I'm Times Maganizes Person of the year.

... well along with the rest of the internet users. Time has recongized the collaberative power of millions of internet users. The atical even cites wikipedia. Time Magazine is calling this a reveloution. The world continues to change. Information wants to be free.

BCS injustice

Well, Michigan will not be facing Ohio St in neutral ground rematch for the National Championship. I never really was in favor of a rematch (College football is not about rematches). However, I was routing for UCLA and Arkansas yesterday. I think the pollsters voted the wrong way. Michigan and Ohio St are the best two teams in collage football but they have already played. I saw nothing in Florida yesterday that proved they could come close to beating Ohio St. The coaching was sloppy, and team seam disorganized. Florida only won b/c of *massive* mistakes by Arkansas. This is what I think should happen. Since Ohio St is undefeated and Boise St is undefeated, they should allow Boise St the opportunity to get blasted by Ohio St, and let Michigan, Florida battle for *the prized #2 spot.* I'm glad the Michigan had the opportunity to determine their own destiny of the field, all be it an expensive, poorly sodded field.

Just for the record, this is how I think #2 should be decided. 1st of all a win is a win no matter how little or how huge your victory is. So now extra *style* points should be awarded for large victories. On the flip side a loss is a loss no matter how close or how large. Since Florida and Michigan both has one loss, you need to look at who they lost to. Michigan lost to number #1 Ohio who is undefeated. Florida lost to #10 Auburn which has two losses. If both teams had one loss to undefeated teams then we could look at margin of *lostitude* Incidentally Michigan's only loss was by 3 points and Florida's was by 10 points. So by my reasoning Michigan should be #2 with a chance to play for the national championship. Oh well, perhaps a 4 team play off would be better, that way at most there is only won extra game in the season and rarely would a number #5 or lower team have even an argument that they should be fighting for the national championship.

At any rate Michigan had an excellent season, and a game for the ages against Notre Dame and Ohio St. They do get to go to the Rose Bowl, and it should be a great game. Boo BCS, Go Blue!

Christmas Decorations Are Up.

2006.12.2 Christmas decorations

As usual Danielle has done an excellent job of decorating our house for Christmas. The pictures in the web album really don't do justice, you have to come visit to fully appreciate them. Enjoy the pictures!

hearing our little one's hear beat

Danielle and I were able to listen to our little one's heart beat, a perfect 164 beats a minute. Hearing the heart beat really made it seam real to me. Danielle has been feeling great. She is now at week #13.

The Proud Grandparents

When my father-in-law found out that he would soon be a grandfather, he asked his aunt to add a bit of gray to his hair. For some reason, the adding gray part didn't work out so she attempted to correct it and he ended up with the color in the picture.

Thanksgiving '06

Thanksgivingng 2006

Danielle and I travel *up north*to Michigan and Indiana for thanksgiving '06. We attended 4 family events. I have highlighted some of the events in the picture album. I Enjoyed geocaching with my Dad, eating great food, playing Ticket to Ride Europe, and being with family. Dad and I also worked on my car. We replaced an idler pulley and serpentine belt, and according to Dad it was *just in time*.

The *true* cost of Christmas

I look forward to this Christmas event every year. For the last 22 years*they* have calculated the cost of all the items 12 days of Christmas song. This year in another record high coming in at $18,920.59. Their web site is quite impressive, and it is worth checking out. *Someday* I want to come up with a modern version of the song and find that cost.

Awana Penny War

Last Sunday was the first of two Awana nights for our first annual penny war. We are raising money for our Missionary's to Ghana, West Africa. They hope to start an Awana club there the next year or so. So far we have raised about $100 and the T&T is beating the Sparks by about $13.

Geocaching Trail Mix

Two Saturdays ago, I was able to go on a geocaching trail mix event. The event started in E-Town, Ky at Ryans for breakfast. When then hicked from 11- to past dark (6PM). We hiked about 8 miles going up and down 300 foot hills. We where able to find over a dozen caches. It was a great day!

2006 Geoacaching Trail Mix

Still #2

Danielle and I travelled deep into Buck-eye territory last saturday, to join our good friends, Brian, Ben & Ann, Patrick, Nathan and Sarah, along with a host of their friends to cheer on (with a few exeptions) Michigan. I did enjoy the game dispite the fact we were 3 point short. The BCS poll in all it's glory still has Michigan ranked #2. I guess that make sence since, this game was infact the national championship game. If Notre Dame can beat USC, then there is a good chance their will be a rematch. I said before the game saturday that a rematch would not be good for college football. But I guess I will not argue with a rematch, so go Irish!

First Snow Fall of the Year!

I woke up Monday morning to see a *heavy* dusting of snow on the ground. What is of note is my parents who live in Michigan still have not had there first snow fall yet. Also, much to my surprise, all schools where open on Monday.

The game of the millennium!

While some are calling the Michigan Ohio St match up the game of the millennium, I call it College football at its finest, it doesn't get any better than this. College football's great rivals face off head to head. #2 Undefeated Michigan playing at #1 undefeated Ohio st. Everything is at stake here. The trip to the National championship is on the line. All major sports polls have Ohio st #1 and the BCS *computers* have ranked Michigan #1. If Michigan's outstanding defence can hold and Michigan's offence can score early, we will have a great game. Go Blue! What could be better than coming in undefeated and then beating your arch undefeated rival ranked #1 at their house for the right to go to the national championship?

