What an inane yet amusing project.
(Thanks for the link Where We Make Our Stand blog!)
Author Archive for Zeolite
LOL Cats Version, Genesis, Chapter 3.
What an inane yet amusing project.
(Thanks for the link Where We Make Our Stand blog!)
What an inane yet amusing project.
(Thanks for the link Where We Make Our Stand blog!)
Yesterday I went to Westwood Hills Nature Center to begin volunteer training to work with their red-tailed hawk, but the birding was so great we decided to reschedule the training and spend the afternoon outside bird watching.
Right now in Minnesota many of the northern lakes are still iced over so lots of the migrants are hanging out here, in the Twin Cities, until they melt. Yesterday I saw a yellow-rumped warbler, a ruby-crowned kinglet, and some sort of fly catcher - all in about 20 minutes of half-assed looking without binocs. For more interesting and accurate Minnesota birding information check out my new friend's Bird Chick Blog.
Westwood Hills also has a growing bee keeping program and I snapped some photos as they checked for eggs.
I was just in Portland visiting my brother-in-law Craig. He is an author and artist who has written some amazing graphic novels. See the link to his blog Doot Doot on the right.
Here are some pics:
Craig had a bunch of chick pamphlets in his bathroom which highly amused me, so he broke out his entire stash. We were feeling kinda goofy so we made this virgin-mary-like halo of chick pamphlets surrounding Craig.
Both Craig and his brother Jon (AKA Phil = his middle name) are artists and grew up drawing together. They resurrected some childhood comic heros for a new comeback adventure. You can see that on Craig's Blog.
Lastly, we went surfing - well Craig, Jon and our friend Dan did. It was too cold for me and Dan's wife; we went to a coffee shop and had delicious homemade curry carrot soup.
Here are some pics:
Craig had a bunch of chick pamphlets in his bathroom which highly amused me, so he broke out his entire stash. We were feeling kinda goofy so we made this virgin-mary-like halo of chick pamphlets surrounding Craig.Both Craig and his brother Jon (AKA Phil = his middle name) are artists and grew up drawing together. They resurrected some childhood comic heros for a new comeback adventure. You can see that on Craig's Blog.
Lastly, we went surfing - well Craig, Jon and our friend Dan did. It was too cold for me and Dan's wife; we went to a coffee shop and had delicious homemade curry carrot soup.
Here a delightful stop-motion animation some friends and I made this weekend. Enjoy!
I've piddled away much of my day looking for a good book recommending/networking site. I think the best one is LibraryThing.
I also like Shelfari, it's much better designed, but as far as I can tell is doesn't recommend books at all - which is what I primarily want.
They both have nifty widgets for showing your books on your blog. Which I may add at some point but right now my book list is kinda pathetic and I don't really want to show if off.
That said, if you also have an account with LibraryThing I would be happy to have you as a "friend" my member name is Zeolite there too.
I also like Shelfari, it's much better designed, but as far as I can tell is doesn't recommend books at all - which is what I primarily want.
They both have nifty widgets for showing your books on your blog. Which I may add at some point but right now my book list is kinda pathetic and I don't really want to show if off.
That said, if you also have an account with LibraryThing I would be happy to have you as a "friend" my member name is Zeolite there too.
One unexpected outcome of attending the American Atheist conference is that it forced me out of my "don't ask, don't tell" closet with my coworkers because what does everyone ask you on Monday morning?
"How was your weekend? What did you do?"
My answer: "It was great, I attended the American Atheists Conference"
The response: crooked smile, unsure laugh, "Really?"
"Yeah,"
"Uhhh, how was that?"
Now, in my coworkers defense, it would be my style to say something really crazy with a straight face and try and fool them, but is attending an atheists conference so crazy?
I also told my Dad this weekend under the same circumstances, he took it fairly well - he already knew I had "left the fold" but I'd never said the A-word to him before.
This started some interesting conversations and I re-discovered the power of semantics. Friends who balked at my atheism went on to call themselves agnostic, which to me is essentially the same: not believing in a god because there is no evidence for one. The two terms are not really different intellectually but powerfully different in perception.
