Where was this, my first time around?

After a quick perusal of these questions, some of them could have been handy up front with the marriage counselor instead of the back end with the divorce counselor. As they say "hindsight is 20/20"... Truer words were never spoken. And for those of you out there thinking about getting hitched - being "equally yoked" doesn't insure a damn thing - just my 2 cents worth...

Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying

1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?

2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?

3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?

4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?

5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?

6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?

7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?

8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?

9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?

10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?

11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?

12) What does my family do that annoys you?

13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?

14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?

15) Do each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?

Organized religion at work

I've always had my issues with organized religion - hypocracy being one of my top 5 reasons to not be part of the circus... It always saddens me when an organization that has the potential to rise above so much pettiness decides to just wallow in the easiest and usually most repugnant response to issues of our day. Now, everyone has their opinions about homosexuals, and yes, some of you may be able to quote chapter and verse on "God's stance" on the issue... but you'll never be able to convince me that you have been made sole guardian of the faith, who's purpose is to root out evil where it may be and be judge and jury over something that is God's right and only his right alone. Why is it that organized religion always "empowers" people to think they're better than everyone else? At what price will you keep your correcteness? There is nowhere in the bible that says that gays need to be rooted out and stoned and whatever God has in store for them, if you believe any of the rhetoric at all, is none of your business. As this article illustrates, you "churchies" can take your WWJD stickers and bracelets and shove 'em...

His words not mine

Just another opinion about the war in Iraq - the spin is that this is coming from a Marine. Just food for thought...

Scary Mary

Now, this is totally genius...