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Saturday, March 18, 2006
Saturday 8
Sat-8 :: the underwear edition tlc's "what not to wear" had a show on last night entitled "what not to UNDERwear," and i'm getting my inspiration from them! 1. where do you generally shop for your undergarments? Gap Body, VS or a nice department store that I can get CK panties that I love. 2. i actually find a lot of Victoria's Secret underthings at discount stores such as Ross, TJ Maxx, or Marshall's. panties that i see for $18 in the store i can get for $1.99 at Ross. have you ever bought underwear or bras at such stores? No. 3. have you ever had a professional bra fitting? No- I'll stick with figuring it out myself. 4. i have heard often, and also on the show last night, that sexy underwear can boost your self-esteem and make you feel very good about yourself. do you agree? I don't think it can hurt. 5. do you have good or bad body image? why? I have a good body image overall. I tend to think that I am heavier than I really am though. I'll pick up an item of clothing in my size and think that it will be too small when in reality it does fit. 6. are you often a victim of the dreaded sin, the Visible Panty Line? Absolutely not, I'd never commit VPL! 7. about a year ago, i discovered Victoria's Secret - that i'd been wearing the wrong size bra! instead of being a 36-38C, i was actually a 36D! it has made a real difference in the way my clothing looks and it is unbelievably more comfortable. have you ever discovered that you were wearing the wrong sized bra or other undergarment, or do you think you might be wearing the wrong size now? I used to wear a 36B when I really needed a 36C. It made a big difference when I changed to the right size. 8. tell us about your jammies. flannel gramma or satin vixen? or perhaps somewhere in between? I don't wear jammies to sleep in, but I love buying them. Nothing too foo-foo though. My current favorites are my Lauren blue striped pj pants and robe. I'm wanting these fantastic Brooks Brothers pj's, but I can't justify spending that much money on something I'd wear for a few hours each Saturday morning.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 09:54:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
QOTD
Lead foot How many speeding tickets have you received? None! (I hope I'm not cursing myself!) I lived in Southern California for a while, and it's true what they say about California drivers- they drive like maniacs.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 09:43:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
And In Turn
Ian took these shots of Gatsby himself....  Posted by Picasa
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 10:58:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
I'm devilish
If I'm not more careful, my camera is going to come up missing!
Just look at those beautiful brown eyes on my sweet baby.
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posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 10:49:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Art Park Re-Visited
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posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 10:31:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
A few shots
I took these yesterday around my home.
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posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 10:03:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Fireworks of Glass
I can't wait to go see the Fireworks of Glass display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Chihuly artists blew and installed 3,200 pieces of glass on the 43-foot-tall tower. It is comprised of more than 3,200 individually blown, brilliantly-colored, two to four-foot-long pieces of smooth and twisted glass called Horns and Goosenecks. I have to admit that I'm fascinated by it and would love to shoot some photos of the piece. The Fireworks of Glass ceiling floats just under the tower. It is filled with 1,600 pieces of glass from Chihuly’s spectacular series, including Sea Tubes, Hornballs, Persians, and Putti in a variety of shapes and colors. On the Museum’s Lower Level, children and families can look up and see the brilliantly colored glass forms in the ceiling. Here children and adults can sit on a large, round, revolving platform, gaze at the ceiling overhead and discuss what they see. Families can also create their own sculptures with colorful plastic-like shapes call polyvitro and blow glass virtually or explore the hot shop and the glassblowing process on two computer screens.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 08:45:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
NoRuz Mobarak
I was on the phone with Parvin and her sweet Mama the other day. They're on the way to Iran for NoRuz, the Persian new year. I wished Mama "saale no mobaarak"- Happy New Year, but a bit early. I don't think I'll be talking the them on the phone once they get there. Actually -NoRuz 2565 (1385) begins at 09:55:35 PM Tehran time on Monday March 20, 2006. After nine years, I would expect to know more Farsi, but I only know bits and pieces. It's very difficult to pick up on. I know some basics and some select "naughty bits" and that's about it! In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration, or NOROOZ, always begins on the first day of spring. Nowruz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and the Rebirth; or Good and Evil. A few weeks before the New Year, Iranians clean and rearrange their homes. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as sign of renewal. On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, literally the eve of Red Wednesday or the eve of celebration, bonfires are lit in public places with the help of fire and light, it is hoped for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. People leap over the flames, shouting: Give me your beautiful red color And take back my sickly pallor!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 08:31:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
What Famous Leader Are You?
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 08:14:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Enneagram Word Test
Enneagram Test Results
Type 1 Perfectionism78%
Type 2Helpfulness58%
Type 3Image Focus78%
Type 4Hypersensitivity10%
Type 5Detachment74%
Type 6Anxiety54%
Type 7Adventurousness74%
Type 8Aggressiveness62%
Type 9Calmness70%
Take Free Enneagram Word Test personality tests by similarminds.com
 