I think I'm gonna stick with the label atheist. There's a stubborn little beast in me that wants to buck the perceptions and using the label agnostic feels like selling out.
"How was your weekend? What did you do?"
My answer: "It was great, I attended the American Atheists Conference"
The response: crooked smile, unsure laugh, "Really?"
"Yeah,"
"Uhhh, how was that?"
Now, in my coworkers defense, it would be my style to say something really crazy with a straight face and try and fool them, but is attending an atheists conference so crazy?
I also told my Dad this weekend under the same circumstances, he took it fairly well - he already knew I had "left the fold" but I'd never said the A-word to him before.
This started some interesting conversations and I re-discovered the power of semantics. Friends who balked at my atheism went on to call themselves agnostic, which to me is essentially the same: not believing in a god because there is no evidence for one. The two terms are not really different intellectually but powerfully different in perception.
I think I'm gonna stick with the label atheist. There's a stubborn little beast in me that wants to buck the perceptions and using the label agnostic feels like selling out.
On the bottom of page 4 of Menards' most recent add is the phrase "It is not important what you believe, only that you believe."
Reading that in the add section of paper was like having a little gremlin leap from the pages and bite me on the thumb. Completely unexpected and packs a powerful sting. I sent Menards an email saying that - except without the whole gremlin analogy.
Update: Menards responded to my email quickly and generically...
"I am very sorry we let you down. We need and appreciate you business. I appreciate the heads up on this and we will get on it at once.
Best Regards,
Ray"
A kind stranger snapped this photo of me with Dawkins in the background at the American Atheists conference this weekend. The stranger had seen me awkwardly attempting to take the photo myself - thank you for your help!
During the American Atheists Conference this past weekend I repeatedly heard speakers and attendees discuss how we can destroy religion. One speaker, Dr. Jack David Eller, said that we need to destroy religion and replace it with atheist holidays, books, and culture lest we leave a vacuum where religion once was- and he got a standing ovation.
This is seriously messed up! Yes, I agree a world without religion would be a wonderful place, however, America's first amendment - that we United States atheists quote so often - allows for the the freedom from jerks who want to annihilate another group. The hypocrisy is nearly unbearable.
And how would replacing religion with atheistic holidays, books, and culture not just be another religion? Sure it may start with good secular intentions but if we simple removed religion and replaced it with "atheist" equivalents it would quickly become dogmatic and essentially a new religion.
The frustrating part is that we don't need to have a "war" with religion. Atheism isn't even on the same wavelength. Religion is an antiquated coping mechanism for people who have a hard lot in life and for those who are incapable or too apathetic to critically think.
So if, as atheists, we focus on reducing suffering and increasing education we will be eliminating the need for religion. Just look at the demographics of atheists; we are wealthier, more educated, and happier than the average human - our demographics have freed us from religion.
This is even more the reason that atheists need to engage in supporting other civil rights movements. The happier, smarter, and more satisfied people are the more they are enabled to leave the crutch of religion behind.
This is seriously messed up! Yes, I agree a world without religion would be a wonderful place, however, America's first amendment - that we United States atheists quote so often - allows for the the freedom from jerks who want to annihilate another group. The hypocrisy is nearly unbearable.
And how would replacing religion with atheistic holidays, books, and culture not just be another religion? Sure it may start with good secular intentions but if we simple removed religion and replaced it with "atheist" equivalents it would quickly become dogmatic and essentially a new religion.
The frustrating part is that we don't need to have a "war" with religion. Atheism isn't even on the same wavelength. Religion is an antiquated coping mechanism for people who have a hard lot in life and for those who are incapable or too apathetic to critically think.
So if, as atheists, we focus on reducing suffering and increasing education we will be eliminating the need for religion. Just look at the demographics of atheists; we are wealthier, more educated, and happier than the average human - our demographics have freed us from religion.
This is even more the reason that atheists need to engage in supporting other civil rights movements. The happier, smarter, and more satisfied people are the more they are enabled to leave the crutch of religion behind.
My experiences today at the American Atheists Conference confirmed my observation that many atheists are oblivious that they are part of the greater civil rights movements.
