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My Mary Sue: What Fanfic Noobdom Reveals about Scholarly Methods/
This is the third in a series of "intimate critiques" or autobiographical essays produced by graduate students in the Comparative media Studies Program. This essay, in particular, works through some of the methodological issues we've been studying this term, having to do with what one sees as an ethnographer working inside or outside the group they are studying. It also connects to an ongoing conversation we've been having in the program about whether or not the concept of "fandom" can be applied to talk about our relationships to high art or middle brow culture. Here, Lana's essay explores how seeing Les Miz on Broadway made her an active and appropriative fan of a literary character, even if she saw what she was doing as somehow distinct from fan fiction. My Mary Sue:
What Fanfic Noobdom Reveals About Scholarly Methods
by Lana Swartz
When I was in the seventh grade, we went on a class trip to New York City. I attended a public arts magnet school, so our tour filtered the city into an art shrine. We went to all the museums, the concert halls, and of course, to see a Broadway show. It was 1993 or so, so Les Misérables was well into its long run at the Imperial Theater but had lost little of its gusto. I can remember thinking, a year or so later, that my life could be divided into two halves--the time before I saw Les Misérables and the time after. Yes, I actually did think that very phrase. I probably even wrote it down. Even now, as I joke about it, I don't want to describe what it was like to see the play because the doing the work of that describing would be too emotionally intense. Seriously!
And here is list item #1-- Be Respectful. See how terrifying this is? Everyone feels this vulnerable when they talk honestly about their lives. It is absolutely essential that we as qualitative researchers not cut corners, not totalize someone else's life to fit into our academic goals. As hard as it is write about our passions, to be prepared to present them to our peers, it is a lot more difficult to read what someone else has said about them. Joan Didion, that scary lady, once wrote, "Writers are always selling someone out." That may be unavoidable, but we can try. And maybe that's the difference between writers and scholars? And maybe we--and by "we," I mean, "I"-- can remember the paralysis I felt just a few paragraphs up when I tried to write about something very pleasant that happened close to fifteen years ago.
But okay here goes. The most important thing about Les Miz is that there is a character named Enjolras. Enjolras is not a main character. He's the leader of the young would-be revolutionaries who chastises a fellow would-be revolutionary, the dreamy Marius, for falling in love, as love simply distracts from revolution. Enjolras (he was played by Ron Bohmer--an actor whose autograph I currently possess) is tall and blond and uncompromising. He dies heroically, though, sadly, more as more of a symbol than an agent of change, atop the barricade, waving his big red flag. I was would say it was hot because is it ridiculously hot, but that would be a cruel understatement.
The rest of New York was a blur. The next thing I remember (at least in this reconstructed, narrativised memory) was being at home and tearing through Victor Hugo's novel. In the book, Enjolras was even better. Check out what old VH had to say:
Enjolras was a charming young man, who was capable of being terrible. He was angelically handsome. He was a savage Antinous. One would have said, to see the pensive thoughtfulness of his glance, that he had already, in some previous state of existence, traversed the revolutionary apocalypse. He possessed the tradition of it as though he had been a witness. He was acquainted with all the minute details of the great affair. A pontifical and warlike nature, a singular thing in a youth. He was an officiating priest and a man of war; from the immediate point of view, a soldier of the democracy; above the contemporary movement, the priest of the ideal. His eyes were deep, his lids a little red, his lower lip was thick and easily became disdainful, his brow was lofty. A great deal of brow in a face is like a great deal of horizon in a view. Like certain young men at the beginning of this century and the end of the last, who became illustrious at an early age, he was endowed with excessive youth, and was as rosy as a young girl, although subject to hours of pallor. Already a man, he still seemed a child. His two and twenty years appeared to be but seventeen; he was serious, it did not seem as though he were aware there was on earth a thing called woman. He had but one passion--the right; but one thought--to overthrow the obstacle. On Mount Aventine, he would have been Gracchus; in the Convention, he would have been Saint-Just. He hardly saw the roses, he ignored spring, he did not hear the caroling of the birds; the bare throat of Evadne would have moved him no more than it would have moved Aristogeiton; he, like Harmodius, thought flowers good for nothing except to conceal the sword. He was severe in his enjoyments. He chastely dropped his eyes before everything which was not the Republic. He was the marble lover of liberty. His speech was harshly inspired, and had the thrill of a hymn. He was subject to unexpected outbursts of soul. Woe to the love-affair which should have risked itself beside him! If any grisette of the Place Cambrai or the Rue Saint-Jean-de-Beauvais, seeing that face of a youth escaped from college, that page's mien, those long, golden lashes, those blue eyes, that hair billowing in the wind, those rosy cheeks, those fresh lips, those exquisite teeth, had conceived an appetite for that complete aurora, and had tried her beauty on Enjolras, an astounding and terrible glance would have promptly shown her the abyss, and would have taught her not to confound the mighty cherub of Ezekiel with the gallant Cherubino of Beaumarchais.
And then, comparing him to his comrade:
Enjolras was a chief, Combeferre was a guide. One would have liked to fight under the one and to march behind the other. It is not that Combeferre was not capable of fighting, he did not refuse a hand-to-hand combat with the obstacle, and to attack it by main force and explosively; but it suited him better to bring the human race into accord with its destiny gradually, by means of education, the inculcation of axioms, the promulgation of positive laws; and, between two lights, his preference was rather for illumination than for conflagration. A conflagration can create an aurora, no doubt, but why not await the dawn? A volcano illuminates, but daybreak furnishes a still better illumination. Possibly, Combeferre preferred the whiteness of the beautiful to the blaze of the sublime. A light troubled by smoke, progress purchased at the expense of violence, only half satisfied this tender and serious spirit. The headlong precipitation of a people into the truth, a '93, terrified him; nevertheless, stagnation was still more repulsive to him, in it he detected putrefaction and death; on the whole, he preferred scum to miasma, and he preferred the torrent to the cesspool, and the falls of Niagara to the lake of Montfaucon. In short, he desired neither halt nor haste. While his tumultuous friends, captivated by the absolute, adored and invoked splendid revolutionary adventures, Combeferre was inclined to let progress, good progress, take its own course; he may have been cold, but he was pure; methodical, but irreproachable; phlegmatic, but imperturbable. Combeferre would have knelt and clasped his hands to enable the future to arrive in all its candor, and that nothing might disturb the immense and virtuous evolution of the races. The good must be innocent, he repeated incessantly. And in fact, if the grandeur of the Revolution consists in keeping the dazzling ideal fixedly in view, and of soaring thither athwart the lightnings, with fire and blood in its talons, the beauty of progress lies in being spotless; and there exists between Washington, who represents the one, and Danton, who incarnates the other, that difference which separates the swan from the angel with the wings of an eagle.
Yes, I know that Hugo writes in long paragraphs, and I know that I have done little to summarize them, and I know that this is supposed to be a five page paper, but when the opportunity arises to direct a reader--even a solitary one--to the experience of the description of Enjolras, I can't resist.
But back to the story. Basically, I was in love. Certainly more in love than I'd ever been at 11 or 12, but, honestly, the feeling would certainly hold up against a few grown-up boyfriends I'd later claim to love. I felt almost immediately that Enjolras needed a woman. Someone... someone like me! Except better! Someone worthy of him. And this is where it gets embarrassing. I began to write stories that I thought belonged in the book, about a character that I thought, too, belonged in the book. Someone with, uh, long red curly hair and brilliant green eyes. Someone with a firey personality who must overcome her own pampered upbringing to come to understand the true meaning of the revolution. God! This is embarrassing. Knowing what I know now... You see, this person, this character I lovingly created and cared so much about? There's a word for it. It's not a nice word, either. Mary Sue.
Okay this is where I'm going to jump back into my list. #2 Don't be afraid to be stupid or wrong or look silly. All semester, I have been terrified to put things in writing, even on our class's weekly forum postings. When we write things down, they become relatively permanent. That which is posted to the internet should be thought of as never going away. But the fact is, we were all noobs once. Noobs to fanfiction. Noobs to scholarship. But we have to start somewhere and not be afraid to do so. Graduate studentship is nothing if not institutionalized noobdom. Also, fear leads to boring scholarship. What if Clifford Geertz or certainly Erica Rand had been afraid of looking silly? The earliest media thinkers at MIT--Bush, Wiener, and certainly the later Stallman and Negroponte--were objectively "wrong" about many things, but that doesn't mean that their work and the ideas generated around their work, even (and especially) when those ideas pointed out problems, were useless. I know this all sounds simplistic and obvious, but I think that it should be acknowledged that doing academic work is scary. One feels vulnerable even when one is not writing about their own life, their own Mary Sue.
Did I ever get past my fanfic noobdom? Not really. I never wrote a non-Mary Sue fanfic story. I never really even became part of a fan community. I searched AOL profiles, because that was how I accessed the internet, and found someone named Heather. She was about my age and into the same things I was--Les Miz, War and Peace--and we both hated the same things--The Phantom of the Opera, anything having to do with the 1960s. In War and Peace, she liked Pierre and I like Andrei, who I saw as an iteration of the Enjolras archetype (a complex a very different iteration, an Enjolras without a cause). We had long IM conversations where we pretended that Pierre and Andrei had been transported to the future, were married to us, and fought over the Sizzler buffet was a good place to eat (Pierre says yes, Andrei said no).
But back to Angelique. Yes. Angelique. That was her name. Angelique de Cadinet. Did I mention that she was beautiful? And rich? And feisty... it's so obvious now. Heather did not point out that Angelique was a Mary Sue. We didn't really have that vocabulary. Though we didn't know what to call it, and we didn't know how to contextualize it as a larger cultural practice, we brushed up against fandom, but not usually very good fan fiction. Heather and I regarded those we met online who wrote Les Miz fanfic as lame. Of course, most wrote stories centered around Eponine, a character we did not like, and paired her romantically with Marius, a relationship of which we did not approve. Because we regarded this subject matter as immature at best, we looked at our own work as somehow more legitimate. I know now, of course, it's pretty common for fandoms to split off into sub-fandoms in which certain relationships are verboten and that our persnickety preferences made us more like fan than less like them. In fact, we probably would have been able to criticize the Eponine stories as Mary Sue stories. Mine was, too, but maybe if I had been more overtly part of fan discourse, I would have been able to get past that.
Which brings me to lesson #3-- Do your research and be merciless about your limits. Certainly, it is possible to get away with dilettantish knowledge when you are working outside the expertise of your audience. When I told people about my experience, I didn't have the discourse to say fan or fanfic, so I would engage them in my experience on terms I felt were appropriate to the situation. Maybe I wanted to relate that I was a passionate but a quirky literary type person. Or maybe I'd use Enjolras or Prince Andrei to describe the kind of guy I liked, or the kind of guy I didn't ever want to date again. Or maybe I'd frame it with a little hipsterish irony--what strange creatures we all were in our adolescence. Once, I was able to charm the professor of a Russian literature class into a better grade than I probably deserved on a paper by describing my Prince Andrei thing. Anyone cares that much about Tolstoy probably deserves another 5 points added to their grade, right? I even got some scholarship money for an essay I wrote about Angelique as "an influential person" in my life. In most cases, the novelty of my experience was a foregrounded. But at some point, all dilettantes will encounter someone who can see right through their bullshit, even if isn't bullshit so much as lack of due diligence (though sometimes they amount to the same thing).
Years later, as a post-college almost grown-up person, I came in contact with academic writing about fandom and I began to realize that what I had been doing with Les Miz and War and Peace was a lot like fandom. I even began to consider myself a fan, even though my actual experience with fandom was clearly very limited. I even applied to CMS in part because I was excited about the way thinking about fandom liberated other kinds of thinking. The fan (perhaps as a metaphor?) reconciled and clarified a lot of frustrations I had-- about how to acknowledge the emotional stakes we all have in the work, about appropriation and authorship, and about cultural hierarchies. Does this make me an acafan? Right now, I would feel a lot more presumptuous about saying yes than I would have a year ago.
It began to be clarified when I came to visit CMS at MIT5. I was sitting in an Au Bon Pain with some aca-fanboys. We were talking about--of course--fandom. I cutely (I thought) told my Angelique story. Everyone laughed. I caged the whole thing with enough "Ah, youth" to get away with it. And then one of the acafan-boys asked, "So you wrote Mary Sue stories?" Everyone laughed again and I faux-solemnly admitted to it. But the thing was, I had no idea what he was talking about. Dear reader, imagine the fate that would have befallen me if I had dared--DARED--to enter into some sort of research with that kind of hubris? Imagine, even, if it had been aca-fangirls that I was casually talking to? The gender dynamic is another issue entirely, but the question still stands.
Clearly, this lesson (as I hope all in this paper do) applies to entering any kind of community. For me, a Mary Sue in fandom puts the matter under scary fluorescent lights. Perhaps this is why so many writers, before talking about fandom, include a disclaimer or caveat about the extent to which they might be considered fans. We might assume that (and this would follow the logic of Camille Bacon-Smith's work) that it's because they're nervous about associating themselves with a marginalized subculture. But it may be (and this would follow the logic of many fan reactions to Camille Bacon-Smith's work) that the writers are justly nervous about overstating their level of insider status. Fans have the ability to write back. And they're often really good at it. What if all ethnographers worked were required by their "subjects" to be so responsible?
The mention of Bacon-Smith's work brings up another point. #4 The kind of answers you get depend on the kind of questions you ask. A lot of what happened between Angelique and I (if I can put it that way) impacted my adolescent development. Angelique, as is the partial definition of Mary Sue characters, was a stand in for me. And though she was beautiful and rich and French and perfect, she was sort of like me. Or like the me I wanted to be. Particularly, Angelique was sexual. And everyone (yes, everyone) wanted to have sex with her. And she usually went for it. Through her, I was able to imaginatively play with my own emerging sexuality. "Being" her in fiction enabled me to actually get closer to being like her. I was able to play with my identity and reflect upon the way I conducted myself in my everyday life. What Would Angelique Do? This experience resonates with James Paul Gee's idea of "projective identity" in gaming. I was able to, as Gee describes, "project [my] values and desires onto the virtual character" and "see the virtual character as [my] own project in the making." Writing and thinking about Angelique, and her indeed her life after Enjolras's death, allowed me to have an immersive experience in which I questioned and projected my own sexual values and lifestyle as I hoped and expected it would be.
Between Heather and I, it was a way of interacting with texts socially. But it was definitely not for, as Bacon-Smith writes, "mutual healing, for protection from the outside, or to ponder the most pressing questions of our lives." I was learning something about how to be myself, but I wasn't converting the risks I'd have to take as an emerging adolescent into fanfiction. There was pain, yes. I walked around everyday with the pain of Enjolras's death in my heart, and to a lesser extent the pain of not being the same world as him. To be honest, I sometimes thought I was crazy! But the purpose of entering into that world was certainly not to ask, ask Bacon-Smith suggests of the fans she studies, "why does life hurt so much?"
Yes, my narrative might have fit into my understanding of Bacon-Smith's schema--a kinda' nerdy 7th grader uses fanfiction and (a two person, in this case) community to sublimate the fear of my own emerging identity as confident sexual being--but it doesn't really ring true for me. And, more importantly, it doesn't really ask the questions I'm most interested in. As someone who is most interested in the social and cultural process of fandom, my own story looks, at least until I start asking new questions, to be too psychological oriented to be of much interest.
As I interrogate even my own experience, I am compelled to look at things more culturally and less psychologically. Sometimes, as is true in this case, those questions push me beyond my personal experience. And I have to remember that all data points, even mine, are singular and thus may not individually reflect the most interesting aspect about a given phenomenon. #5 Your own experience should not limit the kind of thinking that you do.
In retrospect, it seems possible that, if Heather or I were aware of the word at all, we thought of the Eponine/Marius stories we detested as fan fiction and our own process as something else, something more "original." During that time of my life, I wanted to be a writer, and I wanted to be able to publish my finished work as my own sovereign creation. I know now that I was caught up in notions about authenticity and authorship that I would probably feel a lot more ambivalent, at the very least, about today. I thought that in order to make my work real, to make it count, I would have translate it into something unrecognizable as rooted in Les Miserables. I tried everything--converting it to the American Revolution but keeping the characters essentially the same, which didn't really work because that time period just didn't do it for me. Eventually, I began to get bored. I knew what I was writing would never be publishable, and my interest began to drift. If Heather or I had made the write social connection with the right fan--or perhaps if Les Miserables or War and Peace had a larger fandom--I would have found the community to help me appreciate the value of the appropriative work that I was actually doing, but I didn't. My idiosyncratic experience limited me from extracting--at least not until years later--some of the more intriguing potential meanings I could have made out of it.
Heather and I remained in touch, but we began talking about other things--starting High School, getting involved with new kinds of music and subcultures. Soon I wanted to be Courtney Love or Kim Deal, the amazing female bass players from the Pixies. And soon after that I wanted to be Joan Didion. Funny, now, at 26, I find myself again needing a fictionalized avatar self. Maybe she could give me direction toward one of these careers--and, really, lifestyles--that do not yet exist. Got any suggestions? Another methodological journey never hurt anyone
Deja Elana Swartz
University of Florida, BA English, 2002
Deja Elana Swartz grew up on a houseboat in Miami, Florida. She graduated with a B.A. with Highest Honors in English from the University of Florida in 2002. After graduation, she taught high school English in Houston, Texas as part of Teach For America. She's also worked in nonprofit development and in autism education and research.
Here at CMS, she is a researcher specializing in learning and user insights at Project New Media Literacies and serves as the liaison to the Harvard GoodPlay Project. She is fascinated by taste-making. Her own tastes currently include nail-art, knock-off fashion, fast food breakfast sandwiches, soap opera comic strips, and Tolstoy.


