Rachel Sun Feb 27 22:17:27 PST 2000
Teekay - I'm still up, but not for long (grins). I am tired.
Good night (smiles).
Rachel
Laura Sun Feb 27 21:05:22 PST 2000
I too am among the awake.
Jerry Sun Feb 27 20:54:54 PST 2000
Oh no, not all, I am still among the watchfull wake.
Teekay Sun Feb 27 20:35:17 PST 2000
It's very, very quiet here. I guess you are all abed.
Teekay Sun Feb 27 15:32:34 PST 2000
JERRY: Bloody know it all. Actually the superior vena cavae would gush blood, but it wouldn't spurt it as it doesn't have the systolic pressure behind it.
snort.
I did not know this until 5 minutes ago when I went and checked it out after reading your post.
Man you should have seen the fight the postie put up, even though I told him it was in the interest of literary factuality. Some people!
RHODA: I heard this expression today which made me think of you and your writing. It was 'a heel of bread' isn't that great? A heel. I thought you might find it handy.
Well I'm off to hear a lecture on the heart and blood flow.
How convenient.
Rachel Sun Feb 27 13:21:34 PST 2000
Allein - Thanks for the hugs. I send a bunch right back at yah!
All - Jon went out for a run with me this morning. He tried to trip me twice! What a brat (grins). I responded by jumping in all the puddles and soaking his little cat self (wicked smiles).
When we got back to my place he decided that would be the perfect time for a distance spitting challenge.
That cat can really spit. When it looked as if I had won he really brought up something special. I don't think it was fair. That was more of a hair ball (grins).
Take care all
Rachel
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Sun Feb 27 12:08:48 PST 2000
Good grief! Gone for a day, and the place goes to pot! And the wired dreams -- yes, I said WIRED ! Weird, too! Anyone else had them lately? I wondered why, until I saw that Morphius post. Is he for real? Or is he a fragment of someone's imaginary? Still, his dreams were interesting, except that wasn't what *I* dreamed about, M*, I hope you did better with the others.
I'm listening to "Sunflower" by Mason Williams, on his "Music - 1968-1971" CD. It has some of the most bizarre (and mellow) chord progressions I ever heard. Now it's "It's A
Saturday's Night at the World," one of my favorites. Acoustic guitar, backed by an orchestra, and he has a very nice voice to go along with it.
Don't worry, Americo, I also just got a special from one of the clubs I'm in -- four CDs of classical piano. "The Chopin Collection" (the waltzes) -- Artur Rubenstein; "Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1" and "Rachmaninoff: Concerto No.2" -- Van Cliburn; "Vladimir Horowitz at the Met" -- playing Scarlatti, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninov; and "Van Cliburn in Moscow" -- playing Brahms and Rachmaninov.
Remember Van Cliburn, Randall? He was from Kilgore, Texas, and I remember when he won the Tchaikovsky Competition -- in Moscow, of all places -- in 1958! It made the average Russian aware that this "depraved" American society could produce something of value. They loved him, and still do. I remember cheering when we heard about it in school.
Allein -- The big day so close!? I wondered why M* had no dream for you, but now I understand -- even the god of dreams cannot compete with what must go on in the mind of a lovely almost-18-year-old girl who is counting the days! Still, don't be in a hurry to kiss them goodbye, for you cannot get them back from the other side of the calendar.
By the way, the 70s *were* nice, but we didn't call them the 70s -- I remember at the time that we called them "now."
Heather -- that sounds like a nice statue, but it's a bit off the mark. According to Genesis 3:15 it is "the seed of the woman" who shall bruise the serpent's head, not Mother Mary. The seed of the woman -- strange way to put it -- every other place talks of a man's seed. Put this way it would almost seem that there would not be a man involved in the conception of this one who has bruised the head of the snake, and will one day crush it completely.
M* didn't mention Litter either. I would have thought his dream would have involved beads and wobbly bits, and a good dark lager. You're slipping, M*!
I must go now -- to visit Alice, and see how she's doing. No, not like that, Jerry, she's my great aunt! :-)
howard -- perhaps I *will* dream of hills tonight -- my wife likes it when I do, as long as it's the right hills!
Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Sun Feb 27 10:13:38 PST 2000
Hi everyone,
I know I haven't been around this past week. No, I don't have a good excuse - just the truth, which is: I'm the laziest person you've ever met. I have been reading your posts but I'm just too lazy to respond. But, at least I'm telling the truth. :) I do care about you all though.
Ah the 70's - such a grand time. Too bad I missed it.
Rachel - Hi you. (((BIG HUGS)))
Jon - You behave yourself now. I'll give you a kitty treat and a scratch behind the ears.
Well, everyone, I have someplace to go (the spot infront of the TV counts as a place!). :)
Ciao,
Allein
Countdown to Allein's 18th birthday: SEVEN DAYS!!! :D
Jerry Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Sun Feb 27 09:50:27 PST 2000
Randell - I had an experience with the horriable smokin dope myself, back in '70 in Nam. Seems that the entire company was gathered in the rear, on stand down, there was to be a company bash, with all the free beer and booze you could drink. This was of course furnished by the officers and NCO's (although god help me, I couldn't understand why most of the time they were on our asses). Just before it was to begin, the First Sgt knocked on my hootch, and politely informed me that I was needed for guard duty out in one of the bunkers on the parimeter. So, dissapointed, I gathered my M-16, and a couple of bandoleers of ammo, and walked out the the bunker to begin my vidgel, accompanied by A fellow named Raska, Can't remember his first name, but he was the Commo head (dope head that is). As the night progressed, we could hear the party in full progress, with loud music furnished by some Phillopeno band, and the shouts of our drunken bretheren. Well around midnight, old Raska said he had had enough of this shit, and we could hear the party was breaking up, as the noise had abbated. The Sgt. of the guard had yet to make his hourly visit, and we had been there several hours by then. It dawned on Raska that the Sgt. was probably smashed like the rest of the company, so he opened his ammo puch, and prducted a small bag of the mellow smoke. He proceeded to roll out a couple of joints, and gave me one, keeping one for himself. He lit up, then passed his zippo to me, and I followed suit. Well I guess it didn't effect me much, as all I got out of it was a slight buzz, and a little dizzy. After a short time, it dawend on me that here we were on guard duty, and polluted, what would happen if some VC would happen to attack. Guess that was the last time I ever tried it, no profuound life changing experience, just learned I would rather have a shot of Johnny Walker Red then dope.
JErry
Randall startiki@hotmail.com Sun Feb 27 08:38:21 PST 2000
Good Morning all:
What a beautiful day in Texas, clear sky temperatures rising to the 70's. A grand day to be alive, safe and secure deep in the Heart of Texas. Just wish it would rain. An old time Texas rancher leaning over the counter at NAPA Friday assured me that Jack Rabbits on his ranch were moving out! Yep, he said they were headed east, following the moisture.
I asked him how he knew they were moving?
He slapped the counter with a knarled hand and snorted angrily. "Why boy, by cracky, curse my bones if'n I don't know what I seen. Ther' was a hundred or so, with little wagons loaded with all their goods, a'headed east. Pulling out they were, headed to the swamps of Loousania."
He weaved away to the door, fumes distorting the air over his head. A co-worker, equally stunned looked at me. "Man. I wish I could have seen that! Wonder where they got them little wagons?"
I'll leave the chore whether to believe him or not up to you dear friends.
Jerry! My man! Let me tell you about the first time I crossed the line and breathed the sweet fumes of Mother Weed. I was a year or so in the Navy and fallen in with a rough crowd of deck hands. One guy had an old Buick station wagon, worn beyond its years. The starter was shot and we had to push it to get it started. The doors were incapable of closing, indeed one had to be wired shut.
Anyway, dark thirty found us cruising the Hollywood Hills. The Buick was full of sailors and all but me were smoking grass. If you have been in that position you understand I was inhaling as much as they were through the second hand smoke bit.
Finally I accepted a joint, choked, tried again finally managed to inhale a little on my own. Donald, the head rogue in this crowd peered through the smoke and laughed at me. He then said.
"I'll tell you tomorrow what everyone here knows about smoking grass. It's a secret and only thoes who imbide understand."
Now this was in the summer of 1969, only a month after Manson and family murdered Sharon Tate and friends. I shudder to think what we would have gone through had a police car pulled us over. Still youth is filled, FILLED, I say with wrong decisions.
The following morning I met Don in the mess hall. We sat together and I asked him, what was the secret. He grinned big at me and proceeded to outline my future.
"Randall, smoking dope changes people. You will never be the same again, the Texas hick in you is dead. You have crossed the line, walked the wild side. From now on you will always be crazy."
Know what?
He was right! Whether it was the grass or an incident relating to maturity I changed. No, I didn't embrace dope then. In fact, I've never bought any illegal products in all these years. But the change, whether drug induced or otherwise this kid became aware.
Gotta go guys.
Randall
Jerry Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Sun Feb 27 08:10:26 PST 2000
Teekay - Guess you caught me, and me an X-EMT too, sorry about that. Of course there are some veins that do spurt blood, for example the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava, which lead from the heart to the body, and are the only veins which carry oxygenated blood. - thanks for the correction
Jerry
PS Think it was that odar that was getting to my head at the time, you know that smell of burning rope!
Jon Sun Feb 27 06:07:34 PST 2000
I can see you from above, and you can see me from below (if you know how to read). Where am I?
"No Lobster on the Moon", a mystery tale, is
©Writer's Notebook 2000
Teekay Sun Feb 27 03:46:31 PST 2000
Back again, thrice in one day, It’s getting to be a bit like auld lang syne is it not.
RACHEL: Would you believe it, I truly had no idea what a blap was. Of course I ran to
the dictionary but the bloody dog, ...well need I say more. I just decided that that is what
it sounded like. Either that or that fatty, hanging bit of belly skin that some people may
have. So isn’t that a coincidence???
JON: I hope you are not a blap.
JERRY: I read your short story and I fully recommend it for people who are trying to get
rid of their blaps (second meaning.). For fear of sounding like a know-it-all I shall not
point out that it is actually the arteries that spout blood and not the veins.
RHODA: I have done it. You shall get it tomorrow. It was fantastic as usual. Also
could I pleaseread your winning entry?
RACHEL(again): Have just read your story in SM*. I really liked it. I’m so glad it had a
happy ending. I much prefer happy endings.
HEATHER: Pass on that burning piece of rope and stop spitting on the end of it. What
are you trying to do, put it out?
RANDALL: Good news, Rumour has it that we can know God or know all if we only
knew how to meditate. I personally don’t have time to learn how to meditate because I
am spending far to much time looking up words like ‘tit-bit’ and ‘blap’ for goodness
sake.
I am going to tear myself away from this computer now and ooohhmmmm do something
else.
Heather Sat Feb 26 23:59:13 PST 2000
Errr, guys, pass it on! Burning rope and the paper it's wrapped in... or warped in.
H a ha h a aa a (can't hold it ---hoooey! bleeeeeeehhhhhh)
An interesting point, Randall, that Set was portrayed as a giant serpent in Conan. In Egyptian Legend (lore?) the serpent was named Uraeus. He was the symbol or embodiment of wisdom and sagacity. And, like a snake in the grass, sometimes one will look forever and not find it, only to decide to give up the search and then step right on it unsuspecting. Something similar to the Garden of Eden again, and still another similarity arises. Between Mary and Isis. Did Mother Mary not step upon the serpent's head? The grand statue of her at the Church of Our Lady here in my city depicts her with a serpent wrapped under her heel. And Isis, well, if I can remember correctly, did she not step on a serpent as well?
More coincedence? I think not.
Set/Seth and Uraeus could represent one and the same entity. By all means it is possible. There are others in Egyptian lore, such as Bast or Hathor, who have been thought to have other names as well. And to an Egyptian of those times, a cartouche was/is a very powerful thing. A name. Carved into stone.
I tend to agree with you on the time/intellect debate, Randall, but have a few twists on that for tomorrow, when I will have slept and can think of how exactly I want to write it all down!
I might be muddling lore, and for that: (I'm tired! Sorry!)
G'night all, and hello, Morpheus. Here I come! Send me dreams of wildflowers, and might I dance there, too?
