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FRIDAY HOMILY: Becoming Bearers of Light
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By Fr. Randy Sly
10/17/2013 (5 years ago)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
As the Church, we are called today to go into our corner of the world as missionaries of Jesus Christ, taking his gospel to those around us. Yet, like in the time of Jesus, we are seeing resistance and downright opposition to our message.
The Sending of the 72
By Fr. Randy Sly
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
10/17/2013 (5 years ago)
Published in Year of Faith
Keywords: evangelization, Pope Francis, gospel, missions, Fr. Randy Sly, Jesus Movement
WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Back in the late 60's and early 70's, a phenomenon swept America called "the Jesus Movement." It affected young people from every denomination, but more specifically, it affected countless thousands of young people who had no background in the Christian faith whatsoever.
Churches started to fill up with people who didn't look like themselves - causing concern and confusion. One protestant pastor, Stuart Briscoe, wrote a book talking about how this movement surprised us all called, Where Was the Church When the Youth Exploded?
This was an amazing time - church youth ministries were in their heyday, with hundreds attending events and Christian youth organizations springing into existence. Simply announce a Bible study and you'd have a room full of teens and young adults, all eager to study the Word of God and pray fervently.
Evangelization was easy back then during the Jesus Movement. It seemed like everyone wanted to be a Christian! When Jesus uses the words- "The harvest is abundant" in our reading from today's Gospel - this is the kind of image we normally have in mind; a time when everyone is clamoring to hear the good news, to receive the light of the Gospel. By the late 70's it was over.
Our passage from Luke 10:1-9 concerns the sending of the seventy-two disciples.
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"
From Matthew's version of this same passage, we see something completely different about harvest. Here he points out that Jesus was moved with compassion for the people he saw, that they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. It was in this setting that he made the declaration that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.
He was seeing people harassed from the outside - living conditions, high taxes, governmental intervention, you name it! They were also helpless - they couldn't stand up against it all! Truly, they were ready for a word of hope, a glimpse of light in the midst of the darkness.
While the harvest may have been plentiful, the conditions of oppression and persecution definitely cut down on the number of laborers. It would take a strong faith and courage to move out to take the message of the gospel to that culture.
Into this hostile world, Jesus had previously sent his twelve - the core - his apostles. Now he was enlarging the circle and sending 70. We have no accurate listing of who actually went. From tradition and other parts of New Testament Scripture, we have stories that such men as Barnabas, Sosthenes (who we meet in Acts and Corinthians), Matthias and Joseph Justus - the two candidates for replacing Judas Iscariot, Titus, and Aristarchus (who we meet in Acts).
Many others remain unnamed and unheralded individually. They were the faithful who responded to the call and went forth. The Venerable Bede sees these, in following after the Apostles, as an image of the priests following their bishop into the work of the gospel.
We can also see them as representing the whole church, where Christ continues to call to bring the Gospel into the world and fulfill the Great Commission - Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.
As the Church, we are still called today to go into our corner of the world as missionaries of Jesus Christ, taking his gospel to those around us. Yet, like in the time of Jesus, we are seeing resistance and downright opposition to our message.
Last July, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, released his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, the Light of Faith. Written with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, it is a powerful and challenging document that underscores the role of faith in the life of all humanity.
In the introduction, the Holy Father writes, The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence... Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us and reveals his love, a love which precedes us and upon which we can lean for security and for building our lives.
Through faith, any person can become a new creation in Christ, as Paul calls us. Our lives can be made new and more meaningful through His Grace!
The Pope also includes a caution: Yet in speaking of the light of faith, we can almost hear the objections of many of our contemporaries. In modernity, that light might have been considered sufficient for societies of old, but was felt to be of no use for new times, for a humanity come of age, proud of its rationality and anxious to explore the future in novel ways.
To many people in the world, then, our faith seems out of fashion and out of date. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Now more than ever people need a savior!
As Pope Francis points out, this objection does not stop us, but merely provides a context - where our culture is - as we continue to declare our faith in deed and in word.
In our gospel passage, Jesus gives us some wonderful insights on how we commit ourselves to this appointed task.
Take nothing with you
Jesus instructed his disciples to take nothing with them. They could then learn that God Himself could provide all they needed. They would learn total faith.
As we are called into our slice of humanity, we can often be intimidated about being a model of faith. What if they ask deep questions? What do I say about certain doctrines? I don't have a theological education like the priests.
God's call is not for us to provide in-depth theological documentation but simply to give a reason for the hope that lies within.
Now, that shouldn't excuse you from your own personal formation. Every Catholic should be involved in a long-term commitment to learning their faith. You can read the Catechism - even subscribe to a daily email to do it. You can read Holy Scripture, join a Bible study and find other means of deepening your own life.
At the same time, we have to remember that people are looking for hope more than a Catholic infomercial. When Jesus healed a blind man, others asked him who that man was. He simply replied, "I don't know; all I know is that once I was blind and now I see."
Peace be to this household
In the early 70's there was a Christian movie that circulated around called, "The Gospel Blimp." A church had decided that their town needed to hear the gospel so they hired a blimp to fly overhead and drop leaflets on everyone. The result was a comedy of errors and an embarrassment to the Body of Christ.
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Jesus' way is different - share where you are welcome. Each of us will find those people with whom we seem to have a connection. They are eager to hear what we say. They want to be around us. This is our mission field.
Sometimes we may feel guilty that we can reach everyone, but if we are all faithful in connecting with those within our reach, many will hear the call! In addition, we may all play different roles. As St. Paul describes in I Corinthians, with regard to sharing the message of the gospel, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth."
The Kingdom of God is at-hand
The key to everything, as Jesus pointed out, is to remember that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is right here, right now. It is not about something that will happen in the future, but something available now to everyone and we have the opportunity of bringing them that message. This is the heart of the new evangelization.
We have the words of life - words that can help bring meaning to our life here on earth and words to can lead to eternal life in heaven!
Pope Francis, toward the end of his encyclical, underscores the importance of our message, since the world cannot properly live without it. Modernity sought to build a universal brotherhood based on equality, yet we gradually came to realize that this brotherhood, lacking a reference to a common Father as its ultimate foundation, cannot endure.
Our message - both in our deeds and in our words - is so necessary. As the Pope states, As the Son, Jesus brings to the world a new beginning and a new light, the fullness of God's faithful love bestowed on humanity.
May we truly be bearers of that light!
Father Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and a priest with the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter (http://usordinariate.org) established by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, through the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. He is currently the chaplain of the St. John Fisher Ordinariate Community, a priest in residence at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church and Director of Pro-Life Activities for the Ordinariate. He is a popular speaker for parishes, apostolates and organizations.
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Happy Holidays! Boy, the years just fly by, don't they? We feel like we've been very busy but we have little to report.
We're still in Our City, still in the house we said we'd live in for 5 years before moving. We're heading into our 12th year here, so you can see how that prediction panned out.
Ben earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do, and then promptly quit.
A. graduated Montessori and switched to a new school, St. J's. Unfortunately, he says he doesn't like it much and wishes he were back at Montessori, so, you know, that's fun. We're all still waiting for a growth spurt, too.
Both A. and Ben started Boy Scouts, and while the activities are fun, the uniforms cost an arm and a leg and the badges are ridiculously hard to sew on.
Lunasea is still in private practice, and hates insurance companies more than ever. Her goal in 2012 is to not have to deal with them anymore. She also is not crazy about sewing Scouting badges and is actively sabotaging her sons' efforts to earn more badges for her to sew onto the shirts.
G. is still at Kaiser and in private practice. He was hit by an appliance truck and totaled the car. We're still driving it, though, because it turns out the driver was the appliance guy's uninsured nephew. Oops!
The unfinished wood around the doorways of our house are still unfinished. After 3 years, we (read: Greg) finally chose a stain color only to find it had been discontinued. Isn't that always the way?
A. is trying out CYO basketball, and his team finally won a game. We couldn't say that at all last year with soccer, so things are looking up.
Dear friends died and we miss them, so that sucked.
So.....how was your year?
Friday, December 09, 2011
Year in Review: 2011
Happy Holidays! Boy, the years just fly by, don't they? We feel like we've been very busy but we have little to report.
Friday, March 18, 2011
A. Takes a Stand
A. has come out firmly against tiger extinction, in a letter to National Geographic.
Dear National Giograpic,
We should keep lions and other big cats alive because they want to live a big life. Think about it, if we were a big cat we wouldn't want to die (and of course not go extinct). We want to live a good happy life. Big cats going extinct would make a big difrence. Many contry in southern asia and Africa would have to change state animal and zoos would lose a lot of anamals. Little kids would get relly sad, if there was no more "King of the Jungle." It would be a big loss if the big cats when to ecstinction.
Sincerely, A.
Please, let the countries keep their national symbols. Save the big cats.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Another Auld Lang Syne
I've written before about how much I love New Year's. I'm in the self-improvement business, after all, and although I realize there's nothing magical about January 1st that instantly makes all goals attainable, it's a pretty handy marker for starting something.
Every year my resolutions are similar - they focus around health, organization and finance (like 98% of the population). I don't see this as a failure. These areas are my cutting edges - they are what I will always be working on, and that's fine. Every year gets a bit better. This year I implemented a new bookkeeping system in my practice, which helped track payments A LOT. Next year will be even better as I moved my accounting online.
I've recently been reading about brain plasticity and am really interested in how it applies to positive psychology. I've been really interested in cognitive work on resilience, and how some clients manage to pull themselves past enormous roadblocks and trauma, and why other clients see their lives as a tragedy and have such a hard time motivating themselves to change, even though they express the desire to do so. After 20 years of doing therapy, the actual traumas and stresses the two types experience don't seem that qualitatively different, and I don't think the first group is just in denial. I think the growing field of research into positive psychology is fascinating, and I want to learn more about the practical application of these ideas.
Last year I ran a 5K. This year, depending on how my joints hold out, I will run a 10K. I will also eat less and move more. I'm going to start a binder of healthy, vegetable-heavy recipes since I need vegetables disguised if I'm going to eat more of them.
Last year I learned many ways to cut back on grocery costs. I'll keep that up, and started a separate savings account at ING Direct to save money each month so I'm not struggling at Christmas. This year we sold one of our cars right after Thanksgiving and that saved this Christmas, along with the bevy of frugal shopping sites out there that saved me tremendous amounts of money by alerting me to sales I wouldn't have found otherwise...but I'm not going to be caught wondering how not to go into debt next Christmas. I don't think we'll have another spare car to sell, so....I need to make sure I have enough cash set aside.
And, hey, here it is 11:11 on 1/1/11. Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 09, 2010
The Kind of Superhero I Want to Be
I had fantasies of being a Superhero today. Mostly because some chick started yelling inexplicably at me at a gas station, other people left carts in the middle of the aisle at Target, and then I stepped in dog poop on the grass at the library.
So if I were a Superhero, I guess I'd have to fly, because I'd want to swoop in and correct all those little stupid annoying things we do to each other. I'd swoop into the gas station and make sure everyone was calm, took turns and waited in line. I'd have people say, "No, you were here first, go ahead - here, let me move out of the way for you."
I'd (gently) teach people how to move their carts to the side of the aisle when they stop to look at something. I'd jump in front of their carts before they barreled around corners and say, "Now, don't you want to check first to make sure someone isn't coming and the coast is clear?"
And I'd definitely swoop in and hand people plastic (biodegradable, of course) bags to pick up their dog's poop. "I know you want to pick up your dog's crap, don't you? Here, let me give you this to use."
I'd stop people on sidewalks and firmly suggest they pick up the fast food bags they just threw in the gutter.
I'd show up in people's cars (guess I'd have to add transporting to my list of powers) and say, "Now, you want to use your turn signal right about now, don't you?"
Oh, and an important one - I'd prowl parking lots and discuss bad parking with people as they got out of their cars. "Now, I'm sure you don't realize this, but your car is over the line on the other side. That's going to make it awfully hard for the people in that car to get in, don't you think? How 'bout you just jump back inside and repark within the lines?"
I'd arrive when people are talking loudly on their cell phones in inappropriate places and either bodily transport them outside, or hold up my power shield and cut off their signal.
Any I'm forgetting?
Labels: It's All About Me
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Could We All Just Stop Pretending We Know About Major Depression if We Don't?
Once a month G. or I have to go to a parents' meeting at the Catholic Church.
So this year they had a parishioner lead the first class of the year, and then asked him to do it permanently. He's a nice guy, a dad, and he tries to bring in real-life examples of his kids and family and trying to be good Christians. He reads the day's Bible passage aloud, then tells us what he thinks it means. There's not really any discussion, we just listen to this guy and his train of thought on the message for an hour, then if we're lucky there are doughnuts and coffee in the hall.
Last week (I forgot what the point of the lesson was about - I think it was "we should all pray" again), he said, "You know, sometimes people feel bad and they just start taking these antidepressants, and those mess with your emotions, when what I do, is I just go over there," pointing to the church, "and pray and look for answers there."
Aw, crap. It's the famous "if you were stronger/more faithful/less of a pansy you wouldn't need anti-depressants" argument. We've all heard it. I've gotten into arguments with family members over it. People (who usually aren't in the field) begin spouting all this stuff about how meds mess up your mind: They make you foggy, screw up your emotions, change your personality. It's all a big conspiracy by the pharmaceutical companies. By the way, why don't I hear ever hear this argument about manufacturers of pain relievers or chemotherapy drugs? It's always the companies making anti-depressants (or ADHD drugs) who are especially evil and want everyone medicated and sedated in their quest for world domination.
When I've unwillingly found myself in this argument with someone who's usually talking out of their ass, I've resorted to, "You're an engineer (or whatever), right? And I'm a psychologist. Which one of us do you think knows more about psychotropic medication, hmmm? And just so you know, I've never received as much as a Post-It notepad from any pharmaceutical company, so just don't even go there."
So that morning, I looked around at the people in the room at this parent's meeting, and wondered who who took antidepressants that morning. I know I did, and I would bet money there were at least two other people in the room who were taking them as well. I wondered if they registered what the leader had said or if it just floated past them, like so many comments that float around us all the time about depression and mental illness.
I had a young man in my office recently who told me, "No offense, but I think this psychology stuff is bullshit." Really, Dude-With-1-Semester-of-Community-College -Psychology-Under-Your-Belt? (aside: Does anyone else get told the entire field of study of their Ph.D. is bullshit? Just curious, not bitter...not bitter at all. I mean, it's not like my dissertation was on Area 51). So this guy's mother was seriously depressed and he was convinced that it was because she was just weak. He gets depressed, sometimes, sure, but he pulls himself out of it. He was getting annoyed with her and believed she just needed to "move on."
Here was a kid who thought he knew everything at 20, which I understand. So I gently educated him about depression and anti-depressants and he listened. He finally agreed that it might help more if he was supportive of his mother and stopped telling her to snap out of it. He did agree that telling her to snap out of it hadn't worked thus far. I was relieved, because that's really all I was asking of him.
So my question now is, do I say something to the leader of this parent's class, or not? I think I have to. I think I have a duty to confront the stigma. I'm not an activist, and there are very brave souls who are really working to change the stigma of seeking help for mental health reasons, but that's not where my energy has gone. But I wish I'd said something that day. Honestly, I'm so used to these views being thrown around that I didn't even really register that I could say something until I'd already left to pick up the boys.
I don't care at all what he thinks about my taking meds, because I'm sooo over caring what people think about my being on anti-depressants, but I know for a fact that there are many poor souls who have suffered for years before finally realizing they could indeed feel a whole lot better on anti-depressants. Many of these people have told me they wished they'd tried meds years earlier and then have to grieve the loss of all that time lost to depression. And those people shouldn't have to feel that here's another person, in a position of authority, although I doubt he looks at it that way, who also thinks they should have been able to do it on their own. I have no problem with this guy having that opinion in private, but if he's in front of a roomful of parents he doesn't really know, perhaps he should learn to keep it to himself. I'm guessing it didn't even occur to him. We all have to think before we speak.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Amazon, Don't Make Me Boycott You Right Before Christmas
So there was this maelstrom on Twitter today that was picked up by media and bloggers everywhere. Someone found a self-published book, "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure," being sold as an e-book on Amazon.com, and raised a ruckus. For some, the fact that it was available on the site at all led them to call for a boycott of Amazon. (update: the book's page on Amazon is now a 404 message; not clear if it's just down or if they're really removing it from stock).
So Amazon responded, in part, with: "Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions."
OK...except that it's not censorship for an outlet to refuse to sell an offensive book, just like it's not censorship when sponsors pull out of Dr. Laura's radio show. No one's coming to arrest this guy, or Amazon, for selling a despicable manuscript. No one's saying he doesn't have the right to be, well, despicable. (For a more in-depth look on why this isn't censorship or book-banning, see Backpacking Dad. Actually, see Backpacking Dad for all your logical rhetoric.)
Today I've been watching the back-and-forth between bloggers on this issue.
We as a society have a responsibility to protect our children. I also think we do a lousy job of it. Maybe I'm overly sensitive to it since my profession involves trying to heal abused children, but actually, I think most of y'all are in denial about how prevalent physical, emotional and sexual child abuse is.
Here we have a how-to manual on how to victimize a child, and how to get away with it. This is not a gray area. This is not a treatise on how incest and child brides have historical relevance and should therefore be considered normal. I'm sorry, but this is not an idea that deserves to be protected. And, as Backpacking Dad also points out, for the slippery slope argument to work, you have to prove that the slope is slippery, not that it's there.
Wringing your hands and asking, "But where does it end? Are we going to ban the Bible too because some people find it offensive?" is as ridiculous as wondering if gay marriage will lead to people marrying animals.
I am not in favor of banning books or restricting free speech, and on the whole I respect booksellers who try to offer as wide a selection as possible. If Amazon really believed in that, they'd sell porn. But I also believe there is a greater principle here, and that protecting children from anyone who'd buy a how-to manual on child molestation is more important than worrying about the rights of Philip R. Greaves II to sell it.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Dia De Los Muertos
I've always wanted to make an altar for Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. I'm not sure how I knew for sure, since late summer, that this year would be the year I would make one in our home. I think it has to do with turning 45 next week and having the time clock ticking louder in my subconscious than ever before.
|Can you find the 5-year-old?
|Outdoor altar at Meek Mansion Day of the Dead Community Celebration
The framed picture near the top is my mother. The two photos below that are of G. and A. meeting Grandma Gagnon for the first time. Grandma lived to 101 years, and when I met her, she was 93, healthy as a horse and walking 3 miles a day. The pic to the right is our friend Ralf, one of G's groomsmen who passed away suddenly a few years ago. There are more pictures, more people to add as I find and print them.
One of the most poignant things on the altar, to me, is the pregnancy test on the top to the left. I'm grieving the loss of my dream of having a third baby. It's not unexpected - as I said, I'll be 45 next week. But I always thought I'd have three kids. I always thought I'd have a daughter. Someone who claims to know such things told G. a few years ago that there was a "red-headed female" soul waiting to join our family. I'm sad that she either lost her way, or that I didn't hold the door open long enough for her to join us.
So, our family is now complete, and it's good. I am beyond lucky to have two such glorious boys. A friend offered me the book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" but I'm not ready for it yet. I have to still say goodbye to the ignorance, and other trappings, of youth.
And, as a bonus, here's Benjamin explaining Day of the Dead for you, complete with 5-year-old close-up. Then he goes on to the weather, which is why I stop recording. If you knew him, you'd thank me.


