The Death of Carry

The following is an account of the death of my not-so-loved 2000 Saturn L-Series 2, named "Carry" (pronounced kar-E').

On Tuesday, Andrea was driving to work at the church, but never quite made it there.  Instead, she experienced her first accident.  If the picture doesn't make it obvious, she was hit from behind.  But unlike most rear-end accidents, she was actually hit after she started moving forward by woman who wasn't paying attention to the road in front of her (obviously).  Andrea wasn't injured or hurt, praise God, but is still recovering a little whiplash she received.  Thankfully, Andrea will fully heal, but unfortunately the car isn't blessed with her inter-cellular structure that repairs itself over time.  The rest of this story highlights the slow and agonizing death of a car that was never really reliable or worthy the high-praise comments of my first car (The Reverse Twinkie).

From the very first time I drove Carry during the Spring of 2007, I knew it was going to be trouble.  When I drove it around Vestal it was fine, but once you hit 55 mph on the highway, the car would start shaking and vibrating in ways that seem like the car was pulling itself apart.  I immediately brought it back to the dealership to have it fixed and they claimed to have fixed it.  When driving the car back to Alfred, I realized that when I drove past 65 mph the same vibrations occurred.  Not having the time or patience to it fixed, I decided to make a commitment to never drive over 65 mph ever again - something I should have been doing anyways.  This brief glance snapshot into Carry's past would set the tone for the many problems it would have during its lifetime in my sometimes less than adequate care.

When Carry was hit last Tuesday, I didn't think it would be the end of its service.  However, when Andrea and I went to get the car estimated on Wednesday, the person appraising the car wasn't giving us any confirmations or comfort that Carry would be smelling the sweet air of open road.  Keep in mind that if a car is damaged more than 75% of its value, then the insurance won't fix it for you.  Instead, they cut you a check for the car value and take the car from you.  By the end of the morning, we informed that the way the car was damage is unique in that it damaged five different panels of Carry's exterior.  (If we were hit directly from behind, only the bumper and trunk would have to be replaced.)  The cost of repairing the car determined to be 90% of the car value.  Carry was totaled; funeral arrangements were arranged.

Expecting the worse on the actual value on the car, I began researching on a few different pricing websites to get an idea of how much condolence money we would receive from our insurance company - Liberty Mutual if you're interested.  Having the Internet made the process relatively easy, so I just prepared for the worse and hoped for the best.

To my surprise, I got the call in two days telling me that I would be paid the higher end of what I guessed.  After hearing some horror stories on the Internet, I was happy not having to argue or negotiate the fairness of their price.  Since it was late Friday, I was told to remove my plates and belongings and that a tow truck will arrive on Monday to take Carry to its final destination: the crappy car graveyard in the sky.  Peace out.

What's that Ruckus? #1

For pleasure or for expansion of the mind, people read books, perfect a craft or skill, watch movies, study the outdoors or exercise some form of writing.  And although I have done many of the same activities, only one has endured through all the phases in my life: music.  Even as young as four or five, I have had an affinity for music appreciation.  When I was old enough to start playing an instrument and studying music, I did so with a loving embrace.  Once I felt comfortable with learning one type, I learned another.  Today, I have a solid foundation on four different musical instruments and even developed my voice a bit by the times I finished college.

At my youngest ages of appreciation, my tastes in music was directly influenced and controlled by my parents, listening to artists they enjoyed such as Billy Joel, Elton John and Jackson Brown.  As I cot older, my dad starting sharing with me some of his 70s and 80s rock (which I didn't enjoy very much) as well as 90s grudge music (which I had a bit more tolerance for... but not much).  In my teenage years - the years of the first Napster - I went crazy in downloading all different types of music that I had heard since 1990.  From my late teenage years to where I am today, a large amount of Christan music (traditional and contemporary) has invaded my musical library.  But no matter what it is I am listening to, it will probably remind me of a particular season in my life, a certain person or group of people, or a life-defining circumstance.  Although a bit corny to say, my musical library is like a soundtrack for my entire life.

Or to put it very simply, I love music.

The "What's that Ruckus?" series will be something I'll be posting every now and then to share and archive all the music I've grown to love.  Please feel free to comment about alternative meanings or received revelations by any of the songs.  Also, I encourage you to share with me any of the music that has been important in your life.

That was a long intro... without further delay, here is the first installment.

To kick off the series, I've decided to share four of my favorite songs that I've been listening to recently.  Keep in mind that my any list of favorite songs, artists or albums are liable to change randomly and often.

