Tomas

The only problem with someday... that day never seems to arrive. That someday is past being a possibility is the one regret that I have. You have a safe trip and please, as and when you can, keep us updated on Dustin's progress. We in turn will continue our thoughts and prayers for Dustin, his family, and for you also. Tomas

I hear you. I totally forgot about the timezone difference and I agree that is a big inconvenience. If you have the time and are going to be near Belgium, it might be fun to make arrangements to "meet and greet" one of our favorite authors, who just happens to live in Belgium.

Shades of 1938 British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, when he came back from Munich and said, " I believe it is peace for our time." We all know how that turned out.

It's great that that Dustin's recovery has reached the point that they feel he is ready for cognitive tests. Will be keeping him in thoughts and prayers until he is back to his 14 yo self. If I'm not mistaken, I do believe that there is still means of communication into and out of Europe. Take care and enjoy your trip. Tomas

Thank you for the update. Some good news. Prayers and thoughts continue.

Tipdin, there no need for you to explain your philosophy. It's part of who you are. But, then again, maybe your speaking out will cause someone else to take a closer look at their own philosophy and make changes that leads them to a better life. It maybe that you, being who you are and what you have suffered will be a guide for your nieces and nephews in learning to make the right choices in their lives. In another story universe, there is a theme which moves quietly through the universe... "Sometimes bad things need to happen, so that good things can." That seems to almost be a personification of what you have been through in your life. Even though I have never met you and only know you through your posts here on GA, I for one am glad that you are here and maybe, just maybe that is how it is meant to be. Take Care Tomas

That is so sad. I'll be keeping him and the family in my thoughts and prayers for a complete and quick recovery.

QFT (quoted for truth)

That's true. It was written by Loggins and Messina and is one of their hits from 1972. Poison wasn't the only band to cover it. It was the Poison version that was released in the late 80's that I was looking for.

One of the truly greats. Can remember the family gathered around the radio listening to his shows. Love his "Road" movies with Bing Crosby. If memory serves, one of his nicknames was "Old Ski Nose". I you look at a picture of him and look at his nose you'll understand.

OMG! Who in their right mind... (no offense intended) She's lovely, but that hat... where's the eye bleach?

As long as you don't bite. Well... then again... Take Care Tomas

Yer right! I guess that was too easy. Oh well... back to the drawing board. Take Care Tomas

Name that tune. 1) I need a shot of gasoline I hittin' one sixteen 2) The old folks say that you gotta end your date by ten But if you're out on a date don't you bring her home late cause it's a sin 3) He's gonna be your Frankenstein I've got one thing you'll understand He's not what you'd call a glamorous man 4) Out on the streets, that's where we'll meet You make the night, I always cross the line 5) The video game says "Play me" Face it on a level but it takes you every time on a one on one 6) well i don't think i'll make it through another day it's eight o'clock and all ain't well 7) Such a wicked vicious woman, black magic voodoo queen Lesbo nymphomaniac, ooh, she's got a girlfriend that's seventeen 8) I used ta do a little but a little wouldn't do So the little got more and more 9) Just barely get out of school, came from the edge of town. Fought like a switchblade so no one could take him down. 10) And I've been growin' funny flowers Outside on my little window sill

Oh! Was there a Royal Wedding? Hadn't really noticed. I suppose if it had any impact on my life or they were paying my bills, I may have paid more attention. The last non-fiction Royal event that I paid any attention to was listening to a broadcast from the BBC, on the shortwave radio, of the coronation of Elizabeth II when I was a sophomore in high school. No worldwide TV or Internet coverage in those days, hence the shortwave radio. IMHO much ado about nothing.

Nope! Because I wouldn't be the person that I am and I am quite happy with being me.