Somethings are best not outsourced

Danielle got me 2 DDR dance pads for my Birthday. We found the following warnings very interesting.

• There is maybe have some white powder on the surface of the product, please wipe off by a piece of soft, clean cloth.
• Make sure to pave the cushion.
• Don not put it near the furniture and other odds and ends.
• Young children must be guided to use it or need parents and teaches to accompany, in case to be tumbled by it.
• High technology product, do not apart, separate or fix it anyway. Or the damage can not be guaranteed.
• Do not keep it in the quite high or low temperature environment, especially far away from fireplace.
• If this product can't work well, please connect with your supplier directly.
• This product is made for indoor games only. Do not use it outdoors or in other occasion.
• Please shut off the power before removing this product
• Please put it on a flat floor, but not too smooth.
• Do not wear sharp shoes when using it, that may cause damage to the product.
• When using this product, pay attention to keep your feet safety.
• Strong jump or shake may cause influence to the video and audio output.
• Please do not jump strongly, that may bring troubles to the other person.

Is minimum wage indexed by inflation recursive?

In the recent election several states passed increases in minimum wage. What I found even more surprising that many of the new minimum wage rates are now index to inflation. This means every year minimum wage will increase the same percentage as official inflation. The thing about minimum wage increase is: drum roll, someone has to pay for it. Believe it or many businesses that employ people have tight supplies of money. So what options do business owners have to cover the increased costs of a forced wage hike? Layoff employees, slash hours, cut back on services, offer lower quality items, close their door, or increase prices.

So if business increase prices, then next year the minimum wage will go up again, then the cycle continues. It seams to me that our politicians and the popular vote for what seams best now, but don't think about the untended consequences. I really wish the government would let the market decide what labor wages should be.

Voting

This is the first major election since I've turned 18th, that I didn't vote, I never got around to registering after we moved. It's a poor excuse I know. Well, I got my wish, there is going to be plenty of grid lock on good old capital hill. I was hoping that the republicans would hold on to the senate. That would have made it much easier to *hopefully* pass through good conservative judges. On the plus side I do look forward to a balance of power. Perhaps George Bush will make better use of his veto stamp for the next two years. As always we need to be in prayer for all our leaders. Next election I will be voting in.

Mary Kay

Danielle is now a Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay! Be sure to check out her on-line store front at www.marykay.com/dmackiewicz. I'm really exited for her! I know that she will do well. Mary Kay has top quality products, especially the satin hands and satin lips! She is having her business debut next Wednesday November 15th.

Hoping for grid-lock

Next Tuesday America votes on the full house and 1/3 of the senate. Many are perdicting that the republicans will lose control of one of both houses. I think that the best case for the election is a return to a balance of power between the parties. The last 6 years of Republican controlled goverment have been a major disapointment including: major defecet spending, porks pending, increased federal goverment power, fewer liberties, trade terrifs and emborgos, nationalism, protectionism and mismanagement after natural disastors. All of which I use to believe were against Republican idology. On the flip side I do not see those issues getting any better on Democratic control. My current theory is that if the Democrates hold one house and the Republicans hold the other, the Republican might return to more conserviative votes, but most importantly the two sides will fight will each other, and nothing would get done, which would be a major improvment over the last few years.

Asbury Trails

Asbury Trails

Last weekend a group us of had the pleasure of hiking Asbury Trails. For the longest time I had not clue what fascinating land was just a few miles south of Asbury College. We arrived at the trails on a cool, windy and partly cloudy late fall day. The trees were just past their peak. We took the Old Stage Road down to the river 3/4 of a mile and a 370 foot decent. This small trail follows a creek which has water fall after cascading water fall. Once we arrived at the Kentucky River we took a left a short distance down the Great Wall Trail and discovered a raging waterfall coming right of the Cliff. It was amazing. We crossed to creek and took the much wider Pump Station Road back up the hill, to the parking lot. This area is an amazing geological area, one of the best in the county and in my humble opinion a must more fascinating area than Raven Run. This a a must visit location if your in the Lexington or Nicholasville area.

Location

KY-29 South of out Wilmore to Shanty Hill Lane. There is a sharp corner 3/4 mile down the lane, the farm gate is one the right at the corner. Park in the area inside the gate.

First Baby Gift

Thanks for Rachel for giving us our first gift for our new baby!

a blessing of marriage

We are having a baby!!!!!!!!

We are so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The due date is in mid June :-)

Pastor Search Committee

I was asked to be a member for the Pastor Search Committee for Cornerstone Baptist Church, Nicholasville. I decided I would join and our team was voted in. I am one of two guys on the team of seven. I do look forward to the challenge and the great learning experience, but most of all serving my church. I pray the God will lead us to make wise Biblical choices. I also pray that God will help me discern what to say and what not to say.

The Gospel According to Peanuts

The Gospel According to Peanuts
One of the guys at work found this book at the library overstock sale. It was a fun read while on vacation. The book was not written by the Peanuts author Schultz but by Robert Short. Each page has a commit and some type of theological link with scripture verses to the comic. While at times the theological explanation was wordy and obscure, it was clear that there was at time a spiritual message behind the comics. I did enjoy the book mostly for the comics. It is refreshing to know that in certain popular culture spiritual truth can be found.

