text:
Daniel Deronda
George Eliot's Zionist Novel - 1876
Daniel Deronda - George Eliot's Zionist Novel - 1876
On a fine evening near the end of July, Deronda was rowing himself on the Thames. It was already a year or more since he had come back to England, with the understanding that his education was finished, and that he was somehow to take his place in English society; but though, in deference to Sir Hugo's wish, and to fence off idleness, he had began to read law, this apparent decision had been without other result than to deepen the roots of indecision. His old love of boating had revived with the more force now that he was in town with the Mallingers, because he could nowhere else get the same still seclusion which the river gave him. He had a boat of his own at Putney, and whenever Sir Hugo did not want him, it was his chief holiday to row till past sunset and come in again with the stars. Not that he was in a sentimental stage; but he was in another sort of contemplative mood perhaps more common in the young men of our day--that of questioning whether it were worth while to take part in the battle of the world: I mean, of course, the young men in whom the unproductive labor of questioning is sustained by three or five per cent, on capital which somebody else has battled for. It puzzled Sir Hugo that one who made a splendid contrast with all that was sickly and puling should be hampered with ideas which, since they left an accomplished Whig like himself unobstructed, could be no better than spectral illusions; especially as Deronda set himself against authorship--a vocation which is understood to turn foolish thinking into funds.
Rowing in his dark-blue shirt and skull-cap, his curls closely clipped, his mouth beset with abundant soft waves of beard, he bore only disguised traces of the seraphic boy "trailing clouds of glory." Still, even one who had never seen him since his boyhood might have looked at him with slow recognition, due perhaps to the peculiarity of the gaze which Gwendolen chose to call "dreadful," though it had really a very mild sort of scrutiny. The voice, sometimes audible in subdued snatches of song, had turned out merely a high baritone; indeed, only to look at his lithe, powerful frame and the firm gravity of his face would have been enough for an experienced guess that he had no rare and ravishing tenor such as nature reluctantly makes at some sacrifice. Look at his hands: they are not small and dimpled, with tapering fingers that seem to have only a deprecating touch: they are long, flexible, firmly-grasping hands, such as Titian has painted in a picture where he wanted to show the combination of refinement with force. And there is something of a likeness, too, between the faces belonging to the hands--in both the uniform pale-brown skin, the perpendicular brow, the calmly penetrating eyes. Not seraphic any longer: thoroughly terrestrial and manly; but still of a kind to raise belief in a human dignity which can afford to recognize poor relations.
Such types meet us here and there among average conditions; in a workman, for example, whistling over a bit of measurement and lifting his eyes to answer our question about the road. And often the grand meanings of faces as well as of written words may lie chiefly in the impressions that happen just now to be of importance in relation to Deronda, rowing on the Thames in a very ordinary equipment for a young Englishman at leisure, and passing under Kew Bridge with no thought of an adventure in which his appearance was likely to play any part. In fact, he objected very strongly to the notion, which others had not allowed him to escape, that his appearance was of a kind to draw attention; and hints of this, intended to be complimentary, found an angry resonance in him, coming from mingled experiences, to which a clue has already been given. His own face in the glass had during many years associated for him with thoughts of some one whom he must be like--one about whose character and lot he continually wondered, and never dared to ask.
In the neighborhood of Kew Bridge, between six and seven o'clock, the river was no solitude. Several persons were sauntering on the towing-path, and here and there a boat was plying. Deronda had been rowing fast to get over this spot, when, becoming aware of a great barge advancing toward him, he guided his boat aside, and rested on his oar within a couple of yards of the river-brink. He was all the while unconsciously continuing the low-toned chant which had haunted his throat all the way up the river --the gondolier's song in the "Otello," where Rossini has worthily set to music the immortal words of Dante--
and, as he rested on his oar, the pianissimo fall of the melodic wail "nella miseria" was distinctly audible on the brink of the water. Three or four persons had paused at various spots to watch the barge passing the bridge, and doubtless included in their notice the young gentleman in the boat; but probably it was only to one ear that the low vocal sounds came with more significance than if they had been an insect-murmur amidst the sum of current noises. Deronda, awaiting the barge, now turning his head to the river-side, and saw at a few yards' distant from him a figure which might have been an impersonation of the misery he was unconsciously giving voice to: a girl hardly more than eighteen, of low slim figure, with most delicate little face, her dark curls pushed behind her ears under a large black hat, a long woolen cloak over her shoulders. Her hands were hanging down clasped before her, and her eyes were fixed on the river with a look of immovable, statue-like despair. This strong arrest of his attention made him cease singing: apparently his voice had entered her inner world without her taking any note of whence it came, for when it suddenly ceased she changed her attitude slightly, and, looking round with a frightened glance, met Deronda's face. It was but a couple of moments, but that seemed a long while for two people to look straight at each other. Her look was something like that of a fawn or other gentle animal before it turns to run away: no blush, no special alarm, but only some timidity which yet could not hinder her from a long look before she turned. In fact, it seemed to Deronda that she was only half conscious of her surroundings: was she hungry, or was there some other cause of bewilderment? He felt an outleap of interest and compassion toward her; but the next instant she had turned and walked away to a neighboring bench under a tree. He had no right to linger and watch her: poorly-dressed, melancholy women are common sights; it was only the delicate beauty, picturesque lines and color of the image that was exceptional, and these conditions made it more markedly impossible that he should obtrude his interest upon her. He began to row away and was soon far up the river; but no other thoughts were busy enough quite to expel that pale image of unhappy girlhood. He fell again and again to speculating on the probable romance that lay behind that loneliness and look of desolation; then to smile at his own share in the prejudice that interesting faces must have interesting adventures; then to justify himself for feeling that sorrow was the more tragic when it befell delicate, childlike beauty.
"I should not have forgotten the look of misery if she had been ugly and vulgar," he said to himself. But there was no denying that the attractiveness of the image made it likelier to last. It was clear to him as an onyx cameo; the brown-black drapery, the white face with small, small features and dark, long-lashed eyes. His mind glanced over the girl- tragedies that are going on in the world, hidden, unheeded, as if they were but tragedies of the copse or hedgerow, where the helpless drag wounded wings forsakenly, and streak the shadowed moss with the red moment-hand of their own death. Deronda of late, in his solitary excursions, had been occupied chiefly with uncertainties about his own course; but those uncertainties, being much at their leisure, were wont to have such wide-sweeping connections with all life and history that the new image of helpless sorrow easily blent itself with what seemed to him the strong array of reasons why he should shrink from getting into that routine of the world which makes men apologize for all its wrong-doing, and take opinions as mere professional equipment--why he should not draw strongly at any thread in the hopelessly-entangled scheme of things.
