February 16, 2007
Some Thoughts/Advice on Web Design
Top Failures of Web Site Design:
1) Content - Not enough, too much, out dated, hard to find, not arranged logically
2) Focus on technology over function or message - Having "cool stuff" on your site is not enough, your site must communicate clearly and function smoothly, technology should just enable those things.
3) Wrong use of communication means or playing to the wrong audience - Having a tech savvy site for non-tech savvy customers or, on the other hand, babying tech savvy customers so much that they feel restricted. Or having too small of fonts, having a "dynamic and cool site" when you need a "calm site."
4) Modeling your website off someone else - Whether it's your competitor or an organization in a totally different field, it always bad to model your site off someone else's. Your needs and your client's needs are unique - start there. Using other people's stuff stunts growth and inhibits innovation.
5) Using your website as a printed piece - Use the web as the dynamic medium it is. Printed materials, billboards, commercials can't be targeted like web information can. Make sure you're communicating in a targeted way.
Some Tips:
Ultimately you should find a web professional you can trust - an english teacher doesn't fix the transmission on their car, a professional athlete doesn't milk their own cows... they let professionals in the other field do their job because they know how to do it best, however... here are some tips:
Who are you trying to target with your site? New or existing customers? What percent either way? (and saying 50/50 is a copout and a lie, it'll be tilted at least slightly one way or the other... and it matters. It'll affect your design.)
What the logical arrangement of information on a site might be for you, may not be logical for your customers. To get around this I suggest trying to get into the heads of your customers. Profile 3-5 people who would be using your site (names, ages, life stages, etc) and then roleplay - think about "What would I want to know if I were this person, what would I be concerned with, how would I approach the site?"
What are the top three messages you're trying to convey through your site? In what ways can you convey those?
philiplikens | 09:57 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
January 02, 2007
Becoming Poor
What if we gave of our time, our money and our selves, through service and discipleship, so much that instead of relying on a 401k plan or a large amassment of savings for retirement, we relied on the provision of God and the generosity of the generations we discipled? What if we gave so much of our selves (feeding and clothing the poor, teaching and discipling the children, etc) that we became so poor that our only hope for survival was that the next generations would mimic the way we lived?
philiplikens | 03:28 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 27, 2006
Irony
I entered a tshirt concept into a contest... check it out, vote for it if you like it, etc etc...
You might have to create an account to vote, I'm not sure.
philiplikens | 11:08 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 24, 2006
Joseph's Story
Once upon a time there was a man named Joseph who was a Canaanite carpenter who had gone to Egypt to build pyramids. Well, because of Joseph's hard work, Pharaoh decided to recognize him - Pharaoh told Joseph he could have his pick of any young virgin he wanted. Ironically Joseph chose a woman named Mary to marry - little did he know this young virgin was with child. When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he threw a fit and ask her if she had been sleeping around. He didn't believe her and was about ready to leave her when an angel of God told him the insemination was divine and he should stick around. Ultimately Joseph did just that.
About that time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that the entire world should be registered - so Joseph and Mary decided to register in Bethlehem. Because of the strenuous journey from Egypt to Bethlehem, it was all Mary could to do get off the donkey at the end of their journey before Jesus was born. Since they were still in the stable when Mary gave birth, they decided to just spend a few nights there. Pretty soon a few wise men, some sheppards, and a bunch of Joseph's brothers came to see them. The wise men came bearing gifts - one of the gifts they brought was a coat of many colors in XLT (for Jesus was supposed to be tall and strong).
Well, Joseph had a dream one night and dreamed that he was much better than his brothers. Joe tended to have a big mouth, and upon telling his dream to his brothers, they issued death threats. That night Joseph, Jesus and Mary, without saying goodbye to anyone, set off back toward Egypt. It was so cold (for it was early January by then) that Joseph decided he should wear Jesus' coat rather than holding it back for him. That was Joseph's first big mistake - sinning against Jesus. The wrath of God, mixed with a little bit of karma when Joseph was walking along, stepped on the edge of the coat (for it was too long for him), tripped and fell into a well. Fortunately Jesus came to save sinners and he saved Joseph from his sin - he lifted him up out of the pit, out of the miry clay.
And the rest is history.
--
This is a retelling of 2 stories merged (the Jospeh from Genisis and the Joseph who was Jesus' earthly father), along with a little fiction. Hopefully you'll find this amusing... and remember that Jesus really was born, then slaughtered brutally for our sins, dying so we wouldn't have to. If you don't love Jesus - you're missing out.
philiplikens | 09:08 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
November 25, 2006
Jesus
What does the name Jesus mean to you? I think to some it means encouragement and grace, to others it means judgement or an "I'm better than you are" mentality.
I'm just curious what that name means to you. There'll be no judgement from me, or anyone else on my page... I just want to know HONESTLY what the name means to you.
philiplikens | 09:16 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 09, 2006
I Need A Drink
One of the scariest phrases for me to hear is "I need a drink."
philiplikens | 10:39 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 06, 2006
Bored. Convicted
Bored but convicted. Restless. Burdened. Don't know where to start, so I don't. Nothing else to do.
philiplikens | 11:14 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
July 25, 2006
Mute
Have you ever wanted to mute life for a day? I wonder what that would be like. I bought ear plugs a while back and a noise reduction headset, but even with both on I could still hear. It's a funny fact of life that we can take in sound through our skulls and not just our ears directly. Anyway, point being, my effort to artificially mute the world didn't work. The closest thing I can think of is when I put on my head phones, tune in to a song I know very well and crank the volume - I can hear nothing of the outside, only what's coming through my phones. And if the song is familiar enough, it mutes itself in some sense, and I am left observing the movements of the people around me, the shapes and colors, the uniquities floating around me. Never-the-less, I still wonder what it'd be like to mute the world.
philiplikens | 02:39 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 21, 2006
Top Banana
"It's useful being top banana in the shock department."
