Hergest Ridge

Saturday I did some cleaning in preparation for my new, on-site job. Since I’ll be out a lot, I knew that cleaning would be the last thing on my mind when I got home. Instead of the usual procrastination during the cleaning, I set myself a time limit for each area. If all wasn’t done by the end of the alloted time, too bad. The end result was a lot of rushing. Now that’s efficient! I recommend the system to all.

While some areas are not quite complete, I still feel better than the usual “I still have to do this, and this, and that” which inevitably led to “Well, I can’t finish it all now. Might as well leave it for a day I can!” Everything is either done, or nearly so.

As much excitement as a cleaning rundown has to offer, I’ll move on to other subjects.

Just found out about a ‘book club’ where Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith” will be debated. Yummy. There’s an event I’m not likely to miss! I am not sure what would be more exciting, talking with people who agree with Sam, or those that disagree. For the most part, I’m with Sam, but there are details where we couldn’t be further apart. Areas in which Christopher Hitchens and Sam might see more eye to eye.

That’s as exciting as things got around here last couple of days. :)

The on-site part time work starting on Monday has the potential to become a full time position. I did have the option to go full time right off the bat, but am not comfortable selling my company for the very little money I was offered. The current plan, with all its shortcomings does carry a few positives which I’m trying to focus on. First of, I’m working that much harder on my company. The better my company does, the less viable a sale will become under the offer on table. Second positive is the bit of extra money that will trickle in, money I reserve the right to spend on an European vacation later this fall. Between those two points, I can’t complain about the situation. :)

Last night I went to lie down before it was even dark. Didn’t set the alarm to wake me in an hour, because I thought the Beautiful Cynic would call and wake me. She thought I’d call and wake her, and also lied down without setting an alarm. Needless to say, we both woke up this morning in our own beds wondering why the other hadn’t called.

After a decent run of daily postings, I skipped the Friday entry. Anyway, you shouldn’t get used to daily stuff, at least not until I start getting paid to write. :) Today I’m back with three things I want to mention, issues of which most are blissfully unaware. In other words, time for some consciousness raising!

North is not up. North is north, neither up or down, left or right. The geographical description of “Orient” has roots in orientation from the days when east was commonly found at the top of maps. In Australia and New Zeland, maps can be purchased with south at the top, and north at the bottom.

Much of Australia is under heavy water restrictions defined by a scale of 1-8. Residents are only allowed to water their gardens with buckets, and gray water is preferred for doing so. Patrols are out on the streets watching for offenders. If you are caught with a sprinkler on your lawn, washing your car, home siding or sidewalk, etc, your water will be turned down to a trickle. Let’s implement some of Australia’s water conservation methods, before they become law everywhere.

“Kathy, a Liberal six year old, enjoys playing with her Conservative friend Amanda - also six years old - and Socialist Sylvia, whom is turning seven this month.” Ridiculous, right? Yet few see anything wrong with “Kathy, a Christian six year old, enjoys playing with her Jewish friend Amanda - also six years old - and Muslim Sylvia, whom is turning seven this month.”

Six year old Kathy is as much Liberal as she is Christian. She and her friends are too young to have their own opinion on political or religious views. If you must mix religion into the description, the best you can say is “Kathy, of Christian parents.”

Paranoia does wonderful things for taming the beast. Individuals spend money like there is no tomorrow, and virtually any freedom is willingly surrendered in exchange for the illusion of security. Those in power take credit for a healthy economy while passing a lot of controversial and self-serving Bills that give them more power.

In the recent spot light are Security Certificates that allow the Government of Canada to lock up anyone without charges, legal representation, or any other rights granted to Canadians under the Charter of Rights. (Original CBC Story)

I missed the name of the pro-security certificates individual interviewed for this story so I’m not making a name reference. What he fails to realise is that EVERYONE has the potential to be a terrorist. There is no terrorist gene. It’s a product of society. Issuing “Security Certificates” for “potential terrorists” is a witch hunt; An indicator that our country is heading down a dangerous road where Freedom is left behind, eventually to disappear in the rear view mirror.

Yes, I’m still a newbie when it comes to making music, but wanted to have something for comparison purposes down the road. And since I’m on a sharing kick, I decided not to hog the vid and instead show it to the world.

Judges 19:24 Behold, my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.

Judges 19:25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine, and put her out to them. They wantonly raped her, and abused her all through the night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go.

Such was a catechism lesson I received before age ten. A stern nun was in charge of leading the lessons, in a building who’s window overlooked the cobblestone courtyard, with the beautiful old church on the other side. If there are any positive memories of the these lessons, they mostly have root in my appreciation of architecture of many days passed.

There was one part of catechism I enjoyed, and it came when the nun would attach pictures to a canvas, while telling the story they represented. It was the only time her voice didn’t strike fear in the hearts of those present, myself included.

I cannot recall any other lessons as vividly as this one. Maybe this is a result of having found the direct verse used in catechism, and the scraps of memories I have of other lessons would come to equal clarity with the rediscovery of their own representative verses.

The education was a crude kind at best, where no thought is spared to the victim of rape, humiliation and violence. The verses had been portrayed as a beautiful tale of the lengths we all should go to when protecting god’s messengers. What a wonderful sacrifice the owner of the house was making, by offering his own daughter to the wolves!

Times have moved on, and women in religion have finally reached the status of disobedient children (with benefits). No longer treated like cattle, women now have some begrudged rights. Blame their new found freedom on the feminists and TV. Of course, the penis trumps all and the quickest way to wipe out half your sins is through a sex change.

Having experienced such awful lessons of the bible as a boy, I can only speculate what the day in reference did to the psyche of little girls, my sister included. Anyone viewing the bible as the values of a loving god is definitely confused, and when walking, most likely experiences a swinging sensation between their legs (else, the belief might have something to do with taking on the missionary position, in God’s name).