend? or (b) throw up -on- a wall?

--How does one go about making a good friend?

I dunno. tel me.

I was in a burned out basement

With a full moon in my eyes.

I was hoping for replacement...

When the sun burst thru the skies....

Blogerithms

2006-01-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

Should we talk about blogging?

Blogs have certainly become the 'in' thing. Not just for the Mennonite. I see more and more articles about blogs, and I have even seen blogs mentioned in several comic strips recently. Every where you look you see blogs becoming the 'in' thing. So is blogging a good thing?

To be sure, I am not an advocate against blogging -at least, not yet. But to be frank, I do not have quite the sense of peace about blogging that I used to have. Maybe it is just me, but when millions upon millions of people start going nuts over something it automatically sends up a warning system in my head. The more blogs I see appearing, the scarier it gets.

Some reasons I have began to shy a little from blogging would be:

1) There are over 700 million potential people to read/copy/spread my stuff.

2) Search engines like Google are continously searching and storing away data. That means just because I deleted a post doesn't get me off safe.

3) Companies have began searching blog archives. Blogs have become a way of background checking.

4) The risk of Scandal soars

5) ETC

Again, I'm not against blogs, but I'm becoming an advocate of safety. One of the scariest thoughts to me are the huge search engines that are just storing stuff away. If they get a hold of it, it will be there for as longs as they exist.

Any of you feeling those cold fingers?

Oh, and one other thing...what if blogs weren't good for us? Does my blog effect people for better or for worse. After all, you are seeing a side of me that could easily be fake.

Destiny

2006-01-18T18:11:00.000-05:00

--------------------------------------------

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it was destiny......................

Um, yes

2006-01-16T19:38:00.000-05:00

Another informal post. Our email has been down (outgoing) for a while now, so that's what the hold up is.

So what kind of music do you like? (Nobody over at xanga appears to listen to music)

What groups do you listen too?

And why should I listen to it?

or why shouln't I?

goodbye.

Great Expectations

2006-01-09T19:36:00.000-05:00

Indeed, Great Expectations. I now sit down to write one of my few unformal posts. And why would I do such a things as this? Nathan, informal writing? impossable. Yet very likely in this case. Consider the fact that I knew not that this sentence was 'ere coming just a few seconds ago, and also note that I no not 'ere this post should go -unless into the ground.

Or maybe people would still consider this formal, but -of course I don't, but that's ok anyway. Seeing how I'm chewing my supper as I speak. A very good tomatoe, ham, cheese, etc, sandwhich that has just departed into my selfish gullet with a slosh of water and other essential items (such as my tongue) -not that it was swalload (pardon my mistspellings) in any way (for if this was the case I would stop writing).

It may also come to your mind that I am in the midst of finishing another Dicken's book. Of course, you must have already guessed at what it was. Very lovely and enticing book. Its ending does not compare to the Two Cities but it has held my interest throughout the book. Take for instance one of my favorite characters -Estella. A beautiful young lady which many people (i.e. those that read the book) despise, etc, at least until the last few sentences of the book. She is a very proud little thing brought up by her broken hearted mistress to break the hearts of others. She is NOT the main character although the main character does frequently visit (admire), etc. Anyway.

So here I am, writing about nothing in particular, never knowing what I might write next and without thought and predestination. Of course, some would argue that this long episode of human life (particularly mine) was predestinated (especially unto disaster and mayhem ETC) and that I am only an idea floating in time (which, in itself is another idea) and so I am as non exsistant as he (the guy with an idea). Therefore we are not here and not there but somewhere in between without time, expanse of space, evolution and other nuclear physics that bring to energy the fathoms of the deep.

If I went into further detail upon a subject that I know not whence or where it cometh, I must beg your pardon and continue in such a regular pitter patter as I deem nessasary to make your weary eyes fly dolefully unto the heavens and your lips must breath a prayer relinqueshing upon the bizar attitude upon the afor said author of this rather tight and informal post (that you happened to run into) and your life now flashes before you eyes in a bizare angle that threatens to extinguish all life from your body in one large watchamacallit.

And so I now must needs go do some schoolwork and other such nesseties that would bring me into subjection upon further notice. Goodnight.

Friends and Fiends

2006-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I sat athinking one day recently, my mind eased its way over to the area of friendships.

