The Ripple Effect: 10/01/2004

What does this mean to you?

Once A Man

Twice A Child . . .

The Future is YOURS, MINE, AND OURS!

I stumbled across this site surfing other people's blogs. Spend some time clicking on the different links. If you want to know what is in store for our future as far as technology is concerned, you will discover what is actually being worked on this very moment. All aspects of modern or futuristic living is explored on these links. Try it, and step into the future!!!! Let your eyes and fingers do the walking, let your imagination do the talking and pondering and wondering!!!! or is that wandering? ;)

Update on the issues! VOTE November 2nd!!!!!

This link is simple, direct and to the point concerning the simularities and differences on the issues between President Bush and Senator Kerry. Educate yourself on who you want to cast your voice for, THEN go out and Vote, November 2nd!

Individually,

You set the example for others to follow!

Collectively,

WE DO Make a Difference!

PLEASE

Let your voice be heard

Vote

November 2nd - not the 3rd!

The Georgian Highlands

Not If,

but when I win the lotto,

this is where I will build my home!

Home Sweet Home!

99 Highland Parkway, Jasper, GA 30143

A few more days before NOV 2 - - VOTE!!!!!!!!

The way I see it is that we have two situations. Domestic and Foreign. Perhaps I am being too simple about the whole matter, but, I feel that our foreign affairs are so messed up, no matter what, we will continue in the mess we are in no matter who is in office. I do feel Kerry has a better plan for our domestic situation. On the other hand, I feel you shouldnt rock the boat when we look as if we are sinking. It really could be worse. Hmmmmm....How DO i use my voice Nov 2nd?

Drama or Reality

Some say I am full of drama. Some say otherwise. I say, leave me alone! I am doing the best that I can for all I am going through. I compare my situation to no one elses. I only want to love and support those for where ever they are in their journey. Just dont tell me I am full of drama!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr

Maple Street Guitars

This is a great guitar shop in the Atlanta area. Guitars for the beginners to Guitars for the ones searching for the perfect voice, the perfect feel, the perfect look. The Guitar that is one with your heart and soul. The people who work there are extremely friendly. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

Santa Cruz Guitar Company

found a guitar tonight

Made by a company in Santa Cruz, CA. It fit perfectly in my hand. It was like it was made for my fingers and hands. I will be picking it up soon.

My Dream, reoccuring theme, different settings

Empty Without You

I finally make it to sleep

but never to go too deep

You are there

I am there

My family and friends

From the past and present

are really there

all together

I can hear their voices

I can touch their skin

I can smell their presence

I can feel their reality....

I wake up and wonder

I wonder if it was real

Or if it was a dream

This dream

I have

In different places

Different time periods

Occurs Over and Over

Leaving me to awake

With a hollow

Empty

Sad

Lonely

Feeling

Of darkness and dispair

I fear to sleep

To See To Feel To Hear To Smell

To Experience

That Emptiness and Hollowness

Only to Follow

Night After Night

Day After Day

When Will It End?

Soon, I Hope and Pray. . .

Spiritual Booster!

After feeling spiritually dead for almost two years, I stumbled across these two sources. The Way of the Master I viewed on TBN Television - very powerful. And the Biblical Resources on another Blog. I invite you, I challenge you to check these sites out.
Blessings!

Way Of The Master

Biblical References - Excellence Resources

Social Security Reform!

Do you know why

our Social Security funds are dwindling?

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT!

KEEP IT GOING!!!! 2004 Election Issue!!

GET A BILL STARTED TO PLACE ALL POLITICIANS ON SOC. SEC.

This must be an issue in "2004". Please! Keep it going.

----------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY:

(This is worth reading. It is short and to the point.)

Perhaps

we are asking the wrong questions during election years!

Our Senators and Congresswomen

do not pay into Social Security and,

of course, they do not collect from it.

You see,

Social Security benefits were not suitable

for persons of their rare elevation in society.

They felt they should have a special plan for themselves.

So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan.

In more recent years,

no congressperson has felt the need to change it.

After all, it is a great plan.

For all practical purposes their plan works like this:

When they retire,

they continue to draw the same pay until they die.

Except it may increase from time to time

for cost of living adjustments..

For example,

former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives

may expect to draw $7,800,000.00

(that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars),

with their wives drawing $275,000.00

during the last years of their lives.

This is calculated on an average life span

for each of those two Dignitaries.

Younger Dignitaries

who retire at an early age,

will receive much more during the rest of their lives.

Their cost for this excellent plan is

$0.00. NADA....ZILCH....

This little perk they voted

for themselves is free to them.

You and I pick up the tab for this plan.

The funds for this fine retirement plan

come directly from the General Funds;

"OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK"!

From our own Social Security Plan,

which you and I pay (or have paid) into,

-every payday until we retire

(which amount is matched by our employer)-

we can expect

to get an average of $1,000 per month after retirement.

Or, in other words,

we would have to collect

our average of $1,000 monthly benefits

for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator!

Bill Bradley's benefits!

Social Security

could be very good

if only one small change were made.

That change would be to:

Jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan

from under the Senators and Congressmen.

Put them into the Social Security plan

with the rest of us ...... then sit back.....

and watch how fast they would fix it.

If enough people receive this,

maybe a seed of awareness will be planted

and maybe good changes will evolve.

How many people can YOU send this to?

Better yet.....

How many people WILL you send this to??

How about adding the USA onto their health plan,
sounds better than an HMO to me!

Keeps this going

clear up thru the 2004 election!!

We need to be heard

8 more days before you can let your voice be heard!

VOTE NOVEMBER 2nd!

If you have limited time to educate yourself on the issues

and wonder who to vote for,

then just click on these two sites:

Voice Recordings from Bush and Kerry on the issues
click here

Take a short quiz on the issues and see who you really support
click here

Average Age Of Our Soldiers Fighting For Us In Iraq

Please Read this article and pass it on to your friends and family. They deserve our prayers, our support, our everything!

Blogskins

blog n. - Also called "weblog";
A frequent, chronological, publication of personal thoughts and web links, often having the quality of being a "log of our times" from a particular point of view.

