Existential Punk

April Smiles

Ususally the old saying goes something like, "April Showers bring May Flowers." Yet, for me, this April has brought me many smiles! And for a number of reasons, including my birthday on the 2nd, an AWESOME Moby Concert on the 11th, a delectable concert for Elvis Costello on the 26th, and a real feeling of connectedness here in Richmond, VA. i HATED Richmond when i moved here the first time in April 2002. i LOATHED its closed-mindedness, lack of cosmoplitan flavor, etc. Living here the 2nd time has caused it to really get into my soul and i have learned to appreciate its myriad of eclecticness. i have forged new friendships, found a group of fellow pilgrims i enjoy journeying with, and getting out and about the city.

"I wanna hold your hand!"

On April 26, 2005, Moby's post on his journal was entitled, "Creepy". Check out Moby's post at this link: http://www.moby.com/node/6807 i kinda wondered the same things he brought up when i read his post. What the hell is Bush doing? Is he selling out or did he already do this? Just some food for thought!

SUPER SIZE ME!

Any of you seen the movie, "Super Size Me"? It's the documentary following in the steps of a really healthy guy who decides to eat McDonalds everyday for a month. He is not allowed to eat anything else and he has to have every item on the menu at least once. Three different people are monitoring him and his health as it steadily declines over the month. It's a really powerful film and will sicken you to see what this guy puts his body through in order to show the bad effects of eating a steady diet of fast food.

Then there are the other fast food chains that serve HUGE portions, including Hardees, Burger King ("Have It Your Way"), and Chipolte, which is owned by McDonalds. It is a healthier fast food joint that i LOVE, but it serves HUGE portions. And we wonder why obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic in our society! i don't think people should sue fast food chains for making them obese like i don't feel people should sue the tobacco companies for giving them lung cancer, because we choose to eat at these places and smoke the cigarettes. Yet, at the same time, there should be some responsibility on the parts of restaurants and tobacco companies. I have a friend who works for Philip Morris and they have put in place a campaign to educate about the effects of smoking and encourage teens not to smoke. People who do these things in moderation should not be punished for those who don't know how to use moderation.

The Bane of My Existence

Insurance companies. They really PISS me off. They act all high and mighty and pose as my doctors thinking they know what's best for my treatment better than my own doctors. They have never met me and inquire of me what i am going through or feeling. i hate that they think one medicine will work for me and will pay for it. God forbid my doctor, after talking with me, and trial and error, prescribes something they don't approve of and i am the one left paying more out of pocket. Patients are not "one size fits all" when it comes to treatment. This is the part of capitalism i loathe. i am all for a capitalistic society, but i HATE greed, and that, to me, is what insurance companies are really all about. We really need our insurance reformed, yet at the same time i do not want socialized medicine. i experienced it living in Europe and it is a pain.

Stop The Insanity!

Quite frankly, i am so sick of USAmerican news. The bombardment of the same stories over and over and over again is likened to my going out on a drinking binge and vomiting all over God's green earth. For Pete's sake, we hear about Jessica, who was murdered in Florida, everyday, like a million times a day. Ok, report the news, but not every stinkin' detail that comes to light. Today i had to hear details about how she was killed. This is degrading not only to her family but to Jessica as well. i certainly don't need to hear these gruesome details. In the words of my friend, it's become sensational. Why don't the news outlets spend more time reporting the atrocities like those committed in Rwanda. i am not belittling what happened to poor little Jessica, but we heard she was kidnapped and killed, and this is horrible, but she was a little girl and does not benefit in any way by having horrifying details about her paraded all over the news.

Deadly Poison

April 15th and 16th i attended a Baptist Emerging Leaders conference in Charlottesville, VA with Leonard Sweet. i found out that he REALLY loves coffee by stating he can drink 8 cups a day. i was definitely impressed! Anyways, during his session on evangelism, he told us about the "coffee verse" in Mark 16: 17-18, "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues: they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them: . . ." Coffee and deadly poison, hmmm! i LOVE Leonard's sense of humour.

Yet, it shows how people can manipulate Scripture for their own devices/vices. Food, err coffee for thought!

Why Existential Punk?

WOW, my very first post on my very own blog!

You may ask, "Why Existential Punk?". Well, according to Dictionary.com, one definition of Existential is, "Of, relating to, or dealing with existence." and notes the slang for Punk as, "A young person, especially a member of a rebellious counterculture group." Therefore, i am a Christ follower who asks many questions regarding my relationship with and to HIM and about my very existence, nature, and purpose here on this beautiful creation called planet earth. Jesus was the originator of counterculture and was seen as rebellious in the eyes of those who felt threatened by HIM. Jesus was all about the entirety of existence. He was the original Existential Punk who mused, thought deeply, and ranted. i am attempting to follow in HIS ways.

Musings: "Deep in thought; contemplative."

Thoughts: "A product of thinking."

Rants: "To speak or write in a angry or violent manner; rave."

i hope as you follow along on this journey with me you will laugh, be inspired, cry, experience life, learn, stretch, grow, advance, love, transform, participate, connect, ponder, listen, . . .