The Wheel and Axle

So many uses for this amazingly versatile word.

P.S. As an avowed #grammarnazi, I need to point out that (1) one of the first examples does not denote transitive/intransitive but rather active/passive, and (2) in “fucking beautiful,” it is an adverb, not an adjective. But let’s ignore me and carry on.

Recently, I woke up in the middle of the night, energized with new ideas for a couple of short stories. These, on top of the novel sequel that I’d been plotting in my head for some time now.

It was time to write more fiction!

Then I thought, Would I be writing fiction, or would it turn out to be fake news?

I went back to sleep and dreamt about a world where there were no stupid people propagating moronic nonsense in social media and where there were no idiots believing in them.

There is nothing more disturbing than harmful “ex-gay” programs that purport to cure homosexuality under the guise of good and holy intentions.

Recently, I got caught in a comment thread of a Facebook page that popped up on my newsfeed for some reason. It was a post promoting a Catholic seminar that would help homosexuals “struggling with themselves.” Despite all flowery words used by the ad, this was clearly a “pray the gay away” program.

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Two years ago on this day, the Charlie Hebdo massacre happened.

May we never forget that there is never any excuse for this kind of violence, even as the world continues to burn around us to this day.

Remember: Je suis Charlie.

… smoking 12 years ago this month.

Yup. In January 2005, after about a decade of smoking since high school, I just decided to quit cold turkey. No, it wasn’t a New Year’s Resolution; I decided some time mid-month. Not sure why or how I did it – I’d quite twice before (first for a month in college, then one year after college) – but this time, it stuck.

I still have a lot of friends who smoke, and I don’t judge them. But for me, I’m happy with my decision, and if you’re thinking of doing so, then I encourage you to go ahead and at least try. Bottomline, whether cold turkey or weaning off of it slowly: it’s not impossible as my experience showed.

And it’s definitely worth it.

Amidst all the festivities and gifts and fun and joy, let’s never forget what Christmas is about.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He is the reason for the season, so let’s take time to remember Him between bites of ham and cheese as we gather with our family and our friends.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

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Come together in every nation!

Christmas Eve is here once more, and may good cheer be upon us all.