Saturday, June 28, 2014

Parables for Geeks - Part I

So, parables are an attempt to teach an ethical or moral principle through symbolic storytelling. I think this is a great idea, but sometimes the parables don't make sense to me unless they're explained carefully, and in great detail. So, as a service to my fellow geeks, here's a parable rewritten for geeks.

Luke 18:1-8
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain gaming group there was a DM who was a total viking hat and did not chip in for pizza. There was a player in that groupy, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘I don’t think it’s fair that the fighter can upgrade his armour for the difference in price while I have to sell bracers of armour and buy new ones. I mean, it’s just not fair.’ For a while he was unwilling for it was a setting detail he was fond of; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I am a viking hat and do not chip in for pizza, yet because this player bothers me, I will let her upgrade for cost, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the jerk DM said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Stories from my youngest son, Part II

This was a multipage retrospective on his year, evidently done over several days.

First Grade Memory Book

Illustration:
Top Left - an illustration of his desk.
Top Right - a small figure at the edge of the picture says, "Eek."
Bottom Left - "I had no friends yet at this scool."
Bottom Right - "Love You Mrs. N___"
Text: I was quiet, calm, happy, excited and scared when I came into first grade. It was weird because I didn't any friends yet. I befriended everyone by now. But that is another story. My favorite memory of first grade was learning about space. That's when we went to the planetarium. It was fun! My favourite planet is Make Make. I like computer because I get to go on a computer. The teacher's name is Mrs. Smithurst. I also like her because she is a lot like me. I do Parent Pickup both getting to and going home from school. My normal routine is: When I get home I get a piece of candy. Then at 4:00, I play video games. At 4:45, my brother and I switch. Resess is fun. I like to hang out at the structure. Sometimes I play basketball or down in the field. That is what I play the most. I'm going to play basketball at lunch resess. Everybody in this school are my best firneds, especially Phoenix, Evan and Rosie. Why? Because I don't want anybody disappointed. At lunch I have a ham and cheese sandwich with mustard, gummies if I have any and a piece of fruit. Sometimes I buy ice cream. It to get Very Very Cherry. My favourite field trip was the Planetarium. I liked the exhibits. I even got a butterfly-shaped slink! I tested it at home. It failed. My mom doesn't work there anymore. I am not going to be in t his school anymore. I have nothing to fear. Okay, maybe just a little bit. I have no worries about second grade. I have hopes and excitement. I have a lot of summer plans. I want to go to Canobie Lake Park. I need to go to swimming lessons. I don't remember when I take swimming lessons. After swimming lessons, I go to the pool.