ChasUFarley

Glad to hear everyone is fine - we were certainly thinking of you! And how are those guitars doing?

I'm getting qweezey... This reminds me way too much of the Y2K prepardness plans... Oh, man... Just a case of Ramen noodles and bottled water will suit me fine, thanks.

What's new since you left TWI? Anything? Leadership changes? Have you kept up with current TWI events? What say you...?

It's hard to run a Google or Dogpile on this because it's written in 3rd grade level language. It worse than anything you'd find on any sappy Hallmark card - so sicky sweet my teeth are rotting as I read it. It's so elementary - why couldn't VPW have written this? I mean, he had a PhD, right? After 8 years or whatever of school he should be able to produce a 5 stanza poem - even if each stanza is 6 words and has just two lines. C'mon - give him some credit, will ya?

Beatlejuice! Beatlejuice! Beatlejuice!

In the late 90's they were in Nashville, TN. They had been running a fellowship but were made WC Alumni status. I heard they may have gone back on staff, but perhaps someone else here can confirm that... Very nice, real people - certainly a bright spot in the weird, weird, world of Der Veg.

I thought that might be it... I almost pulled the trigger on a 50 last night on eBay - it was only $47 (inc. shipping) and NIB (not recon'd) - maybe I'll do some more shopping tonight. I read up on reviews and it did dandy - the biggest complaint was that it was a little slow - but anything is an improvement to what I have now, which is zippo...

Paw -- Would that be the CanoScan Di 30 (or 40, or 50)?

Well, they've really always been about "The Word of Man", haven't they? At least they're being honest. Now, they need to update their logo....

That wasn't All*n L!cht, was it? Good gawd... what a project! ====================== Remember those lovely AC reviews we had on the field? We'd meet about every two weeks to read the syllabus, review the materials, and listen to some fat head yammer on and on about gawd knows what... Well, at one of the first ones that I went to when I moved to MA, there was a leader there who is now in charge of the WC. Just before the start of the review, he was on the phone with a couple who decided they weren't coming - not to that or anything else again! Yuppers - they were blowing that clam bake! Then, Gr@g decided that it was his job to let everyone know how ticked - ticked to the tenth power - he was about these people leaving. He screamed, turned red in the face, yelled some more, and even threw a chair across the tiny stage - I thought it was going to hit someone. He was very intimidating - I had never seen someone so out-of-control in my life! He yelled obsenities, said some vicious things and was just scarey as hell. He continued to be in a foul mood for the rest of the meeting - even took some nasty shots at some others who I know post here - but don't you know... he wasn't out of control...that was "spiritual anger"! Yep... that meeting was "decent and in order"....

Hubby (aka Mathman) was told during his WOW training that the song "Every Breath You Take", by the Police, was about how familiar spirits were watching the WOWs. What were they smoking?

My computer needs a new toy. My old scanner isn't compatible - and it's older than dirt, but it was a good one! I've been out of the market for so long now that I don't know what's good anymore - and don't want to take the salesmen's word for it, if you know what I mean. I don't want to spend a lot of money - I don't need the fastest, highest-res, or all that, but I do need one that can scan slides, photos, etc. and that connects via a USB port - although they probably all do by now. Anyhow, you guys were awesome with the good advise when I was getting my new computer, so let's see what you have to say about a scanner... :D--> Oh, one more thing... I'm not big on multi-function items, like scanner/printer/fax machines, because if one component dies, then you loose the rest when you're getting it replaced - it's a pain... just my thoughts on it, anyhow.

Wordwolf - you're forgetting that the people in the paintings can go into other's paintings - sort of pass through them. The Fat Lady did it when she was attacked - she went and hid. In one of the first books, The Fat Lady and Vi, a witch from another painting, were sharing some Christmas cheer together. In the 3rd book, a crazy knight gave the Golden Trio directions to Professor Tralawny's room when they had lost their way. Since some of the former Hogwart's headmasters could come and go from St. Mongo's or the Ministry of Magic offices, would think that they wouldn't have limits from Dd's office - I think it would be possible.

Lindy... Those lyrics are... "I got my first real six-string Bought it at the five-and-dime..." (Hubby's band covers this song - I've heard it a million times more than y'all hear it on the radio - aaarrrggghhhh!) ========= Raf - you gonna post lyrics?

OMG - I can't believe anyone else knows this movie...!!! This is my favorite! (Huge Jimmy Stewart fan!) HARVEY! My favorite quote from this is: “After this he’ll be a perfectly normal human being. And you know what stinkers they are!" (I say this at work all the time!) LOL! Thank you, Tom! What a delightful (but deep) movie to think about tonight... ============================================== Okay... my turn.... "...I'm merely acting as a gentle reminder - I'm sort of breaking it easy -- Here today, gone tomorrow, so don't get attached to things..."