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Video Game Design
About the book
This book is designed to teach people what video game design is, how video games work, and enable them to create them, from chumming up ideas and figuring out how to structure them to teaching them how a game engine can be designed to satisfy their requirements. You do not need any prior knowledge of video games to understand this book's subject, up to the implementation part that will expand upon game development techniques for many different types of media. Programming may not be required. Depending on what your goal is, you will need to understand how to program if you intend on going from design to production. You will also need to comprehend Object Oriented Programming to understand modular designs, and be able to understand C/C++ APIs, and have some basic 2D/3D graphics concepts like what a bitmap or a texture is and how they can be used. We will not deal with a specific API or programming language but C/C++ and ASM will be used for examples. The intention is to provide you a with a broad vision of the possibilities available to create Video Games.
The book is organized into different parts, but as this is a work that is always evolving, things may be missing or just not where they should be, you are free to become a writer and contribute to fix things up...
Reader Comments
If you have comments about the technical accuracy, content, or organization of this document, please tell us (e.g. by using the "discussion" pages or by email). Be sure to include the section or the part title of the document with your comments and the date of your copy of the book. If you are really convinced of your point, information or correction then become a writer (at Wikibooks) and do it, it can always be rolled back if someone disagrees.
Guide to Writers
Authors/Contributors should register if intending to make non-anonymous contributions to the book (this will give more value and relevance to your opinions and views on the evolution of the work and enable others to talk to you) and try to follow the structure. If you have major ideas or big changes use the discussion area; as a rule just go with the flow.
- Conventions
- A set of conventions have been proposed to adoption on this book, please read about them before you contribute any content on the book's talk page.
Copyright Notice
The following people are authors to this book:
You can verify who has contributed to this book by examining the history logs at Wikibooks (http://en.wikibooks.org/).
Acknowledgment is given for using some contents from other works like : Game Design and Programming, Making video games
The above authors release their work under the following license:
|This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. In short: you are free to share and to make derivatives of this work under the conditions that you appropriately attribute it, and that you only distribute it under the same, similar or a compatible license. Any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder.

