text:
Not, I Think, What the Founders Intended . . .
. . . but here we are now.
For most modern European philosophers, especially German philosophers, the phrase "The State" has always meant the absolute supreme authority above all society.
The word "Federation", coming from the Latin word for "treaty", generally means a free and rather loose agreement between these supreme states. But when the future Historian (poor brute) turns to the great topic of America, he will find just the opposite. He will find the word "Federal" meaning the supreme authority that centralizes and overrules everything. He will find the word "State" used for the subordinate thing; the sub-unit like the county or the city.
from GK Chesterton's A Hint About History from the New York American, March 12 1932 via the November/December 2019 number of Gilbert!.
St John the Evangelist -- 27 December
Not another reprint? Yes, another one. I like this one. It's got the text for the blessing of wine in it, which may come in handy, given the season.
For today is the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist. Yes, the source is the Gospels, but the good old Catholic Encyclopædia will tell you something of St John in more condensed form here.
The Inn has copied this paragraph about St John's wine from the late Msgr Richard Schuler before. And we do it again now:
St John the Evangelist was honored on December 27. His feast was a general holiday, being kept as the third day of Christmas. Special wine, called St John's Love, was blessed on St John's Day, the formula for the blessing being found in the Rituale Romanum. It was thought that St John had survived the drinking of poisoned wine. Those going on a long journey fortified themselves from harm by drinking St John's wine, and at weddings it was regularly drunk. Often those about to depart this life were given a sip to strengthen them for their departure from this world. In St John's Gospel, Christ is called the Light of the World, and so when lighting the Christmas tree, a child with the name of John is often given the privilege of lighting the tree.
That's from an old number - about 10 years ago - of The Wanderer. The original link no longer links to the original story and I'm not finding it in the archive (which you'd probably have to subscribe to anyway). But if you want to have a go yourself you can start here.
Here's "The Blessing of Wine on the Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist" from the old Roman Ritual:
After the principal Mass on the feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist, after the last gospel, the priest, retaining all vestments except the maniple, blesses wine brought by the people. This is done in memory and honor of St John, who without detriment drank the poisoned wine proffered by his enemies:
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made both heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Bless + and consecrate, + O Lord God, this chalice of wine (or any other beverage - et cujuslibet potus)through the merits of St John, Apostle and Evangelist. Bestow benediction and protection upon all who drink of this cup. For as the blessed John partook of the poisoned potion without any hurt, so may all who on this day drink of the blessed wine to the honor of St John, by him be freed from poisoning and similar harmful things. And as they offer themselves soul and body to thee, O Lord God, give them absolution and pardon. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Bless, + O Lord, this draught that it be a helpful medicine to all who drink it; and grant by thy grace that all who taste thereof may enjoy bodily and spiritual health in calling upon they holy name. Through Christ our Lord, R. Amen.
May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, + and Holy Ghost come upon this wine and remain constantly. R. Amen.
There are actually two blessings for St John's wine in the Ritual. The second one is perhaps twice as long so we'll leave that one for next year, along with the Latin text which I'm running out of time to proof at the moment. (And, yes, of course I proof these things. I even edit them. Hard to believe I know, but what you see here is, indeed, the improved version.)
This year someone has posted to the web Dom Gueranger's article on St John from his monumental The Liturgical Year. If you've got the time - it's quite a lengthy piece -- you can find it here. It's worth a look. There are liturgical texts from the Roman, Byzantine, Ambrosian, and Gallican rites. Beautiful stuff.
The Third Day of Christmas
Stolen shamelessly from Charles Coulombe's FB page:
Well, my friends, the Yuletide amateurs are now tossing their trees; it is up to us professionals to keep the Twelve Days going - and not give up entirely until Candlemas - of course, then we'll be entering Carneval...!
And, should you have any doubts, The Inn will most heartily drink to that.
Labels: Christmastide
St Stephan's Day
You've seen this before but it's worth a reprint in honour of the day that's in it.
There are old traditions that even the most traditionalist clergy are highly unlikely to ever want reinstated. Today, St Stephen's Day, used to have one called "stephening" in the parish of Drayton Beauchamp, Bucks. It is probably at the top of that "unwanted" list. From the 1869 edition of Chambers' "Book of Days, A Miscellany of Popular Antiquities in Connection with the Calendar, Including Anecdote, Biography, & History, Curiosities of Literature and Oddities of Human Life and Character":
In the parish of Drayton Beauchamp, Bucks, there existed long an ancient custom, called Stephening, from the day on which it took place. On St. Stephen's Day, all the inhabitants used to pay a visit to the rectory, and practically assert their right to partake of as much bread and cheese and ale as they chose at the rector's expense. On one of these occasions, according to local tradition, the then rector, being a penurious old bachelor, determined to put a stop, if possible, to this rather expensive and unceremonious visit from his parishioners. Accordingly, when St. Stephen's Day arrived, he ordered his housekeeper not to open the window-shutters, or unlock the doors of the house, and to remain perfectly silent and motionless whenever any person was heard approaching. At the usual time the parishioners began to cluster about the house. They knocked first at one door, then at the other, then tried to open them, and on finding them fastened, they called aloud for admittance. No voice replied. No movement was heard within. 'Surely the rector and his house-keeper must both be dead!' exclaimed several voices at once, and a general awe pervaded the whole group. Eyes were then applied to the key-holes, and to every crevice in the window-shutters, when the rector was seen beckoning his old terrified housekeeper to sit still and silent. A simultaneous shout convinced him that his design was under-stood. Still he consoled himself with the hope that his larder and his cellar were secure, as the house could not be entered. But his hope was speedily dissipated. Ladders were reared against the roof, tiles were hastily thrown off, half-a-dozen sturdy young men entered, rushed down the stairs, and threw open both the outer-doors. In a trice, a hundred or more unwelcome visitors rushed into the house, and began unceremoniously to help themselves to such fare as the larder and cellar afforded; for no special stores having been provided for the occasion, there was not half enough bread and cheese for such a multitude. To the rector and his housekeeper, that festival was converted into the most rigid fast-day they had ever observed.
After this signal triumph, the parishioners of Drayton regularly exercised their 'privilege of Stephening' till the incumbency of the Rev. Basil Wood, who was presented to the living in 1808. Finding that the custom gave rise to much rioting and drunkenness, he discontinued it, and distributed instead an annual sum of money in proportion to the number of claimants. But as the population of the parish greatly increased, and as he did not consider himself bound to continue the practice, he was induced, about the year 1827, to withhold his annual payments; and so the custom became finally abolished. For some years, however, after its discontinuance, the people used to go to the rectory for the accustomed bounty, but were always refused.
In the year 1834, the commissioners appointed to inquire concerning charities, made an investigation into this custom, and several of the inhabitants of Drayton gave evidence on the occasion, but nothing was elicited to shew its origin or duration, nor was any legal proof advanced showing that the rector was bound to comply with such a demand. Many of the present inhabitants of the parish remember the custom, and some of them have heard their parents say, that it had been observed:
'As long as the sun had shone,
And the waters had run.'
Chambers has even more oddments about St Stephan's Day here.
So . . . I hear you ask . . . what's all that stuff about burying the wren in the song?
Well, in a reprint from a different year, The Inn had this:
The 26th December is known as St Stephen's Day in Ireland. In Northern Ireland it's also known as Boxing Day. In most homes it is a sociable day, when visitors may call in to share some seasonal foods or liquid (usually alcoholic) refreshments. . . . . St Stephens is also the day when a purely Irish phenomenon can be witnessed: the tradition of Hunting the Wren. This is when the Wren Boys take to the streets in colourful costumes and masks, and noisily parade a dead wren on a decorated pole. It's a strange tradition and its origins are often debated. Some say it originated in Pagan times. Others from the Viking invasion. Most opt for a simplified religious reference: the betrayal by a wren of St Stephen who was hiding from the Romans who subsequently killed him for his Christian beliefs. Wren on tree branch This, then, gave the reason for hunting down the wren, and in olden days a bird was, indeed, captured and killed. The Wren Boys would then carry the dead bird on a pole from house to house and beg for money to bury the 'evil bird'. . . .
And that came from here. And there's more at that link.
