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Mum's funeral
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 12:53 amWe had mum's funeral today, and we couldn't have had a nicer day for it, weather wise. It was the kind of day mum would have loved, and she would have been extremely gratified and touched that so many people came to show their love and care for her by coming to say goodbye to her.
The funeral directors, a local firm called W A Truelove and Son were amazing, and made the day go very smoothly. We arrived everywhere exactly on time, never too early or too late. Mum was carried into church by a mixture of family and friends (Ben, foo, my uncle Allan, Duncan [mum's partner], Mark F and Giles), which was lovely. I held it together more or less until we got into the church and found just how many people there were (the church really was packed with mum's friends from all sorts of places, even my Auntie Joan, who we've not spoken to for years, and my cousin Mandy [ditto] came) and ended up crying through most all of the introduction and the first hymn.
Service sheet is here by the way.
After the hymn, I read the tribute which Phil and I had written together, and managed to keep it together enough to read it, though my voice kept breaking whenever I looked up and saw how many people were there for mum, so I tried to keep my eyes on the paper.
( The tribute )
My uncle David (mum's brother) read the bible reading, and then Ben read the poem, which is Long Distance II by Tony Harrison, which I have posted here before, but I'll post it again for completeness.
( Long Distance II by Tony Harrison )
The vicar (a lovely man, Mick Hough, who was miles better than the vicar we had at the same church for our wedding [his sermon involved homosexuals and protestants in ancient corinth]), used the poem as a way to launch into his address, which was beautiful, and talked about the finality of death for those left behind, but the hope for the next life and resurrection.
The service at the cemetery was very short and nice (and very well attended again), but seeing mum lowered into the ground was very hard, and so was putting a handful of earth in actually. After that we mingled for a bit (during which the mormon in attendance asked if we minded if he consecrated the grave "for your dad's sake" - we said he could, because honestly it doesn't matter to me either way, but I'm kind of pissed he invoked daddy*) before making our way back to the house to collect the car so we could meet everyone else at the pub near the church, where everyone mingled some more and talked about mum, which was nice in a different kind of way to the rest of the day. Once again, everyone was utterly amazing.
The pictures of the flowers are here (sorry, most of them are sideways as I uploaded them before I realised, then ran out of energy to fix them. Maybe I'll get around to it at a later date). There aren't many because we requested family flowers only, with donations to go to the Macmillan Nurses through the Undertaker who will collate them. The flowers we did get were stunningly beautiful though, and very mum I thought. The flowers from Phil and Ben and I are in the middle of this photo:
The ones to the left are from the Overal side of the family (dad's family), the ones to the right are from the Walker side (mum's side).
That's it, I think. Or at least it is for now. I'm pretty tired, but suffering from lack of arsedness to actually go to bed...
The funeral directors, a local firm called W A Truelove and Son were amazing, and made the day go very smoothly. We arrived everywhere exactly on time, never too early or too late. Mum was carried into church by a mixture of family and friends (Ben, foo, my uncle Allan, Duncan [mum's partner], Mark F and Giles), which was lovely. I held it together more or less until we got into the church and found just how many people there were (the church really was packed with mum's friends from all sorts of places, even my Auntie Joan, who we've not spoken to for years, and my cousin Mandy [ditto] came) and ended up crying through most all of the introduction and the first hymn.
Service sheet is here by the way.
After the hymn, I read the tribute which Phil and I had written together, and managed to keep it together enough to read it, though my voice kept breaking whenever I looked up and saw how many people were there for mum, so I tried to keep my eyes on the paper.
( The tribute )
My uncle David (mum's brother) read the bible reading, and then Ben read the poem, which is Long Distance II by Tony Harrison, which I have posted here before, but I'll post it again for completeness.
( Long Distance II by Tony Harrison )
The vicar (a lovely man, Mick Hough, who was miles better than the vicar we had at the same church for our wedding [his sermon involved homosexuals and protestants in ancient corinth]), used the poem as a way to launch into his address, which was beautiful, and talked about the finality of death for those left behind, but the hope for the next life and resurrection.
The service at the cemetery was very short and nice (and very well attended again), but seeing mum lowered into the ground was very hard, and so was putting a handful of earth in actually. After that we mingled for a bit (during which the mormon in attendance asked if we minded if he consecrated the grave "for your dad's sake" - we said he could, because honestly it doesn't matter to me either way, but I'm kind of pissed he invoked daddy*) before making our way back to the house to collect the car so we could meet everyone else at the pub near the church, where everyone mingled some more and talked about mum, which was nice in a different kind of way to the rest of the day. Once again, everyone was utterly amazing.
The pictures of the flowers are here (sorry, most of them are sideways as I uploaded them before I realised, then ran out of energy to fix them. Maybe I'll get around to it at a later date). There aren't many because we requested family flowers only, with donations to go to the Macmillan Nurses through the Undertaker who will collate them. The flowers we did get were stunningly beautiful though, and very mum I thought. The flowers from Phil and Ben and I are in the middle of this photo:
The ones to the left are from the Overal side of the family (dad's family), the ones to the right are from the Walker side (mum's side).
That's it, I think. Or at least it is for now. I'm pretty tired, but suffering from lack of arsedness to actually go to bed...
Filtered (not mum): On the upswing again
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 09:47 amYesterday was a much better day for a couple of reasons. First, I got out for a bit a couple of times (getting some ginger tea and some peppermint tea, and some water biscuits to help mum with her nausea and vomiting; going to Coulsdon for a little bit of a wander with mum later), and secondly I achieved some stuff. I have a feeling that those things are quite important in making me feel useful and thus better about being here.
Mum had pretty bad nausea and vomiting on Monday and during Monday night, but started to feel better on Tuesday morning, though still very tired. She cancelled some visitors who were supposed to be coming in the morning and rested and managed to eat something, and by Lunchtime felt up to attempting to go out, so we took it in several steps, which seemed to help her. Pension first, then Coulsdon itself. First to Coulsdon Hardware to get a new mop and bucket (having broken mum's mop during the great room tidy project - it was very funny, Phil looked all forlorn and said looking very sad "I could have sworn [the squeegee mechanism] would have worked before I actually broke it...), then as she was still doing ok we went on to the butchers for some sausages for tomorrow night, then as she was still doing ok we went on to the Coffee place that has sprung up in Coulsdon since I moved away/the bypass was built. A cold drink from there and some carrot cake seemed to do wonders for perking mum up, as, I'm pretty sure, did just getting out. The whole trip wiped her out, but she said she felt better for it.
While she had a sleep I went to workplaying with the mop trialling the mop, before losing interest mopping the floors in the kitchen and the bathroom, and hoovering all the other floors while I was at it and had the vacuum cleaner out. I'm pretty sure that the kitchen floor is better for it. I hope so anyway, because it was hard work.
