March 26, 2003 Diet Drinks 2 --The phenomenon that is diet soda has overtaken me like a tempest. It’s uncanny how influenced I’ve become solely because of the lack of sugar and fat supplements; downright dumbfounding. Once a zealous antagonist of “diet” drinks, I’ve now seen the light, been transformed, and am now embracing the negligible calorie liquid bottled product. In fact, now that I’m hooked on diet drinks, when I turn back to their high calorie counterparts, I’m almost disgusted (but not really), because they taste so sugary. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to turn back. Sort of like how when you watch a DVD for the first time, you can never turn back to that old video format.....um what’s it called.....hmmm let me call my local antique store....of yes, that’s right.....V.H.S. Not everything of antiquity fades away into oblivion (as Mike Tyson so eloquently put it after being mauled by Lennox Lewis in a recent fight, “I’m gonna fade into Bolivian”) My car is 30 years old, a veritable antique within the automotive world, yet it provides more excitement, thrill, and pleasure to me than any of my other possessions. Anyways, my point is.....did I even have a point?.....this is just a random thought I thought. Well yes, diet drinks are my nourishing staple now. It’s weird, I would’ve never believed I’d be like this if you told me a year ago. Heck, even three months ago. What’s going on with me? What scares me the most is that fact that I haven’t had a Mountain Dew in like 39 days.......scary stuff people. Oh yeah, I must say, the only negative side-effect I’ve felt with my diet drink infatuation is that fact that I have to pee so darn much. I feel like a girl. March 25, 2003 EbbWorld Special Report --This random thought is so big, I dedicated its own page for it. It is called "God vs. Science". Check it out and, as always, make your own conclusions. Peace my peoples. March 24, 2003 Cycles --I go through cycles. Is that normal? I guess. I mean look at nature. If that doesn’t emit cyclic rhythm I don’t know what does. I guess I’m very cyclic in my habits. Case and point: I’ll go about 2 or 3 months and stay on a pretty good exercise schedule. In that time, I’ll do lots of running for cardiovascular fitness. I’ll do weight trainer for muscular fitness. I may even eat well for a time (eating well could be the exception, for I seem to be eating well now on a general regular basis. Is consuming diet drinks considered “eating well”? Hmmm, not sure). Point is, I seem to go in cycles when it comes to my physical fitness. Now that I’m older and have no athletic purpose, my workouts are sporadic, leaning towards cyclic. Because after I stay on schedule for about 2 or 3 months, I’ll go 3 or 4 months in which I become a fully accredited sloth. Am I proud of my slothness during these periods? No, not really. But really there’s no worthy purpose for me to continually workout anymore now that I don’t play sports regularly. To stay healthy you say? Come on, 4 or 5 months of good workin out a year will keep you perfectly healthy. To satisfy your male ego? Well unfortunately I’m susceptible to that false mentality, but generally I could care less about having the “perfect” body (yes ignorant females, listen to me! For unless a guy is on a sport team of some sort, or has a specific event to train for, he is only “working out” to look good to the opposite sex (another flawed male quality thinking women are wired such as men in the “visual” sense of attraction. Note to males: Deep down, a girl (that is, a non-superficial girl) would much rather see a guy with a loving heart, humble attitude, and fatherly nutriment than a guy with steel abs, insane career drive, and a six-figure income. So put down those barbells and Maxim magazines and start brushing up on your apologies, thank yous, and diaper changing skills). HUGE tangentization! Back to my point about being cyclic....I’m also cyclic when it comes to video games. I’ll play one game, say Final Fantasy X, for like 3 weeks straight religiously, but not touch it for 3 months after that. Then the cycle will continue all over. I think I flubbed this random thought big time. I really had a good idea, but I think it got jumbled in all my justification of my slothness somehow. Anyways, this verse below should elucidate my point about how things come and go, and come back again in life. Cycles abound. Notice that last verse is especially poignant... “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 March who cares, 2003 ... I remember a different time I remember a different me When there was springtime in my heart But it's winter and I'm shivering with cynicism now And I long for yesterday Yesterday, a day of joy A day of limitless possibilities I remember a different boy With love surrounding, joy abounding Peace resounding Where, oh where did that boy go? What's wrong with me now, God My world is gray So please help me out, I pray Cuz I want to live in yesterday Take me back to a time of naivete Never-ending days, and no need to question things Cuz I'm tired of staring out my window Wishing I were someone I should be I guess I remember a different me What's wrong with me now, God? My world is gray So please help me out, I pray Cuz I want to live in yesterday "Yesterday" by Ace Troubleshooter. Might as well been written by Keith Wojciech... March 20, 2003 Totally preposterous --I have sneezed about 3.4 billion times today and I'd like to know who is responsible for this respiritory chaos! That is my mad random thought of the day. March 