The Smiley Smile Message Board

How'd you get into the Beach Boys?

What is your personal favorite album?

How'd you find spirituality and religion? Also, how did you make it a permanent fixture in your life?

You're neither inaccessbile nor unapproachable by the way...

Thanks, I appreciate that.  And I will answer your questions as soon as a I can.

I got into the Beach Boys via my oldest brother.  He was a BB fan almost from the beginning of band, and was witness to their successes and failures in the 60's.  My first memories of the BBs were the tapes he made for me that I listened to during summer breaks from school, probably when I was 7 years old. 

My favorite BB album would be Pet Sounds or Sunflower, but it usually depends upon my needs or desires at the time.  Right now I've been listening to the "Last BB Album" CD I made for myself.

The third question is a big one that will require some thought to answer it correctly.

How far back do the archives of Stephen's responses go?  I'm trying to find his terrific answer to my question about Dennis singing from behind the drumkit onstage, but I can't find it.  I think I asked it last fall.

Also, it feels very peaceful and pleasant around here.  Can you bring back flowers and colors?

I've only begun to archive Stephen's words of wisdom, but I'll see if I can find what he said about Dennis.  And I'll consider the flowers-- I'll discuss with the future team of moderators.

Ugh.  Not the flowers!  PLEASE, not the flowers!!!

Chuck...other than the BB's what are your other favourite groups?

Susan, my three year old son really digs your avatar.  When he sees it he always says "what is that?  The baby!!"

Ugh?

Thanks

Chuck - your three-year-old has good taste.  That beautiful baby is, of course, me.  I haven't changed much over the years, either...

Uncomfortable Seat - yes, ugh.  Sorry.  Nothing personal.

Given the latest spat, I thought I'd share something from the Bible that it is good instruction for all us, especially me:

JAMES 1:

21: Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I like the Replacements.  I'll have to look at Rhapsody tonight and see what I've been listening to lately.

.

I'm offended.  I would hope for an exclamation mark, or even a question mark.  But a period?  Do you think that little of me? :)

Nah, just made a dumb post based on a total misreading of the original one. We need a delete function in here.  ::)

I'm of two minds concerning a delete function.

On one hand, I see your point. 

On the other hand, the delete function has been overused as a means to wipe out history.  There's many things I've seen happen on this board and on the Shop board that I can remember, but can find no documentation on, because messages and threads have been wiped out.

Yet another reason people better qualified than me moderate on this board. 

Truth.

Just noting, for the sake of my own failing memory, I have not answered these questions and I still need to.

Gee, isn't that just bloody convenient?

EDIT - I might be kidding...

 ;D

My road to salvation was a long and bumpy one, though probably not any longer or bumpier than most.  I was raised a Roman Catholic.  I was blessed by God to be relieved of any burden of attending mass around the age of 14.  My opinions of the Catholic church are best saved for another post.

Unfortunately, leaving the Catholic church, while in itself a good thing, left me spiritually rudderless.  It wasn't until years later, when I started my first full time job, that I was exposed to born again Christians who presented the truth and beauty of Christ's sacrifice on the cross to me.  They never pushed anything on me.  They simply maintained a gentle and reasoned dialogue with me, and eventually, after finding every excuse I had to deny the truth of salvation negated, I surrendered to God's grace.  (My final stumbling block, BTW, was that I convinced myself I didn't want to be like the Christians I knew, that I didn't want to have the faults and failings I saw in them.  What I had to realize was 1) being saved does not make one perfect or faultless, and I was going to fail as much as any Christian I knew, and 2) when God saves us, He does not turn us into clones.  He still cherishes the uniqueness of each of us that He made.) 

I have wished so many times I could excise the time in between being saved and meeting my current wife out of my life.  That long period of time was not pretty.  Unfortunately, I spent that time involved in lukewarm churches, unhealthy relationships, and generally lacking the foundation I needed to learn about and remain in God's will.  However, all of that time in Egypt eventually allowed me to cherish my current wife once we met, and now God has led me to a place where I have a supportive Church family, a beautiful family at home, and so many blessings I never had before, blessings that mean more than any fame or fortune I could ever have. 

