http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:53 EST Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:53 EST Zorpia.com http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1942956 86-year old lady's letter to bank Shown below is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86 year old woman. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the New York Times. Dear Sir: i am writing to 'thank you for bouncing my check wi!th which i endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations; three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honour it. i refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only elght years. You are to be commended for seizlng that briefe window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty fort the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personlliy answer your telephone calls and letters, when ! try to contact you I am confronted by the impersonai, overcharging, prerecorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will herefore and hereafter no longer be automatic. but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is ani offence under the Posta! Act for any other person to open such an envelope. Please find attached an Application Contact which I require your chosen employee to comp!ete, i am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Pubiic, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabiiities) must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course) at my convenience; i will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. ! regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again. I have modelled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form or flattery. Let nle level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as folliows: IMMEDIATELY AFTER DIALLINIG, PRESS THE STAR (*) BUTTON FOR ENGliSH #1. To make an appointment to see me #2. To query a missing payment. #3. To transfer the cali to my living room-in case I am there. #4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping #5. To transfer the call to my toilet In case I am attending to nature. #6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if i am not at home #7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated to you at a later to that Authorized Contact mentioned earlier. #8 To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through 7 #9 To make a general complaint or inquiry. The contact will then be put on hold pending the attention of my automated answering service. #10 This is a second reminder to press * for English. Whilst this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call. Regrettabiy, but again foliowing your example, i must also levy an establishment fee to cover the cost of setting up of this new arrangement.Mlay I you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year? Your Humble Client - :- (Remember: This was written by an 86 year old woman) ! You have . JUST GOTTA..LOVE US SENIORS' !!!!! And remember: Don't make old ladies mad. They don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to set them off. Miscellaneous http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1942956 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1942590 It was in 2000 we first Met in a cat club in Yahoo Groups! Today is a special day for the first Internet Friend I really talked to and got to know a bit. She is Jess.... from Phoenix, Arizona. Today is her birthday, and I have made her a special stamp issue, as I do for all my friends. I first started talking to Jess, when she was 18, from knowing her in a Yahoo group for cat lovers, she called... herself Pluto. I remember that it was this name that started the ball rolling. I thought PLUTO, and I knew it was her cat's name, is a funny name for a cat... Pluto is a "DOG"... then i thought OH! no it isn't it is the outermost planet in our solar system. Any it was confirm that the cat was a planet and not a dog! She loved cats, weather and astronomy, and that is what started us talking, because I was also interested in them! We became good friends, and after about 6 months she kind of suddenly said "I want you to come to my wedding!" When were talking on t Yahoo Messenger She then added, " I know I have not got a b/f at present, but when I do and get married, I want you to be there!" Then said that when you come we shall show you around Arizona for a week............. GOSH what a friendship. And it was not too long afterwards she met a man Shaun, and married him, and I was invited to their Wedding blessing, and having over £200 in Thomas Cook vouchers I found I could afford it. so I went and paid my first trip to USA and met my first internet friend. (They had married a few months earlier!) and I stayed 10 days with them, went to the wedding blessing, and was taken to the Meteor crater, Grand Canyon, Sedona Hills, and a hotel in Southern Arizona who's roof slid off at night and we could using telescopes view the night sky. What a wonderful experience. After that we stayed friends, though sadly her marriage broke up, and we kept in touch via MySpace and now Facebook. She is a member of Zorpia but never posts here sadly. By the time I went on my round the world trip I arranged to meet her again, this time she was in a friendship with her friend Carmen, and they came to meet me at Tombstone for a couple of days (FULL STORY will be in my BOOK!) We had a picture taken in 1883 in Tombstone, Arizona, when Wyatt Earp had his famous Gun battle there in the streets............. Actually it was Nov 9th 2006, but in Tombstone after we had watched the open air theatre of that drama! We were dressed in clothes of the time and had our photos taken! I am so glad to still able keep up with her now in facebook Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1942590 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:41 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1940182 My friend Miriam Phillips, (BUT no relation!) said she wanted a world of nonsense So I quickly wrote this little verse for her <B>NONSENSE</B> In your world of nonsense, That which is now light Would become more dense. With the sun shining at night. Jokes would be serious; Works of classy art, Clearly mysterious, Now become too smart. Nothing is no more sane Past and future is now; And flowing in the Seine, A dry dog says meow! © Chris Phillips 2 Nov 2009 ! Slightly rewritten from original! Miscellaneous http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1940182 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:20 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1905608 <ul> <li><a title="645" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/645">645</a> – <a title="Yazid I" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazid_I">Yazid I</a>, Sixth caliph of Islam (d. 683) </li> <li><a title="1301" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1301">1301</a> – Duke <a title="Otto, Duke of Austria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto,_Duke_of_Austria">Otto of Austria</a> (d. 1339) </li> <li><a title="1339" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1339">1339</a> – King <a title="Louis I of Naples" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_I_of_Naples">Louis I of Naples</a> (d. 1384) </li> <li><a title="1503" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1503">1503</a> – <a title="Anna Jagello" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Jagello">Anna Jagello</a>, Queen of the Romans (d. 1547) </li> <li><a title="1649" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1649">1649</a> – <a title="Pope Clement XI" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Clement_XI">Pope Clement XI</a> (d. 1721) </li> <li><a title="1705" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1705">1705</a> – <a title="Francis Blomefield" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Blomefield">Francis Blomefield</a>, English topographer (d. 1752) </li> <li><a title="1775" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1775">1775</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Etienne-Louis Malus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etienne-Louis_Malus">Etienne-Louis Malus</a>, French physicist and mathematician (d. 1812) </li> <li><a title="1777" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1777">1777</a> – <a title="Philipp Otto Runge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp_Otto_Runge">Philipp Otto Runge</a>, German painter (d. 1810) </li> <li><a title="1796" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1796">1796</a> – <a title="Franz Berwald" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Berwald">Franz Berwald</a>, Swedish composer (d. 1868) </li> <li><a title="1823" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1823">1823</a> – <a title="Alexandre-Antonin Taché" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre-Antonin_Tach%C3%A9">Alexandre-Antonin Taché</a>, Canadian Catholic priest and archbishop (d. 1894) </li> <li><a title="1838" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1838">1838</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Edouard Judas Colonne" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edouard_Judas_Colonne">Edouard Judas Colonne</a>, French violinist (d. 1910) </li> <li><a title="1851" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1851">1851</a> – <a title="Charles Bannerman" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bannerman">Charles Bannerman</a>, Australian cricketer (d. 1930) </li> <li><a title="1856" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1856">1856</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Lokmanya Tilak" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokmanya_Tilak">Lokmanya Tilak</a>, Indian freedom fighter (d. 1920) </li> <li><a title="1864" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1864">1864</a> – <a title="Apolinario Mabini" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolinario_Mabini">Apolinario Mabini</a>, Filipino political theoretician and Prime Minister (d. 1903) </li> <li><a title="1865" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1865">1865</a> – <a title="Max Heindel" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Heindel">Max Heindel</a>, Danish Christian occultist, astrologer, and mystic (d. 1919) </li> <li><a title="1884" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1884">1884</a> – <a title="Emil Jannings" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Jannings">Emil Jannings</a>, Swiss actor (d. 1950) </li> <li><a title="1885" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1885">1885</a> – <a title="Georges V. Matchabelli" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_V._Matchabelli">Georges V. Matchabelli</a>, Perfumer (d. 1935) </li> <li><a title="1886" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1886">1886</a> – <a