20, 2003 Bless who? Achoo! --Speaking of sneezing. Notice how most people nowadays only say "bless you" when you sneeze? I always wondered why, because that expression would infer that you, the blesser, have some sort of divine qualities giving you the authority to "bless" someone. Of course this isn't the conscious thought of every blesser out there, and rest assured you're not gonna be stoned for blasphemy, but it is technically flawed, from a theological standpoint. The expression "God bless you" is associated with sneezing because of that evil plague that ravaged Europe back in the 6th century (to my knowledge, this is the most authentic explanation of the expression's tie in with sneezing). It was thought back then that a sneeze indicated the early symptoms of having the Plague. So people would say "God bless you", hoping to incur the supernatural power of God to remedy the supposed infected. Of course we now know sneezing is a commonplace event of the human body but is no indicator of the onset of death viruses. Anyways, it's only natural for that tradition to seep through time and maintan itself even today. Unfortunately though, I think people have shortened the expression to just "bless you" for the wrong reasons. In this day and age, with political correctness run amok, mentioning "God" can be offensive to some. Therefore I think some people only use "bless you" so not to offend others (yet unknowingly reducing the courtesy of blessing someone to worthless by not attaching God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to the blessing. Lord knows, we have no power or authority to "bless" anyone, being the sinful, damned beings we are. Nobody says "bless America", they say "God bless America", cause only He can.). I also believe people neglect God in the expression out of fear. Fear that they might get made fun of, ridiculed, or even persecucted for their belief in a higher power. This is totally unwarranted considering God is almighty (see Romans 8:31) But we're only human, and just like Peter, we deny God time and time again. I'd be a lier if I didn't say many times I wussed out and said just "bless you" out of peer pressue. Anyways, just an interesting thought to think about. God bless, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! March 19, 2003 I'm weak --I wasn't planning on writing today, I really wasn't. But God seems to whack me on my hard, stubborn human head sometimes when he wants me to say something. This morning only confirmed more how much of a wussy human being of little faith I am (aren't we all). I went into work late today. And for those of you that don't know, the Vienna Metro (aka Washington, D.C. subway system) station's parking spaces are limited, and people fight for them like lions do a piece of lamb. Anyways, I thought I could avoid the consequences of getting up late and sneak into a spot anyways (like most of us think we can avoid the consequences of sin). Wrong! I drove around for about 15 min. to no avail. Sucked. I started getting upset, and worried that I was gonna have to park illegally and get another ticket, like I did last week. Sucked. Of course my stupid human mind blocked any semblance of Luke 12:22 and I went on worrying like a faithless fool. No sooner than I gave up, a guy walked back to his parked car right next to where I was. He left, leaving me a nice ol' spot to park in. Bongggg! The spiritual hammer from Heaven pounded me. What was I thinking?! Here I was doubting God would take care of me! What kind of faith is that Keith?! You weakling! If I can't trust that every word from the mouth of my Savoir, God himself, is authentic and true, (please see entry entitled "Bible quote happy" below) whom can I trust, what good is my faith? No one and worthless, are the answers to those questions. And of course the story goes on just as it did with Jesus and the disciples in the boat during the storm. I doubted, He calmed (provided a parking space), and I felt like an ashamed punk wanting to hide under my excuses of being human. What little faith I have. Even if I didn't find a parking space, Romans 8:28 rectifies any confusion of worriness anyways too. It's a win-win situation being a Christian. And He even gave me a parking space despite the fact that I should have paid a penalty for getting up late!!! Grace boggles the human mind, it really does... Well that's all I have to say about my enlightening morning. Remember, even the smallest things, like finding a parking space, need to be put in the hands of your Creator. I love Jesus, cause he's that kind of best friend that lets you know when you're off course, not afraid to identify your faults. But, unlike most legalistic religionazis, he says, "You don't have to explain, you're forgiven. Here, let me help you carry that load." What a great guy... "Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matthew 8:23-27 March 18, 2003 Short Stories --I think I'm gonna start posting some of my short stories online. The first I'm posting is "Meet Steve", which I just recently wrote for some reason. Look for more in the future. They may suck, but at least I'm writing. Happy trails. Other ebb writings March 18, 2003 Handicap drivers --Now this is by no means a handicap persons bashing random thought. It's just something that's dumbfounded me. Handicap people do deserve special rights and service. They wake up every morning and cannot change how they live because of their "handicap". They have no choice in the matter. And the conundrum isn't with handicap rights but more with the