Take a Look! It's in a Book! It's Reading Rainbow!

Earlier this summer, some of you might remember that I posted about some books I had read. I read, "The Rapture of Canaan" and "Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal." They are both very good books, but in different ways.

Anyway, I kind of had to take a break from reading while I was in Illinois watching my nephews. They would wake me up far earlier than I would ever wake up if I were left to my own devices, and so I could not stay awake late into the night reading. But, now that I'm back at Seminary, I am reading a new book for fun. It is called, "Waiter Rant-Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter."

This book was written by the man who has maintained Waiter Rant for the past four years or so. His blog has been in my "favorites" list for quite some time now. He has blogged mostly about his experiences as a waiter in high end restaurants in New York City and the surrounding areas. Because his blog is wildly popular, and because it garnered much attention, he was given a book deal.

I am almost finished with the book, and for the most part I have enjoyed it. He tells good stories about the restaurant industry; stories that even I, who worked in a plain-jane restaurant (not a chain, but not a dump, either) can relate to. The stories The Waiter (as he goes by) tells do a nice job of linking his experiences to the outside world. He even tells a bit of history here and there and weaves analogies from waiting into these historical concepts. It brings his material alive and helps people realize that restaurants are not separate from society, but rather reflect the attitudes and behaviors of society.

However, there are some points in the book that I think could have been reworked to make it a notch better. For example, The Waiter talks about entitlement, which is a very real thing waiters and waitresses experience when dealing with the public. When people go out to eat, some of them think that the wait staff's sole purpose in life is to bring them their meals. Well, that may be their purpose while at work, many of the people who work in restaurants are also putting themselves through school, or waiting tables as a second job to save up because times are tough, or whatever. Entitlement is really out there. But the thing is, as much as The Waiter complains about it, it seemed to me, in certain places, that he exhibited these behaviors himself. At one point, he was talking about the chef making the staff some lunch before the shift started. He asked the chef to make tacos (the chef was from Mexico, I think), and then, when the tacos came out, he said, "Finally!" It just struck me as a bit odd that he would display that sort of behavior in the middle of his schpiel on the evils of acting entitled. Maybe I just took it wrong, but that's how it came across to me.

There are a few other examples in the book that seem to me to show how The Waiter does not speak to the situations of wait staff who do not work in high-end establishments, and is, in fact, much more off in his assumptions about them than he would probably like to admit. He seemed to imply that you have to work in a high-end place to make any kind of money. Granted, my time at Restaurant didn't garner me LOTS of money, but I had enough to cover what I needed, and even to save quite a bit every week. Maybe that's because I'm cheap, though. The point is, you don't have to work in a restaurant that charges thirty bucks an entree to get by.

And lastly, the thing that probably bothers me the most (because the other things aren't THAT bad; simply observations I have made), is that there are LOTS of typographical and grammatical errors all throughout the book. I think I found nine errors by the time I reached page 102. And I've found a couple more since then. I'm a bit of a neurotic when it comes to proper spelling and grammar, and it just frustrates me knowing that people make GOOD money to EDIT these things, and yet, so many errors slip by. This is the first book I have ever read with SO many blatantly obvious errors.

With all this talk about the shortfalls of the book, though, I want to put it out there that I am indeed enjoying the read. It gives me a glimpse of what the wait staff in high-end establishments have to deal with. Additionally, The Waiter has some really interesting reflections and observations because of his background of working in the mental health field, and of having been a Catholic seminarian. I would recommend the book to those who aren't fanatics about spelling and grammar. I would especially recommend the book to people who eat out at restaurants often. I was very fortunate during my time as a waitress because about 90% of my customers were quite tolerable. Many of them were actually a delight for me to serve. Very few customers prompted my inward groaning. What's nice is that The Waiter talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly; it's not just a complain-fest about the dining public. So, if you're interested in finding a good read, I recommend, "Waiter Rant-Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter."