My adventures in cleaning did reveal to me some interesting personality traits in my mum's cats though. George, who is enormous and I think likes to think of himself as a bit of a hard man, is a big scaredy cat who is terrified of the vacuum cleaner. When I went near his chosen sitting place with it on he jumped up and ran away. On the other hand, Violet, who is his sister and very petite, wasn't scared of the vacuum or the mop, or the fact the kitchen floor was wet, and stayed put in the kitchen on her chosen worktop the whole time I was working in there. But curiously I found out while was taking a break that Violet is scared of 80's Power Ballads. While I was taking a break and listening to a rather eclectic mix of music, Violet was curled up next to me asleep. Every time an 80's Power Ballad came on, she'd jump up and look a bit freaked out and need some fussing before she'd relax again. It was very cute. And funny. And I'm clearly mean ;)
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent in my little room again, catching up on various internet things, including the CBB, where I asked for prayers and thoughts to do with this situation and everyone has been overwhelmingly amazing. I can't express how touched I am with the responses, especially towards someone who is largely a lurker now and most people don't know well, but will have a go later at expressing it anyway, because they deserve to know how awesome they are.
Anyway, while I was geeking around with my laptop I became aware of being very cold. I assumed I was just being a big girly wuss, especially as this room is colder than the others because of an air vent in the wall. About half 7 I finally got around to checking on the radiator and it was stone cold at a time when I knew it should be on, and discovered that the gas had run out (I'd forgotten how much of a pain these type of meters could be). Ended up taking the gas card and the electric key down to the place in the valley that tops them up and decided while I was out I'd get a pizza for dinner because I really couldn't be bothered to cook by this time. All this meant I was back a bit later than I otherwise would have been and I walked into a gaggle (if two plus a toddler is a gaggle) of Mormons, so my pizza went cold while we all talked. As most of you know, I'm no longer a Mormon, and my time with them was often rather, um, fraught, but one of the people (Good Guy) who was there is the only one who consistently stood by my family through everything and who still talks to, and is on good terms with us. Which is the reason I didn't shoo him out of the door faster.
Mum resigned from the church finally last year sometime over the Church's interference with California's Proposition 8 last year, and has foregone contact with them (except for Good Guy) for long before that, so it was a bit of a surprise to see this man with his Home Teaching companion. They'd come to offer mum a Priesthood Blessing as apparently when Good Guy saw her on Sunday to see if there was anything he could do, he offered one and mum said she'd think about it.
Anyway, she decided that actually she didn't want one and proceeded to doze through the rest of the visit - good for her - while I chatted because after about 6 years out, and 6 years inactive before, and what they did to me and my family (lots of hurt/bitterness still) that I still don't feel like I can be rude to them. Gah. Still, the visit did result in Good Guy saying he'd do some basic garden maintenance for us, which is good because Phil and I are too busy (and I'm too inept when it comes to garden stuff) and mum too ill to be able to do it ourselves. I also chatted to the Home Teaching Companion about UKC, where he was a student at KLS until 2007, which was quite nice. Alas, I fear I have given away too much of my location to him in my desire to express how much I loved Canterbury. Hope we don't end up with a visit from the missionaries...
When I finally got to my pizza it was lukewarm, fading to cold before the end :( I've no idea how they manage it, but Mormons seem very good at turning up when dinner is nearly or actually ready and then talking until it's cold :(
Currently waiting for the Tesco delivery to arrive and feeling the early and cold today. I'd then go back to sleep and be a big lazy thing, but it's mum's payday and if she feels up to it has a number of things she wants to do.
Much later - Tesco turned up, food is all put away. Think I may have ordered too much. Fridge and Freezer cannae take much more captain! Also managed to have a shower, in preparation for venturing to Croydon later if mum feels up to it.
ETA: 12/07/11 No longer filtered
Mum had pretty bad nausea and vomiting on Monday and during Monday night, but started to feel better on Tuesday morning, though still very tired. She cancelled some visitors who were supposed to be coming in the morning and rested and managed to eat something, and by Lunchtime felt up to attempting to go out, so we took it in several steps, which seemed to help her. Pension first, then Coulsdon itself. First to Coulsdon Hardware to get a new mop and bucket (having broken mum's mop during the great room tidy project - it was very funny, Phil looked all forlorn and said looking very sad "I could have sworn [the squeegee mechanism] would have worked before I actually broke it...), then as she was still doing ok we went on to the butchers for some sausages for tomorrow night, then as she was still doing ok we went on to the Coffee place that has sprung up in Coulsdon since I moved away/the bypass was built. A cold drink from there and some carrot cake seemed to do wonders for perking mum up, as, I'm pretty sure, did just getting out. The whole trip wiped her out, but she said she felt better for it.
While she had a sleep I went to work
My adventures in cleaning did reveal to me some interesting personality traits in my mum's cats though. George, who is enormous and I think likes to think of himself as a bit of a hard man, is a big scaredy cat who is terrified of the vacuum cleaner. When I went near his chosen sitting place with it on he jumped up and ran away. On the other hand, Violet, who is his sister and very petite, wasn't scared of the vacuum or the mop, or the fact the kitchen floor was wet, and stayed put in the kitchen on her chosen worktop the whole time I was working in there. But curiously I found out while was taking a break that Violet is scared of 80's Power Ballads. While I was taking a break and listening to a rather eclectic mix of music, Violet was curled up next to me asleep. Every time an 80's Power Ballad came on, she'd jump up and look a bit freaked out and need some fussing before she'd relax again. It was very cute. And funny. And I'm clearly mean ;)
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent in my little room again, catching up on various internet things, including the CBB, where I asked for prayers and thoughts to do with this situation and everyone has been overwhelmingly amazing. I can't express how touched I am with the responses, especially towards someone who is largely a lurker now and most people don't know well, but will have a go later at expressing it anyway, because they deserve to know how awesome they are.
Anyway, while I was geeking around with my laptop I became aware of being very cold. I assumed I was just being a big girly wuss, especially as this room is colder than the others because of an air vent in the wall. About half 7 I finally got around to checking on the radiator and it was stone cold at a time when I knew it should be on, and discovered that the gas had run out (I'd forgotten how much of a pain these type of meters could be). Ended up taking the gas card and the electric key down to the place in the valley that tops them up and decided while I was out I'd get a pizza for dinner because I really couldn't be bothered to cook by this time. All this meant I was back a bit later than I otherwise would have been and I walked into a gaggle (if two plus a toddler is a gaggle) of Mormons, so my pizza went cold while we all talked. As most of you know, I'm no longer a Mormon, and my time with them was often rather, um, fraught, but one of the people (Good Guy) who was there is the only one who consistently stood by my family through everything and who still talks to, and is on good terms with us. Which is the reason I didn't shoo him out of the door faster.
