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14 years ago
Friday, February 11, 2011
What the best thing that's happened to you in 2011 so far?
My birthday came and went without a single person wishing me a happy birthday or otherwise making a big deal out of it. It was heavenly.
tell me, if you had a million bucks, a jet fueled up and waiting, and a bag of M&M's ....what would you do?
Sell the plane, buy a laptop with wifi, hire a camera crew, ride to Vermont from Texas by limo. Film the trip. Call it ZachsMind Takes The Scenic Route. Merchandise it via interactive website. The goal would be to entertain and enlighten about our country's history and future. Sort of a cross between a documentary and a reality show. Think "SuperSize Me" but w/less of a message and more absurd silly fun. The tralier tagline: "They say a fool and his money are soon parted. Watch me learn that the hard way." The bag of M&Ms would remain unopened, and would accompany me on the trip. At the end of the trip I'd do something with it, that would be decided organically based on the adventure itself.
I'm a big believer of living in the moment. Which doesn't necessarily mean to not think about the future or make plans. I just think that we shouldn't clog our heads with these things so much that we miss out on today. Did you make today memorable?
I don't believe in making days memorable. Sounds too much like effort.
When is the last time you actually sent a hand written letter?
I sometimes scribble a note by hand when I use postal mail for business purposes, which is about once a month or so.
Did you know a female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate?
I did not know that. I would not call that a very intelligent design. LOL
What flavor do you REALLY like, but are afraid to admit to liking? I like smoked oysters - that's a flavor, right?!
If I like something, I admit it. Not sure if I understand the question.
If you could ask Ben Roethlisberger a question, what would you ask him? I'd ask if he was too stupid to understand that sexual assault is WRONG.
I have no questions to ask Ben Roethlisberger. I don't know who he is and I doubt I would care if I knew. Sowwy.
So, what's with the stupidity of those who want to keep the poor living in poverty? Especially when the poor who are doing everything they can to better their situations to not be there. Why make it harder for those people who are REALLY TRYING?
Ever see Doctor Zhivago? It sounds almost noble to some to do the Robin Hood thing. Persuade, convince, or coerce those with money to give philanthropically to those who didn't earn it. In practice it's complicated and doesn't seem to improve things in the long term. If you give something to someone, oftentimes they don't care for it the same way one who earned it cares for it. Easy come easy go and all that. There is no easy answer to this. Some struggle all their lives and are never paid what they're worth. Others hardly work at all and make money in their sleep. No one said life was gonna be fair. In theory if everyone is productive everyone will benefit, but in practice, that doesn't work either. I strongly believe capitalism is the best option available, compared to alternatives. However, it's far from perfect.
Do you find it strange how you can talk to people all over the world as if they're almost in the same room as you?
Not anymore. A decade ago it was a new frontier for me. Like the first settlers of America heading west. Now it's a daily routine so I wouldn't call it strange. This reminds me of TheStrangeFamiliar.com You should check them out.
If you could only have one of these four things, which would you choose: car, tv, cell phone, computer?
Computer. I don't own a car or cellphone now, and the TV is just gathering dust.
Does a secluded outdoor bathtub/shower off the master bedroom of your house sound cool?
Not cool. Sounds chilly. Drafty, even.
Women are people. Human beings EQUAL TO men. Do you thoroughly believe this truth, or are you some sort of nutbar who believes that a penis gives the right to declare superiority & ownership of woman as property? Give reasons, please.
I do not believe anything. Evidence suggests the equality issue is complicated in detail, but simplistic in execution. There are ways women are far superior to men. There are ways men are far superior to women. The evidence also suggests this evens out. There is no reason to believe one gender should get special treatment over another due to genitalia or hormonal imbalances. It is a cultural artifice that has generated this debate and practicing its tradition needs to cease. I feel it simplifies life & makes everyone happier if we strive to treat one another equally regardless of any differences. I don't know if this is objectively right. I don't believe anyone should believe this without further research. It feels right to seek equality not just via gender but via other differences. For now, that's enough for me.
