Archived Messages from February 12, 2003 to April 16, 2003
Hi all!
Litter, congrats again! very very cool. I'll go check out the link to your book soon as I post this.
Howard, I think you won the 'warm and fuzzy' award of the month. and oh! I'd loved to have seen the look on the poi's face.
Jack, watch it! As tempting as it is to push those extremes, they bite back.
Hey, I've been crafting a poem for the last two weeks, and am looking for input. Anyone game? E-mail me if you are.
So we found a house to buy, she accepted our offer, and now we wait for the bank to okay it. Waiting, waiting...
Also waiting for Mary's Big Announcement! Anyone have news?
Blue skies!
Tina 4-16-2003 0:35
ANFSCD: Here's an interesting article that might generate some SciFi action -- it's about the Human Genome Project.
http://tinyurl.com/9ml7
If that doesn't show up as clickable, copy/paste it into your browser address space and hit 'go'.
The original url should show up, and take you to the article.
I'm finding www.tinyurl.com increasingly handy for compressing those horrendously long addresses into a useable one.
howard 4-15-2003 22:35
I just received a pointer to a chilling passage in Isaiah 17:1-3 -- a reminder of a prophecy that has taken on new significance in the past few days. Not a doubt in my mind that it will happen someday -- just pretty sure it won't be for a few years yet.
:-)
howard 4-15-2003 22:12
Randall
Evening all...
Cheri...thank you. I have taken a hand off from Jerry and submitted two "Red" stories to a ND newspaper. What the heck, maybe the ship will float. I need help with bills also. Don't we all ...'cept maybe Litter. :-)
Very tired...had to cut my Toprol in half from 100 mg to 50 mg last week. I was wasted halfway through the day... It's a heart or artery medicine, not sure. The heart doctor was very blunt when he prescribed it to me. "Take it or die!"
You'll never find a Texan that will pass up a little gallows humor. I hesitated. When the seconds stretched out he asked, "Well?"
"I'm thinking about it! I'm thinking about it!"
:-)
Randall
Randall 4-15-2003 21:34
Hello all: Been a bit sidetracked of late what with being a guest at Norwescon - http://www.norwescon.org as well as being vice chair for Westercon 56 - http://www.wester56.org . Wanted to mention that Westercon is doing a Buisness of Writing Workshop prior to the con. You can find out more about it at http://www.wester56.org/workshopflyer.html .
Well, Fran and I scared ourselves a bit when we attempted to do a wall in the San Juans. We were pushing to envelope as far as being on the wall before the currents changed and did some things we know better than doing and ended up doing a 116 foot dive that totaled five minutes in length, down quick and up quick. As it turned out, no harm done. Just our nerves. I also will likely archive in the next day or so since things are up close to a meg. Take care everyone.
Jack Beslanwitch Business of Writing
4-15-2003 17:54
DAMN that weatherman!! a week of wonderful summer-like warmth, trees budding, grass growing, now we're under a winter storm warning, expecting 4-8 inches of snow along with 20 -40 mph winds!!
Guess we pissed somwone upstairs off
Jerry 4-15-2003 14:41
RAMON -- Yes, Playboy is tough to get into, and yes they pay well. I was surprised (years ago) to see a classmate of mine from high school (Laurence Leamer) published there. He's gone on to several best-seller lists since -- for The Kennedy Women and a couple of others.
Haven't seen him since graduation night, though.
howard 4-15-2003 14:36
Ramon: PLAYBOY is one of the toughest markets to get into. But they pay huge. Five thousand for a short story. They usually only publish one a month, sometimes two, and they are all written by well established scriveners--we're talking Updike, King and the like. They do take new writers though. It's a quality magazine. We have a load of them that come into work once in a while, and I go through them with a fine tooth comb looking at every story they have. I actually "read" the stories in PLAYBOY. The pictures are no big deal since all four walls, the ceiling, the fridge door, and even inside it, are all plastered with nudie pictures. But by all means, give them a shot. They have a web site, and you can get to their guidlines, but it might take a little snooping around.
ben 4-15-2003 14:07
hehehehehhehe!
Debra 4-15-2003 13:35
Just got this from a newsletter -- I love it!
A woman gets home, screeches her car into the driveway, runs into the house,
slams the door and shouts at the top of her lungs, "Honey, pack your bags. I
won the lottery!"
The husband says, 'Hot dog! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain
stuff?"
"Who cares?" she says. "Just get out."
howard 4-15-2003 13:22
Ramon:
Here's a link I think I got here some years ago.
It's horror, but I don't know if it's all horror.
Debra http://atoledo.freeyellow.com/stories.html
4-15-2003 10:12
Just a Quickie
The litterali.com web address no longer works properly. I had changed the directory to make it work and it bumped my other three web sites in the process. The original link: http://www.litterali.com/Watchers/home.html now works again. I'll make up a gateway from my .com web address to the other sites when I get a minute. Promotion is very time consuming especially with me living on the other side of the pond. PA will be publicising the book on the internet an in the US but I'm doing the UK side. Anybody got any original ideas for marketing to those who may be missed otherwise? This would be a benefit to me but also (I sincerely hope) to other Notebookers.
I have been writing emails and releases all morning and I am knackered. All I want to do is get on with other writing – typical – I always feel more like writing when there are other things to do…
Myriad ideas and myriad possibilities (that's for Howard :o) … My head hurts!
Byeeeeeee,
Litter Again LitterAli Writing
4-15-2003 9:38
Hello all!
RANDALL: I know its been said before, but I felt it needed to be said again; GET THOSE RED BRITCHES STORIES TOGETHER AND GET THEM TO A PUBLISHER! They are great, wonderful, fantastic! If I could tell a story half as well as you, I wouldn't be worrying about my bills half as much.
Just felt that needed to be said.
Back to lurking!
Cheri 4-15-2003 9:17
Hiya Guys. Haven't been here for a while as I have been somewhat distracted but I am still writing. I am still trying to make up clues to my murder mystery after having devised the who, what when where how and why. Just need to figure out a way for my smart arse hero to piece it together. I am also developing some short story ideas if I only have say 30 mins or an hour of time free.
Hands up any guys/girls (I am not biased) who ready Playboy. Reason I ask is that I am looking for publications for short stories and I know Stepehn King had "Word Processor of the Gods" published in an edition of playboy. Having never read it myself, ever, I was wondering if they still publish such stories? WHy haven't I read some may ask? It just never appealed - I love women believe me.
Short story publications seem to be diffcult to find in the UK so if anybody can throw some names at me I would appreciate it (especially any Britons out there who know of any UK magazines that also publsh short stories). It doesn't matter if its US or Australian or whatever.
I see the political climes in the middle east are getting progressively worse. No surprise there.
Cheers Y'all
Ramon
Ramon 4-15-2003 7:50
No Jerry, you're not. What the hell are those two idiots thinking?
ben 4-15-2003 2:43
Am I the only one a bit nervous about the new rumblings of war against Syria?
Shades of 1930's Europe?
Naaaaaa...
Jerry 4-15-2003 0:03
Randall
Hey!
HOLY JIHAD!
By
Randall Henderson
In a move that has surprised the "gang" Red Britches recently evolved into quite the business man. What was once a weekend job of cutting firewood evolved into a full time occupation for Brownwood's most prominent character and wine bon vivant. This was brought home when I saw a gangly man astride an all terrain vehicle motoring stately down the highway. Red waved gaily as I zipped by the trailers loaded with wood behind a straining ATV.
An hour later I delivered a load of tune up accessories to George's shop. Fuel additives and WD-40 mostly. "Saw Red a while back George."
"Hauling wood on trailers pulled by an ATV?"
"Yeah. First time I've known Red to be so occupied."
"He has his moments." George paused and looked hard at me. "You haven't heard the latest?"
"I don't suppose..."
George poured a pint of liquid tune up into the gas tank of a rough idling 1976 Buick "Roadmaster." He wiped clean a three-legged bar stool (one leg heavily wrapped in electric tape) and motioned me to sit. He walked to a nearby propane powered refrigerator and hauled out a couple of long neck, Lone Star beers.
"Red has a partner in the wood cutting." George explained as he tossed me a brew. "Miss Shari..."
"Miss Shari, the largest land owner in Central Texas ... who owns Catalina the Longhorn?"
"One and the same. That ATV you saw Red riding belongs to Miss Shari. The wood belongs to Miss Shari, the chain saw, and the ax and the land. About the only thing that she don't own ‘round these parts are Red and that old she devil Catalina."
At my frown George added. "Catalina is her own boss. I suspect she stays with Miss Shari because the mood suits her." He paused and sipped from the beer. "Red cuts the wood, hauls it to town, sells it and splits the proceeds 50/50 with Miss Shari."
"Neat deal."
George snickered. "You ain't heard it all Randy. For all his well-meaning intentions Red is a real test for Miss Shari. She opened an account for the enterprise at the Tackle Shop which is on the way to the ranch. Red was supposed to buy a few groceries there ... butter, beans, bread, gasoline, two-cycle oil for the chain saw. He does that but no matter what he gets Red always includes a little libation on the ticket, if you know what I mean."
"Just a little?" I joked.
"Well, more than a little. A gallon of Mogan David every morning might be more like it."
"It's hard to imagine Red running a chain saw."
"Well he starts out with a double bit ax and a chain saw in the morning. He can do as much work with one as the other, but at the end of the day only the ax will be running. But the old fool hasn't cut anything off yet so I guess he knows what he is doing."
"So is that the latest George?"
"Not quite. Last weekend Red was headed in, way past sundown. The highway patrol has stopped him a couple of times for driving the ATV at night on the highway. It's only because they know he is working for Miss Shari keep them from hauling him in. That old gal has a lot of pull in these parts and since the highway patrol to a man belong to the local fishing club..."
"And Miss Shari has a dozen government reservoirs on the ranch full of black bass and channel catfish ... and sponsors most Bass Tournaments."
"Yup, you understand. So they give Red a good chewing out, take his wine, then let him go. Red has learned the highway patrol for that highway eats supper around ten at night. He makes a dash for town about then cause he wants the rest of his wine for a bedtime snack."
George paused. "Ain't ya gonna drink that brew?"
I handed it to George. "I'm on the job George."
"Grown awful particular ain't ye! Red is darn good at avoiding the law. There is a great big concrete culvert box system under the ranch highway about halfway into town. A three-box culvert, each one eight-foot wide and ten feet tall connect Miss Shari's ranch which is on both sides of the road. Red will pull out of the ranch gate, look both ways and race for the culvert with his trailers loaded down. He has slipped the fence so he can zip in under the bridge if he feels the highway patrol is in sight. Well, according to Red he spotted headlights ahead and discretion being the better part of valor headed for the culvert box at high speed. Only thing was a new pickup was parked in his hidey hole."
"Someone else was inside the culvert?"
"And not only that, had Miss Shari's current crop of longhorn calves out of you know who."
"Catalina's twin calves!"
"Exactly. Someone was stealing Catalina's calves. Had both loaded up in the bed and sitting on the tailgate drinking beer!"
"Oh shit!"
"Yeah, that's just what Red said. Red said both the guys were staring at him like they had something bad in mind. You know rustling is a no-no here ‘bouts. It is said some rustlers that disappeared after being caught on Miss Shari's ranch vanished rather mysteriously. Slim Lee, Miss Shari's foreman is mean as all hell when it comes to protecting ranch property. He doesn't carry that old six-shooter for show. Lots of deep ravines way back inside the ranch."
George set an empty bottle on the workbench and opened the other. "But Red said oh shit for another reason. He looked beyond the pickup and said he saw a pair of flashing sparks about eight feet apart. Coming right at the pickup. The sparks were from Catalina's horns as they scrapped against the sides of the box culvert. Catalina was coming for her calves at a high trot, her old bony head high and homicide on her mind. Red said he shot the gas to the ATV and raced out on the road running Chief Deputy Lawdog and his new patrol car right off the road."
"Oh my God!"
"Apparently Deputy Lawdog was madder a wet hen. But just when he reached Red there was a loud crash from inside the culvert. Then another. Seconds later the two rustlers were ejected rather forcefully from the culvert box followed by Catalina. Red said she was breathing fire but that was just the wine talking."
"Now wait a minute George. That box culvert is only eight feet wide. Most vehicles would fit rather snugly in that thing. How did Catalina get around the pickup?"
"Jumped it. Saw it myself cause I was duty wrecker that night. I hauled the pickup in. Catalina first bashed the grill in. Then put the neatest set of hoof marks in the hood and on the cab you ever saw."
"Did Red get in trouble?"
George laughed. "Are you kidding? Deputy Lawdog was handed a rustling bust by Red! That alone is a $10,000 reward from the Southwest Cattle Raisers Association! Besides that he stopped Miss Shari's pride and joy from being stolen. Old Lawdog has an invitation to hunt and fish on the ranch, probably forever! The two rustlers were wanted all over the state on multiple charges."
"Red will come out smelling like a rose, eh?"
George grinned widely. "Nice word play Randy. But not in an olfactory sense. Red said when he saw Catalina coming through that culvert he said, ‘Oh shit' and then he did!"
Good night all
Randall
RANDALL 4-14-2003 22:49
Pamela - You're right, of course, since we have only one cafe that is available for coffee's we wouldn't give it up, and the wife did have this strange little smile on her face for several hours after we left. I guess it gave me a sort of boost too in the long run, knowing that I have what others want, kind of a nice feeling after all.
Now just so the wife doens't get any ideas....
Jerry 4-14-2003 22:37
LITTER -- Oh sure! Now I see how you managed to get published! Not only did you write a good looking book, you also used 'myriad' correctly on the first page! :-)
Nice web page too!
howard 4-14-2003 22:21
OOOOOPS!
that web site link doesn't work and I have no idea why, so it is back to the generic http://www.litterali.com and that will get you there.
Sorry
Litter Again Link
4-14-2003 20:58
Grrrrr! I had a long message that disappeared, so this one's going to be shorter. (Sighs of relief)
Things are a bit strange just now.. I still haven't heard officially the book has been released, but as I live in the UK, my mail is going to be a week or so behind all of you in the good old UsofA…
I had a plan: Revamped website, follow up articles (from recent local press interviews) of the launch of the book, parties… sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll… (OK so the list should have stopped at parties!) I had, by PA's reckoning, another 2 to 4 weeks – plenty of time for all that I wanted to do. It has taken a mere six days from the acceptance of the cover design. I think they are trying to get it on the streets before official notification of the comet that is inbound on a near Earth trajectory… Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do… UFO's up in Fife are getting a bit frisky as well…
Anyway, I revamped my website in record time in an all-new livery. It is smaller than before but contains an extract from the beginning of the book and a couple or three 'new' poems. I'll be adding some links and stuff when I get the time.
Check it out at – http://www.litterali.com/Watchers/home.html
ROWHAD – the vexing question of while v whilst. Hmmm. Encarta has 'whilst' as a English equivalent of the US while, but I don't think that there is really a clear-cut proper usage in the UK or the US. I use it the way I was taught at school – 'while' I would use in relation to time. E.g. It happened while she was away : it happened at the same time, or, It was a while before the royalties rolled in, i.e., it was a length of time. 'Whilst', on the other hand, I tend to use for more abstract comparisons/discourse (as opposed to inter…) such as, He had many good points, whilst that bad ones could not be overlooked. Subtle differences, and down to individual taste I reckon.
Interestingly, the etymologies of the words are not quite the same. 'Whilst' is from the Middle English 'Whiles' which means 'against'. (As with pitching one idea against the other.)
But the etymology of 'While' is from the Germanic (Close relation of Middle English) which then became the Middle English 'the while that'. (As in a measure of time.)
Even back then you could probably get away with either?
Must dash,
Litter LitterAli Writing
4-14-2003 20:50
"Day of the Weed." Wasn't that a '60s protest song?
Mark 4-14-2003 19:45
EDDIE/LITTER/(or anyone) Here's a question from a member of a group that dates back to my IBM days. Mayhap you can answer the first part -- the second is an interesting observation:
"I keep reading the British "whilst" as our (American) "while"
Is this always so? Or is there a subtle but deeper difference?
Also, interesting & similar factoid recently confirmed:
In the Persian language, there is no translation for the
word "too" used as " .. too many " or ".. too much". They
use the word "very" instead as in " .. very many"/"very much"
My friend Jim, who was born/raised there (here for 40+ years)
recognized that was correct and undersood the difference,
had a long discussion (argument?) with his brother (who's
been here much less time). His brother couldn't understand
the distinction between "too many" and "very many"!
Language does reflect AND control thoughts & ideas!"
howard 4-14-2003 18:03
Pamela:
No I don't do the weed. The best way I can tell you is a line on the Roasanne Bar show. Remember that? Dan asked her one day how long it had been since they quit somking pot,.....15 years? She said "we quit? I thought we were just out!" That's hysterical. Although, it might actually depict how some people found out they quit.
Eddie:
You're not telling me????? Please tell me!
Also, Roy just died. I missed that one last week. Why did he die? Why does his son think it's her fault?
You can tell me that! I wouldn't call it gloom and doom. It's seems more true to the things that actually happen in life.
Are there other soaps in the UK? Also, if the UK is small TV wise, why is it everyone they surprise on "What not to wear" all seem to never have heard of that show. They all have that look like "what not to wear" What show is that? That' impossible that not one of them know. Isn't it?
Debra 4-14-2003 17:18
Debra,
Is Phil a killer?
Does Noddy drive a red car?
Does Litter enjoy a wee tot?
Hmmm.........
No....Not telling
No.....
And yes......
You are Waaay behind!
I really can't stand the accents in that show. It is also known as the doom and gloom soap. It is really the most dire, depressing soap on British tv.
And that Dot!!!
Eddie French 4-14-2003 14:54
Debra-- and here I thought "day of the weed" meant you got high while doing laundry.
I'm feeling better now, much thanks to you guys. Jerry, I don't really expect to get anything from my BBB complaint, I'm into my book now instead of the architecture anyway. I just want the bastids to have a complaint on their record. What an embarrassing situation for you and your wife, small town life indeed. It might be nice for her to know she had an admirer (always good for one's ego) except for far too much detail in much too public a place. I wouldn't avoid the restaurant altogether but would sure check for their car in the future.
Yes, Nashville has a hockey team, heaven only knows why, I really will have to get to a game sometime.
Welcome to the world to wee Claire....
pamela 4-14-2003 11:14
Okay week not weed.
Debra 4-14-2003 10:21
Eddie:
One more thing, I'm glad you're laughing. Laughing is good.
I'm now involded in the show Eastenders. You had asked me if I watched that one, and I said I didn't. Well I started. It comes on the day of the weed I fold all the clothes for the house. So I finish my laundry and watch Eastenders. Great show! I think we might be behind over here in the U.S of A. We stil don't kow if Phil is a killer or not yet.
Is he?
Debra 4-14-2003 10:20
Eddie:
Actually it was more than a friend and she lives in a country, which shall remain nameless, who was invaded by the Russians for her whole life time. The Russians have now left of course, but the people they invaded still don't like the Russians as you can imagine and tell me that they can't be trusted ever. I'm sure she is talking about the government.
Let's not talk about it any more. Let's just pray that Iraq embraces democracy forever. That could only lead to great lives for every last person in that country.
Debra 4-14-2003 10:16
Debra,
The next time some paranoid friend tells you that 'The Russians are coming' you just tell them that you have many friends on the other side of the water who, being much closer and so much more in tune with events over here, who laugh at the thought.
The Russians could never mount such an attack, even if they wanted to, which they most certainly don't. it wont be long before they are applying for EU membership!
Ed
Eddie French 4-14-2003 5:51
**Taylor**
Jerry: I know I saw Star Wars at a young age, but unfortunately being only 3 at the time it was in the Cinemas I only saw it on video.
My brother and I saw Empire Strikes Back in the Cinema when it came out... Really loved it.
It took me a long time to see Return of the Jedi because I thought it would be just another Star Wars movie. I didn't see it till it came on television.
I thought it was heaven to have the chance to see all three Star Wars pictures in the Cinema... But I had to laugh at hearing this comment from a mother and child as the movie started.
Child: "Oh this movie screen ain't so big."
Mother: "Well it's bigger than our television"
Having been brought up around Horror movies such as Friday the 13th, Amityville and House even, I find that watching a really good horror movies relaxes me.
On that note, I finally got my hands on Halloween 1... But I think I may have seen it because one part seemed so familiar in it... That was when the children were taunting the boy saying that the Boogeyman was going to get you. Over and over.
I felt cheated about Halloween 3 though... No Michael Myers.
Taylor 4-14-2003 3:19
Litter, It looks wonderful! I can't wait to buy it. Going to request it as part of my B-day present in May, yeeeehaw! BTW, I've checked out PublishAmerica before and they look (to me) like one of the more reputable publishing houses out there. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!
Teekay, Beep beep! Christi's email delivery, late, never on time, and yet so happy to be back in your box! :D
Jerry, Oh, I love this! I saw Star Wars with my family when I was eight years old at an old drive-in called the De Anza. The six of us sat on a blanket and were made instant fans as soon as the first spaceship swooped into view. Sigh.
Christi 4-14-2003 0:12
JERRY -- My first time? I was on a business trip, and saw it in 1980 at a drive-in theatre in Poughkeepsie, New York. That's pronounced Po-Kip-See, (accent on kip) for anyone not familiar with the town. I liked it right off (the movie, not the town) and have seen it several times since then.
howard 4-13-2003 22:41
LITTER -- No problem! I got a Litter letter. They're advertising it for you -- quite well, I would say. Very professional and to the point.
Their web site looks impressive as well!
howard 4-13-2003 22:36
Where were you when you saw your first Star Wars Movie?
I saw mine in 77, at the theatre at the corner of 12th and Lyon in Marshall Minnesota (Schwann's anyone). I was an Army Recruiter, and our office was in the theatre building, one of the perc's was free movies for us and our families, well we were expected to buy popcorn, can't beat a deal like that. Ever since that day, I've been a Star Wars fan, we have the movies on VHS, and I've now downloaded several of the movies off Kazaa.
Use NvidaDVD to watch them, it seems to work the best on my machine, and allows me to move the screen to our television and watch it that way, beats the heck out of my little fifteen inch monitor, and the wife can enjoy them with me.
Yesterday I watched the Red Dragon, wife was gone to a meeting, she doesn't like any of the Hannibal series, I love them, also have downloaded the entire set off Kazaa.
Write on...
Jerry 4-13-2003 21:20
Damn - Is this global warming or what? Got up to 87 today, the last week has been nearly all record breaking highs. Everything is still way too dry, that fire I mentioned a few days ago is still burning off and on, when they think it's out, a few hours latter it flares up again, thus far it has consumed over three thousand acres of grassland. If that's not bad enough, our fire department is out as I type working on a fire about fifteen miles from here, and on their way out, they reported another fire out of their district, this one is bad enough that they've sent units from a neighboring town.
I sure hope it rains soon, the weatherman is predicting the highs to drop to the low 40's and snow by Tuesday, that would be nice.
Been watering every day on my new grass, it's coming and you should see the birds rejoice in the sprinklers, like a bunch of little kids playing splashing and chasing each other. The wonders of life.
Still loving this duragesic patch, I used the nicotine patch to stop smoking some eight years ago, now this. Seems everything is being offered in patch form now, the Doc offered the wife hormone patches, but she turned him down, now I see you can get arthritis patch for local application, better living through chemistry.
Jerry 4-13-2003 21:08
HOWARD: Oh my golly!!! Now couldn't I make myself some fine ol' snowballs with that!!
Teekay. 4-13-2003 19:14
ben,
Hockey rocks! How about the singing of the Canadian Anthem! Holy wow... That was something to listen to. I love that the Canucks won. I love my home team. I love, love, love em!!!!! I even loved them when they took that 6 nothing loss. Ahhh, hockey.
Rachel 4-13-2003 18:49
Litter:
Thank you for those kind words. I do believe you completely. I'll relax. All what you say makes sense too. I can't understand that the Russian (people) not politicians want war of any kind with any one, especially us. I don't mean because I think we are a super power, did you see the Chinese Army do back flips off the trucks with their guns in hand and land on their feet in formation, it's more because they want to be our allies. I think Russians like most countries want to rule themselves like we do.
I'm praying democracy takes in Iraq.
Debra 4-13-2003 17:41
Hi People.
You Guys and Guyesses are amazing! You knew my book was available to order before I did!
Thanks for the interest, congrats, and for being my cyber buddies (and for the sales of course :o). I got a big adrenalin hit when I read the Notebook today. I wonder when PA are going to tell me? I'm more than a little surprised at how rapid the progress has been as the cover was only confirmed last week. The cover art is all my own, with one little exception – They wanted two little changes in the artwork that I produced but we settled on one – they moved the title and name down an inch or so. I think the Cover Design Department felt they needed to have some input?
To say this an interesting time is somewhat of an understatement – the highs of the publishing process against the lows of a financial shit storm – but the highs are winning at the moment…
JERRY – I can appreciate a little of how you feel (shit-storm-wise) and I feel doubly honoured that you want to spend some hard to come by dollars on the book.
CHRISTI – Don't you just hate it when people get precious about their work at the first opportunity? Not me! (he boldly exclaims, splitting his infinitives, fingers crossed behind his back.) Although I might have to start charging an 'appearance' fee. :o)
ROWDAH – What can I say? Thanks pal! Did you get a postcard or are you psychic?
PAMELA – A few of us have been where you are. You're among friends. I normally find solace in music from my teens and twenties and old comedies – Monty Python's Life Of Brian always gets a smile, especially the song 'Always Look On the Bright Side of Life' at the end of the film. Such an incongruous scenario. I also tend to lie down a lot and think, 'What If?' Failing that, I have car that tops 120mph and a lovely strait bit of road nearby. (My wife doesn't like it much.) As a last resort, I have my limited but glorious selection of Malts in ascending order of age; 10, 12, 15, & 20 years old. (The 12 year old took a bit of a beating last week.) … Or then I could always write something? Nah!
DEBRA – Don't Panic! The Russians are making the political noises that are expected of them. Vlad Putin has appeared on TV throughout Europe stating that 'An American defeat is not in Russia's best interest'. Note the word 'not'. The Russians do not have the will or the resources to do anything other than commit suicide. Remember, a great many Russians are now enjoying freedom (and some of the flotsam of capitalism) that was undreamt of 20 years ago. The Russian people are neither stupid or belligerent, and wouldn't put up with hostile political decisions. I don't know where your friend is getting her information?
BEN – Way to go! I'm Still waiting to see if the 'money' question is a myth or not. Nice thought though…
MARY – Let us know when it is time to wince :o) May the Angels watch over you.
Got another book about the paranormal. I didn't buy it, it just appeared one day…
I haven't seen this one this time around – Definition of a well balanced Frenchman: A chap with a chapeau and a chip on both shoulders.
Hope I haven't ignored anyone.
TTFN
Litter 4-13-2003 17:03
**Taylor**
Unfortunately, the place where I live there's no chance in hell of it snowing. Since we live close to a desert. But there was an old report where it rained fish here, but haven't found it.
I've never seen snow.
I don't think I've talked about Kalgoorlie too much. I'm going to describe it in three words.
Mining, Pubs and Brothels.
Not neccessarily in that order. In Kal there's at least 24 pubs.
Taylor 4-13-2003 10:35
Oh yeah Howard, I checked out those pictures, and thank God I live on the West coast. We don't get snow out here.
Ben 4-13-2003 1:27
Go CANUCKS go!!! God I love hockey, especially when the home team wins. And Pamela, Nashville has a team in case you didn't know. Of course, they're not in the playoffs, but Dallas is. Of course, I'm going for the Canadian teams...like Rachel. :-)
ben 4-13-2003 1:23
Overheard in a café;
Lady: “You’re looking at her aren’t you?”
Man: “No, I was reading the desert board!”
Lady: “Don’t give me that shit, you’re looking at her, I can tell!”
Man: “So what if I am, I married you!”
Lady: “Do you think of her when we’re making love?”
Man: “Of course I don’t!”
Lady: “Then why did you scream her name when we were making love?”
Man: “That was a long time ago!”
Lady: “Three weeks is not a long time ago!”
Man: “I haven’t even talked to her in over thirty years, you know that!”
Lady: “How do I know that?”
Man: “Well for over twenty-five years they lived in a different state!”
I just couldn’t take it any more, I took my wife (Who they were arguing about) by her arm and we left. Guess we will have to find some other café for coffee, only problem the only other café’s are either a night club, or the A & W/Cennex gas station.
Ah small town life, you gotta love it.
Jerry 4-13-2003 0:45
Teekay - Yep, we's smart!
Pamela -- I know that feeling, I had to fight with Workers Comp for several years, I think my lawyer was right when he said, "they ALWAYS turn you down the first few times!"
I was lucky, in North Dakota, Workers Comp is a State Agency and can't screw with you quite as much as insurance companies do. That and the law said that they HAD to pay for my attorney if they turned me down. (That has since changed, progress, go figure!) We went through the whole deal, ending with them looking like total fools in court, but just to keep me guessing, they screw with me every once in awhile when I least expect it. Since they are a State Agency, I keep regular correspondence with the Governor's office of North Dakota and notify them each time I get one of their "YOU ARE ORDERED TO REPORT!" letters.
I guess that is no help to you, lawyers are EXPENSIVE and usually not worth even one percent of what you pay them. Again I was lucky in the fact that my former partner on the PD, and best friend for years quit police work and went to law school, he specialized in Workers Comp, and is well known in ND as one of the very best WC attorneys in the State, when the bureau see his name on the bottom of the legal papers they quake in their boots. He is also number one in my address book and I scan every note I get from the bureau into my computer and send it off to his office. Sure glad he works pro bono for me on the stuff that the bureau refuses to pay for.
At any rate, good luck, I hope it all works out for you.
Litter -- Congrats on the book, right now we're way short on funds and I can't order it, but if I manage to sell one computer I just put together from left over parts (not one of the give-away's I'm building, this one is a bit faster and more modern) I'll get an order off, I am anxious to read your work.
Jerry 4-13-2003 0:28
I'll never complain about snow again!
Check this out: http://www.edu.gov.nf.ca/snow/photo.htm
howard 4-12-2003 19:59
LITTER: Just went and checked out your book. The cover looks good and the story sounds fascinating!!
Teekay 4-12-2003 19:46
LITTER: Your book is on the shelf?? That's absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!
I am sooooooooo happy for you.
You are one of my great inspirations!!
HOWARD: What a beautiful story.
You also are one of my great inspirations.
CHRISTI: Don't worry about it. And don't go feeling any email pressure, I know you will when you want to.
Hmmmmm, so nice, basking in the glow of the success of others :-)
Ciao ciao.
Teekay 4-12-2003 19:38
Where? Where can I get me a copy of The Watchers?
Ahhh!!!! OH! NO! MY! EXC!AMA!!ON KE! IS STU!K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!
HEE HEE
!!!!
OH DARN!!!!!!
Heather 4-12-2003 17:30
Forgot to say big, BIG, B I G Congratulations to Litter on the release of his book, hooray for you! Can't afford to buy it right now but will see if the library can order it.
pamela 4-12-2003 17:22
Thanks again, everyone, things ARE looking up. An old friend expressed an interest in renting a room from me, which would mean that my daughter could move out, she has been staying here helping me; so sweet of her but that has made me feel bad too, she's 21 and deserves to have a place of her own (she's had apartments before and moved in with me to get away from roomates and into her own place, then got stuck). Also I filed a complaint against Metlife with the Better Business Bureau, I don't expect to get my disability back or anything, it's just me stepping on the toe of the giant who crushed me and it feels GOOD!
Heather and Taylor, hope things are looking better for you too. Who could help but laugh at the picture of a horse tromping through Rachel's house! Or smile at the thought of swimming in a rainbow pool...
pamela 4-12-2003 17:18
CHRISTI -- and others -- thanks for the kind words. Nothing special about me, though, lots of people do things like that.
Dunno why that link to Litter's publisher didn't show up as a link -- here it is again.
http://www.publishamerica.com/
If that doesn't work, just copy/paste.
I just sent a note to Jack -- the notebook is over 1 meg now, and might be a tad slow for dialups.
howard 4-12-2003 15:57
Whups, Hey Litter, it looks like Howard answered my question. But still, a link would be nice ...
:P
Christi 4-12-2003 15:28
+Christi+
Hey Viv, Saren Wrap universal? Coool!
Rachel! That's hilarious! Act of horse, yeesh. At least he didn't do his 'business' in there. Man, I'm so jealous of yours and Rosemary's horses. I've longed since I was two. Someday ...
Howard, I had tears in my eyes early on in your telling of the events in the Chinese restaurant, and by the end I was not so prettily sobbing. Thank you for relaying such a beautiful story. You're one of the things that's right with the world, Howard.
Teekay, Nice words from the Guru! I'm so sorry I've been such a brat about mailing you! I even got you a little something to make up for it. :) I've been doing nothing but shopping at ebay for about ten days and it's getting ridiculous. Somebody stop me!!!!!!!!!! But I did get some really cool LOTR bookmarks, LOTR audio cds, soundtrack albums from you-guessed-it. And at least four books at last count. Droooool, slobber.
Pamela, Despondence is an awful place to be. Doesn't matter how guilty and ungrateful you feel about everything being so bad everywhere else, it still seeps in sometimes. So you stop beating yourself up for every last thing, girl; you're a pretty terrific person who's made it through some pretty terrible things. You deserve a break and I hope you get one in a big way very soon. I hope something makes you smile and the clouds break up and a great double rainbow dives from the heavens right into your window and lands in a pool at your feet. Wouldn't it be great to swim in a rainbow pool? :)
Taylor, I just jumped with delight when I saw you were back. Be gentle on yourself too. You're a VIP, here and lots of other places I'm sure. HUGS!
Hee hee! Heather, I just got to your posts. Whups, you're absolutely right! I think I sign off in my EMAILS that way sometimes, not here. My bad! So please, won't you tell me your funk has turned around as well? I'll lend you some of my cheer, I seem to have some to spare today. And give P** a break if that's what you need. Sounds like you've been working much too hard!
Mare!!!!!!! She's probably already here! Well good luck, even if I'm a little late, and welcome to the world, Claire Marie! You got lucky--you were born into a fabulous family.
Hey, I love Oprah! Nah, she's not perfect, but for the most part I enjoy her shows immensly. I used to think Mr. Rogers was a little creepy until a friend told me that he was the only person who ever told her she was special when she was a kid. The cool part is that she listened to and believed that tennis shoe tossing, make-believe having, kind-spoken man on her television. I think he was boss! There oughta be more Mr. Rogers' in this here world.
I said it once, and I'll say it again. Sasquatch for president!
Litter, Your BOOK!!!!!!! It's so cool to see you excited about it. So many writers act bourgeois once it happens, and it IS so exciting. Stressful at times, I'm sure, but there should be excitement too. BTW, I would dearly love to have a copy when I've saved up a little (after having won all my auctions :/). Is it available yet? Is there a link I could follow? Advertise, man!
I've used up my !!!!!!s for a month. Anyone who catches me using one next post can slap my hand. But I'll most likely do it on my first sentence. I swear I don't do this in my fiction! Whoops. I mean, I swear I don't do this in my fiction. ? ! HAHAHAHAHA! Okay, I can't stop myself. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Going now. Where did I place those crazy pills?
XOXOXO,
Christi 4-12-2003 15:23
I just ordered "The Watchers" by G.K. McLaren, from
www.publishamerica.com
Now I'll have to remove the "No Littering" sign from my bookshelf -- but that's okay, it's a great looking book!
howard 4-12-2003 15:08
Howard, I knew that 'Angels on Street Corners' was inspired by someone. Now I know who!
;o)
Heather 4-12-2003 15:06
PAMELA -- Hang in there! Stick around and you'll find this is one great group of encouraging people!
VIV -- thanks! that really happened a couple of years ago, and I'd all but forgotten it, but I stopped at the same restaurant yesterday and saw an old man there with his family, and that brought it all back again. Deja warm all over again! :-)
howard 4-12-2003 7:27
Howard: Wonderful! You probably gave that man the sunny spot and the thing he'll remember about his vacation. It's always terrible to watch a group doing a close out on a single person. I'm glad you told the "koi" that he was going to sit with you.
I was shopping today and the same thing about fluency not being a necessity occured to me. All one really needs to communicate is an understanding heart. Today I had a real difficult task and one of those I dread. I had to get a giant sized roll of saran wrap. (Plastic wrap) I am wrapping up rugs and these strange trianguar cushions I bought in Thailand. So I go to the local building supply store and I have to ask for help. I drag myself over to the counter to ask...dreading the answer. Usually it's arimasen...even if it's on the shelf in front of me.
Today the young woman and her friend behind the counter had curious eyes. As I approached they didn't turn around and start searching for other work. They waited and listened. They obviously didn't understand, but one woman said, Ahhhh Saran wrap. A one word Gotcha'. She led me over to a counter where they had the king sized rolls of saran wrap, then to the other counter where they have the "keeps stuff dry" packets. No words other than saran wrap were necessary.
It helped a lot. I'm going in to teach the kids that all flunked English last year. I have 45 of them in one room. You know what I think...I'm going to keep my standards low. As long as they know please, thank you, I'm from... where are you from? This is my family...This is my pet...we're in business. (Oh and Thanks to Randall...one very special word....Texas.)
Viv 4-12-2003 4:41
Pamela,
You do sound like one to go on. Good for you (hugs). It takes a lot to move forward in the face of adversity. My hat is off to you.
Heather,
Glad you got the message :o)
Pamela and Heather,
If you are still feeling a little blue, I've got a story from my life. This happened this evening...
Our horses seem to think that they should live in the house. It has been an issue for some time now. When we are outside and then go into the house, the horses try to follow us. This evening I was out closing the gate as a friend left. I had told my daughter to be sure to close the door when she went in. Jordan forgot to close the door, and one of the horses was up that step faster than I could run across the yard. I was yelling the whole time "The horses are getting in! The horses are getting in! I guess it was pretty hard to hear me over the screaming of the birds, the laughter of Sebastian and stomping of hoof beats on the hardwood floors :o) I'll let you in on something that I bet a lot of people don't know. Horses look a lot bigger inside of a house than they do outside of it. I just about had a fit when she made for the stairs. If she had gone to the second level I don't know what might have happened. I doubt it would have been any good thing. As it is we are down the contents of our china hutch. We've collected the remains in a box and plan to call the insurance company. I don't know if they cover act of horse...
Take care all.
Rachel 4-12-2003 1:27
Thanks so much to Rachel, Heather, Rhoda and Rosemary for your encouraging words regarding depression. It does not just have to do with the goings on in the world (although that sure doesn't help) but with very real financial problems brought about by our federal government (no offence to you flag-wavers). I became disabled for my profession, which was supposed to be covered by the long-term disability that I purchased through my employer, but they denied it on the basis of bulls**t trumped-up charges which I never had a chance to defend myself against. Just to pass the word along to others considering insurance purchased through your employer, this falls under Section 502 of the Employee Retirement income Security Act of 1974 which, in the words of the attorney I consulted, gave insurance companies "carte blanche to rip people off" since lawyers can't afford to handle federal cases on a contingency basis. I had spent quite a bit of money (purchasing this computer, for one thing) to start a new occupation in architectural design, having been offered Voc. Rehab. and with the understanding that this was an approved return-to-work plan. Then they found a bunch of excuses to pull the plug and I find myself in dire financial straits, not to mention my long-time dream crashing around my head. Oh well. When I look at those in war-torn countries who only have the clothes on their backs, I realize how lucky I am and hate myself even more for wondering how I will survive for the rest of my life. Love it or leave it? I would happily leave for a socialistic society like Canada or the U.K. where my tax dollars would ensure that I could survive, but I can't afford to leave! Anyway, I AM a survivor, I've gotten through child abuse and prison and insanity so I will make it through this somehow. Some disassociation is good. Realizing what a tiny speck we are in the totality of it all can be frightening but also reassuring. Reading mysteries is good (I've read some of the cat books) as is volunteer work, which I have done in the past but have been remiss on lately. Thanks, guys. I'll be back instigating before too long.
pamela 4-12-2003 0:26
I stopped for lunch today at one of our many Chinese buffets. This particular restaurant is just about half-way between health department closings, so I knew it would be a pretty good balance between ptomaine and good eats. The department had closed it a while back only because the inspector had been driving by on the highway behind the restaurant and spotted a couple hundred frozen chickens thawing out (unwrapped) on the roof, right out in the open. Definite no-no there.
Anyway, I had just set down to my usual first course - a Mongolian hot plate, bowl of hot and sour soup, and a dish of kim-chee, when a tour bus full of elderly Chinese folks from New York City pulled into the parking lot, and about 75 of them poured into the place.
It's a big restaurant, so there was just about enough room for all of them, except for one wrinkled up, shabbily dressed old man who looked lost, and it was obvious that the rest of the bus folks were real satisfied with that state of events. Every time he'd head towards a likely looking spot at a table, it would close up, and they would not-look at him. It wasn't just that they didn't look at him, or see him - it was more of an obvious choice to not-look, if you know what I mean.
He just stood there looking helpless, and I felt bad taking up a whole booth by myself while he just stood there, so I motioned for him to join me. He looked around, not certain that I was looking at him, so I nodded and pointed to the seat across from me. He lit up like the sun coming out on a cloudy day, and came and sat down, nodding and smiling all the way, and began to thank me. At least I gathered that's what he was doing - I recognised right off that we had a language barrier here. He had no English at all, and my Mandarin is even more of a no-show, but we had smiles in common, so I figured we'd get along pretty good.
Then a woman (one of the group leaders, I think) came stomping over, looking very official, and said something not so nice (also not sure because of the language, but the tone was unmistakable), and the sun went out. She turned and began to apologise to me for his unseemly behaviour as he slowly started to slide out of the booth. I reached out and put my hand on his arm and stopped him, motioned for him to sit down again, and told her I had, in fact, invited him to sit there, and she should please learn to mind her own business and show a little more respect for us older folks.
He smiled and lit up again, and she just stood there with her mouth opening and closing, looking for all the world like the koi in the tank behind her. Then she turned and went away, and I noticed the folks at the nearby tables and booths not-looking at both of us.
By this time the crowd at the buffet had thinned out, so I motioned for him to go and get something to eat. He looked confused at that, so I took him by the arm and led him over to the food, and helped him get some fried rice and soup.
We sat together in silence, enjoying our meal, not conversing (except with an occasional smile) and then he reached in his jacket pocket and took out a picture and showed me his family. I could tell they were his family because of the way his eyes shone as he pointed to them. He said these were his grandkids, and he was on his way to see them. Don't ask me how I knew for sure what he was saying, because he said it in his language. I only recognised the pride - and the love - not the words themselves.
Then he made me understand he wanted to see my family as well, and I took out pictures of my wife and kids and grandkids, and showed him, and he lit right up again and I know he said they were beautiful too.
I finished my lunch and got ready to leave, and got up and reached over to shake hands with him, and he struggled to his feet and said the first and only English words I heard him say - "Thank you!" Well, that turned the handshake into a bear-hug, and all the not-looking people started to not-stare instead!
I went out through the foyer, and paid for our lunches on the way, and went out to my truck, parked just outside the window. I got in and fastened my seatbelt, started the truck, and looked up to see him standing in the window, smiling and waving goodbye, just like a little kid. Then I turned to back out, had to blink more than a few times before I could see clearly, and drove away.
howard 4-11-2003 23:10
My life's not stolen away. Don't worry.
I don't care if they have legimate reasons to complain about how we did this war. I'm so very happy for the people of Iraq. They've had enough torture and death. They needed this.....political or not.
I'm over joyed.
Debra 4-11-2003 22:03
Sorry, I should have included the author of that series. It's Lillian Jackson Braun. Just in case someone wanted to know.
Stuff to do---Gotta go.
Rosemary again 4-11-2003 20:25
Evening all,
I'm getting ready to go to a Market Trail event in a small nearby town. My crochet items do not do well in hot weather so this will probably be the last time until October. Got its good and bad sides.
Last weekend, I took some of my hats to the book fair and traded for a couple for books. That worked out pretty well.
PAMELA,
One of my favorite remedies for the blues is a nice easy cozy mystery. 'The Cat Who. . ' series is one of the best for this problem. And if you think it might take a while, there's about twenty of them in the series and she's still cranking them out.
Be happy all,
Rosemary 4-11-2003 20:23
And I hope the daily Guru, doesn't mind me sharing this with my friends, it's today's deep thought and it just seems appropriate :-D
"A new life of abundant cheer is found in one way and one way
only. All others lead to endless anxiety.
It is found through an awareness of its existence.
This is the entire secret. We must catch a glimpse of this fresh
life for ourselves. We can start by remembering that it exists
within, not without. We already possess this higher state. But we
must become aware of our rich possession. This awareness will break
through, with increasing force, as we dare to seek it beyond our
present mental attitudes."
THE DAILY GURU
Teekay 4-11-2003 19:24
Hey, JERRY, maybe we weren't so far off the mark :-)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s830646.htm
Teekay 4-11-2003 19:20
Happy Very Belated Birthday to MEL and LITTER!
MARY,
Looking forward to hearing good news soon. Take good care of yourself and your little one.
DEBRA,
I get a lot of world news (Foxnews, ABCnews, Drudge, and the radio reports not to mention lots of magazines), and the Russia thing has not come across my radar screen. Don't let fear and speculation steal your life away.
PAMELA,
Best thing for depression is to get your mind off yourself. Get out of your house and do some volunteer work at a local school or maybe a nursing home. Even going shopping helps for the short term. A good Bible study is a big help too. I know what I am talking about, because I have dealt with it too, and refocusing your energy will help. Also, watch that self-talk. Be positive when you think. Good outcomes are always more likely than bad outcomes in situations.
Rhoda 4-11-2003 15:22
RACHEL - THANK YOU! )))Well received, well received. (The brackets are me catching the vibes!)
PAMELA - No more of the deep dark indigo funk! Spread yourself out in the sunshine and see if that helps, ok? Try not to allow depression to sink it's purple talons into you. I love when you're here and you're inspired and rarin' to go - it really rubs off. :o)
Speaking of depression... there is sunshine abounding, so I think I'll go soak some up. I could use it right about....now.
Heather 4-11-2003 15:04
Debra - radioactivity and Russia. Hmmmmm. I haven't seen that on the news, but it doesn't seem to be front page, or I would have heard something on radio, the TV, or the newspaper, I'm sure of it.
I will look out and see if I hear anything, but remember, it is easy to get actual news details and rumour mixed together! The best way to handle rumour is to ignore it - it only spreads panic.
Heather 4-11-2003 15:01
Pamela,
Don't buy into the blues. Try to swim out of that stinking rotten ocean of despair. I know that there are times when the tide seems to be sucking one out into the depths, but don't give up. I think the most depressing thing about depression, is how much time a person spends thinking about the state that they have fallen into. I kind of wonder if it isn't a bit of self fulfilling prophecy sort of deal. I think I am depressed, therefore I am. I know that depression is real, but I think that it can be a lot less destructive if a person takes a hold of it and tries to choke the living shit out of it. Fight for you life! Fight for your right to have the same moments of joy and happiness that are out there for the taking. I don't think that happy is a state that one can live in long term, it is a transient sort of thing. Love it while you have it and never look for it, or it will avoid you like the plague. Seems to be how it works.
Rachel 4-11-2003 14:31
Debra,
I don't think that the people who are no pleased with the way that the United States did are limited to Russia. I can't think of a place I have gone that I have not heard people picking up different positions. I do not believe that anyone in their right mind is "mad at the States" that would be foolish. The United States is a body of people who are not defined or represented in completion by the actions of their government. There are lots of people right in the United States of America who are "mad" about how this was done. What do you think? Do you think people are mad at the States? Or do you think people are upset with goverment action and policy? I believe it is the latter.
Ah well...
Heather,
A patch for the blues? How about I send you an energy patch. Here it comes >>>>>>>))))))))))))))) Hope it gets to you :o) Hang in there girlie!
Ciao for now :o)
Rachel 4-11-2003 14:23
I was just pulling out of my depression but now I think I'll go back in again.
