text:
✔79 luxury small bathroom decorating ideas 57
Other than the kitchen, the bathroom is the most used room in the house. But unlike the kitchen, a well-designed, decorated, and accessorized bathroom is more than just a place for personal hygiene. With creative bathroom decorating ideas you can turn your bathroom into your own personal spa-like retreat where you can escape from the world, relax and rejuvenate yourself. There are two main considerations for decorating a bathroom. First, if you're in an older home remodeling bathroom ideas are more challenging because older homes typically have much smaller bathrooms then homes built over the last 20 years. Still, decorating a small bathroom can often be easier because small subtle changes can have a much larger visual impact. The second consideration is the amount of money you're willing to spend. The Details in the Budget Whether your bathroom is large or small one thing is certain, you're going to have to spend money if you want an updated bathroom. How much money you need to spend depends to a certain extent on the size of your bathroom and how much updating you feel you need to do to give the look and feel you desire. If you only have a… Continue Reading Read More


text:
NH pain clinic owner: some patients showing meningitis symptoms, no confirmed cases
SOMERSWORTH, N.H. (AP) � The owner of the three New Hampshire clinics that received possibly tainted steroid medication says a handful of patients are experiencing meningitis-like symptoms, though the state has not reported any confirmed cases in an outbreak that has killed at least 12 people in 10 states.
The state Department of Health and Human Services says up to 742 patients who were treated at PainCare clinics in Somersworth, Merrimack and Newington may have been exposed to tainted medication.
Michael O'Connell, PainCare's owner, told Foster's Daily Democrat (http://bit.ly/ULjnwM) that several patients are experiencing symptoms and are undergoing further testing. He says about 50 company employees have been putting in 16-hour days working to contact patients.
The medication, made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts, has been recalled.
Information from: Foster's Daily Democrat, http://www.fosters.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The authors of the article "Quantum Phenomena Modeled by Interactions between Many Classical Worlds" published on Physical Review X, have presented a rational model of (at least) two parallel universes that interact between them.
With a simple model of their theory they could calculate quantum ground states and to reproduce the double-slit interference phenomenon. "probabilities arise due to ignorance as to which world a given observer occupies", the introduction declares. And it affirms that "this picture is all that is needed to explain bizarre quantum effects".
I do not agree that "all quantum phenomena arise from a universal force of repulsion" between those universes. I consider, following the model I am defending on this blog, that each universe varies periodically, expanding and contracting, with the same or opposite phase than its parallel universe (or universes). The interaction between them arises when they intersect or overlap physically creating a sharing dynamism formed by four new "worlds" which – at atomic level – I consider the subatomic particles of the central nucleus. The simplest system has 9 spatial fluctuant dimensions and one or two temporal dimensions. The phases of variation synchronize and desynchronize periodically.
So, each world or universe has its own wave function created by its own periodical variation, and this wave function is gravitational. I do no agree with "quantum effects arise solely from a universal interaction between these worlds, without reference to any wave function". I consider that it is because their own wave function that they can interact when intersecting. The interaction between many (at least two) worlds create the electromagnetic wave functions. Electromagnetism does not exist in a unique an isolated world. But I think that each world exist in and is created by the intersection of at least two bigger intersection worlds that interact, and so on in an infinite way. In this sense, what interactions are gravitational and what are electromagnetic? It is a subjective and artificial distinction that depend on the immediate interacting – and generating – worlds that we take as reference.
When the interacting worlds have equal phase of variation they are ruled by the Pauli exclusion principle at the vertical plane. When they both contract, the ascending pushing force that their variation creates causes a photon. When they both contracts a gamma decay occurs (in the concave side of the intersection, but in the convex side an antiphoton takes place).
When both they vary with opposite phases, the Pauli exclusion principle operates at the horizontal level. When the left universe contracts, one of the created worlds, the electron world, moves toward the left side. And when the right universe contracts the electron world moves toward the right side becoming a positron.
Each world has a inner kinetic energy, and it would exist a periodical displacement of all the system turning on the central axis of symmetry.
I think the animation below could represent visually the idea of two interacting parallel universes ("many" interacting worlds when adding more intersecting fields). On my model I use the term field, intersecting "concave fields", "conic fields", "gravitational fields", etc, with "gravitational curvatures", varying periodically. On this picture I consider the two intersecting fields as gravitational and the created fields as electromagnetic. It looks (still I have not read the whole article) the authors of the MIW do not use the term "field", but the terms worlds and universes. I consider "worlds" and "universes" as fields, fields that vary periodically.
I think in this context interaction takes place between the intersecting gravitational fields of (at least) two nearby parallel worlds or between at least two nearby universes, considering that gravitational fields, like universes, expand and contract periodically. In this sense it could be speak about "Many Interacting Fields" (MIF) instead of Many interacting Worlds (MIW).
I made this animation that represents the intersection ("entanglement" here is physical and actual intersection) of two fields that vary periodically with the same or opposite phases creating a central nucleus. I think they can be consider two interacting universes or worlds creating the changing subatomic particles of the created and shared central nucleus.
You can read much more about the model of two intersecting gravitational fields, it is a 6 quarks model, in other posts of this blog, but you can get a short explanation from these pictures below with the terminology of the Standard Model:
I hope the authors of the "Many interacting fields theory" (MIW) soon will realized tat the interaction between parallels worlds comes because they vary periodically and intersect, overlap, between them. I think they must arrive logically to similar pictures too. The above simple pictures explain in a conceptual and unified way all the atomic and astrophysical nature.
Considering the case of many fields, I think the picture would have a spiral shape with – infinite big and and infinite small – spiral structures varying periodically:
Anyway, with respect to the MIW theory, in my personal first view I consider it a hopeful step forward from professional physicists, a return to common sense, the reencounter with the lost rationality. The beginning of the long awaited new scientific revolution at atomic and astrophysical level. The actual beginning of a true new Copernican revolution.
Their article was presented to X magazine last March, I hope the authors have been able to make much more progress, developing their theory and making more experimental checks, through this time.


text:
Mary and Mark Vicente always wanted a second child to join their 12-year-old daughter, Billy. The family knew it was a blessing when they found out Mary was pregnant with their son, Dave, in 2011. But only four months into her pregnancy, Mary discovered it would take all of her family's faith and strength to fight for Dave's life.
"Dave was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and congenital diaphragmatic hernia when he was still in my womb. From the beginning, we were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy," Mary recalls. "Every time we stepped into the hospital at home in North Carolina, there was something new, something devastating. We were told that once he was born, Dave would only have 24 hours to live, but we were planning for him and we were going to keep him."
When Dave was born on May 2, 2012, the Vicentes say, the hospital recommended compassionate care for Dave and there was nothing else that could be done to help him because they felt his heart was irreparable. The family believes Dave was getting the best care possible at the time from his doctors and nurses. But, they asked the hospital to seek second opinions, which they did from two other highly respected institutions, and each time Dave's case was turned down.
"I was begging every day for surgery for Dave and asking questions. I was deeply hurt when I was questioned about the quality of life I wanted for Dave and that I might be inflicting more pain," says Mary, who began doing Internet searches looking for answers. "I want parents to know they should never lose hope and should look deeply into their hearts to find the best answer. By chance, or should I say by miracle, I found a doctor at St. Louis Children's Hospital who took Dave's case and was willing to try to save a life."
Mary and Mark first learned about St. Louis Children's Hospital pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Pirooz Eghtesady, MD, PhD, by watching a video profile of him on the hospital's website.
"When I spoke to him, I poured my heart out. I was like a child telling him how emotionally battered we were," she says. "Going through this situation has been very scary. I struggled to understand, but I did not struggle to trust my own motherly instinct, to trust the Lord and the people He sends to fulfill His promise."