The Christmas Martyrology
This is reprinted from a few years ago. Mostly. It's been tidied up a bit, a couple of dead links removed and one or two new items added.
At the old morning office of Prime on this day the Martyrology reading would be the solemn announcement of Christ's birth. This is the description given by Pius Parsch:
In some European monasteries the chanter, vested in alb and violet cope, steps into the middle of the choir, accompanied by ministers with candles and censer. He incenses the Martyrology on the violet-covered lectern, and after announcing the date begins to sing. All stand with heads uncovered, as at the Gospel. At the phrase, 'in Bethlehem,' all kneel; and at the words, 'the birth of our Lord,' all prostrate for the first adoration of the Son of God become Man. The passage begins with the fixation of the date according to the ancient computation.
Here Dom Mark Kirby, the [former] prior of Silverstream Priory in County Meath, chants the Martyrology:
[And here's another, more recent one, this time in English and somewhat embellished. And, odd though it may seem, a bit harder to understand. Still very lovely.]
The text in English:
In the year from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created Heaven and Earth, five thousand one hundred and ninety-nine;
from the flood, two thousand, nine hundred and fifty-seven;
from the birth of Abraham, two thousand and fifteen;
from Moses and the coming of the Israelites out of Egypt, one thousand, five hundred and ten;
from the annointing of King David, one thousand and thirty-two;
in the sixty-fifth week, according to the prophecy of Daniel;
in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
in the year seven hundred and fifty-two from the founding of the city of Rome;
in the forty-second year of the empire of Octavian Augustus, when the whole earth was at peace;
in the sixth age of the world:
Jesus Christ, eternal God, and Son of the eternal Father, desirous to sanctify the world by His most merciful coming, havng been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and nine months having elapsed since his conception, is born in Bethlehem of Juda, having become man of the Virgin Mary. Alleluia. Thanks be to God.
Original found here. Edited a little; mostly punctuation.
The Latin original is reprinted here.
Fr Z has post this morning dedicated to the Christmas martyrology here. He not only gives an audio version of the original Latin but adds a link to a pdf of the Gregorian dots should you want to try your hand at singing it. Or your, um, vocal chords.
There also is a newer aggiornamentoized version available, so they tell me. One presumes that "1,599 years from the creation of the world" caused palpitations in the breast of Archbishop Gradgrind and Msgr Bounderby who instigated a revision forthwith.
(One wonders idly what the purpose of a new, improved, lemon-flavoured Martyrology might be. Since the martyrology is to be read at the office of Prime and the office of Prime has been determined to be surplus to requirements what does one do with one's brand-new copy of the Roman Martyrology?
Labels: Christmas, Liturgical Miscellany
Der Herr is geboren!
Just back from Christmas Eve Mass. Our schola did pretty well but we were very low on personnel. All the women had other engagements and we men were down to only three. So no polyphony but we did pretty well with the Gregorian propers and the congregation filled the chapel with the Healy Willan Mass. So all-in-all, a beautiful Christmas Eve Mass.
A very merry and holy Christmas to all who stop by The Inn this season. (And even to those who don't; they just won't know they've been wished it.)
Christmas and Washington Irving
Somebody posted this on FB this morning. The title is "How Washington Irving Shaped Christmas in America" and that, indeed, is what it's all about. Worth a read.
And it reminded me that Washington Irving on Christmas is himself worth a read. Tom Fitzpatrick serialized it several years ago on his Recta Ratio blog, which is where I first encountered it. I can't figure out how to post a link to his individual posts but you can find them but running a search for Washington Irving in the little box at the upper left-hand corner of this and most other blogspot hosted sites.
Or you could try the Gutenberg site for some Washington Irving Christmas. Try here.
Is a Puzzlement -- every year
I understand about the department stores. Christmas gifts come but once a year. But why are the grocery stores so crowded just before Christmas?
Yes, I know people are buying the turkey and the fixin's for the 25th of December. Buy where do all these extra people get their food on, say, the 12 of April? Or the 29th of September? Do they fast the other 51 weeks of the year? Or do they grow all their own food and raise their own cattle and pigs but have difficulty raising turkeys?
Is a puzzlement.
Emphasizing Sacrality
This restoration of a sense of the Holiness and otherness of the One Oblation of the Lord Once Offered is going to be the greatest task, the most laborious up-hill struggle, for all those Western clergy who desire to re-enter the historic, ecumenical liturgical consensus of the Latin West and the Byzantine Churches and the Semitic Christian East. Its destruction in the West more than a generation ago was one of the greatest successes of the Evil One. Its recovery is the calling of faithful clergy in this third millennium.
from Fr Hunwicke's Mutual Enrichment. More at the link.
The Infallible Word from Corporate
A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of the most iconic children's Christmas specials around, was originally rejected by CBS on the grounds that they didn't like amateur child voice actors voicing the characters, the anti-consumerism message, and the musical score.
From the "How to Geek" site which arrived in my inbox this morning.
Why Sexual Morality May Be More Important Than You Thought
Well, actually I did think it was rather important. Getting it wrong could result in an eternity in hell. But it seems there are other social and cultural reasons of resounding importance.
Begin here.
Labels: Actions have Consequences
Credo?
Pilfered shamelessly from the Chesterton Society's FB page.
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead; we may rise to the life immortal; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Thus a collect for the 1st Sunday of Advent. In the Ordinariate it's also the feast of St Edmund Campion who was martyred on this first day of December in 1581. He doesn't get a look-in this year since in falls on an Advent Sunday. You can read more about him here.
St Andrew's Day
"The 30th of November is the feast of St Andrew the Apostle, the patron of Scotland -- and Russia, Prussia, somewhere in Greece, Amalfi in Italy and a lot of other places and things, too."
Which is how The Inn has begun its St Andrew's Day post more than once before. For more on St Andrew and his feast click here or here.
You'll also find out about the St Andrew's Novena, which isn't actually a novena because it lasts 25 days and isn't actually to St Andrew. But it does begin on his feast day.
For the less liturgically (or paraliturgically) minded, how about a short St Andrew's Day parade?
Gorgeous stuff. The Met just posted this a short while ago. It's the finale to Act 1 of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda if you were wondering. A shame Joyce di Donato doesn't try for the high D at the end but it's still one of the best. IMHO only, of course.
Sunday, the Last before Advent
The Benedictus antiphon at lauds did sort of grab my attention this morning.
Cum videritis abominationem desolationis, quæ dicta est a Daniele propheta, stantem in loco sancto : qui legit intellegat.
Holy Mother Teresa de Jesus didn't believe in co-incidences.
Armistice Day/Veterans Day 2019
Someone sent me this today. I thought it worth a share considering the day that's in it.
May GOD continue to bless all who serve...
Vietnam Memorial Wall Facts
A little history most people will never know.
Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are in alphabetical order.
It is hard to believe it is 57 years since the first casualty.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
8,283 were just 19 years old.
The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia. I wonder why so many from one school.
8 Women are on the Wall, Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058)had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam. In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.
For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters.
This Seemed . . . Relevant
Part of this morning's scripture reading, from chapter 5 of Isaias.
This friend, that I love well, had a vineyard in a corner of his ground, all fruitfulness. 2 He fenced it in, and cleared it of stones, and planted a choice vine there; built a tower, too, in the middle, and set up a wine-press in it. Then he waited for grapes to grow on it, and it bore wild grapes instead. 3 And now, citizens of Jerusalem, and all you men of Juda, I call upon you to give award between my vineyard and me. 4 What more could I have done for it? What say you of the wild grapes it bore, instead of the grapes I looked for? 5 Let me tell you, then, what I mean to do to this vineyard of mine. I mean to rob it of its hedge, so that all can plunder it, to break down its wall, so that it will be trodden under foot. 6 I mean to make waste-land of it; no more pruning and digging; only briars and thorns will grow there, and I will forbid the clouds to water it. 7 Alas, it is the house of Israel that the Lord called his vineyard; the men of Juda are the plot he loved so. He looked to find right reason there, and all was treason; to find plain dealing, and he heard only the plaint of the oppressed.
From Msgr Knox's translation.
He is the patron saint of hunters. His feast day was actually earlier this week but I just came across this piece today. If you didn't know you had a saintly patron, well, now you do.
