I'm ENFP - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
Discoverer Advocate: ENFP
Theme is inspiration, both of themselves and others. Talents lie in grasping profound significance, revealing truths, and motivating others. Very perceptive of others' hidden motives and purposes. Interested in everything about individuals and their stories as long as they are genuine. Contagious enthusiasm for "causes" that further good and develop latent potential and the same zeal for discovering dishonesty and inauthenticity. Frequently moved to enthusiastically communicate their "message."
(http://www.knowyourtype.com/)

ENFPs generally have the following traits:
- Project-oriented
- Bright and capable
- Warmly, genuinely interested in people; great people skills
- Extremely intuitive and perceptive about people
- Able to relate to people on their own level
- Service-oriented; likely to put the needs of others above their own
- Future-oriented
- Dislike performing routine tasks
- Need approval and appreciation from others
- Cooperative and friendly
- Creative and energetic
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
- Natural leaders, but do not like to control people
- Resist being controlled by others
- Can work logically and rationally - use their intuition to understand the goal and work backwards towards it
- Usually able to grasp difficult concepts and theories
(http://www.personalitypage.com/)

I used to think I'd be quite content to work away in my own little closet somewhere in the world. I still think that sometimes. In fact, I'm actually in that situation for all practical purposes. I don't have to go out to work everyday. I pretty much stay at home, doing my own thing.

How I get out in the world is through the electronic and virtuality marvels of our age. I love being able to get to information in an instant, to go where my whims take me... without leaving my chair here.

I also find the human connections rather interesting through this medium. There are all kinds of new dimensions to human interaction that we just aren't likely to experience in ordinary face-to-face life. It brings the world closer together, in a way. Certainly makes it possible to meet people we'd never run into otherwise.

But many of the dynamics are the same. It's still human interaction. There are still people who come into our lives for a 'reason, a season, or a lifetime' and it's still hard to know which people are which.. and what the reasons are.

And when a conflict arises, even though it's not in-person, I still hate it. I don't want to have to fight with anyone who seems hellbent on frosting my wheaties. Nor do I like getting into a tiff with someone I sure wouldn't want to lose. But, things happen. Whether it's a comfy connection or a grating one, it ain't over til it's over and you don't know it's gonna be over, for sure, ahead of time. You just have to see how it all unfolds. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven..."

"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~ Kermit

Back. Had a great time with family, as always. Not much more to say, and too tired to say it anyway. Relax. Enjoy the break. I'll be back to rambling before you know it.

Okay, so like, the week before Easter when I already had plans to go Home for the holiday, I picked up a new web client. One of my other web clients had referred them to me and that's terrific but their timing of finally contacting me and wanting stuff done right away, even as I was packing to go away for a long weekend... frankly sucked. Sure, I went on my trip, but there was a lot more hustle involved before leaving and a lot of making up after. It just made both activities more hectic and stressful.

So now this week, as I am preparing to go Home for the 4th, guess who wants more stuff, even though I have barely heard from them since I finished the other stuff around Easter.

