I Love Bagpipes

dmiller!! Here in NC at 10 AM...don't know when the minute clip airs during that time...

Thanks gents and ladies. :) I didn't think of it that way Wayside. Thanks! Thanks mstar... http://artomat.org/hosting.html It isn't a big money maker. ;) It's more about artists getting there names out there. Sounds like you understand that; a place for expression. Patrons too get an original piece of work. :) Artists also advertise their websites on their pieces. There is an initial investment from the host usually no less than around $2000, but that varies. There is no more cost for the machine and it is on permanent loan. The host and artomat together help maintain the mechanical working of the machine. Usually a machine is designed specifically for the host; ie: the one in my current avatar is at a gallery named SPACE; one at a local hospital has an Operation Game theme; etc. Usually the host confirms how they'd like the machine to appear/be designed. The machine itself is an artpiece. ;) The initial set up fee includes a stock of art packs to get started, usually 200 pieces. As far as the $$ for the art: Pieces cost the public $5 each. The host gets $1.50. The artist makes $2.50. Artomat comes in making $1.00 each. I'm guessing we ship out about....2000 to 2500 pieces per month. I think that answers your questions? Thanks for asking!

Well....at the risk of sounding like I'm bragging......umm.....that's not my intent at all....but i am proud of the work. :) Art-o-mat (that place where I work where we move snack size art around the globe) has a clip on The Rachel Ray Show on Fox, Monday, 3/12. It will be a short clip....maybe we will get 1 to 2 minutes. :) We got a call a couple weeks ago from the producer. Part of the show that day is about stuff one can buy out of vending machines. I just want to share the news....without sounding too excited. It's big news for us because we literally are an underground operation :D. We (the owner and a couple part timers) work out of a basement surrounded on 3 sides by dirt. I walk across the street from my home, walk in the basement of my neighbor's house.....and am part of this international underground "project." We have over 350 active artists from around the globe. I almost weekly email artists across the waters. We weekly get new submissions from artists around the globe to participate with Art-o-mat. Anyway.....just wanted to let ya'll know. Sure would be nice if $$$ came with the recent publicity. :D Oh well....maybe later it will, and maybe not. Thanks for reading this....btw. http://artomat.org/home.html (spammed )

cool..........

(((Freeatlast)))) What a story. I know that wasn't easy to write and I empathize with the thankfulness in your heart. I trust you kept those letters written to your children? I don't know their ages. Maybe someday you will be able to share those letters with them? They will be (are) encouraged by your strength, stamina, faith. That impacts more than words ever can. I pray your other circumstances change as time moves forward. And I hope sometime later you are able to share "the story for another time...." All the best, ILB

I got to thinking....I guess I should add.... This is a big deal to us because Artomat is a garage operation. We get local news around the US pretty regular, but to get unsolicited national press is a sweet thang...even if it is only online. (HA!) The Artomat clip follows the clip about Paris banning smoking...and what to do with all those machines. http://artomat.org/home.html tells more of the story...if anybody be interested. And if not...that's fine too.

(Cool new "reply" button beside "quote"... thanks Paw and whomever.. :) ) Below the "TV" screen, beside the play arrow is a button that will take it to full screen view. Have fun. I've watched this thing about 10 times. I knew I was weird already, but 10 times!?! hee

Hi Wendy, You have been in my thoughts (and therefore prayers) since I read your post yesterday. I was involved with TWI from the age of 18 until 46. My mom called around some when I got involved and then took PFAL for herself. My dad eventually took it too. Neither ever got "involved," but at least they went to the "horse's mouth" to get information. I understand you are inquiring about an offshoot, but the concept is the same. I am not an advice giver; therefore, this is not "advice".... simply some thoughts. You have gotten responses here leaning toward both ends of the spectrum, and some middle-of-the-road responses. I'm a believer in gathering information, sitting with it, endeavoring to look at a situation with (as much a possible) neutrality, weighing it with what I believe and then taking a jump....all with prayer while staying in touch with my "gut." I might consider other's advice/suggestions, but when the rubber hits the road, I endeavor to stick more with my own heart trusting God to work there and giving the outcome to Him. If I screw up (which does happen), I endeavor to admit it, correct what I can....and surrender the outcome once again. For what it's worth, I encourage you to continue to proceed gathering info and then moving as you feel led. Here are a couple links to a site I found within the past couple months that have helped me with cult mindset. It is one man's opinion/insight regarding cult thinking, an individual once involved with Scientology and then the anti-cult movement. "What is a cult?": http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/cult.htm "Mirrors": http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/mirrors.htm And don't blame yourself for your daughter's choices; you sound like a wonderful mom who loves her daughter. Good success to you Wendy. ILB PS: I left TWI 1-1/2 years ago. Both my teens (16 and 19 currently) were raised with TWI doctrine (to a point)...and they are doing very well, btw. They no longer choose to attend TWI functions. We are not "involved" with an offshoot; but have had beneficial help, encouragement, and teaching from some offshoots.

