STRANGE FLASH
(Friday) I picked up a couple of links for unusual flash sites off metafilter:
soy sauce advert -- in Japanese
bitkraft -- portfolio site of Philip Glofcheskie
Friday, April 30
PRISON BRUTALITY
(Friday) The headline says "Images of prison abuse outrage Arab world" -- and I might add, the American world, as well.
(Friday) The headline says "Images of prison abuse outrage Arab world" -- and I might add, the American world, as well.
Thursday, April 29
PETER WINS OUT OVER OSKI
(Thursday) Kent informed UC Irvine that he plans to attend there next fall -- turning down UC Berkeley. Cheryl is an alumna of Cal but she didn't seem terribly hurt by his decision.
This means I'll probably get a Peter the Anteater shirt at some point -- a lot more funky and cool than an Oski the Golden Bear Cal shirt. I mean, everyone and their brother seems to have Cal gear but I suspect that UCI will be the future craze.
(Thursday) Kent informed UC Irvine that he plans to attend there next fall -- turning down UC Berkeley. Cheryl is an alumna of Cal but she didn't seem terribly hurt by his decision.
This means I'll probably get a Peter the Anteater shirt at some point -- a lot more funky and cool than an Oski the Golden Bear Cal shirt. I mean, everyone and their brother seems to have Cal gear but I suspect that UCI will be the future craze.
STUDENT SPIRITUALITY
(Thursday) Diane Geng has written a fine article in the University of California Davis student newspaper, the California Aggie, about how students view spirituality. Specifically she focuses on the work of Daniel Perez, a senior student who did a research thesis on non-religious spirituality.
I don't agree with much of what the students interviewed said but the article presents a fairly accurate picture of the landscape in this area. The emphasis was on students finding spirituality outside organized religion. However, while they appear to be in the minority there are still significant numbers of students who are fully committed to pursuing faith within the contexts of traditional religious structures. It would have been even more interesting to explore how these two paths intersect and how the students pursuing each interface with each other. That, however, is for someone else's thesis.
(Thursday) Diane Geng has written a fine article in the University of California Davis student newspaper, the California Aggie, about how students view spirituality. Specifically she focuses on the work of Daniel Perez, a senior student who did a research thesis on non-religious spirituality.
I don't agree with much of what the students interviewed said but the article presents a fairly accurate picture of the landscape in this area. The emphasis was on students finding spirituality outside organized religion. However, while they appear to be in the minority there are still significant numbers of students who are fully committed to pursuing faith within the contexts of traditional religious structures. It would have been even more interesting to explore how these two paths intersect and how the students pursuing each interface with each other. That, however, is for someone else's thesis.
Tuesday, April 27
HOME
(Tuesday) I'm home from Chicago and since my biological clock is all screwed up I expect to sleep in tomorrow morning until at least 7 a.m.
It is a little bit warmer here in Turlock (95 today!) than in Chicago (53 today). Some places in the LA area broke records with 101 degrees. That is the earliest in the year that any place in the state has broken 100 -- at least in recorded history.
(Tuesday) I'm home from Chicago and since my biological clock is all screwed up I expect to sleep in tomorrow morning until at least 7 a.m.
It is a little bit warmer here in Turlock (95 today!) than in Chicago (53 today). Some places in the LA area broke records with 101 degrees. That is the earliest in the year that any place in the state has broken 100 -- at least in recorded history.
GMAIL
(Tuesday) Karl has been chosen as a Gmail beta tester -- that lucky dog. I guess all those nice things I said about google on my blog didn't give me any clout.
Gmail has added new info to their webpage.
(Tuesday) Karl has been chosen as a Gmail beta tester -- that lucky dog. I guess all those nice things I said about google on my blog didn't give me any clout.
Gmail has added new info to their webpage.
TEEN BLOGS
(Tuesday) Dan has some good thoughts on what we've been learning about how teens view blogs.
(Tuesday) Dan has some good thoughts on what we've been learning about how teens view blogs.
Sunday, April 25
TO CHICAGO
(Sunday)
We're having a big tri-tip dinner after worship this morning then I'm off in a bit of a hurry to Oakland so I can catch a plane to Chicago. I've got two days of meetings but I'll be back on Tuesday night.
