Oh, no…a costume?

Crap. I’m leaving for New Orleans and CSIcon in a few days, and they keep telling me about this costume party. I’m sufficiently funny-looking that I’ve never had much need for a costume.

I need suggestions. Something fast, easy, and not too embarrassing, and also easy to transport (no way am I going the elaborate cosplay route, in other words). Hey, it’s not too late: maybe you should register, show up in New Orleans, and dude me up.

shhh…it’s supposed to be a secwet

As you may know, Rebecca Watson has been getting a lot of rather nasty flak tossed her way — the kind of over-the-top hatred I thought we were reserving for…oh, wait, no one. A couple of people are organizing a little surprise (which is why they asked me to post this on an obscure blog which Rebecca never bothers to read) affirmation for her. If you want to join in the recognition, write to oniongirl for suggestions. Quietly. Don’t let any Skepchicks know.

Anything is fine. A quick positive note; a postcard; she probably wouldn’t turn down a chest of pirate treasure. It’s the thought that counts.

It’s not really going to be a surprise, is it? Unless somebody does deliver the pirate treasure.

I thought that was the natural state of all philosophers?

John Wilkins is an unemployed philosopher right now, so he’s looking for donations to tide him over. Give him a little assistance if you can, especially since he’s threatening to have a god take him to heaven if we don’t cough up. Let’s not give a damned agnostic an excuse to wobble over the correct answer on that one.

Don’t leave any comments over there, though! He fears and hates the Horde, ’cause he ain’t got one.

(Also on Sb)

I thought that was the natural state of all philosophers?

John Wilkins is an unemployed philosopher right now, so he’s looking for donations to tide him over. Give him a little assistance if you can, especially since he’s threatening to have a god take him to heaven if we don’t cough up. Let’s not give a damned agnostic an excuse to wobble over the correct answer on that one.

Don’t leave any comments over there, though! He fears and hates the Horde, ’cause he ain’t got one.

(Also on FtB)

Pluggin’

Tomorrow, I’ll be on radio station KPFK in Los Angeles around 10am, on The Michael Slate Show. We’re going to be talking about various things, but one thing in particular: we’ll be plugging The Magic of Reality. Slate had a very good one-on-one interview with Dawkins earlier this week, and I think we all agree — getting more copies of that book into people’s heads would be an excellent idea.

While I’m recommending books, I also just finished Sean Faircloth’s Attack of the Theocrats! How the Religious Right Harms Us All-—and What We Can Do About It. It’s about how the religious right is corrupting the United States, with a nice collection of concrete examples of the idiocy these bozos — who keep getting elected! — represent. If you’re reading this blog, you know what I’m talking about, and it’s a safe bet you’d appreciate this book.

So get readin’. You can listen to the radio while you’re working your way through the books.

You missed it!

Too late! My talk is all over.

There is one writeup already, there were people in the audience with cameras so something will appear on youtube soon, and the convention had professional videographers present, so maybe you’ll see it sometime soon. Or you could invite me out to whereever you are to give it again.

(Also on Sb)

You missed it!

Too late! My talk is all over.

i-da0560c451bf2106c2c4255daa3320cc-mutants.jpeg

There is one writeup already, there were people in the audience with cameras so something will appear on youtube soon, and the convention had professional videographers present, so maybe you’ll see it sometime soon. Or you could invite me out to whereever you are to give it again.

(Also on FtB)

I’m in Texas!

Hold me, mommy, I’m scared. It’s Texas, and you know what this place is like: full of Bushites and fundies and creationists and people who talk funny. Fortunately, the first thing I saw when I walked into the hotel was a swarm of natives, including Matt Dillahunty and Aron-Ra, so I was reassured — there are some good people here. And then I learned from my host that convention attendees have almost entirely bought out all the rooms here in the Hyatt, so the place is packed with My People, a little island of concentrated sanity in the great sea of Texas. Actually, I’m getting the impression that a lot of Texans are more than a little exasperated with the loonies who have soiled their reputation.

Anyway, I’m the first speaker here at the Texas Freethought Convention, so I need to get ready. I’ve been told that most of the attendees will be registering this morning (I haven’t, I got in late), and the lines may be long. I’ve been told I have permission to crash to the front of the lines and get my registration stuff, but I’m afraid if I do that, I’ll look like a great big arrogant dick.

Oh, wait…they think that even when I’m polite. Stand aside, peons!

You talkin’ to me?

No. No you are not, and I’m not talkin’ to you, either, ’cause we aim to push the magic button on the electronic submission form and get this grant out of my life and the lives of my long-suffering collaborators in the grants office this afternoon, and everything else is hanging in the ether until that is done.

If you really want to bother me, go here:

Look at that lineup: you might not want to talk to me because you’re too busy talkin’ to everyone else. That’s OK, though, because this time I’m bringing my wife with me to keep me out of trouble.

But until then, I’ll just go quietly insane all by myself over here.