Why do alarm clocks snooze for 9 minutes? Why not 10? Before I go to bed I have to estimate how many times I will snooze so I can set the alarm to wake up at something somethig 0 (7:30,7:40,7:50). Of course it doesn't really matter, but to me it just feels right to wake up at a 0. If it seems like a one snooze night 7:21 will work out nicely, while a two snoozer should be set for 7:22 or maybe 7:12. Of course you can't always predict these things just right and that's why I think a 10 minute snooze would be so much better.

We got Tetris for XBox! Good old Tetris. Nothing beats Tetris. Tetris doesn't even need "bump mapping" to be a cool game (I'm not really sure what bump mapping is, but apparently some XBox games use it and that makes them look very cool). The Tetris championship is on. All chump suckers who want to compete for the championship belt better find their way to Burnham St!

The Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness

Einstein's theory of general relativity provides a beautiful framework that predicts the behaviour of our universe remarkably well. It extends the basic physics of Newton to light speed, connects mass and energy, and gives insight into space and time. Despite the successes of general relativitiy, it has been found that if you "stretch" the theory by trying to apply it to incredibly tiny scales problems arise. In the small distances of quantum mechanics and the extreme conditions at the center of black holes general relativity "breaks". By examining the extreme conditions and stretching the theory to its limits we find the inconsistancies and questions that must be answered. These questions would be missed if you didn't stretch and push the theory and as a scientist you would be worse off for not asking the question.

I am currently reading a book called The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal, that asks the reader to stretch his beliefs and moral convictions by examining his experience as a Jew during the Holocaust. The first half of the book is an autobiographical account of some of the horrors Simon suffered in Nazi concentration camps. In the midst of this suffering Simon came face to face with a dying German who, while on his deathbed confessed his crimes to Simon and begged for his forgiveness. At the end of his story Simon leaves the reader with the question "What would you have done in my position?." The second half of The Sunflower, contains a collection of essays written in response to this question.

While it is definately tough to face the horrors of the Holocaust, I think it's an excellent way to challenge what you believe. As a christian can I apply what I believe about forgiveness, grace, and God's love to the ultimate extremes? Furthermore, if I don't confront these questions do I really know what I believe? Like general relativity stretched to its limits, will I find inconsistancies or problems in my faith? This is the kind of stretching question that I think is valuable for anyone to undertake. I think I may actually write out my response like many others have done in the second half of the book. I want to really think about it though and not do it in a trivial or generic way.

Sweet Relief

The heat has broken and the apartment is now back to a heavenly cool temperature! It feels sooo good right now that I have to ask the question, "Is it worth going through the pain of the heat to experience the joy of the coolness?" As I think back a few days I'm afraid I'll have to answer "Hell No". Give me AC and I'll gladly forfeit the joy of the relief. That said, I still get some comfort now from having gone through the heater and making it out to the other side.