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mourning of the funeralFriday, December 6th, 2013 | tags: being wendy, Bristol, cat, Dad, family, funeral, mourning, religion, sad, wardrobe |
Dad's funeral was just right for him. The funeral directors were excellent. A man from the funeral directors in a top hat with a silver-tipped long cane walked in front of the hearse as it approached the crematorium. Something wonderfully reverent, respectful, about this little show. I couldn't deal with the physical presence of Dad's body. Being in the same room as the body that no longer hosted the dad I knew was overwhelming. From the moment the hearse pulled out in front of our cortege car I was in full mucus-soaked tears, unable to pull words together.
Despite dearly wanting to say some words at the ceremony, I opted put, unable. I hadn't anticipated being the blubbiest of the family though I was well prepared with multiple thick white cotton handkerchiefs. Everything went smoothly. The funeral was a very traditional, Christian, event. The archaically expressed Christianity didn't speak to me, the sentiments and shared respectful kind words were good to hear in the company of so many people who's lives he'd touched. My brother's tribute was spot-on, as was Dad's ex-boss's.
I didn't wear a hat (Mum's request), I didn't wear black. Mum requested that I wear my new dark-blue tailored suit, she wanted me to look good and talk bout my new job with the guests. Only a couple of people wore hats, they looked good.
I wonder how the funeral process will change over time? Live twitter feeds with hashtags projected on the wall relaying condolences from those who can't be present? Live camera shot of the coffin moving to the incinerator?
The wake made much more sense than the funeral. It was good for me and I hope for the guests. More emphasis on the wake please.


