Fela's Scrapbook of irrational fears

[Oracle]

Elisabeth Gann - The Invisible Children This is something close to my heart that I wanted to share. Another scrap reminded me that sometimes we turn our back on the rest of the world and don't think about the suffering that is taking place far away from us. I'm not saying we should ever belittle the sufferings in our own backyard, but please do not turn a blind eye to someone else in need who is not able to care for themselves. I'm not asking for anything by sharing these links. If you want to know more please read them and watch the video. If you are easily upset than do not, if you decide you want to help you can do that by simply sharing the links with more people. The more people that know about these horrific events the more someone might be able to do something about it. I'm doing this to educate and nothing more. http://www.invisiblechildren.com/ The trailers

[Indigo]

This his brought out my automatic aaaawww reflex and I am compelled to respond with no spoilers to shield you from the CUTE:



and

[Oracle]

Note to self: Watch what you are clicking. A smiley can turn into a heart on accident and make your friendly comment sound flirty and creepy. The other person will quickly leave the channel before you can correct it as well, so now you are simply known as "The Mizahar Stalker." Seriously Liz, watch what you click.

-.-

[Oracle]

Isn't this how life goes sometimes?

[Gossamer]

I thought you were a stalker? Wow. Big mistake. I'm sorry. I was never creeped out though, just secretly thrilled... because you did it to me too. Also, I miss your big long blog posts. Being a mod sure robs your time.

[Oracle]

I thought you were a stalker? Wow. Big mistake. I'm sorry. I was never creeped out though, just secretly thrilled... because you did it to me too. Also, I miss your big long blog posts. Being a mod sure robs your time.

It does, but I'll tell you that I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love it.

<3

Elisabeth Gann - Time Management Speaking of time, there just is never enough is there? My schedule right now consists of no days off and lots of homework, but you know, I wont complain. I am so happy with my situation right now, somewhat frustrated at times but very happy. As I type this I also work on math homework, it's graphing today. I hate graphing. it's so long and boring. Yes I know how to find these points and yes I know how to play connect the dots. I've been doing that since I was five years old. I also have an English essay I should start working on that is due in about two weeks. This essay is about comparing and contrasting. This topic has brought up a lot of interesting conversation in class, and the realization that the only person I have anything in common with is the atheist in the corner that keeps insisting that religion (as an umbrella term) is the same as a cult. I tried to point out that there is a thin line between some religious organizations and cults by definition but she just kept using that term, needless to say I was offended by this. I'm not part of a mainstream religion but I still feel mine is valid and very much not a cult. Now, the only reason I say I have anything in common with her is because out of the entire room me and her were the only cat people. My class is filled with nothing but dog lovers and mac users. I have no problem with either of those things, if you accept that windows users can be just as informed and prefer windows to mac and that cats are living things that deserve love. All the mac users in the class went about insisting that a mac is not a PC (personal computer!) and cannot get viruses. I know that macs do not get viruses very often, but it does happen. There is a reason that anti-virus programs exist for mac. Now I am a Windows user for various reasons which are not important here. The important thing about this entire paragraph is that regardless of what your preference is you should always be respectful of those who do not believe the same as you. My own teacher made the statement that: "If you cannot name the differences between a Mac and a PC then you use windows and don't care one way or another". So if you are apathetic and use what ever is available to you then you are automatically a windows user cause, let's face it they are morons right? -.- The entire class I just wanted to jump up and explain why there was so much fail in the discussion but I have crippling social anxiety and the very thought of speaking up more than I did threw me into a spiraling panic. I've gotten off topic haven't I? The whole scrap was about time management and how much I have on my plate right now. So working on graphing in between sentences, I have a major essay to do, two major Spanish tests this upcoming week including a composition written in class. Beyond class I have a while bunch of modded threads to do (which I am so excited to do and feel bad for being so behind!), development and two PCS. All of this and a full time job on the weekend. I work three days a week at 10-12 hours a day to make up for the time I miss by only working three days a week. All of this is long and hard but it all boilers down to, how happy am I? Very. I am getting my education, having fun and still surviving on my own as an adult which isn't easy at 21, it does help I've been taking care of myself since 16, but I am still proud of myself every day I step out that door and go to school. I am making my life better and nothing can spoil the good mood it puts me in. Did I also mention I have all A's so far? I made those tests my bitch. That's right Spanish, you do what I say. Aaaaand the last thing: My English essay is about showcasing the similarities between monotheistic faiths and polytheistic faiths and showing how at the core we can all learn to be better human beings. Yeah pretty wishy washy I know, but I feel very strongly about social liberties. I am part of two minorities, I am Pagan and Pansexual. I get a lot of shit from a lot of people, I try and be accepting of everyone I can and my hope is one day the world feels the same way. I just want the majority religion to stop shoving it down my throat and telling me to GTFO out of the country I was born in because I don't fit what they fill makes a decent hardworking American. Once again getting off topic, but doing multiple things at once will do that do you. Sorry to have this scrap be so serious, I just have a lot on my mind. The whole reason I told you guys about my essay idea is that I want to know what you think, do you think that mono and poly faiths have enough similarities that we can all live in peace and accept one another, or are they too different? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Much Love, Liz

