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]

Irish boy in confession

"Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a
loose woman."

The priest asks, "Is that you, little Timmy Shaughnessy?"

"Yes, Father,it is."

"And, who was the woman you were with?"

"I can't be tellin' you, Father. I don't want to ruin her
reputation."

"Well, Timmy, I'm sure to find out sooner or later, so you
may as well tell me now.

Was it Brenda O'Malley?"

"I cannot say."

"Was it Patricia Kelly?"

I'll never tell."

"Was it Sheilah O'Brien?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot name her."

"Was it Kathleen Morgan?"

"My lips are sealed."

"Was it Fiona Grogan, then?"

"Please, Father, I cannot tell you."

The priest sighs in frustration.

"You're a steadfast lad, Timmy Shaughnessy, and I
admire that. But you've sinned, and you must atone. You cannot attend church mass for threemonths. Be off with you now."

Timmy walks back to his pew. His friend Sean slides over
and whispers, "What'd you get?"

"Three month's vacation and five good leads."

[Victoria Delsoul]

Those are hilarious.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Oh great!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Every time he killed a bug, I would call him my hero for the day.

ROTFLOL!

[Nowhere Man]

It's been an eon since I was there. I'm sure it is a whole different place now. I do remember the big amusement park somewhere near there called Kennywood, I believe?

True, it is still there. We used to have an amusement park in the North Hills called "West View Park" as well, bu that shut down in the mid 1980's and the roller coaster there burned down in 1988, I remember hearing the call go out over my police scanner.

[Victoria Delsoul]

A wife went to the police station with her next-door neighbor to report that her husband was missing. The policeman asked for a description. She said, "He's 35 years old, 6 foot 4, has dark eyes, dark wavy hair, an athletic build, weighs 185 pounds, is soft-spoken, and is good to the children." The next-door neighbor protested, "Your husband is 5 foot 4, chubby, bald, has a big mouth, and is mean to your children." The wife replied, "Yes, but who wants HIM back?"

[HitmanLV]

Hahaha! Can't blame her for trying! ;-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Brazil

[Victoria Delsoul]

Why not, I'd be doing the same thing.

[Nowhere Man]

oh, I am SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT. I know how much you loved him & tried so hard to help him. It was always so nice to get the positive reports on his progress.

It will be a difficult time ahead. I still cry daily for my oliver (died Dec 12, 2005)... some holes in your heart just don't heal, I guess.

We are all here for you if you need us!

Thanks. Yeah, it is hard, but when I think about it, he is in a better place now, although it will be hard laying him to rest, but I keep thinking about the good times we had with him. Still though, his brother, G.W. (Dubya) has a lost look in his eyes, they used to lay together ever since they were kittens.

[TheresaKett]

have not heard of any of those

[Army Air Corps]

Your a doll, Victoria.

[Supernatural]

I bought a 1970 Z28 Camaro from a guy in West View. He lived right across the street from the Country Club.

His name was Jim Hendrix.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks. For those who are forgetful, here is a good advice:

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him.

"Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient.

"You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I'm never sure I can remember where I put the car, or whether I answered a letter, or where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered in his kindest tones, "Pay me in advance."

[Army Air Corps]

You haven't heard of Brasil 66? They are quite good and the Tamba Trio has music that is similar to Brasil 66. As fro Astrud Gilberto, see if "The Girl from Ipanema" rings a bell (Astrud has a voice that can turn me into pliable putty).

[Supernatural]

LOL for your jokes. Very good ones.

I've got a bunch more. I'll post them on future threads.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great. You can post some tonight, if you like.

[TheresaKett]

Still does not ring a bell. I like classic rock, like from the 60s and 70s, some early 80s. Now I maninly listen to Christian Rock. Will have to search for them on Limewire and listen.

[Army Air Corps]

Brasil 66 is a fusion of cool jazz and samba - great stuff.

I also enjoy classic rock as well as 80s music - yes, I have a sizeable New Wave collection...

[Supernatural]

You used to be into the kind of music I like.

What were your favorite bands?