Egyptology

Egypt and other ancient buildings have always intrigued me so I really appreciated watching a slide show on the Nile recently sent to me by my uncle, thanks Bob! (Bob's me uncle!)  If I could be anything I wanted I would be an anthropologist and do some serious study on ancient legends, traditions and beliefs of antediluvian civilisations.  Perhaps that is what makes the Old Testament so alive for me!  Over the years I have continued studying as a matter of interest or hobby and have come across some interesting finds.  You may be interested in pondering the following.

Did you know that some scientists (other than archaeologists) believe that the pyramids of Giza were built prior to the flood by Seth’s people?  This is consistent with Bible teachings as well as ancient texts stating that Seth was known for his engineering genius – this is also in keeping with the local’s ancient traditional legends.  This is a worthy hypothesis considering that from the time of the fall of Adam, calling this day 0, he being 130 years old when Seth was born, gives a total of 1042 years from the time of Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and Seth’s death.  Considering also how close they were with the Lord and how He taught them because of their righteousness it is certainly arguable that their knowledge would be expansive.   If we look comparatively to the advancements made in the 300 year period from the end of the dark ages (see Paul’s prophecy re the great apostasy or falling away) how much more can mankind achieve in over 1000 years?)  It was Carter, an archaeologists in the early 1920’s who first declared the pyramids to be tombs, prior to this it was widely accepted that they were relics from before the flood.  His declaration came due to the fact that he had conned the King of England into financing his adventure to Egypt to find the missing tomb of Ramses II and when he failed, he knew he was in trouble so named the pyramid as a cover stating it had been “robbed”.

If you are further interested – engineers who have studied the interior of the great pyramid found chemicals consistent with those needed to produce nuclear power which would provide energy far superior to what we have today.  Also, the tools used in creating what is called the “sarcophagus” within the great pyramid are likewise far superior than we have.  For example they state that in cutting the granite block from one solid piece is a complex task requiring drilling using an extremely toughened circular drill bit which leaves circular indentations in the base which cannot be removed to the extent of them not being detectable on some level.  However, in the “sarcophagus” their cutting tool was so advanced that in cutting the workman went a couple of centimetres in error before correcting the course of the tool he was using.  Also, the interior base is smooth with no sign of indentations or anything else that would indicate that it was hollowed out by a tool far superior to any known to us today.  One engineer by the name of Christopher Dunn hypothesises that they used high pressure water to cut into the granite – a tool engineers are currently working on.  He also theorises that the chemicals found in the “queens chambers” are consistent with those used today for nuclear power and that this power was generated via resonation of such a high frequency.  This resonance is consistent also with the placing of the pyramids across the globe which are all positioned where the planet’s magnetic resonance was most prominent prior to the shifts in the earth’s axis.  These shifts are believed to have occurred at the time of the flood, another with Krakatoa, the nuclear explosions and many other violent shaking within the earth’s crust and mantel.  Recently scientist have stated a further shift was caused due to the recent earthquake and pursuant tsunami in 2006.

Two

I have a little book - a gift from a long time ago.  It is called "Native American Wisdom" and sometimes when I am cleaning I pick it up and open it. The pages are filled with photos from a collection of Edward S.Curtis complementing mostly commonsense quotes from Indian chiefs etc.  Possibly a little deeper than most people go in their thoughts however, it mostly states the obvious.

Really, I should pass it on, I don't even recall who gave it to me, or did I buy it myself?  It was cheap, so I probably saw it in a pile on a discount table somewhere! I can't recall a time in my adult life that I have not had it.  It has been packed and unpacked with each move, placed in to fill tiny gaps amongst my "real" books.

Today as I sit preparing to launch into stage 2 of my English presentation, the essay part, I saw it on my desk.  (Somehow it has dislodged from the bookshelf and perched itself on my inner sanctum - my desk!)  I opened it to see what inspiration I can draw from its pages and again, I am reminded that it is commonsense.  However, the message is one applicable to us all, so I will share it.  Being a uni student I am well indoctrinated with referencing and fellow uni folk will know all about this so for those interested, it is from the above mentioned mini book, published by Running Press PA in 1994 p. 24. The photo, a Nakoaktok or Kwakiutl woman is on the opposite side of the page.

"All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two - good and evil. With our eyes we see two things - things that are fair and things that are ugly ... We have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and the left hand full of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to an evil way,the other foot may lead us to a good. So are all things two, all two." Eagle Chief {Letakots - Lesa} (late 19th century) Pawnee

This two-ness is an interesting concept and as it turns out, one that has been increasingly obvious to me over the past few weeks.  One voice speaks for us to do good, the other justifies why we should do evil.  Whilst ever we are thrown between these thoughts, we waste precious time that could be spent actually doing good.

How many times have we sat knowing we have a task to perform but put it off (procrastinate) thinking we just need this or that then we can do it better.  Only thing is, by the time we have all these extras, we have no time left to actually do the task well.

This is what I've done with my essay, wanting better information, better what-evers and have wasted a whole lot of time in the process. Maybe it is not exactly evil but it certainly isn't good either.

So, with that in mind, I now venture into my essay writing.  Till next time, please feel free to leave comments, I'd love to hear your opinions.

