Thursday, December 04, 2008

2nd Amendment

This past fall I decided that it was time for me to join the ranks of those permitted to bear arms. In Illinois, state law dictates that you must possess a FOID card in order to purchase a firearm. I applied for mine back in September, and recently received it. I also attended and passed hunter's safety (50 hicks and me out in New Baden, IL, most of them under the age of 13).

I purchased a firearm to make my home safer (argue what you may), but now it seems like even the elderly are able to do that, but this time, via a prescription from their doctor. I'm sorry, but this is pretty scary, and even makes me upset somewhat that insurance can be used for that purpose.

Happy Thursday :).

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Gas @ 1.39

On the way to my school, I drive on a less than desirable street Grand Blvd., south from I-70. I lock my doors immediately when I know I'll be driving any distance on it, and luckily I'm only on it for 2 and a half miles.

However, it also has the cheapest freakin' gas in the bi-state area around St. Louis. Prices are consistently 10 cents cheaper than anywhere else in St. Louis, and they're often 25 to 30 cents cheaper than what I can get on the Illinois side. However, often I do not believe the risk premium of stepping out of my car to pump the cheaper gas is worth the dollar savings I'd make in filling my little tank up.

That is, until yesterday. If you're like me, and you've been watching gas prices fall for the past month and a half, you have to wonder when it's all going to end, and we'll reach the end of the valley. I have to believe that time is coming soon. I've noticed the price decreases at least slowing down a little bit (instead of 20 cents a week, they might be 10 cents now). The price yesterday at the BP I filled up at stood at $1.39, so I had to do it. I don't know when they will ever be that low again, and since it stands at a cheaper price than it was even 10 years ago, I think the historical significance of that choice far outweighs any potential risk on my life I incurred by stopping to get gas there.

Prices might keep falling, and if so I'll keep reveling in that, but seriously, it is getting a lot easier to get around town.

P.S. Don't worry, not only does the BP have the cheapest gas, it's also the most well-lit gas station along the dangerous part of the road. So, either I'll be safer, or the bad guys will have an easier time trying to snuff me out because they'll be able to aim better.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Post-Election Living

I'm pretty sure everyone is excited that Barack Obama is going to be our next president. Before you express objection to that, the reason I said it was that now we do not have to watch 24/7 political coverage telling us why this candidate or that is better on this topic or that anymore.

Instead, we get to enjoy the fall, which I feel that God has sort of postponed for us this year, so that we could fully enjoy it after the election ;). The colors around here are just starting to peak, and the weather is starting to turn. I heard on the radio this morning our low tonight is 35. WHOO HOO! 30'S!


So kick back with some cider and a loved one, and enjoy the indoor living you'll get to do for the next 4 or 5 months. Try to get outdoors to see the colors and enjoy a couple of activities, but rest up :). I know I'll be enjoying all the family time and otherwise taking part in things I really enjoy doing.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Cruise!

Well I'm back from my cruise with Staci and my parents. We had a great time, even if the weather did not cooperate. We were able to stop in Cozumel and ride a scooter around the island, allowing us to visit desolate beaches, margarita stands without any electricity, and a hidden tequila factory for some creamy tequila! (That should be good for winter-time hot cocoa or something).

We also visited Jamaica and hiked Dunn River Falls! That was pretty awesome, and had a great time doing it.

As for our time on the boat, we ate a TON, enjoying it immensely. I probably had sushi about 4 times, which was pretty good. As a family we collected 4 different ships on a stick, from 4 trivia contests (note we were 4 for 4, we thought about taking our previous trophies to our next trivia events, but didn't feel like scaring the competition that much). After that we decided that 4 was enough since we couldn't lose and felt bad for everyone else that was stick-less.




The water was pretty choppy, and the wind was crazy. The sun that we actually received was only shone upon us on Friday afternoon, and we soaked it up like crazy while we could.

It's sad to be back, but we can look forward to having plenty of fun vacations in the future! :). Come by and we can show you our souvenir cup collection sometime....

Sunday School

Since when did going to Sunday School become an endorsement of the Republican party only? I love going to church, and I really enjoy the people I've come into contact with through my Sunday School, but man do they over-politicize this political season. I am definitely in the pro-life camp, but it's as if that stance is the only one that matters in the coming election, and is the only one that has the ethics of God in mind.