Third Day - Blind

A bit on the lighter side of what I listen to, I have been convicted by the message of the song, particularly the pre-chorus: "My heart I could not trust/ because it lies to me too much/ and the mind cannot just understand it all."  It reminds me for the days where I looked for truth and purpose in my life, but came up empty handed because nothing in life seem to remain consistent.

John Reuben - Time to Leave

I really wanted to post "Life is Short" but I can't find the video anywhere in all the Internets so I settled for my another favorite.  I wrote a whole blog about this song on r2r if you want to check it out.

Falling Up - Escalates

I don't pretend to know all the meanings going on in a lot of Falling Up's songs, but I interpret this to be about someone who can not find purpose in their life or they are hiding a heartache.  Either way, they continue to exist pretending everything is fine on the outside, but knowing inside it isn't.  It's message seems tells us that when we choose to wear our happy plastic faces, one consequence is that no one really understands each other on any meaningful level.

The Fold - Sink of Swim

This song was written as an encouragement to a friend.  It also serves as a reminder to us all that the culture around us is as large and powerful as the ocean tides.  All of us make choices on a daily basis and those choices determine who we are.  However, if we do make regretful choices, our history and shortcomings do not have to define us.

7 Quick Takes - Saturday Edition

-ONE-

The winter clothes are in our drawers, the summer clothes are in the attic, the windows are sealed and the heat is now on.  Andrea and I finally succumbed to the approaching winter season.  In fact, today was the first day we've had heat running through out house.  This is always one of the saddest days of the year for me because it marks the beginning of ridiculously high energy bills.  Our apartment is old and drafty, so it doesn't hold up well against the elements.  Pretty soon, I'll have to buy my first ever snow shovel because that last blizzard we had in March claimed the life of our old one.  Winter -- here we come.

-TWO-

Yesterday, I was observed by the head of the math department at BCC.  From the conversation we had after class, it sounded like I did well.  However, it was certainly far from perfect.  Because I haven't been in the traditional public school setting for a while, it was a good reminder that I still need to work on the many different aspects of effective teaching mathematics.  I wonder if this was a test for me to see if I would be picking up more section(s) next semester.  We'll find out soon!

-THREE-

After a slow start, October is producing its fair share of subbing days.  Already I have three days tucked away with another one on Wednesday.  I've been studiously been working on lesson plans for the BCC as ofter as I can so that I can continue taking assignments and earning what will become Christmas money.  Forget retail; subbing is the way to go.

-FOUR-

Sunday school has been going well so far.  I'm actually enjoying it more than I thought; I hope the children are too.  The answers to some of the questions have been well above what I had expected and they have even taught me as well.  Attendance leaves something to be desired though.  Apart from two kids, its sporadic in who shows up, but consistent in that we never have more than four or five children per Sunday.  It's kinda a drag for curriculum I have "planned" out, but I suppose consistency one of the keys to any successful educational program - spiritual or academic.

-FIVE-

Mission groups on Wednesday night as gone equally as well.  I'm excited to have such a talkative and eagerly participating group.  It's reminiscent of the days spent at Alfred and all the great conversations that would occur on a weekly basis.  This group in particular is also unusual in that it contains a lot of people with multiple collegiate degrees from a multitude of disciplines.  Although it provides for very rich conversations, I also pray in hopes that its tangents doesn't lead us off on too many bunny trails.

-SIX-

In what's being reported as unbelievable, this year my fantasy football team, Favre's Turf Toe, is a perfect 5-0 on the season thus far, despite not drafting (fortunately) Favre himself.  Even better, hockey is officially 5ish games into the season, and it's all but certain that my team, Malkin in the Middle, will be on top of my fantasy hockey league, despite not drafting (unfortunately) Malkin himself.  Bad news?  The Pens are struggling with a 2-3-0 record right now.  *Gag*

-SEVEN-

Although the fall leaves this year were less than stellar because of the strange heat and cold waves over the past two months, Andrea and I went out last Saturday taking pictures of what we thought might come out well.  While out, we also scored geocache #29 (left army guy, picked up dinosaur) for team Golden Grunty.  And writing this just reminded me... Tom: with all the hiking you're doing in South Korea, think you can score us some caches?  Surely Team Ferret's empire-like reach hasn't infiltrated the caches in your fine country.

Looking for more quick takes?  See Jen.

Objectifying Women Awareness Month

When I was on Facebook yesterday, I saw a message from one of my female friends calling out the inappropriate attention by others' status messages in the form of "I like it on the ____."  For those who haven't caught on or aren't aware of the stint, it is supposed to be a way for rising breast cancer awareness, and the blank is filled in with where you (a female) place your purse.  But at quick glance to a sex-infused nation, it is first (and sometimes only) seen as a perverse and sexual statement.  And unfortunately, this isn't the first time that breast cancer awareness has presented itself in an ineffective and hyper-sexual and/or objectifying way.  Remember...

