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U.S. SEC fines Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled over token offerings
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and music producer DJ Khaled failed to disclose payments they received for promoting investments in initial coin offerings, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Thursday. Neither Mayweather nor Khaled Mohamed Khaled admitted or denied the regulator's charges, but agreed to pay a combined $767,500 in fines and penalties,… Read More U.S. SEC fines Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled over token offerings
Unilever chief executive Paul Polman set to retire following headquarters row
Unilever's Chief Executive Paul Polman will step down next month after 10 years in the job, leaving insider Alan Jope to step into his shoes after the Anglo-Dutch group's failed attempt to shift its headquarters. A UK investor revolt forced Polman and the Unilever board to scrap a plan in October to move the headquarters… Read More Unilever chief executive Paul Polman set to retire following headquarters row
U.S. Army awards Microsoft $479.2million contract to supply augmented reality system prototypes
The U.S. Army said on Wednesday that it has awarded Microsoft Corp a $479.2 million contract to supply prototypes for the Army's augmented reality systems helping soldiers in training and combat missions. The Army posted the contract award on its website. "Augmented reality technology will provide troops with more and better information to make decisions,"… Read More U.S. Army awards Microsoft $479.2million contract to supply augmented reality system prototypes
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko accuses Russia of plans to annex his country
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia's Vladimir Putin on Thursday of wanting to annex his entire country and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations. Poroshenko's comments to German media were part of a concerted push by Kiev to gain Western support for more sanctions against Moscow, securing… Read More Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko accuses Russia of plans to annex his country
Russia blocks two Ukrainian Azov Sea ports
Two Ukrainian Azov Sea ports, Berdyansk and Mariupol, are effectively under blockade by Russia as vessels are being barred from leaving and entering, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, Volodymyr Omelyan, said on Thursday. Overall, 35 vessels have been prevented from carrying out normal operations and only vessels moving towards Russian ports on the Azov Sea are permitted… Read More Russia blocks two Ukrainian Azov Sea ports


Banana, orange and currant gluten free mini bundt cakes | Jo's food bites.
I do love a bundt cake – makes an ordinary cake look so pretty. i was thrilled when I discovered the mini bundt tins 🙂 Of course these would be just as tasty in cupcake tins.
Put all the ingredients in to a bowl and mix thoroughly. Spoon the mixture in to the tins and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
These look so pretty and the combination sounds lovely!
These look pretty and the flavor combination sounds lovely.
They look divine – Just recently bought myself some mini bundt pans, and just love them so much.
I would like to personally invite you and hope you will be able to participate in our first new monthly exchange: T'IS THE SEASON: CAKES, COOKIES AND TREATS – December 2016 Share and Inspire Others! – https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/share-and-inspire-others-december-2016-event/ .
Not going to submit this month. Would love to next month if I may.


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Ignatius of Antioch
October 17, 2022: St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
In memory of Maria Trinidad Hernandez
See two dozen connections with today?
For St. Ignatius of Antioch
Whom shall I fear? (God of Angel Armies)/ Tomlin
Unless a grain of wheat/ Farrell
My barns are full, my stores increase (The Worldling)/ Newton (of Amazing grace fame): pick a CM/Common Meter tune
Bigger barns are what I need/ Gillette: tune: ABERYSTWYTH (or another 77.77D tune)
I found the treasure/ Schutte: piano, reharmonized, lyrics and criticism
Money, money, money/ Abba (rich man's perspective :-)
For Psalm 100
Psalm 100: We are his people/ Celoni: sheet music and demo, with variant
All people that on earth do dwell/ Kethe, Vaughan Williams
Jubilate Deo/ Peeters
Your grace is enough/ Maher (1st reading)
More storage?
Eph 2:1-10 You were dead in your sins, following the wishes of the flesh like we did. But God brought us to life with Christ and seated us in heaven to show his grace and kindness. You've been saved through faith, not works; it's God's gift. We're created in Christ for good works.
Ps 100:1b-5 "The Lord made us, we belong to him." Sing to and serve the Lord God who made us. He is good, kind, and faithful.
Lk 12:13-21 "Guard against greed; life isn't possessions. Rich man without space to store harvest / God: 'I'll build larger barns to store my goods, then say, "You're set!"' / 'Fool, tonight your life will be demanded of you. Whose will your stuff be then?' If you store treasure for yourself but aren't rich in what matters to God, it'll be like that for you."
Phil 3:17-4:1 Imitate me; stand firm. We're citizens of heaven; Christ will change our body to conform with his.
