My thoughts on religion.

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Although being a “west michigander” is almost synonymous with various stems of Christianity, I find myself really being further than ever from any real kind of faith.

I grew up Christian (with vanbergs), my parents took us to sunday school, my mom taught sunday school, my dad sings in the church “choir”. With that recipe, how could it be possible that I’m not a religious person? I’m not saying that I do not believe in some higher power, I’m not saying that Jesus H Christ didn’t exist. My point is, there is no way of knowing. I don’t know what I believe.

In school, everyone learns about greek mythology. how they had “gods” for everything. But, notice how it is called “Mythology” currently? I can’t help but wonder if some furthered civilization is going to be reviewing our culture calling it “American Mythology” at some point. Religion is a touchy subject for many people, and something that many people believe very strongly. With that in mind, the proceeding comments are genuinely meant not to offend anybody. Seriously, couldn’t Jesus have been a normal man with quick hands? A magician perhaps? David Copperfield can sure do some cool things with “slate of hand” or whatever it’s called. How does anybody even know that the writings that make up the bible are “Non-fiction”? I’m sure this has been researched, debated, etc. But I don’t know much about the history on this specific topic. And there are just numerous scientific points that tend to sway me away from religion. For example, how come there aren’t any religions that referr to anything prior to their conception? God made man in his own image?? Where the hell did dinosaurs come from then? The world started from Adam and Eve?? How do we go from that and get different skin colors? I guess that would probably have to be evolution or adaptation. Everything that exists must have been created. It can’t have just “been here”… Something must have made us. Something must have made the planet. “What” might have done so, is far beyond my understanding. Even so, it’s hard for me to say “God did” and believe that wholeheartedly.

Basically, it’s hard for me to blindly believe in something. Even harder to “live my life” by it. Am I against religion? Absolutely not. I really just don’t know that it’s for me. I dont know when I’ll know, or what I’ll know. But I do know this: If there is a god, there are alot of things I want to ask him/her about…

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Driving part 2

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Continuing with my car theme… I have taken the plunge and started to “mod” my car. This last weekend I got my windows tinted at extreme car audio. They look pretty nice. I tried to go with ‘classy’ as opposed to ‘ghetto’. I went with a 32% for the front, and 22% on the back three, both in the color of charcoal, and I think that was the correct choice. Pictures before and after are posted in my gallery if anybody is interested.

In addition to that, I purchased a K&N cold air intake for my car. This will allow my car to breathe the cooler air outside the engine compartment. Since cooler air is more dense, the combustion is stronger. Stronger combustion = about 10 more horse power and 10 more torque. I’ve read alot about these things on line, and for filters and intakes I guess you really cannot beat K&N. As of now though, it is not street legal. It has been ‘submitted’ for approval, but not yet been approved. I’ll take my chances. Anyway, that beauty arrived at my parents house today, so that will be installed by myself and mickeyvb this coming weekend. I will probably take pics and videos of it.

No other major updates in my life… except for gas prices going up like my cholesterol. Good thing i drive 2.5 miles to work.

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Driving

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I love to drive, plain and simple. I like taking rides on sunny days. I like power sliding in the snow. I like doing donuts. I washed my car and vaccumed it out yesterday. I even shiny tire foamed the tires. AND–I’ve always been a sucker for driving related video games. This sickness dates back probably 10 years, when my father purchased us “The Need for Speed”– Maybe the best driving game ever. I believe this game to be the catalyst for it all. And it continued up through “Daytona USA”, “Destruction Derby”, Both “Midnight Clubs”, and plenty of other “Need for Speeds”. Basically, everything I wish I could do in an automobile is done virtually through these outlets.

The latest ailment for me has been Gran Turismo 4. I really enjoyed its predecessor, Gran Turismo 3… It had amazing graphics, and as far as driving games go it was completely revolutionary. The “driver” could pick from hundreds of cars, tons of courses, rally car racing, you get the picture. The ONLY problem was the speed of the game. Vanbergs and I would get cars souped up and going 200, 300 miles per hour, and the world slowly murmured by like we were doing 55 in a 70. That was almost enough to completely ruin the game. almost.

