The blog of heike6

God needs names

2008-07-25T21:03:00.003-04:00

I am going to take the post on christianity a little further, because there is a bigger problem in the area of "faith" than people falsely identifying themselves as christian. The problem is of a linguistic nature. The word "god" encompasses too many concepts. Using the same word for a supreme being who guides our lives, one of several dieties who presides over some portion of worldly affairs, and a general feeling of there being something "more" than this world is insane.

People need to stop using that word. Yahweh is fine. Mother nature is fine. Kienfgs is fine. Just make a distinction. If you believe there is some force greater than us that didn't necessarily "create" us, don't say you believe in god. PLEASE don't say you believe in god. Why? In this christian society we live in, people will ASSUME you are christian. And don't say you are christian, because YOU'RE NOT. Just think about your definition of god and come up with your own name. If your view is different than other people, your supreme being or force or whatever should have a different name than that of other people.

New shoes for the summertime

2008-07-24T12:44:00.003-04:00

It has been really hot in the library, so I would prefer not to have to wear socks. Especially with the skirts I like to wear. But I can't wear sandals, because I'm pretty tough on my toes. These are the toes of the shoes I've been wearing.

I decided to see if there were any viable shoe options, and I found these sandals with toes!

I also found these with both heels and toes! Aren't they wacky?

Only a couple more weeks of school!

2008-07-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

My hard work in this Cyberlaw class is paying off. Check out the bottom of the issue analysis assignment:

Greydon Square's new album is out!

2008-07-22T12:29:00.000-04:00

The CPT Theorem was just released. It is Greydon Square's second album, tracks 1-14 on the player below. My favorite songs: N Word, Cubed, and Judge Me.

Backhanded apartment crap

2008-07-21T10:50:00.001-04:00

Pest control is included in the lease agreement for my apartment. For the first year or so, someone actually came by semi-regularly. Then at some point we got a letter saying they're going with a new company, and it was attached to a sheet of paper from that company instructing us to empty out our lower cabinets for their first treatment. I followed their instructions. The guy came by and spent approximately 5 seconds in each apartment. He set his card down and sprayed the front door. I called and informed the friendly office people (yes, I am being sarcastic) and they said they'd inform the pest control company. No one ever came back to actually treat my apartment, and a couple days later I went ahead and put everything back in my cabinets. The next month we get a note saying they'd be treating the next day and empty out the cabinets. I did not empty the cabinets, and they never came. Since I've been too busy to deal with the bitches in the office, especially in light of the fact that I always leave even more upset than when I went in, I let it slide for a while. Finally I have to go in to drop off my water payment (another point of contention) and I ask if we're ever going to get pest control service again. If my door and windows were properly sealed, maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal, but they're not, and this is a bit important to me seeing as I just had a roach in the bathroom and a spider in the kitchen. The lady says that they changed their policy and we have to put our names on a list now in order to get service. She said they sent a letter, but that was a lie. There was no letter. A monthly opt-in service? What kind of bullshit is that?

Thanks for putting up with my vent.

Is the internet necessary?

2008-07-19T16:46:00.001-04:00

I realize that I could spend most of my life talking about this subject, but I just wanted a little chat.

I was reading an article about internet connectivity in Tanzania that said the following:

"Surprisingly, more than 11 percent [of survey] participants still view the internet as an unnecessary service ... This shows that a lot has to be done to get full public support that will push the need for internet connectivity."

"Clearly, life in developed counties is unimaginable without the internet."

Would life be different without the internet? Yes. Unimaginable? No. And I do use the internet almost all the time. I think it is strange that they are honestly shocked that anyone this day and age would think the internet unnecessary.

The U.S. congress clearly thinks it is important, as there are bills on the table from both parties that seek to spread access to all americans. What do you think?

Atheist Nexus

2008-07-17T22:37:00.003-04:00

Someone finally took the initiative to build a social networking site for atheists. Not another social networking site! Yes, another one. Without churches to attend to bond with like-minded human beings, we need a site like this. Proof is in the numbers... the site went live July 1.

Force fed happiness

2008-07-13T13:53:00.002-04:00

It seems very rude to force things on people, but I'm learning - and working on - doing just that. Because sometimes that's what you have to do in order to satisfy. For most people, if something seems too complicated, or if they think they would be wasting your time by asking for help, they will just pass on whatever it is they wanted to do. If you insist, however, that they go ahead and request the book or create the account, etc., they get what they wanted, learned something new, are incredibly appreciative, and ultimately leave with a good feeling about the library.

