Vox’s posts tagged pride

seagull century

nobody@vox.com(hotrod) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:38:18 +0000

Fuck. Yeah. Total time -- 6:40:ish. Actual ride time -- 5:28:50. I know somebody who earned himself a new bike today.

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How to Unite in Diversity

nobody@vox.com(Lance Rivas) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:52:52 +0000

I watched the worst opening in history the other day! Heroes. TERRIBLE!!! I love the show, at least the first season. It was unique, it was "purple cow". For those of you who dont know why I keep referring to a purple cow is because of a book by Seth Godin called.... guess..... you got it, its "Purple Cow". it's main point is market something unique in a mass of bland products. I apply that to everything. My music, my photography, my movies, my everything. How can I make something thats already been done and is basically a product that everyone already has and make something that looks completely different. Anyways, thats the basis for my rant. Heroes was good for a season because it was unique. So in all, today I want to know how to make teamwork and connecting together pieces that normally wouldn't fit something... unique.

I've noticed something in people. People, including myself, don't like it when someone tells us to do something. No matter what it is. It's almost offensive in nature when they utter the words "hey do this" or "Its not your job to do this". Know what I'm saying? So I've noticed that because of this we tend to build up jealousy because of that one person. We start to break down in communication and in relation with the other people. One thing can cause separation in the group, all because of jealousy.

What if leadership was something that everyone could do AND make it work. Wouldn't that look chaotic? To have everyone in charge of everyone? It's IMPOSSIBLE.

So in this rambling, how do we unite people in their differences without causing a breakdown in communication? By letting them know that they are in charge.

Everyone in a team is important. So we shouldn't worry about who's boss. The deal is everyone needs everyone to make something happen. We all have a part in making the end result work.

So to make unity unique, lets all work together in making everyone know that they have an equal share in opportunity as us. No one in leadership is higher than the "bottom".

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On a Collision Course?

nobody@vox.com(Darryl) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:18:35 +0000

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. An investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn't a technology problem like radar malfunction--or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness.

Each captain was aware of the other ship's presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.

On August 31 at 11:12 P.M. many passengers aboard the Admiral Nakhimov had gone to bed, but some were still on deck, listening and dancing to a jazz band. They could only watch helplessly as the Pyotr Vasyov, a freighter carrying oats and barley, rammed their starboard side. Seven minutes later, the Admiral Nakhimov sank. Of the 1,234 aboard, 423 lost their lives.

A year later, both captains were found guilty of negligence and sentenced to 15 years in prison. To this day, the Admiral Nakhimov lies on its starboard side, 150 feet underwater in Tsemes Bay.

My friends, pride and human stubbornness gets in the way of humility. Writing to the Christians in Philippi, Paul advised, "In humility consider others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3b NIV).

That's still good advice. That's even yet a better way to live. All who who seek to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ, would do well to put off pride and put on humility.

Avoid a Black Sea disaster of your own making. If you are on a collision course with someone or something, you have a decision to make. Do it now. Save yourself and others from your pride and stubbornness.

Consider others better than yourselves. Anything less is negligence, pride, and stubbornness.

With God's help, today I will turn away from pride and stubbornness and count others better than myself. I will look to their interests, knowing that is Christ's way.

Will you join me in this commitment?

I pray you will.

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Allstars Annual Pride Festival

nobody@vox.com(JD) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:25:33 +0000

Today, my friends, is a foray in the North Georgia mountains to attend my first Allstar Pride Festival. They apparently have a lower field where the pride will be held so I'm thinking that Clayton, GA is using a public sports facility for a pride event. Big thing for a small country mountain town, but many of us are heading to the burbs for a more peaceful life out of the urban chaos that has become so unpleasant much of the time. So, we're looking forward to spending the day with our new friend, Tim and our old friend Eric up in the thick of the maple trees and cool moutain air.

It's slated to be in the 70's today and there's not a cloud in the sky so we're looking to get some sun and then enjoy an evening with some folks and hoping to meet some new folks and make some possible new friends! We'll see where today takes us.

Life is an adventure so we're being adventurous. Boy, we mountain people know how to live it up don't we? (laugh, you're supposed to!)

Peace to you all and enjoy your weekend wherever it may take you!

