A Change in the Wind

The prevailing winds in this part of Texas are from the south. This means that for most of the year we have hot relatively dry weather. This also means that for large parts of the year, women walk around with very little clothing on. Yesterday the wind changed. A front moved in from the north bringing with it cooler weather and a north wind. I rejoice when this happens because women begin wearing less revealing clothing.

I understand that I am making some broad generalizations about male and female behavior patterns.

I have to believe that women wear what they wear largely in ignorance of what occurs in guy's heads when they see women thusly attired. I have to believe this, because if they are not acting in ignorance, then they are acting maliciously, and I am reticent to believe that a large percent of the female population is simply cruel.

I want to take a moment to confess my complicity in creating an environment where women feel the need to wear what they wear. One of the reasons for this is because we men look. Culpability lies on both sides of the modesty issue. If men did not look, women would not be as pressured to to dress immodestly.

Granting the double guilt implied in this "chicken or the egg" scenario, I would like to argue for modesty. Modesty is attractive. A girl who dresses revealingly leaves little to the imagination. There is no mystery, there is no quest. In short, immodest apparel does not actually achieve it's desired end.

Okay, I'm done ranting. You may now feel free to lambast me for my ignorance.

A Better World?

This summer I began working for Technology Support Services here at ACU. I now get to spend my days answering phones and going out on service calls to aid the vast legion of faculty and staff here in their technological woes. All this technological focus has gotten the ol' thinking engine working, and caused me to reflect on the futility of technological progress.

I have found myself asking, "Has our technological advancement made the world a better place?" I must answer that it has not. Rather than bringing humanity together, our heightened technology has, in my mind, served to further distance us from our fellow man. Take the cell phone, for example. The cell phone provides unprecedented levels of access into our personal lives. Granted, we may "choose" to leave the cell phone at home, or turn it off, but in reality how many of us actually do that? The cell phone is the new gatekeeper of our personal lives. Instead of having a face to face conversation, the preferred medium is now electron to electron. For me this, is a step backwards rather than a step forwards.

As much as I love my iPod, whenever I wear it, I am conciously separating myself from the world around me. Cocooned within my own little world, I am as God. I have the power to choose what sounds I hear around me, what conversations I participate in. I can always just point to the white earbuds and cord as a ready excuse to avoid positive human contact. My music is without a doubt very profound, and my choices enliven the world around me, but even then, I am missing out on the world in which I claim to participate.

I do realize the apparent hypocrisy of my post. Here I am using a technological medium to proclaim the evils of technology. My thought has not been wholly negative, as I have striven to produce something constructive from the dialectic tension of my life as a cyborg. Technology should serve to enhance human interaction, not insulate it. Technology is at it's best when it enables human interaction. Use the cell phone to meet someone face to face. Leave the blackberry in the garbage and work when you're at work rather than when you're at home. Do not choose to be enslaved to the silicon idol.

"Liberty, Freedom, Tyranny is dead!"

Rock On

Here is the revamped posting of the rocking guitar version of Pachabel's Canon in D. (Quick note: this person is covering an adaptation done by someone else.)

Waking up to NPR

I have got to stop listening to NPR in the morning before I get out of bed. The past couple of days have started to news of the Israelies bombing the hell out of some more defenseless Lebanese. Thus, my first thoughts involve monosyllablic words of Anglo-saxon origin. In order to alleviate this situation, I thus propose this open letter to Prime Minister Olmert and the General Staff of the IDF (Israeli Defense Force.)

To Minister Olmert;

It troubles me, that you have authorized the wholesale destruction of southern Lebanon in order to erase Hezbollah as a threat to your country. I realize that Hezbollah's existence and recent actions constitute a clear and present danger to the national security of the state of Israel. What troubles me, however, is that you have chosen to respond to terrorism with terrorism. Hezbollah launches rockets at Israel's cities indiscriminately killing and that is just what we would expect from terrorists. When the IDF responds in kind by destroying civilian infrastructure and civilians it becomes a terrorist organization as well. For a nation intimately familiar with the evils of terrorism to then use terror against the civilians of a peaceful nation is unthinkable. Are we that unimaginative, that we must continue to use the old, broken system of dealing with terrorism? Can we not think of a better way?

Sincerely,
Harry Conner

Going Home

This afternoon I watched the movie "Cars" at the old(er) movie theater in my hometown of Grand Prairie, TX. Now, before you run off with visions of a 1920's cinema palace with deep pile carpet and gilded everything I must warn you that the old(er) movie theater in my hometown is a Cinemark 16 Multiplex. The only thing old fashioned about it is the lack of stadium seating.

