Blog Jones

A guy from BJU sent me an email telling me about his blog, Living Worship. If you like to read and talk about worshiping God, you’ll probably enjoy the site.

On a completely unrelated note, here’s a video of a Furby in a microwave.

Blogged with Flock

Michael Damsky, a student at the University of Central Florida, had an ingenius plan to meet girls. He decided to set fire to a couch in the women’s dorms, in hopes of meeting the women as their building was evacuated.

The plan was less successful than you might think: Orange County police arrested the man for arson.

So, here’s a question for you: What is the most interesting way that you’ve encountered for meeting people of the opposite sex?

For example, I had a friend who was one of the two male interior design students, and I’m pretty sure his motivation had more to do with his classmates than his coursework.

How about you? I’m looking forward to reading your comments.

Blogged with Flock

Hey guesswhatguesswhatguesswhat?

I’m graduating from BJU tomorrow morning!

I also get a shiny ribbon to wear on my regalia because I’m graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Yay! It’s finally over!

Today: Best. Chapel. Evar.

From the moment the service began, I could tell it wasn’t going to be your average chapel service. As it turned out, we had a singspiration this morning, led by an evangelist rather than someone in the music faculty.

The man was dynamic, funny, and extremely energetic. He was walking back and forth in the massive pulpit, directing us with exaggerated motions. Half way through, he took off his jacket and walked around to in front of the pulpit, waving his arms furiously, and encouraging us to sing out louder.

I hope WBJU had a camera pointed at the stage today. If they did, I want a copy of the video.

It was one of those things that I wouldn’t like all the time, and that I wouldn’t like if I were in a smaller group, but today it was just perfect.

Question for BJU students/faculty: What was that guy’s name?

As Zacfoo reports, Starbucks was recently banned at Bob Jones University. (That is, it’s no longer being sold in the Snack Shop)

Over the past year or so, Starbucks has been placing various quotes on their coffee cups in an effort to stimulate conversation in their coffee shops. These quotes come from all over the map, with sources ranging from Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, to Virginia Postrel, author of The Substance of Style, to Armistead Maupin who is the author of the “Tales of the City” series which “chronicled San Francisco’s homosexual community in the 1970s and 1980s.” (source)

The cup that has the quote from Armistead Maupin, cup #43 in the series, reads “My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don’t make that mistake yourself. Life’s too **** short.”

Zacfoo continues:

Dr. J went on to explain WHY we were [banning Starbucks]. Back in September, “#43″ caught people’s eyes here at the Institution. Mr. President promptly wrote a letter to everybody in Starbucks corporate kindly asking for an easy explanation as to why they are selling such “potentially” offensive material especially when they have Christians, soccer moms, and good ol’ fashioned-family values people consuming this stuff (coffee, and gayness to this one aspect) on a highly regular basis. (I have no problems with drinking a lot of coffee, Starbucks or not, and paying for it too.) They got back to him in November. Yah, that late… Like they didn’t care. But the guy from Starbucks said they did care, that they were getting a lot of negative feedback from the paying public, and were talking about doing something about it after the Holidays. He promised to call back in less than 2 weeks. After 3 weeks of no contact with Starbucks, Dr. J sends a total of 8 emails/phone calls none of which are returned, answered, or apparently cared about. The regional sales guy from our area even called the corporate dude and told him we were somebody to be reckoned with. They still didn’t care.

Thus, we don’t have Starbucks anymore. And I agree with the school on this one. BJ was patient, kind, considerate, tactful, and concerned. They were even humanitarian, reaching beyond the Bubble to remind Starbucks that other people shared in their displeasure. But all to no avail, apparently. Starbucks couldn’t care less.

In my opinion, that’s the real reason they’re banning Starbucks. It’s not so much about the quote; it’s about bad customer service.

So, no sympathy for Starbucks on my part; if you can’t be bothered to return your customer’s calls, then you lose the business. That’s all there is to it.

This pipe sits next to the Museum and Gallery. It seems to constantly spray out steam. Where does it come from? Is it only water spraying out of there, or is there something else too?

