ChasUFarley

When Kristopher was about a year old we were out grocery shopping. He was in that super-fat baby stage that they go through around that age. This woman was staring at him - just wide-eyed. I thought she was going to comment positively on him, as we always got comments about how cute he was, etc., but instead she says, "I've never seen anything like THAT before!" And she said it in a disgusted tone. My reply: "You should get out more often." And I wheeled off to the next item. Here in NH, you wouldn't dare comment to a woman like that what that fart knocker did to you. Around here they'd get met with a comment like, "Whatareyou? Retarded?" So, blow it off and have a good, basic one-liner ready for next time.

Okay, thanks for the thoughtful response - I openly admit that I know little/nothing about this - but that's not to say that I'm not willing to. In response to your response, I have more questions, of course... (not to be pesky... but if you're happy to entertain my questions, I do appreciate it and do read your reponses....) You said: "Kabbalah is the mystical side of Judaism." Isn't this what Madonna and many other stars are into these days? I've read up on this a little and it seems to be full of, what I consider, ritual and supersticions. I mean, they even have rules about what days of the week and times of day they can have sex, really. Anyhow, how does this figure in with the cannon of the Old Testament or the Torah? It seems like it wouldn't line up, from what I know from the Book of Leviticus, even. This next paragraph is just a comment by me: You said: There are a number of references in the Bible to God having loved Jesus since before the creation of the world. In TWI we were taught this was a figure of speach in reference to God's foreknowledge. I no longer believe that. I believe that all of us were very much alive in a spiritual form before we were given our earthly bodies and is documented in the Bible and the Kabbalah. Actually, several religions believe this, even LDS. And finally, You wrote: The concept of being "born again", which Jesus taught - well you understand what we were taught about that by TWI. I believe that being "born again" isn't about "confessing jesus", nor is it only for those who are Christians. Being born again is about ascending, it is a spiritual rebirth, a reaching upward to enlightenment. I know I am not explaining it well - I simply do not have the words. But since they don't believe in the Hope, then are you saying that you also no longer believe in the Hope? Because by taking this logic of believing that those who aren't Christian can be "born again", as I understand it - in a life on this earth - you are saying that you do not believe in a resurrection or a Hope of Christ's return.... correct? Just curious - I don't mean to sound judgemental. Please don't assume that's what's going on here - I still subscribe to what I was taught in PFAL, BUT I certainly try to understand and absolutely respect other people's choices. I start by admitting what I know, and what I don't know... then asking questions and reading... Many thanks!

Okay, educate me here, please.... I thought the Torah was a collection of books and that it was basically like the Old Testament. True? What does “derech eretz” mean? And you say: "And I have no issues with writing the word God. What you were reading as G-d, were quotes from an article. However, I know many Christians and Jews alike who won't write it, and I respect their beliefs regardless of whether or not I hold them as my own." Why is it that they won't write God? And Abigail says: "Having studied Judaism has given me a far deeper understanding of Jesus and his teachings that you will ever begin to get out of PFAL." Would you please elaborate on this? Finally, Allen says: "Hypothetically though, if Jesus turned up in Jerusalem today with the same message, what do you think MIGHT happen ?" Well, what do YOU think would happen? I'm not sure where you're going with this one, as Jerusalem today certainly isn't what it was 2000 years ago. It's an even rougher neighbourhood, ya know.... Shalom!

If your thinking about your past triggered bouts of manic swings or depression swings, than perhaps your having this extra piece of information about your past will be helpful. I say this not knowing what medications you may be on, or other therapies you may be receiving - this is just my opinion and what I know about the disease, as I also have several family members who are bipolar.

My personal favorite; French Soldier: I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries. I use the "I fart in your general direction" line often with my oldest son, who just looks at me like, "Huh?" Hubby and I often comment how the poor kid is going to be in therapy before much longer, living with us crazy people.

