Salvation is by faith through grace, and not of works lest any man should boast.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Classes Start & New projects.

Dear Reader,

 

Today is Monday… MLK day and a holiday, otherwise classes would be starting today.  As it is, I start my new Spring/06 semester classes tomorrow.  Won’t that be nice?  

 

You would think that would be enough for someone my age.  I am re-taking Calculus 1 since I did not pass it the first time. < I have not gotten used to the way these college professors fail to actually teach you anything.  You’re expected to figure out about half or more of it on your own. >  I am also forging ahead with Chemistry.  I will have had a full year of chemistry with a lab when I’m done.  That is not required by BSU for my degree, but it is required by other Universities, and I want to have that block filled in incase I ever get the chance to transfer (move).  These are two heavy classes, and you’d think that would be enough…

 

My parents have given me a project in the form of a 1976 light blue Mercedes Benz.  It has been in their garage for about twelve years.  Dad was playing around with various engine/transmission options.  He finally was convinced that he should just return it to the original OEM spec’s.  So it now has a rebuilt 5 cylinder diesel engine and the 4 speed automatic transmission like when it was new.  But it has sat around for so long, almost nothing else worked.  Only two of four power windows move when you hit the buttons.  The automatic door locks keep it unlocked at all times.  The trunk lock had to be repaired, the ignition switch was falling apart.  The defroster did not work because the system is locked into A/C mode.  The turn signals didn’t work, the dash lights still won’t.  The fuel filter plugged from all the years of accumulated Idaho dust before the first 1/8’th of a tank had been used (I can only guess how many of those I’ll burn through to start with.)  So this is a work in progress to be sure.  It has some paint issues, some body work (a lot of little dents from being used like a work bench/storage shelf for so many moons,) and some upholstery issues too.

 

It may be worth the time and effort however.  New, the 300D sold for twelve grand.  Right now the car might be worth about 2 grand (as is).  But restored, they go for about 6 grand.  I’ve been told that on E-bay they can pull twice that… but as far as I can tell, that is only a rumor.  The only way to afford these repairs, however, is to sell my Tracker.  Then I’ll be stuck if the MB breaks down on me.  And going 50 miles round trip to school is a top priority right now.  ?? Which car to trust & keep; which car to sell??  That is a puzzle.  The Tracker is far newer, but has 136 k-miles on it and is also in need of some garage/mechanic time.  I’d have to sell the MB to afford it’s repairs, such as a new timing belt, and some ignition work (it isn’t idling well.) 

 

So you’d think that is enough to put on my plate right now, but…

 

My wife has decided that we need to build our own dinning room table.  This is an honor!  To be trusted to build what is probably the most important furnishing in the entire house!  Wow!  When you think about it, the dinning room table is where you have most of your family time.  It is where you entertain guests.  It is where you go to work on a project, do some art or craft, or work on some food prep.  It is very visible and very functional.  Your choice of table says a great deal about your living style.  If the table is too fancy; it says your life is all a show, a mask you wear for people to see.  If the table is cluttered, dusty, or miss-used, it says that your life is lived else-where, outside your home, on the go, on the road, or at the office; that you’re not at home, at home.  If it is small, you are probably lonely.  If it is huge, you either have a lot of family or a lot of friends.  I think this table, more than anything, reflects our attitudes and ideas about how life is lived.  –Just a side bar thought here.

 

My wife wants a table, built in the traditional Castilian style.  These are thick rugged tables, a bit rustic and not very ornate.  Had she wanted anything too fine, I’d have had to decline building it.  But rugged and rustic are good!  We bought about $150 worth of redwood for it, and spent another $350 on tools and equipment that I’ll need for this.  So far I’ve gotten a router, a table saw, some 4 ft. clamps, and two roller stands out of the deal.

 

Perhaps that is enough to put on my plate for awhile.  Yet, somehow, I’ll bet someone finds room for more… I might even find some time to post on my blog!

 

Smile! Life is good!

 

One parting idea, on a completely different topic, ---  “If being black is all that, why haven’t they opened an African Food restaurant?”

 

Grins and giggles!

 

 

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Today in Spain.

Dear reader, There are things about life in America that bothers me. We have it good here, as far as material wealth is concerned, but where living is concerned, we are dirt poor. For example, as I type this, I am watching a live broadcast (via the net) out of Valencia, Spain. The fact that I can see live TV from half way around the earth, while sitting in my study here at home is evidence of our material wealth. What I am seeing on that station proves that we have forgotten how to live! Today is the day of the three kings in Spain. You know the three kings that came to visit the Christ child? We often call them the three wise men. Well, today in Spain, as they do every year, they celebrate the day of the kings. They had a parade for the kings as they entered the city square. The streets were lit up like any great Christmas décor should be. There was pageantry as the kings were welcomed to the city. There was joy as the kings delivered gifts to all the children. There was music and fire works.. this thing was bigger and better then the ball dropping in New York City at midnight. And the final act? The three kings present themselves to the Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus! This is a beautiful tradition! It is glorious, glamorous, and edifying! It was great to see, and I’m very happy that I found it. But could you imagine such a thing happening here in the US? If we proposed such a display, the only thing I think we would see on TV is the protestors and the lawyers for the ACLU decrying the violation of civil rights or separation of church and state or some such nonsense as that. Why do they always do that? What is wrong with celebrating? What is wrong with bringing gifts to children? What is wrong with parades and lights, and music and such? Nothing! We do it for stupid reasons. We hold parades for the city to honor the city leaders. We have lights and music and such to mark the annual roll over of the clock. So why not celebrate an event that impacted history and is still the core reason behind so much of our customs and traditions? Why can’t we live and let live? But most of all, why have we allowed those who don’t know how to live, to beat us down and prevent us from living?

About Me

Student of all trades, not ordained by any church.