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]

See you all tomorrow. It was fun!

Nighty night everybody. Sweet dreams.

[Supernatural]

See you tomorrow.

[HitmanLV]

G'nite & God bless!

[Army Air Corps]

Sleep well!

[Army Air Corps]

From the 70s, I enjoy Heart, Led Zeppelin, Skynyrd, etc.

From the 80s, too many to list.

Also, I have a fairly long list of 60s bands that I enjoy.

[TheresaKett]

Well, where to begin, lets go down my list in the computer.....

Allman Bros, Boston, Eagles, Def Leppard, Doobie Bros, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Foghat, Foreigner, Greatful Dead, Hendrix, Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Journey, Zeppelin, Roy Orbison, Lynyrd Skynard, Motley Crue, Frampton, McCartney, Pink Floyd, Queen, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Sammy Hagar, Rush, Steve Miller Band, Styx, Van Halen, Who....probably missed some

[TheresaKett]

Good night, thanks for hosting and playing with us tonight.

[DollyCali]

BINGO! Thanks. Quickly up as something outdoors had Josy barking like crazy! grrr. Hope I can go back to sleep

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

LOL!

[DollyCali]

There is no easy way to skip the vital grief steps w/o future problems. In the grief processing fields we say one should never go over, around or avoid the grief. You must go THROUGH it.

Hard for the pets left behind when one dies. When Oliver died in December, Toby would just go out & sit, stay, sleep on his grave. He stopped eating etc. They had only been together since Labor Day when Oliver brought Toby here out of the woods, but they were very close.

He didn't eat or play. NADA. for days. I got together with my friend John & his two dogs & the only time he was animated was after maybe 8 get togethers he again barked & played stick a bit.

That is one reason I got Josy so quickly... first of February. Hard to know what goes through their minds.

Having other pets is a little helpful for you in grief, but each one has their own personality & you have special memories of relating to & with them that is unique from the others.

[DollyCali]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable

.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...

[DollyCali]

Added! I join Victoria in welcoming you! check out our groups FRAPPR site:

H-E-R-E

If you want to join up, please let me know if you chose a name OTHER than your screen name so I can okay you. I recommend all use their screen names so we recognize you.

[DollyCali]

My former father in law was on the team that developed and marketed Pringles for Procter & Gamble. I recall it was the late 60s early 70s. We had among the first batches of them in the test marketing program. It seemed so revolutionary at the time. Then to there weren't all the varieties of regular chips either.

When Bob's parents came they brought a case of them to us & we participated in one of the survey groups.

Well, going to try to sleep again.

[snugs]

Goodness me about the only people that work on Good Friday in England are limited retail, entertain and essential services.

Monday very much the same but most shops even the smaller ones will be open (doubt bakers or chemist near me will be but then ASDA and Tesco will).

[snugs]

Me too

[snugs]

Another word difference we say laundry or clothes basket / bag (depending on what it is) but food hamper - you know that old fashion wicker one you see in films :-).

I have always wanted ones of those old fashioned food hampers totally impractical for modern day usage and food LOL.

[snugs]

I do not mind spiders but a tarantula now that is monster not a spider.

I suppose everything is relative to me a large spider is one that is about the size of the middle of a DVD/CD I suppose they are baby ones in certain parts of the States.

[snugs]

I believe you still do not have as many flavours as we do with normal crisps (chips) unless it has changed dramatically since 1997.

The best I could find was cheese and onion and same BBQ or spicy flavour not beef or chicken, prawn cocktail or salt and vinegar etc.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

To all my Singles Thread friends--have a blessed Easter.

[DollyCali]