I like being helpful. I like doing webwork. I like making a little extra cash. I would really like it if the timing could get worked out so I don't get into these stress-tangles. I don't mean to be ungrateful, but... well, whatever. Now I'm whining.... and I should be packing instead of blogging. *dash*
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Selected Funnies...
~~~
A man walks into a dentist's office, the dentist asks him "How can I help you?"
The man replies "I think I'm a moth."
"Well, you need to see a psychiatrist, not a dentist."
"I know that" the man replies.
"Then why did you come in here?"
"The light was on."
~~~
A man spoke frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only 2 minutes apart!"
The doctor asked, "Is this her first child?"
"No, ya dummy!" the man shouted, "This is her husband."
~~~
Q - Why does a chicken coop have two doors?
A - Because if it had four, it would be a chicken sedan.
~~~
Two antennae meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent!
~~~
A psychiatrist interviewed three patients to see if they could be released from the hospital. He asked them one easy question, "What is 8 times 5?"
The first patient said, "139". The doctor just shook his head.
He turned to the second patient who replied "Wednesday!". The doctor frowned.
He turned to the third patient who gleefully said, "That's easy, 40!"
While the doctor went to his desk to fill out the third patient's release papers, the first patient whispered to the third, "How did you figure that one out?"
"It was simple" replied the third patient, "I just divided 139 by Wednesday!"
~~~
A priest and a pastor from the local churches are standing by the side of the road, pounding a sign into the ground that reads: "The End Is Near! Turn Yourself Around Now--Before It's Too Late!" As a car sped past them, the driver yelled, "Leave us alone, you religious nuts!" From the curve they heard screeching tires and a big splash. The pastor turns to the priest and asks, "Do you think the sign should just say "Bridge Out?"
~~~
A couple of hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls 911. He gasps to the operator, "My friend is dead! What can I do?"
The operator, in a calm soothing voice says, "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead."
There is a silence, then a shot is heard... The hunter says, "OK, now what?"
~~~

No, I didn't win the Powerball, but neither did anyone else. Hmmm... maybe I'll buy a ticket for Wednesday's drawing. ;)
~

I really have nothing to post at this time, although I did buy a Powerball ticket for tonight's drawing. Now if I win that, well, there'll be plenty of news. I'll let you know how I plan to spend the estimated $43 million jackpot. For most, if not all of you, a check will be in the mail. *grin*
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2x2x2x2x3=48 Birthday's are funny. We really only have one per lifetime. It's the anniversary of the birth day that we're celebrating or bemoaning. Forty-eight years ago, I officially incarnated, probably for the umpteenth time.

Per Merriam-Webster (M-W.com), being incarnate is to be "invested with bodily and especially human nature and form; made manifest or comprehensible; embodied".

Comprehensible? hehe Perhaps in a preception sense. I can be perceived by other incarnated beings. I like the phrase "made manifest". That suits my belief system. Forty-eight years ago, on a Sunday afternoon, through the labors of my mother, the energy or spirit that is Me, manifested into human form, breathed life independently for the first time. That was my birth day. Everything since then has been me playing around in this lab of experience.

I kinda like it. I think I'll stick around for a good while longer. And when this run is over, I'll see if I want to sign up again. I have the feeling I've signed up innumerable times before. Must be something to it.
~

I have often been amazed at the insights I get from Astrology, not only about me but about others. I don't think Astrology tells us what IS or what WILL BE, so much as it points out tendencies and potentials. It could be quite useful information and I take it under advisement.

I subscribe to a freebie daily horoscope from Astrocenter.com. I don't plan my day around it, but it makes for an interesting read, and maybe even a useful perspective on the possibilities.

Today, however, I feel they nailed me. When I set modesty and humility aside, I know this to be true:
"You can capture the hearts of the people around you by surprising them with unexpected anecdotes from your past. Realize that you have the power to make a significant transformation in someone's life - maybe even your own. Don't underestimate your gift of communication. Most people don't have your connections or quick-witted mind. Use these qualities to your advantage by spreading your unique knowledge of the nature of people."

That's what I do. It's who I am. While journeying in my own human experience, I enjoy watching the journeys of others. I see things, in their essense, in their connectedness. And, as a communicative Gemini, I sure love talking or writing about it. But I don't like lectures or preaching, so I very often share anecdotally or metaphorically. If I have a gift, I think it's being able to gently help folks see themselves and each other a little better, in a better light even. I hope I do it ever so light-handedly, mostly by sharing what I've experienced or what I feel I've learned, sometimes even as I myself discover it.

As for transforming people, I've called it many things, but mostly I think of it as finding silver linings, or finding the precious metals in the ore. It's the same sort of thing for which elemental mercury can be used and I don't think it's a coincidence that I am a Gemini, ruled by the quick planet Mercury, and whose element is the fluid metal mercury.

