TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY.
TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY.
TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday Mike! :-)
TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY.
TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY.
TODAY IS MICHAEL’S BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday Mike! :-)
Wait. The clock on this blog is wrong.
It is really the 28th.
Just after midnight.
Will one of you guys fix that!
The clock on the computer
and the all the clocks in my office say it is 12:08AM!
What's going on?
Well, I'll wait till morning to fix this.
I am not staying up another hour.
Even though Mike kept me up later than this 37 years ago.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE.
Tonight I witnessed a speech from a man I believe
will be a future President of the United States.
You can hear Barack Obama's speech too.
Just check out his website here.
Best and most moving speech I have heard in years!
Pay attention to Barack Obama.
He is running for US Senate from the State of Illnois.
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ONE MORE THING...
Tomorrow is Mike's Birthday. Wish him happy!
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When Mike was just a baby I became acquainted with the works of Kahlil Gibran. Now, as Mike's birthday approaches, I am reminded. While the children were with me, the words from this masterpiece were ever my companion. Now that they have grown into men, they stir me still.
"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you,
yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward
nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer�s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."
-Kahlil Gibran on Children from THE PROPHET
...Wasn't expecting to like I, ROBOT as much as I did. After seeing the trailers I didn't expect to like it much at all. ...Couldn't even imagine Will Smith being part of this story. In this case, my expectations were dead wrong.
I don't know what Isaac Asimov would have thought of this film as it plainly does not reflect his vision, but ... I LOVED I, ROBOT! In, fact, I would go back and see this movie again, and again.
A cousin introduced me to Isaac Asimov's writings when I was twelve. I, Robot was the first Science Fiction story I'd ever read, not counting scary comic books. I became familiar with the Three Laws of Robotics as I devoured every book this author wrote.
So, when I saw the trailer for the movie, I was annoyed. Robots in Asimov's books always adhered to The Laws. I never much liked the monster stories, and didn't consider them REAL Science Fiction.
If you, too, are an old school science fiction fan, don't worry. This is a stand alone story. It's a fun movie to watch. You will probably like it, even though this film isn't much like our beloved Robot stories. Be sure to see it on the big screen.
I am looking forward to the sequel. After all, we do have to find out what happens next. Oh yes, and Will Smith was great!
OK. I’ve been busy. Last Wednesday, we hosted the first of three scheduled Kerry Volunteer orientation meetings to be held at home. By doing this, we were able to offer one more meeting place for those who are eager to join the campaign.
The time I spent calling people who had signed up at one of the Kerry for President Tables which had been set up at local stores, farmer’s markets and town events was well worth it. Hundreds of individuals stopped by these tables. They were happy to see them, and most wanted to join the effort. How wonderful!
The next night, I went to a Meet-Up at a local restaurant. I met a new group of people and came home jazzed! I think we’re going to do it! I think we’re going to make the change!
While involved in this effort, memories of my grandparents keep coming to mind. I remember the stories of their struggles to get to America. Once here, they were grateful for the opportunities and privileges. They worked to master the ability to read English, so that they would be informed. How seriously they took their responsibilities as citizens! I remember how much they valued the right to vote! They believed that this right was a Mitzvah (a blessing and a duty).
It always surprises me to meet fellow citizens who do not vote. I’m surprised that they are willing to throw away this privilege and responsibility. I am taken aback by those who simply say that they are not interested in politics, and don’t want to be bothered. I always wonder if they have any conception of the rarity and fragility of our way of life.
The good news is that now so many of us are reaching out, person to person. More people are paying attention! New voters are being registered. More folks are planning on using their voices to make a change. It's time to Fire Mr. Bush!
"Together we will win. And together, we will change America."
-John kerry
…Just returned from a South Bay volunteer orientation meeting for the John Kerry for President Campaign. The people we met were all former John Dean supporters. It looks like the coalition is coming together!
It may turn out that I have over-extended myself, as I volunteered to help in several different ways. But I’ll deal with that later.
They sent me home with a list of people to contact who have already signed up to help with the effort. And, a good reason to finish the housecleaning tasks I keep putting off.
It turns out that they were looking for a home right near us for orientation meetings in our area. Most people don't want to drive too far. So, starting Wednesday, we may be having company. Always open to that! :-)
.........
I have just completed my first task as a volunteer. I just created a new email address to use for the Kerry stuff! With a little help from Pete of course! In most simple things about the computer, I am clueless. But now, I know how. Very very cool! Every moment offers new opportunities.
Last weekend we saw The Notebook. I liked it. Pete liked it. It has a good cast and story. It works. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it even though it is a ‘chick flick’.
Today we saw Spiderman 2.
We had been looking forward to this movie after reading all the raves. In fact, that was the movie we intended to see last weekend when we saw The Notebook. However that day the lines were long and all the showings for Spiderman were sold out. At least, near the time we arrived as the theater that day.
Spiderman was pretty good. But not as good as we expected. Toby Maguire and the rest of the rest of the cast did a great job. Pete thought it was overly long. I agreed. This is not to say we won’t go to see Spiderman 3.
