Online Inquirer

I picked up this Meme from Eric of “Ruminations of a Small Town Mountain Boy” and “Chihuatude”.

Eric is a great, generous and dynamic blogger who have introduced new concepts into the world of blogging. Read his posts: Monday’s Writers of the Web, to understand what I mean. It’s only him who has this series of visiting blogs and writing about them in his blog, every Monday.

This Meme that Eric has created is good for writers because you can learn new words and enjoy the challenge of putting it into use. It also allows you to interact with other writers in the blogging world.

The idea is to pick a word from Eric’s list, and leave a comment informing the author of the word. The author then must use the word in the commenter’s blog. The comment using the word should be related to the most recent post of the blog. (Did I get it right, Eric?)

Just like Eric, I won’t pass this on. Anyone who wants to be tagged is welcome.

Just copy the Meme and rules on your own site and leave a comment on this post so I can come and visit you with the challenge of commenting on your latest post- using the word you’ve selected.

I decided to use Eric’s choices as I find them good words and saves me from searching for new words.

Happy blogging !

Words of the day.

1. chichi

\SHEE-shee\, adjective:
Affectedly trendy.

2. enervate

\EN-ur-vayt\, transitive verb:
1. To deprive of vigor, force, or strength; to render feeble; to weaken.
2. To reduce the moral or mental vigor of.

3. provenance

\PROV-uh-nuhn(t)s\, noun:
Origin; source.

4. exalt

\ig-ZOLT\, verb:
1. To praise, glorify, or honor.
2. To heighten or intensify.
3. To raise in rank, character, or status; as, “exalted the humble shoemaker to the rank of King’s adviser.”

5. tittle-tattle

\TIT-uhl TAT-uhl\, noun:
1. Idle, trifling talk; empty prattle.
2. An idle, trifling talker; a gossip.

6. vexillology

\vek-sil-AHL-uh-jee\, noun:
The study of flags.

7. asperity

\as-PAIR-uh-tee\, noun:
1. Roughness of surface; unevenness.
2. Roughness or harshness of sound; a quality that grates upon the ear.
3. Roughness of manner; severity; harshness.

Puss Reboots is holding a contest and the prices are books.
I have joined because I wanted to win
The Fourth Watcher: A Novel of Bangkok by Timothy Hallinan.
This was copy pasted from Puss Reboots:
-Start of excerpt-

“The rules for the contest are as follows:
To qualify your comment must include a suspense or thriller recommendation. It can be a book, film, graphic novel, manga… just something thrilling or suspenseful.
Contest runs from today through August 13th at 11PM Pacific Time
Winner will be notified via email at 11PM on August 13th and will have 3 days to respond with a mailing address. If no response is received in that time, a new winner will be picked.
Open to the entire world.
For extra credit you can:
a) include your blog’s URL
b) blog about the contest and link back here.”
-End of excerpt-

The following books will also be given as prizes to the lucky winners:
Unholy Domain Dan Ronco
Virus Games G.L. Sheerin
Dancing Above the Waves Susan Walerstein
Lifetime Loser James Ross
The Fourth Watcher Timothy Hallinan
El Tigre John H. Manhol
So what are you waiting for, visit the site and join!

As promised, I voluntarily got this TAG from Ray of “The Esoterical Journey“

I would like to write about my fears because wise men say, talking about them – in one way or another – exonerates them from your system. ( I surely hope so!)

Anyway, here goes:

Fear is a natural human emotion. Fear makes us wary and careful of any undertaking we plan to do and therefore makes us less prone to mishaps and misfortunes.

Without fear, we become less human.

Here are the 6 fears/difficulties that continue to nibble at my consciousness:

1. Fear of death – I know death is a natural human process and I don’t fear dying per se.

Photo by provia_17

My fear is in the method or way in which I would die.

Will I die of natural causes?

Will I die of cancer?

Or will I die because of an accident?

The unknown way in which I will die, makes me fear death .

