my online persona is probably way off when it comes to my beliefs.

Actually, your beliefs do show through, and yes, I did appreciate the sentiment.

I was brought up in a strict religious environment which is why I'm about as un-religious as you can get. Most Christians that I've known wear their Christianity like a fine new robe for all to admire. But if they didn't make such a fuss about being a Christian you'd never be able to tell it from their actions.

There have only been two people that I've met in my life that really made me stop and think that maybe there was something to this Christianity thing after all. One was the Lutheran minister who was my elementary school teacher and in whose honor I chose Martin Luther as my icon.

One thing that both of these folks had in common was that they “walked the walk” but didn’t feel the need to “talk the talk”. It’s too bad the converse of this is so much more common. The other noticeable characteristic was their ability to accept pretty much everyone, with all of their foibles, without making judgment.

Good thing this is an off topic thread, because the topic does wander somewhat far afield.   

While there is nothing inherently wrong with "talking the talk", I do agree that too many do so without "walking the talk"' - a struggle that I fight every single day. Of course, with my past life as a construction worker, I have days where I find it difficult to even "talk the talk" properly, especially when driving through rush hour traffic. [/confession]

Just find a job that lets you telecommute and you're all set

The crux of the problem.

How many big bandwidth sites are there outside the coasts that need a dedicated network engineer? I can do other stuff, but the pay cuts start to become severe and it ends up being a wash. So far the advantage of being in a market where a lot of people need my skills has been the bigger benefit so far...With a kid on the way, this may change. I might at least try for someplace like Seattle where you can still buy a house for half a mil

On the other subject, I grew up in a religious house as well. It's interesting that I had a lot of the same problems with organized religion as others. I couldn't stand that some of the loudest voices were those who didn't even try to walk the walk. I always thought trying to behave in the best fashion you are capable of and seeking to improve yourself (isn't that enough of a challenge for anyone?) was much more important than any particular religious belief and I thought that was frequently lost in the organized religions. I do have a list of other issues with org'ed religion unfortunately...It's definitely not for me.

Anyone taking bets on where this thread will next head? I know you could have won some money off me on it....

Anyone taking bets on where this thread will next head? I know you could have won some money off me on it....

How about this way...
Last night TLC had a show on called Strange UFO Tales, or something along those lines. Anyway, it was like the top ten of absurd alien conspiracy shows, starting out with the more 'acceptable' theories and then going through more and more ridiculous theories until arriving at the most absurd and outlandish one of all, which would be 'number 1' so to say.
It culminated at the top two, the first of which, or no.9 if you will, was about the Illuminati really being families of aliens who have been here since before the Great Pyramid. Through interbreeding and such they maintained control over our society throughout the ages and still control us today through the world banks and energy industry.
The number one theory however was pretty wild and was introduced by a professor at Oxford, which I must admit kind of wowed me. His theory is that the Matrix wasn't that far off from what we are living right now. Kind of like being inside an alien playstation I believe he said. His theory was based on the assumption that forty years ago, our computers were the size of a room. Today, a laptop can do what ten rooms worth could do back then. He surmises that aliens would also have super computers and that their technology would allow them to submerge us into this 'virtual reality' world that they have made for us. Reminded me of playing the Sims.
Another theory was that the aliens are able to change 'frequencies' thereby rendering them 'invisible' to us, at least in their true form. To demonstrate he used a few radios. Tuning into a station he would say "okay, listen". He would then tune into another station, noting that even though we didn't hear the first one, it was technically still there, just at another frequency.
All in all, it was an interesting watch. I'm not sure how much I buy into, but I will admit that I believe there are aliens out there, if not actually here right now.
How's that for changing course!?!

How about English-first people (Canadians, Americans, Brits, Ausies, etc) who don't know the difference between two / to / too OR their / there / they're.

There is just no excuse.  

How about English-first people (Canadians, Americans, Brits, Ausies, etc) who don't know the difference between two / to / too OR their / there / they're.

I didn't do this anywhere did I? Please catch me if I did because I hate it myself.

