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Post by renwdimgink on May 24, 2009 9:19:30 GMT -5
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Post by Charlotte on May 24, 2009 11:27:16 GMT -5
Bless Jerry and John, us and Humanity, whom and who they benefited.
Yes, I attended yesterday's Vesper at St. Mathew, clearly spoken by Father Aquaro, who afterwards, as I signed the Guest Book, came and introduced himself. We spoke a few minutes, me saying that I first visited St. Steven's, then the Mission Parish of Fr Tomasi, where someone told me of St. Mathew "right around the corner." Convenient it is, 10 minutes vs a good hour if the freeways are free.
Fr Aquaro, who resembles Bishop Maxim in Cauntenance, then welcomed me with a handshake and warm smile and invited me to the Liturgy today. Relative to St. Steven's the Church is modest, but I felt good in it.
Wasn't the Blind Man's Vesper before? Do they repeat every so often?
Well, yes, the changing of facial expression, body language, and general improvement of our health and environment is what I meant with the word delightful. I have to get ready, but have more to say later.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on May 24, 2009 16:25:57 GMT -5
I believe you're thinking of the paralytic. It's a yearly cycle.
You are certainly getting a well-rounded experience of the different ethnic Churches,which is a good thing! You will have to try a Greek one,some day, just to make it complete...
Our Deacon gave a very good homily today on the Gospel. One thing He said fit in with what we were saying about ATTENTION. He said,that,in the words of the Fathers,"The eyes are like two arms which reach out to touch whatever it is that we love the most."
Another similar thing which relates to this is The Fathers definition of "Drunkenness," which is" to love anything more than we love God." !!! (And by that definition,most everyone is walking around in a state of drunkenness most of the time!)
The Orthodox,however,are not usually,known to be,"Teetotalers" (Whatever THAT means?) After all, The first miracle that Jesus performed was to change water into wine.
In one of our "Prayers before sleep," where we are asking for forgiveness for various offenses we may have committed during the day there is one which reads, not,"If I've been drinking alcohol," but, "If I have drunk EXCESSIVELY...,"
So,"Moderation in all things," is recommended...
Looking forward to hearing how your morning went.
Steven
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Post by Charlotte on May 24, 2009 19:37:28 GMT -5
Had to wait to be logged out from morning lest it happens during the post.
Thank you, Steven, I did confuse the paralytic with the blind. I think there are two more Churches in the South Bay, perhaps one is Greek. How beautiful and true:
"The eyes are like two arms which reach out to touch whatever it is that we love most". It's been long since I asked "officially" for forgiveness of transgressions before sleep, but sort of do it my own way. I drink only on special occasions and moderately, understand the miracle of changing of water into wine, and wasn't the first Commandment in the Temple of Apollo "Nothing in Excess" also? The second "Know Thyself"?
This morning at St. Matthew's I immediately felt "Community", everyone was singing with heartfelt devotion, it was beautiful. I felt a strong bond between Fr Aquaro and the people, and equally strong and most reverend bond with Rt. Fra Paul M. Doyle. When the Elder Gentleman, full of Grace, spoke/sang you could hear a pin drop at times, even the children seemed to hold their breath. Several times the "otherworldly" Atmosphere was palpable, permiating the Church and especially about the Altar. Can one say the Liturgy grew to be magical? As if Fr Aquaro knew/knows, he sang "we will not speak of the Mysteries....
After Communion, the Church Administrator tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a piece of blessed bread with the best smile and demeaner I cannot describe. Indeed, there is something very special about this Church and the Elder Rev. Paul M. Doyle. It was the best of my four experiences, four also being the number of analysis, but I do want to visit with the Greeks.
At the end, Father Aquaro spoke on the significance of Memorial Day, meetings and such. He seems to run a tight ship and doesn't take too kindly to people who walk in "when we're almost out the door". There is also a book store, and the people there too gather for lunch, but I left, "Moderation in all things", allow me....
I want to say a few things about spirits, but simply have to shred the last box of 7 years of bank papers, checks, and all papers with my name, adress etc., on it to close this chapter, glancing over my life in the process. And guess what I found among these papers? A Dead post card with handwritten Season's Greetings from Jerry, and another written on his behalf from "Julie", hoping that the weather is, and is probably great in XX, typical lol, in response to mine. Does this qualify for things happening in harmony of with what is here currently?
Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on May 25, 2009 11:18:30 GMT -5
Reader 1000
I think you know that with statements such as "I am pleased to know that you lend credence to dreams", I don't mean you would adhere to them as many people adjust their daily lives by looking up in the morning in an interpreters handbook what their dream means. (I interpret my dreams according to what's happening in my life). Similarely, many people do what their psychic adviser suggests even if nothing works. I knew a Lady who kept giving her son medicine even though it made him sick because the Doctor had prescribed it. The cause of such being that those people were trained during upbringing to blindly believe authority, whether of the psyche, scientific, religious, or political, and once grown up, are daily bombarded with so much garbage that I hear many people say, "I don't know what's what anymore", resonating with your description concerning the Spirit World.
I think there is a basic hard-wired safeguard in every person as to perceiving other realities, which you aptly describe. I had visions of benevolent kind only, never saw spirits or heard voices, but felt presences of both kind, benevolent and malevolent while awake. The former I cherished, the latter I banned by calling a circle of Angels about me. While slumbering one evening, I heard someone jumping from my bedroom window next to my bed, and heard a few footstep. That was scary, I knew it wasn't a physical body, I opened my eyes, sat up and called upon my angels.
When I lived in a different house, someone hit me twice on the shoulder while 'going to sleep'. This I knew was my neighbor who recently passed away. She hit me quite hard because she did not like me very much, and was around for quite some time.
There is a story to this. I visited her in the hospital, she couldn't speak but took my hand, and I tried to ease her difficult time. After about a minute I began to feel faint and perspire terribly, but had enough strenght left to withdraw my hand, and walk to the next room. There, her son asked what was wrong with me, why was soaked in sweat, I told him nothing, that I just needed some time to gather my wits, which I did, and walking out the Hospital door, the entire world was empty and new, yet in the "background" all was the same, which gradually became the foreground again. It was a powerful experience, to say the least.
All you say concerning spirits I understand and agree with, having learned of it before also.
I hope you, and all other Readers, are having a good weekend.
Charlotte
Born spiritually blind
INCIPIT
Before lip touches lip, ere the eyes weep, Or hands reach out or feet run here and there, We dream not thus, not dimly are aware, But one with an all-knowing sentient deep, Where life is merged in Being, as the light Of stars in day. Then once a soft enquiring Troubles our quiet, we stir with old desiring, And lean to earth, draw in, and lose our sight; Tremble, and know not if with fear or bliss, Feeling Love's wings beat near us in the night, And closing sense and gross responsive limbs, We, yet not we; then mused we test our might, And with a terrible cry the spirit dims, Desperate too late beneath our mother's kiss.
The Divine Poet
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Post by renwdimgink on May 26, 2009 10:27:50 GMT -5
Many years ago,some friends of mine and I were fooling around with a ouija board. At first,I was skeptical that it would work,but,sure enough,when we put our fingers on the planchette it started to move and spell out things and we developed a relationship with one particular entity that we used to communicate with. Eventually,this one friend of mine and I were in Boston and were using the board to send messages back and forth to other friends of ours in California,(kind of like an early version of e-mail...)
What started to happen though,is that we began to be more and more sensitive to these invisible beings who were trying to communicate with us and we would feel them hovering around us,wanting us to get out the board and talk to them. Next thing you know it was like we had opened the floodgates and we were constantly being besieged by all sorts of entities wanting to get to us,almost as if there was a big sign on the other side saying,"Humans who are aware of us! Right this way! Come one,come all!"
Finally,it just got to be too much.Then,some unpleasant and unfriendly entities started showing up and we began to have a series of unfortunate accidents and other strange coincidences and experiences. At that point,we just said,"We've had it. That's enough." and we got rid of the thing.
Now,with Orthodoxy,it's a similar kind of thing.We are learning how to focus our ATTENTION in different ways.We are becoming more sensitive.We are communicating with the Saints and Angels.We're praying for our departed loved ones,and especially,we are trying to focus on and draw near to Jesus and the Mother of God. We're developing a closer and closer relationship with them. Because,ultimately,Orthodox Christianity is not a "Philosophy" or a set of "Rules" to follow,but,a personal relationship with the living God.
At the same time,however, we are opening our awareness up to all kinds of other beings and forces as well,the veil between this world and the others is getting thinner and thinner,thus the need for caution and discernment. Especially,as we begin to make real progress in our spiritual life,we discover that there are some invisible beings who do not have our best interest in mind,who envy our potential and seem to be dedicated to trying to keep us from accomplishing our aims.
In fact,we are at war,not only with the mind of the world,which denies the existence of God and our own true nature,and with our OWN fallen nature,but with these invisible beings,as well.
