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Homily IX.
"Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ,28632863 τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Literally, "the discourse of the beginning of Christ" ; but presently St. Chrys. substitutes for this, ἡ ἀρχὴ τοῦ λόγου, "the beginning of the doctrine, " as the words are translated in our version. let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God; of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands; and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permit."
[1.] You have heard how much Paul found fault with the Hebrews for wishing to be always learning about the same things. And with good reason: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the elements of the first principles28642864 τὰ στοιχεῖα τῆς ἀρχῆς of the oracles of God." ( c. v. 12.)
I am afraid that this might fitly be said to you also, that "when for the time ye ought to be teachers," ye do not maintain the rank of learners, but ever hearing the same things, and on the same subjects, you are in the same condition as if you heard no one. And if any man should question you, no one will be able to answer, except a very few who may soon be counted.
But this is no trifling loss. For oftentimes when the teacher wishes to go on further, and to touch on higher and more mysterious themes, the want of attention in those who are to be taught prevents.
For just as in the case of a grammar-master, if a boy though hearing continually the first elements does not master them, it will be necessary for him to be continually dinning the same things into the boy, and he will not leave off teaching, until the boy has been able to learn them accurately; for it is great folly to lead him on to other things, without having put the first well into him; so too in the Church, if while we constantly say the same things you learn nothing more, we shall never cease saying the same things.
For if our preaching were a matter of display and ambition, it would have been right to jump from one subject to another and change about continually, taking no thought for you, but only 409 for your applauses. But since we have not devoted our zeal to this, but our labors are all for your profit, we shall not cease discoursing to you on the same subjects, till you succeed in learning them. For I might have said much about Gentile superstition, and about the Manichæans, and about the Marcionists, and by the grace of God have given them heavy blows, but this sort of discourse is out of season. For to those who do not yet know accurately their own affairs, to those who have not yet learned that to be covetous is evil, who would utter such discourses as those, and lead them on to other subjects before the time?
We then shall not cease to say the same things, whether ye be persuaded or not. We fear however, that by continually saying the same things, if ye hearken not, we may make the condemnation heavier for the disobedient.
I must not however say this in regard to you all; for I know many who are benefited by their coming here, who might with justice cry out against those others, as insidiously injuring them28652865 ἐ νεδοευόντων αὐτοὺς by their ignorance and inattention. But not even so will they be injured. For hearing the same things continually is useful even to those who know them, since by often hearing what we know we are more deeply affected. We know, for instance, that Humility is an excellent thing, and that Christ often discoursed about it; but when we listen to the words themselves and the reflections made upon them, we are yet more affected, even if we hear them ten thousand times.
[2.] It is then a fitting time for us also to say now to you, "Wherefore leaving the beginning of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto perfection."
What is "the beginning of the doctrine"?28662866 ἡ ἀρχὴ τοῦ λόγου He goes on to state it himself, saying, "not laying again" (these are his words) "the foundation of repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
But if this be "the Beginning," what else is our doctrine save to repent "from dead works," and through the Spirit to receive "the faith,"28672867 The Faith; πίστις with the article in this place and a little below means the Creed; as we say "the Belief." [Yet it would be impossible to substitute the word "Creed" — "Creed in the resurrection." &c. What is meant is that Christian belief which finds expression in the Creed, as well as elsewhere.—F.G.] in "the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment"? But what is "the Beginning"? "The Beginning," he says, is nothing else than this, when there is not a strict life. For as it is necessary to instruct one who is entering on the study of grammar, in the Elements28682868 or "the letters." first, so also must the Christian know these things accurately, and have no doubt concerning them. And should he again have need of teaching, he has not yet the foundation. For one who is firmly grounded ought to be fixed and to stand steady, and not be moved about. But if one who has been catechised and baptized is going ten years afterwards to hear again about the Faith, and that we ought to "believe" in "the resurrection of the dead," he does not yet have the foundation, he is again seeking after the beginning of the Christian religion. For that the Faith is the foundation, and the rest the building, hear him [the Apostle] saying; "I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereupon." ( 1 Cor. iii. 10.) "If any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble." ( 1 Cor. iii. 12.)
"Not laying again" (he says) "the foundation of repentance from dead works."
[3.] But what is, "let us go on unto perfection"? Let us henceforth proceed (he means) even to the very roof, that is, let us have the best life. For as in the case of the letters the Alpha28692869 τὸ ἄλφα involves the whole, and as the foundation, the whole building, so also does full assurance concerning the Faith involve purity of life. And without this it is not possible to be a Christian, as without foundations there can be no building; nor skill in literature without the letters. Still if one should be always going round about the letters, or if about the foundation, not about the building, he will never gain anything.
Do not however think that the Faith is depreciated by being called elementary: for it is indeed the whole power: for when he says, "For every one that useth milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe" ( c. v. 13 ), it is not this which he calls "milk." But to be still doubting about these things is [a sign] of a mind feeble, and needing many discourses. For these are the wholesome doctrines. For we call him "a perfect man" [i.e. "of full age"] who with the faith has a right life; but if any one have faith, yet does evil, and is in doubt concerning [the faith] itself, and brings disgrace on the doctrine, him we shall with reason call "a babe," in that he has gone back again to the beginning. So that even if we have been ten thousand years in the faith, yet are not firm in it, we are babes; when we show a life not in conformity with it; when we are still laying a foundation.
[4.] But besides [their way of] life he brings another charge also against these [Hebrews], as being shaken to and fro, and needing "to lay a foundation of repentance from dead works." For he who changes from one to another, giving up this, and choosing that, ought first to condemn this, and to be separated from the system, and then to pass to the other. But if he intends 410 again to lay hold on the first, how shall he touch the second?
What then of the Law (he says)? We have condemned it, and again we run back to it. This is not a shifting about, for here also [under the Gospel] we have a law. "Do we then" (he says) "make void the law through faith? God forbid, yea we establish the Law." ( Rom. iii. 31.) I was speaking concerning evil deeds. For he that intends to pursue virtue ought to condemn wickedness first, and then go in pursuit of it. For repentance cannot prove28702870 δεῖξαι them clean. For this cause they were straightway baptized, that what they were unable to accomplish by themselves, this might be effected by the grace of Christ. Neither then does repentance suffice for purification, but men must first receive baptism. At all events, it was necessary to come to baptism, having condemned the sins thereby and given sentence against them.
But what is "the doctrine of baptisms"? Not as if there were many baptisms, but one only.28712871 That is, the Apostle repudiates the teaching of more than one baptism. Why then did he express it in the plural? Because he had said, "not laying again a foundation of repentance." For if he again baptized them and catechised them afresh, and having been baptized at the beginning28722872 ἐ ξ ἀρχῆς they were again taught what things ought to be done and what ought not, they would remain perpetually incorrigible.
"And of laying on of hands." For thus did they receive the Spirit, "when Paul had laid his hands on them" ( Acts xix. 6 ), it is said.
"And of the resurrection of the dead." For this is both effected in baptism, and is affirmed in the confession.
"And of eternal judgment." But why does he say this? Because it was likely that, having already believed, they would either be shaken [from their faith], or would lead evil and slothful lives, he says, "be wakeful."28732873 νήψατε
It is not open to them to say, If we live slothfully we will be baptized again, we will be catechised again, we will again receive the Spirit; even if now we fall from the faith, we shall be able again by being baptized, to wash away our sins, and to attain to the same state as before. Ye are deceived (he says) in supposing these things.
[5.] Ver. 4, 5. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, crucifying28742874 St. Chrys.'s exposition requires this literal translation of the participle. He gives two explanations of it, "to renew them by crucifying afresh," and "seeing they crucify afresh." to themselves the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to an open shame."
And see how putting them to shame,28752875 ἐ ντρεπτικῶς and forbiddingly he begins. "Impossible." No longer (he says) expect that which is not possible; (For he said not, It is not seemly, or, It is not expedient, or, It is not lawful, but "impossible," so as to cast [them] into despair), if ye have once been altogether enlightened.