title="Salvador de Madariaga" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_de_Madariaga">Salvador de Madariaga</a>, Spanish League of Nations official (d. 1978) </li> <li>1886 – <a title="Walter H. Schottky" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_H._Schottky">Walter H. Schottky</a>, German physicist (d. 1976) </li> <li><a title="1888" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1888">1888</a> – <a title="Raymond Chandler" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Chandler">Raymond Chandler</a>, American-born author (d. 1959) </li> <li><a title="1892" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1892">1892</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Haile Selassie" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie">Haile Selassie</a>, <a title="Emperor of Ethiopia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Ethiopia">Emperor of Ethiopia</a> (d. 1975) </li> <li><a title="1894" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1894">1894</a> – <a title="Arthur Treacher" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Treacher">Arthur Treacher</a>, English character actor (d. 1975) </li> <li><a title="1895" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1895">1895</a> – <a title="Aileen Pringle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aileen_Pringle">Aileen Pringle</a>, American actress (d. 1989) </li> <li><a title="1898" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1898">1898</a> – <a title="Jacob Marschak" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Marschak">Jacob Marschak</a>, American economist (d. 1977) </li> <li>1898 – <a title="Red Dutton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dutton">Red Dutton</a>, Canadian ice hockey player (d. 1987) </li> <li><a title="1899" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1899">1899</a> – <a title="Gustav Heinemann" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Heinemann">Gustav Heinemann</a>, 3rd <a title="List of German presidents since 1919" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_presidents_since_1919#Presidents_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany_.281949-present.29">President of the Federal Republic of Germany</a> (d. 1976) </li> <li><a title="1901" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1901">1901</a> – <a title="Hank Worden" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Worden">Hank Worden</a>, American actor and rodeo cowboy (d. 1992) </li> <li><a title="1906" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1906">1906</a> – <a title="Vladimir Prelog" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Prelog">Vladimir Prelog</a>, Croatian chemist, <a title="Nobel Prize in Chemistry" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Chemistry">Nobel Prize laureate</a> (d. 1998) </li> <li>1906 – <a title="Chandrasekhar Azad" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrasekhar_Azad">Chandrasekhar Azad</a>, Indian revolutionary (d. 1931) </li> <li><a title="1912" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912">1912</a> – <a title="Michael Wilding (actor)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wilding_(actor)">Michael Wilding</a>, English actor (d. 1979) </li> <li><a title="1913" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1913">1913</a> – <a title="Michael Foot" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Foot">Michael Foot</a>, English politician </li> <li><a title="1914" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1914">1914</a> – <a title="Virgil Finlay" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Finlay">Virgil Finlay</a>, American horror illustrator (d. 1971) </li> <li><a title="1918" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918">1918</a> – <a title="Bueno de Mesquita" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bueno_de_Mesquita">Bueno de Mesquita</a> Dutch comedian and actor (d. 2005) </li> <li>1918 – <a title="Pee Wee Reese" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee_Wee_Reese">Pee Wee Reese</a>, American baseball player (d. 1999) </li> <li><a title="1920" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1920">1920</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Amalia Rodrigues" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalia_Rodrigues">Amalia Rodrigues</a>, Portuguese fado singer (d. 1999) </li> <li><a title="1921" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1921">1921</a> – <a title="Calvert DeForest" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvert_DeForest">Calvert DeForest</a>, American actor (d. 2007) </li> <li><a title="1923" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923">1923</a> – <a title="Luis Aloma" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Aloma">Luis Aloma</a>, Cuban baseball player (d. 1997) </li> <li>1923 – <a title="Cyril M. Kornbluth" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_M._Kornbluth">Cyril M. Kornbluth</a>, American writer (d. 1958) </li> <li>1923 – <a title="Amalia Mendoza" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalia_Mendoza">Amalia Mendoza</a>, Mexican singer (d. 2001) </li> <li><a title="1924" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1924">1924</a> – <a title="Gavin Lambert" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Lambert">Gavin Lambert</a>, British-born screenwriter (d. 2005) </li> <li><a title="1927" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1927">1927</a> – <a title="Gérard Brach" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9rard_Brach">Gérard Brach</a>, French film director and screenwriter (d. 2006) </li> <li><a title="1928" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1928">1928</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Hubert Selby Jr." href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert_Selby_Jr.">Hubert Selby Jr.</a>, American author (d. 2004) </li> <li><a title="1931" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1931">1931</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Te Atairangi Kaahu" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Atairangi_Kaahu">Te Atairangi Kaahu</a>, Māori Queen (d. 2006) </li> <li>1931 – <a title="Guy Fournier" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fournier">Guy Fournier</a>, French Canadian author and screenwriter </li> <li>1931 – <a title="Claude Fournier (filmmaker)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Fournier_(filmmaker)">Claude Fournier</a>, French Canadian film director and screenwriter </li> <li><a title="1933" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933">1933</a> – <a title="Bert Convy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Convy">Bert Convy</a>, American game show host and performer (d. 1991) </li> <li><a title="1935" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1935">1935</a> – <a title="Jim Hall (race car driver)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Hall_(race_car_driver)">Jim Hall</a>, American race car driver and constructor (<a title="Chaparral Cars" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaparral_Cars">Chaparral Cars</a>) </li> <li>1935 – <a title="Hein Heinsen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hein_Heinsen">Hein Heinsen</a>, Danish artist </li> <li><a title="1936" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936">1936</a> – <a title="Don Drysdale" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Drysdale">Don Drysdale</a>, American baseball player (d. 1993) </li> <li>1936 – <a title="Anthony Kennedy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Kennedy">Anthony Kennedy</a>, U.S. Supreme Court Justice </li> <li>1937 – <a title="Dave Webster" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Webster">Dave Webster</a>, Led his football team to a National Championship in 1958 </li> <li><a title="1938" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1938">1938</a> – <a title="Juliet Anderson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliet_Anderson">Juliet Anderson</a>, American <a class="mw-redirect" title="Pornographic actress" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornographic_actress">pornographic actress</a> </li> <li>1938 – <a title="Ronny Cox" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronny_Cox">Ronny Cox</a>, American actor </li> <li>1938 – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Gotz George" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotz_George">Götz George</a>, German actor </li> <li>1938 – <a title="Charles Harrelson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Harrelson">Charles Harrelson</a>, American convicted murderer; father of <a title="Woody Harrelson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Harrelson">Woody Harrelson</a> (d. 2007) </li> <li>1938 – <a title="Bert Newton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Newton">Bert Newton</a>, Australian actor and television show host </li> <li><font color="#ff0000">1939&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ME</font></li> <li><a title="1940" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940">1940</a> – <a title="Don Imus" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Imus">Don Imus</a>, American talk radio host </li> <li><a title="1941" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941">1941</a> – <a title="Richie Evans" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richie_Evans">Richie Evans</a>, 9 time NASCAR Modified Champion (died at Martinsville in 1985) </li> <li><a title="1942" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1942">1942</a> – <a title="Myra Hindley" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myra_Hindley">Myra Hindley</a>, English murderer (d. 2002) </li> <li>1942 – <a title="Sallyanne Atkinson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sallyanne_Atkinson">Sallyanne Atkinson</a>, Australian politician </li> <li><a title="1943" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943">1943</a> – <a title="Randall Forsberg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Forsberg">Dr. Randall Forsberg</a>, American nuclear freeze advocate (d. 2007) </li> <li>1943 – <a title="Tony Joe White" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Joe_White">Tony Joe White</a>, American singer and songwriter </li> <li><a title="1947" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947">1947</a> – <a title="Gardner Dozois" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardner_Dozois">Gardner Dozois</a>, American author </li> <li>1947 – <a title="David Essex" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Essex">David Essex</a>, English singer </li> <li>1947 – <a title="Torsten Palm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsten_Palm">Torsten Palm</a>, Swedish racing driver </li> <li><a title="1948" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948">1948</a> – <a