This afternoon a panel gathered to discuss wether or not American Atheists should partner with other "liberal" civil rights groups on causes like abortion, gay rights, and other women's rights. There was a strong opposition to associating with "liberals" and a passionate cry that the organization should only focus on "atheist issues" in order to avoid alienating "conservative" atheists.
Poppycock! There is no such thing as an exclusively atheist issue, all issues are atheist issues, all issues are women's issues, all issues are gay rights issues, all issues are race issues; all civil rights movements are connected. The desire to separate them is a symptom of the privileged demographics of American Atheists. The mostly white, wealthy, and male members have the luxury of only experiencing discrimination on one plane - they don't have have to worry about discrimination because they are non-white, female, or gay. Those other planes of discrimination are not immediate and therefore invisible.
That said, a large chunk of today's conference was inspired and presented by leaders in other areas of the civil rights movements. A feminist speaker gave an excellent talk explaining the frightening power religious organizations have over our health care. Also, the last talk was an enlightening and moving look into the African American civil rights movement. There were also many attendees who spoke out to encourage American Atheists to embrace their position as part of the greater civil rights culture. So, I don't mean to imply that the entire organization and everyone involved is being dense - but there was enough ridiculous talk of "atheist issues" to raise a red flag.
This afternoon a panel gathered to discuss wether or not American Atheists should partner with other "liberal" civil rights groups on causes like abortion, gay rights, and other women's rights. There was a strong opposition to associating with "liberals" and a passionate cry that the organization should only focus on "atheist issues" in order to avoid alienating "conservative" atheists.
Poppycock! There is no such thing as an exclusively atheist issue, all issues are atheist issues, all issues are women's issues, all issues are gay rights issues, all issues are race issues; all civil rights movements are connected. The desire to separate them is a symptom of the privileged demographics of American Atheists. The mostly white, wealthy, and male members have the luxury of only experiencing discrimination on one plane - they don't have have to worry about discrimination because they are non-white, female, or gay. Those other planes of discrimination are not immediate and therefore invisible.
That said, a large chunk of today's conference was inspired and presented by leaders in other areas of the civil rights movements. A feminist speaker gave an excellent talk explaining the frightening power religious organizations have over our health care. Also, the last talk was an enlightening and moving look into the African American civil rights movement. There were also many attendees who spoke out to encourage American Atheists to embrace their position as part of the greater civil rights culture. So, I don't mean to imply that the entire organization and everyone involved is being dense - but there was enough ridiculous talk of "atheist issues" to raise a red flag.
I'll be attending the American Atheists Conference this weekend. Its so conveniently located a hop, skip, and a jump away from my home!
I'm very curious to see the demographic of the peeps attending. I haven't had the best of social experiences at previous atheists events I've attended.
I was surprised to here that only about 500 people are expected to attend the conference. I suspect Minneapolis has one of the highest concentrations of atheists in the US; whenever I say that I'm an atheist I always here "me too" or "so is my [insert close friend/relative here]." Perhaps some insight is offered by my friend who told me she doesn't subscribe to any religion but she won't attend because she isn't into any event regarding religion or the absence there of. Religion seems to be a total non-issue to many Minneapolis folks.
If any other atheist bloggers will be at the conference, and you're not interested in hitting on me or asking me to speak for my demographic, send me an email - I'll let you in on all the underground coolness secrets of Minneapolis.
I'm very curious to see the demographic of the peeps attending. I haven't had the best of social experiences at previous atheists events I've attended.
I was surprised to here that only about 500 people are expected to attend the conference. I suspect Minneapolis has one of the highest concentrations of atheists in the US; whenever I say that I'm an atheist I always here "me too" or "so is my [insert close friend/relative here]." Perhaps some insight is offered by my friend who told me she doesn't subscribe to any religion but she won't attend because she isn't into any event regarding religion or the absence there of. Religion seems to be a total non-issue to many Minneapolis folks.
If any other atheist bloggers will be at the conference, and you're not interested in hitting on me or asking me to speak for my demographic, send me an email - I'll let you in on all the underground coolness secrets of Minneapolis.
