Impressed by MacBook

OK,

I suppose I should weigh in on the new MacBook (because I'm a tool I own the previous version). I'm impressed by this video, as they take the time to talk about manufacturing processes. As a Mechanical Engineering student, and a guy who does enjoy manufacturing, I'd say that this is a really neat process to look at. The first half of the video or so talks about that. This also is one of the reasons you pay more for a Mac. That sort of process requires a lot of capital to create. Regardless, I would applaud this company for taking the two eye perspective to design. They have always cared about aesthetics as of late, but I'd say they have finally expressed their love for engineering, which is a big deal in my book. They've shown they are a company more out to meet many people's desires and needs.

I guess this comes a long way from my posts joking about Apple, and I still will joke about them, because they are a company, and I can do that, but...this is impressive.

And to you Mr. Jobs...show us more 'how it's made.' I'd love to see it.

Gradumication

So, I got a letter today from the University informing me of my ability to graduate in December and that if I wanted to walk in the ceremony, I needed to sign up soon. Anyway, that is just one more thing making this whole graduating thing quite the reality. OH, and why does it cost an arm and a leg to rent a gown? I could buy a blue sheet for a lot cheaper...

Other News

Watched the presidential debate. I feel pretty confident that with either man in the White House, that I will still wake up the next day and hope that God is working in my life. I can't speak completely as to who was better in the debate though...I guess I'm more of a political outsider (LOL), because I thought it was close, but polls suggest Obama easily won. How do you win a debate? It shouldn't be based upon eloquence, but issues...right?....right??

In the Summers Home Fellowship (my church small group) we are reading a Psalm a day for the next 14 days. The first Psalm was read today. I'll try to at least comment on them so I have some practice thinking about them and writing about them over the course of these two weeks.

An open letter to the Illini

Benn on the Return, originally uploaded by | Orthogonal Photography |.

Dear Illini,

I'll make this brief. You make me hurt with confusion. I'd prefer if you guys picked a style of program you'd like to be. Do you want to be bad or do you want to be good? You have the potential to be either, and I'd love to see you go the good way, but if you want to go the bad way, could you please let me know, so I don't have to think about plans for bowl games in December or January, watch you play and embarrass me, or brag about how good you'll be to my friends. I don't care how many records you set as a team, I'd just like to see a lot of wins or losses. Congrats Juice on throwing for a bajillion yards the last two weeks, but you only won one game. I know how hard it is to win, trust me, I come from Clinton High School, but please play up to your potential. And coaches, don't call stupid plays on the goal line. Finish what you started as a team.

Anyway, I love you guys, but it is a tough love today. Please make up your mind. I'd love to continue to support you into the Bowl Season, but you have to uphold your end of the agreement. That means don't win big at a tough place to play and then lose to conference doormats at home. Please win both of these games. You have a chance to stay in this thing. Just beat those dang Hoosiers.

OK, are we good now? I look forward to your response on Saturday night.

-Alan

Growing a Pear

The other day, while in Home Fellowship, someone said that a character in the Bible needed to "grow a pear." I was very intrigued by this idea. It seemed like the imagery was very interesting and was perhaps even a modern usage of terminology to describe Scripture.

The way I understand "Growing a Pear" is that a person must be patient and faithful to a task, no matter how little or big. This means from the time that one plants a tree all the way to nourishing it to picking that pear. All that work for the satisfaction of growing one pear, or maybe even a pair of pears. You do all that work and achieve a fantastic goal, but you get even more than you expected, as a tree will bear many pears. This seems to be a fantastic phrasing and I was encouraged by it. I will continue to work towards the day when I "grow a pear."
Other News

Today, if you pick up Buzz Magazine, you will find the cover story to be about painters. The article is accompanied by my photos, despite the fact that is says they are by Isaac Bloom. They are definitely mine, and you can find the article with the pictures online as well.

Totally Off the Cuff

In the midst of this 'financial crisis,' does anybody see the potential analogy between Barack Obama and FDR...

On a more thought out mindsent, I am somewhat excited about this crisis. It means that we must start to question our faith in our government and economy. These two things will never be able to fully satiate our thirsts. They sure help us, but they are within this world, and will ultimately let us down. I hope the imagery and truth from this situation with our economy opens a lot of eyes to the truth about our condition as humanity...

LHC Rap

Fall Retreat Pictures

Hey all. Fall Retreat pictures are up on Flickr now. All 200 of them. Feel free to peruse at your leisure. (Just click the pic)