Using VirtualBox to Boot old Windows drive via USB

So I had the unfortunate experience of watching my Dell Inspiron decide not to power up or charge the battery.  I could tell it was due to some short in the electrics because every time I plugged in the light on the adapter would go off.

Well now what...  I don't really need the laptop but I want the data that is on the hard drive.. (oh and it would be nice to boot the drive.)

I have both VirtualBox and VMWare on my MacBook Pro with my VMWare used primarily for the Bootcamp install of Windows 10.  All of that aside, I was looking for a solution that would allow me to use my Dell (Seagate) drive as a VM on my Mac.  I have the software tools just need the know-how.

After a series of looking around the Internet for solutions.

First, I need a hard drive caddy.  I bought one from BestBuy for $30 that is an enclosure for 2.5 inch drives and plugs into USB 3.0/2.0

Second, I had to extract the drive from the Dell Inspiron.  After a bunch of screws and totally disassembling the laptop, I pulled out the drive.

Third, plug the old laptop drive into the enclosure and into my Mac.  It works, and I can read the drive using the Mac Finder.  I, however, still need to access programs on the disk that were installed to that Windows on the Dell.

This where the fun really began...

There are no direct ways via the GUI of either VMWare or VirtualBox to launch a bootable drive as a virtual machine using the canned processes for starting a new VM.

I had to :
1. Decide to use VirtualBox (I am using 5.1.12x)
2. Use Mac Disk utility to unmount the partitions of the drive. Otherwise you get VERR_RESOURCE_BUSY errors.

3: Run the VBoxManage tool from the command line with the specific device for the USB drive. (sudo is important here)

sudo VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename "/user/VirtualBox VMs/dell.vmdk" -rawdisk /dev/disk2

4: If step 3 does not work, VERR_ACCESS_DENIED occurs,

Failed to open the disk image file ~/VirtualBox VMs/dell.vmdk.

Permission problem accessing the file for the medium

then provide user and privileges to the vBox image via Mac using chown and chmod in the Terminal.  Current user (presumably you) must have ownership over the vmdk file you create from the previous step and has to have -rw permissions.

5. Create a Windows 10(64bit)  VM in VirtualBox

6. Attach the new vmdk image to the VirtualBox as a SATA controller.
Interesting that since my old Dell was dual boot (Ubuntu and Windows) I still have the option to boot into Ubuntu when I start up this VM. 

Baptism of Expectations! - Luke 3

Baptism of Expectations!

Tony E Dillon-Hansen (8 January 2017)

Sermon based upon Luke 3:1-22

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our Rock, Our Redeemer.

I - Expectation

I ask you to take a moment with me, and reflect on the particular verse “As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah …”

Now, despite what my mother would say about me and if you might have high expectations of me, let me lower them for you some—maybe quite a bit. Despite what some people might say about all the great things you might expect from me, you just might be here for someone else.

In John the Baptist’s case, they don’t know Jesus (Yet). However, people have heard this mystery prophecy about a messiah coming, and John seems to personify what they envisioned of this “messiah.”  

John is getting people motivated by preaching about the perils of political hypocrisy, deliverance and liberation. People start envisioning extravagant thoughts and spreading the news about this John-fellow baptizing people in the Jordan while calling for repentance and rejection of hypocrisy.  Even though, they have heard similar from Isaiah and Ezekiel, John sounds refreshing, albeit revolutionary, to these oppressed people.  He is saying some revolutionary stuff like 1) to share, 2) to do fair business, and 3) to not extort.— very revolutionary!

Also, some people get afraid, very afraid.  King Herod also heard this messiah story who is to be the “deliverer of the Jewish nation” (e.g. perhaps challenge Herod’s authority like Moses did in Egypt), and Herod doesn’t like power challenges— especially from some guy in the wilderness. 

II - Reflection on Baptism.

A large part of this text tells how John would baptize people using the water of the river Jordan. This is where we, as Christians, base the Sacrament of Baptism not just thanks to John, but because Jesus proceeds to be baptized by John — beginning his ministry in the lands of Roman-occupied Israel, and then later instructing his Disciples to go out and baptize.

Why is baptism so important?  Believe me, when people get baptized, there are some expectations. Namely, that you recognize the mystery of Jesus and God in your life, and through the waters of baptism, we are born into the body of the Church. What possibly could go wrong here?

Why did Jesus find it necessary to be baptized prior to His mission?  Perhaps Jesus saw John bringing powerless people to God via baptism. Perhaps, Jesus was showing a sign of solidarity with sinners.  Yet, like the Church says, Baptism is the mark of our acceptance (the sign and seal) of one’s participation in God’s forgiveness, a beginning and new growth into Christian faith and life. We are told that Jesus is beginning to fulfill His mission & growth with God as well.