Monday, February 7, 2011
All's Well That Ends Poorly..
Well that was fun..
Now that the year of ZachsCast fiasco has come and gone, and it's like when DC Comics did that whole "52/A YearLater" thing and a year later everybody was like, "meh," I wonder if I should drag my sorry butt back over here and just pick up where I left off..?
For anyone who doesn't know, which is pretty much everybody, this past year since Groundhog Day of 2010 I was working with a buddy creating a website called ZachsCast where I did audio blogs and linked to youtube vids and occasionally even posted text like I'm doing now. The idea was to take what I'd been doing here and expand it. See if there was an audience for my unique brand of idiocy. I trudged along as best I could, with sputters and restarts, until Feb 3rd of this year. About four days ago. The last recording I made was that day. I uploaded it without a hitch. Several hours later, the website went down. Not with a bang or even a whimper.
As it turns out, in cyberspace, no one can hear you fail.
All the work I did for the past year is gone. I can't get any of it back. That's what I get for partnering with a guy who disappeared three months into the project. Seemed like a good idea at the time. How was I to know? I still have copies of the audio files, but I have no place to put them online, and even if I did, they have bumper music in them that I don't own, so I guess if those ever see the light of day again, the guy in question could sue me. I can't afford getting sued. If I ever win the lottery, I still won't be able to afford being sued. So it's like all the work of the past year never existed. It never happened.
No great loss. I think three ppl may have noticed what I was doing over there. That more than anything is probably why my partner fled. Like when rats leave a sinking ship. I told the guy up front I ain't doing this to be famous or make money. I pretty much do it cuz I can't not do it, and if I happen to get an audience along the way that's gravy. I've been online in one form or another for over fifteen years. I can't stop now.
Back last May I thought about doing a music project at ZachsCast where I'd critique and showcase some of my favorite local artists. I got their permission to include their music in the podcast, but I never actually got around to finishing that project. I was in production. Got some early taping down, but didn't upload any of their material. I didn't like how it was shaping up in early passes, and at about that time I was beginning to smell something rotten in Denmark regarding the situation or my partner's lack of details regarding his motives for helping me or future plans, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I couldn't tell what was wrong, and his lack of communication has left me in the dark. I could just sense something was off. In hindsight I'm glad. I don't understand the legalities very well, but if I end up regretting what happened in 2010 with the podcast, I don't want to drag anyone I love down with me. So all's well that ends well, I suppose.
Audio wise I still have cinch. You can find me there. I also have my twitter page, facebook, vyou, youtube, tumblr, and a few other places here and there. I'm not going away. I'm just downsizing. It was nice to have somebody who believed in me for awhile, or at least pretended to believe in me, but maybe that's not what I need. Like a crazy old man on a street corner shouting from a megaphone, maybe all I need is some time, some space, and my own unique brand of crazy.
It's curious that this Blogger site is still here. I've gone to other places over the years but somehow I always wind up back here. I can remember many years ago I met the Blogger team in Austin and I thought I'd be welcomed with open arms. That was a sobering experience. The response was anywhere from "who are you" to "omg you suck get away from me." Good times.
Turns out I suck. *shrug* I guess they haven't noticed me in this small corner of their great empire, scratching at the dirt. I'm not bothering anybody. I'll leave them alone. I hope they'll leave me alone.
I think I still have that Blogger shirt around here somewhere. They were giving out free ones. It never really fit me, but beggars can't be choosers.
Now that the year of ZachsCast fiasco has come and gone, and it's like when DC Comics did that whole "52/A YearLater" thing and a year later everybody was like, "meh," I wonder if I should drag my sorry butt back over here and just pick up where I left off..?
