OMGawd! I am so exhausted! But Free!

Hi everyone!
So sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. 

Like I mentioned in my Info page, my GPA comes first, and that certainly has applied this semester (and probably all other semesters....   :)

My college decided to be funny and schedule every single one of my finals for today.  I've spent the weekend cramming, finishing two papers, and not sleeping.  But, it's all over.  I have a month to chill, play Call of Duty: MW3 and Skyrim, and blog to my heart's content.  I am going to go to sleep now to recharge, but you'll be hearing from me soon.   Soooooooooo much in the news that will keep me busy for awhile. 

Thank you for sticking around and being patient with me.
Mary B.

No one ever said life was easy

I know that college is my dream; I've wanted to go for the last 15 years and now I'm doing it, but damn! it's consuming all of my time.  My GPA is still rockin' so it is totally worth it, but I've been so neglectful!

Rest assured my dear friends...as soon as finals are over for this semester, I'll have a full month to spew my ill informed and petty comments about the rethuglicans, religion, the general apathy and stupidity in the world, and maybe some funny stuff too.

For now, I'm wasting away writing papers that are of no interest to me.  BUT, there is a bright spot on the horizon.  In three days, I'll be in Springfield, MO for Skepticon!!  I'll have two days away from the hubby to soak in all kinds of heathenistic, atheistic, scientific, and just plain terrific speakers.  Wish I had funds; I'd purchase a camcorder or, at least, a digicamara to document my experience, but alas I am poor and barely scraped up the dough for the hotel and gas.  I might even be able to eat while I'm there, but it's not a sure thing.

Anyway, I can't wait and I hope to meet some really interesting folks there this weekend!! Maybe I'll see you there!     =)

Why Do Men ... ?

Why do men feel it necessary to yell at the television screen during sporting events?  Do they honestly think that their heroes can hear them? 

Here I am, sitting on the couch, laptop in hand, trying desperately to critique my own paper, whilst my husband screams at the tube.  I can't concentrate, I've run out of earplugs, and my vodka is running low.

Sanity wanes.

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!

I Get To Breathe!

Wow, I actually have an evening when there are no homework assignments to do.  I am amazed!  Maybe its because I just had exams in 4 of my 5 classes and my instructors thought we all needed a break.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad. 

Just chillin' on my couch, catchin' up on my favorite bloggers and loosening up with some 100 proof. 

Gotta enjoy it while I can; I'm sure that tomorrow evening, I'll be bogged down in more work.  =)

Cheers!!!!

Why Do People Waste Their Money?

Well, let's see...
We are into our fourth week of the semester and, on average, half of my classmates are gone.   The only exception is my Biology class (more on that below).  Do these kids say, "Hey, I know, I can't find a job at MacBurgerFlippinJoint, so I'll go to college"?  Then they enroll, pay their tuition, buy their books, then find out that they actually have to work at it!  Oh my gawd!!!! Who would have thunk it?

On the facebook app that my school has available for its students, one guy writes, "Looking for other students who are taking college algebra to study with. my first two quizzes wasn't that good. : ("   This guy might need to find an English tutor.  In fact, my English (Comp II) class has about 10 remaining out of the 30 who started.  So sad.  My Honors World Civ course (which only seats 15, tops) is now down to 10 (33% reduction), with Psych and Philosophy following suit. 

I just don't get it.  Why do they even bother?  If it's their parents sending them there, the parents should know better than to throw away their money on brats who can't have shown any initiative previously.

Surprisingly, though, my Biology class has only lost 2 out of 30 (so far).  One of the girls is even home schooled (she wants to be a missionary when she grows up - how cute).  I think it's because it's a relatively easy course so far, with a teacher who says things like, "I'm going to teach evolution in this class and if you don't ascribe to that way of thinking, all that I ask is that you learn the material."  (Arghh) So the Prof is an accommodationist.  I'm sure that makes it easier on the bible belters here.

Anyway, this penny-pinching, money-grubbing, can't waste a cent on what I can't use non-believer is going to do some more homework.  I'm done complaining.  =)

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!

What Would It Take...

A question that pops up regularly is, 'what would it take to convince a non-believer to believe in god?' 

Well, considering that there are over 1000 gods and more than 4000 religions based upon those gods, the questioner would have to narrow down the field a bit.  In the case of Poseidon, I might be convinced if a 300 foot, bearded man were to walk out of the ocean and could, with his massive trident, create hurricanes and whirlpools on demand.