subset: commoncrawl


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Quick Search: Choose Model and Year, then enter search topic.
Page: 107
Trip computer (trip data display)
The trip computer (TRIP) provides you with a
variety of useful trip data such as the trip time,
distance covered, average speed, or average fuel
The following display groups are differentiated depending on the vehicle's equipment:
The trip data is totaled continuously until reset. The trip data is retained even after the vehicle has been stationary
(with the ignition key removed) for relatively long periods.
The trip data is automatically reset after the vehicle has been stationary (with the ignition key removed) for two hours.
The trip data can be individually compiled in four data fields.
Lap data can be recorded and evaluated using the stopwatch and the PCM.
The data of relevance for the evaluation is shown in the Sport display as soon as recording is started.
The number of displays available to you is shown between the two arrow symbols and .
Setting the display group
Setting the contents of the personal display
You can configure the contents of the individual data fields for thedisplay yourself.
Resetting trip data
You reset the trip data in theand display groups by pressing the button field for at least 1 second.


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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Guess Who?
4 comments:
OKKK, I'll fess up, I am stumped too! LOLReplyDelete
OK, I'll fess up, too. I was looking through my photos on iPhoto to choose one to put up for Wordless Wednesday, and when I saw this one, it made me laugh. It was taken by my daughter on one of her trips to Russia - the guy is a Tsar Nicholas II impersonator. There are several different impersonators who hang around the tourist areas so that people can take photos of them.ReplyDelete
Now, that is creativeReplyDelete
Love it! LOL
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text:
Stockton, CA
Thee Duangmala
April 23, 1916 - October 20, 2013
Thee Duangmala, 97 of Stockton, California, entered into eternal peace on Sunday, October 20,
2013 at Fresno Community
Medical Center in
Fresno, California. She was born on April 23, 1916 in Sayabury, Laos. She was married to Rev. Moon Duangmala (1907-1999) in 1933 in Sayabury, Laos. Thee was a long time resident of Stockton California after her immigration to the U.S. in 1980 from Laos.
She is survived by one son and five daughters; Prasert Duangmala married to Mayvina, Chanda (d. 2007) married to Chaleun Chantrirak, Chanpheng married to Billy Norasith, Martha (d. 1992) married to Souk Maychen,
Khamla married to Bounkham Nounvilaythong and Maly (d. 2000) married to Vanh Inthirath; 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 4:00 pm at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, Stockton, California. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10:30 am at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 825 Highmoor Ave., Stockton California. A committal service will immediately follow at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, California.


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August 2002
In 1837 Darwin started his "B" notebook on Transmutation of Species, and on page 36 wrote "I think" above the first evolutionary tree. Photo: Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.
Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel, James Watson and Francis Crick — every biology student encounters these great heroes in the course of their studies. Their discoveries are occasions to celebrate. As role models, they may even inspire careers in science. More deeply, they provide glimpses into real biology in action. Every teacher may thus consider history as a valuable resource for teaching the process of science more effectively. Students enjoy stories. Accounts of scientific discovery, in particular, are compelling. For the resourceful teacher, histories are also opportunities that are as potentially instructive as they are engaging. They are especially apt for lessons in the nature of science, now a widespread goal in science education.3,5,14
Darwin's nose, Mendel's luck and Watson's play
Consider for example, Darwin's nose. Many textbooks portray the significance of Darwin's voyage on the Beagle. Yet Darwin almost did not go. His passage was provided in part to provide socialty for the captain, Robert FitzRoy. FitzRoy worried that the shape of Darwin's nose did not reflect the criteria of "sufficient energy and determination" for the trip! An amicable first meeting apparently persuaded him.4 The anecdote is amusing, yet also informative:
- First, one can see the import of physiognomy, a practice now regarded as pseudoscience: a cautionary tale, even for today.7
- Second, one sees how science can hinge on odd particulars of personality and chance, not just deliberate method.
- Finally, FitzRoy's criteria ultimately mattered to science.
For the same reason, Darwin's social class was important. FitzRoy, due to his own status, required a companion of equal peerage. Darwin's family background may seem incidental. But it also provided Darwin the leisure to pursue his travels — and supported his continued research once he returned. Science involves time and money. And Darwin's many discoveries relied in part on his wealth.
Consider, too, how Mendel discerned the mathematical patterns of inheritance. Mendel reported on seven, now renowned, pairs of traits in peas: tall/short, wrinkled/smooth, etc. However, not all traits in peas show clearly dichotomous ratios of recombination — nor every pair independent assortment.
Was Mendel lucky? Perhaps he knew more at the outset than he let on? Many presume that Mendel tested a clear hypothesis. That fits the textbook version of the scientific method, at least. But his strategy seems quite different. He apparently followed twenty-two traits, tracking various combinations, hoping patterns would emerge.8 Only a few pure-breeding forms were available commercially. Mendel worked with what he had. He searched somewhat blindly and ignored confusing results. Still, he made an important discovery.
Finally, consider James Watson and Francis Crick developing the double helix model of DNA.18 Watson's "method" underscores the creative dimension of science, sometimes relying on unexpected events and play. Watson, following Linus Pauling, first considered a triple helix. Then he paired nucleotide bases on the outside of a backbone. Later he paired like with like. How did he finally discover the complementary pairs? He cut out cardboard templates of the bases. Then Watson played with them, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Watson's officemate pointed out that the shapes of the guanine and thymine bases were likely wrong. The revised bases, combined and turned appropriately, matched.
These three stories about great discoveries in biology, as brief as they are, offer important lessons about how science happens. Science is more complex — and more interesting! — than the method commonly profiled in textbooks. History is valuable because it portrays this richness.
Teaching how science works: Monthly case studies
Teachers should go beyond the occasional anecdote, however. To fully appreciate the many dimensions of scientific practice, students must delve into historical case studies. In case studies, students see the process of science and the context of science in concert. Appropriate questions to address in any episode include:
- What motivated the work?
- How did the individual encounter a particular problem or question?
- How did the scientist collect the relevant information? How was its reliability ensured?
- Were the claims criticized? Why?
- How were alternative explanations addressed?
- How was disagreement resolved?
- How was the work funded or supported?
- What ethical, economic, political, cultural or gendered issues may have accompanied the research?
Students learn even more vividly when immersed in the historical context. They may be invited to tackle some problems themselves: interpreting results, finding alternative explanations, designing experiments, persuading critics, assessing ethical dilemmas, etc.10 This helps them develop their own thinking skills, especially when they can compare their work to how the earlier scientists reasoned. Students may also re-enact historical debates (for example, about spontaneous generation16 or about color vision17. Reviving the uncertainty underscores the challenge of interpreting evidence before the answer is known.
Students peering virtually over the shoulders of scientists learn how they reach conclusions. Not all research follows the formula of "the scientific method" so often profiled in textbooks. Biologists use a diverse toolbox of methods. They:
- build models
- apply analogies
- induce patterns
- allow results to "self-select" themselves
- harvest raw data for archives
- look for statistical correlations
- run computer simulations
- tinker with experimental apparatus
- test predictions derived indirectly from hypotheses
Biology now permeates personal and public decision-making, from climate change and pesticides to cloning and stem cells. Claims are supported by many methods. Teachers need to prepare individuals to interpret the available evidence and to pose relevant further questions, whatever the case.
Students typically enter biology classes with notions of how science happens. They often believe romanticized depictions of extraordinary genius and rare moments of insight. They find no reason to question these widespread myths. For any biologist who toils in the lab or field, checks every control, or struggles to develop a new experimental procedure, the myths are fictions. Of course, good history can remedy such misconceptions.2 But the history itself must be well informed. Teachers should thus ensure that their own sources are reliable and complete. They should also convey historical context well.1
Every case study adds depth to a student's knowledge of science. One episode alone is often enough to transform preconceived stereotypes of scientists, say, or of instant certainty. However, science is complex and textured. The ideal is several case studies in succession. Multiple episodes display the diversity, as well as highlight common themes. Hence, ideally, introduce at least one case study each month. Other lessons may thereby be displaced. But the trade-offs work. Anything that is learned from a book, students can learn when the occasion demands. The skills of interpreting what they read or hear from scientists cannot. Skills and perspective need modeling, practice and guidance. Teachers will find that students readily affirm the value of what they learn from historical case studies.
More lessons in the nature of science
Further lessons benefit those who delve even deeper into history. For example, scientific ideas change. Sometimes they reveal earlier errors. Sometimes, research is inconclusive or interpretation of results is uncertain. This, too, can be important for public policy and decision-making. Students need to learn the limits, as well as the foundations of scientific claims. Again, history is a powerful teaching tool. Episodes of conceptual change help reveal how the meaning of evidence sometimes shifts dramatically.
Consider Christiaan Eijkman and the cause of beriberi.6,10 Here, a student sees both the power and the limit of controlled experiments.
In the 1890s, Eijkman applied newly established germ theory and saw the disease as bacterial.
Through a series of accidents, he believed that he had isolated the source of the microorganism in white rice.
For confirmation, he coordinated a large controlled study showing how a white rice diet — and not other hygienic factors — correlated to beriberi among over one-quarter million prisoners in Java.
Based on his findings, diets changed and beriberi declined.
Eijkman had not considered, however (and his successor later showed), that the white rice was deficient in an essential nutrient (later identified as the vitamin thiamine). Eijkman even rejected the idea when first proposed!
He was wrong about the bacterium. He erred. Still, his achievement was significant and earned him a share in the 1929 Nobel Prize.
Other stories of error may convey a less noble image of science. Science is, ultimately, a human enterprise. And sometimes scientists express cultural bias. For example, in the U.S. in the 1950s, a group of researchers did not treat some syphilis patients because they wanted to study the advanced stages of their disease. They did not seek informed consent. The subjects were all Negroes. For us now, the racism that allowed the lapse in research ethics is painfully obvious.12 It shows that biologists are not immune to human prejudices just because they are scientists. Indeed, "scientific" results have even been used to support racist ideologies. Studies of intelligence — first, based on skulls, and later on IQ — typically endeavored to show that the researcher's own "kind" was superior. The scientists mostly seemed unaware of their own errors, even while they claimed the authority of science.9
Concepts of anatomy, behavior, and nature have likewise sometimes been shaped by gendered perspectives.11,15 It is all too easy to imagine that the banner of science legitimates such studies. A scientifically literate individual is thus familiar with such cases and is prepared to analyze and critique science, especially where power and profit are at stake.
A valuable teaching tool
Finally, history also offers teachers tools for teaching basic content. For example, history provides one framework for student motivation. Context gives meaning to biological questions. Arranged sequentially, they can often structure curriculum.13 Students also often share preconceptions with their historical counterparts. The experience of the past offers clues about how to guide students to more sophisticated views. History thus offers more than a parade of heroic discoveries or asides for human interest. A healthy approach to science adopts history as a tool for teaching the process of science: reasoning patterns and standards of evidence, as well as their limits. History is also essential for portraying the nature of science fully, including its human and cultural dimensions. For non-scientists, in particular, history makes biology engaging and informative.
© 2002, American Institute of Biological Sciences. Educators have permission to reprint articles for classroom use; other users, please contact email@example.com for reprint permission. See reprint policy.


