Manipulation comes in many different forms. There’s the look of disapproval, the bad attitude, relentless bitching, arguments, the silent treatment, and even those subtle con jobs we fall for all the time. I’ve been on the receiving end of countless types of manipulation, and a perpetrator of some, I admit.

However, what I know to be true is that any kind of manipulation is a complete waste of effort. It’s cheating… And everybody loses. We all know how shitty it feels to be the target of someone else’s agenda, yet when we want or need others to see things our way, we sink to similar extremes.

Somehow we mistakenly believe that we’ll gain something by it. And maybe we do, but only in the short run. Take a broader perspective and you will soon realize that it will never be worth the price. Manipulation consistently takes a devastating toll on relationships, completely annihilating trust.

Unfortunately, we are so desperate for security that we claw at others. No! We must deeply believe in the ineffectiveness of manipulation and rid ourselves from it for good. If we come to terms with the fact that we barely have control over ourselves, never another person, then we might take a different kind of action.

Just pray. Whether you believe in God or not… Call it meditation if it makes you feel better. But when you need a certain behavior from someone - Pray. It’s the only effective thing that you can do, your only viable attempt to influence a certain outcome without sacrificing your personal integrity.

And begin by praying that your need to see that person’s behavior altered will dissipate. Pray that you will continue to show the same love and acceptance as ever. Pray that your desires will not be made manifest in any harmful way. Like most of my sermons, easier said than done.

I will feel free to encourage, to love, to share the truth as it is revealed to me, even to properly rebuke, but manipulation? Let it be kept as far from me as possible, removed from my arsenal forever. I will trust God to work in others, as I know He does in me.

August 11th, 2004

This is why rednecks shouldn’t be allowed to own cameras.

August 10th, 2004

Weeding out old stuff from my Inbox, I came upon this link from Jordan. When it’s even funnier the second time around, it’s my responsibility to share. Gently caress “Joyce” with a click of your mouse to be transported to…

THE TEN WORST ALBUM
COVERS OF ALL TIME

Actually, there’s plenty of good stuff at Pork Tornado. I have a few favorites. The name alone begs a visit.

August 8th, 2004

Pardon the blurry picture, I took it with the camera on my cell phone. That’s a jar of the pickles that I made last night. They look even more fabulous in person, and I’m certain they’ll taste fantastic, too. Here’s how I did it…

24 dry hot red chili peppers
1 tbsp whole black pepper
1 bunch fresh dill weed
12 minced cloves garlic
24 whole cloves garlic

3 cauliflower, broken into chunks
2 bunches celery, cut into chunks
2 pounds cute little baby carrots
3 red bell peppers, cut in strips
6 small green tomatoes, quartered
12 pepperoncini, sliced in rings
1 tray green beans, trim and cut
1 bunch green asparagus, sliced
1 bag of miniature white onions

One dozen sterilized quart size mason jars.

Place two hot chili peppers, two cloves garlic, one minced garlic clove, and a measure of fresh dill and black pepper into each jar. Then fill all bottles up to 1″ from the top with assorted, washed, bite-size vegetables, being sure to divide all ingredients evenly.

Prepare brine from the following - 1/2 gallon vinegar, 1 gallon water, 1.5 cups of coarse kosher salt. Bring mixture to a boil. Ladle brine into each jar, with enough to cover all the vegetables. Seal according to proper canning procedures. Set bottles in a cool, dark place.

Pickles will be ready to eat within two weeks.

I can hardly wait to dig in to these! Although it’s hard to justify the cost of making it yourself when you can buy a jar of the stuff for $1.49 at the grocery store, I hope that the extra flavor will make it all worthwhile. So, who wants a jar?

August 6th, 2004

I’m obsessed with pickled vegetables. The Armenian name for this spicy relish is Toorshi - pronounced like the English words, tour and she, combined. It consists of spicy, salty, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumber, and red and yellow peppers.

So far this week I’ve consumed one and a half jars of the stuff. My stomach lining is a tad pissed off, but my tastebuds are burning and happy. Am I turning Korean? …Now those people appreciate all things pickled.

You know what else the pickles make me think of… Dane Cook. If you haven’t heard his hilarious drive-thru routine, I suggest you head to his web site and listen to it for yourself… it’s a laugh riot.

I think I’m gonna buy some veggies and jar my own pickles, because that’s really the only way to get ‘em spicy enough for my liking. I’ve done canning before, but only jellies, so this should be fun.

August 5th, 2004

Are you a geek? - TAKE THE TEST
I scored 52.85996% - Super Geek

c:\GEEK>

n. Slang

1. A person who is single-minded or accomplished
in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt
to be socially inept.

c:\OPINION>

This official defintion does not entirely describe the word “geek.” Whereas it may imply certain social deficiencies, I would say that a geek is a person who is talented in an area outside the boundaries of social normality.

There are many varieties of geek. The computer geek is best known, but every field of academia and many areas of culture have their geeks. There are political geeks, geeks of the natural sciences, music geeks, history geeks, ham radio geeks, public transit geeks (metrophiles), anime and manga geeks (otaku), Star Trek geeks, and geeks of many colours, genders, and styles.

Geek has always had negative connotations within society at large, where being described as a geek tends to be an insult. The term has recently become less condescending, even a badge of honor within particular fields and subcultures. This is particularly evident in the technical disciplines, where the term is now more of a compliment denoting extraordinary skill.

August 3rd, 2004

It has been proposed that we move away from color codes, and transition to this more “friendly” version. It’s not a terrible idea. Somehow threat level Elmo isn’t as distressing as a Red Alert. I mean, who doesn’t love that fuzzy little ticklish guy?

You know, speaking of homeland security, did you hear about all the extra precautions for the Dumbocratic National Convention? The terrorists let me down. Both Clintons in the same room… How could they bypass a perfect opportunity to make the world a better place?

August 1st, 2004