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Come'on guys! He probably meants Pakistanis instead of Muslims. It slipped from him b/c of the lose or probabaly b/c of his own performance....its so obvious...tho he made a very foolish mistake, but then again mistake is a mistake.
Malik is a very nice, cool and calm guy, and he would never mean such a thing.


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Column: 'Stand your ground' law flaws
Latest shooting death in Florida shows uneven justice of the law.
The latest victim of Florida's "stand your ground" law was buried in Georgia on Saturday -- eight days after the vehicle he and three other black teens were sitting in was pumped full of bullets by a man who objected to their loud music.
Cops say 45-year-old Michael David Dunn fired eight or nine shots into the SUV, snatching the life from the body of 17-year-old Jordan Russell Davis, who was sitting in a back seat outside a Jacksonville, Fla., convenience store.
After the shooting, Dunn waited for his girlfriend, who was inside the store when the gunfire erupted, to return to his car before driving off. They spent the night in a local motel. The next day Dunn drove 173 miles to his home in Satellite Beach, Fla., where he says he was preparing to turn himself in when police showed up to arrest him.
The Dunn case has similarities to the Trayvon Martin killing that drew national attention earlier this year. George Zimmerman, a white Hispanic neighborhood watchman, killed Martin back in February. Like Davis, Martin was black and 17. Zimmerman, 29, followed Martin inside the gated community he patrolled because he looked suspicious. They tussled on a rain-soaked lawn before Zimmerman shot the unarmed Martin.
Like Dunn, Zimmerman claims he pulled his gun and fired because he feared for his life, which is the heart of Florida's stand-your-ground law. The 2005 legislation says a person who believes that he's in imminent danger has "no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force if the person is in a place where he or she has a right to be."
But that's where the similarities end. Zimmerman's attorney has since said he won't employ the stand-your-ground defense, believing that a simple self-defense strategy to win acquittal for his client. It appears Zimmerman's lawyer was forced to beat that legal retreat based on evidence, including an affidavit by investigators that Zimmerman "disregarded the police dispatcher" who told him not to follow Martin. If the gun-toting Zimmerman precipitated his deadly encounter with Martin, the stand-your-ground law might be a harder defense to mount.
Because there was never any physical contact between Dunn and Davis, Dunn's lawyer can't do a similar flip-flop. Instead, Robin Lemonidis claims her client fired on the SUV after one of its occupants brandished a shotgun while they were exchanging words over the loud music. Never mind that cops say no weapon was recovered from the vehicle, that is Dunn's story and -- for now, at least -- his lawyer is sticking to it.
Why? Maybe because she knows the history of what's happened to defendants in such stand-your-ground cases in Florida. Since the law's enactment, 73% of the people who have used this defense after killing a black person have been set free, according to an analysis done by the Tampa Bay Times. Those who killed someone white escaped a guilty verdict just 59% of the time.
Those numbers have the stench of Jim Crow justice. They suggest that black life does not have the same value as white life in the Sunshine State. They imply that a law that gives a person the right to use deadly force, when he has the option to retreat from a conflict, tilts the scales of justice in favor of injustice.
Last month, a task force appointed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to review the stand-your-ground law in the wake of Martin's killing found little room to improve the statute. But given the death of Davis, there is clearly still good reason for criticism of that ill-conceived law.
DeWayne Wickham writes on Tuesdays for USA TODAY.
In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.


