BIG BANDS

Well, intrepid readers, I have rediscovered Big Band music, that brand of jazz that early twentieth-century Americans (and others) love. It is quite nostalgic and heart-warming to listen to and read about the Big Band era and its legion of musicians who created a style and sound of music unique and truly America. Born out of the Great Depression and World War II, big band captures the heart and soul of America as it was coming through some very hard and dark times in the world. Music was a major means of escaping, if only through the ears, mind, and heart, from the big bad world.

Every generation of people needs its artistic expression to overcome the evils of Satan's kingdom. I'm not saying big band--or any other--music is particularly evil or good. But music that does not in its primary focus glorify God, as does music by Christians, is sinful. However, in the overall economy of God's common grace which He sheds upon all, music can be seen in its broader context of glorifying God. In a Christian worldview, all things glorify God, because God will not allow anything or anyone to rob Him of the glory due to His Name. He will put down ALL pride which thinks otherwise.

Hence, the Christian can see God's grace in all things. Even big band music.

Today's post is a continuation of the second paragraph of yesterday's post, which I composed the morning after I started it. 

Right now, I'm using Safari 3 Public Beta for Windows as an Internet browser. So far, so good. 

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

I am currently listening to RC Sproul online (www.ligonier.org), and I wish to accomplish two things (at least) in today's blogpost: (a) tout the virtue of LISTENING to RC Sproul; and, (b) blogging for what it's worth.

It is now a day later, and I'm listening to Tom Shrader on CDROM deliver an excellent series of lectures on sexuality in the context of Biblical Christianity. 

BLOGGING A DEAD HORSE

I am blogging to you today because I wish to perpetuate the notion that my blog is worth reading. I occasionally address topics on current events or faith. But by and large, I waste precious cyberspace and bandwidth with my egocentric diatribes.

I have frequently considered changing the name of my blog to something more thematic, like "Blog To Self," or even "Blog For Nothing." Apparently, I haven't found my true theme yet. Perhaps "Blogging a Dead Horse" would be a more appropriate blogname.

You see, half the fun of blogging is pretending that someone is actually reading it!!! The other half is listening to RC Sproul online.

I have exhausted my subject matter at this point. Blog your mind.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

I thought this might be a catchy title to today's post. I am listening to Bill Bennett online at Townhall.com. I have read some of his book, "America: the Last Best Hope."

A GOOD WAY TO BLOG

One good way to blog is to play audio while doing it. Have a high-speed Internet connection that will allow you to listen to media while you ponder and post your thoughts.  

STINK BLOG

Once again, I am pondering a name change to my blog, wondering if (and hoping) it will change the apparent lack of interest in reading my blog.  Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I wonder if my blog "stinks."  At least I can practice being boring rather than coming at it without any practice! 

In a previous post, I mentioned "stream of consciousness." I don't fully comprehend the meaning of that term. But I do, however, pretend to sound like I know what it means. For one thing, I am able to type a lot more quickly when I am "on a roll." How's that for a highbrow definition?

Another thing I like to do when blogging is to pretend I am introducing a new topic to the discussion (What discussion? I'm talking to myself!) The internet is the only place where you can legitimately talk to yourself whilest untold multitudes of people are listening--or not. 

I have found from experience that the only way for people to find my blog is for me to use key words that they are searching with using Google or some other search engine to find something that will whet their appetite for information. Hence, the Internet is the vehicle with which more and more tech-savvy people will want to fill their otherwise empty heads with a world of stuff that will drown their sense of ...well, you know what I mean.

As I fast approach the point of this whole diatribe, I am left to consider what may be termed "Spirit-led blogging." I was born again by the Spirit of God, the Creator of the universe. He has spiritually made Himself known to me, mainly through His Word (the Bible) and other people whom He has regenerated as well. I can discern more and more what is of Him and what isn't.

I must wind up my post here, as I am getting impatient with the whole idea of blogging to myself. What insights are to be gained by my continuance of this futile exercise in self-aggrandizement?  

None.

BLAH, BLAH, BLOG

This blogging thing is so addictive that I just had to return to my blog and blog some more. Blogs away!

At the risk of sounding redundant if not vain and pointless, I would like to take this opportunity to say that personal computing is addictive:

...the more you learn, the more you will want to learn;
...and its corollary: the more you can do, the more you will want to do
...and the more you know how to do, the more you will want to know how to do what it is you don't know how to do yet.

Is that... "clear?"

Well, no great shakes there. It's all common sense, really.

As I was saying (or not saying), PCing is chill!!! I believe that is the correct contemporary vernacular. If not, oh well. You know what I mean.

I haven't thought of a title for today's entry, but I imagine necessity will force me to come up with a succinct phrase of relevant import, such as "Today's Post," or something original like that.

Well, I sense the imminence of impending termination as I seek to wind up this post. Hasta la vista!

A BLOG BY ANY OTHER NAME

Yes, that great cyberbard William Mousepointe said, "A blog by any other name is still a blog."

The biggest challenge to keeping a blog is finding a topic to blog about. How original can I be? Am I being stale, aimless, pointless? Does it glorify God?

I leave the answers to these questions to you. Perhaps as a Christian I can inspire you to seek God while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.

I want to wish all Americans a Happy Fourth of July!!!

Praise God for all the military protecting and fighting for our freedom! May God keep this country firmly established on the foundation of His Word.

A NEW MONTH, A NEW POST

Why blog when nobody reads it?

Woe is me. I keep an unread blog.

Boo hoo! Where's the Kleenex? Cry me a digital river.

Have you ever felt sorry for yourself because nobody leaves comments on your blog?

I know I have. Which is why I am blogging today.

Let's overcome those feelings of hopelessness, of being lost in a sea, nay, an OCEAN of Bloggers Anonymous.

Before we wax TOO poetic, let's get practical. We should all just channel our favorite mentor at the moment and blog away. For me, it's...Kim Komando.

Now before you all just shuffle off to another blog, let me finish my diatribe. I'm on a roll here.

I've found the best thing to do when blogging is to just keep going. Zzzzzzz...

You know, when you start to get sleepy because it's BEDTIME!!!

It's bedtime.

A NEW REFORMATION

A new age of enlightenment is beginning in this country. It is evident, for example, in the opening of the Creation Museum in Kentucky May 28. This story has graced the pages of many media outlets on the Internet lately.

One story which I read at Yahoo.com, states that the museum's opening "has drawn snickers from media and condemnation from U.S. scientists." (emphasis mine) Let's be accurate: left-wing media snickers at Biblical accounts of history; and, unbelieving atheistic scientists condemn a Biblical foundation for science.

Well, now that I've cleared the air on that, let me also quote the article where Dr. Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, says, "Teachers don't deserve a student coming into class saying 'Gee Mrs. Brown, I went to this fancy museum and it said you're teaching me a lie.' "

Why not? Do students deserve a teacher who misleads them, even if the teacher firmly believes what is being taught? No. They deserve a Biblical account for history and science.

I am all for a return to God in all things--not abandoning true science and history. But using the foundation God gave us in His Word and in His Son, Jesus Christ, we can preserve the heritage of our country and hopefully stave off the onslaught which Satan mounts against God's people.

What's In A Name? (Or, I AM Your Steppingstone)

Now that's a nice name for a blog, isn't it?

A Blog For All Seasons...

... is a place to go when you're feeling blue--or green!
... is a blog for all seasons!!!
... is a steppingstone on the Information Superhighway!!!

Whatever:)

TODAY'S THOUGHT

The only problem with blogging every day is that you have to come up with something new EVERY DAY!!! Now that doesn't sound too difficult for the average Joe or Jane Blogger. But to someone who does not make his or her living with words, it can be a taxing proposition. They call it "writer's block." Whatever the appropriate term is, it can be devastating.

For example, I am listening to Gary DeMar online. I am also blogging. Perhaps the fear of looking stupid makes me think twice--or thrice--about everything I type--and say! So much so that I find myself hyphenating!!!

I've lost all my readers. Perhaps I can gain them back...

But for now, bedtime.

CREATIVITY IN ACTION

That's what blogging is!!!

It is a process by which one wracks his or her left- and right-brains in order to make one's voice "heard" online. The object is to overcome any sense of hopeless anonymity and sameness, and produce something worthy of someone else's readership.

Now I'm under no delusions that I might one day command the attention (and dollars) of thousands in the vast expanse of the English-speaking community. But creative writing is just that: a challenge to say something worthwhile in an original way. My English teachers hammered that point home many times, no matter how badly my romanticized memory recalls it.

There have been many journalists who discharged their duties faithfully in the newsroom. Once in a while, one strikes a chord that resonates above the tone of cliche and hits the bullseye. That's what we all strive for in the whole mundane yet wonderful process.

Now I don't purport to be a journalist--only a blogger. Very seldom do I recall reading such inspiring prose in a periodical that made me feel glad that I can read and write. Perhaps it was a newspaper article, a magazine column, or some piece of writing somewhere that spoke to my heart in a timeless and eternal way.

