For those of you working with InfoPath, have a look at this post. It will definately help you out if you need to access a db or customise forms with logic.

SS

Having read a post from the awesome Saaleha.com, on a supposed ad from a bisexual Muslim women (shock and horror), I have decided to actually document my views on the world of religion.

First off I’m Christian for those who are new to my ramblings, I got baptized a few years ago. The decision to do so was based entirely on a feeling of absolute peace and belonging that I experience one day in a church. A feeling completely contrary to the feelings of discomfort I was used to when walking into temples or mosques. This is not saying anything against those building or the religions practiced therein, just a personal feeling.

So yeah, I’m christian. But over the last year or so I have come to realize that my viewpoint is slightly different from your standard christian person on a few points (this is not an exhaustive list…just what comes to mind right now):

1. Sex Before Marriage
   I simply cannot agree with the Churches (most religions actually) stand on this. To me sex is a Huge part of a relationship. Incompatibility in the bedroom can be a relationship killer, and I have gone through a few relationships where this has been the case. I would never be able to commit to someone where this was still a variable.
2. Homo / Bi Sexuality
   Most religions take on this is ‘Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve’. I find this laughable. I know many gay people and I know it was never a choice for them. I know others who are not gay but have had homosexual experiences. All in all it points to me to human sexuality being a sliding scale.The pastors I have heard speak about this have left me feeling angry at their lack of compassion. The basic message they deliver on this is that it isn’t morally right and that Christians should turn away from these urges if they experience them.

   I wonder if that same pastor would be able to turn away from his natural inclination (attraction to females) and allow himself to be guided towards a life of eventually committing to and living with a man. Would that pastor be able to live a complete fulfilled life? I think what they attempt to do when they counsel gay / bisexual people is exactly this, and I think it is cruel and completely reprehensible.

3. Their may be many sources of truth, but the bible is the only source against which truth can be measured
   What a load of crap. We Know the bible has been modified more times than there are versions of it. We know that there are huge contradictions within it. The church itself chooses to be selective (based on what they call context) on which parts of it they should follow. And yet they still maintain it is the only benchmark of truth.
4. There is only one Path to God
   This is the most ridiculously conceited position I have ever encountered. For a people that are meant to be humble this viewpoint is almost shocking. Being human I know that there is every possibility that I am wrong. I mean hell there might not even be a God (my heart tells me otherwise, but my heart is not a measurement of truth in any way) – wouldn’t we all be laughing stocks if this is the case.

I think that as long as you are true to your heart. And as long as you seek out God and remain true to whatever path you feel he has put in front of you, then hey you and I will meet on a Golden shore, long after this world is just a memory.

I am quite sure this will leave hard line Religious people very angry. But I had to get this off my chest. I mean these are the actual reason I no longer frequent my old church….not due to ‘backsliding’ as one of my Christian friends has put it.

What are your takes on the subject?

I have just discovered the song Praan, by Gary Schyman. It is awesome!!

For those who have not had the privelage of seeing the ‘wherethehellismatt’ videos, see below

Praan is the song that is the backtrack….and with any luck will be the second song performed at my wedding reception next year

A while back we started noticing that the shower was leaking water out the side of its base onto the bathroom floor. Now this isn’t some fiberglass moulded shower base, its a proper cement and brick number with slate tiles on top of it. So for it to leak is a Big deal.

The first thing I did was call out a Leak detection firm called ‘leak patrol’ (their name is in smalls on purpose due to their complete lack of competence). They came out and proceeded to tell me that the cause of the leak was either the shower trap or due to a sunken shower base which caused leaking between the floor and wall tiling.

I  completely disagreed with this finding, cos

1. I saw the shower base installed and I know it was a decent install
2. I BOUGHT the waterproofing that would prevent the above two from happening and saw it laid down too.
3. I bought the new shower trap that went into the shower.

So I Knew that it wasn’t any of those.

So I took the next logical step for what to me was obvious structural damage (as opposed to damage caused by a lack of maintenance), and called in the insurance assessor. Who proceeded to tell me the same thing that the other guy did.

So basically we were left with no option but to start the repair work on our own.

The contractor came in. Ripped up the shower base and all the tiles. And went home for the day. That night it rained. And the now dry shower area (where the base used to be) was suddenly dark gray with seeping water. Coming from OUTSIDE the apartment.

So the problem then was due to a leak coming from outside. which caused the shower base to become water logged. which caused it to sink a bit. which caused water from the shower itself to seep in and cause further damage.

So now, after a whole process, the insurance has been called back. the shower area has been sealed with fiberglass. The contractor will be back tomorrow to start with the laying of the shower base. The tiling will start this weekend or next week. So the nightmare will soon be over.

And the insurance will be getting a far bigger bill than if they had just picked up the correct issue in the first place and had just fixed the original leak.

It is positively freezing here in the City under the mountain. And its raining. And there is gale force winds predicted for later today.

And as per the norm the populace has forgotten how to drive. I remember having blogged about this ages ago, and I really think that a helpline for people with no driving skills in the rain would be a huge success…well if the drivers here are anything to go by.

I really don’t like cold weather. It slows me down and gets my joints to hurt. It makes my muscles sore and makes me not want to get out of bed in the morning. Strangely (and speaking of beds) some people (the lovely lady I’m with being one of them) find the cold weather a total turn on. I dont. It kicks my mojo in the nuts and then runs off laughing.

To me Spring is the ultimate time of year. It is the perfect balance of warm pleasant nights and…well…warm pleasant days. Perfect for long sessions involving candles and wine, or no candles or wine…thats fine too.

But winter? No. Hate it. With a passion.

Or a lack of passion as it would be in this case.