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Michael Palin
Jun. 26th, 2007 08:15 amI have heard that there is a book on its way to America called The Python Diaries by Michael Palin. He apparently has kept a diary since 1969, and this first volume dates from 1969 to 1979.
Jun. 26th, 2007
A Dark Day For Reason
Jun. 26th, 2007 12:14 pmToday on my morning subway ride, a very self-righteous man placed himself squarely in the center of my crowded train car and began to preach jesus-babble very loudly to his captive audience.
I got pissed. Subway cars are not the place for forcing viral memes on people. I fought back by shouting about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and a fellow near me started laughing and we both preached about pirates and His Noodly Appendage. Other folks laughed too, but Nutjob didn't want to stop. A young black woman (who was larger even than me) actually admonished me for telling the guy to shut up and not force his views on people in the subway, and I said "Preach in a church, not a subway car!" She wouldn't actually face me to confront me though, her words came at me over her shoulder. Another guy getting off the car with me gave me further encouragement, saying that Nutjob's preaching really was uncalled for.
What I should have said was: "Religious jerks like you caused 9/11." I'm sure that would have given him a tiny pause, and maybe made more people on the train think some more.
It's also sad that the separation of church and state was dealt a blow today by the ridiculously Republican-leaning Supreme Court, essentially shutting the door on taxpayers who have a grievance against their tax dollars going to religious organizations. The Republicans really made a dark pact when they told religious groups: "Give us your vote, and we'll give you money." But maybe they don't care that they're feeding unreason and encouraging the growth of megachurches and extremist Christians, or making policy decisions for all people based on ridiculous religious texts rather than science and reality.
I got pissed. Subway cars are not the place for forcing viral memes on people. I fought back by shouting about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and a fellow near me started laughing and we both preached about pirates and His Noodly Appendage. Other folks laughed too, but Nutjob didn't want to stop. A young black woman (who was larger even than me) actually admonished me for telling the guy to shut up and not force his views on people in the subway, and I said "Preach in a church, not a subway car!" She wouldn't actually face me to confront me though, her words came at me over her shoulder. Another guy getting off the car with me gave me further encouragement, saying that Nutjob's preaching really was uncalled for.
What I should have said was: "Religious jerks like you caused 9/11." I'm sure that would have given him a tiny pause, and maybe made more people on the train think some more.
It's also sad that the separation of church and state was dealt a blow today by the ridiculously Republican-leaning Supreme Court, essentially shutting the door on taxpayers who have a grievance against their tax dollars going to religious organizations. The Republicans really made a dark pact when they told religious groups: "Give us your vote, and we'll give you money." But maybe they don't care that they're feeding unreason and encouraging the growth of megachurches and extremist Christians, or making policy decisions for all people based on ridiculous religious texts rather than science and reality.
More Sleep or More Coffee?
Jun. 26th, 2007 03:40 pmI'm not sure yet what I need more of... but I was just looking at a ream of printer paper beside me, and my brain told me that it read: "WHO SHOT W.B.MASON"
Who indeed?? Print this side first.
Who indeed?? Print this side first.
SquareSpace Blog Update-itude
Jun. 26th, 2007 05:35 pmI've had about 250 visitors over the past month, and now have 55 subscribers to The Bon Vivant of Brooklyn. I've also earned a couple bucks in ad revenue; if my growth rate continues, I might just cover the cost of the blog in a year.