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Pictures in Old Books...

nobody@vox.com(JadeMidori) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:21:36 +0000

So do you hide your pictures of me?
Stuff them in the middle of your books
In old forgotten cartons,
And all the places she never looks?

Do you smile every time they play our song?
Or do you just close your eyes?
Do you think of farmhouses and laughter?
And cold darkening November skies?

Do you ever think of me?
And all the times that we had?
Do memories of me make you laugh?
Or do they only make you sad?

Did you ever read my letter?
The one I wrote right after we fought
I wanted you to know I was sorry
but in my pride I was caught...

Do you wonder if I still love you?
But I don't think that can be
I jus wrote this song coz, darling,
I was going through some old books you see...

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Why Colin Firth Will Always Reign Supreme as Mr. Darcy

nobody@vox.com(Saris) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:39:32 +0000

Oh yes. Colin Firth. The name brings a smile to my face, a melty-ness to my heart and a mental picture of him as Mr. Darcy to my mind. Which makes me happy. I'm sitting in my living room right now, watching the best version of Pride and Prejudice known to man. And since I have watched it so many times, I am also quoting it and probably driving my roommate nuts.

But it's okay.

Because I spot him. Colin Firth in the scene where he slights Lizzy for a dance. And he opens his mouth and it's brilliance. (I slowly - wait - no - quickly see this turning into a drool fest... I can't help it!) Mr. Darcy, for all his coldness, is amazing. One of the best literary characters ev.er. And Firth does an AMAZING job at portraying all his emotional complexity, sometimes without saying a word. Such as here:

PrideDarcyClose

Oh hello Mr. Darcy. What's that you say? Elizabeth is looking stunning even as she's attempting to strain hitting the high notes? Clearly you are a man lost in love...

Now, there may be people out there who are fans of what I like to call the 'flat-chested' version OR the "no one who wrote the script read the book" version... or as it's commonly known as: the Kiera Knightly version.

Now I am not myself a Kiera fan. I tolerated her in the Pirates of the Caribbean merely because Johnny Depp rocked that series. But honestly - while I've seen Matthew McFadyen in other things and he's a good actor - he's no Darcy. Watching it, minus the rain engagement scene (pictured below: he was very hot in this scene of the movie... very hot. And also when he was walking across the field in the sunrise toward the end...)

A Little Crazed in the Eyes

*Ahem* Anyway... suffice it to say, despite the younger eye candy he represented, I felt that his Darcy could, in no way stand up to Colin Firth's. I know that I was probably incredibly biased going into the movie. And I do own this version. But still... he's no Colin Firth. I'm sure he's probably sick to death of it. And in a another world where the BBC hadn't got a hold of Jane Austen's classic, where Andrew Davies hadn't written an absolutely masterful screenplay, where Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth hadn't pin pointed the roles of two the the most complext characters in literature... McFadyen and Knightly might have been amazing. But alas and alack it is not so. And so as enticing as the engagement scene in the rain is... it will never top the scene where Lizzy and Darcy happen to encounter each other after Darcy has decided to take a jump in the lake...

Darcy

And a few more P&P pictures... just because...

Lizzy and Darcy 2

GAH! So beautiful together! I seriously think that if Jane Austen had met Colin Firth she would have based Mr Darcy off him anyway...

Lizzy and Darcy

*sigh* I don't think it gets any better than this. Amazing acting, dialouge, chemistry... yes. Thank you BBC and the casting directors for making this version first. Because it is amazing!

Okay. I'm done for now. Promise.

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Worth 9,000 Words

nobody@vox.com(Design Shark) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:53:19 +0000

So, I thought that I would show in pictures what all I've been so hard at work for...

The (old) door to my 2nd floor unit, posted clearly with eviction notice. You'll also notice the huge crack by the dead bolt from the queens kicking in the door:

Evicted, Biznitches!

Next, you'll note the property damage that this did to the door FRAME:

Door Frame Damage

Then, you'll see that we did a lot of work on the door tonight. I have new STEEL doors for all entries:

4033 A

This Is What Installing A New Door Looks Like

Happy House

New Doors!

Next, you'll see the BEAUTIFUL new kitchen we installed:

New Kitchen!

I really should post how it looked before, but I'll wait until another day.

