Whoo boy! I'm LMAO here. Princess not wanting to show Dad. Funny.
Nice tattoo little cousin. And tell your big brother to e-mail me once in awhile. I would have loved to be there for the "pot" incident. Ha!
Sean
SEAKEN2001
JoinedPosts by SEAKEN2001
-
40
I finally got my tattoo...
by Princess inas a surprise for my husbands birthday, i got this tattoo.
the picture is kind of blurry, it was hard to take!.
i know i said i was going to get it on my posterior, but i wanted to be able to see it!
-
-
-
89
What does everyone here DO anyway?
by In_between_days inhi everyone,.
i am a new poster who is putting off their own personal story of finding this site for a while..... i find alot of people here utterly fascinating, and would like to know..... exactly what is everyones professional field of work?.
i would like to be a full time poster on this forum, but alas, the $$$$ are quite light in that field of work.. apologies if this has been asked before.. just curious.
-
-
SEAKEN2001
I work in my family's business. My wife's parents own a Specialty Retail store where our featured products are fireplaces, stoves and hearth accessories of all types. I am a technician and install and troubleshoot stove and fireplace installations when I am not doing my regular job of marketing and selling these products to people in our community who want to be independant of the utilities when heating their homes, or just want a nice fireplace to enjoy.
We are a small business so I wear many hats, along with everyone else. My background is in construction but I also dabble in business administration and computer business applications. If I had not been distracted by JW'dom I would have pursued a career in music and am still considering it. For now, I am just trying to pay the bills and help keep the business afloat.
When I find the energy I work on setting up my web sites, which will be used to promote my fireplace business and my father's business which is centered around his invention in the field of personal power production. I hope to someday merge these two concerns under one umbrella as they are both considered alternative energy pursuits. All I need is time. Anyone have any to spare?
Sean
-
31
My Mom
by Nikita in8 years ago, today, my mom passed away as a result of ovarian cancer at the very young age of 48. i was pregnant with her first and only grandchild.
1994 was both a difficult and blessed year for me!
here is a picture of her:.
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Nakita,
what a beautiful lady. My heart goes out to you. I lost my mom only 8 months ago. She was also a beautiful lady.
Sean
-
77
Does This Make Me A Racist?
by Englishman intodays newspapers are full of the le pen story.
much concern is being voiced that right-wing organisations will ride on this story to make their own agendas more widely known, ie, send all the immigrants back home, britain for the british, sod off everyone else!.
now i personally love different cultures.
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Eman's question was whether his expectation that foriegners who come to reside in his country learn the language and make an effort to adapt the local habits could be considered racist. I think the general consensus is that it does not make him a racist. I would agree.
Now, why are we going off on a big discussion about racist attitudes in general and trying to defend our own race? While Eman did bring up the question of race I do not think this topic is about general race related issues. The fact that we all agree that the very idea of a local wanting the foriegners to learn the local language and respect the local culture is not racist would seem to indicate that the social problems faced in the UK related to this issue are not purely racial in nature. The fact that race is involved in the topic is circumstancial. It has become necessary for honest and open people who wish to acknowledge the problems they face when dealing with foriegners (or minorities) in their own country to defend themselves against unfair accusations of racial bias. I think that is the crux of the matter. Because Eman or Nemesis have direct comments relating to the actions of some foriegners in their local communities and how this has been affecting them personaly they run the risk of being branded a racist. I think that is clearly unfair and that we should be listening to the natives who are facing their own difficulties in the socio-economic mix in their own country.
Certainly it can't be more fair to listen to the complaints of a foriegner who feels he has been taken advantage of then to turn a deaf ear to the local native who also feels cheated. Only a fair and open dialog, without pre-judgement, can eventually lead to a solution that is equally fair to both parties. But what is happening here is happening in the whole of our societies in general. Just the mere mention of "race" clouds the issues with rhetoric and debate not directly related to the finding of a solution. Most people seem more than content to debate and argue about race but are hard pressed to find anything to say that might actually solve the original problem at hand. Why is that? Why do we let ourselves get distracted by emotional and fruitless argumentation that does not have direct bearing on the problems. There may be an appropriate forum for arguing racial inequality and there is a huge swell of voices that must be heard on that issue alone. However, this matter of foreigners resisting the host countries language and culture is not a racial issue. It is a social issue and is more related to socio-economics than to race.
