Posts made in December, 2008

Merry Christmas

Posted by Dad on Dec 25, 2008 in The Blog | 3 comments

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. As always, I hope that you practice living in the present today and not sweat the small stuff.

All the best

Where science meets spirituality- what will you tell your kids?

Posted by Dad on Dec 23, 2008 in The Blog | 8 comments

“Remember, young one. It’s OK to question and try to understand more. It’s in our nature to be curious. It’s how we advance as a species. But, realize that understanding can only take you so far. Faith will take you the rest of the way.”
Jesuit school teacher, my high school, many moons ago

Have you ever taken the time to learn more about the universe and how it came to be? It’s a subject that fascinates me. It always has. It’s a subject that your kids may one day ask you about. Like me, you too may be fascinated.

Theoretical physics is the study of our world in an attempt to understand and explain it. It’s incredibly complex and is pursued by this world’s most brilliant minds. It is from theoretical physics that we get the leading scientific explanations of the origin of our universe. It is the study that gave birth to a theory called the Multiverse Theory.

The latest issue of Discovery Magazine has a wonderful article that explains this theory in layman’s terms (so that is how I think I understand it). The theory bases itself as an explanation to why our universe seems tailor-made for us (life as we know it). You see, theoretical physicists have noted that the universe has too many coincidences that allow for like to grow. Way too many for a simple “coincidence” explanation thereby leading to the question, “How can this universe be perfectly tailored to us?”

The thing that I find funny is how the supporters of the Multiverse Theory find it so impossible to consider that the answer may lie in faith (i.e., an intelligent creator). They refuse to acknowledge that understanding and science has taken them as far as it can take them and it is faith that will take them the rest of the way.

The only other explanation these theorists come up with is theorizing that there are an infinite number of universes along with ours. And, with all those iterations, we are lucky enough to live in one that has the exact requisites for maintaining life as we know it. In other words, with so many possibilities, coincidence is still the explanation for all things being right in this universe for life as we know it.

The article has a great explanation of the issue:

Physicists don’t like coincidences. They like even less the notion that life is somehow central to the universe, and yet recent discoveries are forcing them to confront that very idea. Life, it seems, is not an incidental component of the universe, burped up out of a random chemical brew on a lonely planet to endure for a few fleeting ticks of the cosmic clock. In some strange sense, it appears that we are not adapted to the universe; the universe is adapted to us.

I find that when science meets spirituality or religion, science always seems to focus on finding an alternative explanation. Oh well, lets wait and see what the Large Hadron Collider tests reveal…

In the end, I find a balanced person should do their best to understand science and explore their spirituality. It doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game where one side wins over the other. Both can co-exist in harmony.

What do you think?

All the best

Last minute Christmas gifts for dad

Posted by Dad on Dec 22, 2008 in The Blog | 2 comments

I’m running out of time with my “gifts for dad” series so I’m combining them into this list of last minute Christmas gifts for dad. Of couse, you could always go with the go-to “#1 Dad” tie…

The following is a list of gifts I wouldn’t mind receiving pulled from around the Internet and in no particular order:

Wolver’s Organic Ale Beer. If your hubby enjoys beer, this is a unique experience he’ll enjoy. Add a homemade coupon to watch a game of his favorite sport with him and he’ll think he’s died and gone to heaven.
L’Occitane Shave Kit. If you want to go a little more metro/hip, get him this shaving set from L’Occitane. My wife loves the scent and the shave is wonderful. I take samples of these from the Four Season’s Hotel in Mexico City when I’m there on business. A good alternative is the Lab Series Shave Cream. It doesn’t smell like L’Occitane but man does it shave well!
The Apple iPhone 3G. If you’re a high roller and he’s been especially good this year, you can’t go wrong with the iPhone. He will geek out over it.
Harmony Programmable Remote. Does he love his TV and home theater and stereo? Give him a gadget that puts everything at his fingertips without having to grab separate remotes. Come on ladies, you know we have a tendancy towards lazyness every once in a while.
Silk Boxer Shorts. He’s working out and getting fit just for you, ladies. Show him you noticed by getting him these puppies. A littel spice in the romance is key to a long happy marriage.
A watch. Men accessorize with watches. If you like a man with a manly watch, then consider getting him the Guess Men’s Black Leather. It looks good and is reasonably priced.
Printable coupons. Finally, there really is no better gift than one that says “thank you” and “I love and appreciate you.” There are many online sites that allow you to download and print coupons that you can customize. Give him a few coupons that he can cash in later like taking out the trash or mowing the lawn. How about a night out with just you? Or, a Sunday afternoon of watching sports with his favorite food?

I hope the above gave you some ideas for last minute gifts for dad. Of course, the idea is to make sure that gift doesn’t scream “LAST MINUTE PURCHASE” so take some time and put some thought into it. Remember, he wants to feel loved and appreciated. Give him that.

Let me know what you think and what you’re getting him. I’ll gladly add it to the list above.

All the best

Weekend photos

Posted by Dad on Dec 21, 2008 in The Blog, Uncategorized | 4 comments

A hectic work week gives way to a relaxing weekend…

I escaped from New York’s snow storm just in time. The warm Miami sunshine welcomed me home. I gathered my family and enjoyed a relative’s beautiful beach wedding.

She’s a talented musician. He, a good soldier.

Sunday found me heading to Islamorada in the Florida Keys with family in tow. The Islamorada Fish Company is a wonderful restaurant in a pitcuresque setting… Yes, this is December 21st in South Florida.

A porch, a breeze and a sunset…

It was a good weekend. I trust yours went well also.

All the best

Moms: Holiday gift suggestions for deserving dads part 1

Posted by Dad on Dec 12, 2008 in Family | 3 comments

With the holiday season is in full swing, I thought it may be helpful to moms out there if I gave some recommendations on appropriate gifts for dads. Now, I don’t want to imply that those socks, ties or baked goods are just special. They are and we love them. However, if you think dad’s behaved this year and he deserves that little bit extra, I think these gifts will be just the ticket.

In part one of this three part series, I’m going to focus on movies. A DVD is a budget-conscious gift that any dad would enjoy. Of course, that is if dad actually likes the movie. Remember, we’ve suffered through Barney, Wall-e and all the other Disney movies. We want something for us. We want a dads movie.

1. My top-of-list recommendation is the awesome, adrenaline pumping movie, 300. It’s mind-blowing action 99% of the time and there’s a love seen in the middle. I love this movie. It’s a raw, untamed, testosterone extravaganza! (Yes, ladies, actual testosterone will ooze from your TV screen. Exercise caution)

It’s about 300 Spartan soldiers led by King Lionides (see the top image) who defend Greece from the million+ Persian army. Impossible odds, swords, shields, blood… just trust me. Your husband will love it. You, on the other hand, should excuse yourself and go do something else. My wife HATES this movie.

2. The second movie I’m going to recommend is Father of the Bride. This movie tears my heart out each and every time I watch it. It’s not a very manly movie like 300 but it’s a wonderful story about a dad watching his daughter growing way too fast. If you have a daughter, your husband won’t be able to hold back the tears.

3. Life is beautiful is also a favorite of mine. A dad makes things better for his son during their stay in a concentration camp. It’s about the love of a father for his son and there’s nothing else I can say about that.

4. Last in my list is In Pursuit of Happyness. This should be required watching for all fathers. It’s about persistance and obstacles and life’s challenges. It’s inspiring and shocking at the same time. In the end, it’s about a father trying to make a better life for him and his son. I made my kids watch it with me.