Catching Up

Because I was in Illinois for the past month and a half (basically), and because my computer with all my favorites was not able to be connected to the Internet, I was not able to read some of the blogs I frequent. Tonight, I was doing the rounds, and I saw a plea from a man who blogs over at http://www.lutheranhusker.blogspot.com. He is walking in his area's Memory Walk to raise money to find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease, and so he is asking for donations to help him meet his goal of raising $2000. He's already at over $1700, which is very laudable. I know that most of the people who read my blog are cash-strapped seminarians, but I thought, what the hey? I could throw the opportunity to support this very worthy cause out there. To donate to Matt's team, go to this page. You can donate online, or print out a donation form, write a check, and send it via snail mail.

Dementia is a horrible, horrible disease, and Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. Unfortunately, it is also incredibly destructive. Memory Walks are organized in many communities. If I'da been on the ball, I could have scouted out the possibility of making a team to walk from the Seminary community. Thankfully, there are people who do the walking. Here's to finding a cure in our lifetime!

Instead of doing my Systematic Theology Stuff...

I'm going to write a little bit about an observation I have made.

SiteMeter allows me to see some basic information about who is reading my blog. As a part of this, it allows me to see search words that land people on my site.

Lately, I have noticed people have stumbled onto my blog by searching with the words, "Will Spring ever come?" This has me wondering a great deal about this thought. We here in SeminaryTown, as well as in many areas across the midwest, have experienced a very rough winter. I don't really know how it's been in other places, but I can only imagine it has been fairly rough for a lot of places.

So, it seems to me that people are definitely ready for spring. And the fact that they are searching for answers online just solidifies this thought for me. Certainly, one would think that they don't truly expect to find answers online about when Spring will come. Technically, it's "here" already, what with us having observed the Spring Equinox and all, but the "feel" of Spring is still out of our grasp. Anyway, I digress.

These searchings have made me question about how people search in different places for answers. The Internet is a wonderful tool to discover information, to build community, and to have fun, among many other things. However, the Internet cannot tell us everything. It can tell us when Spring will get here like it can tell us when my Grandma is going to die from Congestive Heart Failure. And by this, I mean, it can't do this. My Grandma is different and the Internet doesn't know her, just like the Internet cannot pinpoint the exact hour and day that Spring will arrive to stay. It can give us ideas, but no definite answers.

And so, I think about how people search for meaning in life. Jobs, hobbies, education, families, etc, etc, etc are all things that people look to in order to give their lives meaning. I think that these things can definitely ADD meaning to life, but I don't think they are the meaning of life.

"God alone is the source of all life." So sayeth one of my esteemed professors. So, if God is the source of all life, one might think that God gives meaning to life. I think God does give meaning. God's care for the world is what allows life to exist. The saving relationship God has with humanity through Jesus Christ allows us to live, move, and have our being; freed from the threat of complete and total death when the Spirit moves us to recognize that God has taken death into God's self through Jesus Christ, and has defeated death.

So, answers about the meaning of life... I don't really have them. I just know that without the Triune God, my life would not have the meaning it has.

Holy Cow. I have Systematic Theology on the brain. I need to go before I hurt myself.

Countdown

Here at Blogger Idol, we are doing a final tally of the votes for which option to turn in. So far, there is one vote. So, that means that YOU should vote. Even if you've just stumbled on this page by accident. Because I'm curious. So sayeth Trish. :) I'm going to email the prof at 5:00 with my option, so time is running out.

Happy Daylight Savings Time.

I'm wondering

So, I am sitting here wondering about the level of "personal-ness" that I write about. I'm thinking maybe I am too blathery about my personal life on here. There are pros and cons to blogging about my personal life on the Internet, and so I just find myself weighing them.

One of the big cons is that sometimes I wonder if I'm just being a big "Debbie Downer" because some of my pals read this blog. And I'm not really a pessimistic person. Life just sucks sometimes (In the most "I have hope because of Christ" way possible).

Conversely, a big pro of blogging about my personal life is that it DOES help me get out what I think about. I have "tight-lipped" tendencies in real life, and rarely seek out people to talk about what is on my mind.