The unfortunate reality is that many foriegners who find themselves in a host country are un-educated and economically destitute. They easily fall victim to following those who prefer to banter with their "enemies" with flowery rhetoric about how racially depressed they are and who recruit these dupes into their cause. But should that distract us from looking for a solution that serves the needs of both the unfortunate and ignorant and the local bloke who is only trying to take care of his own just like the foreigner who has moved in to his community. Neither Eman or Nemesis, or others who share their opinion on this matter, are suggesting that all foriegners should be judged according to their race or social stature. The are not willing to deny them opportunity. But there must be some rules that will help prevent those who would abuse the generosity of host countries from wrecking havoc in the democratic marketplace. What laws need to be enacted that will protect the honest ones who need help and deter the thieves and con-artists who are only interested in themselves and couldn't care less about whether the community as a whole goes to hell in a handbasket.
Statistics are rarely indicative of individual values. I really hate to be classified as a bigoted white man simply because my skin color is the same as a few bastards who enslaved other human beings for their own profit. I really hate to be called racist when I support the notion that our company live up to certain standards of behavior that does not include wearing torn clothing, tattoos, nose rings, psychodelic hair, using foul language, purposely blasting hip-hop gangsta rap to ensure that everyone else within a two block radius can experience the chosen art form whether they like it or not, and speaking without diction. These requirements of employment will seriously limit my pool of acceptable applicants. But I will not be called a racist if I end up with an unbalanced representation of all the minority cultures in my neighborhood. It has nothing to do with race. But some minority groups are quick to use that accusation in an effort to draw attention to what they feel is unfair discrimination against all nose-ring wearing, tatooed, hip-hop fans. They fail to reason objectively and can only lash out with spurious accusations because that is all they know. Apparently, no one has taught them that getting their arms all tattood up and peircing your entire face will seriously affect their opportunity for advancement and a good paying job (unless they happen to get drafted by the NBA). It seems that many of these folks are content to remain ignorant and uneducated and live off the welfare of others and drug profits and hang out on the street dancing to hip-hop and showing off their tatoos. And then they cry foul when I refuse to employ them or point out to my legislators that my tax dollars are paying for their street parties and for the repairs to the street signs and lamps that get broken in the drunken festivities they prefer to seeking out an education and a good job. Now I'm the enemy ("the man") because I want to bring them up to a higher standard so that maybe their children will be employable.
What is particulary irritating is that should someone from the socially deprived community really try to better themselves and refuse to be assimilated into the street gang culture these ones will be branded as "nigger" and "whitey" and be percieved as switching over to the enemy camp. Then when this achiever moves up the ladder and starts doing well they end up with enemies on both sides. The gangsta's hate them for getting out of the gutter and the dominant social group (which happen to be white in my community) feel threatened by the lower class upstart and won't accept that he or she is not a knife-weilding gutter rat. Pathetic. Everyone should be fairly treated on merit and not judged as the enemy because they are of a different race. And that's the solution to this problem of foreigners in host countries. They should be judged and held accountable but according to rules of merit. If they are contributing to the good of the society they should be given equal priviledge and respect. If they are parasitic and are only looking for handouts they must accept whatever menial tasks are assigned to them by society until they start giving back. When everyone is giving the society tends to thrive. When more people are taking than giving it suffers. But this is idealistic and will likley never happen in the real world. There are too many ingrained problems with society. All that we should expect is that for those that want it there will be an opportunity. We have made some inroads into that type of society but still have a long way to go.
Sean
-
30
Did U find Jesus rude?
by Matty injesus was a nice guy most of the time, but don't you think hes a bit rude and thoughtless sometimes?.
the watchtower today discussed the supposedly marvelous example that jesus showed to youths today, citing his escapade at 12 at the temple.
what hit home to me was that he was missing for three days - three days!
