Update Season VII: "The OK Corral"

[Joe Biden 2020]

Back by popular demand, the Update returns for a Seventh Season.

This will be a fun season.  There will probably be some good ole' shootouts in this season such as what closed out Season VI, but we will allow those to become part of the routine around here, no feelings will be hurt, and no rights are reserved!

Whatever comes about in this thread, short of personal threats, will be tolerated by all who choose to opine.

To open the season the first reply will be my Kenya Flight Itinerary (which I will close the stand-alone thread).

[Joe Biden 2020]

United Airlines
Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City to Washington, Dulles, International Airport
Thursday, 20 June 2013 - 10:40 - 14:28
Flight Duration 2:48

Brussels Airlines
Washington, Dulles, International Airport to Brussels National Airport in Brussels, Belgium
Thursday 20 June 2013 - 17:40 - Friday, 21 June 2013 - 07:15
Flight Duration: 7:35

Brussels Airlines
Brussels National Airport to Kayibanda Airport in Kigali, Rwanda
Friday, 21 June 2013 - 11:35 - 20:00
Flight Duration: 8:25

Brussels Airlines
Kigali, Rwanda to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya
Friday, 21 June 2013 - 21:20 - 23:35
Flight Duration - 1:20

----

Swiss Airlines
Nairobi, Kenya to Zurich Airport - Zurich, Switzerland
Monday, 1 July 2013 - 23:25 to Tuesday, 2 July 2013 - 06:25
Flight Duration: 8:00

United Airlines
Zurich, Switzerland to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, New York
Tuesday, 2 July 2013 - 09:50 to 12:35
Flight Duration: 8:45

United Airlines
JFK to Washington, Dulles
Tuesday, 2 July 2013 - 14:15 to 15:34
Flight Duration: 1:19

United Airlines
IAD to OKC
Tuesday, 2 July 2013 - 18:50 to 20:44
Flight Duration: 2:54

[Joe Biden 2020]

[Joe Biden 2020]

So did you use your birthday money to get the iphone 4S?

Tax Refund

[Joe Biden 2020]

I went to another meeting in preparation for our trip to Kenya in June and I was blessed to learn that a young couple going with us has the same aspirations to move to Kenya like I do.  We'll be able to bounce ideas off each other and ask each other how we came to this realization.  I can also hear what they are doing to prepare, because if I want to leave in 2016, I had better get started preparing promptly in July or August 2013 when I get home.  3 years will go faster than I think.  I've got a lot of money to save up, a lot of bills to pay off, a career change to begin, and so forth.  Going with us, also, is a lady who has lived in the most rural part of Kenya with the Peace Corps and now is going to stay for 5 weeks in Kenya this summer at the Orphanage.  She is probably in her 60's, and will be going down with us on June 20, but will be coming back at the end of July.  Myself and the other couple will be able to hear her experiences and get pointers on what to do when we're down there and how to prepare.

[Joe Biden 2020]

My pastor is a different story.  He was big a few years ago, but lost 50-60 pounds a few years ago and looks really good.  Of course, it helps that he is a letter carrier and walks the neighborhood and it also helps having 6 kids waiting on him every evening!

[Joe Biden 2020]

I've got more company coming in this evening.  My Grandma's niece and nephew-by-marriage from Albuquerque will be here within the next two hours.  They're only staying three nights and will leave Friday morning.

[Joe Biden 2020]

As far as the funds.  My donor gave me $2400, but I still have to fork over about $1250 including spending money.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Inks, I hope to get started walking again this weekend after they leave.  I want to be somewhat in shape when I go to Africa.

As far as the funds, I paid $450 from my federal refund and Mom is taking the money that she usually tithes with and puts it in my Maisha account.  She's not spending any more money than she had planned.  She realizes the importance of going to Kenya and she knows I want to move there, and she sees this as important for me following my dreams.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Company should be here by 19:00-19:30.  Mom and I will likely head home by 20:15.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I've got more company coming in this evening.  My Grandma's niece and nephew-by-marriage from Albuquerque will be here within the next two hours.  They're only staying three nights and will leave Friday morning.

Poor Granny.

This couple are the easiest set of company you'll ever have.  They will go with just about anything.  Nothing phases them.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Grumps, military time is my personal preference

[Joe Biden 2020]

Inks, I hope to get started walking again this weekend after they leave.  I want to be somewhat in shape when I go to Africa.

As far as the funds, I paid $450 from my federal refund and Mom is taking the money that she usually tithes with and puts it in my Maisha account.  She's not spending any more money than she had planned.  She realizes the importance of going to Kenya and she knows I want to move there, and she sees this as important for me following my dreams.

