THOTH

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Well Arpa - obviously there is no such thing (per se) as a Christian Atheist or any of the others as an Atheisit rejects all -theism...or belief in god/gods...not just a particular doctrine. However - folks like myself - who might consider themselves or be considered as atheists by others are also affected by the religious traditions/environment of the society that they grew up and or live in - so perhaps i could be considered as a Chistian Atheist - don't know...but certainly I cannot deny being influenced by judeo-chistian worldview etc even if I reject the religious doctrine...it is just a major part of my environment and socialization that I (or anyone in a particualr society) generally cannot avoid (for better or worse...and its a bit of both I think...) Anyway - doin't know if this helps any...and did not really follow thje discussion from the other thread as I have been away for a bit and am just back...

ARTO11 - are you Palestinian? Otherwise I think you are confused about who it was that slaughtered us...

Nairi - got to admit - doesn't sound too good (if you really feel that way). But I wouldn't necessarily do something so drastic as quit right now - when you feel as you do - unless you think your really going to have an iminent medical problem. I've been an an on again - off again smoker for a number of years now (mostly off - but I do love to smoke...in fact I started up about 2-3 weeks ago after not having smoked in a while and I just quit again last Thursday...and i know its not easy - but it is in fact doable - easier then you think - it is...though not easy. I haven't smked canibus for - I don't know 20 years...almost forgot what it tastes like/what the buzz is like...though not totally...but who knows maybe I don't really remember anymore...anyway I sure liked the buzz...though less the sinse hyper high versus the more mellow (thai stick is what always used to do it for me! LOL)...but anyway I did like it better then being drunk or buzzed from drink...but I've certainly gotten used to only the latter. You probably haven't drunk any really fine wine...becuse I doubt you would diss it so - LOL. Anyway I found it very easy to stop smoking pot. I decided to quit one day and di - and never looked back...certainbly have had desire/curiosity at times...but have never really felt the need again - nor have I done so (perhaps after I retire - if you know what I mean...even then...who knows...) On the food thing...that is perhaps where you can concentrate first...its actually quite easy to eat better (even in Holland I imagine)...just what type of bad food are you eating anyway? If you are aware - you can probably treat yourself better. And I think it might be the most positive thing you could do in the short term - then work on cutting down/cutting out the smokes...but what harm is a toke now and again eh...as long as your young and with little or no responsibility - LOL. Again I hope this helps. Talking about it is good i think and don't be afraid to run by your ideas with us...your concerns and whatever else...and pleae try your best to take care of yourself! (but don't be a prude - enjoy life!)

Nairi - guilt is their ultimate trump card..and it has great power...your mission...if you choose to accept it...is to free yourself of this (false) guilt...either that or get really drunk (ussually works...as long as you don't get guilty about that later...LOL)...and I think drinking works better then (self- help) books...though I recommend neither in excessive quantaties...and I also generally (from my perspective) advise against religion...(straight opium is ussually less damaging...) - though I must admit for some it works wonders...(even if I can hardly stand being near them anymore...LOL)....

Nairi - come visit us in the States sometime (well if your interested let me clear it with the wife first...though I imagine it would be OK)...otherwise why not - take a vacation or a walkabout as it werre - don't be afraid to be free. And it is your life - and no one elses. As long as you are a decent/good person - no one should have any power of judgement over you - they need to accept you as you are. If thats not good enough -- well its theri problem (not for you to get ulcers about). And believe me - I know where your comming from. I can categorically say - and I mean this most scincerely - that there is no Armenian parent on this planet that was/is more demanding/expecting (and controlling - or at least attempting to - constantly) and what not then my mother (bless her - she does have a very verey good heart...). You probably cannot even begin to imagine what I have had to put up with in my life - probably similar to alot of what you are now going through...and yes - at times its tough. For instance if I brought home a school report of all As & 1 B (taking 18-21 semester credtis - no slouch schedule) - well the fisrt thing (and always harped on) was - why couldn't that B have been an A...(true story....and yes minor - but i think at least in part illustrates the point)...but anyway - very early on I deveoped a defense mechanism - it basically amounted to developing extreme self confidence in the face of anything and I learned to laugh at my critics (mother0 and to tell her I was up to far worse/more henious deeds - etc then I ever was...so she could get worked up over fiction - which was less direct on me... Anyway - more advise of a sort (sory...but it is my way LOL)...just hanfg in there kid and don't let it get to you...and by all means talk about it - talk it out - don't hold it in (thats bad)...

