Think before you flame... UPDATED!!

Those friends of mine from 360 may remember that phrase... Well, I think it's time to bring it up again.

The blog I had earlier about how a former friend removed me as a contact just because I am a member of Second Life (SL) & her blog against SL has really got under my skin.

HOWEVER... I have just posted my last comment on her blog... from now on I am going to just state my opinion right here!

My whole point what I was trying to say to her & anyone reading it was that if you find one problem wrong with something... does that mean you have to ask for it all to be shut down.

Or simply put... there is good AND bad in EVERYTHING!!!

Please note... I do not like to offend anyone... and I do not mind if you remove me as a contact because of something I maybe a member of. Just know I will not do that... unless it's COMPLETELY crude & etc.

All I ask is please, please, don't cuss me out about something you disagree with me... I'll be more than happy to debate about something I believe in without foul language... I ask you do the same. (You never know... you may win me over!)

Now... onto a sad note... please be sure to read my blog prior to this... just... well, just read please! Thank you! :)

On a PLEASANT note... If you're looking for a great, fun AND SAFE place for those impressionable loved ones... How about giving Webkinz a try!

I know... I know... you have to buy one to get into their site... however, if you get just one (even one Lil' Kinz (smaller & cheaper) will work) you can access some FUNTASTIC games & other items!

Webkinz even has great learning areas... even for those young at heart!! :)

I'll warn you, as I'm sure Maegan & Autumn Sunshine will back me up on this... Webkinz is addictive! You can't just stop at one! (Ok, maybe you can!)

Oh, I mention this because... I've just adopted my 2nd pet! I'll post pictures later! :)

Furthermore... you can find the plush pets (along with a code to enter Webkinz World) on eBay for great prices. If I had the $$$ I would try to sell them too... without making much profit... For it is my wish that those with even the limited budget could experience such fun!! :)

That's it for now. Have a great day!!

UPDATE: Well, it's just to ask you to please read my comment below. Pretty please? :) Thanks! :)

(updated) Monday again? Ok, maybe not... but it feels like today is a Monday!

(PLEASE READ ALL COMMENTS BELOW THIS BLOG! I REPLIED MANY TIMES!!)

Get ready to hop aboard for another journey on "The Rambling Train"... Yep, this is my way of saying you're in for a long read! (Many items... LONG OVERDUE!!)

You can thank a former contact of mine... well, I am not going to mention names at all in the blog. Anyway what she blogged about today has me FIRED UP!!

However, it's in a GOOD way... I guess I needed this push to get this all out!! So, hang on... you're in for the ride of your life! (LOL)

Before I start... This is a public blog & it is open to all comments... HOWEVER, please do not use FOUL language in your reply (or anywhere on my site)... or it will be deleted. This is your only warning. I feel, if you are that upset... you can say it without the profanity OR use your own blog (as I am doing here)...

Do NOT even give a hint as to the word(s). I do not do it on yours (or others or even here on my own) & I'd appreciate it if you will NOT use such language on mine. I will not ask this again at the end... it's up to you to remember or re-read it, if necessary! You can feel free to voice your opinion about any or all of this... & you can be as fired up as I am... but you do not need to be obscene about it!

I have not ever hid, nor will I hide the fact that I am a Christian! I feel there are times we as Christians need to reach out to all no matter where they are!

With that said...

This all started today when I received a PM from someone saying they're deleting me because I am a part of Second Life (SL). It came to their attention yesterday that there are "Virtual Rape" areas in SL. This is according to a video blog by Kirsten Powers. (Yep, that's a link & set to open in a new window.) I want you to hear it for yourself!

I personally did NOT know there was such a thing... I knew there were things that were sexual areas if so desired. But I had NO clue that you could use your Linden dollars to "pay" to be raped; to rape someone; or just watch. That is SICK & APPALLING!!

