July 4th, 2003:

Today is (obviously) the fourth of July. This is a holiday that excites the overly patriotic, the underly patriotic and the anti-establishmentists. I'm not too sure where I fit in there. I am semi-partiotic. I enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, but there are stupid people that make certain things illegal, such as fireworks. If anything gets to me it's that. There is no harm in the safe use of fireworks. HOWEVER it is because of groups of 11 or 12 year old boys who think they're hot stuff with an M-80, being both stupid and immature, one gets their arm blown off because they can't follow through with the "throw" part of the instructions. How do they explain that one to their friends? They can't really pass it off by saying "I was in 'Nom." Instead they have to tell everyone that they were part of the fireworks show on the 4th or that they watched the fuse on their quarter stick because it sparkled pretty colors.

I think instead of being made illegal, a maturity test should be given, a delicate process to assure the police and fireworks company that they are not selling their wares to a half-wit or that there is no potiential of it getting into the hands of the immature, stupid or anarchist.

I'm not trying to pick on 11 and 12 year olds, but I know we've all been that old and remember the stupid things we did. There is a certain maturity level (or lack there of) that we had at that age. What I am saying is that if you have a problem with having safe fun, and fireworks are fun and can be safe, and staying in certain guidelines...have fun with sparklers and let the rest of us have fun with the real stuff.

Where Have All the Bloggers Gone?

Ok guys, I know that the loving title of my blog is “My Personal Soap Opera” and you might expect me to list all the drama and such in here. I am sorry to disappoint you that any information, but to be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of it going on. I’m not complaining.

I like how things are going in my life as far as drama goes. I am the single most marry person you will ever meet (I hope you catch the pun). Right now, I’m just enjoying the friends that I have and making new ones. Unlike the majority of humanity, I’m not concerned that I am 20 years old and single. Some people act like that is a crime.

Here is the crime: people that date simply for the sake of dating. These are the people who are not secure in themselves and have to find self worth in others. Part of the reason this is so bothersome is because when I was younger, I did that once and realize the stupidity of it. I guess people mature over a certain amount of time. I just wish that people could see the repercussions of that first faulty step. When you put that much value in one person.... you put them above God and that is a sin.

Anywho, I guess the whole point that I’m trying to make is to express some of my angst.

You Know Our Motto: Part 2:

We deliver. As said yesterday, I deliver. This time, my delivery will bring me down to Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg to deliver films! Which means one vital thing: I am getting paid for travel and hours... maybe a lil over time to seal that deal. In the words of 98% of America’s prosperity preacher:

“Big Money, Big money. Amen.”

Tomorrow is the 4th of July (Independence Day for any Canadian that might not know about it... not a diss, I don’t know half of your holidays, just being informative) and a paid holiday for me. My intention is to play video games for several hours.... and get paid for it.

“Big Money, Big money. Amen.”

You Know Our Motto:

Like the Foe-Hammer, the drop ship in Halo, my work ethic and motto are the same:

“Foe-hammer on stay-by. Did somebody order a Warthog? You know our motto: ‘We deliver.’”

Like the Foe-hammer, I do deliver. Whether it is folders to the front or films to doctors offices, I deliver. The greatest part is that I get paid for it. I do have to say that I love my job. Right now, I am experiencing my daily, 1 - hour lunch break and typing on the laptop that sits behind me playing my mp3s. When I deliver, I not only get my paid hours, but I get milage as well.

Though I wish that I were delivering troops and Warthog battle jeeps on the beach to help the Master Chief find the Silent Cartographer, this will do for now. On that note... maybe I should play some Halo tonight. I haven’t heard Cortana giving instructions, the MC’s smart remarks, or blasting the Covenant and Flood into oblivion. I feel that carnage ensues...

Omnivores for Mediocrity:

If you haven't heard much about my current employment, I am the file room guy at Susquehanna Valley Imaging. Anyways, occasionally the girls at the front desk will call me in the back for folders. After a while, I'll heckle them about it. Like for example: "You're always asking for something... it's always, Damien get me a folder, send Trogdor over to my house, put on a purple thing and dance around."

Today however, I was told by a fellow employee that I should go on strike. So I figured that if I am going on strike that I should have my own picketting sign. So I took an old folder that I recently replaced and wrote in big letters "Omnivores for Mediocrity" with a picture of the mascot, none other than the famous Trogdor the Burninator in all his majesty. So as I walked to the front desk, I held the poster in front on the folders I was bringing up to the front.

As I worked in the kitchen area with all my stuff, I proudly waved the banner over my paper shreader and anyone who dared enter crossed the picket line joined my side! MWHAHAHAH! Omnivores for Mediocrity....!

In A Van...Down by the River:

Yes, ladies and gents, I spent the last 4 days in a van... not just any van, but my van. And I didn't just stay anywhere, no. I was at Creation East 2003! I had a wonderful time, moshed, skanked, and screamed till my my feet and throat hurt. I saw many wonderful bands and people too.

The best thing about the week/end was the time I got to spend to spend with God. Yeah, the bands were cool and I got to meet some cool kids and hang out with friends from school....but nothing compares to those moment when it was just me and and my Abba. (if you don't know... Abba means Daddy in Hebrew...and by Daddy I mean God) The biggest moment of complete abandon came on my drive home.

I was listening to Five Iron Frenzy's final album, The End is Near, for the first time through and it was the last song. As I had scanned the CD insert, I noticed that the final song ends with the ending to my favorite song and anthem, Every New Day. I decided that I was going to type out the lyrics for you to all understand the place I was. Here I am driving, stratchy throat screaming the closing words at the top of my lungs with as much abandon and tears as one can have while driving....

On Distant Shores:

I have been scared so deep by life and cold despair, and brittle bones were broken far beyond repair. I have leveled lies so deep, the truth may never find. And inside my faithless heart, I stole things never mine.

If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores.

I have toiled for longest years and felt the cost, and I've been burned by the world's cold, like leaves beneath the frost. On my knees I've crawled to you, bleeding myself dry. But the price of life is more, that I could ever buy.

If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores.

And off the blocks, I was headstrong and proud. At the front of the line for the card-carrying, highbrowed. With both eyes fastened tight, yet unscarred from the fight. Running at full tilt, my sword pulled from its hilt. It's funny how these things can slip away, our frail deeds, the last will wave good-bye. It's funny how the hope will bleed away, the citadels we build and fortify. Good-bye. Night came and I broke my stride, I swallowed hard, but never cried. When grace was easy to forget, I'd denounce the hypocrites, casting first stones, killing my own. You would inscale my blind eyes, and I stood battered, but more wise. Fighting to accelerate, shaking free from crippling weight. With resilience unsurpassed, I clawed my way to you at last. And on my knees, I wept at your feet, 'I finally believe that you still love me!"

Healing hands of God have mercy on our unclean souls once again. Jesus Christ, light of the world, burning bright with in our hearts forever. Freedom means love without condition, without a beginning or an end. Here's my heart, let it be forever Yours, only You can make every new day seem so new.