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Odds and ends, various
Sep. 5th, 2004 08:33 pmVarious odds and ends tonight:
First, the (disappointing) results of the University of Hawaii's preseason football game last night. I didn't go to the game, but I heard the results: Hawaii lost in overtime, and to a team that by all rights it should have beaten. Probably interestingly enough was this weekend's message at church, which talked about "A Season of Failure." Rather prophetic, if you asked me. If there's one thing I took away from this weekend's message, though, it was (for me) a quote I read by legendary coach Vince Lombardi: "The greatest triumph is not in not falling, but in rising every time you fall." Though not specifically mentioned in service, I think that quote summed it up quite nicely.
Second, had an interesting discussion with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ionotter a couple of nights ago. In American (and I think ONLY American) culture, if you are, say, right-handed and you're eating meat (with utensils, of course), you'd have the knife in your right hand and fork in your left, then switch the fork to your right hand to eat. UK culture doesn't do that, and I don't know if any other cultures do that either... which is why I say ONLY American culture. That was nothing new... my late dad told me that years ago. But what it implied was that I'm an American.
I won't deny that I'm an American; in fact, technically I'm a Japanese-American (or Asian-American). But it did bring to mind some interesting (for lack of a better word) thoughts:
Am I "proud to be an American," as the song by Lee Greenwood says? Honestly, that varies. There are days when I'm proud to be an American, and I will admit that there are days when I'm ashamed to be one. But I will never deny being one. Rather, I prefer to say that instead of being an American, I'm from Hawaii, which is more of a novelty. And because Hawaii is part of the U.S., that by default makes me an American.
Am I proud to be in the military? That too varies. Right after September 11, when we embarked in the War on Terror, I'll admit that I had a sense of pride, which has as of late been rapidly fading in the light of all the controversy over the War on Terror (i.e., Michael Moore stating/implying that the War on Terror is really the War on Oil). However, at the same time, I have respect for all those who are serving -- including myself -- or who have served -- in the military, because they have had to be disciplined and focused. Those who aren't pretty much don't last long, one way or another.
Am I proud to be a Christian? I will make no bones about my faith. Yes, I am a Christian... have been one since the mid-80s, but I know I haven't lived my life as I probably should have been. But I will not, or rather, should not, be proud to be one... because the religion itself does not advocate pride, but rather, humility. Woe to those who forget that.
Am I proud to be a "furry"? Funny thing is, it's the same answer as above -- no -- but for a different reason. I won't deny that I'm a "furry" but I don't want to celebrate it either. And that's because the fandom has had enough stigma attached to it that it's better to keep it under wraps -- those who don't know about the fandom don't need to know more than what I'm willing to tell them.
And finally, am I proud to be from Hawaii? As long as being from Hawaii continues to be a novelty, then my answer will be yes. Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco brought Hawaii to "American Idol", and I hope to bring Hawaii to Omaha in a little over a week (on a much smaller scale, of course).
Okay, 'nuff said... Happy Labor Day!
First, the (disappointing) results of the University of Hawaii's preseason football game last night. I didn't go to the game, but I heard the results: Hawaii lost in overtime, and to a team that by all rights it should have beaten. Probably interestingly enough was this weekend's message at church, which talked about "A Season of Failure." Rather prophetic, if you asked me. If there's one thing I took away from this weekend's message, though, it was (for me) a quote I read by legendary coach Vince Lombardi: "The greatest triumph is not in not falling, but in rising every time you fall." Though not specifically mentioned in service, I think that quote summed it up quite nicely.
Second, had an interesting discussion with
ionotter a couple of nights ago. In American (and I think ONLY American) culture, if you are, say, right-handed and you're eating meat (with utensils, of course), you'd have the knife in your right hand and fork in your left, then switch the fork to your right hand to eat. UK culture doesn't do that, and I don't know if any other cultures do that either... which is why I say ONLY American culture. That was nothing new... my late dad told me that years ago. But what it implied was that I'm an American.I won't deny that I'm an American; in fact, technically I'm a Japanese-American (or Asian-American). But it did bring to mind some interesting (for lack of a better word) thoughts:
Am I "proud to be an American," as the song by Lee Greenwood says? Honestly, that varies. There are days when I'm proud to be an American, and I will admit that there are days when I'm ashamed to be one. But I will never deny being one. Rather, I prefer to say that instead of being an American, I'm from Hawaii, which is more of a novelty. And because Hawaii is part of the U.S., that by default makes me an American.
Am I proud to be in the military? That too varies. Right after September 11, when we embarked in the War on Terror, I'll admit that I had a sense of pride, which has as of late been rapidly fading in the light of all the controversy over the War on Terror (i.e., Michael Moore stating/implying that the War on Terror is really the War on Oil). However, at the same time, I have respect for all those who are serving -- including myself -- or who have served -- in the military, because they have had to be disciplined and focused. Those who aren't pretty much don't last long, one way or another.
Am I proud to be a Christian? I will make no bones about my faith. Yes, I am a Christian... have been one since the mid-80s, but I know I haven't lived my life as I probably should have been. But I will not, or rather, should not, be proud to be one... because the religion itself does not advocate pride, but rather, humility. Woe to those who forget that.
Am I proud to be a "furry"? Funny thing is, it's the same answer as above -- no -- but for a different reason. I won't deny that I'm a "furry" but I don't want to celebrate it either. And that's because the fandom has had enough stigma attached to it that it's better to keep it under wraps -- those who don't know about the fandom don't need to know more than what I'm willing to tell them.
And finally, am I proud to be from Hawaii? As long as being from Hawaii continues to be a novelty, then my answer will be yes. Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco brought Hawaii to "American Idol", and I hope to bring Hawaii to Omaha in a little over a week (on a much smaller scale, of course).
Okay, 'nuff said... Happy Labor Day!
