Bruin-ou.com User Blogs!

I just found this e-mail in my box a little while ago.   I decided to publish it here for all of you in case you haven't seen it before.  I thought it was pretty funny, especially if you read it using  accents and inflection as the speakers would have.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? - Funny   Why did the chicken cross the road?       

  BARACK OBAMA:  The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a  change ! The chicken wanted  change !  

 JOHN MC CAIN:  My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road...  

 SARAH PALIN:  Because   by golly, I was gonna shoot his sorry liberal ass for blocking my view of Russia!    

HILLARY CLINTON:  When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.  

 GEORGE W. BUSH:  We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.  

DICK CHENEY:  Where's my gun?  

 COLIN POWELL:  Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.  

 BILL CLINTON:  I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of crossing?

  AL GORE:  I invented the chicken.  

JOHN KERRY:  Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.  

 AL SHARPTON:  Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.  

DR. PHIL:  The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on  this  side of the road before it goes after the problem on the  other  side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.  

 OPRAH:  Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he c an just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.  

 ANDERSON COOPER, CNN:  We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.  

NANCY GRACE:  That chicken crossed the road because he's  guilty ! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks .  

 PAT BUCHANAN:  To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.  

 MARTHA STEWART:  No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmers Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.  

DR SEUSS:  Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:  To die in the rain, alone.  

JERRY FALWELL:  Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly ha harmless phrases like the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.  

 GRANDPA:  In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.  

 BARBARA WALTERS:  Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.  

 ARISTOTLE:  It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.  

 JOHN LENNON:  Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.  

 BILL GATES:  I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash.  

ALBERT EINSTEIN:  Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?  

COLONEL SANDERS:  Did I miss one?

Comment (4) Read More...

It was night again, a dreaded time of your day. You've repeatedly been having the same dream, a horrific dream. And every time it ended the same. You'd wake up screaming! Then you would sit, shaking, drenched in sweat, trying to remember your nightmare's content. But it was always elusive. And now it was time to face another night of terror.

Sitting down on the sofa, you decided to watch some sitcoms. They always made you laugh and forget the inevitable, bedtime. You looked around. The old house you bought was kind of spooky itself. But if you had known the dreams you would have, you never would've bought it. But now it was yours, and you were stuck with it. After all, its qualities were the reason you bought it. It's gothic trim work, spiral staircase, and turret were, what did you call it? "Cool". It was a real "work of art".

The grandfather clock in the hallway struck midnight, sending a chill down your spine. You were so tired, eyes barely able to be kept open. But you didn't really want to go to sleep. Well, there was no fighting it. You had to get some sleep. Besides the nightmare had been cutting into what little sleep you got.
Getting up, you switched off the TV. The house was eeriely quiet, except for the tick tock of the grandfather clock. You quietly walk up the stairs, trying not to make them creak anymore than they already did. Once you got to the top of the stairs, the master bedroom was off to the right. Reaching around the corner, you flick on the light. The rooms setup was beautiful. It had a fireplace, a large walk in closet, and the turret, with its big gothic windows. That was where you put your bed, so you could have the cool air blow on you with its fresh country smell filling your room.

Once changed, you climb into bed. The air is especially cool tonight, but no matter. You just cuddle into your blanket, and stare out the window. The ancient trees sway in the wind. You can see the stars shining brightly behind them. Slowly you drift off to sleep. The closet door creaked open. You get up, trembling, and walk over to it. Inside you see that a false wall has been slid to the side. Beyond lies blackness. Something inside you is drawn to explore its depths. Reaching up on a shelf, you grab your flashlight. It works! A big sigh of relief breaks the silence of the night. Slowly you edge to the black opening. Shining the light into the darkness, you see a set of narrow stairs plunging downward. Its sides are lined with wall studs and lap board. With plaster, once oozing through the boards, now dry. And there is no lack of cobwebs. The passage hasn't been used in years.