For anyone who doesn't know, which is pretty much everybody, this past year since Groundhog Day of 2010 I was working with a buddy creating a website called ZachsCast where I did audio blogs and linked to youtube vids and occasionally even posted text like I'm doing now. The idea was to take what I'd been doing here and expand it. See if there was an audience for my unique brand of idiocy. I trudged along as best I could, with sputters and restarts, until Feb 3rd of this year. About four days ago. The last recording I made was that day. I uploaded it without a hitch. Several hours later, the website went down. Not with a bang or even a whimper.
As it turns out, in cyberspace, no one can hear you fail.
All the work I did for the past year is gone. I can't get any of it back. That's what I get for partnering with a guy who disappeared three months into the project. Seemed like a good idea at the time. How was I to know? I still have copies of the audio files, but I have no place to put them online, and even if I did, they have bumper music in them that I don't own, so I guess if those ever see the light of day again, the guy in question could sue me. I can't afford getting sued. If I ever win the lottery, I still won't be able to afford being sued. So it's like all the work of the past year never existed. It never happened.
No great loss. I think three ppl may have noticed what I was doing over there. That more than anything is probably why my partner fled. Like when rats leave a sinking ship. I told the guy up front I ain't doing this to be famous or make money. I pretty much do it cuz I can't not do it, and if I happen to get an audience along the way that's gravy. I've been online in one form or another for over fifteen years. I can't stop now.
Back last May I thought about doing a music project at ZachsCast where I'd critique and showcase some of my favorite local artists. I got their permission to include their music in the podcast, but I never actually got around to finishing that project. I was in production. Got some early taping down, but didn't upload any of their material. I didn't like how it was shaping up in early passes, and at about that time I was beginning to smell something rotten in Denmark regarding the situation or my partner's lack of details regarding his motives for helping me or future plans, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I couldn't tell what was wrong, and his lack of communication has left me in the dark. I could just sense something was off. In hindsight I'm glad. I don't understand the legalities very well, but if I end up regretting what happened in 2010 with the podcast, I don't want to drag anyone I love down with me. So all's well that ends well, I suppose.
Audio wise I still have cinch. You can find me there. I also have my twitter page, facebook, vyou, youtube, tumblr, and a few other places here and there. I'm not going away. I'm just downsizing. It was nice to have somebody who believed in me for awhile, or at least pretended to believe in me, but maybe that's not what I need. Like a crazy old man on a street corner shouting from a megaphone, maybe all I need is some time, some space, and my own unique brand of crazy.
It's curious that this Blogger site is still here. I've gone to other places over the years but somehow I always wind up back here. I can remember many years ago I met the Blogger team in Austin and I thought I'd be welcomed with open arms. That was a sobering experience. The response was anywhere from "who are you" to "omg you suck get away from me." Good times.
Turns out I suck. *shrug* I guess they haven't noticed me in this small corner of their great empire, scratching at the dirt. I'm not bothering anybody. I'll leave them alone. I hope they'll leave me alone.
I think I still have that Blogger shirt around here somewhere. They were giving out free ones. It never really fit me, but beggars can't be choosers.
Monday, January 17, 2011
What country are you from? I'm asking because I'm nosy - lol
Texas. We are our own country. We're the only ones who know it.
I'm frustrated right now with a person that claims to know something that they definately do not....Does anybody else talk to brick walls much?
I'm a #skeptic We talk to brick walls all the time.
I love a hot summer rain at night. Probably my favorite experiences growing up were during these times. Do you play in the rain, or avoid it?
I don't play in the rain nowadays but I don't exactly avoid it either. I just put up with it if it's there.
So, I want a place to blog. I've tried blogging on social networks, and not had success. I don't like blogger. anyone have a suggestion for a good place to blog?
There's a 'notes' section in Facebook, but I don't recommend it. I think I'm using WordPress, but this guy set it up for me so I didn't have to try to figure it out.
What is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?
Say yes to sex. You had to have been there.
Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Encyclopedia, Phone book, Fiction, Non-Fiction?