qualifications of being a handicap driver. I'd venture to guess (and I'm pulling this out of my arse, but I think its an educated guess) that at least 85% of handicap induviduals have some sort of infirmity with one of the major appendages. By "major appendages", I mean arms and legs, and any extension of the mentioned. Now from personal experience, I find that "proper" driving usually requires two fully funtional hands and two fully functional feet. The question is, how do handicap drivers drive safely with handicap appendages? We can troubleshoot here a little of course. An automatic transmission does theoretically eliminate the need for two fully working feet, cutting my estimation to about 43% of handicap drivers. An automatic does also reduce the need for two functioning arms and hands, but again, I highly doubt the DMV encourages "one-arm" driving, even with an automatic transmission. And although handicap person's possess fully functional human brains capable of anything any human is capable of, I'm not aware of any neuro-mechanical devices used in driving assistance. Yet I see tons of handicap drivers everyday. I don't really get the safety logic here? I can only suggest that most handicap drivers on the road are "senior citizen" types, with technically fully functional appendages. No offense to my elders, but there are some senior citizens that should just not be allowed to drive. It is not safe for them, or the people around them. In conclusion, I think handicap drivers deserve the privelage to drive just as much as anyone else, but I think there should be more strict policies on who gets a license and who doesn't. Safe and proper use of a vechicle should be a must, as well as a sufficient understanding of the english language concerning traffic signs and the such. Again, handicap persons and senior citizens are wonderful people. Also, I may not be aware of what qualifies someone for handicap driver status. Sorry. March 18, 2003 Trade deadline --A lot of people are arguing the NHL trade deadline, a mere couple weeks before the playoffs, is just a lame deadline where teams just look for a quick fix for the dance. I couldn't agree more. I think they should move it back to Febuary like the NBA. A late deadline only encourages "band-aid" deals and no committment (sorta like most of my peers' romantic relationships are). Sure, some players remain huge parts of teams and go on to long careers, but I just don't like the smell of picking up a player just for the playoffs. This also encourages "trade ravaging". Whereby one playoff bound team takes advantage of a non-playoff bound team, or "cash-strapped" team. I smell a rat in that last case (ahem....Pittsburgh Penguins/New York Rangers deal...). Anyways, I support an earlier trade deadline, so teams have to deal with the positive, or negative, consequences of trading. It's a risky business, let's make it more risky. Of course I fully support the Philadelphia Flyer's last minute deal for sniper Tony Amonte :) March 17, 2003 War...again --"In fact, while the United States has the backing of a dozen or so governments, it has the support of a majority of the people in only one country in the world, Israel." -exerpt from Newsweek article this week There's something ironic about that statement. I'm not sure what it is, but I feel it's something deep. Israel, God's chosen people. The covanent was made with Abraham many moons ago with the Jewish nation, and God promised to always protect his children. And now, here in this day, the chosen nation of God, is the only state to give majority support for the Gentile nation. Something ironic there... So you'll be watching your television sets tonight at 8pm as President Bush is gonna address the nation. I think it's safe to safe he'll basically declare war on Iraq because of their donkey-ish attitude lately. I also expect him to reveal the morbid realities or war and the ones that this specific war will produce. I feel urban warfare, something the US military is not overly experienced with, will be prevelant this time around and many lives will be lost. Much more than we're accustomed to. I also expect Huessin to die in a blaze of glory (ahem...i mean utter defeat and humiliation), but I expect him to press all the red buttons before his demise. This will most likely deploy "who knows what kind of hell he's got". I see many causualties within Iraq's borders as well as the surrounding neighbors....as well as Israel. Not a pretty sight. But innocent lives are gonna be lost either way, inaction or action. The question is, which way will cause the least lost? March 17, 2003 Bible quote happy --You might be wondering why I quote the Bible so much when I write about things. "I mean isn't that just a fairy tale book? It's not real right? Those guys were all on drugs when they were writing it. Haven't you every heard of the game "Telephone"? Those are just a few responses I receive concerning the autheticity of the Bible. True, I'm a Christian and the Bible is my spiritual playbook and doctrine. But aside from "religion", it maintains perfect harmony concerning such areas as archeaology, anthropology, science, history, and humanity. No other "holy book" can stand those tests. So from just a pure logical standpoint, the Bible withstands any accusations against it in any discipline, as it has for the past few millenia. So if you choose to read on, please don't leave your brain at the door. This requires at least the intelligence to recognize unadulterated truth, such as things like 2+2 = 4. If you can accept