Friday, October 31, 2008

Heck, He Gets My Vote Then!



I'm sorry... this has to be the most simple-minded person ever to be on television. I am getting so sick of politics... between McCain not able to run a campaign to the Obama worshipers I can't stand it any more. Regardless of who wins I get screwed and the real problem is I don't think either candidate is proficient enough to get me to like it.

ENFJ

Over lunch today I took one of those only personality tests ("Jung Typology Test") and I came out ENFJ: Extraverted Intuitive Feeling Judging. I always try to answer truthfully rather than what I think I should answer or how I think some people might answer for me, so this is accurate for the test. What does it mean? Well according to Wikipedia:


They excel at picking up on the tone of a situation and acting accordingly, adding warmth to a cool setting or turning sour into sweet. They naturally seek to know what people do well, what they enjoy, and where and how they work. They seem to have an infinite number of acquaintances from all walks of life and are always on the lookout for people in need and those who can help out. ENFJs weave and strengthen the collective fabric of social conventions and interactions. Inclusiveness is important and they are particularly sensitive to those who are excluded.

They are natural cheerleaders, often expressing support, gratitude, and encouragement, and heaping praise onto those they appreciate. They take note of what is being done and what needs doing, offering their assistance wherever necessary.

ENFJs enjoy organizing group activities and tend to take their commitments seriously. In general, they are reliable and do not like to disappoint others. As team players and project leaders, they have a gift for rallying their players, focusing on what is being done right and each member's strengths. They are loyal and they expect loyalty. They carry conversations well, finding common ground with their speaker. They tend to find the correct and gracious way to respond in any given situation, no matter how tense or uncomfortable it is.


Here is the more complete description (warning, lengthy):


ENFJs are the benevolent 'pedagogues' of humanity. They have tremendous charisma by which many are drawn into their nurturant tutelage and/or grand schemes. Many ENFJs have tremendous power to manipulate others with their phenomenal interpersonal skills and unique salesmanship. But it's usually not meant as manipulation -- ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.

ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.

ENFJs are, by definition, Js, with whom we associate organization and decisiveness. But they don't resemble the SJs or even the NTJs in organization of the environment nor occasional recalcitrance. ENFJs are organized in the arena of interpersonal affairs. Their offices may or may not be cluttered, but their conclusions (reached through feelings) about people and motives are drawn much more quickly and are more resilient than those of their NFP counterparts.

ENFJs know and appreciate people. Like most NFs, (and Feelers in general), they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear.
TRADEMARK: "The first shall be last"

This refers to the open-door policy of ENFJs. One ENFJ colleague always welcomes me into his office regardless of his own circumstances. If another person comes to the door, he allows them to interrupt our conversation with their need. While discussing that need, the phone rings and he stops to answer it. Others drop in with a 'quick question.' I finally get up, go to my office and use the call waiting feature on the telephone. When he hangs up, I have his undivided attention!

Functional Analysis:
Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted Feeling rules the ENFJ's psyche. In the sway of this rational function, these folks are predisposed to closure in matters pertaining to people, and especially on behalf of their beloved. As extraverts, their contacts are wide ranging. Face-to-face relationships are intense, personable and warm, though they may be so infrequently achieved that intimate friendships are rare.
Introverted iNtuition

Like their INFJ cousins, ENFJs are blessed through introverted intuition with clarity of perception in the inner, unconscious world. Dominant Feeling prefers to find the silver lining in even the most beggarly perceptions of those in their expanding circle of friends and, of course, in themselves. In less balanced individuals, such mitigation of the unseemly eventually undermines the ENFJ's integrity and frequently their good name. In healthier individuals, deft use of this awareness of the inner needs and desires of others enables this astute type to win friends, influence people, and avoid compromising entanglements.