Chapters include:

The wages of sin is Aaaaaugh!
Good Grief
The Hound of Heaven

Red River Gorge

Danielle's sister Alicia visited us over her fall break. We were able to visit Rock Bridge trail #207 at Red River Gorge. The day was a perfect cool, cloudless fall day. The trees were in full color. This natural bridge is a bit different than most since it actually bridges a creek. We also found a few other geocaches along the way.

2006.10.21 Rock Bridge

Florida Pictures

Danielle and I had a great time in Florida we stayed at the Wycliffe apartments. Danielle's Cousin Nate is a missionary for Wycliffe. He was able to show us around Florida and give us a quick tour of Wycliffe. It was neat to see how God is working with Wycliffe and learn about vision 2025 to see Bible translation in progress in every language group that needs it.

Florida 2006

While in Florida we where able to visit the beach twice. Once is the early morning to see the sun rise and collect shells and once with Nate and his friend after the sun set. I was able to get some geocaching in, which included dodging popping buzzards near alligator path. With new road layouts Florida seams to be very generous with design. It is was very typical to see 4 lane boulevard roads with palm trees the the grassy medians. There were bike lanes in addition to very wide side walks. We were able to take advantage of the wide sidewalks and go rollerblading one evening. It was nice to have smooth wide *flat* sidewalks. Rollerblading has been a huge challenge in Kentucky do to all the hills. We had a very relaxing and un-stressful time.

Congratulations Dan and Sara!

My cousin and my best man, Dan with his wife, Sara had their first baby, a son , Peter Daniel on Friday October 20th. Congratulations Dan and Sara! You can view pictures from Janelle's blog or you can view Dan and Sara's blog

Where I have Been

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Utah hardly counts since the Salt Lake City Air Port was the only place I visited. I've been told I've been to Colorado, but I was just a baby and remember nothing about it.



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or check out ourVancouver travel guide



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or check out our Barcelona travel guide



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One Year of Geocaching

Last Friday marked one year of geocaching for me. In that year I found 378 Caches in 7 states, Hid 60 Caches, and adopted 13 more. What I enjoy most about geocaching is finding out of the way places that other people have found interesting. I very much enjoy the multi and puzzle caches. Recently geocaching has become less about the numbers and more about the people I cache with and the places it takes me. I'm a bit sadden everytime a search for a micro where there could easily been a larger cache. Larger caches even the smalls offer so much more, include the ability to exchange items and stash travel bugs. This next year I'll be hiding much less, 73 is a bit much to handle and I'll be caching mostly with friends, much less solo runs, I also hope to make it to a few more events. My goal for next year is to reach 500. I have found all but one it Jessamine County and I'm tired of hunting for Micro in urban Fayette County. Thanks to all the other cachers I have come to know while on the trail.

Boggie Boarding.

During our trip to Florida I was able to go boggie bording for the first time since Danielle and I did it in Hawaii. I much enjoyed the trill of the waves taking me towards shore. It was even more fun when I was ridding the big wave in and it would over take in the smaller waves. It was well worth the $7 I spent to rent to board.

10/19/2006 Gas Price Update

During our trip to Florida I was gas prices ranging between $1.939 to $2.399. I was please to be able to buy gas as low as $1.939, Our Saturn got between 31-36 MPG.

I-75

In my life time, I have now been on about 2/3s of Interstate I-75. I consider I-75 the Main Street of Michigan, and the North/South Main street of Kentucky and Georgia. During our trip to Florida I was able to drive through southern Kentucky and Northern Tennessee during the dawn hours. It was absolutely beautiful, the trees where at their peak, there was fog in the valleys near Jellico mountain and the sky a cool pink, yellow, blue and black. I-75 has treated me well for the most part. The highlights of the road that I have travel are it northern terminus in Sault Ste. Marie, the Mackinac Bridge, and the Kentucky Tennessee state line area. I was impressed with Georgia where most of the way it was 3 lanes in each direction where the far left lane was open only to vehicles with 6 or less wheels.

To recode or not to recode that is the question

I've been learning python at work, the programming language not the snake :-) I've been using python to keep our Informix database synced with our new mysql database. I have learned a lot through the process and I do have it working. However, if I had it all to do again, I would have written my code differently. The question now is, should I take the time to rewrite something that is working great, to write it *correctly*. I sure programmers in *ages to come* would appreciate it written correctly.

10/10/2006 Gas Price Update

The lowest price I saw this weekend was at Walmart in Nicholasville for 1.949 after the 3 cent gift card discount. Gaspricewatch.com lowest price is $1.79. For some reason I saw a bunch of statation jump prices today to $2.29 not sure why.

Fall in Indiana

This last weekend Danielle and I drove up the Central Indiana, the land of *oceans* of corn to meet my parents and Jim & Marisa. We found 5 of 6 Geocaches along the back roads and did a good deal of hiking at the Shades State Park. Danielle, Jim, Dad and I played 9 holes of disk golf in Crawfordsville, IN. We decided that we would play again and keep score making this a Mackiewicz tradition. For the record on the second round Jim won with 2 under par and I had 3 over par and Dad didn't keep score. I was able to redeem myself by winning Rummikub. I went out first twice. Which *never* happens to me. Danielle who normally cleans up in this game, lost big time. It was a great weekend, we even got to see the Tigers win their playoff series and Michigan beat Michigan St.

Here are some pictures I took, I hope to add more later.

Fall Trip with Family

Oct 2, 2006 - 15 Photos

Who is paying your check?

