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I'm bringing this post to the top to let readers know that new material has been posted in the "Interesting Links" section. Look for the label.
We wanted to provide a place for readers to engage each other on the issues raised by the ongoing confrontation between the U.S. Catholic Church and the Obama administration over the recent HHS decision to not expand the religious employer exemptions for HHS mandated preventative health services. In a statement announcing the decision, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote that the ruling
strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services. The administration remains fully committed to its partnerships with faith-based organizations, which promote healthy communities and serve the common good.
Many Americans see it otherwise, including the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) and the US Council on Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The CNS wrote a letter last September as the rule was being promulgated in protest to the federal government with 18 Catholic colleges and associations as signatories, including HACS, that
[e]ntities such as Catholic Colleges and Universities have a legal right not to be required to offer or pay for health insurance coverage that includes practices to which they have a religious or moral objection, and not to be forced to choose between offering such coverage, paying a fine, or offering no coverage at all .
The USCCB issued a news release after the latest re jiggering of the ruling declaring
that today's proposal continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions, and to threaten government coercion of religious people and groups to violate their most deeply held convictions. In a nation dedicated to religious liberty as its first and founding principle, we should not be limited to negotiating within these parameters. The only complete solution to this religious liberty problem is for HHS to rescind the mandate of these objectionable services.
The Church has acted quickly to respond to this mandate. Over 140 parishes issued letters to be read in churches describing federal intrusion into Catholic institutions. More than 400 Catholic leaders have called upon Congress and the Administration to protect conscience rights in health care. A full page ad appeared in The New York Times and the Washington Post with an open letter featuring 150 of these leaders on December 21.
This issue has provoked an avalanche of news coverage. Searching Google News for news articles on the decision yielded more than 9,000 newspaper articles in the 5 days after this controversy erupted. You are invited to share your own feelings, views, favorite articles ( a link to the article rather than clipping and pasting the article here is preferred), quotes, summaries: whatever you would like to add.
Below is a very short summary of significant events between the publication of encyclical Casti Connubii and publication of the encyclical Humanae Vitae.
Here is some background on this long-simmering issue.
1930 – Pope Pius XI issues Casti Connubii (On Chaste Wedlock), declaring the sex act within marriage is one of procreation. Interfering with its purpose violates divine will.
1934 – Margaret Sanger writes "The American Baby Code" for The American Weekly, explicating her views on contraception for eugenic purposes. (6)
1954 – First human trials of synthetic progestin for birth control. (1)
1955 – Positive results of progestin studies announced in Tokyo at a meeting of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation (1)
1955 – Growth of American Families surveys of Catholic wives shows 58% had used some form of contraception.The rhythm method was classified as a "contraceptive" for this study. A more detailed study completed after publication of Humanae Vitae (1968) shows that of married, Catholic women under age 50, more than half were not using contraceptive methods proscribed by the Catholic Church. Younger respondents were more likely to be using oral contraceptives than older respondents. Only 1 in 5 Catholic women were taking the Pill. The rhythm method remained the first selection of Catholic women. (4)
1956-1957 – Field trials of contraceptive pill moved to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Haiti to avoid U.S. prosecution and public criticism. 20,000 women used in studies. (2)
1960 – First oral contraceptive pill becomes widely available. (2)
1962-1965 – Planned Parenthood launches a campaign to enlist sympathetic Catholics to endorse artificial contraception. (6)
1963 – Dissenters within the Church argue for reconsideration of Church positions on contraception. Pope John XXIII establishes Pontifical Commission on Birth Control. (3)
1964 – Germain Grisez publishes Contraception and the Natural Law, arguing that arguments against contraception based on a Suazerian notion of natural law were inadequate. Grisez rooted these arguments instead in St. Thomas' understanding of natural law. (6)
1965 – Supreme Court case Griswold v Connecticut established constitutional guarantee of privacy, leading to the Supreme Court ruling that abortion is a private act in Roe v Wade in 1973. (6)
1965 – President Lyndon B. Johnson endorsed government sponsored programs of contraception.(6)
1964-1967 – A number of books by Catholic theologians promoting contraception are published suggesting artificial contraception and the rhythm method are "the same". (6)
1965 – Richard Cardinal Cushing utters the famous line of one who "is personally opposed but . . . " (6)
1966 – Commission on Birth Control issues long-awaited report. Majority report recommends contraceptives be classified as an extension of the rhythm method. Six members dissented. The reports are leaked to the press causing the sort of public consternation we see now with the HHS decision. (3)
1968 – Humane Vitae (HV) is published, condemning artificial contraception. Later researchers would find Pope Paul VI's "prophecies" of what would happen if the Church's teachings were ignored appear to be affirmed by data.(5) [Janet Smith's article is worth a read. A current magazine article covers similar ground in Business Insider.]
HV predicted that the widespread use of contraception would lead to:
- Infidelity and moral decline – HV noted that widespread use of contraception would "lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality."
- Lost respect for women - HV argues that "the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion."
- Abuse of power – Paul VI predicted that the widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon… in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies." Think of forced sterilization and abortion in China as a single prominent example.
- Unlimited dominion – Contraception would lead men to think they have unlimited dominion over their own bodies. With ultimate freedom from the natural outcomes of sexual acts man believes he has conquered nature and erased all boundaries.
1968 – Time describes the extremely negative reception HV received outside the Catholic hierarchy, suggesting HV reflects the opinions of a tiny minority of the Church leadership who are interested in maintaining an outdated policy. The article quotes a gynecologist that HV's claim that contraception would lead to the degradation of women "was a gratuitous slap at Protestant wives." The article offers no further explanation of that mysterious comment. (7)
1968-2011 – Controversy subsides in the Church community but is stoked again by the Obama Administration's decision to ignore Catholic entreaties to include a conscience clause in proposed ruling on insurance coverage of contraception treatment.
(1) Elizabeth Connell, "Contraception in the Prepill Era", Contraception, 1999, 59, 7S-10S.
(2) B. Asbell, The Pill: A Biography of the Drug That Changed the World. 1995.
(3) William Shannon, "The Papal Commission on Birth Control" in The lively debate: response to Humanae vitae. 1970. Pp. 70-103.
(4) Leon Bouvier, "Catholics and Contraception", Journal of Marriage and the Family, Aug. 1972. Pp. 514-522.
(5) Janet Smith, "Pope Paul VI as Prophet: Have Humane Vitae's Bold Predictions Come True?". Retrieved on February 14, 2011 from http://www.nd.edu/~afreddos/courses/264/popepaul.htm
(6) William May, "The Cultural and Ecclesial Situation 1964 to 1967: Paving the Way for Dissent From Church Teachings on Contraception", Nova et Vetera, 2009, 7, pp. 711-729.
(7) Time, "The Pope and Birth Control: A Crisis in Catholic Authority", August 9, 1968. pp. 54-58.
Interesting Links
Obama administration picks a fight with Catholics, Washington Post.
The HHS Decision, America, The National Catholic Weekly.
Bad Decision, Commonweal.
Conscience and Uncontroversial Truth, a piece by Janet Smith in the January 2009 edition of The Priest. She anticipates many of the arguments we are hearing about the HHS rule of health care professionals coerced into violating their deepest beliefs .
