looking for a savior on these dirty streets

did you know?

kapparot: jewish "atonements" that usually come in the form of chicken slaughter.  apparently the chicken is first held by the shoulder blades while sins are transferred onto/into the chicken by moving one's head.  after the death, the chicken is given to the poor.  in addition to animal rights concerns, some rabbis don't like it because they view sacrifice as "inferior to prayer".

the word drew my attention, for obvious reasons. 

thanks to errol morris for my new, poli-sci-geek userpics.  reading certain navel-gazing journals has made me all the more conscious of how much I say in my lj that's not related to food or purchases or my living conditions or music.  this one journal lists such things in minute detail, saying that everything she eats or sees or buys is perfect, beautiful, brilliant, lovely, etc.  it makes me think that people who consistently list their lives' details and discuss their wondrousness must be really insecure or pained and on the hunt for self-consolation.  anyhow, for some ironic reason these pics put me at peace with my new layout.

much thanks to kim for her tori amos.