Neat 'Net Nerdiness

Another really cool tool for those for whom geekiness is a way of life:

NOAA Sunrise/Sunset Calculator

Neat 'Net News

Not sure to what extent I should trust Micro$oft, but here's a pretty cool tool I ran across recently...

Password Creation Guidelines

Original intent

What did the Framers of our nation actually say and do? Are we so naive that we buy into the revisionist historians' nonsense that permeates our institutions of "higher" learning?

America, the Ten Commandments, and the Culture War

Here's another. And, just so we have the alternative viewpoint, here's a different slant:

Secularism and De-Christianization: Religion in America

What it all means

After reading some of my daily reads, I feel like I've known some of these bloggers for a long time. I began blogging back in August '05, if I recall correctly.

I've been contemplating these things for the better part of a week, so please, bear with me. I'm writing to say that, as a male clan member in this blogdom, I have quickly grown to admire and appreciate all of the blogs of individuals who are truly striving to live righteous and godly lives. It encourages me to no end to know what wonderful people they all are and how they are raising their own children. It gives me hope in a world that seems intent on expunging God, truth, and right from everyones' minds.

I sincerely appreciate the "choosinghome" blog, Ladies Against Feminism, Amy's Humble Musings, and many others in the same vein. What beauty it is to behold those who are patterning their lives after God's blueprint. We've been studying the "de-Christianization" of America in our Wednesday night class over the last few weeks, and I must admit, it has been an eye-opening experience for me. I see the writings of God-fearing men and women from the early days of our nation, and how they pleaded with God to bless this nation, so long as they humbled themselves before him and recognized their dependence on His providential hand, as well as confessing their own weaknesses and shortcomings, all the while recognizing the exclusive superiority of Christianity above all other religions to bring true salvation and brotherly love to all mankind. I see the emphasis, or rather, the seamlessness of God's Word within these cherished documents, as if each man and woman's vocabulary was founded upon God's Holy Word, and none could speak, but as it were from mouths of righteousness and holiness. God's Word was indeed the foundational bedrock upon which their educational experiences were built.

I see aspects of these same traits in the people who host my favorite blogs, and I am encouraged by it. I realize we all face challenges in our daily walk; in our own personal lives. My sincere gratitude is extended to you all for the example and encouragement you provide to me daily.

I say all of this as I contemplate what the future holds for those precious Winkler children. I can only hope that this does not affect them in an utterly negative way. I was moved to tears this past Sunday as I prayed during our worship assembly that my wife and I, as well as other young families at our congregation can raise our children in the nurture and admonition of God's love, and show them how to genuinely love each other and God's Word.

May we all turn back to Him, the Life-Giver and Sustainer, from Whom ALL blessings flow, and realize the foolish hopelessness in any other.

Choosing

There is a fine art to choosing the correct pocket knife.

Ladies, the purchase of a pocket knife for your significant other can be a fantastic choice for an anniversary gift or special occasion, but be forewarned, the particulars of locating "the right purse" also apply to pocket knives for men. At least some men, anyway.

Color - I have a few friends who pride themselves in being a member of "the orange knife club", proudly displaying their blaze-orange-flanked Case XX upon demand. Most men, however, choose a particular color for a particular purpose or function. Most men probably wouldn't carry a blaze-orange Case XX to a formal function, any more than you ladies would wield a banana-yellow number with a formal black evening gown. It's just not done. Bleh. I personally carry a blue anodized Victorinox almost everywhere because it blends well with blue jeans, but also for other reasons mentioned below. I have a wonderfully well-crafted Benchmade which I carry when hunting because it's flat black and can be concealed during sunny days in the tree stand.

Shape - Curved, straight, flat, thick - it all depends on the function you're needing. Different blades serve differing purposes. A straight-edged blade is okay for whittling and such, but a blade with a slight curve is much more practical in a wider variety of settings. Who wants to have a honking-big, tri-bladed Buck hunting knife bulging out from a pair of khakis? Cargo pants, maybe, but not something dressy, which is a nice segue into...

Size - It does matter. Partially for concealment, but mostly because of practicality. Having a knife that fits your hand when you need it is supremely important. Ladies, you wouldn't carry a backpack if a snappy little coin purse would suffice. Likewise, your man could easily lose a finger or two by not having the right sized blade.

Style - Ladies, raise your hand if you still think macramé is fashionable. Enough said. It's okay. Just own it. But realize, this is kinda' like having a ten-dollar-plastic-handled-Pakistan-stamped-blade-survival-kit-knife-in-a-fake-leather-pouch handed to you for a birthday present. Ugh. Which leads me too...

Material - Carbon steel, ceramic, mylar, carbon fiber, brass, nickel, platinum, gold titanium, stainless, plastic, bone, fiberglass (huh?), whatever. Find out what your man prefers and stick with it. Better yet - just let him pick ;o)

Feel - This ties in closely with size, weight, and balance. A cheap knife feels, well, cheap. Period. Rough edges or stamped handles versus carved handles make all the difference in the world. A well-crafted piece of cutlery not only feels right, it IS right.

Weight/Balance - Too heavy, and it is useless. Too light for the intended purpose, and it's also worthless. I combine these two because they are so closely intertwined. Just as your purse is a burden if not chosen carefully, so is a man's pocket or hunting knife. I personally find the best-weighted and best-balanced knives typically run in the pricier category.

Having said all this, honestly, ladies, would you prefer your beau to pick your purse, or do it yourself?

