For Halloween. (Artist Unknown)
  On September 11, 1599 , Beatrice Cenci, her stepmother Lucrezia and her brother Giacomo were executed right outside Castel Sant'Angelo, they had been found guilty of killing Francesco Cenci, Beatrice's father a noble man who was known to be a sexual predator ande murder. The family was wiped out so publicly, in spite of a few being minors, because the Pope of the time, Clement V111, was after their properties. ( Some of them still being visible to this day by Jewish Ghetto) The outrage was unlike anything seen before or since, with most of the population siding with the victim of the abuses-Beatrice.  One of the best spooky place in Rome is the Capuchin Crypt in Sant Maria della Concezione Church on Via Veneto, which is entirely decorated with skulls and bones of over 4,000 capuchin friars buried there. At the crypt entrance the memento " Quello che voi siete noi eravamo; quello che noi siamo voi sarete'( what you are, we were; what we are, you will be)     Rome catacombs with their long, dark meandering underground tunnels are more than a little bit scary, especially if you don't like small spaces and for children.
 1." I cannot express how important it is to believe that taking one tiny--and possibly one very uncomfortable step-- at a time can ultimately add up to a great distance."--Tig Notaro.
2. " Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them." Marcus Aurelius 3. " You rarely win, but sometimes you do." Harper Lee 4. " We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: We have the power to imagine better." -- J.K. Rowlings SHORT STORY
Boom! Ratatat! Ratatat! Bang! Swosh! Zzzip! Clang! Vroom! Yap! Zap! The battle was in full swing. The marine corp had just landed ashore the their intended target. There wasn't going to be any messing around on this place. the intention was to get the job done as quickly as possible and depart. But the opposition seemed to be formidable. One Private was determined to serve his country. He felt a sense of pride being with the armed forces. The depth of his loyalty for his country was unimaginable. His fearlessness was backed up by the presence of the aircraft carrier that anchored nearby. Its capability for any amphibious assault was unmatched. But the enemy troops on ground were audacious. Their military hardware and capabilities were believed to be underequipped. Yet still they fought on. The Private saw dozens of his buddies fall to enemy fire. A fusillade of rockets from his gunboat gave support. Plumes of smoke permeated acres of space. Missing arms and legs, twisted faces, and the crimson-stained ground were the trophies for his troop. The battle subsided for a few hours. The Private was emboldened. The other members of his unit also felt some relief. At dusk an eerie sound emanated from space. A blitz of enemy rockets whizzed through the air. Some landed on their targets. Again the Private witnessed dozens of members of his battalion fall. His friend who fought alongside him was blown yards away from him like a rag doll and fell motionless. He wiped away his tears and fought on with more determination. Again the destroyer got into action. The firepower was swifter and deadlier this time. More enemy troops were cornered and many obliterated. The Private was beginning to feel overwhelmed even though the battle seemed to be over. Yes it was. Cars and busses and trains passed him every day at that corner. He held a sign on a piece or torn cardboard which read, "Please help veteran soldier." © Wallace Paul September 2024.   As we approach the Halloween season, we'll take a look at some of the songs that have added that spooky feeling which many secretly crave. Michael Jackson's "Thriller," from the album of the same name was released since 1982, yes it may seem as if this song's entry into the airways was only a few years ago. Yet, it remains the most popular for Halloween. Ironically, "Thriller" in all it's demonic aura, shows a man wanting to rescue his lover by promising her more thrill than see has seen on the screen.
This song has touched almost every country on the planet. I applaud the skilful lyrical composition by Rod Temperton, the haunting ghostly voice of Vincent Price, and of course Michael Jackson inimitable portrayal in song and video. The producers of this video should also be complimented for nothing but a classical piece. The choreography is absolutely stunning. Thriller It's close to midnight and something evil's lurkin' in the dark Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes You're paralyzed "Cause this is thriller, thriller night and no one's gonna save you From the beast about to strike You know it's thriller, thriller night You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight Yeah Ooh You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run You feel a cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun You close your eyes and wonder if is just imagination (girl) But all the while you hear a creature creepin' up behind You're out of time 'Cause this is thriller, thriller night There ain't no second chance against the thing with forty eyes, girl Thriller, (ooh) thriller night You're fighting for your life inside a killer thriller tonight Night creatures call and the dead start to walk in their masquerade There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time They're wide open This is the end of your life, ooh They're out to get you there's demons closing in on every side (Ooh) They will possess you unless you change that number on your dial Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together, yeah All through the night I'll save you from the terror of the screen I'll make you see That this is thriller, thriller night 'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghoul would ever dare try Thriller, ooh thriller night So let me hold you tight and share a killer, thriller, chiller (Ow) Vincent Price and Michael Jackson (I'm gonna thrill you tonight) Darkness falls across the land The midnight hour is close at hand Creatures crawl in search blood To terrorize y'alls neighborhood (I'm gonna thrill you tonight) And whosoever