Morning Lizards!

Gluten Morgen
lol

re: #1 rightside

howdy Rightside! Happy Friday! Remember, it's only two more working days until Monday.

Morning rightside. How's things with you today?

Ok, hit the bong and listen ;)

It seems that Labor got a good beating in the UK.
The Tories had a string of victories, the best in quite a few years.

Haven't found information in English, though.

re: #3 BulgarWheat

Bulgar! and only 5 more working days til next weekend!

good morning all

re: #6 MigueldowninMexico

It seems that Labor got a good beating in the UK.
The Tories had a string of victories, the best in quite a few years.

Haven't found information in English, though.

Ok I found something posted on CNN 3 minutes ago.

re: #4 galloping granny

Morning GG, been fighting a cold now for weeks, had to take Tuesday and yesterday off, but need to go in today. Feeling better, but still crappy.

re: #7 rightside

I must have dropped my calendar and broke it, heh

It's almost time to go wake the mini-wheats and prepare them for another day of education.

Good morning Lizardim. 60 degrees in the yawning darkness of Chamblee. 60 degrees, going up to around 80. Looks to be a beautiful spring day here, though rain is on the horizon it seems.

You can’t step twice into the same river.

— Heraclitus

To which his student Cratylus responded, you can't even step in the same river once.

re: #10 rightside

Morning GG, been fighting a cold now for weeks, had to take Tuesday and yesterday off, but need to go in today. Feeling better, but still crappy.

People here recommend a few shots of tequila with lime, just before going to bed, then spend a night sleeping and sweating.
The cold most probably will go away.

Hey RTLM,

I saw your note about 'Next' on the previous thread -- is it good?

The "responsibility to protect" (R2P) doctrine out­lines the conditions in which the international com­munity is obligated to intervene in another country, militarily if necessary, to prevent genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other atrocities. Despite its noble goals, the United States should treat the R2P doctrine with extreme caution.

Adopting a doctrine that compels the United States to act to prevent atrocities occurring in other countries would be risky and imprudent. U.S. independence— hard won by the Founders and successive genera­tions of Americans—would be compromised if the United States consented to be legally bound by the R2P doctrine. The United States needs to preserve its national sovereignty by maintaining a monopoly on the decision to deploy diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, political coercion, and especially its mili­tary forces.

[Link: frontpagemag.com...]

re: #10 rightside

Morning GG, been fighting a cold now for weeks, had to take Tuesday and yesterday off, but need to go in today. Feeling better, but still crappy.

Fighting a cold for weeks? That is no cold I've ever heard of. Have you been to the doctor?

re: #15 Cognito

Hey RTLM,

I saw your note about 'Next' on the previous thread -- is it good?

Yes, very.

A message to liberals from The Beatles.

re: #14 MigueldowninMexico

People here recommend a few shots of tequila with lime, just before going to bed, then spend a night sleeping and sweating.
The cold most probably will go away.

My old Spanish teacher used to recommend the French cure. You acquire a hot water bottle, all the blankets in the house, some flannel pj's and three bottles of fine champagne. Climb into the pjs and drink one bottle of champagne. Put the hot water bottle in the bed, pile all the blankets on top and sit in a chair beside the bed drinking bottle number two. Get in the bed and drink bottle number three. When you awake you will be cured. Of the cold at least.

re: #20 galloping granny

My old Spanish teacher used to recommend the French cure. You acquire a hot water bottle, all the blankets in the house, some flannel pj's and three bottles of fine champagne. Climb into the pjs and drink one bottle of champagne. Put the hot water bottle in the bed, pile all the blankets on top and sit in a chair beside the bed drinking bottle number two. Get in the bed and drink bottle number three. When you awake you will be cured. Of the cold at least.

Hahahaha.
That's quite a treatment!
One day I have to try!

There's a real shocker up at the Ministry of Truth this morning. Apparently neighboring Muslim nations are not fulfilling their $ pledges to the Palistinian Authority. That may be a good thing being done for the wrong reasons, but either way, Rice and Ban Ki Moonbat are making the usual pleas for more talk and more money.

re: #17 galloping granny

Dr.? what's that?

seriously though, it comes and goes...I had it for a few days, then it went away for a week... felt fine, then BAM! right back. I keep taking Vitamin C and other stuff, but I just can't seem to shake it out of me. Some days I feel absolutely perfect, and then the next day, I am completely congested again.

re: #21 MigueldowninMexico

Hahahaha.
That's quite a treatment!
One day I have to try!

