By Craig Thomas

You already know Missouri beat Kansas yesterday 41-39. Hopefully you got a chance to be there or watch the game on television. Here are some notes from the athletic department and elsewhere:

- Grant Ressel’s memorable field goal was MU’s first last-second field goal while down to win a game since 1972. The Tigers trailed by one until Ressel knocked it through with no time on the clock.

- Danario Alexander is the No. 1 statistical receiver in the country right now. He is averaging 137 yards receiving per game. As Robert points out in his story this morning, Alexander has broken all of Jeremy Maclin’s single-season records from last year.

- The 80 total points were the most scored since KU beat MU 53-29 in November 1991 in Lawrence.

- KU wore helmets with the Jayhawk logo on them for the first time since 1991. One MU player said he liked the light feel of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms. Players will now keep that equipment for themselves.

- KU fans sound off on Mangino. Of course, Sam talked to fans BEFORE the loss.

- Oklahoma State lost to OU yesterday, which probably didn’t help Missouri’s bowl outlook. The Cowboys will surely not be picked by a BCS bowl and would therefore slip into the regular Big 12 list.

- Props to the KC Star copy editor or whoever gave Mike DeArmond’s game story the title “Ressel Mania”. Good stuff.

If you’re in the US, here’s hoping you had a lovely Thanksgiving.  This summary is almost certainly incomplete as I’m filing it before departing for Michigan on Thursday.  But unless Brangelina announce a Thanksgiving Day adoption surprise, that’s probably not the end of the world.

Just in case you’re traveling, here’s the planes, trains and automobiles take on baby naming:

• Renault is calling its new electric car the Zoé.  According to the Daily Mail, this has resulted in quite the flap in France, where Zoé is a top twenty name for girls.  Parents have started online petitions; Renault says it is sticking by the name;
• I’m not familiar with the site, but Targana is reporting that a woman gave birth on a train and named her son Lalu – after politician and former Minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav;
• And just to complete the trifecta, the baby named AirAsia after arriving aboard an Air Asia flight has been gifted with free flights for life.

A few other interesting links:

• Sebastiane is back, and she’s posted about some gems.  I quite like Svante and company, as well as Kaija – you might recognize her as a Finnish nickname for Katherine, but she’s also a Latvian name meaning seagull;
• Nancy had added prompts to her baby name site.  It’s far more helpful than asking your husband if he thinks his style is classic-modern or more modern-traditional?  Help her build the list here;
• Namberry has a fun list: 20 Lost Literary Girls’ Names.  I love Thisbe – though as Kat commented, it may not be the best reference to inspire a child’s name;
• I always tell myself not to be surprised by names spotted by Bewildertrix.  Then I click on one of her posts and see that Charlie Chilli has arrived;
• Would you name your twin sons Canyon Clay and Cavern Cane?  For Real Baby Names spotted that unusual set.  I do know another boy called Canyon, from our old ‘hood.  On his own, I rather like it.

I love a good celeb-with-offspring event for namespotting.  This Celebrity Baby Blog story mentioned a few interesting combos:

• Mary James – James Marsden’s daughter; 
• Medium’s handsome husband Jake Weber has a son called Waylon;
• Chef Wolfgang Puck passed on his first name as a middle for sons Alexander Wolfgang and Oliver Wolfgang;
• Hamish Linklater of The New Adventures of Old Christine has a darling daughter, Lucinda Rose.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Nameberry posted on Tom – as in turkey.  Thomas wears quite well on a little boy, and is the name of a dear friend of ours, too.  But ’round our house, Thomas is a train.

This blog post proves that some dads are really into baby names.  (Arthur, are you reading?)  The couple came up with four interesting choices.  Their daughters are Rica Emmanuele and Nadine Ysabele; their two sons are Joseph Leonele and Andre Ezekiele.  It almost makes me hope they’re planning on a fifth so I can see a shortlist of possibles!

Speaking of interesting sibsets, check out Nancy’s post on this 13-and-counting clan from England.  I won’t list them here, but let me say this: Morpheus and Peppermint are among the siblings.  I can hear you mousing over already …

Thanks for reading!

Owen, Noah, Aaron, Rylen, Bruce, Holden, Parker, Matthew, Spencer, Dawson, Brandon, Trey, Tucker, Nathan, Kain, Jacob, Alexander, Collin, Benjamin, Nicholas, Austin, Joshua, Evan, Jack, Neco, Cooper, Elijah, Kyle, Oscar, Keegan, Malcolm, Mason, Bregan, Madden, Myles, Caeden, Brenden, Pryor, Maurice, Nicky.

Gabriella, Jillian, Lillian, Audrey, Ruby May, Erin, Bianca, Jade, Rylee, Aili, Trynity, Meghan, Olivia, Elise, Quinn, Ariana, Charlotte, Beatrix, Abigail, Layla, Kenley, Caoimhe, Cailyn, Ava, Carolina, Mia, Ailey, Alena.

~ In celebration of “Black Friday,” I’m sharing one of my favorite essays. It was originally published May 21, 2009.  Enjoy!

“The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude”  [Dennis Brown].

Let’s face it: bad days happen to everyone — no one is immune. Sometimes you know from the minute you wake-up, (late — because you forgot to set the alarm) and sometimes you don’t realize the storm clouds of misfortune are forming in the distance until you arrive at your destination, only to discover a colleague’s bad day is raining on your parade.

Wouldn’t it be great if, in addition to the headlines, the weather, and traffic conditions, local news stations could provide us with the mood outlook for the day? Maybe it would sound something like this:

• We’re expecting a strong frustration front to blow in this afternoon. Be sure to take your resilience with you. You might also want to consider packing an extra dose of enthusiasm before you head out the door.

• Eye in the Sky is reporting that you’ll want to avoid the Accounting and Finance Departments entirely this morning. There’s been a huge pile-up of egos, unmet expectations, and ineffective processes in that area. HR is now on the scene, but it looks like progress will be backed up for hours.

