So I cried today. First time in a little over a year that I have cried. First ever that have cried in front of a groups of guys. What caused this rare outburst of emotion?
The love of God.
If you don't know anything about me, I am the chaplain of Kappa Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity at USC. Every Monday I do a devotion on a variety of topics. This past week I had watched a video about an organization I'm a part of called Compassion International. I was very moved by it and decided to talk about the video and the verse that went along with it. (James 1:27 if you are interested)
As I start preparing the devotion, I was having a hard time figuring out what to say. I looked up a few references and got it all done. But after I had finished, I wasn't satisfied. I read over my notes and it just didn't have what I wanted.
As I was driving to work, I guess the Spirit was moving in me and I decided to scrap the entire devotion and just play the video.
I went to work, left that and went to chapter. After Lukas lead worship, I got up to talk and started playing the video. It started off with some people talking about how it is the churches responsibility to care for the orphans or the widows and that we are called to do this. They then started talking about Compassion. They go into 3rd world countries and introduce Christ to children. They also provide clothing, medicine, food, and an education. They are trying to break the cycle of poverty starting with children.
The video then cuts to two men. One of the men was from Kenya who had been in Compassion. He talked about how much his life had changed after someone had decided to sponsor him and how Christ was moving in his life. Then the host brought out the man who had sponsored him. They embraced and cried together. Two grown men. They are forever connected because one man decided to sacrifice a little time and money to help out his fellow man.
The video finished and started to talk a little bit about my experiences with Compassion. I sponsor a child, named Heber, from Bolivia. When I started to talk about him, I was overcome with emotion to the point I actually started crying when I was talking about how I feel when I get his letters. It completely makes my day, and sometimes the week. I usually show my roommate the letter and read it to him.
I think I cried because at that point I realized the extent of what exactly I was doing. I was helping this kid, who I have never met, become something. I am showing Christ's love to him. I am getting him off the streets, breaking the cycle of poverty, maybe even saving his life.
God loves us so much that he sent his Son, Christ, to earth as a sacrifice to pay for our sins. Because God loves us we are to love and sacrifice for others. I sacrifice $38 a month so that a kid can eat, learn, and change his surroundings. O yea, and he has a relationship with Jesus Christ, so that in and of itself is worth it alone.
We always say that we want a better world or that things should be done to make the world a better place. Yet we sit on our couch driving our cars, eating WAY to much, getting fat expecting that someone else will solve all the problems.
My challenge to the 7 people that will read this that want a better world is simple. PROVE IT. Do something about it. Whether its sponsoring a child, or becoming part of some organization. Don't just stand by waiting for someone else to step up. Change the world.
www.compassion.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Playing in the Rain
So right now it is absolutely pouring in Columbia with crazy amounts of thunder and lightening going off every 3 seconds (yes 3 seconds. I counted and timed and then came up with an average). So I decided that it would be a fun idea to just go outside, sit on the stoop of the apartment, and collect my thoughts or whatever people do when they sit outside in the rain.
After about 3 minutes, I had gotten so excited from all the rain (I was literally jumping up and down giggling) I called Lee out there and we just watched for a few more minutes. After a while we decided to see how deep the water was out by the street. So I ripped off my shirt and ran out to the road. It was up to my ankle and rising! I came back onto the stoop and then realized that someone's recycling bin was floating away, so I had to go chase it down. I put it in someone's lawn, hopefully it was the right lawn.
After that Lee and I just decided to be children and went and played in the rain. We pretty much just ran up and down the street and waved at cars. We had a few honks and a lot of weird looks. We ended up making a boat and letting it float down the street.
It was nice being a kid again. Sometimes we get so caught in life with work and school and all the other "stuff" that we crowd our life with, that we never stop and see how awesome the world is around us. We see rain as an inconvenience because it will take us longer to get to our next activity.
God has given us this awesome world to be a part of. Sometimes we need to just step back from all the "stuff" that we "have to do" and just sit back and be amazed by the awesome creation that God has made. You might just be surprised how much fun it is.
