richard's notions.

baby bjorn was delivered on time. In case you were wondering...

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:41.

hehe... this is awesome

posted by Richard Okimoto at 07:18.

Hmm... interesting developments. The FedEx package went clear down to Charlotte, NC.

That's about four hours south of here.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 22:16.

Every time a expect or send a package with FedEx (who I much prefer over UPS, otherwise known as 'oops), I am just amazed at the tracking technology. I can watch the voyage of my package from point A to point B. It's especially fun when you're receiving the package, because you see it moving closer and closer to you. Right now, our baby bjorn carrier is on its way from Columbus, OH, barrelling down some road in a big truck. Before that, it was in Toledo. It left Toledo at 9:33am yesterday morning. It's estimated delivery date is Monday.

Also, another good thing about FedEx, is their cool logo, the brilliance of which was pointed out by one of barlow's sons.


posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:44.

I had a close encounter with deer-kind this morning.

It was dark... probably around 6:30. I was driving about 65mph. One minute I'm looking at open road, the next I'm looking at two deer jumping into my open road. I managed to squeeze between the two of them... but the first guy didn't get away unscathed. I hit him. He kept going, because the cars behind me didn't do anything unusual.

When I got to work, I looked at the car, and the cover on the passenger side front blinker light is busted. Or, gone, actually. There's just a little light bulb sticking out.

It was a close one. It could have been much, much worse.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:41.

some details...The Third Annual
Reformation Day Ball

Friday, October 29, 2004
Lynchburg, VA
$20/family
$15/couple
$105/person
(YES, persons (i.e. single people whose family isn't coming to the ball (because they're loony) are welcome to come, and to ACTUALLY dance!)

Come, come, come. We're going to limit the number of people, and may have to actually turn some away (for the first time ever), as some area churches have shown an interest in taking part in our celebration.

There's also the Second Annual All Saints Day Games the following Saturday. Which includes some sports for the men in the morning, and then some food and then games for the family in the afternoon.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:22.

The Apple Tree

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:03.

"I'm voting for Michael Peroutka, and I think you should too."

posted by Richard Okimoto at 20:02.

Okay, good people of blogdom, come with me and wade through these ethical waters...

I have concocted a plan... a babybjorn plan. Tell me how terrible and deceptive it is.

We go out and buy a babybjorn from some place in town... fullprice. We use it for out trip. In the meantime, the on sale baby bjorn arrives. We have two, identical baby bjorn carriers.

I take the new, unopened one back to the store in town, for full price.

Now... is it really that bad??

posted by Richard Okimoto at 17:56.

Okay... here's my current dilemma. We have decided to buy a baby bjorn carrier. They're usually about 90 bucks.

We want it for our trip to Arizona. We're leaving next Wednesday afternoon, so we need it by then.

I found a great deal online, where it is just under 70 dollars. Trouble is... they haven't received them yet. They're expecting to ship them out next week. That means I'd need to upgrade our shipping to two day air, minimum, to get it on time. I don't know how much that would cost, exactly (not more than the $20 difference in price, I'm sure).

So... what should I do? Pay regular price to get it on time, or tempt the fates, and pay slightly less?

If anyone else is looking for a cheap baby bjorn, by the way (and you don't need it before wednesday next week), here's a seemingly good place to get it:

posted by Richard Okimoto at 15:38.

This weekend I was flipping through my a bunch of cds I have, trying to find something I could play that the girls could boogie to. I ran across Dinosaur Jr.'s album, Where You Been?. I played a song or two from it, but decided it wasn't what I wanted for the girls to dance around to. But I took it aside and put it on my mp3 player. I'm listening to it now.


Some may think it strange, but I think it is one of my favorites. Ever. I just really like it. Even with the annoyingly bad vocals. It adds to the feel of it.

And I removed this album from my mp3 player to make room. Weird, eh?

posted by Richard Okimoto at 11:45.

The only Basement Tapes I've listened to are the free samples that have been sent out to subscribers of Every Thought Captive.

But, judging from the cover, this is one I would love.


posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:04.

Woo Hoo!


MINIATURES & MORALS: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
by Peter J. Leithart

Not only are Austen’s novels still widely read, they continue to influence modern film and literature. In both their moral content and their focused, highly detailed, “miniaturist” execution, they reveal Austen’s mastery of the art of fiction and her concern for Christian virtues exercised within communities. She entertains, edifies, and challenges men and women readers alike. From theological and literary angles, Leithart analyzes character and theme while summarizing each of Austen’s major works. Including helpful review and thought questions for each section, this book is an excellent introduction to Austen for students and for all who desire a richer appreciation of her enduring genius.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:41.

The news is out.

Rick Saenz and son (along with our friend and HSC student Blake Saunders) are coming down to play for our third annual Reformation Day Ball. I'm very happy about it, and especially excited to have live music. I invited Rick to set up a Draught Horse Press table, but that apparently is a big deal, and he passed. Still, I might ask him to bring a book or two for me.

October 29th...

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:05.

George Lucas has done to the Star Wars films what Michael Jackson has done to his face.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:39.

A Good Article

via Mike

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:49.

