5.5 - It came from beneath the sink

OK, so that's one of my favorite fake horror movie titles, but in my case it's pretty close to accurate. Not the sink, though - the tub. And the it is... um... me.

Posts have been rare lately as I have started a new job, have plenty of work to do with promoting the business, and—as the title would indicate—have been working on replacing the tub in the master bathroom.

The current state of things is that the tub is in place, but not connected. The walls around it have been stripped to the studs. I replaced some rotten wood, and have some rebuilding to do. The drain is almost complete except for the part where I go under the house and cut off an old fitting and glue the last three pieces of PVC together. That's what I should be doing now. I'm stalling.

The whole issue is of greater importance because starting Friday and running through Thanksgiving, we have three sets of relatives coming to visit: my parents, my in-laws, and my sister-in-law (and her family). It will all be wonderful—except for the part when there are eight of us trying to get a shower in the one remaining bathroom.

So... my mission is to have the tub operational tonight, and the shower working by tomorrow. It won't be done, mind you, but it will work. There is a lot of tile work and such in my future, but if there is water coming from the showerhead and all that water goes down the drain, and I'm done by tomorrow night, I will have accomplished my mission.

OK, enough stalling. Cover me. I'm going in...

4.5 - Shotgun

It would seem natural to use this episode of the "play" topic, to talk about how I'm getting ready to sit out on the patio by the fire watching the Yankees play in the world series, but I can't. There are issues.

First, outdoor fires have been banned here due to lack of rain. Second, the Yankees aren't in the world series. Third, it looks like the Yankees won't even exist after George gets through firing (and insulting) everyone.

So... I'm preparing to watch the world series from my couch, rooting for the Rockies (my second favorite team is whoever's playing Boston).

While I wait for the series to start, I have taken on a new extreme sport: riding shotgun with an inexperienced teenage driver.

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush when "No! Don't! Stop!" is heard as "No, don't stop." Or when "You are a little too close [to the edge of the road]" is interpreted as "You are a little too close [to the center of the road]."

I don't know how the feeling compares to an attempt to break the Cannonball Run record (NY to LA in 31:04!), but I'm thinking it might be close.

I probably should go ahead and order the replacement passenger side mirror now—I can't see it making it through too many more of these excursions.

3.5 - Relief and Trepidation

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." - Seneca

Today is my last day at a job I've had for seven years. I don't think there is anyone in the building who has been here longer than I have.

I am sad.

I am relieved.

Monday is my first day at a job I just don't know enough about. I really don't much like being the new guy.

I am anxious.

I am apprehensive.

Today I feel bold, brave, and empowered.

Monday I will feel nervous, fearful, and confused.

Today I am surrounded by friends.

Monday I will be surrounded by strangers.

Today, and on Monday as well, I will go home after work.

I'll be ok.

2.5 - Hope for America

I have recently noticed many events of tremendous significance. At first glance, they seem irrelevant, meaningless—even boring. I contend that they are not.

• My Ron Paul 2008 bumper stickers came yesterday.
  
• I put one on my car.
  
• There was not enough space in the non-wiper area of the rear window, so I actually had to put it below the window on the actual painted surface.
  
• I have only seen about 10 bumperstickers relating to the 2008 election. All of them have been for Ron Paul.

It's a short list—it could easily be longer.

These events are significant because:

• I donated money to a political candidate.
  
• I don't put stickers on my car unless I have to.
  
• Especially not on the paint.
  
• I'm not alone.

These events are significant because they are far outside the norm. I have noticed that when my actions change, and there is any early indication of similar changes in others, the overall effect of the coming shift is enormous.

There are things that I like that aren't popular—but I don't expect them to be. There are also popular things that I don't like—but I understand why they are.

I am rarely first on board. I'm not the first to get a cell phone, first to get broadband, first to like (or hate!) a company, or first to embrace any new technology. My "everybody is going to want one of these" or "why does anybody do business with that company" moment is usually pretty well timed. My interest usually occurs just before the tipping point to mass acceptance. I don't usually notice it until well after the fact.

I have agreed with some political candidates in the past. I've engaged in discussions on political issues and the positions held by those running for office. I've voted for libertarians that I knew could not win. I've seen my chosen candidates summarily dismissed by the media, effectively silencing them and making them largely unknown to the voters.

