Well done!

I have recently registered on the SA Revenue Service's website to electronically file my tax return and was pleasantly surprised how fast it went... I had to change a few things on my profile today and as it was D-date for paper returns I thought the site may be slow or pretty inaccessible... what a breeze! FNB? are you listening? SARS your site is an example how a commercial/government website should work! You get my Weekly Star award...

Conflict

"Whosoever may torment you, harass you, confound you, or upset you, is a teacher. Not because they're wise, but because you seek to become so." and thus spake the universe...
Been having a bit of tension at work and I was wondering why this was so and then I read the above thought on my sidebar. Call it coincidence if you will I call it a miracle as the words have made me think and in a small way made me wiser...
In the same vein I was saddened to hear of yet another suicide in our city yesterday, so often one is not directly involved when one reads or hears about these desperate acts, other times it is closer to home. I cannot say I know how such a person feels, even my darkest hour was but a short walk in those shoes. Being filled with God's love I cannot envisage such depths of dispair and all I can do is pray for those left behind with all the million questions as to why and how they missed the signs of darkness in their loved one's life. One thing I do know now is that we should be more aware of our neighbour's suffering. That one moment of reaching out may well be the lifeline they need before taking that desperate plunge away from life. That word, hug or even a smile may just be what they need to realise that live and they themselves have worth after all.
So, let us all become more aware of those that have conflict in their hearts that keeps them from experiencing the joy we are supposed to have.

Rear view mirror

We all do it once in a while... looking back that is... sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes the memories and pain are hard to bear. However even the bad things are there for us to learn from and reflect on bad decisions we made in the past. God however has an ability we do not seem to have, he is able to wipe the slate clean once we fall at his feet and let him take charge of our lives, once he has forgiven he forgets. How amazing is that!
Revelation 1:4-6 (King James Version) 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Verse 6 is also awesome, do you know what that means? How can we let things get us down when we are kings and priests? So this week live in Power as God intended but bear in mind as I was reminded today...
"As powerful as you are... whose day are you going to make?"
Update: wanted to keep this one on top a while.

Rapture

The song, not the event we all wait for... in any case you'll get the message...

Rapture - Nadia Ali of IIO
The night I laid my eyes on you
I felt everything around me move
Got nervous when you looked my way
But you knew all the words to say

And your love slowly moved right in
All this time, oh my love, where you been

Mi amore
Don't you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

I'm mesmerised in every way
You keep me in a state of daze
Your kisses make my skin feel weak
Always melting in your heat

Then I soar like a bird in the wind
Oh I glide like I'm flying through heaven

Mi amore
Don't you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

Mi amore
Don't you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet
Yes my Moondancer... you make my soul complete... sharing our love of God makes it even more complete. Sometimes it the unplanned adventure that is the most amazing and enduring...
"Love is not enough. It must be the foundation, the cornerstone - but not the complete structure. It is much too pliable, too yielding." Bette Davis (1908 - 1989)

Oil of Salvation

What did you do with your oil today? Use it for your own gain or shared it with one that needed it more than yourself?
God anoints us christians all as his servants and expects us to serve in return. This onointment protects you but is worthless if not used properly, selfishness will cause the anointment to leave and can take many forms, selfishness is letting any sin come before a righteous walk. As you wake up ask for His anointment daily and the rest will follow...
"Psalm 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:"
Thank you Pastor Marius for today's word. Just like David He has anointed me.

Anticipation

Anticipation or being enthusiastic, is an emotion involving pleasure (and sometimes anxiety) in considering some expected or longed-for good event, or irritation at having to wait. Robert Plutchik listed anticipation as one of the eight basic emotions in his psychoevolutionary theory. See also hope. A name for pleasured anticipation is excitement.

Anticipation can be shown in many ways; for example, some people seem to smile uncontrollably during this period, while others seem ill or sick. It is not uncommon for the brain to be so focused on an event, that the body is affected in such a way. Stage fright is a type of anticipation, stemming from the actor or actress hoping that they perform well

Dictionary: anticipation

an·tic·i·pa·tion

Pronunciation:

\(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən\

Function:

noun

Date:

14th century

1 a: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action

b: the act of looking forward; especially : pleasurable expectation

2: the use of money before it is available

3 a: visualization of a future event or state

b: an object or form that anticipates a later type

4: the early sounding of one or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary dissonance — compare suspension

synonyms see prospect

All I can say is that today is a day of anticipation, what with the Currie Cup Final and Moondancers picnic it is a day filled with prospects for joy or sadness on one hand and definite enjoyment on the other.
"She used to drag her mattress besider her low window and lie awake for a long while, vibrating with excitement, as a machine vibrates from speed. Life rushed in upon her through that window - or so it seemed. In reality, of course, life rushes from within, not from without. There is no work of art so big or so beautiful that is was not once all contained in some youthful body, like this one which lay on the floor in the moonlight, pulsing with ardor and anticipation." Willa Cather (1873 - 1947), The Song of the Lark

Cromon

As promised... and strangely enough Moon related too!
Cromon of Atlantis
A legend of Celtic Atlantis.