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AICR Nutrition Hotline
The free Nutrition Hotline connects you directly to our registered dietitians by email or phone.
Our dietitians specialize in issues related to diet and cancer prevention as well as prevention of cancer recurrence in survivors. However, they cannot offer advice on cancer treatments (including the use of dietary supplements) or provide information on nutrient/drug interactions. Likewise, hotline staff cannot provide advice on specific medical conditions (for example, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension).
Submit a Question: Email your question to an AICR registered dietitian. Your email will generally be answered within 3 business days.
Questions and Answers: Read answers to popular Hotline questions. Updated regularly.
Toll-free Hotline: Call AICR at 1-800-843-8114, M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. An operator will take your question and your phone number. An AICR registered dietitian will return your call generally within 3 business days.
AICR partners with PearlPoint Cancer Support to provide personalized guidance and compassionate support to any adult impacted by cancer. The hotline dietitian may suggest a more detailed consultation with a registered dietitian specializing in oncology; or connecting with a cancer supportive services team for one-on-one guidance. AICR's hotline dietitian will be able to refer you to the appropriate PearlPoint services.
The Nutrition Hotline is a free service provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). AICR does not provide medical advice. Answers provided through the Hotline are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Please contact your health care professionals for individualized, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.


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Q: What is T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: T-Mobile All-Star FanFest is the largest interactive baseball theme park in the world. For five days, baseball fans have the opportunity to listen to local broadcasts, meet MLB Legends and obtain free autographs. Fans can also participate in baseball training drills, test out their batting skills in the All-Star batting cages, view hometown memorabilia and artifacts from Twins' history, along with a collection of official awards and trophies of Major League Baseball including the World Series, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game MVP and get their photo taken with the World's Largest Baseball signed by Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays and others. In addition to daily giveaways, fans also have the opportunity to purchase official 2014 MLB All-Star Game souvenirs in the MLB Clubhouse Store.
Q: Does my ticket allow me to re-enter T-Mobile All-Star FanFest after I leave?
A: There is no re-entry.
Q: Can I bring outside food into T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Outside food cannot be brought into T-Mobile All-Star FanFest. Concession stands and vending machines are available inside the event.
Q: Can bats be brought into T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Full-size bats will not be allowed into the event, but mini souvenir bats are allowed
Q: Can I enter T-Mobile All-Star FanFest at another time other than what my ticket states?
A: Fans may enter the event after the stated time on the ticket on the same day the ticket is for. However, fans may not enter T-Mobile All-Star FanFest prior to the stated time on the ticket. For example, fans holding a Sunday ticket with an entry time of 12:00pm may enter anytime on Sunday after 12:00pm, but not prior to 12:00pm. Once you enter the show floor, you may stay as long as you would like. Staggered entry times are an important part of the show as we try to safely accommodate traffic throughout the show floor.
Q: What day of the week is best to visit?
A: Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days. Please consider attending T-Mobile All-Star FanFest on a weekday.
Q: What are the event hours?
A: 9:00AM - 8:00PM from Friday, July 11th - Monday, July 14th and 9:00AM - 6:00PM on Tuesday, July 15th.
Q: Are there ATMs inside T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Bank of America ATMs will be available throughout the show floor.
Q: Can I bring personal items for autographing into T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Smaller items such as baseball cards and baseballs are allowed, but autographs are limited to one per person. Items to be signed by players are subject to change based on player restrictions.
Q: Will we be able to meet players?
A: The Live Radio Autograph stages are great places for you to meet former players and get free autographs. In addition, we've had many current players participate at previous T-Mobile All-Star FanFest events including Josh Hamilton, Justin Upton, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, David Wright, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Andrew McCutchen and Bryce Harper among others. These players have hosted clinics on the Diamond, held Q & A sessions in the All-Star Clubhouse and more.
Q: When do we know which players will be signing/appearing at T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Prior to the event, the Legends schedule will be available on allstargame.com. It will highlight player appearances and autograph session days and times.
Q: What type of food will be offered at the concession stands?
A: Traditional ballpark fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, pretzels and more!
Q: Are credit cards accepted?
A: Credit cards will be accepted at the Box Office, MLB Clubhouse Store, presented by MasterCard, and at various concession stands and vendors. Look for the MasterCard logo, the preferred card of Major League Baseball, at these locations.
Q: Are cameras and video cameras allowed into T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: Yes, fans are encouraged to bring cameras and video cameras to capture moments and share with family and friends.
Q: Are discounted tickets or family packages offered?
A: Yes, we offer discounted tickets to children (12 and under), seniors (65 and over), college and military personnel as well as Family Pack and Super Value Pack Discounts. Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages periodically for special deals!
Q: Is my ticket good for one day or all event days?
A: Each ticket is good for the day that is stated on the ticket. For fans who would like to attend all event days, a five day paperless ticket is available.
Q: What does my ticket entitle me to?
A: Your ticket entitles you to the interactive attractions & professional clinics on the T-Mobile Diamond, free autographs from Major League Legends and the many giveaways from corporate partners of Major League Baseball. All activities are included in the price of admission with the exception of souvenirs and food & beverage.
Q: Where can I purchase tickets to T-Mobile All-Star FanFest?
A: T-Mobile All-Star FanFest tickets can be purchased through the Target Field box office, at Minneapolis Convention Center during FanFest show days (based on availability) or online at allstargame.com.
Q: Do I need a ticket for a 2 year old child?
A: Yes, children two and over will need to purchase a ticket for the event. Children's tickets are $30 for one day admission, but we also have Family Packs and Super Value Pack Discounts that will provide additional savings.


