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 |  Thoughts and deeds taking me on my path toward insanity. |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Please visit me for updates on the Myth to Life series as well as other writings, don't forget to leave a message in the guestbook, and join the site at: http://www.eairwin.webs.com I would love to hear from you! |
~ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ~ I decided to deal with Valentine's Day in my own way this year and it involved one of my favorite instruments--a nice shiny bit of cutlery. NEWS FLASH: CUPID IS DEAD ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Unrestrained My eyes pay homage— a visual tribute to the luscious form lying within the circle of my arms, remembering my lips and tongue dancing to unheard melodies, while possessing the vulnerable flesh you so lovingly provide. My hands inhale your intoxicating essence, rushing rampant, then caress with insatiable desire, as if my fingers discovered that intangible portion of your soul and breathed you into me. I am in awe, enticed, entranced, enthralled by your love. Silent whispers claim my ears, a beckoning of heart to mind as you gently peel away the vestiges of the fallen, hoping, praying you will find me worthy. My soul seeks refuge in you yet remains banished to this realm of desolate, hidden decay, unable to cross my bridge of despair. Your most fragile gift you bestowed, unblemished, untarnished, undeniable love. Though you condemn me not I condemn myself, knowing it would be far better to flee your side than my continual devouring of your emotions until I consume you, still famished for more. You grow cool in my arms, your fresh skin matching the color of your crystalline-blue eyes, your ripened lips forever frozen never again to utter loving words, their silence breaking me completely. My blood mingles with yours, a final tribute as I grieve my loss. my act finished with an uncontrollable desire only you could inspire. The mantle of anguish lies heavy upon my shoulders, a burden I wear as you depart. The vestments of unrestrained iniquity. |
~ Quote of the Day ~ If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. Jimmy Buffett Hi All; It’s been a hellacious time in my life physically, emotionally, work-wise, etc, etc. Friday began the day with a storm with rain so ferocious I couldn’t see the car when I walked out my backdoor. I asked my co-worker T, after he told me he was going home because he was exhausted (he’s far younger than me), how he survived getting to work since he lives on the same side of town as me. He said, “Oh, you mean the rain that picks up your car and slams it around?” Yeah, that was the type of rain we had. Today, the weather channel informed us a huge cold front was lurking atop the rain clouds, funnel clouds had been spotted and touched down about fifty miles from here, and thunderstorms were likely and the rain might include snow flurries or chunks of ice. Hooray! Can’t wait to slog through that on the freeway with insane drivers who think they need to accelerate to 80mph to outrun the storm. Sheesh. Friday I took the city streets and it wasn’t much better. But thither onward into the hinterland of afternoon pleasures. So, to give me a break from all the anxiety and ugly uncertainty in my life, I thought I’d share one of the e-mails my friend C sends me. Sometimes the stuff is poignant, sometimes beautiful if she’s found pictures, sometimes downright funny in absurd ways, like this e-mail. It is always said truth is stranger than fiction. This e-mail proves that. Enjoy the laughs sent from C. Ta and peace, P HELLO, OPERATOR! Actual call center conversations. Customer: 'I've been calling 700-1200 for two days and can't get through; can you help?' Operator: 'Where did you get that number, sir?' Customer: 'It's on the door of your business.' Operator: 'Sir, those are the hours that we are open.' * * * Samsung Electronics Caller: 'Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?' Operator: 'I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about.' Caller: 'On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?' Operator: 'I think it means the telephone plug on the wall.' * * * RAC Motoring Services Caller: 'Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am traveling in Australia ?' Operator: 'Does the product name give you a clue?' * * * Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in Europe )'If I register my car in France , and then take it to England , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?' * * * Directory Enquiries Caller: 'I'd like the number of the Argo Fish Bar, please' Operator: 'I'm sorry, there's no listing. Are you sure that the spelling is correct?' Caller: 'Well, it used to be called the Bargo Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off.' * * * Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven. Operator: 'Woven? Are you sure?' Caller: 'Yes. That's what it says on the label – Woven in Scotland .' * * * On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator: 'I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on.' * * * Tech Support: 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop.' Customer: 'OK.' Tech Support: 'Did you get a pop-up menu?' Customer: 'No.' Tech Support: 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?' Customer: 'No.' Tech Support: 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?' Customer: 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote ’click’.' * * * Tech Support: 'OK. At the bottom left hand side of your screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?' Customer: 'Wow! How can you see my screen from there?' * * * Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I just realized that I need it. So, if I turn my system clock back two weeks will I get my file back again?' * * * This has to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for 'Termination without Cause.' Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!): Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?' Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.' Operator: 'What sort of trouble??' Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.' Operator: 'Went away?' Caller: 'They disappeared' Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?' Caller: 'Nothing.' Operator: 'Nothing??' Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.' Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?' Caller: 'How do I tell?' Operator: 'Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen?' Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?' Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?' Caller: 'There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type.' Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??' Caller: 'What's a monitor?' Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?' Caller: 'I don't know.' Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??' Caller: 'Yes, I think so.' Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall. Caller: 'Yes, it is.' Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one? ' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.' Caller: 'Okay, here it is.' Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.' Caller: 'I can't reach.' Operator: 'OK. Well, can you see if it is?' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?' Caller: 'Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark.' Operator: 'Dark?' Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.' Caller: 'I can't.' Operator: 'No? Why not?' Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.' Operator: 'A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff that your computer came in?' Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.' Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.' Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?' Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.' Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?' Operator: 'Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!' = |
~ Quote of the Day ~ One needs something to believe in, something for which one can have whole-hearted enthusiasm. One needs to feel that one's life has meaning, that one is needed in this world. Hannah Senesh Hello Everyone; I snagged this from a friend's blog on another site ... with permission of course. Although my first true belief is my faith in God, I thought this was a really great look at how we live our lives with friends and loved ones, but not only look at the words but take them to heart. Belief is a inspired gift, and to me requires action on our parts to move belief into faith. When reading through the list I couldn't find one item I didn't believe in and have tried to apply and live my life by. I hope you enjoy the thoughts and are able to share them with the people you care for. Life is too short for petty differences. Perhaps tomorrow I'll catch you up on the oddity of my life the past several months. Truly a frantic ride through some scary times. Peace, Patricia I Believe: A Birth Certificate shows that we were born. A Death Certificate shows that we died. Pictures show that we lived. I Believe -That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other. I Believe -That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I Believe -That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I Believe -That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I Believe -That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. I Believe -That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. I Believe -That you should always leave loved ones and friends with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I Believe -That you can keep going long after you think you can't. I Believe -That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. I Believe -That either you control your attitude or it controls you. I Believe -That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I Believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score. I Believe - That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. I Believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up. I Believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. I Believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. I Believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I Believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. I Believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become. I Believe - That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever. I Believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I Believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I Believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help. I Believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I Believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. I Believe - That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in. I just did. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. |
~ Quote of the Day ~ I write because I'm afraid to say some things out loud. Real Live Preacher Hello All; I would have posted this sooner, however have had a few difficulties for the past several months. I'll go into those a bit in a later blog since I don't want to waste my words on the humdrum when I want to tell something special. Once again I am happy to share with you that one of my stories has been picked up for publication and is currently appearing in the Winter Edition of The Odd Mind Magazine. Yay! That's right. War Storms is right there in black and white for everyone to read and enjoy. Plus, there are many other authors you will also enjoy reading as you peruse the pages of a magazine designed and dedicated to independent authors and artists. Please support Lesa Trapp and her staff as they continue to listen to the dreams of artists out there without a voice and bring them to the forefront in the magazine for everyone to read. Thanks for supporting me. I can't do this without any of you and I don't want to either. Ta and Peace, P News Flash from the Odd Mind Magazine: Grab your copy of the New Odd Mind!!! It is now on sale. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The Odd Mind Magazine is the Voice of the Independent Authors and Artist of today. http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=2590219 Open these pages and meet them. The Winter issue of 2008/2009 contains: The Odd Mind Shows of: September 2008 to December 2008 The list of Winners for the most listened to shows in 2008. A Tribute to Joseph McGee. Art-Work by: Debi DeSantis Photography by: Photographer Mark Lewis Book Reviews by: TG Reaper and Alan Draven Pandora's Box of Blog Talk Radio shows Poetry: Shirley Trapp Tipton, Rebecca Tipton, Kismet, M. Teresa Blaylock, Catherine R. Donaldson, and Lesa Trapp Short Stories: Yvonne Mason, Jack R. Sorenson, Kody Boye, Mike Ridenour, Gloria Teague, Bill Wilson and P. A. Matthews. On-Writing: Nicholas Grabowsky, Charlotte, Steven Payette, and Deborah Simpson Tons of Sponsors and much more. You have 150 pages to view and enjoy. |
