tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60947014220273108622024-03-13T01:19:38.914+01:00Chocolate kisses, words still unwritten and knitting needlesVirginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-63969267737051763202011-04-10T11:46:00.000+02:002011-04-10T11:46:17.635+02:00Future<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:HyphenationZone>14</w:HyphenationZone> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>IT</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">Watery eyes</span></span></i></b></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">on aurora seas</span></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-36148205551914890632011-03-24T19:43:00.000+01:002011-03-24T19:43:47.268+01:00“Spring has sprung!” said the bumble bee.<div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Sweet April showers </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Do spring May flowers." </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Thomas Tusser, <i>A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie.</i><i></i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"In the spring time, the only pretty ring time,<br />
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;<br />
Sweet lovers love the spring." </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - William Shakespeare, <i>I</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>t was a lover and his lass</i>.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"And Spring arose on the garden fair,<br />
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;<br />
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast<br />
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."<br />
- Percy Bysshe Shelley, <i>The Sensitive Plant. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Charles Dickens, <i>Great Expectations.</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"A little Madness in the spring </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Is wholesome even for the King."</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Emily Dickinson</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Don't you know what that is? It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you <i>do</i> want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! It seems to you that mainly what you want is to get away; get away from the same old tedious things you're so used to seeing and so tired of, and set something new. That is the idea; you want to go and be a wanderer; you want to go wandering far away to strange countries where everything is mysterious and wonderful and romantic. And if you can't do that, you'll put up with considerable less; you'll go anywhere you <i>can</i> go, just so as to get away, and be thankful of the chance, too.</span><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Mark Twain,</span><span style="font-size: small;"><i> Tom Sawyer, Detective.</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gxYxZ4JM_w4/TYuPL_24d1I/AAAAAAAAAIo/PzNN__1lZDg/s1600/draft_lens2372454module13497671photo_1238813265daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gxYxZ4JM_w4/TYuPL_24d1I/AAAAAAAAAIo/PzNN__1lZDg/s1600/draft_lens2372454module13497671photo_1238813265daffodils.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which quote do you prefer? My favourite is, without any doubt, Mark Twain's! <i><br />
</i></span></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-44695395687589259292011-03-08T19:11:00.000+01:002011-03-08T19:11:54.031+01:00The Silver Wattle<div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #f1c232;">International Women's Day (IWD)</span></i></b>, originally called International Working Women’s Day is marked on March 8 every year.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day#cite_note-0"><span></span></a></sup> It is a major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first IWD was observed on 19 March 1911 in Germany following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions</span><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Events are scheduled to take place in more than 100 countries<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RFE100_5-0"><span></span><span></span></sup><i> </i></span>around the world on March 8, 2011, to commemorate the <span style="font-size: small;"><i>100th anniversary of International Women's Day</i>. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DT100_6-0"><span></span><span></span></sup> </span> </div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the United States, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month", calling Americans to mark IWD by reflecting on "the extraordinary accomplishments of women" in shaping the country's history.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RFE100_5-1"><span></span></sup> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tVTWFKzbhRk/TXZt_iaHrHI/AAAAAAAAAIc/wduhWhxNLIA/s1600/110308_165200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tVTWFKzbhRk/TXZt_iaHrHI/AAAAAAAAAIc/wduhWhxNLIA/s320/110308_165200.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <b style="color: #f1c232;"><i>mimosa</i></b> (technically, the <i style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Silver Wattle</b></i>) is the symbol of the celebrations of Women's day in Italy and Russia.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[Taken from Wikipedia] </span></span>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-85271522888352185092011-03-03T20:09:00.001+01:002011-03-03T20:39:21.753+01:00From Gentleman to King<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, February 27, 2011: the <i>Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</i> awarded the golden statuette for <i>Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role</i> to the fabulous<i><b> Colin Firth</b></i><b>.</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think he fully deserved it and earned it with a really nice, clean, professional and elegant interpretation of Bertie/Prince Albert, Duke of York/King George VI in "<b><i>The King's Speech</i></b>". </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z8Y5y2o-KhU/TW_iy5knM4I/AAAAAAAAAIE/nasSoEFyzI4/s1600/Colin+Firth+-+83rd+Annual+Academy+Awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z8Y5y2o-KhU/TW_iy5knM4I/AAAAAAAAAIE/nasSoEFyzI4/s320/Colin+Firth+-+83rd+Annual+Academy+Awards.