You'll also see house happy my house looked tonight to feel loved again:

Glows With Anticipation

And now, I'll show you the real reason I love the city. I took this picture about an hour ago, at 11pm my time. Look at my street. There is not a better picture I could have taken thus far to show just how at home I feel here now. I love this house, I love what I'm doing, and everything is going to be okay. Know how I know? Just look:

My Street Is Awesome

Porch lights. Every one of them saying that I'm right where I should be.

It's nearly midnight. The girls move in tomorrow. Everything is (basically) done, yet my mind is reeling...

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The Pride of Mankind

nobody@vox.com(Regina Adonna) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:29:29 +0000

Pride

To me, the news story that came out recently about the atheist senator suing God for Natural Disasters (among other things) is yet another sign of the End Times we live in, and what came to mind for me when I read it was the pure audacity of and unceasing pride of mankind. The haughtiness of even thinking of holding Father in contempt for causing these things to happen to Her creation as if they hadn’t already been warned and are the authority on how the world should be and what should and shouldn’t happen to the people living in it. Please take note that the key word in that previous sentence is HER Creation. For we are all, Her creations and we are living on a planet that is also Her creation and none of it, including our very own lives, belongs to us. It all belongs to Father.

We believe ourselves to be of high intelligence, and yet look what has happened to the world we live in. Our scientists can clone DNA but can they create it? We can create energy from natural resources, but can we create the natural resources? We can discover the many laws of creation, but can we create them? We can predict weather patterns but can we create the weather? We can destroy the earth but can we re-create it? Look at the things that we have done to Father’s creation and to each other. With each passing year the mess we created only gets worse. Could any of us do what She has done and continues to do? This is similar to what Father asked Job in the following scriptures:

Job 38:18-41
18 Have you comprehended the extent of the earth?
Tell [Me], if you know all this.
19 Where is the road to the home of light?
[Do you know] where darkness lives,
20 so you can lead it back to its border?
Are you familiar with the paths to its home?
21 Don't you know? You were already born;
you have lived so long!
22 Have you entered the [place] where the snow is stored?
Or have you seen the storehouses of hail,
23 which I hold in reserve for times of trouble,
for the day of warfare and battle?
24 What road leads to [the place] where light is dispersed?
[Where is the source of] the east wind that spreads across the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the flooding rain
or clears the way for lightning,
26 to bring rain on an uninhabited land,
[on] a desert with no human life,
27 to satisfy the parched wasteland
and cause the grass to sprout?
28 Does the rain have a father?
Who fathered the drops of dew?
29 Whose womb did the ice come from?
Who gave birth to the frost of heaven
30 when water becomes as hard as stone,
and the surface of the watery depths is frozen?
31 Can you fasten the chains of the Pleiades
or loosen the belt of Orion?
32 Can you bring out the constellations in their season
and lead the Bear and her cubs?
33 Do you know the laws of heaven?
Can you impose its authority on earth?
34 Can you command the clouds
so that a flood of water covers you?
35 Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go?
Do they report to you: "Here we are"?
36 Who put wisdom in the heart
or gave the mind understanding?
37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds?
Or who can tilt the water jars of heaven
38 when the dust hardens like cast metal
and the clods [of dirt] stick together?
39 Can you hunt prey for a lioness
or satisfy the appetite of young lions
40 when they crouch in their dens
and lie in wait within their lairs?
41 Who provides the raven's food
when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?

I will not put myself above any of mankind, as I too have been prideful. I too have haughtily taken credit for things that without Father would not be. I am a sinner, just like every other person in mankind and would certainly deserve any number of punishments for my sins if She so chose. None of us, not a single person living on this planet are worthy of the grace that was given us via the sacrifice of Her beloved son Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.

Now you may think, “But I’m a good person. I have a good heart. I’ve never hurt anyone intentionally.” But are you really? Are you perfect? Does Father’s will and your love for Father precede ALL things? And even if it does, do you always do the right thing? Do you take credit for your accomplishments or do you give thanks to Father for them? Do you lean on your own understanding or do you turn to Father for guidance? Do you hold grudges or do you forgive? Do you ask for the forgiveness for those who trespass against you or do you store up hatred in your heart for them? Do you pass judgment on others or do you leave that to Father and Christ? Do you make time for Father or do others come first? Do you seek spiritual wealth or material wealth? Do you show love, compassion and kindness for your fellow man or do you look out only for yourself? Do you place all your faith, love and trust in Father or do you place all your faith in man, love only those who love you and trust no one?

