Queen Calls For Worker Bees

So there I was.



Lightning flashing. Wind blowing. Tornado warnings in my town. It's dark. It's rainy. It's spooky. I'm all alone. Candles burning all over the castle. Shadows dancing in the cobwebs. Lights flickering. Wondering when the power would go out.
Waiting for prince charming in a negligee by the moat. Pouring Godiva....

What?! Wake up, Mimi!
You fell asleep again at the keyboard. This is no time to dream about romance. You have work to do.

Peace Globe #401, 401, 402....and on and on....what's a girl to do?
And then it hit me.
I think I might have to ask for help.

I called my friend Psycho Julie for a quick palm reading and advice.

"I can't do this by myself O-psycho-one, I need help."

"Remember this word, O Queen.... D.E.L.E.G.A.T.E"

"Yes, but I hate to ask people for help. It's not in my nature. I'd rather do it myself."

"Fine," she said. "Drive yourself and your whole kingdom crazy. See if I care."

Click.

Lightning! Thundering! More lights flickering. I thought I heard maniacal laughter from the dungeon below.

Re-dialing.


"Why don't I just stand at the castle gate in a negligee?" I asked my level-headed friend who was much more sane than I at this hour of the night. It seemed like a good idea to me.


Click.


Re-dialing.


"That is not the kind of help you need, Mimi dear. You're just tired and not thinking straight. I'll talk to you later!"


Click.


Re-dialing.


"Wait! What kind of friend are you?? Is that all the advice you can give me? I'm sinking in a sea of message bottles! (nope, that was last month)...I mean memes...yes, that's what I meme. Memes. "
I thought I heard her yawn.

"Julie."

"Yes, Psycho-Queen?"

"I think I broke my meme. In fact, I'm sure of it. How will I finish numbering peace globes in the Official Peace Globe Gallery with a broken nail crown meme. I have permanent arthritis from pounding the calculator keys with one hand and typing with the other.

Click.

Re-dialing.

"Why do you keep hanging up on me?!"

"You're hyperventilating again dear. And I've been trying to tell you for twenty minutes that I would help you and you just keep blabbering about sleepwalking and moat frolicking. And then you said something about Justing Timberlake. That was so unbecoming of a Queen. So I hung up. Are you asleep or awake? What's going on with you, Your Highness?"

Gulp.

Did she say she was helping me?

And so she did.

For hours and hours last night and this morning, sweet blogger Julie left comment after comment on blogs about peace globes as the Queen fussed and fumed about nobody helping her.

Thank you, Julie. I'll be sure to add you to the No-Dungeon-For-You list.

I'll try to snap out of it now.

.....404, 405, 406,....700, 726..

Somebody send Godiva.

Did she just call me a psycho-Queen?

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #7 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Colombia

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.

Less than thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activism. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?
Here's Reason #7

Colombian Armed Conflict

South America
Began 1964

Who is fighting?

A guerrilla insurgency known as FARC - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - who are considered terrorists by several countries - along with the National Liberation Army fighting against Colombian government administrations. Spawned from previous warfare between members of the Colombian Liberal Party and the Columbian Conservative Party during a time even before 1964 as La Violencia. More than 200,000 people throughout the countryside died as a result of this conflict.

The targeting of civilians and the spread of illegal drug trade increased the intensity of the conflict, complicated by the murderous drug cartels and the US -backed War On Drugs. Four peace talks took place between 1982 and 2002 but failed because of politically motivated kidnappings and attacks. The FARC still hold over 700 hostages, many not for political reasons, but for ransom. The death toll in this 40+ year conflict is unknown. Many of the fighting rebels are women and children.




mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #6 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Burma and a Cyclone Named Nargis

Photo:Racoles Creative Commons license 2.0

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.

Less than thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activism. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?
Here's Reason #6
Burma

aka The Union of Myanmar

Southeast Asia

Ongoing since 1948

The oldest current conflict in the world

Who is fighting? The Burmese government's military regime and certain ethnic groups have been fighting internally since 1948. Recently tension has been building against the military regime that has ruled the country since 1962.

