Friday Stuff...

Well, I'm out for the weekend. Val and I are gonna go to IF for the weekend, and come back Monday sometime.

On a painful note, I pulled/strained my quadriceps on both legs yesterday. Those are the ones on the top part of the leg, in front, right? That's what I get for not stretching before running. Sucks to be me.

No link today, but have a great 4th of July!

Remember that America, even with all of its faults, is the greatest nation on earth!

Thursday Part 3

After a bit of tweaking,(with my limited html code knowledge), I managed to get things back. But when the site is loaded, some of the links don't show up unless the mouse goes over them. Stupid.

But, they are still there, so go ahead and use them!

I'm gonna apologize in advance (thus infuriating Ben :D ) if I choose text colors that are incompatible with the new format colors.

I'm out...

Well, I don't know...

I got the external links back on the side and at the top, but the links themselves aren't formatted the way I want them to be.

I tried a couple of different templates, and I'm not skilled enough, like Ben, to do anything myself. So, I guess I'll live with it.

*sigh*

New Look...

Well, in an attempt to get my external links back to where they are supposed to be, I changed the format of the blog. I was unsuccesful, however.

I really don't know what the deal is. I just want it back to the way it was.

I might change to something else later on.

I don't understand...

Where are they?!?!?! Pt. 2

Why are my external links down towards the bottom of my blog?

That's not right...

Interesting...

Cool...

I wonder how Heavenly Father does it...

Post #2!

This false color photograph of Neptune was made from Voyager 2 images taken in January 1996. The image reveals the presence of a ubiquitous haze that covers Neptune in a semitransparent layer. Near the center of the disk, sunlight passes through the haze and deeper into the atmosphere, where some wavelengths are absorbed by methane gas, causing the center of the image to appear less red. Near the edge of the planet, the haze scatters sunlight at higher altitude, above most of the methane, causing the bright red edge around the planet. By measuring haze brightness at several wavelengths, scientists are able to estimate the thickness of the haze and its ability to scatter sunlight. The image is among the last full disk photos that Voyager 2 took before beginning its endless journey into interstellar space.


Here is the link...

Those are pretty good odds...

Here is your link for today.

I don't want this post to sound callous........Really, I don't.

These are people whose chosen profession is inherently dangerous and/or risky. So, I would think that 1 in 100 odds are pretty good.

Of course, I say that secure in the knowledge that the most dangerous thing I do each day is commute to work. But, I haven't chosen to fly planes, racecars or anything else that is dangerous.

They have engineers and safety people who help prep the shuttle so that everything can be as safe as possible. But, of course, the possibility exists that something catastrophic will happen.

I suppose that I am puzzled as to why something like this is news-worthy. They are in a dangerous profession. I'm reminded of a line from the movie Armageddon: "Hey, Harry, you realize that we're sitting on top of 1 million pounds of rocket fuel, 1 nuclear waepon, and in a vehicle with 500,000 moving parts, all built by the lowest bidder. Kinda makes you feel good, doesn't it?"

I don't want you all to think I'm flippant. I'm not. I hope nothing bad happens to them.

But, we all take our chances every day, don't we?

Where are they!?!?!?!?!?!

Ah, a nice long weekend...which is over, unfortunately. *sigh*

Well, I played softball with my Elder's quorum on Thursday, for the first time in about 10 years. It was lots of fun, but I hurt quite a bit on Friday and Saturday. I need to get into better shape. I also need to remember to step away from the plate a bit so I don't destroy my shoulder/rotator cuff. By the way, it's lots harder to hit the ball than I remember from my younger days. I suppose it's gonna be one of those 'lost skills' that everyone loses sometime in their lives. I'll get it back, though.

Just so you know, I struck out in my first at bat, singled the 2nd, and walked the other 2. We won, and the score was like 26-4, or somethin'... I don't know how many RBI's I had. Doesn't really matter.

But, when we got home Thursday after the game, my shoes were dusty, so I took them out onto the deck, intending to clean them Friday morning. But....I forgot about them until this morning. There I am, wandering about for 15 minutes, looking everywhere for my shoes so I can go to work. I even woke Val up and asked her if she knew where my shoes had gone to.

After 15 minutes, I'm beginning to panic a bit, wondering what I'm gonna wear. They aren't ANYWHERE! Did they get thrown away? Sent to DI? Where are they?

Then, as I'm thinking of how I'm going to post today about the softball game and that I coul;dn't find my shoes, the connection hits- post, softball, dirty shoes, deck... AH HA!

So, I found my shoes, and if my head weren't attached to my neck, I'd prolly lose that also.

I'm out.

By the way, no link today.

By the way...

I have tomorrow off, since I worked on Sunday. So, have a good weekend, and be sure to do something fun for yourself this weekend! I'm out!

Why is there no justice?

I've reading "The Work and the Glory" by Gerald Lund. I've mentioned before that I am a fan of historical fiction, so I like the 2 books I have read thus far.

