A new post with no title
I receive quite a few e-mails from blog readers who do not want to participate in the blog because they feel a few people dominate the comments. I am not going to agree or disagree with those sentiments, but I do want to get more people involved. For the present commenters, let's chill a little and perhaps limit the comments to one or two a day, and let's see if this brings in new people. And please, let's all try not to get personal!! Thank you.
A new Newsletter will come out shortly with the lead story about a terrific lodge in South Africa. Bye for now, RR
A new Newsletter will come out shortly with the lead story about a terrific lodge in South Africa. Bye for now, RR
75 Comments:
Hello RR, Joe, Posse and Fellow Travelers!
How exciting and interesting ...a lodge in South Africa, of course I had to respond to this announcement and look forward to the information!
'out of africa's
senior-ita-bachelorette
val
After so much time, some people's comments here are obviously the bane of their day, so if you "wean" them, many people would be appreciative!
Sayonara (the correct spelling, after living in Japan many years!)
Then again, some people just jump at a new blog, and don't read it!!
Okay, this will be my one and only blog for tonight. And it's actually from Ada She asked me to tell MM that her songs are from West Side Story by Bernstein & Sondheim. So...there you have it. Have a wonderful evening, everyone, while I continue to work on typing up comments for my kids' latest Science projects. Oh, thanks Richard. :D
RR...for future reference...SABI SABI Game Lodge in South Africa is one of THE most amazing and the Game Park is also breathtaking to say the least! Exchange rate is in the tourist's favour as The RAND(South African Currency)is still very weak, the $US goes a long way!
Just a bitty 'inside information'
Viva Afrika!
peace
val
Skelsea, I'm glad to see you're back. I wondered what had happened to you. You lived in Japan for several years? What did you do there? My brother lived in Japan as well and loved it. Do you speak Japanese? (Well, I imagine you do.) My next door neighbour, a student from Japan, is teaching me a bit.
My grandson, Freddie, who is only ten but has already travelled a bit with his parents, wants to go to Japan next. He just came back from Mexico City and thought it was the most beautiful place in the world. I guess from a ten year-old's eyes...? When he grows up he wants to be an engineer and build subways, and he was very impressed with the subway in Mexico City.
Leslie, you teach ten year-olds don't you? Aren't they the most amazing little creatures?
Josie
Aloha 'Indiana Jones', Joe, 'Lone Rangers' and Fellow Travellers ;)
LORI/FABULOUS FINALIST:
I recall you mentioning that you look forward to visiting Africa/ Uganda, Rwanda etc. Well, when you travel with RR expect the unexpected :) 'indiana jones' will take you on a journey in one of THE most interesting, welcoming and mysterious places on earth, that is AFRICA! Here's a special HELLO to The Fabulous Finalists(including 'Marilyn'aka Paula)
Even though the Soulmate Search is 'on hold' for now, there is so much to look forward to! By the way RR...how is your health? You have not commented on your visit to the Dr.! Hope all is well!
JANIEGIRL: you voiced interest in the Holy Land. Look out for the documentary 'Egypt Decoded' mind boggling and thought provoking! Miss you Girrl...now now RR didn't say that we/the originals can't blog, we just gotta keep a lo profile so that our new blog sisters and brothers can have a word! By the way, hello to 'globalfix'....mmmm for a moment I thought you may be Dr. Phil but alas I am mistaken :)
Shalom
'blog dog' ;)
val
p.s countdown to Thursday, the 1st year anniversary since the official launching of the seniorbachelor.com.....MAZELTOV RR and entourage ;)
pps. RR I remember your words: FUN....THOUGHT PROVOKING....BREVITY...INTERESTING!
I'm sure I'm considered one of the blog hogs...I'ts like a habbit when one does it nearly everyday and has been my salvation while recooperating. Like the pain pills I'm on it's time to wein myself off of here so I hope this will be enough for today. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude
bright no matter how gray the day may appear.!
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and
everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life
may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
With Love to all, MM
P. S. To Val...The Chicken dance it on so I'm gonna move on from this and dance. I love it.
Hi~ Honey I am Home.... LOL ha ha ha ha ha ... hehehehe lol Guess WHO????? oh I knew you already knew who, you peeked.... :0)
So I hear it is rather boring over here~, (I M being nice this is suppose to be in fun now,) you have to remember my kind of humor!!! lol.... so bear with me:)...
and those two gals that have always claimed to be the most beautiful still have not proved it
:(... come on... I am drawing faces here the best way I know how lol.. hehehe...
the least you could do is put up a monkey or something.... they are cute.. well they are... :) LOL hehe
Hey Mr. Roe' did ya miss me?
huh? did ya miss me?????
HI JOE !!!! I never did help you with your pictures... but it looks as though you are doing just fine...
how have you been???? and your family?? they sure are beautiful, tell them hello!
Okay ~ so I have made an appearance
now I will go,
It has been nice to pop in and say Hello To everyone and wish you all a HAPPY DAY!!!!
Hugs Away,
Wanda
Droma, come back. You shouldn't have deleted your blogs.
C'mon back...
Josie
Hello RR, Joe, Posse, Fellow Travelers!
SHARINGTHENIGHT/WANDA:
I've 'wanda'd' where you've been...oh L-D have mercy, well, well, well a voice from the distant past...Hallelujah Sister ;)
ye old faithful
'blog dog' woof
senior-ita-bachelorette
val
p.s. your sudden appearance may just be the start of something wonderful on the eve of 'our leading man's' 1st seniorbachelor anniversary partay! :) I'm headin' back to the dog pound...yelp!
