jewel January 16th, 2010
Honestly, I don’t get it. Here we are, in the 21st century and there are still people talking about pacts with the devil to explain completely natural events!
Here’s Pat Robertson, of the 700 Club talking about the earthquake in Haiti:
The Haitians “were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever,” Robertson said on his broadcast Wednesday. “And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, ‘We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.’ True story. And so, the devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal.’ “
Seriously? He believes that? Aside from the complete and utter heartlessness of his “explanation”, it doesn’t really sound like his god is all that loving or big on forgiveness. Mr Robertson seems to be light on the compassion as well. Not that this really surprises me, mind you, since he and Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on”the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists…” rather than squarely where the blame really was, which was religion and politics.
jewel November 9th, 2009
Today is Carl Sagan’s 75th birthday. I wish he were still around so that I could tell him just how important his life was to me and many others like me. You see, it was reading his books that got me interested in science and skepticism and critical thinking. His books that made me see the real wonder of the universe. I would not be the person I am today if it weren’t for Dr. Sagan.
I never got to meet him, never got to thank him for everything he did for his fellow humans. Everything he did for me.
If you’ve never read any of his books, I recommend them all, but particularly The Demon Haunted World. If you’ve never seen Cosmos, it’s on Hulu, you should check it out.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~~ Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark
jewel September 29th, 2009
This past weekend, I traveled to Minneapolis, MN and I got to spend some much overdue time with my mom and all my siblings. It was a fantastic time and I cannot express just how glad I am that all of us finally worked seeing one another into our busy schedules (all at the same time!). We talked and ate and ate and ate and played some pool and some Rock Band and even some Wii Bowling (which our mom kicked our collective butts in, I might add – Go Mom!).
We found that even though we are pretty different from one another and have been apart for many many years, we have many similarities with each other. For instance, our sense of humor – we are all absolute smart asses. Also, we are all basically introverts and tend to be shy in unfamiliar situations. Continue Reading »
jewel June 26th, 2009
At least I hope not. Actually, I hope nothing important happens in the next few weeks because it will be completely overshadowed by the death of Michael Jackson. Maybe this sounds callus, but I’m not really sad that he died. I’m not dancing with joy or anything, but I’m not sad. I have no desire to listen to his music non-stop or watch the – no doubt – endless tributes on the television or even read very much on the internet. Except the autopsy report when that’s complete. That I’ll read. It’ll at least be new. Continue Reading »
jewel February 12th, 2009
200 years ago today, Charles Darwin took his first breaths. He grew up to make some of the most important discoveries of his time – and ours. I wish the human race has come as far as science has. The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is still a taboo subject for many people; at least here in the USA.
I, honestly, feel that if the people that don’t accept evolution would learn more about it rather than listening to the Ben Stein’s of the world, they might find out that it does not at all take away anything of who we are. If anything it illustrates just how far we’ve come!
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! Continue Reading »
jewel December 18th, 2008
I just read that Majel Barrett Roddenberry has died of lukemia. I’ve been rewatching Star Trek: The Next Generation and have particularly enjoyed her her Lwaxana Troi character. Sure, she could be annoying, but she was interesting and entertaining and uninhibited. And, hey, she wasn’t my mom.
Also, which I think is particulary cool, her family has requested that in leiu of flowers, that donations be made to Precious Paws or CARE.
Rest in peace, Majel.
jewel May 25th, 2008
Today is Towel Day, honoring the memory of Douglas Adams. So, for today, and 25 May of every year, remember to take your towel with you on your travels.
You sass that hoopy Douglas Adams? Now there’s a frood who knew where his towel was. You are invited
to join your fellow hitch hikers in mourning the loss of the late great one. Join in on towel day to show
your appreciation for the humor and insight that Douglas Adams brought to all our lives.
You’re greatly missed Douglas.
jewel January 24th, 2008
It’s been all over the news the past couple of days. There has been no escaping it. Heath Ledger is dead of, thus far, unknown causes. It makes me a bit sad, actually. When I got home on Tuesday and turned on my computer and started reading the news headlines, there it was. I was shocked. I’ve got to say, of all the celebrities that I would expect to hear such news about, Heath Ledger was not one of them. Continue Reading »
