mstar1

Just a little dusting in the hills of western Massachusetts so far--the wood's all split, the boots and coats came out about a week ago--Im about ready....I complain sometimes but I like rugged winters

I am very close with my Father and my siblings. My mother died while i was out WOW I had rocky teen years and then got involved with TWI in my early 20's. Despite all their BS about 'developing more harmony in the home', they couldn't wait to drive the wedge further between us. They were all 'rank unbelievers' after all, and I was discouraged from keeping in contact with them. Throughout my involvement my family remained gracious although I was far out in left field. After I left it still took me a few years to undo my wayhead and come around to the people who had always been there through thick and thin. We are all very close now,

I would love to get my hands on some of those--I am familiar with and always been drawn to mountain music and was aware that it was handed down through the generations, but didn't know the 'how' Even when my religious sensibilities were splattered those songs still held an appeal, and reached me---I'd love to 'read them in the original' ;) Maybe there is some genetic memory or something, my ancestors were Scots and I recently found out that my great grandparents had an in home church with one of those little organs for over fifty years in the mid 1800's. I find mountain music beautiful and often profound in its simplicity and honesty, which is not to say that I dont appreciate higher church music. I do, I just am unsure of the technical names that the different types are specifically called. I agree with Evan on this one....I went to a Vineyard church about 10 years ago for a few months and it was ok at whipping up emotional responses, but hollow. The more I listened it seemed many of the songs ( has anyone else noticed this or am i nuts?) were built in subtle sexual innuendo and overtones

It was actually 146 -but who's counting? --that cracked me up too! IMO Scorsese did a great job--portraying not only the music, but the entire scene that birthed it, the social climate of the time from which it sprang, and Dylans reactions to the things before him-- all in proper context The cutting of the music was masterful IMO, after he was hailed as 'the spokesman of his generation', which Dylan didn't believe for a minute, he is shown singing "All I really want to do is be friends with you"and you get the feeling that despite the pedestal he had been put on, and the inane projections upon him ( WHat is the significance of the T-Shirt you were wearing on the album cover Bob?) he really means it. Ginsberg's brief bit on how he had become a Shaman, and Liam Clancy's 'a shapeshifter', cut over the live performance of "Its alright Ma"captured the genuine mystique, mystery and possibility that was alive at those moments-- When 'the scene' all became too much and Dylan sings " Its all Over Now, Baby Blue" and " I aint gonna work on Maggies farm no more" , you know just what he is getting at. To me it documents well the growth of an artist and opens up volumes on the artistic process. For me it brought back that time that I was a little too young to fully grasp, but should and was well documented as a very important, special and rare time in american music, one of those moments that happens only briefly if ever. Liam Clancy said something like "You never know where lightening is going to strike", this is one place that it did and I am glad that Scorcese got it down. ... am I gushing enough? --sorry I dont like many movies-but this one is way up there--there are some great early performances on the DVD extras too

This is probably the best documentary I have seen in quite awhile. Directed by Martin Scorcese, it follows Bob Dylan from his very early years in Hibbing Minnesota until his motorcycle accident in 1966. An inspired view of his development as an artist , it traces him from Hibbing, where there are some rough recordings of him in high school, through the Greenwich Village folk scene of the late 50's -early 60's, to his national and international emergence. There are a lot of great and rare early clips of not only Dylan, but the folk scene of the time-Odetta, The Clancy Brothers, Joan Baez, Dave van Ronk, Allen Ginsburg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, , Maria Muldaur, the New Lost City Ramblers, interspersed with interviews from then and also now.. Scorcese did a great job documenting one of the richest creative periods of our time. A must for Dylan fans--it would be great for those who are on the fringes or wonder what Dylan was all about as well..... It was on PBS about a month ago---I picked up the double DVD --it is well worth it.

an ALL TIME Low? <_< maybe if creation and time had started about a year ago... There are a few stations here in Massachusetts advertising below $2.00 as a publicity gimmick, but its generally about $2.40-$2.60---Don't want to bring down the profits too much after gouging us after Katrina.

Wow that covers quite the gamut--i have become particularly enamored of Sacred Harp/ Shape Note singing in the last few years. There are 'sings' in my area that are quite a community (not necessarily church) event. The melodies/harmonies can and do give me chills

Cool--I remember reading about that 1954 HR when I was about 10 and thinking that Dusty Rhodes had to be one of the coolest and most intriguing names i had ever heard

Yea Josh Byrnes the asst GM signed with the DBacks about a week ago...Theo is very principalled-i dont think it was about the money, but at perceived disrespect from the CEO Larry Lucchino who leaked a personal story to the press on Sunday, in a sort of typical employer-employee power game. It couldv'e been that or that although he is a near God around here-the toll being with the Red Sox takes on people due to the constant unending attention and lack of private life. I don't know what he has cooking --He has said that he would like to do social work like his brother-I personally think he could be the next jr. senator from massachusetts if he goes that route--baseball may or may not be involved in his future. How do you top what he has already accomplished? He is 30, a Yale grad, a millionaire, the architect of a miracle, and the most eligible bachelor in New England, whatever he does he is going to be good at it.

