Islam and science

Found this fascinating article on Islam and science. Fascinating for several reasons: 1) Arrogance knows no national or religious boundaries. 2) Most of us know what the relationship between religion and science in our culture is (there isn't one, usually). But what about a culture that doesn't separate religion from anything? 3) The article gives a good overview of Tunisia in terms of its relationship with the rest of the muslim world--this is a good example of why we call Tunisia "muslim-lite". 4) The quoted exchange that follows blew my mind: [The article author was interviewing an Egyptian scientist who claimed to be both a scientist and a devout believer. The Egyptian scientist is apparently not as fundamentalist as the other guy interviewed for the article--his own self-assesment is that he can separate the two, science and religion. Yet...] [The Egyptian scientist said,] “Nobody can just write what he thinks without proof. But we have real proof that the story of Adam as the first man is true.” [To which the article author replied,] “What proof?” He looks at me with disbelief: “It’s written in the Koran.”

Whatever will we do with all the money?

People experience it all the time, but not having a car payment is very liberating. It's like a $450 per month payraise! Yay for us!

One of the sweetest sentences ever seen on a webpage, "This account has been closed."

On the beach

We spent the past weekend out on the beach. We went to Aldiana down in Hammamet--even though it was all included, room, food, all drinks, etc.--we were kicking ourselves when the bill came. A bit more than we thought. Especially when we had to drive an hour to get there when the beach on the same body of water (the Mediterranean) is a 10 minute walk away. Oh well. It was nice not to have to worry about anything at any rate. Plus if you click on the link you'll see it is in German...good for me, not so good for Stefanie. It was like little Germany all weekend. They thought I was a German guy on holiday with my Tunisian wife--they would start in German with me and in Tunisian Arabic with her. Which worked out actually since she speaks Tunisian Arabic pretty well.

How much do I not miss Cambodia? Let me count the ways...

“According to the PMT Air Web site, the airline also flies within Cambodia to the remote northeastern province of Rattanakiri from the capital, Phnom Penh. Its fleet includes two AN-24s.” Um, yeah, not anymore. Oh, and they confirmed that all aboard died. Tourists missing as plane crashes

If You Can't Stand the Heat....

Recently here in Tunis we have had some REALLY hot days. Yesterday it was 47C and today it was 49C. That equates to 116 F and 120 F. Yes it's a dry heat but when it's that hot who really cares :) Going outside literally felt like someone was blowing a hair dryer in my face. Wow, and to think, I can't wait for the sirocco. Since it has been so hot we haven't been having lessons at the riding club. We just take the kids right to the beach and they swim with the horses in the Mediterranean. It's a cool site to see fifteen kids and horses swimming up and over the waves. Sofia and I went on Saturday afternoon, just the two of us. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos :(

Computer Geek Memory Lane

Found this: an ad from 1983 for a TRS-80 that admonishes that the TV is not included--correct me if I'm wrong dad, but I think this is the first home computer we had...I'm trying to remember all the "thrilling outer space and sports games" we used to play. Ooh, and how cool is that, you could use a modem to access tomorrow's news and stocks--it was a time travel machine too! I wonder if it could get over 2400 bps for the trip... Anyway, lots of very cool stuff on this site, a trip down a computer geeks memory lane. Funny article from PC World about the worst 10 computers of all time. Lots of links to other stories about bad products as well.

Hippoclub Dar Naouar

We wanted to send out some photos of the kids riding at the club where we are members.

I can't believe I don't have more. I always seem to forget my camera but managed to snap these about a week ago.

These are of Sofia with my mare Farhouda. I was a little nervous at first letting Sofia ride her but in the end they worked well together. But we will stick to arena work for now just since Farhouda likes to get her kicks out on the beach.

Sofia's instructor wants to them to work together toward showing come fall. I prefer dressage while everyone else at the club jumps. They tease me about my horse "dancing" rather than jumping. But at least they all admit that she is beautiful :)

Here is Dylan with Caramel. She is one of the club ponies. Dylan prefers just riding the ponies on the beach with his friends. The passion Sofia has for horses is about equal to the passion Dylan has for guitars. Hopefully I will get some video of him playing and send that out soon.