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
philiplikens | 02:47 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 19, 2006
I Killed The Man
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
Hotel lobby, marble floor
Up the shaft to number four
Hand in hand and through the door
Seen a little and want some more
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
Fingers glide across my skin
She grabs hold and pulls me in
Flesh meets as we begin
Sweet indulgence in the sin
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
Eyes stare at mary jane
Shift outside, right through the pane
Head spins as feelings wane
Tears form and turn to rain
I killed the Christ
I killed the One
I killed the Man
I killed the Son
philiplikens | 10:32 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
Looking For A Woman
"Well, I think I'll get saddled up and go looking for a woman. Shouldn't take more than a couple of days. I'm not picky as long as she's smart and pretty... sweet... and gentle and... tender and refined and... lovely and carefree."
-The Sundance Kid in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
philiplikens | 08:26 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
Who Is This Guy?
Even if you don't believe in God, you owe it to yourself to find out who Jesus was - if for no other reason, because all time is measured by either being before Him or after Him. And you might say "oh, well, this is kind of like Augustus naming the month of August after himself," but the difference is that it wasn't Jesus who based time around his birth - it was other human beings.
It would be kind of like a bunch of people getting together and throwing out our current concept of time in favor of a calendar where everything before 1981 was "before Philip" and everything after was counted from that date. So it would be 24 whatever right now. Can you imagine? Wouldn't you wonder how I lived, what I did that I had such an impact to cause that kind of change?
No other man has time based around his birth like this man has. Hitler, Ghandi and Ceasar do not touch the impact this one man has had on the world. Oscar Wilde even goes so far to say that nothing in Greek tragedy comes close to touching the story of Christ. In other words, no mythological story can even touch the real life story Jesus lived.
If none of that makes you wonder about Christ, so be it. But if you do wonder, even a little, about who He was, check out the gospel of John. If you read through it, ask yourself a few questions along the way: Who was Christ? What was His personality like? Who did He hang out with? What types of things did He do with His time? What did He care about?
philiplikens | 02:06 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 16, 2006
Take Me Home
Take Me Home
by Philip Likens
---
murder, rape, adultery
none of these are past me
jesus won't you take me home?
rattled by my own dreams
follies and iniquities
jesus won't you take me home?
haunted by my past sin
squeamish in my own skin
jesus won't you take me home?
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
jesus won't you take me home?
sheep in a wolf's clothes
chasing where the wind blows
jesus won't you take me home?
people rush around me
no one seems to know me
jesus won't you take me home?
terror in my own soul
won't you fill this gaping hole
jesus won't you take me home?
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
jesus won't you take me home?
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
hoo-oooh-oooh-ome
jesus won't you take me home?
i wanna go home...
i wanna go...
philiplikens | 05:41 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
June 29, 2006
Starbucks
Starbucks is such a lonely, crowded place.
philiplikens | 05:19 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
June 28, 2006
Doodles
So I've been drawing most of the last week... just been doing random doodles. It's very relaxing, I just put on some music and draw whatever comes to mind. For some reason, whatever reason, I've been attaching plugs to everything.
philiplikens | 01:24 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
June 26, 2006
The Best
There's not much of anything better than deep, God-centered conversation with close friends.
philiplikens | 10:54 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
June 22, 2006
God Creates Man And...
So God creates man and then He says "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." So then the Lord goes and creates the animals and marches them all in front of the man. The man names the animals but doesn't find a helper among them. So God ends up putting the man to sleep, grabbed a rib from him and sculpted a woman out of it. And it ends up that the woman is a suitable helper. (paraphrase of Genesis 2-18-25)
Here's what struck me as funny - the idea that God creates all these animals and marches them in front of Adam. I can just imagine this is how things went:
"Hmmm, ok, you're kinda large, grey, with big ears and a small tail. And what's that thing hanging down there in front, is that your nose?" said Adam.
The soon-to-be-named animal, quite offended by the question, replied "It's my trunk. I can use it to pick things up, even trees, to small morsels, to rinse myself off with water..."
"Oh, I see. Well then, I'll call you Elephant." Adam responded, "And though your trunk is very nifty, and you are very large, you're not much like me and not quite the helper I need. Thank you very much though. Next animal please."
As the elephant plodded away the next animal bounded into place, tail wagging.
"Oh, hello there. Lets see, you're much smaller than the elephant, you have a nice teethy smile, long blonde fur, a peppy attitude. Is there anything special you can do?" Adam inquired.
The animal responded "Oh yes! I can bring you the newspaper or even a beer from the fridge. I'm extremely loyal and would do anything to please. And, I can bark if I see any sign of trouble."
"Quite nice. You have the most wonderful qualities and very soft fur," the man said as he petted the animal on the head, "but you're not quite what I'm looking for in a helper. Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. Since you can do most everything I like - including fetching beer, the newspaper and being loyal - you can be my best friend. Hows that? Oh, and I'll call you Dog."
The dog wagged his tail to and fro and said "That sounds very lovely. Though I'm curious to see who God comes up with for your helper, as I'm sure no one else really stacks up against me."
Then the Lord asked the dog to fetch Adam a beer. Soon after Adam had drank his beer, he fell fast asleep. God then took a rib from Adam and formed woman. After a time the man woke up and said "Oh, wow man! You formed a chick from my rib. Nifty! Now what shall I call her? How about woman?"
And so woman was created and named. Well, it wasn't documented, but when the dog saw the woman he said "Yeah, I knew God wouldn't come up with anything better than me" Well, as it turns out, as time has proved, the dog was right - woman wasn't anything compared to the dog. Adam's first mistake was not choosing the dog as his helper. After all, it wasn't the dog that was deceived in Eden. In fact, someone overheard the dog saying some time later "I would've barked at that serpent. I knew something fishy was going on with that fellow."
philiplikens | 12:04 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
May 28, 2006
Melting A Boy's Heart
Melting a boy's heart quickly doesn't involve microwaves, ovens or stoves... no amount of heat (or cooking) can melt a boy's heart faster, nothing is hotter, than a girl's head-first, full-on pursuit of God.
philiplikens | 08:29 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
May 25, 2006
Jetta Girls
Jetta girls have a good sense of style, but are kinda plain. T-shirt and jeans kind of girls. Low-maintence. Subtle. Nice. Classic beauty. Nonchalant. Laid back. Quiet. Conservative. A little playful. "Good."
I've wanted a Jetta girl for years. I mean, I've wanted a girl who drives a Jetta, who's kinda plain, but beautiful. Laid back. Subtle. Quiet. Nice. Conservative.