After about 3 minutes, I had gotten so excited from all the rain (I was literally jumping up and down giggling) I called Lee out there and we just watched for a few more minutes. After a while we decided to see how deep the water was out by the street. So I ripped off my shirt and ran out to the road. It was up to my ankle and rising! I came back onto the stoop and then realized that someone's recycling bin was floating away, so I had to go chase it down. I put it in someone's lawn, hopefully it was the right lawn.
After that Lee and I just decided to be children and went and played in the rain. We pretty much just ran up and down the street and waved at cars. We had a few honks and a lot of weird looks. We ended up making a boat and letting it float down the street.
It was nice being a kid again. Sometimes we get so caught in life with work and school and all the other "stuff" that we crowd our life with, that we never stop and see how awesome the world is around us. We see rain as an inconvenience because it will take us longer to get to our next activity.
God has given us this awesome world to be a part of. Sometimes we need to just step back from all the "stuff" that we "have to do" and just sit back and be amazed by the awesome creation that God has made. You might just be surprised how much fun it is.
Monday, July 6, 2009
It Has Been A Year
So as of last Thursday July 2, 2009, I have been in the United States for an entire year since getting back from Australia. I can't believe how fast the year has gone. It still feels like I walked into Burnett yesterday and met the most amazing people on Ground Floor North like Warwick, Dannie, Karina, Matt, Kruz, Prue, and Kirrilly. I will not forget the great memories and friendships that I formed with people from around the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other places.
The past year I have found myself thinking what I was doing at that point in the year in Australia. I watched NBA and college basketball championships, USA soccer games, and even baseball games in the TEDs basement. I watched the last hole of the Masters in a Canterbury store in New Zealand. I went skydiving, bungee jumping, and glacier hiking. I have camped on islands, climbed mountains, and slept in vans. Casinos, tazzie devils, and Big Bananas. I loved kangaroos and hated Cockatoos.
One of the best things that happened to me while I was there, was getting involved in UniChurch and Newcastle Christian Students. Meeting Martin and Webbie at Reality Bible study really made sure that I stayed connected with God and continued to develop my relationship with Christ. It was great to learn about Christ outside of the American church and to hear it all from different perspectives and different cultures. I will never forget hanging out and meeting amazing people like Kiwi, Abro, Sam, Tom, Ben, Kate, Julie, Rosi, Dave, Scottie, and Mick. I'm sure I am leaving some of you out and I'm sorry about that.
The past year has gone by so fast and has been so amazing. I have started pharmacy school, gotten a nephew, been to Peru to help spread the love of Christ, joined a fraternity, bought a grill, had it stolen, and so much more stuff. It is amazing what God can do for you when you put your trust in Him.
I loved my time in Australia. Will I ever go back? We will see. It all depends on what God wants for me. To the people that I met there, I love each and every one of you and I am glad to have met you. Hopefully, by the grace of God, our paths will cross again.
The past year I have found myself thinking what I was doing at that point in the year in Australia. I watched NBA and college basketball championships, USA soccer games, and even baseball games in the TEDs basement. I watched the last hole of the Masters in a Canterbury store in New Zealand. I went skydiving, bungee jumping, and glacier hiking. I have camped on islands, climbed mountains, and slept in vans. Casinos, tazzie devils, and Big Bananas. I loved kangaroos and hated Cockatoos.
One of the best things that happened to me while I was there, was getting involved in UniChurch and Newcastle Christian Students. Meeting Martin and Webbie at Reality Bible study really made sure that I stayed connected with God and continued to develop my relationship with Christ. It was great to learn about Christ outside of the American church and to hear it all from different perspectives and different cultures. I will never forget hanging out and meeting amazing people like Kiwi, Abro, Sam, Tom, Ben, Kate, Julie, Rosi, Dave, Scottie, and Mick. I'm sure I am leaving some of you out and I'm sorry about that.