Then he adds, "and have tasted of the heavenly gift. If ye have tasted" (he says) "of the heavenly gift," that is, of forgiveness. "And been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and tasted the good word of God" (he is speaking here of the doctrine) "and the powers of the world to come" (what powers is he speaking of? either the working of miracles, or "the earnest of the Spirit"— 2 Cor. i. 22 ) "and have fallen away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame." "Renew them," he says, "unto repentance," that is, by repentance, for unto repentance is by repentance. What then, is repentance excluded? Not repentance, far from it! But the renewing again by the laver.28762876 διὰ λουτροῦ For he did not say, "impossible" to be renewed "unto repentance," and stop, but added how "impossible, [by] crucifying afresh."
To "be renewed," that is, to be made new, for to make men new is [the work] of the laver only: for (it is said) "thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle's." ( Ps. ciii. 5.) But it is [the work of] repentance, when those who have been made new, have afterwards become old through sins, to set them free from this old age, and to make them strong.28772877 στερροὺς καινοὺς, Sav. Ben. To bring them to that former brightness however, is not possible; for there the whole was Grace.
[6.] "Crucifying to themselves," he says, "the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to an open shame." What he means is this. Baptism is a Cross, and "our old man was crucified with [Him]" ( Rom. vi. 6 ), for we were "made conformable to the likeness of His death" ( Rom. vi. 5; Philip. iii. 10 ), and again, "we were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death." ( Rom. vi. 4 .) Wherefore, as it is not possible that Christ should be crucified a second time, for that is to "put Him to an open shame."28782878 The common editions add οὕτως οὐδὲ βαπτισθῆναι, "so neither [is it possible] to be baptized [a second time]." The apodosis is wanting in the older text, as it is in several other places. For "if death shall no more have dominion over Him" ( Rom. vi. 9 ), if He rose again, by His resurrection becoming superior to death; if by death He wrestled with and overcame death, and then is crucified again, all those things become a fable and a mockery.28792879 [The original has a paronomasia hardly to be reproduced in English. The word is, παραδειγματισμός, of which the παραδειγματίσαι = "put to an open shame," above is the verb.—F.G.] He 411 then that baptizeth28802880 The later texts add ἑ αυτὸν, "that baptizeth himself." St. Chrys. however is speaking of a bishop who repeats baptism. a second time, crucifies Him again.
But what is "crucifying afresh"? [It is] crucifying over again. For as Christ died on the cross, so do we in baptism, not as to the flesh, but as to sin. Behold two deaths. He died as to the flesh; in our case the old man was buried, and the new man arose, made conformable to the likeness of His death. If therefore it is necessary to be baptized [again28812881 S. B. add πάλιν ], it is necessary that this same [Christ] should die again. For baptism is nothing else than the putting to death of the baptized, and his rising again.
And he well said, "crucifying afresh unto themselves." For he that does this, as having forgotten the former grace,28822882 χάρις. The word is used throughout this passage in the sense of remission, as explained in the next clause. and ordering his own life carelessly, acts in all respects as if there were another baptism. It behooves us therefore to take heed and to make ourselves safe.
[7.] What is, "having tasted of the heavenly gift"? it is, "of the remission of sins": for this is of God alone to bestow, and the grace is a grace once for all. "What then? shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Far from it!" ( Rom. vi. 1, 2.) But if we should be always going to be saved by grace we shall never be good. For where there is but one grace, and we are yet so indolent, should we then cease sinning if we knew that it is possible again to have our sins washed away? For my part I think not.
He here shows that the gifts are many: and to explain it, Ye were counted worthy (he says) of so great forgiveness; for he that was sitting in darkness, he that was at enmity, he that was at open war, that was alienated, that was hated of God, that was lost, he having been suddenly enlightened, counted worthy of the Spirit, of the heavenly gift, of adoption as a son, of the kingdom of heaven, of those other good things, the unspeakable mysteries; and who does not even thus become better, but while indeed worthy of perdition, obtained salvation and honor, as if he had successfully accomplished great things; how could he be again baptized?
On two grounds then he said that the thing was impossible, and he put the stronger last: first, because he who has been deemed worthy of such [blessings], and who has betrayed all that was granted to him, is not worthy to be again renewed; neither28832883 The longer text in Sav. and Ben. adds, δευτέρῳ δὲ ὅτι οὐ, "and secondly because it is not," &c.: the shorter text has only οὐδὲ, omitting "secondly." There are many other instances of a similar negligence of style in the genuine text, as also in other works of St. Chrys. is it possible that [Christ] should again be crucified afresh: for this is to "put Him to an open shame."
There is not then any second laver: there is not [indeed]. And if there is, there is also a third, and a fourth; for the former one is continually disannulled by the later, and this continually by another, and so on without end.
"And tasted," he says, "the good word of God"; and he does not unfold it; "and the powers of the world to come," for to live as Angels and to have no need of earthly things, to know that this is the means of our introduction to the enjoyment of the worlds to come; this may we learn through the Spirit, and enter into those sacred recesses.
What are "the powers of the world to come"? Life eternal, angelic conversation. Of these we have already received the earnest through our Faith from the Spirit. Tell me then, if after having been introduced into a palace, and entrusted with all things therein, thou hadst then betrayed all, wouldest thou have been entrusted with them again?28842884 The common texts add τὰ ἐκεῖ, "the things in heaven." But St. Chrys. is speaking of present privileges here on earth.
[8.] What then (you say)? Is there no repentance? There is repentance, but there is no second baptism: but repentance there is, and it has great force, and is able to set free from the burden of his sins, if he will, even him that hath been baptized much in sins, and to establish in safety him who is in danger, even though he should have come unto the very depth of wickedness. And this is evident from many places. "For," says one, "doth not he that falleth rise again? or he that turneth away, doth not he turn back to [God]?" ( Jer. viii. 4.) It is possible, if we will, that Christ should be formed in us again: for hear Paul saying, "My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you." ( Gal. iv. 19.) Only let us lay hold on repentance.
For behold the love of God to man! We ought on every ground to have been punished at the first; in that having received the natural law, and enjoyed innumerable blessings, we have not acknowledged our Master, and have lived an unclean life. Yet He not only has not punished us, but has even made us partakers of countless blessings, just as if we had accomplished great things. Again we fell away, and not even so does He punish us, but has given medicine of repentance, which is sufficient to put away and blot out all our sins; only if we knew the nature of the medicine, and how we ought to apply it.
What then is the medicine of Repentance and how is it made up? First, of the condemnation of our own sins;28852885 The common texts add καὶ ἀπὸ ἐξαγορεύσεως, "and [of] from confession." "For" (it is said) "mine iniquity have I not hid" ( Ps. xxxii. 5 ); and 412 again, "I will confess against myself my lawlessness unto the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my heart." And "Declare thou at the first thy sins, that thou mayest be justified." ( Isa. xliii. 26.) And, "The righteous man is an accuser of himself at the first speaking." ( Prov. xviii. 17 .)
Secondly, of great humbleness of mind: For it is like a golden chain; if one have hold of the beginning, all will follow. Because if thou confess thy sin as one ought to confess, the soul is humbled. For conscience turning it on itself28862886 συστρέφον causeth it to be subdued.
Other things too must be added to humbleness of mind if it be such as the blessed David knew, when he said, "A broken and a contrite heart God will not despise." ( Ps. li. 17.) For that which is broken does not rise up, does not strike, but is ready to be ill-treated and itself riseth not up. Such is contrition of heart: though it be insulted, though it be evil entreated, it is quiet, and is not eager for vengeance.
And after humbleness of mind, there is need of intense prayers, of many tears, tears by day, and tears by night: for, he says, "every night, will I wash my bed, I will water my couch with my tears. I am weary with my groaning." ( Ps. vi. 6.) And again, "For I have eaten ashes as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping." ( Ps. cii. 9.)
