A note to myself and my friends in these times..from source. Author unknown to me.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember (more...) what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God/ess, whatever you conceive Hir to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy

Down the rabbid hole ;)

Well since this place is much more quite, I have taken to exploring face book. A few of us have been trying to raise the overall vibration of that forum (though it may seem somewhat futile). If you are there and want to be my Allie, hit me up.

Happy Birthday Mithras

www.well.com/~davidu/mithras.html

The ancient Roman religion known as the Mithraic mysteries has captivated the imaginations of scholars for generations. There are two reasons for this fascination. First, like the other ancient "mystery religions," such as the Eleusinian mysteries and the mysteries of Isis, Mithraism maintained strict secrecy about its teachings and practices, revealing them only to initiates. As a result, reconstructing the beliefs of the Mithraic devotees has posed an enormously intriguing challenge to scholarly ingenuity. Second, Mithraism arose in the Mediterranean world at exactly the same time as did Christianity, and thus the study of the cult holds the promise of shedding vital light on the cultural dynamics that led to the rise of Christianity.

Solstice blessings to all

And merry yule to all.

A Important Message From our sponsors....Love and Light to all.

I had to repost this post from my Friend Rachel Sun. She is....once again, Spot on!

"Okay so they are doing it!
They have successfully rerouted the attention of us stoner liberals again.


Do any of us recall the excitement on the night of the Democratic convention?
It was fresh and people began for a minute to believe that change is possible. It was refreshing to hear someone saying things that made some sense, whether or not we believed he could do it, it was relieving to hear someone say it goddamn it...

(and it is very possible, we, as a collective, just keep changing to more of what we are looking at, which is usually what is, and so we keep changing, in every second to more of the bullshit that is being flung in our faces, instead of changing things to what we would like it to be. But then... we'd have to look toward the positive change to get there. And somehow we keep getting sidetracked by what we are trying to run away from.
)

You see, "they" know that, they are fully aware that collective consciousness is what shapes what we live. So what a better way to take the "conscious forward thinking" minds off the subject of what we would like to create, than throwing this gun toting, wolf killing, creepypsycho christian redneck bitch into the mix? Absolutely fucks up the rotation.


They derailed the momentum that had been quickened at the DNC, in one foul swoop.


And we bought it. Look at us.... Circulating nasty stomach turning emails about this woman... So focused on the dark side that some of us are sick as we magnify it, because we are magnifying it.


And that is precisely where we need to be to give her our energetic vote... and hand them the seat. AGAIN.


That placement was such a blatant display of how stupid women are considered to be in the creepy mind of "the Man," but it was an even more blatant attack on the "conscious" leading edge. Many of us have been hornswaggled (and with ease I might add) into refocusing our attention to the fear and disgust that they need us to resonate in order to steal the election again.


Happens every time.


We get sucked into the game, and we keep falling for it, they pull it off again and we say, shit man they stole it... AGAIN! And we continue to focus on their bullshit, get fed up, scared, pissed off (it feels so godawful because, those feelings are just our real intuition telling us to what we are creating with our focus) and then we shoe them in.


Are we too stoned, too much fucking yoga, too much sage, or just plain Stupid?
yes that was a capital S.


I think it is time for me to get on the wagon.


I have spoken my voice in the blog, but I can't be against it any more.

Gotta stop pushing against, and igniting her essence every time I engage in a conversation about the injustice of it all. I'm preaching to the choir when i have those conversations anyway.


I do believe that we can institute the change.... Let's start right now!

On a personal level, I need your help...
If you could please refrain from sending me any more emails, or videos that might sway my mind back to focusing on the creepy stuff.


I need my mind in a good place in order to assist in bringing about the change I would like to see.


On the other hand if you have any triumphant political email to send me, I will appreciate your desire to assist me in tipping the scale in a direction I would like to experience. For all of us.


Sending love and light to all as the sun comes out.


Going to be in it.