I'm not keen on leaving Turlock at this time of the year -- too balmy -- with the smell of fresh cut alfalfa filling the air.
(Sunday)
We're having a big tri-tip dinner after worship this morning then I'm off in a bit of a hurry to Oakland so I can catch a plane to Chicago. I've got two days of meetings but I'll be back on Tuesday night.
I'm not keen on leaving Turlock at this time of the year -- too balmy -- with the smell of fresh cut alfalfa filling the air.
Saturday, April 24
Friday, April 23
SAN DIEGO
(Friday)
Yes, I'm in San Diego AGAIN. This time Cheryl and I are here for the annual meeting of the Pacific Southwest Conference. We picked up Kirk last night and had dinner at the Arirang House Korean Restaurant (4681 Convoy). Outstanding Korean BBQ! And it gave Kirk a chance to use a bit of his Korean.
By the way, it is chamber of commerce weather here today.
(Friday)
Yes, I'm in San Diego AGAIN. This time Cheryl and I are here for the annual meeting of the Pacific Southwest Conference. We picked up Kirk last night and had dinner at the Arirang House Korean Restaurant (4681 Convoy). Outstanding Korean BBQ! And it gave Kirk a chance to use a bit of his Korean.
By the way, it is chamber of commerce weather here today.
Wednesday, April 21
IKEA: BIG BOX BUT DIFFERENT
From the Wall Street Journal: IKEA does for the home what Julia Child did for the kitchen--and what Martha Stewart, later, did for home crafts. It's possible to walk into an IKEA store thinking that interior decoration is little more than cinder blocks and orange crates and leave with a bedroom, living room or kitchen worthy of the toniest shelter magazine. Goodbye college dorm, hello Museum of Modern Art--an instant upgrade.
In part, IKEA does this by marrying two seemingly irreconcilable worlds: economy and high design. The consumer no longer has to choose between the unattractive and cheap, on the one hand, and the good-looking and dear.
I'm not so sure about the "high design" part. I enjoy IKEA because it is just plain different -- funky with a twist. Oh yes, and I love the "manager's special" in the cafeteria -- Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, soup, and I get the lingonberry drink out of the fountain.
From the Wall Street Journal: IKEA does for the home what Julia Child did for the kitchen--and what Martha Stewart, later, did for home crafts. It's possible to walk into an IKEA store thinking that interior decoration is little more than cinder blocks and orange crates and leave with a bedroom, living room or kitchen worthy of the toniest shelter magazine. Goodbye college dorm, hello Museum of Modern Art--an instant upgrade.
In part, IKEA does this by marrying two seemingly irreconcilable worlds: economy and high design. The consumer no longer has to choose between the unattractive and cheap, on the one hand, and the good-looking and dear.
I'm not so sure about the "high design" part. I enjoy IKEA because it is just plain different -- funky with a twist. Oh yes, and I love the "manager's special" in the cafeteria -- Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, soup, and I get the lingonberry drink out of the fountain.
AIR AMERICA IN FREE FALL?
(Wednesday) Air America, the liberal answer to Rush, may be off the air before I ever get a chance to hear it. I'm not heart-broken but I at least wanted to hear it for a few minutes. However, the chances that it would ever come to a radio station near us in the Republican belt of California were pretty slim anyway.
(Wednesday) Air America, the liberal answer to Rush, may be off the air before I ever get a chance to hear it. I'm not heart-broken but I at least wanted to hear it for a few minutes. However, the chances that it would ever come to a radio station near us in the Republican belt of California were pretty slim anyway.
4:20
(Wednesday) I learned something new today from Dan, who oversees our youth ministry, potheads are into the number "4:20." And they don't even know why!
(Wednesday) I learned something new today from Dan, who oversees our youth ministry, potheads are into the number "4:20." And they don't even know why!
Tuesday, April 20
BEMOANING THE PRICE OF GAS
(Tuesday) On the Covnet list we were grousing about the cost of gasoline around the country. Then Keith Olson chimed in with a reality check -- "Adjusted for inflation 1981 gas prices were $2.80 per gallon. In the 1950s the price of gas averaged $1.80 in today's dollars, while the average income was half what it is today." Party pooper.
