Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Luffa Sponge Garden

Who knew that a luffa sponge was a vegetable?????

GroovyGreen.com - Start Today :: Save Tomorrow : Blog Archive : How To Make (and grow) A Luffa!:

"For the third autumn in a row I am pleased to be harvesting my shower sponge for next year. Now I know that must sound like a strange statement but it’s true. Many people are surprised when they find out I grow my own Luffa sponges. “Don’t those come from the sea?”, is the standard question to which I respond that the Luffa is a vegetable you can grow in your very own garden."

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Despair.com

De-Motivational Videos

Satire on what not to do in the office.

http://theater.despair.com/disconfirmationwmv.html

http://theater.despair.com/powerofstorieswmv.html


http://theater.despair.com/013006icbwwmv.html

Memo to Bosses

Do's and Don'ts of being a good boss.
Huge list of 100 item - here are a few.

1. Make your employees come in on their days off even when you know there is no real work to be done.
2. Call them when they are on vacation, not unless the office has burned down, in which case the call is moot anyway.
3. Be biased, play favorites or show partisanship when dealing with your subordinates.
4. Hog your employees’ limelight, or more specifically, take credit for ideas that are not yours.
5. Monitor every aspect of your employees’ work. Peering over their shoulders every few minutes, or worse, hooking up hidden nanny cameras to spy on them in your absence is as good as wearing a sandwich board saying “Hate me, I deserve it”. Remember, just as a watched pot never boils, an over-supervised employee’s creativity and productivity are stifled.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Serial Hybrid Cars from GM

KurzweilAI.net

EcoWorld, November 19, 2006

General Motors has announced plans to sell a serial hybrid car, with a prototype available early next year.

A serial hybrid means that the car has two engines, but only one engine is connected directly to the drive train, hence it is a "serial" hybrid.

It is less complex than conventional hybrid cars, because only the electric motor, with its huge range of usable RPM, is connected to the drivetrain.

Another huge advantage is that serial hybrid cars have their second motor, a small, ultra-low-emission gas or diesel engine, connected to a generator to recharge the battery pack while the car is being driven. By doing this, a cheaper and more reliable battery pack can be used, and there is no need for a complex heat management system.


Read Original Article>>

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Should Google Go Nuclear? Clean, cheap, nuclear power (no, really) - Google Video

Should Google Go Nuclear? Clean, cheap, nuclear power (no, really) - Google Video:

"ABSTRACT This is not your father's fusion reactor! Forget everything you know about conventional thinking on nuclear fusion: high-temperature plasmas, steam turbines, neutron radiation and even nuclear waste are a thing of the past. Goodbye thermonuclear fusion; hello inertial electrostatic confinement fusion (IEC), an old idea that's been made new. While the international community debates the fate of the politically-turmoiled $12 billion ITER (an experimental thermonuclear reactor), simple IEC reactors are being built as high-school science fair projects."
Dr. Robert Bussard, former Asst. Director of the Atomic Energy Commission and founder of Energy Matter Conversion Corporation (EMC2) is presenting to Google. Dr Bussard is in need of $200 Million to produce a full size Fusion reactor using a style of fusion abandoned by most researchers 20 years ago. But Dr. has been working with a team quietly and without publication for 17 years attempting to make the technology viable.

This sounds like a project for the Google Foundation

Hotel Rwanda

http://www.calvaryabq.org/events/event.asp?EventID=469

Join M88 and KNKT for a FREE movie.

Ten years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved--and ended up finding the courage to save over 1200 people. Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda, secretly used his position and intelligence to shelter over a thousand refugees during the genocide crisis. While the rest of the world closed its eyes, Paul opened his heart to prove that the human spirit can make us stronger than we’d ever imagine.

When: Saturday 11/18/2006 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where:

Lobo Theater

Are You a Man of Prayer?

Are You a Man of Prayer?

