Alpha 150

Saturday, October 28, 2006

NEVERMORE!


The Raven
Edgar Allan Poe
[First published in 1845]

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.`
'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -Only this, and nothing more.
'Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating`
'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -This it is, and nothing more,
'Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -'Tis the wind and nothing more!'
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -On the morrow will he leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "Never-nevermore."
'But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -What this grim, ungainly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Daily Survival Kit


Items Needed:
Mint
Candy Kiss
Tea Bag
Eraser
Rubber Band
Toothpick
Chewing Gum
Band Aid
Pencil

Why?????

TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. -*Matthew 7:1
RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. - *Romans 8:28
BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. - *Colossians 3:12-14 PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday. - *Ephesians 1:3
ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay. - *Genesis 50:15-21 CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything. - *Philippians 4:13
MINT - to remind you that you are worth a mint. - *John 3:16-17
CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. - * John 4:7
TEA BAG - to remind you to relax daily and go over your list of blessings. - *1 Thessalonians 5:18

*Relevant Scriptures

Lord,
Thank You for loyal, loving friends
Who are there in winter or springtime fair.
New acquaintances are easy to come by,
But true friendship is extremely rare.
A friend always sees the best in you,
Although they've known you at your worst.
They laugh with you in the good times,
When storms threaten, they'll be there first.
They'll offer a shoulder to rest your head
When tears are welling in your eyes.
Take a walk down friendship's path with you
And help chase away those stormy skies.
Lord, thank You for all the gifts You give;
Each one makes our life seem more worthwhile.
But one of the finest gifts you've given usIs the warmth of friendship's loving smile.

Monday, October 16, 2006

AINT NO OTHER MAN BY CHRISTINA AGUILERA


Do your thang honey!

I could feel it from the start,
Couldn't stand to be apart.
Something about you caught my eye,
Something moved me deep inside!
Don't know what you did boy but You had it and I've been hooked ever since.
I told my mother, my brother, my sister and my friends
I told the others, my lovers, from past and present tense.
Everytime I see you everything starts making sense.
Do your thang honey!
Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do (what you do).
You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon.
You got soul, you got class. You got style with your bad ass - oh yeah!
Ain't no other man its true - all right -
Ain't no other man but you.
Do your thang honey!
Never thought I'd be all right. No, no, no!
Till you came and changed my life.
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
What was cloudy now is clear!
Yeah, yeah! You're the light that I needed.
You got what I want boy, and I want it!
So keep on givin' it up!
Tell your mother, your brother, your sister, and your friends.
And the others, your lovers, better not be present tense.
Cause I want everyone to know that you are mine and no one else's!
Oooooooo, oh!
Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do (what you do).
You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon.
You got soul, you got class.
You got style your bad ass - oh yeah!
Ain't no other man it's true - all right -
Ain't no other man but you.
Break it down now!
Ain't no other, ain't, ain't no other! (other)
Ain't no other, ain't, ain't no other LOVER!
Ain't no other, I, I, I need no other!
Ain't no other man but you! Ohhhh!
You are there when I'm a mess
Talk me down from every ledge
Give me strength, boy you're the best
You're the only one who's ever passed every test
Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do (what you do).
You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon.
(You're the kinda guy, a girl finds oooo yeahh)
You got soul, you got class. You got style your bad ass - oh yeah!
Ain't no other man it's true - all right -
Ain't no other man but you.
And now I'm tellin' you, so ain't no other man but you.
Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do (what you do).
You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon.
You got soul, you got class. You got style your bad ass - oh yeah!
Ain't no other man it's true - all right - Ain't no other man but you.

We will miss you man! Freddie Fender Died Today




Wasted days and wasted nights
I have left for you Behind
For you don't belong to me
Your heart belongs to someone else
Why should I keep loving you,
When I know that you're not true
And why should I call your name
When you're the blame for making me blue
Don't you remember the day
That you went away and left me
I was so lonely
Prayed for you only, my love
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you're not true
And why should I call your name
When you're the blame for making me blue
[Musical Interlude]
Don't you remember the day
That you went away and left me
I was so lonely
Prayed for you only, my love
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you're not true
And why should I call your name
When you're the blame for making me blue

Sunday, October 15, 2006

A Great Great Cause


Support our troops as they support these children!

Making our children allies not enemies!

http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/

Over The River Run Results


I did the 5 miles in 1 hour 10 minutes and 54 seconds

I came in 125 in the walkers

I beat my old time by 20 minutes

Last time I came in at 1 hour 30 minutes and 51 seconds

I wanted to do it faster but the way my legs are barking today ....I did it as fast as they would let me!

But I met my ultimate goal ... I finished and I didn't finish last!

Thanks to Bonnie Raitt And Keb Mo For A Wonderful Concert And Thanks Bonnie For This Way Cool Song!


That was then this is now
Found my way back here somehow
Knew you'd have to let me go
Told you once I told you so
Take me down
You can hold me but you
Can't hold what's within
Pull me round
Push me to the limit
Maybe I may bend
But I know where I'm not going
I will not be broken
I will not be broken
I will not be...Someone other than who I am
I will fight to make my stand
Cause what is livin' if I can't live free
What is freedom if I can't be me
Take me down
You can hold me but you
Can't hold what's within
Pull me round
Push me to the limit
Maybe I may bend
But I know where I'm not going
I will not be broken
I will not be broken
I will not be...I won't let you near it
I will let my spirit fly
FlyHigh
Oh take me down
Take me down
You can hold me but you
Can't hold what's within
Pull me round
Push me to the limit
Maybe I may bend
But I know where I'm not going
I will not be broken
I will not be broken
I will not be...