OMG - another Maine-ah who loves friend green tomatos! No kidding, huh?! My mother was raised in the south, where her older brother was stationed in the Navy, after their mother died. I thought she learned how to cook them then, although she certainly embraced NOTHING else from the south. Here's how I cook them: A few tablespoons of bacon grease in a large black frypan Several sliced up green tomatoes (if they have a tiny bit of red on them, that's my favorite) 1 cup Corn meal 1 scant tsp Sugar to taste - Salt & Pepper 1 scant tsp Basil (fresh chopped is much better) 1 clove chopped garlic Mix everything but the 'maters together. Roll the 'mater slices in the corn meal. Get the grease good-n-hot but not smokin'. Fry the 'maters til brown, but not mushy. Serve hot. Here's how my mom cooks them: 2 cups of flour (season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.) 1 egg several sliced up green tomatoes Dip tomato slices in flour, egg, then in flour again. Fry in about 1/2 inch of oil in a fry pan - flip on each side - until crispy brown. Serve hot. Personally, I like my way better - but certainly don't turm my nose up at my mom's green tomatoes - it's all good!

I can't imagine what calling Gary was like, nor can I imagine what it was like to experience the loss of both parents at such a young age. You are incredibly brave on all accounts - I don't know how you did it - I don't think I would be able to! Hugs to you!

I frequently do a search just by typing in "Vintage Ibanez" (just because I love Ibanez!) and then drill down to what tickles my fancy that way. I do the same with "Vintage Fender", too. You can see some great, rare stuff that way! It's actually how I found my bass guitar - I typed in "Vintage Bass" one day, as I was seriously considering getting a OLP Bass (a Music Man knockoff) when I found my baby. I love my bass because it's vintage and has a great feel and vibe. I got it at a fair price because the seller listed it AFTER Christmas - not a good time, really, for that sort of thing. I don't think I would have gotten for $150 if I had tried before January. I think I would have probably been out bid.

I am also a seller on eBay and checked to see how sales have gone for the past 3 months for this guitar. Most listings started around $79-$89 and then did not sell - there were no bids. All of these were listed to be in excellent condition and had hardshell cases. However, if you check this again closer to Christmas, you may find more activity about it - also, if you wait 3 more years before selling it, it will be considered "vintage" and just that word alone can get you a little more $$$. That's either Hendrix or SRV.... but I could be wrong...

Agreed. And further more, and this is something I personally experienced on a thread, I hate HATE HATE it when two people disagree and then others have to jump in on the thread, like kids on a playground yelling "FIGHT! FIGHT!" to take "sides" - then post nothing to add to the thread. I had a disagreement with someone, we sparred a little bit verbally, but nothing ugly - no insults or personal attacks - but it seemed like a couple of posters WANTED to see it turn ugly. It was a good thread until the "Jerry Springer Crowd" showed up. That crap really hurts me - it bugs me. There's no need for it! As far as the demographics go, or the thing about people being more upfront about their agendas, I know that "labels" aren't really well tolerated on the board because of our past - the common thread we all have. We were labeled in the Way and taught to label others. Some of the labels were: Believer, Non-Believer, Way Corps, Corps Alumni, WOW Vet, Cop Out, etc. Personally, labels urk me still. But for an interfaith dialog to work, I think we'd really need to know who we're addressing upfront so that we can communicate on the various levels we'd need to be at to reach people. For example, say three of the ten posters who agree to such a forum believe in Goddess worship. A thread poster knowing this information could start with referring to a diety as 'He or She' and instantly have the respect of the three who believed in a female God - they would not instantly feel left out. That's just one examply, mind you. You could apply the same thing with those who were trinitarian, or Jewish, or whatever... the list could go on. I think then that posters could be more sensitive and not feel like they were getting set up for a beat down when they posted in disagreement. Again, just my thoughts. (They aren't as deep as SirGuessALot's, but I claim them, anyways.) Dancing - I don't wish to get in between you and Allen, as he's certainly responsible for his own words and actions, but I can attest that he was most certainly in TWI and served at a level that I couldn't have done - I mean that in a respectful sense. Yeah, he's a piece of work, but aren't we all? (And I mean that also in a respectful sense.) Peace.

