A slightly different change of pace...

Hey all:

I'm doing OK here in this hotel room in Qualicum Beach. I was staying with the daughter for awhile but my wife wanted to see/hear/smell the ocean - And i don't have a problem with that - so here we are. The apartments I designed will be ready when they're ready. I've got a project lined up that might make a few people some money, but that will have to wait till my wife and I are settled in a little better. I'm picking up a trailer/camper on tuesday. Asking was 9.5 and I picked it up for 7 plus 7% tax. It's in really nice shape. I'll start leveling off a place for it on Monday. It will be nice to be near the jobsite - about 30 feet!

Anyhow, things are fine and I'm still looking for some kind of real work.

Peace
/FMF

Moving On

I moved to Sioux Sioux Lookout back in 1994 to get a job at the Hudson Mill. I was living in Barrie and there was no work, so I moved. Boy was I in for a shock! Nothing open past 6pm (ok maybe Drayton Cash & Carry, the mayfair Theatre and Johnny's). After 6pm the whole town just closes! I couldn't believe it. Needless to say, I did carve out a life for myself & my wife. I spent some time instructing at the local college and Adult Ed program, I was on the Sioux Hudson Employment Services Board (eventually became Chair), I did the occasional website & managed to put together Sioux Gamerz - a local PC LAN gaming league and forged some really good friendships. I would like to say thanks to Chris (Drk_Crx) Young and Gary (Billy from Iowa) Meddick for being good friends.

But alas, It's time to move on. I'd like to see the rest of the world. I'd like to try my hand at Philosophy & Theology. I've finally come to a point in my life where I can say "screw you" to my fears and inhibitions. I've spent the last 40 years worried about trying something new - something that may not work - fail. I guess you can say I learnt a thing or two from my parents.

Anyhow, Thanks for everything Sioux Lookout. See you in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island folks!

Fernando 'DogSnot' Falcao

Same sex bullshit

There was just a recent article published in the May 24 - 05 National Post about all these "religious" folks that rallied together against same-sex marriage. What on this earth is their selfish problem?

One of these religious leaders at the rally says 'We will not accept this crap'(funny, that's what I say about religion). I know that most of the monotheistic religions are exclusive, narrow minded clubs, but to call the idea of two people marrying 'crap' is just plain nasty. Who said they have to "accept" it anyway?

Another person at the rally says "Gay and lesbian couples just do not have the capacity to physically reproduce," said Pearce Lacey, the retired Catholic Toronto bishop. "Marriage serves the needs of society by producing new citizens and educating them." The last time I checked lesbians are still capable of having children and with all the homeless & starving orphans in the world, I don't think that two men not being able to give birth is an issue.

The article goes on to say "There is no such thing as a right to same-sex marriage," this is said Maurice Vellacott, the Tory MP for Saskatoon-Wanukewin. I disagree. The right that religious people are given is the same right that people (regardless of gender and other labels and stereotypes) have to get married.

This part is what really gets my goat "In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," read another placard. Hundreds waved "Defend Marriage" signs printed by the Knights of Columbus. First of all, who's beginning? What God are we referring to? Am I to assume that this god that the Knights of Columbus are talking about created a man & a woman? What kind of poppycock is that? This type of belief defies logic. And what the hell does being created have anything to do with marriage? But these people have the "right" to their religious beliefs - and I understand that.

The opponents of same sex marriage need to realize that the world does not exist for them. This world is here for all of us. I think that most of us want to live a happy life, but I'm not sure we can do that when we've got a group of people telling us how we as individuals should live. Besides, if you religious folk think that same-sex marriage is such a big deal, complain to your god - let him deal with these people at the time of judgment (gag).

:)

What a copy cat!

I just read a news article in The Christian Science Monitor - April 6/05 about how Washington is getting closer to the Vatican. Anyone who's been paying attention to the US for the last few years will se that Mr. Bush is increasing his stature by appealing to the "religious fanatics" in his counrty. Look at the steps he took to "help" Terry Shaivo. He, and congress, essentially sidestep civil law in order to help a woman - who by the way hasn't been a woman for 15 years because of her vegitative state. Come on folks, why would we want to keep the shell of a human being alive for 15 years?

Anyhow, this latest ploy from Washington smells like something from the Roman era. Roman Emperor Constantine (anti Christian at the time) had troubles dealing with these "Christians", but in a moment of genious, figured that it you can't beat'em - join'em. By being Christian friendly, just think of the powerbase that this fella would now enjoy (had the Roman Empire not crumbled).