Within two weeks after Dave's birth, he was at St. Louis Children's Hospital and undergoing several surgeries within the first month. "We knew surgery was not an assurance for him to live, but we were so grateful to this doctor and the others that they were willing do something."
Dr. Eghtesady and his colleagues, cardiologist David Balzer, MD, and chief of surgery Brad Warner, MD, collectively agreed that Dave might have a chance.
"When I got the call, my first inclination was to say this doesn't sound good," Dr. Eghtesady says. "But when I decided to look deeper, I knew it was not necessarily the worst-case scenario, and perhaps an alternative approach was needed."
At just 19 days old, Dave underwent his first surgery, hybrid palliation, with Dr. Eghtesady and Dr. Balzer. With the hybrid procedure, a band is placed around each of the pulmonary arteries to restrict the amount of blood flow that is diverted to the lungs (and preferentially going to the body). As well, a metal stent is placed in the blood vessel called ductus arteriosus that is artificially kept open after birth with a medication called prostaglandin. The procedure is performed in a modified setting, often called a hybrid lab, wherein the surgeons and cardiologists can work together using the standard surgical tools along with those used for cardiac catheterization, Dr. Eghtesady explains.
And, in June, Dave underwent diaphragm hernia repair with Dr. Warner. "What I did was relatively straightforward," Dr. Warner says. "But with such strong, wonderful parents who showed such love and courage for their child and the collaborative relationships between our surgeons and clinicians, we were able to help."
"We needed to get him out of a critical window to allow for his lungs to grow and wait for his next procedure, which will be Norwood surgery when he is 6 to 8 months old," Dr. Eghtesady says. "He has recently moved out of the ICU and now we are just waiting for him to grow. He will stay here with us until his next operation."
The Vicentes, who have been living at the Ronald McDonald House, say they are so grateful for all of the care their son and their entire family has received at St. Louis Children's Hospital and within the community.
Since coming to St. Louis this summer, Mark has given up his job at a nursing home to care for Dave. In August, Mary and their daughter, Billy, returned to North Carolina, where Mary is a special education teacher and Billy is in school. Mary and Billy will return to St. Louis once a month - using Southwest Airlines tickets generously provided to St. Louis Children's Hospital through the Southwest Airlines Medical Transport Grant Program - and use email and Skype to communicate with Mark and Dave when they can not be together.
"When we first found out about the hospital, we didn't know where St. Louis was or anything about the hospital," says Mark, who with his family came to the United States from the Philippines several years ago. "But we have been embraced by everyone here at the hospital, our church and members of the Filipino community. St. Louis has become a home for us. And faith helps us through everything."
Mary and Mark know that Dave has a long, difficult road ahead of him. But they believe Dave's life has a purpose.
"We are not going to be the same people after this experience. Every day, we have watched Dave fight for his own life. His condition is still up and down, but he is making daily progress," she says. "The nurses and everyone here love Dave so much. We just wanted to share our story in case there are other babies who need help."


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Joined: 04 May 2013
Posts: 1
Posted: Sat 04 May 2013, 04:02
Post subject:
How about an Arch-based Puppy version?
howdy ...not sure where to put this so feel free to move...
Arch linux is maturing as of late and seems to be settling down
with its defaults....it is a very fast very configurable system
I wonder if youd consider offering an Arch based PuPPy???
it would be a great fit and something very very useful to many.
JWM is already supported but not as a default .iso
it could/should be very easy to do and a good match
so waddayathink huh well huh well huh huh please please
not only that it would be very invigerating for the PuPPy
project and Arch as well.
incidentally Puppy is great stuff and an old friend for me, thanX
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Joined: 19 May 2012
Posts: 1983
Location: lincoln, uk
Posted: Sat 04 May 2013, 08:23
Post subject:
hey echo
there already a couple of arch forks, looks for alphaos and sensei, there was an earlier 'archpup' which was abandoned in favour of alpha
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Posts: 572
Posted: Sat 04 May 2013, 17:26
Post subject:
Last edited by simargl on Sun 01 Sep 2013, 11:05; edited 1 time in total
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Posts: 1983
Location: lincoln, uk
Posted: Sat 04 May 2013, 21:53
Post subject:
my bad........!
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Joined: 19 May 2012
Posts: 1983
Location: lincoln, uk
Posted: Sat 04 May 2013, 21:53
Post subject:
deleted double post
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Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 3606
Location: near Woof (Germany) :-) - 3 PC's: DELL SX280 750 MB Pentium4, Acer emachines 2 GB AMD64. DELL XPS15
Posted: Tue 07 May 2013, 18:28
Post subject:
Hi simargl
As you know, I did spend a lot of time with your first two version 12.04 as well as 12.12
simargl wrote:
similar to archpup that was discontinued because of wrong (conflicting) name
I find this explanation to easy: archpup did not only be discontinued but directly erased, are not accessible any more.
Your fans has to apprehend your capricious jumps using your software...
They try today, do somewhat other tomorow, will return to the stuff they did try the days after tomorow (perhaps because the new stuff from the next release did not persuade them; this did happen to me with the devx.sfs for 12.12! I did erase it to fast as I was sure that the next version would be even better - but I did not test immediately because of changes in my occupation and did constate later: the new version is really different!), and
... impossible!
not available any more
AlphaOS is new system compiled from scratch - means it's not using packages from other distro - in that it is different from any Puppy linux system
how will you bring over to spend a lot of time in a system from scratch where nobody else as you will be fit to offer some support if this risk is permanently given?
your version from alpha seems to be really good. the architectur is accurately the same
in better
as the architecture from arch pup 12.12 (no save file, no windows, no ballast as opposed to other Puppy's with small windows for greating, setting up, leaving the system etc., also an ideal environment for productive work and not only for presentations to linux beginers or windows renegats) what I continue to use daily because it was possible to build in a lot of GNU software packages from the depository from Parabola linux, the real free and fully open source arch, so as well Icecat as Iceape, really free version, etc. it was easy, the size of the new ISO is reasonable (under 200 Mb, where java / MP4 player are extra as well as adequate office suite, and, the deficiency from Arch Pup, no printer support building in), my dream would be a 100 % GNU conform but really always actual puplet (as iguleder did begin a lot of time before the time of yours Arch Pup using Debian packages, also with Iceape, but being now really obsolete...)
but alpha seems me to be a really different matter:
no Parabola packages
= not
ready to use
really GNU stuff available any more in connection with it
and a designer having shown in the past that he is beeing able to erase his actual work each day without to warn his users a reasonable time before he does that... no long term vision of support!
kind regards
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Posted: Wed 08 May 2013, 07:44
Post subject:
Last edited by simargl on Sun 01 Sep 2013, 11:08; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 18 Feb 2013
Posts: 490
Posted: Wed 08 May 2013, 12:22
Post subject:
simargl wrote:
has great potential to become distribution just for one user (me)
Oh my God!
Ask ten different users/testers and you'll have to build ten different versions of your puppy. So, it's surely not the wrong way to create a personal puppy - might be useful for some other users as well. While working on LazY Puppy I did a lot of work based on suggestions of users/texters - but it has had to fit into my personal needs or has had to be really useful from my point of view/use. Otherwise: no!
It is still mainly my personal OS, but has users around the world (also used as main OS) and is used in Germany on a public school (classes 7 to 10) as a replacement for windows (LazY Puppy 2.0.2).
By now I've finished the process to end up with an personal-one-user-me-LazY-Puppy-3-DE-OS - and: I LOVE IT!
LazY Puppy Home
The new LazY Puppy Information Centre
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Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 3606
Location: near Woof (Germany) :-) - 3 PC's: DELL SX280 750 MB Pentium4, Acer emachines 2 GB AMD64. DELL XPS15
Posted: Wed 08 May 2013, 14:46
Post subject:
Hi RSH
Hm, you also have discover why I did not be a faithful adept of Lazy (a really very good architecture and distribution, but to complex in all-day-use for me)...