The ultimate book to read is, of course, the Bible. You cannot find more inspirational prose, poetry, history and prophecy, allegory and narrative. Praise the Lord!

BREAK THROUGH BLOGGER'S BLOCK!!!

It has been almost a month since I last posted an entry. Have I dried up? I have only been inspired enough to blog today. I have been a consumer more than a producer online lately. I must admit, this blog thing is not for the faint of heart. Originality is the watchword of blogging, and of any other creative process.

I would like to know one thing: does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care (about time). And so I can't imagine why we've all got time enough to cry. (Courtesy: Chicago)

That was my effort to prime the pump of originality and creativity, and get the juices flowing.

How does one keep a positive tone in his or her blog? Well, one must assume a superior attitude and posture which eschews all compromise with mediocrity. One must channel a British alter ego from the imagination to the keyboard with a minimum of hindrance. Of course, this would only work with an English blog, you see.


Anyway, the cutting edge of today's mass media IS THE BLOGOSPHERE. The ongoing challenge of blogging is to rise above the din of mediocrity and the morass of mundane verbosity, in order to blaze a trail of thought which would spur the reader to some new level of insight or wisdom which was heretofore never experienced! I believe this glorifies God our Creator, when we rise above our circumstances and soar on eagle's wings. See what I mean?

Well, I must wind up today's post. For better or worse, there it is.

BibleGateway.net

Here is a link to one of my favorite pages to visit on the web. It is a great encouragement to hear the Word of God. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17 ESV)

ONE MONTH AGO TODAY

It's hard to believe that it has already been a month since my last post! Never fear, for I am even now smitten with Blogger Influenza, the strain which presents itself as a desire for self-promotion and fun. I fully intend to continue blogging to myself, since, you may recall, NOBODY reads this blog!!!

In the event, however, that I should visit my blog and post an entry for your perusal and reading pleasure, I shall do so with the utmost consideration and care for what goes into it each and every time. If not, you may visit another blog at no cost to you!

Now if that doesn't draw the readers in like fish in a dragnet, I don't know what will!

SO, THIS IS WEB 2.0!

COOL!!!

The web address in my browser says, "www2.blogger.com..."

Does that mean we are in the infamous Web 2.0?

I suppose so. Right now, I'm listening to Fox News Radio online. It's pretty engaging, informative, and entertaining. Well, that's a winning combination.

At this point, I am out of things to blog. Enjoy 2.0.

BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

I would like to take this opportunity to recommend that everyone who gets sick and stays home during the day listen online--when you're feeling better, of course-- to BBC radio. It is a refreshing, if not depressing, look at how people in other parts of the world look at the world, and the USA. Intellectually engaging, rather than sensually driven, it is a nice change from the usual hyperactive, attention-deficit-making cadence normally delivered by our mainstream media. It is particularly interesting to listen to how they cover stories from America.

What I like about it is, they take the time to discuss the issues and stories of interest, with plenty of input from the people involved and analysis by experts. You will feel, as I did, that the story has been adequately covered. A plus, which I also noticed with pleasure, is the noticeable--hence, I noticed-- LACK OF COMMERCIALS!!! Now I am betraying my apparent hypocrisy of supporting capitalism and disdaining commercials. My remedy for this would be to buy a satellite radio, right?

I encourage you all to check out the BBC World Service online.

HAIKU

I still have the itch to post a blog entry. So here goes.

Er, what was I saying? Oh, yes. Haiku is Japanese poetry in which there are three lines totaling seventeen syllables. It may look something like this:

A haiku is a
poem with five, then seven,
then five syllables.

There. Now you try it!

A SILLY, STUPID POST

A blog
is a good place to go
and vent, even though
it is "uncouth" to do so
in mixed company.

A blog
is your space,
not MySpace!
It's all yours
to post and read
your inmost (not anymore)
thoughts.

It's your call
whether to end it here
or here.

What drives the psyche to pursue
endless verse,
only to end it in utter
...writer's block?



Perhaps this is a good point to end my poetic diatribe.
Is that what that was? Come on, this is a blog, not Open Mike Poetry Night!!!
Sure it is. Next time, I'll try haiku.
Is that like sudoku, only with words?

Sayonara.

FOR BLOG'S SAKE!

This is a blog post "for blog's sake." That means it is only a self-indulgent attempt at maintaining some semblance of credibility as a "serious" blogger. I will not admit to not being a "serious blogger." I will only promise to take a stab every now and then at making an effort to contribute a little wisdom if not enrichment to the life of some imaginary reader. Perhaps this is...YOU.

I am presently listening to Hugh Hewitt on the radio. During commercial breaks, however, I am listening online to the White Horse Inn, which is a reformed, Protestant, evangelical Christian talk show.

Well, this is my third paragraph, and I haven't figured out what to blog about. I am, however, having a blast typing and listening to the radio. That's all that matters.

Now I have the radio on the Suns game. It's almost game time. ESPN.com has the game posted and ready for stats. Well, I think I'll keep simul-blogging for now. Actually, I think they call it a "blogcast" when you simultaneously blog and cover a mass media event such as a basketball game (which I won't do).

As they say in text-messagese: BFN :)

A NEW TEMPLATE FOR A NEW YEAR

Well, even though it's already February, I am inclined to make changes to my blog (regardless of the time or season of the year).

Now then, the last time I posted, we were mulling the subject of, what was it.. oh, yes, the year of Christ's birth. We had established the "fact" that Christ was born, er, four years before He was born! Sometimes history just doesn't add up.

[I had to peek out of my Editor's window to see that, because these things escape me from time to time.]

But that's not the subject of today's post! I just thought it would lend continuity to the flow of things if I referenced the previous entry before proceeding to...

... today's topic: a new template. For those who are unschooled in all things blog, that is the appearance of your blog regarding colors, layout, etc. Now I don't purport to be a teacher or anything. But a blog is a good place to pretend you are one. And why not? Nobody else is reading it!!!

But I digress. Whenever I go six months to a year without seeing any comments left on my blog, that concerns me. It tells me: (A) I am a lousy blogger; and (B) nobody reads lousy blogs. Why can't I be like Hugh Hewitt and command the attention, loving or otherwise, of thousands if not millions of readers who have no opinion of their own (yet) or who have not yet discovered the joy of blogging to yourself?

Ah, my biting sarcasm has returned full force. No delinquency of rhetorical venom here! Ann Coulter is the Gold Standard for biting, sarcastic wit; and we miniscule blogger-wannabes type our little diatribes out with tremulous vigor and drooling spittle --okay, okay, that's a little "over the top." What fun it is to exhaust a word-picture to its utterly graphic end!

Does this blogger pretend to channel Shakespeare? Why doth my mind achieve new heights ere I consume chocolate and ice cream? Nonsense! Imagination and Creativity travel alone--and light!!!

Adieu! My right-brain has spun out of control...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, folks, it looks like we've made it to another year on the Julian calendar. Just remember: Jesus was born in 4 BC because of "history's greatest numerical error."

But first, let me say thank you to HeathersWorldAz for leaving a nice comment on my last post. It's always encouraging to read of someone else's opinion about what you're writing on.

Now then, according to Dr. Paul Maier in his book, "The First Christmas":

"It was a sixth-century Roman monk-mathematician-astronomer named Dionysius Exiguus (Dionysius the Little) who unknowingly committed what became history's greatest numerical error in terms of cumulative effect. For in reforming the calendar to pivot about the birth of Christ, he dated the Nativity in the year 753 from the founding of Rome, when in fact Herod had died only 749 years after Rome's founding. The result of Dionysius' chronology, which remains current, was to give the correct traditional date for the founding of Rome, but one that is at least four or five years off for the birth of Christ."

Well, now that we all know why Christ was born before He was born, let's have a happy, safe, and prosperous new year! May God bless us, everyone.

LIVE FROM QUEEN CREEK...

HELLO, WORLD! I am typing at you live from Queen Creek, Arizona, where I am spending a quiet New Year's evening with family. Before I sign off, Happy New Year!!!

THE WISDOM OF ECONOMICS

Well, readers of my blog, I have a pithy saying to impart to you. It is this: Nothing puts the brakes on spending like running out of money!

Did you get that? Was its profundity overwhelming, so much so that you blinked and missed it completely?

I was so impressed with the wisdom of spending less than you make that I just had to share it with the world. In fact, I'm at a loss to elaborate on it! But I did want to point it out as a public service. Thanks for reading it (if indeed you are out there, and you ARE reading!).

Many blessings, few problems to you. Now I must get back to my self-directed Internet Experience.

LIVE 365

To Whom It May Concern:

If you want to try a new website for listening to music you want to hear, then listen to Live365.com! They have ALL genres of music and talk radio for free or pay. I recently discovered it by listening to iTunes and noticing that many internet stations were playing their music through Live365.com! Wow!

I hope everyone has a joyful and blessed Christmas season.

