[ED: Due to popular demand. . .it continues, and continually continues. . .also liberally stolen word for word from Diane’s previous masterpiece]
Diane Said:
Ok, due to some thoughts and requests on the I Remember When diary, I am puffing up my muscles and dragging this big old Welcome Wagon in here today….Was it missed?
Here’s the deal, whether you just came here a week ago, a month ago or have been here from the beginning, come over here now and tell us all about you, or what you care to share. Remember, newbies don’t know about you if they just got here, so tell again, if you’ve told before…
Also I am happy to announce that our welcome wagon gift baskets are all lined up and ready to give out, they are filled with all kinds of goodies…
Me, I’m a little old lady in Pasadena, er…..Santa Ana, but nearly the same. 62, semi-retired and about to undergo a move of my own soon, that will be new and different and I feel a great change in my life for the good. In previous versions of my life I was an antique dealer, a mother of 5, grandmother to many, executive in a Trust Administration Firm, nanny, and oh so many other things…Didn’t identify as a Dem. until Clinton, not an early liberal, wanted to be independent and besides I came from a solid Rep. background..I like to think they would have all turned to if they lived to see the day.
So enough about me, let’s hear about you, and I mean all of you……please!!!!!
Older than the Sun and younger than the rain. . .I AM Xena. . . oops, Shirlstars, The Warrior Mother here!
I am the 65 year old kick ass lesbian Goddess of web-footed-trib-participants. . .And I love all of you, old, new and middle point nutcases more than I can say. . .but you know I keep trying!! If I could just find the words. . . .(and for those of you that haven’t met me yet, [is that possible?] you will soon see what most can say in 25 words or less, I will make a 10 part diary series out of). . .No one has ever mentioned my name in the same breath as the word brief.
I live in the SE wonderland outback of Idaho in a very small rural community. I am the ultimate radical bleeding heart progressive socialist liberal or URBHPSL!! And have been since I was born this time around. I am the resident Metaphysical loony and I don’t mind expressing my far out spiritual opinions any more than my far out lefty political opinions.
I have been most every there, and done most every that over the years, and I have posted the multi-part series telling more than you ever want to know about it all over the blogs for your entertainment, dining and dancing pleasure. BooMan has been magnanimous in allowing me to hang around the Frog Pond and I remember many of you from the orange place and helped work Triage during the refugee days.
diane101 took me in early on and has been working on me ever since, but I have this stubborn resistance to becoming respectable. She tolerates me anyway. I have adopted some of you cutiepies here, I have wild crushes and imaginary affiars of the heart. . .eh hem. . .with some of you here (you know who you are) and most of the time I am just in awe of this whole collection of bright, funny, articulate, amazing, loving, caring, pissed-off, determined group that calls BooMan Trib home.
The boring stuff: Despite all evidence to the contrary, I am educated in Psychology BA, Religious Studies(MA) and if I ever can stay off the blogs long enough just about finished with my Piled Higher and Deeper in Metaphysics. . .just goes to show you. . .they’ll give them to anyone! LOL!
My often humorously intended comments are missed by some (diane), so please don’t take offense at anything I write. If it sounds offensive 97% chance I was trying to make a joke.
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome Everyone.
Now it’s your turn
Big, Big Hugs
Shirl
You are incredible! I have never been to Idaho, but should I ever be wandering up that way, I know where I’ll be making a beeline for!
Oh Brin! I adopted you so long ago I think we were still using ink and quills. Love you and your fiesty strength and all the other wonderful things you bring to those of us at your FrogFamily here.
You are welcome more than you know anywhere I am and any time.
Hugs
Oh, hoorah, hooray and hip hip and stuff!
thanks for the hugs — I am sending them now and for the rest of the afternoon to you all — feel a breeze on your cheek and that’s me today.
I guess this means we’re sisters. Right Mama Shirl?
Boy howdy! That is the truth. Sisters, and every and any other connection you might want to make. That we are indeed. I have enjoyed watching you come more and more out at the Pond here, and reading your wonderfully written and deeply meaningful diaries.
Yes, you and I go on from before time and certainly beyond beyond. I am very proud to be a part of your family.
Hugs
Shirl
well I sure as hell hope you give up those aspirations for becoming “respectable”–that shit can come back to haunt you you know! 😉
OMG! respectable is the least thing I ever have aspired to be. And I was just joking about Diane, anyway. She wouldn’t want me any different than I am either.
But it is a good reminder to everyone out there in blogger land to give it up, throw it out and get to the task of being your true self.
Yeah, I went out an looked at the pics on the frapper site: what a bunch o’ goddamned hippy-peacenik, pipe-smokin women folk and girlie men–no wonder they threw y’all out of the big O. 😉
on respectability….I have found that the ability to dress up and look like a good girl does come in handy once in a while!
we can and do employ many disguises if it suits our purpose. ;o)
The Goddess is getting sleepy-eyed here. Any of you wonderful middle of our night Tribbers that want to (YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO) carry on and post your bio-intros here, please come in and do so.
I’ve had very little sleep for 3 days now and a long 4 hour drive home this afternoon, so I am going to go lay my head down for a little while. I promise I will get back to all of you as soon as I can. Love and appreciate you all and can’t wait to hear all of your stories.
Big Hugs and Stardust on your pillows
Shirl
And. . .new, old or middle of the Pond, please feel free to jump right in and welcome anyone that posts if I am not around. Make them feel welcome for me until I get back. . .would you? Thanks! I knew I could count on you!!!!
Well I haven’t done this in a while.
I am Supersoling…Man of Gondor
no, no, no.
Ummm, ok here goes,
First, my name is Michael. I like my name.
I was born on Valentines Day, 1962 During a blizzard.
I like that I was born during a storm. Storms captivate me. Just the sheer power of them. I used to work on a fishing boat out of Greenport NY back in the day and I witnessed my share of furious storms at sea. I was never scared. But I was….hyper-aware. You see patterns in waves, timing, wind direction. I read that the ancient Polynesians could navigate across thousands of miles of open water and find a tiny island just by reading the waves and thier speed and direction. Amazing stuff. Us modernites don’t have nothing on the ancients.