I am an adept and fan from Arch Pup 12.12. and use it daily (as well as the KDE-Linux from Josep24x24: it is the only one puplet able to turn the screen 90' for good graphical applications. It is old, obsolete, but it does that and the other not...!!!)
It does about the same as lazy pup (*.sfs oriented)
but is completely simple: no menu! you can select one of 20 options and finish!
Arch Pup was completely "fresh" according the absolutely last release of a very important good distro, Arch Linux (but not GNU-distro, this is/would be Parabola-Linux in the Arch linux world. I know now the guy's from Parabola: They are developers in front from pure GNU Linux base development and really very helpful for each!). Arch is one of the 2..3 most actual Linux'es available actually!
The most Puppy's are really obsolete in their libraries or some what.
This was the difference with Arch Pup: on top, absolutely not obsolete and branchable to a real high performance GNU-Linux depository branch.
I accept your argumentation that Lazy 3. can be the best because I know that you are more than an excellent coder (like sigmarl or iguleder!)
At this time nobody can test your Lazy 3 else you yourself...
I ALREADY (it is a big difference) did test extensively the Alpha from sigmarl and did wonder how good it is. but no way to install easily my GNU goodies (free kernel, icecat, gnu java etc.)...
I can only say: it is good and very pleasant to see that such good coders are in the environment of Puppy linux, else if it is not always possible to get an immediate use of it.
good working
kind regards
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Joined: 02 Feb 2012
Posts: 380
Posted: Fri 10 May 2013, 00:53
Post subject: arch based puppy
Subject description: arch based puppy
While, on the surface, using Arch as a base is appealing due to the fact that it makes use of a cutting-edge base system, and because it uses the most modern of packages currently available, it does have its' drawbacks. It's true that it can make use of Python 3.0, and Gtk-3.0, not to mention the latest and greatest kernel and glibc; but it also offers obstacles concerning Puppy. For one, it provides a symlink for /lib; and while this may be dealt with via woof2 or other means, it must be remembered that it uses some packages that are not Puppy-standard, such as systemd. And that said, even if everything were to be an equal "apples to oranges", the use of pacman as a package manager (while arguably the best package manager in terms of Linux to date) does not bode well on a Puppy distro. Why? Well, let's explore.
1st off, Puppy is meant to run off of older hardware – and because of this, the "modern" kernel and/or packages offered by Arch don't really fit the bill. Secondly, even if you do possess the prerequisite hardware to run an Arch based distro, because of the fact that it isn't in the lines of a typical GNU/Linux distro, you may be better off using Puppy Precise or Puppy Slacko, certainly if you have a newer machine. And, if you have an older setup you may be better off with Puppy Wary or Puppy Quirky.
And here's where it get sticky..and my personal opinion becomes prevalent...if you're going to make use of a Puppy distro, regardless of what it's based upon, it is better served if said distro is based upon a central repository. In other words, a Puppy based on Precise should not be able to have "apt-get"...it should incorporate a traditional Puppy Package Manager (PPM). In this way it can trim any fat etc. Because of this, there is more control concerning the packages. Apt-Get and Pacman are nice in their respective desktop setups, but as far as using them in a Puppy environment, they don't work as well as they do in a traditional full-install.
So, in essence, there are many Arch based "live" versions out there that will do what you desire. But as far as Puppy is concerned, Arch, at present, defeats the purpose of providing a "live" distro that will work correctly on older hardware. That is Puppy's strength, and that is currently Puppy's calling card.
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Posted: Fri 10 May 2013, 03:08
Post subject:
Last edited by simargl on Sun 01 Sep 2013, 11:07; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 7024
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted: Sat 11 May 2013, 04:19
Post subject:
1st off, Puppy is meant to run off of older hardware – and because of this, the "modern" kernel and/or packages offered by Arch don't really fit the bill.
AFAICT Arch pretty much just requires a 686, which is as low or lower a requirement than any mainstream puppy, isn't it?
Do you use an old machine that doesn't run Arch? What is it?
Do you know a good
program? Please post a link
Classic Puppy quotes
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This is an old video by John Wick, author of Legend of the Five Rings, 7th Sea and Houses of the Blooded (another cool example of an anti-D&D game, together with Greg Stolze's REIGN).
It's a very unorthodox and interesting way of building a dungeon without any preparation but that requires a group of players willing to play its premise. It was created as an answer to a comment accusing of Wick of railroading his games.
On the "Complication Points" part, I'm still not sure if I'd use the 10-minutes windows as a mark. Does this window take in account only investigation part of the game? Or does the entire game session?
Maybe you could use Complications in another way: 1 Complication per player, at the start of the session, and 1 additional point every time the players derailed the game or bicker too much among themselves (like something I read in a post by Dave Arneson, where he said that he used random encounter when his game delayed to player's passiveness).
Complication Points could work as a way to increase the tension on the table I guess.
The Bowl Dice could also have further uses, maybe by stealing something from the Hero Point rules.


text:
*Note: Moved under my own volition. Go my volition.*
Custom Header Files in C++
Everything that is in this article will probably work/apply to C and C#, although I cannot be sure about this
One of the most valuable things that can be done or used in any programming language is of course the code library, which saves people from having to re-write code again and again, an invaluable tool for anyone who aspires to write good code with any depth or speed.
In C++ code libraries are implemented in two main ways:
1.) Header files
2.) Copying and pasting code
Header files are often the easiest and most universal, having speed and simplicity on their side. Copying and pasting code will make it harder for people to look at and read, but is good in very specific instances.
To use a header file in C++, you must very simply insert, at the beginning of a program:
#include <headername>
In some older compilers you may have to include the .h (for header) after the header name:
#include <headername.h>
You should be able to tell fairly quickly from the compiler results or the compiler's documentation. Modern GCC compiler's should allow you to drop off the .h
Some of the most commonly used and useful header files in C++ are:
iostream -- Data to and from keyboard
ifstream -- Data to and from files
cmath -- Advanced math functions, i.e. square-roots
string -- Allows the string (text) variable
All well and good, right? Well, one of the great things about modern programming is that it is very easy to create new header files for yourself and anyone else you care to share them with.
You would do this if you had a function that you used in a lot of programs, specific variable types and names, sequences of data, or even a routine help sequence throughout your program.
So how do you create these wondrous little diddies? Quite simply, you would go ahead and make them in the same format that you would a regular C++ file, using the same syntax and the like.
You can, however, leave out the basic header file and int main() that you'll often see or make at the beginning of any program. If you want to though, you can include them, which can save you several other statements.
Here's an example of a decent, random header file:
#include <string>
#include <iostream>
void sodainfo(int sodanum, string sodaname, bool sodabuy);
int sodanum;
string sodaname;
bool sodabuy;
void sodainfo(int sodanum, string sodaname, bool sodabuy)
cout << "The type of soda is " << sodaname << "." << endl;
cout << "There are " << sodanum << " sodas to be bought." << endl;
cout << "Would you like to buy a soda?" << endl;
cin >> sodabuy;
Obviously this is a very singular function, with only one real use. But I think you'll get the point.
You may be saying to yourself: That's just like a regular C++ program. Well, it is. Its written exactly the same, but it can save you immense amounts of time in the right circumstances.
The only real difference is that you save it in the library directory (for the compiler) in the format "headername.h"
Nice, simple, easy, and effective.
Happy coding!


text:
Triple majors make 27 at Cal noteworthy
Colleges Only 27 at UC Berkeley have a triple major - the keys to success appear to be a curious mind and organization
A remarkable thing about some UC Berkeley students, 27 of them to be exact, is that they don't think they're remarkable.