When I worked at Menards, on the back of every paycheck was written is elegant script "From our Guests" as a reminder that with out the customers there would be no paycheck. Now, that I work for a private college I wonder who *really* pays my check. The most obviously answer is the students, and those who give the the college. However things are not all that simple. Students by and large in one way or another are subsidized. Many receive aid from parents, grandparents, outside scholarships, and federal & state government grants & loans. Where does *the government* get it's money? Well, there are the tax payers. But since our lawmaker's think it is wise to fund 1/4 of billion dollor bridges in Alaska to island with 50 people living on them, in addition to a whole host of other *expensive* *projects*, *the government* spends more than it takes in. This of course would be a big problem for any household, or business, but since this is *the government* they can come up with funds creatively, which include, borrowing for foreign countries including, Japan and China, borrowing through savings bonds, and borrowing from the central bank (aka borrowing from itself aka creating money out of thin air aka inflation). So who should I thank for my paycheck? Students, finical supporters of the college, parents, grandparents, private scholarships contributors, tax payers, China, Japan, us savings bond holders, and myself 3 times since I am a taxpayer, savings bond holder, and since I have to *deal* with inflation.

120K Miles

Our Saturn happily rolled past 120,000 miles this weekend. This is statistically significant since it now has twice as many miles on it that when we bought it. The original owners paid about $14,000 for it and sold it to us for $2,900 or about 18 cents a mile not counting taxes, insurance, repairs, or gas. Our cost per mile so far is 5 cents (not counting all the *other* expenses.) So far we have only had to replace the tires and one part for $140. Seeing as it can get over 38MPG, this by far will be the most economical car we will ever own. We did own a '92 sunchicken I mean sun bird that we bought for $500 put at least $600 in repairs at and drove for from 111K to 144K and sold for $175 which translated into 2.8 cents a mile, but the car was a rust bucket, with no ac, or cruise control and took an water every time it rained. So if the Saturn makes it to 169K it's cost per mile will be lower than the sunbird.

So long Whirlpool

Much to my amazement I was treated really poorly, by the Whirlpool Corporation. I bought one of their over the range microwaves and it stopped heating only 16 months after I bought it. The micro have only had a 1 year warranty on it even though they advises it to last for years, and they would not budge from the warranty one little bit. I had to pay someone guy $75 to come out and fix a lose wire. I was really disappointed Whirlpool would not stand behind their products and own up to their faulting appliance. I guess they don't value me as a customer at all, since I will never be buying a single thing from them again. I just get the feeling that most of their products must be faulty since they can't *afford* to reimburse the repair cost. In my mind $75 is peanuts compared to advertising costs and the value of customer loyalty. Think about how much better thing blog would have been had they gone above an beyond what warranty offered. I would have bought many more appliances from them in the future. I think I might mail them all the receipts of other appliances a buy in the future. Nay-- that is just silly.

Ohio Linux Fest 2006

This weekend I had the privilege of attending *the* Ohio Linux Fest. I was able to attend with 4 other people from work. The presentations were excellent, I learned some, but I also learned where I need to learn more, especially with MySQL performance tuning. It was fantastic to be around people who use, patch, create and *evangelize* open source software. Being a database programmer and interacting with both closed source and open source systems I know that advantages of working with open source. Working with a closed system is like going to an glass art store where you can't touch anything, they don't explain anything, and there are sales people telling you how great everything is, and signs all around saying you break it you leases it every year for more and more money; whereas working with an open system is going to a museum, where you can touch everything, everything is explained, and you can build and modify the exhibits, and copy them and take them home for free. I hope in the near future I'll be able to contribute code in the open source community.




The Columbus zoo also treated us to a Penguin Show. Which was fantastic since the Penguin in the mascot of Linux.

Yes open source is
free as in beer,
free as in speech
and yes and times free as in puppies.

$1.999 Weekly Gas Price Update 10/01/2006

The lowest price I saw gas for this weekend was $1.999 at many gas stations along
I-75 near Georgetown,Ky. It was a good feeling to see gas *under*
$2.00. I also did a little non-scientific experiment this weekend on
fuel efficiency and driving speeds. This test was conducted on the way to and back from *The* Ohio LinuxFest. On the way there I drove mostly 65MPH and on the way back I drove mostly 70 MPH. The trip was about 210 miles each way. On the way up at 65 MPH
I got 38.4mpg and on the way back at 70 MPH I got 34.3mpg. That translates into
an extra cost of $1.38 at 2.099 a gallon to drive faster and get home about 15 minutes
quicker. Or about $5.50 an hour.

The lowest price at gaspricewatch.com is $1.83 in Mississippi.

Book Review: The world Is Flat a Brief History of the 21st Century

Book: The World Is Flat a Brief History of the 21st Century
Authors: Thomas L. Friedman
ISBN: 0-374-29288-4

This book was recommended to the staff at Asbury College by our president. I enjoy economics and technology and thought this book would be a good read. It was interesting to read impressions of people in older generations on how the world in getting smaller and more connected. He list 10 causes that *flattened the world* (made the world more connected and smaller) Including in his list was open source software. This of course in of interest to me. It is always interesting to read how non-computer geeks are in total amazement that 75% of the world web servers are run on software that *people just give away*. I would recommend reading this book. He has good points about free trade and the the effects of 9/11 and 11/9.

