The last ever voyage of a space shuttle. Time-lapse: Space shuttle Endeavour's trek across L.A. [Official]
See the rest of “Last Shuttle Voyage”»Friday, October 19, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
«Swearing Muppets Turned Philosophical»
I was writing a reply to a comment on an old post about censoring the Muppets. However my reply was getting too long and not at all related to the video, so it became a new post.
So here's the comment:
Everything about being human is temporary. Including any pleasure we seek, anyone we love, and anything we accomplish. I have absolutely no belief in any sort of spirit or soul, reincarnation, or life after death. Quite frankly, this is it. Make the best of it.I agree.
It's because people no longer believe in spiritual values that make up humanity and if you don't believe in spiritual values what choices are you going to have then to please your physical body which only brings temporary pleasure?
There really is no *Good* or *Evil* but it's more if you have a dualistic mind where you and the other person your pitted against shove each other down the throat.
People often make scapegoats in order to take responsibility away from themselves and
It really doesn't matter what your religion is as long as you believe in the fundamental values of the spirit and love your enemies as yourself or whatever your spiritual texts say that supports that kind of message.
That's the basic of that.
As far as the whole spiritual text thing, I have the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster I suppose. But I don't get my values from that. My morals and values come from how I was raised by my parents, the society I live in, and empathy. I'm not what one would call a spiritual person.
I don't see myself "pitted against" anyone. I don't have enemies. I don't view people like that. When I have a disagreement with someone I try to see their side and allow them to see mine. If we reach an impasse, then I simply accept that our points of view are different. Depending on the point argued, I may not want to spend any more time with the person, but I still don't see them as "evil" or an "enemy".
Religions are dangerous (in part) because they form this "us" vs. "them" mentality. Where "us" (we) are in the right and backed by the word of God. And "Them" are a different religion, atheists, gays, pro-choicers, evolutionists, or any other perceived group that have different values or beliefs and are simply evil/immoral/enemies/misguided.
See the rest of “Swearing Muppets Turned Philosophical”»
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
«Same-Sex Upheld, The Battle Continues»
So I don't fully understand all the circuits and courts, but apparently today the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of allowing same-sex marriage. In 2008 California Prop 8 re-banned same-sex marriage in California, which was then contested as being unconstitutional. It's been tied up in the legal system ever since. It's going to be tied up for a while longer, too. This will get pushed on to the Supreme Court next.
My hope is that the Supreme Court makes a ruling in favor of allowing same-sex marriage that applies to all 50 states and every U.S. territory. That being said, I hope the churches will be excluded from the ruling. There's no sense in "forcing" the churches to perform a same-sex marriage that is clearly against their doctrine.
I've been trying to understand how someone else's same-sex marriage can somehow invalidate or diminish an opposite-sex marriage. Especially when celebrity marriages exist. Best I can figure it's a perceived notion that legalizing same-sex marriage will validate them "under God", and to that I say we have separation of church and state. Clearly it's not a family or parenting issue. Canada hasn't fallen apart and same-sex marriage is legal there.
So if the Catholic church (and various sects of Christianity, or others) don't want to perform same-sex marriages don't force them to. They've already established themselves as discriminatory organizations, and no-one seems to mind. So I don't see why discrimination laws should apply here and force them to perform same-sex marriage. Separation of church and state is a 2-way street. There's other ways to get married. Other religions that will. State officials such as Judges for example.
In preparation for the Supreme Court ruling maybe I should brush up on marriage ceremonies. There will be a high demand for marriage officiants and if the main-stream churches turn them down I feel it is my duty as a minister to answer the call. My church fully endorses same-sex marriages.
Friday, January 13, 2012
«Stop SOPA and PIPA!»
If SOPA should pass, I will be forced to take down this blog and indeed, the entire website. It will also mean free speech will have officially died in the United States, and the golden age of the internet will be over.
I wish this was just over-sensationalist doom-saying. I really do. However, these bills SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) are so overreaching and broad that none will be unaffected. It shifts the burden of proof to the accused, with no penalty for false claims.
This means if any US government or corporate organization wants to censor someone on the internet, they can claim copyright on a portion of their media and get it all removed... Even if they don't actually own the copyright! The content will be taken down, and it will be the burden of the accused to go through the lengthy and expensive process of proving their innocence. It doesn't stop there, even external sites that were found to be linking to the "copyrighted" media can be issued court orders to shut down.
