Music18 May 2005 08:27 pm
ITF’s Editor – A Profound Influence
I am immensely, button-burstingly proud of this moment in my life. I was a profound influence on a person and situation which resulted in the creation of an exquisite piece of art.
I said “By, lift up your arm.” It was partially obscuring a big white string on his suit coat, so he moved his arm and then saw it.
Inspiration struck his fertile mind, and the rest is history.
46 Responses
May 18th, 2005 at 8:43 pm
Tom–have been enjoying the Troyer sense of humor since I’ve discovered the world of blogs!!:) thought I should tell you that your dad was very brave and stopped by at a “come and go” baby shower today for Regina Ruckert–I was impressed!:)
May 19th, 2005 at 9:05 am
Oh Tom, thank you so much for portraying to us more clearly the significance of the events that inspired this striking composition of music! Our respect and admiration for you has been enlarged, and we esteem your ability to impact lives and make a difference in our generation. Just think of how many people will be blessed when this song flashes through their mind during a crucial moment of their lives! You make us so proud! Almost button-bursting proud!(*pat-pat*)
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, hats off to The Honorable, Noble and Renown, Song-Inspiring Editor of Iced Tea Forever, Mr. Thomas Troyer!
May 19th, 2005 at 4:18 pm
Dave is starting to get it! Next will be Darin.
May 19th, 2005 at 4:44 pm
Thank you for the compliment Mr. Troyer. But just so that I can be sure of what exactly it is that I’m getting, please explain what you think it is.
On a more ominous note, I think your nobility and reputation is being questioned over at the By-log these days. Indeed, it may even be enough to cause me to begin to “lose” what I have been “getting”!!
May 19th, 2005 at 8:36 pm
You’re getting the essence of all things ITF!
I’m not too worried about the by-log, I’m getting kinda tired of all the people over there wrapped up in their own deepness and seeing what all they can get worked up about. My job over there is to stir the pot with stupid stuff!
May 20th, 2005 at 7:32 am
OK, I’m beginning to feel frustration this morning. You, Tom, are button-burstingly responsible for a virtual plague that has descended upon my vulnerable and musical mind, “The Big White String”! A plague indeed! I haven’t been able to relieve my mind of the catchy tune. I’m beginning to think it may not be as beneficial and edifying as I originally thought. Since I went through some heavy issues last night, and as the song, ever present as it was, afforded precious little help to the situation, I speak from experience. Therefore, today I will immerse my desiccated mind in plenty of wholesome music by West Coast and The Wilds (maybe some AHQ) in an effort to restore my former mental and spiritual vigor.
Your illustrious reputation has begun to lose it’s shine Tom.
May 20th, 2005 at 8:21 am
OOOOHHHH, I’ve found it! The perfect solution! In my recent mental distress, I failed to remember that there was another song that Tom was not influential in its inspiration, “The Light”. I will play and replay the spiritually and mentally uplifting song original with Byran Smucker until the visions of big, fuzzy, clutching strings no longer haunt my frazzled days and sleepless nights!
Ok, that may be stretching it. (pun intended-unintentionally)
May 20th, 2005 at 6:34 pm
So Tom, your mission in life is to provide us with plenty of Tom-foolery?
May 20th, 2005 at 8:56 pm
That’s a huge part of ITF, yes!
May 21st, 2005 at 1:04 am
And that, oh Tom, is why we love you!
Ag
P.S. Hey ya’ll!
May 21st, 2005 at 1:45 am
Ag is back!! And I’ll bet she’s busy digging through the archives!
May 21st, 2005 at 7:48 am
Watch out, the dirt may fly!:)
Lavern
May 22nd, 2005 at 4:51 pm
You got it. I’ve got some serious digging to do. Gotta make sure everyone has been behaving and being nice to my favorite blogger!
Ag
May 22nd, 2005 at 7:55 pm
Ag: And who would your favorite blogger be?
May 22nd, 2005 at 9:35 pm
Ag: Glad the Lord saw fit to keep you in the land of the living. Merry just told me tonight that it was you By was talking about.
May 22nd, 2005 at 10:04 pm
Hans, you had to ask??!!
Ag, not everyone has been nice. Occasionally there have been some very vocal skeptics trying to tear me down. I won’t mention any names, but you might want to keep an eye out for that Yoder piano player!
May 22nd, 2005 at 11:17 pm
Hans, I call Tom my favorite blogger. It makes him feel good about himself. No really, I love this guy! And yes, I was the first to drop that weekend. Not a good experience. You and Merry should drop in and see my new niece! It’s unfair that you live so close to her!! I’m jealous! I got to meet her Saturday. She adores me! Oh but I am in love! Might come down for a few days this week. HURRAY!
