Wireless

I successfully changed out our broadband router, splitter do-hicky thingy – for a slicker, smooth-white ipod-y looking thingy that also does wireless broadband Internet access.

I only had to dial up one call centre (though I did have to navigate through about 50 touchtone menus). And you know what, they gave my the password to my husband’s new email account – and all I had to know was our address and his mother’s maiden name. I had to do that ’cause I couldn’t register the broadband without it.

I didn’t break anything or put any holes through walls and I only swore quite a lot. My marriage wasn’t under threat at any point (though I do wonder the Vol-in-Law didn’t do this himself, given that it was on his account).

Today was a good day.

A different take on gay marriage

Here’s one I hadn’t heard before:

First of all, I do not believe that the Biblical definition of marriage is a union between man and woman. Marriage, as defined by God, is a covenant between man, woman, and God. Many non-Christians marry every year in Tennessee. Their marriages aren’t Biblical, but they are alright with that. They are legal though. So from a Christian standpoint, there shouldn’t be any difference between two non-Christians marrying and two homosexuals marrying. Why do we allow one “non Christian” marriage and not the other? Why are we so concerned about what two homosexuals are doing that we are willing to go to the trouble of passing a constitutional amendment defining marriage? The reason to me is simple. Many of us, obviously the majority, have an extra bit of contempt for homosexuals. What it amounts to is bigotry. I know I am in the minority on this, but think about it. Why would we even care one iota about what two homosexuals are doing, unless there was something spiritually wrong with us?

Although I suppose I’m ethnically Protestant, I wouldn’t consider myself to be a card-carrying Christian anymore (or at the time of my wedding). So I guess, my marriage falls into the same category as any old non-Christian – or even homosexual marriage. And Glen Dean apparently thinks that should be OK.

I can’t say I’ve ever heard this particular argument before – but if it’s one that makes you feel better, great. I guess in a way it’s more liberal and laissez-faire than my own reasons for supporting gay marriage.

Deer park

Yesterday we took a long walk in Richmond Deer Park. It was one of the first weekend days with a bit of blue sky that I can remember.

We went down to the lake and saw Sam the dozy looking English shephard mix nosing around the water, upsetting the swans. The swans were hissing and spitting. His owners were concerned – as well they might have been – a swan can break you arm with one beat of its mighty wing. They kept calling “Sam, Sam” – but in a nice sweet way. Sam ignored them and the swans.

These swans were mighty upset with Sam.

Then we walked past a big open field of dry bracken. I didn’t really notice anything special about it at first, but then the Vol-in-Law pointed out that the field was full of deer. They are about the same color as the bracken and only their antlers were poking over the top of the dead vegetation.

Feral

Feral parakeets live in South London. Refugees from the pet trade, there are colonies all up and down the Thames. There are quite a few in Richmond Deer Park. They squawk and squeak and unfortunately usually stay too high up in the trees to get good pictures of them.