Malcolm's Musings

OBSOLETE BLOG/FEED

2007-04-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

To my blog/RSS readers,

please note this blog/feed is no longer being updated!

You can visit my new blog here:

http://malcolmdonaldson.com/blog

Introducing...MM 2.0

2007-03-22T08:28:00.000-04:00

The all new

Malcolm's Musings 2.0

Coming very soon...

2007-03-21T17:53:00.000-04:00

Prolific Printer

2007-03-21T15:34:00.000-04:00

Ever heard of Sliverbrook Research? Didn't think so... They've never produced a product, but after years of research claim to have created a 60 pages/minute printer *. In fact, they also claim (and a video appears to show) the "ink jet" prints 30 pages/minute in full color! Now that would be something to see become mass-produced...

*external link to technabob.com

Deleted...uh, completely!

2007-03-20T06:40:00.000-04:00

Accidental deletion of not only the main HD but also the backup* resulting in a technician needing the tape backup of some very important data. Unfortunately, that copy was found to be unreadable. ~$220,000 later the data was reentered and the mistake corrected. Ooops indeed!

Oops! IT technician wipes out $38B fund (external link to usatoday.com)

*external link to jonbart.com

Artificial Planetary Chronometer

2007-03-19T11:41:00.000-04:00

Now this is a novel idea for a clock: The "hands" are portrayed as orbiting planets around the central larger planet. Evidently, you can only tell the time by looking at the device from top. I think I would like one; part of the problem, however, is that it's from Japan*. Oh well...

Image courtesy of: technabob.com
* external link to technabob.com

No Transmission Needed

2007-03-17T18:01:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I went unicycling at a park along the Ohio River. It was, in my opinion, a picture-perfect day: sunny, with a cool breeze, and a few puffy clouds in the sky.

On the way back from the park I crossed to the Kentucky side on a ferry.

Looking east towards Cincinnati

Automatic Bicycle Transmission

2007-03-16T21:45:00.001-04:00

Trek Bikes, along with a couple of other manufacturers, has released bicycles featuring Shimano's new automatic shifting transmission. Called the Shimano Coasting, this three-speed transmission auto-shifts gears as you ride.

Obviously, three gears limits the bicycle to "around-town" riding but none the less, the actual production of an automatic transmission bicycle is a major milestone. Trek calls their bicycle using this technology the Lime*; a rather hideous looking machine in my opinion.

Image courtesy of trekbikes.com

*external link to trekbikes.com

Dominant Eye Determiner

2007-03-14T11:53:00.000-04:00

Since I was early for a meeting in the library this morning I browsed through a recent copy of "Astronomy" magazine while I waited. (Read: Astronomy...not that other stuff!) Below I've reproduced an illustration I found intriguing.

How it works: Look at the diagram while crossing your eyes slightly to make three circles appear. The word that appears in the middle circle tells you which eye is dominate.

The article provided a reason why this is helpful to know, but only in relation to studying the stars. Otherwise, I'm not sure why it matters exactly!

I've Still Got It

2007-03-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

This morning I took my new unicycle out for an ~one hour rip around the Mt. Adams/Eden Park area. It was exhilarating to be riding again... The terrain included stairs, rocks, ramps and off-road. Oh, and did I mention hills...lots of hills?

With some other things going on in my life right now, just tearing up some pavement and letting the sweat pour off me felt great also. So, thank you again Cameron for a enjoyable and timely gift!

My New Unicycle

2007-03-12T18:58:00.000-04:00

Well, it's like Christmas in March! Thanks to my brother I now have a new 24" Torker DX here at college. Also included in the box which arrived today from Unicycle.com was leg armor, gloves, shin guards, and a helmet. Just add skill, and the package is complete. Thankfully, I can provide the skill, so I'm ready to roll...

Thank you Cameron!

Spring Skiing

2007-03-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked the first time I've ever skied in +60 degree weather! I have to say it was amazing... Arriving at the hill around 3pm we had a sunny sky for the afternoon. Since our tickets were until the hill closed at 9:30, we also took in some night skiing.

More photos here

Yer Olde Gini Index

2007-03-08T11:02:00.000-05:00

Reading in the textbook for my Sociology course I came across the "Gini Index". Here is the definition from Encarta Dictionary online:

"income distribution index: an index of income distribution in an economy, expressed as a fraction, that indicates the level of inequality between incomes. The higher the fraction, the greater the inequality of incomes."

