INSPIRATION

THE ATELIER OF THE OPERA DE LA MONNAIE, BRUSSELS

Atelier is a French word literally translated as "workshop". In English, it is used to refer to an artist's working studio, typically a fashion studio for Haute couture.

The Koninklijke Muntschouwburg (de Munt) (Dutch), or la Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (la Monnaie) (French) is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium.

Today the National Opera of Belgium, a federal institution, takes the name of the theatre in which it is housed. Therefore, "de Munt/la Monnaie" refers both to the structure as well as the opera company.

As Belgium's leading opera house it is one of the few cultural institutions which receives financial support from the federal government of Belgium. Other opera houses in Belgium, such as the Vlaamse Opera and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie, are funded by regional governments.

In the last three decades de Munt/la Monnaie, has regained its place amongst the foremost opera houses in Europe thanks to the efforts of the successive directors Gérard Mortier and Bernard Foccroulle and music director Antonio Pappano.

The current edifice is the third theatre on the site. The façade dates from 1818 with major alterations made in 1856 and 1986. The foyer and auditorium date from 1856, but almost every other element of the present building was extensively renovated in the 1980s.

More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Monnaie

STAND UP TO FACE YOUR...

When your principals will not permit you to be an innocent,
You find out how much power you give to your convictions

With the weight of your convictions on your shoulders you feel
That you must stand up and face your enemy

As you stand up to face your enemy, you feel that you have to act as if
You are invincible so that there is no sacrifice

When you know that you there is no sacrifice you find that your
Strength in your convictions shows through more which allows you
To stand up and face your fears when you need to do what is right

As you stand up you find that the strength of your convictions ensures
That you stand up for those who would be an innocent so that they
Are not sacrificed while facing your enemy

After you have won the day while trying to look like you are invincible
You show those who would be an innocent that you are far from
Invincible by showing, a strength that is faltering from giving it all
That you can in the time of need


With the kind courtesy and permission of Sean Davis
http://seanspoemsandstories.blogspot.com/

MINI ROSES

STRESS MANAGEMENT

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8oz. to 20oz.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance."

"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy! "

And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

1* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8* Never buy a car you can't push.

9* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12* The second mouse gets the cheese.

13* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

17* We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

GIGGLING IN THE GRAVEYARD

Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York :
Born 1903--Died 1942.
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down.
It was.

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In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go.

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On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia :
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102.
Only the Good Die Young.

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In a London, England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann, who lived an old maid but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767

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In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread, and the Lord sent them manna.
Clark Wallace wanted a wife, and the Devil sent him Anna.

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In a Ruidoso, New Mexico, cemetery:
Here lies Johnny Yeast. Pardon me for not rising.

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A lawyer's epitaph in England:
Sir John Strange.
Here lies an honest lawyer,
and that is Strange.

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In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, cemetery:
Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake.
Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

==============================

In a Silver City , Nevada , cemetery:
Here lays The Kid.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.

=================================

John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne, England cemetery:
Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,
dig six feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.

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In a Hartscombe, England cemetery:
On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune.

==================================

Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls, Vermont:
Here lies the body of our Anna,
Done to death by a banana.
It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,
But the skin of the thing that made her go.

==================================

On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket, Massachusetts:
Under the sod and under the trees,
lies the body of Jonathan Pease.
He is not here, there's only the pod.
Pease shelled out and went to God.

==================================

In a cemetery in England :
Remember man, as you walk by,
as you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so shall you be.
Remember this and follow me.

To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone:
To follow you, I'll not consent
until I know which way you went.

EXQUISITE THAI CARVINGS

Carvings on fruits and vegetables shown at the Thai booth during the 50th Salon des Vacances held at the Heysel International Expo in Brussels, Belgium on 7-11 Febuary 2008.

THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP

I have heard so many people tell me it’s so hard to make friends. In our culture today we tend to want things fast and now but friendships mark a series of sharing stages that develop over time slowly. Two or more individuals can develop a loyalty and closeness by creating a common history and nurturing common interests. Friendships can become a force that generates mutual respect, self esteem and empathy. Friendships call us out of ourselves into a broader perspective of life. However, in the stresses of career and the routines of daily living, the task of developing a friendship can be a real challenge in the even expanding demands of today’s world.