Like all 25,774 UC Berkeley undergrads, they are noteworthy for having earned a rare spot at one of the world's great universities.
But 0.1 percent of the brainy undergrads stand out for a different reason: They've packed three majors into the same four years most students use for one.
Except for triple major Shuonan Chen.
"To save up for law school and save on a year of my very expensive international tuition, I'll actually be graduating in three years," said the Canadian, who majors in economics, business administration and rhetoric. She's also minoring in public policy while earning a certificate in engineering leadership and working as the Daily Californian's financial analyst.
Students typically take about 15 course units a semester to reach the 120 needed to graduate. Chen takes more than 20 and will graduate next spring with 240 units.
"I don't think my course load is heavy at all," Chen said.
But then Chen is one of those 20-year-olds who, when casting about for something to do between graduation and applying to law school, accepted an investment banking job with Goldman Sachs.
Chen says she would rather inspire than intimidate, and shared her key to success:
"I do my best to plan ahead," she said. "If I have (school) projects, I try to get things done as soon as I get it. For me, I guess, I just don't like having a thing on my mind."
It's a common characteristic of triple majors, said Catherine Koshland, Berkeley's vice provost for teaching, learning, academic planning and facilities.
"They're highly organized and busy," Koshland said. "Some may be extraordinarily gifted intellectually, but others may be the same as the next Berkeley student - just focused and driven by questions."
Just curious
Majoring in a subject rather than taking just a class or two requires delving deeply into an area of study and suggests a keen interest in it. Over and over, triple majors said they hadn't meant to major in three subjects but found themselves fascinated.
"The main reason that I decided to do a triple major in math, physics and chemistry can be summarized with one word: curiosity," said Sergiy Nesterenko, 22, who likes to know pretty much everything.
"How a motorcycle works. How shampoo works - why is it better than just washing your hair with water? Why people will melt metals and cool them very quickly to make a stronger metal. You can make up any question, and I will be interested in it," said Nesterenko, who was born in Ukraine and moved to Southern California at age 10 with his family.
He acknowledges that a certain level of intellect is needed to understand the answers to many questions, like this one from his math class: "Find the Lebesgue measure of the set of all x in [0,1] where the decimal expansion of x has no consecutive 7s." The answer, it turns out, is zero.
For kicks, though, Nesterenko explained it to a reporter by flipping it around and asking for the length comprised by all numbers between zero and one that do have consecutive sevens. That answer is one.
"Honestly, I don't consider myself any kind of super genius," said Nesterenko, whose grade-point average is 3.5. His dad is a software engineer and his mom a former accountant who worked in real estate until the housing crash.
A certain approach
Like Chen, Nesterenko has a well-developed approach to his life. He specifically seeks out challenges, like triple majoring, and prepares each morning by donning his headphones, glancing at the majestic Campanile on his way to class for inspiration and firing up a recording of "Vershina," the urgent, thrilling Russian anthem in praise of difficult choices.
"This land isn't flat / this climate is bad/ There are avalanches from time to time/ And stones fall from somewhere above/ We can turn and go around/ But what we choose is a difficult route/ Dangerous like a path of war ..."
Being a triple major isn't for everyone, and all three major advisers have to consent, said Monica Bernal, an adviser in the College of Letters & Sciences.
"You have to be able to buckle down and do the upper-division coursework," she said, noting that advisers worry that students won't be able to study abroad, fit in a class from some visiting Nobel laureate or just enjoy school.
Triple-majors merely point to their dazzling resumes, their sweethearts or their hobbies to dispel such myths.
Plays tennis, too
Swupnil Sahai, 21 - who majors in economics, applied mathematics and statistics, while minoring in Chinese studies - plays intramural tennis three times a week, is president of the undergraduate Economics Association and conducts research with a couple of professors. He also spent a summer at the London School of Economics.
Yet, he conceded, "I did have to give up volunteering with 'Do Something,' " a national service organization.
It's exhausting
Joanna Jao, 21, relaxes with yoga. She majors in economics, media studies and psychology while serving as campus representative for ABC Entertainment. She interned with Disney last summer and has accepted a marketing job with Cisco after graduation.
"I'm tired," she said as she emerged from a media midterm recently. She thinks she did well despite getting just three hours of sleep.
"In the past few days I've been hating myself," she admitted. "I just didn't work as hard as I could have."
The toughest part of being a triple major is "making sure you can get all your classes in and still be functional by the end of the week," she said. "If you can get your schedule down, that's half the battle."
In the end, Jao - perhaps like others in that exclusive group of 27 - has a love-hate relationship with her ambitious choice.
"I'd say it definitely helps during the job search," she said. "When people see it on your resume, it already sets you apart.
"But honestly, if I went back, I'm not sure I would have done it. Not having that third major leaves so much more room in your schedule."
Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov


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Burger City Guides: Hugh Acheson's Favorite Burgers in Athens, GA
Lists of top 5 burgers.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Hugh Acheson has made a name for himself as a true American chef. He went straight for the heart—and gullet—of our country's food scene: the South. The Top Chef judge has won two James Beard awards, one for his cookbook A New Turn in the South, and one for Best Chef Southeast, and he is the chef/partner of the Athens, Georgia, restaurants Five and Ten and The National, as well as the Atlanta restaurant Empire State South. Of his beloved little college town of Athens, he says:
In the corporate world we have the Five Guys, the regular other chains, and even a newly minted Steak 'n' Shake which is more popular than church right now. My pleading calls to Danny Meyer for a Shake Shack have yet to be returned...evidently we are not Dubai or Covent Garden. That said, we rock some local burgers, and here are four that top my list for various reasons. There are surely many great burgers that I have not listed, like The Grill, Clocked, and even my own the National, which makes a mean turkey burger.
Read on for some of Hugh's hometown favorites.
Farm 255 is a smart little restaurant helmed by ex-5&10 employee Whitney Otawka. They put out a pretty stunning grassfed burger with Asher Blue cheese from Sweetgrass Dairy in south Georgia. As the name implies, this burger is all about the local sources, so you can have a nice meal thinking about a greener future. Greener futures cost more though, so be prepared for a burger with a price in the low teens.
255 West Washington Street, Athens GA 30601 (map); 706-549-4660; farm255.com
ADD Drug is a classic food counter in a drug store. They do simple burgers with crinkle-cut fries. The burger is small but tasty, with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, bread & butter pickles, and chopped raw onion, with ketchup and mustard on the side in squeeze bottles. With a soda over crushed ice, it will set you back about $6. Granted you don't get a Playland™ or a toy, but it's an experience that should never ever go away. You also eat at a place where you know the owners name and he doesn't dress in a clown's outfit. Too many lunch counters have bit the dust and this one is a keeper.
1695 South Lumpkin Street, Athens GA 30606 (map); 706-548-2239; yelp.com/biz/add-drug-store-athens
White Tiger's Happy Top Cheeseburger is a winner right down the street from my house. White Tiger is a totally punk rock little venue in a ramshackle old general store. Think picnic tables, bottled sodas, potato chips and huge burger done well, flat-top sear style. Pretty classic presence with griddle onions and field greens and good old American cheese. Makes my family happy, and we can bring a bottle of wine to boot.
217 Hiawassee Avenue, Athens GA 30601 (map); 706-353-6847; whitetigergourmet.com
No wine allowed is allowed at The Varsity, but there have been essays on how to order. This venerable Atlanta institution is an icon in Athens as well and the burgers are pretty tasty for a simple, small burger. I don't think they'll be garnering sustainability awards, but I still love a "Glorified Cheese Steak all the way" with a side of onion rings. The onion rings are things of greasy beauty, large guilty pleasures that my doctor would oppose but my belly likes a lot. The burger ordered as a "Glorified Cheese Steak all the way" is a simple cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickle. Nothing wrong with that.
