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"No one is forced to celebrate christmas"
General | Posted 11 years agoI made a post on a video that explained the history of christmas and the tree. I made the correction that nonchristians have trees in their houses too to celebrate the holiday. The simple act of forcing the holiday on others changed it from a religious holiday to a secular one. In a way it came full circle in the sense that pagans had their own traditions that was absorbed into christianity.
Then came the replies. One person said that it isn't forced on anyone, which I rebutted by pointing out that anyone who doesn't participate is either called a scrooge or a grinch. To put it in other words, you'll be ostracized for not participating.
Others pointed out that the holiday was not truly christian since it has its origins in paganism or that it is more of a corporate holiday. Another said that hindus celebrate it as well as if they refuted my initial point. Once again I had to point out that neither of those claims changes the fact that people are ostracized for not participating. It may not be directly forcing people to go along with it, but treating people like crap for not participating is indirectly forcing them to go along with it. Why can't people understand this concept?
Then came the replies. One person said that it isn't forced on anyone, which I rebutted by pointing out that anyone who doesn't participate is either called a scrooge or a grinch. To put it in other words, you'll be ostracized for not participating.
Others pointed out that the holiday was not truly christian since it has its origins in paganism or that it is more of a corporate holiday. Another said that hindus celebrate it as well as if they refuted my initial point. Once again I had to point out that neither of those claims changes the fact that people are ostracized for not participating. It may not be directly forcing people to go along with it, but treating people like crap for not participating is indirectly forcing them to go along with it. Why can't people understand this concept?
DamNation
General | Posted 11 years agoI have been doing some research for a project presentation that I have to do for my Environmental Ethics class. I came across this film, link below, which talks about dams and their environmental impact. They focus on the native fish in the area and how many of the local dams are no linger viable, or were never useful to begin with. They source actual experts, which is typically rare in an environmentalist documentary, who presented well documented studies. They show both sides of the issue and it is crystal clear which types of ideologies each group has.
The dam supporters argue from an anthropocentric mindset. They would say things like, "Yeah, I changed the environment, but I did it for the benefit of mankind," and the way they say it is as if that is a justified rationalization. The dam opponents, on the other hand, argue from an ecocentric mindset. They say things along the lines of, "The dams have interfered with the breeding cycle of the native fish and seriously reduced their population," which they then show videos of the fish populations from before the dams went up.
Towards the end they show two damns that were demolished and the effects on wildlife. Within a year the population of the fish is higher than it had ever been after the dam was built, solidifying the ecocentric argument.
It is on Netflix and elsewhere. Check it out if you are into environmental type stuff. Speaking of, is there a conservationist group here? If so I am unaware of them.
http://damnationfilm.com/
The dam supporters argue from an anthropocentric mindset. They would say things like, "Yeah, I changed the environment, but I did it for the benefit of mankind," and the way they say it is as if that is a justified rationalization. The dam opponents, on the other hand, argue from an ecocentric mindset. They say things along the lines of, "The dams have interfered with the breeding cycle of the native fish and seriously reduced their population," which they then show videos of the fish populations from before the dams went up.
Towards the end they show two damns that were demolished and the effects on wildlife. Within a year the population of the fish is higher than it had ever been after the dam was built, solidifying the ecocentric argument.
It is on Netflix and elsewhere. Check it out if you are into environmental type stuff. Speaking of, is there a conservationist group here? If so I am unaware of them.
http://damnationfilm.com/
Update
General | Posted 11 years agoI'm married now. The 24th of October. So far we've only done the required paperwork through the courthouse. We will have a ceremony sometime in the future, most likely it will be something small with close friends.
Ride the weasel
General | Posted 11 years agoSeeing as how there has been a lot of problems with this site and that others have moved elsewhere, I started a weasyl account.
https://www.weasyl.com/~dustyfox
Yes, I've also changed my fur name. Blitzkrieg was a name I chose when I thought differently about a great many things. I have since moved away from militaristic thinking. I have changed a lot these past few years and the name change is part of that. I'll still check things out here from time to time.
https://www.weasyl.com/~dustyfox
Yes, I've also changed my fur name. Blitzkrieg was a name I chose when I thought differently about a great many things. I have since moved away from militaristic thinking. I have changed a lot these past few years and the name change is part of that. I'll still check things out here from time to time.
Just what is my sexuality?
General | Posted 11 years agoThis is a question that I've been thinking about recently. It is more deep than just "do I like girls or boys?" I'm gay, no doubt about it. But what do I find attractive? Looks are not that important to me. Sure, looks do have an impact on how attractive I think a person is, but that is considered only after I see the mind. "wtf does that mean?!" you might ask.
I am generally aroused by people who show an ability to practice critical thought. Those that love to consider the deeper and more complex nature of things rather than just skimming along the surface. Those that aren't afraid to admit they could be wrong and are more worried about understanding the nature of reality rather than satisfying their personal ego by insisting they are correct.
The sad thing is, those kinds of people are few and far between. At this point in my life I only know a few people that I enjoy carrying out a conversation with. I am hoping that will change as I progress through college, when I get to the higher level classes and the students that showed a half-assed effort have been weeded out. I get the feeling that there is a community of people that I would be right at home with, but I am just not standing out due to my current lack of education.
I must come off as odd to most people. I understand how that can make them uncomfortable. "We tend to fear that which we do not understand, in this the only defense is knowledge." Maybe it is how they react to me that makes me want to withdraw. If life as taught me anything, it is that despite my efforts, I get unexpected negative reactions from others. I don't know why this is, and I have grown tired of trying to figure it out.
So what is my sexuality? Well, if I have to put labels on it then this is currently my best stab at it. I am a homosexual, sapiosexual, androphilic, demisexual, vers./bottom.
"Ok, wtf does all of that mean?!"
