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Welcome to My Notebook

    I have had this web site for quite awhile, but long before I first created and uploaded this “notebook” onto the world wide web, and before I became aware of the myriad and ubiquitous Internet entities such as “Facebook,” “MySpace,” “blogs,” etc were commonly used, I used to think how wonderful it would be if, after meeting someone, or knowing that person even in a limited way, I could visit his or her personal or family website.  I thought, “What a wonderful concept, i.e., everyone coming together as far as the Internet reaches, (which is practically the whole world) and sharing certain aspects of our lives with everyone else.”   It was an idea about the potential of our modern technologies bringing people closer together by fostering more familiarity in the spirit of openness, understanding, and good will.  Of course having said this, I know that there were already hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of personal web sites already in existence before I created this one, so I want to acknowledge my gratitude to those who had taken the initiative to create a personal  web site in order to share their lives with others, and who no doubt inspired me to do the same.

    Having said this, though, the very first notebook that I uploaded onto the world wide web, began with the sentence: “I am pleased you have arrived!” and, to be sure, I still feel that way.  If someone takes the time to access my website and view its contents, then yes, I am pleased to share with that person (you!) some things about my life and those who currently participate in it, or have previously done so.  Hence, I hope that people (again, you!) realize that this web site’s primary purpose is for sharing and breaking down barriers that inhibit our relationships and dealings with one another.  And is there any other purpose or reason for this web site?  Yes, there is.  It is to create a memorial for my late son and mother.  I felt this to be obligatory and of high priority.

    Now you know why I have this web site, and which should also allay my fears of being perceived as perhaps having shallow, egotistical intentions.  So, I hope you will enjoy this visit and even drop by every once in a while to see what I may have added.  You will notice that there is a log for pages added as well as for any changes and/or additions made along with the applicable dates.  Also, on the last page there are two email links should you want to contact me.  To be sure, I would like to hear from you, and welcome any type of comments relating to this website.  Feedback is good, even if it is only a brief message.  It would be appreciated; it would be an indication that barriers are being surmounted, or better stated, diminished.  I might also add and being very truthful and candid, I’m a little discouraged or saddened that for all the years that this site has been up I have had only one response, and even that was only one or two lines requesting a recipe.  Oh, well.  So again, any type of feed back would be welcome -- something -- anything.  And, if you have a web or blog site, please feel free to email me a link of its address as I would enjoy “visiting” with you as well.  
    
    I should also mention that there is no tracking or monitoring code embedded anywhere within these pages, so the only way I will know you were here is by you sending me an email message -- beachhill@cox.net  or  paul@belfiglio.net
    
    Please note that there are three ways to navigate within this web site:

1)  clicking on the ‘page fold’ area at the top right of each page to turn the pages back and forth;
2)  going to the “Contents” page and click on a ‘button’ or page number;
3)  clicking on a colored tab at the side of this web notebook.  

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: Some of these pages may require QuickTime for your system (Mac or PC)  to play the audio and video files, and they may take some time to load depending upon the speed of your Internet connection.  However, if you have some type of broadband service there shouldn’t be any inordinate delays.

REMINDER TO PAST  VISITORS
Please remember to empty your browser’s cache and refresh the page
to ensure you are viewing the latest update.


Log of New Pages and Other Additions or Changes:


NEWEST:
February 06, 2010    
- added “Silent Awareness” - page 16
- minor edit of “The Fat Man” - page 15
- some very minor edits without any major content changes, and adjusted the layout on several pages

December 04, 2009
- added “The Fat Man” - is now page 15
- edited page 3

August 07, 2009
- edited “Welcome to Paul’s Notebook” page 2; deleted page “People and Prayer,” edited page 3

August 05, 2009
- edited “Welcome to Paul’s Notebook” page 2; edited pages 3, 5, 8, 14, 15

March 23, 2009
- edited “Welcome to Paul’s Notebook” page 2; edited page 4

March 5, 2009
- edited cover page; deleted page “A Little About Me”
- major edit of page 3
- edited page 4
- major edit of page 14
-edited page 15; edited page 16

February 13, 2009
- major edit of “My Meditation Mantra” on page 5

February 10, 2009
- minor edits on pages 2 and 9

February 08, 2009
- edited the “Welcome to Paul’s Notebook” page as well as some other minor edits

January 27, 2009
- added to page 9, “In Memory of  Matthew for January 27,  2009”

December 5, 2009
- new page added, “Thoughts of Others”

November 17, 2008
- no new page additions; edited various entries (clarifications, re-writes, etc.) especially “In Memory of Mother”

October 12, 2008
- new page added, “Prayer and People”; various other edits throughout notebook

April 7, 2008
- added two songs to page 9,  “In Memory of My Son, Matthew”

February 19, 2008
- new page added,  “In Memory of Mother”