All Things Yummy

Forgot to mention… I’ve completely swiched over to Mozilla Firefox from IE. Haven’t opened IE in 2 days.
The triggering point was the recent ICQ trojan/worm that swept the Internet. I figured IE is fast becoming a security hazard to even run. The only reason why I wasn’t hit with the worm was because I was running Miranda IM instead of ICQ… Next time, I won’t even be vulnerable.

Currently Listening To: 54-40 - Casual Viewin’

We were bored, so we built 4 feet wide monochrome monitor with refresh rate of about 6 times an hour. I also finally figured out what the problem was with the @#(*($ software raid + gentoo installation that I was doing on Midnight Sun’s next file server.

Hmm… Today’s Class Academic Rep meeting was pretty interesting. It’s just funny how certain names come up over and over again. Also, apparently they’re working on getting rid of workterm checklist altogether, which is another great news!

Hey, I’m Number #4 Happy Boy now!

According to Google, I’m #5 Happy Boy on the internet.
Anyhoo, spent all day yesterday at the Autoshow. There were nice cars there, though I’m not a big car fan. Actually, the most interesting car there (as far as I’m concerned) was the Smart Car from Benz. $16000, 3.5L / 100km, 2 seater commuter car. It would make a lot of sense for people who mainly drive around town. The interior was surprisingly roomy.
Anyway, I stood around Solar Car for 10 hours yesterday. It’s surprisingly tiring. Bah, time to go back to homework.

heh, this was forwarded to me. Lesson 1 is funnier. And here’s one more.

Currently listening to: Five Man Electrical Band - I’m a Stranger Here

Bah, I should be studying for ECE355 midterm, but I’m doing anything but. :p I setup a new mailing list Random Ramblings of Raving Roaches, fixed my spam filter, read some editorials and articles about US politics, and generally *not* studying.

Since it’s usually pure fluff that gets posted here, I figured I’d say something of little more weight. This my view on homosexuality and gay marriage.

The bible makes it very clear that homosexuality is sin. In both old and new testament, the issue of homosexuality is clearly discussed in several places, always in negative light. However, lying is also sinful. Stealing is sinful. Heck, even thinking about coveting my neighbour’s well groomed backyard is sinful. In fact, our very existence is (or was sinful since we are descendents of Adam and Eve.

So, does being gay more sinful than lying or coveting? I don’t think so. This also means that from God’s eyes, Jack Gay and Joe Straight are one and the same. There’s only one sinless perfect being and everyone else, frankly, would be in depth of hell if it wasn’t for Christ. Both gays and straight. I fail to see this distinction that many people seems to be making between homosexuality and other sins.

As a Christian, Paul’s advice seems most suitable for me: Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God: Give non offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Now, on to the gay marriage. Problem here is the fact that marriage is both a religious / social tradition and legal tradition. On the very first book of the Bible, Eve is created from a rib taken out of Adam. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. The institution of marriage has existed from the time first man and woman walked on this Earth. It’s from the religious and cultural aspect that I find gay marriages troubling. I don’t have problems with civil unions, partnerships, and whatever else that might be out there, but marriage, frankly, makes me uncomfortable. So partly, it’s my comfort level issue that makes me oppose gay marriage. However, there is another issue surrounding gay marriages - I’ve yet to hear or read any really valid reasons why gay couples wants to get married. If, for instance, Civil Unions have all the legal power of marriage, why do some gay couples insist on getting married? Most gay marriage websites and documentations list the arguments against gay marriage and why those arguments are stupid, but they never really make their own point either.

Here are some of the reasons that were cited for gay couples wanting to get married:
-marriage is a basic human right (It’s kinda funny… This is the exactly same type of argument that pro gay marriage articles make fun of)
-marriage has range of legal protections that we require (Then why don’t they try to pass for Vermont like Civil Union laws instead of swimming across the current to legalize gay marriages? From what I’ve seen, many people do support Civil Unions.)

I can’t help but feel that one of the unspoken reasons why gay marriage is pushed by some gay activists is because it’s probably the ultimate form of society approving gay relationships. In effect, they’re pushing this to spite the conservative right. USA is still very old fashioned, conservative country. My guess is that sooner or later, either the constitution will be amended or a federal law will be passed that’ll ban gay marriages… but it’ll be an interesting journey.

Currently listening to: Matchbox 20 - Mad Season

Had nice long talk with Prof. Aplevich today. We chatted about control, pros and cons of doing Masters and PhD in the same school, grad studies in general, with final result being that he’s willing to take me on as a masters student. Now, a lot of things (like research area) are still up in the air pending, well, funding. Another thing he mentioned is that he’s willing to be flexible, so I might also try taking GRE’s during upcoming fall term and maybe apply to other schools as well. Bah, maybe I’m thinking too far ahead.

If I continue on with the combined program, I think I’ll probably take couple of grad courses in fall term, followed by Robotics course which is crosslisted as 600 level course - it’ll leave me with 2 courses + research to do once I graduate. Hopefully it’ll also leave me enough time to get the solar car built.

I should be studying… but I don’t want to. I also have to write my Statement of Interest… but I don’t want to. Bah, the mad spiral of midterms have started. On the plus side, though, we don’t have 5 in 5 days anymore.

I’m currently listening to: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Up On Cripple Creek

Like all other exam periods, I’m trying to do everything _but_ studying. Bah! I think I have better handle on things than in previous years… but I’m a terminal optimist and this has bitten my butt countless times already…