... that this isn't the only Facebook campaign?  Earlier this year, women were posting their bra color as a status message.  I so much don't have a sexual-sensory problem with this one (though I can see where one might occur) however, I don't see how this raises awareness or informs the public about anything other than the clothes you are wearing.

... when athletes didn't wear pink sports gear?  As with the case above, I don't think its really effective in making people more aware of the situation at hand.  However, if the athletes or the sport organizations are donating money to the cause, I think that its at least giving their money to research or support for those who truly need it, unlike the other examples read here.

... those bracelets, bumper stickers, body lotions, socks, and anything else that you can logo with suggestive phrases?  These products are crazy popular in many of the middle schools, high schools and colleges by both men and women.  I place a heavy blame on administrators and officials in public schools who have let this go without consequence.  Many of the kids who wear this type of paraphernalia are just looking for an excuse to push the envelope and having something that says "breast" or "boobies" on it; they could careless about the actual cause itself.  You and me and everyone else was an uncomfortable teenager at one point; are we that naive to realize that we are just encouraging that behavior by not calling them out on it?  You don't need a psychology class to figure this out.   And to a further degree, I'm rather upset and unsettled that some females actually are encouraging this amongst their girl and boy peers.  Why?

All these immature tactics and attention objectivities the woman, or at the very least, a particular body part of the woman.  The attention that women are bringing to themselves here is not healthy and is not helpful in reducing cancer rates.  Currently, most media watching Americans (and probably some non-media watching Americans) are very well aware about breast cancer, the challenges and the risks that it poses to both women and men who suffer from it.  It's time to start turning all this attention into meaningful action.  And if selling merchandise is one of the ways you want to bring in money, then try not to objectify women in the process.  There has been a lot of progress in the past century  in trying to create equality between women and men, especially in this country; however, this is a step in the wrong direction.

If I (a male) am fighting against this, shouldn't I be seeing droves of women fighting against their objectivity, too?  Do you want to be recognized for your merits, your education, your abilities, your kindness, and your strength?... not just for your body?  That's what I have been hearing among women since I could understand the issue.  I hear (and agree) that you want to be treated as equals.  But you aren't going to get the respect among your male peers until you fight for every issue that devalues you because of your gender - a choice nobody makes.  And I will fight alongside with you as well, but we need to make a stand on this together before it gets out of hand.

To make some real progress, click somewhere around here to make a donation.

7 Quick Takes: October Version

-ONE-

Over the past two weeks, four people wielding scrapers and paintbrushes have been working on our apartment.  Although the banging, people looking through our second story windows and oldies music has been a trial of patience, it looks wonderful, fresh and new.  I just hope it still looks nice after winter is over.

-TWO-

After thinking that I wouldn't be subbing much early in the school year, I wrapped up September with four full days of subbing fury.  Looking forward to the next two months, especially because flu season = sub season.  Also, a new local school district called me about subbing there for the year, so an interview will be lurking.

-THREE-

(Small) Mission groups will be starting up this week.  I haven't been in a local Bible study since Spring 2008 in Alfred, so I'm really excited to be involved in a group again.  Please be in prayer for lots of members and lots of spiritual growth for everyone involved.

-FOUR-

Two of my BCC students are MIA.  The first exam was last week, and neither of the two showed.  I sent out e-mails that have fallen on blind eyes, and I haven't seen them in classes for over a week now.  With midterms approaching, I wonder how many more will follow suit.

-FIVE-

Just found out today that it looks almost certain that my Mom and Jeff will be moving out of "The Greatest State in the Union" Vermont and back into New York by the end of the month.  Jeff will be getting a promotion and a new coverage area - the Catskills - and mom will be a bit closer to everyone.  This should make holidays a lot easier and I finally won't be pressured into having to visit Vermont anymore.

-SIX-

If you haven't heard already, Andrea and I had kickin' time in Alfred last weekend.  You can read all about it by poking around in this blog, or clicking here or here.

-SEVEN-

As I prepped myself to do school work, I was overcome with the urge to write about a particular song that I've been listening to for a while now.  Content includes understanding worldly wisdom over Godly wisdom, and how we need to live this our in our lives daily, regardless of the cost.  If you're interested, I'd be delighted if you checked it out.  (Warning: the website is under construction, but still readable.)

As always, check out Jen's 7 as well.