Hesitantly, heart racing in excitement and fear, you start down the stairs. It seems an eternity of steps and pulling cobwebs from your face, but you reach what seems to be the bottom of the stairs. The smell is a heavy musty smell. The thickness of it pulls at your stomach, making you gag. The walls are stone and mortar, and trickle with water here and there. The floor is dirt and very uneven. You're no expert but they appear to be older than the house. You shine the light down corridor, it seems never ending. You continue on.
There are no rooms that you can tell. But the stone corridor winds around like a labyrinth. And soon you're afraid you'll get lost. Or is it too late! You look around, which way did you come from? You choose a direction and trudge on. Soon you come across something white buried in the dirt. Curiosity draws you to it. Reaching down you dig it out with your hands. "No! No it can't be!" What lies before you is a human skull. But more frightening is the fact that across the right temple is what appears to be a gouge. A gouge caused by large teeth. You stand up quickly and look around. You listen like you never listened before. All you can hear is the trickling sound of the water on the walls.

Slowly, still listening, you crouch down to see if there’s more of the skeleton. Thinking maybe it’s a fluke.
You dig a little deeper and wider. To your horror, you find no skeleton, but what appears to be a pile of skulls. All with the same teeth-like gouges in them, and all buried together.
That’s it! Enough exploring! Your heart feels like it’s going to pound out of your chest. Time to get out of here. Then you hear it! A screech and growl combined that almost makes you wet yourself. Petrified, you stand there trying to discern what direction to run. Adrenaline kicks in and you break into a run. The horrific screech is getting closer. Panicked you push your body to its limit. All the sudden you come to a dead end. You claw and pound on the wall, screaming. Not knowing whether to run back the way you came. A moment of sanity hits you. Curling into a ball in the corner, you shut your light off. Holding your breath, you listen.

You hear heavy steps hit the ground, and they're coming closer. The screeching has tempered down to a growl. You can hear it breathe, labored and gurgling. Then it sounds like it’s right in front of you. A few meters away, but in front of you. Curiosity and common sense hit you at the same time. This is the nightmare after all. And you have to see what it is that’s tormenting your sleep. You turn on your flashlight. Before you, a few feet away, stands a creature that defies sense and sensibility.

Humanoid in structure, but larger. An almost reptilian-like head. Grey rotting flesh, barely clinging to its body. Producing a pungent smell that permeates the air. Your eyes water as you choke back the vomit. In its jaws lie the largest teeth you can ever remember seeing. And it stands before you, eyes black and lifeless. Wrenching its head back, it screeches. It slowly lumbers toward you, drooling and snapping its teeth. You can't help but be afraid, even though it’s a dream. Or is it! In moments time you feel your spine snap. You feel the large razor teeth dig into the side of your skull. As a large chunk of your skull is ripped away, you blackout, all the while screaming it’s a dream.

Morning arrives with the rooster crowing. Your brother pulls up into the drive. He's been worried about you because of the lack of sleep you been getting. He knocks at the door, but you don't hear or answer it. Letting himself in, he calls your name. You still don't hear or answer. After searching all of the 1st floor, your brother heads up the stairs. Turning into your bedroom, he finds you. You're curled into a ball, all covered up. Walking over he says, "hey bro, time to rise and shine!" Pulling back the covers, he stumbles back screaming. There you lie, but your head is missing. Unmistakably gnawed off!

Comment (3) Read More...

 69 Words can create a short story...

 Here are my 69 words. If you would like to contribute to this blog by posting your own short story consisting of 69 words then add them to the comment!

 

Hesitantly, Pete reaches out with a pale hand.
His wrist paints a twigs passage on the shadowed cobblestone.
Bump, 'Excuse me sir!', and he's gone.
Another faceless youth in the crowd.
Three streets later he stops, bony shoulders hunched protectively.
Deftly he opens the wear-worn billfold.
Five Dollars.
Damn!
His dealer wouldn't like that.
Now back on the streets, eyes feverish and alert.
A junkies day just never ends.