A couple of things:
Wanda so good to see you back, especially after having gone through such a tragedy in your family. I sincerely pray that everyone is healing, although the grief process does take time.
Josie Yes, 10-year-olds are amazing creatures. But, I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed how kids have changed so much over the years. At my school, we have so many problems with kids acting and speaking so rudely, swearing, and using sexually provocative language. No matter what we teach them in the classroom (and I spent about 3 months working with them on a bullying unit), they then go and totally ignore what they know is right and make poor choices. When we speak with their parents, we find that they have no idea where "little Johnny" or "Susie" hear such language or why they act with such violence (verbal and physical) towards others. It's always the "other" child's fault. I know TV and video games play a role, but that can't be all of it. And don't get me wrong, there are quite a few really great kids out there, but lately I'm wondering. Anyone else have any input on this? C'mon some of you who read but don't contribute. Here's your chance.
Hi everyone,
As for this administration, I email GW my thoughts. So much to think and talk about…global warming, energy cost/conservation, displacement/training of the unemployed, Katrina, Iran, Iraq, health care, weapons of mass destruction not found, immigration, trade, Ben Laden, foreign diplomacy, faltering imagine of the US and the democrats and republicans publicly distorting facts to their own end to create smoke screens so we don’t know what’s what. My son work’s in DC for the government and it is interesting to hear his spin on what’s happening on the hill. I am not so sure my political emails are read, I just hope they go into a pile of the same view and that is the largest heap on the desk.
Has anyone every watched “Questions to the Prime Minister” on C-Span? It is awesome.
On a more pleasant note. I was thinking about the cruise today and I drifted back to a cruise I took on Holland America’s New Amsterdam 16 years ago. I was the add-on to a group of women from my best friend’s (from the age of four) work. These women got it in their minds we should be in the talent show as Raisinette’s doing a dance to “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. This was not my idea of fun but as to not disappoint my friend, I RELUCTANTLY said ok. So our big night came, and there we all were lined up behind the curtain wearing our hefty black trash bags, black tights and oversized sunglasses, the type that stick out 3 inches from either side of ones head. I felt very incognito never to be recognized in such a get-up. The moment the song started I looked at my friend, our lead Raisinette and saw this strange look of horror when the curtain rolled back and she could see from the wing of the stage 400 people in the audience. She turned and looked at me and screeched, “I can’t do this!” I said, “Let me guess who you think can!!” So I became Lead Raisinette and started doing the cute little dance, index fingers pointing up in the air alternating one up one down, bobbing my head, shaking my hips…the whole thing…only to realize….I WAS THE ONLY RAISINETTE on the entire stage. Finally I turned in disbielf, hand on hip, with a pained look on my face and signaled for the other five to GET OUT HERE. It could not have been funnier if we tried. The audience was laughing historically. The first thing I said when we were done. “Thank Goodness nobody could recognize us!!!” WHO KNEW that they played the talent show on the ships TV every two hours? That night we were seated at our table in the dinning area for the Capitan’s Formal and all of a sudden the dinning room became quiet as the room was filled with Marvin Gaye’s recording of….don’t you know…”I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the Maitre D’ came waltzing up to me and placed the largest silver bowl of raisins right down in front of me while introducing us as the Raisinettes. We received a standing ovation. Embarrassing yes….but fun too.
This will be my blog of the week maybe the year. So if anyone else has ever fumbled into such an embarrassing moment…I would love to hear about it.
Tricia
since the senior here is done looking for his mate, maybe we can tackle important things like what Leslie is trying to get going.
If not our children, we can influence our grandchildren.
Kitty
Top 'oer the morning RR,Joe,'Lone Rangers' and Fellow Travelers!
Well, the blogspace is certainly very quiet all of a sudden, RR a little kindling would get the fires started ;) now where waz I?
CHICAGOTRICIA/RAISENETTE:) I remember an embarrassing moment at the ripe age of 5 years when I made my stage debut to the song 'A Little Green Frog' by Burl Ives (he had a beautiful voice) my 'act' involved having a few green frogs hopping around the stage, but to no avail, they backed out at the last minute due to stage fright:) I enjoyed singing and dancing minus my 'entourage'. I shall be eternally grateful for the frog outfit which camouflaged who I was, so the positive result: I was totally incognito too ;) and kept first prize all to myself!
rrrrrbt
Happy Days Y'all!
love
'blog dog'
senior-ita-bachelorette:)
val
oops correction: RAISINETTE
Howdy RR, Joe & Co. ;)
JANIEGIRL:
Interesting that you mention the Albatross in particular! It was suggested that I read about the Albatross, a solitary bird and legend has it that when seen by ships far out at sea, it brings good luck and the journey is blessed! I love birdwatching, people travel all over the world on various birdwatching trips, a fascinating hobby!
Do you know that The Swan mates for life and if one dies, the other remains in a state of mourning until it too passes!
There are other bird species that mate for life.
So, JanieGIRL I am ready....swoop down with Albatross and pick me up,to visit Oklahoma, Oklamhoma where the corn is high as an elephant's eye :)
Wishing You and Yours a Blessed Day
love
ye 'ole faithful
'blog dog'
senior-ita-bachelorette
val
I saw a bird at a busy intersection trying to drag another bird that had evidently been hit by a car and I persume dead and she was draggig him off of the street. That was probably her mate. I got tears. So since her husband is dead will she not get another????
Sweet Merry/Mary...there is such an innocence about you. I guess the bird was pulling the mate to safety and who knows depending on the species, it may find another mate or may not!
Stay As Sweet As You Are
Don't Let A thing Ever Change You.....
