CuriousByNature

Apparently this guy is a local and is into rainbows.  But you'll need a pot of gold for his donation.

2 hours ago, Marc in Calif said:

Can someone explain the difference between "blessing" and "sanctifying"?

Thank you!  😇

I'm sure there are others much more familiar than I am, but I'll give it a shot

I think that sanctifying something means to set it apart, or elevate it as something holy, whereas blessing is seeking to add God's (or any divine entity's) favour to something or someone.   Sanctification is transformative for whatever or whoever is being sanctified, whereas blessing does not necessarily result in a transformation.  Blessing confers or invokes heavenly favour as a means of bringing happiness and purpose to the person or thing being blessed.  For example, saying grace before a meal is a blessing that expresses thankfulness for the food and seeks God's favour to make it beneficial to those consuming it, but it does not transform the meal into something holy.   

That said, some pizzas I've eaten have bordered on divine experiences... LOL

53 minutes ago, Km411 said:

From my perspective, the problem isn’t just that it happened, but that it was allowed to happen and then covered up. To make matters worse, they slow-rolled child protections, shielded assets needed to compensate victims, failed to hold church leadership accountable, penalized whistleblowers, and on and on. I’m not a victim, but the church will find no forgiveness here. Some general apology 200 hundred years from now (as in the case of so many of the church’s other atrocities) just isn’t going to fly with me. I don’t see anything of Christ in this church. I guess I’m really pissed off about this….

I think everyone should be really pissed off about hypocrisy, and the harm that has been done to so many who have been abused.  I am not Catholic, but I have known quite few people who are pretty devout, including members of the clergy.  All of them have been horrified by the abuses that have happened, and are thankful it has come to light so that it can be acknowledged and addressed.  Unfortunately it has not come to light in many, many of the religious and secular organizations where abuses like these, and others, continue to happen on a daily basis.  Any organization that is built on hierarchical power differentials runs the risk of attracting predators - particularly in organizations that have a public face of innocence and trustworthiness.  It sadly is happening everywhere - from churches to mosques, from colleges to hospitals, from public schools to local gyms.  

1 hour ago, Jamie21 said:

I really don’t care what the Pope thinks, says or does. He’s only the Pope because people make him so. I don’t accept that he has any say whether a man can marry another man. The Church (any Church) only exists because some people want to exert control over others using things like threats, coercion, stories, social control and guilt. 

What the Pope says or does doesn't matter to me personally either, but I do care about it because it affects the lives of millions of people around the world who (for whatever reason) look to him for moral guidance.  I am hopeful that this spirit of openness continues, and that those who have used dogmatic reasoning to prop up their discrimination of others will have a weaker and weaker foundation to base those biases upon.  But maybe I am too idealistic and hopeful?  

2 hours ago, Medin said:

This guy is now traveling around the Midwest so I contacted him.   He wants $350/hour for an erotic massage (no escorting despite advertising on the escort site) and was very offended when I told him his rate was above industry norms.  He confirmed this is for massage only and anything else is extra.  

Has anyone actually seen him and if so, I'm dying to hear what all is included for that rate.  Thanks. 

https://rent.men/TommyAlpine

 

I wonder if he uses ski poles as part of the massage, or if he offers a sip of brandy from a little barrel strapped to his neck?

On 12/17/2023 at 6:58 PM, tassojunior said:

i forgot....a cute new 19 yr old whose name I don't even know, He's from Ostrava, the other side of Olomouc and he's done 1 porn I know of for the LetsGoBi site. Evidently started Romeo because he only owned one shirt.  Here's the porn: 

Bi Hitchhikers picked up by Perv Clown Hunter by LetsGoBi - XVIDEOS.COM

WWW.XVIDEOS.COM

---

XVIDEOS Bi Hitchhikers picked up by Perv Clown Hunter by LetsGoBi free

It the czechered shirt supposed to be ironic?

I would buy at least two, and carry one in my $100K bag as a drive my $300K car back to my $1M studio condo on the outskirts of Toronto... 

8 hours ago, samhexum said:

Not to mention anyone starring in the long-awaited Karl Malden Story.

Ah, Karl Malden's nose.  He never left home without it.

What concerns me is that the ability to take decisive and appropriate action is a key component of effective leadership.  Those with a compassionate leaning seem to have become so overwhelmed with political correctness and wokeness that any decision they face produces high levels of anxiety.  That leaves the least compassionate people within the future generations to become the decision makers, and they are the one's that will have a disproportionate influence on how society is shaped.  

I think this is a massive development.  Not just for same-sex Catholic couples but for the church as a whole.  I'm not Catholic myself, but I understand that many Catholic people's views are still influenced to some degree by the views of the Pope.  This Pope has gone a million times further than any in recent history with respect to compassionately shining a light on matters that were literally closeted away for hundreds and hundreds of years.  I have a feeling he waited until Benedict passed away for taking this step, since Benedict was staunchly conservative and Francis may have wished to avoid any duels with the Pope Emeritus.

In any interaction with anybody I don't think you can go wrong by treating others the way you would like to be treated yourself.  Unless you're a masochist.  LOL

7 hours ago, Harryinny said:

It states No Smoking but in pic 6 he is!

Perhaps he didn't inhale

56 minutes ago, mrdonaldlam said:

I actually just discovered him this morning and was going to hire him for a massage, but I am having major surgery Tuesday and want to stay away from any possible germ carriers. I did text him for his rates, however. From his pictures, he's exceptional.