Tolle, lege.
Bl Terence Albert O'Brien, O.P.
Frist noticed on my twitter feed . . . but I forgot from whom. Sorry.
October 30th is the feast of Blessed Terence Albert O'Brien: Irish nobleman, Dominican friar, priest, Prior of Limerick, Provincial of Ireland, Bishop of Emly, supporter of the Confederation of Kilkenny, and martyr—executed by the Protestant Roundheads on this day in 1651.
Hotter Than the Hinges of Hell
Well, of course, I don't actually know whether hell has hinges or whether the weather hereabouts is hotter than the said hinges. But 99° fahrenheit is exceedingly warm. And if my grandfather were here he would definitely say it was hotter than the hinges of hell.
Not being English I didn't go out in the midday sun in the event you were wondering. Sloshed some water on the garden this morning and otherwise stayed indoors and thanked God and all His blessed saints for air-conditioning.
It's supposed to be the same again tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that. And so on until Monday.
And, yes, this whole tedious weather report is all just an excuse to post that Noel Coward clip.
posted by John at 12:44 AM
Found While Looking for Something Else
The "How-to-Geek" folks came up with this one. No citation, other than the main page, as it only appears in their newsletter and in today's front page of their website.
Link rot, finding that a URL leads nowhere, is frustrating enough when you're casually browsing, but it's proving to be a serious problem in legal affairs. A Harvard study found that approximately 50 percent of the URLs cited in U.S. Supreme Court cases are already invalid.
In the unlikely event you're reading this on 20 OCT 2019 you'll find the quote on their front page. By tomorrow . . . probably not. Another broken link. And this isn't even a supreme court case.
Sunday the 18th after Trinity and the 19th after Pentecost
This was our processional this morning. Very familiar tune but it took almost the whole first stanza before it registered: it's the old Czarist national anthem. Different words, of course, and not in English for a start. But what a delight for an unreconstructed monarchist. Da Zdra'stvuyet Tsar!
Someone also recorded a bit of our choir singing the Kyrie and Gloria. Somewhere in that polyphonic mix is my dulcet baritone masquerading as a bass. Not quite sure how to imbed Soundcloud files so let us hope that whatever I'm about to post below is correct.
By George, I think I've got it.
And finally the Sunday collect, one that goes right to the heart of the matter
LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman
He was canonized last Saturday, you know. He's the patron of our parish and Facebook is so full of stories and pictures of related ceremonies that it hadn't occurred to me that The Inn failed to mention it.
So herewith the remedy for that omission. Since it isn't all that widely known that St John Henry was no fan of people tinkering with the sacred liturgy, it might be worthwhile to remedy that too with this excerpt from one of his "Parochial and Plain Sermons" from his Anglican days:
In these times especially, we should be on our guard against those who hope, by inducing us to lay aside our forms, at length to make us lay aside our Christian hope altogether. This is why the Church itself is attacked, because it is the living form, the visible body of religion; and shrewd men know that when it goes, religion will go too. This is why they rail at so many usages as superstitious; or propose alterations and changes, a measure especially calculated to shake the faith of the multitude. Recollect, then, that things indifferent in themselves become important to us when we are used to them. The services and ordinances of the Church are the outward form in which religion has been for ages represented to the world, and has ever been known to us. Places consecrated to God's honour, clergy carefully set apart for His service, the Lord's-day piously observed, the public forms of prayer, the decencies of worship, these things, viewed as a whole, are sacred relatively to us, even if they were not, as they are, divinely sanctioned. Rites which the Church has appointed, and with reason,—for the Church's authority is from Christ,—being long used, cannot be disused without harm to our souls. Confirmation, for instance, may be argued against, and undervalued; but surely no one who in the common run of men wilfully resists the Ordinance, but will thereby be visibly a worse Christian than he otherwise would have been. He will find (or rather others will find for him, for he will scarcely know it himself), that he has declined in faith, humility, devotional feeling, reverence, and sobriety. And so in the case of all other forms, even the least binding in themselves, it continually happens that a speculative improvement is a practical folly, and the wise are taken in their own craftiness.
Therefore, when profane persons scoff at our forms, let us argue with ourselves thus—and it is an argument which all men, learned or unlearned, can enter into: "These forms, even were they of mere human origin (which learned men say is not the case, but even if they were), are at least of as spiritual and edifying a character as the rites of Judaism. Yet Christ and His Apostles did not even suffer these latter to be irreverently treated or suddenly discarded. Much less may we suffer it in the case of our own; lest, stripping off from us the badges of our profession, we forget there is a faith for us to maintain, and a world of sinners to be eschewed."
For more on Saint John Henry, this looks promising. (I phrase it that way for a reason, as I haven't seen the video yet or taken the course.)
15 October: In festo S Teresiæ Virginis, Matris Nostræ
Dear herald of our King!
Thou didst Thy home in childhood leave,
Intending to barbaric lands
Christ or thy blood to give.
But thee a sweeter death awaits;
A nobler fate is thine;
Wounded by point of heavenly dart,
To die of love divine.
Virgin of perfect charity!
Our souls wit love inspire;
And save the nations of thy charge
From everlasting fire.
Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit be;
Through all eternity.
--1st Vespers hymn for the feast of S Teresa of Avila
in the Stanbrook Abbey translation.
Sancta Mater Teresia, respice de cælo, et vide,
et visita vineam istam et perfice eam, quam
plantavit dextera tua!
-Ad. Bened.
Discovering Columbus
I guess today is still Columbus Day, isn't it? Our Masters who decree these things haven't changed it to National Aztec Day or something have they?
It used to be October the twelfth. And now it's, well, today: a Monday determined by some federally enacted formula.
But to the point. If you've a mind to read something on Christopher Columbus other than the approved rash judgement, calumny, and detraction try this by the redoubtable Solange Hertz.
About as politically incorrect as you're going to find, God bless her.
All About the Angels in 5 Minutes
Well, maybe not all.
A lot, anyway.
Courtesy of the FSSP here.
(Because it's the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. That's why.)
Labels: Angels play the harp; Seraphim play the pipes
The Battle Eve of the Brigade
The mess-tent is full, and the glasses are set,
And the gallant Count Thomond is president yet;
The vet'ran stands, like an uplifted lance,
Crying - 'Comrades, a health to the monarch of France!'
With bumpers and cheers they have done as he bade,
For King Louis is loved by the Irish Brigade.
'A health to King James,' and they bent as they quaffed,
'Here's to George the Elector,' and fiercely they laughed,
'Good luck to the girls we wooed long ago,
Where Shannon and Barrow and Blackwater flow; '
'God prosper Old Ireland,'-you'd think them afraid,
So pale grew the chiefs of the Irish Brigade.
'But, surely, that light cannot come from our lamp,
And that noise - are they all getting drunk in the camp? '
'Hurrah! boys, the morning of battle is come,
And the générale's beating on many a drum.'
So they rush from the revel to join the parade:
For the van is the right of the Irish Brigade.
They fought as they revelled, fast, fiery, and true,
And, though victors, they left on the field not a few;
And they who survived fought and drank as of yore,
But the land of their heart's hope they never saw more;
For in far foreign fields, from Dunkirk to Belgrade,
Lie the soldiers and chiefs of the Irish Brigade.
Thomas Osborne Davis
And may the High King of Glory grant him the mange. . .
That's the tail end of a lovely little poem (by whom? Is it Flann O'Brien? I've forgotten. But it sounds like him). And, yes, you're right: it is supposed to be a curse.
And why is a curse possibly by Flann O'Brien buying a ticket on my train of thought this morning? It's because of this. It seems therein that a retail establishment by the name of "Forever 21" has bought the economic farm and is poised to file for bankruptcy. They have a shop not too far from here and I have always been a little amazed by that title. It must appeal to some people, although apparently not nearly enough of them. But it has always seemed to me to be some sort of bizarre curse. It sounds like the sort of retail shop that Rod Serling would've created.
One does wish all the best for the employees. I've been in their position. It's not pleasant. But "Forever 21"? Never understood that. Perhaps if they'd just called it Matuschek & Co.?
Labor Day - 1 September 2019
"I was on holiday, and was engaged in that rich and intricate mass of pleasures, duties, and discoveries which for keeping off of the profane, we disguise by the exotic name of Nothing."
