guitar
Friday, August 31, 2007
Awesome Guitar playing
posted by Sonya @ 8/31/2007 01:30:00 PM, ,
Religion: Under attack in US?
Friday, August 24, 2007
I was reading an article of people's responses on whether or not faith was under attack in the US. As a small side note I must point out the disturbing fact of the geographical separation of ideas. Not surprisingly, the southern part of the United States produced some of the most illogical and close-minded views toward faith. Specifically, I want to scream every time I read or hear how this country was founded on Christan faith and we are suppressing that today. For those that think this....it is so far from being correct, we have passed the line labeled ignorant. In fact, history will show you a the exact opposite. Apparently history is not a subject taught much in the south (except the Civil War over and over and over again). Amanda Akridge of Macon, Georgia shows just this ignorance..
"I believe our country was founded on Christianity and now we live in an anti-Christian country. Morals, faith, and family values have been pushed aside for materialism and "what feels good" antics. We can give freedom to other religions to worship; but prayer and any talks of Christ have been taken out of our schools. I say this because I am a teacher and it is heartbreaking to see what our children go through due to the lack of faith that America was founded upon. I do not have any pictures of how I worship -- I just close my eyes and pray wherever I am and as often as I can."
I know that anyone reading this post will assume my criticism comes more from my tainted view based in science and less from a logical, well-thought out view on religion. While much of my opinion is based upon scientific evidence, most of my view comes from the wrongness of organized religion and the acts committed in the name of God. In addition, much of my opinion is based upon case after case of hypocrisy that is somehow ignored time and time again.
The point of all of this lies in one persons opinion that I feel represents exactly what I think on this subject. Not only do I not think religion is under attack in this country, I believe it needs to be attacked and clear lines separating church and state need to be defined. Paul Woodward of Tokyo, Japan writes the following,
"Faith is a wildly overrated virtue. Its results add enormously to the weight of human misery as we humans follow in blind faith, without pause for rational thought, the sacred texts written at a time when we thought we lived on a disc rather than a globe. Faith results, amongst other things, in opposition to stem cell research, the mutilation of the genitalia of infants, the desire to kill homosexuals, the oppression of women, the spread of HIV through religious opposition to the use of condoms and the justification for flying jet planes into skyscrapers. Give me a skeptical enquiring mind any day over one muddled and obscured by faith."
Faith can give some a security blanket to feel like someone is on their side each and every day. This belief is understandable. I suppose when logic disappears and righteousness takes over, we see the negative aspects of faith.
The overall point is that religion is different for everyone whether you happen to be Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, non-believer or any of the the other possibilities. Specifically, faith needs to stay out of the government (policy making and/or used as a tool to define an individual), schools and should not be pushed on others. It should stay with the individual, in the private world they create.
posted by Sonya @ 8/24/2007 01:37:00 PM, ,
The Joy of Books....
Monday, August 6, 2007
I recently had a wonderful afternoon casually browsing the many books that I have read or would like to read, at a local bookstore. Now you may think that this is just any old bookstore, but it is not. It is in fact the best bookstore ever and simply but adequetely described by the name, "Half Priced Books". I suppose now would be a good time to mention that books are my one true love (not to be confused by my one true love of animal behavior). And since I mention my love of animal behavior, it just so happens that this subject can be reserached in books. Ahhh, what a beautiful world.
Anyway, I digress. This perusing of the bountiful books reminds me of the many memorable moments some how related or wrapped up to the tens if not hundreds of books I have read over the years. Books have been such a large part of my childhood, as well as my years since that I often forget where imagination ends and reality begins.
As I remember those mornings when I would be dropped off at the library, it's hard to explain the joy and freedom that someone of twelve can experience by merely walking into a library. And eventhough that was years ago, I must confess, to this day, I feel an excitement and overwhelming feeling every time I enter a library or bookstore. It as if the knowledge surrounds you and almost covers you like a blanket just waiting to tell the many stories dying to get out.
The funny thing is, that after reading so many books and having a vivid imagination, it is often sometimes hard to separate memories from scenes acted out in my imagination while reading one of my favorite books. Its almost as if the time in which you are immersed in their lives through words on the paper, you are truly that person, feeling and seeing what they feel and see. I suppose this reason alone makes me unable to relate to others that do not read often or at all. I am unable to comprehend why you would rather watch something than read something with so much more detail and feeling than one can possibly imagine.
So even now, I sit here and remember all those favorite books that I have read over and over again, remembering those moments where I felt triumph and sadness like my life was being played out before my eyes.
So when you ask what I would like to do, just remember, I could never feel more at home than I do in a bookstore or in a library with so much adventure and drama waiting to be explored with every page....
Labels: bookstores, Reading
posted by Sonya @ 8/06/2007 08:00:00 PM, ,
The nerd competiton?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
I can honestly say that I have always known that I was not quite in the 'cool' category. Although, I still think I was just misunderstood and possibly a late bloomer in the cool department...and yet, re-reading has made me thing that I could have possibly been wrong...
