richard's notions.

Remember Chasing Hats?

posted by Richard Okimoto at 15:50.

Never shop at overstock.com. Ugh.

I am (hopefully) at the tale end of a three month ordeal with them. Finally, they say it will be finished in 2-4 days.

We'll see.

But... just stay away from them.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:12.

Okay... one more update on the lappy before the last one. That's the plan, anyhow.

It shipped! Scheduled to arrive on the second.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:14.

laptop update.

This will hopefully be the last update before I finally get the new guy. I heard from the Sony sales rep today, that my order is being processed. If that process started on Thursday when I spoke with him (which I assume it did), then I should have the lappy in my hands no later than Wednesday, one week from today. That is the maximum build time and maximum ship time.

We'll see.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:49.

Movie Ratings..

On my ten point (of course) subjective standard system.

Cellular: 3
Catch Me If You Can: 7
The Body: 6.5

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:42.

iTunes music rating system, as well as Windows Media Player's, have five stars. I may be wrong, but a scale of five stars is just inadequate.

I think it should be either ten stars, or a scale of 100. Lauchcast allows you to have a rating system on a scale of 100, and I think that's way better. I mean... how many songs/movies/whatever would get five stars? It can't be many. And how many cds do you buy that you really like so little that you rate them one star? One star is the lowest, which means you absolutly don't like it and don't want to hear it. You can't rate it zero stars.

So that means one star and five stars are pretty restricted. So you've got the middle three, which isn't a whole lot of range. My guess is there are a whole lot of three stars in most people's iTunes library.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 11:36.

I will not take a moment to brag on my girls a little bit. They're such good girls.

We have, it would appear, succeeded in instilling in them thankful hearts. Every evening, when we sit down for dinner, both G. and A. thank Mommy several times for making the food (this in addition to our prayer that I lead, where I think God for providing the food and Megan for preparing it for us). And they'll occasionally thank me for buying the food. It's a great feeling to notice the good things your kids do, and where you're doing something right as a parent.

But, yesterday, after our dessert, Mike helped clear the table and took A.'s empty bowl. Ashley said to him, "Thank you for taking that bowl", or something along those lines. It made me bubble over with pride and thankfulness. This was a man she didn't really know, and it was a situation she has never been instructed on. We taught them to thank Mom for making their food, but all on her own Ashley put it together, and thanked Mike for taking her bowl.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:09.

Yesterday, Mike and Kristen (and Kate!) came down and worshipped with us at Providence. I got a phone call from Mike Saturday evening, making sure his info and directions were right, and letting us know they were coming down. I thought of them as I rolled out of bed around 7:15. They were starting their drive about then.

They came over after church, and spent the day with us. We piled our baby toys on the living room rug, and Kate and Fiona crawled around on there, tasting the toys and making noises and being accosted by the 'big' girls. It'll be nice when Kate and Fiona are a little bit older, and they can play their little girl games together on these visits. They're just about two months apart, so they'll be at all the right stages together.

It was, once again, a pleasure to spend time with the Stewarts and get to know them and share good food and a bottle of wine with them. And on this visit we had the bonus of worshipping with them.

p.s. I did pull out the digital camera this time, and took a few pictures of Mike and Kate and Geneva kissing Kate... but I then handed the camera over to G. and A. for photographer duties. I haven't seen what they turned out yet.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:57.

I came across the following question on an internet discussion board...

In eternity, is the Father's relationship to the Son as the Son dependent on the perfect ethical character of the Son, such that the Son's sonship is dependent on His lovliness, or is the Son the Son, without respect to the condition of His lovliness?

My first thought is "how embarassing". I mean, really, have we come to the point where our theological discussions are reduced to this? Is there nothing more significant that we can talk about? Something more meaningful? Something more practical? I mean, this is nothing less than "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?".

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:47.

As far as I know, the order for my new laptop is being processed. I have requested a tracking number when that is available, but we'll see if I get one.

I was able to choose the configuration for it, which is nice. I means I got to put money where I want it in the system. Here's what I'm going to get...

VGN-FS500
- 15.4" WXGA TFT with Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 w/ 128MB Dynamic Video Memory
- Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
- Intel® 915GM Chipset
- Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection (802.11b/g)
- CD-RW_DVD Drive
- 60 GB Hard Disk Drive (4200rpm)
- 512 MB (256MBx2) DDR-SDRAM (DDR333)
- VAIO Video Plus software package (which is essentialy the LE version of Adobe's video editing software)
- 3 usb 2.0 ports, one 4pin firewire port

I can't wait.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 11:38.