Santorum Catches Up with Romney, a Pew Poll showing Santorum preferred by Catholic voters. Perhaps this HHS issue has highlighted Catholic issues in the minds of Catholic voters.
President Obama, the Right Not to Do Wrong, and the Politics of Ruse and Delay. A Witherspoon Institute piece that explores the alleged right to be coerced by the state.
The HHS Mandate and Legal Precedent. Another Witherspoon Institute piece looking at the latest claim from supporters of the HHS ruling suggesting the ruling is no different than President Bush's federal policies on contraceptive services.
President Obama's Policies The Same as President Bush's Policies. This article from the liberal magazine Mother Jones lays the groundwork for the current argument that President Obama is just following the lead of President Bush.
Contraception Provision Sets Off Firestorm. National Public Radio has an 8 minute piece interviewing New York Times reporter Laurie Goodstein on the current public state of the controversy. The site provides a written transcript of the interview as well. A good representation of what an informed, secular view of the issue looks like.
Faith and Politics Collide in Contraception Debate. Talk of the Nation interviews Michael Gerson, columnist for the Washington Post, and Sister Simone Campbell, director of NETWORK, a lobby group of "progressive" Catholics. A A robust and intelligent discussion on balancing religious beliefs and societal values. You can read the written transcript or listen to the entire 30 minute broadcast.
HHS and Soft Totalitarianism. George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., writes at First Things that
the very fact that the administration issued these regulations [the HHS Rule], and that the White House press secretary blithely dismissed any First Amendment concerns when asked whether there were religious freedom issues involved here, tell us something very important, and very disturbing, about the cast of mind in the Executive Branch.
Public Divided Over Birth Control Insurance Mandate: Religious, Partisan and Gender Differences. The Pew Research Center conducted a poll between February 8 and 12, 2012, finding sharp divisions on the issue by religious affiliation, party and ideology. An interesting read.
The Little Sisters of the Limousine Liberalism. George Neumayr, contributing editor for The American Spectator and editor of the the Catholic World Report, contributes a caustic piece on Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association and supporter of the Obama Administration's HHS ruling.
Contraception: Why Not-Revised and Updated. Dr. Janet Smith, professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, revises her CD on contraception to reflect recent public discussions on the issue. You can also read the transcript of Dr. Smith's presentation – but without the Powerpoint slides. Dr. Smith introduces her topic by saying:
I'm going to be talking a lot about the difference between the modern and the Christian view of sexuality. I am going to explain why natural sex is best. In fact, natural sex is the sex that the Catholic Church promotes. Natural sex is sex between a man and a woman who love each other, who have made a lifetime commitment to each other and are open to having children with each other. That's very rare in our culture. A lot of the sex in our culture is between people who barely know each other's last name; who certainly don't love each other. There's no love relationship; they have made no commitment to each other and any child that might result from their union would be considered a disaster. I'm going to explain why I think the Church's vision of sexuality – one shared by most traditional cultures — is much better than the modern practice of sexuality. And I'm going to claim that contraception has been the major element that has altered our view of sexuality.
Testimony at House of Representative's Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearings on the HHS Ruling by Most Reverend William E. Lori on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He recites for the committee the Parable of the Kosher Deli and asks the committee:
Will our nation continue to be one committed to religious liberty and diversity? We urge, in the strongest possible terms, that the answer must be yes. We urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to answer the same way.
You can read the testimony of all the hearing witnesses at the committee web page.
Mandates and Bad Law. Christopher Tollefson professor of philosophy at the University of South Carolina, talks about the variety of objections to the HHS Rule that have been posed by Catholic critics of the rule. 1) contraception and sterilization should not qualify under "preventive services"; 2) the rule creates a "burden of conscience" in that it requires the material cooperation of institutions to obey the rule; 3) the rule requires material cooperation, leading to the institution's evaluation whether the reasons for cooperating are proportionate to the reasons for not doing so; 4) an institution's Catholic witness in opposition to the values of the rule; 5) the matter of Catholic policy in making the drugs and services available.
In Defense of Religious Freedom. First Things has published a piece from a group of Catholic and Evangelical ministers on the issue of religious freedom. This group includes names we at Holy Apostles often run across in our courses: Russel Hittinger, Hadley Arkes, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Daniel Philpot, George Weigel and Matthew Levering.
White House Response to Lawsuit. The law firm handling the lawsuit against the HHS Rule for Belmont Abbey College announced that the White House response to the lawsuit to stop implementation of the HHS Rule . "Apparently, the administration has decided that the mandate, as written and finalized, is constitutionally indefensible," said Hannah Smith, senior counsel at The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
300 Scholars and Religious Leaders Denounce White House "accommodation" of the HHS Rule.
Conscience Protection. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops created a page to specifically follow the issues raised by the HHS Mandate. A good source for keeping track of the issues important to Catholics
Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment has constructed a page to promote a proposed piece of legislation: the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467).
Ave Maria University joins other Catholic universities in lawsuit to prevent enactment of the HHS Mandate.
Rousing homily on First Amendment Rights by Fr. Sammie Maletta of St. John the Evangelist Parish, forwarded to us by Rev. Mr. James Netusil.
A federal judge rules Washington state cannot force pharmacies to sell contraceptives. From the article: "The most compelling evidence that the rules [Washington state rules on dispensing drugs in pharmacies] target religious conduct is the fact the rules contain numerous secular exemptions," the judge said. "In sum, the rules exempt pharmacies and pharmacists from stocking and delivering lawfully prescribed drugs for an almost unlimited variety of secular reasons, but fails to provide exemptions for reasons of conscience." Thanks to Seminarian John Stearns for pointing out this piece to us.
The Bishops and the Mandate: Principled Witness vs. Politics as Usual. Public Discourse takes issue with a recent America magazine article in which the America editors argue that the USCCB is pressing "the religious liberty campaign too far" by opposing the accommodation offered by the White House to the HHS Mandate. Public Discourse sees the conference opposition as a "struggle for the principle of religious freedom, the soul of civil society." A useful exchange and deftly expressed by both sides.
A Guiding Principle Revealed. The Witherspoon Institute explores what the HHS Mandate incident has taught us. It briefly united conservative and more liberal Catholics, motivated many critics across the political spectrum to speak out against the mandate: most agreeing that "citizens should not…be coerced into performing actions they believe to be wrong." And a new principle of state conduct is revealed through this national discussion.
But the principle must conform to a moral test:
- The belief cannot be ad hoc. One cannot claim a commitment merely to avoid following the law.
- The belief cannot have as its manifest aim the material interest of the objector. The principle against the law cannot be merely for a superficial gain. However, a conscientious objector to war obtains a material interest by avoiding war so an alternative action can be created.
- Exemption cannot undermine the basis of government or civil order. Some mandates are necessary for the ordinary function of civil society regardless of personal feelings of the mandate's unjustness.
The essay threads a fairly narrow path with these three criteria of a moral test. Does it solve the problem we see in the HHS Mandate?


