Seasons Greetings

I have friends from all walks of life. Muslim, Christian, Pagan, Native American, Jewish, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, Taoist, and so on and so on. I don't care what religion you are.

If you wish me a Merry Christmas, I will wish you one right back, heartfelt and true.

If you wish me a Blessed Yule, I will say it right back and mean it.

I refuse to get upset over HOW you wish me a happy season.

The fact that you took the time to wish me joy is all that matters to me.

Love and joy and laughter and companionship and friendship is what's important. Love one another as you would love yourself.

So I wish all of you you a merry time, and best wishes for the coming year.

Do as you will, but harm none...:-)♥

Random Musings: World's Fastest Talker ~ Steve Woodmore

Random Musings: World's Fastest Talker ~ Steve Woodmore: "The World record of the fastest talker in the world belongs to Steve Woodmore, and he can rattle off an impressive 637 words per minute. It..."

World's Fastest Talker ~ Steve Woodmore

The World record of the fastest talker in the world belongs to Steve Woodmore, and he can rattle off an impressive 637 words per minute.

It's a record that he has held for 21 years. 

Here are a couple of recent video clips of Steve demonstrating his skill in fast talking. It's an amazing party trick, but can you understand what he is talking about?

World's Fastest Talker v British Tax Code

Well, the answer to that one is no - but who does understand the tax code anyway.

Now the following clip is a bit more understandable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYXlrDqoG3o

be fair - I did say only a bit more understandable.

Listening to it I can pick up about 1 word in 10-15, the rest is gobbledygook.

But here's the trick. If you have the words in front of you, you can follow what he's saying.

I wonder if people still say Steve Shut up?

Worlds Fastest Talker Challenges Ireland

On 16th June 2011, in a non-descript conference room in Dublin, and Englishman laid down a challenge to the land of the Blarney - Talk for Ireland.

The challenge sounds easy.

Recite or read the poem On Raglan Road, by Patrick Kavanagh as fast as possible,  making sure that all the words are clearly enunciated and with no stumbles.

As I said ~ it sounds easy.

If interested in this challenge the Irish are invited to register by 16^th July, on the charities website  www.5050phoneafriend.ie

Each person is encouraged to raise 500 Euros for the charity, and the fastest will be able to take on Steve in Dublin on Sept 10^th – World Suicide Awareness day.

There is of course a catch.

Steve has held a World record for 21 years, for fast talking, and can reach speeds of up to 637 words per minute.

He is putting his reputation on the line for cause that is close to his heart. 

50/50 Phone a friend is a new organisation that aims to promote suicide awareness, and is placing plaques with the phone numbers of useful support organisations in public places.

Just to give you all a start, here are the words of the poem to be used.

On Raglan Road

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay -
O I loved too much and by such and such is happiness thrown away.

I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that's known
To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint. I did not stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had wooed not as I should a creature made of clay -
When the angel woos the clay he'd lose his wings at the dawn of day. 

 

Patrick Kavanagh

So, if you are in the Republic and fancy yourself as a fast talker, why not give it a go.

Bin Laden, Obama, & A Very Wise American

The recent events played out on the world stage, orchestrated by The US of A, and it's Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama, have led to thousands celebrating the death of an individual.

There have been images of people celebrating this death, but one image struck a cord. At celebrations in America, a young child , obviously with their family, celebrating the assassination. Many thousands of people have been out, celebrating the death.

Unfortunately, it brings to mind the thousands of people celebrating the destruction of the World Trade Center, and other atrocities. 

So what have these two groups of people got in common?

Simple, the celebration of death, and the feeling that vengeance and/or justice has been meted.

Bin Laden's follows celebrated deaths in the West as justice and/or vengeance for the West attacking countries in the middle east.

Ten years on, the West celebrates death as justice and/or vengeance for the twin towers and other acts.

So - who here is in the moral right?

What are the differences?

There are no differences, and no one is in the right.

I leave you with the words of a very wise American ~ Martin Luther King Jr..

I hope people read and contemplate.

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

 
Martin Luther King, Jr.