When the theater was built in my youth, it was state of the art and exciting. Its construction meant that we didnt' have to drive to Arlington to see a movie. (Not that I saw many movies in the theater as a kid what with my family's annual income and my parents strict isolationism.) It was the theater where I remember seeing my first PG-13 movie (Batman Returns). It was(is?) the theater of my childhood. There is something oddly comforting about that. It was almost on par with wrapping up in an old blanket.

Oh, and about the movie. When I drive home to Abilene tomorrow, I'm jumping off I-20 at Weatherford and taking hwy 180 out. It's much more scenic, I highly recommend it.

Friday Update

Just thought I'd let all my faithful reader's know what's going on in Hairyworld. It's been pretty rainy in King Fred's kingdom recently, but I am devoting more energy to the spiritual disciplines of prayer and reading so it is to be expected.

>Harry

The Ballad of King Fred (part 1)

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Palacia, lived King Fred. Officially he was King Frederick II, but to his subjects he was just King Fred. Sometimes, behind his back, people who didn't like him all that much called him Fatty Freddy Fat Fat.
King Fred was not your average, everyday potentate however because he had a special connection to the weather. Some people have jewelry that supposedly changes color to display their mood. You could say that King Fred had a mood sky. When he was happy, the weather was nice and pleasant. The sun was warm, but not hot. There was rain, but not too much. When King Fred was sad, the clouds were low and dark and it drizzled constantly. When he was angry there would be thunderstorms with dangerous hail and lightning, and it would rain so much that it caused floods.
King Fred's subjects liked it when he was in a good mood. They would have picnics and play ball in the park, or go relax on the beach and play in the ocean on those days. On bad mood days they would stay inside or if they absolutely had to go out they would put on their raincoats and grab their umbrellas to go out.

[to be continued . . .]

International Incident Brewing

It is halftime of the US vs. Ghana match, and I am PISSED OFF. It appears that there is a conspiracy among certain referees to prevent the US from going on in the tournament. It began in the last game by a Uruguayan referee who believed that he was what people all over the world were coming to see. It has continued in the current game by a German referree, one Markus Merk, who sees penalties where there are none. Most infamously awarding Ghana a penalty kick in stoppage time of the first half for a LEGAL CHALLENGE by US center back Ugechi Oneywu.

I realize people the world over despise our president and his warmongering policies, I know I do. But the chicanery perpetrated by our president should in no way affect the officiating at games where our national team plays.

Well, my ranting is done, but I'm still mad. Hopefully the second half will quell my offended spirit with a US win in spite of the referree's attempts to insure the opposite.

Why I Love the World Cup

Reason 1:

A tiny country with little recent reason for national pride has the chance (and takes it as often as not) to upset a perennial powerhouse (ex. Senegal vs. France; Ecuador vs. Poland; Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden) on the world stage. For a time, citizen's of said tiny country walk tall and proud because of what their team did on the pitch.

Reason 2:

Like the Greek Olympics of ancient times, the World Cup has the power to make peace between warring parties. In the Ivory Coast, a civil war which has raged up til this past weekend has been suspended for the duration of the tournament. Granted this peace is probably only temporary, but it sets the stage for a lasting peace.

I'd like to hear your reasons for liking / loving the World Cup tournament.

Saturday Morning Update

It is now day 2 of the 2006 World Cup and I have watched 3 games. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot.

6-9-06
I watched legendary Germany defeat a very competitive Costa Rican team 4-2. Prediction Wanchope (Costa Rican forward) becomes a household name the world over by the time his team is out of the tournament.
I watched an out of shape Poland squad get RUN OVER by an energetic Ecuador. It looked like 1939 all over again for the Poles.

6-10-06
This morning England defeated Paraguay 1-0 in a game marked by bad calls and bad football by both squads. Here's hoping the Soca Warriors of Trinidad and Tobago give the Viking Swedes a run for their money today at noon.

That's it from the World Cup so far. 3 more games to watch today. Woo Hoo

Home of the Brave?

Engraved on a bronze plaque on the base of the Statue of Liberty is the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus. It reads:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Perhaps that door that was once open allowing my ancestors entrance to the land of opportunity is now shut. Perhaps it is only open to those who are white, or have some talent which grants them entrance. If that is the case, then perhaps we should close ol' Lady Liberty down. Either we are what she says we are, or we are not.

In the Army Now?

Tomorrow, at a little after 9pm, I will be talking with a recruiter from the Texas Army National Guard about becoming a chaplain in the Guard.

It is FINISHED!

"And the Lord look at all that he had made and behold it was very good."

