ma does allow trade-in that is correct, atleast from knowing the other 3 cars ive traded in verse a new car... and to answer GraphicsGuy i did file a RMV1 = as that was a major item i had to do-- I have the registration so the tax was paid in full to the state-- the problem is that now the dealer is out a 1k b/c they never realized the state would never return the amt i paid them on the trade-- or they never did the paper work correctly and are out the tax on the trade.. i find it funny a dealer would not know the proper way to account for an out of state transaction. .
I thought for most teachers their taxes were pretty straight forward and they could be done easily by Block, or a computer program.
The prepackaged tax programs should be asking that question, usually with a list of possible deductions that you click on the ones that you have. Places like H & R Block do ask these questions and train their tax prepairers what areas to probe with different types of occupations. I am pretty conficent that the vast majority of tax prepairers at those places would ask.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Fezo is not exaggerating about catholic schools telling young kids that people are going to hell.I grew up in Levittown,pa and went to catholic school for 12 years.My younger sister went for about 1 week.There was a lot of construction going on in Levittown back then (the 50's)and there was a big pit next to the school that you could look out the window and see.Nun teacher told my sisters class that if anyone acted up in class they would be thrown in that pit and that the devil lived there.Scared my poor sister so bad that she never could go back to that school
I've got in-laws over in Levittown, PA. My wife's brother and his crew.
I went through 10 years and a little more in Catholic schools. What took me out was I have a serious eye problem. It blinded my left eye at age 10 and started up in the right eye at 15. By early in my sophomore year I was getting nasty headaches. Now I was in the A class - what they'd call honors now - and was pulling good grades but it hurt like hell. My eye doctor recommended getting some relief at school - even if it took an extra year to do it. My mom went to talk to the priests who gave her the my way or the highway speech. We chose the highway.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I reached the point where they were declaring infallible things that I just couldn't agree were true so we moved over an aisle - we're Episcopalian.
Stop me if you've heard this one.
How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to mix a pitcher of martinis & one to call an electrician.
Yeah, I'm also Church of England. Mom, who was raised Lutheran, picked the Episcopal Church for our religious upbringing because parking on Sunday was never a problem.
I, too, am the product of a Catholic education - 2nd grade through HS.
The town I lived in started to integrate the schools, and my folks found out that I was going to be bussed to the "other side of the tracks" - literally. They decided then and there that both me and my sister (who was not even in school yet) would go to the local Catholic elementary school.
I don't know how much the tuition was, but I'm pretty sure my folks had to make some sacrifices to send us there.
I've got mostly good memories of school .. in fact, my 8th grade teacher is still in town and my folks see her from time to time at the local hospital when they are in for treatments.
About the only thing I didn't like was the blasted uniform! Salt 'n' pepper cords with a light blue button down shirt. The only place in town that carried them was JC Penney.
HS was a bit better .. collared shirt and any non-denim pants for the boys. Girls still had to wear a uniform skirt and white shirt, but they could 'dress it up' with any colored sweater.
Speaking of Jewish, you brought back a painful memory. I attended a very conservative Protestant college my freshman year. i was on a scholarship to become a minister---didn't work out and it's another story better not told. I met a really nice guy and we became fast friends. He was Jewish which didn't bother me one way or another. We had classes together, double dated, got drunk together, etc. Gradually, word got around that he was Jewish. He went home with me for Thanksgiving. When we returned after the holidays, we found a Swastika painted on his dorm room door. One Sunday morning shortly after that incident, he was egged on the way back from services. He began having problems getting dates on weekends. It became obvious that he was being black listed on campus. Fraternity Row wouldn't give him a bid to join a fraternity---no Jews allowed. He was hurting and I felt his pain. It was a difficult year for him. He was a super guy and a good friend to me and a few others. He left school after our freshman year and joined the Air force. He was later killed when his plane was shot down over Vietnam. At his funeral, i expressed to his parents what a wonderful friend he had been. They said that he felt the same way about me.
I hate that part of his life experienced so much prejudice. When i gave up my scholarship and decided to become a teacher, I made myself a promise: Teach my students tolerance, compassion, and an understanding of others. In addition to academics, I hope that I made an impact in those areas. It was a debt that i owed a friend.
