![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vovatRecently, I got a notice from Voter Registration in my old county in Pennsylvania, asking whether my new address was in the same county. Gee, you'd think the "NJ" at the end of it would have clued them in that it isn't. Besides, I've already registered and voted in my new county. So that doesn't automatically cancel out my last registration? Does that mean that, if I'd been really dishonest and willing to do a lot of driving, I could have voted twice last November? That's a rather disturbing thought.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bethje and I have now seen Friends of God: A Road Trip With Alexandra Pelosi, and I guess it'll have to do for our fix of crazy, bigoted fundamentalists (not to mention Ted Haggard) until the "very long wait" for Jesus Camp on Netflix. In the HBO special, the daughter of the current Speaker of the House visits congregations, Christian wrestling matches and miniature golf courses, anti-evolution brainwashing sessions for kids, and Jerry Falwell's church. There was a lot of talk of culture war, being warriors for Jesus, and the like. Even ignoring all other factors, I think all of that violent imagery would be enough to turn me off from their particular brand of Christianity. I mean, isn't one of the most appealing things about Jesus that he was a lover, not a fighter? Apparently not to a good many of the more vocal evangelical fundamentalists.
The thing is, not all evangelicals are of the scary, bigoted sort. One of the preachers visited on the road trip was Joel Osteen, a televangelist who DOESN'T dwell on hellfire, hatred, and hassling people. And as weird as they appear, there's nothing wrong with sharing your faith with visitors to your mini-golf course, as long as you're not obnoxious about it. The problem is that the Jerry Falwell types have made themselves the most visible representatives of evangelical Christianity, and some of them seem to think that the ones who AREN'T focused on gay-bashing and science-hating aren't true Christians. People say things like, "I don't believe in evolution because I'm a Christian!" as if the two are somehow mutually exclusive.
Speaking of anti-evolution, I have to wonder whether the "dinosaurs lived alongside humans" concept was specifically intended to appeal to kids. Like, somebody sat down one day and said, "Hey, kids love dinosaurs. Maybe telling them that dinosaurs never existed isn't really helping win them over to our beliefs." Really, though, that kind of Flintstones Creationism makes "God created the world with the appearance of age" and "Satan put the dinosaur bones there to trick us" seem totally sensible by comparison.
Oh, the special also showed a "Conservative Comedian," who insisted that the only two groups you could still make fun of in the United States are Southerners and Christians. It's amazing how many different One Last Remaining Groups It's Okay To Make Fun Of exist, and how they almost inevitably include whoever's identifying said group.
I got this survey fromrockinlibrarian. I answered the first fourteen questions last night, and the rest tonight. I keep thinking I'm not going to do any more of these things, and then I'll come across one that actually asks some interesting questions. There are still some of the dull ones that I never have good answers to, though. Maybe I should actually go through with my idea of saving the good questions and making a new survey out of them.
How old will you be in five years?
29
Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
Beth, I suppose. She was around putting my desk together, anyway. I was using the computer for most of the time, but I'd still say it counts.
What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
Hmm...I can't really think of anything in particular.
What's the last movie you watched?
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Who was the last person you called?
Beth
Who was the last person to call you?
Also Beth
What was the last text message you received?
I'm pretty sure it was spam.
Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
I can't remember, but probably someone job-related
Do you prefer to call or text?
I hardly ever send text messages. I prefer e-mail over anything else.
What were you doing at 12am last night?
Coming back from the concert, I think
Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
Divorced
When is the last time you saw your mom?
Just after New Year's
What color are your eyes?
Blue
What are you wearing right now?
Green pants, a pajama shirt, and gray socks
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Hey, I don't want to think about that at this time of year!
Where is your favorite place to be?
Anywhere I feel comfortable
Where is your least favorite place to be?
The Galaxy of Terror
Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
The Land of Oz. Or is this limited to real places?
Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?
No idea
Do you tan or burn?
Both
What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
I remember having a general fear of the dark, but I can't recall thinking anything specific was coming after me.
What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
I can never remember the answer to this question. I'm going to be watching a new Simpsons episode in about fifteen minutes, though, so hopefully that will make me laugh. That doesn't seem to be a guarantee at this point, though.
How many TVs do you have in your house?
Six, I think, although no one ever uses the ones in the basement.
How big is your bed?
Full-size
Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Desktop
Do you sleep with or without clothes on?
I never sleep totally naked, but I'll often sleep in nothing but underwear. If it's cold, I'll generally wear pajamas and socks as well.