title="John Cushnahan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cushnahan">John Cushnahan</a>, Northern Irish politician </li> <li>1948 – <a class="mw-redirect" title="John Hall (musician)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hall_(musician)">John Hall</a>, American politician and former rock musician </li> <li><a title="1949" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1949">1949</a> – <a title="Clive Rice" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Rice">Clive Rice</a>, former South African cricketer </li> <li><a title="1950" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950">1950</a> – <a title="Alex Kozinski" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Kozinski">Alex Kozinski</a>, Romanian-born American judge </li> <li>1950 – <a title="Blair Thornton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blair_Thornton">Blair Thornton</a>, Canadian guitarist (<a title="Bachman-Turner Overdrive" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachman-Turner_Overdrive">Bachman-Turner Overdrive</a>) </li> <li>1950 – <a title="Alan Turner" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turner">Alan Turner</a>, Australian cricketer </li> <li><a title="1951" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1951">1951</a> – <a title="Edie McClurg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edie_McClurg">Edie McClurg</a>, American actress </li> <li><a title="1952" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952">1952</a> – <a title="Bill Nyrop" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Nyrop">Bill Nyrop</a>, American ice hockey player (d. 1995) </li> <li>1952 – <a title="Paul Hibbert" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hibbert">Paul Hibbert</a>, Australian cricketer </li> <li><a title="1953" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953">1953</a> – <a title="Graham Gooch" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Gooch">Graham Gooch</a>, English cricketer </li> <li><a title="1957" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957">1957</a> – <a title="Theo van Gogh (film director)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_van_Gogh_(film_director)">Theo van Gogh</a>, Dutch film director (d. 2004) </li> <li>1957 – <a title="Nick Galis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Galis">Nick Galis</a>, Greek basketball player </li> <li>1957 – <a title="Rob S. Miles" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_S._Miles">Rob S. Miles</a>, <a class="mw-redirect" title="Microsoft MVP" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_MVP">Microsoft MVP</a> and University lecturer </li> <li><a title="1959" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959">1959</a> – <a title="Nancy Savoca" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Savoca">Nancy Savoca</a>, American filmmaker </li> <li><a title="1960" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960">1960</a> – <a title="Al Perez" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Perez">Al Perez</a>, American professional wrestler </li> <li><a title="1961" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961">1961</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Martin Lee Gore" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Lee_Gore">Martin Lee Gore</a>, English musician and songwriter (<a title="Depeche Mode" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depeche_Mode">Depeche Mode</a>) </li> <li>1961 – <a title="Woody Harrelson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Harrelson">Woody Harrelson</a>, American actor </li> <li>1961 – <a title="André Ducharme" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Ducharme">André Ducharme</a>, Canadian (Québécois) humorist (<a title="Rock et Belles Oreilles" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_et_Belles_Oreilles">Rock et Belles Oreilles</a>) and author </li> <li>1961 – <a title="Michael Durant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Durant">Michael Durant</a>, American Helicopter pilot, shot down and held captive in Mogadishu, Somalia </li> <li><a title="1962" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962">1962</a> – <a title="Eriq La Salle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriq_La_Salle">Eriq La Salle</a>, American actor </li> <li><a title="1964" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964">1964</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Ed Forchion" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Forchion">Ed Forchion</a>, American marijuana activist </li> <li><a title="1965" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965">1965</a> – <a title="Rob Dickinson" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Dickinson">Rob Dickinson</a>, English musician </li> <li>1965 – <a title="Slash (musician)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(musician)">Slash</a>, American guitarist (<a title="Guns N' Roses" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns_N%27_Roses">Guns N' Roses</a>) </li> <li><a title="1966" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1966">1966</a> – <a title="Samantha Beckinsale" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Beckinsale">Samantha Beckinsale</a>, English actress </li> <li><a title="1967" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967">1967</a> – <a title="Titiyo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titiyo">Titiyo</a>, Swedish singer </li> <li><a title="1967" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967">1967</a> – <a title="Philip Seymour Hoffman" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Seymour_Hoffman">Philip Seymour Hoffman</a>, American actor </li> <li><a title="1968" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968">1968</a> – <a title="Nick Menza" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Menza">Nick Menza</a>, American musician, drummer </li> <li>1968 – <a title="Gary Payton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Payton">Gary Payton</a>, American basketball player </li> <li>1968 – <a title="Stephanie Seymour" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Seymour">Stephanie Seymour</a>, American supermodel </li> <li><a title="1970" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970">1970</a> – <a title="Charisma Carpenter" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charisma_Carpenter">Charisma Carpenter</a>, American actress </li> <li>1970 – <a title="Thea Dorn" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thea_Dorn">Thea Dorn</a>, German writer </li> <li><a title="1971" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971">1971</a> – <a title="Dalvin DeGrate" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalvin_DeGrate">Dalvin DeGrate</a>, American singer </li> <li>1971 – <a title="Alison Krauss" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Krauss">Alison Krauss</a>, American singer and fiddler </li> <li>1971 – <a title="Chris Michalek" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Michalek">Chris Michalek</a>, American musician </li> <li>1971 – <a title="Christopher Lee (Singaporean actor)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Lee_(Singaporean_actor)">Christopher Lee</a>, Singaporean actor and model </li> <li>1971 – <a title="Joel Stein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Stein">Joel Stein</a>, American journalist </li> <li><a title="1972" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972">1972</a> – <a title="Marlon Wayans" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlon_Wayans">Marlon Wayans</a>, American actor </li> <li>1972 – <a title="Floyd Reifer" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Reifer">Floyd Reifer</a>, West Indian cricketer </li> <li><a title="1973" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973">1973</a> – <a title="Nomar Garciaparra" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomar_Garciaparra">Nomar Garciaparra</a>, American baseball player </li> <li>1973 – <a title="Omar Epps" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Epps">Omar Epps</a>, American actor </li> <li>1973 – <a title="Francis Healy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Healy">Francis Healy</a>, Scottish rock musician (<a title="Travis (band)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_(band)">Travis</a>) </li> <li>1973 – <a title="Monica Lewinsky" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Lewinsky">Monica Lewinsky</a>, American White House intern </li> <li>1973 – <a title="Himesh Reshammiya" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himesh_Reshammiya">Himesh Reshammiya</a>, Indian Bollywood composer, singer and actor. </li> <li><a title="1974" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974">1974</a> – <a title="Terry Glenn" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Glenn">Terry Glenn</a>, American football player </li> <li>1974 – <a title="Maurice Greene (athlete)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Greene_(athlete)">Maurice Greene</a>, American athlete </li> <li>1974 – <a title="Stephanie March" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_March">Stephanie March</a>, American actress </li> <li>1974 – <a title="Sonny Siaki" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Siaki">Sonny Siaki</a>, Samoan-born professional wrestler </li> <li>1974 – <a title="Rik Verbrugghe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rik_Verbrugghe">Rik Verbrugghe</a>, Belgian cyclist </li> <li>1974 – <a title="Kathryn Hahn" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Hahn">Kathryn Hahn</a>, American actress </li> <li><a title="1975" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975">1975</a> – <a title="Seong Hyeon-ah" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seong_Hyeon-ah">Seong Hyeon-ah</a>, South Korean actress </li> <li>1975 – <a title="Surya Sivakumar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Sivakumar">Surya Sivakumar</a>, <a title="Tamil language" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_language">Tamil</a> actor </li> <li><a title="1976" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976">1976</a> – <a title="Judit Polgár" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judit_Polg%C3%A1r">Judit Polgár</a>, Hungarian chess player </li> <li>1976 – <a title="Jonathan Gallant" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Gallant">Jonathan Gallant</a>, Canadian musician (<a title="Billy Talent" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Talent">Billy Talent</a>) </li> <li><a title="1977" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977">1977</a> – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Neicer Reasco" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neicer_Reasco">Neicer Reasco</a>, Ecuadorian footballer </li> <li>1977 – <a title="Scott Clemmensen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Clemmensen">Scott Clemmensen</a>, American ice hockey player </li> <li><a title="1978" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978">1978</a> – <a title="Stuart Elliott (footballer born 1978)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Elliott_(footballer_born_1978)">Stuart Elliott</a>, Northern Irish footballer </li> <li>1978 – <a title="Stefanie Sun" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefanie_Sun">Stefanie Sun</a>, Singaporean singer </li> <li><a title="1979" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979">1979</a> – <a title="Perro Aguayo, Jr." href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perro_Aguayo,_Jr.">Perro Aguayo, Jr.