Then they changed the Jetta's design this past year and made them look crappy with their high-maintenance chrome on the front. So the Jetta girl is out...
Now I want a Civic girl. Have you seen the new Civics? They're beautiful...
philiplikens | 08:29 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
April 10, 2006
Humility When God Speaks Through You
"God spoke to Balaam through his ass. I believe God still speaks through asses today. So if God should choose to speak through you, you needn't think too highly of yourself."
-Rich Mullins
philiplikens | 10:05 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
April 05, 2006
Staple Puller
I love staple pullers. If I could be a professional staple puller I would. There's just something about de-stapling papers. I mean, what if the papers didn't want to be together in the first place? I'd be doing them a favor. Kind of a paper divorce judge type of thing.
philiplikens | 09:26 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
March 15, 2006
Ides of March
Happy Birthday.
philiplikens | 10:38 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
February 17, 2006
Shania Twain
Shania Twain is sitting on the table staring at me. She's kinda starting to freak me out.
I might have to turn the magazine over.
philiplikens | 06:52 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
February 16, 2006
Donald Trump: The Fragrance
All I have to say is: Who wants to smell like Donald Trump
philiplikens | 09:13 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
January 24, 2006
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 172.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14' and July '3' 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723
philiplikens | 12:25 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
Pondering Perfect
I wonder what Heaven will be like - I wonder if "perfect" is singing on key, having rhythm, etc... or if perfect is embracing the unique way we were all made...
philiplikens | 12:38 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
November 14, 2005
Running
I feel like I'm running and running right now...so much to do and so little time!
philiplikens | 12:32 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
October 29, 2005
Reading
Reading is listening... through your eyes.
philiplikens | 08:30 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
October 23, 2005
Irony
Irony is the tallest inhabitant of the mens room using the shortest urinal.
philiplikens | 08:40 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
October 19, 2005
Red
I looked up. Red. Red. Red. The electricity must’ve shut off sometime recently. I stood and tried to blink my eyes in sync with the stop light. Blink. Blink. Blink. Car. Blink. Crash. Blink. Red like the color of a T-bone steak, in the middle of the intersection. Blink. Blink. Run. The two cars aligned to create the first letter of my name. How lovely. Red, the first car was red. The other not so much. Screams. Red. Screams. Red. Screams. Red. The driver must’ve been Italian. There was marinara sauce all over the windshield of the first car, the windows of the second. No one was moving except the watchers. The witnesses. The screamers.
Someone beat me, I got there second. Blame it on my childhood, but give me a ribbon for my efforts. A red one…I was always second. A cross swung back and forth and back again as it hung from the rearview mirror of the passenger’s car. Somehow it had collected some of the marinara sauce.
philiplikens | 01:02 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
October 18, 2005
The First Paragraph
We sit, she and I, in silence. You know that silence. The uncomfortable silence between songs. That moment where you don’t know if you should risk a phrase expecting to be interrupted or just let the silence be. I just let it be. She doesn’t.
It’s a pretty little picture to be sure. Two lovers together. Side by side. She beside me. Me beside myself. Why did she pick me?
The corner of my eye catches on her lips. She speaks. I hang on every word. First word “the.” With such an ambiguous word it’s hard to predict where she’s going.
“The reason we can’t see each other any more…”
“The breeze feels nice…”
“The people in the car next to us…”
Worthless, torturous “the.” No real meaning and thus no indicator of direction. The remainder of her first paragraph goes about the same way; me hanging on every word and her being vague and unclear.
The music begins again and she continues...
philiplikens | 11:04 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
September 18, 2005
Self Help
Screw self help let’s die to ourselves in Christ.
philiplikens | 09:56 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 29, 2005
Amazing
How wonderful it would be to hear Christ say "Amazing, your faith is amazing" like he did to the Roman officer. (Matt 8:5-13)
philiplikens | 04:42 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
So Unnatural
Our lives are so unnatural. Are we supposed to be using electric bulbs to light up the night? Gasoline and automobiles? Rockets to go to the moon? Is this really the best thing? Are we really supposed to sleep on pillowtop mattresses? Are we supposed to get comfortable here?
philiplikens | 04:26 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 24, 2005
Concentrate
Sometimes I concentrate - like frozen orange juice in the can.
philiplikens | 03:50 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 18, 2005
Recognizing Revolutionary
"When something is revolutionary, it’s hard on first listen to accept it. There’s a shocking period there where you don’t know. A lot of the things that you hear once and you love may fade faster... sometimes it’s the stuff that takes a little while to get around before you realize how good it is that really stays with you. Because that’s the stuff that’s different."
philiplikens | 12:03 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 17, 2005
Where You Goin? Nowhere
"She thinks that I get up with the sun and dream my life away. And she thinks that I'm going nowhere cause I stay at one place."
-Rob Dougan, Furious Angels "Born Yesterday"
philiplikens | 04:59 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 16, 2005
Middle-Brained
"I wish I wasn't middle-brained. Both sides fight alot."
-Matt
philiplikens | 01:38 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
A Different Battle
"Who sits in silence has escaped three wars: hearing, speaking, seeing, yet against things shall he continually battle, that is his own heart."
-Anthony, Desert Father
philiplikens | 08:18 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
Anger Without Cause
A brother asked Abba Poemen: What does it mean to get angry at one's brother without cause? And he replied: When your brother attacks you, whatever the insults are, if you get angry at him, you are getting angry without cause. Even if he were to pull out your right eye, and to cut off your right hand, if you get angry at him, you are getting angry without cause. Yet if he were to try to take you away from God, then get angry!
