HOPE and STRENGTH

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Bluehenge said:
I swam as fast as I could and as soon as I reached him we both dove under the water.
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Below us was a large opening at the bottom of the lake - a circle about 10 feet wide. Whatever inspires people to explore into the 'unknown' is something Blue and I never lacked in. The more mysterous, the more challenging and daring -- is all the more we are drawn to discover and triumph over everything.

So we plunged through the darkness and felt our way through a small passage and emerged above the water in a huge cavernous room. A cave under the lake - filled with quartz that sparkeled and illuminated the entire room.

'WOW'! we said at the same time. I pointed to an area where we could get out of the water and explore the cave and Blue nodded in understanding and within a minute I helped pull her out of the water.

It was such an amazing world -- a beauty so unique -- a wonder to behold -- and one of those moments that are magical and beyond belief. We stood there for awhile looking over everything and soaking it all up. Then I held her hand and said, 'Let's go over here'.

We walked through an opening that gave the appearance of a huge cathertral - was at least 20 feet wide with walls that stretched at least a hundred feet high and arched at the top.

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showpost.php?p=193789&postcount=240

After entering the adjoining room - we were startled when Nnuut sprang out of hiding and began taunting us. He's a Siberian Tiger that stood at least 8 feet tall on his hindlegs -- and he walks like a person.

When he first jumped out -- he gave such a ferrocious roar - it made our hair stand straight up - we were covered with goosebumps - totally frozen and it felt like our hearts leapt out of our chests. Both of us stood in shock - terrified - surprized.

In another split second we probably would have lost bowel and bladder control... but then he totally flipped us out.

Nnuut looked at us -- somewhat surprized by our reaction and said, 'Ahhh scared are ya?? then gave a little growl and moved his paws like he was boxing and said, 'Put em up' -- 'Come on - put em up', 'Put em up'.

He misunderstood our response of 'bewilderment and amazement' of him speaking like a person -- 'in English none the less' -- as FEAR.

I almost burst out laughing - when he raised one leg and said, 'Come on, I'll fight ya standing on one leg'...

Blue and I glaced at one another and Nnuut continues... 'I'll fight ya with one arm behind my back'..... 'Come on you chickens'....

...'I'll fight ya with my eyes closed'... and that sent me into a roaring laughter ....

Here's this tiger standing on one leg, an arm behind his back, talking to us like a person and with his eyes closed shut.....

...so my knees buckled and I fell to the floor in laughter ...

..at the same time Blue, who looks like a litte midget in comparison runs up and hits him in the stomach.

It probably felt like nothing more than a tap -- but it shocked him so much he started to cry...

Well I'm already laying on the floor doubled over and roaring in laughter and that may have ...been somewhat contageous ... but Nnuut's response all the more sent Blue into a huge fit of laughter and she was on the ground holding her stomach in laughter ...and we fed off each other a little while.
 
Steady and I didn't need to say a word because we were used to the effect the Power of White had on others as well as in total harmony with each other.

In silence we thanked our good friends CB and Buster for their ability to step in and do and say the right thing at the right time. We both knew if not for them I would have resorted to plan 'B' and my plans were usually just as wild, if not wilder than Steadys!

We always feel so at home in water and it didn't take us very long at all to get back into enjoying the incredible lake. Towards the middle of it a little group of islands rise out above the clear, blue water. "What if any of those islands have something that has never been discovered." I said. "Come on - race you to the one with that strange looking tree growing on it." Steady was still doing his usual - 'Ready, set, go' - as I swam off towards the island. Looking down into the water as we swam was so neat because nothing polluted this water. It was crystal clear and we could see right down to the bottom of the lake.

I turned to see how far ahead of Steady I was and was rather perturbed to see him gesturing enthusiastically for me to swim back to where he was.

I reluctantly headed away from the island I had hoped to explore and as I did so I saw Steady surface diving. I knew he must have spotted something really intersting so I swam as fast as I could and as soon as I reached him we both dove under the water.

We often marvel at how water is such a classical element and how it is a single substance yet home and sustenance to millions so it should have been no surprise that this body of water teemed with life.
 
Steadygain said:
'Why don't we do it in the road'.
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Steady's response startled Blue - and she wondered if he had gone crazy. Her initial thought was 'What the hell'???? Then the certainty of them being captured gripped her - in a temporay state of paralysis.

Steady starts walking out -- swaying with a rhythm playing over and over in his head -- and continues singing loudly:

'Why don't we do it in the road'
'Why don't we do it in the road'
'No one will be watching us -- why don't we do it in the road'....


The Pygmies were overtaken by the Power of White --- and surrounded Steady -- dancing and swaying to the song in a spirit of delight.

