If You Can't Take The Heat...

Over the last few days, I've been rather annoyed by the stupidity of people on forums. Of course, forums are loads of fun until strangers who don't know what they're talking about start bashing on you. It's a lot more enjoyable to talk about other people's problems than to have people eviscerate you for your own. Furthermore, it's vastly easier to do works of destruction than construction on such places. I know, I've done both. Of course, it remined me of a definition I thought of for a theological term. Legalist: noun, perjorative. Someone who believes in a part of the bible you disregard. I think we're all legalists in some ways. Where we are stronger, or where our knowledge is greater, or both, we tend to be stricter in our actions, and hence we judge people as lacking when they do not meet up with our standards. Of course, we are all weak in some areas too, and we tend to dislike it when other people are strict or nasty towards us and fail to apply mercy. It's a nasty sign of human nature rearing its ugly head again (although, to be fair, human nature is not entirely evil, just a mixture of good and evil that represents the sum potentiality of humankind for either good or ill unaided by God). Truly, God holds us responsible for every idle word we say. The internet just gives us opportunity to say more idle words than we could before. I don't imagine I'd get in half as much trouble if I had to write everything with pen and paper. Not that anyone could read my writing anyway, so they'd be unlikely to assume the worst, unless they were just bad people to begin with. Still, life would be a lot more boring without the internet. That's for sure. It's made everyone who can type and has a passable vocabulary an expert. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not entirely sure.

Just Another Day

So far today has been pretty dull, but it's the morning. Soon I'll start writing, doing some structural deisgn work (I know you're waiting to hear all about that...) and relaxing. So far there hasn't been anything too controversial to report on. I was browsing around www.kubrik.com (good site), and I noticed Mr. Grieder's book for sale. It's a little expensive for this currently unemployed civil engineer, but I was curious as to the extent in which the Home Office allows ministers to moonlight as authors. In the past, some ministers of WCG got in trouble for selling nonfiction work. However, as far as I'm concerned, if the book had a paperback in the ~$8-10 range I would consider purchasing it. If anyone has read Mr. Grider's book on America: Ruin or Renewal, I would like to see some report on it, to see if it's similar to the book my friend Dennis Fischer wrote called "It Came Without Warning," and which, by the way, is offered free of cost at www.blowthetrumpet.org and www.eternalcog.org. That book too deals with the issues of America's moral decline. Just plugging for my friends, after all. In case you don't already know, my play "Even After All These Years" is being published online at www.aviarpress.com for the much more reasonable price of $6.90. Cheers!

Some people have all the luck...

Well, in my random blog searchings, I came across the blog of a friend of mine. She will remain nameless, but she loves skinny guys with glasses and doesn't do so well bowling after drinking martinis. I don't think she reads this blog either, oh well. Reading her blog, I was aware of how lucky some people are. Her blog is linked to a lot of really racy people (I know, I lived in LA myself as well, and have lots of friends like that too). She and I are both prolific article writers with some skeletons in the closet, and seeing the material in her profile makes my blog look G rated (her friends have even more entertaining blogs that remind me of some old short stories of mine). Some people have all the luck, I guess. Today I had an interview in Ft. Myers, which meant that I drove for about 4 1/2 hours today (really tiring work, especially with all of the traffic on I-75 Northbound in Sarasota County). The interview didn't appear to go very well, and I still have a major headache, but that's life, I guess. For those who have recently started looking at my blog, I don't gamble. I don't drink either, and that's because I don't particularly enjoy either activity. As a kid I was always the pitboss, making sure the game was fair.

On another note, I made some changes to the settings of my blog based on some complaints. No, I'm not into astrology, at all. I found out why blogger was making my blog look pagan, and I dealt with the situation by removing my birth information from the settings, so it no longer tells people I'm crabby and chicken. It's not that they wouldn't know that already...

Finally, a new post...

My apologies, watchers of my blog (which have increased due to a matter I will discuss shortly), but I have been unable to post onto the blog recently due to the connection being too slow. There are some who have complained about my last blog, considering it immature and in poor taste, as well as slandering of the reputation of the five good men who have accepted the office of President should they be voted in by the Council of Elders. Since I can post again, I can answer some of those comments. This blog, when I write to it (which is not often), is often a wry reflection on my life. Often this means comments on hurricanes or going to the library, or writing, all of which happen a bit too often, perhaps.

My last entry, however, was a bit of a departure, as it was a spoof of the Roman Catholic polls on the election of the new pope. In that case, the political and conservative Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the putative favorite, was chosen to be the head of the Catholic Church. I have no idea how my odds will fare. However, it was not my intention that any of the five men who are up for the office suffer at all in their reputation due to my humble blog. They are all, as far as I know, good men. Of the five I know Mr. Franks the best, and he is a fantastic instructor at ABC of a difficult subject (the Fundamentals of Belief, Part One), besides having a great interest in Church of God history (which I share). I know Mr. Kilough a little bit, having friends who are always talking him up. My grandmother, who was a registered nurse before retiring, once worked under Mr. Kilough while serving at a feast site, and commented especially on how good of a boss he was. I am sure that others who have served under him would share similar comments. I know Mr. Dean only a little, but that is because I have missed chances to talk to him in greater detail when he visited the congregations I attended while I was away. Some of my friends know him rather well, though, and I think my parents know him a little. By all accounts he is an open, honest, and considerate person, who learned a lot from his years as the personal assistant of HWA (patience, forebearance, etc.). I don't really know Mr. McCullough all that well, but I thought he served in an excellent manner in his first run as UCG President, and I said so. Coming in at a difficult time, the departure of Mr. Hulme, he led a steady course and relatively smooth sailing for three years. I don't know Mr. Bradford much at all, either personally or by reputation, so there's not much I can say about him. However, as far as I can tell, there are no power-hungry autocrats or would-be dictators in this bunch of people, which is a good thing. And, as a member of United, I can feel good about that. After all, I could not in good conscience go to a church if I did not have some respect for the leaders of it. And with that, I will leave my next oddsmaking, a joke about myself.