Welcome to Rochester, Minnesota

Mayo Clinic

Marriott Hotel

Lodging Guide

Rochester, Minnesota

Calm Day Today

Friday, a quiet day. Am I allowed a quiet day? Do I need to be busy each day? No, I say. Please feel free to browse and comment on any entry. Have a calm day, with a smile attached to it :)

Feed My Brain Research

Eat Right and Be Bright! No, really, you should check this site out. It has years and years of proven scientific research of success.

HomeLand Security National Alert Color System

Feed My Brain Program

Who is Dr. Schauss?
http://www.cniarizona.com/html/fmb.html
and try this link, too:
http://www.alightintheforest.com/schauss.html
Clinical Research:
http://www.feedmybrain.com/html/research.html
About Dr. Schauss:
http://www.feedmybrain.com/html/schauss.html
History of Feed My Brain:
http://www.feedmybrain.com/html/history.html
FAQ
http://www.feedmybrain.com/html/questions.html
Two Main Products:
http://www.alightintheforest.com/Feedmybrain.html

Personality Disorder Online Test

I know what you are thinking....why would I want to take a personality disorder test. Come on, no one is watching....don't you want to know the truth about yourself ....and only you will know, unless you have loose lips...you know, loose lips sink ships.....go ahead and click on the link and take it. I dare you! I challenge you to take a deeper look into yourself. Remember, no one is looking. It's only between you and the cyberspace! Good Luck!!!

Room Needed In Rochester, Minnesota

I will be admitted to the Mayo Clinic in MN November 15th for about 5 days, hopefully not longer. Does anyone know of a place or a family or church I can stay at during the evenings? I go to the Clinic during the daytime as an outpatient to be tested by the GI doctor. Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.

AngelFire Home Page

If you want the coolest, latest, most awesome ways to enhance your blog or website, check the angelfire link out! Do it now, not later.... you know you won't come back and check it later....so click on it now....come on....right now...right this.....................'click! :)

Information About Florida Hurricanes

Want to know about the happenings of the Hurricanes of Florida, click on the link above.

Realize

I copied and pasted this poem from another blog....how thought provoking
Realize...
TO REALIZE
To realize The value of a sister Ask someone Who doesn't have one.

To realize The value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple.

To realize The value of four years: Ask a graduate.

To realize The value of one year: Ask a student who Has failed a final exam.

To realize The value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.

To realize The value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize The value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize The value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.

To realize The value of one minute: Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize The value of one-second: Ask a person Who has survived an accident.

To realize The value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

To realize the value of a friend: Lose one. Time waits For no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special..

Educate Yourself On The Issues

Sacred Banana

Thoughts from a woman's profile

The universe is unfolding as it should. We are overseen by a Supreme Being and the easiest way to understand this concept is to understand Christ's teachings, which often times is challenging.

Powerful! Truth! Wisdom!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Are prayers being answered or are these just coincedences?

After talking to the detective last night, I really didnt have much hope that he would be investigating my case with vigor. Well, little to my surprise, he called me up and came over and took all the information I had collected with pictures and all just a few moments ago. I received insurance forms from one source. The correct information for the Mayo Clinic was verified today with a phone call. Still waiting for the detailed information, but it is coming. Had one situation with my stomach and chest...it is getting better...but today, was a way better day! Do I thank all of you for your prayers offered ............I say YES YES YES!!!
Thanks for your prayers....one step at a time! Thank you my family and friends!

Do You Know The Name Of This Tune? hmmm?

What is Blogging?

I copied this explanation from another blog. You know who you are.

Thanks for letting me copy and paste this from your blog.

About Blogs/Blogging. For those of you unfamiliar with blogging, a blog is simply a "weblog." It is an online journal. It is free; anyone who can type and do a simple registration (username, pw, email address) can publish to the Internet.

The content can range from the most banal to the very grave. Some blogs probably are never read by anyone other than their authors, others have readerships of millions.
If you've made it this far, you've done about all the work needed. Post at will, and I'll try to do the same. Peace.

Can You Name This Tune In Less Than 5 Seconds?

Can You Name This Tune In Less Than 3 Seconds?

Can You Even Name This Tune?

Do You Know The History Behind This Tune?

Do You Know What Band Is Playing This Tune?

What Picture Is Being Painted?

First, I easily made it to Georgia from Utah in 2000. Then, one day, I find out two weeks before my credentials expire, I need 10 sdu credits and have to take two state tests. I fortunately find classes to fulfill the sdu credits needed...I do it two weeks. Usually it takes months. The two tests are associated with a fee and a late fee. I pay and take those tests. I pay to retake the test I failed by 5 points. Results arent in until Nov 7th. I miss passing by 5 points. I get asked to resign as a certified teacher until until the results are in, although i re-took the test before the expring date of August 31st for the second test. I get hired as a parapro and work as a lab manager until the results say i passed. I get hired as a 1stgrade teacher at the current school i teach at. but i go to the interview under the knowledge I am interviewing for a 2nd grade position. After an almost all day interview, I find out it is a first grade position. I LOVED the environment of this school so any grade will do. At that time, I had to catch up with debts because of the dock in pay. I play catch up financially for at least a year. The next year, my mother dies and I come down with undiagnosed condition dealing with my stomach area. For two years I am tested and feeling sick each day. Hospitalized three times in one year for various things ranging from supposed cancer to diverticulitus. And now, since Labor Day, I am unable to go to work. Spent over 300.00 for meds and more for doc visits and procedures since I have been out of work. Had my two guitars, personal belongings, and all my meds stolen from my home a few days ago, and just got a letter from the dmv that I have my car registration suspended - if i drive my car, it will be impounded along with my driver's license taken away. So what does tomorrow bring.....I hope peace, light at the end of the tunnel, and some answers. Oh, the docs say they wont do anymore tests on me since i will be admitted to the Mayo Clinic Nov 14th. And from that point, I start, in essence all over but a light at the end of an undetermined length of tunnel. To say the least, I feel overwhelmed some times.
whew....well, thanks for letting me vent. I miss my mom and dad. I miss being in love. I miss having that one lady loving me. BUT, I had a colleague, (a friend) come over and visit with me for a few moments. That was so nice. That was a great boost to my morale.
Well, if you have any ideas, suggestions, or something to help me as I journey on, please share! Thank you! and Goodnight!