(I know, I know..,”To the organized mind, death is but the next exciting adventure.” but I just can’t help myself….help Ray…LOL)

2. Public speaking - I do speak in public often, but I still have those butterflies in my stomach whenever I am called up the stage to say a few sentences.

I know this is natural even for seasoned performers , but I still feel nervous – so what I do is to take a deep breath and leave my fate to the gods…(grins).

3. I fear that we are – slowly but surely - destroying the earth, that global warming will eventually become worst and that in the future, our children’s children would gnash their teeth in turmoil over our irresponsible deeds.

I also fear for them, because of how we subject them now to media violence and gadgets that don’t develop their resourcefulness and initiative.

I also observed that nowadays compassion and empathy are less and less encouraged; thereby, creating a society where people are only after their own personal gain at the expense of others.

4. I find it difficult to reconcile the fact that people talk about God but treat others so unkindly and unjustly.

I’m not a pompous prig and I don’t pretend to be a “holier than thou” person, but I believe “religion” is felt from the heart and not in the countless religious rituals that we often piously perform.

5. I am having difficulty staying away from sweets altogether.

Cakes, chocolates, ice cream and savory desserts are my weaknesses and I devour them voraciously – no matter what.

I would rather die full and my appetite satiated, than die hungry…(he he he – )

by jmrocher2001

6. Lastly, I have great fear of heights.

I hate standing on the ledge of tall buildings, no matter how awesome the view is – from up there.

I’d rather sing in front of a crowd.

These are my basic fears…I have countless more, but I wanted this article to be “light”.

Those who would like to take up the TAG, you’re welcome!

Enjoy reading and happy blog hopping!

This award was given several days ago but it’s only now that I have decided to accept it because I feel it in my heart that it was given in “good faith” by Durano of “The Spitting Vessel”.
I have to admit that I was tremendously honored because Durano is one of the writers I admire. In fact, I had thought of awarding him again this trophy.

The Spitting Vessel, is a blog about current controversial issues, interesting insights into world events and factual, no-nonsense posts about truth laid bare.

The author is knowledgeable about a lot of topics from boxing, to cannabis sativa to architecture, etc.

What an unusual mix, don’t you agree? It speaks of the writer’s versatility and prolificity.

I copypasted from Durano’s blog the rules for this award.

- Start of excerpt-

“The rules governing the Award recipients involve the following:

1. Recipients must pick 5 blogs they consider deserving of this award for creativity, design, interesting material, and for contributing to the blogging community in whatever language.

2. Each of the 5 selected blogs must include the name of the author and a link to his/her site to be visited by readers.

3. The recipient must show the award and indicate the name and link to the blog of the one that handed it to him/her.

4. All Award recipients must include a link to the Arte y Pico site to inform all readers about the origin of this award.”

According to Arte y Pico – the translation in English of the term is- “Wow. The Best Art. Over the top.”

- End of excerpt-

I have at least a dozen blogs I would like to award the trophy to, but since it is an Arte Y Pico Award, I will have to select among my favorite Art, Writing & Literature blogs.

The 5 Writing blogs I have selected are: (In no particular order)

I. Caught In The Stream – Author: Francis Escudellari
http://in-the-stream.blogspot.com.

Francis is a poet, a writer, a painter all rolled into one – an artist exemplare – that is how I describe him.

His blog features his extraordinary, wonderful work of art. I usually feel like I’m entering into a totally different realm when I visit his blog.

I feel mentally titillated when I read and view his poetry, short stories and paintings, because they evoke a sense of meaningful and participatory input from me – the reader/viewer.

If you want to know what I’m talking about – visit his blog.

II. Ken Armstrong Writing Stuff – Author: Ken Armstrong http://kenarmstrong.blogspot.com/

This writer needs no lengthy introduction as he is already a well – known personality in the Entrecard world- talk about the first comment bomb – that’s Ken’s Music and Driving post. His writing style, prances around you, like an insouciant, playful kid that refreshes and makes you smile – and even makes you guffaw at times – He is an exceptional raconteur. I always enjoy and look forward to his invigorating, smooth flowing personal stories.