GIVE THANKS EVERY DAY

I trust the Lord gave you all a happy Thanksgiving Day. I feel that, as Christians, we should give thanks every day! Even though "it goes without saying," we need to be reminded, above all things, to be thankful to God for all things.

Right now, I am watching/listening to RC Sproul teach about the free will of man versus the sovereignty of God. I am thankful that I can do that. Christian instruction in sound Biblical doctrine is the most valuable activity we can engage in. Let us take every opportunity to do that.

Well, I have once again posted an entry here on what is probably the least-read blog on the Internet. I say that with a little sarcasm. I would hope that someone does leave a comment at the end of the posts. My desire to blog outpaces any response from readers (God bless you if you are one).

This concludes my latest attempt to blog successfully, that is, with real people(?) visiting. What can I do? Get a visitor counter? Eureka!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Well, I couldn't let today pass without first wishing any and all readers of my world-unfamous blog a Happy Thanksgiving. Now that I have completed that task, let me continue surfing and listening to Live365.com.


God bless and save the USA!

COUNTRY VS. NATION

One of my favorite activities, or inactivities if you consider sitting at a computer inactive, is to listen online to any of a number of favorite audio clips of music, sermons, lectures, or internet radio.

At the moment, I have RC Sproul on Ligonier.org's Flash Player, talking about Thanksgiving Day in our history as a nation and country. I consulted my Microsoft Encarta Dictionary for the difference between "country" and "nation." Country can refer to either the geographical area containing a political body of people, or to the people in that country (e.g., the whole country supported him). But nation refers to the people in that country. This is my humble, educated opinion.


Well, today finds me at my desktop window to the digital world, hunting and pecking out a spontaneous message to the vast reaches of cyberspace, a work of cyberprose to fellow bloggers abiding anonymously in the blogosphere. As you can see, I am quite capable of stretching an otherwise short blog post out to infinity, or at least nausea.

I feel it is imperative that I somehow at this point summarize my argument(s) and conclude this meandering entry into the digital blue yonder and say, Thanks for humoring this blogger.

Blog on!

RANDOM POST

Well, now, today finds me once again blogging for blogging's sake. I wonder if anybody is reading this. It is every blogger's dream to have a readership, someone besides him/herself who likes to visit and read their blog. Well, I find no evidence that there is any such person, Therefore, I have decided to post this entry.

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." That, I believe, is a direct quote from the Bible. There, I just looked it up: Hebrews 10:31.

JUST A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR...

Okay, so this is another post to celebrate my ongoing maintenance of blog cred (weblog credibility, for the unwashed masses). I listen to Hugh Hewitt on the radio, and occasionally he uses the term "street cred" (credibility), for example. I have been trying to post blog entries, but Google's Beta Blogger (not beta blocker), or Blogger Beta, was having difficulty completing the task. So here I am again...posting up.

I am a happy surfer since I've discovered how to purchase and download songs from the Internet, using either iTunes, Windows Media Player's URGE, or Real Player. My, life is happy (not gay) once again, as I can fill the airwaves immediately surrounding my computer (and myself) with sounds of my choice. I am hereon no longer beholden and enslaved to the programming whims of complete strangers (and ninnies) who have no concept of what I like or deem appropriate for my listening pleasure.

For example, I have downloaded and played the theme song from The Pink Panther, songs from Mary Poppins, and listened to bluegrass gospel music! What fun! Makes me wonder what will motivate me to turn the TV back on. Probably boredom.

I urge everyone to purchase music this way. It's so much cheaper than buying a whole album, many of the songs on which I may not particularly like. But, avast, now there's legalized piracy!

Ahoy!

THAT'S A WRAP

Well, it seems a slight controversy has erupted over the definition of a sandwich. In a story at FoxNews.com, a sandwich shop in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts tried to prevent a Mexican restaurant from opening in the same shopping mall, citing a clause in their lease with the White City Shopping Center. It prevents another sandwich shop from opening in the mall.

The Panera Bread Co., a bakery and cafe chain, claimed that burritos are sandwiches, thus their claim against the restaurant. The definition as ruled by the judge in the case came down to two slices of bread versus one tortilla.

The judge wrote in his decision: "A sandwich is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with a choice filling of meat, rice, and beans."

Cambridge chef Chris Schlesinger said in an affidavit: "I know of no chef or culinary historian who would call a burrito a sandwich. Indeed, the notion would be absurd to any credible chef or culinary historian."

I agree. That's a wrap.

THE DAILY BLOG

Is it any wonder people don't blog EVERY DAY? Wow, what in the world would I blog about if I blogged every day? Whatever I want. Okay, let's say I blogged yesterday (which I did). Yesterday was Election Day! Did I say a word about that? No. I simply gushed about blogging for blogging's sake.

Now let's say I choose to blog TODAY (which I did). I am also listening to RC Sproul lecture on "Is God in a Rut?" I am simultaneously composing this blog entry, which you are reading now. The audio clip has ended. I must advance a plausible argument before starting the next paragraph, as this will greatly improve my credibility as a serious blogger.

Wannabes, retire! Sleep shall be thy help in thy quest for credibility tremendously!

You know, I really should go to bed rather than continue. This daily blogging business has me wondering if I can overcome fatigue and a drought of ideas--at least for today.

Nope.

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

I was mulling the phenomenon of blogging just now, and decided to post an entry fresh with inspiration. These moments are precious and few. Therefore, I must seize the opportunity to publish them. Pffff! Why not?

A healthy fear of saying something really stupid hangs over the conscientious blogger. He or she must exercise restraint when publishing comments over such a vast expanse of readership as the Internet. I fully realize that the interjection "Pffff!" is not necessarily stupid. But not elevating one's vocabulary above that is.

Well, I feel I have succeeded in putting forth a few lines of intelligent prose. Don't you?

One side note: I occasionally like to pose a question to the reader, assuming there is one. I like to think there is. But one can't be sure using such a unilateral medium as a desktop computer.

But I digress. How I love to say that, especially in print. Gutenburg, you reinvented life!

Whatever. Who in their right (or left) mind would want to read this blog of mine? I hold on to an ongoing hope that someone will post a comment saying:

"I read with interest your blog post dated _______, and found I agree/disagree on this/that point(s). Here's why..."

Is that so impossible? Hope springs eternal.

RUNNING THE NUMBERS

I see on my Blog Archive that 2006 is shaping up to be a pretty productive year, compared to 2005. I only had 27 posts then, compared to 35 and counting so far this year! What's up with 2004? Did I go on a cruise or what? Go to Townhall.com.

A NEW TEMPLATE

How do you like my new template? It's called "Denim." Blogger Beta offers new templates, so I chose this one. I always view improvements, no matter how small, as God's grace on a fallen world (Where Blogs Are Condemned to Stay The Same Forever).

Just kidding. I have no intention of "STAYING THE SAME". No sir. Not this kid. Not me. Uh-uh. Nope. Foggetaboddit.

Whew! How many negations was that? Too many. Well, I'm turning over a new template. I hope you like it. Too bad if you don't. I figure if I like it, you'll like it. We have too many self-serving bloggers out there who won't even ask their readership if they like it!

Now would be a good time for a shameless plug. You know, a hyperlink that will take you to a heretofore unknown-to-you website where you can see/hear/purchase something that will improve your life. Ah, we're back to "improvements" again. O the grace of God.

Anyway, I could steer you to a whole website full of outstanding, phenomenal, conservative, right-wing, Republican columns and blogs, articles and what-not. And like those blogs, I can hide the web address in a word ever so inconspicuously. It's more fun (so goes the wisdom) to mouse over the link to see the address before you click on it. Another minor improvement on the blogosphere, and cyberspace in general.

Well, I've wasted another block of cyber real estate to communicate with a vast, unimaginable readership of screen zombies. Oh, how I love to sound like Ann Coulter! She can slice wits with the best of them.

gottago/by4now/peace,out/getouttaheeya

AND NOW THIS

So this is Blogger Beta. Cool.

Where are the streamers and confetti? Oh, I see a few improvements around the Post Editor page. Woohoo! I can't wait until I finish typing this post so I can post it and see what happens, what new thing(s) will happen when I click on "Publish!"

Blogs are a writer-wannabe's dream come true. I can publish virtually anything (Get it? "Virtually?")

Anyway, this post is all about experimentation. Let's see what happens when I waste another several megabytes of bandwidth posting this cyber-drivel. Sorry, I don't mean to be so self-deprecating. But you get the point.

Let all viewers of cyberspace see the results!!!

NOTHING IN PARTICULAR???

Nothing in particular? Boy, that'll grab your readership right out of cyberspace like nothing else. Why would ANYONE want to read a blog about "nothing in particular?"

It seems to me this whole business of blogging has really gotten out of hand. I mean, people are just logging on and punching up the first thing that pops into their silly little heads! Next thing you know, they'll be blogging for themselves!!!

Well, I have come to the rescue with my no-nonsense approach to blogging. All I do is log in, click on "Blog This," and away I go. Once you know your way around, it gets easier.