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The requested news item does not exist. Please return to News
Martin Hinge succeeds Albert Ovidi who takes on the role of COO, Asia Pacific
Singapore, 19th May 2011 – Jones Lang LaSalle has appointed Martin Hinge as Managing Director for its Project and Development Services (PDS) business in Asia Pacific. The PDS business undertook 904 assignments totalling over 52.4 million sq ft in 2010 alone.
Mr Hinge who has worked with the firm for ten years in the Philippines, Greater China, Australia, India and Singapore comments, "Our diverse client base of occupiers and investors reaching across all Asian markets provide us with a strong platform to continue to grow our PDS business across new sectors, services and geographies across the region".
Jones Lang LaSalle's recent Global Corporate Real Estate Survey 2011 showed that 60% of companies expect to expand their real estate portfolios in North Asia, primarily China.
"Development activity, which slowed during the Global Financial Crisis, has now picked up in Asia, with an additional 40 per cent supply coming on the market this year alone compared to 2010. We expect this to translate into increased demand for project management services in the region," adds Mr Hinge.
Mr Hinge succeeds Albert Ovidi, who earlier this year assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific. As COO, Mr Ovidi will work closely with Jones Lang LaSalle's Asia Pacific CEO, Alastair Hughes to execute the firm's growth strategies, as well as provide strategic leadership to both the PDS and Property and Asset Management (PAM) businesses.
Alison Turner
+65 6494 3674
Magdelyne Cai
+65 6494 3648


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Reese Witherspoon's New Baby Tennessee Toth | Pictures
Meet Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth's Baby, Tennessee James Toth
Meet Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth's Baby, Tennessee James Toth
It's been seven weeks since Reese Witherspoon welcomed the newest addition to the family, Tennessee James Toth, and we're now getting our first peek at the cutie! Reese was spotted strolling with the tot — her first child with husband of one year Jim Toth — out in LA yesterday, and it's the first time we've seen the little blond boy.
We spent the Summer loving Reese's classic-meets-casual maternity style — it's one that moms-to-be everywhere can easily copy. Since giving birth, Reese has been spotted on the sidelines of 9-year-old Deacon's soccer games and shopping with her daughter, Ava, 13. Keep clicking to see more pictures of the adorable baby and his sweet Uppababy Vista stroller.


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Man has long found ethics to be a confusing subject. In recent decades it has become more so. How does a person know if what he is doing is right or wrong? When he sees dishonest men hold power, criminals go free and traditional values cast aside, maybe he feels he should take the easy way out. "Others cheat on their taxes, why shouldn't I?" "Other kids shoplift, what's the harm?" But, regardless of anything else, a person has to live with himself. With many pressures pushing and pulling at a person, how can he be sure his choices will be best for himself, his family and every aspect of his life and his future?
L. Ron Hubbard achieved a remarkable breakthrough in the field of ethics which included not only simplification and codification of the subject, but development of a workable technology with applicability to our daily lives, one which brings about increased happiness, prosperity and survival.
These fundamentals, taken from Mr. Hubbard's body of work, even when combined with this course and the booklet, Integrity and Honesty, which provides yet more information on the subject, do not present the entirety of ethics technology available in Scientology. However, they do provide an exact means for an individual to gradiently raise his ethics level, increase his survival potential in any area of life and help others do the same. Thus ethics technology is the key tool you need to succeed in all aspects of existence.
Ease of Study
This course is laid out in a step-by-step manner, with a sequence of reading assignments, essays and practical exercises.
Before you begin, you create your own personal account on the Volunteer Ministers website. Once logged in, the online program will guide you through each step of the course to full completion, with all course materials provided from within the Volunteer Ministers website.
Length of Course
8 to 10 hours. You may, however, do the course at your own pace. In other words, it is not timed. The course is our service to you, free of charge.
Booklet: Ethics and the Conditions
or The Scientology Handbook
Your course materials are also integrated within the online course. In other words, once logged on, you may read the materials from within the online course program as you do each step. We do, however, recommend that you download for free or purchase the booklet, to review and refer to when you are not logged into the course program.
Through the length of your course, you will receive supervision from your personal online course supervisor, who will help to ensure you understand and achieve the maximum benefit from the course materials. The end result is that you are fully able to apply the data contained therein. If you have any further questions, contact us here.
Each assignment you turn in will be graded by your course supervisor. In the event that any of your assignments need correction, your supervisor will send them back to you, with direction on what to review and correct.
Course Completion
Upon completion of The Ethics and the Conditions Course, you will receive a hardcopy certificate by mail.
The services of our online courses are always available to you. If at any time you need assistance with your course assignments, do not hesitate to contact your online course supervisor, whom you can reach using the 'Need help?' button in your online course program.
"The science of ethics and justice has long been at the core of humanity. We are only as human as our justice system, and as we treat each other. In the Scientology Volunteer Ministers course Ethics and Conditions, L. Ron Hubbard has rolled out a comprehensive set of tools to live our lives by.
"By teaching people how to recognize exact conditions of existence, and how to apply formulas and steps to these conditions, they can find themselves much improved, and the quality of life improvement just does not stop.
"Due to following these steps, I have found myself so busy in life—with many aspects that I have improved—that my biggest issue now is making sure I'm balanced across all areas of my life.
"Never before have I led a life which left me as such a happy person. I also had a moment of 'realization' about why people without ethics tend to live on a much lower level of existence. This win itself shows me why a lot of my older friends have found themselves stuck in a repeating cycle situation.
"The skills in this course should be learned by everyone, and their life would be a much different affair." – C.H.
"I have had huge wins from taking this Volunteer Ministers course. By following the guidelines I have turned my financial statistics back into a positive direction. Before I finished the course I was in credit card debt up to my neck, and within only a month after finishing the course I have eliminated over 90% of it!
"I just had to get out of a static trend, and I made sure to follow the formula for an affluence condition correctly when money came in." – S.M.
"Before this course, I was quite unaware of my conditions and the conditions of others too, at work. I experienced lots of trouble in my past career due to lack of this knowledge. Sometimes we do wrong things at the right time and do right things at the wrong time.
"This course furnished me a right path along which to work—what to do at this time and what not to do at this time. It gave me the technique to see problems and then remedy them through scientific methodology. This course made me realize mine and others' mistakes at work. If I did not attend this course, I can safely say that I would never have understood the secrets of this portion of life.
"At the end I must add, it really works if it is applied correctly. Now I have much more understanding of my working environment and I can also help others.
"Thanks to my course supervisor for her help and worthwhile instructions, and to L. Ron Hubbard." – A.M.
Leaving your future up to fate?
Do you feel like your success or failure in life is just a matter of luck? Are you feeling helpless about improving your lot in life?
Nearly everyone would like to improve conditions in their life. But how do you do it?
What if there were exact formulas one could follow to improve the state of any aspect of life—education, marriage or career?
Well, there are, and they're contained in this course.
These are exact tools which, when applied correctly, bring an end to contraction, worry and distress and mark a new era of stability, expansion, influence and well-being.
Find out:
- The exact formulas to stably improve any part of life
- Why some organizations emerge from a crisis smaller and the remedy for this situation
- How to maintain a powerful and influential position


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Denim essentials for the new season
Three denim classics you need in your wardrobe and how to wear them this spring.
Find the perfect pair of denims, and let them speak for themselves. This spring, we love a classic, minimalist denim look and pair our jeans with a simple top and pointy, black flats. These limited edition jeans are made from recycled denim, and are sold exclusively online.
The denim shirt is an underestimated fashion classic – it works just as well in a casual look, like here, slightly oversized and paired with dark jeans, or in a chicer, more dressed up look.
The frayed hemline gives this denim skirt an edgy finish. Balance your look by wearing it with a classy off-the-shoulder top. This limited edition denim skirt is made from recycled denim, and is sold exclusively online.
PHOTOGRAPHER Jesse Laitinen | Mink Management
STYLIST Ellen Pålsson Norberg
HAIR Johnnie Biles | Frank Agency
MAKEUP Josefin Scherdin | Mikas Looks
MODEL Ellen De Weer | Only Model Management
PHOTO ASSISTANT Claes Gyllensten
CASTING DIRECTOR: Emilie Åström


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How to Use the Images
The administration building houses the arboretum's offices, horticultural library, herbarium, and lecture room.
Questions for Photo 1
1. Locate the administration building on Drawing 1.
2. What is the use of the building? Why would this building have been a necessary part of the arboretum?
3. What do the men in the photo appear to be doing?
* The photo on this screen has a resolution of 72 dots per inch (dpi), and therefore will print poorly. You can obtain a high quality version of Photo 1, but be aware that the file will take as much as 33 seconds to load with a 28.8K modem.