• The big headline this morning is that power remains out in the Customer Service Department. It appears that a supervisor, who had previously reported ongoing communication problems, blew up late yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on that floor was affected. No word yet on when crews will be able to restore productivity to that area.

If we’re wise, we’ll be initiating defensive maneuvers (for example, reading motivational books and articles) before we’re hit broadside by the attitudes of others. What safety measures are you engaging to protect your attitude?

One of my favorite children’s books is by Judith Viorst entitled, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This humorous short story follows a boy named Alexander throughout his day, documenting how (from his view) everything and everyone (including the family pet) conspires to make his day horrible. He’s not permitted to sit by the window during the ride to school; his mother forgot to pack dessert in his lunch; there are lima beans for dinner (UGH!) and, “The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me.”

At the end of the book it’s the end of the day and Alexander repeats yet again, “It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” His mother responds simply, “some days are like that.”  Isn’t that the truth?

The good thing about life is that it is just so . . . daily! If you don’t like how today turned out, despite your very best effort, don’t despair. You’ll get another chance tomorrow.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely . . ” [Ralph Waldo Emerson].

Just remember, “happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude” [Dale Carnegie]. Regardless of uncontrollable external conditions swirling around, you have absolute control over your attitude and your response.

One of my favorite quotes is attributed to former Boston Celtic Bill Russell, “The game is scheduled, we have to play it — we might as well win.”

Are you in it to win it today? Or are you going to allow the torrential downpour of negative news, grouchy coworkers, and rude drivers quench your positive outlook? “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” [Maya Angelou].

Whatever you are, be a good one!

Deanna

This year, more than ever before, I am thankful for my and my family’s overall health. While there have been a number of scary moments throughout the past year, including my own surgery, Alex’s struggling to breath, Zach’s father spending a week in the hospital, and my great aunt being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, I am thankful that we were all helped. We have health insurance, and for that I am thankful. We have the ability to pay for what isn’t covered, and for that I am thankful. We have each other, a support system, and for that I am very thankful.

I have only been in nursing school for three months, but I have spent over 300 hours working with patients in the hospital. Some are relatively healthy, most are not. Some have family, a lot do not. Some have health insurance, others will be bankrupt after they leave the hospital and receive the bill. Some got better, a few did not.

This year, I am thankful for what I can do. It may not be much as a student nurse, but I have witnessed firsthand what a difference the little I can do makes to a patient. From helping with a bath and changing sheets, to actually listening to what they have to say and going out of my way to get them food that they will consume, to giving them pain medication when their nurse is struggling to keep up with her patient load.

I am grateful that I live the way I do: with Zach and Alex, in a good neighborhood, near my mother and soon near Zach’s parents. We may struggle, but at the end of the day we have food in our bellies, clothes on our back, and a really, amazingly, wonderful life.

Today, I am thankful for a lot.

Today, I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. And I am thankful that my mother came over early to help me prepare.

Today, Alex said “tankooo” about 50 times. And for that? I am thankful. Those simple words tell me that he is happy, healthy, and becoming a wonderful little man.

Two years ago, we celebrated Alex’s first Thanksgiving:

This year we had a friend of the family over with her son. And for the first time, I witnessed Alex truly interacting with another child. They spent almost the entire afternoon and evening playing together, and for that? I am thankful.

I am thankful regardless of the fact that a large chunk of that “interacting” was…active, let’s say.

And for the record, I’m also thankful for sweater vests and the simple pleasure that a paper napkin can bring to a toddler.

안녕하세요 @ 상해 (Shanghai)~
Title: Hello @ Shanghai~

키스미 여러분~~~
Kiss Me~~~
하우 아 유??
Ha-oo ah yoo??
How are you??

유키스 지금은 상해에 있습니다!!!
U-Kiss is in Shanghai now!!!

이따 저랑 일라이가 패션쇼에서 게스트 모델 해야되요~ ^^
Eli and I have been selected as guest models for the fashion show~ ^^
근데……
But……
사실…….
Honestly…….
자신있지만요……
Although I have confidence……
너무 떨려요!!!
[I am] So NERVOUS!!!
이렇게 많은 사람 앞에서 옷이 조금만 입는거 첨 이에요!!! >.<
It’s the first time I’m wearing so little in front of so many people!!! >.<

아이구…. 멈이 너무 말라서 죄송해요….
Aigoo…. Sorry if I’m too skinny….
사람이 아마 코피나겠다……
Perhaps the audience will get a nosebleed……

내일는 우리 케빈 의 18세생일에요!!
Tomorrow is Kevin’s 18th birthday!!
어떻하죠?????
What am I going to do?????
제가 케빈 한테 뭐 줄까요…?
What am I going to give Kevin…?
캔 유 기브 미 섬 앳바이스 필리스????
Kaen yoo gi-beu mi sum aet-ba-i-seu pil-li-seu????
Can you give me some advice please????
아이 원 투 매이크 케빈 베리 행복해~
Ah-i won tu mae-i-keu Kevin be-ri happy~
I want to make Kevin very happy~
벗 아이 돈트 노우 하우 투 두 잇…..
But ah-i don-teu no-woo ha-woo too doo it……
But I don’t know how to do it……

OH! I gotta go now~ TTYL!!!