This is one of the Bob Jones campus security vans; it’s a Kia minivan. I feel safe.

This strikes me as a safety hazard.

There’s a house across the street from BJU that has a statue of some old guy. I’m going to say it’s St. John.

A guy replaces a traffic light. It looks heavy.

This picture demonstrates SC’s hickness. The top layer of the bushes extends out over traffic. You can kind of see it in the background of the previous picture.

This week has been crazy. I had two tests, 4 papers (5 if you count the project due tomorrow), and all my regular reading to do.

Hence, I had no time for the blog. Now I do. Yay!

How can I only be taking 12 credits and still feel busier than I ever did last semester, when I was taking 17?

Homework takes forever.

I got an email from my mom today. She had noticed that there were far fewer Artist Series programs this year than in previous years, and so she asked why on the BJ Grad Forums. This is the response she got, edited only to add paragraph breaks and for emphasis:

Actually, last year in a meeting (and I was at the meeting), Dr Bob told the faculty and staff the reason for eliminating most of the artist series. He wished to continue bringing people in, but he was receiving alot of flack from parents and others outside the university about the people he was bringing in for artist series. He eventually got tired of responding to all these people and decided that it would be better to not have the artist series, plus it saves money.

Though I am no longer there, I think some of the students will be happy about not having to be “inconvenienced” on a school night to go sit at a concert. However, I wish some people would be more understanding. The groups that we have had in have hardly performed objectionable music. Yes, perhaps when they go to other places they sing jazz or whatever, but the thing is - they respect the University’s stipulations. And for the most part, these groups are not known as Jazz groups.

For example, lets take the artist series from last year - we had Chanticleer come in. People complained because in other concerts elsewhere they performed jazz numbers or whatever or they have some gay members. Chanticleer is primarily known as a classical group. And as for the issue over whether some of them may or may not be gay, that really is not our concern. I am sure the University would not go up and say oh, do you have any gay members…I am sorry you can’t come. NO! That would ruin our testimony. Instead of insisting that we ban groups because they may have a couple gays in them - people need to see the other side - shouldn’t we focus on being a testimony for Christ and reflecting God’s unconditional love for each human being? We read gay authors in literature classes and no one complains…because we can appreciate their talent without condoning their lifestyle.

However, I understand that is getting harder to find classical groups that don’t have the potential for bringin “baggage” that others will complain about. It is sad that these people cannot see past what these groups do elsewhere and appreciate their amazing talent and the amazing opportunity that we have to share even the littlest example of Christ with them while they are here. I have worked with unsaved guest artists for operas who have really had questions about Christ because of their experience here. Some may even come to Him someday because of it.

But all that said, Dr. Bob is probably too busy to keep dealing with complaining people and seeking out groups that won’t be objectionable. There are better things that he could be doing - so I do understand. Hope all of this make sense.

Why on earth should you care if some of the singers are gay? What difference should that make to you? And so what if they also played jazz numbers at other venues?

Is your world so small that you can’t listen to or watch anything made by someone who does something you disagree with? That’s pathetic–and sad, really. You’re cutting yourself off from so much good, so many talented musicians, artists, authors, and actors.

In fact, I wonder what they do listen to? Are they not aware that Ron Hamilton, Mac Lynch, and Steve Pettit are all sinners like the rest of us?

To be honest, though, I don’t mind not having as many artist series as before. We still get the plays–at least until the complainers discover what BJU censors from Shakespeare–and the only opera I’ve ever wanted to see, Mefistofele. But what I really wanted was non-compulsory attendance, not for all the other Artist Series concerts to be dropped because it offended a few small-minded people.

So, I go to the University Yard Sale webpage today to look for textbooks. I have found the following, most frustrating things:

• There’s a new history book, so I can’t give my old one to my little brother, or even sell it.
• Ditto on the speech book
• There’s also a new book for Legal Environment of the Business, so I can’t buy a used copy–half.com only has the book in Brand New condition, and that for $20 more than the bookstore.
• University Yard Sale is a poorly coded website. See below for an example:

• “Half.com does not accept checks, debit cards, or PayPal accounts.”