Which degree will Nathan get next?

M.B.A.
Favorite (5:1 odds)

The classic next step from a bachelors in civil engineering, the MBA provides business education for the engineering manager (or would-be manager) in us all. Possible programs include Regis University, or something around where I live.

M.C.M.
Dark Horse (10:1 odds)

The M.C.M., or Master's in Construction Management, is a dark horse not because I don't like this major, but because few universities have it. Also, my unwillingness to draw on large amounts of student loans to get a master's degree would work against this major, unless a fellowship or something like that can be found.

M.Geog
Dark Horse (10:1 odds)

The M.Geog, or Master's of Geography, is a possibility because of my native inclination in the subject, which is a lot like history, only with maps. Woo hoo! Um, those who know me well have heard my comments on the Urban Geography class I took last semester at USF, and how much I liked it. I got an A+ in the class, and if I can find a good fellowship for the major, I will definitely look into it. It would be a good major, with an interest perhaps in political geography (maybe I should quit while I'm ahead)...

M.Hist
Dark Horse (10:1 odds)

A Master's in History is a possibility mainly because I minored in history and enjoy the subject so much. As with Geography, though, this would be a useful degree only if it led to a Ph.D., which is going to take a lot of work and study, and something I am not interested in running up huge debts to do. However, it would be a subject that suits me, at any rate, even if the prospects of a white male historian finding tenure-track positions in academia are rather daunting.

M.S.C.E.

Longshot (100:1 odds)

A Master's in Civil Structural Engineering is not going to happen. Microstructural analysis? I don't think so.

And there you have it, my latest blog entry.

New UCG President...

As a member of the United Church of God, I figured it would be good to post my odds for the election of the new UCG president, based on the current five candidates for the job. The name, odds, and a short analysis of each candidate follow:

Jim Franks
Favorite: 3:1 odds
The favorite even before the official name was listed, Jim Franks is a politico whose savvy has attracted a great deal of support from the United Home Office elites. His work in researching CoG history (which he shares with the CoG7), as well as his excellent instruction at ABC (which I know from personal experience) give him major credibility both in outreach with related organizations as well as the ability to instruct members. However, given the support he has from such luminaries as RP, it is doubtful that he will serve to make the necessary reforms UCG needs to avoid falling into the WCG government trap.

Clyde Kilough
Dark Horse: 5:1 odds
Like Jim Franks, Clyde Kilough is a politically savvy and well-connected HO insider. A genuinely nice man, he would seem to be best suited for behind the scenes work (which he has done as the current Chairman of the CoE) due to his noteworthy lack of inspirational speaking style. He has an enthusiastic supporting lobby (especially in Northern California, where he pastors) and is a good judge of character. Like Jim Franks, though, it would appear that Mr. Kilough would represent a rather conservative choice, even if a compassionate conservative one.

Les McCullough
Dark Horse: 5:1 odds
Having already served in this office, without incident and in a difficult time (similar to that right now), he has already shown his bona fides and his capability for the office. Perhaps the most capable President that UCG has had thus far, he would represent a rather moderate choice, neither pressing for reforms nor acceeding to the demands for further centralization. As a peacemaker, he would present a compromise (and a decent one) between the left and right of UCG. However, the fact that he previously served would make him less desirable, as UCG has made a point of refusing to continue even capable leaders in this post to prevent a strongman. Thankfully, Mr. McCullough shows no sign of being a dictatorial strong man (a la Hulme). His election as President would also allow him another chance of keeping his promise to step down from the CoE if elected.

Aaron Dean
Longshot: 10:1 odds
Aaron Dean is somewhat of a longshot due to his status as an unpaid elder (he has refused, out of principle, to receive a salary from HO). Mr. Dean, however, has a lot going for him. He appeals to two dramatically opposed groups: disaffected liberals who seek sweeping reforms and those who want to emphasize the connection with HWA (often highly conservative). Where the real Aaron Dean stands I do not pretend to know, but his political survival skills were no doubt honed by his time as an understudy to Stanley Rader. He would most likely, in the climate of United, represent the reformers (at least we can hope so), but what he did in power would be difficult to tell in advance.

Bill Bradford
Longshot: 10:1 odds
Possibly the upset choice of the bunch, Bill Bradford comes from the Australian work as the representative of the least HO submissive of the national churches. It would be a very big upset for him to be chosen as president, as he would be most likely to receive his support from the reforming wing of UCG. His election would signify a major defeat for certain centralizing HO staff. Little more can be said about him, as he does not have the same kind of historical baggage or known political experience as most of the other choices. His inclusion is a surprise, and perhaps represents some of the international areas seeking a leader of their own.