My return to college after a 20 year hiatus

The 2014 winter semester at North Central Michigan College marked my return to college after a twenty year absence.  My intention was to finish my photography/cinematography degree I abandoned in 1993.  My wife encouraged me to seek a grant to cover expenses.  The grant I received provided enough money not only to finish my previous degree, but to start work on another one.  There was just one major catch.  In order to receive the full amount of funds, I would have to attend full-time.  Through the support of my family and friends, I decided to plunge in head first.  There were still other hurdles to overcome in order to transition back into college.  However, the staff and faculty at North Central Michigan College made my transition back to college smooth and simple.

The eagerness of the office staff to help with my educational journey was reassuring.  Two individuals at the main campus in particular, Nikki Morris and Christine Breed, made the transition back to college straightforward.  They helped me enroll, transfer my credits and arrange my financial aid.  Their communication with me through every step of the process was outstanding.  When it came time to take my English placement exam, the personnel at the University Center in Gaylord were extremely helpful.  One such person, Michelle Andrews, was very encouraging, thorough and pleasant.  Her cheerful and engaging demeanor put me at ease concerning the test.  Additionally, her kind words regarding my score on the placement test were a real reassurance to me.

North Central Michigan College main campus

Since North Central Michigan College offers, online, hybrid and off site classes, the transition back to college was almost painless.  The online course, Introduction to Computers, allowed me the flexibility to work ahead so as not to fall behind in other courses.  In addition, structured online courses such as Human Biology and English Composition helped me set priorities in order to stay on track.  The Introduction to Programming Logic course, held at Petoskey High School, although it is a ninety-eight mile round trip each Thursday was worth the drive.  The ability to participate in courses in a variety of ways, provides an uncomplicated means to return to college.

The instructors at North Central Michigan College really care about my educational and career goals.  A major concern with the transition back to college is the question of guidance and direction.  Since I am an older student, I have no time to waste. I needed to be shown the most effective path.  Both Fred Harrington and Howard Bates have been invaluable resources for advice.  Fred took the time to listen to me via several e-mail conversations and left the door open for additional in-person meetings.  Howard provided several insights into which fields in computer science are growing and which are dying.  Both Fred and Howard have provide very informative feedback on which direction to achieve my educational and career goals.

Overall, I recommend North Central Michigan College to anyone who wants to continue their education.  The college is large enough to serve the needs of the community, yet small enough to be involved with each individual student.  The college’s staff and faculty care enough to make the transition, no matter your stage of life, to college as easy as possible.

Patty and Eddie – Two Drummers, One Beat

There are many influential people who come into a person’s life, but few who impact a person for a lifetime.  The one person who has impacted me more deeply than any other is Patty, my wife of twenty-seven years.  During our early years together, we were drawn closer by our search for something more.  Being raised in the seventies and coming of age in the eighties, neither one of us had a sense of what truly mattered.  The counter-cultural values of the seventies mixed with the “Me Decade” of the eighties made for a confusing time to be a young adult.  While the uncertainty of the Cold War loomed, there were still small glimmers of hope.  It was out of this unpredictability, that a New Wave of musical artist invaded from overseas and emerged domestically. Patty and I had a common interest in art, specifically music, which brought us together.  Music became the catalyst that helped Patty and me discover our love for each other and our love for God. 

Patty and Eddie in Mr. Hoose's  fifth and sixth grade class.

As children, Patty and I lived in the same suburban neighborhood. We rode the same yellow school bus together every day for years.  In my eyes, she was just another annoying, stuck-up, tough girl, who had no interest in me.  However, in my senior year of high school, something changed.  Without warning, it was as if my eyes had seen her for the first time.  She had not changed; my perception of her changed.  She appeared to be the most beautiful woman God had ever made.  Despite my interest, I was reluctant to approach her, let alone ask for a date.  As it would happen, one day the bus broke down just beyond my house.  This would be the kick in the pants I needed to overcome my fear and get to know her. In spite of the fact it was several miles, Patty and her best friend decided to walk home.  The opportunity presented itself as they were walking past my house to offer them a ride.  Instead of going to school, we all decided to go to the mall.  Once we arrived at the mall, we noticed the parking lot was empty.  The mall was closed.  So instead of doing who knows what at the mall, we went to Patty’s best friend’s house.  Although I would not advocate skipping school, that day was a major turning point in my life.  Her positive influence in my life began that day as our life-paths did not just cross; they converged.