that, you'll be ok :) Here's just a few of the many irrefutable (factual) characteristics of the Bible: (click on links for more info) Archaeological evidence- The first proof we have testifying to the reliability of the Bible is the archaeological evidence. Nelson Glueck, a respected Jewish archaeologist claims: "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference ." The liberals made wild claims against the Bible a hundred years ago but now they are silent. This is not true of other religions. The Mormon claim for inspiration of the Book of Mormon has been categorically condemned by the Smithsonian Institute because of the fallacies shown by archaeology (facts); this is not so with the Bible. A.N. Sherwin-White, a respected classical historian at Oxford says about the book of Acts, "For Acts the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming...any attempt to reject its basic historicity even in matters of detail must now appear absurd." Historicity of Jesus- A case in point is the historicity of Jesus. Although many atheists state that Jesus never lived, He is mentioned by many contemporary, non-Christian historians. Let us look at the evidence... Scientific evidence- Recent scientific evidence is adding to the evidence supporting the reliability of biblical chronology from the scriptures... The Bible's Uniqueness and Unity- The next proof is the Bible's uniqueness and unity. The Bible was written by over 40 authors who came from just about every walk of life conceivable, including fisherman, kings, a butler, priests, and a tax collector. The 66 books of the Bible were written over a 1,500 year span in three languages on three continents with one theme and no contradictions. C.J. Sharp captures this miracle well: "If a fragment of stone were found in Italy, another in Asia Minor, another in Greece, another in Egypt, and on and on until sixty-six fragments had been found, and if when put together they fitted perfectly together, making a perfect statue of Venus de Milo, there is not an artist or scientist but would arrive immediately at the conclusion that there was originally a sculptor who conceived and carved the statue. The very lines and perfections would probably determine which of the great ancient artists carved the statue. Not only the unity of the Scriptures, but their lines of perfection, suggest One far above any human as the real author. That could be no one but God." Prophetic evidence- Yet another reason Christians believe God is the ultimate author of the Bible is the predictive prophecies in the Bible. This aspect is unique to the world's religions because if one predicts something will happen and it does not, they are proven to be phony. The Bible is literally filled with detailed prophecies that have been fulfilled with 100% accuracy. Here is a list... Survival in the Face of Persecution- A final indicator of the reliability of the Bible comes from the lengths disciples of Jesus went through to proclaim the gospel. In spite of extreme persecution, people were willing to die for Jesus, who predicted the persecution of the church... Old Testament- How do we know the Bible has been kept in tact for over 2,000 years of copying? Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls our earliest Hebrew copy of the Old Testament was the Masoretic text dating around 800 A.D. The Dead Sea Scrolls date around the time of Jesus copied by the Qumran community, a Jewish sect living around the Dead Sea. We also have the Septuagint which is a Greek translation of the Old Testament dating in the second century B.C. When we compare these texts which have an 800-1000 years gap between them we are amazed that 95% of the texts are identical with only minor variations and a few discrepancies. New Testament- With all of the massive manuscript evidence you would think we would have massive discrepancies - just the opposite is true. New Testament manuscripts agree in 99.5% of the text (compared to only 95% for the Iliad). Most of the discrepancies are in spelling and word order. A few words have been changed or added. There are two passages that are disputed but no discrepancy is of any doctrinal significance. Most Bibles include the options as footnotes when there are discrepancies. How could there be such accuracy over 1,400 years of copying? Two reasons: The scribes that did the copying had meticulous methods for checking their copies for errors. 2) The Holy Spirit made sure we would have an accurate copy of God's word so we would not be deceived. The Mormons, liberals as well as other cults and false religions such as Islam that claim the Bible has been tampered with are completely proven false by the extensive, historical manuscript evidence. Boatload of resources (apologetics, authenticity,theology, cults, etc.) *People, they don't get more authentic and pure than the Bible, and no other book could hope to compare. No one's gonna hold a gun to your head to believe the content of the words, but only a fool would believe they weren't as authentic as the first penstroke. As always, make your own conclusions. The factual credentials of the Bible speak for themselves, it needs to make no provisions for its own authenticity. But making a decision for Christ is a heart issue. No amount of knowledge, no church membership, no amount of good works, can solve the sin problem in our souls. Only the grace of Christ saves mankind from its sin. Just remember, otherwise its Hell to pay. But I plead with you my readers......test everything, prove all things......hold onto truth, trash