It is probably mostly nonsense. xþ I'm gay, attracted to intelligence in others, attracted to masculine body types (which also applies to the kind of people I want to be friendly with), I do not feel sexually attracted to a person unless I have an emotional bond with them, and I can top and bottom but I prefer to bottom.
I am generally aroused by people who show an ability to practice critical thought. Those that love to consider the deeper and more complex nature of things rather than just skimming along the surface. Those that aren't afraid to admit they could be wrong and are more worried about understanding the nature of reality rather than satisfying their personal ego by insisting they are correct.
The sad thing is, those kinds of people are few and far between. At this point in my life I only know a few people that I enjoy carrying out a conversation with. I am hoping that will change as I progress through college, when I get to the higher level classes and the students that showed a half-assed effort have been weeded out. I get the feeling that there is a community of people that I would be right at home with, but I am just not standing out due to my current lack of education.
I must come off as odd to most people. I understand how that can make them uncomfortable. "We tend to fear that which we do not understand, in this the only defense is knowledge." Maybe it is how they react to me that makes me want to withdraw. If life as taught me anything, it is that despite my efforts, I get unexpected negative reactions from others. I don't know why this is, and I have grown tired of trying to figure it out.
So what is my sexuality? Well, if I have to put labels on it then this is currently my best stab at it. I am a homosexual, sapiosexual, androphilic, demisexual, vers./bottom.
"Ok, wtf does all of that mean?!"
It is probably mostly nonsense. xþ I'm gay, attracted to intelligence in others, attracted to masculine body types (which also applies to the kind of people I want to be friendly with), I do not feel sexually attracted to a person unless I have an emotional bond with them, and I can top and bottom but I prefer to bottom.
"It's not being used."
General | Posted 11 years agoThe idea that it is ok to destroy an ecosystem just because it "isn't being used" sounds an awful lot like the argument that it is ok to steal land from indigenous people because "they aren't using it."
Should we push out native species who have evolved to their environment and change the landscape to suit our needs just because that landscape appears barren to us? Just because we find it difficult to prosper in a desert does not mean that it is inherently useless as is. Have such proponents considered the possible far reaching consequences of such drastic changes to the landscape? If we completely modified the Sahara to suit our agricultural needs then what impact would be felt in the Amazon? Would the deprivation of nutrient transfer to a system which is a vital link to oxygen replenishment be worth the marginal gains to mankind?
The solution to our ecological crisis is not going to be found in further destruction of ecosystems. We must drastically change the way we view ourselves and our place within nature. The idea that nature only exists to serve man will lead to ruin. The idea that it is ok to destroy a small section of the natural environment because it is only a small section ignores the fact that thousands if not millions of other small sections are being destroyed right alongside it.
We all like to believe that our society is enlightened and that our barbaric nature has been discarded long ago, but the fact is that those barbaric tendencies are a lot closer to the surface than we are willing to admit.
Should we push out native species who have evolved to their environment and change the landscape to suit our needs just because that landscape appears barren to us? Just because we find it difficult to prosper in a desert does not mean that it is inherently useless as is. Have such proponents considered the possible far reaching consequences of such drastic changes to the landscape? If we completely modified the Sahara to suit our agricultural needs then what impact would be felt in the Amazon? Would the deprivation of nutrient transfer to a system which is a vital link to oxygen replenishment be worth the marginal gains to mankind?
The solution to our ecological crisis is not going to be found in further destruction of ecosystems. We must drastically change the way we view ourselves and our place within nature. The idea that nature only exists to serve man will lead to ruin. The idea that it is ok to destroy a small section of the natural environment because it is only a small section ignores the fact that thousands if not millions of other small sections are being destroyed right alongside it.
We all like to believe that our society is enlightened and that our barbaric nature has been discarded long ago, but the fact is that those barbaric tendencies are a lot closer to the surface than we are willing to admit.
People and their stupid ass cars
General | Posted 11 years ago So here I am, enjoying a cool night with the patio door open. Faint sounds of the city in the background along with the chirps of crickets and other insects as they go about their nighttime activities. Peaceful, relaxing, pleasant. And then some asshole drives his loud piece of shit car. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAHHHHMmmmmmmm BRAAAAHHHHHHHHHHPmmmmmm. It sounds like that person is saying, "Hey, look at me. I'm a douchebag."
In other news, I have been accepted into Phi Theta Kappa and with encouragement from the VA and Transfer Center I have applied for Colorado School of Mines starting in Spring. I won't hear anything from them for a few more weeks, so for now I wait. This semester has been pretty good. My favorite subject so far has been chemistry, I just love practical applications.
Calculus has been going well, though I've allowed my studies there to slip in order to focus on Chem. As a result I didn't do as great as I was expecting on a test, but I can and will retake it. I talked with my professor today to see why I got some problems wrong. Calc is easily a close second when it comes to favorite classes.
I am not sure how I feel about my Environmental Ethics class though. So far it is pretty easy, though tedious (lots of dry reading) and it doesn't seem to have a solid structure to it. I do know that it has changed the way I think about humanity and our place in nature. I no longer have an anthropocentric worldview, I see humanity as just another animal, an ongoing chemical reaction if you will, on this rock we call a planet. I prefer to see a natural landscape than an artificial one. Sure, lawn grass is pleasant to lay on, but it does not belong here in the high desert of the Front Range of Colorado. Enough philosophy for now. :þ
I have also been thinking about the type of person I am on the surface and where I fit in and where I do not belong. I am an extremely introverted person, and I don't do well in crowds. I am not the type of person to go out and party or whatnot every day or every weekend. I much rather prefer to stay at home, hike with
cianthefur, or workout in isolation. I typically get my fill of people during the week, and don't feel up to social activities on the weekend. Since realizing that I've felt a lot better about myself and has given me direction for the life I want to live. I don't need a lot of material possessions or money to make me happy, I don't need to be the life of the party or the guy in the spotlight. Hell, I hate the spotlight, I've always prefered the shadows.
