One thing I'm struck by as I walk around campus is the diversity of the people around me. I've spent so much time away from large groups like this, that I'm still getting used to seeing this many different faces at one time in one place.
It's times like these when I start to think about their individual lives. Where do they come from? What is their goal in life? I'm sure they have struggles and difficulties just like me.
The cosmos is filled with differing threads of life. Consider our world. Not the whole thing, but the tiny part of it we know and live in. Our lives, passing one another, briefly interacting with each other, weaving the fabric that makes up what we know as life.
Shouldn't we be trying to make a difference in others' lives? I know that I'm a bit nervous and slightly overwhelmed at the newness of everything. However, I just need to remember that for the majority of the people in my classes, they will be dealing with the same emotions as me.
Most of the time I like to proof/revise what I write before I post it. In this case, I'm just sharing some observations I gleaned today about campus. For many, today was their first day of college classes. A step into another world, one that they've probably thought about for the past few years. What types of choices will they make from today to when they graduate? What type of people will they become?
My goal would be to leave the college phase of my life as a better person. A person, who has faced difficulties and trials, whether they be academic deadlines or decisions that directly effect my immediate life, and come out of it victorious. In every situation living as I say I believe.
I wrote these quotes over time as they came to me and although they sounded good in my head (lol), I didn't really feel like they applied to my current situation. It's only now after surviving my first official day of college classes that I begin to see what they mean.
"The people that need help the most, are the ones we pass everyday without noticing."
"But what if I don't have all the answers? What if I'm just as hopelessly lost and confused as you are?"
"Life is the continuing pursuit of truth and meaning."
"I believe in God, not because I am unwilling to face the questions, but rather because the existence of God answers those questions best for me."
Perhaps, that's the truest test that faces all of us as we enter into this next chapter of our lives. This is the time, when we leave our homes and our parents' beliefs, and forge a standard of our own. We need to ask ourselves two questions: Who do we say we are? And how does this contrast with who we actually are when no one's looking?
May we all live according to that which benefits the highest standard, and may we not be found lacking.
-michael
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Artist Spotlight: Gregor Samsa
If you're into post-rock/ambient/shoegaze/psychedelic music (I am), then you should enjoy this artist.
http://www.last.fm/music/Gregor+Samsa
I would also encourage you to check out the rest of the artists on their record label The Kora Records.
http://www.thekorarecords.com/
Some interesting stuff there. Including this artist:
http://www.last.fm/music/Meredith+Bragg+and+the+Terminals
Hope you enjoy!
http://www.last.fm/music/Gregor+Samsa
I would also encourage you to check out the rest of the artists on their record label The Kora Records.
http://www.thekorarecords.com/
Some interesting stuff there. Including this artist:
http://www.last.fm/music/Meredith+Bragg+and+the+Terminals
Hope you enjoy!
Me, the Bean, and the Cafe (a love story) ::reposted::
::Originally Posted on 10/23/2008::
Thursday, October 23, 2008
10:55pm
Floor of Bedroom, Twin Oaks
Let me tell you about today...
It was my first day by myself in the cafe; I was pretty nervous to tell you the truth. As someone who likes to know exactly what they are doing, before doing it, the inadequate training I received for this job really didn't cut it. But oh well, I guess it wouldn't be as funny if I had been thoroughly trained.
I arrived at work at 7:45am (I was supposed to clock in at 8am, we open at 9am), I wanted to get there early, so as to have extra time to open, seeing as it was my first time to do it alone. It was cold and windy. The only person there was my store manager, so seeing as the doors were locked I stood there and knocked...for fifteen minutes. Either she didn't hear me (?), I mean, come on, I could see her inside, all nice and warm...or she was still upset (more on that later). Anyway I finally got in at 8am when another manager showed up and let me and himself in.
I started on my work and all was progressing nicely, when about 15min into it my nose started to bleed (?). I know, random, but this wasn't a minor nosebleed, this was a real gusher; massive hemorrhaging in my left nostril. So I did my best imitation of a one-armed man while trying to set up chairs/tables, grind coffee beans, and do the countless other tasks the people up high intended to be done by able-bodied individuals. I somehow still managed to finish on time, which gave me just about ten minutes to count my till until we opened.