You are a good man for leaving yourself open enough to accept that part. I was waiting for your response so I could say something snarky but you've cut me off with good.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Teach my students tolerance, compassion, and an understanding of others.
A very powerful story.................Nice that you could use such an awful experience and make it into a valuable lesson that will hopefully touch many people.
I'm another product of 12 years of Catholic schools. Definitely gives your upbringing a different tilt about right and wrong (debating the worthiness of saints and their sainthood, as just one example). Even my very early days in Catholic schools, I felt a little uneasy with the way the nuns interfaced with the priests and vice versa (seems the clergy surrounding me at the time were full blown heterosexuals).
When I got to college, I started dating a Jewish girl who had just come back from spending a year on a kibbutz. More than anything, she wanted to shock her parents, as I wanted to shock mine. It worked.
About 6 months into our relationship, she was not doing well with her studies, and about to be put on academic probation. She decided to leave campus and go home.
I visited her a couple of weeks after she left (she lived in Cleveland). It was about a 4-5 hour trip for me, and I was hitchhiking there since I didn't have a car (I know....I know....dangerous thing to do, but I was young and dumb).
Surprisingly, her parents welcomed me into their home and made arrangements for me to spend a couple of nights there as it was a weekend.....in a separate bedroom. How this came about is beyond me. I thought they would blame me for first, being Catholic, and 2nd, the reason their daughter had done so poorly in school.
I guess she was quote melancholy upon returning home, because we couldn't be together. She clearly was more into me, than I was into her.
Found out she had told her parents we were going to get married. HUH????!!!!!! THIS WAS NEWS TO ME!!!!!!!!
Her Father owned a large concrete firm and offered me a job if we married (complete with company car....which seemed like the richest job in the world at 19 years old (that's it for the requisite car reference).
I couldn't throw my clothes in my duffel bag quick enough to leave. That's it. I made skid marks out of there. Hitching a ride out of their very tony neighborhood, but I kept my feet moving until I found highway.
She called my dorm room constantly for a couple of weeks. No caller ID back then. Finally, the calls stopped and I never heard from her again.
Dodged a big bullet there. What I thought was a rebellious act, almost turned into a disastrous act.
How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to mix a pitcher of martinis & one to call an electrician.
Robin Williams does a bit like that - Episcopil confession takes place on Thankgiving Day after the G&T's are served...
I'm an Episcopal. That's catholic light. Same religion, half the guilt. It's frightening. Catholics have confession, Episcopals have:
"Thanks Giving your father has a couple of gin and tonics" "I never loved you mother, you know that, don't you?!" "I didn't, dad. And she's right there. Tell her again."
Episcopalians are kind of like Unitarians but with a creed. Close enough to Lutherans that a Lutheran minister can come in and lead the service and that's all fine.
michaelll - that's not a Catholic school. In grammar school you'd have needed navy blue pants - not black, nit royal blue - an exact shade of navy. Over the course of your education cuffs on the pants would either ease your way to heaven or grease your skids to hell. You could wear any color shirt as long as it was white. Cuff links - not buttons on the sleeves. No buttons on the collar either. Black shoes - leather. No suede. No alternate materials. Official St. Mary's tie. accept no substitute.
In high school it was jacket and tie. After my mom had her discussion with the my way or the highway priest she arranged for me to check out a day in the local high school where there were guys in paisley shirts and, more importantly, girls in miniskirts! i never looked back. Well, i did look back but only to look at the girls more....
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Have had some similar things happen also but I just felt sorry for those people. I've always been happy to be Jewish and one thing I like about it, is that we're not taught to hate like so many other religions do, we accept everyone for who they are, our G-d is a compassionate, loving G-d. So I'm proud to be Jewish & so is my family.
I will never understand hate & why some religions use that & fear to teach...stupid really...I just respect people as they are. Did like your story about your friend...a very touching story & you were the better for knowing him & keeping him as a friend while the others abused & turned their backs on him. Bravo! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I grew up in a very WASPy NYC suburb. Back in the late 50s, the Episcopal Church was one of the Big Three WASP denominations; the other 2 were the Presbyterian & Congregationalist Churches.