Blue could tell he was reaching a part of the song out of his range and was now totally in tune with everything that was happening. She sprang to her feet and ran in the middle of the circle -- next to Steady and screamed to the top of her lungs:

'Ahhhhhhooooooooo' 'Why don't we do it in the road'
'Why don't we do it in the roo uuu oaddddd'

That was the moment of Transformation -- where the Pygmies became one with Steady and Blue ... and life was beautiful and in perfect harmony. They sang and danced and let everything fly free and wonderful.

Then the Pygmies hugged them and parted - with love and devotion and disappeared back in the woods.

Steady and Blue -- didn't say a word -- they just looked at each other and then went back in the lake.
 
Bluehenge said:
Down in the shallow water, waves gently swayed slender grasses and reeds.
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Her strength -- in so many ways -- was overwhelming. Knowing she was 'good' - her thoughts were clear and her faith in our potential to assess every circumstance and 'deal with it accordingly' make her such a joy to be with.

But I felt I'm getting too old for this s**t - and all the more the thought of them getting her was far too much for me to handle. So I decided to throw in the towel.

'Bean us up CB', I said with all the strengh and security as Commander in Chief of the Starfleet Enterprise.

'I don't think so' was CB's response.

'What you GD piece of s**t. Listen here you F ing little SOB - you better beam us up right now. I'm the F ing Commander in Chief'.

CB chuckled. 'Well that may be true but I'm the one at the control panel, so consider this a Training Exercise. Oh, and one last thing, Buster says to consider the power of White.' Then CB shut down communications.

The Power of White -- had its origins with the man who brought the STAR FLEET into existence. It was through him we found where everything derived its meaning and through it we found not only the answers to all of life's circumstances -- but it was our guide in everything.

It began with the Beatles -- and John discovering a Japanese woman that had 'good vibes' and his decison to make her fully a part of his world. He thought the idea of having a 'Japanese Beatle' would go over well -- but the other Beatles said FTS -- we don't want that bitch anywhere near us and there is no way in hell she's ever be one of us.

So John said - hey chill - I'll show you how the world at large will see her as our greatest connection. So he and Yoko got naked and had their picture taken - then put it on the next Beatle Album and sold it that way throughout the world.

BUT - The USA said - no way you long haired bastard hippies. They were totally convinced that anyone who saw that picture would turn into a cannibal totally imprisoned by taboo sexual desires and the world would be distroyed -- so they ripped of any trace of anything -- and sold it with a totally White Cover.

The Beatles - had anticaped the USA acting that way - and filled the songs with POWER - and the Power it gave was beyond what mankind had ever known before. Charles Mason - the founder of STAR FLEET - was the first one to show the rest of the world --- the POWER it Had -- and through it we learned how to live and interact.

Steady then knew -- what to do -- sprang to his feet -- and sang so loud it almost sounded like he was shouting:

'Why don't we do it in the road'.
 
We slipped out of the water and dropped on all fours. I followed Steady into the high grass. My heart was pounding, but we were fit and it didn't take long for either of us to catch our breath. Steady was still pumped on adrenalin, yet his survival skills enabled him to remain calm. He looked at me and then clasped me in his arms. His calm expression and warmth comforted me. At peace, with both of our senses working fully together, we formulated our plan.

Knowing what we did about the Pygmy warriors' excellent tracking skills we decided that the woods were the last place we should go because no matter how long it took them, they would find us and we didn't want to end up at their dinner table!

No doubt it was a lack of swimming skills that forced the Pygmies to make their way round to us via the high grass surrounding the lake. The high grass was taller than them and although adept at running swiftly through it, their progress was slower than ours had been and its height made it impossible for them to watch our every move.

We didn't want to take any chances however, so we waited patiently until a gentle breeze bent the grass, before crawling in its movement. We made our way to some shrubs with thick branches at their base. Here, we waited without fear of any movement giving away our new position. We sat and waited as planned; silently watching the waters' edge.

At the waters' edge wildflowers and an abundance of rare and endangered flora and fauna decked the banks and boulders were scattered about in the water. When we saw the vegetation bend and heard the water splash we briefly checked on each other; embraced, and with a knowing nod we crept out from under the bush and down amongst the boulders.

Down in the shallow water, waves gently swayed slender grasses and reeds.
 
Bluehenge said:
At peace, we floated in the water, hand-in-hand simply enjoying the 'moment'.
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BUT -- that moment was short lived.

The water was cool and refreshing – invigorating and wonderful – and as I was coming up to the surface I’d thought this has to be the best place we’d ever found. Nothing but the greatest optimism flooded over me and the certainty of a promising day. This was all the more deeply confirmed as we floated in the water.