I reckon I need to work more on a balance. I'm huge on relationships and being "down to earth," and telling stories about life is a big way to do that with people. There are a bunch of blogs out there, and I feel like I know the writers of them. And I would like to think that some of those people think that they know me. I don't know though.

Anyway, that's what I'm thinking about today.

Howard

Today I was checking my email when I saw that Howard and Sunscreen's babysitter emailed me. This woman also babysits one of her grandsons, who is right around Howard's age. Howard is about to turn two years old. She's emailed me a few times before, and is a delightful woman. The subject of the email was, "Cute story." I'd like to share the story with my vast blogging audience.

"One day last week, Grandson was having a minor meltdown and Howard got my hand, while saying something I couldn't understand, and took me to Grandson. Howard got down on the floor and put both hands under Grandson and tried to pick him up - he was saying "Help" to me. Just think about that for a moment - It was a very touching moment."

I have to admit, I got teary eyed when I read that. My little guy is showing deep empathy for someone in ways he knows how. I'm so grateful that there are so many people who love him and demonstrate ways of showing love that he has picked up on it. That child is so special to me, and I'm so proud of him. I really hope that this gift of his is nurtured (because I believe it's a gift. He's been empathetic since he was a wee little guy; trying to give a bottle to his crying little brother, and hugging him when he's crying). We're learning about the emotional life of boys in one of my classes, and I think that this showing of empathy is one stepping stone on the way to good emotional health for him. I know I'm going to do my best to nurture that in him. And I trust that the gifts of God in him will blossom and flourish as he is led by the Holy Spirit which dwells richly in him. He may be a little guy, but he is a baptized member of the body of Christ. I honestly do believe that the Spirit dwells RICHLY in him. And in Sunscreen. Thanks be to God.

The last post title didn't make much sense!

Last night, as I started writing my post, I was interrupted. Some pals came up after they got done playing volleyball at a sports place here in SeminaryTown. So, we were talking for a while and I quit writing. So, when I came back to it, I had lost my train of thought (although I'd rather talk to friends than keep my train of thought most times).

Anyway, the last post is so named because I already have a "Bucket List." I don't think I've ever posted it here on my blog, but I do have it on my Myspace page. Sometime I will post it on over here, just in case you are curious. :) ha.

So, I'm going home this weekend to be with my family because we are going to Ma's facility to celebrate her birthday with her. She turned 68 on the 21st, but the fam decided to push back the celebration date because they figured I'd be really jet lagged from my trip to Israel and Palestine. Good thing. I'm fairly excited to go because I get to see ALL 3 OF MY NEPHEWS! I love those children. They're special little people. And before I start gusing, I'm going to sign off for now. Have a marvelous day.

High Ropes and Interview!

Ok, so I just got back from the high ropes course a couple of minutes ago. It was SO cool! I was scared like you wouldn't believe for the first one, but then I realized that the belayers had control of it, so all was good. I think I did pretty decently on this stuff. It was awesome! And the zip line was super cool, too! Huge shout out to all the belayers and to the lead facilitator! Ha.

Anyway, T over at Praying on the Prairie interviewed me. the rules:
1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”2. I will respond by posting five questions for you. I get to pick the questions.3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So, if you want me to interview you, comment away!

T's questions to me and my answers:

1. If you could spend a day with any celebrity, who would you spend it with and why? I would have to say Zach Braff (J.D. Dorian from Scrubs) just because he seems like a LOT of fun. Plus, I love the show. But really, I am not that big into celebrities. What matters to me is if you're fun and open to new experiences.

2. What is your favorite children's book of all time? This is EASY! Morris Goes to School. It's about a Moose who can't read, so he goes to school so he can go to the candy store and read and count the money he has so he can buy the proper amount of candy. It was the FIRST book I ever read all by myself.

3. What is your favorite bedtime snack? Sunflower Seeds, hands down. I love them. They're salty and delicious!

4. If you won some money and could only give it to a small town of 500 or less, what would you tell them to use the money for? I'd say probably get some activities for the kids so they could stay out of trouble and not think they could be all city/urban and make their own trouble. Kids need constructive things to do.