B-rated Slapstick

Been very busy lately, so I haven't had much time to post an entry here, but I was updating my profile recently and remembered a FUNNY movie I had seen a little while back. If you're an MST3K fan, or a fan of old B-rated "drive-in" flicks (think: Creature From the Black Lagoon, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman), you'll probably I know you will like this one:

Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

I sleep now.

Good times.

Stumbled upon this today and had a momentary relapse into another world...a la 1979.

Jart in My Head

Good times. Yeah. Good times.

"BARK." ZAP. "YEEEOOWW."

The Mad Monk told on himself recently.

MadMommaMonk did a better (read: funnier) job of explaining. And even provided a visual.

"A Dream Denied"

This is TOO FUNNY!

Berkeley, CA makes list of top "Meanest Cities" in the US

As reported by the IBS and AP:

Top 20 Meanest Cities

1. Sarasota, Fla.
2. Lawrence, Kan.
3. Little Rock, Ark.
4. Atlanta
5. Las Vegas
6. Dallas
7. Houston
8. San Juan, Puerto Rico
9. Santa Monica, Calif.
10. Flagstaff, Ariz.
11. San Francisco, Calif.
12. Chicago, Ill.
13. San Antonio, Texas
14. New York City
15. Austin, Texas
16. Anchorage, Alaska
17. Phoenix, Ariz.
18. Los Angeles, Calif.
19. St. Louis, Mo.
20. Pittsburgh, Pa.

So, my question is this: Exactly what dream is being denied?

My city didn't even make the list. Guess we'll have to try harder next year. :oP

Who said it first?

St. Augustine - though all men do wrong, right is not diminished
Mark 10:29 -
Matt. 10:37 -

My mind is peanut butter...

...and though it takes me a while to grasp some subjects, and especially to convince me of certain aspects, sometimes I stumble across an eye-opening, paradigm-shifting statement which throws me for a loop, and I return to my feet (as would a mad hornet return to flight) in an effort to evaluate exactly what it was which so nearly blindsided me. I confess, this may be in some part due to my upbringing in a public school setting. At least that's the object to which I attribute it. And it appears to be that of a gentleman by the name of Kieran Egan, as well. In this case, he has made a whole host of statements which will cause you to re-examine where we've come from (in recent years, post 19th century) and the direction in which we are headed.

Getting it wrong from the beginning: The mismatch between school and children's minds

Whilst I do not condone this individual's philosophical leanings, I do believe he makes several salient points, which ought to be discussed further. What do you think?

Ebenezer - a lament

On a more serious note:

I hope everyone's holiday is going well. It seems that many folks are busy with preparations for family and such - several of the blogs I regularly visit are slow lately - but that's understandable.

I'm not a scrooge regarding Christmas, but I find it deplorable that this and Easter are the only two times per year some people attend a worship service. We should be giving thanks like this all year 'round, rather than just one or two times a year. I despise the commercialization of holidays like this. I also despise retailers who try to make people feel guilty for not giving diamonds, or jewelry, or a new car, or some such super expensive gift (thus, going into debt to do it). Valentine's Day is just as bad. Yes, I agree this is an opportunity to give gifts to each other, but I think they need to be well-thought-out gifts. I'm a practical kind of person, and I tend to give practical gifts (tools, utensils, toilet paper - you know, useful stuff), rather than "pretties". I know kids like toys, but books, puzzles, and "learning toys" are much better gifts, in my opinion.

I'm the type who looks very long and very hard for the perfect gift: one that reflects the value I see in the individual to which I give a gift, as well as the value of the gift, which I hope the recipient recognizes. I'm not the kind to throw money at frivolous things, typically. Durable goods are much better to me - gifts that truly "keep on giving". Gift certificates seem to be more and more popular these days, and, while I see the advantages in this for type of person who has everything already and for whom it is hard to shop, it still seems to be a bit impersonal. (On another note: gift certificates are a great idea for "naughty Santa" type gift exhanges, but what IS it with the craze over "naughty Santa" to begin with??? That's a whole other rant, which I will address at some point.)

I think gift-giving and letter-writing (NO, NOT email), are two arts which are on the verge of being lost, due to our "consumeristic" and "ME! NOW!" culture.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but so what. Bah, humbug.

Thoughts on marriage and family

The Mad Monk recently posted an entry regarding Texas' Defense of Marriage Amendment. I have to say I couldn't agree with him more regarding this issue. Folks seem to have it all backwards to me.

The Mad Monk - Hypocrisy and the Family

Oh, here's his better half as well...

Monk's Wife

Who knew?!?

This is pretty cool! Raise your hand if you knew Jupiter has 63 (!!!) moons? Man, when I was growing up, it only had 22!

Planetary Comparison in English Units

The Dialectizer

Oh, this is TOO funny. Plaster your favorite website into this "dialectizer", sit back, and laugh 'til it hurts.

The Dialectizer

Geneaology

Funny how your mind works. While listening to Mike Snider sing about the "Dominecker Hen", I googled and found a site from the Library of Congress (I think) with text from verbal and written histories of people from all over the US. I stumbled upon this site because an individual had mentioned a dominecker hen in her account from 1937 in Texas. Soooo.... I decided to see what Alabama had. Let's see...just remove a couple of extensions on the URL and viola! Alabama, by county, at my fingertips. And then.... I located my home county, and sifted a little more, and found the actual text of a small book written many years ago by a distant relative, which mentioned my great-grandmother playing in the fields of Shinbone Valley, AL, as a young girl. My mind is taken back to that particular valley, to that area which I still consider home. Amazing how the internet can bring out such vivid memories and emotions.