No one was available to answer my Spiderman questions. Not so much about the movie, but about the characters in the comic book. Spiderman didn't come along until I was finishing college so I don't know much about the original story and characters.
I knew most of the heroes and heroines of the early DC Comics, and certainly knew Captain Marvel. But, I’m not sure about the rest of the Marvel gang.
Some years after the arrival of Spiderman, comic books again became a staple of my home. After all, I am the mother of two imaginative boys. Once in a while, I would pick up one of the kid’s books to see what was going on. Spidey just seemed a bit too sticky and icky to me. All that messy web stuff oozing from his fingers didn’t seem very appealing
So here are my questions for those of you in the know:
Was Harry Osborn a character in the original comics?
Did he go really bad and become a Super Villai?
What about the daughter of the landlord?
Did her character become significant?
What is this actress’s name? (She also appears as a minor character in Joan of Arcadia.)
What about Mary Jane?
Did she develop powers or did the story leave her behind?
What happened to Aunt May?
And lastly, why does it take so much time to link to anything that has to do with Sony Pictures?
I see that AOL news is still taking potshots at the Clintons. You would think that by now they would have moved on. After all the years, their right wing headlines may just be enough to make me leave.
All these years I have maintained my personal e-mail address at this ISP, just because I am used to it. But before I go, I want to see if there are there any other providers that are so visually appealing and easy to use for the technically impaired? Anyone know?
Tonight, I chatted with my 8 year old granddaughter via the internet. We were Instant Messaging. Zoe is in North Carolina vacationing with another set of grandparents this week. This is so Cool!
We never dreamed such a thing would be posible when we were young. At that time, computers were huge room size things.
Isn't it wonderful that every day we have a new chance to do things differently. And new engaging and exciting ways to learn about each other. We can now connect with people all over the world in a matter of minutes. Maybe, this will help us to learn from and understand each other a little better. I can just hear my grandmother saying; “From your lips to God’s ears”.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS OR
WHAT I NEVER GOT AROUND TO POSTING.
Yes, Pete did arrive home from Sri Lanka. He came home on June 21st looking strong and fit. With great photos from that beautiful country. I was amazed by ruins of great structures built centuries ago. …by the huge Buddhas built into the rocks. The longing to see these wonders with my own eyes rose mightily. Maybe, one day...
…….
A couple of days after returning home, Pete became ill and had to lay low for about a week. Just a bad cold, and he is now all better and back to normal. Well, almost. He is still working on strengthening his left arm, but every day I can see remarkable improvement.
A couple of weeks ago, at the Torrance Farmer’s Market, I came across a group of women gathered around a small card table. I was delighted to see that they were there to sign up volunteers for the South Bay John Kerry for President Campaign. I signed up.
The next week I attended a Meet Up at a local restaurant. At first, I felt a little disappointed because the few people who were there didn’t seem to be very enthusiastic. All but me were friends of the guy who was facilitating. Apparently the announcement for this particular Meet Up hadn't been posted.
This man was not a Democrat, nor were his friends. Most considered themselves to be Libertarians or Greens. Some had voted for Bush. I wondered how can we work together to oust Bush if we are not enthusiastic about our candidate. I asked the question. Never the less all the attendees but one signed up to help the campaign.
When I got home, I realized how great this really was. Here were several people who usually disagree, agreeing that now, for the good of our country, we must work together to Fire Bush.
Monday night, I will take an orientation class to help with the Tabling effort. I am getting all sorts of e-mail from the South Bay Kerry for President Campaign on how I can help.
I plan to do my part. Together, we Americans can turn the course of history. We must!
I have just been introduced to a poet named Max Ehrmann who wrote a poem called the Desiderata. While doing a bit of online research about this man and his poem, I came across another. I am passing the second one on to you even though it has nothing much to do with our 4th of July celebrations. Or, maybe it does.
"A Prayer"
Let me do my work each day; and if the darkened hours of despair
overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me
in the desolation of other times.
May I still remember the bright hours that found me walking over
the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming on the margin of a quiet river, when a light glowed within me, and I promised my early God to have courage amid the tempests of the changing years.
Spare me from bitterness and from the sharp passions of unguarded moments. May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit. Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as shall keep me friendly with myself.
Lift up my eyes from the earth, and let me not forget the uses of the stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of the world, but walk calmly in my
path.
Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am; and keep ever burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope.
And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within
sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for
life, and for time's olden memories that are good and sweet; and
may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.
-Max Ehrmann
“The world is my country,
all mankind are my brethren,
and to do good is my religion.”
--Thomas Paine
It's Almost Independence Day and we are gearing up to celebrate.
We want to shout; "Let Freedom Ring!"
We Americans have been blessed beyond measure.
One nation made of many.
Enriched by our differences.
Strengthened by our diversity.
Let us remember all the rest of our relatives around the globe.
...And know that we are all really just one big family.
Take a minute to bless all our brothers and sisters around the globe. We are all one.