Heather
Rachel Sat Feb 26 22:51:46 PST 2000
Jerry - Hi you (smiles). I just rolled you up a nice fat one. It is full of imagination and fun. Help yourself. Word of warning. Take it easy, my imagination is powerful stuff (grins).
Take care you
Rachel
Jerry A.G. Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Sat Feb 26 21:25:24 PST 2000
Hark! What is that sultry odar I detect when walking the halls of this great notebook. Alas! It is the burning rope smell, that I once detected while walking late one night through the streets of Sigon. That sultry smell that permiates the waiting room of Madam Chengs house of ill-repute on TU-do street. That one and same smell that once was so detectable in the halls of the baracks of most every army base back in the mid 70's.
I am not sure what the heck you'all been smoking, but DAMN, save me a toke!
Jerry
Randall startiki@hotmail.com Sat Feb 26 21:06:29 PST 2000
Hi guys:
Hope everyone has had a fruitful, productive Saturday. I haven't but that's how it goes and goes and goes.
Heather: I enjoyed your post dealing with Set/Seth. If I remember correctly Robert E. Howard's, Conan was always battling a god named Set. Who sometime took the shape as an immense serpent. Calling Dr. Freud, Dr. Freud are you on the net tonight? Wanna take this one?
Heather, I agree with your assestment of coincidences. I don't believe human existence in general and life in particular is that big of a mystery. However, as imperfect bearers of God's perfect enitity named Soul (Ka) it is beyond our capacity to know ALL or know God. God has laid it all out before us, there are no secrets, no hidden knowledge. The problem is we are incapable of accessing His information...that is plainly before us, in the shape of the land, within the sea and in a child's smile. On ocassion, through genetics a human will step forward and have the knowledge to correctly "read" the universe and appear wise beyond mere mortals. (Jesus comes to mind, since I am Anglo Saxon and He was a Jew.)
*Randall's Disclaimer* I'm not interested into getting into a, "No, Jesus is the son of God!" or "Wrong, He is the son of Joseph." or "None of the above, Jesus is the son of a Roman captain."
But I do believe when seemingly concidental happenings click....there is probably a reason for it. At this point in life I accept the fact that ancient folk, were just as intelligent as us. In their time frame. However, it should be said that who of us could exist in the time of Sumer or ancient Egypt with the knowledge we posess. That would make us appear dumb and inferior to them. So, it is likely that ancient people may have been able to access God's information, while our "modern" technology has blinded us.
Boy, am I off track! Mark it up to being tired and sleepy dear friends. Glad Jon is ok and living well with all of you.
Goodnight all
Randall
Rachel Sat Feb 26 20:20:31 PST 2000
Teekay - A blap is a blob (grins). Same thing. You would say "Hey, how about a blap of that potato salad." I think I like your rendition of blap. It works for me.
Morpheus - Hi you, nice e-mail address (grins). I will look forward to my dreams (grins and giggles in advance).
Take care all
Rachel
Sat Feb 26 20:12:27 PST 2000
MORPHYUS...like you know, like far out man. wow, chill, ya know. Cool dude. I know them dreams man like wow we could be brothers or sumthin, ya know? How about those awake dreams man COOL!
the why's 1.
Teekay Sat Feb 26 20:05:10 PST 2000
RACHEL: Hmmm yes, a very good question indeed. Actually a 'blap' is the term given to cats, and in some cases dogs on occassion when they are run over by heavy, and sometimes not so heavy vehicles. Sometimes a very large man in big boots can have the same type of effect, but the term given in this case would 'blob'. I do believe the word originated somewhere near or within British Columbia, it comes from a very rare language called Rachelism. Of course Rachel you may have meant to spell 'slap' in which case I have absolutely no idea what that means. Bwa ha ha ha haga gagadshaghdshkfg choke choke cough. Smiles and maniacal laughter.
Morpheus rem@dreamscape.web Sat Feb 26 20:01:34 PST 2000
What is this, small creatures? One of my servants, the small clawed one, makes his presence known during your waking hours? Truly this is not a common thing! Does the sleeping one walk? Is there no rest for us to disturb?
My Mary knows well my power, for her creature sprang directly from the dreams I gave her. Her thoughts are kept in the vaults of slumber, guarded by those such as my servant Jon.
He has behaved strangely, this small, bold one, since I allowed him to dream of Pussy. She is but a dream, you know, granted for only a brief moment.
Can you tell what else is but a dream? Is this notebook and all its denizens only a dream I've created to disturb the rest of the one known as A* ?
He is a strange one too, this A*, with his cavalier attitude towards the gods. Perhaps he is only a wisp of mine own imagination, stirred up by my subconscious to fester and grow into an irritant that even I cannot tolerate. No matter, I will deal with him when I awake.
In the meantime I will meet you all in your dreams. You will not know me as Morpheus, but will see me as your grandest fantasies:
Jerry chasing drug dealers (except please go lightly on the ones who provide opium for my dreamers), and drinking Tiger Piss to celebrate their capture.
Howard, dancing naked in the periwinkles, then lying with his head resting on his beloved hills (yes, I caught the hidden symbolism in your song, after all, I was the one who fueled your dreams).
Green-eyed Heather dancing in the nude in doorways (but only for the JWs, because they dream too, and they'll appreciate you more than they'd like to admit).
Randall, riding a twister (just like Pecos Bill)and wearing boots and a ten gallon hat.
Pussy welcoming Jon back home (but only because I gave him the same dream).
And very special dreams for Rachel(who will grin and giggle) and Rhoda, who already dreams of not being called Rhonda, but is too shy and nice to point out the error.
Then an extraordinarily sweet dual dream for Jack (for all the work he does in this place of everlasting twilight),and his beloved Fran (because she deserves it for putting up with him). I can do this because I am the god of dreams.
But no more dreams this night for A* because he has already caused me enough work by dreaming up this unlikely congregation of dreamers (except maybe a small one to let him know just who is the god here).
Good night all,
morpheus
Rachel Sat Feb 26 19:28:07 PST 2000
Teekay - That sounds like Jon. He left earlier, told me he had to see some people, but that he would be back to help me out.
I am a little worried about his influence on my children. I went out for a walk after he left, when I returned it was to discover that my daughter and her friend now believe that they are cats! They have painted their faces and are doing cat dances all around the house.
Americo - Has Jon ever tried to turn a person into a cat? Hum, maybe I should see if Cushing knows anything about this...
Take care all
Rachel
PS - I think I like tit bit. Hey Teekya, do you know what a "blap" is (grins and laughter)?
Teekay Sat Feb 26 19:16:56 PST 2000
RACHEL: Look again. When was the last time you espied Jon? There was a bit of commotion in the back yard a short while ago so I went to investigate and lo what did I find but Benji and a cat I can only presume to be Jon arguing or should I say debating about the origin of the term 'tit bit'. Jon didn't exactly get around to introducing himself for when benjii gets on the defensive he has a nasty, nasty habit of cocking his leg and of course you couldn't expect any cat with an ounce of cattishness in them to stick around for that could you.
Rachel Sat Feb 26 17:43:12 PST 2000
Heather - Jon did get to my house. He is still here. He has been working very hard. What a helpful cat (I smile fondly at him). He has now gone to help Dan make dinner. I don't think this cat is evil at all.
Take care all
Rachel
PS - The lady cat next door has been flirting with Jon all morning and afternoon. She keeps trying to slip into the house. He of course is telling her that he is faithful to his wife. I hope Pussy appreciates him:)
Heather Sat Feb 26 14:54:23 PST 2000
I must have one of Jon's dopplegangers hanging around. He is not the sire of the kittens. But he arrived soon after I
Fed Ex'ed Jon to Rachel! Trudy wasn't home so I arranged for Jon to be delivered straight to Rachel, and then what did I hear but a paw; tap, tap, tapping at my front door?
I haven't opened it yet. I spied him through the peep hole. Maybe I won't chase him away. He'll keep the Jehovah's Witnesses at bay.
Heather
Heather Sat Feb 26 14:50:25 PST 2000
Randall,
Set is indeed the bringer of discord, whom is also known as Seth. His brother was the Godly Osiris, husband of Isis. Set killed his brother, much the same as Cain did Abel, in the story of Adam and Eve. Of course, Isis was able to magically make love to her husband in death and produce a son to carry on the Godship. And later Osiris was brought back from death. There is a lot more to the legends, but I am sure you have found the info at the site. Set is to Egyptians as Loki is to Celts. I wonder that he didn't foul around with your printer! Like you said, he is probably smiling to himself, and chuckling.
Osiris will wipe the smile off in due time. THe symbol for Oriris is a branch with three radiating parts on the top, like the footprint of a bird. It is similar to the trine, in Christianity. Hmmmmmm.
One begins to wonder at these strange 'coincedences'.
And symbology is a very interesting study.
Heather (Hathor)
Rachel Sat Feb 26 12:09:46 PST 2000
Randall - That is a great story! Thanks for sharing it (grins). When I read that I laughed right out loud.
Take care you
Rachel
randall startiki@hotmail.com Sat Feb 26 11:42:50 PST 2000
Hi gang:
I have an unusual story this fine Saturday. I was researching ancient Egypt an hour or so ago for a work in progress. While at THE ANCIENT EGYPT SITE I came across a listing of ancient gods and began printing. I finished several bios, then came to Seth. As quoted ...."Seth is the god of confusion, represents chaos and disorder..."
My 100% reliable printer ... printed out gibberish.
What the...! Check the settings, engage it again. Same thing!
I tried again...same @%$#^&$ thing!!!
Guys, if I'm lying, I'm dying. Four times the printer failed.
Finally it did work, but in the dusty recesses of the Hall of Egyptian Gods I bet Seth is grinning widely. Who knows what activities lie outside the universe of humans? Do ancient God's peer over our shoulder, do they feel the need to intrude into daily lives? Rubbish you say?
How do you know Ace?
I've always felt that humans know nothing, NOTHING, of the universe and others who exist in it.
Or it could have been a hacker in Dallas toying with the system......
Gotta go.
See ya tonight, Seth willing!
Randall
Americo Sat Feb 26 11:25:32 PST 2000
Can anyone interpret the teacher's words: "a small step for a woman, a big jump for a man"?
I believe the solution for the mystery of Jon's disappearing lies here.
Jon Sat Feb 26 11:22:11 PST 2000
Unless it's Sabbaths's picture.
(Annonymous in hide and secret)
Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Sat Feb 26 05:45:38 PST 2000
Jack,
That's Jon's true and faithful picture!Thanks.
Cushing,Rach, Heather, Cassandra, Litter, Randal, Jerry(s), Rhoda, everybody,
I couldn't read your posts. I haven't seen anything. I'm trying to localize Jon. The world is so big! And there is also the universe to search. Hugs to you.
Message from Jon:
A*, I don't believe Pussy cooked a lobster for you. That's just a dirty psichological trick for forcing me to return. No way.
To the others: I read your posts and smiled. You are all far from the truth. No one has seen me (yet). But that was a good effort on your part. Congratulations for your imagination. End of message.
--
I went to Jon's school and talked to his English teacher. She received me in her litte office with a window to the moon. She was wearing an astronaut suit, but I could see her pretty face behind her helmet. Her eyes were blue but I said nothing. I told her that Jon had disappeared. She did not say a word.
"Do you know where he is?" I asked. She uttered a word I could not understand because of her helmet. But if I had, I would not reproduce it here. The helmet almost fell from her head when I told her: "He thought you loved him." And walked to the door.
Suddenly she shouted: "A small step for a woman, a big jump for a man."
I jumped and replied: "I had a dream... Ich bin ein Berliner."
I had been caught by surprise and probably did not give her the right answer. But I tried. I at least tried.
That's a strange school.
P. Cushing van-helsing@stakes.com Sat Feb 26 04:34:13 PST 2000
Apologies dear bretheren for my enforced absence from this esteemed forum.
My work takes me to many exotic locations around this dark world. Although I may not be here in person too often be assured that my heart is with you all always. I will report back as I can to ensure that you are fully informed of my never ending crusade against the dark ones.
It is my sad duty on this occasion to report a gross failure on my part during a recent battle which concerned one of our brothers here on the notebook. You may remember the unfortunate incident which overtook one of our esteemed fellows not so long ago. A certain A*, I cannot speak his full name here lest he guess the truth, was hummm, 'compromised' by an evil monster or two, after which I, at great personal cost, used my powers to erase the memory of these evil deeds from his mind, enabling him to re-join the company of this great place.
