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I'm writing this today, but it really takes place last Monday evening. (Today being Wednesday.)
In a nearby town about 45 min away is where some of my wife's family lives. Some of them run a small coffee shop that is closing (now closed) because of landlord of the large commercial building doesn't want a coffee shop there. Probably have other use ideas for the floor space more profitable than the lease money they earn now. Nobody knows for sure.
For the last three Sunday's some of us have gone there because it would soon be gone. On the first two Sunday's my wife and I went. Wore masks. Social distance. Etc.
On the first Sunday. One of the relatives, who is my friend, introduced me to his older brother. (we're all old men, fyi) After talking a bit, we fist-bumped instead of shaking hands as we parted.
On the 2nd Sunday. Nothing eventful. Talked with a few people including my friend whose brother I met the week prior. Didn't see the brother I met the week prior.
On the 3rd Sunday we didn't go because covid cases were on the increase in the local area. Sad because that was the final day the shop would be open. But hey we're now used to spending holidays alone in our house. Very sad. But no covid.
Next day, which brings me to last Monday evening. I get word through my wife that the person (the brother of a family member friend) I had met two weeks and a day ago has died from covid-19.
My first reaction was: WOW That was fast! I just met the guy. He seemed careful enough. (of course, I don't know vax status and don't ask unless people are coming into my home)
Second reaction between my wife and I were that if we had been exposed we would probably have symptoms by now. Of course, no symptoms as of the day I'm writing this. We rarely go out of our house. We even have groceries delivered to our door. Do Target pick up orders that get loaded into the vehicle trunk, etc. Amazon deliveries. Etc. (I do go to a deserted office every day because quiet and well lit.)
Some thoughts.
In the past I had posted that 1 in 500 Americans have died of covid-19. I know it is a joke to some people here.
Recently I googled and recalculated it to be 1 in 412 and posted that here.
As the numbers of dead go up and up, we will arrive at 1 in 400. Eventually 1 in 350. Etc.
The numbers don't lie. They are not fake news. They are statistics. And they represent real people who died of covid-19. The reasons don't matter so much.
Eventually everyone will know of someone within some small number of proximate connections who will (or has already) died from covid-19.
Once again, just to keep beating a dead horse: it is not vaccinated people who are filling up hospitals and taking up all the ICU beds. Wearing a mask is to protect other people more than yourself. Social distancing protects you both.
(Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Saturday December 25 2021, @04:22AM (2 children)
So you know the mythology well enough to know that what most believers think of God isn't actually what his earlier worshipers did, interesting. That puts you lightyears ahead of, well, basically every Jew, Christian, and Muslim on the planet.
Unfortunately, it also destroys the idea that Yahweh is omni-*anything.* The being you're describing is not ontologically prior to the universe; it is therefore, if not a creation or part *of* the universe, an invader from elsewhere. In theological terms, this God-concept of yours is lacking what is called "divine aseity" and so does not quality to be called God.
Sounds a lot more like Shin Megami Tensei than anything in mainstream Christianity, really :) Hope someone on your team knows Dekaja...!
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 25 2021, @03:52PM
Different AC here with nearly 2 cents...
I have a dog - something of a rescue. I don't need him, but life is sure more interesting having him around. He knows that I feed and care for him, and if I am late with the kibble he begs me to provide for him. I do and I don't mind. It is something I choose to do.
No matter how I try, I will never be able to explain Maxwell's equations or the theory of relativity or the rules of baseball to him. He will never understand the things that are clear to me. I do not expect such things from him.
I have a son - something of an accident. I didn't intend to sire him, but life is sure more interesting having had him around. He knows that I am his father and whatever he lacks, he can call on me to help him with. I do and I don't mind. It is something I choose to do.
Without my trying, he seems to have learned nearly all the things that I know, and other things that I have never known. He will likely come to understand things that have never been clear to me. I find this unsurprising.
--
Now somewhere in this word soup there is surely an analogy that might instruct.
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Some humans vainly imagine that the universe is their bailiwick, and that if they are unable to make sense of a thing with their limited perception and understanding then that thing is nonsense. These ones may be mistaken, and rather wander in a trackless wilderness.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 26 2021, @12:16AM
That different AC rambling on here...
The other day I was pondering practicing a random act of kindness, but couldn't decide whether I should or shouldn't. I uttered a short prayer, "Lord, send me some confirmation." Around 30 seconds later, this message popped into my head, "Go read the lyrics to Desperados Waiting for a Train." So I did, and, while this is not the green site, the imagery was so apropos, it looked like a confirmation to me. The rest, as they say, is history now.
But the big picture is a mystery to me still, and I have never used the word "bailiwick" in a sentence before, but sometimes I do take dictation. Then from what I can see, there is love permeating the universe, and we should not ignore this.
This is but a glimpse into my world. Then again, I probably need professional help. Opinions vary.
Hope your Christmas was merry!