Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...
Ahh... that was enjoyable. I just finished watching an episode of Magic School Bus on the telly, while eating a bowl of tomato (toe-mah-toe, not toe-may-toe) soup in dorm common room.
Things have really changed since last I saw an episode of Magic School Bus. I've gone from being a bright, young studious boy to a complete burn-out University slacker who gets by on writing essays on sheer genius and inebriatory powers... if the papers get written at all.
I think I have a paper that's about a week late now that I still have to start. I don't know why, but lately I cannot even commit the willpower to finish a book, much less write a paper. It's rather upsetting.
However, to wind the cogs in my brain and get them to start turning again, I did manage to finally install movabletype and get this blog up... so perhaps that bodes well for me, that I actually got around to doing this.
So, for the ceremonious first post, I suppose I'll begin with explaining the title of the site:
The Merkavah (alternative spellings: Merkovah, Merkava) is the chariot of God as described in the book of Ezekiel. One of my favourite professors, who will go unnamed here for now, described the Merkavah as God's SUV, based upon Ezekiel's elaborate descriptions.
I would have to agree... God's rims exhibit a consciousness of the concepts of bling.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. (Ezekiel 1.16-17, KJV)
Well, that, or Ezekiel was looking at a fleet of alien starships... which is just about as likely. Nonetheless... by claiming to drive the Lord's SUV, I either imply that I have stolen God's ride, or I have his blessing to use it. Both propositions that I enjoy, personally.
Of course, the novelty wore off a bit when I realized that the Merkavah is also the name for the IDF's main battle tank... they just put the Mk. IVs in service last year, I believe.
Given that I don't normally like to take sides in that hideous conflict... I may change the title, to something more akin to "Buddha is a shit-stick"... but it is unlikely at this point.
The drawing up there is of my friend Tim. In case the titlebar changes in the future, I have uploaded the original image, a quick sketch I did while we were sitting here and chatting in my dorm room.
I'll post again later today, when I'm not near passing out and far more coherent.