I clearly remember that Catholicism was considered to be a blue collar religion. The guy who delivered your mail or cut your hair was a Catholic, but your lawyer & your banker were most certainly not. Being a Catholic in those days definitely hurt your career prospects. I'd see people who were clearly Catholic worshiping at our Episcopal Church. They gave themselves away by crossing themselves, which no one baptized as an Episcopalian would do.
When JFK ran for President in 1960, people were scandalized. It was as if your barber had applied for membership in your country club. I recall people saying that Catholics had gotten "uppity" - that they had "forgotten their place".
But after he was elected & the world didn't end, people began to relax their view of Catholicism.
back in 1960, my parents (and sisters, I was not around yet!) moved to a new house in a suburb of NYC (rockland county, about 20 miles north). Apparently they ruined the neighborhood, because they got nasty notes (not sure exactly how many and the format or severity, so may not have qualified as "death threats"). But, very clearly they were not wanted there, being the "wrong kind" of people.
I know this was not uncommon in those days, but the odd part is that we were WASPs (as in DAR eligible).
then again, most everyone else in town was Irish, and most of them seemed to be NYC cops.
Just pointing out something in the Jewish religion...have never heard or seen anything dealing with hating others, or other folks going to "hell"...just doesn't happen. But look back in history and see where certain religions have caused wars & other nonsense because they deemed another group of people as being the cause of all the problems in their lives...a scapegoat if you will for why their lives are so bad. It's all there!
The point being made was that I was never taught to hate...pure & simple. I can't help it if you don't agree, I can only base my experiences from what I've lived & read.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
We were from the other side of the Tappan Zee Bridge...started out in Peekskill but move down to Briarcliff Manor when I was 3. Nice little village back then. Now, it's outta my price range but we're happy down in the Ft. Lauderdale/Pompano Beach area.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
When my dad was just out of high school he went to apply for a job in the local factory (a DuPont plant the mostly built blasting caps). there was a no Italians need apply sign! In a lot of ways they did him a favor. After that and a few years in the old Army Air Corps he decided he'd never work for anyone again in his life. He didn't quite meet that goal but he did pretty well being mostly self-employed.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
A friend of mine in high school was from Spring Valley. Big family - he was the oldest of 10 kids. They had a ford airport wagon as the family car. The other car was a Checker Marathon.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Putting your religion above others in probably not a wise thing to do.
Guess we are on the confessional channel today. But, to be fair, I don't think Sandman did that at all. We have lots of examples of certain religions feeling they are superior or fight because they hate other groups...he made a comment that he was not taught to hate or put down any other group. He was happy to be the religion he is, but he did not say his religion was a superior religion....unless I missed something.
I don't think that comment was aimed at sandman who is a fine person. (he'd have to be - he's in here!)
Lots of folks think they have a superior religion just as lots of folks think it's a personal journey.
I'll live and let live and not worry so much about it. The fact that I can think that way after being told all those wacky things by the same people who were teaching me times tables and how to diagram a sentence is pretty amazing.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I spent grades 1-12 in Catholic schools as well. Mostly good experiences for me.
We had the salt and pepper grey cords too. White shirt, navy blue sweater... but we didn't have to wear a tie. In high school, there was no uniform but it was all guys. The two all-girls schools did have uniforms though.
I remember seeing a HS classmate wearing a navy sweater and I thought it was soooo ugly. I wore a green sweater one day and someone from one of the elementary schools that wore those thought that MINE was ugly. Too funny.
he made a comment that he was not taught to hate or put down any other group.
Comment in question: "I've always been happy to be Jewish and one thing I like about it, is that we're not taught to hate like so many other religions do"
In the context of what was being discussed, it seemed as though he were saying Christians and Muslims "were taught to hate", and his Jewish faith was not. That seems like a insult to my religious faith. I was never taught to hate. I think if you read, or follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, you know this to be true.
Throughout time men, of all faiths, has used religion for his own selfish purposes, whether religious or political. So it doesn't seem appropriate to infer blame on Christianity, or whatever religion, for the actions of a few power hungry individuals.