Your totally screwed Accel..though I guess you can go with the pre-rankings and hope for beginners luck...I've certainly seen other morons prosper this way (to a limited degree)...not that your a moron of course...but certainly an American foot ball one. Ar eyou really going to try to learn anything about either the game or at least the stats & stuff that matter? If you do it might be more rewarding...and if you don't you may have fun too (as long as you don't mind losing - LOL)...and we will certainly enjoy laughing at you! LOL (of course I hope I won't have to eat my words...but if I'm anything - I'm confident...)

Nairi - sorry then...only trying to help...so...well spit it out then! Whats really bothering you? Wer'e all ears! Chin up - cheer up - don't be down...fight fight fight...and maybe get drunk or something (opps sorry - there it goes - more advice again)...whats bothering you dear? You see m like a very nice gal with a lot going for you...just wanted you to know that I (we...I think I feel safe in saying...I mean a moderatress no less! LOL) think very highly of you...that should account for something - no? Even Stormy likes you I think...and she ussually doesn't seem to like other gals much...LOL

Yes grat story - great man - but the story has one fact fact wrong - the 1999 match Kasparov vs the World was against human opponents (and I was one of them)...well he ultimatly won the match - but what a match it was - occupied me for months... Anyway - way to go Gary! Again showing your wisdom!

Dear Nairi - Perhaps I don't know you well enough to give advice... (but I've never let it stop me before - LOL) Seriously...first of all don't be so serious - really - a major problem with most folks. I know that you have a good sense of humour - and a good head on your shoulders...and i think a good heart...and your Armenian..so you have a great many things going for you...so please don't despair...please... Let me say that there is no good answer to your question. The trick is to find yuorself in a situation that you would never think of asking it. You have to have something that drives you, excites or thrills you or at least gives you satisfaction. SOmetimes of course you can find this in a relationship, sometimes in work or hobbies/interests...other times (for the lucky ones perhaps) in just being - that in itself is enough. And of course family can always be a motivator. But if none of these things is doing it for you right now here is waht I'd suggest. Start doing things for youself - however small - like fun little outings, visits to parks or museums - datyes, whatever - that you enjoy...and make sure you keep doing such things - dobn't get caught into a rut of nornalcy - routine...vary it and try to do fun things...and/or try to do things you think might be worthwhile - volunteer to help others less fortunate - that sort of thing...and maybe just try to keep occupied/busy - but not in dreary pursuits - but fun! I think you wont have time to dwell on these ultimatly unsatisfying (unlees you are Domino of course) existensial issues...anyway - hope this helps! And if all else fails to do it for you - just remember that we love you!

Sip- of course live drafts are always preferrable - but ussually impossible in this type of setting. Also I notice a single rank list - vice by position...does the AI know when you have filled your positions? In some way - even if so - this is funky IMO...I actually like the rank by position and determine rounds that you go for each position...but I remember that y9u weren't to keen on it. Whan is the draft going to be (make in late - so I have time to do all this stuff when I get back from my trip...). I am considering taking my fantasy books with me - but if it turns out like last year's August trip - i only even looked at them on the way out on the plane.

vava - this is the point - these drafts are ussually automated - but there are unique rules for each one - I haven't been able to determine how this one works. And if you are unfamiliar with players and how all of this works I recommend caution...we are a bunch of sharks you know...and you will be like...well...fresh blood...LOL Seriously - I will help & give tips as I can (like last year when I felt sorry for Sip - I gave him a line on a player to pick up (which I should have got instead///oh well)...and it basically turned his team inot a powerhouse... If you truly enjoy (American) football - then fantasy can be a blast. But there is a certain amount of knowledge - of players/stats and of how scoring works & such - that are really necessary for success. Lots of folks get frustrated becuase - like you - they may not know the 2nd, 3rd etc ordrplayers - ones that can really mean all the difference for your team...or they are just unsure about what to do (because choosing your players doesn't end at the draf - to win - you must be adding and dropping players all year long - and be aware of which players are performing and which are not - etc)...anyway - hope I didn't scare you off...please do join us (if you think you are up to the task! LOL)

OK - I'm in! When is the draft BTW? And how does it work (with rankings - etc) I assume its automated. And what makes yahoo better then what we did last year...each seems to have plusses and minuses from my experience - don't know if I've ever done Yahoo before though... I will be out of town for awhile...wish I had more time to prepare (like last year)...oh well - I'll manage. I know at least one other Artmnenian who would be (very) interested (and has done this sort of thig before) - should I invite him?

