Michele

Very well said, Unstable. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ah, but your demonstration was masterful. And I still say "well done!" Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How come we can't say what's right, too, without being told we're intolerant? Ignorant? Ignoring history? Hateful and fearful? How come? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well done, Rehmwa. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Right freakin' on, Keith. Right freakin' on. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, I pay taxes. And I've served on several juries. No. And I won't feel guilty because you think I should do more. The charities and comunity service and whatnot I'm involved in have nothing to do with what you're trying to imply...so I'll not mention them. If it's a draft, they're not going to ask you. As for me, if I were drafted (really remote possiblity), I would absolutely go and do what was demanded of my by my country. Simply because I didn't serve doesn't mean I don't love this country, nor make me less than you. Because I didn't choose the military doesn't mean I don't value what the military does. Because I haven't served like some others doesn't mean I have less a right to speak about what I think than anyone else, from anywhere else, here or elsewhere. Rights are not earned with service. Rights either are, or are not. My right to speak about what I choose where I choose is a fundamental priciple that I hold dear. Your right to speak about what you choose where you choose is a fundamental that I hold dear. I'm sorry you don't seem to think the same for me. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was hoping you were playing the Lotto or something like that - 'cause 6/6 on that would be happy dance time for you! But football's all right too. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I too am one who was content with the verdict. Am I dancing? No, of course not. Nor am I celebrating. In fact, I'm rather sad. But it does relieve me that not only was he found guilty, he was given the maximum penalty - he forfeits his life. Why am I sad? Because divorce was an option. Because he didn't need to kill Laci and Conor to change his situation. Because a dark and malignant heart took control of the situation, and it was planned, carried out, and covered up. Because a pregnant lady and her child was involved. To take his life is revenge and deterrance. Revenge of course, and why is that wrong? To me, in this sort of circumstance, revenge is acceptable to take. To remove someone like that from the world is an appropriate punishment. And it will deter - far more than if he simply received Life. If someone who is thinking of killing their pregnant wife and soon-to-be-born baby, and they think "well, if I'm caught, all I'll get is a life sentence," to me that is no deterrant whatsoever. By assessing the maximum penalty there is, one does indeed send the message that any potential wife and child murderer may indeed forfeit his life might then consider an alternative. Both reasons are acceptable to me. Scott brutally murdered his wife, cut off her head, arms and legs, and dumped her torso (containing a child - Conor) into the bay. That is a horrific crime, and one which rises above the simple domestic murder by a long shot. I've sat on several juries. None of the cases were of the calibre of this one. One of the juries I hung...I did not do it deliberately, nor did I do it because I refused to deliberate. That experience was one of the hardest things I've ever done...to sit there and be harangued by my fellow jury members for several days; to be called into the courtroom and talk to the judge and both attorneys by myself; to be very clear on what I thought, and ask for my fellow jurors to articulate what they thought, and to explain their positions....and then to remain - not stubbornly or pridefully - with my decision because that was what I honestly believed....that took it out of me. How simple and easy it would be to have just given in to what the others thought. How simple it would be to have handed over my own will and intellect, and let them tell me what I should do. And how hard to have that on my conscious for the rest of my life. I do not envy a jury's deliberation, and to have come to a decision on someone else's fate clearly is not an easy task. I also think the judge will not change the verdict. He has had several death penalty cases before him in the past, and has been reluctant to change the verdict (he hasn't before). While he may have had a hard time with the verdict, he also respects the jury system more than some judges I've seen. And for that alone, I don't think he will change it. OTOH, he is retired, and may see this as an opportunity to do something without recrimination (i.e. no political consequences of his action), and he may feel strongly about it. It will be interesting come February. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

But does Missouri still have it? That's the state of the crime, both the murder and kidnapping of the baby (and there's got to be some other crime in that...). So wouldn't it revert back to Missouri, and that state's law prevail? That's my understanding of it. How someone could do this is unthinkable, absolutely disgusting. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Very well said. In any arena, on-line or otherwise, when one changes themselves to fit a particular parameter and be "accepted" into the in-crowd, ignoring who they are so as to have "friends," (and on-line friends, at that, who are just as likely to not be the way they appear either....), it's a sad way to live. I wish people'd stop playing games...but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride and all that. Sure, Peej gets loud and raucous. So what? So does most everyone here. I've not ever found Peej to be anything other than real; he has an opinion, he states it, and it's clear. Whether I agree or not isn't the end all nor be all for his opinion to exist. And frankly, if all one desires is a synchophantic following, then one has a long row to hoe. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

So, are you blaming your rowdiness on your head injury? 'Cause I found you more energetic, and more "rowdy" in person (rowdy, to me, is a good thing...) in person than I see on-line. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I agree. You're a lot more rowdy in person. I am as likely to ignore a person here as I am in "real life," and I write the same way in "real life," and I have the tendency to say what I think not really caring what someone thinks of me both here and there. I can be evil and nice, in real life and on-line. I'm me, where-ever I am, whatever I do, and whomever I'm with. And I've discovered that there are people who'll take you for all you've got, both on-line and in real life, both financially and emotionally. So it's life. Am I more able to be who "I am" on line? Nope. I don't see the same barriers in my world as others seem to, so I've not felt that sort of issue; I'm who I am here and "in real life". But do I know some people who come across one way on line, and are really not that way "in real life"? Absolutely. But Chris, you rock anyway . (And I owe you a pm; I've been so busy at work and at home I've not replied to several folks, you included. Sorry....) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Smile and crying, at the same time? Yup, I've done it. More than I care to remember. The last time I was at a rescue day at the pet store, Simon came home (he's now 6 months, 7 lbs, and getting snipped tomorrow...). Yeah, I know what you mean, Kris. With 5 at my house - all rescues, too - there's no more room. But Pengy let me touch her for the first time yesterday, after 9 months of living in my house. That woman was very special, and it was a wonderful thing for her to do. And thanks for sharing the story. Made my morning! (And made me go hug and kiss the 4 who'll let me touch them, and wave at Pengy, too.) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