Credits: u-kiss.co.kr + ukissme.SG

Credits: ubiquitouskiss.wordpress.com (re-post)

Moshi-moshi minna-sama… Ocha is back with unhealthy feel…sakit mulu ya akuuu…*curhaaaaat*udah…aku kombek with new message from my babeh….xander…nih dia…

=====================================================

Title: We’re BACK~
Title: Kami kembali~
다녀왔습니다 키스미~~
Kiss Me we’re back~~
Kiss Me kami kembali~~
오늘 새벽 4시준비하고요 일직 비행기 닸어요~
Today we got ready at 4 in the morning and took the plane~
Hari ini kami siap2 jam 4 pagi dan naik pesawat~
방금 도착하고요 지금 뮤뱅 준비하고있어요~
We just got back and we’re preparing for Music Bank now~
Kami baru saja kembali dan bersiap untuk tampil di Music Bank sekarang~
짱 피곤해용… 근데도 즐거워요~ ^w^
[I'm]VERY tired… But it’s still fun~ ^w^
[Aku] SANGAT capek…Tapi tetap menyenangkan~ ^w^
맞다~
Oh right~
Oh Ya~
1) 패션쇼 사진 봤죠???
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
1) You’ve seen the fashion show right???
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
1) Sudah lihat fashion show-nya khan???

kekekekeke
2) 호텔에서 케빈이랑 같이 방 썼어요~
케빈의생일때 최선으로 케빈한테 행복하게 만들었어요~
아이 앰 소우 착해…..
2) I shared a room with Kevin in the hotel~
I was the first one to make Kevin happy on his birthday~
I am so kind…..
2)Aku sekamar dgn Kevin di hotel~

Aku yg pertama kali bikin kevin senang di hari ultahnya~

Baiknya aku….
3) 지금 준비해야되니까요 이따 밤에 케빈이랑 계속 칫 챗 (chit chat) 할게요~
우리 케빈이 오늘 밤에 글쓸거니까요 I’ll try to chat too~
3) I have to go and get ready now but with Kevin we’ll continue to chit chat~
Kevin will write tonight and I’ll try to chat too~
3)Aku musti pergi sekarang dan sudah siap sekarang tapi dengan kevin kita bakal ngobrol2 lagi~

Kevin bakal nulis pesan malam ini dan aku akan mencoba untuk chatting juga (OL maksudnya ya…beh??)
Alrite!!! 이따봐용~~~ CHU ^3^
Alrite!!! See you later~~~ CHU ^3^
=====================================================

Duh…babeh baek amat yaaaa….hayooo…yg bisa inetan malem-malem tungguin noh kephin ma xander ntar OL ni malem…pgn khan chatting langsung ma mereka…makanya…buka homepage resminya…biarin ajah matamu mabok ma hangul trus liat sapa yang online…selamat menanti semua…
Credits: u-kiss.co.kr + ukissme.SG (Translations) +Ocha for Indonesian trans @ AAU

Credits: ubiquitouskiss.wordpress.com

Ich habe Verräterkinder!

Nachdem nun am Montag die Bude voll war (Chrissi und Zoe) und gestern die Bude halbvoll war (Finn und Chrissi – Amai war bei Alexander), habe ich heute Morgen zu Finn und Amai gesagt, dass sie sich heute mal nicht verabreden sollen! Das wurde auch kommentarlos hingenommen, weil beide total müde und kuschelig waren. 

Im Kindergarten war heute der Fotograf und entsprechend mussten ich die Beiden natürlich zurechtmachen. Finn wie gehabt mit Schlips und Anzug und Amai als Tussi in lila mit Satin?hose und Glitzerjacke, nebst Haarkranz. Total platt und müde waren sie aber weiterhin und so habe ich mich breitschlagen lassen und versprochen, dass ich die 2 VOR dem Mittag abhole. Das machen wir manchmal, wenn ich eher von der Arbeit wegkomme.

Bei der Arbeit hat sich dann schon wieder mein schlechtes Gewissen geregt (Ich schlechte Mutter, lasse meine Kinder nicht ihre Freunde treffen, sie werden sozial verwahrlosen und sind bestimmt später mal ganz ganz einsam) und habe beschlossen, wenn die Zwei sich schon nicht verabreden dürfen, dann machen wir was Schönes. (Ich glaube, so zieht man sich einen Ödipussi ran, oder?) 

Gesagt, getan – ich hab meine Kinder abgeholt und im Auto kundgetan, dass wir jetzt einkaufen fahren und Plätzchen backen! Natürlich wollten sie auf gar keinen Fall Plätzchen backen, sondern viel lieber Kekse! Klar – kein Thema – spontan wie ich bin, sind wir von Plätzchen auf Kekse umgeswitcht!

Lecker Schmecker Mittagsessen – Spinat/Fischstäbchen und versalzener Kartoffelbrei mit groben Stücken. Weil wir alle drei SOLCHEN Hunger hatten, das ich nicht warten konnte, bis die Kartoffeln WIRKLICH ganz weich waren.

…und los ging es mit dem Teig anrühren. Butterkeksteig anrühren und kühl stellen. Zimtsternplätzchenfertigteig zurechtlegen und die Kinder schonmal ausstechen lassen und als Plätzchenkeks Nr. 3 das Frau…äh…Mutti´sche Schneeflöckchen. Die haben wir schon letztes Jahr gemacht und ich glaube sogar das Jahr davor – aber diesmal standen wir auf dem Kriegsfuss, der elende Teig und ich.

 Während also der Butterkeks noch ruhte und Finn und Amai sich um den einzig wahren supertollen allerbesten Metallsternaustecher gezankt haben, habe ich versucht eine gewisse Festigkeit in den Teig zu bekommen.

Hat nicht geklappt – immer wieder ist mir das Mistding zerbröselt. Mittlerweile steht der Teig immer noch im Kühlschrank als Klumpen – der nun aber mittlerweile hart wie Beton geworden ist. Er bekommt morgen noch eine Chance – ansonsten wandert er in den Müll. Oder kennt jemand den ultimativen Teigrettungstipp. Das Rezept gibts hier zu lesen.  (Ich hoffe das  Verlinken ist OK, Frau…äh… Mutti, – aber ich bin echt verzweifelt)

Gut, Schneeflöckchenteig in die Verbannung und die Zimtsterne in den Ofen. Nun ging es los mit den Butterkeksen und gerade als ich (natürlich hatte ich die doppelte Menge Teig gemacht) ellenbogentief im Teig gesteckt habe und nebenbei den elenden Metallsternausstecher konfisziert habe – klingelte das Telefon.