I'm sure the knowledge of this term won't impact your life profoundly; however, I was intrigued by the name. Which, by the way, comes from the Italian statistician Corrado Gini.

IE 1.0 Anyone?

2007-03-07T14:11:00.000-05:00

If you just happen to be looking for Internet Explorer 1.0 (first released in 1995), then OldVersion.com is the place to go. In fact, the site claims 1466 versions of 131 programs.

Today I was looking for the previous version of an audio editing program which I found at OldVersion.com. This is not a site one would use regularly, but it definitely has it's place on occasion!

Few Days in In Ind Indiana

2007-03-05T09:26:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening I arrived back here at GBS after a few great days away. Alisa's Dad was preaching revival at her brother Andrew's church in Indiana this past week. So, I drove up there on Thursday afternoon to spend a few days with Alisa and her family.

Along with attending wonderful services, I also met great people and enjoyed pleasant company. Ken, a Guyanese friend of the family, also treated us to a variety of delicious ethnic food.

Travelling home on Saturday, I stopped at Tim Hortons for a taste of Canada: a large double-double (coffee with two creams and two sugars) and Timbits (donut holes). Good stuff, eh?

Oh, and I didn't Rrroll up any prizes from Timmy's.

Slow Journey Back

2007-02-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

Northbound I-75, including myself on my way home from prayer meeting, was stopped dead for at least 1/2 hour this evening due to an accident.

Archive: Snowmobiling - Feb 06

2007-02-28T09:54:00.000-05:00

Although I'm here in Cincinnati, with no possibility of snowmobiling, here are some photos from ~one year ago (Feb 22, 06). Cameron, Ben, and I had a great day of riding: warm sun, deep powder, and expanses to explore!

If you can't tell, things are pretty quiet around here over break; hence the lack of current things to blog about!

A cell phone is one thing, but...

2007-02-27T17:19:00.000-05:00

...using a laptop while driving is quite another! Sadly, this one fellow in CA didn't live to learn his lesson:

Car crash kills man believed to be using laptop while driving*

It also seems this story gives one more good reason to drive a Hummer!

*external link to sfgate.com

Corn Construction

2007-02-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

From my experiences in recent days, I'm beginning to think I should become a corn farmer. Ok, not really...but corn does seem to be the new ecologically-friendly answer to disposable consumer products.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters* is using a disposable paper coffee cup lined with a bio-plastic made from corn, rather than a petroleum-based product.
Mountain Equipment Co-op+ has switched to "plastic" shopping bags called BioBags** made mostly from biodegradable corn starch.

*external link to greenmountaincoffee.com
+ external link to mec.ca
** external link to biobags.ca

Justice & Grace

2007-02-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

This evening I am sitting at an ice cream/coffee shop writing a paper for my Sociology course. The purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of Charles Colson's book Justice That Restores. Here is an excerpt from my almost-finished paper:

As I write this portion of the paper in Ben & Jerry’s a live band is playing and singing “Amazing Grace” in the background. Surely it is only God’s amazing grace that affords any hope to the transgressor. Mr. Colson so poignantly points out in his book that no other religion, worldview, or approach, save the Gospel of Jesus Christ, can give an adequate answer to the sin problem; a problem that is at the true heart of crime. Not only does the Biblical worldview provide a transcendent authority for law, recognize the reality of sin and provide a mechanism to restrain it, but it also provides the only way out of the human dilemma through redemption (Colson, p. 157-158).

Bachelor Breakfast

2007-02-24T10:35:00.000-05:00

Since both Andrew and I are alone this week and next (I'm staying at the college over break, and his parents are in FL) we're eating most meals together.

So far, we've been able to create some delicious grub; this morning's "brunch" was no exception. And this time, I actually have photo evidence! Not bad, eh?

Photo by: Andrew G.

What Weather!

2007-02-24T08:35:00.000-05:00

Image from MSN Weather as displayed on live.com

Archive: Winter Unicycling

2007-02-23T15:20:00.000-05:00

A few winters ago we took a unicycle to one of the ski hills near where I grew up in Quebec. Needless to say, riding down the slopes brought curious stares from skiers and ski-patrollers alike!