He used his oars little, satisfied to go with the tide and be taken back by it. It was his habit to indulge himself in that solemn passivity which easily comes with the lengthening shadows and mellow light, when thinking and desiring melt together imperceptibly, and what in other hours may have seemed argument takes the quality of passionate vision. By the time he had come back again with the tide past Richmond Bridge the sun was near setting: and the approach of his favorite hour--with its deepening stillness and darkening masses of tree and building between the double glow of the sky and the river--disposed him to linger as if they had been an unfinished strain of music. He looked out for a perfectly solitary spot where he could lodge his boat against the bank, and, throwing himself on his back with his head propped on the cushions, could watch out the light of sunset and the opening of that bead-roll which some oriental poet describes as God's call to the little stars, who each answer, "Here am I." He chose a spot in the bend of the river just opposite Kew Gardens, where he had a great breadth of water before him reflecting the glory of the sky, while he himself was in shadow. He lay with his hands behind his head, propped on a level with the boat's edge, so that he could see all round him, but could not be seen by any one at a few yards' distance; and for a long while he never turned his eyes from the view right in front of him. He was forgetting everything else in a half-speculative, half- involuntary identification of himself with the objects he was looking at, thinking how far it might be possible habitually to shift his centre till his own personality would be no less outside him than the landscape--when the sense of something moving on the bank opposite him where it was bordered by a line of willow bushes, made him turn his glance thitherward. In the first moment he had a darting presentiment about the moving figure; and now he could see the small face with the strange dying sunlight upon it. He feared to frighten her by a sudden movement, and watched her with motionless attention. She looked round, but seemed only to gather security from the apparent solitude, hid her hat among the willows, and immediately took off her woolen cloak. Presently she seated herself and deliberately dipped the cloak in the water, holding it there a little while, then taking it out with effort, rising from her seat as she did so. By this time Deronda felt sure that she meant to wrap the wet cloak round her as a drowning shroud; there was no longer time to hesitate about frightening her. He rose and seized his oar to ply across; happily her position lay a little below him. The poor thing, overcome with terror at this sign of discovery from the opposite bank, sank down on the brink again, holding her cloak half out of the water. She crouched and covered her face as if she kept a faint hope that she had not been seen, and that the boatman was accidentally coming toward her. But soon he was within brief space of her, steadying his boat against the bank, and speaking, but very gently--
"Don't be afraid. You are unhappy. Pray, trust me. Tell me what I can do to help you."
She raised her head and looked up at him. His face now was toward the light, and she knew it again. But she did not speak for a few moments which were a renewal of their former gaze at each other. At last she said in a low sweet voice, with an accent so distinct that it suggested foreignness and yet was not foreign, "I saw you before," and then added dreamily, after a like pause, "nella miseria."
Deronda, not understanding the connection of her thoughts, supposed that her mind was weakened by distress and hunger.
"It was you, singing?" she went on, hesitatingly--"Nessun maggior dolore." The mere words themselves uttered in her sweet undertones seemed to give the melody to Deronda's ear.
"Ah, yes," he said, understanding now, "I am often singing them. But I fear you will injure yourself staying here. Pray let me take you in my boat to some place of safety. And that wet cloak--let me take it."
He would not attempt to take it without her leave, dreading lest he should scare her. Even at his words, he fancied that she shrank and clutched the cloak more tenaciously. But her eyes were fixed on him with a question in them as she said, "You look good. Perhaps it is God's command."
"Do trust me. Let me help you. I will die before I will let any harm come to you."
She rose from her sitting posture, first dragging the saturated cloak and then letting it fall on the ground--it was too heavy for her tired arms. Her little woman's figure as she laid her delicate chilled hands together one over the other against her waist, and went a step backward while she leaned her head forward as if not to lose sight of his face, was unspeakably touching.
"Great God!" the words escaped Deronda in a tone so low and solemn that they seemed like a prayer become unconsciously vocal. The agitating impression this forsaken girl was making on him stirred a fibre that lay close to his deepest interest in the fates of women--"perhaps my mother was like this one." The old thought had come now with a new impetus of mingled feeling, and urged that exclamation in which both East and West have for ages concentrated their awe in the presence of inexorable calamity.
The low-toned words seemed to have some reassurance in them for the hearer: she stepped forward close to the boat's side, and Deronda put out his hand, hoping now that she would let him help her in. She had already put her tiny hand into his which closed around it, when some new thought struck her, and drawing back she said--
Page 56
A Brief History of Christian Zionism
British Zionism
The Bible and Zionism
Lovers of Zion - A history of Christian Zionism
Zionism and Israel
History of Zionism and the Creation of Israel
Zionism and its Impact
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Please link to our Sister Web site Zionism and Israel Pages
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text:
I kept hearing about knitting and how relaxing it is. My mother used to crochet, but I decided that I would rather learn to knit. I bought a couple of books, a pair of needles, and some yarn, having decided that I was going to knit a cover for my iPad (it was in one of the books). I sat down and wouldn't you know that fibro fog or pain pill fog, whichever you prefer, sets in and I don't understand a word this book is written in. It's like Russian or something. Screw relaxing, I burst out crying, frustrated at how my mind doesn't work anymore.
I decided that my best bet would be to take a relaxing bath, and start over. This time, though, I am going to use the internet to see if it is any more helpful than the Russian books were. I mean, I was so stressed, I was grinding my teeth, which for someone with bad teeth, is not a good idea. Wish me luck!
By the way, I didn't go to church today, but I got a great bag for my cushion which hopefully will make me less self-conscious about having it in the first place.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Park Lane will feature 7 brand new warehouses right in the heart of Clayton South's highly sought after industrial precinct. With panels on, rooves up and windows in, construction is alomost complete!
+ Prices from $475,300 + GST
+ Rents from $443 per week
+ Warehouses from 197sqm - 226sqm
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+ 3 allocated car spaces each
+ 3 phase power
+ Kitchenette facilities
+ Amenities with a shower
+ Container height roller doors
+ Signage provision to the front of each unit
++ Suitable for SMSF buyers, storage and owner occupiers
++ Excellent depreciation benefits further assisting your tax effectiveness
++ Almost complete
© 2019 Crabtrees Real Estate Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.


