Avery Grace

This is my sister's second daughter Avery. Also extremely pretty and well mannered.

What are you looking at? Vogue.

This is my goddaughter Bailey Isobel.



She's such a cutie!

Introducing Brooklyn Payge

Born November 13, 2007.

Becoming an Aunt for the third time really helps me to appreciate the sanctity of life. She's adorable.

This is the beautiful tiled mural on the ground floor of Bronson Birth Center.

Thought of the day

For those who are waiting for me to go down, good luck. I'm used to being underestimated.

And right now, I'd like to thank you to St. Jude for a prayer answered. Three years ago I prayed for a strong mind and a strong heart.

Hate

The only entity I officially hate is Satan (also known as Beelzebub, Lucifer, the Devil, Spirit of Evil, etc., etc.) and I'm pretty sure he hates me back (he also hates all of humanity, but we'll get to that later). Why does he hate me in particular you ask? My theory is that it's because I'm an effective communicator and I don't share (and am in fact violently opposed to) his agenda. Envy me, hate me they say. What kind of world are you living in? If you are the type who wants to be envied, chances are I'm avoiding any sembance of you. The thought of it would make me physically ill. And why should I hate you? I recognize the duality of man and that some people are weak. I shouldn't say weak, I only know what I've been through and it's been a sheer hell, but I've held up. And the most redeeming thing I can say about humanity is that people are able (if they are willing) to change. That's why the Devil hates you too.

Leaving 99 by Audio Adrenaline is also a good song

I woke up this morning singing. It happens, not frequently, but sometimes. And the part I got stuck on was "and we've got to keep the message (or energy) positive." I can't remember what song it came from, but I think it's a good mantra. I'm going to spend today trying to figure out where it came from.

I don't hate anyone, I just don't understand the way they behave sometimes.

The song was "Life is Short," by John Reuben.

Chungking Express

One of the great titles to make it out of Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder film series. I watched it one night over a bottle of wine (and I made spanakopita- from scratch) with my friend Ni.

Such a charming film, I remember it mostly for it's use of color, motion and of the song "California Dreamin" by the Mamas and the Papas. I didn't remember the bit about the pineapples, but found this great quote from the film on IMDB.

He Zhiwu, Cop 223:
"We split up on April Fool's Day. So I decided to let the joke run for a month. Every day I buy a can of pineapple with a sell-by date of May 1. May loves pineapple, and May 1 is my birthday. If May hasn't changed her mind by the time I've bought thirty cans, then our love will also expire."

Casting opportunities

For those of you who were upset with my desire to be the "Queen of the South" in the Fox Searchlight production of the Apocolypse... I was joking, alright? At the end of the homily this week in church, the priest assured us that there will be laughter in Heaven.

"The Queen of the South" isn't even in Revelations. I was just remembering that Jesus mentioned her, not the context. Maybe I could be an extra in the 144,000 left?

When you've been hurt by the church

Also, at my favorite Catholic bookstore was a pamphlet called "When You've Been Hurt By the Church," which basically explains (as I alluded to earlier) that the church is made up of human mortals and is subject to the failings of human mortals.

I am in the process of trying to make friends with a priest whom I feel both hurt and betrayed me. I think that's what Jesus would want me to do.

There is a play out now in Kalamazoo called "Church Mess." I find that disgusting.

The Three Tenors of Soul

I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio for those who don't know) on the way home from the mall with my friend Paula today. While we were driving, we caught the tail end of a story about the upcoming album by the 3 Tenors of Soul (All the Way from Philadephia). The 3 Tenors is a group comprised of 3 very prominent soul tenors: the Stylistics’ Russell Thompkins Jr., Blue Magic’s Ted Mills and the Delfonics’ William Hart.

It piqued my interest because I was only recently introduced to the Stylistics. A guy whom I was in love with sent me the syrupy sweet "I Can't Give You Anything But My Love." Needless to say, I was shocked when this same guy told me to "marry a rich man" after we had just been intimate.