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Colin gave one of the best acceptance speeches of this year's Academy Awards: </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<i>I have a feeling my career's just peaked. I'm afraid I have to warn you that I'm experiencing stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves, which joyous as they may be for me, they would be extremely problematic if they made it to my legs before I make it off stage.</i>" </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And he concluded: "<i>Now if you'll excuse me I have some impulses I have to tend to backstage</i>."</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simple and funny!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">He partied so hard that he forgot his award in a bathroom, but fortunately an attendant handed it back to him. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BHTffybnyx4/TW_l_pu7BpI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/UFJtpSuf2xI/s1600/Pride-and-Prejudice-1995-pride-and-prejudice-1995-13601419-784-448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BHTffybnyx4/TW_l_pu7BpI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/UFJtpSuf2xI/s400/Pride-and-Prejudice-1995-pride-and-prejudice-1995-13601419-784-448.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5sdry2U5OiM/TW_mA-jm7RI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Jvm8BmiVlJg/s1600/Pride-and-Prejudice-pride-and-prejudice-1995-11407019-276-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5sdry2U5OiM/TW_mA-jm7RI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Jvm8BmiVlJg/s320/Pride-and-Prejudice-pride-and-prejudice-1995-11407019-276-400.jpg" width="220" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a soft spot for Colin Firth since my mum introduced me to his wonderful role of <b><i>Mr. Darcy</i></b> in <i>BBC's Pride & Prejudice</i> (1995). And like this character, he has such gentlemanlike manners... </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cannot but wish him to continue this flawless career in the best way possible!!!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PLUdfSo-xCY/TW_l-aXSg5I/AAAAAAAAAII/8ZRsajfy_Sk/s1600/colin-firth-single-man1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PLUdfSo-xCY/TW_l-aXSg5I/AAAAAAAAAII/8ZRsajfy_Sk/s1600/colin-firth-single-man1.jpg" /></a></span></div><br />
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-90235370619663131592011-03-03T15:53:00.006+01:002011-03-03T15:56:35.809+01:00At home studying "History of English"... March 3, 2011 on Twitpic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T0rjkAl2u8w/TW-rl9bui8I/AAAAAAAAAIA/KF9vmDjOBc0/s1600/WebCam_20110303_1535%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T0rjkAl2u8w/TW-rl9bui8I/AAAAAAAAAIA/KF9vmDjOBc0/s400/WebCam_20110303_1535%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://twitpic.com/45og2e">At home studying "History of English"... March 3, 2011 on Twitpic</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-20526094527727064532011-02-18T12:18:00.000+01:002011-02-18T12:18:35.577+01:00The Wanderer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4jgrLY_7Dc/TV5TN7OAoyI/AAAAAAAAAH4/v1xdHjtBnl8/s1600/Caspar_David_Friedrich_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4jgrLY_7Dc/TV5TN7OAoyI/AAAAAAAAAH4/v1xdHjtBnl8/s400/Caspar_David_Friedrich_032.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Wanderer above the Sea of Fog</b></i> - <i>Caspar David Friedrich</i> (1818)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">" ... none </span></i></b></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">by traveling over known lands </span></i></b></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">can find out the unknown."</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">William Blake </span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">(From: Principle Four of 'All Religions are One' - 1795)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-62994105978870317492011-02-14T19:00:00.000+01:002011-02-14T19:00:43.275+01:00Happy Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Happy Valentine's Day</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">!!!</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFUYbudEHyc/TVln2Rak1jI/AAAAAAAAAHw/ZBgvxcGB55g/s1600/couple-valentines-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFUYbudEHyc/TVln2Rak1jI/AAAAAAAAAHw/ZBgvxcGB55g/s400/couple-valentines-day.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>For this was on seynt Volantynys day</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make</span>.</span></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">["For this was Saint Valentine's Day, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">when every bird cometh there to choose his mate"]</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geoffrey Chaucer, Parlement of Foules (1382)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,</i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>All in the morning betime, </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And I a maid at your window, </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>To be your Valentine. </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes, </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And dupp'd the chamber-door; </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Let in the maid, that out a maid </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Never departed more.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, </i></span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>thou art every day my Valentine!</i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Thomas Hood</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-62680924418503181942011-02-08T20:52:00.003+01:002011-02-08T21:49:27.247+01:00Super Bowl XLV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcu421eyI/AAAAAAAAAHs/L1cTuPlJwI8/s1600/Super-Bowl-2011-Official-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcu421eyI/AAAAAAAAAHs/L1cTuPlJwI8/s1600/Super-Bowl-2011-Official-Logo.png" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you believe that I got to see the <i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Super Bowl</i> only today?!? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No television and twitter for two days. In Italy that's enough to not spoil the winner team!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyhoo ... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcr7DZ0JI/AAAAAAAAAHc/LIIZxr456UA/s1600/Green+Bay+Packers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcr7DZ0JI/AAAAAAAAAHc/LIIZxr456UA/s320/Green+Bay+Packers+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> my compliments to the <b><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;">Green Bay Packers</span></b>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGctZOac2I/AAAAAAAAAHk/7MgNx-zWJ1k/s1600/Green+Bay+Packers+-+Aaron+Rodgers+and+Clay+Matthews+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGctZOac2I/AAAAAAAAAHk/7MgNx-zWJ1k/s320/Green+Bay+Packers+-+Aaron+Rodgers+and+Clay+Matthews+2.jpg" width="320" /><span style="background-color: white;"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Aaron Rodgers (QB) and Clay Matthews (OLB)</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">who played really well, especially in the first half of the game!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And here's what I think is the best commercial of this Super Bowl!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hIrrOKxVXKs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcqehGtLI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lLq_edM4xW4/s1600/Green+Bay+Packers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TVGcqehGtLI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lLq_edM4xW4/s400/Green+Bay+Packers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #38761d;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go! You Packers! Go!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-14164087140945310102011-02-02T15:11:00.001+01:002011-02-02T15:15:46.930+01:00W.B.Yeats - The Symbolism of Poetry (an excerpt)<h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[...] </h3><h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></h3><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was writing once at a very symbolical and abstract poem, when my pen fell on the ground; and as I stooped to pick it up, I remembered some phantastic adventure that yet did not seem phantastic, and then another like adventure, and when I asked myself when these things had happened, I found, that I was remembering my dreams for many nights. I tried to remember what I had done the day before, and then what I had done that morning; but all my waking life had perished from me, and it was only after a struggle that I came to remember it again, and as I did so that more powerful and startling life perished in its turn. Had my pen not fallen on the ground and so made me turn from the images that I was weaving into verse, I would never have known that meditation had become trance, for I would have been like one who does not know that he is passing through a wood because his eyes are on the pathway. So I think that in the making and in the understanding of a work of art, and the more easily if it is full of patterns and symbols and music, we are lured to the threshold of sleep, and it may be far beyond it, without knowing that we have ever set our feet upon the steps of horn or of ivory*.</span> </div><h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">[...]</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUlm00haOAI/AAAAAAAAAHU/D_B70xHkPC0/s1600/William_Butler_Yeats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUlm00haOAI/AAAAAAAAAHU/D_B70xHkPC0/s400/William_Butler_Yeats.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </h3><h3 style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">*<span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;">The gates of horn and ivory</span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;"> are a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature" style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;" title="Literature"></a><span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;">literary image used to distinguish true dreams (corresponding to factual occurrences) from false. The phrase originated in the Greek language, in which the word for "horn" is similar to that for "fulfil" and the word for "ivory" is similar to that for "deceive". On the basis of that play on words, true dreams are spoken of as coming through the gates of horn, false dreams as coming through those of ivory.</span> </h3>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-80881305301746523432011-01-31T15:54:00.000+01:002011-01-31T15:54:51.562+01:00Who Knows Where The Time Goes (by Sandy Denny) - Eva Cassidy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5xv5t70u-ZI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Across the evening sky all the birds are leaving<br />
Oh but then you know it was time for them to go<br />
By the winter fire I will still be dreaming<br />
I do not count the time</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">For who knows where the time goes<br />
Who knows where the time goes</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sad deserted shore your fickle friends are leaving<br />
Oh but then you know it was time for them to go<br />
But I will still be here I have no thought of leaving<br />
I do not count the time</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">For who knows where the time goes<br />
Who knows where the time goes</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I know I’m not alone while my love is near me<br />
I know that it’s all until it’s time to go<br />
All the storms in winter and the birds in spring again<br />
I do not count the time</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">For who knows where the time goes<br />
Who knows where the time goes</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Who knows where the time goes<br />
Who knows where the time goes</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></b> </div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-30999564413184139292011-01-30T12:16:00.000+01:002011-01-30T12:16:33.951+01:002011 Pro Bowl - Who's playing?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8nrJS8oI/AAAAAAAAAHM/T76AN9W05gk/s1600/Pro+Bowl+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8nrJS8oI/AAAAAAAAAHM/T76AN9W05gk/s400/Pro+Bowl+2011.jpg" width="371" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8mW5ZgWI/AAAAAAAAAHA/VR4X9DAVmEM/s1600/AFC.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8mW5ZgWI/AAAAAAAAAHA/VR4X9DAVmEM/s320/AFC.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;">Head coach: <b>Bill Belichick</b> (New England Patriots)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>AFC OFFENSE</strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong>Quarterbacks</strong><br />
* Tom Brady, New England <br />
Philip Rivers, San Diego <br />
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis <br />
<br />
<strong>Running Backs</strong><br />
* Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville <br />
Arian Foster, Houston <br />
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City <br />