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1776 (300 spoof)
Posted by matuu on Oct. 24, 2007
Posted by matuu on Oct. 24, 2007
im so sick: of 300 spoofs
hmmm: What isn't accurate about 300 the movie? I did some research into it and the story checked out.
hahaha: i want more
What's funny is: I would actually like to see this!!
Robot Chicken: rulez
that was pretty good: 300 was such a POS
the spartan infantry really was 300 men: however, every spartan warrior was assigned a squire from the serf class who acted as support units for the infantry. At the battle there were 300 Spartans and their 300+ squires, as well as other small forces from other cities. The total number would be a few thousand.
not really: probably more like 3000 spartans, and not quite a million persians (probably tens of thousands). Still it's a great story, but there IS a huge difference from the movie and RL
Uh...yeah. It's a MOVIE: I know it's exaggerated. It's also mostly in black and white - it's stylized. But the story of the 300 Spartans holding off the Persion army is true. They all died, and bought Sparta enough time to defend themselves.
Are you kidding?: What about the monsters? That would just be the major inaccuracy. Besides that, evrything is exaggerated.

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi guys! It's been awhile. A few weeks, a month, I don't really know, haha.
But I finally got my laptop completely fixed! :D My hard drive was DESTROYED, had to get a new one. So there's absolutely nothing on it.
Which means I don't have a graphics card.
Meaning I have to spend even more money on one so I can play ANY kind of game -____-
This is a pain in the butt.
I miss playing sims so much ;w;


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Composer Andrew Lloyd Weber has established himself as perhaps the single most powerful figure in contemporary musical theater, and his resume contains several of the biggest stage hits of the past thirty years. Andrew Lloyd Weber: Live From Beijing features Weber leading the orchestra for a concert presentation of thirty-five songs from his most popular shows. This concert recording includes selections from The Phantom Of The Opera ("Music Of The Night", "All I Ask Of You"), Cats ("Memory", "Macaviity: The Mystery Cat"), Evita ("Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "And The Money Kept Rolling In"), Jesus Christ Superstar ("I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Superstar"), Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ("Any Dream Will Do"), Sunset Boulevard ("As If We Never Said Goodbye"), and more.
by Mark Deming synopsis


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HOT TOPICS: Alcoholism Addiction AA Cocaine Heroin
When Boozecasters Make the News
By Bryan Le
Speculation on Diane Sawyer's election night "drunkenness" ran high—but it's nothing new. Talking heads have a long history of slurring their way into our living rooms. MORE
Addiction on The X-Factor
By Sam Lansky
Will The X-Factor's decision to hire Britney and Demi Lovato change the public perception of addiction? MORE


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Firefall holds first public beta this weekend, new game footage released
Ambitious MMO shooter Firefall is set to open its servers to a new wave of bug hunters. That's "bug" in both senses: those in the game's code and the squishy beasts you'll be shooting. From January 25 - 27 the game will be holding its first 48-hour public beta weekend, letting anyone who registers for a Firefall account run around its massive open world. In preparation for the test, Red 5 have released a trailer, giving potential participants a taste of what to expect.
Firefall is a many-genred MMO set on a future Earth overrun by giant bugs and humanoid "Chosen". Red 5's vice president of development, James Macauley, describes it like so: "We're a shooter, we're an online shooter, we're a social game, we're an MMO, we're an RPG, we're an RTS. There's a massively persistent open world, deep character progression, deep backstory and lore, competitive PvP and e-sports-focused match types, ladders and leagues. We have all these different aspects of different games, we have the social features of MMOs, we have armies – built-in clan support much like a guild – we have all of this stuff and it's a free-to-play game."
That's a lot of stuff to cram into a single download. Still interested? You can find further details of the beta weekend at the Firefall website, and read Rich's massive preview right here.
Tags: MMO, Free To Play, Firefall, Red 5 Studios, MMOFPS, Firefall beta,


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Guide to installing TextTest
Hopefully this is now pretty straightforward on all platforms. Up until TextTest 3.8 it was pretty involved on Windows. The main advances are built-in process handling in Python 2.4 and the fact that the PyGTK people now have an all-in-one installer for Windows.
Things you must install...
Things you might want to install...
For viewing test files while they are running, there is a menu option to display a window with live updates of the file. On UNIX this defaults to using 'tail -f'. On Windows there is a nice equivalent called baretail which is TextTest's default. You can download it from Bare Metal Software's site. Like everything else you should add it to your PATH. Naturally, there is no compulsion to use this functionality so this download is optional. The functionality is just greyed out on Windows if "baretail" can't be found.
Things you need to set...
TextTest uses a root directory where it starts to look for tests, determined primarily by the environment variable TEXTTEST_HOME. This is the first thing determined by TextTest on being called and not much will happen if it isn't set.
You are strongly recommended to pick a root directory for all your tests and set TEXTTEST_HOME to this directory in some persistent way (for example your shell starter script on UNIX or autoexec.bat on Windows). In this way you will not need to think about it more than once.


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I cut the onions vertically sliced instead of thinly sliced, which I think made for a more attractive presentation. I also used brown rice instead of long grain. My family loved this!
Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
Photo: Kana Okada
Yield: Makes 4 servings
More From Real Simple
Recipe Time
Prep Time:
Other: 10 Minutes
Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
- Calories: 393
- Calories from fat: 23%
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
- Sodium: 696mg
- Carbohydrate: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large yellow or other kind of onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup large pimiento-stuffed olives, quartered
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
- 3/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Cook the rice according to the package directions.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly soft, 5 minutes. Add the olives, garlic, and tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the wine, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Divide the chicken among individual plates and spoon the sauce over the top. Serve with the rice.
Tip: This quick, savory sauce also livens up pasta, shrimp, and fish.
My Notes
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Golden Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives Recipe at a Glance
- COURSE: Main Dishes
- CONVENIENCE: Family
- MAIN INGREDIENT: Poultry
- PUBLICATION: Real Simple
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Clippers connecting: tie franchise mark of 11 straight wins
Los Angeles, CA, United States (4E Sports) – Blake Griffin scored 18 points and Jamal Crawford added 17 as the Clippers tied the franchise mark set by the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves with a 93-77 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.
The team's 19-6 record is tied with New York for second-best in the NBA.
Chris Paul had 10 points and 12 assists, giving him 5,003 dishes in his career. He fed Griffin for a layup late in the second quarter to notch his 5,000th assist, triggering a standing ovation. DeAndre Jordan added 12 points.
Four of the Clippers' five starters took the fourth quarter off, with only Willie Green coming back in after having helped build a 19-point lead to start the final period.
Robin Lopez scored 14 of his 22 points in the first quarter and rookie Anthony Davis added 16 for the Hornets.
They lost their ninth in a row and 11th in 12 games while falling to 2-10 on the road.
"They really feed off their fast break," said Hornets forward Ryan Anderson. "They're a team that runs, and when they get turnovers they break out and find open guys at the other end."
Before the Hornets game, the Clippers had three players scoring in double figures — Griffin (18.0), Crawford (16.5) and Paul (16.0) — plus four other players averaging at least nine points: reserve Matt Barnes (9.9), starter Caron Butler (9.7), reserve Eric Bledsoe (9.7) and Jordan (9.6).
On offense, the Clippers average 101.63 points per game, eighth-best in the NBA.
They share the basketball too, averaging 22.96 assists per game, third-best in the league. Paul directs that offense, and he's second in the league with 9.2 assists a game.
On defense, the Clippers have given up a stingy 93.08 points per game, fourth-best in the NBA. They also average 10.67 steals per game, which leads the NBA, and 6.21 blocks per game, seventh-best in the league.
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Was £45.00
Now £22.50
Now £13.50
70% Off
Save a total of £31.50
Item not in stock
Standard Delivery
Click & Collect
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Designer red checked pom pom cross body bag
Item No.0890111943
This red bag from the designer H! By Henry Holland has a brushed checked design with black leather look trims. It comes in a backpack style with an adjustable cross body strap and a pom pom detail.
- Outer: 90% polyester, 10% wool
- Trim: 100% polyurethane
- HWD: 35cm x 39cm x 12.5cm / 13.75" x 15.5" x 5"
- One front zip pocket, one internal zip pocket, one internal mobile pouch
- Adjustable cross body strap
- Popper fastening
- Lining: 100% polyester
Deliveries are between 8am - 6pm, Mon - Sat.
FREE if you pay with your Debenhams card
FREE delivery on all orders over £30 (normally £3.99)
Deliver to store for collection ( 160 participating stores ) FREE
International Delivery £7.00 to £15.00
Debenhams is happy to exchange or refund your purchase within 28 days providing the goods are in a fully resaleable condition (including tags) and not within the exclusion policy*. This policy does not affect your statutory rights. You can return unwanted items either by visiting your local store (the fastest way to get a refund), by arranging a courier collection or returning by post. Exclusions apply to selected products. For instructions on how to return products and information on Debenhams refund policy visit the returns and refunds section of the website.


