"Around Town" written by Jim on estrip.org

Category: buffalo

10/14/07 03:26 - 56ºF - ID#41645

Around Town

When I started programming with Ruby in 2004, there was only one book about it, now it has its own shelf.

Pink Kitchen-Aid appliances at Premier:

James' favortite Chinese place:

UNANONNA (#1 Grandma?)

Balloon Architecture Book / Kit (on clearance shelf):

Permalink: Around_Town.html
Words: 48
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: buffalo

10/13/07 07:05 - 55ºF - ID#41630

10/12 October Storm Anniversary

Snow starts to fall:

And fall and fall and fall:

And so it went:

Permalink: 10_12_October_Storm_Anniversary.html
Words: 73
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

10/12/07 12:06 - 46ºF - ID#41612

Hate the Religion, not the Religionist?

I really ~~hate~~ dislike certain aspects of religion. I am sort of a Buddhist, and on again off again go to the local Zen group for their services. The meditation is really useful, I tend to be sort of high strung or on edge and it helps balance me out. But the chanting and whatnot gets to be too much and so I tend to not go.

It just all seems made up and arbitrary, and anyone who claims that something special has been revealed to them I tend to think is misguided or confusing a psychological process for an external communication.

Zen is the closest that I would come to participating in religion as a devotee, and actually I spent a couple months in a lay-monastic situation when I was younger, which was very intense and useful. Most other religions are too externally imposive for my tastes. I just lump all that together with other things that don't make sense unless you're in a self-referential system. It's 'Sit and figure it out for yourself' vs 'THIS IS HOLY WRIT'.

Even Zen fails me on certain key points, such as claiming to be the 'Front Gate' to enlightenment. Ugh, ugh, ugh. That statement is the one that really kills it for me whenever I go. I seriously promise to attend the first Religious/Spiritual group that does not make these sorts of claims. I am totally serious, if you can show me a religion that is not self-aggrandizing, I will sign right up. Except the Unitarians, they don't count.

Just like certain political and patriotic beliefs make sense if you're in a closed system, Religion can seam like a true thing, but it doesn't admit to change without hypocrisy. Changes in revelation seems to be a fashionable accompaniment to changes in human society, not the other way around.

I get like that with politics too, and unfortunately have been pushed into being a strident Democrat the last few years via subconscious need to cling together for safety against certain geopolitical trends. But I look forward to a more even two-party rule consisting of mostly grid-lock wherein my Independent/Libertarian/Green streaks can distract me from my current party affiliation.

janelle writes at 12:17:19 10/18/07 - Comment #26545: With a little research, I could also point you to some social psychology readings on religion that would help explore the issue of why people claim their religion is "the way".

janelle writes at 12:15:45 10/18/07 - Comment #26544: "Even Zen fails me on certain key points, such as claiming to be the 'Front Gate' to enlightenment."
Claiming to be "the way", I think is a very natural result of religious community coming together to figure out their religion. You've put a lot of thought and understanding in how, why and what you believe on the best understanding you have available to you. You then devote time, energy, and a lifestyle to living out those beliefs. So if you can't say, this way is "the way", then why are you in this religious community, why are you living this lifestyle? From a psychological perspective, you need the cognitive and the behavioral to line up.

I also think you can simultaneously say my belief is "the way" while accepting that other people in other religious communities have found "the way". In Vietnam, we were exposed to a way of thinking that allowed you to hold two contradictory ideas without believing them to be contradictory. It's really a tough thing for us logical westerners. It was frustrating at times, but it also made their lives so much easier to be able to accept two different ideas without the need to reconcile them in some manner.

"I am totally serious, if you can show me a religion that is not self-aggrandizing, I will sign right up. Except the Unitarians, they don't count."
Interestingly enough, there are Unitarians who believe in "the way" of being Unitarian, so they aren't immune.