lies, and jumpkick false prophets in the head...don't be a crowd follower, don't succumb to peer pressure, even if those peers are loved ones....be your own person....seek truth... If you do this, I gaurantee you'll find your way home... The consequences of rejecting truth are far greater than the consequences of being rejected... Peace out my brothas and sistas... "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" Luke 10:27 March 13, 2003 Surfing VS. Snowboarding --Not as much as a debate as it is just personal preference. Or maybe you don't even live near a coastline. I think most people that like surfing like snowboarding, and I think that most people that like snowboarding like surfing. Anyways, here's my comparison chart between surfing and snowboarding involving a few keys areas of both. As always, "You make the call!" Meanwhile, I must get back to the hot tub with my surfer girlies :) March 13, 2003 Mother's life in danger --I can't understand why anyone would be for abortion (my abortion page), but I can't understand even more why people that are against abortion, in general, are for it when the mother's life is in danger? First of all, by declaring her a "mother", you are saying that she has a "child", not a fetus (ergo murder). And I guess my qualm isn't with pro-choice activists, it's more with the mother's themselves. Isn't giving one's life so another can live the highest form of love? Wouldn't it be the most loving, selfless thing to do to give your own life so that your child can have a chance at life? Don't they deserve a chance? On the flip side, wouldn't it be the most selfish thing to do to "save your own skin", and let that child in your tummy perish? Isn't that the most callous, weaselish, lowest thing someone can do, saving themselves instead of sacrificing their lives for someone else, let alone your own child? Of course you're saying, "Keith you have no idea what it's like to be in that situation and you never will, so shut your male arse up!". You're right, I have no idea and never will. But please let me know what I've said wrong in the past two paragraphs. Let me know, I wish to know what's not right in what I said before. Does being in a "tough" situation justify selfishness? I want to know a valid response to that question if the answer is "yes". Please email me with your valid justification for a mother "saving her own skin". Please, I beg you, correct me if I'm wrong. And please don't skirt the issue. The issue is, is it more loving to give up your life so a child can live, or more loving to save yourself and let the child die? That is the issue remember. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 March "very late at night", 2003 At a loss --I'm wondering when the day will come when I realize that some people just are going to, by either directly or indirectly rejecting Christ's grace of salvation (no excuses either way), chose to spend their eternity in Hell, and that I can't do a damn thing about it... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8 Is there any way to be more simple and crystal clear in statements such as that? Please, someone tell me!... What am I missing here? Help me, I plead on my knees someone tell me.... so these tears will stop flowing... This is not a random thought, it pierces my soul almost every second of everyday now. What's so threatening about grace? How can something free be so bad? Tell me! Jesus please come soon....this afternoon... March 11, 2003 My Personal Website --It was brought to my attention recently the "choas" and "unorganized manner" that my personal webpage contains by someone. Well I agree. But when you have comments such as that, I'd love them to be followed with a hyperlink to your wonderful personal website. Oh, you don't have one? I rest my case... March 11, 2003 Weird Dreams I --I had a weird dream last night. I was at my high school and the army had a sign-up station there. What makes it weirder is that I ran into a lot of my old high school friends there who had just signed up to join the army, their "high school" personalities still totally in tact. It wasn't a flashback or anything; more like a present senario based on an alternate dimension. I attribute this weird dream to the growing crisis with Iraq and also the fact that I was paging through an old year book last night from my sophomore year in high school. March 11, 2003 Starbucks --I purchased (or was treated to) a Starbucks product today for the first time. I got a White Chocolate Mocha. I now realize why Starbucks dominates its industry. They provide liquid candy and call it "coffee". The store is basically a big candy store for adults. I was drinking a liquified version of a Hersey's white chocolate bar, and it was as good as I hoped it wasn't. I bet a lot of girls are patrons of Starbucks. March 10, 2003 Submarines --I just came to the unignorant knowledge that "sub" (you know, those wonderful sandwiches packed with your favorite meats and condiments) is just a short rendition of their real names, submarines. Which of course is derived from the similarity in shape between a "sub" sandwich and an actual submarine vehicle. I had never put 2 and 2 together before. Things will never be the same... March 7, 2003 TGIF --Words can't express how I feel to be done with this long week. Well, I guess I'm expressing it in words right now. Anyways, yes I'm very glad this week is over. It hasn't been "bad" per say, but just long, like time decided to replicate itself for a couple of hours each day. March 7, 2003 Um no thanks --I've