I hear the a chorus of 'Failure?' coming down the lines.
Yes dear friends Failure!
My conumdrum concerns the esteemed gentlemans familiar. A furry creature in the present form of a black cat. You see fellow travellers, this unfortunate creature was also compromised on that fateful night, though I planted the memory of his absence from the apartment in A's mind.
The truth is, that in my attempt to treat the unfortunate creature I errr, 'slipped' on some gore which was most inconveniently located just to the side of the makeshift 'operating' table. (Actually A's dining table)
As you know, my work necessitates the carrying around of large quantities of garlic, crucifixs', sharpened axes etc, etc. My most useful tool by far is the old fashioned, yet extremely useful 'Sharpened wooden stake'. It was the latter of these, dear fellows, which happened to be situated in just the right circumstance to pierce the weakly beating heart of the poor creature as I operated to save it's wretched existence.
Yes, it's true, dear jon died that terrible night.
It is my good fortune to know a number of 'good' witches, which believe me is extremely unusual for one of my persuasion. I visited one such and aquired, again at no small cost to my self, a quaint little potion used for the most part in the creation of useful doppelgangers. Now, I do admit that the label on the bottle did indicate that the potion was a little way past its 'best before' date, and therefore was aquired a little cheaper for this very reason, but believe me dear compatriots, I had no reason to think that the outcome would be anything but successful.
Carefully wrapping the rapidly stiffening body of poor Jon in a convenient sack which I first stuffed with fresh garlic, I hurried to my appointment with the witch.
I applied the potion and watched with baited breath as the potion took effect. Before long there was Jon, non the wiser for his little misadventure, with his head down between his legs cleaning his vitals. (As is his wont to do at the most embarrassing moments). To my horror he suddenly began to shimmer as though being viewed through a vague mist. Then, as the mist cleared, I espied another 'Jon', also cleaning away as though nothing had happened!
This happened again and again until at last there was no room at all for the multitude of Jons in my modest rooms. I had no real alternative but to open the door and window and shoo them all out of my home. The last thing I saw was one, no two, then three black tails disappearing into the dark streets.
Be warned dear potentials, be on the lookout for the multitudeness of Jon. He may turn up anywhere! He can be in many places at the same time. Do not be fooled by his comely ways, inside is a heart of darkness, which has incidently, well passed its sell by date.
Until next time.
P Cushing
Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com Sat Feb 26 02:24:28 PST 2000
Jon: You are more than welcome to come to visit us in Seattle. Point of fact, come and say hello to Sabbath and Marmalade. Sabbath is below. I am sure you two would get along famously. Maybe we should take up a fund raiser to front you a trip on the Concorde to get over here.
Rachel Sat Feb 26 01:24:39 PST 2000
How boring! I come to the notebook and once again see only my own post. I thought that I could find something new and exciting. Nope, just my post. Let me fall over asleep and snore!
Ah well, all seems quiet here. It is a good thing that I have Jon to keep me company (grins).
Take care all
Rachel
Rachel Fri Feb 25 21:06:04 PST 2000
Americo! I'm not alergic to Jon. He must be a very special cat (smiles). Oh, he tells me to say hello to you. He is a very nice cat. He is reading cat tales to my children. My children love him. Zoe has begun to act like a cat.
Take care you
Rachel
PS - I shared my salmon candy with him. He says that British Columbia is almost as wonderful as Portugal.
PSS - He cried about that nasty teacher. I think she only did that because she could not best him in spitting. What a rotten woman. I just may need to contact her and give her a good talking to!
Rachel Fri Feb 25 20:01:39 PST 2000
Americo - Jon is safe and sound at my house. He has settled in very nicely. I am sharing some salmon candy with him. He tells me that it is much better than a cucumber sandwich.
He has told me that he will help me to finnish the work that I have been focused on. He wants me to get a good nights sleep.
He tells me that he thinks he will stay with me for the next few days. He is going to act as my assistant until the end of the month (grins). What a sweet kitty he is.
I have explained that if he acts out at all I will slice and dice him into my next stir fry. I think that Jon and I understand one another quite well.
He has laid down the law with my dog Zoe who keeps wanting to play. Each time she galumps up to him. Jon turns his back on her and presents his butt for her viewing pleasure. I think that Zoe has hurt feelings. Ah well, she will recover.
Jon did tell me that he may have to sprint out for some adventures, but that if you needed to contact him you could send him e-mail at my address.
Know what? I think that cat thinks he's going to sleep in my room...
Take care you
Rachel
PS - How will I ever tell him I am alergic to cats!
Heather Fri Feb 25 19:52:12 PST 2000
Cassandra - Jon also says that he appreciates the petting from all the College girls, and it made him sex-crazy. He just had to hurry off to find my cat, since he had heard I had a lovely female cat, just waiting for his charms.
He says to kiss everyone with a sandpaper tongue, and he hugs all, and will return on his way back, after visiting Rachel and Allein!
Heather Fri Feb 25 19:48:33 PST 2000
I promised Jon that I'd send an email in his name. He is a bit busy mounting my cat at the moment.
He arrived to me shortly before 11:00 pm by Fed Ex. When I opened the box, what I saw was a little black furry lump, half-bent and folded up into a very small box. There were only two breathing holes punched into the box, so his nose was stuck to one of them. I removed him carefully, stretching out his crooked limbs, and he is now siring kittens with my tortoiseshell cat, Babe. She is definately happy, I can hear her from downstairs. She has even given Jon the honour of having half the litter box to himself! But I must say, he was in pretty bad shape. He is a fast recoverer, once I had given him a blanket and some warm champagne to lap at. I bandaged up one paw, but as soon as Babe waltzed into the kitchen he was as good as new!
He admits he likes it here, but he won't be staying long. He promises to pay kitten support, and keep in touch. I am sending him on to Trudy by Sunday, and then she will send him to Rachel, as he now wishes to take a cross Canada trip. Sightseeing, of course. Canada is a beautiful country, and it is filled with the most interesting assortment of female cats! (So Jon says) I certainly hope Americo will appreciate the Fed Ex parcel of kittens due to him in about 8 months! I told Jon I would re-direct his kitten-support cheques to Portugal for him.
Now the two cats are prowling around my velvet sofa! I shall weild my cat-swatter with a vengeance! No one, especially not a cat, will ever sink it's claws into my darling sofa! Sitting is fine. But no tearing!
Must go swat a few paws!
P.S. Randall, Jon says thanks for letting him get munched by that car. Now you owe him a glass of champagne!
Heather
Cassandra Fri Feb 25 17:32:47 PST 2000
Rhonda-
I've had some "friends" of mine procure that fake birth certificate you need for Jon's presidential run. I'll send it your way FedEx as soon as possible. If you need any driver's licenses and such, passports... legal documents of any sort, don't hesitate to ask. Anything for Jon...
Just remember that he gives me a nice intern position there (and not under the desk like Monica). ;)
Cassandra
randall startiki@hotmail.com Fri Feb 25 17:28:24 PST 2000
NO! AMERICO!!!!!!
Please, find Jon and remove him from the USA! Contact the FBI (Fur Bearers Institute) ... League of Lost Kittens ... Long Tails Association ... Alley Kats Of America. BUT FIND HIM!!
The last thing Americans need is another Tomcat in the White House. Good Grief Charlie Brown! How much more can we endure!!! :-) I can see the headlines now. President Jon and Sex Kitten Frolic in Oval Office. Congress to Investigate - Special Counsel appointed. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Or, President Jon Spotted Strutting Down Back Alleys. (The Horror----The Horror!) President Jon Hospitalized - Katnip Abuse! Elizabeth Taylor Rushes To President Jon! Barbara Streisand In Concert To Aid Ailing Prez!
"Randall, Randall calm down. How hard can a Portugese cat be to spot. I mean, how many cats are in the Us of A from Portugal? He may come through Houston, up the ship channel. Feline Immigration Officers will pick him up ... won't they?"
"How in the Sam Hill do I know!"
Wait! What was that noise, the noise outside? Screeching tires and a thump, thump. Excuse me please. Better go look.
Uh, Americo ... my friend. Ah, we might have a problem with Jon Cat. Oh boy, uh .... Krapo! Jeeze .... Exactly how tall was Jon ... before?
TGIF Gang!!!!!! Time to kick out the jams, GET DOWN, GET LOUD and GET RIGHT!!!!
Randall
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Fri Feb 25 17:14:11 PST 2000
Rhonda-
You can tell Jon that he can visit me if he lands in New York. There's a bullet train that goes from the City to Albany. I could sneak him into my dorm and he could live with a bunch of college girls. Everyone would want to lavish him with attention... scratching his ears and letting him sleep all curled up in our beds.
I'll even let him read my notes and textbooks. He can help me study art history. I bet he likes the renaissance art.
Litter Fri Feb 25 17:10:54 PST 2000
Sorry, that shoud've read the 'Big Easy'
Litter
Litter litterali@supanet.com Fri Feb 25 17:02:40 PST 2000
Ah Jon,
Scotland is craggy, yes, but the people aren't dour -- The weather, maybe, but not the people. But, alas, I think you might fall prey to the wild Haggis, which abound hereabouts, lurking in ambush for tourist cats from warmer climes.
US friends -
I may be looking for a little help with things Louisianan and about the 'Big Eas'y for my current work, which is a sort of S King meets Millennium meets voodoo in the bayous and centring on the spiritual rather than sci-fi. Anyone out there have intimate knowledge of Louisiana, in general, and N'awlins in particular? (with a little Red-Stick for background?) I visited these places just over a year ago, alas not at Mardi Gras time :o( but I have many gaps to fill in and I have to justify my flights and accommodation to the taxman.
Music and such whilst writing?
I'm a sucker for sensory input: music fitting what I aim to write about, (Cajun and Z for above); sounds, smells and so forth; watching video of the area I'm writing about, (reminding myself of the sights, accents, habits and so forth); photographs on my screen or taped to the workstation… I find all this stuff a great help and memory aid. Of late I have recently pumped up the heat in my house and put the ceiling fans on to remind me of the heat and hypnotic effect of overhead fans and the way the breeze caused by them plays on skin… OK I'm also sitting half-naked as I'm typing this - not a pretty site but all my family are in bed, probably wondering why they are roasting on a winter's night in Scotland. Oil burnesr are particularly wonderful if you can get the sorts of natural oils such as pine, apple blossom, magnolia and the like.
Contact me in here or by e-mail if you think you can help
Ta muchly,
Litter
PS I have a lot of Mardi Gras beads but have yet to approach my wife on the thorny problem of distributing these in the appropriate way - throwing them to ladies who expose their wobbly bits as payment for said beads. Any suggestions ;o)
Jerry A.G. Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Fri Feb 25 17:00:37 PST 2000
Tonight, as I sat quietly absorbed in my writing, Dylan singing softly about Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heavens Door, a cat climbed up on my lap. As I normaly do, I brought my right hand from the keyboard and quietly stroked his back. As I touched his fur, I felt it was not our large golden snow cat, Dysco, but a smaller black cat. He arched his back at my stroking, but as I reached back toward the front of the cat to stroke once more, he bit my hand!
I grabbed him by his scroney neck, and threw him up against the nearest wall. As he was passing me, he reached out with his right paw and combed through my beard, narowly missing my face. The cat bounced off the wall, and slowly got to his feet and walked back over to where I sat before my computer. Then to my surprise, he introduced himself as "Jon", "you know A*'s Jon!"
Well I was amazed, he went on to tell me his story of leaving Portugal in disgrace, a brief stop in London, then on to Texas. I noticed his english was that of an englishman, not American English, as I had expected from a cat belonging to one called Americo. As it has in the past, the british accent was very pleasing, nearly arowsing. After our discussion, I informed him that he would be welcome here, except my cat Dysco was already complaining, and my little terrier was very angery, first we bring in a giant snow cat, then this Jon comes and wants to take over his bedroom. Well there was just no room here, so I sent him away. When he left, he said something about going either to Canada, or Washington. He wasn't sure which way it was to Washington, and haveing lived there, I pointed the way. Although he wasn't real sure if he wanted to go to Washington DC, or the state. I did show him both ways, then pointed North which of course is the way to Canada. The weatherman is predicting a sever blizard for tonight, and I worry that Jon will not make it to Canada before the storm hits. It is over three hundred miles from there to the Canadian border, and the storm warning is for both the States of North and South Dakota.