Though I would have to save for that treatment. Three bottles of good Champagne don't cost peanuts lol ;)

Trickle Down Theory: Reverse Osmosis?

More than three million Latin American immigrants in the United States, responding to the economic downturn and new uncertainties about their future, have stopped sending money home to their families in the last two years...

..But Latino immigrant workers who participated i said they were not ready to leave the US quite yet, Instead of going home, the immigrants said they were taking jobs at lower wages or sometimes working two jobs to try to maintain their income.

...Despite the worsening conditions in the United States, 69 percent of the immigrants in the survey said their financial situation was good or excellent compared with their prospects at home.

3.2 million immigrants who would lose income because they would no longer receive transfers from the United States were among the poorest in the region, and the majority were in Mexico.

.

'Scuse me, while I whip this out:

I think I'm really on to something with my "Michelle is the Barack-Wright connection" thing. When asked if she was angry about Rev. Eright's speech, she said she was. But when Meredith Vieira asked if she felt the Rev. Wright had betrayed her husband, she dodged the question! She won't throw stones at the guy who's shellacking her husband!

I think that both Barack Obama and jeremiah Wright are a bit surprised at each other, because Michelle Obama has been the shuttle between them, creating the appearance of an alliance when really, there was none. Now they both thought they were getting a lot of mileage out of each other, but Michelle Obama may have been lubricating that relationship through some creative fibs.

So Barack Obama knows that he is the family pastor, and the Mrs. Obama has all sorts of good things to say about him. and Rev. Wright knows that Barack Obama is his pocket politician, and Michelle Obama reassures Wright that her husband is quietly "down with" all of that.

Once the Senator and the Reverend were forced to assess each other in public, the lies fell away. And between Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright, the loathsome Wright was the only one who told the truth! His cards are on the table--the Obamas still have much to hide.

re: #25 Egfrow

The majority of the rich immigrants are from Mexico too.
And the majority of the fat immigrants.
And the majority of the slender immigrants.
LOL

The majority of immigrants are from Mexico. Period.

re: #23 rightside

Dr.? what's that?

seriously though, it comes and goes...I had it for a few days, then it went away for a week... felt fine, then BAM! right back. I keep taking Vitamin C and other stuff, but I just can't seem to shake it out of me. Some days I feel absolutely perfect, and then the next day, I am completely congested again.

That is NOT a cold. You might be having allergies - this is the season for them and what you are describing sounds much like what many experience. Vitamin C will do nothing for that. If you are in your early 20s infectious mononucleosis might also be a possibility.

re: #24 MigueldowninMexico

Though I would have to save for that treatment. Three bottles of good Champagne don't cost peanuts lol ;)

I've never tried it. Always found it amusing though.

re: #28 galloping granny

If you are in your early 20s infectious mononucleosis might also be a possibility.

The kissy-face disease?

One of my older co-workers has come down with whooping cough; we've also had sinus infections going around.

Good morning, Lizards.

(haakondahl, I think you're right.)

re: #29 galloping granny

I've never tried it. Always found it amusing though.

It IS amusing lol

The tequila treatment is easier and cheaper :p

But if the problem is allergy then I guess some antyhistaminic should be had, right?

re: #28 galloping granny

chuckles...I am 44. I've never suffered with allergies before, is that something that can just "happen"? I thought you either have them, or don't...

re: #31 goddessoftheclassroom

Good morning, Lizards.

(haakondahl, I think you're right.)

Good morning Goddess :)

Ok, the Most Logical Song I know.

lounge lizzards

re: #33 rightside

chuckles...I am 44. I've never suffered with allergies before, is that something that can just "happen"? I thought you either have them, or don't...

YUP! It can just "happen", and often does.

re: #29 galloping granny

I've never tried it. Always found it amusing though.

I'll just take the champagne, preferable a whole bunch of Big Orange.

re: #36 yochanan

lounge lizzards

Actually I have been to the lounge very little for a time now.
I should go back there more often.

re: #30 Lucius Septimius

The kissy-face disease?

One of my older co-workers has come down with whooping cough; we've also had sinus infections going around.

Yup, the kissing disease. Here in the US most people have that before they are 3 and it gets passed off as a cold, mostly goes unnoticed. Some don't though, so they can get rather ill in their teens/early twenties.

