Worthy Quotes #28

It is better to be approximately right than precisely wrong.
-- Warren Buffett

Don't ever underestimate the importance of money. I know it's often been said that money won't make you happy, and this is undeniably true, but everything else being equal, it's a lovely thing to have around the house.
-- Groucho Marx

A woman's mind is cleaner than a man's; she changes it more often.
-- Oliver Herford

Woman begins by resisting a man's advances and ends by blocking his retreat.
-- Oscar Wilde

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.
-- Michael Pritchard

I want to be all used up when I die.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Chastity: the most unnatural of the sexual perversions.
-- Aldous Huxley

Honest criticism is hard to take -- especially when it comes from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.
-- Franklin P. Jones

Last night I stayed up late playing poker with Tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died.
--Steven Wright

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
-- Cicero

My Year 2009 in Review

2009 was a wonderful year, and as I recapped it in my mind, I realized in retrospect just how much I had done. See for yourself as I review the highlights...

In January, we drove to Galveston and I cruised for the first time which included a shore excursion on Jamaica and ziplining the Chukka Jungle canopy...


Then on to Florida where we hiked and biked...



No, that's not snow, but rather the white sand of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

In February, we toured Disney World behind-the-scenes with an Elderhostel group, including a visit by Mickey our final day...


We also had a wonderful visit with cousin Trudy and Ed...



A sea kayak program out of Cedar Key with my good friend, Greg, of "Adventures in Florida" was another highlight of the month...



...and included swimming with the manatees out of Crystal Springs...



Another fun week was the canoeing Elderhostel program in the Ocala National Forest...



Of course, we can't be in Florida without biking several times on our favorite mountain bike trails which wend their way for dozens of miles through the gorgeous Ocala National Forest...




In March, on our way home from Florida, we visited a friend in Asheville and toured the Biltmore estate...



...and after returning to Fayetteville, we spent much time hiking and biking, astounded at the damage wrought by the fierce ice storm that ravaged the area while we were in Florida...



In April, we returned to Cedar Key, Florida to rehab the condo, stopping to bike in the Apalachicola National Forest on the way there...


In May, I returned home after my four month escape from winter weather, just in time to attend the Spring concert by my community chorus, followed by a farewell party for our retiring director and founder...



June included twice-weekly biking with good friends, always culminating with lunch near whatever trail we had biked...



...and also family time, as on Father's Day in Wheaton...



July brought us to in Michigan. First we backpacked on North Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with Len and Marlene, and then we made the loop through the Upper Peninsula, touring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and back home through Wisconsin, biking in Green Bay and touring Kohler Plumbing's plant and biking and touring Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge...





August found us canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and body surfing rapids in the Delaware National Water Gap on an Elderhostel program. Then on to NJ and NY for a wedding and some fishing...






September in New England featured a variety of conveyances, including sailing the Angelique for a week...

...riding up Mt. Washington on the the cog railway...



...biking 8 different trails in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont...

...hiking in Robert Frost's favorite forest in Middlebury, Vermont...

...and re-building a trail in Acadia National Park...



October back home was very soggy but colorful...


November was spent visiting Mom after her hip surgery...


...and December featured singing in two concerts each by my church choir and community chorus...



...and of course family -- our extended family annual Christmas Eve party, this year at my place...


Summarizing numerically, we were in three foreign countries, visited 23 states, biked over 2300 miles, paddled 100+ miles, hiked 400+ miles, and in spare time, read 38 books. Maybe in 2010 I'll slow down a bit. (But don't bet on it!)

Predicting the future...

Way back in 1987, Apple Computer Co. produced this concept video basically predicting what computers could do in the future. Now 22+ years later, looking back at these predictions, it amazes me how much of what is on the video actually exists, and yet -- how short today's tech abilities still fall short of what the entire video demonstrates...




