Sing to me

Alas, Mr. Jack Johnson. Like most worldly musicians he's got some bad songs and some talent. Ocationally you find one that just got the talent part in it.

Now for some reason you can't embed this video, I even tried to 1337 h@xorz my way around it but that didn't work. Ug..

Here's the URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-i_AcTz0UU


Ok if you're not into silly singing chech this clip out. Its from an old TV series called battle bots in which people would build fighting RC robots and then duke it out. It was pretty good in its day. Here's some highlights and more great music

Slow Fade

First of all If you haven't seen Fireproof yet, I don't care who you are, you need to just go see it.

There is a song in it which, though the song is kinda rocky and done by some silly CCM artist the lyrics as a poem are pretty good so here they are. Enjoi:

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see


Secondly, I just took a test today so that means I only have one more test in each of my classes. I did the big calculation to figure out what the minimum grade I need to pass each class, not that it's what I'm gonna shoot for but its a good marker of who one's doing in a class. I need a 60 something for my psyc class and a 40 something for my adult nursing class... from here it looks like I'm gonna pass nursing school, unless I really mess something up which I could probably take these tests right now and get these grades. So thanks, to anyone who's ever prayed for me regarding school or life or whatever.

The Real Deal

The letter read in this video is an actual civil war letter. And the light sabers they are using are also real. One of these statements is not true.

Tirade

Ok I admit it, The reason for the missing post is because Tobi found somthing cool in the internet and I sneaker posted on it while he was still making it perfect. It was mostly a joke between us because He'd always get the good blog material after a hike or somthing (good material being pictures) and all that left me to do was blather about somthing on the hike.

So here I am blathering again, but not about cool ray guns.

I don't like the way our society worships its education system. I don't neccicarily agree with the idea that if a person wants to be an officer in the Armed Forces that the thing that really disiguishes them and sets them above their peers is that they went and got a degree. Why on earth would getting a Bachelors degree in elementary education (you can get one in anything as long as its a 4 year... so yes this means that Jack O'Neil went to college for 4 years) make you a natural leader? I almost think its just a test of your character. Its like asking "can this person learn complex ideas?" "Is this person educatable?" I also kinda think its so they have an excuse to age a person a bit after they put them in control of other people. Typicaly 18 yearolds are enlisted and their officers would be 22 years old... as we all know 22 year olds are SO much more mature that 18... Just look at me...

I got an email from my teacher about PBS doing a documentary on the nursing shortage and how by 2020 there's going to be like a Nursing shortage of One Million job openings. The problem isn't that no one wants to be a nurse its that there are so few teachers. I can attest that 2/3-3/4 of the nursing teachers I've had have been very poor quality. The problem is that Those who "can" DO, those who can't Teach!.... What I mean is that if a person can be a nurse then there are going to be one, If they can't for some reason, like they're lame at it or can't take the stress anymore then they go into teaching. Here's the real kicker. If you want to be a nurse its 2-3 years of schooling to get an associates degree. If you want to be a teacher you need a masters degree. thats 6 years of schooling. A person is going to have to want to do this pretty badly as they aren't going to get paid that well either. The funny thing is that if you're going to get a masters degree you can be a Nurse Practioner. That's pretty much like being a doctor. You'd make way more money doing that than being a teacher any way.

The fact is that experience and not education is what makes a good teacher. Assuming one has the ability to teach at all. But our culture has chosen to whorship the education system and so we've shot ourselves in the foot. At least I know I'll have a Job even if Obama tanks the country. (unless the hospital has to shut down cause it has to give everything away free... oh noes!)

Some music

Ok kids, Computer games are very immature and silly and will rot your brains out your ears and you should never play them...

This trailer reminds me why the cello feels so true, and why assassins creed was so perfectly immersive. (Do your best to ignore the stupid techno music in the middle, sry about that.)




This video won't let me post it to my blog but you can go watch it at youtube, very cool guitar/violin work.




This is another song by the same guy, as above. I guess some one posted it with silly farm pictures but their cool.

The Origin of World War One; Part One.

This is going to be the first in a 5 part series on the origin of world war one. I believe and intend to relate that this conflict has done more to shape both this century and the last than any other event in any of the last 200 years. The source and structure of this series will be based upon a book called The Origins of World War I 1871-1914 by Joachim Remak.

Part One: The Age of Bismarck: European Diplomacy 1871-1890

The stage in 1871 is thus: The Franco-Prussian war (France vs. Essentially “Germany”) of 1870-1871 was finished with a Prussian victory. The peace of Frankfurt that formally ended the war in may of 71 cost France an indemnity of five billion francs pain to the German empire and the surrender of the province of Alsace and a substantial portion of Loraine. France had failed in it long time cause. That being the prevention of a unified and strong German nation.

