The Bible is a bad novel and Jesus isn't coming

There seems to be an increase these days on people chiming in on the opinion that the days of Christianbabble and the fools that run into burning buildings spewing such are losing the momentum they have enjoyed over the past 8 years. My boy Sam gave his opinion and I feel the need to express mine.

My name is Greg and I am a recovering Baptist. I have been clean and sober from the poison that black tarred my soul into believing myths made the world go 'round and that a simple tearful confession could guarantee one happiness in heaven for about 21 years. Yes, I was one of them. I was raised in a church fearin' family, went to Sunday school every Sunday and learned all about Adam and the sinful Eve, Noah and his ark of meat, King David doing something with someone, Jesus and crew and Mary (slut..!) and the disciples, the Apostle Paul (who was a whack job) always cumulating with the Revelation, the craziest acid trip ever.

I've read the bible many many times, from cover to cover in just about every interpretation made - from King James, New American Standard, the Living Bible- all of 'em. Interestingly, the word "bible" itself comes from the Greek byblos which means, quite simply, "book." So if the ancient Greeks saw it as a simple book and it was written during their time, how did it become so fantastical? Seriously, if this published today, it would be dismissed as cheap fiction. Remember James Frey and "A Million Little Pieces" and that controversy? He tried to pass that off as fact and come to find out, he made most of it up. Hell, he even bragged on Oprah. Now if only the Apostle John would have brought the Revelation to Oprah - well, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

So now we are more than two thousand years past the time all of that was written. Incredibly I think Christian mythology has probably outlasted Greek mythology. I ask, what's the difference? It's the same in principle. People who are advanced in science and democracy on the one hand subscribing to fantasy and ridiculous ceremony (uh, circumcision? baptism? communion? killing people?) on the other hand. Are we really so different?

I think we are at a crossroad and at some point, this country needs to decide - the Bible or the Constitution. Clearly our forefathers intended the fledgling country to govern independent of radical bible-ism. The Jesusfolk holding an apple pie and a child's hand always like point out, "In God We Trust" blazed our history and we should always be a God fearing nation. Too bad for them the more relevant document, the Constitution, was also drafted and written by men -just like the bible, only with more schooling and experience- who were trying to bring order to chaos - just like the bible, which was, in fact, a cut and paste job by a fledgling Rome who need to bring order to their chaotic empire.

So as someone who used to bring people to Jesus I struggled with so many things. The gay part was just one of the pieces. I always was suspicious in the preachings and bizarre stories, but like most born-agains, didn't question it. Until I decided I wanted to find truth. Several hits of acid, a whole lot of meth, flirtings with kabbalah and Wicca later, I discovered, at least for myself, that the notion of Christianity wasn't valid. That if there was a God (or Goddess), then I could accept that and take faith in the not-knowing. That was when I became a born again agnostic.

So this is my rant. In 2008 America, there is no room for mythology any more since fact and the present are much more relevant. There is indeed the intent of the law for separation of church and state. I don't mind who or what they worship as long as they don't impose it on me. I want my choice and freedoms as guaranteed by my Constitution, the bible if you may of 21st century America, which is much more practical and applicable than ever. Especially as we assert our separation from church.

So I guess that makes me both pro-choice and pro-life. I want the choices for my life free from ancient myth.

This one is for you, Joyce...

One of my dearest friends lost her mother unexpectedly last week. Joyce Hodges Fielder died last Wednesday after experiencing a stroke. At that moment, a vacuum sucked some of the joy out of the world as clearly one of the largest personalities I have ever met was gone.

Joyce was one of those people who didn't just step, or even waltz, into your life. No. She came tearing in, with cigarette in hand, like a hyperactive dog who tears around you when you come home after a long vacation. The pic above is from my 40th birthday party where Miss Joyce made her way from lap to lap of all the gay men and even flirted with lesbianism before the night was over. Every one she touched somehow found themselves laughing with her about everything. I'm gonna miss you Joyce.

So as I thought about Joyce over the past few days, my thoughts turned to the finale of one of the finest television shows ever written - Six Feet Under. For those of you who were fans of the show, you remember the incredible last 6 minutes of the series. It was the perfect ending to the perfect story - and somehow, in my mind, this is what Joyce's passing is reminding me of: we all die but it's what we do while we are here is what matters.

Here it is for you all:





Goodbye, Joyce.

Dog Show

Dog Show!


This old SNL skit cracks me up. Real stupid, but funny nonetheless. I hope you enjoy!