Thursday, October 12, 2006

What A Difference A Year Makes

One year ago almost I set out on a journey to lose weight and in the process found a part of myself I didn't really know was there ....
I found that I was strong; that I had will power and I found that I had faith in God and that I could follow Him down the path He created for me without questions or doubts. It has been a long road but I am better for it and I am healthier because I trusted in him and did the work.... I thank God for showing me the way. Even though it has been alot of work(walking, journaling, doing the math, etc) it really wasn't as hard as I imagined it to be because I kept the FAITH! I finally let go and let God!
Thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow!
Photos are
first one is me in 2004 the second (black and white) is from 2005 and the last one of me in the green shirt is me now 2006 ..... 65 pounds lighter and 65 pounds healthier!

Monday, October 09, 2006

Student Soldiers Readjust To Home


From the Clarion Ledger

After duty in Iraq, some find surprising challenges in U.S.
By Rachel Leifer Hattiesburg American

HATTIESBURG — Joshua Blakeney had plenty to get used to when he returned home from fighting in Iraq last Christmas - family life, homework and meals consumed someplace other than a chow hall.
But getting into a car was among Blakeney's strangest readjustments.
"You'll catch yourself kind of looking for things along the side of the road," said Blakeney, 23, of Taylorsville.
The Jones County Junior College student spent a year with the Mississippi National Guard's 155th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, where his regular duties included manning convoys traveling dangerous roads lined with the hidden explosives that have taken so many soldiers' lives.
"It's weird for me to be back driving again," Blakeney said. In Iraq, "we used to drive down the center of the road to stay off the sides."
Battle stress, violence and living with only basic comforts leave deep impressions on servicemen and women - and reintegration into "real life" can be a shock.
For some, the home front can present challenges more nerve-wracking than war.
University of Southern Mississippi Army ROTC cadet and history major Wesley Ward, who served as an active-duty Army infantry sergeant in Iraq from September 2004 to October 2005, felt more trepidation about hitting the books upon his return than he had about entering the urban battlefields of Mosul and Fallujah.
For him, the Army offered the clear boundaries, responsibilities and benchmarks for success he said he had not been able to find at school. "When I got back, classes were more stressful for me than combat had been," he said. "I hadn't seen myself do really well (in a classroom) before."
But success in the military helped Ward, 25, take a new approach to his studies. "Now, if I have a deadline a week away, my papers are sent off for proofreading days in advance so I don't screw up or drop the ball," he said.
Marine Cpl. Limon Stepney embraced his studies at Pearl River Community College with discipline learned from tough missions during the opening salvos of the Iraq war in 2003. But images still haunt him.
"I've seen for myself how the people are living over there - the children alone on the side of the road," said Stepney, 25, of Columbia. "Back home, of course, you see poor people, but not people on the side of the road begging for water and crackers. That hurt."
Southern Miss Army ROTC cadet Gabriel Dearman said the fear he experienced during his year with the Army in Iraq is still palpable. His base, next to the city of Abu Ghraib was under regular mortar fire.
"Bumping my elbow in the shower, sometimes I would scare myself," Dearman, 22, said. "The incoming noise was constant."
Getting acclimated to the luxuries of American life after the harrowing Iraq experience has given him profound perspective.
"I'm so glad I went to Iraq," Dearman said. "A lot of people talk about all we take for granted," he said. "When you go over there and the amenities are limited, you realize it's really true. You come home and have a real appreciation."

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Mississippi Mourning An American Heroe Tonight


Mississippi Mourns Another Fallen Soldier

By Julie Strawjulie@wlbt.net
A Yazoo city family is mourning the loss of a fallen soldier. Sergeant James Ellis died in Iraq this week. Now a community remembers the life of this young man.
Betty Rodgers sits holding a picture of her fallen hero, her grandson, Sergeant James Darren Ellis.
Rodgers says "He was a good man. He always did the right thing. He was a good person."
Twenty-five-year old Ellis, a Staff Sergeant, was with the 7th squadron, 10th cavalry, 4th infantry division. He was on patrol in Baghdad on Tuesday October fourth when he and three fellow soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb.
Rodgers says she spoke to him just two hours before it happened. Later that day she received another phone call.
Rodgers says "I told her don't tell me your calling to tell me something happened to my baby. And she said i'm so sorry."
Ellis left in January for his second tour of duty in Iraq. His wife Ulrica and 14 month old daughter Janiayah live in Valdosta, Georgia, and were expecting his return in three weeks.
Rogers says "His life was just starting and I just want him to remember him, that he died serving his country."
Ellis joined the army reserves in 2000 after graduating from the Yazoo City High School. Well-liked and outgoing, he was voted class clown.
Staff and classmates say they remember him well.
Romeka Mack says "Everytime you saw him he was laughing, he was dancing, he was trying to make you laugh."
Yazoo City High School Principal John Wallace says "We wish we could have all our students pattern themselves after James because as far as I'm concerned he was an around student. And we loved him for it."
Rodgers says she is proud of her brave soldier. And she prays everyday that the men and women he fought beside come home safe.
Rodgers adds "It's just a shame, so many of these young boys are leaving their families. It's just horrible. I hate it, but there's nothing we can do about it. All we can do is pray for them, that's all."
A memorial service for Sergeant James Ellis will be held Sunday October 15th in Valdosta, Georgia.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Come Now Ya Hear!

PORTER’S CHAPEL DAY
Saturday October 21, 2006
White Elephant Sale begins at 8:00 am.
Bake Sale begins at 9:00 am.
BBQ Meal with all the fixings will be served starting at 11:00 am and will go until around 1:00 pm.
Prices are:
$7.00 for Adult
$6.00 for Seniors
$5.00 for 12 and under

The address of the church is:
Porter’s Chapel
United Methodist Church
200 Porter’s Chapel Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180
For further Information contact
The church at 601- 636- 2966