9.3.11
a question for the christians...
my knowledge on christianity is rusty (on certain things anyway); so if someone could please refresh my memory; esp. on this ash wednesday.
and since it is ash wednesday, christians are entering lent; which leads to easter, the death and resurrection of jesus. this is all well and good.
however; my question is more of a logical one.
now...i would like to believe that all christians don't believe that jesus was born on december twenty-fifth. that you are smart enough to know that he was (provided he was) born in the summer months. and that the christians of ancient rome, in a sense, hijacked the holiday from the romans. but no need to get into that here.
now...christmas is the same date every year. something solid. i could deal with that.
why is easter a different day each year? i would think that the death of someone is the same day every year. it is with the death of the people that i knew. so why is it a different day each year?
someone help with this....
[amithaba...]
and since it is ash wednesday, christians are entering lent; which leads to easter, the death and resurrection of jesus. this is all well and good.
however; my question is more of a logical one.
now...i would like to believe that all christians don't believe that jesus was born on december twenty-fifth. that you are smart enough to know that he was (provided he was) born in the summer months. and that the christians of ancient rome, in a sense, hijacked the holiday from the romans. but no need to get into that here.
now...christmas is the same date every year. something solid. i could deal with that.
why is easter a different day each year? i would think that the death of someone is the same day every year. it is with the death of the people that i knew. so why is it a different day each year?
someone help with this....
[amithaba...]
15.2.11
imagination...
but my question comes as i clean up for the night, all the toys and activities throughout the day. (normally she helps, but she's sick right now. so she gets a reprieve) is today's child accessing and using their imagination like we did as children, or our parents? or even is it too much?
when your child is sick you'll do anything to calm them down. so yesterday was a lot of tv time. and it seems like every show pushes the child to 'learn' something or get something out of it. is it too much? or is the imagination taken away.
i read an excerpt from a book before lydia was born about the developing mind (i wasn't going to buy it, because i figured that it would be too late for me to get all the information out of it that i could use), but it stated (and i'm sorry i don't remember the name of the book) that human babies are attached and need to stay with their parents for so long (as opposed to other animals), because of the complexity of the mind, and to allow that imagination and creativity to grow. this is not something that other animals need. my cat is not concerned with stacking blocks or coloring or making art.
but do we impede this with all these toys, and learning that are constantly in the child's face? is it really important for my child to learn words in spanish or chinese right now? i don't think so. now you may say, 'well, don't let your child watch it.' and this is an option. you are correct. but what else then is there? meaning it's everywhere. and then if you say no, i think you then run the risk of not having your child relate to other children, and what they are into. and then what does that do?
is society pushing too much learn too soon?
[:!:]
[amitabha]
10.2.11
religion...
divides. let me re-phrase that; most religions divide. divide people. separate people. the only people that it brings together are the ones that share the same ideology. if you're not part of that community, then your are divided from that community.
i mostly speak of religion as a whole, and not necessarily the individuals of that community. meaning there are individuals of the community that will not separate themselves from those who are not of their community.
but as far as the religion goes, and depending on the belief then if you don't believe then what would happen? eternal damnation. now this concept is mostly in the western tradition. thinking of the eastern traditions, it is mostly reincarnation in some way. this is most simply put, and i don't want to make the distinction here.
i don't think that there is much argument here. religion does divide. different beliefs. different places of worship. different practices. different world-views. and then religions take on the 'my god is better than yours' mentality, and then what happens? and why is this?
power. political or otherwise. example; if the pope really wanted to be like christ, then why is the vatican so rich, and so powerful? the power struggles in the middle east.
thomas hobbes stated (paraphrased here) that religion is a construction of man, and not found anywhere in nature. religion becoming a creation of man becomes man thirst for power. hobbes believed that we always thirst for power in some way until our death. increasing our power increases our preservation.
let's look at it this way; why has there been so many splits in religion? often times because someone wanted more power than the last. so divide, and conquer. example; martin luther separated himself from the church because of certain ideological differences (some seem valid, like paying to get out of purgatory); however what was his next move? to try and convert the jewish people to christianity. the great peace maker was the plan. didn't work.
now i'm not suggesting that we become so sort of crappy communistic john lennon song. but can we, in essence, not give a shit? relinquish the power, and just be. i believe that religion does need to be discussed, this is how we learn and understand; but do we need to be so attached to it?