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Mulan is right on. The idioms, the very way of thinking, is foriegn to us. We can't possibly attribute all that is written in the scriptures to attitude.
Still, I see no harm in poking some fun at the way we seem to interpret things. Surely Jesus had a sense of humor. No need for the fundies to get their undies in a bunch over a few off the cuff comments.
Sean
-
24
Time 4 "What R U Reading these Days?"
by patio34 inand what your all-time favorites might be.
it's been quite a while since we've had a thread like this, so here goes my list:.
1. the end of history and the last man by francis fukuyama.
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Uhh, let's see...
"Fireplace Decorating and Planning Ideas"
"Solid Fuels Encyclopedia"
"Wood Energy"
"Wood Heat"
and a dash of the NFPA 211.
What can I say? I've been busy cramming for my business. I read mostly technical stuff and non-fiction anyway. Some times I read a Sherlock Homes short story or two and I love Calvin and Hobbes.
It's been a while since I've had the time to read on the subjects of religion and philosphy, which are some of my favorite topics. I am currently on break from "Why Do People People Believe Weird Things". I'll get back and finish that book after my foray into all these technical manuals.
I love History and Politics also and am currently also reading an autobiography of Thomas Paine, although it's been sitting next to my chair untouched for awhile.
Sean
-
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Imbue,
I know Joe Borowitz. I worked with him a few times when I was the washerman in the laundry at the Farm. Were you at the Farm?
Sean
(I'm not currently e-mailing with this List. Still have some things to work out here. You can contact my cousin Mulan to get in touch with me. Her e-mail is open.)
-
35
How many here are still active JWs? If not.....
by Leander inwhen did you leave?.
what prompted you to doubt/leave the organization?.
for those who are still active, do you plan on leaving soon?
-
-
SEAKEN2001
I have heard the "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater" analogy over and over and how "sad" it is that people lose their "faith" in God or Jesus. Well, I have to tell you, when I left the JW's my "faith" was stronger than it was at any time prior and I firmly beleived that Jesus was using the Holy Spirit to guide me away from that twisted imposter of Christianity. Now I would like to tell you that after having allowed myself to think and reason on my own I see no need for such "faith". It was all in my head. It served it's purpose for me and now I am free of such nonsense. You can feel "sad" for me if it makes you feel better. But I can tell you I am infinitely more spiritual and more fulfilled than a faith in Jesus or God ever made me. I have grown up and now live my life in full alertness to what is really happening around me. No fantasy figment of my mind is deciding things for me anymore. I now am taking full responsibilty and I don't have my daddy or mommy to run to for help anymore. From what I can tell so far neither Jesus or God are taking it personally. They seem just fine in letting me live my own life without their interference. Isn't that "sad"?
I hope that one day your "sadness" will be better spent. What I'm saying is that there WAS NO BABY in the bath water. All that dirt in the water came from my own fingers and from my own brain and ears. Why don't you spend your energy freeing the real babies of the world from ignorance and teach them how to tell the difference between fantasy and reality?
BTW, sorry about contributing to going off topic. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programing...
Sean
-
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Hi Bonnie38,
to me Upstate NY is anything north of Westchester County, which is basically the entire state outside of NYC.
I live in the Catskill Region/Mid-Hudson Valley. I am one hour south of Albany.
Sean
-
18
April 20 is a sad anniversary for my family
by Mulan inon april 20, 1977, my brother's wife, janice, died as a result of complications from childbirth.
the baby, their only son, also died unnamed.
this is a photo of my brother and janice .
-
-
SEAKEN2001
Mulan,
that was the saddest day of my life prior to 2001. I am so disgusted that I went along with the rumor mill Mrs Rocky speaks of. I had no idea of the things your brother was facing. But he was an apostate because he left and dared to explore new ideas. What a waste. Please accept my appologies and condolences on this anniversary of Janice's death. Please pass along my thoughts to your brother and the girls. I miss you all terribly. I wish I could be there to give you all a hug in person. I love you all.
Sean