Moonrise
The moon crept over the mountainside, slipping over shadows, trees and glades. Cromon sat on his horse, wondering if his meeting with the legendary Conan would be a bloody affair or amicable.
Soon the moon would be at the zenith, a sort of midnight noon, the shadow of the cross of Cromm which marked the northern border of his kingdom, was slowly receeding as the moon crept up into the night sky, stars were shining with an almost blinding light. Cromon had never seen them so bright on a moonlit night. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a strange orange glow on the horizon, almost like a forest fire a day's ride away. Puzzled Cromon turned to watch the glow, then he saw the most amazing sight his 27 summers had ever seen. A pale orange disc was rising like a second moon but only bigger, it seemed to stretch from south to north across the whole horizon.
The horses started to dance as they also became aware of the new heavenly body rising up over the horizon. The men all gave a gasp of fear. "It is the Destroyer of Worlds my lord Cromon" said Haldobar the dark one. "I have heard the soothsayer speak of this thing, it comes without warning to crush the stars and moon. Every three hundred and fifty generations it visits the earth to smite us lest we forget our place in the universe."
Cromon was now completely entralled as the new face in the sky rose from the horizon, it had grown smaller it seemed, could it be as Haldobar had said? Then this was a time to forget his quarrel with the northern kingdom. If it was a destroyer then it was time for all men to stand together.
As Cromon thought these things a cry from one of the sentries rose up. "Lord Cromon, I see many hoses, I think Lord Conan approaches." With that a shout from the approching hosemen was heard, " Hail lord Cromon, we come in peace"
a Few moments later the horsemen came into view with a giant of a man leading them. The leader stopped short of Cromon and spoke with a deep sonorous voice. "Cromon it is I, Conan Lord of Cimmeria, how goes it with you on the eve of Nathali"
Nathali? a Sudden chill ran down Cromons back, of course the legend! How could he have forgotten. Nathali was the story of winged creatures that lived on a great disk in the sky, they visited the earth from time to time to collect slaves, or so the legend said. Could this object in the sky be Nathali?
"Hail Conan lord of the Mighty Cimmeria, have you ever seen what my eyes are now beholding?"
"No, Lord Cromon of the Powerful Atlantis I have never seen so wonderous a thing as what we now behold. If it is the Nathali then we have no time to quarrel but must join hands to protect our people at once, a war council must be called at once I fear." With these word spoken Conan turned and insructed one of his men to ride to the City of Cimmoron to call all the nobles and generals to the war council. "I think the council should be convened in Atlantis, Cromon, it is but only a few hours hard ride. We should prepare while we wait for my councillors to arrive."
"Aye I concur Conan, let us proceed with haste."
With that Cromon turned his horse and dug in his spurs, "Come noble warriors let us return to our City of Gold and prepare for war"
a Great cloud of dust rose up into the night sky behind the collumn of horsemen, lit up by the light of the moon and the new body, the light was no longer a soft pale blue moonlight but a eerie orange glow. The disc of the interloper in the night sky was rapidly approching the silver disc of the moon, soon it would engulf it. Cromon was dreading this as the orange glow was quite alien to his senses. Once again he felt the tingle of apprehension slide down his spine like an icy drop of rain.

Midnight fear
From afar one could hear the uproar in the Great city of Atlantis, on approaching the gate of the city Cromon realized with dread that the whole population of the city was awake and agitated by the new visitor in the night sky. As the sentinel's of the gate saw the warriors they let the great drawbridge down to let the foam flecked hores and riders into the citadel.
Cromon leaped from his mount and raced up the stairs to the door of the Golden palace. Pandamonium was beginning to set in as he flung open the doors of the Royal terrace overlooking the great Plaza of assembly.
"Hornblowers, announce the presence of the Lord of Atlantis, gather the people to hear the words of their Ruler" shouted Haldobar to the white faced hornblowers who had rushed up with the entourage assembling on the terrace.
Within seconds people started to gather on the white marble covered Plaza, soon it seemed that the plaza was a heaving mass of humanity akin to a swarm of ants. Cromon raised his arms up in a gesture of calm. "Citizens of Atlantis, you have all seen what I have seen in the sky. I and my councillors wil soon be gathering in a war council together with our neighbours of Cimmeria, as I speak Conan is waiting in the Great hall to council with us about the apparition in our sky."
A whisper ran through the masses as soon as Cromon had finished speaking, but before calm could take hold a gasp of wonder rose from a thousand mouth's. Cromon looked up and saw to his horror that the disk in the sky had a gaping black void in the centre. What could this mean. As he watched he saw with amazement the disc of the moon start to appear again. The new orb in the sky was clearly not a destroyer of moons as the legends had said. If so it had to be a object of the making by some form of creature and if so Cromon knew that any creature that could fabricate such a wonderous and perilous machination would be a formidable foe, but even so, they could be killed if needs be.
"My people, it may be that what we see may look more powerful than us, just remember this! We are a mighty nation of warriors and if there be creatures that breathe and eat, and they proceed from the sky visitor we will be ready for them, if they show us evil intent we will slay them, if not we will greet them with caution. Go now to prepare for war or peace, be not fearfull as we are not a nation of fools."
With these words Cromon waved to the crowd and turned to go to the Great hall of assembly where the war councillors where waiting for him.