Are there any bloggers that go to Christ Church in Cary, NC?

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:40.

You'll notice that I've added a rather clever and very truthful image to the left. (click it to buy a bumper sticker)

I also included a link to an article below it. Among other things, the article is supportive of Constitution Party presidential candidate Michael Peroutka. While I think he's a good guy, and may (or may not) get my vote this November, I am not posting the article because of what it says about Peroutka. I'm posting it because of what it says about Bush, and, even more, what it says about the many reasons given why Christians should vote for Bush, and not for a third party candidate.

I want to reaffirm my position on 'who you should vote for': I don't care who you vote for.

You vote for whoever you think is best, and we can all trust God. Whatever the case, it is only by God's grace and mercy that a God-honoring candidate will ever gain office. I'm not going to encourage you to vote or not vote for any candidate. I, of course, have an opinion, and it may or may not be obvious. But I'm not going to push for it. I don't care who you vote for.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:11.

A new cd by derek webb, due out November 9th.



Here's the track listing:
1. I Want A Broken Heart
2. Better Than Wine
3. The Strong, The Tempted, & The Weak
4. Reputation
5. I Repent
6. Medication
7. We Come To You
8. T-Shirts
9. Ballad In Plain Red
10. Nothing Is Ever Enough
11. Lover Part 2
12. What Is Not Love

He said Wilco was a huge influence in the sound of this record. Should be pretty good.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:08.

I continue reading Wise Words, by Peter Leithart, to the girls. And I continue loving it. The girls don't really follow the stories yet. They like it when I do strange voices or sound effects, and Geneva can occasionally recall an incident from a story, but that's about it.

But Megan and I... we are just loving it. There's a proverb quoted at the end of each story, which is supposed to be the moral of the story. But there is so much more going on. They each could have dozens of "the moral of the story"s.

It's only $9.50 at the NSA bookstore.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:13.

The Fruit of my... burning fossil fuels.

Regular readers may remember this post, where I sought and discovered (hahaha) a good credit card reward program.

Now I see the payback. It took a little while to process everything (but I was earning all the while), but I now have nearly $30 dollars cashback. I can double the reward at certain participating retailers, if I choose. But most of those things have some catch that makes it unworthy of my attention. Like you have to spend over $100 to save $40.

However, I can get 10 free rentals from Hollywood Video for $20. If I were to rent those movies, it'd be 35 dollars (they say it's a $40 value... but it isn't. Rentals are about $3.50 there).

Hey, speaking of Hollywood Video, I went there last week for a movie we could watch while Megan recovered, and I saw a previously viewed copy of Levity for just $5.99. So I bought it. I rented Sliding Doors. It was an interesting movie. It shows two different paths a woman's life would take were she to catch or miss a train home.

As someone that firmly believes that God has sovereignly and unalterably ordained whatsoever comes to pass, I particularly enjoyed it. I often think how the world would be different if I didn't put my socks on straight one day. Of course, the film makes no reference to God, or even a mindless Fate, ordering things. It's just chance and decisions. However, anyone with half a functioning brain would wonder how such unprobable chances occur.

Which leads me to share a bit from Hollywood Worldviews, which I've been reading lately. Some filmmakers want to deny God's role in our lives, or the substitute god, Fate. They want to say that everything is up to chance and decision. Nothing is guiding us. However, everything in the film has been preordained by the creator to communicate this. It really isn't up to chance at all, now is it?

So... there's a rambling post for you.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:43.

Another photo post. When we bought our house, the previous owner took his refrigerator and stove with him. So, we got to buy new ones when we moved in. The refrigerator we got has a little water/ice dispenser thing in the door, and it's all filtered water. Built in. Pretty cool. All the ice, too.

There's also a little indicator light that tells you when you need to replace the filter. Usually it is green. But then it turns amber, and eventually red. Well, the other day it turned red for the first time. Back when it turned amber, I dutifully bought a new filter, and waited with pure glee for the day I would get to replace the old one.

That day came. It was yesterday. Part of the excitement I had was the simple design of the refrigerator. You open the door, and at the top, right next to the thermostat knobs, there is a button. You press the button, and the filter pops out. You pull it out and slide the new one in. Simple. Smart. Easy.

But when I pulled the filter out, I was horrified. Horrified in a very satisfied way, though. Below is a comparison of the filters. The new filter on the left, the old on the right.


I was horrified to see what the water I drink was going through. And, yet, deeply satisfied at what that filter had kept out of what I drink.

I only wish I had a higher quality camera to really capture the detail. When you move the old filter, black sediment clouds the water. You can get a sense of it by looking through the plastic.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 23:24.

I've got some exciting news about our Reformation Day Ball. Look for The Reveal in the next week or two.

Tonight, Megan wanted to get out of the house, so we all went for a drive around town. I grabbed the digital camera as we headed out, and I'm glad I did. Too many times I think, "Man, this is the time you really need to have a camera".

So here are the two shots I took while we were out...


CAUTION - Wild, bucking bronco deer crossing! Someone put a rodeo guy (I think it's tape of some kind... but I didn't get close enough to make the determination) on a deer crossing sign. Too funny. The sign at the other end of the street for traffic coming the opposite direction was also rodeoized.