It seemed reasonable to me that if all the youth (in our community) were asked if I was a friend to them they would answer yes. Leastwise I would certainly hope this is the case. The problem was this: I am fine making friends (in light of otherwise making an enemy), but I am completely terrible at furthering most of these relationships.

I ask myself the question: Why? I try to involve myself with others, and yet I feel like a dunce when I do (i.e. with the people Im not close to). Does it come down to the problem of pride? It could certainly seem so.

And then Beethovens Shadow popped the question Who Am I, a subject which he and I had discussed deeply and were not moved to tears. As of ourselves we both agreed that few people really know who we are in reality. In reality I am a fun loving, loud mouth, (and much more) but to many I may seem reserved and quite most of the time. Of course, I am sure everyone has seen both sides. It is interesting (and I dare say this is true for others) that when I dwell for a few days in a completely different community (e.g. Karlins) I have far less trouble making good friends, being myself, being outgoing, etc, etcthings I dont do nearly so well here. I think this is mostly because I know no one there knows what I am like. Which is interesting because again it points towards a problem with pride.

So how should we go about building friendships? Especially if we feel stupid when we do?

A commenter a long while back, stated that the only way to get the most out of a youth group is putting our all into it. That isnt the exact quote, but that is basically what the commenter was saying. I thought on that for quite awhile. I certainly agree with it. But taking all of the above into considerationit is exceedingly hard (for some of us) to do.

So what DO we do?

Camping in the Wild, Wild Woods (and what befell upon us)

2006-01-01T18:04:00.001-05:00

Three of us. -In a two man tent. Of course, back then we were only boys, but it was still splendidly tight. Yes, we went camping in the wild, wild woods or to be more correct- our orchard.

It was a gorgeous evening to go camping warm, wonderful, and worthy. So we began to plan all three of us. We decided to make our dwelling a two man tent (which had been formerly owned by a prehistoric caveman and which was later destroyed by three prehisterical wildmen) and thus we pulled its grimy bulk off the shelf.

By the time we had set the beast up it was well past dark and the moon had begun to rise. Dreamy eyed and full of camping lore we three kings squirmed inside (with our sleeping bags) and zipped up the tent door thus sealing our fate. Fortunately there was a small unintentional- hole in the tents wall that allowed at least one person the fortune of oxygen. This beneficial hole was at first- about the size of a fist.

The night advanced. Sleep did not. In fact we were having the jolliest time, recounting tales of ages past and even some tales of the future. Over this time of humor the fist sized hole grew at little. Placidly we finally gave up on sleep and turned on the noble flashlight. It shone gracefully upon the tent ceiling revealing several granddaddy long-legged spiders and a few peaceful ants. We watched in growing fascination and horror as they crawled awkwardly across the ceiling unawares at the three pairs of watchful eyes that lay restlessly below.

And than it happened.one of those fantastic critters lost its grip and disappeared into the folds of our sleeping bags and blankets. Immediately there was absolute bedlam. You wouldnt have seen more activity inside a two man tent if someone had thrown a live grenade into it. We each fed on the others terror which resulted in us simply going bananas inside the unfortunate abode. No time for unzipping the door. In a campers craze we slammed through the only exit available the hole. Instantly the hole became big enough to allow three reckless campers to exit without any sort of formalities.

The rest of the night was spent rolling in the green orchid grass dying with laughter and getting ticks.

will this work? probably not

2006-01-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

This is an experment. Do you see a picture?

yeah, that's me

2006 anno Domini

2005-12-26T18:11:00.000-05:00

So far I have only two goals to strive for in 2006:

1) To Persevere - which requires discipline

2) To become far more disciplined an essential

These two present a simplicity that I can conquer.

These two also thrust forwards a challenge that I must face.

Obviously, we depend on God for grace in these matters. Through his grace he can strengthen and perfect our discipline by our discipline we can serve him better. Thus God and Man compliment each other. Now some questions:

1. Q. Is there such a thing as good and bad discipline?

2. Q. Is all discipline godly?

3. Q. Can we cultivate discipline for the wrong reasons or is discipline a win-win situation?

This can become a rather complex subject, but I have come to believe that discipline and perseverance are one of the most important factors in our lives.

4. Q. Do you agree (this at least is a question you should be able to answer)?

5. Q. Why or why not?

6. Q. Is there something more important than discipline (in light of resolutions)?

A MEMORIAL

2005-12-24T18:21:00.000-05:00

THE PROMISE: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Birth: Luke 2:10-11

(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The Death: Luke 23:33-34

(33) And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

(34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

The Victory: Matthew 28:5-6

(5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

(6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

THE PROMISE: Revelation 22:20

(20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Heh, Heh, Heh

2005-12-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

I just couln't resist the temptation to post from Faith Builders. Nice high speed internet, etc. I should change my template while I am at it.

