TheHighWay

I think Onioneater has a point... so much of what is made for men (clothes, shoes, etc.) are made very well, and tailored moderately enough to not be labeled as "trendy". On the other hand, women are expected to be trendy, eat their way thru shoes, etc. Of course, we are going to have to change out our stuff more often. In addition, who is often most responsible for decorating the house, furnishing the kitchen, keeping the kids properly clothed and playing with age-appropriate toys? The woman. So, who's stuff is out there on the lawn for sale? Hers. It's really the whole household's but since the guy hasn't laid claim to most of it, it's not "his". I mean, what does a guy "have" that he's supposed to put out at a yard sale? Another point is... frankly guys don't care... they don't care if its a little dirty, a little old, a little worn out, a little out of fashion... if it still fits, if it is still in one piece (mostly) it's all good. It's beyond understanding. It's a guy thing.

I had always assumed that most European folks who learned the English language would automatically learn it with a British accent, because of the nearness and colonialism of the Brits. I mean, before the world became the small place it is now, with everyone getting media from everyone else. I've met folks from India, Africa, etc. who certainly speak with a British accent. Am I wrong in my assumption? Funny, I never noticed the different accents thing in STNG... didn't Jean Luc's brother have a French accent as well? I guess I have learned to expect a mix of accents in my movies. And I'd DEFINATELY rather listen to the wrong accent than a badly done one (aka Harrison Ford, etc.) Does anyone know if Patrick Stewart's (Jean Luc) accent is natural or learned? I know he was trained as a Shakespearian performer. He may be one of those people who just don't have an ear for different accents. I can't remember ever seeing him in anything where he didn't sound like himself.

Lava lamps have gotten popular again, although they were really an early 70s thing, I believe. You can get them at WalMart these days for $10-20. Beaded curtains are also very popular right now. I just put one in my son's doorway and all his friends are jealous. Spencers or HotTopic usually have them in stock for around $20.

I've met people, but never out in a "real life" setting... it's always been because I went to a convention or event. But I have chatted with several voice actors, sci-fi actors, and radio personalities. And I kissed James Doohan (Scotty of Star Trek)... it was the price I had to pay for taking his picture.

I agreed with you Napoleon haters... the first time I saw the movie. But my kid made me watch it again, and it started to get funny. Maybe it's full of subliminal messages or something, but this film gets funnier each time you see it. Before you know it, you are addicted, and trading quotes with other silly people!! Tina, you fat lard, eat the food!!!!

I did a quick search on altavista and came up with this: http://www.lantecctc.com/salesstaff.htm Its him... pics and all. Hope that helps.

Mike... it's such a shame that twi put such a heavy burden on its people... "God won't spit in your direction" etc. BS!! Just think of your own kids. If your child was as desperate to please you as you are to please God, don't you think that attitude alone would be greatly pleasing to you, the father? But if your kid, in his efforts to please you, got himself all wound up about it, and was stressed all the time, to the point of feeling guilty and actually being fearful that he wasn't constantly pleasing to you... would that make you proud and happy as a father? I doubt it. Sure, you want your kid to try their best, and hopefully not screw up too much, but you also want them to enjoy life. You want them to explore the possibilities this life has to offer and make their own choices and watch them grow and learn along the way. Why should we think the Heavenly Father is any different?

The only other strong smell-memories I have of twi are: cleaning out the chicken wagon the week after ROA (oh... my... gawd) and of course, Iowa Beef (for all you Emporia fans.) But I have never smelled anything like those smells anywhere else but there. (thank you jeezus!!)

I work in an old building. A very old building. Somewhere in its lifetime elevators were installed, and so the corner stairs don't seem to get used much. Every once in a while I get the urge to exercise my desk-job-bound legs and I take these stairs. And sometimes when I do, I am instantly transported to Rome City, IN. There is just a certain smell combination of "old building" and "cleaning products" that takes me right back to the summer I spent cleaning the hallways of the Indiana Campus. I had some hard times on that campus, but I had far more good times, so it's usually not an unpleasant jump. (what was the guy's name who was in charge of housekeeping? he really tried to treat us decently) The other smell I get hit with here is that of the polish that gets used to make the elevator metal all shiny. When the cleaning crew uses that stuff, I step into the elevator only to find myself in Founder's Hall at HQ. I was on the cleaning crew there for a year and polished many a metal panel. Unfortunately, it doesn't bring the pleasant memories the Rome City "trip" does. I was just wondering, are there particular smells take you "back that way"?