So far, I must say that I have stalled pretty well. What do you think? I mean, this is nothing more than a creative outlet for me to vent my pent-up frustations about...

...NOTHING IN PARTICULAR!!!

THE DEVIL WAS AT THE U.N.!!!

As I read the headlines in my newsletter from Townhall.com, I realized the devil WAS at the U.N! President Hugo Chavez was right. He does take human form (2 Corinthians 11:14). However, Mr. Chavez got the devil's identity a little wrong. It was he who was doing the work of Satan. Calling a real Christian "the devil" only serves to reveal the allegiance of the accuser to the Accuser himself (Revelation 12:10).

Well, Mr. Chavez, what say you?

RELIGION OF PEACE UPDATE

Today's post has a link to a news report of an ex-Muslim who was shot by his former fellow muslims after he refused to chant Koranic verses in honor of the lunar and solar eclipses. Here is the link: World Net Daily

It seems that anybody who dares to report on the murderous activities of these fanatic, fascist Muslims around the world is liable to be killed also. After all, who would believe such "slander"? Imagine, Muslims killing people for not being Muslim! Or even worse, Muslims killing people FOR REPORTING IT!!!

Worse yet, there are different factions within Islam KILLING EACH OTHER in Iraq (and probably other places)!

My hat's off to the pope for merely quoting an historical document and watching "the enemy" flinch (deny history and threaten its messengers), thereby proving the truth. I'm not a Roman Catholic. But every now and then, the pope says things that I find to be historically accurate, and therefore get my attention.

One last note, the term "Religion of Peace" is a ubiquitous euphemism used as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the supposed peace-loving nature of the Muslim folks around us. Let's all keep informed about the latest scurrilous reports of "evil and inhuman" (and violent) behavior of these poor, misunderstood murderers.

"WE HAVE LIFTOFF!"

Congratulations to the Atlantis crew for a successful launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida!

In case you missed it, there is an excellent video clip at www.FoxNews.com.

REVIEW OF LIGONIER MINISTRIES' NEW WEBSITE

Regarding Ligonier Ministries' new website, I found a plethora of issues using Internet Explorer to visit it. Briefly, the website's functionality was fraught with problems. For example:

• The video player... didn't!

• The archive list in the media player (Adobe Flash Player) had no text, just lines and colors.

• The sound quality of Adobe Flash Player seemed inferior to Windows Media Player.

On the positive side, I found that using another browser (Opera) corrected the issues of functionality, not quality. I don't mind using Adobe Flash Player, except that I have to wait for the whole clip to play before I can pause it, because the player is buffering throughout the first play. If I pause before then, it automatically starts over. After that, I can use it like Windows Media Player (i.e. navigate in and out of the clip). Also, I don't have a progress bar until the entire clip is buffered. Just a little info for the prospective user.

If you're a Christian, this is a great website. If you're not, I pray that you become one.

I will visit it again to see if Internet Explorer still has those issues with the website. Happy surfing.

ACCOLADES TO HIM

Well, I did it! I posted a new entry to my blog! Hallelujah! This is the cry of every self-absorbed, egomaniacal blogger out there. What an accomplishment, especially after several attempts at publishing SOMETHING which demonstrates my perceived ability to blog. I write to entertain myself. I blog to entertain others.

I blog, therefore I am.

Where to go from here. I am on a roll! Don't stop me now! Nay, thou canst not stop me!!! I'm on a hormonally-induced high. I even consulted my Strong's Concordance to check whether that was the correct use of the word "canst."

Ah, but I can stop. Yea, I can slow down.

I would say that the best Editor is the Holy Spirit. He can stop any self-willed creature in its tracks if He chooses to do so. Always out of infinite love does God act. But I digress. No, He is always at the forefront, even when we fail to acknowledge Him!!! Praise and glory be to Him alone.

Well, I got that off my chest. What next? A tirade of Biblical proportions? That was it.

Sorry, next topic.

THE TROUBLE WITH BLOGGING

I have been thinking about this blogging thing. You know, how it works and doesn't work, depending on your savvy of navigational skills. I like to just post (compose, edit, critique, publish, repeat) and post. It really forces you to think and use your creative imagination, to get the proverbial "juices flowing." Feedback from reality (the monitor) is the best kind. Nothing like reading your work before and after publishing it!

Well, it seems I have a few ideas about how to better experience blogging at its best. I have a few writing and literary skills (real and imagined) which I like to use when I'm typing my blog posts (or journal entries). One thing I'm finding to be very important is formatting, i.e. not rambling from one topic to another in the same paragraph. One thought per paragraph, please! Large clusters of miscellany are hard to read, in my humble opinion. By the way, did you notice I typed out those oft-used phrases in text messaging, IMHO and BTW? Ah, English.

I also was thinking about individual posts, how composing them one at a time according to train of thought (or threads, if you will) would increase my chances of knowing what the heck I'm talking about in any given post. I may be over-analyzing this thing, but it's fun. I call it "pipelining", or lining up the posts, as I start and finish them out of sequence and publish them when I'm satisfied with their overall quality. This might help fight blog fatigue, which is the enemy of focused writing.

As I said, focus and fatigue are enemies. You may feel like rambling on and on about virtually everything once you've caught the blog bug. But knowing where to draw the line is very important. The philosophical ramifications of this are almost boundless. Notice how I said "almost boundless" because only God is infinite. But the next dog you see chasing its tail, ask whether it has learned anything or come to any conclusions.

Speaking of conclusions, here's one.

LIGONIER MINISTRIES

I am looking forward to seeing Ligonier Ministries' new website, which should be up in a few hours according to their temporary placeholder site.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS

I titled this post as such because I had no cohesive theme with which to tie together the individual paragraphs. Hence, the "miscellaneous" nature of it. I desire to keep posting entries which capture the attention of someone passing over my blog. When, not if, I lack sufficient material for discussion, I resort to miscellany.

For example, I have been listening to The Pilgrim's Progress online here. You may or may not be a fan of that book, but I occasionally feel inspired to listen to it online or read it when I can.

I am revising this particular post several weeks after originally starting it. This is the beauty of selective posting, which means I start composing several entries before deciding which one to publish. I may or may not publish them all. In fact, I don't.

Well, the most important thing to remember about blogging is that you shouldn't put the first thing that pops into your head into the post, unless you're on a roll!

I thoroughly enjoy watching Dr. RC Sproul on his website, www.Ligonier.org.

This post is also an experiment. I want to see if the time stamp changes when I publish it several weeks after I start it. In this case, it was August 21.

Shakespeare Would Have Been Proud

 I have been wanting for some time to post an entry here, but have lacked sufficient cause and material to discuss. However, I have been spending exhorbitant amounts of time surfing, printing, and reading various articles relating to investment. May I direct you to The Motley Fool? It is an outstanding vehicle for learning all about investment and planning your financial future and freedom.

KUDOS TO FIREFOX

Kudos to Firefox!

Earlier this year, I suddenly noticed Firefox not completely loading web pages (only a couple of them). After downloading and reinstalling several times, I decided to install from CDROM-- which came with a book called "Firefox Secrets."

Well, this time, those web pages loaded correctly. So I updated the browser to the latest version (1.0.7). Now we're surfing!

SermonAudio.com - Order my steps Lord

SermonAudio.com - Order my steps Lord

Why does it not surprise me that ninety percent of the Reformed Christian sermons I hear that bless my soul are preached by Baptists? Let us take note of the fact that "many are the plans in a man's heart, but the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

IWASWONDERINGWHATWOULDHAPPENIFITYPEDTHISBLOGENTRYWITHOUT
SPACESORPUNCTUATION

Nobody would read it, right?

Well, anyway, have a safe Independence Day!

APOLOGY, ETC.

My apologies to anyone reading my blog. It seems the previous post was erroneously formatted after I posted it, and it now appears in two-toned psychedelia--complete with flaming-red hyperlinks. All my attempts at rectifying it have proven fruitless. Let's hope this post is more like the previous ones.

Well, I've just downloaded and installed Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2. I must say, it reminds me of Linux (in a good way), and of Apple, in the overall appearance of web pages. I would say they look more like the aforementioned's browsers than the old IE. All of the available features certainly increase the Cool Factor. Let us surf and see.

I encourage you to risk taking the time and effort to download and install different browsers to see the various ways--like automobiles--to get around the Information Superhighway.

Bravery (and money) will afford themselves the opportunity to explore the possibilities of desktop computing. We have only touched the tip of a philosophical iceberg.

But for now, it's bedtime...

NETSCAPE NAVIGATES!!!

Well, I have made a fairly pleasant discovery (so far) in using Netscape's Navigator web browser. One of the things I like about it is that on Hotmail, the text editor has a fully featured formatting toolbar. In Firefox and Opera, the toolbar does not appear. It seems that only Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are the only two browsers I have which support that feature in Hotmail. Just a little bit of trivia.

Surf on, fellow bloggers!