The dynamic nature of their intuition moves ENFJs from one project to another with the assurance that the next one will be perfect, or much more nearly so than the last. ENFJs are continually looking for newer and better solutions to benefit their extensive family, staff, or organization.
Extraverted Sensing

Sensing is extraverted. ENFJs can manage details, particularly those necessary to implement the prevailing vision. These data have, however, a magical flexible quality. Something to be bought can be had for a song; the same something is invaluable when it's time to sell. (We are not certain, but we suspect that such is the influence of the primary function.) This wavering of sensory perception is made possible by the weaker and less mature status with which the tertiary is endowed.
Introverted Thinking

Introverted Thinking is least apparent and most enigmatic in this type. In fact, it often appears only when summoned by Feeling. At times only in jest, but in earnest if need be, Thinking entertains as logical only those conclusions which support Feeling's values. Other scenarios can be shown invalid or at best significantly inferior. Such "Thinking in the service of Feeling" has the appearance of logic, but somehow it never quite adds up.

Introverted Thinking is frequently the focus of the spiritual quest of ENFJs. David's lengthiest psalm, 119, pays it homage. "Law," "precept," "commandment," "statute:" these essences of inner thinking are the mysteries of Deity for which this great Feeler's soul searched.
Famous ENFJs:

David, King of Israel
U.S. Presidents:
Abraham Lincoln
Ronald Reagan

William Cullen Bryant, poet
Abraham Maslow, psychologist and proponent of self-actualization
Ross Perot
Sean Connery
Elizabeth Dole
Francois Mitterand
Dick Van Dyke
Andy Griffith
James Garner
William Aramony, former president of United Way
Gene Hackman (Superman, Antz)
Dennis Hopper (Speed)
Brenda Vaccaro
Craig T. Nelson (Coach)
Diane Sawyer (Good Morning America)
Randy Quaid (Bye Bye, Love; Independence Day)
Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive)
Kirstie Alley ("Cheers," Look Who's Talking movies)
Michael Jordan, NBA basketball player
Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Oprah Winfrey
Bob Saget America's Funniest Home Videos, Full House
Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Seinfeld")
Ben Stiller (The Royal Tenenbaums)
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Matthew McConaughey (The Wedding Planner)
Pete Sampras, Tennis Champion
Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls")
Ben Affleck (The Sum Of All Fears)
John Cusack (High Fidelity)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Home

Sorry for the recent neglect of the site but even with all the easy targets our recent political and financial environments have provided my heart just hasn't been in it. As some of you know, my father's health has been in rapid decline and that has occupied my thoughts. The problems became such that I made a trip "home" to see him and the family. It was my first trip in a little over three years and I have to say the trip did me a bit of good in that it reinforced in me the idea of what it means to have a home... not a house, but a home.

It is at home where I am loved, unconditionally. Home is that one port in the storms of life where I know I will always be welcome, made to feel safe, made warm, be fed, listened to, cried with and laughed with. Home is where it isn't Mike the success, Mike the intellectual, Mike the "pillar of society" or anything other than "Mike the son", "Mike the brother", and "Mike the uncle" that holds any weight and has any standing. Home is where people are waiting out in the cold mist just to hug me and say "Welcome home, we're happy to see you" and where those same people with mist in their eyes hold me tight as I leave and say "We love you. Be safe. Be happy. Come home more often" and I know in the depths of your soul they mean it.

Home is the place that laid the foundations of all that I was, all that I am, and all that I will be. Home is where not necessarily everything went over well, but was always done in the spirit of love and desire of helping me to become better. Sometimes those lessons worked, sometimes they didn't, but even when I said "No" and openly rebelled home is where I can always return without heaps of shame thrown on me.

Home is where I learned the lessons of celebrating life and the cold reality of death, of the value of spiritual riches in the absense of material riches, of the importance of the small things in a big ol' world.

Home is where I learned the power of love in the face of evil and hatred which has given me a generally optimistic view of life (after all, the end of Scripture can be summarized as "Good wins"). Home isn't the place of perfection but it is the place of freedom to try and the freedom to fail. Home is where I learned to be human and was privileged to see the true heights to which humanity can rise in the face of adversity. Home is also where I learned the following poem by Edgar Guest from my great grandfather, my grandmother, and my mother:


It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home,
A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam
Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye lef' behind,
An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind.
It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be,
How much yer chairs an' tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped round everything.

Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;
Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then
Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men;
And gradjerly as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't part
With anything they ever used—they've grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumb-marks on the door.

Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit an' sigh
An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh;
An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come,
An' close the eyes o' her that smiled, an' leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart, an'when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified;
An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories
O' her that was an' is no more—ye can't escape from these.

Ye've got t' sing an' dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play,
An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day;
Even the roses 'round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear
Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes t' run
The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun;
Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome:
It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home.


Having gone "back home" and been reminded of "home" I have come to realize that "home" has expanded. "Home" is back in Missouri, but given all that I have said "home" is, I see it shaping here in California too for I see my beau as part of home as well... and I am the richer for it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Two Quotes

One long, one short, both by J. R. R. Tolkien:

We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed, only by myth-making, only by becoming a 'sub-creator' and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbor, while materialistic "progress" leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.

And one that is perhaps more potent...

...the power of Evil in the world is not finally resistible by incarnate creatures, however "good"; and the Writer of the Story is not one of us.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Fairly Quiet Oktoberfest

Well, it didn't turn out like I had planned, but sometimes it is good to throw the plan away and just go with the flow. I had intended to have a group over to the house for a wine tasting and then go to Oktoberfest in OB. Sent out an invitation, saw that most people did actually view the invitation but for some strange reason most didn't even bother to reply to the RSVP. It's really frustrating and a total lack of courtesy and consideration, something that bothers me more than most things these days about how people are out here. I mean, I wouldn't have minded had people just said "No, have other plans" or if they said "Yes" but called to give their regrets about not coming (which I had to do on Sunday because I was on call and had problems to deal with during an event my beau and I were attend)... at least that is information. No news though it hard to work with.

So while the group was small we still had fun. The grill was flaring, wine was flowing and we just enjoyed sitting outside in the autumnal sun enjoying life. Our friend Sarah came over towards the end of the wine time and we all headed to the OB Pier area for Oktoberfest to find... a bunch of drunk straight people. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing but the limit on the size of the venue made the concentration a little tough to handle so after a quick beer we went over to The Vine for dinner and some more fellowship. It was quite fun and I got to build up some positive energy for the trip home.

Hugs to you who were there and thank you.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

With Supporters Like This...



So Obama is the Messiah? When I see him walk on water and return from the dead after three days then I might believe...

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Comforting Angels

People talk a lot about guardian angels. I am lucky to have two special angels in my life right now. Given all the problems happening in my family it would be hard to carry on with my day-to-day work. I don't sleep well, my mind is filled with worry but I honestly believe that these two are in my life for a reason.

First I have Romeo. OK, go ahead and laugh, but Romeo just appeared in my life when I was going through some rough times and now, over nine years later he's still here. When I first heard about my father Romeo seemed to go into a comforting mode... when I am here by myself he hops up into bed and curls up near my pillow. When I am laying down he always comes and lays next to me. He follows me around and is always watching out for me (ok, sometimes it is because he wants food but not ALL the time). Just having someone in the house makes it much easier to come home these days.

The other is my beau. I needed someone in my life with a big heart and now I have someone who has chosen to be with me regardless of my faults and frailties. He always lets me know he loves me and cares for me but more importantly he backs up his words with his actions. Even though we don't live together he tells me every morning he loves me and every night he lets me know that he is there.

So, there you go. For all the crap that is happening, God makes his presence known through my two angels. I don't know how I would cope without them.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Obama Supports Iraq Invasion?

Given that the "Obama Doctrine" as espoused in the second debate is based on morality (apparently even over national interest), I think that the pre-invasion situation in Iraq would warrant us going in to liberate an oppressed people. Thanks for the support Obama! I suppose that means if Obama is elected president we go next to what is probably the longest running conflict in modern history, Sri Lanka, followed by sending troops into Zimbabwe to oust that blight on humanity Robert Mugabe.