Alexander möchte gerne mit Finn spielen! Klar! Gerne – wir backen schliesslich gerade Plätzchenkekse, da kann er gerne mitmachen.!!

Alexander kam und beide Jungs sprachen es aus: “Wir haben keine Lust zu backen!”

Also nur noch Amai und ich – die Frauenpower schlechthin! Das Dreamteam! Mutter und Tochter, gemeinsam vereint vor gefühlten 20 kg Teig!

Wir haben also die ersten Figuren ausgestochen und Schneeflöckchen, Weißröckchen gesungen … da klingelte das Telefon!

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Chrissi sitzt zu Hause und möchte gerne mit Amai spielen!

Tja – und dann ging es schwupp die wupp. Amai bei Chrissi, Finn mit Alex im Kinderzimmer, der Spillie-Papa bei der Arbeit und mein einziger wahrer Freund in dieser Stunde: Der Keksteig und ich!

Ich hab Haltung bewahrt und die Plätzchen selber gebacken. Sie sind schön geworden. Alle heile geblieben, keine abgebrochenen Stücke und einer wie der andere. Langweilig, oder?

Nun bin ich gespannt! Morgen können Finn und Amai sich tatsächlich nicht verabreden, weil morgen ihre erste Karatestunde ist (wir werden natürlich berichten) aber ich hoffe, dass aus den ordentlichen Keksen mit der richtigen Ladung Zuckerguss und Zuckerperlen, die richtigen Kinderkekse werden!

JAWOLL!!!

Liebe Grüße

Eure Spillie-Mama

Op dinsdag had ik een sollicitant voor Rijcomfortabel.nl. Aangezien ik mijn pak in Willemstad had laten liggen, moest ik deze op maandag gaan ophalen. Gelukkig hoefde ik niet zo ver, want ik zou in Rotterdam een vriend van mij ontmoeten die mijn pak mee zou nemen naar de Erasmus Universiteit. Het zou dus maar even duren…

Mijn terugreis was van Kralingse Zoom naar Rotterdam Alexander, door naar Gouda en uiteindelijk Utrecht Centraal.
Even ter opfrissing en informatie; het was verschrikkelijk smerig weer en ik was weer in een van mijn balsturige buien.
Na wat vertraging met de metro kom ik aan op Rotterdam Alexander. Ik sta met pakweg 30 personen te wachten op een trein. Dat is, we staan niet zozeer op de komst van de trein te wachten, maar we staan te wachten tot de deuren opengaan. Ik vroeg mij af waarom de trein – ookal is het op dat moment 10:12 en de trein 10:11 zou moeten vertrekken – 10 minuten vertraging moest hebben als deze al op het perron stond.

Naast mij stond een agent. Nu heb ik afgelopen week gehoord dat in Nederland mensen geen respect meer hebben voor het gezag van een agent, maar voor deze moest je wel respect hebben. De diender was namelijk zo’n 2 meter en 5 centimeter.

Ik wilde hem vragen wat er aan de hand was, maar zoals ik al zei; ik was in een balsturige bui.

In mijn semi-Rotterdams, semi-Brabants accent open ik met de woorden “Sjo, de arm der wet heeft lange benen, istnie?”

Dit werd op zijn zachtstgezegd niet gewaardeerd. Na vermelding dat ik maar een grapje maakte werd ik gered door het openen van de treindeuren.

“Nogmaals mijn excuses” riep ik en de deuren sloten achter mij.

Eenmaal in de trein aangekomen bleek dat de trein niet de intentie had te vertrekken. Een paniekerige omroepstem op het perron droeg dan ook niet bepaald bij aan het idee ‘in de juiste trein’ te zitten.

“Dit is een oproep aan de machinist van treinstel 5412 die stilstaat op spoor 1 van Rotterdam Alexander, u wordt gevraagd zo spoedig mogelijk contact op te nemen met de Centrale.”

“Ja deze trein moest tot stilstand komen met de noodrem” riepen twee jongens.
 

“En we mogen niet eens uit de trein” riep een vrouw die net daarvoor met de “Zugfuhrer” had staan praten.

Intermezzo:
Ik heb dat één keer eerder meegemaakt op Station Dordrecht.
Situatie: In totaal zaten we met 4 man in de coupé: Een vriend van mij en twee onbekenden. Ineens gingen de lichten uit en leek station Dordrecht volledig verlaten (op wat tumbleweeds na). Het bord dat nog geen 3 minuten daarvoor aangaf naar Breda en Tilburg te vertrekken was blank.
De twee onbekenden gingen op onderzoek uit. Niet omdat wij niet wilden weten wat er aan de hand was, maar wij dachten stoer af te wachten wat er zou gaan gebeuren. Toen de jongens terugkwamen met de boodschap dat er niemand in de trein, noch op het perron was en dat de deuren niet meer openden, sprintte ik in de richting van waar de hoofdconducteur had moeten zitten. Ineens was er een klein stemmetje dat zei “BOM”.

Ik tikte zonder aarzelen het ruitje in om de luchtdrukhendel (?) van de treindeur uit te trekken om (zoals vermeld op het plaatje wat er naast hangt) de deur open te duwen.

…

Dat lukte dus niet helemaal. We kregen met 4 man die gehele kutdeur niet open en terwijl ik het schrijf kan ik er nog pissig om worden dat zoiets mogelijk is (of dus eigenlijk niet mogelijk is).

Enfin, op momenten dat ik niet weet wat ik moet doen, doe ik onbewust briljante dingen: als ‘last resort’ trok ik aan de noodrem. Dat hielp niet, althans dat dacht ik. De jongens kregen daarna een andere deur wel open en we konden de trein verlaten (kennelijk zorgde de noodrem ervoor dat er weer stroom op de deuren kwam om deze te openen).