Mum resigned from the church finally last year sometime over the Church's interference with California's Proposition 8 last year, and has foregone contact with them (except for Good Guy) for long before that, so it was a bit of a surprise to see this man with his Home Teaching companion. They'd come to offer mum a Priesthood Blessing as apparently when Good Guy saw her on Sunday to see if there was anything he could do, he offered one and mum said she'd think about it.
Anyway, she decided that actually she didn't want one and proceeded to doze through the rest of the visit - good for her - while I chatted because after about 6 years out, and 6 years inactive before, and what they did to me and my family (lots of hurt/bitterness still) that I still don't feel like I can be rude to them. Gah. Still, the visit did result in Good Guy saying he'd do some basic garden maintenance for us, which is good because Phil and I are too busy (and I'm too inept when it comes to garden stuff) and mum too ill to be able to do it ourselves. I also chatted to the Home Teaching Companion about UKC, where he was a student at KLS until 2007, which was quite nice. Alas, I fear I have given away too much of my location to him in my desire to express how much I loved Canterbury. Hope we don't end up with a visit from the missionaries...
When I finally got to my pizza it was lukewarm, fading to cold before the end :( I've no idea how they manage it, but Mormons seem very good at turning up when dinner is nearly or actually ready and then talking until it's cold :(
Currently waiting for the Tesco delivery to arrive and feeling the early and cold today. I'd then go back to sleep and be a big lazy thing, but it's mum's payday and if she feels up to it has a number of things she wants to do.
Much later - Tesco turned up, food is all put away. Think I may have ordered too much. Fridge and Freezer cannae take much more captain! Also managed to have a shower, in preparation for venturing to Croydon later if mum feels up to it.
ETA: 12/07/11 No longer filtered
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Mormonism rears its ugly head at the most unexpected times
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 02:17 pmI know this isn't really, or shouldn't really be, the first concern of anyone hearing about the huge earthquake in Chile but this just struck me and I wanted to ramble briefly on LJ about it. It truly doesn't mean I'm being callous about the victims or anything.
Hi, I'm Lizzie and I'm an ex-mormon. I've been out for around 7 years. There are still some things I do, or largely don't do, like not really drinking alcohol at all, ever, and not drinking tea and coffee, that flag me as culturally mormon (I never got into the habit of drinking them after I left), but more and more I find that I just don't think about Mormons or Mormonism much any more. Which is actually quite nice.
When I woke up this morning and heard about the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile my thoughts went to just one thing, which really irritated me as soon as I realised what had happened in my brain. The first thing I thought, coming so soon after the Haiti earthquake was "It's the latter-days" (According to LDS Church teachings...It is...believed that there will be increasingly severe wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other man-made and natural disasters prior to the Second Coming.)
When I was growing up the fact that I was part of a priviledged generation who would be around for the Latter Days and Second Coming was constantly brought up in Primary and Young Women and Sunday School. In it, the thought both scared and inspired me. Out of it, I would imagine they've been saying this stuff to every up-and-coming generation since the formation of the church.
As time has gone on since I left, these irrational moments, where my brain falls back in the first instance to Mormon teachings happen less and less, but I'm finding they irritate me more when they do happen, like this morning.
Seriously brain, WTF?
(Cross posted to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
exmormon)
Hi, I'm Lizzie and I'm an ex-mormon. I've been out for around 7 years. There are still some things I do, or largely don't do, like not really drinking alcohol at all, ever, and not drinking tea and coffee, that flag me as culturally mormon (I never got into the habit of drinking them after I left), but more and more I find that I just don't think about Mormons or Mormonism much any more. Which is actually quite nice.
When I woke up this morning and heard about the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile my thoughts went to just one thing, which really irritated me as soon as I realised what had happened in my brain. The first thing I thought, coming so soon after the Haiti earthquake was "It's the latter-days" (According to LDS Church teachings...It is...believed that there will be increasingly severe wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other man-made and natural disasters prior to the Second Coming.)
When I was growing up the fact that I was part of a priviledged generation who would be around for the Latter Days and Second Coming was constantly brought up in Primary and Young Women and Sunday School. In it, the thought both scared and inspired me. Out of it, I would imagine they've been saying this stuff to every up-and-coming generation since the formation of the church.
As time has gone on since I left, these irrational moments, where my brain falls back in the first instance to Mormon teachings happen less and less, but I'm finding they irritate me more when they do happen, like this morning.
Seriously brain, WTF?
(Cross posted to
exmormon)Proposition 8, The Musical
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 08:29 pmI've been pretty wound up about Proposition 8 (with good reason), but I felt we could do with a lighthearted but pointed interlude to giggle over for a bit :)
And so, without further ado, I present:
Proposition 8, The Musical starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more...
From various sources, but the one that actually prompted me to watch to and then post was Boing Boing.
Cross posted toexmormon
And so, without further ado, I present:
Proposition 8, The Musical starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more...
From various sources, but the one that actually prompted me to watch to and then post was Boing Boing.
Cross posted to
exmormon
Milestones
Friday, November 7th, 2008 08:42 pmFirstly I feel I should mention the US election. Yay! Obama won! :D I wanted him to win, and have thrown aside my cynicism for now to become really excited by a politician. A terribly important milestone too - the first black president of the USA :D I hope he could be like Kennedy for my generation. Except for the sleaze. And the Assassination. Definitely don't want those bits. So maybe not like Kennedy, maybe more like staying as awesome as he seems now when he's actually President.
The less said about Prop8 in Cali and an organisation I was formerly a member of, the better.
Now that's out of the way, two rather important milestones happened to me today.
I. I turned 25 sometime around midday today. I suppose I'm now officially on the wrong side of 25 now ;) . I have had a lovely day, and got some lovely presents and cards. Huge thanks to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday so far :) (Various on irc, some via text,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
alisondh and malmo58 on lj, and a couple via facebook). Thank you all - they were really appreciated.
II. My final appointment with Nikki the Mental Health nurse was today, and we talked over some stuff about keeping well, dealing with triggers, preventing relapse and what to be aware of in terms of signs that I might be relapsing. Also lots of stuff about rebuilding trust in myself and my wellness, so one bad day doesn't panic me or those close to me. I'm told this is pretty much the last thing that comes back. I'm feeling pretty positive tonight at least, and I'll be happy if I maintain this level of okayness for a year. If I do, then comes the Big Scary of coming off the pills. But that's in the future. I want to use this space now to thank everyone who has supported me over the last 18 months or so. I couldn't have done it without you guys, whether you are aware of having helped or not. Now the Black Dog is banished to his Kennel. I hope he stays there.
