Yeah, a guy begged for some money and took a trip. He found a few islands then went home. End of story. Actually, it was much more than that for Columbus. We know that he discovered something that was discovered at least twice before, the Asians around 10,000 BC and the Vikings around 1000 AD. But, Columbus had something they didn't...a PR campaign. Good PR makes all the difference in the world.
Enjoy your day off, government employees.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Not Forgotten Families
I have been doing genealogy for 30 years. There have been ups and downs since I started. That is the way of things. It came to my attention yesterday, that I had not done any research on the step families. I was embarrassed. All of my step family have been truly wonderful and I cannot imagine life without them. Make sure you cherish ALL of your family, steps and in-laws included.
I never knew Hobart Melton. I only knew of Roy Green Ellis as my great-grandfather. I remember his patience and how he took care of my grandmother. Neither did I know, very well, Collis Scott, my grandfather. I only know of James Bouldin as my grandfather. He taught me all I needed to know about horses. Without these men, I would be a lesser person.
I never knew Hobart Melton. I only knew of Roy Green Ellis as my great-grandfather. I remember his patience and how he took care of my grandmother. Neither did I know, very well, Collis Scott, my grandfather. I only know of James Bouldin as my grandfather. He taught me all I needed to know about horses. Without these men, I would be a lesser person.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Genealogist
No one gets up one morning and decides, "Today, I am going to research my family." It usually starts by someone asking a question about a grandfather or aunt. From there it explodes in to a lifelong passion. I mean 'explodes.' It has developed into something more a kin to looking for the Lost Dutchman's Mine than just collecting pictures and a few census records. While genealogy isn't wandering through a desert with only a mule for company, you need to spend a few hours looking through pages of a microfiche reader or driving down country roads looking for a lost cemetery. But, I love it! You should see the stuff I have collected.
I got started looking up my family's history in 1979 when I had to do a paper for high school and needed a project. It was easy. I asked around and got dates of birth and, at that time, seemed an endless list of names. I knew most of the people on my list and heard stories about those that had already passed on. Suddenly, I wanted to know who I was and where I came from. As I said, it 'exploded.' From then on it was no turning back and so far I haven't. There have been times when I would spend months or years without giving it a thought. It never takes long before I am back at it bothering people with questions.
There are fears and worries that go along with the research. My greatest fear is that in the future, all of my research will be tossed or allow to decay due to lack of interest. How does one get their kids involved enough with your life's work to carry it on? How does one show how important it is to keep the records? What does one do with the past in the future? Memories are precious. They are tangible and irreplaceable. I have found that the greatest loss is not being interested enough in our elders to sit down and talk to them about, well, themselves. I know from experience that I have let opportunities pass by that will truly never come again.
Truly, it isn't about me. This isn't my hobby. I do what I do for everyone that has come and gone. I do it for those who will come after me. I wanted to know where I came from. Tomorrow, someone will ask the same question.
Like all good topics, this one has an ending befitting an Oscar win. I want to thank everyone, living and dead, for all the effort given to helping me accomplish my life's work. It would be futile to try and list everyone. You know who you are. Oh, did I say 'accomplish'? I am in no way finished.
I got started looking up my family's history in 1979 when I had to do a paper for high school and needed a project. It was easy. I asked around and got dates of birth and, at that time, seemed an endless list of names. I knew most of the people on my list and heard stories about those that had already passed on. Suddenly, I wanted to know who I was and where I came from. As I said, it 'exploded.' From then on it was no turning back and so far I haven't. There have been times when I would spend months or years without giving it a thought. It never takes long before I am back at it bothering people with questions.
There are fears and worries that go along with the research. My greatest fear is that in the future, all of my research will be tossed or allow to decay due to lack of interest. How does one get their kids involved enough with your life's work to carry it on? How does one show how important it is to keep the records? What does one do with the past in the future? Memories are precious. They are tangible and irreplaceable. I have found that the greatest loss is not being interested enough in our elders to sit down and talk to them about, well, themselves. I know from experience that I have let opportunities pass by that will truly never come again.