And after prayer thus intense, there is need of much almsgiving: for this it is which especially gives strength to the medicine of repentance. And as there is a medicine among the physicians' helps which receives many herbs, but one is the essential, so also in case of repentance this is the essential herb, yea, it may be everything. For hear what the Divine Scripture says, "Give alms, and all things shall be clean." ( Luke xi. 41 .) And again, "By alms-giving and acts of faithfulness28872887 καὶ πίστεσιν. [These same two words, ἐ λεημοσύναι καί πίστεις, "almsgiving and acts of faithfulness," are used by the Septuagint to translate "mercy and truth" in Prov. iii. 3 also, as if πίστεις were the distinct acts of faithfulness which go to make up truth, comp. true of heart throughout the Psalms.] sins are purged away." ( Prov. xvi. 6.) And, "Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms will do away with great sins." ( Ecclus. iii. 30.)
Next not being angry with any one, not bearing malice; the forgiving all their trespasses. For, it is said, "Man retaineth wrath against man, and yet seeketh healing from the Lord." ( Ecclus. xxviii. 3.) "Forgive that ye may be forgiven." ( Mark xi. 25.)
Also, the converting our brethren from their wandering. For, it is said,28882888 This seems to be an expression of the doctrine of James v. 19, 20 , partially in the language of our Lord, Luke xxii. 33. [Cf. Acts iii. 19.] "Go thou, and convert thy brethren, that thy sins may be forgiven thee." And from one's being in close relations with28892889 ἔ χειν οἰκείως the priests, "and if," it is said, "a man hath committed sins it shall be forgiven him." ( Jas. v. 15.) To stand forward in defense of those who are wronged. Not to retain anger: to bear all things meekly.
[9.] Now then, before you learned that it is possible to have our sins washed away by means of repentance, were ye not in an agony, because there is no second laver, and were ye not in despair of yourselves? But now that we have learned by what means repentance and remission is brought to a successful issue, and that we shall be able entirely to escape, if we be willing to use it aright, what forgiveness can we possibly obtain, if we do not even enter on the thought of our sins? since if this were done, all would be accomplished.
For as he who enters the door, is within; so he who reckons up his own evils will also certainly come to get them cured. But should he say, I am a sinner, without reckoning them up specifically,28902890 κατ̓ εἶδος and saying, This and this sin have I committed, he will never leave off, confessing indeed continually, but never caring in earnest for amendment. For should he have laid down a beginning, all the rest will unquestionably follow too, if only in one point28912891 εἰς ἓν, or, "once for all." he have shown a beginning: for in every case the beginning and the preliminaries are difficult. This then let us lay as a foundation, and all will be smooth and easy.
Let us begin therefore, I entreat you, one with making his prayers intense: another with continual weeping: another with downcast28922892 κατηφεῖν, "seriousness." countenance. For not even is this, which is so small, unprofitable: for "I saw" (it is said) "that he was grieved and went downcast, and I healed his ways." ( Isa. lvii. 17, 18.)
But let us all humble our own souls by alms-giving and forgiving our neighbors their trespasses, by not remembering injuries, nor avenging ourselves. If we continually reflect on our sins, no external circumstances can make us elated: neither riches, nor power, nor authority, nor honor; nay, even should we sit in the imperial chariot itself, we shall sigh bitterly: Since even the blessed David was a King, and yet he said, "Every night I will wash my bed," [&c.] ( Ps. vi. 6 ): and he was not at all hurt by the purple robe and the diadem: he was not puffed up; for he knew himself to be a man, and inasmuch as his heart had been made contrite, he went mourning.
[10.] For what are all things human? Ashes and dust, and as it were spray before the wind; a smoke and a shadow, and a leaf driven here and there; and a flower; a dream, and a tale, and a fable, wind and air vainly puffed out and 413 wasting away; a feather that hath no stay, a stream flowing by, or if there be aught of more nothingness than these.
For, tell me, what dost thou esteem great? What dignity thinkest thou to be great? is it that of the Consul? For the many think no greater dignity than that. He who is not Consul is not a whit inferior to him who is in so great splendor, who is so greatly admired. Both one and the other are of the same dignity; both of them alike, after a little while, are no more.
When was he made [Consul]? For how long a time? tell me: for two days? Nay, this takes place even in dreams. But that is [only] a dream, you say. And what is this? For (tell me) what is by day, is it [therefore] not a dream? Why do we not rather call these things a dream? For as dreams when the day comes on are proved to be nothing: so these things also, when the night comes on, are proved to be nothing. For night and day have received each an equal portion of time, and have equally divided all duration. Therefore as in the day a person rejoices not in what happened at night, so neither in the night is it possible for him to reap the fruit of what is done in the day. Thou hast been made Consul? So was I in the night; only I in the night, thou in the day. And what of this? Not even so hast thou any advantage over me, except haply its being said, Such an one is Consul, and the pleasure that springs from the words, gives him the advantage.
I mean something of this kind, for I will express it more plainly: if I say "Such an one is Consul," and bestow on him the name, is it not gone as soon as it is spoken? So also are the things themselves; no sooner doth the Consul appear, than he is no more. But let us suppose [that he is Consul] for a year, or two years, or three or four years. Where are they who were ten times Consul? Nowhere.
But Paul is not so. For he was, and also is living continually: he did not live one day, nor two, nor ten, and twenty, nor thirty; nor ten and twenty, nor yet thirty years—and die. Even the four hundredth year is now past, and still even yet is he illustrious, yea much more illustrious than when he was alive. And these things indeed [are] on earth; but the glory of the saints in heaven what word could set forth?
Wherefore I entreat you, let us seek this glory; let us pursue after it, that we may attain it. For this is the true glory. Let us henceforth stand aloof from the things of this life, that we may find grace and mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord: with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, power, honor and worship, now and for ever, and world without end. Amen.
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — It can help overthrow dictators. But can it make money?
Protesters famously used Twitter to organize during the Arab Spring three years ago. President Barack Obama announced his 2012 re-election victory using the short messaging service. Lady Gaga tweets. So does the pope.
But for all its power and reach, Twitter gushes losses — $65 million in the third quarter, nearly three times more than it lost a year ago.
As Wall Street analysts size up Twitter ahead of its first public stock sale this week, more than a few are expressing concern about the company's lack of profits.
Those misgivings are echoed by average investors. Some 47 percent of Americans believe Twitter won't be a good investment, according to a recent AP-CNBC poll.
Of course, a company's pre-IPO losses are no indication its stock will do poorly. Amazon.com had big losses before it went public 16 years ago and still occasionally posts them. Yet its stock is up more than 18,000 percent since the IPO.
Even so, future Twitter shareholders poring over the company's more than 200-page IPO document are being asked to take a leap of faith. The document never makes clear when the company will sell enough ads to stanch the red ink and deliver sustainable profits.
What's Twitter's sales pitch to potential investors?
"They're taking you to the edge of a swamp and saying, 'Someday, this is going to be paradise,'" says Anthony Catanach, a professor of accounting at Villanova University.
Pessimists who have gazed at that swamp believe Twitter is going public too soon but can't resist exploiting a market in which investors are eager to look past losses as stock prices soar to record highs. Optimists refuse to believe a company that has turned itself into a worldwide water cooler in just seven years can't make big money — at least someday.
"Twitter is in its infancy, and it's a site a lot more people will go to," says Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. "They'll figure out how to sell advertising."
Many money managers seem to agree. In a reflection of high demand from them for the stock, Twitter on Monday said it expected to sell stock for as much as $25 per share in the IPO, up from its previous estimate of $20.
To the optimists, Twitter's losses are expected, even welcome, as the company spends hundreds of millions of dollars to attract users and build an ad business.
Twitter, those who are bullish about the company point out, is allowing TV advertisers to grab the attention of people who are using Twitter to engage in running commentary on the shows they're watching.
When the lights went out during the Super Bowl in February, for instance, Oreo-maker Mondelez tweeted a picture of the cookie with the caption, "You can still dunk in the dark." People re-tweeted the ad 15,000 in a few hours.
Another example: Earlier this month, moments after New England quarterback Tom Brady was intercepted in a big game, the NFL sent its Twitter followers a video replay, preceded by an eight-second Verizon ad.
Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst at research firm eMarketer, sees plenty more opportunity for Twitter to shake up the ad world. She says Twitter is an ideal medium for targeting people with ads while they're away from home because it's mostly accessed by smartphones and other mobile devices.