Ineens – alsof de Wieckse Witte fabriek weer openging – waren er weer mensen op het station en snelden er twee conducteurs op ons af. Boos vroegen ze aan mij – alsof ik er een gezicht voor heb – of ik ‘het licht’ (jawel) was die de noodrem had aangetrokken. Woester vroeg ik hen (met mijn hand lichtelijk bebloed van het ruitje inslaan) of zij ‘de lichten’ waren die ons hadden opgesloten in de trein.

Maar goed, dit was alwaar 3 jaar geleden, nu zat ik alweer opgesloten in een trein en ditmaal een waarvan de remmen niet goed werkten, of op zijn minst niet goed hadden gewerkt. Na 15 minuten ging de trein weer rijden. De meeste inzittenden verwachtten daarom ook binnen 10 minuten op station Gouda te zijn.
Het liep een beetje anders… Station Gouda werd voorbijgesneld alsof we net in Space Mountain waren afgeschoten.

Ik kan je vertellen… dan zit je niet lekker meer in een trein.

…

Achteraf bleek dat er was omgeroepen dat de trein niet meer te Gouda zou stoppen (en daarmee bedoelde ze dus kennelijk ook dat er niet geremd werd voor Station Gouda) en dat er eigenlijk geen complicaties meer waren in de trein.

Toen ik voorbij Gouda reed stuurde ik toch voor de zekerheid een smsje naar mijn vriendin dat ik in een trein zonder rem zat en dat ik haar – hoe kreupel ik ook uit de trein zou komen – altijd lief zou hebben.

Toen ik veilig uitgestapt was kreeg ik een respons:

“Appelmoes, witbrood (zonder zaadjes), raketijsjes van Ola…”

Ach ja, het is goed om te weten dat je gewaardeerd wordt…

From Federalist No. 1 – First published in the Independent Journal on October 27, 1787 in support of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution as drafted in the Continental Congress of 1787

“And yet, however just these sentiments will be allowed to be, we have already sufficient indications that it will happen in this as in all former cases of great national discussion. A torrent of angry and malignant passions will be let loose. To judge from the conduct of the opposite parties, we shall be led to conclude that they will mutually hope to evince the justness of their opinions, and to increase the number of their converts by the loudness of their declamations and the bitterness of their invectives. An enlightened zeal for the energy and efficiency of government will be stigmatized as the offspring of a temper fond of despotic power and hostile to the principles of liberty. An over-scrupulous jealousy of danger to the rights of the people, which is more commonly the fault of the head than of the heart, will be represented as mere pretense and artifice, the stale bait for popularity at the expense of the public good. It will be forgotten, on the one hand, that jealousy is the usual concomitant of love, and that the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust. On the other hand, it will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.” -PUBLIUS

Two hundred twenty-two years later, and this warning still applies to public debate in the United States today.

More to come…

So, I am driving back home today…I am so happy to be going home today. But this more less implies it’s a quick post today. Without further delay guys, here is some more Epic Passages for you all!

The Cave

A black cavern

Stone fangs just from the floor and ceiling

Like a maw of a beast

Small gleaming eyes spark in the darkness

A noise is mad when a pebble bounces

Jarred by a unwary boot

Soon things wake

And rush out

Consuming the intruder that disturbed

Silence follows

The Storm

Tall dark clouds

Scattering the last rays of light

Painting them in depictions of fire

Lighting breaks the scene

Flashing away to strike the ground

Thunder trails with a resounding crash

Wind howls in the sky

Thrashing in concert with the sky’s fire

Rain grays the land as it drenches

Falling heavily to only sit

The Lake

Empty calm

The water ripples lightly

A shape is seen a figure crouches on the shore

Hands are moved intricately

It begins to swirl

Soon white comes up

It rises above the waves

With skin gleaming in the soft light

The figure warps it in enchantments

It is then its eyes open

www.prettyboys.de/

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Gästebilder: 2008

     THE POWER OF TALK !
TV & Radio Liveshows von Ali Khan sind Kult. Und das nicht erst seit gestern. 6 Jahre (96-02) lang täglich live und unzensiert im TV, seit 2005 als Live-Radioshow bei 95.5 Charivari. Kaum jemand, der sie nicht kennt, oder gar in ihr aufgetreten ist. Vom Münchner Oberbürgermeister (der sogar dreimal Livegast war) über Boxweltmeister, Kickboxweltmeister, Breakdanceweltmeister, stärkste Männer Deutschlands, singende Müllmänner, Kabarettisten, Trambahnfahrer, Polizisten, Verlierer, Pizzafahrer, Prostituierte, Dichter, Denker, Politiker, Musiker, Maler, Wissenschaftler, Comedians, Begnadete, Schriftsteller, Prominente, Olympiasieger, Nichtprominente, von Bloodhound Gang über Marcel Reich-Ranici bis Margot Hellwig, Ali Khan-Fans & Hasser, und, und, und… Ali Khan war und ist Vorreiter für viele Medienformate, die das Original zu imitieren suchen.

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Given British TV is littered with Z-list slebs at the moment in various reality TV shows, this Famous Grouse TV spot couldn’t be launched at a more appropriate time in my book.

Short, pithy and mildly humorous, it says what it needs to about our vapid celeb obsessed culture (with whisky loving tongue firmly implanted in cheek).

I can’t see it causing Meerkat style outpourings of love on Facebook (be interesting to see what if anything they do in the social space), but it’s a perfectly respectable TV spot none the less…

Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And despite being Scottish, isn’t the biggest whisky fan…

You know when people just don’t understand you? Like when you say something and they have a complete and utter blank look on their face? I mean, I feel like I get those thoughts, and most of the time people do not let me entirely say so I can get them to understand where I am coming from. This blog is part of that, since I guess, it takes a bit more time for me to explain myself to people, but most make an assumption after the first two sentences from me and then they pass judgment on my thought or idea.