On Friday I went to a professional baseball game and was more interested in everything but the game itself. The reaction of the fans, the movement of the players as the pitcher throws the ball, the gifts from Caesar (instead of loaves of bread they tossed out rolled up t-shirts). We have not changed much since classical times. People are no longer dying on the field, but it is still a primitive pursuit of victory. Others tried to get me to get emotional whenever the home team did something good. I'm sorry, but I can not get emotionally involved in something that I care so little about. I have never been the type of person that got into sportsball anyway. When night fell upon us I looked up to see thousands of moths lost in what must be the most bizarre phenomenon that an insect can experience. Hundreds of millions of years of evolution could never have prepared them for the death trap that is a baseball stadium, if anything it made the trap all the more alluring. For us it might seem like falling into a black hole or peering past the event horizon of the universe. There was an amazing fireworks show. The pyrotechnics were so close that debris from them were falling on us. The explosions were powerful enough to match that of weapons that were aimed at me when I was deployed. That thud sinking deep into my chest and rattling my organs in the most unpleasant of ways. The fireworks never let up, it kept on getting more and more intense. It was as if an artillery strike was called and and the position was locked in, don't let up until everything is dead. The first few blasts were striking a nerve deep inside me. I was able to calm myself by thinking that the fire mission was danger close and it was the enemy that was under it. I can see why some people who have been through much worse than I would not have been able to deal with it. If anyone says that a veteran who can't deal with fireworks is a wimp, please promptly strike them in either the nose or some other highly sensitive area.
And now for something completely different:In other news, I have been accepted into Phi Theta Kappa and with encouragement from the VA and Transfer Center I have applied for Colorado School of Mines starting in Spring. I won't hear anything from them for a few more weeks, so for now I wait. This semester has been pretty good. My favorite subject so far has been chemistry, I just love practical applications.
Calculus has been going well, though I've allowed my studies there to slip in order to focus on Chem. As a result I didn't do as great as I was expecting on a test, but I can and will retake it. I talked with my professor today to see why I got some problems wrong. Calc is easily a close second when it comes to favorite classes.
I am not sure how I feel about my Environmental Ethics class though. So far it is pretty easy, though tedious (lots of dry reading) and it doesn't seem to have a solid structure to it. I do know that it has changed the way I think about humanity and our place in nature. I no longer have an anthropocentric worldview, I see humanity as just another animal, an ongoing chemical reaction if you will, on this rock we call a planet. I prefer to see a natural landscape than an artificial one. Sure, lawn grass is pleasant to lay on, but it does not belong here in the high desert of the Front Range of Colorado. Enough philosophy for now. :þ
I have also been thinking about the type of person I am on the surface and where I fit in and where I do not belong. I am an extremely introverted person, and I don't do well in crowds. I am not the type of person to go out and party or whatnot every day or every weekend. I much rather prefer to stay at home, hike with
cianthefur, or workout in isolation. I typically get my fill of people during the week, and don't feel up to social activities on the weekend. Since realizing that I've felt a lot better about myself and has given me direction for the life I want to live. I don't need a lot of material possessions or money to make me happy, I don't need to be the life of the party or the guy in the spotlight. Hell, I hate the spotlight, I've always prefered the shadows.More blabber from the fox:On Friday I went to a professional baseball game and was more interested in everything but the game itself. The reaction of the fans, the movement of the players as the pitcher throws the ball, the gifts from Caesar (instead of loaves of bread they tossed out rolled up t-shirts). We have not changed much since classical times. People are no longer dying on the field, but it is still a primitive pursuit of victory. Others tried to get me to get emotional whenever the home team did something good. I'm sorry, but I can not get emotionally involved in something that I care so little about. I have never been the type of person that got into sportsball anyway. When night fell upon us I looked up to see thousands of moths lost in what must be the most bizarre phenomenon that an insect can experience. Hundreds of millions of years of evolution could never have prepared them for the death trap that is a baseball stadium, if anything it made the trap all the more alluring. For us it might seem like falling into a black hole or peering past the event horizon of the universe. There was an amazing fireworks show. The pyrotechnics were so close that debris from them were falling on us. The explosions were powerful enough to match that of weapons that were aimed at me when I was deployed. That thud sinking deep into my chest and rattling my organs in the most unpleasant of ways. The fireworks never let up, it kept on getting more and more intense. It was as if an artillery strike was called and and the position was locked in, don't let up until everything is dead. The first few blasts were striking a nerve deep inside me. I was able to calm myself by thinking that the fire mission was danger close and it was the enemy that was under it. I can see why some people who have been through much worse than I would not have been able to deal with it. If anyone says that a veteran who can't deal with fireworks is a wimp, please promptly strike them in either the nose or some other highly sensitive area.
Two week break!
General | Posted 11 years agoI'm done with summer classes. I got a 93 in psychology and a 91 in Trigonometry. Summer classes are tough, I don't think I would want to do this again. xÐ
Anyways. I am looking forward to the fall semester. My classes will be Calculus, Chemistry, and Environmental Ethics. I'm so looking forward to it. ^_^
I also plan on applying to Colorado School of Mines this fall. I will send applications to other schools just in case they don't accept me, but I am hoping that a 3.6 gpa with membership to phi theta kappa will help get me in. *paws crossed*
Anyways, my plans during the break is to hike Pikes Peak. Other then that I have no plans. xÐ
Anyways. I am looking forward to the fall semester. My classes will be Calculus, Chemistry, and Environmental Ethics. I'm so looking forward to it. ^_^
I also plan on applying to Colorado School of Mines this fall. I will send applications to other schools just in case they don't accept me, but I am hoping that a 3.6 gpa with membership to phi theta kappa will help get me in. *paws crossed*
Anyways, my plans during the break is to hike Pikes Peak. Other then that I have no plans. xÐ
Bleh!