The instability escalated in September 2007 when thousands of Buddhist monks in a dramatic call for justice and an end to brutality at the hands of their own government, demonstrated through the streets of seven provinces against the military junta.

The anti-government protests were sparked by opposition to the ruling junta's decision to remove fuel subsidies which caused an internal economic crisis. (note: A "junta" is a government by a committee of military leaders, often loosely associated with a dictatorship). The monks colorful garb inspired the unlikely protest to be named The Saffron Revolution as they led demonstrations in their deep red Saffron colored robes.

It is interesting to note -and I found this fascinating - that they chanted the "Metta Sutta" - which is the Buddha's word on "loving kindness" as they marched through a barricade on the street of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Under house arrest at the time, she met the monks at the gate of her residence to accept a blessing from them.

On the sixth day, 15,000 brave monks and 150 nuns marched peacefully against the military regime. This resulted in 100,00 people eventually protesting against the government, marches occurring simultaneously in 25 cities with organized lines of monks a mile long wearing striking symbols of red blood on their backs, resolutely protesting with determined solidarity. Amazingly, hundreds of civilians formed a human shield around the monks when the junta threatened military force.

The situation worsened. Aung Sun Suu Kyi was soon after moved to a prison. Protesters were attacked with batons and tear gas. Those seen providing food and water to the monks were jailed. Internet access (including web mail) was shut down completely in an effort to minimize public awareness. People spotted with cameras were beaten. The monks continued to wage peace in the streets. Chanting. Praying. The atrocities continued: In another bizarre twist, government soldiers disguised themselves as monks and infiltrated the protests to cause confusion. Horrifically, on the outskirts of Yangon a crematorium had been set up where injured protesters and civilians were being burned alive. A monastery was raided and monks were systematically murdered. Despite this oppression, elsewhere in southern Rakhine State, some 10,000 farmers were reported to have joined hands to protest against the government.

Calls from across the world cried out for an end to the inhumane violence in Burma.

Sadly, the citizens of this country in conflict, one of the 20 poorest countries in the world, were devastated this week by Cyclone Nargis. The death toll is expected to reach above 100,000. In this already hot-bed of unrest where people risk their lives to be granted basic human rights, dignity, democracy and the freedom to live peaceful lives.....we
now find that even the promise of a street to walk upon in peaceful protest has been washed away.

If I didn't have faith and know better, this could be one of those times when one might be tempted to ask "Where is God?"

Luckily, I know how to find Him. So I'll say a prayer.

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.
If words are powerful, then this matters.

BlogBlast For Peace

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

Thirty Days, Thirty Reasons....
To Fly A Peace Globe

Reason #1 Sri Lanka

Reason #2 DarfurReason #3 IraqReason #4 PakistanReason #5 Ogaden

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.
Photo credits: Public Domain, Creative Commons License 2.0

Reason #5 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Ogaden

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.

Thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activisim. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?
Here's Reason #5
Ogaden Conflict

April 2007

Ethiopian Somali region on the east coast of Africa

Who is fighting? The Ethiopian Army and a rebel group called the Ogaden National Liberation front. In less than a year, hundreds of civilians were killed and tens of thousands displaced. The plight of the people in this remote section of Africa is dire and often compared to the humanitarian conditions in Darfur. The Ethiopian air force has been carpet bombing villages and civilians on the run in nomadic settlements.

The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.

Can you imagine being an innocent person finding yourself and your family literally trapped between warring enemies?

Reportedly, government troops are burning villages, raping, looting and terrorizing civilians who seem to sympathize with the opposing side. It has been called a "mini-Darfur." There has also been a forced draft of civilians, even health workers, to fight alongside troops. Many of those who refused were jailed or tortured.

Human Rights Watch reports that the humanitarian abuses violate the "laws of war."

Did I just write that? The laws of war.....

