I’m in Texas!

July 21, 2015 • 4:09 pm

Yes, I know that Texas is full of goddies and Republicans, but somehow when I enter the state I always get a warm feeling—and it isn’t the 100-degree temperature today. Texas is big (880 miles across!); full of oil wells and friendly, no-nonsense folk; there are ranches; there are cowboy boots; and there is BARBECUE—of which I intend to partake copiously.

Anyway, after two pleasant days on Linda Calhoun’s goat farm-cum-dairy (pictures to come), I crossed the state line this morning into Texas, where I’m currently ensconced in a Motel 6 in San Angelo. (They left the light on for me.)

Tomorrow it’s on to Austin, where I’ll visit Matt Dillahunty, famed for the popular public access TV show The Atheist Experience, and for his numerous debates against religionists and creationists. I’ll also have my final pair of boots made.

I’m much looking forward to making Matt’s acquaintance: I met him at the Imagine No Religion meeting in Vancouver in June, where he did his Unholy Trio performance with Aron Ra and Seth Andrews, but we didn’t get to talk much. As you doubtless know, Matt became an atheist after being raised as a Southern Baptist and studying to be a minister. Disenchanted, he never made it to the pulpit, and the rest is history. I’m eager to hear about his experiences and his views on Christianity.

Here’s my official entry into the state:

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As for footwear, I’ve waited five years to get to the top of Lee Miller’s list for custom boots. In March, 2010, I visited Lee’s shop out of curiosity: he is, I think, the best custom cowboy-boot maker in the U.S. (and therefore the world), but at the time of my visit, which I documented in a post, he wasn’t taking new customers.  When I returned to Chicago, I sent him a copy of WEIT out of gratitude for taking the time to show me his operation (I drew a cowboy boot in the book). Lee’s wife Carrlyn, who runs the business end of the shop, wrote me shortly thereafter and said that Lee would be delighted to make boots for someone who could write such a book.

That was way cool, so I got on his list. I’ve now moved to the top, and on Thursday will visit Lee’s shop for the hour-long process of measuring my feet, and the even longer process of choosing the leather, the boot design, the toe shape, heel height, and so on. It’s a complicated process. (Have a look at the link above to see what he’s capable of. Suggestions welcome.)

Here’s a video of his operation that appeared in the Wall Street Journal:

Now y’all will kindly pardon me while I find the best local barbecue. It’s brisket country!

 

__________

 

Postscript by Grania

Jerry asked me to add some clips of The Atheist Experience show, I’m sure many of you are familiar with it. The Atheist Community of Austin also does a podcast called The Non Prophets which differs from the TV show as it is aimed at an atheist audience rather than a Christian one.

Here’s a compilation of funny clips featuring from various shows and really dumb questions from believers.

A classic Jeff Dee exposition rant about why he takes offence at the Christian belief in hell.

Jeff & Matt on a question about the who “caused” the Big Bang

 

Another contest: photograph yourself with FvF in an incongruous place

July 21, 2015 • 2:00 pm

Okay, we already have a photograph of reader Tom Czarny holding up Faith versus Fact in front of the Vatican. Now reader Mark Cagnetta has sent in a related photo, which came with this caption:

In tribute to your recent visit to Arizona I took this shot in front of the new Mormon Temple in Phoenix.

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Having two photos of course inspired a contest, especially now that the Trump Your Cat Contest is coming to an end (winner announced soon). Here are the rules for the new contest:

Send a photo of yourself (or a member of your family) holding Faith versus Fact in the most incongruous place or situation you can think of. Be creative. 

I’ll give people a whole month to think of cool photos. Deadline: August 20, 2015; one entry per person. NO PHOTOSHOPPING. If you have the book on Kindle, you can still find a way.

The winner will get a hardback of the book (first edition, first printing) autographed by me, made out to whomever you want, and with a cat of your choice drawn in it. Of course you’ll already have procured a copy of the book to take the photo, so if you wish I’ll substitute a paperback copy of WEIT (I have no more hardbacks).

Both Tom and Mark have been grandfathered into the contest.

p.s. Try this in front of mosques only at your own risk. . .

The Last Trump

July 21, 2015 • 10:30 am

Ceiling Cat (PBUH) has communed with His Emissary on earth and announced the close of the Trump Your Cat contest. Here are a few last entries.

Pauline sent us this note:

This is our skinny, no svelte, black Zelda of 18 years, working the Trump do. At this golden age, she’s still a master mouser.
This photo gig was harder to pull off than I expected.  The first sittings were not to her liking, as she was beyond affronted, and then felt she’d rather tussle with the tassel. However, success! She found the yellow Swiffer dusting pad quite cozy on her head, and even slept with it. A very economical solution for those bad hair days.
You're fired!
You’re fired!