I’m married, for now, and I’m hopeful. I have three children. A cosmic gift. I wish I could carry a child. But, there’s a reason why women were chosen for this job by whoever, whatever is guiding such things. Those reasons are obvious, so I won’t go into them.
I’m an artist, though an unconventional one. I create custom graphics on offshore race boats, cars, bikes….
I am
Cherokee
Irish
Italian
French
English
and Yugoslavian
In other words, a typical American, though I carry the most pride and anger, sadness for my First Nations heritage.
I have been politically aware since I was 7 or 8 yrs. old. It’s true :o)
I’ll post more at lunch today. I got waylayed late last night while attempting to post a little about me.
The culprits know who they are ;o)
….and hey,
be careful out there.
Neat. I’ve got some Native American in me, I’ve been told, but it’s never been confirmed I don’t think. Mom is into genealogy, but that one is on her biological dad’s side, who died when she was 16. I’ve always wished for some ‘proof’ and some more detail…
Also in there is Slovak, German, English, Irish… Yup, typical American. Thanks for reminding me. Why am I up now?
Hi Sherm :o)
Do you like Ordinary World by Duran Duran?
I thought you might.
Check it out
Cool!! Thank you!
It’s been Come Undone by them for me lately.
OK, I liked that you can actually listen to the whole song there, but when they went from Ordinary World into Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady… Where in the world are you sending me damnit???
And the fact that I just listened to that whole song as I typed this, geezzzz. Have mercy…
I think you need to post some pictures of your artwork, Man of Gondor…
Hi Cabin Girl :o)
I’m going to have a friend scan some pics onto a disk for me and do just that. My scanner is down.
Yes, we know who we are, and we don’t regret one moment of it, even if you got a bit of a late start today. It was great fun and we will do it again soon.
Welcome, Michael
I was just along for the ride… seriously… it’s not like I started it or anything & then let the Man of Gondor fend for himself… 😉
and Michael, do post some pics when your scanner is back up… no, not those kind silly, this is a family site.
Man of Gandor, supersoling, at the heart of wisdom, courageous defender of all that is worthy of love, caring and protecting. . .yes, I know you. We all do and we garner so much that sustains us from your willing heart.
Jai T’adore (my french sp is even worse than my english)
Hi everyone,
I am not exactly new around here, but actually newer posted on the initial newcomer/welcome wagons way back when. Bits and pieces of info has been posted here and there – but let me try to sum it up;
I am a Norwegian male, late 40’s – living in the NY-metro area (check our Booman Tribune map to see exactly where (and if you go there, please plot yourself in as well). I have lived abroad for close to 20 years – most of that time in the US. I work for a large multi-lateral organization in the area of development and humanitarian aid which at times gives me opportunity to visit countries in trouble.
‘Discovered’ the blogs as alternative and more reliable source of news late summer 2004 and first registered at Kos. Came to BT on opening day and immediately appreciated the calmer, more reflective environment. The place has grown a lot since then, but is still able to maintain a respectful tone in the discourse.
The two asklets live with my ex in the area, girl 15 and boy 11. They both seem to enjoy growing up in the big city, but also love the summer vacations close to nature when in Norway. My girlfriend, curly, occasionally posts here.
Hope you all have a great day.
Oh, about my handle; most of you probably think of ask as a verb. But it has its roots in my own culture.
Followed your link above and there was Zander again, what a spash she made and then disappeared, I have been posting requests for her to return to these shores but she just doesn’t hear my cries.
Interesting about that name of yours Ask….I always thought of it as ‘Ask and ye shall receive’, oh never mind, it is early and cold in Ca. so I am not fully tuned to the day yet…
Yea, Diane – I was also reminded and miss her presence.
She came back once, as I recall, but only for a few days.
Ask. . .Diane said very well what I feel. I have loved your posts and interaction here at the pond. . .and I too always here “Ask. and it shall be given” when I see your screen name. Must be something to it, eh?
So glad you are here with us in the Family.
Hugs,
Shirl
Thanks for the kind words, shirl.
It was you and diane and a couple more energetic tribbers that got the Welcome Wagon/FBC thing going. The tone and atmosphere of this place would not have been the same without it.
And I have no problems with you folks interpreting my handle the way you do – quite nice, actually.
HI, ask, as a longtime fan/friend of yours let me properly welcome you to the tribe, even tho you were here first. Welcome!!!!!!
Thanks for the update on your bio,are you ‘visiting’ the US ’cause we are in trouble’ as you said…we sure are in trouble and we need help. HELP
How are you btw and how is Curly, tell her I said Hi.
Hi to the asklets as well, but I doubt that will have much meaning to them…..if they are anything like my grandkidlets…What, who, whatever!!!I can hear mine saying…
Hehe,
The last few years, I have actually looked for a way to move away from here – leaving you to stew in this self-created mess. But developments over the last few months give reason for optimism – the Bush-junta overreached and has collapsed. But we need to stay focussed as they can still do a lot of damage.
I’ll bring greetings to curly – the oldest asklet has recently been asked by her teacher to apply to the school paper (she is taking journalism as an elective), so I am considering introducing her to blogs.
I’m BostonJoe. And I’m a BooAholic.
Missed the ealier versions of this. Running around. Should be running around doing stuff today, but I’m being a BooAholic. Lurking around. Not doing the work that needs to be done.
Neither from Boston, nor named Joe.
Born in a blizzard, like Supersoling in ’66. At an old hospital near a now-decaying factory in a town Madonna calls smelly.
Quick recap of life so far. Really good wrestler as a youth, with a host of problems. Knees, attitude and a penchant for Twinkies. Did what many wrestlers who miss their opportunity for college scholarships do — signed up for college money and a chance to travel to foreign lands to meet interesting people, and potentially kill them, or have them kill you.
Got out. Spend college money. Spend more money on law school, because what’s a boy gonna do with a Psychology degree. Practice law. Prosecute. Defend. Blah, blah. Get great gig with family corporation. House dad. Wrestling coach. Defender of the Innocent. Writer. Blogger. Accidental-Activist.
There. Laundry is still not done. How can you save the world if the laundry is not done? That’s what I want to know.
Official Welcome for you, and gift basket overflowing with goodies, hope you like it. You and Super could be my sons, I had one born in 65, no blizzard then, actually no blizzard ever in the Socal area where I propagated all of my offspring.