Comment (17) Read More...

At this moment, as I look out mytv room window, I see dark. I see shadows. Whenever i look out the window at night or early morning I think about what’s happening in my life… What’s happening tomorrow… What I need to do… Right now I should be in bed, as it's 4:30am.

Tomorrow, when the sun is up, I will see bright colours. I will see that even the vines and ivy growing outside have changed colour with the season. What stirs in my heart then? I’m amazed that our surroundings can be so beautiful. I’m amazed that there are portions of the world that turn into a foliage rainbow for just a few weeks every year.

In a few days, I’ll probably see a bright blinding white outside. My tv room  is on the  ground level, so I can tell if it’s snowing at night by looking at the ceiling. If it is glowing, the exterior lights are reflecting off of newly fallen snow and up through the curtains. It’s magical. What stirs then? Curiosity. I want to get up and see how much snow has fallen. How big the flakes are. How hard the silent snow is coming down. I’ll probably get up and peek through the curtains.

My first year here, I constantly thought of home when I looked outside the window. The trees were unfamiliar. The seasons were unfamiliar. This place was unfamiliar. Now, when I look out I see familiar trees and seasons… I see home.

Comment (3) Read More...

Comment (3) Read More...

The Olympics have given me much to think about. I spent last night thinking about winning. How we like to win whether it's a race, leading a team, or even being a good all round person / parent. We want to do all things right. We want results, and we usually want some sort of recognition or acknowledgement that we did it. But what if we do all the right things and someone else gets the credit, or you stay in “second place” or the people you help forget all you’ve done?

• What if you do all the work and your boss takes the credit?

Comment (3) Read More...

A certain thread on the forum has me concerned, infact very concerned. I was accused of 'protecting and defending a friend' who many have assumed is a danger to females on this website by displaying "stalker tendencies". For the record, i have no idea who this person is.

As the thread progressed daily it became quite obvious to me that People want the truth.

We hold trials to find out if an accused person is guilty or innocent.  News organisations employ fact checkers to make sure that errors do not creep into their reporting. School boards want to be sure that student textbooks are accurate and trustworthy in presenting the truth.

People want the truth. Life is full of important decisions, and we don’t want to rely on faulty or misleading information lest we make a mistake of monumental proportions. But sometimes we want something so badly that we lose sight of the truth.

 I'm not sure if any of you, the readers of my blog, are familiar with a man named Joseph 'Joe' McCarthy.  If not, here's a quick breakdown. In the 1950s, he was on a crusade for truth—but he was so convinced that America was filled with communist sympathizers that his quest for truth turned into a witch-hunt instead.

People want the truth, but we don’t always embrace it when it comes along. Some truths are uncomfortable or challenge the way we look at the world around us. When we don’t like the truth, we are tempted to ignore it or reinterpret it in a different light. Because people behave this way, some now believe that truth is an illusion, that what is true for you isn’t necessarily true for me. Of course if truth doesn’t really exist, then trials and congressional hearings and fact checkers are pointless. If there is nothing you can rely upon, then science is an illusion because it is supposed to be founded on scientific truths.

People want the truth. And truth does exist, even though we sometimes disregard it or twist it to suit our fancy. People may lie while under oath, but hiding the truth does not change the truth. People may get their facts wrong or jump to incorrect conclusions, but in spite of that the truth remains waiting to be discovered.

Where can you find the truth, undistorted by human failings?

Comment (1) Read More...

I am stubborn. Sometimes, this is the very best thing about me. People make it sound like a futile act, butting your head up against the wall. But you'd be surprised how many walls tumble, if you only butt hard enough and long enough. Sometimes, it is not a good thing at all. Especially when it intersects with friends, family and love. I will bark up the wrong tree forever - or at any rate, much longer than is sane or healthy - because I cannot stand the idea that I've chosen unwisely. I lead myself on wild goose chases because I like the idea of relentless pursuit. Even though I love the idea of stillness more.

