Monday Medley:Gimmie More

Another Monday morning!  The second of 2013 today's Monday Medley,  Gimmie More

http://youtu.be/elueA2rofoo

We are on our way into this new year.  Last week has been busy with work, and  other things going on in life.  So far Flu and gun control are the main topics of the day. I am in favor of a total ban on automatic weapons, and high volume clips. Those are made for military not average citizens. We don't live in the wild west anymore. 

As for the flu, I will write more about that in a post this  week. Just some suggestions.  I do hope for better things for us all in 2013.  I am a news junkie, sometimes its just white noise, but CNBC has a lot of interesting items that it distracts me from things I am working on. Especially, when a segment like the Santelli Exchange is on.  I love hearing his OP Ed on issues of the day. 

That brings me to something I am enjoying.  Investing through my ROTH IRA, self managed, I am a tiny investor This is in addition to my 401K at work.. I am finally to the point that I have made a plan for this year of the companies I want to buy positions in. My basic idea is to buy stock companies that I do business with or that have great potential over the long term and hold on to them These are higher priced companies I have to save to buy into.. I have made a few speculative purchases with some success, like Bank of America bought at low and recently sold at a pop in its price.  At my small volume not a lot of profit, but a return none the less.  Reinvest that in a dividend paying company and hold it for long term.  A disappointment is Zynga, which I bought because of its connection to Facebook. Still I hope it will come back up in value over the long term.  Still, I am enjoying researching the companies I am interested in and building the cash to be able to buy these.  This year the focus is on the big companies which provide products  or services I buy on a regular basis.  Do you have a savings goal for this year?

Monday Medley Classical

Good Monday, the first of the new year.  Today I want to start the medley year with something classical, I guess the mood I'm in.  As I have said before, I enjoy all kinds of music, with the exception of most country twang stuff.  Sorry country fans!  So I am posting Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.  Hope you enjoy it it runs 9 minutes music to relax by.

http://youtu.be/ho9rZjlsyYY 

Have a great day and week!

Happy 2013

 

WELCOME TO

 

 

 

May this year be filled with peace, hope, and love. and great things for all.

 

I pray this year has very little pain, grief, negativity as possible. Lets take it one day at a time one thing at a time.

 

In the meantime Enjoy today

 

 

 

Last Post of 2012

As we bring 2012 to a close I have been reflecting on the year that was.  I have to say I am glad to see 2012 come to a close.  This was a year of change good and not so good.  A year of grief for me, grieving not just the loss of my mother, the most significant person in my life, but the loss of a job, which is turning in to a redirection for me. It was not the loss of the job itself, but the way in which it was accomplished. It was painful for me, on top of everything else. 

Now  of not of 2012 was negative, or painful.  I had very positive reviews at my other jobs in Chaplaincy, I had a redefining of what it is I want in life.  Where I hope to go from here, and I began taking small steps in that direction. Its by the inch easier instead of the big steps I try and end up falling.  I lost weight this year which is a good thing, I want to maintain the weight I have and not put it back on.  I am thankful my faith, family, and friends have helped  me through a tough year.

In honor of New Years Eve here is a traditional song

http://youtu.be/acxnmaVTlZA

Looking toward 2013, I hope the new year will bring with it a fulfilling of promise and potential for us all.  I look toward beginning an academic program which will lead to a more fulfilling future. The  ability to meet financial goals for savings, and paying for continuing education. I hope for a change in grief toward the new normal I have read so much about.  To have a more even, peaceful life in 2013, with fewer lows. Positive outcomes for us all.

 

Merry Christmas 2012

Today is different from any Christmas in recent memory.  Its the first year without my Mom.  Second this year I'm not working, its a much needed break. I think I was starting to burn out.  I missed the Christmas Eve service at my church.  I had a Christmas eve meal with a friend instead. I planned to go to an 11:00 pm service. However, the churches nearby that usually have one did not this year. So I ended up driving around looking at the Christmas lights. A lot of white lights, I prefer the multicolor lights they are more festive.

This is the year to start new traditions not sure what yet but we will see.