Whooping cough in a older person? That is pretty unusual. The DPT shots we all get as infants and the "boosters" you might remember from elementary and before you went off to college provide pretty secure immunity to that.

re: #31 goddessoftheclassroom

Morning Goddess. Exams start today and I have piles of papers to grade. How's tricks?

Rev Wright/Obama: Pure political opportunism in both heads.
And Wright will keep talking.

(For a guy who claims to support America he's sure surrounded himself with a pack of America haters - wifey included)

Duh What!........

FORT WORTH, Texas — Charles Ray Fuller must have been planning one big record company.

The 21-year-old North Texas man was arrested last week for trying to cash a $360 billion check, saying he wanted to start a record business. Tellers at the Fort Worth bank were immediately suspicious — perhaps the 10 zeros on a personal check tipped them off.

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

re: #34 MigueldowninMexico

Good morning Goddess :)

{MigueldowninMexico)

Zyrtec D is now available over the counter, and it works better than any other allergy medicine I've had.

{rightside}--if your nasal mucus is clear, it's probably an allergy. If new plants are blooming in your area, the weather pattern different, or there's anything new in your house (pets, plants, fabrics, etc), any could trigger an allergy.

re: #37 littleoldlady

YUP! It can just "happen", and often does.

Talking out of personal experience?

re: #40 galloping granny

My understanding is that the tetanus booster now also is proof against whooping cough -- is that true?

re: #37 littleoldlady

Well, that's not right!

re: #45 MigueldowninMexico

Talking out of personal experience?

Yup! :-)

re: #33 rightside

chuckles...I am 44. I've never suffered with allergies before, is that something that can just "happen"? I thought you either have them, or don't...

Oh, no - allergies are not something that you either have or don't like red hair or blue eyes. Allergies happen when your immune system becomes sensitized to particular proteins or parts thereof. Every time you are then further exposed, the allergy becomes worse.

re: #27 MigueldowninMexico

Hi Miguel, The posting of this article was not to indicate an anti-immigrant sentiment but rather to point how where the reverse flow of economic stagnation starts first. All of our preferred 'trading partners' have very little respect for value in real property and intellectual property, and we act surprised when our own innovations are used against us without our consent.

Illigall Immigrants feel the reverse osmosis effect to wealth first because they are on the fringes and also have the net effect of draining the blood of those they leach from to the point of death. It takes no effort to leach off the back of sick creature. Mexico is going to be a very hard price for their strategy of parasitic economics with the USA. The price will move much higher up the food chain to the Liberals later in the year and next year.

i like the 'hot red head' cure

re: #41 Lucius Septimius

Morning Goddess. Exams start today and I have piles of papers to grade. How's tricks?

I offered my students the bonus opportunity of writing a sonnet in the style of Shakespeare. I offered an after school workshop to help them, and about 10 showed up. They get the rhyme scheme, but the meter is the killer.

Funny enough, I can think in iambic pentameter, so I can write a sonnet rather easily.

NEW YORK (AP) - entertainmentminute After three decades of keeping mum, Barbara Walters now says she had a past affair with married U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, whom she remembers as "exciting" and "brilliant."
Appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" scheduled to air Tuesday, Walters shares details of her relationship with Brooke that lasted several years in the 1970s, according to a transcript of the show provided to The Associated Press.

A moderate Republican from Massachusetts who took office in 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. Both he and Walters knew that public knowledge of their affair could have ruined his career as well as hers, Walters says.

At the time, the twice-divorced Walters was a rising star in TV news and co-host of NBC's "Today" show, but would soon jump to ABC News, where she has enjoyed unrivaled success. Her affair with Brooke, which never before came to light, had ended before he lost his bid for a third term in 1978.

Brooke later divorced, and has since remarried. Calls to a listing for Brooke in Miami by The Associated Press were not immediately returned Thursday.

[Link: www.breitbart.com...]

re: #48 littleoldlady

Yup! :-)

I thought so.
Have you tried Zyrtec D? (as by goddess recommendation)
;)

re: #44 goddessoftheclassroom

{MigueldowninMexico)

Zyrtec D is now available over the counter, and it works better than any other allergy medicine I've had.

{rightside}--if your nasal mucus is clear, it's probably an allergy. If new plants are blooming in your area, the weather pattern different, or there's anything new in your house (pets, plants, fabrics, etc), any could trigger an allergy.