-- GK Chesterton, "Some Policemen and a Moral," Tremendous Trifles
Find out more about G.K. Chesterton at here.
Assumption Day
This day is the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, body and soul, into heaven. And it's a Holy Day of Obligation, which we made by the skin of our teeth. I played for a graduation this afternoon and there was a mountain of traffic coming back. Just barely got back in time to change, pick up the Memsahib, and dash off to evening Mass. Evening N.O. Mass, alas, but Mass nonethless. And not the worst one available either. Excellent sermon, too.
Something from St John Damascene, from the 2d nocturn of the day that's in it:
This day the holy and animated ark of the living God, she who conceived in her womb her Creator,, rests in the temple of the Lord, which was not made with hands. And her ancestor David leaps, and with him the Angels lead the dance, the Archangels celebrate, the Virtues ascribe glory, the Principalities exult, the Powers rejoice together, the Dominations are joyful, the Thrones keep holiday, the Cherubim utter praise, the Seraphim proclaim her glory. This day the Eden of the new Adam receives the living Paradise, wherein the condemnation was made void, wherein the tree of life was planted, wherein our nakedness was covered.
A collect from the Divine Worship Missal:
Almighty and everlasting God, who didst assume the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of thy Son, body and soul to the glory of heaven: grant us, we beseech thee; that being ever intent on things above, we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory hereafter; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Well that's finally done
I think I have finally finished tidying up the left-hand column of The Inn. Which tidying up was made necessary by the problem related here. So now the last of the cyberdust of Photobucket has been clapped from The Inn's cybersandals and we have moved on to the next town, um, I mean photo hosting site. In this case Imgur, which shows no sign (so far; fingers crossed) of stamping its logo all over the hosted images.
In some cases the Photobucket version was the only one I had so a different image is now in place. But mostly things should look about the same as they did before Photobucket became so unpleasant.
Next up: clearing out the dead links.
Labels: Housekeeping
Followed, naturally, by The Bad News
Apparently the internet, i.e., The Inn and its cyberspatial confreres, is killing your memory.
We've all heard the old warning: staring at a screen all day will rot your brain. Though it's not quite so dramatic, there may be some truth in the message after all — new research reveals that frequent internet use can change how our brains work.
That's the main takeaway from new research by American, Australian, and European scientists who found that heavy internet users performed worse at memory tasks and are generally more readily distracted — a chilling sign that internet-native generations may be harmed by technology so ubiquitous that opting out is nearly unimaginable.
More here, with links to even more.
Of course, eating more chocolate may help. Or drinking more tea. I think I'll go put the kettle on. (But having just been on the internet, when I get to the kitchen will I remember what I went in there for?)
First the Good News
"There is no longer any doubt" , it says here, that coffee, tea, and chocolate are good for you.
So says a website just called "Inc", which cognomen doesn't actually inspire all that much confidence. But I like what they have to say:
Neuroscience continues to uncover new ways that coffee and (to a lesser extent) tea and chocolate, tend to make brains healthier and more resilient. 2019 has already seen some amazing research breakthroughs that are definitely worth sharing.
First, a joint study from the National Institute on Aging and Johns Hopkins University, and published last January in Neurochemical Research magazine,discovered that a methylxanthines--a class of chemical found in coffee, tea and dark chocolate (cacao)
"has clear effects on neuronal network activity, promotes sustained cognitive performance and can protect neurons against dysfunction and death in animal models of stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease."
Big Tech's Liability
Should Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram or other purveyors of internet content be liable for damages if they fail to ensure that what they disseminate is not inaccurate, libelous, or otherwise dangerous and pernicious?
Mostly, yes, says Mr Presser here.
But I wonder. Having the current powers-that-be determine what is "dangerous and pernicious" seems equally problematical. It seems to me we'd need a new culture for that to work well.
And yet, what other solution is there?
(As a start I would recommend devotion to the journalist and martyr Bl Titus Brandsma, O.Carm. who defied an even more ruthless twister of information than Google and Facebook: the Gestapo.)
Labels: Carmel, Martyrs, Technological Progress Dept
10 August ---- again
The mail just came. For the record, here on the 10th of August at 3 p.m. we have just received our first Christmas catalogue.
I was going to make merciless fun of it, what with it being unconscionably early and all. But actually, there are some really nice things in there. . . along with the requisite kitsch, to be sure. So I can't quite bring myself to unload on an outfit that uses Beuron-style art for their Christmas cards.
Still. For the record: it's too early for this.
My mom and dad tied the knot on this day in 1945. They were both stationed at Pearl Harbor at that time. On the right, I believe, is Col Caulfield my mother's commanding officer at the time who gave her away on the day.
Oh, God who didst command thy people saying: Honour thy father and thy mother in thy loving kindness have mercy on the souls of my father and my mother and forgive them all their sins: and I humbly pray that Thou wouldst grant unto me to behold their faces in the glory of eternal felicity. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Probably the most visited post ever on The Inn has been this one on the martyred Carmelite nuns of Compiegne.
Today is their feast day in the Carmelite calendar.
Probably the most complete history of these saints is William Bush's To Quell the Terror. ICS published a comprehensive booklet by the late Terrye Newkirk on the martyrs called The Mantle of Elijah. It was also on line in several places. Alas, ICS no longer carries it and all the sites that used to have it seem to have taken it down. It's well-worth a read and if you are so inclined Abebooks has a few copies for not too many dollars.
In the meantime, there is the link above to The Inn's old post, a short history here, and Fr Z's cautionary post here.
Labels: Carmel, Ordo Carmelitarum - OCD & O.Carm
On Tidying up the Graffiti Photobucket Left on The Inn
Fortunately, Photobucket is not the only photo hosting site in town. Since Photobucket decided to smear The Inn with its slimy logo -- and many another blog besides -- this is a good thing to know. Of course, I could always pay the ransom* but that rather sticks in the craw. I've been testing both Imgur and Flickr and they seem to work well. It'll take a while before I can replace all the illustrations on the left-hand column but it's preferable to paying off the vultures who now run (own?) Photobucket.
*Some of the brethren on Blogspot are calling it "blackmail". I think that's a mistake. Blackmail is a different thing altogether. I'm sticking with "ransom".
14 July -- Bastille Day
The Inn's annual reprint of the late Jerry Pournelle's summary of the, um, great day:
On July 14, 1789, the Paris mob aided by units of the National Guard stormed the Bastille Fortress which stood in what had been the Royal area of France before the Louvre and Tuilleries took over that function. The Bastille was a bit like the Tower of London, a fortress prison under direct control of the Monarchy. It was used to house unusual prisoners, all aristocrats, in rather comfortable durance. The garrison consisted of soldiers invalided out of service and some older soldiers who didn't want to retire; it was considered an honor to be posted there, and the garrison took turns acting as valets to the aristocratic prisoners kept there by Royal order (not convicted by any court).
On July 14, 1789, the prisoner population consisted of four forgers, three madmen, and another. The forgers were aristocrats and were locked away in the Bastille rather than be sentenced by the regular courts. The madmen were kept in the Bastille in preference to the asylums: they were unmanageable at home, and needed to be locked away. The servants/warders were bribed to treat them well. The Bastille was stormed; the garrison was slaughtered to a man, some being stamped to death; their heads were displayed on pikes; and the prisoners were freed. The forgers vanished into the general population. The madmen were sent to the general madhouse. The last person freed was a young man who had challenged the best swordsman in Paris to a duel, and who had been locked up at his father's insistence lest he be killed. This worthy joined the mob and took on the name of Citizen Egalite. He was active in revolutionary politics until Robespierre had him beheaded in The Terror.
I'd give a citation for it but I don't know how to cite to the correct page in the blog format Jerry used. The blog itself is still up and you can find it here.
Because it's Canada Day and my grandmother's people were Canadian. Although in her day it was still Dominion Day. The first of my family to come to North America was my great, great, great grandfather who came as a soldier with the 74th Regiment of Foot to garrison Atlantic Canada. It seems the still-British part of North America had had a recent spot of bother with their neighbours to the south circa 1812 and some reinforcements seemed advisable. He apparently liked what he found in Canada so after a decade or so when he left the army he stayed. I'm told I have a good many Canadian cousins, although I've never met them. So a happy Canada Day.