Ben, big congrats on the story, I'll watch for it to come out.
pamela 4-11-2003 14:21
The planning something big, that's still rumor.
Debra 4-11-2003 8:51
Heather huney bun (hugs)
That's where I got this new information, the news.
They said all roads lead to Russia, including the find of radioactivity in the site they found.
Debra 4-11-2003 8:50
DEBRA! Stop that rumour mill, you are like the ceaseless mouse on the wheel! Always have to have something to make you run. It's doing you no good. (((HUGS))) to you, and relax! There would be something on the NEWS if there was anything true about it, don't you think?
Heather 4-11-2003 7:59
Hmmmmm. I wonder if there's such a thing as the 'Depression Patch'? Think I might need something like that, and soon.
Still working on Phantasium, getting pickier by the day. Someone stop me!
:o/
Heather 4-11-2003 7:56
I told you my friend who lives in Europe, was hearing rumblings that Russia was really mad about us invading Iraq.
It was Russia the whole time doing this.
She also heard they are planning something.
Big!
Debra 4-11-2003 7:07
Woohooo got my lawn seeded, spread fertilizer on it, watered it, everything, what a wonderful day.
Bright sunny, my new specs arrived from the VA all was as they said they would be, had to get them adjusted a bit by the local eye guy, cost five bucks but well worth it. Even got my ears lowered. Busy day, but a great one.
My Doc put me on the pain patch, this is my second day and it kicked in full force today, it's like having a five ton weight lifted off my back, I'll have to ask him why he waited so damn long.
Feel so good, I think I'll get back to some writing again, I've been letting that slack way too much of late.
Jerry 4-11-2003 0:22
Martin:
Hasn't everyone received inspiration from Mark Twain? He wrote a simple story, not simple, but you know what I mean.
It was just the nature of humans getting to know each other. They were surprised at the similiarities of those people we thought were so different. Humans are the same, no matter where you find them they are the same. Simple! Inspiring!
Debra 4-10-2003 18:40
MARTIN -- Sorry, but the only one that comes to mind right now is H.L. Mencken. But I'm not sure if he's the kind of author you're looking for. He was a journalist, and a dyed-in-the-wool curmudgeon. Had little use for most everything in society, and no use at all for politicians.
howard 4-10-2003 18:33
BEN -- Congratulations! Way to go! I'll look for it.
howard 4-10-2003 18:29
Yee-ha!
Finally, after two years it seems, or maybe longer(?) my story's comin' out on the web. It's at PAPERPLATES.ORG. I was wondering if it was ever going to come out. It was pretty strange clicking onto the website just to check and see. I was going to send an e-mail asking if they were still publishing it--you know, curiosity--and then followed a few little pages here and there, and voila, there it was in the upcomings: ST. FREDA. My heart leapt into my throat, and just at that moment, my son walked in from school and I called him over to see. He looked at me and said: Are you published? See? Long time to wait, but well worth it I guess. Now, if I could only find someone to publish me and PAY me, life would be good. Anyway, just dropped in to let you guys know the good news.
ben 4-10-2003 17:37
HELP !! I need urgent help! Could anyone please informe me of some authors who have recived inspiration from mark twain !! please! write here, or email me. I need it tonight !
Martin Salazar dá beauteey
4-10-2003 14:43
Taylor--don't feel alone, I've been broken lately too.
Sasquatch-thanks for nice easter poem.
pamela 4-10-2003 10:51
TAYLOR -- Welcome back! It's good to see you're on the mend.
BEN -- Did someone contact you for YT...? If not, and you'd still like to participate, send me a starter and we'll have a go at it!
ALL -- The following website looks like fun!
Don't let the media destroy English. SPELL members fight their abuse.
Grammar counts. Web: http://spellorg.com E-mail: spellgang@juno.com
howard 4-10-2003 10:14
**Taylor**
Thanks guys.
Yes, I have been writing since I got back, but so far only in sporradic intervals(sorry if it's spelt wrong... I just love the sound of the word sporradic)
I had no intention on catching the news late last night(A little after 10pm my time)But isn't it funny how you get that feeling sometimes that something is happening. Typing on my computer last night, I got that very feeling and turned on Fox News and watched the Troops in the Centre of Baghdad assist the Iraqis in tearing down that monstrosity that is Suddam Huessein's statue.
Randall: I liked your analogy of the German Shephard and the SS Gestapo guys. Never thought of it that way before, but it makes picturing your story much easier.
That tv show I was trying to think of awhile back where that Mountie goes to New York Police department is called "Due South" I have stayed up late a couple of nights and been watching it on good old Foxtel. I remember that I attempted to model myself after that Mountie on the show a few years ago, but it was totally unrealistic to do that... Nobody's "That" nice.
Taylor 4-10-2003 6:27
Wow, summer is here hit 79 today, along with the warm weather came the first prairie fire of the season, big one south of Bismarck, nasty stuff.
Still haven't gotten my grass seed spread, computer crashes took up my day, the daughter's and the nieces both went down hard, strange exact same symptoms, totally different causes, and on the same day, how strange is that?
Anyhow got them both up and running again, so my time's my own again for a day or so, hope the weather cooperates and I can get the grass seeded, I did manage to get the well turned on and running so we can water when I get the seed down. We've had so much drought that most of my lawn is bare ground now with little trace of the wonderful lawn we had just three years ago. Oh well I guess it'll look all the better once I get the seed down and we get the massive rain storms that all the population have been praying for now all these dry years.
So great to see things are drawing down in Iraq. Hope our troops will be safe, but I fear that the dying is not yet done.
Randall - wow, you do bring a smile to my face with predictable regularity.
Taylor so great to see you back on the notebook, welcome back. Hope you're up and writing again.
Jerry 4-10-2003 0:19
Randall
Hey!
That scene in Baghdad this morning? Nothing to compare with what I saw next door...
Had a bit of a fracas at the house this morning. Yeah. Terrible row. My neighbor owns a large German Shepard, Klaus. Nice animal, but Klaus is a dog totally lacking with the milk of canine kindness. He guards his backyard like German SS fanatics guarded Hitler's favorite brewery. Satan's bodyguards could not have a more grim aspect and outlook on interlopers than Klaus. No one, and I mean no one walks into his yard. Anyone strolling down the alley is greeted with a rousing vocal assault. Klaus tips the scales at 125 pounds, and is a credit to his species...a rabid werewolf with an impacted fang.
So ... just as I was leaving for work our house cats, "Suzy Cat" and her two half-grown kittens "Jack" and "Ripper" made a blatant and flagrant three pronged assault on Klaus. Our neighbor, Kenneth, normally a shy, retired school teacher displayed several signs of a major heart attack at the height of the fracas. Pale faced and clutching his chest he raced around the yard holding a hummingbird feeder high overhead. He was right behind the cats who were chasing Klaus who was right behind a terrified squirrel. The squirrel was chattering, Kenneth hollering, Klaus barking as the silent trio of killer house cats slowly closed the gap. Kenneth was moving in rapidly but a wayward clothesline flipped him end over end. His wife hearing the uproar rushed to Klaus's defense. She executed the finest column interdiction under fire I have ever witnessed, cutting through fluid battle lines with grim determination and elan. Apron flying in the morning sun she leaped over her downed husband and routed the "killer cats" with a two-pronged assault of kitchen broom in one hand, fly swatter in the other. This no doubt saved Klaus and her husband from a fate worse than falling into a two-week-old kitty litter box. Despite my feeble attempt to apologize all three disappeared into their house ... Klaus leading the way.
It seems a squirrel intent on self-preservation sought sanctuary on Klaus's dog house. To no avail but for darn good reasons. When my cats go after a squirrel, they GO after the squirrel! By my count in the last four weeks the trio have accounted for five rats, four squirrels and innumerable birds. From the feathers I have observed in our front and back yard there couldn't be a bird in a six-block area. The nesting bird population is decimated and I spotted flocks of English sparrows, sans baggage, departing just two days ago. My wife informs me that she was in the backyard right after lunch and heard a loud whistle. She scanned the area and saw a squirrel high in a tree with a silver chain around its neck attached to a small whistle in one paw. She glanced around and saw Suzy Cat, Jack and Ripper cat-footing around one corner of the house.
So it seems the battle is on ... cat versus rodent and bird. Who will win? I don't know but I would have to bet on my trio of Big Bad Mama and her brood. Dare I say...the game is afoot?
Good evening...
Randall
RANDALL 4-9-2003 21:35
Hello Guys!
With the imminent arrival of my wee Claire promising to keep me away from worldly communications for at least a small while, I thought it best to check in with you all and let you know I have been thinking of you. Hope that you are all happily writing and rewriting, submitting and resubmitting your literary offspring and feeling the satisfaction of accomplishment that only creativity can bring.
Personally, life has been filled with too much lately and I will be glad to sit back and reap some well-earned rewards. (Needless to say, none of the rewards will be writing-related, but I have invested nothing into that lately and you get what you give.)
This is just a hit-and-run visit to send my best to you and most likely you will be hearing from Heather within a few days when she lets you know there is a new girl in town! (Please keep your fingers crossed for us that we make it to the hospital in time...I have this sneaking suspicion that we aren't going to and Claire Marie Lockwood will come into this world at a speed of 65 miles per hour in the back of our car.) We made it to the hospital with only 7 minutes to spare last time.
OK, I am off for now, but I will return...I always do! Take care.
Mary 4-9-2003 21:34
TAYLOR!!! Welcome back to the fold!
Just shrug that embarrassment off, no need for that.
Glad to hear from you, and glad you're back! ((((HUGS)))
Heather 4-9-2003 20:36
TAYLOR: Welcome back!!!! :-)
VIV & TINA: I don't get it, what's wrong with Oprah?
I admit she's a bit of a pain mentioning her vast amounts of wealth all the time,
and when she does boring celebrity interviews,
and when she big notes herself,
but other than that what's wrong with her?
You can dislike her all you like, I'm just curious as to why.
Pee Wee Herman, well, no explanations necessary :-D
Have a good day all.
Teekay 4-9-2003 18:32
Hey Quasimodo -- I'll be back!
Arnold Hunchenegger 4-9-2003 18:02
Hi All!
Great pics from the centre of Baghdad. I was more than a little surprised when I got up this morning to see the US forces driving into an area where news crews were being mugged, to the relief of one Sky News reporter in particular.
They've dragged the statues and portraits down, but where is the sod? Some reports are still saying he was killed or injured on day one, others that he was killed last night, with more saying that he is still alive????? I hope there are no 'suicide surprises' still waiting in the wings and that Saddam is caught or identified soon. Despite the sporadic fighting still going on, there seems to have been a huge drifting away of soldiers of the 'Elite' guards units. A few of those US soldiers in the centre of Baghdad seemed to be genuinely dazed at how easy it was for them to enter and secure a lot of the city regarded to be where the real fighting was expected…
Better days ahead, I hope, and some peace for the families of the killed and injured.
HORWAD – I did get the Celtic competition email. Thanks, I'll be having a good look at that one. Meant to reply sooner than this. Sorry :o
I'm not going to mention the book… I'm not going to mention the book… Oh, bugger, I mentioned it…
Litter 4-9-2003 16:26
Hi all :-D
Taylor, warm ((((HUGS)))) from my little corner of the world.
Viv, I SO agree with you on those three! Mr Rogers gave me the heebie-jeebies. I was a Friendly Giant kinda kid.
Heather, no I didn't receive any e-mails from you. As for the title, how about just 'Fountain of Youth' I like that! Much better than anything I've come up with. Thanks!
Okay, back to work...
Ooh yeah, we're putting an offer on a house tomorrow, so cross your fingers and send lucky vibes my way, if you please.
C-ya!
Tina 4-9-2003 15:24
Happy belated B-days to Mel and Litter! Sorry for not coming in earlier, but school life is getting hectic again, projects creeping up, snow storms coming at unexpected moments, the musical taking up all my afternoons (even Saturdays!) church on Wednesdays in the evenings, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday, reports, a couple pages here, a couple poems there, and still enough time to get a few hours of sleep. WHEWWW! I don't have any poetry with me, otherwise I'd share it with all of you. Wrote a new one just yesterday, it was about writing, funny enough as it sounds. I wrote in paragraph form so now I have to put it in verses, well gotta go, Bible reading on Wednesdays and we have to read.
Till Niagara Falls!
Elaine 4-9-2003 10:32
Hey Taylor: Good to see you back. Stop worrying. We've all been chomped in the pants by life now and again. Thank goodness this isn't a website bent on creating perfect people. I'd have to throw up my hands and quit. I fully intend to go on being my upsie-downsie self. How in the world can you write about emotion unless you've experienced it. Wait about five years and look back on this, you'll realize you've added an emotional dimension to your characters that adds depth to your writing. I only know one person who was completely placid...Mr. Rogers. Personally, I could only take his neighborhood for about 15 minutes. I know he was a wonderful influence, but Oprah, Mr. Rodgers and Pee Wee Herman kind of set my teeth on edge like fingernails on a chalkboard. To everyone I just insulted, pardon. Personal taste I guess. I like my reality real.
Viv 4-9-2003 10:31
Study, don't study, weep don't weep it doesn't matter. All I know is I wouldn't want to be saddam right now, or ever.
Debra 4-9-2003 10:00
**Taylor**
Well for the last day or so, I've been scrolling up & down, reading a few posts and debating whether to post or not. Kind of still slightly embaressed by the whole thing.
But I'm back now.
Thanks for the messages people.
Taylor 4-9-2003 9:29
I have a hunch the movie will be over soon.
quasimodo 4-9-2003 9:22
There's a real pretty song at
http://www.andiesisle.com/If-I-Die-Before-You-Wake.html
Bring Kleenex™
howard 4-9-2003 8:30
HEATHER -- We already have "obsolescense," but "Obseletion" might work too -- sort of a cross between 'obsolete' and 'absolution' -- positively gone!
Maybe not -- that would be 'obsolution' or absolescence' -- I love words! :-)
howard 4-9-2003 8:06
Oh Randall:
I couldn't agree with you more. The issue I was writing about was weeping. Let's study those who will be weeping as well, if we can find any. Don't say his mom. His mom will weep. She doesn't need to be studied. We understand mothers.
Debra 4-9-2003 7:34
Tina - how about 'Fountain of My Youth' as a title instead of 'Sandra and Lily'?
Let me know what you think of the idea.
I tried sending Daniel (final copy) but my email program went down for the count. I'm able to access it now, so if you didn't receive the email and attachment, I'll resend! I honestly can't recall if outlook express managed to send before the driver went splat or not!
LOL
Having fun with the prep for reformatting, actually....yeah. Sure. I am quite sure I've got all of the files I need to save already saved, but better saved again than sorry!
The lingo of the times! That word came up in conversation yesterday, and my kids looked at me strangely. The word 'lingo' is fading into obseletion! (Perhaps 'Obseletion' shall be a new word?)
Heather Hemlock Bags
4-9-2003 6:51
Jack - Too bad we missed each other. ^.^ Actually the wait for the dealer room wasn't that long. We got in twice and waited about 15-20 minutes each time. I had fun, I was dressed as Ranma (girl Ranma - there's not enough chest tape in the world for me to pass as boy Ranma).
Next year I plan to dress up as Asuka from Evangelion, I love Eva!! It's the best anime show ever made!! I recall saying this about Kodocha not too long ago, I'm sure it'll pass, but I really love it now. :)
Toodles!
Allein Peachick's Gallery
4-9-2003 0:48
Mark - each to their own I guess, I've had nothing but problems with Mcaffee's but Norton's anti virus has yet to let me down. As far as the utilities, I use them, at times I cuss them but they seem to do a fair job of keeping things running smoothly. I've tried the others and always come back to Norton.
Ever go to a Doctor and make HIM happy? Had that happen the other day when I went for my regular appointment, the local guy here. At any rate he'd put me on a new pill to control nerve pain, but the pill had a strange side-effect, it fixed another problem that I've been fighting since 1984. He was tickled pink said he has yet to find anything that worked much on colitis so he's going to try this on his other patients with that problem.
Sometimes things just work out I guess.
Oh Mark - I guess I've been screwing around with computers at least that long, I began with the old Commodore 128 and worked my way up. I still have my old Commodore SX-64 that I picked up many years ago to play around with, and it still works as good as the day I traded an old replica of a Colt Navy .36 cal cap and ball pistol for it.
I think it was like '85 when I got my first machine, I've used Norton in one form or another since the early 90's when I got my first PC.
Jerry 4-8-2003 23:30
Evening all,
HOWRAD,
That eyeball needs Visene.
Went to a city college book fair with my friend with the 2 published books. She didn't sell a one. I think she has finally decided that being one more book (or 2 as the case may be)in a sea of other books for sale might not be a good idea.
See ya,
Rosemary 4-8-2003 22:45
Check this page -- put your cursor on the image and move it around!
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/stu/eye.htm
howard 4-8-2003 22:23
HOWARD:
*sigh*
Oh alright, I confess, I am not really the talented Sasqy, but our legs really do look rather similar.
Teekay 4-8-2003 19:26
RANDALL: Maddy Saddy had a horrible upbringing. He was aboandoned by his parents as a young 'un. I think his mother was a bit mad, so he had a head start, there is a lot of inbreeding in that part of the world, (Saddy's wife was his first cousin)
Saddy was raised by a brutal Uncle,so we can guess what happened, and he grew up and passed on what he knew onto his sons. A viscious circle.
Personally I think Saddam suffers a little from America Envy.
But it is true. He is worthy of our empathies. His soul had a huge challenge, put into a body with a deranged mind, and an ego the size of Texas, this guy really had his work cut out for him.
I confess to feeling a little bit more empathy toward his victims though, but that is speaking from the limitations of my earthly knowledge.
Teekay 4-8-2003 19:15
HOWARD: I am the talented and furry SASQY, it's true, look at my legs.
Teekay 4-8-2003 19:04
Randall
Hi...
Debra ... :-) I know these guys are evil. But it is the mechanics of WHY that I ponder. Persons like these need to be captured and studied, at least for the human race. We must find out why they are as they are. I believe the execution of Tim McVeigh the OK bomber was a mistake. He should have been studied till he died of old age in prison. For humans to advance within our humanity, we must understand why, as Howard said, why some take a wrong turn.
One time Saddam was an innoncent youth with good intentions...Wasn't he? But something turned him away from good...what was it? I hope they did not kill him last night. I want him alive, in prison, and a long line of doctors and shrinks waiting to see him. (Real torture, huh?)We have to understand evil, maybe develop methods of turning unproductive humans into good citizens.
Then we enter the "Big Brother" arena... I just don't know. I do know that behavior like his retard advances in humanity.
Randall
RANDALL 4-8-2003 19:03
JERRY -- I have worked with computers professionally for 12 years. You are the first person I ever heard give Norton Utilities a good grade.
Mark 4-8-2003 13:04
Randall:
You're writing as uaual is beautiful. Saddam was the worst of all of them, even Chemical Ali, Udai, and Quasay all put together.
Just to paint a picture, Chemical Ali, invited thousands of people to a gathering. He flew over in a helicopter and dumped gas on them and had another helicopter right behind him with a flaming of some sort. Fify thousand people died there. Then he had them all dismemberd and forbd the arms and legs to be buried just to send a message to who ever did not die.
Udai, tried to pick up a girl she said no. He took her to a farm tortued her and disfigured her for three months, and when he grew tired of her, he fed her to his dogs.
Saddam is worse.
It's a good question, who will be weeping.
Keep me posted if you find out.
Debra 4-8-2003 9:36
SASQUATCH -- I love it! Who are you?
RANDALL -- You're not alone in feeling these things. In Jeremiah God said "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?" And in Ezekiel 18:23-32 God says "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die... and not the he should return from his ways and live? But when the righteous turns away... shall he live? All his righteousness that he has done will not be mentioned: in his trespasses and in his sin shall he die... For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves and live."
Saddam, like all others, had a choice. He chose the wrong.
howard 4-8-2003 7:27
Heather - I've found that once a computer is infected with that damn virus about the ONLY real cure is a total reformat (low level) and reinstall. I've seen those damn things live through a regular format (that really only erases the computer's reference to where the data is located) and flare right back up after a reinstall of the operating system.
What I do is check with the outfit that made the hard drive, (Maxtor or IBM someone like that) and get their low level format software, use that, then fdisk, format and reinstall the OS.
What a low level format does is to write 0's to every sector of the hard drive thus removing absolutely everything (including the virus) and making the hard drive like it was when it was brand spanking new.
Then when you are finished with the reinstall of the software and OS, you have a well running machine ready to again be invaded by some ass hole somewhere who thinks it's fun to screw with other peoples systems.
One time my sister brought over her machine that was infected, the damn virus moved onto my boot disk when I went in to do the reformat, and that disk spread it to every machine I had and a bunch of my floppy's. Needless to say, I was mad enough to throw things (floppies bounced off walls for days!) and every once in awhile, Norton tells me that the floppy that I have inserted is infected.
I've noticed that when I gave up McAffes anti virus in favor of Norton my trouble with viruses have dwindled down to none. Norton does a super job and regularly updates itself. Mcaffes allowed my machine to become infected once and that was enough for me.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who love Mcaffe's but I guess I'm just not one of them. Since I moved to Norton, I also got there super Norton System Works and use it go keep my systems healthy, as well as Norton Firewall to keep prying eyes out of my system. I wasn't all that impressed with their firewall but it does seem to work well and integrated itself with the whole Norton Suite, it does keep programs under control as far as connecting to the internet. Some of them I don't think should contact their owners no matter what their reason, and Norton does allow one to decide for themselves weather to allow such connections.
Besides that, I use Ad-Aware to keep down the spyware, as well as SpyBot that tackles a few of the spy programs that Ad-Aware doesn't. Both are available for free download, and make your machine run better with less advertising, which is something I like.
Enough free advertising.
Hope your machine get's it's health back.
Jerry 4-8-2003 0:51
I've got a hunch it was Esmerelda!
quasimodo 4-7-2003 22:42
Randall
Who weeps for Saddam?
Now that the regime is in ruins, who cries for the despot? Saddam may be dead by now, or in flight, in fear of discovery and punishment. I cannot help but wonder...what went wrong? Genetics awry? Mental trauma? Physical influences? What happened to this man, one of humanity? By all accounts he wasn't stupid. Smart like a desert fox someone said. Like Adolph Hitler he actually helped his country ... up to a point. He relaxed Islamic codes, kept the radical religious movement in line ... for a while. Allowed women of his country freedoms other religious countries forbid. He created beautiful cities out of the oil his country was so blessed with. But then he brought it all down ... political control by bloodshed and terror. Mass murder, torture and fear evolved into a means to an end. Self-destruction claimed him and he fell deeper into evil, even embraced it. Did he recognize evil when it came into his soul? Did he embrace the double-edged sword? As I strike my enemy, I bleed, so I strike.
Saddam was a baby boy born to a man and a woman. Did they smile and laugh at the wonder of creation as he kicked and squirmed in their arms? What were his single digit years like? Did he run and play with neighborhood children, run through dirt streets laughing? Maybe he once went to a movie where he gazed in wonder at images on the screen. Did his eyes light up as an American-made movie played out? Did he peer into local stores yearning for the goods inside? Did he have a puppy to cherish? A first love? A broken heart? What made him cry? Laugh? What went wrong? Was there an event so traumatic in his life he evolved into evil? Did absolute power corrupt? When did he lose the grasp on what it was to be human? At what point did he realize he could kill and kill and kill without emotion?
Once an ally of America, Saddam fought another country. Did he realize he was being used, like a knight in a world chess match? At what point did he feel the need to use terrible weapons on his enemies that were more like family? When did compassion leave and cruelty arrive? Why didn't he become more like the kind and benevolent ruler of nearby Jordan? Will the real Saddam stand up? Was his persona so tainted by unknown influences he evolved away from normalcy and into corruption, greed and murder? At what point in life did he change? Why?
Was Saddam a "good" father? A good husband? Did he teach his sons justice and the wholesome goodness of right? What was his definition of right? Did he court his wife with gifts and love? Was he faithful? Come home at the end of the day? Did he wrestle with his sons, tease his wife about her cooking? Did she ask him for another dress? Did his sons ask for toys? Did they pray together? Take outings together? Laugh when together as a family? When did his sons begin their slow slide into the hell he created?
Or was Saddam so isolated in absolute power that aides and advisors fed a raging psychosis, striving to outdo each other for attention and favor. A glorious statue here, another bigger one there, an airport with his name, thousands of men in arms responsible to him alone. And the money, the oil money, truckloads of gold, fine palaces, private planes, world travel. And the women, always the women so eager to please ... for the money, the power. Finery beyond the poverty of his early years, the power of a ruler, the power of control, the absolute power. God like. His every command obeyed. Only speak and it is done.
Who weeps for Saddam?
Humanity should. Like it or not, Saddam is one of us ... a human, deeply flawed for sure, but human. He once was an infant, a young man, a son, a father, a husband with an open world ahead. Bright with the promise and the intelligence God gives all, Saddam stood on the brink. But in a moment of time, days, months, years he slipped away from human kind. We lost him. He became an enemy of humanity, his own enemy, the destroyer of rational, the corruption of simple goodness and right. Stripped down before God, in judgement, a soul in torment Saddam must answer, as we all have to do, to a higher power and authority. Who weeps for Saddam? God? Humans? No one? Surely this is the worst punishment for all deserve tears when they die.
Maybe no one will weep? On dark nights will a desert wind weep as it sweeps sand among the debris of war. A thousand years ahead will isolated humans seek shelter behind the rusted and sand scoured remains of an ancient war machine. Will an old man began a story..."There was once an evil man near here. A confused man. We must pray for him, to ease his torment, because no one wept as he died so long ago..."
Good evening
Randall
RANDALL 4-7-2003 20:54
greetings humans persons. i sasquatch memory this time long ago when Yeti saw this. Yeti memory this when trees and earth become again green. it is old memory of the One.
Yeti memory
beast and earth,
heaven, tree, and sky
all witness
men take him
the One who made
the One who loves
earth would help
still the way is hard
ground trembles
stones cry out
this cannot be
he did no hurt
tree would shield
heavy though, the beam
weighs on him
grown for this?
to lift the One
who gave it life
beast rages
let us rescue him
he says no
came for this
now he forgives
and now he dies
heaven sighs
why could we not go?
old One turns
cannot look
it is finished
now all is done
sky weeping
wash his blood from stones
angry wind
thick’ning cloud
now hides the sun
the darkness grows
in the ground
now men seal their work
roll the stone
hide him now
they have done it
why do they fear?
creatures wait
he cannot be gone
he was good
he made all
he is our life
he cannot die
morning comes
how the earth does shake
stone is gone!
empty grave!
he is not here!
Alleluia!
sasquatch 4-7-2003 20:07
Tina - I'll send 'Daniel' to you, the final copy version as soon as I can - the computer is acting up and giving me good reason to pull my hair!
Not right out, but I believe I've lost more than my hundred hairs of the day..... and it's MONDAY.
SIGH
Heather 4-7-2003 17:14
Hi all!
Heather, about Phantasium... maybe send me 'Daniel' again so I can double check, but I think I okayed the changes. The title for the other one is completely wrong, but sadly I can't think of another that isn't MORE wrong.
Thanks again for all the work you're doing on this!
Haven't received an e-mail about the YT. How about if I promise not to mention skydiving? ;-)
oops I said I wouldn't mention it again. sorry.
Happy Happy Birthdays to Mel and Litter!
Allein, good to see you on here again. Long time no post!
Jack, ditto. How are you feeling?
Well, I'm posting from work and lunch is over. Must run.
Blue skies!
Tina 4-7-2003 15:33
Hi guys,
Wanted to clarify that disaster does not mean that I failed. I did pass the essay, just *phew*
Rachel
Rachel 4-7-2003 15:31
Hi all,
Yikes! I just got back a preliminary mark for my final essay in one of my classes and have been informed that it is a disaster :o) I know I shouldn't be laughing, but I am. I read the comments and had little bursts of laughter througout. It is funny in an awful sort of way. This was the creative muse essay. I had thought it might not be received well (grins). There was a time when news like this about my school would have caused me a good deal of stess. Now I find that I am not so worried. I don't know if that is a good or bad indicator. Maybe it is that the end of the semester is here and I've all ready turned off for the break. Hum... I just feel bad for the teacher. I hope he doesn't think it is his teaching that is the issue. Up to this point I have been an 'A' student. I guess it is a surprise to him to see such an essay from me. Ah well, I imagine I'll be writing a new essay.
Rachel
Rachel 4-7-2003 12:00
Allein: glad you had a great time at Sakura. I was nosing around a bit today mostly as part of our Westercon meeting. Hope you were able to get into the dealers room. Heard there was an hour and a half wait yesterday.
Jack Beslanwitch 4-7-2003 2:16
Randall
Hello...
Nope, still here. We had our NAPA tool and filter sale Thursday and it wore me out. Spent most of the weekend in bed, that is after a visit to our local gun and knife show where I bought a .22 rifle and companion pistol...for the camper. Beautiful weather, a shame to spend it indoors. Still... Looks like our guys are kicking butt in Iraq... Well gonna go, see ya!
Randall
RANDALL 4-6-2003 20:09
I've again been dipping into the writings of early American historians. Wonderful to read, albeit a bit on the hard side. They wrote in such long sentences, some taking up an entire page, and use words now strange to our modern tongue. I have my dictionary program up on the computer so I can seek meaning of some of the texts. I am at present reading the second volume of American History covering that period from the end of the war of Revolution to the administration of John Adams. Very in-depth coverage on nearly all aspects of the birth of our nation. It talks of the institution of slavery, the "red savages" and the treachery English, who at one time during the Revolution freed the slaves in the colonies, took them to their breasts, then placed them aboard ships and resold them in the British West Indies.
The Copy write on the book is 1894. Strange how our language has changed, words seem to have shrunk, I was surprised at the usage of very long words who's origin is at once recognized.
The authors - Julian Hawthorne ?-1783; James Schouler (1783-1865); and E. Benjamin Andrews (1866-).
Somehow I find this history book believable since it was indeed written by those who lived very near the time involved. You can see their personal prejudices and political beliefs in the text, these guys were very anti-slavery, but also traced the origin to the very early days of our land.
Jerry 4-6-2003 12:04
Wow...I've been away a while. Mainly cause my muse has been gone and I haven't done much writing. But I just got back from Sakura Con and am really pumped to write an anime Con chapter for my story Fragrance of Flowers.
But I have a question, I'd like to add cosplay into the Con experience, but how do I do that and still stay within legal boundries when it comes to mentioning character names, series names and small descriptions (ie: they saw a girl with pig tails in a sailor outfit or it's a movie about a girl raised by wolves). Basically, these two original characters of mine dress up as characters from an anime and my friend Frank, who's pretty knowledgeable about the law, says as long as I mention the names of the characters they're dressing up as, the series they're from and who created it (thus giving credit to the creator where it's due) that would be fine, so people would know that the characters they're dressing up as are not mine.
Anyway, any help would be appreciated in this, also I'll post when I finish the chapter and if anyone might be able to help me with all the legal red tape matters, I'd be happy to e-mail the chapter to you and see what you suggest so that it's completely within legal boundries (I don't want to get sued - I have NOTHING).
Thanks. It's good to see all the old faces and nice to see some new ones too. ^.^
Ja-ne!
Allein Peachick's Gallery
4-6-2003 5:09
Hey what a great idea for a little project--re: "Your Turn". Count me in. I've just been laid off for a little while. Had all of this last week and next week off. So I guess I have time on my hands...
ben 4-5-2003 15:00
By the way, in case anyone's interested, our new HEMLOCK site has been launched!!!!
Knock yerselves out browsing!
This time it's much easier to do just that.... :o) Thanks to Mary's hard web-work!
Heather Hemlock Bags
4-5-2003 14:23
OH SURE!!!!!! My first post didn't show up, so I wrote another one......and then it didn't show up either.
And to my embarrasment, embarrassment? Bare-ass-ment.....
here are all three right before my eyes!
SO bite me, I'm gouda.
Heather 4-5-2003 14:20
Christi - have I ever missed a single post you've written? I'm sure I haven't!!! (Well, maybe one... or two?)
You always sign off with something original, so I've probably just forgotten about the Goota Guy......
LOL
HUGS to ALL,
AND EXTRA HUGS FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY PEOPLE!!!
Heather 4-5-2003 14:18
Christi - have I ever missed a single post you've written? I'm sure I haven't!!! (Well, maybe one... or two?)
You always sign off with something original, so I've probably just forgotten about the Goota Guy......
LOL
HUGS to ALL,
AND EXTRA HUGS FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY PEOPLE!!!
Heather 4-5-2003 14:16
Ohhh, dirty indeed, Christi!!! LOL
I have probably read every single post you've written, Christi, and you always sign off with something original... but I don't remember 'Goota Go'! Still cute, and I'm still giggling. :oD
Heather 4-5-2003 12:57
Babe Ruth got a candy bar, Clippy (from Microsoft) got a game!
Destroy Clippy. (game)
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/xtractpaperclip.html
howard 4-4-2003 18:22
Litter:
I hope this is the happiest birthday yet!
Debra 4-4-2003 15:38
=Christi=
Hey Heater! SOOOO great to see you back to your old self. And I hope this doesn't make it any less amusing, but I often sign off goota go, or goota guy as a nod to my slight dyslexia. Hey if you can't have fun with yourself who can you have fun with? :D Does that sound dirty? Heh heh.
HAPPY Late Birthday, Litter! My Dad's birthday was yesterday. Ah you Aries, so strong, so bold and witty. Late {{{Hugs}}} to ya!
Kari, Hi and welcome! Think about what it is you REALLY want to say about time. Is it that it is cruel, or that it was always there and always will be there, dependable? Or is it a new thought you had on the essence of time? You want to convey with strong, vivid words and thoughts that make the reader feel and hear your voice. Keep writing! There aren't enough poets out there.
Howard, You know, as much as I'd love to be in this new thread I don't think I have the time. I'm finally writing on my book again and don't want to distract from it. I'd love to see what you guys come up with though. Give us a looksie, won't you?
Love to all,
Christi 4-4-2003 11:32
Kari:
Poems. Say what you want to say then smooth it out.
Debra 4-4-2003 7:56
i'm a little young but i started writing when i was in the 1st grade.i need so advice on how the write better poems.if you wounder how i write,here is a sample:
Time
Time is nither here nor there,
But you can find it anywhere.
Time went back to the old Romans,
Time went back to the Egyptians.
Time is nither here nor there.
kari tachai (aka lisa terek) 15 years old
thanks alot!
kari aka lisa 4-3-2003 22:20
Mel,
I should lend you my muse. My Muse is awake, well and kicking. The only problem is that a Muse and an essay do not always walk hand in hand (grins). I just turned in quite an imaginative Philosophy paper... I only have one last paper to write and am very excited.
Here, I've sent over my Muse, oh! The other one wants to come along as well. You better hang on to your boots with those two about ;o)
Take care you.
Rachel
Rachel 4-3-2003 20:30
MEL & LITTER: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES.
Teekay 4-3-2003 19:24
Dang, lost my post!
I said Happy Birthday to Mel and Litter, a bit late I guess never got up here last night.
Viv I have used CuteFTP and WSFTP both are easy to use and both have shareware versions that work fine if you just need to upload occasionally. Of late I've simply used the software supplied by the sites where I have my web pages. I have most of my stuff on Geocities, simply because it was the place I put my very first page up on back in the mid 90's when they first came available. I moved one to another of the free sites because Geocities is getting picky about what they allow you to do anymore, for instance you can no longer place a file up there and link to it at another site, like here!
Most of the places that furnish free web space also have built in file utilities to help you upload the files making the FTP software unnecessary, and Internet Explorer also has built in FTP software that works fairly easily too if the FTP site is set up to accept it.
Jerry 4-3-2003 19:06
Hi, You-uns,
Thanks for b'day wishes. I'm at home today but will be back at work tomorrow (and my email)if anyone's waiting on a YT... from me.
Ms. Muse is sleeping today, darn it... maybe I can rouse her before the evening is over...
Catch y'all later!
Mel 4-3-2003 18:02
Back up! Took a nap while the 80gb hdd was formatting, and now all I have to do is connect the old hdd a slave and copy all my stuff -- there's an awful echo in here!
howard 4-3-2003 17:06
Okay -- update time! Had to wait for the confirmation on my tax filing, but now I'm ready.
See you on the other side! :-})
howard 4-3-2003 14:30
Mel and Litter,
Happy Birthday!
Taylor,
I'll look forward to reading your posts again when you return :o)
Rachel 4-3-2003 13:42
VIV -- The idea is to send a YT... to someone and work with them to complete the story. Some folks here don't post their Edress with each post (it's optional here, and if you enter your Edress in the Email: space when posting, your name shows up in blue at the bottom of your post. Anyone can click on that to send you a note.)
Use that to send a note to one of us initiating the YT... exchange.
My suggestion was that anyone not wishing to post their Edress here could send it to me and I can forward it to anyone else in the group wanting to YT... with them. That way no one knows who is working together until they're all revealed on the target date.
Several have already indicated that they're open for YT... and all anyone has to do is Email a starting paragraph to one of them.
I've got room for one or two more, if anyone hasn't got started yet, and I've got Mark's Edress is anyone wants to have a go with him. Just send me a note.
howard 4-3-2003 9:07
Friend of Taylor: Thank you for the update, and also passing along our messages. Got one more for Taylor:
We're looking forward to seeing you again on the notebook. Don't feel shy. We've all been there and back.
Howard: I don't understand the e-mail addresses. Are these for the add on story or something different.
Jerry:
Do you use cuteFTP to upload or something different. I have Windows 98 and am trying to upload something to a site. Can't seem to get the job done. Is there any shareware for cuteFTP or should I just buy it for $43.00?
I am still a dinosaur when it comes to making websites. I'm so ashamed. After everyone has helped so much, I continue to be a butterfingers on these websites. Ugh! Ignorance here is not bliss. It could cost me a job if I don't learn how to do this easily.
Viv 4-3-2003 6:56
Excuse this... But just letting you people know that Taylor could be back home at beginning of next week.
I was able to contact him and relate messages and talk for quite a bit. He's doing better. Could tell. Taylor says thanks guys
Friend Of Taylor's 4-3-2003 3:41
LITTER -- Happy Birthday indeed! And many more! Did you get my note about the Celtic writing contest?
As I said -- don't wait, if you haven't been approached for the YT... round 1, approach someone! And note Litter's Edress here.
----
Encounter in a restaurant:
The meal was decent, the service adequate, even though the waitress was a bit preoccupied with her friends in the next booth. She did ask if I wanted a warmup of my coffee, then forgot to bring it.
The check came to a little over $11, and I only had a $20, so I went up to the register to pay and get change for a tip.
Got back to the table just in time to hear the waitress saying (to the next booth) "...Asshole didn't even leave a tip!"
I just stood there until she sensed my presence and looked up, face reddening instantly, then dropped a fiver down the front of her shirt (there was plenty of room) and said "Asshole had to go get change," and smiled, and turned and walked out.
The look on her face was worth it all.
howard 4-2-2003 23:14
Mark - in 1971 I stopped in at the Gunfighter PX in Danang and bought a watch. The one I pointed at was a small cheap little Siko that you had to wind, no date or anything, I just wanted one that kept time, and I had never heard of Seiko. The gal behind the counter gave me a watch box and I went and paid my fifteen dollars for it. When I got back to the unit, I opened the box and inside was a Seiko self winding, day/date 25 jewel stainless steel watch. I've had it on ever since, once in, I think it was 74, the self winding weight came loose and I had the PX send it in and get it repaired, I was lost without it for the couple of weeks it was gone, and very happy to have it back. I've worn it ever since.
I have received many watches as gifts since, and they all lay in a drawer in the bedroom. I dig one out when I have to go to a funeral, wedding or such, but just for that part of the day. Funney how one can become attached to such an object. However it's kept perfect time since the day I bought it so I can't complain.
Jerry 4-2-2003 21:09
What ho, fellows?
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday dear me-ee,
Happy Birthday to me.
MEL – I too am another year older (and deeper… etc.) I am also a year older than you too. Coincidence or what? Happy Birthday to you too.
HORWAD – I'll have a go at the 'Your Turn'. Email as at bottom of page.
ALL and EVERYONE – Anyone using my 'madasafish' email address, please use the link below for now on. I'm in dispute with the ISP for offering such a crappy service and I anticipate retribution. The new email address is with an ISP recently voted the UK's best ISP, so I don't anticipate any problems with the new addy. litterali@onetel.net.uk (Famous last words.)
Joy, Joy, Happy, Happy.
Litter 4-2-2003 20:39
Christi, Goota!!! Love the typo! (I'm serious, it actually caused all sixteen of my smiling muscles to work today!)
Hugs to you, sweets, and I've missed you around here!
(Or has it been me, delinquent as usual?)
Sorry again on the Phantasium news....though I am progressing quite quickly, my computer has not been the same since the worm virus, so I'll have to reformat pretty soon. Of course, I do have extra backups of my backups for Phantasium, so no worries there.
Actually, I may have them all printed and ready to go before I reformat anyway!
I'm almost there!
Carol - I finished up your 'Grandma Rose' last night, and I changed a number of things....
I'll email you a copy of the revisions by pasting it into an email, so don't mind the lack of proper formatting! Let me know as soon as you can whether you approve my changes - there aren't that many!
The last two lines are probably most noticeable, but I really think the revision creates more punch - definitely a more memorable and meaningful ending with only a slight change.
Thanks Carol!
Tina - Daniel has been fully edited and is printed and ready to go with the collection. I'm not sure if you approved my changes/edits on it or not, so if you want me to send the revised 'Daniel' to you just to be sure, let me know! Email me or leave me a note here. :o)
Oh, and 'Sandra and Lily' didn't need any real alterations; perhaps one sentence had rewording, that was all. Did you still want to re-title that one, or is it fine as is?
That one is also ready to send, but if you wanted to change the title, I can just change that and re-print the first page without a problem.
Tomorrow I should have the finalized list of stories in the order I've placed them, (a little different than my initial list about three months ago)
.....
and tomorrow looks good for mailing. I've said that before, so just ignore me until I come onto the NB and shout 'I MAILED IT!' in huge purple lettering.
LOL
Take care all,
~~Bug-eyed and lovin' it,
Heather 4-2-2003 17:57
CHERI -- I think that's "museability."
CHRISTI -- You'll have to post your Edress, send it to me, or start a YT... ("Your Turn...") with someone whose Edress you already know.
howrad 4-2-2003 15:08
Include me in the Shared Story please!
Happy Birthday, Mel! Glad you finally told us, you little so and so!
Goota catch up on the posts, whew.
Christi 4-2-2003 14:00
MEL: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!;) I also would like to participate in the paragraph writing, but am limited as to time and muse availability(did that sentence make sense?).
Just a quick note to say HI ALL!
Back to lurking.
Cheri 4-2-2003 13:41
HOWARD: Good idea on the "Your Turn" naming. Thanks for the whole idea and for being willing to post them on your website for us. :-)
I forgot to mention I used to do this sort of thing orally as a child with my dad. He'd start a bedtime story (about a paragraph's worth) and then he'd pass it, by pointing or with his eyes, to me or whoever else was listening too, with a "And then--." They were great fun. :-]
Mel 4-2-2003 8:48
GREAT news from Iraq last night! A special team of heroes went in and rescued one of the POWs! Thank You LORD!
Here's an additional tweak on our "your turn" stories. By the third round, the person first receiving a "your turn" paragraph had to name the story (not the person initiating it).
I think this will be fun!
And anyone who has not been approached with a "your turn" yet, who wants to be involved, don't be shy -- either start one yourself (there are Edresses in recent posts) or say here that you haven't got into one yet. We don't bite, (except maybe HEATER -- I got the impression she's into that kinky sort of thing...) ;-}) and we'd hate to leave anyone out!
howard 4-2-2003 8:31
*Mel*
Hi, You-all!
HOWARD, SUNNY, ANYONE ELSE Wondering: Yes, I'm another year older now (yesterday). I try to be humble about having birthdays - don't know why. I guess they're about as troublesome as a yearly physical at the doctor's - you don't want 'em but you gotta have 'em. Birthdays make you reflect on the past and I'm not too keen on most of mine. BUT! A bright spot was my cake - my husband lit forty eight candles on it and, man, was it warm and bright in the room! ;-] Now I can move on to more pleasant things, like scheduling eye-doctor appointments for my changing eyeballs, and hoe-ing out the attic for a Spring yard sale. Yippee. 8-/
I too am open to the email paragraph writing thingy - my additions will probably be VERY short for lack of muse-time, but maybe they will give her a jolt of inspiration!
It's a rainy day - I feel like Eeyore. Maybe one of you Tiggers will bounce by for a visit and bring the sunshine with you! :-]
A productive writing day to each of you!
Mel 4-2-2003 8:02
Just in case anybody was, don't wait for me to start it -- there are a bunch of Edresses posted (for the newbies, a name in blue means an Edress), so have at it with one another!
Also -- if anyone has trouble seeing the Operation Iraqi Freedom Powerpoint presentation I sent, or have posted on my page, you might need the free viewer available at
http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/Ppview97.aspx
There's more viewers and MS Office file converters (free also) at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp
If the two urls are not completely hilighted in blue, copy/paste them into your browser starting with the http.
My page (with the pps file) is
http://home.stny.rr.com/htuckey/
howard 4-1-2003 21:55
Count me in, HOWARD. Sounds like fun.
Rhoda 4-1-2003 21:23
ROW HARD -- You already have my edress (mlenihan at). Send paragraphs. I woke up in the middle of the night a week or so ago and wrote a note to myself. I can make those sentences the start of something. Well, hell, you knew that. Anybody around here can tell you, "Yeah, that Mark, he can start something, alright."
Mark 4-1-2003 20:40
Randall, the umbrella bit is brilliant! Just hilarious. Thank you!
Both of my grandfathers fought in WWII. Both lived. My english grandfather was a pilot in the RAF, my german grandfather was in the Canadian Forces (I believe Navy) and landed on the beaches in France.
Heather 4-1-2003 20:28
Howard - the writing prompt stuff - I have a book by one of the editors at Writer's Digest, and the whole thing is filled with writing prompts. I believe it is called 'The Writer's Idea Book' (which is a tad misleading, really!) but I'll have to check. Hmmmmmm. That prompts me......
LOL
Heather 4-1-2003 20:09
Count me in, too!
:o)
Heather 4-1-2003 20:05
Randall
Evening...
This arrived as an e-mail from a friend and I'll post it without comment.
"To nobody's surprise there were protesters today in DC, they attempted to disrupt the metro system and block the Key Bridge, a leading artery into DC from Northern Virginia. I got hosed twice because I come in from Northern VA. on the metro and it is raining hard which makes traffic worse any way. My commute was long and arduous and only caused further resentment for protesters (but that isn't the point of this thread).
"Anyway, I'll get to the point.
"I got off the train in Rosslyn because I had to use the bathroom and the train was moving quite slowly. When I was getting back on the train, there were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America. I politely declined to take one. An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice said, "Ma'am, don't you care about the children of Iraq?" The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my first husband died in France during World War II so you could have the right to stand here and bad mouth your country. And if you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."
"I'm glad to report that loud applause broke out among the onlookers and the young protester was at a total loss for words.
Evening...
Randall
RANDALL 4-1-2003 19:53
This SARS epidemic reminds meof Stephen King's book 'The Stand'.
Now that was a good book.
Teekay 4-1-2003 18:40
I'm not a fiction writer, but I'd like to participate. Is that OK?
Sunny 4-1-2003 18:35
I'm game for Howard's co-written shortie idea. Anyone interested, drop me an e-mail. In the spirit of the surprise factor, I won't mention it again.
Tina 4-1-2003 17:19
HOWARD: That sounds like a fun idea. Count me in.