1000 West Broad Street, Athens, GA 30606 (map); 706-548-6325; thevarsity.com
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Roundtop Offers Affordable Fun for Your Group
ATTENTION: Roundtop Mountain is currently closed. While we're hopeful about reopening our mountain operations this summer, it is too early to announce specific opening dates or activities. We're closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19 and will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials to determine when it's safe to resume operations. Please continue to check back here for further updates.
Select below for a specific activity, or from the left navigation for your group type. Scroll down for even more information!
We offer something for every season and for each type of group.
Call to discuss discounts for your group.
For your convenience, we also offer:
- Plenty of free parking.
- Convenient bus drop off area.
- Designated bus parking.
What if I want to provide a meal for the group?
We have great meal options at Roundtop. From picnic wraps, to pizza, to seafood, we'll help you find a meal that makes your taste buds (and your budget happy). Call the Sales Office at 717-432-9631 x3723 for more details.
I think I'm interested in more information. What do I do now?
Simply fill out our Information Request form by clicking the link on the left side of this page. A Group Sales expert will be in touch with you to discuss your fun-filled event.
How Do I Decide Which Activity Is Appropriate For My Group?
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to enjoy the brisk winter environment with a true sense of accomplishment. No matter what the ability level of your participants, we have a convenient package for them.
Snow Tubing
Snow Tubing is the perfect group or party activity. Why? Because no experience is necessary! Everyone in your group can enjoy tubing on the very first ride. Our tubing area features long tubing runs and a covered Magic Carpet lift to get you back to the top the easy way.
Paintball is a very popular group activity. Why? Because it is an exciting activity where teamwork is rewarded. We offer 10 themed fields to suit every style of play from inflatable speedball fields, to a western ghost town to wooded fields. Our complete packages include all the equipment you need to enjoy a great day of paintball. Groups receive a safety presentation and all games are supervised by a referee.
Ropes Course
The Ropes Course is designed to promote teamwork and trust while expanding the horizons of the individual participants. Each group outing is designed to take advantage of the low and high elements that best fit your goals. We offer a team building low course, exciting high course, two 35 foot climbing structures and two long zip lines. You can choose low, high or a combination of elements. Participants will be encouraged to expand their horizons but our facilitators respect each individual's comfort zone.
What does team building really mean?
The term Team Building is being used for more and more activities all the time. But what does it really mean and how is the Roundtop Ropes Course different? Check out this article from Adventure Park Insider for a great perspective!
Mountain Adventures
Experience a variety of activities found nowhere else! Roll down the hill in an 11 foot inflatable ball, zip line from a tower, splash in bumper boats and much more. Your group members are free to enjoy each activity as often as they like. Mountain Adventures is a great choice for your summer outing.
Vertical Trek
The Trek begins with a chairlift ride up the mountain and involves a series of zip lines, bridges, Tarzan swings, and cargo nets to descend 600 feet down the mountain.
We look forward to working with you! With the fun options for adventure all over our mountain we can create a meeting that will be remembered by your attendees for years to come!! Call us at 717-432-9631 x3723 to begin planning your event!


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I would like to begin this week's post with some wonderful news.
On December 11, the Holy See announced the beatification of Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire, a Capuchin lay brother who was a "quester" — his mission was to quest for alms. He did that for 50 years in the city of Granada, Spain. He died in 1956 at the age of 92. Brother Leopoldo is buried at the Capuchin church in Granada.
Unlike John Paul II, who presided over all the beatifications himself, Pope Benedict appoints the Prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes or another cardinal to preside at beatifications.
I am honored to say that the Holy See has asked me to preside at this celebration, which will be held on September 12, 2010.
As I mentioned, Fray Leopoldo was a brother quester. In the Franciscan tradition, some friars are assigned to beg for the community. Particularly in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Germany, this was a very important function. These friars would go out and usually they would not be begging for money, but for food for the friars.
This mission brought them into people's homes every day. In those visits, they would teach catechism, pray with the people and visit the sick. These brother questers became very important spiritual fathers in the community because they became so close to the people. The first Capuchin saint was St. Felix of Cantalice, who was also a brother quester. He was called "Brother Deo Gratias," because whenever people would give him something, he would say, "Deo gratias."
I first came to know of Fray Leopoldo through Sister Manuela, a Carmelite sister of Vedruna who worked with me for many years in Washington. She is from southern Spain, near Granada. She said her family had a great devotion to him and she talked about pilgrimages to Fray Leopoldo's tomb.
Interestingly enough, the next person to discuss Fray Leopoldo with me was the wife of Jose Saramago. Jose was at UMass-Dartmouth after he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Portugese literature and I was invited to have lunch with him there. His wife is from Granada, and has great devotion to Fray Leopoldo.
They are expecting a huge celebration because of his 50 years of going door-to-door in the city and being so close to many families. He was certainly a figure very well known and beloved to the people of Granada.
In fact, one of our priests in the archdiocese is actually from Fray Leopoldo's very parish, Father Israel Rodriguez. He hopes to accompany me and be present at the beatification as well.
I will be very pleased to see the Archbishop of Granada, Francisco Javier Martinez, who is a very dear friend of mine. I know him from his time studying in Washington. Archbishop Martinez, who is very close to the Communion and Liberation movement, has been very active in interfaith outreach to the Muslims who are now very numerous in that part of Spain.
– – –
On the Second Sunday of Advent I celebrated Mass at The Bethany Chapel for the Cardinal's Leadership Circle of The Catholic Foundation.
Following Mass we had a reception in the lobby of The Pastoral Center.
In addition to providing a home for the ministries and programs of the archdiocese, the lobby of our Pastoral Center provides a wonderful space for hosting special events.
Steve Colella of our Office of New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults spoke about the important work of his office.
He thanked the members of the Leadership Circle for their gifts, which provide essential support to his ministry and all the ministries of the archdiocese.
With the Driscoll family
With Rick and Colette Crowley
It was Jack Shaughnessy's 83rd birthday that day and I joked that this was all just a big surprise party for him!
With C. Michael Daley and Jack McKinnon, along with Damien DeVasto from our staff
This was the third annual Cardinal's Leadership Circle Advent gathering and is a special occasion to express my appreciation to members of the Leadership Circle for their meaningful gifts, and for us together to give thanks for our blessings and welcome in the Advent season as a community.
– – –
Now, on to some details of my week.
On Thursday evening, I spoke at the 40th anniversary celebration for our Planning Office for Urban Affairs. It was a beautiful reception, held at the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square.
In the 40 years since Cardinal Cushing founded the Planning Office, the Planning Office has been responsible for creating affordable housing for about 10,000 people. Though I imagine that many Catholics aren't even aware of this important ministry of the Church, it has been a great service to the community.
We're very proud of the work that is done there. Msgr. Groden and Lisa Alberghini particularly have made incredible contributions.
POUA president Lisa Alberghini, real estate developer and long-time supporter of the office Ed Fish and Msgr. Michael Groden
Ed Fish, who was also the chair of the celebration, spoke about the important work of the office …
… and then I added a few words of my own
A great many people were present for the celebration. It was a recognition of what an impact the office's work has made on the community.
The staff of the Planning Office
Over the years they have created many beautiful properties.
Near the Cathedral, we have the Rollins Square development, which is a beautiful building for people of mixed-income. In fact, many homeless people were given lovely apartments in that building.
– – –
On Friday, I had holy hour and dinner with a small group of our seminarians at the Cathedral. In addition to the meetings I have with all the seminarians of the archdiocese, where sometimes I give them a conference and we have a dialogue, we decided to have small groups of seminarians come to the Cathedral for holy hour, dinner, and an opportunity for more intimate conversation.
