:: Sisters' Weblog: It Bloggles the Mind! ::

Sue's blogchalk:
United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Susan, Female, 36-40, Christianity, Bible Study, church, music, trumpet, CD's.

Katie's blogchalk:
United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Katie, Female, 30-35, Christianity, Bible Study, church, mom with two kids, full-time student.

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:: Saturday, April 12, 2003 ::

Spontaneity

Tonight at dinner one of those moments happened. We were out at Kappis, a local restaurant that the framily frequents when we don't feel like cooking/cleaning. We were eating and all sharing in conversation. Then I did it. Train wreck!

I opened my mouth full of chewed food for no one else but Katie to see. The talking quieted.

Repulsed and shocked, she later returned the gesture at which time we busted out laughing.

It was one of those silly and for-no-reason moments that good friends can share and laugh about, when others would think we are completely out of our minds. Maybe we are.

Fine example we are to her kids.

I highly recommend spontaneity...even if I haven't spelled it incorrectly.

:: Susan 4/12/2003 11:15:58 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Friday Five

I have only done this once before and since these questions have a music theme, I had to answer.

1. What was the first band you saw in concert? Well, I had first intended to go see ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) but that fell through. My first concert I believe was Barry Manilow at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. He was on his "Swing Street" tour if I remember correctly.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now? I have a few right now. I am listening to Plumb, Jeremy Camp, and Switchfoot. I think my most favorite artist consistently is Jennifer Knapp, whose official wevbsite is down but a great unofficial one is here.

3. What's your favorite song? It depends what day. Right now I am enjoying "I'm Free" by Plumb, and "More Than Fine" by Switchfoot.

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? I play trumpet but I would love to play piano proficiently.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why? Jennifer Knapp...oh wait! I already met her!

:: Susan 4/11/2003 08:56:56 AM ** ** [+] ::
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File Sharing

I went to the library a couple weeks ago. I brought home a book and I loved it! It was an awesome read so I decided I wanted to share it with friends. I went to Kinko's and made 5 copies of the book. It was a short book so it didn't cost me much in paper. It saved me the cost of the book for sure!

The above statement is not a true story. I made it up.

I just read in USA Today an article about file sharing. It was an article that had college students giving their opinions about downloading and sharing music files. Most don't see it as theft or that it is a problem.

"This is exactly like going to the library. Do I have to pay to check out a book? I'm just listening to the song, not selling it." said one student. I thought about that for a minute. I thought maybe he had a point. But, after considering it for a moment I realized that if you download a song, you can listen to it as often as you want and keep it for as long as you want. You do have to return library books. So, maybe downloading wouldn't be a huge problem if after a week the file would self-destruct or something. So, I do not think it is like going to the library and checking out a book.

Also, some don't see a problem with copying the song and making entire CDs to share with friends. This was the point I was making with my story at the top of this entry. It is wrong to download a song and not support the artist who created it. I really can't see it as anything but stealing.

I run a CD store. I guess that means I have a bias because file sharing means lost business to me, but I do see a larger picture. People who steal CD's out of my store are prosecuted for theft. They have stolen music. Professional theives steal CDs and movies and then sell them on the streets. When they are caught, they are prosecuted for theft and sale of stolen merchanidise. Let's say they don't sell it, but instead, opt to give the CD's and movies away to friends. The fact that they stole the goods to begin with is still wrong!

I have copied music from CDs to cassette tape so I could listen in my car when all I had was a cassette player. I had purchased the music and copied it for my own enjoyment. I don't see this as the same issue. Now, if I had purchased the CD and then taped it for all my friends, I am basically creating lost sales of that particular CD.

I am most bothered that many people do not see file sharing as theft. I just can't understand that.

Another thing I can't understand is not having the cover art, or the liner notes, along with a CD/recording. It may be simply that I grew up in a different generation. I remember buying that new album and tearing off the cellophane wrapper and pulling out my new record. I'd place it on the turntable to give it its first spin and while it played, I examined the details of the cover art. I read every lyric (when provided) every song's credits, the thank-you's, the list of producers, songwriters, and anything else listed on there. I still do that with my CDs. To me, its part of the art. It's part of music.

I will listen to music online. I think it is a great way for artists to allow people to hear what they sound like, especially for new artists. New artists, and independents, have a great way to reach the masses by simply making available their music online, when otherwise, they would never be heard of. This is a good usage of putting files online.