This extends beyond US borders, too. Any foreign sites accused of infringing will be blocked by the newly formed Great Firewall of "New China" (America). Like it or not, many of the world's largest internet companies are based in the United States.
All this to stop online "piracy" which is against the law anyway. We've already seen laws are not going to stop piracy.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
«So That Was 2011»
2011 Year in Review Song
On to 2012, the year of doomsday conspiracies...
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
«Downtime, Blame Google»
I don't know what that downtime was about. Yes, this site was down for a few hours.
Something to do with the custom domain settings and it was on Google's side. All I did to fix it was set it to the default mastermarf.blogspot.com, then back to my www.mastermarf.com domain and is started working again.
So, whatever...
EDIT: Looks like Google is still having a few issues. Might just have to wait it out.
Monday, October 10, 2011
«OWS: It's Growing»
Occupy Wall Street: Too Big to Ignore
Started in Egypt, and has spread across the globe. It's a contagious behavior. It gets to the point that people that otherwise have very little reason to protest or riot have this urge to. I'm not saying the Occupy Wall Street in the US isn't needed. However, and this is probably short-sighted, the riots in London or earlier in Canada were not warranted. With this global uprising spreading all the way to the US, China must be really concerned about it spreading to them.
My take on Occupy Wall Street? Wait and watch. It's unlikely there will be a significant showing in Idaho. The state is too red politically and the protesters are seen as new-age hippies without a cause. That's my main issue with the movement, too. They are pointing out a fundamental problem with capitalism we all already knew exists. However, there's no central solution or call to action. Everyone involved has different ideas. They need a legendary public speaker to unify their movement akin to Martin Luther King Jr. Until they get their act together I'm going to remain an outside observer.
Then there's the possibility of an event that will spark violence. Be it an overzealous protester or an aggressive police display, this is a volatile situation. Protests around the country could turn to riots around the country.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
«Point of No Return»
Here it is... I've reached the point of no return.
Click image to view full.
To some virginity is virtue. They've had the opportunity but through power of self discipline they abstained, for an ideological or religious reason. Not me. I don't have any unrealistic vision of finding "the one". There are many compatible people out there, and none of them are perfect. And like anything you do for the first time, it's going to be awkward and clumsy.
I've simply been unable to form a basic romantic social bond with anyone. Therein lies the problem. Virginity is but one metric to measure one's life by. It is by far not the only metric I fail at though. Social inability affects all aspects of my life. I am beyond saving.
"Happy" birthday to me.
See the rest of “Point of No Return”»
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
«The Reverend Marf»
This is what I believe to be the most epic thing I've done since starting this blog. It's all sorts of silly, epic, and to some I'd imagine offensive. I have officially renounced my atheism. If that sentence can even make sense. One can't really renounce a non-religion, can they?
I am now an officially ordained minister of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I'm now The Reverend Cody Durkin. I've seen the noodly light of Pastafarianism. Note the raised gold seal. This is a legitimate document.
Click image to view full.
If that isn't the biggest slap in the face to the validity of religion, I don't know what is.I can legally use Reverend in front of my name now. Seriously. I can also officiate wedding ceremonies. Laws do vary between states (even counties) in the US, and I haven't researched international laws. Weddings are such a business in Nevada (go Las Vegas!) that they have some unique requirements. However, in most other states including my resident state of Idaho, one only needs to be a judge, governor, mayor or an ordained minister of any denomination. [Idaho Code Section 32-303]
Any. Denomination.
They'd have one hell of a First Amendment case on their hands if they tried to deny it.FSM is a real, legitimate religion, as much as any other. The fact that many see this is as a satirical religion doesn’t change the fact that by any standard one can come up with, our religion is as legitimate as any other. And *that* is the point.
What's that sound? Yeah, I didn't hear it either. I expected to hear the sound of the sanctity of marriage draining away, but I guess celebrities already drained that. The "we must protect the sanctity of marriage" people need to wake up to reality. Same-sex marriage is the least of their worries. I can now legally perform marriage ceremonies, that are recognized by the government, in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Some religions oppose same-sex marriage. My religion supports it. The government has no right to deny my people their Noodle-given right to marry someone of the same sex any more than it can deny a man and a woman to get married under the Christian God. And *that* is my point.
