Ayn, Neal and the world around me...

[dover]

She's a lady, she's got time

Brush back your hair

And let me get to know your face

 

She's a lady, she is mine

Brush back your hair

And let me get to know your flesh

 

I've been waiting here for so long

And all the time that passed me by

It doesn't seem to matter now

 

You stand there with your fixed expression

Casting doubt on all I have to say

Why don't you touch me, touch me

Why don't you touch me, touch me

Touch me now, now, now, now, now

Now, now, now, now, now

Now, now, now, now, now

Now, now, now, now, now ...

 

 

 

It is good to embrace with open arms and mind any emotion or memory, good or bad, to better know one's self.Remembering the pain is just as important as remembering the joy. And ironically, they are often joined in source.

[dover]

Best Christmas song to date.

 

 

 

 

 

[dover]

Best Christmas show to date, followed closely by Charlie Brown Christmas and then of course, A Christmas Story.

 

 

 

Narrator: As the Grinch took the tree, as he started to shove, he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove. He turned around fast and he saw a small Who. Little Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than two. She stared at the Grinch and said...

 

Cindy Lou Who: Santie Claus, why? Why are you taking our Christmas tree? Why?

 

Narrator: But do you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick, that he thought up a lie and he thought it up quick.

 

Grinch: Why my sweet little tot...

 

Narrator: The fake Santie Claus lied...

 

Grinch: ...there's a light on this tree that won't light on one side. So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear. I'll fix it up there, then I'll bring it back here.

 

Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head, he got her a drink and he sent her to bed. And when Cindy Lou Who was in bed with her cup, he crupt to the chimney and stuffed the tree up. Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar, and the last thing he took was the log for their fire. On their walls he left nothing but hooks and some wire. And the one speck of food that he left in the house was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

 

 

[dover]

December 7, 1941

 

[dover]

Neil Gaiman: Nicholas was…

 

 

older than sin, and his beard could grow no whiter. He wanted to die.The dwarfish natives of the Arctic caverns did not speak his language, but conversed in their own, twittering tongue, conducted incomprehensible rituals, when they were not actually working in the factories.

 

Once every year they forced him, sobbing and protesting, into Endless Night. During the journey he would stand near every child in the world, leave one of the dwarves’ invisible gifts by its bedside. The children slept, frozen into time.

 

He envied Prometheus and Loki, Sisyphus and Judas. His punishment was harsher.

 

Ho.

 

Ho.

 

Ho.

 

By Neil Gaiman

 

 

[TeddieMercede]

Neil Gaiman is a nice fella. I met him in NYC a year or so ago.

[dover]

Neil Gaiman is a nice fella. I met him in NYC a year or so ago.

 

 

Name dropper.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fazybones]

One of the best threads I've read this year.

 

What more could a member ask for? Beautiful kids, awesome comics,

great pictures and all that wonderful history. :applause:

 

 

 

Great job Michael! (thumbs u

[dover]

One of the best threads I've read this year.

 

What more could a member ask for? Beautiful kids, awesome comics,

great pictures and all that wonderful history. :applause:

 

 

 

Great job Michael! (thumbs u

 

 

 

 

[dover]

I have been away for two weeks, it is our time for trade shows, so time with the family has suffered. So on the first real day back, I decided to ride to school with the kids. Well, what a treat. Unbeknownst to me, they had started a new Christmas Tradition and were listening to the Polar Express soundtrack and learning the songs. My little girl said, you can sing along with us on the ride to school.. Well it started as soon as the garage closed, track 1, the Polar Express song, then to track 5 the Hot Chocolate song and then followed by Santa Claus is coming to town.

 

They knew the words, sang the songs and had a great time. Kids having fun going to school. My wife is a genious! Hard not to smile the whole time.

 

 

 

On a different story, we got a Elf on the Shelf book this year. I think it is number one on some book list. Well, the book comes with an elf that is assigned to report to Santa on the children of the house. During the day, he sits on high and watches the activities, at night he goes back to the North Pole and reports to Santa. The next day he is back, but he appears in a new spot. We get to move him when they are sleeping. So each morning they have to go and look for him to see his new place. They say hi and talk to him a bit. We have even left out food for him to nibble on. And when I was on the road, all they could talk about was telling me where he was each day.

 

They are not allowed to touch him or he won't come back. Really another great little idea to add to the mystique and fun of the holidays.

 

Merry Christmas

[dover]

DUI:

 

Here is a sobering message about drinking and driving. I actually could not finish watching it.

 

It is not an isolated event. Its results bring havoc and despair on the lives of many by the actions of one. Be careful. Be mindful. Be respectful of yourself and if not yourself, of those around you.

 

 

[dover]

Happy Anniversary to the Bill of Rights!!!

 

 

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.[1] They were introduced by James Madison to the First United States Congress in 1789 as a series of legislative articles, and came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791, through the process of ratification by three-fourths of the States.

 

The Bill of Rights is a series of limitations on the power of the United States Federal government, protecting the natural rights of liberty and property including freedom of speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association. In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by a grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime", guarantees a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the state or judicial district in which the crime occurred, and prohibits double jeopardy. In addition, the Bill of Rights reserves for the people any rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution[2] and reserves all powers not specifically granted to the federal government to the people or the States. Most of these restrictions on the Federal government were later applied to the states by a series of legal decisions applying the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868. The Bill was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, works of the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights, and earlier English political documents such as Magna Carta (1215).

 

 

 

 

 

Preamble

 

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine

 

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

 

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

 

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.[4]

 

Amendments

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

Second Amendment – Militia (United States), Sovereign state, Right to keep and bear arms.

A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. [5]

 

Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

 

Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

 

Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

 

Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

 

Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

 

Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

 

Tenth Amendment – Powers of States and people.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

 

[dover]

Thank You Linus and Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 

And the angel said unto them,

 

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

 

[dover]

Had a moment today. One of those where you realize your kids do listen to what you talk about and what is important to me.

 

We were driving to the pet store to buy my daughter a snail....yes, a snail. That is my low cost, low maintenace and low care pet allowance (we also have a hermit crab). We already have a dog and a cat, anything else has to be simple and easy. But that is not the event.

 

We were driving along the road to the pet store and coming to the stretch with many car dealerships. I noticed a huge, and I mean huge American flag flying at one of them, GM I believe. I said to them look at how big that flag is and said it was incredible. They both looked from the back seat through the windshield to see and wouldn't you know it, at the same time they both started to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When they finished, I told them they were both Patriots and I was very proud of them. My son said, a patriot like Thomas Jefferson?

 

Life is good. God bless America.

 

 

 

[dover]

 

 

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

 

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

 

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

 

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 

 

 

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

 

Twas the night before Christmas Poem also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas"

 

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem Twas the night before Christmas has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers!

 

The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.

 

 

[dover]

Welcome Christmas!!

 

[dover]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

 

I was awake at midnight but only because of the fireworks outside; my wife griping about the noise and the dog getting up everytime they fireworks went off.

 

 

[dover]

TIme to start a list of the big books I would like to own someday. Of course all Neal Adams books would be the first goal but we get bored waiting and other shiny trinkets catch our eye. No way to do it now....but someday.....

 

 

.

 

 

have a few raw copies, would really like a nice grade CGC copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

. .

 

. .

 

I'll have to get all the Frazetta FF's and probably the entire Adam Strange run throughout Mystery in Space.

[TupennyConan]

[dover]

 

Happy New Year friend!!