So I did it. I went to the District Convention in San Diego. I got to see first hand the good, the bad, and the ugly of what transpires at a convention. The worst fears of what I was warned about never materialized. The nourishing spiritual banquet that I was told was being offered to me was overrated, more like a dried stale biscuit. I had fun. To understand how this is possible, you need to realize something about me. Over four decades of teachers, principals, employers, cops, and assorted other people trying to crush the fun out of me has come to nothing as I prevailed over all of them. So a day of mind control programming, and it is programming, is not going to make a dent in my spirit. While there, I took pictures. I will let the pictures tell most of the story with my occasional comment.
Hmmm, this is an interesting sight. Nice tatt on that one.
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If you can't see it up close, it's nice to have a sound system.
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Many people attentively took notes on these little devices.
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The prop department built a neat little wall that included mini watchtowers.
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This brother brother found a way to cope with the June heat.
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One of the "Please Keep Moving" brothers. I never see them at worldly events. Why do worldly people not need to be told this? Can these brothers stand on the freeways at 5 pm with these signs? It might help!
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Redheads! 'Nuff said.
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There was some variation in the amount of modesty some sisters had. And praise Jah for that!
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While most of the r&f sweated out the heat, one brother had this air conditioned skybox. He was chatting up a sister when I strolled in. "Can I help you?" he asked. "No thanks, I have it under control!" I answered and snapped this shot so you can see what you might get if you go out and "do more" and earn some perks for all your service. My JW who brought me dutifully waited outside and when I emerged I told him, "That brother has done well in the organization."
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These brothers set up a port-a-tower to be on the watch for apostates, who never showed. Come on apostates! What is wrong with you? The heat get you cowering at the beach?
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Another one of the note taking devices that seems to be in common use at the convention.
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The Drama. Here we learned the story of the evil elder Scolios. (Greek - meaning bent, crooked, twisted) Why was he evil? It seems he favored showing charity to poor people. Then is seems he was in favor of getting an education. Worst of all, he thought it was okay to have employment that provided more that a menial wage. The scoundrel!
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Of course, the faithful must be protected from learning. So they demonstrated a book burning of all that evil knowledge.
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"Oh, Thank Heaven" as the sign says. I found out why it is called the Grand Boasting Session as I was treated to a 45 minute Boastfest.
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All good things must end. These sisters departed the scene, perhaps to pioneer for the organization.
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Being just a couple miles away from Beth Sarim, I thought it would enhance the experience to show it to my JW and tell him the story about the Judge possibly awaiting resurrection under the garage. It looks so nice in the afternoon sunlight. I spoke briefly with the residents, who were enjoying sitting out on the front lawn.
So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Kurt
Note: Special props to my beloved friend who was with me in spirit through this.