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<strong>Fullback</strong><br />
* Vonta Leach, Houston <br />
<br />
<strong>Wide Receivers</strong><br />
* Andre Johnson, Houston <br />
* Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis <br />
Brandon Lloyd, Denver <br />
Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City <br />
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<strong>Tight Ends</strong><br />
* Antonio Gates, San Diego <br />
Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville <br />
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<strong>Centers</strong><br />
* Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets <br />
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh <br />
<br />
<strong>Guards</strong><br />
* Kris Dielman, San Diego <br />
* Logan Mankins, New England <br />
Brian Waters, Kansas City <br />
<br />
<strong>Tackles</strong><br />
* Jake Long, Miami <br />
* Joe Thomas, Cleveland <br />
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></b></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>AFC DEFENSE</strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong>Defensive Ends</strong><br />
* Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis <br />
* Robert Mathis, Indianapolis <br />
Jason Babin, Tennessee <br />
<br />
<strong>Interior Linemen</strong><br />
* Haloti Ngata, Baltimore <br />
* Vince Wilfork, New England <br />
Richard Seymour, Oakland <br />
<br />
<strong>Inside-Middle Linebackers</strong><br />
* Ray Lewis, Baltimore <br />
Jerod Mayo, New England <br />
<br />
<strong>Outside Linebackers</strong><br />
* James Harrison, Pittsburgh <br />
* Cameron Wake, Miami <br />
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore <br />
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<strong>Cornerbacks</strong><br />
* Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland <br />
* Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets <br />
Devin McCourty, New England <br />
<br />
<strong>Strong Safety </strong><br />
* Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh <br />
<br />
<strong>Free Safeties</strong><br />
* Ed Reed, Baltimore <br />
Brandon Meriweather, New England </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>AFC SPECIALISTS</strong></span><br />
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<strong>Punter</strong><br />
Shane Lechler, Oakland <br />
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<strong>Kick-return Specialist</strong><br />
Marc Mariani, Tennessee <br />
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<strong>Place-kicker</strong><br />
Billy Cundiff, Baltimore <br />
<br />
<strong>Special-teamer</strong><br />
Montell Owens, Jacksonville <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: black;">VS </span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8mvB8T0I/AAAAAAAAAHE/MQZ59aeQ5Ew/s1600/NFC.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8mvB8T0I/AAAAAAAAAHE/MQZ59aeQ5Ew/s200/NFC.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: black;"><i><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="color: black;"></div><div style="color: black;"></div><div style="color: black;">Head coach: <b>Mike Smith </b>(Atlanta Falcons)</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>NFC OFFENSE</strong></span> <br />
<br />
<strong>Quarterbacks</strong> <br />
* Michael Vick, Philadelphia <br />
Matt Ryan, Atlanta <br />
Drew Brees, New Orleans <br />
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<strong>Running Backs</strong> <br />
* Michael Turner, Atlanta <br />
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota <br />
Steven Jackson, St. Louis <br />
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<strong>Fullback</strong> <br />
* Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta <br />
<br />
<strong>Wide Receivers</strong> <br />
* Roddy White, Atlanta <br />
* Calvin Johnson, Detroit <br />
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia <br />
Greg Jennings, Green Bay <br />
<br />
<strong>Tight Ends</strong> <br />
* Jason Witten, Dallas <br />
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta <br />
<br />
<strong>Centers</strong> <br />
* Andre Gurode, Dallas <br />
Shaun O'Hara, N.Y. Giants <br />
<br />
<strong>Guards</strong> <br />
* Jahri Evans, New Orleans <br />
*Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants <br />
Carl Nicks, New Orleans <br />
<br />
<strong>Tackles</strong> <br />
* Jason Peters, Philadelphia <br />
* Jordan Gross, Carolina <br />
Chad Clifton, Green Bay</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>NFC DEFENSE</strong></span> <br />
<br />
<strong>Defensive Ends</strong> <br />
* Julius Peppers, Chicago <br />
* John Abraham, Atlanta <br />
Justin Tuck, N.Y. Giants <br />
<br />
<strong>Interior Linemen</strong> <br />
* Ndamukong Suh, Detroit <br />
* Jay Ratliff, Dallas <br />
Justin Smith, San Francisco <br />
<br />
<strong>Inside-Middle Linebackers</strong> <br />
* Patrick Willis, San Francisco <br />
Brian Urlacher, Chicago <br />
<br />
<strong>Outside Linebackers</strong> <br />
* Clay Matthews, Green Bay <br />
* DeMarcus Ware, Dallas <br />
Lance Briggs, Chicago <br />
<br />
<strong>Cornerbacks</strong> <br />
* Asante Samuel, Philadelphia <br />
* Charles Woodson, Green Bay <br />
DeAngelo Hall, Washington <br />
<br />
<strong>Strong Safety </strong> <br />
* Adrian Wilson, Arizona <br />
<br />
<strong>Free Safeties</strong> <br />
* Nick Collins, Green Bay <br />
Antrel Rolle, N.Y. Giants </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>NFC SPECIALISTS</strong></span> <br />
<br />
<strong>Punter</strong> <br />
Mat McBriar, Dallas <br />
<br />
<strong>Kick-return Specialist</strong> <br />
Devin Hester, Chicago <br />
<br />
<strong>Place-kicker</strong> <br />
David Akers, Philadelphia <br />
<br />
<strong>Special-teamer</strong> <br />
Eric Weems, Atlanta </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8nG4JaFI/AAAAAAAAAHI/_94VvSC9mL4/s1600/Nfl+-+AFC-NFC+-+Team+Helmets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TUU8nG4JaFI/AAAAAAAAAHI/_94VvSC9mL4/s1600/Nfl+-+AFC-NFC+-+Team+Helmets.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-39749039433980222092011-01-27T19:36:00.000+01:002011-01-27T19:36:34.555+01:00Ronald Reagan Quote<h1 style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0pt;"></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTL-4cpiIII/AAAAAAAAAG4/huCojh3krIo/s1600/shuttlechallengercrew.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTL-4cpiIII/AAAAAAAAAG4/huCojh3krIo/s400/shuttlechallengercrew.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">" The future doesn't belong to the faint-hearted; </span></i></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">it belongs to the brave." </span></i></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ronald Reagan</span></i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTL-9cOeG9I/AAAAAAAAAG8/f8ZVBkALcuU/s1600/reaganchallengerspeech.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTL-9cOeG9I/AAAAAAAAAG8/f8ZVBkALcuU/s200/reaganchallengerspeech.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganchallenger.htm">The Space Shuttle "Challenger" Tragedy Address</a>, </i></b></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>delivered 28 January 1986</i><i>.</i><br />