General | Posted 11 years agoPushing myself hard, finals are coming up and I am on track to A's in both classes. I was stressing very hard on psychology, but even if I bomb the final with a 75 I will still get an A in the class. Trig has caught up with me, I was ahead but I shifted attention to psychology to get a paper completed and now I'm trying to catch back up. I am going to retake my last test, I wasn't happy with the grade I got. As it stands now, I would need to get at least a 90 on the final to get an A, but if I score better on the retake I would be able to afford a lower grade on the final. I love breathing space. :þ
Anyways, once I am done on the 4th I will have about two weeks off. I plan on hiking up Pikes Peak, it will be my first 14er hike, which is going to be about 18-20 miles one way. :Ð Hopefully my body will handle it, my muscles are up to the challenge, but my joints might not be. All the hard living I did in my early 20s has caught up with me, if only I could go back and force myself to get into shape back then. >.<
So yeah, I've been busy and I've also been on a tight budget. I'd like to be social, but I hate having to bum money off of others when out and about. Close friends live so far away that it is hard to see them regularly. That will change eventually, but for now it is all about the grades, I gotta do great so I can squeeze as much from the VA and go as high as I can so that I can actually work a job that pays well and that I am likely to enjoy. I am planning on applying to Colorado School of Mines this fall along with a few other schools. I'm told that I have to maintain a GPA above 2.7 if I hope to get in. I'm holding above 3.5 and am working hard to keep it there. Hopefully that will make me stand out among my peers and ensure a slot into that school. I can only hope at this point.
Lately I've been feeling like I think differently than most people. I'm not sure how exactly, but it feels like I react differently than most people. I'm not sure if it is aspergers, I don't think I match most of those symptoms. I am not sure who to go to about this or if I would even be covered. Oh well. :Þ
If you're still reading this, you're awesome. :3
Anyways, once I am done on the 4th I will have about two weeks off. I plan on hiking up Pikes Peak, it will be my first 14er hike, which is going to be about 18-20 miles one way. :Ð Hopefully my body will handle it, my muscles are up to the challenge, but my joints might not be. All the hard living I did in my early 20s has caught up with me, if only I could go back and force myself to get into shape back then. >.<
So yeah, I've been busy and I've also been on a tight budget. I'd like to be social, but I hate having to bum money off of others when out and about. Close friends live so far away that it is hard to see them regularly. That will change eventually, but for now it is all about the grades, I gotta do great so I can squeeze as much from the VA and go as high as I can so that I can actually work a job that pays well and that I am likely to enjoy. I am planning on applying to Colorado School of Mines this fall along with a few other schools. I'm told that I have to maintain a GPA above 2.7 if I hope to get in. I'm holding above 3.5 and am working hard to keep it there. Hopefully that will make me stand out among my peers and ensure a slot into that school. I can only hope at this point.
Lately I've been feeling like I think differently than most people. I'm not sure how exactly, but it feels like I react differently than most people. I'm not sure if it is aspergers, I don't think I match most of those symptoms. I am not sure who to go to about this or if I would even be covered. Oh well. :Þ
If you're still reading this, you're awesome. :3
Dah fuk goin' on here?
General | Posted 11 years agoStill busy with school. The classes are going fine and the only real snag I am hitting is my six to eight page research paper due next monday for psychology. Other than that I am holding a high A in Trigonometry and Psychology. I was expecting to fail my mid term for psychology, but I got a 94% on it. I was told that the final would be in the same format. I figured that if I can at least get an 80% on my paper then I will have an A in that class. As it stands, it is possible that I can get another 4.0 semester.
I plan on applying to Colorado School of Mines in the fall, but in case they don't accept me for whatever reason I also plan to apply to DU and UCD. My other options if those somehow fail is to apply to the schools in Boulder or Fort Collins. My only other options in state would be Durango and Alamosa, the latter is out of the question.
I'm planning on hiking a 14er once I am done with summer classes. It will most likely be Pikes Peak. I feel that I am in enough shape to take on such a task. I ride a bike nearly every day and I push myself hard whenever I do. This has made my legs get pretty damn tone. I used to ride bikes all the time when I was a kid and now I see why I enjoyed it so damn much. I hate driving and avoid it whenever possible. xÐ
Anyways, I'm pretty bored during my down time. If you'd like to hang out with me hit me up, I should be available after the 21st, unless I get behind in something else. Also keep in mind that I am a poor college student right now, I can't really afford to go out and spend a lot of money.
I plan on applying to Colorado School of Mines in the fall, but in case they don't accept me for whatever reason I also plan to apply to DU and UCD. My other options if those somehow fail is to apply to the schools in Boulder or Fort Collins. My only other options in state would be Durango and Alamosa, the latter is out of the question.
I'm planning on hiking a 14er once I am done with summer classes. It will most likely be Pikes Peak. I feel that I am in enough shape to take on such a task. I ride a bike nearly every day and I push myself hard whenever I do. This has made my legs get pretty damn tone. I used to ride bikes all the time when I was a kid and now I see why I enjoyed it so damn much. I hate driving and avoid it whenever possible. xÐ
Anyways, I'm pretty bored during my down time. If you'd like to hang out with me hit me up, I should be available after the 21st, unless I get behind in something else. Also keep in mind that I am a poor college student right now, I can't really afford to go out and spend a lot of money.
Real life update
General | Posted 11 years agoI finished my spring semester with a 4.0. My math teacher this year was awesome, I started the semester with a C on my first test and slowly worked up to an A on my final! I am taking Trigonometry in the summer. When that is done I will have a week off until the Fall semester starts. My GPA right now is slightly above 3.5, I qualify for Phi Theta Kappa. :3 With that in mind I plan on applying to Colorado School of Mines in the fall.
I am starting to look for a job to hold me over this summer. I applied to Radio Shack and sent my resume to a contact in the USGS. I am not expecting to hear back from the latter. I am trying to find a job nearby that I can just ride my bike to. I hate driving and would rather not have to burn my money just to get to work.
