The Tenth of December, two thousand and
six

I like unique things- mannerisms
that might perhaps be lost or unused here where I live. Be it pronouncing words
in a way that I not only prefer the sound of, but is the ‘original’ way they
were pronounced or the fact that I begin all my letters with “Dear _____”
rather than abbreviating them like most people do now by simply putting the
name or “Hi ______”. I also end my letters with “Sincerely” rather than just a
name or a casual “thanks”. I even want to try to look into some Elizabethan
ways they might have begun or ended their letters and attempt those. I also
have my spell check for Word set to UK, and certain words are spelled in the
British style, which has an elegance to it. When I write or speak Elizabethan,
I can do it with proper grammar- not “I greet thou with greateth joy and hopeth
thou doeth well.”… which now, after study, seems pretty silly. Rather- “I great
thee with great joy, and hope thou art found well.”

If people see
someone is worthy of respect or to be admired- for whatever reasons they use to
determine this- then to make these unique choices and do things differently is
seen as admirable and even something to duplicate. However, if not- or if
others put down the difference- then it is put aside as eccentricity or
weirdness. The great thing about age is that it is easier to achieve the
benefit of the doubt.

As for me, I am
happy just with a middle ground- see my uniqueness as who I am, my style like
the clothing I choose to wear. It represents me, it tells others who I am, who
I desire to be, and what I admire. The words we use and the way we pronounce
them are as much an affectation of who we desire to be and who we are as the
garments we clothe ourselves with or the hairstyles we choose. In England, an
accent can allow a person to tell with great detail what region or even city
you are from and attribute the appropriate respect or lack thereof.

I like to take
unique things I hear that seem important, special, or admirable and integrate
them into my life one at a time. For example, a couple shared a unique way they
have of wordlessly telling their spouse “I love you”. Katrina and I adopted
that ourselves. A family we knew well would get a Christmas ornament for each
of their children every year that represented something specific about them
that happened that year- a thing they did, a place they went- and then they
would hang it on the tree, adding a new one every year. As they put up the
ornaments, they could then recollect each one’s special meaning. I encouraged
our family to adopt that as well. Likewise we can take in mannerisms, ways of
saying words, even gestures that we admire or enjoy from others and use them
ourselves. If we do not consciously do that, then we will end up unconsciously
allowing our environment, stress, or others to do it for us.

No birth control method is 100%, family planning or otherwise- but it helps, and I personally feel that while we're okay with 'the pill' in all its forms God honours us when we are 'fruitful and multiply' and will provide.

Also, something interesting you might know- there is a NEW form of birth control on its way in the next few years. One that does NOT effect the egg in any way (either after fertilization OR before!)- and is presently predicted to be 100% EFFECTIVE. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Well, this time the balls in the man's court- literally.

It's called male birth control. It's presently in the clinical trials. Why is it 100% effective? Well, there is more than one method they are looking at, the primary one simple prevents the sperm from being made: period. That's why it's 100% effective- it's pretty hard to kill off or block sperm from getting to the egg, but what about if there are none to block? Easy peasy. The next method... basically takes the 'tails' off sperm. LOL Yes, you heard me right. It's like 'breaking their legs' so to speak- a sperm can't get from point A to point B if it can't propel itself there- that method is also said to be, at this point, 100% effective. Those guys have to travel a LONG ways (for their size) so it isn't like they will 'accidentally' make it without 'legs'.

It's not available yet, but when it is- I know I'm taking it. It's also temporary- within about 13 weeks the man is able to completely produce sperm again, just as before (again, this is according to present trial data). The only catch? It takes about two months for it to become effective. Another catch? Well, at THIS point it seems the most effective methos will require injections in addition to a pill.

