The Folk Prophet

Skin? Seems much more likely that it was beaver felt. But... maybe. Anyhow, assuming the hat idea is the way it was done.... look, read, lift head, and speak. You don't have to keep the head buried unless your memory is abysmal. Which even then, bury the head again and re-read to verify. It doesn't require speaking through the hat. That being said... I can say with 100% certainty that you could put your face in a hat, leather, felt, or otherwise, and speak to someone 6 feet away and they'd hear you perfectly fine.

Here's the thing though: Before about the 2010s I never had much of an issue with homosexuality in stories, with a few exceptions. (For example, I always considered Will & Grace an evil and never consumed it.) But other movies and shows with it...even if it wasn't ideal, it didn't bug me or put me into a "boycott" frame of mind. It was just like.... swearing. I'd rather not have all the swearing in my favorite 80s movies. But I just ignored it. Whatever. The world was the world. If ever swear word sends me into a gasping, pearl-clutching panic.... well, you know what I mean I assume. Maybe my attitude on that is/was wrong. But that's what it was/is. It wasn't until the last ten to fifteen years that the ridiculousness of it all has made me so overly sensitive. Now-a-days, any gay character in anything feels IMMEDIETELY like an agenda. Because it probably is. But even if it weren't...it would feel like it. And I'm so fed up and annoyed with it all that it's made me intolerant of things that I used to be tolerant of. Like EXTREMELY intolerant. Want to lose my business? Allude to anything woke. Done. I'm out. It was not that way in past decades. They CAUSED my intolerance. It doesn't matter if it's believable, has a bearing on the story, or anything of the sorts. I'm out! Take your woke agenda and go jump! I'm....so.....done....with...it! SO...STINKING....DONE! I hate it now. I'm completely, entirely INTOLERANT of it in entertainment because it's been so forced, agenda driven, poorly executed, and contrived.* Nothing has been improved by the forced injection of this stuff. No movie, show, book, or other has been improved by it. Most have been severely hurt. And that ^ is with normal entertainment from "the world". Now try and feed it to me from a so-called "faithful" Latter-day Saint....... whoo boy. *from what I've heard from some sources, the Brandon Sanderson injection of it is forced, agenda driven, poorly executed, and contrived. Which, as I've stated -- haven't read the last book. But I did read the first 3.5 books, and the other time he mentioned a gay character in the series in passing....I remember thinking how forced, agenda driven, poorly executed, and contrived it felt. It was really like.... what? Why? In a fantasy novel? Why even mention this? What the what?! Awkward. Out of place. Lame.

What I personally choose to consume or not in entertainment (or cereal) has zero to do with love or tolerance -- unless I proclaim it (which I do, sometimes), in which case the question becomes more relevant. But silently choosing to not read a book because it has gay stuff in it isn't relevant to love or tolerance at all, imo. I hear you though on finding that balance and not knowing where or how to stand on some of these things. Just not related to whether we read Brandon Sanderson or not.

I think there are a few important points to consider here. It's hard to draw a hard line though. But one thing that comes to mind is... making a living can be interpreted as getting what you need to live...or as just making money. The first is necessary. The second, beyond the first, is not. Brandon Sanderson is no longer making a living. He has a living. He could live for the rest of his life never making another cent. He's not making a living any longer. I never understood why, back in the day (they've discontinued it), Marriott hotels provided "adult" movies in all their hotels. I think they only discontinued it because of the internet and they weren't making money on it any longer -- though that's cynicism. So a business started and owned by a "faithful" Latter-day Saint pedaled porn to increase the bottom line. Shameful. Even when making a living, there are clearly things that faithful followers of Christ should not be doing to make a living. But there are many things that are more questionable, and some that are obviously fine. By compare and contrast to the Marriott point above, my grandpa and grandma decided to open a video store back in the 80s. I remember the conflict they had over whether they'd carry R-rated movies or not. Ultimately, after pondering, praying, weighing, and considering, they decided to.

Except I think...if I recall...that the counsel was to use Latter-day Saints rather than LDS. So either way I bumbled it.