text:
So it is that time again time for another sketch, This week's twist is "to use a Punch" - any how, any way!
You can find the sketch here and this is what i did
Hope you aren't sick of this little brown face yet. This was last halloween, we never got around to doing a pumpkin this year.
So in other news i have been learning, learning how to do stuff. I have had my f-mil around tonight and we did a bit of granny squares which i think i have mastered, and we tried with a few tricky knitting stitches, and finally settled on a bit of moss stitch which is super cute.
Cant wait to put my new found talents into action this week. Big stay at home plans this weekend on my list to do it.
1. photograph the layouts i did last weekend
2. bind my red quilt
3. Design the proper bed quilt
4. Make some cards
5. do my Sarahs Cards DT xmas kit
6.Work on my mittens- need to rip out everything i have done and start again :(
7. read some of 4th Twilight book
8.read all the shimelle blog prompts as i have read 2
9. Work on my chunky scarf
10. start my cute neck thing
HMMM its quite a long list but these are the top ten things i think about at work when i should be working lol
Right im sleepy so off to bedfordshire TFL X


text:
The Dumbbell Workout Handbook: Weight Loss
Author: Michael Volkmar
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Genre: Fitness
Pages: 144
Price: $15.00
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
A customized dumbbell workout is a great way to gain muscle and lose fat. In The Dumbbell Workout Handbook, Michael Volkmar provides several different workouts in varying levels of difficulty that are designed for weight loss.
The opening pages provide information about dumbbells and how they are effective in strength training. Mobility warm-ups are shown as essential to be performed before any of the fat burning workouts. Then all of the exercises in these workouts are listed.
While I'm not a workout guru, I expected to see photos or diagrams of the various exercises in this book. Instead, the reader receives just a list of the names of the workouts, with no explanations or pictures. If he's not already familiar with these exercise names, he would have to do the research to find out how to do them.
If you're already a pro at strength training with dumbbells, this book will provide your own customized weight loss workout. But if you will need to look up every exercise, this is probably not the best book for you.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Exercises for Perfect Posture
Authors: William Smith, Keith Burns, Christopher Volgraf
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Genre: Health & Fitness
Pages: 144
Price: $15.00
In our modern world with desk jobs, lounge chairs, and a minimum of physical activity, it's easy to develop poor posture. But the right exercise can easily change this. Exercises for Perfect Posture shows us how.
Poor posture can lead to a host of problems, which are detailed in the opening sections. After doing an assessment, the reader will discover the exact types of posture issues he's having. Exercises to combat these are provided next. Finally, an evaluation of the success of these exercises is provided, along with a place to chart progress.
The exercises can be done at home, but many require a foam roller, stability ball, or resistance band. Although I didn't test them, they looked to be appropriate for strengthening the muscles that support a correctly aligned body. If you're looking to improve your posture, Exercises for Perfect Posture would be a great place to start.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Complete Physique
Author: Hollis Lance Liebman
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Genre: Fitness
Pages: 192
Price: $21.95
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Hollis Lance Liebman is a professional body-builder who wants to share the secrets of his success. In Complete Physique, he lays out a 12-week program that includes workouts and a meal plan designed to transform our bodies.
First, the author explains exactly what he will cover in this program, including the mental edge and the meal plan. This is not a diet to lose weight, but instead its goal is to maximize lean muscle and minimize body fat. The exercise program is broken up into three 4-week phases, each phase building on the previous one, for a 12-week total program. These exercises rely heavily on weight equipment, and a gym membership is required. Photos and explanations are provided for each exercise.
Liebman is a qualified guide, having achieved a level of fitness most could only dream about. But he encourages the rest of us to do the very best we can, even if we never see muscular definition like his. This is a great resource for serious fitness enthusiasts.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Author: Katie Farrell
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Christian, Health
Pages: 208
Price: $20.00
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Katie Farrell knows what it's like to struggle with weight issues. Unhealthy and destructive eating habits plagued her for years, until she discovered how to care for herself in accordance with God's will. In Nourish, she explains how she was able to make peace with her body and learn to live a healthy lifestyle.
Farrell shares the types of foods she enjoys along with those she tries to avoid. This may not be the same eating plan the reader follows, but can easily be adapted if necessary, since she doesn't dwell on specifics. Some healthy recipes are provided, and the author's website has more available. Exercise is also encouraged, but again, no specific plan is promoted. Instead, she encourages the reader to discover for herself exactly how God wants her to care for her body.
God's word can be trusted to instruct us, and Farrell provides Biblical references she has used in developing her own self-care plan. If you're looking for a diet and exercise checklist to follow, this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for a spiritual mentor to lead you to God's will for your life, Farrel is a wonderful guide. I highly recommend Nourish and the Dashing Dish website.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Naked in 30 Days: A One-Month Guide to Getting Your Body, Mind and Spirit in Shape
Author: Theresa Roemer
Publisher: Riverdale Avenue Books
Genre: Fitness / Health
Pages: 250
Price: $19.99
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Many women aren't happy with what they see in the mirror. They may be able to hide flaws with clothes that flatter, but when those clothes come off, what's underneath is a different story. Naked in 30 Days is a program designed to address this problem.
In this 30 day plan, author Theresa Roemer guides the reader through an intense diet and exercise program designed for maximum results. Workouts focus on upper-body, lower-body, abs, and cardio, and each workout will take at least an hour to complete. The various exercises are described in detail, but no photos are provided. A diet plan is also included, which suggests avoiding grains, alcohol, sugar, dairy products, and processed foods, and leans heavily toward a Paleo eating style. Each of the 30 days has its own chapter with the exercises listed, as well as dietary suggestions, a Naked Tip, and a Mind/Spirit Tip. Because each day is laid out individually, they can be checked off like a to-do list. A 30 day summary is included at the end of the book.
Naked in 30 Days is not for the beginner! This is a serious body-building guide, intended for someone who has been working out for a long time and wants to step it up a notch. If you're just starting out, you will need to modify this program significantly. Although it appears to be a women's fitness guide, this book could just as easily be used by men.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Level Up Your Life
Author: Steve Kamb
Publisher: Rodale Books
Genre: Self-improvement / Fitness
Pages: 288
Price: $19.99
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Life is meant to be an adventure, but far too many people simply sit on the sidelines and watch. But what if we could be the hero in our own story? Steve Kamb shows us how we can tackle challenges like a video game and learn to level up our own lives.
