Would you consider yourself to be normal? / LJWorld.com

Asked at Massachusetts Street on May 18, 2006

“I would say I consider myself to be a normal person, if there is such a thing. I guess it depends on what definition you go by.”

— Jennifer Arthur, waitress, Manhattan

“I think so. I do all the normal things: work, eat, sleep. Just an average guy.”

— Marvin McCurtis, special investigator, Wichita

“No, because I don’t think we live in a Christian society, and I try to live a life that reflects Christ. Sometimes I feel at odds with the moral code of our society.”

— Amy Knutzen, teacher, Lawrence

“Definitely not. I’m sick in the head.”

— David Simons, unemployed, Kansas City, Mo.

Wanted: happy people

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audvisartist 7 years, 7 months ago

I'm the least normal person I know!

H_Lecter 7 years, 7 months ago

I like to think, you are what you eat and most of my entrees are quite normal.

enochville 7 years, 7 months ago

Yea, I know all the people in the accompanying article and am familiar with their work.

jonas 7 years, 7 months ago

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UADrAvsYzgtXYjCaMHrdpyFyeL8Ujn62hP!DVVc3BQngJWKnPfyYMVrtJAg50tdPw1PmrCmko9a4ztr14yCHkMIFIVETjPxHfI4YUwIYCnfiSzg06rd2i3SCzxYAcM8W/vash%20laughing.gif?dc=4675401830455813961

jonas 7 years, 7 months ago

Oh yeah, and Amy can take her self-righteous holier-that-thou attitude and @#$#@$# right up @#$@#$@#$@#$. Along with the rest of those who think they're better than everyone else.

YourItalianPrincess 7 years, 7 months ago

Y B MLROAN anyway.........Have a great day everyone.

Oh no, no by any means. There is no such thing as normal. As an ideal standard, the state of normal doesn't exist in the reality of the individual. All people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill, as well as frequently wrong. All people are to some degree emotionally ill, as compared to the ideal standard. How could we not be? Nobody is physically perfect or spiritually perfect. How could anybody be emotionally perfect? Believing one is perfect is mere delusion. Acceptance of our own imperfectness can lead to the acceptance of others imperfectness. This is, really the only way to become truly tolerant of ourselves and others and to begin to treat each other with forebearance and forgiveness, as we would like to be treated in similar circumstances. This is really what loving thy neighbor is all about.

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

normal is a city in illinois-or is it ohio?

normal?? moi?? hah! :D

i wanted to be in the happy people study about depression-but they're discriminating against me because i'm left handed! tsk!

great to see inmate&hannibal this morning-two of my faves-now what does that say about my normalcy??

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Normal is in Illinois. It is also, as one author noted, just a setting on your dryer.

Trinity, I am not left handed, but both my father and one of my brothers are left handers (and both engineers -- automotive engineers, no less). Also, my sister recently adopted a one-year-old girl, and we have noticed that she uses her left hand for everything.

Anyway, as to the question, I will definitely never be considered any kind of normal. Good thing that's not a priority for me.

RonBurgandy 7 years, 7 months ago

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Oh, and if I might slip back to a late topic yesterday (well after I was away from the computer), I did hear about the Canadian anthem mess. Unfortunately, that's not a new thing -- the countries have gone back and forth on that one. A few years ago, a Canadian crowd (it may have been a Toronto basketball crowd; it was a playoff game) did not greet the American anthem very well. It's just an ugly, disrespectful thing that doesn't really represent anybody well. I'm just happy to hear the Canadian hockey fans were classy enough not to respond in kind. I can't remember what happened after the basketball incident, but I'm sure there were a few American boo-birds at the next game in the U.S.

Gootsie 7 years, 7 months ago

nope Don't wanna be neither.

craigers 7 years, 7 months ago

I would like to think so. Probably not though.

enochville 7 years, 7 months ago

Off topic. You might remember that several days ago I referenced the Smith vs. Maryland 1979 Supreme Court ruling that said that there is no expectation of privacy when it comes to phone numbers dialed. That was correct, but what I did not know was that congress had passed some laws since then that has direct bearing on the legality of what the government has done with compiling a huge database of the numbers we have called.

Hear this for more details: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5414285

Linda Endicott 7 years, 7 months ago

Well, now, isn't THAT a loaded question!

