"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."
A professor in a large college that included some exchange students noticed one of them rubbing and stretching his back as if it hurt. The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. In the midst of his story, he looked at the professor and asked a strange question: 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'
The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you p ut a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again, and you put up another side of the fence.
'They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. When the pigs start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they return to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.
The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms - just a little at a time.
One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch; a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself. If you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America, you might want to send this on to your friends.
Gerald R. Ford
Address to a Joint Session of Congress
August 12, 1974
I don't know if Gerald R. Ford really did give this address, but I found it on a friend's blog and thought it was neat.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Down memory lane.
It's a memory post.
Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time. Anything you remember!
Join in and post these instructions on your blog and see what memories you are a part of. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
On your mark, get set, remember!!
Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time. Anything you remember!
Join in and post these instructions on your blog and see what memories you are a part of. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
On your mark, get set, remember!!
Who is God?
Who is God?
God ( or Elohim ) is the Ruler of the Universe.
He is called the Father because He is the Father of our Spirits. He is all knowing, all powerful and through His Spirit; all present.
We are created in His express image. We have body's like his, but where ours are imperfect and mortal, His is perfect and immortal.
He has sent His Children (us) here (Earth), so that we may learn and grow, that we may be joint-heirs of God with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Romans 8:14-17).
God speaks to us in different ways. Through men known as Prophets (including the inspired writings thereof, the Scriptures), through His Son Jesus The Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost, though visions or dreams, or very rarely, directly to us, in that we can hear His voice and see His face.
Who is Jesus
Jesus is The Christ (Greek: Anointed, Hebrew: Messiah), The Son of God.
He is the God of the Old Testament, Jehovah or I AM. He is the Creator of this and many other worlds. Before the world was; it was decided upon that He would make possible the redemption of our sins which we would inevitably commit. We would be required to Believe on Him, Love Him, repent of our sins, and follow the commandments. Before He came in the Flesh, He spoke through men who we call Prophets. Through them, He taught us and made His will known.
In what is known as the "Meridian of Time" (about 2000 years ago), he was born to a pure and humble woman named Mary. Although she was still a virgin, through unknown (miraculous) means she conceived and bore Him as her Son. He was both God and man. From His Father He inherited divinity, from his Mother, Mortality. Although He was born in Bethlehem and then taken to Egypt to protect Him from the King, His Mother and step-Father were from Nazareth. He was therefore known as Jesus of Nazareth.
At about the age of thirty, He sought out his cousin John ( "The Baptist") who was the current Prophet so that he could be baptized; not because he needed His sins to be remitted, for He had committed none, but because it is a essential ordinance.
Jesus then, after much prayer and fasting, began His ministry. He called Disciples (followers) to Him, and from them He made twelve Apostles ( who were His special representatives and witnesses )
As He toured Palestine He preached the need for Love, Repentance, keeping the commandments, studying the Scriptures and Respect. He taught the conditions for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, told of the things to come, restored teachings that had been lost or perverted, and He cured all manner of ailments and restored life to the dead.
He was opposed by the two major Jewish denominations of the day, the Sadducee's (a aristocracy which believed only in the revelations given to Moses) and Pharisees (who held written Law and oral tradition as equal). Both demanded strict adherence to the commandments, but neglected the spiritual aspects.
Because Jesus spoke with authority, healed people on the Sabbath and said that He was Jehovah, they wished to kill Him. They could not do it openly however, for many of the people believed that He was a prophet. Therefore they had to arrest Him and try Him in secret.
Before He was arrested He began the process of the Atonement. He journeyed to a garden and prayed to His Father asking if there was another way to atone, but stating that He would follow the will of His Father. There was not another way, and in the Garden He took upon Himself the sins and sufferings of all mankind. The stress was so great that he bled from every pore and an angel was sent to strengthen Him. He was arrested soon after. The trial proceedings were illegal in almost every way. Because under Roman rule, The Jews were not allowed to execute people, so they sent Him to the Romans, telling them He was a rebel against the Roman Empire. They found Him innocent, but because so many people wanted Him to die, they tortured and crucified Him.