(Tuesday) On the Covnet list we were grousing about the cost of gasoline around the country. Then Keith Olson chimed in with a reality check -- "Adjusted for inflation 1981 gas prices were $2.80 per gallon. In the 1950s the price of gas averaged $1.80 in today's dollars, while the average income was half what it is today." Party pooper.
Sunday, April 18
FOCUS ON WAL-MART
(Sunday) Terry Mattingly is blogging about the Wal-Mart phenomena. I think he's against it -- but I'm not sure.
(Sunday) Terry Mattingly is blogging about the Wal-Mart phenomena. I think he's against it -- but I'm not sure.
Friday, April 16
HONEY MANGO
(Friday) I know that it is a bit of a long-shot but I'm wondering if anyone knows what a "honey mango" is? I saw this smaller, yellow mango at the grocery store. I had never tasted (or heard of) that variety so I bought one. It was quite sweet but I can't find any information on "honey mangos." I suspect that it is a name created by some produce marketer somewhere. Does anyone know what else they are called? They look a lot like the ataulfo mangos grown in Mexico and that may be what they are.
(Friday) I know that it is a bit of a long-shot but I'm wondering if anyone knows what a "honey mango" is? I saw this smaller, yellow mango at the grocery store. I had never tasted (or heard of) that variety so I bought one. It was quite sweet but I can't find any information on "honey mangos." I suspect that it is a name created by some produce marketer somewhere. Does anyone know what else they are called? They look a lot like the ataulfo mangos grown in Mexico and that may be what they are.
Thursday, April 15
PANNENBERG ON HOMOSEXUALITY
(Thursday) Wolfhart Pannenberg has an excellent, concise, gracious, to the point essay. Link
(Thursday) Wolfhart Pannenberg has an excellent, concise, gracious, to the point essay. Link
Wednesday, April 14
EASTER SERMON
(Wednesday) Several people have asked for a copy of my Easter sermon. There is a text version available online.
(Wednesday) Several people have asked for a copy of my Easter sermon. There is a text version available online.
Tuesday, April 13
AMERICAN EVANGELICALS
(Tuesday) Some interesting tidbits from the people at Religion & News Weekly. Among them:
+ Roughly one-in-five likely white evangelical voters (23%) say they are Democrats or lean Democrat.
+ Pope John Paul II is viewed more favorably by all evangelicals (59%) than either Falwell or Robertson.
+ Only 14% of Americans belong to congregations that are larger than 1000 members, the same as non-evangelical Protestants, and almost one-in-five evangelicals (19%) attend a church with less than 100 members.
+ An overwhelming majority of all evangelicals (84%) believe that personal faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, compared with 38% of Catholics and 56% of non-evangelical Protestants. Just half of white evangelicals, however, believe that only born-again Christians go to heaven, and even fewer black evangelicals (42%) say they believe only born-again Christians will go to heaven.
(Tuesday) Some interesting tidbits from the people at Religion & News Weekly. Among them:
+ Roughly one-in-five likely white evangelical voters (23%) say they are Democrats or lean Democrat.
+ Pope John Paul II is viewed more favorably by all evangelicals (59%) than either Falwell or Robertson.
+ Only 14% of Americans belong to congregations that are larger than 1000 members, the same as non-evangelical Protestants, and almost one-in-five evangelicals (19%) attend a church with less than 100 members.
+ An overwhelming majority of all evangelicals (84%) believe that personal faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, compared with 38% of Catholics and 56% of non-evangelical Protestants. Just half of white evangelicals, however, believe that only born-again Christians go to heaven, and even fewer black evangelicals (42%) say they believe only born-again Christians will go to heaven.
BERKELEY OR IRVINE?
(Tuesday) Cheryl and I took Kent to UC Berkeley for the grand tour today. After the hike we went to Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, an old favorite which was as good as we remembered.
On Saturday we return to UC Irvine for their campuswide open house.
Here's the dilemma. Berkeley is the school with the big reputation. Irvine is the school offering the big bucks.
(Tuesday) Cheryl and I took Kent to UC Berkeley for the grand tour today. After the hike we went to Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, an old favorite which was as good as we remembered.
On Saturday we return to UC Irvine for their campuswide open house.
Here's the dilemma. Berkeley is the school with the big reputation. Irvine is the school offering the big bucks.
Sunday, April 11
CHOOSE YOUR SAVIOR
Slate has a story on the different ways that people perceive Jesus. Every media outlet has got to have a story on Jesus these days -- even if they don't have anything significant to say. But the artwork is funky.