Funny, I grew up in the Lutheran church and thats what we said about us. That or that we were the Catholic church but with married priests and no guilt.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Thanks guys for your posts...I would never say "mine is better than yours" as I'm just not wired that way. And if someone did that, I'd let them know how un-cool that was! I assumed that in this forum we could be honest with each other when we post & tell stories about ourselves while posting about cars at the same time. That's what makes this forum so cool! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
As for religions saying that those of another religion are going to hell, I always liked the logic of this....
"As for souls entering hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, then you will go to hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all people and souls go to hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially."
From dish washers to religion, we do cover it all on this wonderful site. I have a new topic for brief discussion. I'm in the market for an electric razor---haven't used or owned one in 20 years. Now that I'm retired, I don't shave each morning. I actually shave about every three days now. For years I have used the traditional safety razor with shaving cream. My wife suggested the other day that I purchase an electric razor to use on off days. My question: What brand and type would be good? If you use an electric razor, I would appreciate your input, advice, and opinions.
A good Christian electric razor would be the "Noel-co". :surprise:
I've had my current self sharpening Norelco for roughly 15 years. Dealer installed options include battery powered or plug in mode, sideburn or mustache trimmer... if you're into the Elvis or porn star look. Still cuts whiskers like it was brand new. :shades:
What brand and type would be good? If you use an electric razor, I would appreciate your input, advice, and opinions.
Here's my opinion for what it is worth. I used to get electric razors for free because my father worked in sales for Schick Electric . One day I got to work (managing a retail book store) and I noticed I forgot to shave. I went down to the drug store, bought a razor and some foam. I liked it so much I never went back to an electric...my father said just don't tell any body. It is easier, faster, feels better, using a blade. Mach 3s with the blue strip are great, you don't need the new 5 or 7 blade models, they are worse.
Your lovely wife is just hoping you will shave every day so you won't have bristles. Just use the blade every day, it will be good for you and you will feel better.
A good Christian electric razor would be the "Noel-co".
That's the brand I use too.
I could never get used to a blade but we had to use a non-electric when I was in Navy boot camp. The Navy has a policy (military in general) that you can't destoy government property and all sevicemen are government property (officer or enlisted) The Navy frowned on sailors who would ly around on a flight deck or other boat and got sunburned and couldn't report for duty because of it. Even sent you to Captains Mast if it happened but they didn't give a damn about a sailor commiting suicide by shaving with a blade.
By the time I got out of bootcamp I only had one cheek and it wasn't the one I sat on either (so don't bring that up).
FWIW, it would be very cruel to see pictures of that old man with a shaven head and a three day stubble.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Now I have never settled on one way to shave and half of the year at least have a full beard (let it grow in the winter - go to a goatee in the warmer weather).
That said - mt tow cents and then some on all matters shaving. If you are used to an old safety razor you'll never get a closer shave. It's a bit more work than any other methods.
driver is right - Mach 3s are great. If they gave me one of those Fusions or whatever I'd try it but my ancient Mach 3 works great.
That said most of the time I'll use an electric just for the ease on the face. None are fully as good as a blade but they come darn close.
For reliability I've never seen anything like a Panasonic. Hard to kill. You can also toss it into a sink full of water to clean it or use it in the shower. It's completely watertight. It's downside is that it's a foil type razor - they don't shave as close - for me anyway - as a rotary and they are noisier.
The better Norelcos are what I really like. Quiet, nice shave. The better ones can rinse out with water and have a nice charge stand that you only have to put it on occasionally. They hold a really good charge. I had a couple of earlier Norelcos that didn't hold up but this was has for quite a while.
I was worried. I thought when yo mentioned going off topic you were going to talk about buying cars.
Someone sent me a link - on James Taylor's web site he's now starting to give guitar lessons. Tonight I learned how he does his nails.... Actually, as someone who likes to fingerpick it was useful information.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
So, do you still have an old Gillette safety razor? Anymore you have to get new ones from Europe or Asia. Or hit Ebay and there's always someone who had an unused old one.
There is a bit of a movement about that old traditional safety razor. Probably some great-great- grandchild of King Gillette.... They are also rediscovering shaving brushes...
