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February 28, 2005
Using a roth for college saving
I had heard of this in the past from a CFA. I have contemplated it. This article has a nice synopsis of the pros and cons.
Saving for college? Try a Roth. | csmonitor.com
While many financial experts advise making retirement saving the first priority, most parents still want to be able to pay at least part of their children's college costs. Thus, they often establish separate accounts: 401(k) plans to fund their own retirement and state-sponsored 529 plans to save for college.
GPL Bios?
Are you local?
I am looking forward to the forthcoming League of Gentlemenmovie. We loved the tv show. This was the funniest and most twisted show I have ever watched. You can't pop in and out. There are a lot of subtle jokes that build on each other.
February 27, 2005
CJD destroying detergent
The BBC is reporting that scientists at University College London have found a detergent that will kill CJD. This is a major breakthrough and they should be lauded. They tried 400 different combinations to reach this one. The big fear was that CJD could be spread on medical instruments since it is not destroyed by normal sterilization.
February 23, 2005
Dryer safety tips
* Clean the lint screen after every load. Your clothes will dry quicker, your dryer will operate more efficiently AND you'll reduce the fire hazard.
* Softener sheets can cause a waxy build-up on the lint screen. Wash the lint screen in warm soapy water and dry it completely before replacing it in the dryer.
* Have the interior of the dryer, lint screen and exhaust duct cleaned by a qualified service technician every 18 months.
* Do not operate the dryer if the lint screen is clogged or missing.
* Do not block the flow of ventilating air. Keep the area around machine and the exhaust opening clutter free.
Environmental safety tips:
* The best time to do laundry is during the early morning or late evening. There is usually less demand on the energy resources making it less expensive to operate washers and dryers.
* To reduce drying times, use a wash cycle with a fast spin speed to remove water from heavy items.
* Choose the automatic drying cycle for accurate drying time to save energy and time.
* Do not exhaust the dryer into any vent connection, gas vent, chimney or crawl space. This could create a fire hazard from expelled lint.
Preventative Maintenance safety tips:
* Clean the lint trap after each load.
* Vacuum the area around the appliance weekly
* Inspect and clean the vent tube monthly.
* Keep the area around the dryer clear of combustible items.
* Inspect the gas line for corrosion or "kinks."
* Inspect the electrical supply cord for fraying, cracking or exposed wires.
* Do not leave damp items in a warm or hot dryer --- start the drying cycle immediately.
Don't Leave Wet Clothes Inside Your Dryer:
Leaving damp clothes inside the drum may have adverse effects. A chemical chain reaction may occur when and if the conditions are right. Spontaneous ignition has proved to be the source of numerous laundry fires. The damp cloth plus the hot dry environment creates the conditions that support unassisted combustion. Once a fire starts inside the clothes drum it has the opportunity to grow and consume everything that is combustible. Lint in the trap, around the outside of the drum, under and behind the machine is fuel that ignites easily. When the fire reaches the outside of the machine, it is free and will search for more fuel. Any clothing piled up on the floor in front of the washer and dryer becomes that fuel. Unchecked fire will double its' size every minute, and will quickly reach ceiling temperatures of 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Taking a stand
Yahoo! News - Korn Guitarist Finds God, Leaves Band
"I had it in my heart to come here and explain to you," Welch said. "I'm good friends with Korn. I love those guys, and they love me, and they're very happy for me."
It is nice to see someone stand up and do something difficult for faith. It is hard to live your beliefs.
February 16, 2005
Is the church a place of business?
February 15, 2005
What I KNOW about God?
It may be semantics, but I know nothing about God. I think and feel plenty, but I know nothing. Anyone (Christian, Muslim, Jew, Agnostic, or Athiest) who tells you otherwise is a fool or charlatan.
Knowing comes from objective proof. There is no objective proof of the existence of God. Where there is no proof there is only faith. I know this might scare some people, but it is true. It doesn't mean I think God doesn't exist. I think God is there. How do I know? I can't tell you. I just know HE IS. I also think that when I need guidance he is there. Does this mean I think God is a chessmaster? No! I believe that God gave us freewill, just as a parent gives an adult child freewill to make their own decisions (and mistakes). That doesn't mean God isn't there. I think that if you stop, pray, meditate, and ask God for guidance and help he will. It is not a burning bush. It is a sense of peace. It is a subtle nudge. The hard part is stopping, asking, and listening.