</a>, Mexican professional wrestler </li> <li>1979 – <a title="Ricardo Sperafico" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Sperafico">Ricardo Sperafico</a>, Brazilian racing driver </li> <li>1979 – <a title="Richard Sims" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Sims">Richard Sims</a>, Zimbabwean cricketer </li> <li><a title="1980" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980">1980</a> – <a title="Michelle Williams (singer)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Williams_(singer)">Michelle Williams</a>, American singer (<a title="Destiny's Child" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destiny%27s_Child">Destiny's Child</a>) </li> <li><a title="1981" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981">1981</a> – <a title="Steve Jocz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jocz">Steve Jocz</a>, Canadian drummer (<a title="Sum 41" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sum_41">Sum 41</a>) </li> <li><a title="1981" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981">1981</a> – <a title="Jarkko Nieminen" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarkko_Nieminen">Jarkko Nieminen</a>, Finnish tennis player </li> <li><a title="1982" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982">1982</a> – <a title="Gerald Wallace" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Wallace">Gerald Wallace</a>, American basketball player </li> <li><a title="1983" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983">1983</a> – <a title="Andrew Eiden" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Eiden">Andrew Eiden</a>, American actor </li> <li>1983 – <a title="Bec Hewitt" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bec_Hewitt">Bec Hewitt</a>, Australian actress </li> <li>1983 – <a title="Aaron Peirsol" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Peirsol">Aaron Peirsol</a>, American swimmer </li> <li><a title="1983" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983">1983</a> – <a title="David Strettle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Strettle">David Strettle</a>, English rugby player (<a class="mw-redirect" title="Harlequins" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequins">Harlequins</a>) </li> <li><a title="1984" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984">1984</a> – <a title="Brandon Roy" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Roy">Brandon Roy</a>, American professional basketball player </li> <li>1984 – <a class="mw-redirect" title="Matthew Murphy (musician)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Murphy_(musician)">Matthew Murphy</a>, English musician (<a title="The Wombats" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wombats">The Wombats</a>) </li> <li><a title="1985" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985">1985</a> – <a title="Luis Ángel Landín" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_%C3%81ngel_Land%C3%ADn">Luis Ángel Landín</a>, Mexican footballer </li> <li><a title="1985" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985">1985</a> – <a title="Matthew Colin Bailey" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Colin_Bailey">Matthew Colin Bailey</a>, Author, Architect </li> <li><a title="1986" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986">1986</a> – <a title="Ayaka Komatsu" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaka_Komatsu">Ayaka Komatsu</a>, Japanese model and actress </li> <li>1986 – <a title="Nelson Philippe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Philippe">Nelson Philippe</a>, French racing driver </li> <li>1986 – <a title="Reece Ritchie" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reece_Ritchie">Reece Ritchie</a>, English actor </li> <li><a title="1988" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988">1988</a> – <a title="Pippa Bennett-Warner" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pippa_Bennett-Warner">Pippa Bennett-Warner</a>, English actress </li> <li><a title="1989" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989">1989</a> – <a title="Daniel Radcliffe" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Radcliffe">Daniel Radcliffe</a>, English actor </li> </ul> <ul> <li><a title="1996" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996">1996</a> – <a title="Rachel G. Fox" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_G._Fox">Rachel G. Fox</a>, American actress </li> </ul> <p>No one ON MY ACTUAL&nbsp; BIRTHDAY&nbsp; LOL</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*SMILES*</p> Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1905608 Wed, 20 May 2009 04:12 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1904508 CHOCOLATE CAKE 40z (100g) raw cane sugar 2 dessertspoonsful cocoa or carob powder ½ teaspoonful sea salt (or salt) 60z (200g) 81 per cent or 100 per cent wholemeal flour (or wholemeal flower with the bran sieved out) 3 floz (80ml) vegetable oil 1 teaspoonful vanilla essence ¾ teaspoonful bicarbonate of soda 1 dessertspoonful cider vinegar or ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar (OR instead of the Bicarb & Cream of Tartar you can use 1 teaspoon of Baking powder) one third of a pint (200ml) cold water Mix the sugar, cocoa (or carob), salt, flour and bicarbonate of soda well in a mixing bowl. Add the oil, vanilla essence and vinegar and pour cold water over the mixture. Combine well with a fork, but do not beat. Pour into two greased sandwich tins (lined if desired) and bake in a moderate oven at 350°F/180°C(GasMark4) for 30 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed Leave to cool thoroughly. Note: This cake may be iced with Chocolate Icing, if desired . Cindy liked it so it must be good! *Smiles* Food & Drinks http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1904508 Fri, 15 May 2009 05:04 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1900668 At last I felt I had to write about this. It was the sad music/tune, that Dukefan posted in my forum about saddest Sonngs It made me think of a "daughter" (Internet kind) who recently said GOODBY! I still have not replied to her message telling me she didn't want to be in contact any more. I felt so hurt. I only partly understood her reasons It is a long and complicated story! Believe me there is a LOT more, but I can't and dont't want to post everything here. Basically I have known her since she was 16 and I was 61! She has been through a great number of bad times, and those are not yet over, But in 2000, the first time i "met" her in a Yahoo group our friendship seemed like one of those platonic relationships. Her life as a child was very difficult for her as her mother was violent to her when on the drink, and her father (whom she loved) was away a lot. I have actually spoken to both her Mother & father on the phone, as well as her herself. That was before I knew how bad things were between her and her mum. When she was 12 to 14 two of her teachers had sexually assaulter her (I believe) at school, and that caused her to have depression, Bi Polar, I think. She had a control freek of a b/f for several years, whom she loved, but he was always trying to stop her having friends he was the terribly jealous kind. He threatend suicide if she left him and she tried three times and went back (Because of that) then she finally made the break, and before he could get her back again she met another man who she said made her feel special. The previous b/f never comitted suicide, By the way! She took on the typing up of about a eight of my fathers plays, for me when she was between school & University. She told me she just loved typing, and often typed up her fellow students work for them. She did complete that, well, but it was well over a year before it was done. Her Bipolar depression got the better of her I think. I paid her for her work, even though she insisted I shouldn't, But I know at the time she NEEDED money for something. I did meet her for two hours in Perth (Austrailia) she said the new b/f was not at all happy about that! (I suspect he is another control freak) But at that time she was in TERRIBLE pain, and had to go to USA to see a specialist, and then in November she had a SERIOUS operation on her spine, and I was terribly worried and was praying and sending her cards to let her know I was thinking of her. It was just after she returned home that the email arrived saying that she didn't want me to contact her again, as she had her life to live, and was going to be in pain the rest of her life, and wanted to concentrate on her friends and university study. But I think her b/F told her to end our relationship as he was jealous (This is only what I guess, I don't know!) I will have to try and make at least one more email to her asking about the book I am writing, which will include my visit when I met her in Perth. I am asking all I met to OK what I am writing about the meeting up. I will also be giving all those I met a copy of the book! I just don't know the best way to put it though. What was so upsertting was that suddeness of her breaking up just as I was still feeling so strongly about her recovering from her operation. It came as quite a shock. I dont want to say anything to upset her. But I want to know how she is. But she said NOT to conact her. OR HER PARENTS! In Her last email she said some lovely things, but she wanted me to respect her wishes. I have been thinking about this since begining of December. And Dukefans sad song reminded me of this, and I felt I had to write about it. *smiles, sad ones* Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1900668 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:05 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1868964 <p>Last night we played the poetry game. We each wrote the first three lines of a poem at the top of a sheet of paper. The first two lines had to rhyme, the 3rd line just had to continue the &quot;story&quot; or theme, Then we folded over the top two lines and the next person had to write one line that rhymed with the one that could be seen, and then to write one new line. Then the two lines were folded and passed on. This went on till the papers were full. Then we read them out in turn! There were 4 of us playing! This one was the best, and it contained ZORPIA! lol The end of the year is almost here We'll drink some wine and shed a tear, And soon it will be two thousand and nine. So out came the many bottles of sweet wine And on the stroke of midnight clear I'll hug and kiss you Husband dear! We'll watch the fireworks in the night, Catherine wheels to left and right Of us; before us: - crackers; one two three We pull them, they snap, and we shout with glee. The jokes inside them can be very lame Surely not the writers' intended aim. Soon these were posted in <strong>Zorpia</strong> Is the plural of 'Scorpion' 'scorpia'? As in 'phenomenon' turns to 'phenomena'. I don't think I will ever get commoner This game is causing a lot of stress The poems will all end up a mess But as long as they're funny no-one will mind The best ones ought to be signed And published in a handsome book So everyone can take a look! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE *SMILES* &amp; *HUGS* </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>SORRY&nbsp; everyone&nbsp; Zorpia would not let me post this so that it looked write, ot removed all the new line starts and just posted it in a mess!&nbsp; URGH!</p> Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1868964 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:01 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1868461 <p>From now on I will not be taking part so often in the forums, because I really MUST get down to starting writing my books.&nbsp; I was supposedly starting them over a year ago</p> <p>I have been gradually giving up various jobs etc at home, and now I also am giving up being and admin here.</p> <p>I will still be on most days, just not so long. I will try my best to keep up with personal messages and the HAPPY BIRTHDAY stamps series.&nbsp; I know these have been popular with many. I may get round to printing them, well at least those I have the actual addresses of, they would be printed on gummed paper, so like real stamps!</p> <p>I will also continue to play Wordscraper in Facebook too</p> <p>My main writing time will be my early morning slot (5 am to 7 am)&nbsp; But may well be other times as well</p> <p>The two main books are</p> <p>1) my journey round the world (Sept 2006 to Jan 2007) in which I met personally several Yahoovian &amp; Zorpian friends.</p> <p>2) My childhood memories in the 1940's to 1960's.&nbsp; Including the all juniuor stamp club that I started in 1953, and lasted 14 years, never being run by adults.&nbsp; Also the annual street fireworks, other clubs&nbsp; and&nbsp; games in the street and local woods.</p> <p>I am not sure how long all this will take, but the trip was 128 days long!&nbsp; So there is a lot to write about</p> <p>So please forgive slower responses in future. BUT I will not forget you!</p> <p>A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR And peace to all</p> <p>*SMILES* &amp; *HUGS*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1868461 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:57 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1864801 <p>As my computer is going in for a service, so will be borrowing Dilys' laptop for a few days, and thus won't have all things running. So please do not expect response till mine is back</p> <p>THANKS</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Have a great weekend</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*SMILES*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1864801 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:38 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1861025 <b> A SCARF FOR MY GIRAFFE </B> <BR> Oh Heck The neck of my giraffe Needs a scarfe For the cold Snow Do you know! <BR> I need a scarfe For my Giraffe Who'll be so kind And help me to find The knitting Needles Who'll help me wheedle Them out, from hiding From whence they're abiding? <BR> I'll need a hundred miles Of wool in fact many piles. My giraffe from Antartica Needs a scarf, he's not from Africa. I'll knit all day and all night and in the end t'will be alright. Perhaps he ought to return To Africa for he's rather taciturn! <BR> (© Chris Phillips 4th Dec 2008) *SMILES* Gossips & Jokes http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1861025 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:24 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855997 Quaker history George Fox © Like many Christian groups, Quakers never intended to form a new denomination. Their founder, George Fox, was trying to take belief and believers back to the original and pure form of Christianity. Fox was born in July 1624 in Leicestershire, England, and died in 1691, by which time his movement had 50,000 followers. As Fox grew up he was puzzled by the inconsistency between what Christians said they believed and the way they behaved. He became a religious activist at the age of 19, and was imprisoned eight times for preaching views that annoyed the religious and political establishment of his time. Fox and social issues Fox got into political trouble because of his idea that there was something "of God in every person". This was a revolutionary attack on all discrimination by social class, wealth, race and gender and it had worrying implications for the social structure of his time. The political establishment did not take this lying down. Quaker refusal to take oaths, to take off their hats before a magistrate, and their insistence on holding banned religious meetings in public led to 6,000 Quakers being imprisoned between 1662 and 1670. Fox and religious issues Fox's aim was to inspire people to hear and obey the voice of God and become a community "renewed up again in God's image" by living the principles of their faith. Fox believed that everyone should try to encounter God directly and to experience the Kingdom of Heaven as a present, living reality. He objected to the hierarchical structure and the rituals of the churches of his time, and rejected the idea that the Bible was always right. But Fox went even further. He argued that God himself did not want churches. Churches were either unnecessary to get to God, or an obstruction (Fox often referred to churches unkindly as "steeple-houses"). Since believers should have a direct relationship with God, no one (priests, for example) and nothing (like sacraments) should come in between. Not surprisingly, these views infuriated the mainstream churches, and Quakers were persecuted in Britain on a large scale until 1689. USA Quaker missionaries arrived in the USA in 1656. They were persecuted at first, and four were executed. However the movement appealed to many Americans, and it grew in strength, most famously in Pennsylvania which was founded in 1681 by William Penn as a community based on the principles of pacifism and religious tolerance. Quakers and slavery The origins of Christian abolitionism can be traced to the late 17th Century and the Quakers. Several of their founders, including George Fox and Benjamin Lay, encouraged fellow congregants to stop owning slaves. By 1696, Quakers in Pennsylvania officially declared their opposition to the importation of enslaved Africans into North America. Along with the Anglican Granville Sharp, Quakers established the first recognised anti-slavery movement in Britain in 1787. Clifford Longley on Quakers, slavery and abolition (2:59 mins) Thought for the Day, Monday 26 February 2007, Radio 4 Famous Quakers Chocolate manufacturers Joseph Rowntree and George Cadbury were both Quakers George Fox (1624-1691) - founder of Quakerism William Penn (1621-1670) - friend of George Fox, founder of Pennsylvania John Woolman (1720-1772) - an American Quaker involved in the abolition of slavery John Dalton (1766-1844) - British scientist who invented the atomic theory of matter Edward Pease (1767-1858) - first Quaker member of Parliament Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) - British prison reformer John Bright (1811-1889) - British politician Joseph Rowntree (1837-1925) - Chocolate manufacturer George Cadbury (1839-1922) - Chocolate manufacturer Arthur Eddington (1882-1944) - physicist Paul Eddington (1927-1995) - actor James Dean (1931-1955) - actor Jocelyn Bell Burnell (born 1943) - astronomer, discoverer of pulsars Bonnie Raitt (born 1949) - popular musician Tom Robinson (born 1950) - popular musician Holy days Quakers do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas (although Quaker families may mark Christmas as the secular festival it has largely become). They believe the events celebrated at such festivals (e.g. the resurrection and the incarnation) should be kept in mind throughout the year. Although Quaker meetings for worship generally take place on a Sunday, this is purely for convenience and not because Sunday is the Sabbath or a particularly holy day. Quaker ethics Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them as the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life. Advices and Queries Personal integrity Quakers try to live up to high standards of honesty, as set out in this series of questions: Are you honest and truthful in all you say and do? Do you maintain strict integrity in business transactions and in your dealings with individuals and organisations? Do you use money and information entrusted to you with discretion and responsibility? Advices and Queries Work and business Quakers avoid working for companies that manufacture weapons or other harmful products (nor will they invest in such companies). They prefer to choose work that has positive benefits for the community. They maintain strict integrity in business transactions and in workplace dealings with individuals. Gender issues Quakers have always treated men and women as equals, and were pioneers in the movement for female equality. Animal rights Quakers oppose blood sports, and do not approve of businesses that exploit animals, such as circuses or zoos, or the fur trade. They object to experiments on animals for trivial purposes such as cosmetics, and are divided as to whether animal experimentation should be allowed for medical research. ...as by his breath the flame of life was kindled in all animal and sensitive creatures, to say we love God ... and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature ... was a contradiction in itself. John Woolman, 1772 Gambling Quakers do not gamble. Alcohol and tobacco are not forbidden Alcohol and tobacco Quakers are not forbidden from using alcohol or tobacco (although these substances are banned from Quaker Meeting Houses), but most Quakers avoid them, or consume them moderately. Many Quakers took an active role in the Temperance Movement of Victorian times. Sex Quakers are non-judgemental about sex, which they see as a gift of God. Their attention is focused on the way in which it is used in human