I agree with this former friend that AREA should be shut down... HOWEVER, not ALL of SL! If you are going to take that view... then you might as well not stop there... Why not shut down the ENTIRE internet? There are areas just as crude & sicking. That show REAL LIFE rape... I'm sure of it... TALK ABOUT SICK!! (though I personally have NOT seen them... nor will I go looking for it!)

Oh... let's not stop with the internet... let's shut down all the television programs too! So, no more Dancing With the Stars. No more Wheel of Fortune, or Weather Channel... or any other good shows like that... just because of some shows can't seem to clean up their act.

Ok, that I know is a bit extreme... but that's my point! There are websites that just as good!!! Like here... on Multiply! So, you can't always "judge a book by it's cover." (I'm sure there are some who abuse Multiply, too... does that mean we have to shut it down too?) Get my point yet????

Now, I am not saying that all of SL is good... nor am I saying all of it is bad! That I know for a fact. Because myself & 2 other friends have started up a group to witness to those who are...

1. New to SL. Provide basic SL training... how to use their avatar & etc.
2. Help guide the lost (in all sense of the word).
3. Minister to those in need of spiritual guidance. Whether it is from a Real Life or SL experience!
4. Provide a safe environment to "change clothes".
5. Teach others how they can earn money (called Lindens) with OUT

It all comes back to that question WWJD? What Would Jesus Do?

We also provide a note card with Safe, Bold & Extreme areas... so that they will not have to worry about "accidentally" running across such things. Rest assured... If we can figure out this one area, it will not only be added to the note card... but also, I will be reporting it. I think that is pushing the Freedom of Speech a bit to far!

Just so you know... there ARE ratings in SL... and they do have an age limit! For those who don't lie, they, I believe are not able to access Mature areas / islands.

If I personally come across such a place or even if someone invites me somewhere & crude acts are taking place... I "run" (well, actually teleport) back to my home... or I just down right quit that session.

I've not had any problems such as being locked up to where I can't control my computer... or not able to quit the game. Though I have heard some friends have had "grieffers" lock them so they couldn't teleport or quit. (Maybe that's why some think they're computer is being taken over... It's not really. It's just called lag!) If I were to ever get into a situation like that... There's this nice little gadget... we all have it...

It's called the power button! I would even go as so much as to unplug it and / or take the battery out!

So, you see, Second Life is only as bad (OR GOOD) as you make it... Just like the rest of the internet... no... sorry... JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD!!!

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD... there are other "VIRTUAL" simulations / games out there that are just as bad or FAR worse than Second Life!! (Though I just am having a hard time getting past the "rape room"!!)

So, if you have a problem with me being on Second Life... & you don't understand why I am still there... before you delete me as a contact, please send me a PM & let me know why you think I should NOT be on Second Life.

As for myself & Second Life... I believe if you're careful, like with anything, it can be a great place to hang out with your friends. I still recommend it... As I mentioned a while back... it may help lead me to a Real Life job from home!

See, I was asked to write an article for a CHRISTIAN magazine. It started on SL... but as of this July, it will now be published in REAL LIFE!!

I was asked to write about "Why I am on SL". In this article I mentioned how it started with my RL sister needing help figuring out how to use her avatar... She's there because her REAL LIFE job is seeking a way to use SL to help with their online education. (It's a college she works for.)

I won't mention anymore, because it's in the article... Once it's released I will post more for you, my regular readers! :)

Anyway... If all goes well, that will be a regular feature in the magazine & I will hopefully be compensated. Along with any other articles / stories I write for them. It all hinges upon subscriptions. Nope, I'm not going to use this particular blog to promote to go get a subscription or anything like that! If you want to know more, you know how to reach me!!

WAIT... This ride has only yet to begin!!! There's more.

Since I have your attention, there are some other things I've been wanting to express my opinion on. Again... LONG OVERDUE!! (I don't mean to ever offend anyone... if I do, please know I am just voicing my opinion... Hey, isn't that what a blog is for????) With that said...

