Learn something new everyday...

I've always made this a thing I do, learn either how to do something new or learn how something works. It's amazing how we build upon our knowledge by collecting fragments of information and tie them together. Today I went to a lecture on SQL Server 2008, and the new features of that database. I can remember 5 years ago that subjects discussed would have been way above my head, but today it all makes perfect sense, because I use the information. The fragments of information I don't use, don't get tied to knowledge I already have, and probably get lost. As I think about how we as humans map out pointers to information, to tie these fragments together to see the bigger picture. Fragments of knowledge can also be false, or un-true, so we are always challenging what we know by adding more information, experience, and other fragments of knowledge. Learning is really exciting, because as we build our minds to map all this trivial information, we can build it together and actually become an expert in this field. Everyone and anyone can be expert, just by picking up information and putting it into practice.

Beauty of Nature and the hands of God

Often I wonder and ponder at the beauty of the world around us. How can a person say that this vast creation is nothing but a mass of randomness. The patterns of nature are the fingerprints of the divine. Is there truly a random spot in the universe, a spot which can not be touched by the creator? If what we see is nothing but the raw forces of nature acting upon itself to it's own bitter destruction, then what is the purpose of the pursuit of beauty? There is a true understanding of beauty which we all hold, no one can say that beauty doesn't exist. If beauty was just a norm, then there would be no pursuit of the best, if it was too rare there would be no standard of beauty. Even in the heart of evlolutionary thinking, there is a best and a strive for the best. But why would this be programmed into the DNA of cingle cell creature. Does it have the understanding or the view point to understand it's total demise, and the demise of it's genology are totally built into the decision it makes? If it has no understanding of beauty or perfection what type of decsion can be made to make the next evolutionary step? That programming in itself would take trillions of years of trial and error.
As I ponder the question of beauty, I do see it as devine in it's nature. How can man in a corrupt estate of sin ever understand and admire beauty in itself. I am nothing but a worm, but with insight granted only by God can I step back and admire, but not truly understand beauty. Beauty, as I understand it, is the only glimps of God I can view thru this veil of mortality here in this life. Yes, these are my thoughts today.

100 Cards via Postcrossing!!! now I'm at 104

Yes, this week (a little later than I expected) I made it to the 100 club. The really cool thing, is now I have 96 Cards received, and a few more on the way. I think I might keep going and set another goal at maybe 150. This is worth doing, and it’s really a lot of fun.

See more progress on: Send 100 cards via postcrossing.com

Mr. Chavez, Button your lip

I know in the US there is always bickering and back biting over issues and politics, but when is the blow below the belt? By what authority does a dictator of a thirdworld country have the right to back bite the nation which is hosting this open forum of free speech. Yes, there is the constitution of the United States, which has no bearing on his reign. It was advantageous that he took such liberties in a free forum, when he himself affords none of these freedoms to his own people.
There is much contempt in the world for the United States. Many countries wish they could guide the destiny of this great nation, but these liberties were only afforded to Americans. Yes Hugo Chavez has the ability to look like a fool before the nations, even as his nation sinks from the scope of the modern era.
There is a public forum of the world community, but the question I pose is substance rather than personal attacks. I normally don't agree with Bill Clinton, but today I will agree that in politics, personal attacks are not in etiquette. In any of Mr. Chavez's speeches has he placed any merit of proof for this claims, or has he stated a fact which will make Americans ponder a new epoch in their history?
Remember Mr. Chavez, Americans have the choice to buy your oil or not, this is truly substance.

These are my thoughts on this matter.

It's not impossable, yet its hard

I live in a rural part of Texas with my wife, and four children. Our church is 45 miles away, and getting there on time has been hard. Like any family with many children, organization is a key to success. Here are some steps I have taken and they might help: 1) Clothes out the night before to include shoes and socks. I’ve found that the shoes and socks are the things which actually take the longest to find on a Sunday morning, and matching socks and shoes are almost never to be found on Sunday Morning, having everything ready the night before saves that needed time. 2) Diaper bag always packed.. It’s really bad when you get 13 miles from home and that thought “Oh No! We left the diaper bag at home” very common for the new parents (and old alike). One thing we found is to have a ‘emergency’ diaper bag in the trunk of our car at all times, and saves on the backtrack! 3) Harmony – Often trips which are less planned tend not to have the same level of harmony. I’ve found to have things to keep the children occupied (like tapes, CD’s, games) in the car help to keep them from fighting. Also rules which don’t allow picking, nagging, or bad attitudes are a must. This way the trip doesn’t become a drag, you’ll want to drive your family to church because this is a great time for family bonding. 4) Sunday Breakfast. For our family making breakfast on Sunday morning was a huge drag on time, though eating out does cost, it saves in time. This is the one time of the week where fast food is allowed. If not fast food, then having something, which can be eaten quickly and without a mess in the car (granola bars, breakfast bars, pop tarts, etc.) 5) Pack the night before, Bibles, extra clothes, anything you need should be placed into the car the night before.