It seems to me that GWB is using a similar tactic. Let's make it look like we're really trying to be friends with this really influential religious organization (cause many of my subjects are indeed members of this club), and see if I can't gain new alliances - new trusts - a larger powerbase - my foot slodiers of god.

I'm getting sick writing this, so I'll let you go.

Peace
/LCR

Musings of the minute

Hey all:

Ever wonder what a myth is? I understand myth to be some old tradition that has some supernatural qualities to it - not to mention half-truths. And what makes something natural? To me, natural is a condition or element of nature. Why am I babbling? I was wondering why christians view the NT as some sort of history. Why don't they see it as myth? The NT, and OT for that matter, is rife with supernatural - (un) natural - events. Yet, millions of people all over the globe believe that the stories contained in the NT are factual. Odd indeed.

On another note...

I was listening to some fella on the radio explaining to the audience how homosexuality was bad, unnatural. I'm not sure what he meant by unnatural, but I assume it has something to do with two men having sex. I'm not sure what the problem is. As long as these men are both consenting and the feelings are mutual, what is the problem? Does god have a problem? Does a myth have a problem about two sentient beings having sexual desire for each other?

/FMF

Saved by ?

When I was in the 5th grade (or there abouts) I used to love Spiderman. Here is a story of a guy who fights against injustices. I was faced with schoolyard bullying - probably cause I was know for my shyness. But I had no fear against these bullies cause Spiderman would set things right! No, really, I realy thought this. I quickly found out that this was not the case - Spiderman did not save the day and I went home with a few black eyes in my day. As I grew older I also realized that Santa Claus (in him Western incarnation) did not exist either. My house had no chimney- so it stood to reason that Santa would not be by on Christmas. He showed up anyway. I guess he used the door.

From the time we are capable of understanding things we are bomarded with fibs, fables, myths, fiction and outright lies. The thing is, that for many of us we still hold a certain attachment to these "untruths". It is within the context of inquiry, proof and reason that we discard our old untruths. What hapens when we don't inquire, demand proof and use reason in our lives?

For the vast majority of mankind, we somehow think that the earth is ours. We can do with it what we please. We can take whatever we need. This falehood is sold to us at a very early age. Most people on the planet believe in god. Many people also believ that this god created the earth and its contents. Many also believe that this god gave man permission to do what he wanted with the earth - "dominion over all the earth" I think is how the OT puts it.

Umong this and other "stories" in the OT and NT and other "religious" writings, mankind is enslaved, belittled, and made to be a thoughtless parasite.

Things must change for the sake of the earth and all of its sentient beings and for the sake of mankind - sometimes I'm not sure if we deserve to continue anyway. Makind must shed away its superstitions & faith in the unproven notion of being saved by something other than ourselves.

Like the song says "only we can make the difference." Tears are not enough

/FMF

The silliness of it all

I was looking at the Genisis (creation story) where god had created man & woman and placed them in a garden that he also created. He told them them they could eat anything in the garden - execpt from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Any idea what this tree would look like? Any idea why Adam and Eve can't have any knowledge of good and evil? God tells them that if they eat from this tree they shall die! Along comes a serpent. Tells Eve of the benefits of eating from this tree - wisdom. The serpent coaxes Eve into eating from the tree - he tells her that she won't die if she eats from the tree. God has to ask if they did anything wrong (I thought he was ALL KNOWING?), once he finds out that they ate from the tree when he forbade it, god get's angry & banishes the two from the garden - BUT they don't die.

Serpent 1 - God 0

/FMF

What a friggn' week

Here is a synopsis of my week (I'm relying on my notes here).
So I get a ligitimate copy of Pandora Tomorrow - install it - only to have the thing not work. It seems that If you install PT on your PC and it detects copy software on your PC (a la Alcohol 120 or Clone CD) it will not work. So a guy has to "crack" his legit copy to get it to work. How screwed-up is that?

Apostasy- To renunciation of one's faith or religion-old testamet political rebel

What is the impetus behind marriage? Is it a socio/economic thing, or is it a thing of the heart? Just curiuos. Is it a religious thing and why? Is it a sacrement? Does anyone really care?

PredudiceDiscriminationPredicate

I think it's really imoportant to teach our children many of life's lesson at a young age. Parents may think they can't understand certain things, that is why it is important to bring things to their level. It is important that we do these things. Teach children about rubbish.

Did you hear that advertising during Super Bowl 2005 went for $77,000 a second! That's absolutley retarded. Do you have any idea how many friggn' people we can feed and clothe on that! A shit-load, that's how many. We live in troubled times my friends.