What I didn't realize was, that by reading a book about the Restoration and the persecutions endured by those heroes of the start of this last dispensation, how vivid the feelings I would feel would be. I have a very good imagination, which is one of the reasons I love to read so much. Therefore, it is quite easy for me to visualize how difficult it must have been for them.

I still shake my head that such blatant cruelty and ignorance was tolerated, even encouraged. Today there are watchdog groups, lobbyists, PAG's (political action groups), special interest groups, etc. There wasn't anything that organized back then.

My link for today regards challenges and perfection.

The question came into my mind:" Why did Joseph Smith suffer so much? Didn't he do enough?"
This thought was immediately followed by the understanding that we are sent here to learn patience, love, charity, all the Godly attributes necessary for our exaltation. I also understood that following the commandments brings trials, pain and growth. The real purpose of life is to grow, not for life to be easy. Sucks, but it's the truth.

I also remembered something that Brigham Young said, to the effect that people who become Gods in their own right have to experience all the things that are ordained for them to become like our Heavenly Father. Therefore, suffering and challenges are a necessary part of life.

Jesus had to suffer the things He did in order to become the Savior of us all, and to become like God. Joseph understood that "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" involves sacrifices, faith, pain, suffering and charity. The only way those characteristics can be developed is through the exercise of those characteristics in situations that call for them in our lives.

The Refiners fire burns away impurities and His hand molds us in to what we hope to become. Fire burns, doesn't it? It's not comfortable nor easy, and it's not meant to be. It's meant to help change us and help us be better. The thing is, we have to choose to change, to choose to subject ourselves to more growing experiences and pain. That's the only way we get better, more Christ-like, isn't it?



Because, in the end, there is only one way to become like God, isn't there?

Oh, the doggie cuteness!

I like the first one cuz' it reminds me of our dog Hugo, who was put to sleep about 3 years ago.

I also like the Yoda one.

Cute!

Sudden Insecurities

By the way, the words that are in different colors in my posts are links to stories I want to talk about.

And it's all family friendly content!

Really, I am...

Proof positive that I am a nerd\geek, someone just e-mailed me in confusion as to my peeling off the system requirements for my dream system, and what did they mean.

By the way, if you had no problem understanding my system requirements, then you also are a nerd\geek.

Congrats!

Scotty, I need more power!

Yes, I'm still a geek/nerd. Val says that there is a difference, but I don't know what the distinction is. Does anyone know the difference?

I thought this was cool.

Eventually I plan to move onto the computing super-highway. Right now, I'm content to be in the slow lane.

And yes, I plan on upgrading my technology eventually. Right now I have a P4 1.5 GHz with about 750 MB of RAM running XP, with a 40 GB and a 60GB hard drive. It's enough to play the things I want to. Sometimes maybe not as smoothly as I'd like, but it is sufficient.

I'd like to have 3 100GB hard drives RAIDed, an overclocked 256 MB video card, a P4 4.5 GHz processor w/ 2GB RAM, a DVD burner, wireless keyboard/mouse, and a expansive flat sreen monitor. Preferably, the monitor would be a large HDTV or something comparable.

Well, it's nice to dream. Val says I shouldn't compromise what I want, but to buy this is not realistic. We're talking over $5k.

Everybody has to be able to compromise.

Better or Longer?

Here is my link/topic for the day.

This is an interesting dichotomy. Living longer isn't necessarily better, is it? I can imagine some poor person, 55 or so, who has diabetes, ED, heart disease and the onset of Alzheimers.

Doesn't sound too good, does it?

I know I wouldn't want to live another 22.6 years in a deteriorating condition.

To contrast, imagine a 55 year old who has no diabetes, a healthy heart with NO heart disease, an exerciser, a healthy sex life, and a clear and lucid mind.

Sounds lots better, doesn't it?

I'm a believer that "We are what we eat." I think everyone in the US understands this saying from an intellectual standpoint, but food and cravings exert a significant pull over humans, and Americans in particular.

All it takes is willpower, something which a lot of people have trouble exercising. Speaking of exercising, that's something else that people have trouble doing.

Sorry, I'll get off my spinach carton. I just think that a long life isn't good if you aren't healthy. But, your chances of a long, healthy life increases when you eat right.

It's difficult for me to be patient when people say "I couldn't ever do that" to anything. Self-defeating. Tell the truth to yourself. Say "I don't want to stop enough. It isn't important to me."

Then, at least you're being honest.

Honestly, I know I need to be patient with others. That's one of my faults. I'm working on it...

Honest!

Wouldn't this be nice?

I wish my company did something like this, or even had a retention policy like what is mentioned.

Department of Homeland what?

Here is your link for the day.

I think this is really sad. The department of the government created specifically to counter terrorism and promote national security can't even control access to its own bulding.

Hello!?!?!?

It's called the Department of Homeland Security! What sort of security do we have? None whatsoever!

We're worried about planes, but what about ships? Trains? Our border with Canada?