Does Your Friend Have A Secret Crush On You?

Go ahead and click above and take the quiz. There are a whole bunch of other fun quizzes on that link! Have fun!!!

I am trying to keep positive

Today, was a very hard day. I have tried to be positive, keep my mind busy, look for the good, look for opportunities to help others since Labor Day of this year. Today, I just cant find anything to write that is worth sharing. I spoke to the detective. I spoke to car insurance people. I spoke to the DMV. I spoke to several music shops. I spoke to the school district. Without going into any more detail, the net result is a BIG FAT ZERO!......how disappointing. Another day tomorrow. Another dollar some would say....but for me it's another dollar I will NOT have. Sorry for being so negative, but that is how I feel at this time. Today, I have lost hope. But, as down as I feel, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!! I suppose I just need to regroup.....take a deep breath and regroup. Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness, and May you enjoy Good Health along with safety to your well being.
nite

Waiting for some answers

The waiting game. Waiting for the detective(s) to come and interview me. Waiting for the Doctor to sign the short term disability and catastrophic leave, and other papers to active my payment protection plan on a few of my bills. Waiting for the Renter's Ins. papers to come in the mail. Waiting for the papers from the Mayo Clinic to come so I can start collecting the information I need from the various Docs and Hospitals I have been tested from in the past two years. The waiting game is not fun. Who said all games should be fun, well, they are not right.
Patience is what I am learning. Man, it's challenging to learn to wait. Isn't there a Bible verse about they who wait........goodnight...sweetdreams!

Just came home from buying some food

They should never ever charge tax on any type of food or beverages for the family. Food we need to survive on. Tax the gas we use for our cars that pollute the air we breath. Tax the cigarettes people smoke who fill their lungs disease and put others at risk with their health. Tax the alcohol that when used irresponsibly, kills thousands of innocent people each year. Tax the cars, Tax our homes, Tax public transportation. Tax products that we use to help us keep our jobs. BUT DON'T TAX food that we need to literally keep alive. When are we going to restructure America, so the government is FOR the people....ALL THE People, Rich, Poor, or otherwise! Yes, let's take care of others, but lets clean up our own home before we go try to fix other homes. Perhaps if we fix our own home up FIRST, then we will have learned how to do it right, THEN, we can help others by the mistakes we made and apply the lessons to others we help, instead of multiplying our mistakes ALL over the world. Hmmmmm.

My life has changed

Its harder than ever to sleep now, considering all that has happened in the past few days. Every creak, every little noise makes me wake up and sit right up. I feel like someone is watching me at my doorway of my bedroom when I close my eyes to sleep. I look through the peephole of my door before I open it. I pause and stick out my neck before I proceed around a corner. I hope this paranoid feeling goes away quickly...I don't need this stress to be added to what all is going on with me. I do miss my guitars....I want so much to play them and write more songs...but I can't. Not now, and I don't know when I will be able to again.