I attended a very interesting talk last night at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis which focused on climate change and culture. It discussed the culture of conservation that developed during the depression and WWII and what kind of new culture of conservation we need to develop in the face of climate change.
One of the speakers, Peggy Knapp, based her talk on the idea that waste is an exclusively human thing.
I think she is right - but only because of the speed and the intensity in which we change things and create "waste." All other living things create their own waste, right? The difference is that other creatures have evolved to take advantage of that waste- one creature's trash is another creature's treasure. We just create so much new waste so fast that nothing has been able to evolve to use it up.
Its interesting that capitalism hasn't encouraged our culture to become more cyclic with our waste/resource stream. Perhaps this is because only a certain subset of costs and benefits are looked at; with immediate and local cost/benefits being prioritized and future and "elsewhere" costs/benefits being ignored.
Is there any example of another creature that creates "waste" in the same sense that humans do? Perhaps waste begins to pile up when human-disturbed ecosystems become unbalanced. But are there any other naturally evolved "wasters" like us?
One of the speakers, Peggy Knapp, based her talk on the idea that waste is an exclusively human thing.
I think she is right - but only because of the speed and the intensity in which we change things and create "waste." All other living things create their own waste, right? The difference is that other creatures have evolved to take advantage of that waste- one creature's trash is another creature's treasure. We just create so much new waste so fast that nothing has been able to evolve to use it up.
Its interesting that capitalism hasn't encouraged our culture to become more cyclic with our waste/resource stream. Perhaps this is because only a certain subset of costs and benefits are looked at; with immediate and local cost/benefits being prioritized and future and "elsewhere" costs/benefits being ignored.
Is there any example of another creature that creates "waste" in the same sense that humans do? Perhaps waste begins to pile up when human-disturbed ecosystems become unbalanced. But are there any other naturally evolved "wasters" like us?
Anyone know what kind of plant this is?
I bought it at the grocery store a couple weeks ago. It only had 4 or 5 flowers then and now it's nothing but flowers - it barely has any green leaves left. Its cool, but its creeping me out a little. It can't continue on like this forever - its going to spontaneously combust soon!
Close-up of flowers:
Just yesterday I notices two of these odd trumpet shaped flowers hiding amongst the normal ones. Bizarre.
I bought it at the grocery store a couple weeks ago. It only had 4 or 5 flowers then and now it's nothing but flowers - it barely has any green leaves left. Its cool, but its creeping me out a little. It can't continue on like this forever - its going to spontaneously combust soon!
Close-up of flowers:
Just yesterday I notices two of these odd trumpet shaped flowers hiding amongst the normal ones. Bizarre.
I quit my job! Well, kinda...
A little background, I had a dream job - I was a National Park Ranger in charge of running the park Junior Ranger Program. I could hardly make-up a better job theoretically. The job duties were awesome: I got paid to hang out with kids, paddle my canoe up and down the river, and explore rock outcrops looking for fossils and caves. But unfortunately the psychosis of federal employment got to me after three and a half years.
In federal-land all paths lead to "NO," it takes tremendous effort to overcome the objections and apathetic reactions to even the most obviously beneficial programs or changes. And the aftermath of success is a reputation as someone who makes everyone else looks bad, or someone who doesn't believe the rules apply to them, or someone who is insubordinate, or someone who is a loose cannon. If you ever here someone described in these terms from a federal reference hire them immediately!! They will be someone who gets things done!
My mantra through the years was to "find the healthy." I had to work to keep grasp of my "normal" perspective to identify and accomplish common sense goals. But during the past few months I haven't been able to find any "healthy" and that was my signal that I needed to get out. So I wrote up and signed a resignation letter and just before I turned it in the superintendent of the park offered me a completely different opportunity.
He offered me a position he was sure I would want based on previous discussions: a part-time position working directly for him on a once-in-a-lifetime special project opportunity. At my request, I'll be working only Mondays and Tuesdays for 10 hours each day. That frees-up the rest of the week to research creating and opening an art gallery in Minneapolis - something my husband and I haven wanted to do for a long time. More about that in future posts!
