funkenheimer

I agree Mahone. This is spot on. I still think the biggest problems people have with games are lifestyle choices and not the games themselves. If someone lacks self control and plays constantly, it is not the fault of the video game. The harm that comes from a sedentary lifestyle can be devastating. Again, this is not the problem of the video game, nor is it specific to video games. Watching TV, reading, or knitting for that matter can have the same effect. I stand by my position that video games are not the problem, nor do I believe they can actually be "addictive".

I had the same problem and did the sleep study. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a cpap machine. Luckily my health insurance paid for most of it. They are very expensive. It took some getting used to, but now not only do I not snore, I sleep much better at night. One side note to this - I used to often wake up with splitting headaches. The doctor told me it was because my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen. Since using the machine I haven't had a single headache.

if its a quality piece of meat I would reconsider broiling it all together. I would (and often do) use a skillet. This can be a skillet on a burner on your stove or an electric skillet. Here is what I do when I don't cook my steaks on my outdoor grill (which is rare, even in the winter time) -> at least 2 hours before you plan to cook the meat put your seasonings on. My standard seasonings include salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder - a good cut of meat doesn't require much more. Put the seasonings on and wrap it back up and put it back in the fridge -> about half an hour before you plan to cook, take the meat out of the fridge and let it set on the counter to warm up a bit -> Depending on how you like your steaks heat up the skillet and place your steaks in the skillet - most steaks have enough fat that oil isn't necessary. If your piece of meat looks lean you can use a little oil - I use olive oil for this as it does add some good flavor. -> Cook your steak to the desired "doneness" - a meat thermometer can be handy. -> When my steaks are nearly done I often dump in a package of fresh, pre-sliced mushrooms and add a little more oil and some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until tender and try to time it so the mushrooms and steaks all finish at the same time.

So other than those who have already posted, does anyone else have any suggestions regarding trading card games, rather than correcting my apparent misuse of the word "dork"?

And since anyone can go in and make changes to the "Almighty Wiki" you know the information is accurate. Seriously though, does it really matter? As for the suggestions for a trading card game I do appreciate the input. If anyone else has anything more to suggest, please post. Thanks

Is there a difference?

I am looking for a trading card game to play with my daughters (ages 9 and 11). I am not interested in Pokeman. I am looking for a game we can have fun playing, as well as collecting cards. I have played Magic: The Gathering in the past and am considering that one. I am also considering World of Warcraft TCG as I have been an avid WoW player in the past (and maybe again in the future). Any suggestions you could provide would be great. If you hate these types of games for whatever reason, I respect your opinion but there is really no need to post it here. Thanks.

I am still not sold on the idea that playing video games excessively can constitute an addiction, any more than watching too much TV, or hunting or fishing too much, or playing too much basketball, etc. When I used the word inability in the above quote it was probably too strong a word. Unwillingness would probably more accurately describe what I meant to convey. I still think this is more an issue of self control than addiction, even a psychological addiction. Let me also make it clear that I do not have any training in psychology (outside of 1 college course) and I am in no way an expert. I do agree that ultimatums in a marriage are generally a bad idea. Obviously there are times when this is appropriate, but for the most part they are divisive and will only result in polarizing the parties involved and push them farther apart. I agree with Chet in that this needs to be discussed with patience, love, and understanding. Changing one's behavior is not easy.

I love video games. In fact I just finished a couple rounds of Modern Warfare II. I have played a bunch of games over the past few decades - mostly on the PC. I still don't see the connection between violent video games and committing actual violent acts. Show me one instance where violent video games led directly to an act of violence without any other influencing factors. I am not even sure how desensitizing they can be. Think about this realistically for a minute. I have played hundreds of hours of video games - some more violent than others. If I were to actually see someone get shot it would affect me in a very drastic way. I am just not sold on this idea that violent video games lead to violence. I have played through nearly all of the Grand Theft Auto games and I haven't yet even come close to stealing a car or beating up a prostitute.

As long as you have another adult male you should be able to invite them over for dinner. This can be your father, brother, uncle, grandfather, neighbor, or young man that is at least 18 years old. I would try to feed them in your home. Its such a great spirit. I am in a similar situation where I am recently divorced and our missionaries are sister missionaries. My mom and dad live in the same ward so I usually arrange to do it at their house when they will be home.

