rhino

There is of course a lot of uses for PM's. I'm just largely voicing partly what I hear in PM's ... and othe places, including forums. And I'm trying to do an expanded according to guessage as to what maybe excie is referring to. IF there was any heavy handedness from Paw "leaning" on people to not discuss soemthing, or not go to certain sites or fellowships or not hang with your possessed families ... that might be an issue to discuss. I haven't had Pawtucket try to tell me anything like that. There is a lot at this place that accomplishes the prime directive ... so that is good.

Sure it is ... but like I think I said ... that was a very public event, and could have been dealt with very openly ... but there seemed the core of people that live underground ... that pawtucket climbed down in the cellar to deal with for 8 hours ... because they were the underground people ...and they are an important groundswell that influence Pawtucket ... are they hobbits? Why was all his time involved with the gsc underground during this "crisis" instead of making a simple statement like I said? I'm amplifying it all maybe ... but just saying yes, people/hobbits want to say things in private that they might be embarrassed for others to see in public. I think my point was there is another subculture that happens in the PM world. Call it human nature if you want. By nature humans are carnivores I suppose, and they use tools to hunt. excie probably said more in 3 lines ...

In that case I think a general post to express that he didn't believe Sogwap was or should be saying her opinion applied to everyone, yet she did have a valid view that should be heard ... would have covered a lot of ground. I PM'ed him too, maybe he pm'ed me first because of a post on that subject. Maybe that is the way he handle his friends ... and it may be fine ... but tedious undershepherding ... But still it DOES seem to indicate, there is this more private PM world ... and that case seems indicative of how it works. It may well be that Pawtucket handled it perfectly ... and in a sense I was then on the "opposite" side of where some seem to perceive me now. But there is a group that have known each other longer than I have been around, many for 5-8 years ... active in doing TWI battle on the net. So I recognize that there are bonds on many levels ... and if you note I said I don't think P's "favoritism" has made much difference. I think a fair view of what I have said here and there is mostly Paw positive ... The bans I've seen I'd have done sooner, the eight hours he spent was because he cared, most likely. But this is not really about pawtucket so much ... excie was fairly vague and asking for input. Seems we are getting some ... This last Bumpy thread may be a hint ... he suppsoedly was getting at some secret dig that he intended with his New Year message. I couldn't find it ... but the more spiritual had unearthed it and revealed him for his arrogance. Maybe they are right ... But I don't think Bumpy is the real issue, that just came to mind .. I think other/another long time person prodded this thread ... but excie made it quite broad .. so it is open for more input ... There will be a test on Friday ... and your essays are due on Wednesday. (and I think George St. Geroge offered 9% of his income to support the site :o ) Well, he said he would leave if Pawtucket demanded 10%, so 9% seems a good starting point ... for George ... I'm thinking more like a penny a post ... but that would be a guidleline ... maybe go by words ... but my words are such quality, they are a value ... so I should be paid ... but most of you guys just yack, so you should pay double I can keep brainstorming if this is helping .....

A large number of people start the year drunk ... :o but it is a nice thought to consider good things ahead ... situps ... excercise bike .... I don't clean windows or play volleyball now, I better do something ... of course everyone says excercise, hmmm ... what else ... ????

From the quote I gave, as I said, it seemed that incident fit the description exactly. In any case, that Pawtucket was so busy PM'ing in that situation, indicates another level of interaction at the PM level.

It seems one incident you seem to refer to was with Sogwap, and after a brief discussion I think she agreed she could really only talk about her experience and view. But before that was quite an onslaught, which did not really promote an atmosphere where this "new person" could express her other experinces at HQ ... but she was thick skinned enough to stick around, and even Pawtcuket stepped in to ask for some restraint. But I remember then thinking PawTucket should have said her views were just her opinion in a post, maybe he did, but I think he aslo said he spent like 8 hours pm'ing various offended parties. YIKES ... that is part of what I mean by this PM'ing underworld, though I have no idea if that part is the seedy part ... Most communities have their little seedy underbelly ... like Loretta Lynn sang about the Harper Valley PTA ... except this is the online version Most I think, are like me, and mostly have posted publicly ... but some seem to perceive some underground agenda that want to control the direction of the place ... I don't know, I just go by what Pawtucket put in the mission statement. So stuff happens, not that big of a deal probably, but it might be better to remain respectful, even when the other side isn't. But you said "we are ALL free to post here and as long as we remain respectful, we generally are treated with that same courtesy that we offer others." That "tit for a tat" stance can lead to escalation when perceived slights are returned with slightly more animosity, till there is war. But no one is perfect in that regard. I'm not really speaking of your posts Rascal, becasue I don't follow all those threads you are mostly in. When I see some of the Bumpy altercations, I am usually at a loss for what is going on, and what the heart of the issue is.