"It's 'Sit and figure it out for yourself' vs 'THIS IS HOLY WRIT'."
Christianity as many practice it is a little bit of both of those concepts. You meditate on and study scripture (or sermons and books or what other people say) to reach ideas/conclusions, but you test it against scripture. You also do this as part of your faith community. This practice keeps the faith consistent and safeguards against an individuals "who claim[s] that something special has been revealed to them".

"Religion can seem like a true thing, but it doesn't admit to change without hypocrisy. Changes in revelation seems to be a fashionable accompaniment to changes in human society, not the other way around."
Christianity, Islam and Judaism has all changed. I'm not sure that all the change is the result of hypocrisy, although some probably is. I think the largest change comes with new ways of interpreting scripture, which isn't hypocritical to me. It's part of a process of constantly improving how we understand religion which is an important aspect of religion, imho. Changes in human society DO cause Christians to reconsider how they interpret scripture or whether they are forgetting some part of the scripture in favor of other scripture. I don't see that as backward. I see it as moving forward.

Have you ever read, "Elementary Religions" by Emilie Durkheim. He's a major father of sociology and takes a functionalist approach to reigion. In other words, religion exists to a purpose. I think you could appreciate this book. I have it if you have the inclinatio to read it.

libertad writes at 03:16:19 10/13/07 - Comment #26206: Your post really has me thinking. I wanted to talk to you more about it more last night, but that didn't end up happening. Your question has me thinking about my own Buddhist faith and has me contemplating whether or not they are what you don't like about religion and are self aggrandizing. I think it would be fair to say that we believe our practice is the most direct path to enlightenment if done correctly, so I'm not so sure if it is what you are looking for. On the other hand they talk about respect for other beliefs and a realization that we are not all going to have the same practice or faith ever and that is ok, we don't all have to be the same to achieve world peace.

The situation is complicated but our organization was separated from the priesthood in the 90's because the Soka Gakkai president followed Nichiren Daishonin's teachings that we all can achieve enlightenment ourselves and that it wasn't something that could only be achieved with the help of a priest. The priests were theatened and because of that the Soka Gakkai was excommunicated. Nichiren was a 13th century Japanese priest to whom this Buddhism is named after.

Enlightenment, for those who are reading this not familiar with the term, is a higher state of being in which our compassion for others is heightened and a state in which we realize our fullest potential and innate Buddhahood. So in short we believe that by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we are fusing ourselves with the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni's self confessed highest teaching. The Lotus Sutra professes equality and the ability of all beings to obtain enlightenment. So our practice also involves chanting and we believe that through chanting this phrase which is also the title of the Lotus Sutra, that we can bring about this enlightened state even when we are suffering the most. We also believe that our desires are the fuel we need to reach enlightenment. All that said, I want to mention that my own practice is rather inconsistent at times. I don't always put into it what is required and therefore don't get the most out of it, so I am not the best example of a follower of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism by any means. True I am a leader (small role) within the organization, but eventually most of us are encouraged to take on leadership positions as a way to strengthen our own lives, not because we are perfect. Sorry for going on and on, but I just wanted to share that with you. Also you are welcome to come to a meeting if you want so you can draw your own conclusions as to whether we are what you fear in religion. I would also be willing to attend a Zen meeting myself if you invited me, it is something I know very little about and I am curious. Blah, sorry for being so wordy on your post.

james writes at 05:01:05 10/12/07 - Comment #26184: Drew hits on a very good idea.

For years I considered myself a pagan. Not like the goat sacrificing pagans of yore, but that made up neo-paganism which is becoming so fashionable. Essentially, you make up your own shit and you do stuff with other people who make up their own shit.

There is something extremely compelling about a spiritual community even if you are worshiping a human collectivity, she is worshiping Isis, and he is worshiping Optimus Prime. It was a religion where if logically followed, there is no god and all this is just made up.

awesome.

So, now as an atheist, the spiritual community is as transcendent as a teamster meeting. And you just have to find a little spirituality where you can.

