It's funny how, when you just shut up and listen, people think you are interesting.

 Firstly, thank you, Geon, for your interest in my blog and sorry that I haven't responded.

My mate Geon

To be honest, it has been an interesting week.

I got a call out, the other day, to a guy named Ben, who had a very badly blocked toilet. It took a couple of days to sort things out because his drain was blocked too. I got to spend too much quite a bit of time with Ben. Ben was a talker who didn't need any replies. Whenever I said something, he just carried on with what he wanted to tell me or started a new topic. My words were wasted. Funnily enough, I could have got the job done quicker if he had just shut up and listened. I'm not too sure how he relieved himself on the night in between. As I said, I couldn't get a word in.

A conversation should leave room for both people to listen and then say things. It requires both people to listen to what the other person is saying. It appears that some people just don't understand the concept of listening. 

There you go.

Again, thanks to Geon for showing so much interest in my blog.

Don't be a Catholic!

 Hi all.

I've recently been to a film about how Catholics and nuns (particularly) treated single young mums in Ireland.

'Small Things Like These.'

Gosh! The Catholic church has SO MUCH to answer for! It's full of sickos! I'm glad that I've passed through my 'let's find god' period unscathed!

Just a short post today because I'm working and there seem to be lots of blocked toilets. If you're using lots of toilet paper, flush halfway through the procedure but remember, "The job's not over until the paperwork's done."

Pope Donald Trump?

 Is there any truth in the rumour that Donald Trump is planning to stand for Pope?

"I'll get Elon to take care of those Cardinals.
Yeah, it's doable."

The big question is can Elon buy off the voting Cardinals? Well, that would really put those billions of Catholics in line behind the Don. 'Pope Donald I' would obviously be making a few changes. Here are a few that he might consider:

• No Catholics in Hell. Only other silly religions, like Protestants.
• He'd sort of have to go easy on bonking outside of marriage.
• He'd add fries to the transubstantiation ceremony.
• He'd be given credit in The Bible, take over selling rights and the price of the book would be increased. 
• Women would be able to help with cleaning up churches and making snacks available for priests.

Let's wait and see what happens when the voting starts.

Block! Unblock!

I've got a slightly later start this morning. I've got two toilets to unblock and they asked me to come in earlier, but I pretended that I had a dentist appointment. One client evidently was not enthused by the wait. I guess that he should have been more careful with how much toilet paper he uses. 

I see that, at the Vatican, they're getting ready to elect a new pope. Lots of cardinals will be involved.

What sort of pope will they elect? One who thinks he knows how full Hell is? One who doesn't like Protestants? It is funny how many Catholics are convinced that they are following the one true god. This religion has a pretty checkered past too. Remember the Spanish Inquisition?

"The Spanish Inquisition was a judicial institution established in 1478 by Ferdinand and Isabella to combat heresy in Spain. However, in practice, it served to consolidate power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom through brutal methods. It was not definitely abolished until 1834."

Ferdinand and Isabella were Catholic monarchs. There was also a Roman Inquisition and a Portuguese Inquisition. 

It's a puzzle to me how people can support this religion, and to think that I was interested in joining!

I've been trying to learn some guitar. I bought an instrument.

I've had a bit of trouble trying to tune it. I broke one of the strings and had to take it back to the shop. A guy there replaced the string and tuned it. I'm sure I heard him mutter, "Dumb arse!" under his breath.

I've been watching some lessons online and bought a book that shows you chords. I might need to get some help from Richard (of RBB).

Okay, time to get moving. Though no one is expecting me until after 10. I'd better pop over and check out Geon's latest post first.

Have a good Monday.

I've made it!

 Geon and his Agony Aunt are reading my blog! That means I'm in! 

Geon

I'm now an official member of a blogging community that pulls in a lot of readers! has a few readers.

This is even more exciting than being a plumber!

Hey, I've given up on religion and I like the stuff that Geon has been writing. I'll be keeping a close eye on his Agony Aunt for advice too! Life feels good as an atheist. 

Yippee yidely yo!

A blogging I will go!

No more room for religious crap,

But I sure can fix your tap!

Yippee yidely yo!

A blogging I will go!

I feel like a boast,

Wait 'til you see my upcoming posts!

Have fun boys and put sin in the bin!

What if Joseph had been a plumber?

 

Rather than a carpenter?

Even though he didn't get to REALLY be the father of Jesus, he could have helped out the locals more than just building things. Sanitation could have improved. Also, plumbers are pretty well paid when you need one. 

Think about it. How would you go using something like this?

Well, at least you'd have company.