Hey what better thing to be than a Booaholic, well from my persective maybe a Village Blueaholic, but I’ll settle for dual citizenship for myself.
Laundry, you know in the 70’s we fully expected there to be no need for laundry or ironing in the far away new century, surely clothes would be throw away by then, we all thought…thought we would be flying around in our cars too and taking trips to space stations and vacationing on the moon, plus alternative energy would be the ‘driving’ force, no pun intended.. Funny how it all turned out…nothing like we expected, gee that would be a good topic for a diary…
Officially welcome!
This place can make you an accidental activist…or long term activist! This must be the ‘formal’ introduction – ‘nice to meet you’ kind of thing (despite all our running around and getting to know each other with those feathers!)
Here in my neighborhood it’s peacock feathers and hot tubs…still after all these years…but yellow feathers work fine this month!
Age and experience says the laundry and dishes will wait while we reclaim the country…at the next op center meeting we’ll delegate those duties too!
Glad you are here…
Jotter’s High Impact Diary for November 28th – you made #3…
Sure glad you are a BooAholic or we might be concerned about your popularity over there….
;^D
No worries there. I bleed green. But since our success last week, I am starting to believe that there is definite future to cross-blog cooperation.
non-Boston non-Joe?
As soon as I finish unpacking, I’m going to order it from Indigo/Chapters.ca.
Thanks much. Enjoy. After yesterday’s nice stint on the recommend list at Kos, I’ve leaped frogged 200,000 some other novels on the Barnes&Noble.com rankings. 94,000 something. With a bullet. 🙂 Let me know what you think if you get time to read it.
B-Joe. My gosh you are loved and admired here! About to go purchase your book myself, can’t wait to read it.
Any guy that can work wrestling, twinkies and laundry into a post is a stalwart warrior in my clan.
Thanks so much for all you add to the Family.
Big hugs
S
Only one thing better than a blogger who can get wrestling, twinkies and laundry into one post. A blogger who can get it all into one post in the Toy Shopping diary. 🙂
Now I’m not writing anymore. I absolutely have to go wrestle that laundry into the machine before the pile starts eating Twinkies (or worse, children).
Hello there. I’m more of a lurker/reader than a poster so I thought I’d introduce myself.
I’m the Filipino version of “royalty”. Well, ok maybe not – actually not even remotely close – but I am the direct decendent of the “Betsy Ross” of the Philippines as my great great grandmother, Dona Marcela Marino Agoncillo was the one that sewed the first Filipino flag. My family history is rich but is still a mystery to me in some ways.
I’m an amateur photographer and live in the most beautiful city, San Francisco, with my beautiful wife and our cat Fresca.
John
Marin stepping in to welcome you….and now you’re not a lurker!
I got sidetracked from welcoming you – checking out your website…you might want to put it in your sig line! The photos are amazing! Some photos took me back to all the years of working in the City.
And your kidlets are adorable and such a lovely wife – and some nice looking guy with them!
Glad you de-lurked!
Hi,
Hi there, I was just trying to find a good emoticon, but I ran into this one and thought I’d try it out.
Welcome to the site and there are quite a few here from the Sanfran area…Facinating history, tell us more.
Welcome John! So glad to hear your voice here. What a beautiful family history you have. We would all enjoy hearing more if you are ever so inclined.
Please feel welcome and know that we would love to see you comment or post your own diary anytime you feel like it.
Hugs,
Shirl
Alohaleezy here…been around since the beginning. I am a very hip(according to grandleezy’s friends) gramma.I grew up just north of Chicago and became aware of politics when Kennedy was assassinated. God, that was devastating.
I had my son at the very young age of 18, however I thought I was so grownup at the time. Back in those days you married the father or else. That did not last long. Around the age of 25 met a great guy 12 years my senior and married him. He adopted my son and that was one of the best things I have ever done. They have a great relationship. We were too different though,I am very outgoing, he is a real intravert so we went our own ways but remain very good friends, even spending holidays together with the kids. I have been clean and sober for a very long time, realising in my twenties that it was a HUGE problem.
I lived on Kauai for 8 years and absolutely loved it. I had never felt so at home and really got to know me there. When 9/11 happened I knew it was time to come back and be a gramma. I have not regretted that decision at all. My grandleezy is the light of my life. My son, daughter inlaw, grandleezy and I spend alot of time together. Whether it is just out for dinner or going to see U2 together, UCLA football games at the Rose Bowl or just a movie, family time is the greatest.
I manage and live an apartment complex in Del Mar a block from the ocean. I feel very fortunate to have the job I do. I love to read(in spurts) see movies, wakeboard and anything outdoors. I give Dkos and especially BT credit for getting my politically active. I have met so many wonderful, caring, passionate people here and hope that that continues with the growth here. I really feel blessed.
Leezy and Booman Trib. . .I don’t think you can say one without the other. Nope, can’t be done.
It is so much a joy to have the Goddess of Intense Caring as a part of my family. I know the others feel that way too. You add a very special life to our interactions here and we love your passion.
Big hugs
Shirl
Gosh Shirls, thank you so much. Yes, I am pretty intense at times. I am a Cancer and really want to nurture everyone, die hard romantic and very, very passionate to a fault I know at times. As I said, I feel so blessed to have friends like you to help me find my way in this crazy world.
Big hugs right back at you Shirls.
Leezy
Here’s my new Karl Rove image:
He just will not listen.
(My images are my ‘reveal.’)
Great image, sybil. And anyone with a sig line like yours is tops of my list of family.
If I never properly welcomed you before, I do now and appreciate what you add to this pond.
Hugs
Shirl
I am Me !! EtJ
Quite simply – Welcome EtJ!
To all,
Visit SallyCat at Mountain Cerridwen. You will be glad that you did… Quite a spirit, this cat named Sally. EtJ
I haven’t forgotten your email question…
Hardest part…trying to answer without writing a book!
SallyCat,
When you have the answer in the fashion that you deem sufficient(length not an issue), you will send it… No worries, curious minds can be patient. Have you considered turning it into a diary, that seems like how we got on the subject ???? May be of interest to others as well…. EtJ
Since so much of Solstice / Yule / Saturnalia are all incorporated into the holiday season maybe then….
