zil2

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Everything posted by zil2

  1. Clearly, if we just eliminate all foliage, that will solve all of our problems. Who's up for a bonfire this weekend?
  2. zil2

    Fountain Pen Fun

    Depending on the brand of pen, that's an EF or F (most likely), possibly an M from some Japanese brands. The indentations in the paper indicate a lot of pressure being used - required for ballpoints. Note that this degree of pressure can ruin a fountain pen or at least prevent it from writing, so he may need to learn to relax his grip on the pen (or at least not press down hard). The next thing you need to decide is your budget (PM me if you prefer) - you'll want a pen, paper, and ink. (Normal paper doesn't work well with the vast majority of fountain pen inks - and finding an ink that would go well with his legal pads could be a career in itself.) If you haven't already, set a price range on pens and look around on these websites: Goldspot JetPens GouletPens Some can be found on Amazon, too, and often for less (though paper is often more expensive on Amazon). Right now, the main point is to find pens you (think he will) like the look of - then I can help you pick out ones that are good quality and help you with nib size. NOTE: There's a Chinese pen that I would highly recommend, but I know some people don't want to buy Chinese... This pen is an exception to the stereotype - it's an excellent pen. Costs $20. For ink, I just need to know the color and once we pick the pen, I can make some recommendations. For paper, there are two routes you can go: buy known-good brands online, or go to a big box store and look for paper made in Vietnam: Staples have some, WalMart Exceed or Pen & Gear will have some - you have to look for the "made in Vietnam" on the individual unit since they can be mixed, and CVS Pharmacies have some legal-type pads with the brand name "Caliber" that are said to be friendly. Also, one guy reported that the Amazon Basics legal pads are friendly. The biggest issue with all these is that there's no telling when the manufacturing plant will change something and the paper won't be good for fountain pens anymore. With known-good brands (mostly Japanese, French, and British papers), consistency is part of the brand, so you can buy with confidence - though actual legal pads aren't easy to find. I can give more specifics when you're ready.
  3. So, I was relaxing on the couch, reached out my left hand to pet Klaw (curled up in his make-shift tent on that cushion), and he shifted and laid his head on my palm and fell asleep. Now I'm trapped here indefinitely. Please post something interesting before I die of boredom ..
  4. Klaw has a little bit of grey and white on the underside of his tail.
  5. There's a lack of kitten activity on this forum, so... Here's Klaw in his backpack, looking adorable. And here's Klaw preparing to attack you: And here's Klaw climbing the couch so he can get close enough to smite you! (For those interested, another Klaw at Play video posted this morning on the same YouTube channel as the one I posted previously.)
  6. zil2

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  7. Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, Chapter 3 "Zeal Without Knowledge": (Bold is mine. Nibley is brutal, but in an enabling and inspiring way.)
  8. Really? Like soldiers marching with sharp turns at the corners, synchronized steps and arm movements, constant gaze, perhaps even uniform attire... My impression was that this was the thing being complained about - not simple efficiency. When those passing the Sacrament know who covers where and they move quietly and do their duty effectively, that's not distracting. But the lock-step marching and turning off out of the line to go to one's area of assignment like a military drill performance - that would be a show and a distraction.
  9. I have made it a habit to avoid watching the movements of those passing the Sacrament, lest I spend the whole time analyzing their efficiency / appropriateness...
  10. I suspect the problems in the Church include: An unwillingness to serve, even on the part of active members An unwillingness to make assignments, on the part of leadership (it's much easier to ask for volunteers) Not having close enough relationships to make service, assignments, volunteering, and even saying "no" easier Feelings of guilt, awkwardness, etc. when trying to make or decline assignments A false notion that the Church is a voluntary organization and therefore we shouldn't have to do anything except when we initiate the choice. (Yeah, sure, you can decide whether to come or go, whether to volunteer, whether to accept an assignment, but really, we have a hierarchy, we sustain people (perhaps too many forget what that means, or never thought about it), and it all operates under the rule of a King by covenants that we apparently haven't spent enough time thinking about.) (Lest anyone think I'm condemning others, I include myself as part of the problem, but I am intentionally trying to overcome my own reluctance.)
  11. Klaw at play:
  12. That was a fantastic interview!
  13. zil2

