Soo, I've been basically non-existent! It happens. I've been having a really good time being non-existent though! I visited New York City from the December 28th to the 30th. I really love it there, New York City is something else!
We walked all over the place. We were considering driving but you can't really experience the way New York City is if you drive... It saves some wear and tear on your feet, but that's about it. Give some credit to that old saying... No pain no gain, correct?
We spent a lot of time in midtown Manhattan. That is a really lovely part of New York. I enjoyed myself the most in midtown. Downtown was less enjoyable, but I think I was too tired to keep up with the pace in downtown! Oh well, next time...
We also rode on the subway. That was an interesting experience... Pretty confusing. You really have to think logically and plan out your route. It was confusing at first, but a neat experience overall. That's how we got from midtown to downtown.
A good way to make your trip to New York a lot easier is to get a hotel in the midtown area. Getting a hotel outside of the city just won't do! Listen, the extra money is worth it, stay in the city. It won't keep you up at night, trust me, I'm a night owl and an insomnia sufferer. I slept fine! And when you're walking nearly 9 miles in New York in a day trying to see everything you want to see, you'll pass out at the end of the day, too. No problem.
Thanks to all you New Yorkers who made our trip a memorable one! We can't wait to visit again. Well, I can't wait. :) The only complaint we had was traffic! But we only had to deal with that for a limited amount of time. Next time we plan on visiting Little Italy, and maybe do some more shopping. And of course, I'm taking a lot more photos than I did! I took a ton but I need more nighttime skyline shots. That would be fabulous.
Well, I'll report more about New York soon but I did want to add a quick entry to update you all on what I've been doing.
This book really answered my questions and gave me a start at understanding Communism and it's ideals. It's a great introduction and gives a perfect overview of this flawed ideology.
It begins with the basics of Communism, such as private land, personal freedom and the differences between Socialism and Communism. It also covers Marx and Engels influences, and how the Communist Manifesto came to be (More so in an abbreviated form, if you wish to know more about the Communist Manifesto, read it yourself).
This is a wonderful book to recommend to any fairly intelligent individual considering the notion that Communism is a beneficial social, political and even religious policy. This book isn't a piece of literature only for the philosopher or genius, but the averagely intelligent fellow can read through this book in a week and get a basic knowledge of Communism.
Viva La Capitalism, my friends.
Memorable quotations from "Communism" by Richard Pipes:
Karl Marx "It was French radical thinkers of the eighteenth century who first advanced communism programs, calling for the abolition of all private wealth on the grounds that it was the cause of every misery known to mankind. In the words of Morelly, the author of the influential treatise "Le cofe de la Nature", published in 1755:
'The only vice which I know in the universe is avarice; all the others, whatever name one gives them, are merely forms, degrees of it... Analyze vanity, conceit, pride, ambition, deceitfulness, hypocrisy, villainy; break down the majority of our sophisticated virtues themselves, they all dissolve in this subtle and pernicious element, the desire to possess.' Such economically determined psychology lies at the root of every socialist and communist doctrine." -Communism by Richard Pipes, Page 9, emphasis added
I find this quote particularly interesting, because the analysts of the eighteenth century (The age of enlightenment) were seemingly trying to find a way to explain what makes mankind "tick". Although, conventional knowledge can never seem to supercede the Lord, it is explained in the Bible, within the first book, why we have the desire to possess and why we wish to be prideful, be deceitful, and partake in other unruly sinful qualities.
Friedrich Engels "The Marxist concept of social evolution arose under the influence of the Darwinian theory formulated in 1859 in 'On The Origin Of The Species'. Darwin's book depicted the emergence of biological species as due to a process of natural selection that enabled the better to survive in a hostile environment... ...So great was Darwin's influence on Marx that Engels, speaking at his friends' funeral, said, 'Just as Darwin had discovered the law of development of organic nature, so did Marx discover the law of human history.' " -Communism by Richard Pipes, Page 9, emphasis added
This is an interesting fact to observe that Marx helped to base his concept of the Communist Manifesto from Darwinism. The Nazis also based their racial doctrines from Darwinism.
The book also expands upon the different forms of Communism that have risen from Marx's original Communist theory. He explains Leninism in detail, and how the Communist regime in Russia took different turns while Stalin lead the country, and communism in other countries such as: Cambodia, China, Cuba and Chile. The book also explains the effects of Communism on economies, and how Communism ultimately leads to totalitarianism and fascism.
• Oct. 23, 2008 - Obama Is Not Qualified To Be President
Posted By Annette
But not on grounds of experience (Which is debatable, BUT...) or his stand on the issues or even his connections.
It's all on one "minor" detail that has been hidden for over 20 months.
If he's a natural born citizen - Then why hasn't he produced a birth certificate? Why won't he release his medical records? Why won't he release his college records?
Now I'm beginning to understand why they called that one show on Style "Whos wedding is it anyway?" It seems as if the entire family here has jumped into "MASSIVE WEDDING PLANNING" mode, especially the mothers around here! Theres still a huge laundry list of things that need to be done...