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European Union Law, Legal Studies
Advanced European Union Legal Practice
Advanced European Union Legal Practice
June 29 - July 11, 2009
In co-operation with the Department of Legal Studies of CEU and the Total LawTM team
Estimated living costs
Estimated living costs are 200 EUR for two weeks including local transportation and meals.
Local Transportation
You can buy a 14-day pass for local transportation in Budapest for 5,300 HUF, which is valid for all means of public transport (metro, buses, trolley buses and trams). Please make sure you bring a photo (3x4 cm) for the pass. Single tickets cost 270 HUF.
Check out our "Getting Around" pages to find more information about local transportation.
Altogether approximately 150 EUR can be budgeted for meals for two weeks. For more information about meals and recommended places for lunch and snack check our "Eating around CEU" section.


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Actors Wanted
Did you ever want to pretend you're someone else...something not quite human. Then this is your chance... Looking to have some fun from late September through October and willing to run around scaring the daylights out of people -- then do we have a job for you! No prior acting experience is required.
2014 Applications now available
Opening Weekend
September 26th, and 27st - Our Opening Weekend - Ride All Night - As Many Times As You Like From Open To Close -- For Only $15.00
For more than a decade, Cheeseman Fright Farm has been bringing haunting entertainment during the Halloween season. The 2014 season is almost upon us -- we are busy taking applications, planning new layouts and preparing the transition from peaceful scenic farm into FRIGHT FARM.
- Opening Weekend - Friday September 26th and Saturday September 27th
- Closing Weekend - Friday October 31st and Saturday November 1st.
Begins at dark and will be open to 10:00 p.m. or until the last ticketed guest has ridden. Activities are geared toward teens and adults (12 yrs and younger must be accompanied by an adult).


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Mocha Charlie
Mocha Charlie is an amazing photographer who has a real passion for music. She has her finger on the Pacific Northwest music pulse. She covers and shoots several shows per month in and around the region.
She a brilliant photo journalist but most importantly, she is also a mother who does her best to balance out her life and live it to the fullest. Mocha Charlie uses her passion and talent to support the community, her friends and family any way that she can.
Her passion for music photo journalism was ignited three years ago, after attending her first "Seattle Living Room Show." At that moment she knew that using her photographic skills to help support our music community would be worth a shot (Yes, pun intended) and her calling.
Since then, Mocha Charlie has taken and edited tens of thousands of photos from several hundred shows that she has covered. Along her journey she has met some incredible artists and other folks involved in the local music scene. She has made a many new friends along the way.
Mocha Charlie contributes her photos and reviews of the shows that she covers to various music blogs and web sites. In addition she is currently on the board of "Northwest LoveFest", a local festival that celebrates community through music and art.
When you go to a local show there is a good chance that you will see her doing her thing for the music community and stellar artists that play throughout the region. You may even see her at a show with one (or more) of her kids, her husband, or one (or more) of her many friends that she has met through music. If you see her at a show, she may not be able to talk because more than likely you will see her with her Nikon up at her eye ready for the next shot. She is very focused on her work (another pun intended.)
Mocha Charlie will contribute photos and photo slide shows for Seattle Music Insider. In addition, she will be a reoccurring guest on SMI Radio for what will be a new segment, Mocha Charlie's Music Minutes. Which will give listeners and music fans the skinny on some hot shows and local music happenings happening around the Northwest and way beyond.


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Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > Hugs
Waiting Room3 Reviews
Things are about to kick off. Paranoia leads Gerard to an awful scene...
Dad finally broke the silence and asked Frank what he was planning for tommorrow.
"Uh, probably staying at home with all the family, boring stuff like that really. You guys doing anything?"
"We haven't got anything planned yet." Donna answered the open question, but something told me she had it all regimentally planned out in her head, she always does. She's good at stressing over small things (ie Christmas dinner) and missing the huge problems (she never once questioned any mysterious bruises I got).
Apart from that short exchange, we plunged into silence again. I could see Gerard itching to get away from the table, clearing his plate in an instant, ready to get up and drag poor Frank with him. Another thing I noticed was Frank hunching his shoulders, no doubt trying to hide that new red mark on the side of his neck, which is natural I suppose if you're in your boyfriend's parents' company. I have to admit, I gazed at what I could see of it for a short while. It looked weird and cruel but to Frank it meant love.
In a way you could compare that to me and Gerard but that isn't simple and pure like what I see with him and Frank. I still envy them, it's so simple thier adoration.
As soon as Dad had cleared his plate the three of us went upstairs again. It was more a them and me situation but nonetheless, I went up to Gerard's room, closing the door behind me softly. It was something we always used to do, I'd stay in Gerard's room for the whole night and we'd talk and stuff. It was like a routine, one that rarely included bad times for us. Sometimes we went out somewhere, sometimes there were fireworks in other neighbourhoods or a movie we wanted to see.
Gerard looked up at me, confused. I joined them on the floor, failing to notice they might want to spend time alone. Then again, if I let them do that, I'd hardly ever see them at all.
"Hey. We're goin' out later, you going somewhere with school friends?" He asked, twirling a stand of dark hair around his finger distractedly.
"Uh no actually." I didn't want to ask if I was involved in the plan, it was clear Gerard didn't want me around as much.
"Really? We were gonna check out the lake. You should come, fucking is cold in snow anyways." Frank said, rather... Frankly.
I searched Gerard's face for an answer or an inkling of emotion about this proposal. He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Sure, come along. We were gonna head out now. Jackets people." Frank giggled at his order and pulled on a hoodie that was lying around along with a heap of other clothes. I quickly retrieved a large puffy jacket of mine, even had the fluff on the hood. It wasn't 'cool' but it was damn, damn comfy and warm.
As soon as we got out the door, Frank stopped in his tracks.
"Oh! You guys go on, I need to go home for a sec." He explained, in a rush already.
Gerard shot him a questioning glance, maybe a dangerous one.
"Really?" G asked, slightly sad.
"Sure, I'll catch you up soon, promise! I'll meet ya there!" Frank sing songed, already turning away. He was going to be away far longer than expected, though Gerard seemed to pick up on something, though obviously trusted him enough to let him go. Either that or he was thinking it through.
We walked in the dark, guided by the orange-yellow soft glow of streetlights and snow falling at a steady pace. I was already freezing my ass off, my glasses getting ever-so-slightly misty. The distance between us gradually grew smaller until I felt it'd be okay to grab hold of Gerard's arm. He didn't say anything to protest so I happily walked onwards with him towards the cycle track. Normally, I wouldn't go near the place at night but this night was different and many people congregated there anyways so we'd hardly be noticed.
"Are you okay G?" I asked after he hadn't said anything for a long time. His teeth chattered for a few seconds before he answered with a quick nod.
"...Good." I nodded as well hoping to somehow lighten the mood. We can still have a good time together, Frank didn't have to be there to make Gerard happy. It could still be me, he knew that too.
We were about 5 mintues away form our destination and had walked for aout 10 when Gerard spoke up, carefully chosing each word judging by how slowly he spoke.
"I'm scared Mikey. I think I've done something... I think..." He broke off me and got in front of me, his warm breath hitting my face with great relief.
"Am I a bad person?" He asked bluntly. Oh fuck, not one of these moods. THey're so scary seomtimes. I almost cocked my head, what a weird thing to say like that. I thought he was over these kind of 'rants'.
He grabbed my shoulders, and tightly at that. "Even if I try to solve it?"
"Solve what Gerard?"
He answered my question with another question, "Will you love me no matter what? Do you even love me so deep you'd put up with me like this and what I've done?" He kept bablling on in a deep train of thought, missing out the details I needed to know. He gets really thoughtful and philosophical when he's in a 'mood'. I silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"Always. No matter what. I love you now, don't I? How could that change?" I was really telling the truth, I can't not love him. No matter what he does, I'll always be beside him and helping him. I smiled the first sincere smile I had in what seemed like ages, not that I counted the days. I swear, even form the worst injuries I loved him all the same. He's my Gerard, nothing could change that.
A strange expression took over Gerard's face.
"But you have no idea what's going on... I'm not in control anymore, I've given so much up! Oh fuck, Mikey what've I done... I have to go okay? I'll be back, just a little paranoid."
He looked around, I saw he was shaking all over. Oh God, oh fuck. Paranoia. When Gerard knows he's paranoid, that's when you worry. Gerard definately was not okay in the slightest, he was majorly acting up and was nervous and as he said, very paranoid.
The cold air wasn't what made me froze next, it wasn't the snow or the lack of decent layers I wore. The cold wasn't from something you could touch. It was something that was usually portrayed as something warm and sweet but in this case, cold and fearful. It wasn't born of anything you'd expect it to be, it was fearful and looking for help and comfort. Was it the only way Gerard could search for it, by doing what he did? Just a show of love and hoping for loving guidance back?
I didn't know what to do and before I copied, it was cut off.
Gerard leaned in to kiss me, properly, full on the lips. My lips froze to his and I'm not exaggerating. It wasn't really a good one at that, but I knew it meant more than all the broken information he had randomly spurted. He grabbed my hands and squeezed them tightly before leaning in further. His lips quivered and worked slowly as his whole body shook with whatever he felt inside. I had no idea what my role in this was so I stayed still. By time I decided I wanted to react, all the cold-warmth was gone, replaced by the bleak weather around me that seemed not cold or warm, barely even tepid after that. He had darted off, no doubt to Frank.
It made me panic. In any normal situation, I'd be chasing after Gerard or just glowing happily about our exchange but instead I worried on the spot. That wasn't a normal kiss in any way at all. It felt like a goodbye or one to break bad news or something. Christ, Gerard, to feel like that...
GERARD: I almost tripped on my way to Frank's place. The snow was lying thickly and crunching under my feet with a noise I'd appreciated far more if I wasn't in such a state. Anger was starting to bubble over now, and not just with myself for trading my 2 loves for drugs. I knocked on Frank's front door feverantly and many times right until Frank's dad answered angrily. I knew he would've gone to that bastard's house, I knew it. It was falling apart already before I knew half of the story I had helped create.
"You! What is it?" I let myself in and shivering in the hallway. "Hey, aren't you meant to be at home with him? He's not here you idiot!"
"Shut up! Did he come here?" Iasked, tempted to head into his room.
"Pardon me? Don't you say that to me you little fag! If I had my hand, you two would be separated!" I stared at the floor, eyes widening. "Get out of my house right now!"
I lurched at him, growling with only a fraction of rage showing through. I gathered up some of his shirt in each hand and pushed him to the wall.
"How dare you say that, don't you fucking dare insult us....! Now did he come here or not?!" I hissed, glaring into his fearful eyes.
"No...Just.... get out...!" He answered, trying to sound like he wasn't scared.
I ignored his speech about my being 'rude' and 'harassing' him, he'd never been really harassed before in his life.
It meant one thing. Frank had gone to Shane's house. I took off, sprinting all the way. I fell only twice but got up regardless of the stinging pain. This was to be the climax-horror and the horror at the end of the glorious white powder rainbow.
And I wasn't going to be the one in pieces.