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Heike Hennig and Co
The international ensemble Heike Hennig & Co was founded in 2000 by Heike Hennig and Frederick U. Minkus founded in Leipzig. Together with more than 150 artists from various genres of architects to video artists realized Heike Hennig & Co numerous stage productions and interdisciplinary art projects. Heike Hennig & Co has since 2005 at the Leipzig Opera's home venue, where they are by their unconventional boundaries between music, dance, theater and new media have become known. With their productions they wear OPERA unplugged the program of events for the FZTM Leipzig in central Germany. In addition, Heike Hennig & Co with different partners at different stages and unusual places to experience. Thus the ensemble Heike Hennig & Co celebrated in the intergenerational staging opera Alcina with the Youth Orchestra Baroque "Bach's heirs" in 2008 to a peak in the Handel Festival in Halle. In the Leipzig Opera Heike Hennig & Co started with the documentary dance with time by the German cinemas. With the premiere of rituals a dance opera for George Frideric Handel, a tribute to his 250th by Heike Hennig Death, Heike Hennig & Co opened with the musical theater LAUTTEN COMPAGNEY Berlin new dimensions. The completion of the Neues Museum on Museum Island in Berlin, they succeeded in 2009 with the staging Timeless a work of art out of dance music and architecture. The dance oratorio Maria was hailed by audiences and critics as a masterpiece.
The ensemble Heike Hennig & Co is a privately held company culture which is funded entirely by its own productions and guest performances. Heike Hennig & Co was founded in 2010, the Heike Hennig gGmbH as an independent holding company. The ensemble has, in contrast to comparable institutions such as the municipal utilities of the city of Leipzig survive so far without municipal subsidies.
Leave a Reply
- Hennig, Heike
Classical Ballet / Artistic Director


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Blast down a gravel road or a dusty trail. When you're ready, stealthily pass from the wild to the civilized as you arrive at your destination. Powered by the most advanced powertrain in the industry, the Zero DS is a fully electric motorcycle that can handle any surface you throw at it.
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Hello Everyone,
This will be my first post on the site and I'm looking for some advice.
Me and my current girlfriend are having a baby and have decided to do so without being married. We are happy and that's all that matters to us. I am an atheist and she is Catholic and comes from a family that is very involved in their religion. I love her very much and respect her choices in life as she respects mine. We are both very aware of each others beliefs, with that we have talked about getting married eventually.
She has looked down the road many times and explained to me what she has always wanted, a traditional catholic wedding. Now from my understandings that means I must be approved and accepted into their religion ( Accepting Christ and all that he is ) to be a part of this ceremony. Like I stated before, I love the girl and she is a huge part of my life. I want her to have everything that she desires, but this one causes some issues. It's a ways down the road but I figured i would start getting some input on it now.
When looking to my options I run across a few personal and moral dilemmas. ( What's that you say? Atheists have morals? Why yes.... They do. haha) Do I tell her she can't have the wedding she wants and cause a rift in our almost perfect (so far) relationship? Or, do i go along with it even though I don't believe, perform their ceremonies to make her happy and just put on the show for her and the rest of the family?
Now you may say, where is the dilemma? Well, being that i don't believe in a god but i do believe in being a good person, I don't want to outright deceive people. That's not who I am. I don't believe in what they believe in and I'm absolutely positive I will not have fire and brimstone rained upon me because I said i believed so that she can have the day of her dreams. Overall I know it's a decision I have to make but i just wanted to have some advice or see if there was anyone else out here that had faced a similar situation.
Thanks for reading and i look forward to the advice.
Views: 2377
Now from my understandings that means I must be approved and accepted into their religion ( Accepting Christ and all that he is ) to be a part of this ceremony.
The Catholic church allows marriages between a Catholic and a non-believer. Your girlfriend would need to obtain permission to do so, but you could be married in the church without converting or believing.
Of course this doesn't change the fact that you'd be taking part in a religious ceremony. That's an important discussion you may need to have continually with her. What are the basic reasons why she wants to be married in a traditional fashion? If you look up the Catholic vows and prayers during a wedding mass, could you respectfully attend or take part even if you do not believe? How would she feel about your part in it? Does she see this ceremony as something for both of you or is it mostly about her?
Lots of discussion to be had :)
Thanks for the info Godless Girl. It seems that they are not wanting to let me know that I am able to participate without being converted. Anymore information that you have on that aspect would be greatly appreciated.
To answer your questions...
She has a very strong commitment to her family and she is a religious person, but the reason we can get along so well is that neither of us have to push our beliefs on others. She wants the wedding because it's something that she's always dreamed os, and it's something that her family wants to see as well. I feel that I could respect the ways of their ceremony, I'm taking part in it for her and not anyone else. My ceremony still happens on the state recognized level so i feel satisfied that we are bonded (On paper, lol) to each other. She understands my views and doesn't try to persuade me to think otherwise. She see's it as something more for her, but she has also said that no matter what type of wedding me have it's generally for her more than me, and i agree with that.
This is correct. You do not need to convert or agree with their theology to get married in a Catholic Church. They will, however, ask that you agree to raise your children Catholic. (i.e. teach them that the Catholic Church's theology is real and true) Of course you can always agree to do this just for show, and then do whatever you want after the ceremony, as you said. The Catholic Church is pretty indifferent about that. They are more interested in getting your money than making waves.
You might want to ask your girlfriend if the decorations and atmosphere of the church are more important than the vows. If it's the scenery and atmosphere that is important, then you will be honoring your girlfriend's wishes just to go along with it. In this case, she wouldn't be taking all of the vows 100% seriously herself. However, if she sees the vows and duties to her god and church as being the main reason for having the wedding there, then you might need to talk with her about it. How can she ask you to take serious vows that you do not agree with and do not plan to keep? I agree with Godless Girl, you should make sure that the wedding is a celebration of your unity and future together and not merely a one-sided ceremony to appease a childhood fantasy of hers.
Well, if you feel that a catholic wedding would be a form of deceit, then don't do it. I'm Atheist, and my wife's agnostic, but we're both from Irish Catholic families, so we compromised. We had the wedding on my family's land, and gave a good show and a beautiful ceremony. We simply requested that the pastor leave out any religious lore, and he respected our wishes. You can give your vows and mean them, and you can fufill each other for the rest of your lives as you see fit. Happiness is all that really counts there. You don't need a God to be true to someone. And if her superstitious family doesn't like it, then tough shit. It's not their decision. The best thing to do would to reach a mutual agreement between your lady and you, because it's nobody else's business, and they'll need to face the facts that their opinion doesn't matter because they don't have any say in it. Remember, God did not create man. Man created God.
Can't help you with the ceremony but I find the Catholics in my life to be pretty flexible when it comes to day-to-day life outside the sacraments (Marriage is a sacrament). So that's something.
As for the the ceremony itself, they will not let you get married at a Catholic altar, at all, unless you have been confirmed (Another sacrament). Some churches might allow you to do a side altar.
So if you want to make her happy by having a traditional Catholic wedding, you will have to go through confirmation. And to do that you have to go through all those classes. Which I'm sure you'll ace, even if you think its nonsense.
The best you can do is be honest with her and her family, as you already have, and say, "okay, I'll do this for you, but I don't believe it and I have no intention of becoming a believing Catholic or a regular churchgoer" Then nobody can be angry with you when you lapse before you hit the dancefloor.
That's rough. Though she is asking you to do the impossible - an unreasonable request. Or she is asking you to lie, or she hopes you'll change your belief a few years down the road.
I come from a very religious family and am not out to them yet because my parents are aged and my mother would spend the rest of her days worrying, praying for my soul, and feeling like a failure. If I get married (which I may avoid all together), I expect there will be a semi-religious ceremony for the family but with vows written for each other. I am accustomed to going through the motions to appease them. Does it strike against my integrity? Perhaps...but pragmatically speaking there's a better outcome for everyone.
But...it doesn't bother me much because going to church with them on holidays is tradition and religious beliefs are just fantasies to me. Unimportant. Like going along with a kid's belief in Santa Claus. But it seems marriage ought to mean something. Does it to you? I think I'd feel uncomfortable lying in regards to what society dubs one fo the most important days of my life.
So can there be compromise? I question whether she will consent to a non-Catholic wedding (but with a church or priest) that may make references to God but does not insist you lie about your acceptance of them.
On the topic of being honest when asked to participate in a Sacrament, I have my own story. I was baptised Catholic, therefore I am qualified, on paper at least, to be a godfather (or a Pope!)
My sister asked me to be Godfather to her baby boy many years back. I told her I was honoured that she would choose me, but reminded her of my position on religious matters. I told her "Godparents are supposed to provide religious guidance, and if asked, the only religious guidance I can provide in good conscience is to guide him away from religion!"
She accepted that, and I'm a godfather!