Till Christmas Day --

Cram Jet

2005-12-21T18:26:00.000-05:00

That's how I feel these last few days. Trying to cram away a bunch of finals.

Anyway, I have a question or two (or three) for my wonderful readers -if there are any.

Is it just my imagination or is the 'blogging craze' beginning to wane?

Does anyone actually read this blog -other than my good friend nodle?

If so...does anyone actually enjoy it?

Or maybe people just print it off and enjoy it with a cup of tea -or coffee if you prefer...or whatever...

Or maybe people just think it incredibly boring -which it probably is.

If so, tell me.

If not, give a guy some incentive.

Come-on people. I'm trying to give you something at least semi-worthwhile. Give me a few ideas.

If this isn't your stuff, you can find my informal blog at xanga (lasrlogic).

Anyway, whatever, and ETC

To Bee or Not to Bee

2005-12-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

To be or not to be stungthat is the question. Or maybe it is just plain old: To bee or not to bee at all!

My basketball coach (Mr. Jon {Allen} Zehr) might always wonder why I never played all out in basketball and other sports. I wonder the same things at times, but my ill disciplined body succumbs to the selfish pleadings of nerves and other painful things. The truth is, Im just one big bundle of nerves. EEK! There I go again!!

Ironically, the same nerves that bring me cruelly to submission, play the most motivating part in the one recreational sport (at least for those who watch) in which I do play all out.

I introduce you to: Running from EFFO (Evil Faced Flying Objects), namely called bees or specifically yellow jackets, wasps, white faced hornets, and Japanese Hornets (please notice the caps.). Friends, we are seeing an act of terror in the US everyday of the warmer seasons. We gave Japan an atomic bomb and they gave us the Japanese Hornet!

So your aching (no pun intended though we know thats how you feel) to know how exactly to play this wonderful sport. Well, Im sorry, but it is something that just comes naturally. It seems that this is truly one of my talents. In fact, I hold several world championship titles for this sport. No one knows it, but while playing this fascinating and challenging game I have shattered former track records and once even caused a mild sonic boom!

At least one of my brothers has also embraced EFFO. Mostly we both use the favorite method known simply as going bananas or maybe running. However, another technique (a poor one though it comes naturally) consists of forming long streams of gibberish and slobber while swatting at the game pieces with a rhythm that would make the best percussionist envy us.

Usually this sport began without much warning. Sometimes I will be walking through the calm, tranquil, lustrous, joyous, essentious woods when suddenly my foot sinks slowly into the ground. I immediately began talking to myself -saying something like I think Ijust stepped in.a.yyEEyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! By the time Ive finished the last exclamation mark Im passing cars on 501 with the cops on my tail for speeding. Whew! Usually I am lucky and manage to leave the crime scene without further incidents, but sometimes it takes a bit for my hypersonic system to kick in. In the meantime I began the poor technique which results in the opponent winning several hits.

So you may laugh uproariously at my high-speed antics, but I dont care a lick. I dont care if Im on the roof of a three story building, but if my nerves give that 'skweek' I can guarantee you Ill beat every time record set for hitting the ground. For the first time in history my boss might catch a glimpse of Nathan Yoder not finally walking- but running across a 9-12. Maybe I would get a raise though most likely it would be a fall resulting with Jerrill looking for another employee.

Math and More Math (my,my)

2005-12-14T08:04:00.000-05:00

As I was surfing my "files and tribulations" this morning, I came acrossed a, uh...poem I had written about two years ago. Since I'm taking a terrible Math test today, I figured it would be a fitting time to express my anger. Which is strange because I really like Math...it's just I hate having to spend hours everyday doing it. And now I'm posting this tomorrow, because yesterday I didn't do something right. etc.

Algebra 1Ô

Quadratic equations, radicals, and Pi,

Those are the things that make a guy die.

Integers, reals, composites, and more,

These press the dry juices from the school floor.

The Product rule for square roots isnt so tough,

Our teacher laughs, his voice is too rough.

He explains in our science things that seem clear,

Like the Quadratic formula for the makings of beer.

What use are these teaching, they throw us off track,

With a grind and a rush, with a wump and whack.