I guess it’s a question of how I am mostly off in left field. More than likely after reading a few thoughts in these posts of mine you have come to that conclusion. And at this point it is starting to disintegrate into a quiet yet defiant frustration. I mean, I can say all I want at this point and it will get me nowhere.

This may appear that I am whining, but I guess it is in a sense. I just wish people would take a minute slow down and here me out. In fact, like my post the other day the world does need to slow down in general. But, to direct this back to what I was saying, I guess I have been feeling really misunderstood lately and that people cannot take me for me.

At this point, after writing this blog and reflecting a bit, I have to realize that I just don’t care. Let people be people and I have to stop being so sensitive. It’s a bit hard, since it’s even taking me a post to do this, but sometimes that’s what it takes. Though I think we can all take a little bit of this to heart in some form or fashion.

Thank you all for taking the time to hear me out and explain myself.

As I read the Great Books and the ancient Greeks and Romans in particular, it strikes me just how much people have not changed over the thousands of years that have passed.

It is oddly fitting that I write this on the forty-sixth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, because the reading this time in Plutarch’s biography of Alexander the Great. Alexander’s rise to power began with the assassination of his father, Phillip, which, even thousands of years later, still has conspiracy theories attached to it.

But much about Alexander the Great remains mysterious, even to Plutarch who wrote several hundred years after his death. An attempt to find the historical Alexander requires any would-be biographer to sift through legends and interpretations of earlier biographers. In his book Alexander The Great, Historian J.R. Hamilton explains this issue and talks about how different modern biographers interpret Alexander as a tyrant or renaissance gentleman, depending on their own station in life and history.

This long introduction, then, is to say that in reading Plutarch’s life of Alexander, we need to be careful what lessons we draw from it. Plutarch himself writes how accounts of Alexander’s life written by his generals vary widely even though they were written shortly after his death.

In thinking over the life of Alexander, I am struck by a couple of points that come through in Plutarch’s narrative. The first is that we see in Alexander the model of someone obsessed by a particular vision of himself and his goals. We can’t argue that Alexander conquered a great amount of territory, but the second thing that comes through is that he just kept campaigning but there was no end to his war. So, we see the danger of ambition and obsession.

Although in this volume there appears to be no introduction or direction from Plutarch as to how we are to read his writings, the tone and phrasing at points shows that he means for them to be instructive. Plutarch definitely subscribes to the “Great Man” theory of history that history is created by great individuals who cause things to happen. In these biographies, it seems Plutarch is teaching us both about history and about how to be successful.

People have told me that Alexander’s father, Philip, was the one who was responsible for Alexander’s success because he laid the foundation by building the army and creating the tactics Alexander used. He also gave Alexander a pretty good foundation. Plutarch seems to have heard this argument, judging by the following paragraph. 

“Alexander was but twenty years old when his father was murdered, and succeeded to a kingdom, beset on all sides with great dangers and rancorous enemies. For not only the barbarous nations that bordered on Macedonia were impatient of being governed by any but their own native princes, but Philip likewise, though he had been victorious over the Grecians, yet, as the time had not been sufficient for him to complete his conquest and accustom them too his sway, had simply left all things in general disorder and confusion.”

Looking at Alexander’s traits, as laid out by Plutarch, we read that his was fixated on becoming a king, and even emperor, from an early age; “when he was asked by some about him if he would run a race in the Olympic games, as he was very swift footed, he answered, he would, if he might have kings to run with him.”  

Plutarch also tells us that Alexander was not always happy about the successes of his father.

 “Whenever he heard Philip had taken any town of importance, or won any signal victory, instead of rejoicing at it altogether, he would tell his companions that his father would anticipate everything, and leave him and them no opportunities of performing great and illustrious actions.”

 Alexander was concerned with a life of action and glory and not riches and pleasures, Plutarch tells us. He was mostly moderate with his food and drinking, though a few drunken arguments and at least one death are part of his life. Alexander was concerned with military accomplishment, and spent his off hours hunting because this was the way to keep his battle skills sharp. Apparently fighting with lions and wild boards required the same skills as fighting barbarians.

But in all of this campaigning and establishing cities and extending his empire, there is never a point where Alexander says “enough.” Instead he keeps pushing east trying to keep his Macedonian soldiers and his newly conquered and absorbed “barbarian” troops loyal and marching forward. Ultimately, he ends up on the edge of India and takes part of the subcontinent, but stops when he hears that large armies backed by elephants are waiting for him if he presses any further. His troops also had been worn down by this point, and many of the Macedonians just wanted to go home. Alexander, in the classic military bravado, “attacks in another direction down the Arabian peninsula, near the modern Persian gulf, and loses a large number of men to famine.

Short after returning to familiar lands, which as near as I can tell would be modern-day Iraq, he fell sick and died. He conquered lands were divided among his top men, and no real “Alexandrian empire” remained thereafter.  So, what was the point of all the campaigning and fighting? 

That’s not clear to me, but there were some side-effects that are interesting (though these don’t appear in the Plutarch biography). Alexander sent back information about the lands that he discovered and brought along geographers and scientists with him. (Alexander had been educated in part by Aristotle and kept a copy of the Iliad that Aristotle had annotated as one of his prized possessions.) His troops also seems to have introduced Greco-wrestling into India, and there is a long lineage of this kind of wrestling there that lasts through the present day.  But Alexander himself seems to have left little but legend and examples of his own battle prowess behind, which may have been all he wanted.

That said, the extent of his conquests do show us the value of being bold and focused in the direction of our goals. His willingness to expose himself to risk in battle and hunting caused his men to trust and follow him and led him to victory. Perhaps there is something there to take into our own lives when we set a direction and take action in pursuit of our goals. Knowing that Alexander did these things, suffered wounds, and went onto better things can help us face our own setbacks, which are likely less sever than a spear in the thigh.

 Next Time: Plutarch’s Caesar: Why Did He Cry Over Alexander?