Though tonight I am worshiping Dionysus with a glass of wine.

jim writes at 12:56:26 10/12/07 - Comment #26181: Now I've got a whole 'nother post I want to write about this, and my reasoning, but I don't want to push this one down LOL.

drew writes at 12:54:39 10/12/07 - Comment #26180: sir, yes sir! I have been reminded and will not disobey commander sir!

jim writes at 12:53:02 10/12/07 - Comment #26179: Cult of (e:strip)

May I remind you, that if you disobey a church you get excommunicated, but if you disobey an (e:strip) Commander (ie, me), you get court-martialed in the field with a capital offense.

drew writes at 12:49:37 10/12/07 - Comment #26178: Despite finding gainful employment within "religion," I have to say that I am not a big fan of it. Ok, I hate it. 'cause it involves all of the rules and crap that I am trying to negotiate in my other post. I like spiritual community, but you can't have community by yourself, and when people get to together, they make religion. I guess I have a different take on religion. There are "official" religions, but also the min-everyday cultic practices and unspoken associations that create mini-religions. Steelers fans, for example, have a religion. We discuss beliefs, know each other by our speech and dress, we have our own language (it's mostly grunts and curses during a game) and rituals that have symbolic importance.

I could write about the cult (little c, mind you) of estrip, too, but we're probably just better off not thinking about it.

Anyway, Christianity is supposed to be (note I didn't say is) free of self-aggrandizement. That's what grace is all about--we see ourselves as totally depended on God and unable to do good on our own. There are, of course, problems that come with this belief, but self-aggrandizement shouldn't be one of them. But its' pretty hard to love your enemy and be full of yourself (maybe that's why we stopped loving our enemies)

jim writes at 12:44:09 10/12/07 - Comment #26177: If only your argument wasn't so reasonable, I could cast all ties aside and become a hermit.

janelle writes at 12:34:23 10/12/07 - Comment #26176: So you could choose to stick it out with your zen group.

janelle writes at 12:33:14 10/12/07 - Comment #26175: Okay, this comment might only make sense to Jim based on the discussion we were having.
Synthesis theory in sociology group theory suggests that having tension or disagreement in a group is a positive thing. Tension can bring resolution and resolution can mean solving problems and moving forward. Groups where everyone thinks the same can lead to group think or lead to stagnancy.

Permalink: Hate_the_Religion_not_the_Religionist_.html
Words: 369
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: demographics

10/11/07 11:17 - 59ºF - ID#41605

Generation X+1?

I was born in 1979, which technically is the last year of Generation X. Or, sometimes, I'm under the 'MTV Generation' classification or even say I'm one of the earliest in Generation Y. I don't feel like I belong to any of those. My cohort is adrift in time and popular conception.

This is surely a troubling issue, does anyone know any demographically inclined therapists who could help me navigate through this distress?

james writes at 08:26:26 10/12/07 - Comment #26194: I told the same thing to my parole officer Lauren!

I mean, I have murdered but that doesn't make me a murderer.

jim writes at 11:26:51 10/12/07 - Comment #26170: Interesting that you'd categorize me as one who needs externally imposed categories, Lauren, thus giving me exactly what I desire.

lauren writes at 11:21:00 10/12/07 - Comment #26168: Identities are fluid and unstable my friend. Do we ever fit neatly into any of these fairly arbitrary categories? And what good does it do us if we do?

museumchick writes at 10:57:54 10/12/07 - Comment #26162: I was born in 1982- I never really felt like I belonged to a generation. I'm old enough to remember the Berlin Wall coming down, but I don't think I'm really in the Gen X generation mindset.

jim writes at 10:48:21 10/12/07 - Comment #26161: My parents were baby boomers who had us later on, around the time the very earliest of Gen X were starting to have kids.