Does your library have members?

2008-07-10T14:07:00.000-04:00

In the most recent American Libraries newsletter, there was a link to a blog post about a talk at the recent American Library Association convention. "Patron" or "Customer"? Consultant Makes the Case for "Member". What a brilliant idea! That way everyone is part of a club. No one wants to be patronized, and we all know that customers are not always right, especially when they habitually claim that their late items were actually on time. It's a simple idea, but I've never heard it before, not even when we were discussing it in library school. Members have cards, and people who aren't members are guests. They pay dues in the form of taxes.

The case for matchmakers

2008-07-07T21:52:00.002-04:00

It's strange to me that everyone (theoretically) has to become an expert at dating in order to find a life partner. You go through so much, learn so many things, and date so many people. Once you find someone, you no longer need this skill set you worked so hard to acquire. I'm ready to go back to having matchmakers. Just look at the divorce rate and you can see how well we're doing for ourselves. I guarantee that a matchmaker will put more thought and effort into finding you the right person than you will. They might study who you are and what qualities in a mate would compliment you. Most importantly, they would do it objectively. They don't let emotions get in the way like we do. We have all sorts of other experts in our lives to do things for us because there's just not enough time to learn how to do everything ourselves. they are skilled in that area. I'm not suggesting that a matchmaker find someone that you are required to marry, just to find people you would be compatible with. Kind of like what certain dating sites claim to do.

Hooked on you

2008-07-06T20:57:00.002-04:00

I decided to add another new thing to my blog. It's on the right sidebar, and it's called "Currently hooked on..."

Since I get stuck on certain things for a while, I figured I'd share and keep everyone updated. I want everyone to know that I'm all about orange creamsicles right now. Except that I have to buy the Mayfield (a.k.a. T.G. Lee) ones that are called something different because the real ones are only available in a variety pack. Me no likey variety packs. I got started on this because my local Chick-fil-a had OrangeDream Milkshakes, which were the bomb diggety. For a limited time only, of course. Arby's has had them for two limited times that I know of. Yummy!

Now you can think about me on August 14th and send me an orange creamsicle on National Creamsicle Day! There are days for everything, and months too... don't people realize there are far more things than there are days and months??

Oh, and thank you Tasha for the idea. I love the "favorite things as of..." section of your daily me gadget.

I took a leap of faith

2008-07-05T21:09:00.000-04:00

... and landed flat on my face. What else did you expect?

Killing me softly

2008-07-04T12:56:00.003-04:00

I wish I could forget positive things that have happened, and will never happen again. It sounds bad, but I can't look back at a happy experience, and then look at today when that experience will never happen again, and be happy about it.

I didn't write that, but I could have. I have thought it many times, but I felt even worse for thinking it because everyone always talks about cherishing the good times or whatever. It sounds bad, sure, but at least I'm not the only one thinking it. Too bad we aren't talking about the same happy experiences.

Oh well, happy Independence Day! Enjoy the fireworks while I sit here and study.

Happy Birthday, Misty!!

2008-07-03T18:50:00.005-04:00

Today is Misty's 5th birthday. We've only been apart a handful of times over the past four years! And she's still as adorable as ever. This is Misty with all her new loot: new collar, new shirt, new bed, new toy. Spoiled rotten, and she's loving every minute!

There are 1,555 dogs on Dogster with birthdays today. How crazy is that?

Daily Heather for Wednesday, July 2

2008-07-02T21:58:00.001-04:00

Wearing clothes that match makes me feel pretty.

iPod head games

2008-06-30T20:31:00.001-04:00

When I decide to listen to music on my iPod, I turn on the playlist with all my music and put it on shuffle. Then I proceed to press next until I get to what I wanted to hear. This way I can pretend that I don't have the desire to listen to the same songs over and over.

How can I fix it if I don't know it's broken?

2008-06-27T21:59:00.008-04:00

It's been a while, but here I am, back with another Friday night blog. I wish that Friday nights did not exist when I'm all alone.

I recently came across a forum posting by an ex-boyfriend criticizing something about me. He never discussed this issue with me when we were together. How was I supposed to know that it bothered him? I'm glad I found the post, because it's something I can easily fix (with a little practice... wait, that sounded bad) so I don't annoy anyone else.

Why can't we be open and tell each other how we feel about things? You'll hurt their feelings, right? I think that in a relationship it is better to go ahead and say what bothers you even if it hurts their feelings. They'll get over it and respect you more for being honest. And hey, they might even change whatever it was that bothered you!