So when you recognize God, you can always find forgiveness, compassion, and fulfillment. 

I am reminded that Baptism is not just about the lives of individuals being baptized, but also a celebration and renewal by the whole church. As people growing in the church, we also have the opportunities to “re-affirm” that which may have been done for us in baptism as a child and to confirm our covenant with & faithful recognition of the Church and God.

III - Cleansing Transformations

Like John, I feel compelled to remind us that there is one greater than any minister for which we are “not worthy to untie the ...sandals.” 

Water is used to symbolize cleansing, if not actually, because water comes from God and only through God might we be truly cleansed. The water helps wash away and just let go. The power of water in baptism becomes no less dramatic to us as to open the heavens to Jesus. 

I am compelled to tell the story of a young man who was baptized at Plymouth. (I should note that this is a public baptism in front of the whole congregation during worship, and the congregation is invited to renew their baptismal covenant as well).  This gentleman decided to join Plymouth after many great experiences and be baptized. He proceeds to the front of the Church for the baptism. As he received baptismal waters, he just opened up like a sunflower glistening towards the sun.  He was glowing with tears of absolute joy, and total elation flowed from him. (Those tears flowed through the congregation that day.) This was truly a memorable experience—a “conversion of the heart.” I was glad to witness it. 

This happened because in baptism, there is a “conversion of the heart” happening (as John tells us) only by letting go of what we thought we knew (i.e. expectations). Then, you can let God’s love fill you and maybe you witness the light upon you too! That is transformational power.

Now, Should Herod be so scared of this power?

Can we expect to have that kind of baptismal conversion throughout our lives, instead of that one moment? Can we understand how suffering can completely transform into grace? When we ask God to be in our lives, there are many things possible.

Perhaps it is better that people know the real deal is coming and it is not me! You do not have to worry about having low expectations of me because there is someone far better than I waiting for you. Your baptism covenant is evident of this.

Perhaps, it is better that people recognize how God and Christ can make true differences in our lives when we let go and open ourselves to the possibility. 

Let Go of your Expectations! Open your hearts to your baptism, to God and to the possible— rejuvenate your faith.  You just might find your expectations filled.

Thanks Be to God.

Exegesis of Scripture

Exegesis of Scripture

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

26 Dec 2016

How one reads the Bible parallels to how one reads philosophy where points being made may be interpreted by people in different ways based upon a number of factors (e.g. historical context of writers, cultural context of readers, originalism or experiences).  There is, however, a distinct difference between items from Plato or Hobbes versus the Gospels or the verses of Isaiah.  Canonization, levels of faith, Scripture as a living text, and emotions may also influence how we come to the Scripture. As well, we have to consider the congregation perspective.  With the many influences upon the text, we can find more ways the Word can teach us.

Through my work as a Deacon and Stephen Minister, I have learned how people come to worship with different expectations and also how they come to faith and life challenges in diverse ways.  This extends into Scripture hermeneutics.  A minister may interpret the scripture with many things in mind, including doubt, which challenges prevailing interpretations of traditions and the Bible.  Yet, we have to be able to relate that interpretation or challenge to the diverse experiences currently in and around the congregation.  Then, we may question the congregation about aspects of the story that may have not been considered yet.

Therefore, we have to consider what the conditions of the congregation are, in addition to our own. For example, when the recent shooting took place in Orlando, we might need to see how a praising scripture lesson in the lectionary relates to people’s sorrow and bitterness. Whatever is closest in mind of people can have a dramatic impact to how that relates to the Word. Thus, nuances in the text in the Word might give comfort and be transformational to people in serious need.  

By bringing the Word into current contexts, people can recognize the living Scripture and how God is still speaking rather than the Word being stuck in ancient times.  We can see the canon reveal to us stories and ideas that transcend time, generations and culture. Transcendence becomes useful to relating the Word to the people.

My experience of attending two different Good Friday services shows this idea. One sermon interpretation was focused upon rhetorical symbolism of dying for sins, but the emotional and relevant impact was somewhat lost in the rhetoric. I did not feel what befell Jesus or understand the connection to today.  The second helped to bring the torture and pain of Jesus into the room with us in attendance. In this interpretation, one could feel the horror and pain of Jesus on the cross and how that state execution story transcends to today. This presented the execution in terms of modern uses of torture as social devices to quiet revolutionary speech. With that day on the cross, we were taught a lesson (one often forgotten) about great missions that have powerful legacies. We were taught an ugly truth about humanity that wants to quiet (at all costs) great ideas that can free people from suffering.

