Cigdem Göle

The Rhodora On being asked, whence is the flower. In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes, I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods, Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook, To please the desert and the sluggish brook. The purple petals fallen in the pool Made the black water with their beauty gay; Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool, And court the flower that cheapens his array. Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why This charm is wasted on the earth and sky, Tell them, dear, that, if eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse for Being; Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose! I never thought to ask; I never knew; But in my simple ignorance suppose The self-same power that brought me there, brought you. R.W. Emerson

I agree with you Peter. Here's a brilliant band from Japan. L'Arc en Ciel - My Heart Draws A Dream http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv4JQMuGbOg

John, Most of them are quite absorbing actually. For me, it is Basilisk and Full Metal Alchemist.

Neon Genesis Evangelion commonly referred to as NGE, Eva, or Evangelion, is a commercially and criticallysuccessful, influential, and controversial Japanese anime that began in October 1995. Evangelion is an apocalyptic mecha action series which centers around the efforts by the paramilitary organization Nerv to fight monstrous beings called Angels, primarily using giant mecha called Evangelions which are piloted by select teenagers, one of whom is the primary protagonist. Events in the series refer to Judeo-Christian symbols from the book of Genesis and Biblical apocrypha among others.Later episodes shift focus to psychoanalysis of the main characters, who display various emotional problems and mental ilnesses; the nature of existence and reality are questioned in a way that lets Evangelion be characterized as "postmodern fantasy". Hideaki Anno, the director of the anime series, suffered from clinical depression prior to creating the series, and the psychological aspects of the show are based on the director's own experiences with overcoming this illness. From the start, Evangelion invokes many psychological themes. Phrases used in episodes, their titles, and the names of the background music frequently derive from Sigmund Freud's works in addition to perhaps some Lacanian influences in general.Examples include "Thanatos", "Oral stage", "Separation Anxiety", and "Mother Is The First Other" (the mother as the first object of a child's love is the basis of the Oedipus complex). The scenery and buildings in Tokyo-3 often seem laden with psychological import, even in the first episode. The connection between the Evas and their pilots, as well as the ultimate goal of the Human Instrumentality Project, bear a strong resemblance to Freud's theories on internal conflict and interpersonal communication. The hedgehog's dilemma is a concept described by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and later adopted by Freud. It is the subtitle of episode 4 and is mentioned in that episode by Misato Katsuragi as descriptive of her relationship with Shinji. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_...analytic_theory

Best of Supergrass Moving (1999) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-koax7HEYnE

Seven Pounds is the second film where we see the Italian director Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith work together. The first one was the wonderful The Pursuit of Happyness. It's difficult to talk about the plot without giving away the surprise element in the film. However, I'll try and briefly summarize the plot. Smith's character Ben Thomas is an IRS agent who is suffering from a horrible mistake he made in the past. Crushed under the weight of his mistake, he decides to help seven people in need whom he chose randomly. He makes a list and begins helping the ones that are on the list. What he doesn't know at the start is that he will have to make a dramatic change in his plan when he falls in love with one of the people he chose to help. However, the plot itself which pushes the idea -there are good souls out there who can do anything to help people who are total strangers to them- and the surprise ending are far from being convincing. Even the grotesque atmosphere of the film and Smiths's performance are not enough to save Seven Pounds from being utterly unrealistic and unnecessarily melodramatic. When it comes to comparing Smith's two characters (Chris Gardner - The Pursuit of Happyness and Ben Thomas - Seven Pounds) his performance in Seven Pounds is both disappointing and weak. Chris Gardner is a single parent who is trying to overcome the difficulties of life with determination whereas Ben Thomas is an unstable, confused, shallow cry-baby (a saint-like man at the same time!). Although Smith's Ben Thomas appears to know what he is doing, he fails to convince the viewer. After his beautiful and unforgettable performance in The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith's Seven Pounds is a total disappointment.

Mr Simkin, I'm sorry for your loss and sending my condolences to you and your family.

Bill, Here's the translation you were looking for : "This site holds great importance and is therefore under protection according to the law of Preservation of Antiquities. Site Registration Number : 41/1."

Hey Cigdem, Good to hear from you. The cosmic joker does play games. By any chance do you speak/read arabic? I need a English translation of something in arabic. Very short and sweet, if possible, or if anyone else can help. http://remembertheintrepid.blogspot.com/20...etery-gate.html I know it doesn't say Mens Room - No Conspiracy Theorists. Thanks, Bill Kelly. I don't know Arabic but I know somebody who does. I'll show the photo to him tomorrow and let you know.

Patricia Kaas - Yesterday When I Was Young (a project by me ) http://crackle.com/c/Music/Yesterday_When_...ia_Kaas/2445500

Terry Hall - Forever J from the album, Home (1994). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq_R8HCKJlA

Requiem for Mediterranean http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/544147/overview From my short visit to Kaş, Kemer, Belek, Olympos and Isparta last week.

The Killers did it again. Human http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6r4KT8-VX0

Thanks for the advice, John. Btw, you look a little too mature for a one year old...happy birthday

And at night you will look up at the stars. Where I live everything is so small that I cannot show you where my star is to be found. It is better, like that. My star will just be one of the stars, for you. And so you will love to watch all the stars in the heavens . . . they will all be your friends. And, besides, I am going to make you a present . . . In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night . . . You--only you--will have stars that can laugh! And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend. You will want to laugh with me. And you will sometimes open your window, so, for that pleasure . . . And your friends will be properly astonished to see you laughing as you look up at the sky! Then you will say to them, 'Yes, the stars always make me laugh!' And they will think you are crazy. It will be a very shabby trick that I shall have played on you . . . The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I'm sure most teachers at least once thought of leaving due to stress, workload and low salary. Another reason for young teachers to quit early can be the realisation of the difference between the perfect teaching job in their dreams and the reality. Soon after they enter the classroom they feel they won't be able to cope with the needs of the students and the administration. This gives the young teacher the feeling of being trapped. They find themselves struggling with exams, observations, paperwork and problematic students. Although I've been teaching for more than ten years and find it a rewarding profession, I still think of leaving from time to time.

I've heard and also seen examples of cyberbullying. They take photos or record videos of the teacher on their mobile phones and upload them on youtube or other websites and then spread it around.

James - Just Like Fred Astaire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLnxN3TV3oo

So, the key to this trick is number 9, yes?

Kath, I played the game and still surprised at how it is done...and still haven't understood anything from your explanation. But of course, for a math genius(!) like me, it is normal. See the example dialogue between my mom and me that took place two days ago. Mother (on the phone): Aren't you late for class? Me: No, it's only ten past eight now. If I leave home at five past eight, I'll be at school on time. Mother: So you'll travel in time then!?

Right. I knew I forgot something. I should have included Glass Candy to my list. I haven't heard such terrible sound for ages. That reminds me of the worst line in a song, "You can't touch this". Fortunately, MC Hammer is no longer around.