At this time Prussia still had a king who still had power, however much of the ruling of the nation was done by it prime minister Otto von Bismarck, who had been thus since 1862. Bismarck was chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 (its inception) until 1890. After this great accomplishment what Bismarck wanted most was calm, he felt strongly that Germany should henceforth consolidate her gains and seek no new ones, in Europe or over seas. The balance of power had been changed drastically and Bismarck didn’t want to give the surrounding nations any more cause to unite against German might that it had already.

Though the effects of these two events (Annexation Alsace/Lorraine and Change European power) were happy ones for the German empire the two problems proved to stubborn beyond all of Bismarck’s skill.

After Prussia victory over Austria in 1866 Bismarck had fiercely argued against the “victors peace” that the king and generals had in mind. In the end the peace with Austria was a generous one which caused the dissolution of any hostility Austria still held, Bismarck’s goal of friendship with the former enemy was realized.

This scene was not repeated in 1871 during negotiations with France. In fact the fortress of Mets in Lorraine was created to secure Germany against any possible French attack. The people, the military, and the King had unanimously desired it and Bismarck felt that nothing could be done to remove anti-German sentiment in France. The fortress however created a unique paradox. The inhabitance of Alsace Lorraine were still French despite their recent German citizenship and the construction of a fortress was a slap in the face its French inhabitance would not bear. Though the fort was able to hold back a major French army in 1914 it presence was one of the major factors which contributed to the two armies marching toward each other in the first place.

Of the five powers that had existed prior to the Franco-Prussian war two had retained their state of power, England and Russia. Two had been weakened, France and Austria, and One, Germany, had be come greatly strengthened.

Knowing that France would not accept her new station Bismarck’s goal became to isolate his enemy, his solution was three fold and diplomatic in nature. Firstly he would encourage and support French expansion into North Africa and China, Second he would hold Germany back from creating her own colonies, and thirdly was to keep French desire for revenge in check by ensuring her inability to find allies stating “In a world Governed by five powers, try to make three friends.”

The realization of this attempt to gain allies in Europe was initially manifested by the formation of the Three Emperors’ League of 1873. The treaty was between Germany Austria and Russia. In made sense in that Germany, being centrally located between the five powers desperately wanted to avoid a two front war. This would require him to split his forces between fighting on his eastern front (where Austria and Russia are) and his western front (France and England). The League was troubled however in that Austria and Russia were getting in each others way in Southeastern Europe. This Leagues first real test, the Congress of Berlin, nearly turned out to be its last.

The issues on the table at the Congress of Berlin was between Austria and Russia about the treaty of San Stefano. Russia had been for a long time a large nation with many people but very poor partly due to their inability to engage in and benefit from the trade/business taking place in the Mediterranean. Though Russia doesn’t have land on the Mediterranean it does have land on the black sea which can access the Mediterranean via a natural canal called the Dardanelles, measuring 38 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide. At the time Turkey, a rapidly expiring empire (called the Old man of Europe), controlled the straight. Part of the reason Turkey had survived so long is that its many enemies, ironically, couldn’t agree how to divide its land up. Finally in 1877 Russia made up its mind to take the Dardanelles. The excuse it had presented was that its long time mission had been to free their Slavic brothers who had been concord by the Turks, this motive wan known as Pan-Slavism. After the short military action Turkey had been effectively expelled from Europe, it influence replaced by Russia. In essence the problem Austria had with this was that it also was made up of a great diversity of cultures, including Slavs. The Multiethnic coalition had worked well for Austria and they were concerned that so much renewed racial tension in the area of the Balkans would ignite disloyalty in their own Slavic people there by further crippling Austria in the face of Russian Gain.

Austria had considered fighting to keep Russia away from the Dardanelles and the Balkans (the area to the north of the Dardanelles) but Bismarck’s strong platform of peace kept anyone from fighting. I the summer of 1878 the Congress of Berlin was called to reconsider the treaty of San Stefano which allowed a Russian presence in the Balkans and their ownership of the Dardanelles. At the Congress the Balkans were divided up and new countries were created and allowed to govern them selves. The reality was that there was such a mixture of cultures and ethnicities in the area that none of the new Balkan nations felt they had been fairly treated. In addition Russia had been excluded from their much coveted route to the Mediterranean. All of the other four powers, including France, had interests in this part of the Med and were all had some gain in the Congress. Germany alone asked nothing, willing to play the noble role of negotiator. As well Bulgarians in particular would not be able to reconcile themselves to the idea of a “Greater Bulgaria” that San Stefano had originally allowed for. The results of the Congress were far reaching and complicated, most notably however was the ominous estrangement between Russia and Germany.

