That girl sure liked to talk. We talked and talked and talked, mostly about movies and rather or not the movie characters were real. In case you were wondering the talking fish in Finding Nemo are not real and neither is Batman who lives in Gothem, a pretend city. I was however at a loss as to how to describe what a robot is.
"I took a bath this morning." she informed me.
"Me too." I said.
"I took one with bubble bath." she excitedly proclaimed, "Did you take a bubble bath?"
"No I didn't" I admitted.
"Why nooooooot?" she inquired.
"Well, I don't have any bubble bath."
"They have it at Kmart." she informed me.
"Well then maybe I will have to buy some for next time." I smiled.
He shook my hand and then asked an important question. "Are you my buddy?"
"I sure am" I said.
"I love you, do you love me?" he wanted to know.
"Yes I do love you." I replied.
She was probably only 4 feet tall and walked bent over with a walker. I don't think she knew how to talk. She did however know how to laugh and that may be more important. She was fan of slapstick. When my mom accidentally dropped the Christmas tree on the floor she cracked up laughing. I really think she would enjoy watching the Three Stooges.
He didn't talk much. I didn't hear him say one word. He sure did enjoy music though. When the music came on he would hum along and sway side to side. He was good at swaying.
I don't remember much about her but I do know that she said that she wants a top hat for Christmas. A top hat, that's a great Christmas wish. Another guy said that he wanted popcorn for Christmas but personally I would rather have a top hat.
The only words that I heard him say were "bye." He walked with a bit of a sideways limp and he walked fast. High fives and asking the time were his things. He seemed excited and would often put his fist in his mouth. A nervous habit I suppose. He point out the window at the snow. "I like snow too" I would say. If he was sitting he wanted someone to sit next to him but most of the time he was walking. He really liked to walk.
I did puppets with my mom today at a home for the mentally disabled where she works. It was a Christmas party. Everyone likes a party. This was a new experience for me. It wasn't uncomfortable and it didn't feel strange, it was just different. I wonder what it's like to never grow up, for your mind to remain in a state of suspended animation. I felt a lot of emotions while I was there. I think most of them were happiness. I like seeing people smile. I was happy that they were happy and most of them looked happy.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
21 Things I've Never Done
- I've never been to a Starbucks
- I've never owned a cell phone
- I've never drank a Red Bull
- I've never bungee jumped
- I've never had sex
- I've never carried health insurance
- I've never owned a pair of boxers
- I've never watched the movie Forest Gump
- I've never owned a car with electric windows
- I've never drank an alcoholic beverage
- I've never broken a bone
- I've never owned a brand new piece of furniture
- I've never been to the Newport Aquarium
- I've never used a cell phone to send a text message
- I've never played an organized sport
- I've never been hunting
- I've never taken a ride in a helicopter
- I've never been trick or treating
- I've never thrown a piece of garbage out of my car window
- I've never used my recycling bin
- I've never owned a dog
+ I've never given someone the finger
- I've never owned a cell phone
- I've never drank a Red Bull
- I've never bungee jumped
- I've never had sex
- I've never carried health insurance
- I've never owned a pair of boxers
- I've never watched the movie Forest Gump
- I've never owned a car with electric windows
- I've never drank an alcoholic beverage
- I've never broken a bone
- I've never owned a brand new piece of furniture
- I've never been to the Newport Aquarium
- I've never used a cell phone to send a text message
- I've never played an organized sport
- I've never been hunting
- I've never taken a ride in a helicopter
- I've never been trick or treating
- I've never thrown a piece of garbage out of my car window
- I've never used my recycling bin
- I've never owned a dog
+ I've never given someone the finger
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Perspective
Perspective is:
I went bowling. My friends were celebrating because they broke 100 by getting multiple strikes in their last frame. The guy in the lane next to us was angry because he only got a 289.
A guy at the bowling ally told me that Great Clips could cut my hair for $5.99. He didn't mean for me to hear it. I did. I thought it was a great opportunity to start a conversation with a stranger.
While waiting in line for a ferry at Elis Island the line was cut off at me and my brother. I immediately let out a "Wohoo" and proclaimed "we're first in line."
I paid $2.50 to cross a bridge in New Jersey. I thought it was a great deal after paying $8 to cross a bridge in New York.
The auctioneer at the auction I went to a few weeks ago said he was going to be moving pretty fast. The people behind me said they couldn't understand a word he said. I left after an hour because he was so slow it made me want to scream.