relationships. Sexual activity is essentially neither good nor evil; it is a normal biological activity which, like most other human activities, can be indulged in destructively or creatively. Towards a Quaker view of sex, 1963 No relationship can be a right one which makes use of another person through selfish desire. Advices, 1964 Homosexuality The same thinking applies to the Quaker attitude to homosexuality. An act which (for example) expresses true affection between two individuals and gives pleasure to them both, does not seem to us to be sinful by reason alone of the fact that it is homosexual. Towards a Quaker view of sex, 1963 Quakers were one of the first churches to talk openly about sexuality. Since we try to live our lives respecting 'that of God' in everyone we would want to treat all people equally. We feel that the quality and depth of feeling between two people is the most important part of a loving relationship, not their gender or sexual orientation. Britain Yearly Meeting Abortion Quakers don't have a united view on abortion but regard it as a matter of individual conscience. Philosophically there is no Quaker doctrine of when a person becomes a person. The movement has difficulty reconciling the principle of non-violence, which could argue against abortion, and the wish that women should be able to play a full part in society, which might sometimes justify abortion. Contraception Quakers don't have a collective view on the rightness or wrongness of contraception. Many Quakers do use artificial methods of birth control. Euthanasia Quakers don't have a united view on euthanasia. Some Quakers make 'living wills', requesting that if they become ill to the point of being incapable of living without artificial life support systems or inappropriate medical intervention, they be allowed to die naturally and with dignity. Quakers at a peace march © Justice, politics and society Quakers are active in politics and in working for justice in the world. This comes partly from their belief that there is something of God in every human being, and that they should respect the worth and dignity of each person, and partly from following Christ's own example of social activism. At the centre of Friends' religious experience is the repeatedly and consistently expressed belief in the fundamental equality of all members of the human race. Our common humanity transcends our differences. Meeting for Sufferings' Statement of Intent on Racism, 1988 The duty of the Society of Friends is to be the voice of the oppressed but [also] to be conscious that we ourselves are part of that oppression. Quaker Faith and Practice Quakers have played a part in: criminal law reform prison reform - particularly through the work of Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) reducing poverty ending the slave trade ending the opium trade women's rights anti-racism human rights and many other campaigns. Quakers are active in many charities. Oaths Quakers will not swear oaths in court (or elsewhere) but will only affirm. Pacifism and violence Quakers believe that war and conflict are against God's wishes and so they are dedicated to pacifism and non-violence. And from a practical point of view they think that force nearly always creates more problems than it solves. We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world. Quaker statement to King Charles II, 1660 A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it. William Penn, 1693 War, in our view, involves the surrender of the Christian ideal and the denial of human brotherhood. London Yearly Meeting, 1916 Christ demands of us that we adhere, without swerving, to the methods of love, and therefore, if a seeming conflict should arise between the claims of His service and those of the State, it is to Christ that our supreme loyalty must be given, whatever the consequences. London Yearly Meeting, 1915 Many conscientious objectors (those who refuse to join the armed forces) are Quakers, but Quaker pacifism is not simply the refusal to fight, it includes working actively to bring about or preserve peace, by removing the causes of conflict. Quakers, like other pacifists, are sometimes accused of being willing to give in to evil regimes rather than fight against them. They disagree, and say that they fight by non-violent means. All forms of non-violent resistance are certainly much better than appeasement, which has come to mean the avoidance of violence by a surrender to injustice at the expense of the sufferings of others and not of one's self, by the giving away of something that is not ours to give. Kathleen Lonsdale, 1953 Quakers are not just opposed to war, but to all forms of violence. George Fox was personally opposed to the use of violence. He refused to defend himself when he was attacked and often, when the violence was over, had kind words or actions for his attackers. Environment Quakers believe in protecting the environment © Quakers believe that human beings are stewards of the earth, and should care for it to ensure that each generation passes on to the next generation a world as good or better than it received. Quakers think that the environmental crisis is a spiritual and religious crisis as well as a practical one. Quakers say that environmental issues are also a matter of social justice: they acknowledge that those living in Britain or the USA are largely insulated from the effects of environmental problems and that such issues have a much more serious affect on the world's poor. The produce of the earth is a gift from our gracious creator to the inhabitants, and to impoverish the earth to support outward greatness appears to be an injury to the succeeding age. John Woolman (1720-1772) Try to live simply. A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of great strength. Do not be persuaded into buying what you do not need or cannot afford. Do you keep yourself informed about the effect your style of living is having on the global economy and environment? Advices and Queries Richard J Foster set down some principles that Quakers can follow to live simple lives: Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you Develop a habit of giving things away - de-accumulate Refuse to be propagandised by the custodians of modern gadgetry Learn to enjoy things without owning them Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation Look with a healthy scepticism at all 'buy now, pay later' schemes Obey Jesus' injunction about plain, honest speech Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal Quaker marriage Quakers strongly believe in the sanctity of marriage but also recognise the value of non-marital relationships and the single life. Their weddings are very informal compared to those from other traditions and there is no priest or minister to lead the couple as they make their vows. When a Quaker couple decide to marry, they make a commitment to each other in the presence of God, their family and friends. Quakers believe that no one but God can join a couple in matrimony. They see marriage as more than a legal contract - it is a religious commitment. The right joining in marriage is the work of the Lord only, and not the priest's or magistrate's; for it is God's ordinance and not man's...we marry none; it is the Lord's work, and we are but witnesses. George Fox, 1669 The couple promise to be loving companions and take each other as lifelong partners in a spirit of freedom and equality. Quaker weddings Quaker weddings do not have to take place in registered buildings but they must be held indoors. Most couples will book their local Quaker meeting house although some may choose to hold their wedding at home or another alternative venue. A Quaker marriage is a community celebration and not just a ceremony for the couple. Therefore the style of worship at the wedding service must be acceptable to the wider community. The wedding ceremony is usually held within a simple meeting for worship. It has no set order of service or sermon. In most cases, the finer details of the ceremony are decided through discussion with the marriage registering officers and community elders. A couple may decide to include readings and even a hymn. But music is, on the whole, rare. If both parties are Quakers or regularly attend monthly meetings, they may marry in a Quaker marriage ceremony. Couples who are registered as 'attenders' but not yet members of the Religious Society of Friends would be expected to have attended meetings for a number of months before making an application for marriage. Where one member of the couple is not a Quaker, or divorced, two adult members of the Society must give written permission before the marriage can take place. Marriage preparation The first step in the official process is a meeting for clearness. (Clearness in this context means helping the couple affirm their decision to marry.) The meeting gives them the chance to discuss their relationship with other members of the community. At least six weeks before the wedding date, the couple must make an application to the registering officer of the monthly meeting where the marriage ceremony is due to be held. The monthly meeting must approve the application before the registering officer, who is recognised by law, makes arrangements for the public notices and other legal requirements. The monthly meeting then holds a Meeting for Worship for the Solemnisation of Marriage to confirm that the wedding can go ahead. Quaker marriages can be held at any time of day. Public notice of the wedding is posted on the door of the venue a week before the wedding. The wedding day Guests are greeted by a door keeper when they arrive for the marriage ceremony. The bride is not usually given away by her father. Neither is it customary to have a best man or bridesmaids. The bride and groom will normally enter the meeting room together with friends and then quietly take their seats. Sometimes they may come in when everyone else is seated. In the past, guests used to stand as the couple entered but these days this rarely happens. The couple will sit next to a table with the Quaker wedding certificate and a pen. Wedding attire Quaker worship and ceremonies are relaxed so the bride, groom and their guests will usually dress smartly but informally. Some brides may choose to wear white but, in most cases, the outfit is kept simple. Guests need to be careful to strike the right balance too. Men, for example, may wear a jacket or tie, but will often dress more informally. Women may choose a skirt or other reasonably smart clothes. The ceremony Like other Quaker meetings, the wedding service is mostly held in silence but anyone who feels moved by the Spirit can speak or pray. Most ceremonies will follow the basic structure below: A volunteer, usually a Quaker elder, will stand to explain how the service will proceed. After an initial period of silence of about 10 to 15 minutes, the couple