mstar1

Another idea that Im not ashamed to say I have done---Someone mentioned recycling---About 15 years ago I was going through a lean time and was driving around one day wondering what to do. I lived in a place at the time where people left their trash out on designated days and I started to notice perfectly good items out on the curb. I stopped and picked up what looked like a brand new bicycle except the tires were flat... a dining room table with a few scratches in it.... another piece of furniture a few years out of date...when I really started to look there was all sorts of things of obvious value that people just threw away. For about 6 months I'd spent a few hours a week collecting a few free things, a few hours a week spiffing them up ( ie putting air in the tires, polishing the furniture and doing whatever to make things look presentable) Then on weekends Id haul it to a flea market and sell it. I typically made more money each week from my selling free stuff than if I had a regular job.. Another idea (and something that I love to do but dont have the time anymore) is house cleanouts. When someone elderly passes away many times the family will come in from wherever take some antiques, photographs, some furniture and mementos and then have an entire house full of 60 years of stuff that they just want to get rid of so they can sell the house and get on with their lives. Id contract to clean it all out in X amount of time. The beauty of that type of job is that if you play it right you get paid three times and almost always get something pretty cool out of the deal. The family pays to get the house clean--Id hire a dumpster for all the useless things that nobody would want. Id sort through the items and have a yard sale on many items --furniture, trinkets, old tools, dinnerware etc.--good stuff but not of great value things that can be sold. third and most importantly (to me) was the unexpected treasures that you find in a house when you go through it carefully and someone has been living there forever. It could be anything--I have found all sorts of things--a high end collection of Napoleon memorabilia, a complete collection of comic books from the 1920's, a box on antique handblown christmas ornaments (those eventually sold for $800 a piece), a hundred year collection of license plates... ahuge collection of bird eggs from around the world I could fill this page with things that Ive found in old houses, some of it I keep (I kept the newspapers of Lindbergh's flight), some of I hunt down suitable buyers for ( I found an UNOPENED case of 24 juice glass in mint condition of Snow White and the 7 Dwarves from the time of the release of the movie in the 30's that I sold to a Disney Collector for $2000). Every house has something in it and I find it fun to sort through it and not know what you will find next Anyway--just another Idea--the investment in these things is next to zero and the payoff can be pretty good at times

I stressed for years over this issue and nickeled and dimed and worried myself to death and then usually broke even with a little left over and had trouble getting enough work. It was a long lesson--these days Id much rather be the high bidder than the low bidder. I actually get more work when I am the high bidder than I ever got as low bidder. I include extras that no one else would ever think to include Its some psychological thing about "perceived value" where people think they are getting more. Of course you have to deliver that too! It gives you time to do a job and do it right and still enjoy the effort. Personally Id also say DONT undersell yourself. You are worth a fair wage and deserve to make a profit. Whatever you decide to do, do it to the best of your ability. My personal philosophy is sell them the rolls royce -- there are already a hundred people trying to sell them the volkswagon. Then make your work the "rolls" of whatever it is you do It took me a long time to learn that

Ive been working for myself for 20 years or so now and love it, I cant imagine it being any other way..although at one time I couldnt imagine how I would make the leap into being self employed. The hardest part for me at the beginning was the confidence factor, over thinking everything and just doing it. I had a good skill, but work in my field was hard to come by at the beginning so I branched out and did anything I could think of to fill the gaps, sort of a jack of all trades type of guy until things that I really wanted to do came along. I didnt really care--I mowed lawns, painted, built things, did house and garage cleanouts, fixed things--you name it and I probably did it at one point or another. Id suggest that especially at the beginning that you perhaps dont limit yourself to one thing if that works for you but use all of your skills as you can...Good, honest, trustable workers are hard to come by....If people like you and like your work (no matter what it is)they'll find something else for you to do ( can you do....? ) and tell their friends, neighbors and relatives about you too. I spent about a year doing work one year off of one $5.00 ad I put in the paper for Gutter Cleanouts--I only did a few gutter cleanouts, but that lead to fixng a garage door, repairing screens, painting a porch, building a small deck, redoing a bathroom and siding a house.... Good luck--whatever it is that you decide----but start!--you never know where it may lead you. This week Im 1500 miles from home doing preservation work on a 150 year old church, its a long way from gutter cleanouts, but you have to start somewhere

I'm still walking on our earthly orb --well driving really...I've seen 2 of those May 21 billboards this morning in Tennesee..according to the billboards "It's Guaranteed!!--

