Finished God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. The audio version is read by the author, which is cool because he tended to tone down the at times harsh criticism of religion today. He is very matter-of-fact about it all, a man sure of his message. Of course there is nothing earth shaking there, just a lot of previously known facts organized to support his claim, which is the subtitle of the book. How Religion Poisons Everything. Pretty strong words, but he leaves little doubt there is a strong case for his assertions. Of course my bias is evident even to me, having observed it for myself many, many times since my teenage years, starting with the catholic sister that threw a classmate down a couple of stairs during some ritual practice. So I didn't learn much, but he brings to light the real stories behind Gandhi and mother Theresa.

I have started reading Plato's Republic, and listening again to The Teaching Company's Great Minds of the Western World. I have about a month, then I will have to stop most of my recreation reading and listening.

I have been sick for the past few days. I thought I would be rid of it today, but after working in the yard for a time and doing other chores, I decided to go to Home Depot and buy some wood chisels I need to finish the floor in the back room. I also wanted to check out screen protection film for the tablet. I realized in the hardware store I wasn't one hundred percent, even had that surreal feeling you sometimes get when you're sick. I came home and took a nap, but still feel like shit.

On the way to work Monday I decided to stop at Wal-Mart to get some orange juice. I needed that and some money, so making my selection I proceeded to the checkout. It was early, so they had only one door unlocked for patrons. As I made my way forward I noticed there was only one check stand open, the express they usually have in the middle of the store. This was irritating because it is farthest from the only door open to the outside world. As I approach the checkout I am sizing up the clerk because I am in a hurry, of course, I'm on my way to work. Anyway, it is an old lady, and she is moving slow. Not only that, but she is one of those clerks that doesn't like a cluttered belt. These cashiers tend to take things from the belt so as to leave it idle, leaving one item in a spot that will hold the belt in place. The belt will be full, and a customer will be standing there holding things (especially true in an express lane) waiting for the belt to move so they can put their things down. This happens a lot at the commissary on base, customers will be standing there with a full cart waiting to empty it, and they can't because the belt is full at one end. There are quite a few cashiers there that do this, and when I get one I simply start piling shit on top of the groceries already there. These are the exact same cashiers that will wait until they are completely finished serving a customer before flicking the switch that calls another customer. They are the reason the commissary posts a manager to direct customers to check stands. They have this wonderful system set up, and they can't use it because cashiers do this, and rather than tell the employee about it, they pay a manager to stand there and play traffic cop.

Anyway, this was the case as I'm standing there holding a bottle of orange juice. It's not heavy, so I'm more disturbed about the many items the lady in front of me is buying, and how slowly the old cashier is moving than the need to hold on to my orange juice. We have come to expect this from Wal-Mart, and generally avoid going in there. They are one of the few stores around here open 24 hours though.