Well, it isn’t Saturday night anymore, or even Sunday for that matter, but why not talk about it?
After the 8 at Riverview, a bunch of people headed over to the Price’s house to hangout and eat tasty treats. Even though this happens on a semi-regular basis, this Saturday was different. Ton’s of people came, and I didn’t really know a lot of them at all. It was so great. I really like to meet new people and usually I don’t have the opportunity or the courage to do so. Again, this Saturday was different. I was actually able to initiate conversation with people that I had never met before. Yes, it was on my own turf, but it happened nonetheless. In fact I think I even remember their names (Lisa, Briannon, Jason, Ethan, Katie, and Randi-Kay).
One of the main reasons that we make all the food and invite so many people is that we want to encourage real community. We want to take people and bring them into the circle. It seemed to me like that was actually happening this time.
So, I was reading an article I found on Digg just a little bit ago on stem cell research. It seems like the whole issue is really difficult. I mean the research could help so many people live better lives, and who knows what kind of uses stem cells could actually serve. The one thing it comes down to is whether or not the blastocysts they pull the stem cells from are human or not. They writer of this article doesn’t seem to take a side on the issue, but does make some interesting points.
So my question is, how do we decide when the cells are human life and shouldn’t be interfered with? I don’t think many would argue that sperm or eggs are humans yet, otherwise no one would use birth control, and everyone would mourn that special time of the month as the death of a possible person. From what I’ve heard, many seem to say that the life begins as soon as an egg is fertilized. In some ways, that makes sense. What other point could you draw the line? When the cells begin to differentiate? When you can see the babies eyes? Even more confusing, the writer of the article points out that many blastocysts created in fertility clinics are discarded once they are no longer needed (impregnation occurs). So, many that are so psyched to have children even though they have fertility issues are killing off many unborn possible babies?
I cannot decide if this should be an issue of conscience or of morality. The bible would definitely say that murder is a sin, but does the bible say when a person becomes a person?
Any thoughts on this issue would be appreciated.
No, I’m not dying. Last night at the Price’s house, JR asked a group of us sitting at the kitchen table what one thing we wanted to do before we died. Most of us said something about traveling somewhere. I said that I wanted to take a eating tour of Italy.
Granted, I would still love to take an eating tour of Italy, but I just don’t think that I can take all the things I want to do before I die and narrow it down to just one. There are so many things that are equal to me that I want to do before I die. Thus I am making a list. As I think of more things I will post more, but this is my base list (not in any particular order):
- Hold my newborn baby in my arms
My own flesh and blood, a piece of me, and the life of my families (Henry and Earnhardt) continued on. All these things are wrapped up in this tiny package of a human life that will grow into many unknown things. I can’t express how I feel about it even now, and I haven’t even done it yet.
The exhilaration of jumping from thousands of feet in the air, the closest thing to actually flying like superman.
- Take an eating tour of Italy
Like every other type of food in the United States, Italian food is not nearly like it is in Italy. The culture, the sights, the authentic food. I would love to be able to actually eat with some Italian families who have lived in Italy their whole life.
- Visit the west coast (LA, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco)
I’m not exactly sure why, but I’ve always wanted to go to California. Maybe because one of my best friends from childhood used to visit there all the time. Whatever the reason, I just want to do it.
Since I have started this blog, a whole two long days ago, I have been consistently thinking of what I want to post. It seems as though anything is a potential candidate for posting, and yet I can’t decide what is good enough to actually become a post. Even better, I am positive that no one even knows that I am blogging again since I haven’t made any attempt to proclaim my existence.
Regardless of my audience, the blog must go on, for my sake.
Yesterday night I received a large load of limestone for the parking area behind my house. I was hoping the truck could spread it out so I wouldn’t have to. I was not so lucky. I spent the next hour or more shoveling gravel around my backyard while it rained. I bettered my efforts by purchasing a wheelbarrow, but by the time I returned from the store and put it together it was too dark to continue. So I resumed my labor at 9 am with the hope of reinforcements. Again, I was not so lucky. I worked for an hour and a half and decided to call it quits so I could be ready in time for my 11:30 meeting. Needless to say, there is still a giant pile of rocks in my backyard that needs to be pushed around. I will be continuing my struggle again tomorrow evening after working time (5 pm) possibly with the aid of Nato.