Morale of the story: You are in charge of your happiness and hard work will be rewarded. I decided I couldn't stay in my current position and I had impressed the superintendent with my ability to get things done and he didn't want to lose me. So we created a position that would make me happy again and benefit the park.
A little background, I had a dream job - I was a National Park Ranger in charge of running the park Junior Ranger Program. I could hardly make-up a better job theoretically. The job duties were awesome: I got paid to hang out with kids, paddle my canoe up and down the river, and explore rock outcrops looking for fossils and caves. But unfortunately the psychosis of federal employment got to me after three and a half years.
In federal-land all paths lead to "NO," it takes tremendous effort to overcome the objections and apathetic reactions to even the most obviously beneficial programs or changes. And the aftermath of success is a reputation as someone who makes everyone else looks bad, or someone who doesn't believe the rules apply to them, or someone who is insubordinate, or someone who is a loose cannon. If you ever here someone described in these terms from a federal reference hire them immediately!! They will be someone who gets things done!
My mantra through the years was to "find the healthy." I had to work to keep grasp of my "normal" perspective to identify and accomplish common sense goals. But during the past few months I haven't been able to find any "healthy" and that was my signal that I needed to get out. So I wrote up and signed a resignation letter and just before I turned it in the superintendent of the park offered me a completely different opportunity.
He offered me a position he was sure I would want based on previous discussions: a part-time position working directly for him on a once-in-a-lifetime special project opportunity. At my request, I'll be working only Mondays and Tuesdays for 10 hours each day. That frees-up the rest of the week to research creating and opening an art gallery in Minneapolis - something my husband and I haven wanted to do for a long time. More about that in future posts!
Morale of the story: You are in charge of your happiness and hard work will be rewarded. I decided I couldn't stay in my current position and I had impressed the superintendent with my ability to get things done and he didn't want to lose me. So we created a position that would make me happy again and benefit the park.
Again, I randomly gather these images during my internet wonderings and have no idea where they originated. If one is yours and you want credit email me or post a comment.
My husband and I were just in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chili. Here are some of my favorite photos (all taken by my husband). Click for big.
I'll be out for a while, feed my fish while I'm gone wouldja?
I felt the urge to put up a christmas tree this year. I enjoy doing it, it brings back good family memories.
However I added my own twist with a homemade flying spaghetti monster ornament! For some reason I always envision the FSM as being purple - I guess I can make my imaginary deity whatever color I want, right? There is a FSM ornament already for sale online. Its cool - but not $33 cool.
In fact, I made four ornaments! So I have three extras... so, if any of you christmas-tree-harboring-atheists would like a flying spaghetti monster ornament send me an email. I'll mail them out to the first 3 peeps to ask me or to the best offer.
Email: zeoliteDOTblurpATgmailDOTcom
I'm also keeping a copy of Darwin's Origin of Species next to the tree (see pic) lest anyone get the wrong idea.
Another Thanksgiving story...
My husband's family does the traditional around-the-table-hand-holding while they pray thing. I hold hands with them but I don't bow my head or shut my eyes. This year, my 5-year-old niece peaked open her eyes to surreptitiously look around and I winked at her, she could barely hold in her incredulity until the end of the prayer, then she screamed, "Aunty had her eyes open!" I suspect she expected a unified gasp from the family or something - but everyone just kinda shrugged their shoulders and started passing food. I wonder if little interactions like this will help her to think about religion differently? Part of me hopes it will loosen the ropes a tiny bit.
I hope to be a good example of someone living without religion for both my nieces. I hope that they don't grow up hating or fearing atheists and that they have a religious escape route if they need it. Its a fine line to walk - I want to respect my sister and sister-in-law and their choices as parents. I wouldn't want them trying to convert my children (if I had any) but I also wouldn't mind them just showing my kids how they live.
My husband's family does the traditional around-the-table-hand-holding while they pray thing. I hold hands with them but I don't bow my head or shut my eyes. This year, my 5-year-old niece peaked open her eyes to surreptitiously look around and I winked at her, she could barely hold in her incredulity until the end of the prayer, then she screamed, "Aunty had her eyes open!" I suspect she expected a unified gasp from the family or something - but everyone just kinda shrugged their shoulders and started passing food. I wonder if little interactions like this will help her to think about religion differently? Part of me hopes it will loosen the ropes a tiny bit.