The past year has gone by so fast and has been so amazing. I have started pharmacy school, gotten a nephew, been to Peru to help spread the love of Christ, joined a fraternity, bought a grill, had it stolen, and so much more stuff. It is amazing what God can do for you when you put your trust in Him.
I loved my time in Australia. Will I ever go back? We will see. It all depends on what God wants for me. To the people that I met there, I love each and every one of you and I am glad to have met you. Hopefully, by the grace of God, our paths will cross again.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hole in the Wall
So today I had an amazing experience. I had lunch with some folks from First at a place called Compton's. This is over in West Columbia, very close to Triangle City, as it was pointed out to me. I had never been but I heard that it was the place to be. We walk in, and it mostly senior citizens that were getting their fill on the South's finest: fried chicken, fried pork chops, country fried steak and things like that. (note the use of fried in every food mentioned) All the waitresses knew the people in our group as well as most of the other people eating at the restaurant. As I found out later, everyone was a regular and had been coming to this place since 1974.
Going to this place made me think about other hole in the wall type restaurants. These are the restaurants that look all run down and make you wonder why anyone would ever eat there. Then you go in and wonder why anyone wouldn't eat there. This places are so much better than McDonald's, Burger King, or Arby's. It is phenominal food at a phenominal place. Yes you might have to wait a little longer than 15 seconds for your food, but in the end it is very worth the wait.
Some other great restaurants I have experienced in my life that come to mind are from back where I was raised in Albany. The first place that comes to mind is The Quickie. It is named that because it comes and goes very quickly. I would go there every Friday morning during high school for prayer breakfast and be greeted by "the usual?" from the amazing Ms Pat, who never gave out menues or had a consistant price.
Another place is Carter's Grill which is also in Albany. This place has some of the best soul food that I have ever had. That's right, soul food. Fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, cornbread, and a big ole' glass of sweet tea. This was my first meal back in the States after getting back from Australia. The entire place is covered with pictures of famous people that have come in such as Steve Harvey, Deion Branch, and even Bill Clinton.
The point I'm trying to make is, next time you are looking for a place to eat and turn some place down because it looks "rundown," just give it a chance. These places might not be around forever. They are usually family run and they really hope that you are eating a quality product. When ever I eat at a place like that I feel like I am in a part of history, or a part of a story. Can you say that happens at your standardized, no personality, fast food joint?
Going to this place made me think about other hole in the wall type restaurants. These are the restaurants that look all run down and make you wonder why anyone would ever eat there. Then you go in and wonder why anyone wouldn't eat there. This places are so much better than McDonald's, Burger King, or Arby's. It is phenominal food at a phenominal place. Yes you might have to wait a little longer than 15 seconds for your food, but in the end it is very worth the wait.
Some other great restaurants I have experienced in my life that come to mind are from back where I was raised in Albany. The first place that comes to mind is The Quickie. It is named that because it comes and goes very quickly. I would go there every Friday morning during high school for prayer breakfast and be greeted by "the usual?" from the amazing Ms Pat, who never gave out menues or had a consistant price.
Another place is Carter's Grill which is also in Albany. This place has some of the best soul food that I have ever had. That's right, soul food. Fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, cornbread, and a big ole' glass of sweet tea. This was my first meal back in the States after getting back from Australia. The entire place is covered with pictures of famous people that have come in such as Steve Harvey, Deion Branch, and even Bill Clinton.
The point I'm trying to make is, next time you are looking for a place to eat and turn some place down because it looks "rundown," just give it a chance. These places might not be around forever. They are usually family run and they really hope that you are eating a quality product. When ever I eat at a place like that I feel like I am in a part of history, or a part of a story. Can you say that happens at your standardized, no personality, fast food joint?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Saved by the Bell
So I learned today something that stirs up memories from my childhood. Going off of a link from Facebook to youtube there is a video of from the Jimmy Fallon show where he is interviewing Zack Morris. Yes. Zack Morris. Not Mark Paul Gosselaar, but Zack Morris. There were the familiar rolled up jeans, time outs, pictures of Kelly, and yes the Zack Morris cellular phone.