The point is that none of us is perfect. We are all human and therefore we are all sinful. We all stumble. We all have thoughts that are not in line with Father’s Way and we all perform actions that are not in line with Father’s Way. But the thing to realize is that Father does not have to conform to OUR way, we must learn to conform to HER way.

Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His acts.

It has been prophesized that when Father’s wrath is fully upon mankind that many, if not most, will curse Father for what is happening. That their hearts will be hardened against our creator and they will in turn loose their own eternal lives. What they have failed to realize is that our way DOES NOT WORK. This is what Father has shown us in withholding the wrath for as long as She has already. Only Her Way is righteous and anything She does, is out of love. If it were not out of love, would She have withheld Her wrath for as long as She has? I assure you, it is not Her wish that any of Her children should perish. And when I say perish, I do not mean in a physical way I mean in a spiritual way for it is far worse to lose your eternal life than it is your physical.

The Natural Disasters that we have witnessed to be increasing serve as a warning to all of mankind. Call it a wake-up call of sorts. But the thing to also realize is that while human lives are lost, these people are also given the opportunity to accept the truth once they’ve passed over and may still receive eternal life. Though they have lost their physical life and left loved ones behind, they are now in a far better place. As humans we place so much importance to something that in essence only lasts for the blink of an eye in comparison to eternity. We think it such a great tragedy when someone loses his or her life. Why is that? Yes, I’ll agree that it’s sad for those that are left behind but not for them. They are leaving this earth for a far greater place. If this is something that you can’t fathom then you must ask yourself, what is worth more to you? Your human physical life? Or your spiritual eternal life? Father gives you the option to choose.

We have been warned. Out of love we are given a choice. We have been given the free will to either humble ourselves and come to an understanding with the help of Father’s Holy Spirit that all of these things must happen in order for the scales to be balanced and for order to be brought back to creation. Or, we also have the option of doing as the man mentioned in this news story has done and remain in darkness. Either way Father’s wrath WILL come. Evil WILL be wiped off of this planet. Creation WILL be restored to Father’s original plan. Father’s name WILL be vindicated and sanctified before all of creation and Father’s will WILL be done.

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Know Your Limits

nobody@vox.com(JudgeBob) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:58:56 +0000

Sometimes, people just don't pay any attention to the limits. Multiculturalism is one of those areas where many don't

This is what happens

believe in limits. Seems the only folks who remember the value of limits are those who've been required to fight for them to protect our culture, society, and land. I stand in hardy agreement with this veteran. Here these folks are benefiting from the U.S. economy, protective services like the right to do business, own property, live and work in a civilized society, speak freely, go where they will, elect leaders, call on police or fire emergency services, etc., and they want to claim this country for another country? That's a long step too far. Apparently, they thought they were acting in autonomy (without consequence) because as the veteran spoke in the video, "You want to know what can happen, this is what happens."

Similarly, there have been radical numbnuts harassing and attacking military personnel commuting to their jobs and at least one demonstration of a twit spitting on a veteran of the Iraq war. Just as you saw this veteran get upset enough to take action over the disrespect of our national emblem, watch me take action if I catch one of those numbnuts disrespecting the sacrifices of our veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan. Those still under contract and therefor subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice are required to avoid physical conflict within our society even when being disrespected by the fools they fight to keep free. I am under no such constraints. Should you spit on, insult, or harass these protectors in my presence, you can expect to be taken to task by me. One of the greatest failings of the children of the greatest generation was to in failing to take their place in passing on the values taught them by their parents to not suffer fools in regard to the value of national pride and respect for the nation's defenders. William F. Buckley once was in a televised interview with a talking head from the opposition. That individual kept repeating a false charge during the interview and Buckley famously threatened the man on national TV. If we are going to re-instill the values of truth, respect, and courtesy, we have to be willing to pay the consequences to see it accomplished. That's why this veteran gave his name to the rolling camera. He was willing to pay the consequences to insist on respect from the Mexican nationalists. Looks like he got the respect too.