Yes, we have much of the hardware, but we do NOT have the software for this, especially not the Artificial Intelligence software depicted. Even the most advanced speech recognition systems aren't sophisticated enough to interpret normal conversational human speech -- understanding everything someone says and evaluating what it really means based on things like context, prior knowledge, and experience.


We do have wireless connections and home networks and wireless printers, pretty far-fetched concepts back in 1987, and the idea that everyone you know would be connected online was pure science fiction. Seeing the person you were talking to ala iChat or something similar now exists, as does searching for articles in a University database from your own home.

Also amazing to me is the lecture topic chosen for this simulation back then -- Amazon rain forest deforestation -- still not solved and still a big issue 22 years later.

Anyway, in a few weeks, it is rumored/expected that Apple will announce its long-awaited iTablet/iSlate/or whatever i-Name they will have for it. It may well look similar to what was depicted in the above video concept, and it may well put us on the road to having the device depicted.

And the new tablet will be a huge step up from my first Apple computer -- an Apple IIe that I purchased for the family in March of 1984, with its (then) whopping 128K of memory and large double floppy disk drives!

Church Signs #14

In my driving trips across all 50 states, I often spot clever, amusing, and thought-provoking signs in front of churches of all denominations, and long ago I began jotting them down. I'll gradually post them here for your entertainment and edification.

Pick your friends – but not to pieces.
Take the “cross” road.
Certified burden drop-off point.
Wise men still seek Him.
Feed your faith and your doubt will starve to death.
Destroy enemies by making them friends (Abe Lincoln)
The world at its worst needs a church at its best.
When you are down to nothing, God is up to something.
The 10 Commandments are NOT multiple choice.
Love, not nails, held Jesus on the cross.
2 boards + 3 nails = 4 given
Trust says Jesus can. Faith says Jesus will.
For fast, fast relief, take 2 tablets.
Look up to your mother no matter how tall you are.
Jesus was a man after your own heart.

2010 new Year's Resolutions

The tradition of New Year's Resolutions goes back to 153 B.C. The Romans named the first month of the year after the mythical king Janus (January), the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back, allowing him to peer backward and forward at the same time. Hence, Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions.

Though I have never put stock in proclaiming what too often are merely temporary personal improvements, I relent now and begin the next decade with these lofty aspirations:

Get back into running shape...

Fix the shower knobs...

Get the money for that oft postponed nose job...

Try to always keep my head on my shoulders...

Get a few body piercings...

Make those electrical repairs I've been putting off..

Remember to purchase a new jack...

Finally fix that front bike tire...

Show more interest in others...

Be ever vigilant for angels...

Wish me luck!

Last year's resolutions are here.

AARP Award

I happened upon the AARP site recently and discovered they had chosen this blog as one of special note back in July, 2008. I vaguely recall responding to their request for submissions of blogs from members, but they never notified me that mine was deemed to have a high level of creativity and innovation. Click to enlarge this photo...

Winter Wonderland Woods

Our group of retirees snowshoed two hours today in Deer Grove Forest Preserve, enjoying the solitude and magnificent scenery...




Then it was off to Billy's for breakfast and more conversation. We leave for warmer climes soon, so it was nice to get out and enjoy the snow with good friends before we make our escape from winter!

The Importance of Priorities

This is a repeat post from two-plus years ago, but the importance of priorities in life deserves repetition, especially at this time of year.
=============================================

Two glasses of wine and the mayo jar...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle and 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things: your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

He paused, then added: "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car."

He looked around the room and then said, "The sand is everything else; the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.


The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend." (source unknown)

AMEN!

Christmas Eve 2009

The house was in readiness as everyone joined us in Wauconda for the annual family get-together -- a gathering which has been occurring for seven decades in our extended family...


The kids were all abuzz with excitement, awaiting the presents they knew were forthcoming...




...but first a delicious meal of turkey, stuffed shells, mashed and sweet potatoes, and lots of side dishes for the 20 who were able to attend tonight...


