Novelista

That's the first time I've heard of Sea Org being referred to as the "Space Navy". xD

I think CCS is the one where they believe science will heal you or some such...I just know that they're not too big on doctors and I'm too lazy to look them up. :P (But they were founded by a woman, which is cool.)

When I re-read your post and realized you asked me which book, I was like, "Em...I know it has a white cover!" and then I thought, "How many will I have to wade through on Amazon to find the right one?" I didn't have to wade at all...it was at the top of the list. :D


It turns out that that "BCDEF" actually isn't missing an A (*giggle*)...I checked the copy I have saved on my computer and the full title is "Bonewits' Advanced Cult Danger Evaluation Frame" (though some places list it with B and A switched around). It was created by Druidic author Isaac Bonewits (I can't find a year) to help readers determine whether a group was a cult...or perhaps just odd. (That last bit by me, of course.) I read it in one of his books several years ago and thought it was so important to remember that I copied it over.

Not that Scientology needs help fueling discussions, but I thought it might be interesting if we all took it step by step together:

I. Internal Control: How much internal political and social power is exercised by the leaders over the members? Is there a lack of clearly defined organizational rights for the membership?

• You can't talk to "suppressive people".
• If you land in Sea Org, you're basically signing a contract for a billion years of slavery.
• "Organizational rights"? Never heard of 'em in Scientology. (Of course, I can't vouch for any other mainstream faith having an "election system" or a means of having a voice, either.)
• I'm guessing the higher you get in states of "clear" (I can't even remember the rank names, if there are any), the more important you are. That's why Tom Cruise is the poster boy, besides one of the big shots actively recruiting him (can't remember if it was Hubbard or Miscavige)--he's ubersuperhigh in the church. (Do they even call them churches?)

Anyone else have anything to contribute to step one?

I tend to forget that she only gives out one item a day. Poo. :P

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Scooter is a beautiful cat! I had a black cat named Rhiannon once...my mother didn't like her name, so she called her Scooter. :P

I absolutely agree with cats latching onto you literally...Lauren wrapped her arms around my wrist and and started licking when she met me! :D

The humane society is like Barnes & Noble for cats...except I can leave B&N without a book. No guarantee on the humane society. xD

I've read a lot escape sites/articles myself, plus an unauthorized bio of Tom Cruise and I find it all nuttier than a pan of brownies. The worst part is that I used to confuse it with the Church of Christ-Scientist when I was younger. Not a good thing!

I've never used the information I know to take Scientology through the Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame, but I'm willing to bet it wouldn't pass. The whole nonsense with suppressive people and ostracizing you if you leave the faith reeks of abuse, for example (or it does when you put it on a person-to-person level). I realize there are other religions, like the Amish religion, that shun you if you leave; but there is a marked difference between the Amish and Scientologists, too.

My biggest gripe is when I put something up for trade, someone offers on it and then--based on the notification timestamps--revokes their offer three to five minutes later. HELLO, YOU MORON! I can't be on every minute of every day! (This usually happens when I'm asleep, no less.)

One time, someone made an offer and I was checking the prices of the individual items to see if they added up to what I was asking. When I saw they'd revoked while I was price-checking, I decided that they probably wouldn't have met my request, anyway. :P

I think it must really depend on the breed and temperament, because I've heard a lot of different stories.

Most of our cats have been relatively friendly. Lilli was shy and hid a lot when we had company, but she didn't like people because she was mistreated when she was younger. In fact, when she passed away, Dad found her on the rug in his basement workshop.

Lauren tends to hide until she knows who it is. She used to be a little more outgoing, but since Ani moved in, Lor decided that she was the "old lady" of the house and acts a bit differently now.

Ani is friendly and greets everyone who comes in the door, but she's also part Abyssinian, which is a high-energy (and apparently very people-loving) breed. In fact, I think I saw Abys on a list of "the most doglike breeds" a few months ago. (Just searched for it...Yahoo posted it in December.)

You said you have a cat who thinks she's human, Sabs?

Like this? ;)

Slightly concerned about Lauren today...found her chilling in the office...not normal. Then she spent a little time in the office doorway (which is normal) and now she's under the antique radio (also normal). I guess I'll have to watch her eating/drinking and to see if she goes out. If she doesn't go out today, she's definitely sick! O.o

Also, Ani:

(Dad's cat)

Ani is being herself. No worries there. :)

I know toygers are bred to look a lot like little tigers. I can't remember what the article said, but I'm sure the primary focus is on their stripes. (It looks like a thickening of the mackerel pattern of tabby.)

Savannahs are a cross between a house cat and a wild feline called a serval. One of the first few episodes I saw of My Cat from Hell had a pair of Savannahs, actually, and Jackson (the host/behaviorist) explained that Savannahs have levels that indicate how far they are from an actual serval. (I think one was an F3 and one was an F5--meaning three generations from a serval and five, respectively.) I can't remember what he said about the laws regarding the levels, but Wikipedia said that most countries don't have restrictions on Savannahs that are F2 and later.