Tom, I’m sorry they’ve mistreated you. I’m sure you didn’t deserve any of it!
Darin, are you being good? I don’t know, I’m a bit wary of Yoders! We are polluted with them here!
Get this. You think “S” is about at the end of the alphabet right? So tonight I was putting something in a mailbox at church and was looking for a last name beginning with “S”. I found it about half-way through the mailboxes. The ENTIRE other half of the mailboxes are Yoders! PITIFUL! We even have a big church!
Darin, a bit of advice that will take you far – When you marry, take HER last name!!
Ag
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:13 am
Ahhhhh……Ag, you’re back!! Things will definitely feel like they are back to normal. So GOOD to have your comments freely flowing once again! :)
Karen
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:03 am
Ha ha! It sure is!
May 23rd, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Am I being good? What kind of question is that?! Oh, sure, Tom and I have our little altercations over various things but I haven’t been bad, Oh no, not bad.
Yoders are good. The more the merrier, though, we too, are weighted a little heavily on that side.
May 23rd, 2005 at 6:34 pm
Oh how I adore you all! You make me laugh.
Karen, so impressed that you comment! Go girl!
Tom, didn’t I tell you that you would miss me more than I missed you?! So true!
Darin, I still think you should take her last name! Or just make up a new one like, Zigawig or something catchy like that.
Ag
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:51 pm
Anita, I’ve gotta find her first. Then we’ll discuss such weighty matters ourselves.
Hmph. Taking her last name indeed.
May 23rd, 2005 at 11:03 pm
I could help you find her. Oh man, I would so love to get my hands in the matchmaking business. I would be so good…..:) Actually, I know those things are better left up to God, but I sure would like to help him out sometimes! Traggic thing about it is the small fact that he never asks me to be of assistance!
Sigh!
Ag
May 24th, 2005 at 8:33 am
I share your excitement for the matchmaking. Anita, I wonder what would happen if we’d team up in our efforts…………:) Oh wouldn’t we terrify some people!
Karen
May 24th, 2005 at 9:27 am
Doll, we’d change the world. Relationships as you now know them would cease to exist. Oh how fun it would be! I am such a hopeless romantic. My word! Karen, perhaps the Lord is speaking to us revealing His will for our future. ;)
Anyone out there interested in quality, affordable, SKILLED matchmaking services? You know who to call.
Ag
May 24th, 2005 at 10:17 am
Oh people, please!! Marriage is a God-ordained and holy thing, not a–oh, I don’t know what! Yes, it might be fun to “match” people if we knew everything about their lives/personality/makeup; possessing this perfect knowledge would assure fantastic results. But since we don’t possess that, and since we can’t assure the other, it is then without question none of our business!! :) Now, I do understand what you mean better than you probably think I do, and I know that this “zeal” more commonly affects the feminine species, but I still think we follow the world too far in our bantering about something that God esteems so holy; He uses marriage as an illustration of His love toward us.
Oh no… Ag, your last post just showed up; I thought I was done, but I’ll have to say more…
I work with a girl who really, really, yes, really enjoys guessing the next couple in our church/churches. She laughs and giggles and gets so thrilled if somebody that she paired up in her mind begins courting; she may have only paired them for a moment, before pairing them with the next possible match… We have debated the issue more than once, and simply do not agree with each other. My biggest problem with it is this: if she’s continually scouting and reviewing and pairing singles into couples, she must be doing it to me too!! And that is none of her business!!! I detest the notion that she thinks she knows who would be a good wife for me!!! She is so clueless to my – everything- about my wife!!
As to your calling, dear Ag, I hate to dissapoint you; you said it well when you said you are a hopeless romantic, but–oh, where did you say you possibly heard the Lord speaking? And as to your SKILLED services, before I tap into your matchmaking prowess, I need ten success testimonials with five years of married bliss behind them, and a happily-ever-after guarantee.
May 24th, 2005 at 10:20 am
; )
May 24th, 2005 at 11:11 am
Sorry, there are no success stories. I keep my hands clean. I just can’t help but wish that the Lord would need my help. So far he hasn’t asked. Humph. I’m just ready if he ever does. ;)
I think it’s cheap when someone goes around constantly guessing and prodding about into the tender affairs of other individuals love lives, or lack thereof. They serve only to stir mud in clear waters.
I apologize to you on behalf of the feminine gender who cannot keep their noses in their own affairs. I’m sorry for you! That can become ugly and complicated as well as annoying and frustrating.
Ag
May 24th, 2005 at 11:55 am
Ok. I see we hit a tender nerve. I don’t blame you, Dave, for being frustrated with matchmaking that crosses the line into one’s private life. I also think that it is a serious step to ask a girl/starting dating a guy. It should involve much prayer and interaction with one’s authority.
