Did the Baby Boomer’s Show Boom or Bust?

What am I talking about? On June 7, 2008, there was a “Baby Boomer’s Show” at the Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. I attended that, and they have another one coming up in November. I will not be attending that one.

I have to say that I was there rather early. In fact, I was there before the wine garden opened. Who ever heard of a wine garden opening after the event has been open for a couple hours? Then again, who ever heard of a wine garden open for breakfast? I don’t drink wine, so I don’t know about these things. I just remember the countdown to the opening of the wine garden, and I did NOT feel a breeze rush by as people ran for it.

In fact, only one guy seemed to be anxious to get to it, and I think it is more than a hobby for him. He left a presentation early to get to it. How rude is that? Oh, rudeness will be handled in one of my blogs too. Don’t worry that I am letting that slip by.

As far as attendance, it really seemed like a bust when I was there. There was plenty of elbow room, knee room, in fact a LOT of body room, plenty of candy left in their bowls, and to tell you the truth, I think the only people entering the drawings for gift baskets were other exhibitors. They were wandering around bored as heck. Fortunately, not many of them tried to hustle me into their corner of the world to sell me.

I can’t be sold anyway. I used to sell, so I know the tricks. Would you like 4 cans of this pesticide, or will 3 be enough? “I only came in here for one” But you said the bugs are taking over, and I think the 6 cans you were looking at would be a good selection. Of course, if you want to go cheap, we could go for only 5 cans. So, should I charge these 8 cans to your credit card, or will you be giving me cash?

Of course, I didn’t reach into the trap to take candy out of their bowl unless they were looking the other way. I know how to play the mousetrap game, and I got a few pieces scott free. Ooops, I don’t want to offend our Scottish friends, but I am part Scottish so I can do that. I got it Scott free.

If I needed a sun room with lights pointed into it, new windows to protect me from glare of the fluorescent bulbs, water by bottle or osmosis, elective surgery, laser procedures, a new body, financial planning and investment advice (several of those), candles, diets, catering, barbeques, hot tubs, banks, laser, doctors, investment advice, makeup, laser, doctors, investment advice, or travel, it was the perfect place for me. Oh wait, I think it was all about the wine garden. Did I mention that they charged to get into the wine garden? Just go to Trader Joe’s and buy a few bottles of wine for that price.

Come to think of it, I guess that is what Baby Boomers need. Laser and investments. And wine. Oh, and don’t forget the big motorcycles there for mid life crisis. Let’s head to Sturgis. I only want to see Mt. Rushmore and the big carved Crazy Horse. Honest.

It really wasn’t very big, I thought it would have much more. I was very disappointed. I ended up with my bag of goodies. Other than the few candies I tossed in it real quick, I did my job of recycling. I am glad I wasn’t an exhibitor there. Of course, I have nothing to sell but dry wit, and that doesn’t go with dry wine from the garden. It left me wanting more, and wondering why I parked in the lower parking lot and walked up that hill.

Maybe it was because I was expecting more, maybe it was because the website looked good, or maybe it was because I was sold the extra cans of pesticide, I decided I needed to go. I got home with an empty feeling, and realizing that maybe they sold me after all.

The Opinionator

Does Religion Have Purpose?

Okay, before you go off on this topic and tell me YES IT HAS A PURPOSE, READ EZEKIAL or whatever you want to refer me to, just read the whole thing. If you don’t agree with it, leave a comment so I can make fun of you. If you do agree with it, leave a comment so I can make fun of you. This is opinion and I am the Opinionator. That means I write it, you read it.

What is religion? Is it a belief in God? Not necessarily, because you don’t have to believe in God to be religious. What about that cult that thought the comet was going to take them to a new planet? How does this work? Wikipedia (we know they are the ultimate arbiter of all areas of knowledge) defines religion as:

“A religion is a set of beliefs and practices, often centered upon specific supernatural and moral claims about reality, the cosmos, and human nature, and often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term “religion” refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.”

