Tuesday, 6 July 2010
THE law is the law...
In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep
with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman,
Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia
(It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian :)
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Saturday, 3 July 2010
I felt it...
Imagine the smell of chocolate, its texture, the way it looks and the way it feels..
I have never tasted chocoLate!
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
I have never tasted chocoLate!
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Letters... Well, really an email!
Email to a long lost somebody...
How is this winter morning in die ou Transvaal? It's crazy but I have no idea what which regions are what in South Africa anymore.. I certainly don't know the words of Nkosi and yet, since I have never felt more African than since I came here. I felt pretty displaced and lost when I lived in Africa. Completely unaligned with anything really. I hate rugby, castle and crayfish so can you imagine? Hehe...
Regarding parents... You know I have been angry with mine for most of forever. Always harking on about what I perceived to be the 'wrongs' of my childhood. Intellectually, I could write ten books on letting go and looking forwards. About how we are responsible for our choices which I believe includes the one where we chose our parents. As i get older I am learning the importance of aligning my heart with my head. It was only when my beautiful children made their way into my life that I realised why my mother made some of the decisions that she did. Ill informed they may have been but I guess at the time, she felt that what she was doing was the best that she could. Though I remember someone saying to me once - I think it may even have been you - that if once one completes a task, one looks at it thinking, "That's good enough!", it never is!
I have had a book in my head/heart for years now... So I have started a blog. I find it terrifying to write my thoughts down, but the more I write, the more I want to write. It is called, "Everybody picks their nose - a blog about 'truth'." I have often seen people laugh at others they may catch at a robot picking their nose but the 'truth' is that we all do it. We all have the same basic hopes, dreams, loves, fears and concerns. Yet, we tend to be scared to tall about some of them for fear of ridicule. Crazy hey?
One of my passions is music... and South African music in particular. I am astounded at how it has never properly left South Africa's shores except maybe once or twice as an aside to a western artists musical whim. I started a group on facebook called, "Not only Soccer, but fantastic sounds...". I really believe that having the World Cup in South Africa is a tremendously powerful opportunity for our music to be heard. I put links to other things like Jennifer Ferguson and her husband have a place in South Africa where they conduct 'singing safaris'. Funny, hey? I am so inextricably linked to our beloved country and yet I live in another world...
Ok, my blessings are calling for some breakfast... I am going to make them porridge. Gosh, who would have said in 1994 (when we met) that I would be living in a beautiful old house with three gorgeous gifts making pap...
Have an excellent day!
M
...
How is this winter morning in die ou Transvaal? It's crazy but I have no idea what which regions are what in South Africa anymore.. I certainly don't know the words of Nkosi and yet, since I have never felt more African than since I came here. I felt pretty displaced and lost when I lived in Africa. Completely unaligned with anything really. I hate rugby, castle and crayfish so can you imagine? Hehe...
Regarding parents... You know I have been angry with mine for most of forever. Always harking on about what I perceived to be the 'wrongs' of my childhood. Intellectually, I could write ten books on letting go and looking forwards. About how we are responsible for our choices which I believe includes the one where we chose our parents. As i get older I am learning the importance of aligning my heart with my head. It was only when my beautiful children made their way into my life that I realised why my mother made some of the decisions that she did. Ill informed they may have been but I guess at the time, she felt that what she was doing was the best that she could. Though I remember someone saying to me once - I think it may even have been you - that if once one completes a task, one looks at it thinking, "That's good enough!", it never is!
I have had a book in my head/heart for years now... So I have started a blog. I find it terrifying to write my thoughts down, but the more I write, the more I want to write. It is called, "Everybody picks their nose - a blog about 'truth'." I have often seen people laugh at others they may catch at a robot picking their nose but the 'truth' is that we all do it. We all have the same basic hopes, dreams, loves, fears and concerns. Yet, we tend to be scared to tall about some of them for fear of ridicule. Crazy hey?
One of my passions is music... and South African music in particular. I am astounded at how it has never properly left South Africa's shores except maybe once or twice as an aside to a western artists musical whim. I started a group on facebook called, "Not only Soccer, but fantastic sounds...". I really believe that having the World Cup in South Africa is a tremendously powerful opportunity for our music to be heard. I put links to other things like Jennifer Ferguson and her husband have a place in South Africa where they conduct 'singing safaris'. Funny, hey? I am so inextricably linked to our beloved country and yet I live in another world...
Ok, my blessings are calling for some breakfast... I am going to make them porridge. Gosh, who would have said in 1994 (when we met) that I would be living in a beautiful old house with three gorgeous gifts making pap...
Have an excellent day!
M
...
Monday, 31 May 2010
Soccer...
South Africa - Not only Soccer, beautiful sounds...