It kills me that it is still somehow necessary to play games when dating. I want someone to be honest and tell me what I'm getting into before I'm emotionally involved. It's much easier to make informed decisions that way. Why wait to call after a date if you're crazy about the person? Why do so many people think avoiding phone calls is the best way to end a relationship? What if people regularly break up with you without telling you why, and they all have the same reason, AND that reason is something that you could fix. Wouldn't you want to know? If you're really into someone, why should you have to wait to see them again? Why would a man think a woman was easy if she had sex with him soon after they met? Didn't he do the same thing? Isn't it possible that she's only slept with one or two guys, but she thinks you might be love at first sight or something? It doesn't end further into the relationship, either, when everyone is afraid to admit their feelings.

I read this on a Psych Central blog:

Why can’t we simply be honest with people we obviously care about, even if we’re not yet sure we “love” them? Do we honestly think we’re saving them from some possible future hurt by withholding such an honest discussion immediately, when the opportunity naturally presents itself?

I don’t have the answers, but I find such questions intriguing because we’re so often concerned with our own self-protection, we may end up sabotaging the real potential of the relationship and feelings in front of us. We’re so concerned about being hurt, we deny the possibility of a reality in which we’re happy. I’d call it self-sabotaging, but that’s too dramatic. I’m not always certain people make these decisions consciously, either; it may very well be an unconscious reaction or behavior, occurring “in the moment.”

I wish we, as humans, wouldn’t feel the need, so often born out of fear, to play these relationship games. I wish that we could be honest with ourselves, so that we could be honest with the others in our lives and put an end to such games.

Yeah, this is the doctor talking. That doesn't give me much hope.

Gender bias or gender difference?

2008-06-26T13:09:00.000-04:00

I am so sick of people talking about gender bias, especially regarding management. I'm sure it happens here and there, but overall we're pretty much equal as far as employment goes. In the library world, most of us are women. Yet a much larger percentage of library directors are men. Why is that? Are people still so sexist they have to hire a man to do the job. How many women vs. men apply for management postitions? Men just tend to be more ambitious. That's how it is. Most of the women have no interest in having power.

Regarding salary (in)equity, I believe that men are generally more daring when negotiating salaries. I also believe that they are more proactive in asking for pay raises, if applicable. There are differences between the genders. I don't know about you, but I'm glad we aren't all the same.

Photo courtesy meganpru

Energy and me

2008-06-25T15:15:00.001-04:00

I just realized that pretty soon I might have a normal amount of energy, if not more. Obviously work and school and the internship on top of that is taking its toll, but there's one more thing. Since I am such an introvert, working with the public full-time is really draining. (Not that it's not rewarding- wink, wink.) Hopefully I'll get a job as a cataloger and then I'll be in an office somewhere and be happy and not so drained when I get home. Hey, I'll even have more time for exercise! Imagine that.

Privacy in the library... and me

2008-06-25T12:47:00.001-04:00

While borrower information is confidential, I think I may take it overboard a bit. When working with customers, they call me by name. Most would probably appreciate me using theirs, since it is right in front of me on the screen after I scan their card. Rather than use their names and try to remember them to greet the customers in the future, I tend to forget their name right after looking at it. That way, in the unlikely case that someone comes in with a warrant and questions me as to my conversations with a certain person, I won't have to deal with hiding their information, because I won't remember it. Makes sense, huh? No, not really. It's time to change my approach to be more friendly. You know, be the outgoing person I really am (ha ha ha).

I want to share!

2008-06-24T14:55:00.001-04:00

The reason I use Google Reader over other feed readers is because it is really easy to share items. If I haven't mentioned it 10 times before, the widget on the left side of my blog under "Interesting things I've read" contains things that I've read and found so interesting I wanted to share them with my friends. As I come across new posts that I want to share, this widget gets updated, so it is always changing. Sometimes, of course, things I want to share don't come from RSS feeds. Sometimes they come from articles on websites that I don't want to admit frequenting, like the following jewel:

Anyway, his point is that men need to have some space and independence, some things that are theirs and theirs alone. They need a man room, a hobby, a friend that they don't have to share- something. See, I get it. Because women need the same thing... We just don't bitch and moan as loudly about it. We do bitch and moan, about other things though. In all fairness, guys don't really bitch or moan or even talk about it. They sulk, get quiet or pick fights as an excuse to get away, instead of just communicating what they need in a way that doesn't say... "Look bitch you're driving me crazy" - and saying I need some me time sounds too girlie, I suppose.