I certianly hope he makes it before the storm hits, they are predicting ten to twelve inches of snow blown by winds up to 60 miles per hour. This can cause wind-chills to reach colder then 100 degrees below zero F. If anyone knows the wereabouts of Jon, pleas let me know.
Jerry
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Fri Feb 25 16:34:54 PST 2000
Americo,
I haven't heard from Jon since that e-mail. But when he does contact me again and I have some idea where to get an e-mail back to him, I will tell him how much you say you miss him.
I really do not know whom to believe. You say you love Jon, but if I am to believe Jon, I have to conclude you are not fit to own such a fine kitty. And then again, I cannot see you being so cruel to Jon.
As far as Jon being president of the United States. I like that idea. I think he could pull it off and would be better than anyone else in the running. If he comes to live with me, I can be a good influence on him and turn him into a Republican like myself. He will be more conservative than Ronald Reagan when I get through with him.
Actually with Jon's gift for languages and his great intelligence I think he should consider a career as a diplomat. He can represent my country in the United Nations. Well, the USA is the land of opportunity. Jon can do anything he wants when he gets here.
I will send Jon back, but only if he asks me to.
Rhoda
Americo Fri Feb 25 16:04:05 PST 2000
Rhoda,
Thank you very much indeed. Your letter was a beam of light piercing the heart of my sadness. As Randall rightly said, you are the greatest and kindest lady in this honorable site. No wonder Jon chose your abode to reside.
Your news about Jon was bleak. My Jon in America! America of all places... What a cruel country my beautiful cat has chosen for his exile. I would resign myself if it were Canada, where Rachel and Heather live, but the USA! The land of Allein, Howard, Jack (and others, equally terrible). My only consolation is that he has chosen your house and your distinguished company. Do you think he can undertand the Texas accent? You have no accent, but Texans have. How will my Jon be able to share his philosophical mind? His English is pure Oxbridge, no one will understand him in Perryton. Not even you!
But why should I worry? He is so smart that he will manage. I can already see him lecturing in some prestigious University of that rich and vast State. He will be a Rector soon, and the President of the USA before the month reaches its end. He will become so proud that he will despise me, and I'll die of sorrow.
Rhoda, send that cat away, send him back to me. I cannot do without him. (I clean my tears at the linen napkin I'm using while having a delicious lobster with Pussy. Cheers, Pussy, to our health, to our divine company, alone, at last, and PUM -- that's the champagne...)
Your friend and admirer,
A*
PS. Should anyone see Jon, please inform immediately. The police, I mean.
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Fri Feb 25 14:58:17 PST 2000
Americo and friends,
I got an e-mail from Jon this afternoon. It reads:
Rhoda,
You have often invited me to stay with you in the States. I might do it. Last night I caught a ship to Plymouth. I have hung around this port all day, and I am bored. All these British cats do is sip milk and cream all day. Cats never get wine or champaigne here. They are all fat and lazy and only talk about horse racing and football.
I had to leave Portugal because my English teacher has humiliated me. Yesterday she handed out a test. When I asked her why she didn't give me a sheet, she told me that I wasn't taking this class for credit and therefore can't take the test. She explained to me that cats do not attend school in Portugal. She told me I was put there by mistake. I was originally supposed to go to the university comparative chordate anatomy class and be one of the cats the young pre-meds cut up for their experiments. I would have been dead already except that they ran out of formaldehyde and so had let me remain alive in order to keep me from putrefying. She said this in front of the whole class! The girls and boys laughed. So, I left.
Oh, I suppose I forgot to tell you. Pussy got so mad at me the other night that she called the animal control department in Lisbon. They got me and put me in the pound. *A never came to bail me out, and the goons at the pound wouldn't allow me a phone call, let alone an e-mail. I spent one night there and then a truck came and took me away and delivered me to the English class. That was how I ended up in school.
Dejected from my humiliation, I made my way back home and told *A my problems. He only laughed at me and said flippantly that I should forget grammer school and settle for an Internet correspondence course. Oh, and he called me an old jailbird and told me that there was nothing more noble a cat could do than donate its body to help in the training of good doctors.
I am finished with *A and with Pussy. That is why I am in England. I hoped to go visit Eddie, but I don't think we would get on together. He might prove to be even more unsympathetic than *A. I would go live with Michele, but I know she never really cared for me, else she would have never left the Notebook. I even thought of seeing Litter, but have decided Scotland is too dour and craggy for me. So I have decided to take the next ship out of here to North America. I don't know where I will end up, but if my ship puts in at Houston, I shall come live with you. If it puts up in Canada, I will go and see Rachel, who is my favorite person on the Notebook. I know she would take me in. But then again she is a great friend of *A's. You don't think she would send me back to him, do you? Oh, surely she would never be that cruel.
I hope you get this e-mail. Tell *A that I still hate him for what he has done to me.
Jon
Cassandra Fri Feb 25 14:30:01 PST 2000
Katrina-
Doesn't sound flakey at all to me. I tend to do a lot of associating with artists and writers... sometimes I find it good to wander outside of that realm. My conversation today was with a philiosophy major, about (Oh no..) religion of all subjects.
It was just such a change of pace, to be cliched 'a breath of fresh air'... to be original, a newly cleaned pair of pants just out of the drier all warm and sweet smelling,or a long walk in the evening dusk the clouds swirling in paintstrokes of color on the lavender canvas of the sky.
Back to roaming again... I'll be stopping in here from time to time :)
Cassandra
Cassandra Fri Feb 25 13:57:57 PST 2000
I found a good quote while searching the web for some information for my english paper. I thought I'd share it with you all :)
"Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it and it has not changed except to become more needed. The skalds, the bards, the writers are not separate and exclusive. From the beginning, their functions, their duties, their responsibilities have been decreed by our species...the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit - for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature."
- John Steinbeck's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
Well, back to websurfing
Cassandra
Katarina jdstarman@gateway.net Fri Feb 25 13:56:33 PST 2000
Cassandra: I know what you talk about. I have been feeling that way for over a year now....
The conversation thing. A good, functional conversation can be as exhilerating as....as....as...I don't know. But it is! I recently met a local artist whilst out at a pub with my husband. She is rather successful (nationally) and it just made me feel terrific to meet her and talk to her. Probably sounds flaky...huh?
TGIF,
Kat
Americo Fri Feb 25 13:03:42 PST 2000
"Good people. Please do not miss me. I'll be back sometime."
This is the message I got from Jon. Hope he did not ran away with his English teacher.
You could perhaps amuse yourselves imagining that you are Jon and writing strange messages as to his whereabouts and deeds. On a condition. You cannot sign with the name Jon. That is his own right.
PS. Of course, you'd need imagination to write said messages. But you have it, haven't you? Cushing!
Cassandra Fri Feb 25 12:42:54 PST 2000
I'm here too, in case you couldn't figure that out from my long drawn out post.
I thought it was a little sparce in here, so I took the liberty of writing about my weird little life :)
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Fri Feb 25 12:39:39 PST 2000
Hi all...
Have you ever had that feeling, like you were starving for something that you thrive on, but you don't know what it is? Then you stumble acrossed it somewhere in your daily life and just get over taken by it? Your hunger satisfied, your energy rised just by finding it, and being filled with the essense of it??
I woke up this morning in the worst mood. I hoped to wash it off of me with a nice long hot shower. I only found myself still lacking something, sighing... feeling I should return to bed and perhaps find it there in my dreams. Instead I got dressed and headed out to lunch at 1, talked to a few friends, then made my way up to the cafeteria. Sitting down with two people I have only light associations with normally, I got swept into this explaination that one of them was very enthusiastic about what he was saying.
And that conversation was exactly what I needed. I've been craving a good challenging debate lately. One that's laid back, and yet makes me think and analyze my own stance deeply. I didn't realize it until I had to go to class...and by that time, I didn't want to leave the table.
I was starving for a deep meaningful conversation, something I haven't gotten in a good long while. I didn't even know it until I found it staring me right in the face.
anyways, that's my happy spot of the day, tracked down to the precise half-hour to an hour it happened in.
Just wanted to share it with all of you lovely people here. hugs to everyone...
may every moment of your lives be filled with inspiration, may you delight in the small things, and may your muse follow you around loyally like a trained dog. (not a cat, for cats have too much pride to be able to teach them to do your bidding- isn't that right Jon?)
Cassandra
Rachel Fri Feb 25 12:31:40 PST 2000
Howard - Hi! I had begun to think everyone had vanished (grins). Nothing worse than checking the notebook and finding your own post from the day before (laughter).
Fear not Howard, I am here too!
Have a nice weekend you
Rachel
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Fri Feb 25 11:54:06 PST 2000
Yoohoo! Is it the end of the world and I missed the call, or has everyone gone for the weekend?
howard
Rachel Fri Feb 25 01:53:03 PST 2000
Laura - Hi you - I'm up and about. I would be in bed most evenings at this time, but I've got work to do (grins). Know how it is when you just have to work, work, work at the writing (grins).
Where are you from? Will you say? How is vipersix? I have not seen any posts form vipersix in some time. I would say he or she, but I don't know if she is and he or if he is a she (smiles) Ahhhhhh, the mystery of the web (laughter). I think that she is a he.
Just to let you know you are not alone. Although, by now you are likely off to sleep.
Either way, take care
Rachel
Laura Fri Feb 25 00:33:11 PST 2000
Is anyone on this early? probably not.
OHMMMMM OHMMMMMMM OHMMMMM Thu Feb 24 21:41:15 PST 2000
YUM!
Heather Thu Feb 24 21:39:06 PST 2000
Kat, I am bogged down at the moment, and looks like this weekend will be fairly booked, but that doesn't mean I won't get to it... thanks for your patience, and I don't mean to be trying it! I should be able to write that shortie soon. It's not the writing that has delayed me, it's the idea itself. If I push it, it won't arrive on schedule.
I've also been peeling my limit in muse-apples. I baked a pie while continuing on my novel, here is a slice for everyone;
Nice and warm, the apples lightly spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, and a pinch of brown sugar... homemade flaky pastry, and golden delicious apples all tender and simmered in sweetness. And a dollop of pure, homemade Vanilla ice cream on the side. Raise your forks! Plunge!
MMMMMmmmmmmm
Now I'll have to bake it in reality!
YUM (it's like OHM, if you hum while you cook)
Heather
Katarina jdstarman@gateway.net Thu Feb 24 20:43:34 PST 2000
Such interesting reflections on music! I have just started listening to classical on my boombox at work and it is very relaxing. Have to keep the volume low though as the bosses think that listening to music distracts one from his work (!).
At home, while I am working, whether writing or drawing, I listen to The Pretenders (I tend towards female vocalists, espcially Chrissy Hynde, Melissa Etheridge, and Tracey Chapman) and Van Morrison (I got hooked on "Tupelo Honey" a while back and now it is like comfort food). My musical tastes have changed over the years. I went through phases where all I listened to was country, then dance music, rock n'roll, then an eclectic mix. Never, ever listen to rap...blech.
My 5-year old is expressing an interest in teen pop music, which I think is adorable. So I watch t.v. concerts with him...Britney Spears and Steps mostly.
Heather...I am awaiting your brainstorm patiently :-) I have been working on some wonderful poetry...I find the weather at this time of year to be very inspiring, for some reason.
Well, night to all and happy writing....
Kat
Jerry Lee jerryleejr@xoommail.com http://members.onecenter.com/scifi/jerrylee/ Thu Feb 24 19:11:09 PST 2000
Yo all,
Jon, It seems that what your English teacher lost in distance, she made up for in accuracy. Wow! Right INTO the trash can?! Every good contest can be judged in at least two different ways, and accuracy is by far the harder of the two skills in my opinion.
Take care,
Jerry Lee
Americo Thu Feb 24 18:55:04 PST 2000
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a compatriot of Jon, I must apologize for his incredible posts. That cat puts to shame 10 million Portuguese who, I can assure you, are good family people and never spit. Please forgive him, he is just a cat enthusiastic about school.