Interesting Article on Men and prayer in America
by Jim Clayton

'The sheep are never so safe from the wolf as when they are near the shepherd.' - Charles Spurgeon

Fast Facts: Although 90% of Americans say they pray (60% say they pray every day), the ways they pray vary significantly, according to pollster George Barna. Two out of three unchurched Americans (63%) pray regularly, but only one out of three (34%) is sure that praying makes any difference. In contrast, nearly 70% of the 'born-again' respondents think God personally responds to their prayers."

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Sample Accountability Partner Questions

This is a list of sample questions for an accountability partners. I'm unsure where they originally came from but they were given at R at church a few weeks ago.

Update: These questions are from the Men of Integrity Web site. The lists on this site are good as well.

SAMPLE ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS

Regardless of the accountability questions you choose, the last question should be "Have you been truthful about everything we have discussed?" There will be times when that question is necessary, and true accountability demands it.

- Have you spent time with God on a regular basis?
- Have you compromised your integrity in any way?
- Has your thought life been pure?
- Have you committed any sexual sin?
- How much time did you spend in prayer this week?
- Did you pray for the others in this group?
- Did you put yourself in an awkward situation with a woman?
- What one sin plagued your walk with God this week?
- Did you accomplish your spiritual goals this week?
- Are you giving to the Lord's work financially?
- How have you demonstrated a servant's heart?
- Do you treat your peers and coworkers as people loved by God?
- What significant thing did you do for your wife and/or family?
- What was your biggest disappointment? How did you decide to handle it?
- What was your biggest joy? Did you thank God?
- What do you see as your number one need for next week?
- Are you satisfied with the time you spent with the Lord this week?
- Did you take time to show compassion for others in need?
- Did you control your tongue?
- What did you do this week to enhance your relationship with your spouse and/or child(ren)?
- Did you pray and read God's Word this week? What did you derive from this time?
- I what ways have you stepped out in faith since we last met?
- I what ways has God blessed you this week? And what disappointments consumed your thoughts this week?
- Did you look at a woman in the wrong way?
- How have you been tempted this week? How did you respond?
- How has your relationship with Christ been changing?
- Did you worship in church this week?
- Have you shared your faith this week? How?
- What are you wrestling with in your thought life?
- What have you done for someone else this week?
- Are the "visible" you and the "real" you consistent?

Monday, November 13, 2006

Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide

Article on beating newbies in Rock Paper Scissors - and no this isn't a joke, the tournament seems to be real.

With the 2006 World Rock Paper Scissors Championships coming up in November in Toronto and $10,000.00 on the line (not to mention bragging rights of being able to call yourself "World Champion of RPS"), trying to get some sort of edge on your competition is becoming a focal point for a lot of players.

NPR : 2003 World Rock Paper Scissors Championship - and No I'm not kidding

NPR : 2003 World Rock Paper Scissors Championship: "Just as the World Scrabble Championship wraps up in Kuala Lumpur, another major gaming competition is starting in Toronto: The 2003 Rock Paper Scissors World Championship. Tournament organizers claim that 1,000 competitors will face off this weekend in a tense drama pitting fist against splayed fingers against outstretched hand."

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Emergency Response

The Calvary of Albuquerque Rapid response training conference is one of the coolest projects I've seen from Calvary for a long time.

I assume that it may be a push to get people to take some of the additional training linked to below.

Additional links

National Incident Management System
The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation


Pilfered directly from the calvary abq site.

His Presences in Crisis - Rapid Response Training
Posted: Friday, November 03, 2006

Calvary of Albuquerque is pleased to partner with Billy Graham Evangelical Association in the training and deployment of Chaplains to offer hope through Jesus Christ to those who are affected by man-made or natural disaster.

SIGN UP ONLINE!

Individuals signing up for our Rapid Response Teams will be trained to assess disaster incidents for the appropriate response and recovery services in the following capacities:

  • They will assist First Responders and displaced families.