Truly, it isn't about me. This isn't my hobby. I do what I do for everyone that has come and gone. I do it for those who will come after me. I wanted to know where I came from. Tomorrow, someone will ask the same question.
Like all good topics, this one has an ending befitting an Oscar win. I want to thank everyone, living and dead, for all the effort given to helping me accomplish my life's work. It would be futile to try and list everyone. You know who you are. Oh, did I say 'accomplish'? I am in no way finished.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sometimes, it is embarrassing to be a Christian.
I have been a Christian my entire adult life. I grew up in a conservative Baptist church in rural Tennessee. As I have gotten older, I have become slightly more moderate in my beliefs but still hold to my Baptist upbringing. The same basic Christian values are still firmly entrenched. However,...
As I have gotten older, I have noticed that some Christians tend to be backward, ignorant and hypocritical. A recent blog by Dr Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has reminded me of this fact. He teaches at the largest Baptist seminary in the world, turning out Southern Baptist ministers. For a seemingly educated man, he is fairly ignorant.
I had never head of this man until today when I was directed to his blog about "The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?" In his article he says, generally, I'm not quoting, that Christians should not do yoga because it requires one to become part of a spiritual movement that is contradictory. He says in his blog,
"they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga."
There is no direct connection between yoga that has the elements of Hinduism and what people do for exercise. I think he is afraid of the word 'meditate.'
"these positions are teaching postures with a spiritual purpose. Consider this — if you have to meditate intensely in order to achieve or to maintain a physical posture, it is no longer merely a physical posture."
Meditation is not an evil word. Meditation is the same thing when you pray and wait, sitting quietly waiting for God to reveal an answer. Medication is another way of listening to what your body is saying or concentrating on what you are doing. I meditate all the time when I am doing things like blogging or to remember the answer to a test question. Have you ever seen some one take a death breath before doing something critical? That's meditating.
There are yoga classes that teach the fundamentals of yoga using the teachings of the 'religious' form. The yoga classes I have attended are purely physical. Yes, you have to listen to your body. I wonder what Dr Mohler thinks about martial arts? They are full of motions and exercising that have their roots in religion.
It is disheartening that Mohler talks about such things. It's embarrassing. What he needs to be talking about is how Christians need to be less hypocritical. Teach what Christ taught. Don't be adding stuff to inflate your status. That is, all he is doing.
As I have gotten older, I have noticed that some Christians tend to be backward, ignorant and hypocritical. A recent blog by Dr Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has reminded me of this fact. He teaches at the largest Baptist seminary in the world, turning out Southern Baptist ministers. For a seemingly educated man, he is fairly ignorant.
I had never head of this man until today when I was directed to his blog about "The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?" In his article he says, generally, I'm not quoting, that Christians should not do yoga because it requires one to become part of a spiritual movement that is contradictory. He says in his blog,
"they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga."
There is no direct connection between yoga that has the elements of Hinduism and what people do for exercise. I think he is afraid of the word 'meditate.'
"these positions are teaching postures with a spiritual purpose. Consider this — if you have to meditate intensely in order to achieve or to maintain a physical posture, it is no longer merely a physical posture."
Meditation is not an evil word. Meditation is the same thing when you pray and wait, sitting quietly waiting for God to reveal an answer. Medication is another way of listening to what your body is saying or concentrating on what you are doing. I meditate all the time when I am doing things like blogging or to remember the answer to a test question. Have you ever seen some one take a death breath before doing something critical? That's meditating.
There are yoga classes that teach the fundamentals of yoga using the teachings of the 'religious' form. The yoga classes I have attended are purely physical. Yes, you have to listen to your body. I wonder what Dr Mohler thinks about martial arts? They are full of motions and exercising that have their roots in religion.
It is disheartening that Mohler talks about such things. It's embarrassing. What he needs to be talking about is how Christians need to be less hypocritical. Teach what Christ taught. Don't be adding stuff to inflate your status. That is, all he is doing.