posted by Lisa at 3/18/2006 07:47:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Friday, March 17, 2006
My Shots
I was so happy out there shooting some photos today. They may be total crap, and frankly, I don't care. I enjoyed doing it. I derived great pleasure from it actually. So to me, that is what counts. The shots in this loop are totally raw and un-edited, they are just as photographed.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 09:21:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
My Green Things
Instead of going out and drinking, I've decided to drink at home. I'm on about glass 5 of pinot noir tonight. That makes it rather difficult to spell. I'll do my best. But then again, I'm used to horrible spelling- not from me- from my son- he's dyslexic and reading his writing is somewhat like deciphering a new and foreign language. Anyhow.... What was I writing about? Short train of thought and I think it jumped the tracks. Oh yes, my green things. I took photos of all the green things I could find around me. I had a house once, way back when I was married, with lots of things that were green- hunter green to be specific. (Give me a break, it was the early to mid 90's!) Anyhow, I now despise the color, so it was hard to find anything. Ian likes the color though, but mainly olive drab green. What-ever!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 08:59:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Top 5 On Friday
Top 5 songs beginning with "A" . Instead of listing a top five beginning with A, I'll list the songs on my ITunes that begin with the letter A. I like to make my own rules! A Kiss To Build A Dream On- Louis Armstrong A Little Less Conversation- Elvis Vs. JXL A New Day Has Come- Celine Dion (okay, okay- I like her voice, don't shoot me!) Above Ground- Norah Jones Adia- Sarah McLachlan Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone- Otis Redding Air That I Breathe- K D Lang All Because of You- U2 All That Jazz- Lea DeLaria Always and Forever- Heatwave Amarantine- Enya Amazing Life- Jem American Idiot- Green Day And She Was- Talking Heads Angel- Sarah McLachlan Angola (get down dub) -Cesaria Evoria (look her up- she is fantastic!) Another Day- James Taylor Another Day- Paul McCartney and Wings Another Saturday Night- Cat Stevens Anticipation- Carly Simon Anywhere But Here- K D Lang At Last- Etta James Eclectic to say the least...That's me!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 08:30:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Finally
I blew out of work today as the sun was shining. All the drunk Irish were out drinking, so I decide to shoot some photos before I had to pick up my son from school. I had a great time, but it was still a little cold out after an hour in the weather. When B got into town, I suggested we go out to dinner to Maggiano's, as I was too tired to cook. It was an excellent idea, if I do say so myself. We had a great time and excellent food. I had some coffee this morning and now I've had my wine. I'm back to normal, finally! We split a great bottle of pinot noir and I had their fantastic eggplant Parmesan. To top it all off, we three shared a piece of Baileys cheesecake. It was excellent. Ian didn't like the Baileys sauce. That makes me question if he is truly my blood- I love, love Baileys! It was all fantastic food. I'm sure I ate too much, but I haven't eaten much lately, so that is okay. It was good to get out and laugh and talk and feel normal again. I think I'm finally well. It's been a long, long time!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 08:02:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
The Friday Five
) If you were to star in a movie, who would you want to be cast as your love interest? Any of my top ten hottest women list would do. 2) What genre of movie would you most like to star in? Thriller. 3) What song would you insist be on the soundtrack? Honestly, I don't care. Just make it something good! 4) What would you wear to the premiere of your movie? Black, just black. I'm sick of these stars wearing the latest color of the minute. Classic black is the way to go. 5) Who would you thank in your Oscar acceptance speech? My son, B, my family and God. The big four!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 07:47:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
QOTD
Stranded Would you rather be stranded: on a raft in the middle ocean, on an island in the middle of the ocean, or in the middle of a desert? I'd take the island. I feel I'd have the best chance of survial and happiness there.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 07:41:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Friday's Feast
Appetizer What job would you definitely not want to have? I'd make a terrible waitress. I've never been one, never wanted to be one, never could be one. I'd never be able to take the crap off of people. I always tip well as I appreciate what a hard job that must be. Soup Oprah calls and wants you to appear on her show. What would that day's show be about? The story of my life- I'll need more than an hour, hon- if I actually decide to spill it. Oprah's good- but I don't know if she's that good- good enough to get me to spill my guts. Salad Name 3 vegetables that you eat on a regular basis. I eat way more veggies than fruits. Lots of spinach salads, broccoli, and carrots. I eat about all veggies, but I can't get into sprouts much. And I hate pickles, but those aren't veggies really. I mean, they are made out of cucumbers, but still. Main Course If you were commissioned to rename your hometown, what would you call it? Armpit of the Universe? Dessert If you had a personal assistant, what kind of tasks would you have them to do? Mwaaahaaa hhaaa! I'm sure I'd be evil! I don't know what I've have them do, but I'd come up with something good and fun, I'm sure.