PS. I don't think he could beat me at long distance spitting.
Jon Thu Feb 24 18:49:58 PST 2000
Rachel,
That's what my English teacher also said, but she lost the spit competition.
Must go to bed.
Gnite,
Jon
Rachel Thu Feb 24 18:22:24 PST 2000
Jon - I bet I could out spit you any day of the week!
Take care kitty, kitty
Rachel
Jon Thu Feb 24 17:39:15 PST 2000
I'm so proud! Today we had sports and games at school. I am the spit champion of my class. I managed to reach the board from the farthest wall -- a feat which left the English teacher quite jealous. She only reached the wastepaperbasket. I think she is in love with me, but I'm not quite sure. When I reached the greenboard she said that she was nauseous, which made me ask her if she meant "nauseating" or "nauseated", nauseous being one of these words with opposite meanings. That was when she tried to beat my record and spat into the basket. Very poor show on her part.
Well, must take my beauty sleep for being the champion of something else tomorrow at school.
I love school.
Jon
Rachel Thu Feb 24 17:11:33 PST 2000
Heather - Yes, yes, yes! We are different (grins and laughter). I think I like the sound of quality. Yah, that's what it is, it's all quality (grins).
Take care you
Rachel
Heather Thu Feb 24 15:04:37 PST 2000
Yes, we Canadians are a wee bit different, aren't we?
I consider this an admirable thing. Quality.
I loved your short story, Howard!
Aunt Alice. How perfectly I can envision her surroundings in life and when her apartment was empty.
Litter, you are certainly welcome to use that silly, off-the-cuffer I posted. I was not in the frame of mind to concoct anything else!
Ta ta, kind folk,
I am off to relax and rummage through the idea pile up North, in the brain pan.
Panning for gold, that is.
I'll set my sights on the Yukon. Nuggets all 'round!
Heather
Thu Feb 24 14:52:57 PST 2000
Rachel Thu Feb 24 14:50:06 PST 2000
Heather - Yes, must be those Canadian types (grins). We are known for being different... BWAH, HA, HA, HAAAAAAA!!!
About music - I love all kinds of music. Everything aside from rap. I have tried to like it, listened to it, trying to appreciate it, but know what? It just doesn't seem to happen for me. It sort of makes my brain itch. That I assure you is not a good feeling (grins).
When I write I listen to all different styles of music. Not that it really matters after the first few lines of what ever I'm working on, I don't hear the music any more.
When I write I focus out everything else and focus in on what I'm doing. There are only a slect set of sounds that can get through (grins). I hear the phone, but only after a few rings. I hear my children, but only if they are fighting or their tone tells me that there is trouble. The door bell gets me right away. That sort of stuff. Oh and the timer. I set the timer when I need to do things and I always hear it. I have trained myself to listen for it.
I enjoy most music. I love classical.
Well, that will be enough from me. I have work to do (smiles).
Take care all
Rachel
Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Thu Feb 24 10:30:03 PST 2000
Laura,
I found a minute to read your latest piece to SM**, "A World Away". I read the two parts you have published.
"A World Away", with a narrator that is a genetically engineered clone, and lots of futuristic findings, though quite interesting, is definitely not mainstream; therefore it does not belong in SM**.
You write very well and all you need is to make up your mind about the fiction category you want to practise (see one of my posts somewhere on this page, discriminating nine or ten categories, with examples -- it was written with you in mind).
PS. I enjoyed your description of the narrator's meal in the restaurant and I'm looking forward to reading your future production. If you have any questions, do not hesitate e-mailing me.
Howard,
Words mean that and more. Through them, I can hear your music on this side of the pound... No wonder, both you and me have a sixth sense! Hugs to you,
and to all.
I'll try to come back later, and read all your posts, if slow Internet allows me to load this huge page.
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Thu Feb 24 09:43:47 PST 2000
I listen to several styles of music whenever I get the privledge to listen to music. Most often I write accompanied to the sounds of Walt Disney and other animated movies because the VCR is usually on in the afternoon when I do my most work. Right now my 5 year old fancies THE SWAN PRINCESS, so I get to write to the strains of "I see him standing and my knees start buckling... She was always such an ugly duckling. Now she's grown up and has become a swan...This is my idea of love." or better yet "Princesses on Parade."
I have a CD of "Camelot" sung by Julia Andrews and Richard Burton. It sits on my desk and I used to play it about once a month. I also listen to Tom T. Hall, though he is a bit hard to listen to while working because his marvellous songs take up to much of my attention. I'll say the same about Marty Robbins Cowboy songs which I used to play when I was writing my Western.
Classical music and instumental works are better to work by. I listen to the "Titanic" soundtrack. I also have some Irish Chiefton CD's and several generic Irish music anthologies. My favorite classical composers at this time are Borodin (also was a chemist, isn't that interesting?) and Rimsky Korsokov. I love the Russians. They are the most imaginative and mind bending. I also enjoy Beethovan and Mozart. Oh and I must not forget, I enjoy listening to the Weavers. It is great to sit at the computer, write and harmonize with these fine singers all at the same time. You should hear my kids yell when I do it too.
Also good to write by is Michael Card. He sings (and writes) inspirational Christian music which is very mellow and very rich and a joy to listen to.
Happy writing!
Rhoda
Heather Thu Feb 24 06:59:29 PST 2000
Randall- very interesting to know that the Mormons of the late 90's and 2000 do not know much of their own history. I was also interested in your account of the upright character of any Mormons you have encountered and/or lived with.
Maybe it was just the Canadian breed? (hahaha right Rachel?)
So, now for other topics.
I will have to go and visit the workbook section and see the new additions!
Kat - still thinking about the pov stories. I haven't had a chance to write one yet... that's yet. I will.
For SM**. I had an idea but it only involved one character, so I am thinking to either add another character to it, or come up with of another idea.
Muse, don't fail me now, sweet sonnet in my ears.
On playing music, I shall have to discover more musicians to emulate on slide Howard! Your suggestions sound great. I must visit my favourite used CD and LP store and see what pops up. I find the most intriguing selections there.
So far, I have played mostly blues style slide.
Now it's off to the races on chapter 3.
Ciao,
Heather
Heather Wed Feb 23 21:16:10 PST 2000
Howard, a very impressive piano teacher by the sounds.
I remember playing 'The Entertainer' for my Kindergarten class, if that says much. I studied music for years, all classical. I started at age 3, as everyone I'm sure wishes for their little one to have the mark of Mozart. Americo, where is your wig?
You must have come through the leap into this life sans songsheets. But not so far from Mozart, only with words. You won't need to worry if you become deaf in later years. Well, neither did Mozart!
Amadeus. Sigh.
Heather
Jerry Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Wed Feb 23 21:12:59 PST 2000
Ah, the great religion debate, even that cannot keep the great notebook down.
Myself, I was raised a Luthern, (sort of, my parents were or so they said, we never attended church), and turned to the Roman Catholic faith while in the Army. I guess over the years I fell out of the church, as I never attend, but I do believe in God.
Mormans - I have know quite a few, never have had any problem with them. The JW's have bothered me from time to time, and as I described before I delt with them in my own way, but I have sent many a door to door salesman on his way with much less kind words.
Music - I do like to listen to the classical music when I write, Beethoven, Bach. Once in awile, if I am going to write about Nam or anything from that era, I will put on Creedance, or the Three Dog Night. Love anything by Dylan too. On occasion my taste does go to the old ('60's) country, back when it was know as country and western, Johnny Cash, Whalen Jennings, Willey Nelson and the rest.
Peace to the notebook, while we all have strong feelings on religion, it shouldn't put us at odds with each other.
Jerry
Heather Wed Feb 23 21:11:56 PST 2000
I can't write when there is music playing. Unless, by chance there are no words to it.
Don't often listen to classical music, but once in a while I make a second dinner for just my husband and I (kids sleeping and fed) and then we burn lots of candles and have dinner with quiet music. The kids like music through dinner too, but there is only so much Disney I can stand. Or Counting Crows.
My 7 year old likes the C.Crows, and she loves Crash Test Dummies. So does my 2 year old. Influence!
I have heard my daughter singing 'Someday, I'll wear Pajamas in the daytime... and measure out the days with coffee spoons and T.S. Eliot..." (Crash Test Dummies, 'God Shuffled His Feet' )
I love Enya, especially the untitled CD
I have a neato CD called "Transmigration of Souls' by Esoteric. No words on any track.
Come to think of it, I have many CD's without words to the music. I might try listening while writing. Until then, it is me and my percussion of keys.
Friendship night it is.
Blessings to you all, hugs all 'round, many cheers, each a decent cigar, a laugh or ten, and a hearty stroll through the great meadow of words we so love. I pick yellow flowers and I see that all of you like butter.
Heather
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Wed Feb 23 19:38:56 PST 2000
I just remembered the name of the city -- Strasbourg. I didn't spend much time there, but it was a pretty place.
howard
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Wed Feb 23 19:34:32 PST 2000
Americo -- How very strange you would mention Gustav Mahler! I am even now listening to his "Symphonie No. 1!" While he is not my favorite, I do enjoy it. The beginning of the third movement is hypnotic beyond belief! Listen too long while writing and you'll find some strange words on the page indeed! It's strangely reminiscent of a cabaret I visited to the south of Karlsruhe, near the German-French border. I can't remember the name of the city, but there were some interesting sights. Then he moves out of the cabaret to a wooded park, with mountains visible, and a storm brewing. You can feel the electricity in the air (I write this as I listen), as if the whole world was being stirred slowly, almost to the point of dissonance, with several unrelated rythmic themes all coming together to a point of silence.
Then a crash of the cymbals, and thunder, and confusion, souls flying everywhere. But under it all a steady presence, sometimes obscured, but always there.
I still prefer Chopin, Liszt, and Sankey. And my old piano teacher (50 years ago and in her 80s) who studied under Paderewski. She was old, bent, and shriveled, and her fingers were gnarled, twisted like dried twigs, but she played Chopin as if she owned him. Her husband, John Clements, wrote many of the fine old hymns we used to sing in church.
It's amazing what Mahler brings to memory! I'll have to listen to him more -- and perhaps revise my list.
Do you really think the words mean all that much? ;-)
howard
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Wed Feb 23 18:31:00 PST 2000
Hi all
Just taking a stress break from working with gouache for a little over an hour, and nearly ruining what I'm working on at least 50 times. ARG! If any of you know the medium in which I'm working, it's the most painful, anal rentitive, picky, precise art supply you can work with... at least that I've ever worked with.
On the topic of music:
I listen to a large mix of things. The one album that keeps me from blocking up while writing for my novel is the City of Angels Soundtrack. It's got a great song by Eric Clapton, U2, Alanis, The Goo-goo dolls, Jude,Peter Gabrele, and even a classic by Hendrix.
Otherwise it's a mix of jazz, a little blues (Bonnie Raitt usually), rock staples like REM, U2, Melissa Etheridge, some ska, some classic rock, classical and celtic net radio stations, and the very rare techno college band. My tastes are pretty far ranging.
Anyways, back to my sadistic school assignments...
:) smile, it makes people wonder what you're thinking.
Cassandra
Jon Wed Feb 23 18:22:55 PST 2000
All this is very nice but I need my beauty sleep to be ready for school tomorrow.
I still love school. (I wonder if my English teacher will fall in love with me.)
Americo Wed Feb 23 18:20:26 PST 2000
Howard,
Music as a topic? Fine. But only, or at least also, classical music, please. I think that the only good thing of the pumcatrapum noise we here today are the titles of some discs. My favorite composer is Mahler. But of course I like Beethoven and Mozart and so on. Actually I was supposed to be the reincarnation of Mozart (yes, reincarnation is a possibility), but the fates got it all wrong at the last moment-- and here I am, just me. Well, it could have been worse.
Laura,
I noticed that you published another bit in SM** I'll read it even if it has dragons. Just give me some time, please. I've printed near 600 pages since yesterday evening. And I'm reading everything. My eyes ache. I'm always reading, always reading. I should live a little with the other parts of my body as well -- false problem; reading is living, like sleeping and dreaming. Everything is living. There's an extraordinary potential of life on this page.