I am still planning on selling my fursuit. How much should I put it up for with a missing handpaw? I am in the planning stages for my next suit idea which is currently titled "Project Alpha." What will it be? Wait and find out (you might have to wait a year or so). :3
I am starting to look for a job to hold me over this summer. I applied to Radio Shack and sent my resume to a contact in the USGS. I am not expecting to hear back from the latter. I am trying to find a job nearby that I can just ride my bike to. I hate driving and would rather not have to burn my money just to get to work.
I am still planning on selling my fursuit. How much should I put it up for with a missing handpaw? I am in the planning stages for my next suit idea which is currently titled "Project Alpha." What will it be? Wait and find out (you might have to wait a year or so). :3
Selling the suit
General | Posted 11 years agoI haven't worn my suit in a while and right now it is taking up space. I wasn't too satisfied with the suit to begin with since the maker decided to use whatever color he saw fit. I've had to do minor repairs several times already. The suit is missing a hand paw that was lost in the mail after AC, long story. I've also lost a lot of weight since I first got the suit and it is far too baggy now.
The suit fits around the six foot range, 1.8m. I was around 220lbs when it was made (99.8Kg) and my waist at the time was around 36 inches (91.44cm).
So, is anyone interested? In case anyone is wondering, here is a pic: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/7674753/
Any suggestions on where I could post this for more exposure? I was thinking of selling it around the $800 or so range. I would be willing to go a little lower if need be.
The suit fits around the six foot range, 1.8m. I was around 220lbs when it was made (99.8Kg) and my waist at the time was around 36 inches (91.44cm).
So, is anyone interested? In case anyone is wondering, here is a pic: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/7674753/
Any suggestions on where I could post this for more exposure? I was thinking of selling it around the $800 or so range. I would be willing to go a little lower if need be.
I'm still (mostly) alive.
General | Posted 12 years agoJust busy with school and real life. I check this site on occasion, but I'm not active at all with the furry community these days. It just isn't relevant to me anymore. In the past I came here to reduce stress and cope with real life events, but since I've left the army I have very little stress and am overall satisfied with my day to day life.
I may return as an active member, but for now I'll be a ghost. Boo mother fucker. :Þ
I may return as an active member, but for now I'll be a ghost. Boo mother fucker. :Þ
Dur hur, how 'bout dat global warming?
General | Posted 12 years agoI've heard some people say that if global warming were true why are we having such a cold winter.
To those people, do you remember back in 2005 when hurricane Katrina and Rita tore up the coast and people were saying, "Due to global warming, we can expect extreme weather in the future."
Well, this is the extreme weather that was mentioned. Also, remember the heat wave of 2012? Ah ha, you might say, the focus is only on North America. Well yes since I live there, but lets play the game. Australia is experiencing record heat waves. Snow fell on Egypt for the first time in over a century. Greenland has seen an unprecedented melt in it's ice sheet. The Arctic ice sheet has been losing an average of 53,500 square kilometers per year.
If you think this is natural and not caused by humans, then maybe you should verify that with the historical evidence gathered by researchers in the field. The rate of change we see today is unprecedented in the geologic record. Hold on a second, the skeptic shouts, volcanos produce more CO₂ than humans. Ignoring the fact that the statement is dead wrong, humans produce 35 gigatons (billion metric tons) while all of the volcanos add up to only 0.44 gigatons at best, that is like saying it is ok to throw your garbage on the side of the road because others have done the same. You just end up with more garbage, in this case it is CO₂. If you dispute the thermal retention of carbon gasses then you must show how the field of Chemistry is incorrect, which will be worthy of a Nobel prize.
There are several more examples that are easily found via google.
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats.....r-Weather.aspx
http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/gas/climate.php
To those people, do you remember back in 2005 when hurricane Katrina and Rita tore up the coast and people were saying, "Due to global warming, we can expect extreme weather in the future."
Well, this is the extreme weather that was mentioned. Also, remember the heat wave of 2012? Ah ha, you might say, the focus is only on North America. Well yes since I live there, but lets play the game. Australia is experiencing record heat waves. Snow fell on Egypt for the first time in over a century. Greenland has seen an unprecedented melt in it's ice sheet. The Arctic ice sheet has been losing an average of 53,500 square kilometers per year.
If you think this is natural and not caused by humans, then maybe you should verify that with the historical evidence gathered by researchers in the field. The rate of change we see today is unprecedented in the geologic record. Hold on a second, the skeptic shouts, volcanos produce more CO₂ than humans. Ignoring the fact that the statement is dead wrong, humans produce 35 gigatons (billion metric tons) while all of the volcanos add up to only 0.44 gigatons at best, that is like saying it is ok to throw your garbage on the side of the road because others have done the same. You just end up with more garbage, in this case it is CO₂. If you dispute the thermal retention of carbon gasses then you must show how the field of Chemistry is incorrect, which will be worthy of a Nobel prize.
There are several more examples that are easily found via google.
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats.....r-Weather.aspx
http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/gas/climate.php
Egoism and drama
General | Posted 12 years agoI was going to let this blow over, but certain actions by someone has led me here.
For anyone that is watching the group page
sciencefurs, you would have noticed months of inactivity. Two months ago I sent a note to the "owner" saying that I would not be able to maintain the profile. Today I checked the profile and saw that the note was never opened. The profile of the "owner" was inactive for months which led me to believe that the group page was abandoned. Since I was the only one updating the profile for the last few months I took it upon myself to get help from willing members.
Before making any changes, I sent a pm to the "owner" saying that I would take over the group until he requested to take it back. I found a willing assistant and made a few profile changes. Afterwards I got a note from the "owner" asking for me to return control of the page to which I gave the updated password without question. The reply I got was that I was locked out of the account and would be banned if I "tried to make a stink about it." A few message went back and forth and I pointed out reasons for the actions I took. The replies were irrational and unwarranted. Long story short I was blocked after receiving an ad hominem attack via note.
