DStilled

Earthquakes and Gambling

September 23, 2007 on 9:51 pm | In Blog |

This past week I wrote my first seminary paper, I found some mind-blowing bass, went gambling, had a naked day, and went to a birthday party.

My paper was on the language of God and how male imagery (really all names/pronouns in general) limit our understanding of the mystery of God. Inclusive/expansive language annoys me at times because it feels like I’m being forced to tithe. Yeah, it’s a good thing that I need to do, but I want to be able to do it because I WANT to. So far everything I have read in my classes this semester has been by blatant feminists and it gets really old hearing about how oppressed everyone that’s not me is. The subtle ways they get me to agree with them reminds me of how mind-controlling the far right is. If you don’t agree with me, then you’re a horrible person/Christian/academic. It’s amazing to me how derogatory the left is towards the right. (I spent my youth hearing the other side) For once I wish I wasn’t in the middle: I end up being a whipping boy for nearly anyone’s arguments. It’s been tough but I refuse to just suck it up and move on without learning anything. If anyone has any real evidence for the inerrancy of the scriptures, I’d like to hear it. Leave a comment!

My neighbor Jonathan showed me an album called Lux Vivens (The music of Hildegard) by David Lynch. It’s a really sweet album but the first “song” is the most unique. It is called Flame and Vision and the first minute of it is a pulsating, bassy, wispy hum. Then the hum dies down and a moment of silence settles in. All of a sudden the “flame” you’ve been listening to erupts not in an explosion but a rushing torrent of fire. Yes, I had the stereo up but 20 dBs softer than I took it at Ann’s. Even still the bass was SO great during the eruption that one of my speakers jumped off the wall on the other side of the room. Some of the particle board broke on the inside. I went next door to see if he heard the ruckus and sure enough it was quite obvious to him even through concrete and plumbing. I REALLY want to try it even louder but I have to wait until none of my neighbors are here.

Friday night some of my friends here wanted to go to Ceasars for a nice buffet with wonderful crab legs. This is a hotel/resort place that has a four story riverboat casino. I have never been even in a casino so I convinced them to let me wander. I was going to take a picture of my friends inside but they thought it might not be a good idea.  Sure  enough, I asked one of the MANY security guards if I could take a pic and she vehemently said no.  We walked down to the bottom where the cheap gambling was and I put a dollar in a nickel slot machine. I gave it a couple of tries (not pulls, cuz they don’t use those kind anymore - all electronic) and nearly doubled my money. I figured that was good enough for me and cashed out at $1.85! I’m not sure how I feel about gambling other than the fact that it’s so unsafe, you have to really understand odds.

Some of you may be asking yourself, “Self, what’s a naked day?” Then your self would say, “It’s when you allow me to be unencumbered by these silly clothes for long periods of time.” Yesterday was such a day. I didn’t shower, didn’t get dressed, didn’t ever open the door or blinds to the outside world, didn’t do the dishes, NOTHING productive. I slept, watched a few movies on my laptop, cooked food, and ate it. The most strenuous thing I did was play darts. It was fantastic.

Today was Eric’s birthday. He’s the one at the head of the table. To his right is Ryan who I play racquetball with and to his right is Jonathan my neighbor. We went to Hard Rock Cafe and ate well. I didn’t even know Louisville had one. Anyway, I have neglected my unending studies to write this. Oh and like many of you, I’m surprised and proud of UK right now. It is very possible we’ll go 11-2 this year!