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood,but against powers and principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places."
Only those who have not tried to "swim against the current"can harbor any illusions on this subject. As soon as we try to draw closer to God,to wake up and rediscover who and what we rally are are,we find a thousand obstacles thrown in our path.
Perhaps these experiences are not so much the result of "evil" as a "Touchstone" for gold,to see in which direction our will truly inclines?
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Post by renwdimgink on May 26, 2009 15:13:46 GMT -5
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Post by renwdimgink on May 27, 2009 3:27:23 GMT -5
And so,we find ourselves back where we started from with the whole reason I began this thread in "Countdown to Armageddon"
Armageddon is the final battle between good and evil which takes place on the battleground of our own heart.
The weapons it is fought with are,Watchfulness and Prayer.
"Guard the eye of the heart from evil suggestions as you would guard your physical eye from a needle."
"Watch AND Pray,lest you enter into temptation."
The sign of the cross and the Jesus prayer are the greatest defense we have been given against evil suggestions. (As depicted in the Icon of St.Seraphim in the previous post...)
And finally,"Our inner state becomes our outer environment."
By engaging ourselves in this "Unseen warfare," we alleviate the necessity of confronting these same ills out-pictured in our immediate environment.
Thus,we are enabled to make a graceful transition into the indescribably more glorious life of the world to come where every INTENTION will be an INSTANTANEOUS act of creation.
The "End of the world," is not something to be feared,as the media would have us believe.
Rather,the "End of the World," is a consummation devoutly to be wished for,because on the other side of the end of the world is the Kingdom of Heaven.
The"End of the world," as we are defining it here, is a state of being that takes place within ourselves. As Orthodox Christians,we are trying to, "Immenentize the Eschaton," or, "bring about the end of the world" in ourselves, so that we may begin to live with a "Foretaste" of the Kingdom of Heaven in the here and now.
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Post by renwdimgink on May 27, 2009 3:37:42 GMT -5
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Post by Charlotte on May 27, 2009 8:49:25 GMT -5
Though I heard of ouija bord sessions and the like, I kept away from such gatherings, remembering the old German saying, be careful not to call spirits lest you don't know how to get rid of them.
Thinking more on spirits during work yesterday, I remembered wandering through the Forest and the spirits there as I now understand it. Then, I knew nothing of spirits, it was just the way one felt in the woods. Good thing too or I would have been frightened, as it was, I stopped now and then to look in the direction I thought I felt or heard something, which brings up the question, viz., as a child, being wholly unaware of other worlds interpenetrating this dimension, is one protected naturally? The only thing I was ever scared of, having heard stories, was the possibiltity of wild pigs charging me, but that never happened.
Time is running out on me this morning, I'll be back later.
Thank you
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on May 27, 2009 12:54:30 GMT -5
I certainly DO NOT recommend the Ouija board for the very reasons of your wise old German saying. We had a heck of a time getting rid of all those spirits we had opened ourselves up to.
The nature spirits,on the other hand are a different story.I've had some amusing experiences with them. I'll never forget being in the Panhandle of Golden Gate park in S.F. and suddenly coming apon some nature spirits whose conversation with me went something like this: "Hey. Look, there's a human who is aware of us. Hey you stupid human! Look at all this trash all over the place! What is wrong with you guys? How can you be so out of balance and harmony all the time? Don't you realize you're wrecking the whole place! Get it together!" After which I made it a point to always pick up whatever trash I saw lying around,especially in that particular area!
They are around everywhere,but we have been trained not to perceive them. In "Pagan" cultures,(Which,incidentally,only means,"Pre-Christian," without any of the negative connotation that has been unfairly attached to it...) the nature spirits were worshiped as gods,because the,"Primitive" people recognized the awesome work they do in the whole process of creation.
Perhaps you have read,years ago, a book about some people in Scotland who learned how to co-operate with the nature spirits and grew some remarkable vegetables: "The magic of Findhorn."
There's so much more going on here than meets the eye. The world is a weird and wonderful place, if only we have the eyes to see...
And yet,people just continue on in their blindness,taking what's on the surface as "Par for the course!"
Lord Have Mercy!
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Post by renwdimgink on May 27, 2009 13:12:45 GMT -5
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Post by Charlotte on May 28, 2009 9:30:12 GMT -5
Uncanny characters in The Matrix. It is true that all of us are slaves, more or less, in the inner and outer worlds, but then life here is to learn how to free ourselves, which is what everyone is engaged in whether they know it or not, as both of us have noted before.