5. Since you are attending seminary, what has been your fave event of prologue week? I'd have to say that this is a toss-up. I really liked doing the "walkabout" activity where we went in groups/pairs/threes and went to our areas and tried to talk to people about ordinary things to see the "religious" in their lives. I also enjoyed doing the interview with another classmate. We had to pick a partner we didn't know very well and ask some questions about their theology. It was a really great getting to know you exercise, and it also let me practice my listening/questioning skills. I had a good time.

Ok, so if you want me to interview you, bring it on!

Everyone has a secret.

PostSecret is a website that allows people to mail in their secrets on postcards. Some secrets are joy-filled, while others are filled with sorrow. Some are secrets involving others, yet some are very personal and private. The point is that people often find freedom in telling their secret, even if only anonymously on a postcard that is posted to a website by a man they could possibly never even meet. Everyone has a secret. This video shows many secrets, and is in its own way, quite powerful.

Agios Cow, Dude!

I totally just took an IQ test online that said my IQ is 142, which qualifies me as "A UNIVERSAL GENIUS!!!" Yeehaw. If only I could trust the scientific validity of Testriffic.

Technical Difficulties

So, I've been trying to upload my skydiving video to YouTube all day long, but to no avail. So, the question is, does anyone have the know how and time to explain it to me? I haven't been able to figure out all that I need to figure out on my brother's mac computer. So, while Macs are great, they are foreign to me. If all else fails, once I return to the Mothership, I'll at least post pics. Sorry for the delay. I WISH I COULD SHARE THIS STUFF, ALREADY!

5 Things I Dig About Jesus

Mark tagged me, and I am usually a good sport, so here goes...

Here are the rules:

Those tagged will share 5 Things They Dig About Jesus.
Those tagged will tag 5 people.
Those tagged will leave a link to their meme in the comments section of this post so everyone can keep track of what's being posted.

Five Things I Dig About Jesus

1. Jesus did things that were different, and that turned heads.

2. Jesus is relateable because He didn't hold Himself up to be this hugely lofty guy. Nope, Jesus was a worker, a friend, and a teacher, and I believe Jesus tried to do this in a way that He knew we could emulate.

3. Jesus didn't (doesn't) run when situations get hairy. Jesus sticks around for the whole show.

4. Jesus addressed issues of His own time, but that still are important today. My favorite quote of Jesus' is found in Matthew 6:34. It talks about worry.

5. Jesus loves me even when I don't. :) That's pretty cool.

I tag Jacki, Jae, Faith Love and Bandaids, Inheritor of Heaven, and I think everyone else I know has been tagged already! If not, consider yerself tagged.

Racking my brain...

Wee. Mark tagged me for a meme, and because I'm disgusting from some exercise I just did, I figured I'd stink it up here in the dining room and do it! Here is the 8 random facts theme!

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My Random 8 Facts!

1. I was the "short kid" in school until I was probably 17 years old. I was SO short that I had to sit on two Christmas Edition JC Penney catalogs when I was learning how to drive. Thankfully, I was down to one when I got my license, and soon thereafter, graduated to none! Thanks to the wonder of modern medicine, I grew 16 inches in 4 years.

2. At one point in my life, I wanted to become a doctor. To be specific, I wanted to be an endocrinologist (one who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glandular disorders). However, my contempt for math and science led me away from that field.

3. When I was in junior high school, and even a little into high school, friends used to come to me for medical advice because of the previous fact. I correctly "diagnosed" a few medical maladies. I think I could do this because when I was sick from school, I oftentimes would read the medical encyclopedias we had in the foyer of our house. I was a complete dork. (and still am).

4. I hate being told what to do when I'm not asking for advice. I can get somewhat spiteful, which is one of my major flaws, when I believe people are stepping on me. I'm trying to stop this behavior because most of the time, people are just looking out for me.