Friday's Feast
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 07:28:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Friday Fun
1. Do you dye your hair, wear colored lenses, nails? I've had my hair highlighted and I am going to do so again soon- this winter being out of the sun and not going anywhere tropical has made my hair darker (okay-redder) than I like it to be. I've worn colored lenses in the past- mainly green but sometimes blue-because I didn't like the natural color of my eyes (some funky green color) but I haven't worn tinted lenses in years. I'd never wear fake nails! 2. Real or fake plants? Real plants are good for you, so I vote real. 3. Real or fake gems for everyday? If I wear any, they are real- I'm not a fake type of girl- but I'm also not big on the bling either. 4. Big Foot, real or fake? fake 5. The Loch Ness monster, real or fake? fake 6. Other life forms in our universe, real or fake? Well, it depends on what is meant by other life forms- I don't believe in little green men or anything like that.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 06:55:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Friday Fiver
Five Yous 1. Which movie character is most like you? Oh boy! That is a tough one. In some ways, I 'm a lot like Meg Ryan's character, Sally, In "When Harry Met Sally".... 2. Which TV character is most like you? Maddie Hayes in Moonlighting- am I showing my age? I loved that show! Here's how Maddie is described: She is a tall, cool, blonde...Poised, charming and socially savvy. She prefers the finer things in life and is quite used to getting her own way.She has extraordinary strength -- an iron will -- and an outlook that is occasionally inflexible. She is at her most comfortable when she is in control...and faces her biggest challenge when she has to strip away the outward facade and let somebody in. When the ice begins to thaw, we get a look at the woman who often seems afraid to come out and play...the woman who is soft-hearted and vulnerable, and who just needs a hand to help her step down from the pedestal. Her sense of honor and fairness are without compromise, and her determination and intelligence take her places where most would dismiss her as just another pretty face. And how can you not like a woman who says things like, "Why am I living this life? What did I do to deserve this? If I had known that being good didn't count, I would have stayed up later...slept around more." 3. Which literary character is most like you? Shakespeare's Ophelia in Hamlet 4. Which song describes you? Extraordinary by Liz Phair You think that I go home at night Take off my clothes, turn out the lights But I burn letters that I write To you, to make you love me Yeah, I drive naked through the park And run the stop sign in the dark Stand in the street, yell out my heart To make, to make you love me I am extraordinary, if you'd ever get to know me I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess Average every day sane psycho You may not believe in me But I believe in you So I still take the trash out Does that make me too normal for you? So dig a little deeper, cause You still don't get it yet See me lickin' my lips, need a primitive fix And I'll make, I'll make you love me I am extraordinary, if you'd ever get to know me I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess See me jump through hoops for you You stand there watching me performing What exactly do you do? Have you ever thought it's you that's boring? Who the hell are you? I am extraordinary, if you'd ever get to know me I am extraordinary, I am just your ordinary Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess Average every day sane psycho Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess Average every day sane psycho Average every day sane psycho Supergoddess Average every day sane psycho Average every day sane psycho 5. Which animal is most like you? A giraffe
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 11:43:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Five On Friday
Luck of the Irish
1. Are you Irish? Yes, I'm a wee-bit Irish on my mother's side- we're the Kennedy clan. 2. Are you by any chance wearing green today? But of course I am, I don't want to get pinched! 3. What kinds of special things do you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? I usually make some type of Irish food for dinner or maybe go out for a drink at an Irish pub. 4. Do you believe in luck? How about fate? Oh yes, I believe in both. 5. What would you do if you found a pot of gold? Look around for the leprechaun then run for the hills with my booty!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 11:23:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Self Portrait Fridays
SPF: Brought to you by the letter “C”
My Couch
Personally, I don't like this couch. I want something much deeper that I can sink in to. But it will do for now.
My Coat