Slate has a story on the different ways that people perceive Jesus. Every media outlet has got to have a story on Jesus these days -- even if they don't have anything significant to say. But the artwork is funky.
DUBYA THE EVANGELICAL
(Sunday) Alan Jacobs from Wheaton College analyzes George Bush's evangelicalism. Don't worry, he isn't consistent enough to be a part of a fundamentalist take-over.
(Sunday) Alan Jacobs from Wheaton College analyzes George Bush's evangelicalism. Don't worry, he isn't consistent enough to be a part of a fundamentalist take-over.
EASTER ATTENDANCE
(Sunday) Not that I live or die by such things but we were down by about 50 people from what happened last Easter. We had added an additional service because we were maxed out last year and our over all attendance this year is higher than last year. The services went well in spite of the lower turn-out.
Interestingly, the Good Friday service that our ministerial association put on also seemed to be lower than last year, too. We were expecting significantly higher numbers because of the interest generated by the Passion movie. But that seemed to have little, if any, impact.
I remember that after 9-11 a lot of churches around the US experienced a great surge in attendance. But the churches in Turlock didn't seem to go up or down at all. This place marches to the beat of its own drum.
(Sunday) Not that I live or die by such things but we were down by about 50 people from what happened last Easter. We had added an additional service because we were maxed out last year and our over all attendance this year is higher than last year. The services went well in spite of the lower turn-out.
Interestingly, the Good Friday service that our ministerial association put on also seemed to be lower than last year, too. We were expecting significantly higher numbers because of the interest generated by the Passion movie. But that seemed to have little, if any, impact.
I remember that after 9-11 a lot of churches around the US experienced a great surge in attendance. But the churches in Turlock didn't seem to go up or down at all. This place marches to the beat of its own drum.
MULTI-CULTURAL IMAGES OF CHRIST
(Sunday) Joanne Pepper has an interesting piece on how Christ is portrayed in various cultures -- a quick lesson in religious anthropology.
(Sunday) Joanne Pepper has an interesting piece on how Christ is portrayed in various cultures -- a quick lesson in religious anthropology.
THE LITERARY DIVIDE
(Sunday) Anne Applebaum Laments in the Washington Post: I'm not quite sure how it got to be this way -- writers of heavy books on one side, mass media on the other -- because it wasn't always so. The great American cultural blender once produced whole art forms, such as Broadway musicals and jazz, that might well be described as a blend of the two. But nowadays, that gap is so wide that I'm not even sure the old descriptions of the various forms of "culture" -- highbrow, middlebrow, popular -- even make sense any more. Does Edward P. Jones, the Washingtonian whose eloquent novel, "The Known World," won a Pulitzer Prize this week, even inhabit the same universe as MTV? Does anybody who reads one watch the other?
Is she just noticing this for the first time?
(Sunday) Anne Applebaum Laments in the Washington Post: I'm not quite sure how it got to be this way -- writers of heavy books on one side, mass media on the other -- because it wasn't always so. The great American cultural blender once produced whole art forms, such as Broadway musicals and jazz, that might well be described as a blend of the two. But nowadays, that gap is so wide that I'm not even sure the old descriptions of the various forms of "culture" -- highbrow, middlebrow, popular -- even make sense any more. Does Edward P. Jones, the Washingtonian whose eloquent novel, "The Known World," won a Pulitzer Prize this week, even inhabit the same universe as MTV? Does anybody who reads one watch the other?
Is she just noticing this for the first time?
IN CASE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY TODAY
(Resurrection Sunday)
Al Maseeh qam!
Haqqan qam! - Arabic
Qristos haryal y merelotz!
Haverzh ordnyal harutiune Qristosy! - Armenian
Krishti Ungjall!
Vertete Ungjall! - Albanian
Helisituosi fuhuole.
Queshi fuhuole. - Chinese
Kristus vstal zmrtvy'ch!
Skutec~ne~ vstal! - Czech
Christ is Risen!
Indeed, he is Risen! - English
Crist is arisen!
Arisen he sothe! - Chaucerean Middle English
Christos T'ensah Em' Muhtan!
Exai' Ab-her Eokala! - Ethiopian
Kristus nousi kuolleista!
