Are the Toronto Maple Leafs FOR REAL???

Too many autumns of false hope have slithered into pitiful seasons for Leaf Nation to not be somewhat cautious in 2009. Still, here are a few highlights of the 2009-2010 Toronto Maple Leafs exhibition schedule:

- The emergence of Viktor Stalberg as a major league scoring threat

- Strong depth between the posts

- Revamped, deeper tougher defense corps

- Overall team toughness increased

It would seem that Kadri would be best served by a return to London and another stint with the Canadian Junior Hockey team, and if he comes back next year at about 182 pounds (he's 170 now) he should be ready for a long, prosperous career in the bigs. It's possible that he could be kept with the Leafs for up to 9 games as a placeholder until Phil K is ready, but it's more likely Bozak will get that role, considering his proven chemistry with Stalberg.

Carry on lads!!

Mom's getting better...update on life

My mom fell and broke her pelvis a few weeks ago and has been in the hospital ever since. The first 20 days were filled with several setbacks but the past few days have seen significant progress. Heather and I went up to Orillia a couple of times, most recently for 5 days. It's a quiet, beautiful town reminiscent of days gone by; the birthplace of Stephen Leacock and of Gordon Lightfoot, check out the Mariposa store / cafe downtown if you have a half hour or more to spare when you are in Orillia or passing through.

I am hoping to find a book editor with experience in historical novels, as my Ari Loves Salome book is complete and ready to be taken to the next level. As for music, I am hoping to hook up with the right bunch of fellas (and/or gals!) for the 2010 relaunch Joe College as Joe College and the New Rulers. Since very few remember my old songs anyway, the idea is to blend new originals with classic punk tracks such as Liar and Pretty Vacant by the Sex Pistols, Clampdown by the Clash, plus other gems by the likes of DOA, Ramones etc.

Regarding blogging, I have been dividing my time among 5 or 6 of my main blogs, as follows:

Green Energy Stocks Investing Network

Geotherma.info Geothermal Power Stocks

Wind Energy Stocks Investments

A Green Realtor Blog

HarnessHorses.info Standardbred Wagering Tips website

My novel is about Aristobulus of Chalcis (Jesus) and his wife Salome (Mary Magdalene) and their children Timothy, Josephus and Justus, and if you are an editor with experience in historical novels please leave a comment here or email me via yuyajoe at yahoo.ca.

Peace 2 All!

Light Shed on Dark Ages with Anglo-Saxon treasure found in UK

An amazing discovery of an estimated 1,500 ornamental metal pieces was found by an amateur in Staffordshire, and he (Terry Herbert) and the landowner will share in the proceeds when the find is auctioned off to a museum or museums.

Birmingham Post article on Anglo-Saxon treasure find

Vancouver Sun story in Staffordshire UK treasure found

NY Times story about Anglo-Saxon treasure in Staffordshire

It is thought this discovery will shed light on several centuries of what has been termed the Dark Ages in Britain.

Historical Jesus Research - A List of Links

I remember in the early years of this century when Pope Charles was completing his study of Egyptian historical personae in the bible, and he was about to embark on a study of the historical personalities portrayed in the New Testament, and I was skeptical that this could be achieved. It was perhaps a year or two later that I enquired again about this topic, and Jesus in particular, and Charles sent me this link:

http://www.dailygrail.com/node/462

Phrased for what it is:

Historical Identity of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene

If Mary Magdalene was Salome, then the identity of Jesus Christ within the family of Herod was Aristobulus ("Good Counselor"), a grandson of Herod through his Hasmonian wife Mariamne. It was this Aristobulus that married Salome after the death of her first husband Herod-Phillip. Mary the mother of Jesus was then another princess named Mariamne, the granddaughter of Herod's brother Joseph.

Herod continued to love his wife Mariamne even after he had been persuaded to kill her and her sons for treason. He also realized that a male descendant of hers had the best chance of being accepted by the Jewish people as a legitimate king. The flight to Egypt of Mary and Joseph with the infant Aristobulus/Jesus was likely staged by Herod in order to typecast this child as a savior-figure, a "Horus" and rightful heir in Egyptian parlance. However, the favor of such a prince would naturally have evoked intense jealousy by other members of the royal family and merited a careful safeguarding.

- Charles Pope

I am 99.9% certain that this was (in 2004) the first identification of Aristobulus of Chalcis as Jesus Christ. Regarding the IDing of Salome as Mary Magdelene, I believe but am not certain that it is also one of the first identifications of Salome daughter of Herodias as Mary Magdalene (Holy Grail researchers are free to correct me if I am mistaken), wife of Aristobulus (Jesus).

Historical Identity of Jesus of Nazareth and John the Baptist

Historical Identity of Joseph, Coat of Many Colors

Though I find the DomainofMan.com ancient royal families research website to be the most authorative source, other contributors to the dialogue include:

Robert Eisenman, historical identity of Bible and Dead Sea Scrolls figures

I came to Robert's work through my four decade study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and I also find his work on the NT both fascinating and enlightening. Charles Pope of DomainofMan.com sometimes references him.

