Orlando Shakes, Rattles and Hums

On this last Wednesday, which was the 16th of April, I was very lucky to have been invited by a fellow Mouse slave to attend a play at a theater in Downtown Orlando. The Play was written by Mr. William Shakespeare and was the play that is commonly referred to as "The Scottish Play". Because due to some Horrid curse one can not speak the title of this play with out then spitting over their shoulder and knocking three times on wood and walking around in a circle. Yes, I know that is all incorrect, but I haven't the playbill with me so that I may authentically quote the superstitions behind this particular marvel of Mr. Shakespeare. The play was done in the classic style of Shakespeare and the theater was done in a round setting. With the Stage being a Huge ROUND object in the middle of the room. I found this style of theater to be most adventagious to seeing and hearing everything. We were very close to the actors and were able to see their faces clearly as they delivered their lines. The scenery was plane, nearly non-existant, the costumes were, pleasantly enough, Kilts and swords. The 3 witches and scary faces were in deed objects of horror and delightfully rendered. The Kilts were delightfully worn. Did I mention the men wore kilts...The Scottish blood in me was proudly racing through my veins. I like men in kilts....I think Prince Charming will need to be fitted with such an outfit. Regardless of his Austrian heritage...Kilts are nice on men with nice legs.
uh.......oh yeah!
I thought the play was done most admirably. The majority of the cast were very handsome and attractive and delivered their lines with confident precision and robust passion. You felt the anguish of the characters when they discovered members of their families had been brutally murdered, the betrayed by beloved comrades. The lead was portrayed by a man named Ian Bedford, who after googling his name found that he has been on a few episodes of Law & Order: SVU, One Life to Live.
I had to recall the first encounter I had had with Mr. William Shakespeares works. In the basement of our house on 32nd Avenue, in Wheatridge, Colorado, we had a very nice selection of books, Reader's Digest Condensed Versions of many works of mid 20th century Fiction, as well as classical works including those of the Baird. I believe I was either 12 or 13 when I stumbled across a book, wherein I read several passages. I seem to recall the play that I read was that of Hamlet, and I was reading an exchange between Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Gildenstern. Even at that young age I was well versed in sarcasim and wit, and found the words to be very humorous.
The first play that I had ever seen of Shakespeare in a Theater setting was in Dallas, Texas at the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, where my brother Tom and I saw The Merchant of Venice and on another occaision saw Othello. There hasn't been much opportunity to attend the theater in my recent past, but something that I do believe I will have to incorporate into my life again.
Did I mention the men were in Kilts?

My Country Tis of thee.....