X-All of the bridesmaid dresses need to be sewed properly and hemmed and so on and so forth. (Overall, four dresses!)
X-The brides' dress needs minor adjustments made to it
X-The cake needs decorated and assembled.
X-The programs need printed.
X-Camera cards need cleaned off and batteries charged.
X-My hair and my mothers' hair needs a test run.
X-My mom and my sister need their hair fixed up
X-I need to iron out the piano peice for the wedding (Argh!)
X-Limo contract needs to be signed.
X-Over 20 Songs need downloaded for the reception.
And most of these things need to be done by THURSDAY! And let me tell you, people, Cassandra and Chris's cake is no rinky dinky little cake! It's a massive four tier cake and two sattelite cakes! Oh boy... The drama ensues! Not to mention, the bridesmaids and I are still trying to plan a little get together for my sister (The bride). Sheesh! Lord willing, everything will go according to plan...
So I'll make this quick... We've been preparing for my sisters' wedding the past few weeks... From August 3rd-9th I was in Charlotte, NC, for National Fine Arts... Sonshinefest was July 20th, we ahd a fun time, until it downpoured, ha! My mom made a cake for someones wedding... I had to help serve spaghetti at the Fine Arts auction... And of course, there was my sisters' bridal shower. My friend of many years graduated in June (Yeah I'm going kind of backwards here...), we enjoyed yucky weather for the fourth, we had our patriotic festival, and there was also the Fine Arts coffeehouse... and of course our very first homeschool co-op social. So, yep, inbetween were sleepovers with my gal friends, swimming and lots of tanning. :)
Full summer! I wish I had time to post photos and even videos of all the madness, but I'll get to it when I have more time for the computer.
Just saw Ben Stein's new documentary/movie today, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed"... It's about the suppression of free speech in science. You should definitely see it!
Margaret Mary Ostheimer LaMark while peaceful in her home has gone to be with the Lord at 7:40 AM, Monday, April 14th, 2008.
Margaret was one of three daughters to Frank Xavier Ostheimer and Catheryn (Graber). She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 20th, 1921. Her sisters Frances and Dorothy preceded her in death.
Sears Roebuck Co. and Atlanta Southern Railroad employed her while she lived in Georgia during WW II, where she met her husband Charles Michael LaMark, while he was preparing for departure to the war in Europe. They were married September 29th, 1943, at Ft. McPherson, GA, just before he left for Europe.
She is survived by her children’s father, Charles Michael LaMark, her son Charles Joseph LaMark, her daughter Catherine Cecelia and her husband David Clair Nagle. Margaret has four grandchildren, Robert Francis LaMark, Dawn Renee Bettwy, Cassandra Cecelia Nagle and Annette Margaret Nagle; She also has four great grandchildren, Tristan, Nathan, Sierra and Mikayla.
She was a member of Pleasant Valley Assembly of God. She was retired from the Altoona Hospital.
She will be laid to rest at Prince of Peace Cemetery in Allport, near Barnesboro, PA.
In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You
and eagerly watch.
Psalm 5:3
I'll Be Seeing You...
I'll be seeing you;
In all the old, familiar places;
That this heart of mine embraces;
All day through.
In that small cafe; The park across the way; The childrens carousel; The chestnut tree;
The wishing well.
I'll be seeing you; In every lovely, summers day;
And everything thats bright and gay;
I'll always think of you that way; I'll find you in the morning sun; And when the night is new;
I'll be looking at the moon;
But I'll be seeing you.
- - - - -
Dream A Little Dream of Me...
Stars shining bright above you;
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree.
Dream a little dream of me.
Say nighty-night and kiss me;
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me. While I'm alone, blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me.
Stars fading but I linger on, dear---
Still craving your kiss. I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear,
Just saying this...
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you--- Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.
Stars fading but I linger on, dear---
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear,
Just saying this...
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you---
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you.
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.
I sailed away;
Wandered afar;
Crossed the mighty restless sea;
Looked for where I ought to be.
Cities so grand, mountains above,
Led to this land I love.
Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain
Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;
Mighty factories seem to hum in tune, so grand.
Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,
Land where my dreams all come true!
In honor of the late Charlton Heston, I've decided to repost something he said in a speech, which I identified with, and I think it fit my blog pretty well.
"Don't let America's universities continue to serve as incubators for this rampant epidemic of new McCarthyism. That's what it is: New McCarthyism. But, what can you do? How can anyone prevail against such pervasive social subjugation?
Well, the answer's been here all along. I learned it 36 years ago, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., standing with Dr. Martin Luther King and two hundred thousand people.
You simply disobey. Peaceably, yes. Respectfully, of course. Nonviolently, absolutely. But when told how to think or what to say or how to behave, we don't. We disobey the social protocol that stifles and stigmatizes personal freedom." - Charlton Heston, 1999
In memory of Charlton Heston... 1923-2008.
And special thanks to mom for directing me to the full speech where I found this... :)
This book really answered my questions and gave me a start at understanding Communism and it's ideals. It's a great introduction and gives a perfect overview of this flawed ideology. 
Karl Marx
Friedrich Engels 