Here in California, defined to me recently as "a small island just off the coast of earth", we have the feast of St Junipero Serra the founder of most of the beautiful old California missions. The good old Catholic Encyclopædia will tell you more about him here.
In the traditional Roman liturgy Fr Serra is superseded by the feast of the Precious Blood of Jesus. For more on the feast and the Precious Blood of Jesus and the Visitation of Our Lady try Fr Hunwicke here. For a fascinating read on the Precious Blood and the Holy Grail do go to Charles Coulombe's excellent piece here. Or this one here.
This is new . . . and annoying
I see that Photobucket, after opening the floodgates to cheesy ads and making itself otherwise extremely difficult to use has now put an ugly little stamp on all The Inn's pictures.
Time to look for a new picture host.
Long over-due, in fact.
Chesterton on Slang . . . and Psychology . . . sort of
From G.K.'s Weekly, May 9, 1931 via the May/June 2019 edition of Gilbert! (which appears to have gotten its exclamation point back)
That is the sort of slang that is really weakening language and literature in America. It is the weary tossing about at tenth hand of certain words supposed to belong to a science of psychology; a psychology which I suspect that the psychologists do not understand and I know that the journalists do not understand. There was an even worse example in the case of the quarrel that arose round the alleged attack on American culture by Mr J.B. Priestley An American lady, writing a spirited reply to Mr Priestley, poured scorn upon what she call the "sadistic" cowardice of Americans in submitting to such criticism. What she imagined the word "sadistic" to mean the devil only knows; the devil being the only person who ought to be interested in it. All over American magazines, even the most intelligent and interesting articles, there is sprinkled this silly slang of popular science; a welter of long words that are either utterly unmeaning, or unmeaning where they are used, or mean something entirely different. In so far as they had any relation to psychology, or in so far as psychology had any relation to reason, the only possible effect they could have would be to provide the future with a widespread psychological study of softening of the brain.


We're back to fill your closet with the best wardrobe basics the internet has to offer. Here, to go with all of your white tees, jeans (and jeans for petites), work pants, and elastic-waist pants, we've reached out to real women to learn about the best white button-down shirts for women.
$188 at Need Supply Co.


The Barbour Shield Bucket Hat can be adapted to suit your outfit thanks to its reversible nature. Either wear with Barbour's signature Summer Tartan or the block colour on the other side. Fully waterproof, this hat will prove handy in the summer sun and in the rain.


Yesterday we saw some fantastic style at the Galway Races and snapped some style pics for you to enjoy here.
It's here! The biggest dress up day in the Irish Calendar, Ladies Day at the Galway Races. I'll be dropping in throughout the day blogging the goings ons and giving you the low down "live" from behind the scenes. Pop in during the day and see what we're up to.
A sheepskin lined iPad case by an Irish designer, Stila is back and a hat for the Galway Races – some of the things rocking our fashion world this week.


text:
Indigenous women and girls are more likely to suffer extreme violence than other women. They are more likely to disappear and never be seen again. And sadly, they are more likely to be murdered by a serial killer. For decades, it has been Canada's dirty little secret. Then in 2014, the horrific murders of Loretta Saunders and Tina Fontaine made headlines across Canada, ignited widespread outrage and exposed Canada's national shame.
So why is the level of violence towards Indigenous women reaching crisis levels? Centuries of discrimination, long term effects of the dreadful residential school era, and many other appalling government-approved practices have resulted in widespread racism towards Indigenous people. Attempts at genocide didn't cease centuries ago like many believe. They just became more subtle.
Invisible Victims is a shocking work that shines a spotlight on this national crisis and its root causes. It includes several specific cases and a review of the serial killers who have specifically targeted Indigenous women and girls as a result of the apathy of Canada's law enforcement, media and government.
Invisible Victims: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
Katherine McCarthy is a writer, graphic designer and book review blogger of Mi'kmaq and Irish descent.
Following her heart, Katherine left a 20-year commerce and project management career to find a place in the Indie Writing industry. She is currently managing a graphic design company, Evening Sky Publishing Services, specializing in book cover art design for independent authors and small publishers. The Crime Cove Book Review Blog is where she discovered writing and reading about true crime is her passion.
Published by VP Publications, An Imprint of RJ Parker Publishing Inc.
Available in eBook, Paperback & Audiobook
Dimensions: 5" x 8"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Why buy land for sale in Cropston?
This site comprises of approximately 3 acres of arable land for sale with investment potential due to the adjacent housing and its prime location on the outskirts of Leicester.
The land benefits from gated access and is available freehold as a whole or in 2 good sized lots that have the potential for paddock conversion.
Cropston is a desirable and affluent village in Leicestershire, between Leicester to the south and Loughborough to the north. It acts as a commuter village for surrounding towns and villages.
Leicester's surrounding towns and villages are expected to benefit from the regeneration of the thriving city centre to strengthen the areas economy.
The site benefits from gated access off Bradgate Road through an 8 metre easement.
Cropston and the surrounding villages are desirable places to live for commuters to the larger towns. This has resulted in an increasing population and development in the area.
In Anstey, there are plans to build 47 new homes reaching from Bradgate Road to the top of Link Road.
Furthermore, a new housing development has commenced in nearby Birstall, occupying land to the west of the A6 between North Birstall and the A46. The development will consist of up to 900 properties including schools, shops, offices, industrial units and a fire station.
Not looking for land for sale in Cropston?
Leicester is less than 5 miles south of Cropston and is the largest city in the East Midlands and the 10th largest in England.
There are a number of major developments on the horizon implemented by the Leicester Regeneration Company to strengthen the city's economy.
Loughborough, the largest town in Leicestershire, is to the north. Its University campus attracts a large population from nearby towns and villages due to its academic success.
Excellent transport links are provided by the A46, Leicester Western Bypass, providing a fast link to the M1 connecting the site with London and Leeds.
Cropston is home to a number of local shops providing the essentials and there are many surrounding towns and villages close by offering further amenities.
The village borders Cropston Reservoir to the west, which provides many picturesque walks and bridleways close to the water's edge.
Situated in the heart of Charnwood Forest, Cropston offers many country walks and pursuits and is part of the National Forest.
Located within Charnwood Forest is Bradgate Park, Leicestershire's largest and most popular country park. It covers 850 acres and boasts a deer park and vast areas of heathland.
Anstey is a large village less than 2 miles from the site. It is a combination of traditional village and industrial town and the site of a number of house-building schemes in recent years, increasing the village's population significantly.
Further development in the area can be seen in the nearby villages of Birstall & Thurmaston, due to their prominent locations North of Leicester.
To arrange a site visit or to buy the land for sale in Cropston; please call 01727 701330 or email enquiries@vantageland.co.uk.


My family has been blessed with unnaturally dry skin. The boys in my family suffer more than the girls — they have scaly skin on their arms, legs and scalp. It took visits to a few different doctors before we were able to find relief for our condition. If you have unnaturally dry skin that is scaly looking and horribly itchy, this blog may be able to help. You will find natural products that have proven to be effective in treating this issue and medications that we have tried over the years. I hope that our experience can help you beat this awful skin problem a little quicker than we have been able to.
What Medical Procedures Are Used To Remove Moles From The Skin?


Hello Sweethearts! Finally after so long my first 2017 beauty related video is now up on my Youtube. Remember to click here to subscribe my youtube channel and I will be upload it on weekly basis. I will speak more than my blog ... So, just beware of that! Teehee* I decided to speak in Mandarin mainly because it's my mother tongue and I wish I could speak fluent English too but unfortunately I'm not really good in speaking. But I can speak 'Manglish' actually xD Rojak language in Malaysia.
No need to keep waiting for it because I'm ready for it. Although it takes me longer to edit and film it all by myself but I'm willing to learn & share more for you guys. With all your love and support I decided to go out from my comfort zone and hope to hear more from you guys too. Anything you want to know can just drop me a comment on the video below too.