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-53299708852266674012011-01-14T21:43:00.001+01:002011-01-14T21:54:30.991+01:00When will my life begin? - Tangled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCybX8QHQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/YE5HtzPkDSM/s1600/Tangled+-+Wallpaper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCybX8QHQI/AAAAAAAAAGs/YE5HtzPkDSM/s400/Tangled+-+Wallpaper+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This Monday, after an exam at the University, Max and I had our post-exam typical meal at Burger King (we love its chips!!!) and then we spent a wonderful afternoon in the center of Milan. The weather was not fantastic, but at 2.30 p.m. we entered the cinema next to the Duomo and bought two tickets to see Tangled. I've been longing to see it for nearly two months and I had almost given up. But Milan has everything, like every other big and busy city, "old" movies included. There were only ten of us in the cinema! There we sat, relieved and relaxed after all the study of the previous days. And the movie was amazing! I mean, I know it's not one of Disney's best, but it's really worth watching! The characters are really well-built: I loved Maximus, the horse, the pub Thugs, Pascal, the little <span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">chameleon! </span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCya58DS6I/AAAAAAAAAGo/LH_p8UgBi2w/s1600/Tangled+-+Pascal+7+-+Copia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCya58DS6I/AAAAAAAAAGo/LH_p8UgBi2w/s200/Tangled+-+Pascal+7+-+Copia.jpg" width="159" /></a><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"> But most of all I liked her! She is a prisoner in her own house, always watching through the window the rest of the world, but never being in it. She</span> keeps wondering when her life will begin, she dreams to be able to see nearer the lights she sees once a year up in the sky.<br />
"What is it like Out there where they glow?"<span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">. She has everything</span>, except a door. Or at least this is what she thinks. But as soon as her feet touch the ground, she understand the infinite beauty of everything out there. She leaves her safe tower to discover the colored world, with her hair flying, her heart pounding. And then, under a wonderful sky full of lanterns, she discovers love. She sees the light, the true place she belongs to, "warm and real and bright".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCyY7us0uI/AAAAAAAAAGc/Wn_j34pu4xQ/s1600/Disney+Princess+Rapunzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCyY7us0uI/AAAAAAAAAGc/Wn_j34pu4xQ/s400/Disney+Princess+Rapunzel.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br />
I want to have her bravery, I want to leave my tower, as safe as it could be, I want to be completely free and to discover where I'm meant to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCyZoHYR2I/AAAAAAAAAGg/MaHxvmwrp0A/s1600/Disney+Princess+Rapunzel%2527s+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTCyZoHYR2I/AAAAAAAAAGg/MaHxvmwrp0A/s400/Disney+Princess+Rapunzel%2527s+Tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at the world - so close, and I'm halfway to it!<br />
Look at it all - so big - do I even dare?<br />
Look at me - there at last! - I just have to do it </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTC0OxYjG9I/AAAAAAAAAG0/-Z-sW_0tRHg/s1600/Tangled+-+Rapunzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTC0OxYjG9I/AAAAAAAAAG0/-Z-sW_0tRHg/s200/Tangled+-+Rapunzel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTC0OMgk69I/AAAAAAAAAGw/uJIsYdgv9oI/s1600/Tangled+-+Foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TTC0OMgk69I/AAAAAAAAAGw/uJIsYdgv9oI/s320/Tangled+-+Foot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-88617279522680221632011-01-12T11:47:00.002+01:002011-01-12T21:30:13.342+01:00Foggy day, foggy day<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Foggy day, foggy day... </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>You cut off the view of mountain peaks </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>from my little window. </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>You suffocate my dreams in all this </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>undefined </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>meaningless </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>white </i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yet you manage to keep me inside a room</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>filled with all my illusions.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Foggy day, foggy day,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>when will you go away?</i></span></div><br />
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-35922838212952457032011-01-11T19:35:00.003+01:002011-01-14T12:56:23.011+01:00Why do all my dreams extend just around the riverbend? - Pocahontas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM_vacjyWI/AAAAAAAAAEc/lW5C61Xwgyk/s1600/disney-walt-pocahontas-1193895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM_vacjyWI/AAAAAAAAAEc/lW5C61Xwgyk/s400/disney-walt-pocahontas-1193895.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
Last week I watched Pocahontas, after more than ten years since the first time I saw it. I think it has a different flavour than the other Disney's movies. It is not only about love and overcoming obstacles to get to the other. It also tastes of freedom!<br />
While watching it, or listening to its soundtrack, one can almost feel the wind blowing through the hair, the sweet smell of woods and the bubbling of the river against rocks, its water fresh and clear.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM8_iIb-FI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/nAMTKJ8QTKU/s1600/images+-+Copia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM8_iIb-FI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/nAMTKJ8QTKU/s200/images+-+Copia.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