Photo by: Cameron D.

Here also is a photo of Cameron and I doing some off-road unicycling in the snow.

Photo by: Bonnie D.

Ah, I miss unicycling!

Windows Vista Wallpaper: Inside Story

2007-02-22T09:42:00.001-05:00

This morning I read an interview with the (somewhat unlikely) photographer for the Vista Wallpaper photos. I thought it was an interesting/inspiring article worth sharing:
Interview with Hamad Darwish, Flickr photographer shooting Vista wallpapers (external link to istartedsomething.com)

Here also is a link to his Flickr album with other images from the same photo shoot:
Windows Vista (external link to flickr.com)

Live from Green Mountain

2007-02-19T19:53:00.000-05:00

...Coffee Roasters, that is! This evening, as Mr. Glick conducts some interviews for a project, I'm working on a paper for one of my classes. Here I sit in a Ben & Jerry's* in Clifton Heights making use of their free wireless with my laptop. Well, I should finish off the page I'm writing on the topic of poverty.

* external link to benjerry.com

Friday Evening Fun

2007-02-17T23:19:00.000-05:00

Last evening after the PowerPoint Party several of us went to see Hurricane on the Bayou* at the Cincinnati Museum Omnimax. Following the presentation we went to Ben & Jerry's+ to relax for a while.

Photo by Vita
*external link to cincymuseum.org
+ external link to benjerry.com

PowerPoint Party

2007-02-17T23:02:00.000-05:00

Last evening the Mission's Dept sponsored a "PowerPoint Party". Several students, including myself, shared PowerPoints from mission trips we have taken. Also, we ordered-in Thai food, which was enjoyed by all.

Lingering Ice

2007-02-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

Amazingly, the ice deposited earlier this week is still clinging to area trees. Here is a view of the GBS Admin building with the trees sparkling in yesterday afternoon's sun.

Ice-Laden Campus

2007-02-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

Classes Canceled Again

2007-02-13T23:58:00.000-05:00

Well, as amazing as it sounds classes are canceled again on Wednesday! The ice storm continues to pound the area; right now it's a real skating rink outside. They are predicting a total of 3/4" of ice accumulation by morning! So, another opportunity to sleep in a little...

Ice Storm!

2007-02-13T18:57:00.000-05:00

Over the past 24 hours we have experienced quite the wintry mix here in Cincinnati! In fact, the precipitation has resulted in a thick layer of ice. The storm is also forested to continue into tomorrow morning.

Don't cry over broken eggs...

2007-02-13T08:33:00.000-05:00

...even if there are thousands of them all over the highway!

Truck wreck spills 165,000 eggs on Virginia highway (external link to msnbc.msn.com)

Snow Day Tomorrow!

2007-02-12T18:28:00.000-05:00

Airborne!

2007-02-12T12:17:00.000-05:00

Photo by: Alisa St.

...ok, just barely. But it was still a blast! Thanks Joe & Andrew...

Afternoon Sledding

2007-02-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

This afternoon Keith organized a sledding trip to Eden Park. We spent ~one hour at the hill during which time we managed to not hurt ourselves too badly. The jump created by Keith and others another day provided an array of spectacular crashes (and a few successful landings)!

More Crash (and other!) Photos Here

GBS Winter Banquet

2007-02-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

Update: More photos here

Photo by: Mylan A.

Alisa and I at the GBS Winter Banquet, Feb 8

Photo by: Laura V.

In Newport Kentucky with the Cincinnati skyline in the background.

Alisa, thanks for great company and a wonderful evening :-)

This bus is going where?

2007-02-07T18:16:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the individual in this story should have asked that question...at least once more!

Thai woman lost for 25 years after boarding wrong bus (external link to msnbc.msn.com)

Look! Winter's Visiting...

2007-02-06T19:08:00.000-05:00

Bid on eBay for one year of university!

2007-02-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

No, this isn't for some dodgy diploma mill! Oklahoma Wesleyan University* is actually auctioning one year of tuition and room/board (normally costs $23,000) on eBay+. As of this post, the auction is at $6,500 with 30 bids.

* external link to okwu.edu
+ external link to ebay.com

One view of downhill skiing

2007-02-04T20:21:00.000-05:00

I have immensely enjoyed downhill skiing ever since I was old enough to learn. However, I still thought this quote (from an unknown author) was worth making into a poster. Enjoy!