I hope to be a good example of someone living without religion for both my nieces. I hope that they don't grow up hating or fearing atheists and that they have a religious escape route if they need it. Its a fine line to walk - I want to respect my sister and sister-in-law and their choices as parents. I wouldn't want them trying to convert my children (if I had any) but I also wouldn't mind them just showing my kids how they live.
I spent thanksgiving at my in-laws' house in central Wisconsin about 2.5 hours from ours in Minneapolis; a straight shot across hwy 29. There are a bazillion anti-abrortion billboards with pictures of babies and lame phrases ("embryos are just tiny babies," etc.) on that stretch of highway that inspired my husband and I to brainstorm some of our own billboards for hwy 29:
Atheists: We *heart* babies too! www.donthateus.org
Just think about it. www.donthateus.org
Atheists: Guilt free since the big bang www.donthateus.org
Prey for Christians www.donthateus.org
www.donthateus.org doesn't exist but I imagine it would contain a statement about how we are supporters of everyone's constitutional right to freely practice their religion and the separation of church and state, that we are the most hated us "group," and that according to them we're going to hell anyway - isn't that enough? - no need to be hatin' here on earth.
Billboards can't be too expensive in central WI...
Atheists: We *heart* babies too! www.donthateus.org
Just think about it. www.donthateus.org
Atheists: Guilt free since the big bang www.donthateus.org
Prey for Christians www.donthateus.org
www.donthateus.org doesn't exist but I imagine it would contain a statement about how we are supporters of everyone's constitutional right to freely practice their religion and the separation of church and state, that we are the most hated us "group," and that according to them we're going to hell anyway - isn't that enough? - no need to be hatin' here on earth.
Billboards can't be too expensive in central WI...
More random photos that make me laugh:
As usual, I don't remember where these images came from - if one is yours and you want credit just let me know.
As usual, I don't remember where these images came from - if one is yours and you want credit just let me know.
Its all yours for the taking! Click the image below for full size, save it, and set as a tiled background.
I found a stray dog yesterday near my house in Minneapolis and brought it to the nearest animal shelter which is in St. Paul.
When they asked me if I found the dog in St. Paul I said "yes" without hesitation because I knew that if I said "no" they would send me away. I needed to get to work and didn't have time to drive across Minneapolis to the other animal shelter.
So my mind quickly weighed the options regarding the welfare of the dog and of my job and I chose to lie.
Back when I was a hard-core christian I would have either answered the question truthfully or currently be racked with guilt about lying. While, I don't feel guilty about my decision it still feels slimy to admit that I chose to lie. However, I really do think that sometimes it's OK to lie - am I a bad example perpetuating the stereo-type of the immoral atheist?
The truth of the matter is it's not about truth. It's about morality. And sometimes lying can be the moral thing to do or, at the very least, not immoral. And frequently it's a wash. Yesterday, the moral thing to do was to rescue the dog. Was it moral to lie to the animal shelter about where I found the dog? Perhaps. My other choices were to let the dog go loose again (to me not a moral choice) or be late for work and potentially lose my job (not a option I was willing to choose).
Frequently, there are times when the morally or socially correct thing is not to tell the truth. Look no farther than answering common greeting of "How are you?" For more examples, here is one blogger's list of the 15 most common white lies.
This blogger argues that all lies are immoral in response to a Today Show psychotherapist's list of when its OK to lie. I disagree entirely with him. The slippery slope argument is, as usual, ridiculous and none of the lies I have told have "plant[ed] a seed of corruption that will eat at [my] very soul."
When they asked me if I found the dog in St. Paul I said "yes" without hesitation because I knew that if I said "no" they would send me away. I needed to get to work and didn't have time to drive across Minneapolis to the other animal shelter.
So my mind quickly weighed the options regarding the welfare of the dog and of my job and I chose to lie.