I heard a lady at Kroger say that, "It's creepy as H*** when you open the refrigerator door at the grocery store to get some milk and you hear talking back there." My Dad says that if they are ever out of milk at the store you just open that door and yell back there, "Hey you guys have any more milk back there?"
One of the grocery store employees walked up to me the other day and called me Jesus. He then asked if I wanted to see his impression of the Virgin Marry. How could I refuse an offer like that. So, he took a large gold plate that he was holding and put it behind his head. Yep, that kind of looks like her.
I went bowling. My friends were celebrating because they broke 100 by getting multiple strikes in their last frame. The guy in the lane next to us was angry because he only got a 289.
A guy at the bowling ally told me that Great Clips could cut my hair for $5.99. He didn't mean for me to hear it. I did. I thought it was a great opportunity to start a conversation with a stranger.
While waiting in line for a ferry at Elis Island the line was cut off at me and my brother. I immediately let out a "Wohoo" and proclaimed "we're first in line."
I paid $2.50 to cross a bridge in New Jersey. I thought it was a great deal after paying $8 to cross a bridge in New York.
The auctioneer at the auction I went to a few weeks ago said he was going to be moving pretty fast. The people behind me said they couldn't understand a word he said. I left after an hour because he was so slow it made me want to scream.
I heard a lady at Kroger say that, "It's creepy as H*** when you open the refrigerator door at the grocery store to get some milk and you hear talking back there." My Dad says that if they are ever out of milk at the store you just open that door and yell back there, "Hey you guys have any more milk back there?"
One of the grocery store employees walked up to me the other day and called me Jesus. He then asked if I wanted to see his impression of the Virgin Marry. How could I refuse an offer like that. So, he took a large gold plate that he was holding and put it behind his head. Yep, that kind of looks like her.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
White People Don't Know Jack About Hats
Whatever happened to white people wearing cool hats? Remember Abraham Lincoln? Now that was a nice hat. There was a day when everyone wore hats. Women wore there wide rimmed sun bonnets and gentlemen wore their fedoras and derbys. But not anymore. White people just don't appreciate a good hat. This is however not the case with all the races. Black folks still understand what it is to wear a nice hat. I went to a predominantly black church last night and let me tell you, they know their hats. The women have hats, the men have hats and I even saw a baby wearing a nice hat. The men wore their fedoras and the women wore every matter of hat imaginable. Everywhere you looked people where wearing nice hats. Big hats, small hats, hats with flowers, hats with animal prints, hats that shined when the light hit them, and hats that were subtle accessories. Hats, hats, hats, everywhere nice hats. It's not like that with white folks though. The problem with white people is they only understand the ball cap. Sure, they will wear the ball cap and an adventurous few will sport a golf hat but that's about it. What is wrong with all of you white people? What do you have against wearing nice hats? Come one folks, remember Abraham Lincoln. Now that was a nice hat.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Who Asked You?
On facebook there is this silly application where people can answer question about you. Unfortunately I can't see who said what. Never the less, here are the questions and the answers given. I will correct the ones that need to be corrected.
1) Would Dan Thoms make a good spouse? Yes
(You know you want me don't ya you dark sexy stranger on facebook you.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms would look good in a bikini? No
(The correct answer to this is actually maybe. Wait, let me use my imagination, hmmmm, ok maybe not.)
Would you trust Dan Thoms with your life? Yes
(Hmmmm, well then, what shall I do with your life.)
Do you think Dan Thoms has ever pulled an all-nighter? Yes
(I actually never have. I was always one to study way too much and way in advance.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms swears like a sailor? No
(I did curse one time. Yep, just once, I think I was 12. I'm not going to tell you which word it was but it wasn't nice.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms smells? No
(This is half right because I smell of sweet sweet roses)
Do you think Dan Thoms is cool? Yes
(This was an obvious one)
Does Dan Thoms have a face only a mother could love? Yes
(Ok, whose the wise guy who answered this one? Whomever it was is obviously in love with me and is hiding that through insults.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has showered today? Yes
(I took a bath. I think that counts. I'm not Brazilian though, so I don't shower twice a day. Dang fresh smelling Brazilians.)
