ok, this is going to have to be fast.
My parents are on their way.
They can't know I live like this, things messy, dishes in the sink, laundry stacking up, books laying everywhere, books lying everywhere (they do both in my house). It's a secret though, about the books- they rest and recline, they also are put and placed in various places.
omg I've gone nuts. I'm panicking. Must clean toilets.
To help keep me sane I've got the archives for the following blogs open because they are so damn funny they make orange juice come out my nose and I'm not drinking orange juice!!! That's how funny they are.
Smells Like Bullshit and
Cheaper Than Therapy
may your day be productive and you laugh until you cry at least once!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
over-population
I was over at Primordial Blog a science/humor blog that I recently discovered. I've been mining his archives, as I am prone to do when I find a blog I love (I am such a nerd), when I found this post Brian made on global-overpopulation back in March.
So I'm reading along, not really objecting to anything he says when I see his concluding paragraph...
In addition to providing cheap and reliable birth control to the developing world,
We don't even provide free birth control to our own horny teens, why should we give condoms to the 3rd-world?
... we need a massive global effort to promote literacy and education among women in particular
Women should be literate and educated. I agree. They should have the freedom to make choices over their own bodies. They should have knowledge of and access to birth control up to and including an abortion if all else fails.
What really ticks me off is these 3rd-world men that can't keep their damn pants zipped. Some of them, when they find out they have AIDS, think that if they rape a virgin, they will be cured. Sure, it hasn't worked for any of their buddies, but what if it works for them? It's like a sick twisted version of Pascal's wager. Can't hurt. Might help.
If you are starving to death, why do you keep having more babies? I really want to know. You have no food, you have no job, might as well have sex at least that feels good. Masturbate and save the food for yourself you stupid idiot!
Seriously though, if someone knows why they keep having so many children they can't afford, tell me. I really want to know, provided that the answer is something other than religion.
I have 2 children. We can't afford a 3rd. No matter what happens:
I WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER BABY. EVER.
We can't afford it. Not financially. Not emotionally.
You see, that wasn't so hard. And yes I am prepared to follow through on that decision.
and to foster economic systems that reward small families and move the responsibility for the elderly away from the children.
Economic systems already reward smaller families because you can afford more food!!!! And who is going to support the elderly? The government? I do not want the government taking care of me and mine. It's not their job. And that takes us right into politics which is a whole different subject.
There aren't any easy answers about over population.
Oh wait. Yes there is.
STOP...HAVING...BABIES!!!
So I'm reading along, not really objecting to anything he says when I see his concluding paragraph...
In addition to providing cheap and reliable birth control to the developing world,
We don't even provide free birth control to our own horny teens, why should we give condoms to the 3rd-world?
... we need a massive global effort to promote literacy and education among women in particular
Women should be literate and educated. I agree. They should have the freedom to make choices over their own bodies. They should have knowledge of and access to birth control up to and including an abortion if all else fails.
What really ticks me off is these 3rd-world men that can't keep their damn pants zipped. Some of them, when they find out they have AIDS, think that if they rape a virgin, they will be cured. Sure, it hasn't worked for any of their buddies, but what if it works for them? It's like a sick twisted version of Pascal's wager. Can't hurt. Might help.
If you are starving to death, why do you keep having more babies? I really want to know. You have no food, you have no job, might as well have sex at least that feels good. Masturbate and save the food for yourself you stupid idiot!
Seriously though, if someone knows why they keep having so many children they can't afford, tell me. I really want to know, provided that the answer is something other than religion.
I have 2 children. We can't afford a 3rd. No matter what happens:
I WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER BABY. EVER.
We can't afford it. Not financially. Not emotionally.
You see, that wasn't so hard. And yes I am prepared to follow through on that decision.
and to foster economic systems that reward small families and move the responsibility for the elderly away from the children.
Economic systems already reward smaller families because you can afford more food!!!! And who is going to support the elderly? The government? I do not want the government taking care of me and mine. It's not their job. And that takes us right into politics which is a whole different subject.
There aren't any easy answers about over population.
Oh wait. Yes there is.
STOP...HAVING...BABIES!!!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
privacy statement
Hewlett-Packard just e-mailed me about their newest privacy statement. (wheeee)
We recognize that trust is at the core of any relationship and that respect for your privacy is a basic component of that trust.
Don't you just wish the United States government felt this way? They should, shouldn't they? Something about "secure in your persons"...
To that end, HP has recently revised our Online Privacy Statement for the United States.
But not the rest of the world, HP plans on spying on them all it wants. They might be (gasp) terrorists after all.
The revised statement includes descriptions of how HP collects personal information to better understand your needs and interests in order to provide customized web and email services, such as the HP Newsgram and HP Home & Home Office Store Newsletter.
Right. I'm sure the only reason they are collecting personal information is so they can make me a personally relevant newsletter.
Revisions to the statement include HP's use of tools, such as cookies, web beacons and embedded web links to collect data in order to increase the relevance of our communications to you, improve our service to you, and to protect the online experience.
Protect "the online experience" from what?
Drivel? Fundies? Government data collection? Or from hackers?
Just what exactly are you protecting me from?
And if all that embedded secret crap is helping, then why do I still needs a spam filter, spy ware blocker, virus protection AND a firewall?
We believe that a good business dialog is established only when both parties want to engage. We will continue to offer easy profile or preference changes and the ability to unsubscribe from HP communications at any time.
Why doesn't this make me feel any better?
It's like the GPS (global positioning- I'm only explaining so that you know that I know what I'm talking about). Anyway, it's like the GPS feature on my cellphone. I can turn it off if I choose. BUT if I turn it off, does it actually turn OFF the feature or red flag my account for further observation?????
Protection...Control...Protection...Control...
We recognize that trust is at the core of any relationship and that respect for your privacy is a basic component of that trust.
Don't you just wish the United States government felt this way? They should, shouldn't they? Something about "secure in your persons"...
To that end, HP has recently revised our Online Privacy Statement for the United States.
But not the rest of the world, HP plans on spying on them all it wants. They might be (gasp) terrorists after all.
The revised statement includes descriptions of how HP collects personal information to better understand your needs and interests in order to provide customized web and email services, such as the HP Newsgram and HP Home & Home Office Store Newsletter.
Right. I'm sure the only reason they are collecting personal information is so they can make me a personally relevant newsletter.
Revisions to the statement include HP's use of tools, such as cookies, web beacons and embedded web links to collect data in order to increase the relevance of our communications to you, improve our service to you, and to protect the online experience.
Protect "the online experience" from what?
Drivel? Fundies? Government data collection? Or from hackers?
Just what exactly are you protecting me from?
And if all that embedded secret crap is helping, then why do I still needs a spam filter, spy ware blocker, virus protection AND a firewall?
We believe that a good business dialog is established only when both parties want to engage. We will continue to offer easy profile or preference changes and the ability to unsubscribe from HP communications at any time.
Why doesn't this make me feel any better?
It's like the GPS (global positioning- I'm only explaining so that you know that I know what I'm talking about). Anyway, it's like the GPS feature on my cellphone. I can turn it off if I choose. BUT if I turn it off, does it actually turn OFF the feature or red flag my account for further observation?????
Protection...Control...Protection...Control...
Thursday, May 24, 2007
electronic footprint
I can't find a place to link to this bloomin' article without having to register or pay for it. So- here it is in all its wretchedness.
The Nation’s Borders, Now Guarded by the Net
By ADAM LIPTAK Published: May 14, 2007
Andrew Feldmar, a Vancouver psychotherapist, was on his way to pick up a friend at the Seattle airport last summer when he ran into a little trouble at the border.
A guard typed Mr. Feldmar’s name into an Internet search engine, which revealed that he had written about using LSD in the 1960s in an interdisciplinary journal. Mr. Feldmar was turned back and is no longer welcome in the United States, where he has been active professionally and where both of his children live.