And then I realized something:<br />
I would love to be Pocahontas! I'd really love it!<br />
I envy her: so self-confident, so trusting in fate, wild and peppy...<br />
So I started wondering: would I ever be able to be like her?<br />
Will I ever feel that free?<br />
I'm sure to have the capacity of suffering anything for Love. I know I'm a passionate lover, and even if I usually have a meek temperament, I turn out to be quite daring for the ones I'm attached to.<br />
This, at least, we have in common. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBEoyU1sI/AAAAAAAAAEw/04WC8CjOQmk/s1600/lege-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBEoyU1sI/AAAAAAAAAEw/04WC8CjOQmk/s200/lege-12.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBFgRgdxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Zh7jxxX9CXo/s1600/pocahontas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBFgRgdxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Zh7jxxX9CXo/s200/pocahontas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another similarity may be the fact that I've got a cat instead of a raccoon. She actually has the same grayish color and eats the same as Meeko does but my chubby cat prefers to get stuck under my comforter, rather than running through the woods.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBFYPz8kI/AAAAAAAAAE0/A9yMEc8OZWU/s1600/meekoandflit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSNBFYPz8kI/AAAAAAAAAE0/A9yMEc8OZWU/s200/meekoandflit.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>But I do not have her freedom, in the same way that I haven't got Grandmother Willow to help me see my way. I cannot hear the voice of the wind around me.<br />
I guess that life is, after all, very different from movies, especially Disney's ones.<br />
But I've decided that I won't stop listening, because you never know "what's around the riverbend, waiting just around the riverbend"...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSyik8NNfQI/AAAAAAAAAGI/UWvL5Zfszi4/s1600/River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSyik8NNfQI/AAAAAAAAAGI/UWvL5Zfszi4/s320/River.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, as you can see, I found a lot of images and I didn't know which one to choose, since I liked them all. Apart from the movie's images I also find other nice fan creations. So, icing on the cake, here are the two heroes of Pocahontas, in a slightly sexier way </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM9CUlux0I/AAAAAAAAAEU/UrS-x69ALpQ/s1600/Sexy-John-Smith-leading-men-of-disney-5927467-742-946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM8_M7Li0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/keUiazwDhCI/s1600/davidkawena_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM8_M7Li0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/keUiazwDhCI/s200/davidkawena_17.jpg" width="156" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM9CUlux0I/AAAAAAAAAEU/UrS-x69ALpQ/s200/Sexy-John-Smith-leading-men-of-disney-5927467-742-946.jpg" width="155" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and Twisted Pocahontas (by <a href="http://jeftoonportfolio.blogspot.com/">Jeffrey Thomas</a>). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM9L8UxFxI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JKH2FKOiwh4/s1600/Twisted_Princess__Pocahontas_by_jeftoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TSM9L8UxFxI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JKH2FKOiwh4/s320/Twisted_Princess__Pocahontas_by_jeftoon01.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-41418856279725666982011-01-01T19:58:00.002+01:002011-01-01T23:04:02.478+01:00Happy New Year!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TR97GqXX4qI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Zng2u8Zh2q0/s1600/Virginia+and+Massimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TR97GqXX4qI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Zng2u8Zh2q0/s320/Virginia+and+Massimo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Virginia and Massimo</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Happy 2011 </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>to everyone!!!</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%BBche_de_No%C3%ABl"><em style="color: #0b5394;">Bûche de Noël</em></a><span style="color: #0b5394;"> made by me and Max</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-6769121104287726692010-12-25T12:38:00.001+01:002010-12-28T19:55:13.189+01:00Merry Christmas!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TRXWw-cZn2I/AAAAAAAAADc/67zzjUIIp5Q/s1600/Penguin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TRXWw-cZn2I/AAAAAAAAADc/67zzjUIIp5Q/s400/Penguin.JPG" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Cute Xmas Penguin on my new pijamas</span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Merry Christmas</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TRXW125XqAI/AAAAAAAAADg/YdTRceCBCrU/s1600/prep-and-landing-550x309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TRXW125XqAI/AAAAAAAAADg/YdTRceCBCrU/s400/prep-and-landing-550x309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Santa's assistant - Prep & Landing</span></td></tr>
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</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-70842175659538172112010-12-25T11:56:00.000+01:002010-12-25T11:56:41.674+01:00Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Andrea Bocelli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="testo"></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TYu5PocI4nk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="testo">You better watch out <br />
You better not cry <br />
You better not pout </span></i></b></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="testo">Coz I'm telling you why<br />
Santa Claus is coming to town <br />
<br />
He's making a list, <br />
And checking it twice; <br />
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. <br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="testo">Santa Claus is coming to town <br />
<br />
He sees you when you're sleeping <br />
He knows when you're awake <br />
He knows if you've been bad or good <br />
So be good for goodness sake! <br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="testo">You better watch out!<br />
You better not cry <br />
Better not pout, I'm telling you why. <br />
Santa Claus is coming to town <br />