I even have fellow Christians telling me that the 'socialistic' ways of Obama wanting to give money from the rich to the poor is ungodly.

I think we pick too few social issues to determine our candidate, and are willfully choosing to remain ignorant by trying to label one candidate or another as more in line with our beliefs, basically forcing square pegs into round holes.

I am no longer calling myself a republican nor a democrat. I am definitely a Christian, but loving all of God's children I can vote for whomever will do the best for them as a whole.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Michigan, how I feel for you...

Michigan, you know I love you. I'd love to live there if you had the jobs that keep me gainfully employed, but alas you don't. Chicken and the egg?

For a humorous/scary/wtf way to end an article, please see the last paragraph.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

We never learn

This article was given to us in our Finance class a few weeks ago, and is very interesting as far as predicting the kind of mess that we find ourselves in now.

It is also enlightening to know that we need not put the blame of what is happening on recent politicians everytime, because these things can sometimes be foreshadowed far in advance.

I believe I'm voting for Obama, and usually vote Republican, but my views are constantly shifting on what I think is best for America.

However, props goes to this guy for writing the article that more people should have read and understood at the time.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A tip for my brohas

Chad & Darin, this one's for you. Just in case you ever need to reduce swelling.

Goodbye Hart

Good bye Hart

This is pretty sad. The only inexplicable stand-alone grocery store in O'Fallon, now part of a larger corporation. Granted, I didn't shop there very often (because it is furthest from my house), but I did enjoy the non-corporate nature of it when I did :). Good bye Hart, it was nice sometimes shoppin ya.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Hilarious

While if I'm in this situation, I'll usually just go to bed, Google just keeps finding ways to add features to every aspect of a persons' life. I think what I find funnier than the concept is the fact that they'll probably try to trademark something that has been adopted into slang vocabulary, but nonetheless, a great use of Google's time and money.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Signs of the times...

I wish I could have got my house this cheap, maybe I should have waited. I'm getting really good at posting to other news articles lately.

Bidenopolous

I don't know which side of the fence I sit on yet as far as the presidential election, but I do know that everyone gaffes sometimes. Here are a few from the honorable Joe Biden.

Apparently, I can't go to a 7-Eleven or Dunkin Donuts.

Also, I'm not sure how Jesus-like he really is.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Moo


Check out the article related to this picture here.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Bad boys Bad boys

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm a fan of the absurd. I came across this article about someone arrested in West VA, read it here.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Back

Thanks for all of your prayers, the week is going slow, but things are improving. Had a great weekend with my bro-has, and we had some fun (VFW halls come to mind). Anyways, back to work, I guess I can start the countdown for my cruise now :).

Monday, September 08, 2008

Prayer Request

Hi Everyone,


    This is more of a serious post, but if all of you that pray could please keep me in your prayers, I would really appreciate it. Everyone needs prayer :).

Thanks!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

:)

Gotta love the Onion, along with relevant topics.

Article here.

Friday, August 22, 2008

I thought I was smart

And I thought I was smart. Why am I wasting my time writing computer programs? Seems like I should try to figure out something like this.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Absurdity of Football

I just received a copy of Madden '09 from my parents from my birthday last month. It is pretty exciting to play, as it learns what you're best at, and drives the difficulty up in those areas to make playing a frustrating, yet more valuable experience.

I was watching the USA Women's basketball team kill New Zealand this morning before church (by like 40 points), and during the telecast, the commentator mentioned that 2 of the USA players weren't playing today because they were Mormon and honoring the Sabbath. While I think that Sabbath observation is respectable, and try to make sure I find a time to rest and find God at least once a week, I don't set myself strictly to a particular date and time each week.

The commentator also mentioned that it reminded him of when the Oakland Raiders drafted a Mormon out of BYU. They didn't mention much about him, but I looked him up, and I think it's hilarious. His name is Eli Herring and it caused him to have to meditate to make sure he wanted to give up the riches the NFL would bring to honor the specific Sunday Sabbath that the Mormon's honor. In the end he did, but it definitely makes me think the Raiders were retarded for drafting him when the definite possibility of him never playing on a Sunday existed.

Thank goodness there are Christians in the NFL, as I'm sure there are other Mormons as well, so that the message can be present sometimes in locker rooms in between towel butt smacks.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Unfortunate Quote of the Day

"We think they should get rid of the God & Country name — it lends credence to the perception of discrimination," Scott said. "Whether they are trying to discriminate or not, perception is everything."