...and then down to the party room for the annual grab-bag and then the gift exchange...



...followed by our traditional Christmas carol sing, led by cousin Norman on the keyboard...



Here's some camcorder footage to please all our relatives unable to join us, or to give others a flavor of our brand of celebrating...



It was another wonderful family celebration of the greatest gift mankind has received -- the birth of our Saviour, Jesus!

More photos of the evening are available for viewing and downloading here.

Worthy Quotes #27

Like our shadows, our wishes lengthen as the sun declines.
-- Edward Young

Don't cry cause it's over, smile because it happened.
--Dr Seuss

Life itself is the proper binge.
--Julia Child

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
-- Winston Churchill

If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way.
-- Mark Twain

Character is what you are in the dark.
-- Dwight L. Moody

You're never too old to become younger.
-- Mae West

A woman need only know one man well in order to understand all men, whereas a man may know all women and not understand one of them.
-- Helen Rowland

I want to die young at an advanced age.
-- Max Lerner

Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: "It might have been!"
-- John Greenleaf Whittier

M&M at her finest...

Sent from Comic Touch (http://plasq.com/comictouch)

Gaither Homecoming 2009 Christmas Tour

...was presented in northwest suburban Chicago Saturday evening. As usual, it was more a poignant worship experience than mere concert -- uplifting as it entertained, its message strong and clear and vibrant -- and a wonderful prep for the Christmas season. Photos were tough to take in the huge, dark Sears Centre, but here are a few that sort of turned out.

Below is Kevin Williams, the fantastic guitar player for the Gaither Band, who also provides regular comic relief as he banters with the endearing, laid-back, and supremely talented Bill Gaither, mastermind of these musical extravaganzas. The first photo was the concert intro, before the house lights went out.

Though most seats are far from the stage, the three huge screens give close-ups of the performers and the sound system is fantastic. And we were actually much closer than we had been at the larger Orlando, Florida, "Lovin' Life" Homecoming concert back in February which I reported on here.


The audience was given blue LED lights upon entrance to the arena, and they received a lot of use as seen below (click to enlarge)...

One of my favorite groups, The Isaacs, are talented singers as well as instrumentalists, and they are acapella singers extraordinaire. Yes, they are a family -- mom, brother, and sisters. Here they are joined by the versatile Buddy Greene who excels with guitar, harmonica, and voice.


A highlight was the two stirring performances by tenor David Phelps, the magnificent Nessun Dorma, and the finale, O Holy Night...



I recommend you attend a performance, or if merely curious, check your TV listings, for many of the previous concerts are shown regularly on PBS and religious channels. Tickets are reasonably priced at only $30 and $40. DVDs and CDs are available at gaither.com.

Pre-Christmas Christmas

Since Scott and Sarah are driving to Tennessee for Christmas to celebrate with her parents and sister and their new-born nephew, they will miss our family's usual Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange, so we had them over yesterday for an early Christmas. Ellen prepared a delicious red snapper meal with all the trimmings...




... and her new cockatiel, BB, was a hit with everyone...


The gift exchange provided all with stuff they had wished for, so all gifts were the "perfect" ones...




We'll miss them Thursday night at my place as 20+ relatives gather as our extended family of cousins has gathered for over 7 decades, but it was nice to get together with them today. Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope all of you are able to enjoy the festivities with their your ones.

Snowy Hikes

Hiked the snowy woods the last 3 days. Beautiful!

When Hell Freezes Over

The following claims to be a question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet. This attribution has been debunked by snopes.com, which shows its origins arise from a scientific article authored in the 1920s and adapted over the decades -- but nonetheless, I find it clever and humorous and present it here.

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.

As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.

With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities: 1) If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose. 2) If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over.

The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct, leaving only Heaven, and thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God."

THE STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.

If We Had Global Warming (in Minnesota)

Nice tongue-in-cheek song...



(At least I think they have their tongues in their cheeks!)