Learning...

[crschmidt]

Tonight, I talked to someone who I have a significant personal disagreement with, and I was not a complete jerk.

This was a big step for me, and I was grumbling, but I just kept telling myself that it's far more important to be polite in this world than to do exactly what you want all the time. The karma that I've built up so far has worked out pretty well. I could be a dick, and throw some of that away for some personal satisfaction, or I could be polite, grit my teeth, and be the all around good guy that I'm pretty good at being.

I really think in a lot of cases (although not all) it is probably just better to let things slide. Granted, expressing problems you have with other people is a necessary skill, but only so far as its possible to improve the situation. If it's someone you're forced to deal with every now and then, but really just don't like, I think you're better off just being polite about it, rather than starting an argument or anything else.

Participated in a church service on IRC this evening. A log of the service is available. It was very interesting. The pastor, ladysisyphus, has more information in her journal which you may find interesting. I'm probably going to try to write an IRC bot to replay the ceremony, so that people who missed it can at least participate somehow. Making me think about my faith, which is something I don't do a whole lot of.

Spent Saturday night hanging out on IRC with a bunch of friends, which was fun. I also had a nice lime juice and rum drink that Jess made for me: can't recall the name. It's nice to have someplace to retreat to where I have social interaction, but don't have to go out. The idea of going out to a bar still causes a lot of anxiety in me, mostly due to complete and utter lack of experience. I have no idea how to dress, act, etc. in a bar.

More birthday posts are still forthcoming.

Back to work tomorrow: Lots of projects coming up soon, so I hope to be productive this week and bang out a bunch of stuff to clear off my plate.

Comments

[tjackson.livejournal.com]

this IRC service thing interests me.
Where might I find more information about it, specifically the 'downloadable' songs?

[crschmidt.livejournal.com]

An earlier entry has a link to both the sermon and the music, as well as an outline of the service.

A self description of the Pastor, from this entry:

There may be some of you reading this who don’t know me, so let me get this out in the open: I consider myself a Christian (though many people would disagree), was raised United Methodist, and attend the very liberal UM Drew Theological Seminary, where I am going for my M.Div. I don’t expect you to be like me. I don’t expect you to be a Protestant, or a Christian, or even a theist at all. If you believe in one God or many gods, or don’t believe in the supernatural at all, or have no idea whether you do or not, you’re always welcome on my journal, and you’re also welcome to attend this digital service.

Any other questions? I'm sure W2 would love to answer them for you as well, but I'm nosy :)

[tjackson.livejournal.com]

Not really, those links seemed to answer mine nicely.

I'll be keeping a look out for future services as this is very interesting.

[folk.livejournal.com]

I also attended the service and had a fantastic time. A community, irchurch, has been set up, if you want to watch that for more info.

[tjackson.livejournal.com]

will do, thanks!

[jpallan.livejournal.com]

I'll take you out to a bar some weekend, so you can get the Knack of it. Even though I'm basically a teetotaler these days. :)

I love you. I'm so proud of how far you've come. I'm really proud to be your girl. :)

:kiss:

[kw34hd1.livejournal.com]

it's far more important to be polite in this world than to do exactly what you want all the time.

uhh, excuse me?!

-j

[bertho.livejournal.com]

Bars aren't too scary, you just have to find one that fits you. Don't worry about how you're dressed the first time you go (unless they have a dress code), because odds are if you aren't dressed like everyone else there, you probably won't want to go back because it's not your kind of place. For me, I like football, darts and beer, so if they have any of those three and no one wears khakis, it's all good. ;-)