-Poemen, Desert Father
philiplikens | 08:12 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
August 13, 2005
Dept of Art
Dept of Art launched today. Ability to buy stuff coming soon. Check it out.
philiplikens | 02:25 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
August 01, 2005
Lifehouse: Hanging By A Moment
desperate for changing
starving for truth
closer where i started
chasing after you
i'm falling even more in love with you
letting go of all i've held onto
i'm standing here until you make me move
i'm hanging by a moment here with you
forgetting all i'm lacking
completely incomplete
i'll take your invitation
you take all of me
now.. i'm falling even more in love with you
letting go of all i've held onto
i'm standing here until you make me move
i'm hanging by a moment here with you
i'm living for the only thing i know
i'm running and not quite sure where to go
i don't know what i'm diving into
just hanging by a moment here with you
there's nothing else to lose
nothing left to find
there's nothing in the world
that could change my mind
there is nothing else
there is nothing else...
desperate for changing
starving for truth
closer where i started
chasing after you
i'm falling even more in love with you
letting go of all i've held onto
i'm standing here until you make me move
i'm hanging by a moment here with you
i'm living for the only thing i know
i'm running and not quite sure where to go
i don't know what i'm diving into
just hanging by a moment here with you
just hanging by a moment
hanging by a moment..
hanging by a moment...
hanging by a moment here with you..
---
I believe these lyrics are written to God.
philiplikens | 07:46 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 31, 2005
Complete Trust
"Upon a life I did not live,
upon a death I did not die;
another’s life, another’s death,
I stake my whole eternity."
-Horatius Bonar
philiplikens | 08:20 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 24, 2005
Writing
"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein."
-Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith
philiplikens | 09:35 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
Memory
My God has not blessed me with a a perfect memory, but a pen, paper and the opportunity to write.
philiplikens | 08:24 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
July 20, 2005
Searching For The Words
Eyes buried in the sand
Toes sinking slowly
The sun warming his skin
He stood, rocking ever-so-slightly
Back and forth and back again
Searching for the words
Searching for the words
Searching for the words...
---
Written and spoken today - audio version available at only a boy.
philiplikens | 10:00 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 18, 2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
What can I say about this film? It’s so odd. The whole thing feels very off balance. Johnny Depp did a great job with his character (Wonka) – I think Tim Burton and Depp showed perfectly just how hard it would be for Wonka to “return to civilization” so to speak. There’s a certain separation and unrest that Wonka maintains throughout the movie – it’s quite comical at times.
I have no idea which scene is my favorite but the squirrel scene was pretty great. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d recommend it.
philiplikens | 09:14 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
July 15, 2005
Feet Dragon
person 1: wow, your feet are dragging today.
person 2: yeah.
person 3: feet are feet, i've never seen a feet that was a dragon.
philiplikens | 01:38 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
July 11, 2005
love or lust
We took off our clothes and screwed each other's minds and hearts until irreparable damage had been done.
Then we screwed some more until both had lost sight of what we wanted and neither of us had anything left to give.
And we became empty like glass bottles, contents wasted on a foolish night of sin and shallow grasps at love.
Then we staggered away, wounded and drunk off our own shallow follies sighting piss-poor reasons for leaving our partner.
All this a futile attempt at love - or what we thought to be love - that was nothing more than lust.
---
Posted in spoken word form at the Only A Boy page on myspace.
philiplikens | 09:28 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
July 06, 2005
Back From Cornerstone
I got back today. Had a blast. Here are a few links to photos I took while I was at Cornerstone. Hope you enjoy...
photo 1
photo 2
photo 3
photo 4
philiplikens | 12:09 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
June 27, 2005
Cornerstone
Tomorrow I leave for Cornerstone. Actually, tomorrow night I drive home to Bartlesville then Wednesday morning my dad and I leave for Cornerstone.
I'm really looking forward to it. The time off from work is *much much* needed, I'll have fun hanging out with my dad, I get to see a lot of great musicians, and I'm bringing my camera to record it all. I just pray I/we will be safe in all the traveling.
Woo Hoo!
philiplikens | 07:39 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (4)
June 19, 2005
Hmmm...
The sexy goodness that is Craben's blog hasn't been updated in almost two months. Booo....
philiplikens | 11:50 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (5)
June 15, 2005
A Joke
I made up a joke. Here's how it goes:
What kind of shoe becomes deadly when you add water?
...
A moccasin. Get it? Water moccasin? Hahaha...
philiplikens | 11:22 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
June 07, 2005
One
Those of you who know me know that I stay away from politics. I do, however, have a passion for helping people.
Our country is, for the most part, extremely well off. Most of us have food to eat and a place to lay our head. Those who don't can usually find what they need (though some choose not to). Other countries aren't so well off though; many countries carry a lot of debt that prevents them from helping the people who live there.
The ONE campaign is trying to change things. “ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans – ONE by ONE – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.”
ONE is an amazing cause and I implore you to get involved. They have put together a letter, a petition, addressed to president Bush. I have signed the letter and I urge you, if you agree with it's contents, to add your voice to the letter as well. It only takes a second, but you never know how much impact that second can have on another persons life.
Thanks for listening and considering.
philiplikens | 12:06 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
June 02, 2005
Writing
Even five years ago I didn’t much like writing. Writing was something reserved for English classes – which I tend to despise. I never really learned grammar well, though I probably know more than I think I do.
I suppose my dislike for writing stemmed from the fact that I didn’t understand the technical side – which in itself is interesting considering how much I read as a child. I just never felt I could take what I learned from reading, and those writing styles, and apply them to my own stories. I also felt the pressure of being graded on my papers which certainly didn’t help me relax; I feel like relaxing, for me, is a huge part of the creative process.
But now I love it. And I feel like I’m improving. This blog has certainly helped in that arena as I attempt to put into words my thoughts and epiphanies. The more complex the thought or idea, the more choice the words must be. And I guess I’m to a point where I know a bit about my own writing style and the style of others and how those fit together.
I started writing for a role-playing character today. If you don’t know what role-playing is, it’s a game where you create a character, pretend to be that character, make decisions that the character would make, etc… It’s much like acting only with words. And so I am forced to take nothing and make it into something – to make a living, breathing character out of what’s in my imagination – and then animate that character based on the other characters and whatever else is going on in the game. It’s really a great exercise for my writing skills. I’m enjoying it.
philiplikens | 01:31 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 31, 2005
Theory of Relativity
"When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, it seems like two minutes. When you sit on a hot stove for two minutes, it seems like two hours that's relativity."
-Albert Einstein
philiplikens | 10:53 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
May 29, 2005
No Man Is An Island
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."