The quote is from this article.

The reason I find it unfortunate, is that I'm sure most of the fair organizers and sponsors would love it to be well-attended by atheists, as it would give them the opportunity to either witness to atheists or simply understand each others' views better.

Should everything drop any notion of a Christian name or custom to avoid offense? Tolerance is shoved down peoples' throats left and right whether it be of gays, different races, religions, etc. (I believe I accept people for who they are, even when I disagree). When can being tolerant extend to letting a name be a name, or honoring differences without choosing to be offended?

Coming soon, the "Day".

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Monogenes, pt. 2

This is mostly stolen from another web page.

The word translated in the many English translations of the Bible as "Only Begotten" is in the greek, Monogenes μονογενής.

This is a compound word.

It is often thought that this word comes from two greek words...

monos μονος (only) and gennaō γενναω (to beget, father, procreate)

However, lexicographers believe this to be a false Etymology. (Etymology is the history or roots of a word).

It is more properly, monos μονος (only) genos γενο (kind), the best English phrase to describe this word would be, "One of a kind", or perhaps, "unique".

Only Begotten would be monogennetos. Thayer defines Monogenes μονογενής as, single of its kind, only.

This is supported by New Testament usage: Hebrews 11:17 refers to Isaac as Abraham’s ‘only begotten son’, yet Abraham begat other sons (Ishmael, and by Keturah). But Isaac was Abraham’s unique son, the son especially promised to him and Sarah in their old age, and who would carry on the covenant line.

The translation of monogenes as only begotten is probably wrong. That's why the ESV and NIV translate it as "Only" or "Only Son", and some other translations as "Unique".

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Successful Facts

Fact:
If at first you don't succeed, you're not Larry Anderson.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Red Ferrari baby

There is not a big point to this post (like most of my posts), but something I wanted to show to get a better idea for why this thing exists.

Ferrari Speakers

OK, so I know that it is a little old, but seriously what is the point of this? People who have enough money to buy a Ferrari are most likely not going to buy these speakers as there are better brands out there catering to audiophiles, and they're probably out driving their Ferraris anyways. The rest of us, well we drive small Asian cars.

$20 grand for speakers? I guess that's why the designer's name makes sense: Wiener.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Happy

I waited all semester to get something useful out of my management class, and I believe that has finally happened. It may not pertain too much to management, but does have a lot to do with crafting a life that we'd all like to retire having lived. That is, one being happy.

Now this video does not have a lot to do with Christian values, and speaks a bit on evolution (even though I'm not a believer in it, it does help set up the video). However, the video does help give a perspective on pursuing happiness that I think everyone can benefit from.

Don't begin watching this unless you have about 20 minutes to dedicate, because it is about that long, but it's well worth it if you have the time. After you've seen it, please comment on what you thought about it.

Here it is video link. It's also in the title, peace out :).

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Just Say NO

to WOMBATS!!!! Watch out, they'll get you!

The most enlightening article about the animal to fear down under.

Don't say I didn't warn you if you don't take the correct precautionary measures. I don't want to have to understand Australian.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Yesterday's answer:

Listed in order of difficulty in remembering...

Honolulu, HI
Indianapolis, IN
Oklahoma City, OK
Dover, DE

Those who said things like:

New York, New York
Anchorage, AK

and such, are just. WRONG.

Watching a lot of B-ball lately, nice.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Shirts I want to get

"This is why I'm hot"

"For Love or Bunny"


Random Question:

When you're playing Apples to Apples, and the word is "Death", is it in good taste to hope your "Schindler's List" card gets chosen?

Today's Cranium:

There are 4 state capitols that begin with the same letter as the name of the state. Can you name them without cheating?

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Crazy Billboards

My brother Chadwick (blog) and I often let each other know when we see weird/funny/idiotic or insightful church signs. Church signs are often times the most public signals a church has for evangelism in its community (when the congregation's actions won't speak for themselves). Things like "This church is prayer conditioned", or "What's missing in CH_ _ CH?" (the implied U R).

However, there's a church in the St. Louis area (and I believe this isn't the first place this type of advertising has been tried), which is pretending to be Satan ridiculing a local church in order to be 'edgy' enough to gain new followers. The Jefferson Hills church (link to other blog discussion) is making sure the message doesn't get confused. Whatev.....R