Master Obama

As seen on the streets at the Folsom Street Fair yesterday. I am not sure if this is Shepherd Fairey's work, but it's pretty damn cool nonetheless.

Folsom Street Fair

Yesterday was the Folsom Street Fair - part fetish, part Renaissance. Sam was working so I attended solo - but I was hardly alone. There were about 399,999 other people, including a handful I knew: Dave and Eric, Ken and Nick, Donovan, Steve Macissac, Bart and the rest of the naked drawing crew, Master Noah, Jeff and Zeke, Charlie and Jason, Kirk, and Thomas in his opaque wrestling singlet. I had a good time - it would have been a great time if Sam wasn't laboring up and down the coast.

After the Fair, I headed to the Lonestar with Donovan, Jeff and Zeke and there, saw Paul, Gabriel, FTP and about 1,000 other shirtless bears. By then though my gay tank was running on empty and I called it a day.

My Folsom pics are here. As with all things Folsom, use your discretion - may not be entirely work-safe.

Political test

No surprise here.

You are a Social Liberal (70% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (38% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid.com: Free Online Dating Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

It's been a long week

Thank God it's Friday.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this past week, the first week of autumn 2009, was a long and intense one. I started the week on a 6:00AM flight Monday morning for a work trip to Indiana. Getting on a 6:00AM flight on a Monday is borderline criminal - and suffice to say I was loopy by the time I reached my final destination. The next three days were non-stop meetings, meetings and more meetings. All of this cumulated to a mega-merger by the end of the week which will, in the long run, be good for me, my team and my employer - but at the expense of more work. It's good - but as for today, I am glad it's the weekend.

Seasons change

Anybody else noticing the days are getting shorter?

I woke up at my usual 5:45AM today and it was dark as dark gets outside. Naturally the nights have been progressively longer since we passed the solstice, but it didn't resonate with me until this morning. I actually had to put on a sweatshirt and switch on the heater today as I bumbled thru the kitchen to fire up the java and start my work day.

Fall is in the air. Not that we had much of a warm summer, but clearly the autumnal train has left the station. Two weeks from today we will be in October. Personally autumn is my favorite time of year - I love the sunnier but cool days and crisp nights. October is my favorite month too - karma (or is it Jesus?) usually heaves change into my lap during October. Not that change is always easy to deal with, but I have learned to adapt. Even so, I love the vibe from October. After Halloween, I usually hide out until after the holidays, my least favorite time of year.

Down with Tuesdays

What is it about Tuesdays? I hate them. My least favorite day of the week, even more despised than Mondays. They are that part of the work week hill that is the steepest I reckon. Ugh. Here we go.

Insomniac

Today is Monday, August 25, 2008 and I woke up at 3:30AM. Not that groggy, ugh it's Monday type of wake-up; rather that I'm on zulu time zone and eyes-open, hyper-alert type of wake-up.

Ugh.

I hate not getting my required 8-hours of sleep, especially on a so-called school night. I don't think I'm preoccupied or stressed although I am juggling some personal projects which have been consuming lately. Even so, I've never not slept because of internalized chaos. The boy sleeping beside me didn't keep me up either, in spite of his occasional snoring.

So here I am now, at a few minutes before 5:00AM. I would normally have another hour of sleep left but instead I am on my second cup of coffee even more alert than before.

It's going to be a long day.

I'm the commander

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBDS - The Commander

Humanity, Background, Detail, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that is affected by the details of life. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are highly focused on specific goals or tasks and find meaning in life by pursuing those goals. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Should I stay or should I go?

I currently live in Pacifica which is about 12 miles south of San Francisco along the coast. It's a cozy little stoner-blue collar-surf town. I own a small rancher house in the Linda Mar area, 1/2 mile from the beach, with a little slice of land. I love my house; gayed it up real nice with hardwood floors, a new kitchen and lots of mid-century furniture and tchockies. I live on a great street with cool neighbors and when the sky is clear, I can see stars forever in the dark of night. Once in awhile wild deer wander down my street. During the spring frogs sing their horny croaks. I'm 10 minutes from a nude beach, 15 minutes to SFO Airport, 20 minutes to downtown San Francisco. It's green here and a great place to live.

So why the hell am I thinking about moving?