Det er en stund siden jeg har skrivd sist, og grunnen til det har jeg skrivd litt om i forrige innlegg og Alexander har skrevet om det på sin blogg(som han forøvrig oppdaterer fryktelig sjeldent).

Den helga her har jeg vært i Oslo. Har besøkt Hannah som jeg gikk på barne- og ungdomsskolen med. På fredag var vi hjemme hos henne og så på film med de hun bor sammen med. Hun bor i et kollektiv med 3 andre. Det er 2 gutter som heter Kenneth og Tobias og ei jente som heter Fredrikke. Jeg vet ikke hva de driver med sånn til vanlig, men Hannah prøver ihvertfall å studere litt språk. Koselige folk i grunn. Vi måtte selvfølgelig se Madagaskar. Det er på en måte filmen til Hannah og meg. Lørdagskvelden gikk til å gå ut. Mye artig, men folk har en tendens til å bli alt, alt, alt for fulle. Var blant annet ei jente på utestedet vi var som rett og slett sovna. Ellers i helga har vi vært litt på Oslo City og shoppa litt og sånn. En god grunn til å like Oslo.

Tok Sørlandsekspressen til Kristiansand igjen i dag, og nå sitter jeg i stua sammen med Alexander og skal se søndagsfilmen på tv3. Også glemte jeg forøvrig å ta bilder i Oslo, så det blir ingen bilder gitt.

I fredags var der galla på SG.

Det var smadder hyggeligt!

Først pyntede vi klasselokalet, som vi skulle spise i, op, og Ida havde bagt smadder gode cookies:)

Så tog jeg hjem til Katrine Sofie hvor også Tenna, Molly og Birgitte kom.. smadder hyggeligt

Så med taxa op til gym., hvor vi så de andres oppyntning og spiste og drak og festede løs til .. kl. 1.

Så tog jeg hjem i seng efter en lang og dejlig dag.

Billeder fra galla ‘09:

Molly og Elisabeth venter på at kunne komme ind og pynte op..

Ida deler lækre cookies ud..

Sådan havde vi pyntet op: jalla-tema. Vi vandt 2. pladsen!! 100 kr. til kage fra kantinen!

Alladins hule..

Karmarockn’roll: Molly og Kat.Sof. bad om et karmabillede, og så hoppede Ann Sofie ind foran og råbte “Wuhuuu! Part tonight!!” ..

Smukke Birgitte hjemme hos Katrine Sofie..

DJ Molly..

Smukke festtøser<3

..

Frække gallafyre!

Sidsel og jeg..

..

Princess Fernanda from Brazil:

Foxy Lady, miss X.

Iben og jeg:

Sidsel og Ida:

Birgitte og jeg:

<3

Searching for Evidence of an Atlantintropic World

On a recent trip to South Dakota I decided to track down a few ghost towns as evidence that the Atlantintropic Theory was a tangible summation of the decay and decline of culture surrounding modern society. These towns, some populated well into the 1900s, collapsed because of economic or physiological decay. I have been visiting these kinds of places for a long time, more than 30 years now, and I feel that they offer one of the closest representations of the Atlantintropic ideal.

After laying out plans at dinner one night, I was able to convince several of my traveling companions to journey off the beaten path and find the lost town of Tinton. Underestimating the terrain, how dark the canyons get after sunset, and encountering difficulties like tire spikes, our first night was less than a success. We agreed to give it another go the following night, but this time with the right kind of car, and a little more daylight.

Located deep in the Black Hills of SD, in a remote portion of Spearfish Canyon, Tinton sustained itself as a mining town. Residents were reported to occupy the town up until the 1950s when the mill was destroyed by fire. Being such a “new” ghost town makes Tinton an ideal place to visit because so much of the town is still intact.

It was quite an adventure to finally reach Tinton. In the pouring rain, with washed out roads, and no real markers, we had a hell of a time finding it. We jumped out of our vehicle a number of times to navigate around obstacles, and with weather slowing our progress, we arrived later than expected. Getting there just after dusk, wet and tired, we climbed out of our mud covered SUV just in time to see the clouds break and reveal a purple sky dressed with a beautiful rainbow stretching across the ghostly remains of Tinton.

The sight regenerated everyone’s mood, and we immediately began exploring the collapsing buildings and overgrown landscape. While the others snapped away photos, I walked silently around the town absorbing the emotional feel of the site. This was truly an Atlantintropic expedition. The photos, notes, and memories I collected were invigorating inspiration for the Atlantintropic project. You can find albums and collections of Tinton and other Atlantintropic expeditions at the following dot-coms, blogs, and media sites.

Media Sites/Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexdatzuk/
http://picasaweb.google.com/AlexDatzuk
http://picasaweb.google.com/Datzuk.com

Blogs
http://datzuk.blogsome.com/
http://datzuk.livejournal.com/
http://datzuk.wordpress.com/
http://datzuk.blogspot.com/
http://artlifeculture.blogspot.com/
http://datzuk.xanga.com/

Dot-Coms
http://www.atlantintropic.com
http://www.artlifeculture.com
http://www.datzuk.com

Alexander 1 year old, originally uploaded by Rihass.

Today I went to visit my old friend and her family. Her little boy turned 1 year old. He’s such a cute and lovely boy.

This photo is taken in an auntie (that’s me) attack of hugs and kisses. He loves the camera and I love photographing him.

Happy birthday to you Alexander. Your auntie loves you

So, I am a little late on posting today, but I thought I would put up some poems. These are just some various ones that I myself enjoy, so I hope you as well like them.

The first one, Life, is a poem I am rather fond of, just pay attention to the first letter of each line, and you will get the purpose of the poem.

The second, Romancing, is a sweet poem that I cannot remember exactly when I wrote it. I hope you enjoy my attempt at love poetry, though try not to laugh.

The third, Cannot Imagine, is a poem I wrote on my poetry. I hope you all enjoy it.  Otherwise, have a good day everyone!!