I was honoured, priviledged and blessed to able to be a part of the very first democratic election in South Africa in 1994. It was pretty clear that there would be an outright winner so I felt comfortable to vote not tactically, but for the party that I felt encompassed and celebrated what I truly believed in. The Soccer Party (Sport Organisation for Collective Contributions and Equal Rights) wanted to unite all South Africans under the auspices of sports and music. I cannot things of two things other than food that are tools more suitable for this purpose. The Soccer Party did not get much support and to be honest, I have not given them much thought really until recently when I realised how close the World Cup football tournament is. I remembered my passion for South African music. Here is an opportunity not only to unite all South Africans but to join together as the human nation and celebrate our diversity and remember our roots. To be true, I really do not like soccer. However, I believe that like many South African born somebodies living away from what was once home, I am torn between supporting England or lifting Bafana Bafana on our shoulders. And then I am reminded of my very staunch dislike of the game and of what I do love: music. In light of this, I have decided to dedicate this article to the idea that South Africa is not just about the beautiful game, it is about the incredible music. When one mentions South African music, one often is rewarded with kind remarks about Paul Simon. The delight is that there is a genre to suit everybody's taste. Music in South Africa is a rich tapestry of incredibly diverse sounds. Unfortunately, space only allows me to mention much fewer than I would like to.
If you are a Jazz lover, little will please your ears more than the sultry, beautiful voice of Estelle Kokot. I saw her first at a smokey, downtown Johannesburg nightclub. I barely breathed for her spell-bounding performance. Keep an eye out for her as she plays locally from time to time.
Gentle songwriter, activist and soulful, Lionel Bastos, is an astounding performer who not only has a passion for making a difference politically and socially, is a soccer fanatic. He comes from a family deeply connected soccer and was a heartbeat away from playing professionally. An ugly accident spoiled his chances but football runs deep in his soul along with the melodies and lyrics that have made him a name in the South African music scene. Recently he was instrumental in orchestrating a concert for Haiti to help her people recover from the recent earthquake.
Lionel Bastos’s new CD “hmmm…” is available via his facebook page, www.lionelbastos.com or www.myspace.com/lionelbastos
If hip-hop is your bag, why not check out Trenton and Free Radical. Trenton and Free Radical is a London based afro-beat/Reggae / hip hop group with three members originally from Africa. The group consists of Trenton (vocals / songwriter - South Africa), Kaz (bass - Uganda), Marco (guitar - Ibiza) and Sam (drums- Zimbabwe). Trenton and Free Radical are finishing work on their debut album. The group's debut single, "Sunless Sundays", was released on October 26, 2009. TFR has also collaborated with collaborated with Maxi Jaxx of Faithless and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly on their forthcoming album. Their website is www.trentonandfreeradical.com
I could go on for ten years about how the beautiful music is. Its diversity is astounding and I am sure that given half a chance, the music will cut through all barriers and unite all humans. I urge all of you that may be travelling to South Africa to watch the soccer, to sample at least ten bands and musicians! If you want more information about the sounds that make up the South African psyche, please visit my facebook group, Not only Soccer, fantastic sounds where we constantly update information about the music that will bring the world together...
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
I was honoured, priviledged and blessed to able to be a part of the very first democratic election in South Africa in 1994. It was pretty clear that there would be an outright winner so I felt comfortable to vote not tactically, but for the party that I felt encompassed and celebrated what I truly believed in. The Soccer Party (Sport Organisation for Collective Contributions and Equal Rights) wanted to unite all South Africans under the auspices of sports and music. I cannot things of two things other than food that are tools more suitable for this purpose. The Soccer Party did not get much support and to be honest, I have not given them much thought really until recently when I realised how close the World Cup football tournament is. I remembered my passion for South African music. Here is an opportunity not only to unite all South Africans but to join together as the human nation and celebrate our diversity and remember our roots. To be true, I really do not like soccer. However, I believe that like many South African born somebodies living away from what was once home, I am torn between supporting England or lifting Bafana Bafana on our shoulders. And then I am reminded of my very staunch dislike of the game and of what I do love: music. In light of this, I have decided to dedicate this article to the idea that South Africa is not just about the beautiful game, it is about the incredible music. When one mentions South African music, one often is rewarded with kind remarks about Paul Simon. The delight is that there is a genre to suit everybody's taste. Music in South Africa is a rich tapestry of incredibly diverse sounds. Unfortunately, space only allows me to mention much fewer than I would like to.
If you are a Jazz lover, little will please your ears more than the sultry, beautiful voice of Estelle Kokot. I saw her first at a smokey, downtown Johannesburg nightclub. I barely breathed for her spell-bounding performance. Keep an eye out for her as she plays locally from time to time.