Michigan #6 4&0

Michigan won again yesterday over Wisconsin!! Notre Dame came from way behind at beat Michigan St, which I wish I could listened to on the radio on the way home, but the static got the worse of it, so I tuned into the Kentucky game to hear them lose. Ohio St won again. All top 6 teams kept their previous weeks ranks. Unless #14 (4&0) Iowa upsets Ohio St, it look very likely that next week the top six will stay the top six.

Geocaching Pictures form this weekend

Geocaching in Dayton

Sep 21, 2006 - 20 Photos

Geocache find #365

While in Dayton I found my 365th geocahing find while visiting friends in Dayton. I started geocaching about over 11 months ago. I pleased that my average is > 1 per day. There were 9 of us caching together and we found 7 of 8 on the day. Some where park and grabs and others where most traditional caches including 1 multi at a disc golf course that we all enjoyed. To me geocaching would be no fun if I didn't take time to do the more challenging ones. It's not about the number, it's about the stories to pick up along the way.

I-75 Cincinnati Northbound Traffic Curse

It seams that *every time* I drive I-75 North through Cincinnati, I *always* get stuck in traffic. Their were two accidents on a Saturday morning while I was driving through there. I'll going to keep track of how often I get stuck in traffic there. It's only heading north the has the curse. I drove home southbound with a problem.

Estate Auction

While Danielle was helping a friend paint her new house, I drove up to Dayton, Ohio to visit Brian. Brian took me to my first Estate Auction. I was absolute fascinated by the whole process. I felt overwhelm, excited, amazed, and reflective. Their were collectors there buying paintings from $20 to $1,000. A bunch of people looking to resell items on eBay or elsewhere. I got the biggest kick out of watching people bid on expensive items and items that had *little worth*. It they can't get people to bid on something for a $1, then they add more junk to the lot until someone bids on the stuff. The late husband of the estatehad *hordes* of specialized pure silver coins. The guy who bought most of the coins, as best as I understand it is going to melt them all down and sell them for bullion. It seams so sad to see all those rare beautiful coins destroyed. Incidentally silver in now going for over $11 an ounce. I kept thinking about all the money I could make on eBay if I knew what I was doing, maybe next time I'll be more prepared. I had fun watching peoples reactions to items, bids, and bidders. This is supply and demand economics at it's best. I was bidden #100 and I won 3 auctions. 1) $1.50 replica of the plaque the astronaut left on the moon and a replica of a Kilogram of gold. 2) A dollar for some board games, deck of cards, and a where waldo book. 3) $2.00 for a souvenir plate of Paris.

I also was a bit reflective on death. They couple died with a lot of stuff that most of it people haggled over and sold for far less than what they paid for it. I couldn't help be think about where am I storing my treasures.

$1.947 Weekly Gas Price Update 9/24/2006

During the week prices *spiked* in Lexington/Nicholasville from $1.999 to $2.249 but they fell back for the weekend. I brought gas yesterday at Marathon in Lexington for $2.049 a gallon. Since I used my Marathon Credit Card with has a %5 rebate, so I guess I paid $1.947 a gallon. Which is less than what a paied last week! I drove up to visit Brian and friends in Dayton and used about 8 gallons of gas their and about and got about 38 MPG on my saturn. The lowest price in the country according to GasPriceWatch.com is $1.86!

Who is writting your plans?

I attended chapel today at Asbury which I am encouraged to attend once a week, but rarely utilize. The speaker today was Steve Saint son of Nate Saint, one of five missionaries killed in their attempt to befriend the Waodani also known as the Huaorani in Ecuador. Steve delivered a powerful me sage today. He talked about the death of his father at age 5, his return back to Ecuador soon after, the amazing salvation transformation in the Waodani tribe, his return to Ecuador later in life and befriending of Mincaye, the man who killed his father and one who was able to comfort him in the unexpected death of his daughter. He talk with passion about even at age 5 he had all these plans. He planned to grow up to fly airplanes just like his father. But God changed his plans is wrote new ones. The chapter in Steve's life were written by God some chapters were very rough, but the endings were beautiful.

I plan on watching the movie “End of the Spear" which tells his story. I also plan to read his books as well. I also reflected how often obsess about planning my own life. God can do amazing things, but I limit him so much. I know my thought must seam *silly* to God's. Today's chapel was good for me. It makes me feel even more foolish for getting all worked up over getting a $15 parking ticket at work for having the wrong colored tag.

Google Adsence

I earned my first penny yesterday from Google AdSense. It took 9 days to earn that penny. Google doesn't send a check until you have earned a full $100.00. So at my current rate of .1111111 *pennies* a day I'll have my 'hundred bucks in 90,000 days or in 246.41 years. Let see after 246.41 years of inflation that would about buy a coke *maybe*.

---

9/24/2006
I have now earned 10 cents from AdSence at the average rate of 1/2 cent a day, so in 20,000 days or in just over 54.75 years I'll have my first $100. So when I'm nearly 80 years old I'll be able to buy a 12 pack of coke after adjusting for inflation.

9/25/2006
Today was a *Big* day I earned 35 cents in one whole day, which brings my all time total to 45 cents. That is an average of 2 & 1/7 cent*s* per day! At that rate I'll have my $100 by the year 2019 possibly enough to by pay 10 movie tickets?.

10/04/2006

One Month since I started up Adsence and I stand at $0.89 just under 3 cents a day. So at 3 cents a day I'll have my $100 bucks for Christmas time 2016. Hopefully I'll have that will buy something nice for Danielle for Christmas.