See more progress on: Get to Church on time

Calvinism and the Great Commission

I have never really had a problem with sharing Calvinism with love, since it’s a theological bent, not a religion. We are all Christians, and I look lovingly on my Armenian and Dispensational brethren, who are just as much an heir of the Kingdom, as am I. We might not agree on the systematic of theology, but we can agree on the core Christian principles. There is a great misconception with our other Christian brethren, that Reformed means frozen chosen, and we do not have a zeal for the Great Commission. Even though it is very rare, that you might see an ‘alter call’ in a Reformed Church, they have a zeal for preaching the Gospel without a ‘watered down’ message. We (Christians) are not called to convince people to believe (how do you convince a fish it is a good thing to be trapped in a net), we are called to preach the Gospel. The work of Regeneration is solely in the hands of God. May the Church never be complacent in completing the work of the Great commission.

See more progress on: Share Calvinism more lovingly

Learning to lock things away

CIMG4538
Originally uploaded by emma b.

In our society it's not proper to talk about personal things, things which are often hard for others to understand. Being public is only a facade of something which is much more sinister. There is of course hope, that all these things which I lock away are not to be locked in lost, but dropped and shared with God. Yes I do have comfort in knowing that He, will understand my problems, my personal things. He created me in His image, and the flaws which sin makes, can only be healed by the creators hand. I'm not perfect, I'm far from being Holy, but I do know that imperfections need to be resolved. I can not do it on my own, I can not act like I'm able and capable. But I do know that God is capable, and will, by His good will and mercy make me the Man who He wants me to be.

Day One, Road Trip to PA

Hello family and friends, today is Day 1 of our road trip to the North for Christmas. Yes, I'm driving North with my wife and wonderful children. We are now at our friends house in Alexandrea LA. Tomorrow we will attend church here and head off on the road. Very exciting not having to worry about work.

Uber or Metro, What's the deal with all the labels

Metrosexual - a feminized male. Ubersexual - more masculine than the Metro. But the real question, what is wrong with Masculinity in the first place? It was only about a year ago that I'd even heard the term Metrosexual, the queer eye guys (or should I say people) directed us to a more feminized fashion consciences male. Clean lines, talented, able to cook, clean and also recite poetry to woo the women (or men?). But the real question, what do women really want? I mean that's the only reason guys go to a spa to have their back hair removed (ouch!)
I think this entire question goes back to the 'Sexual Revolution' in which women really got mixed up, no longer was it acceptable to raise a family while your husband brought home the bacon. It was ok to be a professional mom, who saw the kids as they jumped on the bus and when you arrived home. The professional dad did the same, and the kids, well they survived and got a title also - latchkey (I would prefer to say, 'child with key'). Then that became unpopular when the kids (while making microwave popcorn) where burning down houses and joining gangs. Then the Idea of the 'stay at home daddy'. Think of it, little Tommy is at school and is teacher asks him what he wants to be when he grows up, 'Well, I want to be a stay at home Daddy'.
This was a good idea, but budgets got stretched, and well the guys just sucked at the nurturing thing. Women wanted a 'fixed family' opposed to a 'broken family', so growing up in 'broken families' women started to look for 'mommy like' men- well the Metromale (Metrosexual). Men who could keep house and cook and clean and be more sensitive to the offspring. But now well, these guys aren't guys - they are Metromales, not as attractive as the husky man that smelled like sweat. Ubermale? I'm confused... (maybe I'll have to retake that 7th grade sex education course again) and that's all I have to say.

Good Asian Food In Elgin

This is a regular stop during my week. Usually in a given week my wife will call at least once and ask me to bring something home, and “Hong Kong” usually fits the bill. Good Chinese food, on the more normal American style, A very good house fried rice.

See more progress on: Hon Kong Restaurant

Totally Fun to get mail from People you don't know

I’ve been doing this since August, and It’s Great! I wish the mail would travel quicker, but I’m enjoying the giving and getting from this great website. I would encourage anyone to give it a try and send at least one postcard.

See more progress on: start postcrossing

Does Being Productive mean showing Progress?