Oh, so you've scammed your mother into thinking this is a good idea... so now you're taking money from the church and using it to finance your "dreams".  What's sad is that you don't see anything wrong with that.

You're right, I don't see anything wrong with pursuing my dreams.  Everyone is allowed to pursue their own dreams, isn't that what America is all about?  Just because my finances aren't where they should be or where I would like them to be doesn't mean I am not allowed to pursue my dreams.

[Joe Biden 2020]

And, Inks, last time I checked, my dreams are just as valid as the next person.  I know moving to Kenya is not a common dream, but that doesn't make it any less valid.  Plus, why wouldn't my mother want to support my dreams?  I'm not doing anything illegal.  I'm not doing anything immoral by wanting to help Orphans and Widows, because after all true religion is taking care of the widows and orphans.  The New Testament book of James says so very clearly.  I'm not being stupid with it and leaving right now.  And, to Duke's point about throwing caution to the wind and going now, relying on God, He calls some people to do that, but for others there is a season of preparation that must occur in the person's life.  God doesn't work the same way in every person.  He doesn't use a one-sized-fits-all approach.  He tailors the preparation and the calling to the character and personality of each individual person.  God wants us to have faith, but there is also an element of common sense involved.  I really wish I could go now, but there is no way I can.  After I get back from Africa in early July, I will not be going again for about two years, until at least March 2015, more likely that Summer.  I am going to focus on going to school and changing the course of my life before Dad retires and before I lose Mom and Dad.  My parents are not going to be around forever, and I am already 31, so I have to make a change and its time to start preparing for the rest of my life.  I am going to school for the next two school years probably in efforts to get my Associates Degree in CAD and working starting next June after I finish the certificate portion of the program.  I can't keep doing the call centers forever, and this forum knows that and has stressed that time and time again.  Its better to struggle now while I still have the support of my parents than to struggle later after they're gone.  Plus, I am getting this Associates degree so I can have a better means of supporting myself while I am in Kenya so I don't become another mouth to feed.  If I had any thought that I would become another mouth to feed, I would stay in the United States.  That is what the Apostle Paul did in 1 Thessalonians 2.  He worked so the congregation didn't have to feed him, so his ministry could be more effective.  That's what I intend to do in Kenya.  I intend to work and support myself so Maisha doesn't have to support me.  I'll be going as a missionary, yes, but I will also be going to minister in the business world in western Kenya, as well.

I'll be fine, Inks.  My parents and I have a plan that is working just as we drew it up 3 months ago when I moved home.

I appreciate your concern for my financial well being and my health, but in this instance, we've got things under control.  As I've said before, the plan may not be what anybody else would have done, but it doesn't have to be.  It is working for my parents and me and that's all that matters.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Inks, I hope to get started walking again this weekend after they leave.  I want to be somewhat in shape when I go to Africa.

As far as the funds, I paid $450 from my federal refund and Mom is taking the money that she usually tithes with and puts it in my Maisha account.  She's not spending any more money than she had planned.  She realizes the importance of going to Kenya and she knows I want to move there, and she sees this as important for me following my dreams.

Oh, so you've scammed your mother into thinking this is a good idea... so now you're taking money from the church and using it to finance your "dreams".  What's sad is that you don't see anything wrong with that.

You're right, I don't see anything wrong with pursuing my dreams.  Everyone is allowed to pursue their own dreams, isn't that what America is all about?  Just because my finances aren't where they should be or where I would like them to be doesn't mean I am not allowed to pursue my dreams.

You're allowed to pursue your dreams.  I just think it's a bit odd that you go on and on about your Christian faith, yet you want your mother to fund your dreams instead of funding the church, because you claim that you'll be helping orphans.  Sorry, man... you can't even help yourself... I don't understand how you honestly think you'll be able to help orphans.  You can't even walk .25 miles a day, what use do you think you'll be to an orphanage in a country where the average high temperatures are in the 80s and 90s?

Have you stopped using mommy's money for your porn subscriptions yet?

It was Mom's choice to give to my Kenya trip rather than to the church.  She'll resume the tithing on June 9.