What color are your sheets?
Red
How many pillows do you sleep with?
Four
What is your favorite season?
I guess I'd say spring, aside from the allergies.
What do you like about fall?
The leaves changing color, and that winter hasn't started yet
What do you like about winter?
I know those words, but that question makes no sense. Okay, I do still like Christmas.
What do you like about the summer?
Not having to get bundled up before leaving the house
What do you like about spring?
That the lousy weather of winter is over, but the scorching heat of summer hasn't yet started
How many states have you lived in?
Two
What cities/towns have you lived in?
Kiddie City and Toy Town
Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
In this weather, socks inside, shoes outside. When it's warm, I'll sometimes go around in bare feet when I'm indoors.
Are you a social person?
As a general rule, no.
What was the last thing you ate?
Some Goldfish crackers
What is your favorite restaurant?
Maybe the Olive Garden
What is your favorite dessert?
Cake
What is your favorite kind of soup?
I really like the Pasta e Fagiole at the Olive Garden, but I tried it at another Italian place and didn't much care for it.
What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
I haven't had that kind of sandwich in years. When I did, I think I'd usually have grape or apricot.
Do you like Chinese food?
Yes, but only every once in a while.
Do you like coffee?
Not at all
What do you drink in the morning?
Some kind of juice
Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yeah, I always sleep on the right side of my current bed.
Do you like to cuddle?
Sure
Have you ever been to Canada?
Once, about twenty years ago
Do you eat out or at home more often?
At home, or at Beth's house. That doesn't really count as "out," does it?
Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Yeah, my mom's next-door neighbor, and the lady who used to work at the library nearby. Also Mickey Mouse, apparently.
Do you want kids?
Not at all
Do you speak any other languages?
A little German and Latin
Have you ever gotten stitches?
No
Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
no
Do you prefer the ocean or a pool?
Depends on what I'm doing with it. I guess the ocean in general.
Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
Again, depends on the situation
Do you know how to drive stick?
Nope.
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
I don't like spending money on anything. I'd rather get it all for free. {g}
Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Not unless you count my watch, and even that I take off when I shower.
What is your favorite TV show?
I'd still say The Simpsons.
Can you roll your tongue?
Yes.
Who is the funniest person you know?
Hey, I'm not going to play favorites like that!
Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Yeah, although they're usually just on the left side of the bed (which, as you may remember, is the side I DON'T sleep on)
Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
Not with me.
What red object is closest to you right now?
There are some red-handled scissors right next to an old case of floppy disks. I'd say they're about the same distance away.
Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
If I didn't, my mom would probably come all the way over here to criticize me.
Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
The bear, I guess?
Who do you like?
Anyone who's read this far
What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti or pizza, I guess
Can you change the oil on a car?
No
Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
No
Have you ever run out of gas?
No. The only time my gas light came on, I was pretty close to a gas station. I usually won't let it go below a quarter tank.
What is your usual bedtime?
I usually go to bed after work, although not always immediately afterwards. It's generally sometime between 8:30 and 10 AM.
What was the last book you read?
You know, it's been a while since I've read a book. It might have been Christmas in Oz, but even that was a re-read.
Do you read the newspaper?
No, although I probably should.
Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Not unless you count The Baum Bugle
Do you watch soap operas?
No
Do you dance in the car?
Sometimes
What radio station did you last listen to?
Does what they play at work count? I miss being able to listen to my own music at work.
Who is in the picture frame closest to you?
I have no idea. The picture frame closest to me is probably in Patti's room, and I'm not going to go in there and look.
What was the last note you scribbled on a piece of paper?
I jotted down a few lines from the last Simpsons episode, one of which might end up being the title of my next post.
What is your favorite candle scent?
I don't really have one.
When was the last time you attended church?
Christmas 2005, I believe
bethje and I have now seen Friends of God: A Road Trip With Alexandra Pelosi, and I guess it'll have to do for our fix of crazy, bigoted fundamentalists (not to mention Ted Haggard) until the "very long wait" for Jesus Camp on Netflix. In the HBO special, the daughter of the current Speaker of the House visits congregations, Christian wrestling matches and miniature golf courses, anti-evolution brainwashing sessions for kids, and Jerry Falwell's church. There was a lot of talk of culture war, being warriors for Jesus, and the like. Even ignoring all other factors, I think all of that violent imagery would be enough to turn me off from their particular brand of Christianity. I mean, isn't one of the most appealing things about Jesus that he was a lover, not a fighter? Apparently not to a good many of the more vocal evangelical fundamentalists.The thing is, not all evangelicals are of the scary, bigoted sort. One of the preachers visited on the road trip was Joel Osteen, a televangelist who DOESN'T dwell on hellfire, hatred, and hassling people. And as weird as they appear, there's nothing wrong with sharing your faith with visitors to your mini-golf course, as long as you're not obnoxious about it. The problem is that the Jerry Falwell types have made themselves the most visible representatives of evangelical Christianity, and some of them seem to think that the ones who AREN'T focused on gay-bashing and science-hating aren't true Christians. People say things like, "I don't believe in evolution because I'm a Christian!" as if the two are somehow mutually exclusive.