I am susceptible. To criticism, praise, chemistry, and odd changes in weather and clouds that make my chest feel heavy with something like sadness. To touch and kindness. To anger. In the last few years, I've lost any ability to disguise this, and if you upset me, you will be immediately clued in. By the hives that start in the soft hollow at the base of my neck and rush like furious chicken pox down my chest and up to my ears. To babies, men in crisp, white button down shirts, and food-borne bacteria. To small things you will never remember having said.

I am silly. Lightness, frivolity, slapstick. Ba-dump-bump ching! I know it has its place, but for some reason, I want there always to be something to laugh about. I have a hard time when that "something" is me, but I'm working on that. I tease to forge a connection. It should tell you that I care; I've been paying attention. How else would I know which buttons to push? Perhaps more than anything, I want your reaction. For you to tease me back. How else will I know that you've been paying attention?

Comment (2) Read More...

I’ve never really liked pigs. They stand for everything I am against: overindulgence, dirt, the word “oink,” and a lack of regard for general sanitation guidelines.

BABE I would eat any day… or one of those pigs from the Orwell book.
If Wilbur (Charlotte's Webb) were real, I would jab a skewer in him, grill him till his fat started to crackle (Little House on the Prairie style) and then I would serve him with a lightly tossed spring salad.

I HATE germs.
Always have, always will.

I actually sleep with a pint sized Lysol bottle under my bed.
(As I’m typing this I’m squirting sanitizer onto my hands).

So imagine my delight when a friend sent me an article about this little english pig who is terrified of mud.

Cinder—the pig—won’t even walk in mud unless she has her boots on; she's scared of dirt.

I want to adopt this pig. I need to adopt this pig. This pig needs me. We need each other. Because there is NOTHING more exciting and endearing than having a germ-o-phobic pig as a pet.

She'd probably help Clorox(bleach) the kitchen floor at the end of the night—no fuzzball cat or faithful dog can top that.

Comment (4) Read More...

Comment (4) Read More...

Comment (0) Read More...

So I did something this week that I’m not very proud about. My down fall is my mouth. It’s not that I say hurtful things about people…I’m just very honest about what I feel….too honest.

I’m learning as I get older that just because I feel something about people or a something, doesn’t mean I have to express it outside my own mind. I’m honest to a fault and this week it led somewhere I’m not proud of at all. I told a friend of mine that I thought someone wasn’t very friendly, based on what I’d experienced so far in dealing with him, that so far was proving to be very indifferent toward most around him.

I didn’t have to share that fact, but I felt the need. It led to a conversation of about him that left my heart troubled. I’m not going to share what was discussed, as it doesn’t matter. All I know is that if I had kept my mouth shut, that conversation would have never taken place.

This week I’ve asked the Lord to help me to keep my mouth shut. I ended up being a stumbling block with my friend, as the conversation turned to gossip. Now I know my friend thinks nothing of this, because when I told her later how bad I felt in result of our conversation. She waved it off as nothing.

To me it was something. I needed forgiveness from God, and asked for it. I didn’t start the conversation to intentionally gossip, but it didn’t take much to get there. I know God forgives me, but I need to rectify the behaviour so that I don’t repeat it. I need to only say comments that are uplifting. And most days I do, but the one time I have the need to express otherwise…I pray God convicts me to stop!

Here’s the thing–Christians are NOT perfect. We all have downfalls….some large and some small. I have my share of both. The person that thinks they’re finally at the point where God wants them…they’ve finally become that ‘good’ Christian, is the person that’s getting ready to tumble down.

We’re never going to be in that place of perfection. We’re all sinners. It’s just really important to ask God to give you awareness of what He wants you to work on. I learned a huge lesson this week. I need to work on my attitude and my mouth. This post makes me sound like such a shrew…and I promise you, I’m not. However, I’m human and I will always fall short.