Ps 34:2-9 "The Lord delivered me from all my fears." Praise God always. Look to him; be radiant. He saved me, saves all who fear him. Taste and see Lord's goodness; take refuge.
Jn 12:24-26 If a wheat grain dies, it produces fruit; otherwise it's just a grain. If you love life, lose it. To serve me, follow me; Father will honor you.
Fr. Mike Perucho homily video: Belong to Christ
Creighton: Grace is puzzling: in a world that rewards merit, grace is gift. God , rich in mercy, brought us to life with Christ. We belong to him. He so desires to be with us, made in his image, that he pours out grace. May God's grace affect our relationships as we treat each other irrespective of merit.
"Rich fool" parable
One Bread, One Body: "Live in your dignity": Though we're created to know, love, and serve God, we tend to live at the level of the flesh, below our human dignity, denying that we're made in God's image, that God has exalted human dignity by becoming human, that God lives in us and we in him, that we've been bought at the price of Jesus' blood, and that we're destined to see and live with God forever. May we, remembering we're saved, holy, royal, priestly, and precious, not compromise but rather live in the dignity of God's children.
Passionist: The greedy are never satisfied and are isolated from others, blind to their suffering. Their perception is warped, especially about what gives life. They ransack their own soul, then die without enjoying their fortune.
DailyScripture.net: "Storing up true riches": Jesus saw that the inheritance dispute was greed, not fairness. "Don't worship idols" and "Don't covet" are the flip side of "Love God" and "Love your neighbor." Jesus warned the man who wanted half of his brother's inheritance to "beware of covetousness." Coveting is wishing to get wrongfully what another possesses. "Greed wants to divide; love wants to gather. "Guard against greed" means 'fill yourselves with love....' He said, 'Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance'; we say, 'Master, tell my brother he may have my inheritance.'" (Augustine, Sermons 265.9)Jesus reinforces his point with a parable about a foolish rich man. Jesus faults him for his egoism and selfishness; the parable is similar to that of the rich man and Lazarus. The fool, consumed with possessions, had no concern for others. In giving we receive. What do I treasure?
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Universalis: 2nd bishop of Antioch after St. Peter; wrote letters about Christ, Church structure, and Christian life. Arrested, sentenced to death, thrown to wild beasts in the arena; described soldiers escorting him as like "ten leopards, who when they are kindly treated only behave worse." See also New Advent.
Today's patristic reading is the famous excerpt from his letter to the Romans; look below "I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals." Here's the context.
'Ruler' tie bar: "You once followed the 'ruler' of the power of the air." (1st reading)
Flesh-colored suspenders: We lived in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh (1st reading)
'Boundless mercy' pin: God, rich in mercy, brought us to life with Christ (1st reading)
'Musical notes with "joy,"' 'car with mouth' pins: Sing joyfully to the Lord (psalm); the Lord's praise shall be ever in my mouth; be radiant with joy (psalm memorial); You are my joy... (1st reading memorial)
'Sheep' tie bar: "We're God's people, the flock he tends" (psalm)
'Money bag' tie pin: Guard against greed (gospel)
'?' tie pin: "What shall I do, for I don't have space?" "To whom will your things belong when you die?"(gospel)
'Silverware' tie bar: "Eat, drink, and be merry" (gospel)
'Cross' pin: Many conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ (1st reading memorial)
'Blood drop' pin: God set Christ forth as an expiation by his blood (1st reading memorial); martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch
'Crown' tie bar: My crown (1st reading memorial)
'Eyeball' pin: Observe those who thus conduct themselves like us (1st reading memorial); the Lord watches over the way of the just (psalm); see the Lord's goodness (psalm memorial)
'Fruit' pin: A wheat grain that dies produces much fruit (gospel memorial)
'Angel' pin: The angel of the Lord encamps around and delivers those who fear the Lord (psalm memorial)
'Wheat' tie bar: "I'll build larger barns to store my grain..." (gospel); a wheat grain that falls and dies produces much fruit (gospel memorial); St. Ignatius, wheat of Christ... (patristic reading)
'Beasts' tie: ...ground by wild beasts (patristic reading)
Red shirt: Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch
'1' button, from OneLife LA: Respect Life Month
Posted by James R. Celoni at 11:17 PM No comments:
John the Baptist born
June 23, 2022: Nativity of St. John the Baptist
See over 3 dozen connections with today?
