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Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Apr 3, 2011 10:58:16 GMT -5
Cold in here this morning.
Now we need to figure out the "new" heater again.
Julia, scary digital timer that needs entirely reset if you want to change the temperature.
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Post by SpringSummers on Apr 3, 2011 11:55:34 GMT -5
Enjoy, Sue. Joy and Sorrow...that just about covers it all. Except for the middle part. What would you call that. Normalcy? Content? Hmm.. Well, very much additional discussion would require moving to the OT thread, but, as this was a Christian retreat there actually was comment on that issue: the middle part is --- dangerous. The main theme was pretty much about spending time with God each day, getting to know Him and His character (love, mercy, grace, sacrifice, justness) so that we would turn to Him in times of joy to rejoice, but also run to Him in times of sorrow (honest "conversation" with anger and tears was recommended over pious prayers). However, it was acknowledged that "normalcy" is the most dangerous of conditions as we are lulled into complacence and laziness. And that is when it is easiest to think we are handling life pretty well enough on our own. Well, end of sermon, but it is, after all, Sunday. However, not everyone signed up for a sermon so if you want this moved, I will. == I was the detail person, though, and pleased that the "trains ran on time." Helps that it is the 3rd year I've run it at this same place. Building is decent. But dorm style -- 2 twin beds per room with desk and lamp. Hall bathrooms, some rooms a bit cold, others over-heated. But it's only to sleep and for 1 night. It's on top of a foothill (Monteagle mountain) between Nashville and Chattanooga and we had an incredible sunset. The main meeting room is all glass sliding doors and floor to ceiling windows behind the speaker, looking out over a valley. The sunset was breath-taking and the spring vista on Saturday (about 65 degrees) just stunning. We may have to change locations next year because of size and they can't offer us dates in the range we want and there just isn't any other place around with anything approaching the setting. My sister was the speaker and she did a nice job. She also took general questions from the audience. Some stuck close to the topic -- asking about wayward children and guilt over actions causing one's own pain. Others asked stuff like "is this the end times" or "was it genocide when God told the Israelites to kill all the Canaanites when entering into Israel." Kathy thrives on stuff like that. She has an incredible mind, has studied and read and listened to/conversed with Tim for 40 years and just jumps in with both feet -- no hemming or hawing. You may or may not agree with her but she backs everything up with Scripture and quotes from theologians and philosophers. Very impressive. She spoke on Friday night and Saturday morning but the 2nd session on Saturday was personal testimonies from 3 women in our church and ... oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my. [All 3 are happily married, middle class, lovely children etc. I've gone to church with all 3 for years and knew most of one's story, a little bit of the 2nd and none of third. Very briefly: one had a stillborn baby and was only able to have their 2nd child when another women from our church, at age 49, carried him as a surrogate; the second has an eye condition that hit 17 years ago when her oldest child was the only 3 months. She no longer drives and is slowly losing more and more vision; the third is married to a VU doc and has never told her story in public but sexual abuse as a child with the added sadness that her parents refused to believe it. Now suffers from PTSD and depression (I had NO idea).] I didn't enlist the testifiers and these women weren't chosen totally at random but I suspect nearly every woman there had a story to tell of some sort. Don't we all? Which actually brings me back to the question of "normalcy" -- I"m becoming further convinced that the "normal" times of most lives are the rarest -- and to be greatly treasured. ETA: And don't we learn this same lesson from BtVS and anything Joss writes? Hey, y'all thanks for helping me process my thoughts, even if you don't read/ aren't interested. I was so busy with the details (and keeping 97 women remotely on schedule) that I hadn't really thought some of this through. I think you've managed to successfully describe where you are for the weekend, and what is going on, without getting at all preachy. I'm OK with it staying on the board, but could understand if someone thinks it should be moved. As far as the topic of Joy, Sorrow, and InBetween . . . On the Joss thing - could probably figure this out myself with enough thought, but where do you see the message "the normal times of our lives are the rarest, and greatly to be treasured?" in the Jossverse? In Buffy's unsuccessful struggle to be a "normal girl?" Something else? I remember a discussion over in the OT thread (because it included how religious beliefs might play into it) about happiness versus health or outward circumstances. If you measure someone's wealth and health (defining wealth as "reasonable access to all life's needs"), have you measured their happiness? I work with a woman who seems to "have it all" when it comes to outward circumstances, yet she is also the most miserable person I know. I do think Joss addresses that sort of thing - I mean, that within an outer Universe that is mostly outside our control, exists an inner world that is mostly within our control. And that happiness is found at the intersection, so to speak.
