On mortality and pain

Well, I got a call on Thursday during which I was told that my grandmother passed away due to cancer. It was generally expected for a long time because of both the cancer, and the fact that she suffered from Alzheimers. Although we expected it, it still hit me pretty hard as memories resurfaced of my youth, and of her. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease that gradually robs you of your past, and eventually your present. I saw her deteriorate into a shell of her former self. I will say that one good thing has come from this. C.S. Lewis spoke of the body as a window into the soul, and as the physical body and mind are damaged, that window is clouded, making it more difficult for the "true" person to shine through. Now that cloudy window has been removed and the soul is free from its constraint. I know she was a woman of God, and it is indeed comforting to know that now she is at peace and no longer must struggle with the troubles of this world or the diseases of the flesh. I also know that I will see her again, and when I do, it will not be as the shell of her former self that she became prior to her death.

Ten Commandments Controversy

Well, I guess this is my first post regarding the ten commandments controversy. I personally don't see what this Alabaman Chief Justice is getting all worked up over. I understand his feelings of needing to acknowledge God as his personal leader and even that this country needs to follow God, but he also needs to take into account his duties as Chief Justice. The removal of the monument does not mean that he can no longer practice Chrstianity, or espouse his personal beliefs, it's just a block of stone. People get too worked up over ridiculous things. What good does that block of stone do anyway? Does it really bring people closer to God? Does it encourage us to go out and witness to people? Not as far as I can see. We need to better choose our battles. Every time I see Jerry Falwell on TV ranting about this thing, it makes me a little depressed. If we spent a little less time getting angry over stupid issues and more time doing what actually matters in people's lives, I think that the world would be better off. If you ask me, constitutionally I don't think it's a good idea to have the ten commandments there anyway, even though my personal beliefs support respect for those commandments. Our country was founded on religious freedom, although I believe that any person or organization should be able to display a monument like that, the state should not get involved in religous monuments, etc... I know it's unlikley, but how would we feel if somehow the religous mood of the country changed and they put up excerpts from the Koran or Gita? A closing thought: It was interesting that he thinks it's so important to have the ten commandments outside of the courthouse, but how would he feel if you put up a statue of Jesus saying "let he who is without sin cast the first stone"?

moved in

Well, i just moved into my place in Williamsburg today (at least I'm mostly moved in). I would like to complain about something though. For some reason, they don't distribute loan refundd checks until after classes have started. Now what's the logic in that? How am I supposed to buy books to do the assignments they give for the first day of classes if they don't give me the money to buy them until classes have started? Alas, thus is university beuracracy, it never functions well.

Man, I'm so bored today. I have nothing of interest to post, save that I'll be moving back to Williamsburg tomorrow. Other than that, it's been a slow day.

Well, this is the first post in my first weblog. I plan on posting whatever random thoughts I come up with, philosophical observations, or whatever. Let's just see what develops.