This has turned out much shorter than I meant it to, mainly due to my 4 year old son, but I think it's a good condensation, or at least a good beginning.  As for making it a "permanent fixture," I've found it's like most things we are "good" at, it's a matter of maintaining good, healthy patterns of training and exercise.  Going to church Sunday morning and night, and on Wednesdays, studying the Bible, being with and learning from fellow Christians, etc., all help keep me spiritually "fit." 

OK, serious question.

If there is one omnipotent, omniscient, all-powerful deity, why doesn't it just cut through all the "my-way-of-worshipping-is-better-than-yours" crap and establish a unified credo at a stroke... say with a message on all the media simultaenously ? Or... turning the sun out for five minutes ? Such an event would not only erase all divisions but also engender instant belief.

I just find it hard to understand why such a deity who repeatedly showed itself to one tribe in an obscure corner of the ancient world (allegedly) has a problem with bending modern technology to its will.

If that were to happen we'd be dealing with public chaos more than spiritual divinity. Plus, turn the sun out in the middle of the afternoon, not only would I need a new pair of pants, but I'd probably need new car windows.

It's for people to decide themselves.

I'm not sure about other religions but the Bible basically teaches that it's our free will to believe in God and to accept the whole thing. The whole message there is that God isn't going to come and bully us into a corner where we will finally believe in the whole thing but rather wait patiently for our own personal revelation. I've had a few short moments where I feel that God has been revealed to me in a way. It feels like I've been exposed to the simplest truth and in that moment there's nothing but complete clarity and serenity. But there lies a problem since people of other belief have also experienced similar things.

I've never seen a post from you that displayed a lack of intelligence or thought, Andrew.  You seem to put more consideration and planning into your comments than most people I know.

And there, in a nutshell, is my problem, as perfectly demonstrated by the now-departed Clayton on the Bloo, who seemed to be of the persuasion that a life without his 'god' was empty and meaningless. I have nothing but, at best, antipathy for this bullying kind of religion, and the proponents thereof.

I also don't want to go to any portion of a BB MB and be confronted with large chunks of scripture (unless it be in a thread entitled "The religious bit" or some such) - I have a bible at home (several, in fact, my preference is for the King James text) and if I want to read it, I will. When I chose to.

I feel the same way.  :-\

Technically this isn't part of a BB MB. This is the Sandbox. What happens here, stays here. I can understand if people don't want to see pictures of bikini clad women (cough) but if you start reading what looks like scripture, something that you're not interested in, then just simply ignore it.

jus sayin :shrug

If it's not part of a BB MB, then why do I have to log onto the Smiley Smile Message Board to access it then ?  8)

The best answer I can give you is this:  you've been on the Internet, and this board, long enough to know no one is forcing to read this portion of the board.  This portion of the board has been clearly labelled off topic, and even if it weren't, you've been on this board long enough to know this is the off topic portion.  This board also gives you the means to ignore any given person's messages, if you believe the majority of their messages are going to annoy you.   I don't want to come to a BB board and see pictures of models and read foul language, but I know this is the part of this BB board those things have been found on, and in an attempt to honestly peacefully coexist with my fellow SS members, I put up with it.  If you ever see anything that REALLY crosses the line, just click that "report to moderator" button, and Joe and Billy will look into it.

Touche :3d Think of it more as neighbors than roommates.

Where choice exists, and one fails to exercise it, one has no one to blame but oneself.

I don't mind folks talking about their religion, or religion in general so long as they are not warning me that I will be punished by GOD if I don't follow or adhere to their point of view. 

I actually enjoy reading or hearing articulate expressions of faith and spirituality.  Because I no longer feel as threatened by zealots and fundamentalists as I once did, I am free to listen and consider the spiritual and religous thoughts of others without experienceng much discomfort. 

But I think it is simply RUDE to emotionally abuse or frighten people in the name of religion.