My main purpose for going down there aside from the church planting and aside from secular work is to provide another male voice for the kids.  Right now, Maisha only has 3 men to serve over 450 orphans and 150 or so widows.  One of the men is going to University part time.  That was the first need they mentioned in Autumn 2011 when I was first praying about going in March 2012.  God really laid it on my heart of the need.  That stuck with me throughout the entire trip last year and really changed my outlook and how I looked at the situation and the children.  You are right about one thing, right now, I could not handle the climate and the culture because of my weight.  I am going to spend a month or two during our summer (their winter) in 2015, which is 2 years from now.  It's a little cooler in June and July than it is in March in Kenya.  I am going to meet with the Maisha Director on Monday at her office in Oklahoma City and discuss a few things.  One of the things I am going to ask her is what I need to do to prepare myself to move down there, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.  I am going to embark on an extended weight loss expedition over the next two years to get my body ready.  I said before that I would feel more comfortable at 200 lbs, even though that's still 40 pounds overweight.  I would really like to get down to about 180 which is a lot more respectable than even 200.  That is 90 lbs from where I am at now.  That's not an insurmountable feat.  I know I haven't shown any willingness to actually put actions to my words, so it is only natural for their to be skepticism about what will happen this time.  I cannot change the perception by talking, I must walk.  Believe me, I've got a LOT of stuff to do in the next two years before I test it out and three years before I move down there.  I am nowhere near ready right now, but in two  or three years, will a little hard work and a little discipline I should be ready.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I am going to focus on going to school and changing the course of my life before Dad retires and before I lose Mom and Dad.  My parents are not going to be around forever, and I am already 31, so I have to make a change and its time to start preparing for the rest of my life.  I am going to school for the next two school years probably in efforts to get my Associates Degree in CAD and working starting next June after I finish the certificate portion of the program.

I see no evidence that you are actually capable of making a change.  Jeff, you can't convince yourself to walk .5 miles a day; all of a sudden you're just going to will yourself to have the drive to get a degree?  I'll believe it when I see the diploma.

I did get my bachelor's degree.  It took me six years, but I persevered and got it done.  I am going to succeed with this field change because for one I will be living with my parents and thus be forced to complete it.   Plus, its not like its going to be a rigorous schedule or anything.  It will be challenging for sure, but I will only be going for 6 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week.  I will not be working during the first year of school.  Once I get the certificate on May 30, 2014, I will get a job in early June, hopefully, and then while I work, I will go to a JuCo part time for the 2014-2015 school year and upgrade that certificate to an Associate's Degree.  I have nothing set in stone that says I have to go to Kenya in June 2015.  I can easily push it back a year or even two if I need to.  I may want to use my Associates Degree in Oklahoma for a year before I live in Kenya or a month and work for another 11 months before I actually move down there.  2015 test and 2016 move is still my goal, but I could easily push it back to a 2016 test and 2017 move or even a 2017 test and a 2018 move.  I'll have to play it by ear.

All that said, I understand your skepticism about my drive to complete the degree.  Like I said in the previous post, I cannot and will not attempt to change your mind by rhetoric.  I can only change your perception by the fruit that it produces both on weight and on my degree.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Sorry, Inks, I forgot to address one of your questions, not because I refused to answer it, but I forgot about it.

To be perfectly honest, no I have not cancelled the porn subscriptions.  I have no reason or no excuse, just I have not done it.  I am making myself a note to do that today (Wednesday) when I wake up.  I would do it now, but my wallet it is in the living room and I don't want to risk waking Dad up who has to get up in 5 hours for work.  I've got a reminder on my iPhone to do it this morning before I head over to Grandma's to spend the day with the Company.  I will let you know by midnight Thursday morning that I have done so.

[Joe Biden 2020]

What exactly does being another male voice for the orphans entail?  What exactly is it that you'll be doing?

And are you still using money from your mother for your porn subscriptions?

Male voice may not be the proper term, but another male in the administration of the Orphanage from child sponsorship to building projects on the grounds to travel arrangements for teams from the United States, etc.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Sorry, Inks, I forgot to address one of your questions, not because I refused to answer it, but I forgot about it.

To be perfectly honest, no I have not cancelled the porn subscriptions.  I have no reason or no excuse, just I have not done it.  I am making myself a note to do that today (Wednesday) when I wake up.  I would do it now, but my wallet it is in the living room and I don't want to risk waking Dad up who has to get up in 5 hours for work.  I've got a reminder on my iPhone to do it this morning before I head over to Grandma's to spend the day with the Company.  I will let you know by midnight Thursday morning that I have done so.

Yeah, the guy who is too lazy to stop using his mom's money for his porn is exactly the kind of role model that African orphans need.

Why exactly do you need your wallet to cancel a porn subscription?