  • They will provide emotional and spiritual care to support personnel and will facilitate resources for police, fire, EMS, pastoral, and other First Responders, as well as displaced families, with the goal of stabilizing needed services in response to any particular incident.

  • They will provide Christ-centered intervention through prayer and sharing God's love and hope.

  • They will provide trained, licensed counselors for public school systems.

  • The will provide International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) trained chaplains for First Responders.

  • The will facilitate FEMA, Red Cross, and other organizations to meet the needs of First Responders and displaced families.

ANY individual regardless of age is invited to train for certification to respond at one of four levels. If you have a heart to serve, we have a need for you.

Training Sessions:
  • BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelical Association training) hosted by Calvary, December 1st and 2nd.

Other Training Sessions:

  • NIMS (National Incident Management System)

  • ICISF (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation)


For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Jo at 344-0880 or email your questions to jo@calvaryabq.org.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Geeky Electronic Bumper Stickers

I've never been into bumper stickers but I might change my mind. Why should the city bus be the only vehicle with with a fancy, shmancy LED light up sign on the back.

1. LED Bumper stickers

http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/06/led_light_pick_and_led_car_mes.html


2. LCD Bumper Stickers

http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9661617-1.html?subj=Crave&part=rss&tag=rss

Friday, November 03, 2006

Christian Courses and Training

  1. The Truth Project

    Focus on the Family's truth project, series for small groups of 12 DVD's given in small groups for 12-2 hour lessons on a Christian Worldview. I've got a co-worker going this this. He says it is VERY good. I want to go to either his church when they give it again, and then I can give it myself from my home or through the church or they have big conferences around the country where you can go through it in 2 days. Next big conference is in Orlando, next week. Probably gonna miss that one. But it will be in Texas in February.

    http://www.thetruthproject.org/events/A000000068.cfm/

    The Truth Project Lessons
    Lesson 1 - Veritology: What is Truth?
    Lesson 2 - Philosophy and Ethics: Says Who?
    Lesson 3 - Anthropology: Who is Man?
    Lesson 4 - Theology: Who is God?
    Lesson 5 - Science: What is True?
    Lesson 6 - History: Whose Story?
    Lesson 7 - Sociology: The Divine Imprint
    Lesson 8 - Unio Mystica: Am I Alone?
    Lesson 9 - The State: Whose Law?
    Lesson 10 - The American Experiment: Stepping Stones
    Lesson 11 - Labor: Created to Create
    Lesson 12 - Community and Involvement: God Cares, do I?

  2. Christian Online Learning at Christian Courses

    By the publishers of the "Our Daily Bread: Daily Devotional" A ton of free comprehensive bible and Christian history courses. Looks very good.

  3. Answers in Genesis on line courses

  4. Creation apologetics. These courses run only a couple of times a year with about 6 hours of homework a week.

  5. Update: Centurions by Breakpoint

    Created by Chuck Colson, the Centurions Program is a one-year distance-learning course that equips Christians to engage a starving culture with the choice fruits of biblical truth. Studying under Colson and other great biblical worldview thinkers, students learn to handle accurately the word of truth as it applies to every area of life and culture—including politics, education, mass media and the arts, bioethics, business, and marriage and family. And they gain confidence to speak truth persuasively and winsomely amid the stew of distorted beliefs and values.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Truisms

Funny forward from V.

  1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
  2. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
  3. He, who laughs last, thinks slowest.
  4. A day without sunshine is like, well, night.
  5. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
  6. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
  7. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
  8. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
  9. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end-to-end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.
  10. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
  11. The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.
  12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.
  13. Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.
  14. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture.
  15. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

LEXOPHILES (LOVERS OF WORDS):

Funny forward I got from M.

