In retail we deal with money.
At Best Buy we deal in a copious amount of money.
In the past week I have swiped and counted more cash than I ever thought possible. All of this swiping and counting has given me pause. I have taken time to think about plastic. Plastic cards.
Sometimes when there is a large line we will put debit and credit only till. And it's funny because it is at these times that everyone wants to pay with cash. When they reach the "everything" till they exclaim "Doesn't anyone take cash anymore?". This I find amusing.
Convenience. We crave convenience. Therefore we "evolve" and we create things like vending machines and internet and online shopping and credit cards. Gatsby's American Dream (not the band, the book) is not reached by hard work and toil so much anymore, but by credit and loans.
It is interesting. And I am unsure how I feel about all of it. This frivolous succumbing to consumerism, despite its cost on life and its stress, pains me to watch it slowly unravel society. Yet I myself am apt to partake in much more spending than I should, with money I do not have. I regret this.
And I wonder what might God have to say? And what advice might he give me to deal with our strange American beliefs and standards?
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A New Verse...
"I wanna wake up kicking and screaming..." -Switchfoot
Today is Christmas.
We woke up at 8 which was a huge change from every other year. And, you know, the extra three hours of sleep did me some good. We did our usual stocking rituals and then herded downstairs for the ole tree excercise. One of my gifts was a non-descript square box shaped package. When I opened it I was staring at this beautiful piece of framed wire art. If you're into art then you understand that feeling when you look at this beautiful something someone has made and you resonate with it. I had forgotten I'd asked for this gift. It was weird seeing this piece that I had stared at and wished was mine sitting in my lap. It is deep black and white frame of a wire man leaping through the stars. It's simplicity is beautiful and unique. The gift itself means a lot. The art means more than it really says to anyone else. It is my commemoration of a new journey.
My gift following the art was surprising. It was a package of beginning art supplies. Pastels, pencils, paints etc. A little of everything. Canvasses and sketch books as well. The reason for this is because, at the age of 24, I have decided to become an artist. Well, at least dabble in it more intently. I readily admit that I know nothing when it comes to art, in the visual form, except for a little bit of photography. I am really more of a person who paints with pen and words.
I'm not sure I would have bought the stuff for myself. It was such a risk. What if I were to start using the paints or whatever and I realized that I was awful? All of that money and excitment spent only to be disappointed. I couldn't do it. I would look at things in Micheals and other art stores and just wish I knew what I was doing, but I wasn't willing to take the risk.
This is where the "commemorative art piece" comes in. It's called "Leap of Freedom" but I kind of see it as more of a dance. I want to be free to explore and be myself and so I know I have to risk failing in order to try. I have to learn in order to dance. So I'm going to. And my wire art will remind me of that.
To end a possibly thought provoking blurb I have a quote from Dead Poets Society: "But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"
What will your verse be?
Mine? That's what I'm determined to find out on this new journey.
Today is Christmas.
We woke up at 8 which was a huge change from every other year. And, you know, the extra three hours of sleep did me some good. We did our usual stocking rituals and then herded downstairs for the ole tree excercise. One of my gifts was a non-descript square box shaped package. When I opened it I was staring at this beautiful piece of framed wire art. If you're into art then you understand that feeling when you look at this beautiful something someone has made and you resonate with it. I had forgotten I'd asked for this gift. It was weird seeing this piece that I had stared at and wished was mine sitting in my lap. It is deep black and white frame of a wire man leaping through the stars. It's simplicity is beautiful and unique. The gift itself means a lot. The art means more than it really says to anyone else. It is my commemoration of a new journey.
My gift following the art was surprising. It was a package of beginning art supplies. Pastels, pencils, paints etc. A little of everything. Canvasses and sketch books as well. The reason for this is because, at the age of 24, I have decided to become an artist. Well, at least dabble in it more intently. I readily admit that I know nothing when it comes to art, in the visual form, except for a little bit of photography. I am really more of a person who paints with pen and words.
I'm not sure I would have bought the stuff for myself. It was such a risk. What if I were to start using the paints or whatever and I realized that I was awful? All of that money and excitment spent only to be disappointed. I couldn't do it. I would look at things in Micheals and other art stores and just wish I knew what I was doing, but I wasn't willing to take the risk.
This is where the "commemorative art piece" comes in. It's called "Leap of Freedom" but I kind of see it as more of a dance. I want to be free to explore and be myself and so I know I have to risk failing in order to try. I have to learn in order to dance. So I'm going to. And my wire art will remind me of that.
To end a possibly thought provoking blurb I have a quote from Dead Poets Society: "But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"
What will your verse be?
Mine? That's what I'm determined to find out on this new journey.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
On and On
I can't think of a better way to begin my blog than to post a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien. This poem has always reminded me of the spirit I should have when I look at life. I need to see life as the adventure it is intended to be. No more of this I just float along with the ebb and flow nonsense. But life is meant to be deliberate. It is mysterious and yet evident as we cross each road continually to find our way.
The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Far ahead the road has gone
And I must follow if I can
Pursuing it with weary feet
Until it joins a larger way
Where many paths and errands meet
And whither then I cannot say?
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