The Delfonics are best known for their song, "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time."

Pleasant Meadows

As I had mentioned earlier in my blog, I had gotten into some location scouting during my time with the Maryland Film Office while I was filling in for one of my bosses (not getting paid any extra) while she was on maternity leave. On this particular occasion, I was scouting for an Amish Movie of the Week (MOW) called "This Side of Heaven." When the director finally came to scout the location with us, he pointed to this picture on the location folder I had made and said "I never would have thought of this angle."

I may be many things, but incompetent is not one of them.

Washington Monument

This photograph marks a turning point in my life. It was when I officially started to believe in myself, thanks be to God.

I took it while I was working at the Maryland Film Office. The Commercial Manager (Joe, whom I had gotten along famously with) had given me some pictures to download from his digital camera but there was a technical error and they did not download correctly. He was really busy, so I told him I would retake the pictures myself.

This was the predicament. They needed an idea of what the Mount Vernon traffic circle looked like for their commercial. The Washington Monument stands in the middle of the traffic circle. A lightbulb went off in my head. If I climbed to the top of the monument, I could take panoramic pictures from the north, south, east, west and I would capture the circle perfectly. This photo is the product of roughly 20 pictures all merged together using panoramic software, then arranged by location (north, south, east and west). My idea worked and I saved the commercial from having to rent a helicopter. I really like how the shadow of the monument acts as a sundial (It was roughly 10:30 AM when I took it). The time I spent putting together puzzles as a child really paid off.

It was for an Infiniti car ad.

London

I took this picture on my first trip to the UK in 1997. I did nothing to manipulate the cigarette butt. I really liked the way it was positioned over the "D O."

Baltimore

Salty the sea turtle is sitting on the sofa. Try saying that 10 times fast.

Bootsy!

Bootsy Collins from Parliament sang on TobyMac's song "Diverse City."
I don't care what anyone says, that's dope!

Kirk Franklin

"We're gonna have a Holy Ghost party up in here. You can't take my joy Devil!"

Snow White

Some people want to be Diana Ross when they grow up, I wanted to be Snow White. Why you ask? Well, she was cool with everyone, people and animals. And she got to live happily ever after with Prince Charming. How much better could it get?





I just looked up and this was on my "Nuns Having Fun" calendar for the month of October.

Son of a preacher man

Wes Whitesell was the first of my high school crushes. His dad is a minister. We used to bond over music. He sat next to me in typing class with Mrs. Lee. He had a deadly charm about him. I heard that he did some missionary work in Africa after college. I saw him in a music store, years after he returned but I was afraid to talk to him because I felt he was so accomplished. (Wes, I'm sorry that I put your picture up here, but you let me take it. You even signed it for me. I think you're married now, but I just wanted to let you know that certain aspects of your teenage fanclub live on. You don't know what you did to girls like me.)

My reading tomorrow

My aunt, Sr. Diane called me and reminded me that I was reading in church tomorrow.

This is my reading, I literally just found it.

2 Maccabees 7: 1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.
One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said:
"What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than trangress the laws of our ancestors."

After him the third suffered their cruel sport.
He put his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words:
"It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; for him I hope to receive them again."
Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way.
When he was near death, he said,
"It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

America's Next Top Plus Size Model

It really should be a seperate competition and I'll tell you why.

I've struggled with my weight, probably since the age of 10 up till now. You develop a very us vs. them attitude. I recently bought the dieting book "Skinny Bitch," because the title made me laugh. When you are forced to compete against a stereotype you don't fit into, you are working at a pretty insurmountable disadvantage.

Sarah, the plus size model on this season, also had a heart-shaped face.

America's Next Top Model

This is the girl I think should win America's Next Top Model. She has the same heart-shaped face as Trish Goff.

I'm not really into anime, but I like the aesthetic.

You know, she kind of looks like Ayiesha Woods.

What's in a name

Nicole means "victory for the people."