The Obama presidency: Here comes Socialism By Dick Morris Posted: 01/20/09 06:12 PM [ET] 2009-2010 will rank with 1913-14, 1933-36, 1964-65 and 1981-82 as years that will permanently change our government, politics and lives. Just as the stars were aligned for Wilson, Roosevelt, Johnson and Reagan, they are aligned for Obama. Simply put, we enter his administration as free-enterprise, market-dominated, laissez-faire America. We will shortly become like Germany , France , the United Kingdom , or Sweden — a socialist democracy in which the government dominates the economy, determines private-sector priorities and offers a vastly expanded range of services to many more people at much higher taxes. Obama will accomplish his agenda of “reform” under the rubric of “recovery.” Using the electoral mandate bestowed on a Democratic Congress by restless voters and the economic power given his administration by terrified Americans, he will change our country fundamentally in the name of lifting the depression. His stimulus packages won’t do much to shorten the downturn — although they will make it less painful — but they will do a great deal to change our nation. In implementing his agenda, Barack Obama will emulate the example of Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Not the liberal mythology of the New Deal, but the actuality of what it accomplished.) When FDR took office, he was enormously successful in averting a total collapse of the banking system and the economy. But his New Deal measures only succeeded in lowering the unemployment rate from 23 percent in 1933, when he took office, to 13 percent in the summer of 1937. It never went lower. And his policies of over-regulation generated such business uncertainty that they triggered a second-term recession. Unemployment in 1938 rose to 17 percent and, in 1940, on the verge of the war-driven recovery, stood at 15 percent. (These data and the real story of Hoover ’s and Roosevelt ’s missteps, uncolored by ideology, are available in The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes, copyright 2007.) But in the name of a largely unsuccessful effort to end the Depression, Roosevelt passed crucial and permanent reforms that have dominated our lives ever since, including Social Security, the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, unionization under the Wagner Act, the federal minimum wage and a host of other fundamental changes. Obama’s record will be similar, although less wise and more destructive. He will begin by passing every program for which liberals have lusted for decades, from alternative-energy sources to school renovations, infrastructure repairs and technology enhancements. These are all good programs, but they normally would be stretched out for years. But freed of any constraint on the deficit — indeed, empowered by a mandate to raise it as high as possible — Obama will do them all rather quickly. But it is not his spending that will transform our political system, it is his tax and welfare policies. In the name of short-term stimulus, he will give every American family (who makes less than $200,000) a welfare check of $1,000 euphemistically called a refundable tax credit. And he will so sharply cut taxes on the middle class and the poor that the number of Americans who pay no federal income tax will rise from the current one-third of all households to more than half. In the process, he will create a permanent electoral majority that does not pay taxes, but counts on ever-expanding welfare checks from the government. The dependency on the dole, formerly limited in pre-Clinton days to 14 million women and children on Aid to Families with Dependent Children, will now grow to a clear majority of the American population. Will he raise taxes? Why should he? With a congressional mandate to run the deficit up as high as need be, there is no reason to raise taxes now and risk aggravating the depression. Instead, Obama will follow the opposite of the Reagan strategy. Reagan cut taxes and increased the deficit so that liberals could not increase spending. Obama will raise spending and increase the deficit so that conservatives cannot cut taxes. And, when the economy is restored, he will raise taxes with impunity, since the only people who will have to pay them would be rich Republicans. In the name of stabilizing the banking system, Obama will nationalize it. Using Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to write generous checks to needy financial institutions, his administration will demand preferred stock in exchange. Preferred stock gets dividends before common stockholders do. With the massive debt these companies will owe to the government, they will only be able to afford dividends for preferred stockholders — the government, not private investors. So who will buy common stock? And the government will demand that its bills be paid before any profits that might materialize are reinvested in the financial institution, so how will the value of the stocks ever grow? Devoid of private investors, these institutions will fall ever more under government control. Obama will begin the process by limiting executive compensation. Then he will urge restructuring and lowering of home