Yes - we may want to just smash all the machines now - eh? And save the human race lots of trouble (& much much worse) in the future... Of course I see the machine--organic interface as the next step...and I think it will soon be here (for better or worse)...my my my I do see ethics issues galore..and perhaps the death of the old religioins (though they have certainly proved resiliant even in the face of discovery...so maybe it is human ignorance more then machine intelligence that we should fear....always...). Anyway an interesting (but perhaps somewhat frightening) future - extrme genetic manipulation, machine intelligence & what not...and who knows what pertebations not yet thought of....

Welcome back Accel...sounds like a great trip...always the best when you can visit family/friends & party hard! (and see some stuff of course)...I'm still not sure I fully understand your excuse for failing to hook up with some nice (but fun!) Armenian gal...LOL

Agree - I was thinking exactly what you said - he is restraining. This is not untypical i don't think...and yes his arguments are much along the lines of Piggeti's. Still -much better this position to begin a discussion of issues then one totally defined by national myth and ignorance...

An interesting erspective - but incomplete - and in many ways lacking serious analysis...thanks for posting anyway...Who is this guy...and what is the point of this articale anyway...its not very clear to me...

Yeah maybe...sounds good...but I am terribly out of practice... ...not sure what good I would be...but in the name of furthering your-alls education I think I could manage a demionstration...LOL

Yes - here's further evidence of that. Looks as though Washingotn will allow Turkey to deploy 3 Brigades into Iraq to figh the (so-called) PKK...to assuage Turksih national Pride... http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/EG23Ak02.html I'll make a bet now that more troops are to follow...

I think that this post is misplaced - it should be in the humor section...

No doubt, no doubt... ...and i should hope so (or that you would think so)...otherwise I would be very worried (for you) of course...

thanks thoth! for remembering 'bruin ...i've read that before..very accurate indeed! the thing is....here it comes!! --- we can't write anything better for men...'cause we women are more fun, daring, charged, dramatic, animated, exagerrated...and just so much more exciting compared to 'the typical man'...that there really would be nothing to write! ---after all " a man is just....a man" ............ I agreee 100% of course...and yes...exciting certainly (you women certainly are... ) - at the very least...LOL...but can you slog a 6 pack down and shout unprintable insults at the oppsing team? I think we may have you there! ...though I must say I am plenty fun, daring, charged, dramatic, animated, exagerrated and all of that - and I can (and do) cook and clean too! ...but (as a guy) I certainly wouldn't want to sleep with me...or even just take myself out on a date! LOL....

Harut - better yet - call and say that you have it all on video and he must call you right away or you will release it! LOL

LOL - well thank you Domino...actually I am aware of most of what you speak - this subject - and astronomy in general - have long been of interest to me (since before you were born - LOL - though no doubt you understand the actual science better then I... ). In fact I used to know many of the folks at Cal Tech/JPL who are very involved in this sort of thing. When I lived in LA I would get invited to bring my video equipment and hook up for planetary flybys, comets striking planets (think I missed shoemaker...though did see it on a friends very nice telescope...) etc (see - I can hang with all you geeks - LOL!)...and as a result I have hours of video - originally recorded real time - direct from NASA internal network & such (mostly boring as hell - but some of interest certainly). One of my best friends (works at JPL...) was also on the team (or worked with them or some such) that engineered the Hubble fix a few years back. And he's actually got to climb aboard the shuttle a few times to secure various experiments (great thrills...). Several of my friends got Doctorates at tech in planetary Sciences related fieilds (though no straight Astronmy that I can recall) - others were/are physicists (some having been students of the great/awesome R Feynman...) And of course I have a cousin whom I used to be close too who is really into this stuff...Anyway - so I'm into all this too - though with perhaps only a Scientific American level of technical undsderstanding ...and I understand how they "discover" (and characterize) planets (& think that it is reasonbly legit...)...but they seem to have gone into a great deal of detail on the history of thie "so-called" oldest planet...frankly - IMHO - beyond perhaps what is warrented by good science...seems to me a lot of guesswork...and perhaps a bit of sensationalism...donno really - why I was asking I guess (I read the article on the site BTW)...and you may have wondered why I am such a fan of Gregory Beneford...eh? There Sip - I did it again...

Interesting stuff...and as I have suspected... Have you been following this "oldest planet" thing? (12.7 billion years supposedly) - they are claiming such great detail about its origines & history & what not. I can't for the life of me figure how they can know all of this...