Weve Come A Long Way!

We’ve Come A Long Way!

Current mood:impressed

This week (specifically 12/27) marks the 120th anniversary of electricity coming to DeLand. DeLand was the first city in Florida to have electricity.

The benefactor supplying the street lights was John Stetson, of the Stetson Hat company, and namesake of Stetson University. He needed a bigger generator for his factory in Fairport, NY. He was one of the directors of the new power company, and used his old smaller generator here. The first generator donated by Stetson was the fourth generator made by Thomas Edison himself.

We have progressed a little since then. Look at the huge period of time that has passed in the spectrum of world history, and how much has been accomplished in the last 100 years, and even more so the last 20 years. Absolutely amazing, and stunning to think what the future may hold, even in our lifetime!

Christ HAS left the holiday...

Christ has left the holiday...

Current mood:discontent

At a DJ forum I haunt, someone started a thread about losing Christ in Christmas, from a Christian perspective. I posted a reply and liked the wording so I thought I would blog it publicly here. To see the entire thread, including my reply and responses, click here: http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10423

Why is Christmas becoming a Holiday? Where has Christ gone?

Christmas has become a big blur. Keep in mind, our societies values keep evolving...look at how life and culture was in the 50s compared to now...not only are family values and the importance of religion eroding, but the meaning of the holiday has become watered down into a commercial frenzy transcending all religious boundary.

Christmas is a holiday set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ. It has nothing to do with Santa, trees, decorations, gifting or marketing. Christmas is celebrated by Christians. Santa, trees and other things are NOT Christian symbols.

Much of what is used today to celebrate "Christmas" is actually derived from Pagan and Celtic Winter Solstice celebrations...but many moons ago, the practices became adopted by the Christians as well. So even todays symbols of Christmas have nothing to do with Christ by design. Christmas as we know it has only existed since the late 1800s.

Santa is not mentioned in the bible...he is a symbol of the man made version of Christmas. He is a fictional character of European descent whose legend has evolved. Even the image of Santa as we recognize him was created by Coca Cola many years ago in their marketing. Santa is a marketing icon.

But we overlook ALL these facts, and decide to lump the entire chalupa under the umbrella of Christmas...which apparantly, after all these decades, Christ has become less and less a part of. It is more about the commercial aspect, the party aspect, the gifting aspect and the Santa aspect than it has become about the Christ aspect.

So even non Christians participate in the other areas of the Holiday. Hence, the term Happy Holiday...since it encompasses all the aspects of the holiday without the focus on Christ.

You really think stringing lights all over your house makes you a better Christian? It does not show Christmas spirit, it shows Holiday spirit. Exalting Christ shows Christian Christmas spirit.

Society has been rewarded today for the evolution of the holiday by its members. We watered down the meaning and now are complaining that we cant find any Christ-meat in our Holiday stew?

So to those complaining about the erosion of Christ from Christmas...does having your tree up, lights up, sending your cards and buying and getting your gifts really celebrate Christmas, or is it more of a Holiday celebration. What did you do to celebrate Christ? Do you think your kids worshipped more to Christ or Santa?

Saying Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas is lip service. Only Christians celebrate Christmas, and I will go on a limb and say most of the Christians dont really know how to celebrate properly. THAT is why Christmas is becoming a Holiday.

Furthermore...in todays social climate, more people are willing to be open about stepping away from Christ. For many years it was so taboo to have an alternate belief, or a lack of belief, that the alternate believers remained underground. Further yet, many years we did not think as globally as we do now. There was not as much travel, communication, satellites or the internet, so belief remained regional. Today, beliefs or lack of, are more prevalent in smaller areas, so your community probably has larger pockets of groups who do not necessarily celebrate or worship Christ as the saviour, but do celebrate the holidays by participating in what has become the custom...trees, decorations and gifting.

This is where political correctness in borne from. Trying to please everyone...or rather not offend anyone. Tolerance goes a long way, but there appears to be a lack of it, and lets just say that it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. Everyone is afraid of being sued or boycotted for their professed belief, or now lack of. Everyone is now getting rabid when corporations choose the word Holiday over Christmas. This almost smacks of a reverse discrimination though, when you realize that Christmas being forced by Christians threatening boycotts is not very tolerant or Christlike either.

If you are a Christian, learn to properly celebrate your faith...if you celebrate Christmas the way 90% of America does, then Happy Holidays. If you are exalting Christ, then Merry Christmas.

It is your choice. It is my choice. But, THAT is where Christ has gone, and you put him there.

Rat Bastards

Rat Bastards

Current mood:angry

Came home today and saw Christmas cards in the street...checked and they belonged to my neighbors...apparently someone is going down the street and opening all the Christmas cards looking for loot. Some made it back to the mailbox, others were tossed to blow in the wind. Wonder how many wont get seen, or how much money got taken?

I am spearheading a campaign to remove all of our mailboxes and have the Post Office install a central mail station with lock boxes. If all the folks on my block agree, we can have it done free of charge! I am mailing out the requests tomorrow...we will see how it pans out.

This is why I personally have had a PO Box since 1983 or so! I GET my mail. It aint the 50s anymore.

2 Things - Of Helpful Crucifixions and Hannah Montana

2 Things - Of Helpful Crucifixions and Hannah Montana

Current mood:quixotic

Hadnt blogged in awhile...so, 2 things stuck in my craw today, and I thought I would just post them here...not that they really mean anything in the big scheme of things, but I thought you might find them fodder for interest as I did.

