catalyst

I'm in a 2x6 Army Reserve contract with my IRR time up front. I'm split-ops, so I'm about to head to AIT for my 91D MOS this summer then start my IRR time, though I've already been in technically for about a year and a half.

When I'm done with my IRR, I'll be about halfway through my contract. So far, I don't enjoy my job or the company I'm with. I was hoping to go into intel when I enlisted, I have a high ASVAB score and was hoping to take advantage of that, but the only local drilling location here while I was in high school was an engineering company so I settled for a mechanic job.

I signed on with a $18,000 bonus. If I reclass, will I lose this? And if they've already started paying it out, would I have to give it back?

Alright, so for the last two months, I've been interested in this girl from church. We've been texting/calling each almost every night, and I've taken her on runs a few times in the park. Last night, I decided to take her on our first real date. We went to Red Robin's for dinner, then to a movie. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and really just hit things off. I got the guts to hold her hand in the movie, and we held hands to my car and all the way back to her place.

From what I can tell, she liked me holding her hand, and she really enjoyed the time we spent together. It was kind of a big step though, because we're both shy people, and that was the first time we'd even touched, even though we've known each other for months. I asked her to the prom too, which is at the end of this month.

So what's the next step? I've never felt this strongly about anyone before, especially after the first date. But like I said, she's a shy person, and I'm afraid of seeming clingy or like I'm moving too fast. How do I show her how I feel without seeming too pushy or clingy? What should we do next?

I'm trying to use Macloggerdx to link my transceiver to my MacBook. I've reset the CPU in my radio, hooked up my CAT-USB cable, and tried a communication test. Every time my software sends a command, the light blinks on the C.S. button. After 5 requests, though - the software gives me a communication error. What does the C.S. light mean? Is the software sending the wrong command to my unit?

Is this a driver, software, or transceiver error? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This is an honest question, and I hope not to offend, but why are nations like Iraq and Afghanistan so corrupt? Why do they refuse to be developed? Can't the people work together and build a nation? Why are still tribal wars and terrorists just as there was thousands of years ago? It's obvious that these people could never accept a democratic government or republic.

Every time you give them power, they immediately abuse it. The police forces are bands of pot-smoking robbers - not much better than the terrorists they're supposed to be defending people from. Government leaders are just as corrupt. What is the reason for this? Is it the Muslim religion/culture that makes them unable to govern themselves?

I've started running Cross Country for the first time this year. I've noticed that my feet have an exaggerated roll from the outside of my heel all the way to the inside of my toes. This is causing major problems for me, since we run 2-3 miles a day. When I lift my feet while I run, they're turned sideways, and I can't control it. The insides of my calves are inflamed, and my knees and ankles feel loose. It's like snap-crackle-pop when I run.

I really want to at least be able to keep up with the girls in my team this year, and I need to be able to run when I join the Army next month. I already have some Saucony shoes with good support and cushioning, but it's definitely not enough to counter my roll. My shoes are two weeks old, but they're already showing signs of wear on the outside of my heels and my toes. Is there some kind of insert I can put in my shoes to fix this? What can I do?

I'm about 15 pounds overweight, I can barely run an 8:30 mile, and I can't do more than 10 pushups or situps in a row. I've lost 10 pounds since I decided I'd join, I've gotten a lot stronger. and I have three more months to get up to the minimum standards for BCT before I turn 17.

I'll be working my hardest till the day I sign on, but if I still have more weight to lose, or I know I can't meet the minimum standards for pushups or situps, will they drop me if I fail? Or will I be allowed to get in shape and qualify?

This is an honest question. Wouldn't voting be the best way to show elected leaders your position on important moral issues that affect you?

I've been building a rock wall for three weeks now. The rocks were blasted from the side of a mountain, and are at least 60+ pounds each, sometimes far more. If it's under probably 80, I can usually bend over, pick up, and throw them on top. If they're more, I get down on my knees and try to flip and spin them.

I'm 6'1", so this makes for a whole lot of bending over. The rock wall is only about 2 1/2' high, so I'm bent over most of the time. Because of this, my hips, elbows, and shoulders bear all of the weight - especially my elbows. I'm 16, and I'm not exactly 'built', so this puts a lot of stress on my joints.

I had to go home early from work this morning, because as soon as I tried picking up some rocks I could move fine last week, I'd get a sharp, throbbing, pinched-nerve feeling in my elbows, shoulders, and hips, and was not able to bear the weight.

