Archive for August, 2009
August 29, 2009
Recipes are time-tested formulae for consistent results. Given the same ingredients in correct proportion are prepared in the manner instructed, the results should be more or less identical. Inconsistent results are likely due to a divergence, intended or otherwise, from the recipe: Ovens are not the same temperature, the humidity is higher, people live at different altitudes.
Understanding why results differ often requires understanding the ingredients more fully. When making bread, like I did today, I used all-purpose flour instead of bread flour, water instead of milk and didn’t include any eggs or sugar. Knowing the basics of bread ingredients explains why my bread has a good chance of turning out the way it did.
Recipes for life do not always produce such uniform outcomes. There cannot be a cookie-cutter approach to careers, relationships, families, grief and loss. Following certain steps cannot be guaranteed to have one arrive at their goal.
Recipe book = 1
Self-help library = 0
August 23, 2009
I have been pondering my singleness again lately. It is one of several self-labels that I am learning to understand. I have come to think that being single is no more and no less felicitous/blessed than being in a relationship. The two are simply different.
However, still desiring to be unsingle (at times) can skew one’s perceptions and interpretations. For example, considering the myriad of meanings behind one’s [possibly single and reasonably good looking] dentist calling after office-hours from a non-office number to see how one was feeling after the freezing came out. I have since been told this is routine practise amongst some dentists. I will also be showing up on time for my next scheduled appointment.
Other unintended misinterpretations can also occur; For example, when reading the Bible. One favourite example I recall from my youth group days was this:
Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me.
Psalm 56:1a (NIV)
What single woman doesn’t want to be pursued? Hot pursuit requiring mercy is another matter altogether.
Just the other day I came across another in the same genre:
None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate.
Isaiah 34:16 (NIV)
Okay. I admit I understand this is about God’s judgement against the nations and that none of said judgements would be lacking in fulfilment. But it did catch my attention.
August 19, 2009
I am considering writing a book. It probably won’t be a book in the conventional sense. Maybe electronic content with a Creative Commons license?
I don’t think I would be good at writing fiction. NaNoWriMo is coming up in November and would be good fiction writing practice. I tried it one year but didn’t get past a few paragraphs.
This work will probably be non-fiction. I have an idea. I also think my idea might be nothing more than reformulated bits of other’s things. Scrapbook meets kaleidescope.
We’ll see what comes.
August 1, 2009
Welcoming back to the beginning. This is month two of the new music discovery class. I have a few new finds up my sleeve that perhaps you will enjoy. Of course, these are new finds and not items from my playlist that I have been listening to. Sit back, click a few links and find a few favs.
The Rescues: Can’t Stand the Rain
Steve Reynolds
Iain Archer: Canal Song
Voluntary Butler Scheme: Split (listen)
M.Ward
William Fitzsimmons: Maybe Alright
Ryan Shields: Towns
Katie Herzig: Hey Na Na