The semester (aside from two pending assignments) is completed. More importantly the 125 or so young men, who up until today I had been responsible for, are GONE. I am now going to bed.

Good night all.

Who Am I?

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

Almost there

As of the writing of this post there are now 22 hours til I have to turn in my written briefs (papers not underwear) for my comprehensive exams. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and though it's most likely the train coming the other way I don't care at this point. I just want to finish.

Thank you to all of you faithful friends who have been praying for me and supporting me to reach this point. I promise I will not let you down.

~ Harry

Why we create . . .

In a recent discussion with Marcella Walker, I came to a tentative conclusion that art - in its various forms - is the response of the created order to the fall. In short, we are artists because we suffer the pangs of separation. We know that the world is not as it should, and so we respond with art. (We also respond with humor, but that is a different post.) Our music, poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, cinema, et cetera is at is most foundational level our attempt to deal with the brokenness of the world around us, and reclaim, however tenuously, a connection with what the world could be.

I would like to hear the thoughts of you, my loyal visitors and readers.

~Harry

Lunchmeat (2005-2006)

Last night, Thursday March 9, Lunchmeat the cat, formerly of Smith Adams Residence Hall was struck and killed by a passing motorist while crossing EN 10th Street. The motorist remains unidentified and is assumed to be unharmed by the colision.

From the day he first appeared at Smith Adams, he was a friendly and affectionate cat. He was content to spend long hours sitting in laps and relaxing with the residents of the hall.

In short, Lunchmeat was a loving and loved member of our community here. We miss him.

The Broadway Version of My Life

Today while I was walking home from the library and seriously rocking out on my iPod (think the commercials) I thought what a cool thing it would be to make a musical of my life out of the songs on my computer. The list is incomplete (acts 1 and 5 are kinda hard to set to music.) But here is my life as a musical

Act 1
Superman by Five for Fighting
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Act 2
Rave On by Buddy Holly
Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra
Kiss the Girl from Disney's Little Mermaid
I'm a Believer by The Monkees
Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley

Act 3
Charade by Bobby Darin
Your Mistake by Sister Hazel
She Hates Me by Puddle of Mud
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by Johnny Cash
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own by U2

Act 4
Somebody to Love by Queen
The Date Song by Jamie Hooten and David Graves
Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel and Johnny Cash (I can't decide which version)

Act 5
O'Sullivan's March by the Chieftans
Into the West from The Return of the King (performed by Annie Lennox)

Let me know who you think should play me in both the stage and movie versions.

PS Thank you for indulging this little bit of narcisim on my part ;-)

Austin City Limited

This past weekend I had the great fortune to travel to Austin, the capital of Texas, to visit my good friends Nathan and Melissa Jerkins. While there I took a much needed break from school life and became, for 2 days, just another 20-something. We ate gigantic chicken fried steaks and fish tacos. We played washers and enjoyed one another's company.

The weekend was more than simply good food and games, however. The weekend was an eye opening experience. I have spent the better part of the past decade living in the theorhetical world of the university. Virtue is a topic of conversation, tolerance a matter of course in a world where everyone operates with similar agenda's toward similar ends. The weekend in Austin opened my eyes to the world outside the academy. In this world, virtue is a lifestyle that must be practiced faithfully if one is be virtuous. In this world, tolerance must be embraced as each new person is encountered. Here, in the real world, the theoretical world of the academy must actually be put into practice. Honestly, it was unsettling. This is not a safe world, and the consequences for our actions are real, the stakes much higher.

God help me as I prepare to enter the real world.

A For Real Update

I have just finished reading the book Farnham's Freehold by Robert Heinlein. It is a science fiction novel which describes a family catapulted 2,000 years into the future by nuclear war. There they discover that the cultural roles have reversed. "Whites" have, by their own self-immolation, become the subservient culture to the dominant "Black" culture. I will not give away any more details because it is a good story which you should probably read.

When it was published in 1964 it was, to be sure, a controversial book. It seems to me to be controversial for both sides of the racial divide. White people would be offended by its portrayal of white people as the property of others, while Black people would possibly be offended by the assertion that, given power, they will be no more humane than white people were.

The question of power is central to the understanding of the author's point. It is not about race, it is about power. Power is the dividing factor in human relationships. It is the thing which makes its posessors strive for more, and those who lack it to fight for it. Once again, it is not about race, but about the attitudes of power. Power corrupts those who posess it as surely as people die and governments levy taxes.

Jesus Christ laid aside his power and priviledge and became the lowest of humanity. He laid aside his divinity to become a slave, and he calls us who claim to follow him to do the same.