Little did I know before the interview, Jimmy Fallon had started a push to get the entire cast to have a reunion on the show. Mr. Belding, Liza Turtle, AC Slater, Jessi Spano, and now Zack Morris have all agreed to do a reunion. The only two that haven't agreed yet are Kelly Kapowski, and Screech. I am hopeful that both of them will come back to what started there acting careers but I doubt that Screech will.
Thinking about Saved by the Bell made me go back to my childhood. While I was just a babe when the show originally aired, I distinctly remember watching the show every morning on TBS before I went to school. I was also a huge fan of tNBC. tNBC was NBC's Saturday morning lineup. It was real actors and not cartoons. It had shows like California Dreaming, Hang Time, City Guys, Saved by the Bell: the New Class, and One World. These shows were geared more towards teens and were, simply put, awesome.
They were all pretty much the exact same show, but they were all great in their own different, cheesy ways. They were all set in a high school setting and involved problems of a "typical" high schooler. I look back at these shows and realize how cheesy they were but how awesome they were at the time. It makes me think about kids now and the shows that they watch and how they will view them in ten years or so.
So for you fans of the early morning TV, hears to living in the past and hoping that Saved by the Bell will soon grace us with a reunion on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Come on Kelly and Screech
Little did I know before the interview, Jimmy Fallon had started a push to get the entire cast to have a reunion on the show. Mr. Belding, Liza Turtle, AC Slater, Jessi Spano, and now Zack Morris have all agreed to do a reunion. The only two that haven't agreed yet are Kelly Kapowski, and Screech. I am hopeful that both of them will come back to what started there acting careers but I doubt that Screech will.
Thinking about Saved by the Bell made me go back to my childhood. While I was just a babe when the show originally aired, I distinctly remember watching the show every morning on TBS before I went to school. I was also a huge fan of tNBC. tNBC was NBC's Saturday morning lineup. It was real actors and not cartoons. It had shows like California Dreaming, Hang Time, City Guys, Saved by the Bell: the New Class, and One World. These shows were geared more towards teens and were, simply put, awesome.
They were all pretty much the exact same show, but they were all great in their own different, cheesy ways. They were all set in a high school setting and involved problems of a "typical" high schooler. I look back at these shows and realize how cheesy they were but how awesome they were at the time. It makes me think about kids now and the shows that they watch and how they will view them in ten years or so.
So for you fans of the early morning TV, hears to living in the past and hoping that Saved by the Bell will soon grace us with a reunion on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Come on Kelly and Screech
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Perfect Weekend
So this weekend is the unofficial start of the summer season. Good Ole Memorial Day weekend. This is a time where people get together, grill out, go out on the lake, watch some baseball, relax, and basically just be American.
Two things that are definitely American, and Southern specically are Coca Cola and NASCAR and the connection between the two. That's right, I'm talking about the Coca-Cola 600 that is on tonight. This is more that just a race. This is four hours of nonstop, 200 MPH, night racing. It really doesn't get any better than this. This is the marathon of racing. It is like going from Atlanta to Washington D.C. is less than four hours.
Some people might ask, "Ben, since when did you become such a NASCAR junkie?" My response to that is that NASCAR has been shown on Sunday afternoons in my house since I can remember. I grew up a fan of Mark Martin in the 6 Valvoline Car, when the Earnhardts and Elliot and Wallaces were still ruling the track. Jeff Gordon was just breaking onto the scene. Now I call myself a Carl Edwards fan, absolutely despise the scum of NASCAR Kyle Busch, and wish that Junior could actually carry on the family name and win a race every now and then.
To me NASCAR is more than just racing around in circles making left turns all day (which is what they do in horse racing and in track). If you think about it, all sports, when broken down to their basics are very simple. Baseball players hit a rock with a stick and run in circles. Basketball tries to get a ball into a basket. Football tries to get an inflated piece of animal skin over a line.