So for tonight I'm celebrating two huge milestones for me - being 25 and being discharged from the Mental Health team. Yay! Come celebrate with me :D Drinks on someone else!
The less said about Prop8 in Cali and an organisation I was formerly a member of, the better.
Now that's out of the way, two rather important milestones happened to me today.
I. I turned 25 sometime around midday today. I suppose I'm now officially on the wrong side of 25 now ;) . I have had a lovely day, and got some lovely presents and cards. Huge thanks to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday so far :) (Various on irc, some via text,
alisondh and malmo58 on lj, and a couple via facebook). Thank you all - they were really appreciated.II. My final appointment with Nikki the Mental Health nurse was today, and we talked over some stuff about keeping well, dealing with triggers, preventing relapse and what to be aware of in terms of signs that I might be relapsing. Also lots of stuff about rebuilding trust in myself and my wellness, so one bad day doesn't panic me or those close to me. I'm told this is pretty much the last thing that comes back. I'm feeling pretty positive tonight at least, and I'll be happy if I maintain this level of okayness for a year. If I do, then comes the Big Scary of coming off the pills. But that's in the future. I want to use this space now to thank everyone who has supported me over the last 18 months or so. I couldn't have done it without you guys, whether you are aware of having helped or not. Now the Black Dog is banished to his Kennel. I hope he stays there.
So for tonight I'm celebrating two huge milestones for me - being 25 and being discharged from the Mental Health team. Yay! Come celebrate with me :D Drinks on someone else!
Tags:
Poll: Coffee
Saturday, April 19th, 2008 12:42 amA discussion a mormon mailing list about a member's first coffee led me to create this poll. I'd appreciate everyone's answers :)
[Poll #1173459]
[Poll #1173459]
Book a Week Challenge 2008 - 4/52, Wives and Sisters by Natalie R. Collins
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 03:55 pmWives and Sisters had been sitting around on our bookcase waiting for me to get around to reading it after no1typo recommended it to me. I reorganised our bookcases the other day, which was no mean feat, and in the process I found this book again.
The story is one of a girl who grew up mormon, went through various traumatic experiences which she was not supported through, and started to try and find her way out of the church and begin to heal herself. The response of the male characters of the church in response to any queries she makes about the experiences she has undergone is to pray and to get over them because they are in the past. Honestly it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic and true to life.
The book itself is full of suspense, as the main character, Allison, begins her journey out of Mormonism she also begins her journey to find the people responsible for the traumatic incidences in her childhood.
The author, Natalie R. Collins, is an ex-mormon herself. I was pleasantly surprised by her writing and the way mormonism features in her book. I possibly appreciated it more than others because I recognised so many of the incidences as being part of my own childhood, for example, the excerpt below about prayer. I found that particular passage very funny, I think largely because I recognised the situation as one I had been in so many times (not the actual outing, but the the praying morning, noon and night, the words used and the trying to make prayers different so they would stand out.)
( Excerpt )
I would really recommend this book to people wanting to find out more about mormonism while also reading what is essentially a crime novel. The author is very good at inserting details of Mormon beliefs and cultural life into the narrative without interrupting the flow of the novel. I would really like to read more by her.
CBB Book a Week challenge 2008
1/52, Stasiland by Anna Funder
2/52, The Nazis, A Warning from History by Laurence Rees
3/52, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
no1typo recommended it to me. I reorganised our bookcases the other day, which was no mean feat, and in the process I found this book again.The story is one of a girl who grew up mormon, went through various traumatic experiences which she was not supported through, and started to try and find her way out of the church and begin to heal herself. The response of the male characters of the church in response to any queries she makes about the experiences she has undergone is to pray and to get over them because they are in the past. Honestly it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic and true to life.
The book itself is full of suspense, as the main character, Allison, begins her journey out of Mormonism she also begins her journey to find the people responsible for the traumatic incidences in her childhood.
The author, Natalie R. Collins, is an ex-mormon herself. I was pleasantly surprised by her writing and the way mormonism features in her book. I possibly appreciated it more than others because I recognised so many of the incidences as being part of my own childhood, for example, the excerpt below about prayer. I found that particular passage very funny, I think largely because I recognised the situation as one I had been in so many times (not the actual outing, but the the praying morning, noon and night, the words used and the trying to make prayers different so they would stand out.)
( Excerpt )
I would really recommend this book to people wanting to find out more about mormonism while also reading what is essentially a crime novel. The author is very good at inserting details of Mormon beliefs and cultural life into the narrative without interrupting the flow of the novel. I would really like to read more by her.
CBB Book a Week challenge 2008
1/52, Stasiland by Anna Funder
2/52, The Nazis, A Warning from History by Laurence Rees
3/52, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Tags:
New camera! (also, Shrove Tuesday)
Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 11:35 pmI am currently suffering from pancake overdose, having had a three course pancake meal (started with pancakes with OJ and sugar, main was pancakes with cheddar cheese, pudding was pancakes with chocolate sauce and ice cream!) After that I doubt I'll be eating them again much before next Shrove Tuesday ;)
I spent the afternoon playing with my new camera, and took the opportunity to take lots of pictures of our two gerbils which we've had for about four months now but which I have not blogged about before.
Pictures of our gerbils, Stan and Nibbler. Stan is the caramel one, and named after a Canadian folk singer called Stan Rogers. Nibbler is the grey (and he does have red eyes - it's not just my crappy photography! ;)) and I named him. Which is possibly why he isn't named after a Canadian folk singer! I don't think they loved me very much for taking pictures though - after a while they went and hid in the back corner of their tank!
( Stan and Nibbler )
By the way, before anyone else pastes me the URL - I have seen the BBC's "Mormon" story about the Preston Temple/MTC. My response is at the bottom of this LJ entry for anyone who is interested.
Finally, a meme, stolen fromhopeful_rose.
You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.
It's great because it talks about Pancakes. On pancake day! Hurrah!
I spent the afternoon playing with my new camera, and took the opportunity to take lots of pictures of our two gerbils which we've had for about four months now but which I have not blogged about before.
Pictures of our gerbils, Stan and Nibbler. Stan is the caramel one, and named after a Canadian folk singer called Stan Rogers. Nibbler is the grey (and he does have red eyes - it's not just my crappy photography! ;)) and I named him. Which is possibly why he isn't named after a Canadian folk singer! I don't think they loved me very much for taking pictures though - after a while they went and hid in the back corner of their tank!