-John Donne
philiplikens | 07:38 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
Ludicrous
To believe any one thing only has one function is ludicrous.
philiplikens | 06:37 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
May 27, 2005
More Than I Know
"I am more than I know." - H.A. Williams
philiplikens | 10:14 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 23, 2005
Walking On Water
"Walking On Water" by Madeleine L'Engle is an unbelieveable book. I have so many things I want to share, but too many for right now. I'll probably finish it in the next few days and I'll write more about it then. But for all of those artists who are also Christians, I highly recommend this book. It sheds a new light on the creative process and what it means to be an artist.
philiplikens | 09:47 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 22, 2005
The Problem With Being Rich
The problem with being rich is that anyone can be rich. It's unoriginal. But to be who you are meant to be, to be a unique individual in Christ, that's really something. Rich or poor, being who you are truly meant to be is what will bring you the most satisfaction.
---
It seems like I've heard a quote similar to this but I can't place it. If it was a quote, then I've just paraphrased it; if it wasn't a quote then there's something for other people to quote.
philiplikens | 10:56 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 17, 2005
Be Yourself
By Audioslave
Someone falls to pieces
Sleepin all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
To finally drift away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
Someone finds salvation in everyone
And another only fame
Someone tries to hide themself
Down inside their selfish brain
Someone swears his true love
Untill the end of time
Another runs away
Divided or united?
Or is everyone insane?
To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
You can be fading up
And pulled apart
Or been in love
Every single memory of
Could have been faces of love
Dont lose any asleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win love
But to be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
---
So...I've decided the stop posting anything I've written and just post lyrics. Other people have usually said what I'm trying to say now, only better...so I'm going to stop trying to say anything on my own. Thanks!
philiplikens | 07:03 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (5)
May 16, 2005
The Finish Line
By Steve Taylor:
Once upon an average morn
An average boy was born for the second time
Prone upon the altar there
He whispered up a prayer he'd kept hid inside
The vision came, he saw the odds
A hundred little gods on a gilded wheel
"These will vie to take your place
But, Father, by Your grace I will never kneel"
And I saw you, upright and proud
And I saw you wave to the crowd
And I saw you laughing out loud at the Philistines
And I saw you brush away rocks
And I saw you pull up your socks
And I saw you out on the blocks for the finish line
Darkness falls, the devil stirs
And as your vision blurs you start stumbling
The heart is weak, the will is gone
And every strong conviction comes tumbling down
Malice rains, the acid guile
Is sucking at your shoes while the mud is fresh
It floods the trail, it leaves you dry
As every little god buys its pound of flesh
And I saw you licking your wounds
And I saw you weave your cocoons
And I saw you changing your tunes for the party line
And I saw you welch on old debts
I saw you and your comrades bum cigarettes
And you hemmed and you hawed
And you hedged all your bets waiting for a sign
Let's all wash our hands as we throw little fits
Let's all wash our hands as we curse hypocrites
We're locked in the washroom turning old tricks
Deaf and joyless and full of it
The vision came, he saw the odds
A hundred little gods on a gilded wheel
"These have tried to take Your place
But, Father, by Your grace, I will never kneel
I will never kneel"
Off in the distance, bloodied but wise
As you squint with the light of the truth in your eyes
And I saw you, both hands were raised
And I saw your lips move in praise
And I saw you steady your gaze for the finish line
Every idol like dust, a word scattered them all
And I rose to my feet when you scaled the last wall
And I gasped when I saw you fall in His arms at the finish line
philiplikens | 08:29 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 14, 2005
Dreams
"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can be together all the time."
-Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes)
--
Thanks to Amy for reminding me of this beautiful quote.
philiplikens | 11:47 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 11, 2005
Food
I’m tired of eating. I’m tired of food. I’m tired of weight issues, eating issues. I’m tired of gluttony, anorexia, bulimia and all the food related illnesses. I’m tired of bad food and good food. I’m tired of judging food as good and bad.
I just wish all food was the same: bland, dull, nutrient-filled, muscle building, healthy. I wish there wasn’t a temptation to overeat great-tasting food or under-eat for fear of weight issues. I wish everyone was their optimal, healthy size and weight. I wish food wasn’t hard to prepare, didn’t spoil, wasn’t expensive. I wish everyone could eat.
I’m ready for Heaven.
philiplikens | 09:28 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
May 09, 2005
Heaven
I wonder what Heaven will be like.
Right now I feel as though the joy we experience here on Earth is made greater by the contrast of the pain in this world. How will that play into Heaven? Will Heaven always be the same level of wonderful? Will it constantly get better? Will we remember Earth - will that be the contrast that makes Heaven even better? Or will the joy be so overwhelmingly great that we never need a contrast? Will we see Hell from Heaven?
philiplikens | 08:32 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
May 08, 2005
Mom
Happy Mothers Day. I love you.
philiplikens | 11:28 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
May 01, 2005
Wouldn't It Be Strange
Wouldn't it be strange
If riches made you poor
If everything you earned
Left you wanting more
Wouldn't it be strange
To question what it's for
Wouldn't it be strange
Wouldn't it be strange
If power made you weak
If victory came to those
Who turned the other cheek
Wouldn't it be strange
To welcome your defeat
Wouldn't it be strange
Wouldn't it be strange
To find out in the end
The first shall be the last
And all the losers win
Wouldn't it be strange
If Jesus came again
Wouldn't it be strange
---
Those are the words from the chorus of the song "Wouldn't It Be Strange" by Charlie Peacock. I love it.
philiplikens | 10:45 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
April 21, 2005
Lightning & Sporks
If one were to get a spork stuck in their head, one should be wary of lightning.
philiplikens | 05:57 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
Inventions
So I've had more than a few thoughts for inventions and different things. My question is what do I do with those ideas? How do you sell a product idea to someone else for millions of dollars? I have no idea where to begin. The first person to answer my questions gets something very nifty.
philiplikens | 05:45 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (7)
Steal 9 Link
Steal 9 is my latest artwork. What's basically happening is that every time you move your mouse it draws a line, every line represents a pixel's color from the picture at the bottom of the page. Essentially you're stealing from one artwork to create another. Hint: try holding down your mouse button and moving your mouse.
philiplikens | 08:22 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
April 20, 2005
Twisty-Tie
Am I the only one who wishes they had invented the Twisty-Tie?
philiplikens | 04:20 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
March 21, 2005
Comments
FYI - my comments are now working again. I apologize to all who have tried to leave comments at my site lately, I was just informed today that they weren't working. But it's all fixed so comment away!
philiplikens | 10:40 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
March 17, 2005
Sunroof Gunman Kills 3 in Another Car
From Associated Press
DALLAS — A man squeezed through the sunroof of a Jaguar early Tuesday and opened fire with an assault rifle on another moving vehicle, killing three men and critically wounding a fourth, police said.
