Michele

Sorry. I don't quite understand. Why was what they did wrong? Sure, it's distasteful, but "wrong"? I really don't understand. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ireland or Australia, I think, would be a good fit for me... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

(edit: sorry about that...something popped in there where it wasn't supposed to. Now, back to regularly scheduled commentary!)... I remember clearly hearing about a conference of bishops at the Vatican who vetoed the American bishops' proposal for dealing with it (why they did I am not sure), and as such, proposed no new/better ideas as to how to curtail this behavior. Nor were they willing to look at other countries' priesthood as regards to this abuse. As to how it dovetails into the Iraq thing, here's how I think it fits...if someone doesn't take action to correct something as heinious as child sexual abuse, and in fact uses the power of their position to hide the truth, then how can they be taken seriously on something else as serious as Iraq and it's disarmament and WMD's? They've lost the credibility, and yes, the "moral authority" to have what they say be taken totally seriously. Hey, look, I understand this hits close to home for you. I didn't see the show, and don't know what O'Reilly said. But I do understand how the Pope has lost credibility, and why things are being said at this juncture. And keep in mind the Vatican has, in recent years, been staunchly anti-war... I am not poking at you, Speedy...what I'm doing is simply trying to show you the other side of the coin, and hope I've done it. Have a great day! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Perhaps the fact that there was notification to the Vatican about it, and the Vatican chose to do nothing to protect the children or remedy the situation, but rather chooses to protect the rogue priests is what is being referred to... Just my opinion. As for the Pope being old, he is. Naive, he's not. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Thanks, Justin. I appreciate the info. As I stated, I am very computer illiterate, and have no idea if I'm as safe as I can be. But if the risk is very low, and sounds like it is, and as there aren't too many "private things" on my 'puter anyway (I still don't trust it totally), then I shall also be joining the project tonight. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Excellent news, Ed. Tell her we're all still thinking of her and sending out prayers and vibes....and give her a hug from me when she's ready for that. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Age, hang in there. And see if you're eligible to apply for unempolyment. It won't be much, but it might keep those bills at bay a little while, and give you enough time to get a better job and keep moving forward. Glad to hear you're not laid low by this. And that you're still smiling...here's one for when you don't have one handy:

I think Wendy is expressing a concern she feels very sharply, and while I don't personally agree with the assessment she makes, I really can understand her position. She perceives a family member in potential danger, and is concerned for his wellbeing, as well as stating her position on the conflict. Wendy, the only thing I can say is yes, there is a danger right now, to any american, anywhere in the world, any time at all. A 14 y/o american girl was killed in a bombing in Israel today; yesterday, a pastor was blown to bits in the Phillipines. The day before that, N. Korean jets surrounded a recon plane of ours in international waters. It's a dangerous time... I will say, also, that I heard the same commentary when Clinton initiated the Bosnian insertion. "Unilateral", "rouge", etc., but it worked and eventually proved the correct move. As to this war being considered 'unilateral', there are many countries, some of which Gawain named, who support the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. If it happens, it will not be without the stated support of many countries. Whether they have the resources and manpower to go there with us is a different story. Hang in, Wendy. He'll be alright. So will you. And so will we all. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I am quite the computer illiterate. Would someone explain to me how it is safe to do, and how it works when you're not online? Is there any way someone can get (hack) into my computer and steal all my private stuff? I'd appreciate it! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My new friend! Fuk'n awesome! And it simply rocks. It's a great thing...I did it just recently, and will be going back for a lot more as soon as time and finances allow. Oh, what, like that's a bad thing? I was there, I saw you grinning. We had fun, and no-one twisted my arms or anything. Actually, jumping with you was perfect - I needed the relaxing jump as the first jump that day. Mel, you rawk. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

VVVVVViiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiibbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss to you, my friend. Go kick ass, don't bother with names, and celebrate when you win! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