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To Sweetest Punch
This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
3 posts • Page 1 of 1
To Sweetest Punch
Don't know how close you are to Brussels, but tell everyone you speak with I am with them.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think that you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt
- M. Twain
- M. Twain
- Posts: 3809
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:49 am
- Location: Belgium
Re: To Sweetest Punch
Thank you very much.
We live about 50 miles from Brussels and are safe.
These are sad days...
We live about 50 miles from Brussels and are safe.
These are sad days...
Since you put me down, it seems i've been very gloomy. You may laugh but pretty girls look right through me.
- Posts: 1721
- Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Out of the kitchen,she's gone with the wind
Re: To Sweetest Punch
Glad to know you're safe ,J, thoughts with you all hope to see you in 2016 !
3 posts • Page 1 of 1
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Obsidian Parfum 100ml (UAE shipping only)
Obsidian, one of the Signature scents from Emperor London made in the french town of grasse on the french riviera. This scent is unisex
100ml | Eau De Parfum | Made In France
This item is available to ship to United Arab Emirates Only
Track your order here EMPEROR TRACKING CENTER
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More artwork by Arnaud de Vallois.
His demo reel.
His blog.
Friday, July 30, 2010
More artwork by Arnaud de Vallois.
Posted by Rot at 2:42 PM
Labels: Arnaud de Vallois, art, artist, branches, skull, skulls, spider, spider web, trees
2 comments:
- Jay's Shadow said...
The top pic is great!
- July 30, 2010 at 3:45 PM
- The Frog Queen said...
There was a spider in that video....did you know that? I bet you did. :)
Hum...I am not sure I like you anymore :D
Seariously, that was very cool - showing the process for texturing was amazing. Thanks for sharing.
- July 30, 2010 at 7:09 PM
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Welcome to our new website. We've spent a lot of time re-designing the site, listening to what you want and making the whole experience better.
You will notice that we use actual stock levels so you know when it's in stock and when it isn't. We have a fully integrated live stock system that handles stock from in store and online from one central database - plus we have live stock information from our key suppliers that allows you to see beyond what we have here within these four walls. This all helps to reduce the times you have to get an email to say what you ordered isn't available.
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|View Poll Results: Kanon - 2006 - Episode 11 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 101. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2006-12-15, 21:33
|Link #41
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 32
This episode by far has some of the funniest quotes/moments from the series so far - just thinking back on the emotional drama built up from the last couple of episodes, you completely forget this show can be so funny. Plenty of rewatch value over Christmas me thinks~
Anyway, the moe factor went straight upto the clouds with this one. Plenty of moe scenes for each female member of the show - especially Nayuki & Mai.
& yes, Shiori eating ice cream made my year.
|2006-12-15, 22:54
|Link #42
Somehow I found out
Join Date: Feb 2006
Age: 35
Some of the comedy in this ep was outstanding. The scene where Ayu and Nayu (lol) first met had me in stitches. Kanon's comedy is very similar to series like Haruhi (for obvious reasons) and even Ouran, in that the jokes just sort of sneak up on you and tend to be a bit of a surprise. That's the sort of humour I really appreciate in particular and I think Kanon has executed it better than I ever could have anticipated.
I didn't think the visuals were typical Kyoto Animation in this ep, meaning it was still several tiers above the majority of other anime but not at the absolute pinnacle as some other their previous titles have managed to maintain for the entire length of the series. Actually, on second thoughts I can't remember a series of their's that didn't maintain an impossible, impeccable quality for the entire length. Kanon is a first in that respect, but I suppose it shows they are human after all... just exceptionally talented humans. And yet, despite this, the visuals were still incredible. There was one shot just before the ED rolled where Mai had her back turned to the camera. Even just the way she stood and the angle of the camera communicated a massive amount of her current emotions at that point. That KyoAni can impress me so much even on their off days is just outstanding. I don't care if I sound fanboy-ish here, I don't think anyone could ever understate the impact KyoAni are making on the entire industry by doing what they're doing.
Can Kyuuichi see the demons? I don't think it's been clearly shown if he can actually see them or not and if he can't, it hasn't been shown why he seems to be so willing to believe her. I'm troubled by this, a touch. When so much care has been taken with the rest of the story, I'm surprised that a detail like this hasn't been given any attention.
|2006-12-15, 22:58
|Link #43
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 32
|2006-12-16, 05:08
|Link #44
Gone for Good
Join Date: Apr 2004
I'm almost done with the Shiori pathway in the game, and seeing Shiori munch on her ice cream - in the middle of winter - made my heart melt once again.
The more I play the game the more I am impressed at how Kyo-Ani did well to blend back into the weaved storyline without forgetting Makoto's existence, while slowly entering into Mai's story and still managing to progress Nayuki, Ayu and Shiori's storyline at the same time.
As a left-hander, I'm glad Kyo-Ani never forgot that Ayu's left-handed by having her hold her fork and knife in the "left-handed" way.
Last edited by Kinny Riddle; 2006-12-16 at 05:30.
|2006-12-16, 08:49
|Link #45
wingéd prettygirl
It was good to see Yuuichi still reflecting upon Makoto - each time she was mentioned I caught a whif of both pain and acceptance when he replied, even in his evasive explanation to Mai there was a hint of sadness there. Bravo to KyoAni for that.
The scene with Nayuki & Yuuichi at school before they went home? Oh my, was I laughing at that. Beautifully done, and terminated at the exact right moment.
Another huge plus in this episoide was Kaori. Ah yes, listening to and watching her deliver those lines? Beautiful.
Spoiler for not for first timers...:
A solid nine. Slightly less perfect animation, but to be expected. Music and VA were as usual, fantastic. Looking forward to ~waltz~... and wondering where Mai will hide her sword in an evening gown.
|2006-12-16, 09:30
|Link #46
Senior Member
Hello. Im not a Kanon expert but i enjoy the show a lot. to be honest i didnt watch the 2k2 anime nor did i play the game so its all new to me.
speaking of the impressions i didn't expect to find a really funny episode in Kanon which is more natural for Haruhi no yuutsu or ouran. thats sort of comic relief after 2 very touching episodes with lots of crying.
the dialogue was something like this
- 今日は一緒に帰る
- 誰が
- 祐一が
- 誰と
- 私と
- どうして
- 約束したからだよ
- 誰が etc
|2006-12-16, 11:01
|Link #47
Anime Snark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 36
Random Thoughts on Kanon Ep11
|2006-12-16, 12:02
|Link #49
Nick of Time~
Thoughts on episode 11:
Thumbs up for the change in the mood of the anime. Not everything is about Makoto and the depression that comes in the aftermath of her absence and going by arcs, it would be downright silly to harp on about the sudden change in the mood.
Yuuichi is entertaining as usual together with partners Nayuki, Ayu and Mai. The exchange between him and the former seemed normal but hilarious in a way, probably thanks to their expressions. As a Mai fanboy myself, the 'Banzai!' part was of course another funnier and cuter (insert biaseness here) segment of the show. Ayu, of course, at the brunt of Yuuichi's jokes and an excellent dance partner with Yuuichi. Too bad he can't take her to the dance as well. Imagine what a hit they will be on the floor!
In conclusion, I guess one thing's inherent after watching the preview and the episode itself: "The way to a Mai's heart is through her stomach." [This is a terrible joke, btw ) In any case, I'll be waiting eagerly for episode 12 for more Mai goodness and a good storyline for her arc as well.
EDIT: Oh my, what a surprise...NO ONE voted below 8? Well, it's Mai after all....
But seriously, where did all the skeptics go?
|2006-12-16, 12:15
|Link #50
Gone for Good
Join Date: Apr 2004
I'm glad that part was included. Kyo-Ani basically kept the whole thing line by line, and I think I practically recited it as I remembered from the game.
Another funny bit they kept from the game was the poster scene, when Yuuichi was looking at the dental hygiene poster rather than the Dance Ball poster Nayuki was referring to.
|2006-12-16, 12:54
|Link #51
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
A nice recovery from the heartbreak that was episode 10. I salute KyoAni, never had reused scenes made me laugh harder. That part about Yuuichi and Nayuki going home together was pure genius.
As noted by a lot of fellow posters, the animation dropped somewhat, but it is still head and shoulders above what any other studio has done this season. The boys at KyoAni probably needed a break after the effort placed into the previous episode.
Aya and Nayuki were uber-kawaii, and Mai is just plain good in this episode. Can't wait for the next episode, I want to see Mai and Yuuichi dancing!
|2006-12-16, 12:54
|Link #52
1000 times better
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Surrounded by Mistery (cool isn't?)
Spoiler for Reflections about Ep 11...:
Thumbs up to the little change of mood. I hate the type of series that maintain the drama all the time (aka Saikano) it makes it hard to see them (because you know that nothing good can happen).
Got a 9, a good 9 indeed.
|2006-12-16, 13:30
|Link #53
Your average fangirl
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: U.A.E. - Dubai
Age: 33
I think I'm beginning to like "Nayu". She was really funny when dealing with Yuuichi, very kind to Ayu and sooo cute when saying "lier" while pouting. Besides, I like blue hair!
This episode was quite nice to watch. The transition was well done, it made me happy that everyone asked about Makoto. I was even more happy to see my favorite girls Ayu and Shiori. <3
Looking forward to see Mai in a dress~
|2006-12-16, 13:33
|Link #54
Rank-and-file poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Age: 34
Ok, a guy without a tuxedo I can understand, but a girl witout even a semi-fancy dress suitable for a school dance? I can't believe it! (ok.. I can believe Mai/Ayu, but Sayuri/Nayuki/Shiori?)
Is it uncommon for girls in Japan to own bonified dresses? (as opposed to mere skirts)
And even Yuuichi, he seems to have a rather varied wardrobe, surely he has some nice slacks, a collared shirt, and some maybe kinda nice jacket to wear.
Or is this dance really strict on formal dress?
|2006-12-16, 14:10
|Link #56
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv173
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 32
well well... this will sound like some fanboyism /fanatism but... hell, i can't really believe how KyoAni is dealing with such pace.
this episode was really welcomed : the depressed climax from the previous episode could kill the pace of the serie.
instead of forgetting makoto completely or transform the world into a bewailing state, they did a great job by putting such lighthearted moments (and indeed, several mentions to our beloved fox ~~ thumbs up for sugita and his performance when yuuichi said to ayu that makoto returned home.)
anyway, i really loved the humour here, and was surprised how KyoAni was bold enough to use the same joke twice in the same episode (but it was really effective )
but not only the humour was good, but we have a lot of cute moments ^^ (awww, nayuki and ayu sleeping together... akkkh, somebody would like to take them home )
anyway... i can't wait for ep12...~~ (as a mai fan, i'm already drooling with the preview...>_>)
|2006-12-16, 14:13
|Link #57
Beautiful fighter.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England, UK
Age: 32
Yeah, it'll be good.
|2006-12-16, 14:19
|Link #58
Anime Snark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 36
|2006-12-16, 14:26
|Link #59
Primula hates you
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Utah
Age: 44
I'm giving out some 9s now in order to give 10s out later. And this is the first time I couldn't watch it raw first since the place I get my raws from wasn't letting me. Add to that the first fansub I grabbed (I was desperate!) contained an error and refused to play and I didn't get to watch it till this morning. Sigh.
Well, as for the episode I can't believe the dance is coming up already, they're moving along rather quickly. Added Mai's hachimitsu kuma-san and ponpoko tanuki which means Mai's story is very much under way. Wonder how they'll proceed.
|Thread Tools