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I am retired as well, and shave with a blade about every third day, or if I have have something important to do. For that I use a Fusion power razor.
On the other two days I too use a Philips (Norelco) triple head 9160XL with the trimmer. It is probably 5 or 6 years old and cost about $125. I just bought my first replacement foil/blade set for it, which only cost about $25. It won't get as close as the blade, but it is certainly close enough. And it doesn't irritate my skin like some do. My only complaint is the on/off button is right where your thumb rests, so I accidently turn it off while shaving now and then.
I have always used an electric. Have a norelco too and it does a good job.
one thing I would recommend is getting a cheaper one. Not much difference in the shave with the expensive ones, they just have a lot of techno gadgets you probably don't really need.
I've owned a few Norelcos and a few Remingtons in my shaving lifetime. So much depends on your face. For me, the Norelco works best. It takes longer to shave my neck but it does it with much less irritation than the Remington. Your face may vary.
The three rotary blades on the Norelco work well and I change them once a year (I give myself a Christmas present.) When those Remington foils fail, it is painful and pretty much unusable until you swap them out.
Battery life has improved over the years. I'm impressed with my current Norelco. I think I bought it in 06 and I've never changed the battery.
FWIW, I read years ago that an electric actually saves more energy than a blade because of the cost of heating the hot water compared to the small amount of electricity the shaver uses.
Put me down as one of those blade pansies. I've tried many over the years and I just kill my face. I bow down to you macho guys here who can use a blade every day. :shades:
I bow down to you macho guys here who can use a blade every day.
I don't think it is macho at all. With the new protective gels (I like Edge - super sensitive with the purple top), and the latest triple blades it is almost impossible to damage your skin. It might take a week to get used to it if you haven't used a blade in awhile, but it is like exercise...eventually your skin toughens up. With a blade, one slice and you know your done, with an electric you keep circling and hope you get it.
Also a great feeling, putting in a new blade, or starting a new can of lather. It is like being reborn (to stay on the religious theme).
one thing I would recommend is getting a cheaper one. Not much difference in the shave with the expensive ones, they just have a lot of techno gadgets you probably don't really need.
I wouldn't recommend the cheapest or the most expensive. One should really study each and make that determination themselves. What is not important to one, may be a deal breaker to another. And do shop around and get out the door competitive quotes. Avoid last nimute dealer add ons and extended warranties. :P
Comments
The prepackaged tax programs should be asking that question, usually with a list of possible deductions that you click on the ones that you have. Places like H & R Block do ask these questions and train their tax prepairers what areas to probe with different types of occupations. I am pretty conficent that the vast majority of tax prepairers at those places would ask.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Fezo is not exaggerating about catholic schools telling young kids that people are going to hell.I grew up in Levittown,pa and went to catholic school for 12 years.My younger sister went for about 1 week.There was a lot of construction going on in Levittown back then (the 50's)and there was a big pit next to the school that you could look out the window and see.Nun teacher told my sisters class that if anyone acted up in class they would be thrown in that pit and that the devil lived there.Scared my poor sister so bad that she never could go back to that school
The dealer has a lot of nerve coming back 2 mos later claiming any sort of liability because of their own negligence regarding taxes.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
I went through 10 years and a little more in Catholic schools. What took me out was I have a serious eye problem. It blinded my left eye at age 10 and started up in the right eye at 15. By early in my sophomore year I was getting nasty headaches. Now I was in the A class - what they'd call honors now - and was pulling good grades but it hurt like hell. My eye doctor recommended getting some relief at school - even if it took an extra year to do it. My mom went to talk to the priests who gave her the my way or the highway speech. We chose the highway.
Stop me if you've heard this one.
How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to mix a pitcher of martinis & one to call an electrician.
Yeah, I'm also Church of England. Mom, who was raised Lutheran, picked the Episcopal Church for our religious upbringing because parking on Sunday was never a problem.
The town I lived in started to integrate the schools, and my folks found out that I was going to be bussed to the "other side of the tracks" - literally. They decided then and there that both me and my sister (who was not even in school yet) would go to the local Catholic elementary school.