I've really been posting alot these days, I've been a busy little bee.

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55

There is power in a Union

They think that they've reinvented ancient Rome. But now, I would not go putting all your hope in a FALLEN empire.

Young Americans

See, I'm a good Capitalist.

In fact, I'd like to start a business someday.

C'mon in, the water's fine.

Did you notice the frogs on my jumper? Oh, the humanity!

Listening to "Everybody Out of the Water" by the Wallflowers, on their album "Red Letter Days." After I got that album, it refreshed my interest in the lives of Saints.

"Got to learn how to pray, love won't be enough. Admit it now, your information sucks."

Portable Sounds

You know it's much harder to go insane when you know what people are up to. I think that trick only works once. Talk about connections, try to figure that one out. I think I'm going to go to sleep now, I'm starting to talk in riddles.

You know this boogie is for real

For really real.

I've had better ways of spending my evenings.

All you want to do is hate me, and all I want to do is save you. Isn't spiritual warfare fun? There is something far greater at stake. Anyone for scrabble?

My secret that's not so secret

You can't really fail if you're being oppressed, because you are denied the ability to achieve.

Sympathy for the Devil

I guess if I worked in a beige box, I'd be bitter too.

My starring role

So, I was casting the Apocolypse in my mind and I was wondering...do you think it would be ok if I was the Queen of the South? Can I? Can I?

I do have such an affection for Gone With the Wind. Do you think God would be funny like that? There's a famous joke, He invented the platypus, so He must have a sense of humor. It can be a Fox Searchlight production.

Now before you judge me for saying that, I just want you to know that God gave me this sense of humor to cope with pain in my life.

Trish Goff

I think she's the prettiest supermodel out there. And she's aging incredibly well.

I liked her even before I found that rosary picture. I remember she walked for Prada when they were first launching.

When I was a kid, I used to watch the Style program on Sunday mornings at 10AM with Elsa Klench. I made it a ceremony, I would always eat a mashed up hard boiled egg to it. And afterwards, I would put together puzzles.

American Dream by Switchfoot

I want out of this machine, it doesn't feel like freedom.
Maybe be we've been caught up seeing red, white, blue and green.
That ain't my American dream.
(But let me get one thing straight...I'm not after a revolution. Personal freedom, yes. Revolution, no.) I am just in the process of deleting some files that a "friend" sent me. Why would he set me up like that?

Religion

Why so many posts on religion? I guess I kind of feel like I'm making up for lost time maybe. After I started going to public school, my interest in going to Mass weened. I was caught up in the secular world, pretty much only went on holidays, weddings and funerals. I do feel a deep sense of remorse for not going. I remember thinking that it was "uncool." I also remember thinking (while I was in church) when are they going to come out with some decent Christian rock? My prayers have been answered on that count anyway. I used to have a bootleg of R.E.M. with Roger McGuinn "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Maybe Micheal, you could take a page out of Bono's book and start writing church music. I haven't given up on you. His truth is marching on! (But let me get one thing straight...I'm not after a revolution. Personal freedom, yes. Revolution, no.)

Document

Exhuming McCarthy is a really good song. You should check out what else is on that album. It's a sign of the times alright.
"Loyal to the Bank of America." "At long last, have you no sense of decency sir?"

Jesus, the original Liberal

He was a friend to the tax collector (bankers too, lol). Do you think He would want nationalized heathcare? You betcha!
Liberalism is a Sin? No, really, I saw a book in my favorite Catholic bookstore with that title. I shook my head in disgust. What propaganda and what a lie.
Also in this bookstore were yellowing pamphlets about the evils of homosexuality, which I cleansed from the store. Within the pamplet it illustrated just about every vile sexual act possible, painting gays and lesbians as disgusting perverts. So not true! Do you know that the guy who left those there had the balls to leave his name and address sticker on the card? I thought about writing him a letter but figured concerning the age of the pamplets that he must have died already and it would be energy wasted. I burned them in the backyard instead. That's the best thing to do for fear and ignorance.