-----
  1. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
  2. A will is a dead giveaway.
  3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
  4. A backward poet writes inverse.
  5. In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
  6. A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
  7. If you don't pay your exorcist, you can get repossessed.
  8. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
  9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
  10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
  11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
  12. A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.
  13. You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
  14. Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.
  15. He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
  16. A calendar's days are numbered.
  17. A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
  18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.
  19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
  20. A plateau is a high form of flattery.
  21. The short fortuneteller who escaped from prison: a small medium at large.
  22. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
  23. When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
  24. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.
  25. When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
  26. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
  27. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
  28. Acupuncture: a jab well done.
  29. Marathon runners with bad shoes suffer the agony of de feet.
Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a
large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Mark Herron

Monday, September 18, 2006

Google.org for profit philanthropy?

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13 — The ambitious founders of Google, the popular search engine company, have set up a philanthropy, giving it seed money of about $1 billion and a mandate to tackle poverty, disease and global warming.


.....

The philanthropy is consulting with hybrid-engine scientists and automakers, and has arranged for the purchase of a small fleet of cars with plans to convert the engines so that their gas mileage exceeds 100 miles per gallon. The goal of the project is to reduce dependence on oil while alleviating the effects of global warming.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/technology/14google.html

Monday, September 11, 2006

Tutorial: How to Sabotage Yourself

Tutorial: How to Sabotage Yourself - Associated Content: "Tutorial: How to Sabotage Yourself
Finally, a Tutorial that is Designed Especially for Self-loathers

This tutorial is designed specifically for self-loathers. Follow these instructions carefully to become extremely unhappy, poor, disrespected, lonely, and better yet, to hate yourself even more."


Funny.

Examples

Use credit cards to pay for everything.

When a credit card "stops working," apply for a new one.

Always look ---- off or upset when you're at work. You want to make sure everyone knows how much you hate your job.

Borrow money from friends and family, and never pay it back.

Top Ten No Sympathy Lines

Top Ten No Sympathy Lines: "Top Ten No Sympathy Lines (Plus a Few Extra)

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

I heard all of these in school. Interesting rebuttal from a teacher on the top complaints of students.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Best Free Stuff Online

Best Free Software

Browsers

firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/

anti-spyware tools

spybot search and destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Windows Defender Anti Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

adaware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/


Personal Firewalls

ZoneAlarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en

If you are a comcast high speed customer you can get a free version of macafee's firewall

http://www.comcast.net/security/

Anti Virus

Free Anti Virus Products
anti-vir - annoying messages on machine restart but seems to work better than AVG

http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html

For AOL Users out there this might be cool

http://www.activevirusshield.com


If you are a comcast high speed customer you can get a free version of macafee's antivirus

http://www.comcast.net/security/

Zipping/Unzipping (Compression) Utilities

z-zip
http://www.7-zip.org/

Web Email

gmail
https://mail.google.com/mail/

Add ons

Quicktime + itunes
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html

Flash
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

Image Editors

Paint.net (Really nice - recommended)
http://www.getpaint.net/index.html

The Gimp (Unintuitive interface makes this somewhat of a bear to use)
http://www.gimp.org/windows/

Photo Organizers

Picasa - google product

Word Processors/Spreadsheet/Database/Presentation

OpenOffice


More Obscure Products

Web Based RSS Readers

Google Reader

Bookmark sharing

del.icio.us

Todo list management

Remember The Milk

Comparing text documents (For programmers only)

WinMerge

Text Editors (For programmers Only)

vim

Compilers

Microsoft Visual C Express
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/

Free Training

Quick HTML Overview
http://www.draac.com/html.html

Good Free HTML Course
http://webdesign.about.com/c/ec/9.htm

Christian Courses
http://cc.christiancourses.com/

Friday, September 01, 2006

Lulu.com - Self Publishing

Easy route to becoming a published author.

http://www.lulu.com/

Interesting idea. A book publisher who will accept any manuscript, prints on when an order is received and doesn't keep the copy right. Anyone can upload a book and never be charged, it is just markup on the book if it sells. Lulu makes 25% of the amount you set as the royalty plus the cost of printing or you can sell or give away a digital copy of the book from their site at the same rate, or free if you choose.