Persons from vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles can become friends but none of this comes instantaneously. Friendship takes work and like a garden, even the best of friendships need tending in order to produce fruit and lasting fulfillment.

For thousands of years humans have engaged in the basic social bond called friendship. These bonds eventually gathered humans into larger and larger social groups. If humans had been solitary creatures rather than gregarious, civilization would not exist today. Friendships and alliances provided the foundation of cultural growth and development. Friendship expressed the fundamental realization, “I need others”. So how do we make deep lasting friends?

The first step in founding a friendship is extending ourselves into another’s life. That can be as simple as starting a conversation in a cafe or lending someone a pen at work. Offering to help a neighbor move a piece of furniture and talking about gardening over the fence are ways I have started the ball rolling. Keep the gestures simple and sincere as you reach out. Present yourself in a warm casual manner that suggests respect and congeniality. Lofty cool attitudes are poor calling cards. Don’t expect instant success and remember, the best and deepest bonds develop slowly.

Once we extend ourselves a little and have introduced ourselves, how do we set the stage for further contact? Begin to evaluate common interests and goals that both of you share. Build a sense of fellowship from common causes, music and hobbies. Some people like to talk about themselves and you may be one of them but don’t always do all the talking. Listen to what they are saying, not what you want to say next.

A friend should express a genuine interest in the life and ongoing development of others. Asking questions and truly listening can uncover interesting details about someone that makes them unique. The art of listening must be nurtured if a friendship is to prosper and grow. At this stage we begin to share ideas and dreams and the bonds deepen.

As you develop a friendship you will encounter differences of opinion and tastes. Learn to accept them and enjoy them, these differences bring a pungency to the relationship and challenge our own views without threatening us.

Keep in mind special dates by sending a card or a small gift. Over and over I have found this small gesture a real bond builder.

In today’s hectic schedules plan an occasional special outing: a trip to the local conservatory, shopping, breakfast out or a museum. Learn to have fun too. Don’t be stingy, money is for spending. Live generously.

Look around their house, make note of what they talk about in conversation. Listen! If you do you’ll find out what makes your friend click. Remember a special occasion with a special gift that reflects what you have learned about them. They will love you for it. If you really like some one this will come easy. Take a few simple steps and discover the magic of friendship.

Dano Ray Pierce, 1997/2007

HAPPY VALENTINE!

CROSSING THE LOCK

Esna, Egypt - 10 January 2008

Two barrage bridges straddle the Nile at this point: one built by the British in 1906, and the "Electricity Bridge" built in the 1990s. Navigation – particularly, Nile cruisers ferrying tourists from Luxor to Aswan, 155 km further upstream – can be held up for hours while vessels negotiate their way through the lock system.

The two main points of interest in Esna are its lively tourist-oriented souk, which fills a couple of streets leading inland from the corniche. The other is the temple of Esna. The temple, which has only been partially excavated, is about 200 meters from the river and some 9 meters below street level.

A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber whose water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is the chamber itself (usually then called a caisson) that rises and falls.

Locks are used to make a river more easily navigable, or to allow a canal to take a reasonably direct line across country that is not level.

The term airlock was coined for a similar device used to allow persons to pass to and from a location in which a particular atmosphere is maintained, such as underwater, in space, or in a clean room.

A lock is required when a stretch of river is made navigable by bypassing an obstruction such as a rapid, dam, or mill weir — because of the change in river level across the obstacle.

The lowest lock on a navigable river separates the tidal and non-tidal stretches. Sometimes a river is made entirely non-tidal by constructing a sea lock directly into the estuary.

In more advanced river navigations, more locks are required.

Where a longer cut bypasses a circuitous stretch of river, the upstream end of the cut will often be protected by a flood lock.

The longer the cut, the greater the difference in river level between start and end of the cut, so that a very long cut will need additional locks along its length. At this point, the cut is, in effect, a canal.

Early completely artificial canals, across fairly flat countryside, would get round a small hill or depression by simply detouring (contouring) around it. As engineers became more ambitious in the types of country they felt they could overcome, locks became essential to effect the necessary changes in water level without detours that would be completely uneconomic both in building costs and journey time. Later still, as construction techniques improved, engineers became more willing to barge directly through and across obstacles by constructing long tunnels, cuttings, aqueducts or embankments, or to construct even more technical devices such as inclined planes or boat lifts. However, locks continued to be built to supplement these solutions, and are an essential part of even the most modern navigable waterways.