War council
"Councillors! Please come to order" Cromon shouted as the doors of the hall closed behind him. "We are still waiting for the councillors of Lord Conan to arrive, but in the while we have to prepare for the threat in our skies"
Conan stood up and asked if any one had a suggestion as to what may be expected, as he finished the Mage Merolon spoke up " Lord Cromon and Lord Conan, I wish to excuse myself as to avail myself the time to read the legends of Nathali" Cromon waved towards the door and replied " O Merolon go and read with haste and return as soon as you can with any light on the subject you may find.", Merolon hastily departed to his chamber in the Southern Tower.
Haldobar spoke up, "While Merolon is doing his reading we should come up with a contingency plan Lord Cromon. I think we should consider moving the women and children to the higlands of Cimmeria, there are many caves where a great many people can be concealed.". "a Ecellent plan Haldobar" replied Conan, "I will do the same with my people." Cromon nodded. "So be it, Haldobar, you must go now and arrange this, but be careful not to cause any more panic than what is already prevailing." With that Haldobar excused himself and left the Hall with his leutenants in haste.
"If only we knew wat form the skymen would take and the tactics they employ, it would make our planning a lot easier" Conan commented. "As far as I can recall the legend they use some form of aerial contraption to attack and capture the slaves", said Kornam the master of arms of the palace."I wonder if the new crosbows would be effective to use against such attack my Lord"
"How many men at arms can use this crosbow? And how far can it shoot?" asked Conan. "Kornam, get one of the crosbow archers to demonstrate immediately." Cromon ordered. A few moments later 13 crosbowmen ran into the hall, a few clicks where heard then the swish as the bolts flew across the hall to embedd themselves in the great beam above Conan. The distance was almost 200 yards. "We have specialized about 3000 men in this weapon Lord Conan, does that answer your questions?" cried Kornam with obvious pride.
Conan looked at Cromon, "If I knew of this I wonder if I would have risked coming here, this is a formidable weapon! I suggest they be deployed on the walls and roofs of the highest buildings, as this would be an effective weapon to use against an attack from the air."
Cromon stood up "Kornam let it be done, deploy the men immediately. Conan let us retire to the armoury, I believe we should order the armourers to make haste in preparing more crosbow's and bolts."

Attack & Repulsion
Cromon was contemplating the vast armoury, 240 weaponmasters were at work with their apprentices and labourers, amid smoke and sparks the air was filled with the roar of furnaces and the clang of hammers and other tools being weilded with urgency. Gesturing across the vast workshop Cromon spoke"As you see Lord Conan, the work is proceeding well, we should have plenty of weapons by nightfall." Conan replied "Aye my friend, so it seems, every moment here amazes me more, I did not know that Atlantis was so advanced in weaponry, you surely have the best weaponmasters of all nations. That flame thrower is an impressive weapon and I believe will be very useful in the event of an attack" Cromon smiled and felt a warm glow of pride in the expertise of his workmen and mages, turning he motioned Conan to follow. "Shall we proceed to my chambers for a meal, it seems as if no attack is imminent at this hour, all the preperations have given me an appetite."
Just as Cromon, Conan and the rest of the entourage were approaching the great doorway of the palace the skies seemed to darken as the first wave of fliers from the ship came down to attack the fortifications of Atlantis. The craft swooped down from sky with a scarecly audible swooshing sound, each one was as big as a two horsed chariot with batlike wings.
"Prepare to fight noble warriors" Cromon shouted as the first of the fliers passed over the outer wall of Atlantis, a stream of bolts rose upward from the defenders on the wall, but they had miscalculated the speed of the flier, but as fate would have it the next flier was directly in line of the falling bolts. A roar rose from the watchers as the second flier seemed to falter and then plunge downward towards where Cromon and his comrades stood.
The next fliers were also able to penetrate the defenced with little damage, but as they veered overhead they released objects from their bellies, the first struck the roof above Cromon and exploded with a loud bang and sent pieces of masonry flying through the air, Cromon felt a sharp pain between his shoulderblades but it was Conan who had run full tilt into him to pull him under cover of an archway.
"Cromon let us try the flame throwers" shouted Conan over the din of more exploding missiles.
Within seconds the first wave of fliers had passed over and some were not flying as well as before due to the marksmanship of the Atlantean crossbowmen on the city walls, unfortunatley the missiles from the fliers had caused some caualties both on the wall and in the city itself. Cromon hurried to where the first flier lay in a crumpled heap, it was made from some strange black fabric and a curious riblike structure with a tube running down the centre, inside two figures lay prostrate and bleeding from numerous crossbow bolts, the central tube was also riddled and it was smoking as if on fire.
After what seemed like ages the first set of flame throwers were set up on the wall, just as the second wave of fliers came streaking down from the sky, with a great roar the flame throwers sent their balls of fire streaking towards the fliers which at once tried to avoid the flaming balls of pitch and napthalene, some were struck, others came within range of the crossbowmen and the sky was suddenly filled with fire and falling fliers, the tide had been stemmed. Clearly the attackers from the sky had underestimated the weapons and capacity of the defenders of Atlantis.
While cromon contemplated the brief but decisive battle the sun started to set, hopefully the aggressors would respect the dark and not attack at night.

Counter Action
The Mage Merolon approached Cromon and Conan with something clear and glittering in his hand. "This fell from the sky after one of the wounded skydevils hit the skyship my Lord. I have reason to believe that we may have found another chink in their armour. Seing that the fliers are such flimsy contraptions and clearly no match for our new crossbow's and flame throwers"
Cromon looked at his friend and advisor, the wisest and most knowlegeable of the Mages of Atlantis. "What is it o wise one?"
"It is Ice my lord, frozen water protects the ship of the sky, I believe if we could somehow melt it we would be able to cause some damage. But for that we first have to prepare and wait for the sun to rise my Lord, I have already started men on stripping the gold from the West palace O lord Cromon, we have to fashion a mirror or mirrors to focus the rays of the sun on the skyship to melt the ice"