Attention, do not try to count one dollar bills with one hand; this can lead to severe frustration and a general inability to think straight.
After finally getting that taken care of and having my nose thankfully stop bleeding, I got to my register with two minutes to spare (8:58am), only to find out that the store management had failed to give me a till number/id. At this point I was thinking, "It's just not my day."
Fast forward to one hour later, my breathing had just started to slow down when we got hit by the 10 o'clock rush...
Imagine, hordes of thirsty, wet (it was raining), angry (it was raining) old ladies armed with lethal-looking umbrellas descending down upon my solitaire register. Me, standing bravely, ok scratch that, cowering, shielding myself behind my tiny monitor as they assaulted me with demands for exotic drinks I thought only existed in movies and books.
Forget the quote about hell having no fury like a woman scorned. Whoever said that hadn't met this group of caffeine-deprived Valkyries. These ladies were born angry.
One bright note, a lady (unrelated to the above furies) gave me a two dollar tip for a $1.71 drink. She said I had a nice smile. *smiles*
I'll admit, I made a few mistakes. I gave one guys a white chocolate cappuccino, when what he wanted was a vanilla cappuccino. He didn't say anything though, so either he didn't notice the difference (unlikely), or he felt sorry for me after seeing the tattered remains of my flag after the army passed though (probable). Oh, and I tried to sell another customer a 20oz triple-shot espresso...let me just say that three shot glasses of espresso does not add up to 20oz...but I guess that's what you get with a hung-over partyer who could barely stand up, and a new cafe guy who doesn't really know the menu and doesn't know better to correct the orders made by said party-er, who I'm pretty sure made that order up...
As I walk away, I look back and reflect on what happened today. I'm thankful God has given me the ability to be able to find humor in almost every situation. I made it though today without bursting into tears, or throwing down my apron and walking out (not really a option actually). In conclusion, all I can say is to never ever, cross anyone before they have had their coffee in the morning. Caffeine-addictions do horrible things to otherwise reasonable people.
I hope that you and your loved ones understand the hidden dangers and risky implications of this terrible killer, and oh, do come by and visit me at work some time and sample some of coffee's amazing goodness. =)
Because of the bean.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
10:55pm
Floor of Bedroom, Twin Oaks
Let me tell you about today...
It was my first day by myself in the cafe; I was pretty nervous to tell you the truth. As someone who likes to know exactly what they are doing, before doing it, the inadequate training I received for this job really didn't cut it. But oh well, I guess it wouldn't be as funny if I had been thoroughly trained.
I arrived at work at 7:45am (I was supposed to clock in at 8am, we open at 9am), I wanted to get there early, so as to have extra time to open, seeing as it was my first time to do it alone. It was cold and windy. The only person there was my store manager, so seeing as the doors were locked I stood there and knocked...for fifteen minutes. Either she didn't hear me (?), I mean, come on, I could see her inside, all nice and warm...or she was still upset (more on that later). Anyway I finally got in at 8am when another manager showed up and let me and himself in.
I started on my work and all was progressing nicely, when about 15min into it my nose started to bleed (?). I know, random, but this wasn't a minor nosebleed, this was a real gusher; massive hemorrhaging in my left nostril. So I did my best imitation of a one-armed man while trying to set up chairs/tables, grind coffee beans, and do the countless other tasks the people up high intended to be done by able-bodied individuals. I somehow still managed to finish on time, which gave me just about ten minutes to count my till until we opened.
Attention, do not try to count one dollar bills with one hand; this can lead to severe frustration and a general inability to think straight.
After finally getting that taken care of and having my nose thankfully stop bleeding, I got to my register with two minutes to spare (8:58am), only to find out that the store management had failed to give me a till number/id. At this point I was thinking, "It's just not my day."
Fast forward to one hour later, my breathing had just started to slow down when we got hit by the 10 o'clock rush...