– – –
Following the Holy Hour I was able to stop in at the celebration for the eve of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was held at the Cathedral.
Bishop Emilio Allué celebrated the Mass. It was a large crowd with several hundred people there.
They even had mariachis
– – –
Later that evening, I attended Catholic Charities' Greater Boston Christmas Dinner.
There was a wonderful presentation, particularly about the shelters that are run by Catholic Charities and a dance presentation by Cape Verdians from the Teen Center at St. Peter's.
Members of the Teen Center performed a dance about the Nativity
Kathleen Armstrong accepting the inaugural Richard D. Armstrong, Jr. Award on behalf of her brother, Richard D. Armstrong, Jr.
This year, we inaugurated the Richard D. Armstrong Jr. Award, which honors those who live the Catholic Charities mission through service and an ongoing commitment to caring for those in need.
– – –
On Saturday, I blessed the new parish center at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford. The pastor, Father Paul Ritt, is doing an excellent job there.
They have built a magnificent parish center that matches the architecture and the lines of the church, and the brick, and everything. It's a center with a lot of windows and high ceilings. It's really a very attractive building. It opens right off the church itself.
It's a wonderful facility. There are meeting rooms, classrooms, and a gathering space.
Gaudete Sunday was a wonderful time to celebrate this great joy.
– – –
That evening, I went to Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden to mark the third anniversary of the ordinations of Bishops Hennessey and Dooher that took place on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Unfortunately, Bishop Dooher could not be there with us.
Besides Bishop Dooher and Bishop Hennessey, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is also the anniversary of Bishop Elliott Thomas. I was able to speak to him in the Virgin Islands. He was marking the occasion there.
– – –
On Sunday, I went to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Westford — Father Peter Quinn's parish. I had a Mass and a reception with the people there.
It is a parish with many young families.
The children of the parish gave me a giant Christmas card
They have an extraordinary music program — a children's choir and an adult's choir. It was very beautiful music.
I was also impressed by the use of lights in the church. At different moments, they would light up the pulpit and light up the altar. In the beginning, everything was in darkness for the lighting of the Advent wreath. It was very beautiful.
– – –
The following day, I was in Washington, D.C. for board meetings of the Catholic University of America and the Papal Foundation.
At Catholic University, we are regrettably accepting the resignation of Father David O'Connell who, after 11 years, is moving on to other endeavors. He has been an outstanding president of the university who has done so much to further the university's Catholic identity and vastly expand its enrollment. One of the tasks that we are beginning to discuss now is the search for a new president for CUA.
Whenever I am on the CUA campus, I meet young people from Boston who are studying there. One young man with bright red hair came up and told me he was studying political science, and I told him to come back because we need him to run for governor in Massachusetts.
The Papal Foundation raises funds for the Holy Father to be able to help in projects throughout the third world, particularly where there are great economic needs.
Projects supported by the foundation assist the poor, sick and infirm. It provides for the construction and operation of shelters and hospitals, as well as the reconstruction of religious places like churches, seminaries, and retreat houses. The foundation also provides relief to victims of natural disasters, assists refugees and migrants, and funds pro-life programs and residences for elderly priests and religious.
Cardinal Bevilaqua serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The Foundation asks bishops or superiors of religious communities to submit grant requests to the Vatican's Secretary of State. The Holy Father and the secretary of state, in turn, review the requests, and then submit the final grant requests to the Papal Foundation.
– – –
Unfortunately, the board meeting at the university coincided with the episcopal ordination of Bishop Bob Evans, the new auxiliary bishop of Providence.
I was not able to attend but many of the bishops and priests from Boston were there.
I understand it was an extraordinary celebration. The choir at the Cathedral in Providence is internationally known, and one of its great voices is Terry Donilon, our Secretary for Communications.
– – –
Finally, as we approach Christmas day, I would like to remind you of the importance of the Christmas collection that will be taken at all Masses on Christmas eve and Christmas day for the benefit of the medical and retirement needs of the priests. It is one of the most meaningful ways we can show our gratitude for their service. We have launched a new website to support this collection, www.CareForSeniorPriests.org, which includes a video Christmas message that I would like you to watch.
Please join me in contributing to the collection, and be assured of my deep appreciation for your generosity and your kindness.
Cardinal Seán


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How To: Take Better Food Photos
Your Facebook feed, Instagram newsline, and more are probably all infected with food photos. But there are much better ways to get really high quality images instead of slapping a vintage filter on it. As with everything in photography, it's all about seeing the light. Well, mostly: there is also composition and color theory involved in creating something that will make people attack their screens with hunger.
Here are just a couple of quick pointers to get better food photos.
Use Lots of Window Lighting (Or a Large Diffused Light Source)
One of the absolute essentials for getting better food photos that look just like they would in a magazine is to use lots of soft light. The general rule of thumb for getting soft light is:
– The larger the light source is in relation to the subject, the softer the light.
– The smaller the light source is in relation to the subject, the harder the light.
Soft light means that you'll barely see any shadows. There are lots of places to work with soft light right in the convenience of your own home. Windows are the best example as long as there is a sheer curtain or blinds softening the light that comes in.
Want to go outside? Try shooting during an overcast day. Overcast days provide lots of soft lighting because the clouds act as a natural softbox for the sun's ray. An alternative is to shoot during what's called the Blue Hour. The Blue Hour is right after the legendary Golden Hour where the light is soft, blue, and almost reminiscent to something that you'd see in a fantasy movie world. It really is magical.
Not going to use natural light? We recommend at least a 60 inch umbrella, 24×32 softbox, or an 18 inch beauty dish. Alternatively, you could always do the tried and true ceiling bounce with a speedlite: which often proves to be simpler.
Think Homely and Intimate
Your scene can be very important in creating a better food image. Let's think about and list a number of places where food is really important in our culture:
– Fruit: outside perhaps on a picnic blanket and in a picnic basket?
– Cereal: with milk and on a kitchen or dining room table. Try to have the light coming from one direction just like most apartments have.
– Sandwiches: almost anywhere
– Crackers and Cheese: pair it with wine in an image; but this one is also really versatile
– Coffee: we typically drink coffee in the morning at the breakfast table. Why not shoot it there?
Also, be sure to get up close and personal. We recommend using the 24mm, 35mm or 50mm field of view. The exception is if you're photographing something like blueberries or strawberries; which will mean that you'll need to get in close with a macro lens.
Put some extra thought into it: don't just place it on your desk. Concepts are what help to make the images much more mouth watering. This is really important because its the difference between making a dinner table look ready for a date (which appeals to people) or having a work space that isn't as appealing.
Now, we understand that sometimes when you're casually walking around you may see food that will look tempting. On the occasion, said food may be behind glass. Try to get your camera around the glass or put your lens right up against the glass to minimize the effects on your image.
Getting rid of any sort of clutter or distracting elements is really important in the creation of better food images. This includes anything that isn't necessarily important to the image; and it could range from variables such as napkins to other items such as debris on a fork that might not have been washed properly.
Putting too many objects in the image may take away from the feel when you want the food to be emphasized instead of everything else around.
Add Specular Highlights
Want to make your images look even sharper? Then consider adding specular highlights. Specular highlights are added from bright lights (such as studio strobes or flashes) that tend to bring out extra details in an image; therefore boosting perceived sharpness.
So how can you do this to your images if you don't have a flash? The answer is easily found in your kitchen: tin foil! The shiny side of tin foil has similar characteristics to the lining found in some softboxes and umbrellas. Place your tin foil in the opposite direction of your light source with the shiny side towards the food (which is in the middle of the two. Move the tin foil around until you get a look that you want. Take careful notice of how the light reflects onto your subject. Consider wrapping your foil around a piece of cardboard or something else to make placement easier. When done correctly, it can act like a reflector.