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A Visual History of the US House poster and interview
Timeplots has launched a new infographic poster, The Visual History of the United States House of Representatives. Available for purchase from the Timeplots site for $34.95.
This large-scale (48″x32") print is like nothing else available on the history of the U.S. House of Representatives. It depicts the progression in political ideology of every House seat from 1789 to 2010.
Other highlights include a timeline of over 100 major legislative enactments and significant developments in U.S. legislative history, and visual summaries of party control and ideological distribution of the House and Senate in each Congress. A Visual History of the U.S. House of Representatives is packed with information and is not intended to be absorbed at a glance, but rather visited and revisited over time.
The infographic design visualizes the entire history from 1789-2013. The main, central visualization is the unique highlight of this design. Each representative is shown by a colored circle that matches their party affiliation, and placed along a vertical scale based on their ideology. The circles are filled partially transparent, so you get the cumulative color effect when the circles overlap. This creates a darker color when many representatives within any particular two-year Congress share a similar ideology, and you can see clear areas of concentration. Fantastic new visualization method, and creates a beautiful image.
The poster also visualizes the balance of power for each two-year Congress by party, and compares it to the Senate and the President from the same time period. Major milestones, amendments, governance issues, economy, foreign affairs, civil rights and social policy achievements are also plotted within the time periods they took place.
Nathaniel Pearlman, Founder and President of Timeplots, agreed to answer a few behind-the-scenes questions about designing the poster.
Cool Infographics: What software applications were used to help analyze the data and create the design?
Nathaniel Pearlman: So far we have programmed our information graphic prints in the R language and done the final design pass in Illustrator. I'm interested in hearing about other platforms to use for complex data and layout — especially other software applications that would allow us to create interactive and print versions from the same code base.
Cool Infographics: What's the most interesting thing you learned from the data?
Nathaniel Pearlman: As with some of our other posters, I like the big picture: for me, the visual history of the U.S. house print shows the sweep of U.S. history — a marked contrast with the more journalistic, and immediate, take on the political and economic state of the nation that we are used to seeing in the news. You can clearly see the ebb and flow over time of ideological overlap between the parties – and how they are at such loggerheads now.
Cool Infographics: What was the hardest part behind designing the House poster?
Nathaniel Pearlman: For the House poster, it took us a while to come up with a compelling central graphic. We were looking for something visually arresting from a distance, but that captured the key patterns in the data. I think we found that.
Cool Infographics: What should we expect in the future from Timeplots?
Nathaniel Pearlman: We have recently launched Graphicacy, a design group that helps other tell their own stories with print or interactive information graphics, especially involving large or complex data sets. For Timeplots, we are currently working on a history of U.S. State boundaries and a visual history of baseball. I am excited about both of them. I would also love to hear from your audience what they would like to see, and we are always looking for collaborators, if someone would like to work with us on a project that they care about. We're open to new ideas!
Cool Infographics: Who is your primary audience for the posters? Schools, businesses, political offices, individuals, etc.?
Nathaniel Pearlman: Our primary audience is those with true interest in the subject matter. Our work is explanatory or educational art for smart people – and just about everyone has areas of intense interest, whether it is sports, entertainment, food, politics or finance. Timeplots has done a lot with American politics so far, but we intend to move now into other areas as well.


text:
These free, printable travel maps of Thailand are divided into five regions:
Explore Thailand with these helpful travel maps from Moon Travel Guides.
Phuket is Thailand's number one beach destination, and for good reason. The country's largest island has almost a dozen beautiful beaches covered with soft sand and backed by swaying palm trees.
Andaman Coast
The peninsula's west coast is undoubtedly the most beautiful region in the country, with postcard-perfect islands and lush rainforests and mountain ranges. The warm, clear waters offer excellent opportunities to snorkel and scuba dive, with stunning limestone rock formations, waterfalls, and caves to explore.
Ko Samui and the Samui Archipelago
Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan, and Ko Tao, once a group of barely inhabited islands known better for coconut trees than anything else, now provide visitors with everything from luxury resorts to thatched beach bungalows. But despite their conveniences, even Samui still feels like a laid-back beach destination.
Southern Gulf of Thailand
Coconut groves, rubber plantations, and forested mountains characterize Thailand's lower southern gulf. Once a bustling entrepôt, this region is still a significant commercial center for southern Thailand.
You are welcome to download and print these maps for non-commercial, non-infringing use, or, if you are an educator or student, for use in the classroom. Please take steps to ensure that Avalon Travel's copyright information remains on any classroom handouts or in any other reasonable Fair Use instance. Copyright may be attributed properly with the statements: "© Avalon Travel" or "Copyright Avalon Travel." For more information about copyright and usage please see our Copyright Policy.


text:
Credit Unions Favor Big Core Processors
By Marc Rapport
Fiserv and Symitar, a division of Jack Henry & Associates, dominate the core processing business for credit unions, and these graphics from Callahan & Associates show just how much.
According to Callahan's 2014 Market Share Guide/Credit Union Core Processing, Fiserv, which built its business through two decades of acquisitions before consolidating its credit union divisions a couple years ago and then buying Open Solutions last year, has the lion's share of the market overall, providing core processing services to about 2,400 of the nation's 7,000 or so credit unions.
Symitar has a big footprint, too, especially among larger credit unions, with more than 500 on its flagship Episys platform and another 170 running the Cruise solution for smaller credit unions.
Meanwhile, among the smallest asset class, FedComp still comes in second behind Fiserv, serving more than 800 credit unions, although consolidations and closings have helped cut its client list that once numbered around 2,000.
According to Callahan, CUSOs still maintain a solid niche in the core processing market, including those that run their own platforms, such as CU*Answers, EPL and Share One, and others that serve as service bureaus for Symitar customers (Member Driven Technologies), Fiserv DNA users (COCC) and CU*Answers (CU*South and CU*Northwest).
Other ownership structures exist in the space, including at Synergent, a Maine league-owned Symitar service bureau, and Minnesota-based Sharetec Systems, which claims nearly 300 customers on its platform and is owned by four regional distributors across the country.
Click here for original article.