mortgages in danger of default (as the feds have already done with Citibank). Then will come guidance on the loans to make and government instructions on the types of enterprises to favor. God grant that some Blagojevich type is not in charge of the program, using his power to line his pockets. The United States will find itself with an economic system comparable to that of Japan , where the all-powerful bureaucracy at MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) manages the economy, often making mistakes like giving mainframe computers priority over the development of laptops. But it is the healthcare system that will experience the most dramatic and traumatic of changes. The current debate between erecting a Medicare-like governmental single payer or channeling coverage through private insurance misses the essential point. Without a lot more doctors, nurses, clinics, equipment and hospital beds, health resources will be strained to the breaking point. The people and equipment that now serve 250 million Americans and largely neglect all but the emergency needs of the other 50 million will now have to serve everyone. And, as government imposes ever more Draconian price controls and income limits on doctors, the supply of practitioners and equipment will decline as the demand escalates. Price increases will be out of the question, so the government will impose healthcare rationing, denying the older and sicker among us the care they need and even barring them from paying for it themselves. (Rationing based on income and price will be seen as immoral.) And Obama will move to change permanently the partisan balance in America. He will move quickly to legalize all those who have been in America for five years, albeit illegally, and to smooth their paths to citizenship and voting. He will weaken border controls in an attempt to hike the Latino vote as high as he can in order to make red states like Texas into blue states like California . By the time he is finished, Latinos and African-Americans will cast a combined 30 percent of the vote. If they go by top-heavy margins for the Democrats, as they did in 2008, it will assure Democratic domination (until they move up the economic ladder and become good Republicans). And he will enact the check-off card system for determining labor union representation, repealing the secret ballot in union elections. The result will be to raise the proportion of the labor force in unions up to the high teens from the current level of about 12 percent. Finally, he will use the expansive powers of the Federal Communications Commission to impose “local” control and ownership of radio stations and to impose the “fairness doctrine” on talk radio. The effect will be to drive talk radio to the Internet, fundamentally change its economics, and retard its growth for years hence. But none of these changes will cure the depression. It will end when the private sector works through the high debt levels that triggered the collapse in the first place. And, then, the large stimulus package deficits will likely lead to rapid inflation, probably necessitating a second recession to cure it. So Obama’s name will be mud by 2012 and probably by 2010 as well. And the Republican Party will make big gains and regain much of its lost power. But it will be too late to reverse the socialism of much of the economy, the demographic change in the electorate, the rationing of healthcare by the government, the surge of unionization and the crippling of talk radio. Morris, a former adviser to Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and President Bill Clinton, is the author of Outrage. To get all of Dick Morris’s and Eileen McGann’s columns for free by email, go to www.dickmorris.com. To order a signed copy of their new best-selling book, Fleeced, go to dickmorris.com. .. http://thehill.com/dick-morris/the-obama-presidency--here-comes-socialism-2009-0... |
~ Quote of the Day ~ I have made this [letter] longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter. - Blaise Pascal Hey all; I know most of us sit in rooms alone for hours and maybe days on end, banging out what we hope will be the next Pulitzer prize winning work, or at least something that will garner a free publishing credit for the old resume. So I thought I'd post this and let you learn a little about what not to do on your next query letter and provide a laugh to your long, hum-drum day behind closed doors, separated from those you love ... and the sound of the clock ticking your life away. Enjoy one of the tidbits of insanity from a newsletter I receive regarding writing. Ta and peace, P Example of a Mind-Boggling Horrible Query Posted by Chuck Guest blogger Ric Klass shows writers just about everything you SHOULDN'T do in a query letter. The hilarious result is below. Enjoy. Guest blog column by Ric Klass December 17, 2008 Ms. Agent William Morris Agency 1825 Park Avenue New York, NY 10012 Hi Mr. Agent, You've finally got a good book to represent. MINE. The word is out that you're the best agent in the world. Now's your chance to prove it. I'm thinking of calling my book Gone With The Wind II. Pretty sweet, huh? I'm using the same characters, Rhett Butler and all that. My understanding is that the publisher will have no problem getting the approval to do that from the family's state. But here's the catch ... Tara will be in outer space this time!!!! Whoa! I bet this is the best idea you've heard in weeks or maybe ever. A bestseller for sure. By the way, I'm wrote the book on my lunch breaks (more on that later). I've contacted about two hundred other agents and saved the best for last ---- YOU. They're crazy not to have leaped at this ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. I warn you, Mr. Agent, you may not get another chance like this one. Even though I read you only represent nonfiction, this is your chance to get into the fiction game where more interesting stories can be told. I've discussed my ideas for the book with several of my friends at CVS where I work and they all LOVE IT! Obviously, dumdum, you will too. Right now I'm just stocking the