The specular highlights will add extra sharpness to your image providing that you've stopped down well enough and are shooting at a fast enough shutter speed.
Want to do this in a more professional way? Consider a five in one reflector that includes soft gold, silver, white, shoot through white, and black sides. The silver or soft gold sides can really help to make your images pop more depending on the color of your food.
Capture The Food When It's Been Freshly Made (Or Washed)
Food should be captured when it is at its best: and there is a reason why people love food when it just comes out of the oven. Piping hot food images (with the steam caught in there) look absolutely delectable. Think about it: when have you ever seen an image of freshly made pasta that didn't make you hungry?
If you have a garden at home consider stepping out after the rain. The combination of the freshly watered fruits and vegetables with the overcast sometimes left over can also be a great time to go shoot.
Now go make yourself hungry!


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The life of a superhero is often an anxiety-riddled mess — so it's only appropriate that a classic DC hero gets a pretentious, art house adaptation.
Filmmaker Patrick Willems has graced us with a peek into a world where Swedish director Ingmar Bergman (the man behind the brooding classics Persona and The Seventh Seal) was allowed to direct a Flash movie. When you think about it, it's not substantially weirder than Tim Burton directing Batman.
Here's hoping they get around to Lars Von Trier's Green Lantern.
To contact the author of this post, write to email@example.com or find him on Twitter at @papapishu.


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Millions use social media to welcome Pope Francis
(CNN) -- As 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican to cheer the election of the new pope, millions joined in Wednesday on Twitter and Facebook. Some chimed in with praise, others with social media's trademark humor and snark.
Early Wednesday, @SistineSeagull captured the spotlight by landing on the Sistine Chapel smokestack where cameras were trained in anticipation of the afternoon vote.
The creation of an account for any animal that ends up in the spotlight has become a Twitter staple. But before the account could reach 8,000 followers, the world was greeting Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America.
"St. Francis was a guardian of birds, mystic, perhaps the most beloved Catholic saint of all!" tweeted @1zenwoman. "It's an OMEN, I say!! A sign!!"
In the crowd several held a banner that read "We'll follow you @pontifex." The @pontifex account had been used by Pope Benedict XVI but was wiped clean when he retired at the end of February. A full archive of Benedict's tweets is posted to the Vatican website.
"HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM" was the first tweet under Pope Francis. Habemus Papam translates to "We have a pope." It received more than 54,000 retweets, about 10% of the all-time record of 500,000 for @BarackObama's re-election photo.
Twitter says that about 130,000 tweets per minute were posted about the new pope, a rate it described as "very high" given that it was not a prime-time event. By early Wednesday afternoon, about 2 million tweets had been sent.
For a short time, every worldwide trending topic was pope-related, including hashtags like #habemuspapam, #Bergoglio and, in true Twitter spirit, #ReplaceMovieTitlesWithPope.
"Twitter loves a new pope more than Pinterest loves a Funfetti cake," wrote @christinagausas.
But not all was fun and games on Twitter with the discovery, too late for some, that the account @JMBergoglio, believed to be previous tweets from the new pontiff, was fake.
The account seems to have been created in April 2012 but was deleted by late Wednesday afternoon. The fake Twitter account included a link to what is likely a fake Facebook page.
Facebook and Twitter both have rules against impersonation but did not immediately respond to requests for information about these specific accounts.
Facebook users were also aboard the pope wagon, as discussion terms including Pope, Jorge Bergoglio and Vatican trended on the platform. As of 3:30 p.m. PT, mentions of Bergoglio (the new pope's last name) were up by 3.7 million%.
On Reddit, some community members of the discussion group /r/Christianity echoed the hopes of many social users that the new pope would be a reformer for the Vatican.
"I will definitely be praying for him," plyochama wrote.
Machinax responded, "He seems pretty by-the-book, so I doubt he'll kick too many doors down."
On YouTube, there were more than 700 videos tagged "Pope Francis" uploaded on Wednesday. Those with the highest views on Wednesday were still serious news pieces. But a clip from the comedy "Stripes" that quotes Bill Murray's Sgt. Hulka saying "Lighten up Francis" was getting healthy circulation.
@buzzfeedandrew tweeted, "Hoping the Catholic Cardinals made a Harlem Shake video right after they picked the new pope."


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Ron Perlman plays Nic Cage's right-hand swordsman in Season of The Witch. Perlman told us what it was like filming with Christopher Lee, and laid out plans for At the Mountains of Madness and Hellboy 3.
You've got such an amazing collection of wild genre films, and Season of the Witch seems to fit right in there. What was it about this movie that made you want to get involved?
Well, first and foremost it was a Nicolas Cage movie. I'm a total fanboy when it comes to his body of work. There isn't a more original and unique actor in the world right now, I think. He's not like anyone else. He brought this kind of wide-eyed magic to so many other roles over the course of time. I knew he was involved in the project before I read the script. Then when I started reading the script, and realized what they were asking me to do, which was be his best pal and comrade in arms. We make our way through this whole journey shoulder-to-shoulder and we have this wonderful rapport. We've both looked into the jaws of death a million times. There's a camaraderie and an unspoken bond that exists between us, which was really cool to wallow in for four and a half months of making this film.
I'm also a huge fan of Dominic Sena, who directed the film. And I thought that the story was compelling. I thought that the juxtaposition of the crusades being a stain on the history of the church. And having the story set in those times with the forces of the universe are sort of being meddled with, which sets up a world in which fantastical things can take place. I thought it was and non-gratuitous. It had some depth, it had some nuance that elevated it from strictly genre.
You've got a great rapport with Nic Cage on screen, why do you think you guys worked so well together?
Well, it was on the page. We were fortunate enough to enjoy each other's company but we were also invited to the location about 3 weeks prior to filming. We spent that time creating a backstory for ourselves. What were the circumstances in which we met, why we got along with each other as much as we did, what's my point of view, what's his? We created a history where he starts a sentence and I finish it, and vice versa. Even though he and I were the only ones who really knew of that history, because we had articulated it to ourselves and to each other, [we thought] that it would sort of seep its way into what the audience would experience.
Some of the plague scenes in this film are exceptionally disgusting, what was your favorite grotesque scene in Season of the Witch?
I think being in the room with Christopher Lee as he's in the throes of his last moments, as he's being consumed by the plague. It's not enough for me to just see something that's grotesque, but when it's juxtaposed against something that has as much dignity as Christopher Lee brings to the party, then it's quite moving and quite compelling. That was a highlight, for me. Seeing this really distinguished gentleman who is losing his battle because of this thing that had mysteriously fallen upon the land. That was probably the most effective moment of the gravitas of what it is we were faced with.
Guillermo del Toro wrote a part just for you in At The Mountains of Madness, since that character isn't in the original story by H.P Lovecraft, how does he fit in with the rest of the characters?
The movie takes place in the North Pole, and so I'm on board as this sort of dog sled dude. I spend my entire life with these dogs. So I'm a rough guy, among all these scientists. I'm a contrast to the deeply intellectual world that's being explored. I live outside all the time, I live in the elements. I'm a no-bullshit kind of guy in a world of guys who just live in their heads. So it's a beautiful role to play, given that backdrop. I kick some butt I hope we get a chance to do it.
Are you guys going to start filming this year?
Curiously enough, the film hasn't been officially been announced yet. I'm doing this TV show, so I have to see what the schedule of the movie is, when it's happening, whether it's happening. And whether it can all work out schedule-wise. So I don't want to get ahead of myself here.
How can we convince you to sit through 7 hours of make up every day to make Hellboy 3?
All you have to do is convince to Guillermo to say yes to making the movie.
That's funny, because whenever people ask Guillermo when he's going to make Hellboy 3 he always says that we have to convince you!