decided that women who body build are really not attractivey. It's like their overly muscular bodies are saying that it wasn't supposed to be like this. Just makes me sick to my stomach. Even makes me sicker thinking about the insecurities and motives these girls have inside. Guys aren't any better cause they do it for the wrong reasons too, (don't even know if there is a good reason to cause your body to become one big walking block) but girls just weren't meant to do it at all. Can't say exactly why, but they just weren't. March 7, 2003 Entropy people --I recently overheard a conversation on the Metro between two people discussing how they were gonna de-ice their sidewalks now that all the salt was sold out at Home Depot. I chuckled to myself, and also was disappointed in them, when they started talking about plans to extend their water faucets somehow to spray "hot" water on the ice so it will magically disappear. Entropy people! That's not gonna work and only make the situation more dire. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is not on their side, but I'm sure they had fun trying and were absolutely dumbfounded when the ice didn’t go away but seemed to expand. The universe likes to balance itself out, create equilibrium (will never absolutely occur of course...ask Einstein), so when something isn't equal, say a hot cup of coffee and an ice cube, that ice cube, with slow moving molecules, is gonna feel the peer pressure (literally) from the fast moving coffee molecules to conform and "join the crowd" of hot (or fast moving) molecules. Things at opposite spectrums, and ice cube and a hot coffee, will try to equate ASAP. And the poor ice cube, being overwhelmed by the more prevalent hot coffee, will be forced to assimilate. And similarly, that cup of hot coffee is under pressure to conform to all that room temperature air at about 72°F. So slowly it will morph to a room temperature liquid. And that room temperature air is being slowly conformed to all that freezing cold space in the universe. The ice cube got the low end of the stick. So yeah, when you pour hot water onto ice with freezing ambient temperatures, you’re only gonna create more ice, bad idea. Use salts or chemicals, or just use manual labor. Or wait till it gets warm out. You still don’t understand what I’m saying or think I’m crazy? Well look at it like this. If a teenager is at a party of about, say 65 peers, and they’re all smoking, that kid is gonna feel much more peer pressure to smoke than say being at a party of only 8 kids. That’s how entropy works. The more “pressure” to conform, the more "opposite",, the faster the conformation occurs. Luckily humans aren’t subject to any kind of 2nd Law of Emotionaldynamics and we have the choice not to conform. Water and things of that nature aren't so lucky... March 5, 2003 High Hopes --I've been wondering more and more why God decides to dangle things in front of me, then kinda pulls them back. Sort of a "tease" if you will. It's hard to get into specifics. I know God is God and can do whatever he wants, but I wish sometimes things would work out the way I'd like. I thought I'd show one of my transcripts with God to help explain. So here's the conversation: Keith: Why do you present me with seemingly wonderful things and opportunities, then either suddenly or gradually just shut the door on them? God: Well Keith, you're forgetting one thing. I am God. Keith: Yes, I know that, but why get my hopes up? It's like I'd rather never there being hope then having my hope dashed of sorts. God: Keith, your ways are not my ways, your thoughts are not my thoughts. Keith: God, that's all well and good, but I'm not really in the mood for abstract theological truths. I'm only human here God, tangibility is my lifeblood, you made me like that. God: Keith, I love you, you know that. You're the reason why I gave my life. Why do you doubt me? Which father, if the son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you humans, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will I give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!? So I say to you Keith: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Keith: Whoa God, that's deep. But you seem to be confusing me now more than ever. These things that appear in my life, are basically what I've asked for and seem great. Yet you seem to take them away before I can enjoy them. Sort of like "Here's something great! Oh but read the fine-print...you can't have it." God: Keith, as Gandalf said, do not take me as a conjurer of cheap tricks and a sugar daddy. I'm trying to help you. Keith: I know you are deep down, it's just.....it's just... God: You're not alone. Joseph, son of Jacob, felt the same way Keith. You know, you and he have a lot in common. But like him, I know deep down you trust in my plan. I want you to. It's a wonderful plan Keith. Keith: God I know. I just get discouraged sometimes. I know I can't see the big picture, and I know you don't want me to. I just was hoping for something that stays, something wonderful that I don't have to resist and can embrace with arms wide open. God: Keith, I know how you feel, I know your thoughts better than yourself actually. But be patient my son, things you could've never dreamt of are in your path. And when they come, you will know. But don't worry about tomorrow, just keep running the race set before you. Your heart's desire to please me brings me joy. (pause) Keith: ....as always, your words bring comfort to my soul. Thank you. I will trust in you. Where else could