Yes, maybe, yes, maybe, not recently, yes, and yes.
My legs look like "gorilla my dreams" legs. Can you tell I haven't been on a date in decades?
Hairy legs are not necessarily a deal breaker. Well, it depends on the lass. Some can pull it off.
Anyone else allergic to chlorine & copper?
I think I'm allergic to oxygen. It makes me sneeze now and then.
Terminator, Alien, Predator, Blade, or shimmery vampires & shirtless werewolves?
Yes to Alien. No to the rest.
Do you put your pants on one leg at a time like everyone else?
yes, except of course for when I don't.
do rodeo clowns like circus clowns?
Yes. My dad was (among other things) a circus clown who had respect for rodeo clowns, but to be fair they're not quite playing the same game are they?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
If you had the opportunity to live one year of your life over again, which year would you choose?
The year before I married my ex-wife, back when we both still loved each other. That was fun.
What's your favorite movie quote?
"The, uh, young lady with the Uzi, is she single?" ~ River Phoenix, Sneakers
If you could wake up as anyone tomorrow, who would it be?
Me. I can't do what John Malkovich does for example without at least an instruction booklet. Also it's too soon. I'd need time to prepare. Maybe my answer would be different if I could wake up as someone next month. Give me time to read up on them and get it right the first time.
Why would you "waste your time" answering the horrible questions I am asking? (someone just answered one of my questions this way)
Why are they horrible? I thought they were fun! =)
ah, good point you make. I'm a bit limited on time, so I was going to make a decision on one or two ideas. Eventually I will do many. Trying2keep my NYears resolution to dedicate more time2artistic ventures, small steps 1st. Did you get new glasses yet?
Nope. Finances aren't allowing it at the moment. Instead I put a band aid where these glasses fall so they don't scuff up my nose. Looks funny but I'm not much into looks anyway.
Porque aqui no forms pelomenos 80% das perguntas sao relacionadas a sentimentos ?
Sorry dude I don't speak Portuguese and babelfish.yahoo.com had no idea what you were talking about.
Are you acutely aware of ?how fortunate you are to be alive, and to live as you do
No. I'm completely oblivious to how fortunate I am and actively waste my life doing nothing substantial or meaningful.
What would you do if your home came under attack suddenly, either because of war, or because a crazy person was simply wanting to wreak havoc and hurt you and your family?
I'd call 911 and defend myself where necessary.
If you knew someone was "out to get you" for something they perceived as a wrong done to them, what would you do?
If I can prove they're breaking the law, I'd call the police. If it's just idle threats, I'd probably snark back at them cuz i can dish it out too.
Are you being affected by adverse weather? How are you coping?
It snowed this afternoon. I responded by going back inside. It's already melted. I cope by staying where it's warm.
Do you have enemies that you know of?
Not that I know of, but just cuz I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not after me. *smirk*
Thursday, January 6, 2011
are people getting prettier? every time i turn around, there's more pretty people. where are all the people that said looks aren't important? geez, should I step up my purty? guess I need a haircut....
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's all subjective.
I will admit I listened to the bangles and wilson philips and ace of base, if you will admit some of your secret bands, deal?
The Bangles looked pretty & their music is fun, but I was never more than a cursory 'fan.' I can't recall anything ace of base recorded, but I'd probably recall a song or two if I bothered to go blip them I really did like the first Wilson Philips album. Their harmonies were fantastic, but the schlocky pop-ness of the songs overshadowed the talent. Also I wasn't very impressed by their actual 'public persona' thing. It was all kinda meta, cuz they were children of celebrities so seemed to behave as if they were expecting similar treatment, while simultaneously feigning humility and not really revealing their true selves. They shunned compliments & recoiled from criticism, so ultimately fans didn't really know how to relate. The Dixie Chicks have suffered a similar faux celebrity fate, although admittedly I found them to be more talented (unlike Wilson Philips, The Dixie Chicks could do more than sing).