I remember reading articles about all the 20-somethings who were slackers in Gen X when I was still a Sophomore in high school - definitely felt like they were talking about someone else. And I totally missed out on caring about Nirvana or any other typical cultural keystones from that generation.

It's ironic that the 'Slacker Generation' has somehow managed to create so many new businesses and to be so economically focused. For all that they were supposed to be the end of civilization and a disgrace, they sure have turned out to be Good Little Citizens.

The Baby Boomers scared their parents with Rock and Roll, and the Slackers scared their parents with computer games. But it turns out you can get a lot more done with a mouse or joystick then you can with a joint and an LP.

vincent writes at 12:55:20 10/12/07 - Comment #26153: The whole late 70's is a blur when you're figuring that out in some aspects. To be honest the year 1980 only comes from the explosion of the # of births pertaining to the "echo boom" of baby boomers having kids late in life.

I figure the people born in the mid to late 70's were luck to see cool shit and also watch things end. The thing that keeps "us" form being relevant is that the mid 1970's were the period of the least amount of births in the last 50 years.

I'm just lucky to kinda get away with making myself younger than I am. To be honest I think that although fundamentally people my real age are more interesting, insightful and enlightened at the same time for the most part collectively we have come up short in the grand scheme of things.

In some crazy ways I wish I was 21 again today. The challenges with what is going on in the world and the resources that are available make it very exciting. So in some ways I am envious while at the opposite end I do shake my head at times. For example every thinks they're hot daddy's little girl from Clarance or the O.P. thinking that they're a Vally Girl CelebuTARD speaking in that high pitched squeal sqeek.....ect...../RANT

tinypliny writes at 12:36:52 10/12/07 - Comment #26152: Blimey What a tongue twister for those born in 2000. The Z generation.

drew writes at 12:31:45 10/12/07 - Comment #26151: I was born in 1978, I feel your pain. I identify with X a lot more than Y, but sometimes people don't consider me an X by year of birth.

tinypliny writes at 12:27:08 10/12/07 - Comment #26148: I am not a demographically inclined therapist (and I am not sure there is a genuine one around a 200 mile radius). However, I have a way through the distress. It has worked for me all the time.

I feel like I don't belong to any generation at all and I am quite happy with it. I don't want to belong. I am very glad to have the mental liberty to skippety-hop from generation to generation. The generational switch is within easy reach. Don't deny and dissove your self.

Permalink: Generation_X_1_.html
Words: 72
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: estrip

10/11/07 05:11 - 59ºF - ID#41602

E:Strip Dinner

Thank you all for coming!! 17 People I believe.

Sorry about the group shots, the red ceiling sort of screwed up my attempts with the flash :( I should have double checked the camera before I stopped taking photos.

Tried to doctor up the group shots a bit:

And (e:james) was being himself:

Permalink: E_Strip_Dinner.html
Words: 58
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: estrip

10/10/07 11:47 - 51ºF - ID#41585

Reign of Terror

To celebrate my new title, I've picked out an appropriate song.

Permalink: Reign_of_Terror.html
Words: 19
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: estrip

10/10/07 04:28 - 57ºF - ID#41577

Estrip Pizza and Wings Night!

Tonight is the night!

There's room for last minute stragglers if you're suddenly available.

Check out the details here.

JJ's Casa-di-Pizza on Elmwood at 7pm.

See you there!

Permalink: Estrip_Pizza_and_Wings_Night_.html
Words: 28
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

10/09/07 05:46 - 69ºF - ID#41563

Vacation

I took my first day off in forever on Monday. I think it might have been the first day in 6 months that I didn't do any work. It was really nice, so thank you James, Paul, Matt, and Terry!

Permalink: Vacation.html
Words: 39
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: estrip

10/07/07 07:45 - 72ºF - ID#41544

E:Strip Dinner

Welcome to my daily reminder to sign up for the (e:strip) dinner, to be held on Wednesday, October 10th, at 7pm. Click this link to find out more or to sign up if you're interested.