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Greymatter rocked Brighton!

nobody@vox.com(Greymatter) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:53:33 +0000

What a fantastic weekend at Brighton Pride! The weather held, the crowds came, and Greymatter rocked!

There's a video on the YouTube profile which gets across the amazing atmostphere much better than any words which could be put on here - http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=greymatterinfo

Emma (vocalist) and Jules (lead guitar, trumpet) were on Radio Reverb's Up & Out show with the lovely Cat a few days before; Friday afternoon the warm-up continued with Bob (drummer) this time joining Jules in the afternoon chatting with Latest Soup's Jeff on Radio Reverb and playing a couple more songs. Friday night things really started to get going at the Hare & Hounds, packed out with excited party-goers shouting for more. Then on Saturday the sun came out and the things got all hot and sexy - bursting the Women's Performance Tent at the seams during the afternoon to rapturous screams and applause, and later providing a briliant night's entertainment to a crowd of happy revellers at the Joogleberry (now the Latest Music Bar).

An amazing weekend of hard work leaving Greymatter grinning from ear to ear, loving every minute! Big thanks to the folk at Brighton for all their organisation and hard work - Sheila, Seffy, Cat, Al, Amanda... - and all the amazing fans (including lots of new ones!) for their lively support.

If you love music and want a lively happy night out that'll leave you buzzing, then come along to see them play live - tonight it's the Spice of Life in the heart of London for a Substance Music night with Lucky Elephant and Autorotation. If you come and sign up, you get a free beer or free entry next time!

See you there :)

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So many rainbow bracelets!

nobody@vox.com(kiddoschainmaille) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:26:29 +0000

European 4-1 Rainbow Bracelet

Well, I'm sure this will be a shock, but I will go ahead and say it: I love rainbows. Thus, I have created a whole line of rainbow jewelry for other rainbowbow lovers like my self. This one to the right seems to have gained the most interest so far. But I have a few others, like the rainbow 2 in 2 and the rainbow tiny flowers bracelet. I also have 2 different stretchy rainbow bracelets like the half persian 3-1 that is for sell in my shop and a european 4-1 that is not yet for sale in my shop, but will be soon. Its like the larger picture only it uses stretchy colored rings that are a bit larger than the one in this picture.

I've also added a couple of non rainbow items like this turqoise and silver byzantine bracelet and this pink, orance and silver barrel bracelet.

Pink and Orange Barrel

Byzantine Bracelet

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I'm going to be an astronaut

nobody@vox.com(Oysterboy) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:39:38 +0000

I'm writing a cover letter to be an astronaut. This is not something I've ever done before so it will be interesting to see what sort of response I get depending on what I write. There's a good chance that whatever I write on there will go to waste since I'm not a very good candidate to be an astronaut, academically. I might be a nice guy and maybe in a world where crazy things happen, a nice guy is enough to be an astronaut. On the other hand, a nice guy wouldn't be able to take care of the space station if it starts to break down and a nice guy may be too much in awe of the Earth to consider doing a space walk. Well, sometimes you have to follow some stupid dreams and I'm in the running (only 4000 people competing with me) so I might as well give it a shot. Out of the thousands of applicants, to have made it this far is a huge success! i'm going to be an astronaut? Yes. Positive thinking!

There are the deets about the program for those who are interested:
CSA Astronaut Corps

On another note, I stumbled upon a cool site that is tracking our CO2 emissions:
Breathing Earth

Random happenings:
1. A little girl told me she liked me because I let her bet a dead bat. This impressed a fellow volunteer to laugh.
2. I'm going to be an astronaut!
3. I'm going to the gay pride parade in vancouver tomorrow. I need something to wear or not.
4. I'm getting myself liquroed up so I don't care about my astronaut application. I need to relax into it.

Aoi sora

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Brighton here we come...

nobody@vox.com(Greymatter) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:51:12 +0000

Just a quick post to share the excitement of this coming weekend when Greymatter will be playing 3 gigs in Brighton.. on Friday at the Hare & Hounds, on Saturday afternoon at Brighton Pride, and on Saturday night at the Joogleberry..

(more details of those dates on MySpace)

If any of you are down that way please make sure you pop in and say hello!

