Author: C.S. Lewis
Date: 28-Aug-2005
For centuries Christians have been tormented by one question above all, “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?”
My Thoughts: Not exactly earth shattering stuff, but does make you go hmmmm?
It has been a long time since I wrote here, but the thought has crossed my mind several times. Today is a new day. Today I got the selection board results for O-4. I am now officially a senior officer. Of all my accomplishments in life thus far, this ranks pretty near the top – next to my .
Why?…well…after a year in total separation from family and friends, and even worse, being in enemy territory in more ways than one, and then to add insult to injury – not making the cut last time due to foul dealing by some of the most violent bigots one could come across, I have prevailed.
I have said it on several occassions – the method of selecting folks for the next level up is not the fairest way, but it is the best we can hope for. I think eventually the best people makes it to the top, even though a few dregs make the cut sometimes. In a pure meritocracy, the best should prevail on his or her own merit, but when the venom of latent racism is injected into the process, it robs it of fairness. But what can I say, the Big Guy always takes care of his own; and today, despite the efforts of others Engelhardt and Meek, I have arisen. Now I look to tomorrow with a new eye; with confidence and strength, and walk into it assured that in the end I will attain the greatness that boils within.
Author: C.S. Lewis
Date: 9-Aug-2005
Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis’ forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books, The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity brings together what Lewis sees as the fundamental truths of the religion. Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity’s many denominations, C.S. Lewis finds a common ground on which all those who have Christian faith can stand together, proving that “at the center of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice”.
My Thoughts: Pretty good read that goes a good ways into explaining the Christian mind, especially without the trappings of denominational constraints.
Authors: Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
Date: 7-Jul-2005
You probably think you know a lot about the human body. The reality is that most of us know very little about this miraculous, scientific, and artistic system of anatomy. When it comes to your longevity and quality of life, understanding your internal systems gives you the power, authority, and ability to live a healthier, younger, and better life.
My Thoughts: Great read! Got a lot of keen, insightful notes from this. I would really recommend it to anyone who cares about his or her body.
Author: Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Date: 29-May-05
Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? How much do parents really matter? What kind of impact did Roe v. Wade have on violent crime?
These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economist. He is a much-heralded scholar who studies the riddles of everyday life, from cheating and crime to sports and child rearing, and whose conclusions regularly turn the conventional wisdom on its head. Thus the new field of study contained in this book: Freakonomics.
Levitt and co-author Stephen J. Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives; how people get what they want or need especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they set out to explore the hidden side of…well, everything. The inner workings of a crack gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The secrets of the Ku Klux Klan.
What unites all these stories is a belief that the modern world is even more intriguing than we think. All it takes is a new way of looking. Steven Levitt, through devilishly clever and clear-eyed thinking, shows how to see through all the clutter.
My Thoughts: A great read that does a decent job in tie a number of really remote idea together. Would recommend a read.
By the way, misguided biggots like Bill Benneth, the former republican Education Secretary tried to use it as a basis of one of his racist thoughts. Sorry, didn’t work dude!
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Date: 05-May-2005
When scholars write the history of the world 20 years from now, and they come to the chapter “Y2K to March 2004”, what will they say was the most crucial development? The attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 and the Iraq war? Or the convergence of technology and events that allowed India, China, and so many other countries to become part of the global supply chain for services and manufacturing, creating an explosion of wealth in the middle classes of the world’s two biggest nations, giving them a huge new stake in the success of globalization? And with this “flattening” of the globe, which requires us to run faster in order to stay in place, has the world gotten too small and too fast for human beings and their political systems to adjust in a stable manner?
In this brilliant new work, the award-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman demystifies the brave new world, allowing listeners to make sense of the often bewildering global scene unfolding before their eyes. With his inimitable ability to translate complex foreign policy and economic issues, Friedman explains how the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the 21st century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; and how governments and societies can, and must, adapt. The World Is Flat is the timely and essential update on globalization, its successes and discontents, powerfully illuminated by one of our most respected journalists.
My Thoughts: Took me a while to get through this book. A really great read – comes well recommended.