As to what this "owner" thinks about the group members, I'll let his own words be known:
woofwoofwoof wrote:If I really cared about what? Spreading scientific knowledge? Man, 95% of respondents to our journals can barely think at all. And 99.5% of our users don't respond to journals anyway; for the vast majority of users, the group functions as a badge they can put on their profile to connote a passing interest in science.
Personally, I think he might be going through some difficult times and I was a victim of an unwarranted out lash. I usually just let this sort of thing roll off my shoulder, but I was blocked before I could finish the conversation. Don't be surprised if the group becomes inactive for months on end.
For anyone that is watching the group page
sciencefurs, you would have noticed months of inactivity. Two months ago I sent a note to the "owner" saying that I would not be able to maintain the profile. Today I checked the profile and saw that the note was never opened. The profile of the "owner" was inactive for months which led me to believe that the group page was abandoned. Since I was the only one updating the profile for the last few months I took it upon myself to get help from willing members.Before making any changes, I sent a pm to the "owner" saying that I would take over the group until he requested to take it back. I found a willing assistant and made a few profile changes. Afterwards I got a note from the "owner" asking for me to return control of the page to which I gave the updated password without question. The reply I got was that I was locked out of the account and would be banned if I "tried to make a stink about it." A few message went back and forth and I pointed out reasons for the actions I took. The replies were irrational and unwarranted. Long story short I was blocked after receiving an ad hominem attack via note.
As to what this "owner" thinks about the group members, I'll let his own words be known:
woofwoofwoof wrote:If I really cared about what? Spreading scientific knowledge? Man, 95% of respondents to our journals can barely think at all. And 99.5% of our users don't respond to journals anyway; for the vast majority of users, the group functions as a badge they can put on their profile to connote a passing interest in science.Personally, I think he might be going through some difficult times and I was a victim of an unwarranted out lash. I usually just let this sort of thing roll off my shoulder, but I was blocked before I could finish the conversation. Don't be surprised if the group becomes inactive for months on end.
Ferret in the sandbox
General | Posted 12 years agoI got a sandbox for the ferrets so they could satisfy their digging needs. Here we see Chili, the older ferret estimated age six years, giving it a go.
https://youtu.be/zJbqymfBz6cHush hush!
General | Posted 12 years agoI no longer need the escape
General | Posted 12 years agoMy overall interest in the furry fandom has decreased a lot during this year. I am no longer compelled to attend events as I once was in the past. I decided to reflect on the matter and understand why I feel this way.
I first got into the fandom at a very low point in my life. I was unemployed, broke, and in massive debt. I was about to go back into the army on a five year enlistment. My friend/roommate introduced me to Second Life especially the furry side of it. I got hooked on the 3D instant messenger feel of it. I made some friends that helped me get through most of my tour in Korea. With three months left on the tour I got introduced to FA to which a whole new world of diversity was opened up to me.
After Korea I was sent to Colorado. My unit really sucked and once again furries came to the rescue. I was stuck in a lifestyle that I detested and my release was all things furry. I came across a few people that have impacted outlook on the world. These people also helped me out during a super low point in my life called Afghanistan deployment. If it wasn't for them I would have killed myself. I still chat with a handful of them on a regular basis.
After ten years of being a soldier I still thought about army like situations. Over time I have learned to put the past behind me. Soldiering is over for me, there is no point in continuing to think about it. I have some friends that still talk about the old unit, but I always tell them that I haven't followed unit politics since I got out. I found that as I thought less about the army, I felt less of a need to associate with the fandom. My life as it is now is pretty damn good, perhaps the best it has ever been in a very long time. I am slowly getting used to it and I have finally been able to release a lot of baggage that I was holding on to.
I realized that for me the fandom was a coping mechanism, something that I needed to keep going when the world around me was shit. Now that my life is great I have no need for a coping mechanism to escape it. I love the art and will pop in from time to time to check it out, but in nearly every other aspect I'll be absent. I may still go to RMFC, but I do not think I'll go to other cons.
The fandom has been very good to me and I'll always keep a part of it as my identity. Lets see where else life will take me. :3
I first got into the fandom at a very low point in my life. I was unemployed, broke, and in massive debt. I was about to go back into the army on a five year enlistment. My friend/roommate introduced me to Second Life especially the furry side of it. I got hooked on the 3D instant messenger feel of it. I made some friends that helped me get through most of my tour in Korea. With three months left on the tour I got introduced to FA to which a whole new world of diversity was opened up to me.
After Korea I was sent to Colorado. My unit really sucked and once again furries came to the rescue. I was stuck in a lifestyle that I detested and my release was all things furry. I came across a few people that have impacted outlook on the world. These people also helped me out during a super low point in my life called Afghanistan deployment. If it wasn't for them I would have killed myself. I still chat with a handful of them on a regular basis.
After ten years of being a soldier I still thought about army like situations. Over time I have learned to put the past behind me. Soldiering is over for me, there is no point in continuing to think about it. I have some friends that still talk about the old unit, but I always tell them that I haven't followed unit politics since I got out. I found that as I thought less about the army, I felt less of a need to associate with the fandom. My life as it is now is pretty damn good, perhaps the best it has ever been in a very long time. I am slowly getting used to it and I have finally been able to release a lot of baggage that I was holding on to.
I realized that for me the fandom was a coping mechanism, something that I needed to keep going when the world around me was shit. Now that my life is great I have no need for a coping mechanism to escape it. I love the art and will pop in from time to time to check it out, but in nearly every other aspect I'll be absent. I may still go to RMFC, but I do not think I'll go to other cons.