Cheers!

Ostrich theory ...

"Well, we just hold our breath and close our eyes and hope that it will all go away."

An ostrich isn't necessary just a flightless bird with wonderful feathers people like to collect and use as fans.  No, here I am talking metaphorically; I am talking about those people who prefer to ignore obvious wrongdoings by sticking their heads firmly into the sand enabling them to totally deny the unpleasantness going on around them: but can they honestly deny it or are they lying to themselves?  Maybe it is good sometimes to be an ostrich, it is certainly safer, or is it?

I know that at times we all must put aside the realities so as to function in this whacked up society and deal with our own lives.  However, there are some things that should never be ignored.  For me, something that should not be ignored is behaviour that impacts on others such as bullying, and I've seen my share of that in my lifetime. 
Bullying is an interesting pattern of behaviour that can quickly get out of hand.  The "learned ones" separate those involved by labeling them either "bully" or "victim/target".  I would like to suggest a third participant - that being the observer or those standers by who "don't want to get involved", "mind their own business"  or think that they can pretend it is not there, just like an ostrich.  Can we really ignore it or does it affect us, perhaps we are suffocated by our heads in the sand attitude.

Over the years I've read some interesting articles on these behaviours and made a connection with what is known as the "Karpman Drama Triangle" - (look it up on Google) - it is perhaps the most common social game played and has dire consequences.  It requires three basic elements and can be played with three people or three groups of people.  I've seen the triangle form and I've seen others try to start it - which can actually be quite entertaining as their behaviour and methods are quite predictable.  I've also been dragged into one, a giant one at that and believe me, until the players and the game is understood, it is very confusing to say the least!  The only way out is to physically remove yourself from those involved, by trying to "save" others, you are actually extending the game.  Believe it or not, this brings great pleasure to the players who, even when you are removed from their presence, still imagine you a part even if it only through gossip, until they find a replacement.

Karpman argues that there are three roles consisting of "persecutor", "rescuer" and "victim", and players switch between these roles quite effectively and sometimes so rapidly you can lose their breath!  It's more entertaining than a movie but more aptly could be called a social bomb!  It only takes one player to engage two others and in less than five minutes, a new game is formed.

For example, the other week I was performing a task when another woman P (persecutor) took over, saying I was dumb, creating a V (victim).  I guess she wanted to big note herself.  I was not prepared to be her V so I walked away.  In the process P made a dreadful mess of it all and attempted to blame me, trying to make me the P and herself the V - see how quickly she switched from P to V?  Of course I reminded her that I had walked away.  Having moved from P to V she needed an R rescuer - and she found one in a fellow workmate who was quick to respond and make it all better. The interesting part of this was that although it was clear to both of them that I was well out of the picture, P kept trying to be a V by blaming me for her obvious mistake (trying to make me a P) and R was not sure what happened.  P/V kept vigil over R and would not allow her to speak with me alone.  I observed how P played the role of V when I was not in view but the minute I returned to the room, she tried to make me the P and her the V through the blame game. 

This is where I was entertained.  Having become familiar with the game some years ago I was able to predict her moves - and to my surprise, my predictions were exactly right!  Oh, just to finish my story, R quickly realised she was being used and took all the paper work into the office and told P/V to go home.  Did she? No actually, she stayed back to try again to engage R who, by now, was over the whole thing and went home herself leaving P/V totally void of anyone to play with and, her total confusion was apparent.

Can you see how easily it is played, even if one of the players leaves the game?  A name is all they need and let the games begin!  You are now warned - beware of drama queens (and kings)!  The only way to avoid involvement is to walk away from all players and stay right out of it.  So, is this where the ostrich comes into it?  Maybe.

If a herd of elephants was heading towards an ostrich which had its head buried deep in the sand - would it be protected, would the elephants see it and go around it?  What I am asking here is simple - we may not want to engage in the drama, but by our very presence, as an observer, are we not already part of it?  Are we not in some way involved?  Do we not immediately think something?  We may chose to remain silent and walk away, but it remains, we were involved because we observed, we witnessed.  So what are the responsibilities of a witness?  May our consciences be the guide to that answer.

If the pig sneezes ...

With Spring comes bugs, and not just the creepy ones on the pretty flowers that our kids bring in for us to smell, leaving them on the kitchen cupboard for said bugs to then crawl off said flowers into our flour canister! 

There is also the invasion of other bugs including chicken pox - ever wondered why it is called "chicken" pox?

Well, according to parentsoup.com (as opposed to chicken soup), the name originated because those vicious bumps apparently, to those centuries ago, look like chickpeas and, the Latin word for chick pea is cicer, and you can see where this is going can't you?

Tissue companies love spring, hay fever, colds, flu etc = big profits!
Loved this cartoon, I took the liberty of changing the words a little, the original was R-rated.  Let's hope Piglet doesn't get swine flu.

I pose the question - if Pooh Bear got the flu - would it be called Pooh Flooh?

Until next time - keep smiling!

Relief Society Anniversary at Sutherland 2010

We had such a wonderful time - these are the photos of the sisters and the food - what a wonderful evening! What wonderful friends!