Until recently, I simply had to admit that the politicians that I could support simply weren't going to win. Even when I agreed wholeheartedly with a candidate, there was just nothing to be excited about. This is different.

Very different.

1.5 - Not your father's God

Recently I have been accused of advocating views that are opposed to Christianity. Maybe that's not quite accurate. Perhaps the accusation is more that when the Christian perspective on some subject is being touted, I can be relied upon to give voice to the opposing view. This is particularly of concern to some when children are involved.

Some believe that this is due to a personal crisis of faith. These people are wrong.

While I certainly have my share of issues, belief in God is not currently one of them and my faith is strong. My issues are with all the human interpretations that I've been led to believe that may or may not be accurate—those I'm working through.

Because of my issues, I suppose I find it unconsciously necessary to ensure that alternate views, opposing ways of thinking, and the world's perspective on the subject at hand are examined.

What I believe has in the past been what my parents, my church, and my school believed, and for reasons that weren't always clear, but were never questioned or allowed to be questioned—or at least it seemed that way to me. I want to believe what I believe for better reasons and with a willingness to examine the alternatives. If my belief can't stand up to questions, what good is it?

How can I "be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is within" me, if I haven't prepared for the questions? How can I love the Lord with all my mind if I refuse to use it?

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of religions. The vast majority of those who practice a religion do so because they have been taught to do so by their parents. Most are discouraged from seeking truth, and are even taught that to seek truth outside of their religion is sin.

Any religion that discourages its followers from examining all the religious views of men, including those that say there is no god, must be afraid that there is truth to be found elsewhere. If there is truth to be found elsewhere, should it not be sought?

If my God is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, I fear no opposing view—I welcome it as one more opportunity to showcase truth and refine my beliefs. Much of what is impressed upon us religiously as children is unimportant—actions born of convenience or tradition rather than truth. Many things I have believed in the past have fallen away. The important things have not.

While I certainly want my God to be my children's God, I do not want my children to choose Him for that reason alone.

7.4 - The End is Near!

Pay no attention to the title—ok, well, maybe *some* attention—I'm just trying to take advantage of a trend I've noticed. It seems that of my seven topics, the two that garner the most response are "God" and "The Future." I must semi-logically conclude that people are really only interested in the Apocalypse, and the rest of life happens only as a means of reaching that most interesting end.

Since this falls sort of neatly into "The Future," here we go!

So, are we destined for some kind of apocalyptic end?

God-fearing folks (not all of them, mind you) have believed that theirs was the last generation for 2000 years now. Every generation could point out all the reasons why the end was near. I have a copy of "88 Reasons Why Christ Will Return in 1988," if you care to see it. I believe the sequel was called "89 Reasons..."

What is the point of an apocalyptic vision of the future? Is it a tool used by religion to keep the populace in check, on the edge of their seats, ready for judgement at any time? Is it the perceived natural conclusion of increasing political turmoil used to maintain some semblance of world peace? Is it simply a great device for science fiction? (Post-apocalyptic sci-fi rocks!)

Is the end of the world the end of the world, and if so, is it close enough to care?

I know what I was taught. I know what I've observed. I know the many opinions of others that have been relayed to me. I've studied all the theories. I've read many of the books.

Regarding the future and my personal end the conclusions are quite clear.

I'm going to be working on the house.

5.4 - Workin' Outside

Three weeks ago I said I'd be working outside: siding, windows, walkways—that kind of thing. Well, that's actually what I've been doing!

On weekend #1, I put fresh siding on the front porch (ok, the house within the vicinity of the front porch), replaced the light (the one that never worked quite right after my brother-in-law messed with it, like, ten years ago), added a new motion sensor, replaced the light switch, and installed a nifty-keen new GFI outlet (power on the porch—yay!). The new setup is really cool, the light stays on a really low here-is-the-door level until it senses motion, then it gets bright so you feel welcomed. I like it a lot, but then again I'm easily impressed.

On weekend #2, I replaced all the siding on the wall above the front porch. There are lots of nasty angles there so it took quite a while. Oh, yeah, I cleaned out the gutters while I was up there, too. Fun.

On weekend #3, I replaced the front window. Ok, that really wasn't much work—maybe an hour and a half or so, so I was a bit of a slacker maybe this last weekend, but hey, the front of my house is looking sweet!

