Archive for » November, 2008 «

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Sunday, November 30th, 2008 | Author: resqr1968

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. 
Robert Frost
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: markross

Deeds alone, are a vague indication of love
Written by Mark Ross
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: markross

We can talk and talk, however, unless we act, we won’t get anywhere
Written by Mark Ross
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: resqr1968

“Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes – goodwill among men and peace on earth.” 
Albert Einstein
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: markross

Some read, and some apply what they read
Written by Mark Ross
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: KEB

A thought occured to me last evening.

I was visiting a local restaurant and as with any Friday night, there were dozens of young people crammed into the dining room. Each seemed to be paired in groups of four, two guys and two gals. While there is nothing remarkable about this in particular, what did strike me as a significant change from the many years ago I would have done the same, is the number of mixed ethnicity couples. Of course I have no way of knowing whether any of the people were a couple as I didn’t take the time to observe them for clues about their romantic tendencies, but the fact they were paired as they were would lend to that perception.

I thought about this for a few minutes and I had to ask myself why I found it unusual. Had I been brought up to believe such things were not supposed to take place? Of course I hadn’t, and after some considerable thought, I believe I may have found an answer.

During my childhood and young adult life, the prospect of seeing couples of differing skin color was unusual, I can only remember two and they weren’t treated favorably by most people of the time. Since our reactions to events in life are mostly a learned response, perhaps I learned from an early age that mixed couples are treated harshly by society and as such, they are to be avoided. Maybe that is why I found this unusual and maybe that trend of ostracizing those who appear differently than ourselves is changing.

I find this refreshing and I take great pride in the fact that so many of our youth have the ability to see beyond differences that would have been frowned upon even 20 years ago. I challenge you to put away preconceived ideas and embrace a society that appears to be learning from our past failures.

Category: Miscellaneous, Opine  | 8 Comments
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: markross

“To trip is not to fall”
Author Unknown
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Saturday, November 29th, 2008 | Author: markross

And here is the song Help, from the same performance.

“When I was younger, so much younger then today, I never needed anybody’s help, in any way.
Now, these days are gone, I’m not so self assured; now I find, I’ve changed my mind, and opened up the door.”
 
Enjoy!
Mark
 
 
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Friday, November 28th, 2008 | Author: resqr1968

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn”.
Author Unknown
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Friday, November 28th, 2008 | Author: markross

“Death of our liberty, feeds their supremacy” 
Reference: Voivod, Dimension Hatross
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Friday, November 28th, 2008 | Author: markross

This is truly history being made; due to the shear magnitude of The Beatles popularity, and demand, there was no other way to accommodate the amount of fans that wanted to see them, except to use a larger venue. As a result, this is the beginning of stadium rock, as we know it today.
 
The Beatles live at Shea Stadium August 15th, 1965.
 
We owe so much to The Beatles, musically; more then a lot of people even realize.
 
Here are a few songs, from that show, with Ed Sullivan introducing them.
 
“My baby’s in black and I’m feeling blue”
 
Enjoy!
Mark

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Friday, November 28th, 2008 | Author: markross

Here is another beautiful song from this seemingly, perfect performance.
“I Dig a Pony”
 
Take note, towards the end, the police come a knocking, at Apple Records.
 
Enjoy! 
Mark 

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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: resqr1968

“When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters – one represents danger and the other represents opportunity”.  
John F. Kennedy, address, 12 April 1959
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: markross

This is a subject that has been of much interest to me lately; in particular, due to the situation that  we are currently experiencing in this country. I suppose, to some extent, we are all learning a bit more about economics, these days, then we may have liked. However, as with many other things, knowledge is often very powerful.
 
I think that the best way to start out, without getting overly complicated,  is to start with some basic definitions; this definition on inflation looks pretty good. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation
 
Common sense tells me that deflation is the opposite of inflation, however, here is the definition of deflation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflation
 
After reading about inflation and/or deflation, it is also interesting to learn a bit about the history of our currency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation#Origins
 
Today’s currency system, in The United States, is based on a fiat system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_currency 
However, this was not always so…
 
In fact, throughout most of history, currency was backed by, and used gold and other precious metals as currency. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation#Gold_standard
In it’s basic form, paper money represented, and was proportional to a certain amount of available gold.
 
Some are even lobbying for us to go back to this system; I see some real validity to going back to a system as to where there are actual tangible items to back the paper notes that are being printed. In the old days, the barter system was a valid way for people to survive, and do commerce; that is certainly another subject for another day.
 
I think this is a good (basic) starting point for anyone that is interested in getting deeper into the immense subject of Economics.
 
Mark
Category: The Economy  | 4 Comments
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: markross

noun
1.Music. A more or less independent passage, at the end of a composition, introduced to bring it to a satisfactory close.
2.Ballet. the concluding section of a ballet, esp. the final part of a pas de deux.
3.A concluding section or part, esp. one of a conventional form and serving as a summation of preceding themes, motifs, etc., as in a work of literature or drama.
4.Anything that serves as a concluding part.
   Dictionary.com
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: markross

noun
Music…
1.A gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.
2.A musical passage characterized by such an increase.
3.The performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.
 
 adjective, adverb
1.Gradually increasing in force, volume, or loudness (opposed to decrescendo or diminuendo).
 
verb
1.To grow in force or loudness.
   Dictionary.com
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: markross

adjective
1.Formed by the conjunction or collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum; total; combined: the aggregate amount of indebtedness.
 
noun
1.A sum, mass, or assemblage of particulars; a total or gross amount: the aggregate of all past experience.
   Dictionary.com
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008 | Author: markross

A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.
-Chinese Proverb
Category: Wisdom  | Tags:  | 8 Comments
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Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 | Author: markross

noun
“Blog” is an abbreviated version of “weblog,” which is a term used to describe web sites that maintain an ongoing chronicle of information. A blog is a frequently updated, personal website featuring diary-type commentary and links to articles on other Web sites. Blogs range from the personal to the political, and can focus on one narrow subject or a whole range of subjects.
 
