Or should I say two hecks of humans? For those of you not familiar with the people in the photo to the right, that's my sister Amy and Bad Religion's Greg Graffin. She was in attendance for Graffin's acceptance of Harvard's awards for Humanism and was awesome enough to get me a signed copy of his book and send along a few pics from the event! So first a big fat thanks to Amy for hooking me up!Humanism is an interesting concept because it's more than simple philoshophy but less dogmatic than religion. Very simply put, humanism says every human is intrinsically valuable and has worth regardless of any supernatural intentions. Or in other words, just by existing you are important. This belief is compatible with some of your non-violent, less judgemental religions but more importantly, it dovetails with agnosticism and atheism on the principal that you don't need a spiritual baby-sitter watching over you to be a good, decent, loving, thoughtful human being. It also loosely compliments the "be all you can be" overtones of determinism without being overly critical of shortcomings.
To sum it all up, humanism is about exploring human potential without the fearful reprecussions of displeasing any supernatural benevolence. I'd write more but this blog just isn't the right forum. I have considered putting up a second blog that is focused more on philosophical thoughts and interpretations of belief but I'd certainly keep that one closed to a select few friends and trusted readers.
Plus it would bore those of you who expect stuff like this to tears.
Monday, April 21, 2008
So I just got back from the bank after depositing my enormous (for me) paycheck for the lawnmower reviews. Like most income in my life, I'm not going to see any of it for fun but it's a HUGE help in getting me out of debts, most of them incurred while writing my book. It was bizarre writing such big numbers on the deposit slip, almost like I was just goofing around hoping the bank would make an error in my favor ala Vinnie in Doogie Howser (Ironically, it's almost the same amount of money). For most people, it's not a TON of cash but I felt like Uncle Scrooge McDuck, though instead of a vault filled with gold coins I'd have nary but a single sack with a dollar sign on it. Still, this one check is more than I made ALL of 2006 and probably a couple of other lean years out here too.
To make my always nerdy analogies, my time in Colorado has been akin to leveling up in Dragon Warrior (the original)- slow, tedious but eventually worth it. I'm not terribly materialistic but there's a few nice things I want: new mtn. bike (that actually fits me), some new musical equipment and eventually a new vehicle so I can play in the outdoors more. I also will be glad to be donate some $ and time to good causes when I can, mostly animal rescue stuff.
One thing is for sure--my lovely blue PRS Guitar can stop wondering if it's going to find its way to a pawn shop (a real consideration when times were tougher). While I understand tough times can always happen again I'd like to at least enjoy where I am for a while.
And man, I cannot WAIT to get outside and play!
To make my always nerdy analogies, my time in Colorado has been akin to leveling up in Dragon Warrior (the original)- slow, tedious but eventually worth it. I'm not terribly materialistic but there's a few nice things I want: new mtn. bike (that actually fits me), some new musical equipment and eventually a new vehicle so I can play in the outdoors more. I also will be glad to be donate some $ and time to good causes when I can, mostly animal rescue stuff.
One thing is for sure--my lovely blue PRS Guitar can stop wondering if it's going to find its way to a pawn shop (a real consideration when times were tougher). While I understand tough times can always happen again I'd like to at least enjoy where I am for a while.
And man, I cannot WAIT to get outside and play!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Keeping in line with my habit of putting off potentially bad injuries for years and years (broken thumbs, slipped disk in my back, etc.) I suppose I need to get my shoulder on my right arm looked at. About, oh 4 years ago I injured it playing Ultimate and since then have done little things to it to tweak the pain. A winter of volleyball has been the final straw as I can barely lift my arm over my head some days. From what I'm reading, it can be a tear of the triceps area or a possible rotator cuff injury. Whatever it is, it's not the best thing in the world but also not the worst (and no where near as annoying as the back injury).
Other than that, it's a crazy week again-- more freelance, busy at work, not a lot of fun to report. I'm trying not to make this a habit! It should only be a week or two more (how many times have I said that?) All this work should be worth it though, I hope to invest in a brand new kitty tower for Xanadu soon!!