And I suppose it is also rude to post pictures of bikini clad women even if it is a certain iconic, Brazilian model, humor, mascot, avitar type of thing.

I never conciously decide to tread in dog crap... but sometimes, you just turn the corner, and bingo, there it is, before you can stop yourself. Bit like charity muggers, and just as irritating. Outside of the Whirled of Wilson, I strive not to impose my views on others unless requested. Maybe I should pepper my posts with observations as to why the Hens are going to be 1-AA champs again this year, or urge y'all to read every last word Bill Bryson has published...

Bottom line - this is a message board. Stuff posted here isn't designed to be ignored. Folk post stuff because they want the others to read it. Maybe we should have a "Please ignore everything posted here" section. It'd be a million & two seller...

Freedom of speech doesn't bestow on anyone the right to tell me I'm going to spend eternity screaming and burning in a pit of sulphurous hellfire merely because I happen not to subscribe to someone's deity cult of their choice. Of course I'm exaggertaing slightly for effect, but you get the idea.  :brow

I don't recall anyone here ever saying that in a message thread.

People do have the freedom of speech to say things you don't like, however, because freedom of speech on this board does not begin and end with you.  As long as what they say doesn't violate what is allowed on this board, your particular preferences have no bearing.  If you want to change the rules of engagement to exclude a topic, work that out with Billy and Joe.

And, as an example, I find the implication Christianity is a "cult" irritating, and maybe even "dog crap," but I have no issue with you saying it or being able to say it, if that is what you are saying.  You are free to say what you said, even if I disagree with it.

Beers all around, on me!

err, I mean I'm paying the tab...dont actually spill it on me again, donald. :angry

spill it?

you know, when someone says 'beers on me!' and people take it literally and actually pour it on the poor guy...

nevermind, lame joke to begin with.

Oh, I get it!  Beers on YOU!    aar aar aar  :lol :lol

Grin and beer it?

But not, apparently, free to reply to the response above, as my post was deleted in toto. Maybe because it included an explanation of why the use of the word 'cult' as applied to Christianity is entirely accurate ?

...

 :lol

 :ohyeah

Complain to the moderators.  I didn't delete it.

Apparently nobody deleted it, as I checked the logs. Dunno what happened...

I don't think it's too hard to figure out what happened if the message wasn't deleted by anyone.

Cult:

1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Certainly #1, 2 and 5 are open ended enough to allow any faith or religion to be labelled a "cult."  3 and 4, of course, are the less positive meanings.

Thus, you could label Christianity a "cult" if you wanted to.  But, that doesn't make Jesus any less God or Savior. 

There's something weird going on within this website. Looking through the forums it's almost like looking at a ghost town. It's not that there's a lack of people, but rather a lack of feeling and connection between everyone.

Ain't that the truth.

No comment. :)

1) There's an ebb and flow to everything. 

2) Best thing to do if this situation seems wrong is to find a way to make it better.   I know that's what you'd be prone to do anyways.

Jason, tell us what you think.  You too, Billy.

OK, back in the day, in 1st century Jerusalem and its environs - as I said in my deleted post - Christianity was certainly "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious" and remained so for some 400-odd years until Constantine (btw, the so-called 'Donation of Constantine' giving the spirituasl descendants of St. Peter dominion over western Europe is a complete fake concocted by the church circa 800AD. Just a little food for thought). In some parts of the world, it's still regarded as spurious.

And Charles, I'm gonna call you on "that doesn't make Jesus any less God or Savior". Unless you can prove that to me, it's just your belief, not a fact, and should be presented as such. I find this bludgeoning highly offensive. The Islamic faith, for one, regards Jesus as a prophet, nothing more. You have your beliefs, I have mine. I want to know about yours, I'll ask - until I do, please don't lecture me about them. It's patronising, and demeans the board.

I've never lectured you on the Christian faith, and even though you just lectured me about my faith, I don't mind.  We don't have to discuss it here-- that's entirely up to you, as we've already discussed the easy means people have on Internet message boards to avoid discussions they don't want to participate in.  I've never, NEVER, initiated any discussions with you about Christianity, on or off this board. 