shelves, but I think the manager might promote me to cash register. After all I worked there for nearly eight years and hardly took any time off except for the time I spend in prison fighting a false arrest for attacking one the agents I contacted who wouldn't answer even one of my hundreds of phone calls--- the dirty bastard. But I'll get even with him. I know you're not that kind of guy. From what I've read, you're a straight shooter. The book is nearly done. I've almost finished page 12. Once begun is half done as they say. You should know that I need at least a $100,000 advance. And I need it NOW. You can't believe how expensive lawyers are. (Don't worry I won't sue you, too!) From what I've read, you agents usually get 10 or 15 percent off the top. I'm willing to double it if you can send me at least $25,000 NOW. Since my idea is a sure thing, you should have no problem with this deal. You should also know I don't suffer welchers if you no what I mean. You had better not tell my great idea to some other writer and going around me!!!! By the way, although your Web site said to include a synopsis, I thought I wouldn't waste my time since you're sure to take on my book anyway. Instead (as I'm sure you noticed) enclosed in this giant box you just opened is a case of my favorite Skippy peanut butter just to let you know I'm no piker (in the case that I find another agent first before we sine on the dotted line, please send me $30 (in cash) to cover my expenses and the postage). Right now the water drops you see on this page are real tears. I really need and DESERVE to have my book published. I've taken the liberty of following you to your home in Rye, NY, so I can deliver the manuscript any time you say directly to your place and hand it to one of your cute kids if you're not there (By the way, your wife is good looking too. NICE GOING! but she should keep the curtains closed - there are so wackos out there, ya know ... never can be too sure). But like I said, I'll need a few days to finish the book. If for some reason I don't hear from you in a day or so, you can expect to see me on your doorstep. (I'm sure it would have just slipped your mind. Ha Ha Ha Ha.!!!) Or you can except my offer by mail. I've enclosed an envelope for your secretary to address. She can stamp it too. Rich agents like you don't need me to save them chump change, right? Right. Affectionately, Joe Writer 914-555-2054 (My girlfriend's number cause my phone is disconnected due to a bill miscommunication. Don't even think of fuggin trying to hit on her or else!) P.S. BTW, if you do hit on her, send money today and I'll forgot the whole thing (and not tell your wife!). |
~ Quote of the Day ~ “A news sense is really a sense of what is important, what is vital, what has color and life - what people are interested in. That's journalism.” - Burton Rascoe quotes Ahoy! Captain's log: 2, January, 2009 Ev'n asea I gets me news. Through tha miracle o' an Internet link ta a distant shore, me mates picked up a signal worth sharin' with me chaps at home. Though I don't admit to wettin' myself, a hearty laugh was heard below deck as I watched tha shenanigans. Enjoy, or beware what comes yer way! P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY&eurl=http://blog.myspace.com/index... |
~ Quote of the Day ~ “Even pirates, before they attack another ship, hoist a black flag.” - Bela Kiraly Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all. - Johnny Depp Arrrgh Mateys! Shiver me timbers! And here ya thought ya was gonna find a witherin' look back at tha Year of Our Lord - 2008. Au contraire mon amis, for tonight we look forward ... ta adventure on tha high seas ... ta murderous attempts deep within tha hold ... ta findin' lost treasure or tha chance ta make treasure lost ta find again ... ta shiny cutlery and tha clear sound o' swords clanging in tha night ... ta taking no prisoners! unless they be Orlando Bloom. Thar'll be plenty o' time to jaw 'round a fire, swappin' stories o' tha past year when next we find port, but tonight we hoist tha black flag and set sail toward tha unknown. Gone are tha days of 2008 with all its failure and triumphant booty. Look back no more me scallywags and wenches, for tonight tha moon guides us across dark water until thar's nothin' left but man and sea, and tha promise o' a jig and reel played on a fiddle while we dance 'til dawn. 'til tha morrow ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! P, yar Pirate Queen |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** The Christmas Story Luke 2 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** May you each experience His freely given love during this Blessed Christmas season and throughout the coming New Year. Merry Christmas everyone! Each of you are very special to me. I leave you with one of my favorite Christmas songs until we next meet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC9o4oYMIqI Patricia |
~ Quote of the Day ~ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2UIG5GSbq8 My Grown-up Christmas Wish Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee I wrote to you with childhood fantasies Well I'm all grown up now Can you still help somehow? I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream So here's my lifelong wish My grown-up Christmas list Not for myself, but for a world in need No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal all hearts Every man would have a friend That right would always win And love would never end This is my grown-up Christmas list What is the illusion called "The innocence of youth"? Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal all hearts Every man would have a friend That right would always win And love would never end This is my grown-up Christmas list This is my only lifelong wish This is my grown-up Christmas list Songwriters: David Foster, Linda Thompson-Jenner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOic7t1kZog&feature=related I wish each of you peace on this Christmas Eve. Patricia ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
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