THE LAST OF MY RELIGIOUS POINTS.......
I don't know what's worse - an athiest, or a religious zealot.
Declaring yourself an athiest is a cop-out. You're protected in the sense that no-one can ever prove you wrong, and you can cherry-pick holes in age-old scriptures that are used to define any form of faith. You can sit on your soapbox and throw shots down on the masses as you relish in pointing out contradictions in the Bible...the Koran....etc.
Religious zealots. They lean on the overwhelming belief of a God because they are weak, manipulative, insecure......and more commonly......opportunists.
TIME Magazine this week points out - on the cover no less - that Christianity should be taught in schools from a historical perspective because it is the cornerstone of western civilization's religion. Several PhD's, and school administrators say that it would be possible to teach even scripture without 'preaching'. Having come from a white-bread school/neighborhood, I would imagine there would be a good degree of people where I grew up that would favor this, followed by those that are strongly opposed - with those that don't really care bringing up the rear.
This is a trainwreck of an opinion. I would support 100% a 'religions of the world' class that introduces High School kids to the seven major religions of the world - from a factual and historical perspective. This would be education. I would/will pull Lyza out of any school district that adopted preaching Christianity. It's going to be hard for her growing up because Lyza's birthmother has embraced Catholicism (presumably because you can let those sins go once a week - say a few Hail Mary's and hold that Rosary please - allright, that was a cheap shot there). I, on the other hand, will not require Lyza to go to church and practice a specific religion..
For the record, I believe that religion can include visits to a church/Temple/Synagogue etc, meditation, a walk in the woods, or a scary moment(s). I believe in a higher power, especially after seeing my daughter born. I'm steadfastly opposed to organized religion being integrated into politics, and I believe that religion and humanitarian efforts can mix if the intent is just to help, and not to spread the faith. I am not a Christian, and I can't identify wholly with any one religion at this time in my life. Finally, thanks in advance for keeping your beliefs to yourself unless we become more than acquanintances. I'll do the same.
_______________________________________________
Off to Tucson this weekend - I can't wait.
CB
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
6 Rides in 8 Days
Ahhhhh...I feel restored, refreshed.....and downright wasted. There's nothing better than coming to work on Monday needing to recover at your desk. Conversely, there's nothing worse than coming into work on Monday feeling great - because you didn't do enough on your weekend away.
The one rough day of the six, I was riding my singlespeed with two dudes - one of them was pretty fast and he had gears. We tore it up for a couple of hours, and I redlined three or four times just to stay in front. Was it worth it? Well, I had to take about a 1 hour nap, and even an afternoon iced latte' barely woke me up. You know that feeling too - where there's a burning in your lungs and trachea - not quite to the point of puking, but you're thinking about the fact that it could happen unless you back off. I seek this feeling, I LOVE this feeling.
www.dawntilduskrace.com is next on Tax weekend. Get to know Gallup, NM. It may look like a sh*thole, but its got some culture, some great Mexican food, and great trails.
Squirty B arrived after school today, and man was I glad to see her. We get a whole week together - as we are now following a week on/week off schedule with her mother. This kid just makes me smile. We have such a great time together. D loves to take her to school in the AM - so I work early and leave by 3pm to get her at the bus stop - that gives us 2 hours to goof around before dinner....that's what I call "prime time".
D didn't get a job that she found out she didn't really want anyway....so that worked out OK. 75% travel would have wiped out the foundation we have built and neither one of us were cool with even trying it. I'm glad.
We're heading to Tucson this weekend for some fun in the sun. I'll bring the roadie and get in 2 morning rides - maybe even up Mount Lemmon if I get the time. 5000 vertical feet in 20 miles. Good times!
Ahhhhh...I feel restored, refreshed.....and downright wasted. There's nothing better than coming to work on Monday needing to recover at your desk. Conversely, there's nothing worse than coming into work on Monday feeling great - because you didn't do enough on your weekend away.
The one rough day of the six, I was riding my singlespeed with two dudes - one of them was pretty fast and he had gears. We tore it up for a couple of hours, and I redlined three or four times just to stay in front. Was it worth it? Well, I had to take about a 1 hour nap, and even an afternoon iced latte' barely woke me up. You know that feeling too - where there's a burning in your lungs and trachea - not quite to the point of puking, but you're thinking about the fact that it could happen unless you back off. I seek this feeling, I LOVE this feeling.
www.dawntilduskrace.com is next on Tax weekend. Get to know Gallup, NM. It may look like a sh*thole, but its got some culture, some great Mexican food, and great trails.