How does it work? Well, the details don't bother me- but you're guy might not like it. In the end, it doesn't bother the guy in actuality- but the details might bother him. The male takes a pill that is basically the same as the female birth control pill except different amounts- it contains that progest-stuff, progesterol or close. That hormone *prevents* the production of sperm in the testes, and it also helps prevent prostate cancer. Why didn't we use this before? Well... progesterone is a FEMALE hormone, one connected to pregnancy at that. So, ahem... it causes 'feminization'. Yep- breast growth, changes in the face shape to look more feminine, weight gain on the hips, etc. WAIT wait wait, before you get freaked out- that's what the injections deal with. Testosterone cannot be taken orally because it'll break down- so, when injected, the right amount of testosterone will counteract the effects of progestol/whatever and result in a normal, NON-feminized birth control balance. No sperm, no side effects- in all of 40-something test cases this has been without exception so far.

Just don't forget those injection appointments... heh heh, or you might end up needing a bra.

Either way, unless you feel life begins before the sperm gets within a mile of the egg (I think there are very few who believe a sperm is alive and human- because if so, that means that you kill thousands or even millions of humans on a regular basis).

The reason this hasn't been explored yet? Well, because up until now the medical community has been focusing on the idea of birth control being the woman's responsibility- even more people have thoughts that until recently. Now, folks are finally thinking "Hey, what can HE do to help with this?" Truth is, it's a lot easier to prevent sperm from ever being made- or from moving around- than it is to stop 'em once they've got their groove on.

You can google "male birth control" and find out a lot more, very easily. Hope I got you thinking!

Jesus' commandment of Love, as ammended by the typical Christian.

Jesus and the scriptures said:

Love your neighbours as much as you love yourself

Partical modern-day interpretive ammendments:

UNLESS
-Your neighbour is high maintenance. After all, you've made an effort- enough is enough.

-They're pests. If you love them and they come back and start trying to smother you- well, that's not a very fair response. You shouldn't have to pay a price for the fact you might have been the only one to really show them love or attention in a long time.

-They're socially awkward. I mean, come on- if they're creepy or strange, or say some things off, you have a perfect right to pass this commandment onto someone else a little more comfortable with them. You officially aren't resposnible if that said person never comes along.

-It puts yourself at risk. If they seem erratic, had a rough past, or there is some risk they could cause you harm... you can love them from a distance, or as in the previous ammendment pass this onto someone a little less vulnerable. See ammendment to "give your lives up for them" if you have any doubts- you shouldn't put yourself at risk, you have lots of more important things to do in your life, better to help many than to risk yourself for just one, right? It isn't like God ever promised he'd take care of your friends and family if you died trying to love some silly stranger... better cover your rear in this case.

-It causes you to neglect your other responsibilities. If you take this commandment that far, nobody would EVER get anything done. Yet everyone around you is getting their work done, ministry keeps going, the world keeps turning- obviously, nobody takes this commandment THAT far and you shouldn't either. This is especially true in ministry: you can't let this commandment slow you down, because then you'd be showing less love to all the other people that count on your ministry! The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few- haven't you ever seen Star Trek? I bet they read the Bible too, and understood just this truth.

-You're opposite genders. Come on, we all know that it could be misinterpretted and you don't want to put yourself at risk. Especially if you're female! That creepy guy could misinterpret that love as ALL kinds of things... next thing you know, you'll be raped and dead in a back alley, all because of the fact you ignored this ammendment! Better to find a male to handle that situation. It isn't like there are times when you're the only one who could help, or when that person wouldn't open up to the same gender in the same way. CYOA! There's a verse for that somewhere, I'm sure.

-It puts your children at risk. I mean sure it makes for cute stories where the caring little girl went up to the homeless man and said some caring words, told him Jesus loved him, etc... but it's different when it is a REAL homeless man and YOUR child, or worse! Leave those situations to stories- or even write an imaginary one yourself about your child and some poor lost person, then send it on a chain forward- whilest keeping your little one safe from harm and making sure they know NEVER to talk to strangers. They are officially released from this commandment- Jesus loved the little children, after all, and he wouldn't want the little children to be harmed because of following his commandment, would he? (see "give your life up for them" and ammendment for "why children don't need to obey this commandment either, and how parents should protect them from it if they think they do")

-It puts any form of safety at risk, not otherwise covered in above. Safety first! There's a verse for that too, somewhere, I'm sure of it.