I just have to keep looking to Jesus to convict my heart so that I know when I’m in error AND when He thinks I’ve done something worthy. It works both ways. Next week however I know I’ve got some working to do.

Comment (3) Read More...

Each room is separated into four cubicles by flimsy curtains that provide only visual privacy. All cries, movements in bed, blaring iPods and conversations can be heard throughout the room. Tacked on the wall, a piece of paper lists the occupants by name, rank and division. Rosaries dangle from many of the pushpins. Some rooms are marked with green stars, indicating that a patient is infected.

The rooms all looked the same to me, whether at  Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., or Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash. These were the hospitals where I rotated the last couple of years while Jonathan recovered.

Most beds are covered in blankets from home, some handmade. Frequently, they are topped by a metal support system with a ring suspended from crossbars so soldiers and Marines with battered legs can pull themselves up. A 10-inch TV hangs from the wall, with the fare ranging from ESPN to news to reruns of "Who's the Boss." Many of the patients sleep with headphones on, as I did at varsity.

Bedside tables look like those in a dorm room—stacked with Gatorade bottles, cookie wrappers, Doritos bags, protein drinks and Skittles. Crammed amid the detritus are Purple Heart medals, usually still in their cases.

Some soldiers and Marines have pictures of their wives and children. Some have so many cards and balloons that you would think it was a high school graduation party.

When I asked these patients what happened, many responded with short sentences.

"I got shot."

Or simply, "IED" (improvised explosive device).

Then, silence as tears welled up. Some soldiers  just stared into the distance, and I didn't know if they were trying to find the words or just couldn't answer. I didn't know what to say.

There is a lot I would have to know before I could begin to understand what they saw.

These young men and women now know in a powerful way that their world stretches far beyond their neighbourhood. No one will ever have to tell them what Baghdad or Mosul or Fallujah is like because they have a permanent copy of it in their minds.

Eventually, I stopped asking them what happened.

The soldiers are almost always skinny. You can see their ribs. Many have tattoos. You can tell the newer arrivals at the hospital because they still have a deep tan on their hands and faces while their bodies look as if they have never seen sun.

Their fingernails still have Middle Eastern dirt underneath them.  

Almost all of them are quiet. They are waiting for families to make sometimes long journeys to join them.

Family members band together in waiting rooms, hang out in the halls and smoke outside. I see them stare to the ceiling  after being told that their loved one will never again use his left arm or his right leg. I watch them take in news that it would be better for him to go through an amputation and use a prosthesis.

One soldier, burns all over his legs and groin, was suffering from infected wounds because the bomb that exploded under his Humvee had been planted in the sewer.

This soldier screamed and wept each time staff changed his dressings. I will admit, I didn't like hearing it. I struggled with my thoughts about this soldier, struggled with wanting him to be tougher, to suck it up. It would be easier for me if he acted invincible.

And yet, this soldier was particularly defenseless. He had no cards or balloons in his space, just a case of nutritional drinks and a powdered bed pan. Where was his family?

He told me his mother would lose her job if she came to visit him. 

"We just have to wait and see," he was told.

 One morning I took the shuttle to my hotel after visiting Jonathan  at Walter Reed. The only other passenger was a short, bald man of about 50 who  looked as if he had worked all night at the hospital.

He got out at my hotel, and we got in the elevator together.

"Long night?" I asked him.

"The longest of my life," he replied. "I just spent all night in the intensive care unit with my son. His whole body is broken and has tubes coming out of everywhere."

Time stood still as our eyes locked. I told him I was visiting a friend who was injured in his second tour of duty. He said, "I am sure we will be seeing you." Then he paused.

Tears welled up in his eyes, his neck and face turned bright red and he said, "Thank you for being there for one of our troops. I'm sure he has never needed you more."

The elevator doors opened at my floor.

"I will pray for you and your son," I said.

He put his hand on my shoulder, then said simply, "Thank you, ma'am."

 

Comment (0) Read More...