Kind of like being inside an alien playstation I believe he said.

The frak you say! Any chance you noted the person's discipline? My guess is philosophy, or some near relation. For almost twenty years I've been making serious jokes along these lines. Too many "real" stories I know read like some gang of script writers and assistant producers threw it together after a Jolt binge.

Possible,but not plausable.

I like the theories that our government blew up the towers using demolition explosives. The planes were just a ruse.

And all those English-speaking people who don't know the difference in their to/two/too's, there, they're, their - those ARE the aliens. The different frequencies throw off their speling, you see. (I also suspect people who use the word "frak".)

Grammar Nazis: I don't think they have a proper place on this forum, or on almost any forum. I've never seen a single person suddenly go from inability to write properly to fully educated eloquence because someone corrected them on a forum. If you go about correcting someone's grammar or spelling, you're probably just going to offend them, if anything.

The word Nazi: I don't think we should fear the word. There have been many groups of people who terrorized others in our history, and none of these names should be feared, in my opinion. Understood, remembered? Sure. Feared? Why should they be feared? It's just a name. A title. In our modern society, the word has taken on a new meaning with a different use, but one that partially reflects the idea of a Nazi - someone who condemns others. I actually think the word reflects poorly on those whom it is applied to, but some still choose to wear the title proudly - I assume due to pride in their English knowledge. However, since Nazis were a group of intolerant masochists that saught to destroy those who they deemed inferior, I don't know that being a "grammar Nazi" reflects a spirit of well-intended advice. Certainly the Nazis of Germany weren't giving "helpful advice for self-improvement" to the Jews they shuffled to their death.

Buncha frakkin' nonsense, if'n you ask me

Half-seriously, there's a *big* difference between being English-speaking and being solidly literate. And English spelling is no help for any student, whether or not they're native speakers. It doesn't help the folks in the trenches that some students these days think you're questioning their sexuality when you point out a homonym error...

Grammar Nazis: I don't think they have a proper place on this forum, or on almost any forum. I've never seen a single person suddenly go from inability to write properly to fully educated eloquence because someone corrected them on a forum. If you go about correcting someone's grammar or spelling, you're probably just going to offend them, if anything.

Kinjiru-san,

When I criticize somebody's grammar, it's not to help them. It's to make them miserable.

At the risk of possibly upsetting someone, which I do not intend to do, I must respond to the following quote.

I like the theories that our government blew up the towers using demolition explosives. The planes were just a ruse.

I am thinking that if you were there that day, in the shadows of those buildings, saw what happened with your own eyes. You may have a different opinion. Then again maybe it would have reinforced your current opinion, I don't know. At the time, I was in Alexandria Va. making my morning rounds as a Data Collector for the local power company. I know what I saw.

I have seen many people post the same thing and I am very curious. Would anyone care to elaborate and or explore this theory a bit more in detail? Namely, why would the American government wish to try to cripple themselves economically (the towers) and militarily, (pentagon) as well as try to damage the country's Morale? (Capital / White House).... (Flight 93 Sommerset Penn.) I have read many conspiracy theories concerning September 11th but none of them seem to be able to answer that question logically.

I am open to other peoples views and opinions. I would just like a bit more insight as to why most of those who were not in the area, seem to believe these theories. ( I do realize there are others who were there and families who did lose loved ones that believe these theories as well.)

Again I am meaning no disrespect to anyone, I know this is a touchy subject and I felt compelled to respond.

This should get interesting.

I know what I saw.

I was in Pensacola Fl. At NAS Pensacola. Just finished a 10 mile run on the beach. I was cooling down in the barracks lounge when I saw it on CNN. I haven't seen or heard any 'theories'. I wouldn't beleive them if I did. I don't care for the direction this country is going but I accept that it was carried out by whom the gov't said did it.

Kinjiru-san, When I criticize somebody's grammar, it's not to help them. It's to make them miserable.

Duly noted.

But, I don't know that your actions necessarily put you on par with that of the Nazis. I'll let you decide just how you'd like to go to make those with poor grammar miserable, I suppose.