The question was: "Do you believe in Fate?" The man doesn't like the idea of not being in control of his destiny and answers "no". I believe in Fate, a predetermined journey depending on circumstances and conditions at the very beginning, let's say the Fall causing action perpetuated by reaction until we intervene, which is our theme here. Nevertheless, as we fell in an orderly manner through the planets, it is said, so we have to ascend in an orderly manner and not one step can be omitted by force, I contend. We spoke about this pattern running through all creation. We cannot change Fate as every jot and tittle has to be accounted for before we can make progress in our spiritual life. Proportionally also, our inner state will reflect our outer environment. Fate has to be fulfilled to the vanishing point in all worlds.
We are swimming against the stream to draw closer to God and our own true nature and a thousand obstacles are thrown in our path, says Krishna, "There is a war that opens the doors to heaven, Arjuna! Happy the warriors whose fate is to fight such a war." A Touchstone for Gold and a Touchstone for Love.
I read much on Nature Spirits some years ago, though not the book you mention, and we agree on the awesome work they do in the whole process of creation. Not being aware of their existence, I never had a conversation with any during my wanderings, probably because there wasn't any trash in the Forests, only berries and mushrooms, but they could have made themselves known and told me a wonderful story.
It's hard for me to keep up with you, Mr. Berger, work, appointments etc., reading, trying to complete my book "Charlotte's Web and Francis Bacon" so I can sit on my Laurels and live in luxery were it not for so much going on here.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on May 28, 2009 10:11:09 GMT -5
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Post by renwdimgink on May 28, 2009 11:48:45 GMT -5
P.S. Don't worry about keeping up with me.I could ramble on like this forever. I'm just trying to get it all said before the end comes so that I will have done my job of making all of it available to others.
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Post by Charlotte on May 29, 2009 9:26:01 GMT -5
I looked at all links and read The Assumption, again, fine language.
Ultimately, Orthodox Christianity is not a "Philosophy" or a set of "Rules" to follow, but, a personal relationship with the living God.
After boasting of being an Atheist (which I myself never quite believed) for a few years after leaving the Catholic Church, I did establish by simple conversation a personal relationship with God, leaving much to be desired. In any case, there was no one else to speak with, neither would I have told any human being my innermost thoughts.
I thought about The Youngbloods several times the past two weeks, and if Love is all I need my cup runneth over I almost said.
Wishing you a good, interesting and enjoyable trip to Arizona and so back with your daughter.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on May 29, 2009 11:47:33 GMT -5
Thank you! Best wishes to you while I'm away.
Yours, Steven
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Post by renwdimgink on May 30, 2009 23:54:57 GMT -5
Couldn't resist this parting shot:
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 1, 2009 8:52:48 GMT -5
His face as sweet as his voice of sunshine....
In Dead Concerts, he was as Socrates in this: No Symposium ever started without Socrates being present, no matter how long he stood there listening to his Genius.
No Concert ever started without Jerry, no matter how long he picked about on his guitar strings, in the dark, his bent back turned to his fans who called for him with voiceless energy interspersed with joyful cry's of expectancy, and when he finally stepped into the Light the crowd and energy rose bending and flowing toward him and the Band lifting All up 1001 degrees. That's how much we loved him, and love him.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 6, 2009 14:39:26 GMT -5
While driving past your general neighborhood on my way home with Elizabeth,this old favorite of mine came to mind: This evening is the vigil for the Feast of Pentecost which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the availability of that same Spirit of Wholeness and Truth to be poured out upon each one of us,if we so desire... www.anastasis.org.uk/PentAll.htmThis is the final Feast of the Paschal season we have been celebrating for the past several months. As always, the language of these services is beautiful and exalted. It is,by far,one of my favorites and I wish you many Blessings on the Feast! If I could sum things up in a nutshell,I would have to say this: "I believe wholeheartedly that there is ANOTHER KIND of reality that we are being prepared to enter into. Furthermore, it is the choices we make in this life,on a day to day,moment to moment basis,which determine,not only our ongoing fate in this world,but,perhaps even more so,how GRACEFULLY,we will enter into this OTHER KIND of reality. Therefor,it behooves us to choose carefully in every decision we are faced with and that, it is the business of the Church to help us in our ability to choose wisely." May the acquisition of the Holy Spirit teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance.