-You think they are taking advantage of you. Come on, if you think they are just using you what's the point? They'll just laugh and say "SUCKER- stupid Christian" later. It isn't like God intends to use that circumstance to one day break through their hardened, caloused exterior- or that you could EVER find examples in the Bible of people who have followed love to allow them to let others take advantage of them. (note- see explanation in future works as to why Jesus and Judas don't count, as well as the other 50 remaining examples from Jesus' life you might accidentaly misinterpret as him allowing others to take advantage of his love for the wrong reasons. Jesus NEVER EVER EVER let people experience his love unless they had a right heart!!! Plus, HE was the Son of God and he knew what would happen eventually because of his actions... you DON'T)

-It puts your family finances at risk. I mean come on, sure you 'love yourself' by buying food and things for yourself and your family, but Jesus didn't mean it to go THAT far. 'Love yourself' is a relative example- he just means that you should love others a LOT and do many SIMILAR things for them... not necessarily to go as far as to provide for them like you would yourself or your family. (note- see objection page to refute the argument "sacrifice means trusting God to handle yourself and your family". That's just full of crud... there's a verse for that too, I think)

-Showing love in that circumstance would be socially unacceptable, especially to other Christians of your culture/community. Yes, Jesus was socially unacceptable... well, in almost every way to the majority of the religious community of his time, but that was for THAT time during the Bible... this is a different dispensation, a different time, the Bible has stopped and there is no more revelation. Jesus had a divine point and purpose to communicate. [if this isn't enough, imagine up other creative and intelligent sounding arguments, even if they have no sound Biblical basis, to insert here] YOU don't, nor do you have his divine ability to know what you are doing is right! So, avoid the mess entirely!

Pharisees added commentaries and ammendments to the scriptures and Jesus condemned them more than any other group of his time. "Love your neighbours as you love yourself" and "love your enemies" HAVE no ammendments- the standard is Jesus Christ, whose love was unconditional. If he set no limits, why should we assume his command for us to do the same has limits?

Patrick's Audio Blog- coming soon!

First, I wasn't able to find my headset mic. Then, I didn't have the proper software to use on my computer for audio recording/wav editting. Now I have what I need, so coming soon- my audio blogs, or 'web shows' as you like! I have lots of ideas and themes, ranging from stories to skits... perhaps even a children's story theme. Or singing some of the silly or crazy songs I sing for Conor. I think it will probably have more of a 'parent and toddler' sort of theme for now, but we'll see what develops. If it works out I may end up doing it regularly, perhaps even to the point of replacing my written entries.

Until then!

-Patrick

I'd like to ask  you- my friend, who is reading this page- how are you?

Where are you living right now at this point in your life? How is your family- those related to you, special and annoying and all in one. How are your friends doing- who is close to you these days? Do you have enough friends to make you feel comfortable and complete. Too many friends?

Anything on your mind you just want to share? Or perhaps something you really don't feel like talking about, but know you NEED to talk about eventually?

You feel like people are interested enough in who you are, giving you as much attention and focus as you need? If you don't, it's okay- I understand. You know, spending some time trying to be there for someone else makes a world of difference in that feeling. You know, just chatting a little- even if it doesn't always help- can at least pass the time and might, just might, make life a little cheerier.

So, what is the big experience going on in your life right now? School? What level? Work- what kind? Is it what you want to be doing right now? What do you want to be doing five years from now- what is your goal?

You may think this is some weird 'survey' or quiz or something... it's not. I want to talk to you... I'd really enjoy it. You can comment, but you don't have to- in fact, I'd even enjoy a message (you can send a message directly to me, you don't have to comment so everyone sees). You see, I stay home caring for my beautiful little boy Conor. It's wonderful and it really is where I need and want to be. But being home alone all day long- nobody free to call, nobody to talk too, no friends outside of my immediate family... well, it's kind of lonely. I know that we all feel that way sometimes, so I figured I would enjoy spending some time getting to know you just a little better. Isn't it a neat opportunity? You know that I need the company, I will enjoy the chance- and you can get some company too. No ulterior motives on my part- just someone who would enjoy getting to know you better and catching up on where you are in life right now.