Yellow also indicates allergy, especially plant/pollen allergies.

re: #43 storagemanager

Duh What!........

[Link:

re: #52 goddessoftheclassroom

I offered my students the bonus opportunity of writing a sonnet in the style of Shakespeare. I offered an after school workshop to help them, and about 10 showed up. They get the rhyme scheme, but the meter is the killer.

Funny enough, I can think in iambic pentameter, so I can write a sonnet rather easily.

I can only think in doggerel.

We had to write a bit once in HS in the style of Dante consigning someone we knew to their own personal circle of Hell. That was a fun assignment.

re: #55 galloping granny

Wow, I didn't know that!

An early morning snot thread?

Dem Operative Asks McCain If He Called His Wife a C*nt ...Update: He Ran Biden's Office- Is an Obama Supporter!

[Link: gatewaypundit.blogspot.com...]

re: #50 Egfrow

The "strategy of parasitic economy" is absolutely real.
The darn government here should start stopping that and creating enough good jobs down here to relay more and more on our own possibilities.

They say they are doing something about it. I give them the benefit of the doubt and pray they really do something.
Still, even with the best programs it's going to take years.

Hello :)

re: #57 Lucius Septimius

OH, I love The Divine Comedy! Although it's in the 11th grade text, the teachers don't cover it because it's "too hard" and they want to cover "nonWestern lit."

Until American kids have a grasp of the foundations of Western lit, nonWestern lit can wait...

re: #55 galloping granny

Yellow also indicates allergy, especially plant/pollen allergies.

Green. Around here when the trees start to bud up we all breathe green.

re: #44 goddessoftheclassroom

morning goddess,

it is clear at first, then gets dull yellow. There's tons of pollen around here, our cars are always covered in it, but it has never bothered me before. My wife and son both have allergies, and both take Zyrtec D (at $25 a box each, thank you). My throat is so tight with phlegm during the night and in the mornings, but by the end of the day, it has broken and loosened up, and am able to cough it up. I also feel that dizziness associated for me anyway, with colds. *shrugs*

re: #59 Lucius Septimius

An early morning snot thread?

I have COPD..I snot everyday...lol

Here's the BBC page with more details of the election.

This was an election for local officals.

Previously the Labor and the Tories were very close in control of local governments, but after Friday that has changed.

Notice too that the BNP appears to have significantly increased there presence in local bodies, though their total % is still rather small.

re: #46 Lucius Septimius

My understanding is that the tetanus booster now also is proof against whooping cough -- is that true?

Maybe - the DPT booster is "diptheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus." This is the one you would have been given as a child and just before you went off to college.

A "tetanus" booster is only for tetanus.

The only way to know which specific one you are getting is to ask.

Good morning, Lizards!
Just driving by as its pretty much afternoon hereabouts - and I need to do some more leetle chores, like getting lunch.

BBL

re: #59 Lucius Septimius

An early morning snot thread?

Once in another life I was the personal secretary to the head of the entire University of Oxford. I was generally a good proofreader, but one day , a typo sneaked by:

doe snot = does not

Thankfully, the registrar caught it and had a sense of humor.

re: #62 goddessoftheclassroom

OH, I love The Divine Comedy! Although it's in the 11th grade text, the teachers don't cover it because it's "too hard" and they want to cover "nonWestern lit."

Until American kids have a grasp of the foundations of Western lit, nonWestern lit can wait...

Absolutely!

re: #63 littleoldlady

Green. Around here when the trees start to bud up we all breathe green.

With green you have to be careful because green is also a big clue to a true sinus infection. Yellow-green (which some might call yellow and others green) is usually allergy. Green green or a darkish green, especially if you have a nasty taste too, is a true sinus infection.

re: #61 MigueldowninMexico

As long as the perception of Class Struggle and Entitlement remains the focus of those in power in Mexico, this will never change. It's only class struggle when those who are in power promote the lack of rights of all individuals as a matter of race entitlement. ie. You are poor because the rich have robbed you and the whites are to blame.

re: #14 MigueldowninMexico

lol, I swore off tequila long ago!

re: #62 goddessoftheclassroom

I have the Inferno on my shelf, but something tells me that Purgatorio and Paradiso are a lot less interesting.

re: #62 goddessoftheclassroom

Until American kids have a grasp of the foundations of Western lit, nonWestern lit can wait...

