Linda Z

Actually, it was VP who put an end to the "no freshening-up" rule, because I was there when he did it. He came to our LEAD session and we had a campfire or some sort of get-together. If I recall correctly, he asked how it was going, and someone asked, "Why can't we even wash our faces and clean up a little?" And he said something like, "Who said you couldn't?" And the rule was put to an end. What came up in the discussion was that once he'd been at a LEAD session and made one of his off-handed comments, and the LEAD staff had taken it as the basis for a new law. He told us what he'd actually said was, "Aw you kids need to learn how to get dirty." If I remember right, what prompted that comment was that people weren't getting into the whole rugged outdoors thing and were being kinda prissy about it. He hadn't said anything about not allowing anyone to wash up, but as usual, there were some zealots present who interpreted his comment as some kind of revelation and made a new rule. Sorry for the derail, Tom T, but I might as well tell the rest of the story. That was also the LEAD session during which Jack and Tina W and some others got the axe from LEAD staff. I think that's why VP was there, to "straighten out" LEAD. Later I heard him say he had been mistaken in firing them and that he'd listened to the wrong people. Sometimes he had a knack for that. I was disappointed, because Tina was my LEAD Twig leader, and I liked the way she worked with us. One night while we were sleeping, I think only about 3 days into the session, she and the others who got fired were just sent away. So Tina, if you're out there lurking, thanks for being a great LEAD staffer! I was sorry you got treated that way.

Yep, Joe was head and shoulders above most, for sure, Suz. And Danny, you've said it all in one sentence about VP, as far as I'm concerned. Three sentences, really, but your first sums him up right on the money.

Doggone it, Pirate. When I saw your name, I thought, "Oh, good. Pirate got us over the hump." Rats. From the Hip?? Yikes, I've never even heard of it, but then Judd Nelson made a lot of not-so-successful movies after his Brat Pack days.

I also recall in the HQ dining room, VP saying in a loud voice that Craig, Bob M, and others ought to go get a real job for once and see what it's like to be "on the field" and trying to support and care for a family and run a fellowship, etc., because they just didn't get it. I guess he finally got his wish, if LCM is still working at Bally's and (allegedly) UPS. Well, there is that small matter of his wife and family living in a different location, so he apparently doesn't have to support them and clearly doesn't have to work AND be a husband and father at the same time. But it's a step (ballet leap?) in the right direction. :)-->

Hi Danny! Good to see ya. Hahahahaha, talk about a cover-up. I never heard even a hint of that one. Did they make them do rock climbing and hike with heavy backpacks?

I used to joke about my son marrying the daughter of a friend in the Family Corps, but it was only because I thought she was just about the coolest, smartest, kindest little girl I'd ever known. I could picture her growing up to be an awesome woman, and I was right! But she's married and my son is single, so my fantasy didn't pan out. Maybe in the Family Corps it was different, but we didn't get pressured much on this subject that I recall. I noticed it more when I went on staff at HQ. I do remember Mrs. W's "Hearts Club." I never joined, but I wasn't all that hot on getting married again. It was sort of a matchmaking service for Corps, if I'm remembering correctly. I think one of my coworkers signed up, and she did get married--still happily last I knew.

Oh, My~, I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Remember that song, "I'm not talkin' 'bout mliminim, and I don't wanna change your life...." I'm STILL not sure. Socks, ditto what you said about Sir Paul at the Super Bowl. I was proud he was from my generation. Such class and warmth. I judge performers not just on their musical ability but on how they connect with the audience. Like they're either just up there strutting their stuff and exposing their ta tas, or it's apparent that they actually CARE that the people out there are having a good time. Obviously Paul fits into the latter. Such a difference! Dug the electronic effects, too. It was such a relief from the crotch-grabbing 50-person (or is it 500? seems like 500) production numbers they've been doing of late! Two thumbs way up!

Plots, my sincere condolences. Thank God she had the love and care of Sally and you and your family until she left this life to await one better than we could imagine. Sounds to me like she lived with grace and departed in the same fashion.

Eddie Murphy Shrek Cameron Diaz

This is really my mom's story, but I'll tell it anyway. When Mom was little, the family dog died and she and her brothers were supposed to bury it. Mom got the brilliant idea to bury it with its tail sticking out of the ground, so they could visit the grave and pet the tail. They petted it so much that all the hair fell out (I'm sure its being DEAD was also a factor). So they'd just pet the hairless tail. The whole mind picture of this makes me LOL.

When I was little, I loved the smell and taste of rubber. When I went to the gas station with my dad once, he caught me sniffing and licking the new tires on display there. I never tried it with used tires. D)

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Sandra Bullock Miss Congeniality

Make the sign of the cross after every prayer. Pass around your copy of The Cult That Snapped. Ask lots of questions during the teaching. Ask if you can have some money from the horn of plenty because "I'm a little short this week." Volunteer to lead a song, and make it one by the Rolling Stones. Answer every rhetorical question posed during the teaching--with the wrong answer. Ask if your fellowship can go to New Knoxville and take a dip in Rosalie's pool. I think any one of these would work. :D-->

Okay, okay, OKAY, I confess. It was I who called HCW and whispered in his ear, "Just call him 'Santori.' He HATES that." :P-->

From Krysillis: Amen to that!

Oh, Krys, that's definitely a keeper. Off to Greasespot Gems with ya! :)-->

Shell, God love ya for having the guts to do what your daughter needed. Your story broke my heart. I can't imagine anything harder than what you did. I'm so glad it turned out so well for you and your girls. Whoever said being parents is easy...lied!!

Bull Durham Tim Robbins Shawshank Redemption

Damn! I never remembered to send you my number, did I? I'm slapping myself silly. I'm gonna go send it now, so if you see this, check your e-mail!!

laleo said: I couldn't agree with you more on this. I've seen the same transformation, and the same subsequent "piling on" without any real eyewitness knowledge to impart. I wouldn't be surprised if some people who tell and retell others' stories might not begin to believe they "were there" and actually witnessed these things. They become more "real" in the repeated retelling. I have to wonder if this phenomenon makes it harder for those who have a genuine story to tell (as in "it happened to ME") to be heard. I suspect it is, and that's a shame.

On the news this morning the woman was quoted as saying that he gave himself the enemas and that he's been giving himself enemas for years. Says it started with his mother giving them to him, then he became dependent on them to be able to go. Oh well, what a way to go, I guess.

Leonardo DiCaprio What Is Eating Gilbert Grape? Johnny Depp

Eagle, that's awful. When my son couldn't pay his student loan, I made him sell the motorcycle he bought with a settlement from an accident he was in, so I wouldn't get stuck paying it off (co-signer) and so he could take responsibility for his own commitment. What I said earlier doesn't mean I don't think kids shouldn't clean up their own messes. They should. It's just not always that cut and dry.

(((Exsie)) I love you a bunch, too. Nothing I've said excuses him in any way for the horrid way he took advantage of your youth and trust. Nothing.

10%? For a paltry 10% I wouldn't even spit outa your pick-up truck's window.