TourismInfoHub

from a blog in Paris, France

Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you

Voters Guide Concerning The Issues

I copied this from another blog.
What do you think?
A Voter's Yes/No Guide To Bush vs. Kerry
This post is a simple series of yes/no questions. There are no right or wrong answers.These questions are used because otherwise it is very easy to “spin,” even to ourselves. I believe that properly-framed yes/no questions help to focus the issues; the answers are much harder to fudge. Feel free to skip any question, or simply to answer, “I dunno.” About me: I am a Canadian, as it happens, with no vested interest whatsoever in the election outcome. Nor have I ever joined nor worked for any political party. I follow politics purely out of interest and found myself frustrated by the low fact/fluff ratio that I saw; thus this post. Vote as you please, but vote knowing why.Links and references have been provided on each topic for those who wish to investigate further.Terrorist Intentions: Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center were planned many years in advance, going back at least as far as the Clinton Administration. The terrorists themselves openly seek a holy war in which all infidels (non-Muslims) will be conquered or killed. However, some commentators have claimed that the US could have prevented the attacks had it pursued a more conciliatory policy towards Islamic countries beforehand.
Question: Do you believe the terrorists were going to attack the US anyway? Yes or No _______http://www.iht.com/articles/532832.htmAl Qaeda will wait years to act and decades to succeed," Patrick Fitzgerald, the U.S. prosecutor who has been investigating Osama bin Laden for about a decade, told the Sept. 11 commission this summer. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, admitted to U.S. officials that the planning began in 1996. Mohammed said the plan, first developed in 1996, called for hijacking five planes on each American coast, but was changed several times as al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden sought to improve the chances that the attacks could be pulled off simultaneously.http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-21-terror-plot_x.htmKhalid Shaikh Mohammed, mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, has told American interrogators that he first discussed the plot with Osama bin Laden in 1996http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/07/26/khalid.confession/documents showing a Philippine police report about the terrorist plot of September 11, 2001 that was given to the FBI in 1995Oil-For-Food:Possibly the most underreported scandal ever, Oil-For-Food is relevant to the American voter because it is at the heart of the arguments over how to have handled Iraq. The basics of the scandal are simple. After the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq was beaten, so in 1996, out of humanitarian concerns for its people, Oil-For-Food was begun. It was intended to be a humanitarian program, whereby Saddam could sell oil, but only use the proceeds for feeding Iraq’s people instead of rearming his military.The program was administered by the UN (United Nations). To make a long story short, it was completely corrupt. Saddam used the money to bribe politicians, journalists and other opinion leaders worldwide. The amounts involved are staggering: Enron is just a drop in the bucket by comparison. This corruption is important because the alternative to invading Iraq was to rely on the UN to contain him for as long as was necessary.Question: Do believe the UN would have been able to successfully contain Saddam indefinitely? Yes or No _______http://cgi.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/06/iraq.wmd.un.vouchers.ap/The report said, "Saddam was able to subvert the UN OFF (oil-for-food) program to generate an estimated $1.7 billion in revenue outside U.N. control from 1997-2003." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,132832,00.htmlIt began as a U.N. humanitarian aid program called "Oil-for-Food," but it ended up with Saddam Hussein (search) pocketing billions to become the biggest graft-generating machine everhttp://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110004801A monstrous dictator was able to turn the Oil-for-Food program into a cash cow for himself and his inner circle, leaving Iraqis further deprived as he bought influence abroad and acquired the arms and munitions that coalition forces discovered when they invaded Iraq last spring.Saddam’s WMDs:Saddam Hussein did indeed have WMDs, primarily chemical; that fact has never actually been in dispute. The real question is when did he have them? And did he destroy all of them before the invasion? Both sides acknowledge that Saddam retained the capability of creating WMDs, and intended to do so as soon as the heat was off. Critics of the WMD justification, however, claim Saddam voluntarily destroyed all his existing WMDs before the war, and that sanctions could have kept him from restarting those programs. Others, who disagree, think he hid them, perhaps in neighboring Syria, which also had/has a Baathist government, and/or that he would have easily circumvented future UN inspections in order to restart his programs, the basics of which were still in place.
Question: Do you believe Saddam voluntarily destroyed all his existing WMDs? Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe Saddam voluntarily destroyed all his existing WMDs?
Question: Do you believe Saddam would have been able to restart his WMD programs? Yes or No _______http://hnn.us/articles/1242.htmlthe Baath regime initiated its chemical warfare on the Kurds in 1988cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/gulf.war/updates/kurds/Before the Gulf War, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein conducted a campaign of suppression in the 1980s against the Kurd people living in northern Iraq, including a March 1988 poison gas attack in Halabja, Iraq, in which an estimated 5,000 Kurds were killed.msnbc.msn.com/id/6190720/Saddam believed his use of chemical weapons against Iran prevented Iraq’s defeat in that war. He also was prepared to use such weapons in 1991 if the U.S.-led coalition had tried to topple him in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.uwec.edu/grossmzc/graverlj.html1992-94: United Nations Commission's Destruction Group destroys large amounts of tabun, sarin and mustard agents1995: Iraq claims it has reduced amount of mustard gas and abandons program to produce VX nerve agentSaddam and 9-11: Saddam Hussein had numerous contacts with terrorists, and often provided shelter and support within Iraq for various terrorists with whom he worked. Saddam also courted the Islamic movements. For example, he prominently claimed to have had a copy of the Koran written in his own blood, as a display of his faith. He also made substantial public payments (approx. US$25,000) to the families of Islamic suicide bombers, as a reward for each bomber’s service.However, the question still remains whether or not he was personally involved in 9-11 planning and execution. No definitive proof exists that he either did, or did not, participate in that attack, regardless of his known connections to Al Qaeda and others.
Question: Do you believe Saddam was directly involved in the terrorists’ operational planning for 9-11? Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe Saddam would have attacked the US if he could?Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe Saddam was a threat to Americans?Yes or No _______http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13323The Czechs have long maintained that Atta, leader of the 9/11 hijackers in the United States, met with Ahmed al-Ani, an Iraqi intelligence official, posted to the Iraqi embassy in Praguehttp://www.weeklystandard.com/content/public/articles/000/000/003/033jgqyi.aspThe CIA has confirmed, in interviews with detainees and informants it finds highly credible, that al Qaeda's Number 2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, met with Iraqi intelligence in Baghdad in 1992 and 1998.http://www.weeklystandard.com/content/public/articles/000/000/003/033jgqyi.asp?pg=2Iraqi defectors had been saying for years that Saddam's regime trained "non-Iraqi Arab terrorists" at a camp in Salman Pak, south of Baghdad. […] Sabah Khodada, a captain in the Iraqi Army, worked at Salman Pak. In October 2001, he told PBS's "Frontline" about what went on there. "Training is majorly on terrorism. They would be trained on assassinations, kidnapping, hijacking of airplanes, hijacking of buses, public buses, hijacking of trains and all other kinds of operations related to terrorism. . . . All this training is directly toward attacking American targets, and American interests.”The Return Of The Draft?: On January 8th, 2003, 16 members of the House Of Representatives, all Democrats led by Charles Rangel (D-NY), sponsored bill H.R. 163 to bring back the military draft in the US. Some say it was a serious effort; most think they were just grandstanding. Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC), who sponsored a corresponding bill in the Senate, supported them in their efforts. The House bill was defeated just recently, on October 6th, 2004, when the Republicans forced it to a vote, saying they wanted to make clear to the voters that Republicans were against reinstating the draft (this was important because elections are near), and that rumors to the contrary were just a campaign tactic by the Dems. It soon became apparent the bill could not pass in the face of this opposition and was voted down; ultimately, even the bill’s own sponsors voted against it.Bush & Kerry have each stated that they do NOT wish to implement a draft (although Kerry does propose mandatory civilian service, a point that sometimes overlaps into military-draft discussions). The US military itself has also stated that it opposes a draft, preferring its current approach of an all-volunteer military.There has also been some activity by the Selective Service. This activity is basically housekeeping, and is done under the GPR Act of 1993, passed by the Clinton Administration, which basically says that Selective Service needs to keep things in running order, whether they’re needed or not.
Question: Do you believe a military draft is necessary? Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe a civilian draft is necessary? Yes or No _______