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I saw on TV last night that it is scheduled for 6PM..Im not sure if thats Eastern Daylight Time, Greenwich Mean Time, Western Westy Time, Great Rapture Rupture Time or something else. What does one wear to a rapture? casual? or is it more of a tie and jacket event? I know Im fresh out of robes

Gees Geisha -warn us to get a barf bag before you post a video like that again What the he!!? I do have to admit I havent heard S&M songs at any other church Ive ever been to!! But it sure sounds like TWI -- it even finished with the Lecherous old man with his arm around a cute young girl--It gave me the creeps ewwww

I gotta say that christian pop just isnt my thing ---not to denigrate it anyway, it is just something that doesnt speak to me. I know its just me but it generally makes me feel more like Im at a shopping mall rather than approaching closer to God --but to each his own, I respect their gifts and the works they do, it just doesnt hit home for me. Ive allowed myself to be exposed to some things that I never ever would have considered when I was younger and I can find many traces of inspiration in it. I didnt grow up in a church and was a rocking screaming banshee by the time I hit TWI. Traditional old chorale hymns were for old farts, pipe organs were inconceivably wierd...Ive either learned how to listen or else now I'm just an old fart myself ( ) some of that stuff is monumental if you can give it a chance and an open minded listen.. i think there is something to be said for churches that develop their own music programs and develop according to their own lines and dont get homogenized into what is popular elsewhere. I was driving through South Carolina about 6 months ago on a Sunday and found some small rural black church on the radio, there was a smokin gospel/blues band, raucous choir and a preacher who SANG his sermon in call and response with the band and choir. You could tell they had a basic structure but most of it was composed and improvised in the moment. The preacher, band and choir all had incredible sensitivity to one another changing directions building to crescendos and altering the musical nuances as the message unfolded... for me it was an amazing moment to hear that-definitely inspired and taylored to THAT specific congregation and utilizing THEIR talents to a very unique service. I drove around trying to find the place but never did. There is a tradition especially in some places in the south for churches to develop their own methods of music that are indigenous and relevant to that place. Its usually eye opening, that one definitely was. Ive been to native american churches, rural southern churches, bluegrass churches, jazz churches, blues churches, taize services....christian music possibilities are incredibly diverse. It all has its place but I should say i especially appreciate when churches develop their own musical identity. I'd love to see what ethiopian churches sing, or throughout Africa or Mongolia or Siberia, coptic churches or in the outback of Australia...what do Chinese churches sound like?? or for that matter Hawaii? Polynesia? South America? Eskimo churches? Its a worldwide body of talent, I admit Im not very well versed in it at all, but it all can be learned from and enjoyed. It doesnt have to be one specific genre as the ONLY choice unless it fits that particular congregation but--- what do I know--I'm currently going to an early service that has no music-- and I like that too

Goey---Good to see you! Its been much too long and I hope that you are doing well. I hate to interrupt this thread but this is a rare occurrence....a feel like killing the fatted calf! You of course have an invitation to the new politics forum thats now at http://www.bluzecentral.org/politics/index.php Although we mostly didnt agree, I always found your posts to be thoughtful, incisive and well thought through and gave me plenty to think about. I miss 'em. We'd love to have you as an addition to the community That goes for all the rest of you too. Hope you are well OK --thanks for your patience everyone, sorry for the interrupt---- back to JL, Jesus Christ, The devil, the bible, Judas, $13 bills and whatever else is happening here

i dont know if faith is the word...faith sort of implies that there is a lot that is NOT known for certain...being so certain is more like ...delusion... On May 22 it would be interesting to see a followup story to see what happens to these people who have sold everything off

mm mmm mmm 2 weeks to go? If anyone is planning on leaving, please remember: 1) Clean underwear is a must every day, just like your mom taught you... There may not be laundry in the after life. Be sure to be wearing appropriate attire - 2) Be generous to your favorite charities after all, they may survive in some parallel universe where they will be able to benefit from your generosity here. 3) Leave enough pet food and water for your pets. If you're wrong and the world doesn't end, they will miss you but eating helps a broken heart. -------- The world ends every day for some people, and each day the worlds begins for others. Despite claims to the contrary, it will be that way for a very long time. Any one who distracts you from caring for each other - coming or going - is selling something. If nobodies buying no one will be selling.