Nat King Cole
Love
ye 'ole faithful
'blog dog'
senior-ita-bachelorette
Has anyone yet logged onto http://www.infotecbsi.com/wildlife/ to see the live video streaming of an American bald eagle sitting on her nest? The camera looks as if it's right in the nest with her. It's so gorgeous and peaceful. Sort of resets the yin and yang...
She is patiently waiting for the egg to hatch.
It takes about 15 seconds or so for the video to load.
Hi all interested in the Eagle web cam. I've been watching this site for the past several weeks. Several of my email friends comment on it each day. The eggs are scheduled to begin hatching tomorrow.
Josie, how did you learn of this cam? Do you live in the area?
Hi Josie, The Eagle in her nest is awsome. Thank you for sending the address to us. I have a niece who goes out to Keystone Lake with her binocculars and will set all day watching them. MM
Yes, I live not too far away from there. The nest is located on Hornby Island, just off the coast of Vancouver Island in the Straight of Georgia between the city of Vancouver and the Island. We have lots of eagles in the city of Vancouver as well. They're so majestic.
I believe the Holland America cruise ship goes past Hornby Island. It's (in my opinion) the most beautiful part of Canada. Anyone going on the cruise is in for a huge treat. The coastline between Seattle and Alaska is spectacular, especially in the summer. Often you will see pods of killer whales jumping in front of the boats, almost as if they're welcoming you.
Hi Josie!
Thank you for the tip....
Talk about a 'bird's eye view'...awesome to say the least!
Love seeing how the wind ruffles her feathers and the sounds of the little birds chirping away!
I sure do miss the Eagles flying overhead when traveling on the ferry to Gibson's Island and Victoria Island...LOTUSLAND!
Another fascinating bird to study...The Eagle. I have an Eagle's Feather given to me by a Medicine Woman, I use it when I Smudge with Sweetgrass or Sage!
This truly is 'for the bird's' so to speak;)
luv from
ye 'ole faithful
'blog dog'
val
p.s this is contagious, can watch her all night :)
Can anyone tell me the best way to get from the Vancouver Airport to Butchart Gardens in Victoria? (Time is not an issue.)
Well tomorrow, April 27, marks the day this venture was born one year ago. I can honestly say I was never busier in my life for the following 7 months, right up until the Journey began at the end of November. I look back and so many things went on!!
Certainly one of the major disappointments of my life was having to stop the Journey. Even though there was nothing I could do to prevent this, I did feel I disappointed everybody involved with SB.
I am taking everything "one day at a time." Last Thursday I received a good report form the doctor and have pretty much resumed living a normal life. I have another check-up on July 20th and if I get the all clear then, I can start to work on possibly resuming the Journey, in some fashion.
Best to all, Richard Roe
Neva, there are buses from the Vancouver Airport that connect to Vancouver Island. If you go to http://www.yvr.ca/ and click on the link under Arrivals that says “getting from the airport” it will direct you to various ways to get to the Island. Click on “Scheduled Buses” and then click on “Vancouver Island”. It will give you a schedule of buses that will take you from Vancouver airport to Victoria (which is on Vancouver Island). The bus service is called Pacific Coach Lines, and it gives you a schedule of departure times from the airport. It will also give you a link to Pacific Coach Lines website.
You will have to take a ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, but it is a gorgeous trip, about an hour and a half. The bus goes directly from the airport onto the ferry, and then straight into the bus depot in Victoria. There are tourist buses you can catch right at the bus depot in Victoria that will take you to Butchart Gardens.
The ferry to Victoria will take you through Active Pass, which is spectacular. There are always seals lined up along the rocks, waving their flippers at the boats.
What does Richard Roe have in common with Colin Powell, John Kerry, Rudy Giuliani and Arnold Palmer?
You are all survivors of prostate cancer!
Glad you have a good report.
Josie Sorry I didn't get a chance to phone you tonight. I'd forgotten I had an important meeting at school tonight. I'm just home now, so heading to bed. Will call tomorrow.
Richard Good to hear you got a good report from the doctor. So has my sister. So onward!
Happily, RR, the journey, i.e. life goes on. It hasn't stopped ... just hit some big speedbumps.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eyes." de Saint Exupery
"Life is a Voyage." V. Hugo
"Life is a struggle or nothing." Hellen Keller
So maybe I'm 1st to say Congratulations! on how good an idea you had & began on 4-27-05. I'm sure I won't be last.
"Cheers & Years to ya!" Happy :)
Leslie, that's okay, I became absorbed in a movie... :)
Neva, you can also fly from Vancouver Airport to Victoria Airport.
Richard, good news on your medical report. You will start to put it all farther and farther behind you.
"Happy Anniversary" to Richard, may your dreams still come true.
DREAMWEAVER 18
With all due respect, isn't this an appropriate time
for you to give your computer a little rest and perhaps
brighten the days of some needy youngsters with your
story-telling talent?
Think of it as branching out and starting your own
popular show! You can continue to gush about whatever topic tickles your fanciful thoughts.
Seriously, Val, those of us who truly cherish your
wit and tongue in cheek humor will continue to
post our comments on your very own blog!
Please, give us a chance ...
Adios mi amiga, y Vaya con Dios, la Seniorita
Blogger-ita (rimes with Margarita, which, of course
reminds me of that fun-filled dance, the Macarena ...
that is always such a blast for everyone, teeheehee,
after a few glasses of bubbly!)
Whew!! That's it from me for awhile.
Sincerely.
BeeDee
P.S. You stated somewhere in your writings that you have never met Richard. HAS ANYONE WHO HAS BLOGGED ON THIS SITE EVER MET YOU?