Question: Would you like to see a draft?Yes or No _______http://congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.163&congress=108To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposeshttp://www.heraldnet.com/stories/04/10/09/bus_philpott001.cfmHouse Republicans leaders forced a floor vote on the issue this week, and then watched with satisfaction as colleagues rejected the idea, 402-2.http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20040504/localnews/349276.htmlNavy Lt. Cmdr. Jane Campbell, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are having no trouble recruiting. Through March, all four services combined are at 101 percent of their goal with more than 81,094 new enlistees this year.http://www.nuketown.com/templates/hoaxes.php?id=496…this strategic plan was required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, which President Bill Clinton signed into law. Basically, this was a reform-minded law aimed at getting all of the government's various agencies to create strategic plansNorth Korea:North Korea was, and is, one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world, and appears to be undergoing mass genocide and/or starvation from within. Books will someday be written of the horrors being experienced there at present.In 1994, then-President Bill Clinton dispatched ex-president Jimmy Carter to negotiate a deal with North Korea designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weaponry. Carter’s deal provided NK with nuclear fuel in return for a promise not to threaten its neighbors or to develop nuclear weapons. North Korea broke its promises rather openly. The exact dates of NK’s development of nuclear weapons are unknown, but in hindsight they were clearly working on such a program all along, and most likely completed the first weapons sometime during 2000 or 2001. Invading North Korea is probably out of the question; China treats it as a buffer state and would respond accordingly. Worse, Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is only about 50 miles from their common border with the North, and would almost certainly be annihilated in any battle before their defenders could drive back the enemy
Question: Do you believe North Korea is a threat to its neighbors?Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe North Korea is a threat to the US?Yes or No _______http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/1/7/164846.shtml“Clinton's military chief of staff testified in 1998 that North Korea did not have an active ballistic missile program. One week later the North Koreans launched a missile over Japan that landed off the Alaska coast."http://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/dprkchron.aspNorth Korea tells the U.S. delegation that it possesses nuclear weapons, according to Boucher on April 28 [2003]—the first time that Pyongyang has made such an admission.http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-382918.php“The U.S. should clearly understand that a preemptive attack is not its monopoly,” North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun saidIran: In 1979, near the end of Jimmy Carter’s presidency, an Islamic revolution in Iran toppled the Shah and replaced him with a group of Islamic mullahs. The mullahs then took a group of Americans hostages and held them for over a year, until they were released shortly after Ronald Reagan won the presidency. The same people remain in charge of Iran to this day and are among the top sponsors of terrorism in the world. Now, as then, they refer to the US as “The Great Satan,” and appear to mean it as more than just rhetoric. Iran was included with Iraq and North Korea in President Bush’s “Axis Of Evil,” and is currently attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Kerry & Edwards have proposed a deal, similar to the one negotiated by Carter with North Korea in 1994, that would provide Iran with nuclear fuel in return for assurances that they would halt their attempts to develop nuclear weapons, and not use the nuclear material provided for that purpose.
Question: Do you think Iran can be trusted with nuclear material? Yes or No _______
Question: Do you think the US should supply Iran with nuclear material? Yes or No _______
Question: If Iran had WMDs today capable of destroying the US, do you think they would use them?Yes or No _______http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40740During the debate with President Bush Thursday, Kerry remarked that the U.S. should have given Iran the nuclear fuel it wanted.http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1240474/postsTehran would welcome John Kerry's proposal to supply nuclear fuel, Hossein Musavian, the head Iran's Supreme National Security Council's foreign policy committee, announced today.http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Iran_hostage_crisis1979 - Ruhollah Khomeini was viciously anti-American in his rhetoric, denouncing the American government as the "Great Satan" and "enemies of Islam." […]The US President, Jimmy Carter, immediately applied economic and diplomatic pressure on Iranhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1793856.stm2002 - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced George W Bush, describing him as the bloodthirsty president of "the Great Satan".Afghanistan/Bin Laden: Afghanistan had been run by the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, and was where Osama Bin Laden had found refuge and set up his headquarters. After 9-11, the US invaded this land, deposed the Taliban, and instituted elections, which were held just recently in October 2004. The elections were an enormous popular success.Most analysts agree the Al Qaeda is now largely a spent force and more of a “brand name” for terrorism than anything else; however, other Islamic terrorist groups worldwide are still a danger.
Question: was bringing democracy to Afghanistan worth the effort? Yes or No _______
Question: is OBL still alive?Yes or No _______
Question: : is it more important to pursue other terrorist organizations than it is to track down OBL (presuming he’s still alive)?Yes or No _______http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3727878.stmIt was a celebration today. There was a tremendous buzz of excitement at the polling stations.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6460076The largest group of independent poll observers, the Free and Fair Election Foundations of Afghanistan (FEFA) which is made up of 13 local non-governmental organizations, said the vote was fair despite the complaints.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3727878.stmIn Kabul, at the end of the day, emotional women told the BBC that it had been the most memorable day in their lives. Some of them were in tears. One old woman said she'd woken up early in the morning and then woke up her sisters saying: "We have to get out to vote. The future of Afghanistan is at stake."Enabling Democracy In Iraq? :The theory is that democracies are less warlike than dictatorships, This is often illustrated by the rhetorical question: Name a war between two democracies?
Question: Do you believe democracies are less warlike and threatening to the US than are dictatorships?Yes or No _______
Question: Is it legitimate for the US to topple dictatorships in favor of democracies.Yes or No _______
Question: Do you believe the upcoming January elections will improve Iraq’s chances of being a peaceful nation in the future?Yes or No _______http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/09/19/allawi040919.htmlThe violence in Iraq will not stop the country's elections from going ahead, as planned, next January, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said on Sunday.http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/26/1096137102217.html?oneclick=true Elections will take place throughout Iraq in January with no exceptions, the interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, and the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, have insisted.The Economy:During the last presidential election campaign, a recession had already begun; indeed, had it not been so, Al Gore would likely be president today.Two things then magnified the recession already in progress: the collapse of the dot-com bubble, and the attack on 9-11. 557,000 payroll jobs were lost during year 2001, but before 9/11. This was before Bush's budget priorities and tax cuts could take effect and appear to have been part of the “normal” recession process, wherein weak companies are culled and bad debt is written off. Then, in the 100-day period right after 9/11, over 900,000 additional jobs were lost, many of them directly because of the terror atrocities themselves.Measuring from August 2001, the economy has recovered all but 28,000 of the payroll jobs it lost due to the recession and to the fallout from 9/11. If you include non-payroll jobs (contractors and self-employment) the economy has grown by 1,850,000 net jobs since Dec. 2000. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is considered low.The downside has been the growth in deficits and debt. At present, neither candidate appears to consider these a priority (they give lip-service only). Bush is a spender. Kerry wants to spend even more.
Question: should government deficits continue to increase under either candidate’s presidency?Yes or No _______
Question: did 9-11 cause increased job losses?Yes or No _______http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.21053,filter.all/pub_detail.aspour analysis suggests that the Kerry proposals would, if enacted into law, add about $1.7 trillion in new government spending over ten yearshttp://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=629&org_name=NTUFKerry's campaign promises could still hit taxpayers with a $226 billion blow, on top of the 29 percent spending run-up under George W. Bush's term.Based on Kerry's promise to "pay for" every program he has proposed, U.S. taxpayers would each face an average additional $2,206 in higher taxes during Kerry's first year in office, and a cumulative increased tax burden of $6,066 over his first term."By exempting a series of major discretionary categories, Kerry's so-called 'strong' spending caps are actually so porous as to be no more effective than the restraints George W. Bush has sought," Johnson concluded. "In the final analysis, the 'winner' of the 2004 election could very well be the federal deficit