Williamson muses about a future in which you tweet that you're hungry for a particular snack, and Twitter, using the location service on your device, sends you a coupon and directs you to a store nearby.
Unfortunately, that's not all that potential Twitter investors are left to muse over after studying the company's IPO document. What companies are its biggest advertisers? The document doesn't say. When does it hope to make profits? It's not clear.
What we do know from the document raises questions about whether Twitter's race to grow quickly is faltering. Twitter had 232 million users in September, up 6 percent from June. The number of people using Twitter had been growing at double-digit rates last year.
Another problem: Those 232 million users are just one-fifth of the 1.19 billion monthly users on Facebook, a big rival for social-media ad dollars.
Brian Wieser, an analyst at Pivotal Research Group, says investors shouldn't be put off by Facebook comparisons. He says Twitter is a "niche" business, but one with potentially a bright future selling ads. He reckons the company is worth maybe $29 per share.
But even bulls like Wieser say Twitter is a gamble. Twitter is less developed than most companies going public, he says, and is therefore an investment perhaps better suited for a venture capitalist than a public investor.
"They have to invent the ad products. They have to evangelize to marketers," he says. "They have to get advertisers to cut checks."
As with any company in the early stages of building its business, investors should expect plenty of hiccups, and in surprising places.
Take Twitter's supposed strength — all those users accessing it via smartphones. Skeptics say that because of the small screen, Twitter could easily alienate users as it tries to squeeze in more tweets from advertisers.
One thing Twitter pessimists can't deny about the IPO: The timing seems perfect. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index is up 30 percent in 2013, and the stocks of plenty of unprofitable companies have soared.
Zynga, a maker of games played over the Internet, is losing money this year and is expected to do the same in 2014. Its stock is up 56 percent this year. Yelp, the user-generated review site, is a big money loser, too. Its stock has more than tripled.
"People get very excited about social media," says Villanova's Catanach. "The passionate user-base wants to invest."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Port of Bremerton Commissioner Roger Zabinski reportedly has
concerns about how the port is portrayed in the press. Apparently
he rode the Bremerton-to-Seattle ferry run Friday morning. As it
turns out, so did Seattle Weekly
reporter editor Chris Kornelis.
They were near each other, one row away. Zabinski got on the phone
and didn't mute his conversation. Kornelis posted on Twitter what
he heard. Here are Kornelis' Tweets.
8:51 OK, I'm on the Bremerton ferry, and the guy behind me is talking about this story in the CK Reporter http://www.centralkitsapreporter.com/news/196140241.html …
8:51 The story is about the Port of Bremerton, and the guy is chewing someone out because he doesn't like how the Port is portrayed
8:52 He's telling the person — it could be the Port CEO — that he needs to be careful about what he says to reporters
8:52 The irony is that he's saying this IN PUBLIC on a CELL PHONE while a reporter is listening.
8:53 I'm not even eves dropping. He's just talking about commission business loudly
8:54 "there's no question that people cannot say that we're not working as a team … we're just taking the high road."
8:54 "all these reporters are talking to one another …" and I just heard the name @davnelson
8:55 "you dont' hear them picking on all the other …" didn't hear the rest
8:55 "We own both the Bremerton and Port Orchard Marina …"
9:06 Bremerton Port Commissioner Roger Zabinski is sitting behind me on the ferry, on his cell scolding someone about how to talk to the press
It appears there was a break in the action, after which Zabinski got on the phone again. This time it appears to have been with a reporter. Here are the remainder of Kornelis' Tweets.
9:37 OH, damn! He's at it again" I wanted to give you some information on background if possible. You don't have to reference me."
9:38 "I know you've been a reporter for a while. You've gotta be careful if you make it look like you're taking sides … Anyway."
9:38 OK, so, seriously, now the commission is scolding a reporter on how to not appear to take sides. This is too much.
9:38 Sorry, commissioner … scolding the reporter, on his cell phone, while sitting behind me on the ferry
9:39 He's talking about "cronyism"
9:49 Ok, lost the rest of the chat while we were disembarking and the commissioner took the call into the bathroom
Chris Kornelis' Tweets can be read on at his Twitter handle @chriskornelis.
5:15 p.m. UPDATE Roger Zabinski called. He said his conversation with Thomson was one in which he reiterated his belief that the port needed a business plan, and that he did disagree with how some of Thomson's comments came off in the CK Reporter piece. He also said he wasn't trying to tell the reporter how to do her job.
Zabinski was curious about the ethics of reporting a one-sided conversation that was overheard.
If you're a public official conducting official business in a public place, the public might be interested to hear about that. I say "might," because it will depend on the issue. In fact, the issue is more important than the person, but the fact that you're someone elected to handle that issue just makes it all the more interesting to the public. In this case it certainly would be interesting to our readers, because it was about an issue that had already been reported, albeit in another publication. In fact, the conversations were about that story.
Zabinski makes the case that he's not on the level of a state legislator, that he is essentially a volunteer, that he can't conduct port business while doing his day job, so he has the right to conduct that business on the ferry. He also said he wasn't yelling. All that is probably true. The fact is, though, he was discussing public business that the public might have some interest in and he was doing it loud enough that Kornelis did not have to strain to hear what Zabinski was saying.
From our perspective it was a no-brainer to publish it here. Once it's out in the Twitterverse it has already been reported. Secondly, it came from a source we have high trust in. Chris Kornelis not only works for Seattle Weekly, he used to work for the Kitsap Sun. He knows how to report. We trusted the accuracy of what he was Tweeting.


text:
From my research, I have come to find a land patent is the highest form of "title to land" per say. If you have a warranty deed stating the land is free and clear of all liens and debt, you can file for a land patent. It's a little bit different process then most. But from what I know, a land patent is granted by congress themselves and it supersedes state and federal government. After it has been achieved, no lien, or tax can be put on the land. No one has the right to take it away for any reason, and without your permission or the name is not on the "application", no one is allowed to come on the property. Also from my understanding, only congress can revoke it or have it changed in anyway.
This is an informative instruction set I found which explains the process.
If I am wrong in any of this information please correct me.
Thoughts on the matter?


text:
OCEAN CITY – Approval of the general order outlining secondary employment for the Police Department was reviewed and sent back to the Police Commission for a second time, after the Mayor and Council voiced concerns this week regarding language in the general order.
Secondary employment restrictions have been in affect for several years now, prohibiting police officers from taking a second job in any establishment that may pose a conflict of interest, such as a business that predominantly sells alcohol. Working in an establishment such as Home Depot as a cashier would not qualify as a conflict of interest, for example.
Changes to the general order were presented earlier this year, providing stricter guidelines for police-related secondary employment, such as security work for a business in town. With the new changes, police officers would be allowed to work security for establishments, but under the direction of the city. For example, if a police officer were hired to work security as secondary employment at a local under-21 nightclub, he or she would still be required to be in OCPD uniform and under the control of the city. Payment would still come from the under-21 nightclub, but would be at a set fee, paid to the city and then paid to the officer.
Officers also are not allowed to work secondary employment as security guards or bouncers within establishments where alcohol is a main source of revenue.
The changes were approved earlier this year by the Police Commission and sent to the Mayor and Council for final approval, however the okay was hindered when local businessmen raised concerns over the selection of employees for their establishment.
As a form of compromise, new language was inserted in the general order, stating, "Assignment lists for police-related secondary employment shall be submitted to the secondary employer for review. The secondary employer reserves the right to disqualify an employee. In the event an employee is disqualified, the next available employee on the eligibility list will be selected for the assignment."
Simply stated, an employer would reserve the right to say no to an officer on the list. The officer would not be informed that he or she were disqualified from the list for that particular employer.
"This was a way of having a sense of fairness," said Lt. Greg Guiton. "Secondary employment, in order to be fair, has to be offered to everyone."
"We didn't want any unfairness between the employers and the employees," said Council member Lloyd Martin.
Council member Jay Hancock questioned why a list of officers could not be presented to the employer, who then reserves the right to choose from the list.
"I don't understand why the guy who runs business 'X' can't make arrangements through the department to have person A, B or C show up at his business at a given time," said Hancock.