will rise and exchange their vows. The vows are handed down from the Quaker tradition and can be modified. Holding hands, the couple take it in turns to make declarations based on the following: "Friends, I take this my friend...to be my wife/husband, promising divine assistance to be unto her/him a loving and faithful husband/wife so long as we both on earth shall live." It does not matter which order the bride and groom speak. The Registering Officer calls upon the couple to sign the Quaker Marriage Certificate which records their vows. Two witnesses also sign. The Registering Officer reads the certificate aloud. There is a further period of silence. The meeting is terminated by two elders who shake hands, inviting the rest of the congregation to do the same. Members of the congregation sign the Quaker Marriage Certificate as a witness to both their presence and support for the marriage. The certificate, in the form of a scroll or a book, has no legal standing but it reminds the couple of their friends' happiness and hopes for the success of their marriage. After the meeting the couple and the two witnesses sign the civil register. Rings are often exchanged at this point. Divorce and remarriage Divorced people may be allowed to remarry at the discretion of the members of the monthly meeting. Quakers believe that those who are divorced need to be given the chance of a new start. Blessings for same-sex couples Quakers are tolerant of same-sex relationships although same-sex marriage is not usually recognised. Quakers were the first member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to allow the official blessing of same-sex relationships. The blessing ceremony follows a similar format to a Quaker wedding. Since the Civil Partnership Act came into force in December 2005, same-sex couples who share Quaker beliefs may opt for a blessing after entering into a civil partnership. Quaker funerals A Quaker funeral has two particular aims: to thank God for the life that has been lived, and to help the mourners feel a deep sense of God's presence. Because they are thankful for having known the dead person, Quaker mourners tend not to wear black. The funeral can follow the normal silent pattern of Quaker worship, or it can include programmed elements. At a meeting following the silent pattern the contributions are likely to include memories as well as prayers or readings. A senior person will normally begin the meeting with a brief explanation of Quaker worship if there are many non-Quakers present. In addition to the funeral there can be a "meeting for worship on the occasion of the death of our Friend". Quakers can be buried or cremated. *SMILES* LOVE & PEACE TO ALL Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855997 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:42 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855996 Several people ask about my religion I was brought up as a Quaker. So what or who are the Quakers If you are interersted you will read this if not you wont. But here is a very good summery of What Quakers are, from the BBC. Page link http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/quakers_1.shtml Quakers - the Religious Society of Friends Quakers are members of a group with Christian roots that began in England in the 1650s. The formal title of the movement is the Society of Friends or the Religious Society of Friends. There are about 210,000 Quakers across the world. In Britain there are 17,000 Quakers, and 400 Quaker meetings for worship each week. 9,000 people in Britain regularly take part in Quaker worship without being members of the Religious Society of Friends. The essence of the Quakers Quakers believe that there is something of God in everybody and that each human being is of unique worth. This is why Quakers value all people equally, and oppose anything that may harm or threaten them. Quakers seek religious truth in inner experience, and place great reliance on conscience as the basis of morality. They emphasise direct experience of God rather than ritual and ceremony. They believe that priests and rituals are an unnecessary obstruction between the believer and God. Quakers integrate religion and everyday life. They believe God can be found in the middle of everyday life and human relationships, as much as during a meeting for worship. What Quakers believe Among key Quaker beliefs are: God is love the light of God is in every single person a person who lets their life be guided by that light will achieve a full relationship with God everyone can have a direct, personal relationship with God without involving a priest or minister redemption and the Kingdom of Heaven are to be experienced now, in this world Quakers want to make this a better world Quakers work actively to make this a better world. They are particularly concerned with: human rights, based on their belief in equality of all human beings social justice peace freedom of conscience environmental issues - Quakers seek to live simply so as to reduce the burden on the world community life Holy Books Quakers do not regard any book as being the actual 'word of God'. Most Quakers regard the Bible as a very great inspirational book but they don't see it as the only one, and so they read other books that can guide their lives. Holy Days Quakers do not celebrate Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas. Worship Quaker communal worship consists of silent waiting, with participants contributing as the spirit moves them. Are Quakers Christian? Although outsiders usually regard the movement as a Christian denomination, not all Quakers see themselves as Christians; some regard themselves as members of a universal religion that (for historical reasons) has many Christian elements. Tolerance is part of the Quaker approach to life, so Quakers are willing to learn from all other faiths and churches. Where the names come from One story says that the founder, George Fox, once told a magistrate to tremble (quake) at the name of God and the name 'Quakers' stuck. Other people suggest that the name derives from the physical shaking that sometimes went with Quaker religious experiences. The name 'Friends' comes from Jesus' remark "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). Quaker ideas and beliefs Beliefs are not just safe ledges in an uncertain reality, but rather handholds from which further heights can be reached. Eleven Quaker Scientists, 1989 Religion is living with God. There is no other kind of religion. Living with a Book, living with or by a Rule, being awfully high-principled are not in themselves religion, although many people think they are and that that is all there is to it. Bernard Canter 1962 There is no creed or formal set of beliefs that you have to hold to be a Quaker. This is because: Quakers think that adopting a creed is taking on belief at second hand - they think that faith should be more personal than that and based on a person's inner conviction and on taking part in a shared search for the truth with other Quakers. Quakers believe that faith is something that is always developing and not something frozen at a particular moment in history that can be captured in a fixed code of belief. But it is possible to list many ideas and beliefs that are generally accepted by Quakers. Distinguishing Quaker ideas Quakers believe that there is a direct relationship between God and each believer, every human being contains something of God - this is often called "the light of God". So: Quakers regard all human beings as equal and equally worthy of respect Quakers accept that all human beings contain goodness and truth Quakers do not accept value judgements based on race or gender Quakers welcome diversity A written list of beliefs is considered inappropriate. Quakers feel people should follow their 'inner light' rather than external rules. They believe that God grows and changes with his creation and believe that God continues to tell human beings what they should do. They don't believe in sacraments (either as realities or symbols) or formal liturgies or ceremonies and also refuse to take oaths. Quakers don't believe in a clergy, they feel that all believers can minister to one another. They emphasise the importance leading your own life well as an example to others (what a person does can be much clearer than what they say). They also practice worship in silence. They are actively involved in social and political issues and believe in pacifism and non-violence. Beliefs Each person has an inner light (part of God's spirit) inside them - so there is a unity between all human beings Spiritual truth can only be known through direct revelation from God God continues to "talk" to people today Conscience gives a guide to conduct The Bible is not regarded as the only guide for conduct and belief Doubt and questioning are valuable tools for spiritual growth All human beings can have a direct experience of God - they don't need priests to help them There is good and evil inside all human beings, and all human beings can choose between them - everyone has the power to choose good over evil if they really want to Christ's life demonstrates the full truth of God Quakers do not agree on what happens after death. Some believe in an afterlife, some don't Customs Quakers do not follow a creed, they acknowledge that words are not up to the job of precisely defining belief for a whole group of people. They believe that individuals should take personal responsibility for their understanding of faith rather than just buying a package and that each individual should try to develop themselves spiritually. Quakers do not separate religious life and secular life and feel that all life should be 'lived in the spirit'. They also feel that religious belief must influence a believer's actions and everything that happens in life can inspire religious insights. Quakers do not have elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals; they regard them as unnecessary. They sometimes call these empty forms and they do not have clergy. Quakers believe that political and other action to improve this world is vitally important. Quakers and sacraments Quakers neither practise baptism nor celebrate the Eucharist. They don't regard some activities as more sacred than others, nor do they believe that any particular ritual is needed to get in touch with God, so they do not believe in the sacraments practised in mainstream Christian churches. Instead of using 'holy' rituals, Quakers attempt to carry the sacred into every part of their lives. So, for example, they say that baptism should not be "a single act of initiation but a continuing growth in the Holy Spirit and a commitment which must be continually renewed." Life and death Quakers have no collective view on what happens after death. They tend to concentrate on making this world better rather than pondering what happens after leaving