Often it's no more than sharing a different perspective, a different set of possibilities. Sometimes I just shine a light on options that others had not seen. It is often enough to turn around a situation, an attitude, and move it in a more positive direction.

That is my hope anyway, that whatever effect I may have, it is for the benefit of individuals, including me, and ultimately All.

Sappy, yeah. Some may find it hard to believe it's possible to be truly altruistic. I benefit surely enough. It feels good to do good, or even just to try. Sosume.
~

In memoriam... At this time, I would like to formally thank my ancestors for making me possible, for making me who I am, for living their lives so that I can live this one. I am grateful. I hope my life honors them. I recognize that I am the culmination of generations of individuals throughout centuries, even millenia. I am thrilled and humbled by the perpetual legacy that lives in each one of us alive today, and shall continue into all our tomorrows. *sigh* It's just... wonderful...
~

Grandma's 94th Birthday

Lots of friends and family showed up for Grandma's birthday party, even though it wasn't intended to be a big bash like the one we threw at the community center on her 90th. She got lots of kudos and little gifts at church that morning then came home to a houseful and lots of food. It wasn't a surprise however. In fact, though she'd been told she didn't have to fix a thing, she'd made dumplings (which she just calls noodles, and of course she makes them from scratch), creamed corn, baked yams, and a huge cherry cobbler. Besides all the immediate family, Grandma also invited a few other friends and some distant relatives nearby. One of her cousins is 80 and I swear Grandma looks more like 80 and he looked more like 94. She's a true wonder, I tell ya.

Just a reminder that at 94, Grandma still lives in her own house and pretty much does her own thing. She's busy all the time with visitors. I mean, she knows everyone in the county and all their relatives, past and present, and people like to drop in to say Hi. She played the piano at church the Sunday before because she's the backup for the regular pianist who had to be away. She still writes the occasional obit for the local paper, not just for relatives, but because the newspaper asks her to for folks who haven't had anyone else step up to do it.

Grandma also keeps up with current events and TV shows and such. Just mention anything going on right now and she can talk intelligently about it, giving a well-informed opinion and a heap of common sense related to the event. She actually shocks me when we channel flip into a sit-com or such and she can identify characters on sight, as well as laugh about her favorite episode.

So, when I brag about Grandma being alert and active, I ain't kiddin'. She may be physically old but she's still motoring around on her own two feet, cooking like always, and smart as a whip with memory better than anyone else I know even on their good day.

I ended up on a road trip with Grandma, Mom & Dad. She needed to come back with us after her birthday so she could go to pick up new glasses and have them adjusted. It's about an hour and a half ride over the river and sundry hills and dales, past farms and such. Mom was noting all the high points, like stock animals and all their babies out right now. There are some unusual farms along the way, with goats or llamas or even buffalo, but seeing as how it's horse country, one might have expected to see some colts follicking in the fields. Mom actually said, "Hm, you'd think there would be some colts out today." and Grandma said, "Well, I haven't seen any horses, so chances are there won't be many colts." In fact, she cracked little funnies all along the trip. I sure hope I'm that quick-witted at 94! The truth is, she actually told some real jokes and I can't remember them to tell you what they were! sheesh

I'm fairly sure I've never thought in my life that I'd have reason to say: I spent a weekend in Oklahoma. Muskogee, no less. And I had fun ;) I only went to the ren faire one day but it was the whole day and I had a great time. I was worn out by the time it was over, just from all the walking and looking. Big place, lots and lots of people. I felt perfectly at home in my garb, though I spoke without an accent other than my natural one. I caught most of the shows, which were quite entertaining. Though I was there for over 7 hours, I didn't get around to quite everything. I may just have to go back before it's over. It's on for every weekend in May.

