Digging
Today, in true NTC workday fashion, I dug a trench with the inestimable Mr. Jake. It was, as I think we both could agree, an exemplary trench, worthy fruit of our tender attentions: straight, true, regular, and above all done by amatuers with twice the necessary time and attention to detail. Truly, then, a Theologian's work.
For all that, however, there is something beautifully neanderthal about wielding a pickaxe while listening to Guns N' Roses. To find really enjoyable (not just vaguely rewarding, but fun) physical work isn't something exactly common in my experience; probably part of it is the joy of bragging rights - 'never has so much [work] achieved so little', as the saying goes. Or, y'know, could go. All you who cleaned windows or weeded gardens or swept floors take note: we know the value of a real man's job. So far, it's been to mess up the campus ahead of graduation day. And to remind the staff why we like to hire professionals.
God bless us for services rendered.
In other news, loads of people are dying all over the world. Isn't it wonderful? In a stunning and radical turn of events, the Micah Trust have asked everyone to stand up against poverty, at the same time! That way, we can get into the Guiness Book of World Records for 'most people to stand up against poverty at the same time.' I mean, gee whizz!
Isn't it nice to know that you can change the world?
...
Perhaps if we all gaves ourselves a pat on the back as well, we could
eliminate AIDS.
Funny old planet, ain't it? But then, you knew that.
According to ol' Noam, “We shouldn't be looking for heroes, we should be looking for good ideas.” But of course, what people (even Christians!) often want more than heroes are to be heroes. Should we be looking to be good ideas instead of good people? When people look at me, do I want them to think 'wow', or do I want their first thought to be 'I want to do what he's doing'.
Odd, perhaps, that so many people respect Chomsky, yet so few do as he does. Is democracy by nature the attempt to let everyone lead? Maybe it's time we stopped leading and started doing the right thing.
Or maybe I just don't have a clue.
When things are out of control and a mess, "you stop still and saw wood", as Abraham Lincoln said. As for me, I stopped still and dug a trench with a friend today; I got to use a pickaxe and listen to rock music. All was [is] right with the world.
Tomorrow is another day, full of movement; today, selfish peace has a certain appeal. Somehow, though, I doubt there are any plans for peace hanging around - not even from the big man upstairs, perhaps.
"the God who lives to disturb us..."
Aye, well. True enough.
For all that, however, there is something beautifully neanderthal about wielding a pickaxe while listening to Guns N' Roses. To find really enjoyable (not just vaguely rewarding, but fun) physical work isn't something exactly common in my experience; probably part of it is the joy of bragging rights - 'never has so much [work] achieved so little', as the saying goes. Or, y'know, could go. All you who cleaned windows or weeded gardens or swept floors take note: we know the value of a real man's job. So far, it's been to mess up the campus ahead of graduation day. And to remind the staff why we like to hire professionals.
God bless us for services rendered.
In other news, loads of people are dying all over the world. Isn't it wonderful? In a stunning and radical turn of events, the Micah Trust have asked everyone to stand up against poverty, at the same time! That way, we can get into the Guiness Book of World Records for 'most people to stand up against poverty at the same time.' I mean, gee whizz!
Isn't it nice to know that you can change the world?
...
Perhaps if we all gaves ourselves a pat on the back as well, we could
eliminate AIDS.
Funny old planet, ain't it? But then, you knew that.
According to ol' Noam, “We shouldn't be looking for heroes, we should be looking for good ideas.” But of course, what people (even Christians!) often want more than heroes are to be heroes. Should we be looking to be good ideas instead of good people? When people look at me, do I want them to think 'wow', or do I want their first thought to be 'I want to do what he's doing'.
Odd, perhaps, that so many people respect Chomsky, yet so few do as he does. Is democracy by nature the attempt to let everyone lead? Maybe it's time we stopped leading and started doing the right thing.
Or maybe I just don't have a clue.
When things are out of control and a mess, "you stop still and saw wood", as Abraham Lincoln said. As for me, I stopped still and dug a trench with a friend today; I got to use a pickaxe and listen to rock music. All was [is] right with the world.
Tomorrow is another day, full of movement; today, selfish peace has a certain appeal. Somehow, though, I doubt there are any plans for peace hanging around - not even from the big man upstairs, perhaps.
"the God who lives to disturb us..."
Aye, well. True enough.
posted by backgroundbob at 2:26 pm
2 Comments:
eh.
nice 'i want to be a park' picture
I was definitely in awe of the amount of testosterone in the air that day. That was an impressive ditch indeed.
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