First of all, it is CAVALRY not CALVARY. Several times this week I have heard people say "Here comes the calvary". For those who do not know, the Cavalry were the mounted soldiers who would appear on the horizon when you were in peril and their appearance signified you would be helped...Calvary was the site of Jesus' crucifixion. Next time someone wants the calvary sent in, I implore you to crucify them.

Secondly...my news reports today are full of the arrival of Hannah Montana. Where I can see this is perhaps a cultural phenomena worthy of report on a slow news day, further scrutiny of the event leaves me baffled.

First, the show sold out in 45 minutes. Second, parents have been waiting in line for 2 days to get tickets. Now who waits 2 days to get tickets to entertain their child for 2 hours? Get a life...you could have spent those 2 days doing something more constructive for your child, or at least setting a better example than to display such behavior to a forming childs mind.

Furthermore, the tickets are now hot for scalping...which, as a business man leads me to ask myself...why didnt they raise the price...OR why didnt they just book a bigger venue...OR why didnt they book multiple nights if the demand is there...keep taking money and not have to break down the set daily!

So many questions...so much nonsense. Much ado about nothing. I just dont get it I guess, or else, I am ripe to join the entertainment management forces with my common sense and set the world on its ass. Color me silly.

All the best...will blog more as the spirit hits...just been so busy and uninspired lately.

Getting Tired

Getting Tired

Current mood:amused

Those who REALLY have known me for a long time will appreciate this entry more than those who just know me casually. I am not known to be "kind" to car tires. I either am abusive to them because I have a car that will allow me to be abusive (LOL) or my cars are so old they chew them up, or I dont keep a car long enough to worry about it.... I grew up in the day of cars that knew how to wear out a tire, and in the day of the $10 used tire store, LOL! I had cars I bought JUST because I wanted to wear tires out on them, LOL...see car blog for more details, LOL...

The genesis of my blog today is the fact that I am buying new tires for my van today. I have had these tires since day 1, and I can say in all my years, this is the FIRST set of tires I have gotten brand new, consumed properly with no abuse or issues, no flat tires, no damage repairs or plugs...all the way to the end of their service life. When I replace the tires this afternoon, they will have about 78,500 miles on them! That is a pretty remarkable number if you know me. I mentioned it to my brother, and he was amazed I had put that many miles on the van already, let alone the tires.

I really wanted to get to 80,000 miles just to say I did, but the front tire has a newly developed slow leak, and apparently operating it underinflated caused a problem that accellerated my decision to replace the whole set of 4 tires. I want to get to the end of the life of these tires without having had to remove my jack, or spare...or damage my van in the process of a blowout like I did to a few other vehicles I have owned.

AND, in a related issue out of my character...I am replacing them with the SAME brand and size tire, and paying full price without negotiating into a cheaper tire like I normally do, LOL. If I can get 80,000 out of THIS set, then it will be time to sell the van probably, so why skimp and get something that wont likely last as long?

It appears the self discipline and maturity of age has paid off for me...that and having a vehicle that is loaded with weight and unable to do stunts probably helped out as well...LOL. If the van could do smoky burnouts easily, chances are I would not be writing this today, LOL!

RESPECT THE PONY: Observation? Rant...Warning? Pet Peeve!

Observation? Rant...Warning? Pet Peeve!

Current mood:aggravated

When I get peeved, I find a blog lets off a little steam...no, this is not about glitter, that is another blog, but this is an issue I feel almost as strongly about.

People...just because one has a ponytail does not give one license to pull it. If you are in an intimate surrounding with a long haired person, then maybe all bets are off, but in a public setting, PLEASE dont pull ponytails or get the wearers attention by dragging them by the ponytail backwards.

The ponytail is first, a body appendage, and second a decoration. You should no more pull me to you by my hair then you would any other appendage. Even grabbing one by the arm and pulling them to you is rude, but to do it with ones hair is another level of assholatry altogether. You dont pull me to you by my hair, and I wont pull you to me by your boobs, or cock.

The best aggravation can be likened to wearing a tie. A tie takes a bit of effort to get a good knot, then a little effort to keep it aligned and straight and comfortable. A ponytail is the same animal...you have to get it straight and centered, then comfortable to your head...not too tight, and not too loose. When someone then "affectionately" pulls you to them, it is like grabbing ones tie and pulling them to you...then the tie is all disheveled, the knot is way too tight and off center, and they have to walk away from you and greet the world with a disheveled appearance, much to their dismay. A ponytail works the exact same way.

Sure, accidents happen when you interface with people and that can be overlooked. People will touch or stroke your hair and that is completely fine...but if your handling of my hair makes me stop in my tracks, puts my neck in an unnatural angle or leaves my coif looking like I just got out of bed, you have crossed a line.

Treat the ponies with respect my peeps...and never wear glitter. LOL.

Interesting Observation

Current mood:surprised

Had the radio on last night listening to an interview with Bill Cosby. Cosby was born in 1937, which has him celebrating his 70th birthday. Cosby is 28 years older than me (42).

Interesting observation to me was that Cosby's father, and my father were both born in the same year. I always knew I was a late in life baby, but that gave me pause to reflect and think: "Dayummm". LOL.

Just got me thinking more as I look thru these photos...