Less Frustrating Things:

• I was able to find my Tech Writing book, normally $80, online for $7. Big thanks to my new favorite teacher for sticking with a cheap book!

It’s that time of year again: Classes begin on Wednesday–for most people. I’m special: Classes don’t start for me until Thursday. I’ve got a great schedule for this semester, although it’s a little lighter than normal: All of my classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Here’s what I’ve got:

• Legal Environment of the Business
• Management Policies–I’ve heard this class is a monster
• Fundamentals of Technical Writing
• Christian Living Forum
• Foundations For Biblical Lifestyle
• (possibly via correspondance over Christmas Break) Business Law

I would have taken a class on interviewing and hiring people for a business, but it was at eight in the morning MWF: If I took it, I’d have to go to Chapel too on those days, so that one hour class would have cost me 18 hours a week. (Leaving at seven to get there at eight, the class at eight, two empty hours, chapel, and an hour back, 3 times a week.) So, no dice. Oh well; guess I’ll have to find an actual book to read on the topic.

The other interesting thing for me this semester: My brother is starting at BJU this semester! He’s actually a dorm student (crazy kid!), and he’s working on campus (crazier kid!). He’s on the custodial crew cleaning up the student center (so don’t litter!).

Oh, here’s something for my fellow BJU Bloggers to watch out for: We’re on the radar. There’s a new section in the handbook about blogging which you should probably read. Basically, just behave yourselves out there.

Anyway, how about you guys: Are you looking forward to the school year? Or are you dreading it?

See you there!

I came across a disturbing bit of trivia today, but I don’t know if it’s true. According to a Gore press release during the 2000 presidential campaign, BJU banned African-American students as late as 1970. This claim is corroborated by Wikipedia, which states:

From its 1927 founding to 1971, black people were prohibited from enrolling. From 1971 to 1975, only unmarried black people were permitted to apply to the school. After the 1975 court decision of McCrary v. Runyon, which prohibited racial exclusion from private schools, the policy was changed. Other public colleges in the south had similar policies at that time, including Clemson University who did not admit their first black student until 1965.

Is that true?

…

Of course, that would put BJU only a little behind the rest of the country; MLK was assassinated in 1968.

It really is interesting to see how quickly racial discrimination has fallen off. There are still instances here and there of course, but in two generations, racism has gone from being the normal way of thinking to being regarded as backwards, xenophobic, stupid, and just plain wrong by most Americans.

Good.

Exams are over, thank goodness. I did pretty well. Final grades came out last night: 4 A’s, 2 B’s. And one of those B’s really should have been an A. But, no matter. I’m pleased anyway.

Yesterday and today we’ve been having all of the “Commencement Week” activities. I arrived late to the Sermon Contest yesterday morning, because somehow I managed to misplace an hour in getting ready. I woke up at what I thought was my normal time, took a shower, came out, and *gasp* it’s 6:50 instead of 6! I usually leave at 7 to get there in time for my 8 o’clock class. Fortunately, the contest started at 8:30, so I was able to get ready in what should have been enough time.

But naturally, because I was running late, the passage from I-85 to I-385 became horrendously slow for no apparent reason, even coming to a full stop on a couple of occasions.

Needless to say, my attention was less than well-focused on the sermon contest. That, and both of the speakers I heard were talking about the Great Commission, IIRC, and how we should witness to people, and all that. Nothing we hadn’t all heard a million times already.

So, my mind started to wander off into what I would preach about, were I ever to be compelled to preach. I think I’ll eventually make the topic into its own post later, so I won’t spoil it here.

Then there was an hour break for some reason, probably to allow time for the stage crew to set up for the next of the day’s festivities: the Fine Arts Awards Ceremony/Recital. Apparently there are contests going on throughout the semester in music, art, and speech, and the winners get to perform in front of the entire student body. To me, that would be a punishment rather than a reward–I hate getting up in front of people to do anything–but I guess that’s why I’m not a fine arts major. Yeah, I’m a business major, so that means I’ll be doing presentations from time to time, but the bar is set a lot lower than for fine arts folks. All I have to do is get the information across to my audience clearly without putting them to sleep. Fine arts guys aren’t allowed to make mistakes, period.

