I’ve finally decided I’m going to use Linux as my primary platform for internet use (email, web browsing, etc.), office applications and basically everything besides games. Whilst I’ve had a box with Fedora Core 2 installed on it for the past three or four months, I haven’t really used it in anger. However, with the recent additions to Windows XP of things like DRM, the continuing problem of security holes and the inherant security flaw of logging in with administrator rights, I figure it’s time to change platforms. Hopefully, after the next few weeks of transition, I’ll only be using my Windows box for games. We’ll see.

Another fine evening spent in a sports hall running around an air-filled leather ball! I think my level of fitness is stabilising, as I managed to run around, pretty much, for the whole game. I had a few shots at goal but didn’t score any. The side I was on still won though, so not a complete disaster.

This morning we came across the part of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about the prayer of someone who trusts him. From what he says we can garner a few points:

1. If we trust Christ, then God is our Father. Our approach should be as one who is a child of God:
   1. We can approach readily, he should be our first resort. No matter how large, or how small our reasons for prayer.
   2. We should approach reverently, as we are approaching the Almighty God, who made everything, and who is thrice holy.
   3. We should approach regularly, just as one would communicate with one’s earthly father regularly, so we can communicate with our heavenly Father regularly.

2. We should ask him for all things, from the greatest spiritual needs, to the smallest physical needs. He is the provider of all things.
3. We should be willing to accept the answer God gives us. What we want isn’t necessarily what we need. Even what we think we need isn’t what we truly need. God will give us what we really need.

Whew what a warm day! I guess technically it’s still Summer and it’s only just started September, but I guess this makes up for the rather poor Summer we’ve had so far. A rather scorching 27°C (or possibly higher!)
What better way to spend such a glorious day than on the North Downs? A very pleasant day was spent wandering around Box Hill, taking photos of all and sundry, having a picnic lunch in a warm sunny field and taking in the clear fresh air. I must say, I had expected rain for this ramble and had applied copious amounts of dubbing to my boots to restore their waterproof characteristics, so I was pleasantly surprised by todays rather clement weather. They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so I’ll stop talking about it here � There’s a proverbial set of encyclopaedia in my photo album.

I spent most of this evening attempting to fix Robin’s computer. Why oh why is Windows ME so rubbish?! I’ve a good mind to wipe it and put Linux on it…

I think this week I’ve taken the term “Burning the candle at both ends” to a new level. I’m not sure there’s much left of the candle to burn! I think I’ve been out every night this week and I’m shattered! Went round Sarah’s this evening with a few others and watched The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on DVD. Ironically, I think this is the first time I’ve managed to see the whole film without falling asleep, but I think that was because one could get up wander around, get a drink, make comments about the film, make completely random comments and generally find something else to do during the slow moments of the film! Maybe I’m just a Philistine or something, the LoTR is a great trilogy of films and a magnificent achievement, but just a little too long!

“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”

Phew, the past couple of days have been rather busy! Spent yesterday evening at Nige’s, with a few others, watching Catch me if you can, with Tom Hanks which was actually quite good. Based on a true story, it told of a boy (Frank Abagnale Jr.) who managed to defraud the banks of millions of dollars, with the FBI, represented by Carl Hanratty (Hanks), in pursuit, and eventually catching him. Some of the things Abagnale managed to achieve were quite amazing!

Spent this evening ten-pin bowling with the usual suspects, although the outcome was far from usual! Usually Karen beats us all to a pulp with a relentless merciless campaign. Not sure what happened, but I came top of the pile. Ah well, glory in it while I can. 🙂

Of course all this excitement isn’t helping me to get back into the swing of work after my holidays! I’m still finding it difficult to concentrate. Roll on Autumn, at least I won’t be distracted by good weather for much longer.