Belated comment on the term "bright" as the new atheist brand:

"Bright" is a more succinct ways of saying "Please beat me up and shove me into a locker".

Yeah, you know, I didn't want to be the one to say that. It's also begging for real life object lessons, not unlike "Moral Majority."

Thanks, Vortex. Noted for review.

I have no idea what my parents want out of a cruise, I realise. I mean, I play dress up with the best of them, but dinner dress codes like some cruises have chap my ass.

that is why there is room service.

The DH went to Durango last week for the launch of the new Hummers, which they tested by driving them over ginormous rock formations. He said it was the scariest and most fun driving he has ever done. Check out the pictures--they are kind of mind-blowing. [link] The cool stuff isn't until the 2nd and 3rd page.

Totally agree that the term "bright" for atheists is twitch inducing.

Yesterday ate up all my productivity. I have been fabric shopping online on and off for the last 2 hours.

Don't really care for room service on holiday. I'm not a big cruise ship sort of a person. Sail me from island to island and I'm a happy girl, fishing for my dinner and all. Float a city across the sea from deep port to deep port and I start thinking of better places to be.

I've never taken a cruise - to me, the idea sounds part fun, part annoying. Recently I've run across this cruise line: [link] They have one route they call the "Historic Antebellum South" that looks really cool: [link] It goes from Charleston, SC, to Jacksonville, FL Area (Amelia Island). Check out the map - there's a whole series of coastal islands, and the ship sails between the islands and the shore.

Glittering bays, elegant mansions, moss-draped oaks, abundant wildlife and remote islands lend to the grace and enchantment that is distinctly Antebellum South. Take in the spectacular scenery while gliding through the Ashepoo, Stono and Ashley Rivers and St. Catherine’s Sound, and enjoy the history and culture of each port along the way. Discover the charm of a by-gone era strolling Charleston’s magnificent parks, gardens and plantations, surrounded by the fragrance of azaleas and warm, southern breezes. Explore the French and Spanish influence in Beaufort and Amelia Island, and the intriguing Gullah culture of isolated, mysterious Daufuski Island. Visit St. Simons’ historic lighthouse, tour Jekyll Island’s extravagant mansions, and step into Savannah’s festive city squares to sample regional delicacies and experience music and energy unique to this city known as “Hostess of the South.” Set your own pace and enjoy!

For the first time, I'm really tempted to take a cruise. The pictures are beautiful....

Totally agree that the term "bright" for atheists is twitch inducing.

It seems like if you wanted to create a term for atheists that was not based on the absence of god but the presence of nature you might not want to imply the god believing folks are dim.

"Bright" brings to me a series of annoying connotations. Mainly, it sounds like some "next level of human evolution" thing from some SciFi story....

Yeah, Bright has a real PR feel to me which rubs me the wrong way.