Have a nice day, eh?
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Friday, October 31, 2003 Interesting puzzle. There's apparently one way to answer this where psychologists will consider you to be a potentially very scary person. A woman is at her mother's funeral. While there, she meets a man and falls in love with him. After the funeral, the two part ways. The woman searches for the man for weeks, but cannot find him. A few days after she quits her search, the woman kills her sister.. Why? posted by Allan | 10/31/2003 11:53:00 AM | 10 comments Thursday, October 30, 2003 ************************ An Open Letter to Michael Prowse October 29, 2003 Dear Mr. Prowse, It would be my great joy to persuade you that God's demand for worship is beautiful love, not ugly pride. On March 30, 2003 you wrote in the London Financial Times: Worship is an aspect of religion that I always found difficult to understand. Suppose we postulate an omnipotent being who, for reasons inscrutable to us, decided to create something other than himself. Why should he . . . expect us to worship him? We didn't ask to be created. Our lives are often troubled. We know that human tyrants, puffed up with pride, crave adulation and homage. But a morally perfect God would surely have no character defects. So why are all those people on their knees every Sunday? I don't understand why you assume that the only incentive for God to demand praise is that he is needy and defective. This is true for humans. But with God there is another possibility. What if, as the atheist Ayn Rand once said, admiration is the rarest and best of pleasures? And what if, as I wish Ayn Rand could have seen, God really is the most admirable being in the universe? Would this not imply that God's summons for our praise is the summons for our highest joy? And if the success of that summons cost him the life of his Son, would that not be love (instead of arrogance)? The reason the Bible gives why God should be greatly praised is that he is great. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised" (Psalm 96:4). He is more admirable than anything he has made. That is what it means to be God. Moreover, the Bible says that praise - overflowing, heartfelt admiration - is a pleasure. "Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant" (Psalm 147:1). And this pleasure is the best there is, and lasts forever. "In [God's] presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). The upshot of this is that God's demand for supreme praise is his demand for our supreme happiness. Deep in our hearts we know that we are not made to be made much of. We are made to make much of something great. The best joys are when we forget ourselves, enthralled with greatness. The greatest greatness is God's. Every good that ever thrilled the heart of man is amplified ten thousand times in God. God is in a class by himself. He is the only being for whom self-exaltation is essential to love. If he "humbly" sent us away from his beauty, suggesting we find our joy in another, we would be ruined. Great thinkers have said this long before I did. For example, Jonathan Edwards said: It is easy to conceive how God should seek the good of the creature . . . even his happiness, from a supreme regard to himself; as his happiness arises from . . . the creature's exercising a supreme regard to God . . .in loving it, and rejoicing in it. . . . God's respect to the creature's good, and his respect to himself, is not a divided respect; but both are united in one, as the happiness of the creature aimed at is happiness in union with himself. (Jonathan Edwards, The End for Which God Created the World, in John Piper, God's Passion for His Glory, p. 248f.) C. S. Lewis broke through to the beauty of God's self-exaltation (thinking at first that the Psalms sounded like an old woman craving compliments). He finally saw the obvious: My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can't help doing, about everything else we value. I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1958, pp. 93-95]) Both Edwards and Lewis saw that praising God is the consummation of joy in God. This joy flows from the infinite beauty and greatness of God. There is no one who surpasses him in any truly admirable trait. He is absolutely enjoyable. But we are sinners and do not see it, and do not want it. We want ourselves at the center. But Jesus Christ taught us to be human in another way, and then died for our sin, absorbed God's wrath against it, and opened the way to see and savor God. "Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Therefore, the reason God seeks our praise is not because he won't be complete until he gets it. He is seeking our praise because we won't be happy until we give it. This is not arrogance. It is love. I pray that you will see and savor the beauty of your Maker and your Redeemer. John Piper ************************ I always love that CS Lewis quote. Why do we praise things? Why do we insist on telling others how great a meal was, a play was, a movie was, a