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Emperor Theophilus and Kassia

nobody@vox.com(katyag85) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:37:07 +0000

She wrote many hymns for the Christian liturgy; the most famous being the Hymn of Kassiani. Tradition says that later Emperor Theophilus who was still in love with her wished to see her one more time before he died. So he rode to the monastery where she resided. Kassia was writing her Hymn when she heard the Emperor looking for her. She was still in love with him but now she was devoted to God and she hid away because she did not want to let her passion overcome her religious feelings, but she left her unfinished Hymn on the table.

Theophilus found her cell and entered it alone. He looked for her but she was not there; she was hiding in a closet, watching him. Theophilus felt very sad, cried, and regretted that for a moment of pride he rejected such a beautiful and intellectual woman; then he noticed the papers on the table and he read them. When he was done reading he sat on the chair and finished the Hymn which Kassia had started writing and then he left. Legend says that as he was leaving he noticed Kassia in the closet but he did not speak to her; he just left. Kassia emerged when Theophilus was gone and he read what he had written and she cried.

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A little less isolated today

nobody@vox.com(Huntress) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:00:56 +0000

I’m an introvert. This means that when I feel tired or stressed, my default reaction is to pull back from people and to spend more time by myself. And I enjoy my solitude. Lately, I have been spending a LOT of time by myself.

Today, however, I had a social function which I had to attend. We had a brief meeting and then a barbeque in someone’s backyard, and we sat around and chatted and just hung out for hours. It was absolutely great. After the little meeting, there was absolutely no pressure on me to do anything at all … I could simply be, and enjoy being in the presence of some wonderful people who seemed to enjoy having me around too. It was amazingly refreshing and something that I obviously needed.

Another “funny” thing happened today, before the barbeque. My parents called me, and in the course of our conversation mentioned that one of my younger cousins had had her heart broken by her (now ex-)boyfriend. My parents were really sympathetic toward her and expressed an understanding that she had expected, after two years of going steady, that she would end up married to this young man. Her father (my uncle), of whom my experience is mostly his cynicism and poorly-concealed disapproval of most people, apparently couldn’t bear his daughter’s misery and flew from Ontario to California to comfort her and bring her back for a family visit. All this surprised me because there were no insinuations from my parents that my cousin had been weak or whatever (my father’s response whenever my brother or I show any possibility of a vulnerability), but that instead there was just love and acceptance. It was foreign to me, and made me aware of just how many defenses/masks I use to protect my pride against others’ judgment, criticism, and pity. There’s probably a lot of wasted energy in that. And yet I don’t trust my father in particular to show the same respect and trust in me that he did for my cousin. Sigh.

It just makes me more determined than ever to nurture and foster the relationships in my life that are encouraging, open, and supportive.

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something needs to be said

nobody@vox.com(Temothy) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:31:31 +0000

i doubt the person i am writing about will ever read this. i posted it on my xanga, but she doesn't read that either. but i felt i should say it textually, as writing helps me cope with certain things.

recently, in the last 24-36 hours, a sibling of mine (i'm not saying which one) has taken great offense at the fact that one of my other family members is angry with God (that's right, I spelled it with a capital G, meaning THE Christian God) at the moment for reasons I'm NOT going to explain, to anyone unless i choose to (so don't ask.) all i'll say is it's something big, and if it happened to you, you'd probably be angry at/with God too...

anyway, here's what i posted on xanga.

and i feel that it needs to be said, even if it's never read by the intended...