Yeah he's blaming me and I'm blaming him. I know it's kind of like Laurel and Hardy, Martin and Lewis, or Abbott and Costello. Hellboy 2 was not an easy shoot. Both of us walked away very tired and very beat up. But a lot of time [has passed] and lot of water has gone under the bridge, I'm well healed — and just knowing what his idea was for the third installment of the trilogy and how epic and theatrical and powerful a film it would be, it's got to be made. I really feel like its got to be made. It would be a great disservice to the first two films if you don't see how they wind up.
What is his idea for the third film?
The only thing I can share with you is we have this demon who is a victim of this Oracle, which is not negotiable. He's been summoned to the Earth for the destruction of mankind, and that's non-negotiable. This whole notion that his nature, is the demon of destruction — against the way he's been nurtured by his father, John Hurt's character, to be kind and in the service of mankind. Those things are going to be in play in the third one. Then of course you have Liz pregnant with twins at the end of the second film. So you don't know what those two offspring are going to be? Are they going to be more human? Are they going to be more demon? Are they going to be a combination of the two? And how is that going to play out, in terms of Hellboy's destiny. Which I say again is non-negotiable. So that's the backdrop for the third film. And everything will be resolved, all these open-ended questions will finally be resolved. I don't know how, he didn't give me those details. But that's the backdrop for it.
Promise me you'll have one more drinking scene with Doug Jones?
If I have anything to say about it, we'll have a few more. And a few more choruses of "Can't Smile Without You."
Season of the Witch trailer:
Season of the Witch is in theaters January 7th.


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Trenton and Lindsay Cochran on caring and muscular dystrophy
Walt Cochran, a teacher in Kansas City, shared this touching video with us for Education Week about his children — one disabled, one not — who make you think about the depth of the sibling relationship. Lindsay, 10, suffers from a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has been in a wheelchair since she was 2 years old. Meanwhile her older brother Trent, 12, sees his role as not just protective older brother, but as an ambassador to remind others that kids with disabilities can do anything they put their mind to with the help of technology and support of loving relationships. Really, we dare you not to shed a tear while watching this.
This video feels especially relevant today given a comment we noticed on John Legend's performance of "True Colors," from Caroline Playle, who gave a talk at TEDxKingsCollege. She writes, "This just made me…
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Sonic Greetings
When new age/pop artist Jim Brickman wrote his latest single "Thank You," he didn't think of either radio or an album as potential outlets, but rather something less obvious: a greeting card.
"It was developed as a card way before I even knew what shape it was going to take on the album, or as a single, or anything," says Brickman, who teamed with Cleveland-based American Greetings Corporation in 2008 for a line of e-cards.
"I wrote it, recorded it and I thought, 'I would like to get a card like this.'"
Brickman has sold more than 1 million sonic e-cards featuring his music set to animated designs, including popular cards featuring songs such as "If You Believe" "Dream Come True" and "Beautiful World (We're All Here)."
"This Beautiful World card is like a movie — it's so artistic and so stunning to me," says Brickman. "It's better than a music video."
Brickman isn't the only artist exploring the potentially lucrative realm of the greeting card industry. Last November GRAMMY-winning country/pop star Taylor Swift also signed a deal with American Greetings.
Unlike Brickman, whose first batch of print cards will arrive in February 2011, Swift's deal includes both traditional print cards and e-cards, offering "cards for your life stories and love stories" set to her songs.
"For our retail business, Taylor Swift is our first foray into doing what you'd call a 360 [deal] — a name, likeness and music, collectively using her as a brand in social expressions," says Janice Ross, American Greetings' vice president, in-bound licensing and business development.
Troy Tomlinson, president/CEO of Swift's publisher, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, says her card deal is unique and groundbreaking.
"The Taylor Swift deal is the first one where one of the greeting card companies has embraced one writer/artist, and engaged them to not only provide lyrics from existing songs for some greeting cards, but also creating brand new content for cards."
Tomlinson says the partnership offers artists promise for a new potential income stream in the robust greeting card industry. According to the Greeting Card Association, a trade organization founded in 1941, the industry generates annual retail sales of more than $7.5 billion. The GCA estimates the average person receives 20 greeting cards a year, with women purchasing 80 percent of all greeting cards, and that an estimated 500 million e-cards are sent annually.
"It's most definitely a growing and an optimistic market for publishers and writers," says Tomlinson. "In a day when typical mechanical royalties for album sales are less than overwhelming, this is one area which we can actually look at optimistically and say, 'There's growth potential here.'"
Although unable to disclose sales figures, Ross says American Greetings is pleased with both Brickman's e-cards and the Swift line, the latter of which recently expanded via an exclusive series of cards at Target.
"It's done very well for us," says Ross. "I can't speak to performance figures or percentages, but we are very happy with the Taylor Swift line and it has been very well received by our retailers as well."
Although the lithium battery-powered chipcorder technology that allows music to be placed and played inside print greeting cards was first introduced in the late '90s, it's only recently that both the greeting card and music industries have found a synergy.
American Greetings launched its music card line on Mother's Day 2007, and it has quickly emerged as a prominent part of the company's business.
"Today our music card is the major component of our seasonal and everyday businesses," Ross claims. "Music gives the consumer another way to add a special element to the greeting card. It just makes it more personable and memorable."
Brickman agrees.
"Anybody who has an emotional connection to wanting to send a greeting card most likely has an emotional connection to music, because it's a feeling," he says.
"Plus, my music is about moments — very emotional moments [such as] celebrations or Christmas or occasions — it's all emotionally connected. It conveys a lot of the same sentiments that cards do."
But Brickman says his motivation for his partnership with American Greetings isn't profit, but expanding his audience.
"As an artist, I want development and brand association with something that can reach new audiences," says Brickman.
Hallmark, which generated revenue of $4 billion in 2009, also incorporates music with "cards with sound" featuring songs designed to fit various moods and occasions, including songs by Phil Collins, Ella Fitzgerald, Martina McBride, the Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Ross sees a promising future for musical greeting cards, and says more artist deals are likely. Additionally, in June American Greetings announced a line of 36 cards featured exclusively at iTunes, with each featuring a song download. In August the company launched a Guitar Greetings line that allows the receiver to "extend" a guitar out of the card and play along with the triggered music.
"It's not a flash in the pan," says Ross. "We feel music is going to stay as an important part of our line."
(Nick Krewen is a Toronto-based journalist who has written for The Toronto Star, TV Guide, Billboard, Country Music and was a consultant for the National Film Board's music industry documentary Dream Machine.)


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We are pleased to announce that Flash Player 10.1 is now generally available for download on the Android Market for Google™ Nexus One™ phones. Flash Player 10.1 for Android (2.2) is now generally available as of August 16; we had previously released Flash Player 10.1 to partners in June 2010. We expect additional Android devices like the HTC Incredible, Samsung Galaxy S, Motorola Milestone, Droid X, Droid by Motorola, Dell Streak and other mobile platforms to get Flash Player 10.1 over the next few weeks and months. Upgrade paths for devices in market today depend on the specific device, manufacturer, operator and the region. In addition to Android, mobile platforms including webOS, BlackBerry, MeeGo, LiMo, a future version of Windows Phone 7 and others will deliver support for Flash Player 10.1 over the coming months. Many of the new devices are expected to come pre-installed with full Flash.
Android phones available now which support Flash Player 10.1 include:
- Google™ Nexus One™ — Download from Android Market.
- HTC Evo™ 4G — Included with the Android 2.2 update from HTC.
- HTC Desire — Included with the Android 2.2 update from HTC.
- DROID 2 by Motorola — Devices ship with Flash Player 10.1 preinstalled.
Learn more about current and upcoming devices that support Flash Player 10.1.