Speaking of anti-evolution, I have to wonder whether the "dinosaurs lived alongside humans" concept was specifically intended to appeal to kids. Like, somebody sat down one day and said, "Hey, kids love dinosaurs. Maybe telling them that dinosaurs never existed isn't really helping win them over to our beliefs." Really, though, that kind of Flintstones Creationism makes "God created the world with the appearance of age" and "Satan put the dinosaur bones there to trick us" seem totally sensible by comparison.
Oh, the special also showed a "Conservative Comedian," who insisted that the only two groups you could still make fun of in the United States are Southerners and Christians. It's amazing how many different One Last Remaining Groups It's Okay To Make Fun Of exist, and how they almost inevitably include whoever's identifying said group.
I got this survey from
rockinlibrarian. I answered the first fourteen questions last night, and the rest tonight. I keep thinking I'm not going to do any more of these things, and then I'll come across one that actually asks some interesting questions. There are still some of the dull ones that I never have good answers to, though. Maybe I should actually go through with my idea of saving the good questions and making a new survey out of them.How old will you be in five years?
29
Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
Beth, I suppose. She was around putting my desk together, anyway. I was using the computer for most of the time, but I'd still say it counts.
What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
Hmm...I can't really think of anything in particular.
What's the last movie you watched?
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Who was the last person you called?
Beth
Who was the last person to call you?
Also Beth
What was the last text message you received?
I'm pretty sure it was spam.
Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
I can't remember, but probably someone job-related
Do you prefer to call or text?
I hardly ever send text messages. I prefer e-mail over anything else.
What were you doing at 12am last night?
Coming back from the concert, I think
Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
Divorced
When is the last time you saw your mom?
Just after New Year's
What color are your eyes?
Blue
What are you wearing right now?
Green pants, a pajama shirt, and gray socks
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Hey, I don't want to think about that at this time of year!
Where is your favorite place to be?
Anywhere I feel comfortable
Where is your least favorite place to be?
The Galaxy of Terror
Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
The Land of Oz. Or is this limited to real places?
Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?
No idea
Do you tan or burn?
Both
What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
I remember having a general fear of the dark, but I can't recall thinking anything specific was coming after me.
What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
I can never remember the answer to this question. I'm going to be watching a new Simpsons episode in about fifteen minutes, though, so hopefully that will make me laugh. That doesn't seem to be a guarantee at this point, though.
How many TVs do you have in your house?
Six, I think, although no one ever uses the ones in the basement.
How big is your bed?
Full-size
Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Desktop
Do you sleep with or without clothes on?
I never sleep totally naked, but I'll often sleep in nothing but underwear. If it's cold, I'll generally wear pajamas and socks as well.
What color are your sheets?
Red
How many pillows do you sleep with?
Four
What is your favorite season?
I guess I'd say spring, aside from the allergies.
What do you like about fall?
The leaves changing color, and that winter hasn't started yet
What do you like about winter?
I know those words, but that question makes no sense. Okay, I do still like Christmas.
What do you like about the summer?
Not having to get bundled up before leaving the house
What do you like about spring?
That the lousy weather of winter is over, but the scorching heat of summer hasn't yet started
How many states have you lived in?
Two
What cities/towns have you lived in?
Kiddie City and Toy Town
Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
In this weather, socks inside, shoes outside. When it's warm, I'll sometimes go around in bare feet when I'm indoors.
Are you a social person?
As a general rule, no.
What was the last thing you ate?
Some Goldfish crackers
What is your favorite restaurant?
Maybe the Olive Garden
What is your favorite dessert?
Cake
What is your favorite kind of soup?
I really like the Pasta e Fagiole at the Olive Garden, but I tried it at another Italian place and didn't much care for it.
What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
I haven't had that kind of sandwich in years. When I did, I think I'd usually have grape or apricot.
