If what I read in the news today is to be believed, Obama has lost my vote.

(emphasis is my own)

CHICAGO - Reaching out to religious voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for expanding President Bush’s program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — supported some ability to hire and fire based on faith. [Link]

I fully support groups that provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, but to make hiring decisions based on religious beliefs (or lack thereof) is pretty offensive in a country founded on religious freedom. Our founding fathers would surely be sad at the state of things today.

Forget WWJD, WWDD, or WWOD.

I want to know What Are YOU Going To Do (WAYGTD)?

I’ve recently become tired of hearing people talk about what someone else thinks they should do, and not about what THEY want/are going to do.

So, let’s talk for just a little bit about self-empowerment and taking control of your life - because if you don’t do it yourself, no one else is going to do it for you.

I want to throw out a quick gripe about people who say that they have let God/Jesus/Deity take control of their life. After hearing sports figures talk about this during the Super Bowl, and hearing numerous American Idol contestants talking about God and how the Holy Spirit told them to audition, I have two thoughts.

Thought #1 is that this is quite ignorant, lazy, a cop-out, and apathetic, and really has nothing to do with a higher power.

Thought #2 is that I hope that these folks could say that THEY are taking control of their life because of what they have learned from their God/Jesus/Deity. There has to be some self-ownership here.

Forget about “Jesus Take the Wheel“, how about I take the wheel and he can sit next to me and we can have a chat? I’d much rather have that kind of relationship. And seriously -I don’t consider this to be me making a statement against religion, but against mindless giving-up of ownership of the self. Relationships don’t work that way - they are a partnership, not blind acquiescence.

Anyway - that’s my rant for today. It frustrates me. Frankly, I do not care what people believe in: God, Buddha, Shiva, Body Thetans, whatever, just take a little ownership in the choices you make and the way you live your life.

* Image of strength from Wikimedia Commons *

I have just finished reading The Hermetica - The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs, which is book 3 in my 52 in 52 series.

The book is by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy, and is supposed to be an insight into sacred writings from around 3000BC by an Egyptian sage Hermes (which is actually the Greek interpretation of Thoth).

Thoth, who is attributed with the creation of hieroglyphics was also thought to be the architect of the pyramids.

The book is a translation of some of the ancient writings, combined with other sacred texts taken from the Stobaeus, the Asclepius, and the Nag Hammadi Hermetic Texts.

For the most part, the translations read like many things you would find the Christian Bible, especially is Psalms. They are songs and praises to the lord, in this case, Atum (the Father), or many of his creations such as the “Cosmos”, the “Mind”, mother Earth, and man.

In essence we learn that Atum created the cosmos is “his” own image. Cosmos then created everything else in it’s own image, and the purpose in life for all humans is to learn to know Atum. Pretty much identical to much of the Christian belief system in that our purpose on the Earth is to come to know God in all his/her elements.

Having done quite a bit of other reading on ancient Egyptian religion, this was really not much different. It clearly shows that many Christian premises about the nature of god, the universe, the divine, and humanity, came directly from civilizations that came before the BC/AD changeover.

There is a big focus on destiny, and only doing what is necessary - possibly the foundation of the predestination belief that is in many Christian denominations, and there is a lot of use of “the light” of the world, which mirrors much of what I heard growing up in the church.

One thing I did find interesting is that the teachings were supposed to be secret, and if you learned them, you were not supposed to share them with anyone else. Atum would share them directly if “he” felt as though you were worthy to learn them. This is very unlike religions of today which freely share their beliefs with anyone who will listen.

Overall, it was an interesting read, but again, it felt like I was reading the Christian Bible, only these writings were 3000+ years prior. I wouldn’t say I got a huge amount of insight from the book, though - there are many other Egyptian history books that have been more enlightening, so to speak.

So that is book 3 for 2008.

Well, ok, not everyone, but the cool people at least :-).

Show your support for our troops with this GLBT themed shirt.


What’s better than a “Yeah, Right” mug for those early mornings of bitter coffee? Go ahead…sit at the kitchen table with your house pants / night gown on and just stare out the front window with your cigarette in one hand and this delicious coffee mug in the other. Share your bitterness with the world.


Everyone does it…

Say it loud and clear that you love yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.

You have one. Everyone knows it. That’s why they don’t talk to you, because they know you’re going to blog about it as soon as you have connectivity.


Halloween is year-round fun.
Check out the full suite of Hellaween Products.


For all you gossip girls out there - just make sure you stop talking when they get close.


Let’s just admit it…because the rest of the world already knows.

Today, I bring you Norman’s Ark.

Note the frantic look on the poor Kangaroo who has to share eternity with the butt of a rhino.

While David and I were shopping in the local Savemart this past weekend, we discovered a book that everyone needs to buy - and it was conveniently located in the magazine rack of the check-out aisle.

From the makers of Faith is For Dummies, comes the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Faith.

Is it just me, or isn’t this deliciously ironic that a guide to faith (taking a journey to deepen your belief in a god) would be addressed to “complete idiots”?

I have no idea what the content of this book is since I’m not a complete idiot - therefore this book is not written for me - but I have to question the competency of the marketing department…surely someone realized the myriad of possibilities when juxtaposing “complete idiot” and “faith”. And marketing this in a grocery store checkout line? Surely there has to be a better way…

Just in case the book doesn’t help, you can always try Jesus Bandages to cover your stigmata, a delicious chocolaty Jesus, or some Believe in God Breath Spray.

Best of luck on that.

Are you troubled by stigmata? Is it ruining your social life?

Don’t you long for the day when you can enjoy a 2-hour movie without running to the bathroom every 15 minutes to soak up the blood in your shoes?

Your wait is over! Introducing…Jesus Adhesive Bandages, made from the same material as the Shroud of Turin!

Slap some Jesus bandages on your palms and those nails will dissolve instantly!

(Note the free toy inside - it’s like getting a box of Cracker Jacks with the little peel off tattoo!)

WARNING: May cause feelings of enlightenment and wonder. Do not use before driving or operating heavy machinery. Not for use by pregnant or lactating women, or by those currently under a priest’s care for demonic possession.

Maybe Jesus could have used some of these when he was out partying…

Oh, and in case you don’t believe in god, you can instantly with this breath spray.