When He gave up His life on the cross, with our sins on His head, He made it possible for us to be cleansed of our sins if we repent and follow Him.
After He died His work was not done, He went to the Spirit World and preached to those who had died without a chance to hear the Gospel.
On the third day after His Death, He was Resurrected ( resurrection is different than being brought back from the dead. Resurrection means that not only has your Spirit been rejoined with your body, but your body has been renewed and been made immortal). All mankind will be resurrected, first the righteous at His Second Coming, and then after a thousand years the unrighteous. Then all people will be judged according to their works.
He taught the Apostles for the next forty days, and charged them with maintaining His Church and spreading the Gospel.
The Church He established is on the earth today. It is called
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Who is the Holy Ghost?
The Holy Ghost ( or Holy Spirit ) is the third member of the Godhead.
Unlike The Father and The Son, The Holy Ghost does not have a body of flesh and bone but of spirit only.
It is Through The Holy Ghost that we receive our testimony's, that we are comforted and through which revelation is received.
The Gift of The Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of hands after baptism by immersion by one who has the proper authority. This is called the baptism of fire because He acts as a purifier of sin. He will be your constant companion so long as you are worthy.
I testify that these things are true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
God ( or Elohim ) is the Ruler of the Universe.
He is called the Father because He is the Father of our Spirits. He is all knowing, all powerful and through His Spirit; all present.
We are created in His express image. We have body's like his, but where ours are imperfect and mortal, His is perfect and immortal.
He has sent His Children (us) here (Earth), so that we may learn and grow, that we may be joint-heirs of God with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-28, Romans 8:14-17).
God speaks to us in different ways. Through men known as Prophets (including the inspired writings thereof, the Scriptures), through His Son Jesus The Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost, though visions or dreams, or very rarely, directly to us, in that we can hear His voice and see His face.
Who is Jesus
Jesus is The Christ (Greek: Anointed, Hebrew: Messiah), The Son of God.
He is the God of the Old Testament, Jehovah or I AM. He is the Creator of this and many other worlds. Before the world was; it was decided upon that He would make possible the redemption of our sins which we would inevitably commit. We would be required to Believe on Him, Love Him, repent of our sins, and follow the commandments. Before He came in the Flesh, He spoke through men who we call Prophets. Through them, He taught us and made His will known.
In what is known as the "Meridian of Time" (about 2000 years ago), he was born to a pure and humble woman named Mary. Although she was still a virgin, through unknown (miraculous) means she conceived and bore Him as her Son. He was both God and man. From His Father He inherited divinity, from his Mother, Mortality. Although He was born in Bethlehem and then taken to Egypt to protect Him from the King, His Mother and step-Father were from Nazareth. He was therefore known as Jesus of Nazareth.
At about the age of thirty, He sought out his cousin John ( "The Baptist") who was the current Prophet so that he could be baptized; not because he needed His sins to be remitted, for He had committed none, but because it is a essential ordinance.
Jesus then, after much prayer and fasting, began His ministry. He called Disciples (followers) to Him, and from them He made twelve Apostles ( who were His special representatives and witnesses )
As He toured Palestine He preached the need for Love, Repentance, keeping the commandments, studying the Scriptures and Respect. He taught the conditions for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, told of the things to come, restored teachings that had been lost or perverted, and He cured all manner of ailments and restored life to the dead.
He was opposed by the two major Jewish denominations of the day, the Sadducee's (a aristocracy which believed only in the revelations given to Moses) and Pharisees (who held written Law and oral tradition as equal). Both demanded strict adherence to the commandments, but neglected the spiritual aspects.
Because Jesus spoke with authority, healed people on the Sabbath and said that He was Jehovah, they wished to kill Him. They could not do it openly however, for many of the people believed that He was a prophet. Therefore they had to arrest Him and try Him in secret.
Before He was arrested He began the process of the Atonement. He journeyed to a garden and prayed to His Father asking if there was another way to atone, but stating that He would follow the will of His Father. There was not another way, and in the Garden He took upon Himself the sins and sufferings of all mankind. The stress was so great that he bled from every pore and an angel was sent to strengthen Him. He was arrested soon after. The trial proceedings were illegal in almost every way. Because under Roman rule, The Jews were not allowed to execute people, so they sent Him to the Romans, telling them He was a rebel against the Roman Empire. They found Him innocent, but because so many people wanted Him to die, they tortured and crucified Him.
