Mike's Life

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Light from Distant Stars

My father and I were talking a few weeks ago about the creation of the universe. I was talking about a book I had recently read that tried to explain that the universe may have been created in 6 days like the Bible says, but also went into how scientific data that seems to contradict that is not wrong due to the expansion of the universe (long story). If you are interested in reading more I can tell you the name of the book, just ask, it was a good book.

My father brought up an interesting thought. First, God may have created the universe exactly the way it is now (size, shape, etc.). But then how did the light from those stars get here since it would take 13+ billion years to get here to us. That must prove that the universe is at least 13+ billion years old, right? Well, my father said, why couldn't God have just placed the light from those distant stars already in space between us here on earth and the objects that the light appears to be coming from?

Well, why not. God is great, all powerful, infinite, sovereign, and so much more. Not believing that it is possible puts limits on God that aren't correct, right? I like this thought. I am not sure if it's right. I do believe that God created the universe and everything in it in 6 days, so the light must have gotten here somehow. Whether science is right, and the book I mentioned before has it right, or my father's thoughts are right, it doesn't matter, but just don't limit God!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Back from Germany

As some of you knew, I was in Germany for 10 days. I went over for PhotoKina - the largest photography trade show in the world. I occurs every other year in Cologne, Germany. I went with my father and brother. We went a few days early so that we could settle in, and do a little looking around. I will hit the high points.
Saturday we didn't do much. Sunday my dad and I went to the chocolate museum in Cologne, and that was really neat. You get to see the chocolate go through the entire process of creation to packaging. Also, you get to see how multi-colored (on the same item) chocolate is made. That was really neat. It is done by painting one color in, say white, when it is slightly hard, then they pour in the other kind then put it on a machine that rotates and the chocolate adheres to the outside. The show started Tuesday and ended Sunday. The show was a lot of fun, and it appears that we picked up at least one dealer and maybe 2 others. The show was busy, which was good. Not much else to say about the show really. Ate food, talked to people, laughed, wandered, the norm from 9:15-6:20 everyday.
One thing that happened was that the booth we were in had a kitchen and servers. Well, one of the frig's had the door setup so that the girls couldn't get into it very easily due to the way it opened, and a shelving unit. So, I was able to get a set of tools from my brother, and switch which side the door was on. That worked well. The girls were very happy about it, and it made things a lot easier on them (at least for 4 of the 6 days).
I also got a few pictures of mine printed on 2 of hp's big printers. They both came out pretty well, and I am looking forward to framing and hanging them. Although I cannot afford those printers, and I will be looking into an Epson instead. I am going with the Epson, because I met a guy on the plane back that does a lot of fine art printing, and he didn't even have to think, he said Epson before I finshed asking. He tests them all and was able to explain it was the best (at the moment) for what I wanted to do. Now I just have to save the moeny to get it.
I got to eat at the Hungarian resturant I really like there with dad, brother, Mike Walker and friends, a couple others, and a fashion photographer named Urs. Apparently fairly well known, and a great, funny guy.
Overall one of the best part was getting to eat at my favorite ice cream place. When we showed up there the first Saturday night they remembered us. It was cool. We ate there every night except one, and the night after we missed they asked us where we were, because they were waiting for us the night before. We missed it because we were at the Hungarian place until late, and didn't get back to Bonn until midnight, an hour after the ice cream place was closed.

Overall, it was fun, but it was great to get home to my loving wife and my own bed.