It's unlikely that God needs to go to the toilet, but, if He did, He might need three of these toilets - don't forget God the Son and God the Bird. Though, I suppose that God the Bird would just go from a tree, or something similar.

* * *

I'm going off religion a bit at the moment. There are too many questions that seem to have silly answers. Adam and Eve certainly don't seem to fit in with evolution. If evolution is true, as it seems to be, where does Original Sin fit in? The dying on the cross thing might have been a waste of time too. If it ever happened. I think I'm going to keep an open mind, but I certainly won't be getting baptised as a Catholic. I'll just try to live a good life and be nice to people, even Geon. I don't think the Salvation Army is really for me either. Brass bands aren't my favourite style of music. 

Have fun boys, and don't get hung up on sin.

I'll need a cornet for this one.

 

I'll be honest, I'm not impressed by the Catholic god and his original sin thing. In a comment on my last post Robert mentioned salvation. I think he might have been referring to the Salvation Army. Hey, those guys have brass bands!

I mentioned before that I like the sound of a cello but, when I was at secondary school, I actually took trumpet lessons for a couple of years. I haven't played it since, but I know that the cornet is very similar to play. All the notes and fingerings are the same as those on the trumpet. This could be the right church for me! AND there's no original sin to worry about!

Here's some info on the Salvation Army.

"We've been transforming lives since 1865. When William and Catherine Booth began the work in London that would grow to become The Salvation Army, few would have predicted their legacy: an organisation, part of the Christian Church, now working in more than 130 countries and with a history spanning more than 150 years. Throughout this time there have been millions of members, and people have been helped right across the world – but this movement had humble beginnings.

Born in 1829 in Nottingham, UK, William Booth found his Christian faith early on in life and became an active Methodist, preaching and helping the poor in his local area. After some time working as a pawnbroker, he moved with his wife Catherine Mumford to the east of London. The two of them began working with a group of Christian businessmen who were concerned for the poor and disadvantaged in their community. In June 1865, William Booth preached to crowds outside the Blind Beggar pub; a new organisation, The Christian Mission, was born.

Over the next few years, the movement flourished. Its focus on teaching people about the message of Jesus in a way they could relate to, meeting wherever they could – dance halls, bowling alleys and outdoors – as well as addressing some of their material needs, saw many people become Christians. Despite opposition from parts of the public who disliked some of the Booths’ methods and style, many joined.

Their focus on those who had been rejected by the traditional churches was key. All were welcome – including those impoverished and disadvantaged.

It was in 1878 that The Christian Mission got its present name. William Booth objected to a phrase contained in that year’s annual report: ‘The Christian Mission … is a Volunteer Army.’ By replacing the word ‘volunteer’, The Salvation Army had its new title and with it an inspired metaphor for its role in fighting the injustices of society and in bringing people to understand God. Over time, the organisation gained military-style titles (ministers are ‘officers’, for example) and even uniforms designed to publicly demonstrate a commitment to God."

There you go, no mention of original sin. I got in touch and they said that they could lend me a cornet! I'm very tempted, AND I'd look good in that uniform.

I'll keep you informed. Time to think about getting ready for work.

Hey, I see that Geon did a fake interview with me on his blog. Maybe I should do one with him on mine.

Something like this...

Rick Tim Bagno: Hi, today we've got a guest who is keen to have a chat. He goes by the name The Curmudgeon, but I like to call him Geon. Hi Geon.

The Curmudgeon: Hi Bongo. Hey, I don't want to be on your silly blog.

Rick Tim Bagno: You should have thought of that before you did that silly 'interview' with me. 

The Curmudgeon: Hey Bongo, I'm saying that I don't want to do this!

Rick Tim Bagno: You should have thought of that before you picked on me. So, what's your plan for today. A fight at the tennis club? Golf, where you won't play against anyone else?

The Curmudgeon: None of your business!

Rick Tim Bagno: But I can make you say anything on here because I am writing it. Here goes.

The Curmudgeon: I love you Rick and I love your blog. I'm also very fond of that friend of yours, Phillip Edward Nis. I think that your blog is really taking off and I'm sorry that I was skeptical at first. I wouldn't want to be a Catholic again. Do they use bagpipes in the Salvation Army band? I used to fancy myself as a bagpiper.

Rick Tim Bagno: No, they don't usually have bagpipes. It's a brass band. We should have a round of golf sometime. I'm only down in Auckland.

The Curmudgeon: I'd love that! It's time I started playing with other people. Firstly, though, I'm going to have a very careful read of your blog. From what I've already read I can see it is top notch. Better than mine, I have to say. What a pleasure it is to be interviewed on your blog! Thank you with all my heart!

Rick Tim Bagno: You're welcome, Geon.