My guess is that Shackleford won't run in the Belmont.

Oh, I didn't even see the show horse.

It's really the difference in the race lengths that seems to get a lot of these horses. Because the winner would not have won a longer race.

Ooh, look, John Barrowman's naked!

That is the only religion I need.

Tim's dad is currently lobbying HARD for us to come back to the Catholic Church, and I'm afraid we're approaching a serious, potentially hurtful talk with him about it. (And by "hurtful," I do *not* mean that my argument consists of what jackasses Catholics are; my concern is that, because he is VERY devout and VERY involved with his parish, my rejection of his faith will feel to him like I am rejecting him, which I am NOT doing in any way.)

I have many serious differences with the Catholic Church, both social (i.e., the refusal to ordain women; I have no wish to be a part of an institution which sees me as fundamentally less than men) AND theological. (I don't believe in salvation by works, I don't believe in making confession to a priest, I don't believe that skipping Mass is a *mortal* sin, I don't believe in purgatory, I don't believe Mary was a perpetual virgin, and -- possibly most damning -- I really cannot believe in the transubstantiation. And I never have. I think a big part of it is that I am insanely literal and I simply cannot accept that actual food and beverage becomes literally the body and blood of Christ. I just can't. And it also strikes me as akin to magic, if you really want to know the truth.)

Tim's dad went to high school with the priest of the church in our neighborhood, and talks to him on a semi-regular basis, including ABOUT US, so he's REALLY pulling hard to get us back in there.

Tim is thinking about going and talking to the priest, to tell him where we are theologically and to ask what the best way is to broach that with his dad. Part of me thinks that's an excellent idea, and part of me thinks, "Wait, you don't go sit down with a priest to say, 'Yeah, uh, I'm not really on board with what you believe and have dedicated your life to...so, how can I tell my dad that?' "

I have NO problem with Tim's dad's devotion. None. I admire it. I just don't share it. And I just wish that in return, he'd be equally okay with me not sharing his faith.

No, he was pretty tired at the end. But Gary Stevens is pointing out that they slowed the pace down in the middle of the race which made it difficult for the deep closers.

(But both Animal Kingdom and Dialed In got up for 2nd and 4th.)

Preakness:

Wow, Midnight Interlude finished 13th. So much for the theory that he had a bad ride in the Derby.

Preakness: Ooh - didn't even notice that. Also, on HRTV they're pointing out that in all of the major 3 year old races: Derby preps, then the Derby and now the Preakness - no favorite has won. Very odd.

Olivia just informed her friend Jackson that since they're not brother and sister, they can get married. I believe they just had a ceremony.

Steph, that sounds so difficult. I wish you very good luck with that.

I am SO glad my parents and in-laws are midly, if at all, religious. My mom is nominally, casually Christian; my dad thinks God, if he exists, is kind of a dick. (Sorry, religious Buffistas!) He's very bitter about my devout-her-whole-life Grandma dying the exact way she was terrified to die, of senile dementia in a nursing home, slowly.

I don't even know what my in-law's are. I think they belong to the church of wine.

M's mom is Jewish and M's being raised Jewish, and I think it's an important part of his cultural heritage; I'll support him if he decides to embrace it. However, D's an atheist and I'm agnostic; I have no plans to bullshit him about our beliefs when he gets to that age.

His faith, or lack thereof, should be an informed, personal decision.

I just rotated a Queen mattress all by myself. Fuck yeah spatial intelligence!

part of me thinks, "Wait, you don't go sit down with a priest to say, 'Yeah, uh, I'm not really on board with what you believe and have dedicated your life to...so, how can I tell my dad that?' "

Ultimately it probably depends on the priest, but given the discussions I've had about family with various pastors over the years, he may have some good advice and insight. Dealing with people is kinda their bailiwick.

Picture of the Preakness finish line.