    Fountain Pen Fun

    Do you have time to find out about this? People with arthritis often don't write, or need to apply pressure to the paper to steady the pen (if their hand shakes), or often benefit from a really (absurdly) fat pen. Is your dad of average height for a man, taller, shorter - that will give some idea. This might be difficult. Does he over-write, side-write, or under-write? Also important, has your dad ever used a fountain pen? The local stores may surprise you, but I wouldn't go into one until I had done serious research, cuz they just want to sell you the most expensive pen. Also, there are some online stores with a pretty low free-shipping threashold, and you'll want ink and a pad of paper or a notebook, depending on the type of writing your dad will do (journal = notebook, disposable notes = notepad). I don't have time to delve this morning, but will this evening.
  14. If I understand what you are saying, then the scripture in question doesn't quite say that: Joseph Smith - Matthew 1 Two main points here: 1. The world will not be expecting it (v 40 and 43). 2. The world will be going about its usual business as if it were just another day (v42).
  15. 1. Fortunately for me, I can give the burden of figuring out the answer over to the Lord - it's his job, not mine, and I could never do it anyway. In the meantime, I keep my covenants. 2. The 5 foolish virgins were members of the Church, so don't be surprised if it's an even split.
  16. Welcome to Third Hour, @Maverick! I have long believed that the increasing extremes of wickedness and righteousness in our time is a blessing of sorts. I think there are some who currently choose evil out of confusion or deception. They think they are choosing love, support, tolerance, etc. And they currently think the Church and saints are on the side of hate. But as things get more extreme, reality will become increasingly clear. Only the truly wicked will remain in Satan's camp. Christ's sheep will realize they were tricked and will finally come to him. There may be few who will make that change, but without the extremes, they might remain deceived. With the extremes, the choice will be beyond clear.
  17. Ask to read the policy manual. If they say "no", I'm suspicious of the company. If they say "yes", I've got a good idea how they approach things I'm interested in. In theory, this also tells them you're serious about where you work.
  18. Awwwww! He's so cuuute! Good boy! Klaw's sights are constantly up. He's gonna be at the top of everything before long. (I'm trying to keep him from going too crazy since he's recovering from surgery, but once a kitten gets the zoomies, there's really no stopping him. Fortunately, it doesn't look like he's torn any stitches or anything.) Amen! Good name. Now he needs a sword! (Anduril is a gorgeous sword.) Congratulations on your new family member and vole-killer! Klaw and I are very happy for you.
  19. If they do, you can use his own footnote to prove them wrong: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng Publishing Peace means preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ - I agree with my stake president - this is what it really means to be a peacemaker.
  20. Further, this boy is way too smart! I recognized a pattern today - if I come in here while he's playing, after a while he starts meowing pitifully. So I go into his "safe zone" (aka the family room) and sit on the floor, and as soon as I touch one of his toys, he starts purring!! How am I supposed to resist that? We then proceed to play together. And sometimes it's just me watching him play, but every time I engage with him, he purrs!
  21. The funny thing is, the way this question (or instruction) is always worded tends to distract from the correct answer - we see the "we" and think it's a group effort. In reality, it's an individual effort and it happens as each individual draws closer to Christ, becomes a better disciple, becomes one with Him. Each person drawing closer to him draws closer to all the others who are drawing closer to him (like the tip of a cone). Those who decline to draw closer to him will fall (or stay) farther and farther away and never be united with the Saints. Thus, the way you do it is to draw closer to Christ - help your wife to do the same, teach your children to do the same. Focus all your effort on him: Scripture study is no longer scripture study, it's studying the word of Christ, learning about him, seeking for his instructions and examples. Prayer is no longer prayer, it is seeking to learn God's will, seeking the power of His Son in your life, and to become worthy of and sensitive to his Spirit Church is no longer Church, it is the worship of God and learning of Christ's gospel etc. FWIW.
  22. I'm a complete push-over. Lunch was delayed by 3 hours today (and became dinner) because Klaw fell asleep on top of me...
  23. I believe (but don't know) the sealing is valid regardless of the laws of men. That said, a child molester will have a hard road to the celestial kingdom, and if he doesn't live up to covenants, and repent when he falls short, that sealing will be null through his disobedience. More importantly, I'm so sorry for the pain this must be causing you. I can't begin to understand, but I'm sorry and hope you're able to find peace somehow. PS: Welcome to ThirdHour!
  24. @person0, the only approaches I can think of to your situation are: Prayer - lots of it - you really need the Holy Ghost to guide you here Studying, to the the point of memorization, if possible, the relevant scriptures Collecting the relevant General Conference talks - a tag or notebook in the Church's "Library" app so that you can pull it all up as needed and quote and cite directly Charity - to see these leaders through Christ's eyes (as much as any of us can do that) Beyond that, pure love brings courage and sometimes courage is needed to confront sin. The Lord had some pretty strong condemnations all through the Bible for leaders who led his sheep astray. If called to speak, speak the truth; if called to teach, teach the truth. Were I in your shoes, I don't think I'd hesitate to tell my children that their leaders were wrong and shouldn't be trusted on this issue. Growing up in "low-density Zion", knowing that everyone else would be doing something different from what my family did made it a little easier to be different - I was expecting to be different, expecting the temptations and mockery - not saying that's easy, but expectation helps. Finally, with all that study, I think I would never say phrases like, "you're wrong", "that's false", "you're leading people astray" (unless the Holy Ghost clearly told me otherwise). Instead, I would not directly respond at all, but would rather say, "In the book of Moses we read...", "In his 2009 GC talk, Elder So-n-So said..." and just read the doctrine / gospel / truth. Remember what Alma had to say: Don't try to logic them or argue, quote the word to them. And inoculate your children against false leaders - kids often like their leaders, often trust them more than parents - you need to find a way to counter that tendency. (Ignore anything I wrote above that the Spirit tells you to ignore, and follow his promptings instead. )
  25. Yesterday, His Royal Highness, Prince Klawboy McPurry, Lord Shred, Count Cuddlebutt, Earl of Scratch, Knight Defender of Klawtower (AKA Klaw) was rescued from the shelter-dragon's prison. He is slowly and cautiously exploring his new realm. (Perhaps because he's still under the effect of a pain-killer and mourning the lost of his reproductive ability - an injury inflicted during his Thursday battle with the shelter-dragon.) He's still wary of his assigned guardian, chef, and box-cleaner. In a while, I'll try some wet food and then try for a photo (right now he's napping in solitude). [Later] I have been allowed to pet HRH and was rewarded with purrs, biscuit-making on my arm, bites, and licks (though the licks may have been because my fingers had recently held kitten treats which HRH consumed - hooray - was getting worried about him). [Later] Little boy decided to come out of hiding at 11pm (after I'd gone to bed). After sufficient crying, I resigned myself to being up half the night and sleeping on the couch. (Yes, I'm now a slave.) And here's my first photo of Klaw, taking a break from playing: ...isn't he adorable? Maybe if you have headphones, you can hear him purring in this video (volume was louder on my computer - maybe YT lowers the volume on shorts? ). Anywho, this was my post-breakfast reward - HRH deigned to climb up for cuddles all on his own.