There are no "normal" people. There are only those of us who have been diagnosed, and those of us who have not.

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

sgt: I was just surprised to learn that the hockey strike had ended.

jonas: I thought the exact same thing. I think I even hurt myself, I rolled my eyes so hard. Makes me think of Andrea Yates.

I may do things that are slightly out of the ordinary from time to time (people my age shouldn't still be listening to punk rock, for instance) but deep down, I think I'm probably pretty normal. I'm married, own a home, go to work every day, pay my taxes, and take part in a pagan ritual involving an orgy of food and sex once a week in the backyard -- so yes, I think I'm normal.

joshs_mom 7 years, 7 months ago

Posted by jonas (anonymous) on May 18, 2006 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal) Oh yeah, and Amy can take her self-righteous holier-that-thou attitude and @#$#@$# right up @#$@#$@#$@#$. Along with the rest of those who think they're better than everyone else.

She's just stating her opinion (hmmm......just like the rest of us on this site)

Funny how some people overreact to any mention of religious beliefs.

I would not say that most true Christians believe they are better than everyone else-I'll be the first to admit I have many flaws. To me each day is a gift and a chance to start over and do the best I can.

canyon_wren 7 years, 7 months ago

Yes, I consider myself normal, because I do have all the various feelings of inadequacy at times, feeling blue, etc., etc. that normal people have. The posters who say either that they AREN'T normal, or don't WANT to be, seem to think that a "normal" person is someone who never feels that way.

I think a "normal" person has learned that he/she ISN'T going to feel, act, think right all the time and has learned to look beyond that to an improvement in outlook from time to time, whereas a person who is probably NOT what we would consider "normal" can't get beyond that and does need help. If someone thinks he/she has it totally together and doesn't experience those moments of doubt, etc., that's probably not normal, either!!

What a stupid comment from Jonas! Certainly if a person tries to live as Christ wants us to live, he/she is going to feel pretty abnormal. I would imagine (but can't say for sure) that Jonas is one of those who is always criticizing Christians for NOT living as they should (being bigoted, etc.,) so why should he not believe that someone who IS trying to live as Christ wants us to live doesn't feel "normal" as our society defines it. Jonas surely sounds like a pretty narrow-minded fellow, to me!

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

I used to think that everybody else thought that they were better than me, but then I realized that what I really thought was that I wasn't as good as everybody else. Oh well. As the immortal philosopher, Popeye, says, "I yam what I yam an dats all dat I yam".

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

While I can't speak for Jonas, what bothers me about comments like the one at the top isn't the Christian part -- I have no problem with people have a belief in something. What bothers me is the "moral code of our society" part. That is where the holier-than-thou aspect kicks in, because it suggests that all who are not Christian somehow are of lower moral standing (if they have any morals at all!). I'm not Christian, so does this mean I adhere to this "moral code"? That is what I would consider to be pretty narrow-minded.

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

The responses today are going to be awesome, I can tell already. In answer to today's question, no way am I normal. But then who gets to decide what's normal and what's not? It's my berfday today. I'm really old +1 today. I'm going to get hammered on my lunch break. I've always wanted to do that.

thunderbuns 7 years, 7 months ago

If being hopelessly in debt is normal, then yeah, I'm normal.....

bankboy119 7 years, 7 months ago

acg are you serious? It's mine too! No joke. My nephew told me I was getting old. I guess that's how it happens though. Happy birthday!

bea, society's morality has been in a constant decline since...forever? Just take a look at the movies, music, advertisements, and behaviors of people today.

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Bankboy, that's probably bea's point -- not everyone might consider it a decline.

Normal IS an ambiguous concept, and very relative. (Yes, by that I mean your relatives are not normal. Neither are mine.) You could define normal by any number of individual or group parameters. I could be abnormal for having an odd limp, or you all could be the abnormal ones for not having an odd limp. It's not really something you can nail down outside of a nice general societal "normal."

75, you probably react strongly when you believe someone is attacking something or someone very important to you. That's usually the cause of the reactions. I don't necessarily agree with the reactions; I think we Christians do get a bit sensitive and are too quick to act wounded. But I wouldn't be too quick to label it all irrational.

Linda Endicott 7 years, 7 months ago

"We may be different from the rest, Who decides the test Of what is really best?"

Ah, that Rudolph was a wise reindeer...