Ouch! The ruler is poised above my head at an 12° obtuse angle. J

Oh for a rope that I might gladly to strangle.

Polynomial equations, they burn and sizzle,

Leaving my hair to stick up and frizzle.

Radical expressions peer up in my eyes,

Percentage and diagrams, they make me want to bawl.

With a fierce heat rays the teacher has a phase,

And describes my multiplicative idenity for craze.

Then with a ping and a pang, the fiddle string broke,

I am on the floor writhing, Im having a stroke.

Formulas for energy pop through my head,

Like E = mc squared, and et cet

Polynomials too, they rise and they burst,

Oh for some H₂O do I thirst.

Hey and if you think I am finished then you must be wrong!

I still have to explain Trichotomy azioms, and a diphthong.

And did I mention Constants of proportionality, convex polygons, and disjunctions?

There is so much more to learn, I might have a disfunction.

Oh yes, Algebras fun, dont get me wrong.

Just let me figure out this Pythagorean...

and now I fight with sinoid functions of discrepancy.

Goreki's Szeroka Woda - And Ice

2005-12-11T20:06:00.000-05:00

Ice is hazardous. Ice on steep inclines is doubly hazardous. Ice and rearwheel drive pickups are superiorly hazardous. Thus I found out this morning when I saw the bumper of my transport passing me on the right. I have always loved fish tailing on ice, but when it all happens without you even trying...and when you can't do anything about it...well...it was a very unique experience. Fortunately, (after skidding several hundreds of yards) I managed (ha ha) to use the front of the pickup and a bank as a pivot and nothing was damaged. Thus I effectively (almost) barricaded our driveway.

But my best pleasure today was listening to Szeroka Woda (Miserere). It is a most thrilling piece of choral music.

Szeroka woda na Wisle,

a powiem wam teraz swe mysle.

Jak bylo wczoraj, tak i dzis,

musze ja na wieki z toba byc.

I also listened to Miserere, another powerful peice. Translation provided.

Domine Deus noster, - Lord our God

Miserere nobis. -Have mercy on us.

You may be amazed to discover this peice is over 30 minutes long. The last two words are not brought into the picture until the last three minutes! As the piece develops, a tension also develops with it. When finally -with abrupt simplicity and perfection- the last three words are sung...its almost like a dam bursting. Very powerful. However, the most incredible thing about this piece is the buildup of parts -each with their own melody- each blended together by a background chord built up in thirds from the basses' first A natural: each subsequent voice (part) is centred on the next note in this arpeggio of thirds (A-C-E-G-B-D-F) until the note A is reached again with the entry of the first sopranos. Very powerful.

Now I'm going to get the truck...unstuck.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye (Sorry, no movie clips available)

2005-12-10T15:56:00.000-05:00

I read it. I was convicted. I kissed dating goodbye. Of course, I had never said hello to dating either. But I had said hello to a lot of other thingsthings that had to go out the window.

In this famous and challenging book, Joshua Harris speaks of the importance of how we spend our time as singles. He challenges us with absolute purity. He provokes us to think seriously about our future. And Joshua talks about courtship.

Courtship doesnt involve me! Oh yes it does!! Joshuas audience are people just like me and you people who are single. Some may be closer to courtship than others, but never-the-lesshe is talking to us. Once you read the book you will (maybe) be challenged with the thought that preparing yourself doesnt necessarily mean pursing courtship or beginning to look for the one. Preparing ourselves consist of many other things. Things like becoming men and women after Gods own heart. Things like becoming goal oriented. Things like becoming financially stable. ETC

Have I truly surrendered everything to God during this unique time of my life? Am I willing to give my utmost for his highest? I certainly doubt that I have done so in my life.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye is an absolute must read. It doesnt just talk about kissing the worlds methods adios, but speaks in detail how we as singles should spend our present lives.

Live and be challenged. ETC.

ATTENTION NOBLE READERS

2005-12-09T22:47:00.000-05:00

TA DA!! This is remarkable!! I am posting from home...by email!!

I have been struggling with this all week trying to figure out how to do it. Turns out I was typing the wrong address the whole time. DUHMEE. Yeah, ok, whatever.

No doubt you notice the other changes that have appeared on my blog. First I switched to HaloScan -which took all my former comments away-, then I switched my template -which switched to another commenter and popped all the former comments up again-, now I am in the midst of trying to get my favorite template to work....DARIN....I'm going to write you a little email about this stuff.