Although Kamb is the founder of Nerd Fitness, Level Up Your Life is only partially concerned with fitness. Mostly, it encourages us to step outside the box we're living in, and be willing to try the new and exciting things we've only allowed ourselves to dream about. Travel, learning a new language, making a career change, and other fun and intimidating adventures are presented in a fresh way, with the focus on taking small steps until we master the challenge. In video games, we face small battles until we're good enough to take on bigger foes, and life can be handled much the same way.
Without foes to thwart us, we quickly lose interest in video games. And without challenge in life, our day to day existence becomes humdrum. Level Up Your Life shows us how to bring back the sparkle and enthusiasm for living. I highly recommend this unique and fun self-improvement book.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
F.I.T. Faith Inspired Transformation
Author: Kim Dolan Leto
Publisher: Fedd Books
Genre: Fitness / Christian
Pages: 173
Price: $19.99
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Health and fitness can be a struggle when we don't have the right support. But if we partner with God in our weight loss efforts, we may find we're a lot more successful. God cares about us and our bodies, and if we ask Him for help, He will provide it.
Kim Dolan Leto suggests that we permanently lose the diet mentality. Weight loss and fitness are not something we do for a little while and then quit once we've reached our goals. Instead, we should focus on God's goals for us for the rest of our lives. Studying God's word, praying, eating the natural foods God made, finding proper perspective and living in joy, we can change our lives for the better. Weight loss will not be our only concern – but it will most likely occur when we turn our fitness and health over to God.
F.I.T. Faith Inspired Transformation doesn't give us any specific diets or exercise programs. Instead it focuses on making small, positive changes and becoming closer to God. Small groups will find this a great book to study and share together.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
The Psychology Behind Fitness Motivation
Author: Dr. Kim Chronister
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Fitness
Pages: 138
Price: $9.95
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Each of us has an underlying motivation for why we may or may not choose to exercise. In this book, Dr. Chronister attempts to dissect the thought process behind our fitness choices. However, this is not a book for the common person looking for motivation. Instead, it reads more like a doctoral dissertation full of typos and grammatical errors.
Focusing almost exclusively on the motives of depressed people, Dr. Chronister presents her own process in attempting to prod them into activity. This is done through a series of questions designed to root out the reasons why they're not exercising, and then encouraging them to begin.
When I picked this book up, I was expecting a readable explanation of why we generally choose not to exercise, some sort of motivational pep talk, and a step by step guide to starting and maintaining a regular workout routine. If that's what you're looking for, you won't find it in The Psychology Behind Fitness Motivation.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin
Author: Kenn Kihiu
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Fitness / Weight Loss
Pages: 92
Price: $11.99
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Maintaining an ideal body weight continues to be a struggle for many of us, and Kenn Kihiu has offered us his thoughts on how to do this. In Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin he presents his system of weight loss, the F.A.S.T. way.
Using this acronym, he presents a five-step system (modules) of eliminating unhealthy foods, adding more healthy foods and beverages to our diet, and changing the way we eat and think. These build on each other, eventually leading to healthy and lean bodies.
Unfortunately, this successful creator of the danceX Workout and 8020 Body has given us a lot of information we've seen many times before. His only divergence from standard diet advice is his presentation of fasting as part of our normal eating cycle.
If you're already a follower of Kenn Kihiu's programs, this book would probably be a good complement to what you've already learned from him. But on its own, it fails to cover enough new ground. However, if you're interested in fasting, you may find this chapter particularly useful.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
Paleo Fitness
Author: Darryl Edwards with Brett Stewart & Jason Warner
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Genre: Fitness
Pages: 176
Price: $16.95
Author's website
Buy it at Amazon
Many people say they have been successful in converting to a Paleo diet. But what does that mean, exactly? And how does a fitness routine fit with this new eating style? Paleo Fitness answers these questions and more.
First, this book explains why the Paleo diet is superior to the traditional diet. Then it lists allowed and non-allowed foods, along with explanations. A sample menu and several tempting recipes are also provided. A three level workout routine is then given in the form of charts showing each exercise and its corresponding page number. The largest section is the descriptions and pictures of these unique exercises.
Unlike traditional workouts, Paleo fitness is designed to work out the total body, not just isolated muscle groups. You won't find these exercises in the gym, and they don't use traditional weights or machines. Instead you'll find yourself crawling on the floor in crab walk or crocodile walk, jumping like a rabbit, hanging from a bar, or going through the motions of tossing an object. These exercises are created from nature, and work the body the way a caveman might have exercised through daily living.
If you're bored with your traditional workout and you're ready to try something more natural, Paleo Fitness might be just what you're looking for. I highly recommend it.
Reviewer: Alice Berger
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text:
City Council members will now receive up to $450 a year to pay for their attendance at events.
The council unanimously approved on Tuesday the allowance, which if used by all five council members would cost the city $2,250.
"City Council participation at community events is an important part of representing the community," said Councilman Kelly Boyd, who proposed the stipend. "Unfortunately, these events can become costly for council members, especially if they bring a guest to the event."