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.
If words are powerful, then this matters

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

Thirty Days, Thirty Reasons....
To Fly A Peace Globe

Reason #1 Sri LankaReason #2 DarfurReason #3 IraqReason #4 Pakistan




mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Here I Am

I've fallen in love with this young woman's music.

I've already worn out her "Spirit" CD. This is Leona Lewis singing "Here I Am"....

Please take the time to listen.

It's about love. And friendship.

Without either one.......there is no peace.

For someone very special

"Here I Am"

This is a crazy world
These can be lonely times
It's hard to know who's on your side
Most of the time

Who can you really trust
Who do you really know
Is there anybody out there
Who can make you feel less alone
Sometimes you just can't make it on your own

If you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am

If you have broken dreams
Just lay them all on me
I'll be the one who understands
So take my hand

If there is emptiness

You know I'll do my best
To fill you up with all the love
That I can show someone
I promise you you'll never walk alone

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am
Everybody needs somebody who
keep a heart and soul in two

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am



mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #4 To Fly a Peace Globe ~ Pakistan

Thirty Days ~ Thirty Reasons

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.


Thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activisim. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?
Here's Reason #4

Waziristan (Pakistan)

2004

Who is fighting? In the mountainous region of northwest Pakistan between 2,600 and 7,100 people have lost their lives caught in the violence between the Pakistani Army and militant extremists, the Taliban and local extremists. A search for Al-Qaeda resulted in armed opposition by local extremists. Many analyists believe that the region of Pakistan holds more far-reaching ramifications in the global scheme of war and peace than any other conflict.

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.
If words are powerful, then this matters

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

To Fly A Peace Globe

Reason #1 Sri LankaReason #2 DarfurReason #3 Iraq

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #3 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Iraq

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.



Thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activisim. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?
Here's Reason #3.

Iraq War
Began 2003

Who is fighting? US and UN coalition forces against militant extremists known as al-Qaeda as well as internal sectarian violence between Iraq's Shi'ite majority and Sunni minority, to what has arguably amounted to a Civil War. After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime it was believed by the Iraqi people that coalition forces were present to assist with the reconstruction of the country and improve their living conditions. That didn't exactly go as planned.

"Killed by a roadside bomb" became a household expression and sparked the most controversial conflict since Vietnam. It is a shame our children are growing up in a generation where the term "suicide bomber" is part of their
vernacular. And God help the women and children there who are often used as human shields. War related deaths, civilian and non-civilian is reportedly 151,000 casualties since June 2003 but one Opinion Research Business poll estimates over a million violent deaths due to the Iraqi war suffered by the Iraqi people since the invasion. 1.8 million Iraqis have been displaced to neighboring countries, 1.6 million displaced internally and 100,000 Iraqi citizens flee their homeland monthly.

United States forces have suffered 4,000 dead in March 2008 and 311 from other coalition countries. Read 4,000 Dead But Who's Counting?

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.
If words are powerful, then this matters

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Sunday Blog Chatter: Stealth In A Skirt

Have you noticed a certain blog Queen missing from your blogs lately? Just letting you know that I am on a mission to finish counting and documenting the previous blogblast globes.
My calculator broke! I ran out of coffee. My head hurts. I'm a mess!

Don't send the blog police. Just yet. You'll find me peering around in the galaxy, cruising in the blogosphere. The only thing missing is my IPOD. Oh. I forgot. I don't have one. That's why it's missing. See what I mean? I've stared at the screen for so long I'm even ditzier than normal.

Go here for proof of my whereabouts. But if I'm not back in awhile you might want to let someone know. The castle is empty as the servants went to party for the weekend. I'm all alone in a vast galaxy.....Heeelllooooo........Gosh. I'm on globe #303. I only have 500 or so more to go. That's all.

I hope I don't break a nail.

This is Mimi Pencil Skirt reporting live from the lovely land of the peace globes....




mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #2 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Darfur

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.

Thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activisim. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe?

Here's Reason #2.

