Going public

The adventure of life continues. As much as I plan and dream and try to anticipate outcomes, I will never know what lies around the next corner or down whatever road I choose to take. That’s the exciting and frightening reality of life. I wouldn’t want it any other way, however. As a Mormon, life was forced to fit into a master plan. Everything had a reason and a purpose. Screw that! Give me chaos and uncertainty. It’s much more fun. (Written by idiot brother, Trevor Bowen, in a rare moment of lucidity.)

Some months ago, Heather and I started meeting up with a group of atheists in Rochester. It’s led us to meet some great people and we’ve come to be more active in the freethinking community. Last weekend, we went to Syracuse, where I gave a speech on growing up Mormon and later we attended a debate at SUNY Binghamton.

We attended a debate on “Does God exists?” at SUNY Binghamton featuring Matt Dillahunty and Jay Lucas.

It is through the Rochester Atheists that I was invited to speak at the Freethinkers of Upstate New York in the Syracuse area. Prior to my speech on April 21, the group viewed the BBC documentary “The Mormon Candidate.” If you haven’t seen it, you should. Watch it. You’re better off spending an hour watching it than half the other crap that qualifies for entertainment these days. Continue reading

Lego Space Shuttle

I recently read about a Romanian man who decided to send a Lego model of a U.S. space shuttle into space. The video is stunning — particularly when you consider that this was done by an amateur, using stuff that pretty much any civilian can purchase. The Brooklyn Space Program has made similar efforts, but I am biased toward the work of Raul Oaida.

I so want to send something into space now. Too bad the FAA doesn’t like us to do that. Hmmm … what are the rules in Canada?

Shameless plug for This American Life

This is seriously one of thr best episodes of TAL I ever listened to. Even if you aren’t a podcast or radio listener, this is worth your time.

This American Life
#461: Take the Money and Run for Office (mp3)
Description:
For anyone who has ever heard the term “Washington insider” and felt outside — we are with you. So this week, we go inside the rooms where the deals get made, to the actual moment that the checks change hands — and we ask the people writing and receiving the checks what, exactly, is the money buying? Continue reading