The Virgin Prostitute

I won't say who, but someone I know turned to me and asked "If Mary was a prostitute, why do they call her the Virgin Mary?" Odd... A catholic asking an atheist about religion. I explained there were minimally two Marys in the bible; the mother Mary, or virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, a buddy of Jesus, was a former prostitute.

The "Greatest Story Ever Told" blows me away. A virgin mother? So inconceivable it's surely the product of great genius (or translation error). Produces the child of a deity. Mortal, yet immortal. Betrayed, crucified, then rising from the dead. Wow! Imagine no religion and someone told you this story. You might be skeptical.

Quentin Tarantino can't hold a candle to how f'd up things get in the history of religion, which is a bit scary if you think about it. Then again, we don't. Think that is. It appears many people are not deeply religious; registered with one party or the other but unversed in the tenets thereof, setting foot in church three times a year. I guess the independents can't vote in the primaries...

Keep Tips Up

If you ski, you're sure to be familiar with the signs pictured. They are posted at the top of chair lifts. Have you ever wondered why? Many years ago, when I was a little skier of maybe 10 or so, I wondered too. Being quite the scientist, I decided to conduct a little emperical research.

My results. As you approach, the Lift Operator repeatedly shouts for you to get your tips up. If you ignore him (or her), as I did, he (she) stops the lift. Today, it's obvious to me your skis would get caught in the snow, then in all likelyhood peel you face down off the carrier (chair), which would drag over your moronic, screaming body.

To truly understand life, once in a while, you need to try stupid things.