So, I was talking to an acquaintance at the World of Mouse the other day. This person's political leanings are allegedly towards the Republican/Conservative view. But I have found a very serious rift in this particular person's arguments. We were conversing, as we have in the past, about the dilemma of the current status of the up and coming political season, well its well into the season coming on over a full year.
(Cue orchestra...)
I was eager at the beginning of the season at the prospect of a man electing into the prestigious office of President of the United States of America, a Man of integrity, patriotic strength and wisdom, with the backbone to fight for the foundation on which it was found. I was very pleased at the opportunity to have a new choice, a clean start, a new beginning. I was looking forward to listening to debates, hoping the candidate of my choice would always elect to take the high-road, the righteous path(Stop the Orchestra!)
....but alas *** sigh ***....He's not running any longer....Whatever that was all about....Suspending the Race....GET BACK IN!!!!
But there is one point, one topic, one stance that I find should be a solid one if one is to call themselves a Republican/Conservative...okay there are many...but one that I have a big disagreement with this fellow "Republican" at the World of Mouse, Immigration/English Speaking in the United States of America.
This is entirely MY opinion and one I feel rather strongly about.
We should NOT allow people of any nationality to remain in this country, if they are here illegally. They should be enticed or forced to leave the country, but then return, should they chose, through the Legal and Proper channels. I am certain if they were able to find employment and gather references (ie; friends, employers), while they were in this country working illegally, those people would perhaps sponsor them to return LEGALLY. If they are so desperate to be in this country, to partake in opportunities that they can find here, they can do so, legally.
Once in this country they should be encouraged to learn enough ENGLISH to conduct business whether personal or in their employment.
If I were to move to Italy, or Spain, or even Luxembourg, I would be expected by that countries government and citizenry to LEARN their language, so that I can communicate, and be productive.
Why is OUR country is made to be the Bully when we would require the SAME RESPECT? Why are our government officials, senators, congressmen, governors so consumed with people "liking" us, who's approval do we need? Why do the "celebrities", and government, individuals that WE THE PEOPLE elect, or determine through patronage of music,film or other avenues of entertainment, whether they be successful or not, tell us we are ignorant, or even Evil if we are Patriotic and want to PRESERVE our Country's sovereignty?
Yes, our country was founded by many different cultures, and many different languages have been used to create the language ENGLISH, which we speak.
My fellow Mouse worker, who's family is from Puerto Rico, a United States Territory, does not feel this way. He feels that the United States of America should have signs posted in every language of the world, to make it convenient for others to get about. That every American should be required to learn other languages, primarily Spanish. Not only is that impratical, although Many Americans do CHOOSE to learn other languages, but it is not a Requirement for productive living in AMERICA, nor should it be! I try to point out the excessive expense in signage, wasted monies spent on a task that would be too TAXING, and where monies would be better spent on National Defense and perhaps an ENGLISH Language class for all
non-ENGLISH speaking LEGAL Immigrants.
He was snarky to point out that perhaps my ancestors may have also had to Immigrate to this country. I assured him they did, but they were able to speak ENGLISH before or soon thereafter. He wanted to know when my ancestors had arrived in this Glorious country, and I proudly announced that My Ancestors have been in this Righteous Country since BEFORE the Revolutionary war. He dismissed this as being of no value,
because his retort to me was "what about the Current Revolutionary War." WHAT?
I quickly bit my lip, and excused my self from his presence.
Cause I needed an Industrial Size roll of Duct Tape!
But the Revolution that I think he may be mistaking will be the one where the Majority of the LEGAL Americans will revolt against so MANY Illegal Aliens inhabiting a country they have no respect. They disrespect the country they Chose to enter Illegally, they show it in the utter contempt they have for her by remaining an alien in attitude, and even by lack of citizenship. If you respect something you show that respect by abiding by rules, dare I say LAWS, whether it be a person, Religion or Country. You cannot show your respect for something if you disregard the Foundation of that person, Religion or Country as antiquated or out of touch. You cannot love or respect a person, Religion or Country if you fight against it and by doing so you are actually fighting against your own Freedom. How can you say you want freedom, even after you have physically removed yourself from that which was binding, if you do not also mentally, emotionally, throw off that which held you bound ....the tyranny, the oppression, the poverty, of the person, Religion or Country from which you have fled. It is Disrespect that there are floods of Illegal aliens sneaking into our beloved United States of America, likes thieves in the night, and then in broad daylight demand that WE THE PEOPLE conform. They chose THIS Country. Risking their families and in many cases their lives to be here, why not do it the LEGAL way?
The United States of America was once called, and I suppose could still be called, the "Great Melting Pot." A melting pot....what does that conjure up? A Humongous, Gargantuan,
Cast-Iron Kettle full to the brim with Hot, steamy, aromatic Stew. Bursting with Hearty chunks of Potatoes, Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Corn, Carrots, Celery, Peas, Chicken, Beef, Pork, Lamb, etc. All mixed together creating a rich, savory, Fufilling meal. Each ingredient enhancing the others, bringing all the individual flavors out, but mingling in a pleasing, very tasty way to satisfy, and benefit all who CHOOSE to partake. You don't lose the individual flavors of the ingredients, they each retain their best and most beneficial qualities.
I hope my fellow World of Mouse worker, will learn, because he is a young person, to respect, and savor the country that he calls home.
I love this country, and it causes me great distress to see it disrespected so meanly. Our Country is worth so much more than we are aware. The very foundation inspired by Men and Women, who Loved and Respected God, who loved and respected families and who loved and respected Freedom. Those men and women prayed, fought, demanded and even died for its endurance, and for respect for that Freedom. They also saw the potential of this country to be a haven for others, but through the LEGAL Way. There are many who still feel as strong. I know I do.

The Wonders that are the Internet and This blog...