Thanks for being patient….and I can be wordy so I have to edit myself!!!
Hi “me”. . .and you most certainly are.
I respect your brevity and your anonimity, but if you ever feel like telling a bit more about you, we all would love to hear it.
Welcome “me”!
Hugs
Shirl
Shirl,
I was blessed at a young age, when realizing, that I could excel at one thing, being me… Only a job, that I could do…
I have had numerous adventures in my life, that have set me on my current path, and softened by attitude.
Enjoy moon-lit nights, gardening, hiking, star-gazing, sunrises-sunsets, hot bubble-baths, hot-springs, good company(spirits that now themselves), and doing nothing….
When I am having manly moments I resort to table-hockey, golf, chess, foosball, bowling and pool..
The magic of gardening my favorite, entering into the world of the flowers extra-magical…. Additionally entering into the World of a young(un-corrupted) child, or the World of an animal, extra magical as well.
Mother nature is where I belong, I enter there every chance I get. Living at the edge of Rocky, this is quite easy…. Enjoy the Journey(EtJ)
Ah, to find the keys to the Universe at such a young age is truly an awesome gift. You seem to have used it very wisely.
You certainly fit right in with us here, and we share your enthusiasm for SallyCat and her beautiful website. She is another one of those wonderful gifts from the Universe that we all can share in.
Very glad to have you here!
Hugs and stardust
Shirl
I thought it about time I showed you all your gift baskets, hope you like it!!!
because it really sin’t one, it’s a question and it is one that is bugging the SHIT out of me. There’s a song, you see, and it was one of my favorites back in the punk days of late 70s early 80s, I can’t remember whose song it is and it is making me crazy…I tried google, I tried rifling through various musci collections, no avail.
All I remember about it is a part of the chorus:
All the people that died, died, all the people that died…..
Please help!!
Sorry I can’t help you with that one brin, but I have one of my own, since you brought this up….who knows the singer and name of the song that has these lines, sort of: someone threw something off the Choctaw ridge, or Talahasee Bridge and I think the words Billy Jo McAllister was in there somewhere. I searched and search for this last summer.
Hi Brin, how are you doing????
Ode to Billie Joe?
Wow, thank you, I should have asked this question earlier….and thanks for the link, the only name I never thought of Bobby Gentry….good work and you get an extra gift basket for that, see the pic, its in the mail..
Good lord, I’m horrified that I knew that one immediately. How about this one Indy?
something like:
“trapped in a mine no food to eat and Joe said that he would sell his soul for just a piece of meat…”
This song haunted me as a young child as it is clearly about cannibalism. I’m thinking it was called “Timothy” because I remember other scary words that sounded like “timothy, timothy where on earth did you go-o-o-o”
What the hell was with the music of the 60’s. I swear it’s why I am as demented as I obviously am.
Will hopefully have something more to report tomorrow or the next day!
I love the welcome wagons — don’t EVER stop!
Jim Carroll, People Who Died maybe?
It is played with bizarre frequency on some of my digital cable music channels. And it never leaves one’s head after hearing it.
Thanks all — yep, that’s the one!
Cicero hooked me up in the Open Thread too — now I can SLEEP! yeehah! 😉
You have dissertation brain lock. I’m not kidding – this happens to lots of folks lost in the lonely depths of scholarly muck. The brain – and the Bri – need a vacation!
No breaks for the weary — I haven’t done any significant work on my diss. since February — it’s more than brain lock (as if that weren’t bad enough), it getting to the point where I avoid the diss. like the PLAUGE!
Vacation, eh? ahahahahahahahah. Sorry, just had to get that out! thanks for your support — any suggestions about how to get past this slump? Tie myself to a chair?
Just now saw this (have been off the computer until a little while ago). I’d have to know more. I’ve already likely said too much on another thread here that you want to read from me! I would be happy to talk, however. I’ll look for an e-mail, if you wish.
36-year-old Montclair, NJ mother of two little boys, ages 5 and 1-1/2; wife of a fabulous and handsome small town attorney/board game geek; part-time corporate communications consultant; practicing Episcopalian, heavily involved in church and proud member of the Religious Left; cult-like devotee of Weight Watchers; tremendous Anglophile (my sons are named Graham Thomas and Miles Edward) with plans to retire to England; avid reader and amateur fiction writer; power walker; co-owner of a NJ shore house and very much a beach bum from Memorial Day through Labor Day; world traveler when we can afford it, and local traveler when we can’t; enthusiastic consumer of movies, television, theater, and punk music; pretty decent cook and baker. I also am in absolute thrall of the holiday season and am at my happiest from Halloween through New Year’s Day. My house is decorated as if Santa exploded all over it.
Also wanted to mention that I’ve got about ten liberal blogs bookmarked, that I read every day, and BooMan Trib wins for the caliber of research and writing. I can honestly say I’ve learned more about the world in my short time here than I had for years prior. Good on y’all!
Hey JamFan. . .Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!! We are very glad to have you here at the Pond. Sounds like you have a very lovely family and plenty to keep you busy and engaged.
Love the Anglophile names of your boys! I must agree with you, although there are other blogs I read and frequent, Booman seems tops in quality of information and reporting. That SusanHu is breathtaking in her non-stop posting of newsy items. And the recent editions of writers of note like Patrick Long is laudable too.
Sure hope you will interact with us as often as you have time and interest. We love reading new items from our newer members!
Jump into the Pond and Grab a lily pad
Hugs
Shril
It’s funny how my real-life social shyness affects me even on blogs, but thanks to your exhortation, I promise to try to do more than nod my head and yell “Yes” at my computer screen when I’m here!
Oh, and since I am back for a moment, I have been reminded with much feline indignance that I forgot to mention that I am owned by two wonderful cats: short, fat, old, female, cranky Hobbes; and happy little doofus Mr. Knightley. My relationship with Hobbes, in fact, predates my even meeting my husband; she got me through some bad times, some lonely times, and lots of uncertainty, and she is quite correct to reprimand my omission.
Hi,jamfan! It’s really great that you took the plunge. I hope you’ll come over to the Cafe sometime soon (like NOW?)and introduce yourself there, too.
