Get off your knees and stand

I've been taking a self-paced training class at a local technical training center for the last month, and I'll typically take a little break half-way through each session to walk around the building in order to avoid DVT's and falling asleep. So yesterday I was strolling around and saw this bumper sticker on a parked vehicle:

Now, I believe in the idea of good and evil. Not as some weird third party, supernatural entity, but the idea that each of us as individuals has the capacity for both, and that the point of living is to foster the former and suppress the latter. Not because some supernatural being tells me to, but because it's right and ethical to do so.


I've studied the practices of religious people enough to know that prayer (or meditation, if you prefer) has intrinsic value to people who do it on a regular basis. From what I've read, the benefits can include lower stress, a calmness of mind, lower heart rate, and other things that can only be described as "good." In my quest to be a non-asshole Atheist, I try to understand the deep personal value people of faith place on prayer.

But this - this idea that "prayer" is the best defense against evil - this I don't get.

While realizing this is flippant, do these people think that if they just pray hard enough, their deity will come on down and smite the evil-doers?  Do they think that praying will force the evil-doers to see the error of their ways and make changes for the better? Really, what does this mean?

From my perspective as an Atheist materialist, the best defense against evil is to stand up. Is your government suppressing a peaceful demonstration against tyranny? Stand up. Do you believe that an invading force needs to be resisted with all the assets at your disposal? Stand up. Do you believe that defending your neighbors against evil is the right thing to do? Stand up.

Most Americans don't find themselves in those situations. But that doesn't mean there are no opportunities to stand up. Take the Patriot Guard Riders, who stand up for the families of fallen veterans against the evil that is the Westboro Baptist Church and their ilk. Or The Innocence Project, who stand up for death row inmates by exonerating the innocent. Sadly, there's plenty of evil in this world, and plenty of chances to stand up, if we choose to do so.

I'm not saying that people of faith don't stand up when it's required. History is full of stories of their bravery, and in many cases, their faith (and their practice of prayer) gave them strength to do what was necessary. But to imply that prayer alone is what defends us from evil? No. People defend us from evil. People of courage and conviction. People who stand up.

Chick Stuff - The Rationalization Edition

One of my distractions when I was in Virginia last week was perusing the "on sale" section of the Fluevog website to ensure there was nothing there I couldn't live without. Which should probably fall under the heading of bad idea, since I'm SUPPOSED to be under a shoe, handbag and jewelry moratorium until I can get a few bills paid.

Silly human.

Here are my new Fluevogs, which I bought because I needed some black shoes that I could wear all day for several days in a row since my business trips tend to be longer these days. Shoes that didn't come from the Juniors section, I mean.*

OMGWTFBBQ. SO COMFY. With or without hose. And funky! Also: Almost 50% off! Go, me!

However, I felt guilty about buying them, so I've decided to finally admit the truth and declare that I cannot wear these fabulous 'vogs:

I've had them for almost two years, and I've worn them once. The issue is that I can no longer wear shoes where the lift is higher than three inches from ball to heel. So While I have some 4" heels in my shoe stable (hello, Michael Kors!), they also have a 1" platform to offset the lift. These, alas, do not, which means I end up with foot cramps and other discomforts. So I'm biting the bullet and selling them on eBay. If they sell, they'll pay for the new ones, and I figure I'll come out even. Which, I have to admit, gets around the moratorium nicely.

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*Yes, I do realize that my shoe fetish is a bit snobbish. I'm okay with that.

The End is Nigh

Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-even more immoral

So Mitt decided on Paul Ryan for his running mate. Because evidently nothing says "My private industry experience will save the country from utter destruction at the hands of the browns and the wimmin" like selecting a running mate who's fed at the public trough his entire life. And the right is apparently completely oblivious to the cognitive dissonance inherent in this choice.

Of course there's always the possibility that they're completely aware of it, and simply don't give a crap because the far more important goal is pandering to those who a) have bought and paid for their politicians, or b) vote against their own interests as a matter of course rather than vote for the scary brown dude and all he represents. So there's that.

Really, it's a sickness

After returning from Virginia on Friday, I got back into my normal exercise routine on this weekend, which meant I ran six miles as soon as I got up on Sunday. And I liked it. If that's not a bona fide sign of the impending apocalypse, then I don't know what is.

Seriously, what is up with this? I have gone from someone who swore the only time she'd run anywhere is if she was being chased by ravaging hoards of giant squids to running six miles three times a week. When I have to skip a day due to circumstances (like business travel), I feel it, and don't like it. It's like I don't even know me anymore, but I think I better accept my new normal and stop being gobsmacked at my new-found physicality. I'm a runner. Word.

As usual, my timing is ghastly

The Parker Fieldhouse, where I go for my strength training and some cardio in the winter, is closed this week for maintenance. Not last week, when I was in Virginia, not next week, when I'll be in Massachusetts. I understand the main rec center is open for Fieldhouse users during this time, but I also understand it's terribly crowded. And we all know how much I LOVE CROWDS. Not. So I'll increase my cardio here at home and redouble my strengthening efforts when we return from WorldCon.

Miscellaneous Monday

On the Road Again

I'm leaving this morning for points east on Global Dynamics business, and I'll return on Friday. And by "leaving this morning" I mean I preposted this because I got up at 3:15 a.m. in order to make a 6:15 a.m. flight. You're welcome.