Spending our first day together is what kick-started our relationship. The round-trip drive to and from the mall allowed ample time to for conversation.  The topics of conversation included the mundane, such our opinions of certain teachers and classes.  At times the banter became silly, as we spoke of things we knew nothing about, like politics.  Yet, somehow, the conversation always came back to musical taste.  Perhaps that was because any lull in the conversation was filled by the sounds of the radio.  It became clear, however, that she was a fun-loving, free-spirit, like me.  It was obvious by her tone, demeanor, and sense of humor that she did not care to impress people.  She even had a buzz cut in high school, like Sinead O’Connor, which piqued my interest in her.  It was not really the buzz cut itself, but what it said about her. She was not, nor is she, concerned about impressing others.  She showed me I should not judge people by their outward appearance, but by their true being, their heart.  Her heart lead me to open mine to being more accepting of people who express themselves differently than me.

Although our taste in music was as different as night and day, we were able to find common ground. Some of her musical tastes, such as the Dead Kennedys, I absolutely despised.  On the other hand, there were some I liked, such as Billy Idol, The Clash, and Bob Marley.  So, I did what many men before me did, I adapted by immediately buying some new cassettes.  Since Billy Idol was on sale at the local record store, he landed at the top of the playlist on our first date.  Billy was pumping out of the cassette deck in my 1979 Chevette upon arrival at Patty’s house.  As our relationship expanded, so our musical taste merged into more common ground with artist like Cyndi Lauper and UB40.  Cyndi’s song “Time After Time,” along with UB40’s cover of “I Got You Babe,” became part of our journey’s soundtrack.  Cyndi’s lyrics continue to sum up our feelings for each other, “If you're lost you can look and you will find me, time after time, if you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting, time after time” (Lauper, Hyman).  Patty’s impact in this area of my life is the fuel I burn to continue on this stretch of the road.

Although we still listen to the occasional Clash or Bob Marley record, our musical taste has changed dramatically over the last twenty years.  Since becoming Christians in 1993, we set the negatively influential music to the side of the road.  We exchanged it for the positive, affirming music of contemporary Christian artists.  Looking back at the long and winding road, I can see God’s hand in it all.  He brought us together, two broken halves that fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces and made us one.  Little did we know that day the bus broke down, God had set a divine appointment for us to meet.  He intended not only for Patty and me to meet, He also intended for both of us to meet Him.  God used her to make me realize the essential truth of life, that we are designed to love and accept one another.  Jesus stated over two-thousand years ago, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Bible –New Living Translation, Matt. 22:37-40 ).

Even after thirty years of sojourning together, my wife is still my greatest source of encouragement and influence here on Earth.  Her influence stretches far beyond my musical taste, but permeates every aspect of my being.  As Henry David Thoreau stated, "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer” (Thoreau).  Once we were marching to different drummers.  Now our path is in sync with each other and in harmony with God.

Works Cited

Bible - New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2014.

Lauper, Cyndi, and Hyman, Rob. "Time After Time." She’s So Unusual. Epic Records, 1983. CD.

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1854. Print.

Log bed building, from forest to furniture

      My love of woodworking was inherited from my father and developed in Mr. Maynard’s junior high wood shop.  Both of these men taught me how to plan, design, construct and finish everything from birdhouses to tree forts.  Upon moving to northern Michigan, a co-worker introduced me to rustic woodworking.  The first piece of furniture he showed me how to craft was a rustic cedar log bed.  Cedar log beds are a good first project for the beginning rustic furniture crafter. 

      

      When setting out to craft a queen size, rustic log bed, there are many choices to be made.  The choices of wood are as varied as the trees in the forest.  Whichever type of wood is chosen, ensure the logs are completely dry.  If they are not completely dry, the bed could fall apart as the pieces shrink.  The logs will vary in size based on the part they will play in the construction.  Logs used for the head and foot board post will need to be about six inches in diameter.  These logs should be ones that have character, such as limbs protruding or interesting knots.  The logs used for the rails should be a minimum of four inches in diameter.  The logs for the spindles should also have some character and be about two or three inches in diameter. 