Not only do they have a cheesy sign, but they have a screwed up cheesy sign. See, it should say that Satan subtracts and divides. Not 'Lessens'. Lessens makes no sense. It's just dumb. Divides and multiplies go together, see? And add and subtract go together. It's clever (or supposed to be, right?).

I have a theory. Whoever is in charge of this sign must have seen the clever line some where... another cheesy church sign, a cheesy church sign magazine... something like that. But, then, when they went to put it up on their cheesy church sign, they couldn't remember the specifics. It's like someone ruining the punch line of a joke. Or my two year old trying to give a message to Megan for me. Except she is very cute when she doesn't get it right. That sign... it's just sad.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 21:28.

A friend of mine works in a warehouse. They receive, store, and ship products for various companies. One of the companies carries christian books. And occasionally the books become damaged, and are just thrown out. Except "damaged" to a retailer is not damaged to me or my friend. And so, this past Sunday I got two books: Hollywood Worldviews by Brian Godawa and Reel Spirituality by Robert Johnston.

I'd never heard of the latter, but the former has been on my wishlist for some time (since October 1, 2002, actually). I'm looking forward to reading them both.

Another book that seems to fit with those is Eyes Wide Open by William D. Romanowski. I haven't read that, but Critique recommended it a few years back.

So many books, so little time.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:20.

Here are sermons by Andrew Sandlin, and others, at Church of the King.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:58.

Here are some pictures of Fiona.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:08.

Andrew Peterson talks about why he isn't with Watershed/Essential Records anymore.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:30.

Megan and Fiona came home today from the hospital. Both are doing just great.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 12:53.

As is fitting for this Labor Day, Ms. Fiona Aileen Okimoto made her entrance into the world. Not wanting to delay too long, she arrived at 3:52am.

This, after only being at the hospital slightly over 20 minutes (and, yes, it is The Baby to blame, not The Husband who said "Well, let's time these a little more before we go, to be sure we know how far apart they are"). And a good bit of that 20 minutes was actually spent waiting for our midwife to arrive at the hospital.

I'd say it was exciting. Objectively I mean. Outside of having a baby in general, too. This was exceptionally exciting.

Mother and Babe are doing fantastic. Sibling girls are delighted with their new sister. She looks, to me, just like Geneva looked as a newborn.

All Praise and Thanksgiving to our Holy God in Heaven, Who gives to us more abundantly than we even know to ask.

My soul now bless thy Maker, let all within me bless His name!

posted by Richard Okimoto at 16:46.

So I'm driving home, and the car sputters out and dies. A nice man stopped and allowed me to use his wireless to call my wife to come get me. then I sit for a minute. Then I trek to a nearby house and ask if i can use their phone and phonebook to get my car towed.

he knows a guy that can tow it. he also knows a guy that has a shop to drop it off. I should buy that man something.

turns out the fuel pump died, and i'm spending more than i want to have it fixed. This poor car is on its last leg. it's a 1991 dodge dynasty, and it has 195000 miles on it. But, i figure its worth more running than not.

still no baby. You can imagine, though, what I was thinking yesterday when the car died. "now Megan's going to go into labor, and I'm not going to be able to get back to Lynchburg, and I'll miss my baby's birth." But, that didn't happen. Instead she drove out to get me with the girls, and we had submarine sandwiches for dinner as we drove. We even made it home in time for Megan to attend a babyshower for a friend.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:22.

Does anyone else think it is weird that our modern political "speeches" are a few sentences interspersed with applause?

Not that I pay much attention to politicians on the tv, but the last few nights, when we pulled out the 'ol 5.5" black & white tv, it's been unavoidable.

Amusing Ourselves to Death seems more relevant now than ever.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:37.

Some NT Wright Mp3s

via Alastair (sort of)

posted by Richard Okimoto at 12:19.

A cool quote from James Jordan's essay, Observations on the Covenant of Works Doctrine (begun here, and concluded here):

What does the Law actually say? As it stands, what the Law commands in the way of salvation is exactly what the Gospel commands. When we understand this, we can understand that many people kept the Law blamelessly, and found salvation. "And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and judgments of the Lord" (Luke 1:6).

Start at the beginning of the Law: "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; you shall have no other gods before Me." What does this, the First Word, command? It tells us to put our final faith and trust in the true God, the only God there is, who has redeemed us from bondage to sin, the curse of His wrath. Now, this clearly is exactly what the Gospel commands us to do as well.

Second, the Law provides a series of orders that we are to obey. This is also the teaching of the Gospel. Those who put their trust in God are to obey Him.

But that is not the end. Suppose we sin? The Law says that when we sin, we are to come back to God through the sacrifices that He has instituted. This is exactly what the Gospel says as well: When we sin, we come back to God through the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

So, was it possible to be saved by keeping the Law? Certainly, in the full sense of keeping the Law. Those who kept the Law (a) put their trust in God, who had redeemed them, (b) strove to obey Him, and (c) when they sinned, returend to Him through the substitutionary sacrifices.

Thus, what the Law said is simply the preliminary form of what the Gospel says. This is why Paul so often praises the Law.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 12:23.