If I Were Governor

Mar

31

2023

This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few things I thought of while driving, for what I would do if I were governor of my state.

  • Make all the crosswalk timings consistent. Some count to zero then the light changes to yellow. Some hit yellow at 2 or 3 and go to red on zero. Some hit zero and the light stays green for a few more seconds.
  • Get rid of changing the clocks twice a year. This has gotten some more traction lately, but so far it’s all smoke and no fire.
  • Set a maximum height above ground level for headlights. Too many jacked-up pickups with annoying/unsafe headlight placement.
  • While I’m on that thought, maybe require a CDL for vehicles whose hood exceeds a certain height. If you can’t see people standing in front of your vehicle, you get extra training and scrutiny.

It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

Isaiah 40:23

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One More Trichotomy

Mar

22

2023

I have an update to an old post about the trichotomy of features. This one pertains to the problems with buying a used car.

trichotomy of used cars- choose two keys, an owner's manual, or an intact windshield

Having bought several used cars over the past few years, I have noticed that it’s tough to find one with both an owner’s manual and two keys. And if they do have those, then there’s a large crack in the windshield. Since I avoid buying cars with bad windshields, it’s 50/50 for me on whether I get 2 keys. I get why people might lose a key, but where are they taking the owner’s manual that it gets lost?

You will know that your tent is secure, For you will visit your home and have nothing missing.

Job 5:24

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Slapstick Birds

Mar

15

2023

There are some elements of slapstick humor that never grow old. One of those is people running into things. Replace people with animals, and it’s still fun. That was, if I remember correctly, a big portion of America’s Funniest Videos – people and animals running into or falling off things.

A couple months ago, we got our sliding glass doors (AKA patio doors) replaced, because they were drafty and cloudy and needed it. The view to the backyard is much better now, it’s like the glass isn’t even there, it’s so new and clear.

The animals think so too. We occasionally hear a “thump” and by the time we get over to the doors, there is nothing there. So don’t worry, no birds were harmed in the making of this blog post. But the birds did leave some evidence, so we do know that it was a bird.

Exhibit A:

image of bird residue left on a window after running into it

That was kind of faint, so here’s Exhibit B, with different lighting/exposure.

image of bird residue left on a window after running into it

And if you still didn’t see it, this panning shot should help. Exhibit C:

image of bird residue left on a window after running into it, animated to see it easier

It is hidden from the eyes of every living creature, And concealed from the birds of the sky.

Job 28:21

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Roads and Rome

Mar

9

2023

You should all be familiar with the phrase “All roads lead to Rome”, and some people have already made signposts joking about that.

Like this:

image of sign posts saying all roads lead to Rome

But I haven’t yet seen anything about what the signposts in Rome would look like. Wouldn’t roads from Rome thus go everywhere, and possible look like this?

image of sign posts saying Roman roads lead to all, or everywhere

but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me

2 Timothy 1:17

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Winter Book Thingy 2023

Mar

1

2023

I’ve been able to fit some book reading in during the long dark winter nights, so here are some more reviews.

First up: Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico and Karensac

image of Aster and the Accidental Magic book by Thom Pico and Karensac

This one was fine. It’s a graphic novel, aimed at the grade-school set. The drawing style took a little getting used to. No other problems here.

Next up: A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

image of A Boy Called Bat book by Elana K. Arnold

This book seemed to be mostly an insight into how an autistic boy thinks, trying to promote understanding and compassion for why he does the things he does. And by that measure, I think it succeeds. I don’t know that it’s the most compelling or gripping storyline, but it has its place.

Next up: The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson

image of The Dungeoneers book by John David Anderson

Of these 4 books, this was the most entertaining. But it is also the one targeted to the oldest audience group, junior high+, so that might have something to do with it. A ragtag group of misfits bonds together in a common quest to [prove themselves to others / gain the family they miss or never had / redeem something for some debt / etc.] Standard adventure fare, but in a good way. Nothing objectionable, other than some peril and vague violence (with swords and clubs and such).

Next up: Granted also by John David Anderson

image of Granted book by John David Anderson

Same author, but much different. Different style, different type of book, different audience (although one could argue they’re both in the Fantasy genre). Whereas The Dungeoneers had a storytelling tone, Granted had a conversational tone. And, but for one word, nothing objectionable if you’re okay with the premise of fairies granting wishes. There was one word thrown in to promote acceptance of alternative lifestyles. The author didn’t make it a big point, but it just seemed enough out of place from the rest of the book that it stood out.

That’s it for this review. More book reviews coming up later this year.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother”

Zechariah 7:9

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Vague Recipe

Feb

23

2023

For the family Super Bowl gathering, I made Puppy Chow. That’s right, I made Puppy Chow not Muddy Buddies.

Since I don’t have the recipe memorized, I turned to the internet for help. There were several results, so I compared and contrasted them. They were basically the same, so I went with the one that made the most sense to me.

But in my research, I came across Paula Deen’s recipe for Puppy Chow. It wasn’t much different from any of the others, but I found it not-so-useful. Here it is.

Paula Deen's recipe for puppy chow

The reason it is not so useful is because it is too vague. “1 box cereal”, “1 bag chocolate chips”, “1 bag sugar”. For the cereal, I saw two options for box sizes. For chocolate chips, three sizes. I didn’t bother checking how many sizes sugar comes in, as I knew this was not the recipe for me.

I ignored this one and went with one that had actual measurements, like 2 cups of chocolate chips (although I bumped it up to 3 to increase the chocolate-to-cereal ratio, per the comments on the recipe site).

If you’re cooking, feel free to improvise and use whatever looks right. But if you’re producing recipes, please use unambiguous ingredient amounts.

Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each.

John 2:6

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Unique Snowflakes

Feb

15

2023

If everyone claims to be unique, what good is that? When everyone is unique then no one is unique, to paraphrase my favorite movie quote.

stick figures wearing t-shirts that say i'm a unique snowflake, plus one person that says I'm not unique

If you want to be unique, don’t claim to be unique, as that will just lump you into the crowd. Go accomplish something. No one ever got labeled as “unique” by doing nothing.

And these stick figures are not using the term “snowflake” in a pejorative sense that is common these days. It just happens to be the object that is most associated with uniqueness.

But He is unique, and who can make Him turn? Whatever His soul desires, He does it.

Job 23:13

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