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

bankboy: I think I understand what you mean, but those things you mention are within our society, they do not make up the society or its "moral code" (whatever that is). If someone listens to Marilyn Manson, for example, he or she can still be a moral person, just as someone can claim to be a Christian, yet commit terrible acts -- i.e. Andrea Yates. Sorry, but the comment at top reads like a holier-than-thou moment. What else can it be when one says something similar to "my morals are better our society's."

Dorothy Hoyt-Reed 7 years, 7 months ago

I always say those people who don't think they're crazy probably need the most help, and fast. I suffered from depression once, but then I divorced my 1st husband, and had a quick recovery. Nothing like getting rid of a druggie who likes to beat up (physically and mentally) wives and sleep with other women. He always said there was nothing wrong with him and he didn't need a shrink. Years later he committed suicide. That's really normal, uh huh.

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

are better THAN our society's

Universe 7 years, 7 months ago

Wouldn't Charles Manson think he's normal? lol

Pywacket: One small innocent comment about Christianity and you hiss like a snake?? lol! Look Mr./Mrs. Pywacket; of course they'll 'drag Jesus into everything' because He is everything to them. If one simple comment like that bother you soo deeply then you and the rest of the fringe leftists might want to preach tolerance to your reflections...

OldEnuf2BYurDad 7 years, 7 months ago

If we are all individuals, how can there be a norm for "normal".

The relevant question is whether or not a person is HEALTHY. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially healthy is all you can hope for. But, if you are all that... I'm pretty sure you probably aren't normal. :)

OldEnuf2BYurDad 7 years, 7 months ago

Poor David Simons. Bad photo. Unemployed. Missourian. Not normal.

What a crying shame.

Easy_Does_It 7 years, 7 months ago

OMB - Classic, that was my first thougt also.

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

happy BERFday to acg&bankboy!

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

Lord have mercy people, this question is so innocuous and yet ya'll have still managed to turn it into a lefist/right wing, christian/non christian debate. Ya'll are all so totally abnormal, it's not even funny. ; )

ms_canada 7 years, 7 months ago

canyon wren - jonas is not usually narrow minded. I think someone peed in his cornflakes this morning. What the heck is normal anyway. Now about the moral code of this 21st century. Abortion is ok, pre-marital sex is ok with many partners, gay is ok, murderers get 5 or 6 years in prison, corporate execs screw their company, gov. officials do the same. This is a crazy, rotten, immoral world we live in. Now the question is, should we now consider such behaviour normal, or is the type of behaviour that Amy tries to live normal? Who is to say? Society and it's rules change with time. I once watched an episode of Sex in the City and I thought, is this really what goes on? And I looked around me and said, yes, I think it is. Girls walking around with their tummies sticking out, even a bit of P. hair showing. This is normal? Girls who cover up. What are they, abnormal? But, is that what the study in the article is trying to determine. The subject on this board got changed real fast. There are different types and degrees of depression. My cat died, I was awfully depressed. I got over it. I can't sleep, I have no ambition, have to force myself to do anything, life has no meaning for me, I don't care about any of my friends or family. And this goes on for months or years. Clinical depression, right? you psychologists out there Or is it about our actions in ordinary everyday life? someone above said something about Christians thinking that they are better than others. Not so with the Christians I know. We have a saying, "I am a sinner saved by the grace of God." We KNOW that we are sinners and need the help of God's Holy Spirit to help us live the life that Jesus taught. We fail miserably at times, and we know it. Just because we believe in a moral code not followed by a majority of society does not make us holier than thou because we are not holier than thou. And I would deeply resent someone saying that to me. Do you know what anarchy means? everyone doing what he see is right in his own eyes. There are no rules or laws. Oh yes, I know that refers to civil disobedience etc. But it is similar to everyone behaving as he sees fit and disregarding the rules of morality.
And beatrice - it is not just Christians who have a moral code. Some very decent, honest people never set foot in a church or read the Bible.

canyon_wren 7 years, 7 months ago

It seems like I learned back in ed classes that "norm" and "normal" are not really related. The "norm" is the average--and among certain groups that may be far from normal!

As far as those who get irate at the first mention of Jesus or Christianity--as Shakespeare says, "[Thou] doth protest too much, methinks." They must, down deep, have some suspicions that there MAY be something to this whole Christianity thing, or they wouldn't get quite so upset.