Mr. Feldmar, 66, has a distinguished résumé, no criminal record and a candid manner. Though he has not used illegal drugs since 1974, he says he has no regrets.
“It was an absolutely fascinating and life-altering experience for me,” he said last week of his experimentation with LSD and other psychedelic drugs. “The insights it provided have lasted for a lifetime. It allowed me to feel what it would be like to live without habits.”
Mr. Feldmar said he had been in the United States more than 100 times and always without incident since he last took an illegal drug. But that changed in August, thanks to the happenstance of an Internet search, conducted for unexplained reasons, at the Peace Arch border station in Blaine, Wash.
The search turned up an article in a 2001 issue of the journal Janus Head devoted to the legacy of R. D. Laing, with whom Mr. Feldmar had studied in London about 30 years before.
“I traveled to many regions many times with the help of many different substances,” Mr. Feldmar wrote of his experiences with Dr. Laing and other psychiatrists and therapists. “I took peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis” and other drugs, he added, “but I kept coming back to LSD.”
He was asked by a border guard whether he was the author of the article and whether it was true. Yes, he replied. And yes.
Mr. Feldmar was held for four hours, fingerprinted and, after signing a statement conceding the long-ago drug use, sent home.
Mike Milne, a spokesman for the Customs and Border Protection agency in Seattle, said he could not discuss individual cases for reasons of privacy. But the law is clear, Mr. Milne said. People who have used drugs are not welcome here.
“If you are or have been a drug user,” he said, “that’s one of the many things that can make you inadmissible to the United States.”
He added that the government was constantly on the hunt for new sources of information. “Any new technology that we have available to us, we use to do searches on,” Mr. Milne said.
Mr. Feldmar has been told by the American consul general in Vancouver that he may now enter the United States only if he obtains a formal waiver.
“Both our countries have very similar regulations regarding issuance of visas for citizens who have violated the law,” the consul, Lewis A. Lukens, wrote to Mr. Feldmar in September. “The issue here is not the writing of an article, but the taking of controlled substances. I hear from American citizens all the time with decades-old D.U.I. convictions who are barred from entry into Canada and who must apply for waivers. Same thing here.”
The waiver process would require a lawyer, several thousand dollars and dishonesty, Mr. Feldmar said. He would have to say he has been rehabilitated.
“Rehabilitated from what?” Mr. Feldmar asked. “It’s degrading, literally degrading.”
Ethan Nadelmann, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, which works to ease drug penalties, said Mr. Feldmar’s case proves how arbitrary American drug policy can be.
“Roughly a majority of the population of the United States between the ages of 18 and 58 has violated a drug law at least once,” Mr. Nadelmann said, and there is no reason to think that Canadians and other foreigners of a certain age have experimented much less.
It has been a long, strange trip from the Summer of Love to the Age of Terror, from excluding people based on actual criminal convictions to turning them away based on a border guard’s Internet search. The first approach is rooted in due process and enhances the nation’s security. The second is profoundly arbitrary and effectively punishes not past drug use but honest discourse about it.
“I should warn people that the electronic footprint you leave on the Net will be used against you,” Mr. Feldmar said. “It cannot be erased.”
This poor bastard was not only never convicted of anything, he was never even charged!!!!! One more thing for me to get my panties in a twist about. If they were that worried about him, why didn't they give him a breathalizer?
Because it's not about protection. It's about control.
"If I bow low and bang my forehead against the stone cobbles will you pretty please let me into your country?"
The Nation’s Borders, Now Guarded by the Net
By ADAM LIPTAK Published: May 14, 2007
Andrew Feldmar, a Vancouver psychotherapist, was on his way to pick up a friend at the Seattle airport last summer when he ran into a little trouble at the border.
A guard typed Mr. Feldmar’s name into an Internet search engine, which revealed that he had written about using LSD in the 1960s in an interdisciplinary journal. Mr. Feldmar was turned back and is no longer welcome in the United States, where he has been active professionally and where both of his children live.
Mr. Feldmar, 66, has a distinguished résumé, no criminal record and a candid manner. Though he has not used illegal drugs since 1974, he says he has no regrets.
“It was an absolutely fascinating and life-altering experience for me,” he said last week of his experimentation with LSD and other psychedelic drugs. “The insights it provided have lasted for a lifetime. It allowed me to feel what it would be like to live without habits.”
Mr. Feldmar said he had been in the United States more than 100 times and always without incident since he last took an illegal drug. But that changed in August, thanks to the happenstance of an Internet search, conducted for unexplained reasons, at the Peace Arch border station in Blaine, Wash.
The search turned up an article in a 2001 issue of the journal Janus Head devoted to the legacy of R. D. Laing, with whom Mr. Feldmar had studied in London about 30 years before.
“I traveled to many regions many times with the help of many different substances,” Mr. Feldmar wrote of his experiences with Dr. Laing and other psychiatrists and therapists. “I took peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis” and other drugs, he added, “but I kept coming back to LSD.”
He was asked by a border guard whether he was the author of the article and whether it was true. Yes, he replied. And yes.
Mr. Feldmar was held for four hours, fingerprinted and, after signing a statement conceding the long-ago drug use, sent home.
Mike Milne, a spokesman for the Customs and Border Protection agency in Seattle, said he could not discuss individual cases for reasons of privacy. But the law is clear, Mr. Milne said. People who have used drugs are not welcome here.
“If you are or have been a drug user,” he said, “that’s one of the many things that can make you inadmissible to the United States.”
He added that the government was constantly on the hunt for new sources of information. “Any new technology that we have available to us, we use to do searches on,” Mr. Milne said.
Mr. Feldmar has been told by the American consul general in Vancouver that he may now enter the United States only if he obtains a formal waiver.
“Both our countries have very similar regulations regarding issuance of visas for citizens who have violated the law,” the consul, Lewis A. Lukens, wrote to Mr. Feldmar in September. “The issue here is not the writing of an article, but the taking of controlled substances. I hear from American citizens all the time with decades-old D.U.I. convictions who are barred from entry into Canada and who must apply for waivers. Same thing here.”
The waiver process would require a lawyer, several thousand dollars and dishonesty, Mr. Feldmar said. He would have to say he has been rehabilitated.
“Rehabilitated from what?” Mr. Feldmar asked. “It’s degrading, literally degrading.”
Ethan Nadelmann, the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, which works to ease drug penalties, said Mr. Feldmar’s case proves how arbitrary American drug policy can be.
“Roughly a majority of the population of the United States between the ages of 18 and 58 has violated a drug law at least once,” Mr. Nadelmann said, and there is no reason to think that Canadians and other foreigners of a certain age have experimented much less.
It has been a long, strange trip from the Summer of Love to the Age of Terror, from excluding people based on actual criminal convictions to turning them away based on a border guard’s Internet search. The first approach is rooted in due process and enhances the nation’s security. The second is profoundly arbitrary and effectively punishes not past drug use but honest discourse about it.
“I should warn people that the electronic footprint you leave on the Net will be used against you,” Mr. Feldmar said. “It cannot be erased.”
This poor bastard was not only never convicted of anything, he was never even charged!!!!! One more thing for me to get my panties in a twist about. If they were that worried about him, why didn't they give him a breathalizer?
Because it's not about protection. It's about control.
"If I bow low and bang my forehead against the stone cobbles will you pretty please let me into your country?"
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
the system and the phoenix
I was reading this on one of my yahoo groups: freethinking_unschoolers
The same place I found the Steven Wright list. The difference is this one definitely didn't make me laugh.
I've spent my whole life just trying to survive in the system.
I was an abused child, I was a racial minority, I was public schooled, I am
now a corporate cog.
Do my past and present contribute to my tendency to remain in survival mode? I think so. I dunno. Is it just part of the human condition?
...I see these parents all around me who are loving and really do have the best interest of their child in mind, but they are training their children to
survive in the system. We've all been trained to do this, and it's only just
barely working. Or maybe it's not working at all.
How does one break down the system and survive at the same time? Or is it
really just best to get up a half hour earlier (like a good German would) to
wash the dishes rather than argue about them in court?