In response, Guiton said, "The majority of the secondary employers, I don't think are going to care who is working for them as long as they have the option. I believe there are only one or two employers who are concerned about who the employee might be."
Council member Mary Knight questioned the language, particularly the use of the word "disqualify."
"It has a negative connotation for the employee," she said.
"Why does it have to be disqualify, the word disqualify doesn't have a positive connotation," agreed Mayor Rick Meehan.
Meehan also agreed with Hancock's suggestion of providing employers with a list of potential secondary employees to select.


text:
Correction: Flint Water story
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — In a story June 3 about the criminal investigation of Flint's water crisis, The Associated Press reported erroneously the number of current and former state employees whose mobile devices or hard drives were seized from government storage with search warrants. It was 67, not 66.
A corrected version of the story is below:
APNewsBreak: Ex-governor's phone seized in Flint water probe
Authorities investigating Flint's water crisis have seized from storage the state-owned mobile devices of former Gov. Rick Snyder and 66 other current or former officials
By DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Authorities investigating Flint's water crisis have used search warrants to seize from storage the state-owned mobile devices of former Gov. Rick Snyder and 66 other current or former officials, The Associated Press has learned.
The warrants were sought two weeks ago by the attorney general's office and signed by a Flint judge, according to documents the AP obtained through public records requests.
Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who is helping with the probe, confirmed they executed a series of search warrants related to the criminal investigation of Flint's lead-contaminated water in 2014-15 and a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
The water crisis in Flint was one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in U.S. history. Untreated water leached lead from pipes and into Flint's homes and businesses while cost-cutting financial managers — appointed by Snyder — were running the city.
The investigation has led to charges against 15 current or former government officials, including two who served in the Cabinet of Snyder, a Republican who left office in December. But no one is behind bars, and some Flint residents believe key players who could have prevented the lead debacle are getting off easy.
"As stated in recent motions, the prosecution is aware of substantial potential evidence that was not provided to the original prosecution team from the onset of the investigation," Hammoud said in a statement Monday following the AP's reporting. "The team is currently in the process of obtaining this evidence through a variety of means, including search warrants. The team is also conducting a thorough review of existing and newly received evidence pertaining to the Flint water crisis."
One warrant, signed May 19, lists all content from Snyder's state-issued cellphone, iPad and computer hard drive. Similar information was sought from the devices of 33 employees who worked in his office, 11 in the Department of Environmental Quality and 22 in the Department of Health and Human Services.
The evidence was apparently initially obtained by former special prosecutor Todd Flood with investigative subpoenas. Because it has been kept in a division of the attorney general's office, Hammoud took the unusual step of securing a warrant to search another part of the office. She has been managing the probe since January.
"We're doing everything we can to comply," said Dan Olsen, a spokesman for Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is not involved in the criminal investigation and is instead handling lawsuits against the state by Flint residents. After succeeding former Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette this year, she appointed Hammoud to lead the probe.
A similar warrant was also issued to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
"The department is complying with the warrant. We cannot discuss the details further because it is part of pending litigation," spokesman Caleb Buhs said. A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — formerly the Department of Environmental Quality — confirmed it was served a warrant last week.
The warrants seek data from the devices of individuals who have been charged in the probe but also uncharged officials such as Snyder, former Environmental Quality director Dan Wyant and various people who worked in Snyder's office including former Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, top aide Richard Baird and chief of staff Dick Posthumus.
Snyder attorney Brian Lennon declined to comment on the warrants Monday, saying they are part of ongoing litigation.
The warrants came after Hammoud this year reported that boxes of records were discovered in the basement of a state building, including phone extractions and a "trove" of other materials stored on hard drives that allegedly had not been turned over in response to the subpoenas. She sought long breaks in the criminal cases to look at the boxes and any other evidence, but judges declined to suspend the cases for six months.
Flood was ousted as special prosecutor in April after leading the three-year investigation. Nobody in Snyder's office has been charged.
Hammoud accused Flood of mishandling the production of records and other evidence collected from state agencies. He has defended his work, saying he acted professionally.
Separately, another lawyer from the attorney general's office appeared in court to speak up for attorneys in the department who had assisted Flood in collecting and cataloging mounds of records. Christina Grossi said there was no wrongdoing by staff.
Under Michigan law, the affidavit that Hammoud submitted to get the warrants signed by Judge Nathaniel Perry III will not become public for 56 days, though prosecutors can seek to suppress it longer.
The AP filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the attorney general's office and the budget department to see the warrants they received.
Follow Eggert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00


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text:
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Projects :: Chevron Blanket...Twin Peaks Style
This is from my ripple crochet book that I found at the thrift store quite awhile ago. I have been wanting to make another ripple afghan since I finished my last one and now was the perfect time to start this guy.
And, it never hurts to have a little helper.
I worked on this a bit on the way to Chicago and then almost the entire way home. It still has a ways to go but I have given myself a deadline so it will be finished soon.
Oh yeah, and I call this the Twin Peaks blanket because black and white chevron pattern means only one thing to me...the black lodge and Twin Peaks.
38 comments:
After I finish my craft show crocheting & holiday gift knitting, I'm wanting to work on a blanket for the house. Still not sure yet whether it will be granny square or chevron. After seeing your beautiful projects, I might have to do one of each.
A girl can never have too many handmade blankets!
I need to begin working on my first Afghan but its just so hard and I get frustratedReplyDelete
This is absolutely beautiful!! I wish I could crochet.. This would be a great time to learn it, right? ;)ReplyDelete
crochet + Twin Peaks = AWESOME!ReplyDelete
I love it!ReplyDelete
it looks beautiful! i just posted about a ripple scarf i made. ripples rule :)ReplyDelete
Hey, it's coming along really nicely! I love the simplicity of the black and white. Nice job!ReplyDelete
And what a good theme to work with :P. Kitties are good helpers so long as the claws don't come out, haha
I am so in love with this!!! Beautiful.ReplyDelete
My log told me this is going to turn out awesome.ReplyDelete
Love it! I might have to boost your idea when I'm ready for my next afghan. Goodness knows when that will be at the rate I'm going.....ReplyDelete
How pretty, I love how the chevron pattern extends right to the edge!ReplyDelete
Faye x
Oh my gosh! I love the black & white. It's so different from the colorful-ness (?? totally not a word lol) that is your house. I want to make a chevron afghan, but I just don't have the patience for all that single crocheting... and you don't get the same effect with any other stich... Thumbs up to you for your crafty diligence :)ReplyDelete
Beautiful!! I love the black + white color combo and the awesome chevron pattern!! You are so crafty girl!! xoReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 12, 2012 at 12:17 PM
This makes me want to start knitting SO bad! - It really is gorgeous.ReplyDelete
- tianna :)
This is so crazy! I am actually going to start making a crochet chevron blanket next month. Except with brown and red. :)ReplyDelete
Nicely done lady!
Gaah, it's so lovely! I'd love a chevron blanket to add to my crochet collection! xo.ReplyDelete
Wow, that's gorgeous! Black and white is an unusual colour combination for a crochet blanket. I love it!ReplyDelete
it is so hard not to start on new crochet projects when you've already got one going! i fall victim to this often. i also started a chevron crochet blanket months ago and i am no where near close to you. you work fast girl! can i ask what brand yarn you use? i love hobby lobby, it's so soft and they come in huge skeins!ReplyDelete
if i were to try this again i would definitely do the black and white. i love this look.
I need to get serious about crocheting and make me a chevron afghan for my bedroom. It's very therapeutic.ReplyDelete
I find kitties are all very handy when it comes to yarn.ReplyDelete
LOVE the chevron.
BEAUTIFUL ! Looks like it's coming out real nice and tight (your stiches). Beautiful hypnotic layout of black and white :) With the weather cooling down in Canada (Quebec for me) i restarded my ripple blanket too :) She's a multicolored one!ReplyDelete
Happy Ripple, i know the feeling!
adoring chevron right now!ReplyDelete
still working on mine! what size hook are you using?ReplyDelete
looks gorgeous!