When He gave up His life on the cross, with our sins on His head, He made it possible for us to be cleansed of our sins if we repent and follow Him.
After He died His work was not done, He went to the Spirit World and preached to those who had died without a chance to hear the Gospel.
On the third day after His Death, He was Resurrected ( resurrection is different than being brought back from the dead. Resurrection means that not only has your Spirit been rejoined with your body, but your body has been renewed and been made immortal). All mankind will be resurrected, first the righteous at His Second Coming, and then after a thousand years the unrighteous. Then all people will be judged according to their works.
He taught the Apostles for the next forty days, and charged them with maintaining His Church and spreading the Gospel.
The Church He established is on the earth today. It is called
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Who is the Holy Ghost?
The Holy Ghost ( or Holy Spirit ) is the third member of the Godhead.
Unlike The Father and The Son, The Holy Ghost does not have a body of flesh and bone but of spirit only.
It is Through The Holy Ghost that we receive our testimony's, that we are comforted and through which revelation is received.
The Gift of The Holy Ghost is received by the laying on of hands after baptism by immersion by one who has the proper authority. This is called the baptism of fire because He acts as a purifier of sin. He will be your constant companion so long as you are worthy.
I testify that these things are true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Chill V Wayne
Please note: The following is Satire.
"Imagine a country without Chill, where one million people a year ( the number of people who rob ) would have to consider whether they may end up charged with a crime?"
On January 22 1973, the Supreme Court court ruled in favor of Joe Chill in the famous Chill v. Wayne case, which over turned centuries of discrimination against the profession of mugger.
Before that time, many muggers, finding their career choice illegal, were forced to conduct their business in back alleys; a dangerous proposition.
Many died of complications in botched operations. Business grew slow as most people began avoiding the alleys. And yet for fear of prosecution ( or more accurately persecution)they dared not enter the target rich environment of the main streets.
On that day, men, women and children rejoiced! No longer would one's right to mug be violated! No longer would the police chase someone for knocking down a old woman and stealing her purse! No longer would people be fired from their job should their boss find out that they had stabbed a man in the park and took his shoes!
But some people still see this as a "evil". They call it sin. This minority has much power, and wishes to force it's own out-dated religious beliefs on the rest of us. Using words such as "victim" and "innocent" in their rhetoric, they seek nothing less then the complete over turning of "Chill vs Wayne! They would plunge us back into the darkness and intolerance from which we so recently came. Our founding fathers always intended for people to choose the occupation of their choice. They never intended for the "rights" of targets to supersede those of muggers.
The right to mug is just one of the things that makes this country great! We can not stand idly by while our freedoms are eroded. We must come out of the alleys and onto the streets and proclaim our freedom to maim, kill and frighten others to get what we want!
Michael Weston
Please note: The Preceding was a satire of the arguments made for "Freedom of Choice".
"Imagine a country without Chill, where one million people a year ( the number of people who rob ) would have to consider whether they may end up charged with a crime?"
On January 22 1973, the Supreme Court court ruled in favor of Joe Chill in the famous Chill v. Wayne case, which over turned centuries of discrimination against the profession of mugger.
Before that time, many muggers, finding their career choice illegal, were forced to conduct their business in back alleys; a dangerous proposition.
Many died of complications in botched operations. Business grew slow as most people began avoiding the alleys. And yet for fear of prosecution ( or more accurately persecution)they dared not enter the target rich environment of the main streets.
On that day, men, women and children rejoiced! No longer would one's right to mug be violated! No longer would the police chase someone for knocking down a old woman and stealing her purse! No longer would people be fired from their job should their boss find out that they had stabbed a man in the park and took his shoes!
But some people still see this as a "evil". They call it sin. This minority has much power, and wishes to force it's own out-dated religious beliefs on the rest of us. Using words such as "victim" and "innocent" in their rhetoric, they seek nothing less then the complete over turning of "Chill vs Wayne! They would plunge us back into the darkness and intolerance from which we so recently came. Our founding fathers always intended for people to choose the occupation of their choice. They never intended for the "rights" of targets to supersede those of muggers.