Richard,
Thanks for taking Leslie's suggestion to give others a chance on your blog.
Leslie,
Hang in there. I'm running out of time, now, but I have an interest in your ideas, too.
Tricia,
Thanks for sharing your hilarious experience. Will you be doing a repeat performance on the Alaska cruise?
Hi to Josie, more later, computer time's up!
Top 'oer the mornin' to you RR, Joe, Posse and Fellow Travelers!
This is your day...
Mazeltov...Congratulations....what a year this has been and I intend to ride it out with you since the Journey first began!
BeeDee: thank you for your kind words and thoughtful suggestion but I don't intend to start my own blog, I am enjoying the camraderie on this one far too much, with all it's variables ;)
I have never met anyone on this blog, not that I know of...I am still totally incognito and loving every minute of it! :)
Wishing ALL a sun-shiny day and ~~smooth sailing~~ from now on ~~
hugz
ye 'ole faithful
'blog dog'
senior-ita-chikita bachelorette
val
Bravo for R.R.Although I didn't see him until Oprah's rerun in Aug. That's me...An hour late and a dollar short. I do appreciate all you've done Richard. Lovinly,Mary B.
Dear Richard, Congratulations upon the first anniverary of your appearance on Oprah, the Fabulous Finalists adventure, and your search. I have to say that if a problem were to strike, you have been in the company of FOUR GOOD MEN: COLIN POWELL, JOHN KERRY, RUDY GIULIANI AND ARNOLD PALMER, or should I say FIVE GOOD MEN. Your blog has accomplished so much that has kept us all young, if not in age, but in knowledge and interest in many new adventures. You are to be commended. "All the Best" to you Joe and Umberto for a GREAT year of fun and anticipation of "What In the World Will Come Next."
It has been very interesting, Indeed!!
JanieGirl
I mispelled ANNIVERSARY on my revious post. Janie Girl
RR & SB SISTERS/BROTHERS...
HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY!!!
What a 'wild ride' it has been, has it not? This adventure appears not only to be fully ALIVE, it quite possibly, and hopefully, is
just BEGINNING...:)
Sending "All the Best" wishes to you, RR, for tip-top wellness, & the same for ALL of our Sisters/Brothers :)...
Time is flying & so must I...
Back to the MOON......*
*(I have an ice skating date with Walter Brennan... aka "Lady Jayne" & former "FlowingWhiteWater" set us up, many Full Moons ago...:)
xxx
Well~ Congrats~ To You Richard~ and if I could~ I Would~ blow out a candle today, I would, but I went to the dentist and had a root canal done on 4 canals :( on one tooth so I won't be blowing on any candels - but heres to ya... clink ... clink.. :)
Hi Happy~~~~ So Happy to see your Name... Gosh... I was not around for awhile but I have been blogging this week, just checking in... and saying hello... so helllllooooo!!!!
I had so much I was going to say, but hummm, as things happen I must go... so I will sign off with my usual ...
to all have a great day,
Hugs Away,
Wanda
This post has been removed by the author.
Josie
Mahalo for the Vancouver and Victoria bus and airport information. I will check it out.
That was exactly what I needed.
Thanks again
Happy Anniversary Richard. I remember so vividlly seeing you on the Oprah show for the first time. I was not sure if taking a trip to MB was a wise thing to do at the time. It was my "out of the box" and adventurous thing to do. I arrived in MB. Shaking in my stilottoes thinking how foolish this was for me to be there. But "Wow"!!! I'm so glad I made that move. The more I've learned about you, the more I wont to stay attached to your dream of spreading the news that seniors are still alive and making a difference in our society. Just like rare antiques, we just keep on getting more valuable. The most wonderful and amazing thing for me was to be picked as one of your finalist. So no matter what the future holds for you, Ricard Roe, you can count me in as a part of the wings on your feet. M.M.Corbett
oops!!!! After looking this word up, I didn't spell it right "stilettoes".
Hello RR, Joe, Posse, Guys n' Dolls!
SKYWATCHER 'ELLA'/MOONGODDESS:
wow you certainly do have a memory, thank you for acknowledging my Iroquios name ~~flowingwhitewater~~ and our Lady Jayne too, yes some of us go way back to the beginning of this seniorbachelor Journey, as you say many FULL MOONS ago! If the fates allow we may just meet one sunny day ;) afterall this is just the BEGINNING....been one helluva ride, gotta 'roll with the punches' (been a few of those ;)
sending love on a MOONBEAM ~~~~
to be continued....
ye old faithful
'blog dog'
senior-ita-chikita bachelorette
val
Richard and all,
Happy 1st Anniversary of this journey! I can't believe it's been a year, what a difference a day makes, and now a year! I remember receiving a phone call from my youngest daughter the day you aired on Oprah, saying "Mama, you're home, good, watch Oprah today, the whole thing" and I did. Also appearing that day was the "he's just not that into you" guy. Richard, I vividly remember you announcing your quest and me scrambling to find a paper and pen to take notes... FIT, FREE and FUN was the mantra along with looking for a "loving, healthy committed relationship". It has been so exciting, the adventures, the camaraderie and the concern for all that has happened in our lives.
Richard, you should be proud that you started this whole endeavor and all that developed from it. CHEERS to you and to all the wonderful people who became a part of the adventure !!!
MerryMary, I love the "wishes" you wrote and in particular the one that stated "I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger", so so powerful if you think about it.
All the best Everyone,
Angie
If you remember the Original Hollywood Squares and its comics, this will give you a chuckle. These questions were asked by Peter Marshall and they were not scripted.