Hopefully I won't ramble as much as the above.

My next target of fired up issues... is, the gas prices... Why on earth are we all letting these oil companies get away with it? I know... I know... we have no control... But you know... a change takes only one person to get it started!!

You know that email that circulates all the time asking you to have a "gas out" (boycott) for one day?? ... well, that's not going to hit where it needs to. In the wallet!!

I recently have seen my hubby's idea starting to be circulated. (But of course it's not from him, nor does he get credit... not saying credit is due.)

Anyway... we need to boycott certain gas stations. Since there is not an Exxon or Mobile in every town... I suggest this... find the station in your area that is popular... spread the word to your friends & family to boycott it... & ask them to spread the word too & so on.

Don't just boycott it for one day... but for a WHOLE MONTH.... or even a WHOLE YEAR! They will be forced to lower their price because the demand will go away. And so the other stations will be forced to lower theirs because those who don't know about the boycott will go to the popular station.

I'm not saying go picket the station or anything like that. Just stop using their gas. And if they have more than one station in the area... don't use any of them!

For those who only have 1 station near by... well, I have to think on that one. If you can afford to... go to the next town that doesn't have the same station.

I'm sure you've all heard this... but someone needs to start this & get it going & we all need to STICK WITH IT!!!

Oh, what if the station go down so low you can't help but to buy it from them? Well, my thought on that is... ok, go ahead... but if you see them starting to sneak the price back up... start boycotting again!

I know... what keeps the others from raising their price to meet the demand... Well, in essences... they should actually follow their competitor if they know good business.

Don't expect it a huge drop in price over night... but hopefully it will drop each day or so... Stick with it if you can!

As for my area... since I don't do much driving anymore... so, I will leave it up to hubby, until I hear from someone in my area!

Next... the presidential race... I for one can not wait until the election is completely over with! I am tired of hearing all the squabbling back & forth!! Why do we have to have a 1 Democrat & 1 Republican??? Why not take the top 4 vote getter's from the primaries & let them run in the General Election.

AND why can they NOT tell us who their running mate is going to be?? I tell you what... I bet the Democrats would not have such a hard time choosing if they knew who the VP would be.

I was watching here & there about each of the candidates (both sides)... however, I am not tired of every time I turn around the most of the news is taken up with this Presidential race mumbo jumbo.

Also... what ever happened to having all the primaries on the same day... the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in May??? Growing up, I do not remember problems like we have today. And remember... back then we only had 3 channels... & if the President was on... you were forced to watch him or not watch at all! (Ok, showing my age... but I've never hid it... I am 39!)

I admit... President Bush has made some mistakes in his time in office... HOWEVER... keep this in mind when you're about to cast you ballot... The things he has put into motion have not really begun yet... or will continue no matter who is elected. AND don't you think that Bush is cleaning up the mess that President Clinton left?

I am too tired to go through all the facts... but keep this in mind... the elected usually spends 7 or their 8 years (if elected twice) trying to turn around what is predecessor did. If unfortunate to be re-elected... then it's twice as hard.

Now, as for my choice... I was all for Huckabee... however, he's not "in it anymore". I'd really like to see him pair up with McCain... I think they would make a great team. But that's my pick.

Why am I not for Hillary?... several reasons... & I don't want to go into it right now without facts to support my opinion! If you want to discuss it... please send me a PM... I do not wish to have a political debate on this blog. I don't mind doing it in private.

Why not Obama? Well, honestly when it 1st started, I had thought about switching parties & going with him... but a lot has happened to change my mind. 1 being the fact he refused to cover his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.

I'm sorry... but if you're going to be a leader of the Nation, then you should act as if you want everyone to act. That was very DISRESPECTFUL in my eyes... as I am sure many others!

Again, please do not get into a debate here... I do ask this... PLEASE do not believe EVERYTHING you read in the newspaper or hear on tv. Especially news clips... because that's what they are just snippets of what they say!