The Deluge
The rays of the sun struck the thousand's of polished golden shields, and with a shout the warriors pointed the reflected light onto the belly of the behemoth in the sky above them. The great craft was clearly unaware of the early morning assault by the forces below, after a few minutes a patch of the ship began to change colour and a cloud seemed to form where the reflected sunlight was focused then a loud crack was heard and a massive piece of ice tore from the vessel and hurtled to the ground. The earth shuddered as it struck the mountainside miles from the city.
A wave of fliers was lauched by the ship but the sunlight had clearly struck a weak spot on the ship, smoke was seen pouring from the place where the light shone on the hull. The fliers could not effectivly do much damage to the shieldbearers, Cromon had ordered that crossbowmen and flame throwers be spread among the thousands bearing shields. The shields protected both the bearer and bowmen as well as protecting against the flame throwers, even still the attack was not without some casualties, however the fliers were decimated, some even crossed the focuspoint and exploded as the rays from the shieldbearers hit them. Clearly the fight was not going as the intruders had intended.
While all this was going on the skyship was losing more of the ice shielding and the sunlight had started a fire on the vessel, the heat was melting the ice and a shower of water was falling from the ship in the sky. Suddenly a massive explosion ripped through the air, a great hole appeared in the skyship, it seemmed as if it had started to move in a southerly direction, clearly the attack from the ground was totally unexpected and unprecedented. The skyship was now no longer directly over the city but a mile or two south of the city, but the shieldbearers kept up the barrage of sunlight as the mage Merolon had instructed.
What happened next was both unexpected and of deadly consequence, a sheet of flame shot out where the sunlight had been focussed and a thunderous roar was heard from the skyship, then the great vessel seemed to quiver before exploding in a blinding flash that seemed last forever. The thunderclap that followed blew the most people off their feet and seemed to lift the very ground. The skyship was now disintegrating in the sky and thousands of pieces were raining down on the land as far as Cromon could see southward. A huge cloud had also formed and it boiled as if alive.

Victory & Destruction
Merolon came running towards him. "My lord forgive me for I have caused the end of the world!" "What do you mean O wize one?" Cromon asked. "The idea was to damage the ship not destroy it Lord Cromon, now the ice will cause a flood!" The meaning of the mage's words caused Cromon to slap his head in a gesture of dispair. The fact struck Cromon like a fist to the stomach, Of course, such a vessel, almost as big as the moon, or so it seemed, would contain many tons of ice and ice would melt into water. Thank goodness the women an children and all non combatants had been sent to the highlands of Cimmeria before.
Cromon realized it was time to run, there was no time to even clear out the treasurehouse or the mage's store of writings, the evacuation had to start before the melting ice caused a flood. "Warriors of Atlantis, I fear we have won the war but lost the battle for the city, depart all of you to the Highlands of Cimmeria as fast as you can." That was the last decree Cromon would ever utter in the Great City of Atlantis.
Slowly at first, then with a roar that grew in intensity the water came rushing down every mountainside. Cromon, together with Conan and all their mages and officers stood and watched as the water started to fill all the creeks and rivers, soon they would start overflowing, Atlantis would be covered. Cromon spurred his horse and quitely wiped a tear from his eye. It was time to depart to the Kingdom of his newfound friend and neighbour Conan.
Several hours later, turning in his saddle in the pass to Cimmeria, Cromon could not believe his eyes, for miles and miles as far as the eye could see the glittering ice lay and in between the wreckage off the invaders skyship glinted with a blue hue. Even now the buzzards were circling to peck at the remaning corpses that had not been washed away.
A wind soon started blowing with a chill never felt before by anyone in the departing party.

Aftermath
Cromon gazed at the vast expanse of water, where once the mounains of his kingdom touched the clouds, a island or two were still to be seen. So much had happened in so short a time and the World would never be the same again. Cromon was amazed that so few people had been killed by the deluge caused by the destruction of the ship of the sky, but he knew that the effects of their victory would be with him and the world for ages to come. Their world was no longer a world of desert but one of water. Atlantis was no more but together with Conan they would build a new city and a new empire in the new world.
Hopefully the visitors of the skyship would never send another to investigate the disapearance of their vessel. If they did the world would be prepared as the mages were even now recording what had happended, it would however take many generations to rebuild the knowledge that had been stored in the ancient library of Atlantis, all lost in the deluge.

It's gonna get to your heart...

Under the lovers sky
Gonna be with you
And no one's gonna be around
If you think that you won't fall
Well just wait until
'Til the sun goes down

Underneath the starlight, starlight
There's a magical feeling so right
It will steal your heart tonight

You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
Don't you know, don't you know
That you, can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart
BUT you know, BUT you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight..No
You can't fight it...
It's gonna get to your heart

There's no escaping love
Once the gentle breeze
Weaves a spell upon your heart
No matter what you think
It won't be too long
'Til you're in my arms

Underneath the starlight, starlight
We'll be lost in the rhythm so right
Feel it steal your heart tonight

You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss

But you know, But you know
That you can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight...No
You can't fight it...
No matter what you do
The light is gonna get to you

(You're gonna know
That I know)
Don't try, you're never gonna win, oh

Underneath the starlight, starlight,
There's a magical feeling, so right
It'll steal your heart tonight

You can try to resist, try to hide from my kiss
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart,
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
No, you can't fight it

You can try to resist, try to hide from my kiss
But you know, but you know that you
can't fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark, you'll surrender your heart,
But you know, but you know that you
Can't fight the moonlight
No, you can't fight it

It's gonna get to your heart...



Lee Ann Rimes - Can't fight the moonlight
Utterly inescapably smitten by the light of the moon. Yet with our eyes fixed on His love, seeking His guidance, giving thanks for moments shared. Who want's to fight the moonlight when given this gift?
"Tis the witching hour of night,
Or bed is the moon and bright,
And the stars they glisten, glisten,
Seeming with bright eyes to listen
For what listen they?"
John Keats (1795 - 1821)

Moon @ 18:38 Bloemfontein 25/10/2007

I hope you dance.

