Rocky

And in that regard, it CAN provide some experience at getting along in such a situation that might be helpful to a person when it comes time to choose a mate (hopefully for life). Not only do you learn about a person of the opposite gender -- who is NOT a relative -- but you learn probably not just a little bit about yourself. For the guy (unless he is one of those gay or transexual fellows) it's nearly ALWAYS going to be true that he'll want to engage in some intimate interactive exercise, and SOMETIMES it could be that way for the gal... but it certainly can be beneficial (not that it would always be beneficial) for the guy to learn to live with a situation where he must delay such gratification (you know, for the future, when as a married man he wouldn't be getting it whenever HE wanted it anyway) and to get accustomed to a gal who is capable of maintaining appropriate boundaries... Again, that's just one hypothetical scenario. It could just as easily complicate a lot of issues for both, especially if they don't have what it takes to maintain such boundaries personally.

I'm reading Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. I think it's pretty good. I've also gotten some of the insights from books like you named Polar Bear from a group I participate in at the local VA medical center. I've benefitted greatly thus far from those insights. Over the last two years, I've lost more than 60 pounds (and NOT with the help of programs like NutraSystems or Jenny Craig). I've gotten important insights on what works nutrition wise, and I have been doing both aerobic exercise and a regular weight lifting routine.

http://www.springtrainingonline.com/featur...rting_dates.htm The first date posted for Pitchers and catchers to report for spring training is Feb 15 (Cleveland Indians) ... which I believe is 48 days from today...

Good thing most games are televised (at least in the local markets)... I sure can't see my self paying to see very many games. And what, only about 7 weeks until pitchers/catchers report?

Yeah, good quote. tnks. In high school (choir) we did several of the songs from WSS... and it took until just now to really put them in context. The choreography's quaint and the movie is longer than it would be if made today, but it still won awards back then. It's good to expand one's (my) cultural awareness.

Who said... "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."? ---------- I just got done watching this movie for the FIRST TIME (and it was made oh, about 45 years ago)... Isn't Tivo wunnerful

:blink: :blink: :huh: :o :huh: Any questions?

So, mates (that Aussie slang is for slipper's benefit), what is the spiritual (or if not spiritual, then cosmic) significance of having seen a car with a twi bumper sticker on it just a few minutes ago? The design was apparently new (well, it's been yeeeaaaars since I've seen one), but the twi logo and the green color were still the same as they were more than 20 years ago. I didn't get close enough, for long enough, to read the motto on it, but the big green block letters which said "The Way" were clear enough. I think it may have said something about building biblical understanding. The gal driving the car pulled into a gas station, but I figured it would be too freaky for me to pull in behind her and start a conversation. I figured that if I did talk to her, it could be a... well, I didn't want to cause her to get "out of fellowship!" Anyway, in the event anyone knows anyone who's in that cult these days in AZ, the gal was African-American, looked to be in late 20s up to possibly 40 years old. This twi siting was in South Scottsdale AZ. It's probably been 10 years since I've seen any twi stickers... Whattaya think?

I guess I don't even know why anyone even gives a spit about any of this. I left twi 20 years ago. It took perhaps another year or two to decide they were all full of beans.

I'd simplify it... it's all just DRIVEL. Good f'ing grief. Yeah, I think JAL long ago lost the ability to find a constructive role in life. Indeed, 20 years later and it's still pretty much the same as the Way Cult was, as far as the interaction of the people involved. And that's an incredibly long time to live while making only small, "tweeking" changes to anything from the prior 20 years. Find a life. Then live it.

Didn't it used to be made at 1 Mustard Street? btw, yellow mustard is actually good for you. Very low in calories, highly packed with flavor. The vinegar and turmeric in it are both very good for you. There's actually a restaurant very close to where I live here in the Phoenix area that serves those white hots. It's probably the only place outside of Rochester I've ever been that serves that Rochester staple food! Of course Rochester isn't the NY metro area.... it's UPSTATE for goodness sake. Not sure Coup was suggesting it was near NYC.

Met them once, with Catcup's husband, for dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Chandler, AZ a few years ago. At that time, Steve was still working for Peavey, I think. They seemed happy. I recall they still were doing a weekly (I think) fellowship (non-twi) meeting in their home in Mesa, AZ. Didn't stay in touch with them.

It's beginning to sound like the Yankers think like you on this... the AP reports today (yes, Christmas Day) that the Bronx Bombers have begun trade talks with a view toward unloading the Big Unit... and one of the teams they are talking to is the D'backs... (well, RJ DOES live here!). It's way too early to tell what might happen, but Johnson could get more butz in seats at the BOB, er Chase Field... even though he started to show his age with the Yanks.