More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_%28water_transport%29

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

The Rat (Chinese:鼠) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities. The Year of the Rat is associated with the earthly branch symbol 子.

In Chinese, the word 鼠 may refer to either the rat or the mouse. Therefore, in this context, Year of the Mouse and Year of the Rat are interchangeable terms.

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.

Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.

According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.

Traditionally, Rats should avoid Horses, but they can usually find their best friends and love interests in Monkeys, Dragons, and Oxen.

Professions include espionage, psychiatry, psychology, writing, politics, law, engineering, accounting, detective work, acting, and pathology.

(Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_%28zodiac%29)

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

LANCE ARMSTRONG - THE INSPIRATION

"Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, if I quit; however, it lasts forever." - Lance Armstrong is a true motivation for anyone who needs their spirits lifted.

THE AMERICAN ITALIANS...

Italians have a $40,000. Kitchen, but use the $259 stove from Sears in the basement to cook.

There is some sort of religious statue in the hallway, living room, bedroom, front porch and backyard.

The living room is filled with old wedding favors with poofy net bows and stale almonds (they are too pretty to open).

A portrait of the Pope and Frank Sinatra in the dining room.

God forbid if anyone EVER attempted to eat Chef Boy-are-dee, Franco American, Ragu, Prego or anything else in a jar or can (tomato paste is the exception).

Meatballs are made with Pork, Veal and Beef. We are Italians, we don't care about cholesterol.

Turkey is served on Thanksgiving, AFTER the manicotti, gnocchi, lasagna and soup.

If anyone EVER says ES-CAROLE, slap 'em in the face -- it's SHCAROLE.

If they ever say ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP, let the idiot know that there is no wedding, nor is there an Italian in the soup. Also, the tiny meatballs must be made by hand.

No matter how hard you know you were going to get smacked, you still came home from church after communion, you stuck half a loaf of bread in the sauce pot, snuck out a fried meatball and chowed down you'll make up for it next week at confession.

Sunday dinner was at 2:00. The meal went like this...

Table is set with everyday dishes...doesn't matter if they don't match...they're clean, What more do you want?

All the utensils go on the right side of the plate and the napkin goes on the left. Put a clean kitchen towel at Nonno & Papa's plate because they won't use napkins.

Homemade wine and bottles of 7up are on the table.

First course, Antipasto...change plates.

Next, Macaroni (Nonna called all pasta Macaroni)...change plates.

After that, Roasted Meats, Roasted Potatoes, Over-cooked Vegetables...change plates.

THEN and only then (NEVER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEAL) would you eat the salad (HOMEMADE OIL & VINEGAR DRESSING ONLY)...change plates.

Next, Fruit & Nuts - in the shell (on paper plates because you ran out of the other ones).

Coffee with Anisette (Espresso for Nonno, 'Merican' coffee for the rest) with hard Cookies to dip in the coffee.

The kids go play...the men go to lay down. They slept so soundly you could perform brain surgery on them without anesthesia..the women clean the kitchen.

Getting screamed at by Mom or Nonna - half the sentence was English, the other half Italian.

Italian mothers never threw a baseball in their life, but can nail you in the head with a shoe thrown from the kitchen while you're in the living room.

Prom Dress that Zia Ceserina made you...$20.00 for material. Prom hair-do from Cousin Angela...$Free. Turning around at prom to see your entire family (including Godparents) standing in the back of the gym... PRICELESS!

The true Italians will love this, those of you who are married to Italians will understand this, and those of you who are friends with Italians will remember and will forward it to their Italian friends!

DISCOVER YOUR SOUL

In this talk, the Siri Singh Sahib (Yogi Bhajan) talks about meditation as a tool for mental clarity. "If you do not find God within yourself, you do not find God at all." Instead of looking for your "soul mate" he says that when you connect to your own soul, then you understand that "Your very own soul is your soul mate." He also talks about the problem of information overload in the computer age and how to deal with it.

LIFE ON THE RIVERBOAT

Nile, Egypt - January 5 - 11, 2008

CRUISE TOWEL FOLDING ANIMAL DEMO