It's almost that time of year when I get to actually blend in with everyone else. The only difference is that they are in fancy dress and I'm not!
Apparently everyone is going to dress up for Hallow e'en this Friday at work so should be a good excuse for a giggle. Should I go casual witch or the full vampire hmmmm...
Even better it's bonfire night next week so I also get to dress up and burn stuff and it's all legal woohoo!
I dress as a viking and walk in a local towns bonfire parade. We carry torches and blow up a Guy Fawkes at the end of the night before watching several thousand pounds worth of fireworks go up to the usual chorus of 'ooohs' and 'aaahs'. I love it.
Yes I know it's a bit close to religious for someone who calls herself an anti theist but that isn't why I do it. I don't care if Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who hates the Protestant Government. He was a terrorist who deserved punishment for his attempt to murder so many people. Yes we blow up a Pope as well (in effigy) but again I don't care about the religion part, it's all about freedom of speech for me. This particular Pope ordered the horrific burning of people in a country he didn't even live in because they spoke their minds and didn't agree with him. So we burn his effigy to make a point. Yes I know it's childish but I still love it and wouldn't change our weird little tradition for the world.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Friday 23 October 2009
The end (of the week) is nigh
Well its all over for the working week and I'm knackered but looking forward to a night of drunkeness and debauchery (well some wine and a game of cards anyway).
I wanted to add since I was too busy at the time that I wrote a letter to our local paper last week and they actually printed it! It was in response to an article about the City I live in being called 'the most Godless City in Britain' (an idea which does not hugely displease me). Apparantly the Rev Archie Coates (I think thatwas his name) has decided to re-evangelise our City and solve all our social issues (drugs etc). Cheecky sod. Here's my letter
16 October 2009
In response to article ‘Most Godless city in Britain’ by Andy Chiles on Friday 16 October 2009
Apparently the Rev Coates has decided to fix Brighton and Hove’s social issues by ‘re-evangelising’ the City.
Does anyone else feel perturbed by the idea that in the 21st century this is felt to be required? His apparent assumption that ‘the most Godless City in Britain’ has problems caused simply by irreligion is disgusting. Lack of some kind of Deity in ones life does not cause people to become addicts or prostitutes and removing these people from a dangerous and harmful lifestyle will require rather more than an injection of faith based on an ancient text written by people with different social issues and agendas. The very idea that you can aid someone by this method is laughable since all it does is attempt to replace a difficult reality with an impossible fairy tale.
I also resent the assumption that most religious people are somehow better or at least more morally equipped than the non-believers. I am not a drug addict, I have never received an ASBO or had any trouble with the Police but I do not behave this way because I am afraid of an invisible beard in the sky who watches my every move. I behave this way because my own conscience and humanism inform me that it is the best course of action (or inaction).
Please also bear in mind that the Rev is using the oldest trick in the book (so to speak) by choosing the weak, helpless and hopeless for his ‘re-evangelising’ crusade. It is easier to convert these poor people than to attempt to convert those who are coping with reality using their highly evolved human brain and conscience. We all have problems and have a chance to overcome then (even if it’s not obviously so at the time) but replacing them with an escapist non-reality is at best pointless and at worst abhorrent.
I would also like to make the conjecture that Brighton owes it ‘vibrancy and life’ to the very fact that a good number of its citizens do not conform to a doctrine which prescribes a life of following the same rules, activities, prohibitions and dogma (as most religions seem to prefer). The Christian faith(s) in particular calls its followers ’sheep’ which pretty much sums up their attitude to their obedient, loyal and stultified flock.
Pretty good even if I say so myself. Vanity is one of my many and varied sins of which I am extremely proud. Wonder if I'll get an responses?
I wanted to add since I was too busy at the time that I wrote a letter to our local paper last week and they actually printed it! It was in response to an article about the City I live in being called 'the most Godless City in Britain' (an idea which does not hugely displease me). Apparantly the Rev Archie Coates (I think thatwas his name) has decided to re-evangelise our City and solve all our social issues (drugs etc). Cheecky sod. Here's my letter
16 October 2009
In response to article ‘Most Godless city in Britain’ by Andy Chiles on Friday 16 October 2009
Apparently the Rev Coates has decided to fix Brighton and Hove’s social issues by ‘re-evangelising’ the City.
Does anyone else feel perturbed by the idea that in the 21st century this is felt to be required? His apparent assumption that ‘the most Godless City in Britain’ has problems caused simply by irreligion is disgusting. Lack of some kind of Deity in ones life does not cause people to become addicts or prostitutes and removing these people from a dangerous and harmful lifestyle will require rather more than an injection of faith based on an ancient text written by people with different social issues and agendas. The very idea that you can aid someone by this method is laughable since all it does is attempt to replace a difficult reality with an impossible fairy tale.