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 6, 2009 15:32:24 GMT -5
Here are several more to go along with "Topanga windows":
There are certain songs I like because of a feeling of "Melancholy" which they convey, a feeling which the Fathers define as,"A longing for what we have lost in Paradise."
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 6, 2009 23:18:17 GMT -5
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 7, 2009 9:06:03 GMT -5
Here are a few more really great "Melancholy" type songs...
Now,this one doesn't really have the same vibe,(It's a little too upbeat...) but,it's still a great song:
The question is,"What is it that we have really lost? and,how can we get it back?"
One more:
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 7, 2009 9:41:17 GMT -5
There is a Russian word to which the nearest English equivalent would be,"A joy-making sorrow." It is both,a recognition of what we have lost and,at the same time,of the possibility we have been given of getting it back. This song by Pink Floyd comes close to expressing that:
(Play it loud.)
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 7, 2009 10:26:57 GMT -5
Searching for the Kings of Jerusalem yesterday, I came upon the very painting, and the Vespers. Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 7, 2009 10:47:53 GMT -5
The Divine Poet of Verulam
Lov'st thou thy life, then must thou too love me; In this some store of solace sweet I find, Propping my suit when passion wants a plea, Upon the subtler logic of the mind; Whereof if thou the argument would'st know, 'Tis this, that of thy life my life is part, Here while thou'rt here, and gone when thou dost go, Who of my every sense sole sovereign art; So dost, living, to thy life confess That kindness wherin I thus claim a share, Since what thou giv'st thy life thou must no less Give me, or else thy life with mine forswear.
And so, when we may love's fond claim debate, Thou art my witness, judge and advocate.
8th October
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 7, 2009 17:31:34 GMT -5
I was short on time this morning, the full Moon flooded my living room and I sat with my coffee cup fo quiet a while in it's light, then reached for Shakespeare. 'Twas one of those mornings in untrammeled Heights and to dissolve by.
But I love Refinement And the Beautiful are for me As the desire for Sunlight
So I was destracted when logging on, finding the Vesper, book, and the many songs, for which I thank you. Procol Harum is one of few "clear lyrics" singers, and his Whiter Shade of Pale has moved me many times.
I also attended the past two Vespers at St. Matthew, sadly, there were only two of us at the first, one a Church Usher, at the second three of us, one the same Usher. It didn't matter to me. There is a constant petitioning for Mercy and Blessings, and "Let us pray to the Lord" for the President of the United States, all secular Institutions, our armed forces everywhere in the World, all Cities, Friend and Foe, and everybody else, so to speak. Several times during the Service the aforementioned Elder Reverend turns and says "Wisdom", which I like, and 'I will not speak of thy mysteries to thine enemies' reminds me of WS 'Let him approach, a stranger, no offender' to learn of his mysteries.
Thought I sort of give a progress report. Life of the Holy Apostles with its Poetic, and yes, exalted and tutorial language is hard to put down.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 8, 2009 10:23:46 GMT -5
Speaking of Shakespeare-I am re-reading "The Magus" by John Fowles,which references and is similar in many respects ,to "The Tempest." Ever Read it?
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 8, 2009 11:44:27 GMT -5
No, but I have an incredible book "The Magus" by Francis Barret, containing extractions of "the science of Magnetism out of the copious and elaborate works of that most celebrated philosopher (by fire) Van Helmont".
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jun 9, 2009 14:38:39 GMT -5
Found a copy of the book you mentioned online and took a look at it.I began reading the first chapter where it talks about the creation of man as microcosm and the fall and consequences of the fall. Very interesting. And,of course,the information about what is known as,"Sympathetic magic," and the whole science of "Sympathetic vibrations," is very interesting as well. While not going into such detail about it,(Such as,how to make amulets against the plague by using toads and so on and so forth...) This is how difficulties are resolved in Orthodoxy,by applying a higher vibration in a given situation that resolves the conflict from above,rather than trying to confront an obstacle on the same level as it is encountered.
The novel,"The Magus," is about an experimental form of interactive theater which dissolves the boundaries between stage,actors and audience,in which the "characters" in the "Play" help the "Audience" to go through a cathartic experience meant to bring them to "Self-Knowledge," and,at least,to some degree of "Self-Realization."
The book is similar in theme to a movie starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn,called,"The Game."
I just realized that the main characters in both the book and the movie have the same name,(Nicholas) Perhaps a tip of the hat to the book where the idea came from?
If I could afford it,I would open a restaurant called,"Dinner Theater," along the same lines...It would be a truly unique dinning experience!
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