Im stunned-Theo Epstein resigned about an hour ago... 3 years-3 playoff trips -1 World Championship-- and the boy genius walks away somebody is going to be lucky somewhere-wherever he lands--it may not even be baseball meanwhile -this sucks-the dismantling of the Red Sox begins. Damn, i have walked out of jobs because of 'philosophical differences' before, but can being 30 and getting $1,500,000 a year to run the Boston Red Sox be all that bad?

fast, rangy? sorta Johnny Damonish? His arm is gone and he has a penchant to run into too many walls--I dont know if he will last out the long contract that he is seeking.... I just happened to find THIS ARTICLE on Al Lopez-who lived to see the White Sox win it all. Longest ever living Hall of Famer. The last living player to play in the 1920s. The last living catcher to catch Dazzy Vance and Walter Johnson. The only man to beat Casey Stengel in the American League - he won the AL pennant in 1954 with the Indians, and in 1959 with the White Sox. Thanks Al

I gave it about a 36 in regards to confession

Well Tom, Raf -whoever you may be today A breakdown free agants of available players by position. This isn't an enclopedic list. i will imagine that there will be alot of trade rumors starting soon as well 1st Base: Paul Konerko Euribiel Durazo Kevin Millar Daryle Ward Travis Lee Jeff Conine J.T. Snow 2nd Base: Craig Biggio Mark Grudzielanek Tony Graffanino Miguel Cairo Damion Easley Fernando Vina Shortstop: Nomar Garciaparra Rafael Furcal Alex Gonzalez Neifi Perez Jose Vizcaino Rich Aurilia Royce Clayton 3rd Base: Bill Mueller Joe Randa Jose Valentin Jeff Cirillo Outfield: Johnny Damon Hideki Matsui Brian Giles Matt Lawton Preston Wilson Jacque Jones Reggie Sanders Juan Encarnacion Kenny Lofton Richard Hidalgo Jose Cruz Jr BJ Surhoff Brian Jordan Starting Pitchers: Roger Clemens AJ Burnett Matt Morris Kevin Millwood Jarrod Washburn Jeff Weaver Paul Byrd Esteban Loiaza Kenny Rogers Jamie Moyer Tony Armas Jr Brett Tomko Jason Johnson Scott Elarton Relief Pitchers: BJ Ryan Trevor Hoffman Billy Wagner Kyle Farnsworth Ugueth Urbina Mike Timlin Octavio Dotel Scott Eyre Ricardo Rincon Al Reyes Julian Tavarez Tim Worrell Rudy Seanez Chris Hammond Jay Witasick And EX-that is the first halloween costume that has actually scared me in many moons

New look Tom?-the tux suits you well-- good question, i would tend to think, and this may just be wishful thinking, that the virus would not be able to survive the processing ---but what do I know? it would be worth checking out some more official sources Im more concerned with all these bird migratory routes that I am unfamiliar with. I ( just me again) would think that is only a matter of time before some seabird jumps across the Bering straits and starts infecting birds in North America, unless some importer brings an infected bird here first.

I work in alot of churches around the country and almost everyone will have a weekly bulletin or info packet of some kind that has the attendance figures and the weekly contributions as well as the operating budgets. It seems a common part of nearly every church (at least the ones I have been to) to be open , honest and well ...christian in their approach to their members, whether they have 5 members or 50,000.I don't know if it is a pride thing so much as an attitude of openness, honesty and accountability that most churches carry, three things that were never in the TWI corporate vocabulary. True enough, It is a good indicater that the organization is incredibly sick and in need of attention, but like most things TWI it is swept under the carpet, undealt with, and denied as the death spiral continues on.

whats the question? I don't go to any church regularly but I do have a collection of hymnals and music books that I have collected over the years from all sorts of churches as well as garage, tag, and rummage sales. I usually like the older ones with forgotten but very good songs a bit more. I keep them for my own entertainment, and play the ones Ive never heard on guitar during the odd moment or when the mood strikes. I have found more than a few amazing songs in those old books

102 days Time to turn on the hotstove for the winter who is goin where? Who do you want? The Red Sox first big signing could be Theo Epstein--he'll be afree agent in about 3 or 4 days

Interesting point, now that you mention it I don't recall Craig ever once mentioning his real father. Was his a broken family?

Now I know where you get your charm :), It's a nice part of the world down there that I had somehow previously missed-- btw-I'll take those old black gospel songs and spirituals anyday

I was never a huge Elvis fan, but I took a trip earlier this year through the south and stopped at among other places Elvis's birthplace in Tupelo, MS. The tiny sharecroppers cabin was almost like a manger scene, it was so tiny, and the rest of the area was built up as a shrine and museum to 'The King'. There is a little chapel next to the house that plays his gospel tunes all day--although I am not particularly religious, being there gave me a different insight into the man that I hadn't been aware of before. It gave me a little insight into the devotion of his fans-- I enjoyed it very much

This may make some of you a bit happier: Red Wine as Antiviral

Here's a few from my town that I found on the web--they are probably last years--but this is just about where we are now as we are peaking