One thing I learned from my divorce is that there are very few rules that are set in stone. There are many guidelines to make thing go more smoothly, but nearly everything is negotiable. If an agreement can't be reached between the parties, then the court will decide. As far as wedding rings, I would think that would be something the two of you would have to come to agreement on.

I like some of the previous suggestions, but in my opinion the first thing I would do is move. It sounds like you are both ready for a change. Seeing that man every week would be more than I could take, eventually I would say or do something i would regret. Or more likely I would say and do something I would regret.

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a PC fan per say. Nor do I hate Macs. I realize now that may hard to believe. What I really don't care for is arrogant Mac users who consider their way the only way. I have no allegiance to Microsoft, in fact I prefer Linux as an OS. However I do enjoy gaming and for that I prefer a Windows OS. I have said my piece, I am done with this thread.

That's all fine and dandy as long as you are comparing Macs to pre-built systems designed for mass production with little thought of the end user. I haven't bought a pre-built system in more than 10 years. I have built several custom PCs over the years. I recently built a custom system for my brother who is into cars. The front of tower looks like the front of a car - complete with grill and LEDs that look like headlights. My daughter is learning Taekwondo and I recently built her a PC and I had my brother who speaks Chinese write some characters on paper - I then cut the symbols into the side of the PC and put LEDs behind it so it glows (oh, yeah, this one is running Open Suze for those who care - raising them the open source way). I have seen case mods where people have built PCs out of old mailboxes and tires. The possibilities are endless. I could post some links but its just as easy to google "case mods". With a Mac you get......well, exactly what is in the links you posted above. As for the Mac Mini, I can buy a case the same size and build a PC, no problem. Cheap meaning price or cheap meaning quality? High price doesn't necessarily equate better quality. I just ordered the parts for a screaming PC (3.1 GHz dual core processor, 4 gigs of DDR3 1600 memory - expandable to 16 gigs, nVidia GXS 260 video card, dual TB hard drives that will run in RAID 0). The cost to put this together - 0$ - that's half the fun. All of this cost about $900. Show me a Mac with those specs for that price. If a part goes bad - I replace it for the cost of the part. I don't have to pay some guy an exorbitant amount of money to replace it while he glares at me with his elitist smirk because I am running Windows 7 on an iMac. Windows Vista was garbage, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would argue otherwise. Windows XP was great, I am still running it on several computers. Windows 7 is absolutely fantastic. Windows ME was a mistake, and Windows 98 is now more than a decade old - the platform on which it was built no longer even exists. The reason Windows systems is more prone to virus and other malware attacks is due to the fact that there are so many more people running Windows than Mac OS. If you were a terrorist would you try to bomb the mini-mart or go for the shopping mall? Now that Macs are built on the Intel platform, the hardware isn't much different - just fewer options. Of course they are easier to support - they are all the same. Completely generic boxes from a dozen or so molds. What exactly does Wintel mean anyway? Is that elitist Macspeak for Windows based PC?

What a steaming load of crap. Look! I can write the same cynical garbage about Macs.... If you want an overpriced, generic, dumbed-down system with little application compatibility then buy a Mac. Of course this is the same type of generalized statement you posted that does no one any good. Each has its pros and cons - some prefer Macs and some prefer PCs. Then there are those wierdos who prefer something else entirely (Linux for those who don't know what I am talking about). Here is why I prefer PCs to Macs, and yes I have used both. I had an iMac 24" that I sold Monday. This computer Mac was 3 years old. It ran great, flawlessly, until about a month ago when the video card went out. It happens to both Mac and PCs. The problem is I can't replace the video card in an iMac myself so I take it to a certified Mac repair shop. 3 days and $300 dollars later I have my iMac back at home. What's the problem? $300 for a video card that was the exact same model as the one that was in it is absolutely ridiculous! $300 for a video card that is 3 years old? I then sold the iMac on Monday for enough money to build a brand new PC. How can you honestly say this is not overpriced? Granted, not everyone has access to someone who can build a custom PC for the cost of parts. FYI...for those computer geeks out there (you know who you are)...I ordered the nVidia GTX 260 video card for $204. The video card in the iMac was an nVidia 7300. The GTX is easily 10 x the video card for $100 less. Macs have their place though. I have heard the video and photo editing software that come bundled with the Mac OS is phenomenal. I don't have much experience there though. Really the only real reason I am a fan of PCs is that's where my experience has been. I have worked most of my career with PC environments and that is what I know.