Author:
Date:
Once again Michael Crichton gives us his trademark combination of page-turning suspense, cutting-edge technology, and extraordinary research. State of Fear is a superb blend of edge-of-your-seat suspense and thought provoking commentary on how information is manipulated in the modern world. From the streets of Paris, to the glaciers of Antarctica, to the exotic and dangerous Solomon Islands, State of Fear takes the reader on a rollercoaster thrill ride, all the while keeping the brain in high gear.
My Thoughts: Great read. Recommend this book be taken on a long trip. Also a good book to curl up to on a long winter’s night.
Author: Armand Nicholi, Jr
Date: 22 Feb- 2005
Renowned psychiatrist and educator Armand Nicholi presents a fascinating comparison of the beliefs of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. For all the variety of specific religious beliefs, there are fundamentally only two kinds of people: believers and nonbelievers.
In the 20th century, no spokesman was more prominent for nonbelief than Sigmund Freud, and nobody argued for belief more successfully than C.S. Lewis. From pain and suffering to love and sex, from God to morality, Lewis and Freud carefully argued opposing positions and even considered the chief objections to their positions. Based on years of studying both men, including wide access to Freud’s letters and teaching a popular course at Harvard comparing the two, this debate on the greatest of subjects strikes at the deepest chords in our souls.
My Thoughts: Probably one of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading. I would highly recommend a read for those who grapple with the idea of God.
Today’s run – 2.0m/18.23 min
Mood: The tired feeling continued today….mostly because I spent approx 6 hours behind the steering….went to Jacksonville today. Goal starting tonite is to be in bed by no later than 11pm. that way I get aboout 7 hours of sleep or so. Will be working on refining my workout regiment over phase II in about a week. Will be bringing in weighs and cycling. Alternated today between 6, 7, and 8. 6(.25m): 7(.25): 8(.25):6(.25):7(.5) and then a mixof 6 and 7 to finish off the .5 mile. Finished off with 20 pushups, 20 curl ups, and 20 leg lifts.
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 3: 11.02m [Phase I.3] / [Total = 35.63m)]
Week 2: 10.89m [Phase I.2]
Week 1: 13.72 m [Phase I.1]
———————————
Zocor up check…just too it. Ate pretty good today…not alot, turkey sandwich, chicken breat. Not gonna make much of it, as this is just a temporary phase….I have not exhaled yet, but today is literally my last day on active duty. As I write this piece the clock is exactly on 11:01pm; I will official be in a reserve status in exactly 1 hours time. It has been a mixed blessing. Materially, I got quite a bit, learned a lot, met a lot of great folks, but I have also seen the darker side of man as well. Won’t dwell on that tho, because, given what I have accomplished, I am already a winner and a bigger winner is yet to come. I wish the ones gone the best and the ones left behind the same. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
Author: W.E.B. Dubois
Date: 22-Feb-2005
W.E.B. Du Bois said, on the launch of his groundbreaking 1903 treatise, The Souls of Black Folk, “for the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line”, a prescient statement. Setting out to show to the reader “the strange meaning of being black here in the dawning of the twentieth century,” Du Bois explains the meaning of the emancipation, and its effect, and his views on the roles of the leaders of his race.
My Thoughts:Required reading for any Afro-American scholar. I simply could not put this book down. Well recommended.
Author: David and Tom Gardner
Date: 22-Feb-02
Taking control of your personal finances is the first – and most important – step toward successful investing and a secure future. The Motley Fool You Have More Than You Think, now fully updated and expanded, provides guidance for anyone trying to balance lifestyle aspirations and financial realities. The latest edition of this Motley Fool best seller covers topics such as:
My Thoughts: Very interesting read. Lots of insights and suggestions to keep on the right financial track.
Rest day. Zocor still going strong…still.