text:
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah state officials say newly married gay and lesbian couples can jointly file their taxes for 2013.
Tax commission spokesman Charlie Roberts said the ruling announced Thursday also pertains to same-sex couples legally married in other states.
The announcement comes a week after the federal government said it would honor Utah's gay marriages, allowing couples to file federal taxes jointly.
It's estimated that more than 1,000 same-sex couples got married after a federal judge struck down the state's gay marriage ban Dec. 20.
The U.S. Supreme Court put a halt on the marriages Jan. 6. The case is before a federal appeals court.
Utah previously said it wouldn't recognize the weddings but would allow couples to continue to receive benefits they obtained before the high court ruling.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Athens, Greece
October 22nd, 2009
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Confirmed Speakers
Thomas Mylonas
Thomas Mylonas is one of the most influential entrepreneurs and designers of his generation. At 27, he has already influenced and inspired others through a wide range of activities, creating up to now 3 major companies: Crux Group (investment group), Dot Kite (multidisciplinary design) & Loggia Import (trading company). In 2007, Business Week announced that Thomas Mylonas has been selected as the winner of the Europe's Young Entrepreneurs 2007 competition, the annual award for the most promising young business minds.
Nikitas Kastis
Dr Nikitas Kastis has a First Honours Degree in Engineering and a Ph.D. in Financial Management and Project Evaluation from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He was Research Associate in NTUA, Lecturer for "Production Management and Control" in the Greek Air Force Academy, and Visiting Assistant Professor for "Natural Resources Economics" and "Investment Decision Making", in the Technical University of Crete. He joined the Lambrakis Research Foundation (LRF) in early 1992, being in charge of a number of innovative activities for the development and use of ICT-based materials and processes in Culture and Education. Presently Mr Kastis is Chief Operations Officer of LRF, in charge of all its research and development activities, most of which deal with innovations in Education and Culture, using the new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). He is the President of MENON. He has been member of the "Advisory Committee for the introduction of IT in Schools", acting on behalf of the Greek Ministry of Education and he has recently been appointed Chair of the "Open Classroom" Working Group of the "European Distance Education Network" (EDEN).
Byron Riginos
Active citizen talking about environmental protection.
Dr. Katerina Aifanti
Most people would need a lifetime to achieve what Katerina Aifantis has done at 24 years of age: she has a PhD, a long list of publications in authoritative international scientific journals and is working with five research professors in as many countries. Clearly, she is no ordinary girl. In addition, she has just received €1.13 million from the European Research Council (ERC) to carry out research in nanotechnology, beating over 9,000 other hopefuls in her first attempt – and becoming the youngest ever researcher in the world to do so.
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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'brokenness' tag.
Last years, if you're so inclined.
Initial Summary:
Where were you when 2012 began?
At Uncle Scott and Aunt Tina's house. Benjamin stayed up almost to midnight and LOVED the fireworks. He kept calling them BOOM.
Who were you with?
Justin, Benjamin, Tina, Scott, Serena, Logan and Mandy. We had a LOT of fun!
Was 2012 a good year for you?
Mostly. It was a pretty insane year – LOTS of changes – LOTS of projects – LOTS of weddings – Did I mention lots of changes? Yeah. BUSY.
What countries/states did you visit?
California to see my sisters and best friend get married, and Mississippi to visit some of Justin's family.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions?
YES! I am SMOKE FREE! Yee-haw!!! But, I'm not really sure I did very well with living a life of balance. This year was really, really crazy.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Jake and Reba had their baby Feb 14th, 2012! No one else super close to me, but there's some friends I have made at church with young ones, but the babies were born before I met the parents, so I'm not counting those.
Did anyone close to you die?
For the first time in a long time, no deaths of anyone close to me.
What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hm, Teresa and James got married March 3rd, and Amy and Keith got married May 5th, so I think those days will be remembered fondly each year.
What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Matron of honor (x2!), flew with a 2 year old, become an instructor, taught an 8 hour class, served as a vice-chair on a committee, attended my first "gala", received my first real promotion, became a supervisor, ran a food truck at a charity event, stood by my husband while he quit a job he had grown to be dissatisfied with, and most recently I sat on the couch while someone I love very, very dearly told me they had been diagnosed with cancer.
Did you have fun in 2012?
Yes. Definitely. I also spent most of it exceptionally tired.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had trusted God more with my money. I've stressed out unnecessarily. No, things aren't perfect, but they're not terrible either.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating unnecessarily! :)
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28, and I worked, and my birthday this year sucked pretty royally. My coworker was irritated at me, which made me irritated at her. The only upside was that my husband bought me a really awesome old desk.
What did you want and get?
To find Cherry Lake!!!
What did you want and not get?
To put some work into my savings account. Life happens though.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Two people come to mind. My husband, for being my rock, my motivator, and my calm in the storm. My husband, also, for having the strength to quit his job and step out in faith to be the best stay-at-home-dad that Benjamin could have.
This year I'd like to add my mother-in-law, who is an incredibly strong woman who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis with grace and trust in God.
Whose behavior made you appalled, depressed, or sad?
I'm usually very non-specific here. However, I've witnessed so many people recently be so ugly and judgmental in a negative way. I'm still not getting specific, on purpose. Can we just agree to love and respect each other despite our differences? Respect means the most when it's towards someone you disagree with. Anyone can love someone who agrees with you. It takes real strength to love – truly love – someone who vehemently disagrees with you.
Did somebody treat you badly in 2012?
Not really.
Who were some new people you met?
New coworkers, new church people.
Favorites/Least Favorites:
What was your favorite month of 2012?
May. My trip to California took up half of that month and it was pure awesomeness.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Again, as usual, several:
Toasting James and Teresa at their wedding. I cried, but only a little.
Toasting Amy and Keith at their wedding. I cried, again.
Finding Cherry Lake with my sister Jean. That priceless moment when she screamed out the window of her car in excitement.
Finishing up my first SAFVIC for TCPs class. It was pretty amazing.
The look of relief on my husband's face when we finally decided it was time for him to quit his job.
Getting the phone call with my promotion job offer.
Any of the number of times my son squeezed me and told me he loved me soooo much!
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Listening to one of my officers call for assistance. It was a recording, and I already knew the outcome when I heard it (that they were all OK), but listening to it gave me goosebumps and shook me to my boots. I love these guys, especially the ones in that recording, and hearing it made me realize how close I came to losing one of them.
What was your favorite TV program?
I worked my way through Monk this year, and I have to say, it was awesome. I totally loved it! Very well acted and scripted. Got a little boring at parts, but not too bad overall. I tried working through the Mentalist next, and while it's good it wasn't able to hold my attention in the long run. Now I'm happily watching Dr. Who reruns, when I get the chance.
What was the best book you read?
I reread the Hobbit and that was pretty awesome. I read several training books at work and enjoyed those, but other than work related stuff and blogs I haven't really had a chance to read anything.
What were your favorite films of this year?
The Avengers and The Hobbit, and yes, I know how nerdy I am.
What was your favorite video game you played this year?
Borderlands 2. I really like Tiny Farm too (I play it on my phone) but Borderlands 2 is the game I play with my hubby, so it wins.
What was your favorite new technology/application?
No clue. I'm getting too old/busy/bored to keep up with it…
What was your greatest musical discovery?
KRISPY KREME! Just kidding. Epic Rap Battles of History! I show everyone when they come visit at my house. It's becoming a tradition.
What was the best thing you bought?
My desk, and my hubby bought it, not me. I love it!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Promotion at work!!! I have worked very, very, very hard for this position and I'm VERY proud of myself.
What was your biggest failure?
Gaining back all the weight I lost last year. Fail.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yeah. I messed my leg up at the end of the year, and allergies continue to be the bane of my existence certain times of the year.
Where did most of your money go?
What kept you sane?
What political issue stirred you the most?
Meh. Pass.
Who did you miss?
My sisters and Amy. Leaving them in California is very difficult each year I get to visit.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder? I don't know, but I never know. This has been a pretty stressful year, and my mother-in-law is facing lots of health issues. I'm about the same, I suppose.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter. Ugh. So mad at myself.
iii. richer or poorer? Definitely poorer. But, we're a 1 income family and still surviving. It's worth the trade-off.
Did you fall in love in 2012?
Every year I say "over and over and over again" but every year it's true. I love my husband so much, he's my best friend. I am incredibly blessed.
Did you lose anything important this year?
Immediate family being cancer free, I suppose.
What was your proudest moment of 2012?
My husband deciding to quit his job. It took a lot. I'm very proud of him.
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2012?
Having to admit that the reason for my ankle injury is because I made a stupid, stupid decision to run in the dark in the grass.
Gauge your:
(On a scale of: Very Good, Good, Fairly Good, Fairly Bad, Bad, Very Bad)
• Relational Health – Very Good
• Emotional Health – Fairly Good (less good than last year. Too many little things stressing me)
• Physical Health – Fairly bad (Ankle. Nose. Headaches. Need to visit a chiropractor. Weight gain. Lack of exercise most of November/December due to ankle injury.)
• Social Health – Good (I've hung out at least a few times a month with at least 1 friend, and participated in several church functions.)
• Spiritual Health – Fairly Good (I'm still a lame slacker, but I'm learning to trust God more.)
• Intellectual Health – Good (Teaching and attending training FTW)