---------------------------------------------------------------

An Open Letter to My Christian Sibling

i believe in...
- active non-violence (pacifism, despite how angry i might get)
- benevolence to strangers and enemies (mediation and compromise among both sides of an argument, offering help and advice to someone who obviously needs it)
- the healing power of prayer (though i may not pray to the same god of the same name)
- perfection (or rather, understanding that i can't be perfect, but i can always do and try my best at what i apply my effort to)
- compassion and humaneness (though sometimes i can be irritating, i care for others, and stand up for those who can't, and care for those who cannot care for themselves)
- correction of others, supportively (constructive criticism is the best way to help someone who just can't seem to get the most out of what they've got, and it's always a double edged sword. as such, i'm always open to receiving it myself.
- equality and inclusiveness (being from a poor, working class family, i've never had the need to see dividing lines between people; all of my friends come from different backgrounds and beliefs, and everyone has a voice)
- financial and/or other support of church (though i am of a different faith, i never forget where i came from, and understand that people are there to help. i donate not out of guilt, but out of love for others, and donating to churches are an avenue to help people, even if my help is only indirect)
- forgiveness to all, including enemies (i get mad, but so does everyone. even higher powers get mad sometimes. and no matter how angry and pissed off i get at someone, at some point, i do let it go. and to let it go, i do forgive them, even if just a little, so that i myself can move on and not be weighted down by what has been, but can look forward to what will and can be)
- generosity to all, including enemies (it's a fundamental moral of all faiths, of all beliefs. "do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." i call it the rule of 3. what i give out to the world, it comes back to me three times the intensity and strength. why be mean when you can be good and kind and helpful?)
- honesty (because basically, lies and deceit cause more trouble than it takes the time to think them up)
- humility and modesty (i respect other's opinions. i don't go flashing my cash around. i don't flaunt what i have in front of others. i don't "air my dirty laundry in public", save for blowing off steam on a blog or two. even then, i keep most certain details very private; i am better than some, but not everyone, and there is always people better than myself)
- justice (everyone gets what they give. if it's bad, they get the bad. if it's good, they get the good. consequences come in all shapes and flavors.)
- marraige sanctity (though legally in most places, i cannot be "married" in the traditional sense, i hold sacred being with one person only, giving all of yourself to someone else in a bond that can't be easily broken, not only marrying the person physically, but spiritually too. to break that bond of trust is tragic. to cheat on someone you love, someone you have given yourself to so deeply, it's the worst you could do.)
- mercy (when you've got the upperhand, allowing the other person to catch up. when someone is suffering, help them out. when someone has wronged you, give a second chance.)
- overcomming evil with good (staying positive, and looking at the bright side. if you wallow in self-pity, in self-doubt, you'll never get anything done at all)

- purity (being open and honest, true and steadfast in your ideals and beliefs. being true to yourself, and all you hold sacred - be it in a thick book of ancient tales, or in a giant flying speghetti monster)
- repentance (owning up to mistakes, correcting them, and understanding why you made them)
- unconditional love for all, including enemies (even when you've been hurt by someone you cared about, overcomming the anger and eventually, on some level somehow wishing them just a little bit of good in their life, even if it doesn't involve yourself at all.)
- wisdom (nobody knows everything. there is always something someone else can teach you. to think you know it all is just being a fool.)
- women and men in leadership roles (everyone is equal in the eyes of the universe. some people are better at things than others... for a bit of a barbaric example... most women understand children better than most men because they give birth to them, they [generally] are the primary caretakers, and they are biologically more suited to dealing with emotional stress, whereas most men can probably rebuild a transmission with little difficulty than most women [yes, i understand this example is a bit barbaric and primative, but it's just for the sake of simplifying things] and it's these "she's better at... he's the best at..." type of qualities that gives men and women both the strength they need to succeed and do well.)

All of these values have been the core of many a religion. All of these values, I know, are the same as your's, though our interpretations and applications differ. We were raised in the same household, under the same watchful eyes and with the same values instilled in us.But why, my own flesh and blood, my sibling, can't you accept the fact that though I may believe in the same values, the same principals as you, I am not of your personal faith and beliefs? Why does it offend you so, that I think differently than you, when the basis and values of our beliefs are the same?

I was a Christian once, long ago in my childhood. I am not one now.

And I will not hide myself from you, nor others, any longer just for the sake of "keeping the peace." My gay cannot be "prayed away" or beaten from me mentally with a holy book. My opinions and thoughts cannot and will not be changed just because someone else doesn't accept me for who and what I am. I am not broken, I don't need to be fixed. I am not in danger, I do not need to be saved. My soul is not going to burn in hellfire and eternal damnation because that is not what I believe. (Wasn't it God, or rather, the Word of God, that says, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Whatever you hold true on earth, He shall hold true in the Kingdom of Heaven"? If that is, in fact, the Word of God, the almighty and unchangable truth, then what I believe to be true is true. What you believe to be true, is true. If I believe there's a flying speghetti monster, then by the gods, when I die, I'll get to meet the flying spaghetti monster!)