See the rest of “The Reverend Marf”»
Thursday, August 11, 2011
«PSA: It Gets Better»
[ ALERT! THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. ]
PSA video edition.
It Gets Better - The Amazing Atheist
So remember kids, you may be struggling to fit in now. But don't worry, it gets better. Time fixes all ills of society. When you grow up you'll be able to be your own person and live how you want. Also, there's a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.
[ THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT, BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Master Marf AND TheAmazingAtheist. ]
Sunday, August 7, 2011
«Science Saves Souls»
Science Saved My Soul.
"There might yet be a heaven, but it isn't going to be perfect, and we're going to have to build it ourselves."
Sunday, July 17, 2011
«Goodbye Future»
I feel like the future has been stolen from me.
Colonizing Space - '70s Style!
Where's my damn space colonies? Flying car? Mr. Fusion?! Nope. Just a retired 30-year-old shuttle program and a cancelled space telescope.
At least the Russians are getting their shit together. Monday they will launch a Cold War era telescope. They still have manned missions to space. Looks like we called "winner" of the Cold War a bit prematurely.
And how's China coming along? Better than the US I'm sure, at least they're trying!1
1: Yes, I mad.
Friday, July 8, 2011
«Last Shuttle Launch»
Well, here it is. The final shuttle mission. STS-135. Assuming weather permits, it launches today.
Click image to view full.
I can't help but feel a bit sad. While other generations watched in awe as the first men set foot on the moon, I get to see the end of the shuttle program.
Take a good long look at Atlantis. This image is the final rollout of the final shuttle mission.
Click image to view full.
Yes, the shuttles are aged. Atlantis has been in space 32 times before this final mission. It marks the 166th manned NASA space flight, and the last planned. Since the cancellation of the Constellation program, it looks like it is up to commercial vehicles to continue the future of US-based space flight. While I would love to see the commercialization of space, they're just not ready yet. Until then, we are to rely on the Russians.
EDIT: I'm happy to report that America's final shuttle launch was successful. I was watching it live on NASA's HD livestream on their website.
See the rest of “Last Shuttle Launch”»
Monday, July 4, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
«IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS»
HI, MASTER MARF HERE!
DOES IT SEEM LIKE TIME IS JUST FLYING BY? DO YOU HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING TRACK OF THE YEARS? WELL I'VE GOT A REALITY CHECK FOR YOU!
IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE BILLY MAYS, THE TELEVISION PITCHMAN LEGEND DIED. THAT'S RIGHT! NOT ONE, BUT TWO WHOLE YEARS! DON'T BELIEVE ME? HERE'S HOW TO CHECK FOR YOURSELF:Wikipedia: Billy Mays.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! YOU CAN ALSO READ MY PREVIOUS POSTS I MADE IN THE DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH: Motivational Monday: Billy Mays AND Billy Mays, Goodnight Sweet Prince.
P.S.: CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL1!
1: At least it is for June 28th.
Friday, June 17, 2011
«Oh, So Much Truth»
So much truth about how atheism is viewed by society it hurts.
Double Standard
I'm sorry for the lack of posting. I'm just not feeling the whole daily blogging thing. I do acknowledge that I need to post more...
Saturday, May 21, 2011
«You Know What This Means»
Apocalypse Not: Harold Camping wrong – again – about 'The Rapture'
You know what this means, don't you? The Rapture DID happen today, and everyone on Earth was left behind. Think about it, everyone breaks something the Bible commands of you. Newborn babies have original sin. You really think someone like that would be "saved"?
So life continues after the Rapture. Pretty much exactly as it did before the Rapture. Almost like it never happened...
Monday, March 21, 2011
«Another Break»
I think I need another break for a bit. Perhaps collect some ideas for posts. I've just been completely out of ideas.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
«Ponyday: Taste Glory Awesome»
FYI: Rainbows are extremely spicy. "They're not known for their flavor."
Friday, March 18, 2011
«Orabrush Ad»
Yes, I skipped yesterday. Deal with it.
I was going to embed Kazusan's Day Out as a random video for today. However, the advertisement that played before I could watch it blew it out of the water in terms of randomness. I present to you, the Orabrush ad I saw:
iPad 2 PUNKED! (Parody)
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