Kevlar2000

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeStGeorge:

Very impressive! Johns Hopkins has a great reputation. I've heard that it's in a rather questionable part of Baltimore, though. Make sure Ryan stays alert, especially if he goes off campus.

You may be thinking of the hospital, and I would have to agree with you. But the university campus is very nice and situated in a rather tony upper-class neighborhood.

It's always a good idea to be watchful and alert, and I would recommend he go with friends if he goes off campus, but I don't think you should have any undue concerns for his well-being.

Having said that, I know you must be very proud of him, and wish him well on this wonderful opportunity!

Bitter, chyeah right!

After I left, I was told the "spiritual heavies" had proclaimed I had a "spirit of bitterness".

More like a "spirit of p!$$ed-off'dness"!

We're not bitter...just far better informed.

And reacting appropriately

Tools - unless it's broken, why get rid of it? You never know if you'll need even the most obscure and under-used ones.

Clothing - most of us guys are'nt fashionistas; Khaki really is forever.

Plus, if you can still fit into clothes you wore 20 years ago, what an ego boost that is!

Other miscellanious items - I have memorabilia from high school (30+ years ago), and certain items will bring back a good memory or two. And at an age where memories are starting to fade, it helps to have something like that.

Way books and materials - can't really answer that one. Other that Memory Lane things, I keep thinking one day I'll trot all that stuff out and compare what I used to believe with how I believe now. It might be a hoot! (although that signed copy of Jesus Christ Our Passover might be worth a lot more on eBay someday)

quote:

Originally posted by Raf:

speaking of Star Trek II, Saavik, a Vulcan, cries at Spock's funeral).

Raf, I believe according to Trek canon (and the Trek experts can correct me if I'm wrong) Saavik is half-Romulan and spent some of her childhood in a rather harsh non-Vulcan setting, so she might not feel completely bound to the emotion-suppressing disciplines.

And neither of her two incarnations had a British accent (had to re-rail this somehow! :)--> )

quote:

I weighed 295lbs in Jan. of 2004, now I weigh 105, hard hard work...

God bless you, ma'am! That is no mean feat!

quote:

Originally posted by outandabout:

I never understood how the class was "Free" but REQUIRED a "donation" of however much $$$ it cost at the time...

For tax purposes, perhaps? So as to retain their non-profit tax status?

quote:

Originally posted by ex10:...just wondering how to reconcile her christian faith with being involved with gay friends because of her interest in theatre.

If I may offer some simplistic advise, she should:

Enjoy her theatre experiences.

Enjoy her friends, gay and straight.

Don't have sex, gay or straight - wait 'til you're an adult (preferably married). As Jack Handey says, "I believe in making the world safe for children, but not our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex." :)-->

quote:

But I'm not 15 and trying to figure it all out

Ah yes - Didn't we all feel the weight of the world at that age? I know I did, (or at least the weight of the future) and was looking earnestly for some sort of answers that made sense. I thought I might have found some in a class I took given by a Midwestern preacher. -->

In the end, she will get her cues and clues from you, not only your answers, but how you view and treat people. And I think it's wonderful she comes to you with these kinds of questions. It indicates the lines of communication are open, regardless of the conclusions to which you both come.

What a wonderful treasure that is!

quote:

In 10 years where will they be?

Renting out the former Pikes Peak Theological Seminary and Shoe Shine Emporium, selling, uh, I mean offering advanced degrees in Biblical subjects such as

Deceiving the Holy Spirit Today

The Bible Tells Me So (or maybe not)

The Lack of Money is the Root of All Evil

Appropriating Other People's Research for Fun and Profit

Paging Dr. Moreau...Dr. Moreau, you're wanted in the lab....

The Island of Dr. Moreau

quote:

Originally posted by WeWereScammed:

Well, at least 6 months ain't as bad as the year I wasted as a WOW Scambassador.

Sir Scamalot, I believe I'm starting to detect a theme in your posts. :D-->

Excellent. Thanks, Paw.

I might even be tempted to go into the chatroom once in a while. :)-->

Ex10,

Thank you for sharing your perspective.

I have no argument with your statements, as Victor Wierwille seemed to exhibit different personalities to different people. My only extended experience with him was at the 1978 Advanced Class in Emporia, and my overall sense was he was very quickly irritated about the least little things.

I would only add the following thought to what you wrote:

quote:

He wasn't quite the monster that he is portrayed as being. if he was, he probably wouldn't have gained thousands of followers, ya know?