Teekay 4-1-2003 17:12
Just received this in a Writer's Digest newsletter --
CELTIC WRITER'S CONTEST
The Cincinnati Celtic Music & Cultural Festival is pleased to announce its first ever writer's contest. There are three categories: poetry, short story and short one-act plays. Each must have a theme incorporating Celtic people (historic, real or imaginary). Awards of $100 will be given to the winning entry in each category, and $50 to the runner-up.
All submissions must be received no later than June 2, 2003. Send entries to: Writer's Contest, Cincinnati Celtic Festival, P.O. Box 9008, Cincinnati OH 45209-0008. Winners will be notified by one of the panel judges by August 15, 2003.
For more information see
http://home.fuse.net/cfl/festival.html
howard 4-1-2003 16:13
MARK -- My Rolex is self-winding. It stops if I leave it on the dresser for more than a day. It's an expensive watch -- cost me 25 years of my life -- at IBM. Got it in 1991, and recently sent it in for cleaning and adjustment. They charged over $300.00 just for that! If it ever wears out I'm getting a Timex.
I've had fun with it -- one day back in school I was helping a 19 year old classmate with one of our papers, and she said she had to run a couple of errands, and hoped she'd get back in time for class as she'd forgotten her watch. I handed her mine, and told her she could return it at class that afternoon. She put it into her purse without looking at it, and left. That afternoon she came into the classroom, her face pale, as if she was in shock.
"This is a real Rolex!!"
"Yeah..."
"You just loaned me a real Rolex!"
"So?"
"How much is it worth?"
"$2300"
"But why?"
"You needed a watch, this is a watch."
I thought she was going to faint!
howard 4-1-2003 16:08
Re: the screensaver that froze -- Remember self-winding watches? Had little weights inside that wiggled and wound the spring as you moved your arm. Knew a sedentary kid in high school who had one that stopped.
Mark 4-1-2003 15:28
That entire line has to be pasted into the to: address of your mail. Leave the rest blank
join-prompts-text@fwpubs.sparklist.com
howard 4-1-2003 14:23
Another Neat Thing --
Writer's Digest has several free newsletters available, one of which is a "Writing Prompts" list, sent each month. This is a list of daily prompts, one for each day of the month, to stimulate, prod, poke, wake up, shake up, excite, and otherwise attract your muse's attention!
You can subscribe to the text-only version by sending a blank Email to
join-prompts-text@fwpubs.sparklist.com
I haven't seen a lot of junk mail from it, and you might like it!
howard 4-1-2003 14:21
A lull in the action -- actually in the beginning of the action, as I haven't started it yet. Rearranging the computer room. I can actually see the floor in places now! (Teekay knows what I mean by that -- we traded computer desk pix a while back)
It's snowing hard here -- got over an inch so far since mid-morning, and it's still coming down! The poor finches are protesting noisily!
Here's a proposition to maybe stimulate some writing:
A friend of mine started something right out of the blue a few days ago. he's not a writer, but he sent me a paragraph and ended it with
...your turn
I added some lines and sent it back. It's several pages long now, and it's a lot of fun! All sorts of twists and explorations. I remember we've done that sort of thing here before, but this one was totally unexpected. Maybe we ought to get one or two going amongst ourselves (via Email) and publish them on a set target date a month or two away.
Simple rules (if anyone wants to play)
Keep each project between two people, with no telling who's working together until pub time. That might mean any one person is working on more than one. But don't overload, and if you're full up and someone sends you a "...your turn starter" let them know that you can't do it just yet.
No more than a paragraph or two per turn. Plot turns and twists are welcome, but not required. Try to keep it light -- something along the lines of Douglas Adams or Monty Python, or Edgar Allen Poe...
Keeping with the tone of this forum, keep it "family friendly" -- no blatant porn, etc.
This will be entirely via Email, so if you'd like to participate, but don't want to post your Edress here to get started, you can send it to me, and let folks know you did that, and they can send me a note requesting it. I won't share it with anyone but "family."
If there are no objections, how about a target date of 4/30 for the first round? I'll be glad to put them on my web page, such as it is, so we can all read them. I think it might be fun!
Comments or suggestions for further rules are welcome!
howard 4-1-2003 14:09
MEL -- Happy Birthday! (I think)
It's sleeting here, so I tossed the towels into the dryer instead of hanging them on the back line. Still have snow from Sunday and Monday -- some of the squalls were intense, with zero visibility for several minutes at a time. I'll have to go out to the garden and take a picture of my garlic poking up through the snow. That's okay for the garlic, but I hope my new strawberry plants have enough sense to hit the snooze alarm and lie low for a while longer!
I'm going to be doing a major upgrade to my computer over the next day or two -- new 80gb hdd, DVD with CD-R/RW drive, and WIN/XP Pro. That last one scares me a little, but my son-in-law has been running it for a year or better with no problems. He's also running a wireless network, and has a server in his spare room, so he's really into it.
Anyway, if you don't see me here for a day or two, that's the reason. If you do see me here in a day or two, and I appear grumpier than usual, that's the reason.
Maybe Andy Rooney was right! ;-})
howard 4-1-2003 10:32
Good morning, everybodeez! :-] And that's no April Fool's joke! I hope you all have a wonderful, muse-filled day.
And now, a word from my sponsor:
hm-hm-hum-hum to :-}
hm-hm-hum-hum (tomorrow) to Litter!
hm-hm-hummm-hummm (tomorrow) to the NOTEBOOK!!!
hm-hm-hum-hum to US!
And now I must see a gnarly time-gnome about ripping another year off my life calendar-- (hey, you! You with the wheelbarrow! Don't look so happy about it...How'd you like a mouthful of dirt to wipe that smirk off your face? You love dirt? Okay, here I come---)
Later, 'gators!
Mel 4-1-2003 8:14
Got a scene in your story where they're playing cards? Other games? http://www.pagat.com/ is an interesting site full of descriptions and rules for whole bunches of them! It's interesting research, if nothing else.
howard 4-1-2003 7:40
Great quote!
"Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things
they make it easier to do don't need to be done."
--Andy Rooney
howard 4-1-2003 7:23
Sure sign of spring, I got the lawn mower out and picked up five 30 gallon trash bags full of bird seed hulls and dry grass, now if we can just get some rain...
I'm going to seed the lawn tomorow if the weather holds, it got up to nearly 80 today, that was a shock to the old system, broke records all over both Dakota's.
JERRY 3-31-2003 23:48
Heather - You have a PC right, not a Mac? At any rate, you can set your machine to turn off the monitor after so long to save the screen, works much better then a screen saver. It's adjustable under the video properties/screen saver/advanced tab
Jerry 3-31-2003 23:33
Viv - I think the funniest aspect of it was the thought that ran through my head:
Technician: "So what's been happening with your monitor?"
Me: "There are images burnt into the display."
Technician: "Don't you use a screensaver if you leave your computer on for long periods of time?"
Me: "The images are from the screensaver."
Heather 3-31-2003 23:26
Hi Heather: Your screensaver freezing caused you to laugh? Honey, you've been sitting in a cold climate much too long! Time to fly south. (Uh...I'm having this problem too. As it rains outside I'm giggling at the notion of someone giggling when her screen saver freezes. Go figure!)
Mark: Good for you on the puppy buying. I agree with you on the 5 dogs on a city lot. The difference in care really shows in the personality of the dog. It makes a huge difference. That's why I bought my dog this time rather than using the Japanese vet system. (I have two animals I got because they were referred to the vet because of abuse). There's a huge difference in the amount of time training takes and personality. We had to train our other dog to allow us to step around and over her so that we wouldn't get bitten just as we passed.
Carol also got a German Shepard!
Got to get going. Have to find the map of Hawaii and a nursing home I can get to in about an hour for my story...not for my relatives or myself.
Viv 3-31-2003 21:09
Hey everyone!
Guess what caused one of my 'belly laughs of the day' today?
My screensaver froze.
Heather 3-31-2003 13:33
VIV -- She's a large pup, German Shepherd. At eight weeks she is already bigger than our other two were at three months. Our 13-year-old male is part Shepherd and part Hound, so he's not quite as large as full Shepherd. He has incredibly bad hip displacia (dysplasia in some books). We worried about getting a full Shepherd, but our vet said to get a registered dog and make sure the parents had their hips registered. So we did.
We passed on Shepherd pups from a low-class couple who advertised pups after seeing that the pups' momma walked oddly. We suspect she has it. Didn't feel good about cramped city lot with five dogs and a litter of pups in a rundown house on the edge of a bad neighborhood.
Mark 3-31-2003 11:50
Hello everyone again! I love having a computer again. I can't talk long, but thank you Teekay, and it was a beautiful poem, I have to go now.
Till Niagara Falls!
Elaine 3-31-2003 11:44
HOWARD -- I got 11 and was told only three people scored that high before me. Wonder if they're the same three who did it before you?
Mark 3-31-2003 11:33
*Mel*
Good morning, all! :-]
HOWARD: Ithaca roads are just fine today. Not that much white stuff either, really! BTW, I got 10 out of 11 - I can't believe I screwed up the ark question!!! 8-/
TEEKAY, SUNNY, PAMELA, and Anyone else interested:
End of my first of four months writing extravaganza PROGRESS REPORT:
Well, I haven't progressed as far as I'd hoped (first 10 chapters) BUT I progressed more than I thought I would (a few unwritten scenes now written and more editing done than I expected what with family distractions, etc, etc!).
I have revised the PLAN for the next three months. I learned a deep truth this first month - while pushing myself gets some results, I really do have a LOT of editing to do on the first section of my book (e.g. the first three chapters). So I am going to spend a second month on those first several sections/scenes that encompass the first three chapters and make them BETTER. Then in May and June, I hope to blow full steam ahead with the remaining chapters (um, 15 a month, about 2 days per chapter - still unrealistic but it will succeed in PUSHING me to write. And that is my ultimate goal, I think - shh, don't reveal my hidden agenda to my muse! She's lazy enough as it is!).
BTW, everyone who participated: I really enjoyed the shorties on gardens and then on warm fuzzies. :-]
I'm sure there was more on which to comment, but my brain has early morning freeze right now, so am just going to toddle off to my work desk for now {dreaming of the day when my work desk can just be my writing desk at home, sigh...)
:-] A great day to each of you!
Mel 3-31-2003 8:30
Randall: Oh is this going to be fun. You don't know exactly what you did, but you've opened a Pandora's box!
Mark: Oh, not you too. Carol and I both got puppies. Whaddya' get? Big or little? Hope you get to have an entire nights sleep soon.
Jerry: I'd go bezerk for that land if it has water + water rights. No kidding. A whole half a block. Wow what a neat treasure.
Viv 3-31-2003 6:51
HOWARD: I got 10 out of 11.
I guessed the innings one. What's an innings?
That was fun. :-D
Teekay 3-31-2003 0:41
Jerry -- just get one of those wildflower seed mixes, scratch up the dirt and scatter the seeds around. No mowing, pretty flowers, and the birds, bees, and butterflies like it! They have several mixes -- one especially for prairie regions.
howard 3-30-2003 22:42
I got 11 of 11 right! Try it!
http://www.dur.ac.uk/t.m.jackson/intelligentietest.htm
(It said only three other people got them all right -- dunno if I believe that...
:-)
howard 3-30-2003 22:39
Any bidders? If you thought you'd seen everything on Ebay, check this auction out!
Jerry Ebay auction
3-30-2003 22:37
Geeze, I have this lot in North Dakota that I can't GIVE AWAY! Believe me, I've tried. It's right next door to the house that the Gov ripped from under me, I bought the lot seperatly from the City for $25.00 it's 25 feet wide by a half block long. Both folks that own the land on either side of it think they already own it. I had a friend try to sell it for me, when he talked to both they were surprised that they didn't already own it. I told him to go back and tell them that I'll send the deed to the local reservation as a donation, maybe they could find a use for it, but he didn't want to threaten them, he's the local game warden.
I guess the City will just get it back for taxes in a couple of years, God knows I'm not going to pay the taxes on it with absolutly no use for a lot some three hundred miles north east of where I now live.
The only problem with bird feeders is the mess you have to clean up. Right now, there's about six inches of hulls around the seven feeders I have up now, very soon (as in tomorow) I'll get my mower going and pick them all up. What with the drought that we've had the last several years and the bird seed, there's not a blade of grass to be seen around there anyhow, I'm going to have to reseed the whole front yard. Think that may be an exercise in futility too since the basement guy wants to dig up the front yard to access the basement area so he can finish digging and putting up the walls.
I don't know though, think I'll seed anyhow I hate bare ground in the front yard.
Jerry 3-30-2003 22:34
Hi, all. Just popping in. Have a puppy here. Eight weeks old. Does not yet sleep through the night (so neither do we) and surely does annoy our two older dogs and two older cats. Going to bed early tonight. "Beauty" will cry soon enough.
HEATHER -- yes yes yes
wuzzersomethinelse? therwuzsomethinelse. ahhhphooey. morelater.
Mark 3-30-2003 22:22
Oh, and Virginia also has beautiful patches of wildflowers in the median strips of their interstate highways, with signs warning about disturbing them.
howard 3-30-2003 21:22
ROSEMARY -- That was New York that gave my dad the $150 for 8+ acres, not Texas. It included a year-round spring that was piped down to the barn via a hand-made wooden pipeline! I still have a section of that pipe around here somewhere. There was also a small gravel pit that we had reopened for personal use, and a very nice field of millet that a farmer aquaintance was going to cut, but never got the chance. We had no immediate use for the field, so we let her raise feed on it. Oh, and there were a bunch of active beehives there as well. We left them, and I understand they got in a few licks when the crews went to clear the area.
HEATHER -- the bird feeders weren't my idea exactly, my wife sent me a picture of one, and I sort of took off from there. I'll take a couple of pix of one in the morning and post it on my page, with instructions. I filled it again this afternoon, and it holds about a quart of thistle seed. My grandson gets a big kick out of watching all the birds (14 at a time) on it.
TEEKAY -- Some do, some have, and some will yet. More offline.
howard 3-30-2003 21:19
Evening all,
Oh, RANDALL, did you have to let them all know those big burly tractor drivers weren't mowing around the wildflowers on their own accord. It would be much sweeter to think they cared a little instead of cursing the extra trouble it took to follow the rules. You're right about the wildflower laws. We're not allowed to mow, pick, dig up and transplant or even sniff strongly. If Lady Bird had her way, there would be a limit on how many pictures could be taken. I think recently I read that she has had a couple of strokes and can no longer talk but she still makes her wishes known.
I know Texas can be a big bully but that must have been a long time ago that they took the land for $150. Three or four feet of anywhere is worth more than that. Jeepers, where are the lousy lawyers when you need them? Now you know how those people that use to own Matagoris (Sp?) Island felt when the state (federal?) took it away from them. Now the gov. doesn't need it any more but won't let the family have it back. Nobody promised us fair.
Enough of that for tonight.
Bye
Rosemary 3-30-2003 20:59
Randall
Evening all...
Heather...works for me. Go for it and good luck! :-)
Viv...Okay! A Japanese doll will suffice. :-)
Howard...Oops! Yeah, Old LBJ's wife is still around. I think. I scanned several sites seeking info and all left date of death blank... Old Democrats ya know... :-)
Randall
Randall 3-30-2003 20:14
I can honestly say that I did NOT edit that last post. After this collection, I may have to give my red pen a serious vacation.
Heather 3-30-2003 19:27
Howard, you genius, thank you for the bird feeder idea!
That is one thing our yard is lacking, and that's a bird feeder. We get gold finches occasionally (probably would see a lot more if there was food they liked hanging around)
and cardinals, blue jays, robins, purple martins, mourning doves, and all sorts of those little brown jobbies. I think they're wrens. LOL Oh, and chikadees. The only birds we have in the area that I would definitely prefer they vacated are the woodpeckers. Dang it, why do the big power poles just have to harbour insects? There's no sleep in the summer mornings with those peckers around. HAHAHHAHAHAHAAAA!
By the way, folks, Phantasium is nearing the very very end of finalization, and will be ready to mail out tomorrow or Tuesday morning. The last ten stories only need pagenumbering!!!!! I'm almost DONE!!!!!!! Can you believe it?????
I'll bet you were all starting to wonder when I was going to give up the ghost completely. HA HA HA HHA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAA.....ha. I'm not giving up! We're almost there!!
Randall - replaced 'Ross' with 'Doss' again, and 'Missus' with 'Mrs.'..... was that all there was to fix? Let me know if it's ok to send as it stands, and it'll get pagenumbering and be ready to send along too. :o)
Howard, I included 'An Old Hymn' in with the collection.
:o)
Carol - Your Grandma Ghost story... It's the only one left that may need approval for edits, if I decide to reword anything. Minor things such as typographical and grammatical errors I'll fix without approvals, ok?
Mark - your Intro is now called 'Forward', and my intro is still and introduction. Thought it might be better that way. Let me know.
I also signed off the Forward with "~Mark Lenihan", since it hadn't been included in the original. :o)
Jumpin' off to go and pagenumber til my eyes fall out.....8o}
Heather 3-30-2003 19:25
HOWARD: I wasn't asking you why, as in I think your accountable for them :-D
You just always come to mind when I have those probing kinds of questions.
Teekay 3-30-2003 17:46
RACHEL: I understand what you're saying and agree with you too :-)
HOWARD: That sucks! I wonder if there's anyway you could win it back through the courts.
About the notification thing. Sounds complicated. Couldn't we just get someone to post. We should all go now and tell our nearest and dearest that if we are to die, or become seriously ill or incapacitated to log onto http://www.webwitch.com/tdforum/notebook.html
and let everyone know. I'm going to post this to hubby's email right now, with a note.
Thought of a question I wanted to ask you last night. If those of the Jewish religion knew about the prophesies in their bible and then Jesus came along and fulfilled those prophesies. Why, in hindsight haven't they become Christians?
RANDALL: I think I like no: 2 best. It seems more rounded.
Just babbling:
There's a series on the ABC called frontier House, about these 3 families who go live as they did back in 1860, for 5 months. I love it.
I can see how that type of thing would be character building. I'd really like to try it myself.
I think.
Going, going, gon
Teekay 3-30-2003 17:34
RANDALL -- LBJ's widow is still around? I thought she'd gone on to that great highway beautification program in the sky a long time ago! We're still kind of ticked at that farce.
Our place was originally a little over 13 acres, and then they took 8 acres (complete with year-round spring) for the I81 construction. Gave my dad the princely sum of $150.00 for it!
Then to add insult (and more injury) to injury, along comes Lady Bird with her "Highway Beautification" project, and took a wide strip on each side of the highway. Told my dad he had to sell it to them outright or they'd take it. THere was an article in Reader's Digest a few years ago talking about the favoritism, illegality, and outright thievery in that mess.
Anyway, now we're down to just over three acres, and now the state is allowing billboards (big brightly-lighted ones) to be placed along 'selected' stretches. None right behind our place yet, so we can still see the stars from our back yard -- but I have a feeling it's just a matter of time. There's one a ways down the road from us, so we don't get to see the southern sky because of the light pollution, and I'm just hoping they don't come further north with them.
I've been trying to buy back the strip behind our place, but dealing with the state is a real bag of snakes. They say I have to watch for "Public Notification" of any possible sale. That means an ad on the back page of some small-town newspaper that we'd never see, plus a discrete phone call to someone in the crony system to see if they'd like a real deal!
It's bad enough that we can't hear the owls, and other night (or day) critters -- except for the occasional fox or coyote -- because of the traffic noise on I81. We moved up here for the peace and quiet, but it ain't happening...
howard 3-30-2003 16:17
Jerry, now that's warmer and fuzzier!
Tina 3-30-2003 12:00
Howard - I've never purchased any thistle seed, way to costly here. Don't know why but you can get 50 pounds of any other kind of seed for the same cost of 5 pounds of thistle. My sister has put some out in a small feeder and attracted lots of little golden finches. We get some with the sunflower seed and the wild bird mix in fact one day I got up and opened the drapes (All my feeders are in the front yard right in front of a huge picture window) and our twelve foot tall snowball tree was covered with gold finches. Looked like a wonderful Christmas Tree in the spring.
Jerry 3-30-2003 11:31
Those goldfinches and robins are real pretty against the snow...
MELANIE -- My son-in-law called from Ithaca a couple of hours ago (Sunday morning) and said the roads are really bad there already. He's going to wait until the plows get out before trying to make it back here -- and he's got 4-wheel drive!
TAYLOR -- Hang in there, and thanks for letting us know!
That got me to thinking -- we have grown to be a close group, even though we will most probably never see one another face to face. I imagine there are other groups, and Email friends in the same situation. What happens if something happens to one of us?
I've been trying to think of some sort of notification page/site/process -- not only for us -- that would allow a person to notify his or her cyber-buddies in cases like Taylor's, or Randall's. It's nice to be able to know if anything's happened to people we care about.
I thought perhaps a registry, where we could put Edresses of "cyber-kin" to be notified, and a card to be carried requesting that a notification be sent to that registry in order to trigger the process for any given member. Get it all in one place, and make folks aware of it, and it might fly. Dunno about hosting it, or paying for it, or insuring privacy, though.
Ideas/comments?
howard 3-30-2003 10:09
Hi Randall: Randall, gotcha'! Sounds do-able. One problem...China? or is Japan ok?
Carol: I'll send you my work hopefully this week. I'm trying like crazy to keep the light tone of that chapter. It's not easy somehow because I'm feeling a little like I'm tussling with alligators. This time of year is tough for me. Luckily, teaching starts up in a week or two. That always seems to snap me back into writing. One thing I discovered I was doing was not prioritizing my work. Maybe when I work, I keep priorities because if I don't, I'll end up standing in front of a big group with nothing to do or say.
Well, back under!
Viv 3-30-2003 1:13
There's a very interesting (and short) essay at
http://www.forward.com/issues/2003/03.03.28/arts3.html
howrad 3-29-2003 22:33
Randall
Evening...buckaroos!!! :-)
During a search for humor on the web I found this. But I altered that F word....
Top Ten Times in History When Saying F#@* was Appropriate:
10. "What the F#@* was that?" - Mayor of Hiroshima
9. "Where did all these F#@*ing Indians come from?" - Custer
8. "Any F#@*ing idiot could understand that! " - Einstein
7. "It does SO F#@*ing look like her!" - Picasso
6. "How the F#@* did you work that out?" - Pythagoras
5. "You want WHAT on the F#@*ing ceiling?" - Michelangelo
4. "I don't suppose it's gonna F#@*ing rain ?" - Joan of Arc
3. "Scattered F#@*ing showers... my ass!" - Noah
2. "I need this parade like I need a F#@*ing hole in my head!" - JFK
And the number one most appropriate use of the "f" word....
1. "Who the F#@* is going to know?" Bill Clinton
I like #10.... but #6 is neat also.
Randall
Randall 3-29-2003 20:27
Hey Teekay,
I saw you write that you are a scorpio. My husband is a scorpio! No wonder I;m fond of yah :o)
I like my classes. I would never say any of them are easy, but I like them. I started back to school for the single purpose of wanting to improve my writing. I figured that if I expanded my understanding of people and the world that I would be a better writer. I also wanted to learn about writers and writing, thus my English classes.
I used to think that religion was a path to god. I think it is a little different than that. That may be part of it. I think it is more personal spirituality that leads to god. You can have all the religious books, papers and study in the world and not have a spiritual bone in your body. I don’t know if you get what I’m saying. I bet that you do though. I also don’t think that one needs religion to know god. However, I do think that religion is a part of our world. It is a part of our social structure, our history and in some places, politics. I think that it is a part of politics in all places in the world, just not overtly. It is when we try to say religion is not a part of politics, yet apply religious criteria our society that we start to run into problems. Hum...
I’m not sure about God. I’m sure that there is something, but I’m not even willing to go into if it is a single thing or if it is all things, or if all things are in fact a single thing. I know my own heart and I know how I wish to live. I will follow my convictions and if I am wrong and have failed some god unknown to me, then I will gladly pay any price that is expected from me, because, I will know I have lived well any god that couldn’t accept that is not god that I want.
Religion and the battle with the ego is tied close and tight. I can’t think of a religion where this hasn’t come up in some way or another. It is there again and again. I am of the opinion that as soon as a person feels that they have moved past ego, that they have fallen into an ocean deep and wide of it. I think the key is in knowing that we are never to where we are going and that we haven’t perfected anything. If there is anything that could be perfect I would hope that it could be my resolve to ever more forward and never allow myself to fall into the illusion that I have arrived. Let me be always a seeker. That is what I want. To be ever a seeker is not to never find, in case anyone who reads this is going to pick up that little thread with me ;o)
What is awareness of god? That is a question for the ages. Each religion will give you its own answer. Each person, within each religious tradition will have a different answer and then each individual person, within each individual tradition will give you what it will mean to them. They will all point in a direction and what you will see will depend upon you and where you sit in the mix, mash and mesh of it all.
I also don’t have the answers. I have some interesting points to make and can answer some pointed and direct questions, but I don’t want to pretend to know. What I’ve learned that is most surprising is how individual traditions within larger traditions can become blinded to where it is that they come from and where it is that their roots lay.
Ah well, enough of that. I should complete the last of my lessons, reading and get ready for my exams.
Rachel 3-29-2003 20:09
CHRISTI: The offer always stands. I was expecting you late this afternoon.
Do you mean to tell me you're not on the plane yet?
Teekay 3-29-2003 17:55
Soft as a whisper
Jack Frost has been,
transforming the garden
to a fairy tale scene.
Gaze with the eyes
and glory the heart
with bejewelled spider webs
the most delicate art.
Frosty leaves powdered
in crystallised white
glitter and glisten
in morning’s first light.
Go lightly, go softly
touch not a thing,
for one human finger,
destruction will bring.
Actually, it wasn't frosty this morning, but my toes were decidedly cold.
It won't be long til' we're breathing out frosty clouds of air and rubbing fingers briskly to keep off the chill.
It won't be long til' a fire roars comfortingly in the cast iron stove and we gather indoors with hot chocolate and glad hearts and listen to the muffled sounds of winter.
Won't be long til' I'm complaining about how bloody cold it is and when is Spring going to get here :-D
PAMELA: TAYLOR is a guy.
Have a good day all.
Teekay 3-29-2003 17:51
I look for the goldfinches every spring too. We've had them here for a couple of weeks now. Lots of finches for most of the winter. They relly like the thistle seed feeders I make. Take a four foot clear plastic tube, made for protecting flourescent lights, and cap both ends with cut-off plastic baby juice containers. Drill holes for perches and just above the perch a slot for the seed. We have one right in front of the living room window that has 14 finches at a time on it! I've got more of the tubes (get them at Lowe's or Home Depot), including some 8 foot long ones!. We feed lots of birds over the winter -- usually get thistle seed and regular mix by the 50 pound bag.
howard 3-29-2003 17:13
Randall
HEY!
Rosemary...the easiest way to have a little one-on-one session with the unofficial Queen of Texas, Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson is to mow HER wildflowers. I can see your grinning...but it's the Lord's truth. Lady Bird is the queen of wildflowers within Texas highway right of way. The Highway Beautification Act of 1965 was her contribution to the environment. What a staggering monument to the people of America.
"She still supports causes dear to her--notably the National Wildflower Research Center, which she founded in 1982, and The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library. She also serves on the Board of the National Geographic Society as a trustee emeritus."
http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/glimpse/firstladies/html/cj36.html
Many years ago when state employees mowed the right of way, (you probably saw a contractor) a tractor was being operated by a summer employee in the "Hill Country." He was busily mowing through a lush patch of wildflowers having a gay old time. Fortunately for the wildflowers but unfortunately for him Lady Bird was traveling through admiring the scenery. Lord above! What does she see but a state employee transforming HER flowers into mulch. The story goes that she came to a rubber burning whoa, leaped from her car as agile as a teenager and stood in front of the tractor with both hands up. I heard through the state grapevine that she read the summer employee the riot act, chapter and verse, cornered his boss, drove to the maintenance section, got a piece of the foreman, paid a visit to the Highway Commission and then called the governor!!! That all to familiar slogan ... DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS was supposed to be DON'T MESS WITH LADY BIRDS TEXAS!
My grandparents are buried in Wagram Cemetery close to Mason, Texas. In bluebonnet season it is a staggering sight with wildflowers everywhere. One year the Bluebonnets were nearly two feet tall with blooms up to 8" Everyone who can, should travel to Texas about this time of the year and view Lady Bird's wildflowers. But beware of a little old lady who closely guards HER turf! (No pun intended) Don't pick ‘em! Don't drive through ‘em! And never, ever, mow ‘em!
Have a good day my friends!
Randall
Randall 3-29-2003 13:54
A blustery but georgeous morning to all.
It got down into the high thirties last night, probably for the last time this year. I just love to sleep all bundled up when it's cold. My poodle just had his spring shearing and he slept under the covers all the way down to the foot of the bed.
You writer people are amazing. Tina: I loved your view.
JERRY--I don't think 'warm and fuzzy' is suposed to make you cry, but perhaps the thought that deer and other animals can really care about one another and mourn when one gets killed--maybe that is warm & Fuzzy.
PAMELA,
I just love big fat bumbly bees. I'm so glad you didn't kill him. They may not provide honey, but they are so funny that I just love them. Isn't it great that we have this place to go to when the world keeps whacking us over the head. Try the Chamomile tea. It's really good.
My W&F for today:
Bright yellow baby chick all warm and fuzzy from the nest, looking around. Mama is not ready to leave the nest but
Baby Yellow is bored. He wobbles around a little, while Mama scolds. Beware! Big red rooster struts up to baby and stands there looking down from his lofty height. Baby
Yellow squats, staring up at this imposing creature. Cheep, cheep. The Rooster hunkers down and looks around. Then he scratches a little in the hay and bends over. A tiny morstle is delicately picked up in the cruel beak and offered to the baby.
Chickens are amazing creatures to watch. One minute you would swear there could not possibly be a stupider or meaner creature in the world and the next they do something that touches you.
Have a great day all,
Rosemary 3-29-2003 12:46
The Goldfinches have arived!! Boy are they cold, damn cold front moved in, dropped the temps way down, it was 12 degrees this morning, warmed now to 27. I put out extra sunflower seeds for the returning signs of spring, hope it warms them.
Jerry 3-29-2003 12:44
Listen, in the darkness
Do you hear,
The distant echo of destruction
Come for us?
What is it we dread most?
the fear?
the pain?
the awful, gaping loss?
the gut wrenching despair?
Surely not death
Not that final absolution
for which we have lived
our lives to achieve ?
Do we fear we may fail the exam
The final test?
May I be excused?
3-29-2003 1:14
Anybody passing by would think they'd stumbled into a Deepak Chopra site :-D
ELAINE: I just knew that was your poem, even before I got to the bottom. You must have a certain style :-)
TINA: Absolutely. Would have bet my bottom dollar your warm and fuzzy was going to be about sky-diving :-D
JERRY: Yes, that's right. That was definitely NOT warm and fuzzy.
That was sad and depressing.
PAMELA: Move over. After JERRY's post I think I'll join you. Gotta tissue?
Teekay 3-29-2003 0:59
Love is ...
finding kind words where you expected angry ones.
Christi 3-29-2003 0:23
Here's a neat video, a relaxing tour of our claim to fame, our Petrified wood park. Turn on the speakers for nice background music.
Tour the park
3-29-2003 0:15
Warm and fuzzy shorties!
The warm sunshine raises a sweat on my skin as I reach the top of the hill. I steer my bicycle to the side and look down over the valley and lake, panting from the exertion of the first bike ride of the year. The hills are still brown with last year's grass, and the trees haven't budded out yet, but a blue heron is busy repairing its nest in a tall sparse cottonwood. It is spring, and the world is awakening.
And you thought it was gonna be about skydiving!
Hallee! Have a gooooood night! And day. And night. ;-)
Taylor, as said earlier, be good to yourself. Take care.
Rosemary, sounds like a good trade.
Blue skies!
Tina 3-29-2003 0:14
Hello all.
I'm sorry for not dropping in a whole lot earlier, but 4 major projects crept in at the last moment and I HAVE to deal with them. I just kind of glimpsed at the topics being discussed and the majority of it I saw about the war and religion. War is horrifying isn't it? I hate it. I don't really have a lot of strong convictions that never sway, but this is one of them. War is awful and always be awful. I only know of two other convictions that I'm strong about my writing and my faith. (obviously not in that order) Oh, be right back! (racing around parents' bed, into my room, turn light on, grab red binder, race back) Wheww! And while we're talking about the war, I wrote a poem, it actually sounds the opposite of what i've said, but I'll leave that to you for decide.
Peace, a Shattered Dream
Peace, a shattered dream
A word, nothing more
War is coming, war has come
Are you prepared for it?
Our buildings are shattered
Our people are dying
"Where is the retribution?"
Our people are crying
"Did we die in vain!?"
Our dead cry out
While we cry in the courts
"It's too hard!" the rest shout
"Give us peace," they cry
"For both living and dead!"
"No one's behind us!"
"Our blood flows ever red,
Yet you do nothing
And just sit twiddling
Making excuses, for this, for that
We want ACTION, not fiddling!"
"There's still hope for peace!"
They say, shaking and whining
As they send others to fight
While they enjoy their dining
Peace is a shattered dream,
A dream lying broken on the ground
The hope they are harboring,
That peace may be found.
Yet peace will elude them
While more keep on dying
Action is what is needed
Not meek talk and trying
Take the initiative
Carpe diem! Sieze the day!
Be strong in your decisions
You'll find a way!
Peace, a shattered dream
Our rights we must defend
But time heals all wounds
Even broken wings will mend
Don't lose all hope
For the broken dreams
For peace isn't as far
Away as it seems
For even if the dream is broken
This much is true
There is a time for everything
A time for me, a time for you
Yes, there's even a time for peace
E'en though it's the time for war
We must fight to keep our freedom
Yes, some things are worth fighting for
Peace, a shattered dream
Just a word, now something more
"War has come, we rest peacefully
This is what we were waiting for."
Copyright 3-13-03 @11:47 pm Elaine
Well I hope you enjoyed it. It was an idea flittering around in my brain and I had to write it down before I lost it by some thing else just as good. I plan to be on here tomorrow but if not...(Shrug) not much I can do about it. Well I have to go. Nice seeing the NB still full of memebers. (Oh how much I've missed being on!)
Till Niagara Falls!
Elaine 3-29-2003 0:02
I'm not the warm and fuzzy type of guy, but I'll give it a try -
On the trip the other day, a doe was standing in the ditch, all alone. One rarely sees a doe all alone, but there she was just standing there, watching us go by; then I happened to look in the other ditch, and there lay another deer, struck down by a passing vehicle. I had to wonder if she were mourning her loss.
I guess that's not all that warm and fuzzy.
Jerry 3-28-2003 23:58
A big fat bumblebee is in this corner where I'm writing. He was nestled in the shelves for a while and then he buzzed around and then he was quiet and now I just saw him on the table a couple of feet away. I know he is lost and I don't want to kill him but I am afraid......
Danger over now. I put a cup over him and slid it over a piece of wood and put him out the window. Good.
Maybe I'm having a freaky experience like my character Sunny. Will have to tell you about duplicate experience I had like Litter.
pamela 3-28-2003 23:56
Boy, did you guys ever just come through for me tonight. Won't go into detail but had been boo-hooing about circumstances, feeling kinda hopeless and wishing I could leave this stupid physical place and go HOME and then I tune in here and Teekay and Sunny are waxing spiritual and philosophical in a vein much like my own and Rhoda opens loving doors and Christi recognizes my fears and Rosemary is warm and fuzzy and --- wow, I'm suddenly okay again. Thanks, my cyberpals. (Well, I did just start crying again and can't talk anymore but it's a better kind of tears.) I guess I must be joining Taylor (is he a girl?) and having a mini-breakdown.
pamela 3-28-2003 23:48
CHRISTI: I've looked at the war from a physical and spiritual perspective, and I can tell you that for me the 2 don't mix.
I'm going to do what MEL says. I'm just gonna leave all that stuff to those who are good at making those decisions.
ROSEMARY: My warm and fuzzy.
I watch from the window as storm clouds gather, bruised and swollen. The air is translucent, still, perfumed with the smell of distant rain . The world waits, breath held. I sit with my quilt in my lap, needle resting in my hand, listening to thunder's distant rumble. I wait and watch with wonder and awe as the tempest comes.
I'm a scorpio too. I figure we must be total saps :-D
Teekay 3-28-2003 22:29
OH Teekay, that sounds SO good! If the offer still stands maybe I could come over right now! Unfortunately I was the one relied on to take care of others during that time. Isn't that just the way of it? Sniff. I want my mommy!
Pamela, I agree with much of what you have to say regarding the war. IMO none of this would be happening if we had not gone to war with Iraq the first time for the wrong reasons (and yes, I do believe it was mostly about oil that time). This time around I don't think it's about oil, but perhaps misguided ideas of patriotism and humanitarianism, and a bit of good old fashioned revenge. I love my country but I don't agree with this war. Just thought I should stop sitting on the fence and throw in my two cents.
Many of us who never supported the war, but didn't speak out earlier on figured well, the thing has begun so I might as well support it. I just can't. I'm afraid that this is turning into a holy war, and we all know how endless and bloody holy wars are. A lot of people are afraid to speak against the war for fear that others will call them traitors, or they might be taken in for questioning or arrested. I've got to have more faith in people than that. As long as we have a real democracy there's hope. I hope we always have it.
Peace, y'all.
Christi 3-28-2003 21:40
A cool evening to all. (Cool meant both ways)
Well, You all had your chance. The six roosters are gone. I traded them in for three hens.----That sounds like a husband threatening to trade a fourty year old wife in on two twenty year olds. :oP
RANDALL,
I have a friend who had her gall bladder taken out years ago, and she now can not tolerate fried foods. That ought to make a person lose weight. Unfortunately, I still have mine.
I use the military medical system on base. (Military Widow) That isn't the same as the VA is it. I guess it helps that there are two of the military's larger hospitals here. They even treat accident and gunshot civilians. They say they need the practice. And I don't get any glasses--frames, lenses, nothing except the RX. No Dental either. :-(
TAYLOR,
Get well soon and thank goodness for MOTHERS.
I was wondering if anyone might want to put in a paragraph on things that give you a 'warm fuzzy feeling'. Kind of like the visuals we use to do. Well I'm going to anyway.
WARM FUZZY
As I was driving down the highway, I got that WF feeling when I saw the giant mowing tractors very carefully avoiding brilliant patches of Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, Pinks, and other wildflowers with names unknown to me.
OKAY, its mushy. Even though I'm a scorpio, I'm entitled once a year.
Good writing all,
Rosemary 3-28-2003 21:04
Randall
TGIF!!!! Friday at last!!!
Good evening friends.
A little trouble with Syria and Iran now???? Oh boy!
Mark, Jerry and Howard...though I am a Vietnam veteran I have never used or attempted to use the VA system in any way, shape or form. My health insurance through the State of Texas as an active state employee (and now retiree) is more than adequate to care for myself and family. I have heard horror stories of languishing veterans needing health care, so the VA health care system was and is something I avoid. No thanks, a matter of personal choice. The Veteran's health care agency is after all a federal bureaucracy where waste is surely rampant, tolerated and regarded as routine. And that is the problem, the VA is a bureaucracy which operates within a federal budget where they do not have to show a profit to exist. When the VA is all one has access too there may be a problem related to their competence and your discomfort and/or mortality.
I heard my father talk of the VA many times and not in a pleasant tone. In 1961 he nearly died in the VA hospital in Temple, Texas because no one believed he was having a heart attack!!! Dad said he was in a dorm with many other ill vets and knew something was dreadfully wrong. He managed to stagger to the doctors office and collapsed on the doctor's desk!!! Only then did the medical staff take him seriously!!! The VA like so many federal institutions are where less than competent administrators, technicians and medical personnel settle in...safely within a bureaucracy where inefficiency and waste are tolerated as normal. And termination for nonperformance is absent...
The VA is not the real world in health care providers. Real world advances in health care are made in an environment where competence is appreciated, nay demanded, not a good old boy network which permeates many federal run bureaucracies with fat budgets. So blaming poor old George Bush (43) and the republicans (and democrats) has little relevancy. Sorting through and attempting to solve any trouble within the VA by throwing truckloads of tax payers money at them is absurd and bound to failure. The VA system is no doubt a LOT better than they were at one time, but a long way from non-government institutions where performance is expected. Soooo...seek private medical care and avoid the VA, an agency long troubled.
Hallee...nice post and documentation on the VA. I like that...
Pamela ... still here lady. Hanging onto a branch with one foot like an aged buzzard wondering why the world has turned upside down... (Mark... does this qualify for "...writerly [sic] types who feel the importance of word rigamarole [sic]."
Viv...perhaps we should work up another T-shirt swap? How about a nice China Doll for this old brush popping graybeard? :-)
Oh BTW, I have lost 15 pounds in the last four weeks!!!! How much did that Gall Bladder weigh ... anyway? :-)
Randall
Randall 3-28-2003 19:56
SUNNY: Simplisitic is good. :-)
Long live simplicity.
Teekay 3-28-2003 19:23
That was me, Sunny. Can't believe I hit Enter. *sheesh*
3-28-2003 18:36
Teekay - I don't think you're wrong at all. To me, any kind of healthy spirituality brings you closer to goodness, and that should be where we're going.
I believe that we're on this earth for 4 reasons: to be WHO we are, WHERE we are, to ENJOY our life and to GIVE something back, in gratitude for our existence. How we to do that is an individual choice, based on our unique individuality. Therefore, there's alot of room for looking at differences.
It's not my place to judge, I think, but rather to look for ways in which I can add to the common good. This sounds simplistic, I know, but I believe that that's my mission.
3-28-2003 18:35
PAMELA,
I stand corrected. I also appreciate the fact that you have read the Bible. Though we may not agree on the interpretation of what we read, you do have a basis for your thoughts, and I respect them.
After some thought and soul searching, I realize that I was a little out of line with that post. Most people have opinions about things they know little about. If we only discussed things we were experts at here on the Notebook, we would have very stilted discussions. It was wrong of me to imply that those who have not read the entire Bible are unqualified to make a judgment upon the faith as a whole.
But I do have very strong opinions about what a Christian is and what a Christian is not, and I believe that many of the people who go out and do horrible things in the name of Christianity are not Christians at all. I also sat through many college history classes where Christianity was dissed on a regular basis.
Rhoda 3-28-2003 18:10
RACHEL: That was an interesting piece about Akbar. I'd love to study what you're studying. It would make for a great inlook into the human psyche.
My take on God and religion is that religion is intended to be the pathway that leads to God. Unfortunately, as with most things, aspects of human nature gets in there and stuffs it up and makes it complicated.
Personally I don't think one has to have a religion to know God.
My belief is that we have a soul and this is where God speaks with us if we are quiet enough to listen. The soul is the place we allow God to enter us. The problem as I see it is that we have focused on the physical and part of the mental, but have in a large part denied our spirituality.
I think this is why a large slice of society has come to the point it has.
So long as we deny this part of ourselves, which is the truth of ourselves, we can only blunder along in ignorance, feeling empty and futile and wondering what it's all about.
Once we have become aware of God, all falsity falls, ego, though it may struggle, eventually falls away, (but can pop up often to give us grief). We realise what and who is important.
Just thought I'd share my take on it with you all. I'm still blundering along on my spiritual journey, so I might be right, I might be wrong.
Being wrong won't be anything new.
Teekay 3-28-2003 18:09
Hi All;
TAYLOR: Don't be gone too long. Have all the chicken soup you can fit in, drink lots of hot chocolate and let your mum dote on you as much as she wants to.
And don't give yourself any flack with the writing.
Gonna miss you.
Ooh, Ooh I right this second remembered this song I've been trying to think of for about a hundred years.
It was by Willie (?) or was that Villie Manilli and it was called Girl, I'm gonna miss you.
That was a beautiful song.
Thanks Taylor :-)
HALLEE: Hee hee, this morning while I was making my first coffee to drag in here to the computer, I was thinking about you and wondering wether you'd shaved your legs yet :-D
PAMELA: About UFO's. I think it's possible. I heard a while back that a solar system similar to our own was discovered.
And HOWARD is usually pretty much on the ball with everything. (Not the re-incarnation thing though - he wrong there)
CHRISTI: (((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))
I would've given you all the chicken soup and hot chocolate your heart desired, and doted on you too.
Speaking of chocolate MEL's been uncommonly quiet. MEL, if you're lurking, how is your novel coming along? Mine is now about 2 chapters from the end (unedited that is)
I think I must have some psychological problem.
I just can't seem to pick up a pen and just finish the blooody thing???
I keep thinking of new ones I want to write, but refuse to until this one's finished. I've sort of got myself into a selfmade rut. I'm not panicking quite yet, but am getting a tad frustrated.
Anyway, I'm off to make myself another coffee.
Seeya's.
Teekay 3-28-2003 16:47
Taylor,
I experienced what most would consider a nervous breakdown once, and not all that long ago. I did emerge from it relatively unscathed, and I know you will too. I don't know if your friend will be able to give you the message or not, but please know that we care about you. When all is said and done you will be stronger for what you're going through.
It's so hard being a sensitive person today. Seems like more than ever you've got to make a constant, conscious, effort to protect yourself from the influences that can injure your psyche, whatever they may be. The good news is that it can be accomplished.
Try to get as much rest as you can, okay? Thanks for letting us know what's going on with you. Come back soon!
Christi 3-28-2003 15:49
Carol - Your husband's experience sounds a bit like my first visit to the eye clinic. It was manned by a very old man with coke-bottle glasses, he had four frames to pick from, three plastic and one steel frame. I asked about tint or photo-darkening and was told that it wasn't available in plastic lenses, then I asked about high-density because my glasses are very strong and very thick, which makes them very heavy. He said no, had to get glass, but he could get me high-density glass so that's what I ended up with, and my nose shows the weight of even those high density.
That's why I was so very surprised with this appointment, they had a new guy, he was very friendly, explained everything he did, took his time and measured my face so many ways I couldn't describe them all, to insure that the frames would fit properly, and that the lenses would center right (a bit off throws my eyesight way off). Then went over all the options they now offer, including line-less tri-focal lenses, tint, photo-gray, and high density plastic lenses with high strength scratch guard. He didn't know if he could get the new transition lenses, but checked and said they were available. Like I said, the fitting room had an entire wall of frames from the old black plastic to the one's I got titanium wire frame.
I don't know why the change but it was welcome.
Mark - no, I am not getting service related to my military disability and am now on a six month rotation, but my doc said I could go to a three month rotation if I thought I needed it, since I have a local Dr. who treats me for my back problems, and also does a bit for my blood pressure and so forth, I stayed with the six month rotation.
I think the difference is that while this hospital services a rather large area, they aren't overwhelmed with veterans. They have out-reach clinics all over the area now, some are closer then the Hospital but I chose to stay with the main hospital just for the conveyance of having all the services available at one time.
I do know that my brother-in-law who is signed up with the Fargo ND hospital has problems getting appointments and such but he just signed on a few months ago.
I have a buddy in California who says he has a hell of a time getting even signed up.
Now my Uncle, who has no service connected disabilities, was in an accident last year, and needed emergency medical treatment. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, an when he was able, he called the VA. They said they would cover the emergency treatment, and if he wanted would send an ambulance up here to pick him up and take him to hospital there, or offered to continue covering his hospital stay. He chose to stay where he was till he was able to ride in a car to the VA, and when he showed up down there, they admitted him and treated his injuries, as well as put him through physical therapy till he was able to go back to work.
Like I say, this is probably because we have a much smaller, population wise, area.
Jerry 3-28-2003 15:23
Hi All :)
How I would love to fully comment on the VA health care comments. Suffice it to say, that even those who are labeled permanently 100% service-connected are having difficulties getting the proper care in a timely fashion. Jerry has been one of the few lucky ones I've encountered. My hubby had a choice of six glass frames and a nurse who argued with him about the need for tinting. And that's just one example.
Viv - I'm still here. Though the writing is still stalled and not speaking to me. Did your muse perhaps go to Hawaii to look up some of those descriptions you needed? Send me whatever you wish. Maybe reading your work will get me going again. Oh, how I hate this time of year! We're now buried in a foot of snow and its still coming down.