text:
658 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN
- Silvester Wilson
- 3 years ago
- Views:
1 Legislative Report Consolidation of Information Technology Systems and Services January 19, Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES THAT IMPROVE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
2 Table of Contents Introduction...3 Background: Status of IT Consolidation...4 Critical Success Factor: Preserve the Integrity of the IT Consolidation Law...5 Recommended OET Statute Changes...6 IT Project Oversight...6 OET Name Change...6 Identified Risk Factors...7 Cost of IT Consolidation Ability to Capture Savings...7 Human Resources...8 Prior Investment in IT...8 Security and Risk...8 Procurement...9 Additional Documentation...9 2
3 Introduction Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 10, article 4 mandates the consolidation of Minnesota executive branch information technology (IT) under the State Chief Information Officer (CIO.) The intent of the Legislature and the Governor was to bring all the IT resources of the State under the authority and direction of a single entity in order to 1) increase accountability for the efficient and effective management of IT through a single view; 2) improve IT s effectiveness in meeting the business needs of state government and increase the potential for technology-driven improvements to government service; 3) foster collaboration and shared service opportunities; and 4) find and capitalize on opportunities for efficiencies. The IT Consolidation Act called for: Powers, duties, responsibilities, personnel, and assets relating to functions assigned to the chief information officer are transferred to the Office of Enterprise Technology from all other state agencies by October 1, 2011, with the exception of state agency chief information officers which are transferred 30 days after final enactment. 1 By July 1, 2013, the state chief information officer shall control and direct all information and telecommunication technology spending authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 16E As part of the IT consolidation law, the Office of Enterprise Technology (OET) is required to submit a report to the legislature regarding any statutory changes needed to implement the transfer of agencies IT resources to OET. The law states: By January 15, 2012, the chief information officer shall submit to the legislature any statutory changes needed to complete implementation of any transfer in this section. 3 The following report provides some background on the current status of executive branch IT consolidation and outlines both specific and potential changes to legislation that will help in the implementation of the law to meet its full intent. Overall, the most important recommendation in this report is to maintain the current scope of the 2011 language for, we believe, it clearly identifies the intent and sets the stage for cohesive and coherent reform across the entire executive branch. Changes and/or deconstruction should be minimal particularly at a time when we are formulating the strategies and mechanisms to successfully implement the law. Specific change recommendations in this report are relatively minor and focus on clarifying statutory language to better meet the goals. This report also identifies some risks that, though very real, do not yet rise to the level of needing legislative intervention, but, understanding the law s intent, are important to outline now, at the earliest stage of consolidation. It is the common intent of this administration, the State CIO and agency leadership not only to meet the requirements of the law but to take advantage of the opportunity to reform and improve the delivery of information technology through the tools afforded the executive branch through this legislation. 1 Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 10, article 4, section 6, paragraph a 2 Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 10, article 4, section 6, paragraph c 3 Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 10, article 4, section 6, paragraph b 3
4 OET achieved the transfer of IT resources as laid out in law, and continues to work to build the framework of a new paradigm in Minnesota. It is clear this initiative is fundamentally shifting how state government is organized. The State did not have the financial, accounting, and human resources tools in place to fully facilitate a central agency to have full control over resources previously held by agencies, and provide services back to the agencies. OET, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), agency commissioners, deputy commissioners, chief financial officers, human resources directors, and chief information officers developed a temporary system to achieve the mandate. The temporary system is working within the language of the IT Consolidation Act and other current state statutes. However, OET is currently in a discovery and analysis phase to determine what structural changes to IT will be necessary. As the State develops permanent systems to facilitate such a structure, statutory changes will likely be necessary in the future. This report contains issues OET is aware of through early analysis, but that do not require any statutory change at this time. To the contrary, it is critical that the language and intent of the Act remain as is. The current balance of authority between OET, agencies, and MMB, the scope of executive branch entities, and the scope of IT resources included are the right components to achieve the goals of IT consolidation. Background: Status of IT Consolidation Phase One: The law mandating the consolidation of executive branch IT was passed in July 2011 and contained some very aggressive early deadlines. For that reason, implementation was segmented into four phases, the first of which focused on transferring the authority for and the management of all IT resources dollars, people and assets to the Office of Enterprise Technology. In order to minimize disruption to government functions and services, this transfer of authority was implemented through interagency agreements (signed on October 3, 2011) and did not include the physical or transactional transfer of IT staff to OET. Instead, the interagency agreements identified and confirmed all IT resources necessary for continued current levels of IT support through FY12 and transferred the authority for these agency resources to the State CIO. Authority for the management of individual agency resources and activity was then delegated by the State CIO to each individual agency CIO. This has allowed for the creation of a virtual state IT organization under the direction of the State CIO in compliance with the deadline set in law, in a manner that sets the stage for more integrated consolidation and collaboration in the months and years ahead. The success of the first phase of IT consolidation is entirely attributable to the hard work and collaboration of state business and IT leadership. The Governor, MMB, Commissioners, OET and state IT management worked diligently and quickly to identify issues, find workable solutions, and take the first, difficult leap of faith together in what amounts to the largest government reform effort most have seen in their careers at the State. At the time of this report, many at both the leadership and employee levels are seeing beyond the logistics of consolidation to the potential for improved government that this effort represents. Phases Two and Three: Phases two and three - concurrently underway focus on two important elements that were not possible in phase one: analysis of the current state and planning for the future. Within these phases we have defined seven distinct projects that, upon completion, will result in the following: Agency Centralization: All agency IT will have a common definition of services, common functional constructs for management and accounting, common employee policies and management discipline designed to improve services and minimize costs Central Organization Planning: The central organization will be prepared to manage its increased role and responsibilities through careful planning and resource management Enterprise Human Resources: Standard enterprise employee policies and a redefined internal HR function will facilitate a smooth transition from a virtual organization to an integrated one 4
