Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Fence Is the Greenest

I was planning on writing something about the philosophy "love the sinner, despise the sin" -- especially pertaining to modeling our actions after Christ... but I think I'll save that post for another day.

Instead, a poem... nay, a limerick (ha, that makes it sound like I don't consider a limerick to be a poem... perhaps a little Freudian Slip there, eh?):

The Fence Is the Greenest

There once was a goat with expenses
He had not a sou, not sixpenses
But the sheep to its east
He had money the least
So the goat jumped up on the fences

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Screw Legality

I have to be honest: I don't necessarily care if same-sex marriages are made legal in the United States. Such is a relatively minor inconvenience, really... just some scrapes and bruises, little hurdles that I'll just have to work extra hard to overcome. I can handle it.

What is detrimental, however, is the attitude behind the desire to withhold such a legal validation of families headed by homosexual couples. It's the same attitude that causes most (if not all) of the wars and famines and poverty in the world, namely this attitude that constantly demands, "Who deserves what [according to God]?"

Christians, especially, should not be found guilty of holding this attitude as it is core Doctrine of Christ that we should not judge anyone. We have no authority to decide who is entitled to what in God's eyes... that's His job, not ours.

We need to stop worrying about what people deserve and start focusing on what people need. It is heartbreaking to see immense amounts of money being spent on protecting "birthrights" when there are people who cannot afford to eat, when there are people who cannot afford shelter, when there are people who cannot afford proper care, when there are people who are literally incapable of sustaining themselves...

I mean, really, I can handle not being seen as a legally valid family, but I can't handle seeing so much time, money, and energy being spent on attacking the legal/spiritual/etc. validity of my future family when there are people who could benefit from some extra time, money, and energy.

And, really, why would one want to try to attack or preemptively defend a believed threat when one can help people with actual needs?

After all, 'defend' all people may, let them amend the constitution to define marriage as a heterosexual union... that's not going to stop me from finding a male companion and raising children with him. It's not going to lower the divorce rate among heterosexual marriages. All it will do is create a hostile environment towards people who do not share the same religious beliefs as opponents of homosexuality.

Yet, if we can spend these resources currently being exhausted in vain to build houses for the homeless, just think of the impact such could make...

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fifty and Two

Now I don't know if those of you who frequent my blog have noticed, but the past 51 posts share titles with songs from various bands/artists/musicals/etc.

The last post, "The Prettiest Star" marks the end of this trend (yes, I meant to rhyme).

... I just thought I'd let y'all know...

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The Prettiest Star

I've decided I'm going to find a female partner...

Friday, July 18, 2008

What I Can Give You

Well, I've been enjoying the show more lately -- that's not to say I'm ready to be finished with it right now; the almost $100/week is really affecting my food supply.

But that's not really the reason I'm blogging right now. I've been feeling rather... well, melancholy, lately I guess. Or maybe I'm just frustrated. No, actually... I think I'm afraid. I don't know what's going to happen with my family once I start dating. I don't know how they're really going to act.

Perhaps I shouldn't worry; perhaps I should just let things happen as they happen and deal with everything on a present-tense basis. Nevertheless, there's still the possibility that most/some of my family will cut me out of their lives, and that saddens me.

And it frustrates me that part (if not most) of the reason this possibility exists is because of the LDS church and her leaders. What frustrates me the most is not the current beliefs but the fact that the beliefs don't come with, "Don't just take our word; go to God and pray about it."

Where has this counsel gone? Why is it no longer stressed that we must go to God for a personal testimony on each and every thing? After all, when missionaries go out to teach the Gospel, they don't say, "President Monson is the prophet of God; he says the Book of Mormon is true and the word of God; therefore, be baptized." Rather, investigators are given the Book of Mormon and are told, "Read and pray."

Where is the message, "hear and pray" gone? I am [no longer] one to say, "This is the right way, just listen to me." Rather, I desire to only say, "These are my beliefs, but go to God and pray about them to receive a testimony for yourself."

I asked my family to do this, but I was met with a resounding, "We don't have to pray, we already know; the prophets have spoken, and we know marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God."

This is another thing that is rather confusing to me, the "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God; therefore, marriage between two men or two woman is not" mindset. After all, Elders are ordained of God -- but so are High Priests. That is to say, just because an Elder is ordained of God doesn't nullify the ordination of High Priests... right?


Anyway, in whole, I'm learning all I can give are my opinions and beliefs... the rest is up to each individual. And when it comes to me as an individual, all I can do is my best, offer up the best life I can muster and cultivate for God.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Mr. Big Stuff

This perhaps goes against my better judgment... but Once Upon a Mattress opens tomorrow (July 10th) night, 7:00 PM, at the Tooele High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children; the show will run until the 19th (excluding Sunday).

If you want to come and see me make a fool of myself, you're more than welcome (though I would suggest coming sometime next week so I have some more time to practice my dance solo).


In other news: I have a deep, dark secret desire to perform as a drag queen... (not that I feel I am female or any such thing, I just think I would be rather entertaining)... any thoughts?

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Whatever Lola Wants

I just realized something really poignant -- to me -- today. You see, I've been trying to decide what career path I wanted to solidly pursue, and I had it narrowed down to two choices: 1) Acting; and 2) Computer Science (programming).

I was teetering back and forth between the two, pondering, praying, and what-not... then this week came along -- a week wherein I have official gigs as a programmer and as an actor. I am HATING my acting gig (I've never felt more uncomfortable and out of place on stage before), yet I am absolutely LOVING my programming gig so far -- even though I really haven't done anything but training yet (I've never felt more at home at a job before).

The scales have tipped drastically in favor of a career in Computer Science. Hopefully, now that I've learned my lesson, I'll be able to enjoy the little time I have left with acting -- so I don't completely suck during performances...

(I'm debating whether or not to post when performances are; I don't know if I want anyone to come... I really don't feel like I'm doing a good job right now; my head just isn't in the game...)