Santa Claus is coming to town</span></i></b></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-8193370258104707392010-12-24T15:49:00.000+01:002010-12-24T15:49:53.535+01:00It's Way Too Close to Christmas to Be This Far from You - A. Tippin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is for all those who will spend Christmas without their loved ones. </span></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a song by <a href="http://aarontippin.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm">Aaron Tippin</a>, and it's really romantic. </span></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sorry but I could not find a video on the web nor was I able to share the mp3 on this blog. </span></div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;">Search it or buy the CD if you can. It's really worth it.</span></div><br />
<div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>My heart just made a wish</b></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>That all these miles would disappear<br />
And if that wish came true<br />
Girl I'd be there or you'd be here<br />
<br />
But on this late December evening<br />
Tell me what else can I do<br />
It's way too close to Christmas<br />
To be this far from you<br />
<br />
I don't care if the weather never breaks<br />
Or the size of the snow flakes<br />
I'll do what I have to do<br />
I'll get through<br />
Cos it's way too close to Christmas<br />
To be this far from you<br />
<br />
Darlin' there's always a fire burning<br />
Way down deep inside my heart</b> </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Drawing us together<br />
No matter how far apart we are<br />
No there's never any question<br />
That this love of ours is true<br />
It's just way too close to Christmas<br />
To be this far from you<br />
<br />
I don't care if the weather never breaks<br />
Or the size of the snow flakes<br />
I'll do what I have to do<br />
I'll get through<br />
Cos it's way too close to Christmas<br />
To be this far from you<br />
<br />
Oh, it's way too close to Christmas<br />
To be this far from you (x3).</b> </div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-79604358444241417092010-12-24T15:13:00.001+01:002010-12-24T15:14:02.841+01:00Naughty or Nice?I made my list, I checked it twice... And what did I find out?<br />
That after a whole long afternoon elbowing my way through Milan's packed crowd, this year my list as a lot of nice people on it! Too many! I definitly went way over my budget!<br />
At least I hope to get something back...<br />
I've been extremely good this year!!!<br />
So, please Santa, give me a wonderful Christmas!<br />
I just want to have a lot of fun!Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-82556997433781999262010-12-22T19:17:00.000+01:002010-12-22T19:17:18.948+01:00I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells - Frank Sinatra<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells.<br />
Oh, those holiday J-I-N-G-L-E bells.<br />
Oh, those happy J-I-N-G-L-E-B-E-double L-S.<br />
I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells.<br />
<br />
Jingle Bells<br />
Jingle Bells<br />
Jingle all the way<br />
Oh what fun it is to ride<br />
In a one horse open sleigh<br />
<br />
Jingle Bells<br />
Jingle Bells<br />
Jingle all the way<br />
Oh what fun it is to ride<br />
In a one horse open sleigh<br />
<br />
Dashing through the snow<br />
In a one horse open sleigh<br />
Over the fields we go<br />
Laughing all the way<br />
Bells on bop tails ring<br />
Making spirts bright<br />
What fun it is to<br />
Ride a sleighing song tonight<br />
<br />
Jingle Bells<br />
Ji, Jingle Bells<br />
Jingle all the way<br />
Oh what fun it is to ride<br />
In a one horse open sleigh<br />
<br />
I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells.<br />
Oh, those holiday J-I-N-G-L-E bells.<br />
Oh, those happy J-I-N-G-L-E-B-E-double L-S.<br />
I love those Jingle bellsssss.... all the way.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/p07T4dlw2cc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">Only two days left till Christmas!</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">Enjoy a classic Xmas song performed by a great classic voice. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">From the album <a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Jolly_Christmas_from_Frank_Sinatra"><i>A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra</i></a>.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"> I find the initial and final parts extremely cheerful and very 50's!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-3197019297175721232010-12-17T18:00:00.000+01:002010-12-17T18:00:58.950+01:00Let it Snow! - Dean Martin<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><b>Oh, the weather outside is frightful, <br />
But the fire is so delightful, <br />
And since we've no place to go, <br />
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. <br />
<br />
It doesn't show signs of stopping, </b> <b><br />
And I brought some corn for popping; <br />
The lights are turned way down low, <br />
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. <br />
<br />
When we finally say good night, </b> <b><br />
How I'll hate going out in the storm; <br />
But if you really hold me tight, <br />
All the way home I'll be warm. <br />
<br />
The fire is slowly dying, </b> <b><br />
And, my dear, we're still good-bye-ing, <br />
But as long as you love me so. <br />
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.</b></div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: left;">The perfect song for a day like this! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Martin">Dean Martin</a>'s version. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mN7LW0Y00kE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-47855014110657802722010-12-11T15:31:00.003+01:002010-12-11T16:20:01.901+01:00Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The other day I was searching a list of Christmas movies and specials. Among all the most famous films, I spotted this title: "Yes, Virginia". Since it was something that had to do with Christmas and it held my name, I couldn't help searching for more information. It turned out to be quite an interesting story. In the United States it is widely known, and it's part of Christmas folklore, but I've never heard of it in Italy before. So, here it is. [Do not get scared by the length, it's actually quite quick to read and certainly worth it!]