( Stan and Nibbler )
By the way, before anyone else pastes me the URL - I have seen the BBC's "Mormon" story about the Preston Temple/MTC. My response is at the bottom of this LJ entry for anyone who is interested.
Finally, a meme, stolen from
hopeful_rose.You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.
It's great because it talks about Pancakes. On pancake day! Hurrah!
Exmormon LJ icons
Sunday, January 27th, 2008 05:34 pmI was bored today, so I made some LJ icons based on some mormon icon templates (except one - can you guess which? :P)
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Exmormon LJ icons
Sunday, January 27th, 2008 05:34 pmI was bored today, so I made some LJ icons based on some mormon icon templates (except one - can you guess which? :P)
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Exmormon LJ icons
Sunday, January 27th, 2008 05:34 pmI was bored today, so I made some LJ icons based on some mormon icon templates (except one - can you guess which? :P)
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Shared in case any of you are interested :) (plus, I am proud of my handiwork ;))
( Exmormon LJ icons )
Christmas writeup
Thursday, December 27th, 2007 04:46 pmSince December started I have been burning my advent candle:
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.
Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
Christmas writeup
Thursday, December 27th, 2007 04:46 pmSince December started I have been burning my advent candle:
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.
Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
Christmas writeup
Thursday, December 27th, 2007 04:46 pmSince December started I have been burning my advent candle:
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.
Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
opening my advent calendar (from Thorntons, mmm :)):
and looking at how pretty our tree is:
.Pressies were brought and wrapped and on ( Christmas Eve )
( And so Christmas Day dawned )
( Boxing Day started bright and early... ) ( And then the Mormons turned up ) In the evening we watched part of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds in Concert and then I switched over to watch ( Ballet Shoes )
Phew. That was a very long update. If I updated more often then I daresay I would not post such long rambling entries. Ah well :)
Such a ridiculous religion - how do you explain it to others?
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 10:10 pmI hang around in a number of IRC channels and am the only person in most of them who has ever had any sustained contact with the Mormon "religion" (and I don't hide that fact), so people often come to me with queries.
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Such a ridiculous religion - how do you explain it to others?
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 10:10 pmI hang around in a number of IRC channels and am the only person in most of them who has ever had any sustained contact with the Mormon "religion" (and I don't hide that fact), so people often come to me with queries.
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Such a ridiculous religion - how do you explain it to others?
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 10:10 pmI hang around in a number of IRC channels and am the only person in most of them who has ever had any sustained contact with the Mormon "religion" (and I don't hide that fact), so people often come to me with queries.
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Here's an exchange that took place the other day and made me realise that it's such a ridiculous religion that it's virtually impossible to explain its kinks to outsiders. It honestly makes me wonder how people believe this stuff. When you say it in all seriousness to anyone else it's laughable. Luckily my friends are pretty down to earth :) I'm "Trapper".
21:36 < InsomniaCity> Trapper: I saw someone at work with caffeine-free coke..
21:37 < InsomniaCity> a) I thought that had disappeared?
21:37 < InsomniaCity> b) Are they a Mormon?
21:37 < Trapper> a) no it hasn't
21:37 < Trapper> and b) it's possible
21:37 < Trapper> ;)
21:37 < InsomniaCity> hehe
21:38 < Trapper> if you get close look to see if they look like they wear a tshirt under their shirt
21:38 < Trapper> then it;s more likely
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :o
21:39 < InsomniaCity> whys that then?
21:39 < Trapper> garments
21:39 < Trapper> (magic underwear)
21:39 < InsomniaCity> :O
21:40 < Trapper> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mormon+garments&btnG=Google+Search <-- InsomniaCity
21:40 < Trapper> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment
21:40 < Trapper> some really devout mormons even have sex while wearing them
21:40 < Oziris> Trapper: o.O
21:41 < Trapper> Oziris: seriously
21:41 < Trapper> you couldn't make this shit up
21:42 < ka> sure you can, look at scientology! :P
21:42 < Oziris> lol
21:42 < Oziris> when tom cruis is your prophet... you know youre dommed
21:43 < Oziris> [seriously he claims to be a prophet for scientology r summin]
21:44 < ka> sham religions ++
With wacky stuff like "Magic Underwear" and the polygamy in heaven I sometimes wonder at how they ever managed to get as many members they have...
Baptism for the Dead on Reuters
Monday, February 5th, 2007 04:11 pmMormon Baptism for the Dead featured on Reuters Oddly Enough news section, under the headline of "Will Pope Benedict become a Mormon after he dies?"
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted toexmormon
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted to
exmormonBaptism for the Dead on Reuters
Monday, February 5th, 2007 04:11 pmMormon Baptism for the Dead featured on Reuters Oddly Enough news section, under the headline of "Will Pope Benedict become a Mormon after he dies?"
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted toexmormon
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted to
exmormonBaptism for the Dead on Reuters
Monday, February 5th, 2007 04:11 pmMormon Baptism for the Dead featured on Reuters Oddly Enough news section, under the headline of "Will Pope Benedict become a Mormon after he dies?"
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted toexmormon
That's one fucked up religion.
Cross-posted to
exmormonFound through one of my LJ communities
Saturday, July 1st, 2006 07:12 pmAn animation made to show what Mormons believe. If you can see through the overt evangelical christian hyperbole (think chick tracts) it's remarkably true and disturbing. They do really believe that stuff. It makes me absolutely certain that mormons suspend the functions of some parts of their brains while members.
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Found through one of my LJ communities
Saturday, July 1st, 2006 07:12 pmAn animation made to show what Mormons believe. If you can see through the overt evangelical christian hyperbole (think chick tracts) it's remarkably true and disturbing. They do really believe that stuff. It makes me absolutely certain that mormons suspend the functions of some parts of their brains while members.
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Found through one of my LJ communities
Saturday, July 1st, 2006 07:12 pmAn animation made to show what Mormons believe. If you can see through the overt evangelical christian hyperbole (think chick tracts) it's remarkably true and disturbing. They do really believe that stuff. It makes me absolutely certain that mormons suspend the functions of some parts of their brains while members.
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Interesting viewing anyway. Ta to the person on one of my LJ communities for the link.
In other news...the English Football team suck. So much. I got worked up again. I'm gutted we lost, especially as it was to penalties again.
ARGH. I'm going to go be annoyed with them over there --------->
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints = Matrix?
Sunday, May 21st, 2006 02:28 pmToday I was experiencing one of my odd and periodic pangs of wishing that I still believed and still belonged. I don't know why these happen, they just do sometimes and I came to the conclusion that being in the Mormon church is like being in the Matrix.
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted towe_have_fallen and exmormon
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted to
we_have_fallen and exmormonChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints = Matrix?