gift was. Why do we praise our significant others? "I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation." And the conclusion: "the reason God seeks our praise is not because he won't be complete until he gets it. He is seeking our praise because we won't be happy until we give it. This is not arrogance. It is love." Good stuff. Are you focusing on the joy that lasts? Supreme happyness? posted by Allan | 10/30/2003 12:28:00 AM | 7 comments Tuesday, October 28, 2003 World RoShamBo Competition won by a Canuck Oh Canada. I think we should hold a Bloody Knuckles World Championship here. I might be able to give someone a run for their money... posted by Allan | 10/28/2003 11:46:00 AM | 1 comment Freak! Do any of you have problems with this? I got this forward just now... I think I can do it. sometimes the circular foot pattern gets a bit erratic, but it certainly doesnt switch direction.... *************************************** This really works! It may "freak you out", always a good thing for Halloween! If you are able to alter this behavior let me know!!! I tried several times and no matter how I concentrated, I couldn't stop it from happening!!! Are you intrigued yet...here goes - While sitting at a desk or table, make clockwise circles with your right foot. While doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will involuntarily change direction instantly! Trick or Treat! Happy Halloween! *************************************** posted by Allan | 10/28/2003 11:18:00 AM | 5 comments Monday, October 27, 2003 Alvin and Jenny's wedding on Saturday was great - the bride was beautiful, the weather was great. Only hitch was an oil spill on the Van Wyck which made a few people a bit tardy. The ceremony was pushed back 15 or 20 minutes then everything went very smoothly. I was happy to be playing in the ceremony - they're such a great pair... posted by Allan | 10/27/2003 09:08:00 PM | 0 comments Friday, October 24, 2003 Man. I want a picture like the ones they talk about in this article. :) posted by Allan | 10/24/2003 03:07:00 PM | 2 comments Gibson's "Christ" struck by lightning And the assist director, twice. You'd think that after the first time you'd be smart enough to put away the umbrella. Then again, when else would you use an umbrella but during the rainstorm...? interesting that "Christ" got hit, though :) posted by Allan | 10/24/2003 11:34:00 AM | 1 comment Thursday, October 23, 2003 Yankee Mojo So I gotta say. What is up with the Yanks? They're insane. Okay, so Aaron Boone didn't get the winning rbi with 1 out and the bases loaded in the top of the 10th. Doesn't matter - pinch hitter Ruben Sierra earned all of his $600,000 salary with his 9th inning, 2 RBI game-tying triple. Actually, he earned it on his 9th inning one-out home run blast game 4 in the ALCS finals. (nevermind that the Yanks lost that game too, 3-2) Then there's Bernie Williams. and Rivera. and Jeter. these guys are crazy. But none of them are even close to being this guy. :) posted by Allan | 10/23/2003 04:26:00 PM | 3 comments Frathouse toys? Well Xavier got me to thinking. What toy would be perfect for the frathouse? Why, a freakin' robotic vacuum that does all the work while you're out of the house! OF COURSE! I'll have to see what the reviews are on this thing. Tim might get one - I think the layout of his apartment is perfect for this thing. Tim - get one! posted by Allan | 10/23/2003 09:35:00 AM | 9 comments Tuesday, October 21, 2003 This is just freakin scary. You're walkin around, and the guy you're standing next to just dies out of nowhere. 500 miles! posted by Allan | 10/21/2003 12:50:00 PM | 6 comments Monday, October 20, 2003 Went to Jeanine and Kevin's wedding on Saturday. It was beautiful - also significant was that both Jeanine and Kevin's parents got married the exact same day, Oct 18th, 1975- 28 years ago, in two Catholic churches just a few miles from each other, in Philadelphia. I didn't know anyone there except for Deanna and Carlos (Deanna was at Gemini when Jeanine and I first started), who weren't at my table. I did meet Jackie and Tania - both of whom are new yorkers who know Jeanine from boxing classes at the NYSC on Wall St. Tania's fortunate enough to be a Canadian, too (from Toronto), so we discussed very important things that New York is missing, such as Hockey Night in Canada, CBC Radio, and Swiss Chalet. Poor Jackie didn't know what we were talking about, but she's a native New Yorker from Yonkers, a trader on the floor and a boxer, so I was careful not to get her too upset :) posted by Allan | 10/20/2003 05:34:00 PM | 2 comments Thursday, October 16, 2003 steaks in NYC? I first saw this place opening up a few weeks before the cruise. Just down the road from Helen's place... on 34th and 3rd. Big sign that said "Philly Cheesesteaks" on the front. My reaction? "real steaks? yeah right." When I returned from the cruise, they were open. I swung on by, and the steaks looked pretty authentic! I'd already eaten dinner, so I figured I'd try them the week after. Anticipation. I'm