Just my $.02 - Various thoughts, observations and comments.
This site gives a really interesting way to look at the English language. There’s a software package you can by that lets you “visualize” the words you’re interested, as well as an online version. Pretty neat stuff.
I just stumbled across it trying to find a good antonym for a word, was actually unsuccesful. If anyone’s got a good website that lists antonyms and synonyms for words that would great to share in the comments! Thanks.
Last weekend, my FIL, BIL and I unwrapped our last Christmas present from 2004. My MIL (for anyone not aware, FIL, BIL & MIL are short ways of referring to your father/brother/mother-in-law) bought us all a racing experience package at a little place called TrackAttack. Their website is www.trackattack.com, but you could have figured that out already by clicking the previous link.
This little experience was pretty sweet! Much better than driving your little go-carts around at places like your local Putt-Putt or indoor track. These were real cars! The power and handling was much more fun and race like.
Since it was a gift, I’m not sure what the price was, but I’m sure it was also significantly more expensive than your average go-cart track too. Thank you MIL! However, one thing that wasn’t included in the price was insurance coverage. Everyone knows racing is a dangerous sport and some nice fender fighting is to be expected, however, as far as I know I didn’t have any corporate sponsors backing me up in case I wrecked my little fun-mobile.
I didn’t really want to spend the $50 extra for zero liability in case something happened, there was a $30 option for $1000 deductible, but I though, “Shoot! for $20 more for no worry, it’s worth it.” Wouldn’t it be great if we could have something like worry insurance? We do, but that’s another story and seemingly not as easy to come to grips with on a daily basis. Anyway, I asked the guy, “When something goes wrong and insurance is needed, what’s the average bill?” He said if they have to replace a front fender, that’s about $1200, so….I purchased the insurance.
Mistake! They really control you on the track and black flag you immediately for tailgating or really wreckless driving. So, the chances of you really smacking into anyone are pretty low. Secondly, the fenders don’t look like they’ve been replaced since they started up this little business. Let’s say lots of heatguns and Bondo does wonders.
Back to RACING!!! We got two 10+ lap sessions and here are my results on the 0.5 mile track:
HEAT ONE
Lap 9 was because I got black-flagged for using my clutch too much to control speed. They strongly encouraged me to never put my foot on the clutch unless I’m changing gears which is really only once on the track, right on the straight away. They were right, it did speed up my times as you’ll see below in my second heat.
HEAT TWO
As you can see, my fastest lap was 35.76 secs for 0.5 mile. Which is pretty fast, figuring that’s about 60mph average, and since much of the course is turns, it’s a street course, you’re going a fraction of that. We’re guessing on the straight away, on our fast laps, we were hitting 80+mph. FUN!
For anyone interested, I’ll be honest. My FIL beat me on the fastest lap. He had a 35.70 sec lap! Arrrgh! We must return!
Photo Note: I’m the pudgy one on the far left, squeezed into the racing suit like a hippo in a pair of spandex tights!
There’s a lot of blog activity today in the ministry realm. A pastor, Kyle Lake, at University Heights Baptist Church in Waco, TX was electrocuted during a baptismal service. You can read more about it on the following websites:
Monday Morning Insight
CNN.com
Tony Morgan’s Blog
Perry Noble’s Blog
Jordon Cooper’s Blog
I believe it was Perry Noble that was discussing this event in his blog that it was Kyle’s time to go and Jesus took him. I’m not sure if I really believe that train of thought, even though I’ve heard it many times used by people.
Even though God is omnipotent and all knowing, I’m not really sure he controls this little creation of his called Earth and mankind like I would control the latest copy of SimCity or something. I believe there’s still a very much hands-off approach that God has on this world. I guess it can be somewhat contradictory, but I do believe he causes good things to happens and “blesses” individuals in their lives with various circumstances and situations.
Did God cause the recent onslaught of hurricanes? Or did He allow it to happen? Did God kill Rev. Kyle Lake because it was his time to go? Or did he allow natural courses of events to happen on this fallen world that took this person unexpectedly? How in God’s plan would taking this pastor out of this world in a baptismal service work into the grand scheme? An answer doesn’t exist on this side of eternity.
I just think saying it wasn’t his “time” or he was “taken”, leaves it all up a little too much to fate or karma and negates the idea of free will in our lives.
Guess that’s just me.
I thought I had originally posted this on my blog when I first heard about it, but I can’t find it in the archives. I’m not want to withhold laughter from anyone so didn’t want anyone to be left out and not to get to experience this. Be sure and check-out the clips labeled “Swim Meet”, “Class” & “Soccer Tryouts”.
Just got my statement from Capital One in the mail yesterday. I felt I needed to share how “broke” they are from their notes included on my statement:
“Your request to close your account has been received. Your account will be closed when it reaches a $0 balance. Until then, you will continue to receive statements and must continue to make payments. All terms and conditions of the account will apply while a balance remains. Please remember to cut your cards and cancel all charges which automatically bill to your account.
We appreciate your business and are converting your account to Platinum status as of October 17th, 2005. So, be on the lookout for the arrival of your new Platinum card at your next reissue. Until then, you will receive Platinum benefits when you use your current card. For details about your new Platinum benefits visit www.capitalone.com/creditcards and click on the Guide to Benefits link. Thanks for choosing Capital One.”
I’m confused! So does that mean I should cut-up my new Platinum card when I get it per their instructions in the first paragraph?
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