Would you trust Dan Thoms with your life? Yes
(Sweeeet, another one)
Do you think that Dan Thoms is a freak? No
(Only at night because that's when the freaks come out)
Do you think that Dan Thoms is tone deaf? No
(I like to think of myself as tone disabled)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever lied to avoid a date? Yes
(Um, I don't remember ever doing this. I bet this was answered by either a very old friend or a family member)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever done anything they're ashamed of? No
(Yeaaaaa, um, stutter*, uh, yea this is the correct answer)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever lied in an interview? No
(Not only that I've gotten every job I've ever interviewed for.
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever stolen money from their friends? Yes
(Sucker please, I don't need your money, I've got money.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever gone to a strip club? No
(Correct, I have never gone to a strip club. Maybe I can steal my friends one dollar bills and take a trip though. Then again maybe not.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever gone hunting? Yes
(Surprisingly, unless you count antique hunting, I have not)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has a deep dark secret? Yes
(Not one that you'll ever know.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever given money to a homeless person? Yes
(True statement.)
Is Dan Thoms fun to be around? Yes
(Hooray for me.)
1) Would Dan Thoms make a good spouse? Yes
(You know you want me don't ya you dark sexy stranger on facebook you.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms would look good in a bikini? No
(The correct answer to this is actually maybe. Wait, let me use my imagination, hmmmm, ok maybe not.)
Would you trust Dan Thoms with your life? Yes
(Hmmmm, well then, what shall I do with your life.)
Do you think Dan Thoms has ever pulled an all-nighter? Yes
(I actually never have. I was always one to study way too much and way in advance.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms swears like a sailor? No
(I did curse one time. Yep, just once, I think I was 12. I'm not going to tell you which word it was but it wasn't nice.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms smells? No
(This is half right because I smell of sweet sweet roses)
Do you think Dan Thoms is cool? Yes
(This was an obvious one)
Does Dan Thoms have a face only a mother could love? Yes
(Ok, whose the wise guy who answered this one? Whomever it was is obviously in love with me and is hiding that through insults.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has showered today? Yes
(I took a bath. I think that counts. I'm not Brazilian though, so I don't shower twice a day. Dang fresh smelling Brazilians.)
Would you trust Dan Thoms with your life? Yes
(Sweeeet, another one)
Do you think that Dan Thoms is a freak? No
(Only at night because that's when the freaks come out)
Do you think that Dan Thoms is tone deaf? No
(I like to think of myself as tone disabled)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever lied to avoid a date? Yes
(Um, I don't remember ever doing this. I bet this was answered by either a very old friend or a family member)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever done anything they're ashamed of? No
(Yeaaaaa, um, stutter*, uh, yea this is the correct answer)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever lied in an interview? No
(Not only that I've gotten every job I've ever interviewed for.
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever stolen money from their friends? Yes
(Sucker please, I don't need your money, I've got money.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever gone to a strip club? No
(Correct, I have never gone to a strip club. Maybe I can steal my friends one dollar bills and take a trip though. Then again maybe not.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever gone hunting? Yes
(Surprisingly, unless you count antique hunting, I have not)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has a deep dark secret? Yes
(Not one that you'll ever know.)
Do you think that Dan Thoms has ever given money to a homeless person? Yes
(True statement.)
Is Dan Thoms fun to be around? Yes
(Hooray for me.)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Anual Christmas Blog
This post is a re-post from last year. Love it, hate it, leave a comment and state your case.
While I was in India I had the pleasure of getting to know an older, gray headed Englishman by the name of Keith. Keith and I shared a 10x10 room , went to work together on the worlds most crowded bus, and lived life together for those two weeks. Needless to say we had many fun and enlightening conversations. Keith is a devout atheist while I am a devout follower of Christ. This no doubt led to some interesting conversations. I can remember walking down the street one day when Keith looked at me and said,"You know, I used to believe in Santa Clause."
I chuckled, "I know where your going with this," I said. "I've made this same argument, for different reasons of course but still, the same argument."
"I used to believe in Santa Clause but then I grew up and found out that he wasn't real. You know I used to believe in God? But then I wised up. God and Santa, both imaginary, things people make up to make themselves feel good. They may be fun but they aren't real."
Keith was a logical person, an intelligent person, well read, a world traveler, and this was logic. Keith wasn't the first person that I've come to know who as a child or as an adult came to these same conclusions. After all, they are logical. My mother is one of those people who for a period of time doubted the existence of God for these same reasons.
At what point did tradition trump morality? When did it become acceptable to lie for the sake of fun? Right and wrong isn't determined by the out come of a situation, family tradition, how fun it is, or what everyone else is doing. I'll leave you with a few more stories that I've been told.