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Canyon, that sort of statement is the perfect way to incite more of the same. Mehopes that was your intention. Otherwise, I would hope you would know better.

Universe 7 years, 7 months ago

canyon_wren: Very well said...

OldEnuf2BYurDad 7 years, 7 months ago

So much for staying on-topic.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Gosh, I hope not!

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Yeah, Das, and we did it all without Klondike Bars.

Well, not anymore.

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

i'm done with lunch i want my Klondike bar now please.

normal schmormal...i lurve the way we are! :)

and hey-what book says Jesus was married?? and that mm was mrs. jeebus???

ms_canada 7 years, 7 months ago

It is just a novel! Oh! and a novel idea! I wonder how many Klondke Bars DAN bROWN CONSUMED DURING THE WRITING OF HIS NOVEL. oh nuts, hit the cap lock and I am too lazy to change it

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

thanks ms_c, and of course, despite the grand-standing Pat Robertson types out there, Christians can be of high moral fiber, too. No doubt in my mind.

I (and Jonas, I believe) reacted (and I certainly wasn't irate) to a specific comment by someone claiming to have a better "moral code" than the rest of society because she is Christian. This isn't just a mere mention of Christianity, this is someone who appears to be stating in the paper "I'm better than others because I'm a Christian." Yuck. Of course I understand that I could be reading more into it than was attended, but responding to the comments of others is what we do around here 98% of the time. Question of the day!? -- we don't need no stinking question! We have each other. That is just the norm around here.

Also, canyon and bankboy and others, would your reactions and responses be the same if the person at top said, "Well, being a Muslim ..."? Mine would be. Further, if I had said "I have a better moral code because I am a non-Christian," I'm sure this board would be lit up with comments attacking my "beliefs."

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Happy birthday acg and bankboy.

Gosh, I hope I'm not normal. Mediocracy is a terrible thing to strive for.

ms_canada 7 years, 7 months ago

trinity - are you for real, have you been off world for the last several months? Someone tell him.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Let's just all agree that there are wonderful, moral people in a whole multitude of people with religious and non-religious beliefs. There are also some major creeps out there in same said multitude. Agreed?

Why can't we just all get along? What's wrong with YDP? Don't you know we have birthdays to celebrate!

Gosh, I hope I'm not normal. ;o)

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Bea, to be perfectly honest, I really do think you're reading a bit too much into her answer. She doesn't actually say anywhere in her answer that she believes she or her moral code are better than everyone else's. She may think that way -- it is always possible -- but just re-reading her answer, I really think you added that attitude to it. Her quote simply says that she does not live in a "Christian society," which is true, and that she "feels at odds" with society's moral code. Not that she feels superior or holier, but that she feels at odds. It would be most fair to take her comments at face value first.

I do not mean that as an insulting, inflammatory post. I just needed to say it.

nonsmoker 7 years, 7 months ago

Why don't they ask a real question, such as: Do you think Bush should be allowed to continue to post persons with beliefs and ideas contrary to those of the general public to influential positions? In response to am I normal, well, I believe norm = normal, therefore it would need to be debated in committee. Long live roundabouts (and autobody shops)!!!

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

sgt: you may be correct. And to think, I likened her comments to people like Andrea Yates! I'm such an antagonistic jerk sometimes. (Okay, group hug everybody!)

I found this story in the Times this morning, which I found amusing because I think it relates to our comments today in a twisted sort of way. Talk about making a mountain out of less than a mole hill. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/arts/music/18rock.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

When I was a little kid, maybe 7 years old, I went around Sunday School telling everybody that I thought Mary Magdalene was Jesus' girlfriend. I was vehemently discouraged to be of this opinion. But, I persisted in my belief, and espousing it, to the point of being made to spend time in the cloak room and stand in the corner and sit outside under the big oak tree. My mother was told that if I didn't keep quiet about my outlandish and totally ludicrous fantasy, that I would no longer be permitted to attend Sunday School. So, I stopped going. So, at this point, Neaahh Neah Ne Ne Neaahhhh, Ms. McClure, the yoke's on you!

flames_over_the_wasteland 7 years, 7 months ago

"Only a flicker / Over the strained time-ridden faces / Distracted from distraction by distraction / Filled with fancies and empty of meaning . . ."

ms_canada 7 years, 7 months ago

beatrice and jonas - I am all for a tri- hugg! waht say you? Anyway, I am out of here. Off to the lake for our May long weekend celebrating our Queenie's birthday. Elisabeth, that is. Happy one to bankboy and acg. Make it a good one guys.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Ms_C, "Long live the Queen!" (I just can't see Chuckie-boy as a king.) That would be almost as funny as having GW as pres! OK, maybe not THAT funny.

canyon_wren 7 years, 7 months ago

Good posts, s-sue and wolverine!