11/04/2006

It's been two months now. I have had some *big* days where I have earned well over a hundred cents. My grand total is now $6.95. At this rate I'll have my $100 in a short 2 years 5 months. That should be enough to book a hotel room somewhere for a short getaway!

Nearly Worthless Science Report - battery powered analog clocks

The cube next to mine has been mostly uncapped for about 4 months. Sometime toward the begging of the four months the battery powered analog clock handing on the wall in the cube had become stuck at [something] at 45 seconds ( right at the *9*) with the second hand ticking but falling back to the same position each tick. I conjecture that if the clock was laid flat it would continue to run since it do not have to overcome gravity. I was correct! However, in the two hours it has been running it is now 15 minutes slow.

Several of us cube dwellers want to take this conjure further. My full conjecture is this:

1)Most battery powered analog clocks with second hands hanging vertically will stop keeping time somewhere near when the second hand reaches the 9. The reasoning is that according the my memory of calculus and trigonometry, the second hand has the most gravity to over come right at the *9*.
2) Battery powered clocks with second hands laying horizontal will keep time longer than hanging vertical.


I am most interested in conjecture #1. Send in the time when your battery powered analog clocks stops keeping time.

Most people would just replace the batteries, but I have to ask why. This is the first topic of what I hope to be many on my blog on nearly worthless science.

Amazing Race 10

The Amazing Race started up again yesterday. It is my favorite *reality* show, for some reason I can't stand the other reality shows. I guess I love the travel, different cultures and the reactions of the teams as they struggle through the challenges. I was really disappointed to see Bilal & Sa'eed and Vipul & Arti eliminated. It would be nice found once for the Cheer leader types to get the ax first. I'll miss what the Arab and Indian cultures would have brought to the dynamics of the show.

Picasa Web AlublemPicasa Web Album

Google has a free web picture sharing software called Picasa2. I uploaded a few pictures for you all to enjoy.

Gatlinburg 2006

Aug 13, 2006 - 16 Photos

July Cumberland Trip

Jun 24, 2006 - 11 Photos

Danielle Project

May 14, 2006 - 6 Photos

Jim and Marisa Wedding

May 14, 2006 - 8 Photos

Ben and Ann's Wedding

Apr 9, 2006 - 6 Photos

2006.04.06 CLine Visit

Apr 2, 2006 - 8 Photos

Lost Season 1 review

Ok this is not a *book* review, but it is a TV show review. Our good friends Dave and Ginny let of borrow season one of lost. I have to say the show is very additive. We watched 6 episodes in one night. (I has a bad cold and was exhausted) It was really nice not to have the see all the commercials. I think it is worth waiting until it's out on dvd. I waist so much of my time watching commercials. I did enjoyed the development of the characters, but I enjoyed the events that effect their stay on the island more. So at times to me the show was slow on developing. I am eager to watch season 2 on dvd. I love the mystery of it all. But I do hope there is a resolution at some point.

Awana Week 4 Crazy Hat Night

This week at Awana was crazy hat night. It was a resounding success! About the only thing I would have improved was the delivery of my lesson about hats. The clubbers had a great time! We had high participation. The clubbers even invited their friends to come with a crazy hat. Roger did a great job coming up with hat games. We had a contest for the tallest hat, the most unique and the most Awana-fied hats. All in all a great night enjoyed by all.

Enjoy the pictures.

Awana Crazy Hat Night 2006

Sep 17, 2006 - 28 Photos

$1.989 Weekly Gas Price Update 9/17/2006

According to gaspricewatch.com the lowest price in the country is $1.96. The lowest I spotted gas price this week was today at Walmart for 2.019. With their gift card it would make the price $1.989, which is under $2.00 a gallon for the first time since [a long time ago *sorta* I just can't remember when]. Seeing as it is mid-September which more than 2 months before thanksgiving the original prediction for $2 a gallon gas.

I heard a new theory this week on the reason behind falling gas prices. OPEC has decided to help lower the price per barrow of oil. They has tasted and enjoyed the huge profits of $70+ per barrow of oil. However they want to lower the price so the US will stay *addicted* to oil. The reasoning is that Americans will stop looking for alternative energy solutions when gas is at $2.00 a gallon, but a 3.00 a gallon we start to seriously peruse alternatives. Then later OPEC will *gouge* us again. I think there is a lot a good logic behind the theory. On one hand this shows the even so called *monopolies* are effected by supply and demand, and on the other how short sighted Americans can be. Let hope we still per sue alternatives, that are truly a cost savings and are better for the environment.

Awana Crazy Hat Lesson

One of my goals with my blog is the share information with other people. I put together a lesson for crazy hat night and thought that I would share it with whoever wanted it. So here it is. I'll let you all know later how the lesson went.

Crazy Hat Night Lesson

Prep: Bought 8 hats from the Party Store in Lexington, next to Great Clips, south of the mall.

What I want the kids to learn:

· Hats often identify a persons job or responsibility.

· Christians also can be identified, *not really* by the hat they wear but the things they do.

· Live your life as an example so others know that their is something different about you. And when they ask what is different about you can explain that you are a Christian.

Lesson

· Come in wearing my crazy hat, carrying a large bag of hats.

· "Wow, I am glad to be here tonight,and so excited to see you all here with your crazy hats. Let's see what crazy hats we have here tonight."

· I'll walk about the room and give a one sentence summary of a few of the hats I see.

· Hopefully, I'll find a few hats that identity what a child is interested in. Perhaps I'll guess totally wrong and the child will have to correct me. I want to make the point that I can tell something about you based on what hat they are wearing.