I also resent the assumption that most religious people are somehow better or at least more morally equipped than the non-believers. I am not a drug addict, I have never received an ASBO or had any trouble with the Police but I do not behave this way because I am afraid of an invisible beard in the sky who watches my every move. I behave this way because my own conscience and humanism inform me that it is the best course of action (or inaction).
Please also bear in mind that the Rev is using the oldest trick in the book (so to speak) by choosing the weak, helpless and hopeless for his ‘re-evangelising’ crusade. It is easier to convert these poor people than to attempt to convert those who are coping with reality using their highly evolved human brain and conscience. We all have problems and have a chance to overcome then (even if it’s not obviously so at the time) but replacing them with an escapist non-reality is at best pointless and at worst abhorrent.
I would also like to make the conjecture that Brighton owes it ‘vibrancy and life’ to the very fact that a good number of its citizens do not conform to a doctrine which prescribes a life of following the same rules, activities, prohibitions and dogma (as most religions seem to prefer). The Christian faith(s) in particular calls its followers ’sheep’ which pretty much sums up their attitude to their obedient, loyal and stultified flock.
Pretty good even if I say so myself. Vanity is one of my many and varied sins of which I am extremely proud. Wonder if I'll get an responses?
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Debate in London
I have been mega busy so apologies for taking ages to update.
I went to a debate last night in Westminster and had a fantastic time especially since it was obvious that 'my side' completely trounced the others!
The motion was 'Catholicism is a force for good in the world' and speaking for the motion were Archbishop Onaiyekan (of Abuja, Nigeria) and Ann Widdecombe, speaking against were Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry. Needless to say I was rooting for Hitchens and Fry.
They all stated their argument in turn for and against and then the audience were invited to ask questions. Unfortunately (and this includes my side) many people seemed to misunderstand the term 'question' and used the time to preach and make statements that missed the point and wasted the time which could have be used to clarify the arguments for and against. The debaters then all made a closing statement.
I have to say of all the people speaking I didn't expect Stephen Fry to be the one to raise his voice but he did to Ann Widdecombe who bravely tried to make a good case but ultimately failed. The Bishop was completely useless giving excuses and stumbling over his case which was mostly that the Catholic Church is involved in charity so it must be good! Ann Widdecombe was more useful to her cause but still skirted the issue of condoms in African countries and even stated that they would not help at all even if the church did not condemn the use of such barrier contraceptives. Silly woman. For an educated erudite and intelligent woman she really has bought into the whole dogma of the church. She accused Hitchens of dwelling on the past as if history doesn't matter which pretty much sums up the state of the Catholic church. Of course it matters. How can she in all conscience be a member of an organisation which has routinely murdered, lied, stolen and abused children for so long?
She also disliked Hitchens' point that the Church despite it being none of their business are obsessed with sex and how it should (and should not) be performed. She countered by saying that Hitchen's himself was the one obsessed with such things which he admitted he was in the natural mammalian way of all of his kind, touche! I have to agree with Hitchens onthis as if the Church is not obsessed with sex as Ann Widdecmbe states, why does it have so many prohibitions around the subject? Its about power and she does not seem to know or care about it.
Anyway rant over. A good time was had and if you want to find out more about the event google it. The name of the organisation holding it is 'intelligence squared' and the debate was on Mon 19 Oct 2009. I thinks it's going to be aired on TV as well around the 7/8 November 2009.
tatty bye
I went to a debate last night in Westminster and had a fantastic time especially since it was obvious that 'my side' completely trounced the others!
The motion was 'Catholicism is a force for good in the world' and speaking for the motion were Archbishop Onaiyekan (of Abuja, Nigeria) and Ann Widdecombe, speaking against were Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry. Needless to say I was rooting for Hitchens and Fry.
They all stated their argument in turn for and against and then the audience were invited to ask questions. Unfortunately (and this includes my side) many people seemed to misunderstand the term 'question' and used the time to preach and make statements that missed the point and wasted the time which could have be used to clarify the arguments for and against. The debaters then all made a closing statement.
I have to say of all the people speaking I didn't expect Stephen Fry to be the one to raise his voice but he did to Ann Widdecombe who bravely tried to make a good case but ultimately failed. The Bishop was completely useless giving excuses and stumbling over his case which was mostly that the Catholic Church is involved in charity so it must be good! Ann Widdecombe was more useful to her cause but still skirted the issue of condoms in African countries and even stated that they would not help at all even if the church did not condemn the use of such barrier contraceptives. Silly woman. For an educated erudite and intelligent woman she really has bought into the whole dogma of the church. She accused Hitchens of dwelling on the past as if history doesn't matter which pretty much sums up the state of the Catholic church. Of course it matters. How can she in all conscience be a member of an organisation which has routinely murdered, lied, stolen and abused children for so long?