The flip side to the idyllic description above is the fact that Pacifica is devoid of any shopping or culture (not counting Starbucks, Safeway and Taco Bell on-the-beach), poor public transportation, and shrouded by miserable fog. As much as I love my house, it was built in the 1950's and things require frequent fixning. I don't have a green thumb and have yet to develop my backyard. Since I work from home, I have no commute to a sunnier locale so when we have weeks upon weeks of grey, chilly fog, I find myself moody and down. I don't surf - the water is way too cold and am convinced in a wetsuit I'll closely resemble a slow-moving elephant seal to a lazy Great White. I almost think I have too much space here. And last, friends who reside in the City are less likely to come visit as it requires a car.

So recently I have been thinking about selling and moving to San Francisco - possibly loft-living. Less space, new everything, within walking of commerce and possibly public transportation. Things with Sam are quite serious - he rocks my boat in every direction - and the possibility is there to be cohabitants in sin. So public transportation is essential. I have started to look for places to compare, but am torn as to what to do. Stay in this place, or sell and move to a more urban life.

What do you think?

My friend Lisa

This morning before I suited up for the Dore Alley Street Fair in San Francisco, I met one of my closest friends Lisa for breakfast.  I adore Lisa.  She is my fruit fly.

Lisa and I used to work for the same company in sales.  And we kicked ass.  We were a dynamic duo that pushed sales sky high and would often call on customers together.  At the time Lisa lived in California.  We were kind of inseparable - sort of like Will & Grace if Will was beefier and Grace was Korean.

But times change.

Lisa has a charming husband and two absolutely adorable little boys and they no longer live in California.  So it has been awhile since I had seen her last.  But this morning it was like we picked up where we left off.  In attendance was Lisa's youngest boy - a positively charming one year old with a single tooth and the hair of Maddox.  And Lisa and I chatted and giggled the way old, seasoned friends do.  She knows me too well and is often my voice of reason.  We all need friends like Lisa.  I am lucky.  I have one.

I was attacked in my backyard today

A gang of thugs assaulted me in my backyard today.  It was relentless. It was quick.  It was adorable.

I was brought down by puppies.

When I was 4, I prayed to the baby Jesus for a puppy.  It seems 40 years later he is finally filling my order and paying me with interest.  In fact, there were three puppies in varying shades of brown and fluffiness who attacked me with yelps and nibbles.  I was helpless.  They won.

Now that the "awwwwww-ing" is over, the truth is, these aren't my puppies.  They are my neighbor's.  She has a whole fleet of pups and somehow, these lawless three, burrowed escape tunnels from their yard into mine.  For as quickly as they appeared, they vanished yapping all the way.

So as tempted as I was to keep the cutest one, I didn't  In fact I plugged the holes with rocks to keep the marauders at bay.  Clearly my neighborhood isn't safe.  My backyard is accessible to trespassers.  Maybe I need a dog.

Daily fix 2

So I want to come clean about about my earlier discussion about Starbucks.  Indeed the green siren has replaced the golden arches as the indelible American thumbprint across the world, and pending the ice analysis from Mars, the Milky Way.  Most likely that title will remain even after they shutter 616 stores.  But their mass is what appeals to me - the fact they are everywhere and you know exactly what your order will taste like - whether it's from store #0000001 at Pike's Market in Seattle, or from the store recently opened in the ninth circle of hell.  So no matter where I order my venti-skinny-vanilla-latte, it will taste just like the last.

With that said, my true coffee loyalties lay with Peet's.  The Berkeley based chain has forged an image of being the holistic, organic and more "granola" alternative to the big bad corporate Starbucks.  Don't let the Berkeley address fool you - they are run by suits just like SBUX.   Even so, I prefer their products.  I like the taste of their coffee, the mood of their stores, and out of some sort of loyalty to a Bay Area business, want to support the local enterprise.  One thing to know about me - I am a sucker for good branding and marketing.  I am the perfect consumer.

Ground zero

My name is Greg and this is my blog.   Not exactly the most clever way to enter into the world of online journaling, but I felt it was efficient and to the point.

For those of you have been following my livejournal since it's inception 5 days ago, you already know of my lack of fortitude when it comes to hobbies.  Things always sound so much better when everyone else is doing it, or when you read about it, than the activity itself.  It's this impulse, for example,  that prompts us to buy fitness magazines and fat burners because clearly we can achieve the physique we want by investing only the initial energy.  As with everything else in motion, gravity and drag (read: laziness and frustration) slow our activity to a halt.  And before you know it, those elusive 10 pounds have grown into 15. 

But I'll have some faith in myself given I always have something to say to pursue this blog.  

So this is where I start. My ground zero, rather post-zero.