Miss V.
Another commentor during the discussion had this to add...
My personal belief is that the only hope is the complete destruction
of this culture and an awakening to new spiritual understanding
coming out of the ashes as people pick themselves up and start to
rebuild the world.
Miss L.
This is where our world is at. To see some of my own thoughts confirmed by complete strangers- (I am really new to this group). To hear that the only solution that they can see is to have the world as we know it obliterated so that a new civilization can be re-born in its ashes.
How do you fight the injustices out there? How do you preserve your personal freedoms when those in power demand that we yield them for the sake of national security? How do you keep your children safe while you fight the good fight?
Or do you fight at all?
The same place I found the Steven Wright list. The difference is this one definitely didn't make me laugh.
I've spent my whole life just trying to survive in the system.
I was an abused child, I was a racial minority, I was public schooled, I am
now a corporate cog.
Do my past and present contribute to my tendency to remain in survival mode? I think so. I dunno. Is it just part of the human condition?
...I see these parents all around me who are loving and really do have the best interest of their child in mind, but they are training their children to
survive in the system. We've all been trained to do this, and it's only just
barely working. Or maybe it's not working at all.
How does one break down the system and survive at the same time? Or is it
really just best to get up a half hour earlier (like a good German would) to
wash the dishes rather than argue about them in court?
Miss V.
Another commentor during the discussion had this to add...
My personal belief is that the only hope is the complete destruction
of this culture and an awakening to new spiritual understanding
coming out of the ashes as people pick themselves up and start to
rebuild the world.
Miss L.
This is where our world is at. To see some of my own thoughts confirmed by complete strangers- (I am really new to this group). To hear that the only solution that they can see is to have the world as we know it obliterated so that a new civilization can be re-born in its ashes.
How do you fight the injustices out there? How do you preserve your personal freedoms when those in power demand that we yield them for the sake of national security? How do you keep your children safe while you fight the good fight?
Or do you fight at all?
steven wright
I thought it was just sad that I couldn't think of anything new to post. I did find this and it made me laugh. Steven Wright is the comedian who speaks in a low monotone with pauses between statements to let the irony sink in. Without further ado....
1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.
3 - Half the people you know are below average.
4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
7 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
8 - If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
9 - All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.
10 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
11 - I almost had a psychic girlfriend,... but she left me before we met.
12 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?
13 - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
14 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
15 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
16 - When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
18 - Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
19 - I intend to live forever.... so far, so good.
20 - If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
21 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
22 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
23 - My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
24 - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
25 - If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
26 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
27 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
28 - The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
29 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 - The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.
3 - Half the people you know are below average.
4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
7 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
8 - If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
9 - All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.
10 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
11 - I almost had a psychic girlfriend,... but she left me before we met.
12 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?
13 - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
14 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
15 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
16 - When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
18 - Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.
19 - I intend to live forever.... so far, so good.
20 - If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
21 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
22 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
23 - My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
24 - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
25 - If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
26 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
27 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
28 - The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
29 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 - The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
confection
My name is Fiery Ewok and I am addicted to hershey chocolate bars. The plain ones.
About 10 years ago, shortly after the birth of Punkin #2 I decided to go sugar-free. Gave it up completely. As much as could be removed from my diet without having to bake my own bread. A bit crept into my food in the form of the sugar they put in ketchup, bread, hot dogs- that sort of things. But not treats: candy, cake, donuts, etc... And in a word- it was HELL. Seriously hard. People looked at me like I was demented. It just isn't done. Not eating sugar is almost as unAmerican as being an atheist.
Picture this. Homeschooling, non-sugar eating, non-spanking and an atheist. Talk about a minority. People react so oddly when you say you don't eat sugar OR let your kids eat sugar. They act like it is a form of child abuse.
And you would be shocked at the number of people that try to slip it to my kids when I'm not around. Even my fundy neighbor. ARGH!!!!! What kind of message does that send??? Here, you can have some sugar just don't tell your Mom, it will be our little secret. WTF
After 9 years of this. NINE LOOOOONG years. I cracked.
It was christmas time and I couldn't take it anymore. I was sick of saying no to all that stuff that I adored as a kid.
See me and christmas for a partial list of my favorite christmas goodies.
After 9 christmases of "no thank you" I broke down. And I ate and ate and ate. I think I finished off 2 cake pans of homemade fudge by MYSELF!!!!! Oh God it tasted SOOOO good. I decided I was only going to "fall off the wagon" for the 1 month. And January 1, I was back on the "no thank you" sugar band wagon.
And it lasted until about 1 month ago. Burnout had been rearing it's ugly head here and I've got it bad.
I know I'm burned out. I just don't know how to fix it.
I broke down. First it was just desert pizza at Pizza Ranch. To DIE for.
Now it's hershey chocolate bars. I didn't even like them as a kid. I was more into Twix or Carmello or 100 Grand bars or Almond Joys.
But now. OMG. Hershey chocolate bars are like an orgasm for my mouth. Seriously. I put in a square and it is sooooo heavenly.
Curse Walmart for selling 6- 1.55 oz bars for $2. TWO DOLLARS!!!!! Oh so affordable even on our crap budget.
Do you know why I know it is exactly 1.55 oz per bar? Because I've got a wrapper in the garbage next to me.
So- My name is Fiery Ewok and I am addicted to hershey chocolate bars. The plain ones.
About 10 years ago, shortly after the birth of Punkin #2 I decided to go sugar-free. Gave it up completely. As much as could be removed from my diet without having to bake my own bread. A bit crept into my food in the form of the sugar they put in ketchup, bread, hot dogs- that sort of things. But not treats: candy, cake, donuts, etc... And in a word- it was HELL. Seriously hard. People looked at me like I was demented. It just isn't done. Not eating sugar is almost as unAmerican as being an atheist.
Picture this. Homeschooling, non-sugar eating, non-spanking and an atheist. Talk about a minority. People react so oddly when you say you don't eat sugar OR let your kids eat sugar. They act like it is a form of child abuse.
And you would be shocked at the number of people that try to slip it to my kids when I'm not around. Even my fundy neighbor. ARGH!!!!! What kind of message does that send??? Here, you can have some sugar just don't tell your Mom, it will be our little secret. WTF
After 9 years of this. NINE LOOOOONG years. I cracked.
It was christmas time and I couldn't take it anymore. I was sick of saying no to all that stuff that I adored as a kid.
See me and christmas for a partial list of my favorite christmas goodies.
After 9 christmases of "no thank you" I broke down. And I ate and ate and ate. I think I finished off 2 cake pans of homemade fudge by MYSELF!!!!! Oh God it tasted SOOOO good. I decided I was only going to "fall off the wagon" for the 1 month. And January 1, I was back on the "no thank you" sugar band wagon.
And it lasted until about 1 month ago. Burnout had been rearing it's ugly head here and I've got it bad.
I know I'm burned out. I just don't know how to fix it.
I broke down. First it was just desert pizza at Pizza Ranch. To DIE for.
Now it's hershey chocolate bars. I didn't even like them as a kid. I was more into Twix or Carmello or 100 Grand bars or Almond Joys.
But now. OMG. Hershey chocolate bars are like an orgasm for my mouth. Seriously. I put in a square and it is sooooo heavenly.
Curse Walmart for selling 6- 1.55 oz bars for $2. TWO DOLLARS!!!!! Oh so affordable even on our crap budget.
Do you know why I know it is exactly 1.55 oz per bar? Because I've got a wrapper in the garbage next to me.
So- My name is Fiery Ewok and I am addicted to hershey chocolate bars. The plain ones.
Friday, May 18, 2007
me and christmas
A special thanks to Janice for stopping by my open forum. Her question for me was to ask me if I celebrate Christmas.
When I was growing up, even all through highschool and college, Christmas was always a very special time for me for a variety of reasons.