Totisesti nousi! - Finnish
Taw Creest Ereen!
Taw Shay Ereen Guhdyne! - Gaelic
Christus ist Auferstanden!!!
Wahrhaft auferstanden! - German
Christ ist Erstanden!
Wahrlicht Erstanden! - German
Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti! - Greek
Ha-Mashiah qom!
Be-emet qom! - Hebrew
Kristur reis upp!
Sannlega reis han upp! - Icelandic
Krestos a uprisin!
Seen, him a uprisin fe tru! - Iyaric Patw
Harisutosu Fukkatsu!
Jitsu Ni Fukkatsu! - Japanese
Kristo Gesso!
Buhar ha sho Nay! - Korean
Christus resurrexit!
Vere resurrexit! - Latin
Christus er Oppstanden!
Sandelig Han er Oppstanden! - Norwegian
Chrystus zmartwychwstal!
Zmartwychwstal prawdziwie! - Polish
Christos a Inviat!
Adeverat a Inviat! - Roumanian
Christos voskres!
Voistinu voskres! - Russian
Christos aftooun.
alethos aftooun. - Sahidic Coptic
Kristo'pastitaha,
Satvam Upastitaha! - Sanskrit
Christos Voskrese!
Voistinu Voskrese! - Church Slavonic
Kristus vstal zmr'tvych!
Skutoc~ne vstal! - Slovak
Cristo esta resucitado!
En verdad, esta resucitado! - Spanish
Meshiha qam!
Bashrira qam! - Syriac
Kristos Ame Fu Fuka!
Kweli Ame Fu Fuka! - Swahili
Kristus ar Upstanden!
Sannerligen Upstanden! - Swedish
Christ est ressuscite !
En verite il est ressuscite ! - French
Ukristu Uvukile!
Uvukile Kuphela! - Zulu
THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY TODAY
(Resurrection Sunday)
Al Maseeh qam!
Haqqan qam! - Arabic
Qristos haryal y merelotz!
Haverzh ordnyal harutiune Qristosy! - Armenian
Krishti Ungjall!
Vertete Ungjall! - Albanian
Helisituosi fuhuole.
Queshi fuhuole. - Chinese
Kristus vstal zmrtvy'ch!
Skutec~ne~ vstal! - Czech
Christ is Risen!
Indeed, he is Risen! - English
Crist is arisen!
Arisen he sothe! - Chaucerean Middle English
Christos T'ensah Em' Muhtan!
Exai' Ab-her Eokala! - Ethiopian
Kristus nousi kuolleista!
Totisesti nousi! - Finnish
Taw Creest Ereen!
Taw Shay Ereen Guhdyne! - Gaelic
Christus ist Auferstanden!!!
Wahrhaft auferstanden! - German
Christ ist Erstanden!
Wahrlicht Erstanden! - German
Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti! - Greek
Ha-Mashiah qom!
Be-emet qom! - Hebrew
Kristur reis upp!
Sannlega reis han upp! - Icelandic
Krestos a uprisin!
Seen, him a uprisin fe tru! - Iyaric Patw
Harisutosu Fukkatsu!
Jitsu Ni Fukkatsu! - Japanese
Kristo Gesso!
Buhar ha sho Nay! - Korean
Christus resurrexit!
Vere resurrexit! - Latin
Christus er Oppstanden!
Sandelig Han er Oppstanden! - Norwegian
Chrystus zmartwychwstal!
Zmartwychwstal prawdziwie! - Polish
Christos a Inviat!
Adeverat a Inviat! - Roumanian
Christos voskres!
Voistinu voskres! - Russian
Christos aftooun.
alethos aftooun. - Sahidic Coptic
Kristo'pastitaha,
Satvam Upastitaha! - Sanskrit
Christos Voskrese!
Voistinu Voskrese! - Church Slavonic
Kristus vstal zmr'tvych!
Skutoc~ne vstal! - Slovak
Cristo esta resucitado!
En verdad, esta resucitado! - Spanish
Meshiha qam!
Bashrira qam! - Syriac
Kristos Ame Fu Fuka!
Kweli Ame Fu Fuka! - Swahili
Kristus ar Upstanden!
Sannerligen Upstanden! - Swedish
Christ est ressuscite !