SATURDAY NIGHT BLOG

Well, tonight finds me watching the Arizona Diamondbacks playing on TV, and me wondering why Blogger.com is having issues with my blog.

It seems the Dashboard and other behind-the-scenes pages at Blogger are okay. But I noticed the last couple of days, my blog has been de-formatted (temporarily?) I think I saw someone else's blog affected as well, but I'm not sure. I'm going to explore this further, and see if I can't change templates or something to get to the bottom of this. Not a problem. I'm just interested in what may have happened. Fun, fun, fun!

OPERA ROCKS!!!

 Hey, all of you low-tech, geek-wannabes (like me) who would like surfing in a new, different web browser! Here is Opera, which you may or may not like (I do). Because Firefox was having trouble completely loading some webpages, I thought I'd give Opera a re-try. It is a refreshing change. True, Firefox has many features which Internet Explorer DOES NOT. But Opera gives Firefox a run for its money.

Don't get me wrong: IE is still a good browser. But why drive a Ford when you can drive a...(fill in the blank)? Toyota? Honda? Lexus?

Just like Linux is touted as the solution to Windows, Firefox is touted as the solution to Internet Explorer. And in my case, Opera (and IE) is the solution to 
Firefox. Ah, choices. 

A RANDOM POST

Thanks to all who commented on my recent posts.  They are much appreciated.

Regarding the features and advantages of using the Tekka template from Blogger.com, I thought it was too stark but simple enough to do the job. However, when I found another template (Powell Street) at http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com, I liked it best of all the others on that page.

Here is a little lesson in hyperlinking from your blog post (which I learned while doing this one!):

1. Highlight the text you wish to hyperlink.
   
2. Click the Hyperlink button in the toolbar.
3. Enter the desired address of the hyperlink.
4. Click OK.
5. Depress the Bullet Points button in the toolbar, or else every new paragraph WILL BE A BULLET POINT!!! (This last one was for me because it is very tricky business to make a list like this.)
   

There. Now a new problem arises.  Every new line that you type will be completely hyperlinked until you do the following:

1. Go back and select (highlight) all the text that it (the Blogger Post Editor) is hyperlinking (that you don't want hyperlinked).
   
2. Click the Hyperlink button in the toolbar.
3. Delete any text from the address bar of the JavaScript pop-up window.
4. Click OK.

By double-spacing, you disable the bullet-point feature and return to standard paragraphs. Whew!

 I will now go back and follow my instructions to de-hyperlink this entire lesson!

POWELL STREET BLOG

Almost sounds like a horror movie, doesn't it? Actually, it's the name of the template I installed to make my blog more appealing. Whaddya think?

A Change of Template

I would like to announce that as of this posting, I have converted my blog to a new template called "Tekka," which I'm sure connotes a post-modernistic theme of high-tech "whatever" attitude. I say whatever because it was an arduous search through each and every template on Blogger.com before I arrived at this one, which is a fair compromise of all features I prefer in the appearance.

--Editor's note: Don't worry, I'll change my mind in the next post...

THIRTY-FIVE MILLION AND COUNTING

Okay, here is another post by this very occasional blogger. It takes a lot (apparently) of inspiration to get me to sit here and type a message to some indiscriminate mass of readership which I will (may) never see in this life. But because I am a Christian, and believe all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)--whew--, this is hopefully not just another "futile" attempt at becoming one of the many (35 million) souls who yearn, nay, starve for attention from other human beings who read blogs. I must admit I read very few blogs, mainly HughHewitt.com and others associated with it.

Well, that's enough introductory blogposting. I'll just carry on with the rest of my post.

It seems there are 35 million blogs on the web today, according to Jeremy Wagstaff of the Wall Street Journal Online.

I had to start a new paragraph because the blog editor wouldn't stop underlining and hyperlinking my text! But I found out the underlining doesn't show up after the hyperlink in the published post.

In any event, let's try an experiment: FOX NEWS ...there, no underlining or hyperlinking after the hyperlink! Success.

As I was saying, here is an article (see the Wall Street Journal Online) about the glut (that's overabundance, for those of you in Rio Linda) of blogs on the Internet. There is no human way possible to read ALL THOSE BLOGS!!! Therefore, as Mr. Wagstaff suggests, one must consult an aggregator website such as BlogBridge.com. to make any sense of it all. Frankly, I haven't gone there myself. But if I just click the link, why I'll be there in mere moments... yecch! Chaff and wheat.

Anyway, if you are reading this, please post a comment (unless you're an automated comment generator from deep cyberspace).

ATHEISTS: READ THIS

American Vision has an excellent article by Gary DeMar about an atheist who refuses to use his own common sense to determine whether Christianity--or any historical event-- is proveable and therefore credible. His foolishness is so extremely evident that I encourage you to read at least a portion of this article to see for yourself how nonsensical atheism can be and is.

ARRIVEDERCI, AFGHANISTAN!

Today's post bears an irresistible pun in its title. I wish to congratulate Abdul Rahman on emigrating to Italy to flee a death sentence, either by the Court or by Islamic vigilantes, for becoming, by the grace of God, a Christian.

It is only in America, and in other places where Christians enjoy a measurable degree of freedom to worship and serve God, that we can openly rejoice when God provides an escape from an impossible situation. Hallelujah!

AMERICAN IDLE

I thought I might live-blog American Idol tonight. Everyone is singing Stevie Wonder songs, so it should be a good night.

1) Ace Young: I agreed with Randy Jackson--it was a so-so performance.

2) Kellie Pickler: Wow! All three judges sent her packing with a less than stellar performance rating.

3) Elliot Yamin: He sang very well.

4) Mandisa: She looks extremely poised and confident. Her singing is not spot-on notewise at the beginning of her song, but it sounded pretty good otherwise. Simon liked it! So did Paula. Randy didn't.

5) Bucky Covington: So far, so good. He's putting in a good performance. Randy liked it! Simon says, the hair must go! Otherwise, he gives it a thumbs up. Paula agreed with Randy.


6) Melissa McGhee: Beautiful girl. Good voice (Randy: she has "the pipes.").

7) Lisa Tucker: Looks good. Sounds very good. She could be a lock. Signed, sealed, and delivered!

8) Kevin Covais: Surprisingly good. Simon said it was "appalling." I totally disagree. I saw a good performance from someone you would not expect to be so stage-friendly and relatively cool. Good job!

9) Katharine McPhee: She has a better than average Idol voice.

10) Taylor Hicks: My favorite male singer this competition. Simon, as usual, delivered his barb/compliment, making it unanimous.

11) Paris Bennett: Good performance. All three agree!

12) Chris Daughtry: He was as good as, if not better than, Taylor Hicks.

That's it! Bedtime.

Here is a quick link to Renewing Your Mind.

Middle East Radio Forum

I just wanted to post this link to their website. It is an extraordinarily informative hour on the radio, when you can learn a lot about the Middle East and its history as it relates to the current turmoil. I hope you check it out. The host of the program has posted various links to other related websites for further enlightenment. You'll have to download and install Quicktime Player to listen if you don't have it. It's worth the trouble. But FYI: I had to try three times to download the setup files because of corrupt files which interrupted the download. It seemed to work reasonably well otherwise.
Middle East Radio Forum
Be back later with another interesting link!

Calvinism vs. Arminianism

For all you theology buffs who are interested in the debate between what John Calvin taught, which is by and large taught in the Bible, and what Jacob Arminius taught, I submit to you this link to an excellent--if not the best--expositional sermon on the Five Points of Calvinism. These points are, of course, not exhaustive of Calvin's theology, or of Biblical theology. They merely answer the five points raised by Arminius and his followers.

When, not if, you follow the link to the webpage of the sermon, be sure to click "Later" when asked if you wish to receive their email newsletter (if you do, then click "Continue"). Enjoy The Five Points of Calvinism.

Compass Direct

Today's post is a shameless plug for Compass Direct, a Christian website dedicated to informing the public about the severe persecution suffered by Christians around the world. It is an eye-opener for us Western believers who have been living in countries which were founded predominantly by Christians, and have experience only moderate political persection (culture wars) which rarely turns violent. Thank God we are a safe, though imperfectly so, harbor for a restless world. May God grant us His peace, grace and mercy in our time of need.

A FEW CHANGES

I tried a couple of things today to see if they would improve the appearance of my blog. One was to revert to my old title, "Pete's Blog," an unpretentious name for a novice such as myself. The other change was to insert a news feed in the sidebar. That was an experiment in HTML code 101. I'll leave it to the adventurous to see how I did that.

Well, I could post a hyperlink for fun here.

For Blogger.com users' future reference, use the hyperlink toolbar button, then change the text from its full web address to whatever you want. It will stay a hyperlink to that address. Pretty cool.

Music Hath Charms..

I don't know what to write about, but I have noticed that when I listen to great Christian music such as that found in the previous post, it can be incredibly inspiring. Earlier, I watched the trailer for End of the Spear, the movie about the murder of five missionaries to the Auca Indians of Ecuador. That certainly set me on a Christian course this evening. Here is the link: http://www.endofthespear.com/ It certainly is inspiring, especially if you have a high-speed connection because of all the "buffering."