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

I don't think morals and religion have anything to do with one another. Look at the recent stories of all of those catholic priests diddling all those little boys. One would think that priests would be the most moral of them all, right? I don't think you even have to have a faith to have moral beliefs that you stick with and exercise every day. I have no religious beliefs, and a high standard of morals (I'd like to think). The last faith that I participated in was Wiccan/Paganism and those "moral" catholics would've burned me at the stake for it back in the day. So, the truth is, we should all stop arguing about Christianity because at the end of the day, not a single soul on this earth can say beyond a complete and total shadow of a doubt that they have the answers. We don't get to find out what's next until we're dead, end of story. BTW, I loved the Da Vinci Code. I read it a few weeks ago and enjoyed every page. It was a great story with great theories. But they're just that, theories. Once again, Dan Brown doesn't have the inside scoop on JC and Mary M. and what's in the Holy Grail, if there is such a thing. That's what gets me about the die hard religious folks. They stand there and profess so loudly that they know the truth. How? Were you there? What's wrong with a little mystery, anyway? What's wrong with not knowing, being curious, questioning history and religious leaders and the stories we've all been told for so long? And, for that matter, what's so wrong with Jesus having a girlfriend?

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

I'm cornfused. Ms_C is really the Queen? And what does Chuckie have to do with her? I thought he was that vicious little tyke who goes around attacking people with big knives. What has he got to do with Ms_C, the Queen.

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

Jesus did have a girlfriend. It was Mary Magdalene. My momma always used to tell me, "Christian is as Christian does".

samsnewplace 7 years, 7 months ago

What is NORMAL? I guess i'm my own version of my own definition.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

paladin, being that you are a knight and all...you should already know these answers. Or are you one of those Sir Elton John or Beetle type knights?

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

paladin, momma always told me not to look into the eyes of the sun. I'd just say "but, momma, that's where the fun is." ;) you all hear chopsticks now, don't you?

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

acg, your question about what would be so wrong about Jesus having a girlfriend -- the answer is -- absolutely nothing! None of the many prophecies regarding the coming of the Christ placed any such restriction. There would have been no reason to keep it a secret. The abstinence requirement for Catholic priests came much later (and wasn't that a great success:) I also agree that when a man takes his vows and dons the title of priest he is held to a higher standard and not just by mankind, we have a scripture that says to whom more is given, more is required. That is the way it should be. I think those who profess themselves to be leaders of the church (protestant or Catholic) sometimes forget where their strength should come from and that attitude leads to their downfall.

I am a Christian, but when it comes to church leaders or church members, men or women, I remain an equal opportunity skeptic. They are still fallen people in a fallen world and should be regarded as such. It's the family's duty to protect the children.

I just want to slap people who whine around on tv (usually with their hair stringing and teeth missing), yes, I gave him/her access to my children on a regular basis, it's not my fault, I trusted him.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Ceal, You wouldn't believe the amount of "parents" that have come to my house (never having met me or the hubby) and simply dropped their kiddies off without so much as coming inside to introduce themselves. NO WAY would I do that. That's just odd...and abnormal! Or seemingly normal to today's statis quo.

Universe 7 years, 7 months ago

acg:

With your logic; no-one knows (or could possibly know) IF there is such a supreme loving being because we weren't actually there? Ok... So in other words we're merely lost (yet intelligent) 'souls' just waiting for what's next, right?

If that's the case then I'm guessing you don't support evolution either - correct? I mean, hells bells you weren't there 'millions of years ago', right?

