misterallgood said:
Just got an e-mail from someone who knew Raven a little while back. I'm going to
paraphrase a particular statement from the e-mail because it was so unsurprising to me. That is, it jibed with how I've pictured his personality exactly.
Raven was loud and obnoxious. He was called a "story-topper" -- he could always top any story. If raven heard someone relating an experience, something worse (or better depending on the situation) had happened to him.
Admittedly the above could be a very subjective statement, or just "hearsay," but it rings true. Even the little dose you get of him on the 2-minute "Xmas greeting" video feels like that, to me.
The person who wrote me, who is LDS, noted something about that video as well -- that when Janet shows off her clothes her belly appears to be showing. The person stated that if she was LDS, that was a little strange.
It occurred to me that surely Raven bought those clothes for her. Explained it to me, if that was the case.
A few things I have noticed in the home photos/ videos as well:
Obviously the " I collect knives" and Raven making fun of "Southerners" in the obnoxious Christmas video and Janet putting her hand over his mouth to shut him up, finally. I don't get the feeling that they got along well at all in 2003. Of course, they separated in the Spring of 2004, so I think the perception is accurate.
Some religions are more liberal than others. Mormons have a fairly strict dress code. First of all, because if the person has been to the Temple for their individual blessing and sealing ( usually around the age of 18 or so for a person raised in the Church), they are to wear their Temple garments under their clothing at all times. It is believed to be a blessing and a protection against harm. Therefore their clothing must be modest. Even in the absence of the Temple garment, a person's body is considered to be the temple of God. I have mostly had contact with LDS friends who are older than Raven and Janet's age, but my friends' ideas of something that pushed the limit were knee length shorts and a short sleeved T shirt. Nothing sleeveless, no short shorts, no mini dresses or skirts, etc.. Their children also did NOT wear sleeveless tops past the age of 7-8 years old, or revealing clothing.
I still think that Raven and Janet mixed their LDS beliefs about clothing with some kind of Wet Seal look.
Janet wearing a string bikini in public is still in the photo archives, although it does appear to be touched up in some way to me and to another poster. I didn't do it at 21 even though I bought one and had the body for it because I was taught to be more modest, and I have always been just a mainstream Protestant.
The " Christmas breakfast" photos in which there appear to be 2 cups of coffee. I know, it COULD be dark cocoa, but Raven has commented on other soft drinks before that photo was found. LDS members have a directive from the Prophet called the " Word of Wisdom". It prohibits the use of Alcohol, tobacco, drugs except as necessary and prescribed by a doctor, and cautions against caffeine in any drinks. At LDS functions, the wives serve Kool Aid or Lemonade or just water.
I've never known an LDS person who was active in their church to drink caffeinated beverages. If a person does, they are not supposed to partake of the Sacrament that week.. It's between them and God, but it is an important act of obedience to the church.
No one's perfect, but I see these things clearly and only have my friends' actions and home environments to go on.. and the Abaroa household was very different. Almost an arrogance towards a lifelong religious belief.