it. Quakers and theology In the early days Quakers were suspicious of theology…and many Quakers are still not keen on it, believing that experience is a better teacher. Reasons for disliking theology include: Theology distracts people from looking for the 'inner light' and responding to it Theological ideas come from the teachings of churches that had distorted the original Christian teachings Theological teachings are used to control people Theology uses such difficult language that it hides God's truth from ordinary people Theological debate may give people a false idea of their own religious abilities; it would be better to spend time believing and living a good life Quaker worship Worship is our response to an awareness of God. We can worship alone, but when we join with others in expectant waiting we may discover a deeper sense of God's presence. Advice and Queries Introduction Quaker meeting for worship © Quaker worship is designed to let God teach and transform the worshippers. Quakers call worship events meetings for worship rather than services. In a Quaker meeting for worship a group of people sits in a room in silence for an hour. From time to time someone may speak briefly, but sometimes the entire hour may pass without a word being spoken. Quaker meetings for worship are open to everyone. Children are specifically welcomed. No liturgy Quaker worship is very different to the worship of most Christian churches in that it doesn't follow a set liturgy or code of rules - a service has no structure, and no one leads it. Quakers do without a liturgy because they believe that worship happens when two or three people come together to worship - nothing more is needed. This belief comes from Jesus' statement that "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Meeting for worship Meeting for worship in Lincoln © Quaker meetings for worship take place in meeting houses, not churches. These are simple buildings or rooms. A meeting begins when two or more worshipers come together to be in the presence of God. They usually sit facing each other in a square or a circle. This helps them to be aware that they are a group together for worship, and puts everybody in a place of equal status. Everyone waits in shared silence until someone is moved by the Spirit (i.e. has a strong religious feeling) to do something as part of their worship. A person will only speak if they are convinced that they have something that must be shared, and it is rare for a person to speak more than once. The words spoken are usually brief and may include readings (from the Bible or other books), praying, or speaking from personal experience. Each speaking is followed by a period of silence. Quakers believe that God speaks through the contributions made at the meeting. Some people say that there is often a feeling that a divine presence has settled over the group. The words should come from the soul - from the inner light - rather than the mind. Quakers know that even if the words they feel moved to speak have no particular meaning for themselves, they may carry a message from God to other people. There may be no outward response to the contribution from other people, but if there is it will be something that builds positively on the previous contribution. Discussion and argument are not part of the meeting. The meeting ends when the elders shake hands. If pressed to say what they are actually doing in a meeting for worship, many Quakers would probably say that they are waiting - waiting in their utmost hearts for the touch of something beyond their everyday selves. Some would call it 'listening to the quiet voice of God' - without trying to define the word. Others would use more abstract terms: just 'listening' (though no voice is heard), or 'looking inward' (though no visions are seen), or 'pure attention' (though nothing specific is attended to). The word 'inward' tends to recur as one gropes for explanations. Richard Allen Quakers and silence The silence in a meeting for worship isn't something that happens between the actual worship - the silence itself is part of the worship; it provides a space for people to separate themselves from the pressures and events of daily life and to get closer to God and each other. The people who are present try to create an internal silence - a silence inside their head. They do this by stopping everyday thoughts and anxieties. Quakers believe that if they wait silently for God in this way there will be times when God will speak directly to them. Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts George Fox True silence ... is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment. William Penn, 1699 A Quaker service is not a time of individual meditation, although the description above may make it sound like that. It is important that the waiting in silence and the listening are done as a group. The people taking part are trying to become something more than just a collection of individuals; they want to become aware of being part of a 'we', rather than just a solitary 'I'. Pastoral or programmed worship Some Quakers have adopted many of the practices of mainstream churches, and have pastors and use hymns in their worship. Their services are usually like Methodist or Baptist services. There is a Quaker hymn book, called Worship in Song, A Quaker Hymnal. Part 2 to follow Religion & Ethics http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855996 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:40 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855048 <p>When&nbsp;I first joined&nbsp;I had no idea what&nbsp;I was letting myself in for!</p> <p>I was a Yahoo man, and use to meeting people in well organised clubs or groups, where people of like&nbsp; minds or had common interests, joined and talked.&nbsp; I made many VERY&nbsp; good friends there, many of whom I am still friends with, and several I met in person.</p> <p>Zorpia was quite different, the forums were open to anyone &amp; everyone, so you had people with DIFFERENT&nbsp; views and minds.&nbsp; But this didn't mean one didn't make friends, I most certainly did, and have met about 11 of them, the latest one, from philippines,&nbsp; came and had her birthday with us last month.</p> <p>Zorpia has many wonderful things, large storage space for my THOUSANDS of photos, and my videos, and the forums, sometimes a bit of rough and tumble, but mainly great. I have met a far greater range of people from far more countries than in Yahoo.&nbsp; In Yahoo most people seemed to be from USA, Canada, UK, and Australia. with a few from other countries such as New Zealand, Argentina, croatia, France &amp; Germany.&nbsp; But VERY few from these.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Zorpia is so different. because whilst we get to meet people from all those there many from Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Singapore Malayasia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Palestine, Egypt, Malta,&nbsp; Carabean,&nbsp; Mexico, Mauritius, Holland, Scandinavian countries, Romania,&nbsp; Baltic countries, Qatar, and several others.&nbsp; </p> <p>ZORPIA is another world.</p> <p>I am so pleased to be part of it.</p> <p>THANK YOU ALL&nbsp; for being such loving and interesting friends, and thank you to Jeffrey for making it possible, and for his hard working team who do they best to keep it all running, inspite of the BUGS!</p> <p>HAPPY anniversary to my membership</p> <p>Take care all of you</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*HUGS* &amp; SMILES*&nbsp; Love &amp; Peace.</p> <p>Chris</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>(PS&nbsp; I hope I will meet many more in the future, for real)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Personal http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1855048 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:17 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1852573 2008 Competition Results Willoughby Cup (Postal History) 1st Chris Phillips “Mail Gets Through in Wartime Burma” 2nd Ted Lunn “Postmarks of Great Britain” One Country Cup A) National (GB) 1st Ted Lunn “Postage Dues” 2nd Chris Phillips “Decimal Folded Booklets” B) Commonwealth 1st Chris Phillips “GB Overprinted High Values” 2nd Ted Lunn “Transvaal” C) Foreign 1st Chris Phillips “Bolivia” 2nd Ted Lunn “Nicaragua” Over all in the One Country cup 1st Chris Phillips “GB Overprinted High Values” 2nd Ted Lunn “Transvaal” 3rd Chris Phillips “Bolivia” OPEN A) Aerophilately 1st Chris Phillips “Bolivia Airmails” (63%) B) Postal Stationary 1st Chris Phillips “Nepal Postal stationery” (53%) C) Cinderella 1st Ted Lunn “Fakes & Forgeries” (62%) 2nd Chris Phillips “Philatelic Congress Labels” (60%) Overall in the One Country Cup 1st Chris Phillips “Bolivia Airmails” 2nd Ted Lunn “Fakes & Forgeries” 3rd Chris Phillips “Philatelic Congress Labels” Tice Cup (Thematic) 1st Ted Lunn “ You have been Framed QV” 2nd Alex Thompson “ Life & Times of George 6th” Tice Shield (4 pages any subject) 1st Robin Stenhouse “Linnaeus” 2nd Ted Lunn “Finland” 3rd Chris Phillips “1938” Bantam (Talk & display) 1st = Ted Lunn “ Five Kingdoms of Germany” Alex Thompspn “ German Inflation” 3rd Robin Stenhouse “Falklands” 4th Chris Phillips “ GB Booklets” Yates (Only for those who did not win any contest last previous year) 1st Ted Lunn The judges were  Colin Spink (of the Collectors Centre) for the One Country Cup            Malcolm Stockhill (Bridlington)  Postal History            Peter Arnett (President of the Bridlington Philatelic Society) Tice cup and the Open Competitions                             The members present judged the last three  competitions Hobbies & Interests http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1852573 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:40 EST http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1843309 <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547065.9c9e80.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547081.ca21eb.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547092.539afc.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547114.ffccf5.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547127.64679b.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547136.b47106.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30547161.4a524e.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img hspace="0" src="http://lrg.zorpia.com/0/4772/30546936.b40b70.jpg" align="baseline" border="0" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>That's it&nbsp; lol&nbsp; Sorry not terribly interesting.&nbsp; But a record of the event.</p> <p>*SMILES*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p align="center">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Hobbies & Interests http://www.zorpia.com/philcovers/journal/1843309 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:08 EST