Do you like Chinese food?
Yes, but only every once in a while.
Do you like coffee?
Not at all
What do you drink in the morning?
Some kind of juice
Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yeah, I always sleep on the right side of my current bed.
Do you like to cuddle?
Sure
Have you ever been to Canada?
Once, about twenty years ago
Do you eat out or at home more often?
At home, or at Beth's house. That doesn't really count as "out," does it?
Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Yeah, my mom's next-door neighbor, and the lady who used to work at the library nearby. Also Mickey Mouse, apparently.
Do you want kids?
Not at all
Do you speak any other languages?
A little German and Latin
Have you ever gotten stitches?
No
Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
no
Do you prefer the ocean or a pool?
Depends on what I'm doing with it. I guess the ocean in general.
Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seats?
Again, depends on the situation
Do you know how to drive stick?
Nope.
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
I don't like spending money on anything. I'd rather get it all for free. {g}
Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Not unless you count my watch, and even that I take off when I shower.
What is your favorite TV show?
I'd still say The Simpsons.
Can you roll your tongue?
Yes.
Who is the funniest person you know?
Hey, I'm not going to play favorites like that!
Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Yeah, although they're usually just on the left side of the bed (which, as you may remember, is the side I DON'T sleep on)
Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
Not with me.
What red object is closest to you right now?
There are some red-handled scissors right next to an old case of floppy disks. I'd say they're about the same distance away.
Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
If I didn't, my mom would probably come all the way over here to criticize me.
Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
The bear, I guess?
Who do you like?
Anyone who's read this far
What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti or pizza, I guess
Can you change the oil on a car?
No
Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
No
Have you ever run out of gas?
No. The only time my gas light came on, I was pretty close to a gas station. I usually won't let it go below a quarter tank.
What is your usual bedtime?
I usually go to bed after work, although not always immediately afterwards. It's generally sometime between 8:30 and 10 AM.
What was the last book you read?
You know, it's been a while since I've read a book. It might have been Christmas in Oz, but even that was a re-read.
Do you read the newspaper?
No, although I probably should.
Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Not unless you count The Baum Bugle
Do you watch soap operas?
No
Do you dance in the car?
Sometimes
What radio station did you last listen to?
Does what they play at work count? I miss being able to listen to my own music at work.
Who is in the picture frame closest to you?
I have no idea. The picture frame closest to me is probably in Patti's room, and I'm not going to go in there and look.
What was the last note you scribbled on a piece of paper?
I jotted down a few lines from the last Simpsons episode, one of which might end up being the title of my next post.
What is your favorite candle scent?
I don't really have one.
When was the last time you attended church?
Christmas 2005, I believe
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 11:17 pm (UTC)I believe you could be registered and voting in several states without anyone knowing, or caring.
I'm sure it's worked to Ann Coulter's advantage. Although maybe she just has one registration per gender. :P
no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 11:22 pm (UTC)Really, I must go play golf there again before we move.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 11:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 05:11 pm (UTC)Yeah, even in the same state, somehow they don't get that info on time. My mom is one of the election officials in the town I grew up in, and last year she mentioned that I was still on the lists there, and I said "But I voted HERE last year!"
no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 09:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-29 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-30 01:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-31 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-30 11:22 pm (UTC)Ah-hah (I know I already responded to this entry, but suddenly another part of it is relevant), this concept could explain something I read yesterday that threw me. I was doing market research in children's magazine writing and was reading the guidelines for this evangelical magazine that said their main focus was on promoting creationism and anti-evolutionism (that was the first I ever saw "anti-evolutionism" used as a term by the people who it referred to-- you'd figure most people would want the more positive term associated with themselves), a focus they pointed out multiple times throughout the guideline entry, and then they listed the titles of sample articles they'd published recently and there was one called "Dippy the Dinosaur" (ages 3-5). My first thought was "Dippy the Dinosaur" is an absolutely horrible name, but my SECOND thought was, wait, if this is an anti-evolution magazine, what on earth is this story about? "Dippy the Dinosaur was a very nice dinosaur, but he was only make-believe, because there are no such things as dinosaurs." What kind of story is that, regardless of your beliefs?! (which brings us back to the title, ie, what kind of title is that, regardless of your beliefs...) What 3-5 year old kid is going to accept such a story?! But if it presents a coexistant rewrite of prehistory, it might just work. Then again, not with a title like that.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-31 03:08 am (UTC)I'm kind of surprised they didn't go with the more recent term "intelligent design."