Interesting perspective about President Bush

Anybody?
I don't hate George Bush. I'm just scared of the strings which hold up his head and arms.

I am Terrified of Spiders!

These are the LARGEST SPIDERS I have ever seen. Camel Spiders of Iraq. Believe or Not!

New Zealand Tour

Watch New Zealand on Discovery Channel October 23rd.

MythBusters

Take a look at this site of MythBusters from Discovery Channel. Very Interesting, to say the least!

Did Robin Williams Pay For C. Reeves Hospital Bills?

Subject: Christopher Reeve (fwd)

From Biran Fernandez - a friend of Christopher Reeve and his family.

Most folks are not aware that when Chris Reeve was injured, he had no medical insurance. You can imagine the costs were staggering and his family was caught in a difficult position. Without fanfare or publicity, someone stepped forward and paid all of his medical bills from the day of the accident until recently. His name? Robin Williams. This isn’t urban legend – we know the family.

Next time you see Robin Williams, remember there is an amazing heart of gold under that wild and crazy exterior. And he never asked for recognition or favor for his incredible support.

This I Do Believe!

"If you give a man a fish, you can feed him for a day,
If you teach him how to fish, you can feed him for a lifetime."

Movie Video Review

Have you seen any of these movies? Let me know what you think. I will be viewing these movies and posting my comments as I watch them. Please feel free to join in with your own views of these movies.

Hidalgo -

based on a true person. based on principles. based on indurance. based on honor, truth, and true love and respect for others, even if it is an animal. If you love her, let her go, if that is her true desire to be free. based on being the best you can be no matter what. a true tear jerker. an inspiration to do what is right. a demonstration of true love. although this is based on a relationship between a man and his horse, one can apply his true devotion and love toward his horse, to a relationship between a man and woman or a woman and a man. A MUST SEE.

Northfork -
Miss Evers' Boys -
Dopamine -

If the World were only 1,000 people . . .

Thanks skittles for this information...very interesting to ponder indeed....
If the world were a village of 1,000 people ...
...it would include 584 Asians, 124 Africans, 95 East and West Europeans, 84 Latin Americans, 55 Soviets (including for the moment Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians and other national groups), 52 North Americans, 6 Australians and New Zealanders
Communication would be difficult, because 165 people speak Mandarin, 86 English, 83 Hindi/Urdu, 64 Spanish, 58 Russian, 37 Arabic, and the rest would speak over 200 other languages.
There would be 329 Christians (among them 187 Catholics, 84 Protestants, 31 Orthodox), 178 Moslems, 167 "non-religious", l32 Hindus, 60 Buddhists, 45 atheists, 3 Jews, 86 all other religions
330 children. Half the children are immunized against preventable infectious diseases such as measles and polio.
60 people are over the age of 65
This year, 28 babies will be born. Ten people will die, 3 of them for lack of food, 1 from cancer, 2 of the deaths are of babies born within the year. One person of the 1,000 is infected with the HIV virus; that person most likely has not yet developed a full-blown case of AIDS.
With the 28 births and 10 deaths, the population of the village next year will be 1,018.
In this 1,000-person community, 200 people receive 75 percent of the income; another 200 receive only 2 percent of the income.
Only 70 people of the 1,000 own an automobile (although some of the 70 own more than one automobile).
About one-third have access to clean, safe drinking water.
Of the 670 adults in the village, half are illiterate.

NPR Comparing Bush and Kerry on the Issues

I really think this link is a great one for looking at the issues and how Bush and Kerry compare. Click on the title of this entry to access the website.

HOW DO THEY COMPARE ON THE ISSUES?

Click on the title to access the webpage. Please note that you will find all the earlier politicians' views on the issues, too. Just scroll down to find Bush and Kerry.

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

Click on the title of this entry to access the application for an Absentee Ballot.

Vote November 2nd

Would you like to know President Bush and Senator Kerry on a more personal level?
Please click on these links for a personal background check.

Kerry background: http://www.11alive.com/specials/local/decision2004/decision_article.aspx?storyid=43592

Edwards background:
http://www.11alive.com/specials/local/decision2004/decision_article.aspx?storyid=43589

Bush background:
http://www.11alive.com/specials/local/decision2004/decision_article.aspx?storyid=43588
Cheney background:
http://www.11alive.com/specials/local/decision2004/decision_article.aspx?storyid=52818

What are the issues and how do they compare?

http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/politics/kerry_compare.cfm

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/politics/2653202/detail.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4448630/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/graphics/issues/bushkerry/CompareTheCandidates.htm?referrer=email#

What do you think about this?
Reasons President Bush must go:
http://www.justoneterm.com/index.php

Atlanta Local TV Websites

This is the link for Websites listing our local Television Stations. One stop shopping link for Television. Click on the title of this entry to access the website.

Answers to the Questions Of Life

If you have questions about Christianity, About Your Faith, or just want to know some contemporary ways to share the Gospel.....PLEASE copy and past this link in your URL address window. I promise you won't be sorry!
click on the title of this entry to access the website.

Why do leaves turn color in the Fall?