Crazy love

2008-06-23T23:55:00.000-04:00

Sometimes things happen in the world that have nothing to do with me, yet they affect me more than they should. Even if I know why, my feelings still overwhelm me.

I guess it's just that these events are like the last piece of some puzzle in my mind, and the reason for other things becomes clear. Like when I come to realize that just last year I was still having trouble getting past my childhood to have normal relationships.

I'm proud of myself that I've never married a psycho (just to have them divorce me and then haunt me for an indefinite period afterwards). I feel so bad for people in that situation (it's not their fault). Of course, I never had the opportunity to marry a psycho, so maybe I'm just lucky. In that case, I'm grateful that I am lucky in such important areas of my life.

One last question: If there are 2 people with mental disorders, would it be better for them to deal with each other or pair up with normal people?

Three strikes and you are out

2008-06-22T14:59:00.005-04:00

I'm all for forgiving people for past mistakes, but how many times is too many for the same mistake? I usually go by the three strikes and you're out rule. Perhaps it is too forgiving, but I prefer to be optimistic. It depends on the mistake, of course, and the severity of the results of that mistake. How about criminal activities? Accidental pregnancies? Marriages? It just seems like some people never learn their lesson.

This is a part of human nature thing that boggles me, and it must be related to the lets not care about something until it happens to us principle. I'm certainly not exempt from this. I've had the same physical issue numerous times due to lack of keeping up a schedule and eating right. It seems like it would be so easy to mark my calendar and eat more fruit, but every once in a while it gets out of hand, and I don't notice until it's really bad. Then I try to do something about it.

I don't understand all these people who have multiple children with different partners and have never even been married. Don't they realize that they might get pregnant if they have sex? After the first one, wouldn't they be more careful and use birth control methods? It just boggles my mind how people can have 3+ children all with different partners. Since I personally don't believe people should have more than one child each (to avoid overpopulating our planet even more), three strikes is way too many. But somehow many learn their lesson after the third one. Do they just run out of room in their house or what? This is really much too serious an issue for my blog. Of course, some people take these things lightly. They spend more for car wheels than for contraception. Just one more thing I'll probably never understand...

Image courtesy rudiriet.

The poll results you've been dying to hear

2008-06-22T00:21:00.002-04:00

I'd like to thank all the people who rushed onto my blog page to take my latest poll. Well, I appreciate the 4 people who participated, anyways. It was about whether I should write shorter or longer blogs on single or multiple topics. The results... 3 people think whatever I do is great! Awesome to know, but not helpful. What is helpful is the votes for more posts. That was sort of unexpected. Anyways, I am going to try to stick to one topic per post. That is the most logical way to do it. Not the most efficient, but efficiency and building relationships don't go together very well. People tend to comment more if you stick to just one topic.

If I changed the name of my blog to Heathen Heather or something and stuck to one topic altogether, I might be almost as popular as those atheist blogs that attract hundreds of visitors. That's not gonna happen, so I'll do what I can. Anyways, I'd rather not have strangers slinging mud at each other and third parties in my comment section. If I wrote an excellent, neutral, and hopeful post on a topic (not saying I will), I would be upset if people started badmouthing one another instead of carrying on an intelligent conversation. In that case I might have to moderate my blog, and if I did that, I wouldn't allow slander. I'm all for free speech, but there will be no slander on my domain unless it comes from me.

A realistic fear

2008-06-16T22:01:00.004-04:00

One of my greatest fears is having a smoker move in next door to me. Right now, my next door neighbor's front door is across the hall from mine, so that means my hallway would be smoky. Since my door seal is pretty much gone (damn chinese restaurants and their shoving menus in my door, and damn this apartment complex) that would be very dangerous. What makes me think about this is a recent increase in cigarette butts on the ground just outside. I am remaining hopeful in assuming they blew in with the wind. Of course, when I got home just now someone not far from here had some tobacco burning. I didn't expect it, so I didn't hold my breath, and I barely made it in the door still breathing.

I have thought of trying to find a doormat with a no smoking sign or making a sign of my own that says please don't smoke here, I'm allergic, but that makes me even more afraid that someone will get annoyed and smoke right in front of my door on purpose. They could kill me! And what could I do about it? Opening the door certainly isn't an option. Am I going to have to start wearing a mask every time I walk the dog?

The apartment next to mine is empty right now. What will I do if a smoker moves in? I really need to find a smoke-free neighborhood.