I have a wish for a good friend, that she would find the love she deserves, so today I dedicate this to KatieB, my long lost sister I never had. She taught me to trust in God and let Him take control. Now I pray she finds what I have found in the Moonlight... soon we will dance... my physiotherapist was very happy with the way my leg is getting back in shape. She seems determined to not only get me in shape to dance but do the Comrades!

[via FoxyTunes / Lee Ann Womack - I hope you dance]

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance..........

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance,
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin',
Don't let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years
and wonder where those years have gone.)

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul." Martha Graham (1894 - 1991)

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.

Dedicated to the one I am learning to love more and more...
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do..
I will be strong I will be faithful 'cause I'm counting on a new beginning.
A reason for living. A deeper meaning. Yeah..

I wanna stand with you on a mountain,
I wanna bathe with you in the sea.
I wanna lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...

And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven and make you want to cry..
The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of..
The Highest Powers. In lonely hours. The tears devour you..

I wanna stand with you on a mountain,
I wanna bathe with you in the sea.
I wanna lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...

Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes 'cause it's standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come...

I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do...

I wanna stand with you on a mountain,
I wanna bathe with you in the sea.
I wanna lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...

I wanna stand with you on a mountain,
I wanna bathe with you in the sea.
I wanna live like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...

oh yeah... oh yeah

[via FoxyTunes / Savage Garden - Truly madly deeply]
Tonight I realised we are learning about us... two letters that mean so much yet seem so small and fragile, in our own strenght they could get lost or erased but with His blessing can become a thing of strenght and endurance... for this I thank God for bringing you into my life so unexpectedly.

"True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked." Erich Segal

Next big one

Well... the Boks sorted the Poms... now we go Orange for the Currie Cup final here in Bloem. against the Golden Lions next Saturday. I hope there is no rain on the day, the semi final against the Blue Bulls was preceded by a cloudburst of note and it drizzled the whole game. After the game the city will be having a party but I have been invited to something better... under the moonlight... and that is why there should be no rain. However improvisation has always been one of my abilities so even rain will not dampen our adventure...
The men who have succeeded are men who have chosen one line and stuck to it. Unknown

Winners and losers

This is a retrospective post as I only got home at 4 am on Sunday... Sorry England, try again in 4 years... there has to be a winner and a loser in sport. Great game Os, 80 games and 80 minutes in the Green and Gold!

However... when it comes to the heart one wins by losing, one gains by giving and kisses are sweeter than wine. Cupid seems to have had two arrows in his bow this time. Thatisall.

There is no remedy for love but to love more. Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862), Journal, July 25, 1839

The Weaver

The Weaver
Written in relative realtime.

"Quite a thunderstorm, hey John?" I comment to my collegue, then the radio splutters and the lights go out!

With a barely perceptible hum the UPS takes the load, sitting in the darkened computer room with just the monitor's light I thank old Volta for his bright idea to store electricity in a fluid. Then it strikes me, my brain is a fluid medium, why not interface to a computer via a fluid instead of wires and optic fibre?

The Weaver sat at the loom scanning his handiwork, the Core was stable, shimmering in the neural glow, strands of peptides and neucliosides made up the web of the Core. Softly he touched the strands with minute care, potential flowed across the synapses and he seemed to fade from view. The Core seemed to expand exponentialy then turned a violet blue. The Weaver was gone!

"Daydreaming again! Pete?" My collegue John calls out to me from his terminal. "Naw, just doing a rollback" I quickly banter. The lights pop on again and the room is awash with harsh neon light, I close my eyes to protect me from the glare. "How long was that outage?" I ask.

Light was streaming in from all sides as the Weaver emerged from the Core, surveying his surroundings he made a quick mental calculation, the jump had taken 15 milliseconds and now he was 15,000,000 kilometers from where he had begun. He was on his way home.

"About 15 seconds, according to the log" answers John, I shake my head in wonder, amazing how much one can think of in 15 seconds.

The Weaver glanced up from the Core to see a dark shadow cross the window of the Core housing, he moved over to the aperture to be greeted by a blinding flash of lightning streaking across the sky, it seemed to extend from one horizon to the next, a storm on Jupiter is always an impressive affair. He was also thankful for the fact that the Core's energy field was designed to absorb and convert any energy that hit it, almost alike to a sponge sucking up water.

I sit and ponder how we humans might be using technology in 15,000 years time from now and if we would recognize them as being human, "mmm I am daydreaming again." I smile wryly.

The Weaver turned to move back to the Core, it was built inside a relatively small speck of silicon & protein suspended beneath an envelope of Dacron floating in the Jovian skies. Insignificant, but more powerful than the very planet it was stationed on, actualy floating on the atmosphere in its electromagnetic fields to be correct.

The Weaver remembered the day he had fashioned the first Core, a crude affair compared to the one before him. It had taken him 15 years to perfect the first one, and each one thereafter was made more complex than the last, the 15 'th Core became a thing of wonder at it was the first to self replicate, just 15 months after the first.

"Well Just another 15 minutes then my shift ends John" I was looking foreward to return home after working an extra 4 hour shift to get all the data loads done for the Fermilab's project on microminiature circuitry.

The terminal beeped and flashed:

> DATALOAD COMPLETED...______
> Remove tape from unit 15 please!_
> #____________________________

The Weaver turned and touched the web of the Core with a delicate stroke, shimmering he disappeared from view.