One of these days, I'll figure out how to post a link without using "http, etc.," like other bloggers do. There. Now if you click on that link, you will find that I discovered (learned) how to do it. I'll leave it a trade secret unless you are familiar with Blogger.com.

Well, that leaves me with one more post which basically says what I want, but nothing else. Again, if you can swing playing audio of your choice through your computer while blogging, do it. It will inspire you to employ your whole brain! What a rush!

Until I feel inspired again...

P.S. As a disclaimer, the above photo was uploaded from my computer, not from the movie. If you have Windows XP, it's in the My Pictures folder, under Sample Pictures. This one is called, "Blue Hills." Obviously:)

Born Again Radio

I just wanted to post this link to Born Again Radio for "America's Best Christian Music.". I recommend the first and second buttons on the left to listen with Windows Media Player (32/48K wma). These sounded the best. I also recommend the Recommended Links page (http://faithchurchaz.org/documents/links.html) of Faith Church of the Valley's website (http://faithchurchaz.org) for a comprehensive list of hyperlinked resources for the multimedia addict as well as Bible scholar.

The title of my post being what it is, I must end it here and begin a new one to change the subject. So here I go...

GASP! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???

You have just stumbled upon the most unread blog on the web!!! This is just a miscellaneous blogpost which says basically nothing except,"Hey!" I should visit other blogs and websites in order to draw inspiration for my own blog. I do enjoy posting things when I feel inspired to do so. Perhaps I just feel the need to publish. This is, after all, the Information Age.

We are living in the midst of what some are calling the Information Reformation (Hugh Hewitt, et al). I feel very fortunate (blessed) to be able to go online and read and/or write about it. But the real phenomenon is found in surfing the Net, not just talking about it. Not to slam commentaries about such things or abstract thinking in general. It is our God-given ability to reason that helps us to cope with the changes inherent in a living, breathing community of naturally creative human beings, guided of course by the unseen but discernable hand of God.

I must begin a new paragraph because I have no idea how to follow that last one. But it is an exercise in freedom and reason that I discuss these things. I seem to favor descending into a philosophical tone when writing about life in general, and I will always do so, given enough time. This is to soar with wings of eagles, to write freely but restrainedly, to chain the wild beast and make him perform well as though not a wild beast at all. Grrrr.

How does one wrap up such a post as this, a philosophical-wannabe treatise on hardly anything at all. I can sign off knowing the next post will be better.

Well...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, it looks like my new year's wishes are a little late. But better late than never. I trust all of you imaginary readers of my blog had a good holiday season. I did, especially since I discovered Mannheim Steamroller! Their Christmas CDs are peerless and worth listening to over and over. I recommend them to anyone who loves good, clean music.

Well, this is my second paragraph, and already I'm repeating myself ("Well"). Having run out of things to say, I must defer to any websites you may prefer to visit. Happy Surfing.

Mandriva Linux 2006

Greeting, friends. Today's post is an observation of the latest Linux operating system , Mandriva 2006. My first comment is a commendation of its ability to do more on my computer than Mandriva 10.0. For example, It is able to connect me with most, if not all, of the websites which 10.0 could not. Given that my mouse no linger functions properly since installing 2006, I was able to learn how to emulate the mouse using the keyboard (Alt+F12). Use the arrow keys to move the cursor, and hit Enter to "click." Try it.

In any event, I am willing to try Linux for now, until I buy a NEW computer (spelled A-P-P-L-E)!!! I am leaning toward the Mac Mini, but I'm still finalizing my decision.

Well, another unread blogpost has come to an end. Buh-bye!

A Word-Processed Post

This is my first blogpost in which I use a word processor instead of the on-site editor at Blogger.com. The problem with using OpenOffice.org's Writer word processing program is that it takes forever to load! It is much slower at responding to commands (i.e., mouse clicks, keystrokes) than Microsoft Word . I think that is because Linux is generally slower than Windows. Sorry to burst someone's anti-Microsoft bubble. I do, however, see repeated by pro-Linux writers that Linux is less vulnerable to viruses, email attacks and spyware. I will grant them that.

Well, that was my first paragraph using Writer as a post editor. I must say I did notice the disadvantages mentioned above (slowness). I am even more reluctant to recommend Linux to the faint-of-heart, unless you have the patience of Job and nerves of steel. The good thing about composing offline is that you don't have the time limits imposed by ISPs or whatever.

I am happy to report that this is the third (and possibly final) paragraph in today's Writer Post. I fully realize that NOBODY READS MY BLOG  except me. Perhaps I will stumble upon the right formula for a successful blog.

Or not.

10/29/05 06:34:58 pm

WELCOME TO THE MOST UNREAD BLOG ON THE WEB!!!

Blaaaugh!!!
(That was an interjectory pun on the word blog;)

And now for some relevant content:

I believe I have achieved the unintended goal of making this the single most unread blog on the Internet today. And how did I gauge my progress? Well, by the lack of comments on each post, I was able to surmise that NOBODY reads my blog.

Ah, but YOU are reading it, my unknown and unsearchable friend.

I admit there are far better places to find life-changing content (such as the Bible). On that, I defer to my Infinite Creator.

But if you want a BLOG, this is it. I recommend Hugh Hewitt's site, http://www.hughhewitt.com/
for a truly professional, journalist blog. He is the guru of conservative ("intelligent") political talk and a Moses for us armchair pundits. One tip from him is to compose your posts in a word processor before posting it to the web. I keep forgetting!

Well, another short, futile, unread...blah, blah, blah. God bless.

"Illegal Amigos" Go Home!!!

There. That grabbed your attention, didn't it? I bet you thought I was a racist bigot. Well, I just happen to believe Chief Justice nominee John Roberts' comment about our "illegal amigos" in his memo to a subordinate way back when is just a harmless term which the Democrats want to use to derail his confirmation.

If only the Democrats could (or would) stop trying to ruin our country with their liberal insanity, we might actually get back to the business of being a right-thinking people. Thank God for all of the right-wing, conservative talk show hosts and their legions of listeners, most of whom I suspect are God-fearing people. Were it not for their common sense and wisdom to discern the nonsense from the good sense, we would all be living in ther New Dark Age. I'm not saying they're perfect, but they are a lot closer to it than the Looney Left is.

That's all for now:)

ONCE AGAIN, LINUX CAN'T GET ME THERE

Hey! What's all this hype about Linux being a "better" alternative to Windows? I'm here to tell you: it is AN alternative. But I am not ready to tout it wholeheartedly as anything superior.

You see, for the past few months, I have been trying Mandriva Linux 10.0 on my computer. In all my dozens of attempts to visit various major websites, I have succeeded...once! I was able to visit FoxNews.com, MSN.com, Apple.com...even my blog!!! But alas, that lone Wednesday evening has proven to be a single ripple in the cosmos, a one-shot deal. Before I try the latest version of a Linux distribution, I will reluctantly recommend it to the adventurous "hacker" (the benevolent variety).

Recommend Linux? "That does not compute." (robot on "Lost in Space")

A MINOR MILESTONE

Well, I was finally able to visit this blog using Linux instead of Windows. (Heretofore, I was only able to visit the blogpost create/edit page.) This was a momentous occasion because I have been trying for months to visit this and other websites, but with no success. I had posted a couple of entries here at another computer (with Windows XP on it). I was also able to visit several sites that I have been trying for weeks (or months) to visit, but Linux would just not connect to them no matter what I tried. It may have been the time of day that allowed them to connect to one another.

This may all seem trivial to some, but I find that an Internet connection is like a lifeline to the world. But I digress.

Back to the good news, I was inspired by Hugh Hewitt's blog to visit my blog--and here I am. Still, some sites work, and some sites don't. I'll keep trying.

Hey, wait a minute!

Under Linux, I CANNOT connect to the host peter2blog.blogspot.com (which happens to be the web address for my blog)!!! I can, however, connect to Blogger.com and publish posts, but I cannot view my blog unless I go to a Windows computer! Hmmm...This requires further investigaton. Unfortunately, I must reiterate my reluctance to recommend Linux unless I can actually visit websites. Alas, I must wait to use a Windows OS...for now.

IS IT LINUX, OR IS IT...?

Hallelujah!!! I just accessed my blog (actually the "Create Post" page) for the first time using Linux instead of Windows! I had to visit Blogger.com (the portal to my blog) because the blog's address (peter2blog.blogspot.com) NEVER works here in Linux country. Neither did Blogspot.com. Well, I am pleased as punch to get on my blog using Linux. I will bookmark the actual blog page and see what happens.

I am anxious to post this entry so I can see if it really works. I don't recommend using Linux unless your Windows operating system is so fraught with malfunctions and needs reinstalling (again) that you are willing to venture out to the unknown expanse known as Open Source software. I am a "newbie," which means my learning curve is Mount Everest! But I put my "boots" on (computer pun intended) for Linux.

