Love story

What is it with people, that we crave for corny happily-ever-after love stories?

Certainly the old Hollywood romances are unrealistic for most people, yet so many people cling to the conception that if only they meet the right person, everything will be alright. Not realizing (or simply ignoring) the fact that relationships require time and effort, they set high standards and are disappointed when potential partners do not live up to them.

I would love to say that I am above such things, but alas, I am not.

Even in my mind, I make lists of qualities, both relevant and unnecessary, that a woman should possess if she would want to be mine. Completely ignoring, of course, the list of qualities that I myself should possess if I want the relationship to be even remotely successful. The ego is funny like that.

Trying to be conscious of both lists is, in my view, a good way to set more realistic goals both for myself and any possible partner. I doubt that I will get rid of my internal high standards completely, but at least it's a start.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've some qualities to write down.

***

Wanted: Friendly female of the human species, age between 18 and 21, with stunning good looks. Clothes and brains optional. Send your picture to dragonwantsyou@yahoo.com (that's on the internet) and I might contact you by telephone for breathing heavily.

Athe

Beware: Subject may cause anxiety or anger. Please treat with care.

Atheism. Obviously, it is not another form of religion, devoted to the adoration of the goddess Athe, but what, exactly, is atheism?

Literally, atheism is a belief without a god.

Surely that sounds simple enough, but what implications does that have? Certainly there are as many different subtleties as there are people who call themselves atheists, so allow me to explain my own.

Atheism is a belief in a world where there is no god, there was never a god, and there never will be a god. That world is our world; the existence as we know it.

Since the dawn of mankind, there have been numerous religions with numerous gods -- some religions claim there is one god, others claim many. This, however, does not mean that all those people were right.

Gods were, more often than not, conjured up by active imaginations for all the then unexplainable phenomena people encountered. Thunder and lightning were the work of a god; the miracle of birth was due to a goddess; if one performed some ritual to this god or another, one would do better at hunting or fighting.

It was not untill much later that the concept of one god, and an all-powerful god at that, became common. A creator, who for that merit alone should be worshiped.

What a load of crap.

Pardon my French, but whoever said that god wanted to be worshiped? Imagine the pets you might own, to every day thank you for everything they received from you -- a pleasant home, good food, and love (I'm assuming this, obviously). For one, it would be silly and a bit unnerving. Also, it would be a waste of time, since without the idolizing, you would probably care just as much for them.

And, more importantly, creation takes place before worship. If one does not worship zealously enough, the creation cannot be unmade.

That is assuming there is a god of some sort. I already stated that I do not think there is.

Gods are often convenient ways to explain events or actions that cannot be easily comprehended. The human mind is simply unable to comprehend all of nature -- and by nature, I also mean physics, chemistry, natural disasters, and astonomy. Obviously we are making good progress in trying to understand the natural laws of the world, but it is doubtful we'll ever know everything -- as most religious people would agree.

However, unlike the assumption of religions that "therefore" there is a god, I say that there is none. Nature works according to its own rules, even if we will never know them all. It merely means that the things we cannot explain (yet) appear to be godlike. But they are not. They are merely unexplained.

Does this mean morality, by many to be believed to be based in religion, can be tossed out of the window? No, far from it -- but that is the subject of another time.

Remember -- there is no god. Now stop worrying and live your life, dammit.

Fall of the West

Empires rise and crumble. Such is the way of things.

Even so, the downfall of the mighty western empire seems to surprise intelligent people around the globe. America has lost much of its super power, both military and ideologically. Europe, being the older and more careful brother, cannot stand up to replace it and goes down with the United States, while relative newcomers like India, Africa and China are fast becoming more and more influentual and selfassured.

The so-called economic crisis is nothing but the final push over the edge. The real crumbling has been happening for decades, corroding the west from the inside out by focusing on money and superficial perfection -- temporary vanities based on nothing. Spiritual fulfillment is left on hold, emotional satisfaction pending, while the people long to fill the emptiness inside but receive nothing to fill it with.

Which is not to say that the western 'civilisation' does not contain worthy values, nor that great empires are by definition devoid of moral compasses. It was simply not enough invested into, financially or otherwise.

The downfall of the west, and the acknowledgement of this by its people, will happen in gradual leaps in the next few years or decades. Mourn not the lost Empire of Money, for it will become a lesson for future generations and future superpowers.

It's just fucked up that we, as people, get caught in the middle.

Chicken mayhem

For more fun with feisty poultry, visit Savage Chickens.com. Trust me, it's worth it.

Welcome back to the world that makes no sense whatsoever

Gadget

Am I not your favourite gadget no more? How come, my little baby?

Am I not your favourite gadget no more now? How come not anymore?

I heard stories that you're shopping around, you've been all over town with some slut hanging round your neck... Now I'm broken down and out.

Am I not your favourite gadget no more, how come my little baby? Am I not your favourite gadget no more now, how come not anymore? Since you bought me, I feel lonely. Since that day things are wrong. Could you not repair me, honey? Is my warranty garanteed gone?

