When man lived with Dinosaurs

Mike has been very interested in the Evangelical/Anti-theist movement occuring in the west. And it has piqued my interest as well. I am not a religious person, I vehemently disagree with everything theism represents and am in full support of all the anti-theists who are now speaking out against the oppression that is religion. Now don't get me wrong, I do not deny anyones decision to follow religion as that is their own choice.

What I do disagree with is the tyrranical nature of religion trying to force beliefs on others, forcing Creationist theory into our public schools and teaching it as "science". Which it is NOT! Arrogantly dismissing all other possibilities or beliefs as false without any consideration, and the purposeful manipulation to suppress all independent and logical thought from their followers. Religion has ever and will always be a form of control.

I was raised a Christian. I did the church thing on sunday, read the bible and was taught the stories and beliefs of the faith. But not once did I ever truly accept those beliefs. I have heard it said many times, that religion teaches us morals. That may be true, but you do not need to believe in God to have a good moral center. In fact, I find religion can often get in the way of someone being a genuinely good person, by promoting racial and sexual discrimination. And by trying to deny people their right to free choice. (ie: Interracial Marriage, Same sex marriage, Homosexuality and Abortion.)

Religion has been a dominating factor in many societies for far too long. It's time to relegate the dated and often superstitious beliefs of religion to their respective houses of worship and the minds of their followers where it belongs. Keep religion out of our public schools, keep it out of our politics and government, our doctors offices and the law. Give people the freedom to make their own choices and follow their own beliefs without fear of societal backlash. Let people have their Same sex unions and relationships, let women have an abortion if they so desire and let people have their relationships without having to think of something as petty and insignificant as the colour of their skin. Voice your opinion if you must, most of us have freedom of speech after all, but that is the end of your interference. Because, just as you have the right to follow your beliefs, so to does everyone else.

If they build it. I will want it.

Well the new year is in full swing and things are progressing normally as usual. I have re-signed my contract with my school for another year and got a decent raise to boot.

I was looking at some new apartments the other day and found one I really like, but not sure if we're going to take it or not. The complex is amazing! With a Bally's Fitness, a movie theatre, shopping, restaurants and even a Wallmart! The place is awesome! It's a little pricey but we'll see.

Things are good with Maggie and I, plus the cats are doing really well. Tiger has learned how to open doors, so they either have free run of the apartment or we have to literally lock them in their room. I swear he is the smartest cat I have ever seen. Storm is in heat, again, but as soon as it's over off to the vet she goes.

Hoping to get some more travelling in this year as well as focusing alot on my Chinese. This being my third year I figure I should probably learn how to speak it.

Image: Burj Dubai. Soon to be worlds tallest building. Artist Rendition.

Fireworks and Gambling

Well, we are fast approaching the end of February already. Chinese New Years has come and gone for the third straight year and it is was as enjoyable as ever. I will never get tired of the fireworks as long as I live.

My buddy Kevin was here for two weeks during Spring Festival and is now safely back at home in Canada. We had a great time while he was here... as usual. We set off a lot of fireworks this year including a huge 108 shot box that would be pushing $300 CDN if it was legal to buy such a thing back home in Canada. Here it only cost us 220 RMB. (roughly $40.00 CDN) and what a sight it was, easily worth the money.

I am currently in the process of re-negotiating my contract with my school and will soon be heading to Hong Kong again to renew my Visa. I tried to get a position in Shanghai this year but could not find a school in time, so it is another year in Zheng Zhou for Maggie and I.

I have learned how to play Ma Jiang over the past two months and even taught Kevin how to play while he was here. It is a very fun game and really challenging, nothing like the one we play in Windows. Maggie loves the game and plays all the time. She is the one who taught all us foreigners how to play. The only part I'm not thrilled about is you must play for money. Apparently just playing for the fun of the game is not an option and gets you some very snide remarks for even suggesting it. I'm not a big gambler, I prefer my money to stay in my wallet, but we don't play for a lot of money so it's okay.

Photo from: http://www.chromasia.com

The dichotomy of what is known and what is unknown

Something that I continually get to experience during my time here is Racism. Being a North American white male age 30 this is a concept that is completely foreign to me and usually to anyone else in my demographic.

I understand Racism, what it means and know it is something typically born of a lack of education and fear. But having to experience it so suddenly and at a later age provides a unique perspective for me. I am a very tolerant person, I do not judge a person based on their race, colour, creed, background , sex or sexual orientation. But rather on their actions and their character as I witness it first hand.

I now find myself wondering is tolerance a trait we are born with? Is it something we learn from our parents or the society and culture in which we were born? And in turn, is it something we can lose by being immersed in a society and culture that is less tolerant and markedly different than our own? The longer I stay here the more I consider the latter.

Chinese people in general are highly xenophobic and it is to be expected considering the majority are not provided with an education beyond primary or middle school. And China's borders have not been open to foreigners for that long. The government and the education system here also breeds a feeling of superiority even arrogance in the population. As anyone not Chinese is usually viewed as inferior. Which does nothing to help improve racism. I am speaking in generalities of course, as there are always exceptions. I have met many wonderful open minded people here. My girlfriend included, but from my experience they are the exception not the rule.

So I would say that although the society or culture you are in can skew your perspective. It cannot change the person who you are. I have come to realize that I am not becoming less tolerant as a person I am just encountering more instances where it is increasingly difficult to remain tolerant to the individuals involved. It comes down to respect. And I simply cannot tolerate someone who does not respect me.

Pic from: http://www.indybay.org

The Beginning....Again.

Hi everyone.

I'm back and blogging again. I know it has been a very, very long time. Hopefully I do better this time. For anyone wanting to read my posts from my previous blog, I have added them to my archive under 2007.

Quick update. I am still in Zheng Zhou but am currently looking for a job in Shanghai. If anyone has some insight as to available positions there drop me a line.

The last year or so I have had very little drive to get anything done. This year I'm wanting to change that. I started writing my book again and it is progressing nicely. I am back at the gym and have put on 5Kg, can already see the difference. And I have started this blog again.

My girlfriend Maggie is doing great as are our two cats Tiger and Storm.

I am currently on New Years (Chinese) vacation until Feb. 1st, and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my friend Kevin from Canada who will be visiting for a few weeks. To give all of you an idea of the enthusiasm the New Years celebrations have here. It is 4:00pm on Jan 18th, it is still daylight and there are fireworks exploding outside my window. New years day is not until Jan 26th and the celebration will continue for at least a week after that. If you love fireworks as I do. Nobody does them better than the Chinese.

Image: Storm and Tiger