Here's another story, it's true. Like I mentioned, I run a CD store. I work around the Memphis region and therefore many regional artists will come into my store hoping to get their CD in stock and have it sell. One group pushed hard and I kept having customers ask for their particular CD. When it got close to the release date, I made sure I'd have it in stock. Sale day came and sold just a couple copies. Most everyone else came in and just wanted to see it in stock. "They are friends of mine", or "I know so and so from the group" or "my first cousin is friends of the brother of one of the guys in the group." Anyway, people would say "I already got a copy from so and so from the group." Eventually I came to find out that the groups members had passed out promotional copies to their families and friends. What did those family members and friends do? They burned copies and gave them out to their families and friends. As a result, sales were minimal. The guys kept checking in and I explained that they gave away too many copies. Next time, "we aren't gonna do that!". I was disappointed for them, but I was disturbed that upon the release of their first CD family members and friends didn't support the guys by buying the product! There is something wrong with that picture.

:: Susan 4/10/2003 12:26:45 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Ahhh...Such a Good Day

Sun is shining. I'm surfing the WWW, going anywhere and everywhere. I'm listening to Plumb. I'm by myself. My time. I could get up and go outside right now, or maybe in a few minutes. I could treat myself to breakfast. My CD player is up loud. It's the only sound aside from the heater kicking on now and then and the drone of the fridge and the click of my fingers on the keyboard. Of course, my dog Whyzer is breathing and panting, but I really don't want him to stop breathing. The important thing is that he is not yapping. He has a tendancy to yap. I figure as long as I am playing my music, he won't hear sounds outside to distract him and to start him yapping. I do need to get out and send a letter of recommendation to Cherub, my ex-assistant manager who moved to Florida. Boy, do I miss her!

I have ranted in my blog about how difficult it is to find good employees. Cherub was one of those good employees. In fact, she is exceptional! She tranferred to a store down there and it turns out her new manager doesn't appreciate Cherub. Cherub is complaining that the manager is not on top of things, that the store is trashed, and that she is treated horribly. I think that manager feels either threatened by Cherub because Cherub knows more than she does, or she feels embarrassed that her store is so out of control and not up to standard. Either way it is blowing my mind to know that a good, no...a GREAT employee walks into that managers office and the manager in essence rejects it! What I would give to have Cherub back on staff! What is wrong with people?

Well, I'm off to take on the day....IT'S MINE ALL MINE!!!!!!!! God gave it to me and I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!!!!!!1 WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!


:: Susan 4/10/2003 10:28:08 AM ** ** [+] ::
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Christian Witness

Are you the same person at church as you are at work? at home? at the grocery store?

I try to be. If I wouldn't feel comfortable doing or saying something at church, I won't do it or say it at work, home, or the store. Do I sometimes? Unfortunately, and regretfully I do. Sometimes I do not draw on the strength of the Spirit to have a heart like Christ. I am often convicted about the state of my heart, not having right attitudes, choosing inappropriate words, and behaving in ways opposite that how a person representing Christ should behave. (Kind of like Paul, eh?)

When I do not have on the full armor of God, I am susceptible to the enemy. The enemy is not stupid, and he knows exactly the areas in which I am weak. That is exactly where he attacks. In my situation it is usually my time. I want my time to be MY time...know what I mean? Sometimes I feel so selfish just wanting some time to MYself, but I need it and desire it. I am also a very impatient person but God is working in that area of my life. I can tell because I keep ending up in circumstances that require a great deal of patience! Katie keeps telling me "If you would hurry up and get some patience, you might not find yourself in these situations so much!" LOL Thing is, I know that when I do grow in that area, the situations will still be there, but it will be my reaction to them that will have matured.

The Christian walk is a journey. God is taking all the crooked lines in our lives and making them straight. Some of the crooked lines are easily bendable, while others require a bit more, well...a litte more "coaxing".

It is important to remember through all of our growing what our main job is: Mark 16:15 "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Jesus commanded his followers to be witnesses. He also reminded them that they were going out like "sheep among wolves."

Jesus didn't just send them out. He "armed" them. He had taught them what, and how to teach and he also gave them a bit of advice. He said "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matt 16:10)

I think for the majority of people, the "shrewed as snakes" comes a bit easier than the "innocent as doves" part. Jesus was telling his followers to be intelligent and watchful...He also told them that they would be watched, that their behavior is closely monitored by the world.

