Wednesday, December 5. 2007Idea For a Book
I just got an idea for a book! After finals, hopefully I will have some time to start writing.
I’ve wanted to write a book for quite a while. However, it has been centered around fiction. I enjoy reading and have often been intrigued with the possibility of writing a novel. I’ve started countless ideas, but they usually end up in some dead end where my characters are rather unbelievable and the plot even more so. So, I put the ideas away until I see something that sparks my imagination which I attempt to work into my plot, but nevertheless it results in yet another paradox which I am unable to resolve.
However, I got an idea for a non-fiction book, which I am really excited about. I watched a video on youtube presented by an atheist and septic. He didn’t present any arguments against Christianity, but rather demonstrated how he, as an atheist, was able to convince people that there was a God by playing on their emotions and manipulating them psychologically. This really opened my eyes and revealed to me the problems in today’s church and our society as a whole.
In this sensationalist and individualist society, feelings are valued very highly and are often taken advantage of. When people in the Church are asked how they know God exists, they often respond by referencing a feeling. In addition, people today widely accept debunct theories such a global warming and evolution which uses shady evidence at best and contrived stories at worst. They accept such things due to feelings of peer pressure and intimidation from scholars. However, people simply do not research and find out facts for themselves. Rather they allow themselves to be manipulated by others.
It is a ironic that in this individualist society we are allowing our minds and emotions to be controlled by others instead of seeking out truth for ourselves.
They book that I plan on writing will be dealing with these issues and strive to motivate Christians and non-Christians alike to roll up their sleeves and find out the facts for themselves, instead of checking their minds in a the door.
NOTE: Obviously there might be some flaws in the logic that I’m using in this entry. Once I write this out formally, it will be given much more thought. 2AM is not condusive to thinking 
I’m thinking about titling the book “Trusting Echos”
I just got an idea for a book! After finals, hopefully I will have some time to start writing.
I’ve wanted to write a book for quite a while. However, it has been centered around fiction. I enjoy reading and have often been intrigued with the possibility of writing a novel. I’ve started countless ideas, but they usually end up in some dead end where my characters are rather unbelievable and the plot even more so. So, I put the ideas away until I see something that sparks my imagination which I attempt to work into my plot, but nevertheless it results in yet another paradox which I am unable to resolve.
However, I got an idea for a non-fiction book, which I am really excited about. I watched a video on youtube presented by an atheist and septic. He didn’t present any arguments against Christianity, but rather demonstrated how he, as an atheist, was able to convince people that there was a God by playing on their emotions and manipulating them psychologically. This really opened my eyes and revealed to me the problems in today’s church and our society as a whole.
In this sensationalist and individualist society, feelings are valued very highly and are often taken advantage of. When people in the Church are asked how they know God exists, they often respond by referencing a feeling. In addition, people today widely accept debunct theories such a global warming and evolution which uses shady evidence at best and contrived stories at worst. They accept such things due to feelings of peer pressure and intimidation from scholars. However, people simply do not research and find out facts for themselves. Rather they allow themselves to be manipulated by others.
It is a ironic that in this individualist society we are allowing our minds and emotions to be controlled by others instead of seeking out truth for ourselves.
They book that I plan on writing will be dealing with these issues and strive to motivate Christians and non-Christians alike to roll up their sleeves and find out the facts for themselves, instead of checking their minds in a the door.
NOTE: Obviously there might be some flaws in the logic that I’m using in this entry. Once I write this out formally, it will be given much more thought. 2AM is not condusive to thinking
I’m thinking about titling the book “Trusting Echos”
Tuesday, November 20. 2007So Long Self
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:21-24,
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
“So Long Self” by MerceMe in the album Coming Up to Breathe puts this in a witty song. The format is the same as many love / breaking up songs. However, it is a song about how were are to forsake our old selves and follow Christ.