Buddhism and the God within

If you've been continually reading my blog (which would amaze and astonish me due to the lack of comments), you will remember in my post entitled "Christian Mysticism," I mentioned Teresa of Avila and her Interior Castle. Well, the most contemporary translator of that particular book, Mirabai Starr is a Buddhist. She specializes in 16th century Spanish literature and lives in New Mexico. I thought it was odd that a Buddhist would choose to translate a Christian book of such magnitude, when I was reminded of the tableau that Teresa paints in her book. The image that I am alluding to is that of a castle in the soul where, as you progress, you further your union with God, with God residing in the soul. This idea is not unlike the inward journey of a Buddhist to Nirvana. Heaven. God. Bliss. Nirvana. Whatever you want to call it, it's basically the same idea.

I have a friend at work and his name is John. I count myself lucky to know him.

Simplicity

I may be simple, and have simple aspirations but I'm not stupid. I just want to live a happy, productive life.

Hollywood

I have to admit that I am ignorant of all religions outside of Christianity. This is largely because the culture which I live in does not reflect the cultural diversity within it. Due largely to the media.

There was a point in time when I was seriously examining my faith, and while I did not look outside the realm of Christianity, I did step outside of my comfort zone of Catholicism. There are so many aspirations that I have for my future, one of which would be a degree in Theology, with time spent on World Religions. From the little I know, most religions practice the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you would like to be treated." It is my feeling that if you practice this rule, regardless of your faith, you are a good person and are a likely candidate for Heaven. It is also my feeling that you would have to be a better person, stricter, more pious, to get to Heaven in any religion other than Christianity.

The revelation of Jesus kind of gave us (humanity) a "get out of jail free card." And while you should not automatically expect forgiveness, you should know that it is available.

I would really like to see more faith based films in the mainstream. God knows there's an audience for it. Think of it this way, what is the single most polarizing factor that humans have? My petition is that it's your belief system. Hey, Hollywood there's money to be made here. Serious money. And I would personally like to know more about Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, etc., etc. This is a chance to educate the world.

Just look at what "The Passion of the Christ" did in the boxoffice. Amazing. More recently, I should say currently, a little independent film by the name "Bella" has made serious waves due to the grassroots campain it launched in the Catholic church. I am excited and looking forward to seeing that film. I recently went on a date with a Jewish guy, and can you guess what his favorite film was? It was "Kingdom of Heaven," a film about the Crusades. It really surprised me.

Get right with God.

I've said this before. We're a generation in need of a prophet.

If 9/11 wasn't enough to shake people up, what gives? What do we need? Earthquakes? Famines? Lord knows it scared the crap out of me. After years away from the church you can bet your bottom dollar that I was in the pews that Sunday. In fact, it was the first time I heard a priest raise his voice in church. Catholic priests just don't do that. And I remember exactly what he said. He was talking about the people who were blaming God for the events of that day (9/11). I often find it troublesome when people blame God for the Devil's handiwork. That's not God's bag, he doesn't do that. My God is a loving and forgiving God, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

I think Bono takes alot of flack for being a good guy. And a bit of angst out there due to the phenominal success of U2. (DC Talk wrote a song about their experience with the backlash.) People play their music in churches. They set a Psalm to music...that would be "40." "All That You Can't Leave Behind" was sprinkled with religious references, in fact I remember a mention to the Catholic church in the liner notes. Sanctus Real, another Christian band did an incredible version of "Beautiful Day." And I would say that "Electrical Storm" is largely religious. " We need the rain to wash away our bad luck." How does 50 consecutive days suit you? Boy, Dublin had a rough summer.