• Financial Health – Fairly Bad (I'll just say, sometimes there's not a lot you can do to help this one – maybe next year!)
In the future:
How will you be spending Christmas?
At least part of it at the hospital with my mother-in-law. We'll bring the presents to her! The rest of it with my brother and his wife and my niece.
How will you be spending New Years?
Working the day before and the day of… so… sleeping!
What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
Haha, a second kid, maybe?
What are your plans for 2013?
Get back on track with my health.
Will you make any new years resolutions for 2013?
Last year I resolved to stop smoking, and I did. This year, I haven't decided yet. I think I'll resolve not to buy any candy at the store. Or something like that. Something else challenging and health related. Maybe do 20 push ups a day? Hmmm. We'll see.
In Conclusion:
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
The world is broken. Evil exists in this world. There is not really a whole lot we can do on a legislative level to stop evil. We can't increase laws and get evil people to stop being evil – sorry, but we just can't. It won't work. On an individual level, I think we all need to do our very best at trying to saturate the world around us with as much love and goodness as is possible. You can turn something like the Newtown tragedy into a sound bite for a law you want to pass, but I don't think that's the best we can do. I think we can do better. I am choosing instead not to debate gun control (or even mental health, in spite of how much as I am passionate about it) and choosing instead to try to increase my output of good into my community. We can debate gun control and mental health another day; I think an appropriate response to this type of evil is not legislation, but love.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
I just had to share this quote because, well, I think it needs to be read. And reread. Sarah Bessey is one of the few reasons I haven't completely given up on reading blogs. Some days there's too much anger and misunderstood words on the internet, and she is a peace to me in the storm. I love her writing, so let me share what she wrote about the Shikh Temple shooting.
Hard conversations are coming, perhaps legislation, around gun control, about hatred, racism, religion, about our culture's glorification of violence, our nationalism, and the divisions between us, yes, those conversations need to happen, but not just now: now is the time for grieving, now is the time for loving, for burying, for mourning with those who mourn, for gathering humanity together, and for compassion.
I believe that it is precisely because of my Christian faith that I am sitting my heart down, mourning with those that mourn, grieving and honouring, loving and praying. Love casts out fear, and may the mouths of the faithful be filled with words of Love and hope and peace, never fear.
Thank you, Sarah, for your beautiful words.
So for lent, all the things I gave up, I failed at. I did not increase my prayer time, I did not read my bible more. I did not grow closer to God. I did not stop checking facebook, I just stopped posting. I did not cut out my sweets, I just didn't go out of my way to eat them. I did not stop watching TV with my son, the whole family got sick and that was all we could do. With just two weeks left I'm calling this Lent a spectacular disaster.
I suppose, though, that if I look at it honestly – I did become more aware of my utter brokenness. I am now, more than ever, aware that I fail at being good on my own. So I guess it wasn't a complete disaster. In fact, I suppose, I kind of actually accomplished something in my failure. Or maybe I'm just saying that to feel better. Who knows?
I guess I'll just keep being me, and keep trying (and failing) and eventually, maybe, I'll get the hang of this thing called faith. If not, it will probably continue to be quite an adventure…
I think this year I will observe Lent. I found a great set of questions on Rachel Held Evan's blog that helped me make the decision to do so. I really like her (and her blog), even more now that I know she agrees with one of my basic tenets I hold close to my heart: that really, everyone is broken.
I had already been thinking about Lent this year, thinking about changing a behavior, thinking about the timing, thinking a lot of things. When I saw that RHE's feed had a post on ideas for Lent I was all ears. The first question I read on her list almost knocked the breath out of me:
When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning, how will I be different?
Well. In all the times I have observed Lent, I don't think I ever took the time to ask myself that question.
Growing up in a Pentecostal church gave me a pretty decent grasp of the bible, but did not help me learn anything about the history of the church. I mean that seriously. We never learned about the differences between catholic and protestant, or about how communion is different in different churches, or why some people baptise and some sprinkle. For the most part that stuff wasn't even on my radar at all.
Over the past, say, 10 years or so, I have met many people who have opened my eyes to a different way of looking at my faith: a way that is steeped in history and culture. While I find it creates for a much messier faith, I think it is also much more beautiful. Over those ten years I have attended pentecostal churches, non-denominational churches, emerging churches, catholic churches, episcopal churches, baptist churches, and methodist churches. Each one had its purpose to increase my education and help shape me into the person I am now. Each church helped shape my faith in a different way.
So now, even though I attend a baptist church, I still keep in mind the little bit of education on Church traditions and history I've gotten over the years. For instance, even though my current church doesn't follow it, I love the church calendar. I fell in love with it when I attended one of the Episcopal churches in Houston. I love how each church season creates a new focus in your walk with Christ. How we focus on Jesus' sacrifice building up to Easter and we celebrate his birth in Advent. The first time I received ashes on Ash Wednesday I spent the rest of the evening feeling like I was walking on holy ground – or better yet, as if my body was marked as holy. I never knew there could be so much holiness in an action, but I found that there was.
While I try to observe the church calendar I don't always have it all figured out. Like others, I'm sure, I am learning as I go. I always viewed Lent as a way to put myself in Jesus' shoes when he fasted 40 days in the wilderness. I knew it was supposed to make me a better person and draw me closer to God, but those goals have always been pretty undefined.
The question: "How will I be different?" makes me look at Lent as more than just the very generic "self-improvement" or "exercise in holiness." Suddenly I don't want to look at Lent either of those things, or even as a time for me to give up my bad habits (I should give those up anyways) but more as a time to remove something from my life in the hope that after 40 days without it I might possibly be more Christ-like. Suddenly my priority has shifted from looking internally in a selfish way, but looking internally in a holy way. I like this.
With all this in mind, I'll spend the next few days praying and trying to decide what to "give up." I think I'm going to go to one of the local churches that has a Ash Wednesday service, too, since I don't think mine will have one. I don't know that I necessarily "look forward" to the next few weeks, but I do hope they are helpful to me in the long run. We shall see.
She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
I would like someone to write a song, please. I don't have the skill for songwriting. I would like you to model it after "Does Anybody Hear Her?" by Casting Crowns. I would like you to tell a different side of the story.
She is trying but the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
The song is about a broken woman who wants love and acceptance and help from the people of the church but does not get the help she needs. I would like you to write a song about the people who offer love and acceptance and help to a broken person… to no avail.
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind
I would like you to talk about how heartbreaking it is to sit beside them and watch them run in the wrong direction.
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today?
I would like you to talk about having an opportunity to help them. About how scary it is when they move in to your world and how happy and hopeful you are that this time, this time it will be different.
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Sometimes we do see. Sometimes we see the hurting, and the broken, and the bruised. Sometimes we say to ourselves: Hey, we should be like Jesus and try to help them. Sometimes they ask for help and you see an opportunity.
She is yearning for shelter and affection
That she never found at home
So we invite them into our world. We take them to church. We hug them and cry with them. We feed them and clothe them and pray for them and with them. Sometimes it works for a while.
She is searching for a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
Sometimes you tell them their worth and they nod, and they smile, but they don't believe it. You tell them to have faith in their own worth. You tell them that they are God's precious and loved child, and their lips say "I know" while their heart can't believe it yet.
You pray for them. You kneel at your bed and you cry for their soul. You pray that God will give you the words you need to reach them in the midst of their brokenness.
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away
And then… then they tell you that they're leaving. That they've found another path, another way out, one that doesn't involve the hard work of facing the pain. They're leaving so they don't have to deal with someone loving them, but telling them that they need to make better (and admittedly more difficult) choices.
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we've never even met her
You watch them go. Despite the sacrifice of time and energy you watch them leave. You know it's fruitless. You know they're not ready to change. You've seen for some time now that your argument was ineffective.
One of the worst parts about this, in my opinion, is that when it's all said and done there is a small part of you that is relieved it's over. Don't get me wrong: the overwhelming emotion is grief and sadness. But there is also relief tinged with guilt – relief that your time of sacrifice is over, and guilt at being relieved. How can you be relieved they're going back to their broken life? But you're human, and you're glad that this means less stress and sacrifice to you and your family.
And there's a bit of doubt. Did I try hard enough? Did I show them enough love? Could I have changed the situation a bit and had more success?
The important thing to remember here, and the thing I have to remind myself, is that I can't fix anyone. I can't make them better. Only God can. That is what I hold on to. When I feel all these emotions so strongly, I remind myself that God is the great physician and we are his broken church. Ultimately, He is the one who heals. We just point people in His direction.
So, dear reader, if you decide to write a song about one of the other sides of "Does Anybody Hear Her" then please make sure you talk about how in the end, God is the great transformer…not us. I know I'm asking a lot, and I know you probably won't write a song about such a sad and helpless place, but my request has been made.
I'd like a song that reminds me that sometimes we fail, but at least we tried.
(all italicized words from "Does Anybody Hear Her" by Casting Crowns from their album Lifesong.)