Party at the Profitts

2007-02-02T23:39:00.000-05:00

This evening the Profitts* hosted a party at their house for GBS students. Great company, food, and games made for a very pleasant evening "off campus" (but within easy walking distance). A big "thank you" to the Profitts for opening their home to us!

Kristen, Hector, Ednita, Alisa

Shane and I were having fun...really! :-)

Photo by: Ednita

More photos here!

*external link to diningonadime.blogspot.com

Megacryometeor?

2007-02-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

Now this could make you afraid to meander outside:

Mysterious ice chunk smashes car (external link to msnbc.msn.com)

Survival Hint for today: Listen for whistling noises from above...

The Risen Sun

2007-02-01T09:06:00.000-05:00

"I believe in Christianity just as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis"

Brand Confusion?

2007-01-31T20:47:00.001-05:00

One company, Sierra Designs*, focuses on outdoor gear and apparel, while the other, Arby's+, is in the fast-food industry. However, their respective logos evidently appear enough alike to make people think of Arby's when they see my jacket! So, I've now been identified as the Arby's-guy?!

Note: All logos are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*external link to sierradesigns.com
+external link to arbys.com

Student Development Day

2007-01-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

Today was Student Dev. Day here at GBS. David Stonestreet* from Summit Ministries* was the guest speaker for the three sessions held in the morning. Here are some quotes from Mr. Stonestreet's presentation on "Thinking Worldviewishly: Loving God with Your Mind":

"No information is neutral, because information contains ideas and ideas have consequences."

"You may not live what you profess, but you will live what you believe."

* external link to summit.org

Post #200

2007-01-30T18:53:00.000-05:00

This marks my 200th post...thanks for reading "Malcolm's Musings"!

Ski Day at Perfect North

2007-01-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

Today a group of 15+ students from GBS went to the Perfect North* ski hill in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for a day on the slopes. We had a marvellous day of skiing and returned this evening tired but happy!

Megan, Ryan, Malcolm, Alisa

Photo by: JonMark C.

More images in my Photo Journal!

*external link to perfectnorth.com

Snow. Flake. Detail.

2007-01-26T11:48:00.000-05:00

I recently received some snowflakes photos taken by Cameron. He has succeeded in capturing the beauty, intricacy, and splendor of individual flakes through his microscope. I think these photos rival the best "professional" images I have seen. Congratulations Cameron...

All snowflake images by: Cameron D.

Blurry Basketball

2007-01-24T23:42:00.000-05:00

This evening, before I started my "shift" at recording intramural basketball stats, I took this photo of the action in the GBS gym.

Much of You

2007-01-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

I just again heard the song "Much of You" by SCC and was struck by the challenge it presents. May each one of us be able to honestly share in the chorus' prayer...

Verse 1:
How could I stand here
And watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make much of me
‘Cause I’m just a whisper
And you are the thunder and

Chorus:
I want to make much of you Jesus
I want to make much of your love
I want to live today to give you the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of your mercy
I want to make much of your cross
I give you my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of you

Lyrics courtesy of stevencurtischapman.com

Can you say "gullible"?

2007-01-23T06:44:00.000-05:00

"Really? You can do that?! Cool...here's my money!"

CIA tale scams 22 out of almost $1 million (external link to msnbc.msn.com)

Some Serious Eating

2007-01-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

Mr. Dan H. was ready to dig in to some great Indian food at supper on Friday!

...and yes, I did get his permission to post this photo :-)

Snow!

2007-01-21T10:27:00.001-05:00

Truth is reality

2007-01-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

"Truth is reality. Truth is the sum total of the way things really are. Therefore, truth is the explanation of all things. You know you have found the truth when you find something that is wide enough and deep enough and high enough to encompass all things. That is what Jesus Christ does." - Ray Stedman

Unlimited PC-To-Phone Calling in NA

2007-01-20T16:22:00.000-05:00

Until Jan 31st Skype is offering a one year subscription to their Unlimited PC-To-Phone in the US and Canada for $14.95 USD. I've been using Skype for quite some time and find the call quality to be virtually indistinguishable from a tradition phone call most of the time.

Check out Skype here (external link to skype.com)

GBS's Mr. Photographer

2007-01-20T09:33:00.000-05:00

Here is Ryan W.*, doing what he does well...capturing a photo!