I updated my part#1 JAPAN MUST BUY two years ago (http://www.chanwon.com/2015/12/japan-must-buy.html) and now, here's the video about JAPAN MUST-BUY part #2 ! I know there are some of you wanted to check the complete product list too. This is the reason why I decided to come out with a blog post and list down everything that you might need to know.
First it's my all time favourite. Actually all of these items are my favourite since months ago. I remember I introduced all of these before on the ifeel Magazine because that time I collaborate with them for the 'beauty column writer' for 3 months. It's quite interesting and most of the item that I recommended in this video are really affordable + you can easily get it in most of the drugstore in Japan.
I also spot this fino premium hair mask in Taiwan. It's nice to use and no matter what shampoo you use before this, it will just works the same because once you apply it on your hair for 5 mins, your hair instantly feel smooth and manageable. My hair is the best experiment ever because I always dye my hair and it's quite damage.
After using this for twice, the next day my hair was still super smooth and really nice on its shape. Silky and lovely too. Smelly touched my hair and ask did I just go for hair treatment or??? AHAHAHAH So it's one of the SOS product to use. Sometime in hurry I will just wash it away after waited for 3 mins. lol I'm always busy and running out of time lol.
One bottle of this can last for half year if you use it once every 3 days. Really big and worth it. Consider with the price of this product, I will give it a 5 stars!
Next, it's my favourite facial cotton pads to use on daily basis. During my previous trip with my friends I always recommended them to get this too. It's cheap , nice and really affordable. As usual, WORTH IT!! Just 98 yen per box only (around RM4.50-5). I saw some of you told me that it's selling in Wellness Aeon for RM8.90 -9.00. So feel free to check this out!
The good thing about this cotton pad was it's gentle on our skin and the special cut / shape of the cotton pad. It can be separated into two pieces and best to use as a toner mask. Just pour an enough amount of toner on the cotton pads then after apply it all over your face, just go ahead and place the cotton pad on the bottom part of your eyes.
Place it like this and it will become a toner mask.
Let your skin absorb as much as it can and wahhhh-laaaaa! It's done!
Remember the JAPAN MUST BUY blog post that i updated two years ago? I bought the lycée eyedrops and I told you guys to get it for yourself or as a souvenir for your friends, right? Now, they even came out with a new eye wash that really special and nice to use! What so special about it??
The answer is....the soft case!!
Yes, you are right! The soft case! This is the best creation ever because normally the eye wash case that we use to pour our eye wash liquid is hard case. Japan always came out with something that really nice to use and to fit our lifestyle & needs. This eye wash liquid soft case can be squeeze and then it will make the liquid to create a circular motion and easily wash away all the dirts in our eyes. It can wash away the mascara dirt , dust and reduce itchiness.
I tell you, once you try this, you can throw away others eye wash liquid. This is the greatest creation ever!
If you followed me on my instagram for sometime, you might be notice that usually I travel to Japan during spring, autumn and winter season. It's so hot in Malaysia and due to the weather diff each time I back from oversea, my skin experienced serious breakout. My skin become super dry after I apply other cleanser, then my T-zone area become super oily. Slowly I realise the oiliness of my face due to my dehydrated skin.
But due to my skin condition was really sensitive and itchy / red that time, I decided not to use any cleanser until one of my Taiwan friends recommended this to me during my Taiwan Trip last year. She recommended this for me and ask me to get it in Japan instead of Taiwan because it's made in Japan one lol.
It's a bubble cleanser that specially dedicated for dehydrated + super sensitive skin. It's so famous in Japan but not much people notice this unless you really familiar with Japanese skincare product. For this there are lots of diff range and series. I'm using the intensive moisture care (blue label) series that really works well on my skin.
If you want to try this out you can get the travel kit set /travel size that come with a toner, cleanser & cream. It's really good and recommended for those who experience dehydrated and sensitive skin!
Other than that for normal day + sunblock product (without apply makeup or any foundation) , I will use the makeup cleansing gel to remove the sunblock or even light foundation can be remove too. It's really gentle and not oily at all. It works like the banila.co but this one can't really remove waterproof mascara. That's why I only use to remove sunblock or light base makeup.
I bought the lotion one during my winter trip in Japan. I applied it every morning and night + it's -3 degree during my winter trip. Then surprisingly, my hand and leg never breakout during the whole trip. My friends noticed this and straight away grab 4 bottles back to Malaysia. It's really moisture my skin and they even came out with an intense version one for the skin lotion.
After trying out the lotion, I noticed the same packaging (yellow packaging) mask sheet that selling in 7-11 Japan. Then I grabbed 2 pack during my trip last year. After that, whenever I spot this mask in Japan drugstore, I will just grab at least 10 packs!
Not just me, my friends that tried this also felt in love with this right away after first try. Remember they came to my room asking whether I have extra mask or not (2 guy and 1 girl). Then I pass this mask for them to try it out and immediately the next day all of us went crazy when spot this in the drugstore. It was really funny but this mask is like a magic. It minimize the pores and moisture your skin right away after 1 use.
I usually use one pack per month. It's like a face mask 'course'. Within that week I will use it from Day1-7 but this is for extremely dehydrated skin. For normal use you can use it once a week too. If you always travel to cold weather country like me then please grab this!! It's really nice!
That's all for today's sharing. All of these are my favourite and repeat product list that I always restock /re-purchase when I'm going to Japan. It's cheap, nice to use, worth every single cent of your money. I guess you might need to consider getting all of the items that I mentioned in this post on your coming trip too. Hope it's helpful to you. See you on my next post! Love, xoxo.


text:
Request for a Site Survey or Quotation : sales@airco.pk | For Technical Assitance Call : +92-300-4284119
Tag: Airco Systems Pakistan
5 Tips on how to safely cut concrete!
by airco
Concrete cutting can be a big part of building or renovation projects
Picture courtesy of SEQ Concrete Cutting Pty Ltd
Concrete cutting requires incredible precision, proper training, and the right equipment. Due to the complexity of the job, it should be a task reserved only for professionals.
There are many ways to cut concrete and various types of cutting machinery to get it done. In building or concrete demolition projects, the cuts can vary in depth and length. This is why a precise and well-trained hand is needed to ensure that the cuts are created in the exact size they should be.
The type of cut needed for each project should also be used as basis for the type of equipment to be used to cut the concrete. Whether you're looking to cut curved or straight, deep or subtle lines, there is always the right equipment to get the job done.
If you're looking for professional concrete cutters for your project then choose a local contractor who has the manpower and machinery to provide the services you need.
Regardless of whether you need to cut concrete to create windows or doors or simply would like to get concrete floor sawing services, professional contractors can get these done for you. In fact, there is a specific machine to ensure safe and precise concrete cutting for your project, and the right contractor should know which one to use.
Five methods to ensure safe and efficient concrete cutting on your construction project
Flush cutting
If you need to cut a straight line on a concrete floor then flush cutting is the best option. The flush cutting saw creates a precise straight cut at any depth, making it the perfect tool for cutting concrete or reinforced concrete.
It's also ideal for cutting stone or bricks. With proper training, a flush cutting saw is generally easy to manoeuvre. It's considerably smaller too, which makes it a great option for cutting in small or narrow areas that large machines can't reach.
Hand and ring sawing
Hand saw and ring saw are great cutting machines to use for concrete cutting. They can work wonders especially when manoeuvred by skilled hands. These types of machines are perfect when you need to create precise cuts without much regard to the depth.
These cutting saws are best used for wall sawing, cutting expansion joints and doorways, and removing footpath and concrete slab. They are highly efficient and use a dust and water system to avoid dispersion of debris which could cause disruption of work in your site.
Hydraulic and High-Frequency Sawing
Concrete cutting can be noisy and disruptive. This is why it's not always the easiest task to manage if you're working on an indoor project. It can quickly become messy and time-consuming with the preparation, actual cutting, and post-cutting cleanup.
Hydraulic and high-frequency sawing by professional concrete cutters is a quick fix to the problem. These types of cutting saws generate low noise and are fume-free, which make them the perfect option for indoor projects. They're also easy to manoeuvre, making concrete cutting a lot easier.
Road sawing
Large scale indoor and outdoor projects such as floor or road sawing often require special types of machinery that will ensure that the cuts are precise with the right depth. For these projects, special concrete cutting saws must be used to ensure perfect cuts.