[amitabha]
i mostly speak of religion as a whole, and not necessarily the individuals of that community. meaning there are individuals of the community that will not separate themselves from those who are not of their community.
but as far as the religion goes, and depending on the belief then if you don't believe then what would happen? eternal damnation. now this concept is mostly in the western tradition. thinking of the eastern traditions, it is mostly reincarnation in some way. this is most simply put, and i don't want to make the distinction here.
i don't think that there is much argument here. religion does divide. different beliefs. different places of worship. different practices. different world-views. and then religions take on the 'my god is better than yours' mentality, and then what happens? and why is this?
power. political or otherwise. example; if the pope really wanted to be like christ, then why is the vatican so rich, and so powerful? the power struggles in the middle east.
thomas hobbes stated (paraphrased here) that religion is a construction of man, and not found anywhere in nature. religion becoming a creation of man becomes man thirst for power. hobbes believed that we always thirst for power in some way until our death. increasing our power increases our preservation.
let's look at it this way; why has there been so many splits in religion? often times because someone wanted more power than the last. so divide, and conquer. example; martin luther separated himself from the church because of certain ideological differences (some seem valid, like paying to get out of purgatory); however what was his next move? to try and convert the jewish people to christianity. the great peace maker was the plan. didn't work.
now i'm not suggesting that we become so sort of crappy communistic john lennon song. but can we, in essence, not give a shit? relinquish the power, and just be. i believe that religion does need to be discussed, this is how we learn and understand; but do we need to be so attached to it?
[amitabha]
8.2.11
happiness...
some claim is so hard to find. to find joy in the day.
i would have to disagree with these ideas. here are a few things that i try to remember in no particular order:
try to see things from a different point of view. i'm not talking about people's points of view or ideas. rather what i said...things. do not take the common objects and experiences so common. try to expand the view.
next and most important (which may help with the first that i listed), see things from a child's point of view of the world. the world will become new again.
[amitabha]
i would have to disagree with these ideas. here are a few things that i try to remember in no particular order:
try to see things from a different point of view. i'm not talking about people's points of view or ideas. rather what i said...things. do not take the common objects and experiences so common. try to expand the view.
next and most important (which may help with the first that i listed), see things from a child's point of view of the world. the world will become new again.
[amitabha]
new title...
so i changed the title here for some reasons; however mainly because i want to remain more thought based, and i think the last title was more bike based. expand the title to fit more so to the description...
[amitabha]
[amitabha]
30.1.11
so i am now on...
twitter. @hamadphilosophy
i'm keeping my tweets (i never thought i'd use that word) to philosophy only. i'm trying about once a week to post a philosophy quote. no rhyme or reason. just a cool philosophy quote. so if you're interested look it up.
but, i also searched the word philosophy, and other than kids complaining about their philosophy class; i'm the only one (that i could find) on there strictly putting up/for philosophy. hopefully i'm ahead of the curve for this. just because i wouldn't mind bring hamadphilosophy altogether...
[amitabha]
i'm keeping my tweets (i never thought i'd use that word) to philosophy only. i'm trying about once a week to post a philosophy quote. no rhyme or reason. just a cool philosophy quote. so if you're interested look it up.
but, i also searched the word philosophy, and other than kids complaining about their philosophy class; i'm the only one (that i could find) on there strictly putting up/for philosophy. hopefully i'm ahead of the curve for this. just because i wouldn't mind bring hamadphilosophy altogether...