I'm not saying that other sports aren't complicated. I'm just saying that NASCAR gets a bad rap for "just going in circles." There is so much strategy going on that people don't even realize. The teams must consider tire pressure, pit windows, drafting, how much wedge to add. Every little tiny detail must be considered. If a lug nut on the tire is fastened as tightly as possible, after racing 30 laps at 200 mph the tire can and will come off.
So if you are looking for me this glorious Memorial Day weekend, you can find me hanging out with my friends, grilling steaks and burgers, drinking Coke, watching NASCAR. What else could you ask for?
Two things that are definitely American, and Southern specically are Coca Cola and NASCAR and the connection between the two. That's right, I'm talking about the Coca-Cola 600 that is on tonight. This is more that just a race. This is four hours of nonstop, 200 MPH, night racing. It really doesn't get any better than this. This is the marathon of racing. It is like going from Atlanta to Washington D.C. is less than four hours.
Some people might ask, "Ben, since when did you become such a NASCAR junkie?" My response to that is that NASCAR has been shown on Sunday afternoons in my house since I can remember. I grew up a fan of Mark Martin in the 6 Valvoline Car, when the Earnhardts and Elliot and Wallaces were still ruling the track. Jeff Gordon was just breaking onto the scene. Now I call myself a Carl Edwards fan, absolutely despise the scum of NASCAR Kyle Busch, and wish that Junior could actually carry on the family name and win a race every now and then.
To me NASCAR is more than just racing around in circles making left turns all day (which is what they do in horse racing and in track). If you think about it, all sports, when broken down to their basics are very simple. Baseball players hit a rock with a stick and run in circles. Basketball tries to get a ball into a basket. Football tries to get an inflated piece of animal skin over a line.
I'm not saying that other sports aren't complicated. I'm just saying that NASCAR gets a bad rap for "just going in circles." There is so much strategy going on that people don't even realize. The teams must consider tire pressure, pit windows, drafting, how much wedge to add. Every little tiny detail must be considered. If a lug nut on the tire is fastened as tightly as possible, after racing 30 laps at 200 mph the tire can and will come off.
So if you are looking for me this glorious Memorial Day weekend, you can find me hanging out with my friends, grilling steaks and burgers, drinking Coke, watching NASCAR. What else could you ask for?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
My Confession
So I have a confession to make to everyone. I fought it for a while, but I eventually started admitting it to a few people. Now I am ready to admit it to the entire world, or at least to the 5 people that read this thing.
I drive a girl's car.
That's right. My car is a car that a girl should drive. It is a 2002 Jeep Liberty. This is the part of the story where all guys will say, "You know what he is right," and all the girls will say, "No, that is a cute car and I really want one." That is exactly my point. The Jeep Liberty is a "cute" car. I was drawn to it originally because it was a Jeep and I associate Jeep with "Man."
That association quickly went out the window. Driving around Columbia, I notice Liberties a lot more than I used to before I had it. (When I owned a Nissan Altima) The thing I have noticed about my car is that I am one of the few men driving it. Look at the next Jeep Liberty you see. Odds are there is either a college aged girl, or a middle aged woman driving it. There will also be her initials written in script on the back window.
Thinking about my girl car makes me wonder, what are some other girl cars? Here are some that I consider to be girl cars in no particular order. Please don't kill me men if you drive one of these cars.
1. Mazda Miata
2. Ford Mustang (not counting the original 60s versions)
3. Mini Cooper
4. Volkswagon Jetta
5. Ford Focus
6. Pontiac Vibe
7. Volkswagon Beetle (the new ones)
8. Chevy Tahoe or any other abnormally large SUV (this might seem like a reach but just look at who drives them)
9. Jeep Liberty
10. Toyota Rav4
So that is my list of girl cars. Guys, if you drive one of these cars and didn't realize it, then I'm sorry, but you needed to be told. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Now I must leave and go downtown where girls will see my car and be jealous of my cute mode of transportation.