I do however love my new red trenchcoat!

My Candle

I bought this Tyler Candle Company candle the other week at Twentyfive Home Store. It's fantastic! The scent is called Kathina and descibed as: Sensual lily of the valley intertwined with citrus and rose. Very dramatic and overdone!!!

 
posted by Lisa at 3/17/2006 09:24:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 9 comments
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The Thursday Threesome
::Erin go Braugh!:: Onesome: Erin-- Quick, toss out two names that sound the same yet are spelled differently! We'll spot you "Erin" and "Aaron" to get you going... Sara/Sarah Jon/John Haley/Hailey Nikki/Nicky Toni/Tony Jo/Joe Twosome: go-- ...going to do anything special this Friday? Green pancakes for breakfast perhaps? (Seriously, I know someone who does that...) Oh, the jury is still out on what I'm going to do tomorrow. Threesome: Braugh-- Erin go Braugh! There are many sayings for St. Patrick's Day. What is one you've heard and liked? We'll give you one in closing... May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow And may trouble avoid you wherever you go. Kiss me, I'm Irish! May you always haveWalls for the winds, A roof for the rain, Tea beside the fire, Laughter to cheer you, Those you love near you, And all your heart might desire!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 10:36:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Half-Nekkid Thursday
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 10:30:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
QOTD
QOTD
Mobster name The new season of The Soprano's started on Sunday, this question is in honor of all Tony and the gang. What is your mobster name? If you need help you may use this formula that has been scienficially proven to give you the best mobster moniker available: take your favourite body part, follow it with your favorite Italian food (or the other way around works too). For example: Lips Spaghetti (that's not my name, just an example)
Based on the above formula, I'd be Hands Eggplant Parmesan- not very catchy! So I went searching and found: Yer Mob Application Results Kid, yer a solid performah and can do a coupla tings right, but don't get ta tinkin' dat yer a don. Dere's a coupla gentlemen dat would like ta see ya "go on a little vacation," see. But I gots faith in ya--welcome to da family. *da hug* Yer mob name is: Lisa "the Animal" Fleur What is your mob name test?
I got the name "Baby Buns" at Mob Nickname Generator

My Mafia name is Luisa Siciliano. Take The Mafia Name Generator today! Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 06:51:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Booking Through Thursday
Booking Through Thursday

This week's questions about self-help books are from Nicki.