It doesn't sound like your wife knew you very well before you were married. How long did you court before getting married (dating+engagement)? While you were dating did you work a normal 9-5 type job or were you self employed then as well? When you started the business did you discuss it with each other or was this mostly something you wanted to do and she just kind of tagged along? Once things started getting difficult did you sit down and discuss other options and possibilities?

I am surprised at how many jump straight to divorce. I think the Lord holds marriage in pretty high esteem and I don't know that any of us can make that suggestion based on what has been said. Having said that, I am recently divorced I can relate. Only the Lord knows when it is time to call it quits. I suggest you go to him often, for support and guidance. Over the course of the past several months I have learned a great deal about agency. I can't tell you how many hours I wasted trying to encourage. manipulate, force, (you get the idea), my ex-wife to make better decisions. In the end it always led to an argument and nothing good ever came from it. Whether he acts like it or not, he is an adult and you need to treat him as such. If he chooses not to go to church or to attend the temple you need to respect that decision and NOT make him feel guilty. Making him feel guilty will only lead to more fighting. Ask him to attend with you but tell him you won't be mad if he doesn't go. When he does go thank him, when he doesn't, don't mention it. Goethe said, "Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is; treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be." If you continue to treat your husband like a 4 year old, he will remain a 4 year old. But if you treat him and respect him as your husband and a worthy priesthood holder he just may become what you expected when you married him.

My dad taught us growing up that we worship God the Father in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

This can vary based on the mission president. I would trust the missionaries to know what is allowed and what isn't. This may not have been allowed while this gentleman was serving his mission, or in another location, or sometime in the past, but that doesn't mean it isn't allowed now where you are located.

I teach the 10/11 yr old primary class in our ward. And it just so happens that this week our lesson was on the City of Enoch and how they were a righteous people surrounded by unrighteous people. I focused my lesson on how to choose the right in a world filled with temptation. I have always found it interesting that for the past several general conferences there is at least one talk encouraging us to have family scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening. Why do you think that is? Because church members in general are not doing it. These three things may seem simple but the strength that comes from them is tremendous. I have been striving to do these things with my daughters and I can tell you there is a peace in our home and in our lives that I have never known before.

The problem with this debt is that even if you are not directly responsible for it, you would be indirectly responsible for it. Even if he makes the payments from money he earns, that is still money that could have gone to making your lives better. I wouldn't marry him until he is debt free - and not just him - any man for that matter. Financial responsibility is a big deal in marriage and can make all the difference in the world.

Exactly the point I was trying to make, only better stated.

I disagree. If this stress is affecting home life and neither are in a position to resolve the issue (i.e. counselors in a quorum or auxiliary unit rather than the president) then the bishop should be involved. If this is the case and the leaders of the separate organizations are unwilling to limit the frequency or shorten the length of meetings what more can they do?

I would make an appointment for you and your wife to meet with your bishop. Allow him to help you with this. He can help in a number of ways. He can advise as to how to conduct meetings that don't take as much time. He can tell you which meetings are unnecessary. I was a secretary in an Elder's Quorum where the EQ president was feeling very overwhelmed. The bishop helped him understand how much could be deligated and to whom that responsibility could fall. Additionally 2 more secretaries were called and it fell to us to take a more active role than traditional EQ secretaries.

I would take a more proactive approach than just doing what you are supposed to. -> Request weekly or even daily performance reviews. This will let her know that you are genuinely interested in improving performance. At this point she doesn't see everything up to the mistakes made, she only sees what has happened since then. -> Go beyond what is expected. Way beyond. You need to get noticed doing more than expected. -> Do NOT miss any more deadlines - for some reason this person has it out for you and will magnify any mistakes to reinforce her point to her superiors. -> Discuss this matter with your Human Resources department. Make sure they understand what has happened. If any disciplinary action has been taken, there is a good chance this has been filed with HR. You need your side of the story added to your file just in case this ever comes to a head. -> Arrange an appointment to talk to her candidly. you may want a member of your human resources department present. Explain to her that you know what you did was wrong and apologize for it. Ask what you can do to help her believe that you truly are a quality employee. Ask her why she is monitoring your performance so closely when your performance record clearly shows this was just a one time mistake. Explain to her that this "micro management" only causes more anxiety and stress and that it makes your job much more difficult. Make sure you use the words anxiety and stress, especially if HR is present, these are corporate buzzwords that tend to really catch the attention of HR representatives. If I think of anything else I will post again - hope this helps - good luck