Saturday Links Serving

Hi Friends.

I ended up not going to homeless breakfast yesterday. There was no way for me to get home, because they were going to be involved in moving the location all mid-morning post breakfast, and I had Chapel to get back for. Next Friday.

I have a few links to pass along... I read a lot of blogs, and most of them help you improve your life. Here are some fresh links for your weekend.

Services:

Mint >> Online Money Management (I so need this...) [via: Lifehacker]

Facebook >> Social Networking... Its not just for high schoolers. Promote yourself on the web. There are endless applications to customize your experience. I now track all the books I have read through my Visual Bookshelf. [See my Facebook here]

Google Docs >> Create, Edit, View, Share, and Collaborate your documents, spreadsheets, and now powerpoint presentations all online. [linked to your Google Account]

Blogs:

Church Relevance Blog >> Cool demographic insights, solid interviews, and wonderings about how to engage modern culture better.

Smashing Magazine >> For web developers and other tech geeks. Cool design stuff (like graphics, and fonts), and other useful applications.

Google Reader >> Ok, not a blog in itself, but, it is the only way I can keep up with the 109 subscriptions I have. That number grows at a net rate of probably 1-2/week. Here are some stats. I have only recently started to star/share/and email things. All of those emails are from the last week.

"From your 109 subscriptions, over the last 30 days you read 942 items, starred 22 items, shared 3 items, and emailed 3 items."

Ok... I have a paper to try and write before I jet off to the city. You rock.

Would you like an egg? Thoughts from Homeless Ministry.

** UNFINISHED THOUGHTS FROM LAST FRIDAY MORNING // MORE TOMORROW, BUT I WANTED TO SHARE THESE WITH YOU DEAR READER**

This morning, I woke up early, 6am. Ok, I know it is not that early... After all I used to open a Starbucks several times a week at 4:30am. At any rate, it is early for my college schedule.

Gene, who I work with, picked me up at 6:30, and we went down to a local church in Elgin and served some breakfast items and sack lunch items to about 40 homeless.

We arrived a few minutes before sandwiches arrived, and Toni and Tom had most things already set up. Toni is the church secratary, and is charge of this ministry on behalf of the church. A few people came in and dropped off some bananas, Tom is fufilling his community service. We had about 4 dozen hardboiled eggs, and Gene put me at the front of the 'food buffet line.'

Some homeless were already inside, patiently waiting for their food. Gene placed a large coffee server out (ironically filled with Starbucks drip coffee) and this signified that we were ready to serve. I was at the front of the line near a sign in sheet (so they can track the amount of people), a stack of empty sacks, and the eggs. With very little instruction... I was sorting out how to begin this process, do I bag an egg, a packet of salt, and a packet of pepper without asking if they even want these things? Do they have a choice, or do we just give them what we have?

Generally I would greet with a 'good morning' or a 'how is your morning' which I quickly became self concious of... I was terrified that one would retort back 'Well, I'm still homeless, what the hell do you expect?' I was unsure how to respond when a man simply grunted, and didn't look up at me.

"Would you like an egg?" was my next question. Most did, and some had a preference on the salt/pepper. Some didn't want pepper, one didn't want salt. One Puerto Rican woman, Magarita, gretted me with a "Hey baby," a wink, and a blown kiss... Then proceeded to try and get two eggs out of me. We eventually gave her another egg, but only after we made sure we had enough for everyone who wanted one.

Choice of sandwich.

Describe the coffee.

Michael.

Racial Mix.

Grateful attitude, and general cheer, but... a lack of joy?

Clean up.

??

**AGAIN, THESE ARE TOTALLY UNFINISHED THOUGHTS!**

Yay for school work!

Here is a couple of assignments due Thursday afternoon.

I have an upcoming media article (expect it by Tuesday), as well as an essay for my History of Civ II (HIS262) class.

FAIR PLAY FOR THE US ECONOMY (HIS480)

Document Assignment - Chap 4 (HIS262)

And... I swear to get something about the homeless breakfast up this Friday. I swear it. I have just been distracted.

I miss Santiago.

I miss this cafe.

I did some work in downtown Elgin Friday morning, we fed some homeless people. I scribbled some thoughts down, but want to work on them a bit more before I get them out to you, dear reader.

I grieve the loss of the cafe tonight. Seriously, my heart aches for that community that once was. I want to take that experiment someplace and plant my life there.

BTW -- [The cafe] is still open... but none of us have heard from the new owners. I talked with someone who goes there occasionally, and she said they have changed it in a few dramatic ways.

I also picked up a book today called Urban Ministry In a New Millennium by David Claerbaut. I got it to try and help me understand the area of ministry I am focusing on for International Teams.

History Papers - And a photo.

