Trite

"A once effective phrase or idea that has been spoiled by long familiarity." according to Merriam Webster.

I've decided that I don't like this word. Just because something has been said before doesn't mean that it's not true any more. If a phrase or word expresses what you mean exactly who shouldn't you say it? I think the only words that are truly spoiled by familiarity are swear words. What people really mean when they say something in a conversation is trite is that I think the person insincere. People too often say something because they've heard other people say the same thing in a similar situation. They don't know what it really means or don't really mean what they're saying.

In writing, I try to avoid common phrases just because originality is one of the purposes of writing to me. It's also one of the most enjoyable things about reading. An original phrase is a delight. However, I don't discount a write for using something that is common effectively.

In art, particularly photography, there is absolutely no such thing as trite. People who use the word trite are just trying to push the framework of fashion into art. Fashion wants everything to be new and edgy so it rejects things that are good just because it's common. Therefore lots of good things such as photos of blue bonnets, paintings of landscapes, and bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" are all discarded as 'trite'. Why? Just because lots of other people have taken pictures of lots of other blue bonnets doesn't make this photo a bad one. Just because lots of other people have painted lots of other landscapes doesn't make any one of them less beautiful. And just because it's traditional to play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes doesn't make it sound bad. Tradition can be a good thing.

And certainly 'trite' has no place in talking about truth. If anything we need truths repeated over and over. "Peace on Earth! Goodwill to men!" "He is Risen" "Blessed be the Name of the Lord". As Kirk Youngblood said the other Sunday God won't care whether a church is innovative, creative, or on the cutting edge, but whether or not the sheep were fed the Word. Truth bears repeating and it never becomes trite.

Random Thoughts from State Committee Meeting

This is what you get when I have internet access and am sitting in a session about Facebook that's not telling me anything new.

Tweet is one of the funniest words ever.

I wish the American Majority and Republican stuff would emphasize getting content in social networks instead of just connections and quantity. I think we're ending up with people generating a lot of fluff or worst just empty accounts that don't do anything. We need to use new media for meaningful connections and discussions--not just numbers. Perhaps I'm just a step ahead. maybe we need to get people on before we can train them for significance. I'm just concerned that I'm not seeing any move towards that. We need to be training people on how to write blogs, feed blogs into Twitter and Facebook, use Facebook to notify them of a meaningful politcal email, etc.. Right now I just feel like they're just chanting "Use Facebook! Use Twitter!"

I love hot rolls.

Naomi was so sweet to come with me today. I've been fighting a migraine for a couple of days now, so she came in case I get bad enough that I can't drive.

I wonder how long until the FCC starts regulating Facebook ads.

College Students

Kendra: "I can't figure out if I'm stressed or sick or both.  Probably both."

Ricky: "So, you're stricked?"

I remembered something yesterday. You can listen to Big Country online. So here I am, 5:30 p.m. in Kinmen, listening to Jim Jeffries, the ol' hoot owl, who thinks it's 4:30 in the morning. Kinda surreal.

I had a great conversation with a girl named Grace today about knowing God's direction for your life. She's a new Christian but seems very firm in her faith. She said she wants to wait on God for plans, but her parents want her to have a very clear plan already made up. I told her I would pray for her.

Be praying for BJ. She has a really upset stomach and didn't go to church this morning. She's been fighting it for probalby over a week but it hadn't been this bad.

As long as you're praying, pray for the husband of one of the church members. He's not a Christian, has liver cancer, and was told last week that he only has a month to live.

I sure wish there was a way to check how much time you have left. There probably is, but it's just in Chinese. Ma bawn fah. No solution.

I'm a tellurian. Cool word, huh?

I think I'll go read all of y'all's blogs. Love y'all!