* external link to ryanwatters.com

Double-Birthday Supper

2007-01-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

This evening we ate at a Indian Food restaurant to celebreate Evangeline's & Micah's birthdays which are both on the same day next week.

(l-r) Alisa, Kamel, Jeremiah, Evangeline, Elizabeth,
Laura, David, Jorden, Micah, Dan, Zach

Truth and Action

2007-01-18T11:13:00.000-05:00

My Mom shared two related quotes with me today:

From C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters: "And the great thing is to prevent him from doing anything. To think about it, to consider it is fine but not to actually do it."
- Screwtape, advising a junior devil

"Many people stumble over truth on their way through life, but most get up, dust themselves off, and go on again."
-Sir Winston Churchill

Poly-Dough

2007-01-17T21:24:00.000-05:00

Over Christmas I found this odd product called "poly-dough" at a local discount store. Although it doesn't feel sticky, the individual Styrofoam-like lumps hold together quite firmly but can be molded into different configurations. The packaging claims it also never dries out and can be reused... Here is a masterpiece of mine. ha!

...Yes?

2007-01-16T10:03:00.000-05:00

3D Textured Buildings

2007-01-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

Google Earth's* latest release (Google Earth 4*) now includes support for textured 3D buildings. On the other side of the field, Microsoft's mapping service Windows Live Local+ also displays similar models. Here are images from both services of the Golden Gate Bridge:

Windows Live Local:
Google Earth 4:

* external link to earth.google.com
+ external link to local.live.com

Shall we use a phenomenological approach?

2007-01-13T15:58:00.000-05:00

From my "World Religions" class notes: "The phenomenological approach to the study of religion attempts to understand religion from the perspective of religious persons themselves."

Anyway, I just thought the word sounded interesting. Click to hear the word phenomenological pronounced from Merriam-Webster online. (external link to m-w.com)

Rude awakening

2007-01-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

Here are two products which provide a powerful persuasion to awake in the morning:

- Sonic "Bomb" Alarm Clock * (delivers a 113db alarm, supposedly similar to a car horn blast)
- Flying Alarm Clock * (forces you get up and catch the flying component to shut it off)

* (external link to crave.cnet.com)

Free 12" x 18" Poster

2007-01-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

For my fellow photographers (but are US citizens), this may be of interest. Staples® is sponsoring a photo contest. It seems cool because even if you don't "win", even an entry into the contest appears to score you a free 12" x 18" big colour poster.

Check it out here: http://hometownviews.dja.com/ (external link to hometownviews.dja.com)

Record snowfall in Whistler, B.C.

2007-01-12T07:59:00.000-05:00

Just one more statistic to further show how western North America is stealing our snow:

Whistler sets snowfall record (external link to cbc.ca)

Character & Greatness

2007-01-11T20:34:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple more quotes from Rev. Quesenberry:

"Character is forged in ordinary life and showcased in extraordinary events...and always in that order."

"Greatness is borne out of a commitment to excellence in the mundane and undesirable assignments of life."

Hands

2007-01-11T20:33:00.000-05:00

Mid-Winter Revivial Services

2007-01-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

This week GBS is in mid-winter revival with Rev. Duane Quesenberry who has been delivering powerful messages. In the morning services, yesterday and today, he's been speaking on Joseph's life from Genesis chapter 37. A few quotes from his message:

"Dreams without discipline inevitably turn into nightmares"

"Discipline without dreams makes for a long life of insomnia"

"Every dream life is preceded by the preparation of discipline"

Horizontal Icicles

2007-01-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

I Will Lift My Eyes

2007-01-08T22:52:00.000-05:00

Late last year I heard a song that spoke to me then, and continues to speak to me now. Entitled "I Will Lift My Eyes", the poignant lyrics are as follows:

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

‘Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
‘Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now
-Written by Bebo Norman and Jason Ingram

Two Time Lapseseses

2007-01-08T11:53:00.000-05:00

How times flies...

- Letter mailed in 1954 is finally delivered to address
(external link to msnbc.msn.com)

- Book borrowed in 1960 is finally returned to library
(external link to msnbc.msn.com)

Blizzard!

2007-01-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

Update: I've authored a short video clip of our drive down the mountain.