Hallee -- enjoy!!
That's all --
Carol 3-28-2003 14:55
Thanks, PAMELA -- but I only know what I read... and I never claimed to be a "good Christian." Only God is good, and I only try to do what I believe He told us to do.
The following is Not to argue "religion," but to clarify a point found in a book.
The Bible does speak of war authorized by God. In the NT, Romans 13:1-7 talks about being subject to the government, because that government is charged with your well-being. Rulers are supposed to be "not a terror to good works, but to the evil." And "he (governor/ruler/etc) does not hold the sword for nothing -- he is the representative of God to execute wrath upon him who doeth evil."
Now, that's the way it's supposed to work, and we've all seen it not working as it's supposed to work, but the question was "Does the Bible authorise war under any circumstance?" I believe it does, but I also believe that authority has been abused, misused, and (mostly) forgotten. But there are warnings about the consequences of that too.
And I believe God used Moses as an example, not of His meanness, but of the natural consequences of disobedience. He was prevented from entering the promised land to be sure, but not lost entirely. He appears again in the NT, in Luke 9:30, with Elias and Jesus. I've heard it argued that if he had been allowed to enter, and died there, the people would have either 1) given up entirely, or 2) raised a shrine to Moses, venerated his bones, and begun to worship him instead of the "I Am." Moses called himself a servant, and certainly wouldn't have wanted that.
I'm honestly looking forward to chatting with him some day.
howard 3-28-2003 10:54
Taylor's friend--thank you for letting us know where he is, no need to apologize for any intrusion, I hope he will feel better soon. I have "broken" before and know what he is going through, I am glad he has a mother to take care of him.
Viv, you've been gone a while, it's Hallee who's the blushing bride, her hubby's coming home after six months, Yeee-hah! Hallee, one white and one black thingy, sounds great, I'm sure Gregg will love them (though it sounds like you may not get to wear them for long).
Rhoda, I imagine there are probably some people here besides you and Howard who have read the Bible. I have read both the old and the new testaments, although the cruelty of the God in the old testament was almost as painful to bear as the war news is today (how terrible to deny Moses entry into the promised land because he once hit the ground with a stick in frustration). I agree that there is no justification for waging war in the name of Christianity (or any other religion) but not with your implication that Jesus condoned war simply because he did not speak against it specifically. War is a violation of the commandments not to kill or to covet what your neighbor has. He instructed his followers to turn the other cheek when someone smote them and to love and forgive their enemies. When Peter asked how aften they had to forgive them (perhaps just seven times?), Jesus replied that if they expected God to forgive them, then they should forgive others ALL of their trespasses. And when one of his diciples tried to defend Jesus as he was being taken, cutting off the ear of one of the priest's servants, Jesus told him to put his sword away, that to live by the sword is to die by it. Spiritually speaking, there is no justification for war, period.
Howard, I did think of you when I asked about "hear, hear", I meant it sincerely when I said you were learned. When I wondered if it was "here", I wasn't thinking about directing barmaids to one's table (though I see that is another usage!) but as in when one toasts TO something, as in "Here's to the newlyweds" or whatever. Anyway, thanks for clarification. As a good Christian yourself, I can see how it must be frustrating to see unloving folks claiming to be one. When I was a food server, Sunday day shifts were dreaded because the "church people" were often unpleasant and cheap. Like you said, loving one another seems like such a simple thing to do, it's too bad more people can't practice it.
pamela 3-28-2003 10:09
Taylor or to be passed on by Friend of Taylor,
I hope that you recover quickly. Hang in there and be good to yourself.
Rachel 3-28-2003 9:11
PAMELA -- That's ok -- the whole post originally said (without the italics)
It's "Hear, Hear!" as in "Hear what this person has to say! It's worth listening to!"
It has, however, taken on the "Here, Here!" meaning at times, when accompanied by the waving of an empty beer mug in the general direction of a bar-maid bearing a pitcher.
I still dunno what happened there -- I double checked the tags before hitting enter because I've (as you well know) been burnt before.
MARK -- There was a big push to sign up for veterans' benefits back in 1996 -- I even got a call to encourage me to sign up -- so I called for information. Was told then that I'd have to get an appointment for an exam before I could get anything but the most general brochure. Then, without asking, I was told that it would take 6 - 8 months to get an appointment for said exam.
That was "between the Bushes" so to speak, but I agree -- things are getting even worse now. Like
Like I said -- it's one of the reasons I'm not a registered Republican.
But then again -- if the so-called "Christian Church" would get off their fat asses and get to doing what they were intended to do we wouldn't need all this government involvement in socio-economic services.
"Love thy neighbor" seems so simple, but the church hasn't done it, so the Democrats have tried to mandate it, and the Republicans keep saying "Not my job."
howard 3-28-2003 8:01
Hallee: Sounds like your son got married. Congratulations!
Taylor: Hope you get to take a peek at the Notebook. Hope you're back again soon.
Randall: Only two weeks until I get to go back to school. The box is sitting there and waiting. I uploaded some games (for races) from a site called Gepeto Software Products. Http://www.gepetosoftware.com/products.htm. Take a look at some of the nifty puzzles you can make. I am so looking forward to this semester. Thank you for the help. AAs I started vacation my feeling was I NEVER wanted to go back to work...now I'm raring to go again.
Viv (again) 3-28-2003 7:59
Carol: You out there? I managed to rewrite the end of the great and terrible Chapter 14. How can the beginning come so easily and the ending stink so horribly? I'm still working on it. Frustrated but got in my hours this week. Hours of type, delete, type delete. If I can just get this to end I'll send it on. (But I'm not sure you ought to read it unless you want to take a nap.)
What a week! My muse has gone on a long vacation. I wonder where she is? Thailand, Mexico, skiing in Aspen Colorado? It sure would be nice if she'd take me along.
(Then again, maybe she's a reservist? Who knows.
Viv 3-28-2003 7:53
~Hallee~
Happy Friday all!
PAMELA: I did that Wednesday (grin) I bought two things...a white thingie and a black thingie. We have two days in Montgomery before we have to face the real world again.
TAYLOR'S FRIEND: Please give Taylor my best.
TEEKAY: Where you been for two days? huh? huh?
HEATHER: I went to Mary's site a few months back and saw that you two were collaborating together. How is that going, and how is she?
I don't remember if I thanked everyone for your good wishes and prayers for Kaylee, and I don't really have the time to scroll back and look for it, so if I didn't, thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart.
My house is clean...the laundry is just about caught up...his plane lands in about 40 hours...YAYYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!
Now I must go get the office prepared for my absence on Monday. Then I need to go to the grocery store with the list of all the things he's been craving that he emailed me the other day. Fresh pinapple...I may take that with me.
You guys have a fantastic weekend. I know I will. This is from the email he sent to family and friends this morning: If all goes well, I should leave here at oh-my-gosh-it's-early tomorrow morning my time zone and should arrive at oh-my-gosh-it's-late tomorrow night your time zone. My beautiful bride will be there looking all gorgeous and stuff so I won't be calling anyone until she looks suitably disheveled. I estimate that should be sometime Monday or Tuesday. (giggle)
Hallee 3-28-2003 6:42
Mark:
WASHINGTON — Administration proposals to meet growing health care needs of the nation's veterans, including raising prescription drug copayments, have no chance of winning congressional approval, the Republican chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee said Tuesday.
"A few of these proposals simply won't fly," said Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J.
Smith told a hearing on the president's fiscal 2004 budget proposal for veterans that he saw no reason for his panel to even consider proposals to more than double the prescription copayment charged to some better-ove its goal of reducing to 30 days the average wait for new patients seeking an appointment at a primary care clinic, he said. Now many new patients must wait at least six months.
But with substantial opposition to new fees for veterans, lawmakers questioned whether the VA was realistic in assuming $2.1 billion in collections for the year from fees and reimbursement from private insurers, a jump of 32 percent.
The budget proposed charging higher-income veterans, those making about $24,000 or more, an annual enrollment fee of $250 and increasing copayments, again for higher-income patients, from $15 to $20 for outpatient primary care and $7 to $15 for prescription drugs.
To the disapproval of many veterans' groups, Principi last month suspended through 2003 all new enrollments by higher-income veterans to the health care system, a move expected to prevent about 164,000 veterans from enrolling
Much of the maneuverng results from a 1996 law that opened the VA health care system to almost all veterans, going well beyond the traditional role of providing care to low-income veterans with service-connected diseases and injuries. Since then, those using the program has more than doubled.
By not providing resources to keep up with demand, said Joseph A. Violante of the Disabled American Veterans, "We see the benefits of good medicine being diminished by delayed care, and we see sick and disabled veterans being denied desperately need care altogether."
Principi spoke of the difficulty of putting restrictions on some veterans to ensure that the VA's primary concern -- veterans with service-connected disabilities -- get proper treatment. He noted that more than half of enrollees are signing up mainly for the inexpensive prescription drug program, and the VA didn't want to become just a drugstore for veterans.
Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., said Congress, in passing the 1996 law, gave the VA secretary the authority to control enrollments to ensure the agency's core health care missions were achieved. He chided veterans organizations for "trying to turn this into something not intended by Congress."
Hallee 3-28-2003 4:56
First off, I am sorry for this intrusion people
Just letting you know that Taylor will not be back for awhile. He asked me to let yous know that he won't. Unfortunately he'd had a bit of a breakdown and gone to stay at his mother's for an undetermined time, but says he's ok. And will be back when he gets back.
Again sorry for this intrusion
Friend Of Taylor's 3-28-2003 4:10
I have heard that statement all my life about more violence wars and atrocities being committed in the name of Christianity than any other religion in the world. It makes no sense. It is something one hears in high school social studies and then hears some more in college. It is a cliche, because there is no way one can quantify such a statement, especially considering the 3000 or so years of human history that took place before Christianity ever existed. Those 3000 years were no more peaceful than the 2000 that came after it.
Religion is always a factor in conflict because people always seek a justification for what they do. If someone here besides HOWARD would actually "read" the New Testament, they would find absolutely no justification for a war waged in the name of Christianity.
That doesn't mean that the scriptures are against war. Jesus never, never decried the practice of war and he never interfered in the matters of the Roman Empire. He never once allowed himself to get drawn into a political discussion. At the same time Roman soldiers who joined the faith were not told to give up warfare.
Wars are secular, even wars such as the Crusades. The only way in which those wars were religious is that kings and popes used the religious feelings of the people to manipulate them, just as Islamic mullahs and so called "holy" men are using Islam and the teachings of Mohummad to fire up the people for very secular gains. It is a power game--a very old story and a very old tactic. You can use Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, or any --ism you wish to do it (even Communism or Facism).
Rhoda 3-28-2003 0:45
RANDALL -- Yup. That came from the Democratic members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. You can look at it at www.veterans.house.gov/democratic/press/108th/3-13-03budget.htm.
Or just go to www.veterans.house.gov and see the majority page. On the Republican page there's a link to the budget recommendations of that committee. The second paragraph is a marvel of political word play and should be assiduously studied by writerly types who feel the importance of word rigamarole. That paragraph states that the committee believes that the current administration has not gone far enough in funding veteran benefits. Pres Bush has asked for $2 Billion but only funded $1.5 billion, saying that the shortfall could be made up by "organizational efficiencies." The committee admits that those efficiencies are hard to come by. They go on to propose that VA hospitals should charge higher rates for services and seek greater compensation from patient insurance companies (though most vets come to the VA uninsured). To quote the committee: "Adoption of these policies would result in a significant reduction in demand for VA health care from veterans who do not have a compensable service-connected disability and who are not poor. " In other words, those who can afford to pay and can help make up the underfund, will go elsewhere.
A number of recommendations follow, each one a grace note of nice things to have, each one noted as not being in the current budget. All in all, the Republican document says the committee would not recommend doing things the administration way. Oh, thanks.
JERRY can tell you of his nice visit and his new eyeglasses. I have already told you that I have skin cancer and can't get an appointment. JERRY is undoubtedly in the system as a regular customer. I see a doc when I'm sick. My last checkup was 1999 at the VA here. Now I'm on a 6-month list. If I had stuck with regular servicing I might be a tad happier right now, but I can tell you that in the 1998 and 1999 time frame when the load here was lower, I still had to go on lists. That doctor is now gone and they don't plan to replace him.
Is either Jerry or I going for service related treatment? I don't think so. I got a lot of sunshine in those years, but I got more years of civilian sun, didn't I? It's a wonder I don't have colon cancer, the Defense Department put a lot of sunshine up my
Mark 3-27-2003 22:40
Hey Randall, was worried because we hadn't heard from you for a while, glad you're okay.
Jerry, I think the recent religious discussion has been separate from the war discussion (we sure can pick the topics, can't we?). At least my posts on the subject have had nothing to do with whether the war is about religion or not, but about religion in general.
Howard, thanks for clearing up the "Hear, hear" question, I thought it might be you who would know because you are obviously so learned (compliment).
Hi, Teekay, hope your email wasn't too junky.
Ohmigod, somebody said I was right about something, I'm so excited! Of course, probably twice as many people think I'm full of it but thanks, Rachel, for seeing my point about the apple tree. Your religious studies classes sound very thought-provoking, I wish I had the money to take some classes just for fun.
Okay, new topic: Who believes in UFO's? (I do, I do!)
Sweet dreams of harmonious fantasy lands to all,
pamela 3-27-2003 22:39
RANDALL
Mark help me out here. I'm confused about your post.
How has the Bush administration shown its support for our troops?
a. The Republican-controlled House Budget Committee voted to cut $25 billion in veterans benefits over the next 10 years.
Mark...was that cut "...for smoking related illnesses?" Self inflicted diseases? Were there budget cuts for service related injuries, such as GUNSHOTS?
b. The Bush administration proposed cutting $172 million from impact aid programs which provide school funding for children of military personnel.
Mark... is this what you're talking about? "Public schools are required by law to accept all children from military families and tribal reservations. Families in federal housing or on reservations, however, DO NOT PAY LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES, a traditional revenue source for school districts. Impact Aid was designed to make up the difference. However, the Bush administration says that military families living off base pay property taxes that support local schools."
This does not effect military families, but could cause an increase in local property takes. But most property taxes are increasing anyway with Democratic policies of tax and spend.
c. The administration ordered the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to stop publicizing health benefits available to veterans.
Mark...I'm very confused now... Under a MSN search program I entered ..."publicizing health benefits for veterans" and was rewarded with 1,712 hits. Most of these were from the VA, publicizing HEALTH BENEFITS for veterans. Or has the order to cease not filtered down yet?
d. All of the above.
The answer is (d).
Funny isn't it Mark. Selective quotes taken out of context by Democratic Party hacks who keep shooting each other in the foot. Referance Tom and Hillary...
Goodnight all
Randall
Randall 3-27-2003 21:31
Gee Howard, you sure make reading the text easy...
The religion thing is sure happening today, I agree with, was it Howard, so hard to tell with all the italics, but this isn't a war about religion, it's a war about terror, a war about hate, a war about freedom, and yes to those who think it's all about oil, it's a war about OIL!
Without oil there would be no modern war, oil lubes the tanks, oil makes the stocks of the M-16's the M-60's and the bayonet handle. Oil lubricates the engines, oil makes the wheels go around, oil makes the lights light to see at night.
It's a war about killing, a war about murder, a war about destruction.
There are no good war's.
It's been a long night.
Write on.
Jerry 3-27-2003 21:24
Tonight I showed my daughter the horrors of war.
I showed her a picture of four soldiers. She aggreed they all looked like nice young boys. We both stood there for nearly a minute looking at the sweet faces of the soldiers.
Then she said, "where's the horror?"
That's when I told her those are the guys we are trying to get.
We remained there looking at the picture for a long time after that. I could feel her heart breaking.
There are so many people on both sides misunderstood. I wish we could have agreed on the men at the top.
Debra 3-27-2003 20:40
Aaaaaaccckkkkk! It was there! I know the ending tag was there! What happened? Lost the tag and two whole lines following it!
howard 3-27-2003 18:44
PAMELA -- It's "Hear, Hear!" as in "Hear what this person has to say! It's worth listening to!"
It has
howard 3-27-2003 18:42
Hi Pamela,
Akbar lived 1556-1605. He was a part of the empire known as Mughal Raj, which endured for more than three centuries, then was absorbed by the British Empire during the nineteenth century. I’m taking Religious Studies in school. This is my third Religious Studies class. I did world religions, then a little deeper explorations of Religions of the West, followed by Religions of the East. You are right, what ever comes next will come and will be no matter what we try to apply to it, it will be as it is and what it is, nothing more and nothing less.
Rachel 3-27-2003 18:28
Hi All :-D
HOWARD: I know where you're coming on. With free will comes a lot of responsibilty.
PAMELA: I can see where you're coming from too.
I love these kind of discussions, but I have to be out of here by 9:50, so I'm going to read my email instead. It sure stacks up in 2 days. Most of it junk.
Be well all.
Teekay 3-27-2003 17:09
(Pamela)
Mel, Mel, our dear wonderful Mel, you are an AWESOME writer! Your muse is just taking a rest, she is a little peeved at you for making her work so much lately, you have been wearing her out. The words are inside you, simmering in a big pot, tumbling and roiling around in the broth, getting the flavor and spices all mixed together just right, so when they spill forth they will be sooooo delicious and none will be able to resist the temptation to taste what you have brewed up. You have been a big inspiration to me in getting me back to my book, my muse was practically sleeping like a princess in a spell until you, and others here, awakened her. Give her a little rest, read back over some of the stuff you do like, and she will forgive you and grace you with her favors again.
Here's hoping Hallee is shopping at Victoria's secret today....
Ramon, I'm so disappointed, here I pictured you as kind of a cute Ringo Starr-type, adorable with large nose and soulful eyes. Well, crooked noses are cute too and I have to like green eyes since I have them also. Once in Texas, though, I was told there was no such thing and had to put "hazel" on my driver's license. I in no way thought you were coming on too strong, (hey, you said you agreed with almost everything I said!) but I myself have been getting too bickery about war talk so will refrain from commenting on that subject for a while at least.
Rachel, the tale of Akbar, whom I have never heard of, was really interesting, what era did he live in? Were you taking a theology class? I had to look up "syncretism" and see that it attempts to blend contradictory tenets into one system, something that would indeed go a long way toward creating peace and harmony in the world. But that wasn't what I meant when I said all roads led to the same place, I wasn't talking reconciling different dogmas and doctrines, but that they all lead to the same actual reality of God, of what truly happens after we die. If I may borrow your apple tree analagy, God is the apple tree and even if different groups call it an orange, plumb, or pear tree, that still does not alter the fact that He is an apple tree. I think that no matter what we call it, the Whatever It Is remains the same. That whether we believe there will be heaven or hell when we die, or a place between reincarnated lives, or 70 black-eyed virgins, or nothing at all, whatever actually does happen will not be altered by our beliefs. That it will remain whatever it is regardless of what we think while we're here. That's assuming that there actually is a collective, objective reality and not an assortment of subjective ones, which could be the case, who knows? (The foregoing expresses the opinion of this writer for discussion purposes only and does not reflect any attempt to convince anyone of anything.)
Ben, I thought that was a good idea about descriptions to sort of just suggest the surroundings and remind the reader of them from time to time. I can see that when folks are writing fantasy or science fiction they may have to describe things people have never seen before, but for writing in the present place and time, sketchiness should work. Another thing one could do is invent locations within a real setting. I mentioned the author who hired someone to report on details like the color of the carpet in a casino, but one could also set a story in Las Vegas and make up a casino in it with whatever color carpet one chose. (So here's some more writing talk for you, Mel, there has been some going on after all, thank goodness.)
Question: When raising a glass and proclaiming "Hear, hear!", is it "hear" like from "hear ye, hear ye," or "here" like in "here's to whatever?" I have a character saying it and then realized I didn't know which was right (I'm thinking it's "hear"). If anyone does know for sure, please pass it along.
Howard, I don't mean to frustrate or annoy you, please forgive me if I have. I like you and enjoy talking to you here and have a great deal of respect for your belief in Christianity (I think it is wonderful that your church is helping those who are being affected by the war).
Love and Peace,
pamela 3-27-2003 17:06
RAMON -- "more crimes against humanity committed by 'Christians' than all others put together?"
I think not. Consider Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Amin, Castro, Mussolini, Czarcescu, Khadaffi, Hussein, Khomeni -- just to mention a few -- and we haven't even looked to all the countries in Africa, Communist China, North Korea, Maylasia, Suriname, VietNam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Haiti, and on and on and on.
It's not a "Christian" problem, any more than it is a Muslim, Hindu, atheist -- or any religious or non-religious label you care to use -- problem.
It's a HUMAN problem! That's what I've been trying to say all along. It's a human problem. Human nature. Religion -- including what we deride as "Christianity" -- is a Human Invention. Every one of them is made up of rules and requirements stating how humans think we ought to live -- even how nature is supposed to operate -- ignoring the principles laid down by the Creator (yes I know I'll draw flak for that one) at the outset.
Someone asked Jesus (remember that "nice man" and "great teacher?") what He considered to be the greatest commandment. He replied (in Matthew 22:37-40) "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Everything else depends on those two commandments! And He was quoting this directly from the Pentateuch -- from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. That wasn't "Christian" when I last looked.
How long since you've seen anyone -- Jewish, or Christian or not -- follow those commandments? How often does anyone put "Love thy neighbor as thyself" into practice?
People keep saying that "Christians" are responsible for atrocities. I'm saying that there are great numbers of people who call themselves "Christian" because they were born in a western civilisation, or their family went to a "Christian" church one Christmas or Easter. Or because they pay lip service to "The Ten Commandments." Most of them don't even know what it means to be a Christian! Many wear the cross as a mere decoration -- having no idea of its significance.
They -- and I'm not referring to only "christians" here -- embrace religions created by themselves to make themselves feel good about themselves. They include just the right touch of piety or humility or histrionics -- or legalistic mumbo-jumbo -- to please a god --- also created by themselves (increasingly this god is themselves) who may take on any form they choose. And all those "religions" have, I think, obscured the simple truth -- genuine love.
It's those underlying principles -- loving God and loving thy neighbor -- that I was referring to when I asked what it was that originally constrained our society to develop the education, freedom, etc, and restrained us from committing the same levels of atrocities as those societies not founded on those things.
Ours (our so-called "Christian bloc" ) was -- you can read it in the history of our nation, and in the writings of the founders and philosophers of other western nations -- although I believe we (and they) have, as we've become "more sophisticated," distanced ourselves from those truths.
Look around. Do you see society improving? Is humankind evolving into the next, grander, more beautiful stage of our development? Have we somehow become "nicer people" through the lessons learned in all our "past lives?"
If we have, then why are our kids killing one another? Why are our parents dying alone? Why are our neighbors starving? Why does our music and poetry not sound like music and poetry any more?
Why so much lust, and so little love?
"The last word in lonesome is me" -- Roger Miller
howard 3-27-2003 16:39
I just can't get the words right. Maybe when I peeled the duct tape off my muse her lips went with it. Great. Now how do I find the right words when y'all are still talking politics and religion? Where's a writing conversation when you need one? sigh...
I suppose all of you are miles/kilometers ahead of me in writing down all the right words today... :-[
Say! There's a glimmer! LITTER: The media COMPETING over coverage of your novel? Way to go, boy! Smile nice for the cameras! :-]
Mel 3-27-2003 13:11
Ramon:
You didn't come across as too stong. You still don't sound cynical. I'm sure if we were allowed into the inner recesses of anyone's mind everyone would seem cynical.
Well except for Roberto Bennitti. He's the one that played in the movie "Beautiful LIfe" He said he wanted to make love to everyone in the world. I"m sure he's not yet happy with his progress.
I heard that Iran stopped an Iraqi boat filled with explosives. Yeaaaaah Iran!
I'm on the edge of my seat to see the pictures of the newly liberated long oppressed Iraqi people. I'm also a little dissappointed in how long the help took. But one only has to look at the trouble the coalition forces are having with some nay sayers.
Debra 3-27-2003 12:50
Everone - do a check for the worm_klez.h virus. That's what got my system by the cahones. Just doing a triple check to make sure it's gone....
Heather 3-27-2003 12:39
I apologize for the tone of my last posting. I am not having a go, honest. So Debra, Pamela - ladies please forgive me I came across a bit too strong. See to be doing that alot lately.
Ramon 3-27-2003 12:28
I hope I don't make anyone mad, but after reading about the fragging I have to question the new Army slogan. Maybe they need to change it from "An Army of One", to something that emphasizes the teamwork that it takes to win.
Viv 3-27-2003 10:23
Pamela: Sorry to disappoint you my dear but my nose is not that big (but is crooked) and I have green bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep.
Debara: Just the one question? To answer I don't know anymore. I do know that I have seen some reports of Iraqi citizens who have placed Saddam Hussein on the same veil as God. I think it was an ITN reporter who pointed out to one citizen in Basara about SH's atrocities and the guy simply replied, that they must have deserved it. Contrary to popular belief SH has more support on his home ground then you would believe. At the risk of generallising, Muslims stick together no matter what. They call us infidels but they also distinguish between white infidels and muslim infidels so there's your answer.
As for Jordan and the rest of the Arab Nations, I don't know what their intentions are. To be honest I am more concerned about these stray bombs and friendly fire killing our own troops and Iraqi citizens. If this keeps up we could lose this war not only by killing too many of our own, but also in the "popularity" stakes. Those Iraqi citizens who support the coalition will turn on us if we keep doing the kind of damage the stray missle did to Baghdad. Remember when the allieds started bombing Bosnia. Before then Milosovic had his share of enemies, and Croatians and Serbs had taken to the streets in protest in their homeland and abroad. When the bombing started they turned on us, because we were bombing their homeland.
This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better (if it ever does).
Still think I am not so cynical. If I were to tell you what was really going through my head I think I would stun quite a few people here. So I won't.
Pamela: I agree with everything you said pretty much. Did you know that of all the religions so far, more crimes against humanity have been carried out in the name of christianity then any other religion or atheist doctrine. I believe the more advanced the civilisation and the more aware, the more likely they are to break those human rights we cherish so much.
People are mistaking Saddam Hussein for a mad tyrant. Well he is a tyrant and he is messed in the head but he is very smart, so is Osama Bin Laden, otherwise they would both be languishing in prison waiting for trial. But they are both hiding and manipulating their supporters using the Qoran as their authority to committ the crimes they do.
Food for thought guys.
Ramon 3-27-2003 8:54
How has the Bush administration shown its support for our troops?
a. The Republican-controlled House Budget Committee voted to cut $25 billion in veterans benefits over the next 10 years.
b. The Bush administration proposed cutting $172 million from impact aid programs which provide school funding for children of military personnel.
c. The administration ordered the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to stop publicizing health benefits available to veterans.
d. All of the above.
The answer is (d).
Mark 3-27-2003 7:00
Got an email asking how to turn off HTML in Outlook Express (one of my earlier recommendations)
In the menu bar across the top of Outlook,
Click Tools, you'll get a dropdown menu. In that menu click
Options, that will give you a new window with tabbed pages (like a recipe box)
Click the "Read" tab,
Near the top of that page you'll see a group of checkboxes,
Click the one that says "Read all messages in Plain Text."
If you have already turned off Preview Pane (View, Layout, Show Preview Pane uncheck), then you'll have to double click a message to read it. But you have just increased your security because you;ll have to decide to open a mail on purpose. And then when you do, you will only open it as text, so HTML attachments can't just pop off and go to work on your system.
Mark 3-27-2003 6:44
Sorry everybody - the virus may have been passed onto you by my #()*%(#@! machine - the hemlockbags.com addy is my business email that I share with Mary.
I left the link to Hemlock in a recent post, so perhaps it got around by that route; I'll check into it.
Until then, if I don't tell you I'm sending an attachment, don't open it!
That was my first mistake earlier today, when I got a spoof email from Mark, which he didn't actually send. Am re-scanning for viruses now, so far nothing detected.
Heather 3-27-2003 5:47
Tina, You’re welcome.
Pamela,
To say that the great religions of our world are similar is to simplify and discredit them. They are very different. Yes, they do share similarities, but it is the difference that are in them that make them what they are. I’m going to give you a piece of one of my exams to read over. This is a quesiton that looks at the beauty of the dream of a syncretistic approach to religion, its appeal and why it can not work. This was my weakest answer on the exam, but I think it is good enough to share the idea.
In question number five I have been asked to explore the religious vision of Akbar. In addition to this I am to delve into what the appeal and yet limitations of this synchretistic approach to religion are. Akbar, the great is how he is known in history. Our text tells us that he is well deserving of the title and I agree.
This all began with his simple desire for the unification of his empire, which propelled by his intelligence and passion almost came to be. Akbar didn’t just talk about these things, he was in a position to transform his dream into reality. This began with granting the Hindu subjects a level of equality. Thus putting an end to their persecution and poor treatment.
The religious vision of Akbar was an exciting, revolutionary approach to religions. Akbar began by wishing to find a way, like Guru Nanak and Kabir before him, to bridge the gap between those of the Muslim and Hindu faiths that lived within his empire. After consideration Akbar decided not to limit his dream and opened wide his mind, embracing the idea that not only Muslim and Hindu, but the best that other great religions and cultures could offer as well, should be incorporated into the manifestation of his dream.
Akbar demonstrated his synthesis in spiritual, intellectual, cultural, artistic and architectural ways. Akbar conferenced with and set up councils for religious representatives to come together in debate and discussion. He encouraged learned men and artists to come to court at Fatehphur - Sikri to be a part of the great work of this synthesis. In the cultural aspect, Akbar crossed cultures in his choices of wives. He selected four women, one Christian, one Buddhist, one Jain and one Zoroastrian. The dream that he presented to his people was not just words, it was something that he was making visual and accessible to his empire on all levels. His dream of synchronism could be seen in the blended culture and architecture embodied and represented in the palace
of Fatehpur - Sikri.
To Akbar, more exciting than the meeting of cultures, minds and arts, were the religious aspects of the synthesis. This aspect of his dream for his empire is called, Din - i - Ilahi. In English this means Divine Faith. Akbar wished to bring common elements from all religions to his new concept and then, incorporate the best elements of each religion into something entirely new. This was the reason for his conferencing and debates with the religious leaders. He wanted to know the commonalities, but gave no thought to the differences, thinking that the common core essence, the “Din-i-Ilahi” would over ride these differences when presented to the people.
One certainly does not need to think for long to uncover what the appeal of such a synchretism of religion and culture would be. The benefits would be the fulfillment of man’s desire to live in peace, prosperity, harmony and unity with our fellow man. I believe that a Nation functioning within this dream would attain great power. In fact I think that such a nation would be invincible.
So, why did such a well thought out plan fail? What were the limitations that stretched out like vines to capture and then choke the life from Akbars dream? I will explore these reasons. I mentioned that Akbar sought out the commonalities in religions, that was a good idea. However, it was those things that were not common to all of the religions in question that came back to destroy the dream. When one explores
religions, one will find that they spring forth from a deep set of roots. These roots wrap themselves around concepts of views on life, how to live, what the I is and what is the end, if in fact there is an end, as well as presenting an understanding an analysis of the human condition that will be distinctive in each religion explored. These are the roots that drank down the water from the depths, leaving Akbars new, seedling with fledgling roots to die. Akbar attempted to tame and domesticate the great religions, without giving due consideration to the fact that they all began in different places and could not be moved from those beginnings. A religion can not be synthesized, it must and will be itself. An analogy of this could be seen in the following example. If I decide to go to the apple tree in my yard and pluck all of the apples from it, does this make it any less an apple tree? I think not. Next, I could affix oranges to where the apples once grew. I could create the illusion of an orange tree. I could conduct a harvest of oranges. However, when the time came for new growth, my tree will produce apples, because, at the core of its make-up, in the depths of its roots, that is what it is. So, in like fashion religions will be true to what is at their core and in their roots.
Akbar’s manifestation of his dream might have fallen on infertile ground, the real life representation of the dream may have been crushed, but the dream itself did not die. He dreamed of a world, nation, country or community, living in this sort of unity is something many of us share. For this reason, I believe that Akbar, Guru Nanak and Kabir will always be
admired as men who had the courage and intellect to put their dreams into action, to give voice to their ideas and give us a glimpse of a very different world.
Rachel 3-27-2003 0:36
Correction - she said it's snowing doillies (sp)(those little round things ladies make with crochete hooks and put on end tables) my spell checker changed it to dolly's.
Jerry 3-27-2003 0:11
I'm here to second JERRY's warning about a virus. Just got a note from HEATHER that mentions an email from me. Trouble is, I didn't send it. And it had funny attachments.
Rule #1 in email: turn off the preview pane.
Rule #2 in email: read messages in text mode, not in HTML
Rule #3 in email: open no attachments that you did not know were coming
Mark 3-26-2003 23:45
nevermind -- I won't continue this further. I had a reply typed in, but I won't post it here. If anyone is really interested send me a note and I'll email it.
howard 3-26-2003 22:49
V I R U S A L E R T
Today, I've received two viruses in my email, the first came from an address I've never seen before, but the second rings NOTEBOOK - I think somebody on the notebook must have a loose virus on their computer since this one reportedly comes from mary@hemlockbags.com
Of course, it could have come from anybody, and Sam Spade read the header and said it couldn't confirm or deny where it originated. But one thing's for sure, mary@hemlockbags must have either been in the their address book, or the originating computer, of course it could also be that the virus found that address somewhere else and forged the header of the email, who the heck knows.
At any rate, someone here may have a virus that's sending itself to others.
Jerry 3-26-2003 22:43
Rachel, that info was really interesting, kinda tends to support the theory that all roads lead to the same place if all roads started at the same place. A God by any other name is still the same.
Hallee, I'm so glad Gregg is coming home, is he going to get to stay for long? Please do not confuse my questioning whether the end justifies the means with ingratitude for the sacrifices of Gregg and other brave soldiers. I feel better knowing that if we are ever attacked, there are people like him to defend us. I hope you have a wonderful reunion.
I think I'm going to follow Tina's lead now and bow out of politics, I'm getting depressed and scared again and I wasn't kidding about my blood pressure; I'm ten years older than my father was when he dropped dead of a heart attack. Hope I didn't make anyone mad, I'll shut up now.
pamela 3-26-2003 22:27
Spring must be here - We had our first robin at the feeders today, this morning a lady called into the radio station with a wonderful description of the weather, she said "It's snowing dolly's!" then this afternoon, a tornado touched down just a few miles north of Jamestown ND.
Yep, it's springtime in the Dakota's.
Jerry 3-26-2003 22:11
Hallee, that's GREAT news! Migraines still suck, but far better that it is 'just' migraines. I've had only one in my life, and I so sympathise with Kaylee.
Rachel, thanks for that snippet of info. Interesting.
That's it from me. Not up to politics or religous debate.
C-ya!
Tina 3-26-2003 22:03
I stand corrected. We are not bombing the hell out of a country. We have only stated publicly that we wish to assassinate the leader of another country, we have gone into that country, which has not attacked us first, and dropped bombs and missiles upon militarily strategic locations in that country. We informed the world that our military bombardment would be viewed with "shock and awe". The overwhelming majority of countries world-wide oppose our actions and view them as aggressive. The question is not whether SH is a bad man or not, it is evident that he is; the question is whether we have the right to attack any country which has ties to terrorism (read: entire Middle East) or mistreats its citizens. If so, let's bomb militarily strategic locations in Romania next and get all of those babies out of the orphanages, and then South Korea since they have a missile that can reach California, and then Cuba since Castro is a dictator who has repressed his people, and then China since they ran the Tibetans out of Tibet, and then......
Howard, you say that I missed the point of your earlier statement, which was that "our principles...were the reason we had fewer human rights violations on our record than other groups." I think I can be forgiven for missing your point since that is not what you said, which was: ..."from the perspectives of education, standard of living, technology, personal freedom...one group consistently looks better...It has to be something else--something external--that makes a difference." Sorry, I thought that sounded like you were talking about God.
Litter, hooray for you, I am so happy for your success.
pamela 3-26-2003 20:08
Hi all,
Did you know how much Judaism, Christianity and Islam have in common at the foundations and roots of their traditions? Check this out.
Don't think that I'm trying to say we are all the same. I think that all great religions are very different. They are different because of the different answers that they have come up with and posed to the big human questions. Anyway, thought this might be interesting to some folks.
If you have a hate on for religion or are just tired of reading about it, then do not read this post. The differences start right in the garden and grow from there into the distinctive religions that we now have in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. I've got whaps of more info on this but didn't want to put you all into a coma.
Okay, so lets say that Religion is a beliefe in the world of the Divine and the practices accompanying that belief. Did you guys know that the word religion comes from the Latin - religare - to tie (ligare) again (re), and religion may tie us to the Divine (its spiritual function), to each other (its sociological function), to nature (its ecological function), and make us whole emotionally (its psychological function).
Judaism’s Sacred History.
God creates universe in 6 days, rests on the 7th.
Adam and Eve created “in God’s Image”
Adam and Eve, tempted by serpent, disobey God and eat forbidden fruity. They are exciled from God.
God makes covenant with Abraham -- he will be Father of a great nation in a promised land. (1900-1700 BCE).
Abraham agrees to sacrifice son Isaac -- at what is now Jerusalem, but ram takes son’s place.
In Judaism the original tie is in the Garden of eden, the tie to God is proken by human sin, injustie and idolatry. The tie is restord by sacrifices attemple (Isralites) Following Torah (modern Judaism). The way is show by Prophets and the Torah. The ultimate time is in life through following Torah, after death in heaven.
Christianity’s Sacred History.
God creates universe in 6 days, rests on the 7th.
Adam and Eve created “in God’s image”
Adam and Eve, tempted by serpent, disobey god and eat forbidden fruity. They must leave the garden; humans since share in Original Sin.
Jesus death on the cross as an atonement for Original Sin.
Original tie in Garden of Eden. Tie broken by Sin of Adam and Eve, human sin. The tie restored by Jesus's Death. The way shown by Jesus. The Ultimate tie is estalbished in heaven, after death.
Islam’s Sacred History.
God creates universe in 6 days.
Adam and Eve first humans.
Adam and Eve, tempted by serpent, disobey God and eat forbidden fruity = human Forgetfulness. Adam repents; God gives him mercy and guidance. Adam a great prophet/messenger.
Abraham agrees to sacrifice son Ishmael (note the difference in the son that they believe was to have been sacrificed). Abraham and Ishmael build the Ka’aba--the sacred shrine in Mecca.
Near Mecca is where Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael. Muhammad’s Night Journey takes him to heaven from there. Jerusalem is the place that Muhammad went to heaven from.
The original tie was in Paradise (Garden of Eden). The tie was broken by human forgetfulness of Allah. The tie resotred by submitting to Allah. The way shown by Qur'an and Muhammad. The ultimate tie is found in paradis, after death, last judgement.
The above information is taken from study notes and lectures by David Whyatt.
Rachel 3-26-2003 19:58
Litter - Friendly fire is an oxymoron, any fire that's comming your way will indeed kill you despite where it came from.
That fragging at the 101 brought back a memory, I wrote it down.
She had the voice of an angel, and her long golden hair flowed down around her nine year old shoulders.
Her first song was done in a small child’s dress of the ‘50s, as she sang “On the Good Ship Lollipop” you’d swear she was Shirley Temple, but her face showed her father’s Tai heritage, much as her golden hair and bright blue eyes showed her mother’s parentage from the Land Down Under.
The U.S.O. sent them to entertain us, and entertain us they did, but the bright spot for everyone in the audience consisting of our Engineers Company was that little girl. Sure her mom was a knockout that everyone would have given their left nut just to hold her hand, but that little girl could sing so sweetly that it brought tears to even the hardest of the hard in our little gathering of soldiers.
Her mom and pop did a passable job of the latest Rock and Roll hits, some of which were truly outstanding, and their daughter would join in with her sweet voice and harmonize with them like a pro. When the show ended with “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” we all went wild, everyone joined in. That song was the anthem for all who served over there, but, of course we had a few of our own words.
I had my old Hitachi Cassette tape recorder set up on the stage, capturing their show so I could enjoy them even more when they were gone and we were left to our thoughts and fears. To this day I regret giving them that tape, but when they asked, I couldn’t say no to such wonderful artists.
That night, as we were sitting in Sgt. Pool’s room playing a bit of bid whist and drinking warm Tiger Piss, we heard the explosion. It was nearby, and the take cover siren blew, we scrambled for our flak jackets, helmets and M-16's but before we even left the hooch, they blew the all clear.
Within minutes, the word got around, some asshole from the 509th Transportation Company down the Street from our Unit had fragged the Top Three club. Two of the eighteen top Sergeants were wounded, but the band on the stage, that same trio who had wowed us that day were playing for the top 3 NCO’s took the brunt of the explosion, the little girl was dead, her mom we latter learned lost a leg, her father lost his eye, and had major trauma to his neck resulting in the loss of his voice.
The ass hole who tossed the grenade was sent to LBJ (Long Bien Jail) then on to Ft. Levenworth Kansas for the rest of his life, and that lovely little girl will sing forever in heaven.
Grenades have no enemies, just victims
Jerry 3-26-2003 19:19
Just had my third interview for 'The Watchers'. This one lasted an hour and the photographer took at least 30 pics. Both the reporter and photographer said they would like to buy a copy when it's released. The local press seem hell bent on outdoing each other, which is to my benefit, so I shall continue to cultivate them. :o)
End of shameless self promotion.
Well, the war moves on a pace with passions and feeling running ever higher. What I find most galling is that, yesterday, it was reported that 18 UK servicemen and a UK new reporting team have died in the conflict but only ONE has died due to enemy action, (although there are probably more than that now?) The others, including the tv crew, have been killed by friendly fire and accident. I cannot imagine what that means to the families involved or those who now bear the burden that they have been responsible for the deaths of their own allies. I'm glad that I am in neither position. There but for the Grace of God, and so forth.
We've had a few unseasonably warm sunny days recently and rumour has it that we are due for a hot summer in Scotland. Probably means the rain will be warm…
As for the question of groupies – I think I have one? – Mousy, tweed twin-set, sensible shoes… Don't really like thinking about it. :o Then there are the tall grey people…
Not long heard – chalk up another 2 to 'friendly fire'
Litter 3-26-2003 19:13
Carpet bombing? We haven't carpet bombed since 1974 or 5 in Vietnam. Now we bomb what we want, and leave the rest alone. Saddam has placed some of the tartets of our bombs near civilian targets, our radio broadcasts have warned the Iraqi people to stay away from these places, and we have been bombing them. Saddly some of the Iraqi people don't have radios I guess or more likely some of the dead civilians that the Iraqi TV have been in truth, Iraqi soldiers in civilian attire, much like those who have been murdering our soldiers by shooting them in the back (dirty low down bushwackers!).
Like American Soldeirs in every war, I see the troops are giving their "John Wyane" candy bars to children. I guess the MRE's candy bars are probably better then the old choclate/almond bar, 1 each, C-Ration, 1945 that we used to get, at least I hope so or the Red Cross will be on our ass about giving bad rations to children.
Jerry 3-26-2003 14:03
One of PC Magazine's newsletters points to two sites that I think are very interesting and informative places for research for articles, homework for the kids, etc etc.
They're
http://www.aldaily.com/ -- Arts&Letters site
http://www.sciencedaily.com/ -- Science news
They're worth a look-see.
howard 3-26-2003 13:47
PAMELA -- I think you missed my point -- I didn't say that God is favoring us because we're a "Christian" nation. My point was that I think the difference in our philosophies -- the foundation on Judeo-Christian principles is the reason we have far fewer human rights violations (I didn't say "none") on our record. It's the reason we are using our technology to spare their people and infrastructure instead of bombing them back into the stone age (as we did in VietNam). It's the reason we have the educational and technological advantage in the first place -- the freedom to learn and use knowledge results from our foundation on those principles.
I didn't say we've done anything on our own to merit any special favor -- we probably don't deserve what we have -- it's just that I think the principles themselves lead to the results we're seeing.
Compare the foundations -- leave "religion" out entirely, if you wish -- then compare the results. As I said, I could be dogmatic about who and what originated the principles we call our Judeo-Christian heritage, but I won't. It's the results that I'm pointing to. I don't think we can dispute them. We're seeing them.
Or is there some other basic difference between "us" and "them" that I've missed? I don't think so. We've proven we can be just as evil -- look at My Lai, Wounded Knee, Andersonville -- at times. But not constantly, not without conscience.
What, then, is restraining us?
howard 3-26-2003 12:36
HOWARD: Thanks for looking but you can stop. I found the link in the archives! Again, thanks!
ALL: I know I don't participate much, but I'm a bit of a fence sitter. I see both sides of the arguement; for and against this war. Mostly I am for it, but I become extremely sad when I think of lost lives. I do , however, realize that if we succeed so many more lives will not only be saved, but also will be lived much fuller than they are now. God bless all of our men and women in armed forces and may they succeed and come home soon!
Cheri 3-26-2003 9:56
Hallee:
This world is going to hell. I heard "my mom" say carpet bombing the other day. I've heard her say carpet cleaning, but........ This is getting serious.
Debra 3-26-2003 9:40
Hallee:
Are they playing this on TV in Jordan? That would be helpful.
I heard the same thing.
Plus, I was going to say that about Ramon's eyes. Fowl!
Debra 3-26-2003 9:33
Oh yeah - MY HUSBAND'S COMING HOME IN 4 DAYS!!!! ~~~doing the little happy dance~~~
Hallee 3-26-2003 9:06
Ramon:
I just have one more question, since you do know something about that part of the world and its people.
I'm wondering how it is that everyone here in America knows straight from the mouths of Iraqi people testifying on TV that Saddam is killing, starving and robbing his own people, but neighboring countries still think that the coalition forces are just trying to take over the country?
I know Jordan is on our side but it only seems to be the government. The people don't seem to know even one person from Iraq who's famiy has been killed or tortured. It that possible?
I can't imagine protesting a war of a neighbor of America when the people from that country are rushing into our country telling us that the government is doing such things. Could it actually be that the word isn't getting to the civilians in Jordan what's going on?
We have been watching one person after the next on TV from Iraq who says they are aching to go back to their country and help rebuild. One person this morning says his family actually lives in Bagdad right now and he's says they are anxiously awaiting the liberation.
Also, I greatly admire the Arab countries for sticking together even though they seem to argue with each other. What I can't understand is how Al-Jazzera isn't telling it's people they are being rescued even though the people running that station must, must, must know that's what is happening. What drives them to say otherwise, knowing that they are putting the Iraqi people in danger of being left without the Coalition Forces if a pullout is called for mostly because of their lies? They must know they might be putting a whole country at risk while only helping ONE MAN, SADDAM.
While, I'm at it. I just saw an interview from the actual King and Queen of Iran who live in exile right now in America. I hear good things from them both. I feel that Iran and its citizens are so filled with hope for the future. They seem to be two amazing people and I hope that all their plans to go back to Iran are realized. Only good can come from that. Yes, he admits his father made decisions he doesn't understand, but his future plans involve peace to all Iranians and the world. I'm hoping to see them speak again.
Debra 3-26-2003 9:04
~Hallee~
Pamela: Just to clear something up, we aren't "boming the hell out of a country" - we're boming the hell out of militarily strategic locations. And the Iraqi's are ecstatic because of it. We have the capabilities of being very specific of where our bombs it - there is no "carpet boming" happening.
When we reach Bagdad, we'll lose a lot more soldiers for it, but the point is not to destroy Iraq - it's to remove Sadam Hussen and his regime -- so we're doing everything possible, including not carpet boming a city and therefore putting our troops in more danger for it, in order to accomplish that with minimal civilian loss.
And Iraqi on the news this morning who is some sort of go-between between the "Free Iraq" people and the Americans, was asked if the Iraquis, as mentioned on national news, thought this was a weakness or a strength. He said, "This is the Americans' strength. It's proving that they value the lives of the Iraquis unlike anything else could have."