Or even emails you receive... My hubby has received several... & each one says they have the original article linked up... or it was validated by 'Snopes' ... 9 times out of 10... just like virus or hoax emails... they just have that there because if you say it, most people believe it! & they actually hope you do NOT click that link!

SO... if you think something sound too good to be true... or in this case... too awful... then do your own research! Or if you don't want to... then ask a friend to & have them print it out for you or send you the original link!

I did this with one particular email about Obama... & for some reason it just didn't sound like something that would be even printed by a newspaper... Even though the "supposed" article was linked.

Well, I clicked on the link... it went to a newspaper... but it still didn't look right... it was not that "official" looking. SO... I Googled JUST the name of the newspaper... SURE enough... the link was a fake!

They went so far as to give credit to the original article's author... Who in turn had to post a message saying his story was hijacked & altered!

Though the email was very close to the original... there were a couple points that did make me question Obama even more. They maybe true... but it was NOT in this article!

Ok, conspiracy theorists... find me proof on this one... I had heard that that the Muslim groups, that are against America, (not saying all) have taught their followers that the best way to bring the USA down is to get a Muslim in office ... in the highest position... The President! Then I am "told" that Barack Obama was Muslim... even if for a short time. But some say once a Muslim, always one... kind of like the mob.

Again, I do not know if this is true but I thought I'd share it with you. Maybe that will get you all to think twice... or at least do you're on research!

Hey, maybe someone will find something that will convince me to change parties.... I don't know... I just ask you do not start a debate here on my blog.... I'll be more than happy to talk with anyone via PM. Then when we both come to an agreement... we can post it in tandem on our own blogs.

I however, can't stress it enough... I can't prove any of that about Barack Obama... I have not read enough of his site. I just can't get passed the deal of him not putting his hand to his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance when he was working! I've never heard an apology or a reason why he did it... or in this case, didn't.

Go to the candidates OFFICIAL website & read how they stand on each of the issues. I ask you ALL to PLEASE RESEARCH before you vote! I'd also ask if you could educate all your not internet friends of what you find to help them decide.

Again... DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!!!

I sure hope I didn't offend anyone... I don't like to... & that's why I've kept quiet on several of these subjects. But I am so fired up, I just had to mention it all & get it all out!

Feel free to discuss this... but please, keep it clean, nice & no "bashing" anyone... it will only serve one purpose. Hurt feelings... which we know in this day & age can lead to more dire consequences!!

(Oh, you may thinking I'm bashing the gas companies... I'm not, I'm just merely suggesting how we can help ourselves & show them they can still make a profit!!)

With all that said, let's take a moment... before I go on to personal items...

Here are some topics I hope to cover in my next blog... My trip to California; my fight with Chiari Malformation & Cavs - Rise UP / 23c Pizza Deal.

For now... that's all... I must not have slept well last night... because I'm about to fall asleep now! Since I have Praise Team practice tonight... I need to lay down now!!

Hope you enjoyed the ride! :)

(There's one problem with doing long blogs like this... I get so tired of looking at it, that I don't want to go back & proof read for grammar mistakes.... Thank Heavens for spell check! LOL) :) :)

Friday 5 - Time Travel

I'm going to give Friday 5 a try this week! I like the subject & questions.

Time Travel . . . judging by the number of television series, movies, books created on the subject, each providing it's own twist on the subject, it is a fascination that has captured the imagination of people in all walks of life through the ages.

This week's Friday Five questions pose various scenarios within the theme of "Time Travel" . . . elaborate or not as much as you like.

1. You can go back and change an event in history . . . What would the historical event be, what would you change and what outcome would your actions have? This is tough... My friend Grandma Rosy took the one answer I would even think of... change 9-11-01 events.

My hubby said he'd go back to when Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

I am not sure I'd want to do that... So, I am at a loss for this one. If I think of anything, I'll post it in a comment below.