Making and eating special christmas-time-only candy treats. [ohhhh, pausing to drooooooool over the memories of all those yummy holiday goodies.!] Let's see "christmas wreaths", "christmas fudge", "christmas mints", "homemade salted nut rolls", "frosted christmas cookies", egg nog. Oooooooh I want it to be December right now!!!!
Putting up all the decorations, candles, holly greens, the tree, the nativity scene. Mom's angel collection. Putting up mom's collection of houses. I LOVE Christmas decorations.
Driving around looking at Christmas lights on people's houses and yards.
Listening to lots of christmas music tapes and then cds. I LOVE christmas music. Sometimes during the summer when I'd get sick of the heat I'd bring out my christmas music to remind me of the snow. Yeah! I HATE the heat. LOVE winter.
Going to the candle light christmas-eve service. Lots of carol singing. No sermon. Holding the candles in the dark.
Playing my flute with my mom while my sister played the piano up at the nursing home where Mom works.
Doing a nightly advent wreath for a good chunk of my child hood, where we'd all gather round the "wreath" light a candle and read a story, sing a song, say a prayer. It kind of petered out during highschool because we got too busy, not enough people home at 1 time.
And of course the excitement of Santa coming on christmas morning and all the presents he'd bring. How hard it was to sleep the night before. Getting up to tip toe through the house and take a peek. Even when we found out that Mom and Dad were Santa, we still got santa presents until I was about 26. Mom and Dad just loved giving us lots of presents.
When I became an atheist, christmas became different. There didn't seem to be a lot of point. And I felt really bad about it. I still miss it. I miss that special feeling that christmas engendered. That inner quiet beauty, sense of light, wonder. Awe that a supernatural being came to earth as a baby because he loved me.
I look back on the list of things I really liked about christmas and a lot of them don't have to be religious. They could be secular. But now that I no longer believe there is a deity...well... it seems like a lot of effort to go through for nothing.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've "lost the meaning of Christmas". I still listen to the music, still give my kids presents, but the joy of the season is definitely missing.
So- do I celebrate christmas? Only sort of. I still go through the motions and even hit most of the items on the list- except for the daily advent. But it no longer "feels" the same.
When I was growing up, even all through highschool and college, Christmas was always a very special time for me for a variety of reasons.
Making and eating special christmas-time-only candy treats. [ohhhh, pausing to drooooooool over the memories of all those yummy holiday goodies.!] Let's see "christmas wreaths", "christmas fudge", "christmas mints", "homemade salted nut rolls", "frosted christmas cookies", egg nog. Oooooooh I want it to be December right now!!!!
Putting up all the decorations, candles, holly greens, the tree, the nativity scene. Mom's angel collection. Putting up mom's collection of houses. I LOVE Christmas decorations.
Driving around looking at Christmas lights on people's houses and yards.
Listening to lots of christmas music tapes and then cds. I LOVE christmas music. Sometimes during the summer when I'd get sick of the heat I'd bring out my christmas music to remind me of the snow. Yeah! I HATE the heat. LOVE winter.
Going to the candle light christmas-eve service. Lots of carol singing. No sermon. Holding the candles in the dark.
Playing my flute with my mom while my sister played the piano up at the nursing home where Mom works.
Doing a nightly advent wreath for a good chunk of my child hood, where we'd all gather round the "wreath" light a candle and read a story, sing a song, say a prayer. It kind of petered out during highschool because we got too busy, not enough people home at 1 time.
And of course the excitement of Santa coming on christmas morning and all the presents he'd bring. How hard it was to sleep the night before. Getting up to tip toe through the house and take a peek. Even when we found out that Mom and Dad were Santa, we still got santa presents until I was about 26. Mom and Dad just loved giving us lots of presents.
When I became an atheist, christmas became different. There didn't seem to be a lot of point. And I felt really bad about it. I still miss it. I miss that special feeling that christmas engendered. That inner quiet beauty, sense of light, wonder. Awe that a supernatural being came to earth as a baby because he loved me.
I look back on the list of things I really liked about christmas and a lot of them don't have to be religious. They could be secular. But now that I no longer believe there is a deity...well... it seems like a lot of effort to go through for nothing.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've "lost the meaning of Christmas". I still listen to the music, still give my kids presents, but the joy of the season is definitely missing.
So- do I celebrate christmas? Only sort of. I still go through the motions and even hit most of the items on the list- except for the daily advent. But it no longer "feels" the same.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
standardizing american education
I would like to introduce you to William Torrey Harris. David H. Albert, author of Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery calls him "the individual who is probably single-most responsible for the standardization of American Education." Harris was the U.S. Commissioner of Education from 1889 to 1906.
This "interview" is adapted from the Philosophy of Education, published by Harris while he was the Commissioner.
Me: Mr. Harris- Many people see a connection between establishing the appropriate school environment and student performance. How should American schools be set up to achieve the purpose you have defined for them?
Mr. Harris: "The great purpose of school can be realized better in dark, airless, ugly places."
Me: And what is that purpose?
Harris: "It is to master the physical self, to transcend the beauty of nature. Schools should develop the power to withdraw from the external world."
Me: I'm not sure I understand the benefits of withdrawing from the external world. Creating an artificial environment, isolated from reality seems to set itself against meaningful learning. How would you describe the students that emerge from this environment?
Harris: "Ninety-nine (students) out of a hundred are automata, careful to walk in prescribed paths, careful to follow the prescribed custom."
Me: So schools turn out good little citizens. Obedient to leaders. Unquestioning of social policy. Content to do what everyone else is doing without rocking the boat. Is that what you believe education is for?
Harris: "This is not an accident but the result of substantial education, which, scientifically defined, is the subsumption of the individual."
Me: So you wish to eliminate the uniqueness of students. Eliminate their individual strengths. Perhaps even dumb classes down to teach to the lowest common denominator. Turning now to another source of online info, not necessarily the most reliable, here is Wikkipedia. What information do you have about William Harris and his effect on education?
Wikkipedia: "Throughout time, his influence has been only momentarily recognized, disregarded and misunderstood by historians. Harris’ extreme emphasis on discipline has become the most glaring misrepresentation of his philosophy."
Me: So you believe Harris has been misunderstood and maligned by his detractors. Yet you provide no supporting quotes to substantiate this claim.
Wikkipedia: "On the surface it seems that Harris is a proponent of self-alienation in order to better serve the great industrial nation of America. In fact, it can be found that quite the opposite is true of Harris when you are able to go beyond the surface of his educational philosophy.
Me: Without any quotes by him to support that claim, what do you know about Harris?
Wikkipedia: Harris, a devout Christian, is quite concerned with the development of morality and discipline within the individual.
Me: The discipline of a dark, airless, and ugly place. That kind of stark and austere environment sounds rather bleak doesn't it?
Wikkipedia: Harris believed those values could systematically be instilled into the pupils, promoting common goals and social cooperation, with a strong sense of respect for and responsibility towards one’s society.
Me: Wouldn't it be better to teach young minds how to think and reason for themselves? To eliminate mysticism and irrational beliefs? To instill a love of discovery and a life long pursuit of knowledge? What is so important about "common goals"? Why should people want the same things? And I get the heebie-jeebies when people start talking about "social cooperation".
This "interview" is adapted from the Philosophy of Education, published by Harris while he was the Commissioner.
Me: Mr. Harris- Many people see a connection between establishing the appropriate school environment and student performance. How should American schools be set up to achieve the purpose you have defined for them?
Mr. Harris: "The great purpose of school can be realized better in dark, airless, ugly places."
Me: And what is that purpose?
Harris: "It is to master the physical self, to transcend the beauty of nature. Schools should develop the power to withdraw from the external world."
Me: I'm not sure I understand the benefits of withdrawing from the external world. Creating an artificial environment, isolated from reality seems to set itself against meaningful learning. How would you describe the students that emerge from this environment?
Harris: "Ninety-nine (students) out of a hundred are automata, careful to walk in prescribed paths, careful to follow the prescribed custom."