I personally have not seen it in a Sunday worship service,( It doesn't mean that some may not) but I did experience it in smaller group settings in both the Episcopal and Catholic churches my first few years after leaving TWI. Im not sure if it is the norm but it exists within both groups and as well as someplace within many denominations

I'm not a public health expert; you can find the recommendations of people who are at some of the links below. Because I'm not an expert, and because I tend to low-tech, cheap precautions, I'm going to restrict myself to some common-sense things, most of which are things it would probably be a good idea to do anyway. First, get your annual flu shot this year. The flu shot does NOT confer protection from avian flu. Nonetheless, it's a good idea. For one thing, avian flu might decide to strike during the flu season; if this happens, you do not want to get both flus in a short period of time. Even the normal flu is a pretty serious illness, and it weakens the body. You do not want to confront avian flu in a weakened state. For another, influenza viruses can mingle with one another when one organism -- you, for instance -- is infected with both. When this happens, it can lead to new strains that can infect people; and this would be a Bad Thing That We Should Try To Prevent. Thus, flu shots. Second, stock up on things you might need from a drug store. For obvious reasons, drug stores tend to attract sick people. If there's an infectious pandemic, you will not want to go to the drug store more than you have to. Thus, keeping a larger than usual supply of all those drug store things on hand would probably be a good idea. (There are people who recommend stocking up on everything, as if we were expecting a war. I normally have extra food around, mostly because I hate having to go to the supermarket when I don't feel like it. I am not acquiring lots more. That may just be a reflection of the fact that I usually have a fairly high tolerance for risk and a low tolerance for reactions that strike me as panicky, though.) Third, if you need to have some medical procedure that you have been putting off, have it now. You do not want to develop a serious need for a hospital in the middle of a pandemic. Fourth, there are some supplies that will predictably be bought up when people panic. Among them are respiratory masks (NIOSH certified N-95 masks, says the WHO). Opinion is divided on them: they are definitely recommended for symptomatic nursing mothers, and health care workers, but for the rest of us, it's less clear. The reason to get them is that one way flu isspread is "via virus-laden large droplets (particles >5 µm in diameter) that are generated when infected persons cough or sneeze; these large droplets can then be directly deposited onto the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract of susceptible persons who are near (i.e., within 3 feet) the droplet source." Masks block these droplets. (Note: because airborne flu viruses travel in "virus-laden large droplets" that people cough up, the fact that the virus itself is smaller than the holes on most masks is unimportant. Stopping the droplets is the key.) The reason not to use them is, as far as I can tell, that they might be overkill for those of us who are neither health care workers nor nursing mothers. It is worth thinking about whether you will wish you had some later, and if so, buying them now. (They run around $1-2 apiece; if you buy them, buy enough to last a while. As I said, NIOSH-certified N-95 masks are recommended. Another thing it would be worth thinking about getting is alcohol-based towelettes (the sort you carry around with you.) They kill viruses, and if you're not near a sink, they can be handy. Alcohol-based are supposedly best; here's a CDC list of ingredients and their efficacy at killing viruses and other things. If you think of other things that are likely to become unavailable as soon as a pandemic starts, and that you will want to have, buy them now. Fifth, one of the most important things you can do in a pandemic is simply to wash your hands, wash them often, and wash them right. (Note to any compulsives out there: 'often' does not mean hundreds of times a day.) It really makes a big difference; you can see why if you simply reflect on how many of the possible ways in which a virus might try to get into your lungs involve your hands, and how well a serious washing would disrupt them. A blog called Aetiology puts it well: "Wash your hands. It’s not sexy advice, I admit. But ever since Semmelweis, it’s been the smartest thing a public health professional can advise. And really, many of us still don’t do it correctly. It is recommended to wash with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. I know that when I’m in public restrooms (and I work within a hospital building!), I very rarely see people wash that long. So, be a bit more contientious when you wash. Teach your children to do this as well: have them count to 20 or sing their ABC’s while washing their hands. If you’re not around a faucet, hand sanitizers with 70% ethanol are also effective. (To my knowledge, Triclosan, the other common ingredient in hand sanitizers, has not been proven effective at killing viruses--so watch the ingredients and stick to alcohol). If you’re sick, please, please, please stay home. Adults are contagious for ~5 days and children for up to 21 days after becoming sick. Don’t go and expose others when you’re coughing, sneezing and hacking all over the place. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Again, think about how many times you do this every day. This is one way influenza can enter a body. Also, re-train yourself not to cover your mouth with your hands when you cough: use a tissue, or the crook of your arm—-something that won’t come into contact as often with surfaces, or with other people." • The Flu Wikihas a lot of good resources. It has: a resource page with a lot of really good links; a scientific information page; a preparedness page, and lots more. • The CDC Avian Flu page. It has links to all sorts of topics. One that I did not find at first, and that might be really useful to someone, is the CDC guidance for pregnant woman and new mothers. • WHO Avian Flu page • The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy's Avian Flu page • Nature's Avian Flu collection (much of it free) • Two good articles from Foreign Affairs: 1, 2

I hope everyone here at GSpot is taking their necessary precautions --this isn't gonna be good