I drive a girl's car.
That's right. My car is a car that a girl should drive. It is a 2002 Jeep Liberty. This is the part of the story where all guys will say, "You know what he is right," and all the girls will say, "No, that is a cute car and I really want one." That is exactly my point. The Jeep Liberty is a "cute" car. I was drawn to it originally because it was a Jeep and I associate Jeep with "Man."
That association quickly went out the window. Driving around Columbia, I notice Liberties a lot more than I used to before I had it. (When I owned a Nissan Altima) The thing I have noticed about my car is that I am one of the few men driving it. Look at the next Jeep Liberty you see. Odds are there is either a college aged girl, or a middle aged woman driving it. There will also be her initials written in script on the back window.
Thinking about my girl car makes me wonder, what are some other girl cars? Here are some that I consider to be girl cars in no particular order. Please don't kill me men if you drive one of these cars.
1. Mazda Miata
2. Ford Mustang (not counting the original 60s versions)
3. Mini Cooper
4. Volkswagon Jetta
5. Ford Focus
6. Pontiac Vibe
7. Volkswagon Beetle (the new ones)
8. Chevy Tahoe or any other abnormally large SUV (this might seem like a reach but just look at who drives them)
9. Jeep Liberty
10. Toyota Rav4
So that is my list of girl cars. Guys, if you drive one of these cars and didn't realize it, then I'm sorry, but you needed to be told. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Now I must leave and go downtown where girls will see my car and be jealous of my cute mode of transportation.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The End is Nigh
So it is 7 in the morning and I am awake. I hate that point. I didn't go to bed until about 2:30 last night. I also hate that point. Why am awake after getting to bed so late? I'll tell you.
Finals.
Finals to me are bittersweet. On one hand summer is almost here and I am free to do whatever I want to do (work 40 hours a week and not get paid a dime). Then on the other hand there is a seven day span that has five finals in it. Thats the bitter part.
Now keep in mind, I'm not going off on the education system that judges solely on standardized testing or whatever some people get angry about. I, for one, love trying to completely bubble in the little circles. I'm just saying that I don't like taking five huge tests all in succession.
With all the bad that finals contain, there is good. That good being that today in two hours is my last final of the year and that I have successfully (hopefully) completed my first year of pharmacy school and am now halfway done with my college education.
But here is the bad, I have to stop typing and start studying so that I can pass Biochem and not have to take it again.
At least the end is nigh.
Finals.
Finals to me are bittersweet. On one hand summer is almost here and I am free to do whatever I want to do (work 40 hours a week and not get paid a dime). Then on the other hand there is a seven day span that has five finals in it. Thats the bitter part.
Now keep in mind, I'm not going off on the education system that judges solely on standardized testing or whatever some people get angry about. I, for one, love trying to completely bubble in the little circles. I'm just saying that I don't like taking five huge tests all in succession.
With all the bad that finals contain, there is good. That good being that today in two hours is my last final of the year and that I have successfully (hopefully) completed my first year of pharmacy school and am now halfway done with my college education.
But here is the bad, I have to stop typing and start studying so that I can pass Biochem and not have to take it again.
At least the end is nigh.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Good Ole Fashion BBQ
Oh hey there. I need to talk to you. Step into my office.
Tonight is the night. There will be a BBQ out at the house. It is going to be amazing. Josh and Lee have been cooking all day and tonight around 40 people will make their way out to The Castle and join in the feast.
I will admit, I didn't really care too much for BBQ before I came to South Carolina. I knew what it was, but just was never really into it. That's was before I knew about the intricacies of it. I didn't know the difference between mustard and vinegar. If you don't either, realize that there is a huge difference and that you have to pick a favorite. I, myself, prefer the mustard based but that is just me.