2. You can go back in time, but you can't change anything . . . where would you go? This one is a bit easier... I'd like to be at Princess Di & Prince Charles wedding... just seeing the glamour & tradition of it all would just something else! :) No, I wouldn't want to change this, because I think Diana needed to marry Charles so that her life would change & she would be able to do the good that she did.

3. You can visit the future, but you can't change anything . . . where would you go? I would like to see how my son, Mike, turns out... regular readers of my blog will understand why.

4. Who is the one famous person you would go back in time to visit? Since I already used Princess Di, I think I'll say something different here... I would like to visit Michael Landon on the set of Little House on the Prairie. Not sure why... I just had always admired Michael Landon (& NO this is not why I named my son Michael.)

5. You can be any person, past or present, famous or not . . . who is it and why? Oprah... when she is giving away her favorite things. Just to see the reaction on the audience members when they realize they were all getting one of them high tech refrigerators!

If you would like to participate in the Friday 5:

Copy the questions and post your answers to your blog,

Leave a comment on the page at The Friday Five @ Multiply to let others know your post is up so they can visit your blog...

Fun, easy, and no time limit.

Questions for YOU part 1

Ok, I just had a brilliant idea... well at least I think so! LOL... This I hope will be the 1st in a "series" of blogs.

As you may already know... I'm a curious... VERY CURIOUS person... & I like to know others opinions... I base some of what I do from your opinions...

Since Yahoo Answers is full of trolls, and I don't want to have a "competition" for the answers... just looking for honest opinions...

SOOOOOOO, as I think of these questions, I'll blog them & save a draft & when I have enough, I'll post it! Sound good?

To answer, you can either reply in a comment below, or private message me... Today, they're mostly related to Multiply. Sometimes they'll just be random & silly questions! Kind of like me! LOL :)

Some I'll have a reason after it why I ask... others, well, they'll be self explanatory... or just plain curiosity!!! LOL

Let's get started...

1. How often do you check your "inbox" (here on Multiply) to see what your friends have posted... and / or for personal messages? (I ask because I wonder if I am being to obsessive with checking mine out.)

2. When you "acquire" a new friend... do you read all, majority, or any of their past blogs, or do you just read from when you first connected with them?

3. Do you prefer the "glitz & glamor" / animated looking blogs / sites, or not?

4. What colors do you like best when trying to read someones blog? (Black text with normal background or colored, like this one is blue?)

5. Do you like it when your friends' themes change with their moods... or do you like it when it stays the same? (I am trying to decide if I'll change themes like I did on 360.)

6. (Totally off subject)... If you shake your head (as if saying "no") really fast, does it hurt? Does it feel like your brains are moving from side to side? (I'M SERIOUS! I ask because I want to know if it's normal to feel pain when doing that... I don't mean extremely hard or fast... I mean like if you're "shaking the cobwebs out"... as some might put it.)

7. Do you like it when I explain things... or do you just want to hear the main points & read between the lines. (I ask this because my mom taught me, assume they know NOTHING & Hubby always says... assume they know EVERYTHING. See my confusion! LOL)

8. Do you like the glitter graphics I use? (Well, I do! LOL)

Ok, that's enough for now! Besides I have to go work on the Secret Santa blog / site! More on that to follow!! :)

Need your help... (11-13-07)

Since this site is mainly for personal blogging & socializing... I am thinking of changing the theme & title.

I would like everyone's opinion. (This also gives me the chance to share with you the new poll creator site.)

If you choose "none of these" please leave a comment with your idea! :)
Keep in mind, I love Chocolate; Pink; Buckeyes; Steelers; & Harley's... if this helps you in your decision.

If a different title other than "The Avant-Garde" is popular... I am thinking of using it for my WordPress site. (Where I will have more of article type blogs... For my "pro blogging" jobs... if I ever get any!!)

Thanks ahead of time for voting!
Voting is closed. See future blog for results.)