My boss told me I could take a few days off if I needed them, but I really don't want to let him down. I really need this job, and I don't want to seem undependable. But at the same time, I think I'm causing some serious damage to my body, and right now, I'm unable to work at all.

How can I speed up the healing process for my swollen joints and connective tissue? And how can I prevent future injury while working this very labor-intensive job?

Thanks.

I've been away from my girl for three months now, and I'm really missing her. It will be a long time until I see her again, and I wanted to call her tonight and let her know that I still love her, and that I miss her terribly.

What should I say?

I just got an insurance inspection on my "new" '91 Cavalier. It's my first car, and I'm on a tight budget. Among some minor leaks and suspension work, it said that the rust hole along the bottom edge of the driver's side door needs to be repaired, or the whole door replaced.

The wreckers don't have a matching door, and I don't want to pay a body shop to do a simple patch. What would be the cheapest way to repair this? I was thinking of buying a fiberglass patch kit, but I wasn't sure if the inspector would count it as a repair, or if it needed to be sheet metal.

Any suggestions?

Just got an insurance inspection on my chev today, and it came back with a long list of things I need to fix before it's "roadworthy" again. I figured I'd kick things off with my faulty ignition switch, which causes "intermittent power to wipers". Once you start up the beast, you have to twist the key just a little bit further for the windshield wipers to work. The wiper selection switch thing works fine, but there appears to be a short in the tumbler or something. It's a little loose, so I'm guessing it's worn out.

Is there a way I can fix this short without replacing the switch? And if I'm going to have to replace the module thing, which part should I use? Am I going to have to re-key it? Please include a link to the item.

I'll select a best answer. Thanks.

A lot of people think that President Monson (or any other prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) is a false prophet. What exactly makes a false prophet? Has anyone actually read the prophecies and words of the prophets of the Book of Mormon and the Bible? Do they not testify of Jesus Christ? Do our modern day prophets not testify of Him? Do they not compel us to become better and more righteous people?

A false prophet should encourage destructive beliefs or behavior. Happy families, righteous children, and a desire to repent and come unto Christ don't quite sound like the teachings of a destructive cult to me.

What do you think?

Why would anyone want to willingly worship Satan? It really doesn't make sense, if they're talking about the same being that Christians recognize. The "benefits" to worshipping God are clear. True happiness in this life, and in the life to come - as well as a multitude of other blessings I don't have space to list.

But what's in it for worshippers of Satan? It may seem pleasurable or appealing, but all that it profits you is slavery to your own flesh and impulses. I really don't see why someone would choose that for himself.

Can Satanists or anyone who knows about them please enlighten me?

" 3 For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—

4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.

5 And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;

6 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work."

(2 Nephi 28:3-9)

Does this not sound exactly like our time?

I would like to know more about your beliefs, and if there is much of a difference between Israeli Jews and American Jews. Do you try to observe all of the commandments of the Law of Moses? Or are there certain ones that you don't practice anymore? Do you still offer sacrifice and build temples? If not, why? What are your perceptions of Jesus Christ?

As a Latter-Day Saint, I've noticed quite a few similarities between Judaism and Mormonism, and I figured the best way to learn about you would be to ask you what you personally believe.

I will award the best answer to whoever can honestly answer me in their own words. Thank you.

I mean this as an honest question, not as a rhetorical or sarcastic statement.

How do some people believe that we would be better off condoning addictive and spiritually destructive behaviors and practices such as masturbation and pornography rather than discouraging their use and supporting wholesome thoughts and actions? Is it not true that pornographic addiction is one of the major causes of divorce and other family issues such as incest and sexual abuse? Is it really heathy to let these urges go unbridled? Especially in youth such as myself, who may grow up with a distorted view of sexuality? Please give me honest answers. And please don't say that by suppressing my "natural" urges that I am more likely to become a sex offender or something like that, because it's simply not true. I know from personal experience.

Like "GOd". Or "gOd". Or almost any other variant. And consistently. Just an honest question.

I could swear I've heard this exact same atheist rant at least 20 times here...

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?search=alma+30...

Why do you all think porn is normal and acceptable? Even the women do! It makes me sick. I'm 15, and I've never looked at it. Believe me, I'm straight. And I have just as much hormones as every other teenage kid I know. I don't fantasize, and I don't masturbate. Not because I don't have the 'natural' urge to, but because I don't think it's normal to give into sick perversions like that.

But what disturbs me the most is why women still put up with it. Doesn't it disturb you? It's so degrading.