Right now I’m having flashbacks of when a young friend of mine passed away. That was 2 years ago. Cancer too. Its not fair. Seems to strike the brightest individuals at such a young age. Now I’m dealing with death again. Someone lost their mother today. I’m really not sure of the right words to say in times like these. More or less that I’m here for you if you need to talk. I’m definitely not a grief counselor. But I’m a good listener.
Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile
Warren Zevon died on September 7, 2003, from complications resulting from lung cancer. He put out his last album this year. There’s a song on there they’ve been playing on Lightning 100 lately. It’s sorta his swan song. Somehow you know he’s saying goodbye, but don’t forget him.
Keep Me In Your Heart for Awhile
by Warren Zevon
Shadows are falling and I’m running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile
When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile
There’s a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sometimes when you’re doing simple things around the house
Maybe you’ll think of me and smile
You know I’m tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver’s headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile
These wheels keep turning but they’re running out of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Rupert
Ok. So I usually don’t post transcripts from lame shows like Survivor. However I’ve been replaying this exchange over and over again on my Tivo. Rupert, one of the show’s contestants was one of the most brilliant personalities which really made the show. Here’s the interview at the reunion show.
“I portray a very strong and independent person. But in my head I’m that fat little terrified kid that was picked on in school all his life.”
“I never give up. I never surrender. I never admit defeat.”
–Rupert
Jeff Probst: Rupert, where does that enthusiasm for all aspects of life come from? Because on one hand you’re this little fat kid that gets picked on, yet you’re living so large?
Rupert: I could not tell you. I am so happy for everything that I got and everything that I can do and now all this?
Jeff Probst: But in life in general. When we met you for the show you had that approach to life that was full of gusto.
Rupert: With nothing, even having nothing and living the way we live. I’ve been appreciative with everything I’ve had, Everything I’ve ever gotten. You just gotta take it. You gotta appreciate everything you’ve got and be happy. And I love it.
Jeff Probst: What was the reaction back home? Week by week your popularity started to snowball.
Rupert: I couldn’t believe how people are taking me. I never thought that it would be such a wonderful experience.
Jeff Probst: I think one of the things about Rupert that appealed to alot of people was that you were sorta an every guy. It wasn’t like you were an hollywood leading man type of any of those things. But you went out there and did the daily grind and you had this attitude. And then we find out as the show goes on is that your self esteem isn’t all that it appears to be. And there were the times that Burton and Shawn were picking on you.
Does this reaction do anything for you?
Rupert: When I was done with my little stint at 27 days and I had 12 days on the jury, I realized that I didn’t have to be that scared little kid anymore. I realized that I didn’t need to go back to the people that didn’t appreciate me as much. My safety zone was opening up a little wider. I could accept people taking me as ok. This was a great journey.
Jeff Probst: By the way. Can we get a shot of your wife because life has blessed you in alot of ways my friend. I don’t know how you ended up with Laura.
Rupert: [Laughing] She saw through this surface. I’ve always been that scary guy to keep people away from me. She saw through it.
Jeff Probst: Are you that same scary guy now or are you more open in that way too?
Rupert: I am alot more open now. I can smile alot more and look people in the eye more instead of looking down. I’m alot better. I’m alot better inside and out.
Joel’s Story
Joel Meriwether goes to church with me. Here’s his story.
One Week with Linux
Ok. One week with Linux. I like it ok. I wish I could get it just the way I want it.
GAIM. It’s sorta the Trillian in the Linux world. Logon to MSN, Yahoo, AIM, and ICQ in one program. The only things I’d want from it is that I wish I could dock it. And Metacontacts would be nice.
The frustrating thing with Linux is that programs are very difficult to install. Instead of clicking on an executable file with Windows, you have to run some long string of a command from the terminal prompt. Usually you can find a RPM program which will do most of the installing for you. I got an RPM to work with a Linux version of Yahoo Messenger. But that’s been it. Haven’t been able to install Mozilla Firebird.
Everytime I try to install one program, I get a message saying that another program is needed for it. So I try to install that program. Yet a 3rd program is needed for the 2nd program to install. And so on… You get the picture. This is definitely holding Linux back. Installing programs shouldn’t be like pulling teeth. It should be easy and simple.
So that’s the problem. Linux Gurus and fans want this OS to catch on with Windows users. But for it to catch on, it has to be easy to operate. And at this point…at least with my limited knowledge….it is difficult.
And I’m somewhat familiar with it…or at least I’m getting familiar each and every day I use it. I’d like to use it more often, but I’m afraid if I can’t install some good programs on it, it will be nothing more than an expensive toy.
Talkin’ Bout a Revolution
Ok. This is a good song Tracy Chapman.
TALKIN’BOUT A REVOLUTION
Don’t you know
They’re talkin’ bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Don’t you know
They’re talkin’ about a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
While they’re standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion
Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what’s theirs
Don’t you know
You better run, run, run…
Oh I said you better Run, run, run…
Finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin’ bout a revolution
2 phrases stick out in my mind. “Armies of Salvation” is an obvious reference to the Salvation Army which provides assistance to the downtrodden. I wouldn’t necessarily equate “Army” with “Salvation.”
And the “waiting for a promotion.” Almost as if even the homeless and downtrodden are waiting for that promotion…. “Promotion” – a word almost equated with the rich and powerful. Or even those employeed. Hence a promotion could mean anything that gets you out of the situation that you’re currently in, to a better situation.