Q. Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q. True/False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q. According to Cosmo, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think he is attractive, is it OK to come out and ask him if he is married?
A. Rose Marie: No, wait until morning.
Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I love you"?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q. What are "Do it," "I can help" and " I can't get enough"?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment
Blessings to you Richard, glad to hear you got a good report from the doctor. I will pray for you. It would be very nice to resume the travels so we can all have fun with you (curious to see Australia from the LOCAL perspective, food,music,malls,daily fun activities,plays and even art, we all know what the outback looks like..giggle). Happy anniversary!Hugs...
Hi Richard I'd like to jump in to send good wishes your way. It hasn't been quite a year yet for me, as I knew nada about this until I saw the article in the Vancouver Sun on April 30th. But, that's close enough, right? :) It has been quite a ride so far and I'm looking forward to more good times with both you and all these fantastic women. A lot has happened in the past year - births, deaths, illness, marriages, meetings, reunions, bonding, travels, and on it goes...
To all of you great women thank you for becoming my friends, both in person and in cyberspace. Friendship is valuable! Yours is even more special because even though many miles separate us, we have bonded in spirit. May we all continue to have a special place in each others' hearts. I guess I should now say "Amen." :D
Due to some technical difficulties, this week's Newsletter will come out probably early Monday morning. Later next week the regular one (for next week) will come out. Richard Roe
Cruisers, I am told that if you look on line, the first cruise (on the Zaandam) is sold out.
I reserved extra cabins, and our group for this first cruise is about 90% sold out. If you have friends who might like to come on either cruise, especially the first one, they need to contact me asap. I know people will want to come on one of the cruises and everything will be sold out if they don't act quickly. Richard
RICHARD:
Since dreamweaver18 has chosen to hog the blog, why not start a new one for the cruisers?
I'm currently signed up for the first one and my cabin-mates and I would like to connect with some of the other gals.
Help!
Sunny in Lexington KY
Dear Richard!
With all due respect, since first embarking on this FUN Journey with you, Joe, Posse and the original girls, you always included everyone to join in on YOUR blog here irrespective of who was attending the Manhattan Beach/Chicago Soirees, you made us ALL feel most welcome. Now that the dynamics seemed to have changed somewhat and we don't have some of the original group on your blog, SOME of the 'newbies' are showing hostility towards myself, Janiegirl etc. and have the CHUTZPAH to suggest you start another blog for 'them' so that they can chat to one another, they have their own emails and blogs where they can chat as much as they want to one-on-one without blatantly excluding the originals such as myself etc. If anyone should have input here re. suggestions it should be THE FABULOUS FINALISTS!
They have shown the utmost discretion, politeness, compassion, etc. that warrants keeping this blog alive with the ongoing camraderie and sharing! Now suddenly in comes the so-called 'new blood' with this cold demeanor/hostility! YOUR blog is one of sharing ideas, suggestions, the highs and lows and not meant to create a wedge between those that can afford to go on trips and those that cannot...this is an OPEN FORUM for ALL! We ALL need to continue sharing as we have always done, yes there has been the odd clash or two but that goes with the territory! When you travelled to Brazil with Vickie and then Chile with Gail, ALL of us traveled with you and not once did THE FABULOUS FINALISTS try to seperate themselves, in fact Vickie, Gail, etc. always contributed positive and FUN stuff to the blog whilst traveling with you, and hence we ALL traveled together in FUN!
Still, very recently Vickie, M.M. Corbett, Tricia, Paula, Janiegirl, MerryMary, Skywatcher 'ella',Happy,Sharingthenight/Wanda etc. contribute to YOUR blog with a FUN vibe! I hope that those who are complaining at present and most welcome on the blog stop this childish nonesense! As Richard so eloquently put it "let's ALL not try to get personal"! I absolutely agree with you Richard that we originals 'chill' down to 2 or so posts per day, and if you look at the dates, you will see just that,
the blog suddenly came to a schreeching halt until I finally after many hours remarked how quiet it was!!!!!
I look forward to sharing the upcoming exciting cruises and the continueing Soulmate Saga/Journey with the remaining Fabulous Finalists after July 20th :)
Wishing you good health and FUN times..... let's get ready to rumble!!!!!
ye 'ole faithful
'blog dog'
senior-ita-bachelorette
valerie
p.s Josie is also an example of sharing and accomodating everyone on this blog, we cleared our initial misunderstanding!
My 2cents=If you do not wish to read any certain people's blog comments then skip them and go on to the next. Just Don't Worry ...Be Happy....As our Richard has commented "You only live once" so let's all enjoy each other and respect each other. Lots of Love, MM
A laugh especially for Paula... We went to the movie the other night. I sat in an aisle seat as I usually
do, because it feels a little roomier. Just as the feature was about to
start, a blonde from the center of the row got up and started working
her way out.
"Excuse me, sorry, oops, excuse me, pardon me, gotta hurry, oops, excuse
me."
By the time she got to me, I was trying to look around her and I was a
little impatient, so I said, "Couldn't you have done this a little
earlier"?
"No!!" she said in a loud whisper. "The 'Turn Off Your Cell Phone, Please'
message just flashed up on the screen and mine is out in the car."
I know I'm over quota and could have sent drtectly to Paula but thought everybody could get a smile.
Hi everyone,
An update on the Cruise Cards. Vistaprint made a correction to the SB website link and remailed the cards on the 24th. I should be receiving the cards today however I am out of town until Sunday. I will send all cards via US mail Monday.
Anyone who would like Cruise cards just contact me through my blog or email and I will be happy to US mail cards or email e-cards to you.