</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1897 eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon asked her father Dr. Philip O’Hanlon whether Santa Claus really existed. Dr. O’Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun<i>,</i> a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church replied, rising above the simple question, and addressing the philosophical issues behind it. Church was a war correspondent during the American Civil War, a time which saw great suffering and a corresponding lack of hope and faith in much of society.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although the paper ran the editorial in the seventh place on the editorial page, its message was very moving to many people who read it. More than a century later it remains the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the English language.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Is There a Santa Claus?</b></i> was the title of this editorial appearing in the September 21, 1897 edition of The Sun and it included the famous reply "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus">Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus</a>".</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TQOFQg2a8PI/AAAAAAAAADM/I7KYh2Tl1Uo/s1600/C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TQOFQg2a8PI/AAAAAAAAADM/I7KYh2Tl1Uo/s640/C.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Is There a Santa Claus?</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Papa says 'If you see it in The Sun it's so.'</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> "VIRGINIA O'HANLON</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." </span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.<br />
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. <br />
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TQOJRzV-TqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/uyFQNTulmoc/s1600/Virginia+O%2527Hanlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TQOJRzV-TqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/uyFQNTulmoc/s1600/Virginia+O%2527Hanlon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One last thing: "<a href="http://www.cbs.com/specials/yes_virginia/video/">Yes, Virginia</a>" is the title of a CBS Animated Holiday Special.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-80175224053554184002010-12-07T19:06:00.002+01:002010-12-10T00:28:36.273+01:00A December To Remember - A. Tippin<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><br />
I’ll search and find that special tree<br />
One that looks just right<br />
Then I’ll decorate it perfectly<br />
Even if it takes all night<br />
Then I’ll light the fire<br />
Turn the lights down low<br />
And hang up the mistletoe<br />
And make some lasting memories<br />
We’ll never forget<br />
</i> <i><br />
A December to remember<br />
Always in our hearts<br />
Spending everyday of the holidays <br />
Wrapped up in each others arms<br />
All I want for Christmas<br />
Is forever to be like this<br />
A December to remember forever more <br />
<br />
<br />
Don’t spend a single cent</i> <i><br />
On a Christmas gift for me<br />
Cause the thing that I want most of all<br />
Can’t be found beneath the tree<br />
It’s the loving look that’s in your eyes<br />
That money could never buy<br />
And I what I give you in return<br />
Will last throughout the years<br />
<br />
</i> <i>A December to remember<br />
Always in our hearts<br />
Spending everyday of the holidays <br />
Wrapped up in each others arms<br />
All I want for Christmas<br />
Is forever to be like this<br />
A December to remember forever more <br />
<br />
<br />
And all I want for Christmas</i> <i><br />
Is forever to be like this<br />
A December to remember forever more.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TP53bEq0rnI/AAAAAAAAACo/cZuRMsXhSuc/s1600/330431_1_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TP53bEq0rnI/AAAAAAAAACo/cZuRMsXhSuc/s200/330431_1_f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i> </i>I wanted to share with you this wonderful song by one of my favourite country artists, the great <a href="http://aarontippin.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm">Aaron Tippin</a>. It's not one of the traditional Christmas songs, but it conveys the same warm feeling. It's a duet, therefore it's extremely sweet listening to it with your significant other, <i>wrapped up in each others arms. </i><br />
I think this song will be the soundtrack of many of my Christmases, starting from this one.<br />
Its musical notes will certainly follow my most important Decembers: the first I'll spend with my boyfriend (this one!) celebrating with all my relatives, the first in what will be our wonderful house, our first Christmas as a family, as parents for many years after...<br />
Too dreamy, as usual. But aren't songs suppose to be the shelter of all dreamers?<br />
Every note is a like a photograph of the future: kisses under the mistletoe, presents, hot chocolates before the crackling fireplace, warm blankets, a bed just undone by jumping children excited about Santa's visit, snow, gingerbread cookies, great meals with a lot of people coming over, Christmas movies on TV, decorated Christmas trees, lights all over the town (whichever it will be)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TP52FYGO8fI/AAAAAAAAACk/uFdn7-LmpcE/s1600/ChristmasTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TP52FYGO8fI/AAAAAAAAACk/uFdn7-LmpcE/s320/ChristmasTree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Happy Christmassy dreams along this song!</div>Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094701422027310862.post-71701347436822316282010-12-01T12:03:00.000+01:002010-12-01T12:03:36.768+01:00Let It Snow...Oh, I'm so happy!!! So, so happy!<br />
<br />
It's the first of December and it's snowing!!!<br />
It's like a movie opening with the perfect soundtrack!<br />
I start hearing Christmas songs around and streets are being filled with lights and decorations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TPYrW0rzdfI/AAAAAAAAACg/kojpPCFtddk/s1600/P1020397+-+Copia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJZ3h6Li_ho/TPYrW0rzdfI/AAAAAAAAACg/kojpPCFtddk/s320/P1020397+-+Copia.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And, as if this was not enough to make me <span class="hw">cheerful,</span> I've just received wonderful news:<br />
one of my short stories will be published!<br />
It's a small publishing house but... Who cares?!<br />
I'll have something published!<br />
I'm super super excited!<br />
This December has to be fantastic!Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11877947268642907345noreply@blogger.com0