Oh, second hand for ever and ever old, for ever and ever second hand now, oh no! I've been bought, I've been sold, but I just needed some fixing! I feel cheap, but I'm not a bargain.

Just for you I keep waiting. Oh, second hand now...

Am I not your favourite gadget no more, how come my little baby? Am I not your favourite gadget no more now, how come not anymore? (Nananana...)

I've been bought, I've been sold -- but I just needed some fixing! I feel cheap, but I'm not a bargain. Just for you i keep waiting.

Am I not your favourite gadget, no more? What did I do, baby?

~original lyrics by Ellen ten Damme, "Gadget"

On fire

Girl, you are driving me crazy -- in the best way possible.

You see, I think you're awesome. You're sweet, you're sexy, you're funny, you're kind... You're everything a Dragon could hope for.

Yet I am fearful to let myself go.

Do not think for a moment that I did not mean what I said -- I do. Do not think that I don't believe you -- I do.

It is hard for me to explain my anxiety without giving the wrong impression. It's not that I don't want you, but I think I fear to go too fast.

It is not long since last I had a girl, and I find myself craving love and intimacy. I also found myself projecting those on people that I shouldn't or wouldn't.

I fear, not for hurting myself, but for hurting you. By going too fast, by building on foundations that might not be as strong as I would like them to be.

I do want you. But I don't want it all, yet.

Does that make sense? Am I sounding bitter? I don't know. But I do know that you've turned my world upside down.

Baby, you're hot. And I'm on fire. Don't let me burn up all at once.

Click it, dammit

Pong: The true story behind a classic videogame

Yes, it's worth clicking. Do it now. Otherwise, what's the point in reading this? That's it. Thank me later.

Hunt them down

I have no idea what this means, but it looks weird and amazing.

Today's random thoughts

New on this blog's menu: the random thoughts of the day. Which, as they are random, will probably be a non-daily occurrence.

On to the randomness.

* Trees and flowers should have human rights, too.

* Wiggling noses are cute. So are toes. Eyes are scary, though.

* Why is that in the dark, one can't see, while in the light, one can?

* Of all the things one should do, the easiest are the hardest to start doing.

* There is a 99.1% certainty that nobody's reading this. There is a 23.6% chance you are offended by it, though. Around 4.7% chance you will now boycott trade relations with me, my family and generally everyone who happened to live in a 200 kilometer radius from me. And then try to kill all of us.

* Randomness is overrated.

The Matrix Philosophy

Divine blog

We live in a godless age.

Or rather, that is what many people claim. Ironically, people say such things throughout history. And perhaps they are right.

What God would allow the killing of thousands of innocents? The raping of countless women? The raging of innumerable wars? The use of religion as an excuse for unnamed horrors?

Or people's pleas to a divine being to end it all, instead of doing something about it themselves?

I do not know if there is a God. Frankly, I care not. What I do know is that if there is, God will not look kindly on those who do not use their godgiven intellect for merely praising Him.

God, I am sure, would rather see his people use the attributes that He has given them. Intellect, reason, creativity, love, compassion, humanity. Not sticking to ancient rites and rituals.

I seldom go to church, and when I do, it's usually to be amazed by the craftsmanship with which such old buildings were built. They are a testament to mankind's great abilities. The Notre Dame in Paris; the Cathedral in Köln; the Dome in Florence; they are testament to their age.

And they say our age is even greater still. What of our biggest towers, our sliding doors, our (generally) astounding health care, our electricity?

No matter if there is a God, the best thing to do is use our (godgiven?) abilities.

Cats and dogs

Things I just don't get

What's the use of annoying advertising?

Why are racists never convinced some other race is superior to their own?

If we're all born naked, why do we need to wear clothes while dead?

What makes anyone think their opinion is so great, they need to kill anyone who disagrees?

If there is one god, why are there countless religions?

How come every religious person is convinced his belief is the only true one?

What's so civil about war, anyway?

I appreciate art as much as the next guy (probably more), but why does it influence us so?

Why are the best photographs either out of focus or badly lit?

Why do we insist on wearing clothes, when all we want is take them off of other people?

What the hell am I doing on this girl's chest? (Not that I'm complaining, mind you...)



In other news: I've started my new job in The Hague. I love it.

God is dead

... but why doesn't the world see it?

Yes, I am an atheist. God does not exist. God doesn't explain anything. And if there is a deity that created the entire galaxy, life, miracles and he can read all of our minds at the same time, I bet he wouldn't be very proud of all the complaining he hears.

So wear your heretic badge proudly and convince the people that religion should be abolished.

PS. Yes, this is the place to discuss religion.

"Anakin, Chancellor Bert is evil!"

"From my point of view, the world is evil!"

At last, we shall reveal ourselves to the world. At last, we shall have revenge.

World, beware. The galaxy's most feared bounty hunter and terrorist has returned, and he's coming for all of us. Especially bunnies.

Bert.

Evil incarnate.

Stay inside, lock your doors and windows, sacrifice your firstborn, pray to the gods, and keep the blue pill nearby.

He's coming. Half of the Marsians have already died.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.



Oh, and check out my cute new pet!