I don't know how much the tuition was, but I'm pretty sure my folks had to make some sacrifices to send us there.
I've got mostly good memories of school .. in fact, my 8th grade teacher is still in town and my folks see her from time to time at the local hospital when they are in for treatments.
About the only thing I didn't like was the blasted uniform! Salt 'n' pepper cords with a light blue button down shirt. The only place in town that carried them was JC Penney.
HS was a bit better .. collared shirt and any non-denim pants for the boys. Girls still had to wear a uniform skirt and white shirt, but they could 'dress it up' with any colored sweater.
I hate that part of his life experienced so much prejudice. When i gave up my scholarship and decided to become a teacher, I made myself a promise: Teach my students tolerance, compassion, and an understanding of others. In addition to academics, I hope that I made an impact in those areas. It was a debt that i owed a friend.
Richard
A very powerful story.................Nice that you could use such an awful experience and make it into a valuable lesson that will hopefully touch many people.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm another product of 12 years of Catholic schools. Definitely gives your upbringing a different tilt about right and wrong (debating the worthiness of saints and their sainthood, as just one example). Even my very early days in Catholic schools, I felt a little uneasy with the way the nuns interfaced with the priests and vice versa (seems the clergy surrounding me at the time were full blown heterosexuals).
When I got to college, I started dating a Jewish girl who had just come back from spending a year on a kibbutz. More than anything, she wanted to shock her parents, as I wanted to shock mine. It worked.
About 6 months into our relationship, she was not doing well with her studies, and about to be put on academic probation. She decided to leave campus and go home.
I visited her a couple of weeks after she left (she lived in Cleveland). It was about a 4-5 hour trip for me, and I was hitchhiking there since I didn't have a car (I know....I know....dangerous thing to do, but I was young and dumb).
Surprisingly, her parents welcomed me into their home and made arrangements for me to spend a couple of nights there as it was a weekend.....in a separate bedroom. How this came about is beyond me. I thought they would blame me for first, being Catholic, and 2nd, the reason their daughter had done so poorly in school.
I guess she was quote melancholy upon returning home, because we couldn't be together. She clearly was more into me, than I was into her.
Found out she had told her parents we were going to get married. HUH????!!!!!! THIS WAS NEWS TO ME!!!!!!!!
Her Father owned a large concrete firm and offered me a job if we married (complete with company car....which seemed like the richest job in the world at 19 years old (that's it for the requisite car reference).
I couldn't throw my clothes in my duffel bag quick enough to leave. That's it. I made skid marks out of there. Hitching a ride out of their very tony neighborhood, but I kept my feet moving until I found highway.
She called my dorm room constantly for a couple of weeks. No caller ID back then. Finally, the calls stopped and I never heard from her again.
Dodged a big bullet there. What I thought was a rebellious act, almost turned into a disastrous act.
Ahhh - JV Catholic!!
How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
Two. One to mix a pitcher of martinis & one to call an electrician.
Robin Williams does a bit like that - Episcopil confession takes place on Thankgiving Day after the G&T's are served...
I'm an Episcopal. That's catholic light.
Same religion, half the guilt. It's frightening.
Catholics have confession, Episcopals have:
"Thanks Giving your father has a couple of gin and tonics"
"I never loved you mother, you know that, don't you?!"
"I didn't, dad. And she's right there. Tell her again."
michaelll - that's not a Catholic school. In grammar school you'd have needed navy blue pants - not black, nit royal blue - an exact shade of navy. Over the course of your education cuffs on the pants would either ease your way to heaven or grease your skids to hell. You could wear any color shirt as long as it was white. Cuff links - not buttons on the sleeves. No buttons on the collar either. Black shoes - leather. No suede. No alternate materials. Official St. Mary's tie. accept no substitute.
In high school it was jacket and tie. After my mom had her discussion with the my way or the highway priest she arranged for me to check out a day in the local high school where there were guys in paisley shirts and, more importantly, girls in miniskirts! i never looked back. Well, i did look back but only to look at the girls more....
