Rainbows @ MindSay

Hello, m'loves.

 

Remember my recent comment that I need more friends that are girls?

 

Well, I am getting my fix.

 

My dearest and oldest (at least, in terms of friendship, for she is not a year older than I) friend is in town.  I spent a splendid Saturday evening with her and her mum, sometimes watching sports, but mostly talking.  She introduced me to that delightful fiend, Dr. Horrible (who knew Neil Patrick Harris could sing?  He should do more musicals.  And yes, I would totally go see them), and I am planning to reveal to her my happy new discovery.  She showed me pictures from her honeymoon a year ago and pictures of the latest ultrasounds -- I'm already making plans to visit come early December.  This is my chance to be an auntie.  Maybe not by blood, but certainly in spirit.

 

Last night I spent an evening enjoying fajitas and loads of conversation with two wonderful gals.  We all agree we need to figure out how to expand our circle of friends.  But it's still nice having a few good ones.  I, especially, learned that there is nothing wrong in talking girly and being honest and vulnerable.  It seems vulnerability, when offered, isn't weak, but strong -- the more vulnerablity shared, the stronger the bond and support.  I can't fully wrap my head around it, but there it is.

 

What is more, there is at least one confusing burden that I am no longer carrying all by my lonesome.  And really, it doesn't seem as large as when I kept it quietly to myself.  Funny how that works.

 

Tonight is Bible study, and LilBro seems to think that he and his girlfriend (who have been driving from Florida the past two days) will be there.  We'll see.  But I'm glad to know there shall be another awesome young woman added to my collection of friend possibilities.  And she has the coolest name ever (yeah -- mine).

 

Thursday, my dearest friend (see above) and I will get together for some one-on-one girly bonding.  Yes, looking forward to it very much, especially since it looks like I won't see her face-to-face until her baby is born.  Long distance friendships can be difficult, but true friendships seem to not mind a piddlin' pause that is a mere few months.

 

Besides, we have the same mobile carrier, so we can talk as long as we want, for free.  And we do.

 

All this deep, feminine friendship has not come a moment too soon, because I was feeling rather indigo as of late.

 

Then again, I did see a lovely rainbow last night.  Rainbows never fail to bring me joy.

With all of the rain we have had lately, we have seen quite a few rainbows. Here is a video I made, along with (of course) some of my original music.

 

I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more.....than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

(instrumental break)

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
They're really sayin...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
*spoken*(you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than Ill never know)
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.

WOW!!! i can't believe my account is still active! Well, I've been to hell and back since I last posted. i went to prison on June 29, 2006 and i got out March 23, 2007. my baby boy is almost 16 months old now. he's walking and talking. he's SOOOOO cute! Indigo and I are still together. I'm just getting back into the scheme of things, so give me a little time to readjust. i miss you guys, and i'd like to touch base with ya'll and see how ya'll are doing. i have myspace. visit me..... www.myspace.com/phrog70345 

Some of these are copies of things written by others, mine is at the end...(And the whole thread with A LOT of interesting, provocative links Here, the "Call for Peace" Group at Flickr.) Some are things said in the discussion thread by others from very different backgrounds. While it isn't easy to speak freely with such a mix and everyone has a very different opinion, it is still good to discuss these things and learn where we might all have some common ground, on which to build a foundation for peace.; (I think it may be helpful for people to have an exposure to all the angles in these issues and remember the human aspect of current affairs around the globe...)

One expression came through like this, in exasperation, regarding other people's discussions in the same thread; So keep in mind it is a little out of context here from the original discussion thread....
"You are getting all upset and are trying to find a solution and all that is commendable but how about we think logically? The leaders we deal with all over the world are not pacifists. they want money and wealth and power and will do anything they can to get it. You cannot see the arab/moslem side of all this since you have not lived in it or have been effected by it since none of these countries mean anything to you. I am Iraqi and my country has essentially been ruined and I can never go back. You say its bin laden? may i ask what bin laden has to do with it since he didn't invade Iraq or kill thousands of people or turn people against each other. let me give you some proof. Did you know that in order to establish any party in Iraq it has to be politically driven towards a certain sect and you cannot open a sect for the benefit of ALL Iraqi people due to the fact that the US has forced the rule that no one can do that and if you try you get beaten up. Now how do i know this? first of all most of my living family lives there and i lost my cousin and many other family members to the brutality in Iraq lately and if they even tried to open a peaceful party they would get SHOT at if not killed. their dead bodies are the proof of this. Another thing is that most of my family were in the army and so they get their news from the people and they see it for themselves. the US has no right to take over Iraq and this whole democracy camoflauge is simply so stupid and silly that not even a child would believe it. democracy doesn't mean killing people just because they don't look too friendly. well if someone came and took over my house and raped my sister i would be pretty upset don't ya think?