"It was a let down. I was in second grade and had suspected there was a cover up for a while. The creepy thing was, I told my mother I knew there was no Santa and she got this peeved look in her eye and said, "Children who don't believe in Santa don't get Christmas gifts". I was stunned. So, I said, "I guess I believe then". With that bit of creepiness, I went on to pretend to believe in Santa for years. Strangest part is that she responded similarly when I stopped being Christian."
"I can't remember how old I was (probably around 8). I remember I was obsessing about getting my Christmas list done so I could give it to Santa. I was trying to find good paper for it and I was probably annoying my parents to no end. I remember getting a slip of wrapping paper and announcing that I was about to write my list.
That's when my dad told me to come to him. He said that they made up Santa Clause and that he wasn't real. I was devastated. I really did believe in him with all my little heart. It felt like the magic of Christmas shattered before my very eyes. He said that all parents tell their kids the same story. I asked why they would do such a mean thing- to make them believe in something and then tell them it isn't true. He said that it was so parents could give gifts to their children without taking the credit for giving them. I understood that side of the argument, but I was angry and heartbroken that parents would put their children through that. I asked him why he told me and he said it was because I was old enough to know.
After that, I didn't want to write my list. He told me to do it, though, and so like a good little girl I obeyed. However, the list seemed to be significantly less important to me that year.
It never occurred to me to question the existence of God right then and there, but I did wonder about it later. I mean, if they lied to me about one man doing miraculous things, why wouldn't a supernatural, all-seeing, all-knowing being be a lie as well?
I know it seems nothing, but I really did believe in Santa with every fiber of my being, and that experience was absolutely unforgettable. Since then, I have vowed never to tell my children about him- or at least I would say that it's just a story from the very beginning. Strangely enough, I haven't changed my mind all these years. "
While I was in India I had the pleasure of getting to know an older, gray headed Englishman by the name of Keith. Keith and I shared a 10x10 room , went to work together on the worlds most crowded bus, and lived life together for those two weeks. Needless to say we had many fun and enlightening conversations. Keith is a devout atheist while I am a devout follower of Christ. This no doubt led to some interesting conversations. I can remember walking down the street one day when Keith looked at me and said,"You know, I used to believe in Santa Clause."
I chuckled, "I know where your going with this," I said. "I've made this same argument, for different reasons of course but still, the same argument."
"I used to believe in Santa Clause but then I grew up and found out that he wasn't real. You know I used to believe in God? But then I wised up. God and Santa, both imaginary, things people make up to make themselves feel good. They may be fun but they aren't real."
Keith was a logical person, an intelligent person, well read, a world traveler, and this was logic. Keith wasn't the first person that I've come to know who as a child or as an adult came to these same conclusions. After all, they are logical. My mother is one of those people who for a period of time doubted the existence of God for these same reasons.
At what point did tradition trump morality? When did it become acceptable to lie for the sake of fun? Right and wrong isn't determined by the out come of a situation, family tradition, how fun it is, or what everyone else is doing. I'll leave you with a few more stories that I've been told.
"It was a let down. I was in second grade and had suspected there was a cover up for a while. The creepy thing was, I told my mother I knew there was no Santa and she got this peeved look in her eye and said, "Children who don't believe in Santa don't get Christmas gifts". I was stunned. So, I said, "I guess I believe then". With that bit of creepiness, I went on to pretend to believe in Santa for years. Strangest part is that she responded similarly when I stopped being Christian."
"I can't remember how old I was (probably around 8). I remember I was obsessing about getting my Christmas list done so I could give it to Santa. I was trying to find good paper for it and I was probably annoying my parents to no end. I remember getting a slip of wrapping paper and announcing that I was about to write my list.
That's when my dad told me to come to him. He said that they made up Santa Clause and that he wasn't real. I was devastated. I really did believe in him with all my little heart. It felt like the magic of Christmas shattered before my very eyes. He said that all parents tell their kids the same story. I asked why they would do such a mean thing- to make them believe in something and then tell them it isn't true. He said that it was so parents could give gifts to their children without taking the credit for giving them. I understood that side of the argument, but I was angry and heartbroken that parents would put their children through that. I asked him why he told me and he said it was because I was old enough to know.
After that, I didn't want to write my list. He told me to do it, though, and so like a good little girl I obeyed. However, the list seemed to be significantly less important to me that year.