Our Friday morning drive from Westcliffe to Colorado Springs was successful...but greatly hampered by a blizzard (external link to msnbc.msn.com) blowing through the area.

Colorado Photos

2007-01-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

I've posted a bunch of photos from my recent trip to Colorado here on my Photo Journal.

-Photos by Marc G.

Congratulations M.E.G. & M.E.G.

2007-01-06T16:17:00.000-05:00

Michael & Marie Garreau

January 4, 2007

Hiking in Colorado

2007-01-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

-Photo by Genna G.

Michael G. & Malcolm D.

Looking across the valley toward Pikes Peak (14,110')

Back in Cincinnati

2007-01-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

Well, praise God, I have arrived safely back at GBS in Cincinnati!

Quick Update from COS - Gate 4

2007-01-05T15:44:00.000-05:00

After five amazing days at over 8,000' I am now at the Colorado Springs airport waiting for my flight to Cincinnati which is scheduled to leave ~30 minutes.

This past Monday afternoon I arrived at the Seminary near Westcliffe, CO where my friend Michael has been studying. I was the Best Man at his wedding which took place on Thursday. In the next few days I plan to upload some photos of my wonderful time in Colorado. Here is one image of the view from near Westcliffe:

The peak on the right is Horn Peak which reaches 13,450 feet

First Glimpse of the Mountains

2007-01-01T10:54:00.000-05:00

View from the Days Inn parking lot near Denver, Colorado

Some random lake as viewed during the flight from Timmins to Toronto

Happy New Year...

2007-01-01T02:43:00.000-05:00

...from somewhere not far outside Denver, Colorado!

Slight-Snow Country

2006-12-29T22:43:00.000-05:00

For a part of the country that normally is thickly blanketed with snow at this time of year, we are in short supply right now. From this photo that I took yesterday afternoon, you can see we certainly don't have much snow on the ground.

Denver, Colorado, on the other hand, is in a much different situation with their second blizzard of the holiday season! This is of particular interest to me because, Lord willing, tomorrow evening I should arrive at the Denver International Airport from Timmins via Toronto.

Eking out a snowmobile expedition

2006-12-28T10:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon Cameron and I took a 2-3 hour ride on his snowmobile. Although grass was poking through in many places, there was enough snow to reasonable ride. Whatever the case, it definitely doesn't look like late December outside here!

Not croaking, but rather cloaking

2006-12-27T20:19:00.000-05:00

Need to be invisible for a while?
It may be possible in a while!

The mathematics of cloaking (external link to physorg.com)

Artificial Snow

2006-12-26T23:35:00.000-05:00

Since natural snowfall amounts have been quite abysmal so far this winter, we've decided to do our part to remedy the lack of frozen precipitation. Mixing water with a small amount of these tiny white crystals we purchased for $1.29 produces a rather realistic-looking, snow-like substance. Ok, ok, maybe we won't be skiing on it any time soon...however, we managed to made a small area of the kitchen table look rather "snowy" for a while!

Christmas Wishes

2006-12-24T20:32:00.000-05:00

May the miracle of Christ's birth fill your heart with peace, love and joy this Christmas season!

Hopefully your holiday season requires only
a small amount of corn and no pickles...
I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas :-)

Cameron's Close Cash

2006-12-23T12:10:00.000-05:00

Photo by: Cameron Donaldson

Above is an uncropped photo of the tiny yellow "20"s on the White House side of a US $20 bill. Cameron took this photo using the setup described in my previous post. Click to download full res image (~1.5 MB). For perspective, here is an area photo...

Photo by: Cameron Donaldson

Some Super Macro Magnification

2006-12-22T16:01:00.000-05:00

This afternoon my brother added a massive extension tube (i.e. poster board lined with black hockey tape) to his DSLR camera & macro lens setup.

The results were quite impressive, as can be witnessed in this album* of his gallery. Most images are of prepared microscope slide specimens.

* (external link to camerondonaldson.com)

There's lots of snow somewhere!

2006-12-21T12:19:00.000-05:00

While most of eastern North America has little or no snow, the West Coast seems to have no shortage. Take the Shames Mountain (external link to shamesmountain.com) ski resort in British Columbia for example: in the last few days they have received over 2 meters (~6.6 feet) of fresh snow, effectively closing the resort!