5 Finance: There will be a single view into state IT spending that leads to better decisions and economies of scale, through standard accounting and financial planning procedures Service Level Agreements: Agency IT services both local and centralized will be managed through standard service level agreements State IT Governance: The State CIO will manage her mandated duties through appropriate governance that includes both business input and operational management Strategic Planning: State IT will operate through strategies and tactics that stem from the construct of a five-year vision for how information technology serves the business of the State Phase Four: The fourth phase will be a multi-year effort to optimize the opportunities for collaboration, economies of scale, process improvement, redundancy avoidance, etc., that will result in more efficient IT and realize the true intention of the law. Critical Success Factor: Preserve the Integrity of the IT Consolidation Law Priority: High Request: Do not modify OET statutes or the IT consolidation law without full consultation with OET on the means and effects of changes. Meeting the legislative intent and realizing the full benefits of consolidation is a multi-year proposition that depends on consistency of direction and purpose. A strategy is in now in place for that multi-year effort and investments in time, dollars and buy-in are being made on a daily basis. Changing the scope, parameters and investment would diffuse the law s potential and break momentum and the good will and cooperation that have already been generated. The following components are paramount to the initiative s success. First, the current scope and definition of IT in the law is the appropriate scope and the only way to achieve the goals of having all the State s IT resources in one view and ultimately optimizing the state s technology operations. Second, the current scope of authority - all executive branch agencies - ensures that the cooperation and collaboration across state government can be maximized and the entire state environment can be standardized. Granting any additional exceptions to this could disrupt and set back the months of planning that has already occurred and by definition ensure that certain executive branch agencies remain IT silos. Third, it is crucial that the State CIO retains the authority to determine the meaning of the IT consolidation law and to implement policies and standards to achieve this. This sets appropriate authority and accountability for key decision-making while laying the groundwork for a governance that include and respects the role of the government business customer. The legislation s inclusion of the Technology Advisory Committee and the consultative role of MMB have helped to ensure that the State CIO has adequate counsel in making decisions related to consolidation that are in the best interests of the State. Changing authorities and governance would undermine the successful implementation of the law and the growing confidence by all parties that consolidation is in the best interests of the State. 5
6 Recommended OET Statute Changes The Office of Enterprise Technology - the organization designated to govern the new, consolidated state IT environment - is undergoing a significant transition. As a direct result of this legislation, OET is growing 600% to one of the largest agencies in state government, expanding from about 300 employees to over When, in 2005, state law created the agency, its mandated functions was as an oversight agency and a service provider, not the centralized management of all state IT resources. To accommodate and clarify its new role, OET anticipates the need for a few changes to its statute. As analysis continues on the current state of IT practices and resources, further changes may be requested/recommended. IT Project Oversight Priority: Moderate Request: Make changes to portfolio and project management statutes in 16E to remedy inconsistencies in reporting and oversight. Since its creation, numerous elements of OET s enabling legislation have been adopted and/or modified to require OET s oversight of agencies IT projects to ensure their successful completion and avoid the fate of projects such as HealthMatch. These functions are commonly referred to as portfolio and project management and are implemented through OET s Project Management Office. The statutory requirements, however, are inconsistent, often overlapping and conflicting with each other. Consequently, this makes them difficult for OET to implement and creates confusion among the agencies as to their responsibilities. A 2009 report from the Legislative Auditor recommended that OET suggest clarifying changes to these statutes. Specific areas with inconsistencies include project risk management and the thresholds that trigger specific oversight. Clarity in this area is even more important in light of IT consolidation and what is expected of OET as the accountable agency for the management and investment of IT resources. OET Name Change Priority: Low Request: Amend Minnesota Statutes 16E to reflect name change if deemed beneficial. With the enactment of IT consolidation, a new central IT organization has been, for all intents and purposes, formed that merges both the resources and the identity of individual agency and central IT. In light of that change and the necessary cultural and practical identity shifts that go along with it a new name that signifies the intent to merge rather than take over may be appropriate and would help to build a sense of inclusion for state employees. We do not expect that a name change would significantly alter the cost of rebranding the agency IT operations that will be necessary whether the central organization undergoes a name change or not. We are still in discussions weighing the costs and benefits of changing the agency s name. We are requesting a name change be granted legislatively should it be deemed to be beneficial to the identity of the new consolidated organization. 6
7 Identified Risk Factors The following significant risk factors are of concern to OET in its present understanding of what will be required to meet the intent of the law over the coming few years. These risk factors, however, have not risen to the level of concern or specificity that would require legislative attention. We anticipate that as we complete the extensive analysis and planning activity now underway (pages 3 and 4), we will better be able to identify which of these risk factors need mandated change or assistance. The purpose of this section is to share the early warning signs that are arising from our initial discovery and planning phase. Our intent is to work, as much as possible, within the granted authority and partnerships to address them systematically as they are better understood. Cost of IT Consolidation Ability to Capture Savings It has been pointed out that the IT consolidation effort prescribed by this legislation is the largest reorganization of Minnesota state government in decades. Yet there has, to date, been no funding designated in legislation or elsewhere for implementation. Although OET has been able to initiate the preliminary stages through the repurposing of internal funds, there is no clear path forward for funding those activities and investments that will lead to real reform and efficiencies during the next stage of consolidation and into the future. This is a critical risk factor. To date, OET has absorbed the early costs for planning, finance, accounting, communication, human resources, legal, etc., at the enterprise level, and has asked agencies through an interagency agreement to absorb the administrative costs of consolidation at the local level. However, this model is unsustainable. As IT moves from a virtually consolidated to a single organization, the means to manage that change must be addressed or both agency IT and central IT will falter. Once the IT departments merge, if there is no money to invest in efficient operations, processes and/or systems that will realize the potential long-term efficiencies implied by consolidation, the legislation s intent cannot be realized. It is evident that the Legislature understood the risk and anticipated the need for utilizing captured savings: The chief information officer may implement expansion, relocation, or consolidation to the extent feasible and desirable with existing resources, or to the extent that savings resulting from the expansions or consolidations will pay for the costs associated with these activities during the biennium ending June 30, 2013.[1] However, without a clear mechanism for identifying, capturing and investing the savings attributable to consolidation, the risk of failure remains. The good news is twofold: 1) OET and Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) are working together to identify and actualize the necessary mechanisms for capturing savings for IT reinvestment in a manner that requires no further legislative changes, and that is fair and equitable to both IT and state government programs. We will advance legislation if we determine we need it. 2) We are optimistic about the opportunities for savings even in the early stages that, with the appropriate mechanisms in place, will help cover costs of the transition and address the mitigation of some of the risks outlined below. Investment is needed, but we believe that it will lead to further efficiencies down the road. A mechanism designed to capture savings can contribute to the long-term health of the State s IT [1] Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 16E.016, paragraph b 7