[amitabha]
22.1.11
a rose by any...
other name, would still smell the same. i've been thinking about this topic of a few weeks now, and in this months issue of bike mike ferrentino writes in the column 'grimy handshake' about all the different types of bikes that have come out. and that it used to be 'easy' to buy a bike. all you really needed to know was what type of riding you were going to do; which was typically road or mountain. now if you're going to buy a bike, you really need to know more information to pick up the right bike for what you intend to do.
for road there are now different road bikes depending on their geometry, or bar type. for mountain, the start is hard tail or full suspension. then after that there are you have to look at how much travel you want, and geometry. and this gets too complex that i want to get into here.
my quick point is that we have become too categorized, and in the 'specialty' realm of bikes too snobish. there are fringe aspects of cycling, and if you don't 'fit' into their (these are just uber snobs who consider themselves experts) then you don't belong.
let me give you my example. a few years ago i came across a bike called a monster cross (mx). the definition of this bike is essentially a cross bike with really fat tires. so keeping the idea of a cross bike; drop bars, rigid fork, but with fatter tires than 38c has become the definition that i have found. well...my friend and i have since built one up for ourselves, but we have had to use a 29er mountain frame, 29er tires, still with drop bars, and rigid fork.
but i am about to go outside this definition and put a front shock on my mx. and this is going against the prevailing definitions out there. so then my mx will cease being a mx, and just be a mtn bike with drop bars; according to 'them' (conspiracy theory, or king diamond album).
part of my point becomes...do you remember when a bike was a bike? you either had a ten speed, mtn bike, or bmx; and that was it.
the industry has become too complex, and the fringe aspect of the 'culture' (hate this word, but it works) is too snobish.
just ride a bike. have fun. enjoy the ride. don't get caught up in all the crap. remember why you got on a bike in the first place.
[amitabha...]
for road there are now different road bikes depending on their geometry, or bar type. for mountain, the start is hard tail or full suspension. then after that there are you have to look at how much travel you want, and geometry. and this gets too complex that i want to get into here.
my quick point is that we have become too categorized, and in the 'specialty' realm of bikes too snobish. there are fringe aspects of cycling, and if you don't 'fit' into their (these are just uber snobs who consider themselves experts) then you don't belong.
let me give you my example. a few years ago i came across a bike called a monster cross (mx). the definition of this bike is essentially a cross bike with really fat tires. so keeping the idea of a cross bike; drop bars, rigid fork, but with fatter tires than 38c has become the definition that i have found. well...my friend and i have since built one up for ourselves, but we have had to use a 29er mountain frame, 29er tires, still with drop bars, and rigid fork.
but i am about to go outside this definition and put a front shock on my mx. and this is going against the prevailing definitions out there. so then my mx will cease being a mx, and just be a mtn bike with drop bars; according to 'them' (conspiracy theory, or king diamond album).
part of my point becomes...do you remember when a bike was a bike? you either had a ten speed, mtn bike, or bmx; and that was it.
the industry has become too complex, and the fringe aspect of the 'culture' (hate this word, but it works) is too snobish.
just ride a bike. have fun. enjoy the ride. don't get caught up in all the crap. remember why you got on a bike in the first place.
[amitabha...]
29.12.10
dedication...
commitment. what do these words mean? what would you give up? what wouldn't you give up?
martin luther king once said...if you have nothing to die for, then you have nothing to live for.
during the vietnam war buddhist monks performed what is called 'self-immolation'. it is a form of suicide by fire. often done for political or moral reasons as a form of protest. (never mind the jackass in the background lighting his cigarette)
i'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. i get it, yet i don't.
how far are you willing to go for what you believe? is a belief worth it?
just think...the buddhist pictured here, believed in something so deep, a concept that most of us can't even comprehend, that he lit himself on fire. comprehend that...
enjoy the simulacra...
[amitabha...]
martin luther king once said...if you have nothing to die for, then you have nothing to live for.
during the vietnam war buddhist monks performed what is called 'self-immolation'. it is a form of suicide by fire. often done for political or moral reasons as a form of protest. (never mind the jackass in the background lighting his cigarette)
i'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. i get it, yet i don't.
how far are you willing to go for what you believe? is a belief worth it?
just think...the buddhist pictured here, believed in something so deep, a concept that most of us can't even comprehend, that he lit himself on fire. comprehend that...
enjoy the simulacra...
[amitabha...]