I have several of these that my grandmother made. I even made one (with her help) when I was a kid -- in yellow and orange. For some reason, I had my whole room done in yellow and orange...with Duran Duran posters on the wall!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 13, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Beautiful! I attempted an afghan a few years ago, and failed miserably. I decided this year I want to try again, and I'm thinking granny squares first. I would love to make one like this, maybe once I practice more.ReplyDelete
Nice work! I want to give crocheting a shot again. I knit, but nothing so large. I love it!ReplyDelete
These are my favorite to work on, classic afghan ripples! I really love the black and white contrast too!ReplyDelete
I love the blanket design! It looks awesome. I so want to learn how to crochet to make myself blankets.ReplyDelete
I don't know if I missed something but is there a pattern for this awesome chevron afghan? I would love to have the pattern. My mom crochets constantly. Great blanket design! Thanks so much.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 18, 2012 at 6:23 AM
Ohhh that's wonderful! I keep meaning to get started on a crochet blanket, but meaning to do it is always about as far as I get... whoops! I think it's the thought of buying all that wool... so daunting. I think my puppy will try and eat it all!ReplyDelete
Morgue x
Your comment will appear after approval. Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hi, I may not always respond but I always appreciate hearing from you.


text:
When India's supreme court effectively re-banned gay sex earlier today, it set aside the ruling of one of its own high courts in favor of a law imposed on India by its British occupiers in 1861. That means it has now re-joined 75 other countries that explicitly punish gay sex with imprisonment. Here's a look:
What do many of these countries have in common? More than half were former British colonies:
In fact, the law that India's supreme court just upheld is one of the most resilient relics of the British Empire. Known as Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, it imposed Victorian values on what colonial rulers viewed as unpardonable tolerance toward homosexuality throughout their empire. The British instituted versions of Section 377 in colonies all over the world (pdf, p.5). India's ruling today brings the tally to 42 out of 52 British Commonwealth countries (pdf, p.3) in which the law is still on the books.
But was it just the British? You might notice that a lot of the other countries from the map above where homosexuality is illegal were French colonies:
And many Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and Belgian ex-colonies have high penalties for gay sex too. However, in these cases colonialism isn't the culprit. Nearly all of the non-British former European colonies with stiff penalties for homosexual relations instituted them after independence.
That's probably because the French Revolution banned religious courts, which had previously handled sodomy. This policy spread to the Netherlands in 1811 when France invaded the country. Throughout the 1800s, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy all decriminalized sodomy (pdf, p.22), as Douglas E. Sanders, a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, explains.
A more obvious factor keeping homosexuality illegal in many of these countries is Islam. Take for instance the countries that punish gay sex with death: Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, and parts of Nigeria and Somalia. Some—Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia—inherited British colonial anti-gay laws. But they too instituted the death penalty long after independence—most in the last 40 years—in line with Islamic sharia law. Many of the other 76 countries with severe anti-gay laws are also Islamic states.
India, however, isn't. And before the British invasion, it was much more tolerant of homosexuality. So why would India and so many other ex-colonial countries cling so tightly to the moral whims of Victorian Englishmen that were never their own?
One reason might be that morality codes give governments a way to build a national identity around shared values, often as a foil to permissive Western countries. But a more prosaic one is that anti-gay laws are also a handy way to fortify state control (as is now happening in Russia).
What's more, they always have been. Section 377 originated from a 1536 English law instituted by Henry VIII. Legally speaking, it shifted the law from church courts to secular ones. In practice, it let Henry accuse Catholics of rampant sodomy, sullying the Papacy's divine authority, argues Sanders. That turned out to be sufficient pretext for Henry to justify seizing monastic properties, claiming a huge portion of England's landed wealth for the state.


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You should start here
I know what you're thinking: Wasn't there just an Etrian Odyssey game a bit ago?
Yes. Etrian Odyssey IV. And it was really good. So why another so soon?
This new one, Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl, is both a remake and a re-imagining of the first EO game. It uses EO4's engine and some of the lessons learned from making that game to put a new twist on a title that Atlus fans may have missed. Untold also adds a full-on story mode as a series first, as well as new gameplay features that make it easier to get into.
The end result is the most accessible Etrian Odyssey ever made as well as a perfect introduction to the series.
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl (3DS)
Developer: Atlus
Publisher: Atlus
Released: October 1, 2013
While all Etrian Odyssey games have a proper story, they leave it up to you to create a party. The world's existing characters are the cast, and your party members are just there for the journey as generic heroes. Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl is different in that it has a proper JRPG-style story with a preset cast of heroes. Untold still offers a "classic" mode for those who were fine with how the previous series games played out, but I expect that most will want to jump in to experience the story Atlus has crafted this time out.
In this story you play as a highlander taking his first real assignment. On this first mission you encounter a girl with no memory that seems to come from another time. You end up meeting some unlikely party members and begin journeying together to help this girl recover her memory, and you end up saving the world while you're at it.
It's not the most original story out there, but Atlus does put some production value into telling it. As always, the dialogue writing is fantastic, and they've put in plenty of spoken voice to accent the lines. Key plot points get the full treatment with very high-quality anime sequences. What the story lacks in creativity it makes up for in charm.
That all said, the story does have its high points, and while trope-heavy, is completely inoffensive. It's sufficiently entertaining and does wrap up nicely, so there's that. As with all the other EO titles, the gameplay is the main attraction point.
On the gameplay side for this story mode, instead of characters you've rolled, you get a pre-defined party, complete with a gun user, an alchemist, a healer, and a tank. And your character as a variable. This makes for a nicely matched party that you can jump right into and feel comfortable using. You won't get the weird satisfaction of creating some unique mix of, say, all Nightseekers, but you can always go back to classic mode later and roll your own.
Your party will venture out from the core city of Etria, insta-warping to one of the world's overabundance of complex dungeons to carry out missions. There is nothing in the way of overworlds or towns to explore, so no travel to worry about. It's just Etria and a lot of dungeons divided across several sub-areas called stratum. Fans of the more recent series games may miss the open-world exploration here.
The battle system works out to be almost exactly as it was in Etrian Odyssey IV, though being an earlier game, it lacks some of IV's depth. As with the other games, you'll encounter random enemies during your dungeon crawls and then pulled away to a first-person turn-based battle system where both your party and your enemies fight from two rows. You'll level up and earn points to dump into deep skill trees, letting you customize each character's ability sets to your liking.
A few new additions to the battle system have been added this time around. A boost gauge is filled which each battle, and when full it lets you power up your attacks temporarily. Grimoire Stones gathered from battle can contain enemies' skills or powers. Your party can equip these stones to use this power in battle. There's some fun to be had in combining stones to generate ability sets to benefit your journey. Really digging in can reward with some pretty powerful creations, some so good that they can make the game feel a little easy. You'll have to put in the work, but it's worth it.
One thing that hasn't changed is the level of challenge. Etrian Odyssey games have never been easy, and this new one puts up a fair fight, too. Add a high encounter rate and you'll be working hard to stay alive. Bosses will have you stretching your powers and resources to their very end, and scary field enemies, called FOEs, will have you running for the hills. As with the previous installments, I feel the stiff challenge makes for a more exciting dungeon crawl. But if you're in it for the experience and story and don't want to take all of the heat, the game's casual setting turns down the enemy fight power a bit. But even casual mode will present a pretty solid challenge.
As with the other series games, Etrian Odyssey Untold has you using the 3DS' bottom screen to draw maps of dungeons on a grid. Just as I explained in previous series reviews, there's something to charting out every stage and dungeon. It sounds tedious on paper, but ends up being quite entertaining. I've related getting your maps right to properly equipping your party — there's a similar kind of planning enjoyment to be had from cartography. This unique type of enjoyment may not speak to everyone, but it should to any RPG fan.
And it's useful! There's nothing like coming back to a dungeon (there's a lot of revisiting in Etrian Odyssey) for another quest and knowing exactly where you're at from your properly graphed maps. You can notate things like secret paths and item wells to your heart's content using the mapping tools, making your journey much easier. Just think of EO's mapping tools as virtual pen and graph paper.