Screenshot from: http://www.shamesmountain.com/mountain.html

Resumption of Unicycling

2006-12-20T17:04:00.000-05:00

This evening Cameron and I went out for a short unicycle ride; my first in more than three months. While my technique is still valid, I am definitely out of shape! I guess that's what a few months at college, with only mediocre exercise, can do for you...

Archived 2005 image of Cameron by: Bonnie D.

My Weekend

2006-12-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

While the first few days of my return home were quite quiet, Friday to Sunday were quite the opposite. After supper on Friday, Ben and Melissa arrived from La Sarre via Timmins, where they picked up two rental ATVs.

Soon after they arrived, we departed to attend a Bible study which lasted about 1.5 hours. We looked at Hebrews 10:22-25, and the various "let us" admonitions in that passage.

Following the study, we returned home and suited up. In the December darkness, we explored the trails around Cochrane for about two hours before turning in for the night.

Bright and early (i.e. ~6:30am) Saturday morning we set off again into pre-dawn darkness.

Turning down one unused country road we were slightly spooked by multiple sets of large, quite fresh, paw-prints in the snow. Wolf, we think.

Soon, the morning dawned. We stopped at our friend's place to pick up my brother's snowmobile before continuing our exploration. Over the course of the day we managed to find plenty of snow, water, mud, ice, and gravel to ride on, over, and through.

Click here for more photos from our ATV expedition!

As part of the Sunday morning service I gave a very brief update from college, followed by a short devotional highlighting the "Miracle of Christmas". Sunday evening I preached from Romans chapter 12 at New Post First Nations reserve, about 20 minutes from town.

Quick Update

2006-12-17T00:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last several days. So far, my Christmas vacation has been great! The first few days following my return home were mostly spent sleeping, talking, eating...and sleeping some more.

Friday afternoon Ben & Melissa arrived for the weekend. We rented ATVs in Timmins which Ben transported here with his new truck. In the coming days I plan to post more photos (and maybe some video) from our adventures Friday night and Saturday.

Photo by: Cameron Donaldson

Safely Home!

2006-12-12T23:01:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note to say I have arrived home... Thank you to those who prayed for a safe trip!

Proverbial Sunset on the FA-06 Semester!

2006-12-11T19:49:00.000-05:00

Earlier this evening I completed my final final of the FA-06 semester! Lord willing, tomorrow will find me flying back to Canada for the Christmas holidays. This has been a terrific semester in so many ways! Here is a photo of this evening's sunset; a fitting close....

Majestic Monday Morning

2006-12-11T13:33:00.000-05:00

Reflection of a December Sunset

2006-12-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

Late afternoon sun reflecting off an office building in downtown Cincinnati:

GBS Christmas Program

2006-12-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

This evening I attended the first of three nights that GBS is presenting this year's Christmas program, "I Choose Jesus". Here's a photo showing most of the cast on stage...

Friendship Fountain - Christmas Config.

2006-12-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

Accumulation of Snow

2006-12-07T10:22:00.000-05:00

Snow this morning on the GBS Campus!

Free Antivirus & Firewall Software

2006-12-05T21:17:00.000-05:00

Do you have up-to-date antivirus software installed on your computer? Are you SURE?

Most new computers come with only a limited subscription (several months) to virus definition updates from McAfee or Norton. Once this expires, unless you pay to renew the subscription, your system is no longer protected against new virus attacks. If you are looking for a free (quality) alternative, try AVG available on download.com:
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition (external link to download.com)

Also, for good free firewall software, try:
ZoneAlarm (external link to download.com)

God's Way or My Way

2006-12-04T11:50:00.000-05:00

The topic of rebellion in a recent class reminded me of a powerful presentation by Frank Peretti I heard this past summer, entitled "God's Way or My Way". My Mom purchased the CD recording of the program from Focus on the Family, which is available here (external link to family.org). I also found a streaming version of the two-part program online, but am waiting to hear back from FOTF concerning possible copyright issues before posting the link.

In my opinion, this presentation is well worth the listen! If you do listen to it at some point, I welcome your thoughts/comments in reply to this post.

10,000+ Views!

2006-12-02T22:46:00.000-05:00

The view count on my Photo Journal has surpassed 10,000! Thanks to everyone who views my site and makes it enjoyable to maintain...