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Post by Sue on Apr 3, 2011 17:49:53 GMT -5
Well, I was thoroughly entertained by the pilot episode of CHAOS: www.cbs.com/primetime/chaos/video/?pid=la_qbquSVyItB_OD3YQ6A_WM18AKlws8So I am thus far reporting back a qualified thumbs up. Writing and characterization is possibly Psych meets Burn Notice? Eric Close always reminds me of James Marsters: smallish, wiry and gorgeous with a killer devlish smile. 4 male leads: Lola would/will have a field day!
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Post by Sue on Apr 3, 2011 17:52:43 GMT -5
Video of Colbert singing "Friday" on Jimmy Fallon's show on .... Friday: www.tvguide.com/News/Stephen-Colbert-Friday-1031362.aspxThere is a whole backstory thing where Colbert auctioned a painting of himself ofr $26,000 (to donorschoose.org) and then said on-air that Jimmy Fallon had pledged to match it. Fallon said: "ah ... no I didn't" back and forth agreed that if viewers would donate the matching funds Colbert would sing on Fallon's show. 24 hours later Fallon's viewers had pledged $3000 which Colbert mentioned on HIS show. 3 hours later Colbert's viewers had pledged the remaining $23,000. That man is amazing.
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Post by Lola m on Apr 3, 2011 18:46:35 GMT -5
Hey ho, all! How has your weekend been? Great concert on Saturday night - an evening of Nordic composers, dedicated to the relief efforts for Japan. The Grieg pieces were lovely, if rather standard. But I was completely stunned (in a pleasant way) by Torbjörn Lundquist's Landscape for string orchestra, piano and tuba soloist!! I will seriously never look at the tuba in the same way. The second half was all Sibelius - Symphony #5 (gorgeous as always) and a heartbreakingly beautiful piece I don't think I'd heard before - The Swan of Tuonela. Swoon-worthy! Saturday was beautiful weather here - got up in the 50's! The only snow left on the ground is either in shadowed/sheltered places or remaining chunks of what had been giant piles. Today is a bit grayer and cooler, but still lovely. Little bulb plants are starting to peek out, so happy!
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Post by Lola m on Apr 3, 2011 18:50:32 GMT -5
Well, I was thoroughly entertained by the pilot episodes of CHAOS: www.cbs.com/primetime/chaos/video/?pid=la_qbquSVyItB_OD3YQ6A_WM18AKlws8So I am thus far reporting back a qualified thumbs up. Writing and characterization is possibly Psych meets Burn Notice? Eric Close always reminds me of James Marsters: smallish, wiry and gorgeous with a killer devlish smile. 4 male leads: Lola would/will have a field day! You have a good eye for what will interest me, my lovely minion! **rubs hands together gleefully, tosses a treat to Sue** I am setting the machine to grab this weeks ep as I type.
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Post by Lola m on Apr 3, 2011 19:03:23 GMT -5
Erin!! I can't believe I missed your birthday!!
Here's a little belated treat that I hope makes up for the tardiness.
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Post by Sue on Apr 3, 2011 19:26:25 GMT -5
Hey ho, all! How has your weekend been? Great concert on Saturday night - an evening of Nordic composers, dedicated to the relief efforts for Japan. The Grieg pieces were lovely, if rather standard. But I was completely stunned (in a pleasant way) by Torbjörn Lundquist's Landscape for string orchestra, piano and tuba soloist!! I will seriously never look at the tuba in the same way. The second half was all Sibelius - Symphony #5 (gorgeous as always) and a heartbreakingly beautiful piece I don't think I'd heard before - The Swan of Tuonela. Swoon-worthy! Saturday was beautiful weather here - got up in the 50's! The only snow left on the ground is either in shadowed/sheltered places or remaining chunks of what had been giant piles. Today is a bit grayer and cooler, but still lovely. Little bulb plants are starting to peek out, so happy! Every Christmas there is a local Christmas Tuba concert with over 100 tubas. Vanderbilt's student pep band at women's b-ball games as 7 or 8 tuba players! And I think 3 or 4 are women!!