Sarcasm comes across as flat to you? I shouldn't be sarcastic anyhow though. It's rude. Even with the added note afterwards, I shouldn't have done it in the first place. My bad. Not back pedaling. Clarifying. And, specifically, clarifying the extremity of the words. I don't know if Sanderson is "fully" woke. I do think he's woke. That should be obvious. You told me I was calling him "fully" woke. So I was clarifying. I'm not backpedaling on thinking he's woke. He is. Nope. Just sharing my thoughts. The point being, just because you or someone isn't annoyed by something being woke doesn't mean it is or isn't. It's not a qualifying determiner of what is or isn't woke. Not really arguing anything. Just saying that's my view. That may be true in your first response. But when I clarify and then you throw my words back at me like my clarification is a lie then it sure comes across like you're telling me what I was meaning and thinking. I clarified and it was very straight-forward. I was saying what I'd read/heard from others that say he's gone "fully woke", I haven't actually read the books, I've only seen what others are saying, and I was asking a question. I clarified that and you continued to argue. So I got snarky. I don't know if calling him "fully" woke is accurate or an over-reaction or not. I'm not convinced by your response, per se. But I'm not unconvinced by it either. Just...you know...interesting. To see what you all think. You may have noticed, that I didn't say you're wrong to not see a problem with the latest book he wrote and the characters who are gay or his alluding to trans stuff, etc. You're opinion that it's not a big deal is exactly what I was looking for and I appreciate that view. It's the telling me that I'm wrong to think he is "fully woke" part that annoyed me, particularly when I put it as a question, used words like "apparently", and "per the video's I've watched", and "what say ye?" If you were going to actually respond to my view on the matter, (which I did share), you could have said, "I don't think you should be sad." or "You shouldn't feel betrayed or annoyed." or even, "I don't think you should stop being a fan or stop purchasing his books because of this." That sort of commentary would be addressing what I said. But instead you said that me calling it fully woke was an over-reaction. Well...that would have been more accurately stated as "the videos and posts calling it fully woke are an over-reaction." But I admit, I did over-react to your saying that I was over-reacting by calling it fully woke. I probably should have shrugged it off. Once again... my bad. Actually... I didn't over-react to that. I just clarified. I over-reacted to you arguing back after I clarified. Either way though. I should have shrugged it off. Sorry.

Easily the biggest name currently.

(Edit: I was trying ty be funny snarky here. I realized it might come across as just rude. I don't mean it to be... just funny snarky sarcasm. So don't take it too seriously. ) Okay. Very helpful. Clearly you know what my intentions are better than me. Very, very useful. The discussion is much better now than it would otherwise be. It's in the title. Schooled me again. What a fool I am. Thank you sir. May I have another? The fact that I pointed out that it's a question of what I've seen others say has no meaning. Obviously. Sheesh. Is this what makes others so upset with me... when someone clarifies what they're meaning, demand they're wrong? Annoying is subjective, I think. As is, apparently, "full", and, even, "woke". I didn't post to argue. I know now that you don't consider the books woke. Thanks. Please stop telling me what I think though. 😉

A. I didn't call it full woke. Just saying what I've seen others saying. B. There's a question mark. It isn't a statement. It's a question. Oh... and C. It's not a question of this book alone. He's making other social comments. He wants eternal gay marriage to become a thing. And the like. If that's not full woke... not sure what is.

I think that's likely the case. But...you know...as the saying goes...the path to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm not sure "pure" motives have anything to do with the benefit of the doubt. I believe he things he's doing what's right. But as we all know, what we "think" is right and what IS right are often not the same. I can understand, and even forgive, him inn a way because I think you're right...he's doing what he believes to be right... as he drags other souls to hell, loses his faith in core tenants of the gospel, and enriches his coffers for the praise of the great and spacious building. And the problem is this (if I may indulge you with a bit of rambling): I think if one were, in alignment with the gospel, intent on showing solidarity, empathy, and love unfeigned for the gay and trans community in a story, one could, and should, do that. But it would be a story of the struggle, uphold eternal truths, show how characters could overcome, draw sympathy and sorrow from the reader as it showed the sorrow and hurt that the affliction brought, or show the destruction and misery of choosing the natural man. I mean there are lots of ways one could go about it and write a compelling, interesting, empathetic story without pandering to the woke. Instead, Brandon Sanderson has his story show these things as normal, healthy, beautiful, and praiseworthy. His intentions (empathy, love, understanding) are good. His application of these intentions is flawed, based on falsehoods.

I think you're wrong. That used to be true. But nerds rule the world now. Brandon Sanderson is very "hip". Fantasy is, indeed, in the "cool" genre. Things aren't like they used to be, grandpa.

I don't have the cynicism to think he's trying to get hip. I think he's, legitimately, of those opinions. Not because it's the "cool" thing.

I realized after I posted that I should have called it "gospel values" instead of "LDS values" as we're not supposed to, per the style guide of the church, use "LDS" to refer to the church. But I can't figure out how to edit the title.

