It's Just Different
I met a kindred spirit today, who has a similar background to me in some ways. She grew up in a farming community. Her family's blue-collar. She went off and got an engineering degree. She gets jokes from her family that go like: "Hey, the motor just failed, but she's an engineer, she can fix it." Or, "Hey, my car is smoking, don't you know what's wrong with it?"
It's just a different skill set, engineering and being a farmer or maintenance person. Sure, I suppose they cross at certain points, and there are certainly those who have both, but often they are separate, and while David is working in the auto shop at LB figuring out a Grand-Am's electrical system, I'm sitting in class learning how to apply the Simplex Method to an optimization problem.
That's sure not going to get the tranny fixed.
posted by Byran @ 6:01 PM
53 comments
53 Comments:
Yes, it's "a different skill set." On the other hand, I love to look at the connections. Farmer, engineer, or "fix-it man"--the work of each has its basis in a set of fixed "laws"; namely, the laws of the universe. Because of God's faithfulness, we can predict outcomes; we can manipulate through cause and effect; we can care for our world.
This thought strain was born as I sorted through the untruth coming from a (dynamic) professor who emphatically and continuously stresses that science and faith are separate realms. One can be proven and is built upon logic. The other is solely the fruit of the soul/spirit. They are in no way interconnected. The beauty of the truth is that they are indeed connected--the pieces of fabric flow together in an exquisite blending of heart, soul, and mind. God is both an engineer and a musician. His world is a intricate piece of machinary, and it is a song.
"The pieces of fabric flow together in an exquisite blending of heart, soul, and mind." That is so beautiful.
Are you new? I detect definite strains of intellect, which on occasion will rear it's ugly head in here (kill me later people), but I don't recognize the style, which would only make me guess that you are new.
So, if you are, hi and welcome aboard, and who are you?
Ag
Ha ha!! Once again Ag asking an anon who they are! Ha ha!!
"I detect definite strains of intellect, which on occasion will rear it's ugly head in here"
Yes, I try to keep them to a minimum but they usually just come bursting out of me!
Tom
The man mocks me.
Just pops out of you huh? This is where you break into a loud rendition of "I just can't help myself". Hmmmm. Intellectual is one thing I never called myself, and I've called myself alot of things. Most of those things probably wouldn't be appropriate to post here, but....
I have a deep admiration for intellectual people AS LONG as they remain in touch with reality.
Ag
Here I was hoping somebody could let me know that they understood what I meant--that my words had made sense to them. Instead, I come upon a short discourse condemning me as an "intellectual." Now Ag, the little I know about you tells me I like you. I might even like you Very Much. But I have a sneaking suspicion (actually, it's not very sneaky) that you have a box labelled "intellectuals." You stuffed me into it why? In fact, why do you keep the box in the first place? Boxes are nasty things.
Yes. I am a blunt, frank, forthright person. And I am,
New Anonymous
p.s. Intellectual or not, I am in touch with reality. A 24-inch stack of homework awaits me.
Hey Nan, (N ew AN onymous, I thought it really fits you)
Who ever said I was condeming you. That's what I get for being so gracious and welcoming. And hey, I even said that I loved your one line.
Boxes. We all have them. Talk to me, my friend, about blond and simple minded people. Talk to me about people that scorn education. Talk to me about people that delight in their lack of knowledge. Talk to me about people who are willingly ignorant and willfully uninformed. Boxes babe, boxes. And you are box free?
Don't feel obligated to try and like me. I won't be offended if you don't. I, by the way, am not a very sensitive person. So, I think I can handle your blunt, frank, forthright person without many tears.
Ag
p.s. Did you know you didn't spell machinery right?
Ha ha! Ag, I like you more all the time. Will you please start your own blog? Not that I don't want you here, perish the thought! But it would be great if you had your own, that way we could get much more of your witty brilliance.
Anything I can do to help?
Tom
PS I'm serious!!
PPS I'm leaving in a few minutes for SMBI.
Hey, Nan, are you the girl with the blue-collar family and the engineering degree?
Tom, now who's getting general? To SMBI for why?
Crystal
First off, what makes Ag think I need a name? It's quite possible that I'll never again appear on this worthy by-log. And, my dear, I'm aware that "machinary" was not spelled . . . correctly . . . (vs. right) Since you've sent me to reread my post I've seen something that any reader should see and scream about: I said "a intricate." Oh, it makes me shudder. That sort of thing drives me up the wall. But that fact does not mean I'm an intellectual. It only spells "English major, perfectionist, etc." But you didn't notice????
No, Crystal, I am not the girl with the blue-collar family and the engineering degree. I thoroughly loved and revelled in my one lone statistics class (for my psych minor) and I love logic, but my majors are Elementary Education and English). Notice that these "skill sets" differ from an engineering major's skill sets. But you already know I like to dwell on the connection between . . . :-)
Nan
p.s. You all don't ask one's permission before naming one, do you?