Less than 15 milliseconds later he was in the chamber of the first Core, albeit a reincarnated version, as the Core was now a living entity of its own, replicating and improving itself across the galaxy. The next step was a jump to the Andromeda galaxy, for that the Core had summoned the Weaver to his home planet, even though the Core was self sufficient it needed the touch of a human to help weave the next part of the web of Cyberstrands that would spread across the galaxy out into the universe itself. Transporting itself and its human symbiont's to ever further galactic frontiers.

After removing the tape and placing it in the rack for storage I gaze back at my terminal, the screen saver had kicked in and an image of the Andromeda galaxy as seen through the Hubble telescope was now filling the display. "I wonder if any human will ever gaze on this from a closer perspective John?"

The Weaver gazed in wonder at the sight before him, a million billion stars dancing before his eyes, it was a familiar yet alien view, he was the first human to visit the new Core on a planet of one of the outermost stellar systems of the Andromeda Galaxy. "To think this all was started by a power outage of 15 seconds, 15,000 years ago while I was daydreaming, 15 must be my lucky number."
The Weaver has a smile of utter content on his face as he gazes at the starry sky.

As promised this is one of the short stories I wrote in 2001... hope you enjoyed it.
"A prose writer gets tired of writing prose, and wants to be a poet. So he begins every line with a capital letter, and keeps on writing prose." Samuel McChord Crothers

Howling at the moon

Many moons ago I tried my hand at writing short stories, I will post some later this week but here is the first paragraph from the most unfinished one, maybe after the full moon I will be inspired to complete it, or at least give it some more body, flesh it out so to speak. It seems to be appropriate in the light of a planned adventure... although I doubt we will hear a wolf, we may hear a jackal or two. So here we are, counting down the days to Hunters moon next week... Anyone know whether there is any Wolfsbane growing in the Free State?
SKYDANCER

He looked up at the clouds, low and dark, almost foreboding. Shaking himself to rid himself of the snow the silver tipped timber wolf started to lope again, angling his decent to the glade below where the rest of the pack waited. His name was Skydancer, alpha male, mate of Softeyes the alpha female, he had seen seven winters in his lifetime and was in his prime. It was time to lead the pack in search of food, a herd of caribou was over the ridge from which he now descended. The hunt was something he always looked forward to. The pack greeted Skydancer with enthusiastic yelps.
The mate needs a new name... Moondancer maybe? Softeyes does not sound very wolflike at all.

"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls." George Carlin (1937 - )

2525

Today's Rockwood is relevant to a pleasant conversation I was having with Moondancer earlier today, I don't think God will let things go that far, it just does not fit in with the plan I see in the Bible. Although the SciFi fan part of me would be amazed at such things. It reminds me of this song I have mentioned before, never got the video posted though as Blogger was still bare as far as tools went...

[via FoxyTunes / Zager & Evans]

In the year 2525
If man is still alive.
If woman can survive, they may find.

In the year 3535
Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies.
Everything you think, do and say, is in the pill you took today.

In the year 4545
Ain't gonna need your teeth, won't need your eyes.
You won't find a thing to chew.
Nobody's gonna look at you.

In the year 5555
Your arms hanging limp at your sides.
Your legs got nothing to do.
Some machine doing that for you.

In the year 6565
Ain't gonna need no husband, won't need no wife.
You'll pick your son, pick your daughter too.
From the bottom of a long glass tube. Whoa-oh

In the year 7510
If God's a-comin, he oughta make it by then.
Maybe he'll look around himself and say.

Guess it's time for the judgment day.

In the year 8510
God is gonna shake his mighty head.
He'll either say.I'm pleased where man has been.
Or tear it down and start again. Whoa-oh

In the year 9595
I'm kinda wonderin if man is gonna be alive.
He's taken everything this old Earth can give.
And he ain't put back nothing. Whoa-oh

Now it's been ten thousand years
Man has cried a billion tears.
For what he never knew,
now man's reign is through.

But through eternal night.
The twinkling of starlight.
So very far away.
Maybe it's only yesterday.

In the year 2525
If man is still alive.
If woman can survive, they may find.

In the year 3535
Wow... I don't think it will be that long myself before God intervenes...
"Machines take me by surprise with great frequency." Alan Turing (1912 - 1954)

I was so lucky

This was another manic Monday that just had too many things and too little time, but I was able to reflect on the weekend, had a great time at Dad's do, caught up with all the family and friends. Sunday evening was amazing because...

[via FoxyTunes / Roxette - I was so lucky]

It's no secret I've been waiting
but I didn't expect this
Nothing will remain,
nothing stays the same
after you came

It's no secret I've been starving,
I never felt anything for years
I sat up all night
just to watch your smile
when you're sleep'ng

I was so lucky you came by
and turned a different corner
I could've been somewhere else,
you could've passed by,
could've passed by

Come on and sail the sea with me
Come on, let's go around the world
Maybe find a flat or a canyon house
for the season

I was so lucky you came by
and turned a different corner
It could've been someone else
you had in mind

I was so lucky you found me
My rags turned gold and silver
I could've been somewhere else,
you could've passed by,
could've passed by

What would you make of this, my baby?
The sun through the trees
Is there a better place to be?

I was so lucky you came by
and turned a different corner
It could have been someone else
you had in mind, oh my

I was so lucky you picked me
My trash turned to silver Yea,
I could have been somewhere else,
you could've passed by,
you could've passed by
Not much else to say is there now...
"Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence."
Og Mandino (1923 - 1996)

Begging at the gate called Beautiful

I was a beggar at the gate called Beautiful,
I stood up and walked as you commanded,
I danced for joy and praised your name.
But what can I do for the beggar at the gate?