With Sheila back home safely, my duty as Mystic's uncle for the week as come to an end. The good news is he's doing well, no more episodes and as you can tell from this picture, he's a pretty happy guy! Here's to hoping that things continue to get better and the M-Man is going to stay on top of his doggie game. He's the best!
In other news, I got my new digital camera in the mail last week so I hope to play around with it some. My old camera served me well but it's old, slow and the picture quality isn't what it should be. Hopefully this will inspire me to put some more real pictures on my blog rather than poaching screen shots from video games.
It's a beautiful day here in Boulder, though I hope we still get one more hearty snowstorm before April is done! This whole spring thing seems to have come too fast!
Other than that, it's a crazy week again-- more freelance, busy at work, not a lot of fun to report. I'm trying not to make this a habit! It should only be a week or two more (how many times have I said that?) All this work should be worth it though, I hope to invest in a brand new kitty tower for Xanadu soon!!
Monday, April 14, 2008
With Sheila back home safely, my duty as Mystic's uncle for the week as come to an end. The good news is he's doing well, no more episodes and as you can tell from this picture, he's a pretty happy guy! Here's to hoping that things continue to get better and the M-Man is going to stay on top of his doggie game. He's the best!In other news, I got my new digital camera in the mail last week so I hope to play around with it some. My old camera served me well but it's old, slow and the picture quality isn't what it should be. Hopefully this will inspire me to put some more real pictures on my blog rather than poaching screen shots from video games.
It's a beautiful day here in Boulder, though I hope we still get one more hearty snowstorm before April is done! This whole spring thing seems to have come too fast!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Besides cleaning up my blog/website this week, my witty and whimsical side has been neutralized by a pretty rough reality check. As some of you know, my favorite canine pal in the world Mystic has had a tough last few days. The poor little guy had two very unexpected seizures over the weekend, which are still unknown in origin. I've been pretty rattled by the whole thing and he's not even technically my dog! Sheila has been upset too and unfortunately, had to go away for 5 days on a business trip. Mystic misses his mom (or is that "pet guardian" in Boulder county?) but the plus side is he is in great hands with me. He gets along swimmingly with Xanadu and I love having him with me on adventures.
However, it's really tough watching for any slight abnormality or stiff legged movement that might be a sign of seizure (they can range from a full shaking fit to nothing more than a vacant gaze). We've consulted several vets and even my own local expert, my sister Amy-- and while we're learning a lot, it still points to the fact his seizures may be completely unpredictable. It's disheartening because Mystic is the ultimate mountain dog--strong, smart, enthusiastic--yet also a cuddler at night or while watching a movie. He's so fast and agile, I'd say he's the best I've seen. Sure, greyhounds may be faster on a flat run but they would shatter their legs if they made the kind of turns and cuts Mystic makes. He's mostly border collie, yet just enough of a mix that he doesn't have the obsessive traits that can sometimes make border collies tough to work with.
Anyhow, I've had Mystic on my mind-- and Sheila too, since I know it's incredibly hard for her to be away from him. But we do out best to carry on. Hopefully it's just an isolated incident and nothing that will plague him so much that his quality of life is affected. It's just frustrating sometimes to see a pure soul--even if it is a dog--have to endure hardships like this.
However, it's really tough watching for any slight abnormality or stiff legged movement that might be a sign of seizure (they can range from a full shaking fit to nothing more than a vacant gaze). We've consulted several vets and even my own local expert, my sister Amy-- and while we're learning a lot, it still points to the fact his seizures may be completely unpredictable. It's disheartening because Mystic is the ultimate mountain dog--strong, smart, enthusiastic--yet also a cuddler at night or while watching a movie. He's so fast and agile, I'd say he's the best I've seen. Sure, greyhounds may be faster on a flat run but they would shatter their legs if they made the kind of turns and cuts Mystic makes. He's mostly border collie, yet just enough of a mix that he doesn't have the obsessive traits that can sometimes make border collies tough to work with.