Personally, I've had a number of eerie coincidences that took place alongside the "All You Can't Leave Behind" album. For instance, I was stuck in traffic on a gorgeous day in LA the day I heard the DEBUT of "Beautiful Day." I was there, in LA, for two reasons 1) because I wanted a job and more importantly 2) because I was in love with the director who was offering the said job. Naturally, I didn't get the job. But when I didn't get the job I said "Maybe it's a blessing in disguise." You can hang your hat on that one. He won't even answer me. My return ticket was supposed to leave LA on September 11th, but stayed an extra week in the hopes that he would talk to me. That time was a particularly turbulent time in my life, my exboyfriend of 7 years, an aethiest whom I started dating because I wanted him to believe in God, had just broken up with me (in the parking lot at my younger sister's wedding reception no less. When I got back from my LA trip, I then took an apartment from a business colleague, she was a location scout at the time, but used to be concert tour manager for groups like Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and U2. Allegedly, Bono had spent the night on the floor of my apartment at one time, although I can't imagine why.

The second eerie and earth shattering coincidence was that on 9/11 I was supposed to be on a plane...that left at 9AM! I had my ticket on the desk of my office at work and my theory is that a jealous coworker stole it. She hated me, and I have no idea why. I was always so nice to her, even threw her a baby shower. Maybe it was because I did her job (very well, I might add and for no additional compensation) while she took her extended maternity leave. Anyway, the plane ticket was to take me to the Toronto International Film Festival and I was so geeked to go because I had read that the director that I had flew to LA for had been there in previous years. I even attempted to contact him days before by email, with the ironic subject line: Bad Timing, What's New?

The woman I was going to the festival with, a soft spoken, intelligent, well-connected African American lady (who loved me and wanted to hire me as her assistant) was my bosses boss. She was not respected by my boss or the 2nd in power in my office (the girl who hated me). God rest her soul (Ms. Funn), she passed away a few years ago. I had bought a nice piece of costume jewerly to wear on the plane from Trixie's Palace (in Fells Point), it only cost me $15 but I really liked it because it was shaped in three parts and it reminded me of the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit). Anyway, Ms. Funn had changed my ticket because she wanted to travel later in the day, which is why I wasn't in the airport when the terrible tragedy happened. I was just getting out of the shower when my Mom called after the first tower had been struck. As she was talking, I glanced down to the floor to see an issue of Variety (a film industry magazine for those who don't know), with the New York skyline all in blue. Fricking creepy! I got dressed and then my friend Brad, whom Ethel and I had nicknamed International cutie, (I had such a crush on him) walked me over to his apartment where we watched the second tower fall.

In those days, I often would fall asleep to the television, usually M2, which was at the time, the cooler version of MTV. At 3AM on the morning of September 11th I was awakened to the video for "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," set in a stadium during an American football game. Everyone in the stands was holding up signs that said "I Love New York." Bad timing, huh? The last time I was in LA, or rather, near it (in Torrance) I was awakened to Kanye West (again at 3 AM) "Jesus Walks," which if you haven't heard it is chilling. Recently, I heard the Reliant K song "Wake Up Call" for the first time. "It's 3AM she said, who are you Matchbox 20?" I guess you just have to hear the song for yourself.

This is not a joke. Life is a test of your character. Will you pass or fail?

More about Love

Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect dissapears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And here's the best part: I Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The Cardinal Virtues

Justice. Fortitude. Prudence. Temperance.

When I was in high school I was a member of the broadcasting department. People in the broadcasting department were responsible for doing the daily announcements over the PA system at the beginning of the day. The guy that I was announcing with went by the handle of the "Anarchist Youth." To counter that, I took on the handle of the "Virtuous Youth." Something, I'm sure, that irritated him to no end.

With a fervent love of my country

Liberty. Truth. Justice.

All things that jive with my idea of America. The upcoming 2008 election is promising to be a good one. I am very fond of the two frontrunners in my party. Hillary and Obama.

Hillary supports national health care, a cause close to my own heart. Not to mention, she's a woman and so am I. I have a feeling like I know how she would run her administration.

And Obama, well I was taken with him largely due to an article done on him that appeared in Rolling Stone. I'm impressed with the fact that he's still a practicing Christian.