Every autumn we revel in the beauty of the fall colors. The mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter.
During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.
Along with the green pigment are yellow to orange pigments, carotenes and xanthophyll pigments which, for example, give the orange color to a carrot. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring.
Chlorophyll Breaks Down
But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.
At the same time, other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments. Some mixtures give rise to the reddish and purplish fall colors of trees such as dogwoods and sumacs, while others give the sugar maple its brilliant orange.
The autumn foliage of some trees shows only yellow colors. Others, like many oaks, display mostly browns. All these colors are due to the mixing of varying amounts of the chlorophyll residue and other pigments in the leaf during the fall season.
Other Changes Take Place
As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar.
Most of the broad-leaved trees in the North shed their leaves in the fall. However, the dead brown leaves of the oaks and a few other species may stay on the tree until growth starts again in the spring. In the South, where the winters are mild, some of the broad-leaved trees are evergreen; that is, the leaves stay on the trees during winter and keep their green color.
Only Some Trees Lose Leaves
Most of the conifers -- pines, spruces, firs, hemlocks, cedars, etc. -- are evergreen in both the North and South. The needle- or scale-like leaves remain green or greenish the year round, and individual leaves may stay on for two to four years or more.
Weather Affects Color Intensity
Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation, producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry and cool (not freezing) day.
Enjoy the color; it only occurs for a brief period each fall.
Courtesy of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Text prepared by Carl E. Palm, Jr., Instructional Support Specialist, Faculty of Environmental and Forest Biology

The Core of My Soul, The expression of my Heart . . . Here today, Gone Tomorrow

It takes decades to perfect the rich pure sounds you hear from a guitar. That sound is priceless. That sound cannot not be replaced. It is unique along with the decades of memories. You took it all away. You know who you are. I know you are hurting inside, and I tried to be a refuge for you. You know my guitars are the juice to my heart and soul. The expression of what I feel and think. And you took it all away - I hope you return them someday. There are two empty stands with no strings, no wood, no natural beauty, no sound. The unique mouth piece of the beauty and freedom to express is forever gone. You took it away - I am not mad, but oh so sad. Please give my two guitars back. What comes around, goes around. Just remember, there are people who care, be it oh so rare, there are people who care. Removing something so precious as the mouth piece of ones heart and soul is no way the right way to seek for inner peace and harmony during your journey throughout this walk about on our green planet we call earth. Please, Give my guitars back - in a sack, a Cadillac, near a railroad track - please return my guitars to their rightful space and place. May you be blessed for making a courageous choice to return what is not yours - and then, may all the Angels in your behalf bring you comfort and peace while they make a joyful noise and rejoice.

Help is only a phone call away

http://www.brokenspirits.com/directory/index.cfm?loc=GA
If you are a woman in need, please copy and paste this address in your URL and you will access Local Atlanta numbers ranging from battered women to many other hotline numbers.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

I am waiting to officially hear from the Mayo Clinic any day now. I have been informed that there is space available for me November 14, 2004. I will need to provide hotel, food, and car transportation while i am there. It is projected at this time, that I should plan on 3 to 5 days to stay, and at night I should return to my hotel room. This is all that I know thus far. Again, Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.

Name That Tune!

Song Dedicated to my Prayerful Supportive Friends and Family

Happy Birthday Mom! October 13th

I remember my mom today on her birthday! I remember her laugh, her smile, her twinkling eyes, the phone to her ear, the death sticks smoking from her lips. But most of all, I remember ALL the childhood treasured memories she so freely provided, nurtured and gave to me and my brother and sister and father. I remember all the camping trips, the bike trips, the ski trips, the family outtings, the family parties, the holidays, especially the homemade Christmas cookies and goodies, the birthday celebrations, her listening ears and heart, the comfort of knowing no matter what she LOVED ME for who I am, and not for all the crazy things I dare to do. I remember all the stories she would share with me - stories of her life. I remember her reading to me and all of us late at night by the campfire night, the flashlight, the lantern light. I remember those Friday nights cook outs starting at midnight, boy and girl sleepovers. I remember her chasing me around the dining room table with a belt calling out my name to stop or else. She NEVER hit me.....just threats of guiding me to see the light and do what is right. I remember Friday nights was popcorn and rootbeer nights with the Flintsones on TV. I remember attending all the sunday school classes and discussions. I remember all the heart to heart talks throughout the years. I remember opening letters from her for over 30 years each week. I remember all the places she would take me and all our friends. I remember thinking that my Mom will last forever! I remember my Mom. My Mom, who was Mom to more people than I could ever imagine. I miss my Mom so very much. I feel as if her life was cut short. She had so many things she wanted to do. So many places to visit. So many people to meet. I love my Mom! Her spirit and soul will live on through all the hearts she touched throughout her 69 years here on this earth!

Prayers Are Being Answered - Thank You!

Within 24 hours I have been able to secure a flight with a 5 day notice ahead of time with Angel Flight. They are waiting for the Mayo Clinic's go ahead. A local organization, Sweetwater, http://www.svcamp.org/index.htm , has responded with 4 times a year of food access and a one time gift of $300 to help pay for rent/bills. The lady on the phone apologized they couldn't do more. I was just thankful and grateful I had gotten some response so quickly. Thank you for your prayers! At times, I feel so discouraged. I feel like I am a fake with what I have, but my body is in so much discomfort and feeling worse each day, bit by bit. I AM SO THANKFUL for what I do have - friends and family, a place to lay my head, a phone for communication, food in my cupboard and refrigerator, reasonable and understanding debt collectors, and this amazing concept we call technology. As of right now, the cyberworld is my main link to life, searching for available resources, and assisting in the research to what I may have. I do appreciate the cards, and phone calls. This may sound silly, but as I read the cards, tears slowly crawl from my eyes. You, my friends, are helping me go forward from day to day...especially when I can feel your prayers.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!

Mayo Clinic Here I Come!

http://mayoclinic.org/rochester/
Paperwork is being processed for me to be admitted to this hospital for an undetermined amount of time.

Here are some links I have found for financial support:
free meds: https://www.helpingpatients.org/Splash.php

airflight assistance: http://www.tiffanysmelanomafoundation.org/AirTran.htm and http://www.npath.org/default.htm

patient advocate link: http://www.patientadvocate.org/report.php

homepage for United Way: http://national.unitedway.org/

united way resources: http://unitedwayatlanta.org/c0-find_help.asp

Looking for financial support for. . . .

I have been seeing several specialist for the past two years. The last specialist I saw today made a decision to have me referred to the Mayo Clinic. I have been out of work since Labor Day. I will need financial support to purchase a RT ticket the Mayo Clinic, and 40% of the costs of the tests, etc that will occur while hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic. I know there are organizations that help support people who have special situations who are out of work and will need long term medical help until they can get on their feet. I have so many things in life I want to accomplish, I need to get well quickly! My projects are being put on hold, while I take care of my body. If you know of any resources, please respond. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Thank You For Your Sacrifice!