It never occurred to me to question the existence of God right then and there, but I did wonder about it later. I mean, if they lied to me about one man doing miraculous things, why wouldn't a supernatural, all-seeing, all-knowing being be a lie as well?
I know it seems nothing, but I really did believe in Santa with every fiber of my being, and that experience was absolutely unforgettable. Since then, I have vowed never to tell my children about him- or at least I would say that it's just a story from the very beginning. Strangely enough, I haven't changed my mind all these years. "
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Women Seeking Life in Romantic Comedy
Have you ever joined a dating site? I'm a member of Yahoo dating, kind of. They send me emails telling me who they think my perfect match is. I usually delete said emails with the rest of my spam but every once in a while I'll take a quick look. Anything more than a glance cost a subscription fee so a glance is good enough for me. It's kind of interesting seeing how girls describe themselves and how they describe what they are looking for in a man. Some are good, some are well, some are this. Now I don't expect you to read the entire thing but go ahead and skim this description of what this girl is looking for.
"Hmmmmmm.....I am waiting for Mr.Perfect to come along sweep me off my feet, the creme de la creme...because I´m worth it!!!...as much as I ask, I give. So here´s the gauntlet list! :) Beautiful inside and dashingly handsome on the outside :) someone who takes care of their body, mind and soul. A gentleman. A spiritual person who appreciates nature. Family orientated. Committed. Mentally sound, genuine, without overgrown ego. Completely honest and open, able to apologies, forgive and forget and see the funny side, a go getter, skilled and capable, an arty creative type, totally dependable and reliable... someone who REALLY knows how to and takes pleasure in treating a woman with respect and showering her in love, tenderness, good times and pleasant surprises! A good listener, patient and undemanding. A thoughtful and imaginative romantic, someone who gives lots of their time, support, love and attention, but is secure and mature enough to give me my own time and space too. Responsible, fair, communicative, wise, funny and funloving. Tidy (at least ish!), helpful and responsible. Successful and generous. Energetic, fit, adventurous, sporty, broadminded, intelligent, confident and sociable. A passionate, thoughtful and adventurous lover who equally enjoys cuddles and holding hands. Sensible,(ok, most of the time!)with the ability to see and plan ahead, non judgmental, ethical, non racist. No boozers or druggies please. If you´ve got this far and you´re still smiling and thinking yup, that´s me" I´d like to hear from you!"
I don't know about you but I started feeling inadequate about 7 words into this ad. After 7 lines I knew that I was absolutely unqualified. After reading all 20 lines I figured out what the problem was. I'm not a character from a romantic comedy. Think about it. This was the perfect description of the leading man in any movie that can be described as "heart felt, romantic, and funny." Granted, I'm now eliminated myself from the list of possible suitors by being "judgmental" but hey, at least I'm still not a "boozer."
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Have Two - Will Sell Duplicate
People will sell almost anything when they are hard up for cash. Craigslist is a living testament of that. The other day I was browsing the international crailgslist listings when I made and interesting discover. People were offering for sale some things that are near and dear to them. By near and dear I am of course referring to their kidneys. How hard up for cash to you have to be to offer to sell a body part? Now this practice is of course illegal. It does not however prevent people from trying. I came across 3 ads that were ongoing and at least 3 or 4 more that had been shut down.
- i am a 24 year old male, clean lifestyle, in need of money, 80k plus you pay for all med bills.
- Desperately seeking money. Will sell kidney to anyone in need. Help me by helping you.
- Kidney for sale. 50,000
So, next time you think that your having financial problems think about these folks..
- i am a 24 year old male, clean lifestyle, in need of money, 80k plus you pay for all med bills.
- Desperately seeking money. Will sell kidney to anyone in need. Help me by helping you.
- Kidney for sale. 50,000
So, next time you think that your having financial problems think about these folks..
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pwnd
Last night I was totally pwnd by the 5th and 6th grade Thrive class. Never in my life have I had a group of kids destroy me like that. Granted, they weren't all bad the entire time. Some of the kids were even good the entire time. The problem is there were 10 of them and 2 or 3 of them were not only bad they were influential. There's one thing that I'm 100% certain about, that will never happen again. Mothers will be called and kids will be asked not to come back the next week if they ever act like that again. Up to this week the kids had been relativity well.