Gentle songwriter, activist and soulful, Lionel Bastos, is an astounding performer who not only has a passion for making a difference politically and socially, is a soccer fanatic. He comes from a family deeply connected soccer and was a heartbeat away from playing professionally. An ugly accident spoiled his chances but football runs deep in his soul along with the melodies and lyrics that have made him a name in the South African music scene. Recently he was instrumental in orchestrating a concert for Haiti to help her people recover from the recent earthquake.
Lionel Bastos’s new CD “hmmm…” is available via his facebook page, www.lionelbastos.com or www.myspace.com/lionelbastos
If hip-hop is your bag, why not check out Trenton and Free Radical. Trenton and Free Radical is a London based afro-beat/Reggae / hip hop group with three members originally from Africa. The group consists of Trenton (vocals / songwriter - South Africa), Kaz (bass - Uganda), Marco (guitar - Ibiza) and Sam (drums- Zimbabwe). Trenton and Free Radical are finishing work on their debut album. The group's debut single, "Sunless Sundays", was released on October 26, 2009. TFR has also collaborated with collaborated with Maxi Jaxx of Faithless and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly on their forthcoming album. Their website is www.trentonandfreeradical.com
I could go on for ten years about how the beautiful music is. Its diversity is astounding and I am sure that given half a chance, the music will cut through all barriers and unite all humans. I urge all of you that may be travelling to South Africa to watch the soccer, to sample at least ten bands and musicians! If you want more information about the sounds that make up the South African psyche, please visit my facebook group, Not only Soccer, fantastic sounds where we constantly update information about the music that will bring the world together...
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Friends
Today, I have no idea what that word means. Or did I ever? I have spent most of my life searching for the family that I believed I deserved! Trying to find the mother I believed I needed, the father who I wanted to protect me. I guess once I accept that the mother and father that I have really are the ones I chose. I wish that I would stop searching under every stone and wisp of air for a brother and a sister, for an aunt and an uncle. I have a family and no matter how flawed I perceive them to be, they are my family! I say and write these words with my head. I look forward to a time when my heart believes me...
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Friday, 14 May 2010
Everybody picks their nose
Around, around.. No end!
Chew, chew, swallow, nothing, E M P T Y
I look for something else. More. When will I find 'enough'?
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Chew, chew, swallow, nothing, E M P T Y
I look for something else. More. When will I find 'enough'?
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Everybody picks their nose...
More than a mouseful...
No-one I know is more judgemental than me. Throughout my life, the Universe has zapped me with humbling lessons, but still, I hold onto the idea that I do things the right way, that things would never happen to me. Today I had a 'Everybody picks their nose' day. I have often sneered quietly at the mothers who share the dreaded nit visit. I smile vaguely while I laugh inside delighted that it will never happen to us...
My manchild had several, several visitors this morning. Everybody does indeed, pick their nose...
Grr!
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lice.htm
A humbling experience for a silly somebody!
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
No-one I know is more judgemental than me. Throughout my life, the Universe has zapped me with humbling lessons, but still, I hold onto the idea that I do things the right way, that things would never happen to me. Today I had a 'Everybody picks their nose' day. I have often sneered quietly at the mothers who share the dreaded nit visit. I smile vaguely while I laugh inside delighted that it will never happen to us...
My manchild had several, several visitors this morning. Everybody does indeed, pick their nose...
Grr!
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lice.htm
A humbling experience for a silly somebody!
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Everybody picks their nose - a blog about 'truth'...
On being in love...
I, like most of us, have spent most of my life pondering the question of LOVE. What is it? How many kinds are there? Is it a spiritual phenomenon and simply a chemical reaction?
The purest form of LOVE that I have ever experienced is the love I felt for my stormcat who found her way into our lives on the 24th of July 2004. The only condition that can think of, was that she existed. She, for the most part, found the inclination to be near me, when the kitti-krunchi tin was open. Still, for 17 years, she was like a big sister for me. My heart ached when I thought of her. The kind of ache one may feel when one first falls in love with a somebody, I guess. My heart still aches when I think of her.
Her cousin, Tazcat, was diagnosed with an injection site carcoma last week which was doubling in size every 10ish days. His parents are completely beside themselves as they try to make the decisions which will best suit their beloved friend. He underwent a three and a half hour operation this morning and it may be that his being slightly overweight may have saved his life... I can completely understand how his people must feel. Stormcat left after a serious attack of the kanker rats.. But Tazcat's girlperson told me that he is not ready to leave them yet. Today is a good day. A boycat was saved and a pure love preserved... Life is good!
The opposite of LOVE...
M
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
I, like most of us, have spent most of my life pondering the question of LOVE. What is it? How many kinds are there? Is it a spiritual phenomenon and simply a chemical reaction?
