Name Change (And more!)

As you may have noticed, I changed the blog name, in order to move away from a border-line narcissistic blog, to one with a more caring mission and world view. The name, and mission, was inspired by the passage of Socrates that was read and discussed in my Great Books class this week. Part of that passage was a metaphor about people locked in a cave, seeing only shadows of passing items lit by flames. This was representative of those who are locked in a mental rut, seeing only shadows of reality. The part which struck me was when Socrates was talking about a man who had been liberated, and went out into the broader world. Socrates said that his duty was to go back into that cave, and attempt to liberate others from that cave as well. Throughout the day, I was thinking about that cave, and that journey out of the cave. Reading articles, listening to podcasts, thinking about the state of the world, I realized that there are many more caves in the world than just the philosophical cave which Socrates is concerned. As someone who has come out of some caves, and was born outside of other caves, I feel the need to point out caves and rescue those who are locked inside. I challenge you to look for those caves everywhere you go, for caves are not just in the slums of Africa, or brothels of Asia, but in places where we would never think to look for them.

In lighter news, my life has been relatively calm and productive. I am taking classical Greek, and am simultaneously overwhelmed and encouraged, I am perhaps 2 weeks behind, but feel that I can catch up and thrive with the language. The Nutcracker party scene rehearsal this evening was great fun! We went quite far through our scene, which was encouraging, but we are having to learn many variations from last year, which is worrying, because the most difficult part of the party scene last year was the parent's dance routine. I hope that the dance routine remains the same from last year, because learning that, plus the new party scene's details, plus everything for the Prince understudy. Just too much dancing for me!!!

This political cycle has been very interesting for me to watch. Since I desire to eventually become involved in politics, either as an elected official, or some para-governmental position, this has been fascinating election/economic scenario. I would love to hear what you readers think, but not in a partisan fashion, more in a speculative style.

My cool thing of this post is Google's new Igoogle page, featuring embedded gadget access, which allows me to; read news articles, check my Gmail, open Google Docs, and post, all from my homepage.

Many blessings on you from our Divine Father in Heaven!

Weekend Update

One of the first things I thought today was something along the lines of my lack of posting this weekend, not because I lacked material, but because I had too much of it. Days where I have very close to nothing happening I will post my opinions, mental wanderings, etc. On days or stretches of days when many things are happening, I might not be able to post until nearly a day later (as in the case of today). With that explanation/apology, the weekend update of 17,18,19/10/08!!

Friday was a terrific day at the MBA, good crowds, nice weather and good groups. My favorite interaction with a guest, or guests in this case was a group of 7 or 8 students aged 10-12 from a "choral school". These boys were full of questions and energy, and yet still managed to listen every explanation for every question, process the answer, and then ask another question, within 3 seconds. Opposed to some guests who ask one question, and move on, these boys stayed with me for nearly 10 minutes, and asked more questions than every other guest combined that whole day. The bus ride was uninteresting, but once I transferred to the local bus, things became far more interesting. (To see my regular route see this) (To see the route I took on Friday see this)

When I arrived at the transit center, I noticed an unusually large amount of people waiting for the bus. After inquiring, I was informed that the previous bus had passed by without stopping, so the entire trip was extremely crowded. Part of my schooling involves me utilizing downtime, so I took some Greek flashcards with me, and was practicing on the bus. At some point I looked up from my cards, and realized that about 5 people were watching me looking at cards with gibbirsh characters on one side, and English on the other side. Later, as I was thinking about the post for that day, I realized that I was the IPTP for that bus ride. Not only was I a white kid, which had me already out of place, but I was carrying my helmet, my sweatshirt, and my backpack. The Greek flashcards were just icing.

Saturday was wonderfully fun! I went kayaking with something from the MBA called SOC, which stands for Student Oceanography Club, in which I am part of the student leadership. The group went to Elkhorn Slough (Map here) for kayaking, which was great, but a little cold. I was blessed with seeing some things that not many will be able to see. Sea lions popped up right next to me! I saw a sea otter breaking a shell on a rock on his chest! I saw harbor seals laying on the beach! I saw a white egret, which are endangered! Perhaps the most fun was after the kayaking was done, and some of the group went to a nearby beach. I remembered times from the year before when I took a football to other "field experiences", so I took my football along for the beach. Good time, good game of "3 Flags Up", good time of bonding among the few boys who are involved in SOC.

Sunday was just icing on the already exhausting cake that was my weekend. First church, then rush off to where Mandy does ballet (www.morganhilldance.com) to rehearse my understudy role as Prince Whateverhisnameis in the Nutcracker. Once that was finished (one of the most insidiously tiring hours of my life), then walked a little to see Bill Hiland at the British sports car show that was happening in downtown MH, and then finally, home.

Today was relatively calm, however, my big find was something I found on one of my favorite websites, "Slate". I thought this has huge potential. "Slate's presidential election soundboard" Probably more tomorrow, if things stay quiet.

Right now, Mom, Dad and I are critiquing commercials, and we have been watching TV Land with all the old people commercials, one of the commercials we have seen includes the line "If you or a loved one have been injured or died, you may have a claim to compensation." Anyone see any problems with that??