Religion Revisited

Okay, so I was sifting through the internet today, and I came upon a facebook page for Atheists.  It was full of Atheist memes and whatnot saying how much they hate Christians, how Christians are stupid, how intolerant Christians are, and how they are ALL this way.  Now, usually I don't get bothered by this sort of thing, but this made me a little upset.

Now, before we get any further into this, I want to make a few things known.  First and foremost, I am a Christian.  More specifically, I am Episcopalian.  I believe that Jesus of Nazareth was in fact the son of God, and that he died to atone for the sins of mankind, and that he is my personal savior.

However, it really bothers me when people get at Christians for being intolerant, hateful, etc.  Now I do admit that there are those of us who condemn, discriminate, and participate in generally unchristian behavior.

It hurts me when those who are not believers lump people like me into those groups.  Especially those who say "I hate associating with Christians" or "I will never date a Christian."  It is increasingly bothersome when it is said by people that I know or those that I am friends with.  By taking such an adamant and unwavering stance that Christians are naive, cruel, ignorant, or any number of things, aren't those people being just as bad as those they claim to be so superior of?  If you decide not to ever date or have a relationship with a Christian because of the fact they are Christian, arent you just as close-minded as those who say they refuse to date anyone other than a Christian?

As a believer, I understand that the world is full of people with views that are not necessarily my own.  I recognize that the church is not infallible.

I do not hate those who are not Christian, I do not hate those who are not believers in a higher power.  To discriminate against those for what they believe is the very opposite of what Christ taught.  I believe in science, I support marriage equality for homosexuals, I support the ability of people to choose what they do with their life, I believe in evolution, (which is NOT a "theory"in my opinion, its pretty much been proven) I believe in the stories of the old testament, not as fact, but as analogies in which people tried to explain where they came from, and to tie in life lessons.  I believe in the "truth" of these stories, not the "fact."

Neither do I condemn those of other religions.  Is it not true that the very basis of Christian teaching is "God is love?"  Do so-called "pagan" religions such as the Shinto, Sikhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism not also preach the importance of love and tolerance?  That in itself makes them holy.  I cannot make myself believe that groups who treasure such teachings would be condemned by God.  I have never pushed anyone away from me because they do not share my religious views.  I do not shove my religion down the throats of ,others.  I am more than happy to discuss religion with anyone, regardless of their beliefs and I will speak of what I believe, but I would never attempt to condemn them or convert them if they were not comfortable with the advance.

So, my Atheist friends, I offer you a question.  Do you hate me because I am a Christian?  Do you think that I am a close-minded sheep because I am a Christian?  Have I ever "condemned" you for having a different spiritual opinion?  Would you think that I would make a terrible spouse because I am a Christian?  If not, then reconsider your position.  Or else, you risk becoming the very thing that you claim to despise.

Trucks and Tobacco

Whew, has it been a week!

So I helped my cousin move on Wednesday, she's moving from her current place to a town about 50 miles north, so its quite a bit of change.  The area is more rural and it is far prettier than suburban Ohio.  Luckily, its close to me, so the family cookouts wont be so far away.  My Uncle (her dad) was there, so it was the first time I got to see him in over a year.  Thank goodness I showed up early, poor Uncle Roger was not looking forward to lifting all of those bookcases and dressers by himself.

Anyway, three exams today.  One in music in western culture, one in physics, and one in political science.  Started at 8 am and it was one after another.  I know that I messed up some questions on the music exam.  A song was played for us, and we had to name the composer, the name of the song,  I couldn't remember the order of the proper mass, and I got two composers confused.

Political science was much easier, I mean, I love politics and that sort of thing, so I really pay attention in class.  Physics was what is was.  I studied, I knew the math, and I feel pretty good about it.  Now that they are done and over with, I am feeling a lot better.  Just went home and relaxed, took a couple of Tylenol for my knees, and had a great nap.

I opened an empty can of my old pipe tobacco in the room today, and it had an excellent aroma and made the room smell quite pleasant.  Got me back on a pipe smoking kick, and took out my pipe which I hadn't smoked in quite a while.  The old tastes and aromas were a welcome break from the stresses of the week, and it suddenly came back to me why I started in the first place.