Well, before this entry detriorates into silly oblivion, let me publish this post and go from there.

Till we read again.

A NEW POST

Well, it seems I could not stay away long from the blogosphere. I must gush some more about Windows--that "loveable" eight-hundred megabyte gorilla which every self-respecting geek-wannabe attacks from a distance but keeps at arm's length, just in case the Alternative (read: Linux/etc.) doesn't work. It is truly a pleasure to see a browser open up a web page clearly and quickly, without all of the unevenly-spaced text and missing sections (not ads). Perhaps there is some poor soul out there contemplating such a migration. Be warned. You may not like all of what you see out there in Open Source Heaven. I've been there and back. Like an African safari, there is much to see and experience. But not all of it is paved and smooth.

I could wax eloquent (indefinitely) about it. You see, I am currently waiting for a Windows Update to finish downloading to my computer. Ah, the miracle of working software that is available and easy to understand! After "roughing it" with Linux for a few weeks, I am more willing to tolerate what I once disdained about Windows: its ease of use, ubiquitous resources, apparent flexibility, and, oh yes, its "slowness." There must be a fifth item in my list! There must!!!

"MyWindowsHomecoming.com" would be an appropriate name for a website which describes the adventures of wayward Windows users who have rediscovered their appreciation for Big Brother Gates and Company. How about Linux Junkies Anonymous? We can have fun with this!

It looks like my download gained another percentage point. Ah, progress. Will it ever be out of vogue to pick on Windows? I think not. It's much too fun. Good humor is the balm that heals. Sixteen percent more! This looks like another successful install. One down. Ten billion more to go.

As I approach the magical "100%" mark, let me pause to say it has been a wonderful "homecoming" to return to Big Daddy Microsoft. Replete with splendid programs that are compatible with virtually everything else under the Windows Bigtop, let us indulge in the completion of another successful update!

Thank God the download is finished!!! Now for the next one...

THREE CHEERS FOR WINDOWS!!!

Well, now isn't this interesting? I spent valuable cyberspace blogging about the pros and cons of using Microsoft Windows versus Linux (a hobbyist's paradise), and now I am back-pedaling to a conciliatory tone and PRAISING Windows (XP) for saving my computer from a life of Perpetual Intro-net!

Will Linux EVER get me to MSN.com, FoxNews.com, or even Google.com? I will attempt further installations of different distributions of Linux in order to see if these and MOST websites I try to visit will in fact show up-- in part or at all! For those of you who may know about Linux, I tried many times and finally installed Mandriva Linux 10.0, but was unable to upgrade it to 10.1 for MANY reasons.

In sheer desperation, I reinstalled (gasp!) Windows XP. Guess what? It works--and quite well! I may have learned a valuable lesson from all this. Count your Windows before they're broken. If that means anything...

Anyway, this is a trumpet blast, a clarion call to all who will listen: back up your files; format your hard drive; reinstall Windows (if you want)! Then see if you can partition your hard drive for Linux to be installed (somehow). Don't get me wrong. I have every intention of pursuing a successful relaunch of Linux on my computer, a dual boot sytem if possible. It was a lot of fun to try and make Linux work. But for now, "Winflaws" is working pretty well.

There are many websites offering good and so-so advice on using Linux. You will need patience, a sense of humor, and the ability to backtrack from all of the deadends you may face while trying to figure it all out. Godspeed! And have fun (but not TOO much fun :^)

Really.

A Serendipitous Entry

Good day, reader(s)! This is simply another blog post to say I am alive and well, and working out computer problems. By the way, I just noticed that the word "Blogspot" is very similar to blogpost. Just thought you'd like to know that...

Back to today's post. It seems that Linux has a lot of difficulty loading websites like msn.com and foxnews.com. I have to wonder if it is worth upgrading to the latest version of Mandriva Linux (10.1), if it will not bring up most websites! This remains to be seen.

In the meantime, I will continue to look at my options: stay with Linux; go back to Windows; save for a new computer; or, all of the above. It IS possible to have both operating systems on one computer, without separate hard drives. Linux makes computing fun. Windows makes computing work. Think about it.

By for now.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Happy Birthday, America!!!

It's hard to believe that our country is 229 years old. God willing, we Christians--who largely founded and built this nation from the ground up--will be the salt and light that will preserve it from complete moral and physical destruction.

I am thankful to God for the blessing and privilege of having been born and raised here. May you find His peace and strength through trials and temptations.

Let's be careful and enjoy OUR DAY OFF!!!

THE SUPREMES' GREATEST HIT

There is much to discuss in the news, what with the Supreme Court showing their supreme ignorance of our country's Judeo-Christian heritage, and their obvious disdain for God's Law. Only a truly anti-Christian bunch of "men in black" (sorry, Justices Ginsberg and O'Connor) would even think of ruling against the public display of the Ten Commandments. I feel sorry for them as a Christian, because I know it takes God's sovereign grace and power to change someone from being lost to being saved, from unbeliever to believer, from anti-Christian to Christian. I can only pray that He would save them from their own sins and cause them to believe in His Word, through Jesus Christ His Son. Amen.

JUST CHECKING IN

Well, this is Arial font, and I'm thinking I might go with it. My only question is, why does this editor confuse a depressed "bold" button with a normal one? I finally got it to agree with what's onscreen!

I have been perusing the news and blog sites to get up to speed. It seems the world goes on whether I'm prepared to read about it or not. The nice thing is that there are plenty of people out there with cyber-savvy who blog and report the news far better than I ever could. And with more enthusiasm and passion.

A good example is Hugh Hewitt. I can listen to him on the radio, and check his blog later, and get a good gist of what may become the most important, crucial political football of the day. I suspect he is inspiring a whole generation of up-and-coming pundits who will revolutionize what he calls the "New Media."

Be a part of the blog revolution, the Information Reformation. Blog and be blogged!

FONT

At the moment, I am drawing a complete blank as to what to blog about. I am currently seeking a possibly new...FONT!!! Maybe even a BOLD font! Apparently, I have lost all sense of decorum when it comes to blogging. Why else would I be grasping for straws (and words)? I've decided to leave it on "Font." Bold Font. Bold Normal Size Font.

GOOD NEWS

Okay, the good news is I am searching for a more readable font. The only reason I titled this post "Good News" is because I was hoping to avoid changing font mid-post. Nothing is more distracting than changing font mid-post!!! Here is Trebuchet normal bold.

Here is "Normal Size Font." Here is bold. I wonder if it looks good "out there." I also learned that double-spacing after a sentence makes it easier to read. I just have to remember to do it!

Okay, second thought: I have grown accustomed to listening to Sermon Audio.com while blogging. I recommend listening to online radio or some favorite audio of your preference. I think I'll publish and view, critique and edit, revise, revise, revise (ad nauseum)...

I am not firmly decided on which font will be my default choice. I will decide based on these posts. :)

PLACE TITLE HERE

This post marks a virtual first in my blog: I am typing the body of the post before titling it!!! Such a reversal of protocol is momentous in that I must come up with a title relevant to the subject matter rather than the usual tail-wagging-the-dog approach, wherein I come up with a snappy title (?) and run with it. (Get it? Run? Dog?:)

Well, I am experimenting with different fonts. Here is Arial, but I must type right away, because it is context-sensitive. If I move the cursor to another portion of text, it will revert to whatever font surrounds it. Also, I can highlight text, then change its font. How about bold? This is an experimental post. I will publish it and see how it looks. Nothing wrong with a little improvement, right?

One more sentence, then I'll publish it... #8^)

NOTHING IN PARTICULAR TO POST

Well, I did learn to switch browsers when I was not able to post a new entry due to formatting errors in Opera. Here I am in Mozilla Firefox, typing away.

I titled today's post as such because I figured I would develop some sense of what I wanted to say while I was typing. At the commencement of any blog entry, it is helpful to have a good feel for what you want to say. This feeling will come and go. The fun part of blogging is thinking you are actually saying something worthwhile. Perhaps others will agree. Perhaps they won't.

Avoid excessive self-deprecation unless it is really, really funny. If you think it's funny, chances are, so will someone else. I say this because I resisted that temptation in the last paragraph. I rescued the point being made by avoiding EXCESSIVE use of negativity. I strive to say something worthwhile in a good humor.

I recommend listening to something online while blogging because it works in concert with what you want to say. Your mind is engaged in listening to the audio stream and in blogging. What a workout for the mind!

I should probably wind up the post. Who knows? I may change the title of my blog to Pete's Post.

Test Post

Blaaaugh!!!

THE TIME HAS COME

The time has come for me to post a new entry in my blog. It is a frustrating business to learn about blogs and blogging. But then, so is any worthwhile venture. When a role model inspires you to try something, it's very difficult to not, at least, try it.

Well, blogging has become a hobby, of sorts. It is certainly a part-time activity. One has to possess a minimal desire to pursue something before he or she actually does something. The hard part is staying focused and coherent.