So I'm trying to plan this next weekend (#4 if you've been keeping up). I probably should think about replacing the window above the front porch—since it's not even really a window, it's more of a storm window held into place with some odd bits of slightly inappropriate hardware. It's just about the last bit of nastyness on the front of my house, other than some painting, which I also need to do.

I also still have that vent to install, since the bathroom fan is currently blowing all that moist (FWIW: I really dislike that word) air into the attic which isn't good long term and will be really bad when winter comes and the attic fan isn't running constantly like it does now.

If all that goes well, then hopefully around weekend #6 I can get to walkways and other landscape-y kinds of things between apple picking, hay-bale buying, and pumpkin purchasing trips.

October seems to me to be one of the best times to actually own a house. You work on your house during a very comfortable day, and then as the cool of evening falls, you light a fire in the chimenea and bring out the TV to watch the Yankees win.

It's all very satisfying. You should try it. At least you should come look at my house—it's looking sweet!

4.4 - Dinosaur Comics!

Eleven days since my last post. Woah. What have I been doing? Have I been finding a new job? Working on my house? Spending time with my family? Well, yes... but that's not the point.

My normal blogging time has been overrun with dinosaurs. Somehow I—completely by accident—ran across Dinosaur Comics. There's no link here. It's easy to find at qwantz dot com, but it's not for kids (occasional bad words and not-for-kids kinds of topics) so I don't want to make it too easy (not that I just made it too hard there, hmm, oh, well <sigh>).

It is refreshing to find a comic so intelligent that occasionally (it's rare, okay?) I'll find one that I don't completely understand because the math is too hard or it has exceeded my linguistic skills. Let me pull a quick first-panel quote from a couple (ok, three) at random so you see what I mean...

• "Historically speaking, all I know are broad stereotypes! For instance, most people in the middle ages all wore dumpy clothes and spent all day hoeing."
  
• "I finally figured out how to gain the upper hand on that stupid utahraptor. I will adopt for my own the philosophy of pragmatism"
  
• "I had the most disturbing thought today...By being true to yourself, you are forever derivative!"

They also have great t-shirts which I may just have to buy. My favorite is reproduced above.

Humor for nerds. What could be better?

3.4 - Convergence or Inflection?

As I contemplate the trajectory of the collective experiences of my family, 625 days from today is a point of decision. The question that will be answered by this decision is essentially whether the activities in the preceeding 21 months culminate in a point of inflection or one of convergence.

In 89 weeks, my wife will finish her graduate program. In 15000 hours, my daughter will complete her two-year degree. 1.75 years from now, my son will complete ninth grade. After seven seasons, will it be time for something new or more of the same?

The question is essential with implications for today. While my family has a decision point 5⁴ days in the future, my crossroads are before me now. As Earth travels its next billion miles through our solar system, do I focus on the temporary, building toward that future inflection point or do I seek steadfast permanence, expecting future changes of lesser magnitude—providing stability and accepting our current life as a seamless precursor to our future beyond the coming convergence.

Do I spend the next 625000 beats improving my skills, taking classes, preparing to sell the house, and expecting a significant divergence from the current flow of events? Or is the significant move to be made smaller but now—using these next 3.5 Friedmans to build the stable base upon which all future actions are presupposed?

My actions today build momentum that will assist or hinder the future course of action. I must choose wisely. I must choose soon.

2.4 - A moment of silence

1.4 - The politics of God

I always pictured God as a republican:

• Steadfast, never-changing. No free handouts. You work to eat. A level playing field. You get opportunity and you have choices. Rules are rules and actions have consequences. You reap what you sow. Science must be wrong because creation is right.

Recently I've been seeing God as a democrat:

• Mercy and grace are decidedly not conservative values. I find numerous examples of waffling and regret—changes of mind—actions altered to comply with the requests of pitiful men. Acceptance, no matter how badly you mess up. Rules exist, but so does forgiveness. Science tells us "how," religion tells us "why."

Sometimes I have difficulty reconciling these two views.

• Unwavering vs. wishy-washy or stubborn vs. flexible?
  
• Justice vs. tolerance or unmerciful vs. forgiving?
  
• Fact vs. fairy tale or fable vs. allegory?
  
• Holiness vs. permission or condemnation vs. compassion?

Perhaps one is the God that is, and the other is the God I desire—a real God and an ideal God—but which is which?

