bl8tant

It's funny. I don't really like listening to recordings of concerts. They're OK, I guess, but there's something about the live performance, and the reaction to it by the crowd, that really makes a difference. Plus, there's the social aspect of going with friends or family members-- a big part of the reason that I want to take my boys to see some shows as a memory-building event.

It's the modern equivalent of "dude", which is what made it so funny when our good brother was using it during Mormon Idol. "Dude" and "dawg" aren't normal parts of his vocabulary :)

For me, I want to see a properly spelled, grammatically-correct cover letter that indicates why I'm getting this resume. Does the applicant think she's a good fit for my company's needs? Is he super-enthusiastic about whatever technology or process we're hiring for? Or is he just spamming the world with form cover letters? The more personalized a cover letter seems to be, the more likely I am to pay careful attention to the attached resume instead of just skimming it. For a great example of this principle in action, see HOW TO: Land Your Dream Job Using Google AdWords. That guy has mastered personalization and targeting!

I was thinking (I know, I know; it's bad for me) the other day. We have Nephites, Mulekites, and all manner of other -ites in the Book of Mormon. I wonder why the people of Alma and the people of Mosiah are described in that way instead of as Almaites or Mosiahites.

Welcome-- I love your avatar (esp. after seeing one of our bishopric counselors play Randy in our Mormon Idol youth activity last night.)

There are definitely bands I wouldn't take them to see: some because I hate 'em, some because I don't want my kids exposed to particular antics of band or audience members. For example, as much as I loved Van Halen's live shows back in the day, I wouldn't want my kids to see either Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth in full-on performance mode.

Yay! I'm glad to find another Mishite here.

We had the same problem with our neighbors for a while; their youngest daughter (same age as our middle son) came over *all* the time. It turns out that she was coming over because she had a really, really unhappy home life and craved the company of our kids, and to a lesser extent the positive interactions that we always tried to have with her.

\m/ oOo \m/ (that's me throwing up metal horns if you can't tell) I like live music, and I particularly like live classic rock. My sons are ages 15, 12, and 9. I'm debating whether to take them to some concerts this summer. My oldest saw Rush with me two years ago, but the other two have never been to a live concert. There are four acts touring that I'm considering taking them to this summer: - Rush. This is pretty much a definite. Great band, businesslike presentation (by which I mean they play music on stage, not do anything that I wouldn't want my kids to see) - ZZ Top. I'm a little iffy on this. The last time I saw them in concert, they were perfectly well-behaved (e.g. no on-stage drinking, cussing, or general misbehavior), but I'm a little iffy on what the audiences here in California might be like - TobyMac: total definite. We all love him and his music, and he's a solid Christian entertainer. It's OK with me for my kids to see people who love the Lord but have tattoos, piercings, et al. In fact, it's probably really helpful. - Willie Nelson: um, no. I probably won't even go because of the impenetrable haze of ganja smoke I expect to be there. Do you take your kids to concerts? If so, how do you choose which ones? If not, why not? Do you let your kids attend concerts?

I agree that it is ethical and honest to honor your agreements. However, your mortgage contract specifies what happens if you stop making payments. It's not like a temple sealing, where there's no explicit exit clause. Mish Shedlock, for whom I have a great deal of respect, has a great series of posts on this topic (one of which is Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: The Business of Walking Away) on his blog. If you're interested in secular ethical analysis of this topic, you might enjoy reading his thoughts.

Yay! That's wonderful news. Children can be such a wonderful blessing. I'm so thankful that you have been able to embark on this path, and I wish you all the best.

If it wasn't for those meddling kids... oh, wait, wrong cartoon. Welcome anyway :)

I heard this was being replaced by "Canadian Bacon Breath Day". I plan to celebrate it religiously.

The official Church position is that it's not called pop, it's Coke. Hope this helps clarify things for you.

Good on you, Sharon. I love the underlying idea and I hope it is successful for you. This is a great example, I hope, of doing well by doing good.

We have a tradition in our ward: when an 8-year-old is baptized, he or she sits next to the bishop in the first Sacrament meeting after their baptism. I guess we should add them to the chain of command too!

Welcome, Horus!

Zachary, welcome to the site. This is a great place to learn more about our faith, and meet some interesting people to boot.

I would totally be OK with this. In fact, as miztrniceguy says, I actively hope that my STBX sells her book for a ton of money, 'cause I get half :)

Welcome, Jessica!

I'm a big believer in Elder Gene Cook's method of talk preparation: prepare your topic, then prepare yourself to receive guidance from the Spirit when you're on the stand. I have witnessed some amazing talks given by people who were prepared to talk about topic A but spiritually receptive enough to be inspired to speak on topic B. Of course, this requires a deep reservoir of gospel knowledge and an active connection with the Spirit. That's why I prepare my talks ahead of time and then read them :)

I had a slightly different question: what happens to my existing sealing once my STBX and I divorce? I mean, I know nothing happens to our sealing until we request that it be dissolved, but what does that mean to my sealing to my kids? Like Moksha, I prefer to believe that the Lord will take care of these kinds of administrivia, but that doesn't stop me from wondering.

You win the internets for that one!

Good thing I just put tinfoil over all my windows. That way neither MisterT nor the orbiting mind-control lasers can get me

It's amazing how much emphasis on emergency prep varies from place to place. In the two states I've previously attended church, preparedness is always construed to mean "keep a year's supply of food" and that's pretty much it. Here in California, our stake has all kinds of programs and activities: ham radio drills, ward phone trees, and lots more. I'd love to see that emphasis exported to more wards throughout the world. No place is immune to disaster, be it natural or man-made.