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

[Army Air Corps]

Okay, so the pavement hasn't started to melt yet.

Do you ever wtahc CSI so that you can say "I know where THAT scene was filmed"? I did that as a kid when Matt Houston was on the air.

[DollyCali]

those are two good attributes! I have found the people that I PO, are really not worth worrying about!

Doing anything special tomorrow? family?

Just me & mom here tommorrow. Other family is scattered all over USA. I'll go to church, walk pooches (that is 2-3 hours rigorous hike) and come home & feed mom & work in yard

[Theresawithanh]

I totally hated HS PE.

Another funny, to me, is that years ago, when I was much more slender, I used to get asked if I was a runner. My reply was "Not unless my butt's on fire!" I am totally and unapologetically completely nonathletic.

[Army Air Corps]

wtach = watch

[ilovew]

Better than me. I don't have a car. But if I end up in DC after graduation, I won't really need one anyway.

[DollyCali]

HOW ARE YOU DOING? COME HERE & EMOTE

[DollyCali]

When I am in DC I walk/train. I have yet to bring a bike. I have found bikes are about the best way to get around cities

[rightwingintelligentsia]

You're right; you won't need a car in DC. My sister lived there for years and got around much better without one--they have a great Metro system.

[DollyCali]

Have you lived in Idaho your entire life? growing up all I could connect Idaho with was potatoes!!!!

lol

but folks who have been to your state say it is one of the most beautiful imaginable. I have never been to the NW states.

another thing to put on my "someday list"

[Supernatural]

I have no problem pissing people off at all.

I just tend to rub people the wrong way.

Part of my philosophy in life is that if I am pissed off, I am not going to be the only one who is pissed off.

Misery loves company.

[ilovew]

I definitely won't be riding a bike. I'm way too lazy for that. The Metro is decent though. Much better than the buses in Columbia.

[ilovew]

Yep. I visited a couple years ago cuz I was thinking about going to grad school there. I'm going to be doing an internship in DC in the fall...hopefully with the Defense Department!

[Supernatural]

Tomorrow we will bring my mother home from the rest home after lunch and she will be here all day, as she is every Sunday.

We are having halubki's, homemade kobassi, ham, potatoe salad and goodies.

Neighbors and relatives donated two puska's (Easter bread), nutroll (about 1 1/2 big ones), cold dough cookies and my uncle made the kolbassi (best I have ever eaten).

Things could be a lot worse. Even the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Part of my philosophy in life is that if I am p****d off, I am not going to be the only one who is p****d off.

Second on that.

Misery loves company.

Absolutely. And I'd add that it's infinitely much better to be p****d off than to be p****d on.

[DollyCali]

StolenBorrowed from Tonk at the Canteen

[Supernatural]

LOL on your post.

I thought I was the only one with that attituide.

I'm finding a bunch of like-minded thinkers on this thread.

Made my day!

[rzeznikj at stout]

You do know what they say...

...great minds think alike.

[DollyCali]

MOM day for you too! How old is your mom? mine is 87. The food you are having sounds like what we ate growing up. we must have similar ethnic backgrounds. We are slavic.

Well, going to depart for a bit

ANYONE KNOW HOW TO REMOVE OR MOVE the legend on the FRappr page? It is right in a "busy" area

[GOP_Raider]

Haven't lived here all of my life, but I almost inevitably ended up here for the Holidays and trips to my grandparents house. Idaho is one of only about 3 states I would consider settling down from my wild ways. :)

[DollyCali]

Whoa.. need to get a pix of you & Rummy!...maybe suggest he have lunch with you & your "buddy" Karl????