Come, let us dance said the gentleman
I don’t know how, said she.
Just let me hold you in my arms
And pull you close to me.

I am afraid to stand so close
I do not know you well.
Your innocence is noted ma’am
Your shyness I can tell.

How shall we step together, sir
I do not know the dance.
Come follow where I lead you, ma’am
And give your feet a chance.

Come lean your head upon my chest
And feel the moves I make
As I lean in with heated breaths
Upon your virgin neck.

Come rest your trusting hand in mine
And with me, swing and sway.
Oh sir, I love to feel the music
Swell in me this way.

I love how you are moving me -
First gentle steps and slow
Now faster, deeper movements
As the rhythm starts to grow.

Oh Sir, the music’s fading now
And coming to an end.
Would you be so inclined to come
And dance with me once again?

Comment (3) Read More...

I knew from the get go, Scranton was going to be rocked off it's axis by some great talent. As soon as the opening acts were mentioned, tickets were sold out 24hrs later! Who would be performing? Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams and N*E*R*D! Rumour had it that Chris Brown was going to be in attendance.

I headed out the door, ticket in hand, wearing boots, jeans, kanye west t-shirt and a jacket and of course an umbrella in tow, just in case.

I entered the gates at Toyota Pavilion, Montage Mountain to be greeted by a crowd of no less than 10 000. I've never seen such a huge crowd come out for any concert before. Well, this was not just another concert - this was THE Concert of the Year!!!

I made my way to my assigned seat and eagerly chanted along with the crowd "Lupe! Lupe! Lupe!" The synthesizers with blaring guitars started, then the curtain dropped and Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams with N*E*R*D started their 4o minute set. I must say that Mr Williams is probably a better producer than he is a front man but his enthusiasm was INFECTIOUS. He certainly got the crowd engaged. We were not just the crowd but we had become part of the performance. It felt good.

Just towards the last song, guess who makes a cameo appearance....none other than CHRIS BROWN, Rihanna's luvmuffin! His dance skills were electrofying. It is confirmed that Michael Jackson can now permanently retire as the new king of dance has arrived! He was MAGNIFICANT!!! The young girls in the crowd got on their chairs and screamed out "we love you Chris Brown", to which he responded " i love y'all"

There was a brief intermission which left me to get to know those sitting around me. To my left were 3 guys from New Jersey that had driven 4 hours to take part in the concert and to my right were local guys who looked more like heavy metal wannabe's than hip hop appreciators. Nonetheless, all agreed so far that the show was one of the best of the year!

Intermission Break ended...it was Rihanna's turn to entertain the crowd. In true Rihanna style she looked ravishingly GOOD. Her first ensemble was a designer Black wedding dress and thigh high leather boots! As black-leather-clad dancers followed her around the stage, she belted out hits like "umbrella" and "don't stop the music" that sounded almost exactly like they do on the radio.

I'm not a fan of Rihanna, to be honest...Shes' got decent pipes but it seemed this performance was more about style than substance. Still the crowd didn't seem to care a wink, singing along the entire way. Her 4omin set was good and she made as many as 3 costume changes. Love her hairstyle!

After Rihanna's performance, the curtains went up, lights around the stage dimmed down and just silence. After waiting for close to 30minutes the crowd got restless and began to chant "kanye, kanye, kanye"

The main attraction certainly kept us waiting in anticipation - true Kanye style.

When he arrived, what an arrival it was! The curtain dropped on a stage elaborately decked out to convey an outer space motif, with big screens flashing images right out of "Star Wars". Then the female voice of a computer named Jane began issuing instructions to Kanye, who was lying on a platform flanked by large mounds.

After Jane instructed Kanye to "wake up", the rapper slowly rose. Dressed like Luke Skywalker, he promptly dove into the opening verses of "good morning". other than the production itself, the most striking thing was Kanye was out on the stage by himself. If there was a backing band, they were well hidden. It was ALL about KANYE and his clever, innovative rhymes.