Absolutely not. Why should we? Do you um, have a problem with "Nan". I thought you would think it is just adorable.
Ag
Yes Tom I adore you as well, but really. My very own personal blog? Think about it. I don't proofread. I am grammatically incorrect. My spelling.....well, I spell ten out of every hundred words incorrectly. I say things I shouldn't say. I am most definitely not intellectually stimulating. I annoy people and usually don't care. But, other than all that, it may actually be fun.
Ag
Sure Ag...I don't even know you, and I think it'd be fun! :)
Morgan
I don't know Morgan. I would probably blow up my computer and your's also, so, maybe I should better just stick to commenting here. (Or maybe I shouldn't. Sorry dear people. I do talk to much in here. I have just been assailed with remorse, so I shall strive to remedy that.)
Ag
Hey I agree with everybody else about you getting a blog. One of the main reasons why I visit this one is because of the amusing and enthusiastic mood you set for the by-log. I mean, it just wouldn't be the same without ya! And a whole blog of just you rambling on...... Ha! Sorry By, your probably feeling like a captain facing mutany, I read your blog for your intellectual, emotional, and spiritually challanging posts.
Go for it Ag!
Nony Mouse
I think I would agree, Ag, it would be interesting to see your blog if you got one.
Hey By, thanks for the mention, I'm honored!! Maybe you should try to figure out how to make cars easier to work on rather than harder. :-)
David
Hmmm. . .
Ag having a blog of her own -- On the one hand, she could get as longwinded as she likes, but on the other hand, By's blog would be missing an interesting presence. Not sure which way I lean. . . whatever.
Merry
Oh, and Tom, how was SMBI?
Merry
First of all, when Ag gets a blog she'll still comment here. So it's not like she's leaving.
SMBI was fantastic. Crystal asked why I went. I went for an interview, they want me to teach "Eschatology: A Compository Dispensation" next year.
And Crystal, you'll never guess who I saw there. Your brother Benj!
And fellow By-log addict and occasional commenter Karen Keller!
It was a fantastic weekend.
Tom
Hey, I already knew Benji would be there, Sir Tom. In fact, I told him to say hi to you. One question: by any happenchance did he propel himself somewhat mechanically? He had been playing the Mennonite version of "chicken", known to the world at large as equipmentless football.
Yes, Darin, indeed he did pass on your thoughtful greeting! Yet another pleasant surprise during an eventful weekend.
He mentioned being so previously engaged, yet I failed to notice any lingering physical effects. He seemed to be doing well.
Tom
How cool is that, that you saw my bro!!
Now, I feel caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, I don't want to write you off as a possible teacher at SMBI. On the other hand I'm like, wow, very funny Tom. Also on the other hand I'm thinking the name of that class is ...well... totally amazing. But on the first hand I'm thinking that maybe I just don't know what the words mean.
It's a tight spot to be in, and you're laughing...
Sigh. Crystal
Ah!! The quartet reunion!! "A fun weekend with some cool people and some very struggling sounds," said one. Do you have to agree, Tom? Actually, sounded like you had to help a number of quartets out. Oh, but Tom, you should read all the stuff my bro wrote me about being there with you. It was such a highlight for him. And he told me about y'all sitting and singing together in church Sunday morning. He thinks that you are THE BOMB.
Crystal
That sounds good: Tom the Bomb.
Crystal
Back up two posts, first line, fourth word: delete "reunion" and insert "weekend."
Crystal
Yeah, that comes from Val. For some reason he referred to it as the quartet "reunion."
I would agree there were a few "struggling sounds," but hey, we've all been there! Part of the ongoing process.
I'd love to read what your brother wrote! Why don't you email it to me. We did have a good time, I'm trying to think what was significant about singing Sunday morning, I may have figured it out but I'm not sure.
I had a blast filling in for missing quartet members! I love doing that.
Tom
Who ever decided that the new anon. commenter was female? At least that seems to be the connotation with the title "Nan" assigned to them. Secondly, I would like to know the secret pleasure there is in commenting anonymously in the first place. Why no name? What would stating a name change? Except that it seems to melt right into the boiling pot of reasoning that, "if a person isn't mysterious and vague, then they are of little interest at all." I guess if you share that opinion, it makes sense. Otherwise....maybe I'm just missing something.
Go Shell!!
You must have missed how "Nan" got her name though, it was from "new" and "anonymous."
Tom
Tom, you teaching at SMBI?? Are you serious???
Lauren
No, sorry, that was some massive tongue in cheek. It was too much fun thinking up that title and I couldn't resist.
Tom
Yeah, I couldn't imagine SMBI would allow that to happen! Hmm... I think maybe I would have felt suddenly led to go to SMBI next year...
Lauren
SMBI. Funny, everywhere I go, it comes up. My mom thinks I should go, this year. I told her I probably couldn't get in. She said she could get me in. I was at one Bible School for one three week term when I was sixteen. I loved it and hated it and declared I would go back the next year. Ha, ha. I don't even know much about SMBI, which is sort of strange considering the fact that I am like two hours away. I might just go. Why not? It's only six weeks. I could probably only get in the last term, whichever number that is. Someone said that doesn't usually fill up. AND I could come home weekends, which would be nice. So I could still do my weekendly duties.