Sunday, May 21st, 2006 02:28 pmToday I was experiencing one of my odd and periodic pangs of wishing that I still believed and still belonged. I don't know why these happen, they just do sometimes and I came to the conclusion that being in the Mormon church is like being in the Matrix.
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted towe_have_fallen and exmormon
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted to
we_have_fallen and exmormonChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints = Matrix?
Sunday, May 21st, 2006 02:28 pmToday I was experiencing one of my odd and periodic pangs of wishing that I still believed and still belonged. I don't know why these happen, they just do sometimes and I came to the conclusion that being in the Mormon church is like being in the Matrix.
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted towe_have_fallen and exmormon
Mormons have their own reality that is fed to them by the powers that be who leech power and money off the faithful.
This reality is so seperate from the real world and the actual truths of the church that once you are out and know the truth you can never go back in. The two worlds are just too far apart.
I find this thought oddly comforting. It's nice to know that what I know now is real and not some flaky ideal created for me by some old paternalist patriarchs far divorced from the real life that I and others lead. It's my life and I have control.
It's thoughts like this that get me through my weird days where I almost feel like I want to belong again.
Cross posted to
we_have_fallen and exmormonInteresting
Friday, August 12th, 2005 08:46 amI was just doing my semi-regular reading of Feminist Mormon Housewives when I came accross this post on the subject of Christ centered meetings. It reminded me a lot of the things that we post here and some of our major criticisms of the church service. I must admit, I feel very sorry for these women who are trying so hard to reconcile their convictions of what is right with the belief system they were brought up in. I've been there and it's an uphill struggle and not one I think they'll ever win. I'm concerned that they will have to end up trading off one against the other as time goes on and I hope that when that time comes they'll choose their personal convictions.
Anyway - go read the post on Christ-centered services. It's an excellent read, though I feel the comments are in places more enlightening than the article itself as to the mormon POV.
X-Posted toexmormon
Anyway - go read the post on Christ-centered services. It's an excellent read, though I feel the comments are in places more enlightening than the article itself as to the mormon POV.
X-Posted to
exmormon
Some more quizzes and an explanation
Sunday, July 24th, 2005 11:55 am
Your soul is caring.
Other people are your concern, even if you
don't know them. If you see a person trip you
worry is he is okay. You put your loved ones
first and you're very mature. When someones
sick you're nurturing and always try to help
family and friends when failure strikes them.
You can be called the motherly one, if you are
in a group of people, which doesn't have to be
bad. Love is something that's already in you
and you have a lot to give whether you believe
it or not. Your friends probably love you very
much and come to when they need help since
you're reliable. People can feel secure with
you and generally like you.
How is your soul?(pics)
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Your word is: Hate. Your heart has been turned to
black since you haven't experienced love, or
maybe you felt love but got none in return. So
if no one else is willing to like you, then why
like them? You are now a very bitter soul,
trying to find a place and perhaps someone who
can co-exist with you. That can be a problem
since you tend to keep away from most people
and be rude, but maybe someday you will be okay
again.
What dark word represents you? (anime pics and 7 outcomes)
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Because most of you don't understand mormon stuff, some extra explanation for my last entry - all men over 12 get some form of the Priesthood while women get taught how to be good wives and home-makers. Apparently the reason for this is because women can have babies. Only people with the priesthood get proper respect and positions of leadership. Women are very much second class citizens, especially if they're not living with some form of priesthood authority in the form of a brother, father or husband.
This is very interesting reading about the place of women in mormonism and this explains the reasoning behind the placings of men and women in mormonism, most importantly "By bearing and nurturing children, women are saved because they have learned to perform Heavenly Mother's work".
Riiight...
I feel rather better now about the mormon thing I mentioned in my last post, largely because of something ben said ("We should be glad he's in the top 100, after all he proves at least one fiftieth of the United States to be idiots").
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
I feel rather better now about the mormon thing I mentioned in my last post, largely because of something ben said ("We should be glad he's in the top 100, after all he proves at least one fiftieth of the United States to be idiots").
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
Tags:
I feel rather better now about the mormon thing I mentioned in my last post, largely because of something ben said ("We should be glad he's in the top 100, after all he proves at least one fiftieth of the United States to be idiots").
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
Last night at work was funny. Becky was doing an international week quiz for school. One of the questions was "Where was Mozart born?" ( Becky said... ) I asked Tom if he knew. ( Thomas said... ) ( Mozart was really born in... ) The other amusing answer was to the question "Which country has two official languages, English and French?". ( Becky guessed at... )
Was a very amusing evening :) I'll miss those kids :|
Tags:
Oh dear lord
Tuesday, April 19th, 2005 12:42 amIt would seem the Mormon campaign to have old Joe crowned "Greatest American" may well succeed - AOL TV Channel have him listed in their top 100. Go to "Salk to Truman" and make sure you have a vomit basin at hand.
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen fromlisaofdoom's journal)
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen from
lisaofdoom's journal)
Oh dear lord
Tuesday, April 19th, 2005 12:42 amIt would seem the Mormon campaign to have old Joe crowned "Greatest American" may well succeed - AOL TV Channel have him listed in their top 100. Go to "Salk to Truman" and make sure you have a vomit basin at hand.
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen fromlisaofdoom's journal)
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen from
lisaofdoom's journal)Oh dear lord
Tuesday, April 19th, 2005 12:42 amIt would seem the Mormon campaign to have old Joe crowned "Greatest American" may well succeed - AOL TV Channel have him listed in their top 100. Go to "Salk to Truman" and make sure you have a vomit basin at hand.
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen fromlisaofdoom's journal)
*sigh*
Bloody mormons...
(stolen from
lisaofdoom's journal)
Quiz and Update...
Monday, September 13th, 2004 10:50 amWell I'm in the Library starting off a new Uni year (for me) in traditional style with procrastination from my reccommended reading.
So..um..what is going on with me I hear you ask.
Not a lot is the answer (now you see why I've not updated for a while ;))
I finished work at Andrew Reeves (the posh Belgravia estate agents) tho my last day was slightly marred by the people at Victoria trying to give me a penalty fare. I got on the train without a valid ticket cos otherwise I would have missed my train, fully intending to pay when I got to Victoria. When I got there and went to pay for my return ticket I got pulled to one side and treated like a criminal cos it's (apparently, tho I didn't know this) an offense to get on a train without a ticket if the ticket office is open. SO they said I needed to pay a penalty fare even though I tried to explain I would have missed my train and been late for work. They just carried on saying I'd need to pay the penalty fare and it got too much and I started to cry. The guy looked at me like I was putting it on...and then to cap the indignity I started to hyperventalate big time. My head started to tingle and I couldn't stand up so I sat down and all teh time he's watching me like I'm faking it. Eventually the two ticket barrier guys come over and ask me what's up and I try to tell them while not being able to breathe and one of them brings me some water (which I nearly choked on cos my breathing was so irregular by this point) and they argued with the Penalty Fare guy about it and eventually let me ppay just for my return ticket. Evetually, when I was sufficiently calm to stand again I started to go and the Penalty Fare guy looks at me, glares and says "that won't work again you know". Like I was doing it on purpose >.< I can think of better places to make myself look undignified, stupid and immature...