Enter Gran Turismo 4. more cars, more tracks, importing GT 3 credits, speed issue definitely resolved. It’s almost worth purchasing just to do a race and watch the replay. The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, especially for a PS2. So far, I have like 15 cars, probably 25 % game completion. It really is the most fun that I have had in a driving game. I think this feeling is enhanced by me recently purchasing a brand new car, and I get to “drive” all the cars that I would have loved to purchase if money was not an issue. Subaru WRX, pontiac GTO, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Then you basically buy add ons and soup up your car. There’s almost a part of my soul that wants to waste money on doing this type of thing to my car… But I am no racecar driver, so I have been able to get my “fix” virtually.

I think I just love cars, as cliche as that sounds. My father used to drag
race, I’ve always watched “Motor Trend Television” which has recently become
“Car and Driver Television” with the exit of Jim Scoutten, I always wanted to
do burnouts, do donuts, drive fast… Even before I had my license I just
couldnt wait to drive. Currently in my 24th year on this earth, I still get a
natural sort of high by taking my car and just rifling it through the gears up
to 90 mph (which I did yesterday after giving her a bath: you have to air
dry it for spotlessness). I love my car. One of these days I’m going to take it up to
it’s “governed” limit of 127 miles per hour. If anybody ever wants to buy me
an extravogant gift for whatever reason… please consider some type of racing
school weekend. 🙂

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Doogie Howser, MD.

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Ive definitely noticed a severe decrease in the amount of time and frequency i have spent writing in this. I almost feel that im losing interest. At any Rate, I’m going to try to make it a point to journal something much more often. AT LEAST once a week. I want to do this because i am inspired by Doogie Howser. If you think about it, Doogie Howser was actually the worlds first Blogger, ever. Well, not technically because he didnt publish his posts on line, but I dont even think Al Gore had invented the internet yet.

My point is this: Doogie Howser did it… I’m going to do it. Even the small things and thoughts are important. Once it’s written, it’s never forgotten. Don’t forget about me, Doogie Howser.

Though I wonder, why did Doogie Howser not buy his own computer? He was after all a Doctor.

Eliminate. the penny

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This idea has very real merit to it… read on

I have contemplated this many times in the past, and it happened once again today when looking at a sign for the price of gas. 2.24 for a gallon of gas, 49 cents for a candy bar, 1.09 for a 20 oz. pop, 19.99 for a DVD. By now I hope you are getting the picture.

I say, let us eliminate the penny, completely. The lowest denomination of money should be the nickel. What does anybody ever do with pennies that they get as
change? Throw them in some jar? So 5 years later you can count out 1,300 pennies, roll them into 13 ‘penny rolls’ and cash them in at the bank!??! Wow, that is well worth 13 dollars.

I dont even care if people round up. I’d rather spend 150.00 even on an X-box than 149.99. I’m no “economist”- but it seems like the time, money, and effort saved by NOT manufacturing pennies in the first place would more than make up for any round ups that would inevitably occur. There really must be some better use for the tons of copper that are just sitting in peoples houses across this entire country.

Sound stupid? Pointless? maybe. But seriously think about it.

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Nerd Vol. 2

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Yesterday I finally found a digital camera that I felt OK spending money on. I purchased an Olympus D589. The lower end 3.2 megapixel olympus camera is usually 229 at Bestbuy and Circuit town… This ‘step up’ model was on sale at office max for 199. I got a 128 meg xd card, so I’m pretty sure im going to take pictures of everything that exists. I’ll be adding albums to the gallery in rapid succession

Continuing with my latest nerd venture: Python. I have been downloading program examples, reading up on Python, just trying to get the jist of it. I still dont know why, as I have no interest in doing any real programming. But, I found out through some article that alot of Google’s engineers use python.

That said, my ‘vending machine’ has made some progress. Vending Code

Tidbits: Dont make reservations at Carraba’s– still waited 25 minutes. Take student ID’s to see movies from now on. If your not a student, wait to rent. Im so sick of being price gouged. 7.75 i believe was the ticket price to see “Constantine”. I absolutely HATE price gouging. “You cannot bring your own candy into the movie!” — I wonder why they have that rule. Probably so you will pay 2.50 for a box of raisinets, and 3.50 for a soda. It seriously should be illegal. One of these days the world is just going to push itself off a ledge. We continue to ever so slightly nudge it in the back and smile.

i am frowning.

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