Also, using story scenarios to vary the characteristics of the text helped to change the literal into something more culturally relevant.  By using a scenario of a news reporter on a passage, I found a way to tell the story of the text in a way that I had not previously considered. This provided literal dialogues with the Scripture by asking characters in the story what they felt, heard or saw. There are potential reflections in the stories that may change over time and become more relevant to cultural contexts of today.  Again, with the Good Friday lesson, what if we asked the people in the crowd witnessing the execution of their emotional impact?

These ideas help me to pay attention to aspects of the story described in the text.  These characters, plot points and settings are specific symbols that people may also interpret differently.  In addition, scholarly commentaries and dictionary references can help to find more paths from the text in order to expand views and contexts.

In writing a sermon looking at Isaiah 6, I found myself writing and talking about service, and I realized that I was describing aspects of my dad. It was challenging since this sermon was foreboding of the reality of my dad’s situation because I delivered a version of the sermon at his funeral vigil. With that, I had to tailor to the congregation in attendance (one, an interfaith group at a retirement home and two, a prominently Catholic group at the funeral).  These groups understood and heard things in different ways, but the theme of service, Isaiah’s feelings of unworthiness, and calling by God were universal.  The challenge was  to maximize the themes for the greater benefit of all.

When reviewing the Scripture in Matthew 4, some of my knowledge of Asian traditions that have distinct parallels became relevant to the plight of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).  There is a remarkable similarity in the path of awakening started by times of fasting by the Buddha, fasting by Moses, and fasting by Jesus. This is an important time in the mission of Jesus while he was praying and fasting to begin ministry where many lofty things were in reach, thanks in part to his relationship to God. Even more, this story of Jesus is similar to people facing ugly questions of life and temptations that make us consider the worthiness and reality of an easier, shinier path versus the right thing to do.

The Bible brings to us many stories, experiences and ideas about humanity that we are challenged to find the message of God that is speaking to us.  The Scriptures may have been written centuries ago, but the message and the ideas live in us today. The question for us is how to make that inspire us and lift us while remembering the sacrifices of Jesus, the prophets and the Disciples as well as the importance of that message they sought to bring to us.

Our Experience with Cancer Part 1

A few months ago, my parents informed our family that my father had a rare, incurable form of leukemia that affects people by increasing the white blood cell production from  the bone marrow.

It was a shock but we were blessed with a notion of time in years before the disorder would run its course.

A few months pass after that and we recognize that despite the new powerful medicines, Dad was taking on a lot of fluid, and his belly was ballooning.  After a few discussions, we convinced him to visit with the doctor.  They went to visit with the specialist at the VA and the doctor decided to pull some of the fluid out of his body for tests and admit him for more tests throughout the following weekend.

To be honest, this put my mother at bit of ease because she did not have to watch him at home with no idea of what to do.  Whatever it was, we hoped to get an answer and he was in the care of the VA hospital. They gave Dad several treatments to help get better Xrays, MRI and CAT scans; some that made him essentially be chained to the toilet for hours to do this "cleansing." On Tuesday afternoon following that weekend, we were summoned to a meeting with the doctors to get a prospective or diagnosis of what they learned over the past few days.

The news trickled over our ears as we patiently tried to understand the terminology and diagnosis they were giving.  The prognosis changed from years to months. I could feel the anxiety in the room just flow as the doctors took turns describing what they were finding.  (His tests were not done yet either.) They finished their analysis and a Catholic priest from the local parish happened to walk into Dad's room. Dad and Father start talking.  I and mother found a reason to excuse ourselves from the room. We were both in a bit of shock as the gravity of the news started weighing. Stage 4 carcinoma and months and it is spreading- they want to do more tests - do not know the source - radiation was not an option and chemotherapy may not be as well. What do you with a death certificate that is pre-dated and nothing to do or say about it??.

After making a couple calls to some family members, we found ourselves in a bit of disbelief. mother and I went to the chapel area while Dad spoke with Father.  We couldn't hold it and both cried together as we were trying reckon what information was just given to us.

The doctors proceeded to keep him for a couple more days and found even more cancer and tuned the prognosis from months down to "weeks."  So within a short time, we had a bucket list to be accomplished within 5 years narrowed to a small window of a few weeks. Perhaps the doctors were wrong again about the time.  As far as Dad was concerned, he looked at Oct 20 at his and mother's anniversary date for a target.

