I'm probably here more or less to get an overview of the world and news and politics through an LDS filter. I'm not very good at keeping up with current events and such. So, it's nice to get the 'good parts version' here.

As an intellectual diversion and distraction from medicine.

I'm here primarily for the discussions that can't happen at the other place.   Like Fear of Shiz I enjoy some political discussion though if it were just him and me we'd be awfully boring because I think we would agree way too much.

I am here as the result of being cast out elsewhere and my companionship and viewpoints still being appreciated by some.

I am not big into politics or debate or arguing. I loathe contention, and even the appearance thereof. I look at things from a broad picture, namely how everything fits together, so I say things as I see them and afford others that same right so long as there is tolerance and respect given for differences of opinion. My MO comes across as abrasive to some folks. But I am not really as full of myself as the mask that is put on for benefit of the forum.

I participate for the purposes of building up Zion and helping one another here as fellow Saints in the virtual world develop true unity in the gospel sense so that the skills can be transferred in a practical fashion to the real world and our interactions with the respective fellow Saints we are among.

I'm here to promote Tomacolatte and the Candidacy of Rue Paul. A secondary reason is to annoy Ray with my Mirthmaking skills!

I just like the folks here. They seem to be good people. I enjoy discussing topics with all of you even when we disagree.

Ray is here for the free pastries in the Moderator's lounge.

My reasons change each time I log on, practically. Sometimes I feel like picking a fight. (But I generally don't do that, just watch others...) Sometimes all my friends are busy and I have no one to play with. Sometimes I need some humor. Once in a while I have an issue I want some fresh feedback on... some different perspectives... But I'll admit I sometimes start feeling that life is too short to focus on all kinds of diverse points of view. Sometimes I feel like I should be more true to what I feel is right and quit trying to understand how every other mind under the sun works. Oh, well...

Habit.....j/k.


I go anywhere there is the possibility of talking about food storage and emergency prep with LDS people.

Take it across the river, sissy-man.

I'm also here because you guys make me laugh.

PollyAnna wrote:

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I can't figure that out myself yet...

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 I have been working on this answer...  I think I am here because I like a certain level of non-conformity...  And like Euph, I like to laugh WITH y'all!

I am here because I enjoy the company of those here. You have been examples to me. I am able to associate with a lot of women in my ward through my visiting teaching supervisor calling. I do not get a chance to associate with men in my ward with the exception of sometimes seeing or talking to my Home Teachers. I like stimulating conversation. I also like to have fun. There is a good mix. I shy away from the polical threads. I do want to say that I am probably a lot more conservative than my intro sounded like.

I love how the internet broadens the circles of my friendships to people far away. I have also met one person online who lived in my city who I may or may not have known before as I am not sure exactly who she is in real life. That was cool.

I saw a post at a blog recently with an excerpt of people fleeing their neighborhoods as they feel people are too common in search of a more elitist group. This person had left the blogging world and seemed to have an over all negative view of online participation. I did agree with some of his comments about how those on blogs tend to critique speakers in their wards. I do not think that is very charitable. I have seen lists of things never to say in a talk. And I had seen where I had done at least one of those things. I mentioned how the Bishop asked me to talk in the introduction. I was runner up for the award in Speech in my high school during my Sophomore year. The course was broad in that we had debate, acting, persuasion, oral interpretaion, and I did an entertaining speech. I am not saying that every speech that I have ever given was great or anything close. Yet, I know the nuts and bolts of a good speech. If I felt people were being so critical of me as those online have been, I would probably have a great fear of speaking. I generally lack the normal fear of public speaking while one on one speech has often been so scary for me. This has shifted for me through the years. As I have been able to relate more one on one, I did not have the same pent up energy that needed release in my speeches.

That being said about the sometimes critical nature of those online, I have also been greatly enriched by comments. I see so many online that are so altruistic. I also benefit from their testimonies.

I think people can be very elitist and critical in their own communities. They can also be giving and kind. The online community is just an extension of that. I know a lot of neat people right where I live. I know a lot of neat people online that I never would have met most likely in this life.

We can be careful of our Speech. As a Communication major, I think in terms of content analysis. In Cultivation theory, those who watch too much television see the world as more dangerous than it is statistically although there are some mediating tendencies that can effect that skewing effect to a degree. We need to realize what we put here can give an emphasis that may be left in the minds of others.

I am not saying I am perfect. I have not always taken the high road. I have posted things and had people ask if it was them that I was talking about. I do not think I have ever said anything bad about anybody that I know actively participates on a forum. Yet, I should not have posted things about the people who did not read there in a public way much of the time.

I feel that I can see on both sides of an issue. I enjoy uplifting discussions.

I have felt in recent years that one of the most important things that we can do is share with others our thoughts and our feelings. Teaching and sharing are what make life meaningful.

I contemplated at one time what it would be to be God and know everything and be perfect and yet have no one to share this with or teach. Perhaps that would not fit the definition of God if being a creator is requiste in being a God. I was speaking more of the all knowing aspect. I hope that is respectful to contemplate.

Believe it or not, I used to be a loner.

Donny Osmond enters... Soldier of love...

If you give me that look one more time...!!

It's a song... Soldier of Love... never mind!

Mirky's just playing coy... cuz he doesn't want anyone to know that he really secretly IS Donny Osmond... He wants to avoid all the groupies...

--Ray

And roper's right on his tail!

rayb wrote:

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Mirky's just playing coy... cuz he doesn't want anyone to know that he really secretly IS Donny Osmond... He wants to avoid all the groupies...

--Ray

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mirkwood wrote:

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Cat Herder wrote:

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. I bet she kisses his autographed picture every night before going to sleep...

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So, uh, mirk... since Ray established you really are Donnie, is Mrs. mirk okay with Coco kissing your autographed picture nightly? 

Seriously, I have an actual photo of Donny and Marie and I'm in the middle!! It's so awesome! My sister was in one of the Osmonds' wards at BYU and a baby was getting blessed... we showed up at the after-Church get together. So my dad asked them to step out a minute so he could please get a picture. They did. I was like... 9, I think. I have another one with Marie and Jimmy, but I don't like it as much.

Back when they had their show comeback (like 10 yrs ago??) I thought about sending in that photo and seeing if they'd fly me out to be a guest... but then I figured I was kinda' busy for all that silly stuff...

I'll admit I have that Mulan song on my iPod. I'll make a man out of you... Oh, yeah!!

Oh, and for the record, the picture is NOT autographed. Sheesh.

(I just have no idea why I hang out here...)

lol...Mrs. mirk has no idea that I've been accused of being Donnie!!!  I think I'm safe!