Not sure if I understand what you mean by 'secret bands.' In some ways I have a wide range of tastes in music & in other ways I'm very particular, but can't think of any artists that I'm ashamed to admit liking.
I suffer a kind of opposite form of "secret bands." I have a lot of artists I have enjoyed over the years who I wish I could tell the world and convince the world to beat a path to their doors but despite multiple attempts over the years I've never been successful. They're secret only because I tired of talking about them to proverbial deaf ears. Many of these said artists & bands no longer even exist cuz they broke up or left the music scene. So they're so secret I may be the only one who remembers them.
did you eat your vegetables today? (best way to keep up immune system and maintain energy) TAKE CARE, MY FORMSPRING FRIENDS! HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR'S EVE!
i think there was a slice of tomato in my burger. i'm not big on veggies but try to eat bananas as often as possible, for the potassium.
where do you like to hang out to get away from the world for a while? Library, park, bar, friends house, under a table....? have a great Thursday my friends!
I like to hang out at my house. That's where I go to get away from the world for awhile. Whenever I go out with friends, that's not decidedly away from the world, but rather being a part of it.
I'm going to do some self portraits any suggestions? Probably photograph myself to start the project. Scene suggestions....colors..sketch? watercolor? playdoh? silly putty? daytime? night? etc. whatever, I'm open to all comments. Haven't decided yet.
If you're talented in all those media, try doing a self-portrait for each one. Why just pick one if you can do them all?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
would you rather go to the office xmas party or your partners family xmas party?
I don't have a partner so I'd have to say office party.
If you were Santa....would I get a present?
That would depend on The Naughty List. Since I'm not Santa, I can't check to see if you're on it or not.
do you think formspring would be cooler if it let us give props for great answers, and have a comment space?
Those sound like good ideas. I also wish Formspring and Vyou.com could join forces. But then I also think it'd be cool to watch pigs fly. What do i know?
what's your new year's resolutions?
To get new glasses, maybe a better paying job, and to make no new years resolutions.
Do you have a tattoo you regret? why? don't like the subject..don't like the placement....don't like the color....etc..
I don't have any tattoos. I have considered getting a pale blue dot on my left wrist over a faded birthmark. I regret not having already done that.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Bible study is essential part of the Christian experience. I have done it for many years and have come to many conclusions 'outside' of anyone's curricula. But I still believe God is who He says He is. What did you believe about the person of God/Jesus?
I believed that God was the Father of Jesus and the Creator of all things. I believed that God had a personal relationship with each and every part of his creation, and being omniscient and omnipresent, was able to commune regularly with each and every individual on the planet if he so chose simultaneously. I believed he was God, so he could do anything. However, without even questioning the logic of this, I often assumed he would be on my side of any issue, unless I was given evidence otherwise, which was also, often. So over time I observed that what I would want and what I would get were two different things. I'd desire to have my prayers fulfilled but they'd either be ignored or answered in the negative by events that occurred around me. So I became the butt of God's jokes, and I felt I was little more than a victim of his sick sense of humor.
I believed that Jesus died for the sins of all mankind and resided in a special place in my heart and was there for me whenever I needed a shoulder to lean on or an ear to bend. Prayer was like calling up your best friend on a cellphone. This was before there were things like cellphones. I wouldn't have to talk out loud. I could just think and he'd hear my thoughts. Listen to whatever my problem was and say he'd look into it. While God towards the end grew more and more vindictive, Jesus was always my arbiter. I saw these two as both the same guy and separate entities, and it wasn't until later, over time, that the sheer absurdity of that occurred to me. As for The Holy Spirit, after my dabbling in mystic stuff in my youth, I'd decided the Holy Spirit a gift that I returned like a pair of socks. Speaking in tongues can be really scary if you actually believe in it.