Today’s run – 4.0m/40 min
Mood: Felt really pretty tired today…in fact I have been feeling tired lately. Big part of that is that I have not been getting a steady supply of sleep. Will be pushing for at least 6 hours per night starting tonite. As you can see, I didn’t do the 4mile run yesterday as I intended, but the rest was well worth it. Body is looking good, a bit heavier than exected – I have been at 185 for the last 3 months. Will be focusing on cutting down to around 175 or so in the next phase of my workout. Watching diet is a must…not that my diet is all that bad now anyway. Stepped away from the alternating workout today to add some stamina work. Will be working in the speed and stamina workout as a regular part of my workout from now on.
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 3: 9.02m [Phase I.3] / [Total = 33.63m)]
Week 2: 10.89m [Phase I.2]
Week 1: 13.72 m [Phase I.1]
———————————
Zocor still rocking and rolling along. Had 1 slices of Dominoes pizza, 1 banana and an apple for dinner. WIll be heading up to Jax tomorrow – MLK Day to close out account and move to the next life phase. Will share more about that in day and months to come.
Rest day. Zocor still going strong…yeah again!
Today’s run – 1.76m/15 min – split (1.5m/12.26min)
Mood: Felt pretty good today on my fast run – didn’t have to push too hard either. Stayed pretty much on level 7, except for a short foray in the level 6 zone. Will probably do a long run tomorrow Saturday – 4 of 5 miles just to mix it up some. Also working on stamina. Kept to the alternating techinque…. 7(1.0m):6(1min):7(.25m):8(2min):6(1min):7(2min)… gusted to 8mph for about 2 min. This switch ups are getting harder and harder to follow….hmmm. Did hit 2 set of abdominals – curl ups (front- 40), Leg Lifts (40) and 1 set of push ups (40).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 3: 5.02m [Phase I.3] / [Total = 29.63m)]
Week 2: 10.89m [Phase I.2]
Week 1: 13.72 m [Phase I.1]
———————————
Zocor still rocking and rolling along. Had 3 slices of Dominoes pizza for dinner. Will have to put in my 4 miler tomorrow now for sure.
Rest day. Zocor still going strong…yeah!
Today’s run – 3.26m/30 min – split (1.5m/13.26min)
Mood: Felt pretty exhausted…mostly due to pushing myself tho. Level 6 is pretty easy now. Mixing up the alternating techinque quite a bit…. 6(1min):7(2min):6(1min):7(2min):6(1min):7(3min):6(.25m):7(.50m):6(.25m):7(.25m)….Did 1:2 for 6 and 7mph until last 1.26min – gusted to 8mph. Did hit 2 set of abdominals – curl ups (front- 20), bicycle (20) and 1 set of push ups (20).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 2: 3.26m [this week] – [Phase I.3: 3.26m / (All – 27.87m)]
Week 2: 10.89m [Phase I.2]
Week 1: 13.72 m [Phase I.1]
———————————
Zocor still on a roll….pat on back….good job. Cut back a bit on the cholesterol foods….man that Pronto Pizza is pretty good tho. It tastes just like that real stuff from New York.
Rest day. Zocor still going strong.
Today’s run – 3.29m/30 min
Mood: Felt pretty good today…pumped it up a bit too for the final day of phase 1.2. Maintained alternating techinque…. 6(.25m):7(.25m):6(.25m):7(.50m):6(.25m):7(.50m):6(.25m):7(.50m):6(.25m):7(.29m). Did hit 1 set of abdominals – curl ups (front- 30) and 1 set of push ups (35).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 2: 10.89m [this week] – [Phase I.2- 10.89m / (All – 24.61m)]
Week 1: 13.72 m
———————————
Zocor maintains up check! Still working house deals. Starting to work on my e-business systems back up.
Rest day. Zocor still golden!
Today’s run – 1.5m/14 min
Mood: Still a bit tired feeling….wasn’t really feeling it but had to go forward with something. Will alternate days so as not to burn out. Maintained alternating techinque…. 6(2:30min):7(2:30min):6(2:30m):7(2:30):6(2:30):7(1:30). Did hit 2 set of abdominals – bicycles (35), curl ups (front- 35) and 1 set of push ups (35).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 2: 7.60m [this week] – [Phase I.2- 7.60m / (All – 21.32m)]
Week 1: 13.72 m
———————————
Zocor maintains up check! Pretty slow day….working towards wrapping up a couple house deals.