Ken, you don’t have to formally accept this award. I know this is the second, being awarded the first by Matt Urdan of MTMD, so it’s okay. I just wanted to acknowledge you.

III. The Esoterical Journey – Author: Ray Gratzner
http://esoteric-journey.blogspot.com/

I refer to Ray as The Philosopher. When I think on the lines of ” Cogito, ergo sum”, “Tabula rasa”, Carpe diem” – then I visit his blog. His thoughts are profound and worthy of perusal. The concepts he presents in his posts are nuggets of wisdom that one could glean and learn from.

He writes about life in general – the intricate webs that is interspersed with human behavior and many more thought provoking topics.

He maintains a German version of this blog and writes fluently in both English and German languages.

IV. The Big Picture – Author: Tasha Bud
http://loveandromance-tashabud.blogspot.com/

Tasha is a budding romantic writer who created and is still in the process of creating a passionate and heart-wrenching novel about the joys and pains of being in love.

She courageously and wholeheartedly shares her novel “in the making” with her increasing number of readers.

Be an eager witness to her first written novel as she unravels her characters in this romantic, passionate composition. I’m still a romantic at heart so I read her posts voraciously.

V. Pinoy Around The World – Author: Mathe Baniaga
http://modernmariaclara.wordpress.com/

Mathe is a SAHM who has the passion and desire to write. Her poignant stories are about the adventures and misadventures of Filipino workers abroad.

In her simple, crisp manner, she recounts these stories as if they were her own – bringing the scene vividly into the reader’s mind.

Watch out for more of her true and interesting stories in her Pinoy blog.

Photo by: mysza831

I accepted this tag because it comes from a special friend Mathe of HotMomma

I simply can’t refuse the blessings she so generously passed on to me, thanks Mathe….

So here goes.

Start copy

Rules:
1. Simply copy the inspirational story and in the end write down the lesson you have learned out from this.
2. Put your own blog name and link. Pass or tag this to your friends to inspire them.
3. Start copy from “Begin Copy” until “End Copy” to your blog.

— The Best Gift Ever —

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college.
For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study.
His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said,
“With all your money you give me a Bible?”
And stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him.

He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son.
He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, “And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?”

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words… PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God’s blessing because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this. Pass it on to others. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for…

PLEASE SEND THIS TO AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE SO AS TO LET THIS GREAT LESSON FLOW AROUND.

End Copy

Lesson Learned:

“Sometimes, things are not what they seem.” We often see things as far as our human minds can comprehend, but if we look through a more spiritual point of view, we can recognize the blessing that comes along with these seemingly unsolvable travails in life.

As long as we remember that in every occurrence- even the supposed to be unpleasant occurrences – we can always find something positive in them, if we only try to find them.

HotMomma
Random Thoughts
You’re next!

I’m tagging anyone who is interested to take up the Tag, and of course the blessings that go with it. God bless!

SUBMIT NOW!!!

Write an Article (poem, essay, short story, personal experience) About How TV Violence Can Adversely Affect Children and Earn 1,000 EC Credits!

DRAWINGS, CARICATURES, CARTOONS (WITH EXPLANATIONS) WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED!

This is NOT a contest, so all submissions will be published and awarded 1,000 EC credits each. All entries will be published in this blog “A Campaign For Non-Violence On TV”.

THE CRITERIA ARE:

1. You must be an Entrecarder.
2. The article must be original, if you use quotations from other authors, you must acknowledge your sources.
3. The topic must talk about the negative effects of TV violence on children.
4. It maybe a poem, an essay, a short story, or a personal experience.
5. Drawings will be accepted too, but there should be a brief explanation of what the picture portrays.
6. JOIN NOW! Let’s makes the world a safer place for our children, and our children’s children.

If you want to send an entry, send a message to my EC card and I will get back to you; or just leave a comment and I will send my email through your EC dashboard.

Visit this site to learn more:
A Campaign for Non Violence on TV