As to what the gift was, that's not important...although it was welcomed and is perfect. The point, to me, was that someone took the time to think about me, and send something from his heart. The gift was the giving, I guess, and the greater gift was the unanticipated result of looking and seeing things about myself and how I am - both to myself and to others. That was the gift...as for divulging the actual gift, it's not necessary -I know, you all are curious, it's kewl, and I am not telling!. And Aggie, you showing up at my door unexpectedly would earn you a hug and a beer, but that's the limit.... Thanks for the notes, guys...like Rev said, the door cracks, a tiny eye peers out...like a timid and shy child, I am venturing onto the porch, into the sun...I'm learning. Boy, how I'm learning. Hugs to all! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Olivia died of lung cancer. Mid 30's. Never smoked in her life, and her family were non-smokers. I miss her. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've been thinking a lot recently about my life. Am I where I want to be? How can I get there? And on and on, to the point where it's almost redundant, and my self has gotten lost in the thinking...and then yesterday happens. And I am forced to actively re-assess, immediately re-evaluate myself, and my perspective on myself. An unexpected generosity, a gift, is sent to me at my office. While it is not wholly unexpected, it is utterly surprising and makes tears well up in my eyes. A few words on a piece of paper, and my life is suddenly changed. I walk through my day, handling business and working hard, and in those quiet seconds between ringing phones and buzzing faxes, I return to the startling moment. And I am in a bit of a dither, almost confused. It's not the gift itself which has sent me spinning, I finally figure out, it's the concept, the very idea that someone sat down and thought about me. Thought about me enough to send a gift to me. I get home to a cold and dark home, and grab the phone. I call a dear friend - not the one who has graced me this day, but someone who I am decidedly close with and who understands me quite well. I tell him that I cannot accept this gift, I simply cannot. I don't know the giftor, I don't deserve it, and while the thought is amazing and the gesture beyond words, I cannot let this incredible thing stay with me. My friend's response is "why not?" I stammer and blither, unable to articulate anything of substance and demonstrating just how ineloquent I am. "Why not?" he persists. "How come you can't accept it? Strings attached? Obligations? Why not?" "No," I answer, "no strings, no obligations, nothing along those lines. It's a gift from a friend, nothing else," And while I am searching for the words to articulate my undeservedness, while I am searching for the right phrase to explain to this friend that I am not special, that other people get this kind of thing and not me, never happened before so why is it happening now, how inappropriate it would be for me to keep this, he breaks into my muttering. "Michele, you accept all the shit that the universe gives you. You accept all the insults, the slams, the heartaches, the abuse. You accept all the crap thrown your way. Why can't you accept the good stuff, too?" And he's right. And so I've been thinking. Re-assessing. I do accept all the crap. I hold onto it like it has value to me. And in a way it does - it confirms my opinion of myself, this universe shit-shoveling. I mean, I am a mass of insecurities, and whenever someone says something cruel or unkind, for some inane reason I hold their opinion higher than those who have complimentary opinions. They have to be correct, don't they? After all, it confirms my opinion of myself...I look for the flaws in myself, and see them as the only thing about me which is apparent to the world. And yet, when the world shows me the kinder side, the generous side, the gracious side, I turn my face from it, and hide away. When the universe sends some goodness my way, I can't see it for what it is - I search for the trap, for the chink in the wall. "It's a trojan horse", I think. I look for the downside, instead of enjoying the upside. I look for the rain in the rainbow, instead of seeing the sun and the colors, and imagining the pot of gold is within my reach. I have long known that night turns into day, that there is balance and cycles in the world. I have not known that in a concrete way. Rarely have I sat in the sun, and just enjoyed it's gentle warmth on my face; instead, I fret about the dark night ahead of me, knowing this sunshine is temporary, that night will claim the world, and we shall be thrust into dark again. And sit in the false sunlight of electricity in the cold empty night, not remembering that the dawn will come, too...there will be sunlight again, there will be warmth. I have not looked for the dawn, because, in my world, the dawn means nothing more than dark will be coming again...and this expectation and anticipation of dark erodes my joy in the sun. There has been little acknowledgment of the natural balance, the cycle, which comes in all ways, with all things, at all times. It is only the night I see. Until I received this gift in the mail. And I wonder now, if I anticipate the dawn with the same ferocity that I anticipate the night, will it last as long as the darkness? Can this be a fundamental shift in my perceptions? Will this be the seed of understanding the balance, and finding the light when I need it most? Someone's kindness, simple and exquisite idea-thought-action, may just have changed my world. And while I don't know this man, I see his heart, and bask in it's warmth and sunlight...for in me he finds value, and, following his lead, I find the seedling of value-ing myself. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I know! It's a conehead doing the splits!

Um, no-one will tell me what it is. So no, I still don't know what it is. But I suspect I shall find out... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

El Al has strict and stringent profiling that it carries out on all passengers, as well as the ability to arrest you for "seeming nervous" and brought back into an interrogation room and detained indefinitely (I do believe that's correct - however, I may be mistaken). No-one will allow profiling here in the US. Even the slightest appearance of profiling here would bring the roof down. Because we won't allow the basic tenant of the Israeli success, there is no way we will be able to mimic their success. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Pm'd ya.

Um, making some really good friends is the best, by far. By far! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What I find interesting is what happened to the Turkish markets today, in response to the "yes...well, no" vote. IIRC, it fell more than 5%, because of the debt relief it is not going to receive now, nor the infusion of cash for the use of the UN troops and the US troops. Also, our own markets are down, but I am not sure why. OH! And by the way, I have no college degree. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

No. I recall talking to that damned snake, that slithering slimy lying creature, and the rest is all fuzzy...... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

(Michele remembers when she booked passage on Noah's big floaty thing...) ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Far be it from me to be anything of any kind of expert on anything under the sun with the exception of real estate.... But I've found Phree to be very well educated, and when he doesn't know something, he digs up the answer. If he gets his information from the campfire, so be it. If it sparks an interest, and he then takes the time to research it (which I think is what happens, frankly), then what's the harm in that? There is no reason to jump on him and call his credibility into question. Should you have a different opinion, I'd be interested in hearing that, not where and how Phree got his info...

Tell ya what, since it doesn't look likely for me at Rantoul...how about you bring it out to your dz this weekend, and pass it around on my behalf? And stop with the "I was 4 or 5", "11 or 12"...I was graduating HS right about then (o.k., '83, to be exact...). Your posts and Jraf's wailing about being 35 have me feeling old. Really old. Like ancient. Wrinkled dried prune kinda ancient. Wizened and grey-haired. Born before Methusela. Etc... Sigh... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~