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

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL!!!

[snugs]

That is what I mean by subs they started being popular here about 15 years ago.

Before that we just called them filled rolls or bagettes.

[Army Air Corps]

The Tom Tom Club was not on the Top Ten charts, but that song was their only real hit.

[snugs]

We are more into fish cakes, which is white fish mixed with mash potato, blended with milk to bind. Then dipped into egg rolled in bread crumbs and deep fried. You can of course buy them frozen.

Crab cakes would possibly be on a restaurant menu but not everyday food.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Interesting...

Though I'm unsure what law I'll practice. I wouldn't mind Constitutional law, though...

But you're absolutely right. Though it also perpetuates the need for lawyers ;)

Of course, tort reform could also help the profession, but that's just IMO.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Absolutely! Welcome to the club. Anyone who's single now, even if he/she was married 8 times before, LOL. Good to see you!!! And Happy Easter.

I will let Dolly know so she could add your name to her ping list.

[Supernatural]

There are several stories on how the Submarine Sandwich, or "Sub", got its name.

One story is that during WWII there was a place that built Submarines for the war. A local sandwich shop built big sandwiches for the guys who worked there and called it a "Submarine Sandwich" because it was on a roll of bread that was shaped like a sub and the guys who built the real subs loved them.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Then, there's the joke about the honest lawyer getting the best room in Heaven--because he was the only lawyer in Heaven...;)

[tuliptree76]

Law just wasn't for me. That's why I went into teaching.

[Army Air Corps]

Well, this thread is a union gig. You'll have to join your local (for you, that is Singles Local 1138). Don't forget the dues...

[Army Air Corps]

One of my relatives jokes that not all lawyers are bad; it is only 99% who give the rest a bad name.

[TheresaKett]

Don't really have any traditional Good Friday foods. Last year I did go to a Sader dinner though on the Thursday before Good Friday. So, that was traditional jewish Passover food, which was very interesting. It was done with my Non Denominational Christian church group and led by a Messianic Jew.

I was raised Catholic and we could not eat meat, except fish on Fridays during lent, but I do not see that anywhere in the Bible so don't particularly follow that today, although I respect that others do.

Never had hot cross buns, but have heard they are good. And since I like any kind of bread and most sweets I am sure they are.

[snugs]

Now you mention it I think I heard that story when I visited the States, I think someone in Plymouth told me.

Me eating a pizza in Plymouth on the evening I arrived

In case you did not guess I am on the right :0)

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Great photo, Snugs!

[snugs]

[rzeznikj at stout]

On this one, it's fairly serious...

I live in Wisconsin, where we have a crooked Dim for governor.

The guy bypassed the Legislature and unilaterally negotiated horrible deals with the state's Indian casinos. Now, he's been taking tens of thousands of dollars to his campaign from companies that want (and have gotten) state compacts. It's truly a pay-to-play scheme.

Although OTOH, if I became a rich crook, I'd fit in just fine right now in (the People's Republik of) Madistan.

Though people say I'm just too honest. To which I reply: "look at the bright side, at least I'll stand out!!" ;)

Also, 12:05am CDT: Happy Easter!!!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love. Click on the link (hope it works)

Link

[TheresaKett]

Just looked through your bio to see who I am chatting with. Very nice page. BTW, very sorry about the loss of your Mother on Christmas.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Understandable. And good for you!!!

Though for me, the reverse is true...

My dad's going into teaching undergrads though. He's got a lot more patience (maybe through having to put up with me???) ;)

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL, you're funny as well.

Happy Easter!