Christianity IS correct. If for no other reason because it was prophesized thousands of years ago to become hated... And it is by many. Just look at the hissing over simple comments! MANY things have been prophesized in which ALL have come to pass. Not even liberals can debunk that... They just create 'substitutes' in attempt to 'replace' what they don't want to believe. (EX: Christmas)

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

I guess since it's never really mentioned, the question that keeps coming to my mind is this: what exactly would be the point of Jesus having a girlfriend? Given that it is a theory with little to no real backing (all works of fiction aside), I don't really understand the point of the theory. Sort of like speculating about whether or not Buddha enjoyed regular manicures or something.

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

"Not even liberals can debunk that..."

Gaaa! I wouldn't really claim the liberal title, but it bothers me to see it set up in opposition to a religion. Religions are not -- or at least should not be -- political!

By the way, you know all you Lawrence liberals are Birkenstock-wearing hippies. Or so I hear.

four20 7 years, 7 months ago

Why be normal when you can be weird and have a load of fun during the process!

canyon_wren 7 years, 7 months ago

Ceallach, you put it so well! And so did Universe. Really some thoughtful and logical comments today!

Atalanta 7 years, 7 months ago

I sincerely home I am not the only person who read this enthralling question and thought "What the freakin freak?!"

Are the LJW staff THAT uncreative and uninspired? I linked it to a friend of mine who replied "Do you like food?" "How about that breathing, eh?"

I couldn't agree more. So, "On the Street" reporter person, you now have two more days worth of queries - for free.

Sidenote re: religious debate - Stop reading "The DaVinci Code." Start reading "Lamb."

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

sue, scary, eh? They seem to forget that when we say that it takes a village to raise a child -- it is a given that the villagers know each other!!

I'm glad all y'all settled that ado about what's her name, Amy. It doesn't appear she meant any more by it than a Muslim would, simply stating that they often are at odds within a non-Muslim society. Most of us have different opinions on everything from toothpaste to spiritual fulfillment, nothing new there.

Even within the various belief systems, members often have different interpretations of what they believe. I am Christian, but I have friends, family and acquaintances from other faiths or no faith at all. We don't agree on many spiritual topics, but that doesn't keep me from interacting with them, they are some of the nicest people I know. Using this board to convert others seems like an exercise in futility to me :)

sgtwolverine 7 years, 7 months ago

Toothpaste, huh? There's another OTS question for you: "What toothpaste do you use?" That's one I could really sink my teeth into.

I'm sorry. I know it's bad, but I couldn't resist.

Atalanta 7 years, 7 months ago

I am so very sorry to have missed that one.

Muenster.

Bah.

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

geee, ms_canada..."trinity - are you for real, have you been off world for the last several months? Someone tell him."

first of all-i honestly don't know to what you're referring, my post about JC being married?? uhhh...yeahhh i've been "off world" whatever that is, NOT! sometimes family, work, etc. obligations supercede being able to be as "informed" as some of ya's, kapeche?

