A Pilgrims Way

First let me say this is completely pathetic that I’ve resorted to blogging about TV shows I watch. It just goes to show how extremely bored I am right now and that I can’t think about anything else to write about. And it further proves the point that I watch way too much T.V. especially since I’ve had my DVR (God’s greatest creation…Ever…).

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I read an interesting article in Time today, titled “Yep, They’re Gay”.  The article is about a group of researchers conducting studies on sheep sexuality.  “Roughly 8% of rams turn out to have sex exclusively with other rams.”  I had no idea.  Could this have been the real inspiration behind Brokeback Mountain?  I do recall a lot of sheep in the movie.

Scientist have killed about 55 sheep in order to study the neurological basis of sexual attraction.  They are also manipulating hormones and such trying to increase the gayness of sheep, but so far their efforts have been fruitless.  All this has pro-gay people and groups in an uproar.  PETA claims that scientist are killing gay sheep and cutting open their brains to learn how to turn them straight.  Others are fearful that one day research like this will be used to offer humans a “cure” for homosexuality.  In theory, doctors could offer mothers carrying children hormones, drugs, etc… that could prevent or reduce the likelihood their child would be gay.  Researchers in this study say a “cure” for homosexuality is pure fantasy.

But it raises an interesting question.  If there was a drug or hormone available to mothers while they were pregnant that supposedly modified or repressed any homosexual tendencies would you take it?  As a mother would you take it?  If you were gay and could take a pill to repress your gayness, would you take it?

What would the moral implications be?

Are we still debating nature vs. nurture when it comes to homosexuality or has science finally won out?

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I just finished installing Linux on my computer. I’m actually using it right now. I decided to go with the Freespire distribution instead of pclinuxos. I was just a little nervous being a beginner and wanted to make sure I started out with a stable and flexible distribution. From everything I read Freespire seemed to be the one for me. I haven’t done anything in it yet except make this post so I’ll have to play around with it and let everyone know what I like or don’t like.

So far, I’m pretty proud of myself though. I’m not a big techie. But I was able to resize then partition my HD. I was then able to install Linux. My dual boot screen popped up as I was hoping, now I just have to make sure I can get back to windows with no problems.

So far so good, now off to the world of linux.

———–Update————–

I’m now back in Windows.  No install problems, I’m so happy.

I’ve been messing around with the thought of loading Linux on my pc.  I can’t say I have a good reason to.  Windows works fine and after looking at Linux and the software choices available for a Linux O/S I do appreciate the look and feel of windows.  (MP11 looks Great).   I do however tire of things like viruses, spyware, how it locks up sometimes, and how it just seems to bog down.  To be honest, I don’t know enough about Linux yet, maybe it has the same problems.

I guess I’m caught up in the idea of linux.  You know open source technology.  It’s free, but even better it’s a living project developed by a community of people working toward one goal, to make an awesome operating system. It’s hard getting into Linux though.  I would not consider myself a techie by any stretch of the imagination, but I know enough about computers to do what I want.  Linux is confusing though.  To start with, Linux is not just one program you download.  If it was only that easy.  No, Linux has many “Distributions”, which are variations of the main source code I guesse.  Basically it looks like everyone took this main code and started tweaking it, adding things, taking a way things to make it work for them.  Now there are a multitude of Linux distributions out there and I don’t know which one to pick.  Anyone and everyone that wants to can create their own version of Linux and make it available for people like me to use.  I think this is one of the coolest things about Open Source technology, but it’s also confusing.  How do I know which one is the best.

As I was thinking about this problem today, my mind started thinking about church too.  Could church be open source?  I think it could, I think it should.  We’re not creating operating systems, but I think church could provide some structure and framework in peoples lives.  I think church and church life is an open source project.  It works better when it’s developed in a community.   It works better when there is an open flow of opinions, ideas, creativity.  It works better when people work together for an awesome goal - to give God a good name.  To make a difference in this life, in this world.

Unfortunately the church (as a whole) has become a lot like Linux.  There are so many “Distributions” out there the new users don’t have a clue.  Which one is right?  Which one is the best? I think a lot of people don’t even know where to begin.

I don’t want to let my confusion or lack of understanding cause me to miss out on something great though, so I’m going to give Linux a try.   I really think open source is the wave of the future that’s going to change the way we think about computers, software, life.  I really think it could change the world.  It already is.  Not only do I want to jump into this wave, but I think I’d like to participate as well.  I’d like to make some contribution.  It’s going to take some work on my part.  There’s going to be a huge learning curve.  I’ll have to learn the code, learn the language, but I think it would be so cool to have a distribution with my name on it on somebodies desktop.

So if there’s any Linux expert out there give me some help here, I’m completely lost.

Maybe somehow I can return the favor.

P.S. - In case anyone’s wondering I’m going to try the pclinuxOS Distro.

My favorite show (after Lost of course) is Friday Night Lights on NBC Wednesday nights at 8:00pm.  I was just reading an article in Entertainment weekly about it.  Sadly, the show is not doing that great.  It has been finishing 3rd for it’s time slot on Tuesdays (It recently moved to Wednesdays) and is averaging about 6 million viewers.

I will be honest when I saw the highlights of the show before the season I was completely uninterested.  Who had time for a show about high school football right?  Not to mention the high schoolers are probably all in their twenties (real age that is).  But strangely enough my wife (not a big football fan to say the least) watched FNL and loved it and got me hooked.  Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be that great marketing appeal to the show that just draws people in, which is a shame. I think the football thing scares a lot of viewers off like it almost did me.