Beffan met me from work that day tho, so things started to improve :) We scandalised the carrage of our train with our talk ;)
Anyway, I saw Phantom of the Opera on Monday evening and it was absolutely magnificent. At the end I felt so sorry for the Phantom. I didn't have a great view from the balcony so I want to go again and sit in the stalls. Still, it took my breath away. It was brilliant.
Les Miserables was Tuesday's show and that was even better than Phantom, and very different. I saw this one from the stalls and had a wonderful view, and at the end the show had a standing Ovation. I didn't like the Older Cosette, but JVJ and Javert were great and Marius...*happy sigh* It made me cry more than once. It was overwhelming.
Came back to canterbury on Saturday and left behind a whole shedload of stuff :o(
Beffan is staying ATM and that is great :D
Rah cooked a lovely roast beef dinner yesterday which was *YUMYUM* :D and today is her 1st wedding anniversary - the weather a year ago today was much much nicer ;)
Speaking of weddings, ben and I have talked to the Vicar who will marry us on Friday and booked the wedding for the 3rd September 2005 at 3pm. The most complicated question of the whole thing for me was "Are you baptised" which ellicited the response "yes, no, possibly, not sure, maybe?" (see my history as a mormon for further explanation ;))
Mum found something to stop herself getting bored over the weekend - taking piccies of piccies and putting them up on her site. These include baby pics of me and pill, which is the reason the link will *NOT* be included here ;)
Ben and I watched Battle of Britain yesterday - top film :D
Umm...I'm sure there's other stuff I ment to include and forgot, in which case I may add it later :)
( obligatory LJ quiz )
So..um..what is going on with me I hear you ask.
Not a lot is the answer (now you see why I've not updated for a while ;))
I finished work at Andrew Reeves (the posh Belgravia estate agents) tho my last day was slightly marred by the people at Victoria trying to give me a penalty fare. I got on the train without a valid ticket cos otherwise I would have missed my train, fully intending to pay when I got to Victoria. When I got there and went to pay for my return ticket I got pulled to one side and treated like a criminal cos it's (apparently, tho I didn't know this) an offense to get on a train without a ticket if the ticket office is open. SO they said I needed to pay a penalty fare even though I tried to explain I would have missed my train and been late for work. They just carried on saying I'd need to pay the penalty fare and it got too much and I started to cry. The guy looked at me like I was putting it on...and then to cap the indignity I started to hyperventalate big time. My head started to tingle and I couldn't stand up so I sat down and all teh time he's watching me like I'm faking it. Eventually the two ticket barrier guys come over and ask me what's up and I try to tell them while not being able to breathe and one of them brings me some water (which I nearly choked on cos my breathing was so irregular by this point) and they argued with the Penalty Fare guy about it and eventually let me ppay just for my return ticket. Evetually, when I was sufficiently calm to stand again I started to go and the Penalty Fare guy looks at me, glares and says "that won't work again you know". Like I was doing it on purpose >.< I can think of better places to make myself look undignified, stupid and immature...
Beffan met me from work that day tho, so things started to improve :) We scandalised the carrage of our train with our talk ;)
Anyway, I saw Phantom of the Opera on Monday evening and it was absolutely magnificent. At the end I felt so sorry for the Phantom. I didn't have a great view from the balcony so I want to go again and sit in the stalls. Still, it took my breath away. It was brilliant.
Les Miserables was Tuesday's show and that was even better than Phantom, and very different. I saw this one from the stalls and had a wonderful view, and at the end the show had a standing Ovation. I didn't like the Older Cosette, but JVJ and Javert were great and Marius...*happy sigh* It made me cry more than once. It was overwhelming.
Came back to canterbury on Saturday and left behind a whole shedload of stuff :o(
Beffan is staying ATM and that is great :D
Rah cooked a lovely roast beef dinner yesterday which was *YUMYUM* :D and today is her 1st wedding anniversary - the weather a year ago today was much much nicer ;)
Speaking of weddings, ben and I have talked to the Vicar who will marry us on Friday and booked the wedding for the 3rd September 2005 at 3pm. The most complicated question of the whole thing for me was "Are you baptised" which ellicited the response "yes, no, possibly, not sure, maybe?" (see my history as a mormon for further explanation ;))
Mum found something to stop herself getting bored over the weekend - taking piccies of piccies and putting them up on her site. These include baby pics of me and pill, which is the reason the link will *NOT* be included here ;)
Ben and I watched Battle of Britain yesterday - top film :D
Umm...I'm sure there's other stuff I ment to include and forgot, in which case I may add it later :)
( obligatory LJ quiz )
Tags:
- 37wc,
- church,
- depression,
- engagement,
- food,
- friends,
- mormonism,
- musicals,
- quiz,
- rant,
- travel,
- university,
- update,
- war,
- wedding,
- work,
- world war two
Religiony rant type thing
Monday, April 14th, 2003 09:26 amI've been looking into mormonism more since I requested my name be removed from the records and the more I read the more I'm convinced that I made the right descion. The pat couplea days I've been reading an online book that I've found really interesting. It's about two people's journey out of mormonism.
They talk a lot about the testimony of little children. How they what they have whispered in their ears by parents or have be taught by rote. And it's true. I used to think I had a testimony. I would stand up in front of the congregation in my pretty sunday dress with everyone "aaahing" and proceed to garbel out a variation on "I would like to bear my tesimony. I know the church is troo, I beweve that Joseph Smith was a pwoffit and that Ezra Taft Benson is a pwoffit. ISayTheseThingsInNameOfJesusChristAmen." And I believed it because it was what I had learnt.
Things only started to change for me after my father died, leaving the family without a priesthood holder (a vital thing in the Mormon church where the patriarch is everything) and our family largely isolated. Suspicons probably started a bit before that, the seed being sown when I was 7 or so and an incident happened that scarred me psycologiaclly, but the real cracks didn't appear till after daddy died and we were largely abandoned.