The friction between Russia and Austria left Bismarck seething. He had labored to find a compromise acceptable to both sides but with out giving Russia everything she wanted every one from the Tsar to the inspired press was through with Germany and Austria.

Forced to make the next move, Bismarck replaced the Three Emperors’ League with The Dual Alliance in 1879. This Treaty between Austria and German stated that should Russia attack either country the other would come to its aid. The treaty only applied to Russian aggression or if Russia joined forces with another country attacking Germany or Austria. This treaty received strong criticism from Bismarck’s critics. Primarily because it forced Russia to look for allies elsewhere, specifically in France. Though this didn’t worry Bismarck as he felt that geographic and ideological isolation would lead to diplomatic isolation as well.

His theory’s would be vindicated when, just as the Dual Alliance was being signed, the Russians suggested a Russo-German treaty. Bismarck wanted Austria to be included and though it took some convincing, in 1881 with the Three Emperors’ League was renewed. Though this time the treaties scope was much more broad. Should any of the three powers find it self at war the other two countries would remain neutral. The statues of the Dual Alliance were still maintained in the background however. This did much to reduce the fear of a dual front war that had plagued Bismarck during his office.

The treaty also addressed the reason for its dissolution in the first place, the division of the ailing Turkish empire. Specifically that neutrality would only be upheld in the case of war with Turkey if the results (spoils) of the war were agreed up first. The other particulars of the treaty read that Austria was allowed to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina (Balkan Countries) at what ever time they deemed appropriate in exchange for the Dardanelles being kept closed to warships. Russia had some concerns about the powerful British navy entering the Black Sea with its sights set on her costal cities, having lost much of her black sea fleet in an earlier conflict.

In 1882 the budding empire of Italy, having only been united as recently and Germany, sought to gain entrance to the Three Emperors’ League. Bismarck’s exceptional enthusiasm was muted though inwardly the addition of a 4^th power pleased him greatly. Because of opposing interests in the Balkans Italy and Austria despised each other. Despite this difference a treaty was created called the Triple alliance, in 1882. it stated that should France attack, with out direct provocation, Germany that Italy would come to her aid. It also stated that Germany would aid Italy should they be attacked by France. At this point Germany was allied with three of the powers in Europe on good terms with England, only leaving France. If only Bismarck could keep his friends from coming to blows with one another he had no need to fear France. This proved to be more than he could handle. In 1885 a new Balkan crisis unfolded which once more forced Bismarck to play his least favorite roll, arbiter between Russia and Austria.

The treaty of San Stefano had taken more away from Bulgaria than it had any other Balkan nation, seeing an opportunity to take back what they though was theirs a revolt broke out. With speed and skill Bulgarian forces routed Serbian Greek and Macedonian opposition. This triumph was too great for Russia’s comfort. The Tsar now threatened to occupy Bulgaria and put a more compliant ruler on the throne. This move brought Austria on the scene again. Increased Bulgarian influence in the Balkans meant increased Russian power there as well, though Russia didn’t approve of the rash action of its little brother they did stand to gain from it. Fearing divided loyalties in its own people Austria sought British assistance and again, never resulting in blows, gained a diplomatic victory over Russia in the area. The Russians were infuriated. Bismarck had tried to remain neutral but couldn’t give total support to the Russian cause as they had demanded. In the end the Three Emperors’ League was done.

In 1887 Russia refused to renew the Three Emperors’ treaty, as they despised Austria, instead agreeing that if either country found itself at war the other would maintain benevolent neutrality. It wasn’t what Bismarck wanted but it was better than nothing. The new agreement was called the reinsurance treaty. It only stipulated that if Russia attacked Austria or Germany attacked France the other partner would have freedom of action.

Bismarck seemed to have given much more than he had gained, however Russian gains were largely paper ones. Bismarck’s promise to keep war ships out of the straight wasn’t hard to perform as he’d been negotiating with Britain, Austria, and Italy to maintain things as they were in the Mediterranean (No foreign warships in the black seas as long as Russia is contained there). In this way his promises to Russia were effectively neutralized.