Someday I would love to shake Jeremiah Wright's hand because he has the fortitude to get up in front of his congregation and speak the truth "God has got to be sick of this shit!" Too true, Reverend Wright, too true.

Gay marriage

Alot of people are turned off from Christianity because of institutions of the church. The church is comprised of human mortals, and is subject to the failings of human mortals. I would identify myself primarily as a Christian, secondarily a Catholic. Catholicism is just my coloring book, Christianity, my crayons. I am a child of God.

Some people were born attracted to the same sex. While it may seem cosmically unfair, it is true. And the feelings that they have are love feelings. So, why should they be deprived of the rights and respect of a formal marriage. Yes, a marriage in God's eyes. He sees everything, so why wouldn't it be. Till death do us part.

Lust is always wrong, it doesn't matter if you're gay or straight. Love is never wrong.

There is a difference between self love and vanity. Self love is unconditional love of your self and self forgiveness for your faults. Vanity is a horse of a different color. Vanity is an excessive self "love," actually I in this instance I would like to replace the word Love with Pride. Pride is a sin. Actually, one of the 7 deadly sins. Did you know that some people still believe in the 7 deadly sins? Man, that is so OT (Old Testament).

See, when Jesus came, he changed all of that. All that is asked is a belief that He died (a horrible, painful death) for your sins. Does that really seem so hard to do? I mean really. Let me add that it helps to have a broken and contrite heart.

There is a popular saying going around these days,"Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." How true.

A Broken and Contrite Heart

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17, NIV

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

I love the Bible.

Guess what Buddha said

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” – Buddha

Me

I've had my share of tragedy in my life, but on the whole I'm a very happy person. But a person of less conviction might be miserable in my present situation.

See, I have a four year degree and yet I am unable to find stable, fulfilling work. I have 6 years of clerical experience, yet at the moment I could only find a part time job cleaning offices. I have my theories on why this is so. I handle my current job with candor and have befriended many of the people that I clean for. Fortunately, I have learned much from them.

Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech on becoming President of South Africa:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

This quote was hanging on my friend Paula's refridgerator. I had to track it down.

Christine Vachon, film producer, called Battle Creek, Michigan "the home of the big people," while describing a former colleague in a rather unflattering way in her recent autobiography "A Killer Life." To which I will now retort, "We're all big people Ms. Vachon, even if some of us haven't realized our full potential (yet)."

I scouted a film for Ms. Vachon while I was working for the Maryland Film Office, which never materialized, yet she was back (in Baltimore) after I left for a John Water's film.

In the Afterlife...

I never want to wake up thinking there's a good reason for the existance of Hell, but sometimes at the end of the day it seems like a good idea. And as much as I forgive (because I have to) and pray for their conversion (because there is no end to eternity) the idea of eternal separation from lying, deceitful, treacherous people...hey, where do I sign up?

I know that I'm not perfect, I'm a sinner just like everybody else, but I do repent for my sins and feel genuinely sorrowful when I hurt another person. I don't understand people who don't behave that way. I don't understand people who feed off of anger and hatred, such negative emotions.

There's this illusion out there that Hell won't be such a bad place, I guess the Devil has a hell of a PR machine. LOL. But, if you look to the Biblical portrayls of Hell- in this case I'm thinking the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, it doesn't seem so great.

See, Lazarus was a leper, he had no place to stay and no food, while the rich man had an abundance of everything. Lazarus slept in the doorway of the rich man's house where dogs would frequently lick his sores as he slept. Not even a scrap of food for poor Lazurus. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man died too and was buried, but not so lucky, he went to Hell. And let me tell you, Hell really sucked. While in Hell, the rich man saw Lazarus with Abraham, (this was all happening while he -the rich man- was being tormented BTW) and he had the nerve to ask Lazarus for water (as if, right!). And this... this is what Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'"

Something to keep in mind the next time someone cracks a joke about Hell.

Halloween 1979, cool kids never have the time.

Ha, ha!