On the other hand, I can help but feel excitement when two people get together that I’ve already paired up in my mind. I think what I do with this idea (who should get together) makes a big difference. Am I respecting each party?
Karen
May 24th, 2005 at 2:32 pm
Wonderful!! An understanding soul!! Or two – how comforting… I was half-expecting to get blasted! Apology well received, and I’m sure it will help me the next I deal with–them; my respect for the said gender has just increased! My feelings? Ugly,no – complicated, not really – annoyed and frustrated, indeed.
Karen, more than a tender nerve (it may be), it is a staunch conviction. I really like your word, Ag: cheap. Something so holy, so pure in it’s origin; dare we fling it around like a ball on string? Somehow we think relationships and flirting and stuff like that isn’t that serious, and that marriage is the serious thing. I’m sorry, relationships etc. are all part of that marriage relationship, and we need to keep them all pure. I’l state again, I really believe we, Christians, need to maintain a clear distinction in how we approach this whole thing. I don’t necessarily mean details, but more the level of respect and reverance that we approach romance with. Of course I hope to have a love story someday, and I plan to have sweetest story on this planet :) ; but until then I will endeavor to treat God-ordained romance as a holy thing, and refrain from cheapening it, either by my own actions or in discussion with others.
I understand the “inevitable” excitement, or even the natural thoughts that flash through our minds when we “see” something. But you’re right on Karen; where does it go from there? Personally, and I won’t argue with you about it, just stating, I’ll allow you (as if it matters) to think that stuff if you keep it to yourself; you know what I mean? Because I “see” stuff too. It’s life, can’t deny it. But I stuff it away and forget where I put it. Sharing it with others just stirs up this whole “oh he likes her and she’s starting to chase him and did you see that and…” thing. That’s the very concept that cheapens romance. I find it very disgusting.
Oh man I’d better stop before I get into trouble… Oh yes – positive comments are welcome on this blog; negative ones can be emailed. Um, just send ’em to Tom!
May 24th, 2005 at 5:18 pm
I actually rather enjoy sitting back and letting people matchmake for me. It’s rather interesting and relaxing. Of course, it makes a big difference that my dad is the person who does this the most. He knows me intimately and is my authority, so…
Anyway, my two cents…
Oh, a couple more cents: I’ve kinda progressed through a number of stages as far as girls are concerned: First I was totally shy around all girls within 5 years of me. Then I was shy only with girls that I liked (as in liked-liked, of course) and was quite involved in making plans for my future. Now I’m just kind of sitting back, being friends with everybody, and leaving it in God’s hands. Not to say I don’t keep my eye out, but I’ve slowed down quite a bit and have a more laid-back approach.
Not that I was ever forward. On the contrary, I was always a very proper little Mennonite, but the way I relate has changed.
My two cents turned into a million bucks in volume if not value. ;)
May 24th, 2005 at 5:20 pm
Oh, and I echo Dave: “negative ones can be emailed. Um, just send ’em to Tom!” I love it!
jk of course… feel free to disagree or correct me where I’m doing stuff I shouldn’t…
May 24th, 2005 at 5:30 pm
No problem guys, I’m used to it what with all the negative feedback I get on my language and advertising!
May 24th, 2005 at 8:14 pm
I’ve discovered that I’m really good at avoiding men between the ages of about 20-30. Don’t do it intentionally, but as a whole, I withdraw in their presence. Sometimes I’m afraid I appear rude and distant, but I just recently decided that’s okay. I’m open (I think) to friendships with the opposite gender, but I don’t feel the need to pursue them.
A comment on the above discussion. Beware of the fact that there is a ditch on either side of the road! On one side you have casual relationships and flings that change quicker than the wind with no committment or depth whatsoever, and on the other side you have relationships start out so deep, heavy and serious, they take all the joy and beauty out of it.
Hans, my parents just disappointed me. I hugged my Daddy the other day and I told him that he is the only man that I need. He didn’t agree! I told my mom that if I do get married, I would love to let her and Dad to “choose” for me. She said they wouldn’t want to.
Just can’t win.
Ag
May 24th, 2005 at 10:38 pm
Ag: Good thing that I’m 17 and Tom, Dave, and Darin are all 35+. :)
Seriously now: “Beware of the fact that there is a ditch on either side of the road!” Amen! “Just can’t win.” Amen!
That makes me think: Your dad should blog! We would get some pearls of wisdom there!
May 25th, 2005 at 8:57 am
Ahh, come on Hans – I’ve been trying to make everyone think I’m a young guy, and after all that you blow my whole cover. Tom, I didn’t know you were 35+ too?! And Darin, you’re still “waiting” too, huh?