It is amazing to me the things that are beginning to happen in my life because of this internet and this little thing called a Blog. I don't kid myself to think that anyone would even read this on a regular basis. I know my sister and sometimes my Mom reads this spot. So I try to write things in which they might be interested.
But I have been able to connect with others and through the power of just putting a person's name into a search engine I am able to find someone who until recently had been basically lost.
It is too easy to lose touch with important people when life just gets in the way, you move, they move, circumstances change, friends just get lost.
I recently imput the name of an old friend of mine into Google, and Voila, I was able to make contact with that person, and catch up with them, and include them back in my world.
I am reminded of a phrase that I learned in Brownies and I think my Grandmother might have told me this also, its simple. It goes...
"Make new Friends, but keep the old, One is Silver and the other Gold."
My Dad always made a big deal about calling some one a friend. He was right. There are requirements that need to be met before a person can be called a friend. There needs to be a mutual respect. There should be some level of similiar interests. There needs to be a high level of trust, would this person stand by me in times of sorrow as well as in good times.
I know that certain people have come into my life through its vastly different stages for specific purposes and I also know those friendships can be everlasting.
I have always cherished each person that's come into my life, because through them or because of them I've learned more about myself, whether good or bad and as a result I have grown and become who I am. Their influence, support, love and kindness has been my sustanance. I may have not had the maturity or humilty at the time to let them know how important they were to me. I hope they know.
I've lost enough friends through death to know the value of letting my thoughts and feeling be made known, without embarrassment.
It is a wonderful gift to add back to my treasure chest those pieces of gold and silver that I thought were lost.

The Scents of Springs

Ahhhhh, inhaling the air in Central Florida at this time of the year can cause a myriad of results. The Orange Blossoms are once again blooming. The orange trees are blooming a little waxy blossom that is deceptive in its size for the largeness of the scent that it produces, and then become beautiful globes of orange heaven.
The scent is undiscribable. There is a heavy, perfumy, heady, overpowering, sensual, nay even erotic scent of Orange Blossoms.
We live in a town where we are surrounded by Orange Groves and it is with sheer delight that I drive through the street with my windows down, so that I can fill my car, my hair, my sking with the scnet.
When I first had the experience of smelling Orange trees in spring bloom, I was overcome with ..... was a sense of unabashed delight...even elation. The scent is overpowering at best. It is absolutely glorious!
There aren't words adequate enough in the languages that I am familiar with.....English, to describe the scent completely.
It is by far one of the truely wonderous reasons that I am very pleased to be living in Central Florida.

FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY BAG....

So, My youngest sister decided to TAG me in one of her Blogs on her DUCKDUCKCOW blog. Her Tagging requires me to exhibit the contents of my Purse to the unsuspecting Public at large. Now, This was suppose to include visuals, such as photos to back my claims up, but as I am still residing in the very early 90's in regards to having the ability to show photos online.....I am reduced to Verbal descriptions of the contents of my personal luggage system.
Oh you may laugh, nay even scoff.....I do carry Luggage with me daily.
My Bag on the nights that I am working for The MOUSE, is literally just that a Bag. It is Black and Yellow with a nice rubberized logo of the Resort for which I work for the Mouse. There is a velcros handle for carrying by hand as well as a nicely padded shoulder strap for those days when my hands are other wise occupied. The bag is approximately 15 inches long and 9 inches wide with a very large capacity in the main compartment, in which I have the following. A pair of Black Reboks, a pair of nude knee high stockings, a blue skirt that I wear while costumed at work for the Mouse, along with the lovely button up blouse that has poofy short sleeves, in a cheery plaid, consisting of green, red, pink and white plaid hatchings with a simple pinkish tan base color. I also have my Mouse issued sweater, 3 ball point pens in black ink, a silver head band that hurts and gives me a headache when I wear it, an AC adapter, charger for my Nintendo DS, my Nintendo DS in its Grey case, a little love note from my Prince Charming, a cuticle tool, a manicure case, a packet of Splenda, a magazine insert card from Martha's magazine. LIVING (Martha's Magazine). THEN on the outside of the bag are 3 other pockets, in one pocket I have my makeup, which consists of my eyeliner pencil from MILANI in a Brazilian Brown color, and my eyeliner felt tipped marker in a Dark Brown by Physicians Formula, my wide toothed comb which is a clear plastic purple with a broken tooth, my Physicians Formula eyeshadow called Amber Minerals, my foundation which is also Physicians Formula Mineral Wear in Translucent Light, my Physicians Formula Mineral wear Blushing Glow Blusher, my CoverGirl Volume Exact mascara in Brown, my CoverGirl Pressed powder compact in Natural Ivory, my Natural Beauty lipstick in SugarPlum Fairy, and finally my CoverGirl WetSlicks lipgloss in FireFly. Then in the 2nd Pocket I have my black cloth wallet which has more receipts than money in it. My Purple Checkbook with Pooh Bear with checks that I don't use, my 2 year pocket calendar which has cute kitties on the outside, my little blue notebook where I keep information like my passwords, family email, and some tasty reciepes, 2 more pens. THEN in the very outside pocket which is fastened with one little piece of velcro...there is my calculator, a package of Extra winterfresh gum, some receipts that didn't make it into my wallet, that all need to be input onto our sales tax spreadsheet, some loose change, more packets of Splenda, some packets of Non-Pseudo Sinus Decongestant and that is IT!
Now when I'm not working I have 2 purses that I carry, not at the same time.....Please. The one I prefer is my little cream colored leather purse, which I have been told is a "COACH" but There's not a label on it anywhere. Its got a cute little gold toggle that holds the flap shut. Its got a long strap that I can loop around my neck. I normally take out what ever cash I have from my wallet, my debit card, my license, a pen, my Calendar, a lipstick and powder compact, car keys and my new slimmer cell phone which are pretty much all that can comfortably fit. THEN there is my bigger Brown bag that I can fit pretty much all that is in my big yellow bag, except the clothing. Its got cute Tassels and brass rings and things on it. I am not one for danglies and bright colored purses. I like the simple, understated bags. Good quality leather preferably, but the brown bag is some Pleather from Walmart that cost me all of $7 on sale!
THERE I have revealed in as much detail, as I care to get into, about my BAG. IF you are reading this Blog the consider yourself TAGGED and thereby requiring the exploitation of the items that are contained within your particular personal carrying device, whether it be a purse, manbag or suitcase, whatever the case, (haha that could be literal) may be!