While football plays highly into the show it’s not the main thing, there’s not a game every week (which ironically upsets my wife).  The shows more about relationships.  It’s very good drawing you into the mindset and struggles of the characters.  You feel their emotions and share their pains.  Last week I stinking cried, watching a father and son muddle through their broken relationship.

So here is my plea…Please watch the show!  I don’t want it to be canceled.  I’m fairly confident it’s coming back for a season 2, but I’d like to enjoy it for a while.

That said…what are some shows you watch that are a little obscure.  One for example that I’ve heard that was awesome, but got canceled was Firefly.  I know I have friends that watch Battlestar Galictica, MI5.  Obscure to me maybe, but I’d like to check them out.  What other shows are out there?

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I just realized I’m a segregationists and I’ve been one my whole life.

I was craving something sweet, so I stopped by the vending machine at work and low and behold it had my favorite candy.  Runts!  Not just any runts, but the “Chewy” runts with the watermelon and blueberry flavors.  (I’m so glad they got rid of those stink’n limes).  The pink, heart shaped, strawberry flavor is my favorite.

So I opened up the package and impulsively emptied it out at my desk and meticulously began organizing the runts by color and shape.  Then I began eating them one color at a time, starting with my least favorite (Green - Watermelon) working my way up to my favorite (Pink, Heart Shaped, Strawberry.)  It was then I realized, “I’m a segregationists” and I’ve been one my whole life.

I’ve always been against the mixing of foods.  I like my portions nicely and evenly distributed on my plate.  My favorite plate is the disposable plate with formed dividers, typically three which come in a variety of material (styrofoam, plastic, or the hardened paper like material).  They’re just perfect for my segregationist ways.

A segregationist is fraught with enemies and Gravy has always been my biggest nemesis. It flows and goes wherever it chooses irrespective of boundaries, colors, or textures.  It touches my bread and makes it all soft and gooey.  It runs into my meat poisoning it with it’s flavor.  It mocks me by leaping off my plate and staining my jeans.  So I choose not to use gravy.  (Except on special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas when we have turkey.)

There are only two foods I allow to mix (Potatoes and Corn and gravy on special occasions) and I don’t know when it began (I think I saw my Grandpa do it when I was young), but I can’t seem to break the habit. 

Maybe one day I’ll change my ways and allow a free and open intercourse between all foods irregardless of size, shape, or color.  But don’t get your hopes up.

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I just heard of a new media server that works with the Xbox 360. It’s call Tversity (Check it out). Supposedly it allows media formats that the WMP won’t, like Internet audio, podcasts, video streams, etc…

I’m looking forward to checking it out, I’ve been unable to get my PC to work with the Windows Media Center Extender. I’m hopeful, but not overly optimistic this will work. Will keep you posted.

**UPDATE**

I down loaded the app when I got home turned the xbox on and what do you know.  It Works!!!  I can’t believe it.  Why can’t I get it to work with Media Center?  It’s funny that a free open source app works better then the one designed by microsoft.  Why am I not surprised.  By the way.  It works great.  I’ve not messed around with the video options yet, I’ll do that tomorrow.  Check it out I’m sure you’ll love it.

I was just reading that Netflix has announced that they will begin an “On Demand” type of movie rental service called Watch Now. Subscribers will be able to download movies and watch them on their PC’s rather then wait for the DVD’s to arrive in the mail.

Similarly the makers of Skype have announced a type of TV service (Joost - pronounced Juiced) that will offer downloadable video programming/content.

It’s not too hard to see a trend coming here. Actually the wave has been coming for a while now. We’re moving toward an “On Demand World”. Programming/Content when you want, where you want.

Is this a good thing?

My first thought is, yes. It offers freedom, liberty, and choices to the consumer. But my second thought is, we are no where close to ready for this.

Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, but can we handle downloading movies? Movies in HD? How big are the files? How long will it take on my Cable modem, let alone those on DSL or even worse still those using dial up. (No one should still be using dial up, come on). I can probably drive to blockbuster pick out the movie I want, drive home, pop some popcorn, and start watching a movie in less time then I can download one. Once we download it, do we have to play it on our PC or can we get it to our TV’s, our Ipods? Even after that, there are so many DRM issues to deal with. The movie/music industry does not want people pirating their content. Will they sign up for this? What will it take for them to sign up? More sophisticated and complicated DRM. More cost to companies that make PC’s and peripherals. More cost to the customers.

Don’t get me wrong, an “On Demand World” would be great. It’s just I think it’s going to make our lives a lot more difficult, at least in these initial stages. I’m sure in 5 or 10 years though we’re going to love it.

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I just got done playing basketball with about 20 guys.  I used to enjoy playing basketball.  I used to be good at basketball.  But something terrible has happened to me.  I’ve become that guy.  The guy I used to make fun of when I was a teenager.  The guy I used to just dog up and down the court.  The guy with the hairy chest and big belly hanging over his shorts, hands always on his knees gasping for every breath.  The guy longing for the glory years, remembering when he used to make that shot or that pass.  In his mind he still thinks he can do it, but his body says no way.

What to do, what to do.  How long can I continue.

I try to tell myself “You’re doing it just for the exercise”, but my heart just won’t buy the lie.

I’ll quit when my body gives out.  At this rate it won’t be too longe.  Age is not kind…

I picked up “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer yesterday. My church is trying to clean out it’s bookshelves so I couldn’t pass it by. I was just reading the beginning today and came across this great poem he wrote.

Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a squire from his country-house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
Equally, smilingly, proudly,
Like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick,like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectation of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!

March 4,1946

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