Why Klingons are always so angry.
It just occurred to me why Klingons are always so angry. The love to fight and drink to excess. They must be what we can expect from Windows in the future.
On the other hand, the Federation is peaceful. The Federation must run on Linux.
On the other hand, the Federation is peaceful. The Federation must run on Linux.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
We love our monsters
I have noticed lately that Americans, possibly the entire world, are enthralled with monsters. Not the usual bevy of dragons, vampires, werewolves and elves. I have seen at least 6 shows dedicated to the search of monsters such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, giant squids and the chupachabra. The History Channel has MonsterQuest, the SyFy channel has Destination Truth and Beast Legends. The Animal Planet is getting into the act with Lost Tapes. Not to mention, ghosts, while not 'monsters' are quite the hit as well. Oh, don't forget the aliens and their flying saucers. I can't count the number of different series and specials on ghosts.
Why do we have such a fascination with such. You would think that in the 21st Century, Man would have out grown the need such creatures. It must go deeper, buried in our psyche, to need to believe in things that are not part of our 'normal' experience. Not all of this need are not just crazies who see large, hairy men walking in the woods, but very intellectual, college educated people. They see something that is completely contrary to their education.
I have no real opinion on this. Some stories are more compelling than others. So compelling in fact that they seem hard not to except. I firmly believe that anything is possible. I stay open minded and hope to see my little piece of these monsters.
Why do we have such a fascination with such. You would think that in the 21st Century, Man would have out grown the need such creatures. It must go deeper, buried in our psyche, to need to believe in things that are not part of our 'normal' experience. Not all of this need are not just crazies who see large, hairy men walking in the woods, but very intellectual, college educated people. They see something that is completely contrary to their education.
I have no real opinion on this. Some stories are more compelling than others. So compelling in fact that they seem hard not to except. I firmly believe that anything is possible. I stay open minded and hope to see my little piece of these monsters.
Governments failure to it Vets and such...
Surprised?
The government told me that I would have everything I needed to help me be a successful in meeting my educational goals. This maybe true but it is very misleading. They provide the funding that is true. But, you have to jump through hoops to get the funding. They change programs in mid-stream and when you need the funding they don't tell you until after you start a program THEN you are told about the changes. You have to start over. While you miss deadlines and either have to postpone your plans or pay out of pocket.
Wait! I'm serving in the National Guard. You would think that the National Guard would take care of its service members too. They do not help that situation either. An example, I have been taking classes in college since 2006. Yesterday, I found out that they have to approve an degree plan before I can get any more money for college. Guess what, they have been required an approved degree plan for EIGHT years. I had never heard of it until I needed money for college. Give me a break!
The VA fails to meet, in a timely fashion, the needs of some of its beneficiaries. Not only has VA failed veterans in their health care, they are also failing to meet the educational requirements of it's veterans. All the while, the VA and the Senate, House and White House pay lip service to those, same veterans they promise to help. It is a never ending cycle of failure. When is it going to stop?
The government told me that I would have everything I needed to help me be a successful in meeting my educational goals. This maybe true but it is very misleading. They provide the funding that is true. But, you have to jump through hoops to get the funding. They change programs in mid-stream and when you need the funding they don't tell you until after you start a program THEN you are told about the changes. You have to start over. While you miss deadlines and either have to postpone your plans or pay out of pocket.
Wait! I'm serving in the National Guard. You would think that the National Guard would take care of its service members too. They do not help that situation either. An example, I have been taking classes in college since 2006. Yesterday, I found out that they have to approve an degree plan before I can get any more money for college. Guess what, they have been required an approved degree plan for EIGHT years. I had never heard of it until I needed money for college. Give me a break!
The VA fails to meet, in a timely fashion, the needs of some of its beneficiaries. Not only has VA failed veterans in their health care, they are also failing to meet the educational requirements of it's veterans. All the while, the VA and the Senate, House and White House pay lip service to those, same veterans they promise to help. It is a never ending cycle of failure. When is it going to stop?
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