On the positive side I don't think they will ever forget my visual aid for when we talked about the helmet of salvation. Think military Kevlar helmet and a large knife. And if that sounds dangerous to you, your wrong. It's not. It just looks dangerous which is the whole point of wearing a helmet. Next time we are going to talk about the breastplate of righteousness. I'm bringing a military flak jacket. But don't worry, even if I get the urge, I will not be shooting any of the children. Next time they will be well behaved, I'm sure of it.
On the positive side I don't think they will ever forget my visual aid for when we talked about the helmet of salvation. Think military Kevlar helmet and a large knife. And if that sounds dangerous to you, your wrong. It's not. It just looks dangerous which is the whole point of wearing a helmet. Next time we are going to talk about the breastplate of righteousness. I'm bringing a military flak jacket. But don't worry, even if I get the urge, I will not be shooting any of the children. Next time they will be well behaved, I'm sure of it.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A guide on How to Deal with the Paparazzi
Now mind you I have never at any point in my life been famous. No one makes a living taking pictures of me in awkward situations. If I want people to see me in awkward or embarrassing situations I have to take the pictures myself and then post them on facebook. Even though I ma in no way qualified to do so, I have written the following guide on how to deal with the Paparazzi.
1) Make them homemade cookies. Put laxatives in the homemade cookies
2) Everyone has a mom. Get the name and phone numbers of the paparazzi's moms and then call their mothers and complain about how their sons are bothering you.
3) Drive a 1986 Honda. When the paparazzi recognizes you say your flattered but your someone else and hit them up for gas money.
4) Hire someone to follow them around taking pictures.
5)Invite the paparazzi over to take pictures of your new baby. When they get there insist that they agreed to babysit, give them $10 for pizza and go see a movie.
6) Give them photography advice and insist that they are doing it all wrong.
7) Travel with a fat guy who walks backwards in front of you mooning the paparazzi.
8) Answer all of their questions using the Socratic method.
9) Where a hijab.
10) Only travel with people who are much more famous and interesting than you.
1) Make them homemade cookies. Put laxatives in the homemade cookies
2) Everyone has a mom. Get the name and phone numbers of the paparazzi's moms and then call their mothers and complain about how their sons are bothering you.
3) Drive a 1986 Honda. When the paparazzi recognizes you say your flattered but your someone else and hit them up for gas money.
4) Hire someone to follow them around taking pictures.
5)Invite the paparazzi over to take pictures of your new baby. When they get there insist that they agreed to babysit, give them $10 for pizza and go see a movie.
6) Give them photography advice and insist that they are doing it all wrong.
7) Travel with a fat guy who walks backwards in front of you mooning the paparazzi.
8) Answer all of their questions using the Socratic method.
9) Where a hijab.
10) Only travel with people who are much more famous and interesting than you.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Devils Advocate
I was recently accused of playing the devils advocate so in honor of that accusation I wrote this blog.
Devil's Advocate: Someone who takes a position he or she does not agree with for the sake of argument. This process can be used to test the quality of the original argument and identify weaknesses in its structure.
The Devils Advocate was the common name for the position of Promoter of the Faith (a canon lawyer) in the Catholic church. It was the Devils Advocates job to argue against the canonization of a candidate. The Devils Advocate (Promoter of the Faith) would argue against God's Advocate (Promoter of the Cause) in the decision of rather or not the title of sainthood should be bestowed upon a candidate.
The Devils Advocate, although not always well liked, did play an important role in the Catholic chuch. Being called a Devils Advocate reminded me of a time when Iplayed the part of Devils Advocate in a very literal way. This happened years ago in the Sr. High Sunday School class that I substitute taught. The teacher had the idea of putting the divinity of Christ on trial. There would be two lawyers, witnesses and the teenagers would be the jury. I played the part of the devil. I tricked the witnesses into quoting scripture out of context, confusing prophecy, and twisting the truth. And, in the end, the unexpected happened, the devil won. At first that may sound like a Sunday School fail. After all, this was Sunday School and God is always supposed to win, right. The students went home confused, questioning their faith. A lot of them had never read the scriptures for themselves and just relied on what they were told. Jesus is God because the pastor said so or because their parents said so. But now, what was true? This forced them to wrestle with and take ownership of their own faith. They went home and they read the scriptures for themselves and in the end saw past my tricks. In the end I lost and God won.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Video Tour of My Art
This video is about 3 minutes long and the quality doesn't do the art justice but it will give you an idea of what I have hanging. If you want better quality come over and see the stuff yourself.
Video Tour of my Art Gallery (hallway) from Dan Thoms on Vimeo.
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