Harry's scar would be fitting and would also fit into the horcrux being in the Gryffindor house, as HARRY is in the the Gryffindor house. It's been hinted at and even Dd said that there was a link between Harry and V'mort thru that scar. But I was under the impression that Dd didn't fully understand how the link exactly worked OR didn't want to really discuss it with Harry at that time. Remember - Dd withheld the truth from Harry about his prophsey. Also - Wordwolf - there's another way that Snape could have communicated - through the paintings. Remember, there was a painting of a headmaster, who was a relative of Sirius, hanging in the headmaster's office. There was also another painting at Grimmold (sp?) Place - that former headmaster and relative of Sirius could have easily been the one who tipped off the Order with a message from Snape in Hogwarts.

Did you ever read the book "Yellow River" by I.P. Freely?

Our son Kristopher, who just turned 4 years old this month, was not accepted to the local public preschool because he's not a "special-needs" case. It seems they only take kids who have disabilities or are behind in certain areas of their development. Hubby and I have already decided that when he starts the new school year and returns to work full-time (he is a public school teacher), that I am going to either quit my current job or just go per diem. So, I will be home with the boys during the weekday. I am considering doing a pre-school home schooling program with Kristopher. Has anyone here done a pre-school home school program or know someone who has? Do you feel it made a difference in the child's education or do you feel it was "pushing" the child too much? Are there any certain programs or resources that you recommend? (I did a Google on this subject and the response was an ocean of information - some of it good, some of it not!) Thanks for you help - as always!

My comments are in the brackets.... [ ] LONGGONE POSTED: quote: They're broke, hopeful as all-get-out that the chemo is going to work, but have no proof - just statistics ... as hope. Now, that's scary! ChasUFarley, if I'm misreading you, please forgive me, then explain what you mean. That said... You should know as well as anyone that those statistics are the best surety that anyone can offer. If the best that chemo can offer is a 20% chance of living five more years, then that knowledge provides a person a basis for an informed decision. [Yes, sometimes an informed decision is the best modern medicine can offer. After that, it’s patient’s choice.] Claims of being able to channel a mystical life energy give no such basis. [True – however neither is a “sure thing”. This comment is a reflection on what Satori “HeWhoClaimsToKnowAll” said about people’s money being taken. Remember – just because a patient has all the information to make an “informed decision”, it doesn’t mean they’re going to always choose what has the highest survival rate or best outcome.] As long as a person is fully informed, I don't care if he wants to eat donkey dung if it makes him happier. Let him. But I won't give much respect to the promotion of the practice, even if it's certified by the donkey dung guru of the world, unless there are some statistics to show that it benefits a significant number of people. I feel pretty much the same way about reiki. [As do I. But again, as a patient’s advocate I feel it’s important that they be able to pursue these sort of treatments, hopefully along with traditional medicine, and include it as treating the spiritual being, while letting physicians treat their physical being. Again, to me it comes down to choice. I don’t see this as a fad – and I think we will see more things like this merge into our society as time goes on.]

quote: If something like "reiki" adds a nice diversion and provides a good massage, fine. But if the practitioners bring in their bias against modern medicine, it can interfere with the best chance the patient has. You think I've made up my mind? Exactly the opposite. On the other hand, a lot of reiki practitioners (and every other "alternative healing" shell game) are out there peddling a sense of certainty to people who can't afford it. ---------------------------------------------------- Something you said here is very key in medical treatment: "But if the practitioners bring in their bias against modern medicine, it can interfere with the best chance the patient has." That's where the professional has to be just that - PROFESSIONAL. They have to have compassion for the patient and care enough to respect the patient's wishes. They have to withdraw from making biased remarks or bringing their "self" in to the relationship (i.e. "I wouldn't let Dr. Smith treat me if I were you..." or "I had a lot of sideeffects when I took medicine XYZ") It's a fine line that can easily be crossed with the best, although dead wrong, intentions. Whether it's a reiki practitioner, American Indian medicine man, chiropractor, priest, etc., - they should let the patients think for themselves and form their own opinions of what their medical AND spiritual needs are. All too often these lines of acknowledging the patient as a "thinking person" are crossed - and I know of some very well-meaning, intelligent doctors who have done it, and, without their intent, damaged the relationship they had with a patient who trusted them just a little too much. But when you think about it doesn't modern medicine also peddle a "sense of certainty to people who can't afford it"? If you want to see that first hand, sit down and have a conversation with an uninsured oncology patient who doesn't qualify for Medicaid. They're broke, hopeful as all-get-out that the chemo is going to work, but have no proof - just statistics (complied by me, no doubt) as hope. Now, that's scary!

