Interviewed on my birthday

Castle Conwy: Postcard

Blogger, BossTon Honey from the Philippines interviewed me today.

I answered the questions and Honey added the rest on her website.

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Cited:

BossTon Honey July 6

Radiant Rational Russ

Radiant rational Russ sin't just your typical PhD!

Read to know more about this respectable and risible lad!

By BossTon Honey - July 6, 2016

Full Name: Dr. Russell Norman Murray

Nickname: Dr. Russ

Radiant Rational Russ has been blogging for more than a decade. You can visit his blogs DRRNM and Satire Und Theology and you will read the immense profoundness of Dr. Russ’ mind. Aside from that he is also managing a Facebook blog page too.

Dr. Russ, who hails from Canada, has also been consistently active with his interests in world travel / touring, UEFA football, martial arts, films, at church and music. We are all very pleased to have Sr. Russ here on Viral Birthday to share with us some of his viewpoints.

How will Radiant and Rational Russ celebrate his Birthday? 

My birthday is July 6, but this year I will have a very rare party at a local restaurant. So far, several local friends in number have committed to attending. This is only the second large party I have had in my life, the other being my PhD graduation in 2011. But I have been to other large parties. It is difficult to throw a party in a sense, because my family no longer lives in Metropolitan Vancouver, other than my Mother, and many other friends have relocated or have always lived elsewhere, such as Britain. As nice as the Vancouver area is, it is very expensive as far as housing and it does not have a tier one large city population like Toronto, New York, London, Paris, Rome, etcetera, and so it does not have the employment and social possibilities of many larger markets.

Any special birthday wish you want to share? 

It would be nice if someone would make me a cake or at least muffins (selfish mode), but as my party is not until the 16th (my adoption day), I will buy myself something eatable tomorrow and share it with the ‘Boss’. I will physically and literally walk the journey, because I am macho…

How do you see yourself in 5 years from now? 

To stay youthful, as I continue to recover and improve from previously undiagnosed sleep apnea. To do God’s will, to increase in my academic disciplines which are also spiritually focused, to increase my social network.

Define the word ‘BLESSINGS’. 

To be favoured by God. Of course I want more of this, not relationally as I am in Christ and God’s salvific work (see latest audio post Dr. Russell Norman Murray), but I would very much like to have myself, friends and family blessed more.

What makes you feel special? 

Being stalked online…

We’re sure you will have more stalkers online soonest! Happy Birthday Dr. Russ! 

Bizarre Football World Cup For Non-States

Pinterest: The third recent chicken theme post

I am listening to Talk Sport while working and heard an interview from a former professional player and manager of one of these clubs. New to me...

BBC June 2 Raylan Demytrie

Cited

'A World Cup for unrecognised states'

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'This Black Sea coastal region, which the international community considers part of Georgia, is hosting the biggest football tournament in its history. This is a World Cup of unrecognised states - for countries which, officially, do not exist autonomously.'

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'The tournament has been organised by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (Conifa), which represents national teams unable to join Fifa, the sport's world governing body.'

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'Per-Anders Blind, the president and co-founder of Conifa, says he is trying to give a voice to voiceless communities around the world.

He has brought together stateless nations, unrecognised countries, self-declared republics, ethnic groups and indigenous communities.'

Cited

Per-Anders himself is from a minority, the indigenous Sami people of Scandinavia. His team are among 12 at the tournament, including Kurdistan, Northern Cyprus, Somaliland, Punjab, United Koreans of Japan, Western Armenia and Szekelyland.

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My Mennonite friend, 'Anarchist, libertarian, Chuck' is a theological and philosophical proponent of the city state and smaller government. Chuck likes European football and perhaps he can become an athletic supporter of this tournament?

Team Revelation 20-22?

I support Germany and France and I am not German or French, but that is good enough for me...but I wish these clubs well. A World Cup not recognized by FIFA or UEFA.

One meeting is worth more than five hundred sent curriculum vitaes?

Facebook: This reads as ri$ky.. I think this beautiful 'black dog' has about as much common sense as my former German-Shepherd Husky named Rebel.

One meeting is worth more than five hundred sent curriculum vitaes? 