We had meetings yesterday for planning the history general curriculum in the fall. We're dumping the "non-western" part at least for the earlier section of the course so we can spend more time on Thucydides.

re: #73 rightside

lol, I swore off tequila long ago!

Me too -- whenever I drink it, Elvis takes over my body.

Thought for the day

Writing on the sub-prime mortgage fiasco and the buy-to-let boom, Jeff Randall quotes Charles MacKay:

"Men go mad in herds, but only recover their senses one by one."

MacKay was writing on the South Sea Bubble, but I think his apophthegm could be extended to other forms of collective madness: the madness that decreed that all cultures are equal; the madness that declared Islam to be a religion of peace, and a religion like any other.

How quickly and easily people were swept along. And how slow and painful - two steps forward and one step back - is the journey back to sanity. Let's hope we get there before it's too late

[Link: www.newenglishreview.org...]

re: #69 goddessoftheclassroom

Once in another life I was the personal secretary to the head of the entire University of Oxford. I was generally a good proofreader, but one day , a typo sneaked by:

doe snot = does not

Thankfully, the registrar caught it and had a sense of humor.

A buddy of mine once released some official correspondence with the city Yokosuka misspelled "Yokoksuka", which sounds like fightin' words!

re: #72 Egfrow

As long as the perception of Class Struggle and Entitlement remains the focus of those in power in Mexico, this will never change. It's only class struggle when those who are in power promote the lack of rights of all individuals as a matter of race entitlement. ie. You are poor because the rich have robbed you and the whites are to blame.

The Federal Government is in the hands of the Conservatives.
They don't believe in Class Struggle.
And the color/race narrative doesn't fly in Mexico.
The left has to find other constructions, because the color story has no echo in people here.

The "Mexican" leftists in the USA, by contrast, are very racist.

re: #75 Lucius Septimius

Thucy-wha?

/wonders if it's okay that HS English was more like World Lit when you're technically in the Far Southeast...

re: #73 rightside

lol, I swore off tequila long ago!

Don't be afraid :p
lol

re: #75 Lucius Septimius

We had meetings yesterday for planning the history general curriculum in the fall. We're dumping the "non-western" part at least for the earlier section of the course so we can spend more time on Thucydides.

Good! :)

MEXICO CITY - Migrant rights activists applauded a vote by Mexico's Congress to remove long-standing criminal penalties for undocumented migrants found in the country.

The measure passed unanimously in the lower house on Tuesday, a day after Senate approval. President Felipe Calderon's office declined to say whether he would sign the popular measure into law.

Mexican lawmakers saw the harsh penalties as an anachronism, and some noted Mexico also owes migrants better treatment.

Immigrants here, mostly Central Americans trying to reach the U.S., are often robbed, mistreated and subject to extortion by bandits and even police.

SNIP

Some Mexican officials acknowledged that the current harsh penalties weakened Mexico's position in arguing for better treatment of its own migrants in the United States.

SNIP

I wonder if that's the sole motive or, if they're trying to make it easier for iilegal immigrants from Central America to pass through in order to get here.

re: #76 Lucius Septimius

consider yourself lucky, whenever I drink it, Elvis comes out of my body...

re: #71 galloping granny

It's pretty easy to tell the difference. I'm talking kelly green.

My seasonal allergy basically involves sneezing like crazy for an hour every morning and itchy eyes for the rest of the day.

23000
:p

re: #74 laZardo

Paradiso is beautiful--it brings tears to the eyes (at least mine, and I admit I'm a sap).

re: #86 MigueldowninMexico

MAZEL TOV! :-)

re: #83 MandyManners

{MandyManners}!

I left a message for you last night--Brooks Brothers has cashmere on sale at 60% off! Still not cheap, of course.

re: #80 laZardo

Thucy-wha?

/wonders if it's okay that HS English was more like World Lit when you're technically in the Far Southeast...

Probably is -- the issue we face has to do with the general decline in reading scores and cultural literacy. It is almost too much to ask these days to have American college students read works in the western tradition because their general knowledge of things like the Bible, Greek/Roman mythology, etc. is practically nil. But they have at least some fuzzy sense that those things are out there. Try to read something from east Asia or even Arab texts and they are completely out to sea.

re: #88 littleoldlady

MAZEL TOV! :-)

Thanks LoL!
:)

re: #87 goddessoftheclassroom

Paradiso is beautiful--it brings tears to the eyes (at least mine, and I admit I'm a sap).