Avis James writes:

Here is Janet doing her “Trump the Cat”.  She has her mouth open and
looks a bit pissed off, just like the other Trump.  She is wearing
shavings from the wood cabinets we are making for our new kitchen.

JanetTheTrump2

And there’s even an entry from over the pond – Mike Barnes writes:

Election fever hits England.
(from Sara Longmuir)
P.S. Cat’s name is Compo.
IMG_3079
From reader Charles Jones:
This photo captures the multi-deranged comb-over, the wrinkled brow denoting serious brain power, and the moment just before The Neville fired the new kitten, Fluffer-noodle.
Photo credit: Hannah Jones
P.S. Neville is dumber than a post.
image6
And last under the limbo bar, Randy Schenck who writes:
The Trump victim is Emma, with hair provided by Bumper.
Trump Emma, 21 July 2015 001

 

Readers’ Wildlife photos: ‘roos & emus & squirrels

July 21, 2015 • 8:00 am

bu Grania

Michael Glenister wote in with some wonderful photos. He writes:

Just got back from our annual trek to the Kangaroo Farm in Kelowna.  Here are a few shots I thought you would enjoy:
– a few shots of the (very friendly) Columbian ground squirrels at Manning Park
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– a praying mantis my eagle-eyed son spotted in the plants around our motel.  See if you can find it!
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– kangaroos, including albinos
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– capybara (first time I’ve had a chance to stroke and feed one)
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– an emu and young
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– sugar gliders (very soft fur)
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– if you arrive early, you get to feed the babies
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 Thanks Michael, those are gorgeous.

Tuesday: Hili Dialogue

July 21, 2015 • 4:06 am

Good morning!

Today was a terrible day back in 365 AD when a tsunami hit Alexandria, in 1925 the infamous Scopes trial ended with a conviction and a fine of $100 for teacher John Scopes. It was also the day in 2011 when NASA’s final shuttle mission ended, and in 2005 two weeks after a first round of attacks, London’s underground and bus transit system was attacked again.

Our feline princess is being sociable and friendly today, however she may have ulterior motives.

Zosia: Here you are!
Hili: Here I am and I may be petted.

 

zoś
In Polish:

Zosia: Tu jesteś!
Hili: Tu jestem i można mnie głaskać.

Short and sweet: an epitaph

July 20, 2015 • 3:53 pm

I suppose this is the way I’d want my desmise announced: short and sweet.  As reported by PuffHo, here it is, as published in the Fargo-Moorhead (North Dakota) Forum:

Screen shot 2015-07-20 at 5.51.13 AM

PuffHo gives a little bit more information:

Legler’s daughter, Janet Stoll, says that her father had long insisted on a short and sweet death notice.

“He said over and over, when I die I want my obituary to just say ‘Doug Died,’” Stoll told the Forum. ”[Other people’s obituaries] would say ‘he was the president of this, a director of this’ and Dad would say, ‘What, couldn’t they hold down a job?'”

Stoll added that her dad, who died on Jun. 27 at the age of 85, was “very lighthearted and had a great sense of humor.”

According to the Forum, Legler worked for many years as a driver for the Nash Finch Company. He is said to have been a car enthusiast and an avid singer who loved country music.

Which reminds me of a Jewish joke, which I’m able to relate because I’m a landsman:

Mrs. Greenblatt comes into a newspaper office and says she wants to put her husband’s obituary into the paper. “I want just two words,” she says: “Saul died.”

The editor says, “Well, that’s fine, but the minimum price for an obituary allows you up to five words.”

Mrs. Greenblatt thinks a minute. “Okay,” she says. “Use this one: Saul died. Cadillac for sale.”

I’ll be here all week, folks.

 

Infinite Monkey Cage and a Cobb/Coynecidence

July 20, 2015 • 11:07 am

by Matthew Cobb

Jerry’s appearance on the BBC Radio 4 programme The Infinite Monkey Cage has just been broadcast. You can listen to it, anywhere in the world, by going here (NB this is the podcast version, so is a bit longer than the broadcast version – 46 minutes! And you can download it as an MP3, to keep). Lots of interesting stuff about the nature of scientific theories, and how Jerry would react if evolution were shown NOT to be true (he doesn’t mention having to change the title of this website…)

And while we’re about it, David Lamb tw**ted me this picture of my book Life’s Greatest Secret, which he came across in NYC. Thanks to the foibles of the alphabet, I am in good company!

https://twitter.com/DavidLamb93/status/623136458052870144