Some people have written to me asking for cards saying they can't go on this cruise but they hope to on the next and would like to get more men involved. Great in my opinion.
Take care all and have a great weekend. And for all the nice emails I have received thanking me...it has been fun creating this idea together capturing a positive flow of energy to hopefully make a difference....very COOL!
Tricia
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Picking a leaf off the ground and contemplating it as an object in and of itself is inspiring. The shape and color, the way it feels in your hand, its delicate veins and the stem that once held it fast to the branch of a tree-- all of these qualities reveal a leaf to be a miniature work of natural art.
Contemplating this small object more deeply, considering where it came from and what purpose it has served, we find that the leaf is one small, essential part of a system that harnesses the energy of the sun, plumbs the depths of the earth, and in the process brings into being the oxygen many living things rely on to LIVE...
A leaf transforms the elements of its environment (sunlight, carbon dioxide, rain) into nourishment for its tree. This beautiful, nearly weightless, ephemeral piece of nature is a vital conduit to the branch that is a conduit to the trunk that is a conduit to the roots of the tree. The roots, in turn, draw nourishment from the earth to feed the trunk, the branches, and the leaves.
The living beings that inhale the oxygen that comes from this process exhale the carbon dioxide that feeds the leaves through which the tree is fed. It is difficult to know where one cycle ends and another one begins.
One of the gifts that nature offers is a clear demonstration of the interdependence between all living things. Earth is home to a web of living things that are connected to each other through a spinning kaleidoscope of relationships...
Let's nurture them...
WE NEED EACH OTHER TO SURVIVE & THRIVE!!!
xxx
Okay, everyone, let's "lighten up" a bit. Here's a cute exercise. If you were a star in an "adult" film, what would your name be. You take the name of your first pet and add it to your mother's maiden name.
Let's hear who everyone would be.
Josie
Hello Richard and all…
I’m jotting a few thoughts concerning the upcoming cruises, and the thoughts are actually for “all”….Richard is already convinced the cruises will provide a wonderful experience.
As I have mentioned before, I grew up in southern Texas where the tallest tree was a mesquite. I lived in Arizona for four years, where if you didn’t water your trees, they would die. Nature provided tall care free cactus for those without a garden hose.
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle for 38 years. To say the least, the scenery here is a bit different from the place of my birth.
Periodically, friends and relatives from Texas have headed my way, some as much for the experience of the Alaska cruise, I suspect, as to visit with me. Without exception, upon returning from the Alaska cruises, these lifelong Texans have marveled at the beauty of what they had seen.
I decided to experience the cruise myself several summers ago. This is my perception.
First, I understand totally how awe inspiring this voyage is to anyone who has not lived with the beauty and majesty of tall green trees and beautiful water. And for those such as I who have…what can I say? Beauty is Beauty is Beauty. My thoughts as I viewed the unspoiled virgin forests was, “Wow—this is what Washington state must have been like 100 years ago.” And, unless one lives in Alaska, very few of us have ever seen a glacier.
My regret from the Alaska voyage---I didn’t shell out the money (a substantial amount) for the helicopter ride to the glacier so I could ride in a dog sled.
My regret from my trip to Kenya, which is the all time favorite travel experience of my lifetime—I didn’t shell out the money (also a substntial amount) for the balloon ride over the plains where the animals roam.
My almost regret from my trip to Cancun—you guessed it. It had to do with paying extra money for what could be a once in a lifetime experience. This time I did it right. I swam with the dolphins, and it was WONDERFUL.
My suggestion to you is think before you go about any side trips you might want to make, and budget accordingly.
A final thought about the cruise. Over the years I have been on a number of single cruises to the Caribbean. Without a doubt, they were fun filled vacations. Single people who travel are kindred spirits, and most enjoy having a good time. I do think, however, that anyone who goes on a singles cruise with the sole goal of finding love will more than likely be disappointed. When you go, keep your expectations realistic.
But GO! Your companions will be great. The cruise ship will be great. And the scenery will be GREAT! How could you not have a great time?
A final comment. Seattle is a fabulous city. It is beautiful. Every direction you look has something wonderful to behold—water to the west, mountain ranges to the north and east, and to the south is THE MOUNTAIN. Anytime you hear a local mention THE MOUNTAIN, the reference is to Mt Rainier. Seattle is small, so it is easy to get around. Ask the concierge about the free bus service. And, definitely plan a little time to explore Seattle. If you have never seen a fish fly, Pike Place Market is the place to go. Of course, the fish have a little help—they are literally thrown through the air by the fish vendors. But, it is fun to watch.
Bon Voyage!
To Safari soul, Thanks for the elequent words re the cruise. This is encouraging the people who have signed up for their first cruise (people who have gone on cruises before know how wonderful they are) and might encourage some sitting on the fence. While Alaska can be seen anytime, it will not be with a group like this!! I can assure you of that.
Val, Thanks to you and everyone else who is respecting the "unofficial no more than two comments per day."
Sunny, If you would like to write up something specific for people going on the first cruise with you, I know you are an excellent writer, so write something up and e-mail it to me and maybe it will be included in one of the Newsletters that goes only to the people who have signed up for the Cruise Newsletters. Thanks.
Re another cruise, my thoughts now are a cruise departing from the east coast and it combines the Caribbean and passing through the Panama Canal-probably next spring.
Alaska and the Panama Canal have been #1 and 2 on my list of "to do" re travel. I'm excited about these cruises.
Take care, Richard
Freedom Tower
The Freedom Tower is the planned centerpiece building of the new World Trade Center complex in New York City, whose predecessors were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Official name World Trade Center
Tower One
Height to tip 1,776 ft (541 m)
Height to roof 1,362 ft (417 m)
Floors 82
Ground Breaking April 27, 2006
Top off 2011 (est.)