Satty, hunnie... Yes, medicine is imperfect. No, you don't have to accept anything you don't want to. You made up your mind before you first posted and I don't have the time or energy to "convert" you to whatever.... I could really care less what your personal views are on healthcare - what is your background on the subject, anyhow? Do you work in healthcare? Are you a clinical professional? I work in a hospital in healthcare quality management. I know how "human" physicians and other clinical staff can be - I work with the reports, attend the meetings, etc., everyday. I also hear the success stories. My hospital is a small, rural hospital with an aging but high poverty level population (retired blue collar workers) - there isn't much alternative medicinal practices going on here. Part of my job includes supporting the spiritual care coordinator and the care managers in their taking care of acute patients. At times this includes getting the patients hospice care. I have an insider's view as to what the current trends are in my area and there is little "alternative" medicine being practiced, but there is more pastoral care taking place than ever before. Again, it's treating the "whole" patient. The hospitals on the NH seacoast, just a little over an hour away, reiki, acupuncture, aromatherapies, etc., as being welcomed with open arms into the hospitals there. But it's coupled with traditional medicine - "best of both worlds", if you will. In short, if it works for the patient, whether in truth or in part, isn't that what it's all about in the long run? It's their choice, their health, their body. Why are you getting your knickers in a knot about what others consider a *part* of their healthcare, anyhow? (I say *part* because no one yet has said that reiki is all they pursue for healing...)

Why is it that we are more accepting of doing what someone, who has a 23% chance of making a medical error, tells us to do just because they have MD, ARNP, or PA behind their name? Why is it that we're more into putting body-chemistry altering poisions into our bodies, that carry an 8% risk of being administered incorrectly to us when dispensed by a pharmacist or pham. assistant, than we are willing to explore other alternatives along the way? American culture has a love/hate relationship with it's healthcare providers. We love to put all of our trust in the hands of the men in the little white coats, but we sure hate it when they make mistakes. We're not willing to take ownership for our treatment - we want to be told when, where, how much, and often don't ask "why?" nearly enough. But isn't that what this culture has lead us to? The first line of the hippocratic oath is "First do no harm" - if this carries over into other "alternative" treatments as well, then physicians should embrace it. If they aren't embracing these other treatments then they aren't treating "the WHOLE patient". Patients have to be seen as more than just a body. They are spiritual beings, they are someone's loved one, they have their own desires/needs/etc. and that should be respected. In hospice care there is a growing trend of treating the whole patient - whether it means having their Rabbi at their bedside, their message therapist, or burning sage - whatever they need or believe will make them feel better - that's included in their care plan. Have you heard of a "birth plan"? It's the plans a woman makes before she goes to the hospital about how she's like to have her labor and delivery go. Maybe she wants certain foods to be available, maybe she wants music playing, or certain people to be in the room. Well, now a days some terminal patients are making the equivelant plans for when they die - more of them are including a spiritual aspect of what they want. Now this post comes full circle - it's the patient's choice to pick how they want to be treated and what they believe will bring them the best outcome. If they die doing it, you can at least say they died living for something they believed in - if you put your trust in traditional medicine, you can say the same thing about yourself at the end of it all. It's really all the same in the end, isn't it?

Methinks some posters here could use a good "Cheering Charm"....

quote: Nick and the other characters think Sirius "moved on." They also had the same impression of Peter Pettigrew for 12 years. Might they be mistaken yet again? ----------------------------------- I wasn't aware that Nick gave comment about Pettigrew being dead. There were comments made by several of the professors and Madam Roserta (sp?) in Hogsmead, there was discussion in the Shack when Lupin, Sirius, the "golden trio", Snape, etc. all have their confrontation, but I don't recall any comments by Nick. The reason why I think Nick is so relevent in this is because he is dead. He already knows what the "other side" is sort of like, although, in his own words, he chose an exsistance similar to what his was in life rather than to go on (again, this is paraphrased from his conversation with Harry when Harry first lost Sirius.) I had the impression that he wasn't "brave enough" (my words) to go to the "next level" but couldn't comment on it or explain it to Harry. Back to the portraits having knowledge: Since Kreacher went back to Mrs. Black to be alone with her - taking joy in the fact that Sirius was dead - I would add tnat to my points of why I think they carry the knowledge that they had in "life" to their "painting". Additionally, Mrs. Black knew that there were "mudbloods" "traitors" and other less-than-desirables (in her opinion) in her house and wanted them OUT. Since she was limited to the confines of her painting, so it seems, she was unable to take any action on getting them out and could only make their lives hell with her screaming every chance she got.

That's cuz craig got elbowed in a gorilla game, got ******, and decided it needed to be more decent & in order... sore looser!