Steel2Velvet

shalom

Not to mention be accepted and be "dorked" at the same time?

Hey ho, Joe! All the best to you on your special day.

Not really at that stage, no. I think I read where bin Laden said something like that while still in the family's construction business. Attitudes formulated in modesty grow along with ambitions, however. Watch yourself, my friend.

Is that an Osama bin Laden quote?

David Bowie wrote the music for, and starred in, Labyrinth. Kris Kristofferson starred in and collaborated with song-writer Paul Williams for some music in the remake of A Star Is Born. Also Kris co-wrote songs for and starred in Songwriter, along with Willie Nelson, who has had several films where acted and wrote the music; Honeysuckle Rose, Red-Headed Stranger among them. Neil Diamond also starred in a remake of The Jazz Singer, for which I think he wrote some of the songs.

Happiest of birthdays to you, sweet Laurie.

Long a source of inspiration to me. What a fantastic legacy of emotive songs. And obviously a special talent for relationships, being so long connected to Bacharach in a large-ego industry.

Thanks for that wish, BA. Yeah, I paid dearly for that 'younger' look when I was in high school (getting girls to accept a date with me was tough at 17-19) and into young adulthood - once, I was carded before being served a beer at the age of 24. But for a goodly length of time now, I have had the better of my gene pool gift.

It would be an equally interesting test of the Pendulum vote reaction to any particular congress member, but, by definition, those races do not have the sheer numbers to poll, nor the national "cache" as it were. So, harder to gauge.

Politics is nothing if not a dramatic spectacle. Better than the best show written for TV. Uniting, dividing, sifting, mixing and churning, it is a never ending series of complex maneuvering, meant to produce a consumable meal. Just curious; have any of you heard from friends, work acquaintances, family, etc. of those who voted for President Obama in 2008 that will not be voting for him (could mean they are not voting for any presidential candidate) this upcoming election? I think of these people as "Pendulum Voters," these whose allegiance falls in direct proportion to expectations not met during a presidential term. I observed a lot of this during the 2004 campaign of President Bush. His policies in Iraq cost him much of the support he had gained during his initial election and during the subsequent nightmare of 9/11, as Americans rallied around their leader during at that time. Does anyone know of those who have mentioned a swing away from their initial assessment of the current president? I have two American friends who have, thus far, changed their opinions of President Obama and will not be voting for him, though did so in 2008.

If you are ever near Wapakoneta, Ohio, you should do yourself a favor and visit the tiny Neil Armstrong Museum. He was the quintessential hometown hero, modest and brave, and the people of that tiny community loved him dearly. The museum there shows that love, in an intimate setting. I heard him speak once in Dayton at a Wright-Patterson Air and Space Museum event. He spoke for 10 minutes never using the word "I," lauding only those who support the space effort, the workers on the ground. I came away thinking, "Heck of a man!"

Music from a cello Mozart could never have conceptualized.

It's Christmas morning, your 6 year-old darling daughter unwraps your present to her; a happy, laughing doll. One problem, you bought it in September while on sale and subsequently the batteries have discharged: Baby Laughs-A-Lot

Though a young man of 38, Teresa's husband lie on his deathbed. From his withering appearance it is obvious he is not long for this world. While their 4 children weep in chairs surrounding the bed, he motions to his beautiful wife to come closer, closer to his bluish lips. "One thing I must know before I go," he whispers into her ear through much effort on his part, "The last of our children, little Pablo, he just doesn't look like all the others; is he really my child? Is he really of my seed?" "Absolutely!" answers the wife with a look which is a cross between innocence and indignation. Once more the husband implores weakly, "But he seems so very different from the rest. Are you sure he is ours?" "You may rest in peace that he is your son; flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone," the saintly wife comforts through clear, resolute eyes. As if released from some haunting mystery, the husband presses back into the mattress and serenely dies. Almost in relief, the wife looks toward the ceiling and says softly, "Thank God he didn't ask about the other 3 kids!"

Thanks again to all. It WAS a great birthday. So many warm wishes and nice comments. Had a friend send me a file of The Beatles' When I'm 64. Interesting to hear that song, contrasting the feelings from when I first heard it. I listened with joy and optimism on my berthday, as opposed to smarmy sarcasm I experienced while listening as a young man. Rock & Rollers never think they'll be 64.

It's nice to get these birthday wishies That mean so much from noble fishies I'd cry if not for our ocean's bet No one could tell my eyes are wet If in the future I may feel intimidated By vast swirling seas unmitigated I'll take my solace among your keep When marine friends urge, "Come to deep." Thanks so much. (Sammy, did you really smoke those fish?) (That IS an awesome pic, Ray!)

He was an attractive man.

BA, I agreed with your first point, but you lost my support through your overstated slur at the end. That was my point 5 or 6 posts ago. The most legitimate argument becomes tarnished by the name calling associated with prejudice and unnecessary character assassination. I loved when the president stated, after the Gabby Giffords shooting, that the national tone of political debate must become more civil, less radicalized. It seems his supporters rarely follow his leadership on this issue, which may be interpreted as a reflection of those leadership skills.

That's just my original point, BA. You begin by opening the dialogue with rationale for your political choice, but then degrade the arguments through name calling and slanderous accusations. Yes, you are not running for president, but we tend to reflect leadership, which is the concern. I feel that "Bully Viewing Instinct" to side with those under voracious attack. I recall how badly I felt for him when Obama was being hammered mercilessly about his birth certificate. Now, I feel the same about Romney being called out about his tax returns of 10 years ago, which were they not filed or falsified would be under investigation by the Obama administered federal agency, IRS. But it is the name-calling that is the basest of our national character traits, perhaps indicating that there is a virus thriving among us somewhere in the darkness of misunderstanding.

Where is the source of this "evil corporation" mantra? I hope people consider that EVERY corporation in America has been the reflection (or offshoot of that reflection) of the success of a rooted entrepreneurial endeavor, a mom and pop business, as it were. Henry Ford couldn't get a bank loan to realize his silly idea, at one point. To vilify corporations is to vilify the dynamic hope of millions who work to become uniquely successful in the USA, through their own sweat equity and singular personality traits. Normally, evil intent does not translate to success in the USA. Are there evil and greedy people at work in top levels of some corporations? Yes. Are there evil, greedy people in positions of worker representation in unions? Yes. Are there dishwashers who harbor evil, greedy thoughts of ripping off their employer at the next opportunity? I would hope not, but we all know the answer to that question. There are evil, greedy people in all walks of life and in every location around the world. To single out corporations as the source for a dysfunctional economy or to suggest that corporations control the American voting system is a wee bit short-sighted, at best. The world's leaders are many times no longer civil because we as citizens have lost our civility. That is why leadership today in that most important matter of courteous discourse is more vital than the art of pinning blame or hurling thoughtless accusation.

I have no doubt.

Just a concern. It would seem that a sitting president and vice president might desire the higher road during campaign appearances and throughout endorsed messages. Be perceived more presidential, as it were. Not noticing that, so far, during this election cycle.