I thank you for your concern about this board. 

So this isn't lecturing ?  You're stating "Jesus is Saviour and God, period". Think you'll find the vast majority of the world's population (roughly 66%) will disagree with you on that. Their beliefs are just as valid as yours.

Later: just noticed this, from the rules for posting on the Smiley Smile MB (not The Sandbox):


So the inference is that this whole MB is being administered and moderated in accordance with scripture, then ? I call that harrassment.

Andrew, I'm going to do my best to make this my last comment on this topic to you, because I understand why this is a sensitive subject for you.

It's no more lecturing than saying "MIU sucks."  I can agree or disagree.  My belief in something is not validated or invalidated by your belief or lack of belief in something. 

The part of the "rules of the board" you find to be harassment has been part of the rules since the board started over a year ago.  If this or any other part of the board is intolerable, speak to Joe and Billy directly.

I apologise for any offense this or any other part of my life has caused you.

I wouldn't call it harassment, but maybe, I dunno, inappropriate? One thing about this world is that there are different beliefs and ideas; everyone feels in their heart that they are the ones who are right and everyone else is wrong. I'm going to be honest...I personally do not feel religion is an appropriate topic for the board. Why? It's too touchy of a subject, and no matter what, someone WILL be offended. I mean, what if I decided to be a prick and edited the board rules and started quoting from the Koran? Or, heck, change my username to "All Hail King Satan" and put a picture of Bill O'Reilly as my avatar? Not cool, right? Well, I have a feeling this is what Andrew is feeling.

Just something to think about.

Andrew, we get it. You don't like scripture and you don't want to be lectured about christianity. If thats the case, why dont you just ignore this section of the board? The Sandbox isn't anything Beach Boys related, its just where we shoot the sh*t and do whatever. If chuck wants to sit on his soapbox and preach to people, let him, if anyone cares to read it then so be it. I dont bother reading Chuck's posts, however I do read Donald's TGIF posts...but Im sure some people will do the opposite.

My point is, if you dont like something here, ignore it...and just stick to the general discussion forums for music. I can assure you there wont be any holy babble there.

Many people run their lives based on scripture. I dont, but many people do. Thats the beauty of this country, you're allowed to express your faith and not have to worry about being persecuted. Which I feel like what is happening to Chuck right now. If he brings up anything that his life revolves around based on his studies or faith then people complain because they feel that theyre been lectured...which IMO I think is not the case.

This board is being run just fine, like I mentioned earlier if Chuck started a thread called 'CHUCKS LECTURING CORNER' he's more than welcome to, this is the part of the board that its allowed to happen. Now if you click on that thread and start complaining that he's lecturing to you, who's fault is it? Chuck for posting it? or YOU for clicking on the link? My point is...all this can be easily ignored but I think some people just have to FIGHT the fight for whatever reason it may be.

Another thing is this, if Chuck's christianity really bothers you...when you walk into a shop Andrew. And the shop keeper has a cross hanging next to the door, one behind the counter, and one above the door leading into the back room. Do you immediately leave the shop because the owners are of Christian faith and remind people that Jesus died on the cross? What about shops where people put a line of scripture on the rim of the door? Do you walk in and complain to the store owner that it offends you?

Just curious.

Some people do.


For the record, my view on this matter is to limit ALL religious discussion, because it is too volatile a subject. I know I didn't spell that correctly but I am getting ready for work :lol

Or ignore me.


And if I do drage any "holy babble" over there, beat me with a stick.

No, not in the least, any more than I'd punch someone out for wearing a cross (I have one about my neck as it happens, a silver celtic cross - a present from a very dear friend and also a nod to my family history: no religious significance). By this reasoning, I'd not go into town for fear of seeing a church.  :)   No problem with people displaying their faith (unless that display runs to the killing of non-believers), but I find the injunction to "be holy" enshrined in the rules of this very board to be, at best, inappropriate. And I'll reiterate, it's all very well saying steer clear of the posts iffn you don't like them... but sometimes they just pop up unexpectedly. How to avoid that ? It's akin to certain posts on the Bloo that feature excruciating word-play: the post headers are usually part of the post, thus unavoidable (and just as irritating). I'm not alone in my dislike of scripture being posted here. It's not the belief that bothers me, more the assumption by others that it is the only truth. I happen to think otherwise, as a consequence of personal experience, that's all.