Based on what I see on Google, Asheras are nothing more than falsely advertised Savannahs.

I hope someday they manage to breed toygers so they look kind of like white tigers.

Searching, I learned that they are breeding white toygers...but they look pretty silvery to me...

How can you resist that face?! AWW! <3

My favorite is the "lick-scratch"...Lauren will wrap her arms around my wrist and lick while I'm scratching her belly. It feels funny, but we both love it! :wub_anim:

Aww! Someone needs her belly scratched! *gigglefit*

I think there's a bit of irony in putting Ralph next to some psychology books. xD

And that kitten is adorable. ;)

...suddenly I want a yooyu! (That picture is so adorable!)

She doesn't love me anymore...she keeps coming while I'm asleep! (Or unable to use the internet, on occasion.)

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Only hosted, yes. (I use photobucket once again, since imgshack went south...)

They didn't burn me on anything, so I have no hard feelings against them. I'm interested in trying Moglings when they get it settled a bit more, because it sounds like they're going with the original idea(s) they had for Neopets, just with different names and things due to copyright reasons.

There used to be a number you could call to cancel your premium, so I should think it would work the opposite. Trouble is, I don't remember if it was "1-800-Neopets", "888-Neopets" or what. :P

If that's the case, then we're all going to he...er...Moltara in a handbasket. xD

Found this link in the AMA line...sounds like back in the day, someone got really "butthurt" (according to one redditor)...

I need the Thieves, so that's where I'm going.

What day does it start? (I can't tell if it's Thursday or Friday.)

I'll do all ten battles the first day and then stay out of the skirmishes until the AC is over. :P

The old Tarla's toolbar doesn't work with any current browsers (as far as I know), but it was issued by TNT, so I can't imagine getting frozen for that.

Anything that's out now, yes, I can see where that would be considered cheating. (Crazy, but sometimes when it comes to TNT, cautious is better.)

Besides, I seem to have an easier time checking on Tarla when I get the notification from here than I ever did when the TNT-approved bar was working.

I can dance for HOURS in front of a mirror, alone in my room.

I don't need the mirror...I just dance! (Unfortunately, I have a weight problem so I get out of breath pretty easily. :P )

If I ever go to Burger King or Wendy's and I get a slushie or frosty I usually end up dipping my fries in whatever I got and eat them that way instead of ketchup.

When I worked at Wendy's a dozen years ago, the employees were doing "frosty fries", too. I almost prefer what we were doing in Ireland, though: fries in mayo. :D

If I'm walking back to bed in the middle of the night, I pretty much do a superman dive from the corner so that I don't have to walk right by the bed (where something can reach out and pull me under).

*gigglefit*

I have kinda a phobia of tiny cut hairs.

I don't have a phobia, but I hate it so much after I get my hair done that I turn my shirt inside out and use the lint roller on it. Fortunately, I'm blonde and usually wear black shirts, so my hair is easy to see.

I also eat peanut butter on bananas. I don't think its weird but I've had roommates say its really weird.

Apparently, your roomie isn't familiar with the fact that Elvis loved fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. :D

I used to eat hummus with a spoon without pita chips or veggies.

You can't get into the nooks and crannies of the hummus container with most dippables, so I generally use my finger. xD

One thing I've been doing for quite a while and never really paid attention to...if there's a burger I like, I'll save a bit for the end and finish all the fries or chips first. I noticed it today when I was finishing my olive burger and thought, "Have to report that!" :D

I don't care how strange...hit me!

• I sometimes dip a spoon into sour cream and just eat it straight. Also, Breakstone's is very good sour cream. Some creams, like Daisy, is just "meh". (Maybe that's why Daisy advertises like absolute insanity...because they know they suck!)
• I once went outside and danced in the rain, including getting soaking wet under the eavestrough, which had gone waterfall on me. I loved it, but my mother was highly peeved. xD
• When I got my tetanus shot in 2012, I shamelessly took my "shot buddy" with me. (If he's in my profile pic, I can't see him.) He has a name--given to him by the manufacturer--but since he only comes out when I get vaccinated, I don't know what it is!

  I snuck my hand into my purse to squeeze him when I got a TB test in 2005, so I'll be sure to do it again when I go for my next test/round of shots for school.

• I'm ready to go stick a knife into the cream cheese just to have some. (I usually do that with Nutella, but that's not what's calling to me. :P )

~*~

This isn't a "do", it's a "believe".

I used to hear Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady" as "Do it Like a Lady". (Partially because of it playing during the vacuum scene in Mrs. Doubtfire, I'm sure.) :P

The last time I found plushies with KQ tags on Amazon, they were something ridiculous, like $15. That price is fine for an average size stuffie, but those Neopet plushies are small, man!

You don't get a message saying "you're a cheater", you just simply don't hear back.

Also, don't forget it's a holiday weekend here in the States and--except for the skeleton crew of mods and such--TNT won't be back in the office 'til Tuesday.