The long dark teatime of the soul

Sunday evening, or what Douglas Adams used to call the long dark teatime of the soul, and I'm reflecting on the weekend's events with a full stomach and a glass of wine.

It's been a busy weekend. Saturday was taken up with a meeting of the London Atheists Meetup Group, a lively bunch of kindred spirits gathering in a pub to discuss what is to be done with the world. Atheism's important to me but I'm slightly nervous as to how it's going to go down in the US.

In the past it's never been a problem, and I don't think it will be in San Francisco, although it's not the case in other states such as Pennsylvania, where atheists are barred from holding public office. A recent Gallop poll found that an atheist was less likely to be voted for than women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals or the over 70s.

Beliefs are a personal matter, but with religious fervour on the rise it's worrying times. I'll not deny my atheism in conversation, but won't bring up the topic unless it's relevant, and always maintain a civil attitude to the religious. I may think they are wrong, but antagonism is useless – something Richard Dawkins would do well to remember when he's being so stupid with his cleverness.

Sunday was spent clearing out some of the detritus that has accumulated over time, mostly dead technology stuff, household paperwork and an astonishing pile of branded clothing given away as press freebies. But the surprise of the day was Sunday lunch.

R cooked a fantastic roast lamb as a goodbye treat and was rewarded when his team, Cardiff City, made it into the semi finals of the FA Cup. To those not into football this is as likely as George Bush declaring he's made a colossal mistake and not only should he not have invaded Iraq but he also wears a very fetching black leather bondage suit in his spare time. Oh if wishing made it so…