· If I find a kid wearing a hat that is connected to an occupation or job all have them come up front.

· "Well, let see what I have in my bag!" I'll have a kid pull a hat out of the bag. Each hat that is pulled out the kid will wear and the group will tell me what the job might be.

· Christians also can be identified, *not really* by the hat they wear but the things they do.

· Talk about the things Christians do, ask for examples. Pray, Read the Bible, Help others, tell others about Jesus, Obey mom and dad, listen in Church, be nice to others, Obey when no one else is.

· "Just like people can tell what job someone has by the hat they wear, people can tell your *different* by the way you act or the kind things you do. People will ask why do you do the nice things you do? This will be your chance to tell them you are a Christian."

· "Why is a Christian? I christian is someone who knows they are a sinner, (broken Gods rules). Sin must be punished and their is nothing I can do to "make up" for the sins, I have committed. But God loved us so much, that God sent Jesus his only son to died for my sins and the cross, in my place. This is God's gift to us. We must ask God for this gift. Once we have received God's gift, The God comes to us in a special way to help us understand how he wants us to act and obey him. "

· "If you have never prayed to received God's gift of taking my punishment, please see a leader after we are done, your leader will be able to explain more to you."

Still the best... Hail to the Victors

I just finished up watching my first college football. #11 Michigan upset #2 Notre Dame 46-21 in South Bend. A lot was on the line in this game including, which team would have the best all time wining percentage. Before the game Michigan had a .0006658 percentage point lead over Notre Dame. I am very pleased that Michigan pounced on Notre Dame. Hopefully more W's will be added to Michigan's Totals this season. The question at hand: was Michigan that good or Notre Dame that bad. The Michigan defence was tough be they gave up 2 TDs to long ND drives, Michigan made some mental mistakes late in the game. Michigan's offence was fantasist most of the time. Notre Dame made a lot of *huge* mistakes throughout the who game. Overall Michigan had a great game and I look forward to a great rest of the season.

Jumping ahead a bit...

I looked at Ohio State's Schedule and Michigan's Schedule at it well within the possibilities that both teams could come into their November 18th match up at Ohio St *undefeated* and possibly ranked #1 and #2 it would be a *game for the ages* since Michigan and Ohio are arch rivals. $1500 for tickets anyone?

Weekly Gas Price update. 9/10/2006

Bought gas today for 2.179 with my walmart gift card. The gift card saves 3 cents a gallon. So since I love to do math and come up with nearly meaningless statistics, by using the gift card I am able to travel an additional 3 miles opposed to not using to gift card.

Some are projecting a gallon of gas to be as low as $2.00 by Thanksgiving and according to gaspricewatch.com in Ohio gas is being sold for $2.08. Interesting that some where perdicting $4 or $5 gas not that long ago.

Carded for buying paint brushes

Danielle and I were shopping at Garden Ridge this weekend. During the checkout the computer prompted the cashier to check and enter date of birth of the customer since paint brushes were being bought.

I just can't understand. Teenagers can no longer buy spay paint since they could sniff it or create graffiti with it. But paint brushes?? What are they going to do? eat it? Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't understand why we need to get carded for buying products that have a legal, creative purpose, non destructive ?

Let's hope this was a data entry error in the store's database and not a new law.

Kentucky Football Concessions

Each year my church runs a concession stand for every University of Kentucky Foot Ball home game. The church gets roughly 10% of the net sales, which we use to help fund the youth missions trips. This is my 3rd time volunteering . It is a lot of work we left at 2:30 and arrived home at 11:30. But I did enjoy working with the youth and adults of the church. I think that is is fun to be at the games and feel all the energy. Last week Kentucky was on ESPN's waiting list for the Bottom ten. Much to my surprise Kentucky Beat Texas St 41-7. The sea of humanity all wearing Blue and White in the stands was much more excited than dejected as I have seen in the past.

In other collage football news Michigan is 2-0 ranked in the top ten, Notre Dame is 2-0 ranked in the top five, and Ohio State is 2-0 and Ranked #1 after soundly beating #2 Texas yesterday. Michigan plays Notre Dame next weekend so that will be a huge test for Michigan, my all time favorite football team. Go Blue!!

Labor Day 2006

Wrapping up the end of a good long weekend with the blog. Two couples from our Sunday School Class came over for lunch. Danielle made awesome Apple and Peach Pies, I cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. This was a send off party for Dave and Ginny. Dave starts work tomorrow as senior pastor at Burners Chapel in Harrodsburg, Ky. We will miss them, but we are very excited for them as well. During the party we played Croquet -- Greg was the winner. Danielle and I started watching Lost Season One on DVD so our group watch episode 4 with us. I was able to go on a short bike ride to place one of my geocaches. Danielle and I make cookies to send to her sister, a freshman at IWU. All in all a good Labor Day and a much needed break before I start work again tomorrow.

Gas Prices Even Lower

Haven driven or ridden to Versallies, Paris and back in the same day, I noticed several stations selling gas for $2.359. I'm told that the summer driving season is over, so that backs last weeks conjecture that people are driving less.

On a side note the last time I was in Paris and Versallies in the same day was when I was in 3rd grade.... but that was Paris and Versallies, *France* not Kentucky.

Apple Pie

Saturday Danielle and I stopped at Boyd Orchards. We picked a few pounds of apples which Danielle and a friend turned into a*wonderful* Apple Pie! Yeah, marriage is a wonderful thing!