En verite il est ressuscite ! - French
Ukristu Uvukile!
Uvukile Kuphela! - Zulu
Saturday, April 10
ECO HOUSE
(Saturday) Richard Kew is in the midst of building an environmentally friendly house in middle Tennessee.
(Saturday) Richard Kew is in the midst of building an environmentally friendly house in middle Tennessee.
Friday, April 9
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
(Friday) "The state's most fundamental role is to protect citizens from the sinful conduct of their neighbors." Link
(Friday) "The state's most fundamental role is to protect citizens from the sinful conduct of their neighbors." Link
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
(Friday) The Good Friday services that our community ministerial association puts together continue to improve year after year. And that's a difficult assignment considering that they are usually put together by an ad hoc committee of pastors -- coming from very varying (mostly non-) liturgical backgrounds. This time they followed the pattern of a traditional tenebrae service.
I could have done without the PowerPoint images of Bible scenes (borrowed from several movies) flashing on the screen while people are reading the biblical passages. I have a hard time hearing what they're reading (really hearing) when my attention is continually diverted to a new screen image. Apparently, though, a lot of people connect with that. As a matter of fact the Jesus Film, the movie which has been shown to more people than any other in history, is simply the reading of scripture with movie images. I suppose that my problem is that I'm such a visually oriented person that I want to focus on the changing image -- to the point of distraction.
(Friday) The Good Friday services that our community ministerial association puts together continue to improve year after year. And that's a difficult assignment considering that they are usually put together by an ad hoc committee of pastors -- coming from very varying (mostly non-) liturgical backgrounds. This time they followed the pattern of a traditional tenebrae service.
I could have done without the PowerPoint images of Bible scenes (borrowed from several movies) flashing on the screen while people are reading the biblical passages. I have a hard time hearing what they're reading (really hearing) when my attention is continually diverted to a new screen image. Apparently, though, a lot of people connect with that. As a matter of fact the Jesus Film, the movie which has been shown to more people than any other in history, is simply the reading of scripture with movie images. I suppose that my problem is that I'm such a visually oriented person that I want to focus on the changing image -- to the point of distraction.
DATING EASTER
(Friday) In a Christian History article Dr. Farrell Brown tries to explain why date for Easter changes from year to year. If nothing else the reader will at least end up with a sense for how confusing this whole issue is. Even Brown doesn't get it all correct. He asks "And why do most Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches observe Easter 13 days after the rest of Christendom?" The answer, of course, has to do with the fact that they not only calculate Easter (Pascha) using a slightly different formula but that they use a liturgical calendar tied to the old Julian calendar. However, it happens that this year the Eastern Easter and the Western Easter coincide on the same actual day (April 11th Gregorian calendar/March 29th Julian). In other words, the Eastern churches are not observing Easter 13 days AFTER the rest of Christendom. This year, at least, we're all celebrating this Sunday.
If you're really into this you can check out the online calculator. Did you know that in the year 3132 Easter is suppose to fall on March 27th (Gregorian/Western) and May 8th (Julian/Eastern)? Hopefully Christ will return before that.
(Friday) In a Christian History article Dr. Farrell Brown tries to explain why date for Easter changes from year to year. If nothing else the reader will at least end up with a sense for how confusing this whole issue is. Even Brown doesn't get it all correct. He asks "And why do most Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches observe Easter 13 days after the rest of Christendom?" The answer, of course, has to do with the fact that they not only calculate Easter (Pascha) using a slightly different formula but that they use a liturgical calendar tied to the old Julian calendar. However, it happens that this year the Eastern Easter and the Western Easter coincide on the same actual day (April 11th Gregorian calendar/March 29th Julian). In other words, the Eastern churches are not observing Easter 13 days AFTER the rest of Christendom. This year, at least, we're all celebrating this Sunday.
If you're really into this you can check out the online calculator. Did you know that in the year 3132 Easter is suppose to fall on March 27th (Gregorian/Western) and May 8th (Julian/Eastern)? Hopefully Christ will return before that.
Thursday, April 8
Wednesday, April 7
PART-TIME
(Wednesday) Governor Schwarzenegger would like to cut the legislature back from full to part-time. Not a bad idea. They'd have less time to mess things up. Perhaps they could even come up with a regular budget if they didn't spend their full-time energies doing it. I suppose, though, we could also then cut the governor back to part-time. I further suppose that Schwarzenegger wouldn't object to that since he's not drawing a salary and he has plenty of other things he'd like to do. He does make sense occasionally -- which is a whole lot more than I was expecting when we elected him.