I put this in the LDS Gospel Discussion because, ultimately, it's about how we should approach these concepts, but if the moderators feel it's better in general discussion, feel free to move it. Brandon Sanderson's latest book in the Stormlight Archive just came out and, apparently, full woke. He, per the videos I've watched on it, has a prominent gay relationship between two men, which is celebrated and shown as wholesome and good, and he has transgender references in various forms, also promoted as acceptable, normal, and good. This is in contrast to comments he's made int he past that were supportive of the Proclamation on the Family, and so forth, how he wouldn't write gay characters into his books, and etc., (once again, I've only watched videos by others on the matter so am reporting hearsay, but I'm sure it's correct.) Well. I dunno. What say ye? Personally, I'm a bit annoyed. And, similar to my feelings about Disney, feel betrayed. I've been a Brandon Sanderson fan. I'm not any more. It's like he's purposefully betraying and spitting in the face of his conservative audience...or trying to convert them to woke views, but if not...then spit in the face. He claims that's not what he's doing. But...it seems clear that is, whatever he says. I returned my unlistened to Audible copy of the latest book, and discontinued listening to the previous book which I was only partway through. (To be fair...I also have seen a lot of reviews saying the next book is terrible, even by those who are unbothered by the woke-ness.) And I find it sad. And...sadly, common among those who are LDS and become famous. I guess, in prior views he's expressed in prior decades, he was kind, respectful, and gentle in his points of view on these matters, but stood firmly behind the Family Proclamation and the principles therein. But I guess that wasn't enough. Either he was swayed by the world he lives in, friends, family, publishers, etc., or he was not expressing his true thoughts before. Either way, it's sad. I hope it doesn't mean he's on he way out. Unfortunately that's how these things often go. And it's not just the inclusion of the gay and trans characters and storylines that has me thinking what I am. It's his public comments where he's openly stated that he hopes the church disavows the Proclamation on the Family, allows homosexual marriage, and so forth and etc. Anyhow...I dunno. Thought it would make an interesting discussion at least. There's a balance to find on these matters. Respect, love, sympathy, etc., are good. But often it seems efforts to do so lead to support, advocacy, and eventual apostasy. (Note: I'm not saying Sanderson is going to leave the church. It won't surprise me if he does. But some of the comments he's made already, in my mind, are apostasy. (Understanding that there's some subjectivity to the idea of what is and isn't "apostasy".))

Maybe. Or...it could be just that Trump is forcing their hands a bit. Trump, bless his heart, is both a genius and and idiot. Or maybe just a genius. Or maybe just an idiot. Does anyone really know? ???

His solution seems to be distressing all of his hats. Which is fine in theory...but I don't think my 80 year old dad wants that look.

Finished my dad's hat. Sort of: I say sort of because it needs the liner still. And I think a different ribbon color. And it's kind of splotchy in color. Here it is with flash: I've done a ton to try and get the color smoothed out, but no success. Finding resources that teach how to avoid or fix that is nigh unto impossible. Hints here and there, but those I've tried havn't worked. (Oh... the ribbon I'll try next is the one you can see next to it in the above pic (if anyone's interested). I don't know if it'll work. My dad wanted a matching ribbon. But getting a matching ribbon has proven to be a nightmare. I've bought so many ribbons! We may end up defaulting to a black ribbon. We'll see.) Okay...the next hat started... My brother requested what he called a "far side cowboy hat" and sent me this strip: And here's the hat post blocking and cutting the brim. (Side note: That's as wide as I could make the brim. I'd have gone wider if possible...but making the crown that tall meant I had to cut the brim to 4 inches and BARELY had 4 inches to do it. I would have gone to 4.5 or even 5 inches if possible. But it'll work.) It's a 7" crown. Which...these hat blanks were not made for a 7" crown! Argh. Hardest thing I've blocked and still has some serious issues. You can't see it from this angle, but the brim is totally wrinkly. I don't know if I'll be able to get the wrinkles out. I've ironed and ironed. I'll sand and iron some more, but....??? The lines on the bottom of the crown will be covered by a 2" wide band. But I had to wrap the blocking cord around it that much to get that part to form to the block. It was wrinkly and loose there too. Anyhow, since it's going to, essentially, be a novelty hat in the end, if it's not perfect, so what? A far side hat? Really bro? But it's a fun challenge, so I'm game.

You're old enough that you could start wearing a fedora everywhere and everyone would just think..."Yep. Old man in a fedora. Sounds about right."

Finished my first fedora: Needs a wee bit more work on the shaping. But.... Made it as a gift for one of my brothers.

Yeah, so the VP9SK is the compact version of the VP9, which is a striker fired gun. I've never shot one. But, like I said, H&K has a good rep. And the P30 (which is, essentially, the same body/grip as the VP9 but is hammer fired), is great. I've never shot the SK version of it though either.