8 infrastructure by making it possible to reinvest in information technology priorities, including replacement of legacy systems, investment in new, effective technologies, and shared technology systems and solutions. Our goal, over the coming months, is to continue work with MMB on funding solutions available within the current scope of the law that can, over the long term, realize the legislation s intent and promise even as it maintains (and improves) the health of the information technology that serves the business of the State. Together, the two agencies will determine whether the risk can be mitigated without additional legislative clarification and/or specific, mandated mechanisms. Human Resources The state IT workforce is key not only to the success of this initiative, but also to finding innovative solutions to carry out the business of the state. State IT employees are an important resource and the State has a challenge in the coming years retain its quality workforce and attract new staff. A number of human resource challenges are coming to light as we prepare for the eventual move of agency-based IT employees to the central organization (regardless of their ultimate physical location). Because of the existing diversity of agency IT organizational structures and different ways of defining IT work, we must establish consistent functional definitions and reporting relationships, standardize work and classifications, and resolve inequities in compensation. An expected increase in retirements among highly proficient technical specialists and managers in agencies make these changes particularly difficult and important, as we strive to build an agile and equitable workforce environment that attracts talented workers and builds strong information technology careers. OET is currently working with MMB and the agency HR community to identify issues and manage solutions that meet the challenge of this significant shift in workforce deployment. Prior Investment in IT As the economic downturn has forced the cutting of agency budgets, IT budgets have suffered along with the programs they serve. Not unexpectedly, OET has found a substantial gap between the have and have-nots in agency technology environments, precipitated by the disproportionate and disparate IT investments made by various agencies over the past few years. Such discrepancies leave some state IT operations underfunded and thus unable to provide the most efficient and effective solution for state business. As the State s IT budgets and expenditures come into a single view and operations and service expectations become standardized, there may be agencies that will find it difficult to provide standard IT services to their agency customers with their current systems and/or levels of support. Current discovery and analysis activity will shed further light on the issue. Of particular concern is the age of legacy systems and infrastructure in the State, including some major systems upon which the public depends. This is a result, primarily, of investments being delayed in times of tight budgets. An alarming amount of State IT equipment has completed normal lifecycles and carries security and business continuity risks to operate. These assets need to be refreshed in order to maintain effectiveness and provide further efficiencies for state government. Investment in IT can never stop. As systems reach the end of life or as new technologies that can improve government service become cost effective, the State will always need to refresh and reinvest. It is our expectation that the consolidation of IT will allow the State to better track and evaluate the necessary investments on an enterprise level. However, it is our fear that in the next few years, the cost of catching up on investments will take a significant toll (and create a certain sticker shock ) on limited state IT resources. Security and Risk There is a widespread lack of risk mitigation in state IT today. While OET has previously been charged with providing leadership, standards, and policies on IT security, disaster recovery, and business continuity; there was no mechanism to require that agencies invest in IT security. With all the IT resources now being under the 8
9 authority of OET, the risks and vulnerabilities are in full view. This area will need major investments in the coming months and years. The Enterprise Security Program is still relatively new and much work needs to be done to adequately address complex cyber threats for across state government. Presently, the State faces a high level of risk due to lax security controls and an inadequate investment in people, tools, and processes. In OET s March 2010 Comprehensive Information Security Funding Strategy Report, it was pointed out that the State s investment in security stands at 2 percent of its total IT budget, compared to an industry standard of 5.4 percent to 6.2 percent. There has never been adequate funding for security controls in state agencies. Since the date when the report was published, budget cuts have further eroded investments in risk mitigation both for the Enterprise Security Program and individual agencies. Consolidation of IT services will significantly improve the security profile of the State and make the achievement of an appropriate level of risk more affordable. However, even with consolidation, information security is one area where the State will need to invest significantly more. Preservation of OET s remaining General Fund base will be vital, particularly as the organization works to build out and advance the capabilities of the new Enterprise Security Program. In addition, leaders across the executive branch will need to be prepared to pay more for necessary cyber security services, such as advanced security monitoring of state systems and networks. Procurement As the state IT community begins the process of self-analysis, and as contracts and funding come under a single view, opportunities are evident for additional savings in the procurement of IT hardware and software, above and beyond the current standards program that has been in effect for several years. OET and the Department of Administration are close partners in IT procurement activities and will be looking at these activities in an entirely new light. With consolidation, the opportunity is there for the State to collapse hardware and software purchases and licensing in a manner that may well bring down the total cost of IT. It will be important to maximize procurement processes and avoid barriers in order to realize significant savings and cost avoidance in this area. Additional Documentation Additional documentation regarding the management of IT consolidation can be found on the OET website: State IT Strategic Planning Summary, December 9, 2011 An outline of the planning process for the State IT Master Plan and State IT Strategic Plan. Phases Two and Three Tactical Plan, October 28, 2011 This plan identifies the steps for Phases Two and Three of IT consolidation, with a focus on the immediate Phase Two tasks. It also provides a high-level strategy for the overall two-year milestones. Note: this plan is subject to change as Phase Two gets underway. Phase One Tactical Plan, August 17, 2011 This plan outlines the overall strategy and approach for IT consolidation, and provides planning details for Phase One. This version 1.0 may be updated through the months of August and September. 9
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text:
Wee rubber stamps at whimsy - BLOG HOP!!!
Hello and welcome to the Wee Stamps for
Whimsy Stamps
On Sunday we announced the wonderful news that
Whimsy Stamps
is exclusively releasing Sylvia Zet's beautiful wee stamps collection in rubber!
Whimsy Stamps is releasing 6 new Wee Stamps for Whimsy Stamps today and these new goodies are available to buy right now from the
Whimsy Stamps store
along with all your Whimsy favourites.
The Whimsy Stamps DT and Special Guests have been showcasing these fabulous stamps for the past 3 days, and today we are celebrating their release with a BLOG HOP! We are delighted to welcome our wonderful special guests who are joining the Whimsy DT for this hop -
Elaine Hughes
Alberto Gava
Mariska van der Veer
Jacque Beddingfield
Dena Concienne
Tab Robinson
Sylvia Zet
The hop starts today (Wednesday October 5th at noon EST) and ends on
Tuesday October 11th
at noon EST.
For this hop we have 5 different prize draws! One lucky hopper will win the entire new release of 6 stamps. We also have
4 mini candy stops
throughout the hop where you can enter to win a new release stamp! I'm not going to tell you where they are, so if you haven't found them you'll just have go back to the beginning and start hopping! *wink*
If you would like to hop along with us today and haven't arrived from
Mariska van der Veer
's blog, please
to return to the beginning of the hop at
Ann's blog
For my blog creation I used the sweet image of this girl sitting :)
it' so nice and i have thinked to make my wall hanger of the scraproom:
here is the sentence :) nice isn't???
and here is the image colored with distress
So now it's time for you to continue the hop by hopping over to Simonne Clay's blog :)
Finally, here is a complete blog hop list in hopping order:
Ann Vento
Elaine Hughes
Chris Olsen
Tammy Louise Cunliffe
Debbie Eastman
Dena Concienne
Stephanne Maraver
Sylvia Blum
Jacque Beddingfield
Erin Bailey
Ellie Stover
Mariska van der Veer
Alberto Gava
Simonne Clay
Annika Ryan
Tab Robinson
Sylvia Zet
Thank you so much for hopping with us today and I hope you enjoy the new release!
whimsy stamps DT
wild ochid


text: South of Fox Glacier there is no mobile phone coverage. None. I was surprised to come across this in 2015! Good news though, the scenery is amazing, so you don't need social media for a couple of days! There isn't much to Haast itself, but around the area there is a lovely river and one lane bridge, beaches, mountains and even penguins. We drove out to Jackson Bay, which is as far as the West Coast road goes. Just remember to wear long legged pants, long sleeved shirts, and cover yourself entirely with insect repellent before exiting the car!


text:
8 things worth remembering when everything goes wrong
Here are some ideas which might help motivate you when you need it most.
Oftentimes things have to go wrong in order to go right. In fact, if the road you're traveling is always easy, you're likely going the wrong way. Some part of you knows this is true. Nevertheless, when life gets especially rough, it can be hard to remember.