War In Darfur

(called the Darfur Genocide by the United States Government)

in the western Sudan

Who is fighting? The Sudanese Government militia and the Janjaweed against the rebel groups known as The Sudan Liberation Army and The Justice and Equality Movement. More than 2.5 millions people have been displaced and 200,000 - 400,000 dead since 2003. It is the scene of unspeakable human rights violations, including mass killing, the burning of entire villages, looting, and systematic rape of the population of Darfur. Millions have been driven from their homes and forced into refugee camps surrounded by government militia.

Genocide.

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.

If words are powerful, then this matters.

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

Reason #1 To Fly A Peace Globe ~ Sri Lanka

There are thirty ongoing violent conflicts waging right now around the globe. The United Nations defines Major Wars as military conflict inflicting 1,000 battlefield deaths per year. Wikipedia expands that definition to include wars that cause destruction and humanitarian crisis of outstanding severity." Ongoing civil wars fueled by racial, ethnic, or religious differences come with a new twist that distinguishes them from wars in previous generations - civilian casualties. During World War I non-combatants made up less than 5% of casualties. Today, the number is a staggering 75% civilians killed or wounded.

The five major wars and the year they began and number of casualties (includes the injured as well as the dead), at this time in our history are the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983, 70,000) War in Darfur (2003, est. 300,000) Iraq War (2003, 100,000-1,124,00) Waziristan War in Pakistan (2004, 2600-7100) and the Ogaden Conflict in Ethiopia (2007, 1500). Twenty-five remaining conflicts are listed here.

Yet another reference site called The World At War cites 42 locations around the globe.

Thirty days from now we will engage in another BlogBlast For Peace. By my research and estimation, there are at LEAST 30 very good reasons to fly a peace globe. To begin your activisim. To increase our awareness of the suffering of others. To talk about peace. To write about peace. To be part of a larger voice for peace. To invoke peace. To pray for peace. To focus on peace.

To wage peace.

Need a reason to fly a globe? Here's Reason #1.

She is a child fighter.

in the

Sri Lankan Civil War

Who is fighting? The government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (also known as the Tamil Tigers)

I am appalled by the needless suffering in my world.

If words are powerful, then this matters.

June 4, 2008

A Revolution of Words

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

It's Alive!

I'm about to tell you of a small but monumental "collision" that happened in the blogosphere yesterday. Take it for what it is. Form your own opinion.

Mere coincidence? Or something bigger at work?

Whatever your thoughts, it's worth reporting.

It was just plain weird.

So there I was. Minding my own business and posting a snippet for Thursday, May 1st in honor of the very first peace globe submitted for the June 4, 2008 BlogBlast. Miss Empress Bee of The High Sea was the first to come "sailing" in with her awesome cruise ship on a peace globe, followed by hubby and romantic guy Sarge Charlie and his military sentiments of thanksgiving.

I titled my post "If Peace Globes Could Swim"....(that's important)

SECONDS after I published it, I got an email from Roger over at The Idaho Daily Photo informing me that he'd just posted his own globe. Roger is on the ball! (so to speak....)

and what do I see?

This
Coincidence?
I think not.

This is Mimi Pencil Skirt reporting live from the spooky lovely land of the peace globes.

mimi writes Mimi Lenox Mimi Pencil Skirt Mimi Queen of Memes BlogBlast for Peacepeace globesPeace Globe MovementDona Nobis Pacem Copyright © 2008 Mimi Lenox. All Rights Reserved. If you are not reading this material in your feed reader, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement.

If Peace Globes Could Swim

Newsbreak!! The first peace globe to come sailing into my inbox was this unique creation with a peaceful feeling and message

from the one and only......

Empress Bee Of the High Sea (I knew I could count on royalty) aka Muffin53 (better than blueberry!) During the last BlogBlast in November 2007, Bee was on a cruise far away. She takes peace globes so seriously that she BlogBlasted For Peace while on the cruise. She told me not to worry and said "she had the Atlantic Ocean covered." I didn't doubt it for a minute. Didn't you notice there were no skirmishes or outbreaks of war on the high seas while she was gone?

Can't you see he