I am honestly thinking starting an experimental blog, for the purpose of experimenting. That might keep things from changing at such a rapid rate here. Yeah, I'll provide a link.

NOW that I have the email thing-a-magig working I am going to start posting on a two - three - four - or maybe five - and maybe one - day basis (Hopefully). Which means you can start tuning in more! Don't worry, I have a rather large supply of posts in the 'to post' box.

So.... good night my good felonies. ---- oh...I really hate that permalink stuff. Sounds a little hairy to me.....uh... no pun intended. I'll have to see if I can change that.

OH!! A Question for my dear belated, beloved, beliable, etc, friends. Is this blog actually worth your time? HONESTLY? ok ok, whatever....than WHAT will make it WORTH your time

2005-12-04T20:53:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Soliloquy

2005-11-29T18:31:00.000-05:00

So…I haven’t posted for ages and my audience has grown cold and has left.

Of course, as always, I have my reasons for not posting for ages.

#1. I am in the midst of reading some literature
#2. I am in the midst of recovering from a vacation
#3. I am in the midst of a phsychoscript
#4. I am involved in school
#5. I am heavily involved in school
#6. I am heavily involving in school

and

#7. I am heavily involved in school (200lbs last time I checked)

oh…and did I tell you?…I am heavily involved in school.

My phsychoscript is blending well with some belated (and beloved) pizza. Wait! I haven’t eaten pizza for a couple of weeks!! My physchoscript has just been ruined. Blame it on Garfield.

You are wondering, I am sure, what the definitions of phsychoscript is. I have the key………….imagination.

I will now go on to explain to my dear (beloved and belated) friends, that another important factor in my lack of posting and commenting on other blogs is technical difficulty. It appears that a certain setting at AFO (Character link/American Family Online) is blocking me from blogging in (if you will). A phsychoscript appears at the top of the page displaying (in detail) some technical gibberish, which no doubt is the serial number of the 1284th cheerio in the last production of cornflakes.

For some reason I am allowed to comment on my blog (although the comment doesn’t immediately appear) at home. However, on other blogger.com blogs I can’t see the code and thus cannot comment. Everyone should switch to what Darin has. I like that much better anyway…takes less time to load, reader friendly, etc. There is a slight possibility that I may switch to Xainga….though I have not liked any of the templates I have seen thus far. At least you can view it off-line.

And finally, though not least, another reason for lack of posting is parental supervision. As you may have noticed, that was lacking in my first essay. Fortunately they arrived in time to administer CPR and other dreadful things such as the Heimliek maneuver. It is true that they have been very severe on any comment that could or would (or should) hurt (offend) other persona.

Since then I have taken to the highly entertaining task of criticizing myself and taking phsycoatric treatments at the Department of Mental Wealth. Here I am trained in the craft of idiolitry and other such sinful practices.

On a more serious chord, I am planning to post about a few of the books I have been reading in the hopes that you will read them and be challenged. Of course, it seems that nearly everyone is uninterested in such wonderful (as I have been finding) classics such as "The Tale of Two Cities", etc. However, I Kissed Dating Goodbye may catch a spark of interest……………………………

To Drive a Ford (and other unfortunant vehicles)

2005-11-13T20:42:00.000-05:00

The glories of my driving career started while I was still young and rather innocent. I would sit on my mothers lap and steer our van in the general direction toward our home while we drove back our long lane. T’was a very exciting thing, I thought. Of course, after a couple of years I took control and began actually driving while my mother or father sat in the passenger seat wailing or gnashing their teeth (depending on who it was); thus the dentist history in our family (though I wonder where mine came from). I had finally taken the broad step from being an innocent little boy who simply turned the wheel, to an energetic terror that turned the wheel while simultaneously accelerating and generally trying to defy three basic laws of nature: gravity, inertia, and common sense.

It was somewhere in these early years that I had my first true experience with a ‘real’ three-wheeler. I was over at George’s house and we decided to go take a scenic ride on their ancient machine. Before I go on I must mention the terrible fact that this certain three-wheeler had several problems, one of which was the brakes; they didn’t work. George explained that generally the thing stopped when you released the throttle, but I wasn’t completely convinced.

