Hamster Graveyard update!!

Darn it, all the mushrooms have died off...think I over watered...but no matter...I leave it for a few days and see how things go...

In other news:
Things are going...bad...and I don't trust myself to say anything...which won't hurt me anyway...so...I'll let W do the talking. He' better at that...heh. As for me...I'm hoping. A chance...a possible chance...has opened up. If I take it and fail, I lose nothing but my pride...and risk triggering Command 001. If I take it and succeed...then...heh. But if I don't take it...I'll regret it all my life. This may be one of those things you only get a shot at once...I can't afford to mess it up.

The Hamster Graveyard, Tomb of the Unknown Hamster

I've begun a little project which I shall call the Hamster Graveyard. Those silly hamsters, in the process of 'natural selection' have gotten to the point where they fight and kill each other if their population reaches certain limits. They also just so happen to just keep on breeding...horny 'lil buggers. Anyway, that and the fact that the original ones are pretty old now, means that I've got a fairly 'steady' supply of hamster corpses.

The idea was born out of me being too lazy to clean out one particular cage whose sole inhabitant has passed on. The water bottle also just happened to leak too. Basically, the hamster food(seeds) started germinating. First, the sunflower seeds, then some of the other herb type ones. Not to mention that the hamster corpse wasn't smelling at all...it was just kinda stiff. Then came the clincher. You see, for a short time before the seeds germinated some orange fungus(mold like) was growing there, but just died off. Then came the white mold, around the sunflower seed period. But then...a blue mushroom grew!!

SCORE!!!!!!!!!

Recent activity:
Added one more dead hamster. Mushroom identified to be a species of ink cap, no idea exactly what species though. However, it looks like as long as I don't over water, I get quite a steady growth of ink caps. Yay!! Its starting to smell a little though...gah.

Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and some of Kao's. We're not exactly the best of Christians, so our thinking might be flawed. Also, What I've listed as being Kao's thoughts here are probably better explained by him.

This is essentially Kao's thought. The bible mentions the parable of sheep and goats, where there will be those who think they know God and all, but really don't and aren't let into Heaven. This is one step further than the good person who isn't a christian. This is a case of a person who think's he/she is a good christian but isn't. This presents an interesting conflict: after all, it seems simple enough, you believe, you're in. But there's more to it than that...because to say you believe means you got to believe the whole bulk of it. We are saved through grace by faith. But faith without deeds is dead. I'm pretty much sure most christians would know the respective passages I'm refering to. Which brings us back to the issue at hand: can ANY christian say for 100% sure that he/she's going to Heaven? Can they? Honestly? Because even if you think you are, you sure as hell may end up there(hell I mean). . The scary part is that those people didn't know they were damned...and it also implies that if you're ignorant of the plight of those less fortunate than you...you're a gonner. There's on more passage, but I gotta ask Kao on this one.

To Kak: Seriously, if you want some input, talk to Kao...or me, but Kao's better. We're both pretty much mucking through things too, so we have our share of conflicted thoughts.

On the note of everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying, there's a disclaimer. In fact, its in the exact same passage, just following that verse. 1 Cor 10:23-32. Read the whole passage. Verse 32 sums it up pretty nicely. "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God". And just in case you think I'm getting it wrong, read 1 Cor 8. Take note of verses 9-13. You *DO* have the freedom to do what you will. BUT! "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak...So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your weak brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ..." So, as a Christian, you're not damned if you smoke, drink, etc. HOWEVER, you ARE damned because there are those who, lacking in their knowledge, think that it is wrong for a christian to do so and you're being a stumbling block to them.

I've got other fish to fry. God creates every human. God is Omni-everything. Therefore, does this mean he creates people knowing exactly what they're going to do during the course of their lives? Also, God is perfect, so he doesn't make mistakes either. Now think about the Anti-Christ. He's a person too. Judas. God made(or will make) them all...does this mean that in full knowledge that the person, if made, will pick choices that leads him to hell, God creates the person anyway? Does that fit with the all loving part? Furthermore, Judas had his function...so will the Anti-Christ. And their functions are part of God's will too. No Judas, no betrayal, no death of Jesus, no salvation for all. But Judas...he's in hell. Heh.

Oh well...

Creativity and talent...Interesting issues.

Just so there's no confusion, to me, talent is directional and creativity is general. That meaning that talent would be field and/or area specific while creativity would be a general ability, capable of being applied to all fields and areas. I find it funny to argue about creativity...I mean, as to whether it should come naturally or whether it should be practiced to be developed. My take on it is that its both. Simple as that. We all know that creativity cannot be forced, it has to come...but we all also know that opportuinity to use that creativity has to arise...there has to be the means of using that creativity when inspiration strikes.

The "leaving the world behind" and elitism bit on creativity is a whole other ball game. I may be forced to eat my words one day, but I just don't believe in either. Yes, you do need to constantly raise your standards to improve your craft. And yes, its easy to get caught up in your craft to the point of forgetting about the rest of the world. And yes, its also easy to isolate yourself in a circle of those who are masterful in that craft and refuse to interract with those outside that circle who either "Just can't appreciate it" or are just "of too low a standard". But to me...and this is just my point of view...unless the world hold nothing for you...and I mean totally nothing...you've got no reason to leave the rest of the world behind. That's how I see it. But for the rest of you...if betrays your priorities, though you might wish to deny it. It also shows your character. No friend or loved one wants to be told that they're second place to "an interest". And just because you're good at something is no reason to discriminate against people who aren't good at that exact same thing.

I'm sorry, I never liked the whole elitist concept. Anyway, creativity seems difficult to pin down...after all, is the creativity of an artist the same as the creativity of a strategist? Or what even distinguishes "Good art" from "Creative art"? Constant practice will train you and result in "Good art" or even "Excellent art"...but what fuels "Creative art"? I'm sure I've offended a good number of artists, but after watching A Beautiful Mind yesterday, one thing just refused to stay out of my thoughts. John Nash was brilliant. But while he searched for a truely original concept, he suffered a lot of flack because his peers were getting numerous papers published and he didn't have even one to show for it. His peers were "excellent mathaticians". He was creative. The difference is obvious. But he needed the right stimulus...the right environment...to provide him his inspiration. He couldn't work under medication. The point? He didn't really practice in the sense of the word...his first major breakthrough came to him while he was thinking about hitting on a gal at the bar. But he did do a lot of 'practice' in a different sense...when he had an idea, he'd see it through...even if it meant long hours working on equations.

I realise that in the last two paragraphs, I've gone round in circles. Well...thats how I think anyway. Aside from Command 001, I don't think I have a passion so strong that it'd take me away from those whom I care about...or cause me to forget about those who are important to me. But that's me. And to me, a person, a complex, equal being...one with feelings, thoughts and ideas...is more important than any lifeless persuit can be.

I talk too much. Of course, since few people come here, that's no matter.