There was something I wanted to mention. I read today that there is a resolution up in the UN that is being voted on or whatnot to become a binding resolution. Apparently brought up by a muslim organisation it is a resolution stating that no religion will be blasphemied against in the UN.
I'm not going to pretend that I know what all of this means, I'm pretty sure that it doesn't actually apply to the US laws, but I'm really not sure. I do know that it seems to be a resolution that states that you can't say bad things about any religion.
And boy am I torn.
I would love it if people stopped saying crappy things about what I believe. I had a president tell the nation that he thought my religion wasn't real. I have been slandered and yelled at and had all manner of people try to convince me I am wrong. It would be nice for that to stop.
But...
You know what? As awful as that is, I wouldn't stop people from being able to say crappy things about my religion. They always should have that right. It would just be nice if they stopped because they were decent humans.
I understand why Muslim groups want people to stop bashing them, they have been at the losing end of a lot of things this decade. Of course they also kind of deserve it, they have been doing really crappy things. Do crappy things, crappy things happen to you. Such is life. Don't get the UN to pass a binding resolution to keep people from bashing you when you keep killing people. And Christians? Same deal here, don't tell me to not bash you when you keep killing people. It doesn't work that way, because I know what you're going to do, the both of you. You're going to get a law passed stating I can't say mean things to you but you will totally not apply that whole religion title to me, and you will continue to bash me and the pagan religions at large. Kind of sucky, people.
You're treading a really fine line here. It's free speech for everyone, even if you don't like what the other person is saying. I don't like what a lot of people are saying. Christians, Muslims, some atheists, Jews, oh the list goes on and on. That doesn't mean that you can't say it, it just means I don't like it. I know that you guys have a bigger voice, but come on, we're all people here with feelings. Let's all just agree to disagree and let it be.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thank God that's over!
It's almost the end of the month. Thank God! I hate February to begin with and this one was just rough. I'm not sure if it's a end of the winter, everything is grey and dreary mentality that makes it always so tough, but it does seem to be the worst month.
Tomorrow the kid is with her dad, and I can not find a single thing to do. I was thinking of going to see a movie, but there is nothing I want to see in the theaters. OK Hollywood, I'm a 32 year old woman, can you please make a movie I want to see? Not "He's Just Not That Into You" or any of that crappy sentimental bullshit, how about a good thriller? Oh, or a nice action movie that features cute men taking off their shirts? You know, another Bond movie perhaps? I can always go with shirtless Daniel Craig (I just typed shortless, and yes, I can go with that too, hee!). Stupid Hollywood.
Let's talk books! I'm almost done Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, so I'm about to move onto House of Leaves. I've left my reading schedual clear for that one, I really can't tackle it while reading anything else. Chris is reading Good Omens for the first time and told me the other day what an awesome book it is (which... yeah. I own it. I know. But it's cool that he's getting to enjoy it for the first time). He abandoned the Dark Tower series when he hit the part in the 6th book where King writes himself into the series. I also have just ordered The Watchmen, so I'm excited about adding that to my growing graphic novel collection. Yay!
I really can't think of anything else to talk about. Nothing has really grabbed my attention this week aside from Lost and that really strange hubbub over Michelle Obama's arms. So I guess that will be all.
Tomorrow the kid is with her dad, and I can not find a single thing to do. I was thinking of going to see a movie, but there is nothing I want to see in the theaters. OK Hollywood, I'm a 32 year old woman, can you please make a movie I want to see? Not "He's Just Not That Into You" or any of that crappy sentimental bullshit, how about a good thriller? Oh, or a nice action movie that features cute men taking off their shirts? You know, another Bond movie perhaps? I can always go with shirtless Daniel Craig (I just typed shortless, and yes, I can go with that too, hee!). Stupid Hollywood.
Let's talk books! I'm almost done Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, so I'm about to move onto House of Leaves. I've left my reading schedual clear for that one, I really can't tackle it while reading anything else. Chris is reading Good Omens for the first time and told me the other day what an awesome book it is (which... yeah. I own it. I know. But it's cool that he's getting to enjoy it for the first time). He abandoned the Dark Tower series when he hit the part in the 6th book where King writes himself into the series. I also have just ordered The Watchmen, so I'm excited about adding that to my growing graphic novel collection. Yay!
I really can't think of anything else to talk about. Nothing has really grabbed my attention this week aside from Lost and that really strange hubbub over Michelle Obama's arms. So I guess that will be all.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lost blogging
Excuse me while I geek right the hell out over last night's Lost.
