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

[Victoria Delsoul]

he normally has a cameo in his movies

Oh yes, just like Where is Waldo.

Well, it was great having you here tonight, Dolly. Hope you'll come back tomorrow.

[DollyCali]

yes.. will prolly post some pix of my doggie Josy's first day at Lake Erie & first day swimming. since I have had her since early Feb she has been at streams & rivers a lot & some deep water but not for long stretches. Quite a few pet people here at this thread.

Night all.. thank you Victoria again for opening the doors for the weekend in such a classy manner..NOW WE DON"T WANT TO SCARE OFF THE OTHER POSTERS. Plain is very acceptable & appreciated. If you do a "Victoria" well - that is BEYOND the call..

[Alberta's Child]

misrepresentation? misinterpretation?

LOL.

"Alberta's Child" is actually the name of a song by Canadian country music legend Ian Tyson.

[DollyCali]

see how educational this thread is? lol!

night AC!

[Alberta's Child]

Night, Dolly -- it was good seeing you here!

[Army Air Corps]

That is weird. All I had to do was allow pop-ups from FR. What browser are you using?

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Yeah, that's true.

I don't even remember that movie, to be honest, except for a few snippets that are replayed occasionally.

But it did look kind of ridiculous, from what I recall.

"Dawn of the Dead" was much better.

I've never seen the original directed by George Romero, but the remake was amazing.

There were definitely a lot of humorous aspects of the film, but it was still scary.

Well, as scary as a film about hordes of zombies attacking a shopping mall can be.

:-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

You're very welcome. I had a lot of fun doing it, and yes, plain is fine. AAC did a good job writing his tax essay as well.

Post anything you like.

Hope to see you tomorrow.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well, as scary as a film about hordes of zombies attacking a shopping mall can be.

See, I'm laughing already.

[Victoria Delsoul]

This one was scary.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Heh, heh.

Maybe you're right, and that was their intention all along.

Deviously clever.

:-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Yes, I think they are deviously clever. LOL

[Army Air Corps]

I never saw it.
Is it "pee in your pants" scary or "Nightmares for a week" scary.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

To the best of my recollection, I never watched the The Blair Witch Project.

I did see a few scenes from The Sixth Sense.

One of my favorite horror films of all-time is 13 Ghosts.

The original, not the cheesy remake.

I'm also kind of embarrassed to admit that I loved Freddy V. Jason.

I had never watched either Friday The 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street before, but I thought that movie kicked ass.

:-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

It's "almost pee in your pants-not quite, but getting there" scary.

[Army Air Corps]

The original version of the haunting was creepier than the remake. Sometimes, black and white is better for horror...

[Victoria Delsoul]

Freddy is good... kind of funny as well.

The Sixth Sense is OK.

[Army Air Corps]

i agree, the original 13 Ghosts was good.

[Army Air Corps]

LOL.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I don't remember seeing the 13 Ghosts. Who was in it?