25 April 2008

Modern Friday Five

In today's Friday Five, Singing Owl writes: Yesterday I had two separate conversations in which people were musing about how much change is occurring. The WW II generation, of which my mom is a part, went from horse and buggy to automobiles, saw the lessening, or even the end of many diseases, went from widespread use of kerosene lamps and outhouses (in the country, and most folks were rural)) to a totally electrified and plumbed society. The fastest means of communication was a telegraph. The second conversation--gulp--was about MY generation and how much change occurred in the last half of the 20th century. The person said his 13 year old had not seen a vinyl record album until a few days before, couldn't remember a time without cell phones, and on and on.

As for the questions!

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?
The interesting thing about this is what we consider "modern". So, I'll go with things mainstreamed in my lifetime. (So I won't answer "washing machine" here!) Computer. I couldn't do all these papers for seminary with a typewriter! and Logos is my salvation for exegesis.

2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day? Why?
Cell phone. Because it makes people think we should be available to them 24x7.

3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If so, do you use it (them)?
I do own a boom box with CD and cassette, and there's a cassette player in my car. yes, I still use them, although the cassettes are dying. And of, course, I still listen to radio.
My husband on the other hand, still owns a turntable and reel to reel (he had two R2Rs when we married, He got rid of one, the other is in storage in the garage...at least until I find it and sell it on ebay!)

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something else?
I don't find it either, it just is. I don't always keep up., but I'm not afraid or intimidated, just can't be bothered with the stuff I don't see as useful.

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.
conversation times without the TV or interruptions. Time sitting out on the back porch with friends in actual communion. Maybe I'll invite someone over. Next week of course, there's too much to do tonight!

11 April 2008

Moving out!

Mother Laura writes:
We are right in the middle of a move--only twenty minutes away, but we're still a mix of busy, excited, nervous and surprisingly full of grief about what we're leaving, for me at least. So this week's Friday Five asks about your experience of the marvels and madness of moving...

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?
as a child (that I remember) 1. at least 3 before my awareness (from Dad's undergraduate in GA, to graduate school in FL, and to home of ancestors in small town)
I moved to boarding school, then to college (with something like 7 moves to dorm/summer apt in college; but then, in those days I didn't own much).
As an adult, OK post college anyway, I have moved 9 times (not counting 3 or 4 temporary living quarters during said moves). I have owned 5 houses.
The most recent of course was to come to seminary.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?
Love -- very little. Maybe the persistent hope that THIS time I will be organized.
Hate -- fighting with DH about why more stuff can't just go away (really, we don't own a turntable, do we need 4 boxes of LPs?). Not being able to find ANYTHING, in the recent move, downsizing house by half, stuff by a smidgen, tripping over boxes and having boxes in the way 2 years later and NOT PARKING IN THE GARAGE because of all the junk that's in there AAAARGHHH!!!

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?
We hired movers, my company paid for movers for previous moves. Wouldn't want to do without, but we may because we need to divest and it's too easy just to let someone pack it all up without really going through it.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?
We have a small RV, so the kitties go in there. They don't like it, but it's less bad than being in the house for the actual move. other than that, no. It's a survive thing for me.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?
just seminary.... that's enough! Although CPE starts right after memorial day.

06 April 2008

Presbyterian Meme

I was tagged by a non-blogger, but commenter, to do the presbyblog thing... The rules are pretty basic

In about 25 words each, answer the following five questions:

1. What is your earliest memory of being distinctly Presbyterian?
My earliest memory would be as a child trying to spell Presbyterian on something and thinking that Methodist or Baptist would be a lot easier!

2. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend LESS energy and time?
How to control one another, mislead one another, and get our individual ways.

3. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend MORE energy and time?
How can we be Christ in the world? and prerequisite: what does it MEAN to be Christ in the world?

4. If you could have the PC(USA) focus on one passage of scripture for a entire year,
Josh 22:5 "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

or 2 tim 2: "22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."


5. If the PC(USA) were an animal what would it be and why?
platypus.

Extra Credit: Jesus shows up at General Assembly this year, what does he say to the Presbyterian Church (USA)?
OK. Let me explain this again, since you've botched it so thoroughly: It's not about you and it's not about the buildings. Go feed my sheep and keep my commandments.

Most presbys I know on-line have done this, so... If you are reading this and you wish to be tagged - consider yourself so tagged.