I enjoy my pipe smoking, and I know the whole "cancer" thing.  I gave up cigarettes and I intend to keep doing so.  I understand that it is bad for me, but it is no worse than the crap that is in our food anyway.  And it isn't as bad for you, since you don't (well, you shouldnt) inhale.  A pipe smoking session takes a long time if you do it right, so its not something that you can do a whole lot of a day, like you can with cigarettes.

Anyway, so I went to my old tobacco website and sifted through some new brands, new pipes and the like.  Next time I come into some extra spending money, I just may get some new leaf and blow some smoke rings for old times' sake.

 

Folk Tale Friday

Keeping with the schedule, it is folk tale Friday.  This is the story of St. Patrick and St. Odran.  St. Odran has the distinction of being the first Irish Christian Martyr.  (Not to be confused with St. Odhran of Iona)

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Long ago, Saint Patrick roamed the country of Ireland, preaching the word of God, converting pagans, and performing miracles.  During his travels, he was often accustomed to walking, but at times, when the journey was particularly long, he rose in a chariot driven by his disciple. Odran.

Now, Patrick came to County Kildare, where a chieftain worshiped a terrible idol.  Patrick, claiming the spot of God, destroyed the idol and converted the populace.

The chieftain was enraged, and ordered that Patrick be killed.  He called a secret meeting in the woods with his assassin, and instructed him to throw his spear at Patrick when he passed by the spot in his chariot.  The assassin agreed, and took his spot in the brush.  Unbeknownst to the plotters, Odran was gathering food for himself and Patrick in the, and he overheard the evil plan.

That morning, the chariot set out for the next county.  Odran had not forgotten what he had heard, but he did not wish to worry his teacher.  A mile or so away from the place where Patrick was to be killed, Odran stopped the horses.

"Dear Master, I have become tired and I believe that I am becoming sick.  Could you take the reins from me so I may rest?"

When Patrick obliged, Odran thought that just a change of places would not be enough, so he carried his plan further.

"Dear Master, I am cold, could I please wear your cloak to keep me warm while I rest?"

Patrick, being more than happy to help his friend, draped his green and gold cloak around Odran's Shoulders.

Then, when they passed by the place, a lance flew forth from the briar and struck Odran in the heart, killing him.

When Patrick learned what Odran had done, he was very sad and wept for his loyal friend.  He buried his friend and built a church over his grave.  Patrick never forgot the sacrifice of Oran, and he was made a saint.

Strumming and frailing

 My dad brought by my guitar and my banjo today, which made me really happy.  I haven't had the time or the cargo space to get them from my parents house, so I asked him to bring them along when he was in the area today.  I havent played my banjo in maybe three weeks, so I was super excited to finally have it again.  Apparently I played for over an hour.  My door was open and a guy came by and we started to talk guitars and music and the like, and he noted that he wanted to take guitar lessons.  So, I offered to teach him.  It turns out, he is LEFT HANDED....a little awkward, but I think that I can manage.  I've never taught guitar before, so this will be a new start for me as much as it is for him.

So I went to my first musical production at my University.  It was late and I wasnt doing anything, so a couple of friends and I decided to see a show entitled "cabaret" that was being put on by one of the theater students.  It was a one person show with a piano accompaniment, but it was a good time.  10:00 PM is a little late for a show, but eh, why not.  I then realized that it was midnight and I had work in the morning....so, that said, I need to get to bed.

Pipes and Vice-Presidents

Physics lab was better today, actually finished it without wanting to tear my own ears off with a pair of salad tongs.

The Vice-President was on campus today giving a speech or something, I dont know, and I care even less.  The campus is right next to an airbase, so I got to see Air Force One fly overhead which was pretty cool.  I always love to look up and see the military aircraft flying around.

So I have decided to get back into my piping a little more.  Possibly less of the traditional stuff and more into the old Ceòl Mór also known as Piobaireachd.  Piobaireachd is Scots Gaelic for "piping" or "act of piping," and can refer to any sort of specifically bagpipe music.  Ceòl Mór is "big music" to distinguish from Ceòl Beag (little music) which included reels, strathspeys, etc.  It's the "traditional" Scottish bagpipe music, and has been played for hundreds of years.  It is known for its length and complexity.