Back when I was a hard-core christian I would have either answered the question truthfully or currently be racked with guilt about lying. While, I don't feel guilty about my decision it still feels slimy to admit that I chose to lie. However, I really do think that sometimes it's OK to lie - am I a bad example perpetuating the stereo-type of the immoral atheist?
The truth of the matter is it's not about truth. It's about morality. And sometimes lying can be the moral thing to do or, at the very least, not immoral. And frequently it's a wash. Yesterday, the moral thing to do was to rescue the dog. Was it moral to lie to the animal shelter about where I found the dog? Perhaps. My other choices were to let the dog go loose again (to me not a moral choice) or be late for work and potentially lose my job (not a option I was willing to choose).
Frequently, there are times when the morally or socially correct thing is not to tell the truth. Look no farther than answering common greeting of "How are you?" For more examples, here is one blogger's list of the 15 most common white lies.
This blogger argues that all lies are immoral in response to a Today Show psychotherapist's list of when its OK to lie. I disagree entirely with him. The slippery slope argument is, as usual, ridiculous and none of the lies I have told have "plant[ed] a seed of corruption that will eat at [my] very soul."
I felt like a real crackpot giggling in the sympathy card section of the gift store, but tucked between all the cards labeled "sympathy" and "encouragement" was a stack of cards labeled "Jewish." There were no other religious, or birthday, or other holiday cards in that entire row! Just lots of "I'm Sorry" and then that one "Jewish" card.
(Note: this post is not anti-Semitism, I would think it was funny if it called out the name of any group -christian, atheist, scuba divers... its the juxtaposition that's funny.)
Sorry the photo is crappy - I took it with my cell phone.
I took some sepia photos today - I can't tell if I like 'em or not though.
And to go all PZ on you, I just learned today that the word sepia refers to dark brown paint derived from cuttlefish ink.
And to go all PZ on you, I just learned today that the word sepia refers to dark brown paint derived from cuttlefish ink.
This October marks my one year anniversary for blogging. Yay!
My 5 most read posts:
From Jello to Jesus
Minneapolis Tornado
Arabella B. Buckley
Hag Syndrome
Crazy Mammoths
Odd choices by you readers - but I'm glad your reading!
My favorite part of this blog so far has been the Daily Dose Project. It was a very valuable exercise in becoming aware.
About you:
There have been 242 peeps hanging out here on and off;
From all over the world but mostly from the US and Canada (also from the UK, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands);
You check out a page or two, for a minute or two each on average, and then move on;
and you don't like to surf the web in the morning - most hits are at lunch and after work.
My 5 most read posts:
From Jello to Jesus
Minneapolis Tornado
Arabella B. Buckley
Hag Syndrome
Crazy Mammoths
Odd choices by you readers - but I'm glad your reading!
My favorite part of this blog so far has been the Daily Dose Project. It was a very valuable exercise in becoming aware.
About you:
There have been 242 peeps hanging out here on and off;
From all over the world but mostly from the US and Canada (also from the UK, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands);
You check out a page or two, for a minute or two each on average, and then move on;
and you don't like to surf the web in the morning - most hits are at lunch and after work.
A co-worker frequently finds chick tracks entitled Are Roman Catholics Christians? on the Wabasha Street Bridge in St. Paul and gave one to me for a laugh today. And it is very funny - especially on the last page where you are asked if you take Jesus as your savior Check Yes or No.
So, after checking "No," I went to the Chick Publications website and found a great place for hours of side-ache inducing entertainment!
On the homepage I was greeted with this message:"Every Halloween, a parade of children stream to your door asking for a treat. By dropping a Chick tract or two (along with some candy) into their bags, in one night you can give the gospel to lots of kids (and their families)...all without leaving your home."
Then I discovered that all the tracks are online for our viewing enjoyment!
My favorite is their new "black track series" because it is soooo wrong. Excerpts below:
Which one is your favorite?
(Anyone know where this is from?? It was emailed to me with no reference to its origin.)
My husband and I did a couple photo shoots for Foat fashion design over the summer. They just finished their new website using a smattering of our photos.
My husband and I did the shoot with the white background (see couture section for examples) and I did the shoot taken in the industry ruins (see the first four images on the categories page for examples.) Check 'em out!
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