  1. Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes I have. I particularity like "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
  2. 1. Be Impeccable With Your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 2. Don't Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wonít be the victim of needless suffering. 3. Don't Make Assumptions Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. 4. Always Do Your Best Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
  3. What do you think about self-help books in general? I think that if they are done well, they can be very enlightening.
  4. Would you ever recommend a self-help book? Yes, I believe I just did...
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 05:02:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Anderson Cooper Blog
I just adore Anderson Cooper. He's the wonderful CNN journalist and host of Anderson Cooper 360°. He was the one-time host of the only reality TV show I ever liked, "The Mole"- and I think I only liked it because of Anderson. He's just so, well, adorable. Mind you, that isn't a compliment I go handing out readily to just any man... He's got a terrific blog too, so take the time to surf on over and read a bit of it. It will be well worth your time.
"Be honest about what you see, get out of the way and let the story reveal itself" - Anderson Cooper
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 03:59:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Security Clearance and Sexual Orientation.
Thank you Mr. President! Please, don't let anyone try to tell me that he's not a sneaky little devil. Do you recall the executive order Clinton issued that stated you couldn’t deny someone security clearance simply because of his/her sexual orientation? Well, good ol' "W" had that removed. You can read the AP article here. I don't even know where to begin on this. Being gay makes me a security threat? That is the biggest load of crap. Lesbian and gay advocacy groups recently found the change in an 18-page document distributed by National security adviser Stephen Hadley on Dec. 29, without public notice. The order implies that being gay makes one more susceptible to blackmail. Hello! How are you going to blackmail someone for being gay if it is known that he or she is gay? I just don't get it...
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 02:51:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
3x Thursday
1. How do you feel about weekends? Do you look forward to them, or do you loath them? Why/why not? I live for the weekends. My week days are very structed and full most of the time and I'm craving some down time in my time off. 2. What do you like to do on the weekends? What don't you like to do? If it is nice out, I want to be outside. I hit the Monon trail on bike or foot, go to a park, go exploring around town- I just go! I also have a great yard with a huge deck and a hammock hung between two trees for relaxing. I bought a trampoline and said it was for my son, but it's really for me! All I need now is a pool/hot tub. If it's not nice out, I might read, write, shoot some photos, do a little shopping, catch a movie or try a new restaurant. Actually I don't like to clean the house, but I do it because I want it to be very clean. 3. Do you ever leave towne on the weekends? If so, where do you go? What do you do? I used to leave town a lot more often before I bought this house. My last house was smaller with a much, much smaller yard (that I didn't have to take care of myself.) If I do leave town, I might go visit my family that lives a few hours away. I also like to go to Chicago or Saugatuck, Michigan on the weekends. Bonus Question for Comments: What do you do when you have the occasional odd-day (3 day weekends, vacation day, etc)off? Those don't happen very often...I have a flex day on Monday but it isn't very frequent that my son has that day off school too.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/16/2006 09:11:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Are You More?
Are you more... 01) Someone who is likely to sue or someone who is likely to be sued? Sue someone- not that I ever have. 02) Apt to see David Hasselhoff in concert or apt to see John Tesh in concert? I'll take John Tesh- you couldn't pay me to see Hasselhoff. 03) Likely to wait for an opportunity to say 'no thanks' to a telemarketer or likely to just hang up on them? I say no thanks...or sometimes I make up crap to say to them, if I'm feeling mischevious... 04) Apt to see Madonna in concert or apt to see Celine Dion in concert? Madonna 05) Green beer or corned beef? Beer I suppose- but I don't really like most beer. 06) Apt to see Bryan Adams in concert or apt to see Billy Joel in concert? Billy Joel. 07) Loving home made pizza (for the cost savings) or loving delivery pizza (for the professional taste)? delivery pizza from Puccini's- I also love Some Guys flatbread pizza and Bazbeaux's is a great place for some wine, a salad and a pizza. 08) Apt to see Duran Duran in concert or apt to see INXS in concert? I was a huge Duran Duran fan as a teenager. 09) One who believes that the RIAA/MPAA are properly and rightfully protecting their content or one who believes they are scum-sucking, litigation-happy bastards? They can protect their content- they have the right to their creations. 10) Apt to see Bono in concert or apt to see Sting in concert? Sting