7.3 - Happy dippy bird power

So I sit here watching my happy dippy bird do his thing, while pondering Global Intelligence and the energy choices of the coming decades.

Chevron has developed a nifty game that lets you determine the energy sources for a city through 2030, and enables you to see the impact of your choices. If you want to do well, you choose some combination of hydroelectric, wind, solar, nuclear, and hydrogen. If you want to do poorly, try to run everything on petroleum and coal.

I'd like to think that by 2030, we would find some method of generating power that no one has thought of yet.

I'd like to be that someone.

The idea of powering the future with multitudes of drinking bird toys is interesting, but some quick calculations indicate that it would take about 1 square mile of head-to-tail, side-by-side birds (that's about 300 million birds) to power three 100-watt lightbulbs—and that doesn't even account for keeping their heads wet. Apparently they are tremendously inefficient. So... although the idea has some definite visual appeal (Spencer Tunick, eat your heart out), I don't think that will work.

Maybe you only need one bird. One really big bird...

5.3 - It's nice outside. I'll be out there.

Labor Day weekend was spent getting ready to install a new bathtub in the master bathroom. "Getting ready to install" could mean preparing, planning, designing, stalling, or dreading—it all depends how you look at it.

The selected unit is significantly larger than the original, and required quite a bit of work to figure out how to make it fit right and be functional for us. Our bathroom is pretty big, but the tub will really take up a lot of space. It took most of an afternoon to create a design that might just work. The result of all this effort is a realization that the project is quite large, and will probably result in having no tub in the bathroom for several months.

When combined with the idea that we are hoping to move within the next couple of years, the extra effort to have a better tub lost its appeal. I can replace the current tub with a same-size model (but still a great tub: jetted and all) for half the cost, one-quarter of the effort, and one-tenth of the disruption to the hygenic cleansing schedule of master bathroom bathtub users.

While these conclusions are fairly straightforward and somewhat mundane, I assure you that the reaching of these conclusions was anything but straightforward and mundane, and involved a lot of discussion amongst the affected parties.

Anyway, I've decided that the duct tape covering the cracks in the tub (that have already been patched several times) will hold for another couple of months. Perhaps this project is best saved for the dead of winter, when everyone is grumpy anyway and soaking in a hot bath seems even more appealing.

For now, I'll concentrate my efforts outside. I have some siding to replace, an external vent to install, some brick walkways to construct, and a window or two I really need to replace. The weather's nice; I'd best get to work.

4.3 - Who is John Galt? Is he a gamer?

I enjoy video games. I enjoy them quite a bit, actually. Unfortunately, life is short, and the choices many, so I don't get to partake as often as I'd like. I'm sure my playing time will be even more limited as the job hunt continues and the semester progresses.

Since the kids were so great on our cross-country excursion, I bought me, er, them a Wii. What an amazingly fun piece of equipment that is. I know it has to be good exercise, too; the day after we hooked it up I was sore (my arms and back -- not my thumbs!).

I think Nintendo has been paying attention. Perhaps they've been learning from Apple's commitment to giving the customer what they want. The Wii does just enough, but not too much. It's simple to use and so much fun. I think I can even say that having played both Wii Golf and real-life mini-golf in the last week, I'd rather play on the Wii.

This wasn't supposed to be about the Wii. It's just so darned fun...

My favorite computer games have always been the ones most often labelled "First-Person Shooters." Whether you're actually shooting or not, I like putting myself into the game. Doom, Half-life, Myst, Unreal, Grand Theft Auto--all great (I can't wait to play a FPS on the Wii... sweet!... again I digress).

Anyway, I recently began hearing about BioShock, a new FPS which is set in Rapture, an underwater version of Ayn Rand's capitalist utopia gone awry. I think Ayn Rand got a lot of things right--most things perhaps--so that interests me. A friend of mine says the game is creepy. I'm not a huge fan of creepy, though I suppose half-life could be called creepy (FWIW, the Half-Life 2 soundtrack is perfect for halloween).

One review calls the world of BioShock "beautiful, brutal, and disquieting." It uses such great phrases as "moral conundrum" and "dystopian fantasy." I am intensely curious. There are few things as interesting as a post-apocalyptic world--especially one originally envisioned as a utopia. One of these nights I'll have to download the demo...