Sunday, November 16, 2008
Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, reads his hate mail. This is a great example of how Christians are the ultimate hypocrites.
Christians are such wonderful people...
Posted by
Markoni
Theremin Hero
Posted by
Markoni
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A theremin is one of the earliest electronic instruments and was invented by Léon Theremin in Russia at the end of World War I. It is unique in that it is played without the musician (aka thereminist) making physical contact with the instrument. A traditional theremin has two antennas which independently control the frequency (pitch) and amplitude (volume). Its sound is most commonly associated with B-grade science-fiction movies of the 1950's.
Although never an overwhelming commercial success, various incarnations of the theremin have been manufactured over the years and new ones are still available today. They range from inexpensive enthusiast versions all the way to professional concert models. Theremins can also be purchased in kit form.
Now that you've learned something, here's a feline thereminist to entertain you:
Shit. It's November...
Posted by
Doodface
Friday, November 7, 2008
Dammit.. here we go.
Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and Christmas soon after. I FUCKING HATE holidays. And not just the "Big ones", I hate them all. Yes, I am a grumpy bastard, and fuck you for asking.
Holidays are times of guilt, judgement, spending, failed expectations, forced emotions, and unwanted guests. Even the "fun" holidays bring with them false expectations..
"Hey, what are you guys doing for labor day??"
"Well I was going to sleep in, watch TV, and generally be a lazy sack of shit.. But now that I have to give my plans, I guess I will go out to a lake / waterpark / BBQ / party to make sure that my holiday wasn't lame!"
I especially hate the religious holidays. I am an Athiest, as is my wife. BUT we have a daughter, and I can't deny her Christmas and Easter! SO, just for her, we pretend to "Celebrate" someone else's fairytale.
Back to my basic reasons for this hatred:
- guilt:
I always have a feeling a guilt hanging over me on a holiday. On someone's birthday, I feel guilty that I didn't do more. On New Year's Eve, I feel guilty that we're not doing something more exciting. I never feel like I am celebrating holidays, I am always surviving them.
- judgement
I never feel like I am living up to other people's expectations on what I should be doing for a holiday. Either I didn't do enough for my wife / daughter / friend, or I didn't celebrate it effectively. I dread the question "So, what did you guys do for the holiday?" or "What did you get your daughter for her birthday?" Like I am always being graded on the answer.
- spending
It's Christmas, time to max out your credit cards!! If you dont buy more than you can afford, you must not really love your family! The most expensive things I have bought my daughter are the ones she cares about the least. However, the $1 puzzles from Target are her favorites. Fuck you and your consumerism.
- failed expectations
America now starts celebrating Christmas at the end of September. 3 months of building up to a few minutes of joy (my daughter opening presents) followed by hours of annoyance (driving around to see all 4 set of parents). Or Thanksgiving, where you spend hours and hours preparing a meal that gets devoured in 10 minutes. Woo hoo.
- forced emotions
"Hey!!! Look how happy we are!!!"
"Why? Did something good happen?"
"NO!! We are happy because the calendar says it's time!"
I don't like pretending to be happy. I don't want to celebrate these fucking holidays.
- unwanted guests
Pretty self explanatory. The holidays force us to see a lot of people that we otherwise would like to avoid (mostly ones we are related to). Joy.
I apologize if you are all in to the holidays, and I just pooped in your cornflakes, but I had to vent. It's either this, or back to throwing puppies in the woodchipper.
Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Funeral for Obama's Grandmother
The Westboro Baptist Church have indicated in a press release that they will be picketing the funeral of Madelyn Payne Dunham, the grandmother of President-elect Barack Obama, who passed way just two days before the historic election. Madelyn and Stanley Dunham raised their grandson from the age of ten in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the same high rise apartment where lived until she succumbed to cancer at the age of 86.
From their press release, the Westboro Baptist Church states:
Obama says his grandmother Dunham raised him, and, her "influence on his manner and the way he viewed the world was substantial." If so, then she has much to answer for as she stands before the Lord. Obama says he will use the White House as a Bully Pulpit to advance the cause of murdering more babies and same-sex marriage. "God hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by Christ." Acts 17:31.
The Westboro Baptist Church, classified by some as a hate group, is generally ostracized by other religious organizations. They describe themselves as following the principles of Primitive Baptists and Calvinists, however this notion is rejected by most mainstream followers of those Christian ideologies.
The WBC is best known for their protests at the funerals of members of the US armed forces. A group of motorcycle enthusiasts calling themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, comprised mostly of veterans, was initially formed to shield family members and other mourners from WBC protesters. The group now reports over 130,000 members and has expanded their efforts to honor fallen law enforcement officers and fire department personnel. They also attend welcome home events for soldiers and do volunteer work for veteran's organizations.
Ernie for President!!!
Posted by
Doodface
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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VOTE
No amusements or platitudes this time. Get out there and vote. Today is the day that we, as Americans, exercise our part in the system. We are a representative republic, and without the votes of the people, the system will fail.
Though it is obvious where our political leanings are, who you vote for ultimately doesn't matter. What matters is that you take part in the process, that you make your voice heard, regardless of the name it speaks.
I'd go off on some lofty tear about how this is "an historical election", bla bla bla, but the fact is, they're ALL historical in their own way.
The point is, get out there and fulfill your civic duty. Cast your vote in the way you see fit, but CAST IT.
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