“The Riddle No Atheists Can Solve”
Yes, I clicked on a link that took me to a site claiming an indisputable proof for "intelligent design" -- one that can't be "solved" based on the argument DNA is a Code + Codes require authors = Life was created consciously, not by natural process It took my brain cells less than 0.2 seconds to solve the riddle and refute the argument as utterly fallacious. Maybe it's because I'm not an atheist? Or is it because...
Email to the Dead
I didn't write about this months ago when it happened, as I wanted everything to settle down and then had other matters to attend to among the living. Bob Kell, Jr., my friend (and accountant / networking associate) passed away earlier this year. (On an odd note, he was just putting together the taxes that my previous tax preparer lost, placing me at square one a second time ... he was the IRS "bulldog" -- the...
Ever wonder where?
It never amazes me how deep the roots are of our personal values. But unlike those who would rather be totally self-deterministic in some false sense of empowerment for its own sake, I would rather embrace them as consistent personality strengths and weaknesses I can make the best of. Why bring this up? I asked my Dad the other day what kind of advice Grandpa gave him over the years. There were two things that...
Obama STILL Raising Money?
I continue to get emails from his campaign machine, usually begging for money (AFTER the election mind you) or selling bumper stickers and t-shirts. Whatever. Here's my question, and I dare anyone in their staff to publicly answer it: When you send me constant messages such as "Will you donate whatever you can afford to support the campaign for real health care reform in 2009?" WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Implied...
Dear Michael Jackson Fans: Get the Hell Off My Internet
I find it hard to believe so many (questionably undisturbed) people are that desperate to see a video of his body under a sheet that I can't check my freaking email under and hour. Seriously, some of us are trying to work here! That is all.
Eye of the Beholder
I just read an alumni newsletter article -- or rather tried to read it in its entirety -- about the new statue of Saint Marguerite D'Youville at my Alma Mater. It's a long-winded litany of interpretive assumptions about the artist's intentions linked to vague ideals, right down to the significance of how far apart the saint's feet are in light of historical and metaphysical perspectives. Their wording suggests...
A pleasant, lazy day…
Finally went to Dunkirk and planted flowers on graves (a yearly ritual). Then we strolled at the pier shops, the beach, and cooked hot dogs on the grill. Just a perfect day, started by sleeping in a bit and organzing the keepsakes from my daughter's high school life (she's at Bonaroo right now). Life is good.
Went to the hospital today …
I had a reaction to the citrate during apheresis (triple unit donation), causing calcium depletion -- heart palpitations, high blood pressure, some dizziness, finger tingling, jaw tension, etc.. It didn't subside right away, so they had an ambulance take me to Millard-Fillmore Gates. A few hours later, I was released as being fine. A little scary, though ... just before I was done donating, my chest felt...
Yet another death …
Ben Maryniak, author and historian, was given a service at his grave-site last weekend at Forest Lawn Cemetery (near President Fillmore's plot). A small regiment of Union soldiers has a three-gun salute (louder than I expected), there were period musicians, "Taps" bugled, and women in hooped dresses. Even a re-enactor of Lincoln showed, as well as re-enactors from the Confederate side of things -- he was the man...