Money and silver I have not,
Gold and riches I am wont,
Yet I have a gift more precious than ruby.
Let my life now witness the gift of eternity.

May I be a channel for your Spirit,
May I be a light when there is dark,
May I be what you want of me.
Lest I forget the beggar at the gate called Beautiful.

[via FoxyTunes / Don Fransisco - Grace on Grace]

When God came and lived among us
We could see His glory shine
A glory like no one before Him
Nor will be through endless time
Far beyond the power of angels
Wholly God and wholly man
So full of grace and truth and mercy
With a Shepperd's gentle hand

Moses gave the Law to bind us
The prophets spoke just as they had heard
But Jesus came and lived among us
And we touched the Living Word
Seeing Jesus, we saw the Father
The Great Physician, the sinner's Friend
Loving all who would receive Him
And he loved us to the end

Virgin-born the Son of David
By jealous hatred was crucified
Oh, but the grave just could not hold Him
And He arose, no more to die
Rising sun of life unbounded
The light of all who ever see
And from His overflowing bounty
Grace on grace He gave to you and me

When Jesus came and lived among us
We could see His glory shine
When He ascended to the Father
He made the glory yours and mine
The promised power -- His Holy Spirit
Has come to make our hearts His home
To shine the righteous light of Jesus
Until He comes back to claim His own
'Til He comes back to claim His own
Today God touched me in a personal way, pastor's sermon was based on Acts 3, a chapter together with Acts 14, which I have been re reading ever since Wednesday when I was told I could start walking on my leg. Getting a message confirmed in this way is awesome. We are reminded that we are supposed to reach out in faith and touch peoples lives, not always the easiest thing to do... God will grant you the wisdom through his Spirit to be able to do and say the right thing when next you get to the beggar at the gate called Beautiful. (the opening poem is courtesy of my muse)
"Job 28:18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies."

80 and going on strong

Happy birthday Dad! You are the greatest!

Double meaning

While listening to Peggy Marsh and her song I will follow him I again realised that this song was a dual meaning, it has been used as a Gospel song before and featured as one in the movie Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg. This song I know word for word since I was a little kid. Prophetic words?

I WILL FOLLOW HIM (Little Peggy March)

I will follow Him, follow Him wherever He may go,
And near Him, I always will be,
For nothing can keep me away, He is my destiny.

I will follow Him, ever since He touched my heart I knew,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high, it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His love.

I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
And where He goes, I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow.

I will follow Him, follow Him wherever He may go,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high, it can keep,
Keep me away...

I will follow Him (follow Him),
Follow Him wherever He may go,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high, it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His love...

I love Him (Oh yes, I love Him)
I'll follow (I'm gonna follow)
True love (He'll always be my true, true love)
Forever (Now until forever)
I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
And where He goes, I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow,
He'll always be my true love, my true love, my true love,
From now until forever, forever, forever...

There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high, it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His love.
This also relates to today, once again we had to go through the valley of darkness but He held our hands as we put our trust in Him to make the best of the situation, it is a long process but will be resolved and at the same time be an example to others. Once it is over I will explain the whole story, in the meantime thanks for all those prayers and support. We appreciate it.
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

90 Degrees

Today I feel like the man in Acts 14:10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
To others it may not be a miracle but to me it is, I can now put my weight on my leg and walk on it, albeit still with the assistance of crutches. My Physiotherapist consulted the doctor after last weeks session and this was the result, she felt I was way past ready for the big step. When she said the brace bend could be set to 90 degrees I did it myself! I have a few new exercises to do but the main one is to walk as much as I can. Just like riding a bicycle, at each step it gets better.
Thanks for all the good wishes and prayer, it has helped!
I also won a prize over at Moondancers dance floor... a day full of surprises, discovery and joy.
Now I am off to take a warm bath to ease the tired muscles and to unwind...
We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)

Lunchtime scribble

When there is faith - Robert Le Noury
When one door closes another opens,
when you finish one page there is another,
when one shooting star fades you see the moon.

There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
There is always a silver lining around that cloud.
There is a reason for each season.

When you ask it shall be given,
when cry you will be comforted,
when you rejoice the Angels sing.

There are more answers than questions.
There are more smiles than frowns.
There is a reason for living.

Faith teaches us these truths.
Faith holds fast when others dispair.
Faith is true when all else is vain.
I have had rather a long day so the above will have to do for today, it came to me while munching lunch today...
"Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith."
Saint Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226)

Faces

 
Pour me some wine, join me tonight
Surround me with your happy faces
Share some fun stories, stay up all night
Sorround me with your friendly faces
Then look at me, when I'm not aware
Then you'll see, I cannot do without you
I'll be right there, if you ask me to
If you're feeling sad, I'll stay with you
And if you're scared, I'll hold your hand
Like I know you'd do for me too, like I know
You'd do for me too
Pour me some wine, join me tonight
Life is so good when I'm with you
I needed the laughs, I needed you tonight

So look at me, when I'm not aware
Then you'll see, I cannot do without you
I'll be right there, if you ask me to
If you're feeling sad, I'll stay with you
And if you're scared, I'll hold your hand
Like I know you'd do for me too.
I'll be right there, if you ask me to
If you're feeling sad, I'll stay with you
And if you're scared, I'll hold your hand
Like I know you'd do for me too.
Lene has been one of my favourites ever since "Unforgivable Sinner", another Angelic Voice. This song of hers reminds me of all the faces I know, each one is important as the person behind it is precious to me in some way or another. Her voice has always had a soothing effect on my soul, just what I needed after another monday back at work.
"A smiling face is half the meal." Latvian Proverb