In memoriam - Ernest Hansen

Today (Nov 26) we gave full military honors, tribute and tears to our best servant, my dad Ernie Hansen. He heard the call and answered (Isaiah 6:8) He served his wife, his country, his family, his patriots, his friends and God. He passed the torch to us. May I, and his family, be always worthy of his example and follow his service. With faith, honor, duty and love, we commend him to You, our Redeemer. 

May God shine light upon him with grace always and bless and keep his wife, my mother, Rose, now and always. May peace be with him and mother on this journey and know that we do not need to be afraid, thanks to your work Dad (Hebrews 13:1-6:18-19) We ask our Lord to make way for him with the light and the path to Your arms. (We will play a couple rounds of euchre next time see each other.)

On the nature of God and evil.

On the Nature of God and evil (revised)

When the Phone Rings

When the Phone Rings

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

21 Nov 2016

Ever get that awkward anticipation,

That feeling of sudden wonder,

something’s amiss here.

Suddenly, the phone rings.

It’s an odd ring, weird, scary even 

with bell tower chimes in the distance.

A familiar voice is on the other end.

Don’t get alarmed but the prospects are not good.

how does one reconcile that?

For whatever that prospect is, 

the alarm was long wasted. 

Now, the pondering of the things left to say, 

the words forgotten, 

forgiveness yet to give,

a next project on the list, 

wild vision of worlds yet to live.

With this call, someone tossed a rock through the bedroom window

Shattering the peaceful pane into a gruesome mess of cutting shards

And now who gets to deal with this and why me.

As the call completes, the task is to collect oneself

Sweep up the shards knowing

A real task is on the horizon.

Trying to understand what is happening

Trying to determine where to be and when to be there

Are supplies needed? 

a backpack, a pillow, a toothbrush, faded picture, 

What to do with the broken glass?

Don’t forget the pot on the stove.

Do I call someone else and invite them to the prospect?

When the phone rings,

Another familiar voice arrives;

With a quiver, we invite them into the prospect.

There are pauses as words are framed.

The question is beckoned, “Are you ok?”

With hesitation to counter, 

Niagara Falls does not have enough water to describe the number of tears that flow. 

Through the flood of emotions and floating courage, 

the prospect is shared.

This voice was reassuring and consoling.

T’was Time to pick up the pieces.

After the heart-felt conversation, a return to life considering.

Time to plan moves and needs.

the plan is flexible and aided by thoughts of goodwill from many

A thought arises, “we can make it,”

even beyond the horizon.

When the phone rings,

Another voice, similar to the first, is heard. 

The conversation is concerning and intense again.

A big shudder as a layer of hope is ripped away.

Despite setbacks, 

and with plans in motion, 

space for developments is found

shaping them in the corner of the room

sculpting with a great mound of clay.

When the phone rings, 

Another friendly voice to help with the molding.

There were laughs from many days gone past.

A mutual encounter is booked and 

The shape form is continued

Not really knowing what the outcome is going to be,

moving the clay around with curves and edges.

A leathered book was placed next to the clay

one full of wisdom and sayings for people walking and wondering.

Curious what purpose brought this here.

Open to a page, read of gardens and boats. 

When the phone rings,

Palpitating, sweating and dreary to answer.

It rings louder, yelling to be understood.

Unsteady and decidedly, another voice is played.

Another layer of hope is torn. 

The results came back and they found more.

Nothing tastes good.

not much to soothe the hurt.

They will try this and that, 

but success is not an option.

The prospect is nearer.

Damn it, why did I answer?

Back to the plan and the clay is forming.

There is room here for some plants. 

Potted chrysanthemum should do fine 

For texture, color, and ease,

to complement the changing mold.

Our mold has got smaller somehow.

The edges look familiar;

the shape is beginning to show.

Inscriptions on the form appear.

Toned, eerie whispers surround.

The phone rings,

Trembling and shaking, 

the friendly voice returns to relieve.

The prospect is not today, not yet,

And so let’s propose another social 

To regale of those memories and plays

With sips of love, dance and bonding of joyful tables.

The mold is recognizable and forming before the eyes;

can almost hear the circles and piece come into harmony;

can almost pick up the sculpture.

Yet, the potted bloom is tired.

Page of book turned to exile and return. 

When the phone rings,

Questioning, timing, fearing, exhausting.

It summons and trumpets loudly- almost screaming. 

The solemn voice, the prospect is near.

Weight is down, pain is up.

The smell of the body wasting.

Tend to your affairs.

Hope is but a dash. 

Nothing more will be done.

The mold is cast and real.

I can pick it up, cradle it, hold it close

Splendid plan in display

Flower in slow decay.

Book is pulled to remaining verses 

Many stars, a dragon, horsemen, scores of people.

Holding it and looking

Then it rings.