The Myanmar hot air balloon festival (complete with detonation of a few tons of fireworks) is a new low in jaw-dropping public danger. But it's fascinating to watch. I don't have any mortality statistics on this incredible event, but just watching it - thousands and thousands of people running away screaming as nuclear-intensity bombs go off and live cinders rain down out of the sky - is compelling in an awful sort of way.
Does this distract me from the awfulness that is going on in the world? You bet it does. I don't know what else to do.
Believe it or not, this is an example of a "successful" launch. Even that looks too hair-raising to contemplate.
The more I watch this video, the more disturbing it is.
This is a video of a horrendous accident in a fireworks factory in Denmark. What set it off was one careless slip by an employee who dropped a box of small firecrackers. There was no taking it back.
What's disturbing about it is - well, a lot of things are. It's the sense something is being destroyed before our eyes - something normally associated with joy and celebration. But that's not the half of it. All the fireworks seem to be going off crazily at once, in some sort of mad twisted version of those lovely, orderly, gorgeously-coloured displays we see at picnics in the park.
Every once in a while, there is a hideous white-hot explosion of unbelievable intensity, forming a kind of sickeningly-bright mushroom cloud. Then more chitter-chattering of insane fireworks, their direction lost. It's as if their usual symmetry and beauty has been horribly corrupted. They've gone insane.
I think one life was lost - I don't know much about it, and am almost afraid to find out. Originally I was going to post some video that fascinates me, from a celebration in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Every year they take a gigantic paper balloon, put an immense open torch under it, pack the basket with a heavy load of explosive fireworks, and send it aloft. Something awful seems to happen at this event every year, and the one I was watching earlier today was the worst. The balloon almost seemed to be making its way upward where, at some timed point, the fireworks were supposed to shoot up into the sky. Then it began to sink. Something was happening to the hot air, it was escaping, or the open flame was shooting out sideways, but for whatever reason the balloon landed on the ground and then decided to let go with an upside-down version of the (homemade) fireworks which rained down live cinders all over the spectators. This was followed by the inevitable nuclear-strength explosion, with scenes of panicked people running around in thick smoke with fire hoses gushing everywhere.
That's how they do it in Myanmar.
A little slideshow I made from some spectacular photos of this yearly human roast. How does anyone survive this event? Why is it legal?
I have a feeling the following ream of Valentine poetry was written by thirteen-year-old girls. Having spewed a few reams of it myself, I feel I must be charitable. Emily Dickinson it ain't, but at least this poetry is sincere. One of them sings the praises of Labrador and Newfoundland, which I heartily agree with. Many of the poems praise their love object's lips, fingertips, and physical features generally. And not all of them are written by girls.
I was a little disappointed at the fairly-regular rhyme and meter schemes in these. The truth is, they're really a little too good. But they have a certain charm, a sweetness that made them worthy of a Valentine post of their own. And how can these lines be surpassed for sheer emotional honesty?:
If you don't be my Valentine I'm sure I'll have to cry If you won't be my Valentine I'll look at you and sue
I have one beef, however - a big one. One of the poetesses here shamelessly signs her name to a classic poem by Dorothy Parker (One Perfect Rose). Whether this was meant as quote, tribute, or outright theft will never be known. Oh well. We DO say "she stole my heart", don't we? From that, it's a short step to "she stole my poem". And now that I look more carefully, someone else is "quoting" from the old song, "More (than the greatest love the world has known)". But it's Valentine's Day. Let's pin a big red heart on all our transgressions.
Valentine Postman If I could be a postman For just one single time, I'd choose to carry valentines so lovely and so fine. I would not mind the heavy load, Or mind my tired feet. If I could scatter happiness up and down the street. Unknown A Valentine for You Valentines, valentines, Pink, red and blue, I've made a pretty one Just for you! Unknown A Valentine Today as Valentines go out, To people near and far, This one I'm sending right to you, To say how nice you are. Unknown
Bee My Valentine Won't you bee my valentine And fly away with me? We'll bumble along together 'Cause you're my Honey Bee! Unknown ~Valentine's Day~ The Arrow strikes the Heart Never to be torn apart It is when feelings blossom and more The heart which heals by the Bandage of love and cure Roses, chocolates, cakes and some of the gifts in line just some of the things to make a Perfect Valentine. The hidden feelings of a heart that reveals The boat of love which smoothly sails How fortunate are those who enjoy this day That is the time when one is lost
In the world of fantasy without any cost The day when Cupid plays an Immense role To provoke feelings in a Lifeless Soul. Pamela Daranjo Secrets I have secrets that I hide I want to tell you, but they come from so deep inside I want to tell you that I love you and care I want to tell you that I love your hair your smile, your face and your kindness too but most of all, I want to say I love you Kendra
Valentine Love is precious Love is sweet Love is something you cannot cheat Love is kind Love is not lust Love is special its all about trust Love is for me Love is for you Love is a couple turns one to two Love is yours Love is mine Love is ours BE MY VALENTINE Lilly Mae when I saw you... when I first saw you I missed the comfort of being sad seeing you from far away without telling you about my heart I couldn't bare holding my thoughts about how much I would like to hold you and fill you with joy when I first saw you, I knew my love for you was never going to die. vanessa rodriguez