There are several safety precautions that should be taken before beginning.  First, proper eye and ear protections are a must since you will be using hand and power tools.  Second, get to know the tools and their correct usage by reviewing the owner’s manuals.  Finally, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings to avoid injury.     

    Since the logs will most likely have some bark, the next step is to prepare the logs according to the desired style of bed.  There are many styles, such as bark on, hand-hewn, sanded and weathered, all of which bring out the wood’s natural beauty.  Since I prefer hand-hewn, semi-sanded logs, that is the method that will be discussed here.  The term ‘hand-hewn’ refers to the method of log preparation and processing.  With the use of traditional tools, combined with modern methods, production speed is greatly increased.  The process is accomplished in several smaller steps.  To start, a draw knife, which is a blade between two handles that is pulled or drawn across the logs, is needed.  In addition, a way to hold the log in place, such as a helper or shaving mule is required.  Although it sounds silly, a shaving mule, which requires no shaving cream, is an excellent way to increase efficiency.  Once the log is held firmly in place, the draw knife is used to remove the bark.  Care is needed at this point not to overwork the log and deform its shape.  Once all the logs have their bark removed, they are ready to be cut to the proper lengths.  Sanding will come later. 

      At this point, the logs are cut into the various lengths for each part.  The headboard consists of two post four feet in height, eight spindles thirty-six inches in height and two rails five feet in length.  The footboard is made of similar pieces; however, their lengths are two post three feet in height, eight spindles twenty-four inches in height, and the two rails are five feet also.  Two side rails are also needed to join the headboard and footboard together.  They each need to be seven feet long.  Once all these logs are cut, they must be sanded smooth either by hand or with the help of an orbital sander.

      In order to join the spindles to the rails and the rails to the post, tenons and mortises must be made.  Tenons are made with the use of a tenon cutter.  Tenons can either be formed using a draw knife or by mechanical means.  The most efficient way is the use of a tenon cutter, which shapes the end of the logs into round pegs.  The tenon cutter works like a pencil sharpener in that the log's end is turned until it is smaller in diameter than the rest of the log.  The side and head rails require a two-inch tenon on each end, while the spindles require a one-inch tenon.  The mortises are made by mechanical means via a Forstner bit attached to a drill motor.  Each headboard post needs mortises at twenty-six inches and another directly above it at forty-four inches.  The footboard post requires mortises at fifteen inches and thirty-two inches directly above it.  All four require a mortise at twelve inches from the floor, which is ninety degrees from the other two mortises.  The headboard and footboard rails require mortises on the top and bottom rails for each spindle.  It is critical that these top and bottom mortises line up with each other.  Measure and layout the location of the eight mortises, spacing them an equal distant apart.  Ensure that the drill is perpendicular to the rail, otherwise the spindles will not fit properly.  Drill the mortises approximately two-inches deep.

      With all the tenons and mortises completed, the bed is ready to be dry fit together.  This step is critical and cannot be skipped.  Make sure everything fits tightly and double check the dimensions.  Nobody wants their mattress to fall on the floor in the middle of the night.  If you find that the fit is too tight, then sand the tenon until the pieces fit together.  Once final adjustments have been made via sanding or cutting, check one last time for size.  The opening between side rails should measure less than fifty-five inches, since a queen size mattress measures sixty inches wide.  Also the dimension from headboard to footboard should be eighty inches, which is the length of a queen size mattress.  Once these dimensions are correct, disassemble the bed. 

Now it’s time to glue.  The glue of choice is Titebond Original Wood Glue.  The manufacturer states, “It provides a strong initial tack and fast speed of set to reduce clamp time. It also develops a bond stronger than the wood itself, offers excellent sandability and is unaffected by finishes.  Titebond Original is easy to use, non-toxic and cleans up with water.” (Franklin International).  Start by coating the inside of the mortises on the headboard rails with glue.  A small bristle brush works nicely for this job.  Place each spindle inside the mortise, use a soft rubber mallet if needed to ‘persuade’ each into its ‘home.’  Repeat this step for the other rail, being careful not to apply too much glue.  If too much glue is added, it can easily be wiped up with a damp cloth.  The post can be attached to the ladder assembly in the same manner.  Clamping or persuasion with the mallet may be required.  The glue will cause the wood to swell like a sponge, so work fast otherwise the tenon may not fit.  Repeat the above sequence for the footboard as well.  Once the glue has dried, finish with the top coat of your choice.