I went to airport the other day to meet a forever friend who had a layover in Atlanta. We have not seen or spoken to each other since I have moved to Atlanta five years ago. Out of the blue I get a phone call from my friend asking if we could meet at the airport during her two hour layover. Excitedly, I responded without hesitation, YES!

As I waited for my friend to arrive from the Delta Gate, there was a podium decorated in a way to welcome back the soldiers from Iraq. Each time a soldier exited the escalator, you could feel 100's of people anxiously waiting for their loved ones, as a huge swell of grateful, supportive applause filled the air in the hall for our soldiers coming home.....ALIVE!!!! The soldier's loved ones would run in joy to engage in a seemingly forever loving embrace. Tears of joy streamed down from the eyes of everyone. Sniffles and sounds of "aww" whisperd throughout the hallway filled with families and supporters. Smiles of joy and gratefulness instantly grew upon the faces of the waiting, along with the couples and families reunited.

The official welcome home committee of seniors were wearing aprons. You could see minature brown teddy bears popping out of their apron pockets. The Seniors would shake the soldiers' hand, exchange words of support, love, and appreciation for their sacrifice while handing them a small token of gratefulness in the form of an USA Teddy Bear. The Responses heard from soldiers receiving the teddy bear, were words of geniune heartfelt emotion, again, evoking tears of joy and appreciation streaming from the eyes of 100's of onlookers.

Whether right or wrong for our troops occupying Iraq, We must support and show our appreciation for our men and women who sacrifice their lives so that we can have the opportunity to live and experience the freedom and comforts of America the Beautiful!

I am forever grateful and thankful for ALL the men and women who serve and protect me and our country. May the Lord continue to Bless each and everyone of our brave warriors for peace and freedom!

It's The Inside not the Outside that really counts

Yes, Yes, Yes, I have heard it many many times before. It's what is inside that counts. It's your inner beauty that shines from within that makes you beautiful and appealing. The outside is just a shell that houses what is inside ready to be explored, ready to be experienced, ready to be discovered. If only people could get past the outter shell and see the light and beauty that shines from within.

I have had a very unique opportunity to meet and get to know some souls, some spirits who are truely beautiful from within. I have learned so much from them. Each one of them have so much to offer the world in which we journey. If only we took the time to "STOP" and breath, and listen to our surroundings. Focus on the present and really listen and feel what is before us.

There are people who have so much wisdom, so much love, so much to offer this world we inhabit. To be loved and to love. The purpose of our journey. To filter all that comes our way in forms of challenges, health issues, distractions of worldly success. This is our true challenge while we journey upon this small rock we call earth in the Infinate Universe we travel throughout eternity.

The challenge is to keep our focus on loving and to be loved. There is a difference between loving and accepting. We do not need to accept individual's choices they have invited into their lives. But, rather, learn to love them for who they are and what they are. And to search for that energy, that person, who can fulfill the love we need and so desire.

I believe when we strive for and keep focused on loving and being loved (not rejecting people who truely want to love us) all else will fall in place. This is not to say we will no longer encounter challenges during our journey here on earth, or our path will be a garden of roses without thorns. Instead, we will be able to stand up and embrace life with vigor, enthusiasm, joy, and persistance to journey on with a little help from our friends we meet along the way.

I know, there are MANY beautiful Spirits here on this earth....just waiting to share love and to be loved. Can you think of any of them in your life?

I am grateful for the people who have come into my life lately. Each one of them have truely blessed my life with a phone call, a card, a hug, a listening ear, a look into my eyes, a touch of sincerity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul! Each of you have truely blessed my life.

Words of Wisdom From My New Friend!

BOSTON ROOFTOPS - The Movie Short

Please click on the first audio file posted below. We apologize for the lack of quality you will hear. But, you will get an idea of what Boston Rooftops sounds like. We would like to hear your feedback.

"Boston Rooftops" was written and recorded in 1996. Desert Moon & Friends are performing the song. "Boston Rooftop" has a copyright on file. Please be respectful to the copyright laws. Thank you!

Would you like to become involved in a Movie Short that Encourages Literacy through the Arts? Encourages Literacy through Music? Encourages Literacy through Living Real Life Experiences? For those who are interested in an innovative creative concept of a Movie Short based on a Romantic Love Ballad - "Boston Rooftops", please post your intersts here.

We are also searching for Actors/Actresses, Flim Crew, and Investment Partners. Spectsoft is one of our partners. Click on this link for more information about Spectsoft - http://www.spectsoft.com/

Calling All Actors, Film Crew, and Investment Partners!
Share With A Friend!

Sample of Boston Rooftops

Sample of A Great Influence: James Taylor

Isn't this the truth?

“If you want to know your past, look into your present conditions. If you want to know your future, look into your present actions. ”–Buddhist Saying

Movie Review - We want to read your comments too!

I just saw SharkTale! What a great kid movie and fun for adults too. Great animation, Fun Music, Great Color, and a Great lesson for the kids and the kid in us. A must see!

More Interesting Brain Teasers!

Thanks to a reader of my blog, he directed me to his blog and this is a site that was posted. For those of you who would like to play games that are good for the brain - adult and children, check this link out!
http://www.languagegames.org/la/hangman/english.asp#

Cool Sites! A must click on link section - you won't be disappointed

A Logtar's Blog - Puzzles and more: http://logtar.com/blog/index.php?p=180
RedNova - Science, Space, & Technology: http://www.rednova.com/rnprogs/indexgen?k=1&u=0

please share your cool links with us so we can add to our collection!

Did you watch the first presidential debate of 2004?

What do you think? Do they seem to be wanting to accomplish different things for the American people and the world? Or are they just wanting the same goal and using different words? Hmmmm? I wonder! Please leave your comments. We would love to read them!!!!

5 lessons to make you think about how you treat people

This was an email that I received from a very good friend. What do you think?

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson - The obstacle in Our Path. In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare &serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

.................. "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching."

The Ripple Effect

Sunday, October 31, 2004