I understand, and I apologize that you find it inappropriate. I did not write that rules thread so I did not put that quote in there. However, since I've first read em, I never really thought twice about it. I get that Chuck's a religious dude but just because its on there doesn't really affect how I'll be interpreting or posting on here. :shrug


It's a possibility that you do want participate in these threads? :p


We can put a disclaimer on top of the sandbox letting the public know they need to interpret Chuck's religious posts as 'his opinion' and not to take it as 'the only truth'.  :h5

See, I had no idea I was so powerful that I could force others to change their beliefs based upon mine.  :)  Maybe we should put that a similiar header on the whole board, stating anything anyone says is their opinion and possibly not the ony truth, just in case anyone possibly didn't know that already.  :)

Think you'll find that, say, "Good Vibrations" being a #1 hit record is indeed the only truth.

And you're not forcing anyone to change their beliefs, Charles - just annoying them. Like I said, I'm not alone in feeling this, as I'm sure you're very well aware.

I do,too, esp. because what is "holy" varies depending on who you ask. That's just asking for someone who is an agnostic to complain. No, I'm not agnostic, I'm just saying.

That's why I want to limit the religious stuff to here, and I dunno, keep it in one thread. I just don't want to see it turn up in places where it shouldn't (esp in , say, a discussion about SMiLE acetates). That way, nobody gets hurt.

Or maybe I'm just blowing smoke out of my ass again.

If we had anonymous inspirational quotes within the rules of this board would it irritate people? Most of things which Charles posts from the Bible are simply inspirational passages. You don't have to believe in the christian God to see the wisdom which is contained within most of the Bible. As far as I know (and someone correct me if otherwise -- with proof) Charles hasn't posted anything which spoke of a non-believers faith, or anything to do with a non-believer and that persons relation to the christian faith.

"Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out."

Is that quote to be seen as simply as one in many lines from the Bible, or is it general wisdom for us all to try and live by?

Oh, and just incase anyone thinks I'm a real reverend ( :-D ) this username is a character from a film. 

Well, I'm not privvy to your little quirks, but whatever pulls your chain...

Seriously, that's a good compromise.

  :lol Good one!

Anyway, glad we seem to be on the same page. Now I can take you to task for not liking "Here she Comes".

 :p

Not to mention your unyielding support of - - oh man!  I"m drawing a blank!  The one released Mike Love album.  It's so bad i can't even remember what it's called, and yet - you LIKE it!  *shudders*

I actually like it, as does my wife. It's not as good as Dennis (obviously), nor any of Brian's except Imagination, but it's far superior to Bruce's Goin Pubic or either of Carl's albums.

Aw, Joe...i just so totally disagree with you on that.  It is NOT "far superior" to ANY of those albums!  It's just bad.  Bad, bad, bad!  And no, i'm not the least bit biased!
;-)

:lol

This is Billy. I know, it's hard to tell us apart, since I keep changing my user name every other day, aand he changed up his.  :lol

I've never, to my knowledge, turned any discussion in the "on topic" section of this board into a referendum on Christianity.   I agree that discussions like the one we are having should be on this part of the board, as this is the part of the board designed for them.

Anyone who has read a King James bible will know that there's nothing in it that gives believers the option of saying "I believe this, but I could be wrong, and I certainly wouldn't want to have such a firm belief that it offends someone or makes them think I think they are wrong."  Jesus isn't described as "a" way, He's described as THE way.  No one is forced to agree with or believe anything in the Bible.   No one is forced to agree with me or anyone else.  I am tempted, however, to insist people add the phrase "but that is just my opinion and it does not demean you or your opinion in any way, I hope" anytime they say "GIOMH sucks."  :)

I know you haven't, and I'd like to make sure that nobody does.

