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

[eeevil conservative]

they finally made a thread for us!!!!!

;-)

[tuliptree76]

Hi Dolly. I'm feeling better (still not 100%). I'm just briefly checking pings (I won't get caught up any time soon). I've been out of town on business since Thursday, so I haven't had much access to the Internet. I'll be travelling back tomorrow.

[DollyCali]

Thanks for checking in. I recall you mentioning you had a business trip scheduled. Terrible to have to travel when you aren't 100%. Have a nice Easter! Will you be with family?

[DollyCali]

why of course! hope you can join tonight. Usually that is when more participate. Slower this weekend with holiday & many traveling. Welcome to you both

[DollyCali]

gee I am not sure the version. How do I tell?

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Yes, they are.

I think it's just that he doesn't realize his limitations.

Simply because he can write a great short story, or novella, or novel, does not mean he has the requisite talent to transfer that story to the screen.

Being a good novelist and a good screenwriter are two completely distinct things, for the most part.

It's kind of like Henry James, who was a great novelist but whose one attempt at being a successful playwright was an unmitigated disaster.

[rzeznikj at stout]

OK, select the Help menu. Scroll down to "About Mozilla Firefox"

The number should be either 1.0.x (x being 1-7) or 1.5.0.1.

[potlatch]

Thanks for the ping Dolly. Great pictures and arrangement! How we love our dogs, huh?

We went to Lake Erie on vacations when I was a little girl, I remember it well. Later moved to Texas.

[Nowhere Man]

Greystone

Found 5-12-2001
d. 4-15-2006




Picture taken 4-06-2006, last picture of him I took.

It is my regret to inform yuns that Greystone has passed away at around 5:20 PM EDT (less than an hour ago as I type this) due to kidney failure. We gave it a good fight and he was doing fairly well until today. I wish to thank all of yuns for pulling, praying and rooting for his recovery. He was around four weeks old when we founf him, his mother, brother and sister so he just turned 5 about this time. He will be missed, I love that little "Maynard G. Krebs" (google Dobie Gillis and Bob Denver fo explaination) beard of his that you can see in the last picture I took of him last week.

[Supernatural]

Sorry to hear about Greystone. I know you did everything you could for him, no expense spared and no effort spared.

At this time all I can say is that I am happy you have other cats to keep you company.

[Nowhere Man]

We went to Lake Erie on vacations when I was a little girl, I remember it well. Later moved to Texas.

Lake Erie is loads of fun. In 2001, I went up there and made my firt international amateur radio contact on my 2 meter walkie-talkie when I talked to some Canadian hams as my signal travelled across the lake. Presque Isle is a lot of fun plus they have a ship there that was used (it could be a replica too) from the War of 1812.

[trussell]

Prayer ping. Please see post 369 posted on 04/15/2006 4:20:55 PM MDT by Nowhere Man {click the number}

Please post your replies to Nowhere Man

Nowhere Man, My prayers going up for you while you mourn the loss of your beloved pet. God's love and peace shield you, Greystone's memory give you comfort.  

Blessings,
trussell

If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

My condolences and prayers. Lost a few pets myself over the years. Always a place in the heart for them forever afterwards.

[warsaw44]

Great thread!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.

[potlatch]

It's been an eon since I was there. I'm sure it is a whole different place now. I do remember the big amusement park somewhere near there called Kennywood, I believe?

[DollyCali]

oh, I am SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT. I know how much you loved him & tried so hard to help him. It was always so nice to get the positive reports on his progress.

It will be a difficult time ahead. I still cry daily for my oliver (died Dec 12, 2005)... some holes in your heart just don't heal, I guess.

We are all here for you if you need us!

[carlr]

Sorry to hear that,had a house cat from Oct 1979 until she died April 13^th 1993.

I use her picture here now and than on Zot threads.

They are very much family members.

[snugs]

So sorry to hear about Greystone I am certain that without your efforts he would not have lasted so long.

Though he had a short life I am certain it was a happy well loved one.

[DollyCali]

1.5.0.2 is the version of Firefox

[NormsRevenge]

Been there done that, last month in fact, way more times than I care to think .. hang in there

Many a stray has crossed our threshold over the years, the memories are good ones for the most part

Our latest 'find' we call
Angel.

Bless Ya and Greystone