Read this first... unless you don't want to.

So I have a blog. Now what? I actual opened this blog months before I made this first posting. Some of it was being busy or just plain lazy. But the main reason is that I had to justify to myself why I would start a blog in the first place. I honestly don’t think that I have anything to teach outside of my foreign language classes at school. Most everything I believe is either an opinion (and I change those like I change my socks) or is already explained more correctly and deeply by the Church.

Okay, disclosure time. I guess you, as the reader, should know that I am an Orthodox Christian. I was raised a Lutheran (LCMS) and, just under 10 years ago, converted to what I now hold as the Faith. It sounds deep, gandiose and exclusive. It is! But everyone's welcome :) If you’re curious as to what "Orthodoxy" is you can start out at http://www.oca.com/. There are a lot of other great links… but why don’t you just start there. If you’re not curious, that’s okay too.

So, you know my religion and my job… oh yeah, I also have a wife and one 5 month old son at the time of posting this. Where do I live? Well, do you really think my name is Xpy? I don’t share stuff like that… the Internet world is too weird and scary for that. Besides, I share pretty personal thoughts here that might offend people I know and respect. We all have people whom we respect, but disagree vehemently with them on this or that issue. It doesn’t mean it always needs to be worked out. Let bygones be bygones!

So, why do I have this blog? I finally came to the conclusion that I needed a venue where I could organize analyze my thoughts and beliefs. I’m not good at diaries because I feel like I am writing something that will never be read again. Also, I'm a bit like the 80s boy wonder and genious Doogie Howser (without the wonder or genious.. but I am a boy!): why do by hand what you can do with a keyboard?! However, I could, then just put it on my C: Drive, but I need to FEEL like I am writing for an audience (even if no one ever comes here) if I hope to keep up with writing. I need, at the very least, the tangible, exterior purpose (even if that purpose goes left unfulfilled i.e. no reads my blog once). Also, the reality that others COULD be reading this makes me clarify my thoughts more and not take anything for granted.

You may find that my thoughts might contradict themselves throughout this Blog experience. That could be that my thoughts have truly changed or have “changed” based on what I ate that day. It might also mean that I simply hold to beliefs simultaneously that, at least seemingly, contradict themselves. I don't apologize for that since they are my thoughts. Don't worry, this is not a class and you won't be graded! But you are more than welcome to comment on them!

And that’s a good example of what I mean when I say “organize my thoughts”. Over time, I may see how those beliefs are actually not contradicting at all, or I may just find out that they do and that I need to make a decision… or perhaps I will recognize either the mystery of the issue at hand (which will probably be a religious issue) or the banality of the issue which doesn’t even deserve final resolution (like politics and other stupidities that we place way to much hope in… I include myself in that collective “we”).

Anyway, here's my blog. Enjoy.... or don't. Comment... or don't!

Hasta Luego!

Xpy