7:0:1 One office Christmas party which was really fun. I consumed 7 drinks - and for those of you who know me, you know that's more than I drink in a month; managed to stay sober enough to do the awards presentation, danced like a goofy fool, and had a most excellent gentleman with me who treated me like gold...even when I was too drunk to think of my name. Thanks, Mike. You are the best! Beer owed for taking my father to the Lakers/Clippers game for his birthday, and spending a wonderful evening with this most incredible man while he yelled at the ref's in person. I even managed to get his name on the scrolly thing for a happy birthday to 19,640 people. He was surprised and happy, and I am happy too. Over all, this was an excellent weekend, spent with dear family and friends, and one that will remain special for a very loooong time. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

~Dissemblers. ~Fraudulent behavior. ~Obfuscaters. ~Gossipers/believers of said gossip. Actually, they don't "piss" me off too much. Makes me laugh, more in pity that karma is going to come along someday, and take care of business. I can't stand these sorts of folks, but they're part of this world, and must be dealt with. Yes, it's been a tough day at the office. Could you tell? LOLOL! In real estate, the motto to live by is "Buyers are liars, and sellers tell tales." Oh well...on to the next thing! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I saw the title of the thread, and came in to post Eagles, Seven Bridges Road! There is nothing tighter than the Eagles doing their version live. OH MY GOD, these guys were great. They're the best, tightest harmony of any band from their era, and really, any band at all. I've not heard another band which can do that without fail every time. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

(not a direct reply to anyone...) What if DeSantis was "whistleblowing"? Often, whistleblowers must operate outside the boundaries set by their company/union/fraternity/whatever to get things handled. Often, a beaurocracy has rules in place to protect themselves, and if those rules prevent the whistleblower from blowing the whistle, then shouldn't those rules be re-evaluated and re-determined? In other words, since we don't really know what docs were sent around, or how DeSantis came to have them, it would be interesting to discover that before passing judgment on him. We tend to support whistleblowers even when they break the law to do so....why can't we get the information here before hanging someone when we don't have factual data yet to do so with? Or is this a case that as long as it doesn't affect us, it's all right to support the whistle blower, but when it affects us we withdraw that openminded attitude? I dunno. Just throwing this out there. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

The only time I call out is when it affects me directly. If someone is blowing smoke to blow smoke, fine - I'll let karma take issue with it. But if it directly affects me, I'll confront. If the truth is still not forthcoming, I'll research. And I am nearly almost always correct - with "proof" to back me up. The people who lie to me tend not to be people I can continue to trust; and if I can't trust them, what's the point of hanging around them anyway? Especially once confronted and the lies continue. Those people who lie to make themselves look good are really pathetic - like the guys in the bar who say they're a skydiver, but then when you get into a discussion with them, their extent in skydiving is a worn copy of Cutaway. Makes me laugh at them. If their lives are not full enough, go make them fuller; don't lie about it to make themselves look better. Puddleheads, the lot of them. And also, a valuable thing I've discovered is contained in my sig line; lies travel much, much faster than truth. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Not really in the mood for wine....I've been drinking melonballs. Midori, vodka, and juice. Can I join you anyway? (p.s. how's the bengal doing?) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Is anyone considering their reserve when discussing limitations for winds? After all, that's the last chance canopy...and if you have to use it on a day which is marginally safe under your normal canopy, how would the winds/weather affect your reserve? For me, with wind, it doesn't make a difference - I gauge things from the main (since it's larger, and would have less forward speed than my reserve - but only very little difference...210/193), but what about those of you who fly a tiny main with a bigger reserve? How does that change your perspective? Ciels- Micehle ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Prayers sent, and of course they will be continued. Hang in there - your Grandmother needs you now more than anything. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I don't know yet what my purpose is. And I'm not sure I understand the question, because when I die, even if my purpose is fulfilled, I'd like to be remembered a certain way. I don't know that the two are the same. I think, sometimes, that I have a gift to give. It sounds arrogant, I suppose, but I also don't believe that this gift is mine to give - but only passes through me to the recipient. It's a loaner gift, I guess you'd say, valuable only in the giving. Is it then my purpose to give this gift? Or is my purpose something else? Is the purpose defined by what I do (work), or by inherent talent (gift)? If my purpose is something that I do, then I haven't done it yet, I don't think. And if it's a talent, then I haven't used that talent to it's completeness yet. (And honestly, I'm scared to, at times.) So I really don't know how to answer your question more fully, but if it's what I do, then I want to be remembered for creating the circumstances for others to be happy within (since happiness cannot be created for another person). And if I am to be remembered for my gift, then I want to be remembered for giving that gift freely, wholly, and totally. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Seems like Ridge's replacement will be Bernie Kerrick (sp on the last name - not sure at all, and no time to verify). Breaking news just over MSNBC, supposedly to be confirmed/officially named tomorrow. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ahhhh...... Well, still, if I get one, I'll let you know, and see what you can do with it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ROFL. I've never gone - rarely watch them even. If I end up with a ticket I can't/won't use (not terribly likely, but hey...you can dream), I'll let you know. Deal? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~