 

For Christmas The Hallelujah - Choir of King's College, Cambridge live performance of Handel's Messiah

 

http://youtu.be/C3TUWU_yg4s

 

 

 

 

 

   

Monday Medley: Christmas Edition

Today is Christmas Eve!  I hope you enjoy your traditions of the season, and Holiday.  Today I am posting four Christmas songs. Traditional Sleigh Bells, Disney Jingle Bell Rock, O Holy Night. and of course Silent Night.
Tonight I plan on attending service at my Church and an 11:pm service somewhere nearby not sure yet where.


http://youtu.be/0Zc6cdrkJA8 sleigh bells a Christmas Favorite


http://youtu.be/AjvriZuj-b0  slightly irreverent


http://youtu.be/q5n6X9sUznI   O Holy Night traditional Christmas Eve Sung by Kings College Choir

http://youtu.be/p09woi5xoQo Finale Silent Night We always end our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with this Carol while lighting our candles.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Fourth Advent Candle and two Carols

4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior.  God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) 

 

 

 

 

 Carol of Bells:    http://youtu.be/1TFrO8c_kVQ

Angels from the Realm of glory: http://youtu.be/ocenOoBWwTM

 

Some Thoughts on Gun Control

Yesterday a spokesman for the NRA made a speech outlining the lobby groups position on gun control laws.  Here are a few thoughts I have on the issue.  First I have nothing against the Second Amendment, or   people owning a gun for hunting and such.  I acknowledge the fact it would be next to impossible to recall every gun in America for a complete ban. It would not work.  However, it has worked in other countries.  There is absolutely no reason for the average citizen to need or own assault weapons.  Be it a rifle, handgun or other assault type weapon.  There should be a complete ban on those types of weapons.
gun violence
There is an idea being floated about arming educators.  That is the worst idea I have ever heard.  It is NOT the answer.  That would constitute a danger to students, what if a gun happen to get in the hand of a child?  Don't say it won't happen, it can and somewhere it would. 

I'm afraid no matter what the law will be guns will wind up in the hands of the wrong person.

 

Happy Birthday To My Friend Today

Today is my friend and roommates Birthday.  I point out he is my roommate, because I never thought I would share a home with someone other than family.  Then our friends are our family we choose.

How old you ask?   Not gonna say, you don't ask a woman or a gay man how old they are. 

Happy Birthday I'm glad to know you!

 

 

 

 

 

Oh today was supposed to be the end of the world...we are all still here.

as the Bible says No  one knows the hour or the day!

 

Monday Medley: O Come Emmanuel

Good Monday.  A week from today is Christmas Eve.  In honor of that I have decided to share with you one of my favorite Advent hymns. I remember  as a teenager, processing with the candle lighter each Sunday in Advent to a stanza of this hymn to light the Advent Wreath.  I also remember, as a young adult singing a solo part of this hymn in the church choir. Gone are those days, but this is one memory of my church life back the I look back upon with fondness.  Advent and Christmas traditions provide wonderful memories.  This year is about the memories.  What good memories of the season do you have?

 http://youtu.be/mxPynSu2LGE

This year, thanks to my friend and roommate, we have an elegant tree adorning our living room. Please see picture below.  It has red and gold ornaments, its gorgeous!

 

Third Sunday In Advent: Candle of Joy

 

 

It seems odd to me that after Friday's tragedy to today be talking about Joy. There is nothing joyous about this THING we have experienced as a nation!    However today we come to the third Sunday in Advent The Candle of joy. The angels message was one of joy at the birth of our Lord.

 

The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)

The Connecticut Shooting.

Once again tragedy has struck in the form of a mass shooting.  This time 26 people, 20 of them children.  How horrible is this? Very!

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, how this changes their lives, how this changes everything for them! As for the rest of us, it impacts our lives in many ways. It seems we can not go anywhere this kind of thing can not happen.  Not the mall, a movie, out to eat, it can happen anywhere, anytime.  This brings the questions how do we cope? Other question is why? 

First, Why? There is no good answer to this question. I certainly don't pretend to have the answer. We live in a world filled with disease mental and physical. We live in a world that is filled all manner of evil.  Spiritually speaking, we live in a world that is fallen and sinful.  So this is part of living in that kind of world. People make choices that impact those around them.  Often we may never know the exact reasons for the choices they make.  All we know for certain is our world has changed.

How do we cope?  first for those who are angry with God.  Good for you! Its ok, He understands.  Being angry with God is an acknowledgement of the hurt experienced. The Scriptures teach us to be angry and yet do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger.  So talk to God!

Second, do your best to take one day, one issue at a time. Try not to allow this to keep you from living your life.  I have speak to myself here, since I have not been to a movie since the theatre since that shooting. Just try to keep things as normal as possible.

Third talk about your feelings, your fear, or concern with those you trust, who will listen and not dismiss you. If needed seek counsel from the EAP at your place of employment, or other counselor.  This is important for healing, peace and is cathartic.

I hope this helps!