Thursday, October 30, 2008

Braindump

Every so often here in Untitled Life I feel the need to write but have so much information I wish to convey that it all comes out at once and rarely in a full cohesive thought. That is when we have the fun of a braindump where I throw up all of my thoughts in a single stream of though post and let you sort it out... or slink away slowly to call the men in white coats to pick me up.

First, last Sunday was the First Annual Texas Freethought Convention. It went well even considering some planning mixups. Originally I had been set to speak but due to scheduling and two big name speakers coming out, I got bumped. I did get to perform the de-baptisms which was a fun, tongue in cheek way for those baptized as children to undo something done to them without their consent. Purely symbolic silliness but it was all in good fun. Overall it was a great day and I was lucky enough to meet some fellow atheists from all over Texas, giving me hope for this red state. A special shout out goes to Anastasia, my fellow recovered Mormon, and Kelli and Staise, the documentary filmmakers and fellow hardcore atheists who will be immortalizing this first here in Texas. Also, much love to FACT, American Atheists, and all of the other local and national organizations that made this possible.

In other news, it looks like Barack will win the White House. That said, I will not breathe a sigh of relief until they have sworn him in. If McCain wins even with the polls predicting a Barack landslide I am taking to the streets. I don't care if I am the only person in this red state protesting. I get the feeling I won't be. Republicans be warned. The American people are tired of your dirty politics. We will not have another election stolen.

My wife got the call Tuesday that her great grandmother had been diagnosed with late stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma. While she will be going through chemo her prognosis looks grim. Ester is the kind of grandmother everyone wishes for. She is always ready with a smile and a hug for her family. Until recently she could run circles around any of us, maintaining a little shop in the flea market and caring for her many grand and great grandchildren. She has led an amazing life and if I can leave this world accomplishing half of her life I will die feeling fulfilled. Ester, we love you and if you leave us, you will be mourned and missed.