5. I like working with my hands and getting dirty and sweaty. It's gross, I know, but something is contented within me when I have fixed something, or made something look nice. I will even take risks if I think I have a way out if my plan doesn't work. One example is my plumbing project when I installed the new kitchen faucet at my house a few years ago. I was thrilled when it worked. I also like weedwacking abandoned yards and I find it quite therapeutic.

6. I have never been on a plane to go somewhere (except in the air in order to jump out). When I tell people that I jumped out of the first airplane I was ever in, most people balk some. I laugh. But, one of these days, I'll take a trip requiring a flight.

7. I have an extremely bizarre laugh that makes other people start laughing with me. To go along with this laugh is a bizarre sense of humor. I laugh at weird stuff all the time, and I don't care. Even when I was a kid, I used to have "laugh attacks" and my "special" (I was smart) class had to take time out so I could compose myself. It's cool though.

8. The person I am today is not a thing like I was 6 years ago, and that's totally okay by me. I am glad for the change, even the trying times that have shaped me. Growth and change is a remarkable thing, especially when we can see it in our own lives.

So,I am going to tag Deb, Inheritor, Faith Love & Bandaids, and I need to get more blogging friends! Haha. If you read this and feel inclined to play along, just let me know, and I'll totally be all about reading your post.

It's ALIVE!!

Ok, so I've been kinda flaky on the updating thing for a little while. My bad. I've been busy-blah blah blah. I'm really tired right now, but I went to a wedding this weekend and I'll tell you all about it, because I'm sure you're just dying to know! :) haha.

Oh, and it looks like I'll be skydiving "alone" (meaning w/o my pals) sometime very soon. I'm cool with it though. I'll just be able to pick up and go whenever I want.

Oh, and leading worship... I'll have to tell you of some possibilities. Exciting.

Sleep!!!

Sunflower Seeds!

I don't know if I've mentioned it before or not, but I have a deep and abiding love for sunflower seeds. That's all I really wanted to say. Later.


Ok, just kidding. Well, today, I'm on campus for my first Friday of the semester. Since CPE is over, I have more time here. So, instead of doing anything productive, I'm listening to songs you can wear pants to, on this, "No pants day." Yup. And I'm procrastinating with the writing of an annotated bibliography and a sermon. I will get it done soon and very soon. Why? Because DINOSAURS ARE SWEET!

I'm such a time-waster.

If time were a tangible commodity, I would be on every watchdog group list in the nation... NO! THE WORLD! Thanks to a seminary friend's website, I have just spent about the last 3 hours listening to songs that a guy makes up for people. His website is here. This also made me remember another fun song that is available for download. Now, all this time wasting has made me hungry. Time to go downstairs now. Have a good day.

Six weird things about me...

Hmm, just for fun, I thought I'd consider myself tagged by RuthRe. I don't know if these are truly weird things, but whatever...

1. I wore the same hooded, black, zip-up sweatshirt almost EVERY SINGLE DAY of my undergraduate career. It was my security blanket, really. I still have it and wear it quite frequently, although not everyday. BTW, I DID wash it regularly.

2. I find immense joy in learning new words, and really, in the English language, on the whole. I regularly throw out new words while I am engaged in persiflage, and find it quite amusing. (Although, I try to do it in situations where the humor will be seen by those with whom I am conversing, so they don't feel dumb. I mean really... I don't think many people are dumb at all. I just like using big words.) One of my favorite sentences in the whole world is: Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice. The other favorite sentence? The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Why, you may ask? Because it contains every letter in the Engligh alphabet.

3. I was about a foot shorter than the "regular" kids in my class in grade/middle school. I was the short kid who got made fun of by the older kids, and was defended fiercely by most of the kids in my own class. Now, I'm the happiest person you'll ever meet to be perfectly average. Modern medicine is wonderful.

