I Know....I Know...

I know that I've been negligent, but it has been unavoidable.  With three research papers to research and draft, my time has been completely swamped.  The only reason that I am updating now is that my brain is on overload and I deserve a much needed break. 

My local Secular Student Alliance club at school is up and running with an "Ask An Atheist" table in the works (so excited!).  I'm thrilled, also, that we have a room scheduled for meetings for the rest of the semester.  Funny story...

To begin the semester, we couldn't get a room booked for our meetings at all.  In desperation, I tried several contacts at school for help.  Eventually, I was recommended a conference room in the faculty offices (keep in mind that I'm just a club member, not an officer, but I know people in the Honor's Club).  When I spoke to the secretary that was in charge of the space, she seemed to be totally cool (considering that we are meeting in the late afternoon, every other Friday - when nobody is on campus).  She asked me for the name of the club, so she could write it in on the calender.  I told her....she asked questions (had no idea what the SSA was).... I told her we were an atheist/agnostic club.... her body language immediately changed.

Imagine, a little old woman who is hunched over her desk, taking notes, when she hears the word, "non-believer".  She instantly leans as far back in her office chair as possible, tells me that we will all find out the truth when we die, and tells me (in so many words) that she is NOT a "non-believer". 

Well, I knew we were in trouble.  She mentioned the department chair and the dean (who we may have to go through for approval) even though we are a recognized group on campus.  Sufficed to say, I contacted the President of the group immediately.  Luckily, he was able to meet with the department chair, and (thanks to his suave personality) we have the conference room for the remainder of the semester.  Whew! 

I have to tell you.  If this is the kind of reception I should expect for the "Ask An Atheist" table next week, I'll have my work cut out for me.  My problem is public speaking.  I am really hoping to get a great deal of experience from the indignant believers first hand.  I need it!

Well, I suppose that I should get back to analyzing literature (how exactly this will help me in my psychology career, I'm not sure).  Cheers!

Just Checking In

Man, this week has been hell.  I've had a boatload of reading assignments which took hours and hours and fairly lengthy writing assignments to do (in all five of my classes).  Sheesh!!!  And I'm not done yet.  Even though this will be a three day weekend, most of it will be taken up by more reading, analysis and writing.  My eyes are so dry, my fingers feel like they want to fall off, and I have a knot the size of a grapefruit in my neck.  But enough whinning.

Last semester, being my first, was an adjustment period for me and I didn't get involved with any clubs or activities at school, but I've made a special point to get involved in at least one group this year.  The group that I put first and foremost is the Secular Student Alliance affiliate at my college.  This afternoon, I was able to go to our first meeting, get to know the president a little better and help brainstorm some nifty activities for this year.

The president of our group is friendly with the president of our college's chapter of Baptist Collegiate Ministries and we are hoping to have at least one joint venture with them as a transfaith collaboration.  My suggestion was a game-show type event where a couple of people from our respective groups would play bible trivia to see who knows best.  We'll see if we can't get it approved by the BCM; who knows, it might be fun!  Besides, the believers will draw a much bigger audience than we will alone which will allow for more non-believing, community outreach.

Our first excursion into the public this year will be an "Ask An Atheist" table and I was all over that.   I looks like we will brainstorm some more on fund-raising events for charity and we also are going to try to raise $$$ for a proposed trip to Skepticon this November.  Of course, I already have my hotel room booked for that, but it would be awsome to have some homies come along and raise 'hell' with me.  lol  Looking forward to getting within the aura of PZ, even if it is for just a minute.  =)

HoHum....my textbooks are calling out to me, telling me I'm a lazy sot.....back to the grind.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!