Is there one flavor of jam that you love best? 🙂
I most enjoy British punk/R&B-ish, 1974-1982 flavored Jam (Best. Band. Ever. Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, Rick Buckler). If pressed, I would, however, consider blueberry my favorite of the edible variety of jam.
Did I mention I love your sig line? I read it and think, “Man, me, too.”
a police car and a screaming siren…
the screech of brakes and lamplights blinking…
..that’s entertainment…
or….
stop apologizing for things you’ve never done…
time is short…
up to us to change…
in a town called malice…
😉
Love The Jam
I say to my five-year-old almost every day, “Life is timeless, days are long when you’re young.” Because I figure there are worse people to whom I could abdicate parenting than Weller!
I’m pretty sure I can trump you on the social shyness. Not that you can tell by my shameful behavior here. That’s the great thing about these internets.
Apparently, Second Nature HAS a second nature, jamfan. She claims to be retiring in person but here, she’s little miss hilarious. So, see? You have a chance to jam on out there.
….my all time favorite movie,
The Lord Of The Rings. Sorry I just can’t get tired of watching that. And I’m not a movie person either.
Maybe it’s the little boy in me. Maybe it’s defeating evil in the face of overwhelming odds…..
or maybe I just have a fantasy about chasing little guys with big hairy feet around LOL
Now…where was I?
Political awareness at 7 yrs. old.
My Mother, about as radical an anti-war activist as you will find, took me on my first Vietnam protest when I was just 7. In New York City. The night before the march my brothers and I were instructed to make protest posters, a cool job for a little kid ’cause there were all kinds of cool markers and colors and cool people helping out. Not really understanding why I was making posters I just started writing “Peace”,
“Love”, “Stop the War” and so on. My first taste of activism. I did many things like this with Mom over the years, all the while learning about Bobby Kennedy, Rev. King, Richard Nixon, Agnew, McGovern, McCarthy and so on. She instilled in me a sense of responsibility. Responsibility to my family and responsibility to my conscience. It was never ok to keep silent about injustice or aggression. Those lessons learned from her, all those years ago, have made me who I am. It’s why I’m here with you tonight. Who knows, it could’ve been much different. I could be hanging my hat at Redstate if not for Mom!
I remember the night Carter was elected. Mom had to work late and I stayed up to make dinner for her when she came home. I couldn’t wait for her to get there because I knew what she didn’t yet know. That Ford was a goner. The first thing she asked when she got home was Who won?!! Who won?!! I got to give her the good news. I remember feeling very pleased and close to her that night. I’m looking forward to having a night like that with my kids in 2008 ;o)
Religion, well it’s not for me. I’m an Athiest. I’m not outspoken about it and I don’t have any problem with people who are religious unless they’re using it to justify wars of aggression, or crusades against whole masses of people who believe differenty. I have strong feelings and opinions about why people choose to damn others for not believing the same way or telling me I’m a sinner who’ll burn in hell if I’m not saved, but this is about as much as you’ll here from me on this subject. If there is a hell, it’s in Iraq right now. There are a whole lot of sins going on there right now.
I’m a facts based person. A science person. I want to see the fossil record. For instance, it’s now known that Neandertals were a genetic dead end. George Bush is a living example of that shit ;o) I believe in things I can see, touch or feel.
I might be proven wrong at the end, but I don’t think so. Either way, I’ll deal with that when it gets here.
Ashes to ashes you know?
Now spirituality? that’s an entirely different subject. A subject for another time.
I’m a drummer. My father was a drummer and my son is a drummer. THAT IS COOL :o)
I’m a sailor. We have an Olympic class keelboat. A Soling ;o) She is 27 feet of pure flying fun. Her name is “Kindred Spirit”. Though I haven’t had much time in the last couple of years to sail her, I do still try to make the Wednesday Night informal races around Robins Island on Peconic Bay, here on Long Island. There are serious sailors and those who are just there for the Rum. That can get serious too ;o) I’m somewhere in the middle. People who say sailing is boring have never pulled up three abreast trying to be the first to hit the last bouy just perfectly for the reach for the finish in 15 to 20 knots of wind! Nothing better. No throttles, no noise, no smoke, just the elements and the ability to read them well enough to get all the speed out of her that you can. Talk about Spirituality!
I think that’s enough about me for now.
One last thing. I’ll vote for Hillary if she’s the nominee, but I’m hoping………..
Wow, I now know more about you than I did about my first husband.
I am becoming less and less certain that I am a Christian the older I get. But the thought that life just ends and there’s nothing on the other side just scares me too much as a mother.
HAHAHA!!! Tee-hee, thank you.
Nah, life can’t just end. We’re all part of the fabric of it, and we return to the oneness of the universe then… And re-meeting our beloved pets of course. In addition, I’ve heard too many ‘funky’ stories about end-of-life/near-death to think that is just stops. There is a lifeforce…
My two pennies.
Your two pennies look like a million bucks to me!
…and then some ;o)
Goodnight Sh ;o)
Nite Sweetie…
Hi Second Nature :o)
If I may, how does it scare you as a Mother?
This is pretty much at the core of my disbelief. It’s because this fear exists that religion was created to sooth our minds when we evolved far enough to contemplate our own demise. The thought that life just ends is just as uncomfortable for me as the next person. It seems a waste almost and a tease to continually gather knowledge and wisdom along the way, a lifetime learning experience. It is illogical. Unless the whole point is for that knowledge to be passed on to the next generation to help in thier survival and so carry on the species. And now I’m back to Darwin ;o)
Perhaps, when I show you how to go soaring through the stars you will look for the science that will explain how that is done and satisfy any possibly unanswered questions. . . .<VERY Big Smiles>. . .or not. Either way, it is your journey and your choice, but we are going to have some awesome damn fun out there gathering up stardust!!
Smooches,
Shirl
Dear Shirl,
can you please explain to me how it is that nearly every time I think of you or have a part of something of you, or little piece of wisdom you have imparted to me in the back of my mind when I comment, especially on a subject like this, that you appear? You find me?