[Caelum]

Your question deserves a longer, more involved answer and likely from someone more learned and eloquent than I; but I feel if I go on too long, I’ll end up going farther and saying more than I would like. I think that monotheistic and polytheistic faiths and their similarities or lack thereof are not the actual problem. The problem, as ever, lies in the people who subscribe to them. They are people like any other, good, bad, and all of the in betweens. There are few organized religions that are at core bad; but there are plenty who have “bad” followers or followers who are unfortunately only bad when it comes to certain aspects of their faith. We have all seen it historically and in today’s era. Gay funeral protesting Christians, terrorizing Islams, numerous occasions and prejudice and wrong doing on smaller scales, et cetera et alia. While it’s true there are commonly accepted wrongs laid out in the doctrine of various religions, it is in my opinion a problem of translation and reaction. Words are powerful. Faith is powerful. Things so powerful as these ought be handled with far greater care than that the world has already witnessed. Will that ever happen? Unlikely. Can it happen? Yes, but there are costs to that too.

[Tessa Poe]

I don't know where to start with your professor, or the rest of your classmates... for one thing there's only thing sadder than arguing about an operating system, and that's actually caring about people's choice of operating systems. I'm desperately trying to keep my own objections to Macs and Apple products in general that are based more on the marketing and pricing out of this... with limited success it seems

Oh... and clearly your professor isn't that well informed since there isn't that much of a difference between Macs and PCs these days, they're running on the same chip sets now after all. Ummm... never mind. Your professor's slightly up their own arse.

Congratulations on the Straight A's by the way! Hope your classmates become more bearable magically at some point Oh and my sympathies about the feeling alienated over there, I well know the feeling.

[Fela Meason]

...I think that monotheistic and polytheistic faiths and their similarities or lack thereof are not the actual problem. The problem, as ever, lies in the people who subscribe to them...it is in my opinion a problem of translation and reaction. Words are powerful. Faith is powerful. Things so powerful as these ought be handled with far greater care than that the world has already witnessed.

Well said hon...well said.


-----------------------------------------------------

I guess what brought all this on was a status update on facebook, I know I know. Getting upset over something said on facebook is pretty stupid. The entire site is great for keeping up with relatives but also great for starting massive amounts of drama. The status was a really catchy rhyme scheme about how God isn't allowed in schools and it's so wrong to pray to the Christian God in schools that you will end up in prison. -.- It then went out to say how backwards this country is for allowing pagan practices and for allowing people to dress the way they do. The exact quote was "dress like freaks".

Now, me and my roommate very politely pointed out that the separation dictates that schools basically cannot force a student to pray to one particular god or another. Great policy! You don't know what walks of life everyone comes from and no religion should be forced on the masses in a public place.

(If anyone disagrees with me, then I would like to say sorry for offending you but this is how I personally feel about it)

If I student wanted to pray, that's fine as long as they were not forcing everyone to do it. I myself have prayed many many times before a test for good luck and that the Goddess smiles down on, but I have never tried to lead the class in a circle chant. -.- Just saying.

Now before I go any further(just addressing everyone here): I have no issues with ANY religion you might practice. You are who you are and I love you for being fantastic and following what ever path is best laid out for you. My best friend is Episcopalian, my other is non-denominational. My fiance is agnostic and I'm pagan. I have best friends who are Jews, Muslims and yes even two lucifarians (another rant for another day). I personally believe everyone follows the path they are meant to follow and I think they are just wonderful for that. My only issue with anyone on the face of this great planet is with who they are on the inside.

Even then I will try and understand how they got to be where they are, but even I will admit a flaw here. I am very judgmental of bigots. Well maybe not judgmental...I guess I just hate them. -.- There isn't much I hate. I really do love everyone, with the exceptions of homophobes, racists and plain ol' bigots...well and sexual offenders but again that is another rant for another day.

I just simply cannot understand hating someone just for containing a trait you do not understand...aaaaannnd I am way off subject again aren't I?

To be honest if I had a point I was originally trying to make I think I might have forgotten it. (That's sad)

Bottom line: try to accept people you don't understand before blatantly hating them for it. If you don't understand what they are about ask them. Get to know them a bit better and forget any misconceptions you might have previously had.

Ask yourself this question: Did you think this person was a good person before you found out that bit of information, what ever it is, that possibly challenges your morals and view points? If they answer is yes, then you might want to reconsider hating them. They are still the same person, you just know something new about them.

(I have a feeling this will leave a bad taste in some people's mouths...)

[Fela Meason]

...never mind. Your professor's slightly up their own arse.

Congratulations on the Straight A's by the way! Hope your classmates become more bearable magically at some point Oh and my sympathies about the feeling alienated over there, I well know the feeling...

Thank you hon! I need the encouragement, things have been rough lately.

I just wish my roomies were in class with me, would be a lot easier.