And I think I said at the beginning of this thread, as I laid out the "rules of play", that all were welcome to post here reguardless of their beliefs, etc. I think this subject could be very helpful for people who are entangled in some sort of repressive belief system, so I will do everything I can to see that it doesn't turn ugly. I have no problem with posters disagreeing with each other, if they can do it WITHOUT crossing the fine line of it turning into a personal attack. I believe we have disagreed on some points, Mr. Miller, but I never attacked you - I do have respect for you - I just simply did not agree, which you are also welcome to disagree with me... as long as you don't attack. I respect that. Besides, it's the interesting and diverse dialogue that keeps me coming back here - but ....ing contests have the opposite effect! So, back to the thread - There's been some great input here. Year2027's post is very touching - thank you for sharing that! I have also received a lot of healing from the forums over the years. It's been very helpful. I think I got the most out of doing the GS Radio interview - it was therapeutic in an odd way. Post on....

I've been thinking about this more and more lately, as I've come full circle in a way, in my life, with a situation that I needed healing from. What has interested me is that I received healing though something that I did - nothing that anyone would consider spiritual by the way that we considered it in TWI - no bread was broken, no phrophsey was spoken - but nonetheless, there was a very positive energy in my life afterwards in this way that there wasn't before. But the really strange thing is that I didn't expect it to effect me the way it did.... I don't know if I can explain it. It's something that's taken many years to get to and I'm wondering if others have had something similar in their lives. So, I'd like to start a discussion about the subject of healing. I'd like for ANYONE to post - I don't care what your beliefs are now - your posts will be respected, as long as you yourself are respectful. I'm not into someone preaching - but certainly tell us: How have you received healing in some form in your life in either an unexpected area of your life or by an unexpected way that it happened? Did you take action for this to happen or do you think it "just happened" on its own? Was it ritual or something else? Did it make a profound change in your life, or just something you "sorta" noticed later on? Did it bring closure to something for you, or is it on going? What was the long-term effects?

I think it would depend on some things - first off, the condition (how well it was cared for, and if it was stored properly), also when it was made. If you have the serial number, it is possible to decipher that to date the instrument - usually as close to the month and year it was made. Also WHERE it was made is very important (Indonesia and China are usually the lowest quality, Korea and Mexico are better than the Indo/China instruments, then Japanese made are very desireable, then USA is the top of the chain, with Custom Shop as the best.) Fender has had some quality issues in the past (roughly '64-'83)- there was a time when CBS (as in the TV network) owned Fender. Leo Fender sold the company thinking he was dying. Then the poor bastard found out he was going to live so he started G&L Guitars... that's another story. But those CBS guitars have some issues sometimes. Again, it would depend on which model you have and the overall condition. That being said, if you're happy with it, like the sound, and the condition - then it was a good fit! I'm not into labels with guitars, as I have an Ibanez, which is Japanese for: "I've Copied You, So Sue Me!" but I absolutely love my bass - it was just $150 and it's a bad foot axe in my book. I love that thing!

ChattyKathy -- I just had the privilege of listening to those links while a huge thunderstorm/hailstorm was going on outside - and I was just sitting at the 'puter, in the dark, with the ear buds in, and a big ol' mug of Spiced Cap't Morgan Rum w/ apple juice (tastes like apple pie!).... A perfect storm, if you will, but in the good sence. Since you like that music, I should introduce y'all to Ed Gerhard - please promise me you will check out his music. The guy is absolutely awesome! We catch his show almost every December in a small Colonial church in Portsmouth, NH. His playing will make chills go up and down your spine - he can take old classic Christmas songs and just shape them into something beautiful that you would swear you'd never heard before. He plays mostly classical guitar, but in a way that you would swear he had ten extra fingers and six more strings. I just don't have words to describe this... you gotta hear it. By the way - I gotta gush on this some more - Ed has an album out that was done with him playing all guitars that he'd found at yard sales, thrift stores and pawn shops, etc. - He "rescued" them, got them in good working order and played them for his recording of "House of Guitars". If you ever get to see him live, he is really a treat to listen to - both in his music and the stories he tells. Very interesting! Enjoy!

Depending on how you drive to Loudon, then you may very well drive right by my house to get there! I live on one of the major routes for people coming in from ME and MA to get there. I will PM you and perhaps we can meet - I would love to meet you! (And any other 'Spotters who may be trekking thru!)