However, we finally got on our way, with my George driving. This part went ok. We meandered through a field or two, and then suddenly he got this ‘splendid’ idea that I should try my hand at it. "Sit here, move this, press that, kick this, and if that happens…well jump off and run." It sounded simple –and harmless. Well it turned out that I did everything almost perfectly. I pressed that, kicked this, and that didn’t happen….only I had some major trouble with the ‘move this’ part (meaning the steering mechanism).

As a result, our scenic ride turned out to be much more scenic and much less planned. We even took a pleasant detour smack through Verna’s flourishing vegetable garden turning part of it into a rather vegetative state. After awhile I remembered that if I didn’t ‘press that’ then we would come to a stop sooner or later (i.e. the next tree). Finally George had enough of my ‘scenic’ route (though I didn’t think I had had much say in the matter) and pushed the ‘eject’ button, which was the signal to jump off the three-wheeler (which was still calmly trying to climb a tree) and run do something else. George explained that this three-wheeler was in a habit of climbing such things, especially after being introduced to visitors. Evidently it was quite fond of showing off this remarkable trait.

Those were Good memories and most certainly fun ones. Soon, however, I once again was promoted, this time I was actually driving alone. My parents, at the advice of a family Doctor, had decided that if they continued riding with me they wouldn’t live much longer. Now I was free. Now it was me gnashing my teeth while taking hair raising turns and applying physics upon our lane.

At this point, I must digress and tell you of my experience learning to drive our manual pickup. I picked up fast on this ‘art’ though it took me several tries. My first experience was forgetting to push the clutch down while I turned the ignition. The result was like trying to ride a bucking bronco. Of course after that I usually remembered this factor and would buckle up before hand. Now I was to actually get the thing moving. I had no trouble with that either. I simple released the clutch while smashing the gas. It worked every time, though usually resulted in a chaotic ride to the emergency room because my instructor was suffering from whiplash.

Soon, however, I was driving like an old pro. This was when boredom finally began to set in and I longed to rip and tear down the actual highway…ahhhh….the highway. It was my dream…my desire.

Well, now I am smacking right along doing fine. In a couple of weeks (hopefully) my parents will be able to crawl out of the car and limp back to the task of mending their health…at least till I’m eighteen.

Cock-a-doodle-do and Other Minor Discords (in E major)

2005-11-04T00:18:00.000-05:00

Tone: Serious and uncritical and sometimes humorous with a drop or two of satire

Dear Anonymous,

Your question is a valid one, but answerable. You are 'confused' that I can attack rock music when I, me, i.e. Nathan Yoder listens to Chanticleer "who are gay" and the King’s Singers who have "remade" a Beatles album.

First note that essays are all about ‘my’ opinion and what I think and believe. I believe that Rock music is sinful, disgusting, etc, and is against God's teachings. What I believe may not necessarily be right (but occasionally I seem to think this is the case).

Secondly, please take note that Chanticleer may or may not have gay singers. It is quite certain that at least once in their history there was one. It is also rather uncertain if they have any gays (although most certainly guys) singing for them at the present. Finally, singers come and go very quickly with Chanticleer. Partly because of this constant change I have not been convicted in this area. I have not been a huge Chanticleer fan, although one of my favorite albums is 'Praises and Lamentations' (do you think I am weird or what?).

The King’s Singers do not have ONE Beatles Album. They have two of them. I do not intend to get them. First, understand this is two out of dozens of their albums, meaning that this is a very small portion of what they sing. That may not get me off the hook, ok I admit it. Second point, for those of you have ever heard them sing a Beatles song, they are nothing like the original Beatles (lifestyle, style, etc). Still not off the hook? The manner of the King’s Singers is one of cleanliness (in speech, dress, etc), perfection, morality, and discipline, quite unlike the Beatles. One of the main reasons the Beatles went abroad is because of the female audience it was receiving. The King's Singers certainly do not want to be a dirty ensemble frequently singing rock music. Their achievement has been an extreme precision and versatility in vocal music that cannot be matched (on earth). I strongly recommend their newest Christmas album for its clarity, beauty, and message of our Savior. This is one of my personal favorites. With all this said, I have a problem with K's too, and that is allowing myself to think that all the songs the K’s sing are fine to listen to. Many are, some are not.

I doubt my standards for music are perfect...are anyone’s? I have seen good, solid literature against the Rock and CCM culture and from there have formed my convictions about music. You may also note that I attained many of these from a book called Why I left the CCM Movement. (Ask Darin for it).

