meme questions again

[pook41]

These questions are from Shayenne. Sorry about that grasshopper.

1. Why did you join the army, and did the expectations (whatever they may have been) live up to the reality?

 I joined the Army Reserve to earn money to help me through University. My Regiment was the Adelaide University Regiment. Although it was set up as an infantry unit, its main function was to train officers for Reserve units.

 My expectations lived up to reality. I thought it would be physically tough and it was but it was mentally draining too which I didn’t expect. I play goalkeeper in soccer so I was used to throwing myself around and keeping reasonably fit but it’s a different story, running about, carrying a pack, webbing and a rifle. I was a signaller for all of my career so I had to carry a radio on my back as well. It’s not all brawn. There’s a lot more thinking and intelligence involved in most things that I was involved in than what most civies would think. And to keep the level of intensity required up for a two week camp was demanding. My time in the Army has given me a tremendous appreciation of what all soldiers went though in WWII etc fighting for 6 years.

 The esprit de corps of AUR was terrific. After the tough stuff, we had a great time – lots of parties etc. I met Mr Pook in the Army. Although I said I joined for the money, most females said they’d joined to meet guys. There’s something about a man in uniform.

2. Pick one of these two statements and discuss: David Beckham is a squeaky little has-been; or, David Beckham could change the face of Australian soccer if only we could afford him.

Becks is a has-been. I never rated him as a player except for his crossing and his free kicks. He was slow [physically and mentally] and his temperament was questionable. He kicked that Argie and got sent off and cost the Poms that quarter final in Japan I think.

3. They're making a movie "The Life of [Unknown site tag]pook41". What actress will take the starring role as Pook, and why do you pick them?
   

I keep thinking of Life of Brian  - ‘she’s not the messiah, she’s just a naughty girl’ Toni Collette –  I like her in the movies she’s done. She seems like a fun person and wouldn’t mind throwing herself in the mud to play me. Although I think she may object to some of things I’ve done to sheep in my scientific career. Mr Pook would be played by George Clooney but I would have to try him [that is George] first to see if he was okay for the part. ; )

4. I think I have a pretty fair idea of your views on religion. With that in mind: do humans have souls? What is a "soul"?

 I don’t believe in the religious notions of the ‘soul’. I prefer to think that it is our inner mind or voice. Do we have a consciousness that lives on after we die? No, I don’t believe in that but I can understand why people need the comfort of that idea.

5. You don't strike me as a person who will tamely agree to go along with the flow. What's your soapbox, the one thing that will make you shake with the injustice of it all, or with anger, and that will make you argue the point with whomever you're talking to, even if it's highly inappropriate, offensive, or downright rude?

 Religion and it’s increasing influence in the world today. From idiots like the state based religions like Talaban, Iran and Saudi Arabia that make people fly into building and strap explosives to their bodies and killing as many people as possible because they think they’ll get 70 virgins or whatever the evil dicks tell them. Or to the equally religious nutters in the US that set up Creation museums and create dubious mumbo jumbo like Intelligent Design to debunk Evolution and setting back science 200 years. Creationists can’t or won’t see the evidence – it questions their faith. Do they still believe that the sun goes around the Earth? If we can’t explain it today than a mystical powerful creator/God has to have done it. That is was what ID is. The eye ball couldn’t evolve by itself – it’s far too complex. Okay if ID is correct and God did it then why did he produce an organ that has so many defects in it – why do people need glasses.  If God is so powerful to create the Universe – why can’t he/she/it prevent nutters flying planes into buildings or a something simple like stopping Mr Pook from having a brain tumour?

 Read this website for more info :http://www.venganza.org/gospel.htm

 Religion is okay if you just use the moral guidelines to live by but don’t try and convert me or force your religion/tenets on me. I want to think for myself.

 I’ll just get off my soap box now. And duck for cover.

Great questions!

 

Comments

[shayenne.livejournal.com]

Excellent answers!

Couldn't agree more about the ID stuff. That was purely something some wally in the states came up with to appease the creationists. And you know they still don't teach evolution in Kansas? *rolls eyes*

[pook41.livejournal.com]

I got a bit carried away with #5 but you did ask what gets the ol' BP going up