While I enjoy the irony of using a blog to say it, this seems the best way to communicate the following: I'm taking a hiatus from blogging. I'm doing this for several reasons and here's two of them.
1. I have nothing to say. It's a harsh self-judgment, but lately listening has worked much better for me. I'm leaving up the blog and the list of blogs I'm following. Check them out for some good reads. I especially enjoy Britt's blog (Drunken Mystic), Stuff Christians Like and the Church of No People. They have a great way of communicating ideas better than I ever could.
2. I care too much. I don't worry too much about comments on Facebook or Twitter, but blogs for some reason feed a concern for validation that is unnecessary. I'll be in touch using Facebook or Twitter (reeseseater), so check it out if you wish. Either way, I wish you all the best. God bless.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pulling Punches
A while back an AV club fan asked the writers which Onion headline sums up their respective lives. After a thorough search, I may have found mine.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-common-man,17221/#3
Maybe I should subtitle this "why I'm a pacifist".
http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-common-man,17221/#3
Maybe I should subtitle this "why I'm a pacifist".
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Problem with Trust
BBC recently began exploring education in other parts of the world, prefacing it with pointing out how those countries' programs are kicking the crap out of ours. They might have said "dookie," or something of that nature, but don't quote me on that last part since I most likely made it up. However you put it, something works better in these countries.
Today I read about South Korea, which isn't surprising because many of the youth are in school more than anywhere else. I don't think they mentioned shipping children abroad to study or high suicide rates, because that might harsh the buzz a bit. I may be biased from having lived here a while, but it seems the cost of that much schooling is too high.
Earlier we saw a story on TV about the education system in Finland. A news story asked why Finnish students get better results. They interviewed teachers and administrators then summed it up in one word-trust. The government doesn't get in the way, and pretty much lets the educators do their jobs. In return, the administrators trust their teachers to, well, teach. It's a novel idea, and for some reason it works. Trust. What a concept.
The libertarians are probably cheering right now, and I wish I could join you guys, but the problem is trust is only as good as the people you put it in. I know it's ridiculous, but I picture American educators given freedom and using it to give themselves lavish raises so they can rent limos. It sounds ridiculous, but how many administrators, given knowledge of bullying, actually put an end to it? There may be many, but I don't hear about that. There are enough who don't act to make it a problem, so my internal tug-of-war continues. I want to trust, but sometimes there are reasons not to.
On the one hand, we have a great system somewhere else that works. On the other hand, we have Wall Street greed and butt-covering educators in leadership positions who are allergic to the truth. Trusting them would be foolish. In the end, I'm glad I don't have to, no matter where these questions lead. In the end, my trust is in the Greater. And as Steve Martin said in the Jerk, "That's all I need." And an end to cat juggling. And a new limo.
Today I read about South Korea, which isn't surprising because many of the youth are in school more than anywhere else. I don't think they mentioned shipping children abroad to study or high suicide rates, because that might harsh the buzz a bit. I may be biased from having lived here a while, but it seems the cost of that much schooling is too high.
Earlier we saw a story on TV about the education system in Finland. A news story asked why Finnish students get better results. They interviewed teachers and administrators then summed it up in one word-trust. The government doesn't get in the way, and pretty much lets the educators do their jobs. In return, the administrators trust their teachers to, well, teach. It's a novel idea, and for some reason it works. Trust. What a concept.
The libertarians are probably cheering right now, and I wish I could join you guys, but the problem is trust is only as good as the people you put it in. I know it's ridiculous, but I picture American educators given freedom and using it to give themselves lavish raises so they can rent limos. It sounds ridiculous, but how many administrators, given knowledge of bullying, actually put an end to it? There may be many, but I don't hear about that. There are enough who don't act to make it a problem, so my internal tug-of-war continues. I want to trust, but sometimes there are reasons not to.
On the one hand, we have a great system somewhere else that works. On the other hand, we have Wall Street greed and butt-covering educators in leadership positions who are allergic to the truth. Trusting them would be foolish. In the end, I'm glad I don't have to, no matter where these questions lead. In the end, my trust is in the Greater. And as Steve Martin said in the Jerk, "That's all I need." And an end to cat juggling. And a new limo.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Spring Break's Least Memorable Moments
Being that it was spring break and our first of three wedding anniversaries my wife and I decided to go to Seoul for a few days.Since we live in Korea,it's hardly worth mentioning, much less writing a travelblog about, so I won't. Instead, I'm listing the least memorable moments from a very enjoyable but mostly unremarkable vacation. Drink some coffee/Red Bull/(insert name of other caffeignated beverage here) and enjo...endure.
1. Day 1, we took a subway to our hotel, checked into our room and met a friend for dinner after settling on Middle Eastern food. Sure, you've had hummus, but not authentic Seoul hummus. Mmmm.
2. On day 2, we went to the Coex Mall and saw a movie. We picked from a variety of posters we knew little about, and settled on one called When in Rome. The ticket seller took a while to identify with that title and decided to call it Rome Whatever. We later found out this was an apt review from someone who probably didn't see it. He didn't need to.
3. We searched every Starbucks in Seoul for certain mugs in vain. Hey, the journey was fun, but without a picture we can't share yet because we didn't get the chance to upload it we've got nothing.
4. We took some time to enjoy good coffee and better reads. Again, fun for us, but not woth blogging about. Heck, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open as I
1. Day 1, we took a subway to our hotel, checked into our room and met a friend for dinner after settling on Middle Eastern food. Sure, you've had hummus, but not authentic Seoul hummus. Mmmm.
2. On day 2, we went to the Coex Mall and saw a movie. We picked from a variety of posters we knew little about, and settled on one called When in Rome. The ticket seller took a while to identify with that title and decided to call it Rome Whatever. We later found out this was an apt review from someone who probably didn't see it. He didn't need to.
3. We searched every Starbucks in Seoul for certain mugs in vain. Hey, the journey was fun, but without a picture we can't share yet because we didn't get the chance to upload it we've got nothing.
4. We took some time to enjoy good coffee and better reads. Again, fun for us, but not woth blogging about. Heck, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open as I
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Humor: An Alien Concept
I searched the headlines tirelessly for this year's April Fool's joke gone bad. And, better late than never, here it is. Enjoy the irony.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8604122.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8604122.stm
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
I Usually Don't Care Much for Politics, but...
Well, can we get it some floaties or something?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsFsn8ekyhw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsFsn8ekyhw
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