There are several ways to use the rails to join the head and footboards.  You could glue them; however, it would be difficult to move the bed later to another room or house.  That’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  One method would be to use lag bolts through the head and foot boards and cover the lag heads with wood plugs.  While that would work, it does take away from the esthetic beauty of the bed.  The ideal way is to use a crisscross of two lengths of aircraft cable from one corner to the other.  The cables run diagonally from one post to another using eye hooks. A set of turnbuckles in the centers is used to tighten the aircraft cables.

After following these steps, the new rustic log bed is ready to be enjoyed.  A good night's sleep never felt better than on hand-crafted furniture.

 

My take on: Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone

This essay was written in response to an article based on the following video by Charlene deGuzman entitled “I Forgot My Phone.”  You can view the video below and read the article at Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone.

Nick Bilton’s article, Disruptions: More Connected, Yet More Alone, from the September 1, 2013, New York Times’ blog “BITS,” although humorous, may have drawn the wrong conclusion.  The article is an analysis of a humorous, yet cynical, video about how technology has actually disconnected us.  It's a leap to assume that because millions of people watched the video, they are somehow contemplating a change in behavior.  To the contrary, most likely those watching saw themselves in one or more roles portrayed.  They are alright with viewing their life through a smart-phone.  For some, it’s the only life they have ever known.  The video actually shows the culmination of a world obsessed with technology.  Despite Nick Bilton’s assertion that this may be a moment of epiphany, it is unlikely there will be a revolt.  The real issue is much deeper than our technology.  Our technology only enables our society to become more self-centered; thus less caring for one another.

There has always been some form of technology, designed to bring the world closer, which has instead separated us.  Mr. Bilton’s example of a few concert promoters and their performers urging fans not to be distracted, but instead enjoy the show, is the same urging of decades ago.  While I agree that the point is to enjoy the show, there have always been people who would rather view it through a lens.  Before the smart-phone, it was digital and video cameras that separated the people from the performers.  The convenience of smart-phones has only enabled more people to partake in this separation.  It is this evolution of technology that has facilitated the acceptance of estrangement of our fellow man.

Furthermore, Mr. Bilton’s comparison to technology that predates the smart-phone exemplifies the progression of this separation.  The introduction of the television was a technological milestone, which like the smart-phone, promised to bring us together.  On the surface, the television was viewed much like the technology that proceeded it.  Families would gather together around the radio after dinner.  The facts regarding the impact of the television that Mr. Bilton cited are inconsistent with the reality of the impact.  While it is true that most families at first shunned watching television during dinner, it eventually became commonplace.  Interaction between family members via conversation gave way to a one-way conversation with the boob tube.  In its infancy, the television was not as widely available as the smart-phone is today; however, it had a similar effect.  Even though a few sounded the warning bell early in television’s existence, there was no revolution.  The sets remained on.  The same will continue to be true for the smart-phone.

There is more than the technology of smart-phones separating us from one another.  We live in a world full of lonely people who have not developed the skills to relate to others.  Hiding in the isolation of the small screen of a smart-phone is safe.  It’s easier than becoming vulnerable and speaking kind words to one another.  Our society loves the warm fuzzy feeling that technology brings more than we love each other.  The revelation that leads to a revolt against technology, such as smart-phones, will take more than a clever video.  It will take a return to the core values that caused families to care for one another and for their neighbors.  Our own selfishness has allowed this invasion of technology to make us numb to its effects.  There will be no revolution against the smart-phone until we love our neighbors more than ourselves.

Review of Jesus Freak by dcTalk

It is a rare occasion when an album is enjoyable from start to finish, play after play.  Jesus Freak by dcTalk is one of those albums.  Six tracks from this groundbreaking work reached number one on the Contemporary Christian Music chart.  It features an eclectic mix of genres, including hip-hop, rock, and spoken word.  Not only was the sound a departure from the band’s previous style, the writing became more mature.  The band began to explore the deeper aspects of social issues, such as racism, intolerance, and forgiveness.  Jesus Freak should be considered the standard by which all other Christian albums are measured because it delves into the themes of acceptance, hypocrisy, righteousness, and self-examination.

