First fight

I don't particularly like getting into fights, but I haven't exactly done my best to avoid them either...

I remember my first fight was in 1st grade.  Dustin Z. had a big, round face and a wide mouth like King Hippo in Mike Tyson's punchout, or maybe like one of the Wild Things. He had a mop of brown curly hair, and I remember him always wearing camo pants. He was bigger and louder than other kids and enjoyed pushing his weight around.  He may be the only 'bully' I ever encountered.

We were in the Museum of Natural History on a class trip, standing in front of a 6-foot long Tyrannosaurus Rex skull.  Dustin was right behind me.  "Hey Alex," he said, "that’s almost as big as your head! HAHA!"  Everyone heard his joke and I was immediately red with embarrassment.  Without even thinking or turning around to face him, I elbowed him as hard as I could in the gut.  To my surprise, he doubled over and started crying to the teacher!  I couldn't believe it- he was mortal!!  I don't remember the teachers scolding or punishing me afterwards, but if they did, it must not have been that severe (I gotta think that the they were somewhat tickled to see the little guy take down the bully, but who knows).  Dustin would always make me a little nervous, but after that day, I don’t remember worrying about him nearly as much.

Calm in the Storm intro

Everyone get comfortable.  Relax your muscles.  Time is different now.  We are on retreat.  We have made it, a few more straggling in, but we are here now.  For the next two and a half days, time will not be racing at the same speed it does in the office or studying for class.  We are here.  That thing that you need to do by Wednesday night, that email that maybe you could’ve crafted better, the amount you have in your bank account vs. last week’s expenses, the job hunt, the difficult coworker, the traffic and red lights driving out here tonight, the things you should’ve done, the relationship in crisis, where you’re going to live in the spring, the stress of anticipating the upcoming holiday stress…  let all of these things go.  For the next two and half days, let’s work with a clean slate, focus on our life with and imitation of Christ.  God has wanted this exact group to be here, thanks be to God, we’re here now.  Let us pray…

Best train ride ever

I met a dream girl one evening.  We went out for drinks, hit it off and fell in love overnight.  The next day, I was on a crowded train in the middle of the city and saw her get on the same car!  What are the chances??- we had not planned this at all!  We made eye contact as she was stepping up, but because the train was so crowded, we couldn’t move closer to each other.  But the eyes!  The anticipation, the confirmation, the excitement in our eyes!  Best train ride ever.

Memorable t-shirts I've owned

*The Fizz Kids

(a Pepsi shirt from the 80's)

*Grey ‘wet’ shirt

(so old and worn it was fairly see-through and looked wet)

*Freshly Baked

(what a little stoner I was.  Only actually wore that shirt once)

*Volcom spiral with hole in back

(stolen from Brent, even with the hole)

*Flip Cheech and Chong with holes in back

(stolen from Brent, holes from Bosco the dog)

*For every animal you don’t eat, I’m going to eat three

(there once was a team of 3 animal enthusiasts.  1 tried to rob us, 1 went vegan)

*Tahuichi flags and soccer kid

(present from Brett, brought back from Bolivia)

*Nascar, Tony Montoya

(from roadtrip to Dallas with Tania)

*Monster Jam

(best Valentine's Day date ever, with Sam)

*18-1

(coded trash-talking)

*Backchanelmedia Nerd Cruise

(haha!-thanks Jay Newt for rotating the ship to make it 'sinking'!!)

*Animal ‘Want Woman!’

(perfect for the Valentine's Day 'red' party)

Need for community

I was watching a documentary on the punishment of 'solitary confinement' in prison systems, and how psychologically damaging it can be after extended periods of time. Yes, a little dark, and very random, but I found it really interesting and well done. Many of the inmates that were interviewed were able to speak intelligently about their experiences even though some had been 'in the hole' for over 10 years.

One of the parts of the documentary that stuck out most for me was a research experiment that was done to test the effects of loneliness. The experiment was done with regular civilians, not inmates. The test subjects were split into two groups. Group A subjects were each asked to write about a page-long reflection of a time when they were working within a team and feeling positive about the work that was being done. Group B subjects were each asked to write about a time of loneliness and desperation. Afterwards, the papers were taken away, and two bowls were placed in front of each subject from both groups. One bowl was filled with cookies and the other was filled with radishes. The subjects were then told that this would be a 'taste test' and to try the food items and write down their reactions to each.

What was actually being monitored was the amount that each subject ate! It was found that subjects from Group A (team-building writing assignment) would try a couple bites from each food item and jot down their thoughts. However, it was found that subjects from Group B (loneliness writing assignment) would continue to eat through the bowls of food well after they had noted their tastes. The conductors of the study deduced that people are less likely to control their cravings, desires, and impulsiveness if they feel lonely or depressed.

The documentary related this study's results back to the fact that inmates in solitary confinement often act out against the basic rules of the system, even if they clearly understand it will result in their extended punishment. Inmates admitted that they weren't always able to reasonably explain their actions, but that sometimes it was merely so that the guards would notice them or need to physically detain them.

It made me think about our culture. With so many people tucked away in their small cubes and apartments, hiding behind a computer screen for the majority of their day, does our online 'community' really satisfy these needs? It seems that we can comment on people's pictures, update our status', and maybe even feel pleasure when someone comments on our status', but there still remains a longing for a physical connection.