Now, if you were one that tried one of the previous Etrian Odyssey games and decided you didn't like to draw maps, you'll be glad to hear about the new auto-mapping features. Turn these on and you won't have to do much to get your dungeon maps filled out. Walking automatically colors in paths and draws walls. The most you'll have to do is notate key locations, and that's optional. With this feature on, you won't have to stress out about getting your maps drawn. But I still say that there's fun to be had with drawing your own.
Etrian Odyssey Untold also adds in a few more tweaks for accessibility's sake. Floor Jumping lets you revisit stairways you've previously used, saving you from a lot of backtracking after returning to town. Once in the dungeon, simply touch the stairway you'd like to be warped to.
Untold earns high marks in the presentation department. The character and enemy artwork are outstanding, looking a fair bit better than EOIV. Get ready for some of the prettiest bad guys you've ever seen. The previously mentioned fully animated cutscenes, quality localization, and voiced dialogue all go toward making this game one of the best looking 3DS titles from Atlus, right up there with Shin Megami Tensei IV.
Yuzo Koshiro, one of the best composers in the business, is back for Untold. He brings back the pretty tunes, with a move away from EOIV's jazz-tinged tunes and more toward delicate, emotional pieces. These are beautiful songs that stand on their own outside the game — a treat for the ears. And if you don't dig his new work for Untold, feel free to switch the score to the original Etrian Odyssey music.
I like Etrian Odyssey so much that I've been trying to get JRPG fans into this franchise for years. Obviously, for dungeon crawler fans it's a perfect fit. Those that like a hardcore challenge are also easy to rope in. For everyone else, EO has always been a hard sell. I try to tell them that the mapping, planning, and careful treading through dungeons is incredibly rewarding in the end. I try to tell them that they'll be drawn in very quickly after trying it out. I remind them that RPGs used to be made this way.
It has become easier over the years. Etrian Odyssey IV made some pretty big steps toward accessibility, which helped. I think that Etrian Odyssey Untold is even better for bringing new players in. It's a remake of the first game, it tweaks and improves what works, removes what doesn't, and adds features to make play feel less like a grind.
Again, this game may not have the most interesting story, but it's charming enough to make up for that. It also didn't have the impact that Etrian Odyssey IV did for me, as the battles don't seen as deep. But Untold beats all the others out for presentation and accessibility, which counts for a lot.
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl is a deep and hugely rewarding 3DS RPG that I'm more than happy to recommend.


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Saturday, July 2
Daily Farm Photo: 7/2/05
New Cat Gives A Backward Glance From The Cat Cabin
Attention Cat Lovers!
Cat Food Bloggers unite every weekend and share pictures of our favorite felines.
We'd love to have you join us; just send your permalink in a comment to me or to Eat Stuff
In the meantime, be sure to visit Taffy at Eat Stuff and Kittaya at Mahanandi
5 comments:
I want to hear new cats story!
He is sooo fluffy and orange and cute
Here is my wcb4 linkReplyDelete
Thanks for putting the link up!ReplyDelete
I was wondering have you asked to be put on Food porn watch yet?
- Anonymous7/02/2005 3:47 PM
It looks like he is hiding something or is he camera shy? What a cutie! How old is he/she?ReplyDelete
Frenchie, Mc Auliflower at brownie points cat has joined us too! YAyReplyDelete
December 2015 update: Hi! For some reason I can't figure out, Blogger hasn't been letting me leave comments on my own blog (!) for the last several months, so I've been unable to respond to your comments and questions. My apologies for any inconvenience! You're always welcome to email me: farmgirlfare AT gmail DOT com.
Hi! Thanks for visiting Farmgirl Fare and taking the time to write. While I'm not always able to reply to every comment, I receive and enjoy reading them all.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and I especially love hearing about your experiences with my recipes. Comments on older posts are always welcome!
Please note that I moderate comments, so if I'm away from the computer it may be a while before yours appears.
I try my best to answer all questions, though sometimes it takes me a few days. And sometimes, I'm sorry to say, they fall through the cracks, and for that I sincerely apologize.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy your e-visits to our farm!


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PhD in Chemistry | Doctorate in Chemistry in Newfoundland
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Admission to doctoral level chemistry programs typically requires a Bachelor/Master degree in chemistry or a related field, examinations that evaluate knowledge and research skills, and possibly completion of a research project. Most programs last from 3 to 8 years and involve coursework and a dissertation for completion of the degree. Students are often encouraged to develop their communication skills by giving presentations on their research findings.
Graduates of Chemistry PhD programs may be prepared for higher-level positions in the field, academia, or continuing education with post-doctoral research.
Choosing a Doctorate Program in Chemistry: Online or On-Campus?
Depending on your unique study needs, GradSchools.com can help you find campus and Online PhD in Chemistry programs. Some universities might actually offer distance-learning formats of their onsite programs, so you are not sacrificing quality. If you prefer the real classroom to the virtual one, search for graduate schools by location, choosing the city, state or country you prefer to study in.
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In addition to independent research and a dissertation, there are general courses that students may be able to choose themselves, depending on their interests. They will also complete research seminars and laboratory components, which will give them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a hands-on setting. Students who aspire to teach Chemistry may also be able to teach lower-level classes or assist a professor in order to gain the experience. Some of the potential coursework students may choose from might include:
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Common concentrations offered by doctoral programs in chemistry include analytical chemistry, materials chemistry, and biochemistry.
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Graduates with a Doctorate degree may choose a variety of potential career paths. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while the job outlook for chemists is slow employment growth, 6 percent, between 2021 and 2031, candidates with a PhD may have better job prospects and are qualified for some higher-level positions, such as leading research teams or teaching at the post-collegiate level. Popular career options include:
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Chemistry is part of so many industries; food, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing all requires the work of professional chemists. Research in Chemistry has fostered discovery and development of new and improved drugs, plastics, cleaners, as well as a full spectrum of other products. With a PhD, you might be part of the next wave of genius innovators or researchers or leaders. Start reviewing doctorate degree on GradSchools.com to find the one that resonates with your goals!
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Popular Schools with Chemistry PhD Programs | PhD in Chemistry in Newfoundland


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Natural light macro / close-up photography tips:
In this post, I will be sharing tips on shooting with natural light. Although all my shots here are macro and/or close-up shots, the same tips apply for non-macro photography as well, i.e. landscape, product, etc.
Note: for flash macro/close up photography, check out this post.
I seldom shoot with natural light with my MPE65. Even at its minimum magnification of 1:1, it is very tough to get a sharp shot without flash. Besides, the working distance of 4" makes it a real pain to set up a tripod. Not many insects are willing to put up with you while you set up a tripod just 4" (MPE65's maximum working distance) away from it, are there? Nevertheless, I have seen quite a few great NL shots with the MPE on Flickr and some forums. Most were done with slightly higher ISO and with the aid of bean bags.
With a longer lens, however, it is a different story. The longer working distance will allow me to set up my tripod comfortably without spooking my macro subjects. You will also get this wonderful bokeh that shorter focal length can't provide.
Natural light macro/close-up is best done in the early morning and/or late afternoon when the quality of light is good, or when you are under shades or canopy that shields out harsh, direct light.
When I shoot with natural light, I almost always use the Av mode. I decide what aperture I want, which is normally F11 (or higher when i am greedy for more DOF and the background is not too distracting), and let the camera's light meter decide the shutter speed. I normally set the ISO to 200. ISO100 is preferred but when it is windy and the subject moves a lot, ISO200 will mean half the exposure time and higher chances of sharper shots.
Theopropus elegans, 40D, Sigma 150, tripod, reflector, 1/10, F11, ISO200, 2 second timer
Laternaria ruhli, 40D, Sigma 150mm F/2.8 on tripod. 2 seconds, F14, ISO100, tripod, natural light, w/o reflector, 2 sec timer
Wet caterpillar.
Shield bug nymph.
Another caterpillar, a hairy one.
White lipped frog.
Green crested lizard, stacked from a few handheld shots.
I used CombineZ freeware for the stack but I am really not very good at that. Most of the times, I do manual stack. However, since upgrading to CS5 in May 2012, I have been doing my stacking in CS5.