Mike… Thank you for sharing. Your story is unbelievable! Except, well, no it’s not… after all, I spent 19 years in the Way. There is just not much that surprises me anymore. (except the fact that I stayed so very long) I’m just very happy for you, that you have a good marriage and a prosperous life. Please don’t feel guilty because you are “spiritual” enough, or aren’t “showing” your spirituality enough!! Ask yourself this question: How much of the guilt you feel is due to what you believe is “expected” of you? But where did you get those expectations? From what other people told you God wants? From what you see other people doing? Is the guilt from the fact that maybe you have achieved more in your life than others have so you feel you should be doing more? Only you can sort that out. But once you sort out WHAT you feel guilty about, and WHY you feel guilty about it, you are well on the road to resolving that guilt. You deserve a guilt-free life!!! I, too, have not been able to find a church or group where I feel comfortable; partly because of belief issues, and partly because of control issues. So, I just go about my life marveling at the world in which we live, thankful for what has been laid out before me, and looking to do good when I can, without short-changing myself in the process. I still get blessed… every single day!! Just because others are making a more outward showing of their spiritual beliefs than I do, does not make me any less spiritual. I hope you can find your peace. TheHighWay

I love this!! Of course, I have my own kitty at home that tries to eat the cursor. I have footage of her scraping her teeth across the monitor over and over again. (no lcd screens for me!!)

Oh my... mine turns out to be: Lulu Azerbaijan ROTFL!

Bud Morgan didn't do much with twi except the videos, but his son graduated in the 18th corps. Don't know if he's still in or not. Gayle Chapman... anyone know if she was in the college program 83-84? Then 17th corps? If it is who I'm thinking of she was very cute and had a magnificent voice but always seemed very shy about it... could this be the same gal who played with Prince???? (sorry, I can't tell from the pic on the website if its the same gal or not) Oh, and Mohammud Ali was witnessed to by a guy who ran into him at an airport or something. I remember him coming back and telling us all about it. If my memory is not completely gone it was R!c@ M. that did the witnessing. After that, lcm quit saying that Ali was seed of the serpent. He would just say that the guy had definately operated devil spirits to gain his fame, and blamed the mental and physical effects being manifested by Ali on said spirits. (hey craig... dontcha think getting bashed in the head repeatedly might have had some effect?)

Thanks for posting this article... it speaks volumes. I still wish that the court would have granted one last look at all the information by a designated team of experts... just for the possibility of settling so much of the speculation and controversy that came up. Hopefully, she is resting in peace now.

That's terrific!! Congratulations both of you!!!!

Hurry back, Lindy!!

Here's a great site for looking up music info... http://www.letssingit.com/ In the upper right-hand corner, you can do a search by artist, title, or part of a lyric (be sure to pick what you are searching for from the drop-down list next to the search box). I have used this site a million times when all I can remember is half a phrase, and I get the full title, artist and lyrics. It's great!!

Oaks... this is one of the few times I really disagree with you... Your post makes it sound like he's just bee-atching behind her back. I don't get that impression.The guy is looking for help... trying to figure out what to do... using a multitude of counsellors to gain wisdom. It mostly sounds like he would like to SAVE his marriage, and most of the advice he's getting here is "talk to HER" and "get professional input". Now, if he comes back time and again with the same gripe and no effort on his part, that's another thing. But give the guy some credit at least to start.

Taylor, I hate to say this, but if your family members have decided to go in the corps at this point in twi, there is probably not much you can do to convince them not to go. Nudge them, but don't break with them over this. Because for many, the current corps experience is harsh and hurtful. It's not a great way to discover the truth about twi, but it can serve to shock them into getting out. And when they do, you can be there to support them. If you get too in their face now, they may be too angry or stubborn or embarrassed to admit their mistake later.

Personally, I think the tragedy was that he wasn't allowed to marry Camilla in the first place... his heart was with her all along, but had to find a virgin with the proper blood line to marry... what a mess. Poor Diana. Poor kids. Who cares if Camilla gets to be the queen? The parliment pretty much runs the country anyway.

It's so easy to just say, "give your husband respect, ladies, and he will come around"... it is the same crap being sold in all the "Christian Wife" books that claim if you pray enough and are supportive enough, he'll change his evil ways... to which I say BULL. I was nothing but supportive to my husband for the majority of the marriage. I gave whole-hearted respect even when he absolutely didn't deserve it. I cleaned up the messes he made, forgave him his screwups, wiped the slate clean, looked forward with a fresh new attitude, and prayed my butt off. I simply believed in him. But even God can't override someone's free will... The fact is, my ex didn't have enough self-respect to believe the respect I gave him was genuine. He couldn't accept that it was real. Likewise, he didn't have a clue how to treat me with respect or appreciation, which are a big part of the whole "LOVE" thing that we women crave. And TWI was the perfect haven. Whenever there was trouble in a marriage, the man was automatically given the benefit of the doubt. He might get chastised for something not being right, but the woman also got chastised because she is his helpmeet and therefore "involved" whether she had anything to do with it or not. Honestly, if a man could put on a good front before leadership, he had it made in twi.

Oldies... I hope you were trying to be funny, 'cause if you truly think the women on the field levels of twi were in charge, you are delusional.