I have written my first tougher paper of the semester for my History of US since 1945 class (HIS480). It's about 1500 words, entitled: The Facade of Postwar American Consensus.

Here is the thesis:

In the late 1940's and 1950's, America showed signs of growing popular consensus regarding what was good for the nation. This consensus, or general agreement, was shared by many flocking to suburban America and, although policy implementation among parties differed; shared by many national leaders. This is true - however, consensus was not shared by all, most notably, the impoverished, African Americans. This era of consensus would not last long. [read the rest of the paper on Google Docs by clicking here].

As this paper marks a real attempt to write a quality paper, I would appreciate all feedback. I wish it wasn't due for a week so I could revise it based on critique, but alas... It is due at 1pm, today (and I already emailed it to my Prof. haha).

I also had a primary source document assignment for History of Civ II (HIS262).

Document Assignment - Chapter 3 (HIS262)

Re: The picture. I whipped up a little Gimp/Picasa magic last night as a creative response to feeling the pressure of the paper. Stop the Traffik has been on my mind a lot lately... I have a cool story about a recruit I talked to earlier this week too... So I hope I can get that up soon.

zomg!!! Donald Miller?!?!

:: taken from donaldmillerwords.com ::

I love Don Miller.

I think most of the readers here know that.

I am still waiting to read To Own A Dragon but, I have loved the meandering prose he sets forth in his other books, including Blue Like Jazz.

Wait - Did I just say Blue Like Jazz? I'm glad you brought it up! According to our friend the author himself, there will soon be a Blue Like Jazz movie among us... [here is the link to that audio clip from shine.fm]

Miller also discusses his upcoming book, but I'll be honest here... The snippet of audio here is pretty ambiguous regarding what the book is -- unless you know that the title is: Let Story Guide You. Then, haha, well then it makes perfect sense. [ht: donmillerfans.net]

[ht: relevantmag]

Media Homework

The only writing I had to do for Tuesday. For my Media class.

Lead/Open Paragraphs 10-20 (MED240)

Another assignment that kinda seems out of context... Mostly just an exercise.

The Classes, The Books.

Right, so I said I would give a brief about each class... Here it is.

BST101 - Intro to Old Testament. Dr. Bob Erickson. A survey course exploring the "older testament." The nicest man you have ever met, is also the slowest speaker you have ever met. Class meets Wednesday nights 1730 - 2030.
Books: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, ISBN 0-19-528883-4 (New - $32.99 USD); Encountering the Old Testament by B. Arnold and B. Beyer, ISBN 0-81010-2176-6 (Used - BORROWED) ; Readings from the Ancient Near East by B. Arnold and B. Beyer, ISBN 0-8010-2292-4 (New - $22.99).

HIS480 - History of the U.S. since 1945 to present. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. My only upper level course this semester, I am thoroughly enjoying it. We picked up right at the end of WWII, with a brief touch on the 20's, and 30's for context. Interesting stuff for sure. I love learning about the Cold War, and it is fun to be learning about America during that time period. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 1300 - 1415.
Books: The American Paradox: A History of The United States Since 1945 by Stephen M. Gillion, ISBN 0-618-66086-0 (Used - $47.75 USD); Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism by Bruce J. Schulman, ISBN 0-312-42633-4 (Used - $12.00 USD); The Rise of Conservatism in America, 1945 - 2000 by R. Story and B. Laurie, ISBN 0-312-45064-8 (Used - $16.00 USD); The Movements of the New Left 1950 - 1975 by Van Gosse, ISBN 0-312-13397-9 (Used - $12.00 USD).

HIS262 - History of Civilization II 1500 ad - 2000 ad. Dr. Craig Kaplowitz. General history... But, I think Kap makes it interesting (And there are some cute girls that make it quite bearable!). Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 1430 - 1515.
Book: Worlds Together, Worlds Apart by R. Tignor et al. ISBN 0-393-97746-3 (Used $68.00 USD).

MED240 - Writing for the Media. Professor A. Paul Mouw. It is replacing my upper level English requirement, and it much more interesting my opinion. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 0800 - 0915.
Book: FeatureWriting.Net by Michael Ray Smith, ISBN 0-9748319-2-1 (New - $19.99 USD).

SOC151 - Intro to Sociology. Dr. Tim Johnson. It was Intro to Psych. or Intro to Soc. Enjoying it so far. I will be doing a "service learning experience" as part of this class. Class meets Tuesday/Thursday 0930 - 1045.
Book: Sociology, Tenth Edition by Rodney Stark, ISBN 0-495-09344-0 (Half.com - $65.00 USD).