Handsome male great angle head lizard, Gonocephalus grandis.
More about these fascinating lizards here.
Robber fly with prey
More robber flies here.
Katydid nymph on a wild flower plant
Male Dragonfly, Crimson dropwing (Trithemis aurora)
Here's an slr macro photography tip i've discovered:
I mounted my 40D and Sigma 150 on a tripod using the tripod collar instead of the camera base. I focused manually by using the viewfinder. After that i turned on the Live View before i pressed the shutter to activate the preset 2 secs timer. Using the timer is a cheap but effective alternative to a cable release.
Why manual focusing via the viewfinder and not via 10X zoomed in Live View?
The 10X zoomed in view on the 40D is just not great for focus confirmation because the LCD on the 40D has only 230,000 dots. On those with 920,000 dots (or more) like 5DM2, 7D, 60D, 550D, it's great though. The use of the Live View is a real battery drainer though so be prepared.
Why Live View then? Well...to get the Mirrors up (MLU) in order to avoid mirror slap vibration that will ruin sharpness at low shutter speed...in the region of 1/50 to 1/2 second. Please also check out "Live View and Mirror Lock Up" on Juza Forum to find out if you have the right type of Live View that replaces MLU.
I also re-focused and repeated the whole process again to ensure i get at least a few reasonably sharp images. Repeat this process for as many times as possible until you're confident that you are going to get at least a couple of sharp shots. The subject might have moved a little bit without you knowing it. It could be the antennae, the mouth parts, the legs. Movement due to wind is another factor to be considered.
Here are few accessories that will come in handy when shooting with natural light.
A plamp. Use it to clamp onto branch/perch to cut down wind movement, or to hold a green leaf to avoid black background in full flash macro photography! Use your imagination :)
You can find out on how to DIY your own plamp here.
Reflector and tripod. I normally use only the silver side. Sometimes, when you have to shoot under direct and/or harsh light, a diffuser will help a great deal, as explained in this post.
Never underestimate the power of a simple reflector. This image, for example, would have been terrible because of the strong backlighting, but with the help of a reflector, we could throw in some light onto the subject. Still not great but at least I got a decent shot there! For more info on the use of reflector in natural light macro photography, check this out.
If you really must know what else I have in my camera bag, check out "What's in my bag" :D
If i shoot NL without a tripod, I sometimes raise the ISO to as high as 800, maybe 1000 but not any higher, and lower the F number to as low as F6.3, and set the drive mode to Continuous H mode (6.5 fps on the 40D). I will also capture even more shots than with a tripod.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tips on shooting with natural light
4 comments:
The modded perch is an absolut sttuning idea!!!ReplyDelete
save the pic for doing one for me later! ;-)
Thanx kurt!,
- AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Great tips, Kurt.ReplyDelete
"with the aid of bean bags" - what does this mean?
Thanks Nick. That plamp is a great tool, not just for shooting with natural light, also handy for holding a leaf as background when shooting full flash, to avoid black background.ReplyDelete
Thanks Ted. I mean resting the SLR on a bean bag when shooting at close to ground level, where a tripod is too high.
very nice information sir......will experiment it...ReplyDelete
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This news article featuring Rick Bernardi has been reproduced here for our media archives.
by Sarah Goodyear on September 17, 2009
On Bicyclelaw.com yesterday, there was a terrible story out of Canada about a crash involving a reckless motorist and law-abiding cyclists.
What was the response to the shocking case of careless driving, which left five bikers gravely injured? The local police initiated a ticket blitz aimed at…cyclists breaking the law (one of the offenses often cited was a failure to have a bell on the bicycle). It's reminiscent of the recent crackdown on jaywalking in Savannah in response to a pedestrian death.
Rick Bernardi writes on the blog that people on bikes should certainly obey the rules of the road. But:
All that said, didn't it strike anybody — anybody? — at the Ottawa Police Service that in rounding up "the usual suspects," they just might be targeting the wrong people? If they were truly attempting to develop an enforcement response to a shocking and horrific crash — and there's no reason to believe that they weren't sincere in their response — would it make any sense at all to target cyclists? After all, the cyclists injured in the crash were all law-abiding cyclists, riding in the bicycle lane, and run down by a driver who never hit his brakes, continued driving for another 400 feet as he hit one cyclist after another, and then with his victims lying critically injured on the roadway behind him, continued on his way as if nothing had happened.
The strategy of targeting more vulnerable users in efforts to improve road safety is nothing new. The Copenhagenize blog is running a fascinating series on the perception and reality of cycling safety by Dave Horton, a sociologist in the UK. In a post today, Horton goes into the history of how a "fear of cycling" was "constructed" — and how the onus for staying safe was placed not on drivers of motor vehicles, but on pedestrians and cyclists:
The transformation of streets for people into roads for cars, perhaps inevitably, produced death and injury. By 1936 concerns about the alarming rise in cyclist casualties had led to the idea of a cycling proficiency scheme, eventually adopted nationally in 1948 (CTC 2005). To stem the carnage, cyclists must be trained to deal with the new, dangerous conditions. But things could have been otherwise. A 1947 book by J. S. Dean, former Chairman of the Pedestrians' Association, is instructive here. In his "study of the road deaths problem," Murder Most Foul, Dean's basic tenet is that, "as roads are only 'dangerous' by virtue of being filled with heavy fast-moving motor vehicles, by far the greatest burden of responsibility for avoiding crashes, deaths and injury on the roads should lie with the motorist" (Peel n.d., 3).
Yet road safety education concentrates not on the drivers of vehicles, but on those who they have the capacity to kill. Dean saw how placing responsibility for road danger on those outside of motorised vehicles might lead, by stealth, to placing of culpability on those groups, and Murder Most Foul is a tirade against the placing of responsibility for road accidents on children.
This history is especially relevant in light of the recent wave ofprohibitions on cycling to school in this country that Brad wrote about earlier this week.
Special cognitive dissonance bonus: an item on the Wall Street Journalwebsite about Tea Party protesters who went to Washington to complain about government spending of taxpayer money, and then were dissatisfied with the city's taxpayer-funded Metro (h/t Trains for America).
Some of them, apparently, even had to resort to the free-market taxi system.


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ESDS launches a New Design and Development Division, TeamGrowth
ESDS a premier datacenter in India, has announced the launch of its new Web and Software development division – TeamGrowth, in rejoinder to the ever-increasing demand of interactive websites, application development and automation in the business world today. With the successful launch of a fully managed datacenter in Nashik, Maharashtra earlier this year, the company quickly developed a reputation as a leader in managed web hosting and datacenter services. To expand its services portfolio and to be in a position to offer complete web solutions to its customers under one roof, the company has now forayed into web design and development profile.
TeamGrowth ( http://teamgrowth.net ) specializes in custom software applications such as content management systems, e-commerce, web portals, social networking sites, data collection and management, browser plug-ins, and mobile application development for iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android etc. The team works with a variety of technologies and applications but specializes in ERP, SAP, Core Banking, PHP, .NET, Perl, Flash & FLEX.
With an in-house and experienced Research and Development team already in place, the company is quite confide that they have a viable solution for every requirement, even if that means developing it from scratch. The understanding that each business is different and hence, requires a specifically devised solution to market itself on the gigantic platform of web, is what differentiates TeamGrowth from other companies.
Mr. Piyush Somani, Managing Director & CEO of ESDS said,"This is a natural progression for ESDS. We have a highly experienced Research and Development team and our clients have been impressed by the functionality of the applications and automation systems we have developed so far. By adding these new services to our portfolio, we are not only expanding our business but helping our clients by providing them with the tools they need to achieve success."
Applications and automation systems developed by the team at ESDS, and used for in-house operations include eMagic server automation system and eHostBill. eMagic is an automation system for Remote Server Management & Monitoring while eHostBill is a complete web hosting billing management system with features such as automatic billing, automatic account creation, support for multiple payment gateways & much more.
The company is confident about its services and ability of continuously introducing really advanced solutions to take online businesses to a much higher level than ever before.