Me: So schools turn out good little citizens. Obedient to leaders. Unquestioning of social policy. Content to do what everyone else is doing without rocking the boat. Is that what you believe education is for?
Harris: "This is not an accident but the result of substantial education, which, scientifically defined, is the subsumption of the individual."
Me: So you wish to eliminate the uniqueness of students. Eliminate their individual strengths. Perhaps even dumb classes down to teach to the lowest common denominator. Turning now to another source of online info, not necessarily the most reliable, here is Wikkipedia. What information do you have about William Harris and his effect on education?
Wikkipedia: "Throughout time, his influence has been only momentarily recognized, disregarded and misunderstood by historians. Harris’ extreme emphasis on discipline has become the most glaring misrepresentation of his philosophy."
Me: So you believe Harris has been misunderstood and maligned by his detractors. Yet you provide no supporting quotes to substantiate this claim.
Wikkipedia: "On the surface it seems that Harris is a proponent of self-alienation in order to better serve the great industrial nation of America. In fact, it can be found that quite the opposite is true of Harris when you are able to go beyond the surface of his educational philosophy.
Me: Without any quotes by him to support that claim, what do you know about Harris?
Wikkipedia: Harris, a devout Christian, is quite concerned with the development of morality and discipline within the individual.
Me: The discipline of a dark, airless, and ugly place. That kind of stark and austere environment sounds rather bleak doesn't it?
Wikkipedia: Harris believed those values could systematically be instilled into the pupils, promoting common goals and social cooperation, with a strong sense of respect for and responsibility towards one’s society.
Me: Wouldn't it be better to teach young minds how to think and reason for themselves? To eliminate mysticism and irrational beliefs? To instill a love of discovery and a life long pursuit of knowledge? What is so important about "common goals"? Why should people want the same things? And I get the heebie-jeebies when people start talking about "social cooperation".
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
open forum
There have been times when visiting other blogs that I wanted to ask the blog owner a question off topic, but never really knew how to proceed. I didn't want to be rude and bust into a comment-conversation.
So- This post is the opportunity for any of my readers to broach a subject, ask a question, bring up a topic, whatever...
If there is any interest I'll open a new one each month to keep it on the current list of posts.
Play ball! :-)
So- This post is the opportunity for any of my readers to broach a subject, ask a question, bring up a topic, whatever...
If there is any interest I'll open a new one each month to keep it on the current list of posts.
Play ball! :-)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
sheryl crow
This topic was first covered over at Bent My Wookie. The only reason I'm covering it here is that there has been a new development.
Here is a couple of quotes from the article
SINGER Sheryl Crowe has proposed a unique way in which to beat global warming - limit the use of toilet paper.
Crowe says: "I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming.
"Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required."
My first complaint is the word "BUT" that I bolded. She doesn't want to rob anybody. BUT she is going to do it anyway. Nice.
By the way did gawd really gives us the right to toilet paper? Oh yeah! The fig leaves!!!
I can see it know. People queing up at WalMart, Charmin in hand, and having to show their National ID card to requisition toilet paper. "But you don't understand, I've had the trots for 2 days now, I need more toilet paper!!!! Using the local newspaper is leaving ink tracks in my underpants."
Now for the best part....
Sheryl Crow has adopted herself a 2 week old baby boy.
Awwwwww isn't that special?
So Ms. Crow....Does a wet-wipe count as 1 squre or 2 squares of toilet paper?
Any parents out there actually manage to change a poopy diaper with 1 wet wipe????
The chances of babies having an immaculate turd are a little bit better than the chance of a fundy reversing her position on evolution.
Sheryl Crow hypocrit or really bad mommy. I wonder which one she will pick.
Here is a couple of quotes from the article
SINGER Sheryl Crowe has proposed a unique way in which to beat global warming - limit the use of toilet paper.
Crowe says: "I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming.
"Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required."
My first complaint is the word "BUT" that I bolded. She doesn't want to rob anybody. BUT she is going to do it anyway. Nice.
By the way did gawd really gives us the right to toilet paper? Oh yeah! The fig leaves!!!
I can see it know. People queing up at WalMart, Charmin in hand, and having to show their National ID card to requisition toilet paper. "But you don't understand, I've had the trots for 2 days now, I need more toilet paper!!!! Using the local newspaper is leaving ink tracks in my underpants."
Now for the best part....
Sheryl Crow has adopted herself a 2 week old baby boy.
Awwwwww isn't that special?
So Ms. Crow....Does a wet-wipe count as 1 squre or 2 squares of toilet paper?
Any parents out there actually manage to change a poopy diaper with 1 wet wipe????
The chances of babies having an immaculate turd are a little bit better than the chance of a fundy reversing her position on evolution.
Sheryl Crow hypocrit or really bad mommy. I wonder which one she will pick.
Friday, May 11, 2007
nun in hooters
A Nun, badly needing to use to the restroom, walked into a local Hooters.
The place was hopping with music and loud conversation and every once in a while the lights would turn off. Each time the lights would go out, the place would erupt into cheers. When the revelers saw the Nun, the room went dead silent. Unperturbed, she walked up to the bartender and asked, "May I please use the restroom?"
The bartender replied, "Sure, but I should warn you that there is a statue of a naked man in there wearing only a fig leaf."
"Well, in that case I shall simply look the other way," said the Nun.
So, the bartender pointed the Nun to the rest room at the back of the restaurant.
After a few minutes, she came back out, and everyone rose from their chairs applauding loudly and whooting and hollering. Puzzled by the ovation, she asked the bartender, "Why are they cheering for me?"
"Well, now they know you're one of us," said the bartender. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Because I went to the restroom?," she said.
"Sort of," laughed the bartender. "You see, every time someone lifts the fig leaf on that statue, the lights go out... So, what'll it be?"
The place was hopping with music and loud conversation and every once in a while the lights would turn off. Each time the lights would go out, the place would erupt into cheers. When the revelers saw the Nun, the room went dead silent. Unperturbed, she walked up to the bartender and asked, "May I please use the restroom?"
The bartender replied, "Sure, but I should warn you that there is a statue of a naked man in there wearing only a fig leaf."
"Well, in that case I shall simply look the other way," said the Nun.
So, the bartender pointed the Nun to the rest room at the back of the restaurant.
After a few minutes, she came back out, and everyone rose from their chairs applauding loudly and whooting and hollering. Puzzled by the ovation, she asked the bartender, "Why are they cheering for me?"
"Well, now they know you're one of us," said the bartender. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Because I went to the restroom?," she said.
"Sort of," laughed the bartender. "You see, every time someone lifts the fig leaf on that statue, the lights go out... So, what'll it be?"
Thursday, May 10, 2007
where's george?
I received a "marked bill" when I was at PetSmart on Monday. Didn't notice until today, but who screens their money that carefully?
It's part of the United States Currency Tracking Program. What I can't decide if it is a way to check the effectiveness of tracking devices already in place on our money, or if it is just for fun to see where a bill goes in its lifetime.
I'm hoping for the latter, and paranoid about the former.
The website is WheresGeorge.com. Now to track the bill I so dutifully entered I just click on the link provided wheresgeorge in the comments section
Apparently some of the bills have had some pretty wild rides, placed in church offering plate, next received at a strip club.
The bill which I received as change for kitty litter is going to my son as his allowance. Most likely to be spent at WalMart.
Happy Trails George!
It's part of the United States Currency Tracking Program. What I can't decide if it is a way to check the effectiveness of tracking devices already in place on our money, or if it is just for fun to see where a bill goes in its lifetime.
I'm hoping for the latter, and paranoid about the former.
The website is WheresGeorge.com. Now to track the bill I so dutifully entered I just click on the link provided wheresgeorge in the comments section
Apparently some of the bills have had some pretty wild rides, placed in church offering plate, next received at a strip club.
The bill which I received as change for kitty litter is going to my son as his allowance. Most likely to be spent at WalMart.
Happy Trails George!
Monday, May 7, 2007
bird feeder
I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.
Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere. Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.
After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.
Soon, the back yard was like it used to be...quite, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
Now lets see...our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be a automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: you child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.
-annonymous
~+~+~+~+~+~
I am all for the complete elimination of all government subsidies and welfare programs.
Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere. Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.
After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio.
Soon, the back yard was like it used to be...quite, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
Now lets see...our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be a automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: you child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.
-annonymous
~+~+~+~+~+~
I am all for the complete elimination of all government subsidies and welfare programs.
Friday, May 4, 2007
hypocrisy
Well the snowbirding in-laws are back in town. Every year it's the same song and dance. They get back the first week in May and right away it's *bbbrrring*....*bbbrrring*
"Fiery Ewok, we'd really like to take the two Punkins to Great Grandma's birthday party. She is 95thousand years old you know, never know if she's going to be around for her next birthday. All the relatives are coming. Can we pick up the kids on Friday? We can have them back Sunday afternoon. Oh- what are you doing on Saturday? You're invited too of course."
*eyes rolling* My invitation is always an after thought. A forced politeness that I am not expected to accept.
The thing is, they've been playing the "Great-Grandma's Birthday Trump Card" for the last 7 years. I'm not kidding. Every single year it's the same routine, "we'd like to take the kids to see her so we can get a 4 generation picture".
Now where I grew up, I don't remember ever once posing for a multi-generational picture. But some families cling to these like they will be museum pieces of note and value. *gag*
My first exposure came right after Punkin #1 was born. They arrived in a van, Great-Grandma, Grandma, Grampa, a pair of cousins and an aunt. Great-Grandma sits in a chair holding the baby (MY Punkin) and Grandma says, let's do a generational picture. I groan internally because I hate having my picture taken, but I try and be a good sport. Not hiding or making faces. Just grin and bear it.
I was asked to get out of the picture. Yep. "Could you move out of the picture please? This picture is Cantstandja's only." With these multi-generational pictures, it's only bloodline that counts. Daddy was needed for this picture, not Mommy.
I just about went post-partem postal on them let me tell you.
So here it is 13 years later and they still trot the whole Cantstandja family together for these damnable generational pictures of the blood. You'd think they were royalty instead of just a royal pain in my butt.
In some ways, yes, it's really nice that they want everyone together for a big weekend birthday party.
But if you think about it, how much time do you think the guests actually get to or even have to spend with the honored lady? 2 minutes tops? Maybe. And what conversations get covered? "How are you feeling?" "Have you had much rain yet?" "Is your knee still troubling you?"
Where are they the rest of the year? Living their own lives. Doing their own thing. Don't you think Great-Grandma would appreciate it more if the visits were spread out to several a month coming to see her for a few hours each? Take her out to Perkins for coffee and a slice of pie for cripes sakes!
But no, it's this big migration from all across the upper midwest to Great Grandma's birthday on the off chance that this is her last one. At least they can all claim to have been there.
All but me and my mate. *sigh*
They make a big show of Great-Grandma's birthday, but do they spend any meaningful time with her? Nope. Just make your appearance, snap the pictures, and get on with your life.
Hypocrits
"Fiery Ewok, we'd really like to take the two Punkins to Great Grandma's birthday party. She is 95thousand years old you know, never know if she's going to be around for her next birthday. All the relatives are coming. Can we pick up the kids on Friday? We can have them back Sunday afternoon. Oh- what are you doing on Saturday? You're invited too of course."
*eyes rolling* My invitation is always an after thought. A forced politeness that I am not expected to accept.
The thing is, they've been playing the "Great-Grandma's Birthday Trump Card" for the last 7 years. I'm not kidding. Every single year it's the same routine, "we'd like to take the kids to see her so we can get a 4 generation picture".
Now where I grew up, I don't remember ever once posing for a multi-generational picture. But some families cling to these like they will be museum pieces of note and value. *gag*
My first exposure came right after Punkin #1 was born. They arrived in a van, Great-Grandma, Grandma, Grampa, a pair of cousins and an aunt. Great-Grandma sits in a chair holding the baby (MY Punkin) and Grandma says, let's do a generational picture. I groan internally because I hate having my picture taken, but I try and be a good sport. Not hiding or making faces. Just grin and bear it.
I was asked to get out of the picture. Yep. "Could you move out of the picture please? This picture is Cantstandja's only." With these multi-generational pictures, it's only bloodline that counts. Daddy was needed for this picture, not Mommy.
I just about went post-partem postal on them let me tell you.
So here it is 13 years later and they still trot the whole Cantstandja family together for these damnable generational pictures of the blood. You'd think they were royalty instead of just a royal pain in my butt.
In some ways, yes, it's really nice that they want everyone together for a big weekend birthday party.
But if you think about it, how much time do you think the guests actually get to or even have to spend with the honored lady? 2 minutes tops? Maybe. And what conversations get covered? "How are you feeling?" "Have you had much rain yet?" "Is your knee still troubling you?"
Where are they the rest of the year? Living their own lives. Doing their own thing. Don't you think Great-Grandma would appreciate it more if the visits were spread out to several a month coming to see her for a few hours each? Take her out to Perkins for coffee and a slice of pie for cripes sakes!
But no, it's this big migration from all across the upper midwest to Great Grandma's birthday on the off chance that this is her last one. At least they can all claim to have been there.
All but me and my mate. *sigh*
They make a big show of Great-Grandma's birthday, but do they spend any meaningful time with her? Nope. Just make your appearance, snap the pictures, and get on with your life.
Hypocrits
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
what's in a name
I am really new to blogging. I was directed to PossumMomma's blog on a yahoo homeschooling news group because of Possum #1's essay. An excellent and insightful piece of writing by a young person.
I then went on to explore the rest of her blog, explored a few of the blogs she linked to and discovered the wide world of blogging.
I had no idea there were people out there openly discussing atheism and what it means and doesn't mean to be an atheist.
I am very much in the closet. I think my neighbor might have some suspicions, in spite of my lie in answering his question about believing in a deity with a yes. He thought I would not want to eat brownies baked by Lutheran Confirmation kids because they had been "blessed". I'm not sure if he thinks that I am afraid of being smote by lightning if I ate them or what.
My parents however, have no idea. I think they would be really distraught at the idea that I was "rejecting god". And that is a conversation I am really unwilling to have at this point.
Since I am an unrevealed atheist, I have felt very much in the minority. The only one I talked to about being an atheist was my mate- who deconverted before me and I was just playing catch-up.
While I was roaming through the archives of a variety of blogs I found several dealing with the idea of atheists coming out of the closet and why American society considers it shameful to be an atheist. I decided to out myself in a very minor way with my own blog where I could explore being an atheist in an annonymous environment without having to worry about the condemnation of family and friends.
I started my blog without having a clue about traditions or conventions in the blogging world, which is why the web location is godlessmomathome.blogspot.com, the title of the blog is Atheist Homeschooler and my login name was look_an_atheist. Plus it struck me as funny that when I commented it would say "look_an_atheist said..."
However, I am tired of the nothingness of "look_an_atheist". For one, other bloggers don't know how to refer to me and for another, I am repulsed by the utter impersonality portrayed in that phrase.
I need a new name.
I have a few ideas, but would love to hear if you have any suggestions.
I would also like to know how and why you choose your own blogger name!
Update:
I then went on to explore the rest of her blog, explored a few of the blogs she linked to and discovered the wide world of blogging.
I had no idea there were people out there openly discussing atheism and what it means and doesn't mean to be an atheist.
I am very much in the closet. I think my neighbor might have some suspicions, in spite of my lie in answering his question about believing in a deity with a yes. He thought I would not want to eat brownies baked by Lutheran Confirmation kids because they had been "blessed". I'm not sure if he thinks that I am afraid of being smote by lightning if I ate them or what.
My parents however, have no idea. I think they would be really distraught at the idea that I was "rejecting god". And that is a conversation I am really unwilling to have at this point.