Authorities were searching for the gunman and two others who might have been riding in the light-colored Jaguar with fancy wheels, police said.
University Park Police Capt. Robert Brown said the shooting could have stemmed from a scuffle at a bar earlier. He said the shooter apparently waited for the other party to leave the bar, and then followed in the Jaguar. The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on a highway frontage road near the Southern Methodist University campus, police said.
Killed were Eddie Pech, 36; and cousins Bernardo Andrade, 21; and Favio Andrade, 19, police said. Osvaldo Juarez, a juvenile whose age was not released, was listed in "very critical" condition.
"Apparently, there was a dispute on the dance floor in which somebody got hit or punched," said Mike Turiace, who was tending bar at Jack's Pub & Volley Ball Club. "The guy just got angry and decided to pursue it."
A police officer waiting at a traffic light at the intersection witnessed the shootings and stopped to help, Dallas Police Sgt. Gil Cerda said. Police policy prohibited the officer from pursuing the fleeing Jaguar because he had a prisoner from an unrelated case in his back seat.
Investigators found and impounded a Jaguar they suspected was involved in the shooting, University Park Police Capt. E.L. Holman said.
Turiace and others said Jack's Pub was normally a safe, friendly place that hosted festivals and volleyball matches and attracted a college crowd from Southern Methodist.
But the clientele shifts a bit on Monday nights, when the bar advertises $2 drinks, a packed dance floor with two DJs and a time so good "You won't believe it's not Saturday," according to its website.
Turiace said the fight didn't cause a big stir in the crowded pub, but its policy is to escort instigators outside after a fight.
"It wasn't anything out of the ordinary that would lead to this," he said. "I guess certain people have it in their minds that this is their type of proper justice."
University Park, a city covering 4.5 square miles, has a low crime rate and doesn't see many homicides, Brown said.
"This is new to us, but we're capable of investigating it," he said, noting that Dallas police were assisting.
---
A little out of the ordinary for this site, but this is something that happened in Dallas recently. It's a sad thing, but my cousin and I were recently joking about Jaguar's "Gun Hatch" so I made the accompanying advertisement.
philiplikens | 01:30 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
March 04, 2005
Macromedia Trust/Betrayal Issues
Macromedia just betrayed my trust with this (must use IE for windows).
For 7 years I've used Macromedia Flash. In the old days I moderated a popular flash forum, when I was in school I teacher-aided flash classes. Flash has been a great tool for me to use to develop apps and art with.
Unfortunately, and I'm not quite sure why, they've teamed up with yahoo and now offer the yahoo toolbar with your download of the Macromedia Flash Player. To the unsuspecting, uneducated user this creates a problem.
For anyone who comes to a flash site I create, who doesn't have the up-to-date plug-in installed, they are now defaulted to download something they didn't come for. Defaulted! If there were a link on macromedia's site to download the yahoo toolbar it might be different, but I feel as though they're just trying to trick the user into downloading a product they don't want or need.
I understand Macromedia is probably making a lot of money on this but it feels too much like a betrayal of friendship. Especially since I pay out the nose for professional licensing of their software. This reminds me a little of the "made with Macromedia" emblem that was always on director products. I always hated that and shyed away from director because of it though.
This leaves me with a very bad taste in my mouth. It's a sad day indeed when I'm betrayed by a friend of 7 years.
philiplikens | 08:48 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
February 24, 2005
Online Poker & Cheap Viagra (aka Filtering Comment Spam in Movable Type)
I hate comment spam. I love movable type. What’s a boy to do when he receives more than 20 comment spams a day?
This boy edited the Movable Type source code to filter the comments.
Because I hated having to go through ever day and filter the valid comments from the spam, I wondered if there was a way to filter out the spam before it got posted. I noticed that most of my spam messages contained the <H1> tag and some sort of message about Cheap Viagra, Texas Hold’em or Online Poker. I then realized I might be able to flag comments containing words such as "poker" or "Viagra", and certain tags, like the <h1> tag, as spam - thus giving the spammer an error. This solution works much the same way that your email spam filtering system does.
After a bit of searching I found the "Comments.pm" file in the "lib/apps/" folder. This file contains the code that preps and posts the comments to the database.
Do not confuse this file with the "comment.pm" file in the "lib/" folder and please, before you begin, make a backup of the "Comments.pm" file.
If you open the "Comments.pm" file, you’ll see a lot of code - somewhere around a thousand lines to be exact. We’re going to need to find a few lines of code around the 230-250 line count (the exact line depends on the release of movable type you’re using. I’m using a version of release 3). The code should look something like:
if (!$q->param('text')) {
return $app->handle_error($app->translate("Comment text is required."));
}
Directly *after* those lines is where we want to put our code. Our code will look something like this:
my @postFilter = ("h1");
my $indexCompare = -1;
my $postFilterInst = "";
foreach $postFilterInst (@postFilter)
{
if (rindex(lc($q->param('text')),$postFilterInst) != $indexCompare) {
return $app->handle_error($app->translate("Your comment has been flagged as potential spam. Please email me if you are getting this error in error."));
}
}
The first line of our code contains an array with the words we want to look for. Since all of the spam we get contains the "<h1>" tag, we set "h1" as a flag by including it in this array. We have to be sure to type in all lower case because the rindex function we'll be using on line 6 is case sensitive.
The second line is a variable containing the value of the rindex function if it doesn’t find a match.
The third line initiates the variable "$postFilterInst" - post filter instance. This will contain each individual instance of the postFilter array as we loop through to check the comment post against our flag phrases.
The fourth line contains the loop that will pull each value in our @postFilter array.
The sixth line is the part of the code that really does the work. This is where we check to see if the comment posting contains any of our flag phrases. If the comment does, the eighth line will pop out an error that tells the comment poster (aka spammer) that their post wasn't valid and, in turn, not allow the program to insert the comment into the database. This is also where we convert the comment to all lower case so H1 or h1 will both create a match.
