Damn it, and damn it to hell.

So, onto a little exploration of the human psyche. Also known as Rambling.
Recently I've reached a stage with literature where I despise the Love Story. Specifically, I despise the fact that the protagonist seems to, almost without exception, find the love of his (sometimes her, but mostly his) life, have fantastic sex, and live happily ever after. While they're still shooting at him. Why do I bring this up? Because Charlie Stross of all people puts a love story in Singularity Sky. Granted having read his own views on his space opera series (he also claims it the result of a cynical rush of blood to the head) I'm inclined to forgive him. However. For the record... Happy love stories are mostly just ploys to keep the reader happy, both with sex and of course vicarious fulflilment. Also, eternal foreplay throughout the novel, with the characters suddenly becoming nervous, tingly or smiley but not doing anything about it is lame.  I point you in the direction of Anne MaCaffrey. Damn romantics.
I think this is one of the reasons I loved The Big U so much. Despite the fact that the protagonist (Casimir Radon) is totally badass, smart, nice and as physics geeks go, incredibly cool, he doesn't get the girl. But they remain friends and continue to fight the evil that is university bureacracy together. Neal Stephenson rocks. Amen.

Congratulations and Salutations; you're a figment of your own imagination

So yesterday I got into a conversation with Hillier, and I mentioned that I considered him wholesome. Being male, he of course objected and claimed I didn't know what he did. I explained I meant emotionally wholesome, well adjusted, "normal" without the bother of mediocrity, and he agreed. Which got me thinking about wholesomeness, optimism and all that jazz. And now I'm seriously wondering- How does one reconcile belief in God with cynicism?
I ask this question not because I am vehemently atheist and trying to trap those who belive into a logical argument- I have no bitterness towards religion, just a disgust that I think everyone shares towards what it can be used for. I am genuinely curious. So this is actually an open question to my readers- any thoughts?
(If you want I'll give you candy in return for thoughtful answers!)
In other news, closure is a good thing. Really. Sometimes you forget or ignore how things have been sitting unresolved, somewhere in your brain. Trust me, it's good to make that effort to confront the ghosts (shadows, echoes, regrets etc) of your past.  Whether its years later or weeks later, it makes you feel a lot better.

(no subject)

Video Games- Really that bad?
Thought Provoking, to say the least.

Abstinence Only

I want this shirt.

Text reads:
I gave my word
to stop at third.
1987 Teen Abstinence Day
Suffolk County Public Schools