Then we heard their eerie chants and cries and were too stunned to honestly grasp our situation - for it was totally the opposite of that moment we'd thought we'd drift in forever. Our hearts pounded with fear and all the good and wonderful feelings washed out of us. Dread and impending doom – mixed with anxiety and terror seized us – for we had lived in the African Bush and were well acquainted with the Pygmies. Their deadly ways were feared throughout the land and every culture over many generations considered it ‘Forbidden’ to enter their territory. We had heard these sounds thousands of times in the past – but always in the distance. Now – we were right there – stuck in the middle of the lake as they emerged from the woods.

The look of fright in Blue’s expression all the more sent my adrenalin at full blast. Twenty Pygmy warriors – painted as ‘death and war’ approached with spears in hand. For that moment we were frozen, too surprised and bewildered to respond. With a cry that mimicked what the Pygmies learned from the victims of their worst torture – the first spear was thrust. When it hit the water and plunged between us like a torpedo, instinct took over and we swam to the other side. Initially the sound of other spears landing near us was all we heard – but as we got towards the other side it was a comforting sound behind us and just knowing we were out of their reach gave a trace of hope.
 
Steady made an enormous splash as he hit the water. I knew he did it on purpose and giggled as some of the water hit me. Some went in my mouth and I was absolutely stunned at how good it tasted. I mean, it had to be drinking water quality it was that clean and pure.

I waited for Steady to surface and grew concerned when he didn't. I swam over to where he had entered the water and began looking for him. As I spun around in the bubbles he surfaced from behind and playfully dunked my head under. I came back up quickly and splashed him with some water. We always have such good times together and that day was no different as we laughed heartily while playing in the cool, refreshing water.

A flock of swallows were up above. "Let you head hang back and watch the swallows." Steady said. I reached out a hand to him and we floated together, watching the swallows. Some flew leisurely in circles and alternated between flapping and gliding while others rapidly turned and banked. I asked Steady "Why are some of them flying slow and others fast?" "Oh, that's easy." Steady replied. "They are feeding on flying insects and their speed all depends on how fast their prey is moving." Steady's so smart it was no surprise that he knew the answer, but it still caused me to smile in admiration.

At peace, we floated in the water, hand-in-hand simply enjoying the 'moment'.
 
Bluehenge said:
Undoubtedly, the natural world is unparalleled in beauty and there was nowhere better to experience the very best than at this incredible lake.
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Now perhaps it's easier to imagine why it felt like we had stepped into one of heaven's layers -- a world like no other -- serene, tranquil, and with a peace and calm that took everything and left you in awe.

In that 'moment' however long it stretched -- we slowly took in all the wonders and blended with it. The lake was 'ours' -- but even beyond that 'we' belonged to the lake - and somehow everything seemed to absorb us and we belonged to everything -- even the breeze.

There are 'moments of silence' where you communicate more in quiet reflections compared to hours and hours of conversation. Somehow everything was synchronized and in a state of perfect harmony. This was one of those moments -- with every gasp or sigh of awe -- we took in and marveled at everything this world offered.

The splashing of the water took us from the quiet and with that we saw the beautiful heiron fly up from the lake and over the cliffs -- disappearing over the trees behind. That was the moment it happened - when nature called to us and invited us to the cliff --- to dive in the water.

We didn't say much as we meandered and zig zagged our way through the strip of higer grass that seperated the lake from the woods. Mostly just pointing out the same sights that seemed to overwhelm us and captivate us. Somehow each of us becomes so spellbound by something we 'feel' is uniquely ours -- that we're compelled to point it out to the other -- with an underlying feeling that if we don't the other will miss it. It's funny how we're like that -- but we are and we always have been. So all the way we kind of nodded and made little expressions of 'confirmation' to let the other know --- YES!! It's beautiful.

On top of the cliff the lake looked a lot bigger -- because we were on the furtherest end. As usual - was the optical illusion - of the cliff appearing a short distance from the water from a distance - but directly from the top it looks a lot further. It was probably 10 feet and the water was clear and appeared deep enough to dive. A fish or two could be seen swimming 3 or 4 feet from the top and we just stayed there awhile taking everything in.

I think it's a 'man thing' but the thought of NOT diving in first and doing my duty to show it's safe and all is good was simply an aspect of life I never would have questioned. It just was one of those 'undeniable truths' that is built in to my life and all I know. But Blue is someone that shatters these concepts over and over - and forces you to discover and accept a reality totally different than what you'd expect. All I know is there was a brief 'blurr' next to me --- followed by watching her diving through the air and splashing through the surface -- watching her swim a little under the water and come back up with her head above the surface looking up at me.

It was 'weird' - like a slow movie - then bamm - you realize you're the loser standing on the top as the winner looks up with a delightful and inviting smile. There was a slight moment of 'awkwardness' - the 'male ego' rolling his eyes like "Oh thanks Mommy - now I know it's safe" -- and she probably knew that -- but all the awkward stuff vanished entirely as I plunged through the air and hit the water below.
 