What is an addict?

When your son or daughter plays any type of oganized team sports, parents have to recognize that their child is part of a team. Parent's who give referees and coaches a hard time because they are treating their kids in a negative way, should think of the team as a whole. If you want to yell at people (your child athlete included), put him/her in an individualized sport - not a team one. Minor hockey has seen its share of ugly incidents, that's why we must adopt a zero tolerance policy for Monor hockey. When things get out of hand - shut the game down. Turn off the lights and tell everone to go home.

Is it a good idea to have segregated schools in Canada? A black school, an Aboriginal school even Chinese school? Hmmm. I'm not sure I like that idea. Proponents for the idea say it helps improve marks for those who are around oters like themselves - amoung other reasons. I think this will set a dangerous precident. Think too, of how it will affect their ability to relate to different aspects of society. I'm not saing that you have to be like everyone else just to participate in society, but if educators think that these (segregated) students have a hard time in a public school - just think of the terror they will feel in a public workforce!

Well I guess the NHL is over for this year. It's about friggn' time! You have a bunch of guys who play a sport (their job). These guys play for an owner. They expect the owner of the team to pay these players millions of dollars to do their jobs - to entertain. What other purpsoe is these to pro hockey? There are people in this word that do a great service to society. People who work for the betterment of humankind - these are the people who should get paid hansomely, not those who entertain. Doctors who heal us - teachers that teach us - police who protect us. However, we must use restraint when paying these people. Those that perform the most complicated duties should be paid very well. Those who perform lesser, but still important duties to society, should still get paid well. Those who entertain need not apply. I see entertainment as an afterthought. Hockey is there to entertain - there is no reason on earth to pay these people this kind of money (in this day and age we see that the NHL is having a hard time sustaining itself). The players complain that the owners make tons of money - that they should be able to pay the players well. If I said that to the company where I work - they'd tell me to find another job if I didn't like it.

Bottom line is that in today's "climate" we shouldn't be paying entertainers (singers, sports players, actors et al) millions of dollars. With all the people that are having a realy tough go of life, we should all start thinking of ourselves as equals - not them and us.

Do canadian farmers make enough money. That's obvious. A large majority of farmers are having a really tough go of things these days. the BSE thing really screwed alot of farmers. cauliflower farmers were getting paid 4 cents a ton not to long ago - that bag of frozen cauliflower still cost you 6 bucks. There is a real problem with the system. The price of ground beef didn't really change much during the BSE thing, but farmers where paid next to nothing for their cows. What's up with that? I know we all have to make money, but this is wrong! It is up to consumers to put the screws to these big companies and try to buy alternatinve products. I know that coffee is a contesious issue when it come to unfair business practices, but we should try and by the fair traded coffee that's out there. I know it costs more , but your not making some multinat really rich - you're helping some guy who gets paid a few bucks a day to pick coffee beans.

If you can help it, try and buy Made in Canada products. if you are having a hard time finding any - ask, no insist, that your reatiler start looing for Canadian made products. We are ultimately responsibe for our economy. Try this great PC game called Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile - to get an idea of what I mean.

Peace.

Beggars can't be choosers

I get this statement from a local Internet service provider. This statement tells me that I owe money. Funny how last month I had to tell this company that I've paid my internet up till March/05. It seems these incompetents just don't get it. Why am I asked to pay for something when I have already paid? Sounds kinda stupid doesn't it? Then I get told that they'll look into it. Great, so I can expect a reply like I got last month "sorry for the error, the necessary corrections have been made". So I guess I should be expecting an invoice next month:( And I'm sure I'll see an outstanding balance from the previous month and interest added to that. Kinda makes me wonder how these businesses have managed to stay afloat (profiting by these "errors" I suppose). I wish there was another internet service provider in my neck of the woods. But guess what, beggars can't be choosers.

/FMF

I hate night shifts

Man, I can't stand nights. These 10 hour shifts are murder. You seem to work all night and then ya get up, eat and then it's off to work again:( The job is nice to have, but this shift work is a bummer. Anyhow, I found a good Humanist site at http://nireland.humaists.net
I still think infidels.org is an waesome site. One of these days I'll start publishing some of my essays. Many are still works in progress. Anyhow, gotta go to work.

/FMF

A Thankyou To Start Things Off

I would first like to thank Google for making the Net a better place to be. A kickass search engine, top blogging support for the masses and new and better ways to enjoy the Net ride just to name a few reasons why Goggle is number one. Keep up the awesome work.

Thanks Google.

FMF