Yesterday, ABC World News Online aired a clip about Artomat (where I work a few days a week). Artomat distributes original art from refurbished cigarette machines. One guy's whim turned into an international project. I feel like I'm almost famous (not really)....but this is exciting for all the Artomat folk. Just thought I'd share it. http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2842162 It takes a few minutes to load (or mine did)...the sound came through with no pic and then it loaded. There is a 30 second commercial and then the Artomat clip (from NYC) is about 2 minutes long.

Thank ee!! Yup Yup...Clark is a cool guy. And the artists are lots of fun too. We are having a gathering in August to celebrate and I'll get to meet the artists I only know via cyber communication. Supposed to have good music and food and gallery hops!!! Ironic that Winston-Salem is like the cigarette capitol of the US.

I think this clip is about 5 minutes....me thinks it is amazing. http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=d487...52&fr=yvmtf "if only more of us chose to use the power in our hands for such beautiful reasons, yet their are still those who just don t get it..." I can see this as part of an Imax production with Pink Floyd music (or Secret Garden or something mesmerizing). Put some color on the sand trails.... Intersperse with a laser show.... Wow...

Just for clarification a cleanse is not homeopathy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy Of course as with other alternative approaches, there are varying opinions to validity. Coffee enemas? Believe it or not help stimulate the liver to produce glutithione (sp?) which helps the body dump toxins. So rhino along with your beer cleanse...you ought help that liver out. Donchaknow?!? Here's how: http://www.ineedcoffee.com/01/01/enema/

Yes!! BRAVO and good for you!!!! Have a blast learning and loving it! Sounds like you will be great in this field. Hope all your family is continuing well. :)

This is where I work a few afternoons each week. :) Pocket sized art we have. Front page cover and feature article...we celebrate 10 years this year. woo hoo http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/index.html http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/feature_two.html

Yeppers!!! :) Dittos!!!! CW...took the words out of me mouth...professional!!! Me thinks the crisp layout and easy access features will....hmmm....encourage folks still in TWI to take a deeper look.

I just wanted to say thanks for that paragraph WD. (Ties into my thoughts recently regarding meself and "cultsih" mentality/mindset. ) That's a fine paragraph, imo. :) I'm outta here now...wee...

PL, I have not read all the responses here. I have followed your story some and recall some of your experiences in the splinter group you were involved in. I left TWI 15 months ago after 28 years....so am recently out also. My 2 cents? Go with Pinklady's gut.....bottom line.....it's your life, nobody elses. And avoid/be alert to (which I'm sure you are) extremist thinking....from either side. God can work anywhere, anytime, anyway He deems appropriate (regardless of the title/group/etc.) I'm a strong advocate of not throwing the baby out with the bath water....and at the same time being aware that that same baby poops and throws up all over him/herself. I have had great help/experience with CFF though I am not "involved" with CFF. I currently don't listen to the teachings, etc., but do have a contanct with some of the people. The folks I've had contact with/help from have asked nothing in return...literally nothing. Cost of classes? Not much, imo. Plus you can copy the syllabi and give 'em away, just don't sell 'em or change 'em. I even copied one of the classes on tape from someone else's cds and was told that's okay. Something else that hits my mind along these lines of "cult" groups: I've recently found a site regarding cultish "mindset." The site was started by a person involved in Scientology who left Scientology realizing the cultishness, and got involved with the anti-cult movement (acm). He realized that the acm is just as much a cult as cults. Imho, I tend to agree. Here are two links to the site, short and concise reading. If you are so inclined; it may not be appropro for you. http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/mirrors.htm (Mirrors) http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/cult.htm (What is a cult?) The end of this one page article states: "The cultic mindset can also be seen in a less dramatic and more subtle enactment of the above points. Mainly through the unquestioning acceptance of authority, the dependence of a fixed pattern of thought or behavior, and a willingness to rationalize unethical behavior. The antidote against the cultic mindset is the willingness to question any accepted ideas, a priority given to truth over personal wishes, and a refusal to justify means over ends. -------- Bernie The best way to beat a cult mentality, is to be aware of what a cult is, then make sure you are not part of that mentality (Shez) " Best of luck PL....you'll be fine.