Today’s run – 3.08m/30 min
Mood: Body felt a bit tired…a bit of left over from yesterday. Not really getting good rest…contemplating buying a Tempur Pedic mattress, as the current bed is pretty muc shot. Maintened alternating techinque….let the 5mph level though – 6(1.25m):7(1min):6(1.00m):7(.25):6(.25):7(.25). Did hit 3 set of abdominals – leg lifts (35), curl ups (front, left, and right – 35) and 1 set of push ups (35).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 2: 6.10m [this week] – [Phase I.2- 6.10m / (All – 19.82m)]
Week 1: 13.72 m
———————————
Zocor maintains up check! Bit of a roller coaster day. Turned down Amsouth’s refinancing offer, starting to work equity lines of credit on both my houses with Wells Fargo. Keeping fingers crossed. Started contractual dealing to purchase house on 2nd St in Ocala. If Wells Fargo goes thru…I will be golden on this.
Rest day. Felt pretty tired today….took the day off….listening to my body. Zocor still golden!
Today’s run – 3.02m/30 min (Break the 3mile barrier)
Mood: Felt really great today….body is really making a break for it. Had a late work out around 11pm with Grid. Watch the finale of the Amazing Race. Kept up the alternating technique. 6(4):5(1):6(4):7(1):6(1):7(1). Did hit 3 set of abdominals – leg lifts (30), curl ups (30) and 1 set of push ups (30).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 2: 3.02m [this week] – [Phase I.2- 3.02m / (All – 16.74m)]
Week 1: 13.72 m
———————————
Zocor up check! Had a bit of following up to do today, but did not get around to it. Started working on the yard. Need to really do better in that department. Tomorrow will have to follow up with Marcus’ interview, finish up with Amsouth, buy the Tempur Pedic, and push forward with financing the new house.
Rest day. Not really sure how am going to work it out yet. Still going on adrenaline, will have to settle it down. I think I will run 3 to 1 split.
Today’s run – 2.87m/30 min
Mood: Felt a bit tired today….will need to take a breather today and then hit the road again on the Tue 8th. The alternating technique is now the mainstay. This time, in addition to alternating between 6 and 5mph, I did a 2:1 ratio 6:5. I then closed off with a 1 min7mph gust. Will probably do that again to close out Phase I.1 and then move to 5:6:7 split for next subphase. Also did hit3 set of abdominals – bicycles (30), curl ups (30) and 1 set of push ups (30).
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 1: 13.79m [this week] – [Phase I.1- 13.79m / (All – 13.72m)]
———————————
Zocor up check! Was a bit late today because I took it in the morning. I was toasting towards the Superbowl so since you can’t mix alcohol with this stuff, I held off. Pretty much dropped the Foxfire deal now. Made an offer on the prospect on 2nd St that I mentioned in my previous post. Owner came back on somewhat favorable terms. Will be pushing pretty aggressively on this one.
Today’s run – 2.80m/30 min
Mood: Feeling good…pretty much settled down now eager-wise. Just focusing on getting a good workout. Maintain the alternating technique. Again between 6 and 5mph. This time I finished my last 3 minutes by gusting to 7mph. Will probably push the 7mph to 4min next workout. 2 days to go until I move up to the next subphase in Phase I. Haven’t said much about my situps and pushups, but I have been working on 30 reps, hitting the six-pack with 3 sets of curl ups, 1 set of leg lifts or bicycles and 1 set of 30 push ups.
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 1: 10.92m [this week] – [Phase I.1- 10.92m / (All – 10.92m)]
———————————
Zocor up check! No word still from the Foxfire agent. Pretty much pulling back from it now anyway. Will be looking at this other prospect down on 2nd St near the Historic District area, hopefully later on today.
Today’s run – 2.78m/30 min
Mood: Pretty close to yesterday in feeling…..again a bit eager to go faster, but I want to gradually ease my self into this program. Maintain the alternating technique. Again between 5 and 6mph. This time I finished my last 2 minutes by gusting to 7mph. Will probably push the 7mph to 3min. 3 days to go until I move up to the next subphase in Phase I.