It is; there are also some interesting characters in purgatory.

Unless you have received a genuine, legitimate death threat, however - one that brings law enforcement authorities to your door, unannounced, to deliver the news to you and your family that someone wants you dead, you cannot begin to realize what a life altering experience such a visit can be. I speak from experience.

Beyond the practical inconvenience, beyond the nightmare of logistics, beyond everything else, you are faced with the stone-cold reality that because of your beliefs, your writings, your actions – or any or all of them – your life will never be the same.

Welcome to the war being fought in the shadows. Whether you are a warrior or a witness, you are part of it. Over time, the question will be whether you are the victim or victor. You’ve got to decide what you are willing to die for.

[Link: www.homelandsecurityus.com...]

re: #89 goddessoftheclassroom

{MandyManners}!

I left a message for you last night--Brooks Brothers has cashmere on sale at 60% off! Still not cheap, of course.

Kashmir?

The whole Divine Comedy is wonderful.

Although I'd take Beatrice for a guide over Virgil any old day ;)

/And so did Dante, actually lol

re: #86 MigueldowninMexico

Congrats.

It's my one year anniversary -- had hoped to make it to 10Kristens by today, but a bit shy, I'm afraid. Going back to work has put a real damper on my posting.

re: #85 littleoldlady

It's pretty easy to tell the difference. I'm talking kelly green.

My seasonal allergy basically involves sneezing like crazy for an hour every morning and itchy eyes for the rest of the day.

My worst allergy recently is to scents, particularly artificial scents. I cannot go anywhere near the aisle at the grocery that has all those Glade "air fresheners." No scented candles either. And I darned near choke to death any time I get near my sister's clove cigarettes - even within 50 feet or so and even if they are not lit. Nasty nasty stuff. (And this from the girl who was SO holier than thou for decades because she was the only one who didn't smoke. Started smoking at 45!)

re: #79 MigueldowninMexico

There is strong merit to your observation. The "Leftification" (my word), of the Latino community has a basis in the criminal street gangs of California where Leftist thinking has a nirvana of support and sympathy. Where conservative thinkers are parallelized with Political Correctness fever.

re: #90 Lucius Septimius

Probably is -- the issue we face has to do with the general decline in reading scores and cultural literacy. It is almost too much to ask these days to have American college students read works in the western tradition because their general knowledge of things like the Bible, Greek/Roman mythology, etc. is practically nil. But they have at least some fuzzy sense that those things are out there. Try to read something from east Asia or even Arab texts and they are completely out to sea.

AMEN!

I try to fill in the gaps as best I can. I call my students Visigoths in the hopes they'll look it up...

re: #96 Lucius Septimius

Congrats.

It's my one year anniversary -- had hoped to make it to 10Kristens by today, but a bit shy, I'm afraid. Going back to work has put a real damper on my posting.

Thanks! Congrat to you too!
You post a lot, man. Almost 10k in a year. I've made 23k in 3 1/2 years.

lol

re: #89 goddessoftheclassroom

{MandyManners}!

I left a message for you last night--Brooks Brothers has cashmere on sale at 60% off! Still not cheap, of course.

Snatch it!

re: #98 Egfrow

There is strong merit to your observation. The "Leftification" (my word), of the Latino community has a basis in the criminal street gangs of California where Leftist thinking has a nirvana of support and sympathy. Where conservative thinkers are parallelized with Political Correctness fever.

Exactly.
In very broad terms: Mexicans arrive quite conservative over there, get assaulted by all kind of leftists, and some of them become leftists themselves.
And on and on...

re: #95 MigueldowninMexico

The whole Divine Comedy is wonderful.

Although I'd take Beatrice for a guide over Virgil any old day ;)

/And so did Dante, actually lol

It's interesting noting what Petrarch did with the notion of Beatrice. While Dante wrote all those poems talking about her, Petrarchs are all about Laura. The names are significant:

Beatrice = the blessed life
Laura = laurels -- the life of secular honors

What for Dante a generation earlier seemed like a pretty straight forward choice was for Petrarch much more complicated. In the contrast between the two, as illustrated in the two sets of poems, lies the transition from medieval to Renaissance. Or so they tell me.