Listen*
Prepare ye, from Godspell/ Schwartz
Servant song/ Schutte (1st reading d)
Let folly praise that fancy loves/ Southwell, sung in Czech; original English words+ (1st reading d)
Yahweh called me/ Stein: more info (1st reading d)
John/ Winter (Medical Mission Sisters) (gospel) [leadsheet and note]
For Psalm 139 (psalm d)
Psalm 139:1-18: You have searched me and known me/ Mui: sheet music
Psalm 139:23-24: Lead me in the way everlasting/ Mui: sheet music
Psalm 139: 1-5,12-17/ Silver
You are near/ Schutte: sheet music with revised lyrics
O God, you search me/ Farrell: sheet music
Healer of our every ill/ Haugen
Psalm 139: Wonderfully made/ Celoni, sheet music
For Psalm 71 (psalm v)
Psalm 71 - A praise song - In Thee I put my trust/ Morrison
Psalm 71: I will sing of your salvation/ Celoni: sheet music and demo
Psalm 71: I will sing/ Haas
Psalm 71/ Norris, Tanner
Psalm 71: Prayer of hope and praise
Psalm 71: Since my mother's womb/ Celoni, sheet music and related demo
To ROACO (Reunion of aid agencies for the Oriental Churches): Thank you for caring for those suffering the conflict that has wounded Ethiopia. Thanks to all who receive refugees from Ukraine, where we've returned to the drama of Cain and Abel, to which we're called to react via prayer and works of charity, so weapons give way to negotiations. I have faith that pride and idolatry will be lowered, and desolation and tears filled, but we'd like to see Isaiah's prophecy of peace fulfilled soon. But everything seems to be going in the opposite direction: less food, more weapons. ROACO is synodal: each actor is called to dialogue with the others. Remain tuned to others. Flee temptations of isolation to stay open to welcome all who serve the Eastern Catholic Churches. In the poverty and discouragement caused by the war that prostrated Syria, ROACO listened to others to identify priorities. There have been sad events in Iraq and Syria and upheavals in Lebanon, but also lights of hope, such as the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. Find updated tools and suitable ways to express closeness to the Churches and resume the work of coordination....
To Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA) and International Marian Academy: Fraternal coexistence and friendship are possible where "houses" implement the pact between generations by preserving the roots of those who believe in the beauty of being together that develops in dialogue, kindness, and support for justice. These houses make it possible to build a family open to the common good spreading a culture of legality, respect, and safety. The DIA helps build houses that act antibodies to corruption, greed, and violence, the DNA of criminal organizations. Mafias win when fear takes over the mind and heart, stripping people of their dignity and freedom from within. Work so fear can't win: continue on the path towards change, light amidst darkness, and freedom. Be strong and bring hope, especially among the weakest.
When security and legality are lacking, the most fragile and the "last" are harmed first: the weak are preyed on and made into slaves mafia economies are built on, "refuse" the mafia need to pollute life and the environment. Stand next to victims of bullying by preventing and opposing crime. We must also resist Mafia colonialism through research, study, and formation attesting that progress springs from justice, freedom, honesty, and solidarity, not corruption. Continue with enthusiasm despite shadows in the social and ecclesial fabric where there's still error and immorality. Embark on the path of justice and honesty. Where there's been connivance, study the causes, leave space for healthy "shame" and cooperation for the common good. Stand beside people with tenderness and compassion; promote love for the people, their lives, and their future. Love can generate new relationships and give birth to a more just order through houses and families enlivened by equality, justice, and fraternity.
Jer 1:4-10 Lord / Jeremiah: "Before you were born, I formed and dedicated you and appointed you prophet." / "I'm too young!" / "Don't say that or be afraid; I'm with you. You'll go where I send you and speak what I command. I set you over nations to tear down and build."
Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17 "Since my mother's womb, you have been my strength." Hear, rescue, and deliver me; you're my hope and trust. I'll declare your justice and salvation.
1 Pt 1:8-12 Though you haven't seen Jesus, you love and believe in him and rejoice as you attain the salvation that prophets searched for and investigated...
Lk 1:5-17 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous God's eyes but old and childless. Angel to Zechariah: "Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth will bear you a son; name him John. Many will rejoice; he'll be great in God's sight, filled with the Spirit. He'll turn children of Israel to the Lord and prepare a people fit for the Lord.
Is 49:1-6 The Lord called and formed me: "You're my servant. Through you Jacob and Israel will be gathered to me. I'll make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth."
"His name is John" (Animate)
Ps 139:1b-3, 13-15 "I praise you, for I am wonderfully made." You've formed me and know me....