I will never understand hate & why some religions use that & fear to teach...stupid really...I just respect people as they are. Did like your story about your friend...a very touching story & you were the better for knowing him & keeping him as a friend while the others abused & turned their backs on him. Bravo!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I clearly remember that Catholicism was considered to be a blue collar religion. The guy who delivered your mail or cut your hair was a Catholic, but your lawyer & your banker were most certainly not. Being a Catholic in those days definitely hurt your career prospects. I'd see people who were clearly Catholic worshiping at our Episcopal Church. They gave themselves away by crossing themselves, which no one baptized as an Episcopalian would do.
When JFK ran for President in 1960, people were scandalized. It was as if your barber had applied for membership in your country club. I recall people saying that Catholics had gotten "uppity" - that they had "forgotten their place".
But after he was elected & the world didn't end, people began to relax their view of Catholicism.
I know this was not uncommon in those days, but the odd part is that we were WASPs (as in DAR eligible).
then again, most everyone else in town was Irish, and most of them seemed to be NYC cops.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Putting your religion above others in probably not a wise thing to do. God is the ultimate judge.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The point being made was that I was never taught to hate...pure & simple. I can't help it if you don't agree, I can only base my experiences from what I've lived & read.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Guess we are on the confessional channel today. But, to be fair, I don't think Sandman did that at all. We have lots of examples of certain religions feeling they are superior or fight because they hate other groups...he made a comment that he was not taught to hate or put down any other group. He was happy to be the religion he is, but he did not say his religion was a superior religion....unless I missed something.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Lots of folks think they have a superior religion just as lots of folks think it's a personal journey.
I'll live and let live and not worry so much about it. The fact that I can think that way after being told all those wacky things by the same people who were teaching me times tables and how to diagram a sentence is pretty amazing.
That could be....might have been a general comment which sounds possible.
I might have taken it the wrong way, and if I did...then sorry for that!
And yes, sandman is a very fine person who is going through a lot and I give him a lot of credit for his positive attitude.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's the way I read it too.
I was going to jump on the old jipsters bones about this myself but you beat me to it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
We had the salt and pepper grey cords too. White shirt, navy blue sweater... but we didn't have to wear a tie. In high school, there was no uniform but it was all guys. The two all-girls schools did have uniforms though.
I remember seeing a HS classmate wearing a navy sweater and I thought it was soooo ugly. I wore a green sweater one day and someone from one of the elementary schools that wore those thought that MINE was ugly. Too funny.
Comment in question: "I've always been happy to be Jewish and one thing I like about it, is that we're not taught to hate like so many other religions do"
In the context of what was being discussed, it seemed as though he were saying Christians and Muslims "were taught to hate", and his Jewish faith was not. That seems like a insult to my religious faith. I was never taught to hate. I think if you read, or follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, you know this to be true.
Throughout time men, of all faiths, has used religion for his own selfish purposes, whether religious or political. So it doesn't seem appropriate to infer blame on Christianity, or whatever religion, for the actions of a few power hungry individuals.
Funny, I grew up in the Lutheran church and thats what we said about us. That or that we were the Catholic church but with married priests and no guilt.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
"As for souls entering hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, then you will go to hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all people and souls go to hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially."
Actually reading the whole piece is worth your while. Is Hell Exothermic or Endothermic?
It's an urban myth as opposed to the carefully documented piece it claims to be but it's one of the finest urban myths aroud.
Richard
I've had my current self sharpening Norelco for roughly 15 years. Dealer installed options include battery powered or plug in mode, sideburn or mustache trimmer... if you're into the Elvis or porn star look. Still cuts whiskers like it was brand new. :shades:
Thanks for that one 'fez'.
Imagine that...a technical guy with a sense of humor. Where the Hell did he come from?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Here's my opinion for what it is worth. I used to get electric razors for free because my father worked in sales for Schick Electric . One day I got to work (managing a retail book store) and I noticed I forgot to shave. I went down to the drug store, bought a razor and some foam. I liked it so much I never went back to an electric...my father said just don't tell any body. It is easier, faster, feels better, using a blade. Mach 3s with the blue strip are great, you don't need the new 5 or 7 blade models, they are worse.
