Sceptre95's Weblog

Why do you work?

sceptre95 — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:42:39 +0000

In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell poses the question:

If I offered you a choice between being an architect for $75,000 a year and working in a tollbooth every day for the rest of your life for $100,000 a year, which would you take? I’m guessing the former, because there is complexity, autonomy, and a relationship between effort and reward in doing creative work, and that’s worth more to most of us than money.

I think he jumps to that conclusion a bit too easily. I would opt for the money and security of the tollbooth. To see if I am off my rocker, I consulted my best advisor (the wifey) and she also chose the latter. So, are we both odd, is it a cultural thing, an age thing? Is it because I have a big family? Why does Gladwell’s assumption leave me feeling like something is wrong with me?

15 Years of Bliss

sceptre95 — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:52:54 +0000

Working on words for my 15th wedding annivesary out loud. Tell me what you think.

A lot of of guys are wondering what I did to trick a girl like this to marry a guy like me. All I can say is that God knows what is best and He put us together. I thought my 20 year old bride could not get any better, but after 15 years, she is more beautiful than ever. She is a great mother to my children, a wonderful wife, and an awesome person. I am lucky just to know her and call her my friend.

For my Valentine (Wifey)

sceptre95 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:24:38 +0000

If love was a raindrop I would send you a shower
If hope was a minute I would send you an hour
If happiness was a leaf I would send you a tree
If you need a friend you will always have me!

You got problems?

sceptre95 — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:21:05 +0000

If all the misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart. –Socrates

words

sceptre95 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:47:47 +0000

A careless word may kindle strife.
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A timely word may level stress.
A loving word may heal and bless.

–Unknown

The boss

sceptre95 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:26:46 +0000

I am not the boss of my house.
I don’t know how I lost it.
I don’t know when I lost it.
I don’t think I ever had it.
But I’ve seen the boss’s job, and I don’t want it. –Bill Cosby

Medicine Through the Ages

sceptre95 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:26:23 +0000

2000 B.C. – Here, eat this root.
1000 A.D. – That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. – That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. – That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. – That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 A.D. – That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

I can run, but I can’t hide

sceptre95 — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:18:05 +0000

Last year I met my goal of running 572 miles and my late additional goal of biking the same distance plus various other machine, free weight and core exercises that were not consistent. This year, I will up the goals to 624 each, adding one more mile per week. I run mostly on a treadmill at before work. This seems to be the best time for me to get up early before everyone else does. My best 5 mile run was 39 minutes; my best 4 mile run was 29:39. My best time going 15 miles on the bike was 39:12. In working at different locations, I find some treadmills to be easier than others. I plan to use this to my advantage.

Ah… College

sceptre95 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:00:54 +0000

After about 7 years, I got to relive some of my college days recently. While getting the Christmas decorations out of storage, I happened upon a few boxes of items I had saved; projects, notes, books, study guides, etc. I enjoyed looking at the goofy pictures I drew in the margins, the random things I wrote, and awkward scratchings as I apparently fell asleep a few times. Overall, I was impressed with how smart I used to be. Most of that stuff made no sense to me now, but I know that I could pick it up if needed. I reluctantly threw the stuff out (recycled) knowing that all but the personal information can be easily found online, and the personal items… well, no ever needs to see those again.

2009 Reads

sceptre95 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:10:30 +0000

Despite my daughter out reading me so far this year, here is a list of books I have read.

The Man In the Mirror by Patrick Morley
Painting the Map Red by Hugh Hewitt
Hard to Believe by John MacArthur
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris
Alexander Hamilton by Steven O’Brien and Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Revolution in World Missions by K. P. Yohannan
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards (Author), Mark Trigsted (Editor)
From the Shadows by Robert M. Gates
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
Inheriting Syria by Flynt Leverett
Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs
The Holy Spirit and Power by John Wesley
Hard as Nails by Justin Fatica
Resurrecting Empire by Rashid Khalidi
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Mapping the Risks by Rand Corporation
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection
In the Presence of God by R. C. Sproul
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray
Evening by Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon
Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden
How Good People Make Tough Choices by Rushworth M. Kidder