Imagine, hordes of thirsty, wet (it was raining), angry (it was raining) old ladies armed with lethal-looking umbrellas descending down upon my solitaire register. Me, standing bravely, ok scratch that, cowering, shielding myself behind my tiny monitor as they assaulted me with demands for exotic drinks I thought only existed in movies and books.
Forget the quote about hell having no fury like a woman scorned. Whoever said that hadn't met this group of caffeine-deprived Valkyries. These ladies were born angry.
One bright note, a lady (unrelated to the above furies) gave me a two dollar tip for a $1.71 drink. She said I had a nice smile. *smiles*
I'll admit, I made a few mistakes. I gave one guys a white chocolate cappuccino, when what he wanted was a vanilla cappuccino. He didn't say anything though, so either he didn't notice the difference (unlikely), or he felt sorry for me after seeing the tattered remains of my flag after the army passed though (probable). Oh, and I tried to sell another customer a 20oz triple-shot espresso...let me just say that three shot glasses of espresso does not add up to 20oz...but I guess that's what you get with a hung-over partyer who could barely stand up, and a new cafe guy who doesn't really know the menu and doesn't know better to correct the orders made by said party-er, who I'm pretty sure made that order up...
As I walk away, I look back and reflect on what happened today. I'm thankful God has given me the ability to be able to find humor in almost every situation. I made it though today without bursting into tears, or throwing down my apron and walking out (not really a option actually). In conclusion, all I can say is to never ever, cross anyone before they have had their coffee in the morning. Caffeine-addictions do horrible things to otherwise reasonable people.
I hope that you and your loved ones understand the hidden dangers and risky implications of this terrible killer, and oh, do come by and visit me at work some time and sample some of coffee's amazing goodness. =)
Because of the bean.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Quotes
Quotes I found interesting...
"I strive for mine own identity, but consciousness tells me that I am no different from them. I persevere in the isolation of my beliefs, knowing that even if I were to fail, at least the effort involved is self-validation of one's own nature."
"I believe, but only to the extent that it behoofs me to explain the world around me."
"Life is the continuing pursuit of truth and meaning."
"The wit of life is what makes getting out of bed every morning enjoyable."
"True unrequited love, the giving of one's self for another, is the greatest gift life has to offer."
"The people that need help the most, are the ones we pass everyday without noticing."
Sunday, August 2, 2009
This World: Alone (Pt. 1)
Just some random thoughts from tonight...
What would you give or do to not ever have to feel lonely again? If you've ever felt completely alone, then you will understand what I'm asking.
The pain of loneliness, the feeling of being in a city full of people, but not belonging. Unnoticed. Forgotten. Alone.
::
Everyone is born with a certain capacity to love/give. Some more so than others. Consider the example of the individual who has a great capacity to give, and her interaction with the people around her who live only for themselves and to take from others. At what point does she reach her breaking point and decide that she just can't do it any longer?
What happens then? Is she irreparably changed for the worst, living out the rest of her life bitter and morose? Or does she, being emotionally devastated, end up taking her own life after fully realizing the implications of a cruel cold world?
::
What about a third path? What about beauty and love? What about the majesty of nature? What about sacrificial giving? Are these things alone enough? Or does life require something more in order to LIVE.
What would you give or do to not ever have to feel lonely again? If you've ever felt completely alone, then you will understand what I'm asking.
The pain of loneliness, the feeling of being in a city full of people, but not belonging. Unnoticed. Forgotten. Alone.
::
Everyone is born with a certain capacity to love/give. Some more so than others. Consider the example of the individual who has a great capacity to give, and her interaction with the people around her who live only for themselves and to take from others. At what point does she reach her breaking point and decide that she just can't do it any longer?
What happens then? Is she irreparably changed for the worst, living out the rest of her life bitter and morose? Or does she, being emotionally devastated, end up taking her own life after fully realizing the implications of a cruel cold world?
::
What about a third path? What about beauty and love? What about the majesty of nature? What about sacrificial giving? Are these things alone enough? Or does life require something more in order to LIVE.
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