Joe Atwill, author of Caesars Messiah and its notion of a Roman conspiracy to invent Jesus. Although his research is often spectacular, his conclusions are usually weak; he seems to be reading only one layer in NT passages that often contain four to seven. His leaning to Titus as Jesus misunderstands the temporal nature of Vespasian and his son Titus. Even the NT book bearing the name of the latter may be in part an accomodation with this family, whose line was permanently superceded by those of Jesus and John, the twin dynasties that brought forth the era of the Five Good Emperors.

So far, I find his work quirky and sophomoric, designed to entertain and at times bordering on anti-Semitic (for example his assertion Romans were creating a religion to "fool the Jews", a total misunderstanding of how things worked then and now). He really doesn't get the Herodian typecasting and the intertwined nature of Egypt Rome, Greek and Persia, not to mention Briton, Germany, Gaul and Spain.

Even though Titus may have been a nephew of Jeshua Aristobulus, his reign was but a brief two years and he and his father were merely the transition to a brilliant theocracy. They were not the real thing. Joe Atwill is focused on a shooting star, but he overestimates the importance of this man.

Wikipedia page on historical Jesus

If you want to catch up quickly on this stuff, perceive how the new chronology leaves no gaps and realize that everything happened more recently than we think. The Eighteenth Dynasty royals prominent in the Old Testament didn't live in 1200-1300 BC as thought, but more likely around 800-900BC.

David Rohl's New Chronology of the Old Testament / Ancient Egypt

Most of the events in the NT that were supposed to have happened in the first and second quarters of the first century, actually happened in the second and third quarters. As you begin to understand the familial relations of Aristobulus (Jesus), Salome (Mary Magdalene), John /Philip, Paul / Psaul, Timothy etc, the stories in the NT take on a beautiful, loving meaning like never before.

Wikipedia page on the Jesus Seminar

The Five Gospels: What Did Jesus Really Say?

Wikipedia review of Jesus the Man: New Interpretations from the Dead Sea Scrolls, 1993 book by Barbara Thiering

The Importance of Historical Jesus research

Did Mary Magdalene write the Book Of John?

(Consider that her first husband was Philip John, and that a royal woman in those days would write under the name of her late husband.)

110 Rules for Life by George Washington

1. Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2. When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

3. Show Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.

4. In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

5. If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.

6. Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.

7. Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Dressed.

8. At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary.

9. Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it.

10. When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them.

11. Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.

12. Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs roll not the Eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.

13. Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexterously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

14. Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.

15. Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Showing any great Concern for them.

16. Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.

17. Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.

18. Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unasked also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.

19. Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20. The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.

Rules for living (21-30)

21. Reproach none for the Infirmities of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22. Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

23. When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always show Pity to the Suffering Offender. Don't draw attention to yourself.

24. Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Public Spectacle.

25. Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26. In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen & make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.

27. Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being asked; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behavior in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

28. If any one come to Speak to you while you are are Sitting Stand up though he be your Inferior, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.

29. When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass.

30. In walking the highest Place in most Countries Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honor: but if three walk together the middest Place is the most Honorable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.

Rules for living (31-40)

31. If any one far Surpasses others, either in age, Estate, or Merit yet would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer it above once or twice.

32. To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the chief Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33. They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Precedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualities, though they have no Public charge.

34. It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin.

35. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

36. Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honor them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affability & Courtesy, without Arrogance.

37. In speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.

38. In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physician if you be not Knowing therein.

39. In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40. Strive not with your Superiors in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

Rules for living (41-50)

41. Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Professes; it Savours of arrogance.

42. Let thy ceremonies in Courtesy be proper to the Dignity of his place with whom thou converses for it is absurd to act the same with a Clown and a Prince.

43. Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44. When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Show no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

46. Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time & Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.

47. Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance brook no Jests that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasant abstain from Laughing thereat yourself.

48. Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49. Use no Reproachful Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50. Be not hasty to believe flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.

Rules for living (51-60)

51. Wear not your Cloths, foul, ripped or Dusty but See they be Brushed once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleanness.

52. In your Apparel be Modest and endeavor to accommodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

53. Run not in the Streets, neither go too slowly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking your Arms kick not the earth with your feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

54. Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Decked, if your Shoes fit well if your Stockings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55. Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.

56. Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

57. In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Jowl but Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

58. Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'is a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.

59. Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act against the Rules Moral before your inferiors.

60. Be not immodest in urging your Friends to Discover a Secret.

Rules for living (61-70)

61. Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grave and Learned Men nor very Difficult Questions or Subjects, among the Ignorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discourse with Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals.

62. Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63. A Man ought not to value himself of his Achievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred.

64. Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, though there Seem to be Some cause.

65. Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none although they give Occasion.