The right to mug is just one of the things that makes this country great! We can not stand idly by while our freedoms are eroded. We must come out of the alleys and onto the streets and proclaim our freedom to maim, kill and frighten others to get what we want!
Michael Weston
Please note: The Preceding was a satire of the arguments made for "Freedom of Choice".
My Job
So I wanted to tell you a bit about my new job. I'll start with a FAQ ( because it will be funner to right and hopefully, to read.
Q: Where do you work?
A: Downtown Spokane.
Q: Where Downtown?
A: Downtown Spokane.
Q: Huh?
A: OK, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Q: What do you do there?
A: I am part of the Clean Team. We pick up litter, empty trash bins, remove graffiti and fight crime.
Q: Are you guys from Geiger ( correctional facility)?
A: No. We work for the City*
Q: What happened to the people from Geiger?
A: They kept running off.
Q: Has anyone ever told you look like Harry Potter?
A: Yes.
Q: What hours do you work?
A: 11:30 to 5:30
Q: What days?
A: Mon-Friday
Q: Are you hiring?
A: Not at the moment, but we may be real soon.
Q: How do you like it?
A: It's great! I get to work outside, get exercise, breath fresh air (except when I'm by smokers) and most of all, do something that matters and makes the City a better place!
Q: What are the downsides?
A: Occasional cigarette smoke, my co-workers swear a lot, I'm sore after work.
This was my first day of going straight to our Secret Hideout (AKA, The basement of Aunties Bookstore). Yesterday I went to the Offices first to go over the paper work. Anyway, you never know exactly what you should expect when you arrive at work for the first time but for me it sure as heck wasn't Christian Slater camped out in the Parking Lot! OK, by camped I mean he was in his trailer along with a film crew, but still! I didn't meet Christian Slater ( which is probably good since I hear he bites people ), but a couple of the other co-workers did. They got away bite free.
Then I went downstairs and changed (our changing room is a bank vault) and went to work.
A few of the streets were blocked off, because they where filming chase scenes, so we didn't have to clean those streets (Yay!).
*While we do work for the city, we don't work directly for it. Downtown Spokane partnership is a Non-Profit organization.
Q: Where do you work?
A: Downtown Spokane.
Q: Where Downtown?
A: Downtown Spokane.
Q: Huh?
A: OK, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Q: What do you do there?
A: I am part of the Clean Team. We pick up litter, empty trash bins, remove graffiti and fight crime.
Q: Are you guys from Geiger ( correctional facility)?
A: No. We work for the City*
Q: What happened to the people from Geiger?
A: They kept running off.
Q: Has anyone ever told you look like Harry Potter?
A: Yes.
Q: What hours do you work?
A: 11:30 to 5:30
Q: What days?
A: Mon-Friday
Q: Are you hiring?
A: Not at the moment, but we may be real soon.
Q: How do you like it?
A: It's great! I get to work outside, get exercise, breath fresh air (except when I'm by smokers) and most of all, do something that matters and makes the City a better place!
Q: What are the downsides?
A: Occasional cigarette smoke, my co-workers swear a lot, I'm sore after work.
This was my first day of going straight to our Secret Hideout (AKA, The basement of Aunties Bookstore). Yesterday I went to the Offices first to go over the paper work. Anyway, you never know exactly what you should expect when you arrive at work for the first time but for me it sure as heck wasn't Christian Slater camped out in the Parking Lot! OK, by camped I mean he was in his trailer along with a film crew, but still! I didn't meet Christian Slater ( which is probably good since I hear he bites people ), but a couple of the other co-workers did. They got away bite free.
Then I went downstairs and changed (our changing room is a bank vault) and went to work.
A few of the streets were blocked off, because they where filming chase scenes, so we didn't have to clean those streets (Yay!).
*While we do work for the city, we don't work directly for it. Downtown Spokane partnership is a Non-Profit organization.
The Golden Compass Debate
So there has been a lot of debate about "The Golden Compass", Book (and movie) of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The debate is whether or not it is Anti-Christian.