Christians are watched. I know I am at work, especially when circumstances arise where decisions on personnel are being made. I know my staff is wondering "how will she handle this?" Katie watches me, as my accountability partner, and calls me on my bad attitudes and if I may be straying from God's path. I never get far before she tenderly guides me back to the light. I know I am watched. The Spirit within me is the first line of defense for those moments that may jeapardize my witness.

What does "be as innocent as doves" mean? The dove is a symbol of peace, and also one of purity as evidenced by its use in early religious sacrifices. The dove symbolizes a childlike purity, an innocense, which is yet vulnerable to the evils of the world.

Evils are all around us, temptations are everywhere, but Jesus says "be innocent as doves". Easier said than done, but what are some ways we can make that happen in our own lives? I have a couple suggestions:

1. Watch what you say Ecclesiastes 10:12 "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." James 3:6 "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." Words can hurt. Words also reveal the heart. One that spews curses or insults is not a problem of the mouth, it is a problem of the heart. Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Instead of words that hate, words that hurt, let us use words like Paul prayed for in Ephesians 6:19-20 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." A Christian should use his mouth to spread the good news.

2. Watch what you do I Peter I:13-14 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." 1 John 3:17-19 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence." Rest in his presence. Rest? I do not rest when I know I have spoken in error. I do not rest when I know I have not done God's Will. I desire to feel that rest that God is so willing and merciful to give me. That rest comes when we are "as innocent as doves".

A Christian witness is a follower of Christ, the Son of God. We are righteous only through Christ and by nothing we have done or could do. God calls us to share His Good News with the world, and has given us guidelines and an example, Jesus, to follow. It is His Grace and Mercy that cover us when we fail, but we should "press on toward the goal" always!

Your words today...think about them. Why were they spoken? Did they demonstrate your love for Christ? or His Love for you? What's your heart condition?

Your actions today...think about them. Why did you do that? Did it demonstrate God's Love and Mercy?

The world is watching.

:: Susan 4/9/2003 08:05:48 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Plumb

Beautiful Lumps of Coal

I can't get this CD out of my player.

Plumb

:: Susan 4/8/2003 10:02:26 AM ** ** [+] ::
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My DM

I am blessed. I work for a good guy. For a few months now I was calling my DM telling him that I am really starting to fall behind. With the retail climate the way it is, especially in CD sales, labor hours are being cut and I am working hard to stay on top of all the tasks still required of us. (I have a huge beef with that because I say if you cut hours, corporate should cut tasks, but that's a whole other entry!)

This blog is about my District Manager Bob. He has had his workload increase as well and it wasn't any help that a store in Memphis had the manager walk out two weeks before Christmas. That had everyone in a mad scramble to get the store up and running and some of my staff recently helped out that store in the past months. Bob lives in Nashville, but was pretty close to renting an apartment in Memphis because of that particular store keeping him there so much. While all the attention was needed there, it meant that not much attention was being paid to mine as everything started falling more and more behind. I would call Bob frustrated, but he has a way of making things not sound so bad. I like that about him.

Finally last week, Bob was able to organize a "Swat Team" to come down and help me get a bit more caught up. He organized four other managers to help and I really appreciate all their effort. I appreciate Bob for helping me out in such a big way. A lot of people have bosses that demand a lot and hide in their own office on the phone or doing whatever. Not Bob. He rolls up his sleeves (literally) and started working! He did so much in my store and now I can walk around in it and feel better simply because it looks better. Bob is hard-working!

So, say a prayer for Bob today. He is in need of salvation and could use some blessings.

:: Susan 4/8/2003 09:54:36 AM ** ** [+] ::
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A Message from the Troops

This poem was in a letter from a marine in Kuwait dated 9 March 2003. The marines were hearing about the anti-war protests and they were upset. That's all the letter talked about. This Marine enclosed a poem he and his buddies wrote. He wants us to get it out...