No matter what complaints I've had about Locke and his spazzy character arc, one thing I will alwasy say is that Terry O'Quin plays him flawlessly. And my heart is still broken over last night's episode, because of how flawlessly he is playing Locke this year. I don't think Locke is a particularly easy character to play, he's got to tread that fine line between crazy and messiah, and he usually does that just fine.
The other fantastic performance was Emerson. Dude. Ben is such a fantastic character (I never have a complaint about his arcs, the man is a villain who lies like a rug, and that's pretty much it, simple is better) and since the beginging he has had a really interesting relationship with Locke. Last night felt like that total culmination of that relationship. Did anyone doubt that Ben would kill Locke? I don't think Ben showed up there expressly to kill Locke. He's sociopathic, but he's also very impulsive at times and I think killing Locke was a spur of the moment "I'm so mad" thing. I can't imagine why he showed up there in the first place (I am not buying that whole keeping them safe thing he's been selling, but I do love his line about Widmore being the reason why he moved the Island. Hee!), and as much as Ben lies I think he really didn't want Locke to kill himself, not exactly. Of course you can tell Ben is lying because he's talking.
That said, Ben? It didn't ocur to you that the Island would bring Locke back to life? Yeah, I'm not buying that either, because you are a long way from stupid. So why kill him just to bring him to a place where he will come back to life? That makes no sense. Do you think you'll be able to talk your way out of him being really pissed that you killed him? Because I don't think even you can do that. So what are you doing Ben?
And finally, why on earth does everyone claim to be the leader of the Others? Either the Others change leaders faster than some people change socks or they really aren't leaders. Maybe dear old Richard is a bit more of a leader than these people know. Of course who knows, Richard plays things close to the vest.
Right, OK, enough about Lost. For now.
No matter what complaints I've had about Locke and his spazzy character arc, one thing I will alwasy say is that Terry O'Quin plays him flawlessly. And my heart is still broken over last night's episode, because of how flawlessly he is playing Locke this year. I don't think Locke is a particularly easy character to play, he's got to tread that fine line between crazy and messiah, and he usually does that just fine.
The other fantastic performance was Emerson. Dude. Ben is such a fantastic character (I never have a complaint about his arcs, the man is a villain who lies like a rug, and that's pretty much it, simple is better) and since the beginging he has had a really interesting relationship with Locke. Last night felt like that total culmination of that relationship. Did anyone doubt that Ben would kill Locke? I don't think Ben showed up there expressly to kill Locke. He's sociopathic, but he's also very impulsive at times and I think killing Locke was a spur of the moment "I'm so mad" thing. I can't imagine why he showed up there in the first place (I am not buying that whole keeping them safe thing he's been selling, but I do love his line about Widmore being the reason why he moved the Island. Hee!), and as much as Ben lies I think he really didn't want Locke to kill himself, not exactly. Of course you can tell Ben is lying because he's talking.
That said, Ben? It didn't ocur to you that the Island would bring Locke back to life? Yeah, I'm not buying that either, because you are a long way from stupid. So why kill him just to bring him to a place where he will come back to life? That makes no sense. Do you think you'll be able to talk your way out of him being really pissed that you killed him? Because I don't think even you can do that. So what are you doing Ben?
And finally, why on earth does everyone claim to be the leader of the Others? Either the Others change leaders faster than some people change socks or they really aren't leaders. Maybe dear old Richard is a bit more of a leader than these people know. Of course who knows, Richard plays things close to the vest.
Right, OK, enough about Lost. For now.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What does that even mean?
One of my favorite Ray Comfort/Fundie arguements regarding why atheists don't exist or are wrong is because they use God's name as a "cuss" word. Let's ignore the fact that he actually uses the word cuss. let's go back to the fact that people use the words God and Jesus as curse words (rather tame ones though, I think we can all agree on that).
A pagan message board I am on addressed this recently, how do you curse? Do you still say "God damnit" or "Jesus Christ"? Most of us still do. We do because it is learned language, it's something that we hear all the time in our society, so we automatically say it in certain situations. For example, I'm trying not to curse in front of the kid, so I had to learn a new response to things screwing up. Instead of "Son of a bitch" I taught myself to say "Son of a diddly". Thank you Flanders.
We can all relearn to not use God or Jesus as curses, but really, why bother? It's a pain, and it's kind of pointless. But to use that as an arguement against atheists is absolutely bizarre to me. That is like me saying that if people don't use the word organic they don't believe that organic things exist. That arguement makes no sense.