shall be found Without the soul of getting down Must stand and face the hounds of hell And rot inside a corpse's shell (I'm gonna thrill you tonight) Thriller ooh, darling, oh baby I'm gonna thrill you tonight(Thriller) Ooh babe, thriller night I'm gonna thrill you tonight(Thriller) Oh darling, Oh babe Thriller night babe(Thriller night babe) Ooh The foulest stench is in the air The funk of forty thousand years (Thriller night, thriller) And grisly ghouls from every tomb Are closing in to seal your doom And though you fight to stay alive Your body starts to shiver (I'm gonna thrill you tonight) For no mere mortal can resist The evil of the thriller Writer: Rod Temperton ©Epic Records 1982   Australian born, and TikTok sensation, Alexandra Marasigan turns 17 today. Hey girl, you're coming of age soon. Your 2.1 million followers still want you to be creating those sensational videos, and most of all wish you a fabulous birthday.  American actress, singer and author, Hilary Duff celebrates her 37th birthday. From "Lizzie McGuire ," to "A Cinderella Story", and many more, we've enjoyed you over the years. Perhaps, today you should just be pampered by your family . Have a great birthday.  Pop singer, Halsey is "Lucky", you're on the "Eastside", and if "Walls Could Talk", they'll tell of your heart which says, "Be Kind" because it's "So Good", do it "Now or Never" Thanks for the great advice. Have a wonderful 29th birthday celebration tomorrow.  Hello, Mark (Adams), mark my word, all 22 million Tik Tok fans and 430,000 followers on Instagram are reveling with you on your 30th birthday today. Whoa! Your talent for entertaining is unrivalled. Stay just there, Mark. And continue to thrill us with your class.
  Lebanon is a country in Western Asia with a narrow strip of territory on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It has ancient Phoenician settlements and has been an important commercial hub for the Middle East. Beirut is its capital and largest city. The country has a complex communal make-up and has often been at the center of Middle Eastern conflicts. The Cedar tree is the national symbol of Lebanon. The country is in the Levant region of West Asia, bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south , and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Cyprus, lies a short distance from the country's coastline. It is at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula. Lebanon has a population of more than five million, and an area of 4,036 square miles.. Human civilisation in Lebanon dates back to 500 BC . From 3200 to 500 BC, it was part of Phoenicia, a maritime empire that stretched the Mediterranean Basin. In 64 BC, the region became part of the Roman Empire, and later the Byzantine Empire. After the 7th century , it came under the rule of different caliphates, including Rashidun, Umayyad, and Abbasid Caliphate. The 11th century saw the establishment of Crusaders states, which fell to the Ayyubids, and the Mamluks. and eventually the Ottomans. Under Ottoman ruler, Abdulmejid 1, the Lebanese proto-state, the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, was established in the 19th century as a home for Maronite Christians, in the Tanzimat period. After the dissolution of the Osterman Empire, following World War 1, Lebanon came under the mandate for Syria and Lebanon, administered by France, which established Greater Lebanon. French rule weakened with the German invasion in 1940. Lebanon gained independence in 1943 from Free France and established a distinct form of confessionalist government, with the state's major religious groups being apportioned specific political powers. Today Lebanon's official language is Arabic. The ethnic composition shows 95% Arabs, 4% Arminian, and 1% Others. this country is a unitary parliamentary republic that includes confessionalism. This structure includes a present - currently vacant- a prime minister, and a speaker of parliament. The Lebanese economy follows a laissez-faire model. Most of the economy is dollarized and the country has no restrictions on the movement of capital across its border. The lebanese government intervention in foreign trade is minimal Its current GDP stands at 19 billion USD. 
Alarming Rise in Severe Obesity in US Adults.   Above images of Americans on the beach in the 70s   Some sections of beach goers today A report coming out from the CDC on September 24, 2024 has raised an alarm over the rising rate of obesity among US adults. Statistics from the report state that nearly 1 in 10 adults have severe obesity, and women are more likely than men to have the health condition. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. A BMI of 40 or higher identified people with severe obesity. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The report is based on data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Survey collected from 2021 to 2023. The survey includes an in-home interview that is followed up by a health examination in a mobile screening center. This report also found than more than 100 million adults in the US have obesity. It also acknowledges that BMI has limits as an indicator of obesity since it does not directly measure body fat or evaluate body fat distribution. The distribution of excess body fat, especially visceral fat, contributes to the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, the study also found. Despite these limitations, BMI is a simple and inexpensive screening tool for conditions that might increase the risk for certain chronic diseases. Visceral fat is stored deep in the belly area and can have toxic impacts on the organs that it surrounds. Health Problems Related to Obesity Heart Disease  High Blood Pressure  Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver  High Cholesterol  Diabetes  Asthma  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome  Obstructive Sleep Apnea  Osteoarthritis  Credit: WebMD
  What did the ghost wear to improve his eyesight?
Spooktacles. How do ghosts stay in shape? By exorcising. What do ghost put on their turkey? Grave-y Why did the ghost go to the doctor? He couldn't stop coffin |