in a

Does Anyone Know where Luxembourg is???

So as we all know I work for a Mouse....and yesterday was no exception.
Yeah, So this guest comes to the World of Mouse and is from Luxembourg.
I was acting as the gopher yesterday...also called Runner. Where I run errands like shopping for new luggage, taking gift baskets to the guests rooms, helping them back into their room where they leave their room keys.....that kinda stuff. I get to sit in the back in the mail/message room with the girl in charge of this area. She sends me on my errands, to go check rooms for dead bodies or to lock out people who don't pay their Mouse bill!
In comes one of the Front Desk Cast Members, I'll call him Brock....cause that's his name, and says....."Does Anyone know where Luxembourg is?" I said ..... "its near Germany." So then I pop online to Google and low and behold....I'm RIGHT! So, I am basking in my profound knowledge of oddities like knowing where Luxembourg is and knowing there is also a country called Liechtenstein.....up by Poland and Russia.
So, Brock comes back to the mail/messages room and says...."How did you know there was a place called Luxembourg?" I couldn't really recall the exact moment that I remember learning there was such a place, but I'm sure it was in Highschool. Brock said he was mightily impressed that someone from America would know where an obscure place like Luxembourg is. I was kinda of realing from the shock that I even knew how to spell the word of the country....Then I began reflecting on why we lucky people in America, don't know or even want to know about other places in the world. I mean we have the resources of History classes in Highschool and college, the internet, books, magazines and The History and Discovery Channels on television to show us how these places look, so we don't actually have to GO to these places. But there are people from these places that come to America....and they are very pleased when we show that we know of their existance. We don't have to absorb their language, (which by the way people from Luxembourg speak German and French, because they are literally right between Germany and France with one border with Switzerland, and Belguim.) And we don't have to follow their religion. We can just know about them... So here are some things that I learned yesterday about Luxembourg: They have a Duchy that runs their country along with a parliment and it is the Richest country in Europe. The Grand Duchy abdicated his ruling seat in 2000, to his 53 year old son. They were absorbed for a time by the Nazi influence of Germany during WWII....(that's WORLD WAR II for those in Rio Linda). Luxembourg is a very small country it can be walked across in one day. But it is not the smallest country in the world. I think that belongs to either Vatican City or Andorra.
So, why are Americans berift of knowledge of other countries? Do we think we are the Only country that matters in the world? I have met people in Florida that live 10 miles from Disney World, who could not tell me which road to take to get there! I know people in America who do not know where our Capitol is located. Kinda makes you wonder if we are this way, how would we know if there are People from other Planets living among us, because they could say they were from Alpha Centari and we'd say...."oh, is that near France?" And we wouldn't KNOW.
I have over the course of my existence on this planet strived to learn about the countries and peoples from other cultures. I don't know why this is. I don't wish that I lived in those countries....well...maybe Australia or England, but that's because I could still actually communicate with them.
But I respect people from other cultures. I'm not saying I'm better because of this, but it is amazing how many people have commented to me on what I know. I knew a girl from Romania, who was impressed that I knew where Romania was located on the map, and I could tell her what countries bordered hers. She complimented me and said I was one of the FEW Americans that she'd ever met with knowledge of the world.
Working for the Mouse I have the opportunity to meet all sorts of people from every walk of life, every economic spectrum, and from many different countries. It helps them to feel welcome and special when I can converse with them about their country in an intelligent, respectful way. For instance....When people from England come to my desk, I love to use some of their slang words. They love it, and I ask them if they know where Giggleswick is. They more often than not don't, but they find it amazing or maybe even amusing that I would know first that there is a place called Giggleswick and where Giggleswick is located. And just so you know... It is in East Yorkshire England, near a small town called Settle, which is a place that most English know about...and Giggleswick is about 30 miles or so west of Manchester, England. It is amazing to them that I would know not only the name of the place, but that I would also know details about the place, but I've never been there!
I certainly don't know any other language besides English....some Spanish and even less French. But I like to hear other languages. But I think that only English should be spoken in public in America. But obviously if you are conversing with a close friend who is also from the same country as you and it is easier to communicate in your native tongue, you may do so, but please don't yell, thank you.
I am hoping that my respect and desire to know things about other countries and cultures will rub off a bit on to the Child. She has a fascination currently with Japan and China. She has a particular fondness for the food of China, for which I am grateful. And she has mentioned wanting to visit Japan so that she can see the Shinto Shrines that are very important to their culture. I am hoping that learning about their cultures she will be able to respect them and want to learn more, and that she will develop a hunger for learning about other cultures. She has learned about the Japanese art of brush painting through playing a video game called Okami.
It would be nice if the teachers in our schools could teach more about cultures and countries around the world. Rather than being babysitters of disruptive and disrespectful children. Who are the product of a disruptive and disrepectful home life. I am grateful for the history teachers that I have had and I am grateful that I was taught by my parents to be respectful of others. I am glad I have the desire to learn, still.
So, Where is Andorra?