Well if I come across a little bit distant,it’s just because I am.Things just seem to feel a little bit different,you understand.Believe it or not but life is not apparentlyabout me anyways.But I have met the One who really is worthy,so let me say
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long, self.
Stop right there because I know what you’re thinking,but no we can’t be friends.And even though I know your heart is breaking,this has to end.And come to think of it the blame for all of this,simply falls on me.For wanting something more in life than all of this,can’t you see?
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long.
Don’t feel so bad (don’t feel so bad),there’ll be better days (there’ll be better days).Don’t go away mad (but by all means),just go away, go away.
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:21-24,
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
“So Long Self” by MerceMe in the album Coming Up to Breathe puts this in a witty song. The format is the same as many love / breaking up songs. However, it is a song about how were are to forsake our old selves and follow Christ.
Well if I come across a little bit distant,it’s just because I am.Things just seem to feel a little bit different,you understand.Believe it or not but life is not apparentlyabout me anyways.But I have met the One who really is worthy,so let me say
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long, self.
Stop right there because I know what you’re thinking,but no we can’t be friends.And even though I know your heart is breaking,this has to end.And come to think of it the blame for all of this,simply falls on me.For wanting something more in life than all of this,can’t you see?
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long.
Don’t feel so bad (don’t feel so bad),there’ll be better days (there’ll be better days).Don’t go away mad (but by all means),just go away, go away.
So long, self.Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else.So long, self.There’s just no room for two,so you are gonna have to move.So long, self.Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell.Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry,so long
Tuesday, April 3. 2007Animusic
Yesterday, I stumbled across animusic. It is 3d music videos in which robot or mechanical devices perform the musical pieces. All the music is synthesized and is very nice, but the 3d artwork is outstanding. If you’ve never seen these, there are a number of samples on YouTube. I’d love to be able to do 3d modeling and animations like this. I’ve listed several of my favorites below:
Yesterday, I stumbled across animusic. It is 3d music videos in which robot or mechanical devices perform the musical pieces. All the music is synthesized and is very nice, but the 3d artwork is outstanding. If you’ve never seen these, there are a number of samples on YouTube. I’d love to be able to do 3d modeling and animations like this. I’ve listed several of my favorites below:
Sunday, February 11. 2007How to Install Vista and How to Grade Exams
This week I came across two funny “How to’s”.
The first was a guide on how to successfully install Windows Vista. The person who made the how-to spent over 12 hours fighting with the installer. He downloaded countless incompatible drivers and encountered numerous hardware conflict issues. He finally figured out how to install Vista and wrote the following tutorial on it:
In addition, I came across A Guide to Grading. It’s a good read and a good laugh. I’ve had some teachers that must grade like this 
This week I came across two funny “How to’s”.
The first was a guide on how to successfully install Windows Vista. The person who made the how-to spent over 12 hours fighting with the installer. He downloaded countless incompatible drivers and encountered numerous hardware conflict issues. He finally figured out how to install Vista and wrote the following tutorial on it:
In addition, I came across A Guide to Grading. It’s a good read and a good laugh. I’ve had some teachers that must grade like this
Friday, January 19. 2007Great Vacation!
This past week, our family was at Lake Harmony, PA. Personally, I think that this has been the best vacation that our family has taken. There were numerous little “best” things which, when summed together, made this the “best” vacation.
Akeelah and the Bee
At the resort, there was a daily free video which was shown in the theater. Upon hearing that Akeelah and the Bee was playing, I was quite reluctant to go as I assumed it was an animated kid’s video about some animal named Akeelah and a friendly bee. On the contrary, it turned out to be a very touching movie, most possible the best I have ever watched. Akeelah is a young black girl who has a knack spelling. She is encouraged to enter a spelling bee and must overcome her own fears, the mocking of her peers, and racial prejudices. Akeelah ends up entering the bee and training with an older black gentleman. She ends up doing well in the bee, and in the process, her trainer and her help each other through personal struggles and past griefs. It is a wonderful movie and definitely worth the watch if you get a chance!