She also disliked Hitchens' point that the Church despite it being none of their business are obsessed with sex and how it should (and should not) be performed. She countered by saying that Hitchen's himself was the one obsessed with such things which he admitted he was in the natural mammalian way of all of his kind, touche! I have to agree with Hitchens onthis as if the Church is not obsessed with sex as Ann Widdecmbe states, why does it have so many prohibitions around the subject? Its about power and she does not seem to know or care about it.
Anyway rant over. A good time was had and if you want to find out more about the event google it. The name of the organisation holding it is 'intelligence squared' and the debate was on Mon 19 Oct 2009. I thinks it's going to be aired on TV as well around the 7/8 November 2009.
tatty bye
Tuesday 13 October 2009
I have been to Croatia!
Well that was rather brilliant!
In case you wondered I have been away for a week and I went to Dubrovnik in Croatia and wow what a place!
I kind of expected a grotty little town full of bomb holes but it was so much better than that. The Old part of the City is surrounded by a huge stone wall that goes right up to the sea (how they managed to build it I have no idea!) and the first thing we did was go up to walk around the walls. It was brilliant. Its a few kilometres around and took about 3 hours but by crikey what a view!
One side was mountains with scrubby bushes and rocks with the occasional building, very wild, impressive and rough in a beautiful kind of way and the other was the most stunning view of turquoise ocean (Adriatic) and fishing boats as far as you could see.
We also visited a nearby island called Lokrum (i think) which was a nature reserve and botanical garden. After a short trip on the mill pond like sea we landed in a little cove and began to trek around the paths laid through its woodland and cliff top areas. We saw so much wildlife (and not so wild) including peacocks (and hens), lizards, bats, swallows and the obligatory mosquitoes (definite proof there is no god if you ask me) and there were hundreds of species of plant and tree including massive cacti and eucalyptus.
At one point we found ourselves on the top of a sheer cliff which led to a lagoon known as the mini black sea due to its high salt content. We swam in it with the fishes all around us and yes you do float without trying!
After this we followed the path up an enormous and hugely steep hill to an old fort at the top with breathtaking views. A perfect visit was completed by a couple of local rums (yummy) at a cafe and the trip back on the boat.
Right-o more tomorrow can't describe it all at once or you will get bored!
In case you wondered I have been away for a week and I went to Dubrovnik in Croatia and wow what a place!
I kind of expected a grotty little town full of bomb holes but it was so much better than that. The Old part of the City is surrounded by a huge stone wall that goes right up to the sea (how they managed to build it I have no idea!) and the first thing we did was go up to walk around the walls. It was brilliant. Its a few kilometres around and took about 3 hours but by crikey what a view!
One side was mountains with scrubby bushes and rocks with the occasional building, very wild, impressive and rough in a beautiful kind of way and the other was the most stunning view of turquoise ocean (Adriatic) and fishing boats as far as you could see.
We also visited a nearby island called Lokrum (i think) which was a nature reserve and botanical garden. After a short trip on the mill pond like sea we landed in a little cove and began to trek around the paths laid through its woodland and cliff top areas. We saw so much wildlife (and not so wild) including peacocks (and hens), lizards, bats, swallows and the obligatory mosquitoes (definite proof there is no god if you ask me) and there were hundreds of species of plant and tree including massive cacti and eucalyptus.
At one point we found ourselves on the top of a sheer cliff which led to a lagoon known as the mini black sea due to its high salt content. We swam in it with the fishes all around us and yes you do float without trying!
After this we followed the path up an enormous and hugely steep hill to an old fort at the top with breathtaking views. A perfect visit was completed by a couple of local rums (yummy) at a cafe and the trip back on the boat.
Right-o more tomorrow can't describe it all at once or you will get bored!
Thursday 1 October 2009
Musings of a knackered person
I am officially knackered. I'm having the busiest week ever but do you know what? I Love it!
My last job (in a hospital) was busy but in a repetitive cycle of verbal abuse from patients, doctors and random crazies wandering in I found no real joy in my work but now I am back where I belong working admin for a decent Manager in a decent building for decent pay(ish). I forgot what this feels like!
Anyway enough showing off it won't last I know but at the moment I'm surfing the wave of euphoria that a new job and a new project produces.
I'm still knackered though.
My last job (in a hospital) was busy but in a repetitive cycle of verbal abuse from patients, doctors and random crazies wandering in I found no real joy in my work but now I am back where I belong working admin for a decent Manager in a decent building for decent pay(ish). I forgot what this feels like!
Anyway enough showing off it won't last I know but at the moment I'm surfing the wave of euphoria that a new job and a new project produces.
I'm still knackered though.
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