My Way experiences from 1971 to 1987 were formed fairly independently of any personal interaction with Victor Wierwille. I only knew of the public persona he displayed at venues like PFAL, the Sunday Night Tapes, the occasional roadshow, and the Rock of Ages. In fact, I would hazard a guess that most of the thousands who were associated with the Way at any given time never actually met the man, much less were exposed to his humors.

He could well have been a monster, and I would never have known.

I would like to think that, had I had even an inkling of the shenanagans going on, my time spent with that organization would have been far shorter than it was.

quote:

...the general concensus was that he got it from a comic book.

Maybe it was "The Inedible Bulk" ;)-->

See, my tongue-in-the-cheek objection to comparing this LC (or any Way leader) to a body part is - body parts are useful and necessary. Whereas these folks....need to get a life.

And stop trying to imitate useful body parts.

;)-->

quote:

The Limb Coordinator of Florida is a penis.

Now that really is an insult...

to penises everywhere.

They'll just have to rise up and take a stand caravan against that kind of negative comparison.

Because we all have to hang together, or we will surely all hang separately.

(I know, it's cheap humor, but it's the only kind I can afford. --> )

Psalmie leaves, and the Orioles start winning. They even swept the SpankMees, I mean the Wankees, I mean the Yankees.

Cause and Effect?

Naaaah, couldn't be! :D-->

Enjoy your new home, and I hope you always have a fond place in your heart for BaltiSnore. ;)-->

quote:

Originally posted by ex70'shouston:

Lets not even compare VPW and Billy Graham.

VPW twisted evrything for his reasons and personal gain.

Billy Graham is a true man of God. He not only talks the talk he truly walks the walk.

Everyone has flaws and faults, Wierwille and Graham included. But from what I can see, Graham tried to sublimate them in the service of the Lord; Wierwille abandoned himself to them.

And I remember hearing that "Way of Life or Death" tape on my WOW year and thinking, "Man - righteous, righteous, righteous!" Now, in retrospect, I can understand the jealousy I refused to hear then.

IMHO, Billy Graham is the man Victor Wierwille wished he had been.

quote:

... the legal and constitutional minefield that existed when Edward VIII abdicated to marry the lady from Baltimore still exists...

Those people from Baltimore - royal pains in the arse, all of them.

And a Simpson, as well.

D'OH!

quote:

Originally posted by Cindy!:

I'm sorry..."we" is not allowed... no matter how real "we" may be.

You must get off this thread now, Kevlar....go and "we" no more.

Okay, "we're" all gone now.

We swears...on the Precious!

quote:

...I'm suprised Paw didn't try pulling something like that on us. Must just be a nice guy.

Actually, it would have been a riot if Pawtucket had changed all of this site's web addresses so they would have automatically re-directed everyone to the Way's website.

Something to keep in mind for next year. :)-->

quote:

Originally posted by Horse Called War:

Con men and scam artists are polished craftsman - sleight of hand and deception are practiced arts. These people can and do EARN a living off of deceiving people. Ask yourself honestly: why would the Way not elaborate on con men and their hustles? Why would they not at LEAST mention the fact that it was a strong possibility?

Because that would involve their followers developing and using, as you mentioned, logic, scientific research and critical thinking skills; the result of which could have been viewpoints divergent from the Way's teaching (doctrine and dogma).

Also, I'm not so sure Wierwille, Martindale, Rivenbark et al would have been interested in having their "adherents" adept at spotting con-men and -women.

For reasons which, at least to me, are obvious.

quote:

Originally posted by krysilis:

where the wind

...comes sweepin' down the plain, And the wavin' wheat...

Psalmie, my heart goes out to you. We had to put our 10 yr old cat to sleep about a month ago after she had developed a massive kidney infection. When they did the tests and took x-rays of her at the vet hospital, they saw she only had one functioning kidney - which had probably been the case her whole life. Not that she showed it, or ever had a problem urinating.

Not being a cat person, she had not been my first choice for a pet, but mom and daughter prevailed. Of course, you know who got stuck feeding her, taking her to the vet, and cleaning the cat box (thank God she went in the box - I would have had fits if she hadn't).

But you know how cats somehow burrow their way into your heart, even when you resist it. When she'd .... me off, I would call her "Asswipe" with a French-like pronounciation (az-WEE-pay)and threaten to shave her butt and make her walk backwards. She'd just blink at me with a look that said, "Iloveyoufeedmenow".

She was on my daughter's lap when they put her to sleep, and it was hard to tell who was crying harder.

You never think you would get that attached to an animal...and then you find out differently.

Happy Birthday, Psalm! And Many, Many More! :)-->