I turn?... So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. I think my problem is I think too much about how I could make things work. Wrong approach. I just gotta float, and let the current take me where it desires, realizing that current is the best flow. March 5, 2003 EbbGames --EbbWorld is creating a corporate subsidary which officially will be called EbbGames. It's been a brainchild of the EbbWorld executive for a while. But due to overwhelming demand (ok, not overwhelming, but the demand is there), EbbGames will finally see the light of day. EbbGames' everyday operations will be supervised by EbbWorld's current CEO and no staff changes will occur. Although, because of the company expansion, new employees for EbbGames may be sought. *EbbGames' first major project is projected to be a full review of the soon-to-be-released Nintendo Gamecube game, Zelda:The Wind Waker. A bare-bones strategy guide may be released soon after from EbbGames. Check back for gaming updates. March 5, 2003 Your Money --It's been on my heart lately to address the subject of money matters with my peers from a peer perspective. I recently learned that the average american(whatever that means) currently has about $5000 worth of debt. This does not include generally accepted debts such as mortages, educational loans, etc. Did you hear me correctly? $5000!?!? Can you beleive that? I sure couldn't. And I'll bet my beemer that around 90% of those induviduals began incurring that debt, or at least began developing habits of debt, in their lates teens, early 20's. Simply astounding. My tenure at college opened my eyes to the financial ignorance of my peers when I'd walk to class and 20 kids would be signing up for a credit card just to get a free tshirt of that guy from Animal House. And with those credit cards (that of course they said they'd never use), they start buying things....hamburgers, cd's, playstations. When the debt piles up and the job with Johnny's Pizza place ain't payin the bills, it's time to sign up for another credit card. You mean you have to really pay for the things you buy with a credit card??? My point is, if you don't have the money to buy something outright, it's prolly not a good idea to buy it. Only a fool doesn't pay the full amount on their credit card bill every month. The interest rates they charge is second only to highway robbery. But I guess there's enough financial fools in the world to keep them in business. I'd even go as far to say, unless you can "show me the money", I wouldn't buy anything under about $1000. Best Buy may say you can take it home without making a payment until January 2005, but only a fool would buy into that deal. You wanna buy that new HDTV? I wouldn't unless you can show'em the Ben Franklins. "Buy now, pay later"? What kind of oxymoronish trap is that?? Concerning big ticket items such as a house, car, school, getting in debt is more acceptable and actually a good idea sometimes. But if you're buying a big ticket item such as a house or car, make a big downpayment. Believe me, it will relieve tensions down the road (I couldn't imagine being married, or having a family, and being in debt. That's like a relationship nail in the coffin. Who needs to deal with that storm??? not me). Tip: If you're in debt and thinking about getting married.....don't. Concerning car buying. Come on kiddies, you don't really need that 2003 Toyata Celica for $22K. A 1994 Honda Accord for $6K in the classifieds will suit you fine for the purposes you need. And it will save you a lot of debt. Just drop the ego when car buying. No shame in buying a used, or really used car, no shame at all. Sheesh, I gotta a car that's 7 years my elder! I know we all need cars. I sure need a BMW E30 M3, but I don't need one. I'm planning on having one one day, but not until I can buy it outright. I don't want to deal with crappy car debt. And if you have to get in car debt, at least have a clear and concise payment program. Again, downpayment is key, but at least make sure you're paying as much as you can every month to get that debt monkey off your back as soon as possible. Interest rates will creep up on you like Gollum on the Ring. Concerning school loans. A good investment, at least in theory. School loans pack a punch and hang around for many many years. Drop the ego here too folks. That in-state school or community college will be fine. If you can't afford Harvard (Natalie Portman.... mmmmm) or Carnegie-Mellon, and you didn't get a scholarship, chances are you shouldn't go there. I can already see peers that are hard pressed because of that $50K school loan they're gonna be paying off for the next 20 years. Was it really worth it? Does that plaque really look that much better on your wall? Life's too short to be in financial debt. Concerning mortages. Well, I don't have much experience with them, but I know they're acceptable forms of debt. All I can advise is get expert advice before you buy an abode. Now I'm saying all this cause I don't want to have to deal with it when I'm 39. I don't want to receive a call from a friend asking for financial advice or if I could give them a loan. "What an unfriendly and callus thing to say Keith," your yelling. Well here's how I look at it. Why deal with a mistake in the future if you can circumvent it ever occurring in the present? Pure logic works a lot in life folks. Will I help and advise a friend if if ever comes to that? Sure. But it could've most likely been avoided if they developed good financial habits in their youth, like right NOW. I'm all