So... Yeah... That is the brief. Book total was $317.51 USD. I had enrolled in a math class also, but then I was going to have to pay extra tuition... so I dropped it, but not before I dropped $105.99 USD on the text book off of half.com. I'm just going to keep it, I will take the class next semester. I got out alright with the near $320 total for books, but I actually spent closer to $475 with the math book, and I was able to borrow one and return that book for some money back. $300 is reasonable, $500 is not.

I'm also reading a book for a small group that I have started going to. I'll write about that next time.

Forgot a couple...

Here are some more assignments from my MED240 Class... Writing for the Media.

Lead/Open Summaries 2-9 (MED240)
*Examining how print writers use leads and opening paragraphs. We have been given a packet of 20 stories, mostly in detail form. We use the existing details to craft an opener.

... Well... I guess only one more... as the other document is having issues. Oh well, its the same as above... only paragraph 1.

On School...

In my last post I put forth and responded to a question of poverty. It was required for my Intro to Sociology class... I wanted to post it here, and I decided to... But, that got me to thinking... I am beginning to write a lot for my various classes. So, that lead me to decide that I am going to publish anything that I write up for a class on Google Docs. Some things are trivial, some things will seem disconnected unless I explain the context of the assignment. I have chosen to publish everything in an ongoing effort to be transparent in all I do, but more importantly... I want your feedback.

Feedback. Below are links to all the articles/papers I've written in the first three weeks of class. Most of them are outlines and one pagers. I have my first extended history paper due in a week. But, I love interaction. You have a viewpoint that is different than my own... but is valuable. Maybe I missed something huge, tell me. Maybe something struck you as funny, tell me. Maybe I am flat out wrong, I pray you tell me.

Out of the six documents below, by far the Poverty one seems the most important one for a discussion. The others are either outlines, or written "as a columnist," which may or may not truly represent me. One specifically (Sept 13th Analysis Paper for HIS480) was written from the perspective of a happily married columnist in the mid-1950's.

In the future, I will put links to new articles/papers in their own posts for easy feedback commenting.

Edgar Outline (HIS480)

Sept 13th Analysis Paper (HIS480)

Sept 6th Document Assignment Chapter 12 (HIS262)

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Report (MED240)

Edgar Article (MED240)

Poverty Question (SOC151)

In my next post... I promise I will tell you something real. Like... What school I am attending, how things are going, and what the heck HIS480 is and why I am in it. Promise.

Poverty?

Below is copied in full a short write up I turned in for my Intro to Sociology class Thursday morning. Here is the link to the same article on Google Docs.

Warren, Christopher M
Dr. Johnson, Tim
SOC151 T/Th 0930 – 1045
September 13, 2007
Q: Poverty?

Q: If poverty exists, does it have a positive effect on society?

Poverty does exist in our world today, its effects are undeniable. What if your newspaper headlines read “15,000 dead in one day,” what if they read “30,000 in one day?” The startling truth is, these headlines could appear in your paper today. Its saddening that they do not. In the second paragraph of his introduction Dr. Jeffery Sachs writes that: “Every morning our newspapers could report, 'More than 20,000 people perished yesterday of extreme poverty'” (Sachs 1).

But, our question today is not just, “Does poverty exist?” It is “If poverty exists, does it have a positive effect on society?” This is hard. Identifying poverty is simple enough, data from the World Bank shows us that there are many places in the world that live in “Extreme Poverty” on less than $2 a day (less than 750 $/yr). The majority of poor people live in three regions East Asia, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. (Sachs 21). Does it have a positive effect on society?

Without a doubt, the existence of developing nations helps under gird the economy of the United States of America. The US has increasingly been involved in the world economy since the end of WWII, and the end of an era of isolationalism. Southeast Asia is the primary location of textile factories, the cheap labor in this area directly translates into a lower price point for imported clothing. Check your t-shirt, where does it come from? Many have campaigned against these aptly named “sweat shops,” but Sachs instead says that these jobs offer an important step in the economic ladder out of poverty. Instead of closing down the sweat shops, we should campaign for better wages and benefits for these workers. As the world explores Globalization more and more everyday, we see the positive effects that poverty has on the world economy. It is cheaper for workers in Mexico to manufacture cars than it is to pay a union worker in Detroit. It is cheaper for Swiss Air to send all their paper documents to India, have them sorted and translated into spreadsheets then sent electronically back to Zurich, than it is to pay a worker in Switzerland to do a simple data entry job (Sachs 179).

Poverty creates the existence of social classes by forcing divisions along economic lines, is it right that we exploit these differences? I think one could argue 'yes' if he says that we are bringing the economically lagging societies along. But I resolutely say 'no' if they are being left behind, as this only perpetuates the existence of poverty.

Cited: Sachs, Dr. Jeffery D; The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time. The Penguin Press, New York, 2005.