So the trigger I have (you can get all sorts of different trigger/safety options) is the LEM trigger, which is cool. Especially for a home defense gun. If I was going to carry it, I'd prefer the safety with a de-cocker version. Did you shoot the P30? P30sk? P30L? Or a VP9? H&K just released their new micro-9. The CC9. I'd love to try it out. It's a striker fire instead of a hammer (like the VP9), so the trigger's going to feel different. But I don't think it comes with a version with a safety yet (just has the trigger safety like a Glock). So it's probably not an option for you. I'd love to try out an H&K USP. But they're pricey. But I like my H&K well enough to think I'd like any of them. And they have a reputation for being great guns.

Finished (sort of...more on that)...the "military" colored one: (note: this pic shows the color a lot better. The previous ones it looked gray and brown in the pics. This is more accurate. It's a green hat. No getting around it.) When I say sort of...it's for a few reasons. Putting aside that the shaping was sloppy, I didn't sand this one to see how it turned out. And....I dunno. The color stayed consistent but I think I'm going to sand it. Also, the underside of the brim has some wrinkles where it just didn't quite get ironed and smoothed well enough. And, finally, even though I tried the head shaping thing with the pink foam, it's still just a hair too snug for my tastes. I got another block that's a half-size up and so I think I'll reblock it and start over. I don't love the green color anyhow...(I mean, it's fine. Just not going to be my favorite), so it's a perfect opportunity to experiment a bit and re-block, try again, etc. I watched a video with an old pro hat maker and he used coconut oil to smooth out the color after sanding. So I'll try that with this hat. I used vasoline on the brown one I'm making for my wife and it did work somewhat. Maybe coconut oil won't be any different but I'll try it. Also...I started my first fedora hat. My dad wanted a fedora, so I'm making him one for Christmas. He wanted gray: I want to shape it like the Indiana Jones gray fedora in Raiders: But my dad likes the softer, rounder look better I think: So that's probably more the shape we'll go for.

Well... sanding the rabbit felt made it just as splotchy as the wool was. So apparently it wasn't the "cheap wool's" fault. Argh. I'm trying a technique called "Luring" (or oiling/greasing) to smooth it out. Basically...I just rubbed a small amount of Vaseline into the felt. We'll see. It's entirely possible I'll ruin this one.

I just realized that if there's any divergence in the left to the right side of my head that I didn't pay attention to which side was up...and if I put it in upside-down then the left will be on the right and the right on the.... I'm sure the differences, if any, are not going to make a difference. It's mostly the forehead issue I'm trying to solve without actually sizing up the hat. But.... well...lesson noted for next time, just in case.

I started 2 new hats today. One for my wife: And another for myself: (Obviously I haven't ironed the brim yet in this picture.) A few tidbits: 1. I went with a 6 inch crown for both of these, vs. the 5.5 I did on the last one. 2. Instead of wool, both of these are 100% rabbit felt. 3. Wetting, steaming, shaping, and ironing these made the whole house stink like wet rabbit. It smells kind of like wet dog, only....rabbittier. Anyhow, the last one I made was a bit too tight on my forehead and a wee bit too loose on my temples. So I had an idea. First, I got some crafting wire that bends easily, but holds it's shape too. I twisted it onto my head until it felt just tight enough to stay in place but not so tight it was uncomfortable. Then I pressed all around it, molding it to my head shape. Then I traced the outside of it and cut it out in paper: I traced the outside instead of the inside, because I wanted to allow for the sweatband I'll sew into the hat later. Then I got some pink XPS foam and traced it onto that: Then cut it out. This was an interesting thing to figure out. The XPS I got is 2 inches thick. I tried a serrated kitchen knife...no...then a hack saw...no. Then I got out my saws-all and just hacked out the general shape, leaving extra room, and then my electric belt sander to shape it. That worked. This was the end result: The egg shape of my head explains why the forehead pinches and temples are too loose when it's an oval. Finally... stuffed it into the hat (after steaming the bottom part of the crown to soften it up a bit): Yeah...looks like the brown one in this pic...but it's not. It's the greenish-gray (a color they called "military") one. I was going to drill some holes in it first so I can get it out...but I didn't have a bit enough drill bit and I'm impatient. And I'd done enough with the power tools for a Sunday already. (To be fair, it was like less than 2 min of power tools. Is that breaking the Sabbath? ). But it's foam. I can just stab something into it to get it back out (I hope). And I was impatient. Not showing in the pictures (well, sort of dangling down in that last one), I put the cord back around the base to snug it up to the foam so it dries to that shape. We'll see how it works out. I think it will! Now for 2 days of drying time.