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We are proud to announce that this Sunday, May 23, 2010, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 22nd Ave W #B in Magnolia, Seattle. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent Townhome for sale in beautiful Magnolia.
Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Magnolia Townhome for sale.
As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 206-353-7625 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.
Kristen Meyer & Rosemary Pham & Rosemary Pham
Keller Williams Realty


text:
Windows Phone 8 is just here and manufacturers are starting to tell us what plans they have in store for the new Microsoft mobile operating system.
We already have a fairly meaty breakdown of the Windows Phone 8 software itself here but what about the handsets upon which it will come? Given that upgrades from current Windows Phone devices aren't going to be possible, just what sort of hardware do we have to look forward to?
Naturally, there's Windows Phone 8 phones that we know are actually coming and there are Windows Phone 8 phones that we've got blurry pictures and leaked specs of. This section are the birds in the hand.
Windows Phone 8X by HTC
No, your eyes are not deceiving you, HTC has done something intensely annoying with the naming of its Windows Phone 8 smartphones. It's, of course, entirely up to you if you choose to call them the HTC 8X and HTC 8S. What you're getting from the HTC 8X is a device that Microsoft has chosen as the one used to promote Windows Phone 8.
The 8X is a 4.3-inch, 720p HD-resolution (1280 x 720), 341ppi super LCD 2 big screen device with Beats Audio inside. Around the back an 8-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture and a 28mm lens and the whole thing is powered by a familiar sounding Qualcomm S4 1.5 GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for storing stuff. It comes in exciting forms of blue, black, red and yellow and can be yours from November. Read more | HTC 8X pictures
Windows Phone 8S by HTC
The HTC 8S us a more mid-range but colourful two-tone new Windows Phone 8 smartphone which comes in black-white, red, blue and grey-yellow. The 8S, unlike the 8X, features a removable micro SD card slot, and, camera wise, you'll get a 5-megapixel camera on the back, complete with flash, but no front facing camera - no Skype calls for you then.
Inside and the phone comes with a Qualcomm S4 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, and just 4GB of storage, but don't forget that is expandable. There is a 1,700mAh battery that powers the above as well as the Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, and radios - 4G in the US, 3G in the UK. There's no NFC. Read more | Hands-on
Nokia Lumia 920
Nokia kept its WP8 cards close to its chest for a while but the Nokia Lumia 920 was the first new-software Windows Phone to get an official launch when it was announced across the Pond on 5 September at Nokia World. This flagship smartphone features wireless charging, PureView camera technology and a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor.
On the screen front, there's a new 4.5-inch curved glass screen with fast refresh rate called Pure Motion HD+ with Nokia claiming that it's super bright and super sensitive. With a 2000mAh battery, NFC, 4G connection, 1GB of RAM and a choice of bright colours, it's geared to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X and the iPhone 5. Read more | Nokia Lumia 920 pictures
Nokia Lumia 820
Brought forth into the world just moments after it's bigger brother, like Jacob to Esau, was the Nokia Lumia 820. Sporting a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 ClearBlack OLED display, the screen is flat as opposed to curved as seen on previous Nokia Lumia devices and it's positions as a more mid-tier option.
The rear 8-megapixel camera lens sits in the centre of the phone, but unlike the Nokia Lumia 920 this has no PureView technology to enhance your photography. That said, the camera offers auto-focus, Carl Zeiss optics, dual LED flash and wide aperture, so should still deliver in the photography stakes. Again, there's NFC and the same 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor as the Lumia 920, with 1GB of RAM. Read more | Nokia Lumia 820 pictures
Samsung Ativ S
Samsung unveiled a Windows Phone 8 device in the shape of the Samsung Ativ S. Sporting a huge 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the Samsung Ativ S also has HSPA+42 connectivity.
Samsung has also kitted the phone with an 8-megapixel camera and a 1.9-megapixel front-facer for video calls. With such top-end specs, the Samsung Ativ S provides a Windows Phone 8 alternative to the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy S III that has served the Korean manufacturer so well. Similar specs on paper to the Lumia 920 but will it be as classy in the hand? Read more | Samsung Ativ S pictures
This is the part where Windows Phone 8 starts to get fuzzy. Sure, we've had some good leads, as you'll see below, but anything in this section ranges from being subject to change to not even existing at all. Pinch of salt at the ready, you have been warned.
Huawei Ascend W1
The Huawei Ascend W1 is almost a cert with more details have emerging of Huawei's first Windows Phone 8 handset all the time. The existence of the Huawei Ascend W1 was confirmed by the manufacturer's own chairman of devices, Richard Yu on Chinese social networking site Sina Weibo back in September. However, although an official unveil was expected on 25 September nothing came to prominence. Until now.
What we're expecting is a 4-inch WVGA display, a 5-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA front-facing camera for video calling. Powering proceedings along will be a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB internal memory and a 2,000 mAh battery.
ZTE looks like it's going to be a long way off unfortunately. So, those after a budget Windows Phone 8 handset might have to wait. ZTE is apparently not planning anything until 2013.
There is talk of a Microsoft own made Windows Phone 8 device. It has been floating the WP8 airwaves for a while now but no pictures have materialised. The phone has been described as "something unique" compared to other WP8 devices, meaning it could be the launch surprise Microsoft is planning.
It is all just rumours and whispers for now, but it isn't impossible. Microsoft did something similar with the Surface tablet, so who knows. Read more


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I recently learned that $\cos{\theta} = \frac{e^{i\theta} + e^{-i\theta}}{2}$ and $\sin{\theta} = \frac{e^{i\theta} - e^{-i\theta}}{2}$ Based on this, I managed to "prove" that: $$e^{i\theta} = e^{-i\theta}$$
Since $e^{i\theta} = \cos{\theta} + i\sin{\theta}$, we can substitute the above two identities to get: $$e^{i\theta} = \frac{e^{i\theta} + e^{-i\theta}}{2} + i\frac{e^{i\theta} - e^{-i\theta}}{2}$$ Simplifying, I get $$(1-i)e^{i\theta} = (1-i)e^{-i\theta}$$ which implies $$e^{i\theta} = e^{-i\theta}$$ for all real $\theta$. Obviously, this isn't true in general, but I'm having a hard time seeing what's wrong. Can someone please point out the flaw in the above "proof"?


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Covenant Christian Bookstore
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Bring the Bible to life each week of the year
This unique 52-week devotional is packed with value and includes interactivity kids will love. A Bible story is at the center of each weekly devotion, and a two-to-four minute video is available by scanning a QR code. Plus, a free downloadable app lets kids experience a digital "pop-up" (using augmented reality) of each Bible story along with narration by Jenna Lucado Bishop. The One Big Story Bible Story Devotional is the perfect way to bring the Bible to life in a kid's heart
Features include:
- "Christ Connections" that spotlight God's salvation plan throughout the Bible
- A free augmented-reality app that brings the art and story remarkably to life as digital "pop-ups" with audio narration
More Product Information
- Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
- Release Date: August 1, 2018
- Pages: 224
- Language: English
- Binding: Hardcover
- Height: 0.90 inches
- Width: 7.30 inches
- Length: 9.10 inches
- Weight: 1.90 pounds
- Recommended Age Range: 06 through 10 years
- Recommended Grade Range: 1st Grade through 5th Grade


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Learn what workstations are right for your situation. This podcast includes discussion about innovations in workstations, and criteria to use when evaluating your needs.
Duration: 15:09
In this podcast, Rajeev Arora, vice president of marketing and strategy for Blackboard Collaborate, explains how Blackboard Collaborate can help higher learning institutions tackle Web conferencing, voice authoring and instant messaging, and how the solution helps colleges and universities stretch IT budgets farther than ever before.
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Learn how you can let users bring personal devices to work without risking data security.
Duration: 13:44


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Group honors technology educator
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 2:00 AM
Pittsburg, KS
A Pittsburg State University faculty member has been honored for his achievements in technology education.
Andy Klenke, associate professor of technology and engineering education, last week received the Distinguished Technology and Engineering Professional designation by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). Klenke was honored March 8 during a ceremony in Columbus, Ohio.
ITEEA created the Distinguished Technology and Engineering Professional (DTE) program to honor educators for outstanding performance and accomplishments in the field of professional technology and engineering education. It is one of the highest honors for professional achievement in technology and engineering education.
Klenke, a member of the PSU faculty since 1998, said he is "humbled" by the honor.
"When I look at the list of names of people in our profession who have received this honor," he said, "I sometimes can't believe I'm on there with them. I'm definitely among some pretty good company."
Mike Neden, also an associate professor in PSU's Technology and Workforce Learning Department, is a past winner of the DTE award.
Consideration for the award is based upon documented evidence of leadership/management skills, continuing participation in association education programs, and demonstration of leadership in association, community, and personal activities.
Klenke, who has served on the ITEEA International Board of Directors, said the DTE honor is a testament to his devotion to the field of technology and engineering education.
"I have given to my profession, stepped up into leadership positions and have striven to make changes for the better," he said. "This honor is something earned, and it feels good to be recognized for the work I and many others have put into our field."
Klenke holds a bachelor of science degree in technology education, a master of science degree in technology education and an education specialist degree in higher education, all from PSU. He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas.
For more information on the DTE recognition, including a full list of all winners, visit http://www.iteea.org/Awards/awarddte.htm.