In perhaps the most intricate series of diplomatic maneuvers in his career Bismarck allowed the conditions of his treaties to be leaked. To impose some sensible caution on the Russians in the Balkans, he let then know about the Dual alliance with Austria. So that they might have no doubt about the strength of the coalition that would face them should the try to pocket the Dardanelles, he let them know about the Mediterranean agreement as well. The Austrians, in their turn, had the Reinsurance Treaty brought to their attention; it would be a good reminder that German aid was not automatic. Finally he let the French learn about the Triple Alliance and the Mediterranean Agreement; it would do them no harm to realize that the world contained potential enemies other that the occupiers of Alsace.

If Bismarck’s treaties are a few shades to complicated to fully understand what needs to be said for them is that they worked, his overriding goal of maintaining peace was accomplished. How well the system would work with out its original designer was a different questions. In 1890 the answer came, Bismarck had to step down as chancellor because of policy differences between him and the new Emperor, William II. The primary reason was that the young monarch found it to difficult to get along with a national monument for a chancellor.

As we look back on 20 years of Bismarck chancellorship it is as astonishing as ever. He’d voluntarily restrained Germany’s quest for power, the sky was the fools limit, not his. The multiplicity of the alliances made Austria and Russia contain their ambition as well as leaving France isolated and Germany with as much power as it could manage. The eventual diplomatic alignment in 1914 was as remote as quantum theory. As near as one could tell in 1890 peace was the natural state of man.

Focus

It sickens me how forgetful I am. When I'm in church hearing the preaching the word of God I often burn with determination and zeal to be instant in/out of season to watch and pray. The truth is that if I had to use one verb to describe my life it would be "Distracted" and if allowed one adjective it would be "Easily." I sometimes wish someone would follow me around and slap me when I neglect fervent prayer or study of God's word. Surely a day with out both or at least either is shamefully worthless.

Consider the writings of Spurgeon

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." --Lamentations 3:41

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!

I hope this has been as sobering to you as it has me. One thing we all can use more of is focus, for those of you who've read the pilgrims progress the vanity fair is America in 2008, we can't run the race if we're distracted by anything but the crown.


Also I'm working on a big project for my blog, it should be up by the weekend. I think its gonna be cool though most of you probably won't.

Super Eccentric.

So I kinda need a shell for XC-skiing this winter. I was considering going super eccentric (ie pink). There are a few other colors but they're pretty boring. Black/blue, been there done than. and then some silly rusty mustard deal. here's the [link]

Lemme know what you think.

























You know the other beef I have? Womens clothes are so much cooler sometimes. Take formal wear for example. Men have worn the old standby Tux for a century, but the cut and style of womens clothes changes. (admittedly most of the time its lame but at least there's room for something new and cool)

Take this OR coat for example. Very cool colors/cut.





























(This post has been both eccentric and erroneous HIGH FIVE!)

The Alamo song.

I used to listen to this song with my buddy Jordan from high school, still kinda sends chills.

Destiny

As near as I can tell God didn't make me to be a nurse. I like it, sometimes I even love it... but I don't know If I'll ever LOVE it. I think as a means to an end I could do it for as long as I have to. What makes my soul really sing, if not medicating old people? I'll tell you, since you asked. Dragon Hunting. I've never felt more alive then when I was a dragon hunter. There's nothing like it. A giant murderous fire breathing beast descends on someones house threatening everything they own and everyone they love. I of coarse elude to the reason I came to Fairbanks and the first big thing God asked me to give up.

Oh yeah, this was today.

Five rounds for time of:
95 pound Deadlift, 15 reps
95 pound Hang power clean, 12 reps
95 pound Front Squat, 9 reps
95 pound Push Jerk, 6 reps

27:12 tonight.

35:35 was some time this summer. I guess I did pretty good, but it felt terrible.

I hate the idea that cross fitting is just a exercise in futility. I'm sure it could be linked to some psychosis of mine but you can keep that to yourself.

I really think when I finish school and get a little established I'm gonna go see if I can make something work with north star. If I can't do it for a career I might be able to make it a hobby. I should be able to get a few bible studies out of it.

The happy king of a little hill.

Oh please Tobi... your little retort is so trite.

"I was actually disappointed, that's the best you guys could do?"

For a spontaneous Friday nights worth of entertainment it fit the bill perfectly, and did entertain thoroughly.

You act like your ability to wordsmith is so vastly superior to any of us mortals that "how dare we even touch the hem of your bLordships garment."

You say the ripples have died down. Well obviously not, you're still surfing them.

Its possible I could have taken a few hours and in my il-judged and mis-reporved style (the only one that pushes bounds, opens minds, or dares "up" when other venture only "out") forged a complex narrative that carefully mimicked and mocked the predictable elitist tirade you label creative genius.

Stick to pianos, lizards, and the degradation of the ATBorg (resistance is futile).