Our conversation seems to be a fight for the top spot in the nerd ratings...funny enough...I think I won this battle, but he seems to definitely be winning the war...'Him' it's all yours!!
HIM: I really enjoy your wit and smarts and various other "skills." You seem like a great person, despite your off the chart level of nerdiness...
ME: Thanks much...nice to see that you can hold your own....your wit is impressive. Despite nerdiness....what?.....maybe you should go back and look at your level...anyone with low levels would think you were speaking a foreign language...you should be grateful that someone understands you.....
HIM: Flattery will get you nowhere...If you don't stab yourself or others, email me back.
ME: I know you are the typical boy that gets all giggly over a compliment and runs home to write it in your diary. I see right through you buster....no fooling me....I'm in college remember....I know everything!! (mental note: Hey, I wonder if that's why no one likes me???).
HIM: Remember 2 things: everyone likes you (think positive) because you are a "special" person. Second, I haven't giggled in a long time...like 2 weeks - so there.
ME: OK..here at nerd camp...we strive to out due one nerdy event with the next. Last night tops the charts. To have a social gathering, we must make it an event. So how could we make nerd camp more nerdy? Well I am sure you came up with many ideas...but probably not has good as what took place. A ball you say....why yes we did have a ball. Now this wasn't just any ordinary ball, it was a costume ball. What? How could that be nerdy? Well, I'll tell you. This ball was not just an ordinary costume ball, it was an invertebrate costume ball....yep, you heard me right. We had to dress up as our favorite invertebrate (no vertebrates allowed at all) and then had a costume contest. Well our lab is more the partiers and not so much the costume type so we just all went as sea slugs and got it over with. We just needed to get into the door...we were not aiming for an prizes. Many many interesting things occurred last night. Anyway, I can honestly say that I was way, way out-nerded by these people. Don't get me wrong, I love science, but my god, these people need to get a hobby once and a while.
HIM: Wow - I think you just broke my nerd sensor. I need a moment to gather myself.
Oh, the nerdiness - a Sea Slug ball - where was the video camera and why am I not watching this on YouTube right now???!! I love how you try to make the distinction between the "other" nerds and yourself - I'm not buying it. I'm really amused by all the inter-partner drama, set against the international backdrop of reckless love - if Brazil and Germany can get together, then there is hope for the rest of the world!
ME: I thought you might enjoy that piece of news...as for the separating myself....yes...there different classes in one big category....because I said so...
The ball....well, it is a good thing that there were no video camera's...I might never live that one down if there had been. Thank god for small miracles. It was quite an amusing night. The talk is still at a heightened level here at nerd camp about the things seen at the ball. Oh, boy do we need lives....
HIM: Back to my nerdiness, unfortunately, I would be one the dancing nerds - I'm not much of a fast-tempo dancer - Slow dancing I'm great at (because there isn't much to do) - I learned how to waltz at one time - I'm such an old man...I'm going to get my walker now and watch Matlock.
ME: It might be hard for you to move around with that cane, old man...and luckily they ALWAYS play Matlock episodes....don't worry, well get you some Dr. Scholls inserts for comfort and tape up all your joints before you attempt anything so daring as dancing..
HIM: You know, you should be ashamed of yourself for not having at least 3 kids by now...you're setting back women's progress everywhere...
ME: First of all, I am only one woman trying to hold the world together...a little help would be nice...always first to point out the faults....but never willing to help a girl out...It's because I'm white isn't it?...damn! FYI, your clear lack of compassion of my situation makes baby Jesus cry-shame on you-
Furthermore, with the part of the population that is having the most kids, our children's children don't stand a chance of spelling their own name in the future...so there...don't think it will be all my fault...we'll be lucky if some will be able to spell democracy.....
HIM: By the way, Rambo 4 is on the way to theaters (I think in the fall/winter of this year). You see, we have to look at 80's action movies as symbolic of the time period in which they were made. For example, in Rambo 2 or 3 (they're pretty much the same movie), Rambo teams up with an upstart group of "freedom fighters" to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. Rambo teaches them the art of fighting and blowing stuff up - Now, these same "freedom fighters" are the ones launching rockets at American and NATO soldiers today. Rambo was just boldly predicting the vicious cycle created by American foreign policy. Its' foreshadowing of our current global troubles is just staggering. Right? And this isn't a justification to support a movie where stuff gets "blowed up real good."
ME: Interesting connection you made with the Rambo movies and current politics/strategy. I see something here...maybe we should not release the next one...we might be giving to much away. Possibly a Rambo film where he makes cookies for all the orphans and nits afghans all day?? That should get those guys launching the shoulder missiles to relax for a while. "Blowed up real good" bad....nice new hats for the villagers good...
Labels: Humor
posted by Sonya @ 8/01/2007 11:41:00 AM, ,
