"New" (little-known) Einstein letter on religion

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/12/peopleinscience.religion

"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.

For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people."

God the Ineffable

http://www.jesusandmo.net/2008/05/13/stop/

Shopping, hrmph

A while back my fitted sheet started coming apart somehow; I dug out leftovers (from my 1st-year roommate?) but it's not really long enough. I finally went to Target to replace it properly. Few colors or patterns I wanted, especially at the 600 thread count 100% cotton level. I kept looking and dithering, and noticing the smell rising from the plastic containers, or maybe the sheets inside the bags. Then I noticed organic cotton sheets, claiming no or minimal chemicals. Colors weren't great, only 250 thread count, but still felt decent, and avoiding toxic smells started seeming good. Only, all they had in stock were twin and king sizes, and I've got a double/full bed. I went away frustrated, thinking of the Internet.

My backpack, which is pretty nice, and I got for I don't remember how much in my neighborhood in Chicago, but probably under $30, has a hole in the bottom. I've been thinking of taking it to the A Stich In Time for repairs, but haven't, and Anime Central is this weekend and I might go to it. So I checked out the backpacks section as well... $50-60 everywhere, and the air reeked of plastic fumes. Didn't get anything, and I'm thinking fondly of my old leather backpack, which I finally gave up; probably left it behind as trash in Chicago. The padded straps on my current one are more comfortable, really.