I started to learn other things and doubt what I'd been taught. I developed a streak of feminisnm that told me the inherent sexism in the church was wrong. Eventually by the time I was 16 I knew for certain that the church was not true. It took me another 3 years before I was ready for name removal. The issues I had with this largely revolved around my father.
During the period I was inactive no less than 3 people came and told my family that they'd had visitations from my father requesting that we be brought back into the fold. One was a friend from church but not one we had a lot of contact with. The second was a friend of my father's who had been out of contact for 20 years. The third was a complete stranger. The family feeling was that if it was my father's will then he would visit us himself and tell us. Which is why a certain paragraph in that book stood out.
"A few months later, my grandfather died. Shortly after his passing, I received an anonymous call from a man in California, claiming to be carrying a message to me from my grandfather from beyond the grave. He said my grandfather had appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to tell me he wanted me back in the church. I figured if my grandfather had regained enough of his senses in the afterlife to communicate with someone in California he didn't even know, he sure as hell could have contacted me himself."
WHat can I say? It struck a chord with me.
I've come to the conclusion over the past two weeks that the descion I made was absoluetly the right one. Here endeth my off stream of conciousness rant.
Which reminds me, I'm still waiting for the letter from the bishop...
They talk a lot about the testimony of little children. How they what they have whispered in their ears by parents or have be taught by rote. And it's true. I used to think I had a testimony. I would stand up in front of the congregation in my pretty sunday dress with everyone "aaahing" and proceed to garbel out a variation on "I would like to bear my tesimony. I know the church is troo, I beweve that Joseph Smith was a pwoffit and that Ezra Taft Benson is a pwoffit. ISayTheseThingsInNameOfJesusChristAmen." And I believed it because it was what I had learnt.
Things only started to change for me after my father died, leaving the family without a priesthood holder (a vital thing in the Mormon church where the patriarch is everything) and our family largely isolated. Suspicons probably started a bit before that, the seed being sown when I was 7 or so and an incident happened that scarred me psycologiaclly, but the real cracks didn't appear till after daddy died and we were largely abandoned.
I started to learn other things and doubt what I'd been taught. I developed a streak of feminisnm that told me the inherent sexism in the church was wrong. Eventually by the time I was 16 I knew for certain that the church was not true. It took me another 3 years before I was ready for name removal. The issues I had with this largely revolved around my father.
During the period I was inactive no less than 3 people came and told my family that they'd had visitations from my father requesting that we be brought back into the fold. One was a friend from church but not one we had a lot of contact with. The second was a friend of my father's who had been out of contact for 20 years. The third was a complete stranger. The family feeling was that if it was my father's will then he would visit us himself and tell us. Which is why a certain paragraph in that book stood out.
"A few months later, my grandfather died. Shortly after his passing, I received an anonymous call from a man in California, claiming to be carrying a message to me from my grandfather from beyond the grave. He said my grandfather had appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to tell me he wanted me back in the church. I figured if my grandfather had regained enough of his senses in the afterlife to communicate with someone in California he didn't even know, he sure as hell could have contacted me himself."
WHat can I say? It struck a chord with me.
I've come to the conclusion over the past two weeks that the descion I made was absoluetly the right one. Here endeth my off stream of conciousness rant.
Which reminds me, I'm still waiting for the letter from the bishop...
Bin a busy ole day for me.
I went back to bed afta the school run cos I was dead tired. Slept for 4 hours then got up and obeyed my whim to drive to Purley and get kfc. Which I then ate watching Buffy 7x10. When that finished I printed off my letter, jumped in the car and drove to Phil's school to pick him up. Got there early and it a lovely day so locked up car and sat underneth a cherry tree with my book until his nibbs put in an appearence. Started driving off to get some petrol and mamma from work when Phil announced that one of his friends from CU was inviting him to a weekend on the isle of wight with his church. Phil decided he wanted to go, so mucho calling of people from mobile phone and then gettingpetrol and dumping him at home to sort out his stuff.
Dumped him in banstead and signed some forms for him. Picked up mum. Arrived back home at 5.20pm to find church dood already there. I grabbed my stoof and we went to a park and we walked round and round it for a long time. I explained my position. He:
* said as a friend he was honour bound to try and convince me I was wrong
* said as a bishop he needed to ask some questions. One of which was if I had broken the laws of chastity
* said that my request would take more than 30 days to go through even tho I said I was willing to waive this
* said that everyone would be judged in heaven
* said that he thought my descion was wrong and he was sad for me
There was other stuff about heaven and the church being the one true church nad things. And i just kept saying it was my descion and my mind was amde up and i felt fundimentally oposed to a number of the concepts (especially views of women and gays...) Eventually I handed him my letter which he read and said he'd start the paperwork. Next stop being the steak president, who was one of the main people who didn't halp after my father died. That should be fun for him to read cos he was the bishop at the time. Anyways, it's all started moving :) Soonish I should be out and free :D
BAck here. Found I was a celebrity on a forum I never post on. I'm not even a member of...odd...Ordered a cd-rw... tired now...maybe sleep is called for...
I went back to bed afta the school run cos I was dead tired. Slept for 4 hours then got up and obeyed my whim to drive to Purley and get kfc. Which I then ate watching Buffy 7x10. When that finished I printed off my letter, jumped in the car and drove to Phil's school to pick him up. Got there early and it a lovely day so locked up car and sat underneth a cherry tree with my book until his nibbs put in an appearence. Started driving off to get some petrol and mamma from work when Phil announced that one of his friends from CU was inviting him to a weekend on the isle of wight with his church. Phil decided he wanted to go, so mucho calling of people from mobile phone and then gettingpetrol and dumping him at home to sort out his stuff.
Dumped him in banstead and signed some forms for him. Picked up mum. Arrived back home at 5.20pm to find church dood already there. I grabbed my stoof and we went to a park and we walked round and round it for a long time. I explained my position. He:
* said as a friend he was honour bound to try and convince me I was wrong
* said as a bishop he needed to ask some questions. One of which was if I had broken the laws of chastity
* said that my request would take more than 30 days to go through even tho I said I was willing to waive this
* said that everyone would be judged in heaven
* said that he thought my descion was wrong and he was sad for me
There was other stuff about heaven and the church being the one true church nad things. And i just kept saying it was my descion and my mind was amde up and i felt fundimentally oposed to a number of the concepts (especially views of women and gays...) Eventually I handed him my letter which he read and said he'd start the paperwork. Next stop being the steak president, who was one of the main people who didn't halp after my father died. That should be fun for him to read cos he was the bishop at the time. Anyways, it's all started moving :) Soonish I should be out and free :D
BAck here. Found I was a celebrity on a forum I never post on. I'm not even a member of...odd...Ordered a cd-rw... tired now...maybe sleep is called for...