Monday Meme

Well if Scully can so can I!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Sandy Corolla. That sounds bland.
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Romany Cream. I just cannot picture that as being vicious.
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) Ruch. Eh?
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Silver Elephant. Slowly but surely the case was solved.
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Donald Edenburg. So cool!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) CroRo. Of The Cro Magnorians from Archeologica, episode 1001...
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) Yellow Rum. Huh? That is lame. What colour cape does he have?
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) William Francis. Very professional sounding.
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Enygmata Whispers. What can I say!
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Christina Francis. Blending in.
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Cruttenden Ceres. Hows that!
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring Dalia. Aha... another black dalia story...
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + "ie" or "y") Mango Shorts. Eh? Sounds like SpongeBob in a fruitcake!
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Wheatbix Soetdoring. That's what "boom" does to you!
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Off Road Lightning Tour. Sounds loud and proud!

Yeah, as you can see my imagination knows no bounds as I try and get my brain to function after a hectic day. It was brightened up when Moondancer walked in late afternoon... now I have to gather my wits again... oh my, my... I think I am going to have to learn to dance...
"I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who." Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936), The Elephant's Child (1902)

I wanna cry

Cry at your feet - Mark Cocks and Nicola Hodges

I know you dont want me around
I know I'm the dirt of this town
I know, I just had to see you
I know all the hurt that I have
I know must keep it inside
I know they'd say that I deserve it

Chorus
I cry, cry at your feet
Cut to the heart and I fall to my knees
I cry, cry at your feet
All that you are, all that I need
I cry, cry at your feet
Tears run down for the words I can't speak
I cry, cry at your feet
Now you are here, and I cry

You turn, kind eyes look my way
I have no words to say
Oh, I so needed to find you
Here I am knowing sweetness at last
You are a release from my past.
Oh Lord! I see who you are now.

Chorus

I feel so weak
Now I know who you are
I fall to my knees!

Chorus

(ommitted from release)
I know there are no words to say
I know I so needed to find you
I know you already found me

Chorus

All that I need
Tears run down for the words I can't speak
I cry, cry at your feet
Now you are here, I cry

I cry
This is a song from Ripcord, a British Christian group that have split up in the meantime, I wish I could post the song but until then the words will have to suffice.
Yes Lord, I cry with tears of joy that I could stand before your table today without blemish because of what you suffered for me on the Tree and not because what I have done. With the power of the Holy Spirit I am able to face my fears and weakness, with praise I seek to serve you Lord, I wish that those who do not know you would see what I have seen. With tears of joy I can ask freely that my family, friends and acquaintances be blessed and touched by your Spirit as I have.
Update 17 Oct 2012... Linked to a Myspace Page that has the song!
"Luke 7:37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."
Text from: Bible Gateway is a tool for reading and researching scripture online -- all in the language or translation of your choice! It provides advanced searching capabilities, which allow readers to find and compare particular passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference. (got the wrong Bible refrences to the song, fixed now)

From a distance

Once again you all amaze me, I forgo posting my blog for two days and I get e-mails to say "Wazzup?"
Life and RWC got hold of me by the scruff of the neck the last few days that is why post's have been lying in draft mode this weekend. The "missing" days are up at last and I apologise for letting you all worry. So it seems I am being checked up on from a distance...

[via FoxyTunes / Bette Midler-From a distance]
From a distance the world looks blue and green, and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance the ocean meets the stream, and the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance, there is harmony, and it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace, it's the voice of every man.
From a distance we all have enough, and no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease, no hungry mouths to feed.
From a distance we are instruments marching in a common band.
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They're the songs of every man.
God is watching us.
God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance.
From a distance you look like my friend, even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend what all this fighting is for.
From a distance there is harmony, and it echoes through the land.
And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves, it's the heart of every man.
It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
This is the song of every man.
And God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.
When I hear that song I always wonder what God is thinking when he sees how things are going on here on earth, how we all seem to be rushing around doing our own thing and not considering how we can change things by being the salt, by prayer and by example. Change begins with each one of us. That is my prayer...
I found this amazing song and video called Everything About You by Sanctus Real over on RT's pondering page, thanks! I am linking to your blog and to GodTube... (updated link to YouTube, the God Tube embed is broken)

Be my light in the darkened room
I'm on my face and I'm calling you
I can't fathom all you've done for me
Every time it finds me on my knees

Like sunlight in the winter cold

Everything about you, it takes my breath
Away...Hallelujah
I tried this once without you and it was my
Great mistake...Hallelujah

Questions fade when you invade
You chase all my fears away
With your love in my atmosphere
All confusion disappears

And nothing but your truth remains

Questions fade, you remain
You are color on a page of white, bright
Like eyes beneath black lights
Like a glowing city on the plains, you call
My name

Hallelujah

"We may go to the moon, but that's not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us." Charles de Gaulle (1890 - 1970)

Life Markers

This cartoon reminds me of how blogs remind me of Biblical memorials where stones were piled up to mark an event or to remember someone by, Joshua 4 speaks of this. Today everyone does so in some way or another, some have scrapbooks or family photo albums, family bibles and family trees, others use a modern stone pile, blogs. I call them life markers. Each one is a conglomerate of thoughts and experiences of the person writing a picture of their lives and each one is unique. Thanks for making a pawprint to prove that you were here today...
"Deeds, not stones, are the true monuments of the great." John L. Motley (1814 - 1877)