EVERY religion claims that their way is THE way. That's why to me it is too touchy of a subject to be discussed (except for in a thread actually pertaining to it), because people who believe 100% in their faith (or lack thereof) will stick 100% to it, and they'd argue it to the point of death if need-be.

IMO (of course), that sounds as much like the discussions about anything in the on topic sections as much as it does here.  It would be very easy to find "experts" on the Beach Boys who believe their facts or opinions are THE way, the truth and the light, on this or any message board.  I do understand your point, however.

I believe (just my belief, not necessarily a fact) reasonable people can have reasonable discussions and reasonable disagreements without letting their pride and prejudices blind them.

I'd like to believe that, but I'm starting to see IRL that most people are not reasonable.

Not to offend anyone, but I believe that's why we need God's grace, IMO.

Well, I agree. See, the thing is (warning...religious rant coming....)....




I personally believe that there IS one God, but none of the religions cover the whole truth. You know what? That's okay. I personally believe we are supposed to follow our own path towards the truth. The problem is, too many people believe what they do because that is what they are TAUGHT and REARED with, and they don't even realize it.I don't personally think ANYONE here on Earth is 100% on the mark. Why? Because we are NOT God, and we don't know everything, no matter how much we delude ourselves that we do. And, we take the holy book of our choice (Bible, Koran, whatever), and claim that it is the truth...because it tells us that it is so. And if we are asked why we feel that our holy book  is actually the word of God, we say because the book says so. Think about that long and hard. Were any of us around at the times these books were transcribed? Nope. How do we *honestly* know that people didn't put whatever they wanted and claimed it was from God? I'm sorry, but I don't have that much faith in people to be honest. I really don't; I trust God, but people as a whole...uh-uh.

That's as far as I'm going with it for now.

Well, I'm offended.  I'm going to report you to... you!  :)  HAHAHAHA

Excellent point, and one well presented.

Thanks Andrew!



That's IT!!!! Automatic IP Ban! See you in 7 days.

 :lol  :p  ;D j/k

*sigh*  A little consistency goes a long way, Billy...geez!
;-)

For the sake of this discussion, i would say that i am more spiritual than i am religious, and while my spirituality begins in the Christian realm, it is not limited to that.  Some would say that i take the Chinese Restaurant approach - a little from this, some from that, one from column A and two from column B - but that's what works for me.  I think [which is another way of saying that what follows is my opinion] that it's more important to live your life the best you can than it is to worship in a prescribed manner.  And if i'm wrong, then i guess i'll pay for it through all eternity.  If there is such a thing.

I also have my own beliefs and credos (creda ?), and I am comfortable enough with them to keep them to myself unless asked. I don't feel impelled to season my day (or writings) with references to my beliefs, and I strongly suspect - though of course this is only my interpretation - that those who do are in some fundamental way insecure in their own beliefs and are seeking approbation. Iffn it's good enough, it doesn't need shouting about. If you build it, they will come.

I suppose it's a fine line between doing Jesus' bidding in spreading the word, and doing Jesus' bidding in not being like those priests who stand on the street corner and preach. 

I'm sure not all are like that, but I'm willing to be there are quite a few.

  ;D

It's been my experience that fundamental insecurity works both ways.  The people that make the loudest noise over any mention or discussion of Christianity usually don't want anyone to talk about it because of a lack in confidence in their own position.  It's not unlike any other time a person is harangued or shouted down by someone who thinks differently than them.

I don't get some sort of commission if someone gets saved.  The only one who benefits is the person accepting salvation.

We walk a fine line every time we open our mouths between being true to who and what we are, and being overbearing to others when we are true.  It's not unlike caring about and being knowledgeable the BBs, and not being arrogant and brutish with people who care or know less than yourself.

Hey Susan, I saw your signature:  "Check out the new Trading Post board at Shut Down!"  No need to advertise it, if you build it, people will come.  HAHAHAHAHA

Seriously, that's a cool addition to your message board.

