Avast, me hearties! Talk Like a Pirate Day is nigh upon us.
Ahoy, maties. September 19 be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Talkin’ like a pirate be fun and easy. For t’ basics, click here. And t’ make it even easier, use this handy English-to-Pirate translator.
Popular lines for use on International Talk Like a Pirate Day:
- Avast, me beauty!
- Shiver me timbers!
- Well, blow me down!
- Bring me one noggin of rum, now, won’t you, matey.
- Ahoy, ye lubbers, we’re comin’ ashore.
- Is that a hornpipe in your pocket or are ye just glad to see me?
- Brwaack! Polly want a cracker? … Oh, wait. That’s for Talk Like a PARROT Day.
So grab a pint o’ grog and visit http://www.talklikeapirate.com for more than you ever wanted t’ know about talking like an authentic pirate.
Saturday, September 15th, 2007Bush’s speech on Iraq–Same song, 8th verse
Below is my InstaLetter to the Asheville Citizen-Times regarding last night’s eighth prime time presidential address about the Iraq war. There’s a 50-word limit on InstaLetters, but in just a few minutes I can use this format to send my wakeup call out into the world.
Bush’s speech in brief: (1) Despite ongoing American and Iraqi casualties, a sectarian civil war and a non-functioning government, we must stay in Iraq until I’m out of office. (2) Americans must continue to die in Iraq because thousands of Americans have already died there. (3) Americans will continue to die in Iraq for a long, long time.
And from Tom Shales at the Washington Post:
Chris Matthews (MSNBC) . . . compared Bush to Lucy in the “Peanuts” comic strip as drawn by the late Charles Schulz. Every autumn Lucy swore to Charlie Brown that she wouldn’t pull the football away when he tried to kick it, and every year Charlie Brown fell for it and landed on his posterior. Matthews said Bush had been dealing in “false promises and false arguments again and again and again.”
The line from Bush’s speech that really stunned me: “We thank the 36 nations who have troops on the ground in Iraq and the many others who are helping that young democracy.” Does he really think we’re stupid enough to believe that anyone other than the U.S. and Great Britain have anything other than token forces in Iraq? Does he really think that anyone but his “true believers” are still buying anything he’s peddling?
Bush ended his speech with the requisite “God bless America.” Does a loving creator bless a nation with a sadistic sociopath at the controls, a nation whose citizens sit by while hundreds of thousands are killed and maimed in our name, a nation in which our politicians move us ever closer to authoritarian control? The American people, maybe; the nation as it now exists, I think not.
Finally from Arthur Silber at Once Upon a Time:
Be sure to understand one critical point: to the extent you grant legitimacy to the United States government in its current form, to the degree you confine opposition “within the system” as it now exists, you are aiding and abetting tyrants, torturers and murderers. If you wish to make that choice, you may certainly do so. Do not expect to be forgiven for your choice in the future. This does not mean you must resort to violence, and I do not advocate such a course. But what is absolutely necessary is . . . non-compliance, disassociation, the refusal to obey and the insistence on saying, “No.”
May the god of your choice bless you and all the people of the world!
Friday, September 14th, 2007Movies that inspire, uplift, and awaken us
Since 2004, Bruce (my husband) and I have seen some of the most heart-warming, funny, inspiring, thought-provoking, interesting, unusual, meaningful, and magical movies. The films include features, documentaries and shorts. Some are animated, most are live action. Many films are from foreign countries. All of them are independent and unique.
We’ve seen these amazing films through our membership in the Spiritual Cinema Circle, a DVD club that specializes in uplifting and inspiring films. These are movies for people who want cinema that opens their heart, expands their mind and stirs their soul!
Each month, members pay $21 plus shipping and receive 4 films on DVD. The DVDs are yours to keep so you’ll get to build a library of inspiring films (this is one of my favorite parts of membership because then we can share our favorite films with others). Members of the Circle also get access to members-only teleconferences with amazing people such as Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch, Deepak Chopra, James Ray, and more!
The Spiritual Cinema Circle (SCC) generally offers a special trial membership deal (you often pay just the shipping for that month), so you can check it out risk-free (you may cancel at any time and for any reason).
“I love movies, but the movies I get from Spiritual Cinema Circle love me.”
~ Gary Zukav
Spiritual Cinema Circle Films for September 2007
Believe In Me (feature film)
A young man dreams of being an important basketball coach until he is forced to take a job as the coach of an all-girls team. Though he fears his short career will come to an end, what actually happens is nothing short of a miracle. The joy, tears and friendships captured in this wonderful film remind us how important it is to put our faith in a higher plan. This is a film for the whole family!
7 Days With 7 Dogs (short film)
Two of SCC’s original filmmakers spend a week taking their furry friends from one beautiful doggy heaven to another. This short documentary reveals the joy that comes from giving something wonderful to others.
5 Wishes; The Conversation (short film)
This insightful film probes the depths of what it takes to find peace and comfort within ourselves and our relationships, while opening a door to new possibility.
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t (short film)
This intense, award-winning film from Hungary conveys its powerful message through suspense and chilling action. A simple story unfolds to reveal healing in many forms.
See previews of these films by visiting the Spiritual Cinema Circle’s Preview page. Click on the month of September for the films described above, or watch any previews that interest you.
Earn money with the Spiritual Cinema Circle
Another great thing you can do if you find that you are a huge spiritual cinema circle fan, is join their affiliate program. This allows you to earn money for people you refer to become members. You can find out more about the SCC affiliate program using the link below.
All the links above do connect to our affiliate account and potentially earn us money. If you prefer, you can visit the Spiritual Cinema Circle directly at spiritualcinemacircle.com.
“I love from Spiritual Cinema Circle because every month a DVD with entertainment that is right in line with my spiritual approach to life arrives in the mail. I’m always so excited as I know I’ll appreciate what I see.”
~ india.arie
This post is cross-posted at Lavender Log: Thoughts on Living an Inspired Life.
Saturday, September 8th, 2007We are what we eat.
Big news! The British medical journal The Lancet reports that consumption of the artificial food coloring and other additives (sodium benzoate in particular) found in soft drinks helps create hyperactivity in kids. What’s more, these studies don’t even take into account the 12 teaspoons of sugar found in each 16 ounce serving of Coke, Dr Pepper or 7-Up.
And it’s not just hyperactivity that’s an issue when excessive amounts of soft drinks are consumed. Consider the comments of nutritionist Judith Valentine, PhD, CNA, CNC:
We as practitioners and advocates of a healthy life-style recognize that consuming even as little as one or two sodas per day is undeniably connected to a myriad of pathologies. The most commonly associated health risks are obesity, diabetes and other blood sugar disorders, tooth decay, osteoporosis and bone fractures, nutritional deficiencies, heart disease, food addictions and eating disorders, neurotransmitter dysfunction from chemical sweeteners, and neurological and adrenal disorders from excessive caffeine.
Since 1978, the consumption of soft drinks in the U.S. has tripled for boys and doubled for girls. And get this: Males aged 12 through 29 consume over 160 gallons per year, nearly two quarts a day.
The soft drink industry spends billions in advertising annually and manufactures enough of its sugary products to provide more than 52 gallons to every man, woman and child in the United States. And most of us evidently don’t have the discernment or self-restraint to refrain from gulping down our share.
There is a perilous experiment taking place in the U.S. right now. How are our bodies, minds and spirits ultimately going to react to the junk food and additive-laden cocktails we’re fueling ourselves with?
The Lancet results are merely a harbinger of what’s to come.
Resources for healthy eating
Saturday, September 8th, 2007