Next came the throbbing beat of "i wonder". We screamed and pumped our fists in the air while swaying in unison. He had us mesmerized at the word go! I can't remember what songs followed...I was totally hypnotized by Kanye.

What a performance! Kanye is arrogant and usually I don't agree with his political opinion but i have to give him the respect he deserves. He is a musical genius!

By far one of the best concerts I've attended!!!

 

 

 

 

Comment (3) Read More...

On Thursday, I wanted to take a walk around my neighbourhood to see what all was up and blooming. I wasn’t one street away from home when a man came tearing outside to see just exactly what it was that I was taking photos of. I have had this happen before so I stopped and looked him in the eye and politely said, “I’m just walking around my neighbourhood taking some photos of the spring flowers.” He got his tightie whities all in a bunch and asked if I had taken any on his property. I said yes, I had taken a photo of the angel in his front garden.

He informed me that I needed permission in order to take photos of anything in people’s front yard and I, having half a brain, said, no, I really didn’t need permission to stand on a public street and take a photo of something that was clearly outside where there was no expectation of privacy, but that I would be happy to erase the photo if he preferred and would never photograph anything near his home again.

“Well,” he informed me, he did not want to be a hard ass donkey but those are the rules!”

Silly old man. I read every photography blog there is and I KNOW what “the rules” are for photographing outdoors in public. Those scare tactics might have worked on someone years ago but, you see, now there’s this thing called THE INTERNET…

“No sir,” I told him, “those are NOT the rules but I would be happy, as your neighbour, to respect your wishes and delete the shot of the angel.” That is when he informed me that people can’t be too careful these days - that you have to be on your toes at every turn and that nobody should be photographing anybody’s ANYTHING without their permission.

With that, I turned and walked on down the street. I had had enough. Maybe in HIS world everyone is out to do harm to others, but not in mine. I am a 30something yr old woman with a camera strapped to my neck, neatly dressed and very unassuming in nature. Whatever possessed this man to think that I was out to bring down the wrath of evil on his home was BEYOND me. Still, I did the right thing and walked on without further upsetting him. I felt sorry for him all afternoon, though, that he is living in one of the safest neighbourhoods in the Scranton area and he’s standing in the street chewing out a harmless woman (myself) who was clearly not shooting anything you could not clearly see from your average car window.

Well, he can live in that world of fear and trepidation but I simply refuse to. So, be forewarned, Interneters, I am hereby granting express permission for the entire world to stand on the street outside my front yard and take all the photographs they want of my tulips, daffodils, dead grass and broken tree limbs. Have at it. Stand on your head if you want to. I’m not going to call the cops on you and you can’t make me.

The best part was I didn’t need the photo of his grimy old angel statue anyway. I got this image when I turned the corner:

 

[IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h121/salady2005/DSC139.jpg[/IMG]

 

 

Comment (3) Read More...

I’ve been following the stories and media coverage about the raiding of the LDS compound in Texas and the apparent abuse.

The story goes that one of the underage girls was tired of being beaten to a pulp and repeatedly raped by her 50-year-old “husband” so she borrowed someone’s cell phone and turned the whole place in. The authorities have gone in and removed children and underage “wives” (we’re talking 14-year-olds here) and placed them in protective custody. All of the women old enough to string a sentence together are all saying the same thing - that everyone (meaning the men and the older brainwashed women) told them repeatedly that everyone in the outside world was immoral and away from God. That was what was used to keep them quiet and in one place so they could continue to be the human punching bags for these jacka**es who dare to call themselves “men.”

Now the thing that has really struck me in all this (besides the fact that men continue to enslave their fellow human beings for their own sick gratification whenever they get the opportunity ) is that these men CAME from that very immoral and “apart from God” broken world we live in. How else would they know how bad it was if they had never been part of it? And how can you be part of something so bad and NOT have it affect who you then become? Luckily, some girl finally realised that what was “out there” couldn’t possibly be any worse than what was “in here” and she took her chance at freedom.