This is just for fun... but I did find the results amazingly accurate. I'd love to hear if you think your number describes you well or not. BIRTH NUMBER To figure out your Birth Number, add all the numbers in the birth date together, like in the example, until there is only one digit. (It may take more or less steps than the example.) Your birth date number does not prevent you from being anything you want to be, but it is a pretty good description of the qualities you start out with. Example: March 20, 1950 3 + 20 + 1950 = 1973 1 + 9 + 7 + 3 = 20 2 + 0 = 2 #1 THE ORIGINATOR #2 THE PEACEMAKER #3 THE LIFE OF THE PARTY #4 THE CONSERVATIVE #5 THE NONCONFORMIST #6 THE ROMANTIC #7 THE INTELLECTUAL #8 THE BIG SHOT #9 THE PERFORMER ========================================================== # 1 - THE ORIGINATOR –- Originals. Coming up with new ideas and executing them is natural. Having things their own way is another trait that pegs them as being stubborn and arrogant. 1's are extremely honest and do well to learn some diplomacy skills. They like to take the initiative and are often leaders or bosses, as they like to be the best. Being self-employed is definitely helpful for them. They need to learn to stay open-minded about other people’s ideas. #2 - THE PEACEMAKER --- Born diplomats. They are aware of others' needs and moods and often think of others before themselves. Naturally analytical and very intuitive they don't like to be alone. Friendship and companionship is very important and can lead them to be successful in life, but on the other hand they'd rather be alone than in an uncomfortable relationship. Being naturally shy they should learn to boost their self-esteem and express themselves freely and seize the moment and not put things off. # 3 - THE LIFE OF THE PARTY --- Idealists. They are very creative, social, charming, romantic, and easygoing. They start many things, but don't always see them through. They like others to be happy and go to great lengths to achieve it. They are very popular and idealistic. They should learn to see the world from a more realistic point of view. # 4 - THE CONSERVATIVE --- Sensible and traditional. They like order and routine. They only act when they fully understand what they are expected to do. They like getting their! hands dirty and working hard. They are attracted to the outdoors and feel an affinity with nature. They are prepared to wait and can be stubborn and persistent. They should learn to be more flexible and to be nice to themselves. # 5 - THE NONCONFORMIST --- Explorers. Their natural curiosity, risk taking, and enthusiasm often land them in hot water. They need diversity, and don't like to be stuck in a rut. The whole world is their school and they see a learning possibility in every situation. The questions never stop. They are well advised to look before they take action and make sure they have all the facts before jumping to conclusions. # 6 - THE ROMANTIC --- Idealistic and need to feel useful to be happy. A strong family connection is important to them. They have a strong urge to take care of others and to help. They are very loyal and make great teachers. They like art or music. They make loyal friends who take the friendship seriously. 6's should learn to differentiate between what they can change and what they cannot. #7 - THE INTELLECTUAL --- Searchers. Always probing for hidden information, they find it difficult to accept things at face value. Emotions don't sway their decisions. Questioning everything in life, they don't like to be questioned themselves. They're never off to a fast start, and their motto is slow and steady wins the race. They come across as philosophers and being very knowledgeable, and sometimes as loners. They are technically inclined and make great researchers uncovering information. They like secrets. They live in their own world and should learn what is acceptable and what not in the world at large. # 8 - THE BIG SHOT --- Problem solvers. They are professional, but blunt and to the point. They have good judgment and are decisive. They have grand plans and like to live the good life. They take charge of people. They view people objectively. They let you know in no uncertain terms that they are the boss. They should learn to consider what others want in their decisions. #9 - THE PERFORMER --- Entertainers. They are very caring and generous, giving away their last dollar to help. With their charm, they have no problem making friends and nobody is a stranger to them. They have so many different personalities that people around them have a hard time understanding them. They are like chameleons, ever changing and blending in. They have tremendous luck, but also can suffer from extremes in fortune and mood. To be successful, they need to build a loving foundation.

You guys make me feel so good… I’m not the only one with a case of arrested development!!! When you think about it, many of us maintained a 20-something lifestyle well into our 30s and 40s… not buying a house, moving around, not raising in the ranks of our jobs because we didn’t stay anywhere long enough, not worrying about having “better things” in life (furniture, cars, insurance, etc) because that would be too worldly-minded… Belle, I did what you are doing… went back to old friends and family. Tried to remember what I liked to do before twi, to see if I still liked it. In most cases, I still do. And mostly, I had to learn that it was okay to RELAX. Nap when you get home from work. Sleep in on a Sunday. Have a pizza and a beer while watching a really “spiritually crappy” movie. Spend an entire weekend reading a book. I distinctly remember the moment I realized I had been reading a book for hours and NOT stopped myself several times in the process, feeling guilty. I was such a wound-up person… it was such a habit to not allow myself free/fun time. And it was such a relief to realize I could get that freedom back. Hang in there… you will too!

This guy definately knows what he is talking about... it reads like a chapter out of my life. I've tried to explain to people how I could have been so manipulated by my ex for so many years, and not realize it until the very end. And how what he does doesn't look (from the outside) like anything's going on. But that if you are on the receiving end, it's very demeaning and controlling. (once you are aware of it)It's a really hard thing to describe or explain to people. Self-awareness is DEFINATELY a big help... if you know your weaknesses, it helps you to recognize an attack for what it is. And if you can be confident enough in yourself to draw a line in the sand and say, I won't be pushed beyond my own comfort zone, and no one can tell me my comfort zone is wrong, that's another big part of the equation. Anyway... glad there are books out there like this!!