Will you be my valentine? Will you be my Valentine? I love you with all my heart. Will you be my Valentine? So we'll never be torn apart If you don't be my Valentine I'm sure I'll have to cry If you won't be my Valentine I'll look at you and sue But if you be my Valentine I'll throw you a big parade And then just maybe I'll have to shout HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!!!! Stephanie Morrow Venus and Cupids Oh Venus and Cupids picture of love shining upon the stars above for thee who had melted the hurts and made them love for better or for worst Oh Venus and Cupids I all summon you to help me make my dreams come true and to make this girl love me too so I wouldn't forever be blue... Sherwin
Daydreaming Your eyes are alive and oh so blue. I see you but I'm unknown to you. Maybe one day you'll see my face. You’ll know it's me, I'm in a daze. If ever you saw me standing there... No never mind why should you care I see your smile inside my head so clear to me and I forget why I'm always feeling blue every time I think of you. These things have all been said before so I'll stop here and say no more. Sara The Way I Feel It has been awhile since we last met, but your smile my heart can never forget. Now I try to find just the right words to say, to tell you how I feel each and everyday. However, my heart cannot seem to explain just how I feel, but I hope you believe me when I say my love is real. I pray that you feel that way I do and hope you will tell me you feel the same way too. When I looked into your eyes it took my breath away, and I hope to God that I will be looking into them until I am old and gray Lucy The first and last From the first time I laid eyes on you to the last kiss on my lips, the first time I felt your soft finger tips, the way you held me tight, made love to me at night, always seemed to me that in my heart that you would see a person as loving as me someone whose heart is true someone just like you... Now I sit here all alone nothing but me and my thoughts of you all through my mind. As if I could turn back the hands of time to the moment when your soft lips touched mine
I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you cry...
Baby, I do try I love you and I do know why... Gerald Lemire (Binky)
Valentines Day Valentines is very near Balloons, bears, and candy grahams. Red, Black, Pink, and White Are the colors that girls really like. Roses can be red and violets can be blue. What else can they prove to you how much they love you On this Valentines Day!! Ashley More More than the Greatest love the world have ever known This is the love I give to you alone more than the simple words I try to say I only love you more each day Longer than always is a long time but far beyond forever you'll be mine I know I’ve never lived before and my heart is very sure no one else can love you more! Jeanine Valentine oh, you are so fine so want you be mine oh, my sweet valentine your eyes are the color of honey and your braids long like ropes oh, would you be my sweet valentine!
Victoria
be mine
the smile that cleanses my soul the eyes that stop time with a single glance the touch of love from his hands I’ve been waiting for this day this special time all I can do is pray for you to be my Valentine
Christina Occhipinti
Night is falling
Night is falling my heart is calling I feel so lonely I need you only but I’ve got a teddy that I take to bed if you'll be my Valentine I’ll take you instead
Jenni-lea
if I’d wish to be anything
If I could wish to be anything I’d wish to be your tear to be conceived by your heart, born in your eye live on your cheek and die on your lips stephanie mcfarlane
Kisses
Kisses Kisses Kisses, Oh, what should I do? All I want is just one Kiss, From a special person like you.
Brenna Copley
break up on valentines
On Valentines we broke up Your friends said it was wrong But you didn't believe them Until you heard our song Maybe you will love me like I loved you But I won't give you another chance Because I won't know if it's really true
Lana
Hearts and flowers
Hearts and flowers on Valentine’s day. heart shaped candy, help me say: I Love you in a special way, because love is the reason for Valentine’s day. Valentine’s day is a special time for songs to sing and poems that rhyme, a happy time for everyone. I’m so glad you're a friend of mine
newfoundland and labrador rule Kelly Russell
such a short time
When I first saw your face I knew you were mine We have both grown to love each other in such a short time you know I’ve been looking for you all my life for the day when I become your wife you have given me security and love which I’ve only ever dreamed of I know there is a heaven and dreams do come true someone up there loves me because they sent me YOU
amanda perkins
My Valentine
I crave your honesty on this day of love, L ove you whole-heartedly my sweet dove. O ut of the blue you shot from the sky, V ividly, beautifully stunning my eye. E ver adoring you is what I do best, Y our smile, your face and all the rest. O n days like these I truly believe, U and I are meant to be!
Dedicated To Daniel Vigil!
Crystal L. Callaway
love
Love is more time to share. It’s really when you care. It’s two people joined. I was in love with you before you could drop a coin. It’s a sense of trust, but not enough lust It’s a commitment to be there, but would you always be there to share and care?
monique
One Perfect Rose
A single flower he sent me ,since we met all tenderly his messenger he chose; deep-hearted, pure with scented dew still wet one perfect rose. I knew the language of the flower "my fragile leaves ,it said his heart enclose" love long has taken for his locket one perfect rose. Why is it no one ever sent me yet one perfect limousine, do you suppose? Ah, no it’s always just my luck to get one perfect rose
monia jackson
baby brow eyes
Baby brown eyes your eyes so brown, hair so light, you make the sun shine bright, your eyes bring many warm things. I love you baby girl for always when you were born and came in our lives, you are the baby brown eyes that we love day or night, we love you always.
judy shaw
One good try
For so long, I’ve had my eye on this girl She's the most beautiful woman in the world
If that’s what you’re thinking, give it an attempt Don’t be so scared that she would resent
why not give it one good try? just to let her know you’re alive
Schick
sea
If all the women lived over sea what good swimmers, you Emen, would be if all the women lived over sea that would leave you for me