Certainly it is Pawtucket's place, but as he said it is also a community of ex TWI folks. As far as I can tell, I can express any opinions I want here. But some would say there is a seedy underbelly of PM's where people are treated differently ... I don't know much of that world. I'm just talking on the level of the open forum stuff, with frequent visits to the chat room. But I think more and more, cyber relationships are real, in their own sense, and it is a good thing. I spent a couple years in a small alzheimer's support group ... it was it's own little thing, I never knew faces or real names, but it was a real experience, there was even real mourning for cyber people. There are many world's like that which relate to a certain segment of our lives. There are times to move on I suppose, but I'm not sure why some seem to want to advise that people just go away, rather than try to improve what can be a good thing. I'd think discussing the thing openly makes it better. If it is thought to be rotten to the corps core , then maybe it is evil and it is better to dwell somewhere else ... I'm a certain type here, an ex way person that had completely left TWI behind for over a decade, but now can reunite with people that had that similar experience, in this little segment. Kind of like an ongoing class reunion, but with people that shared a unique and deep experience, for better or worse. That makes this little place rather unique and interesting. But it is only a little piece of my life, there a lots more, and like most here, most of our life is outside this little realm. Party on ...

I took excie's comment most of my favorite posters are gone they've been shut down for one reason or another to not really be about those that need to be banned ... but those that state positions or feelings that are against the grain of ... i don't know if it reeks of religion or cliques or the same old whiners or fighters In any group or church it is easy to become entrenched in a set of beliefs ... I think there is some degree of feeling that there is a core group of many that rule the roost, so to speak. And that is a natural tendency ... for roosters and hens and people. But those bonds can become so strong that it is hard for newer or more individual/unique thoughts to get in freely. There is that territorial boundary ... where some feel certain areas are their domain ... and if you approach those core areas of "belief", you may get cackled at, at first, and if you move in closer you may get pecked at by a bunch till you just don't bother anymore. Of course it is natural to form that kind of group in any number of loosely organized structures ... be it religion or cliques or old whiners or fighters ... but it seems this sites welcomes people escaping TWI think, where pack mentality was king. When someone expresses some of the bad things that happened to them, or troubles they are having, excie seems to frequently be the one to respond with an expression of concern and comfort, and it seems quite genuine. It seems her feelings about the group are worth considering ... since she has been around so many years, I don't think she is looking for perfection ... But it is Pawtucket's site with certain goals ... here is his quote from the about us section ... Browse through our forums and read what people are saying about their experiences in TWI. Find old friends or make new ones. Elicit support or offer an insight. Share information or simply read and consider. The opinions expressed here are often passionate and while disagreements are not uncommon, the online Ex-Way community is a great arena for conversing and connecting with others. You may get caught in a food fight now and then, but unlike TWI, GreaseSpot Cafe is a place where questions are encouraged and people make up their own minds. It seems part of this place is a community, not just a place for new people. I'd guess that is why many have been here so long, and why there are more hidden areas like the politics arena. As far as I can tell, Pawtucket wants to have people hanging around, and has been good about allowing all comments. He wouldn't be human if he wasn't closer to some than others, but I haven't seen any favoritism that really made any big difference. Some seem to see this more as their new church, where God has called them and certain others to certain roles ... to me that can go at cross purposes to the non/ex TWI community feeling. It can be less open and more dogmatic ... but in a community you do form friendships, I imagine Pawtucket and others have formed many new friendships here ... and would like to keep them. That enriches the community. I'm not sure I really said anything .. but that's what I got for now ... :)

I think the coldest day is toward the end of January as the earth is still holding enough heat now, to keep things a little warmer. So the coldest temperatures lag the shortest day by 6 weeks or so, like the warmer ocean temps (and atmospheric CO2) lag global warming trends by a hundred years or whatever ... But I'll celebrate the solstice with you Garth, though we missed it by 4 days ... are there any cool traditions with that? Oh yeah .. all the regular Christmas traditions go with that ... I think I made a little yuletide log once ... looks like a fire hazard ...

Tis the season ...

In the movie, the dentist that married his wife was Dr. Spalding, I think. I'm sure there is some intended comparison there, tohugh I'm not quite clear what it is. He was the love of her life, but he married wilson, and she married spalding? My psychologist cousin said something about how humans are social animals ... so it seems we do thrive on interaction. Even marooned, Chuck found his in Wilson, and he argued with Wilson. The girl found hers in spalding, and in the only scene in the movie with her and him, she was arguing by the car, about going in to see Chuck. Is it just the human condition? Man thriving on controversy? The game of life, where we love to compete? So find the level of competition you are comfortable with, and the game you like to play? Of course there is more to it than that ... but just some thoughts ...

Well I'm not sure how many are here to amuse .... yous ... I can't offer any psychological analysis, but many went in to twi a little vulnerable, and came out, some better more worse? As to whether there is some beneficial group support here, I dunno ... or if folks want to present the other side ... OK. But for thse still living a little on edge, this might be Offensive amusing ... for all of us that may need professional help ... but choose to self medicate ... pour an egg nog and sing along.