Acts 13:22-26 Paul: "God raised up David as king and brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, from his descendants. John heralded him by proclaiming a baptism of repentance, saying, 'One is coming after me; I'm not worthy to unfasten his sandals.' This word of salvation has been sent to you...."
Lk 1:57-66, 80 Elizabeth gave birth; her neighbors and relatives rejoiced. They were going to name him Zechariah, but she said, "No: John." / "But none of your relatives has that name." They made signs asking his father; he wrote, "John," all were amazed, his mouth was opened, he spoke blessing God, fear came upon the neighbors, and everyone talked about it: "What will this child be? God is with him." The child grew and became strong in spirit...
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist/ Gentileschi
Creighton: Today we learn John got his name. Imagine the friends and family gathering to celebrate his circumcision. When Elizabeth announced the name John and Zechariah confirmed it, regained his speech, and praised God, all knew the baby was destined for great things. I ask God to show me when I've been "stricken mute" by not putting my faith in God. I pray for courage to speak up for the disenfranchised: the poor, sick, incarcerated, homeless.... Thank God my family and friends surround and support me.
One Bread, One Body: Many people, even Christians, aren't ready for Christ's comings at Christmas, at the end of the world, or at their death. They need John the Baptist whose mission is to prepare the Lord's way by calling to repentance, turning fathers' hearts to their children and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just. May we respond by repenting, forgiving, and changing our lives.
Passionist: The circumstances around John the Baptist's birth are remarkable. When Zechariah doubted the angel Gabriel when he said he and Elizabeth would have a child, he was struck mute until the child was circumcised. Elizabeth was thought barren, but for God nothing is impossible. When Zechariah agreed with his wife that the baby would be named John, his tongue was freed, he praised God. and all asked, "What will this child be?" Though our births may have ben unremarkable, the Lord's hand is with us too. We may feel like Isaiah: "I thought I'd toiled in vain...." Did John feel like that in prison? But even then, God is with us, and Isaiah realizes, "my reward is with the Lord...." John testified to the truth about Jesus and was martyred, but his reward is with the Lord. Like him, we're called to testify to God's love in Christ....
DailyScripture.net: "The Lord's hand was with him": Birthdays are a special time to remember and give thanks for the blessings that have come our way. Are yo"The hand of the Lord was with him": John was named from above, and Elizabeth was determined to see God glorified through him. 'John' means "the Lord is gracious." In the births of John and Jesus, God's grace breaks forth into a broken, hopeless world. John's miraculous birth shows God's mercy and favor in preparing his people for its Savior's coming. John's passion was to point others to Christ and God's kingdom. John was filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. The Spirit in John made him the forerunner of the Messiah. The Spirit led John into the wilderness to be tested and grow in the word of God. John broke prophetic silence by speaking God's word, chiding God's people for their unfaithfulness, and trying to awaken repentance in them. When God acts to save us, he fills us with his Spirit and makes our faith come alive. The Lord is always ready to renew us in faith, hope, and love and to make our life an offering to God.
Universalis: John the Baptist (the only saint other than Mary and Joseph to have more than one feast days), prophet from before his birth, leaping in the womb to announce Jesus, proclaimed the fulfillment of all prophecies, and so his own obsolescence. With courage he spread the news that he was the least in the kingdom of heaven.
Dress legend*
DISC 2022 lanyard: The conference is ending....