In the case of Yahweh, who is supposed to be ever-present, all-powerful and the embodiment of goodness, I suppose I'd have to go with the complete and utter eradication of cancers and aids by, let's say, tomorrow (or I could be generous and say next week, even).  That would be pretty convincing to me.  (Btw, this condition is not mine; I hijacked it from PZ, Dawkins or some other author whose name escapes me right now).

I don't think I ask for too much.

The Joys of Higher Education

Well, I'm thinking that this semester is going to be much more labor intensive than the last.   I've been officially introduced to all of my classes and I have a feeling I'll be buried, up to my eyeballs, in reading assignments, in addition to all of the research papers and essays that are going to be required of me.  (Man, I hate writing) 

Anyway, I am still hugely excited, but I fear that I might have to neglect you, my friends.  If that turns out to be the case, I apologize in advance.  Though, I will try to say hi every now and then, just so you know that I'm still kickin'.

Okay, then, I'm off to spend the next several hours reading until my eyes dry out.   Weeeeeeeee!!!

On The Topic Of Militant Atheism

mil·i·tant

 /ˈmɪlɪtənt/ Show Spelled[mil-i-tuhnt] 

adjective

1. vigorously active and aggressive, especially in support of a cause: militant reformers.

2. engaged in warfare; fighting.

 

Do I consider myself to be a militant atheist?  After a lot of consideration, I’d have to say yes.  I am aggressive and active, but I am not an extremist and being an atheist does not define the whole of my existence.  I am passionate and vocal about a wide variety of things; one of which just happens to be non-belief.

Away from the blogosphere, I rarely even broach the topic of belief or non-belief.  I don’t go around asking people where they stand, I don’t accost church-goers in the parking lot after Sunday services, I don’t deface personal property that depicts religion, etc.  I truly feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.   But…

Thanks Everyone!

This is the seventh day since the birth of this blog and I want to thank everyone for checking it out.  I especially want to thank Dustin for making me an official "Friend of the Evolving Scientist".  Since then, I've recieved a jump in page views and it is hugely appreciated. 

I think I've figured out the social network plugin, so you should be able to "like" me on facebook as well as follow the blog from there.

Again, I thank everyone for visiting.  Please leave comments and tell me how I'm doing.  If you like what you see, "like" me and pass the word on.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.   =)

Greetings and Salutations!
My fellow atheists, agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, etc., allow me to introduce myself.  I am a 34 year old college freshman who has lived, until recently, a socially isolated life.  I've recently discovered facebook, and it's amazing!  Can't believe I refused to join a social networking site for so long. lol

I grew up in a hodgepodge of cities and towns, but the main portion of my childhood was spent in Las Vegas, NV.  My younger sister and I were raised by our single mother, and although she followed no particular religious faith, we always knew she believed in god (in one form or another).  We grew up with access to the Bible and the Book of Mormon and were encouraged to find our own path.  For that Mom, I thank you.

I was always a good student in my younger years; I was the anti-social, awkward, shy kid always tucked into a corner with her nose buried in some book or another (guess I still am).  My one and only child was born when I was quite young, so I put my educational career on hold.  During the last 16 years I've devoured a great many books and studied the religions of the world.

Because I thought I had to believe in some form of religion, I tried a couple.  First, there was my Southern Baptist experience when I was still in high school.  At that time, I lived in a tiny town of 500 people in central Oklahoma and was in the same class as the preacher's daughter.  They seemed like nice folks (at first), so when I was invited to join their services I jumped at the chance to learn more.  What I encountered was a thin public facade, lies, pettiness and hypocrisy.  The relationship ended badly.

After that, I decided not to rush into anything.  I was 22 before I stumbled upon Wicca and really latched on.  I delved deeply into "the craft", but after a few years (simultaneously researching comparative religions) I realized that all religions were the same.  They were brainwashing techniques; an escape from reality into a "comforting" fantasy.  This led me from theism and fostered an interest in the psychological mechanisms behind faith. 

But it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I realized that I was an atheist (I live in the bible belt after all, and atheists have a bad name).  Richard Dawkins', "The God Delusion", is what opened my eyes and I haven't looked back since. 

While I haven't been very involved in the atheist/skeptic/freethinker movement, I do try to keep up to date by reading my favorite bloggers, through facebook updates, and through a variety of podcasts.  I have been having a hard time this summer (I didn't take summer courses) and have been bored out of my mind, so I decided to see if I could give blogging a try.  Although, when school starts up again this fall, my free time will probably be non-existent. 

Anyway, that's a little about me and I hope I don't disappoint.
Mary