Wicked Wednesday - 20100616

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness. We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's begin this week's meme!

Today we picked Bruce Springsteen. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “When it comes to luck, you make your own.” Do you believe you have that type of control over your luck?

 I feel that there are always things outside of my control.  I cannot affect what other people do.  I may have influence over some, but the vast majority i do not.  What i do have control over is how i act/react to the situations that life presents.  So ultimately, no, i cannot "make my own" luck, but i can control how i "create my own luck".  If a job opportunity presents itself i can show up on time, i can perform to the best of my ability.  Often others will see this, and thus how things come your way in the future is impacted.

2. "You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above.” What is something you have had difficulty rising above?

For me it has been my own poor choices in regards to my education.  Some of it has to do with my own ability to learn/absorb, but trying to be late to class, or rolling dice to make my choices on tests, and putting off college until my own personal life became too much of a "distraction".  By God's grace i have the job i have, but it was not by wise personal choices.

3. “Poor men wanna be rich, rich men wanna be kings, and a king ain’t satisfied till he rules everything.” Would you want to be rich?

There are times when i would really like to be a little more "rich".  For example, i would love to not have a mortgage.  However, i also recognize that there is a part of me that is never satisfied.  Right now, i consider myself "rich" in that the only debt i have, that i carry a balance from month to month, is my mortgage.  There are months where that the belt is getting pretty tight, but in the end... i am fairly happy with where i am at.

4. “The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.” Tell us about a song that helps you "face the world."

For me it has to be Amazing Grace.  I love both the traditional hymn, but also the more recent version by Chris Tomlin.


 

This song helps me keep myself in perspective, as well as the world.

5. “In America everything's about who's number one today.” Have you ever been a fan of someone you thought would last but turned out to be a flash in the pan?

It is no secret that i am a fan of American Football, and while i have favorites among the position, the one i hold in the highest esteem is at Running Back.  When Tshimanga Biakabutuka was drafted by "my" Carolina Panthers in 1995 i was really excited. The career span of a Running Back in the NFL is very short, but this man really had a hard time staying healthy.  I do not say that in a critical tone, rather in a way that i feel it was too short.  Fortunately he has been able to make a life for himself after his NFL career.  But when he was on the field - wow! - it's just a shame that he was unable to take it all the way.

6. “Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse?” Has any dream of yours come true?

I think as a result of my childhood i really do not tend to be a dreamer. For me i have to focus on the here and now.  The what might be is too far off, too many variables affecting the end outcome.  While i know it is important to have a long range target in mind, so that you can adjust the footsteps in route, my focus tends to be more immediate.

7. “Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.” What would you change if you became the president?

I almost snorted Dr Pepper out my nose!  Wow... assuming i even made it that far... i would like to enact line item veto ability for the President, a flat income tax for all social standings - if say 10% is good for people making minimum wage then it is good for those drawing down $1m or more AND the elimination of many of the tax deduction/credits - or at least a cap at a certain percentage,  a mandatory balanced budget, and a law that states that Congress and the House MUST abide by ALL laws enforced upon the general populace.  They (including the President) are in a position of power to serve the people, not to line their own pockets and be exempt from the rules.

8. "Yeah, I had gay friends. The first thing I realized was that everybody's different, and it becomes obvious that all of the gay stereotypes are ridiculous." How do you feel about gay rights?

I will start with - you cannot legislate morality.  Second, gays are no different than you or me.  They are just labeled differently for the type of sin they are choosing to pursue.  So, to ask me if i feel that gays and lesbians should have the right to get married, etc. my answer is no.  But then, i feel that pornography should be illegal as well so...  No matter how many laws you enact (or not), inevitably we humans will still seek out the tree of forbidden fruit. 

9. " It's a sad man my friend who's living in his own skin and can't stand the company." Have you ever been disappointed in yourself?

I am pretty sure not a week goes by that i have not done something that i am not disappointed about.  Maybe it's a boneheaded decision at work, or a harsh word spoken to my children.  A failure to take action in regards to a need that God has shown me.  In the end... i am not resting on what i have, or have not done, but in what Christ has done for me.  He provides the grace and mercy to change, so that when such "opportunities" come back around, i can make a different decision.  If not for Christ, this "samurai" would have had to commit seppuku long ago.

10. "The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with." What's your favorite type of music? What's your favorite band?

My preference lie in Celtic Folk Music.  I love the rhythm and pace, i like the instruments, and i especially enjoy the spirited instrumentals and dance numbers.  Funny thing is... in this genre i do not really have a favorite above all others.  I like Steeleye Span, Maddy Prior, Gaelic Storm, Blackmore's Night, and the like.  If i have to pick one group over all the others... i think i want to go with Jethro Tull  but their lyrics and over all world view keep me from taking them as #1... i would go with Chris Tomlin.  Really good music and lyrics.  Now, if i could find a way to combine the gospel-centric lyrics of Christ Tomlin/Steven Curtis Chapman/Casting Crowns and Celtic/Irish folk music... that would be awesome.  In my opinion.

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