Opening Unknown
Gross floor area Unknown
Construction on below-grade utility relocations, footings, and foundations for the Freedom Tower began in the first quarter of 2006,
The building is projected to be ready for occupancy in 2010.
The tower will be located in the northwest corner of the 16 acre (65 000 m²) World Trade Center site
The height to the top of the spire is set to be 1,776 feet (541 m), symbolizing the year 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The height of the Freedom Tower is intended to surpass Chicago's Sears Tower to become the tallest building in the United States, and to be among the tallest buildings in the world when completed.
Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, the leaseholder and developer of the complex, is the probable owner of the Freedom Tower when completed.
However, the Port Authority owns the 16 acre (65 000 m²) site the tower occupies.
The Port Authority estimates the Freedom Tower to cost US$1.5 to 2 billion alone, or about $675 per square foot ($7,300/m²).
On this day...
1952 - Occupied Japan: Japan was once again an independent state, when the Treaty of San Francisco entered into force.
2001 - Dennis Tito became the world's first fee-paying space tourist, riding the Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Whatever Our WILDEST DREAMS May Be, They Only Scratch The Surface Of What Is Possible.
'Becoming Like God' page 29
Author Yehuda Berg
I've just been reading some of the past few blogs. I know someone (Nancy?) asked if Seattle has more than one airport, but I'm not sure if she ever got her answer.
There are two airports in Seattle, Boeing Field and SeaTac. Boeing Field does have a few local commuter flights on very small aircraft, so its name might come up on a web search for flights to Seattle.
However, for all practical purposes, Seattle does have only one airport, and that is SeaTac.
Recently there has been a big ruckus among major airlines becuase Southwest wants to begin flying into Boeing Field. This is in keeping with Southwest's work model as evidenced in Houston and Dallas, where they fly into smaller airports. The ruckus came about because the other airlines didn't want to be saddled with higher operating expenses than their competitor.
I'm not sure just where Southwest's aspirations stand at this point.
All any of you need to know is that SeaTac (Seattle/Tocama) is where you want to go.
It was about a $25 taxi ride into Seattle from the airport, but with the current high gasoline prices, very probably there will be an additional fuel surcharge. There is also a shuttle bus service. I doubt that there is much difference in cost between taxi and shuttle for one person, but sharing a cab is most likely cheaper if any of you can make plans to meet at the airport and ride in together.
The port of Seattle website might be helpful--http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/
Safari Soul I totally agree with you about your regrets. When I went to Alaska 2 years ago, I didn't do everything I wanted to. This time, I WILL do those certain things - like take the smaller boat right up to the glacier and float right in amongst the ice bergs that have broken off. OR, I'll do the heli ride like you mentioned. You do have to be pick and choose your outings carefully, though, because some are highly over-rated and expensive for what they are.
I'm getting so excited because today I realized that there are only 8 weeks and 2 days left of school for me! Then a lovely lazy summer before heading down to Seattle to go up to Alaska.
Richard Count me in for the Caribbean cruise - never been and have always wanted to. Also, it'll give me a chance to see the East and visit some of my new friends from there!
LIFE IS GOOD! :D
Oh Josie! Re your suggestion - I'd be Mitzi Gross! How'd ya like that! LOL
Leslie, one of the doctors I work with would be Ming Ming Noriega.
I would be Jiggs Larner. :-)
Richard, it's still up in the air if I will be able to go on the Alaska cruise, as much as I would REALLY like to go. I won't know for a few more weeks and hopefully by then it won't be sold out. But the Caribbean cruise would be something I would definitely do, so if you get any more information about that, it would be great.
Happy Friday, everyone...
Josie
My name would be Owl Hill....Not too sexsy.
Thanks, Safari Soul, for your airport information! Now my current research has to do with my flight (from Cleveland to Seattle). The only one-stop flight doesn't arrive until 10:37PM. I kind of hate to be alone at an airport so late. Does anyone else have a late flight (probably on the 9th, so we can partake in the 'festivities' on the 10th)? I'd love to have someone with whom to share a cab.
Nancy (in Ohio)
Hello Prof.Roe, Joe & Co :)
(I'm squeaking by with this one ;)
JOSIE: my name would be Mitzi(chihuahua) Rabinowitz.....rrf
SAFARI SOUL: I just have to comment on the Massai...they are a very Spiritual People and communicate over vast distances purely through telepathy from one village to the next! At night they use the Stars as their Guide as they are VERY connected to the Celestial Spheres. Their ancestry goes back thousands of years and are fully cognizant of that in terms of living according to it still today!
Life is truly an exciting journey of discovery!
luv
val
p.s. once you've been there Africa lives in your Soul!
dreamweaver18--you were talking of the Massai--indeed a very proud people. As I mentioned, my trip to Kenya was without a doubt the most personal meaningful trip I have ever taken. It is the only trip I ever recorded as a journal.
The following is an excerpt:
Our last day on safari, we visited a Massai village and learned a bit about their culture, which has remained virtually unchanged over time. The warriors of the clan welcomed us by performing a dance. Part of the dance pitted one warrior against another to see which could jump the highest. The higher a warrior can jump, the more fertile he proves himself to be. There must some very fertile warriors among that group!
Age and gender roles among the Massai are very specific, each with its own rituals and jobs.
Massai life centers around the livestock a tribe member owns. These are a nomadic people who roam where the grazing needs of their animals take them. Wealth is measured by livestock. Punishment and retribution for crimes and injustices are meted out in the form of a fine consisting of forfeiture of a set amount of livestock.