Any parents have a suggestion on how to keep cute little cuddly girls from crawling into their daddy's bed at night without him even knowing it?

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:08.

For Valentine's Day, Megan made the most supreme, delicious, wonderful, best-tasting-ever dessert. MMMMM.

I will do my best to describe it, but know that the words will fail to give you the sense of true greatness.

First, it was in the shape of a heart. Fitting.

Second, it had strawberries, sliced vertically, so they also had the general form of hearts, and the red color.

It starts with a layer of pie crust. It's flat and, like I said before, in the shape of a heart. On that goes a slightly lemony custard topping. Strawberries are then placed on top of the custard. Then another layer of piecrust, custard, and strawberries. Then it is drizzled with chocolate.

I ate the last of it last night. Glory to God... it was a taste of heaven. I am blessed to have such a talented wife.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:30.

I just left a phone message for the weather channel guy, and it gave the option of letting me hear my message before sending it, so I did... and I was surprised that in the short message I said "um" twice. I didn't even realize it when I was talking.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:29.

I got an email from the The Weather Channel guy yesterday. He sent me an address to return the laptop to, and gave me the phone number and email address of the Sony representative that is going to be placing the order for me replacement lappy. I am able to talk to the rep about the configuration, etc. and then he will talk to the Weather Channel guy to finalize the order. So that's pretty cool.

The only trouble is that I didn't get the RMA number to put on this package so they know who it's from and where it's going and what the whole deal is. So now I just have to wait for that stupid number to send it back.

And I have to pay to send it back. Isn't that lame? I think it's lame... but small price to pay for a new lappy.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:25.

Happy Valentine's Day!

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:06.

I stumbled upon this article about the strange creature above. The author writes,

As some readers of the Times may notice, this mole article appears in the science section a day after an op-ed column appeared in the editorial section promoting Intelligent Design. Michael Behe, a Lehigh University biologist, claims that evolutionary biologists have not offered hypotheses for how complex things evolve in nature. Given this supposed lack of explanations, and given the supposedly obvious signs of design in biology, Behe concludes that life must be the product of an Intelligent Designer.

Behe is incorrect. In fact, evolutionary biologists have put together hypotheses for many complex systems, which they have published in leading peer-reviewed biology journals.

And what is the explanation for the above mole's complex and bizarre nose?

"The star, Catania argues, evolved on a coast-mole-like ancestor. The swellings became larger, the nerves became denser, and the brain dedicated more space to processing the star's signals."

Don't you see? That is a hypothesis for complex systems!! They "became larger" and "became denser".


This is how complex organs and systems in nature evolved: "Just So".

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:07.

These commercials are awesome. The one with the two ladies in the supermarket is especially funny.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:19.

The laptop guy did not get in touch with me yesterday afternoon.

UPDATE: 11:12am The guy called me, and said that he spoke with Sony, and things are in the process of being taken care of. He said he will contact me again when he gets more info, like where to ship the laptop I have now, etc.

Also, he said that I would be involved in the configuration of the new system when they get around to ordering that. I asked if it had to be from Sony, and, unfortunately, it does. Just for kicks, the other day I configured a Dell for $1500 and it was so much more computer. But... beggars can't be choosers.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:12.

The other evening, Ashley was taking her sweet little time eating her dinner. So, the rest of us cleaned up and left her there. She was happy with this solution, since it delayed the inevitable, and she didn't really approve of the inevitable.

So we were in another room, and A. was still at the table. And what do we hear floating to our ears? A little, raspy voice singing..

"How low? How Low!? Big Brown Bass!!"

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:52.

Laptop Saga

So, today I spoke with the gentleman who I was told is going to be in charge of getting me my lappy. He said that what was supposed to be a very simple boom-boom, has become very complicated, and they have a whole project set up to fix it.

Hehe... pretty funny, methinks.

Anyhow... He said he'd get in touch with me this afternoon.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:56.

Lost last night was kind of like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. when Barty Crouch, Jr. get's 'the kiss'.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:01.

Deuteronomy 7:1-4

"When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly."

'For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you'.


In the past, I've had some good discussions with people about parental responsibility in raising their children up to be faithful Christians. A large part of those discussions centers around the parents', and particularly the father's, responsibility for particular sins committed by their children (and the same principle, I believe, holds for husband's responsibility for their wife).