So, drop me a line. I'm looking forwards to it.

Sincerely,
Patrick

Did you know the incredible advances made in fusion and science using the Z Machine, located in Alb, New Mexico? They've achieved temperatures hotter than the sun, and using WALL OUTLET power they have created FUSION- using enough power to power 100 homes for two minutes to create many, many, many times as much power. The only trick right now is to figure out how to HARNESS all that freakin' power. Do you know why, however, it was originally created?

It was created to test nuclear explosive devices without having to do actual live, underground tests. They want to simulate the environment that happens in a nuclear explosion. Now it's used for a LOT more, but basically, they're also creating the highest radiation temps ever known to man as well.

So, an interesting thing to note- what would ever happen if there was a malfunction? What would happen if the highest radiation levels on the planet, the hottest temps ever produced by mankind, were suddenly unleashed- more heat and more power than a nuclear bomb?

Bye bye Alb, New Mexico... Hiroshima, you're nothing, say goodbye to your fame. What was once a huge city would be a landmark crater you could see from space.

It's incredible, the leaps they are making... but then again, the fusion temps they created were accidental. Afterwards, they were like "Wow, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?" They had no idea what they did right- and they were kind of glad they were actually still THERE afterwards.

My Mother in law lives in Alb... I wonder if she'll consider moving anytime soon?

-Patrick

Kat forwarded this onto me, and I cannot help but share it with everyone. This is quite a hilarious story- I laughed aloud quite a bit, just as Kat did. Note- mild profanity.

Stun Gun

Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a "pocket Taser" for their anniversary submitted this... Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 22nd anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety.... WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two triple-a batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against flesh or a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blu e arch of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. Awesome!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave. Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-a batteries, right?!!! There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong? So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and taser in ano there. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries. All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really (and loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-a batteries) thinking to myself, "no possible way!" What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best... I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, "don't do it master," reasoning that a one-second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed th e button, and HOLY MOTHER, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION )*(&#(*)&)(#%)jld*(&#*#***!!! I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was standing over me making meowing sounds I had never heard before, licking my face, undoubtedly thinking to herself, "do it again, do it again!"

Note: If you ever feel compelled to "mug" yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one-second burst when you zap yourself. You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative.

SON-OF-A-BITCH... That hurt like hell!!! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up get there??? My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I'm still looking for my testicles. I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return.

{I don't know who wrote this, or else I'd give credit!}

Saving money, adding health and taste

Ever considered how small yogurt containers were getting, and how expensive they could be? Think about it- if a gallon of milk costs you... let's be expensive, and say $4.00. Take a quart of that, which would be $1.00. Now, you could use that- and nothing else save flavouring- and have yogurt that costs you $1.00 for an entire quart. Pretty nice, huh? And it doesn't take a lot of effort, considering. I think it is fun- it's healthy, too, AND you can make it "to taste". If you've ever tried plain yogurt in the store, it is actually MORE sour than if you made it yourself.

No fancy equipment necessary. All you need is an oven- though it is easier if you have a nice oven like we got when we bought our house, that has the ability to be set at a VERY low temp and just keep the yogurt slightly warm (you want it warm in the oven- leaving an oven light on can do it, or setting it to 'warm' or even below warm if possible. If you aren't sure warm or below warm isn't too hot, then just preheat your oven and occasionally go back and gently reheat it just a little. You have LIVING yogurt cultures in there and you don't want to kill them). If you want to give it a try, here's a simple recipe.

1 Quart milk (I use 2%, you can use skim or another- realise it will effect how 'thick' yours is. Store bought yogurt, unlike fresh, sometimes uses other ingredients to be thick- including gelatin)
2 tablespoons plain yogurt (buy plain yogurt from the store, look for "contains live bacteria/yogurt" in it... all the ones I have gotten do- you need it to be live. Once you make yogurt this way, however, future yogurt you do NOT have to buy this from the store)
Optional- evaporated/condensed milk (use this if you want thick yogurt, like you buy in the store. Without this, it will be runny- they like it that way in Europe, actually, but we have our own American way. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup)

