The World Penguin...

...marches through space, bearing the world on his feet.

refer to comments on previous item in case you think I've gone mad

:-)

The Root of All Evil

Did anyone see 'The Root of All Evil' on Channel 4 last night? Richard Dawkins' 2-part programme attacking religion. I love the fact that such a programme can get broadcast on primetime terrestrial TV these days!

Dawkins has no qualms whatsoever about branding ALL faith as a dangerous way of non-thinking. Hear hear! No pussyfooting around! Unfortunately he's not likely to convert anyone. Despite the obvious rightness of his point of view, he is not the most charismatic of fellows, and becomes petulant when his (admittedly vile) interview subjects make absurd statements about creationism or whatever.

Pastor Ted Haggard, an American evangelical leader that he interviews, is so repugnant, stupid and aggressive he confirms Bill Hicks' observation that creationists are among the most 'unevolved' people around. This imbecile even dares to trot out the old 'how can an eye evolve purely by chance' argument. Duh! Not that I expect everybody to have an interest in evolution, but if you're going to attack the theory then you should have at least some vague idea what you're talking about.

As for the muslim guy that tells Richard 'If you are an atheist then what is to stop your women fornicating in the streets?'... words fail me.

Apparently the next part of the programme will go on to explain how religious education is akin to child abuse. Something tells me Channel 4's forums (fora?) are going to be a veritable inferno of angry god-botherers!

"Within each of us, ofttimes, there dwells a mighty and raging fury"

Had to be done! :-D

Is it xmas yet?

Check it out! I got a flat panel monitor for my desk. Isn't it beautiful? Everyone in the office would like one of these, but that's the beauty of being in the IT department isn't it? :-) We've got another 10 or so to hand out, but who should get them? There's only one way to settle this (see link).

My job's going from part time (2 days a week) to full time, yay! This means I will have more money for buying toys and visiting foreign parts in 2006! Shopping list: new computer, broadband, sound system, furniture, clothes, expensive shoes, trips to Spain, gym membership (yes gym membership!) and maybe a trip to Texas to visit my good friend Ben who's out there doing his PhD.

Anyway I should get on with some work if I want to keep this wonderful job. Unfortunately I have been hypnotized by this evil kitten.

Booze cruise

As Tim (pictured sprawled on floor) turned 33 on the 4th December we made the traditional channel crossing to Dieppe on Saturday, theoretically to buy cheese. High seas made for an entertaining trip, the high point for me being when Tim hurried over to say something, miscalculated and hurried straight past, into a table and three chairs. The French seemed unconcerned - presumably this is just something English people do.

We found time to nose around the Castle Museum, which has an impressive collection of non-PC ivory artifacts as well as many paintings of fish, so in theory we didn't do nothing but drink all day.

I did, however, forget the cheese.

Muggers in Shoreham

I was returning over the footbridge on Sunday night when I happened upon a fellow who said he'd just been mugged. He had a nasty lump on his head and a bloody nose. Two guys running off towards town had grabbed his iPod.

I was incensed, especially as I knew how he felt after the same thing had happened to me not so long ago. I ran after the pair and chased them up the road towards the Duke, and actually caught up to them (they must be very slow muggers!) They had the usual hoods up and one had a scarf over his face. The other was careful to cover his face with his hands. They looked about 15. Gah! 15 year old professional muggers in Shoreham? Since when?

Anyway, I told them they had to return the guy's property. They then suggested I buy it from them :-) No, that's not how it works kiddies, you give it back now, or you make a break for it and I try and stop you. Your choice. I couldn't resist emphasising my point by smacking my fist into my palm. Matt, the victim in this, had caught up as well and the kids were looking less confident. I took out my phone and dialled 999. 'You calling the police?' says Bugsy Malone. 'Well duh! What do you think?'

They started to run again so we kept after them, while talking to the police. Really kids these days are so slow! How could they not outrun us? In a panic they finally gave up and returned the iPod, and we let them get away. Matt was pleased to get his stuff back, and the police turned up 5 minutes later to take the details. On reflection, it's a pity we didn't grab hold of the little maggots until the police arrived, but at least they probably had a scare.

So listen, all you would-be mugger brats of Shoreham, mugging gets you nothing. Sooner or later (most probably sooner) you will get beaten up, imprisoned or both. Get a life!

My philosophy, rated

Someone's stolen my plug sockets! I got into work nice and early at 8am, only to find my computer doesn't work because it isn't plugged in, and it isn't plugged in because... the plug sockets have been stolen! Seriously, there used to be a panel in the floor with all my precious power and network connections, and now there's just an untouched carpet tile! It's a bit spooky. *sigh* Obviously there has been some kind of misunderstanding.

Anyway, I tried this quiz Lilly had on her blog:

You scored as Materialist. Materialism stresses the essence of fundamental particles. Everything that exists is purely physical matter and there is no special force that holds life together. You believe that anything can be explained by breaking it up into its pieces. i.e. the big picture can be understood by its smaller elements. Materialist 88% Modernist 75% Postmodernist 75% Cultural Creative 50% Idealist 44% Existentialist 38% Romanticist 31% Fundamentalist 31% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

Hmm, sounds a bit stark and scientisty. I agree with the above, but also hold that nothing is certain, everything is possible, and love can save the world, though I draw the line at the healing power of crystals. Sorry but if I've got a cold I'll take a lemsip over a lump of rose quartz any day. I should point out that I answered at least 50% of the questions with 'neither agree nor disagree', hence 31% fundamentalist! Yeah that's me, a dyed-in-the-wool fundamentalist!

I've just finished reading my first Iain M Banks book, Feersum Endjinn. Good fun, but I was actually expecting something even more out of this world! Probably been built up too much. Maybe his 'culture' novels are more what I was expecting. We'll see, I'll definitely be reading them at some point. As for the ending of Feersum Endjinn, it was a bit of a last minute dash round gathering loose ends. And what exactly does the 'Endjinn' do? Sure, leave it to the imagination. Thing is, I was really looking forward to finding out!!

Movie wise I must just quickly recommend Kung Fu Hustle. Funniest thing I've seen in years! Well, since Shaolin Soccer I guess (Stephen Chow's previous film). This guy's hilarious, and he really knows and loves film. He references everything from Casablanca to Spiderman and back to The Shining. The fight scenes involve over-the-top wirework and sfx mixed with classic Shaw brothers kung fu and a dash of the three Stooges. It's played for laughs, but is nonetheless hugely impressive.

Anyway, better get on with some work, and find those plug sockets!