(Wednesday) Governor Schwarzenegger would like to cut the legislature back from full to part-time. Not a bad idea. They'd have less time to mess things up. Perhaps they could even come up with a regular budget if they didn't spend their full-time energies doing it. I suppose, though, we could also then cut the governor back to part-time. I further suppose that Schwarzenegger wouldn't object to that since he's not drawing a salary and he has plenty of other things he'd like to do. He does make sense occasionally -- which is a whole lot more than I was expecting when we elected him.
TURLOCK JOURNAL CHANGES
(Wednesday) Last week the Turlock Journal was sold (again!). Yesterday they announced that it will ceases daily publication and become a twice weekly with an exclusive focus on local news. This is something they should have done years ago. The paper could never quite get things right. Advertising goofs were common and the spellos were embarrassing. My children delivered it for several years when it was an afternoon paper and the circulation practices were at times comic (think Keystone Cops).
Ironically, the community has now grown to the point where it could probably support a good local daily. But the journal was in a tough hole and probably wouldn't have been able to climb out of it to fill that niche well. So this is a good move for the paper and the community. I may even subscribe again.
(Wednesday) Last week the Turlock Journal was sold (again!). Yesterday they announced that it will ceases daily publication and become a twice weekly with an exclusive focus on local news. This is something they should have done years ago. The paper could never quite get things right. Advertising goofs were common and the spellos were embarrassing. My children delivered it for several years when it was an afternoon paper and the circulation practices were at times comic (think Keystone Cops).
Ironically, the community has now grown to the point where it could probably support a good local daily. But the journal was in a tough hole and probably wouldn't have been able to climb out of it to fill that niche well. So this is a good move for the paper and the community. I may even subscribe again.
Tuesday, April 6
SMART PHONES REPLACING PDA'S
(Tuesday) I can understand why. I have a PocketPC which I've never been able to get to work quite right (and I'm fairly geeky). Configuring a modem for it was impossible so I took the modem back. Getting it to sync right is always an iffy deal. It's time to move on to something smarter. Link
(Tuesday) I can understand why. I have a PocketPC which I've never been able to get to work quite right (and I'm fairly geeky). Configuring a modem for it was impossible so I took the modem back. Getting it to sync right is always an iffy deal. It's time to move on to something smarter. Link
Monday, April 5
Sunday, April 4
THE SIMPSON'S PEW
(Sunday) A carving on the end of a 15th century English church pew has a striking resemblance to Marge Simpson. See if you agree.
(Sunday) A carving on the end of a 15th century English church pew has a striking resemblance to Marge Simpson. See if you agree.
EURABIA
(Sunday) There is speculation on what a Muslim dominated Europe might look like. Christian influence is all but gone amongst the Europeans (although it is significant among the new immigrants). And established Europeans stopped having babies 25 years ago -- so now the population growth is all coming with immigrants. It is speculation -- lots of speculation. But it's not really something that's been seriously considered since Edward Gibbon posed it in the 52nd chapter of the Fall of the Roman Empire. Link
(Sunday) There is speculation on what a Muslim dominated Europe might look like. Christian influence is all but gone amongst the Europeans (although it is significant among the new immigrants). And established Europeans stopped having babies 25 years ago -- so now the population growth is all coming with immigrants. It is speculation -- lots of speculation. But it's not really something that's been seriously considered since Edward Gibbon posed it in the 52nd chapter of the Fall of the Roman Empire. Link
GMAIL
(Sunday) On Thursday (no foolin') Google announced that they had been playing with a webmail system and that eventually they were going to give Yahoo and Hotmail a run for their money with 1 gb mailboxes (compared to Yahoo's 4 mb and Hotmail's 2 mb). On Friday they had a sign-in box on the gmail.com website. So now we're all waiting to see just when they open the doors. Even people who don't need another email account will want one just because it's Google doing it. (There are some really Google groupies out there.)
I'm guessing that they'll do a soft launch -- which is how they seem to do things. (They're still calling Google News a "beta.") And I'm further guessing that it will come some time early this week. And I hope so, so I can stop checking their website five times a day -- just to make sure I can get in there early enough to get a good address.