We can do this... we just need to get high now, not 'when things change so that we can....'Let's get this party started Right Yall!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"

Can People Who Work Here Afford To Live Here? Can People Who Work Here Afford To Live Here?

Can People Who Work Here Afford To Live Here?
New Ulster County Survey Explores Housing Costs
Also a Barometer on Local Economy

KINGSTON, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2008 – The Ulster County Housing Consortium today launched an online survey that asks residents to register their opinion on the costs and availability of rental and owner-occupied housing.

The Consortium, a group of 22 government and civic organizations, is seeking a better understanding of just how challenging the current issues associated with housing are seen by those who live in Ulster County and their thoughts about housing costs in the future.

“Our goal is for the survey to be circulated widely, beyond the employees and associates of our consortium members,” said Ulster County Planning Director Dennis Doyle, member of the Consortium’s steering committee.

‘We Ask for Your Help’

“The greater the participation, the better the information will be, so we ask for your help. Take the survey, ask your neighbor to respond, give it to fellow workers and send it to family and friends.” The survey can be accessed directly at: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx

“If you want additional information on housing, visit the County Planning Board Web site at www.co.ulster.ny.us/planning...ng.shtml. The survey link can be found there as well,” Doyle added.

Toward Adequate Workforce Housing
The survey is the first step of an initiative to make sure that the workforce needed to maintain and grow the county’s economy can find a safe and decent homes within the county that they can afford.

The results may also become a barometer showing how Ulster County residents are coping with the fallout of the sub-prime mortgage crisis, high oil prices and the weakening economy.

“When completed, the survey will provide a first hand view of how well residents are managing housing costs today, and what they see in the future,” said Family of Woodstock Executive Director Michael Berg, chair of the Ulster County Housing Consortium. The findings will be used to help guide a major initiative to focus the attention of consumers and officials on meeting current and future housing needs.

Berg thanked the Ulster County Legislature for beginning the implementation of the recently adopted Housing Strategies Report with this effort of housing awareness. “In these difficult times, it’s gratifying that the county legislators are giving priority to the housing infrastructure so crucial to economic growth,” Berg added.

Has Housing Become Too Costly?
“Studies show that in many parts of the country, housing costs make it too difficult for the workers essential to a local economy to live close to where they work,” Doyle said.

“These are frequently office assistants and retail clerks, but as housing costs outstrip wages the impacts spread to critical employees, such as health and hospital workers. Housing costs also drive up business expenses, and influence location decisions by new companies,” Doyle explained.

“An increased awareness of housing costs is a necessary piece in the discussion of solutions. This survey will help us see the situation from the perspective of county residents and business owners. It will also help us understand what housing will be needed to support economic development in the future,” Doyle continued.

The results will be used by the Housing Consortium to focus on housing solutions for county residents, and to enlist support for housing needed to make Ulster County successful.

Yes...I am still alive...and awake.. It seems the Drums of war are still beating folks, just an FYI...

PERSIAN GULF www.asianews.it/view4print.php
War ships, planes, missiles amassing around Gulf
In preparation for the UN decision on new sanctions against Iran over of its nuclear program, while Tehran considers blockading the Strait of Hormuz, Western fleets are approaching. Saudi Arabia is buying jets, and Kuwait is activating its "emergency war plan".

Kuwait City (AsianNews) - Iran says that it is "ready to confront sanctions" from the UN in connection with its nuclear program, which will continue forward "under any circumstances"; Saudi Arabia is preparing to buy 72 more Eurofighter Typhoon jets; United States, British, and French warships are increasing the military presence in the Persian Gulf; Kuwait is activating its "emergency war plan".

There's a show of muscle in the Gulf, in preparation for the report from the deputy director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Olli Heinonen, who visited Tehran on August 7 to clarify the offer of the "5 plus 1" (the permanent members of the UN Security Council - United States, Russia, China, Great Britain, and France - plus Germany) in exchange for the suspension of Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment program. The Iranian response - expected to be a rejection or a delay - will bring a request for a new sanctions, which could be discussed at the next general assembly of the United Nations, scheduled for September 23- October 1.