Life

Jubilation abounds fulfilling

Over this existence

Yelling high to spread

Pouring out this respite

Easing the restlessness and anxiety

All folding into a silence

Cutting thoughts away

Equalizing this mind

Holding fast with a quiet strength

Opening up

Pulling upon ideas and souls

Enough to last through a shadow

Lighting a path

On a passion it blazes

Violently flaring

Emblazoned on a heart

Luminous

Ignited

Fervently

Elated

-Alexander Pyles

Romancing

Ransomed at the start

Of sweet feelings and a heart

Making a pure union

All of this to complete a reunion

Noticeably changing a perspective

Connecting the two collective

Inside the souls

Nurturing the coals

Growing a Perfection

Showing affection

Absolute direction

Mandating this Love

-Alexander Pyles

Cannot Imagine

When a Time
Could be so Deep
Following so deep into the
Soul
Where muscles spasm and clench
Every limb trembles and beats to the
Unknown.
Scattered Images swirl about founded around
One
A swelling Climaxes to
Crash
Absorbing the Emotion into a Whole
Chaos at its Core
Though there is a guidance upon the wild power
It rushes pent from a long period of neglect
Ready
The Inspiration pumps out of aqueducts of Ink
No longer of the ethereal but a material thing
Fluid of the mind
Splashed onto Prose
-Alexander Pyles

Türk kızlarının bizlere nefret ettirdikleri artist, futbolcu, yazar, yazmaz, spiker, şarkıcı vb. insanlardan hepsini sırayla yazacağız… TV’de veya filmde bir erkek görmesinler, hemen ona ölürler, biterler, aşkım bitanem ayağı yaparlar.

İlk sırada Gökhan Özen dangalağı var.. Erkeklerin % 98′i sevmez. Hatta yakışıklı veya sempatikte bulmayız. Allahın tipsizini gördüğümüz her abaza kız övmese şaşarım.. Resmen nefret ettiriyorlar..

İkinci tipsizimiz Alexander Rybak… Bizim kızlar da mı sorun var anlayamadım ki. Aman TV’de azıcık eli ayağı düzgün erkek görmesinler. Abazalık değil mi işte. Hemen her yere onun adını yazar, onun resmini koyarlar. Abazalık işte, çünkü diğer bir erkeği görene kadardır. Bu Alexander dallaması da, bir iki keman hareketi yaptı diye, bizim kızlarımız yine her zaman öküze taptıkları gibi, geleneğe devam ettiler, buna da taptılar(!)… Maymun gibi, saç baş dağınık..

Üçüncü sırada ise, Edward g.tü var.. Ulan ne gıcık oldum ya. Biliyorum erkeklerin % 99′u nefret ediyor. Bunun sebebi adamın gıcıklığı değil, bizim kızların bokunu çıkartmasıdır. Yok Edward olsun çamurdan olsun. Yok Edward’ı çekemiyormuşuz. Yürü lan hadi. Adamın yüzü içine çökmüş. Kalmış bir deri, bir kemik.. Vampir sever işte bizim kızlarımız.. Olm çok korkunç lan bu.

Dördüncü ise, Behlül karakteri Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ.. Yengesine kayıyor mu diye, yoksa amca kızını kandırıyor mu diye nedeni bilinmez ama kızlar tarafından ölünen bir tiptir.. Sarı çıyannnnnnnnn. Sıçsa yiyecekler abaza kızlarımız..

Beşinci sırayı Murat Boz ve Murat Dalkavuk ikilisi paylaşıyor.. Pardon Dalkılıç işte… Bunlar tamam, güzel çocuklar ama kızlar bunlardan bile nefret ettirdiler. Ata Demirer’in bir TV programında dediği gibi ” Niye, vercen mi ” …

Altıncı ve son karakter ise, çizgi karakter Cedric… Ulan buna bile ölüyorlar ya. Nasıl bir beğenidir, hoşlantıdır anlayamıyorum. Çıldırıciim en sonunda. Cedric ulan bu. Sürekli 8 yaşında olan, bir türlü kıza açılamayan, sabahları sararan, geceleri mavileşen bir çizgi yaratık… Buna bile ölüyorum, bitiyorum denilir mi yahu…

Abis berita seneng, eh…. Ada berita sedih lagi….

Yap, apalagi kalo bukan berita K-Pop idol yg lagi sakit. Dan lagi-lagi dengan sakit yg sama yg akhir-akhir ini sring banget ‘nyerang’ artis-artis keren itu, FLU BABI…!!!

Aduh, Unnie sekaran siapa lagi si yg musti jadi korban penyakit kurang ajar itu…???

Dia adalah… Alexander. Mungkin Chingu masi inget ama sebuah boyband yg barusan comeback lagi ke dunia K-Pop, yaitu U-Kiss… Nah, boyband ini tuh yg salah satu membernya adalah adiknya Kim Hyung Joon Oppa dari SS501…

Tapi… tenang-tenang…. Ternyata, Alexander Oppa tu sakitnya dah bulan Oktober kemarin kok… Pas lagi promo di Thailand, Oppa dikirim ke rumah sakit karena menunjukkan gejala demam ama batuk berat. Abis itu, dikasih tamiflu deh… NH Media nambahin, karena kondisinya itu, Oppa gak bisa nGelanjutin aktivitas promonya keesokan harinya…(ya, iyalah namanya juga orang sakit…)

Pas dah sembuh dan balik lagi ke Korea, Oppa masih harus dibawa ke rumah sakit untuk pemeriksaan lab. Hal ini, karena NH Ent ama member lainnya masi khawatir ama kondisinya, tapi syukurlah… Oppa dah dinyatakan bener-bener sembuh…

So, para fans dah gak perlu khawatir lagi, ya….

Unnie, si sebenernya bingung bin heran. Kenapa ni berita baru dikabarin sekarang ya…??? Ada pendapat ???

Credit : allkpop