If my second outing of myself drives a wedge between us, then so be it. I cannot take the oppression I have felt for the last 8 years of my life a single second longer.

I am a pagan. I practice magic, I practice spellcasting, I practice drumming and healing, and chanting, and have been developing my personal psychic abilities. I believe in reincarnation, karma, and alien life forms in space. I am clairaudient, I am clairsentient. I read tarot cards, and oracle cards, and playing cards. I scry with stones and mirrors. I use a pendulum. I read books on alternative thought forms, and I occasionally astral project when the mood strikes me.

I am a practicing pagan.

And I am proud.

--------------------

ALL of the values and morals listed can be found on the following webpage:

http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/genuine-christianity.htm

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HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE

nobody@vox.com(lovetheword) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:05:59 +0000

[38]

THE PHARISEE AND TAX COLLECTOR

Read: Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. Luke 18:11 NKJV

* * *

This religious leader may have had much to be proud of in avoiding gross sin, but he missed the fact that he was still a sinner. Salvation comes through repentance, and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The tax collector, so despised for his sin, had it right. He, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (18:13)

The Pharisee was like the rich young ruler who thought he could gain eternal life by doing good works. We must all come by way of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. Only then can we do genuinely good works, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

* * *

Lord, forgive me when I am guilty of looking down on someone I judge to be more sinful than I. As You have extended mercy to me, I must desire mercy for others. You look beyond the outward appearance and see our hearts. Help me to discern the heart attitudes of my children and teach them humility by example.

* * *

". . . everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 NKJV

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Having a ball... a whirlyball

nobody@vox.com(Dale) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:27:59 +0000

This was a good weekend. I am going to mention a bunch of people's names - they're mostly co-workers, don't worry.

We had wanted to see WALL-E on Friday, and even arranged to do so with our friends Jason and Brad, but two things transpired to prevent us. First, the showing we wanted to go to sold out right before I could order tickets online. Then Jason had to stay late at work because of a production issue. In the end, we just ate at Chili's (mmm, bacon and beef in a bun) then watched an entire disc of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

Saturday was chores day, so we tidied the crap out of the house, got lunch then Jess went home while I got a haircut. My mane was growing increasingly impossible to deal with and horrible to look at, so it had to be removed. We didn't get long to bum around before we met Doug, got in a cab and headed to Lindsay and Laura's surprise birthday party... at WHIRLYBALL!!!

Whirlyball is awesome. You're in a dodgem car that has a foot pedal and a crank for steering. While steering with one hand, you hold a plastic lacrosse-style net and attempt to throw a small ball at a circle of mesh on a baseball backboard with the other. As well as Jess, Doug, Lindsay, Laura and myself, there was Jeff, Lindsay's husband Doug and a ton of their friends and family. I felt slightly odd crashing into a cousin or brother in an attempt to get the ball, but it was wicked fun. I think I have found my "sport".

Also, for the record, Lindsay's dad owned.

From there, we headed to a bar called Schoolyard for the drinking. More and more people came along as the night progressed - Kristian, Jason, Brad, Brandon, other Jason, Mike and Betsy, and more of the birthday girls' family and friends. Everyone seemed to get along, and we were out till after midnight, at which point we turned into (very drunk) pumpkins and made our way home.

I woke up feeling as fit as a fiddle, possibly aided by drinking piss weak Miller Light all night, but Jess seemed mucho hungovero. Despite that, we managed to get our shit together and walk on up to the corner near Jason and Brad's place to watch the Chicago Gay Pride Parade. The parade had only just started when we got there, and it turned out to be a long old haul. People joined us - Kristian and his brother Kristopher, Jason and Brad's friend Karen, Doug and his friend Jess, another girl called Shelly... I have no idea who she was.

Several hours and two rain-induced interuptions later, we headed to get food, eating at a pizza place called Purgatory Pizza. We were ravenous, and after waving other people's food by our faces for what seemed like forever, they finally brought our pizza out... except they got it wrong. In the end, they gave us the wrong pizza, a smaller version of what we actually ordered and all our drinks for $6. We felt bad, though, and left a huge tip. The pizza itself was tasty... with a really crispy base.

And that was our weekend.

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