Hair, body-type, accents- etc. - it's all stuff that can and will change. I used to think tall men were sexy until I met Hubby (he used to post on Waydale as Mathman.) First time we went out on a date and got up to dance, I realized he was.... short. Damn short. Like 5' 6" short. I'm 5' 8" and usually wear heels - big ones (not Joan Crawford heels, but heels...) So... he came up to my... ahem... chest. I thought, well this was nice but this isn't going to work. Then I found out how smart and funny he was - and I was hooked. Gimme the stuff that doesn't change - brains and humor. A good dose of patience is a good idea, too. You're going to live with me, you're going to need it all! LOL!

Yes, I work at the hospital in Laconia and we had the helicopter ambulance in there 4 times in just 7 hours - that was on Friday. I was behind someone Sunday who just hit the soft shoulder and tipped his bike - it was brand new! He was wearing a helmet, leather jacket, and boots - he was outfitted correctly. He was, I would guess in his late 60's - I think he had started to fall asleep in the heat, because I had observed him swerving a bit before he hit the side of the road. I was several car lengths behind him, and immediately pulled over, ran to him, and got him up. He was okay - I think he was more embarassed that a woman was dusting him off than anything else. His bike still ran, so he got back on it... I think it spooked me more than it did him!

There will always be those people who HAVE to be right about things. Whether it's ego or whatever motivates them - I see it on the boards here a lot - man, they will take HOURS out of their lives to post extra long posts full of schmutz to make sure YOU know YOU'RE wrong and they're right. Whoo-hoo. What do they get out of it, I wonder? I mean really? Personally, I'm sick to death of them. I'm getting to the point where I HATE posting on the About The Way board anymore because of some of them. Almost ditto about the General board. They don't necessairly attack me - but it's just their attitudes. I wish I could dialogue with some of them face-to-face, you know. I'd love lean over to them and say, "Okay. You win. Go find your prize!" It's just sooooo important to them. But I digress... In my opinion, to have this sort of dialogue you're talking about, you have to have people leave their egos at the door. They have to be people who are willing to say they're sorry quickly, or who show they have some open-mindedness. If they loose their heads quickly, then they'll miss out on what could be gained from looking at other persepctives. Personally, I would embrace such an opportunity, but I'm not your average x-wayfer. Also, I think it would be helpful to gather some spiritual demographics on people, if you will, just so you know up front what people's main beliefs, etc. may be - like who's Wiccan, Christian, Roman Catholic, etc., and then perhaps if they're liberal, conservative, etc. I think if we knew who was in the forum, and what they brought to the table, it may make interfacing with them easier. Just my thoughts.... for what it's worth.

I remember seeing a film clip of his graduation - there were several others wearing the hood - is there any alumni listing available or info on what some of his classmates went on to do? Also - did accredidation mean back then what it means today? Would his creditentials be as scrutinized back in 1950-whatever or 1960-whatever as they would be today? Just curious...

Dang - I got the "Man in the Moon" part, but thought Merry + Colds = "Miracles".... Now, if you can get one of these for "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" - I'll be impressed.

Today is the last day of the event -- Here's some photos from a local forum that I also haunt... (this first pic was taking from a balloon...) And here's the world's fastest lawnmower! I think this is the run that many bikers to each year to raise money for POW/MIA organizations:

Kit -- That's cool about the old cars. A friend of mine and her boyfriend went to go see it on opening night with the Porsche club that he belongs to because there's a 911 in the movie (Sally). They don't have kids (I coulda loaned them mine) but they enjoyed themselves. For me, it wasn't so much about the cars in the movie as the shopping list of stars who were in it doing the voices - I listen to Car Talk almost every weekend, and was thrilled to hear Click and Clack's voices - it was great! The whole movie is almost a "who's who" in voices!

Well, I thought you were right at first, but then had a "hmmmmm" moment, and did a quick Google... I do know some people who have gone there - I figured it was legit. So, not to derail this, but perhaps his doctorate degree was sorta "bought" but how about his masters? Perhaps not. Also, didn't "Uncle" Harry pay for his education or pay off his loans or something to that effect? Just curious....

Thank you! I have always felt the same about his work. Depressing. Dull. Bleck. You summed it up well!