In the old times, Piobaireachd was originally taught by using caintaireachd.  Caintaireachd was music that was passed orally, not through written notation.  This way, the piper could learn through hearing the song and learn the phrasing, feel, and movements of the song.  In this tradition, piobaireachd is very difficult to write with the limitations of modern notation.  It has no meter, but has a pace for the tune.  The best way to learn the tunes today is through an experienced instructor, using notation as a supplement.

This is the music of the pipes that I enjoy above all others.  One of my favorite players is the venerable Allan MacDonald, one of the most famous players of pibroch and some claim the man responsible for the survival of the music into the modern piping world.   Here he is playing his interpretation of one of my favorite tunes, Cumha Na Chloinne, "Lament for the Children"  A tune written by the "father of pibroch," Padruig Mor MacCrimmon.  Legends say the tune was written to lament the loss of 800 men of the Clan Macleod at the battle of Worchester in 1651.

As you can see, the emotion Allan puts the tune is something you rarely hear in music that is restricted by time and notation.  Many, myself included, consider the Piobaireachd to be as much a living breathing entity as the one playing it. It has its own pulse, its own breath, and its own spirit. 

Note, the old gaelic words are:

Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gaol dhut
Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gràdh dhut
Thug mi gaol is thug mi gràdh dhut
Thug mi gaol nach dug mi chàch dhut
Fhir a' chinn duibh thug mi gràdh dhut

Boy with the black hair I gave you love
Boy with the black hair I gave affection.
I gave you love, I gave you affection.
I gave you a love that I did not give to the rest
Boy with the black hair, I gave you affection."

Uninspired

So, I got a little disappointed today by something...kind of bringing me down.  Not really feeling the motivation to write anything.  Thats all.

Soap, Shavers, and Mugs

So I shaved for the first time in three days this evening, and I got some pretty bad razor burn.  I think its mostly because the hair was a little too thick, I shaved a little to fast, and I made the mistake of using the cheap, single-blade bic razors.

I usually use shaving soap anyway for a number of reasons.

1) I am allergic to some of the artificial scents/chemicals in the modern gels and foams
2) Shaving soap generally is smoother on the skin, has a more pleasant, natural scent.
3) Shaving soap, because unused lather can build back into the cake, you do not waste as much and your product lasts longer.
4)You dont have to throw away the can and cause more trash buildup.

Besides the practical reasons, shaving is a very intimate personal ritual.  The wetting of the brush and the lathering of the soap was the way my grandfather shaved.  His father taught him to shave this way, and his father taught him to shave that way, and so on.  By going through the same steps that they went through, I have a way of connecting to them. (I am however, not yet brave enough to attempt the deadly straight-razor)

I would like to get a better razor, preferably one of the good quality double-bladed safety razors.  Some good quality soap, a nice badger hair brush and an actual shaving mug.  I have been looking around on the net, and have found some soaps I would like to try out that may be better than the stuff I am currently getting at Wal-mart (ugh.)

There is some at work I would like to try, they use clay as a natural lubricant and lye as a base.  I've always had good experiences with homemade lye soaps, so I may give this a try.  Plus, I get the benefit of an employee discount. 

So I found a mug that I reeeealy liked, and the damage comes to about $30.00, not including shipping.  Its resin, so it is going to hold up well, although many mugs are made of porcelain, like the cheap bowl that I have now.  I fancy the darker one on the far left.  Luckily it comes with a free soap selection.

Yes, please.

 

Group Projects

I tell you what, I love camping in the cold.  Another weekend at work and since I camp there, I have to be aware of the weather, and it was supposed to get chilly at night, so I brought along some extra blankets.  When the time came for me to get up, I didn't want to come out from under the three layers of wool I was under.  Ugh.

Anyway, I got to play with my old pipe band today.  They happened to be playing at the festival, and they invited me to play with them.  It had been several years since I played a lot of the tunes and sets, nut once I got back into it, I guess my brain just drug them out for a bit of air.

Ive got to work on this political science project soon...We were split into large groups and we have to present a section based on a topic of our choice.  Another member of the group and I wanted to do the ethics of biomechanics and bioengineering, but the rest of the group wanted to do poverty and welfare.  You have GOT to be kidding me.  Talk about picking the most simple-minded, slacker topic possible.  I may have to fear for my life after presenting my views on welfare...but I have to try to be objective.  I really think that me and my friend who was wanting the other topic are the only ones in this group taking this whole thing seriously...I hate group projects.  Whoever created them should be tarred and feathered.   Then the question is, if people hate them so much, then why do they grow up to be teachers who then assign group projects?  IT MAKES NO SENSE!