and secondly-i'm a HER, a girl, a woman, a lady...and you certainly could tell me yourself, no?

~~~slinking off to my corner with my Klondike bar after that lil' noogie i got~~~

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

trinity, "The Divinci Code" you know, the book turned movie? I'm sure Ms_C meant no offense! As a fellow junkie reader, we just seem surprised that there is one person on this planet that has yet to hear of it. It's a good read if you like to sit with a book in any leisure time that you may have.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

trinity, Could you have a Klondike bar for me too? I'd love to have one but I've been baking cookies for the last 2 hours and I'm afraid I need to de-tox from all the cookie dough I've eaten. :)

What's the best cure for a cookie dough hangover?

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

Forgot to answer the QOTD: after reading the article I realized that I will never know whether or not I am normal, and apparently the research won't help!!

How many other posters are either left-handed or ambidextrious?

"For most right-handers, the left hemisphere of the brain is the dominant hemisphere for processing language," said Genevieve Garratt, a graduate student in charge of coordinating the control group.

"It's different for left-handers," she said. "So we're limiting the group to right-handers to keep from going in too many different directions."

I'm REALLY feeling peed on now!! and no, I don't like it!

beatrice 7 years, 7 months ago

sgtw: you are correct - that is why I had to flee to Phoenix. Out here, you can shave the legs and under the arms and never wear Birkenstocks, yet still be considered a liberal. Those darn hippies gives us all a bad name. : )

Universe: "If that's the case then I'm guessing you don't support evolution either - correct? I mean, hells bells you weren't there 'millions of years ago', right?" However, I don't have faith in evolution and I don't need to because the scientific evidence is still with us. What happens in the future, after death, however, is still unknown. That is where the faith part comes in. It is like love - you can't prove that it exists, you just have to believe in it. I don't believe in heaven and hell, and you do. Good for you. Go for it.
"MANY things have been prophesized in which ALL have come to pass." Some examples, please? And I mean, specific examples, not "there shall be a great power in the West at the end of days" type examples. I want "at the end of the days there shall be a bush that should be burned by all, and his name will be George W." type of examples. What you are saying has been said about the writings of Nostrodomus - does that make his generalizations and rambling gibberish true?Hardly.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

Ceal, Sis is left handed. Sis-in-law is lefty. Hubby is ambidextrious. That means he writes with the right, shoots pool left handed, shoots gun and bow left. Casts fishing pole left. I think he would still classify as right handed, though.

bretches 7 years, 7 months ago

I haven't been keeping up with OTS as much as I ought to, but have they asked 'What should we do about snakes on planes?' I think it's a little naive to be spending our time talking about being 'normal' when there are such pressing issues as snakes on a plane.

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

ceal, i'm a leftie also!

yesssss i've heard of the book, ss; and noooo i've not had time to read it; i find myself really hestitant to try&discuss something i've only a fleeting acquaintance with, so i just don't.

sheesh if i were younger i'd swear i had pms, lmao...but yeah i felt BIT! oh and the cookie dough thing-my antidote to overdose on raw cookie dough? make sure ya have a few still-warm ones, with a huge glass of milk; then take a nap. lol! ;) nah seriously-physical activity!

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

sue, I suggest Sangria :) sipping Sangria. Too dangerous to go cold turkey from that sugar rush, just sip your way out of it. By the end of the pitcher you will have either recovered from the surge or you won't remember it -- a win-win situation.

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

Universe are you honestly trying to say to me that because some man prophesized something about Christianity that you might have heard/read/seen that that proves to you beyond all doubt the existence of a God? Wow, you're pretty easy. I never asked to argue with you about religion, btw. If you can read, you'll see the point of my post was to say that arguing about religion is stupid because no one knows for sure. Not you, not them, not the pope and not whatever prophet you're babbling about. So, you can say whatever you want to me about religion and if you have blind faith that's great. I think it's awesome that some folks can do that. I, however, can not have total blind faith in something because it's against my inquisitive nature to do so. Also, I'll reiterate, no one knows the truth about God. No one on this planet does. And that's the only fact we actually have to push around this debate with.

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

The whole point of JC having an SO is so that he will seem more normal.

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

Less pixilated.

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

Ah ceall, but good sangria needs overnight to sit to be perfect. By then S_S's cookie dough overload will have probably have caused her to slip into cookie dough coma (which is generally accompanied by long bouts of couch sitting and channel surfing). So, S_S, my advice to you, run, don't walk, to your nearest marijuana dealer. You can find them in Lawrence on basically any street corner. If you smoke a bunch of pot, your tummy will feel better (stop booing me people, it works for cancer patients all the time) and the real win-win? About half hour later, you can eat more cookie dough. :)

paladin 7 years, 7 months ago

I was told by my ex-SO that the truth about God is that He is a She. I couldn't argue.

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