Eddie,
A true post of yours at last! The one about the tall, thin priest was a remake of an older one. I cannot understand why you were so impressed with the answer of the good old man. But you are also the one who, led by a smell, travel in time. like Proust with the taste of his Madeleine ("À la Recherche du Temps Perdu"). That's nice. One of the things that really fascinates me is the amount of life, sorrow, even pain, and joy, and all sentiments, all feelings, I can detect here. The power of words. This will be a topic for one of these nights. And what writers can do with them.
I had an idea. How about tonight being friendship night? We already have the music!
Randall startiki@hotmail.com Wed Feb 23 18:03:46 PST 2000
Evening all:
Hi Rhonda, how you doing lady. In case some of you have missed it...Rhonda is the neatest person on the notebook. And I mean that. Her personality comes through like a searchlight and illuminates the site with grace and style. Rational, thoughtful, considerate, intelligent...I could go on forever. Bless you Rhonda.
Yes, I'm leading up to something. Latter-Day Saints........
In the early 1980's we lived in Sanpete County, Utah which is 40 miles below Provo. Whatever LDS faults, and we all have them...the Mormons I knew, lived with, worked with and worked for were the most stand up people I have ever known. Period. Mormons stick together, always have and family is number 1 in their heart. The Mormon work ethic is awesome and permates their society.
Careful reading of Mormon history...and reading between the lines will bring their character to the forefront. What the Latter-Day Saints, as a people, as a religion have acheived is WITHOUT peer in America's history. Bar none. Not any assembly of persons could have pulled up stakes, left behind a newly constructed church and homes as they did. Their ordeal in Winter Quarters and subsquent trek to Utah in 1847 and Brigham Young's leadership in keeping them together is stunning. No other group in America had the nerve or organization to pull a modern exodous as they did. Not one. They were not moving to another city, with homes awaiting, but across a relatively unknown continent. This feat alone qualifies them for the mantle of remarkable.
There have been many stones thrown at Joe & Hyram Smith, but the end result of the brothers faith and conviction speakes for itself. And that is important. The Mormons moved into a remote, isolated mountain valley and made it a showplace of busisness and FAMILY. A Mormon Elder is reported to have said many years ago. "No sucess at work can possibily compensate for failure at home." That says it all.
But, sadly, the flood of Americans seeking a part ot their lifestyle has somewhat diluted the original goodness. Still under the modern world of high tech and silicone chip that Mormon heart beats, steadily, strongly as it did when Brigham Young arose from his sick bed, peered into the distant valley and said. "This is the place." It was indeed.
No, I'm not Mormon. But, I admire them. if you want to turn the missionaries away, (BTW do you know they pay for mission expenses out of their own pocket?) start to speak of Mormon history. For some reason the ones I've met shy away from Mormon history. And that's a shame.
I talked to two young men last year...mentioned Winter Quarters and they had to ask what I was talking about!
Gotta go.
Randall
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Wed Feb 23 16:53:54 PST 2000
My, we *have* gotten far afield, haven't we? Way out of our "comfort zone," so to speak. It's probably good to exercise our minds with this kind of reflection once in a while, but a mental charlie horse is no fun at all!
I found the way into the Short Story Workbook, and posted that piece about Aunt Alice. It's a bit on the "fat" side -- up to 356 words, but it was good exercise.
Another topic? How about music? Do any of you listen while you write? Does it help? What kinds of music are best for you? Who stimulates what?
howard
"It sure is quiet out there," Erich Remarqued.
Laura Wed Feb 23 15:15:46 PST 2000
Well, i don't really want to talk about religion anymore, but I will get in on the Good/bad, Light/dark debates going on.
As for why some people turn out worse than others I think that their childhood had a bit to do with it, but it also depends on how they deal with childhood. And it is true, even devoutly religous people can do bad things. But I say again that I believe in relationship not religion. A man can be religious and justify murder, but he cannot have a true relationship with God and justify it.
As for light and dark, we all have it within us. Each of us can be mean, spiteful and just plain nasty if we want to. What makes the difference is that we do not do those things.
Ok I'll get off my soapbox again.
Eddie French Wed Feb 23 14:26:24 PST 2000
Jon,
Your definitions seem reasonably close to the mark to me.
I think that our personalities [with certain exceptions to the norm, ie. Al Bundy etc.] are nurtured more by the little things that happen to us during our formative years,(I'm taking the liberty of extending the 'formative' years just a little for this theory) A few days ago I postulated that those words spoken to me by the school priest all those years ago ended up having a profound impact on my life.
I can think of another, offhanded remark made to me by an adult all those years ago which has stuck with me and helped to form me into the person that I am now.
I had just joined the Scouts and I needed a penknife to slip into my pocket for Scout night.
I saved a little money and eventually went to the shop to buy the knife.
The shop assistant, an 'older' lady, upon hearing my request, looked at me thoughtfully for a moment or two and then turned to a workmate and said:
I think that he looks intellegent and honest enough to be sold a penknife, don't you?.
I can't remember the answer that she got but I got the knife, so it must have been positive.
The thing is, I can remember that tiny incident so clearly. Now I know that in some ways I have spent a lot of time doing my best to live up tho that womans expectations of me.
I bet she wouldn't remember the incident at all.
These tiny, frequent episodes in our lives make us what we are. The dramatic, sometimes tragic episodes have less of an impact in the long term.
In some ways, this goes a little way in explaining the comments Rhoda made earlier today about the 'General' atmoshere that the township which was dominated by Mormons projected. If you are exposed to this kind of 'Praise Mentality' )as opposed to the big stick mentality) then the hoped for positive results can be achieved more frequently.
I am not saying that this will work for absolutely every child, but it has to be a good start in the process of understanding what makes a good child a good adult.
Ed
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Wed Feb 23 14:16:05 PST 2000
Rachel,
Point taken, and I am always glad to listen.
Heather,
I understand your feelings. You speak from the viewpoint of experience, much more than I have ever had in that area.
Cassandra,
I agree, I would love to change the subject, though I helped stir it up.
Litter,
I think I caught that headache.
Anyone for Quantum Mechanics?
Rhoda
Jon Wed Feb 23 13:21:38 PST 2000
Dear Notebookers,
Today I did not enjoy school as much as yesterday. I'm already looking forward to the holidays. I have some home work to do and neither A* nor Pussy can help . They are not good Christians, I guess.
It says here (I'm reading the assignment) that what distinguishes a good person from a bad person is that the good one has:
-discrimination, which allows him/her to distinguish nicely between similarities and differences;
- diffidence, defined as a pervasive awareness of the limitations of all human reason;
-courage : hearing objections that may prove wrong, but steadfastly sticking to his/her point once he/she is convinced that he/she is right;
- honesty : not exactly what contemporary mortals call "authenticity" but what may be termed truthfulness to himself/herself (which in my opinion is the same thing).
When I read this to A*, he was impressed. But instead of helping me understand this he just shrugged his shoulders and said that I'd better eat some vanilla ice-cream and forget about school.
This causes me a lot of anxiety, as I don't see me with the qualities mentioned above. I've learned them by heart. But I'm not sure I can put them in practice if I don't understand them well. I want to become a good person! Help me with your philosophical comments, and, above all, with your example. My e-mail is the same as A* (but much prettier).
PS. The assignment adds in pencil that anyone possesing those qualities will do very well on the Notebook, but this was probably scribbled by A*, just to tease me.
PSS. The assignment has nothing to do with religion. It's much more important than that!
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Wed Feb 23 12:41:41 PST 2000
I'm all for changing the subject. Unfortunately I can't think of one at the moment... procrastinating just isn't the best time for coming up with ideas. Too many "you should be doing this.." thoughts are in here at the moment.
*opening skull* shoo! shoo! get out of here!
sorry, they said they don't want to leave... I guess it's pretty entertaining floating around in my head :)
Cassandra
Litter Wed Feb 23 12:21:09 PST 2000
What have you all done to me? Religion, quantum mechanics/superstring theory/Schrödinger's Cat, pithy sayings such as "Or maybe whatever nevermind and onwards." (Can I use this profound saying Heather?)... I'm in philosophy heaven and I have too much of a headache to participate. Arrgggghhhh! (I think that is German for 'oyah', 'ouch' or 'that smarts? Got it from a Commando comic when I was a kid... :o)
All I will say on the subject of religion is that it seems to me that it is the 'self righteous' who are on a hiding to nothing - those who holds themselves up as paragons of piety or virtue are missing something fundamental.
Now, whoever is sticking pins in the head of that voodoo doll, please stop.
Litter
Rachel Wed Feb 23 12:19:47 PST 2000
Hi Rhoda - The states haven't cornered the market on Mormans (grins and laughter). We have them here in Canada too. We have all sorts of things here (grins).
I don't want to pick and fuss. I just wanted to make a point and I did. Thanks for listening (smiles).
Take care you
Rachel
Heather Wed Feb 23 12:18:54 PST 2000
Knew the topic would be a zinger!
Rhoda, thank you for your thoughts. I lived with a family of Mormons for a stretch, as a friend said I could stay with them for a while until I had secured a new apartment. I didn't know they were Mormons until a few days later. They had missionaries following me everywhere, even to work. And they set up discussion periods when I was home, with people from their church to come by and blast me with religious fodder. I didn't like being cornered. Not at all. And they said that their religion was the only correct one. Now, the people who took me in were nice enough, and didn't preach. They were the ones struggling to survive after the church took 10%. And the thing about the religion that makes me wonder is that those followers are not to drink caffeine, (no pop or tea or coffee or chocolate) and must only wear certain colours and styles. Also, they were not permitted alcohol etc. I thought churches were supposed to be accepting of thier members, no matter what they ate, drank, wore or what have you. At least that is what the Lutheran churches are like. Unconditional love.
I have nothing against those who choose to be Mormon. But I don't appreciate being followed everywhere, or hounded into a corner so that I would listen to preaching and their way of prodding you to think they are correct, and the only religion that is. To live in a Mormon's home is far different than being a neighbour. You get to see and know all of what goes on. The friend that was their son who had invited me to stay was not Mormon because he chose not to be. Not saying that you wouldn't know what you are talking about, Rhoda; just that in their house a different light was shed upon life as a Mormon family. They seemed like puppets on the church's strings.
But I should say this - they were very kind to me, and even had their girls share a room and gave me use of the other bedroom. THey were happy to have me, and I paid my rent and phone bill gladly. But I also had to leave sooner than I had hoped, because of the persuance.
Life is beautiful, so long as you look.
Heather
Rachel Wed Feb 23 12:10:39 PST 2000
All - Please excuse any spelling mistakes. I was in a rush when I posted (smiles).
Take care all %
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Wed Feb 23 11:50:44 PST 2000
I guess we're all agreed that our religion (whatever it may be) is a guide or indicator of how we should be living. The quality of our lives and our influence and example to others is proportional to our dedication to our beliefs. The teachings we receive (and believe), then, equip us for life.
That's good.
Life I can handle.
How well does it equip us for what comes next?
Bummer!
that's all,
howard
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Wed Feb 23 10:57:39 PST 2000
Rachel,
I have lived in a community made up of primarily Mormans. As a whole these people stress hard work, law abiding behavior, and committment to families. That is part of their credo. Yes there are some Mormons I am sure who commit crimes. Bundy the mass murderer was a Mormon. But by and large in areas where there are many Mormons, crime rates do tend to be lower. Another thing is that Mormons take care of their own. If a Mormon family needs financial assistance, the church provides it. I think being Canadian you might not know many Mormons and you don't know much about them. But they greatly stress family values and by and large make good neighbors. Farmington was a great place to raise a family when I first moved there and I attribute that to the Mormon influence. When many other people from other parts of the country moved in, a lot of the charm that had first drawn me to the community gradually disappeared.
I don't think Mormonism or any other religion makes a person good, but certain faiths teach their people how to be good citizens, and I think Mormons by and large have done a great job. They put many evangelical protestant families and congregations to shame in this area.
It is a very popular topic at times to bash people such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Hardly anyone likes these people who go door to door. A lot of my Christian friends do bash these folks, and I don't like hearing it from them any more than I like reading about it on this Notebook.
I know for a fact there have been several people who have posted on this Notebook who are Mormon. I don't think it a kind thing to make attacks on their religion.