Since I am an unrevealed atheist, I have felt very much in the minority. The only one I talked to about being an atheist was my mate- who deconverted before me and I was just playing catch-up.
While I was roaming through the archives of a variety of blogs I found several dealing with the idea of atheists coming out of the closet and why American society considers it shameful to be an atheist. I decided to out myself in a very minor way with my own blog where I could explore being an atheist in an annonymous environment without having to worry about the condemnation of family and friends.
I started my blog without having a clue about traditions or conventions in the blogging world, which is why the web location is godlessmomathome.blogspot.com, the title of the blog is Atheist Homeschooler and my login name was look_an_atheist. Plus it struck me as funny that when I commented it would say "look_an_atheist said..."
However, I am tired of the nothingness of "look_an_atheist". For one, other bloggers don't know how to refer to me and for another, I am repulsed by the utter impersonality portrayed in that phrase.
I need a new name.
I have a few ideas, but would love to hear if you have any suggestions.
I would also like to know how and why you choose your own blogger name!
Update:
the stunning finale to the dani debate
I urge everyone who has followed the debate with Dani regarding morals, evolution, the universe, etc... to head over to this April post intellectual dishonesty and read a truly amazing post by JohnGalt666.
I honestly do not expect an answer on this one from Dani. The post is a grand slam home run, touch down, goal, Hole-In-One [for BigTex], whatever sports analogy you wish to use.
I wish that I had written it. I have GOT to improve my writing skills so I can write 1/2 that well.
*standing ovation*
Well done JohnG! I hope to see more from you at your blog and here on my own.
WOO HOO!
I honestly do not expect an answer on this one from Dani. The post is a grand slam home run, touch down, goal, Hole-In-One [for BigTex], whatever sports analogy you wish to use.
I wish that I had written it. I have GOT to improve my writing skills so I can write 1/2 that well.
*standing ovation*
Well done JohnG! I hope to see more from you at your blog and here on my own.
WOO HOO!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
the triune god of atheists
Well Makarios has lashed out at reason again. I had a fit of morbid curiosity so I popped over to his blog and what to my wondering eyes did appear but this piece of….tripe …. If you want to make your head explode, read it at it’s source.
The triune god of Atheism
For those of you too impatient to wade through his fundy brand of bull shit to find out just what exactly Rod, in his finite wisdom, considers the atheist's triune god to be- let me blow his punch line. The atheists triune god is [are you ready? …isn’t the suspense just killing you?] The triune god of atheism is Science, Pride and Intelligence. Once again that’s Science, Pride and Intelligence.
*groan*
Unlike last time with Rod’s post, I am not going to quote the whole thing. It was 4 pages long at 12 point font for cripes sakes. YIKES!!!! To call attention to his idiocy I’m putting his comments in bold this time.
I’ve been thinking about the enormous amount of faith that it takes to maintain one’s atheistic belief system.
Once again Rod
Atheism = lack of belief in god a related corollary to that is
Atheism = lack of faith in god
Ask any Atheist, who’s been posting on a blog, to give the reasons for what he believes, to give an explanation for the hope s/he has in Atheistic philosophy and that person will disappear like a puff of smoke; he’ll drop right off the radar. They’ll even delete their own posts just to avoid any questions requiring a validation of their faith.
Now get ready guys, I’m about to go up in a puff of smoke. I’m also likely to drop right off the radar and start deleting posts. Get ready!!!!
Here I gooooooooo……
****POOF!!!!****
"I’m sorry sir, we’ve lost the signal.
She appears to have dropped off the radar…"
*DELETE….DELETE….DELETE*
"Her blog is vanishing Sir!"
...
....
.....
NOT!
Well, since I’m not going anywhere, let’s see.
What do I believe. #1 There is no god.
That’s right Rod
There is no god.
Oh sweet Clementine,
Does that rhyme?
I believe that YOU want there to be a god, Rod. There isn’t.
God/gods/supernatural beings were mental constructs that humanity evolved to deal with reality and our increasingly complex role in it.
See The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
By Julian Jaynes
[If you haven’t read it in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
The rest of my beliefs are all personal and not affiliated with Atheism, but as Rod ASSUMES that Atheism is a complete belief system, I’ll address two of those beliefs as well. But they are MINE not necessarily those of any other atheist.
What do I believe. #2 Existence exists.
That’s right Rod. There is a universe. It’s right here. It is all that there is. Just the universe. The universe contains all of reality. If it exists, it is a part of the universe. If there is a god (there isn’t) he would be a part of the universe. That is the definition OF the universe- All Existing Things. If god isn’t a part of the universe, then he doesn’t exist. If he is a part of the universe, he couldn't have created it.
See Chapter 1: Reality in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand
By Leonard Peikoff
[If you haven’t read at least the first chapter in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
What do I believe. #3 Principles of Morality are a product of cognition and not of feeling. They are also not relative but objective in nature.
That’s right Rod. Humans don’t need a vindictive, petulant, jealous, invisible sky daddy to tell them how to live their lives and to forbid amoral behavior. Wrong is wrong, regardless of the bible’s stance on the slaughter of innocents, forced marriage of a rape victim, stoning children, and other god ordained attrocities.
See Chapter 7: The Good in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand
By Leonard Peikoff [If you haven’t read at least the seventh chapter in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
Continuing on It can’t be any other way of course. Even Dawkins et al. admit that there isn’t any proof that life accidentally came from non life.
Pardon me Rod, is god alive? If he is alive, he exists, see belief #2. If he is not alive, that would seem to fall into the realm of non life. How can non life choose to create life?
Other than that, I am not going to defend evolution. I’m not a scientist and there are whole websites not to mention numerous scientists dedicated to the defense of evolution.
Check this out. Rod says…My goodness! What a strange way for people who see themselves as reasoned and logical to behave. “No, it isn’t observable, repeatable or verifiable, but I believe in IT.”
Who in the world are these people that Rod is referring to… Christians maybe? And what is this IT…God? Well it could be. Fundamentalists try to use reason and logic to prove/defend the Bible and God and when challenged they say they will believe in it even if the atheist says it is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
However, Rod is actually talking about Atheists. And the IT he is referring to is the mysterious triune god of science, pride and intelligence. [BigTex, here is a church you could start]
Go back and take a look at that quote and then let’s take a look at what Rod means…
Rod is saying that atheists believe science is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
Rod is saying that atheists believe pride is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
Rod is saying that atheists believe intelligence is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- Atheists place their faith in Science to provide for them answers and direction.
Atheists = no faith.
For shame, looking to science for answers when there is clearly such a better alternative.
Sally, did your teacher really tell you that bats are mammals? Well my dear, let’s see what the bible has to say about that…Leviticus 11:13-19. Nope, clearly a bird. God says so. And he should know, he created them.
Sally, stop trying to feed that garter snake worms. The bible clearly says that snakes eat dust. Genesis 3:14
- Atheists place their faith in their Pride to keep them emotionally afloat.
Morons say duh? This one is self-explanatory to rational human beings, i.e. not Rod.
Strangely enough an atheist's self-worth is not based on "the meek shall inherit the earth".
- And Atheists especially place their faith in and worship their Intelligence to provide them with a sense of security and belonging. … Their sense of belonging arises from grouping together and talking about how unintelligent non Atheists are.
TILT…TILT… Does not compute….The atheists are grouping together and talking about non Atheists. Stone ‘em!! I’m not going to refute this one, you already know how full of bs it is, so I won’t insult your intelligence by walking you through it.
Good grief the whole post could be deleted on that basis. But I don’t want to give Rod the satisfaction of deleting a post.
He goes on and on bashing atheists and their worship of intelligence claiming that all moral ills are because of this worship of ours... He also includes 7 repeats of the phrase “On this chunk of sand Atheists build their philosophy of life.” I think by repeating it endlessly Rod thinks that will make it true. Atheists do not have and never will have a universal philosophy of life. DUH!