Which brings me to today's point: if you love typing, writing, reading, thinking...then you'll love blogging. Imagine driving somewhere. That's like blogging. Perhaps you have a goal, a point. Perhaps you just like the activity of it. Either way, it's addictive in a benign sort of way.

The nice part of blogging is you can edit it. Clarity is key. What do you want to say? What do you not want to say? How do you want to say it? Just say it. Keep it clean and moral.

Blogging is like typing an open letter to the universe, so to speak. Any living creature with PC access can read it. Which is why one must be careful. Tread lightly, but be sure-footed. Watch your step! But have fun.

Well, you know the end is coming when your blog entry starts to use "well" alot. If you overcome the pitfalls in cyberspace--i.e. navigating your blog site at Blogger.com, for example, then you will be well on your way to virtual freedom! Blog on, and surf well.

A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

Although the last post is a "tough act to follow," I will try to grab and hold your attention for the proverbial eight seconds before you navigate away from here!

Now then, we were discussing the importance of spaces and punctuation in communicating with the written word. I assume this would apply to almost any other language as well. Suffice it to say that if I were to neglect using these tools for clarity, I would be remiss in continuing the delusion that you understand me. Hence, I am using spaces and punctuation.

A BLOG ABOUT NOTHING...
I am doing everything in my power to avoid becoming a Seinfeld-blog about nothing. Well, it may be a blog about blogging at times. I feel it should be formatted in such a way that it stands alone, apart from (ahead of? behind...) the competition, which can be either irrelevant or inspiring. A blog is an exercise in desktop publishing, or desktop journalism, if you will. An experiment with no immediate consequences. This could deteriorate into a largely philosophical blog with some occasional significance and relevance. O boy!

THEMELESS?
Well, my self-indulgence must cease presently, lest I forget the larger picture/perspective/purpose of publication , and that is, namely, information/knowledge/enlightenment/wisdom. I have virtually exhausted my creative juices and must pause for a refill, lest I mix metaphors and become (horrors!) like every other blog!!!
(My apologies to all the well-written, well-constructed blogs in cyberspace.) Mine is a work-in-progress. Sufficient unto the day is my blogpost thus far...

IHAVEANIDEA

I was thinking, as I am wont to do, about typing my blog entry without using any spaces, like a web address. It would look something like this:

Hello,thisisasentence,believeitornot.WhatifwereturnedtosomethinglikefirstcenturyGreek,where
theydidnotusespacesorpunctuation?Hereistheresult,andinallcapitalletters,too!

THISPARAGRAPHISBEINGTYPEDWITHOUTTHEBENEFITOFSPACESPUNCTUATIONOR
LOWERCASELETTERSITISMYATTEMPTTOREPRODUCETHESAMEEFFECTINENGLISH
THATWASPRESENTINEARLYGREEKMANUSCRIPTSOFTHENEWTESTAMENTIDONT
KNOWIFTHEYBROKESYLLABLESCORRECTLYATTHEENDOFTHELINEORIFTHEYJUSTSTARTEDA NEWLINEREGARDLESSOFTHEWORDITSELFWELLTHATSALLBFN:)

You see? We can all thank the unsung heroes of language and literature through the ages for our facility of communication.

What does that mean?

Microsoft vs. Open Source

Introduction

In typing this article, I felt it was necessary to prove to myself the usefulness of Microsoft Word versus OpenOffice Writer before assuming that Microsoft is a useless, arrogant monolith whose mission in life is to sit on and crush all competition (and possibly better companies, products and services). This is the somewhat justifiable opinion held by those purveyors of open-source software who spend every molecule of media telling the public that Microsoft is the big, bad wolf, and perhaps sometimes it is! I must admit, it is the 800-pound gorilla of the computer software jungle.

It seems to me, however, that the gorilla is learning how to make itself more like its smaller, more agile counterparts. By that I mean it is addressing very real threats to Internet security, and meeting its dissatisfied customer base with press-worthy reforms, lest a more promising open-source behemoth named Linux overtake it.

I have learned in my short cyber-career that Unix is the granddaddy of operating systems, that Linux is one of its progeny, and that Microsoft is the bloated, all-consuming monster who has usurped and absorbed all opposition, sometimes to its own detriment. Yet it has been soundly challenged by its less-formidable competitors to straighten up or face extinction. Witness recent developments in its anti-virus, anti-spyware, and other programs designed to protect customers’ safety and security. No operating system is perfect, but open-source software vendors (like Linux and others) have consistently met those challenges more effectively, forcing Microsoft to rethink its ruthless my-way-or-the-superhighway approach to making and marketing its products. Open Source software distributors are no longer scattered in the background, virtually unknown to us who were ignorant of their existence. Happily, we now know they are there.

Both Microsoft and Open Source software serve very valuable purposes. Open Source is an excellent alternative to MS, and MS is , well, Microsoft.

Oops!

My only complaint with Open Source is that it does not always work on my computer, whereas Microsoft usually does. I appreciate OS when it works, no doubt. I have purchased, downloaded, and/or installed (or attempted to install) Linux operating systems unsuccessfully. I admit ignorance of how to partition my hard drive, etc. I have, however, downloaded and used OpenOffice, Paint.NET (open source?), and others with some success. It seems that open source products are slower on my computer. It may be in some cases my computer is the problem. But I doubt if it always is. My unfamiliarity with Linux (or any other software) prevents me from fixing problems and experiencing the power and potential of open source.

Good Idea

It is my intention to learn more about and use open-source software in conjunction with Microsoft’s, so as to compare their merits and pitfalls. It is a lifelong pursuit, which I have only recently embarked upon. Having had my appetite whetted for a different-if-not-better computer experience by a caller to the Kim Komando show regarding Linux, and subsequent references to open-source alternatives to MS, my appreciation for them has bloomed and grown, as well as my appreciation for Microsoft. However, it is tempered by occasional failures from both sides.

Conclusion

In the meantime, my Open Source/Microsoft diatribe draws to a heartfelt conclusion. If nothing else, having an alternative to Microsoft has taught me to appreciate what it is good for, and that is more expensive convenience. I somewhat perceive its return to the roots of programming philosophy, that the computer is our slave—not the other way around. We self-proclaimed (and non-programming) enthusiasts of a better cyber-universe have pursued that philosophy in our own way, perhaps to the detriment of the bigger good. If both parties work together, perhaps we can slay the dragons of identity theft, pornography, and other unseemly enemies.

We’ve only just begun to boldly go where no mere Windows-user has gone before (not to invoke any Star Trek overtones). In a perfect world, Microsoft would be open source :)

Thank you Bill Gates for seeing the Light!

FOXNews.com - Cell Phone-Brain Tumor Link Still Inconclusive

FOXNews.com - Cell Phone-Brain Tumor Link Still Inconclusive

Well, that's good news for those of us who use cellphones! I suppose next they'll say using the computer alot causes...intelligence!!! Let's hope so.

SermonAudio.com - Worldview of UFOs

This is just a plug for Sermonaudio.com, a very good website for listening to sermons online. I have posted a link to one of their sermons, which you may find of interest. Happy listening!

SermonAudio.com - Worldview of UFOs

Jonah Goldberg on Blogs on National Review Online

I just thought I would post this link to a flattering article about blogs. Check it out:

Jonah Goldberg on Blogs on National Review Online

HughHewitt.com

Forgive my inexperience at blogging, but I was trying to figure out how to post a new panel. I would not want the Blog Patrol to give me a ticket for illegally parking my blog for four months!

I just had to give credit to Hugh Hewitt for inspiring me and a lot of other people to blog and keep on blogging. After visiting his blog at HughHewitt.com , as well as others referenced in his articles online, I was inspired to venture out into the blogosphere once again to try and post something new. Here's hoping it works.

I encourage people I know-- and even people I don't know--to start blogging. One place to learn about it is a book by Mr. Hewitt called "Blog," which I hope to buy sometime. If nothing else, blogging is journalism in its most available form. Ah, technology!

Well, again, I am inspired to keep up on current events by visiting news blogs and their links to other blogs and websites. What a vast, unsearchable universe of content there is! I would comend it to you to explore the possibilities.

This concludes today's post. I hope and pray you know God in His saving, gracious fullness through His Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sort of a New Post...

Well, this is a new post TODAY!

I thought I would try a format where every sentence stands alone.

Like this.

I will break the monotony of it with double-spaces. I will also add this sentence because I am getting annoyed with all of this hooplah about monotony and double-spaces.

I think a blog should be fun to write, as well as fun to read--as well as grammatically correct and spelled correctly. Who wants to read a sloppy blog?

WELL, IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH FORMATTING!!!

I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY BLUE TO MAKE A PATRIOTIC THEME. (WHERE'S THE WHITE TEXT?)

HERE IT IS. BUT i CAN'T SEE IT UNTIL I POST IT!!!

Well, this is the third "well" in my post. I think I'll sign off now. God bless you.