Mormons are not perfect. I am sure there are many who rightly and wrongly do not live by the church's principles. I myself have had to tolerate ignorance and predudice when listening to people discuss my own faith that I am moved to say something when I hear the same thing going on with other faiths.
There are a lot of influences in this society that draw people into materialism and self-gratification often at the expense of other people. I cannot help but admire people whatever their stamp who manage to stand against these pressures.
I am truly sorry if my post disturbed anyone.
Rhoda
Heather Wed Feb 23 10:39:42 PST 2000
Rachel! I agree! You said it, girl!
Heather Wed Feb 23 10:38:26 PST 2000
Cassandra! No offense was taken; what you said has merit, and I was not intending to alarm you!
I see light itself as an energy. Positive energy. Photons.
Without darkness, they would still have a definite purpose. For if it did not shine, well...
And do scientists actually know what photons are comprised of? Other than well, energy? They seem to have no atomic substance. Rhoda?
I'd hate to see poor Spidey with a sign like that!
I agree that heros need the evil ones causing mayhem to keep their evil-fighting jobs, but darkness is just the absence of light. I suppose darkness is used to describe evil so often we equate darkness and evil as being one and the same.
And so often the evil is written and perceived as lurking in the darkness. (well, often it is)...
Here is what Plato said.
(Pardon me if I misquote?)
"The great tradgedy of life is not that children are afraid of the dark, but that men are afraid of the light."
I will have to look up that quote to be sure I didn't miss something in the middle there.
Rhoda - thanks for the info on missions.
Teekay - nice to see you back, earlier in the posts!
take care everyone,
and I will join thee later for whatever we can think of to discuss besides religion! How's that for a nice topic?
Heather
Rachel Wed Feb 23 09:57:51 PST 2000
All - Please excuse any spelling mistakes. I was in a rush when I posted (smiles).
Take care all
Rachel
Rachel Wed Feb 23 09:56:24 PST 2000
Hi Rhoda - I don't want to sound like I'm out for a brawl, but how do you know that the people who beat up people and comit crimes aren't mormon? How do you know they aren't Baptist, Catholic, Buddist, Muslim, How do you know? It isn't something that they tend to post in the newspaper. It doesn't read "Mormon caught red handed in theft. Christian found standing over body of murder victim." I think that we need to step back and see the people, not the religion.
I'm not sure why, but what you wrote really distrubed me. I know you would never do that with any intent. That you are a very nice person, but I just had to say something about that.
I don't like the sounds of it. As if somehow being of a certain relgion would rule you out from being able to commit an unsavory act. People are people and it doesn't matter what they embrace. For all you know the sickest person could hide under the guise of being a good and upstanding member of whatever religion.
Okay, I'll stop. I'm sorry about this, but I need to speak up.
Hope I haven't upset you.
Take care
Rachel
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Wed Feb 23 09:32:16 PST 2000
Heather-
I didn't mean to question you persay, just to communicate my viewpoint. I'm sorry if you felt I was arguing with you
With the whole light thing, I meant that without the dark, what purpose does light have? Without darkness to give light to, it looses a large part of it's meaning. How light is light without dark to temper it?
Light is a subjective word... a light touch, a light color...
Without villans, heros would be out of work(can you imagine Spiderman holding a 'Will web sling for food' sign?). That's what I was referring to. Light 'gives light to', without darkness to lighten... it becomes ineffective.
Anyways, there's a lot of meaningless drivel I have to push through to get my project to finish today. But all the tough work will help me appreciate my spare time more. Just like the darkness gives me more appreciation of the light :P
As far as my Mormon friend goes, I'm not certain she's of the same sect that practices that 10% thing. She had to set quite a few people straight on the whole polygomy thing too... because that's the Mormon fundamentalists. *shrugging* It's hard to keep the names straight, and what they stand for.
:) Have you hugged a fellow writer lately?
*hug* To Heather. Didn't mean any harm. I was just talking for talking's sake. sorry.
Later
Cassandra
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Wed Feb 23 09:24:06 PST 2000
Heather,
All Mormons go on missions. At one time it was just men, now it is women too. They usually do this when they get out of high school, and in some cases families have saved for these trips most of the child's life.
I am not Mormon and I have a lot of theological differences with them, but I don't think it is for me or anyone else to judge the merits of their practices. I don't see Mormons out there committing crimes, beating up people, or tearing down society. Most that I know of are hard working, sincere and caring individuals.
(Same for Jehovah's Witnesses)
Rhoda
Rachel Wed Feb 23 07:40:57 PST 2000
Heather - I LOVE vanilla ice-cream. It is the best in my books. If I want anything with it, then I'll add it (smiles). I like to have really good vanilla ice-cream. Not much of it, just a little bit (smiles).
I didn't find what you said offensive at all.
I believe that all people should have the right to choose what they will believe in. The only trick is for them to remember to let other people have same luxury.
Take care you
Rachel
Heather Wed Feb 23 07:28:17 PST 2000
Light without darkness is still light.
And my favourite ice cream is Vanilla, even though I have not tried them all. This is because of the ice creams I have tried, Vanilla was tops. Chocolate comes in second. I don't think trying butter rocky marshmallow rum nut ice cream will change that, since I like plain, simple ice creams. I might try it. And I cannot guarantee that I won't like it. But that doesn't mean it will be better than Vanilla to me. Vanilla is the plain, simple kind.
And most other ice creams are based on the simple ones. They start off as Vanilla or chocolate, or just plain iced cream, and get flavours and tidbits added.
Heather Wed Feb 23 07:19:44 PST 2000
Hey, I never said devout persons were not nice. In fact, they are usually incredibly sweet and what have you. Sometimes to their credit for converting the most people in a week. Sometimes because they are genuinely great people and the religion they choose has less to do with it than their upright character. The people who have knocked on my door are nice people. But I will not be pressed into a corner, nice manners or not.
I do not hate anyone, religious or otherwise. I do not think a certain type of religion makes a person a jerk. People can do that all by themselves.
I agree about the fact that men/man has tried to form religions to what they perceive God sees as perfect. If one religion is perfect in His/Her eyes, then the rest of the religions MUST be wrong.
Only the Absolute can say.
I hear Buddha and Jesus are very close friends.
Heather
Heather Wed Feb 23 07:09:07 PST 2000
Cassandra: But the typeface does not change the words of the book. THAT was my point. It just makes it look different. THe essence of the book is the same.
Also, your Mormon friend probably just belongs to a Mormon church, and does not go on 'missions'. That is where they learn to persuade. I have nothing against the religion itself, but I do not agree with a church that demands 10% of the earnings of those who belong. The Mormon temple in Brampton has a great huge 24 carat gold angel with a flute on top of the giant temple, which was paid for by families who barely made ends meet after paying their 10%.
I think if you want to give to the church, there is nothing wrong with that. But to have a set percentage of earnings?
I myself have researched and tried many different religions.
I suggested a reading list of a number of books way back (archives) which contain many beliefs and concepts with which I have closest ties. I do not follow any formal religion. THe JW's have said to me - 'if you don't believe strongly in only one religion, then you are making things up as you go, or picking and choosing parts you like from different ones.' which isn't true. An analytical mind and discerning heart knows what has the ring of truth and what has been handed down as mere tradition and has much less truth in it.
But I dilute...
My salutes and regards,
and no, I didn't set out to purposely offend.
Heather
Rhoda rfort@arn.net Wed Feb 23 06:29:25 PST 2000
Hugs to Goodweed, another Morman and a wonderful friend!
Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Wed Feb 23 06:13:30 PST 2000
Good morning, everybody!
Jon is cheating at school. He's writing a test and has used his supernatural powers to ask me for help. He's supposed to comment on the following passage from Thackeray's "Book of Snobs":
You who despise your neighbour , are a Snob; you who forget your own friends, meanly to follow after those of a higher degree, are a Snob; you who are ashamed of your poverty, and blush for your calling, are a Snob; as are you who boast of your pedigree, or are proud of your wealth.
Not having any of the above defects, I don't know how to help him. Perhaps someone else here can. Thank you.
He asked me to announce that today's hug goes to Hootie, one of the sweetest men on the Notebook (now just a lurker). He is a Mormon.
God rest you merry.
Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com Wed Feb 23 01:05:42 PST 2000
Casandra: the buttons on forwriters.com are in transition, because I am planning on reducing the downloading overhead. I am trying a couple of possible choices that will ultimately become the final result. The point here is that I am working on some javascript that will allow for drop down hierarchical buttons that will allow for a better navigational environment. However, after reviewing things a bit, I have decided to move back to the original until I get the final done.
Cassandra Tue Feb 22 21:33:21 PST 2000
Heather-
Ut ohh, you mentioned typefaces... Sometimes a typeface does have a lot to with the book. A clear typeface helps readability and understanding of the words in the book. A gimmicky typeface will draw away from the book's flaws (a book shouldn't have to rely on such a type face).
In such ways religion helps people with limited understanding of their spiritual "place" by providing a compass. How can you truely know what you believe, without first exploring the beliefs of others? What your place is in the world until you know the world of places you can be in?
I myself have looked into countless religions before settling on my own particular blend(and I'm not quite settled yet :P). It's quite like ice cream, you can't know your absolute favorite flavor without tasting them all. There could be one out there you like better that you just haven't tried yet. And in such ways I keep my heart and mind open... because there are so many different flavors of the spiritual, and I intend to explore as many as possible weighing their strengths and their weaknesses when applied to my tastes.
And so I think religion is necessary, whether you think it an evil or not. (without dark, light cannot function)
:) but this is just me wandering off topic...
Good night all
Cassandra
PS I have a Mormon friend too, and she's as accepting of everyone else's beliefs as the next person. If she weren't she wouldn't be my friend. All my friends are accepting, and compassionate, and they come from many different faiths and walks of life. Which I wouldn't have any other way. :)
Contrast is a wonderful thing
"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you're all the same." - an apt quote written on a friend's message board.
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Tue Feb 22 19:22:30 PST 2000
Heather -- Dunno about the pizza in SM* but I've been toying with one called "Pot Roast" for a little while.
May have to work a guitar in there too -- I'm listening to a new CD I just bought (from Amazon) by a guy named Brooks Williams. It's called "Little Lion" and it's great! All acoustic, and SUPER! Songs like "Goodbye Walker Percy," (you should hear the slide guitar on this one), "Water Song," "Belfast Blues'" and "What Wondrous Love."
Also got one by Mason Williams (no relation, remember "Classical Gas?")and that's good too. Mason also wote the Smothers Brothers theme for their show. One of the best cuts on the Mason WIlliams "Music" CD is "I've Heard That Tear Stained Monologue You Do There By The Door Before You Go." Additionally, there's "Saturday Night at the World," "$13 Stella," and "The Last Great Waltz" (she had three legs, he had only two).
I'm in "axe heaven!"
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
howard
Heather Tue Feb 22 18:52:40 PST 2000
can you write an SM** story about that pizza, Howard? Sounds too good to be pizza.
Yum.
heather Tue Feb 22 18:51:22 PST 2000
not meaning to be cryptic, that was to be 'the book'
not 'the a book'. I am leaning towards gross mishandling of the keys
and so I will say goodnight! And tomorrow is another (night) day, possibly the one I will get on to writing another short story by. SM**? Maybe.
Heather
Heather Tue Feb 22 18:47:47 PST 2000
I didn't see the clip about the ich ein Berliner jelly donut
on the History channel yesterday, but a few years ago.
Don't recall where now.
Good points, Howard!
Religion has as little to do with spirituality as the font/typeset of the a book.
Or maybe whatever nevermind and onwards.
Heather
Howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Tue Feb 22 18:16:55 PST 2000
Miscellaneous ramblings ...
Dunno about on TV last night, didn't see any. I heard the "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech when it happened, or just shortly thereafter, by tape delay. When I arrived in Germany in 1964 they were still talking about JFK, and that speech was part of the mystique of the man. You would not believe the number of Germans who said they were there to hear him in person!
The first German I spoke with when I got to Bremerhaven asked for two things: Marlboro cigarettes and Kennedy half-dollars.
Speaking of those, according to a coin collecting friend of mine, 64 Kennedy halves are now worth $32.00!
