Ex-Mormon idiocy and a finishing touch

 Hey there. 

Blogs are so 2011, and it's obvious that blogging is going away. Which is fine, sunrise and sunset. Youtube and video blogging isn't the future, it's the present. This will, officially, be the final post. I think blogging services will be taken down like Yahoo Answers or the AIM. And again, that that's fine. It's just life and it's how technology works. 

Some quick thoughts about what is going on in the Ex-Mormon world.

-Ex Mormons are just as preachy and annoying as the most fundamentalist Mormon out there. People leave the church for many reasons, but one reason is that they just get tired of being lectured to and told they aren't doing enough. A vastly popular Ex-Mormon podcast has recently decided to go down that road and lecture Ex-Mormons about how not to be racist, misogynistic, etc. I hesitate to bring up the podcast, but a friend shared it with me and I listened to it last night. I didn't even bother to finish it. I hate being preached to, no matter who it comes from. 

-Ex Mormons generally slide into the extreme version of political correctness because they feel guilty about what they believed and how they acted when they were Mormon. So, in order to make amends for what they believed, they go off the deep end to prove how they are not racist, misogynistic, etc. It's their way of showing off how apologetic they are, and also, they have a much more sinister motive-to show off how wonderful they think they are. It's the same thing that religious people do. Often times fasting and preaching is done to show the rest of the world how moral and righteous you are. Christ himself preached against this and told people to fast and pray quietly. 

There, that's out of the way. Now, to some personal stuff. 

I got my first Covid vaccine, and I beg you to do the same thing. No, the vaccine is not dangerous and no, you are not an exception to getting it. Real medical exceptions for vaccines are incredibly small and you don't have one. It's a way to make yourself feel special and get attention. Yes, I went there.

I'm currently a deputy black belt in Taekwando. I go for my official black belt test in November. I've recently competed in some tournaments (all virtual) and have earned a silver medal and a few bronzes.

Musically, I desperately miss live concerts and can't wait for them to restart. I'm listening to The Struts, Viral, Visigoth, Night Demon, and of course, the classics-Ramones, Kiss, Iron Maiden, etc. 

I will not be posting regularly-I have no desire to be Muhammad Ali fighting Trevor Berbick in the Bahamas (was it there?). So this will, officially, be the final blog. Unless I think of other things to say. Which I might. Don't count on it though. 

I can't express how heartwarming it is to hear that people actually give a damn about this blog and my thoughts on every single topic out there-it's a spectacular feeling, one that I hope each and every one of you gets to feel in your life. 

Be punk, and God bless. 

Tim 

Blog Update

So, you can tell I've been a little unmotivated and a little busy lately. I'll be going on a much needed break until October 26th. I will not post again until then, and I'm sure both readers are just devastated by it. 

Dogs and humans

I love dogs. I've owned many wonderful dogs in my life and now I'm the proud owner of a bull terrier named Jaina, after the expanded universe Star Wars character.  She's the same breed as the Target dog, but the breed is not for everyone. Their history is a bit troubled-they were used as fighting dogs in their past, and I'm sure that in the wrong hands they could become extremely aggressive and very dangerous. Like all responsible owners of the breed, I'm careful to correct nay aggression that she might show. "Correct" doesn't mean use force or get violent-but it does mean they need firm leadership.

Humanizing dogs is a major problem in society because it's not fair to the dog. If you are desperate to treat something like a human-have a baby, not a dog.  Dressing up a dog in human clothes or having it be carried in your purse or giving it "people food" and reading it stories before bedtime shows that you are lacking something in you own life. Dogs are wonderful companions to humans and like I said-I love dogs and value them deeply. I also realize that some people get a dog for the wrong reason, sometimes because they are lacking something in their life.

Speaking of "wrong reasons" among the worst thing you can do is get a protective dog for some macho statement. Most men who act overly macho all the time are trying to overcompensate, and I've seen men who act like that get a pit bull or a rottie just to show the rest of the world how tough they are. Usually they can't provide the leadership that the dog needs and the dog turns into a violent monster. It's sad, because in the end the dog might kill another dog or much worse, another human.

Name calling

It is the nature of the internet to disagree, argue and debate. I accept this and so should everyone else on the internet. You don't want to be like the person who posts "99% of you won't repost this" status updates and the old lady who has "co-exist" bumper stickers-who think they can change the world by doing that. Like I've mentioned before part of being a grown up is realizing that you can't change people-they have to do so with their own actions and choices. Moving on.

I see people all the time on the internet call anything they disagree with "stupid". Or worse, they call the people they disagree with "stupid". Sure, some people make life choices the rest of us disagree with or say things that aren't the most cogent or logical-but calling everything you disagree with "stupid" or "foolish" shows a staggering lack of character on the person hurling the insult, not the person receiving them.

I know why people on the internet use name calling-it makes them feel better about themselves. Calling people names (unless it done in jest. Big, big difference between playful razzing between two friends and calling people you never met "dickheads") is obviously trying to cover up your own inadequacies.

Wearing what you want to church

LDS are expected to wear their Sunday best to church. You might be looked at differently if you do not, but in the end, wear whatever you are comfortable with.

Upfront, it's important to remember that no matter what you hink, do or wear, you will surely find someone who will complain about it. They do so to appear self righteous, holier than thou, or sometimes it's just because they are a jerk or a bully.

I usually wear a polo shirt and khakis. Ever since Catholic school I don't like wearing a suit and tie to anything. It makes me feel like I'm gong to a funeral. Church should be a joyous event-and while it does have a bit of solemnity to it being super serious and severe isn't exactly the warm and and friendly kind of believers that we should be.

Disagreements

There is something truly special about friends who are so close to you that you can disagree with them (sometimes strongly) and no one cares.

Anyone with strong views who is unafraid to share them better have the backbone and understanding to know that you can't please everyone.  Just expressing a view, you'll get someone angry. Usually, it's the tolerant people who are the first to block/defriend you. I know I've said that before, but it does merit repeating: The tolerant are the most likely to show screaming rages of intolerance.  Christopher Hitchens said it best, as he usually does "I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open mindedness."

Back to disagreements and friendships. In the world of social media and hyper sensitivity, we are quick to ban anyone from our lives if they disagree with us or "offend" us. Rare is the person who is strong enough - and secure in their own views - who can disagree with someone and still remain friends.

In other words-people need to grow up and stop acting like a 12 year old. If you only have friends who agree with you, you may not have friends. 

Ronald Reagan

I've been in a Ronald Reagan phase. He's always been among my favorite people to read about-both his Hollywood career and political career are amazing. Most people would not be able to excel in one of those careers. While he wasn't the greatest Hollywood actor (He's underrated though. Kings Row still holds up today) he made a lot of money and was very successful. Then, after a rough personal time-he bounced back from movies and thrived in the political world.

My favorite Reagan books are Ronald Reagan by John Patrick Diggins and A Different Drummer by Michael Deaver. Diggings discusses Reagan having more in common with Emerson-both had an innate positivity, a trust in human nature and a distrust of original sin-than with the religious right or "neocons". Deaver was one of the presidents most trusted aides. In fact, Reagan even mentioned once that Deaver was like a brother to him. Denver was right there for many of the key decisions in the life of Reagan. His love and admiration for the president is obvious. 

His auto-biography was called "An American Life" and it truly was one. A second chance marriage, a second chance career. America is many things, but it's mostly the land of second chances. President Reagan epitomized that.