Your lovely wife is just hoping you will shave every day so you won't have bristles. Just use the blade every day, it will be good for you and you will feel better.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Cute!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Norelco, while good, goes dull just as fast as as a Remington, but has replacement blades that cost half again as much.
I use Remington cordless triple header ($29) and just replace the whole shaver between 6 months to a year as it's not much more than a set of blades.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
That's the brand I use too.
I could never get used to a blade but we had to use a non-electric when I was in Navy boot camp. The Navy has a policy (military in general) that you can't destoy government property and all sevicemen are government property (officer or enlisted) The Navy frowned on sailors who would ly around on a flight deck or other boat and got sunburned and couldn't report for duty because of it. Even sent you to Captains Mast if it happened but they didn't give a damn about a sailor commiting suicide by shaving with a blade.
By the time I got out of bootcamp I only had one cheek and it wasn't the one I sat on either (so don't bring that up).
FWIW, it would be very cruel to see pictures of that old man with a shaven head and a three day stubble.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Now I have never settled on one way to shave and half of the year at least have a full beard (let it grow in the winter - go to a goatee in the warmer weather).
That said - mt tow cents and then some on all matters shaving. If you are used to an old safety razor you'll never get a closer shave. It's a bit more work than any other methods.
driver is right - Mach 3s are great. If they gave me one of those Fusions or whatever I'd try it but my ancient Mach 3 works great.
That said most of the time I'll use an electric just for the ease on the face. None are fully as good as a blade but they come darn close.
For reliability I've never seen anything like a Panasonic. Hard to kill. You can also toss it into a sink full of water to clean it or use it in the shower. It's completely watertight. It's downside is that it's a foil type razor - they don't shave as close - for me anyway - as a rotary and they are noisier.
The better Norelcos are what I really like. Quiet, nice shave. The better ones can rinse out with water and have a nice charge stand that you only have to put it on occasionally. They hold a really good charge. I had a couple of earlier Norelcos that didn't hold up but this was has for quite a while.
I was worried. I thought when yo mentioned going off topic you were going to talk about buying cars.
Someone sent me a link - on James Taylor's web site he's now starting to give guitar lessons. Tonight I learned how he does his nails.... Actually, as someone who likes to fingerpick it was useful information.
There is a bit of a movement about that old traditional safety razor. Probably some great-great- grandchild of King Gillette.... They are also rediscovering shaving brushes...
On the other two days I too use a Philips (Norelco) triple head 9160XL with the trimmer. It is probably 5 or 6 years old and cost about $125. I just bought my first replacement foil/blade set for it, which only cost about $25. It won't get as close as the blade, but it is certainly close enough. And it doesn't irritate my skin like some do. My only complaint is the on/off button is right where your thumb rests, so I accidently turn it off while shaving now and then.
one thing I would recommend is getting a cheaper one. Not much difference in the shave with the expensive ones, they just have a lot of techno gadgets you probably don't really need.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The three rotary blades on the Norelco work well and I change them once a year (I give myself a Christmas present.) When those Remington foils fail, it is painful and pretty much unusable until you swap them out.
Battery life has improved over the years. I'm impressed with my current Norelco. I think I bought it in 06 and I've never changed the battery.
FWIW, I read years ago that an electric actually saves more energy than a blade because of the cost of heating the hot water compared to the small amount of electricity the shaver uses.
Put me down as one of those blade pansies. I've tried many over the years and I just kill my face. I bow down to you macho guys here who can use a blade every day. :shades:
I don't think it is macho at all. With the new protective gels (I like Edge - super sensitive with the purple top), and the latest triple blades it is almost impossible to damage your skin. It might take a week to get used to it if you haven't used a blade in awhile, but it is like exercise...eventually your skin toughens up. With a blade, one slice and you know your done, with an electric you keep circling and hope you get it.
Also a great feeling, putting in a new blade, or starting a new can of lather. It is like being reborn (to stay on the religious theme).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I wouldn't recommend the cheapest or the most expensive. One should really study each and make that determination themselves. What is not important to one, may be a deal breaker to another. And do shop around and get out the door competitive quotes. Avoid last nimute dealer add ons and extended warranties. :P