If The Internet Says So . . .
When you check your newsfeed and see a friend comment on how their hygiene is low or their flatulence is deadly, its assumed that someone ELSE was guilty of typing the update. On Wednesday, I allowed a few friends the opportunity to update on my behalf, to type in whatever they wanted about me. They came up with what you see above. Given my past travels to Korea (seen here and here), there was a slight possibility that the status was correct. Immediately after the post, the comments flooded, some of utter disbelief (‘wtf!’), others of encouragement (‘have a great time’) and others of reservations (‘trolling’).
It made me think of how easily we trust what the internet says. This is not a knock on those who offered their words of support, its just a thought. Very rarely do I question what the internet says about a number of issues. Save the trusted news outlets that have websites, when I read something on the internet, some random fact, I don’t usually question it. A few days ago, a co-worker and me got into a discussion about the origins of rock and roll. She did some internetting and came up with some names. I told her that those names didn’t get to the answer. She then said: ‘Are you saying google is wrong?’
Yes. In that instance, I was going against the multi-billion dollar internet giant. They didn’t get to the answer.
To be fair, I have travelled a lot since high school, and another journey might not seem that out of my range. The thing is, after this post, I wrote a long explanation as to what happened and the amazing lie that was concocted by my friends. Despite the explanation, I still had people congratulating me on my next step to Asia. Not everything that loads is truth.
Blackberry Bloggage
A few years ago, I got all excited when wordpress allowed its users to phone in blogs. I think I used it a handful of times. Here again is another potential resource I may or may not use: WordPress for BlackBerry. So far, its been a success, though it takes a while for it to recognize the current location of where I’m writing from (Second Cup in Thornhill). Again, we will see whether or not this will be a one-time shot or a regular occurrence.
Had my first class of the semester this morning. Pretty packed. 1 & 2 Peter. Trying to keep on task. Was a bit of a struggle in the fall. Also taking Youth at Risk and the Evangelical Right. Should be a good class. Anyway, my thumbs tire. Time to be a keener student. Bye from my Torch!
The Stanfield’s (‘Onesie’) Discussion
Happy New Year’s to all! According to my Annual Report, my second most read post last year was written in 2010. All that to say that there has been major neglect on this blog. I make no promises that the neglect will continue, but I did recently just purchase my domain name (daltonholloway.com). That should be the kickstart I need. Only time will tell.
On Boxing Day, I went out with family to brave Square One Mall in Mississauga to do the shopping thing. We were in Zellers and they were selling Stanfield thermals (we’ll return to this word later). I already own one, but wanted a second. So I bought it . . . at full price. Santa would be shaking his head at me if he were around to see the transaction.
So I go to work yesterday with the thermal underneath my clothing; the thermal sleeve was longer than the dress shirt, so the grey checkered pattern was visible. A co-worker noticed the sleeve, and asked if I was wearing an undershirt (it was extremely cold in Toronto yesterday). I said: ‘No, I’m wearing a onesie’. She starts to laugh. ’Seriously??’. I lift up my pant leg and show her. She laughs again. ’I thought only kids and old men wear those!’ Then my other co-worker asks what’s so funny, then another, then a customer, etc. (‘I admire your commitment to warmth Dalton’).
Here is where I stop. All the laughs were warranted, given the choice of words. I checked some respected sites, and realized I used the wrong word. According to Urban Dictionary, a onesie is:
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A trademark registered to Gerber Childrenswear LLC, often used in connection with a one-piece garment for an infant or small child, generally worn over a diaper
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Clearly, I don’t wear these since I was wearing a product from the company Stanfield’s. What I SHOULD have answered was one of the two responses:
1) Long Underwear (aka. Long John’s) or 2) A Thermal (or ‘Two Layer Combination’ according to Stanfield’s).
I was on the defensive the entire day. The noobs to long underwear were loving it (‘How do you do to the bathroom? Haha!’). Oh ignorance, you have created monsters without realizing it.
So as not to create another stir, I have decided to drop the word ‘onesie’ from my vocabulary and stick with long underwear. I don’t need that kind of attention. All that to say, I was very warm yesterday. The full price purchase was well worth it. Stanfield’s you make good thermals/Long John’s/Long Underwear!
Glorious
And if I sing out in the dark of night
Or praise you in the light of dawn
Hear my song and lift me on your wings
And if I worship you in solitude
Or join a choir 10,000 strong
Hear my song ’till all creation sings
Glorious, shining so glorious
Though I stumble, though I fall
You remain Glorious
Towards your light
I come running, I come running
Into Your arms
I come running, I come running
You have searched me, You have known my heart
You’ve heard my every anxious thought
Hear my song, it’s all I have to bring
And though the battle’s come, this much is known
Victory’s won by You alone
Hear my song my Saviour and my King
Glorious
Shining so glorious
Though I stumble, though I fall
You remain glorious
Towards Your light
I come running, I come running
Into Your arms
I come running, I come running
Every faithless mission
every false ambition
Here I lay them at Your feet
As in heaven, as on earth
I will ever sing Your worth
You alone make me complete
Glorious
Shining so glorious
Though I stumble, though I fall
You remain glorious
Towards Your light
I come running, I come running
Into Your arms
I come running, I come running
Diamond Hearts
Right off the heels of a sub-par midterm in Geography, I have already found a concept that I won’t forget after leaving the final exam in December. There are three types of rocks on the globe, differing kinds, but three types. One type is igneous rock, a second called sedimentary rock. The third is called metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rocks are either igneous or sedimentary rock that has gone through major physical or chemical changes under pressure and high temperature. Metamorphic rocks include slate, marble and diamonds. The process makes for a strong visual. Imagine a rock, one of those ugly, grey ones being physically altered, placed under extreme heat and coming up with a diamond on the other end.
Scripture speaks about the ‘heart’ a lot, and I can’t help but wonder if the rock to diamond process is true for the strongest muscle in our body. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God (Exodus), the Israelites hardened their hearts toward God in the desert (Hebrews 3), the apostle Paul served God with his ‘whole heart’ (Romans 1) and Jesus commands we do the same as Paul (Matthew 22). We all have something that we are ‘hardened’ and ‘cold’ to. After my midterm yesterday, I see a direct parallel towards the heart of humankind.
How else can a heart of stone be changed? It needs to be put through intense pressure and ‘heat’ before it becomes what it should be. There are many people with stone hearts. They let the public know through their words, attitudes and actions. But metamorphism is possible, a change of heart is possible. It just takes some pain and stress. Not the best way to sell the concept, but nothing that’s worth having in this life comes easy.
A heart cannot be forcibly put into a straining process, it’s a choice. How can someone follow Jesus’ command of loving the Lord with all our hearts if they’re stone cold? We give our heart to God, then He works on it. Sensitive and fragile, the Lord adds pressure, heat and other kinds of processes to change it. As the pain subsides, we are left with a different muscle than the one we started with. One ready to forgive, quick to serve, slow to anger, able to let go, seeking ways to remain intact.
I want a diamond heart.