I'll be getting a rental car this time, so hopefully won't have any more land navigation mishaps. Yeah, right. I'm sure I'll be driving all over the state of Virginia trying to find the hotel before it's all over. Because apparently that's how I roll.

I've decided to take my backpack this time instead of my fabulous raspberry bag - as much as I love the raspberry bag, I'll be gone a week, and the backpack is just easier on my back. Since I'm not meeting with a customer this time, I'm coming down on the side of comfort. What I need is a fabulous Coach patent leather backpack. With a computer compartment and enough room for my shit. You know - something functional rather than those twee backpacks they pretend actually serve a purpose. Are you listening, Coach?

Winter Vacation

I'll be taking the rest of the year off from my University studies. My department is tightening their belts and has decided that Tuition Assistance will be suspended for the rest of the calendar year, and I don't want to rearrange our budget to pay my tuition out of pocket. I'm thinking it's probably for the best in any case - I have a lot to learn right now, including technologies with which I'm unfamiliar, and my brain is becoming full. So instead of International Trade I'll be studying Next Generation 911.

Engineer, Heal Thyself

My arm is looking much better, although I'll certainly be wearing work attire with sleeves this week.

It's too early to tell if I'll need additional treatments at this point, but I certainly hope not. Note to self: Tattoos cost more than ten times as much to remove as to apply. And they look like ass between those two states.

Run Away! Run Away!

My last two runs (Friday and Sunday) were SIX WHOLE MILES. That's right - I ran six miles without stopping at about a thirteen minute pace. While that's slow as shit compared to everyone else, it's pretty damn good for someone who sucks so much at running she's outpaced by the local wiener dogs out on their daily walkies. My knees are apparently holding up under the strain, but my massage therapist tells me my hips are now pretty stiff. Great - something else to worry about. Why couldn't I have developed an interest in fitness when my body was young and strong rather than middle-aged and weak?

LALALA I Can't Hear You

As a matter of self-defense, I've started actively deleting my political Podcasts and skipping political articles in my daily reading. As I noted before, I'm liberal enough that if I decided to vote for Romney it would probably be indicative of a brain tumor rather than a considered political opinion, so I'm not sure why I need to drive up my blood pressure by listening to the candidates and their supporters lie like rugs. So, like my friend Dave* over on Facebook, it's time for me to start a policy of studious ignoring, "Lalala I can't hear you" style. Because I'm mature like that.

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*Not Dave the Historian (although I think he's adopted a similar strategy), Dave the Engineer. I don't think he's ever visited me here.

2012 Flower Pr0n

Burning Flesh

I've been getting a tattoo on my arm removed for the last year or so. This involves getting laser treatments every 6-8 weeks, and then waiting for my blood to carry the ink away so that my liver can process it out of my body. I've had eight treatments, but the last shadows of the ink were being stubborn, so yesterday my technician decided to try a CO2 laser treatment to shake the last of it loose, rather than the light laser we'd used previously.

Attractive, huh? This was taken about about two hours after the treatment. My technician warned me that it would look like this, so I wasn't surprised, but really - yuck. Most of the blood is just pinpoint bleeding that's seeping into the Neosporine that she applied post-treatment, but the Smart Man told me it looked like someone had taken a chainsaw to my arm. Surprisingly, it doesn't hurt that much, but it sure looks as though it ought to. Also? CO2 treatments stink. Like burned flesh.

Aren't you glad I share these personal moments with you?

Seriously - you're embarrassing me

I'm a liberal. I'm a pretty liberal liberal, actually, holding the distinction of being the most liberal member of my family. I want a single payer healthcare system. I think university level education should be paid for by the government (with tougher entrance requirements). I oppose the death penalty on principle. I think social justice is important, and that our society fails at it miserably. I think gay people should be able to marry. Like Andy Borowitz, I think Romney's a douche.

See? LIBERAL.Liberal, liberal, liberal, that's me.

So when this whole "The Chick-Fil-A Corporation conducts themselves like bigoted asshats" came up, I was all, "It's about time other people saw it! I've been boycotting them for years!" And I'll continue to boycott them. Any group that donates money to the Family Research Council is NOT getting a single penny of my money, period. Exposing the political priorities of the corporation and encouraging consumers to "vote with their wallet" is the right thing to do. As Ken over at Popehat notes, expressing your beliefs in your behavior is as natural as breathing air, and a power we all possess.

But that doesn't give you license to be a dumbass, or propose solutions that are worse than the disease.

The Mayor of Boston made some seriously ridiculous comments about how Chick-Fil-A should "stay out of Boston," and those were bad enough. But now a NYC Council Speaker is also on the bash CFA bandwagon, and is rightfully being called to task for it.

Protip: "Equal protection under the law" applies to everyone, not just liberals, not just Democrats, not just conservatives, not just Republicans. EVERYONE. My fellow liberals' grandstanding only serves to feed the completely bogus trope that Christians are somehow a persecuted minority in this country, which they are most definitely not. 

 

Following the law, even when it's inconvenient, even when it protects those whose views you find abhorrent, is the hallmark of our system. It must apply equally to everyone, or it means nothing.

So fellow liberals - just shut the fuck up about running CFA out of town on a rail. If they are accused and convicted of discrimination against gay people, or Muslim people, or Atheist people, THEN you can call for punitive measures. Because then they would be guilty of breaking the law. Right now the only thing they're guilty of is Level 10 Douchebaggery, which, last time I checked, was not a reason to discriminate against them, although it's an excellent reason to stop eating their chicken. Seriously - you're embarrassing me.