Here was an article in the Washington Times. The fact that the people interviewed were so against the war that they actually went to be human shields speaks volumes:
AMMAN, Jordan — A group of American anti-war demonstrators, part of a Japanese human-shield delegation, returned from Iraq yesterday with 14 hours of uncensored video, all shot without Iraqi government minders present, with Iraqis eager to tell of their welcome for American troops.
The Rev. Kenneth Joseph, a young American pastor of the Assyrian Church of the East, said the trip to Iraq "had shocked me back to reality."
Some of the Iraqis he interviewed on camera, he said, "told me they would commit suicide if American bombing didn't start. They were willing to see their homes demolished to gain their freedom from Saddam [Hussein]'s bloody tyranny."
Mr. Joseph said the Iraqis convinced him that Saddam is "a monster the likes of which the world had not seen since Stalin and Hitler. He and his sons are sick sadists.
"Their tales of slow torture and killing made me ill, such as people put in a huge shredder for plastic products, feet first so the [torture masters] could hear their screams as bodies got chewed up from foot to head."
Hallee article
3-26-2003 9:03
Correction: I should not have said they "never" say "soldiers" since they do once it becomes unavoidable and the "troop" has a name, then they use it unmercifully to engage our sympathy and support for the war, such as showing the pictures of those poor boys on tv over and over again. I only turn it on for a few minutes at a time now, and those shots always appear (I feel so sorry for their poor parents having to see that a jillion times a day). I was referring to the general reporting on the action, which consistently uses the word "troop" in place of "soldier". I was also wrong when I said I could watch the ticker run through once to get all of the available information, much of that is taken up with rhetorical claims of righteousness and victory by our leaders, rather than hard information.
pamela 3-26-2003 8:59
(Pamela)
Howard, so are you suggesting that because we have a higher standard of living here that means God favors us because we are (largely) Christians? What about the 6,000,000 Jews killed in WWII, didn't He care about them? Could our standard of living stem from our greed, our invading and taking this land away from its inhabitants, our capitalistic celebration of the almighty dollar? Aren't we supposed to share what we have with others? I can't make the connection between material wealth and spirituality, sorry, but I think it is just the opposite. And I do think that many of the terrorists are sincere in their belief, if only because they have been brainwashed since they were children, we have all seen the pictures of little boys holding machine guns. I, for one, feel sorry for them and for their lives that are wasted through hatred, that is why I said I wished that the Islamic clergy could go on tv to talk to the terrorists infiltrating this country, to tell them that they have been tragically misled. Please do not mistake this for support of terrorism in general, it is sympathy for the individuals who have been given no chance to make up their minds for themselves. You accept things on blind faith, Howard, and if something is not logical, you just say we can't understand it; well, they have no more choice than you do in believing what they have been taught since they were children. And in teaching it to their own children as well.
Randall mentions Bush's use of the word "crusade" and we should be cognizant that words are being used to influence our opinions. I have noticed that they never say "soldiers" have been captured, they say "troops", incorrectly using that term for an individual soldier ("twelve troops were captured") when it actually means a group of soldiers. And calling this war "Operation Iraqi Freedom" is pure BS; discounting the possiblity of a hidden agenda regarding control of oil, we are supposedly fighting this war as part of the war against terrorism, not to free the Iraqi people, which would be a collateral benefit. If we are going to bomb the hell out of any country which mistreats its citizens, if we declare ourselves the arbiters of acceptable treatment, then the rest of the world better watch out!
By the way, where the heck is Randall? He must be having some more medical problems, surely he would be here discussing the war if he could. I'm thinking about him and hoping he's okay.
Hallee---oh, SO glad your daughter is all right. Well, migraines are nothing to sneeze at but surely a relief after the possibility of a tumor. Any news on Gregg returning on Friday, is it still a go?
I went to the www.bbc.co.uk site that Howard mentioned and read some entries in a discussion group there, for anyone interested in knowing what others think of us, it is a good source. One Canadian made a funny comment, said he was glad they had insisted on U.N. sanctions but didn't think Canada's involvement would have much impact anyway because "We can't get our battleship started and our helicopter's in the shop." Hee, hee, thought that was cute.
Ramon, I like big noses and think they add distinction to a face, I just gave one of my characters one. Besides, I bet you've got those big, beautiful liquid brown eyes to make up for it.
Howard, talked to my brother in Alaska yesterday and he has also heard the lights sing. I haven't seen any of the other phenomena you mentioned but I did see the "green tide" I think it's called, when I lived on the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. All of the white in the water was luminescent green, caused by plankton, I believe. I remember going to the beach that night and running into the water with all my clothes on, I was wearing a white shirt and the sparkling green dripped off of me like diamonds. Back home in the one-room shack we lived in, sharing a bed with my two brothers, I looked out the window and watched the water dancing in the darkness, the breaking waves making squiggles of glowing green, until I fell asleep.
Tina, you asked about my genre; my first book was described on the cover as "a very erotic ghost story" and the one I'm working on now is a supernatural, psychological thriller with a serial killer and sex, something for everyone (I hope.)
Love to all,
pamela 3-26-2003 8:40
JERRY -- The viruses (and porn) is one reason I quit using Kazaa -- just too much crap out there. Another should be obvious to a writers group. I guess backups are okay, but to download a copyrighted work just because it's free and available and being "shared" just doesn't seem right to me. The author or owner of the copyright makes his or her living that way. But it's a very fuzzy line, I guess.
howard 3-26-2003 7:24
Oh you were speaking of audio books, they too are available for download on Kazaa. I use a version called Kazaa Lite it's available for free download just do a google search for it.
Again, this is in reality probably theft of intellectual property to use, but for those short of pocket and LONG on Norton Anti Virus (there be viruses hiding behind nearly every file!) well not really but I do find a virus trying to board my machine at least weekly while downloading with Kazaa.
There' plenty of audio books available, you can save them to your hard drive, burn them to cd's or copy them to cassettes should you have the right equipment for later enjoyment.
I went though a phase there where I downloaded a bunch of books on tape but have never listened to one I guess, right now I'm downloading movies, they take a bit of time and most fill one cd, some have to be spanned over two depending on the quality but will make camping much nicer, to be able to carry a couple of dozen movies in the space you could only carry one CD. I do have most of these movies on VHS tape anyhow, and I guess it's legal (or so I've read) to back up your VHS tapes for your own use.
You can get anything you want (At Alice's Restaurant) on Kazaa
Jerry (filling the notebook) 3-26-2003 0:35
Howard - There may be a few in the Iraqi government who believe that they are right, but I have my doubts. After all Saddam has been proven, and is known by his countryman as a tyrant, a dictator who has NO value for his people, and only want's more power (sounds a bit like Tim Allen?).
Our local channel did an interview with some Iraqi's who live here in the Dakota's they left shortly after Saddam came to power. He was in the former leader's military and was very familiar with Saddam and his Ba'ath party. He said he would love to return to Iraq and will once the U.S. has driven Saddam from power. His tales of life under Saddam (he only stayed a short time and escaped with his family at his first opportunity) would make your blood run cold indeed.
I really don't think there are many except fellow criminals in Iraq that want to see Saddam make it out of this war alive. I could, of course be all wrong, it sure wouldn't be my first time.
I did feel a bit uneasy today when I was waiting for my Middle Eastern Doctor in the waiting room shortly before I was called it was just me and this really big Middle Eastern fellow waiting (Probably her husband who she said has joined her here in South Dakota, they were separated my last appointment six months ago.) Just the war I guess, and 9-11.
It was after all middle easterners who flew those planes into the towers, mostly Saudi I guess but middle eastern's all the same.
Isn't that the same thing as saying, it was North American's who did .... And lumping all from North America into one lump, guess so. See how understanding we can be here in the mid-west.
I saw this deal on Canadian TV last night (they get that on the cable down in Sturgis) and the fellow was saying how President Bush kept using the word crusade in his speeches. Then tonight on the news they too reported this, and how bad this sounds to those who live in the Middle East who were attacked so very many times by Christians bearing crosses and swords in crusades to free the holy city.
You know after those reports, I do recall those words in many of his speeches.
He never was much on public speaking was he.
Jerry 3-26-2003 0:19
We might not have to wait until December! Check this out!
-------------
ROTK release moved forward?
Not to repeat news, but Heri posted this in an earlier news item:
If New Line Cinema is therefore unable to screen its third "Lord of the Rings" film several weeks before its planned Dec. 17 debut, the film could miss out on early awards attention and suffer from the stampede of Christmas films. Last year's second "Lord of the Rings" installment, "The Two Towers," was shown to critics and other awards voters starting the first week of December. The studio is now planning to show the third film beginning in mid-November, says New Line marketing chief Russell Schwartz.
And I thought that it needed to take a little more priority.
Basically, due to the Oscars moving forward, we could find that LOTR:ROTK moves forward in conjunction, perhaps even to mid November, forsaking its now expected Christmas release.
----------
More at http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/oscars/cl-et-horn25mar25,0,7200865.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels
I found it at
http://www.council-of-elrond.com/index2.htm
scroll down the page a bit, and there it is!
howard 3-25-2003 23:34
No such thing as "off-topic" here! I'll look for it and post it asap.
howard 3-25-2003 23:33
HOWARD: I know this is off topic, but I've lost a link you posted on this site some time ago. It was for a thersaurus. I really liked the site and somehow it is not bookmarked. Please if you find it would you post for me? Thank you!
Sorry but now I'm off to bed.
Have a great writing day or night all!
Cheri 3-25-2003 23:30
JERRY -- Several of us have been saying for quite some time that you should collect your 'Nam stories and package them for publishing! Same as RANDALL with his "Red Britches" and etc.
There was a news report this evening that told about UK forces taking a town, and finding a store of arms and a tank INSIDE a hospital. The Iraqis have also chained women and children together and used them as shields in front of their lines, shooting through them at coalition forces.
Like I said before -- we're up against demons.
The following is NOT to start another debate on "religion" but only an observation (maybe from an over-simplified viewpoint) on the current situation, and its causes, to stimulate some objective thought.
Someone had said to me (earlier today) that "After all, they (the militant Muslims in Iraq) firmly believe they're right too." My wife and I were talking about it on the way back from church tonight, and arrived at the same thought -- what is the most significant difference between the main coalition countries (US/UK/Canada/Australia), and the enemies we've faced over the past 50 years or so (and even the countries that used to be our close friends)? I mean the philosophical differences that affect our views on human dignity and the value of life. I'll speak for the US, but I believe the basic thought must apply to the other countries I listed with us (as well as some others).
Our nation was founded (at least the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, etc say so) on Judeo-Christian law, belief, and principles. We claim (or used to claim) that we are a "Christian" nation.
The enemies we've faced are, for the most part, made up of societies who have rejected those principles we call foundational. Some of them turned to atheistic principles -- Communist Russia, China, etc -- rejecting any form of religion. Some turned to Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Some turned, or are turning, to Secular Humanism.
All of these philosophies claim to be right. All claim to be the truth (or at least the truth as they see it).
As I said, it's probably over-simplification, but look at these groups from a human rights perspective. Then look at them from a human dignity perspective. Then from the perspectives of education, standard-of-living, technology, personal freedom -- no matter which lens you look through, one group consistently looks better.
Why?
It's not because the one group is inherently nice people, and the rest are not. Not at all. We're all human -- no differences in the way we're made. So it has to be something else -- something external -- that makes the difference.
I could (and have) dogmatically stated what I believe to be the answer, but I won't now. Like I said, just some objective (I hope) thought on the subject.
howard 3-25-2003 23:12
Was it Rosemary who suggested I put together my Vietnam stories? I think so, I scrolled down again but couldn't find it.
At any rate, I have thought of that, and may in fact do it if I can find them all. I fear many were only posted here in the notebook. I always try and save them to my hard drive but usually forget to back them up before I crash my machine and have to reformat the dang thing.
The drive down yesterday did have it's interesting moments, not the least of which was when I decided to pass this dang Semi hauling milk. It was in a particularly hilly narrow section of the highway, but I had plenty of room, or so I thought till I got beside the damn thing and discovered it was a double length, but since it was a "farm implement" it needed no oversize load sign. I was past the first trailer and nearing the middle of the second when a second Semi appeared around the curve ahead. Now I wouldn't say it was "real" close but I swear I could read those little numbers on his license expiration tag, and I could see the green of his teeth that were clinched as he was smoking his tires trying to slow down, I was very lucky to get through that with the mirror on the door of the car. The strangest part, I don't think I met over ten outfits all the way down.
There was enough snow and rain south of here to begin to green things up nicely, and the antelope were all over the place, some herds so big that they spread out for over a mile. One was strange, there were antelope on one side of the fence in the ditch, mule deer on the other side. None of them decided it was wise to cross in front of the car which was a relief.
There was one spot where a large doe Mule Deer stood on one side of the highway, all by her self, and when I looked in the other ditch, there lay another that had been struck by a car or truck that morning. Could she have been looking for her mate? It was a sad site. On the trip home, the Turkey Vulchers were feeding on the dead one. The circle of life?
The jack rabbit population seems to be healthy, they were all over the place on the way down, their bodies littered the highway on the trip home. A good rabbit population is very indicative of a healthy wildlife population over-all, since they feed the coyote, wolf and fox population.
Jerry 3-25-2003 21:36
Hi all, well the trip is over, a relatively good time was had by most.
The Best Western was great, and they offered a ten percent off for AARP folks like us, so the room was only forty-four bucks a night, cheap at twice the price.
As far as the VA, I had expected some trouble having read the recent post by Mark, and the article he pointed to, but it must not have effected our Hospital. In fact I went to the VA web site and read their info, their site said quite plainly that I would no longer be eligible for eye glasses.
Much to my surprise, when I showed up for my optical appointment, there wasn't a problem, in fact the old fart that I saw two years ago that miss-fitted me with these glasses is no longer there, having been replaced by a young opthomologyst who did a very through exam. Then he informed me that under the new guidelines, I could now receive line less tri-focals (that I turned down, tried them years ago and they didn't work for crap for my eyes) as well as tint, or the relatively new transition express photo-darkening for the now available high index plastic lenses (also unavailable two years ago). Then sent me to his assistant who had a full range of frames to select from, quite different from the four "standard" frames available last trip. I selected some very expensive titanium frames and was fitted with them on-site. Because of the distance from the hospital to my home they will mail them and I can either have them fitted locally or return for a fitting when they come in the mail.
Next stop my MD, who did a very through exam, went over all the labs I had taken earlier (Who got me in two hours early since I was scheduled for an afternoon appointment but had earlier appts with the eye Dr. and foot dr. (Both ends worked on you know). Then when we were talking of my blood pressure problems, she said I should have a blood pressure machine at home. I told her I had just purchased one, she said "well take it back, we'll give you a good one!" Which she did. By the time I was scheduled for my afternoon appointment, I was nearly seventy miles closer to home.
Guess I can't complain, they treated me like a king all the way through and every one was super to work with. Maybe it's just good people up here, or the fact that there's a lot less Veterans up here competing for their services. I know my buddy in California said he had a heck of a time getting set up out there and has been on a waiting list for over a year for his first check up.
It was a nice break from watching the war on television. I agree, don't watch that crap all day and all night. The best we can do is find some way to support the troops, no matter how we feel about the war itself, fly your flag, give blood, send emails to the troops, or like we did in the last gulf war, collect books, package them up and mail them to the units. (The Legion can help you with an address for them if you decide to do that, it'll be a nice gesture once they go from a war footing to a peace keeping mission.
As far a believing what you hear on TV even from the White House, or General Franks, don't. The US is obviously trying to freak out Saddam with their press releases, and as we saw in the last Gulf war they will tell you what they WANT to have you believe. After the battle is over, things that happened, the accuracy of the weapons and such will be truthfully reported.
I did hear a very disturbing thing the other day that sounds like it may have a bit of truth, that Saddam has mined his hospitals, schools and apartment buildings with explosives on the walls and plans to set them off whenever the US or the UK bombs "near" those sites so he can kill his own people and blame the us for it. I don't doubt that he may very well have done this. I hope he doesn't use them but fear he will.
Then again, this could be a propaganda story to cover off target explosives. Who knows in today's world of propaganda and counter propaganda. Sounds a bit hitlerish on both sides I guess.
Jerry 3-25-2003 21:17
Rhoda, you don't come off 'preachy' to me, and everything you had to say was well merited and worth noting! (((HUGS)))
Heather 3-25-2003 20:08
Hi All,
HALLEE: I am sooooooo HAPPY for the good news. My daughter suffers occassional migraines as well. She doesn't eat meat (unless it comes in a MacDonald's burger)and it's usually after high pressure days or active sport that she gets them.
I figure her body is lacking in the iron her body needs to carry it off.
Anyway, that is wonderful news!!
DEBRA: I heard Russia is supplying Iraq with weapons and such,(and has been for yonks-not openly of course) but George W. had a word in the the President's Putin's ear about it and the President said he would look into it and would get back to him. George W. said he was looking forward to it.
And about the worry thing - it's easier said than done. First of all when you're feeling anxious, take big deep breaths thinking of nothing but the breaths, and then, when your mind is clear tell yourself, there is absoloutely nothing you can do about it, and then play with the kids or get into a real good book - I recommend 'Gap Creek', that'll whisk you off and away.
Praying helps too.
I learnt last night that France (Jacques Chirac was president for the first time)sold Iraq it's first nuclear reactor? is it?, They said they did it because if they didn't someone else would, however, no one else was. Anyway that was destroyed during the Iran/Iraq fighting.
Eventually Saddam gave a proposal to Germany for so many millions to make another plant in Iraq, though it was under the guise of a factory to make insect repelant.
Am wondering if France was so adamant about vetoing anything that resulted in war because
A; It might harm the lucrative trade deals it has going with Iraq.
or
B; France, Germany and Russia (all naysayers) are well aware that Iraq has an abundance of nuclear weapons and dread the end result of what a war may bring.
Remember France did say France would go in if nuclear weapons were used.
Another thought. I recently wrote that S.H. was under the impression that he won the Gulf War, I wonder if maybe a man whose mind works so laterally, might not find it increasingly brilliant to use nuclear weapons when he has the troops all in one place, Baghdad. We all know he cares nothing for killing his own people.
He may see this is going down in glory.
It may be dumb, but I hope the military masterminds planning the strategies for all this have taken that into consideration.
Ugly though it all is, it's all quite fascinating. A real study on character and motivations and the complexities of human nature and driving forces.
Teekay 3-25-2003 17:19
There's an interesting article on poetry in the current WD magazine -- it's also at
http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/griffith_poetry.asp
for anyone who wants to read it there.
howard 3-25-2003 16:58
~Hallee~
The doctor saw no visible signs of a tumor, and he did a pretty thorough check. He has concluded she's having migraines. I'm to create a "headache diary" and he suggested medicines for her pain.
I'm so relieved I feel like sobbing. This child is such a joy to my life - she is so full of life and love. Some of her pictures are on the website above.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Hallee hallee
3-25-2003 16:35
Hi All :)
Its been too long since I've last posted. Course, its also been a long time since I've added much to my story. I'm conflicted as to which is the worst offense ... .
I confess to being a strange one. I managed the death of our dog reasonably well when it happened, but now, a month later the full effects of grief/depression have set in. The other dogs help, but its not the same. We had one of Moose's puppies (well, he's big now at two years of age) returned to us but even that can be hard. I heard a rumbling growl the other day and stopped just short of yelling at Moose to be quiet. Zeus has his daddy's voice that's for sure.
Reading through the posts, I had a nice uplift when I read about the northern lights sightings. Oh, an April night, cold and clear several years ago. Wrapped in two coats, my hubby's handiwork on my feet and a lawn chair under my butt. Those dancing lights, swirling -- so joyous, so free. I recall thinking that they were all the souls dancing to heaven hand in hand. No matter how long I live, or how long I go before seeing those lights again, I'll never forget that first experience. That was the night and the experience that solidified God's existence for me. Several hours after seeing the northern lights, I wrote a piece of flash fiction. That one piece was published three times with the last printing being in an actual, hold in your hand magazine which paid me my first check. Passion in writing is the most amazing thing. I didn't "hear" the lights as someone mentioned, but they sang their way into my soul.
Rhoda - the scariest thing about Lupus is the difficulity in diagnosis. Even with all my blood work and my symptoms, they will not say yes you do have this. Sometimes I think they don't worry about Lupus much at all unless the kidneys are involved. But even in the "milder" cases such as my own, its highly annoying.
I believe there's conversation going on regarding descriptive problems, especially in fantasy writing. I believe the best work I've seen has the description woven in seamlessly. "Michael descended to the dungeon level, his hand sliding on the wet stone wall as his bare feet felt each dank, musty step." One of the most common faults I've seen critiquers make regarding description in fantasy work is the lack of smell. So stink the place up! hehehehe
Hallee - prayers going out for your daughter. I hope all will be well.
Jerry - hope you had a good day at the VA. (being said tongue in cheek -- I won't even mention those ongoing problems here!)
Pamela -- a big congrats!!!!
Rosemary -- I think I too will pass on those roosters. I don't think you want me feeding them to the doggies. :)
My love to all. This board is keeping my desire to write alive, even if my will is sleeping at the moment. I'll try to write something today. Even if its not related to my current work.
Carol 3-25-2003 16:21
Rhoda:
How are you now? What's the diagnosis?
Debra 3-25-2003 15:57
DEBRA,
Lupus is one of those diagnoses that come up when someone is having varied symptoms that are seemingly unrelated, especially when rashes and muscular-skeletal pains are involved. One doctor looked at me and told me that lupus was the problem. He scared the living daylights out of me, but he had no right to say what he said because he had not adeqately reviewed my medical history and had not run any test. I went to a rhumatologist shortly after that and had all the necessary tests, and there was nothing to intimate that I had it.
Strange thing is that during that time, I befriended many young women going through post-partem problems. One friend had come down with fiber-mialgia. Another one suffered from carpel-tunnel syndrome so bad she was forced to give up playing the piano. There is much about pregnancy that the books never prepare you for. Furthermore, many of the doctors are terribly ignorant about the toll pregnancy takes on a woman's body.
Rhoda 3-25-2003 15:20
Rhoda:
Don't be silly. I love hearing from everyone at all times. Your attacker was from within. That is scary. You couldn't just turn it off and take a drive or a walk. You really had to over come a lot. I commend you. I really do.
Yes, there are things worse than Lupus, but I hope you don't have that. Post pardum depression is hard. I had it a little from one of my pregnancies. You are a truly a strong woman. Of course I always thought using strong in front of woman was a little redundant.
Debra 3-25-2003 14:21
DEBRA,
Forgive me. That last post sounded somewhat preachy. I was talking to myself everybit as much as to you. We all are subject to fear. It is part of being human. You are just more open about it than the rest of us.
If you have to really pay attention to any of my post, just make it the last two paragraphs. That scripture really helped me along and it still does. There are many more scriptures that put things into perspective.
My kids tell me all the time I lecture too much, and I do. I will not lecture you anymore, DEBRA, for you have things a lot more together in most areas of life than I do.
Rhoda 3-25-2003 13:51
DEBRA,
Leukemia can also be caused by too much chemical exposure. Industrial solvents such as Carbon tetrachloride and benzene can give it to you as well as many naturally occuring poisons in concentrated doses.
I also wish to add that fear can eat up your life. I myself have a low threshold for worry, and after the birth of my third child, I lived a life of extreme fear for my health because after that pregnancy, my blood pressure shot up to dangerous levels and I was experiencing terrible muscular and joint pain. That fear stole my life for almost a year, and before I could get on with my life I had to conquer it. Much of all that was the result of Post Partum depression and harmonial, chemical things, but my tendency toward fear was part of the equation. I finally had to get to the point of accepting what God was willing to allow in my life. If I had lupus as one of my doctors thought, then I would have to learn to live with it. Frankly I could think of a lot worse things than getting blown away in a terrorist attack.
We will all die sometime, and for most of us, it will come from commonplace sources. We are living in dangerous times, but we really need to see things in some perspective. I agree with HEATHER. Get away from the news! I have had to because I keep having dreams about this war. I cannot change it, and neither can you, DEBRA. If the Russians, North Koreans, Chinese, or even the French want to go to war with us, and they decide to nuke us today, what are we going to do about it?
The United States and Western Europe have enjoyed an incredibly long time of peace and security. No one has been this fat and happy in the history of the planet. Somehow we get to thinking that we are entitled to all these good things. Well, fact is, we are not. We are merely reaping the rewards of the sacrifices of those generations that have come before us. We are also reaping the benefits of God's grace and mercy.
My father grew up during the depression. Oftentimes the only food his family had to eat was what they were able to grow on their farm. They lived hand to mouth and they were so busy trying keep a roof over their heads, they didn't have much time to worry about all the horrible things that could happen to them. Then there was WWII. My mother talked about being in movie theatres and watching the parades or the Third Reich on the news reels and realizing all along that these people could win that war. And if not by the grace of God, Germany and the Axis powers could have won it. What would have happened if Britain had not held out? What would have happened if the Russian winter had been mild that year of the German advance and if Hitler could have actually pulled off the Russian campaign? Think about a society where there were no men except those too old or too disabled to fight. That was the United States prior to 1945. In those days Germany and its allies actually did have the ability to win the war, unlike the Iraqis have now.
I think what our wealth and technology have made us forget is that life is very uncertain. It is very unpredictable, and it is very rarely just.
Still nothing is certain. Victory in Iraq is looking to be quite costly in the terms of lives. I have decided to live one day at a time as it comes. I cannot deal with the potential horrors of the future, but I have the will and the resources to handle the needs and demands of today.
For some better insight on my post, read Matthew Chapters five and six in the Bible. Jesus ends this sermon on the mount on the thought:
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Rhoda 3-25-2003 13:23
Ramon:
You don't sound cynical. I think the people who are saying that must close family members. We all know how that can go sometimes.
Debra 3-25-2003 13:15
You're all absolutely right and I'll do the best I can.
Debra 3-25-2003 13:09
DEBRA: Before I go on answer your question, Heather is very right. This is not worth losing sleep over and ruining your health. My advice? Keep living your life doing the things that you do. Let the war follow its course. Believe me keep going on like this and you'll end up like me. I've been told that I am far too young to be as cynical as I am.
Anyway the Turks. I was only making logical suppositions but it wouldn't surprise me if they were looking to wipe out the Kurds or rule them. As far having to deal with the coalition, our track record at the moment is not good so they may not see us as a threat. Anyway you, enough of this, heed my advice above and don't let this affect your health or your sense of hope. Do not dwell on this I will get really really mad.
Shutting down for the night.
Peace to all
Ramon 3-25-2003 12:45
Debra - Pamela is right (I think it was Pamela?)
You have to stop concentrating on Iraq and the news for a few days. Throw your TV out!!
You are going to eat a hole into your gut with all that worry, and for what good? If you can't sleep, can't eat, and can't concentrate on anything but the war, are you a politician, in a position of influence? No. Your unrelenting worry will not affect anyone but you, your family, and others around you. Take a week off. The war isn't going to stop just because you're worrying about it.
Relax. It's probably the best thing you could do.
Heather 3-25-2003 12:27
Hallee - very good to see you! You and your husband and daughter are on my good vibes list. (((HUGS)))
Heather 3-25-2003 12:23
Nick:
Well there's probably a lot of radition coming off the sand from the sun. Although, one has to wonder what else could be causing it. For instance, is are these high numbers new? Meaning, has it always been that way, or are these high numbers a current condition dating back to a certain time?
Debra 3-25-2003 10:20
Leukemia is a common result from over-exposure to radiation.
Nick Nicholson 3-25-2003 9:58
Ramon:
Just a note. Your description of yourself is just smashing. I'll bet you're a sight for soar eyes. In case you never heard that expression, it's a good thing.
And
This sand storm NOW, I also think it's a good thing. I can feel all the forces getting a collective cat nap.
Debra 3-25-2003 8:57
Ramon:
I didn't think for a minute you were ignoring me. Yes, that's the kind of information we're getting too. ON the Turkey front, how much of a chance do you see this happening? HOw much of a chance do you see Turkey thinking they can take on the liberated Iraqis, the Kurds and now the Coalition Forces to get that land? That's just what they have to consider if they decide to move.
Plus they chance looking like international looters. Right?
I also have to apoloqize to all the notebookers who gave me words of encouragement. I have become a whiner when we are all going through this together. I hate those people and now, I'm in danger of becoming one permenatly. I'm putting the brakes on that.
I think we should all just say a collective prayer for all concerned. All concerned is the entire planet, with the epocenter being Bagdad.
You know what I just heard today? The children of Iraq have the highest numbers of Lukemia in the world. Hummm? Could it be the exposure to chemicals?
This whole thing is like watching someone step into a hornets nest.
Debra 3-25-2003 8:52
PAMELA -- Or even "...he went down the skylit stairwell that separated the kitchen from the playroom -- and saw that his wife had already tidied up from last night's party..."
TINA -- I've heard the aurora, right here in upstate New York! It's a definite crackling sound, with an almost inaudible chiming/humming/whooshing sound behind it. I actually went in a got a newspaper to see if I could read by that light, and I could! I can remember only three times now that I've seen it, and it's fascinating!
Has anyone here ever seen the "green flash" at sunset? Or "St. Elmo's Fire?" I haven't, but I have seen "ball lightning" -- back when I was a kid.
howard 3-25-2003 8:06
DEBRA and everyone else.
D: Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I have been sent by my company to work in an Office in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, for one week. To answer your questions, I live in the UK, in a city called Bristol. Despite my Iranian/Iraqi heritage I am a very much a British citizen, in fact aside from my nose (don't laugh)you wouldn't tell I was half persian (my mother is English).
The turks are getting involved to prevent the Kurds from setting up an independent state (there being no indication they were ever going to). Turkish and Kurds are not allies contrary to popular belief, and there is even concern that the Turks may go in and take Kurdish occupied territories for themselves, so by the time this is over we could end up with Iraq being split in much the same Germany was after WWII.
In terms of news coverage, I have cable so we have CNN and CNBC and Bloomberg, but also BBC24 and ITN News. Difficult to describe the coverage and how Americans are perceived. We're getting all sorts of coverage, i.e. ours and your troops being killed or injured by friendly fire, the soldiers captured and paraded on Iraqi TV. What is frustrating is that the CIA keep posting these stories saying a plane has crashed killing coalition troops but then quickly retract it or that they have found SH's body and they place him elsewhere. There is so much information being poured into the papers and the TV news its difficult to distinguish what's what. One thing though that is concerning was the death of ITN's Terry Lloyd and Reports have indicated it was due to friendly fire by US artillery. Is this what you're being told.
This whole thing is a right bloody mess. Pray for a quick ending guys otherwise a lot more people are going to die before this is over and if what I said about the Turks pans out then when this war is over we're going to have them to deal with as well as China, North Korea etc.
Debra I wasn't ignoring honest my dear. For Uk coverage of the news try www.bbc.co.uk or www.itn.co.uk
Peace to all.
Ramon 3-25-2003 7:47
HALLEE -- We'll add your daughter and hubby to our list. It's getting long, but He's a good listener...
howard 3-25-2003 7:47
**Taylor**
Dreadfully sorry about the double post...
And the post before that I'm sorry about... It wasn't until I was in bed that I realised that the post sounded very callous and coldhearted.
I would like to make a formal apology... I meant no disrespect at all... and it sounded like I was making light of the events.
Sorry.
Taylor 3-25-2003 7:14
**Taylor**
Hallee: My prayers for you and your daughter... Things these days seem so cruel... Best wishes going your way as well
The Producer of Documentaries at the Oscars... I can't believe he said what he said, "We live in a time with fictitious election results that elect a fictitious President who sends us to war for fictitious reasons" It makes want to scream.
Don't some realise that people from other countries should have the same right they do... Try to go to Iraq and openly criticise the government via National Medium and then see how far you get.
But I guess he has every right to say what he said... Too bad that he opens his mouth and increases MY support for the war... Everyone should have the freedom to speak out.
Taylor 3-25-2003 7:10
**Taylor**
Hallee: My prayers for you and your daughter... Things these days seem so cruel... Best wishes going your way as well
The Producer of Documentaries at the Oscars... I can't believe he said what he said, "We live in a time with fictitious election results that elect a fictitious President who sends us to war for fictitious reasons" It makes want to scream.
Don't some realise that people from other countries should have the same right they do... Try to go to Iraq and openly criticise the government via National Medium and then see how far you get.
But I guess he has every right to say what he said... Too bad that he opens his mouth and increases MY support for the war... Everyone should have the freedom to speak out.
Taylor 3-25-2003 7:08
Hi guys! What's new? (Kidding Jerry...) I don't want to talk about the war. As a Canadian, I have no right to. So let's just leave it at that.
I read what Amerigo had to say, and well, maybe it's better that he left. Even I can't be that ignorant...can I? Well, whatever. I'm sorry Rosemary, and I apologize for him--I apologize on behalf of all ignorant people.
And now to business. VIV: I write about places I've never been to all the time. I don't think it out too much. I think that's the secret. If you say you want to place it in Hawaii, then mention a few palm trees, some local sights, sunsets, and let the reader's imagination fill in the rest--I read somewhere that the reader actually likes to form pictures in their own mind--and breifly remind them as the story goes along...the weather was warm, the night was cool, the smell of food or suntan oil, little things. Atmosphere. That's the best I can do for you, but it might work. I've been to Rome, China, Idaho, New England. Setting is important just for that: setting, but it doesn't have to bog the story down because the writer wants to impress the reader with all the research he's done about his subject. I hope it helps...
ben 3-25-2003 2:09
Pamela,
The thing with 'Shadow' is, I've been told repeatedly that I use too much descriptive narration. Okay, fine, but I swung too far and took out too much, until when I re-read the first section I realised that readers won't get the context because I haven't said enough about the world I've created! So I'm putting it back in. The writers I admire - Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffery, Tad Williams, Terry Brooks - they all go to pains to create the world of their story so that the reader feels like they are there. Descriptive naration. Science fiction/fantasy isn't meant to be Literature with a capital 'L', so I'm gonna stop pretending it is.
And the beginning? I've re-written it one, two... three, and then four, five, now SIX times! But it's finally close to what I want.
Okay now I have to admit to a brain-fart. I was completely unable to remember what kind of writing you do, but didn't want to admit it. Military thriller? Suspense? Legal?
And yes, it's reassuring to read a BAD novel in your chosen genre. I know mine is better than some of the trash I've read, so it HAS to have a decent chance at publication! ;-)
Tina again 3-25-2003 0:51
Tina, nice description of the aurora, I really like "colour-fall". Didn't know you could hear it though, how cool it that? The Yukon still calls me, when I sell my book and make a jillion dollars, I'll get back up there again.
pamela 3-25-2003 0:35
Me again, forgot to respond to Tina's editing talk (this is a writer's group, after all). Glad you got the beginning re-worked, it is so important since we must grab the reader's attention immediately to keep him engaged. Cutting out unneccessary verbiage is good, I expect my 100 pages to be shorter when I'm done editing it. Descriptive passages are tough, it's hard for me to judge when I'm painting a good picture or going into too much detail when the reader might want to get on with the action. That's in real life, if you are creating fantasy then I would think you would have to have a lot of description for the reader to see what you see. Sometimes instead of describing things straight out, I describe things in the course of the action, like "...he went downstairs to the playroom, separated from the kitchen by a skylit stairwell..." or whatever. I don't think we have to follow the rules all of the time, sometimes, for instance, we might use incorrect grammar or punctuation to create an effect, and thinking outside the box is how new discoveries are made. I do plan to heed my readers' advice, though, if they tell me something is boring or draggy; that's why I want them to read it. I know Heather warns us against over-editing and I agree, sometimes we read it over so many times that we can't see the forest for the trees and it all starts to look like when you write an ordinary word and you know it's spelled correctly but for some reason it just doesn't look right. Fantasy is really hot right now, unless it totally sucks (I'm sure it doesn't) you should be able to sell it. I read lots of thrillers and I'm always glad when I read a bad one (occasionally they're so bad I don't even finish them) because I know publishers must be desperate for them and I'm sure to sell mine. Not being egotistical, just confident, I have to be or else I'd never go to all this trouble.
pamela 3-25-2003 0:28
Hi Pamela!
I'm not very north, just over the border, but I've had a few outstanding aurora viewings. During the solar peak we always get amazing shows. There was one a few years ago. January, freezing out, about midnight, and I saw aurora out the window. I wrapped myself in a quilt and went out on the porch.
Wow. The only way I can describe it is this:
Imagine yourself under an immense clear dome. Above the dome it is black with a million tiny glittering stars, while Jupiter is a beacon to the southeast. And then red and green and blue and yellow paint is poured over the dome, and it swirls and mixes and dances over the dome. Sometimes it sways, sometimes it spikes up and down, sometimes it clears away and reappears off to the side. It just keeps on going, an endless waterfall of colour tumbling overhead. A dancing colour-fall.
I have never heard the aurora, and that is on my 'must-do' list. Head up to the Yukon, maybe. I have to hear the aurora sing.
Blue skies! or multicoloured. ;-)
Tina 3-25-2003 0:15
Hi again, just popped in to revise my "Girls Night Out" to add "plus Howard" (brave soul).
Tina, thanks for compliments, I wish I didn't have the ability to be so far-thinking (I'm analytical), maybe I wouldn't be so frightened now. I do think we are being subjected to propaganda here, at least by ommission. I appreciate your being honest about the world view of us despite the fact that people don't want to hear it (please nobody get mad). The snowdog effect sounds beautiful, I guess you get the northern lights up there a lot too. I saw them when I was in Alaska but not colors, it wasn't cold enough, just white, but it was sooooo cool!
pamela 3-24-2003 23:56
Hi all!
Pamela, you have a good way of stating your thoughts clearly, and frankly, you're one of the only Americans I've met who seem able to see past the rampant propaganda within your country. OTHER USIANS don't flip out on me! Someone asked for views of non-Americans about the US, and while you may be shocked, yup arrogance is high on the list of generalised traits. There is a reason why young Canadians travelling overseas always put a Canadian flag patch on their bags. They get treated better when their hosts know they aren't from the US.
Snowdogs...
A lovely atmospheric phenomina (sp?). When it is really really cold and crisp clear, tiny ice crystals in the atmosphere refract light from the sun and moon. Very nice.
Feeling a bit overwrought right now. Probably because I planned on jumping on the weekend, and the weather didn't cooperate. No jumps = grumpy Tina. It's the perfect stress relief, so I'm un-relieved.
I did rewrite the opening of 'Shadow'. Much happier now, much cleaner.
I've made two decisions about 'Shadow'. One is that I will become merciless in cutting out unneeded passages. The other is that I am going to acknowledge everyone who has told me to cut out the descriptive passages, and then leave them there. I might even add to them. I've been analising my chosen genre, and descriptive passages are important to create the world. I am creating a fantasy world, not a literary one. Literary rules don't fully apply, and I need to keep that clear as I edit.
Hallee, (((HUGS))) and well-wishes for your entire family.
Debra, a dot of lavender oil on your pillow should help you sleep.
Blue skies!
Tina 3-24-2003 22:50
(Pamela)
I did not go forth to edit, I went forth to my local for about half a dozen beers (over a period of hours--no driving drunk). Except for a few conversations there, forgot all about the war for a while, looked out at the park across the street as twilight fell, talked to fellow artists, one a musician, one a painter, discussed creativity and other general stuff, it was great. Came back here to Girls Night Out (they should know better than to let us out!).
Oh Hallee, bless your heart, you are really going through it right now. I will be thinking about your daughter (what is her name, how old is she?) and that whatever problems she has may be fixable (they can do amazing things these days). You are so strong, I don't know how you do it. Please God let Gregg come home to you on Friday. Clean the house and go shopping at Victoria's Secret.
Debra--you've seen how scared I got lately, follow the good Hallee's advice and turn off the tv for a day. It DOES seem like playing ping-pong with a madman, our whole world has gone CRAZY!!!!! (Picture female Lewis Black here.) The Sleepytime tea is a good idea and I also strongly recommend watching The Daily Show for a different perspective of world affairs (it's on Comedy Central and Jon Stewart is actually well-informed and has some serious guests but they manage to laugh anyway). Italian Sunday dinners sounds like delicious fun.
Roosters sound like fun too but sorry, Rosemary, I don't have room for any (are they edible?). I worked with a gal who raised fancy chickens and they were really pretty. Looking through job listings recently I saw one for a chicken catcher, now, that sounds like a pretty lousy job.
Heather--Didn't mean to steal your whip, you do such a good job! Thanks to you and Rhoda and Teekay for saying I inspired you, I am so glad to repay the favor since this group has inspired me so much. Rhoda, don't worry about misspellld wrds, we have to leave something for the editors to do. Teekay, hope you get a good start on your short story.
And thanks to those who congratulated me on my 100 pages, awwww, you didn't have to do that (yes you did, was I fishing, or what?).
Rachel, I dont know how you do everything you do, you are awesome! Sunny, YES, I can feel the power! (I think I've stolen someone's exclamation points.)
Love, l*o*v*e, LOVE to everyone, we shall survive (here or somewhere else). And peace.
pamela 3-24-2003 22:35
ROSEMARY -- If I had my coop cleared out I'd take you up on that offer! We're planning to get some more chickens and a pig or two, maybe even a small-breed milk cow, but not for a while yet. We usually keep aracauna chickens -- that's one of the old South American breeds that most of our modern chickens were derived from. They lay the colored (pink, blue, green) eggs, and they tolerate the cold better than some of the other breeds.
DEBRA -- Don't take alarm over every rumour you hear -- that's what Saddam and his verminous offspring would want us to do. Personally, I believe they're at the very least demon-possessed, if not actual demons themselves. Yes, I believe there are demons, and we're no match for them in our own strength.
If you want a good read, try Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness to get some idea of the spiritual battle going on all around us. Scary, but reassuring as well.
We've opened our church up an extra evening a week for the community to come in to pray for their loved ones in the service. So many frightened people needing comfort and encouragement. Many needing help with every day living as well. Many reservists have been called up, leaving their families in real need for everything from food to child care. Look around wherever you might be -- there's someone who needs you right now! We've gotta stick together to get through this one.
howard 3-24-2003 22:31
SUNNY,
The book SHADOWS IN A DREAM written by AMERICO, RACHEL, JACK and ALLEIN, was written on that very premise. They could tell you more about it.
HALLEE,
My prayers go out to you, your husband and your daughter. Hugs to you. I admire you for holding so many things together.
Rhoda 3-24-2003 21:34
There is such power in this group; can you feel it? It really is very special.
My heart goes out to everyone overseas, and their families at home. You are the best of the best.
Hallee: prayers for your daughter's doctor visit are being sent tonight.
Has anyone ever thought about making a book out of this message board? Our stories are a wonderful microcosm of life in this age, and they're all archived! There is a dearth of internet stories out there, and this is such a positive one.
I want to thank all of you motivators out there for keeping me writing! Because of what I read here before dinner, I'm getting alot done tonight.
Keep it coming! And as Pamela said, we will all get through this together.
P.S. Rosemary, don't think I'll take you up on the rooster offer, but thanks just the same. :-)
Sunny 3-24-2003 20:34
An ending to a beautiful day here,
About the books-on-tape, The San Antonio Library carries a good selection. I plugged in the keyword 'cassette' just to see how many, and it was over 10,000. That should keep us going for a while. The librarian also said that if I wanted anything the whole library (1 central and about 15 branches) doesn't carry, she can get it for me. On the minus side, we thought we had lost one of eleven tapes to a book and the library said it would be $80 if we didn't find it. My sister (left it in the eighteen wheeler) called the 800 number on the case and they sent her a replacement for about $5. That fuzzed us up for a while. They would charge us that enormous amount instead of dialing a phone number. We got over it. Are a lot more careful now.
Does anyone need a Rooster or four. We're doing our yearly cutting down of the heard. We get rid of as many roosters as we can catch. The first eight are gone and four more are waiting in cages. That is three coachens and one white leghorn. No pedegrees on anyone. Just send an address and I'll ship the nicest bird available. (this was a joke)(unless someone really wants one. Shipping charge only)
We always end up with the fastest and wildest because we can't catch them. Oh well.
DEBRA,
Try large doses of chamomile tea in the evening. It really does help. I found out about it when my husband died twenty-five years ago. Also, I would doubt it could keep its strength over a number of years, but if it was sealed up real well, who knows?
Good thoughts to everyone.
bye
Rosemary 3-24-2003 20:08
Oh my gosh I'm so tired.
Debra 3-24-2003 19:49
You know this whole war thing isn't about WMD for me. In fact last night when I was at my Italian mother's every Sunday dinner with my family, yes, needless explaination. I just like saying it. Anyway, we were all sitting having desert when they announced they found the so called chemical factory. Everyone cheered like in victory. I was just shocked and made them all stop. This is not the time to yell victory. It's when all the Iraqi people are standing around with their smiling faces and guards down cheering dancing with the colition forces. That's what this war is about for me.
Some Iraqi diplomat sunk his own ship one night for me, when he screamed "Iraq has the largest wealth in the world in oil. That's what they want." What an idiot! His people own people are starving. Children are dying 2000 a month from the sanctions, because his leader doesn't care.
Saddam reminds me of a man standing of a roof holding a baby threatening to throw it off if its family doesn't feed him and throw him their money. Then they do and instead of giving the baby back he laughs and says "again."
I'll be he did destroy his weapons. He's just so arrogant he'd rather make his whole country suffer than just admit it. That's what this war is about for me. I want that baby saved i.e. the whole country and him stopped. He's the ultimate bully and now he's spawned two more just like him.
Debra 3-24-2003 19:47
YOu know what's really hard on the old soul? You listen to one show and they say "oh they're doing great, ahead of schedule."
Then you listen to another show and they say "they're trapped. They're going into armageddon."
Who's right? Who's right?
I don't have the stomach for war. At times like this, it feels like I'm the only one. Although, I know I owe the freedom I enjoy TO war. It feels like I"m playing ping pong with a madman.
Debra 3-24-2003 19:29
Hallee:
That's one powerful wet noodle you got there. You should show it to Rumsfeld. Or is it like you said, I just need time to get used the fact that my world left, i.e. Gregg left. I do have to reorganize my shock and awe. I'm shocked and in awe, and a whole lot horrorifed. I saw some great interviews with the troops for what seemed like months of the waiting. Now I'm remembering the sweet faces and wondering how their doing.
Teekay:
I hope you're right. The person who told me lives in a country that was occupied by Russia for years. Her mother is hearing rumors from towns people. Not good!
Let me be wrong!
Let me know what you're hearing over there down under if anything. You guys are the greatest, just the greatest!
Debra 3-24-2003 19:17
~Hallee~
Happy Monday all! Well, I have almost good news. My husband should have been home this week, then they quit those plans, and rumors had been going around that it would be August. Well- barring anything unforeseen he'll get on a plane Friday. The first plane leaves at 0500 local tomorrow morning (which is really in about 2 minutes) and he's on plane 9 of 12. Okay - now I must clean and do things like shave my legs. I'm trying not to get excited, but it's SO hard not to.
Bad news - my daughter is exhibiting three different symptoms of a brain tumor. She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
Books on tape: My husband and I have never lived together. We met, fell in love, and got married living 357 miles apart and driving to each other as often as we could. As soon as his National Guard unit got activated, he was no longer able to leave the state of Alabama, so I went every weekend - 5-1/2 hours. We left every Friday right after work. If I had Kaylee, we came home Sunday. If I didn't, I left Monday morning in time to get to work by 8:00. I fell in love with books on tape. My favorite, and if you like them, find it - is Ava's Man by Rick Bragg. Unbelieveable book - and the author narrates the book himself.
HEATHER: Hey you** Good to see you.
TEEKAY: (((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) right back at you.
DEBRA: Trust me - there is no good that can come out of now sleep and constant worry. NONE. I think I broke down about a month after Gregg first left. I finally just started functioning. Snap out of it and turn the television off for the day. There's nothing you can do, save for praying for those soldiers, but your children and husband need you functioning. (Okay - I'm putting the wet noodle back now.)