4.12.10
first test ride...
it was about 34 degrees out, and i dressed too warm.
first let me go over the parts list. most of this was off of my old cross bike, and some is new...
dt swiss 240 hubs laced to rr 1.2 rims panaracer tires
salsa bell lap bar
fsa stem (in pic is a race face deus, but i had to switch it)
race face deus seatpost
specialized saddle
avid shorty brakes
egg beater pedals
sram red levers, xx rear del, force front del, and force crankset (cross gearing) & bb (30), cassette and chain.
the ride...i just did a quick spin around my neighborhood, down and up some hills, into a park with some trail. out the door; quick & light. as it ought to be for being all carbon. stomp on the pedals and go. really nice and smooth. the carbon really did the job on soaking up the bumps on the road, and on the small trails in the park that i hit. the ride was not harsh at all. this is a great change from the steel vicious that i've been riding for the past ten years. the bike is also twitchy in its handling. this is something that i have come to really look for in bikes. just think it, and it goes.
as i was riding up a pretty steep hill, i could feel the stiffness in the tapered head tube. it really makes a difference when i was standing on the pedals and putting an ass ton of torque on the handlebars. nothing moved; which is what ought to happen.
i don't think i need to say anything about the components. this is my custom setup. this is what i believe a cross bike ought to be. the boutique version (i.e. complete bike in store) does not have these components. but in any case...sram works effortlessly. smooth shifting, esp. from the 34 to 50. such a jump in gears, and it just went right up.
this bike will be in the quiver for a long time. can't wait to take it out on a longer more intense ride.
[amitabha]
times are...
tough. we all know this. some of us are just lucky to pay our bills and live. our luxuries are not our 'to do' list anymore. the economy isn't bouncing back like our 'leader' said it would. instead; he's just spending us more and more into debt, and reliance on other countries for our existence (this is another post for another time)...but for now, let's deal with something more close to home...
the northeast ohio sewer district is planing what they call 'project clean lake'. what they plan on doing is to cut the amount of sewage being dumped into the lake. now...this seems like a great idea. because who wants a dirty lake? who wants to pollute lake erie? our lake is a treasury, and ought to be treated like one. however; whose responsibility is it to keep it clean? i pose the question this way, because who set up the system in the first place?
it wasn't the citizens of northeast ohio. but rather the sewer district in the first place. and it seems that they didn't take into consideration all possible scenarios and outcomes. and now our system is polluting the lake. so now who fixes the problem. better yet...who pays for the mistake in the first place?
you and me...those who pay the bills. the project that they have in mind will cost three billion dollars over the next 25 years. the average bill is about $320 a year. by 2035 it will be about $1000 a year. the rate increases will start 2012.
why are we paying for this? how are we going to pay for this? i really don't think that i will get a pay increase at my work to cover this bill as time goes on.
this becomes another story of how the government does not work for the people, but only in their own interest. my point becomes...this should have never have happened. people in these types of positions need to plan for all possible outcomes and future possibilities. cities grow (hopefully). cities have waste. plan for the worst case, then we wouldn't have to re-visit these problems, and have the people (who have a hard time paying their bills now) pay for the fixing of the mistake.
rest of the story...
wtam.com
[amitabha]
the northeast ohio sewer district is planing what they call 'project clean lake'. what they plan on doing is to cut the amount of sewage being dumped into the lake. now...this seems like a great idea. because who wants a dirty lake? who wants to pollute lake erie? our lake is a treasury, and ought to be treated like one. however; whose responsibility is it to keep it clean? i pose the question this way, because who set up the system in the first place?
it wasn't the citizens of northeast ohio. but rather the sewer district in the first place. and it seems that they didn't take into consideration all possible scenarios and outcomes. and now our system is polluting the lake. so now who fixes the problem. better yet...who pays for the mistake in the first place?
you and me...those who pay the bills. the project that they have in mind will cost three billion dollars over the next 25 years. the average bill is about $320 a year. by 2035 it will be about $1000 a year. the rate increases will start 2012.
why are we paying for this? how are we going to pay for this? i really don't think that i will get a pay increase at my work to cover this bill as time goes on.
this becomes another story of how the government does not work for the people, but only in their own interest. my point becomes...this should have never have happened. people in these types of positions need to plan for all possible outcomes and future possibilities. cities grow (hopefully). cities have waste. plan for the worst case, then we wouldn't have to re-visit these problems, and have the people (who have a hard time paying their bills now) pay for the fixing of the mistake.
rest of the story...
wtam.com
[amitabha]
23.11.10
christmas season...