In recent days, Arab observers have emphasized the concurrence of the threat of new sanctions, and Iran's announcement that it has prepared ground-to-air missiles with a range of 300 kilometers, which is more than sufficient to close the "oil gate": the Strait of Hormuz, about 50 kilometers wide, between Iran and Oman. The Middle East Times highlights that Western aircraft carriers and battleships are approaching the Gulf, on their return from exercises in the Atlantic aimed at breaking a possible blockade of the Strait. It is the largest naval deployment in these waters since the two Gulf wars.

Beyond the unfortunate hypothesis of a military confrontation, the presence of Western naval forces could suggest a blockade of Iranian oil exports and imports. Although it is the second largest oil producer in OPEC, Iran is forced to import gasoline, because its refineries are insufficient for its domestic needs. Fuel is already being rationed, and a blockade of its imports would have a devastating impact on the Iranian economy.

Americans are suffering needlessly!

http://www. washingtontimes. com/news/2008/jun/04/soros-bubble-causing-increase/
Matthew Leising BLOOMBERG NEWS
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Billionaire investor George Sorros said the record oil prices weighing on the economy are the result of a "bubble" caused by speculation from index funds and a tight balance between supply and demand.



"The bubble is superimposed on an upward trend in oil prices that has a strong foundation in reality," Mr. Soros said in testimony Tuesday before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. "The rise in oil prices aggravates the prospects for a recession.

"

The committee is holding hearings on potential energy price manipulation. Congressional leaders are pushing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and other agencies to step up efforts at overseeing the markets for fuels such as gasoline as retail prices are forcing consumers to drive less. The hearings come as oil has retreated from a record $135.09 a barrel May 22.



The average nationwide pump price for regular gasoline rose to a record $3.978 a gallon Monday, AAA said. The price was above $4 in 12 states and the District.



Mr. Soros laid some of the blame on recent oil price rises on commodity index funds, which only buy oil contracts, helping to push prices higher.



Mr. Soros attracted renewed controversy with his 10th book warning that an exploding "superbubble" threatens the global financial system, the New York Times reported April 11. The book bases its conclusions on the idea that individual inclinations and actions generate market fluctuations, rather than the conventional view that markets move toward some kind of equilibrium, the newspaper said.



The current oil market price "is a textbook illustration of my theory" on bubbles, Mr. Soros said after his testimony Tuesday. "The buying is based on a misconception" as well as a fundamental driver of higher prices, he said.



Mr. Soros said he does not consider himself an expert in oil markets and is not investing in them now. "I stay away from the oil market because it is a very tricky market." He added "I don't find it an attractive market."

Mark Cooper, director of research for the Consumer Federation of America, said the current commissioners of the CFTC and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are to blame for allowing energy prices to rise to records.



"Just fire the commissioners and clean the problem up," Mr. Cooper told the committee. He compared the federal regulators' reaction to recent price spikes to "the regulato

A over heard conversation.... from tatterhood

Imagine the conversation the Creators might have had about this:

"Goddess you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there in the Midwest? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff we started eons ago? We had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracted butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles."

"It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great extent to kill them and replace them with grass."

"Grass? But, Lady, it's so boring. It's not colorfull. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?"

"Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn."

"The spring rains and cool weather probably make the grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy."

"Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it--sometimes twice a week."

"They cut it, Lady? Do they then bale it like hay?"

"Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags."

"They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?"

"No, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away."

"Now, let me get this straight, Lady. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?"

"Yes."

"These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work."

"You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it."

"What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life."

"You'd better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and have them hauled away."

"No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and keep the soil moist and loose?"

"After throwing away your leaves, they go out and buy something they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves."

"And where do they get this mulch?"

"They cut down trees and grind them up."

"Enough! Lady, I don't want to think about this anymore. Goddess, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?"



"Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about..."

"Never mind! I think I just heard the whole story!"