Well, I'm off (as soon as I finish this post) to my mother's house for Christmas dinner. It's just me and my cat here at home, and he doesn't care what day of the year it is. Just over three years ago, things happened (much too much to go into right now, it would take at least an hour to set the background clear enough for anyone to understand what I've been dealing with) and I haven't seen my only child (my daughter) but for very brief moments since. She was 13 when she and her mother, after her mother's church (mormon, she converted after we separated) paid off the judge, succeeded in pretty much severing my relationship with my daughter. And I haven't even heard her voice since August 5, 2005. And that day it was only about a three minute phone call. Since then, I've been unable to work. Yesterday, my mother learned from my ex that my daughter, now 17 is not doing well in school. Of course, this tears at me even more. She's always been an exceptionally bright kid. The unfortunate thing about that is that she became particularly adept at playing her mother and I off of each other. And her mother has, ever since we separated (when Amy was 4), been extremely permissive. That puts me, who believes that kids need structure as well as clear rules and boundaries, in her eyes as a meanie. So, you can imagine (which is pretty much all I can do these days, because they both put great effort into keeping me from learning the truth about what happens in Amy's life) how such a situation plays out for a teenage girl. So hearing yesterday about her troubles with school just grates on my soul even more. Now, to the point -- I cope, year round, these days by volunteering at a children's shelter, working one day a week with kids 4-6 years old. And that is such a blessing that I don't know what I'd be able to do if I wasn't volunteering with them. Anyway, Hopeful, stay hopeful... and I'm glad you have friends here and elsewhere to give you a smile and a hug from time to time.

I only missed one -- existence. I spelled it "existance." That pesky "ence" vs. "ance" gets me (almost) all the time. In 7th grade, I was the best speller in the class... but I remember often having a hard time with "necessary." Then, when I was working for the newspaper, "cemetery" got me, until the boss got so irritated with me missing it, I had to remember.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navc...p;q=%22bob+ross I remember Bob Ross as the guy who taught oil painting on PBS on Saturday mornings... Ho ho ho!

Well, don't we still teach our boys about "jail bait" as they grow up? As irrational as it seems that a 17 yo would be convicted for this, it IS against the law. As with JL's son, I can't imagine the prosecutor in the Georgia case didn't have enough discretion to make this go away. What we don't get from this news item is any of the political background/environment in which the situation occurred. And political environment matters. First, the judge pointed out that the state legislature had made specific provisions related to this type of activity. Given the controversial nature of a situation like this, can a reader reasonably assume there was NO press coverage of what the legislature was up to when they dealt with it? How often do we hear about the need for parents to be involved in their kids' lives, even as teens. I know, much easier said than done. But the roots of this behavior go back, in these children's lives to early childhood/preschool years. Did the parents' of either of them try to teach/train their kids about delayed gratification? In light of last week's reports that 90 percent of Americans, according to at least one study, engage(d) in pre-marital sex, I would think it would behoove parents and maybe others in the community (schools/churches, perhaps others) to find ways to get the point across to (most) kids to make a clear distinction between sexual activity with "of age vs under age" partners. I'm quite familiar with how horny and impulsive teens can be. But for goodness sake -- teach boys how to keep it in their pants to keep them out of (more than one kind of) trouble.

And to all, a GOOD NIGHT! :)

Well, our own Rev. 2Ts is better than the next best thing.... He IS the best (thing). Mayhaps when a time of phamine finds its way to his door, he would give of the gifts of his life to assist you in all the remembrances necessary.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the new movie! 8)

You FINALLY found your calling! Nice job rhino.

Oh sure you're shocked! A likely story.... Any guess as to how many I got correct? Anyone care? (probably not)

Hey LG, I'll echo what many of the GSC friends here have said... I'm very thankful to have had you share of your insights and now of your self. Being a single dad myself, beside your clear headed sharing on political topics, I certainly admire you for the daughter who will be your living legacy. Indeed, for her sake and for grandchildren to come, write, write, write not just of your memories and experiences, but your hopes and dreams, and your insights. The record of your heart and mind will live on -- leaving Lisa thankful everyday. Thanks.

I respect your "I" statement and no problem on having said all you'd like to.

Disagreement vs denial? I would agree with you (to disagree) on that point, except that your posts taking issue with the particular posts, IMO, can reasonably be characterized as denial. And obviously, as to whether the USA is or is not a Christian nation, we do agree. Do we clearly have a Christian heritage? In general (and because I'm not familiar with the role of Christianity in the Articles of Confederation and the time during which the country was under the Articles) I do believe that there are people denying that we have such a heritage. I agree with rhino that Islam certainly can be a part of the overall discussion on this thread. Yet, I still believe that you used Islam in these particular posts, to compare/contrast with Christianity as a way to minimize an obvious reality. What would come to play in the event fundamentalist/rightwing conservative Christians in the USA got the kind of country they desire is enough to make one shudder.