4. I was semi-famous for a couple of years because I was the "Now You Know Girl" in my high school media class. Those of us who took media had to put on a newscast to be broadcast on Fridays throughout the school. Weird facts were my thing back then. So, I bought these prop nerd glasses and came up with humorous places to stand while my camerawoman would tape me. She'd turn on the camera and I'd say, "This week's bizarre fact: Did You Know that.... Blah blah blah... NOW YOU KNOW!" And while saying "Now you know," I would contort my face. People were coming up to me on the streets and at Restaurant for YEARS after I graduated. They would say, "Aren't you the 'Now You Know Girl?" And I would say, "Yes, yes I am." And they would ask me to do one for them. Hehe. I miss those days...

5. My oldest brother is twenty-two years older than I am, and I didn't meet him until I was five. I still remember the day because he brought his fiancee home and they brought donuts. If they'd not brought donuts... I probably wouldn't remember the day.

6. I won my school's spelling bee three times, and thus went forth to the county spelling bee. I always got out fairly soon, but it was because I was nervous. One time I was a little bit mad though, because this guy started over and changed his spelling (which you are NOT allowed to do), and he spelled it right the second time. But, when it was my turn, I did the exact same thing and got dinged out. But, hey.. What can ya do? It's not like I'm going to turn into Steve Buschemi's character on Billy Madison or anything. :) Hehe. So, these things aren't THAT weird, but I don't care. See ya.

That's an afternoon that's shot.

Today, I spent hours and hours putting labels on all my posts. Hopefully they're coherent to you, but if not... Oh well. :) I think I'm going to like having labels that will help me organize what I've said. Yeehaw. Have a good day.

It's kind of odd.

I was blog surfing today among blogs I do not regularly read. I haven't done this for quite some time. I have my 5 or 6 blogs that I read pretty regularly and that's usually it. Today, though, I went looking for something new to read. Anyway, I stumbled upon this blog of a woman discerning a call to religious life in a sisterhood. She has an interesting post about "over toasted" baked goods and how that makes her remember her mother. It is interesting to me to read this, at all times, tonight because I've been remembering my father today because he has now been gone for eleven years. This time of year always makes me remember him and as I grow and mature, it's less sad and traumatic. Instead of thinking of how he passed away, it is now easier for me to remember the life he lived. Even more entertaining to me is the fact that my new nephew looks A LOT like him. Ever since the first time I held that child, I thought that he reminded me of someone. Well, last week, I helped Sis bathe him. When he has a wet head, his hair turns curly. That is what did it. I said, "He looks just like Dad! That's who he reminds me of!" And it seems that it is just the little things that make me look back and remember Dad. I had my RealPlayer opened tonight for the first time in months and I listened to "A Walk in the Black Forest" by Horst Jankowski, which was his favorite song. And it's just nice to be able to look back and not feel completely awful about my childhood and that one experience that usually elicits the "pity looks" and awkward comments of people who find out about that part of my journey of life. I can honestly say that my life is good the way it is. I can't always be looking back and thinking that life would be so much better if... Life is the way it is for a reason. I've come a long way spiritually, emotionally, and physically since I was 12 years old. I'm glad to be the person I am and I am thankful for the person I am becoming. And because of this, I think Dad would be proud of me.

I'm a fickle, fickle woman.

Yes, I am. When I was in high school, I thought it would be cool to have a web page. Therefore, I started one through one of those free services that allows you to have up to so many megabytes and what not. So, I worked and worked on that page. I figured out all kinds of stuff for it, and made it kind of like a blog before blogs were really cool. Like I said, this was back in high school before I'd even heard of a blog. So, I was curious about my old website and went there tonight. The information on it was so old that I was ashamed that someone out there would be reading my webpage thinking that I was still only a freshwoman in college, and that I was not yet a biological aunt. So, I updated it and of course, put a link to my blog on it. I think my webpage gets more hits than this thing! Ha. Which is pretty bad, but what can you do? Anyway, I'm having dinner tomorrow with my best childhood pal! I'm excited. We're going Italian. Woohoo! Other than that, I'm still completely and unabashedly excited about my interview that is coming up on Monday! Pray for me! ;) Later!.