act, why is it dopers always think their remedies are superior to we drunks remedies :):)

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

I don't know. My vice is better than your vice. ROFL!!

trinity 7 years, 7 months ago

lol, ceal&acg; why don't we just combine the two remedies&take it from there?? :p

jonas 7 years, 7 months ago

Mrs. C: A internet hug sounds awful nice, thanks. As an aside, I have my stardust unicorn pee in my Cornflakes every morning, but everyone knows that stardust unicorn urine is very high in many essential vitamins and minerals.

Josh's mom and Canyon Wren: As beatrice I believe has stated above, to say that by living a Christian Lifestyle puts you at odds with the moral code of the rest of society is, to my opinion, stating that the rest of non-Christian society is under the moral standards of Christianity, or even that they have no moral basis, which is complete fabrication. You may disagree with my view on what she is saying, but I think that is her implication, whether intended or not. As an additional factor, considering that Christianity is a huge percentage of our national religious makeup, then the implication in HER comment is what you accused ME of, attacking other Christians for not living up to the lifestyle's standards. It's a very arrogant thing to say, and even as an opinion, has ramifications and expected responses. If you disagree, try substituting Christian in her statement with any of the following words, and Christ with some key figure in the associated word.

Muslim Scientologist Jewish Gay/Lesbian Doctor BDSM participant

etc.

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

If we combine remedies, I will need a designated thinker appointed for me!! My Cherokee genes have enough trouble dealing with my Irish remedies, let alone adding another:)

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

Okay, trinity, but now we're talking about a party and since this all started because Sue ate too much cookie dough, I think it should be at her house. Sue, we're going to need Doritos and um, more cookie dough. Can you get on top of that for me please?

Atalanta 7 years, 7 months ago

bretches - I, for one, am VERY concerned about the "Snakes on planes" issue, and I am shocked and appalled that this topic has not been presented to the fair citizens of Lawrence, KS.

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

Okay, okay! Setting fear aside I will ask . . . . what is the Snakes on planes issue?

bretches 7 years, 7 months ago

Fear is probably the correct emotion. Recently, an airplane full of people were held hostage by an assassin bent on killing a passenger in the witness protection program by releasing a crate full of poisonous snakes. Luckily, Samuel L. Jackson was on board and willing to kill the snakes before they caused even more harm. A quick Google search for "snakes on a plane" will let you know more. Here's a preview:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aX9aeui91sg&search=snakes%20on%20a%20plane%20trailer

Please don't confuse the snakes with the Parrots on a Plane incident that happened yesterday on a JetBlue flight

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060517/NEWS03/605170361/1007

Honestly. If we're asking people about being normal, we ought to ask them about what to do about snakes on a plane.

Ceallach 7 years, 7 months ago

thanks, bretches -- I hope that plane doesn't crash over Eire and pollute the Emerald Isle with snakes!!

acg, my apology for calling you act earlier. See how easy it is for me to mess up? And that is without a remedy of any kind :)

acg 7 years, 7 months ago

You've got to be kidding me!! That's a real movie? I still can't believe it. Samuel L., say it ain't so.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 7 months ago

OK, I leave for a couple hours and suddenly the party is at my house? Well, fine! I've got the cookies. No sangrias but I'm well stocked in margaritas. I think I could do a "heat-infused fruit then rapidly cooled" thingie for the sangrias, though. Sorry, no dope here but you might find some sort of smokable substance growing near. No doritos, either. But I make a killer salsa and I have corn chips. Who's bringing the guac?

Directions to my house: Head north out of Lawrence and turn right at the tepee. Drive past a bunch of fields and cows. Turn left when you see a brown horse. I'm the house that smells of cookies. See ya'll in a bit!

Kinetikx 7 years, 7 months ago

Ladies and gentlemen, this Bretches person has obviously discovered a very troubling occurence in our society. Yet I think even the apparent fundamentalists can find comfort here- Allow me to explain:

You see the metaphoric snakes OBVIOUSLY symbolize the second coming of Christ. Didn't it say that He would come "upon a cloud"? Oh yes, planes definitely fly in the clouds for any of you non-believers. It's been scientifically proven. And I know how much some of you hate science and all, but verily. I have seen it with my own eyes.

Samuel L. Jackson has a biblical counterpoint from the bible as well. HE IS THE ANTICHRIST... With all that filthy language. Also he is black.

In conclusion:

SNAKES ON A MOTHERF--KING PLANE!

mom_of_three 7 years, 7 months ago

Am I normal - gee, I don't know.
Been married to the same man for 16 years - 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats - mortgage - don't go to church - (that's another story) - ambidextrous - avid Jayhawks fan - and believe everyone has a right to marry/civil union whom they want

So depending on who you talk to, I am not/normal

Atalanta 7 years, 7 months ago

Kinetikx - You have really done it now, buddy.

Kinetikx 7 years, 7 months ago

It is time to be taken up by the rapture everyone! Come along- make sure you bring your jesus-fish from the back of your cars. See, that's actually one of the requirements for heaven- and people scoffed at the jesus-fish. FIE ON THE NON_BELIEVERS!
I have seen the Lord upon high and he doth slither and hiss!

Also, he is a zombie. :/

Oh man. I'm selling that to Hollywood. Zombie Jesus snakes on a zeppelin. I'll be rich.

Also, also, I am perfectly normal.