I’ve been thinking about her and all the other young girls this past week who have been living inside the reality of that huge polygamist ”compound.” I wonder what it has been like for them to sleep through the night and not be woken up to be raped and beaten. I wonder what its been like to have men (police officers) treat them with quiet respect. I wonder what it’s been like for them to realise that everything they thought of as true in life has now been proven false - and I wonder what that’s doing to their sense of self, their sense of family, and their sense of God.

What if YOU woke up tomorrow and were confronted with the fact that everything you’d ever been taught about God and life in general had been wrong? Would you stick to the old ways just because you were fearful that this might all be a sick ploy of the devil to lure you into some false sense of security or would you be able to break free and realign your thoughts with what every new person was telling you?

I wondered how all these young girls would handle this transition into “real life.” I wondered if their little minds would be able to open up and take in all this new respect and freedom and not end up letting it crush them into further enslavement. I wonder how anyone could ever survive having their world turned upside down by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

But then I remembered that this literally happens to all of us at one point in time or another. We might not have all walked out of an evil den of inequity but we all walked away from something, somewhere, that told us life could never be anything more than pain and hurt and ugliness - and then each and every one of us walked head on into the blazing light of God’s love for us.

My prayers are with those girls and their children as they realign themselves with this “immoral and Godforsaken world.” I pray that they find the REAL truth and not some false version waiting to set them up again. I pray that they step outside their comfort zones and look for the peace and truth that is found in The Word - the REAL Word - and that they come to know the peace that passes all understanding.

And I pray that all of us who call ourselves God’s children remember that faith should NEVER be blind. You must think about it, pray about it, read about it, grow into it, stumble from it, advance into it and grow larger because of it. Faith is a verb - not a noun - and it calls for us to be active in it or else risk being enslaved by the one who cannot wait to feed us a bed of lies. No matter what you believe the truth of your faith to be TODAY one must always remember that the light of God could turn that on its heels tomorrow and we must be ready to take that step if that’s the step God calls for us to make.

Comment (0) Read More...

It's been a trying week for me especially when it comes to my memory.

 Today, I read, while lazing on the couch eating a bag of pretzels , that blueberries are the answer to memory loss....Interesting.

 Yesterday, I couldn't remember my birthdate but yet I remembered so many insignificant details of my life. Weird, huh?

 Besides growing impatient and frustrated, I'm learning to just relax and not worry about tomorrow or the day after. For once in my life, I'm living for NOW...this moment. 

 Truth be told it feels great not to be overly concerned about the future. Often we live life thinking about the days, months or even years ahead and become so engrossed in those thoughts that we forget to live for the NOW. 

 This evening, with purple fingers from the blueberries, I'm living in this moment and I'm happy with that. 

Comment (1) Read More...

I'm sure we've all heard or even uttered these words "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" Though it may be a useful attitude to take when insulted by others, in our hearts, we know this is not true. Somehow reciting those words does not take the hurt away.

Words do tremendous damage. Unless you've been a victim of violent crime or a major illness or something else catastrophic, your deepest pains have probably come from hurtful words.

Words have great power. God created the world using words--"Let there be light"--and there was light. Human beings also create through words. They produce great novels that move us, and music that warm our hearts. Writers put much thought into the right selection of words so their books or songs will sell.

We listen and communicate words every day that either lift us up or bring us down. Powerful, positive words can offer great healing while negative words contain great destructive power that tears down. Whenever you talk negatively about people, talk negatively to people or listen to someone else talk negatively about others, you unleash that harmful power.

Be proactive and speak positively about others. Use the power of your words to build up and to encourage. Of course, you shouldn't build up someone who is practicing evil--in such a case, it is better just to remain quiet. But be on the lookout for good.

My late grandfather always told me to THINK. He told me that if what I was going to say doesn't pass the following tests, don't say it.

Comment (2) Read More...

Comment (0) Read More...