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Department of Revenue News Release
July 18, 2011Consumers Can Save During Missouri's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 5-7
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's 8th Annual "Back-to-School" Sales Tax Holiday begins Aug. 5, providing all shoppers the opportunity to save money on clothes, computers and school supplies.
By state law, the sales tax holiday begins on the first Friday in August and continues through the following Sunday. This year, the three-day holiday begins at midnight on Friday, Aug. 5, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 7. During this time period, the state's 4.225 percent sales tax will not be assessed on certain purchases made in Missouri. Local governments can participate in the holiday and forego local sales tax collection or can opt out of the holiday and maintain local tax revenue during the holiday.
"Especially with larger purchases such as computers, families and students can begin to plan what they need to buy now and save when they make qualified purchases during the holiday in August," said Alana M. Barragán-Scott, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. "The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday benefits families because it gives them the opportunity to save more than 4 percent on purchases of clothes, school supplies and computer items."
The Department has produced a short video that gives a general introduction to the holiday. It can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W8qA5DbRcA.
Missourians aren't the only ones who can save during the holiday.
"Just because a person doesn't live in Missouri doesn't mean that he or she can't save money during the sales tax holiday weekend," Barragán-Scott said. "I encourage our neighbors from Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and the other border states to come to Missouri and save money on school supplies, clothes, personal computers and other items while they shop here."
The sales tax will not be charged on the following items during the holiday:
*Clothing that does not have a value of more than $100. The state's definition of clothing includes traditional apparel, including footwear, worn on or about the body. It also includes material to make school uniforms or other school clothing. It does NOT include accessories such as watches, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands and belt buckles.
*School supplies, not exceeding $50 per purchase, that are used in a standard classroom for educational purposes. School supplies include, but are not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, chalk, maps and globes. School supplies do NOT include watches, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable telephones, copiers or other office equipment.
*Personal computers that don't cost more than $3,500 and computer peripheral devices that don't exceed $3,500. A personal computer can be a laptop, desktop or tower computer system which consists of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, display monitor, keyboard and other related devices. Peripheral devices include items such as a disk drive, memory module, CD drive, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, speakers, printer, scanner, sound card or video card. Computer software is considered a school supply and is free from sales tax if its value is less than $350.
Although anyone making qualified purchases does not have to be a student to benefit from the holiday, the sales tax exemption event is commonly referred to as the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday because it occurs near the beginning of the traditional school year for most students.
Barragán-Scott also noted that while the state's temporary waiver of Missouri's sales tax will apply statewide, the savings for consumers will be higher in many Missouri cities and counties.
"When local governments participate in the holiday, the savings can add up to as much as 8 or 9 percent," she said.
A total of 169 cities, 50 counties and 62 special districts have chosen not to participate in the holiday. A list of the local governments that have opted out of the holiday and the answers to frequently asked questions about the holiday can be accessed at http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/. Other questions can be directed to email@example.com or (573) 751-2836.
The Missouri Department of Revenue is now on Twitter! To follow the Department on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/MoRevenue.


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|Oracle Call Interface Programmer's Guide
Release 9.0.1
Part Number A89857-01
OCI Datatype Mapping and Manipulation Functions, 26 of 135
Gets the date of next day of the week, after a given date.
sword OCIDateNextDay ( OCIError *err, CONST OCIDate *date, CONST OraText *day, ub4 day_length, OCIDate *next_day );
The OCI error handle. If there is an error, it is recorded in
err and this function returns OCI_ERROR. Obtain diagnostic information by calling
Returned date should be later than this date.
First day of week named by this is returned.
Length in bytes of string
First day of the week named by
day later than
Returns the date of the first day of the week named by
day that is later than
Get the date of the next Monday after April 18, 1996 (a Thursday).
OCIDateNextDay(&err, '18-APR-96', 'MONDAY', strlen('MONDAY'), &next_day)
OCIDateNextDay() returns '22-APR-96'.
This function returns and error if an invalid date or day is passed to it.
Copyright © 1996-2001, Oracle Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.


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UPPER PROVIDENCE - Police have released home surveillance video showing a man who allegedly took items from a vehicle during a rash of thefts recently.
Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the burglars who are stealing from unlocked vehicles in the Royersford and Collegeville sections of Upper Providence.
According to a report from police, in the early morning hours between midnight and 4 a.m. Feb. 2-8, $1,500 worth of property was stolen, including GPS units, Apple iPods, money and cell phones. One of the thieves was captured on home surveillance video entering a vehicle, police said. Police believe two men are responsible for the thefts. They were seen in the area in a small vehicle, possibly an SUV or crossover vehicle that has a third brake light on the top of the rear window, police said.The vehicles targeted were unlocked and parked in the street or in residential driveways, police said.Residents are advised to lock their vehicles and report any suspicious people they may see in the area.Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Upper Providence police at 610-933-7899 and speak with Detective Patrick Haines.


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Australia Has Its Own Homeschool Legal Defense Association
The Kingdom Defence Trust was founded in 1999 in order to advance the Christian faith and to apply Scriptural principles in the areas of ethics, law and government. The Kingdom Defence Trust seeks to assist in the defense of Christian families who are prosecuted because of the expression of their faith, including the choice to homeschool.
The Kingdom Defence Trust realized that legislation in Australia has the effect of curtailing expressions of Christian faith, such as home education. Education reforms are awaiting passage that would regulate homeschoolers. Government schools lose funding for each child that is homeschooled. As a result, there have been several prosecutions of homeschooling families in various Australian states. The Kingdom Defence Trust has successfully defended some of these families.
Following is a recent publication explaining the Trust's goals:
"The Trust's other major objective is to provide the Christian community with education about the Christian worldview and perspective. It plans to undertake this task by means of seminars and conferences in strategic locations around Australia.
"The Trust has already helped families and individuals facing prosecution or litigation around Australia. It has also sponsored a Christian student toward obtaining a law degree, with the objective of furthering the Trust's objectives. But there is much yet to be done. At this stage, the Trust's primary task is to inform the Christian community of its existence, and the availability of its services.
"The Trust is committed to providing high quality, affordable legal representation at the lowest possible cost. Even so, legal action is invariably expensive and time-consuming. The Trust is solely dependent upon the gifts of God's people to ensure its ongoing ability to deliver such help to those who need it."
The Kingdom Defence Trust is an ally with the Australian Christian Academy and works with Terry Harding in promoting homeschool freedom.
Michael Whitrow, Chairman of Trustees for the Kingdom Defence Trust, and his wife, Sue, have five children. The two children remaining at home are currently being homeschooled at high school level.


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Enter your zip code to view estimated shipping for this item.Zip Code:
The displayed shipping price is for '1' Sony Mini 480 Res Bullet Camera
(With Inline Mic - 5V). To find the shipping cost for all your items, please view your cart.
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I was always a fan of the PS2's Eyetoy. Though the game selection that utilized it was limited, I always had hopes that it would become integrated into more games—whether it was for capturing a face for a sports game or for online video chat. The Xbox Live Vision camera ended up fulfilling a lot of my hopeful plans, but it seems Sony is now poised to retake the camera kingship from Microsoft.
Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe announced the successor to the original Eyetoy today, entitled the PLAYSTATION Eye. With a design specifically meant to take advantage of the social aspects of online gaming, as well as some peripheral features such as face-mapping, the new Eye trumps the previous camera.
Included on the camera itself is a "sophisticated microphone" that can reduce background noise and has the capacity for improved speech recognition and transfer. To amend problems with the original camera's sensitivity to light conditions, this new peripheral has been designed to perform regardless of lighting condition, and offers a bunch of different capture modes like slow motion and time-lapse. An improved frame rate will help with the response time and tracking features of the camera, while zoom options will be available to capture the proper image.
The most interesting part of the camera, though, is the ability to capture video and audio directly to the PS3's HDD and then edit it with the bundled EyeCreate software. In conjunction with the web browser that we know is able to upload files from the hard drive, this may create quite the little soapbox for gaming and YouTube aficionados.
The fact that the PS3 is getting video and photo editing capabilities intrigues me. Perhaps Sony's bold statements that the PS3 could be used as a computer are starting to come to fruition. The camera is set to hit Europe and America this summer.


