Losers, strange feats of motorcycling, and God's love

Because jazzfish always has good links to gank:
Speaking of losers, in which the estimable John Scalzi rips Confederate heritage a well-deserved new one. (From the first of these screeds: "You are Southern by the grace of God, but being a dumbass bigot is something you do all on your own.")

From motorcycles: Pocket bikes (4-12hp, 30-50mph, sport bikes you can carry under your arm), and the fastest blind man in the world!

You've probably noticed that I'm not a religious man, and don't put much stock in organized religion. I can, however, see the value of religion and spirituality as a personal venture, and especially support those who practice and preach the message of "love thy neighbor." However, there are those who seem to fail to understand the nature and value of such love, and thus, I relay this poem, relayed by baranoouji:

( I Was In Need )

Work, medical things, parts, sexism, power

Work was all right--looked over the set of drawings pertaining to the upcoming installation, met the fifth team member. Weather's still unseasonably ridiculous.

Called Lenscrafters to inquire about gettig a contact lens prescription refill. Will hear back this evening, after the receptionist speaks with the doctor. (Hopefully, I can get a refill--or even a new prescrip--in the next two weeks, before I go to AU for several months! As is, I've been alternating between my last two pairs for a couple months now. :P) They have good hours, so assuming availability, shouldn't be a problem. Update, 8:40pm: Woo, lenses ordered, should be in in a week, $80 for 6mo worth.

Called my old dentist to inquire about a checkup/cleaning appointment--haven't had one in almost two years, by my count. Their hours are incompatible with mine--0730-1700 M-F--so I'm hoping I can get an appt on Veteran's Day, next Tuesday.

Got mail from my healthcare provider saying "You could be billed [this small amount] for your recent radiology work, but this isn't a bill." Weird.

Got my replacement chair pieces (glides for the runners under the seat) by UPS. Woo!

It utterly boggles my mind that chicken_hunter and kae_jene could defend this school of thought in our increasingly-enlightened age. idoru, fuzzyamy, and gi_jamie, on the other hand, rock up one side and down the other.

Mom says she got me a power converter kit "good for everything but a computer," however that works. :D Now, to look into getting myself a laptop and suitable power supply/converter.. (Someone at work said that some power supplies will accept 110-240VAC automatically, converting to the 12-18VDC needed by laptop batteries.)