Something similar.. I got an idea for a story, so I decided to make the attempt. (posted the beginning in Sneak Peeks hoping for some comments and opinions to see if it would be a worthwhile project)... anyway... the problem I had was not to have all the characters with names beginning with a "J". LOL Ended up with a long list of "J" names and very few other names that felt like they fit one of the characters. Oh well... I guess it'll work out if I decide to continue. I'm sure you'll figure things out in time. Take Care Tomas

Thanks Bumblebee for the link to the history of ANZAC Day. I think the song and the clips in the video really makes the events of 1915 hit home. Take Care Tomas

I'm not an Aussie, but I'm sure that there are members here that are. For the rest, here is a video that will show you what ANZAC day is all about and what it means to Australians. They should never be forgotten. Take Care Tomas

As a character in a movie said, "Age is just a number." In my lifetime so far, almost 3/4 of a century, I have loved and been loved. Some small loves and two, what I would consider, great loves. The first lasted for 17 years. There was no acrimonious split. The romantic love kind of just faded. He found someone new and they were together for 15 years until he died of a heart attack a few years back. He and I remained great friends and still loved each other until his death. I too, found another love. We were together for 22 years until he died 2 years ago. Am I actively attempting to look for and pursue a new love? No. I do not feel the need to do so, but if one does come along, I'm open to it with the right person. If it never happens, it won't bother me, but I don't believe that the capacity to love diminishes with age. That concept seems ridiculous to me. I am loved. I have the love of friends and the places in my heart that were filled with the love of my two great loves is still filled and even though they are gone, I still feel the love that they shared with me. Take Care Tomas

Being packed and ready is all well and good, but where would you go? England and Europe have fallen into the black hole and it appears that Australia and New Zealand are headed in the same direction. Canada isn't really an alternative and Mars is out of the question. What we really need besides getting rid of Obummer and his krewe of sycophants is a John Galt.

I would guess that a large portion is spent on administrative cost. Staff salaries and salaries for the artist members and the conductor. Then there is the cost involved in getting guest artists. I don't know, but I would imagine that the costs in getting an artist of the stature of say Itzhak Perlman to perform with the orchestra would be considerable. I doubt that ticket sales, as exorbitant as some prices are, cover only a very small portion of the expenses of maintaining a viable orchestra, opera troupe, choir or other of the performance arts. Also in these economic times it would be unlikely that the general populace, at least in the US, would be able, even if they are willing, to pay the price for a ticket when survival is a greater priority (food, housing for the family, etc.). All that being said, I can every once in awhile afford to attend a concert. As a matter of fact, I'll be going to a concert Monday (this evening, APR 18th). Going to be interesting to hear Canadian Violinist, James Ehnes playing the Max Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Actually, it's because of the Bruch and the orchestra playing Beethoven's Symphony #3 [Eroica] that I decided to attend. Take Care Tomas

You also have to consider the differences in culture. After the composers and orchestras moved from under the thumb of the Royals and the Church that held sway during the Medieval (or Gothic if you will), the Renaissance and the early Baroque periods, it became almost a tradition that Composers, Orchestras, the Opera, etc. were supported by the populace of the various towns, cities and city/states. That kind of tradition for, as they say, "Classical" music has never taken hold in the US. Seems like it was and probably still is, held as the purview of the gentile or wealthier classes. I think that different parts of the country are more inclined to support the arts including their Symphony Orchestras, Operas, Choruses, etc. than other parts. I'm not familiar with Canadian Orchestras and such, but I would be willing to guess that because of the ties with Britain and the European continent, that kind of tradition in some small way has embedded it self into Canadian Culture. Which I think is a good thing. Even though Canada and the United States are neighbors, the cultures of the two countries are vastly different. At least it's true for what I've experienced when I've visited Canada. Take Care Tomas

Orchestras all over the country, perhaps the world, are in financial trouble, so the Philadelphia Orchestra is not unique in that regard. I'm in agreement with Paya. I doubt very much that the sexuality of the conductor is much of a factor in the orchestra's financial problems.

What I do depends on the severity of what I'm stressing over. Sometimes. just going into a room, closing the door and screaming relieves it. At other times, losing myself in a good book does the trick. Then there is going for a walk or a run, the length of which depends on how much I'm stressing. Of course everyone being different, each has to find their own way to relieve the stress. Hopefully, one that is not harmful in other ways. It wouldn't do to relieve the stress and find out that you have harmed yourself, or worse yet someone else, thereby causing even more and even greater stress. Take Care Tomas