-----
Laura -- You're absolutely right on with your definition of religion. It's mostly man's idea of what he wants God to want. According to the bible, God wanted a relationship, and man gave him religion. The way I see it, man has an idea that God is not pleased with the religion thing, but he figures there's safety in numbers, so he tries to drag as many as he can into it with him, even if they don't want to come.
---
Has anyone tried to post to the short story workbook lately? I can't get there at all. I was able to post to the poetry section, but not to the short story section.
---
I just had one of the best pizzas I've ever tasted, at a local Italian ristorante. They laid the pizza dough on the grill, and cooked it on one side, then flopped it over and started the other side. Then they topped it with chopped fresh tomatoes, basil, roasted whole garlic cloves, and two kinds of cheeses. A light dusting of crushed red peppers on top, a pint of Honey Brown lager to follow it, and it was one primo feast!
---
gotta run,
remember: The things that come to those that wait are the things left by those who got there first.
howard
Heather Tue Feb 22 17:51:42 PST 2000
I have seen the same clip of the Prez saying he was a jelly donut, and I laughed until my head hurt.
My mother's side of the family is German, but our family has been in Canada since quite a while before the first world war, both my Great Grandfather Neeb and my Grandpa Allemang fought in Canadian troops. My Grandpa A lost his eye to schrapnel when he landed on the beaches, WWII. My Great Grandfather was killed in the first WW. My father's Dad fought on England's side, being in the RAF, WWII. Both of my grandpa's lived. I was never allowed the priveledge of hearing very many of their war stories, not that they told them much anyway.
My mother's side were all Lutheran. I went to Lutheran church since I was eye to eye with the common garden worm. But since age 17, I haven't been inside one much. But I am more spiritual than ever. Because I let it come from me, rather than going to a building to have it come AT me. Or after me.
I have had a rough brush with Mormons, too. Boy, they have even more persistence and cunning than JW's. Smooth talking never was an attribute of Jesus. I said so (and more than so), and went into the pool hall. Pool halls were against their 'religion' and they couldn't come in. (Jesus certainly didn't avoid those places. In fact, he found many followers that way)
But I saw the Mormons' faces through the window, and I had to chew gum and turn away to stop from laughing. THey were beat. They knew it. They left.
Another of their tricks was to give you a gift, and say "Don't open this unless you decide to quit ______ (fill in the blank) and get baptized."
Well, I didn't and wouldn't quit being myself. Nor would I be baptized twice. That, in grammatical terms, is like
"I can't not do it", a double negative. I figure it's like undoing your first baptism!
I opened the parcel anyway, and the 'bribery gift' was a creepy black journal with just empty lined pages in it, and my name was in gold lettering on the front. That was the last time I told a religious zealot my name.
So, away from this topic, as I do not wish to inflame any hairdo's, etc...
Let's have short shortie night again soon, Americo!
And on the topic of angels, yes, i believe in them, however, I do not see them as many films portray them, NOR do I think the tabloids have accurate photos. (hahahahha)
Lift your eyes beyond limit, and there you will find yourself.
Heather
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Tue Feb 22 17:49:02 PST 2000
Well, you learn something new every day. My teacher was from somewhere in Southern Germany... we didn't learn much about the jelly doughnuts of Berlin :)
Normally it'd be Ich bin Berliner... the ein was what goofed it up, and the Boston accent didn't help either. Some translater should've gotten fired over that one.
Anyways, my art history test got delayed until next Tuesday, cause the teacher heard that there was a big graphic design project due. She's a young teacher, normally the old craggy ones wouldn't care. My photo teacher also let us out early, so I got my first roll for this project shot.*yippie* All in all, things are looking up. :)
'later peeps
Cassandra
Jon Tue Feb 22 17:43:50 PST 2000
My first day at school was gorgeous and Iv learnt a lot. Cant miss it tomorrow. So, to bed. I guess its enough of a blabber for one day. Please note how my English improved.
Gnite!
PS. Hope A* doesn't get involved in this chat about religion!
Eddie French Tue Feb 22 16:21:06 PST 2000
I don't really want to get into the 'Religion' debate but I want to share this. It is just one of those moments experienced at a young age which sticks with you for the rest of your life. (Now there is a good subject, please tell us of these golden moments in your early life)
I have a few of these vivid memories. onre of them was at boarding school. It was a catholic school and the priest (I can't even remember his name) was so tall and thin that he walked with a permanent stoop. I can see him right now, lurching across the yard in his black cape, bible clutched in a huge knarled fist.
During a discussion about the virtues of being a 'good catholic', I asked him what it was that God wanted from us.
His reply has stayed with me, word for word, since that day.
He said to me:
The most religious thing that I do every day is to get up out of bed, I would give anything for just an extra half an hour between my wonderfully warm sheets. But I force myself to rise and go to the chapel to prepare for morning Mass.
This simple statement had all of the answers for me.
Religion is inside you. It's how you feel inside which makes you a good or a bad 'Christian'. You can't hide hypocracy from yourself! He made me lose the guilt which I felt whenever I missed Mass on a Sunday, or missed confession on Saturday morning. The rigid doctrine of the Catholic religion can quite easily spawn the worse sort of hypocritical church goers. I don't need to parade my Christianity for all to see. It's inside. It's in the way that I treat myself and my fellow man.
We all have these tiny moments from way back which dominate our personalities. What are yours?
Later,
Ed
Eddie French Tue Feb 22 15:59:39 PST 2000
Sorry Allein,
Looking back, it was you who posted the correct answer about the berliner.
Go to the top of the class.
And take the rest of the afternoon off.
Eddie French Tue Feb 22 15:51:40 PST 2000
Yes, Cassandra is correct. (Thanks for stealing my thunder)
The German language is heavily dependent on emphasis, and the same word can be used in different ways.
The berliner is a type of donut.
A Berliner is a person.
Hard to spot the difference if you are not German.
Ed
Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Tue Feb 22 15:41:01 PST 2000
Thanks to all who gave me support. I was really upset last night, but I realize now, that being friends with him is better than nothing. We still might go to prom, but if not, I have a group of girl friends who are going, so I can go with them.
Heather - Luckily, I didn't BUY the dress, just found it. But I wish I had bought it, because it's so beautiful. But, I am losing weight and if I continue losing weight, it might not fit by prom, but we don't want to get a size smaller, because if I didn't lose weight, then it would be too tight.
Cassandra - Berliner is the name of one type of jelly doughnut (found in Berlin, of course), while Krapfen is the name for all doughnuts collectively. I know, my teacher gave a half hour lecture on it - I phased out after about five minutes.
Jerry - I watched that too, with my mom. Pretty interesting - especially about the big cheese wheel. I never much cared for cheese, but that was kind of a neat fact - incently, I got that over my trivia e-zine either yesterday or the day before, so I knew the answer.
Well, gotta run,
Ciao,
Allein
Jerry A.G. Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Tue Feb 22 15:24:20 PST 2000
Cassandra - I saw it on tv last night too, the History Channel History quiz on presidents - that is what they said Kennedy said when he made his famous speach in Berlin. Who knows - they could be wrong too, it wouldn't be the first time someone made such a mistake on TV now would it?
Cassandra arcane128@hotmail.com Tue Feb 22 14:23:58 PST 2000
Howard-
Where did you hear that from? I'm a jelly donut?! I'm fairly certain that the word Berliner is not mistakable for the german word for jelly donut. The word for doughnut in german is Krapfen.
What he said was certainly grammatically incorrect, but not mistakable for anything other than badly spoken German for "I am a Berliner."
Gotta run
Cassandra
Jerry Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Tue Feb 22 12:54:15 PST 2000
Religion - not an easy topic for discussion on such a forum, or any forum for that matter. I have spent countless hours discussing that very topic with many a soul, both here and while in Viet Nam. Came to the conclusion, that everyone has their own beliefs, some may lean to Catholic, some Luthern, some Jehova, some whatever, but I have never met anyone who blindly beileves what the "church" tells them to believe. Maybe I have just run with a more cerebrial bunch.
Anyhow, back when I was a police officer, I had to respond to hundreds of complaints about the wittnesses, moonies and even a self proclaimed orthodox catholic bunch that ended up being a group of defrocked catholic priest/pedephiles. This has left me detesting anyone who darkens my door with any kind of brief case, or bible in hand, and I usually let them know (sometimes politely, sometimes not depending on my mood) that I do not like their unwelcome presence on my doorstep. Yes this even includes the occasional door to door insurance salesman.
Guess that is just the way I am. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I strongly believe that each and every person in this complicated world has their right to believe in whatever god or goddess for that mater that they wish.
Peace
Jerry
howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Tue Feb 22 12:12:42 PST 2000
Americo -- JFK's pronunciation of that "Ich bin ein Berliner" statement came across a bit differently than he intended. He thought he was saying "I am a Berliner," but the Germans actually heard "I am a jelly donut!" It was one of the cute, embarrassing, unforgettable moments in history.
howard
Laura Tue Feb 22 11:46:56 PST 2000
I really wish we would get off the topic of religion. But since you asked, I am not religious. Religion is man trying to get to God of his own perfection which isn't possible. I am a Bible believing Christian and I will make no bones about it.
But really, three days on Religion. It isn't that I am sensitive about the subject but I know that there will be a lot of misunderstandings if we don't get off of the topic.
I don't want to offend any of my friends here at notebook so I will stay respctfully silent about the rest of my beliefs unless asked.
Ok, that's all for my soapbox. Now that that's out of the way can we move on to a new subject? Religion is too inflamatory.
Laura
Heather Tue Feb 22 11:35:03 PST 2000
I love many of the posts that have been written here!
But alas, Americo, I can pledge no particular allegiance.
There are too many to choose from. A very many good posters at this illustrious site.
(How's that for undecided?)
Religion? Do we have to?
I only detest the fact that JWitnesses that feel the need to disturb my very precious quiet writing time, and that they make me feel that I have to pretend I'm not home. (And the car is visible in the driveway but I don't care)
This is because if I answered the door I would not be rid of them for ages! And I am not converting, nor do I feel I want to listen to their interpretation of the Bible for aeons. I have a Bible, and a mind. I can read it myself if I wish. And come to my own conclusions.
I don't need a building with a steeple on top to be spiritual. And I don't need a genre of religion to believe.
There, I have finished for the afternoon.
Now, back to taxi-ing the kids. Got to fly!
Heather
Laura Tue Feb 22 11:34:07 PST 2000
Hey everyone, just thought I'd pop in to say hi. Keep your eye on the SS archicve, I may be posting a short short soon. The title is The Wanderer. (I'm not posting it now because I don't have copy on disk and I don't want to retype right now.)
Laura Tue Feb 22 11:33:48 PST 2000
Hey everyone, just thought I'd pop in to say hi. Keep your eye on the SS archicve, I may be posting a short short soon. The title is The Wanderer. (I'm not posting it now because I don't have copy on disk and I don't want to retype right now.)
Americo Tue Feb 22 11:26:22 PST 2000
Rachel and Heather & all, Whose posts do you love? Don't tell me Jon has been posting again! I'll kill that cat.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. How's life treating you? You did not discuss the topic of school to my heart's content, but what could you do? Like me, you hate that sacred institution. Only Jon loves it, but he only went there once.
Is there anything interesting we could discuss tonight? How about angels? Do you believe in angels? Who's you favorite angel? My favorite angel is (no, I do not believe in angels).
Attention, Heather and Jerry Ericsson. Besides a pagan, a catholic and many other things, I am also a Jeovah's Witness. Like Kennedy in his Berlin address, on a historical occasion, Ich bin ein Berliner-- which means, I'm always at the side of the minorities and of those who need me. Seriously. All persuasions are equally good (or equally bad); all of them must be respected. Including the Druids, of course.
And yes, I'll go to heaven, as I am just and good and like vanilla+ chocolate ice-cream.
See you later, perhaps.
Heather Tue Feb 22 10:24:10 PST 2000
Thanks, Litter, for the low-down on Druids! I haven't done more than a toothpick's worth of research in that area.
Americo, charming one. Teach us a class while you are at it. On anything your heart desires. And we promise to leave your heart intact.
Cassandra, much luck and speed be with you. As well as your muse.
Rachel, thanks for the treat of laughter!
To all, a happy Tuesday.
Just passing through, fellow scribes.
I'll be back to type later.
Heather
Casandra arcane128@hotmail.com