for credit cards, and cars, and education. But pay it off, buy smart, and study hard. Otherwise, with debt, you're in for a hell of a time with the checkbook in the future. Not to mention the spouse. Money and "stuff" aren't the enemy, foolishness is. And finally, if you don't take care of your debt right now, if will bite you in the @$$ later on......kinda like sin... March 4, 2003 Updates --I'm sorry for no new updates lately. Beleive me, I've had a lot of random thoughts but I've also had an HTML problem with my site. I'm creating this secondary page until I can update all my back logged info onto it. Bare with me please :) March 4, 2003 The Vatican vs. Sauron --It seems the Pope and Co. are into kicking Sauron's @$$ too! And who wouldn't be? Anyways, I enjoyed this article and thought that last quote from the anonymous writer was very poignant to the essence of Christianity. Tolkien, whom close friend and fellow writer C.S. Lewis shared the Gospel, wrote an epic fictional tale whose undertones and themes truly do echo the real Good News. Long live 'The Lord of the Rings'! -ebb ***VATICAN, Feb 26, 03 (CWNews.com) -- In a highly favorable review of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the official Vatican newspaper has said that the work carries "echoes of the Gospel." L'Osservatore Romano remarked that Tolkien's creative work-- now being made available on film-- has an "enchantment with which is seduces us, and helps to highlight a significance deeper than what is immediately apparent." The fantasy world of Tolkien's work is "like a projection of the real world, where men are agitated by passions, driven by sentiments, slaves to egoism, but open to values of friendship, loyalty, generosity, love-- stronger than the will to power that devastates mankind." The anonymous article in L'Osservatore Romano said that Tolkien's work shows "a sort of theology." The Lord of the Rings speaks through images and signs, the reviewer observes, but the author concludes: "When faith inspires one's thought and one's life, there is not need to call attention to it; it shines through everything."*** "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13 March 4, 2003 Back on Flag --I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with Toni Smith and her "stand" (for all of you that aren't, go read up here). She plays on a NCAA Div. III basketball team in New York and had decided that a good way to show her oppostion to the american governement's majority urge to go to war against Iraq, was to turn her back on the American flag during the national anthem at her games. Apparently she's been doing this all season and only recently has it gained national attention within the sports world. I want to stray from discussing Toni Smith as a person, because lord knows millions of people across the globe feverently agree with her, but I want to focus on what she's standing up for and how she's doing it. I have no problem with someone protesting the government. Heck I feverently protest the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in the 70's, and the taking of the Ten Commandments out of schools (what harm can they do??? Gosh, we sure don't want kids getting any ideas about being nice and loving), etc. Am I dissapointed in my elected officials for decisions like that and others? Sure I am. But ya know what, we, as the American people, elected them and we should accept their decisions. Does that mean we have to be happy about them? Nope. Can we protest them peacefully? Yes indeed. Should we turn our backs on freedom, hope, deliverance, bravery, love, courage, and heart? Hmmmm, that should be rhetorical, but I guess not to some people. When Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem, he was being bombarded by British bombs in the hull of a patriot ship. Metaphorically, he was being bombed by a totalitarial government that didn't care for its colonial peoples' representation and that took advantage of that political weakness. Sound familiar to some other totalitarial government near the Tigris and Euphrates??? It should. And so America's theme carries on....fighting for the underdog, fighting for God-given rights, fighting for freedom! Does the American goverment aim to kill woman, children, and the innocent in their attempt to overthrow Sadam and disarm Iraq? Now that question is rhetorical. A few thoughts for Toni and other American citizens to think about. When you turn you back on the flag, no man with a gun is gonna shoot you or imprison you and threaten your family's death. When you turn on the TV at night, you can watch any non-government channel you want. When you turn 18, you can vote for any yahoo you want. When you do something wrong, you're innocent until proven guily, not guilty until some person in power decides your innocent or guilty. When you live, you can worship any god you want. When the father leaves you with the kid, you don't get tossed out in the street, you get a check in the mail every month. When you're sick and can't pay, you don't die a slow, agonizing death in some alley, you get help. Now I'm wondering why all these things are true in the country I live in. I wonder why I have so much freedom. Then I turn to the American flag and I say, "Oh yeah, that's why."... I'm sorry for going back to the "war" issue, but it strikes a chord in my soul. I respect yours and Toni's opinion, but I don't always agree, and I hope you can respect that. And remember, we can't both be right. "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." -Matthew 12:25 |