Archive of Bfine107’s Xanga

Reading more…computer still MIA

A series of short list…
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rnWhat I’m reading/going to read now that I have no computer:
rn1. Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now by Maya Angelou
rn2. Sojourners Magazine most recent issue
rn3. The Shame of the Nation by Jonathan Kozol
rn4. 50 facts that should change the World
rn5. Being a christian without being an idiot
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rnTechnology I’m grateful for upon losing my computer:
rn1. gmail (all my emails and attachments are accessible online)
rn2. blogging (most of my writing is now online, rather then only on my computer)
rn3. Taxes online (thank goodness I did them online this year, almost done but not printed)
rn4. old fashion phones (call for directions, weather, store hours, communication)
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rnProjects I was working on:
rn1. Peter’s AIDS Fund
rn2. The Ramen Project
rn3. Famous 15
rn4. …
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rnnames I’ve been called recently
rn1. Osama Bin Laden
rn2. Jesus
rn3. Caveman
rn4. Cast Away (Tom Hanks character)
rn5. Werewolf
rn6. homeless
rn7. Jewish
rn8. Arab
rn9. Muslim
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rnWeekend plans
rn1. hang out with Mollie (visiting us!)
rn2. podcast with Mollie
rn3. go to some beard support group
rn4. go to an Edgehill FRC meeting
rn5. hang at Mosaic
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rnRequests:
rn1. friends to call me
rn2. friends to send thoughtful emails
rn3. friends to send real live snail mail
rn4. to get more real comments at Trying to Follow than spam comments.
rn
rn

If you really want to purge your computer use

I’m pretty sure my computer hard drive died last night. Probably what I deserve for cheating on my purge (checked my email too much last week).  Fortunately I have a Best Buy warranty, so at least it will get fixed for free.  But, there is a strong possiblity I’ve lost EVERYTHING that was on that computer hard drive.

In other news… eProp Chris and Rebs for the 1/2 year Anniversary!

Mindy’s got a lot of work this week, probably the busiest week of the year, you can eProp her too.

Lot’s on my mind, but I’ll probably be writing most of it on paper for now. I’ll still write on my blog, either on Mindy’s computer or maybe on lunch breaks.

Financial ideas, and how to change the world through your church.

There are 2 things on my mind right now.

1. I just finished my taxes. And Tuesday I’m going to call a financial advisor at the place we have some mutual funds and basically pick his brain for what I should do with my money and my life. Lot’s of money saved in mutual funds and the bank, but as much and soon to be more owed in student loans. And not a job that pays much more then that.  So hopefully I’ll come out of it being financially smarter.
BUT, my question for YOU is what questions would you ask if you where talking to some financial genius about your finances? What values would you explain to him as top priority?

2. So, Sunday I’m having some folks over from my church to talk about what sorts of things we could do to raise awareness and create action in an effort to Change the world through our church. (P.S. if your from Mosaic, reading this and I didn’t email you, and you want to come, just let me know, I’d be glad to have you).  Anyway’s I thought I’d let a brain fart out right here and then ask for your suggestions. Here are some ideas I have I might suggest: Sunday School lessons on Justice (go through IJM materials or Sojo or something), Justice Minute during weekly service talking about an injustice in the world and how we can address it as Christians, movie nights to watch a awareness raising documentary and then planning Actions on how we are going to respond, Justice lunch after church potluck where we donate the money we might otherwise spend eating out and do something good with it (or just hangout with FNB downtown), start a social action specific weekly bible study group, encourage the church to recycle, encourage biking or walking to church, encourage composting, having a before church accountability group where folks open their finances to one another and hold one another financially accountable to radical and sacrifical living, provide letter writing materials for petitions and letters to government folk, organize social actions… okay I’m done.
What are YOUR ideas for changing the world through your church?

So, THAT’s what you think about me…

Well, thanks for taking my little survey, the conclusion of what you wall thought about me is below.
Thanks for all your feedback about the questions I had, I’ll write more on it all later. For those who asked, I posted responses to a few things people asked about over at Trying to Follow: Why I wanted to go to Wheaton, Where I grocery shop, And a little about Peter’s AIDS Fund.
Wondering how many of you Wheaton folk have heard about the Congress on Urban Ministry coming up March 21-24. Anyone know of anyone who might be going?

Dominant Traits

71% of people agree that Ariah is caring
85% of people think that Ariah is giving
57% of people agree that Ariah is idealistic

All Percentages

able (0%) accepting (14%) adaptable (0%) bold (14%) brave (14%) calm (0%) caring (71%) cheerful (0%) clever (14%) complex (0%) confident (0%) dependable (0%) dignified (0%) energetic (28%) extroverted (0%) friendly (0%) giving (85%) happy (0%) helpful (14%) idealistic (57%) independent (14%) ingenious (14%) intelligent (14%) introverted (14%) kind (0%) knowledgable (14%) logical (0%) loving (42%) mature (14%) modest (28%) nervous (0%) observant (0%) organised (0%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (0%) relaxed (28%) religious (0%) responsive (0%) searching (28%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (14%) sentimental (0%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (14%) tense (0%) trustworthy (0%) warm (0%) wise (14%) witty (0%)

Now for my questions…

Wow, that was quite a response. I know, I probably do the self-loathing about comments a little too much. Mostly it’s when I get in a funk in my own ability to write (sort of writer’s-block/memory of bad grades in writing) and I just need a little spark to get me going again.  But Rachel is definitly right that people need to be engaged and feel listened to first before they have any interest in listening, so in hopes that this post might produce as many responses to my questions, as the previous did in producing questions here we go:

1. Describe me using five or six words from this LINK. via. Richie

2. What part of church do you find to be the most important? (as in you couldn’t live without it) Which the most Biblical?