going to Philly this weekend for Jeanine's wedding. I'll probably get a steak, because that's what you do :) But a real cheesesteak in NYC? Is it possible? Last night was the night. I walk in, it's pretty crowded. no real place to sit down - it's a small joint. They've got the ordering all messed up - you go by the guys making the steaks to the cashier. Since there are people waiting around, it's pretty cramped and crowded. But... are those Amoroso rolls? The guy in front of me orders. Cashier: "What can I get you, sir?" Guy: "uhm.. a cheesesteak..." Cashier: "what kind of cheese?" Guy: "uh..." Cashier: "we've got Cheese Whiz, Provolone, and American " Guy: "uh... Provolone" Cashier: "would you like onions?" Guy: "huh?" Cashier: "you can get grilled onions" Guy: "how much more?" Cashier: "no, no charge" Guy: "oh.. okay.. sure." I have to remind myself that I'm in New York, and that this cashier is pretty nice. hah. if you did that at Pat's steaks in South Philly, they'd take your head off, and the people in line behind you would cheer them on. My turn! Cashier: "What can I get you, sir?" Allan: "American with." Cashier: "Yes! The man knows how to order!" heh. expensive steaks. plain steak: $5.50. Cheesesteaks: $6.00. They've got a no-roll steak for those no-carb atkins peeps, which is pretty much sacrilegious. They weren't the best in the world. In fact, if this place were in Philly, I probably wouldn't go there. But they're authentic cheeseteaks in New York City. And as they stick around, and the cooks become more experienced, they'll get better. I think they'll do well - located right by some Penn hotspots - Joshua Tree, Bar 515. A lot of Penn alumn in the Murray Hill area. my prayers have been answered. :) Carl's Steaks 34th st and 3rd ave. posted by Allan | 10/16/2003 10:15:00 AM | 5 comments Wednesday, October 15, 2003 :( Another sad day for new yorkers.... posted by Allan | 10/15/2003 04:15:00 PM | 0 comments oops. the fan is revealed... posted by Allan | 10/15/2003 01:29:00 PM | 1 comment Dude. This guy's life is probably in danger. You figure he can't just disappear into anonymity now. If the cubbies lose tonight... oh boy. I kinda feel bad for him. But man.. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??? Well, not sure what he's thinking at that point. Right about now, though, he's probably thinking "time to move to Florida" posted by Allan | 10/15/2003 09:55:00 AM | 0 comments You guys remember how to do eighth grade math? posted by Allan | 10/15/2003 09:09:00 AM | 5 comments Tuesday, October 14, 2003 I'm a bit late on this one, but I found this article kinda interesting. C'mon though, is it really news? Everyone knows those damn asians are killing the LPGA. ??? In other news, I've seen these around. There was a civic on qns blvd sporting these babies. They look pretty ridiculous :) posted by Allan | 10/14/2003 12:53:00 PM | 0 comments Saturday, October 11, 2003 The smallgroup went to see Hannah last night. She's about 40hrs old in these photos. Ben was so great with her! She didn't even make a sound. With me, she started crying a bit... but she stopped when Matt stuck his pinky in her mouth. Hah. Karen got cut out of our group photo! :( posted by Allan | 10/11/2003 10:43:00 AM | 0 comments Friday, October 10, 2003 Here's an interesting article on ccn.com regarding a study done at UCLA about the exclusion from others, and how it registers at the same area of the brain as physical pain. One of the UCLA researchers is quoted saying "There's something about exclusion from others that is perceived as being as harmful to our survival as something that can physically hurt us, and our body automatically knows this" I wonder if there's perhaps a different explanation than the one offered here. If exclusion from others is harmful to our survival, and our body instinctively knows this, why is it that we constantly excluding others all the time? As an aside, this sort of stuff really helps the cause, doesn't it. posted by Allan | 10/10/2003 10:41:00 AM | 1 comment Thursday, October 09, 2003 Baby Hannah Tan Buccheri was born this morning (10/09) at 3:38am. she's 8lbs 2oz. Mom's doing great, Dad's real tired. :) posted by Allan | 10/09/2003 10:18:00 PM | 3 comments Wednesday, October 08, 2003 Changes made to warren's video :) posted by Allan | 10/08/2003 10:48:00 PM | 0 comments Tuesday, October 07, 2003 Cruise Photos 
Here we go. here's a sample of some of the photos from our trip. great weather :) We love the pirate :) posted by Allan | 10/07/2003 09:21:00 PM | 19 comments heh Warren made a quicktime video of our trip. it's big! 11megs... very funny :) Pictures are still on the way. I was editing them last night. hopefully tonight I'll have them up. posted by Allan | 10/07/2003 10:31:00 AM | 1 comment Sunday, October 05, 2003 Hey guys :) I'm back from the trip. photos will be up soon. (hear that before?) but just wanted to blog this first: Escher's "Relativity" in LEGOŽ posted by Allan | 10/05/2003 07:50:00 PM | 0 comments |
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