The fandom has been very good to me and I'll always keep a part of it as my identity. Lets see where else life will take me. :3
The government shutdown
General | Posted 12 years agoI am directly affected by the shutdown. I will not be paid my education benefits until the shutdown ends. I am very pissed off at the GOP and the tea baggers. I am pretty close to defaulting on my bills.
If any of you voted for a tea party douche bag, fuck you!
If any of you voted for a tea party douche bag, fuck you!
A critical review: christian_philosofurs
General | Posted 12 years agoA critical review: christian_philosofursI came across this group recently through a reply to a post I made on an Atheist furs journal. I was more concerned about who the individual was rather than the group statement. Looking at the profile confirmed my initial speculation, it's just another irrational person trying to sound like they are making rational arguments. I have made a critical analyses of the group based on the profile page itself. I could dig further into the journals, but as far as I am concerned I think this is sufficient. I would like to hear opinions on the points I covered as well as anything else that I might have missed.
Here is what is written on the profile as of 13 Oct 2013:
christianphilosofurs wrote:These are the basic contentions that we hold to:
- God, as defined by biblical theism, exists
- God and truth are knowable through rational intuition, conscience, the physical world, sensory and mystical experience, and divine revelation
- The Bible exclusively is the inspired Word of God and is the primary source of theological knowledge
- The core claims of Christianity are true
- Reason and logic are essential to a sound understanding and application of the Christian faith
- All truth is God's truth, thus all forms of revelation must be compatible with each other
Our goals include but are not limited to exploring the following subjects:
- The fundamentals of Christian theology and philosophy and their justification
- Apologetic and polemical responses to issues raised by critics of Christianity
- The rational application of Christian principles to real world scenarios, issues, and current events (including those that relate to the furry fandom)
- The rational application of Christian theology to broader philosophical subjects as well as other disciplines like science
- Christian morality and ethics and how they should be understood and applied
- God, as defined by biblical theism, exists
Ok, which biblical theism? This is an important phrase that requires definition. There are mutually exclusive ideas about what this god is to people within christianity, which is why there are now over 44,000 denominations and growing. I can understand that there might be uncertainty involved which is fine, but those gray areas must be acknowledged.
- God and truth are knowable through rational intuition, conscience, the physical world, sensory and mystical experience, and divine revelation
lol, wut? What does "rational intuition" mean? The words are mutually exclusive since intuition is the opposite of ration. It is like saying one should rationally go with their gut feeling.
What is meant by "conscience?" gods are knowable through conscience? What mean?
"sensory and mystical experience" From what we know from neurological science, actual events can be misinterpreted, exaggerated, ignored, etc. Your brain could be filling in information that is wrong, which is why visual illusions occur and books are printed for recreational exploitation of this phenomenon.
- The Bible exclusively is the inspired Word of God and is the primary source of theological knowledge
Why? What reason is there to come to that conclusion? I think that the only way someone can take that position is to be ignorant of human history, history of the bible, and the content of the bible. What should a person do if they are caught between contradictions? I would hope that if this supposed deity were to exist that it would find a much more effective means of communication than the bible.
- The core claims of Christianity are true
Why? This is an assertion that has no supporting evidence. No, the bible is not evidence. If it were to be considered evidence of the proof of christianity then the Quran is proof of islam. What exactly are the core claims of christianity? How can they be verified and what disputes them?
- Reason and logic are essential to a sound understanding and application of the Christian faith
I fully agree, however, merely claiming to be rational and logical does not make the argument rational nor logical.
- All truth is God's truth, thus all forms of revelation must be compatible with each other
I am going to assert that since it was implied earlier that the bible is the word of god that this means that anything that contradicts the bible should be discarded (ignoring that the bible should be discarded since the bible contradicts itself). This means that this group clings to a previously held bias and holds a confirmation bias. This goes against the previously mentioned statement of reason and logic. I can therefore assert that this group by it's own admission is ignorant to the sound understanding and application of the christian religion.
- Apologetic and polemical responses to issues raised by critics of Christianity
So basically the group admits that certain aspects of it's philosophy are flat out wrong and that the group should respond with feel good nonsense that seems to justify the previously held bias. That's not all, the group must also react in a hostile manner. Hardly the stance that one must take if they are confident in their assertion.
- The rational application of Christian theology to broader philosophical subjects as well as other disciplines like science
What exactly in the christian theology can be applied to science? It seems like that statement implies that we should make the evidence fit to our biased conclusion instead of deriving our conclusions from the evidence.
The parts I have left out are due to the fact that I think are good points to hold. If the reader feels like the parts I skipped over should be scrutinized then that person can cover them. So, what is my opinion of this group? It is a clever but misguided attempt to appear rational and gain legitimacy for what is an irrational position. Baseless assertions are made with no supporting arguments whatsoever. I personally do not feel the need to dispute any of the journals based on the fact that the initial position is flawed. I try to only argue with those that truly accept rational thought and will admit when they are wrong, unsure, or that their position has the possibility of being wrong. In other words, when someone knows they are right it is nearly impossible for them to be convinced by that which is true.
Update and whatnot
General | Posted 12 years agoIt's been a while since I've posted so let's dive in shall we?
I've been in school to knock out general studies since late Aug. I am doing pretty well so far and I'm pretty busy. Stress might be getting to me as I find myself withdrawn and at times depressed. I think I am maintaining at least a B average in every class so far, time will tell.
I'm still working out regularly and I have pretty much maintained a weight of 180lbs while my body fat percentage is dropping. The lightest I have seen is 175. This could mean a few things, but I'm pretty sure that my muscle mass is bumping the weight up which doesn't bother me. According to my scale I am around 12% body fat. I would love to get it down to 10%. So about five more pounds. My abs are starting to poke through! :Ð I wish I would have started working out a long time ago. Every physical thing I can do is so much easier now. My mate and I hiked one of the older and more intense trails at Devils Head and finished at about the same time as a normal hiker would finish on the main trail.
