I just spent way too long reading Natter on the weekend because my stoopid work has installed nasty filters. I wasn't even reading during work, but was using the work computer. Sigh.

There is a small (I think) subset of the Christian Right that think the solution to terrorism is to convert Muslims to Christianity....

I think this just makes Christian terrorists.

Not so small, I suspect.

I think small, amych. Perhaps not in real numbers, but in percentages.

I mostly feel like anybody who finds tragedy a refutation of their god, simply hasn't bothered to think about their religious beliefs at all. Almost all religions arise exactly to address unimaginable tragedy. The Book of Job specifically addresses this. Buddhism's first notion is that life is suffering.

This has always bothered me, that people would turn away from God in tragedy. I had a really rough year this past year (although no where near as bad as these folks are having already), and had all sorts of folks from church coming up to me saying that they hoped that it didn't ruin my faith. I have to say, it had no impact on my faith in God. It was as strong and as important to me as ever.

It did somewhat impact my faith in my fellow human beings and to a certain extent my faith in the church. I think I might even have left the church for a while if I didn't have as many commitments there, but not because of a lack of faith in God. If anything, God became even more important to me during the most difficult times.

I may have missed something, is it your birtdhay Lee?

Nope (remember, the September thing). It's Msbelle's.

I bought the non-rolling duffle because I figured it would be easier to squish into places. And it's rather lighter.

And then I tried to go to the office. First I went to see my sister, and then I went to BART, and I got a ticket and was about 45 seconds from stepping onto the train into the city, and I realized I'd left my work keys at home, and had no way of getting into the office.

I therefore decided this was a sign from on high, and I went to Berkeley instead, where I spent a lot of money on stuff at REI, including a bright blue stretch tie-dye shirt I really didn't need. But it's so cute! And then I bought dog food and cd mailers and ate a burrito at Chipotle. And now I want to nap or read LJ.

I think you're right. No work was intended to happen today. I think I'll take it as a sign from God too, and read here until I have to get ready to go to a movie. Plus, work v. playing in Berkeley. The second wins every time!

edited because I clearly can't spell today. Another sign that I should not do work. Just maybe laundry.

Okay, Happy B-day Msbelle.

That sounds like a good day, Consuela, and kind of like mine, since I went shopping instead of working, and think I shall be napping soon.

This is my favorite bra from that website: [link]

Also, ita, every single pruchase I make is entered into Quicken and categorized. I could trend back eight years if I wanted to. I am a sick finance-lovin' puppy.

Kristin, I don’t know whether to be awed or frightened. I think I’m both.

The whole "why did God let this happen" question makes no sense to me. If you assume a creator or set of same, it follows to me that it's because that's how the world was designed. Every once in a while, Shit Happens. Sometimes it's really humongous, like a tsunami. How we react to it would seem more important to me. And besides, from where I sit, loving someone doesn't mean you have to make everything gentle and soft for them. Sometimes, you have to get harsh. Sometimes, you end up hurting them as a side effect of doing something else that's important. The planet has to have earthquakes to get stuff like mountains. It's not the fault of people who don't believe or act the right way. We just happen to live on a geologically active planet with everything that entails.

Lysana, that is one of the most practical and well thought out statements about this I have heard. And I agree.

So a story I wrote was nominated for some fic awards, which was very nice. Thing is, it was nominated in several categories, in some of which it's likely to be up against some fairly stiff competition. I have the option to remove it from a category I don't think it qualifies for. Should I do so, and just keep it in the one I think it has the best shot at?

Or is that too much "gaming" of the system?

My eggplant/chickpea stew is simmering away, and it smells sooo good. I don't know why I haven't made this in so long.

It's snowing! It's snowing! Yay! It's so pretty. Also I went out and did errands in the snow (it's not coming down very hard) so I feel all proud of myself and stuff.

Should I do so, and just keep it in the one I think it has the best shot at?

Well, when it happened to me I left it in the one I felt it was most appropriate for, even though the competition there was stiffer. I don't think it's Evil to shuffle it around if that's what you want to do, though.