August 4: Technology Terror, Breakdowns, "Web" Dip

This morning, the cable guy came to our house to install our digital cable box, Internet service, and phone line.  Yes, I have succumbed to bundling.  I'm not a big fan of technology, even though I was a computer science major for many of my undergraduate years.  (I ended up with a math/computer science minor.)  Technology, however, has not been my friend for a good portion of my life.

The Internet is wonderful for some things.  It provides quick research access.  Allows me to not get lost as easily on road trips.  Lets me watch really funny videos of cats.  (Just kidding.)  However, the Internet also enables a lot of behaviors that are quite destructive.  Gambling.  Banking fraud.  Pornography.  It kind of makes sense that such a powerful tool would also be the catalyst for powerfully dangerous activities.

Anyway, allow me to climb down from my soapbox.

So, it was a morning and afternoon of trips to Office Max, Radio Shack, and Best Buy.  After much struggle (and a few tearful breakdowns), I achieved Internet connection.  My DVD player isn't working yet, but I have about 100 more TV channels that I will never watch.  I guess it all evens out.

I do question whether all of today's trips and aggravations were worth it.  Let's see what Charlotte says:

"That's wonderful," said Wilbur.  "How is the plan coming, Charlotte?  Have you got very far with it?  Is it coming along pretty well?"  Wilbur was trembling again, but Charlotte was cool and collected.

"Oh, it's coming all right," she said, lightly.  "The plan is still in its early stages and hasn't completely shaped up yet, but I'm working on it."

There you go.  My technology is coming along all right, even if it's early stages.  Just have to figure out that damn DVD player.

Saint Marty and his big-ass remote control have a date tonight.

Press TV-DVD-AUX-#-@-PAUSE-MENU-DEMAND and then cry

September 17: Get a Job, No Answer, Praying

"It isn't fantastic.  I'd get a job.  Don't worry about that.  You don't have to worry about that.  What's the matter?  Don't you want to go with me?  Say so, if you don't."

Yes, Holden fantasizes about running away from home, finding a job, and leading a bucolic life in the woods as a pretend mute.  Obviously, he never follows through on this fantasy.  He has a breakdown instead.

Speaking of breakdowns, you're probably wondering whether I'm still employed by the church.  Yes, the church board met last night.  Yes, the church board had a very long discussion about the subject.  Yes, a decision was made.  The decision was to eliminate my current position and come up with a job description/pay scale for another position I currently hold in the church.  (If you didn't follow the logic of that statement, don't try too hard.  There isn't much logic in it.)  Not only that, but I will also have to apply and interview for said job.  That I currently already have.

I don't understand it, either.  It all boils down to the fact that I really got no answer last night.  So, I'm pretty much in the same place I was last night.  Limbo.  And there's no better way to get out of limbo than through prayer.

Dear God,

I know that You know that I know You know, ya know?  You know what's in my heart.  You know what's best for me.  You also know I have a very difficult time letting go of the reins of my life.  Tonight, I'm reluctantly stepping off the driver's seat of the stagecoach.  You are in charge, and I guess I'll accept whatever You send my way.  I don't really have a choice.

All I'm asking is that You watch out for my kids and my wife.  I don't want to see them struggle or suffer.  I will do whatever You ask of me, as long as it doesn't involve any kind of rodent.  Please keep my family safe.

Your loving child,

Saint Marty

Don't ask me to do it, God