I think that it is interesting the different ideas about BBQ. In the North, a BBQ is just grilling out, like hamburgers and hot dogs and things like that. In Texas it is different. I don't know why it is different but it is. And then there is Carolina BBQ. It is just pulled pork for the most part, but it is amazing. That's really all I know about BBQ so I am going to stop now.
Tonight is the night. There will be a BBQ out at the house. It is going to be amazing. Josh and Lee have been cooking all day and tonight around 40 people will make their way out to The Castle and join in the feast.
I will admit, I didn't really care too much for BBQ before I came to South Carolina. I knew what it was, but just was never really into it. That's was before I knew about the intricacies of it. I didn't know the difference between mustard and vinegar. If you don't either, realize that there is a huge difference and that you have to pick a favorite. I, myself, prefer the mustard based but that is just me.
I think that it is interesting the different ideas about BBQ. In the North, a BBQ is just grilling out, like hamburgers and hot dogs and things like that. In Texas it is different. I don't know why it is different but it is. And then there is Carolina BBQ. It is just pulled pork for the most part, but it is amazing. That's really all I know about BBQ so I am going to stop now.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Bumper Stickers
Hey I need to talk to you. Come here, step into my office.
So I'm driving back to my house today and I see something that I haven't seen since I was in the second grade. It was a bumper sticker campaigning for Clinton/Gore '96. I was stunned. Why does that person still have that bumper sticker on their car. Do they not know that that election was 13 years ago now, and that this country has had three presidential elections since then? Have they been in a coma for 13 years and no one drove their car during that time? Or maybe it is like that terrible Brendan Frazier movie, Blast from the Past, where he grows up living in a nuclear fall out shelter for 30 years. Regardless it was just strange to see.
Anyways, that story gets me to my thought of the day. What is the deal with bumper stickers? I have never had one on my car, nor do I ever intend on getting one. I just don't see the point. Now I don't scoff at people that have them or anything, I just don't see what the big deal is with them. I really love the political stickers like, "W The President" or "OBummer." Or the always popular hippie stickers like, "End the slaughter, boycott Canadian seafood." Do people really think that I am going be convinced to vote a certain way or not do something because I saw it on a bumper sticker? I just don't get it. Also, I just don't think that people care that your horn is broken and that I should watch for your finger.
Finally, I have taken stickers off of other things and there is always leftover sticker that has torn off. Does that not stay on the car? It just seems like a big hassle when you decide you have to take off the sticker.
So that's my random post about my dislike for bumper stickers. O and by the way, my shetland pony is smarter than your honor student.
So I'm driving back to my house today and I see something that I haven't seen since I was in the second grade. It was a bumper sticker campaigning for Clinton/Gore '96. I was stunned. Why does that person still have that bumper sticker on their car. Do they not know that that election was 13 years ago now, and that this country has had three presidential elections since then? Have they been in a coma for 13 years and no one drove their car during that time? Or maybe it is like that terrible Brendan Frazier movie, Blast from the Past, where he grows up living in a nuclear fall out shelter for 30 years. Regardless it was just strange to see.
Anyways, that story gets me to my thought of the day. What is the deal with bumper stickers? I have never had one on my car, nor do I ever intend on getting one. I just don't see the point. Now I don't scoff at people that have them or anything, I just don't see what the big deal is with them. I really love the political stickers like, "W The President" or "OBummer." Or the always popular hippie stickers like, "End the slaughter, boycott Canadian seafood." Do people really think that I am going be convinced to vote a certain way or not do something because I saw it on a bumper sticker? I just don't get it. Also, I just don't think that people care that your horn is broken and that I should watch for your finger.
Finally, I have taken stickers off of other things and there is always leftover sticker that has torn off. Does that not stay on the car? It just seems like a big hassle when you decide you have to take off the sticker.
So that's my random post about my dislike for bumper stickers. O and by the way, my shetland pony is smarter than your honor student.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Day 2
Hey there. Step into my office.
