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

[rzeznikj at stout]

Nah, I just have most of the collection of Bond movies--and I've seen 'em about 30 times...;)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wow, fantastic! We need to talk, lol.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good to see you AAC!

I need to do a couple of things, but I'll be back as soon as I can. It won't take long.

See you soon.

[Army Air Corps]

Roger Wilco.

[snugs]

Have changed surname to Snugs so people recognise me, fun finding Ashford on the map as nearest city was London so had navigate from London to Ashford.

[DollyCali]

you're names all came thru at same time!!!! & approved. WELCOME!

there is an inner system mail I think & you can post a blog there if you wish. I am just learning about it along the way. The Dawn Patrol at ATRW has one also . The Raven is the administrator of that group. That is where I learned about it.

[DollyCali]

yes, we know each other by screennames. It is so funny Eleanor, when I get together (and I do frequently) with other FReepers, we call each ohter screennames, even though we know our real names! Just force of habit I guess.

[nhoward14]

1. In "Thunderball", how did the world's governments indicate their acceptance of Blofeld's demands?

They danced the hokey pokey on primetime TV.

2. What rank does James Bond hold?

Commander

3. What children's book did James Bond author Ian Fleming write?

See James Run, Kill, and Blow Up

4. How does Bond kill Scaramanga in "Man With the Golden Gun"?

Fed him to a shark with a frickin' laser beam on its head.

5. What kind of car was the submarine-car in "The Spy Who Loved Me"?

Le Car

6. Who is M's favorite fictional character?

Q

7. What Bond movie has 007 skiing of a cliff and a parachute opens?

The World is Not Enough

8. In which movie does Bond give up his Beretta for the Walther PPK?

Live and Let Die

9 In which movie does James Bond get married?

Octopussy

10. What is the name of Bond's CIA counterpart?

Maxwell Smart

11. In which James Bond film did the character Oddjob make his debut?

Goldfinger

12. What is the name of Ian Fleming's private island?

Fleming Island

13. What is the name of Ian Fleming's estate in Jamaica?

Flemingtation

14. When and who was the first actor to portray James Bond?

Sean Connery 1960

[DollyCali]

lol!!! good. Yours was the first one thru and I knew your name so when I confirmed the location, I knew it was you! Jemian's Terror is a Single college FReeper. He is home with his family in Mississippi currently. I am hoping he drops in here & gets acquainted, if he has time this weekend.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Very sorry to hear about Greystone. Prayers that God will comfort you and the other cats.

[DollyCali]

wow, you're good. I am assuming you are right.. I knew (maybe a couple) and am a pretty strong Bond fan, although NOT a fanatic!

[Army Air Corps]

Is it as hot as blazes in LV yet?
from of my friends from work try to visit Vegas at least once every year so that they can go to the shows and hit the poker tables.

[HitmanLV]

It was around 90 on Wed or Thursday, but its mid 70s all weekend! Very nice!

[Theresawithanh]

Hello, and Happy Easter to all! Hope you are able to enjoy with family and friends!

My sports story is when I caught a fly ball back in high school PE. I was one of the unathletical kids, last picked, the whole 9, and I was placed waaaay, waaaay out in the field where I couldn't do any damage. So one of the girls on the other team hit a high fly, and I noticed it was coming to me! I stood there, closed my eyes, put my mitt up above my head and caught the ball just as I was knocked to the ground by one of my teammates who was also trying to catch the ball. We still lost miserably, and had to run laps as a team, but that was my "glory" moment.

Now, I just watch sports on TV and go to the occasional A's and Giant's baseball game.

[HitmanLV]

Yep, maybe tomorrow! ;-)

[nhoward14]

If those are all correct, I need to go buy some lottery tickets before my luck wears off.

[nhoward14]

What, pray tell, is a FRAPPR site?

[ilovew]

Do I get an award for being first? :)

[DollyCali]

pray tell.. what the heck is Tandoori chicken...???

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Great story! I was hopeless at softball in HS. Whenever I even got near to catching or hitting a ball, the rest of the team cheered.