Another thing I was just thinking about you Shirl was this desire I have to walk the Lolo Trail and that in all this wide world I would want to share that walk with you. Well…you and Joseph ;o)
he he he he. . . .as simmply as I can explain. . .we are all connected. Those of us that are on a “soul family” link connection all have energy wave vibrations that are a match. We resonate with each other. (think of a school of fish who all turn sharply in a different direction exactly at the same moment for no apparent reason) You may very well know the science of this much better than I do at the moment, but if you use an oscilator to match sound waves (I think that’s the right instrument?) you can see visually how certain wave lengths are harmonious and compatible and easily matched up and others are less so. Another metaphoric example, tuning in a radio dial to a broadcasting station.
Or you can go back to your “imbedded chip” theory. . .which also works for me. . . ;o)
Through trust and practice and listening/feeling I am in touch energetically with an amazing number of people all the time. I complained to my favorite scientist, Nadine in Sacramento, that I hadn’t heard from her for too long a time. I know she has been a little ill, so that excuses her. . .but, dmanit, just a quick email would be nice. . .however, since we match up in vibratory fields, I KNOW that she is doing fine. So damn it again, I just want to see or hear some words from her because I want to. Still tied into the 3d way we do it here enough that I enjoy the sound of the voice of the visual pleasure of the words.
Tell me more about the Lolo. . .give me a possible date to shoot for. . .and I will show you the miracle (or many miracles) of the woman who is supposed to have both knees replaced, walking comfortably along side of you as many miles as we choose. The medical people say I have bone on bone in the knees and considerable osteo-arthritis. . .I say I am fine and did some hiking in the Tetons a couple of years ago to prove it.
Joseph? Your boy? What an honor it would be to take that hike with you and any one else that you chose to bring along.
You are such a cutie
Shirl
Joseph of the Nez Perce. The Lolo Trail is the route that he led his people along through the Bitteroot range as they tried to escape the US Army from Wallawalla. It was a fighting retreat. trying to get to safety in Canada. They almost mede it. I believe 70 miles short. This is where he finally stopped and uttered his famous words, “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever”. Google Lolo Trail. Theres lots of info. Lewis and Clark were also told of this trail by first, Shoshone in the east. Idaho I believe, and then on thier return, by the Nez Perce.
Did I say I wanted to walk the trail with you? I meant to fly ;o) No Knees needed.
With thoughts of Warriors past and Warriors present on my mind, I think I’ll turn in
Yes, email me Shirl. Open ears and open mind ;o)
Goodnight.
Super when you first wrote Joseph, I figured you meant Chief Joseph, and you know that there is a friend of Shirls that channels him and we have some of that channeling on VB….I am sure Shirl will jump in here in a minute to tell you all about it.
http://www.villageblue.com/node/150 link if you want to read.
I said first instinct: Chief Joseph and Lolo pass.
But because I am not always exactly sure where the other person is coming from, I thought it best to ask.
Fly it? Of course. We will have to get you some flight training, just a little, and see how it is you wish to experience it, in the NOW or in that time. And if it is not in the NOW, we will have to see if you are really ready to experience it that other time. It could be a bit traumatic.
Only you know what is best. I will leave that decision in your hands.
now I’m really going to bed ;o)
I thought about this after our time here last night.
The only reason I would want to experience thier flight along the Lolo in thier time would be only if my presence there could have an effect on the outcome. I would go in less than a heartbeat if this were possible. But it is not so there is no need. I already know the outcome. I have searched hundreds of pages over my life in a chikdlike hunt for a happy ending.
Hmmm and Wow Shirl! I’ve ‘known’ we’re all connected for many years, but I do forget it sometimes.
I had a friend in high school who could ‘see’ where I was physically in my parents’ house, even though he was at his home. He got me started in this line of thinking, for sure. I put out a ‘call to the universe’ to him recently, but haven’t heard from him. Perhaps I need some help. 🙂 It’s been about six years since we’ve been in touch…
Anyways, I’ve seen more than enough in the meantime to believe how we are all one… Still indescribable to me though. Even though I know it to be so true…
Night owl? 😉 You’re out west, arent’ you?
I am out West. . .and everywhere else. Yep, I am frequently up here until the very wee hours of the morning anyway. Seldom off to bed before 1 or 2 am, frequently still going at 4.
Yep, always have been at odds with sleep. It seemed it took too many hours that I wanted to spend at other more exciting and interesting things.
Your energy is a very nice match here. I’ve been “stalking you all over the site”. . .hehehehehe! not seriously, but you know what I mean.
Hehehe… I know what you mean… I’ve been known to be up til 3am EST… and apparently tonight is looking to be no exception.
As for ‘stalking’… not a problem. I know what you mean. I’m finding kindred souls here, and that is wonderful. Such a friendly place to be… I do appreciate that very much.
my 2 cents if you don’t mind…you don’t have to be religious to believe in an after life, you don’t have to be Christian or anything, you don’t have to believe in God even, try thinking in terms of All That Is, which is everything, and that is my conception of ‘God’…so much more than usually defined…All That Is, is what we are a part of and is a part of us, how can you end that…we just ‘are’ and shall ever be…
Knowledge you have gained will be carried forward by you dear Super as all of us, with your spirit as it passes through the eons of time as well as reside in what you have passed on here in the earth plane…
That is what I think in any case…
Thank you Diane,
I believe that a part of me will always live on…in my children. In thier memories of me. My body will go back to the organic Earth where it came from. I’m an organism like any other. Except for this little problem of having a conscience, self awareness.
to me it’s as simple as that and we should try to teach our children that it is ok to die. that it shouldn’t be feared. Our lives, our journeys should be celebrated for the contribution that they made to the future.
As a mother it scares me to think that I’ll never see my kids again. That’s all. I think religion was created for precisely that reason; so that we could tell ourselves and our children that this is just the warmup for something better. When my kids were little and would ask me about death I would just get so sad and repeat the old story about heaven and getting reunited with everyone you love because telling them that this one life is it just seemed too painful for them to grasp. Good lord, it was too painful for me to grasp!
FWIW I do believe that our spirit or our energy or whatever you want to call it lives on forever, but even that does little to console me when I think of it in terms of not seeing or knowing my children again as they are now. Will I know their energy?