Many years later I realized how magic - all magic - doesn't exist. You can't pick and choose. You can't say well there's no such thing as unicorns but some ghosts might be real. You can't dismiss fairies but accept angels. If magic functioned in this universe, subatomic particles would be unnecessary. Everything would be made by mystic energy. Alchemy would have worked. It's all or nothing. Science or Magic. You can't have a reality in which both co-exist.
So when someone feels they've experienced magical events, there is ALWAYS a more rational explanation. I had to face the fact that every time I thought I was communing with ghosts or angels or "guides" or fighting demons on others' behalf, I was really talking to myself. That's sobering. It's a form of insanity, and it's disturbing to me now realizing just how many people walking around every day are as guilty of that as I was. We're talking billions of people worldwide who believe this stuff is real without any actual evidence. They believe because it's what they feel.
The other day I was at a restaurant and witnessed four people quietly hold hands and bow their heads and it made my skin crawl. I used to do that. It's very subtle, but when you see that there's literally nothing to that. That it's just people fooling themselves into believing something that's not real, that's sobering. Leaders of the free world talk to air & think they're communing with the creator of all things. People who operate heavy machinery from cars to airplanes honestly think a god is their copilot. It boggles the mind.
I used to believe all that too. Frankly I'm surprised mankind hasn't metaphorically driven itself off a cliff by now.
I know very few Christians who would say that they feel or even have ever felt, the presence of Jesus (or the Spirit) in their lives. I consider you 'lucky'. When you experienced His presence what were you doing? How did it make you feel? Do you miss it?
It's not luck. You can experience this yourself if you want. At the time I was exploring speaking in tongues and other "gifts" and I was reading up on Edgar Cayce, ESP, meditation, dream interpretation, OBEs, channeling, automatic writing and before me and some friends scared ourselves silly I teetered over the edge of "the dark side" and for a time I had convinced myself I was able to communicate w/spirits by just holding a pencil on a pad of paper and putting myself into a light trance.
This is essentially a trick the mind can play on itself. Multiple personalities and schizophrenia are extreme forms of the mind convincing itself that reality is not as it actually is, but that there's layers delving beyond tangible reality that can be tapped via the unconscious mind. However, for a few years there, this sort of stuff was very real to me and many people around me. Family and friends. I looked into parapsychology and over time became frustrated that at every turn all I found was double talk and inconclusive evidence. Countless sightings but no evidence that scientists would take seriously, and back then I thought the scientists were the villains; that they were either arrogant, ignorant, or in some cases there must be some sort of conspiracy where the truth of this phenomena was being kept from people.
Now I simply see that there's no conclusive evidence, because none of it was real, but it took decades of convincing before I'd relent to that inevitable conclusion.
Throughout history mankind has uncovered ways in which we can alter our perception, and sometimes this is mistaken as touching the divine spark. It's all chemical imbalances and can be scientifically explained. In recent years scientists have been exploring something called The God Helmet which I recommend googling. Fascinating stuff. Drugs can also be easy ways to try triggering an apparent experience w/your god. Some athletes find adrenaline rushes akin to communing with their creator.
As Charles Dickens once wrote, "there's more gravy than grave to you spirit." Turns out in that fiction, Scrooge was wrong. However, in reality, the ghost of Marlowe really is just something we ate.
Religion does make people afraid. But even Jesus says to question, even question Him. People should always ask questions and seek answers. What was your most pressing question as a believer?
I don't recall Jesus saying to question him. That's certainly not a tenet of any Abrahamic cult of which I'm familiar. Generally knowledge outside accepted dogma is deemed sacrilege. Fear is a tool that leaders in churches use to manipulate and control their flocks. As for the most pressing question? I don't know if this qualifies but perhaps the first question I recall having which stumped the youth director and began to set me apart from others in our Wednesday bible classes was how did Joseph take all this? Mary has a meeting alone with one of God's angels. God himself doesn't even make an appearance. it's one of his angels that appears before Mary and the angel tells her she's gonna have God's son, and she tells Joe this. She's got a baby on the way and Joe knows he had nothing to do with it. How's he supposed to take this? How did Joe know the kid was god's? There are other explanations. That got a laugh in the room that night, but I was seriously curious. I mean how do we know this wasn't some normal human who somehow convinced Mary he was an angel, so she'd sleep with him? Maybe that's how date rapes happened two thousand years ago. I'd think Joe would go on a murdering rampage hunting down any guy hanging out at bars talking up girls about how he's secretly an angel sent from heaven.