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Spreading the word about Sun Safety and promoting skin cancer awareness, one blog post at a time.
Halloween makeup can be fun and sun safe too! If you or your child is planning on joining the zombie craze this Halloween, and are in need of face makeup, sunscreen with zinc may be all you need! While regular makeup and face paint are certainly viable options, if you plan on being out in the sun for a fall festival or midday trick or treating sunscreen is a must. Zinka Neon sunscreen is an awesome option for not only white face coloring but also a variety of cool colors. Zinka sunscreen is available in fun colors like hot pink, neon yellow, bright pumpkin orange and bold teal blue. If you are looking to create a red and bloody look on your face and skin Zinka can be just the product you need. If zinc sunscreen like Zinka just won't do for your facial makeup this Halloween take care to use sunscreen underneath your face makeup or face paint if you plan to be outdoors in the sun. Some folks think that a cold climate prevents damaging rays from the bright daytime sun, but that is not the case. Keeping your skin and especially your little goblins and ghouls skin safe is a must this Halloween!


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-Orr- Larry and the Gnomes
Credits & Info
- Date
- 06/07/2010
- File Info
- Loop
- 2 min 30 sec
- Score
- 4.05 / 5.00
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Licensing Terms
- Attribution:
- You must give credit to the artist.
- Noncommercial:
- You may not use this work for commercial purposes unless you make specific arrangements with the artist.
- Share Alike:
- If you alter, transform, or build upon this image, you may distribute the resulting creation only under a license identical to this one.
- Score:
- Rated 4.05 / 5 stars
- Plays & Downloads:
- 20,586 Plays | 1,505 Downloads
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- Genres:
- Easy Listening - Classical
- None
Author Comments
This is a mixture of several loops featured in the flash game "Larry and the Gnomes" by JAZZA! Originally we had planned on uploading a few of the loops separately, but at ~0:30 each, we think it makes more sense to upload one longer track with several loops. If you haven't played the game yet, this will give you an idea of the sounds you'll hear!
All of these loops will be extended greatly in the upcoming soundtrack, slated for an early July release. You can preorder the soundtrack and save a few bucks (plus get some exclusive extras)! I'll be making news posts with some demos as the release date approaches.
Preorder here :
http://www.jazzastudios.c om/gnomesmusic/index.html
As always, I greatly appreciate comments, and read every single one. I'll do my best to reply as time allows!
Rated 5 / 5 stars June 8, 2010
youpi yay ha ha this is great
wow awesome
Rated 4.5 / 5 stars June 8, 2010
Karry and the Fnomes
Good shit.
Rated 5 / 5 stars June 8, 2010
dam great!
i stayed on this page for 2 hours hearing this over and over again its that good
Wow, thanks!
Rated 5 / 5 stars June 8, 2010
oh david...
... this is why i love you :)
thank you for being a delight to work with. the music makes the game a thousand times more adventurous and fun, and brings the world to life. i'm looking foreward to releasing an album with you! :D
You've been a pleasure to work with as well! There's nothing quite like working with a talented, hard-working team - seeing everything come together is extremely rewarding.
About that album... I gotta get back to work!
Rated 4.5 / 5 stars June 7, 2010
These are all really damned great!
I don't know anything about the game in question, but if I were to judge from the soundtrack alone, I'd have to say that it was a high-quality professional production.
Because the music is at the very least.
Some more fantastic work from you, Dave, and I hope the game is as good as the music you've made for it is!
The game is great, and raises the bar for flash games (of course, I may be a bit biased :D). But seriously, the team was *top-notch across the board - and I think the game reflects that.
Thanks for the support!