3. What’s your take on Kanye West?

4. Does anyone else find it disturbing that these kids look like they are 12? And you actually only need to be 13 to sign up there?

ASK ME A QUESTION!

Okay, so besides the great ability writing does to help me sort out my thoughts, I also like blogging because it is an opportunity to communicate with others. Though there is a slight problem with that.
You see I write a lot of stuff, and then people read it.  I know people read it cause I have a little stat counter that tells me how many people went to my site each day. However, that number is NEVER reflected in the comments on a post. And so I’m left to give the occassional (or frequent) monologue with little more then an “amen” or “here, here!” after each one. I’ve addressed this before with little to no increase in commenting, and so I’ve decide on a different approach. You go first.
That’s right, instead of me posting about any random topic on my mind, I’d like you to encourage my writing by asking me a Question or two. I’m no Dear Abby, or Dave Ramsey, or some other wise old sage, but I do like to talk to people and I like writing my thoughts out, so ask away. 

RULE: IF YOU’VE READ THIS FAR YOU MUST LEAVE A QUESTION IN THE COMMENT SECTION!
(topics: financial, theological, Nashvillial, education, politics, faith, service, giving, pizza, internet, saving money, shopping, fair trade, podcasting, web design, google, my choice in socks…)

Whose out there?

Guess a phone call to most of you is in order since everyone has mysteriously dissappeared from Xanga. It’s fairly unreliable anyways.
I finished The Cay, decent book. I started reading The Shame of the Nation and it’s a telling account of our public schools. I’m sure you’ll hear a few rants from me.
I’m trying to narrow my focus in what I’m doing with my time, but it can be tough. I’m excited to be working with Peter on an AIDS fund project, I’m going to be asking you all for a lot of money soon, so just be ready for that. It’s really great though to have a project your doing WITH somebody else, I always have all these ideas and I’m slow to make them happen cause it’s just little ol’ me.
I think I’m going to start getting more involved in making stuff happen at our church too, real stuff, Biblical stuff, justice stuff. Don’t know what just yet but I’d like to take some action, my rump is getting sore from sitting on it for too long.
I’m also trying to work on cool powerpoints for the classes that I teach but i’m struggling on making that happen at the moment. I could use some help some structure if anyone is interested in lending a hand on that. Just some tips or something.

This is already too long, but I wanted to ask that you all check out AND comment on some of my recent entries at Trying to Follow. The False Charity of Clothing Drives, What would you do if… ,Why the sermon? thanks.

Podcast Central

Okay time to tickle your ear with some podcast.

First, we have the growing in popularity, ASK MINDY.

USES for a Cardboard Box

Was Mindy right about the Superbowl?
               
Zach and Ariah discuss Bible Translations
               

An interview with Eric of JusticeClothing.com
                

Day one of my February Purge

I had a pretty successful day yesterday as far as reducing my media intake went. It was busy so I didn’t have a whole lot of time, as I do this morning.  I’ve been reading a bit of The Message to catch up on my Bible in a Year plan.
I also picked up Night by Elie Wiesel (I’ve read before) and The Cay by Theodoe Taylor (haven’t read) which are both quite short and I figured might give me the reading boost I need. I plan on reading both of them and then another book At Least before February is over. It shouldn’t be too difficult.
I bought my first new fair trade items (socks) and just got them in the mail. Kind of an exciting thing knowing your clothing was not made in sweatshops.
It’s been pretty warm around here, which means a bit more biking. Mindy has been kicking butt riding her bike everywhere, I’m quite proud of her. Get outside, it’s a good thing.

I want to do more podcast this month, like interviewing friends, I just think it would be fun.  I want to interview my teaching friends about their lives, and their views on the education system (Linz and Nate I’m coming after you). I want to interview Megan about life in the aquatic and enviromental issues (should I buy that hybrid car?).  I want to get Logan’s views on how to fix chronic homelessness, or just how to hang out with a homeless person. I want to hear about life in a 24-7 prayer place from Scotty. I want to know about life back at Wheaton and how folks are preparing for leaving there.  I want to know all these things and I want to share them with others. Wouldn’t that be fun?  I’m home most mornings till 11am, if you want to get on the interview list just let me know.  peace.

Six Free Movie Rentals to the person with the best list!

Okay, so here’s the deal.

Comment below with a list of SIX movies you would like to watch in the next ten days. You can give reasons behind each etc. Be sure they are in order of priority as well.

I’ll choose the one I like the best (feel free to give your input) and I’ll set up my blockbuster trial to ship to your address.  And you can enjoy some FREE movies.

let’s seem the list folks.

ariah.