Many blogs focus on a particular topic, such as web design, home staging, sports, or mobile technology. Some are more eclectic, presenting links to all types of other sites. And others are more like personal journals, presenting the author’s daily life and thoughts.
 
Generally speaking (although there are exceptions), blogs tend to have a few things in common:
A main content area with articles listed chronologically, newest on top. Often, the articles are organized into categories.
An archive of older articles.
A way for people to leave comments about the articles.
A list of links to other related sites, sometimes called a “blogroll”.
One or more “feeds” like RSS, Atom or RDF files.
 
http://codex.wordpress.org/Introduction_to_Blogging
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Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 | Author: markross

adjective
1.Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another: read about mountain climbing and experienced vicarious thrills.
 
vicariously (adverb)
1.Indirectly, as, by, or through a substitute.
  Dictionary.com
Category: Adjectives  | Tags:  | One Comment
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 | Author: KEB

Upon this Earth, oft we’re blest
with joys beyond the stars;
and we pine for those who left
with years of painful scars.

Eternal rest now dear child,
upon that fateful shore
and find that peace not beguiled
by those we all abhor.

Spirit, now we ask of you,
life short, but yet complete.
Give this Phoenix all her due
and make her life replete.

Those whose will, ill they carry
across that great divide,
to the depths, let them tarry
where ne’er a soul shall hide.

May Heavens gate open wide
and let your spirit dwell,
while those who care not have died
and spend their death in hell.

Dedicated in Memory of Phoenix Sinclair – June 2005 – Winnipeg, CA

Copyright © 2008 Keith Blackie

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Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 | Author: markross

noun
1.An intervening time; interval; meantime: in the interim.
   Dictionary.com
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Monday, November 24th, 2008 | Author: admin

 
 
Come on people…
We need “more” bailout money!
 
 
 
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Monday, November 24th, 2008 | Author: KEB

The year was 1976. As a young boy of 11 years old, I surprisingly had few friends. It wasn’t my fault and it wasn’t because people didn’t like me … it was because of the rural location in which I lived. The closest “friends” were nearly 1/2 mile away and with all of the responsibilities I had on a daily basis, there was very little time to make friends.

Late one afternoon, I was approached by a young lady named Cindy, who asked if I would like to go to church. I knew what church was, I had been to church regularly in the town I used to live in some 3 years earlier. I jumped at the opportunity to have interaction with other kids my age in a setting other than a classroom. Thus began the saga.

On Sunday mornings for the next several months, I was picked up regularly for church. Frank, the youth pastor and husband of Cindy, was soft spoken and personable. His demeanor was quiet and he seemed to be the kind of guy that everyone liked. It was no wonder that I had taken to him and Cindy. It wasn’t long until I was spending weekends with them and then in 1978, I spent the entire summer with Frank. Cindy had went out of town and Frank was alone. At the same time, my family was taking a vacation to Disney. I elected to forgo the Disney trip and stay with Frank.

I had the run of the place. I had whatever I wanted to eat, listened to the radio, played records, rocked in the rocking chair and even decided to cut the grass a couple of times. Frank was a true friend to a young boy, and I felt the need to gain approval. After several days with Frank, all I needed was just a hint from him as to what he wanted me to do and I would do it willingly and with a fervor you rarely see from a boy of 13. I sought his approval and he gave it. The symbiotic relationship we had forged seemed as if it would never end.

Of course, as all things do, there was a reconing. It wasn’t Frank’s fault, in fact I don’t really know whose fault it was. There was enough blame to go around I am sure, but suffice to say, by 1982 our friendship was tenuous. I was interested in girls, and they were interested in me. I had a job, a car and due to some family problems, became what is commonly termed as an “emancipated minor” at the tender age of 16. For the next several years, I had only casual contact with Frank and Cindy. The brief encounter at the store, passing on the highway, nothing extraordinary.

However, as time passed I began to consider our past relationship and once again rekindled it summer in 1991. By this time I was married and had children of my own, and it was my own children who were becoming involved with Frank and Cindy. A local church was having Vacation Bible School and someone from the church came by and asked if my son would like to join them. He of course was elated … fun activities, playing with other children his age and gaining approval from other adults. Frank and Cindy were deeply involved with the childrens program and I was proud to have my own child involved. I had no idea how seriously the impact of my previous relationship with them had been, in fact, it wasn’t until last week that I realized just how much of an impact they had on my life.

I rarely see Frank and Cindy, but when I do, they are always the kind people they have proven to be in the years I was literally a part of their family. Now years later, I found myself sitting in an auditorium at a local church, reading from my bible. This bible isn’t of any particular importance, any other bible would be the same, except, I finally realized why it was important to me. It wasn’t the faith that it inspires, as the words printed inside inspire, not the binding. It wasn’t that I have had this particular bible for 30 years. What makes this bible important to me is the inscription written so many years ago by a young couple seeking to help others. Written from the heart on the inside cover is “We Love You”, and this past week, I finally realized what that meant to me. The impact that Frank and Cindy have made on my life will leave an indelible mark and for that, I am truely blessed to have had a true friend in them. I will continue to cherish the bible they gave me as a young boy and I hope to be able to continue the legacy they started by being a true friend to another child.

Category: Miscellaneous  | 2 Comments
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Monday, November 24th, 2008 | Author: markross

A closed mind sees a narrow view
Written by Mark Ross
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