This is long overdue. I want to start off by saying that KAIROS was the best experience of my life. I've mentioned it to some people I know, and they always ask "...but what IS it?"
Technically, I'm not supposed to talk about it, but I can probably slip in a few tidbits without giving it away. People who know what it is are familiar with the Jesuits. KAIROS literally means "Christ's time". Don't just stop reading after hearing the "C" word, it's not about him. The idea of KAIROS is a bonding experience. Not the stupid kind that leaves everyone bored and at each other's throats, the real kind. Picture this. It's the dead of winter. 50 guys who have gone to school together for 3 years are living in an old Jesuit mansion. They give you food, and provide wakeup calls, but you basically get to sit and talk and play football in the snow for 4 days.
Admittedly, I was a skeptic at first. I went because it was 4 das without parents or homework. It ended up being much more. We had (believe it or not) actual conversations about our lives, our secrets, our plans, we got to know our friends that we saw every day in a totally new light. So to anyone who has the chance to go on KAIROS, don't pass it up, don't write it off. It's the greatest.
Doubt the 1st,
Cry the 2nd,
Trust the 3rd,
Live the Fourth.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Shutup and Start Talking
We don't always realize it, but everyone has a little bit of "lawyer" in them. I see it on the subway, in my school, in stores and on the TV. People talking and going on endless tirades without saying anything. Some readers might claim that that's exactly what I'm doing here. I assure you, all of my tirades make a point.
So what led to this? What was the one thing that caused people to start bullshitting in such an obvious way? Conflict; or rather, the possible lack of it. More often than not, arguments start because people disagree with what someone said. The obvious defense is to "make a point" by running in circles. We use circular logic and leave out concrete statements and it's stupid, in my humble opinion.
Stop being whiny and uncertain, try speaking your mind for once. Who knows, maybe you won't sound like a total idiot. In fact, you may end up sounding intelligent, and like an individual. In times like this with weblogs ans podcasts, we can all have a voice. Decide whether or not you want to be heard.
So what led to this? What was the one thing that caused people to start bullshitting in such an obvious way? Conflict; or rather, the possible lack of it. More often than not, arguments start because people disagree with what someone said. The obvious defense is to "make a point" by running in circles. We use circular logic and leave out concrete statements and it's stupid, in my humble opinion.
Stop being whiny and uncertain, try speaking your mind for once. Who knows, maybe you won't sound like a total idiot. In fact, you may end up sounding intelligent, and like an individual. In times like this with weblogs ans podcasts, we can all have a voice. Decide whether or not you want to be heard.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
War Around Us and War Within
Life today has become increasingly complicated. The world is consumed with war and hatred and (like it or not) it's going to be this way for a long time. Humanity is naturally violent: we need to fight. Fight for life, fight for love, fight for our rights, fight for a cause, fight for anything and everything. I think war is a necessary evil. I may not agree with decisions behind war and fighting, but I know one thing: "Whether you started it or they did, you better damn well finish it."
My grandfather said this to me. I never forgot it and neither should you. In a previous post, I mentioned "giving up"; in the end I decided that giving up was the wrong thing to do. Why? Because anything worthwhile needs to be fought for. It won't just fall into your lap, a gift from some higher power. You need to pour yourself into it and give it your all. That's what i do. It never works, and I end up alone and miserable for a little while, but I pick myself up and try again. And again. And again.
To all of those people who are determined, who (like me) are willing to fight for something worthy: Keep fighting. Someday your efforts will pay off. I'm still waiting for that to happen, but I know that it eventually will.
To those who give up after defeat: I was like you once. That's no way to live your life. Get out there and make a stand. Let people know you aren't afraid to speak your mind and make a difference in the world.
My grandfather said this to me. I never forgot it and neither should you. In a previous post, I mentioned "giving up"; in the end I decided that giving up was the wrong thing to do. Why? Because anything worthwhile needs to be fought for. It won't just fall into your lap, a gift from some higher power. You need to pour yourself into it and give it your all. That's what i do. It never works, and I end up alone and miserable for a little while, but I pick myself up and try again. And again. And again.
To all of those people who are determined, who (like me) are willing to fight for something worthy: Keep fighting. Someday your efforts will pay off. I'm still waiting for that to happen, but I know that it eventually will.
To those who give up after defeat: I was like you once. That's no way to live your life. Get out there and make a stand. Let people know you aren't afraid to speak your mind and make a difference in the world.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Just give up for now?
There's a recurring theme in all of the "nice guy" stories where he finally gets a girl: THEY'RE IN THEIR 20's! Apparently, this is the time when girls realize they want a nice guy instead of jocks or preps or posers. If I'm understanding that correctly, I'm doomed to be single until I'm in college, or I find a "nice girl". So far, the latter of the two seems like a lost cause, and I'm not particularly happy about my first option. Nevertheless, I shall continue my search for a girl who won't use me. If there are any out there...
Quick shout out to NYC Watchdog. One of the other "nice guys" roaming the blogosphere.
http://www.apileofdogbones.com/
Quick shout out to NYC Watchdog. One of the other "nice guys" roaming the blogosphere.
http://www.apileofdogbones.com/
A Long Night Ahead of Me
If anyone actually reads my little blog, I'm usually up all night working on papers, helping as Administrator on the Military Power forum, or blogging here. Feel free to touch base with me, leave some feedback, whatever. AIM: Nullifiedknight
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Fed Up With It
I've come to realize that I am incredibly unlucky. I was given the curse of the "nice guy". I meet a girl, we start to hit it off, then it happens. *smack* The words that make me cringe. "You're a really great guy; you're smart and funny and cute, but I don't like you in that kinda way. We're just really great friends."
WTF?! Why does this happen every time? The curse; and of all the nice guy types, mine is the most painful. The confidant. Beautiful girls decide that I'm not bad to hang out with, and they tell me all of their secrets and wishes and worries and problems. They ask me if I love them, and if I think they're pretty. It's all mindgames. They don't like me. They like having someone they can turn to when their boyfriend dumps them. I rebuild their confidence, pick up the pieces, shoulder their burdens, and they go running back to some other guy.
Some deal. They get everything, I get nothing. I'm fed up with all of this. I don't want to be a therapist, I want to be a boyfriend. I'm not the spineless, wimpy nice guy either. I'm the "classic". The "respectful to those he loves, honest to those he meets, all wrapped up in a rugged yet handsome (so I'm told) exterior" nice guy. I curse and fight and do dumb things sometimes, but I'm always there to listen and say the right thing and help. Apparently, that doesn't mean anything.
WTF?! Why does this happen every time? The curse; and of all the nice guy types, mine is the most painful. The confidant. Beautiful girls decide that I'm not bad to hang out with, and they tell me all of their secrets and wishes and worries and problems. They ask me if I love them, and if I think they're pretty. It's all mindgames. They don't like me. They like having someone they can turn to when their boyfriend dumps them. I rebuild their confidence, pick up the pieces, shoulder their burdens, and they go running back to some other guy.
Some deal. They get everything, I get nothing. I'm fed up with all of this. I don't want to be a therapist, I want to be a boyfriend. I'm not the spineless, wimpy nice guy either. I'm the "classic". The "respectful to those he loves, honest to those he meets, all wrapped up in a rugged yet handsome (so I'm told) exterior" nice guy. I curse and fight and do dumb things sometimes, but I'm always there to listen and say the right thing and help. Apparently, that doesn't mean anything.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
