Why I Don't Do Christian Car Bling

So, I had to go to this meeting. I work on campus so it's faster to walk than it is to drive. As I'm crossing the library parking lot I notice this car apparently owned by a couple of lesbian unitarians. Judging from the bumper stickers. Including "Love above all." "God loves everyone." "Would God hate?" "Peace is the answer."

The reason I noticed it was the driver and her partner (judging from the dialogue) were having a hair pulling, screaming and cussing catfight. Dragging out of the car door, across the hood, down the sidewalk, and so on. Yeah, peace may be the answer but I guess you have to ask the right question.

Hmmm. Bringing up the real issue I have with religious and philosophical bumper stickers.

The way I drive, the last thing I need is someone jumping out of the car after I cut them off and attempt to communicate my sentiment with sign language, and say "Pray the rosary yourself, bitch!"

Which is why my car is adorned with the legally required Alabama license plate and a window clingie that states I donated to the university's annual fund. I do hope that keeps me from being any one else's blog post.

Like Crack for an Addict

So today I sent over to the main library for some books.

Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton

The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

Apologia Pro Vita Sua by Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman

Proving one thing. OK, two things. First, I'm pretty nerdy in my reading selection. Second, I do love old books. I love to smell them, handle them. I love the feel of the paper. The font, back before everything was Arial or Times New Roman. The binding. My dream job was book repair. The craftsmanship; they really don't make 'em like that anymore. Sadly, this dream job came with a less than dream paycheck and while beans and bulk rice are healthy, they lack some kind of culinary variety which is nice.

However, I'm sniffing these books like they were airplane glue.

Here's a copy of Lives of the Saints that I fixed up like new. Well not quite like new.

Because if it was NEW, what would be the point in wanting an old book?

(shoutout to stubby for giving me the book)

It's hard out there for a lib...

Man.

Never has it been more inconvenient to be a right leaning Libertarian. 3/4 of this campus thinks Obama is Jesus. A smattering have pro-McCain bumper stickers. But us poor libs? Have taken to creeping around like first century Christians in the catacombs beneath Rome, drawing little statues of liberty in the sand to identify each other, lest we be tossed into the ring with the lions.

We're still working on that secret handshake thing.

Goodbye, my friend

Ha, how about an update, eh? That's what one does to blogs, right? In theory?

Nothing much new. Just fighting off old ladies in Walmart for the last box of cheesy Ritz Bitz because God knows, that's hurricane food. I did discover during Katrina that boxed red wine is a better choice than beer because it doesn't require refrigeration. Now that's a lesson you won't get on the weather channel.

On a more somber note, the world is less one good man after this weekend. My friend John Layne lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, August 30. One day too soon to see his favorite team not suck. Years too soon for the joy he would have brought to the lives of his friends. He was the most generous soul I have ever known (even if he lacked something in...dignity) and the world as I know it will never be the same. Requiscat in Pace, my friend.

http://obits.al.com/Mobile/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=116783334

Watch, O Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch or weep tonight,
and give your angels charge
over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones,
O Lord Jesus Christ;
rest your weary ones;
bless your dying ones;
soothe your suffering ones;
pity your afflicted ones;
shield your joyous ones;
and all for your love's sake.

Amen.

--St. Augustine of Hippo