Geo-green
The latest Thomas Friedman column is interesting. He posits that the Bush administration strategy in the war on terror is bound to fail unless we break our addiction to Middle Eastern oil.
I agree with this and have said so in the past. Cheap oil is like cheap beer. It sounds good but causes a lot of problems. The only reason we care what happens in the Middle East is because of oil.
Lenten talks
BBC Radio 4 is having a series of Lenten talks that look good. Each weekly talk has a theme (Temptation of genius, Temptation to test God, etc.) I really enjoyed last years series. Please check it out.
What's next peanuts?
It seems that just eating a banana is now racist. I originally heard this on the Neal Boortz show. I don't get the leap. How does eating fruit become racist?
OK ... you're on the edge of your seats now, aren't you. You know there's more to the story, and you want me to fill it in, right? Sorry ... that's pretty much the story; except, that is, for the woman's reasoning. Here you go. Since it was a civil rights march, and since most of the participants were black, the woman felt that the officer eating a banana was actually trying to humiliate the black marchers by somehow relating black people to apes, since apes are reported to enjoy bananas.
February 14, 2005
Ten CSS tricks
Sign of the end III
A magazine for the Plastic set. Why???????
Boing Boing: "New beauty" mag: cosmetic surgery, c'est chic
"New beauty" mag: cosmetic surgery, c'est chic
Hack your face -- or your butt, your breasts, your wrinkles, or any
other part that might feel inferior. "New Beauty" is a glossy
publication devoted to the glories of cosmetic sugery, with articles on
lipo, lasers, injectables, and new boob job technologies in the the
premier issue.
Prayers needed
Ed at Captain's Quarters is in need of prayers for his wife and family.
We got great news -- the transplant team has found a good pancreas for the First Mate. This pancreas has a five-antigen match for Marcia (six would be an identical-twin match, and two is usually good enough for transplant). The procurement team in South Carolina says the pancreas looks "absolutely normal", according to the transplant team here, and
we were first on the list.
Mmmmm. Stroke
As a southerner I understand. There are some great ingredients, but we grease and cook them to death. I like greens, peas, etc. I just hate how much fatback there is in them, and there is no reason to cook the veggies all day.
Yahoo! News - Southern Food Frustrates Health Officials
Much of the South's traditional foods
date back to the days of slavery. Frying was preferable in the region's
hot climate, since it didn't take as long as baking and didn't heat up
a house as much. Plus, Burley said, workers didn't have all day to
prepare meals; they had to get back into the fields to work. Lard was
also plentiful. Today, frying still is popular, especially in poor
areas of the South, because it is also inexpensive.
A prayer
An Invitation To Prayer - A Prayer of St Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord, vision.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
February 12, 2005
Why Prince Charles remarriage matters.
Prince Charles announced plans to marry Camilla. This has started a media storm, and on the surface this story is another case of dumb media hype.
In this case there is a deeper story. If Charles were to ascend to the kingship he will then be the head of nation, but also the head of the Church of England. This is a big problem.
Here is what the C of E says about marriage:
Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may.
The Bible compares married love with the love Jesus has for his followers. He expressed his love by being prepared to sacrifice himself, even to die for the people he loved. This is amazing, unconditional love. Jesus never said 'I love you, but …'. In our marriages we can try to follow his model by loving our partners in a self-sacrificial way, putting their needs before our own.
The marriage ceremony gives you a new legal status as husband and wife and a new stability within which your relationship can flourish and grow. Christians believe that marriage offers the right place for the fulfilment of our sexuality and that it provides a stable and secure environment for bringing up children.
Hmmmm.... That might cause a problem. A divorced man as the head of the church.... It gets worse:
Q| What if one of us is divorced?
A| The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life. It also recognizes that, sadly, some marriages do fail and, if this should happen, it seeks to be available for all involved. The Church accepts that, in exceptional circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.
Some ministers may be willing to conduct such a marriage in church and it is wise to make an appointment to speak to your parish priest before setting a date. The minister will want to talk to you frankly about the past, your hopes for the future and your understanding of marriage (a form and explanatory statement, Marriage in church after divorce, is available or can be ordered from Church House Bookshop, phone 020 7898 1300, www.chbookshop.co.uk). If it is not possible for your proposed marriage to take place in church, your priest may consider other alternatives with you, such as a Service of Prayer and Dedication after a civil ceremony.