All the best for a full and speedy recovery!

9 hours ago, augustus said:

BINGO!   A person can decline to the point that they are bedridden, can't feed themselves or Alzheimers makes 24-hour supervision necessary.  That's when everyone scatters and anyone who says otherwise is either ignorant or lying.  Having an elder in the home who can still manage the basic requirements of life is NOT on the same level as an incapacitated person, though many people seem to believe it is. 

A situation like you describe is one that would likely require more specialized treatment, care and equipment.  It would be very hard for someone who is not professionally trained to provide that level of intervention - though thankfully it seems rare for someone to go directly from independence to incapacitation unless there has been a medical crisis like a stroke.  In that case hopefully hospital facilities would fill the gap.  But for those with a gradual decline, family and friends can provide care and support until it becomes unsafe for the person to remain at home.  It doesn't mean that the family 'scatters' when the going gets rough - many people are probably kept at home longer than they should be because family members do not want to have them go into an institution.  I think it's comparatively rare for a family to try to ship their loved one off.

3 minutes ago, augustus said:

I know that.  But many people seem to think that visiting a declining elder once a week for 2 hours is "caring" for them.  It is not.  It's no help at all really.

It all depends on the level of care that is required.  Visiting every so often is not necessarily physically supportive, but it contributes to emotional and spiritual wellness - assuming the visiting relative isn't a twit... LOL.

1 minute ago, augustus said:

It IS true.  People are lucky if they can find ONE PERSON in their family who will make such a commitment simply because it is so difficult.  Everyone else just scatters.  If it wasn't for @Charlie his partner would be in a facility.  That is just fact.  @José Soplanucas assertions that everyone in his family, down to the cousins, takes care of the matriarch in his family is gibberish. 

Again, I can't speak about Jose's family, but I have seen in numerous families I know where most of the family supports one another in some way.  There are always those who move away or are too busy with their own issues, but for the most part, all the gaps in care are filled and the elderly or sick person doesn't have to worry about what will become of them.  I see this mostly in non-Western European families, but it was once common in those families too.  In Canada, and I imagine in the US, a lot of younger people have learned to be more entitled and selfish, and operate that way - without realizing that the day will come when they may need support from the younger generations themselves.  But lots of families in lots of places do not have to deal with that dynamic.

Just now, augustus said:

Yeah, everyone in your family takes care of the elders,  cool story bro.  

I don't know Jose's family situation, but it isn't necessary for 'everyone' to take care of the elders.  In a large family there are bound to be those members who naturally come into that role, and in many cultures, it represents a special part of life for the caregiver and the one being cared for.  I know I would never trade the time I have spent caring for family members who needed it.  It comes down to treating others the way you would like to be treated yourself.

9 hours ago, augustus said:

Let me be blunt....NO ONE WANTS TO CARE OF THE ELDERLY, children included.  It's just too difficult and a person has to be strong willed and have heart to take care of an elderly person in decline.  I've seen it over and over again.  IMHO, start planning for this now.  Find an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home that is highly rated.  At some point, taking care of your spouse will become too difficult and threaten your own health.  I was able to find a good facility for my aunt a few years ago.  It's not easy but I was able to find one run by the Catholic Church that still has nuns working there.  They are fantastic and are dedicated people.

Don't give POA to anyone (it's just a license to steal).   Use your resources for you and your partner's well-being.  If there is anything left over for family that's fine.  Let them apply for Guardianship if it becomes necessary, where annual financial reports need to be filed with the Court.  Control your own destiny for as long as you can.  

Good luck!

This generalization simply isn't true.  Many of us have been caregivers or are currently caregivers without any expectation of an inheritance or financial windfall.  I imagine you may have had, or witnessed, some terrible experiences that have eroded your trust in people.  It's really unfortunate.  There will always be those who will try to take advantage of others, so of course we all need to be wise about our decisions. 

If someone is not willing to freely help a loved one, I think it's unlikely they would apply for guardianship and nobody can be forced into being a guardian.  Rather, a person could end up being a ward of the state, or worse.  I wouldn't want some complete stranger making decisions on my behalf, but maybe that's just me.

So, if there are people in one's life that have been consistent in their willingness and ability to help through the years, and have shown themselves to be trustworthy, there may not be as much risk in setting up a PoA.  And perhaps the Notary or lawyer who draws up the PoA could include safeguards and limitations if that's a concern.  But I'm not in the legal professions, so I'm not sure if that is possible or not. 

Is Dr. Mulato any relation to Mr. Roboto?

2 hours ago, nycman said:

4 year old rotten baba ganoush butthole?….I’ll pass!

I guess it could be worse. He could have described it a Molten Chocolate Cake.  🤮

I've enjoyed the Palm Springs Art Museum each time I have visited, and also going up on the aerial tramway and spending a few hours on the mountain walking around.  I'm not a hiker, but the views are great.

12 hours ago, Luv2play said:

 I didn’t even identify it as a squirrel 

It's really important to let all rodents self-identify

I throw a sprig of rosemary into a shot glass of water and call it a day.

14 hours ago, nycman said:

"my booty is as soft and creamy like baba ganoush"
 

There’s a new one!

So... garlicky and drizzled with olive oil?  Probably not extra virgin.