It is the job of young boys to tend the stock. These young boys have no rights, and can be beaten virtually at will by older members of the group. Becoming a warrior changes all that. Males are initiated into warrior hood between the ages of 16 and 20. The first step in this process is a circumcision ceremony. During the circumcision, the youth and his family will be disgraced if he grimaces or shows pain.
Warriors live apart from the tribe, and while they do not marry, they do have girlfriends. These girlfriends are young girls who have not yet reached puberty. After a number of years as a warrior, males move on to the next stage of their lives—junior elderhood. The elders marry, usually to females much younger than they. A man can have more than one wife if he wishes, but it requires a certain degree of wealth to be able to do so. Wives are paid for with livestock.
Girls also are initiated into adulthood by circumcision. Unlike the males, girls are allowed to scream and cry, but if they fight and kick, they will be held down until the circumcision is complete. The best I could ascertain is that girls are considered women at the onset of menses. Up until that time, they have much freedom. They travel with the warriors, and can choose their own lovers. If they become pregnant before circumcision, however, they will be in disgrace. Once circumcised, they are quickly put into arranged marriages. Life changes dramatically for them. It is their job to build the dung and stick huts that will be their homes. Each elder builds a circular area called a kraal, in which his family lives. Each wife has a separate hut for herself and her children. We were able to go inside one of these huts. They are all built of the same design. In the entry is a small stall to house infant animals to protect them from predators. The main living area is centered by an open fire. On either side of the fire pit is a built-in bed, one for the children, and the other for their mother. Even on a bright and sunny day, it is very dark inside, as each hut has only a couple of very small openings to let air and light in. There is a practical reason for this. The larger the opening, the more flies that have access to the interior.
The Massai are a proud people. Traditionally, no one messed with the Massai. They were feared for their tenacity in battle. Culturally, they grow up with pain, much of it self-inflicted in the name of beauty. Pain is not something they back away from. Even today, they still engage in a number practices that I describe as self-mutilation.
When we were ready to return to our vans, we were told that we were going to have an experience of a lifetime. Our vans had been moved away from the village, which is where we had been dropped off. After carefully being shielded from potential harm throughout our trip, we were now going to walk through unprotected areas where any of the predator animals conceivably could roam. True, it was thought that none of the big cats was in this area at this time. But, no one could say with certainty that was the case. We were divided into three groups of ten. Each group was accompanied by three Massai warriors armed only with spears, bows and arrows, courage and a heritage that is thousands of years old. I did note that while we tourists traipsed merrily, our protectors carefully watched the bushes and underbrush along the way.
safari soul,
What a great story of the Massai.
Girls before puberty, i.e. the onset of menses, usually cannot get pregnant.
Their "Circumcision" is not the removal of the foreskin, like in the male, but excision of the clitoris. It is meant to take away the pleasure of intercourse. Unfortunately this often results in a lot of scarring, making intercourse uncomfortable, and posing some problem with childbirth, since scar tissue is not elastic like normal tissue.
There are Arabic cultures that also still perform "female circumcision". A few years ago Jay Leno's wife was active with a group that tried to get this abolished.
Ellen
Droma,
The excerpt from my journal that I posted was solely what I had written about the Massai. There was so much more about my trip which I didn't share that had to do with the beautful animals.
One thing your comments brought to mind...and something I had not recorded...the circumsised women could be identified by an ankle bracelet they wore.
I have to say, after being told that, I had to supress a visible shiver when I noted these ankle bracelets on virtually all the adult women we encountered.
I too was familiar with what female circumcision means.
And with both males and females, these circumcisions were performed without any anesthesia.
Shalom/Salaam/Goeie More/Buenos Dias/Bonjourno...Prof. Roe;), Joe, Posse and Fellow Travelers!
JOSIE:
Mother Eagle's first Eaglet has hatched, what wonderment! I so enjoy observing This American Bald Eagle...truly a symbol of strength and being the highest flying bird of them all, speaks for itself!
SAFARI SOUL: the Kalahari Bushmen are also very intelligent and live soley off the land as their ancestors did. They are a very short people in stature and strong too, where the Masai are extrememly tall as you know! I have always found the different tribesman/women of Africa in particular interesting! When buying African beaded jewellery try to find out the meaning of the colours and design on each piece as each colour is significant! Certain tribes paint the outside of their houses in vivid colours, looks incredible ...especially the Ndabele, Zulu, Bantu and Xhosa too!
to be continued...
luv
senior-ita-chickita bachelorette
val
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.
(Hardly seems worth it.)
If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb.
(Now that's more like it!)
The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet.
(O.M.G.!)
A A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes.
(In my next life, I want to be a pig.)
A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death.
(Creepy.)
(I'm still not over the pig.)
Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories a hour
(Don't try this at home,maybe at work)
The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off.
("Honey, I'm home.What the....?!")
The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field.
(30 minutes..lucky pig! Can you imagine?)
The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.
(What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond? )
Some lions mate over 50 times a day.
(I still want to be a pig in my next life..quality over quantity)
Butterflies taste with their feet.
(Something I always wanted to know.)
The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
(Hmmmmmm......)
Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.
(If you're ambidextrous, do you split the difference?)
Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump.
(okay, so that would be a good thing)
A cat's urine glows under a black light.
(I wonder who was paid to figure that out?)
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
( I know some people like that.)
Starfish have no brains
(I know some people like that too.)
Polar bears are left-handed.
(If they switch, they'll live a lot longer)
Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure.
(What about that pig??)
***********************************
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