With a clear blue sky the day was set to be perfect.

Autumn is truly one of the most beautiful seasons and it was a pleasantly brisk day. Nothing could have been lovelier than being immersed in the peaceful atmosphere of the sights and sounds of nature. Birds sang their melodies; crickets chirped their song; some brightly colored butterflies fluttered in flight and others fed on flowering shrubs.

Set within an ancient valley, the lakes pristine waters shimmered in the sunlight. The majestic mountains towered up behind the painted woods and contrasted the leaves splendidly.

As we headed towards the lake we took time to appreciate the beautiful leaves. The striking reds, bright yellows and intense orange-reds caught our attention the most, but the browns and greens added to the palette.

Shuffling through fallen leaves has always been one of our favorite things to do so we gleefully shuffled our way towards the lake. The feel of the leaves underfoot was amazing - some got softly trodden while others got crunched in delight.

Undoubtedly, the natural world is unparalleled in beauty and there was nowhere better to experience the very best than at this incredible lake.
 
burrocrat said:
come on in boys the water's fine
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Well BC man - it's like Maggie said -- the mind is amazing


So I'm ready for a little break -- and hope I can get Blue in on it.

Here's the idea --- In a nutshell we're going to dive in a lake - swin around a little - and have some fun. But I'll only say so much ... and she has to continue ... then I continue ....and back and forth.

Although Autumn had set in and the leaves had turned to the beautiful red, yellow, brown, orange and green that filled the Blue Ridge Mountains on that wonderful September day - the weather continued it's warm trend right up through August and the Lake water was cool and refreshing.

It was a spot we'd found several years prior when we tested a new GPS device - and to make it more challenging we walked purposely into areas that would leave most lost forever. Crossing little streams and walking up and down several mountains we came to a lake - owned by the mountains and somehow the map makers failed to include it. It may have been unknown except to the few who were crazy (or bold) enough to wonder off so far from trails and the more known sites.

It's also a Lake that appears out of nowhere - because the trees are so thick and the bushes are so full and widespread surrounding the lake that until you get right up to it -- you'd never know it's there.

An opening in the bushes led us to our initial view. The lake is in the shape of a kidney - about a half mile long - and a quarter mile wide at the narrowest point in the middle which then opens wider on both ends. On the left end cattails lined the edge of the lake - and on the right end were the cliffs -- 10 feet up from the water.
 
Steadygain said:
It makes a lot of sense !!

Thanks man -- hope all is going well.


BTW - do you remember who the TOP Investor was in ...ummm 2008 ?
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Hmmm, 2008 was a good year for me. :cheesy: 2009 would have been another good year for me but I let the most closest person in my life influence a move that I made that cost me almost 7%. If I had not made that move I would have had a 12% 2009 YTD return. Oh well that person knows better now. I am still shooting for a 10% YTD return this year. :)

Your liked by many people on this board and your behavior sometimes IMO scares us. Hope you don't mind me saying that openly. I've grown to really like you Steady so take it easy and take one step at a time. :)
 
poolman said:
Hey Steady,

I would say just Chill and relax. Stop Worrying so much. Your OK. Be yourself. I sense that you are a worry wart. Start with a clean slate and take baby steps.

Does that make sense ?
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It makes a lot of sense !!

Thanks man -- hope all is going well.


BTW - do you remember who the TOP Investor was in ...ummm 2008 ?
 
Steadygain said:
I'm sorry everyone -- I seriously have not meant to be such an idiot in all my interactions lately.

In going back over everything I now realize it is not me, specifically, holding her back and I did not understand that. I know how much we all love her and care for her and that was all I could 'acknowledge' so I simply could not fathom how she was NOT soaking it all in.

NOW - I finally do understand - that a lot of 'our collective interactions' can be stressful and that she 'herself' needs a break in general until she feels stronger and has the energy and drive to deal with everything.

Gosh, it took a long time for all that to sink in - so I'm good and whatever the future holds, we'll simply have to flow with it.
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Hey Steady,

I would say just Chill and relax. Stop Worrying so much. Your OK. Be yourself. I sense that you are a worry wart. Start with a clean slate and take baby steps.

Does that make sense ?
 
I'm sorry everyone -- I seriously have not meant to be such an idiot in all my interactions lately.

In going back over everything I now realize it is not me, specifically, holding her back and I did not understand that. I know how much we all love her and care for her and that was all I could 'acknowledge' so I simply could not fathom how she was NOT soaking it all in.

NOW - I finally do understand - that a lot of 'our collective interactions' can be stressful and that she 'herself' needs a break in general until she feels stronger and has the energy and drive to deal with everything.

Gosh, it took a long time for all that to sink in - so I'm good and whatever the future holds, we'll simply have to flow with it.
 
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