SnowPocalypse Seattle 2008

Also being called Snowmageddon. We just don't get much snow in Seattle. Marysville, Everett, the East Side, sure, they'll get dumped on. Usually though, we city dwellers are spared the worst of winter. For us, snow is something pretty, here for a day, then gone and not really interfering with our day to day lives.

You can understand then, that the recent blasts of Arctic weather have driven the city to it's knees. No one really knows how to drive in the snow, as witnessed by the two buses that ended up perched precariously over I-5. Although, that's really not a fair statement. I'm sure the bus drivers were more than capable. But no matter how much driving skill you possess, it's not going to save your ass once the multi-ton bus starts ice-skating down a hill.

Which is why my husband, Joe, and I chose to play it safe and stay home. We did put the time to good use though, we made a video Christmas card. Now, I haven't sent out cards in years. Saving trees and all that, you know. But with the snow falling and the extra time on our hands, well, it gave us the perfect opportunity.





Since our dogs are our 'kids' naturally they're prominently featured. Meet Domino, (the black dog) our Belgian sheepdog and Golly (the yellow dog) our yellow lab. As you can see, they are best buddies.

As I write this, we have more snow coming down. What's beyond armageddon?

New Job

Yes, I changed jobs.  Seriously, for a while I thought I was crazy changing employers in this economy.  But, it has worked out well.  The job I left had great co-workers, but a very high stress factor.  I worked swing, and had to put in a couple weekends a month.  Not to mention all holidays as well.  Now, I work a typical Monday through Friday 8 to 5 schedule.  And while my new c0-workers and I are still learning about each other, so far so good; they seem to be a friendly, cohesive group.  Yay!

Tonight though, I am stressing about getting to work tomorrow.  Seattle's been hit with a deep freeze and I hate having to drive over icy roads.  The roads in my neighborhood haven't been plowed or sanded yet and I basically live at the bottom of a bowl.  Realistically, once I get to the main roads things should be fine, it's just...getting there.

Meh, I wish I had more inspiration tonight, but my head's been full lately of getting into this new job.  I wanted to get more than just one post out there, though.  Hopefully things'll pick up next week.

Bill O'Reilly rages against Washinton State

I've been toying with the idea of blogging for some time now, and this morning provided the impetus.

I woke up this morning to Bill O'Reilly raging about an atheist sign displayed with other holiday decorations in the state's Capitol Building.  No, I don't watch Bill O'Reilly, his diatribe was being carried by Q13 News.  I always think it's both funny and sad to watch people argue about religion.  It reminds me of 6 year-olds arguing in the sandbox.  The whole 'my god is better than your god' argument sounds just like the childish claim 'my toy is better than your toy!'  Complete with name calling, pushing, shoving and scuffling.  Trouble is, when 6 year-olds scuffle, the worst is someone ends up with is a black eye or bloody nose.  When people scuffle about religion, people die.  Tragic.  And all because some doesn't believe what you do.

I sent the following letter to Bill O'Reilly.  I also sent it to Governor Gregoire.

Mr. O'Reilly,

I take exception to your comments regarding the atheist sign in Washington's State Capitol building.  That sign is the ultimate expression of the tolerance, peace and love that is supposed to be the hallmark of this season.  Here's what I mean.

That sign is a statement of the atheist's beliefs. They believe there are no gods, devils and so on.  Christians, Muslims, Pagans, Buddhists, etc. believe differently.  However the presence or absence of a divine or spiritual presence cannot be proven absolutely in any way scientifically.  Just so we're all on the same page, Dictionary.com defines belief as:  "confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof."  So religion, belief is something that fundamentally only exists in people's heads.

I'm not saying belief is bad or wrong.  I'm not saying that belief or spiritual experiences are not real for the person experiencing them.  However a discussion on the nature of reality isn't the point here.  But, if at it's most basic level, it's just in your head, who is going to have the arrogance to place a value judgement on someone else's belief?

We are so fortunate here in the United States to have freedom of religion.  Everyone is free to believe whatever they want.  So you believe in God.  So they don't.  So what?  Why does their belief affect you?  Why do we have to hate someone else just because they believe differently?  No that's not hopelessly naive. That's maturity and true respect for others.

Here's an idea.  In this season of peace and love, try opening your heart and mind to the concept that your neighbors different holiday practices and displays are just as dear to his heart as your own time-honored traditions.

By allowing the sign to stay, Governor Gregoire is practicing true tolerance.  She doesn't agree with it, but allows it's display anyway.  I think we can all take a lesson from that.  There's no denying that religion is the cause of most wars, including the ones we're fighting now.  Let reason prevail this season, let's really be tolerant, let's love our neighbors and allow each other the freedom to be ourselves and respect each other.  Maybe then there really will be peace on earth.

Sincerely, etc., etc.

I don't really expect a response from Mr. O'Reilly.  But isn't it time the world finally grew up?