Wasted Friday
Originally Posted at 04:12 AM on Feb. 07, 2004
My Friday almost went down without anything worthwhile being done. I worked, went to classes, got back to my room, and ended up chatting online/surfing for a few hours, grabbed dinner, watched some South Park (3 hours worth) and decided I was going to go to the rec center at 11pm.
I weighed in at 178 pounds, a record high - I'm not trying to gain weight, but I did eat a lot over the hours leading up to my going. Leaving, I weighed in at 171 pounds... biggest drop ev-er, I think the scale might have been off. I got Ross to go with me, and we played basketball for 90 minutes - I won 16-8, with above average shooting inside the arc, and a little below average shooting from outside. Ross got dominated, and all his points came on threes from the top of the key... of course it took him a ton of shots to get those points, but still. (In one-on-one, outside the arc is worth two, and inside the arc is worth one) -- Followed up by a little shootaround, and my lifting some weights before we headed back to our respective rooms. I think I'll feel it tomorrow.
My friend told me about some new friends he made - they're names both began with "Elder" and went in depth enough to make me ask if he had joined the Mormon faith. He answered yes, and I am confused. Two of my completely unreligious friends (while in high school) have "found religion" in the past twelve months, and one is completely different now, all she talks about is Christ, and the church has become the main focal point of her life. It's hard to have a conversation with her about anything else. This guy has never really been religious, and he used to often make wisecracks about Mormons (jokingly), so this is completely unexpected.
I don't know how to feel about it. I'm not against organized religion per se, I file myself as an ethnic Jew. The only thing I do is go to Hillel (a Jewish group on campus) to be amongst my people for Shabbat dinner (not even the service leading up to it). I don't participate in the prayers (I don't know them), I don't know the backstory to a number of the holidays, I don't know Hebrew, and I can't answer questions about things, (eg why we keep kosher, in fact, I don't). I identify with my people, but I am by no means active in the religion. I am very attentive whenever I heard the word "Jew," and I am very testy when it comes to World War II stuff - moreso than I used to be. I blame that on the ignorance of youth - people damn well better know what is not fair game by now - and if they don't, I have no qualms about making it clear in English they won't have a problem understanding.
As far as these friends go, if ever we fall out of contact, it may be a result of religion. I don't care what religion you are, but I will not have all the time I spend with you dedicated to you telling me how great your newfound religion is, or how I should really come to your church to learn more. I have yet to further explore the customs of my own faith, what makes you think for a half second I give a shit about the intricacies of yours? (especially when I'm not asking). I am glad you feel you are bettering yourself and you want to share it with me, but I approach religion with an utterly sarcastic attitude that is very counterproductive to the discussion. If we end up talking about it, we probably won't end the conversation as friends. I've learned this through my years, I don't have a problem with it, and I am rapidly approaching that conclusion with political views as well.
Your views are your own and I respect them, if I want to know more, I will ask. Thank you for the invitation to share your faith, I politely decline, I am happy with my own, and feel no need to explore other "options." Please keep your religion to yourself, I will do the same, and I promise our friendship won't fall due to religion.
I'm gonna step off my soap box, and save it for later use. Thanks.
Originally Posted at 04:12 AM on Feb. 07, 2004
My Friday almost went down without anything worthwhile being done. I worked, went to classes, got back to my room, and ended up chatting online/surfing for a few hours, grabbed dinner, watched some South Park (3 hours worth) and decided I was going to go to the rec center at 11pm.
I weighed in at 178 pounds, a record high - I'm not trying to gain weight, but I did eat a lot over the hours leading up to my going. Leaving, I weighed in at 171 pounds... biggest drop ev-er, I think the scale might have been off. I got Ross to go with me, and we played basketball for 90 minutes - I won 16-8, with above average shooting inside the arc, and a little below average shooting from outside. Ross got dominated, and all his points came on threes from the top of the key... of course it took him a ton of shots to get those points, but still. (In one-on-one, outside the arc is worth two, and inside the arc is worth one) -- Followed up by a little shootaround, and my lifting some weights before we headed back to our respective rooms. I think I'll feel it tomorrow.
My friend told me about some new friends he made - they're names both began with "Elder" and went in depth enough to make me ask if he had joined the Mormon faith. He answered yes, and I am confused. Two of my completely unreligious friends (while in high school) have "found religion" in the past twelve months, and one is completely different now, all she talks about is Christ, and the church has become the main focal point of her life. It's hard to have a conversation with her about anything else. This guy has never really been religious, and he used to often make wisecracks about Mormons (jokingly), so this is completely unexpected.
I don't know how to feel about it. I'm not against organized religion per se, I file myself as an ethnic Jew. The only thing I do is go to Hillel (a Jewish group on campus) to be amongst my people for Shabbat dinner (not even the service leading up to it). I don't participate in the prayers (I don't know them), I don't know the backstory to a number of the holidays, I don't know Hebrew, and I can't answer questions about things, (eg why we keep kosher, in fact, I don't). I identify with my people, but I am by no means active in the religion. I am very attentive whenever I heard the word "Jew," and I am very testy when it comes to World War II stuff - moreso than I used to be. I blame that on the ignorance of youth - people damn well better know what is not fair game by now - and if they don't, I have no qualms about making it clear in English they won't have a problem understanding.
As far as these friends go, if ever we fall out of contact, it may be a result of religion. I don't care what religion you are, but I will not have all the time I spend with you dedicated to you telling me how great your newfound religion is, or how I should really come to your church to learn more. I have yet to further explore the customs of my own faith, what makes you think for a half second I give a shit about the intricacies of yours? (especially when I'm not asking). I am glad you feel you are bettering yourself and you want to share it with me, but I approach religion with an utterly sarcastic attitude that is very counterproductive to the discussion. If we end up talking about it, we probably won't end the conversation as friends. I've learned this through my years, I don't have a problem with it, and I am rapidly approaching that conclusion with political views as well.
Your views are your own and I respect them, if I want to know more, I will ask. Thank you for the invitation to share your faith, I politely decline, I am happy with my own, and feel no need to explore other "options." Please keep your religion to yourself, I will do the same, and I promise our friendship won't fall due to religion.
I'm gonna step off my soap box, and save it for later use. Thanks.
posted by The @ 3:09 PM
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