"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome. We protect you and you are protected by the best.
Your voice is strong and loud,
but who will fight for you? No one standing in your crowd.
We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots and carrying guns.
We are the ones that leave all we own,
to make sure your future is carved in stone.
We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the world, Well, at least we try.
We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.
so when you rally your group to complain,
take a look in the back of your brain.
In order for that flag you love to fly
wars must be fought and young men must die.
We came here to fight for the ones we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would rather stay here.
So please stop yelling, put down your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy lines.
When the conflict is over and all is well,
be thankful that we chose to go through hell.

Corporal Joshua Miles and all the boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Kuwait

:: Katie 4/7/2003 04:42:24 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Liberation NOT Oil

I am so sick of the war protesters all around the world making the US and UK out to be vicious, power-hungry, and greedy for oil. I'm sick of hearing reports from ignorant columnists saying that this is all about oil. That is such a lame argument in a desperate search to support their cause. Our soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of a people who are helpless against an evil, sick dictator. The reports from biased reporters keep making the coalition forces out to be monstrous killers by talking about and showing pictures of the horror inflicted on the innocent. I have a problem with this because they are not getting or telling the whole story. The enemy is not the UK, the USA or any of the coalition forces. This war is not against Iraq or it's people. I want to see these anti-war reporters place the blame where it belongs, on the real enemy........Saddam Hussein! I don't hear of the protesting people talking about Saddam's torture chambers or the skeletons found in a make-shift morgue.......Executed. I don't see these reporters writing about the average Iraqi citizen who risks being killed by the regime for welcoming the coalition soldiers as they come in. No mention of the Iraqi people who are risking their lives to aid the coalition. Where are their interviews with the victims of Saddam's evil torture? Where are the stories about Saddam using civilians as human shields and murdering thousands of his own troops and civilians because they tried to flee??????? If you want to speak truth, tell the world who the REAL enemy is! Get the whole story.

The coward hides his forces amongst civilians because he knows that WE VALUE HUMAN LIFE and we DON'T WANT TO KILL THE INNOCENT! Where are the stories about the Iraqi people who suffer loss from the war and tell the coalition forces that they are not angry and that they know this is the price for freedom???????? They ask us to come and destroy Saddam and his regime so that they can be free from their lives of constant fear and torture! Sure there are pictures of the horrors of war. Yes, many are suffering terribly. But, the blame is not on those who seek liberation (NOT OIL) for the Iraqi people. The blame is on the modern day Hitler called Saddam Hussein! I think that if these reporters were more thorough, they would discover that the people they see in such torment were probably, for the most part, afflicted by Saddam's evil regime.

The USA is not interested in power, control, or oil in this war. If we do anything to protect the oil fields, it is only for the sake of the nation to which they belong. The oil fields must be preserved for the livelihood of a post-war Iraq. Our soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the benefit of others, not for personal gain. They are selfless and we are selfish to not desire to be involved in aiding the helpless.

By making the coalition as the enemy, protestors make the real enemy (Saddam) out to be the victim. They spend so much time trying to make the liberators out to be slaughtering villains. This makes the sacrifice and suffering that the coalition soldiers and families experience, meaningless. Biased reporters don't spend much time focusing on the stories of hero's willing to submit to witnessing and participating in the horrors of war.....all for the freedom of others and the safety of the very people who persecute them in the media. No, they make these soldiers out to be murderers participating in a horrible massacre. It's ironic that the majority of those who are suffering (both in battle and at the hands of negative publicity) are more in support of the war than those who are protesting it.

The war is. Period. We can't just decide we don't want to do it anymore and pack up and go home. Our governments and troops in the coalition need cooperation and support and they deserve it. They are the ones on the front lines. The war is difficult enough in itself. There is enough battling and chaos in Iraq. Our soldiers need support, not more chaos and battles on the home front. It's time to put down the picket signs and lift up our hearts in prayer and support for those brave hero's who defend freedom, not just for Iraq, but for all those who are at risk from the threat of an evil ruler and his reign of terror. The enemy is Saddam Hussein. The enemy is terrorism. It's about time somebody decided that talking wasn't going to solve the problem. Twelve years of diplomacy only resulted in giving the enemy more time to reign. I am thankful that somebody had the backbone to take a stand against it. So, for all who think it's about oil and power, I encourage you to look deeper. Look at the articles, the suffering, and see the real need.......liberation........freedom. It is the right of every man (with the exception of those who try to take it away or prevent others from having it).

:: Katie 4/7/2003 01:38:30 PM ** ** [+] ::
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