Professional concrete cutting service contractors often use equipment that can create cuts with a depth of 375 mm to 500 mm. These cutting saws can cut through floors, asphalt, and pavements.
Diamond saw cutting
There are two types of diamond concrete cutting saw: the dry cutting saw, and wet cutting saw. The dry cutting saw generate the best result when successional cuts are made on the same spot to increase depth.
Meanwhile, the wet cutting saw can be used continuously as it uses water to prevent dispersion of dust and prevents the saw from overheating. Both cutting saws are often used in large scale projects as they can create precise and smooth cuts on concrete.
Concrete removal and demolition
It's common in renovation projects to alter the size or totally remove concrete, whether it's concrete floors, slabs, pillars or walls, among many others. Usually, concrete removal is regarded as a messy task that needs a lot of precaution and planning.
While it is true that concrete removal can be stressful, it doesn't always have to be as costly and complicated of a task as most people regard it to be. With the right professionals, it can be done in the fastest and easiest way possible.
As established earlier, one of the perks of working with concrete cutting and removal contractors is their plethora of high-quality machinery. But more than that, they are the best option for the job because of their training and safety gear. They know how to cut and remove concrete in the safest and non-disruptive manner possible.
Core drilling
Apart from concrete cutting and concrete removal, core drilling is also another highly sought after service from professional contractors. Drilling on concrete is often sought before electrical or plumbing installations in buildings.
A modern core drilling machinery can drill up to 1000 mm in-depth, with a diameter of up to 1200 mm. Professional contractors can do regular drilling, inverted drilling or stitch drilling — all depending on the type of holes needed for your home's engineering and architectural plan.
When working on a renovation or a new building, knowing what types of concrete services you'll need from professionals can make the entire process a lot easier for you. You can effectively relay to professional contractors what you need and they can guide you through the processes needed to get it done.
And since a good contractor essentially means easier building and renovation, you must do your due diligence before committing to one. Choose contractors who have the experience and skills needed for the job and are situated locally.
Tefcold owner becomes Interlevin MD
UK: Torben L Christensen, the owner of Tefcold, has taken over as MD of Interlevin Refrigeration.
He replaces Jonathan Corns who was appointed MD last year following the company's acquisition by Tefcold, the Danish family owned commercial refrigeration company.
"We see Interlevin as a very important part of the Tefcold Group and for Interlevin to reach its full potential we believe we have an obligation to get the best possible integration into the group," said Christensen.
"The group management have decided that I take over as MD in order to make sure we share best practices around processes through the group and grow Interlevin within the marketplace. While we have seen many operational improvements during the last financial year, we know that there is still room to grow and maximise our offering within the commercial refrigeration sector."
Survey seeks to boost womens' careers in RACHP
UK: The IoR's Women in RACHP Network is inviting the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector to complete a survey to gauge attitudes towards women in the industry.
As the RACHP sector continues to struggle to bring more women into the industry and utilise female talent to its full potential, the Women in RACHP Network is undertaking research in this area in an aim to drive change. The network is encouraging everyone in the sector to take part in the online survey which is intended to benchmark the industry's benefits and attitudes towards women and explore what should be done to close the gender gap.
It is clear that women are under-represented in engineering and the RACHP sector is no exception.
"Although there are no official figures in the UK the reality of the RACHP sector is comparable to that of the US where women represent only 1.2% of the HVACR workforce," said committee member Astrid Prado, marketing manager at Star Refrigeration.
Maintaining that a reputation for the refrigeration and air conditioning being "man's work" is failing to attract talented women at all levels, Prado said it continued to operate with work packages "developed decades ago for a largely male, full-time workforce" and was "failing to keep pace" with the expectations of the modern workforce.
"In order to drive change, we must redesign current workplace practices to accommodate the diversity of today's workforce who want flexibility, equal opportunities, and better access to training and development."
Prado added, "Although this is only a starting point, the outcome of the research will serve not only as a point of reference but as industry guidance for the future, to help us improve and ensure we offer an attractive package to women so that they are inspired to join and stay in the industry."
The survey is open to both men and women working in all roles and from all pay grades and structures. All entrants completing the questions before December 1 will be added to a prize draw to win a Latitude travel charger set.
The Women in RACHP Network was set up by the Institute of Refrigeration as an educational and networking group to encourage diversity in the workforce and promote the role of women in refrigeration.
Contractor group moves to allay fears on R22
USA: The USA's largest air conditioning contractors' association has moved to allay US fears regarding the future availability of R22 refrigerant.
The production and importation of the main air conditioning refrigerant R22 will be banned in the US from January 1 under Montreal Protocol phase-out agreements. While existing stock and reclaimed/recycled material will still be able to be used, there is concern in the market regarding future prices and availability.
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), which represents over 60,000 members and 4,000 businesses, says it believes there will be enough stockpiled and reclaimed R22 to allow for a smooth R22 transition.
"Do we know how much R22 is and will be available? No, but there are some indicators that show that R22 should be available for several years," says ACCA vice president, public policy & industry relations on the association's website.
This he bases on ACCA's research and in working with refrigerant manufacturers and reclaimers.
He quotes Arkema's director of sales saying: "Arkema has done significant market research and we estimate that there is sufficient R22 to serve the market needs for at least five years."
Haun also stated: "Take R12, for instance, which was phased out on January 1, 1996. There are still R12 systems operating in the US and contractors are still able to purchase R12 to service those systems."
However, according to a large reclaimer, one of the challenges that could decrease R22 availability is the mixing rate of reclaimed product. Some reclaimers lack the ability to separate refrigerants when they received recovery cylinders that are made up of a cocktail of refrigerants. ACCA fears that the increased mixing rate and inability to separate those products could have an impact on the supply but is not certain that that alone would reduce the years of projected availability.
Dearman refrigeration technology is top tip
UK/NETHERLANDS: Dearman's liquid-nitrogen-powered transport refrigeration units will be offered for lease to leading fleet operators by Dutch trailer firm TIP.
Following successful trials in the Netherlands and Italy with a top multi-brand foods company, TIP will deploy Dearman's technology alongside their regular fleet of refrigerated trailers.
The Dearman technology replaces diesel-powered secondary engines used to power transport refrigeration units, and has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by up to 95%.
According to TIP vice president Benelux Rogier Laan, the company's customers are frequently seeking answers to issues such as sustainability and the type of trailers to be used. "We therefore keep a close eye on technical developments within our industry and we test these developments regularly, including this revolutionary solution from Dearman," he said.
AirCo Pakistan – Servicing | Maintenance | Troubleshooting
Excitement builds for the Cooling Awards on September 25
Excitement is building for the biggest night out for the cooling sector, with the Cooling Awards now just eight weeks away.
Our illustrious team of judges, drawn from all corners of the industry – an eye-watering 48 of them – have made their decisions following the face-to-face judging round. A total of 19 trophies are up for grabs in the main wards, meaning that a lot of people will be on tenterhooks ahead of the main event at the Hilton on Park Lane on September 25.
The RAC and IOR National Student of the Year Award will also be presented on the night.
As award-winning comedian and podcaster Russell Kane makes a triumphant return to the Cooling Awards, there is also set to be plenty of entertainment on offer for everybody, whether oR not they are directly involved in an award. And with around 500 of the industry's finest set to be attending the dinner, the networking is expected to be equally high-quality too.
There's still time to book tables for the event at https://coolingawards.racplus.com
MEP Pojects and high temperatures – do you know the risks?
Heatstroke kills 32 year old former athlete
Recently the sports world was rocked by the death of a young former football star who died from heatstroke. See the reports from the BBC and CBS news.World temperatures are rising and recently parts of Europe and the USA have experienced some of the hottest recorded temperatures. This last summer Australia also experienced record breaking temperatures.
So what can we do about heatstroke? Well this report from the BBC tells us more about the effects of heat on the body.
Those in construction are at particular risk of suffering heat related illnesses since they are often expected to do hard physical tasks for long hours, often out in the open.