The title track, “Jesus Freak”, is centered around the derogatory phrase that describes the followers of the Jesus Movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s (CompellingTruth.org).  There are guitars blaring and drums banging throughout this anthem in the style of Nirvana.  The influence of the grunge movement, along with earlier surf punk rock, is prevalent throughout the song.  Hard driving music, combined with thought provoking lyrics, demonstrates why it was the lead single.  The song wrestles with the idea of being accepted for what a person believes.  TobyMac, wonders aloud, “What will people think when they find out that I’m a Jesus Freak?”  After the song gives a condensed Gospel account, mostly in the form of rap and rhyme, TobyMac makes it clear: “I don't really care, there ain't no disguising the truth.”  While Christians seek to be accepted for what they believe, they should not be ashamed when faced with intolerance.

“Like it, Love it, Need it,” expands on the concept of acceptance by viewing it from the opposite perspective.  Often people confuse acceptance with conformity.  They believe they must conform to be accepted.  This track continues to play off the Jesus Movement theme, since it back to the 70’s search for the meaning of life.  The song boldly proclaims, “You’ll never find peace of mind in your lucky charms, on a hippie farm, in a one night stand, or your superman.”  The same is true now as it was then.  The answer to life’s problems is as simple as the singer’s prescription: “you need some Jesus in your life.”  Jesus accepts us because we don’t conform to this world, since we are not of this world.

The entire album is influenced by the writings of Brennen Manning, specifically his work The Ragamuffin Gospel, which explores hypocrisy in the Church.  A very powerful quote from this book is voiced over the introduction to “What if I Stumble.”  It sums up why the world is so skeptical of Christians.  As Manning explains, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable”(Manning).  That quote, coupled with the lyrics, give pause to an introspective, honest examination of our walk with Christ.  The vocals, mostly sung by Kevin Max, are a whispery, ethereal commentary on the doubt every Christian encounters daily.  The song places an emphasis on being truthful with not only God, but ourselves.  As Christians pursuing God’s will, they are bound to stumble.  It is only through self-examination that their depth of hypocrisy and lack of righteousness is brought to light.

The cover of Charlie Peacock’s “In the Light” is a surprising change of pace because it explains the Christian view of man’s inability to achieve righteousness by his own efforts.  The Spanish style guitar melody blends perfectly with the lyrics, “The disease of self runs through my blood, it’s a cancer fatal to my soul, every attempt on my behalf has failed to bring this sickness under control.”  Those words pierce right to the heart of the issue.  Peacock believes people are walking in darkness and are blind to the real issue.  He says people are selfish and cannot fix themselves.  They need someone to shine a light into the darkness and guide them out.  God did just that by sending His son, Jesus Christ.  He is the Light that shines into the darkness of man’s heart.  He exposes everyone’s bad behavior for what it is: rebellion against God.  The imputed righteousness of God is the cure for the disease called self.

The album does not become pompous or preachy but calls for self-examination. This self-examination takes two humorous turns with the tracks “Miss Morgan” and a reprise of “Jesus Freak.”  “Miss Morgan,” is a spoken word interlude between the tracks “Day by Day,” and “Just Between You and Me.” She claims to be the neighbor of the “Gotees,” which is itself an inside joke referring to TobyMac.  Longtime fans of the group would have picked up on this allusion.  Even though she was annoyed by the constant drumming coming from the trio’s house, TobyMac is able to make peace with her.  Track nine breaks up the seriousness with a twisted reprise of the title song.  The song is a karaoke-style parody featuring an off-key vocal.  The music itself is a mix of longue keyboard and hip hop turntable scratching.  Undoubtedly, the band enjoyed producing this album, which shows through in these two-light hearted ditties.

This collection of thirteen tracks holds a special place in the hearts of Christian music enthusiasts.  Michael Tait explains, “We wanted to write songs that would hopefully touch a generation.” (Wikipedia)  dcTalk did just that.  Jesus Freak still resonates raw truth today, just as it did almost twenty years ago.  Every time it is played, the world is reminded of why God created mankind.  The Bible plainly proclaims, “…we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Holy Bible New Living Translation, Eph. 2:10).

 

Works Cited

Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1997. Print.

"Jesus Freak (album)." Wikipedia.com, Wikimedia Foundation, 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 1990. Print.

"Who were the Jesus freaks? What was the Jesus Movement?." CompellingTruth.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.