Some would say that it's impossible to control everything that comes into the country. But I say that we cut down on the unecessary 'BS' that the government funds, and use that money to help pay people to clamp down on our vulnerabilities. I'm sure that the Defense Department and the Pentagon could find a million ways to trim their budgets. Haven't we heard "You don't think they pay $75 for a hammer, $250 for a toilet seat do you?"

I'm almost beginning to believe that the best way for us to defend ourselves is to do it ourselves. Buy guns, learn how to use them responsibly, and keep our eyes and ears open.

Fuel of the Future...

Good Monday, fellow-citizens!

I'm really tired today. The weekend was long, but not in a good way. Lots to do, and not a lot of time to do it.

For your Joel update: He was made ZL (zone leader) last week and transferred out of Chapel Hill. Not much else from him this week. He is having a fun time, and apparently learning and growing a lot.

I think this place is the first in what is sure to be a growing trend, especially as gas prices continue to rise. We all know it's gonna happen, don't we? Of course we do.

I'd like to have a car that burns E85 , biodiesel or something like that. I'd gladly pay extra for it, since any extra paid would be made up in the fuel savings later on down the road. I'm getting to the point, I think, that good gas mileage is more important than sportiness or quickness. I'm gonna drive my Jetta into the ground, and the next car I get will have to have some guts. But, a turbo or supercharger and things like that won't be necessary. Good mileage, roomy interior, etc. will be more important.

That's about all I have for my Monday.

I'm out...

Raining domesticated 4-legged felines and canines...

Yesterday, on our way over to Tressa's (one of Val's cousins), it started raining so hard that visibility went from ~100 feet to nothing in 1 or 2 seconds. I've seen some nasty rain, especially walking in it in Argentina, but I've never seen anything like this. I got out of the car and sprinted to the porch, but to no avail. I was practically soaked.

The movie Cars comes out today. I'm impressed with Pixar and their story-writing staff. They are batting 1.000 so far. Val and I are gonna go see it next week.

My brother-in-law Josh and Karin get married tomorrow. Those of you who know me know how I feel, so I won't belabor my point. Tomorrow promises to be a very long day.

Not much else to report.

Have a good weekend! I'm out...

Wow! 2 posts in 1 day...

Like a butterfly, a white dwarf star begins its life by casting off the cocoon that enclosed it. In the cocoon-like structure above, the planetary nebula designated NGC 2440, contains one of the hottest white dwarfs known to scientists. The white dwarf can be seen as the bright dot near the photo's center. Our sun eventually will become a "white dwarf butterfly," but not for another 5 billion years.

Image credit: NASA/R. Ciardullo (PSU)/H. Bond (STScI)

Here is the link for this picture.

One right doesn't right a wrong....right?

Check this out.

I’m not sure where I stand on this issue. I think that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, abortion is wrong. That cluster of non-specialized cells will eventually become a real person, and thus should be treated as a person. Young children have protectors, judges, protective services etc. Why should a fetus be any different?

But, in this case, God has allowed us to discover the potential for good from stem cells. Right now though, the only way to get stem cells is to destroy a fetus.

I know that God will never interfere in our right to choose, but He certainly can control what kind and amount of knowledge He gives us.

There is so much potential for good that can come from stem cells. It could revolutionize the human race and the way we age. This is where ‘The ends justify the means’ speech could be made.

A quote from Star Trek: Insurrection comes to mind. Capt. Picard asks: “How many people does it take, Admiral, before it becomes wrong? A thousand? A million? How many does it take, Admiral?”





“What a shocking d-d-dilemma.”

Day of Devils.......Yeah, right.

So, today is the infamous 06.06.06. It happens every 100 years, and most people freak out about it. I admit to being a bit superstitious, but to say that the 'AntiChrist' is gonna be born today seems ludicrous. That, or that the world will end today is also laughable. I remember hearing something like that while I was in my 2nd area in Argentina. That was 8 years ago. Guess what? World's still here.

I figure that if the world ends today, that I can say that I have done lots better lately than the prior 15 years of my life. Not stellar, but better. So, room for improvement. I'll do better.

The only thing that occurs to me at this point is to go home and read the book of Revelations, along with any inspired commentary I can find to help shed light on this most confusing of issues.

I figure something by James E. Talmage or Bruce R.

What a bunch of crap this fear/superstition stuff is!

Somewhat random musings...

Chek this out...

I suppose it would be helpful if restaurants would limit their portions. But, why can't people eat more compassionately/healthier?

If you stopped eating meat, eggs and milk, wouldn't your intake of heart-clogging saturated fat drop precipitously? Wouldn't your waist size start dropping? Why is it other people's responsibility to moderate how much Americans eat? Are they incapable of taking action for themselves? Or, in the end, does it finally come down to the mania for not having to take responsibility for our own actions...? Of course it doescome down to that...

On a different note, I registered at my graduating class' website. My 10 year reunion is coming up. I can't believe it's been 10 years already. As with my mission site, I urge everyone who wants to to sign up. That way, if you ever want to know what is happening, you can be informed. Of course, those of you who don't want to be reminded of high school, you don't have to do jack-diddly squat. Go ahead and wallow in your ignorance.