The purest form of LOVE that I have ever experienced is the love I felt for my stormcat who found her way into our lives on the 24th of July 2004. The only condition that can think of, was that she existed. She, for the most part, found the inclination to be near me, when the kitti-krunchi tin was open. Still, for 17 years, she was like a big sister for me. My heart ached when I thought of her. The kind of ache one may feel when one first falls in love with a somebody, I guess. My heart still aches when I think of her.
Her cousin, Tazcat, was diagnosed with an injection site carcoma last week which was doubling in size every 10ish days. His parents are completely beside themselves as they try to make the decisions which will best suit their beloved friend. He underwent a three and a half hour operation this morning and it may be that his being slightly overweight may have saved his life... I can completely understand how his people must feel. Stormcat left after a serious attack of the kanker rats.. But Tazcat's girlperson told me that he is not ready to leave them yet. Today is a good day. A boycat was saved and a pure love preserved... Life is good!
The opposite of LOVE...
M
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Everybody picks their nose...
On the new prime minister...
I have chosen not to use capital letters when referring to david cameron. I believe that one can tell the soul of a person by looking at his or hands.... Look at cameron's hands.
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
I have chosen not to use capital letters when referring to david cameron. I believe that one can tell the soul of a person by looking at his or hands.... Look at cameron's hands.
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Everybody picks their nose - a blog about 'truth'...
I am not even sure what a blog is to be honest. What I do know is that I have been meaning to write a book for my whole adult life. Many books in fact, but the words have evaded me... Or should I say, rather, "I have evaded them."?
I have told many people about my book. Even mentioned the title which I believe to be the most grabbing title I have ever heard of. Most people smile politely. The kind of smile that tells you that though they believe you have the best intentions, the book will never be. If I am true, whenever I tell anyone about my book, I say it with a slightly insincere heart. Like the people listening to me, I do not really believe that my book will ever find its way onto the trains and busses that glide in and out of the crevices of the space formerly known as the concrete jungle.
This reminds me of a speak that our beloved Nelson Mandela made at his Inauguration Speech in 1994.
" 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 most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as 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."
These incredible words were originally married together by a somebody called Marianne Williamson, a very wise somebody indeed.
Why is it that we spend a lot of our lives hiding in the shadows? Scared that if we are nice to ourselves, that we would be perceived to be arrogant or conceited? I have played with this question throughout my life, but like the words of my book, the answers to this question avoid me also.
So, with hypothetical bungy rope, I spring back to the start of this blog - its title, "Everybody picks their nose. A blog about 'truth'." Oscar Wilde once wrote that it took an entire morning to put a comma into a sentence and the rest of the day to take it out again. (I do hope that these were Wilde's words. I cannot remember exactly, but right now i feel too lazy to Google it.) I am sure that the title of this blog will change slightly from time to time. Be that as it may, its essence will remain. To investigate the concept of 'truth' and to expose things that we all believe to be shameful, as completely normal. Every person does indeed, pick his or her nose. Isn't it interesting that there are very few people who do not react when they see someone else pick their nose.
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
I have told many people about my book. Even mentioned the title which I believe to be the most grabbing title I have ever heard of. Most people smile politely. The kind of smile that tells you that though they believe you have the best intentions, the book will never be. If I am true, whenever I tell anyone about my book, I say it with a slightly insincere heart. Like the people listening to me, I do not really believe that my book will ever find its way onto the trains and busses that glide in and out of the crevices of the space formerly known as the concrete jungle.
This reminds me of a speak that our beloved Nelson Mandela made at his Inauguration Speech in 1994.
" 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 most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as 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."
These incredible words were originally married together by a somebody called Marianne Williamson, a very wise somebody indeed.
Why is it that we spend a lot of our lives hiding in the shadows? Scared that if we are nice to ourselves, that we would be perceived to be arrogant or conceited? I have played with this question throughout my life, but like the words of my book, the answers to this question avoid me also.
So, with hypothetical bungy rope, I spring back to the start of this blog - its title, "Everybody picks their nose. A blog about 'truth'." Oscar Wilde once wrote that it took an entire morning to put a comma into a sentence and the rest of the day to take it out again. (I do hope that these were Wilde's words. I cannot remember exactly, but right now i feel too lazy to Google it.) I am sure that the title of this blog will change slightly from time to time. Be that as it may, its essence will remain. To investigate the concept of 'truth' and to expose things that we all believe to be shameful, as completely normal. Every person does indeed, pick his or her nose. Isn't it interesting that there are very few people who do not react when they see someone else pick their nose.
o n s e k a y a
"Our home, our world, our universe..."
Location:Here, there and every where else...
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