(Sunday) On Thursday (no foolin') Google announced that they had been playing with a webmail system and that eventually they were going to give Yahoo and Hotmail a run for their money with 1 gb mailboxes (compared to Yahoo's 4 mb and Hotmail's 2 mb). On Friday they had a sign-in box on the gmail.com website. So now we're all waiting to see just when they open the doors. Even people who don't need another email account will want one just because it's Google doing it. (There are some really Google groupies out there.)
I'm guessing that they'll do a soft launch -- which is how they seem to do things. (They're still calling Google News a "beta.") And I'm further guessing that it will come some time early this week. And I hope so, so I can stop checking their website five times a day -- just to make sure I can get in there early enough to get a good address.
Saturday, April 3
CITRUS UPDATE
(Saturday) Periodically I have to include citrus information to keep the sitemeter spinning. And today I'm happy to report that almost all the trees except the lime and the navel are in bloom -- thicker than last year. The lime tends to bloom whenever it wants to and the navel is getting ready to show its stuff. The two satsumas didn't have much fruit this winter but that should change this coming season. The lemon is blooming for the first time. The cara cara -- just two years old -- probably has 25 blooms. The mandarin tree is loaded. And the blanco grapefruit is looking pretty good, too. Of course, all of these trees are on dwarf stock so they actually fit in our not overly large yard.
It has been warm enough that I'm already having scale problems and I had to put some oil spray on the trees this afternoon (and it's only April!).
(Saturday) Periodically I have to include citrus information to keep the sitemeter spinning. And today I'm happy to report that almost all the trees except the lime and the navel are in bloom -- thicker than last year. The lime tends to bloom whenever it wants to and the navel is getting ready to show its stuff. The two satsumas didn't have much fruit this winter but that should change this coming season. The lemon is blooming for the first time. The cara cara -- just two years old -- probably has 25 blooms. The mandarin tree is loaded. And the blanco grapefruit is looking pretty good, too. Of course, all of these trees are on dwarf stock so they actually fit in our not overly large yard.
It has been warm enough that I'm already having scale problems and I had to put some oil spray on the trees this afternoon (and it's only April!).
Friday, April 2
A WORD ABOUT "LIVING TOGETHER"
(Friday) I just put up a short teaching paper on cohabitation. It is not intended to be comprehensive or overly technical. Rather I want it to be a discussion starter, as well as a word of encouragement for people who are having to make decisions in this area. Link
(Friday) I just put up a short teaching paper on cohabitation. It is not intended to be comprehensive or overly technical. Rather I want it to be a discussion starter, as well as a word of encouragement for people who are having to make decisions in this area. Link
WEBCAMS
(Friday) I check a few webcams everyday -- just to see what's happening out there. It's yet another beautiful day in Naples, Florida (that's why everyone wants to live there). And it's raining in Tempe, Arizona. Just down the road in Tucson things don't look a whole lot better. Las Vegas is looking pretty wet, too.
It's coastal at UCSD but looking pretty good. It's a beautiful day on the campus of North Park University in Chicago. They have redone their campus -- finally putting the park in North Park. However, I rarely see more than a few students walking around on campus. If it weren't for the fact that I often go there for meetings and see all of the people my webcam impression would be that it's a campus without any students.
(Friday) I check a few webcams everyday -- just to see what's happening out there. It's yet another beautiful day in Naples, Florida (that's why everyone wants to live there). And it's raining in Tempe, Arizona. Just down the road in Tucson things don't look a whole lot better. Las Vegas is looking pretty wet, too.
It's coastal at UCSD but looking pretty good. It's a beautiful day on the campus of North Park University in Chicago. They have redone their campus -- finally putting the park in North Park. However, I rarely see more than a few students walking around on campus. If it weren't for the fact that I often go there for meetings and see all of the people my webcam impression would be that it's a campus without any students.
Thursday, April 1
THE LORD'S PRAYER ONLINE
(Thursday) Powerful online production -- takes a few minutes to download, even with bandwidth -- a few subtle embedded political statements. Link
(Thursday) Powerful online production -- takes a few minutes to download, even with bandwidth -- a few subtle embedded political statements. Link
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