Aztecs in Hell
Solo piloted the class tonight. They always seem to ask those “what if…” questions. This time was “Did the Aztecs go to hell?” I really don’t know. And that’s what I told them. I’m not their judge. I just emphasized that the Bible says that those who go to heaven are the ones who do the commandments contained in the Bible. Honestly I don’t know how far God’s grace will cover those who have never been given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. I guess that’s why missionaries are important.
Anyways I think I’m getting better at teaching. In many ways I enjoy it. I like to get my point across and try to teach them things that I wish I knew when I was their age. And it isn’t very difficult. You just have to put yourself in their shoes…and use analogies that they would understand. I try to stay hip on what they’re into these days. Most of the time it’s mentioning stuff like Xbox and junk like that. I really don’t know what they’re into. But Xbox is a safe bet.
Fedora
A friend helped me build a computer from scatch this weekend (thanks “Bob”). Amazing. I had never built one from scratch before and was amazed at how easy it was. Just follow the instructions and you’re good to go.
So I put Linux on it just for kicks. Fedora flavored Linux. So far so good. I still haven’t figured out how to install programs on Linux. It’s like learning a new language. Somewhere it’s a cross between Windows and Mac, but cheaper.
Is this what nerds do? They get exciting when they sit around and build computers? Or do they fantasize about doing this for a living? Maybe I could….
My dream
I had a very strange dream last night which I will share.
I’m at church camp. I’m there and its the first day. I haven’t even met the campers in my cabin yet. So all of a sudden some kid is going to get baptized. And then whoever is studying with them says “Well do you want your counselor to baptize you?” And as it turns out I’m his counselor, but I don’t even know him and I’m supposed to baptize this kid (?) So I go back to my cabin to change into the baptismal gear (swimsuit) and by the time I get back the camp director has already baptized the kid.
I’m really not sure what this is supposed to mean. I don’t think I was as upset with the camp director as the fact that I was extremely confused about being asked to baptize someone who I didn’t even know. I mean, it was almost as if it was the counselor’s responsibility to study with the kid and baptize them.
I guess ever since this summer I’ve been feeling like I am capable of studying with kids if they had salvation questions. And I really want to study with them. I’m craving it and even looking for people to study with. Like staying after Wednesday night’s class to answer questions and just seem friendly and accessible to the kids in my class. Nothing would make me happier than studying with someone who really wants to know God’s will for them. I’m not sure I could answer all their questions, but I would definitely try. As far as the dunking is concerned, whether or not I’m the person holding someone briefly underwater shouldn’t make a difference. But somehow it does, at least in the mind of the baptisee….maybe.
What is important to me is making a difference. And feeling good about yourself that you are being looked up to. Not necessarily as being on some kind of power trip. But because you’re a nice guy and only wants the very best for these kids.
Wal-Mart Stampede
This story has been floating around the net for a while now. I’m still intrigued by it. I’m going to post the entire story here because I have a feeling that it will vanish from the web sometime in the next 90 days….and someone needs to archive this for posterity’s sake. Read it and then I’ll let you know what I think.
Woman Knocked Unconscious By Wal-Mart Shoppers
Witnesses: Shoppers Stepped Over Woman Having Seizure
POSTED: 6:39 p.m. EST November 28, 2003
ORANGE CITY, Fla. — A 41-year-old woman was knocked unconscious and then trampled by a mob of shoppers who continued to step over her as she suffered a seizure during a Friday sale at Wal-Mart in Orange City, Fla., according to Local 6 News.
Authorities said that Patricia Van Lester arrived at Wal-Mart at 3 a.m. for an early sale on a DVD player for her mother. When the store’s doors opened at 6 a.m., Van Lester grabbed the DVD player but was quickly overcome by hundreds of shoppers rushing into the store.
The woman was knocked to the ground, slammed her head on the ground and suffered at least one seizure, according to Local 6 News.
Her sister watched the incident and tried to stop the crowd as they made their way to the merchandise.
“I screamed, ‘Stop, don’t step on her, my sister is on the ground,’ and nobody would listen,” the woman’s sister, Linda Ellzey said. “I’ve never seen so many people in a store at one time — in one area. If there was a fire, nobody could’ve gotten out of there.”
When Orange City and EVAC paramedics got to the store they found Van Lester lying on her left side on top of the DVD player, surrounded by shoppers seemingly oblivious to the unconscious woman, said Mark O’Keefe, a spokesman for EVAC Ambulance.
Van Lester was airlifted to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Ellzey said her sister will likely remain hospitalized for days.
Ellzey said Wal-Mart officials called to ask about her sister, and the store apologized and offered to put a DVD player on hold for her.
Wal-Mart Stores spokeswoman Karen Burk said she had never heard of a such a melee during a sale.
“We are very disappointed this happened,” Burk said. “We want her to come back as a shopper.”
This is the reason why I don’t go out shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. 3AM? She must have gotten up at 2AM in order to get down there. Maybe earlier if she had to come from a far distance. Another news story said the DVD players were the APEX brand and were going for $29 at that particular store. I have one of those DVD players. We got it for around $40 or so a few months ago. Why was any of this so important? Celebrate your Thanksgiving with a rampage at the local Wal-Mart.
Someone on another discussion board suggested this. Go down to the local Walmart on the Friday after Thanksgiving with a video camera. Film any fights that break out among customers over merchandise, who’s first in line…etc. Sell video to local TV station and make $$$.
[Update: December 5, 2003] Actually this lady has filed multipled claims at various businesses over the past several years. She might be a frequent faller.