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Post by Sue on Apr 3, 2011 19:28:13 GMT -5
Not ignoring Erin's birthday. I think I said Happy Birthday before I headed out of Friday. But there were no pretties then or now.
At some random time in the future, maybe hopefully.
Really, I think most of you would enjoy "CHAOS." Friday evenings, which makes 3 thinks we DVR on Fridays -- more than any night other than Thursdays and I don't know if 30 minute sit-coms count.
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Post by SpringSummers on Apr 3, 2011 19:45:18 GMT -5
Well, I was thoroughly entertained by the pilot episodes of CHAOS: www.cbs.com/primetime/chaos/video/?pid=la_qbquSVyItB_OD3YQ6A_WM18AKlws8So I am thus far reporting back a qualified thumbs up. Writing and characterization is possibly Psych meets Burn Notice? Eric Close always reminds me of James Marsters: smallish, wiry and gorgeous with a killer devlish smile. 4 male leads: Lola would/will have a field day! You have a good eye for what will interest me, my lovely minion! **rubs hands together gleefully, tosses a treat to Sue** I am setting the machine to grab this weeks ep as I type. Yes, Sue knows her Lola. It could take you awhile to explore all many combinations in a show with 4 male leads. If Monnie gets into this show too, I can just imagine the conversation if we do another M&M trip . . .
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Post by Karen on Apr 3, 2011 20:00:43 GMT -5
Cold in here this morning. Now we need to figure out the "new" heater again. Julia, scary digital timer that needs entirely reset if you want to change the temperature. It's 8:00 and 79 degree heat index - outside. Cooler in the house, since the new blinds have insulated pretty well. Got up to 80 today....and there is a scary line of thunderstorms coming our way in front of the cold front. Perfect tornado conditions. crazy weather!
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Post by Lola m on Apr 3, 2011 20:02:18 GMT -5
Wooza! A personal appearance by Vlad! That's purt' darn special birthday present! Happy Birthday, Erin -- got to run. Topic of our retreat is "Joy and Sorrow" - should be an interesting weekend. Enjoy, Sue. Joy and Sorrow...that just about covers it all. Except for the middle part. What would you call that. Normalcy? Content? Hmm.. I'm rather fond of the middle part, myself. I'm not a buddhist, but I've always liked the following koan: "Before enlightenment, eat the rice, wash your bowl. After enlightenment, eat the rice, wash your bowl." Life! It's not all beer and skittles, but it's still OK with me!
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Post by Lola m on Apr 3, 2011 20:03:55 GMT -5
Hey ho, all! How has your weekend been? Great concert on Saturday night - an evening of Nordic composers, dedicated to the relief efforts for Japan. The Grieg pieces were lovely, if rather standard. But I was completely stunned (in a pleasant way) by Torbjörn Lundquist's Landscape for string orchestra, piano and tuba soloist!! I will seriously never look at the tuba in the same way. The second half was all Sibelius - Symphony #5 (gorgeous as always) and a heartbreakingly beautiful piece I don't think I'd heard before - The Swan of Tuonela. Swoon-worthy! Saturday was beautiful weather here - got up in the 50's! The only snow left on the ground is either in shadowed/sheltered places or remaining chunks of what had been giant piles. Today is a bit grayer and cooler, but still lovely. Little bulb plants are starting to peek out, so happy! Every Christmas there is a local Christmas Tuba concert with over 100 tubas. Vanderbilt's student pep band at women's b-ball games as 7 or 8 tuba players! And I think 3 or 4 are women!! Yay tubas! Go tubas! ;D
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Post by Karen on Apr 3, 2011 20:07:32 GMT -5
Enjoy, Sue. Joy and Sorrow...that just about covers it all. Except for the middle part. What would you call that. Normalcy? Content? Hmm.. Most days I call it "too busy to notice." Julia, in the middle of projectitus, again Ha! That makes a lot of sense. Too busy to notice normal life, until it gets interrupted by the joy or sorrow parts. I do think it would be easy to miss the joyful parts in all the business of life. And we sorely need to notice the joy. We are all pretty good here at filling up our joy buckets - with golf, feathering our nests, gardening, photography, crafting, music, acting, writing,reading, being fans of all sorts and of all things. Which is a good thing, as we need that joy bucket full when Mr/Ms Sorrow comes along and knocks it over.