That’s it! So if we’d like to filter out poker, the code would look like this (all you have to do is replace the "h1" in double quotations in the first line of our script with "poker"):
my @postFilter = ("poker");
my $indexCompare = -1;
my $postFilterInst = "";
foreach $postFilterInst (@postFilter)
{
if (rindex(lc($q->param('text')),$postFilterInst) != $indexCompare) {
return $app->handle_error($app->translate("Your comment has been flagged as potential spam. Please email me if you are getting this error in error."));
}
}
Now lets say we want to get really fancy and filter out multiple words. It’s pretty simple, all you need to do is add more words to the @postFilter array by adding ,"whatever". So if we wanted to filter our comments for "h1", "viagra" and "poker" the code would look like this:
my @postFilter = ("h1","viagra","poker");
my $indexCompare = -1;
my $postFilterInst = "";
foreach $postFilterInst (@postFilter)
{
if (rindex(lc($q->param('text')),$postFilterInst) != $indexCompare) {
return $app->handle_error($app->translate("Your comment has been flagged as potential spam. Please email me if you are getting this error in error."));
}
}
And that’s it. You can add as many filters as you’d like by adding more words or phrases to the @postFilter array.
Don’t forget, if you’ve edited the "Comments.pm" file locally on your computer, you’ll need to be sure to upload it in ASCII otherwise Movable Type will not work.
philiplikens | 12:06 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
February 17, 2005
Salty's
We have places where they serve no food, you just go there and drink drinks. Some people call these bars. They're very popular.
I've decided to open the opposite. I'm going to open a place that serves only food, no drinks. I'll call it "Salty's." I think it'll be a big hit.
philiplikens | 08:21 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0) | TrackBack (396)
February 10, 2005
Remember
Sometimes I remember the world doesn't revolve around me.
philiplikens | 10:38 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0) | TrackBack (232)
January 29, 2005
Looking Good
I don't know why women are so obsessed with looking good and being thin. I mean, looking good and being thin only guarantees you'll find a good husband with a good job who can buy you a good ring and a good house where you both can raise 2.4 good children and live a good life happily ever after. I don't understand the appeal...But maybe I'm missing something.
philiplikens | 04:25 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
January 23, 2005
Words
I feel good these days... I just don't have many words for this site. Ebb and flow - I'm sure things will pick up again with time. I hope everyone is well.
philiplikens | 07:34 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
January 18, 2005
Cafe
The WaterCloset Cafe. What do you think? It's my idea for a little home town restarant.
philiplikens | 01:45 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
Heaven's Light
Even the blackest blacks are made grey or white by the smallest beam of Heaven's light.
philiplikens | 01:44 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
Inspiring
There's just something inspiring about thinking the world is watching.
philiplikens | 01:43 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
January 17, 2005
Expand
Don't be something you're not, but expand on who you are.
philiplikens | 04:11 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
January 10, 2005
Perfect Man
Ladies, looking for that perfect man? Look no further than 2000 years ago. That's right, he lives for you, died just for you. And he's even handy around the house...never lies or cheats. What more could you ask for?
philiplikens | 10:32 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
January 01, 2005
Happy New Years
Happy New Years! I pray God will bless you and me this year.
philiplikens | 02:54 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
December 29, 2004
An Irish Blessing
An Irish Blessing as posted by Fallon. I love this one and also the one about turning their ankles.
May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind always be at your back,
the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rain fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again may God hold you in the hollow of his hands
philiplikens | 09:03 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 28, 2004
Disaster in Asia
This redesign, with the palm trees and paradise, is dedicated to the disaster in Asia which, among other things, took out the little paradise island where The Beach was filmed. This is truly sad. If you feel inclined to help, this information might be relevant to you.
philiplikens | 07:24 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
Money Isn't Real
"Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you're gonna be up again. But life goes on. Remember that. Money isn't real George. It doesn't matter. It only seems like it does."
-Fred Jung, Blow
philiplikens | 09:49 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
Ambition and Talent
"So in the end, was it worth it? Jesus christ, how irreperably changed my life has become. It's always the last day of summer, and I've been left outside in the cold with no door to get back in. I'll grant you, I've had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by without making grand plans for it. Throughout my lifetime, I've left pieces of my heart here and there. And now there's almost not enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceded my talent."
-George Jung, Blow
philiplikens | 09:48 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 27, 2004
I Would've Laughed
"So then he said 'It's easier for you to drive your car through the little hole in the middle of a cd than a rich guy to get to heaven.'"
I would've laughed at that. Then I think I probably would've cried... but you have to admit it's kinda funny to think about... that Jesus, what a funny funny guy.
Matthew 19
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
philiplikens | 01:48 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 21, 2004
Dirty
Dirty? Or just covered in God's creation?
philiplikens | 10:48 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 16, 2004
Nuked
Why did we nuke Japan but not Germany?
philiplikens | 10:12 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (3)
December 15, 2004
Dear pro-life supporter
I was the one sitting behind you in traffic yesterday staring at your bumper that simply said "God is pro-life." Now how do you go about proving that statement? God allows people to die all the time. In fact, he let his son die. He, of course, raised him up again... but he did die.
Also, do you eat animals? How about plants? Do you kill anything? Because I don't think it's very pro-life when you kill something. Perhaps you should just drink lots of water. I think that might be best. And be sure not to walk on the grass - you might kill that too.
Perhaps rather than "pro-life" it should be "anti-abortion."
I've never really been one to argue this subject. It's a very heated discussion usually and one I really don't care to get into. However, I do think it's funny when people communicate things they don't mean.
And if you're wondering if I'm pro-choice, I'm not. I just think it's funny that the pro-lifers aren't clearly communicating. Of course, what the heck does pro-choice mean? I'm all for pro-choice when it comes to fashion or food.
philiplikens | 02:17 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
December 13, 2004
The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
philiplikens | 11:23 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
December 10, 2004
Mini Mower™
Ah, the Mini. What a fun little car. I say little because they're not much bigger than your average riding lawn mower. Now how brilliant would it be for John Deere to come out with a Mini Mower™ attachment for the Mini. Absolutely brilliant!