Some people get through hard situations better than others. So what is their secret? Most of it has to do with attitude. Here are 8 things to remember when life gets rough:
1. What is, is: Buddha's famous saying tells us: "It is your resistance to 'what is' that causes your suffering." Think about that for a minute. It means that our suffering only occurs when we resist how things are. If you can change something, then take action! Change it! But if you can't change it, then you have two choices: (1) either accept it and let go of the negativity, or (2) make yourself miserable by obsessing over it.
2. Where you are right now is a necessary step: Sometimes we avoid experiencing exactly where we are because we have developed a belief, based on our ideals, that it is not where we should be or want to be. But the truth is, where you are right now is exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to go tomorrow.
3. Other people's negativity is not your problem: Be positive when negativity surrounds you. Smile when others try to bring you down. It's an easy way to maintain your enthusiasm and focus. When other people treat you poorly, keep being you. Don't ever let someone else's bitterness change the person you are. You can't take things too personally, even if it seems personal. Rarely do people do things because of you. They do things because of them.
4. There is no such thing as failure, only learning opportunities: You should just wipe the word "failure" right out of your vocabulary. All great people who have ever achieved anything have "failed" over and over. Take your so-called "failures" and learn something from them. Learn how to do it better next time.
5. Things will change (again) sooner than you think: You're not going to avoid change. Change is the process of life itself. In fact, everything is changing every single minute of our lives. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That's the one thing you can count on.
6. Being kind to yourself is the best medicine: Your self-worth has nothing to do with your craft, your calling or your success, and everything to do with how you treat yourself. Always be kind.
7. Let go of desire: Most people live with "attached mind." What this means is that they attach themselves to a desire, and when they don't get it, their emotions plummet into negativity. Instead, try to practice "detached mind." That means that when you want something, you will still be happy whether you get it or not. Your emotions remain happy or neutral.
8. You are not a victim: You need to get out of your own way. You are only a "victim" of your own thoughts, words and actions. No one "does" something to you. You are the creator of your own experience. Take personal responsibility and realize that you can get out of your hard times. You just need to start with changing your thoughts and actions. Abandon your victim mentality and become victorious. From victim to VICTOR!
Prepared by


text:
Art and arson, the poetry of D. H. Lawrence and pulp pornography, hero-worship and sexual debasement, totems and taboos—out of narrative elements like these National Book Award-winner Joyce Carol Oates, one of the most adroit voices in contemporary American fiction, contrives a startling, suspenseful tale that turns the sunny idyll of New England college campus life into a lurid nightmare.
A bright, talented junior at Catamount College in the druggy 1970s, Gillian Brauer strives to realize more than a poet's craft in her workshop with the charismatic, anti-establishment professor Andre Harrow. For Gillian has fallen in love—with Harrow, with his aesthetic sensibility and bohemian lifestyle, with his secluded cottage on Brierly Lane, with the mystique of his imposing, russet-haired French wife, Dorcas. A sculptress, Dorcas has outraged the campus and alumnae with the crude, primitive, larger than life-sized wooden totems that she has exhibited under the motto "WE ARE BEASTS AND THIS IS OUR CONSOLATION."
As if mesmerized, Gillian enters the rarefied world of the Harrows. She surrenders to their cassoulets, Quaaludes, and intimacies. She is special, even though she knows her classmates Marisa and Sybil and the exotic, mysterious Dominique have preceded her here. She is helpless, she is powerful. And she will learn in full the meaning of Dorcas's provocative motto.
I love you, rotten,
Delicious rottenness.
. . . wonderful are the hellish experiences,
Orphic, delicate
Dionysos of the Underworld.
D.H. Lawrence, "Medlars and Sorb-Apples"
from Birds, Beasts and Flowers
Book Covers
"Gillian, do you believe in evil?"
Penelope spoke quietly. Almost, I might have pretended I hadn't heard.
It was four P.M. of Friday, December 16. The campus was emptying out. After a flurry of activity, Heath Cottage was nearly deserted. In the downstairs lounge Penelope and I stood at the window, waiting for her parents to arrive from Old Saybrook, Connecticut, to drive her home for the holidays. We were watching a languid snowfall.
The pretense was that, early next morning, I was taking a train to New York. To my mother.
"Evil? No." I spoke quickly, embarrassed.
"Not in the old way. I don't think so."
"What's the 'old way'?"
I wasn't sure. But I needed to speak. Andre Harrow would have been furious with me if I'd kept silent.
I said, "God and Satan. 'Good' and 'evil.' A supernatural principle."
"There's no evil, without the supernatural?" Penelope crinkled her forehead. Her fair, moon-shaped face was comically incongruous with her theological concern.
I recalled that Penelope, in our Intro to Philosophy class, freshman year, never grasped the fundamental fact that logic has nothing to do with truth, only with premises. I'd tutored her, but her final grade was C+.
I said, "In the Bible, Satan is the father of lies, and of all evil. In our world, 'evil' just seems to be something people do out of their own self-interest, and others object. What's 'good' is what our side does."
Penelope said sharply, "It's that simple?"
- Booklist, October 1, 2001, p. 300
- Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2001, p. 1387
- Library Journal, October 1, 2001, p. 143
- Publisher's Weekly, October 22, 2001, p. 43
- New Leader, January / February 2002, pp. 28-29
- Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2002, p. E3
- Boston Herald, January 6, 2002, p. 46
- New York Times Book Review, January 6, 2002, p. 16
January 20, 2002, sec. Features, p. 7F
- Washington Post, January 20, 2002, p. T10
- New York Review of Books, February 14, 2002, p. 15
- InformationWeek, February 18, 2002, p. 83
- Marvels & Tales, October 2002, pp. 313-315


text:
Friday, March 23, 2012
A Ghost or a Monkey?
In Pathum Thani,Thailand - a group of new ordeal monks gathered among friends to take some memorable pictures at the temple, they photographed together here and there nothing unusual happened. Until they viewed the photographs, there was one image that was unusual and strange. In one the group picture there a great white monkey head that appeared in the group picture, which during the shoot of the picture there no monkey around. The white monkey looks much like the Hanuman, the monkey god.
Journalists investigated and analysis the image to find an explanation but got no answer. Experts believe the image may be caused by the refraction of lights or may be due to low shutter speed. What do you think?
Posted by Sunshine Maroon at 6:01 PM
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