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 1: 8.12m [this week] – [Phase I.1- 8.12m / (All – 8.12m)]
—————————————-
Yep – Zocor still going well, no missing this now blud. Had a couple pieces of KFC and some Icecream. Didn’t over do it – don’t want to starve myself into a cholesterol free diet, as that will only defeat the purpose. Still a bit peaved over the house situation mentioned below. I called off the lawyer appointment, as my cash situation changed a bit. Applied for a equity loan on my Jacksonville house, that did not come thru…sort of did not expect it to in a way. Not because I am not good for it. I am not sure I want to encumber anything else. I intend to own that house free and clear soon. Anyway that’s it for now. Looking forward to tomorrow’s workout.
Today’s run – 2.75m/30 min
Mood: Pretty good…..still a bit eager to get up and go. Did give in a bit to alternating between 5 and 6mph. will stand strong for the rest of the week – 4 more days to go.
————————–Statistics—————————–
Week 1: 5.34m [this week] – [Phase I- 5.34m / (All – 5.34m)]
—————————————-
Standing strong with my Zocor dawg….situation with my house bid is pissin’ me off, but it is all good. Also, had some more Pronto Pizza yesterday….that’s some good stuff, got to watch it tho.
Lots have happened since December. Left Bahrain Nov 6th, came back here to the States and settled in Ocala. Have been using the last few months to determine whether I want to settle here in Central Florida. Purchased a house over a year ago here so that’s sort of a pro factor. Also have a house in Jacksonville, may go there too, but after some careful consideration, not really sure we will go that route.
One think for sure is that I am/we are going to do the Real Estate thing. Have been using the last few months to study the industry in a whole and Ocala in specific. There are opportunities here, but cronism is rampant and been black is definitely a mark agains t yo ass in this lilly-white place. I suppose one would wonder, why would one want to go thru the bullsh**, but in some things you have to maintain a steadfast approach if you want to succeed – and we are steadfast and determined in this approach.
We have looked at about 50 or so houses already, we have made offers on 2. The first one was back in Nov-Dec. It fell thru at the last moment – there was a bit of regret there, but we have pretty much gotten by that. Basically, we trumped it up to learning the ropes. And we are still learning.
The second house we bidded on last week 3rd Feb. It is a nice piece of property close to the commercial district downtown in close proximity to 200. The structure on it is crap, but as far as we are concerned it is a diamond in the rough. A big plus is that it is currently rented out to some folks who really don’t take care of it. Now the downside is this – the listing agent is a weasel and a lying ass. She is working on behalf of an elderly couple who are up in Maryland. The couple asked to put the property on the market for 49,900. We offered 38,000. First we got no response and then after calling everyone and their son, we eventually got a response refusing the offer and saying that the seller will not accept anything less than full price. We then said ok, we will pay full price to which she (the listing agent) is throwing all kinds of roadblocks. I went over to her office last evening to ask her what’s up, her latest is that some Realtor called her a week ago, prior to my bid and offered to buy it above the asking price. She did not take his phone or any other information, but she told the seller about it (one of many lies). Anyway, I gave her until tomorrow to let me know what’s going on. I am meeting with a Real Estate lawyer tomorrow to see what recourse we have against these underhanded acts.
And yeah, for the record, I contacted the Broker at Foxfire Realty, the agency I am working thru to get this deal, and he was most unhelpful. All I was getting from him was, this is the nature of the real estate market. Even during our conversation it was clear that he had very little interest in tending my concerns – oftentimes conversing with other individuals while I was explaining my situation. I got the impression that not only was he not interested in helping me, eventhough he mouthed – “I will do what I can to help Diane (my incompetent agent from Foxfire) in this situation.
These realtors are underhanded, unscrupulous and downright nasty. I am gonna bust this wide open and I am gonna bust into this market like a mug. Yeah they will know me and know me well by the time I am done. That’s all for now.