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Post by Karen on Apr 3, 2011 21:16:02 GMT -5
Enjoy, Sue. Joy and Sorrow...that just about covers it all. Except for the middle part. What would you call that. Normalcy? Content? Hmm.. Well, very much additional discussion would require moving to the OT thread, but, as this was a Christian retreat there actually was comment on that issue: the middle part is --- dangerous. The main theme was pretty much about spending time with God each day, getting to know Him and His character (love, mercy, grace, sacrifice, justness) so that we would turn to Him in times of joy to rejoice, but also run to Him in times of sorrow (honest "conversation" with anger and tears was recommended over pious prayers). However, it was acknowledged that "normalcy" is the most dangerous of conditions as we are lulled into complacence and laziness. And that is when it is easiest to think we are handling life pretty well enough on our own. Well, end of sermon, but it is, after all, Sunday. However, not everyone signed up for a sermon so if you want this moved, I will. == I was the detail person, though, and pleased that the "trains ran on time." Helps that it is the 3rd year I've run it at this same place. Building is decent. But dorm style -- 2 twin beds per room with desk and lamp. Hall bathrooms, some rooms a bit cold, others over-heated. But it's only to sleep and for 1 night. It's on top of a foothill (Monteagle mountain) between Nashville and Chattanooga and we had an incredible sunset. The main meeting room is all glass sliding doors and floor to ceiling windows behind the speaker, looking out over a valley. The sunset was breath-taking and the spring vista on Saturday (about 65 degrees) just stunning. We may have to change locations next year because of size and they can't offer us dates in the range we want and there just isn't any other place around with anything approaching the setting. My sister was the speaker and she did a nice job. She also took general questions from the audience. Some stuck close to the topic -- asking about wayward children and guilt over actions causing one's own pain. Others asked stuff like "is this the end times" or "was it genocide when God told the Israelites to kill all the Canaanites when entering into Israel." Kathy thrives on stuff like that. She has an incredible mind, has studied and read and listened to/conversed with Tim for 40 years and just jumps in with both feet -- no hemming or hawing. You may or may not agree with her but she backs everything up with Scripture and quotes from theologians and philosophers. Very impressive. She spoke on Friday night and Saturday morning but the 2nd session on Saturday was personal testimonies from 3 women in our church and ... oh my. Oh my, oh my, oh my. [All 3 are happily married, middle class, lovely children etc. I've gone to church with all 3 for years and knew most of one's story, a little bit of the 2nd and none of third. Very briefly: one had a stillborn baby and was only able to have their 2nd child when another women from our church, at age 49, carried him as a surrogate; the second has an eye condition that hit 17 years ago when her oldest child was the only 3 months. She no longer drives and is slowly losing more and more vision; the third is married to a VU doc and has never told her story in public but sexual abuse as a child with the added sadness that her parents refused to believe it. Now suffers from PTSD and depression (I had NO idea).] I didn't enlist the testifiers and these women weren't chosen totally at random but I suspect nearly every woman there had a story to tell of some sort. Don't we all? Which actually brings me back to the question of "normalcy" -- I"m becoming further convinced that the "normal" times of most lives are the rarest -- and to be greatly treasured. ETA: And don't we learn this same lesson from BtVS and anything Joss writes? Hey, y'all thanks for helping me process my thoughts, even if you don't read/ aren't interested. I was so busy with the details (and keeping 97 women remotely on schedule) that I hadn't really thought some of this through. Congrats on a successful retreat, Sue. With all you've been through latey, I'm amazed that you were able to do this. On being normal, I guess normalcy is a state of mind. I am surprised that 'normal' is considered a dangerous state, as isn't all the rules and beliefs tailored as an attempt to put some order to the chaos of the human condition? If you want to discuss in the open thread, I'd be interested in hearing your take on this.
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