About Palestine: please stop acting like talking will solve thousands of years of conflict coz i simply won't. i'm a realist to the bone and with all the atrocities i have seen over the years and have felt the bombing on top of my head and the fear that you see and feel for the rest of your life. stop being so naive about something we all know won't work peacefully. we want the land and so do the isrealis. both will fight to the end for it and this is what is happening.

****** Please before stating anythng which you thing is "HOGWASH" how about you ask what it is and then sit there judging something you don't know about.******

If you read the Quran and read the meaning of the verse God does not imply that he will give each man exactly 77 virgins. It was a number used in the old days when the number 77 was seen to be a big number, just as we use 100 or 1 million. its simply a symbolic number meaning a lot. Why its a virgin because its also symbolic for purity and innocence.

The next time you have a question regarding the Islamic religion i suggest you ask me instead of getting all upset and insulting my religion and over 5 million other peoples religion. I dont go around making fun of your beliefs or religion so please treat people equally and justly and you shall be treated likewise. you don't sound like you want to solve anything but it seems to me you're mad and want to take it out on some group of people without even trying to understand what it is.

I have lived with people of different races and religions. I might not necessarily agree with what they believe in but nevertheless i RESPECT it. i have my opnions as they have theirs. please understand that and don't act so close-minded. its a discussion and we are here to discuss not to insult. if you wanted to insult all you have to do is be a politian.

**about the suicide bombers did you ever try to think why they do this? i'd appreciate it if you sat there and thought what it meant to be a palestinian, to loose your land, your family and friends and have no weapons and still be treated like an animal. you would feel angry, betrayed, used and even more angry. now as we all know anger dispells from pain and suffering. when i'm in pain and i'm hurt and i cant do anythng it changes to anger. i'd be angry if i lost my land and my family and my friends. wouldn't you be? when i'm treated violently i react violently, natural human reaction. after all this killing and all this anger over thousands of years don't you think that each side will do anythng to keep their land? if my whole family was fighting for thousands of years for this land i would do the same too.

The lebanese story is similar to the palestinian story. they have been torn to pieces by the israelis for so long hey what is another 20 years if its already ruined. i visited lebanon not far back and i was shocked to see it. the buildings were old and torn down. you could still see the evidence of war everywhere. try and be a little more understanding to pain and suffering, they were exterminated several years ago by the isrealis. they're not about to forgive them now.

Just like the isrealis aren't going anywhere neither are the palestinians. each side thinks its ok to fight for their land. its their right. did you know that its legal in any part of isreal that if an israeli saw a house he liked and there were palestinians living in it that he could kick them out and live there? is that fair too? is that peace-loving too? do you think its fair for them to walk onto your land and take it form you just coz they said so? do you think its fair for them to walk ito your house, assault you, insult you and take away your house? i dont think so, not for a minute.


I would also like to give you another peice of information that might be useful to you. Islam is the arabic word for peace. If you read about our teachings and beliefs you will find its beauty in its pages. Don't stereotype Muslims as hate-loving, war-loving terrorists that just want to take over the area. just like we dont stereotype Americans as violent rapists and murderers. the people of a country are different from the leaders. correct me if i'm wrong. and more importantly this is our land and we will fight for it. just like if it were your land you would fight for it too with all that you got. we will keep on fighting till we get our land back, the land our forefathers lived on and they fought for it with their blood as we will with ours. if they want peace then we are all the better for it as long as its fair. we are all for peace. we are tired of war and fighting just like anyone else is. who wouldn't like to live within a white picket fence and feel safe in their own country? STOP THE STREOTYPES, STOP THE HATRED. "

Another viewpoint expressed;