Is upon us without it even being here yet. My little girl sleeps in the car while my wife does some quick shopping, and all I see around this shopping area is x-mas junk.
I want to bring back the essence and enjoyment of thanksgiving, instead of it being a speed bump on the way to another holiday.
Do we not then loose sight of why we get together at this time of year?
[amitabha]
I want to bring back the essence and enjoyment of thanksgiving, instead of it being a speed bump on the way to another holiday.
Do we not then loose sight of why we get together at this time of year?
[amitabha]
17.11.10
i was able...
after a big rain like last night; i didn't expect to stay warm and dry. the picture to the left is just a sample of what i went through...literally. the rocky river metroparks has great trails for brushing up on some cross skills, and with a race this up coming weekend; i thought i would.
with these trails not used much, they are all leaf covered. so you have to keep an eye out where to go. and with these trails not maintained in any way puddles like these were a plenty. and not knowing how deep the hole was put a little extra surprise in the mix. making any type of sharp turn was not happening. i'm sure it didn't help that i had no idea of how much psi i was running, but i let out some air to hedge my bets. still...i was slipping and a sliding all over the place. that being said...the 29 inch wheels worked great getting over a few missed placed logs and ruts. i was clearing stuff with ease. i'm hoping to give this bike a bigger challenge soon.during the ride i felt o.k., but sluggish. i'm hoping to get another ride in before the race to work out any more bugs i may have.
speaking of bugs...for most of the ride i was unable to shift into my 'big' rig. so i was playing with the tension on the derailleur and limit screw. it all seemed for not. until...i cleared a log, and wham! my non-drive side arm fell off. nice. i know there's a lesson here...make sure your shit works before you take off on a ride.
[amitabha]
15.11.10
sacrifice...
does it mean giving up what you truly want to do for something that you do not necessarily want to do? to give up something?
well...i've given up a lot as far as my cycling is concerned. here is another cyclocross season down the drain. i was upset when i missed the first race of the season. a little disappointed as i kept missing races. i have only been able to do one so far, and if all goes well; one more.
but what have i really given up? sure my cycling level as a whole has gone down, but i have gain so much more.
i spend all that lost time riding with my beautiful little girl. i do get her on the back of the bike from time to time (temp. is too low now), and ride around the 'hood, and you'd be surprised at how much effort that takes; esp. when i start looking for hills to climb.
as my bikes hang in the basement, and collect dust; life does not. ride when i am able to; however it takes a real man/father to admit that 'things' are no longer the center of life. being a father is.
[amitabha]
well...i've given up a lot as far as my cycling is concerned. here is another cyclocross season down the drain. i was upset when i missed the first race of the season. a little disappointed as i kept missing races. i have only been able to do one so far, and if all goes well; one more.
but what have i really given up? sure my cycling level as a whole has gone down, but i have gain so much more.
i spend all that lost time riding with my beautiful little girl. i do get her on the back of the bike from time to time (temp. is too low now), and ride around the 'hood, and you'd be surprised at how much effort that takes; esp. when i start looking for hills to climb.
as my bikes hang in the basement, and collect dust; life does not. ride when i am able to; however it takes a real man/father to admit that 'things' are no longer the center of life. being a father is.
[amitabha]
6.11.10
the time has come...
it's been a great bike, but the time has come. the frame is starting to rust in some places that are not conducive to the preservation of the frame. so it's getting stripped down and hung on a wall somewhere. in it's place, i'm taking the parts off of it and building up a kona major jake carbon. this is an amazing frameset. it weights just over three pounds. i just need a few parts that couldn't make the move.
all internal cable routing to keep the gunk out, and cables clean. tapered headtube for strength. this is just going to be fun.
:amitabha:
4.11.10
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