Last night cianthefur watched "The Emperor's New Grove." I watched it when it first came out and thought it was somewhat funny at the time. When I saw it this time I couldn't help but to think that it is one of those movies that you put on to distract crotchfruit while doing other things around the house. The movie never stops, something is always happening. It is like the thing was made for viewers with the attention span of goldfish. It's no wonder why the film is not a classic. We then talked about how other movies had adult oriented themes and applied them in such a way to make the movie awesome. The Land Before Time and Oliver and Company were brought up. I saw scenes from both and holy fucking darkness, they touched on some tragic shit. Why can't we have movies like that anymore?!
In this scene, Littlefoot's is left alone after the death of his mother. He is lost, confused, and upset. He bumps into Rooter who helps him through his tribulation.
Oliver and Company starts out cheerful before taking a fucking nose dive into abandonment and cruelty. To be honest, I couldn't even finish watching, I had to take a break.
I've been in school to knock out general studies since late Aug. I am doing pretty well so far and I'm pretty busy. Stress might be getting to me as I find myself withdrawn and at times depressed. I think I am maintaining at least a B average in every class so far, time will tell.
I'm still working out regularly and I have pretty much maintained a weight of 180lbs while my body fat percentage is dropping. The lightest I have seen is 175. This could mean a few things, but I'm pretty sure that my muscle mass is bumping the weight up which doesn't bother me. According to my scale I am around 12% body fat. I would love to get it down to 10%. So about five more pounds. My abs are starting to poke through! :Ð I wish I would have started working out a long time ago. Every physical thing I can do is so much easier now. My mate and I hiked one of the older and more intense trails at Devils Head and finished at about the same time as a normal hiker would finish on the main trail.
Last night
cianthefur watched "The Emperor's New Grove." I watched it when it first came out and thought it was somewhat funny at the time. When I saw it this time I couldn't help but to think that it is one of those movies that you put on to distract crotchfruit while doing other things around the house. The movie never stops, something is always happening. It is like the thing was made for viewers with the attention span of goldfish. It's no wonder why the film is not a classic. We then talked about how other movies had adult oriented themes and applied them in such a way to make the movie awesome. The Land Before Time and Oliver and Company were brought up. I saw scenes from both and holy fucking darkness, they touched on some tragic shit. Why can't we have movies like that anymore?!In this scene, Littlefoot's is left alone after the death of his mother. He is lost, confused, and upset. He bumps into Rooter who helps him through his tribulation.
https://youtu.be/sUm1WC2GVjYOliver and Company starts out cheerful before taking a fucking nose dive into abandonment and cruelty. To be honest, I couldn't even finish watching, I had to take a break.
https://youtu.be/-P7M9Ag77VsGot one of these things now
General | Posted 12 years agoSo yeah, ...
General | Posted 12 years agoI'm starting to experience some very unexpected situations lately. Where to start?
The other day I was at Jason's Deli and while I was filling up my drink some random girl said hi to me. I must have had a very confused look on my face because she left almost as quickly as she popped up. I guess I should be flattered that my looks have improved, but it was just so unusual for me.
Also, apparently my story about struggling with suicide has helped others get through their struggles as well. I am very pleased by this, I just wish I could be free of depression and suicidal thoughts. Go check out this page I guess:
suicidepreventioneers.
I feel like I am becoming more introverted, which doesn't really bother me that much. I know it must seem that I dropped off the face of the planet, but I really don't feel like being around crowds. I also don't usually plan my outings more than a few hours in advance, this makes it hard to invite others for hiking or working out.
My roommate is moving out, soon it will just be my mate and me with a lot of desperately needed space. I'll be busy with several things for a while so expect me to be even less social. xþ
The other day I was at Jason's Deli and while I was filling up my drink some random girl said hi to me. I must have had a very confused look on my face because she left almost as quickly as she popped up. I guess I should be flattered that my looks have improved, but it was just so unusual for me.
Also, apparently my story about struggling with suicide has helped others get through their struggles as well. I am very pleased by this, I just wish I could be free of depression and suicidal thoughts. Go check out this page I guess:
suicidepreventioneers.I feel like I am becoming more introverted, which doesn't really bother me that much. I know it must seem that I dropped off the face of the planet, but I really don't feel like being around crowds. I also don't usually plan my outings more than a few hours in advance, this makes it hard to invite others for hiking or working out.
My roommate is moving out, soon it will just be my mate and me with a lot of desperately needed space. I'll be busy with several things for a while so expect me to be even less social. xþ
https://youtu.be/EllYgcWmcAYAm I the only one?
General | Posted 12 years agoAm I the only one that seems something positive hidden within the Zimmerman trial? This has been branded as a white vs black issue when there is no white man involved, just a hispanic and black.
What does this mean? We are coming to a point where hispanic culture is nearly blended with "white" culture. I use quotations because it has been blended from several other cultures previously. I'm excited to see what our culture will be like in ten and twenty years.
What does this mean? We are coming to a point where hispanic culture is nearly blended with "white" culture. I use quotations because it has been blended from several other cultures previously. I'm excited to see what our culture will be like in ten and twenty years.
Suit problems
General | Posted 12 years agoI am having more problems pop up with my suit. An ear was crushed, the jaw hinge is broken, the glue is coming undone, the paw pads keep falling off, etc. Nothing is seriously damaged, just work and modification that will need to be done.
However, the biggest problem is the body is too loose on me! I was about 220lbs when I got the suit and now I am around 180lbs. Forty pounds makes a huge difference. I am thinking about making a new body and head. I won't start this project until my mate is done making a new head for his suit. In the mean time I might modify the current head's jaw system.
However, the biggest problem is the body is too loose on me! I was about 220lbs when I got the suit and now I am around 180lbs. Forty pounds makes a huge difference. I am thinking about making a new body and head. I won't start this project until my mate is done making a new head for his suit. In the mean time I might modify the current head's jaw system.