I have not read the books or seen the movie. But I have done some research on them. My own conclusion is that the trilogy is in fact Anti-Christian. I think I only need to show one piece of evidence to prove that. This is the Character profile on "The Authority" from Wikipedia. I know some of you have read the books, therefore, if you know of any misinformation in the profile below please let me know. Also please feel free to comment publicly or privately.
P.S. Dæmon is pronounced the same as Demon.
The Authority
First appearance The Amber Spyglass
Last appearance The Amber Spyglass
Created by Philip Pullman
Information
Aliases God, Jehovah, Yahweh, the Lord, the Creator, the Almighty, El, Adonai
Species Angel
Gender Male
Occupation False God
Title The Authority
Family Trinity (the Authority, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit)
Children Jesus Christ
Religion Christianity, Judaism
The Authority was the first angel to come into existence; as did the subsequent angels, he formed from the substance known as Dust. According to the angels Balthamos and Xaphania, he led other angels and, later, humanity to believe that he was in fact God the creator of the multiverse. This false claim legitimized his taking political power in the Kingdom of Heaven. Several names are ascribed to him, including "Jehovah", "Yahweh", the "Lord", "El", "Adonai", and "the Almighty". He was the god of the Christian and Jewish religions and his word and messages to humanity were recorded in the Bible and the Tanakh.
He had a son called Jesus Christ, born on Earth in 5 BC from the virgin Mary, wife of Joseph, and a dæmon in the form of a dove called the Holy Spirit. He, his son, and his dæmon together formed what was called the Trinity. He ruled his various churches and organizations from the Clouded Mountain, a mobile city believed by many in that universe to be Heaven. As the Authority grew older and weaker, the Mountain became more and more obscured by cloud.
In his old age, the Authority appointed the tyrannical archangel Metatron, who was once the biblical character Enoch, to act as regent of the Kingdom of Heaven. Eventually Metatron grew more powerful than his master. The two were opposed by Lord Asriel, who allied with "fallen" rebel angels such as Xaphania in an attempt to overthrow the divine monarchy and replace it with a Republic of Heaven. During the final battle, the Authority is carried away from the Clouded Mountain on the orders of Metatron. He is imprisoned in a crystal box, which keeps him alive but trapped. Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry free him with the subtle knife, not knowing he is too weak to survive outside his box. He drifts apart and dies in a moment of happiness and peace. In Pullman's universe, 'death' signifies becoming part of everything (as did dæmons, ghosts, and armoured bears in The Amber Spyglass).
I have not read the books or seen the movie. But I have done some research on them. My own conclusion is that the trilogy is in fact Anti-Christian. I think I only need to show one piece of evidence to prove that. This is the Character profile on "The Authority" from Wikipedia. I know some of you have read the books, therefore, if you know of any misinformation in the profile below please let me know. Also please feel free to comment publicly or privately.
P.S. Dæmon is pronounced the same as Demon.
The Authority
First appearance The Amber Spyglass
Last appearance The Amber Spyglass
Created by Philip Pullman
Information
Aliases God, Jehovah, Yahweh, the Lord, the Creator, the Almighty, El, Adonai
Species Angel
Gender Male
Occupation False God
Title The Authority
Family Trinity (the Authority, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit)
Children Jesus Christ
Religion Christianity, Judaism
The Authority was the first angel to come into existence; as did the subsequent angels, he formed from the substance known as Dust. According to the angels Balthamos and Xaphania, he led other angels and, later, humanity to believe that he was in fact God the creator of the multiverse. This false claim legitimized his taking political power in the Kingdom of Heaven. Several names are ascribed to him, including "Jehovah", "Yahweh", the "Lord", "El", "Adonai", and "the Almighty". He was the god of the Christian and Jewish religions and his word and messages to humanity were recorded in the Bible and the Tanakh.
He had a son called Jesus Christ, born on Earth in 5 BC from the virgin Mary, wife of Joseph, and a dæmon in the form of a dove called the Holy Spirit. He, his son, and his dæmon together formed what was called the Trinity. He ruled his various churches and organizations from the Clouded Mountain, a mobile city believed by many in that universe to be Heaven. As the Authority grew older and weaker, the Mountain became more and more obscured by cloud.