Though, I do wonder, following Ray's little logical field trip, if the fact that some Fundies refuse to say or write God's name means that they don't believe in him. Hee! Got to watch those double edged swords Ray.
So, Fundies, don't use shared language as an arguement like that. It's not just offensive to atheists, it's offensive to all intelligent people who use English as a primary language. Just stop, m'kay?
A pagan message board I am on addressed this recently, how do you curse? Do you still say "God damnit" or "Jesus Christ"? Most of us still do. We do because it is learned language, it's something that we hear all the time in our society, so we automatically say it in certain situations. For example, I'm trying not to curse in front of the kid, so I had to learn a new response to things screwing up. Instead of "Son of a bitch" I taught myself to say "Son of a diddly". Thank you Flanders.
We can all relearn to not use God or Jesus as curses, but really, why bother? It's a pain, and it's kind of pointless. But to use that as an arguement against atheists is absolutely bizarre to me. That is like me saying that if people don't use the word organic they don't believe that organic things exist. That arguement makes no sense.
Though, I do wonder, following Ray's little logical field trip, if the fact that some Fundies refuse to say or write God's name means that they don't believe in him. Hee! Got to watch those double edged swords Ray.
So, Fundies, don't use shared language as an arguement like that. It's not just offensive to atheists, it's offensive to all intelligent people who use English as a primary language. Just stop, m'kay?
President who?
I can't help it. I always feel suprised when I see Obama as president. You know, you see him on TV or in pictures and he's walking around looking really presidental. Like he has a purpose, and knows where he's going, even if he's just going to lunch or something. Even when he's relaxed, he looks like he's relaxed with a purpose.
It's refreshing to see that we have a president who knows what the hell they are doing. Who has a purpose.
That said, why on earth is it OK for Fox News to broadcast nutsos talking about armed uprisings? Seriously? I was a "traitor" during the Bush years because I didn't support the war (my step sister was over there. I really didn't want to see her killed. My friends have family over there. I'm sure they didn't want their family killed. We're funny that way.) I never talked about armed uprisings. Occassionally I talked about taking the kid and going to Canada. So how are these nutsos not traitors? Oh right, because they are Republicans. I forgot.
It's refreshing to see that we have a president who knows what the hell they are doing. Who has a purpose.
That said, why on earth is it OK for Fox News to broadcast nutsos talking about armed uprisings? Seriously? I was a "traitor" during the Bush years because I didn't support the war (my step sister was over there. I really didn't want to see her killed. My friends have family over there. I'm sure they didn't want their family killed. We're funny that way.) I never talked about armed uprisings. Occassionally I talked about taking the kid and going to Canada. So how are these nutsos not traitors? Oh right, because they are Republicans. I forgot.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Bullies and self image
Begin rant:
Everyone has a slightly distorted self-image. That's pretty natural, but sometimes self-image gets really twisted.
I actually have no idea how I look. It sounds really strange, but from what I understand I don't see the same person that everyone else sees. I see someone who is short, fat, has crooked teeth, bad skin, oily hair, a pug nose, a weak chin, hell I could go on and on. If you let me I probably would. I relentlessly try to make myself prettier, I use new skin creams, different makeup, I diet, I do yoga, I use special shampoos and conditioners, wear heels that kill my back. I admit, I have a problem with OCD, so I do obsess a bit more than I should about things, but that's what I see and try to fix.
Now this is apparently not what other people see. I mean, they see the short, I'm 5 foot, there is no changing that. But from what I understand they don't see that other stuff. My friends tell me that I'm attractive, not really fat, and reasonably pretty.
Lots of things contributed to my unreasonable self image. Part of it is my OCD. While I don't completely focus on self-image with my OCD (My main focus is food) it does certainly shade my perceptions. Another part of it is bullying.
I will admit, I was a victim in high school. Hell, through most of my education until college I was a victim. I really must have just thrown out a pick on me vibe. Girls in particular can be freakishly cruel, but even guys got in their jabs. Hell, I used to be spit on. Spit on for God's sake. I never told anyone that. Do you know how humiliating it is to be spit on? And not once, or twice, but many times.
People talk about the damage done by bullying as if it is a fleeting thing. It pisses me off because part of me is still that girl that was bullied for years because of how I looked. Some people are affected for the rest of their lives by what they went through as teenagers. It isn't just the kids that show up with a gun and shoot up their school that you have to worry about. It's also the kids that grow up to be people like me. I had a crappy home life and I couldn't even go to school to get away from it. My teen years were so stressful that I had regular panic attacks and developed some traits that I still can't free myself from.
