Counter-protesters in pirate costumes drive away demonstrators from the Westboro Baptist "Church".

The counter-protest was organized by a group of Pastafarians, naturally. The Flying Spaghetti Monster has brought the world so many gifts, how can we not believe? Ra-men.

Academic conference to have panel on the Flying Spaghetti Monster

It's the American Academy of Religion, and the panel is called
Evolutionary Controversy and a Side of Pasta: The Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Subversive Function of Religious Parody. With presentation titles like "Pirates Can Predict the Weather: The Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Nature of Truthiness".

I love the Internet.

Atheist (or just someone who is really into separation of church and state) uses a little rubber stamp to remove "God" from currency. Can similar honors for FSM be far behind?

I think this is particulary appropriate to post now, because I dressed as a pirate yesterday. Just doing my part to combat global warming. (And a somewhat stealthy nod to FFXII as well. Isn't it fun when your interests can be combined?)

Thanks to SE for the link.

Great interview in Wired with the main prophet of Pastafarianism. Won't you contribute to the pirate ship fund? Spread the word, mateys. And the Parmesan.

i_iambe has spread the good news and converted Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies to Pastafarianism. I am so proud of her. With followers of FSM popping up in such high places, can official national recognition be far behind? I think not.

Omnipotent.

Omnipresent.

Now all we need is some proof of omniscience, and we're set.

Also, new song game tonight, around 7:30 Pacific. See you then.

I downloaded some free image manipulation software the other day so I could fool around with making userpics. This is one of my latest; SE gave me the idea and I couldn't resist. I'm lousy at it, but it's fun.

So the local Borders (local to my work, not to my home) is having an educator sale, where all local employees of schools and colleges get a 25% discount off books and music. Tomorrow is the last day, and I am contemplating dropping by at lunchtime. I already went on Friday and picked up a couple of things, but sales such as this are difficult for me to resist. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there any CD that I simply cannot live another day without? (You can look back through my music memes for an idea of my tastes. Also classical and movie scores, which won't come up in a song lyrics game. Book suggestions are also welcomed, but my to-read pile is already a mile high, and it will all be put on hold on November 8th anyway.)

Speaking of the music game, a heads up. New one tomorrow, Tuesday 10/18, probably around 8:30 am Pacific. Be there or be some dull, un-hip shape.

Finally, if you do not wish to die of cuteness, you should probably not click here.

In honor of today's release of the new Outlander book, and in the tradition of September as the appropriate month for holidays in honor of fake accents, I declare today, September 27th, Talk With a Bad Scottish Accent Day.

Aye, wi' a bad Scottish accent. I havena heard anyone who wasna a Scot able to fake a Scottish accent that wasna sair awful. But if ye can prove me wrong, I'll no argue an' I'll thank ye for it.

Now, I dinna mean to insult pirates. After all, we hae pirates to thank for keepin' global warming at bay. But their day is past. Today it's time to celebrate another sort of braw, bonnie lad: the Scotsman. If there be any sight more stirrin' than a verra fine Scottish laddie all decked out in his tartan, I dinna ken it.

Lassies and laddies, cheeties and bairns, will ye no join me in celebratin' this fair day?

Flying Spaghetti Monsterism is amusing me beyond all reason. I had heard about it before, but a few days ago I was doing some research for work (really) and came across James Randi's page on the phenomenon. I don't know why the whole thing strikes me as so funny. Perhaps it's the ridiculousness of the image, or the outrage with which the parody has been greeted by the fundies, or the amusement of the media. Whatever the reason, it's bringing me a great deal of merriment.

Well, if one must follow a religion, why not choose one that makes you laugh? Anything that inspires "Der Spiegel" to publish an article entitled "Mein Gott! Ein Nudelmonster!" has to be a force for good in the world. Plus, followers of FSM got a five-day weekend last week. Or would have, were it not for the depth of religious discrimination in this country. For shame. If you wish to learn more about His Noodleyness, Boing Boing has an extensive list of links.