Sure enough the Prince is planning a civil ceremony. Why is a secular King/Queen head of a church.
Disestablishmentarianism!
February 11, 2005
Forward Movement From Forward day
From Forward day by day on Ash Wednesday:
As we pass through these forty days of Lent, instead of looking for hair shirts that scratch and irritate, let us try to be less of a hair shirt to others. Remember the great commandment Jesus gave us, to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I love this sentiment. In the past I have concentrated on personal things, and giving up bad habits. It is easy to lose sight of others.
Day in History: WEDNESDAY, February 9 Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21. Whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites.
One time I saw a cartoon in which an old hermit asked at the information desk of a department store, "Where can I find the hair shirts?"
As Lent begins today, many of us search for the appropriate 'hair shirt' to put on during this penitential season.
Some give up tobacco, making themselves irritable and hard to live with. Others fast from food feeling weak, faint, and useless. Others then have to care for them. Some give up liquor or candy. Often such little sacrifices create feelings of pride as we congratulate ourselves on our great self-control.
Actually, Jesus spoke against self-promotional religious practices, suggesting instead works of mercy, change of heart, humility.
We can put on the hair shirt of taming our tongues, curbing our temper, fulfilling duties, accepting difficulties with patience.
Ps 103; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Cor 5:20--6:10
Hair shirts
From Forward day by day on Ash Wednesday:
As we pass through these forty days of Lent, instead of looking for hair shirts that scratch and irritate, let us try to be less of a hair shirt to others. Remember the great commandment Jesus gave us, to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I love this sentiment. In the past I have concentrated on personal things, and giving up bad habits. It is easy to lose sight of others.
Day in History: WEDNESDAY, February 9 Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21. Whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites.
One time I saw a cartoon in which an old hermit asked at the information desk of a department store, "Where can I find the hair shirts?"
As Lent begins today, many of us search for the appropriate 'hair shirt' to put on during this penitential season.
Some give up tobacco, making themselves irritable and hard to live with. Others fast from food feeling weak, faint, and useless. Others then have to care for them. Some give up liquor or candy. Often such little sacrifices create feelings of pride as we congratulate ourselves on our great self-control.
Actually, Jesus spoke against self-promotional religious practices, suggesting instead works of mercy, change of heart, humility.
We can put on the hair shirt of taming our tongues, curbing our temper, fulfilling duties, accepting difficulties with patience.
Ps 103; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Cor 5:20--6:10
Scary news
NYC Health Officials Find New, Virulent HIV Strain
New York City doctors have discovered a previously unseen strain of HIV, which appears to be resistant to three of the four types of anti-viral drugs that combat the disease, and progresses from infection to full-blown AIDS in two or three months, the health department said.
February 10, 2005
We are but dust.
and to dust we shall return. That was the theme last night at the Ash Wednesday service. What does this mean?
It does mean that we are all mortal, but it also means we are all equal in the end. The lords of the Earth die and molder as well as the poor.
It is the limited lifespan of man that is both a curse and a boon. It means we are limited in time, but it also drives us. It drives us to make our mark.
February 09, 2005
Ash Wednesday
I have been contemplating why we have Lent and what it means. Lent is a 40 day period of repentance and introspection. We are essentially makeing the paths straight in preparation for Easter. This is not mandated by the bible, but it makes sense to me. It is a journey to Easter we all need to make. Easter is not one day or a weekend. What do I plan to do for Lent?
1. I will not eat dessert. I needed this anyway for my health, but I also want to set an example for the kids.
2. We are reading the daily Forward Day By Day as a family before dinner.
3. Find at least one opportunity for charity each week and sieze it.
Pax!
February 08, 2005
VOIP wired to your house.
February 07, 2005
Lenten Diary
First, I apologize for the dearth of posts last week. I was in RedHat training for my RHCE certification. I took the test on Friday and passed!!!! The first time pass rate is pretty low. I am proud. It was a tough test.
Second, with lent coming I am planning (smiles) on doing a daily lenten diary. I will try to write at least once a day on my thoughts, and how my lenten fasts and changes are going. My wife and I are both trying to figure out what we are giving up and taking on.
Walk with me on the lenten path if you care to.