Those who know me quickly become aware that I work best just short of chaos. Well, some would actually claim that I cross over into chaos. The fact is that an excessively organized workspace [...]]]> Since I got started with some personal notes yesterday, perhaps I’m now in the groove, or is it a rut?

Those who know me quickly become aware that I work best just short of chaos. Well, some would actually claim that I cross over into chaos. The fact is that an excessively organized workspace (in appearance) makes me twitch. On the other hand, there is a point that gets beyond my toleration, and that is usually when all my flat surfaces get covered.

I frequently take in dead computers, or even reasonably functioning machines that are just too old for their owners. Recently, I received a huge number from a client of my computer business and so for a period of time I had more than 20 computers, eight printers, and innumerable accessories from cables to mice. The machines took up all my flat space, not to mention all my floor space. I actually have two workstations (monitors, keyboards, network connection available) but of course there was much more than would fit in and around them.

I have finally gotten far enough through the process of dividing what can be salvaged from what will be recycled, and I recovered my desk (picture at top left). From all of this, I managed to salvage three working systems that I will deliver to Top of the Bottom Ministry, an inner city ministry here in Pensacola. They’re just Windows XP systems with 512 MB each, but they will be useful where they are going. In addition, I rescued five printers out of the mess, so those will head out soon as well. Then will come the day when I load the rest into my van and haul it all off to recycling.

Oh, and the picture at the bottom right is one of the machines at a workstation being prepared for its new home.

Both pictures were taken with my Palm Pixi.

Jody and I had a great time for two hours with a number of friends and some interesting music. [...]]]> I thought I’d give a bit of plug to my young friend Jon Morris. Last night he played and sang at The Drowsy Poet here in Pensacola. He’s working up to recording a new CD.

Jody and I had a great time for two hours with a number of friends and some interesting music. You can learn more about Jon at jonmorrismusic.com.

Image by hoyasmeg via Flickr

I don’t actually get personal on this blog all that often, but what is more personal than a personality type? In any case, you can blame it all on that mastermind Joel, who published his type (INTJ), thus causing me to fall into temptation, and try to remember [...]]]>

Image by hoyasmeg via Flickr

I don’t actually get personal on this blog all that often, but what is more personal than a personality type? In any case, you can blame it all on that mastermind Joel, who published his type (INTJ), thus causing me to fall into temptation, and try to remember mine.

I didn’t remember it until I scored the test, and then I said to myself, “Oh, yes. That was me.” (Or was I, in my more grammatical moments. [Query: Can a moment be grammatical?]) So here it is, drum roll please …

INTJ

OK, the rational mastermind. Actually, though I always come up that way on the test, I don’t feel much like a mastermind.

Now here’s the funny part. The Jung Career Indicator suggests that I might go into natural science, natural science education, IT, or computer programming, with an alternative in social services as a lawyer or a librarian. Well, I do own two businesses, one of which does IT, and I do computer programming as a hobby, but my work day is in publishing, and I end up doing a great deal of sales. My training is in Biblical Languages and I often teach.

Probably I just missed my path way back when I chose a Biblical Languages major in college.

Nah! I think I’m OK with what I do. Which is why you see the Lord’s Prayer in biblical languages rather than some personality type image at the beginning of this post.

(And to demonstrate that salesmanship thing, how about a copy of Ultimate Allegiance: The Subversive Nature of the Lord’s Prayer? [How's that for connections? (So there! {Oh, and don't try to tell me you weren't trying to figure out what that image of the Lord's Prayer was about!})])

That’s our daughter and son-in-law’s front yard near Ft. Worth, Texas. Our granddaughters are enjoying themselves as school is closed.

  Related Posts: Flowers from My Dog Walking The New Jesus Jon Morris at The Drowsy Poet My Desk Doggy Oaths Powered by Contextual Related Posts ]]> No, not here in Florida.

That’s our daughter and son-in-law’s front yard near Ft. Worth, Texas. Our granddaughters are enjoying themselves as school is closed.

This makes five extra class amateur radio operators in my immediate family:

Dad – Ray Neufeld – KT4B – [...]]]> I just got the news that my mother and older sister have passed their Amateur Extra examinations with flying colors. My sister received a 100% grade, making a clean sweep of the exams for her.

This makes five extra class amateur radio operators in my immediate family:

Dad – Ray Neufeld – KT4B – silent key (I inherited his call sign)
Brother – Bob Neufeld – N3AU
Mother – Myrtle Neufeld – WB7OIU
Sister – Betty Nick – KC2TZO
… and little ole me – KT4B (recently changed from KE0OY)

There’s one more very special thing about this. My mother is 92 years old. I sure hope to be that active and still of such a sound mind when I’m 92!

But yesterday and today as I received cards, phone calls, e-mails, and text messages I was thinking about what a privilege it is to be a father and to have some part of [...]]]> On previous Father’s Days I have blogged about my own father or about the experience of becoming a stepfather after 40.

But yesterday and today as I received cards, phone calls, e-mails, and text messages I was thinking about what a privilege it is to be a father and to have some part of guiding and shaping young lives.

With the privilege, of course, comes an incredible responsibility. I’ve found that one of the great responsibilities is to filter all the ways in which I think I can help with children and grandchildren, and try to say and do only those things that are constructive.

It is so much easier to be destructive than it is to be constructive. You see, children–indeed families–can take quite a bit of time and effort. When trouble comes, the best course is often to listen and let people work things out. But when you just know the right thing for everyone to do, it’s so hard to keep quiet!

The fact is that we will all make many mistakes in the process, but I’ve made one observation when looking at my own parents and friends and relatives. It seems that those who simply care, and are willing to take the time, have a great deal of success in spite of mistakes. I know I have been mistaken time after time. I take great comfort from the number of truly wonderful parents I know who also admit to mistakes.

We’re not any of us perfect, but we can all try. We can all take some time. We can all care. That is both our greatest privilege and greatest responsibilty.

I think that will be my new theme text.

With four books in process with release dates varying from this coming week to July, and a very small staff with most work done by contract, [...]]]>

… there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. — Ecclesiastes 12:12 (ASV)

I think that will be my new theme text.

With four books in process with release dates varying from this coming week to July, and a very small staff with most work done by contract, I have been working day and night, and thus not blogging here very much. (Those interested in just what I’m publishing should read my business announcements blog.)

On the other hand, since blogging produces, at the most, a few cents, while publishing books pays the bills, I should be happy. And indeed, I am–tired by happy.

In the meantime, I’m hoping to get back to blogging a bit more, which is actually one of my forms of relaxation, but next week promises to be rather intense as well.

A happy Easter to all. If you don’t celebrate, at least enjoy the day off!