I completely agree with you.  I'm trying to quit wasting money and time on porn.  It's an addiction in much the same fashion as smoking or drinking is.  All three are bad habits and are a waste of time and money.  I have never said I was perfect, but I do know that I need to shed the porn from my life and that can only be done with discipline and prayer, but doesn't mean God can't still use me.  Yet another reason why I can't go now.

I have to go on to the billing system website and input the card on which the subscription was charged so I can cancel it off the card.

[Joe Biden 2020]

What exactly does being another male voice for the orphans entail?  What exactly is it that you'll be doing?

And are you still using money from your mother for your porn subscriptions?

Male voice may not be the proper term, but another male in the administration of the Orphanage from child sponsorship to building projects on the grounds to travel arrangements for teams from the United States, etc.

And do you have any experience doing any type of administrative work, building anything, or making international travel arrangements?

I do have experience doing administrative work.  I'm going to school for the building plans.  No experience in the international travel arrangements.

[Joe Biden 2020]

What exactly does being another male voice for the orphans entail?  What exactly is it that you'll be doing?

And are you still using money from your mother for your porn subscriptions?

Male voice may not be the proper term, but another male in the administration of the Orphanage from child sponsorship to building projects on the grounds to travel arrangements for teams from the United States, etc.

And do you have any experience doing any type of administrative work, building anything, or making international travel arrangements?

I do have experience doing administrative work.  I'm going to school for the building plans.  No experience in the international travel arrangements.

What administrative work?  And going to school to make building plans is a lot different than actually doing the building on the ground.

I'm an administrator at the church - church clerk for instance.  I've also got experience overseeing the administration of a summer camp for two straight summers, as well as actually doing the work that I was administering.

I'm going in for architecture - building plans, blueprints, etc.  I'm not going in for construction.  You kidding?  These Kenya workers, whom I had the privilege to work alongside last year building the medical clinic, put even the most experienced American foreman to shame.  They laughed when we Americans had to take a break every hour in 90 degree equatorial heat.  You know what?  They are pretty darn efficient at that, too.  My job would be to design the building plans and then hiring the contractors to actually build the structures.  I am not cut out for construction.  I tried road construction in March 2005 and I couldn't even make it 3 days...

[Joe Biden 2020]

I'm guessing Bushie's subscriptions use this company, which despite the professional looking and completely un-NSFW site is primarily nothing more than a payment processor for porn sites: http://www.ccbill.com

Click on "Cancel Subscription". You need to enter two out of three pieces of info, the email used, the subscription ID, or the credit card used. I'm assuming Bushie knows his email, so finding the subscription ID in a receipt in it shouldn't be too hard. Even if it's not them but some similar company, it's probably a similar process.

Nah... I'm just guessing he doesn't want to cancel his subscription.  This is unfolding in typical Update fashion.

1. Forum tells Bushie he should do something.
2. Bushie says he'll do it.
3. Inks asks if Bushie has done the thing.
4. Bushie says he hasn't because of [Insert lame reason here].
5. Inks points out how lame the excuse is.
6. Bushie fights back.
7. Inks responds.
8. Bushie gives in and says he will do / has done the thing.
9. Time goes by.
10. Inks notices an inconsistency in Bushie's story.
11. Bushie reveals that he never actually did the thing that he said he did.

We're in a hybrid step 7-8 right now.

Actually, BRTD is correct on the process I use.  I use CC Bill and Epoch and canceling it is exactly how he explained.  Entering the credit card and the email as the two fields is the most sure fire way of canceling a subscription as I tend to lose track of which user name I used, especially if I haven't visited the site in a while.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Anyway, I am going to see right now if I can cancel it without the credit card number.

[Joe Biden 2020]

They're gone!!

Membership / Subscription Search Results
 
Actions   Order Status   Member ID   Product Name   Order Date   Cancel Date   Subscription 1:
Username   Password   Password Active Until
Actions
Canceled Recurring   1514889884      2013-04-01   2013-05-07      
Email it
2013-07-01   
 
Subscriptions 2 & 3

    Paid Subscription - RGNATIVE
Cancelled on 5/7/13    5/29/13
    Paid Subscription - RGNATIVE
Cancelled on 5/7/13    7/15/13


I've still got another cheap subscription that I'm trying to figure out how to cancel - www.playboytv.com.  I don't see any option for canceling.  I may try emailing them.  Perhaps someone could help me look for a way to cancel it.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Well, folks, it is 25 minutes until 2:00 am so I'm going to bed.  I'll talk to you guys later.  And, thanks for pushing me to cancel these traps.