Geocaching over the Labor Day Weekend.

I was able to go geocaching this weekend, once with Dave and Greg and once with Danielle! Greg, Dave and I went to Paris, Kentucky and found 5 of 7 all hidden by FishDog. The two we didn't find where camouflaged film canister in wooded areas with lots of green ivy everywhere. I despise film canisters in the woods almost as much as I had "unique containers" in urban areas where lots of people are looking at me. Ok end of *rant*. I had a great time with the guys and we enjoyed seeing Paris and finding 5 caches.

Today Danielle and I went to Raven Run and found 3 of 3 caches. I was especially thrilled since Danielle found the hard one, that the previous cacher could not find. I love it when that happens! The weather here in Kentucky has been great 60-70 for highs.

Yesterday when Danielle and I went to the Versailles Flee Market, I was able to fix up two on my caches and hide a new one.

Voted Most Secure.

At my place of work our department is transferring in a new person from a different department. As a result all but two *cube dwellers* get to relocate to *better* cubes. I however, get to stay where I am at. The 26 months I have been employed at Asbury College, I and one other have never been *relocated.* Aince I have been working at Asbury longer than the other one, I was *voted* most *secure* cube dweller. At least I wont have to relocated my geocache which is outside my window.

Book Review: Libertarianism for and against

One of my New Year's resolutions was to read more. I have been some what successful this year. As I read books I hope to post a short review on the book.

Book: Libertarianism for and against
Authors: Creg Duncan & Tibor R Machan
ISBN: 0-7425-4259-9

This book is by no means exceptional. It does provide arguments from two view points from two authors from each view point. Which is somewhat refreshing compared to most political/economic books. However, I felt that too much of the point was tied up with arguing each other with both sides making faulty arguments. Neither side spent enough time proving their side. The book lacked real examples and often jump to conclusions especially from the "against side". Unless you are very interested in political philosophy you are better off to read a different book. Hopefully in some of my next post I'll talk about my personal views on Libertarianism.

Awana Week 2

We just wrapped up week number 2 for Awana at Cornerstone Baptist Church. The commander was out sick, so I got to be the acting commander. The night went fairly well, we had 23 sparkies and 21 T&T'rs. We were blessed that two college students from the church helped us out as leaders tonight and for the rest of the year. They did an excellent job tonight with the kids even without much training. Hopefully we will be able to arrange training for them soon. Next week is Labor Day weekend so there will be no Awana next week. Awana will pick up "Next Next Week" as phased by one of our Korean Sparkies.

Delta Plan Crash in Lexington, Ky

I received word this morning at church that a Delta/ComAir flight out of Bluegrass Airport heading for Atlanta Ga, crashed shortly after takeoff. According to news reports 1 of 50 survived the cash. The early reasoning behind the crash was the plane took off from the short runway and not the long runway.

Last November I flew from Lexington to Atlanta on Delta. This event for me hits closer to the heart than most tragic news events.

Gas Prices

I saw gas for as low as $2.479 today in Lexington. I find this very interesting since the Alaskan Pipe Line is (broken or something to that effect) and the predictions were that prices would rise from $2.999 (or so) a nickle or so more. I guess they where wrong. Perhaps less fighting in the Middle East or the *powers that be* just like to mess with our minds. Or maybe just maybe people are driving less...

Assistant Awana Commander

I have been an Awana leader 10 years now all of which have been in Sparks. If you count the 3 years when I was a Sparkie as a kid I have been *in* Sparks for more than half my life. This year I get to be the Assistant Commander at Cornerstone Baptist Church. I am charged with planning Awana Quizzing, AwanaGames and other activities. I am also planning of being in section time for both Sparks and T&T. We are off to a good start, last Sunday we started the year with about 13 Sparkies and *21* T&T'rs. Putting that into perspetive, T&T's largest attendance last year was 16! We have a great group of Leaders and kids. I pray that God will be able to use us to "Reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him"

Church Doors

Today Danielle and I went hunting for garage sales treasures. We ended up buying 5 doors from Providence Christian Church. The Church is going to level their 1915 building and build a new church building. As a result the church was selling most anything they people would buy. The church ending up with $37 from us and we acquired 5 doors, a set of large "cubbie holes" *thing* and a 4ft by 4ft by 3/4in piece of plywood. I am sure that Danielle will be creative once again and transform the doors into something amazing for our house!

Geocaching Coins

Yesterday I attended a geocaching event. I have always found it fascinating that cachers have such an interest in the coins. The coins are very *shiny* and unique. I have thought that they were also very silly. Why would anyone want to pay between 5-30 bucks for coin that sits and collects dusk, isn't there hungry kids that need food more that I need a shiny coin?? So a surrendered $8.00 and I am now the proud owner of a Kentucky 2006 geocoin. Maybe it will end of some place cool like Poland or maybe just Cleveland. The good news it has a tracking number so I can watch as cachers move it from cache to cache. I also get an extra icon on my profile for cachers to oo and aa about about. The proceeds help keep geocky.com up and running, which is a good thing since I enjoy using the site.

Hello World

As a computer programmer I have written many "Hello World" programs as I follow instructions to learn new computer programming languages. So I thought it would be fitting to start my blog off with hello world. My goal here is simple, to let any one who cares to read my blog what I am thinking about. I hope to keep friends and family informed on my happenings.