66. Be not froward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time to Converse.

67. Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.

68. Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Asked & when desired do it briefly.

69. If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, in Things indifferent be of the Major Side.

70. Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiors.

Rules for living (71-80)

71. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others.

72. Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously.

73. Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74. When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended.

75. In the midst of Discourse ask not of what one treateth but if you Perceive any Stop because of your coming you may well intreat him gently to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing it's handsome to Repeat what was said before.

76. While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

77. Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not in the Company of Others.

78. Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commended for any brave act of Virtue, commend not another for the Same.

79. Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not.

80. Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith.

Rules for living (81-90)

81. Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neither approach those that Speak in Private.

82. Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Careful to keep your Promise.

83. When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, however mean the Person be you do it too.

84. When your Superiors talk to any Body hearken not neither Speak nor Laugh.

85. In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not til you are asked a Question then Stand upright put of your Hat & Answer in few words.

86. In Disputes, be not So Desirous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to the Judgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.

87. Let thy carriage be such as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others Say.

88. Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressions, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse.

89. Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

90. Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

Rules for living (91-100)

91. Make no Show of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.

92. Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.

93. Entertaining any one at the table, it is decent to present him with meat; Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.

94. If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table but Stay till Cools of it Self.

95. Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pie upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table.

96. It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clean & when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.

97. Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big for the jowls.

98. Drink not nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while you are drinking.

99. Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking, wipe your lips; breath not then or ever with too great a noise, for its uncivil.

100. Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin, fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done without a peep to them.

Rules for living (101-110)

101. Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

102. It is out of use to call upon the company often to eat; nor need you drink to others every time you drink.

103. In the company of your betters, be not longer in eating than they are; lay not your arm but only your hand upon the table.

104. It belongs to the chiefest in company to unfold his napkin and fall to meat first, but he ought then to begin in time & to dispatch with dexterity that the slowest may have time allowed him.

105. Be not angry at the table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

106. Set not yourself at the upper of the table; but if it be your due or that the master of the house will have it so, contend not, least you should trouble the company.

107. If others talk at the table, be attentive but talk not with meat in your mouth.

108. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously & with reverence. Honor & obey your natural parents although they be poor.

109. Let your recreations be manful not sinful.

110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

List courtesy of Squidoo Rules for Dignified Living, by George Washington

Lyrics of new Muse song UPRISING, from The Resistance

Every now and then a song comes along that has a lot of power and a lot of meaning, and Muse's new CD The Resistance offers up just such a track.

Here are the words to Uprising, the new single from Muse:


Uprising

The paranoia is in bloom
The PR transmissions will resume
They'll try to push drugs
Keep us all dumbed down and
Hope that we'll never see the truth around (so come on!)

Anothe promise, another scene, another
A package not to keep us trapped in greed
With all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined (so come on!)

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
We will be victorious


Full song lyrics to Uprising by Muse

Lyrics to new Muse album The Resistance

Muse.mu - Official website of rock band Muse

Dolphins Slaughtered in Japan; Worldwide Outrage and Protest

My wife showed me a photo in the Toronto Star this morning, beside an article about the Taiji slaughter of dolphins in Japan:

There has been a film made about this annual travesty, yet the Star is reporting that the kill is on again in 2009. The Cove, winner of the 2009 Audience Award at Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival in Utah, portrays Taiji as a charming town with a darker self, a place where Norman Rockwell meets Norman Bates.

September 13, 2009 Online article about dolphins being slaughtered in Japan

Nature and Ecology Websites:

Bees Trees Frogs Elephants Ecology Blog

A Green Realtor Website

Green Energy Investing Links:

Best Green Stocks Blog

Green Mutual Fund website

Photovoltaic Stocks Investing

Wind Energy Company Links

Geothermal Power Investments

USA Healthcare Reform; FIRED UP and READY TO GO!!!

Barack Obama made a direct pitch to the middle class of America today with his speech at the Target Center in Minneapolis, telling a story about how the chant lady of South Carolina inspired his campaign. Her trademark Fire It Up and Ready To Go slogans were invoked to close out an inspirational speech to a lively audience.

As a Canadian who has enjoyed world-class free healthcare my entire life, I am grateful that America is moving in a positive direction on this issue. The two most effective uses of tax dollars are education and health care, to create a skilled, productive populace, and without this evolution, the USA would fall further behind other societies, economically and culturally.

Advance Online Text of President Barack Obama speech in Minneapolis Today, September 12, 2009

Ecology Environment Green Activist Politics News

Here are some recent news articles and blog posts about protests to save water supplies, habitat, and wilderness areas:

Protesters Dress as Cavemen to Mock Republican Energy Policy

Site 41: Simcoe County Council votes for one year moratorium!

Barack Obama and the Corporatist "Punking of America"

Russian Punk Band PTVP Protests Injustice at Home

Punk Rock and Gibson Les Paul Guitars

List of Top Green Energy Stocks