I'm belated on this one, or just real dang early. Wishing you a strange and wonderful 'nother year of this thang called LIFE!!! Happy Belated Bday!!

I recently found myself burying a burden, one I felt I couldn't share with anyone. My dearest friend lovingly and tenderly excavated my soul. Again I was reminded of my own weakness and of hiding...from myself, from my closest companions, from my God before whom all is open and naked. I know why we hide, and I look forward to the day when we no longer feel we need to do so. Reverie Why are you hiding friend? Why do you not respond? My heart aches and longs for your companionship... for your acceptance. Why do we humans hide? Why do we not open ourselves While we draw breath.. To give praise, To share without reservation our burdens, To listen to our hearts beat, To listen beyond and beneath words, To share the rhythm of our souls? I long for the day we love one another In spite of our disagreements, In spite of our misunderstandings. When we all with open face and open hearts Stand in one another's presence.... fully unguarded, without reservation. When we truly see with enlightened hearts what it is that lies deep within compelling each of us to act as we do. Yes, I guess I am a dreamer. Hopefully there is substance to my dreams. And one day we will be connected with a resonance that extends beyond words, a magical resonance that too often exists only in our dreams. I pray I never lose that dream.. never quit believing in the heart of another of my sister, of my brother where God has planted eternity and a purpose divine.

"Very hard to call it real": That rings clear to moi! And if one is raised within manipulation (within his/her family setting) it is even harder to identify? At least until that manipulation has been exposed.

Something I want to add (obviously) regarding the exercise I posted here. Some Christians might view this exercise (which I know touches only a smidgeon regarding the subject of self awareness) as going within to "find" answers. Others may look at this as one being too self absorbed/preoccupied. Might that be the case? Sure. Have I been there? Yes. Did it concern me when I was there? Some, but not overly. The point is I was AWARE of what I thought/felt. Also I communicated quite a bit of what I wrote in the exercises with a trusted individual (outside of TWI) with whom I could bounce stuff off of. This exercise won't work for everyone (and shoot might only have worked for me :blink: ). What it did/has done for me was/has helped me become of aware of me: my heart, my rhythm, my body, my thoughts, my feelings. Through the process I became self exposed and turned my heart/soul more and more naked before God, nothing hidden consciously. I recognized I didn't/don't have answers in myself of myself. (Besides my "self" is actually in part a culmination of ancestry via biology & constitution, and experience/environment calculated.) For me I recognized that I cannot be fully filled without God, and ultimately without the Lord Jesus Christ as a real person in my life. I focused on the emotional side of self awareness, because that is where my study has been....albeit selfish; my studies were to help meself. :) This topic is broader than emotions. A few lines from Cry of the Soul help partially clarify thoughts/perceptions I am trying to put into words : "(Emotions) are a voice that can tell us how we are dealing with a fallen world, hurtful people,and a quizzical God who seldom seems to be or do what we expect of Him. ...................................... .....We encourage honest inward examination for the purpose of gaining wisdom -- not only to explore the question 'what's going on here?' but even more, to respond to what we discover as we ask, 'what am I doing with God?' "

WW what an interesting field of study! I've never persued either (communication/words and medical/health field) "professionally", but have been a peruser of studying both as a hobby and to help in areas I've worked in. This stuff got me thinking lately about Helen Kellar (again), wondering what her inner voice/world/perceptions were like. I'd say her world was non-linear. Did she think with/in forms, rhythms, tastes, smells, gut feelings? I read a biography of her life some years back....incredible to me it is. Good success on your endeavors WW!! YW Potato and T-bone. Thank you backatcha too!!

Beautiful pics!!! I'm amazed she can stand up with that head dress!!! And on her toes at that!

hahahahaha Ex10... Sponge Bob here too. Imagine that!!! (It explains the parking-cone-moving syndrome. I wonder if Pirate has moved parking cones...Pirate?) Tom Strange = Charlie Brown...I thought he'd be more like Snoopy?! :)