So I come to the conclusion that your question is valid, but there is no solution to your argument. It is like a graph of the number line. It is infinite. It stretches on and on until it consumes all the music there ever was or is. Maybe that is why they call it "Music Theory". Of course you don’t understand me, but that’s all right. For instance, I should not listen to the Mormon Tabernacle because of the things they practice, I shouldn’t listen to West-Coast because of their views, I can’t listen to John Rutter because he recently wrote a "Beatles Concerto", I can’t listen to Silent Night because the K’s sang it and they sing Beatles too….Oh yes… I can’t listen to Chopin and I can’t listen to Beethoven because he was mad.....etc.

As a quick postlude, I would like everyone to think about the conservative Anabaptist Churches as a whole. Unless I am extremely mistaken, you will find that every single one of them takes a stand (as a congregation) against Rock music. Many listen to the very groups I do. Not saying that makes me right, but it is interesting. Surely there is enough wisdom presented by these churches combined to take note of what they listen to.

Anyway and whatever.

My APOLOGY

2005-10-28T23:21:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your comments.

First, many of you pointed out some truly positive things about our youth group. Infact I had placed a "positive" essay next on my writing agenda. However, due to a mental burn out at school and some late nights trying to decide how to next approach this issue, that essay will be postponed until further notice.

Everyone I have come in contact with has come to the conclusion that my comments were much too harsh. I realize that I have hurt most, if not everyone, to an extent. Some maybe more than others. I wish to extend my sincere apologies about my tone. Heidi, I wish to extend my apologies to you and your friends for the personal hurt you have experienced. My motives for writing were certainly not to do that.

Nathan S. mentioned that he had never seen this side of me...I don't think you will in person (or at least I hope not). Over the years my essays have been very critical ones, thus I didn't take the proper time to think how this essay might feel to people.

I have really enjoyed our youth group so far and I do not intend to quit coming.

My Goals for My Blog- and the true reasons for starting it

2005-10-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

No, I did not start a blog just because a lot of people have. Really. So what reasons did I have? Well I liked the idea of publishing my ideas so others could read them. It is a good way to learn about using websites. And I now realize its power in that I can ask and get answers on the things of life.

As for goals, I don't want this blog to ever become just a bunch of junk writing. I want to keep it interesting and thoughtprovoking. However, I am leaving a broad place for some rather humors material (Which is fun to write).

In the long run, I want to be able to be an example and if possable a witness to the people who visit my blog.

So...how have I been doing. Anthing I should add, etc? Long time bloggers - you should know.

The LASR issue

2005-10-25T15:35:00.000-05:00

People are constantly asking me about "LASR". People just can't help but wish they knew what it all means. HA HA. Ah me, life is so queer.

So finally I have decided to take the step and give you a satisfying answer to the question.

LASR --- L for Longing ----A for Asking --- S for Singing --- R for Ranting There you go. HA

HA just kidding.

Actually I will tell you part of it. And why would I do that? Because I don't want you to associate the letters with something else. If you google it, you do come up with stuff.

LASR originated from my favorite epic adventure, "Lord of the Rings" (you wonder why our dog is named Frodo?). It was right after I read the book for the first time that I got the idea. For awhile I used LASR because I was proud to have something like that. However, over the past years the things it stands for have changed (technically) to a more musical tone. Now it is a picture of the beauty of music, how music should be, and what I expect from music. Even so, I still tend to think of the original meaning.

Why do I use LASR everywhere? Well, when it started I thought it was simply cool, and so I mentally pushed myself to write it. This happened so many times that over the years it became a part of my life. Now I tend to use in place of my name without even thinking. It has become a part of me, so to speak.

I have started several organizations with this name: LASR Publishing inc.. (Under LASR Publishing Inc. is a non-profit organization called "Wind Beneath My Wings.") Also there are LASR Music Co. and LASR Inc, an inc. made for etc. These were fun to come up with, and I enjoy using them on my reports.

So that is the history of LASR. What do you think?

Some Help With Blogs

2005-10-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

When I copy from Microsft Word I get coded stuff mixed in with my stuff. Anybody know how to keep it from doing that?

Almost Finished

2005-10-23T12:32:00.000-05:00

I am finishing some touches to my blog.

Please be patient. ok ok, you want something worthwhile, how about this?

Do YOU believe in extraterrestrial beings and UFO's?
later........

Why Did I go Blog

2005-10-19T19:21:00.000-05:00

Why did I go blooooogggg...?? Because my stomach was upset, naturally.