Tom, you are absolutely outrageous! There are some things that are so outlandish and ridiculous that people will believe you. Oh my stars. There was a lady that used to work at our school who was the blondest person you ever met. Some of the guys told her that there was an eagle that had a nest in the spouting and she completely believed them. Oh she was funny.
Ag
What do your weekendly duties include? If you're at Bible School, why miss all the weekend bashes by going home every weekend? Maybe I should go to SMBI next year sometime. HEY! Maybe we could have a by-log reunion at SMBI next year. ha.
Crystal
Or would that be a by-log 'union'?
Crystal
Yeah Crystal, I'll bring the books. :) I sing with the Mountain Anthems, if you know of them, and we travel every other weekend from Febuary to November. If the final term is when someone told me it is, I would miss 8-10 concerts, and I hate to miss that much if I can at all avoid doing so. But, I would have to find out if they would permit me to stretch the Sunday evening curfew at all, because I couldn't be back in time.
Anyhow, I have no idea if I'll go. I'm at the present, not really into it. But ususally that is not a deciding factor as to wether or not I do something. So.....we'll see.
Ag
And I sing with Tapestry Chamber Singers. We've done a tour, like, once every two years for the past two years. :) But the reason I mention Tapestry, Ag, is because I'm sure this would amuse you -- back in the days of our choosing a name, Byran suggested this: Across the Mountain Anthems. Hahaha!!! It's our favorite.
Crystal
Oh, I would TOTALLY love to go to SMBI. But not this year. I'm going to PBS again. Maybe next yr, or year after. Ag, where did you go that you could go at 16???
Lauren
Oh, I would TOTALLY love to go to SMBI. But not this year. I'm going to PBS again. Maybe next yr, or year after. Ag, where did you go that you could go at 16???
Lauren
Oh, I would TOTALLY love to go to SMBI. But not this year. I'm going to PBS again. Maybe next yr, or year after. Ag, where did you go that you could go at 16???
Lauren
Wow, Lauren, your enthusiasm overwhelms me. Actually, I went to Arkansas and I only got in by the miraculous working of God. Seriously. That was one of the best things that ever happened in my life. It set my feet on the right path. I really don't know how I got in. My sisters had been there the previous term and had angelic reputations, which helped as well.
Crystal, that is quite interesting/amusing. Um, glad you didn't go with it though. It sounds a bit, awkward.
Ag
You went to CBS??? Aww, wanna come with me??? I (more likely than SMBI) will maybe go next year. Pro'ly one or the other. But I could for-sure use a friend with an angelic reputation....
Sorry about the triple, by the way...
Lauren
Doll, I am WAY too old for CBS! NO thanks! I can't face those black hose again! Actually, I reacted to them. Not just emotionally, physically as well. I got horrible rashes from the stupid things. Nope, did that once and it ain't happening again.
I didn't say that I have an angelic reputation. I said my sisters do. BIG difference.
Sorry, you blaze your own trail to CBS!
Ag
Hmmp. My reaction to knylons is all emotional.... :( This is (maybe) rude, but how old ARE you??
Lauren
Oh! Just out of curiosity, do you not react to tan hose? If so, COOL! What an excuse to wear'em!!
Lauren
I, my dear, am twenty-two. I would rather just say that I react to all hose in general, thus wear none. Only that wouldn't be the exact truth, but I am sure I could sound convincing. I feel very firmly in my heart, that the person who invented pantyhose was a man who hated women. That's just a little theory that I have. I HATE hose! But, I love the new trend. It used to NEVER be acceptable to be formally attired without them. It is now! YEAH! Hurray for changing fashion!
Ag
I've been off the social scene for, how long now? Clue me in, Ag, what's the new look?
Crystal
i react terribly to hose as well...
rande
Rande, you had better watch your mouth boy, or I'll make you wear them! You are unbelievably obnoxious! (SMACK)
Crystal, no hose! Of course there is the whole sandal craze, which I love and support whole-heartedly, but even formal dress shoes you see worn without.
Ag
I've always thought that would feel so nasty, wearing "Sunday shoes" barefoot.
Crystal
hehe. why am i obnoxious? come on clue me in. i was just joking around. btw. crystal tell all my wonderful cousins over there in poland hi for me. rande
hehe. why am i obnoxious? come on clue me in. i was just joking around. btw. crystal tell all my wonderful cousins over there in poland hi for me. rande
hehe. why am i obnoxious? come on clue me in. i was just joking around. btw. crystal tell all my wonderful cousins over there in poland hi for me.
Well my dears, with all these triples we just might see the big 1-0-0 yet. :-)
Merry
It's called "sarcastic wit" which is rather attractive, not obnoxious.
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