I find it interesting how many people are trying to identify which hero or villain President-elect Trump reminds them of. Here's the problem with that: everything. We're not going to judge who he properly is if we keep seeing him through archetypes, stereotypes, and type-casting.

Yes, we have some good idea of who he is because he's been a celebrity businessman for years. And yes, I too like playing "Guess-the-Trump." But these guessing games come at a cost. We may just have to wait a while until the true Trump is revealed.

Somehow, we Christians never seemed to be able to have a decent debate about Trump and Clinton, and that disappoints me. Because there was a good learning experience there, about how we must consider character of candidates along with ideology. Let me take extremes here, heh, about the type of choices that Christians may face in voting:

*Should we support an imbecile or hedonist who promises to support every last Christian belief?

*An atheist or Satanist who has strong values and self-control, an admirable person in experience and ethics, who differs with most Christian beliefs?

These are conversations that Christian adults need to honestly have in public, because they are not easy questions. Ask the Christians in Iraq, supported and treated well by dictator Saddam, and slaughtered once supposed democracy came to Iraq. Choices might need to be made that hurt Christians and help the country, or vice versa.

But instead, we just wanted to disqualify each candidate with easy cheats. "Well, you can't vote for Clinton, she supports abortion!" "You can't vote for Trump, he lacks self-control!"  We didn't want to have a full conversation; we just wanted an easy answer, or a slogan to shout. I'm disappointed in us for not fully grappling with this struggle in public.

I'm finally making more friends in this area, but much like New York, has taken two years to do so. Two years where I needed to make trips and phone calls and connections to make up for the lack of friends in the area. I shouldn't be angry about this, but I am. It's just so much harder to live a good life without company and good people nearby. Anyway, rant over.

I saw a commercial online that pictured a homeless man and his sleeping child. The man held a sign asking for money. It was an insurance commercial, designed to terrify you into giving them your money so that you would not become that homeless man.

I don't have kids. I have plenty in the bank unless I was unemployed for, say, 3 years in a row. And yet I winced, and felt fear. And it reminded me how money is a god, after all. How I implicitly pray to money to save me, to keep me warm, to protect me from harm...

It's silly in some ways, right? We all have a few friends who would take us in, or family. We wouldn't starve immediately. And are the homeless to be feared so much? But it's interesting, to be forced to confront secret fears unexpectedly....

Was thinking the other day about ultimatums and threats and relationships. So for example, some people are quick to tell you what they won't put up with. "If you ever cheat on me, there's the door," etc. On the other hand, some people are willing to put up with a lot for love. They're very understanding, and want to sacrifice to make the person they love happy.

Here's what I'm wondering. If you're a pushover, is it dangerous to admit it? Should I let her know that I would forgive her no matter what? That I'm willing to put up with quite a lot for love? Or should I pretend that I'm actually quite strict, that she has to prove herself?

I mean, it's all hypothetical, but I can see how making things too easy in a relationship can be dangerous, right? Any thoughts on this?

First Trump came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Mexican.

Then Trump came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Muslim.

Then Trump came for all immigrants and religious people everywhere....

sigh.

I'm trying to diet now that I came back from vacation, and it's funny how giving up things eats away at you (pun intended). I love going to the Barnes and Noble in my town. They have a massive display case of desserts from the Cheesecake factory. It's so hard to go close to it. I feel those soft sweet cheesecakes calling my taste buds to come closer, and...oof just drooling thinking about it.

But I'm not going to lose weight unless there is a long, high, deep display case needed to contain all the desserts and fried foods I never ate. There has to be lots left on the table. I have to go days, weeks, even months without my favorites. So here's to all the cakes I won't get to eat; may there be many of you!

One of the oddities of life is that more often than we realize, our pleasure happens because of someone else's bad decision or pain. For example, when I get a new job, I rejoice, but I am not really aware of the person who finished in second and almost got the job, who maybe wanted it more or was better qualified. That person exists, however. If, God willing, I get married, it's possible that in my future wife's past there's another, better man than I. Maybe she overlooked him, maybe he messed up, but he existed.

So what does it mean? I think it should give us some pause, some realization that we are blessed to have what we have. But also, perhaps, it should help us in our own pain. When I was a teen, I competed in a church quiz competition. One year we had a very strong team, perhaps Top 5 in the country. We didn't even qualify for Nationals, however. I was stunned for weeks. But the team that took our spot were lovely people, and the very next year they won the National Championship. Our stunning loss directly opened the door for some excellent people to shine.

It also, perhaps, should make us more willing to quit when we know things aren't truly working. I have a bad habit of not wanting to breakup with someone unless they truly have "red-flag" behavior. I don't want to hurt someone's feelings. But if I know I'm probably not right for them, I'm blocking the path of some better man, am I not? Just something I'm thinking about.

For those of you who knew ShamrockLover on Xanga, she unfortunately passed away a few days ago. Please keep her husband Ryan and her two small daughters in your thoughts. If you wish to leave some kind words and knew her, go here: https://warriorshamrock.wordpress.com/2016/05/26/peaceful-ending/#comments

I'm keeping her Xanga private, but Abby also passed away. She struggled with eating issues for years, and a combination of bad health issues did her in. She was a dear, kind soul who deserved much better from life. I knew that not all my friends on here who struggled would make it...but it's a harsh reminder of how serious depression and eating issues can be.

I do miss the way Xanga made it easier to grieve collectively. May their families both find peace and grace, sigh.

So I'm curious. Is anyone considering being a "traitor" to their usual political party this November?

For example, as a Christian who usually votes Republican, I'm repulsed by the many moral failures of Donald Trump. And I'm not alone; a significant number of evangelicals are considering not voting this November. But will some of them go so far as to vote for Hillary?

Or, if you are a blue-collar Democrat...will Hillary fight harder for the working man than Donald? Sure, Donald may just talk about jobs, but he at least prioritizes them. Hillary doesn't seem like the type who will fight for unions and more jobs. Would you switch for the sake of your career?

Have at it, traitors; who will you double-cross? Heh.