MARK & JERRY: I didn't realize what a rigamarole the VA was until I heard about my father-in-law's plight. He contracted Hepatitis (C?) in Vietnam from Agent Orange and now is in the throws of liver failure. The things he has had to do and the hoops he's had to jump through. And after serving his country for 30 years. Women with 6 kids on welfare get better medical treatment. My dad hasn't had any bad experiences, so he must be near a really good VA hospital.
I've written a lot lately. It feels good to be writing again.
I must go now. I threw a roast into the oven as soon as I got home from work, and it should be about ready now.
Be well, all.
Hallee 3-24-2003 18:38
Well crack my whip! Pamela, your inspiration is sure catchy! Thank you, by the way! (((HUGS)))
Heather 3-24-2003 17:17
Hi All,
ROSEMARY: I think those book tapes are a great idea. I mostly listen to them when I quilt and am alone in the house.
The alone bit doesn't happen very often though.
PAMELA: Well done on the writing front. Now I'm feeling even stodgier :-D
Shame me enough and I may even get it together and do some writing.
JERRY: What fun. I especially love the idea of staying overnight in a motel.
HALLEE: ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS )))))))))))))))))) 2 U.
DEBRA: I'm with JERRY. I doubt Russia would fight. They don't really have the resources to waste on a war they wouldn't win.
I did hear however that if the factory in the desert was found to be used for making chemical weapons, more countries may wish to enter into the war.
War; - three little letters with such ugly conotations ~shudder~
Oprah was very interesting. An inside look at Iraq and Suddam Hussein.
Interesting to hear that he believes he won the Gulf War simply because he survived it.
Part 2's on today.
Anyway, there is this short story I have been meaning to write for a while, so I am going to dangle PAMELA's post in front of my nose for inspiration and see if I can't get it at least started today.
Teekay 3-24-2003 17:00
Hi Teekay and Rosemary,
The tea is on :o)
Rosemary,
I did have a nice time at the tournament. Sure, it has put me behind very close to the end of the semester, but I'm getting caught up. I will write one test tonight, I've completed two papers and two assignments. How is that for a productive morning (smiles). There is still a lot to do, but that's the way it goes. I wanted to do this, so should try not bitch on about it.
Take care all.
Rachel 3-24-2003 15:50
Oops,
I mispelled that too. This doesn't bode well for the novel.
Rhoda 3-24-2003 14:57
Opps,
That last post was mine. I was addressing it to Pamela.
Rhoda 3-24-2003 14:56
Way to go on your rewrite! You have inspired me to turn off the radio, put on some Celtic mood music and get working.
PAMELA 3-24-2003 14:55
Dunno why that url didn't light up -- it's
http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/welcome.jsp
If that doesn't work, just cut/paste or type www.audible.com on your address bar.
howard 3-24-2003 14:26
ROSEMARY -- and anyone else who likes books on tape -- check www.audible.com and take a look at what's available there! They've got all sorts of books for download, playable on your PC, on Diamond Rio (and other) players, even burnable to CDs so you can listen anywhere. I have a couple of the players -- little pager-sized units that hold 64mb -- that I listen to through a cassette daec adapter in my car, and will shortly start burning to CD for the same purpose.
They offer several deals where you can get a free player for subscribing for a year to their service -- I get a book a month plus a month's subscription (this month I got NPR's CarTalk) to a newspaper, radio show, etc, for $12.95 per month. Not a bad deal.
howard 3-24-2003 14:24
(Pamela)
I don't think we're being bickery either, this war stuff is just getting on everyone's nerves and the media constantly repeating the same old stuff doesn't help. Jerry, I, for one, haven't been offended by your comments, I think we all need to get things off our chests and am glad we are now doing it in a peaceful way. I appreciate your taking the time to read the stuff that was scaring me and can understand. I'm not trying to do any convincing, I don't even know what I believe myself, I find myself just plain scared. I've decided to lay off watching the news so much, I can turn it on once at the end of the day and watch the ticker make its run-through one time and get all of the information that the media takes twenty-four continuous hours to tell you. Hallee, please don't think this means that I don't care about your husband and the others over there fighting for us, just that my blood pressure can't take it.
On a brighter note, I hit page 100 on my book rewrite today! My page-progress posts have been understandably lost in the shuffle of the crisis we are experiencing, but will somebody please pat me on the back now, my shoulder is getting all out of joint from doing it myself! I've decided to stop at this point and go back and edit what I've got so far, then print it up for my sample readers to tackle (two friends and one librarian who regularly read thrillers). Kind of scary to do that, but other readers loved the first draft, which wasn't as good as this one, so hopefully they will like it okay.
Naughty girls, naughty girls. If only the boys knew what goes on behind our sweet innocent faces... You potty-talk girls could maybe get a job writing for SouthPark, the most scatological show in the history of television. Mmmmm, I like chamomille tea with a bit of honey and lemon. Come to think of it, I should start drinking it more often (I've got an old box of it, does it last forever?) during these tenseful times (made-up word but I like it). Rachel, I didn't know you were going to hockey games with hubby coach (I thought you were just a fan), that must be fun. Is it little kids, do you get to be a den mother on the road, do your own kids play?
Okay, I leave now to go forth and edit. Love to all, we'll get through this together.
pamela 3-24-2003 14:02
Jerry:
My husband thinks that the soldiers doing battle are getting more sleep than I am. I haven't been able to eat, sleep, or concentrate on much since it started.
I have a stack of bills that should have gone out already, still sitting here. I'm hoping to get to them today.
Debra 3-24-2003 12:08
Make that BLASTING over the airwaves, see what happens when you press enter before proof reading?
Jerry 3-24-2003 11:44
Debra - I doubt that Russia would try to attack the U.S. over this war, probably just a rumor, you know how easy it is to get them started once conflicts begin.
I would think CNN would be lasting that over the air waves every second of every day if they heard such thing.
You're right about the constant blather of the news on the war, heck they even interrupted the Oscar's last night for stupid bulletins about mostly nothing.
I take exception with the press when they have to be knocking at the door of every POW's family's and those MIA and KIA. Can't they just let these poor people grieve in privacy? I know if my son lay dead in the desert of Iraq and some ass hole from CNN came knocking on my door, he'd be picking himself up off my porch after my fist connected with his jaw.
It's getting so stupid but I guess that's what we have to put up with in a free nation with free press.
Just a note before we head south to the VA.
WRITE ON!
Jerry 3-24-2003 11:43
Rachael:
Thanks for the hugs.
This war coverage is all just too much. Also, anyone abroad, I've been hearing from a friend of mine who's mother lives in Europe that the Russians are claiming to be planning an attack on the USA. Has anyone heard anything to that one?
Debra 3-24-2003 8:56
**Taylor**
Feeling better now...
I've looked for Halloween 1... but not available in Kal as far as I know.
I've actually allocated myself a certain amount of time for watching the news everyday... And what about Non-War news? None happening or is it being ignored?
And it seems everyday there's a new "Mishap" which causes death... From accidents to "Fragging"
Soon it seems the US & Coalition forces will not need an enemy.
NoName poster: At least post a name so we can know who we're debating against.
Taylor 3-24-2003 6:14
I'm off to see the wizard! Well not the wizard exactly, the Dr. down at the VA, just my regular check up thing, nothing serious. At any rate to avoid the pitfalls of driving the round trip and falling asleep half way home, we're going to make a day of it, leave tomorrow afternoon, spend the night in a neighboring town at a nice motel, the see the Doc bright and early with an afternoon drive home.
If my mumbling on the war has offended anyone, it was surely not my intention.
Anyhow you now get a nice break till day after tomorrow anyhow.
Jerry 3-23-2003 23:51
RACHEL,
I love hot tea British style. That's with milk and sugar. MMMMMMMMM. I don't think we were bickering. Hope you had a good time at the hocky thingy.
A idea for those who want to read a good book but have other things to do. Try a book on tape. I run one whenever I do kitchen clean-up or crochet. Anything that doesn't take concentration. My sister uses them on her job driving the big truck at night to Dallas and Houston. Makes the same old drive over and over go faster.
Microsoft just did a two hour update on my computer which I am sure it needed, but now I can't access my Mail through the internet explorer. I have to minimize it and click on the Outlook Express. Bummer. But, at least now I can click on things in the mail messages. Before it said I was missing a file that probably went out with CompuServe. Nothing is ever easy.
Gone for tonight.
Rosemary 3-23-2003 23:30
RACHEL: Mmmmm, down time is good, and reading for the sheer pleasure of it, and does anything beat when you can lose yourself in a world of complete fabrication, or that sense of achievement when you've written just that bit (or a lot) more on that novel, or polished up that short story and made it just that touch more perfect?
And a cup of tea sounds brilliant. I'm going to make myself one right now and go watch Oprah.
Teekay 3-23-2003 22:27
Teekay,
I wrote a post some days ago that could have been read as somewhat bickerish, that is what I'm talking about. Crap, I've spent the past four days trying to write papers and complete assignments and party at the same time. That is not easy... In the end, I spent a lot of time in my room reading and writing, while people came in and out asking me to come out and play. It was so hard to resist. I think it is good that I'll take the spring/summer semester off. I need a little break. Dan is going to take the spring/summer hockey season off as well, he usually coaches pretty much year round. I think the two of us will enjoy a little down time. Well, I guess now I'll sit down and write two more papers, then I can start to study for a couple of tests that I've got to do. Man, I just want to read a book for the pure enjoyment of it. I want to write, to stretch out my creativity and roll around in it for a time. Yup, I do need a cup of tea.
Rachel
Rachel 3-23-2003 22:09
Pamela - Went to Newsweek.com and read for the last couple of hours. There were some intresting things there, none of them changed what I believe, but I can see where they could.
Hi Teekay - Heather - Good to see you posting.
writeon
Jerry 3-23-2003 22:00
I didn't think we were bickering. HEATHER's being a bit naughty though.
Teekay 3-23-2003 21:38
Pamela - love it! I am, it's true. Toilet humour, alas, looks to be my lot. AAAAA HAHAHAHAHHAHA HA HAHAHA HA HA HA!!!!!
Heather 3-23-2003 21:19
We're not bickering. I'm finding it helpful to be able to express my doubts and fears here.
pamela 3-23-2003 20:55
Who's bickering?
Teekay 3-23-2003 20:22
Rosemary,
Lets kick back and make a pot of tea. I know I could use a nice cup. I've been away at a hockey tournament over the past few days and have no energy to bicker or fight. There is enough fight going on.
Debra,
Hugs are good things, aren't they (smiles to you).
Take care all.
Rachel 3-23-2003 20:07
Pamela - My father told me a thousand times, believe none of what you hear, a quarter of what you read and half of what you see and you'll be about right.
He was a wise man.
I guess, like everyone else, you have to take in the information that is available, run it though your thought processes, come up with a belief, then stand by it. That's all anyone can do, and in today's world with the rewriting of history to fit the beliefs of those who teach, not those who lived the history one has to simply have faith in our own belief system, and try and glean some bits of truth from that.
It's probably always been that way, and I guess that so long as man is the animal who rules this world, man, who is indeed fallible, then one can only live on the faith that one has in the reporters of the facts the one has come to believe and toss the rest out with the bath water.
Does that make any sense?
Probably not, it's been a very long day, and tomorrow looks to be even longer. After 9-11 one simply has to try and live life as best we can, hug those we love and move on to the next crisis.
Oh to turn the clock back to the 60's when we had a war we knew was wrong, the threat of total annihilation held over our heads like a mushroom cloud and lots of drugs to make us forget all that crap...
Jerry 3-23-2003 18:47
I was looking for some more balanced coverage on the net and read several articles from last week's Newsweek, the cover of which featured a missle hovering over the planet and the headline "Why America Scares The World." Newsweek is a reliable source, isn't it, I mean it's not just a bunch of nuts? I wasn't reassured. America is beginning to scare me.
pamela 3-23-2003 18:13
Pamela - I guess I've heard that from many of the protesters who were interviewed by news hounds on the street at the protests. Another thing most of them said (I don't think they could help themselves!) was their belief that the President wasn't elected, he was selected. I guess they do have a point, I would have liked to have seen a 100% recount nation wide to put an end to all the crap that won't end till the next election.
I recall also hearing about 99.9% of the Democrat's in the house and the Senate saying that "there is NO proof that there is any connection between terrorism and Saddam."
At any rate, I do think that the US should attempt to work with the UN, but when, after viewing evidence that Saddam was not in fact disarming, and only making very small concessions after twelve years, all those wise men on the UN Security Council wanted to keep up the shared, and allow this tyrant to continue murdering his own people, raping their wives and children, poisoning the minorities and developing his WMD.
If the US does not find WMD (and there's a very good chance that Saddam will destroy them himself before he is taken out just to prove a point.) Then there will surely be proof that he had them at the time the war began.
As far as why he has not used them, it is very possible that he will not, just to get the judgement of the world further against the US.
I do think that once the war is over and the US has a good chance to explore all the underground compounds that Saddam has (Should they ever find them ALL) that there will be ample evidence that he had them.
There is no doubt that he had them in Gulf War I, since the VA now includes "those exposed to poison gas" among those eligible for VA Medical services, that in itself is proof. After all it took many years before the US would admit that Agent Orange was in fact bad for the health of Vietnam Vets.
At any rate, I guess all that we can do is sit back and watch the action, that a pray.
As far as the President being arrogant, I don't see him that way, I see him as being a brave forthright man, who is strong enough to stand up to those who would speak against him, and do the right thing to protect the people of the United States despite the bleeding heart liberals in Europe.
Jerry 3-23-2003 17:48
MARK: Good onya, and I had a mouthful of coffee too.
PAMELA: I sort of had the same worry as you, but in reverse.
Terrorism has already filtered through into our way of life. Our (Australia's) freedom of speech has already been attacked through the Bali bombings because of our open support to America. To me terrorists are like cockroaches, there's no getting rid of them, and if you just let them go they become totally unmanageable.
Do you know that in Iraq schools the children, before begining their lessons, stand and have a hate and destroy America anthem and have had for many years. They're propogandering hate at a very early age, I'm hoping that this war will eradicate that useless harmful type of mindset, because as far as I can see, since Sept. 11th we're all in it.
DEBRA: I wouldn't have a clue how many Kurds live in Turkey. (Am holding myself tightly back from following MARK's lead :-D)
What I told you was basically what I'd got from TV viewing.
Just in case you're not getting it over there in the U.S.A.
Australian's are the best soldiers in the world.
And we are soooooooooooooooooo PROUD of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teekay 3-23-2003 17:08
ROSEMARY -- It (and you as well) means very much to me!
NOBODY messes with our gal(s)!
howard 3-23-2003 15:32
Heather--- you're totally gross but a doll, bless you and others here who make me laugh. And so mystical too, so are you a big fan of the Boston Celtics? How about some more baby poo stories from Rachel and Tina?
pamela 3-23-2003 15:20
Jerry, I totally agree with you that it is not a valid argument against war to say there is no connection between Iraq and terrorism, I was not aware that anyone was even saying that. From Teekay's post too, it is obvious that many of the protesters are idiots. It just scares me in general that one single man can have such large effect on such a global scale. It also disturbs me that someone here had to ask Ramon what other countries were saying about us, especially after watching a special last night about George Seldes, an outspoken journalist from early in the last century who talked about misinformation fed to the public by the media during WWI and II. Even I am watching the news now and I notice that they don't report much that is negative toward or about our country, including other countries' opinions. It makes me wonder how much might be being withheld from us now or in the future. If they did not find WMD, do you think the world will be told of that (and if SH has them, why isn't he using them now that he is under attack)? Surely all of those who are against this war, to include heads of countries and members of governments, aren't completely uninformed fools. I think we should pay attention to how the rest of the world perceives us, we are definitely becoming known for our arrogance. However one feels about the U.N., basically telling them to go **** themselves sends a strong signal that we feel we do not have to follow any rules. What if the rest of the world decides that George Bush is a threat to peace, a man who feels he can initiate a war any time he wants (which is, after all, what he is saying)? I don't think people are against dealing with Iraq so much as the way Mr. Bush went about it. I am not really arguing or disagreeing with you here so much as expressing my fears. I hope it all turns out for the best, I really do, but I wonder what kind of terrorist atrocities our children and grandchildren may have to suffer because of new seeds of hatred that are being sown now and the door to possible future diplomacy being firmly slammed shut.
Okay, where do I deposit my two pennies, I've had my say and am now going to return to my book. I'm on page 96 today, looks like tomorrow I'll get to buy a bottle of champagne when I hit 100. All write!
pamela 3-23-2003 15:13
Hugs to everyone... stranger times I can't recall.
Heather Hemlock Bags
3-23-2003 14:57
Pamela - the only thing I know of dogs in winter are frozen snoopies - as in Snoopy the dog (and Snoopies, referring to the air being so cold, the snot in your nose freezes and gets prickly)
There's a disgusting thought of the day...!!
My husband just came up with a Timbit (like the little hole from a doughnut) and it is pressed in on one side, and looks like....uh, something dirty! LOL
And he ate it.... :oD
Heather 3-23-2003 14:43
Pamela - I wasn't addressing ALL the protestor's comments, but many said "there is NO connection between IRAQ and the terrorists!" now that argument is not valid.
The Congress DID in fact give the President authority to use military power to disarm Iraq, hell even Dashal has admitted that, but now wishes he hadn't because his democratic advisors said it is NOW wrong.
I think it's great that the protesters can go out and say what they want to say, that's what makes America great, but you have to look at the reality of the situation.
As far as a rift in Europe, that was coming anyway with the new E.U.
Germany and France want to emerge from this as the world's new super power and that's what is causing their descent, that and the fact that both nations traded regularly with Iraq despite the UN sanctions that were in effect.
Russia is pissed off because they made a sweetheart deal with Saddam to re-arm him in trade for illegal imports of oil (not for food!)
As far as China, they've been pissed at us for years because we stand between them and the free Chinese in Taiwan.
The United Nations has been a joke for the last thirty years and everyone who's watched what goes on there knows that. I'm with Jean Kirkpatrick when she said back in the 80's that the UN could feel free to pull out of the United States and we'd all stand on the dock and wave good bye and good riddance.
It's a joke to think that such an orginization could do anything, they simply exist to make themselves feel good, yet they have no real power, proven by the last twelve years sitting back and telling Saddam, "Ok now you have to disarm!" a few years latter "Ok Saddam now you HAVE to disarm this time we mean it!" and again and again the same crap with NO ACTION!
I say GOOD FOR GEORGE W BUSH! It's about time someone steps forward and kicks this little dictator's ass. The truth will soon be known but there are those who would say "It doesn't make any difference it's all about oil!" Well that's crap, it's ALL ABOUT the last presidential election and half the country thinks Bush a selected President, not an elected president!
Jerry 3-23-2003 10:17
Good morning all,
Before I forget, Mark, REALLY good work on your characterization in Guess Who? So good that it makes me go, "hmmmm" and wonder if perhaps you have a hairy secret.
Hallee -- I've heard that bidets are nice too, I wish we had them everywhere here like they do in Europe. The best thing, of course, will be for your hubbie to return to you safe, sound and SOON.
Hey you Canadians, I just read a book set up there and they referred to it being so cold the sky was full of "snowdogs." Huh? Whazzat?
Jerry, are you claiming that everyone who is protesting the war believes that there is no link between Iraq and terrorism? That is like saying that everyone in the 101st Airborne wants to throw grenades at their commanders. I know it feels good to go bomb the hell out of the bad guys but I think there are other legetimate concerns and that people have a right to voice their opinions without having them generalized by people who want to follow authority without question. If people had not protested against the war in Viet Nam, more young men would have had to suffer the horrors that you did. As it did then, my heart goes out to the brave troops following the orders of their leaders but that doesn't mean that the leaders are right. President Bush has taken action that affects much of the world, and I, for one, find that disturbing. He has circumvented Congress' sole authority to declare war, especially without U.N. sanction, (their earlier vote to use force if necessary did not address this situation). I am assuming that we agreed to abide by the rules of this organization when we joined it, yet when things do not go our way, we first try to pressure people into changing their votes (not a very democratic thing to do) and when that doesn't work we say to heck with the vote, we're going to go ahead and do what we want anyway. A huge rift has been created in Europe, and countries who disagree with us are ostracized and ridiculed (changing "french fries" to "freedom fries" in congressional dining rooms--how childish is that?) Our actions have resulted in even the conservative Islams calling for jihad against us (perhaps resulting in the 101st incident) and we are now being threatened by China, another very powerful country. As we sit back and watch our TV war that "looks like an action movie" I think we should also take a look at the larger picture. And also think about what is next. Mr. Bush has now established that he alone can decide to bomb anyone he perceives as a threat, I guess Korea will be next, then. There are lots of bad guys out there committing atrocities, does he plan to kill them all?
pamela 3-23-2003 9:30
The site below is sort of cute.
Jerry Bomb Saddam
3-23-2003 0:53
Mark, you made me laugh - an all-out belly laugh, only the second time today. Thank you! ;o)
Heather 3-23-2003 0:19
If the Turkish people took control of the Kurds and then intermarried, would the resulting population be Turdish?
Ahh, I dunno. I'm going to bed.
Mark 3-22-2003 23:46
Evening all,
Last night I had a brilliant post almost done
and ready to post when my lousy computer threw
me out of the internet. Everyone is being so
great about posting that even if I could remember
what I was saying, it would be old news now.
MEL,
All the animals are doing pretty well. My poodle who is never let out of the yard unless he is with me, stood outside the gate and cried until I noticed he wasn't in the
house. That was a close call because the trafic on the
highway in front of our property is very dangerous. I
told him he was a very good dog and gave him an extra
rawhide chew.
Rhoda,
I know what you mean about the notebook feeling like
home. I have moved three times since I started lurking
all those years ago. You must have been before me because
when I first noticed you, you lived in Texas. I didn't
post for the first couple of years. Too scary. Still sometimes.
JERRY,
You need to get those Nam stories together, get them edited and start sending them out. There is an excellent market
for that area of stories. I'd try a couple of likely
publishers then if they didn't have the brains to know
what they were missing out on, I'd go the PublishAmerica
route. You have to sell your own books but you might just
get a home business going.
HOWARD and RANDAll,
For what it's worth, I think you're both great!
Bye,
Rosemary 3-22-2003 22:48
~Hallee~
PAMELA - funny, and a bit scary, that you're not the only person who has ever recommended that to me - haha.
TEEKAY - That was hysterical. A friend of mine even sent me some article written by someone named "Mohammed somebody or other PHD" about the nuclear bombs being used in Afghanistan. Now, I have a very reliable source in Afghanistan, and tried to find a way to laugh it off instead of just stressing out all over again.
TAYLOR: The first Halloween is a classic. You must see it.
JERRY: That site was wonderful! I sent a link to my husband.
I'm off to bed. You guys have a fantastic rest of the weekend.
Hallee 3-22-2003 22:27
Sorry -- that last post was mine.
howard 3-22-2003 21:52
Ask almost anyone whose last name ends in -ian how they feel about the Turks coming into anywhere and I think you'll hear something less than supportive.
Armenian Genocide 1915-1917
In the early stages of World War I, in 1915 Russian armies advanced on Turkey from the north and the British attempted an invasion from the Mediterranean. Citing the threat of internal rebellion, the Ottoman government ordered large-scale roundups, deportations, and systematic torture and murder of Armenians beginning in the spring of 1915. Estimates vary from 600,000 to 2 million deaths out of the prewar population of about 3 million Armenians. By 1917 fewer than 200,000 Armenians remained in Turkey.
Whatever the exact dimensions of the genocide, Armenians suffered a demographic disaster that shifted the center of the Armenian population from the heartland of historical Armenia to the relatively safer eastern regions held by the Russians. Tens of thousands of refugees fled to the Caucasus with the retreating Russian armies, and the cities of Baku and Tbilisi filled with Armenians from Turkey. Ethnic tensions rose in Transcaucasia as the new immigrants added to the pressures on the limited resources of the collapsing Russian Empire.
Wonder why the Kurds aren't happy with the thought of Turkish control?
3-22-2003 21:51
Teekay:
According to what I heard, the population in Turkey is almost all Kurds. Then you got that huge population of Kurds in Iraq. Turkey is worried that there will be a revolt and they will try to turn Turkey and the Northern half of Iraq into one large Kurdistan. I can't imagine that happening now or ever.
I hope no mucking will begin.
Debra 3-22-2003 18:08
DEBRA: No! I didn't, and I'm kicking myself. I'm also wishing I'd taped a video some dis-enchanted human shields made of their valiant trip to save the world.
Too too funny.
I've only heard that the Turks are trying to stop any Iraqi refugees and to see that the Kurds don't try and begin an independent..........state? is it? Anyway, the Kurdish speaker said they have no intention of starting an independent state, they just want Iraq as a united democracy. Don't quite no what it is to do with the Turks anyway, but as far as refugees go, it seems that Iraqi's who left their cities are returning. That was another Shrek moment.
Teekay 3-22-2003 17:08
Teekay:
You're killing me! That's just so funny.
Why didn't you record it? Are you hearing anything about Turkey?
I just hope they don't muck this thing up.
Debra 3-22-2003 16:55
I love the media!!! (for the moment) Yesterday they interviewed Judy Davis, actress and leading protestor voice. I groaned inwardly at the thought of it, but it was fantatic!!! The woman made such an idiot of herself that I'm glad they interviewed her.
She had no idea what was going on, - obviously she hadn't taken a look at the TV or listened to the radio that morning otherwise how could you not??
She thought the coaliton had begun using nuclear weapons. When the interviewer (who looked a bit dazed) set her straight she acted like she didn't believe her and said that maybe they ought to get a bomb specialist to verify it. Oh, and there was more, so much more, I was delighted. Hubby and I watched the interview and later it occured to me that our expressions looked a lot like Shrek and Donkey's when they came to Dulock. And like Donkey I would have LOVED to watch it over again, and again.
Soooooo funny.
Teekay 3-22-2003 16:43
Um.....that's NOT telling its citizens.
Debra 3-22-2003 16:20
Ramon:
Where do you live?
Do you live in the US?
If not, what news are you receiving? I'm hearing disturbing news that other countries are telling its citizens that this whole mission is one of rescuing the Iraqis and keeping other countries safe from terrorists attacks.
Debra 3-22-2003 14:05
Well one has to wonder now, those who are protesting the war claiming that there is no link to terrorists and Iraq will reconcile the death of the journalist in Northern Iraq at the hands of a El Quada backed terrorist suicide bomber.
Ah well I guess they will simply ignore such graphic evidence and continue their anti-Bush protests.
Jerry 3-22-2003 13:47
Howard - downloaded ALICE and have been playing around with her, lots of fun, you're right, she's much brighter then Eliza.
I first had Eliza back in the early 90's when I ordered a copy on a 5.25 inch floppy for my old Commodore 128.
Have you downloaded her? When you do you have to download another support software called "Wordnet."
Wordnet makes a nice desktop dictionary, it seems very complete and gives the same multi definitions that most good dictionary's give. Great to have available when your writing.
Jerry 3-22-2003 11:26
**Taylor**
Staying up late last night writing... I caught an old horror movie called Halloween 2. It's funny escaping the frightening reality to my old favourite hobby of watching scary movies. Out of one frying pan and into another huh?
And then it struck me... I still haven't seen the first Halloween movie yet.
It's good with this new willingness to write, I feel as if I'm finally getting somewhere in my novel. LOL, first draft is racing through, then it will be onto the next phase.
I don't write to make a fortune, but I'll like to make enough to travel and do some research for the next novel or two. There are some places I'd like to visit.
Taylor 3-22-2003 1:04
This email from my daughter, it's offered in fun....
Subject: Fw: Rules of Etiquette and the Impending War
> Rules of Etiquette and the War
>
> Many of us will encounter "Peace Activists" who will try and convince us that we must refrain from retaliating against the ones who terrorized us all on September 11, 2001.
>
> These activists may be alone or in a gathering.....most of us don't know how to react to them. When you come upon one of these
> people, or one of their rallies, here are the proper rules of etiquette:
>
> 1. Listen politely while this person explains their views. Strike up a conversation if necessary and look very interested in their ideas. They will tell you how revenge is immoral, and that by attacking the people who did this to us, we will only bring on more violence. They will probably use many arguments, ranging from political to religious to humanitarian.
>
> 2. In the middle of their remarks, without any warning, punch them in the nose.
>
> 3. When the person gets up off of the ground, they will be very angry and they may try to hit you, so be careful.
>
> 4. Very quickly and calmly remind the person that violence only brings about more violence and remind them of their stand on this
> matter. Tell them if they are really committed to a nonviolent approach to undeserved attacks, they will turn the other cheek and negotiate a solution. Tell them they must lead by example if they really believe what they are saying.
>
> 5. Most of them will think for a moment and then agree that you are correct.
>
> 6. As soon as they do that, hit them again. Only this time hit them much harder. Square in the nose.
>
> 7. Repeat steps 2-6 until the desired results are obtained and the idiot realizes how stupid an argument he/she is making.
>
> 8. There is no difference in an individual attacking an unsuspecting victim or a group of terrorists attacking a nation of
> people. It is unacceptable and must be dealt with. Perhaps at a high cost. We owe our military a huge debt for what they do and are about to do for us and our children. We must support them and our leaders at times like these. We have no choice.
>
Ø We either strike back, VERY HARD,
Ø or we will keep getting hit in the nose.
Jerry 3-22-2003 0:46
Who is Christina Boo? Id is dweebiedork at hotmail -- just sent me a nastygram. Cute.
--
Anyone interested in AI (artificial intelligence) might be interested in this note that I just received from a friend. I tried ELIZA and ALICE -- interesting!
------------------
Eliza, was created in 1966 by Professor Joseph Weizenbaum of MIT,
to study natural language communication between man and machine.
Eliza parodies a therapist by answering questions with
questions. Here's a conversation I had with Eliza:
Me: Hi there. I've got a few questions to ask...
Eliza: Please go on.
Me: Well, I think I have a drinking problem.
Eliza: But you are not sure you have a drinking problem?
Me: I'm sure. All my shirts are stained in front.
Eliza: Why do you say your shirts are stained in front?
Me: The dry cleaning bills are really getting out of hand.
Eliza: Would you like it if they were not getting out of hand?
Although Eliza is 36 years old, you can still try it out at
http://www-ai.ijs.si/eliza/eliza.html
ALICE (Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity) is a more
sophisticated program that creates the illusion of natural
conversation. ALICE can even tell lies, spread gossip, and is credited
with influencing several real world happenings. Try this one at
http://www.alicebot.org
There are lots more interesting chatterbots, like BRIAN (a computer
program that thinks it is an 18 year old college student), the John
Lennon bot or Mr. Mind (you have to convince him you're human). Visit
them and many other chatterbots at
http://www.botspot.com/pages/chatbots.html ;
There are chatterbots that speak various languages (some can even
LEARN new languages) and bots that you can invite into a chat room.
howard 3-21-2003 23:57
CHRISTI -- Your apology is not necessary, but humbly accepted. Faith/religion is a volatile subject, and I know people get passionate about it. As far as I'm concerned we were never more than a keyboard away! :-)
MARK -- I'm sorry to hear about the delay in the VA. Those cuts, and the ones in education are part of the reason I'm not a Republican.
howard 3-21-2003 23:34
I know hundreds of guys who have bad/no health insurance and have been relying on VA clinics. We have lost a doctor here and he will not be replaced because of funding cuts.
I called and asked for help with this basal cell carcinoma on my ear, was told that dermatology is backed up by six months and that I should get a local surgeon and take care of the problem myself.
The link here is to a news-wire account of the VA cuts. No, this is not service-related. But leave it to the freakin republicans to cut services.
Mark Still Like Dubya?
3-21-2003 22:48
Mark - I too took French in High School, but that was over thirty years ago, back when French was the language of deplomacy.
At any rate there is a web site for those who are angry at the French, I've posted a link, got it from a conservative army buddy from California.
If you love the French, don't click the link, the site lists French owned companies and encourages America to boycott them, not that it'll do much good as if there's one thing one can say about the French, they do pretty much what ever they damn well please, much like America.
There are several links to some very good articles about why France is being so stubborn about the whole thing. Most are in the popular press so if you regularly read the New York Times and the Washington Post you've probably read the articles. If not it makes for some intresting reading.
Jerry Fed up with French
3-21-2003 22:24
OK. Time's up. Guess Who, c'est moi.
Oops. JERRY, pardon my French.
Mark 3-21-2003 22:17
Ramon - I regularly write emails to the President, and of course our famous Senator "Puff" Dashal. It's simply a matter of blowing off steam but I feel better once I press the send button.
I know that neither will ever see what I write but that's ok, I had a chance to say my peace and somewhere in their office staff's sub office some assistant to the assistant to the assistant secretary in charge of voters complaints puts a check mark next to a YES or NO box.
At any rate my last email to President Bush had the following suggestions:
1. Cut off all relations with the French.
2. Do the same with Germany, and pull ALL U.S. Forces out of Germany (this would be a substantial strike against their economy!)
3. Demand payment on war debts from WW II from Germany and France.
4. Remove Most Favored Nation status from China.
5. Stop ALL foreign aid to those three nations as well as Russia.
I would tell you what was in my last email to Dashal but I hesitate to use such words in the Notebook. I did end the Email by explaining that he in NO way represented my feelings or the feelings of ANYONE I knew in South Dakota.
In reality I think China is joining the anti-war crowd not because the love Iraq (one of their favorite trading partners) but because they want to look to North Korea as a nation that can befriend them and perhaps defang the recent saber rattling from their neck of the world. I don't know if it's the same where you live but it's damn hard right now to find anything in the home that doesn't have MADE IN CHINA stamped at least on some of it's parts. Especially computer motherboard, hell it appears that most of the one's I play around with are stamped either made in China or Taiwan, well there is one old one that I have running a Pentium Pro processor that is actually stamped MADE IN USA but it's the most problematic board I have.
Jerry 3-21-2003 21:59
Jack - I think everyone would be happy just to have the old workbook back if you happen to have a copy of the source from years ago, I know I would.
Christi - Don't feel bad, I had my times with the church too. At one time I called myself agnostic, and I used to love arguing with believers, had my own spiel about the scientific view of the universe, had something to do with all the solar systems and galaxy's being nothing more then atoms, and once man was wise enough to build a space ship fast and powerful enough, one day he would set sights on the edge of the universe and once he penetrated that barrier and turned to look back he would see the true nature of the universe, it would be an old fence post on a gigantic post located in a seldom visited corner of a ranch located on a huge planet that itself was in a solar system, galaxy and universe....
Somehow I found myself in need of spiritual growth and found the church, well a church, then another....
Such is life, but isn't it wonderful that we can live it!
Write on.
Jerry 3-21-2003 21:38
I'm not going to have a moment's peace until I've really and truly apologised to Howard. I've had a few days to think about what a giant ass I was to you, Howard. I was calling you out, no doubt about it. I'm so glad you were the bigger person and didn't bite. Strangely enough, I don't know that I'm not a Christian myself. I don't yet know what I am. Certainly just about every religion in the world has skeletons in their closets--obviously I lashed out at Christianity because my feelings have been hurt in the past. But I should know better than to heap accusations on a good friend who has never been anything but kind to me. Sorry Howard.
Haven't read the other posts yet, but HI everybody! Humble pie ain't so bad. Needs salt though. :)
Christi 3-21-2003 20:52
Sunny - to post your bio and photo, just email them to Jack with bio in the subject line and he'll put it up when he has the time.
Jerry 3-21-2003 20:18
Yes Litter:
I meant to say that. wow!
Debra 3-21-2003 20:05
Ramon:
Do you know any thing about what might happen in Northern Itraq with the Turkish Army. I was worried about this.
Debra 3-21-2003 20:03
I had to go look, I've been here since March of '99.
Funny, I had thought it longer, but then I do loose track of time a lot of late, old-timers desease you know.
Jerry 3-21-2003 20:02
Thanks, Jerry! I love you! :-)
Now, would everyone please get busy and put their little bios up there? It's fun to learn more about y'all, and see pix of the stuff you post about. (BTW, how do we do that again? ;-)
Sunny 3-21-2003 19:49
About the only good thing about those idiot on the tube was when they showed the Iraqi people cheering the colition forces as they went by, treating them as the liberators that they are. Sometimes I'm damn proud to be an American.
Jerry 3-21-2003 19:07
And again
Jerry archives
3-21-2003 19:02
Here you go
Jerry Bios
3-21-2003 19:01
Now I'm mad.
For whatever reason, I still cannot access either the Biography section or Notebook Archives. The links on my page are not active.
I have an idea, though. Would it be possible for someone to post the links as urls that I could bookmark? I really really want to be able to read what's there.
Thanks so much!
Sunny 3-21-2003 18:23
I was wrong. I did not get here until 1997, and here is my first post pulled from the archives since I am in such a nostalgic mood right now:
Rhoda Fort rfort@infoway.lib.nm.us http://www.epubs.com Wed Jul 30 13:17:39 PDT 1997
What a wonderful webpage! I don't have many remarks about writing to share right now because I'm ashamed of myself. Here I should be writing and
I am spending all this time online glued to this page, reading the biographies and the comments.
I live in Bloomfield, New Mexico. I am currently working on my 2nd book--a historical romance I've titled VALERIE'S SONG. It would be finished
by now, but I got on to the Internet a couple of weeks ago, and I've done more surfing than writing. Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon and I'll get
back to serious work.
I did want to comment about an internet publishing service a friend of mine has started. It is known as epubs, http://www.epubs.com. Do check out
her page; it's truely impressive.
Rhoda 3-21-2003 17:39
ROSEMARY,
I have been posting since 1996, and I do remember Philip MacLaren well as well as Hayden. I also fondly remember some people I briefly critiqued on the Workbook who were not regular posters. I also remember my old friend GOODWEED, the only Notebooker I ever actually met. GOODWEED, if you are somewhere, please pop in and join us for awhile.
I really, really miss the Workbook. JACK, if you will revive it, I will send you money to help revamp the site.
The Notebook has been special to me because I have moved so much. When I first started here, I lived in Farmington, New Mexico and I had just completed my first novel. I moved from my beloved Farmington, which I miss more than anywhere else, to Perryton, Texas. Then I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and here I am now in Louisiana. I have lived in four states and through it all remained a contributer. I have continuity here on the Notebook I have few other places. Sad to say that in Perryton and Tulsa, I made few friends I correspond with, but here I have kept up seven years. That is a big chunk of my life.
For those newbies or relative newbies such as RAMON, CAROL, PAMELA, and those I did not mention, have some fun and read back in the archives. If you are patient you will find some firestorms that make this little tiff we had recently minor by comparison. We have mellowed out in recent years. We don't blow life we used to.
For those of you who offered to critique with me, I wish to finish the first draft first. But I want to thank you for offering. Incidently I will be happy to look at anything you might have you wish to run by somebody. I haven't done that sort of thing for awhile, and I might be rusty, but I'll do my best.
Rhoda 3-21-2003 17:25
Pamela,
Illiteration aside (Forgive the the unresistable Pun) Tomorrow we will indeed awake to a different world. Tonight the American leadership has thrown down the guantlet!
Let those who dare oppose the might of the free world.
In the Uk we have at last been awakened to the true face of EU integration. Recent events at the UN will be remembered as the time that England was made aware of the true nature and intentions of the French and German led EU agenda.
We can say goodbye to the single currency. As far as UK is concerned the Euro is dead in the water (My opinion).
We have no desire to be led by Chiraq or any of his ilk!
Our allegiance lies firmly to the west and will remain so. I have always regretted the end of trade between liverpool and Argentina!!
(Ask Jack Dooley!)
The future is beginning to look bright for British American relations.
My God.. I sound like a Tory!!!
Ed
Eddie French 3-21-2003 17:21
I preferred the world being changed by the Beatles but I guess I can't have everything.
The media becomes more and more smarmy every day. I thought it was preying on people's fears when channel 2 ran on for three hours after Bush's speech Monday night. It's not like they said anything that the million stations covering everything 24/7 weren't already telling us.
Hallee--six months-yikes! Hope you've got a good shower massage. And Heather and Debra, such naughty girls, especially that cradle-robber Debra with her young husband and her Ben-Gay.
Mel, cool idea to take your characters to lunch. Ramon, be careful with your killer, he could be trying to pull a fast one on you (Don't turn your back on him when he's got a steak knife in his hand)! Also neat reincarnation ideas, Mel, I too think that certain memories, deja vu and child prodigies could have something to do with it. I've never thought about some rather than all people being reincarnated but it's an interesting idea. It will be nice to find out the Great Mystery Of Life someday, kind of a bonus for leaving here.
Litter-- well, you little celebrity, you! A third of a page, nice article, with pics too. Do you have groupies yet?
Randall, I laughed (and identified) with the lessons learned from kids. Sunny, yes, getting that drop of sweetness from the honeysuckle is a great childhood memory. So good that I think I'll do it when the one in my yard blooms in about a month, why should kids have all the fun?
Who is Guess Who? Liked his story a lot, along with all the other garden plots (ha ha).
It's nice that everyone is friendlier today. Group hug? ((((( !*! )))))
pamela 3-21-2003 17:00
Sorry, should specify a little more about the boy. the newspaper was the mother's last resort. She was being ordered by the court to hand her son over for visitation rights, but no one was listening to her, or the boys claims. She put her story in the paper hoping that it might help.
A big red itchy rash to the media. The one over this a- way anyhow.
Teekay 3-21-2003 16:25
TINA: That garden and those Grandparents sound wonderful. I could see it :-)
TAYLOR: Blame the media. Most of those fools waving banners haven't a clue what it's all about. They see up to a certain point, but not beyond. Nobody wants to see innocent people killed, but it happens each and every day and in far less noble causes.
A while ago the Daily Telegraph ran a story on page 14, small piece right down the bottom about a little 8 year old boy who wanted to kill himself because his father had been sexually abusing him on visiting days. This was around the time of the Illegal Immigrant debacle where everyone was getting ont heir high horse and writing in about how cruel the government is etc etc. Well 1 person wrote in about that 1 little boy - me. I then wrote a second letter saying how surprised and disappointed I was at the lack of response, the editor wrote back agreeing with me, saying mine was the only letter. I responded by saying I was also surprised that he hadn't published my latest letter as it might have made people think about their priorities.
I stopped buying the paper after that, and my opinion for the media is at about the same level as my opinion of Telstra.
Long live peace, a pox on the media.
Teekay 3-21-2003 16:23
Oh my....
We will wake to a different world tomorrow.
In 1963 the Beatles burst upon the world with Rock and Roll and the world changed forever.
On 21st March 2003 Rumsfelt burst upon the world with Rock and Roar.
Same effect!!
Eddie French 3-21-2003 15:21
I hear that the civilians in Safwan are ripping down the portraits of Saddam,....the civilians. What does that tell anyone what the Iraqis are feeling?
Debra 3-21-2003 13:30
Oh a shorty on garden's I misunderstood! Ok, here:
A Stroll in the Garden
by Jerry A.G. Ericsson
According to Lieutenant Newingham, our mission for the day was to take and hold the small village of Puch Vin in the Central Highlands of the Vung Tho province.
Because of the intense rainfall our departure from Phu Bi was delayed till after supper, a meal we devoured so quickly, it was the first turkey we’d had since we arrived in country some eight months before.
We boarded the soggy choppers, slipping and sliding on the wet aluminum floors, many were fearful of falling out should the piolet bank sharply, and rightfully so, the door gunner and crew chief were doing their best to remain on post in the doors, their tethers were all that kept them from falling to their death in the jungle below.
After what seemed like hours aloft but was probably less then twenty minutes, the choppers decended into a clearing, flared and we unassed the slick’s, some tumbeling as they fell on the wet floors. Within seconds the choppers were gone and all was silent except the sounds of our boots as they freed themselves from the mud, and the squish sounds as they found traction in the mud that was the floor of the sparse jungle coverage.
We stopped as Sgt. Anderson took compass readings on the peeks of the “hills” that jutted up out of the earth like hands reaching to the sky.
“Fucking idiots!” he said, “six klick’s off from the planned LZ!”
Six klick’s! Shit that’s a long walk even on a good day and this was not a good day.
By the time we reached the ville, the sun had long set and the only lite came from a few fires the residents had burning as they sat around them chatting of the happenings of the day.
Quietly we skirted around the ville, always keeping a sharp eye for VC who may be manning listening posts in the darkness that clouded the rice patties and hooches that sat outside the village proper.
As we neared the far end of the village, shots rang out. They didn’t sound like the AK-47's or SKS’s that we usually faced, no these were from a much more powerful weapon, and the rate of fire proved it not to be a semi-auto but some sort of bolt action, or possiably a single shot rifle.
Smitty was the first to go down, shot through his right knee. Doc was right there patching him up with field dressings and sprinkling sulfa powder around the wound to protect from the infections that ran rampant in this rural area.
Next it was Nelson, he too took a shot through the leg, then Sgt. Anderson, a shot to the hip.
Doc. was busy patching up the troops, the Lt. Shouted to take cover and concentrate fire on the spot behind a large tree where the muzzle flashes were coming from.
We all began firing toward the tree, splinters and pieces of bark were flying every witch way, Alphabet let loose with his M-79 grenade launcher, the explosion was enough to shock even the bravest of soldier, half the tree fell to the soggy earth.
A few seconds later, a white cloth began to wave from behind what was left of the tree. The Lt. ordered the person to come out from behind the tree with his hands free. We all watched as first the hands appeared from behind the tree, then came the person.
She must have been nearly seventy years old, her face so wrinkled that one could hardly separate the facial features from the wrinkles. Tears ran down her face as she walked toward the Lt.
Slowly we all lowered our M-16's, when the old lady got to the Lt. She went down on her knees and began to beg in Vietnamese. The Lt. translated her sobbing plea:
“Please don’t burn my garden, it’s all I have to eat.”
I don’t think there was a dry eye in the Platoon as the Lt. Assured her that her garden was safe.
We checked the ville and found no weapons except for the old French 7.5 rifle that the old lady had been using to protect her garden, and the next morning, she cooked us up some of the finnest cabbage soup I’ve ever eaten.
Jerry 3-21-2003 13:16
I am a little confused, how can people protest war with violence? Those who are protesting and exhibiting their "freedom of speech", seem to contradict themselves. Do they not know that the Iraqi people should also have the same right as them? Are they so ignorant to think that they like the rape camps? I REALLY think they need to do some research. I don't like the idea of war and I would love for this to end, but if there ever comes a time when God forbid we have rape camps in this country I pray someone will come save us too!!!
Wendy 3-21-2003 13:09
DEBRA: Yes I do mean writing. I want to write a crime novel (classic whodunnit) and in order to flesh out my characters I am taking them to lunch - first up was the victim (thanks mel). No idea where SH is hiding - probably having lunch with his Osama somewhere near the Iranian Border.
JERRY: What about the Chinese? Incidentally when he gave his speech on TV after the first attack was it my imagination or did he sound like one of the martians from "Mars Attacks"
Off now to have lunch with the killer. See you all soon (I Hope)
Ramon 3-21-2003 12:38
You guys sure can write. :-)
There is nothing, NOTHING, like the smell of fresh honeysuckle on the vine. Dusty yellow and soft white...do you remember what it's like to to pull out the middle stem and suck the drop of dew at the bottom? Instant summer; instant childhood.
Mel - I'm working and I'll be in touch!
Sunny 3-21-2003 11:29
"Garden Midnight"
I woke up in the middle of the night for some reason and my mind quickly crowded with problems. Bill and I rarely made love anymore, Becky was going to need braces, Sam was acting up at school. I sighed and got up, then thought that a nighttime visit to my garden might relax me. I slipped out the back door, moonlight softly showing the way. The flat stones on the patio were cool on my bare feet and the grass was covered with dew. A breeze brushed my nightgown as I entered the little world I had created at the back of our suburban lot. Deciding against rows, I had curving beds along the back and sides and a grassy path looping around two gardens in the middle. Tomatoes, beans and flowering vines along the fence enclosed the area, while drifts of flowers and vegetables filled the bursting beds. I sat on a small stone bench and deeply inhaled the scent of greenery and earth. I felt the vines rustling at my back. I looked at the silvery plants across the path and watched them grow. I could see them growing, actually getting bigger, slowly at first and then growing faster and faster, like time-lapse photography, and the leaves behind me were touching me, branches became grasping arms slithering around me but I could not move as I watched the other plants shooting upward, towering over my head, leaves so thick that I could not see the house, stems growing into trunks, pressing in, closing in on me as I sat frozen, surrounded now by vines entrapping me in a horrid embrace, they wound caressing about my neck, the leaves were just about to smother my eyes, I looked up for one last glimpse of the moon... And then I woke up. Bill was snoring softly beside me in our bed. I turned over and snuggled up next to him.
pamela 3-21-2003 11:12
Many people across the world are wondering what the French and Germans are trying to hid by being against the war.