Children are indoctrinated into the belief systems of their caregivers. So your experience as a 'christian youth' is typical of humanity. Now that you are an atheist how much of that indoctrination remains in your daily life?
Probably more than I'm consciously aware, but I'm too close to it to really properly diagnose or identify much of it in myself.
Bumming 'girlie smokes' is a funny story. What else did you do because others were doing it? And more importantly, what didn't you do when they were all 'doing it'?
What I didn't do when everyone else was doing it? Well apparently there was a lot more homosexual behavior happening around me in high school and college than I was aware. I found out years later that people were gay and I didn't know. My gaydar is for suck.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
You told me to 'examine the historical evidence.' I agree this is important. But right now, not really relevant. I want to know what happened to you. Before evidentiary expulsion of God occurred. What was your fav bible verse?
John 1:5 "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out." It's still my favorite quote, but for different reasons. Now what had been in the shadows is lit also. Religion only works so long as it keeps us afraid to look in the dark.
How deep was the rabbit hole for you? As Christians, we are called to a personal relationship with Christ. Would you say you had that? What was it like?
I went in pretty deep. We referred to ourselves playfully as Jesus Freaks back when I was a teenager. Church every Sunday & Wednesday. It was a social & cultural thing and I was surrounded by like-minded individuals who never questioned our beliefs so it was like we were in a social bottle. Bible study was a natural part of life and I seriously felt JC was like a big brother always there when I needed him, spiritually speaking. It didn't occur to me at the time, but we never really read the bible in any sequential order. The leader of the group would take a passage and we'd discuss just that few verses or just that chapter, and wouldn't delve or venture outside preset plans of the instructor. I started reading on my own and I'd come back with questions but either the instructor wasn't prepared to answer the questions because I was venturing outside the preset curriculum, or the answers they could provide left me with even more questions. And reading the bible just made me uncomfortable. I'd be told I was interpreting from a modern sensibility and should see things more in context, but I distinctly remember reading Paul's letters on my own and coming away from the bible thinking he was a ripe ass bastard, in any time period.
Even after I moved away from that environment to live in others that were less conducive to reinforcing a religious belief structure and lifestyle, I still prayed & felt JC's presence in my life until a few years ago, when I realized that as intense as his presence sometimes felt, there's objectively no difference between that and daydreaming or otherwise using my imagination. It's a lie Believers tell to themselves, but it's very convincing. I didn't choose to stop believing. When objectively confronted with real life, unenforced by constant conditioning, the truth will out. I just woke up one day and realized I could no longer lie to myself. Reality doesn't support the fantasy.
Why did you smoke?
I started in college cuz all my friends smoked & I was a stressed out freshman. Smoking calmed me down or so I thought. I started by smoking girly cigs like Virginia Slims cuz I was bumming off girls I was hanging out with until they told me to start buying my own. LOL Never understood Capris. Damn toothpick cigs.
Friday, November 5, 2010
What was the weirdest gift you ever received?
An "IOU one kiss" from a lady friend who soon afterward admitted to herself & our mutual circle of friends that she was a lesbian. I never got to collect on that IOU and have since long lost the scrap of paper.
Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?