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Friday, 12 November 2010
A moral duty to oppose the evil of the EU
It's because I love Europe that I condemn with every breath I take the grotesque evil of the EU. The EU is evil in exactly the same way that the Soviet Union was evil; that in a pretence at securing the good of all, the freedoms of each are trampled upon, that power and its maintenance becomes an end in itself, that privilege and patronage are reserved to the ruling elite, and that any countervailing loyalties and allegiances are crushed. The corruption of power, the spoilation of national dignity, the cruel subjugation of human spirit and conscience are all works of true evil and counter to our shared Christian culture and heritage. Every one of us has a moral duty to oppose the EU.
Today the power of the nomenclature in Brussels looks unassailable. The Eurocrats no longer wear jackboots or carry arms, but as they gaze up at Westminster's spires they wear the exact same look as those other conquerors as they rode beneath the Arc de Triomphe in 1940. Things have scarcely looked blacker in my lifetime for Britain, scarce looked more hopeless. But older readers will have been here before, and on the wall of the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral it took a Jew to sculpt the simple meaning of that triumph of Christian faith; that good will, eventually, vanquish evil.
16 comments:
Agree about the unaccountability and corruption of the EU.
But you are mad:
Blackmail, torture and lies, just like the other religions of islam and communism.
- 12 November 2010 at 08:19
- Weekend Yachtsman said...
Excellent post Mr. R., I could not have put it better. Or at least, not without descending into spluttering and abuse. Well done.
@Greg, I think you have misunderstood the comparison being made.
- 12 November 2010 at 08:31
- talwin said...
"It's because I love Europe that I condemn with every breath I take the grotesque evil of the EU".
Interestingly put but spot-on. In a sentence, that just about nails it for me.
- 12 November 2010 at 09:14
- Span Ows said...
Well said, a great piece.
- 12 November 2010 at 10:56
No lad, tha's getting a bit mixed up.
Islam is a political ideology, like communism.
Christianity is not.
God deems that all men have the propensity for benevolence, kindness, charity and in pursuing these, through spiritual transcendance raise himself up. There is also the reverse, mankind has the ability and aptitude for malign deeds and thus the capacity for the spread of ill will and war.
If man is malign, he is not a Christian and never can be.
Christianity, did keep the flame of knowledge alive through the Dark ages in England (through writing and the consequent transcription of learning - mainly though not exclusively from Greek and Latin texts). It was Christianity,it's monks and Bishops: that were responsible for the first universties in England.
In Europe, Charles Martel and later Charlemagne kept the Moors from the heart of Europe, Rodrigo Diaz, finished the job.
In the East, the Byzantines fought a long and ultimately forlorn battle against the forces of Islam.
Even up to 1683, the turks were knocking on the door of Vienna.
Christianity, is the sole reason that we are, moreover why we are here today.
There are some in Europe who know and understand this well.
The nihilism of Socialism, fundamental Islam and indoctrination by malevolent Marxist forces within, the EU is purposefully traducing Christianity. And thus in doing so is trashing the West and civilisation (as we have known it).
An ignorant populace, is one easier to control and manipulate and direct.
It would be better: "to know thine enemy first."
Before making crass statements.
- 12 November 2010 at 11:39
- Elby the Beserk said...
Aye to all above (bar @Greg!). Evil stalks the land, and the EU is starting to frighten me. I don't think my dear old dad went to war for this to happen.
- 12 November 2010 at 20:15
- Witterings From Witney said...
Excellently said R, congratulations
- 13 November 2010 at 19:31
This essay is worth reading
Faith & freedom
The quarrel
- 13 November 2010 at 21:09
An excellent post, Raedwald, on a subject most of the blogosphere and the MSM seem to have forgotten about.
As a result the EU project is advancing behind our backs aided by the incredible complacency within the FCO and the rest of the UK government. This suits the europhiles because at the moment their beloved 'project' is looking somewhat tatty and difficult to defend overtly.
- 13 November 2010 at 22:38
Budgie: Do rest assured that there is no complacency within the FCO on all this, not a drop. In fact, these days it is absolutely essential to have (or have had) some working experience in one of the European departments if you ever hope to reach the higher levels within the diplomatic service. These people are in it right up to their necks mate.
- 14 November 2010 at 03:56
Goodness! I knew something sinister had sneaked its tentacles into the drawing rooms of Barchester the moment I laid eyes on Signora Neroni! Little did I realise she was simply the vanguard for the monstrous EU Leviathan waiting to crush civilization and Christianity in our green and pleasant land. I discussed my fears with my Lord's chaplain, Mr. Slope. "Fuck the lot of em, missus,' he said. Wise words.
- 14 November 2010 at 11:17
Goodness! I knew something sinister had sneaked its tentacles into the drawing rooms of Barchester the moment I laid eyes on Signora Neroni! Little did I realise she was simply the vanguard for the monstrous EU Leviathan waiting to crush civilization and Christianity in our green and pleasant land. I discussed my fears with my Lord's chaplain, Mr. Slope. "Fuck the lot of em, missus,' he said. Wise words.
- 14 November 2010 at 11:17
It would seem, Mr. Slope is a man of pellucid vision and has a keen sense of what the EU is and what they are all about. I very much admire his abridged analysis, it harmoniously doth chime with my sentiments.
- 14 November 2010 at 15:18
Excellent post, Raedwald. Thank you.
As for Mr. Slope's "Anglo-Saxon" - I hope you did nothing of the sort, Mrs. P.
Though perhaps he's of more Viking descent: I'd like to see them medicate the Anti-Christian Empire on its own terms!
- 14 November 2010 at 17:20
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wood, baby
Posted by californiadreamin at Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1 comments Links to this post
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Q&A Link up with the One and Only, Shasta!
Linking up for a little Q&A with Shasta Anne and PIPM! So here we go!
1. What is the best advice you've ever given and received?
"Gods in control" and I always tell people "Everything happens for a reason". I know they both seem seems so cliche, but seriously you guys: BEST ADVICE EVA'. My faith runs deep and honestly, I can rest my pretty little head at night knowing that no matter what I plan to do, God already knows what Im gonna do. He knows whats gonna happen before it happens! My advice for people is "everything happens for a reason", because...well... it does. I could write a blog dedicated to the examples of why Im such a strong believer in this.
2. Type of music you like most?
Im a total country girl at heart. There is a country station around here called 105.1 KNCI - and my girlfriend and I would sign the "KNCI" part when we were in the car back when we were like 7 or 8. I still do it sometimes before they play a song and the radio DJ sings "K-EN-CEE-I". I do listen to everything tho, except mariachi. I've been known to have some Enya on my iPhone just in case I can't go back to sleep when the hubbinator goes off to work. Oh and another persons music I love and have loved foreva? ADELE Baby!
3. Shoe size?
So embarrassing, but their like boats - size 9.5-10. However, Im 5.7 1/2 so a foot that size sounds appropriate, right? RIGHT?!?!
4. Who sent the last text message you received?
My BFF, Jenni. We were discussing throwing a BBQ next weekend since the weather here in the Northern California vicinity has gone cray cray. 71 this week people. Isn't it winter?
5. If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?
Oh gosh, hmmmmmm, a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. I'd love to meet Jesus Christ just cause Im stoked to meet him one day anyways and have a little Q&A with Him. Definitely the #1 I want to meet. I'd love to have lived back in England when King Henry was rolling around with all them Bolyen girls, and sit down and have a little come to Jesus meeting. Those poor unfortunate souls (tell me you were just singing Little Mermaid after you read that!). Also would have loved to have met Marilyn Monroe and Heath Ledger (LOVED him)
6. Have you ever been fired or "let go"?
YES! In fact I have. It was from a CPA firm and its a very interesting story - me and the 6 other employees who I worked with were called into one of our bosses offices and told the company was broke, and had to close the business. While she was letting me go, she told me that if anyone from the press called, to tell them my other boss (the main owner) and she weren't there. I thought it was soooo bizarre. Like why would the press call? I knew the company had been in business for like 15 some odd years, had very wealthy clients, etc., but honestly why would the press care? It wasn't until later that week one of my former coworkers called and left me a message and told me to go to the local news stations webpage and look at the headline. Expalins why the company was, "shutting its doors". Check it out HERE But don't worry...justtice was served. Read here
7. What's under your bed?
Can't answer that - my mom and gma read this blog. Just joshin - that stuff isn't under the bed! I have scrapbooks, mine and Nicks box that I started when we first met and have kept every memorable item in, slippers, monsters, etc.
8. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Hmmm idk, cause I've never experienced just a random, "Oh hey, just walked into a coffee shop and a guy turned around and we fell in love" moment. I definitely believe in "dang baby, you look good in them jeans" at first sight moments
9. What is your middle name?
10. Do you think that you are a good singer?
Hmmm I'd say Im average. Not terrible, but not good by any means. When Im in the moment, watch out, cause I will belt it out like Im Christina Aguilera baby!
Posted by californiadreamin at Sunday, February 19, 2012 3 comments Links to this post
Friday, February 17, 2012
Look at me now
Posted by californiadreamin at Friday, February 17, 2012 5 comments Links to this post
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Guess who is back on the blogging scene today? I know, long time no blog, but that's life, right?
So I hope you girls had a fabulous Valentines day whether you had a plus one or were just living it up single style. I honestly don't get the ba-humbugness of it all. So its a total Hallmark holiday, but if you've ever heard the story of St. Valentine, it's actually kinda sweet. Anywhooot, it was also mine and the mister's 7th year Anniversary! He very lovingly told he hasn't had that "itch" y'all hear about when the seventh year comes along.
So this weekend my WONDERFUL AMAZING mamacita, is taking T Man for Saturday and even keeping him Saturday night so Nick and I can celebrate our anniversary with a fun adult night. I have something planned giftwise for Nick, that I can't share yet just in case he reads this, but its good. Most def the best gift I've ever given him. And what did he get me?
This is happening tomorrow baby! On the rib cage....lotsa pain from what I hear. Wish me luck! Im gonna try to put on a brave face and not act like a person with tourettes while Im in the chair
Posted by californiadreamin at Thursday, February 16, 2012 5 comments Links to this post
Labels: anniversary
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
So Many Things to Discuss
Who watched the Superbowl? Nick was cheering on the Patriots, I for the Giants. Who doesn't like a little friendly competition in the household. If you didn't know, I won :) Was so happy cause I don't like him:
pic from here
Nor do I like his loud mouth, I'm better than you cause I have 10 miles of legs, model of a wife:
pic from here
Then what does Gisele Bwhocareshowtosayhername say loud and clear for us all to hear? "My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times." Word is Tom and the rest of the Patriots ain't too happy. They live and play by a moto of "We win as a team and lose as a team". No matter what the highest paid model wants to say. But it's Gisele, people. This isn't the 1st thing that's come out of her mouth that makes you wanna feed her a dozen double bacon cheeseburgers and ruin her modeling career. Too harsh? Calling it honest.
This guy:
pic from here
Called this angelic voice, "too fat".
pic from here
Im sorry, excuse me? Has she ever wanted to be a (starving) model or commented on your ridiculous flamboyant undertaker look? Listen Karl, you may have one of the largest fashion empires, but you don't get to call out random celebrities and judge if they are too anything.
I have been out of running commission for the past week because I have a wicked cold that comes with its own block of phlegm so I want to puke when I even get above a fast paced walk. However, Im feeling a lot better, especially breathing wise, so Im going to hit the trail tomorrow for a "welcome back to running!" 3 mile run. Gotta get ready for the half thats in 4 WEEKS!! EEEEEK!! Gotta step up the game fo' sho!
On that note, Im off to put the T Rex to bed and pour myself a skinny girl 'rita and watch the premiere of REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE OC!!! Its finally here baby!!!
Posted by californiadreamin at Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5 comments Links to this post
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Pay Attention New Followers
I was recently tagged by Breanna at Adventures in Mommy land to do a little question ire. And WHO doesn't like talking about themselves? Srrrsly. And since I have caught this plague that's been going around my circle of friends, I need something that's a no brainer. Plus, I thought since I've had a few new followers lately, this would be a good get to know you sorta thing.
1. What kinds of things do you do every single day, without fail?
A couple things: I shower. I am a grumpy fart if I don't get my shower every day - true story. 2. I eat breakfast - gotta fire up that metabolism. 3. Say bedtime prayers with TMoney
2. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oh gosh, the list is endless: An actress, a singer, a vet, a dentist, actress, a singer, famous, actress...Seriously wanted to be an actress super bad. Had dreams of making it big on SNL
3. Aside from immediate family, who would you like to be stranded on a desert island with?
OOO this is tough, but I'm gonna have to take one for the team and either say Jason Statham or Christian Bale. Both seem like they could be handy
4. Who would play you in a movie?
Either Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon
5. What are your top 3 favourite television shows?
So hard to pick just 3 of my trashtastic shows. Most def Real Housewives (OC and New Jersey), Alcatraz and Teen Mom (classy, right?)
6. What is your most favorite meal?
Anything carb/cheesy and hot. Stuff I honestly rarely have. Gotta keep my bod in check ;)
7. Do you have an annoying/bad habit?
Probably itching my throat. Drives Nick and my other family nuts. It sounds like a pig snorting, you know what I mean? Am I the only one who does this?
8. What 3 destinations do you dream of visiting one day?
So many: London (Again), but I want to go all over England. Would like to go to Paris to see what the hype is about, and Greece
9. What is the number one thing you need when you are sick {minus meds}?
Naps, a comfy place to crash with lotsa fluffy blankets and my DVR'd shows
10. What do you need to do more of?
Same thing most Americans need.. more money would be nice. But like my good friend Biggy Smalls used to say - Mo Money, Mo Problems...word
11. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Assuming it was the total jackpot of all lotteries and not just a measly 10 bucks? Pay off our house, finish the basement and spare no expense, remodel some other rooms of the house, buy Nick a truck, pay off our credit card, pay off my parents house (if it isn't already), buy my sister a nice big house, stash some money away for Troy's college fund, invest and then take the whole fam on a vacation :)
Posted by californiadreamin at Saturday, February 04, 2012 4 comments Links to this post