It is scary to contemplate not seeing your children again. We as humans are put in a tight spot. We have the ability to love. The hard part I think is that we also remember the love. I wonder if other creatures have the ability to contemplate a past, and a future. If not, and we are the only ones, so far to see these things then we are a little screwed.
for myself I want to view my death as a natural process of living and be comfortable with it. I don’t want to spend my life trying to defeat it, and in a way, that’s what religion is to me. An attempt to defeat our fears.
I will tell you absolutely, unflinchingly, this is something I know to be true. I have experienced it first hand myself. I have seen “loved ones” in their/our energy representations and although visually you might say there was no difference one from another, the energy signature is very uniquely that of the individual you know. I need nothing more to confirm it. I can and am willing to tell you a lot more about this if you like, in a private email
Or I could do a diary and everyone could claim me one and all a loony toons. . .and that would be all right too.
I’m always interested to know more and email is fine but can you explain this a little more here? Are you saying that you experienced the presence of a loved one who was recognizable by energy signature rather than a visual identification? Meaning either that loved one was already in a life past the original one you knew or a present loved ones energy signature was eminating from within the body of a different and seperate visual being?
I saw a group of what would look to us like balls of light. . .but alive with amazing energy and movement. I was struck with the essence of love to the core of my being in an overpowering way. As I “viewed” these energy balls of light, I knew who each was individually and absolutely could not have been more convinced if they had been standing in their physical 3 d bodies right in front of me. Some are still currently in physical life on this planet, some have transitioned beyond this physical life in the process we call death.
I saw both of my parents after their deaths, and they were together in a gathering of other energy entities at an event of some particular significance to me.( Mom had died a year before and dad 18 years before) They were beautiful and young and perfect and I knew exactly who they were. Now don’t be confused because I saw a physical type visage of my parents in that instance as opposed to the “balls of light” I saw in the other instance. There is a rather lengthy explanation, or at least a difficult to capture in words explanation of it that is not at all contradictory. It has to do with Light geometries and how they strike the mind/brain of the person receiving the image and how they are then translated or decoded into an actual image that we see. And it also has to do with the purpose of seeing it in the first place. Nothing happens by chance, and everything has a purpose. Our job is understanding the purpose as it relates to our individual lives and experiences.
Now I have to know more. I’ll have to check the Science on it though ;o)
Kidding
Looking forward, to say the least, to talking with you more :o)
Love you
You know… I have all the LOTR movies, and I still have not even started to watch them. Pathetic. Star Wars, now that’s a different story.
Please, I’m hoping it ain’t Hillary…
Wow…I went to opening night for each and have the extended versions of all three. Truly a stunning movie. Every bit as good as Star Wars, if not better! :>)
Something else that was on my mind a couple of times today. Especially after reading Anna from Philly’s diary about sex toys last night.
I was wondering if she would be willing to help me help Dick Cheney to really go fuck himself.
Random thoughts ;o)
I think if anyone can, it could be a high probability Anna would know.
Wow Michael, some something in the genetic evelutionary process certainly prefered you! Such a wonderful mother to have instilled and encouraged the principles you have. Your genes should be spread everywhere. . .heheheh! Now don’t go thinking you should do that yourself, personally, like.
or maybe that was the evolutionary process. . .
Obviously I am missing the spelling gene tonight.
BooAholic, BostonJoe wa’s that?
I’ve been reading posts on these threads on and off over the past few days. Interesting folks.
‘spose now that scraps of myself (including name, number and shoe size!) are scattered from here to kingdom come on this site and others, I guess if I had to pick [http://www.chidjembe.com/heritage.html] that’s what I’d post by way of introduction.
I am a German-Jewish-Native-American (Ojbwe) Female African Drummer (every drop documented, but more importantly, every bit lived). My “core” identity is Indian, my core community is black, professionally, most of my work involves things German-Jewish.
(former radical lesbian, btw, worked as translator for radical lesbian feminist philosopher Mary Daly for many years in Europe– Lost half my friends when I “came out” as a hetero about 15 yrs ago. lol. )
Grew up in the welfare line, ward of the state, currently hold a phd in German, teach German lit, teach drums, write, make my living primarily as a translator of German language lit. and historical texts, blogging is my hobby, love kids, my “hubby,” and my cat Malcolm, try to tolerate adults, hate anonymity, apathy, flatness, and people who are afraid of storms. Would rather not live in a fascist state, but what the hell y’ gonna do?
My life story would probably be called “From the State Department of Corrections to the University of Chicago in 30 Years of Hard Times,” but what the hell, who’d ever believe it?
Truth is stranger than fiction.
One of these days, I’m going to set up my own blog, for now, thanks for having me.
Thanks for a terific introduction. I loved your diary the other day, btw. You, my dear, are the genuine thing! A unique and decidedly individualistic charmer. And I know how hard it is to come out of the closet. . .and it is so difficult for us darn gays to understand how you could become hetero. . . heheheheh! Oh, more power to you and Brava! for grabing ahold of whatever gets you through this life in the way that you choose it.
And I, for one, will love to hear your story anytime you decide to tell it and in any form you choose to tell it in. Certainly truth is way more strange than fiction.
Don’t deprive us of hearing your story. If you write a book or post parts of it on a blog or web site, wherever and however, it is a story very worth hearing.
Hugs and welcome!
I used to have a bunch of it up on a website. Took it down after a few years.
On the business of lesbian/vs/hetero, just this much:
I realized at some point that I was intellectually and spiritually attracted to women, not sexually. I was also intellectually and spiritually repulsed by 99.9% of the men I knew. So my lesbianism was actually based on repulsion (from men) not attraction (to women).
At some point, I realized I love women too much to let them function in my life as ersatz men, it wasn’t fair to the women I had relationships with.
At that time ( in the 80s) I think there was a lot of that going on, hence the term “political lesbian”. Oddly enough, the women who stayed friends with me were those who had always been with women, that is, women who didn’t have that whole baggage of bad trips with men, women who were just innately attracted to women and for whom repulsion to men did not even enter the picture. Could be that I was on to something there, something a lot of my women friends didn’t really want to think about.
I think you put forth a very valid theory especially in terms of your personal experience. I never could realate to a concept of women as a replacement for men or women because they were repulsed by men. Does not invalidate what others may have experienced, it just didn’t correalte to anything in my experience. I just imagined that women who preferred men felt the same way about men that I felt about women. Personally I always thought I got the best of the deal. . .but then. . .I am sure they thought the same about their experience. And yeah, far too many people want to spend their time hiding from themselves and avoiding any deep thought about anything.