So it is day 2 of the Ben Culpepper blog experience. It's pretty exciting I know. Today is Saturday and I was so excited because I was going to sleep in today, but little did I know that one Josh Wood Hat had other plans. Joker starts banging on my door at 8:30 in the morning so that we could go help set up for formal tonight. Wasn't pleased.
Tonight is the big night. Pin Stripes and Pearls. Don't really get the theme cause I'm not wearing pinstripes and my date, Mandy Gassen, isn't wearing pearls but whatever. It should be a fun night and at the very least there will be BBQ so it is bound to be a good night.
That's all I got today. Nothing ground breaking or hilarious. Hopefully I can do this thing almost every day, even though I really don't have anything to say.
So it is day 2 of the Ben Culpepper blog experience. It's pretty exciting I know. Today is Saturday and I was so excited because I was going to sleep in today, but little did I know that one Josh Wood Hat had other plans. Joker starts banging on my door at 8:30 in the morning so that we could go help set up for formal tonight. Wasn't pleased.
Tonight is the big night. Pin Stripes and Pearls. Don't really get the theme cause I'm not wearing pinstripes and my date, Mandy Gassen, isn't wearing pearls but whatever. It should be a fun night and at the very least there will be BBQ so it is bound to be a good night.
That's all I got today. Nothing ground breaking or hilarious. Hopefully I can do this thing almost every day, even though I really don't have anything to say.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Greetings
Well it has happened. I never thought this day would come. Who would have thought that this would become a reality. Do you believe it? I know it is pretty crazy. I can hardly believe it myself. I, Benjamin Lewis Culpepper, have created my very own blog. I never thought I would see the day. My excuse has been that I wouldn't have anything to talk about. That is still true, but I figured that I could share not having anything to talk about with everyone else. Everything that I post here is Marcus Williamson's fault. He told me to do this.
Just a little information about me in case you don't already know me. I am in pharmacy school at The University of South Carolina. I am just finishing my first year and it has been tough. I told someone that it feels like I have been hit by a truck. Through all that I will keep on keeping on and hope to graduate in May 2012.
Last semester I joined a group of men in starting the first and only Christian fraternity at USC, Kappa Upsilon Chi. I thank God everyday for bringing these guys into my life and blessing me with the strong support that they offer.
I am left handed, so watch out when eating with me.
I have lived in Georgia, South Carolina, and New South Wales in the land of Australia.
I wake up everyday thanking God for sending His Son, and my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to the world to pay for my sins, so that I may be perfect in His sight. Without Him, I would have no purpose in my life. I try to show Christ in everything that I do, even though sometimes I fail.
I think that is enough for now. I need to pace myself and not do too much too soon. I live by that statement. I invite you to follow this blog. I make no guaruntees and I don't promise anything groundbreaking. I just hope that maybe I can get you to think about stuff and at the very least make you chuckle on my behalf at least once.
If you ever need to talk... please... Step Into My Office
Just a little information about me in case you don't already know me. I am in pharmacy school at The University of South Carolina. I am just finishing my first year and it has been tough. I told someone that it feels like I have been hit by a truck. Through all that I will keep on keeping on and hope to graduate in May 2012.
Last semester I joined a group of men in starting the first and only Christian fraternity at USC, Kappa Upsilon Chi. I thank God everyday for bringing these guys into my life and blessing me with the strong support that they offer.
I am left handed, so watch out when eating with me.
I have lived in Georgia, South Carolina, and New South Wales in the land of Australia.
I wake up everyday thanking God for sending His Son, and my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to the world to pay for my sins, so that I may be perfect in His sight. Without Him, I would have no purpose in my life. I try to show Christ in everything that I do, even though sometimes I fail.
I think that is enough for now. I need to pace myself and not do too much too soon. I live by that statement. I invite you to follow this blog. I make no guaruntees and I don't promise anything groundbreaking. I just hope that maybe I can get you to think about stuff and at the very least make you chuckle on my behalf at least once.
If you ever need to talk... please... Step Into My Office
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