Devotion

The pathology of religious fanatics is one that has always intrigued me. What exactly is it that drives these people to follow whatever their chosen religion is so ardently? I ask this because today I was approached for the second time in as many days by a young man asking me to join his christian prayer group. Now, yesterday I was kind enough to listen to his plea, and calmly decline his invitation. Today however, he approached me yet again, however this time I was much more firm in my answer in the negative, considering it was quite obvious he recognized me from yesterday, along with his attempt to duck under my umbrella while asking. Now I certainly am not some atheist zealot who denounces all region as propaganda and hearsay. I have my beliefs, which I play close to the vest because they are MY beliefs, and they help me get through my days, or other moments of uncertainty that could be troubling me at any given time. I cannot however understand the fanaticism that sometimes comes with being a firm follower in any particular religion, much less those that seek to impose their beliefs upon you because they feel it'll make your life better. Perhaps for me it's just a matter of personal respect, over personal belief. What I do know for certain is that if I see dude again tomorrow, I'm going to have to give him a bible lesson the likes of which he never would have expected while trolling the campus of Columbia University.

Goodbye

Quite odd for my first blog posting, but bear with me for a second. I've made many decisions in my life, some easier than others, but today I made one that stings like nothing I've ever experienced. I said goodbye to home. Not home in the sense of what city, or state I'm from, but rather home as in the place I grew up in, shared laughs, tears and joy with those I loved in, and became a man in. It's a bit silly to feel this way about a domicile, yes, but nonetheless this was MY domicile, my base of operations, and my fortress of solitude. It was where I was crazy enough to hold bbq's in the middle of a concrete jungle, ridiculously packed new years parties, or counseling sessions with any of my friends. And yet today, I said goodbye. Not goodbye in the sense that I've physically left, that part comes later, but rather that I've decided to end the fight for something that in reality was just for rent. Anyone who knows me, knows of the endless battle I've had with my landlord, one that has drained me emotionally, financially, and incredibly even physically, and frankly I've had enough. So with that I say goodbye. I'll take my things and go, even if all I'll have left are some great memories, that'll be enough for me. Goodbye home.