Dealing with hot weather on projects
It's important that everyone on your construction project is aware of the risks that high temperatures pose. Everyone must be aware of the early symptoms of heat exhaustion so they can take quick corrective action before the situation deteriorates to full heatstroke. There should always be an adequate supply of cool fresh drinking water and workers must be encouraged to drink lots of water. Workers must be allowed to take frequent rest breaks in a cool environment. Where possible try and start work earlier when the day is still cool. Possibly schedule some tasks for the night – particularly pouring concrete. Rotate workers so that one worker isn't working on a strenuous task all day.Be aware that people on medication, those taking drugs or consuming excess alcohol and caffeine may be more susceptible to suffering the ill effects of high temperature. Those use to working in more moderate and cooler climates are also not as use to working in hot conditions as others may be who have become acclimatised to these conditions, so it's important to understand that people will be impacted differently by the heat.
High temperatures will impact productivity, but the construction schedule should not endanger people's lives. Extreme temperatures above the norm may be reason to lodge a variation claim with the client.
Of course heat doesn't also impact people's lives it can impact concrete and other products. Concrete, mortar, adhesives and paints will all dry out rapidly, which could lead to problems with finishing the work as well as cracking and other problems.
Take adequate precautions to ensure that heat doesn't endanger safety or impact quality on your construction project. Working in a cool office may insulate you from the severe heat while others on the project have to deal with the full impacts of the hot temperatures.
How will your project deal with the high temperatures?
AirCo Pakistan | Maintenence | Troubleshooting | Installations
IOR unveils revised good commercial refrigeration guidance
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) has partnered with the British Refrigeration Association (BRA) to revise the second part of its Guide to Good Commercial Refrigeration Practice with a focus on safety and environmental considerations.
Revisions that have been announced to the guide, the second part of which looks at system design and components, ties in to a wider nine-part focus on good practice for organisations working with refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning systems.
According to the IOR and BRA, the updated guide on system design and component selection, as outlined in part two, considers the complexities of addressing both environmental and safety considerations when planning the introduction of new cooling approaches.
A joint statement on the guide said, "It comprises chapters on compressors, chilled and frozen cabinets, condensers, refrigerant pipework, design considerations, plant room design and more. In this edition, the chapter on evaporators has been extensively revised and references have been updated throughout."
The second edition of the guidance on system design and component selection is expected to be followed with similar updates to the other eight remaining parts of the series over the next twelve months.
This will cover a range of topics focusing more specifically on changing safety and environmental considerations for different forms of cooling appliances, to system installation and commissioning.
Other specific focuses of the guidance will focus on system maintenance and service, as well as a publication looking at the decommissioning and waste disposal process.
The eighth part of the series looks at refrigerant and retrofitting, with a final focus published in association with ACRIB focusing on the themes of competence, training and skills.
Members of both organisations are able to access the update free of charge, while the publication can be purchased separately by non-members.
AirCo Pakistan – Air Conditioning Solutions
New Home Checklist Before You Seal the Deal (and After)
Buying a new home can be an exciting experience as it marks a new chapter in your life. However, it can often be stressful as tasks and projects build up. Keeping up with your day-to-day activities can be challenging, and sometimes, people neglect proper inspections of their new home.
Continue reading "New Home Checklist Before You Seal the Deal (and After)"
Panasonic goes "big" with R32
UK: Panasonic has introduced the Big PACi series of air conditioners in 20kW and 25kW capacities using R32 refrigerant.
The additions include a water heat exchanger option and a split-able duct indoor unit which can be divided into the heat exchanger and fan parts, allowing for easier installation within narrow spaces such as small retail shops.
As well as being more efficient than its R410A counterparts, the R32 Big PACi series offers a reduced refrigerant charge. The indoor unit is also up to 16kg lighter in weight than conventional Big PACi R410 models.
Designed for easy installation, the new models are said to have a more compact indoor chassis with the depth reduced by 230mm versus the conventional Big PACi R410A range. The compact design is said to still maintain the same level of efficiency overall and has an SEER rating of up to 5.25 and SCOP rating of 3.61.
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text:
Inertial Frames Of Reference
SmokeyVW
Genre: Film Scoring
This is a custom soundtrack for a short film.
The lengths of the sections here are dictated by the needs of the film - there's little wiggle-room on that.
This track is based heavily on Perhaps She's Channeling. In the latest discussion with the film maker, it was decided to use only portions of this track along with material from Perhaps She's Channeling and a modified version of Red.
I'd love to hear your guess on what the film's story is - its entire duration is the length of this soundtrack.
The link to the final film is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXnUoDiZRu0
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2008 - 08:38:37 AM Last Played: Nov 09, 2018 - 04:34:20 PM
12parsecs
12parsecs said 4007 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
very cool. sounding pretty polished to me. i found myself hoping that the filtered and panning beat would come in full and strong at some point, but you probably have that way because of the picture you are working with.
my guess as to the short's subject matter... i'm guessing an artsy, stylized live action film. kinda condensed love story. perhaps girl has a bouquet of flowers in the basket of her bicycle, a rose falls out on to the street. guy picks it up, runs after her - all through the city (european looking city) - to finally deliver it to her in the end as she smiles coyly.
Check out my latest song called No disassemble!
guitapick
guitapick said 4006 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
Sweet contrasts...
...with soft edges...
Nice piece, Mr. VW...
Check out my latest song called 'Cuz I Can
magnatone said 4006 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
I have no guess, but I sure can't wait to find out. This is Awesome Bill!
Check out my latest song called Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) and Variations
jaclyn said 4006 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
really excited to use this in the film! I'm hoping to put the film up on youtube soon after it's done...but i might have to wait a while as we are submitting to a local film festival..i'll keep you guys posted!
HINT...it's a film noir! but i like your guess 12parsecs! it IS artsy, stylized and live action!
michael2 said 4006 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
i am always blown away by what you do with GB and by what you come up with from that brain of yours. I've always wanted to try and do a song in the way that you described. Did you come up with sketch ideas first and then make them work together, or did you improvise a whole piece and then perfect it. or maybe something different. i think it's beautiful, if the images match the music it should make for a great film.
SmokeyVW said 4006 days ago (July 30th, 2008)
The film maker Jaclyn approached me with a short list of music I have already posted here on MacJams. We went back and forth a few times on possibilities, customizing the songs, etc. Then Jaclyn provided me with a summary of the film describing each scene, their durations, which song to use, and the action/mood needed for each.
After a few false starts, I settled on using a copy of the "Channeling" GB project as the starting point. I added a blank track and added empty sections labeled with each scene (like "intro" etc.) and each one's required duration. That formed the framework.
Then I did a lot of shuffling of chunks of the existing tracks. Things didn't start gelling until I created a new piano theme for the last scene (I called it "vanishing"). I used an ascending pattern to imply vanishing as in a balloon disappearing into the stratosphere (I stole that idea from "Lighter Than Air" 28036). It amuses me that the theme ascends, but the chords descend. I then made a non-rising variation of that theme to use in the intro.
I did not use "Red" directly here, but instead wrote a new string part, fitting the chord progression, but also having some of the suspense of "Red" - (at least, that was my intention). I ended up stretching out the chords to half speed for part of it, then tweaked the piano to match.
The original "Channeling" had lots of volume automation, which I threw away and started all over. Everything else just started falling into place after that. I kept lots of unused chunks off to the right (after the "end") until I was certain I would not need them and finally deleted them.
I locked all the tracks, and added multiband compression as a crude attempt at mastering.
You had to ask. :-)
Check out my latest song called Farther
davisamerica said 4005 days ago (July 31st, 2008)
right then bill
wonderful work .. intrigued to hear more about the film
dajama said 4005 days ago (July 31st, 2008)
Lovely sound, and a really effective arrangement. Intrigued to see what this is used for. A lot of stuff comes to mind. The first section feels like an awakening, then there's a chase (or a fight) and around 1:30 the realization of love arrives - perhaps between the bad guy and the heroine, or the other way round. Or it could be about making weirdly framed pictures! Whatever the movie is about, the music is terrific. Nicely done. Peace.
logics8
peacepiano
Name: Bill Grundmann
[see more] click here to check out my albums click on the blue table headings below (e.g. Last Comment) to sort the song list ... [see more]
Vita Per Diem
Evo-Devo
It's Curtains
More songs in Film Scoring:
Après L'été
All Natural Dating Service
Oracle (2014 Remaster)