Depends on which source material we're referring to here. Cuz Twilight vampires are not in my opinion actual vampires they're more like TwinkPyres so I'd prefer to be a Twilight Werewolf. Joss Whedon's vampires were really cool, provided they didn't go toe to toe w/a slayer, unless she thought he was got. Werewolves in Joss' universe spend a lot of time behind bars so I'd have to be a vampire in Joss' universe. If we're talking the Lugosi/Chaney kinda vampire/werewolf, I'd rather be a mad scientist digging up bodies & animating dead tissue cuz that looked more like fun.
Who's the most beautiful person you know?
My opinion of physical beauty is constantly changing, more often than I care to admit to myself. True beauty is more than just good looks, and impossible to properly objectively quantify with a best singular choice.
What kind of music can you just not stand to listen to?
Unimaginative, droning, repetitive drivel. Doesn't matter the genre. I'll listen to any genre if it's creative & inspiring.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A priest, a pedophile and a hypocrit walk into a bar. What does he order?
A sign reading: "Caution: obstacle in way."
I would like to learn something new. Expand my horizons and enjoy a new habit or hobby. Suggest something for me to try? I
I miss smoking cigarettes, but I don't recommend you start. Hobbies should merge organically out of your own interests. I'm not a fan of someone just taking up rock climbing or stamp collecting if they don't have some interest in that direction. I enjoyed acting in my youth so I still find myself critiquing tv & movies for the cast performances, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend movie critiquing for just anybody. I can't even say I'm good at it. I just enjoy it.
I have been noodling on exactly what I should ask you. And have gone round and round. But it occurred to me I should declare myself first. I am a Christian, though as my Dad would say, I am in rebellion. What do you think of that?
I think you should examine for yourself the historical evidence available outside the bible for your christ, and ask yourself why you believe in what cannot be proven. I am not interested in converting people to atheism, but I am interested in people learning for themselves that they are being swindled and tricked. Science doesn't manipulate, coerce, or condition people. A scientist could care less whether or not you believe. I'm not a scientist. At my heart I'm an artist and a dreamer, but I find a respectful honesty in the arrogance of science.
Como é que o Tarzan conseguia estar sempre barbeado?
Tarzan raspou com a lâmina de Jane. Eu não falo o português. Você fala o inglês? babelfish.yahoo.com
Rebellious or not, I find that my Christian experiences are very hard to deny. They are, regardless of the realness, a very integrated part of me. As such, I find it difficult to understand how you are now an atheist. Can we explore that?
I used to feel that way too. Being christian was, I thought, a part of who I was. That's a misnomer. For many years I clung to what's essentially Pascal's Wager. I was born christian so not being one anymore meant i was no longer me, and what if I'm wrong? I'd be not me in hell burning forever. I didn't like the sound of that. However, I didn't become an atheist overnight, while at the same time I did. It was a laborious process, but one day I realized that not only could I no longer be a christian but I hadn't been one for awhile. While I could theoretically live in a delusion so long as I consciously don't see it, I could no longer live in that delusion after seeing evidence that it was one.
My first question is what, when you were a Christian, did you consider a Christian to be? What made you a Christian?
A christian asked JC into his life. That was pretty much it. Beyond that I tried not to be judgy. If you told me you were a Christian, that's all I assumed it meant. I liked to think added to that was that you at least tried to do the right thing, but one couldn't bank on that.
Do you believe in serendipity? And if so have you had a 'serendipitous experience'? What was it?
Isn't she a stripper? I never dated Serendipity but I know a guy who did and she was nothin' but a gold digger. I steer clear of those. Mostly cuz I can't afford 'em.
How do I get rid of a raccoon out of my attic? I think he is a she and is making a winter nest in all my insulation!
Insist it pays rent. That'll git rid of it.
How come the smallest toes have the uglies toe nails?
Ugliness is subjective. I think my big toes are ugly too.
I need a real cure for insomnia. Do you have any ideas I might try?
Benedryl works for me. Whether I want to sleep or not.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What happens when the condoms run out? Or is it a magical bottomless box?
When the condoms run out we get rescued.
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