Squirty B arrived after school today, and man was I glad to see her. We get a whole week together - as we are now following a week on/week off schedule with her mother. This kid just makes me smile. We have such a great time together. D loves to take her to school in the AM - so I work early and leave by 3pm to get her at the bus stop - that gives us 2 hours to goof around before dinner....that's what I call "prime time".
D didn't get a job that she found out she didn't really want anyway....so that worked out OK. 75% travel would have wiped out the foundation we have built and neither one of us were cool with even trying it. I'm glad.
We're heading to Tucson this weekend for some fun in the sun. I'll bring the roadie and get in 2 morning rides - maybe even up Mount Lemmon if I get the time. 5000 vertical feet in 20 miles. Good times!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
TAXES and....
Lost some to the Feds, got some from the State - and netted a few hundie for the vacation fund this year. Not bad. My taxes are so simple now that I am not married to Leslie anymore. I also feel a hella' lot better about not getting audited - as in why would they choose me since my itemized deductions are simpler than a 1st grade book. I love living the simple life.
Hammered out a mud-fest ride this am before the sun was out. My bike is somewhat trashed but nothing that a good bath won't fix. I can't wait to get Lyza back on Monday so we can shred all next week after school.
I think I have reached my boiling point with regards to sports figures using their fame/notoriety as a pulpit to speak out against human rights. What I am alluding to here is Tony Dungy (HC of the Indianapolis Colts) speaking out about his opposition to gay marriage by saying that "the Lord is on his side with this issue"
a) Tony - you must be referring to your Lord because yours isn't mine
b) OK - so being a father, I get the positive side of having parents of each gender involved with kids, but the point is having two great parents, which can be any gender in my mind
I'm tired of Christian right-wingers. I'm tired of their beliefs bleeding into politics and human right issues. If you believe in God/Allah/Buddah and it makes you a better person - wonderful. Just don't tell me about it, and just don't say that your beliefs are "right" because you share them with your Lord. Nobody's right.....stop trying to make the word FAITH a synonym for Christianity.
I've only scratched the surface of this - more later....
Lost some to the Feds, got some from the State - and netted a few hundie for the vacation fund this year. Not bad. My taxes are so simple now that I am not married to Leslie anymore. I also feel a hella' lot better about not getting audited - as in why would they choose me since my itemized deductions are simpler than a 1st grade book. I love living the simple life.
Hammered out a mud-fest ride this am before the sun was out. My bike is somewhat trashed but nothing that a good bath won't fix. I can't wait to get Lyza back on Monday so we can shred all next week after school.
I think I have reached my boiling point with regards to sports figures using their fame/notoriety as a pulpit to speak out against human rights. What I am alluding to here is Tony Dungy (HC of the Indianapolis Colts) speaking out about his opposition to gay marriage by saying that "the Lord is on his side with this issue"
a) Tony - you must be referring to your Lord because yours isn't mine
b) OK - so being a father, I get the positive side of having parents of each gender involved with kids, but the point is having two great parents, which can be any gender in my mind
I'm tired of Christian right-wingers. I'm tired of their beliefs bleeding into politics and human right issues. If you believe in God/Allah/Buddah and it makes you a better person - wonderful. Just don't tell me about it, and just don't say that your beliefs are "right" because you share them with your Lord. Nobody's right.....stop trying to make the word FAITH a synonym for Christianity.
I've only scratched the surface of this - more later....
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
I Bonnie Blaire'd out of work yesterday at 1:30 and was on the trails by 2:30. Rode the tires off my RIG for 2.5 hours, and put myself in a nice state of bliss for the rest of the night....tired, but refreshed...elated really. There is nothing more satisfying that pushing a 27 pound pig around singletrack with one gear....this bike tracks like its on rails, and the simplicity of no gears continues to please me. I've been a devoted singlespeeder since 2001 and I'm not gonna change until my knees say no more. Who needs a $3,000 mountain bike? Pros and Posers - and I'm in the middle of that spectrum.
On a great note, I am absolutely positively ready for the mountain bike marathon this weekend, but on a bad note, I can't go due to work. Oh well - I'll save a few bucks in gas/food.
Coming up - a review of Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation". If you haven't read it, well....let's just say that I never made it through my Christian Confirmation ceremony.