It's becoming obvious that the French were trying to hide the fact that they were training the Iraqi troops how to fight, this by the number that are waving white flags, the Germans are trying to hide the fact that Sadam is a graduate of the A. Hitler school for dictators.
I'm sorry but it's just so dang obvious.
Jerry 3-21-2003 10:40
Tina:
Thank you. Plus, you're so right about that.
Debra 3-21-2003 10:07
Tina - sounds to me like your having the same feelings the rest of us have now that war is happening
Jerry 3-21-2003 10:01
Ramon:
You sound a little calmer today.
When you say your killer, you're talking about writing. Right?
You seem to know alot about that side of the world.
Where do you think Saddam is?
Debra 3-21-2003 9:11
TAYLOR: I know what you mean. I opposed this war, still do, or should I say opposed the war without UN backing. I question the motives our leaders who have been bullying the UN and the rest into action without giving the peace process chance. I feel differently now, although I am not sure why and I get quite angry at the protestors and countries like France (who quite franky were usesless during WWII) Germany (who so far have lost 2 world wars) and China (whose actions during their oppression of its own people and occupation of Tibet rival Saddam Hussein), demanding we stop and giving us ultimatums. Confused? I know I am. Lets just hope it ends soon with no more loss of life.
MEL: Like your idea of taking my killer and victim to lunch. My victim is a bit of a bastard actually with a taste for seafood. He is stinking rich with a multi million pound company, and yet he insists I pay for lunch; MEANIE. He showed me some interesting pictures of someone involved in a drug deal. I get the impression its someone very powerful and in the public eye otherwise I think he wouldn't have bothered. I've taken this opportunity to fill you in while he is in the middle of a phone call - sounds like a lovers tiff. Gotta go as he 's just hung up. God his gravely voice drives me mad, if he doesn't shup up soon I am going to kill him.
Ramon 3-21-2003 8:56
~Hallee~
TAYLOR: No one likes war - even those that know it's what has to be done at this time. The soldiers that are there - they don't like war - but they know their duty and they know they're doing the right thing. We all prayed that it wouldn't have to happen, but unfortunately, it did. You aren't a hypocrite.
TINA: Yeah - it's not quite the same thing, though. *snurfle*
Happy Friday!!!
Hallee 3-21-2003 8:18
Oh my gosh, I'm geting a huge urge to join the Marines.
Debra 3-21-2003 7:55
Randall:
That post made my day. I'm going to have to try out a few of those things...namely the dust bunnies vs the rollerblades. We have these big thick dust bunnies that form on the stairs on a bi-weekly basis. It doesn't bother anyone but me. I sweep up big dustpans full. Everyone else walks by the things. Now I've got a use for them. That's what I'm going to be up to when I finish unloading that 30 foot container from Thailand...then come home and finish that stupid section where the bird does not fly into the police station in Chapter 2, plus write in all the street names (boring). I'm going out and light dust bunnies. If they don't ignite when I roll over them, I'll use the zippo.
Viv 3-21-2003 7:40
**Taylor**
I've debated whether or not to post today... At this point of time I feel like the biggest hypocrite alive.
I've been saying that I support this War on Iraq... But it saddened me to see that President Bush has gone through with it. I caught his speech yesterday and I almost cried. I know it sounds stupid.
I thought that PM Howard was right in committing troops to the Gulf... But the thought of them being in harm's way kind of angers me that it's happened. Yet I hate the protestors against him. The Opposition Leader calling him a liar and a coward didn't make me none to happy either. And I think why can't they rally around our Commander in Chief.
If that's not hypocritical... I don't know what is.
At work tonight it seemed like everyone was nicer, but then again could just be imagining things.
I don't watch the news alot, but I like to keep up to date. About the 7th Calvary rolling on, it makes me think what is going to happen when they reach the outskirts of Baghdad.
The thought of war does sicken me because innocent civillians will die. And it's heartwrenching to see that the people around the world are protesting and rioting and there doesn't seem to be peace anywhere.
Lately I find myself a little anxious at times and now I've kinda buried myself into my writing just to escape this madness that's been going on.
Sorry about the long post.
Taylor 3-21-2003 7:40
Busy day in the notebook!
Mel, I'm jealous. So little time to write these days.
Hallee, sounds like it's time for e-sex. ;-)
Debra, I'm so glad you enjoy your girls that much. Too many parents don't.
Gardens...
What garden could compare to the enormous plot beside my grandparents home. Fresh vegetables came from that garden at every meal. Carrots, potatoes, onions... every day something was harvested from that fertile ground. Flowers divided the rows, sweet peas and marigolds that busily worked to control the bugs. Honeysuckle climbed a trellis to one side, beets and turnips alongside, and corn gave shade to the peas.
The peas. Planted before the last frost for early abundant harvest, they climbed their supports all summer. Grandma had reign over the garden, but it was Grandpa who cared for the peas. From the first planting onwards, he'd set a plot every two weeks.
Grandpa had more grandkids than I can count, and regardless of the time of summer, when we showed up to visit, there were peas to pick. He would return to the house before dinner, find us kids, and take us out to the pea patch. Two pods for the basket, one to share. We'd shuck the peas, and again only two thirds would reach to bowl. They were never cooked, just served raw. But as good as they tasted, the true joy was in the picking with Grandpa.
***
Blue skies!
Tina 3-21-2003 1:29
I see we have hear from China again, wonder of wonders.
Ah the garden - sadly we won't have one this year since it becomes harder and harder for we old farts to get out there and care for it. I'll miss the tomato's, cukes, and oh the radishes, god how I love the radishes.
Truth be known, I think we'd put it in again this year but for the fact that our garden man is in the National Guard and he's gone to war now. That and the basement guy isn't done as of yet and he has this nasty habit of parking in the garden spot, perhaps he'd be a bit more careful but one doesn't piss off a good basement guy, at least till he's done with your basement.
What the hell, maybe I'll get the other garden guy to do our garden and put a fence around it. That's the problem with coming home though, the "other" garden guy was once a very close family friend, in fact when we lived on the farm, his family was our nearest neighbor. He stayed that way till 1969 when in a drunken haze, he slammed his brand new Buick into the back of the old Ford that mom and my sister were in, and put them both in the hospital, crippling mom for life, and doing terrible damage to my poor sister who but for the grace of God barely survived. The same guy that I arrested for his seventh DUI back in 1973 is the other garden guy and I don't feel right giving him money.
Maybe I can find a kid with a tiller....
I hate it when the notebook get's angry, yes I know I've often been the one who stirs up the trouble, but I still hate it.
The notebook is such a wonderful peaceful place to visit, I think my blood pressure drops several pounds each time I visit, even when war raises it's ugly head.
By the way, who the hell told those idiots in the television business that we wanted to watch EVERY DAMN SECOND OF THE BLASTED THING!?!??!
Peace
Write on
Jerry 3-20-2003 23:41
The garden? Nah, that's my wife's turf. I pretty much stay out of there. She had me wheel in a truckload of topsoil (my truck, that is; not a dump truck). My arm the way it is, I guess I took about 20 to 25 trips with that wheelbarrow.
Younger man would have done it in less. That's the way, ain't it?
I notice the way her knees trouble her. She don't kneel like she used to. Most days now she just bends at the waist to dig around with that little spade and that three-fingered fork thing she uses. Sometimes I just study her when she's bent over like that and remember our younger days; sometimes I gotta smile thinking how she looks like one of them 'old lady' yard decorations; you know the ones, the ones with the old woman bent over and showing bloomers. Heh. Didn't know 'til this year how real that was.
Ah, well, soon enough she'll have me out there picking ripe things off the lowest stems or tying up vines to keep 'em off the ground. But I'll tell you this, I don't make no decisions, no, sir. That's her turf out there.
Guess Who 3-20-2003 23:18
CHERI -- almost missed your topic in the flurry!
Garden in the Spring
Five hundred garlic sets patiently wait for the covering snow to disappear so they can send up greetings to the bright April sun, while their cousins the lilies will sleep a bit longer, then catch and pass them by in a profusion of white and pink, and yellow.
Uncovered are trails the mice and voles made under the snow in their search for winter sustenance. It was a hard winter -- perhaps the lilies won't be as numerous as I'd hoped.
The compost pile begins to steam in the sun, warming up to its task of nurturing the new plants, and the soil it will cover opens hungry and thirsty cracks to receive the snow-melt and the sun's early warmth.
It's early yet. Not time for most planting, but there a few things -- peas, onions, last year's parsnips. And in the back row I can almost hear the new asparagus struggle toward the light.
howard 3-20-2003 22:31
Howard:
Heeeheee! Bengay smells good! My husband has applied it to his muscles a couple of times already. He's six years younger than me.
Debra 3-20-2003 21:57
DEBRA -- Of course one does get to that point where it's "YooHoo, honey...over here...and bring the BenGay!"
howard 3-20-2003 21:38
Greetings all.
Well it has started with a vengeance, and the politics and morals, the rights and wrongs, have already been and will continue to be discussed for some time to come. What I pray and hope for now is that this thing ends quickly and with the minimum loss of life.
As writers, we should discuss this thing and use the weapons of our trade – the power of the word – to debate, and present or views to our peers. I am dismayed that insult and invective have replaced informed opinion in some posts. Need I say more?
To those I owe emails – my most abject apologies – someone has stolen all the good words from my email client, and I don't want to write emails to my friends with all the words that were not good enough to take…
On a brighter note – some of the local newspapers are writing news items on the upcoming publication of my novel. The first one is out and have they ever done a good job for me! A third of a page article, complete with a pic of me spread across three columns, and even a pic of the proposed book cover! I think I'm developing a soft spot for partisan local press :o)
Let's leave the vitriol for the bigots and shit-heads and focus on honing our skills, huh?
Be safe
Litter 3-20-2003 21:36
Mel:
Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes I do get discouraged, like when a pefectly good publisher rejects me. They never say why. Well their loss.
Also, my girls probably do sound aweful by my own words. But if you were here, you'd see they are close to me telling me stories, and loving just the close proximity to mom. The chair rocking and head pushing is unavoidable after that. I do from time to time get tired of it all and make them move one or two feet away to dance and yet still forcing me to turn my head to watch their routine. There's no escape. I'll never forget the tearful woman on TV one day who lost her chld to abduction. They later found her dead in a field. She said though reddend eyes that she never realized how lucky she was when her little girl was there making too much noise and messing up her house. Then she followed up by saying "all you mother's out there who's house is a mess, I'd give anything to be you right now." I think of her often.
They're going to school this September. Look out after that. I'm gong to have lunch, use the ladies room, shower and write. In the meantime, I'm so very lucky to have them messing with my thoughts and civility.
Debra 3-20-2003 21:22
*Mel*
Good evening to all... Had a day off and actually did three hours of writing this morning (well, mostly editing) - that felt good! :-]
SUNNY: I EXPECT you are doing the same? (Yes, that was the whip CRACK!ing.) ;-)
CHRISTI: You're right - writing CAN change the world; maybe not my current novel, but then again... :-)
HOWARD: So glad to hear a writing progress report from you! Your story sounds very intriguing. I like "Picts" - has an enemy sound to it. Maybe it's close to the word you really want - check that rhyming dictionary... :-)
PAMELA: Reincarnation (is this topic too old?) - anyway, I think some who have vivid "memories" or deja vu's could very possibly be reincarnated; I don't believe it happens for everyone, though - a special gift for some, or maybe a curse?? I have a romance story, two lovers who are reincarnated over and over as soon as they come to remember each other... Evolution/Creation (another topic about done?) - I believe both are really the same thing (as some others here have stated); who's to say that a day in God's time would be the same 24-hour day we know? Those who believe the bible to be true read about people who used to live for HUNDREDS of years; it was only over generations that their lifespans decreased to our current 100 years or so. (On the side of Darwin, though, I do have trouble picturing Adam as a Neanderthal - hah!) :-) Keep up the great writing progress you're making!!
RHODA: Transitions are killing me too, only mine are at the beginning. I'm trying to smooth a scene or two at a time, the beginnings and the endings...
HEATHER: $100!!! Woo-Hoo!!! :-) (The party's not over until the last whoop is whooped!) I'm still whooping for you!
TEEKAY: *Uhh!* *Uhh!* You stunned me for days (well, it's a likely excuse for not posting sooner, isn't it?) Thank you, anyway - I so needed that! :-] The toothpicks are fully reinserted to hold open my muse's eyelids. (SH can't hold a candle to what I do to my muse to keep her working!) Anyway, I have given my muse a new mantra: There's no place like writing. There's no place like writing. There's... okay, you get the idea. I regret to inform you, however, that the chocolate fast must remain intact, to honor One who gave up so much more for me. (Do have a Cadbury creme egg for me, though, will you? Uh...Can I sniff it first?) :oP
RANDALL: Your "Ice Follies" was hilarious! :-] I'm glad you didn't shoot the pond--one of the wisest choices you ever made, huh? Seen that list of kids' endeavors - yup. I can relate!
VIV: Good to hear you here again. I think transitions need the scenario approach: this way or that way or the next way... Try 'em all till one feels right.
MARK: God created Good with Free Will. That's how Evil happened - a choice made against the good intentions. (ha'penny spent!)
HALLEE: So glad to hear you're WRITING. Glad I got back to it too. :-)
DEBRA: You are doing GREAT things to promote your book - keep at it! :-) And don't let those cherubs bounce you around like that! Go feed them something (preferably without caffeine or sugar!).
RAMON: Take your killer and your victim - separately - to a luncheon interview. You will amaze yourself with new knowledge gained about them. :-)
Whew. Am I up-to-date on posts yet? Lessee... skipping over war talk, war arguments, and sex objects (?)...
Oh yeah!
SASQUATCH: I must say again, YOU are so wise... Shaped in the One's image, we really must try to honor Him better with our words and actions. Right on! :-]
ROSEMARY: I had to check again as I forgot too: JACK's first archived entry is April 2, 1996. So the Notebook is almost 7 years old. :-) (((HUGS))) to see you here - what are the animals up to, these days?
CHERI: This is off-the-sleepy-brain right now:
Childhood Garden
Late June--the end of school!--
Blackcaps are ripe, as a rule;
Berries galore,
Still I need more;
I hunt for backyard gruel.
I dance down the grassy side hill,
to the garden I raid--what a thrill!
Peas in the pod,
Chives from the sod,
Summer lunching is a favorite thrill!
Good night to all! :-]
Mel 3-20-2003 21:07
Americo - I used to consider you a friend, but it comes to me, the first time I read one of your first posts, I replied that you didn't deserve the name Americo.
Now I'm sure.
Jerry 3-20-2003 21:07
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3-20-2003 20:20
RANDALL
Evening...
I found this tonight...and thought humor might be appros....
Lessons I've Learned from My Kids
1. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
2. A 3-year-old is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
3. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42-pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a superman cape.
5. When using the ceiling fan as a baseball bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit.
6. The glass in windows - even double pane - cannot stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "Uh-oh," it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. A young child can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies. A magnifying glass can start a fire even on an overcast day.
10. Small Legos will successfully pass through the digestive tract of a six-year-old.
11. "Play-Doh" and "microwave" should never be used in the same sentence.
12. Super glue is permanent.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool, you still can't walk on water.
14. VCRs will not spontaneously eject PB&J sandwiches
15. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. foot house 4 inches deep.
16. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise in a moving car.
17. You probably do not want to know what that odor is.
18. Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Plastic toys do not taste or smell better baked.
19. The spin cycle on the washing machine does make earthworms squirm.
20. Making a cat dizzy will cause it to spit up twice its body weight.
(GRIN) Been there!
Randall
Randall 3-20-2003 19:55
Heather:
I don't know how I got your name wrong you were sitting right there under mine.
I have two children here with me. One is rocking my chair and the other is sitting behind me pushing my head forward while I'm typing.
That can't be it.
Debra 3-20-2003 19:50
Hallee I said your name, but I meant Heather.
Heather: That one of pokes and dreams was for you.
Hallee six month since the obvious. Is that why you're sobbing?
Teekay:
Sorry we cleared up that shredder thing.
I was happeir with the sex.
Maybe you're not feeling sexy, but I'm sure you look it.
Debra 3-20-2003 19:40
It's a bit of a grey afternoon here, physically and mentally. The war pre-empted CSI last night. (JOKE people!) :-}
I want to thank everyone for their nice thoughts. And, I want to say that this crop of new notebookers is among the most intelligent and literate of any in the nine or so years (?) I have been loitering here.
Does anyone know just how many years it has been going? I know I found it just a few months after JACK started it. Philip McLarin(I know that's not sp. right) and another really nice published author from Australia were posting then, so were GARISS and BEN and many others. RACHEL too.
RACHEL, sorry if I upset you. I have followed your life on this screen with much admiration.
HALLEE,
aren't you the one that used to enter and win writing contests with regularity? Also you put out an amazing amount of work. Is that still going on? I really must get back to it.
Anyway, thanks again. I thought everyone was going to be mad at me for causing a fuss.
Bye,
Rosemary 3-20-2003 18:59
DEBRA: I meant about the people shredder. Sorry, I should have specified.
Definitely not feeling sexy :-D
All: Read this really cool saying the other day:
Adversity does not develop character; it reveals it.
Teekay 3-20-2003 18:40
DEBRA & HEATHER: You two are really pushing it. 6 MONTHS! 6 MONTHS IS A LONG TIME! *SOB* (hahahahahaha)
Hallee 3-20-2003 18:23
Teekay:
You mean you're feeling a little flirty today or my secret to a good life.
It's weird that's how I'm feeling too.
My husband is here too. Heeehee!
I'm beginning to think we're all ovulating. You know that's what happens to women when they ovulate. We're all like "you hooo Honey over here."
Love you too
Debra 3-20-2003 17:11
Hugs to everyone! I think they're needed more now than ever.
Viv - this is my "blue funk" time of year. So, not much writing here either. Drat it! I've been rereading a little and marking some of my red herrings for future follow up. How I wish I could lay back in the sun and let it warm my soul. But those days are behind me. I do that now and I'll really get sick. Follow Hallee's excellent advice and use the internet to get what info you can on Oahu. And if your Hawaiian friend is agreeable, use her to proof read those sections showing the environment. Promise her an acknowledgment and I'm sure she'll agree. :D
And life rolls on .......
Carol 3-20-2003 16:51
Hi All,
CHERI: A lone capsicum, the last surviving, grows strong and vibrant, ripe fruit dangling green from its branches. Along the border a clump of strawberries, planted too late in the summer is preparing to sleep. There are still some yellow poppies and the sweet pink buds of late carnations, but mostly there is rich dark soil through which the inquistive heads of waiting weeds, poke their first shoots. Now it is their time, to grow and thrive throughout the winter months.
PAMELA: Mmmmmmm, lentin chocolate. It did sound decidedly decadent.
DEBRA: Me too, I've heard that.
AMERICO: I do love you too. I find you funny, artistic, articulate, intelligent, interesting, sensitive, creative and definitely charming, and I know you don't listen to me, but you really ought to apologize to ROSEMARY.
Love ya's.
Teekay 3-20-2003 16:47
Hallee:
I'm starting to think you are feeling a little flirty today.
I hope your husband comes home soon.
Debra 3-20-2003 16:38
Hallee:
That comes under pokes and dreams!
Oops! I mean hopes and dreams.
Debra 3-20-2003 16:34
You forgot great sex, Debra! Great, shuddering, orgasmic, intimate, messy funky lovemakin'.
Oh, yeah.... I forgot. That doesn't actually make the world revolve. Just feels like it!
:oD
Heather 3-20-2003 16:25
Hallee:
I am aware how grateful the people of Afganistan are. I'm hoping we can recreate that same feeling in Iraq.
We'll keep hoping for good.
I don't know why mankind hasn't learned that the secret to a good life is having, spirituality,loved ones, hopes and dreams, a full stomach and a good nights sleep. What more could one want? There's enough of what I mentioned for all without fighting.
Debra 3-20-2003 16:10
~Hallee~
Hello, all.
There's been a storm on top of us all day. I'm not certain if that is the cause of my headache or if it's lack of sleep. My telephone rang at 1AM, and a very staticky (sp?) phone call with my husband insued. Then the sirens went off and he had to go.
RANDALL: I had a response for AMERICO all typed out then made it to your post. You said it all. I noticed he left without leaving an apology. ROSEMARY: (((hug)))
VIV: Dig, research, read accounts, look at pictures. You have to get there, vicariously if you need to, but you have the whole wide world of the Internet at your fingers. Do a google search for just that city name and see what you can come up with. Look at maps, pictures, real estate sites. Take several days or weeks and just discover your city.
DEBRA: He's an evil man. Nothing will surprise me. But, the good thing is that he won't be in power much longer.
PAMELA: There's been no charm that you've missed. Others think so, but never as far as I've seen. I believe the last time I left was when he was throwing a fit over us going into Afghanistan. We have done SO MUCH in Afghanistan, both for our country and for theirs. You would probably be very scared and very surprised to know just how much HASN'T happened because of Operation Enduring Freedom. Oftentimes, I wish I didn't know the little bit that I do.
I'm off to nurse this aching head. Hopefully, it will be gone by the time I pick my daughter up from school.
Have a great Thursday all.
Hallee 3-20-2003 15:45
WRITING CONTEST!
Published author and editor, Shoshana Lepon, wants to hear about the challenges you have faced in life and what you have gained from your experiences. High-level writing a must! Any style, any subject, up to 2500 words.
I am looking for personal stories, not newspaper articles. Humor is welcome! Must have beginning, middle and end.
BTW, I am trying to stay away from topics of illness, abuse and other horrible things. I’m looking for more upbeat submissions. Also please no “poor me!” stories. Stories must be G-rated clean and, while spiritual is welcome, try to keep things non-sectarian so all readers can relate!
$250.00 for the winning entry.
All submissions will be considered for publication in Shoshana Lepon’s new anthology: Life’s Little Lessons (& Big Ones, Too!). $15 and 1 free copy to all authors published.
I purchase one-time rights, only.
Opportunity to work with motivational writing coach and experienced editor! Good exposure!
Authors’ bios included!
No Entry Fee!
NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE!!! JUST COPY AND PASTE IN EMAIL!
You may submit more than one entry!
Deadline: April 30, 2003.
Please email all submissions to: lepon@zahav.net.il
Please spread the word!
Shoshana Lepon 3-20-2003 14:01
(Pamela)
I'm afraid that I am one of those newcomers who ignore that this page has been blessed by God and by Jon for many years. I haven't seen many posts from Americo and haven't observed the charm that has captivated others here in the past. I hope he can start being charming again, he is obviously a clever guy, but I do think we all have the right to express our opinions here without being called names or personally insulted. Maybe by the time I post this, he will have apologized to Rosemary and we can all be friends again.
Regarding the war: it's sad, it's scary, it's historic to be sure. Who knows what will happen, it will be years, probably decades, before the full impact of the present actions will be known. Of course it is on our minds and I just hope we can discuss it like rational adults, agree to disagree where applicable, and keep the fellowship of this group of people together.
About Writing:
Heather, a great BIG, HUUUUUGE, pat on the back (hope I didn't knock you over!) for actually getting paid for writing! That is fanTAStic, WONderful, FABulous, you should be so proud of yourself. Who cares if it was just $100, I agree with whoever said to spend it on yourself, buy something special that will remind you of your accomplishment. Well done!
Viv, for sure it's hard to write accurate settings about places you haven't been. You poor thing, I guess you'll just have to force yourself to go to Hawaii. Or you could do like one author I saw on tv, forget who it was, but he sent his assistant to places to check them out. I think they were talking about a book set in a casino and the writer wanted details like the kind of carpet and light fixtures in the hallway of the hotel and such. See, problem solved, just send somebody else to do your research for you (I'll volunteer). Myself, I just make places up like the fantasy writers although mine are present-day. Like Ed McBain and his city of Oceola used in the 87th Precinct books. I just got through page 82 on my manuscript this morning.
Taylor, I think a book about your previous life sounds like a cool idea. What nationality were you at that time?
TeeKay, I do hope you haven't been struck with or by lightening for advising Mel to eat some chocolate. "Lenten Chocolate" sounds like something that would be good.
Sasquach doesn't sound anything like Howard to me, I don't really read him as anyone else here, just his own sweet Yeti self.
Let's all try to stick together in these troubles times, practice love and tolerance toward each other and not let negativity and hostility take over these pages. Peace, Love and All That Jazz...
pamela 3-20-2003 13:42
The USA was always considered in Europe as a good democracy. Contrary to what some Americans think, we like you and admire some of your qualities. But this war and this Administration is doing a lot of harm to that good image of our American friends. Many of us worry about the present and the future of that great country. Some of us see too many similarities between present-day America and the Germany of the 1930's. I sincerely hope that those fears are unfounded and that America recovers her good image soon.
I am a very busy writer and, honestly, don't have time to be with you any longer. This is my last post. As Jon likes to say when he leaves for his long journeys, "behave yourselves".
Pussy also wants to say goodbye. Here's her favorite words these days: "Make tea, not war" — at least as soon as you can.
Goodbye, all.
Americo 3-20-2003 12:53
Here’s a topic for shorty night if anyone’s interested in WRITING: What’s in your garden? (real or imagined)
This is mine:
In my garden I smell the sweet gladiolas and watch the tall purple irises sway in the gentle summer breeze. Seeing new pea pods, I pick a few, open them and eat the sweet little nibs. Yum! I can feel the soft warm dirt on my bare feet. In the air I can smell the freshly mowed grass and the scent of lilacs. Butterflies land gently on the flowers and bees buzz to and fro. Birds sing and swoop to catch the insects. A squirrel hurries from here to there, not stopping for long once he spies me. A rabbit munches on dandelion leaves at the edge of the yard eyeing me warily. I slowly make my way back to my hammock and lie down. The sun peeks through the new leaves of my favorite maple tree and I close my eyes to the wonders around me, but I never close my heart.
Later!
Cheri 3-20-2003 12:48
Sadly, I wake up to find that the terrorists are winning, and the proof is that the fear and hate in the world is slithering down to split up a group of people who have known each other for years. Discussion and disagreement are one thing, but to make personal attacks is to show ones true character.
Jack, I don't know where you are, and I know that you've never monitered this place as a moderator. It might be time to do so.
Americo, sometimes I agree with you, sometimes I disagree. Pretty normal, that. But you just chose to say something hurtful and nasty that was way out of proportion to the ongoing discussion. You owe Rosemary an apology. Buck up.
Rosemary, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with the US government's actions, I interpreted Americo's comments the same as you did.
Viv, bless you for talking about writing!
As for choosing settings I can make believable... I write science-fantasy. I never have to worry about getting the 'real' details wrong, so long as it feels like a real place should. The few stories I've written that take place here and now, are set only in places I'm familiar with. In BC or the prairies, Canada at the very least.
I'd say you need to head for Hawaii. :-)
So, it's raining here right now, after two blue sky days. Hopefully it clears up for the weekend, I'm having serious altitude withdrawl. With the world so messed up, the only sane place left seems to be the sky.
Peace, and blue skies. If not in the world, at least in our hearts.
Tina 3-20-2003 10:49
If you enjoyed "The Godfather" you might appreciate an essay on the film written by a friend of mine, and posted on
www.lewrockwell.com
Look for the essay by Craig Russell
howard 3-20-2003 10:36
Rachael:
Thanks for the hugs. I needed them.
Ramon:
I hadn't heard that China report. You're right or else what?
I'm not at all comfortable.
Debra 3-20-2003 9:32
Debra,
That is such an image of horror. I have not heard anything about that. I would wait for a confirmation on that one. The war machine is gearing up. You are going to hear a lot of awful things. Try to wait for something to substantiate them. This is bad enough without any of us adding imagination to it. I send you hugs.
Rachel
Here is a quote by Kahlil Gibran " Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution"
Rachel 3-20-2003 9:20
EDDIE: Shall we get started on that bridge (offers gesture of handshake) after it all doesn't matter what we think anymore does it?
RANDALL: I wouldn't so much as attack Americo's point of view but the way he insults other people in this notebook. I don't know about you but when somebody resorts to name calling it's because they no longer believe in the validity of their argument or are unable to justify their pov and rather than admit defeat they resort to insults. What do you think? Me I prefer a civilised for and against debate resulting in an exchange of information to add flesh to the bones that is one persons knowledge of this matter.
DEBRA: Sounds OTT but I wouldn't put it past the man. I did hear China has ordered us to stop attacking and pull out of Iraq or else. Or else what? Answers on a postcard. I am impressed with CNBC coverage so far unlike our morning programme here in the UK which gave an Iraqi whether report and they even said "It's going to be a lovely sunny day with highs of 20 degress celsius". Televsion - who needs it eh
Take care for now.
Ramon 3-20-2003 9:18
AMERIGO -- Here you are free to state what you will -- this decadent society as extended this right to even you.
But this does not give license to refer to Rosemary as an "ignorant bitch." You can call me what you like -- I really don't care. But I do take exception to the way you have spoken to Rosemary, and I would expect that if honor is still to be found in your European civility, you will apologise. Or do you hide behind your trembling fingers in this as well?
howard 3-20-2003 9:17
Sorry -- that was me...
howard 3-20-2003 9:05
Owwww! Spent yesterday in the hospital having surgery to correct a locked tendon in my hand. Couldn't open my ring finger without clicking and grinding, sometime not at all unless I forced it with the other hand. Painful. Surgery moreso. But the chemistry is nice! :-) Now a week with it elevated, some exercise, and it should be all okay again. I hope so -- got some trees and garden to plant next month.
SASQUATCH -- I wish I were you! Except for the aroma you mentioned a while back. :-) "more like the one" is exactly what we need, I think.
AMERICO (and JON) -- A friend of mine sent me an audio file, an excerpt from a talk show in which an Iraqi ex-patriate asked a young woman (an anti-war protester) the following question: "How will leaving Saddam in power guarantee peace?" It generated an interesting exchange, but no answer.
I think the file is too large to send to a slow speed Email connexion, but I'll post it on
http://home.stny.rr.com/htuckey/
for anyone who wants to listen to it (or save it) that way.
Now, this may have been staged, or it may be a genuine clip from KVI-AM in Seattle -- either way it's an interesting and thought-provoking dialog.
3-20-2003 9:04
Someone told me yesterday that they heard on radio Saddam orders people to be placed in a tree shredder.
I can't absorb that information. Has anyone else heard that?
Debra 3-20-2003 8:34
Randall
Morning and God Bless America...
"I have been watching this war on the TV all night. I am sick. How can a strong civilized country drop missiles on a defenceless (sic) people, destroying lives and buildings?"
Americo the coalition is not dropping bombs in a random fashion. Actions are against a terrorist regime that HAS dropped bombs and destroyed lives and buildings...remember the Kurds, Kuwait? Iranians? Where is your outrage for the dead there?
"This is just an attack of the rich against the poor, of the pseudo-Christians against the Muslims."
Saddam is one of the richest men in the world. Rich from stealing and killing HIS own people. It is not a race-war and to say so is irresponsible of you, because you know better. RICH terrorists are killing innocent poor people, not vice-versa.
"This is the most coward war in History."
Americo, how many Kuwait citizens died in 1991? How many Kurds were killed by poison gas dispersed by your hero Saddam? Iranians? History is worth remembering ya know.
"As a writer, my fingers shake, as a human being my conscience aches."
If you fingers shake its a conflict of emotion cause your intelligence should know better. If your conscience aches I hope it is for the millions of people Saddam has killed.
"I am ashamed of all those on this page who have been supporting this war against international law, but perhaps even more ashamed of the so-called democrats who remain silent before this crime."
You may feel how you wish. The United States for one lost 3,000 Americans in 9/11. We have the right to defend ourself. BTW...Are you outraged by the "Muslims" attack on pseudo-Christians? Of course we support our boys and our president. President Bush is a leader not a lackey like so many European heads of state.
"Macarthism (sic) was nothing compared to the stupid policy of Bush, which has already destroyed the United Nations, NATO and is about to do the same to the European Union. Please wake up before it is too late!"
France and Germany destroyed the UN because they did not have the guts to enforce their own resolutions. The "New" Europe is nothing more than welfare states staggering backward as America moves forward. Envy is such a small emotion Americo. That President Bush is such a strong leader offends many persons who feel threatened by authority. And that is the problem with Europe, Americo. We have awaken while Europe, like a tawdry whore, sleeps on dreaming of what once was. Resting on your laurels is dangerous Americo. It represents stagnation and leads to decadence and loss of motivation.
Randall
Randall 3-20-2003 8:14
As a footnote to my last:
Americo,
Just how this is affecting opinion across the world.
Two of your fellow countrymen are now in (jail) in my country for having two 'bombs' in their flat.
Is this to do with your country hosting the Azores conference? Is this even connected to the war?
We probably wont find out. Some people will convince themselves that it all has to do with the above and more.
We have to be careful what we think and what we say.
The worse thing that can happen during any disagreement is that things can be said which can not be retracted later.
Not everything can be forgiven or forgotten.
Take care everyone who contributes to the Notebook, especially those in harms way.
Ed
Eddie French 3-20-2003 8:01
International disagreement on the virtues (Lack of) of this war is reflected right here in this esteemed forum.
During the Croatian struggle, the American Civil war, the English civil war, brother fought brother, father fought son (What a heartbreaking thought). When this is over the whole world, including the Notebook, will have to work harder than ever to heal the deep divisions which have been created by this disagreement.
Take comfort from the fact that this vitriol is merely a microcosm of the general emotions now being expressed by the world in general.
Please bear in mind that one day this will all be over and the world, including the Notebook, will have to begin building bridges. Literally and metaphorically.
Ed
Eddie French 3-20-2003 7:53
Amrico:
I don't know anything really about war and this war is no different. I only know what my government wants me to know.
But......
What will you say if after this is all over the Iraqi people do stand up sand say thanks for getting rid of him. He has been treating us badly. We were frightened of him. He has been hurting woman and children. We are now free.
What will you say?
See.....for me, it's not about the WMD. It's is he hurting his people! That's what I worry about.
Do you have any information about what Saddam does you can share with us?
We all like you here... so much... and still do.
Debra 3-20-2003 7:51
Rosemary,
Did you read the same post by Americo that I did? I know that my view may be slanted as I am quite fond of him. I really didn't get the same message out of the post as you did.
Americo and Jon,
Hugs to the both of you :o)
I'm going away for a few days. My son has a hockey tournament in Oliver.
Christi,
Hi you !! Thanks for thinking of me.
Sasquatch,
I don't care who you are. I think you are a doll.
Nite all.
Rachel 3-20-2003 1:04
Americo,
I also have been watching the news. It is hard to take. I feel sick when I think of all the suffering, past, now and future. I think of all of the people, not of sides, but of people. I have been thinking of all of the different minorities that make up the majority of the world. I wonder what we are doing to each other?
Rachel 3-20-2003 0:54
I have been watching this war on the TV all night. I am sick. How can a strong civilized country drop missiles on a defenceless people, destroying lives and buildings?! This is just an attack of the rich against the poor, of the pseudo-Christians against the Muslims. This is the most coward war in History. As a writer, my fingers shake, as a human being my conscience aches. I am ashamed of all those on this page who have been supporting this war against international law, but perhaps even more ashamed of the so-called democrats who remain silent before this crime. Macarthism was nothing compared to the stupid policy of Bush, which has already destroyed the United Nations, NATO and is about to do the same to the European Union. Please wake up before it is too late!
Rosemary, If you were not such an ignorant bitch, you should know that I referred to those Americans who ignore that the area between the Tibre and the Euphrates is the cradle of a very old civilization. I was not referring to ALL Americans. I was referring to semi-illiterates like you and not to those Americans who are protesting against this stupid and criminal war, nor to those Americans who understood from the beginning that Bush was leading your country and the world to a very dangerous situation. As for the newcomers, the passage is so clear that even you, after reading it again, will be able to understand that I was not sneering at them.
Now go to hell and don't come back.
Americo 3-20-2003 0:30
Pamela,
They can tell you to leave, but in the USA you have a choice, you can stay without harm. (At least I hope it's that way. If not, we need to work to make it that way.)
Stick around folks...especially Carol! Carol, I'm just revising but so much of my story was wrong. I talked to a Hawaiian woman and so much is incorrect and I'm trying to make it correct enough that someone from Hawaii could read it and say, "Oh yes, she's lived here." I still may have to take that field trip. Bah! I hate to travel alone...esecially when I have a new pup. I don't even want to leave the house to go to work.
Question folks: How do you write settings that are accurate without actually living in the place. I can't set this story in Japan. I need to set it in an American city. I chose Oahu because it's close.
Viv 3-20-2003 0:27
Well got messages from both old friends, all is well again, I guess everyone's a bit jumpy right now.
Looks like we missed him, or at least that's what Iraq wants us to believe since they say Sadam will be addressing the Iraqi people on TV today.
Shucks.
Jerry 3-19-2003 23:45
"Genesis is not a scientific account, though it is an absolutely factual one."
So, what, then ... science is not fact-based? I prefer to think is is neither science nor fact, but Poetically true.
I remember a comment about the space shuttle from an engineer to the effect that controlling every piece of that thing was in some ways like taking a million separate pieces and flying them in formation. I'd call that a good analogy for creation.
If the Big Bang is the moment of creation, I see no reason why God couldn't have all those pieces flying in formation. Physical laws in place, mental laws up to the user.
A high school science teacher (a priest) tried to show me God in the action of ice. Everything else we had measured grew smaller as it froze, but water approached freezing and began to expand. Why? Well, that's almost a philosophical question, isn't it? But physically, ice floats because it expands as it freezes. If ice were to continue to contract, then it would sink in water and the sun could not melt it the way it does now. If our ocean bottoms were lined with ice, the planet would be much different than it is today. It may not even be able to sustain life under those conditions.
I believe in the Big Bang and millions or billions of years of physical history, and I believe in the Poetic truth of scripture. I do not believe anyone's bible to be an historical artifact or a technical manual from God. Every page of scripture was written by (and then translated by) human men with specific viewpoints they wished to get across. The Pentateuch were written by people who lived in a pre-literate society. Those stories were handed down by recitation through generations. There's no telling how it actually began.
Compare the opening of Genesis in the Douay and King James versions. In Douay you'll see quite a few "and then" constructs. That additive type of storytelling is typical in pre-literate cultures and pre-literate thought processes. Listen to children tell of their day: "And then we were walking, and then I saw the bird, and it was sitting on the fence, and then we walked closer, and then . . ." Children and pre-literates typically construct narratives additively. In King James, however, the scholarly collective who translated the texts were commisioned to make the bible a beautiful example of the English language and good usage. The KJV has the same stories, but directed at a literate audience for linguistic as much as religious purposes. Is either version closer to the "truth"? I knew people who'd tell you that if you weren't reading KJV, you might
as well be a heretic. If the Douay is closer to childlike, I'd call that a merit. If the Douay is closer to verbal tradition, I'd call that a merit.
That the one sings the song in the voice of oral tradition and the other tells the story in the literate phrases of cultured minds I call also a merit. Both represent the poetry of the story as it should best be understood. Poetry.
RHODA brings entropy into play here with notions that junk won't transform itself into a 747 and so a microbe can't evolve into a millipede. But things do transform. Don't leave work out of your equation and don't leave environment out either. I have a skin cancer which would never have grown there had I never gone out in the sun. I have 30 or 40 actinic keretoses which need to be removed also, all caused by the sun. Microbes becoming something other than what they were before and all caused by energy.
The cricket jumped onto a branch and saw a centipede working toward him. Cricket marvelled at centipede's motion and asked, "How do you do that? how do you keep all those legs in time like that?" Centipede began to think about it, and never took another step.
Mark 3-19-2003 23:44
Hi Rache, Sasquatch, Teekay, Jon, Pamela, Howard, Jerry, and Randall.
I hear you, Teek, it's a mighty eerie wind. I feel as if everyone in the entire world must be holding their breath in unison.
Hang on, my brothers and sisters. Keep your arms and legs inside of the vehicle at all times. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
But smile, knowing that there will always be a tomorrow--another chance. I believe that. {{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}))
Christi 3-19-2003 23:12
I love thee also, dear Americo.
Christi 3-19-2003 23:01
Sasquatch for president.
Christi 3-19-2003 23:00
Hi all,
Howard, if you are our Yeti kin, I just love yah all the more!
Americo, I adore Jon and I adore you. You have brought much to the NB and you are as free to speak as any other in this place.
Rachel 3-19-2003 22:57
I guess in this nation we can say "I disagree" without fear of death but not without being told to leave.
pamela 3-19-2003 22:53
hello jon creature i sasquatch have sorry in seeing humans friends speak harsh words on others. i sasquatch know there is strong feeling on each side of this difficult and humans persons hurt very much and strike out like creatures at other but not really at other but at pain felt. sometime mistake other humans persons for pain and say to them hate, but only hate pain not persons. i sasquatch do not know of illegal or unjust. or christian. i sasquatch am only creature. only here. only now. Yeti memory remains but sasquatch does not. i sasquatch know this. Yeti wise but not like the one as humans persons are like the one. for creatures death is only part of life. kill is eat for some. kill is live for some. it is natural. but humans persons do not like kill or death.
i sasquatch see different in humans persons from other creatures because humans persons are made like the one. and death is not part of the one but life. so some humans persons afraid of death and some afraid of life. some make death to punish other. or make fear. or hate.
Yeti memories many humans persons killed because of different. speak different, think different, talk to the one in different ways. creatures do not this, only humans persons do this. i sasquatch believe this to be so as humans persons do not remember that they are made like the one.
i sasquatch can not advice but if i could do i will say humans persons made like the one. but not do like the one. if not doing like the one makes painful and hate, then maybe should try more to do like the one. i must go.
sasquatch 3-19-2003 22:50
**Rosemary**
Below are the sections that I considered sneers to new notebookers and everyone from the USA. Please explain where I misunderstood.
----------------------
This reasoning is probably too complicated for those newcomers who ignore that this page has been blessed by God and by me for many years. I will try to make it simpler.
(the age of the first civilization in the place which stupid Americans want to destroy tonight)
-------------------
I'm sure I'm the only one who misunderstood the term 'stupid Americans'
At least I don’t hide behind a cat.
--And, the out of context excuse most 'POLITICIANS' use won't work because anyone can scroll down and reread that shameful tirade.
Rosemary 3-19-2003 22:10
RANDALL
Good evening...
Within this night of darkness and death I stand in spirit with our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers as they once again liberate a foreign nation from oppression. If I could be there I would. America is the greatest nation on the earth, the bastion of freedom where one person may stand up and say "I disagree" without fear of death. There has never been as great a nation as America, a nation of so much, a nation of giving and compassion, a nation under God. A nation of persons not afraid to step forward and be counted on the side of right. I wave the stars and stripes proudly and forever proclaim God Bless America. Love it or leave it.
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on."
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on."
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
by Julia Ward Howe
God bless the brave members of the coalition of nations as they enter the devils den and crush the serpent with their heel...
Randall
Randall 3-19-2003 20:58
Sasquatch,
rosemary said i sneered at new notebookers. i did not. she said i sneered at anyone from the U.S. she exaggerated. she said the towers and a number of her own people, but 6 were of my people and i did not like it at all. not because of my people and her people. because i don't count bodies according to nationalities. but because killing is very ugly. it's immoral. it's sinful. It's a shame. Both in peace and in illegal, unjust wars. Please agree with me on this, my Christian friend!
Sasquatch, what do you do, in your realm, to people who misread, exaggerate, distinguish bodies according to nationalities and support killing. Please advise me on this difficult question, o divine creature.
jon 3-19-2003 19:58
Just when I thought I understood all this war crap, I get jumped on by two of my oldest and dearest friends from my past. Both liberal to the bone.
Ah well they were good friends.
They'll probably be good friends again if they ever get over my almost support for the war that is so very near now.
It's been a day of smoking emails back and forth with these two fellows, both of which have stopped for now so we can all watch the battle begin.
War is indeed hell.
Jon nice to see you back amongst us once again.
I always figured that evolution was right until a short time ago when it dawned on me, if Darwin was right, then why are there still monkeys, chimps and gorilla's?
If they evolved into us, then why didn't they all?
If evolution is right then why have we stayed relatively the same for the last couple of thousand years, well sure we've gotten a bit taller and a bit heavier but that's because we've learned to care for ourselves better.
No, I don't think Darwin was right, oh he probably had a point as far as survival of the fittest, and all that, natural selection and that too, but now that science has found homo sapiens bones alongside neatdrathal bones of the same age, when modern man's bones have been discovered reaching back much farther then Darwin ever imagined, the one must wonder.
That and when you look at the way other species have evolved, branching and branching once again, but with each branch there are surviving members of the former branch, then one would think that human's would also have such surviving branches, that is if Darwin were correct there should still be different species of man living today, yet there are none (unless you think as many men do that women are in fact a different species)
No, I don't think Darwin was correct, now those folks that think man was planted on this planet by ET, they may have a point....
Intersting happenings on the local front - our city government is considering cutting the police force here by 25% because they can't afford to pay them any longer, this when the rest of the nation is building their's up. I don't know what these idiots are thinking either....
Jerry 3-19-2003 18:47
i am sasquatch. sasquatch is me. Yeti memory is long and it passes to all in turn. jon creature you say howard person tells 8000 years but Yeti memory does not say time as humans persons. rhoda person tells one day is 1000 years again Yeti memory is not measure like. i am sasquatch. in Yeti memory is much of the one. i must go.
sasquatch 3-19-2003 17:11
Well, so much for any similarity between Americo and Sasquatch. At least this time he only sneered at new notebookers and anyone from the U.S. I wonder what he would feel if terrorists killed 3,000+ of his people in one fell swoop? "Poor misunderstood babies, they didn't really mean it."
_______________________________________________
Here in Southwest Texas, all the weeds have gone into power growing. The Bluebonnets and other great wildflowers will be covered by the weeds far before they are through their glorious show season.
I have been mowing for the last week. It's finally dry enough to get the mower through the stuff. I have over half an acre to mow and it usually takes me four or five days the first time of the season. Each day I am able to cover a little more area than the day before. If I ever bought a riding mower, I'd never get any exercise.
Saw a bunch of sayings about dogs. The best one (I thought) was--If your dog is overweight, it means you aren't getting enough exercise.
A truth if I ever saw one. Of course my two dogs are slim and trim but that's because one is a poodle and the other lives outdoors in the big 3 acres of our property.
Gotta go,
Rosemary 3-19-2003 16:38
It's very eerie outside. The air is cool and still, but overhead the sky is a leaden grey. Sheets of cloud scud across and every now and then the ghostly outline of the sun can be seen.
Teekay 3-19-2003 16:35
MARK: HAHAHAHHAHA too right.
Lightning, definitely not the other :-D
RHODA: I agree with you. I find it all incredibly fascinating.
JERRY: I thought the point of this war was to get Iraq to conform weapon wise with the standards set by the UN in order to make a safer playground for all of us here in this ever shrinking world.
It would be better to have UN backing, but how can you give that any credence when the veto lay with a country that had no inclination to even consider another resolution, but is willing to join the coalition if nuclear weapons are used. All seems a bit half arsed to me.
I don't think we particularly want to lord it over Iraq, we just want to get rid of a regime that is a threat to our long term safety.
It certainly is an interesting time to live in though - what next? Korea? Or will Korea open fire on us as soon as the first missile heads toward Iraq?
Is this the move O.B.L and his mastermind team had hoped we'd make when they planned their dastardly deed, and are terrorist cells just waiting for that very first missile also?