Just imagine - you drive your Mini into your garage, slide the Mini Mower™ attachment under the car, press a button and *Presto!* - the Mini Mower™ attaches to the underside of your Mini. You're ready to mow your lawn. Just think how fast that 163 hp 4 cylinder could spin that lawn mower blade when you're blasting around the lawn! No more allergies to worry about, no more getting sunburned, no more hot an sweaty, you can now mow your lawn in all the comforts your Mini provides. Best of all, you don't have to buy a seperate lawn mower. All you need is your Mini and the Mini Mower™ attachment.
Brilliant!
philiplikens | 09:37 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
December 09, 2004
Black Widow
The spiritual journey of an unconscious mind is like a black widow's kiss frozen in time.
philiplikens | 03:42 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
December 06, 2004
Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite has nothing on me!
philiplikens | 10:50 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (6)
December 02, 2004
Clever
I thought of something really clever to post here... but now it's gone. I don't remember what it was. Too bad huh?
philiplikens | 03:32 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (4)
December 01, 2004
Dmx - Ready To Meet Him Lyrics
It's not every day I post a song, and certainly not a rap song, but this one just popped into my head. I think DMX beautifully articulates a conversation with God that I can certainly relate to. The words in () are where God is "talking" in the song.
------
..Please give me the strength I need to live
Bear with me, Amen...
We each walk the path, that we've chosen
Chorus: DMX
I'm ready to meet him,
We're I'm living ain't right
Black hate white
White hate black
It's right back
To the same fight
They got us suspecting a war
But the real war is to follow the law of the lord
[DMX]
Lord, you left me stranded
And I don't know why
Told me to live my life,
Now I'm ready to die
Ready to fly
I cry, but I shed no tears
You told me you would dead those fears, it's been years
Snakes still coming at me
Just missing
Sometimes I think all you doing me is just listen
I thought that I was special
Thats what you told me
Hold me
Stop acting like you don't know me
What'd I do so bad that it sent you away from me
Not only sent you away, but made you stay away from me
(My child I'm here, as I've always been, it was you who went away,
And now are back again, what did I say?)
Follow your word, and be true
(What did you do?)
Well what I wanted to do...
(What have you seen?)
Darkness and hell at a glance
(What do you want?)
All I want is another chance
(Chorus)
[DMX]
(Just because you went away, my doors are not locked, wanna come
back home,
all you gotta do is knock)
Ya see, I left home a boy, I returned as a man
Full grown, and I'm still not able to stand
(I gave you a hand)
Well...but I was looking the wrong way
Figured out the plan, then I started to pray
And that prayer, took me from here to over there
Back to over here,
Now they got me like where?
Do I belong?
Do I fit in?
Things on my mind, where do I begin?
It's easier to sin, but it hurts my heart
I'm really tryin' to win, so where do we start?
(Thou shall not steal)
But, what if he stole from me?
(Thou shall not kill)
But what if he's tryin' to kill me?
(Thou shall not, take my, name in vain, no matter how hard it
rains,
withstand the pain)
(Chorus)
[DMX]
Our father, who art in heaven
I'm not ashamed to ask for guidance, at 27
No longer afraid to knock on your door
Not scared anymore to lose my life in the war
After what I just saw, I'm ridin' with the lord
Cause I really can't afford to lose my head by the sword
And now that I've seen, what I need to see
Please take me, where I need to be
(What have you learned?)
It's better to tell the truth than to lie
(What have you learned?)
To love my life until I die
(What have you learned?)
Violence isn't always the key
(What have you learned?)
You can't always believe what you see
(What have you learned?)
It's better to forgive and forget
(What have you learned?)
Give as you expect to get
(What have you learned?)
That I can't go on without you
(What have you learned?)
I musta been a fool to ever doubt you
(Chorus)
I'm ready to meet him...
philiplikens | 12:14 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
November 23, 2004
Think
Sometimes I think if I didn't think it wouldn't make much difference in the end.
philiplikens | 04:17 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
November 22, 2004
Wonder
"Wisdom begins in wonder." -Socrates
philiplikens | 12:34 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
You're So Vain
"Trying to look good limits my life." - Stefan Sagmeister
philiplikens | 12:16 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
November 17, 2004
Steam Engines and Cabeese
Sometimes my "trains of thought" are more like "steam engines of thought with no cars in tow" - moving quickly without substance. Others are like "cars and cabeese of thought with no engines to pull them" - not moving much except for the sickly swaying from the occasional gust of wind.
philiplikens | 01:10 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
Married
Voice 1: Man, I wish I had a beautiful, wonderful, sweet girl.
Voice 2: Yeah, but once you get married you have to split the holidays between families and that's really crappy.
Voice 1: Yeah, but it'd be worth it.
Voice 2: No it wouldn't... it'd only be a lot of pain and fighting. You're talking about people's families here... a slightly sensative subject.
Voice 1: I have hope though... things would be good. I know it.
Voice 2: Yeah? You can't even find a girl.
Voice 1: Shut it.
philiplikens | 12:03 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (4)
November 15, 2004
A Hobbit's Birthday
I have once again failed to become a hobbit this year. Perhaps next year will be different.
philiplikens | 02:02 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
Patriotism
I've decided to show my patriotism this year by uniting the country. You may wonder how one would go about doing such a thing, especially when the country seems so divided. It's a very simple process really, you just eliminate any reference to this year's election. I will begin by taking my keys and scratching all of the political bumperstickers off the backs of cars that I see.
philiplikens | 02:00 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (2)
November 10, 2004
Friends
An excerpt from "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley:
"One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies."
philiplikens | 06:15 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
November 06, 2004
Rockscar
I only want to be a Rockscar.
philiplikens | 12:26 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
November 04, 2004
Opossum
Please do not yell at my opossum for he is not dead yet.
philiplikens | 03:36 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (0)
October 30, 2004
Nothing to Noone
I'm willing to be nothing to noone if i can be something to someone.
philiplikens | 08:43 PM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)
October 26, 2004
Hand that feeds
What happens when the hand that feeds you bites you?
philiplikens | 11:44 AM | Random Thoughts | Link | Comments (1)