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Bee and Lou came home from bible school back two weeks ago I guess (good grief this summer is flying by!) with these cute sand castles. They built them out of a sandy playdoh, decorated them with shells and glitter and such and then they dried hard. I asked the craft leader to please share the recipe and she very sweetly explained how google worked. She perhaps just discovered it.
So I googled it and found it was a probably a family fun recipe. I would know that, except I canceled family fun last summer. It was hard, but it's been ok. Anyway, here's the recipe:
- 1 cup sand
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon alum
- 3/4 cup water
- Shells (optional)
- Add the sand, cornstarch, and alum to a saucepan and use a wooden spoon to combine them completely.
- Add the water and stir the mixture until it is smooth and the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Cook the clay over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. The clay should start to thicken within a minute or two. Stir more vigorously, being sure to scrape the mixture from the sides and bottom of the pan.
- After about 3 minutes of cooking, the clay will have thickened to the consistency of play dough. Remove the clay from the pan. Once it's cool enough to touch, you can start sculpting. (For best results, use the clay within a day or two of mixing it.)


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For Langdon Cook, a walk in the woods isn't that different from a walk through the produce section of the supermarket. He's a writer, blogger and all-around outdoorsy type, but in outdoorsy Seattle, he's made his name primarily as a forager.
He's kind enough to let me tag along on a mushroom hunt in the Cascades. In the back of his Subaru (the official car of the Seattle outdoors) he already has a basket full of morels, porcinis and coral mushrooms — the fruits of about ten miles of hiking, he says. He doesn't want me to be too specific about our location because other mushroom hunters might yell at him. But he's not so protective of his foraging secrets. In fact, he enjoys teaching people how to spot food.
He lists the foods at hand just in this section of the forest: Fiddlehead ferns. Stinging nettles. Miner's lettuce.
"[Miner's lettuce] tastes a little bit like say those expensive French baby lettuces that you might buy for a lot of money in the market. You can harvest it for free right within the Seattle city limits," he says.
But Cook isn't some dumpster-diving "freegan." His interest in wild foods began as something to do on hiking trips, but it's now evolved, as has his taste for the finer things. "Have you ever had an elder flower cordial?" he asks, and rolls his eyes heavenward. "Ah! it's wonderful! With champagne or an adult beverage."
Cook is the part of a nucleus of dedicated foragers in Seattle. One of his friends is award-winning chef Matthew Dillon, who's made foraged foods a mainstay of restaurants like Sitka and Spruce. Another friend is Jeremy Faber, a legendary forager who has built the company, Foraged and Found Edibles, that supplies restaurants with foods that can't be cultivated.
Of the three, Cook is the prosyletizer. His book, Fat of the Land, and the blog of the same name, are dedicated to the possibilities of overlooked foods.
Take devil's club. It grows in marshy areas, and is the bane of backpackers in the Northwest, although Alaska's Tlingit tribe consider the plant medicinal.
"It's a nasty, prehistoric-looking plant that has these big parasol-shaped leaves, and the leaves have spines on them," he says. "But, we can have our revenge by eating the buds in the springtime." He describes the buds' flavor as akin to "inhaling the forest."
In another era, a plate of weeds may suggest poverty, but Cook and others like him have elevated foraging to a fine dining experience.
Cook modestly describes himself as a "pretty decent home cook," but he's a lot more inventive than the average stay-at-home dad. That's clear enough in the way he prepared those devil's club buds.
"I infused cream and made a chocolate sauce with them. And it was delicious. And then I did the same thing with a Bordelaise sauce, which I poured over meat."
It's this kind of thing that's made Cook's blog influential. Another prize-winning chef, Blaine Wetzel, says it's his favorite website, and he checks it to see if Cook is foraging for foods he hasn't yet noticed.
But there are limits to what Cook will eat.
"The forager's golden rule is that you never, ever eat a food you can't identify with 100 percent certainty," he says. The dangers go beyond mushrooms. The northwest has plenty of poisonous greens, such as poison hemlock — the stuff that killed Socrates.
"It looks like wild parsley. Or a wild carrot. That's a family where you really have to know your stuff," Cook says.
Cook eats things only after he finds a record of other people eating them — especially local tribes, for whom none of this is particularly new. Ethnographies of native life are his primary source of information for potential "new" foods.
He says the thrill of eating new things is not what he's after. What motivates him, he says, is the outdoors itself. He wants more people to forage, because it gives them a direct stake in the natural world.
"Any experienced mushroom hunter in this area, say, someone who has a really nice patch of chanterelles, has had the really unfun experience of visiting that patch and finding that the whole thing's been logged," he says. The more people find their favorite foods in nature, he believes, the more they'll care about what happens to it.
Thanks to Cook and others, interest in foraging as a way to reconnect with the land is growing beyond a few specialists and chefs --so much so that Seattle is developing the first urban food forest open to foragers.
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel in Washington, D.C.
I'm Melissa Block, spending this week in California at NPR West. And we've been hearing about innovators on the West Coast, people who try news things or eat new things, in the case of today's innovator.
NPR's Martin Kaste introduces us to Seattle's Prophet of Foraged Foods.
MARTIN KASTE, BYLINE: Langdon Cook is taking a walk in the woods and, as usual, he's finding free food.
LANGDON COOK: Ooh, there's a nice one.
KASTE: Today, its morel mushrooms in an undisclosed location in the Cascade Mountains. Undisclosed because he says other mushroom hunters might yell at him if he revealed the exact coordinates. Cook himself isn't quite so protective of the morels. He actually likes to teach people how to spot them.
COOK: Actually, Martin, why don't you open up your mushroom eyes a little better, put on your morel goggles and see if you see something.
KASTE: Morel goggles aren't a universal gift, but Cook is patient with the newbie.
COOK: Now you're getting warmer. Getting warmer - a couple more paces, just don't step on it.
KASTE: This is what Cook does. He finds wild food and he teaches other people how to do it. Food is everywhere, he says. You just have to learn how to see it.
COOK: In this area, I might find fiddlehead ferns, stinging nettles which, you know, one of my favorites. It's a weed. It is more nutritious than virtually anything you can grow in your own garden.
KASTE: Cook admits that part of the appeal is that this stuff is free.
COOK: You know, Miner's lettuce tastes a little bit like, say, those expensive French baby lettuces that you might buy for a lot of money at the market.
KASTE: But Cook is not some kind of dumpster diving freegan. He's part of a nucleus of dedicated foragers here in Seattle; chefs and outdoorsy types whose interest in wild foods has grown into a bona fide movement. These days, the top restaurants around here know that their menus had better include something that was forged.
Cook is mainly a writer and an experimenter. Take, for instance, his project involving devil's club, a plant usually known as the bane of backwoods hikers.
COOK: It's a nasty, prehistoric-looking plant that has these big parasol shaped leaves, and the leaves have spines on them. But we can have our revenge by eating the buds in the springtime.
KASTE: He modestly describes himself as a pretty decent home cook, but he's a heck of a lot more inventive than the average stay-at-home dad. That's clear enough in the way he prepared those piney-scented devil's club buds.
COOK: I infused cream and made a chocolate sauce with them. And it was delicious. And then I did the same thing with a Bordelaise sauce, which I poured over meat.
KASTE: It's this kind of thing that's made Cook's blog, The Fat of the Land, so influential. One prize-winning chef has said it's his favorite website, and he checks it often to see if Cook is foraging for a food that he hasn't noticed yet.
But there are also limits to what Cook will eat.
COOK: The forager's golden rule is that you never, ever eat a wild food that you can't identify with a hundred percent certainty.
KASTE: It's not just deadly mushrooms you have to watch out for, he says. There are plenty of poisonous greens in the woods, not to mention poison hemlock. You know, the stuff that killed Socrates?
COOK: It looks like wild parsley or a wild carrot. That's a family that you really have to know your stuff.
KASTE: Cook isn't looking for cheap thrills. He eats things only after he finds a record of other people eating them, especially the local tribes, for whom none of this is particularly new. He also says he's not after culinary glory. The real reason he promotes foraging, he says, is to give other people a direct stake in the outdoors.
COOK: Any experienced mushroom hunter in this area - say, someone who has a really nice patch of chanterelles - has had the really un-fun experience of visiting that patch, you know, and finding that the whole thing has been logged.
KASTE: The more people find their favorite foods in nature, Cook says, the more they'll care about what happens to it.
Martin Kaste, NPR News, Seattle. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.