Thanks skyrider ... shows how good my memory is, I had even commented on that thread. I guess the addendum is written here at GSC ... the parts about abuse and plagiarism that were known but aggressively hidden. Or we could make it an online book titled He Was a Mean Man, as excie suggested. From my limited experience with Dorothea, she had learned to expect to be served, more than to serve. Maybe she meant others are born again to serve ... them. Those old German families had kids born to serve ... on the farm. But one on one I would guess she was not mean at least, but more caring. Mrs. VP lived in a rather surreal little world. Too bad they didn't care for her in her home until the end. They certainly had the money, and staying in the home she knew would have been best it seems. But so many she and VP left in their wake don't have it so well as she did ... but their stories are here, not in the Born Again to Serve book. So I don't care if some want to hash and rehash the stories ... but it tis the season to be jolly ...

Barnes & Noble has it listed, but it is out of stock Born Again to Serve by Dorothea Kipp Wierwille ISBN: 0910068798 ISBN-13: 9780910068796 Format: Hardcover, 280pp Publisher: American Christian Press Pub. Date: October 1996 I'll check under excie's title

Does Mrs. Wierwille's book have a name? Is there a reason it seems a secret? Surely Word Wolf or skyrider have a thread that discusses it in detail? Does Mrs. Wierwille's book have a name? Is there a reason it seems a secret? Surely Word Wolf or skyrider have a thread that discusses it in detail?

Well there are a couple cults that believe in the spaceship stuff ... Scientology ... and who did the suicides, supposely to meet up with some spaceship? Jim Jones? But if we are making up space friends,

Do you attend a Geerite fellowship?

Well when Tom, or Chuck is the character I think ... when he comes back, he apologizes to the guy that lost his wife ... he apologizes for not being there for him. And he apologizes to the girl, he says he never should have gotten on that plane, and of course they show how driven he was toward his career. And he leaves that gift that looked like a ring box, before he flew off to meet "his fate". But then he drives off and seems almost optomistic about what the next tide might bring in ...And he says that package kept him alive ... (though he looked at the picture of "his girl"). but then the cute girl that was the recipient of that package he brought in, he just drives away from her too. So maybe some just prefer to wait for the next tide ... I'm not sure exactly what it all is saying ... but it is just a movie ...

This may only apply to those that worked for twi, but in my exegesis of some ancient manuscripts I dug up on a recent trip to the holy lands ... I found this literal according to usage interpretation of interest ok hmmmm it's down here somewhere "Thou shalt not stick thy rod in thy staff."

coffee for breakfast so far ... There seem to be many phallic symbols around in architecture, which is what I had in mind, not squirrels in trees... The watertower of Ypsilanti, Michigan! Called "the brick dick" by locals, this building is clearly the world's most phallic. I was just thinking of that book that reveals all the origins of many catholic/christian traditions ... Babylon Mystery Religion ... it said how most traditions and holidays were adopted from pagan rituals and they were big on trees as phallic symbols ... the yule tide log is one Here are more pagan things about Christmas, just to make your season bright ... But I don't really know what trees symbolized in the Bible ... different kinds were different things.

i will just jump right in here ... it is not unusual to see phallic symbols around ... it still sorta makes sense to me that trees might have to do with sex, or more like to do with creating more humans ... from an agriculture view, reproduction is what it is all about ... just sayin ... of course old vic had his own lines for impressing the chicks ... I guess ...

If there are mountains of snow around town by mid winter ... you may live too far north. If you visit New Orleans and feel hot in your shorts and short sleeve shirt in winter, you may live too far north.

Well that is great Linda ... glad I inspired some pleasant dreams ... vivid meteor showers ... no fireworks? trains going in tunnels? I didn't go out either , we had snow falling ... but that is really cool, "but now I see", that must have been huge to see before dark.

That was great ... would have been better had he left the last part off, so the guy would have been left thinking he was going to get a call from the police.

I just saw this ... will go out a little later ... Many meteor showers tend to disappoint, but the annual Geminid shower is relatively reliable. And this year's version, which peaks tonight, is expected to be a great one. Meteors could start showing up anytime after dark this evening, Dec. 13, low on the eastern horizon. A better display should begin after 10 p.m. or so, when the constellation Gemini, from which the meteors emanate, rises higher into the Eastern sky. • Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Space Center. By 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, Gemini is directly overhead, and meteors will streak outward in all directions like spokes on a wheel, weather permitting. Forecasters predict one or two shooting stars per minute during the peak hours. Be patient The Geminids will not put on anything like the dramatic meteor storms associated with the November Leonids around the turn of the millennium several years ago, but the Geminids are known to be extremely reliable. Experts figure this year will be better than usual.