Monthly Archive for December, 2007

Blog #125

This has been a forging week. I made a decision this week that will change a lot of things. It has been extremely draining. On top of that, its finals week and Caci and Jace have been very sick - especially Jace.

In place of writing all about it, I’ll just include the letter I sent out to my guys. It carries the gist.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hopefully finals passed without incident. As of right now, I’ve still got two tests left then jingle bells Santa comes. My kid and my girl are both pretty sick, so life is pulling at all angles now–but thats what makes it worth living.

Today I officially tendered my resignation from Orkin. It was a decision that just about killed me. But, in the end it was the right thing to do. I had a wonderful year with them. Its an excellent program with exceptional people running it.

No doubt, we had a great time this past summer.

I wish you all the best of luck where ever life takes you; and, more immediately, this summer as you forge yourselves in whatever you do — whether thats selling, accepting internships, jobs and/or careers, or attending school. Congratulations to those of you engaged and getting married. Make it work. There is nothing better than going home after a ridiculously tough day to the person that makes it all OK. Actually, going home to her after a great day is better. Love her ’till the end.

Keep in touch with me throughout the years. You’ve all got a place to stay, food to eat, and a good game of Halo at my place anytime.

In keeping with our style, I want to conclude this chapter of our lives with a few words by William Ernest Henley. Its titled “Invictus.”

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
and yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Merry Christmas to you all, and your families. Work hard, play hard friends.

Your buddy,

J. Trevor Chapman

www.jtrevorchapman.com

801….

Thanks to Grandpa for the timely introduction of those word by Henley to me. I’ll be working with a company named Service Pro. I’ll write in more details after finals are done (I’ve got one test left).

Until then, Merry Christmas to you all.

Trevor

Blog #124

Jace @ Santa Monica

The original “Blog #124″ has been deleted because of file inconsistencies. If you’d like to view the original file (different than what is now in its place), you may so from here.

Blog #124 will be back online tonight.

Shocking and Horrible: View the picture to the right and tell me there is not somethingYouth wrong with America. In fact, the whole last blog was about this phenomenon. Remember, you can read what I previously wrote on the fall of survival of the fittest, or, in other words, America’s “supposed” high society here.

I would like to include one thing from the original post though; and that is the blessing of adversity–however disguised it may seem–the refiner’s fire, as it is sometimes put. Hegel believes that these periods of peace and happiness in history have done nothing for us. Indeed, some believe he is looking too narrowly, but reflect on this quote from Carol Reed’s 1949 film in which Orson Welles delivers a gem:

In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfar, terror, murder and bloodshed; but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.

While this quote is not without humor, it makes a cosmic statement.

The pencil tip you write letters with is made of the same stuff a diamond is - just, the diamond went through ‘h’, ‘e’, double hockey-sticks; and now nothing can break it.

Lets not live too easily. Don’t buy your kids that sleeping bag.

Family Feet @ Beach

Recommended Views: Here are a few short clips well worth your time to watch.

  1. TedTalks: Dan Gilbert on the psychology of happiness. Excellent.
  2. http://youtube.com/watch?v=IMaMYL_shxc The continuation of instances like this are why we have the second amendment. This happened a couple months ago here in Utah. If you desire to contact the RSHA, under which this officer works, heres the # 801.965.4518 In all fairness, the victim should not have walked away with his hands in his pocket. However, this cop has obvious personal issues that need to be resolved before he “serves the public” again.

Recommended Reading: A few internet articles worth perusing.

  1. Kucinich plans on impeaching Bush.
  2. Interesting article on Time.com about giving out your social security #.
  3. definr.com An extremely fast new online dictionary.
  4. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/mainstream-medi.html
  5. Send Bush a copy of the constitution here.

MUST SEE: This is a short clip (~60 sec.) that everybody must see. CLICK HERE to view it. In reference to this video, you may view the pamphlet here. It seems the words of Thomas Jefferson would be most applicable now:

The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first. - Thomas Jefferson

If you would like to see an America that respects its constitution, please write to your representatives here. After all, as James Madison said, the duty of your representative is:

First, to protect the people against their rulers. Secondly, to protect the people against their transient impressions into which they themselves might be led. - James Madison

May our elected representatives live up the framers intent.