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Members of the Institute are free to work on any problems in which they are interested. In any given year, some of the members will collaborate with each other, with relevant Institute faculty members, with members of the physics and astronomy faculties at Princeton University, or with scientists at other institutions. The research in mathematical physics and string theory benefits from a strong synergistic activity involving the School of Mathematics and the School of Natural Sciences. The Institute programs in physics and astronomy are closely integrated with the corresponding activities at Princeton University via joint seminars and lunches, as well as frequent informal contacts.
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State Politics
Gov. Scott, Dems fight over early voting
TALLAHASSEE -- The fight over early voting is escalating in Florida as Gov. Rick Scott seeks agreement among counties for eight days and Democrats demand 12 days.
At issue is whether all 67 counties will operate under one early voting schedule, or five counties will offer more days than all the others.
Days after a federal court ruled that eight days of early voting could depress African-American turnout, Scott's chief elections adviser tried to get five counties to agree to eight days of early voting anyway -- for 12 hours a day.
Court approval is critical. Because of past evidence of discrimination, election law changes need clearance from the federal government or federal courts before they taking effect in Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee, Hendry and Monroe counties.
Because the judges rejected the shorter early voting schedule in those counties last week, the counties must provide up to 14 days of early
voting under the old law.
During a conference call with Secretary of State Ken Detzner, four of the five said yes to eight, 12-hour early voting days for the general election, in hopes that would satisfy the federal judges.
Only Monroe said no.
Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Harry Sawyer said he would offer 12 days of early voting and eight hours on each day at five sites, from Marathon to Key West.
"The days are more important than the hours," said Sawyer, a Republican who is retiring after 24 years and is not seeking re-election.
Referring to the new eight-hour early voting schedule, he said: "I feel this law does discriminate against minorities and working people. ...We need to show the state and the nation that we respect people's rights."
Monroe is one of only two counties in Florida with a plurality of Republicans that voted for Obama, a Democrat, in 2008.
A spokesman for Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard said he would provide eight 12-hour days of early voting in November.
In a deposition in the federal case, Lennard said: "I'll be open every day for 12 hours per day on the general election for sure ... so that we can ensure that we capture as many voters as possible."
The panel of three judges said reducing days of early voting is "analogous to closing polling places" in predominantly black neighborhoods, and they noted that in four of the past five statewide elections in Florida, blacks were much more likely than whites to vote early.
But the judges added that if counties provide early voting on eight days, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., for a maximum 96 hours allowed by the new law, "Florida would likely be able to meet its burden of demonstrating that the overall effect of the changes would not be retrogressive."
Detzner's spokesman, Chris Cate, said the purpose of the call with elections supervisors was to give voters a uniform schedule of early voting everywhere.
"It has never been our preference to have two variations of election laws being administered in Florida," Cate said.
The new law, passed by the Legislature in 2011, cuts the days of early voting from 14 to eight, and requires at least eight hours of early voting on the Sunday that falls nine days before Election Day. The old law did not require early voting on any Sundays.
While Scott's administration seek unanimity on eight days of early voting, Democrats and civil rights activists, all of them supporters of President Barack Obama, seek more days.
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, arrived unannounced at Scott's Capitol office Monday morning and asked to meet with him face-to-face.
Scott was in his office at the time, but aide Jon Costello said his schedule was "kind of packed" and that he would meet sometime later.
Joyner said Scott should follow the example of former Gov. Charlie Crist, a former Republican who ordered an expansion of early voting from eight to 12 hours a day before the 2008 election.
Joyner said fewer days of early voting risks having long lines at polling places, which would discourage people from voting, an act she described as voter suppression by Republicans.
"He (Scott) can extend it because the right for people to vote is paramount," Joyner said. "It should be the polestar by which he operates: Giving every Floridian the right to vote."


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The release will include two maps: the opening scene and the cave map. The Harrvah city map(s) will likely not be ready by then, so I'm assuming that we're leaving them out of this release. Both maps will be completely playable from beginning to end. Battles will be completely functional. Menu mode will remain in the state that its been in for a long time. There will be no shops, so we don't have to address anything in shop mode. This release will "end" with the boss fight in the cave.
Here's a list of things we absolutely need to have for the release that we don't have currently:
- The final event sequences for the cave boss fight need to be added
- Fixed/improved pathfinding code
- The goliath scorpion boss needs to have its data properties defined so that it can be fought
- The finish menus in battle mode need to be minimally functional (XP added to the character party, etc)
- Placeholder art (tiles, status indicator icons) replaced with some better looking art
- Ability to save the game and continue (need to add ability to have map save points?)
- Sprite for Mak hound
- Various improvements to battle gameplay, generally animations, sequences, and not stopping the action when player selects a command
Seems easy enough, doesn't it?