Come again? Let’s just make it simple. Religion is any group that has a common Dogma. That means an opinion, belief, or common tenet. That’s all religion is. That is why Hindus, that don’t believe in the God of Abraham are a religion, Wicca and Paganism are religions with or without a God, and I would argue that even Agnosticism and Atheism are religions because they have a common belief, opinion, or tenet. I bet religious nutcases are liking me now. They will dismiss this last sentence because the true nutcases don’t believe they are nutcases so you can’t offend them.

Try this. Go down to the Farmer’s Market in SLO and walk up to the Atheist booth when they actually have it set up again. Tell them they are a religion and watch them squirm. I argued this with them until they were red in the face, and one had to walk away before he blew up. The truth is, they have a common belief, common dogma, and unite to become a religion. Now to offend the Christians.

You may not have realized what I just said. I said that these people that want you out of the schools and government are a religion just like your church with a Pastor. Yep, you are brothers. That is good fuel for you to have in your next argument with them, though. Oh, Christians arguing with non-believers? That is my next point, control

Religions for years have been used to control people. If you can lead the people to believe you are their one path and savior, you can get them to do anything, including have sex with you. Ummmhmmmm Billy Graham? Yes, there are some stains on Christianity, including a few battles back in the olde days when people would not conform, including the Pagan Incas and Mayans that were decimated by diseases. Oh, and what about the integrity of religious holidays?

Christmas? Pagan Yule. Easter? Pagan Mardi Gras. Halloween? Just plain fun. Why this connection between Christians and Pagans? Because when the prophets set out to convert the world to follow Jesus, they had to entice them. You don’t come into someplace and fight them and tell them they are now going to follow your beliefs. Oh wait, the Crusades did that. But the Prophets did not have an army. They had to be sneaky. They had to trick the people into thinking it was just the same thing they were doing already, so they would follow them. That is like going to a playground and saying, “You can all be nurses. All you have to do is play on the swings and put bandages on people.” Hey, all the kids in the playground will want to be nurses now, and you can brag that you have a well tended health care system. Oh, that’s another topic we will deal with.

Do you follow the logic? Preach to these people, tell them it is what they already have but better because Jesus will save them and God will forgive them, and they will go to heaven instead of hell. They will follow you with no problem. Oh, but what about our holidays? Well, let’s just include those too. We will just change the name so everyone else will think we are original and didn’t just steal you that easily. Then we can say you were converted to Christianity. Okay.

Here are the two things I want to say about religion.

First, it has been used through the centuries to control people. Set up Stonehenge and Machu Picchu to predict when we should plant things and when there will be an eclipse. Say that you were told this by a deity, and people will believe you have the power and will follow you. It’s an age old smoke and mirrors trick to get people to follow you. That is the main thing you need to understand about religion. It makes people conform and follow so you have ultimate power.

Second, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Pagans, and Muslims are all the same. For God’s sake, look at it. What do you see? Do good. Don’t kill. Be kind. Respect. Live right. Treat yourself right. Don’t get out of hand. Come on, does each religion really think they have the exclusive right on these virtues? It is ALL THE SAME. If people are doing good, then they are religious. If they are respectful, they are religious. Not just one religion, ALL religions. Think about it. Give, help, do, be good, respect, what is all of that? It is just a prescription to get along in society. Hey, I guess that means that society uses religion as much as religion uses society.

Religion has a purpose. It keeps people busy, and controls them. Bada bing.

What about religion on the Central Coast? HAH! That will be a multi part section when I can get to it. I have a lot more to do now.

The Opinionator

Hello world! The Opinionator is here

Thank you for viewing my Blog. I intend to pan just about everything I can. If there is anything to compare, I will do my best to compare it for you as well. Tell me what matters to you. Contact me if you don’t agree with what I say, so I can mock you on my blog. Remember, these are MY OPINIONS, not law, not the Bible, and not the only expression available. In fact, speaking of the Bible, let’s start with that. My next blog will be about religion and the use of it by society. I hope you will enjoy my writing for what it is, writing. If I report weekly, daily, or monthly, don’t get offended, don’t get in a huff, and don’t get an attitude. If you live in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, King City, or just pass through here, you may be interested in what I have to say. It is opinion only, and should be taken as such. In fact, this will be noted on all my opinion blog posts. Enjoy and smile a little Life is too hard already, why spend it with a lot of frowning?

The Opinionator