1) Put all milk into a pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Try not to do it too quickly, since you do NOT want to scorch the milk. Stir occasionally to avoid it sticking to the bottom. This is the longest part- I'd say try medium, or if you don't want to wait try medium-high heat (7 or 8 on a 10 scale dial). Medium-high does risk scorching, so stir a LOT.
2) Watch closely, once it boils milk usually will IMMEDIATELY fill the pot and try to boil over- quicker than water. The minute you see it start to bubble and rise, take it off the heat and put it over the sink... it took me several tries to avoid it spilling over the rim.
3)Let milk sit until lukewarm- don't let it get cold. Check it every fifteen minutes if you have the time, and more frequently as it gets to the point you can put your finger in. Once you can put your finger in and it doesn't burn it or feel uncomfortable- and is getting lukewarm- you can begin.

4) Pour milk into a medium to large bowl (large enough for the milk, without spilling). Set aside 1/2 a cup of the milk in a small bowl/container and add the two tablespoons yogurt. Stir or whisk it until it is completely smooth and combined, then return the mixture to the rest of the milk. Stir it together. IF you want a starter for the next batch of yogurt, put some of the mixture into a seperate jar (something you can put a lid on and seal, then leave in the fridge until the NEXT time you make yogurt- after you follow the next step with it, of course).

5) Pre-heat your oven slightly at a low temp. You don't need a thermometer, but if you want to use one, you are looking for around 115 degrees F- warm, but not hot (in oven terms). Cover the bowl (and the optional jar seperately) with a cloth, then set in the oven.

6) Let these sit in the oven for 6-8 hours depending on desired consistency. The warmer it is, the FASTER it goes (provided it is not too warm), likewise if it is too cool, it will go slower than expected. Check it starting with 4 hours to be safe- you are looking for it to 'gurt' (or 'yo' if you like), that is to 'jell' up a little all the way through. Also, in addition to gurting, you will notice the longer it is there the more of a yogurt 'sour' flavour it gets. It will only gurt so much- after a certain point, it will actually seperate a little with watery parting from the rest. This is NOT bad, and all you need to do when serving is stir it a little, or you can heat it slightly later to fix this. NOTE- stirring the yogurt makes it more runny, I usually try to stir it as little as possible until I am ready to actually eat it.

It should be done in 6-8 hours- completely gurt'ed, and when you taste it it should taste like yogurt (unflavoured- to check this, try a fingerfull of the store bought yogurt and compare. NOTE- you don't have to make it as sour as the store bought if you like, so long as it is as firm as you desire you can take it out sooner).

Many people eat yogurt plain- because it isn't always as sour as you get it in the store. It is very healthy to do this- and some will add their own 'fruit on the bottom' (add the fruit to the bottom of the bowl while it is still milk, before pouring in the mixture- in this case, mix up the milk with the yogurt while it is still in the pot, perhaps- or another bowl) or just add fruit and stir it in when you eat it. You can also sweeten it, but I'm not sure if it will adversley effect the oven process if there is a higher amount of sugar. I sometimes add honey and stir it in when I eat- you can try adding light amounts of other syrups too.

This can be done with ANY milk, EVEN breast milk for mothers who want to make yogurt for babies. Have fun, be healthy, and save money.

-Patrick

(Recipe is copyright Patrick F., 2006- if you want to post this or publish this in any way, you must get my written/typed permission first. Please, just ask)

Conor's First Birthday

Happy birthday Conor!

Born November 11, 2005
One Year Old

It was a rush of a weekend, and for me- during it at least- rather fun. My New Mexican Mom Linda(Kat's Mom) and my Sister Kayla came in for it from the other side of the US. This was Linda's first time ever to be with Conor, and it was a delightful experience for both parties.

I look back and think that while I made some choices I would change- I wasn't involved and social enough in the least- I also feel like I made some positive ones as well, and God has blessed me for it. Today, at least, I think I have spent most of my morning grieving for those mistakes- but I take a pause now to find relief in Christ and in the recommitment I made to him these last days, and his renewal of encouragement and promises to me and my Family.

-Patrick