Ooooh that waskally wabbit

Ugh, I really don't know what can be done anymore, I feel as though we must have been drugged, and are doomed to carry on in a state of utter apathy and drool, it's the only explanation I can think of for the current State of the Union. Did he slip us a roofie, put a Mickey in our cocktail, was it a tryptophan overdose??? How do we continue to let things slide? It is truly mind boggling to know just how little we actually care about this Democracy, our Government, and not mind being the biggest schmucks in the history of the world. But I still am a patriotic girl who longs for the days when our flag proudly stated "Don't tread on me", who soulfully misses my government, the separation of powers, checks and balances, the fact that the only true presidential power is the power to persuade, and rockin' the vote! Some nights I fall asleep listening to the Nightly Business Report on PBS, and lately I have been having the most horrible nightmares, I wake up, panicked, sweating that our economy has collapsed and all student loans have been eliminated! It's all too hard on a girl! As sharing, and specifically sharing information, is the most amazing thing, it really makes me happy, I would like to share with you, this fantastic article from Slate.com, which I hope is fuel for those apathy blues, perhaps it could be the springboard some revolutionary ideologies...oh silly tormenting pipedreams.

Word to Rodney King

It ain't easy being an atheist; seeking logic and truth over fear and judgement; wanting to know what is real and tangible, disowning faith and interpretation. My parent's struggle with my ideologies, what neat little box to put me in, stumps them time and again, and the conversation inevitably arrises on what a hypocrite I am for being atheist and wanting to celebrate Christmas. In ethics we learn that doing the greater good is paramount, religion promises a reward at the end of our human struggle for doing good deeds; be it soul salvation, or enlightened reincarnation. Is being good for fear of landing in hell really being good at all, does that count? Being an atheist means that I have to try and be a good person, just for me, I have to try to treat people right, the first time. There is no soul salvation, no confessional for me to relieve my sins. If I fail in my efforts to be good I have to rely on the forgiveness or forgetfulness of actual human beings, and they can hold some grudges! I do love the core of several religions. I think that many eastern theologies are beautiful in their doctrines, I admire the virtues they posses. We all need rules to live by, guidlines to define who we are, the kind of person we strive to be, the way we should treat others whom share this tiny, insignificant planet with us. How to derive those rules is a personal choice, but is it important to remember that all religions, philosophies, theologies are man-made ideas, so they are inherently flawed, imperfect creations that we should know better than to put all of our faith in. Having beliefs which are too strong leaves little room for questions, for provocative thought, some fresh air. You lose the abilty to change your mind if you believe in anything to strongly. Not believing in God leaves more room for me to have faith in love, family, friends, the goodness of human nature, the infallible comedy of Monty Python, the perfection of a fish taco and a beer, and the joy in making snowmen in your pajamas while your neighboors think you have gone looney. As for Christmas, I just think it is nice to set aside a day to show your appreciation for your friends and family, giving little gifts of gratitude to the people whom you need the most in life is just nice. And the retail community tends to agree.

No, you go, I insist...

I recently went ice skating with a friend. His Mom is a former professional figure skater, so naturaly he is a good skater. He came equiped with his own fancy schmancy skates with nice little blade covers and waited in line with me as I rented my worn and stinky hockey skates. He was irritated by the condition of the ice, which looked as if the zamboni hadn't glazed over it for at least a decade, but this didn't bother me in the least; he seemed irritated by how crowded the rink was, the kids falling with out warning right in front of you. I thought it made the ice skating a bit more like dodge ball, it added an extra element of danger on the ice. I really like to go ice skating, but I am complete crap at it. My friend was under the misconception that I actually had a bit of talent on the ice, though I never alluded to this! I had so much fun, and I didn't fall once. I felt as if I was holding my skating partner back though, and I could tell he was thinking the same. He seemed surprised that I could have fun at something that I so blatently suck at, and I do, all the time, is that so odd? I don't seem to have a competitive bone in my body, and I for sure don't mind publicly humiliating myself in the name of fun. Have I no shame? I like to do loads of things that I am total rubbish at, why should the fact that I have no skills at something stop me from having a good time? Apparently, some of my friends actually like to only do things they are good at, with people who are good at these things. I can't imagine anything more dull, but then again, they have decided to keep me on the sidelines to fetch water and cheer them on. I seem to be quite good at that. I love to go karting, ride dirt bikes, go climbing, play football, tennis, ice skating, swimming, play croquet, kickball; these things are loads of fun and they make me happy; and yet I totaly suck at all of them. I just don't see the importance of taking such simple pleasures so seriously, of being a competitive person while doing something for fun, things stop being fun when people play too competitively; there seems to be enough in life to actually take seriously. For the record, my friend said that I was exceptionally mediocre at skating, and that's okay, I don't mind being an exceptionally mediocre ice skater. Being mediocre at the things in life that are really important, the things that really matter, well, that would be unbearable.