There's something not quite right with this...

Driving home from work last night I passed by a church (I think it's Lutheran, but that's really irrelevant) as I always do, and on their sign out front (a really nice electronic one) I see:

??? God...Why ???

Something about this really disturbs me. I know it's in reference to Katrina and all the devastation and suffering that has happened and continues along the Gulf Coast. And I know that that is a question that is probably on a lot of people's minds. But it seems to me that a church is a place that people turn to for comfort, solace, community and (right or wrong) for answers, especially in times of tragedy and crisis.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to bash anyone's religion or faith or to get into a debate about why people turn to churches or religion. Even though I tend to eschew organized religion and can be very cynical when it comes to mainstream religion, I am a very faith-full and spiritual person, and I know the effects that faith and spirituality can have in people's lives regardless of their path.

Maybe I'm just projecting or reading into things, but to see a church put up a message of such seeming desperation really bothers me.

???

[EDIT 8/31/05 08:16AM: Somehow, titles got turned off, and I lost the original title I had written. But, believe me, it was lame.]

Ok, how lame a title for this post is that?

I am starting fresh with this blog. I've tried journaling and blogging before, but haven't been able to keep up. And I always felt guilty about that. But I have this deeply rooted need to write - something - anything- as long as it is written.

So, here I am, once again.

A little about me would be in order, I suppose. I'm your basic, average, 33-year-old, white, Midwest, suburban male. I have a decent job as a computer geek, a wife and four cats. I'm not very athletic (something I keep intending to work on), and don't really enjoy sports much except for the occasional baseball or hockey game and on the rare occasion it shows up on cable, sailing. I like cars - but really only from a design angle - I know only the most basic stuff about engines and mechanics and things.

I love books and music and movies and photography. I would love to write novels, compose and play music proficiently, act, direct and take beautiful pictures. I am a decent writer, but I haven't been able to stay focused long enough to actually complete a story. I have composed one piece of music for the piano and used to play reasonably well with lots of practice. I acted in high school and college, and even directed a one-act play. I do take some pretty nice photographs every now and then - of all the things that I consider my hobbies, I would say that photography is taking the lead as far as my skills go - at least for now.

I love women. Don't take that the wrong way; I'm not a chauvinistic pig (though I do have my moments every now and again), but I truly love women. I love the way women look, the way they feel, the way they smell, the way they think. I get along better with women than I do men - my best friends are almost exclusively women. I'm not a "ladies' man" or a playboy; in fact, as far as sex goes, I would consider myself a little behind the curve with respect to partners and overall experience. That's certainly not from a lack of desire or fantasy - and I wouldn't say I'm unattractive - it's primarily from lack of opportunity. My female friends tell me that I am very much in touch with my feminine side. I have a nickname among my wife's friends - "womb-man." Sort of silly, I know, but also pretty cool.

I grew up Catholic, then declared myself agnostic in college and put my spiritual self on sabbatical for about 10 years. Boy, has that changed.

But, it is late, and I am having trouble focusing on the keyboard. And I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow. So I will bid you adieu and resume my ramblings with my next post.