The ***OFFICIAL*** Weekend Singles' Thread -- Easter Weekend (April 14-16)

April 14, 2006 | Victoria Delsoul and Army Air Corps

[Victoria Delsoul]

The True Meaning of Easter

By: Paul Arinaga

There's a lot of controversy about the true meaning of Easter. Some claim that it's actually a pagan celebration in origin. Others lament that retailers, greeting card companies and television are changing Christianity's greatest feast into something with meaning "the size of a jelly bean."

In any case, the most common view about the real meaning of Easter is that it's a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that through this act, sin and death are conquered. Easter also can be seen as a season of joy. The time of sorrow is over. Lent's penitential forty days have passed, and the fifty days of the Easter season have begun. Winter is over and spring is in the air. In times past, it's said that priests would regale their parishioners with funny stories. Easter was truly a time to rejoice. To rejoice that Our Lord has Risen and that one day we too shall pass through death (which has lost its sting) and rise to New Life!

While I am certainly not erudite enough to give you the definitive answer on what Easter means. I believe that it offers many valuable insights about life, no matter what your religious beliefs. In fact, the Easter story is so powerful that it probably offers something even to an open-minded atheist!

One of the biggest lessons from the Easter story, I believe, is the power of forgiveness. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about what forgiveness actually is. In my opinion, it doesn't mean condoning the wrong that has been committed or allowing it to happen again. Moreover, the act of forgiving is not necessarily something you do for the transgressor (although it can be), although its power can transform the transgressor, too. It is something you may do for yourself.

When you can forgive, you can finally be free of the burden of guilt, anger, hatred or resentment. The healing process can begin or finally conclude. You can also let go of the person who hurt you. This makes you stronger and removes the power that person has over you. It's somehow ironic that by not forgiving we allow the person who has harmed us to continue to harm us, even if they themselves are unaware of the long-term damage that is being inflicted. Of course, ultimately, we are responsible. By taking responsibility now for our own interpretation of what happened in the past, we become much stronger - I think that's what people mean when they talk about "self-empowerment".

I'm not sure whether forgiveness is the main lesson of the Easter story or even a primary message from it. But I am sure that it is a valuable one. And I'm also certain that if we can learn how to forgive, we will be more productive - and happier - human beings.

Hi everybody. The themes for today are sports and movies:

1- Strange sports stories where you either participated or were a spectator. (Anything that seemed out of the ordinary and made you laugh.)

2- Favorite romantic films. Tell us about your most memorable tv/movie romances, or romantic moments.

3- Tell us about your favorite romantic movie dance scene: actors, actress, songs, soundtrack... which particular scene you thought was the best, famous quotes, etc.

And as you all well know, “in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes” and since it is also a tax weekend, we'd like to add some tax trivia, too.

Make sure to read this great essay regarding the history of taxes in the U.S. written by Army Air Corps. Outstanding job, AAC. Thanks.

Tax Trivia:

1. In 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was passed. What did it do?

2. About how much did the U. S. government collect in Income Taxes in the year 2001?

3. Which country does NOT have an income tax?

4. Why was the first U. S. Income Tax implemented?

5. Which U. S. President was responsible for the largest Federal Income Tax cut in the 20th century?

6. Which President implemented the very first Income Tax in the United States?

7. As a percent of income, which country has the highest tax rate?

8. As of the year 2000, the U. S. Internal Revenue Code (or tax code for short) is how many pages long?

9. Who writes the Income Tax laws in the United States?

10. What does the Internal Revenue Service call their electronic method of filing Income Taxes?

Please, join us for some fun.