Get this: A couple years ago my youth group (whoops, that’s a give-away) singles group went singing for two little old ladies on a retirement community. As we filed into their living room, they jokingly remarked to each other about the fine looking young men. These ladies had never married, and had both served extensively on mission fields. They were quite spunky, even in their eighties! Anyway, at some point in the visit, the talk turned to marriage, and something was said about them never having found a “match”. The smaller lady, who was the funnest too by the way, very carefully and deliberately said, in a kind of don’t-rush-me voice, “We’re still looking; we want to be careful, you know?” Man, did we ever laugh!!
About this relating business-this is getting personal… I have a hard time meeting people in general. Girls are naturally harder yet, and I know I come across distant and maybe rude often. I’ve also decided that since establishing friendships with as many girls as I can is not a high priority, I’m not too worried about it. I feel free around people that I know pretty good, but it takes a little while for me to comfortable with new people.
The ditches are very real. I’ve seen plenty of the flingy sort, and remember at least one of the somber sort. The latter relationship started out pretty stiff, because of their personalities mostly, and lack of communication. But in a relatively short amount of time I saw their relationship blossom into irrepressible joy too! I think that’s great – I’m so happy for them! And Tom, I’m not talking about you and Jewel here – but I am happy for you too.
Ag-your parents know you in a way nobody else does right? Notice the wording there. Well, they’re probably right. I feel with Hans, about somebody like an authority in my life helping me find my “match”. It’s the frivilous, sleazilous, and giggilous “opinions” I cannot tolerate. *humph*
May 25th, 2005 at 9:44 am
WAIT JUST A MINUTE!!! I’m nowhere near 35!! I’m gonna hunt down that Hans and pound him!
May 25th, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Hey Tom, when you find him, pound him for me too.
Yes, Dave, I’m still “waiting”, albeit I’m only 21.
May 25th, 2005 at 4:49 pm
I will. You REALLY should be upset, you’re way farther from 35 than me even!
May 25th, 2005 at 6:18 pm
Perhaps he’s suggesting that your maturity level is high?
Nah! Check that one off!
Tom, you are near 35! Denial will get you nowhere! Accept it, embrace it.
Hey, I can’t wait to be thirty! That is the age I am anticipating. And no, there is nothing wrong with me, I am just looking forward to turning 30! Gotta ways to go yet.
Hans, now is the time to run screaming. You stepped on a nerve. I’ve always said that men are sensitive!
Dave, you and I had better not meet each other. We won’t be friends! I do not pursue friendships with guys. If we both are cold and distant we will probably need someone to stand between us to carry the conversation that we will not be taking part of. You want my advice. If you want to have friendships with the opposite gender it is your job to pursue it, NOT hers! So either you have to get over yourself and be a bit more friendly and aggressive, or live without feminine friendships.
Ag
May 25th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
I am NOT! Now I have to say how old I am to prove it!
I’m only 30. And a young 30 at that. Probably an immature one too.
May 25th, 2005 at 10:30 pm
Isn’t it fun being 30?
35 is close to 30! You are so near there you can smell the flames! I could talk to you along time about denial! It’ll mess you up!
Ag
May 26th, 2005 at 8:49 am
Well, it seems Hans is making his escape. He didn’t even take the time to apologize before he fled…
Tom, I never would have guessed you were thirty. I’m supposing that will make you feel better, but most people would be offended at the implications of being immature. If I’d never seen your picture, I’d would’ve thought you were 22. For what it’s worth.
Darin, I read your blog, so I knew how old you were. ;) I’m 22 myself.
Ag, you’re advice is “sound”. I know you’re right; truthfully though, my “situation” isn’t as bad as you probably think it is. I have feminine friendships, but they are limited to girls that I have been around for a while and we’ve learned to relate to each other. That’s why I said, “as many as I can”. But yes, the art of pursuing new friendships, guys or girls, is not mine.
There’s only one thing that I dread about getting older: if I know that I’ve wasted time (in a broad sense of the word) and can never make up for it. That thought kills me. I have to deal with that even now, about the time I’ve wasted in the last 6 years of my life. Being 22 is awesome, and I’m sure 30, 40, and 60 will be too; every year holds an inestimable amount of potential! But if complacency or neglect has caused me to lose ground, the only way to deal with the “loss” is trusting in the forgiveness of Christ for the past and anticipating the future.
May 26th, 2005 at 10:35 am
I just thought of something. With all this discussion on guys and girls and relationships, I’m waiting to see the Googe Ads post an eharmony ad!!! Contextual ads, you see…
May 27th, 2005 at 11:39 am
*peeks cautiously around the corner*
I’m sorry.. I was joking…
*runs away*
May 27th, 2005 at 11:40 am
*pokes head back around the corner*
Everyone here *is* older than me!
*grin*