Thanks, Charles.  It's started kind of slowly, but that's okay.  It will catch on as and when it should.

Even more exciting, i've now got some banners atop the pages.  There are four of them, and they're in random rotation, and i'll add more as and when people design and pass them along to me.  If they don't suck, that is.

I noticed the banners-- the two I saw looked groovy to me.

Chuck,

 Do tell why the board has gotten so elitist and cliquish as of late.  It has become BB snob land it would seem.  Or would you estimate that I need meds?

Where is everyone?  I finally hit a slow spell at work and the action here dries up.  I may have to resort to doing some research or reading, or worse yet, straightening my file cabinets. 

Sorry, Donald, I'm at work, now at a lunch break.

Howdy, I have not noticed any sudden or current outbreak of elitism or cliquishness.  Certainly I do not care for either, and I'd be interested in reading, maybe in a PM from you, any details you'd care to share with me. 

In the end, the only cure for either of the above ills is to resist taking part in them, and to resist being hurt by them. 

I haven't noticed that. Maybe *I* need meds :lol:

As of late? Sheesh, I remember the times when Ian, Luther, and myself owned this place with Chris D and Laurie hanging behind us. I'd say the board is LESS cliquish and elite than it was back in December when it reopened.

No joke. That's why I can't understand how it can be viewed that way now.

And, I'd say overall, the less cliquish and elite, the better.  IMO.

The private faith of a public man

http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0906/p01s03-uspo.html

Interesting reading.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
    -- James 1:22

God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason.

Wow, that's very beautiful.  You have my honest thanks for sharing that with us!

I have a question for Chuck.

What is your favorite album of ALL time?

That's a tough question to answer.  I think if I could only have one album, I'd keep Pet Sounds.  But, I can think of several albums that I can listen to in their entirety and be extremely satisfied, like Graceland, Born To Run, Abacab.  I'll try put together a list of those albums, maybe later tonight.

No, dont bore me with your list!

Have you ever been to Disney World?

Twice, I think, but I don't really care for it.  Epcot is borderline acceptable.

blasphemy.

Are you playing the lottery tonight?

I don't intend to, no.

Is it because its against the word of God, or you just dont play the lotto?

(sans scripture, plz)

Wonderful thing, the edit function. Stalin would have just looooooved it.

That's because everyone who matters posts almost exclusively on the Smile Shop. :)

almost everyone...: :whatever

Ask Chuck:

Have you been to Hawaii?   I need ideas for a vacation next summer, and want to go someplace tropical....

Carly

No, but I've been to Iowa, Boston, Chicago, and Nashville.

I was there in 1998...very nice place...but expensive to convert to US dollars...

Never been to the beach?

I've been to beaches at Jacksonville and Daytona, and possibly others.

Don't really remember a time where you owned this place...and I'm not sure who Luther really is. I've seen his posts, but not sure about him "owning."

I remember a Luther, because I remember posting a picture of Lex Luthor he didn't find funny.

It was a better time for this board back then, back when your inane, antagonistic thrills didn't dominate the board.

And on behalf of my close personal internet buddy Sebastian, f*** OFF. Kthnxbye.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all doing direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Or perhaps not.

Eh, I've been around for two years, so it must have been quite a while ago.

Hey Charles:

Do Mr. Meade's people still get a bad rap in and around the City Of Lakes?

I'm guessing he's an "end timer."  If so, they generally keep to themselves and don't cause any kind of trouble in the community that I'm aware of.  There was a series in the local newspaper on them months ago, and shamefully, I did not read it or save it.  I'll use this as a reminder to do some research.

Stop whining.

:)

a dollar? I get 5...youre totally getting ripped off dude.

What are you talking about, Joe? :)

you jut said he got a dollar for it!

A dollar for what? Nucca, you's crazy!

...

:ahh

im going nutso!

Nucca goin' on and on about him gettin' five smackers for some kinda sh*t. :)

Stop whining, and then editing out the whining.

Stop whining about me whining and editing out the whining.

Fair enough.