Folk Tale Friday

As a historian and a collector of antiquities, I love folk tales.  Folk tales were used to give warnings, instill values, and keep the history of the people telling them. 

This week, I have chosen a tale from Japan.  It tells of the famous sword-maker Masamune and his student Muramasa.

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Long ago in Japan, Muramasa, student of Masamune, challenged his teacher to a contest to see who could make the finer sword.  They both worked long days and long nights, barely pausing to eat or sleep.  Finally after many days, their swords were finished.

They both took their blades to the river to test the quality of their labors.  They each would suspend their blades in the river with the cutting edge facing the current.  Muramasa's sword, named Juuchi Yosamu (10,000 Cold Nights / 十千夜寒) cut everything in its path  Fish, leaves, sticks, even the air that passed it was cut in two.  Needless to say, his teacher was very impressed.  

Then, Masamune dipped in his sword named Yawarakai-Te (Tender Hands / 柔らかい手), into the current and waited patiently.  Fish, leaves, and sticks passed the edge of the blade, but not a single one was cut, and the air made a hissing wound as it passed.  When Muramasa saw his, he began to laugh and heckle his teacher on his apparent lack of skill.

A monk who happened to be walking by heard the noise and walked over to the two sword masters.  Bowing to them, he said, 

""The first of the swords was by all accounts a fine sword, however it is a blood thirsty, evil blade, as it does not discriminate as to who or what it will cut. It may just as well be cutting down butterflies as severing heads. The second was by far the finer of the two, as it does not needlessly cut that which is innocent and undeserving."

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0800

So I went to my 8 am class this week, which just so happens to basically be a "music appreciation" course.  I think to myself, "Oh come on, I have been a musician for 12 years, do I really need to take this?"  So far we have covered the basics of what a child learns in an elementary school music class.  Im pretty sure I dont even need o actually show up to class, but you never know if the Professor is going to pull a fast one, so I am here anyway.

I didnt attend the last session, mostly because  felt like I had the right to sleep in a bit.  It was the first three-day weekend at work (I work at a Renaissance festival) and I was beat.  Unbearably hot and humid on Saturday, slightly less humid on Sunday, and then the skies decided to pour down rain Monday.  So needless to say, I was beat.  (I may also add, I was camping, so I didnt get to escape to a cozy/dry room)

Et tu physics?

So I had my first physics lab today...now, first off, I love physics.  I love the theories, I love to talk about how things work and the way that they interact with the world around them, and I understand it. I understand the Bernoulli principle, I understand spring constants and force friction and all of that good sort of thing.  I just hate the math.  I hate calculations and trying to figure out things based on instructions by a third party.

We were doing this harmonic movement experiment, measuring the oscillation of a spring based on the weight that was out on it, blah blah blah.  The only problem was, The whole packet on instructions was written like someone had randomly inserted flashbacks of prior problems throughout.  Nearly impossible to read coherently, and even more impossible to figure out what the instructor wanted.

Even worse, it turns out that the lab instructor was not the one who wrote the instructions, so even he didn't know what was going on.  Therefore, my paper became a ink ridden, calculation covered mess.  Trying to follow my work would be like trying to follow directions given on mapquest.

I went to see him after class along with some others who were having issues, and luckily he let us turn in our papers next lab class, so I am going to print off a whole fresh new sheet, and see if  I can actually figure it out right this time.

Welcome

Hey there folks, this is my second blog, my other one being "A trip to the Cinema," which is a film review blog.  I thought that I would start a blog mostly focused on my daily life, including my adventures in reenacting, travel, and other such things in which I take part.

 I have tried this sort of thing before, but I generally lack the discipline to actually get on here.  I am going to try to update as often as I can, seeing as though I have some good gaps in my schedule here at school.

It is a bit slow in the reenacting season for me, as I am working at the Ohio Renaissance Festival for the 6th season, so I am missing (much to my chagrin) the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky.  However, the need for funds comes first.

In closing, enjoy the pictures and the history lessons I may throw in from time to time.

Regards.