One highlight of the day occurred as I was under a shade tree and eating my lunch while watching part of the tournament. The sandwich I'd chosen was a bit messy and as a wiped my mouth, a traveling player stopped by. He said, "My lady, watching you do that makes me wish I'd died and come back as a dinner napkin." Oh my, yes, I was flattered. I could only giggle and blush as he moved on.

I've noticed at this and the other faire that the regulars who are working the thing are quite appreciative of people who come to play the game, even just by dressing up. It's more fun for me too, not just to get to wear the clothes, but to feel a part of it. I know from being asked a question here and there by other visitors that I fit in. I like that feeling, a lot.
~

Very interesting date today... May 5, 2005 .... 05/05/05
Of course, similarly interesting dates have occurred and will occur in some form every year up through 2012 (because of the 12 months of the year). For instance, Jan 1 2001 was of course 01/01/01. February 2 2002 was 02/02/02. December 12 2012 will be 12/12/12.

What is even more interesting about this particular day is that 5 x 5 x 5 = 125
and today is the 125th day of the year.

Not at all sure what magic there may be in a day like today, but it certainly is an unusual date.

I wish you the very best, on this day and all days.

~

Not much going on here, outside or in. I am terribly unfocused. What thoughts I have are too fleeting or nebulous to catch and record. I do have plans for the weekend though. I'm going to a ren faire, ie, take the opportunity to dress up in the garb and go look at other people dressed up in the garb ;) I've only ever been to one faire before. This one promises to be more interesting because they've built a castle on the site. Why someone would choose to build a castle and permanent ren faire location in Oklahoma, I'm not sure, but I'm gonna go check it out. Castle of Muskogee
~

Um... this quiz is surely flawed
What Kind of Goddess Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Goddess of Innocence
You hate needless fights and love peace. You tend to like children, but of course not all children possess the innocence you stand for. You loathe fakers, liars, and abusive people. You treasure your friends more than your own life. You will never stop fighting for what you believe in; the world needs more people like you.

Okay, I pretty much agree the description fits but the title? phhht

I can't help it. Semantics fascinate me. I'm sure the reasons for what I'm about to mention have to do with a very basic etymological origin, but.... Scatology is a word meaning the study of excrement. Yeah, that. And Eschatology is a branch of theology concerning the End Times. So I reckon it's all about when and how... the shit hits the fan. *grin* Sometimes I crack myself up.

Just for fun, here's a webpage noting Failed Predictions of the End-of-the-World
TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It ;)... and I feel fine.
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Somebody was thinkin'...
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"When a cat is dropped, it always lands on its feet, and when toast is dropped, it always lands with the buttered side facing down. I propose to strap buttered toast to the back of a cat; the two will hover, spinning inches above the ground. With a giant buttered cat array, a high-speed monorail could easily link major metropolitan areas."
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Benediction: the short blessing with which public worship is concluded
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I'm sorry, but he's too old to last, too conservative to grow or perhaps even preserve the Church, and too much an insider to speak to the disenfranchised outside of Europe that now make up the majority of the Catholic world. At best he will be a transitional pontiff and, in my opinion, this transition marks the beginning of the end for the current Catholic bureaucracy.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if another 'Vatican' and pope sprang up in Latin America. Over 40% of the world's Catholic population lives there. I really thought Arinze would have made a good compromise, as someone outside of Europe, and being conservative but representing willingness to change and cooperate with other world religions. The Church apparently wasn't interested.

My intuitive guess is that this Benediction will last no more than three years. We'll see if St Malachy's prophecy carries on and there is only one more pope before it's all done. In the meantime, we'll also see how Benedict XVI may or may not be the Gloria Olivae, whatever that truly means. I am getting vibes which are nothing like the peace of an olive branch. I've heard that Ratzinger was a Hitler youth. The phrase Uber Pontiff comes to mind, and not in a good way. Then again, I could be wrong. The one good thing he may be able to accomplish is a crackdown on the sex scandals.

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China. Behave.
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