Outline for Paper

My Claim:
I want people to find a better balance in their lives, specifically by learning how to enjoy work.

My Reasons:
People will lead happier and more fulfilling lives by using some of these ideas.

Support:
I have research from the Mayo clinic showing how to better balance life. Most importantly it talks about how to take time for yourself away from work. In other words, do not let work take over your life.
It also suggests taking advantage of all your options. If your employer offers benefits and is making an effort to help you out, use them. It will show the employer that you are trying to balance your life, you will be more productive, and you will eventually end up happier.
Another of my sources is a book called Happy Hour is 9 to 5. The author in this book emphasizes that to balance our work with the rest of life, we must strive to make work fun.
By making work fun, we recognize that work is not as bad as we sometimes make it out to be, and that we can actually enjoy work instead of dreading it.

Crucifixions in the Philippines

I was reading an article this morning and was pretty disturbed after I finished it. This last Friday, Good Friday for Catholics, was the day 2000 years ago that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Catholics read about it in the Bible, many of us saw the Passion of the Christ film a few years back, but never have I heard of anything like this.
The article says that "dozens" were nailed to crosses as supposed signs of "religious devotion". I think this is the most absurd possible display of devotion I have ever heard. The Catholic church in the Philippines obviously disapproved of this, but people continued anyway. It's actually somewhat of a spectacle, refreshments are sold, and there is actually a VIP seating area to watch the event. The bishop there was quoted saying: "The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see" and that "many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Even worse than this though is that the health and safety officials from the government wanted to ensure that they used sterile nails, as well as getting tetnus shots. Oh good, well at least their hands won't be infected after being CRUCIFIED!
It is impossible to justify acts like this as martyrdom especially when it is used as a spectacle for people to come and enjoy. I thought this was a disgusting and frankly immoral and I wouldn't be the slightest bit perturbed if these people were excommunicated for their behavior. Catholics believe that we are supposed to use Jesus' life as an example for our own, but he certainly did not intend for us to voluntarily crucify ourselves as some sort of example.

Here is a link to the article: Filipino Crucifixions

Catching Up

I've been out of the loop for a while and decided to check out some blogs and give out a few comments, check them out here:
Friendship Quantity vs. Quality
Save Darfur
Textbook Knowledge
Who Killed JFK
Affirmative Action

Feel free to disagree with me, that's the best way to get a conversation going.