See if you can read his post in its entirety without your head hitting the keyboard, smacking yourself on the forehead, groaning out loud, or getting the shakes from the sheer irrationality of it.
God save us from unthinking fundies.
The triune god of Atheism
For those of you too impatient to wade through his fundy brand of bull shit to find out just what exactly Rod, in his finite wisdom, considers the atheist's triune god to be- let me blow his punch line. The atheists triune god is [are you ready? …isn’t the suspense just killing you?] The triune god of atheism is Science, Pride and Intelligence. Once again that’s Science, Pride and Intelligence.
*groan*
Unlike last time with Rod’s post, I am not going to quote the whole thing. It was 4 pages long at 12 point font for cripes sakes. YIKES!!!! To call attention to his idiocy I’m putting his comments in bold this time.
I’ve been thinking about the enormous amount of faith that it takes to maintain one’s atheistic belief system.
Once again Rod
Atheism = lack of belief in god a related corollary to that is
Atheism = lack of faith in god
Ask any Atheist, who’s been posting on a blog, to give the reasons for what he believes, to give an explanation for the hope s/he has in Atheistic philosophy and that person will disappear like a puff of smoke; he’ll drop right off the radar. They’ll even delete their own posts just to avoid any questions requiring a validation of their faith.
Now get ready guys, I’m about to go up in a puff of smoke. I’m also likely to drop right off the radar and start deleting posts. Get ready!!!!
Here I gooooooooo……
****POOF!!!!****
"I’m sorry sir, we’ve lost the signal.
She appears to have dropped off the radar…"
*DELETE….DELETE….DELETE*
"Her blog is vanishing Sir!"
...
....
.....
NOT!
Well, since I’m not going anywhere, let’s see.
What do I believe. #1 There is no god.
That’s right Rod
There is no god.
Oh sweet Clementine,
Does that rhyme?
I believe that YOU want there to be a god, Rod. There isn’t.
God/gods/supernatural beings were mental constructs that humanity evolved to deal with reality and our increasingly complex role in it.
See The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
By Julian Jaynes
[If you haven’t read it in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
The rest of my beliefs are all personal and not affiliated with Atheism, but as Rod ASSUMES that Atheism is a complete belief system, I’ll address two of those beliefs as well. But they are MINE not necessarily those of any other atheist.
What do I believe. #2 Existence exists.
That’s right Rod. There is a universe. It’s right here. It is all that there is. Just the universe. The universe contains all of reality. If it exists, it is a part of the universe. If there is a god (there isn’t) he would be a part of the universe. That is the definition OF the universe- All Existing Things. If god isn’t a part of the universe, then he doesn’t exist. If he is a part of the universe, he couldn't have created it.
See Chapter 1: Reality in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand
By Leonard Peikoff
[If you haven’t read at least the first chapter in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
What do I believe. #3 Principles of Morality are a product of cognition and not of feeling. They are also not relative but objective in nature.
That’s right Rod. Humans don’t need a vindictive, petulant, jealous, invisible sky daddy to tell them how to live their lives and to forbid amoral behavior. Wrong is wrong, regardless of the bible’s stance on the slaughter of innocents, forced marriage of a rape victim, stoning children, and other god ordained attrocities.
See Chapter 7: The Good in Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand
By Leonard Peikoff [If you haven’t read at least the seventh chapter in its entirety Rod, then don’t bother trying to refute it]
Continuing on It can’t be any other way of course. Even Dawkins et al. admit that there isn’t any proof that life accidentally came from non life.
Pardon me Rod, is god alive? If he is alive, he exists, see belief #2. If he is not alive, that would seem to fall into the realm of non life. How can non life choose to create life?
Other than that, I am not going to defend evolution. I’m not a scientist and there are whole websites not to mention numerous scientists dedicated to the defense of evolution.
Check this out. Rod says…My goodness! What a strange way for people who see themselves as reasoned and logical to behave. “No, it isn’t observable, repeatable or verifiable, but I believe in IT.”
Who in the world are these people that Rod is referring to… Christians maybe? And what is this IT…God? Well it could be. Fundamentalists try to use reason and logic to prove/defend the Bible and God and when challenged they say they will believe in it even if the atheist says it is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
However, Rod is actually talking about Atheists. And the IT he is referring to is the mysterious triune god of science, pride and intelligence. [BigTex, here is a church you could start]
Go back and take a look at that quote and then let’s take a look at what Rod means…
Rod is saying that atheists believe science is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
Rod is saying that atheists believe pride is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
Rod is saying that atheists believe intelligence is not observable, repeatable or verifiable.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- Atheists place their faith in Science to provide for them answers and direction.
Atheists = no faith.
For shame, looking to science for answers when there is clearly such a better alternative.
Sally, did your teacher really tell you that bats are mammals? Well my dear, let’s see what the bible has to say about that…Leviticus 11:13-19. Nope, clearly a bird. God says so. And he should know, he created them.
Sally, stop trying to feed that garter snake worms. The bible clearly says that snakes eat dust. Genesis 3:14
- Atheists place their faith in their Pride to keep them emotionally afloat.
Morons say duh? This one is self-explanatory to rational human beings, i.e. not Rod.
Strangely enough an atheist's self-worth is not based on "the meek shall inherit the earth".
- And Atheists especially place their faith in and worship their Intelligence to provide them with a sense of security and belonging. … Their sense of belonging arises from grouping together and talking about how unintelligent non Atheists are.
TILT…TILT… Does not compute….The atheists are grouping together and talking about non Atheists. Stone ‘em!! I’m not going to refute this one, you already know how full of bs it is, so I won’t insult your intelligence by walking you through it.
Good grief the whole post could be deleted on that basis. But I don’t want to give Rod the satisfaction of deleting a post.
He goes on and on bashing atheists and their worship of intelligence claiming that all moral ills are because of this worship of ours... He also includes 7 repeats of the phrase “On this chunk of sand Atheists build their philosophy of life.” I think by repeating it endlessly Rod thinks that will make it true. Atheists do not have and never will have a universal philosophy of life. DUH!
See if you can read his post in its entirety without your head hitting the keyboard, smacking yourself on the forehead, groaning out loud, or getting the shakes from the sheer irrationality of it.
God save us from unthinking fundies.
prove you are not in denver
I just had the weirdest experience. I'm over at Stardust's Blog and she asks if I am in the same location as Dani. Because her sitemeter says that whenever I post it rings in as Denver.
Now how do I go about, through the annonymity of the internet, and "prove" that I am really not in Denver, CO? That I really *am* in Minnesota? WEIRD!!!!
I've got nothing. What do I provide, a description of the weather? A picture of me with a local paper? Live video feed of me with my lap top in front of a local monument? I've got nothing.
I was totally boggled. I can't control where my IP address says I am. I do not have access to that kind of hacker knowledge to tamper with THAT little piece of info. On the other hand....(evil grin) how can I take advantage of this?.....*ahem*
How do I prove to Stardust that I am not a liar liar? That my pants are not on fire? Well there was that one regrettable incident with the super nachos but only after 1 too many Slap Yo Mama's and Ewoks Teabagging... (shudder) But I blame BigTex for that one.
For the record, Stardust was mildly curious, not majorly accusatory.
:-D
Now how do I go about, through the annonymity of the internet, and "prove" that I am really not in Denver, CO? That I really *am* in Minnesota? WEIRD!!!!
I've got nothing. What do I provide, a description of the weather? A picture of me with a local paper? Live video feed of me with my lap top in front of a local monument? I've got nothing.
I was totally boggled. I can't control where my IP address says I am. I do not have access to that kind of hacker knowledge to tamper with THAT little piece of info. On the other hand....(evil grin) how can I take advantage of this?.....*ahem*
How do I prove to Stardust that I am not a liar liar? That my pants are not on fire? Well there was that one regrettable incident with the super nachos but only after 1 too many Slap Yo Mama's and Ewoks Teabagging... (shudder) But I blame BigTex for that one.
For the record, Stardust was mildly curious, not majorly accusatory.
:-D
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