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

[rightwingintelligentsia]

That is a great pic! What does it mean to be a shareholder (do you own a part of the team)?

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Sorry, I didn't read them yet and don't have time right now. Maybe later tonight.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Sure. I'll be back a bit later as well.

Hope to see you then.

[snugs]

It just means that you own a share in the company like you would any public company be it a sports company or a company that makes dog food.

You are entitled to go the the annual general meeting and you have a vote at that meeting re the accounts, appointing of directors all the things that go on at an annual shareholders meeting.

Also there are perks like if we win a trophy you are entitled to have a photograph with it on the day of the annual general meeting (it always held in the close season so if we have won a trophy it is there at the ground). Otherwise you would have book this up with club and of course pay to have this done for us shareholders it is free on that day.

[ilovew]

Howdy, y'all!

[snugs]

Hi ya

[ilovew]

Hey, snugs! How are you doing?

[snugs]

Doing fine, got the new computer working well now after a few teething troubles and enjoying it but not enjoying that it has not got my data on it.

Hopefully that will be sorted next week and in the meantime am running 2 machines and bring over selected files when required.

[carlr]

Good evening Victoria.
The most memorable sporting event to me was the 6^th game of the 86 World Series when the ball rolled through Buckners legs (sorry Redsox fans).
Romantic movies and me don`t really exist together so that one is a little difficult.
:)

[buckeyesrule]

****Strange sports stories where you either participated or were a spectator.****

I once scored a basket for the other team in a basketball game in the 6th grade. I came back to score 3 point for us. LOL!

[snugs]

I am glad I am not the only one that is struggling re movies tend to like funny ones myself though a few Hugh Grant ones I suppose cover both funny and romantic.

[buckeyesrule]

*** Favorite romantic films.****

I'll pick one I know no one will pick. In "The Winning Team" Ronald Reagan plays the baseball pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. Alexander has double vision and he tells his wife (Doris Day) that one good thing about his double vision is that now "your twice as pretty". LOL!

[rightwingintelligentsia]

I have to agree with you on the romantic movies--I'm not a big fan of "mush." Much rather have a good comedy or even a historical epic.

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks for the ping, Victoria -- and thanks for posting that Smokey Robinson song "Cruising," too. It's an old favorite!

[Army Air Corps]

Sorry for the delay; I JUST got home.

[Army Air Corps]

1- Strange sports stories where you either participated or were a spectator.

Hmmm, that would be skeet-surfing while doing Tequila shooters...

[rzeznikj at stout]

Well, about three and a half years ago, my high school football team was invited by the worst team in our conference (Pius XI H.S.; team name is the Popes) to play in the Badger Classic at Camp Randall Stadium (home field for the University of Wisconsin)

The game went all right, and in the second half, an injured Pius player was lying at about midfield. Suddenly, the stadium PA announced that "There is an injured Pope lying on the field"

Needless to say, our sideline and the stands behind us erupted in laughter.

By the way, we won the game 32-0.

[Army Air Corps]

"Much rather have a good comedy or even a historical epic."

History of the World - it is both an historical epic and a comedy.

[carlr]

I did sit through "Sleepless in Seattle" quite a while ago.
I guess it wasn`t that bad a movie.

[rzeznikj at stout]

It is indeed a Classic

Still waiting for Part II, though... ;)