Is Technology Ruining the Game?

Read this article this morning about cheating in chess. This has been a concern for a number of years now and the most recent accusations of cheating during the World Chess Championship didn't seem to help reverse this disturbing trend. I just don't get it. In a game that has been shown to help with cognitive skills, memory, and logical thinking, not much of that is happening in regards to those who resort to this method of playing the game. It's really, really sad. It's such a great game and to have people drag it down to this level is terrible.

Shawn

And The Two Shall Become One

Hmmm, I wasn't expecting, nor planning this, but it seems that when I rolled over this blog from the "old" version to the "new" version - it combined it with The Trousered Ape (my other blog). Therefore, I cannot maintain both Ragamuffin or The Trousered Ape simultaneously (ah, the Law of Non-Contradiction at its finest!). So what does this mean? I will still keep this blog but now all my posting will be under the moniker The Trousered Ape since that is the blog that I will wish to focus on more intently.

Updates: We have recovered as well as to be expected from all the drama of the break-in. We are still attempting to gather proof of the items that we claimed on our insurance so as to turn that all in, but that is taking time.

Christmas: It was wonderful - I very much enjoyed it and I hope you all had a great and blessed Christmas as well.

Packers: Beat the Vikings (yay - sorry David - lol) and at 7-8 are still in the playoff hunt (that's really, really sad - but I'll take it if we can get it). Unfortunately they play on the road against the Bears - doesn't look to good. To make they playoffs the Giants must lose their game and the Packersmust beat the Bears - it's a long shot. Good thing God is a Packers fan, eh? I mean, why else would they have a "G" on the side of their helmet? GO PACK, GO!!!

School: Yes, I have enrolled Grand Canyon University and I will begin my first of two classes this upcoming Spring semester on Jan. 8th. Both classes will be taken online. Both classes are eight weeks long, taken concurrently, with a one-week break in between them. The first class I'll be taking is Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL101) and the second class is Christian Apologetics (PHIL351). Woot! I'm excited.

New Job: It's going really well. It is located in the Biltmore district, so it is a nice area of town. Having fun with it - let us hope it continues to do so.

Old Job: Still owes me about 3 weeks of back pay.

Life in general: OH MY GOODNESS... After almost 3 years (34 months to be precise) since we embarked on the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover, Davina and I have achieved a major goal. We are now, officially, debt free except for the house. It's a huge relief and we are very excited about it! It was a simple plan, but it was not easy to execute all the time. However, I am extremely glad that we stuck to it and sacrificed over the last few years because so far it has been well worth the effort. Now the next steps are increasing our giving, building up the emergency fund until it is fully funded, investing for retirement, and paying off the house early. Cheers!

Shawn

My Best Buddy

Z-Man has made it to the press - or at least the top of his head did. :) What are you pointing at? Was that an action shot? lol

Fort McCoy story

You'll have to read the story soon because it will probably be removed from the site shortly (boo). Congrats bro - you're in print. I guess that means that you will live forever, eh?

Shawn

What's Up Ma'Nerds?

Sup peeps?

Well, I've been pretty busy with the yob. It's going okay so far - trying not keep it low-key so I don't get overly excited about it. But so far, it seems like a good fit.

Ah, it's my favorite time of the year - love Christmas. I just wish that Phoenix would actually get snow - but that's okay - i can deal with cold dirt too. :)

I have been wanting to post a lot more - but been too busy with all the holiday things going on. Consequently I'm not home too much and when I am, I'm probably sleeping. If I know anything, one should not sleep and post - it could be disastrous.

Anyway, if I don't get to it before then - ya'll have a great and wonderful Christmas. Be safe and enjoy your families and friends.

Shawn

Peace On Earth [MM]*

Heaven on Earth
We need it now
I'm sick of all of this
Hanging around
Sick of sorrow
Sick of pain
Sick of hearing again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on Earth

Where I grew up
There weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down
And use them on our enemies
They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you

It's already gone to far
Who said that if you don't go hard
You won't get hurt

Jesus could you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth
No whos or whys
No one cries like a mother cries
For peace on Earth
She never got to say goodbye
To see the colour in his eyes
Now he's in the dirt
That's peace on Earth

They're reading names out over the radio
All the folks the rest of us won't get to know
Sean and Julia, Gareth, Ann and Breda
Their lives are bigger than any big idea

Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
To tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth

Jesus this song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on Earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth?
This peace on Earth

Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth

- U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
* [MM] - Music Mondays

Hopefully without sounding too sacrilegious, Bono is like a modern day Psalter when it comes to lyrics - nobody in the past 15-20 years has written them better. Seeing as Bono likes to call King David the first Blues Artist due to some of the psalms that he wrote, I see a connection to both of their words. I think that there are some parallels between the both David and Bono. I'm not saying that Bono is inspired or that his lyrics and songs are authoritative, but he touches on the same emotions and feelings as David did and he expresses them in a similarly unique way that conveys that strong emotive quality to it.

Shawn