In his old age, the Authority appointed the tyrannical archangel Metatron, who was once the biblical character Enoch, to act as regent of the Kingdom of Heaven. Eventually Metatron grew more powerful than his master. The two were opposed by Lord Asriel, who allied with "fallen" rebel angels such as Xaphania in an attempt to overthrow the divine monarchy and replace it with a Republic of Heaven. During the final battle, the Authority is carried away from the Clouded Mountain on the orders of Metatron. He is imprisoned in a crystal box, which keeps him alive but trapped. Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry free him with the subtle knife, not knowing he is too weak to survive outside his box. He drifts apart and dies in a moment of happiness and peace. In Pullman's universe, 'death' signifies becoming part of everything (as did dæmons, ghosts, and armoured bears in The Amber Spyglass).
My Mormon Trail Adventure
My Mormon Trail Adventure
Being an account of Michael Layne Weston's experience while playing Oregon Trail 5th edition.
A few weeks ago, I checked out a copy of Oregon Trail from the Valley Library (reason #1138 why library's rock). As (I hope) you know, one of the first things you must do in Oregon Trail is pick the names of your party members. Naturally, I chose my FHW "family", Ashley, Ann Marie, Joette and Randy. Unlike the original, this version has several trails, including the Mormon Trail! I tired of reading the trail guide after about ten pages, and decided to go into town (Nauvoo) and start buying stuff. After spending almost all my money, I felt I had gotten everything I needed. Then I remembered I hadn't bought a gun! I didn't have the money for a shot gun or rifle, so I bought a pistol ( I wouldn't be bagging any Buffalo this trip. Or anything larger than a goose for that matter). OK, so I have everything now, right? Wagon? Check! Clothes? Check! Little 19th century peashooter? Check! Oxen? .... BLEEP! I forgot the oxen! So I head down to the Oxen Store ( It's right between Starbucks and Coco's). Turns out oxen cost more than 3 bucks. None of the stores have a return policy, so I can't get my money back. So I trade some of our supply's for oxen with other people in town and we're on our way.
Road Trip!
Our moral was high for quite a while (despite the mistakes made in town and Ashley and Ann Marie singing "Teenage Dirtbag" 10 times before we even crossed the Mississippi). Soon it began to dip however, with Randy getting a bad cold and me learning that my gun is just powerful enough to scare deer away when I shoot at them. Also Ashley died.
Soon it got cold; real cold. Randy got a cold again and Joette got Dyslexia... Wait.. no, she got Dysentery. I'm the one with Dyslexia. Long story short; they died.
Ann Marie and I were both sick and tired. Her, from the trek, and me because I had been playing a long time and couldn't figure out how to save.* So I set our travel pace to high so I could hurry up and quit playing. The strategy worked. I died. Leaving poor Ann Marie out on the trail alone.
Restart!
I corrected the mistakes I made the previous journey ( such as not making the "Party" a walking death camp).
I bought the Oxen and Guns first, then a lot more dry food. I wanted to be as accurate as possible this time, so I looked up the date** that the Temple had it's general dedication (That is, the public services after the previous day's private dedication) and set the day after as our departure date. Unfortunately, you can only choose the month. Oh well, close enough. Well, apparently, since the Saints were not settled at Salt Lake yet in 1846, you cannot start on the Mormon Trail that year. So I start in January of 1847 (the developers seemingly oblivious to the fact that Nauvoo was all but decimated at this time.). Despite the cold, all is well. I'm getting lots of food on the trail now that I have a gun that says Smith & Wesson instead of Nerf on the side. We are quite happy. I'm also getting quite good at remembering what plants are edible now, so I hardly have to use the field guide anymore. We come to Winter Quarters. Since i'm being authentic, I chose to stop and wait till spring. What the game doesn't tell you is that you can't hunt or forage while waiting, so I'm forced to watch as our food supplies and moral get low.
Spring Is Here!