" You have touched the tops of so many points,and much of this I agree with.
I really cannot defend any one side on this issue of Isreal/palestine. It seems that both sides are hell-bent on dragging the whole world into this.Hezzbollah is getting a lot of money and some missiles from Iran. Israel is getting a lot of money and fuel from USA.This is the way of things,and it sucks in the worst way.
It is in the best interest of the USA if Israel would ease up on its bombing campaign against Hezzbollah.Lebanon has been trying to free itself of Syria for awhile , now. This is only going to make that more difficult,if not impossible.
It has been said,and I am inclined to believe that this action of kidnapping by Hezzbollah of Israeli soldiers is under direction of Iran,which has been acting in a threatening manner for some time now. The fact that Iran gives Hezzbollah 10 million US dollars every year,coupled with the fact that many of the missiles falling in residential areas of Israel are Iranian,leads me to accept this as a possibility.
Do you refuse to accept that Bin Laden has stirred up a civil war in Iraq? This is a dirty thing to do,and is not done for the good of the Iraqi people,but rather,for Bin Ladens own good. Many people are dying,and the USA is getting blamed.This is Bin Ladens' idea. Step back and look at it. If the newly elected Iraqi government can be successful,then the USA will scale back operations,and eventually pull out.
Does anyone remember Nick Berg? An engineer who went to Iraq to help rebuild the infrastructure? He was beheaded alive while being recorded? This is not the act of a peaceloving people. This is a very brutal thing. This kind of thing only increases the hate factor. Hate is a very powerful motivator,and to do something to intensify the hate of the USA will not make things better for anyone.
Just as "Islam" ,in translation ,means love and peace,the swastica of the Nazis,originally had the same meaning.. The symbol or the translation doesnt mean anything. We are judged by our works. By what we do.It is what we do that defines us.
The jews and the Palestinians BOTH wandered this area for thousands of years,fighting and hating for the duration.Sometimes the palestinians were winners,and ruled,sometimes the Israelis were. The rules of war have changed over time,but thousands of years ago,or even hundreds,the spoils of war were yours to keep.I'm not saying this is right or wrong,but that is how it was done.
Remember Yassir Arafat? he was instrumental in brokering a peace plan that would have given Palestinians a real government,borders,and recognition as a state.That managed to get screwed up because of the will of a few.I saw this as hope for a future for Palestine,and really COULD have been a very good thing.
And in response to the STOP THE STEREOTYPES, STOP THE HATRED, I submit this.

www.flickr.com/photos/egygenius/93573750/

Someone is TEACHING this young man,and the young men who comment here to hate. It appears that some would have us think that this is a rule for everyone but themselves. These young men apparently don't know the Arabic word for " Peace"
Maybe you could talk to them? "

and another voice, here;

"..The jews and the Palestinians BOTH wandered this area for thousands of years,fighting and hating for the duration. You have repeatedly made this assertion as some sort of justification of what is occurring now. The fact is that the Palestinians 1000 of years ago were completely different from today's people using that title. They were not Arabs or Muslims (Islam is not 1000s of years old.Mohammed was born in 570 CE and the revelation which was the start of Islam came to him in his 40th year - 610 CE, nearly 1500 years ago.) What is more, there were many many years where Muslims and Jews lived in peace together, notably under the Ottoman empire. Even in recent years in Israel there are Jews and Muslims co-existing. And today's Israelis are very different from the ancient Israelites (even the name differs).

And if you want proof of my statement "Unfortunately GWB and the Israel government have one thing in common - they believe that political problems can be solved by military means." see today's news. The Bush administration is stalling to allow Israel to mop up Hisbullah before actively working for a ceasefire. Meanwhile innocent civilians on both sides are being killed or maimed. (Other people's) lives are cheap for the US government."

Recommended reading for everybody on this thread and elsewhere who want to get a balanced view of how Jews and Arabs can live together and, beyond that, be friends.

City of Oranges - Arabs and Jews in Jaffa by Adam LeBor Bloomsbury Publishing, London, New York & Berlin. 2006. ISBN 0 7475 7366 2 or ISBN-13 9780747573661.

Not only is it a revelation of how people can live and work in a stressful situation - some of them in an occupied place - but it is a fascinating insight into aspects of the human condition and a good read into the bargain."

This wasn't posted to the thread in question, these were the thoughts that helped me find a response within my heart. (it follows in a little bit!)
Ah-h-h-h to think a book has been written about such things - Yay - there is hope. In Canada those who are Jew or Muslim share the same country and don't bomb one another, thank goodness. The country is shared with Catholics, Christians and many other groups including many who choose not to belong to an organized religion. The same is true of the US, of Great Brittain and other countries. While they, each country, has it's own problems to deal with, thankfully neighbours bombing neighbours is not a reality in our regular experience.

And then to the posting of a photo of a peace sign in the thread someone suggested, mistakenly was for churchill's "victory" V sign; I wrote simply;

True victory over oppression can only be had when all people of the world can live freely and safely - regardless of where they are from, regardless of their sex or preference, regardless of their political or religious affiliations! Regardless of history or herstory!
I choose Peace, I choose a level head, I choose a kind and compassionate heart! I choose to endeavor to maintain that stance in all I do! I choose to believe people will rise above their differences and seek instead their similarities and revel in them!
I am so sorry there is war in the middle east, and in my heart of hearts I work to heal my pain in knowing of the suffering of all the people (all sides) in this and other conflicts. It may be little, but; I love you middle east - as much as I love the ground below my feet at this very moment.
We all breathe the same air, we all sit under the same sun and moon, we share the stars. We share this world intimately, we cannot separate ourselves from that - can we not live in such a way as to celebrate these things and allow the human spirit to flourish everywhere? ;-)