Keep thinking about your conspiracy theory. Makes sense.
I am heartliy sick of all these protestors though, and the media who tell us in a couple of lines in the newspaper to support our troops and then bombard our senses with images of mindless, stupid protest actions.
And no matter what the media might portray on TV, or the polls might indicate, I'm of the opinion that the majority of the population support John Howard in the very difficult decision he's made.
I really hope that the Iraqi soldiers will just surrender straight up and that no one will be killed. Wishful thinking I know, but where there's life, there's hope.
Long live peace.
Teekay 3-19-2003 16:05
Rhoda — "When God created cats, they were cats."
You know very well that when Americo created me (a cat) I was (and still am) Americo, a man, though in the brilliant desguise of a feline.
The same happened when God created Man. He changed his form, but not His intrinsic identity. That's why God is Man and Man is God. Exactly as my creator is a poor man and I Americo's adorable creation.
This reasoning is probably too complicated for those newcomers who ignore that this page has been blessed by God and by me for many years. I will try to make it simpler. Howard created Sasquatch (a yeti), but Sasquatch is nevertheless Howard (a nice man). Howard and Sasquatch are the same, though the former is a creationist and an enemy of French fries while Sasquatch is our favorite Notebooker. How can a man who believes that the universe has just 8 thousand years (the age of the first civilization in the place which stupid Americans want to destroy tonight) be the adorable yeti we all love and admire? It can because good and evil, ignorance and wisdom, superstition and faith derive from the same source — and the source is the soul of man in its infinite complexity.
Should we believe in God? Of course, God is evident, just look at you. Should we adore Him? Well, that depends. If it is a good creator, like Howard, yes. But if it is a stupid writer like Americo, no — in this case you must adore (or at least venerate) his adorable creation, me.
In my opinion this solves the creationism vs. evolutionism puzzle. If you have more difficult questions, just ask.
Now let us all pray that Sadam and Bush be delivered to the International Penal Tribunal and that they both have a fair trial. In the meantime, make tea not war.
Jon 3-19-2003 13:42
Rhoda/Tina. I tend to agree with both of you. Whilst I do not necessarily beieve in God, if I did I would concede that God created the universe through evolution. It makes sense that the two would go hand in hand. A wonderful argument along this line was acted brilliantly in "Inherit the Wind" a stage and film production of the tennessee (is that right?) monkey trials.
If I were to subscribe to a belief it would have to be the one put forward by Douglas Adams in the Hitchikers Guilde to the Galaxy. For those of you who haven't read this, I urge you to pick a copy of the book which incidentally is a Trilogy in five parts, and read. It is a bit silly but is very cleverly written.
I use to believe that the Universe was sentient and that it wasn't so much the answers that were important but the questions, and when those questions were answered, it was time to find new questions. I have lots of questions but no answers. I envy people who have faith because they see light at the end of the tunnel. I just see the tunnel.
Ramon 3-19-2003 11:11
Rhoda, I like your thought process!
My simple answer to this whole question - and yes it is very simplified and yes my own beliefs are more complicated than this - is 'God created the Universe through evolution'.
My husband has a curious question, and I thought I'd post it here to see if anyone more learned than I in such matters knows the answer.
Overall, the world runs by the calender that says 'today is March 19, 2003'. But do Muslim/Islamic countries actually measure their time by our western calender? And if not, what is their calender?
Me thinks I need to do some internet research, but no time right now.
Blue skies!
Tina 3-19-2003 10:39
Evolution vs. Creationism?
Ha, ha, I love this one! First let me qualify this subject by saying, I was not there when the world was created, so I am open all possible explanations.
I am a creationist by the fact that there is no doubt in my mind that God created everything and put it together with such intricate detail. Whether one believes in evolution or not, one must admit that the chances of all this complexity around us just happening defies all reason. There was an intelligence at work in it all. I am a chemist by trade. I have taken a lot of biology, and the more science I learned the more it actually convinced me that only God could have put all of this together.
That being said, I think there is some question as to how to read and comprehend Genesis. Back in Moses's day, God could not have gotten too technical about it. Genesis is not a scientific account, though it is an absolutely factual one.
How long is a day? It says in another part of the Bible that a 1000 years is as a day to God. However, God could have just as easily created the world in 6 seconds as he could have in 6 days, or even 6,000,000,000 years. There were 6 stages, and I believe the given order is the way it happened. Consider also that God said, "Let there be light." One astrophysicists I read made the case that without light there would be no time. They are linked, so when God made light, he also made time. God is timeless, hence, some of the confusion people have with concepts such as predestination. With God the past, present and future are not linear, but humanity's existence on earth is. The big bang theory intimates that all matter and energy existing, or the universe as we know was created at one moment.
I believe in evolution. Evolution means change. Species do change over time--no doubt about it. Darwin laid down the concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest, and these concepts have been proven and make perfect sense. Where I part company with evolutional thought is that I do not believe that in the course of several million or billion years a one cell organism can evolve into a cat or even a millipede. Having this happen by genetic mutation, natural selection, etc., progressively over time does not make sense to me. When God created cats, they were cats. When God created millipedes, they were millipedes, though both these creatures would have looked and seemed quite different millions of years ago.
HOWARD is right. Many scientists giving no regard to religion have questioned, some even rejected Darwin. Others have tried to make some modifications to his theory, and as a result faced great amounts of reticule (Stephen Gould is an example). A theory is nothing more than a working model. Theories exist only to be tested and then modified. It is that way in all other areas of science. To many people (most of these outside of science), evolution in itself is more than that. It is a tenent of their modern faith.
During the early 80's I once attended some lectures given by a Nobel Lauriet in Chemistry. He was a pioneer in quantum physics. He paused in the midst of the lecture and noted that the major thing that flew in the face of his knowledge of quantum physics was the existence of life. Statically, and all quantum physics is based on statistics, the odds of molecules forming by themselves to make proteins, DNA, simple life and on up were astronomical. Things just do not organize that way and get more complex. The more complex becomes less complex left to itself. You don't drop a lot of trash in a junk yard and eons later expect to see a Boeing 747.
Rhoda 3-19-2003 10:28
Howard,
Try this:
http://ebon.uni.cc/
Eddie 3-19-2003 10:03
Jerry
You've touched on a lot of things that I have been trying to say. You're absolutely right Saddam Hussien is without a doubt one of the most barbaric leaders to rule a country for quite some time - it makes one wonder if he is even human.
The soldiers, when they go in have an awaful job on their hands and I wouldn't want it. I couldn't serve in the military if I wanted to as I have bad asthma. It will be hardest on them, judging by some of things I have been told by friends and family who have served in WWII, Vietnam and the Gulf. Can't imagine what effect this will have on them.
I'll join you in wishing them a safe return, if that's alright with you.
Ramon 3-19-2003 9:00
You know, one does have to wonder, is this war with Iraq right?
I mean who do we think we are to try and tell others how they should live?
But then one has to look at the way the people of Iraq are forced to live, and maybe it's simply way too much television or something but it appears that this guy is about the worst villain one could ever dream up and it appears that the people of Iraq are indeed being enslaved.
Then again it could all be a bunch of propaganda and we've all been taken in, but then one has to look at our free press and how much they hate Bush and the truth comes through, Sadam is a bastard and he needs to be killed, but is the price too high? Is the cost going to be more then we should pay?
Is this going to tear the world's nations apart or is it a matter of France, Germany and Russia trying to cover their tracks of selling illegal goods to Iraq during the past twelve years up?
Who the hell knows, and I guess tonight, I don't much give a shit but I do hope our troops are going to be safe.
My cousin is still here in the USA but has orders to go in with the clean up crew when the shit is over and we have to mop up the blood. I don't envy him.
Jerry 3-19-2003 1:07
Gee I think those folks in Iraq will say what ever Sadam tells them to say, cause if they don't then Sadam will send his brown shirts to kick their ass, rape their wives and kids and shoot them in the back of their skull, but then that's just what I think, having watched bunches of crap on the tube.
Jerry 3-19-2003 0:12
Ben, funny, I was just thinking about that proverb/curse yesterday after watching G. Dubuya. Like you, I'd rather be bored.
Tina again 3-18-2003 21:53
Hi all!
Rosemary! I've lost your e-mail! Don't know how, it was in my address book, but it's gone. I've taken a chance and posted my own addie; could you send me yours again? Please?
Christi, glad to hear your sweetie is feeling better. Now get some rest!
Heard a great saying today, but I have no idea where it originated.
'Passion, once in motion, moves itself.'
Anyone know who said it first?
Creationism vs Evolution... I'll take evolution, thanks. If the Christian God created the world about 8000 years ago, why would that God include such abundant evidence that the world is much older, and the solar system itself is closer to 4 1/2 billion? And I don't buy into the 'test of faith' argument. That's dirty play, and I could never believe in any god that resorts to dirty play.
Sorry Christi, but I have no problem with hairy apelike ancestors. I mean, you met Troy, I'm married to an ape. ;-)
As for becoming our own critique group... I'd sign up happily, but that in the past I've had little success getting anyone to do more than partial critiques. It works well for short stories and novellas and poetry, but nothing much longer.
Tina 3-18-2003 21:49
Anybody know anything about Farris Literary Agency?
Authentic Creations, Inc.?
Thanks
MikeK 3-18-2003 21:39
MARK: hahahaha
Halee 3-18-2003 21:22
TEEKAY -- if it's chocolate, LIGHTENing isn't what you'll be struck by.
Mark 3-18-2003 19:47
I don't have much to say. Just dropped in to see if I could get on-line or not. Been havin' a few problems lately. And besdies, with it bein' Spring Break up here, and the kids always using the computer, I don't get a lot of time here. But I can hear one upstairs in the shower right now--and I'm asking myself is it a sure sign of holidays when you can sit around the house all day in your P.J's, and then have a shower at four in the afternoon? It must be.
Anyway, I spent the morning working on my novella. I want to print it out tomorrow and mail it out by the end of the week. I know the printer cartridge is going to run empty as soon as I start though. But I found a place that refills them for twenty bucks, which isn't bad considering they cost me $55 brand new. I want to send this away and start something new. I just don't know whether to start something "new", or to try and revise something old.
Excellent conversings on the old religios question gang. As for Creationism and Darwinism, I tend to lean toward the latter just because it makes more sense to me. I've always looked at the "six days of creation" more like the Ages of Mankind--Stone Age, Bronze Age etc.,--in that it would take thousands of years for one day to pass...but I guess that's not possible if the Earth is only 8000 years old, is it? :-)
I guess old Sadman has just one more day left--twenty five hours from now. I wonder what he'll do...It's sort of ironic how I heard people in Bagdhad were saying Bush should resign because he was a threat to world peace. Different slant on life, or different Spin Doctoring? I guess that old Chinese proverb is going to come to life: May you live in interesting times. I'd rather be bored.
ben 3-18-2003 19:19
And here's a song, written in the mid 60s, that has proven to be timeless! (Not that I agree with the sentiment, but it is eerie how it comes around again!)
6. Send The Marines
What with President Johnson practicing escalatio on the Vietnamese, and then the Dominican crisis on top of that, it has been a nervous year, and people have begun to feel like a Christian Scientist with appendicitis. Fortunately, in times of crisis like this, America always has its number one instrument of diplomacy to fall back on. Here's a song about it:
When someone makes a move
Of which we don't approve,
Who is it that always intervenes?
U.N. and O.A.S.,*
They have their place, I guess,
But first - send the Marines!
We'll send them all we've got,
John Wayne and Randolph Scott;
Remember those exciting fighting scenes?
To the shores of Tripoli,
But not to Mississippoli,
What do we do? We send the Marines!
For might makes right,
And till they've seen the light,
They've got to be protected,
All their rights respected,
Till somebody we like can be elected.
Members of the corps
All hate the thought of war;
They'd rather kill them off by peaceful means.
Stop calling it aggression,
Ooh, we hate that expression!
We only want the world to know
That we support the status quo.
They love us everywhere we go,
So when in doubt,
Send the Marines!
----------------------------
You can see all of Tom Lehrer's songs at:
http://members.aol.com/quentncree/lehrer/
They're a hoot!
Mostly.
If you like that sort of thing.
Or maybe I'm simply strange...
howard 3-18-2003 16:42
Speaking of Lent -- here's the bridge from one of my favorite Tom Lehrer songs, She's My Girl! :
...
The girl that I lament for,
The girl my money's spent for,
The girl my back is bent for,
The girl I owe the rent for,
The girl I gave up Lent for
Is the girl that heaven meant for me.
... (She's my girl....and I Love her!)
howard 3-18-2003 16:34
or by lightening.
Teekay 3-18-2003 16:28
MEL: Oh gosh, I'm ever so sorry, I thought Lenten was a type of chocolate :-D
Guess you'd better stick to it.
Am hoping this post reaches you before I am struck down with lightening.
Teekay 3-18-2003 16:28
I see France is now saying that they still don't agree with us, and will not support us in the was with Saddam, but they claim dibs on the cleanup contracts...
Riiiigghhtt!
howard 3-18-2003 16:03
CHRISTI -- Thanks! Actually the two Talons are intentional. I hope I can make that part work. I think the one may be a totem of the pursuing savages, and the other just might be spared one day because of his name, and because the image of the falcon is engraved on a medallion he wears. And Salla has control over both... Hmmmm! This thing is almost writing itself! :-})
And you're right -- I still don't like 'Picts' as a name for the enemy. Been trying to come up with something different. Not easy -- JRRT sure used up a lot of good/bad names!
howard 3-18-2003 15:49
Ah forget it. If interested, just type www.anotherealm.com into your addie box. :) Yes, I am master of my computer. Ha.
3-18-2003 11:55
Shoot, let's try that again.
Christi Link
3-18-2003 11:54
-Christi-
I'm so glad that so many people are writing! Wow!
Pamela, Thank you, my son's doing much better the last couple of days. I was going a mite insane from lack of sleep. Last night was the first night in eleven days to supply me with something close to eight hours of sleep. Ahhhhhhh.
Howard, I loved the sound of your story and almost all of its characters, but I wasn't so hot on (you guessed it) the evil hoarde's name. Oh also I spotted that you had given both the fugitive prince and the hunting falcon the same name. I do that all the time when I have a lot of names to come up with, and when I'm vascillating on who to pin them to.
If you like it, for your bad guy you could use one of my badie names, Rawthe. I think it sounds gutteral and nasty. And actually, Drachan, Salla's uncle's name sounds like it would nicely fit your bad guys. Anyway, I hope I get to read this one, it sounds right up my alley.
BTW, I also subscibe to the Creationism theory. Could be partly due to the hope that I did not spawn from a hairy apish creature who liked to pick bugs off his friends for lunch. Puts a whole new meaning to 'bugs in your teeth'.
Ramon, Hi! How about "Visage of a Killer" or Killer Visage"? ")
Welcome back, Hallee! Your husband's message gives me something to think about.
Mark, HA HA HA! The thing is, I also ask myself before I go, "nuts?", except I mean in the head. My answer? Yup. Give your two cents anytime. My pockets are empty. :}
Teekay, Me too, but at least the chocolate and coffee were good! *sigh*
Tina, I'm still smilin' for you. :)
Heather! Congratulations!!!!!! That is so exciting; what a nice paycheck! {{{Hugs}}}
Hey Rhoda, My humble opinion? Don't worry about your synopsis! I mean, maybe you usually follow the map you had laid out, but it never seems to work out that way for me. My best stuff is the writing I let go where it wants to go and I worry about the changes later. My sister is an outline writer and thinks I'm crazy. Anyway, whichever way it ends up, good luck!
I'm always willing to read manuscripts, but I prefer to read them after the first draft has been accomplished. Otherwise I feel I can't give a proper critique, not knowing really where the author is going or what they'll change. Also I live in fear that something I say may make them change where they were going or make them toss the whole thing.
Maybe we could form a critique group right here, eh?
For anyone who loves good fantasy and really needs a smile, you should check out the new story at Anotherealm.com. It's hilarious! www.anotherealm.com
Lovely day to all of my fellow penners,
Christi 3-18-2003 11:53
~Hallee~
My husband, also a writer (and a more brilliant one than I could ever hope to be) wrote this piece this morning.
I first crossed the border in February -- February of 1991. I sat aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk that was packed with other soldiers and their gear and slingloading a pallet of supplies destined for Logbase Zebra. Days later, I watched as the Republican Guard retreated in column to Bagdad but we couldn’t open fire. The cease fire was already in effect.
The absolutely horrible things I saw on the way into Kuwait City I cannot describe. I reckon, though, that the feelings that stirred inside me were akin to those of my ancestors when they looked across No-Man’s land in Verdun to see their brothers suffering and dying trapped in the wire, or when they liberated the death camps in Bergin Beltsin or Auschwitz. How can I describe what months of looting, rape, torture, butchery, and murder can do to a population?
The Iraqi army in occupation in tiny Kuwait became as animals. They gang raped children. They tortured women to death and weighted down their dismembered bodies with cinderblocks to be casually tossed into the Persian Gulf. There were so many corpses discarded in that manner that the Seal Team assigned to dive in from a few miles out and secure the US Embassy could not get through them and had to turn back. How can I describe the lives and livelihoods Iraq destroyed in a few short months?
Can you imagine a sky so full of smoke that for nearly half a year one could not make a distinction between night and day? Can you imagine the smell, the terrible sweet nauseating smell of nearly a quarter of a million dead? Can you imagine the disease which ran rampant among the occupied because Iraq would not let them obtain medical attention? They died by the hundreds from infection which became gangrene. They died by the thousands of influenza and malnourishment. They died in staggering numbers of Cholera because dead human beings tossed into the water supply rotted there and contaminated the drinking water.
When people say that Saddam Hussein is not a totalitarian dictator, that he is not a monster, that he is not a truly evil man, they are mistaken. He is quite possibly worse than Adolf Hitler. Hitler never once used chemical or biological weapons even in Stalengrad when they could have made the difference between winning and losing the Eastern Front. Saddam Hussein has used them on Iranians and on his own people. It is very likely that he left chemical weapons disguised in innocuous containers for the Coalition forces to detonate as if they were conventional munitions, thus infecting as many as 350,000 US troops. He has not signed either the Geneva Conventions or the Nuremberg Accords as far as the ethical treatment of prisoners. He is guilty of or responsible for countless, countless millions of human rights violations.
When they say he doesn’t support terrorism, they are mistaken. He has laundered money for upwards of seven terrorist organizations through his state run bank, the bank of Iraq, including Al Jazeera Jihad and Al Quada. He has provided equipment, munitions, and training camps and skilled “advisors” to those same organizations. One training camp has the fuselage of a Boeing 767 and was clearly used to train terrorists in how to take over and hold hostage an airline. And who could forget the fact that he once filled a commercial airliner with convicts -- who he ordered smothered to death -- and then flew it in the direction of a US Carrier Group until we had no alternative but to shoot it down? What if we hadn’t?
Some people ask why we have to go into Iraq? Why did we have to go into Germany?
And, he is quite totally insane. Given time and freedom to accomplish his goals, the leader of Iraq could, quite literally, bring about the destruction of the entire world. Those who didn’t capitulate to his will could find themselves the victims of a dirty bomb, or a man-made deadly disease, or an occupying force of soldiers who are trained in the art of gang-rape, torture, and butchery.
The man is evil. His regime is evil. His purpose is evil.
Saddam Hussein IS a terrorist.
“We will make no distinction between those who committed these horrible acts and those who harbor them.” President George W. Bush
America is more than a nation it is an idea. It is an idea that we as human beings have rights. It is an idea that we must, from time to time, roll up our sleeves and fight and sweat and bleed and possibly even die to preserve those rights when some two-bit so-and-so tries to take them from us. And why is it that some completely wrong-minded Americans feel they need to go to Iraq and become “human shields.” I say we should make no distinction between them and those who committed this horrible act. I say revoke their American citizenship and bar them from reentry onto our sovereign soil. I say, seize their holdings and property and use it to the benefit of those who are fighting for America instead of letting them keep it to be used, quite possibly, for evil deeds.
We see people like Barbara Streisand, Mike Farrell, Martin Sheen, Sean Penn, and Danny Glover saying how wrong our government is. They would say so regardless of whether we, as Americans and we as human beings, were in danger from terrorist despots like Saddam Hussein. They would say so because they are liberals who never uttered a peep when Clinton ordered Serbia and Bosnia bombed back to the stone age. They are hypocrites. They are people who would spit on my uniform and call me a baby-killer while demanding taxpayer funded abortions. They are to be ignored. We see news commentators and organizations like AOL TIME WARNER who seek out the most vociferous liberal minded fool to spout nonsense and propaganda and represents that voice as the voice of the majority. It isn’t. CNN ignores a pro-America rally of 30,000 people one mile from their headquarters to report on a peace rally of 300 “Lesbians against Bush” (and here I thought lesbians liked bush) miles and miles away. I submit to you that the majority of Americans are not lesbians. I further posit that the majority of Americans are not against Bush.
We read the endless debate in our magazines and newspapers about what a terrible precedent it will set if we go to war, how we (and this makes me laugh) will be war criminals if we do, and how harshly history will judge us for our actions. Imagine if we did not act? Would we have a history to render that judgment?
It is terribly easy to sit at home in the comfort of your living room and watch the media tell you that the majority of Americans do not support this war (a blatant lie). It is terribly easy to try to dictate to the military how they need to accomplish their difficult and daunting task, having never served yourself. It is much harder to get off your ass and get on your knees and pray for the leadership of this country, pray for the servicemen who face this terrible thing, and pray to God to, by His grace, grant you
FAITH that this nation will win through -- FAITH that our leaders are slightly more informed than Dan Rather -- FAITH that if we are to have a future, justice demands that we intervene, right now, right here.
I may have to return to those powdery hot sands. I may have to return to that smell and that coppery desert taste. I may have to and I will do so gladly. I will serve. I will do my duty. Don’t dishonor me. Don’t dishonor the memory of the sacrifices made in September of 2001. Don’t dishonor the sacrifices made by my brothers and sisters in arms who have given everything for the idea that is America (65 service members have lost their lives so far in Operation Enduring Freedom). Don’t disgrace yourself by dishonoring their memory.
It is time to make a choice. It is time to draw the line. It is time to stand tall and be proud and do this terrible and costly task that needs doing. It is time to support those who are down in the blood and the mud having a direct or indirect hand in the doing of it. It is time to remember what our ancestors fought and died to create and preserve.
Hallee 3-18-2003 8:57
**Taylor**
Ramon: You want to talk about cheesy? For my war novel, I have the title "There's No Such Thing as a Good Soldier" at the moment. I'm sure I'm going to change it when I come up with a better title.
I've also been debating internally to write a Vietnam story from the Australian's point of view. Because I keep thinking I dont think that's been done before. But I also keep thinking that the world doesn't need another Nam Novel... But it's been bugging me to write it. So it might be an unpublished novel, or one that's on Fanfiction site.
As for that novel... The title in my mind so far is...
"VIETNAM, BLOODY VIETNAM: The Australian Viewpoint"
Using the word bloody because of it's dual meaning... Bloody meaning blood: And Bloody being a word used in anguish by some Australians.
Taylor 3-18-2003 8:36
CHRISTI: You want to know how the writing is going. Slow at the moment. The only time I can find to sit down and work on my idea is during my lunch break. Once a week I sit in my local Starbucks with a Venti black Americano (no sugar) and a Pannini (I can't spell) and work on my crime novel. I can only do this once because Starbucks in the UK is expensive. Home life is busy and work is stressful so I have very little time. But I am trying. At this rate though I'll be an OAP before the book is finished.
I am going there this afternoon to see if I can create some BIO's for my principle characters. I have a Killer and a Victim I just need to work out the how, why and when.
I do have a working title though: "The Face of a Killer". Cheesy I know but I'll work on it.
One last thing about religion; I said before I am not sure what to believe anymore as I have become such a cynic that it has just blackened my view of things. I would like to believe that irrespective of faiths, if on the whole you are a good person, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I am no angel, but I work hard, pay my taxes, always keep on the right side of the law, and look after my friends and family. I think that should be enough for any divine award in the afterlife. Or am I just being silly now?
Ramon
Ramon 3-18-2003 7:09
Teekay:
Thanks. I'm looking into a fundraiser. I'm calling the school department today to find out how it's done.
Debra 3-18-2003 6:57
Heather:
Is that the story with the spot on the wall in prison? If it isn't, you should send them that one too. Do they own your story now? If they own it now, then don't. That story is worth more than $100.00 a lot more.
Debra 3-18-2003 6:56
**Taylor**
Pamela: I believe we were soldiers in WW2(my mates and I)And during that time we thought we could get away with anything we wanted to... I was a writer in that life who craved inspiration. I thought there wasn't enough going on at the time so my 2 mates and I came up with a plan to create some inspiration... Then things got out of hand until we were all found guilty by a local village through a speedy but fair trial and ultimately punnished.
I wouldn't mind writing a book about it actually... I think I've got enough info stored in my mind about the events.
I caught the President's address to the nation this morning/Last night by America time... I didn't know how I felt about the approaching Gulf War in 91... Guess being young and ignorant of the world around me at that young age, I didn't really take much notice of it.
But now, I feel sad about the troops being put in danger, and for the families who could lose loved ones.
I am fearful for the Iraq Civillians... Some would certainly be killed in the crossfire.
And I feel proud that PM John Howard has committed Aussie troops to the War.
To all those serving their country: Thank you and God Bless you all.
I do hate the idea of a war... But that won't diminish my support for the soldiers who just do their duty.
"Still not a single word about the dog either :("
Taylor 3-18-2003 6:43
~Hallee~
Hello all. Happy post-St. Patrick's Day. My daughter had little green bows in her hair all day - very cute.
RHODA: I've heard good things about zoetrope (sp?). If you want someone online, I'd be more than happy to critique with you. You could also check the RWA website - surely there's something in your area. I found two other romance writers in my area and we meet to critique about twice a month.
MEL: Oh honey, I admire you. I would never have the discipline to choose chocolate for Lint. (haha) Keep at it, chicky.
My writing? I'm in the process of writing 3 books right now. Well - writing 2 and researching 1. I haven't written this week yet, but it's been insane here, and my husband has called early both mornings. (I won't have contact with him for about a week once this all starts, so I think he's calling while he can.) I'm excited about all of the books, but the second one - the one I just started - has me by the brain and is revving to go! Hopefully, I can punch it out and get back to the first one and my research on the other one.
Oh! He just instant messaged me, so I'll wrap this up. Have a fantastic Tuesday!
Hallee 3-18-2003 5:28
Strange the WAW said it's all about oil, it appears to me that the President said that because of what Sadam did to the oil wells in the last war, not because he want's their oil, he want's those wells to be able to produce so the Iraqi's have it to pay their own way in rebuilding their nation.
At any rate, that's just the way I see things.
It's raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock outside, has been for most of the day, and boy can we use it the weatherman says we already have over two inches and more is coming.
Be safe all.
Jerry 3-18-2003 0:33
Hi, all. Made sure I had change for a nickel so I could contribute two cents.
RANDALL -- I'm with HOWARD. A little spell check, a little grammar check. Sanity check seems to have been done. My friend Vinny Bicepalino used to pat himself down before going out the door:
Keys? Yup.
Money? Yup.
Wallet? Yup.
Nuts? Yup.
Good to go.
{insert $0.02 here}
Ultimately, to believe in God is to believe that Good and Evil emanate from the same source. Americans aren't used to thinking that way. Pres Bush has a 'with me or against me' thing going on right now that is familiar and comfortable to a lot of people here. And he sure does like to use the word 'evil.'
Most people would concede that the nature of God and the mind of God are beyond human comprehension, way beyond. Yet most people of 'faith' can tell how they know His will or His word. Hmm. It is beyond our ability, but I know what it is. Most such people will also aver that God is of Good and Evil is of somewhere else. How did this happen? God created Good, someone else created Evil?
Writers of inspired texts have stories to explain how this came to be. But we are writers. We have all experienced the time when the story "just wrote itself." Inspiration. Inspired text. From where I sit, no one culture has a total grip on creation or the Creator. We can never know the totality of God's actions. Any part of the story is just that, a part of the story.
Yes, I am a believer. Somewhat like JERRY, I had my moments of faith and hope in desparate situations, but it really is cliche to say "There are no atheists in a foxhole." I didn't acheive faith because I found it at gunpoint; I acheived faith in the days and weeks afterward when I wondered why I had survived and friends had not. My faith was born of prayers answered. Next I wondered why some were answered with 'Yes' and some with 'No.'
The same God that made us, also made them. Americans like to think in polar opposites: US and THEM, GOOD and BAD. In truth. it all comes from one source and He has not conveyed his totality to any human brain.
{$0.02 spent}
Mark 3-18-2003 0:16
Hey YO Randall! Your box arrived with plenty of motivators for both teacher and students. Just in time for the year to start! Thank you. Also, nice story!
Carol: Still nothing inspired comes from these fingers. Did half a chapt but nothing great. Decided to go back and add the minute details like bus numbers, route numbers, colors, types of bird, and re-write chapt. two because the police station is air conditioned and the birds wouldn't just fly in and out.
Tina: Congratulations on finishing your novel.
Heather: Congratulations on the $100.00 US. Go buy something you can keep and treasure with it. Maybe a beautiful necklace or set of earings. Every time you wear them you can be reminded that you are a sucessful writer.
Not a lot of money but it can be translated into something nice.
Rhoda, Doing the same thing you are on the transition. Grrr. Has me biting little circles round the pencil.
Viv 3-17-2003 23:20
Geeze we have a mad anti-Busher who posts without honor, at least he or she would leave their name so we could engage in dialog.
It appears that the bombs drop this week, hang on to your hat Sadam.
God bless our President and our troops who face death in the desert.
Oh and God Bless the U.S.A.
Write on and on and on.
Jerry 3-17-2003 23:18
Hi all!
Christi, thanks for the pep-talk. I think I'd be more excited if the next level of work didn't seem so daunting.
How is Jacob now? Ear infections are one of those things that sweeties should never have to endure.
Sunny, I've got a personal website full of pics if you're interested. The link is below.
Heather, it may not be what you expected, but congrats anyway! Personally, I think their crit of your submission was way outta whack. The valid points they made were buried under the grasping effort to find problems that didn't exist.
Randall, glad you're feeling well enough to go back to work.
Jack, I hope you're okay! Been a long time since you checked in!
Haven't written much of anything lately, most notably not my querry letter. sigh I must do that, and soon!
I like the idea about looking for author credits to their agent in the acknowledgements of books of my genre. Being in Canada I'm a bit limited for choice, there aren't that many agents, but that seems like a good way to narrow the field.
Blue skies!
Tina My web page
3-17-2003 22:18
RANDALL -- when my wife wakes up in the middle of the night because the bed is shaking how'm I going to tell her it's because I just woke up again with the picture of somebody attaching a tag to a bobber and leaving it for the ice to melt come spring? And I'm laughing my ass off! Thanks a lot!
All I can say is you'd better be getting these Utah stories, along with Red Britches and mules and all those others ready for a book, because I want an autographed copy!
Real glad you're back! :-)
howard 3-17-2003 22:06
RANDALL
My first day back at work. Tired but glad to be back in the swing of things. I want to post something and thought you guys might like another "Utah" tale. This is a story from our 1979 hunting trip to Utah. Charlie is the man we stayed with during the hunt. Charlie was an ex-Texan from Coleman County, hard as a mountain man, valued performance, a DEDICATED hunter and brooked no nonsense...
From WASATCH BLUE
By Randall Henderson
ICE FOLLIES
"One morning we were taking a break just off Skyline Drive. Charlie reported he had recently spotted tracks in an area that had, in the past produced large bucks. I volunteered to scout this rocky overhanging ridge, maybe getting out alone would be good for me. The rest would move down the road a mile or so, and would be in position for whatever ran out ahead. I would catch up with them there. An old fashioned Texas deer drive. So far so good. They departed and I struck out. Getting lost would not be a problem as my hunting area ran more or less parallel to Skyline Drive. Taking my time I sauntered along through moderate snow, hunting some, but mostly admiring the mountain scenery. Slogging through snow was mildly exerting and soon I reached for my canteen. It wasn't there. It was in Charlie's truck. Well no problem, I'll eat a little snow and go on. That didn't work. For some reason, physical or psychological a craving for water increased almost at every step. More snow in mouth, more thirst.
I put the dilemma aside and continued along. There were tracks aplenty, mule deer were in the area, but none today. An hour passed and exasperation, slowly eroding self-control became distracting. There would be no escaping, I simply had to have a drink. There was water available. Solid, though. Frozen in place, ponds of water covered by ice lay everywhere. I propped up my rifle, got down on my knees in the middle of one of these areas and with a sheath knife began to chip away. How far down could it be anyway? To no avail, this stuff was rock hard. Sitting on top of enough water to satisfy a hundred men, sucking on minute chips of ice, frustrated at the problem, my eyes strayed to the rifle. Say ... that might work! By now thirst had banished reason, and any method to obtain a drink would be considered. If anything would punch a hole through ice a powerful 7 MM Magnum, 180 grain bullet surely would bring forth the water. I'd drill that sucker.
Rifle in hand, safety off, finger on the trigger it was now pointed roughly in the direction of my earlier chipping. Head turned away, eyes shut tightly against the blast of ice and water sure to erupt, I slowly began to squeeze the trigger. And in another dry hour walked down to where my friends were waiting.
No, I didn't shoot. I figured Charlie hearing the discharge would immediately drive everyone to my position. I could seem 'em now. Stepping from the pickup, eager looks on their faces, glancing around.
"Well, where's he at killer?"
"Did you get a big one?"
"I knew Ol' Randall spook something up."
I visualized eagle-eyed Charlie glancing around, quickly spotting the fractured ice. A Coleman County smile turns down like a Samurai warrior whose least favored servant just dropped a dead fish into his lap. With hands tightly clenched and firmly planted upon each hip, grim faced War Lord Charlie Eppler pivots to see guilt flashing like a neon sign across my red face. He Did It! -- He Did It! -- He Did It! The rock hard supervisor faces a bumbling insubordinate, to unload indignant wrath upon his head.... A blood stained Viking warrior raises his heavy broadsword for a final killing blow.... With pistol in hand the ice cold German officer poises to execute the first co-conspirator....
"Randall, come here!" Charlie's Viking blue eyes drilled daggers into the Texas poacher, road hunter, couch potato.
In Alaska one phone call from him and hundreds of men mounted powerful caterpillar bulldozers, lifted the blade and struck out for the northern lights.
He once fired an entire bus load of hardened construction workers for insubordination. (And Marijuana.)
He operated bulldozers on Alaskan mountain slopes that a Dall Sheep would stroll down main street to avoid.
His ideal of fun was patrolling rugged Utah mountains by snowshoe poking full grown, raging mad cougars out of trees with a wooden stick.
His record book cougar was an inch smaller than Teddy Roosevelts'.
Man without fear, hunter of Wilderness Alaska, heavy equipment operator, constructor of the Valdez Pipeline, stalker of mountain lions has a target in sight. Smoking gun, ice slivers in the beard, crimson faced, guilty as charged. Snow is melting around us, falling in chunks from trees with the heat of his caustic question.
"Why did you shoot into that frozen pond, the one that's solid ice plumb to the bottom? Are you hunting with the rest of us or just be-bopping around?"
Danny Griffin, ex-marine Vietnam combat veteran shaking his head in sadness and amazement. Art Reed, ex-navy Vietnam combat veteran, stalwart Texan with endurance levels that were legendary grimacing in embarrassment. Danny Williams, south Texas hunter par excellent with a house full of trophy whitetail bucks shifting uneasily not looking at anyone. Lynn Jones, Brown and Mason County hunter, partner in crime and confidant, head down ... searching his genuine, war surplus army overcoat for another beer.
You see right before Bill Ruger's well made sear slipped, touching off the shell primer and igniting 3500 foot pounds of granulated powdered energy I paused. If this story gets out I might have to endure years of insufferable jokes. A thing like this could follow one into the grave, it might even be carved into your tombstone.
Saint Peter stares in amazement as he blocks the pearly gates. "So your the one? Randall Henderson ... who in 1979 shot a frozen pond? Someone call THE BOSS, he's here! Say Randall ... did you tag it?"
Death from thirst might be preferable.
"Oh yeah. Hey bro, ask Ol' Randall what he shot in Utah. Go ahead son tell'em what you killed."
"Hey everybody come over. Girls, come on down he's going to tell us what he shot."
"Well I was thirsty and...."
"Oh my, wait, wait ... this is to good to waste. I'll tell you what he shot. He shot a solid block of ice. There wasn't even any water, the pond was frozen. Two feet down. Ha, Ha."
"Hey Randall here's an ice cube, wanna shoot it?"
"Say, Randall. What kind of license do you need to shoot ice?"
"Wow that's great, did you tag it Randall?"
"Are you gonna get it mounted?"
Goodnight all...
Randall
Randall 3-17-2003 20:41
St.Patricks Day March 17,2003 21st. Cent. 4:44 P.M. P.S.T. So, our new "king George W. Bush has pledged a war. His comment that the Iraquis should "protect their oil)(Soon toi be stolen by the "GOOD(?)" O'l U.S.A. Shows what this war is about. To thoise blind doubters who are the "Patroits of pain" That will be inflicted on INNOCENT citizens and our american military. For the greed of BIG OIL< BIG GREED< BIG BANDIT BUSH!!! Who can noiw doubt that IT';S THE OIL ? WHO???? A NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION IS NEEDED NOW TO DETHONE "KING GEORGE" NO JOKE!!!! Wriuters Against The War W.A.W. Nova Bakunin, Email Ersner
3-17-2003 20:41
St.Patricks Day March 17,2003 21st. Cent. 4:44 P.M. P.S.T. So, our new "king George W. Bush has pledged a war. His comment that the Iraquis should "protect their oil)(Soon toi be stolen by the "GOOD(?)" O'l U.S.A. Shows what this war is about. To thoise blind doubters who are the "Patroits of pain" That will be inflicted on INNOCENT citizens and our american military. For the greed of BIG OIL< BIG GREED< BIG BANDIT BUSH!!! Who can noiw doubt that IT';S THE OIL ? WHO???? A NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION IS NEEDED NOW TO DETHONE "KING GEORGE" NO JOKE!!!! Wriuters Against The War W.A.W. Nova Bakunin, Email Ersner
3-17-2003 20:40
Hi All,
MEL: *SLAP* *SLAP* Now, snap out of it. I can't understand what you're thinking.
GET OFF THE CHOCOLATE FAST. GET OFF IT NOW!
CHRISTI: About the writing, I'm still about to start, still, maybe after I make a coffee, or something *sigh* I could have some chocolate.
I think I'll go have some chocolate. As Homer would say Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm chocolate.
PAMELA: About the stolen generation. yes indeed it was a hideous part of history and it should never ever never have happened. The thinking behind it was that the children, being half aboriginal and half whatver the whites happened to be, the children would be better off raised and educated as white. Also, the half cast children were looked down upon and segregated within their tribes simply because of their mixed parentage.
Not condoning it one bit, just pointing out the reasoning behind it.
What a nightmare.
Sweetest HEATHER oh wild and free. That's FANTASTICALLY BRILLIANT!!!!!
SUNNY: That book is already on my 'to read' list. Have you read it yourself? Is it good? Have you read any by Linda K. Hubalek??
A really good novel on the subject of evolution is called 'Mr. Darwins Shooter'. I think it's by Robert MacDonald. I just went to the bookshelf to check and I have this horrible feeling that I sent it away during a decluttering phase. Oh, I do hope not.
Anyway, I'm with HOWARD, I don't believe in the theory of evolution at all. Besides, it is just a theory and according to studies there is not enough existing links (fossils and such) to prove it.
Anyhow, the book is really good, it's about this Christian man's dilemma when he realises what affect the work he did for Darwin impacts upon the rest of the world and the belief of Christianity.
RHODA: I tried Zoetrope for a bit. It was pretty good.
HOWARD: Man, the world is filled with some scary people. after some thought I have come to the conclusion that ignorance is not bliss, it is just really stupid and dangerous.
DEBRA: Go with the good feelings. Lap them up, enjoy them, and even if it all comes to nought (which I strongly doubt), at least you have had them.
What else, what else?
Nuthin'.
Teekay 3-17-2003 17:58
HEATHER -- a hundred bucks is a hundred bucks -- CONGRATULATIONS! That gives us all something to shoot for! And so what if it's the "before" picture -- I've been that most of my life!
:-)
howard 3-17-2003 17:06
PAMELA -- an even bigger can of worms! The Theory of evolution is even more volatile than "religion" to many -- in fact, to many it is their religion!
Simply -- No, I do not believe in the Darwinist Theory of Evolution. I believe in the creation account in Genesis. If that means the earth is only 8000 (or so) years old, so be it. Does that make me backwards, flat-earth neanderthal? Again, so be it.
But if you check it out, you'll find that some "respected" scientists -- former vigorous supporters of the theory of evolution -- now agree that there are enough holes in it that it is unsupportable. They may not embrace creation yet, but they no longer dogmatically support evolutionary theory.
And no, I don't believe the old wives' tale about Darwin, on his death bed recanting his theory, although it is far different today than he had originally proposed it.
For me it simply boils down to this -- If there is a God, and if He is who He says He is, then He certainly has the power to wave His hand and snap His fingers and create and sustain all that is. (Actually He merely spoke and it happened)
If he doesn't have the power he claimed, then he can noodle off into oblivion with the rest of this big electro-chemically generated mistake/happening/ when it all collapses into the nearest black hole.
And if that's the case, then Santana was right -- "Got no choice in being born, and no choice in dying, so we might as well enjoy what's in between."
howard 3-17-2003 16:49
Rhoda,
Try American Zoetrope. I workshopped some stuff on here that led to publication some time ago.
You will find a core of responsible 'Critters' there. One or two go in for mutual compliments, but on the whole it is pretty good. You will find your own way through to rewarding interaction.
Ed
American Zoetrope
3-17-2003 16:23
Well, tickle my toes..... I got my first check for writing in the mail today - $100 US. From Writer's Digest Magazine... they are publishing the excerpt from HAVEN that appeared in the Writer's Digest Feb issue in 2001, into a hardcover book with other writer's submissions for their online writer's clinic. Oooh, yes, it isn't exactly what I'd hoped to have as my first published work....hahahhaha....but:
What great fuel to get me fired up about writing again!
Heather 3-17-2003 16:17
RHODA: Try Yahoo! groups. I found one for fantasy writing and I'm fairly certain that other writing groups exist there. I don't know if you need to be a member or anything, since I have my e-mail with them already. You could also do a search from yahoo. I've found many interesting sites through searches both on yahoo and from sites here on forwriters.com.
Hello to all!
Have a great writing day today and always!
Cheri 3-17-2003 16:12
CHRISTI,
I am glad you asked. My writing is driving me crazy, and I would like to talk about it. I am bogged down in the middle and am trying to write through a transition. I have also been questioning some of the points I had listed in my synopsis. They don't completely make sense anymore now that the story has evolved a bit differently.
I want to have the first draft finished by the end of April. When I understand what I am doing I can write very fast, and all that will be required me at this point is another 200 to 300 pages.
I miss the Workbook. I remember it fondly not only because of the feed-back I got from other people here, but because I had the opportunity to read the work of the people who post here. I need to find a critique group and I am asking if anyone here can direct me to an on-line group or forum who do this type of thing. I know that many do, but I have been involved in on-line writer's groups in the past that have folded. On the other hand, I have heard of individuals that found the right thing.
I did make it to the SOLA romance writer's group here in New Orleans. I met some really super people there. Almost half of the writers are not romance writers. I have no problem with that, but the sad thing is that these non-romance writers have stated that there are no other writer's groups in the New Orleans area that are as helpful as the SOLA group. Many writer's groups have come and gone; they just cannot seem to stay. I relate to that. You hear the same story everywhere you go. But it is sad that there are not more active, vibrant writer's group. Anyway I am grateful for what I have found.
Rhoda 3-17-2003 15:17
Taylor, how interesting that you have ended up with mates whom you were previously executed with, but I think we do run into significant people in our lives over and over again. Have you ever read Edgar Cayce? He was a very devout Christian who believed in reincarnation even though he was shocked by the idea. Don't feel bad about the hangings, after all, I was a pirate who killed the fellow I ran into in this life.
I think is good to discuss religion, as Mel said, it makes us think about our own spirituality, but I'm sorry that it has gotten a little intense. I have found it really cool to discover other people who believe in reincarnation since in this country we are largely regarded as kooks. Howard, I would like to offer one more choice other than that Jesus was right about everything or else he was a complete ass: The possibility that the Bible has been changed over the years, edited by those in political or religious power, and that the message is not untrue, just garbled. When you say you believe the Bible literally, does that mean that you do not believe in evolution and that you think the world is just 8,000 years old (I believe that is how it has been figured)? Christi made a very good point that we tend to follow the religious practices of the region where we were raised. And I must agree that it seems strange to think that the majority of people on this earth will be damned because they do not believe that Jesus is their savior. I still think that Love is the way to God, no matter what church you go to.
Who asked about writing? I'm still at it, I got six pages done before noon today, I am now through page 71. Yay. It is still murky and foggy up ahead but I think, yes, I can barely make it out but I do believe I can just see the beginnings of Page One Hundred not too far down the line.
pamela 3-17-2003 15:14
And my writing is going fairly well (to get back to the notebook). I've got the intro and first chapter of "Falcon Loosed" just about done. That's either good (it's about done) or bad (I started it over a year ago!) depending on your point of view. :-)
Having trouble with names, though -- have a girl (late teens) named Salla, a fugitive prince named Talon, and a couple of other (good, bad, or indifferent) characters names Daan (King, Talon's father) Drachan (Salla's uncle -- not sure if he's wearing a white hat or not), Mardoc (the king's Madge -- just getting to know him), and Gord -- Salla's cousin, who mistreats his horse (and everything else), and is jealous of Salla's power over her friends. Not sure if there's redemption for him or not. Then there's Hugo (a huge mastiff) Winter (grey gelding) and Talon (a beautiful hunting falcon that Salla has named "not for the prince, he doesn't own the name!").
And there are the Picts (tentative name for the savage enemy horde that is hunting them). I'm not happy with 'Picts', but it's a working name. Suggestions welcome! :-)
howrad 3-17-2003 15:05
Fair 'nuff. Hugs all around.
Christi 3-17-2003 14:52
Only because you asked...
No, no lambasting from here. Not at all. It's not about "I'm right and you're wrong" at all. I don't go down that road.
There's no "me" in it. There's only Jesus Christ. Either He's right on all points -- all the things He claimed -- or he was a total ass (even worse) who doesn't deserve further mention by anyone. I chose to believe -- call it faith, the Bible does -- that He's right. And He has proven Himself to me over and again. But what I believe or disbelieve directly affects only me. I can't save anyone. I can't condemn anyone. Nor can anyone but Him. It's a personal choice.
But I can tell you that if there was room for me in His mercy and grace, there's room for anyone.
And I don't believe it will be too much longer before we all "know for certain" the ultimate result of our choice.
howard 3-17-2003 14:29
I'm sorry, all. After Howard posts his comments to my post I will bow out and leave it at that. If we're going to get hot and heavy I guess we'll take it to email. I don't think this is the place, although it certainly has been interesting.
I'd love to hear how everyone is doing in their writing. Mine is still on hold which is perhaps why I'm mouthing off here.
And Mel, who says writing can't change the world?
Shoot, since I'm in trouble already why don't I just state my politics too? :] Kidding.
Christi 3-17-2003 13:53
I meant 'Christ AS your Savior' not AND. Oops.
Christi 3-17-2003 13:45
Howard,
I respect you and your opinions but I do not agree with them. You grew up in the United States. You may or may not have been brought up a Christian, but I believe you probably were, as it is the prevalent religion here in the U.S. Had you been born in Jerusalem or in Egypt or Japan or any number of other countries you very well might be Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist and have a whole different slant on the subject.
I find it impossible to believe that Christians have the mark