On a great note, I am absolutely positively ready for the mountain bike marathon this weekend, but on a bad note, I can't go due to work. Oh well - I'll save a few bucks in gas/food.
Coming up - a review of Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation". If you haven't read it, well....let's just say that I never made it through my Christian Confirmation ceremony.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Sufferin'
OK, so I get the work thing solved - although the fallout will still hurt for another couple of weeks as I get some new staff trained, but now this.
I'm whipped, dog-tired, weak-legged, and sufferin' on my rides. I got out twice this weekend from 7am-9am both mornings. It was f'n cold, but the trails were great. One problem - I have about 80% of the cardio capacity and strength as I had just a week ago. Allergies are kickin' my ass lately, and I have to believe that this is the culprit. Remember when Paolo Salvoldelli dumped an egg trying to defend his Giro d'Italia title last summer? OK -you don't remember that unless you're cycl-obsessed as I am, but he suffered immensely from spring allergies, and I'll just lump myself into the same situation (minus the bike-star status o'ccourse).
I did get a raise though, and an endorsement for another year, so at least there is some stability there. Quick hits: we're gettin' another dog this week - its time. Lyza did her first real MTB ride this weekend - conquering Campbell Mesa with ease. I was pretty proud of her for not complaining, and just riding and the resting when she needed to. It was probably a 4 mile ride on dirt - pretty good for a kid on 16" wheels. Spring break here in AZ which means a crazy week at Junipine, but busy is good as the days fly by - and then you get to get outside and play!
OK, so I get the work thing solved - although the fallout will still hurt for another couple of weeks as I get some new staff trained, but now this.
I'm whipped, dog-tired, weak-legged, and sufferin' on my rides. I got out twice this weekend from 7am-9am both mornings. It was f'n cold, but the trails were great. One problem - I have about 80% of the cardio capacity and strength as I had just a week ago. Allergies are kickin' my ass lately, and I have to believe that this is the culprit. Remember when Paolo Salvoldelli dumped an egg trying to defend his Giro d'Italia title last summer? OK -you don't remember that unless you're cycl-obsessed as I am, but he suffered immensely from spring allergies, and I'll just lump myself into the same situation (minus the bike-star status o'ccourse).
I did get a raise though, and an endorsement for another year, so at least there is some stability there. Quick hits: we're gettin' another dog this week - its time. Lyza did her first real MTB ride this weekend - conquering Campbell Mesa with ease. I was pretty proud of her for not complaining, and just riding and the resting when she needed to. It was probably a 4 mile ride on dirt - pretty good for a kid on 16" wheels. Spring break here in AZ which means a crazy week at Junipine, but busy is good as the days fly by - and then you get to get outside and play!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Times they are a Changin'
WTF? That NCAA tournament bracket and corresponding bet that I mentioned never happened. I think I have officially moved into the "I could give a rats ass" about televised sporting events. OK - the fact that I ditched my TV 3 1/2 years ago has a lot to do with it, but I think I have just lost interest in this stuff as life has changed. I haven't seen the last 4 Super Bowls, and when some dude at a party says "how 'bout them Phoenix Suns" - I just nod my head and say "how 'bout them?!" - cause I have no idea if they are good or bad.
Trust me, I'm not on a high horse here. Its not like I read books, or get involved in volunteer work in place of the time I used to spend watching sports. Its just that I don't make time for it anymore. That is a clear indicator that I work and play, and that takes up pretty much every day.
I still check the standings of the Twins, Vikings, and the Dallas Stars (as they were the Minnesota North Stars when I was a kid). Other than that....well I'll have to ask you for the stats.
WTF? That NCAA tournament bracket and corresponding bet that I mentioned never happened. I think I have officially moved into the "I could give a rats ass" about televised sporting events. OK - the fact that I ditched my TV 3 1/2 years ago has a lot to do with it, but I think I have just lost interest in this stuff as life has changed. I haven't seen the last 4 Super Bowls, and when some dude at a party says "how 'bout them Phoenix Suns" - I just nod my head and say "how 'bout them?!" - cause I have no idea if they are good or bad.
Trust me, I'm not on a high horse here. Its not like I read books, or get involved in volunteer work in place of the time I used to spend watching sports. Its just that I don't make time for it anymore. That is a clear indicator that I work and play, and that takes up pretty much every day.
I still check the standings of the Twins, Vikings, and the Dallas Stars (as they were the Minnesota North Stars when I was a kid). Other than that....well I'll have to ask you for the stats.
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