High Calling
Hands down, this is best book I have ever read. It is the biography of Rick Husband, written by his wife, Evelyn. Rick was the commander of the final Columbia space mission in which the spacecraft fell apart and killed all the crew upon re-entry in early 2003. Rick was a very strong christian and has become one of my heroes. We was a model father, husband, and lived his faith. One thing that he did so well was to praise and encourage others. His life has really motivated me to firstly, do everything for Christ, and secondly, to become an encouragement to others.
Skiing
This has been the forth time that we have been skiing and it had definitely been our best. We started out on the green (easiest) slopes to warm up and then quickly moved to the blue (intermediate) slopes where we spent most of our time. Towards the end of the day, we were going down the terrain park! There are all kinds of railings for grinding and jumps to provide airtime. None of us tried grinding, but Philip went off and landed several jumps. At the end of the day, Philip and I even went down a black diamond (hardest) slope a couple of times. I’m still a little sore from the skiing!
Family relations
The family has been working really well with each other. Philip, Natalie and I almost always get along well with each other, but often there is tension with the two smaller kids and with the parents. Since we spend all day together coupled with the stress of packing, traveling, and unpacking, the family will often quarrel and exchange some sharp words. However, in general, the family really worked well together. We talked a lot, worked through, and resolved some problems. Hopefully we will continue to work well with one another.
So, this has been one of our best vacations! I saw a great movie, read a great book, had an awesome time skiing, worked well with the family and had an all-around super time!
This past week, our family was at Lake Harmony, PA. Personally, I think that this has been the best vacation that our family has taken. There were numerous little “best” things which, when summed together, made this the “best” vacation.
Akeelah and the Bee
At the resort, there was a daily free video which was shown in the theater. Upon hearing that Akeelah and the Bee was playing, I was quite reluctant to go as I assumed it was an animated kid’s video about some animal named Akeelah and a friendly bee. On the contrary, it turned out to be a very touching movie, most possible the best I have ever watched. Akeelah is a young black girl who has a knack spelling. She is encouraged to enter a spelling bee and must overcome her own fears, the mocking of her peers, and racial prejudices. Akeelah ends up entering the bee and training with an older black gentleman. She ends up doing well in the bee, and in the process, her trainer and her help each other through personal struggles and past griefs. It is a wonderful movie and definitely worth the watch if you get a chance!
High Calling
Hands down, this is best book I have ever read. It is the biography of Rick Husband, written by his wife, Evelyn. Rick was the commander of the final Columbia space mission in which the spacecraft fell apart and killed all the crew upon re-entry in early 2003. Rick was a very strong christian and has become one of my heroes. We was a model father, husband, and lived his faith. One thing that he did so well was to praise and encourage others. His life has really motivated me to firstly, do everything for Christ, and secondly, to become an encouragement to others.
Skiing
This has been the forth time that we have been skiing and it had definitely been our best. We started out on the green (easiest) slopes to warm up and then quickly moved to the blue (intermediate) slopes where we spent most of our time. Towards the end of the day, we were going down the terrain park! There are all kinds of railings for grinding and jumps to provide airtime. None of us tried grinding, but Philip went off and landed several jumps. At the end of the day, Philip and I even went down a black diamond (hardest) slope a couple of times. I’m still a little sore from the skiing!
Family relations
The family has been working really well with each other. Philip, Natalie and I almost always get along well with each other, but often there is tension with the two smaller kids and with the parents. Since we spend all day together coupled with the stress of packing, traveling, and unpacking, the family will often quarrel and exchange some sharp words. However, in general, the family really worked well together. We talked a lot, worked through, and resolved some problems. Hopefully we will continue to work well with one another.
So, this has been one of our best vacations! I saw a great movie, read a great book, had an awesome time skiing, worked well with the family and had an all-around super time!