I immediately go hunting and gathering and come back with lots of food. Am I a great provider or what? The next day Joette has food poisoning. I later learned that I had gathered nightshade by mistake. I administer medicine and choose to stop for a few days so she can rest. I then see a screen informing me that I have died due to a gun shot wound. The game claims it's "accidental", but I think otherwise. I'm on to you Joette!
Michael enjoyed Dating, Boating, Rafting and Making Movies. He was 21 years old and less than a month away from his next birthday. When asked what he wanted on his Tombstone he said "Pepperoni and Cheese"
*Turns out you can't Save in towns.
** May 1 1846
Being an account of Michael Layne Weston's experience while playing Oregon Trail 5th edition.
A few weeks ago, I checked out a copy of Oregon Trail from the Valley Library (reason #1138 why library's rock). As (I hope) you know, one of the first things you must do in Oregon Trail is pick the names of your party members. Naturally, I chose my FHW "family", Ashley, Ann Marie, Joette and Randy. Unlike the original, this version has several trails, including the Mormon Trail! I tired of reading the trail guide after about ten pages, and decided to go into town (Nauvoo) and start buying stuff. After spending almost all my money, I felt I had gotten everything I needed. Then I remembered I hadn't bought a gun! I didn't have the money for a shot gun or rifle, so I bought a pistol ( I wouldn't be bagging any Buffalo this trip. Or anything larger than a goose for that matter). OK, so I have everything now, right? Wagon? Check! Clothes? Check! Little 19th century peashooter? Check! Oxen? .... BLEEP! I forgot the oxen! So I head down to the Oxen Store ( It's right between Starbucks and Coco's). Turns out oxen cost more than 3 bucks. None of the stores have a return policy, so I can't get my money back. So I trade some of our supply's for oxen with other people in town and we're on our way.
Road Trip!
Our moral was high for quite a while (despite the mistakes made in town and Ashley and Ann Marie singing "Teenage Dirtbag" 10 times before we even crossed the Mississippi). Soon it began to dip however, with Randy getting a bad cold and me learning that my gun is just powerful enough to scare deer away when I shoot at them. Also Ashley died.
Soon it got cold; real cold. Randy got a cold again and Joette got Dyslexia... Wait.. no, she got Dysentery. I'm the one with Dyslexia. Long story short; they died.
Ann Marie and I were both sick and tired. Her, from the trek, and me because I had been playing a long time and couldn't figure out how to save.* So I set our travel pace to high so I could hurry up and quit playing. The strategy worked. I died. Leaving poor Ann Marie out on the trail alone.
Restart!
I corrected the mistakes I made the previous journey ( such as not making the "Party" a walking death camp).
I bought the Oxen and Guns first, then a lot more dry food. I wanted to be as accurate as possible this time, so I looked up the date** that the Temple had it's general dedication (That is, the public services after the previous day's private dedication) and set the day after as our departure date. Unfortunately, you can only choose the month. Oh well, close enough. Well, apparently, since the Saints were not settled at Salt Lake yet in 1846, you cannot start on the Mormon Trail that year. So I start in January of 1847 (the developers seemingly oblivious to the fact that Nauvoo was all but decimated at this time.). Despite the cold, all is well. I'm getting lots of food on the trail now that I have a gun that says Smith & Wesson instead of Nerf on the side. We are quite happy. I'm also getting quite good at remembering what plants are edible now, so I hardly have to use the field guide anymore. We come to Winter Quarters. Since i'm being authentic, I chose to stop and wait till spring. What the game doesn't tell you is that you can't hunt or forage while waiting, so I'm forced to watch as our food supplies and moral get low.
Spring Is Here!
I immediately go hunting and gathering and come back with lots of food. Am I a great provider or what? The next day Joette has food poisoning. I later learned that I had gathered nightshade by mistake. I administer medicine and choose to stop for a few days so she can rest. I then see a screen informing me that I have died due to a gun shot wound. The game claims it's "accidental", but I think otherwise. I'm on to you Joette!
Michael enjoyed Dating, Boating, Rafting and Making Movies. He was 21 years old and less than a month away from his next birthday. When asked what he wanted on his Tombstone he said "Pepperoni and Cheese"
*Turns out you can't Save in towns.
** May 1 1846
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