Revised today

On Sunday, I met with a member of church leadership after the sermon and service. It was a social and not formal meeting. We had seen each other at the beginning of the service and agreed we would chat after the service. We discussed each other's employment situations presently. I expressed the desire for employment within academic disciplines I am trained in. He quickly stated that he knew an organization that may be looking for someone with my skills and texted them immediately.

Admittedly, there is no guarantee I will receive a job interview from that interaction.

But pondering on that event, my thoughts were that one good meeting with an acquaintance from years ago, that was at least somewhat familiar with me personally and professionally, in my particular case, was probably worth more than me sending out, by email or regular mail, five hundred curriculum vitaes to academic institutions and businesses that do not know me personally.

This concept of having to be known and trusted in a social context has been made even more apparent to me from recent courses I have taken with professional employment recruiters and as well from meetings with these recruiters.

These principles are the same in other social contexts as well.

I think there is a very significant lack of willingness to risk, risk aversion, by most within employment and other social contexts within western society.

The fact so much professional and personal interaction takes place online today, in my view also greatly contributes to risk aversion. Most professional applications require the use of an online application with no personal human contact, in most cases.

By risk, I am meaning reasonable, reasoned out, risk taking, and not foolishness.

Ephesians 5:15-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 Therefore [a]be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 [b]making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Footnotes: Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time

Denniscumminsdotcom

A problem is that humanity is both sinful (see Romans) and finite. Therefore, determining what is wise risk and foolish risk can be difficult.

Since earning my PhD in 2010, I have had few interviews, despite the fact many employers have stated are my impressive qualifications. This has been in the contexts of both religious studies departments and philosophy departments.

Without going on attack mode, which is not my objective here, whatsoever, I reason in our modern western societal context, work fatigue, set social patterns and lazy thinking, are among factors that fuel modern risk aversion.

It seems to me that as human beings are fallen (Genesis, Romans), a more in-depth, careful and measured approach to risk is required in many cases, both professionally and personally.

I have admitted on an archived post on Dr. Russell Norman Murray, that I myself have been guilty of risk aversion, in error by not, in the past, staying at the megachurch I am presently committed to. It seemed easier and better to attend smaller churches where I had friends.

In hindsight, I should have 'gone it alone' in larger social settings. This would allow for more teaching possibilities and social possibilities. It is likely that my undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea, which was far worse at that time, played a part in my decisions (excuse mode, but it is a legitimate proposition).

As a former pastor of mine has stated more than once in sermons (paraphrased): A person has more regrets at sixty years old than at twenty years old, and so on as one grows older.

It seems to me from a biblical perspective, a key prayer is continual requests to make Holy Spirit guided risks in life and to avoid future regrets. In other words, to get it right, the first time and to repent and change when mistakes have been made. Not to just shove things under the carpet...

British Isles Satire In Brief

Getty Images: Talk Sport

Talk Sport June 27

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''Joe Hart for PM - he's engineering our European exit!' - Fan reaction as England goalkeeper concedes two first-half goals v Iceland'

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'Joe Hart: The Manchester City stopper had another howler in the first half '

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 'And Iceland’s second was the fourth goal he conceded in the last seven shots on target against him.'

Personally, Mr. Hart seems to have heart. I will plead ignorance in regard to player circumstances.

He is a key player for Manchester City in the English Premiership and UEFA Champions League. Those long seasons now over, he was needed to represent England in the European Championships/Euro 2016, perhaps the second most prestigious championship in football after the FIFA World Cup.

Some players may be more fatigued than others in 2016, with its extra championship football matches.
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Scottish Banter: Facebook

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'Only England could manage to exit Europe twice in one week'

And a certain Northern Ireland...But the public prefers to bash England.
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Facebook

Russell Norman Murray @drrnm

From my Facebook site:

TSN says one of the Iceland co-coaches is a part-time dentist.

Classic...

England manager, resigns

‪#‎iceland‬ ‪#‎england‬ ‪#‎royhodgson‬

It seems to me that until England hires a football manager that can bring continental football expertise to the national team, especially defensively, not much will change for the better.

See France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and maybe even Belgium.
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Tumblr: According to some, Brexit and Leave campaign leader Boris Johnson resembles Donald Trump. Meanings assumed I gather...

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ITV June 26

Quote

'Tony Blair: 'Don't rule out a second EU referendum''

Well, if they do it will be satire site worthy...