Thanks for sharing your views, stark
Hugs
Shirl
I flinched at a blog, then dabbled at it, then got intense, now it’s settling into a routine.
You sound like you have a lot to share…and sharing that culture is what the blogs are about. Let us know…there’s both blogspot and livejournal…and most of us start with those. (I moving to the ‘big time’ first of the year – without the .blogspot)
I’ve enjoyed the writings you’ve posted so far and look forward to more!
Yeah, I’ll probably start with blogspot (tho it’s likely to be a FLOGspot!).
I’m just afraid that once I do get around to it, I’ll never get any work done. lol.
Anyway, so tell me I’m full of myself, and maybe I am.
It’s sometimes hard to look back on the days in the welfare line and realize that I’m doing some of this stuff (and that my mother never lived to see it; even if she had, she’d have said: Phd? Is that curable? No, ma, it ain’t, once you got it, yer stuck with it!).
this is really mindboggling for me, for example–it’s kind of hard to read because of the way the author does her formatting, but I think it’s an important piece (if you get through it you’ll see what I mean).
Apparently, the Nobel Prize Committee agrees. 😉
This is what they had to say about her.
And on that note, I’d been meaning to throw this in here. Maybe some of you know about this year’s Nobel Lit Laureate, Harold Pinter. Pinter has endorsed the Worldcantwait campaign with the following statement:
I talked to the agent yesterday. Apparently she’s already seen his acceptance speech, and while she didn’t go into detail, she did advise me that the speech will be worth listening to. It will be broadcast live on the net, here on December 7, (don’t know what time).
That is the day that some people are calling for a sick-in/strike…so if you know of people who might be interested, pls pass this info along. Might be a good thing for people who are calling in sick to entertain themselves with.
Oh so not full of it!
I remember those Christmas’ when the church brought the presents, when as a teenager after my father died and the school brought a food box to my house, growing up in a trailer park…the working class type…and so much more. Fortunately as I’ve worked my butt off over the last 30+ years I can remember the good times and not forget what it was like to be that poor.
My Mom is alive and has only the last few years that she accepted that the college degree, CPA license, and all the stuff that goes with it matters. We are closer than ever but damn it was tough for 10 or so years when she didn’t even acknowledge my success. Yep – stuck with the success!
Now we can lead the adopt a family programs and food bank drives and write checks…hopefully someone else will rise above where they are…if they choose.
I’ll check out the blog entries shortly…RL wants me to do something here!
Blogging…I write stuff randomly in word when it strikes me and then I post it when it suits the day. Now I periodically suffer from insomnia which helps!
You’ll do fine at blogging.
Trailer trash, huh? 😉
gotta run …
PS SallyCat.
Small damn cyberworld ain’t it. Just went out to your site.
Sondra, at AutumnLeaves….been a good friend of mine for YEARS.
heh.
I surf the internet for poetry and pictures.
One of my quiet passions is reading poetry. I really appreciate peots mainly because my few attempts at writing it were questionable and I know how hard it can be.
I’m never sure of etiquette and blog copyrights but I try to link and give names when I can…
Please let Sondra know that I absolutely love the site! It would be great for others to find it as well!
I’ve been a dkos member for awhile, came here to visit for the first time during the infamous pie wars, lurked since, and created an account just in the last day or two.
Hmmm – what to tell though? A little tricky, in all honesty, because for some bizarre reason there’s a distaste when us expats in these small-town sort of postings are too outspoken politically in opposition! 🙂 So, while I refuse to be entirely quiet, I do try to be diplomatic, speak my opposition quietly and calmly in real life, and only wear my Bush Scream t-shirt on alternate Saturdays (kidding, but not entirely!). There are those moments though – when the small son pipes up with “Bush sucks, right mommy?” at some inauspicious moment, so it’s not like my views are unknown here. Still, I want to try to fly a little under the radar so I can speak more freely if that’s ok?
So, briefly. I’m the mother of some wonderful kids, ranging in age from elementary to college. A very blue girl originally from a very red family. Married to a wonderful guy – who though he’s a non-American and feels he shouldn’t criticize TOO much — is just as liberal as I am and helps me survive the family get-togethers without committing either suicide or homicide. My kids who are old enough to be politically aware are way at least as liberal as I am (which is a saying a lot), and probably more so maybe at least partially from spending so many years overseas in a developing country, surrounded by non-American peers giving them a very different perspective on many things. I’ve always been passionate about international development, poverty, and diplomacy, but have become increasingly politically involved since the disaster in 2000.
AiK, Welcome, I seem to remember you from the pie wars, and frankly I think ex-pats, euorpeans, africans,ausies, or any other groups have every right to be criticizing and screaming about this criminal administration in our country! Everything we do effects everyone else and sometimes very dramatically. The whole world should be screaming and we darn lazy americans should be screaming the loudest.
I relate to your political statements very strongly, so don’t feel you need to supress anything here. I got your back on this one.
Very glad to see you posting. Hope if you have time or the desire you will do more of it. Would love to see a diary about the ex-pat’s viewpoint.
Hugs and welcome again!!
Shirl
I was reading JamFam’s comments about the tendency to nod and yell “Yes” rather than post, and thinking she could’ve been writing for me! I’ll try to overcome that temptation, I promise!
I absolutely agree with you about our need to speak up – and loudly. Then there are these realities – in certain jobs one’s expected to not take overt political positions, ya know? Anyway – speak I do – just more loudly and vehemently to folks at home, MSM, congress-critters, and the like, than I can do openly here. Complicated. Anyway! lol
You’re right about the impact US policies have abroad. And it amazes me how little most Americans know or care about that impact. Of course, our policies have direct impact on us Americans’ lives and safety abroad too (the riots in Kathmandu after the Nepali workers were killed in Iraq were quite serious for example, and put me and my family at risk, so I wasn’t all that happy on personal as well as political grounds). Anyway, I totally agree about having not only the right but the responsibilty to speak out and fight like heck to get our government to do better (it could hardly do worse, could it!).
Hugs back at ya Shirl!