I’m a software developer, and most of the time it’s hard to show that I’m productive. I work long hours, and I do a lot, but I don’t have anything to show for my progress (other than I’m closer than I was before). I want to show progress and I want to be productive. I’m still trying to identify the things which don’t make me productive (like distractions, and meetings, and things which don’t add to the final goal of the output). I have to determine what productive means for me so I can determine what the goal will look like.

See more progress on: work more efficiently

Amazing Evolution? Or Design?

Dragon fish
Originally uploaded by sthtbs.

I was watching the Animal Channel yesterday and they had a little snip about the Dragon Fish, a small creature which lives off the coast of New Zealand. This amazing fish, blends in to it's surroundings. It gets so camouflaging that when the female need to lay her eggs in the males egg pouch (yes the male carries the children) his tail has to turn red otherwise she wouldn't be able to find him. How did the male even evolve a way to indicate he was there, because it contradicts the fact he is camouflaging, and if he is so well camouflaging then the female would have never found him so he would have had no reason to evolve such a trait since by the 'survival of the fittest' they would have all died since they wouldn't find each other. Does anyone know if the sea horse has this same trait?

When I Grow Up...

My house
Originally uploaded by Beaukiss Steve.

What is it about kids that they love playhouses, playclothes, and even play tools? Do they really want to grow up, or it just the process of growing up. Actually I think I'm a big kid, with my real tools and my real things, but the play things probably where just if not more importaint. I have no Idea where this picture was taken but from the look on his face he's happy. Maybe because it's just a space he can call his for a few seconds, or maybe because he fits right in. I really need to make more point of taking pictures of my children doing the play things, so they can have something to look back upon when they have the 'real' and imagine just how wonderful the play was.

Cool New Webpage

I’m woring on my new cool personal web page, actually my personal family web page to show off pictures of the children. I’m reading a book on SVG scripting, I think that will make the website very cool. I guess I should add that as a task to my 43 things, but I have too many things to do. SVG Scripting is very simple, the only thing is that you need a plugin to actually use it, so the down side is if people want to see my cool site, they have to download a plugin.

See more progress on: finish my personal web page

Those "You've been Pre-Approved" Letters

We have a huge grocery sack which we keep by our sink which get’s filled in a matter of 2 weeks from all the Pre-Approved offers, which always Suck! I mean, why would I pay some company $25 bucks a month, so I can use a card, and pay them even more. I’ve started to go thru the offers with a highliter, and highlighting where I want changes then I mail the offer back without signing and give them a counter offer of lets say 0% interest for 10 Years, and you pay me for using your card. Then I fill the pre-paid envelope with this ton of paper and send it back. This must cost the Credit card company because, A) I didn’t accept thier offer, B) They need to pay someone to open the letter and read it, C) they have to pay for postage – plus the funny thing is they have to draft a custom letter back saying that they don’t accept my offers (so they need to spend even more money). I’ve made it plain all I will shop with is Federal Notes, Cash….

See more progress on: destroy credit card companies

Went to My wife's reuion....

A few weeks ago my wife had her 10th reunion (I skipped my 10th) and I went along kicking and screaming… but it wasn’t really that bad. It was actually fun to meet her old friends and see how people interacted. I actually had someone come up to me and try to convince me that she remembered me from when we were in school (LOL since I didn’t go to her school, ever!). I could tell she had a good time and people actually had good memories to share even if the High School experience was awful. I think I would make the effort to go at least once because there were some good memories of High School.
I want to make the Goal to attend the next High School Reunion for my Class.

See more progress on: go to my high school reunion

My Goal

To organize my Stamp collection and add at least 25 ‘newer’ stamps to the collection this year.

See more progress on: collect stamps

Buisness Plan

This weekend my wife and I are working on her ‘Buisness Plan’. Trying to figure out how her buisness will work, and how she’s going to make money. I’ve found a place where we can rent a portable office (we own lots of land, and they will drop off the office near our house). This way she can work at home but also have her own place to work. Now we have to make sure that her buisness can pay for the expenses.

See more progress on: Help my wife start a buisness

It doesn't matter where you live, you need one!

I think everyone should have one, I think Rita shook up people around here where the shelves are now bare (2 days before the storm even hits) and gas stations are empty. This is a true wakeup to me that if this were an emergency without warning (i.e. terrorist attack or earthquake) we would be helpless. Make sure your pack acessable at any time, and ready to move. I plan to keep our kit in a closet and keep it packed, and check it once a month to make sure nothing is expired or needs to be rotated out. It never hurts to be prepaired, it might even save your life.

See more progress on: Organize my 72 Hour Kit for Emergency Preparedness