Update, Cause My Baby Sister Said to!

So...a button. I was talking to my youngest sister yesterday. By the way, Thanks Jessie...You helped keep me awake while I was driving home! She complained that I had not up dated my blog spot in a while. Well, yeah....because there's not much to blog about. I mean....Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have the political arena covered. John Stossel has the News covered....and we don't have to worry about much drivel coming out of Hollyweird, because of the writer's strike. Now really, has anyone truly cared that the writers are on strike? I have not heard much complaint. I know that the soaps are covered cause they write like months of story line way in advance, and well to be honest those writers could take a long Hiatus, just so the old stories and characters can be re-directed into a direction and stories that are more in line with their characters....I mean come on...Luke Spencer, on General Hospital, has been battling heart attacks for the last month! He's not even close to being dead! He can't be. There would be NO reason to watch General Hospital if he dies. They already killed off Alan Quartermaine.....What the heck were they thinking there???? He's like a core character. Then they go and like the next month kill off Emily Quartermaine!! I mean come on! They might as well just drop a bomb on the whole of Port Charles and re-write the whole deal. I am sick to death of the MOB deal. I mean come on how 1980! Sonny and Jason don't need to be mob anymore....I mean hello...the Sopranos are even gone. And what is up with killing Georgie Jones? What is that all about, what point were the writers trying to make there? Okay so her character was kind of boring, but that's the beauty of being a soap writer....She could come back having amnesia, and not being dead. I know Georgie, Emily, Alan and Frisco could all come back from the dead or from whereever they are....I think Frisco is on like the Bold and the Beautiful, where the original Todd Manning of One Life to Live is, along with Dixie Martin, of All My Children.
So.....yeah I didn't mean to get on a soap tanget......
Okay lets see what is up in the World of Lynie......well I am still employed by the Mouse, and My Prince Charming is still employed by the Whale. We are going to be moving closer to our work locations, as the price of gas and general living have become rather um...taxing. So we have decided to gather all our resources, sell our house. Move closer to work, which means moving into ORLANDO...but not like downtown. Then working to pay off our debt. We'd like to ultimately become a CASH only family. But we'd also like to have a nicer home. SO, we need better credit for that kinda thang. The Girl is all right with our moving. She's going to be in the 9th grade next year, but isn't worried about making new friends. She's finally learned the art of using the phone, and knows she can keep in touch with her current possee.
So things are going to be a big different for a while, but eventually will be better. So, that's all for the best.
Well How's that for an updated blog Jess? Did this fulfill your expectations? Did you have any expectations.....I really hope you aren't looking to me to fulfill ANY expectations.....Life is more rewarding with no expectations having to be met! Take Care One and ALL! Until Next time!