 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 09:50:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Wednesday Mind Hump
Wednesday Mind Hump
If I'm not mistaken, Friday is St. Patrick's Day. That means it's time for some Irish-related questions for the Mind Hump! 1. What's your favorite Lucky Charms marshmallow shape? And do you ever eat the cereal part of it too? I can't say that I have a favorite shape. B and Ian love that stuff but I won't buy it for them! I have eaten it before and yes, I eat the cereal part too.
2. How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Usually by going to Claddagh (an Irish pub) with a few friends, eating some Irish food and having a drink. And yes, of course I wear green- I don't want to get pinched. Okay, I don't want to get pinched by just anybody! 3. What's your favorite Irish or Celtic song or artist? Theme From "Harry's Game" - Clannad The entire "Celtic Moods" CD is great. The last question comes from famous Irish comic Jerry O'Seinfeld 4. Corned beef - ya got beef, but where's the corn? What is the deal? Sorry, but I don't have an answer for you. My son loves corned beef and cabbage. I think it a strange thing for a kid to love!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 09:37:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Fever Pitch
I can feel it; I can feel it working its way up from deep inside of me. All winter long I feel dull, dead, and flat. It's a passionless season. I lay in dormancy waiting for Spring and the time of my re-birth. Just like a chrysalis waiting for its moment in time to spring forth into the sunlight, into the waiting world. In the cold and dark season, my energy focuses inward- re-charging my physical and mental batteries. By the time the crocuses start to push their buds through the still-cold earth I'm nearly ready to emerge whole again. There are rhythms in life, rhythms that we take for granted. Just as the rhythm of music moves our bodies, the rhythm of seasons moves our brains. Winter into Spring is a time of nearly boundless energy. The Earth re-creates Herself, fresh clean and new. So can we. I can sense the movement of the air, the changes occurring, ever so slightly at first. It's like everything around me hums, buzzes, moves in a way imperceptible to the naked eye. But I can see it, feel it, smell it, and taste it. It's a hedonistic feast for the senses. The time is nearly upon us for stormy weather. The kind of stormy weather I enjoy. I have no fear of storms. On the contrary, I find them enjoyable and exciting. The sheer raw energy of it is a turn-on. It's unpredictable, uncontrollable and utterly fascinating. The smell of ozone in the air, the way the leaves on the trees show their flip-sides to us to announce the impending rain...it's all glorious and wonderful. The force of nature, the show of power on display for all of us to see. It's a gift from Mother Nature. She's showing us her wild side, if we're only open to seeing it. It's the utmost of destruction and the pinnacle of creation. The sun comes out again after the storm. Winter is a time of evenness. Snow can fall, and that in itself can be beautiful, but there's little to offer in the way of extremes and changeability. There's a blizzard, but no sunshine afterward to signal the end. I love a good thunderstorm and then waiting for the sun to come out again. There's nothing like it. Every cell in my body wants to strip off every stitch of clothing and soak up the sun's rays. The sun is just another force of nature from which I draw energy. A life force... In the Persian calendar New Year's Day falls on the first day of Spring. I like this way of thinking. Persians believe you must wear all new clothing on New Year's Day- you are a new person once again. The call it Norouz which literally means " new day". In a ceremony people symbolically, burn their old year's weaknesses, sins, bad habits, and even their misfortunes with the hope of starting a new and fresh life in the coming New Year. Bring on the fire! I'm worked up to a fever pitch, and it's only going to get hotter.
www.flickr.com
fleur_de_lisa@sbcglobal.net's photos tagged with spring More of http://www.flickr.com/photos/33732789@N00/tags/spring/
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 09:04:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Word Association Test
I have issues with...
health patience fame excess family
Take Word Association Test
I have issues with...
scars forget shelter work fast
Take Word Association Test
ANSWER DELAY MAY CORRESPONDS TO ISSUES WITH THAT WORD
word time in seconds
scars 2.60
forget 2.12
shelter 2.07
women 0.89
Whew! at least it's obvious that I don't have issues with women!
 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 06:36:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Foto Pherrets
Memory