It is argued that a person is guilty of their own sins only, and no one else's in any way. I argue that, first, a father is responsible to instruct and train his children faithfully, and when they fail to live faithfully, he failed in some respect to train them. Take, as a simple example, a child that screams his head off in the grocery store. It is his sin of anger, bitterness, and lack of self-control. But shouldn't that child be trained to not be angry or bitter, and to control himself even if he is? The answer is yes. And the parent's are responsible to teach him that. And, they clearly have not done a good job.

The question then becomes, are the parents guilty for just their own sin of neglect, or are they also partly responsible for the sin of the child? I would say the latter. They share in the guilt, for the child's sin is partly due to their own sin. I am not trying to suggest that the child is any less guilty for his sin. He is not let off the hook because of his parents' failure. I just don't believe we should think about these issues as individualistically as is our first impulse.

Also, even if we consider the impossible hypothetical situation where a man is perfect in how he teaches his child, I still believe he bears responsibility for the sin of his child. He is the covenant head of his household, and as such is responsible for all that takes place in his household. Like Job, he should deal with the sins of his household before the Lord, even when he is not guilty of those sins. The father is united to his household by covenant, and when a child (or his wife) sins, he is responsible for her sin. Why? Because it isn't just her sin... it is also the household sin. And he is the household, covenantally. He is the representative, before God and before man.

So, back to the text above... The pagan people are the ones that lead the sons away from following God, but God's anger is against the fathers that married the sons off. God surely is angry with the pagans that draw away His people, but here we are specifically told that it is the fathers, that didn't lead the sons away (directly), that He is angry with. Why? I believe for both the reasons I gave above... because they are responsible for the spiritual purity of their children, and also because they are covenantally united and responsible for what their children do.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:20.

Rat Birthday Cake

via pduggie

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:00.

Megan and I watched Hero the other night.

Brian Godawa must have been on crack when he saw it. We both enjoyed the movie. Even without the story, it was just beautiful to watch. The colors (which play a big part, even if I haven't entirely figured out what that part is...), the scenery, the cinematography... it was all very beautiful.

It was also worth watching for the story. I don't know why Godawa said there was no story... maybe because he didn't stick around long enough for it to come together. I don't know. But there is definitely a story, and one with redemptive themes weaved throughout.

There were two major problems with the movie, in our estimation. The first is a sex scene. Or, as the note on the DVD case put it, sensuality. We saw what was coming, and skipped to the next chapter, so I can't say what exactly the scene involved. As far as I know it is relatively tame for a 'sensuality' scene.

The other problem was near the end of the movie with Snow. I won't go into it because I don't want to spoil it.

Remy Wilkins also made an observation that I found to be fascinating and very sightful. So check that out, too.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:46.

I had a series of exchanges with my The Weather Channel contact, and it ended with her saying, "Would you prefer to get the upgrade or to just return this computer and get another one?"

Now I am communicating with another person, a man this time, about sending this one back and ordering a new one.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 15:31.

Wow. Just... wow.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 08:10.

Who said this?

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable, a most sacred right--a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world. Nor is this right confined to cases in which the whole people of an existing government may choose to exercise it. Any portion of such people, that can, may revolutionize, and make their own of so much of the territory as they inhabit.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 14:05.

So, back to the laptop saga.... I heard from a new contact today. She said that the computer should have the 'Intel Centrino chip' in it, and that I would have to subscribe to a service in order to use it. And, she added, if it doesn't have this 'chip', then it is Sony's mistake and to let her know.

She doesn't really know what she's talking about, but I hope all the same that she can do something about my lappy not being wireless.

Of course, what they don't know is that if they said to me, "Well, that's what you're getting. Deal with it.", I would say, "okay!" and walk away smiling. But, shhh... don't tell them that.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 13:20.

In discussions about birth control, I always find it surprising and a little bit amazing that people appeal to God's sovereignty as an argument in favor of birth control. As in, "if God wants you to get pregnant, it doesn't matter if you're 99, a virgin, or on birth control... it's not up to you."

If that statement is true, then doesn't it make much more sense to not use birth control? If it is true, then doesn't birth control just become a futile attempt by us to control what God has decreed?

It seems like using that argument is really grasping at straws to justify the behavior.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 10:32.

I've heard from my The Weather Channel contact twice about the laptop mixup. She is helpful, and I remain hopeful that it will all be worked out.

posted by Richard Okimoto at 09:58.