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

[Supernatural]

When I was in grade school and Jr. High, we used to go to knothole games at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The games were free for kids and we went on a bus (25 mile ride each way) for $1.

The Pirates and the Giants always used to play in these knothole games. The kids always sat in right field, which we loved because Clemente and Willie Mays both played right field.

They both caught fly balls with their gloves at their waists. Both could gun down runners who tried to tag up. Both could really hit well too.

Clemente drew an awful lot of intentional walks. He led the league in batting many times.

If pitchers would have pitched the ball like they do now, trying to throw all strikes and letting the batters hit the ball, Clemente might have the home-run record.

Baseball is a much different game than it used to be. I see outfielders dog it out there and not giving it anywhere near 100% effort.

They really played harder in the old days.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well, maybe you start walking around malls or somewhere else, just to avoid old guys feeding pigeons, LOL!!!

[HitmanLV]

I'm oldschool, too. :-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

They really played harder in the old days.

That's what I heard and for less money as well.

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks for the ping, Victoria. A blessed and happy Easter to you and yours!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi AC! Thanks much, same to you.

Hope you had a great day. I bet you did too.

[HitmanLV]

My own personal golden age for baseball is the 1970s. My Yankees were dominant, the players weren't so overpaid and under performing, and the game had some purity left.

Free agency, crazy salaries, and rising ticket prices helped tame my romance with baseball, though!

[Alberta's Child]

I think that play was named the Greatest Sports Play of the 1980s on Warner Wolf's "Plays of the Decade" show back then.

If I remember correctly, that was John Elway's last game at Stanford.

The officials really blew the call, too -- though it's hard to blame them. Both teams had players leave the sideline during the kickoff (everyone thought the game was over), so there should have been offsetting penalties on both teams.

[Alberta's Child]

It's been a little hectic today -- getting lots of things done. I got outside for a nice long hockey workout on inline skates, too!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Free agency, crazy salaries, and rising ticket prices helped tame my romance with baseball, though!

Well, romance is always waiting for you. But yeah, I agree with what you said.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good for you. It's getting a bit warm to play hockey, isn't it?

[HitmanLV]

It was a very controversial play and the consensus is that the refs did blow it. That being said, it's an exciting moment in sports and unforgettable!

I think it was Elway's last season in college, yes.

Unforgettable!

[Supernatural]

I saw Elway's first pro game at Three Rivers Stadium. Broncos vs. the Steelers.

Elway got knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Everybody in the stands was saying, "Welcome to the NFL".

Craig Penrose came out and QB'd for the Bronco's.

Denver won the game, 17-14.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Did someone say HOCKEY?!

[snugs]

I missed the bit that you were hoping to intern with the DoD last I knew you were hoping for something on capital hill.

[Victoria Delsoul]

AC loves and plays hockey - and he's pretty good, too.

AC, Max likes hokey as well.

[Army Air Corps]

I used to have that on my HDD; now, you have me looking for it so that I can listen to it...

[tuliptree76]

I will see my family briefly, then I have to travel back on Sunday. I have to work on Monday, so I have to get back soon.

[HitmanLV]

Also the whole fan experience isn't as good. Stadiums and sporting events can be rough places, and people are very rude and insensitive to those around them.

I got the MLB cable package this season: $160 for about 60+ games per week, including almost every Yankee game (which is what I wanted anyway). That's a deal: I've already enjoyed my share of Yankee games and the season is about 2 weeks old! ;-)

[tuliptree76]

I'm sorry for your loss of Greystone.