Rogue Ping Pong - Episode One

At one point last night, there were:

Three Italians, one Argentenian, four Asians, three Latinos, us, and the smattering of caucasians that would curiously walk by, enjoying our impromptu Ping Pong Patio at Starbucks at Jefferson Pointe. Who knew there were Italians and Argentenians living in Fort Wayne?

It was a moment that, I took an opportunity to briefly remove myself from and observe, soaking it all in. I enjoyed all the various responses to what we were doing from thoroughly curious and engaging, to rude rebuffs at our perceived attempt to push something on to someone who couldn't be bothered at the moment as they were on their way to purchase something that was way more important than engaging in conversation with another human.

I loved it. I want to do it again. I am interested in the thoughts of others as we work to become a truly subersive ping pong society, helping ourselves and others to overcome the obstacles that prevent engaging in community.

Thanks for everything that everyone did to make last night come together.

Savoir Vivre.

The Next Great War...

Having been inspired by Joe's zealous appreciation of the Macintosh Computer format at last Sunday's "blind leading the blind computer re-formatting session", (Joe being the only sighted attendee) I want to submit the following:

PC. Funny isn't that. Those two little letters offer a defining irony.

How can you really compare the Macintosh Operating System with the social moray of political correctness? Allow me to analogize.

Pontiac Grand Am vs. Honda Civic

While critics agree that the Honda is clearly superior in virtually all aspects of it's existence the Pontiac out sells the Civic... why? 

Superiority will always be a minority stake.

An ironic smack in the collective P3 face

This actually a proxy post for Paul (Paul ihope it's ok), he found this article. He was hesitant to post it for fear of the controversial nature, but Josh and i assured him that you all would want to read it as well.

It is sort of funny how timely this is.

Read on and keep your collective chin up P3:

http://www.slate.com/id/2192798/

The Truth About Barack Obama

My mom's husband forwards me all the rumors generated by the conservative machine regarding Barack Obama.

Here's an example: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

Here is Slate's always clever response: http://www.slate.com/id/2193798/.

(when using blogspot in safari, I can't post a link. Any advice?)

Follow Up

Sadly, I was only able to upload a low res version. I think you'll get the gist nonetheless. xx

Global poetry

I was curious if anyone wanted to post a haiku consisting of their

thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc on Viva La Vida...

thought it would be interesting

or funny

or something to do

no doubt they will change as we grow with this album in our playlists

whatever

A Dissenting Opinion on the Question of 'Management'

Alright, I see the humor. But I really think that of all the dumbass signs on churches, this one is actually not bad. (I'm grading on a curve.)

Here's the core of my argument:

A more evangelically acceptable word for management is 'stewardship.' If the congregation or leadership of the congregation in question (or whoever does the signs) had chosen to use more Christian-sounding words, I don't think you would be laughing as hard. If this is true, the initial criticism reflects a cultural bias -- that of one living the Redstate Evangelical Experience. In effect, you are simply laughing because the congregation in question was unable to put into appropriate words a process that takes place everywhere in said culture. You seem not to be criticizing the process, but the linguistic dressing of it.

Jordan, when you say essentially, 'if not God, then Satan', I think you may be missing it.

Is it really God's role to 'manage' a church?

A synonym of 'steward' according to my Mac is 'custodian.' Would you expect the role of a church custodian to be filled by God or by Satan? Of course not. If no one vacuums the floors in 'God's house'-- I would argue-- God's probably not going to pick up the slack. I would thus argue that 'custodian' is a role that should be ascribed to a natural being, not a supernatural one.

I realize I'm making a bit of a jump here. I've equated 'steward' with 'custodian' (rightly, I think), but then taken an alternate meaning of 'custodian' to illustrate my point. I hope you'll see past this logical transgression to the point, which I still think is valid.

I agree that the church on Anthony has chosen wording that may be seen as vulgar or crude, but I am tempted to take this 'social misstep' (according to the interpretation I'm here espousing) as a reflection of the opposite of presumption and pretension and consequently, to forgive said socially awkward phrasing.

Perhaps it is a bit pedantic for me to parse words like this. If so, I beg your pardon.

In reading over what I've just read, I feel I should mention a podcast I've been listening to for months now. I feel I owe something of my argument to the podcast, at least in terms of style. But that's just the impression I was left with. The podcast is from the Princeton Review, it's called 'LSAT Logic in Everyday Life.' It's short, sweet, and usually pretty stimulating.

I hope I am always open to engagement. I'd love to hear where I am missing it, if anyone is gracious enough to point it out.

All the best from Paris, Gents.

xx

How Stuff Works

I saw some interesting podcasts on itunes such as "Are Nazi war criminals still at large?" and downloaded a few. they are from the writers and editors of this website. you may have seen it, theres some cool stuff on here.
Peace:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Seriously...

So the other day i was driving casually down south anthony and i saw a church with a big banner over the marquee that said
"Under New Management."



(I'll let the laughter and applications and ironies run amok in your own minds.)