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I can appreciate that some people like bands but its not for me either...it often seems like too much of a "show" for my personal tastes. I do like to sing with others and have missed that. I may have mentioned it earlier in this thread but Ive taken up going to community Sacred Harp sings which they've been doing in my neck of the woods for a few hundred years. There are some of the same songs that were in the TWI songbook, but mostly songs from the 18th and 19th century sung in the style of that time period..It some ways it sounds primitive(there definitely isn't that modern 'grooviness' to contend with)but at the same time it can be very uplifting, haunting and at times profound. It takes a few times to get the hang of it, but if you like to sing, they are really interesting and unique songs to hear and sing with others. Right now this type of singing is in a revival period and there are sings in every state, including Alaska. Some people love it, some people hate it but if you have an inclination toward the sound at all, and like to sing, imo it is worth checking out. Here's a documentary trailer: <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YHUfHNEZDPc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> youtube also has a billion videos of songs under sacred harp if you're interested. a sample of a few tunes(i included this because the second song was written right in geisha's neighborhood in 1800) I'll admit its got me hooked..ymmv

Well -- on the plus side if anyone ever needs a new career you can always become a cult exit counselor and therapist after these kids burn out, become disillusioned, and are trying to come to their senses and regain their lives in a few years ...chasing devils??? yea right! Some therapist is gonna make a pile of $$$ off this one lady in a decade or so

Thats the Manifestation of cheap, quick,uninspired, shortsighted and cheesy--- one of the most utilized manifestations in our day and in our time. Where previous generations would take 100 years to build a cathedral, build a library that should last 500 years or a home meant for generations, our generation is very adept at building grotesque megamarts in a month, stripmalls in a week, and cookie cutter houses made of compressed paper All the more reason to preserve those old buildings, if only to remind people what can be built when people care about what they do

Better Days Comin' Tim Eriksen

Ive never taken any except every once and awhile some that are free somewhere. Jorma Kaukonen has a site that has gotten some great reviews...Ive always liked him and been tempted but never have done it. His stuff is mostly Piedmont, country style blues, and some ragtimey acoustic pieces <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rVmznmUGLyE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/67ucZ3MxXDY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I looked into it once its a reasonable monthly fee. He also has a guitar camp in Ohio, The Fur Peace Ranch that looks like a good place to learn... I dont know any skype ones sorry to say

Discerning of Bad Stewards Is your observations in the senses world of people that are too distracted, preoccuppied or lazy to take the time to perceive genuine problems or potential problems that are painfully obvious to the naked eye, nor to develop and implement plans that address said problems. also known as see no evil; and sweeping it under the carpet There is a parable about the bad steward somewhere--its not a good thing

Maybe? "Its the same old lie that THE DEVIL has told for centuries he just keeps repackaging it" He neglects to say that HE was a huge proponent of it for 20 years....what does that make him? JL then quotes verses that christians use to propound this, again NO --it was him....Christians knew better and said so from the beginning. Its like listening to mass confusion with a good mix of ADHD thrown in Im with Geisha I wish him well but he'd do well to drop the charade, his ever changing doctrine that blows around like a leaf in the wind, come to the realization that he is clueless, find himself a bible teacher and do what is apparently the hardest thing in the world for him--STFU. He's already run two cults into the ground--what does it take to get through to this guy?

Ive never seen the Anderson library but preservation of historic buildings is part of my job. At 110 years the building is not really all that old. Ive worked on many buildings that are 150-200 years old or more that have been properly maintained through the years or restored that are in great condition. IMO historic buildings are almost always worth keeping unless they are beyond reclamation. This country has already lost too many of its architectural treasures That library was also a gift to the people of Kansas. A gift. I live in apart of the country (New England) that places value on its historic structures and generally maintains them very well. I have no idea what the outlook is in Kansas but apparently its much different. It is now owned and stewarded (well supposedly) by the State who apparently have decided to let it slide into disrepair. There is no reason buildings like that shouldnt last for hundreds and hundreds of years except for neglect and pi$$ poor building management. If I were a resident Id be livid. I doubt many more people will be lining up to give a library to the people of Kansas----after seeing the way they care for things I know that I wont.

I couldnt make it past his condescending delivery of the first few sentences What does he think his audience is a bunch of 3 year olds?

What a good allegory of TWI. They made some cosmetic changes but never got to the root of the problems to steward what they had,...its slowly being destroyed from the inside out

It can be a dogma eat dogma world out there.... personally Im not sold on that, but if you are planning on taking off please be responsible and leave enough food and water out for your pets. Those of us left behind will already have plenty of things to do

A great lapse in judgement. I was coming off a very hard breakup with my first love and was travelling aimlessly 1000's of miles from home or anyone that I knew trying to figure out what happened.... I really didnt have all that much interest in the bible but it was a prerequisite to stay in contact with some nice people I met during an otherwise very harsh period of my life. It was the beginning of 'unconditional' love with lots and lots of conditions