What Do Robots and Banjos Have in Common?

I'm about to peace out for a day or two to enjoy a bluegrass festival with the family. In addition to getting my banjo on, I'll be spending a solid chunk of time on this:

Jealous? Yeah, me neither. Also, it's a bit off-putting that I'm trying to write a paper on current automation in flexible manufacturing systems and the most recently published book I could find is from 1992.

In other news, my sweet cousin Shannon of This Crazy Beautiful Life [check it out, you'll see pictures of the handsomest little baby boy] blog-tagged me for a little game where you list seven facts about yourself:

Here,  boost up on your bRob trivia:  I have never plucked my eyebrows. If I wasn't studying engineering, I think it'd be cool to study graphic design. I have a deep-rooted fear of snakes, and also birds. The way to my heart is through my stomach. Flowers aren't bad, but cupcakes are better. Sometimes I wish adulthood weren't coming so quickly - I would love to have another carefree summer to spend working in Colorado rafting and climbing mountains and eating pie. One of my favorite artists is Matisse. [Is that a lame fact?] I'm really cold right now. I'm off to find my knit socks...

Have a great weekend!

-bRob

PS - A big thank-you to new followers and readers. I'm glad you've stopped by!

The Gift of Community

It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed. Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living in common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.

- Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Having chosen to follow Christ later in life means it is sometimes difficult to find community - I have a lot of friends who don't share these beliefs that I hold dear. While I treasure each and every precious friend, beliefs aside, Christians need to fellowship with other believers.  There have been seasons where there simply wasn't a whole lot of community around me, and then there have been seasons where I willfully rejected community. Both hurt.


A member of my old church posted this passage the other day. Community is a precious gift, and I hope we never take it lightly.

-bRob

Whether I Like It or Not

ashlikaan via etiquette for a lady



Fall is here.

-bRob

Longer Letter Later

One of these days I will find the time to write a legitimate post.

Today is not that day. 

This song and video is wonderful, though, so props to me for putting it here for you. [Is it obnoxious to give myself props?] 

I love his hair.

You’ve the strength of the Greeks
You are God’s masterpiece
You are every triumph, every victory
I believe in every breath you breathe.

Thanks for stopping by today, readers. I love that you're here - feel free to say hello!

-bRob

Applying My Education To Real Life Scenarios: Making My Parents Proud

Have you noticed Domino's new delivery tracking system? You can see what's happening in REAL TIME.[ish]. I'm going to have to email my automated manufacturing professor and tell him that this is a perfect example of a real time system - much better than my previous example of a pacemaker.

Look at all that education bein' put to good use.

You can even see who's making your pizza. GO DAVID GO! 

Also, there's a special place for specific delivery instructions when you order online. I entered, "sing loudly upon arrival." I'll let you know how that goes.


-bRob