I was so shocked to come across this deer in the middle of Crown Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is located in the middle of Indianapolis and must serve as an oasis for wildlife like this.

 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 04:45:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Lens Day
The Lens Day Challenge for this week: Crystalline
 
posted by Lisa at 3/15/2006 11:42:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Religion
Yeah, well....everything about me is done in an individualistic way!
You fit in with: Spiritualism Your ideals are mostly spiritual, but in an individualistic way. While spirituality is very important in your life, organized religion itself may not be for you. It is best for you to seek these things on your own terms. 100% spiritual. 60% reason-oriented.
Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com
 
posted by Lisa at 3/14/2006 10:29:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
The Science of Sexual Orientation
I came in on the very end of the story "The Science of Sexual Orientation" on 60 Minutes the other night. I honestly don't have the answer as to what makes one person gay and not another. Nature vs. Nurture? Personally, I believe that I was born this way. It wasn't anything to do with my upbringing. I have 3 straight siblings who were raised in the same house by the same parents. The best that I can recall, I was a typical girl growing up. Pretty much right up the middle of the road- not too foo-foo, but not too much of a tom boy either.
Michael Bailey is a psychology professor at Northwestern University and a leading researcher in the field of sexual orientation. Bailey says he doesn't think nurture is a plausible explanation. Psychologists used to believe homosexuality was caused by nurture n.mely overbearing mothers and distant fathers but that theory has been disproved. Today, scientists are looking at genes, environment, brain structure and hormones. There is one area of consensus: that homosexuality involves more than just sexual behavior; its physiological. Bailey and his colleagues set up a series of experiments in his lab at Northwestern University. In one study, researcher Gerulf Rieger videotaped gay and straight people sitting in a chair, talking. He then reduced them visually to silent black and white outlined figures and asked volunteers to see if they could tell gay from straight. The idea was to find out if certain stereotypes were real and observable. Based on physical movement and gestures of the figures, more often than not, the volunteers in the study could tell a difference. "So, is the conclusion that gay people do in fact move differently?" Stahl asked Rieger. "Yeah, absolutely," he replied. It's not true 100 percent of the time; it is true on average. The researchers also studied the way gay and straight people talk, and they found differences on average there too. This research is controversial. Some say it is reinforcing stereotypes. But to Bailey, the stereotypes suggest there's a feminizing of the brain in gay men, and masculinizing in lesbians.
I am not a very masculine woman. I don't fall into many of the cliches at all. I don't play softball, I'm not good at building things, I wear makeup, I carry a purse, I like to buy clothes (pink clothes even!), I like to decorate, I know what colors go with what, I don't have short hair, I don't own 23 cats, I don't watch Xena, I have a child.... Also, I don't actually believe in any of those cliches! I do, however believe that you can sometimes tell that someone is gay just by watching they way he or she moves, just as mentioned in the quote above. I'm not talking about the totally "obvious" types either. There's just something, an un-nameable quality, that sets off my "gaydar" on some people. It's not anything that I can put my finger on, it's just something that I know.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/14/2006 08:21:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Take Me Back Tuesday
Name your three favourite artists from the 1960's. The Beatles The Mamas and The Papas Jefferson Airplane Name your three favourite albums released in the 1960's. Abbey Road- The Beatles Revolver- The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band- The Beatles Name your three favourite songs from the 1960's. Sounds of Silence- Simon and Garfunkle Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival California Dreamin'- The Mamas and The Papas Just for fun, here's an awesome flash rendering of "I Feel Fine" by The Beatles.
 
posted by Lisa at 3/14/2006 06:01:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments

Cost of Bush's Ego War In Iraq
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