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Sara Jane Rhoads* -- 2009 Outstanding Former Faculty
Department of Chemistry
Sara Jane Rhoads was among the first women in the United States to reach the rank of full professor of chemistry. After receiving her bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of Chicago in 1941, Rhoads worked in research and development at the Lindsay Light and Chemistry Company in Chicago. In 1949, she earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Columbia, and she became a member of the UW faculty in 1948, where she initiated the undergraduate research program in the Department of Chemistry.
Rhoads maintained high expectations for her students and made every effort to educate them well. Richard Waggener, a former student, comments, "She was one of the most dedicated and toughest teachers I ever had, and the enthusiasm she had for organic chemistry made being in her class a very exciting experience. I had the utmost respect for her."
Rhoads was widely recognized for her research. In 1982, she received the Garvan Medal from the American Chemical Society for her contributions to organic chemistry. She was awarded an AAUW Fellowship (1947-1948) and a National Science Foundation Senior Post Doctoral Fellowship (1956-1957). She received the MCA Teaching Award (1964), THE George Duke Humphrey Award (1974), the OAK Award (1975), and was named AWS Woman of the Year in 1968.
Rhoads remained a faculty member until here retirement in 1984. In 1992, the Department of Chemistry established an organic chemistry lecture series in honor of Rhoads and her friend and colleague Rebecca Raulins. Rhoads died in 1993.
*In loving memory.


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(WHAS11) -- Dakota Meyer returned from Washington D.C. Saturday morning to act as "Grand Marshall" in the Cow Days Festival in Greensburg, Ky.
Gov. Steve Beshear said, "Dakota on behalf of 4.3 million Kentuckians I want to tell you how proud we are of you."
At 17-years-old Dakota Meyer became a Marine and left his hometown of Greensburg, Ky. In 2009 Corporal Meyer was in Afghanistan on patrol with Afghan and American soldiers when suddenly they were ambushed. Meyer didn't run instead he went into the heavy fire five different times and saved 36 lives that day. Four of Meyers friends also Marines lost their lives in the fight. Meyer went back into enemy fire to pull out his friends bodies. Meyer said, "on September 2009 I lost four brothers, they are the hero's not me."
Dakota Meyer and his father Mike have had a busy week. A few days ago Meyer had a beer in Washington D.C. with President Obama. "It might have been one of the best beers I ever drank," Meyer said. The following day the President awarded Meyer with the military's highest honor, the Medal of Honor.
On Saturday, Meyer who is no longer active in the military was the Grand Marshall in Greensburg at the 38th annual Cow Days Festival. Children wanted pictures with him and Veterans wanted to shake his hand.
Gov. Beshear awarded Meyer with the Kentucky Colonel Award


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A lot of people are starting to get spring fever. It's been a long winter, and it doesn't seem like there is an end in sight.
Most of the nation has been suffering through this cold winter right along with us. It's the coldest winter Chicago has seen in the last 30 years. And Atlanta has been paralyzed by two massive ice storms so far.
Many people are getting sick of the cold."It's too cold. I'm originally not from here, so I'm getting used to it," says Timothy Dodson.
"Well, it's the second year I've been in Bismarck, and this is the worst I've seen it. I'm originally from New York City. It gets cold, but not like this!" says Gregory Speller. But while other areas of the country are experiencing a record-setting winter, North Dakota isn't ending up in any record books."It has been a rather cold winter. So far this month, our temperatures have averaged about six degrees colder than average in Bismarck. But overall, it hasn't been that bad," says KFYR meteorologist Henry Blakes. The state hasn't seen much snow this year. At 25.2 inches, we're about a foot below normal.But temperatures regularly dipped below freezing. And when relief came, it was often short-lived."I'm sure a lot of viewers are getting tired of the cold weather, because we've only had a few days of temperatures above freezing," says Blakes. "And once that happens, 24 hours later, we're back below freezing, and everything that's melted has refrozen. So, yes, I could see why people are a little eager for spring to get here. "Blakes says the winter feels long, because of the prolonged cold spell. In reality, it hasn't been a terrible winter, but it's been rather active and cold off and on.
Saturday could be one of coldest high temps for March since 2003. High temperature predictions are as low as 2 below zero.
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>


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In response to:
The black families who do that represent conservative values, and have likely worked hard to be able to move out of those neighborhoods, which are predominantly less well-off economically. This is behavior that we should encourage. While the neighborhood I grew up in was mostly white (as I am) I moved away as soon as I could afford to. And I welcome black families into my neighborhood because for the most part they have earned it.
hiimterry Wrote: Nov 08, 2012 10:25 AM
In my own neighborhood that was about half true for the parents and untrue for the kids. Even if the parents were hard working and upstanding the kids would run roughshod through the neighborhood and get into trouble. Their peers have a much greater impact on their thinking than their parents.
Brandon, a 9-year-old black kid, attended a campaign rally hosted by Michelle Obama. A cameraman interviewed Brandon, who was there with his dad. "Why does (Obama) need to win?" he was asked. "Because if Mitt Romney wins," he replied, "we'll be going back to the crop fields. We'll be picking crops." Off-screen, his father could be heard laughing.
From whom does a 9-year-old hear that Obama's opponent is a racist who, to quote the Democratic National Committee chairwoman, wants "to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws"?
Brandon's father might alert his son to a recent column...