Anyhow, I've had Mystic on my mind-- and Sheila too, since I know it's incredibly hard for her to be away from him. But we do out best to carry on. Hopefully it's just an isolated incident and nothing that will plague him so much that his quality of life is affected. It's just frustrating sometimes to see a pure soul--even if it is a dog--have to endure hardships like this.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
For those of you who use Firefox--sorry for the bad formatting on my blog for like, oh say a year! No one ever mentioned it and I finally looked at the site in FF and needless to say, it looked bad. I should have patched up most of the CSS stuff so it looks consistent in IE and Firefox. I'm also going to throw a new header image up one of these days as well.
Also, the archives should be fixed now (for better or worse) and life goes on! Can you believe it's April already?
Also, the archives should be fixed now (for better or worse) and life goes on! Can you believe it's April already?
Monday, April 07, 2008
It was a rather chaotic weekend here, so I'll start off Monday on a different foot.
If you can get by the well-known snobbery and B.O. issues, the people of France are about 100 years ahead of the USA in terms of human rights issues. Heck, the reason so many ex-pats end up on the banks of the Seine is in large part to France's attitude towards outsiders. Perhaps a little snobby in the cosmopolitan areas, true, but that's the case almost anywhere. The freedom of the people--artistically and socially--is the thing that sets the nation apart and has for decades (the only place I see coming close may be 1920's pre-war Berlin).
I for one was extremely proud of the people of France for not bowing to US pressure to support the quagmire in Iraq (at a time when the political climate favored such action). I still can't believe an actual adult human in the USA started calling french fries "freedom fries" because of this. As the war toils on, even the most ardent supporters realize Bush's entire vision of Iraq is misguided and besides the international toll its taken on America's reputation, thousands of individual soldiers have had to endure the folly of this leadership, some sacrificing their lives.
But that's not my point.
This weekend, French protesters blocked the advance of the Olympic torch in direct violation to China's abysmal human rights record. Much to the chagrin of China's politicians, the Olympic presence is bringing more light on the terrible conditions the government has inflicted on its people--from the trouble with Tibet to the slave conditions in factories. In fact, several European countries are considering boycotting the Olympics and it would be an incredible statement if the US did the same.
Of course we won't, as a nation we just don't have the guts. But you have to give it up for those who do. Despite what Fox News may be telling you, there's a lot to like about the political climate in France.
Courtesy of my parents and taken as they drove through Virginia:
If you can get by the well-known snobbery and B.O. issues, the people of France are about 100 years ahead of the USA in terms of human rights issues. Heck, the reason so many ex-pats end up on the banks of the Seine is in large part to France's attitude towards outsiders. Perhaps a little snobby in the cosmopolitan areas, true, but that's the case almost anywhere. The freedom of the people--artistically and socially--is the thing that sets the nation apart and has for decades (the only place I see coming close may be 1920's pre-war Berlin).
I for one was extremely proud of the people of France for not bowing to US pressure to support the quagmire in Iraq (at a time when the political climate favored such action). I still can't believe an actual adult human in the USA started calling french fries "freedom fries" because of this. As the war toils on, even the most ardent supporters realize Bush's entire vision of Iraq is misguided and besides the international toll its taken on America's reputation, thousands of individual soldiers have had to endure the folly of this leadership, some sacrificing their lives.
But that's not my point.
This weekend, French protesters blocked the advance of the Olympic torch in direct violation to China's abysmal human rights record. Much to the chagrin of China's politicians, the Olympic presence is bringing more light on the terrible conditions the government has inflicted on its people--from the trouble with Tibet to the slave conditions in factories. In fact, several European countries are considering boycotting the Olympics and it would be an incredible statement if the US did the same.
Of course we won't, as a nation we just don't have the guts. But you have to give it up for those who do. Despite what Fox News may be telling you, there's a lot to like about the political climate in France.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