Your hosts for the weekend are:

Victoria Delsoul                             Army Air Corps

This weekend's Music

Sergio Mendes & Black Eyed Peas - Mas Que Nada

Shakira - Whenever, Whatever

Los Lonely Boys - Heaven

Los Lonely Boys – Heaven (Spanish Version)

Etta James – At Last

Charlie Rich – The Most Beautiful Girl

The Cardigans – Lovefool

Maroon 5 - This Love

Frank Sinatra – I've Got You Under My Skin

Smokey Robinson – Just To See Her

Mariah Carey - Emotions

Barry Manilow – Copacabana

Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders - The Game Of Love

Andy Williams – Moon River

Louie Prima – Jump Jive And Wail

Shania Twain - You're Still The One

Smokey Robinson – Cruisin'

The Mamas & The Papas – California Dreamin'

Ricky Martin – Livin' The Vida Loca

Goo Goo Dolls – Give A Little Bit

Neil Diamond - America

Lou Bega – Mambo No. 5

Bobby Darin – Mack The Knife

Wayne Newton – Danke Schoen

Neil Diamond – I Am I Said

Bobby Darin – Beyond The Sea

The Marcels – Blue Moon

Sam Cooke – Another Saturday Night

Elvis Presley – My Way

Patti Labelle – Lady Marmalade

The Pretenders – Back On The Chain Gang

Bobby Darin - More

Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now

Roy Orbison – Pretty Woman

Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Sheryl Crow – All I Want To Do

[Hoodlum91]

You'd rather watch? :-p (that was bad, I know...)

[HitmanLV]

Wishing you a wonderful Easter! :-)

[snugs]

That is a beautiful bunny

[tuliptree76]

I really don't mind working on Friday or Monday. I don't have much else to do except work on my dissertation anyway.

[ilovew]

Not unless you want me to smack you upside the head, young lady. I told you to behave!

[Hoodlum91]

Sorry mom.

[RockinRight]

OK, there will be NO smacking!

[ilovew]

There will if you two misbehave. I'm a nicer person when Phil's around :) Until then...I'm a very strict chaperone.

[Hoodlum91]

so...when's phil due back? Innocent question of course...nothing behind it...

[RockinRight]

Shouldn't WE be chaperoning YOU? I believe we're older!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Let's see, you got right #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14. Ten out of 15 it's pretty good.

[ilovew]

Suuure it's an innocent question. I don't know when he gets back but he'll be here next weekend. Or so I was told.

[nhoward14]

1. Which state was NOT one of the original 13 colonies?

Depending on the time frame the answer is different. Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia are all states that formed from a subdivision of the 13 original colonies.

2. Which is the least populated state capital in the U.S.?

Montpelier, VT

3. Who was president at the beginning of the Great Depression?

Herbert Hoover

4. What city is the capital of Michigan?

Lansing

5. What American city is known as "The Insurance Capital of the World"?

Hartford, CT

6. What was the name of the first European child born in the New World (America)?

Pilgrim White

7. Exactly what was located at Gettysburg that the Battle of Gettysburg was fought over?

High ground at Cemetery Hill

8. Which of the following helped write the Federalist Papers prior to ratification of the Constitution?

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

9. Which state's inhabitants are nicknamed "Hoosiers"?

Indiana

10. Where was George Washington born?

Popes Creek Plantation

11. GW Bush was the managing partner of what pro baseball team?

Texas Rangers

12. What are names of GW Bush's 3 cats?

India (uh, you sure he has three?)

13. GW Bush earned a Masters of Business Administration from what school?

Harvard Business School

14. What is the name of the novel that Gore once claimed was based on his Harvard romance with Tipper?

Love Story

15. What did Gore claim to have invented on Larry King's show?

CNN

[Victoria Delsoul]

Oops, # 8 should read:

Who helped to write the Federalist Papers prior to ratification of the Constitution?

[ilovew]

Yes, you are older. But Phil's not here so what would you be chaperoning?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi AAC! How are you doing?

Mass was very good, thanks.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You got right, #3, 4, half of 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, you got 2 names right on #12, 13 and 15 are OK.

8 right and 2 half. :-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Oh wow, thanks Dolly! But I thought you liked my latest pic better, lol.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Right on target!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much, Vinnie.

Happy Easter to you as well.