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

[carlr]

You stumped me on the tax trivia.
As for the the ball through Buckners legs,it was one of those things without explanation,the game was tied so the outcome was not settled.
It was a fairly easy grounder that he just booted allowing Ray Knight (I think) to score from third.
The sad part is that a great career is remembered for this moment.

The next most memorable event was the Knicks title run in the playoffs in 1973,beating the Celtics to get to the finals and than the Lakers for the championship.

[snugs]

Cut in half spread with butter and served with a nice hot cup of tea.

I prefer mine toasted - dad likes his cold (hot cross buns that is - LOL)

[ilovew]

Wow, you have a great memory, snugs. Thanks.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great stuff, thanks much.

Regarding tax trivia. You ought to know this one, try it...

Which U. S. President was responsible for the largest Federal Income Tax cut in the 20th century? It wasn't Clinton.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Sometimes, yes.

[Army Air Corps]

There are a few teas that I truly enjoy. Among them are blackcurrant, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast. Japanese Green Tea is one of my favourite teas. For the most part, I am a coffee man.

[nhoward14]

HAPPY EASTER!


1- Hands down winner for me.... Robin Ventura of the Chichago White Sox getting hit by a Nolan ryan curveball. Ventura rushes the mound and Nolan just pummels him in the most Christian way possible. :)

2- Kevin Arnold's and Winnie Cooper's first kiss on "The Wonder Years". I was either 10 or 11 at the time and the same age as the characters, and that's defined romance for me ever since.

3- Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in "The Mask of Zorro". This is the hottest dance scene I've seen that didn't have the couple strip naked immediately afterwards. :)

[Alberta's Child]

I'll post one in a little while . . . it's kinda long, and I'm typing it now.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Sorry - still here. I sent you a PM.

[carlr]

My guess,at least by percentage rates,would be Reagan.
If by actual dollars than I would say Bush 43.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Are you ready for Daleks tonight?

[Army Air Corps]

I am indeed! I am going to catch the 11:00pm showing since I missed the first airing tonight.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great stuff, thanks so much.

I haven't seen "The Mask of Zorro." I didn't know they danced either.

[Army Air Corps]

Anything that involves Catherine Zeta-Jones will earn my vote.

[Victoria Delsoul]

OK, great. :-)

[snugs]

Can't stand Earl Grey, breakfast tea is OK I just drink cheap ordinary tea which I suppose in taste is nearer breakfast tea but cheaper.

I am not keen on hot fruit teas either but I do like ice tea.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks. I'll take a look.

[nhoward14]

[screaming like a gay fairy]

OMG! Go rent it NOW!

[nhoward14]

I hear you. The scene in "Entrapment" where she works her way around the lasers is just awesome.

[Army Air Corps]

That basically made the movie for me.