The recital went well; as seems to be typical for Bob Jones recitals, the music was good, but too long. The speech parts were excellent, especially the “duet acting” presentation. A guy and a girl did a scene from The Taming of the Shrew, which was hilarous.

After the recital, there was a break for lunch–yay for Jack-in-the-Box–followed by the Scholastic Bowl championship. For those of you who don’t know, the Scholastic Bowl is a trivia contest that runs throughout the second semester of every year. The societies each send teams of three representatives who have to answer various obscure questions ranging from music history to science to business to BJU-related trivia. Each correct answer is worth 10 points; if you answer incorrectly, you lose 5 points and the opposing team can answer for a chance at 5 points.

This year was apparently the closest champtionship ever in the 21 years the games have been played: The winning team only scored 5 points more than the losing team. The contest was at least mildly entertaining.

That was it for yesterday: I came home, changed, and bought a DVD burner. It’s very pretty:

I like it.

Today was more of the same; an awards ceremony, which recognized a bunch of students who performed well academically throughout the year, as well as teachers who had reached various milestones in their teaching careers. I was amazed to learn that there are a few teachers who have taught at BJU for 50 years. I can’t imagine staying in one place that long, no matter where.

I also saw a production of Hamlet, which was very good. I’d never seen Hamlet before. My favorite part: Hamlet has just killed Polonius, the long-winded and annoying, yet decent, nobleman who is the father of Hamlet’s one-time love interest Ophelia. (In fairness to Hamlet, Polonius did take him by surprise, hiding behind a curtain in the Queen’s bedroom.) Soon after enters Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle who has killed the rightful king, Hamlet’s father, and who has taken his kingdom and his queen, and who (combined with the ghostly apparation of Hamlet’s father) driven Hamlet to madness.

KING CLAUDIUS: Where is Polonius?

HAMLET: In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i’ the other place yourself.

At this point much of the audience made a noise like “OOoooooo!” as if to say “Touché!”

There’s also some concert thing tonight, but I don’t have to go. Why? I’m a town student living 30 miles away. BJU has graciously relaxed the rules for people in my situation: I only have to attend two artist series performances and two vespers in per semester, while the dorm students have to attend all of them. (Of course, dorm students also have a 45-minute shorter commute than I do, so it all evens out.)

The last of the commencement week activities is commencement proper, which I’ll be attending tomorrow. I normally wouldn’t attend, but I think that I ought to come to at least one commencement before actually participating in one. I expect it to be at least a little interesting: Dr. Bob is handing over the reins of BJU to his son, Dr. Steven Jones tomorrow.

And now you know why I try to avoid the “here’s what I did today!” kind of posts–they’re long and boring. I’ll have to say something of substance in the near future. Until then, good night.

Sorry… finals week… last two finals tomorrow.

People oftentimes complain about how BJU was so slow to change its interracial dating policies. (I tend to agree with them; banning interracial dating is stupid and illogical.)

But, Georgia is worse off: They only just now got around to repealing the Jim Crow laws.

Oops….

According to my site meter, I’ve passed the 10,000 hit mark. That’s cool.

Also, sorry for the infrequent posting lately. I’ve been having a fairly nightmarish couple of days at school. Projects coming due, presentations to assist with, and verse tests to take. (I got a B on this one. A very, very low B, but a B.) Finals start on Saturday; after Wednesday, blogging should return to normal levels.

I got an email from another BJU blogger and added a link to him on the sidebar.

Hey, guess what! I’ve secured a summer internship at the local Chamber of Commerce. You can now guess what I’ll be writing about starting the Monday after graduation. (Or, if you insist, "commencement.")

Anyways, I need to be getting ready for our final day of Bible Conference right now. (Best speaker so far: Mr. Craig Hartman, Ian Paisley’s replacement and a Jewish convert to Christianity. He had a really interesting sermon about the passover and relating it to the last supper.)

I went by the P&P office today to get the tickets I actually wanted. The lady was reasonably efficient and friendly. A much better experience than last time.