When I grow up…

…I want to redesign the Cyber Hymnal.

I wonder what kind of database managment it has currently?

Of course, the site needs to retain a simplicity. But there are a few things aesthetically and otherwise that I’d love to have the opportunity to direct.

Like the fact that the midi files [ack!] start up automatically and freeze my browser up every time. And the blue clouds, oh, the blue clouds.

That said, to the folks who run Cyber Hyman: thank you for the work you’ve put into it; I’ve used it innumerable times and have found it a great reference.

Just Interesting

I overheard this conversation between my brother, Matthew, and a young boy, who I am not acquainted with. I suppose him to be about 12 years old, and I will call him ‘Nick’.

Nick: So, do you have any systems?
Matthew: any what?
Nick: systems…you know, ps2, etc….
Matthew: Oh. No, I don’t really play video games. [sisterly addition: Matthew never plays video games; he doesn't own any.]
Nick: Oh. You know? Nobody does anymore…
Matthew: eh?
Nick: No one plays video games anymore, everybody now likes to play outside
[my jaw dropped]

—

Interesting, aye? My observations have been the exact opposite concerning youth and video games, and I wonder where this young man got this perspective. Maybe he was just talking to talk, maybe he lives in a totally different environment. Or maybe, he was just a wee bit sad and a tad bitter that Matthew wasn’t into video games.

The conversation continued with Nick explaining and attempting to discuss video games with Matt. The conversation didn’t last long.

Cheers to all the young men who are following the modern trend of spending their time enjoying the great outdoors instead of sitting in front of the black screen of death. :D

Books and Break

Yesterday, I turned in my last school project for the semester. I also received 2 new books. What a deal! Guess what I’m looking forward to doing this break?

The first I received was a copy of Blaise Pascal’s Pensees. Pascal has fascinated me for years, but I’ve never had a copy of his works to call my own, though I picked of Pascal’s works at the library a few times. The Pensees are the collection of his theological and Christian apologetics notes– each note is to be savored, thought over again, and then, also often laughed over. Indeed, I love his blend of wit and wisdom. I’ve been known to curl up on the couch with a copy of his the Pensees and burst into laughter as I digest the words I’m reading.

Like I said though, the only time I’ve previously been able to get a hand on Pascal was with that library edition. I say that library edition. I didn’t like it. The translation was unsatisfactory, and it had a bad habit of being due back at the library way too often. Thus, I was thrilled to receive a birthday package in the mail yesterday containing “The Mind on Fire”, a collection of Pascals’ Pensees (with selections from his Provincial Letters) all edited by James Houston– edited because I can’t read French. :) I can’t wait to spend some of this break with my own copy of Pascal, gleaning nuggets of wisdom and laughing over truthful wit.

The second book I’ll spend some time with is “A Passion for the Impossible” by Miriam Huffman Rockness. Remember how I mentioned Lilias Trotter a few months ago? I initially read a chapter about her in Noel Piper’s “Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God” and was immediately impacted by the life of this woman– Lilias Trotter, artist, missionary, not afraid of giving up anything in order to follow the call of Christ. Her faith has been an inspiration to me, and her focused life a rebuke to the self centered, scatter-brained world I find myself wrapped in.

Well, also for my birthday, Jessica gave me Lilias’ biography. I was so surprised, as I had only mentioned Lilias to Jessica a few times. Now, I don’t have to travel to MI to borrow the book from Anna. :)

What books are you reading this break?

In His Boundless Love and Mercy

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Philip Paul Bliss, 1838-1876

And Ktsia is very, very much enjoying a few of Fernando Ortega’s albums tonight. These two.