Bullying is an overlooked issue in this country, and it affects a hell of a lot more than just the kid that snaps and kills people. I bet a lot of people out there will state that they were bullied, but what I'm talking about is that extreme form of it that goes on sometimes. The kind that just kills you inside. That is the kind of bullying that we don't want to admit goes on in schools because it means that something might be really wrong with our kids. We need to find out when bullying went into this extreme and figure out how to fix it, how to stop it. Not just turn a blind eye or tell everyone "ignore the bully" (seriously? Dumbest advice ever. Trust me).
I have no idea how to do this, but damn it I intend to make sure that my kid never deals with what I dealt with when she gets to school.
end rant
Everyone has a slightly distorted self-image. That's pretty natural, but sometimes self-image gets really twisted.
I actually have no idea how I look. It sounds really strange, but from what I understand I don't see the same person that everyone else sees. I see someone who is short, fat, has crooked teeth, bad skin, oily hair, a pug nose, a weak chin, hell I could go on and on. If you let me I probably would. I relentlessly try to make myself prettier, I use new skin creams, different makeup, I diet, I do yoga, I use special shampoos and conditioners, wear heels that kill my back. I admit, I have a problem with OCD, so I do obsess a bit more than I should about things, but that's what I see and try to fix.
Now this is apparently not what other people see. I mean, they see the short, I'm 5 foot, there is no changing that. But from what I understand they don't see that other stuff. My friends tell me that I'm attractive, not really fat, and reasonably pretty.
Lots of things contributed to my unreasonable self image. Part of it is my OCD. While I don't completely focus on self-image with my OCD (My main focus is food) it does certainly shade my perceptions. Another part of it is bullying.
I will admit, I was a victim in high school. Hell, through most of my education until college I was a victim. I really must have just thrown out a pick on me vibe. Girls in particular can be freakishly cruel, but even guys got in their jabs. Hell, I used to be spit on. Spit on for God's sake. I never told anyone that. Do you know how humiliating it is to be spit on? And not once, or twice, but many times.
People talk about the damage done by bullying as if it is a fleeting thing. It pisses me off because part of me is still that girl that was bullied for years because of how I looked. Some people are affected for the rest of their lives by what they went through as teenagers. It isn't just the kids that show up with a gun and shoot up their school that you have to worry about. It's also the kids that grow up to be people like me. I had a crappy home life and I couldn't even go to school to get away from it. My teen years were so stressful that I had regular panic attacks and developed some traits that I still can't free myself from.
Bullying is an overlooked issue in this country, and it affects a hell of a lot more than just the kid that snaps and kills people. I bet a lot of people out there will state that they were bullied, but what I'm talking about is that extreme form of it that goes on sometimes. The kind that just kills you inside. That is the kind of bullying that we don't want to admit goes on in schools because it means that something might be really wrong with our kids. We need to find out when bullying went into this extreme and figure out how to fix it, how to stop it. Not just turn a blind eye or tell everyone "ignore the bully" (seriously? Dumbest advice ever. Trust me).
I have no idea how to do this, but damn it I intend to make sure that my kid never deals with what I dealt with when she gets to school.
end rant
Oh really?
No one bothered to tell me until after I quit smoking two things...
1) I will stop sleeping. Seriously?! One of the sucky things about Fibro is it gets worse when you don't sleep, so I'm really not pleased by this whole state of affairs.
2) My sinus problems would get better. OK, I should have figured that out on my own, but it's a nice development.
Two things that didn't pan out as I was told...
1) Cold turkey quitting isn't as dreadful as I thought it would be. I was told horror stories about quitting cold turkey, but since I didn't exactly plan to quit I just did it, cold turkey became my option. I don't know, I'm on my third day and I'm not too bad.
2) I'm not any more hungry as usual. Yipee!
1) I will stop sleeping. Seriously?! One of the sucky things about Fibro is it gets worse when you don't sleep, so I'm really not pleased by this whole state of affairs.
2) My sinus problems would get better. OK, I should have figured that out on my own, but it's a nice development.
Two things that didn't pan out as I was told...
1) Cold turkey quitting isn't as dreadful as I thought it would be. I was told horror stories about quitting cold turkey, but since I didn't exactly plan to quit I just did it, cold turkey became my option. I don't know, I'm on my third day and I'm not too bad.
2) I'm not any more hungry as usual. Yipee!
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