'Playing card' tie bar: Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary (1st reading d)
'Prize' pin: My reward is with the Lord (1st reading d)
'Crown' tie bar: King Josiah (1st reading v); God raised up David as king (2nd reading d)
'Car with mouth' tie pin: The Lord touched Jeremiah's mouth and put his words in it (1st reading v); "my mouth will declare your justice" (psalm v); Zechariah's mouth was opened and tongue freed (gospel d)
'?' tie pin: "What will this child be?" (gospel d)
'Hand' tie pin: The Lord extended his hand to Jeremiah (1st reading v); "rescue me from the hand of the wicked" (psalm v); "the hand of the Lord was with [John]" (gospel d)
'Plant' pin: "I set you... to build and to plant" (1st reading v)
'Rock' tie pin: The Lord, my rock and fortress (psalm v)
The Birth of John the Baptist/ Tintoretto
'Eyeball' pin: I'm made glorious in the Lord's sight (1st reading d); Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes; John will be great in the sight of the Lord (gospel v); though you haven't seen Jesus, you love and believe in him,... (2nd reading v)
'Musical notes with "joy"' pin: ...and rejoice with glorious joy (2nd reading v); many will rejoice at John's birth (gospel v); they rejoiced with Elizabeth (gospel d)
'Angel' pin: Things angels longed to look into (2nd reading v); an angel appeared and spoke to Zechariah (gospel v)
'Arrow' tie bar: "He made me a sharpened arrow" (1st reading d)
'Heart' tie bar: John will turn hearts (gospel v); "I've found David a man after my own heart" (2nd reading d); all who heard took it to heart (gospel d)
'Phone' tie bar: The Lord 'called' me from birth (1st reading d); they made signs, asking Zechariah what he wished the child to be called (gospel d)
'Sword' tie pin: The Lord made of me a sharp-edged sword (1st reading d)
Sandals (not shown): "I'm not worthy to unfasten the sandals (2nd reading d)
'Feet' pin: ...of his feet" (2nd reading d)
'Children around the world' tie, 'street light' tie bar: John will turn the children of Israel to the Lord (gospel v); I set you over the nations (1st reading v); I'll make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth (1st reading d); you knew me when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth (psalm d)
'Tablet' pin: Zechariah and Elizabeth observed the Lord's commandments (gospel v); Zechariah wrote "John is his name" on a tablet (gospel d)
White and red shirt, white socks, 'decapitated skeleton' tie pin: White for today's celebration, red and pin for John's martyrdom
Celebrate teaching: You have taught me from my youth (gospel v)
"Boundless mercy" button: "John" is Hebrew for "God is merciful"; the Lord showed great mercy toward Elizabeth (gospel d)
'Street light' tie bar: I'll make you a light... (1st reading d)
Suspenders with globe: ...to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth (1st reading d); I was fashioned in the depths of the earth (psalm d)
'Helm' tie pin: John will 'turn' many to the Lord (gv)
'Alps' pin: These matters were discussed throughout the hill country (gospel d)
*: v=vigil reading, d=daytime reading
Posted by James R. Celoni at 6:28 PM No comments:
June 22, 2022: Wednesday, 12th week, Ordinary Time
Listen to settings of today's psalm
Blessed are those that be undefiled/ Tallis: lyrics+
That man is blest who, fearing God: lyrics+
Psalm 119: 1-8/ Silver
Psalm 119: 9-16: Keeping yourself pure/ Silver
Psalm 119: 33-40/ Silver
Psalm 119: 105-112/ Silver
Lord, you have done well with me (Psalm 119)
Psalm 119: Lord, I love your commands/ Celoni: sheet music and demo
Psalm 119: Blessed are they/ Celoni: sheet music and demo
11 for Psalm 119 by Isaac Watts (of Joy to the world fame)
General audience: The waning of physical strength with age offers a chance to follow Christ a new way. Peter's relationship with Jesus was tender, direct, free, and open, but not melancholic. Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?," and invites him, "Tend my sheep," but they still argue. Can we have tender, direct, free, and open relationships? We can sugarcoat gospel truth, distancing ourselves from Jesus. Jesus warns Peter that as he grows old, his testimony will be accompanied by weakness. Jesus invites him to learn to bear witness in a new way. Your frailty, helplessness, and dependence on others will have to instruct and mold your discipleship. In old age we learn to bear witness in a life largely entrusted to others. Old age is a time of trial and temptation; Peter points to this when he asks Jesus, "What about [John]?" Jesus responds frankly, "What does it matter to you? Follow me.'" The elderly shouldn't envy the young. The honor of their faithfulness to their love and fidelity to their faith is the title of admiration for generations to come and of recognition from the Lord. Your forcibly inactive act of listening to, contemplating, and following the Lord will become the best part of your lives.
At World Meeting of Families Festival of Families: I'm close to all married couples and families in your concrete situations. Start from where you are, then try to journey together. I want the Church to be a Good Samaritan for you all, to draw near to you and help you move forward. Every family has a mission to carry out, a testimony to give. Ask the Lord what he wants to speak through your life to those you meet. What step is he asking of your family? Stop, listen, and allow the Lord to change you, so you can change the world and make it home for all who need to feel welcomed and accepted, for all who need to encounter Christ and know they're loved.
2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3 High priest / scribe: "I found the book of the law in the temple." When the king heard the contents, he commanded: "Consult the Lord for me, for the people, for all Judah, about its stipulations; God is angry with us, because our ancestors didn't obey." He went to the temple with the people, had the book read out, and made a covenant before the Lord that they'd follow him.
Ps 119:33-37, 40 "Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord." Give me discernment, that I may keep your law with all my heart. I long for your precepts; give me life.
Mt 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but are wolves underneath. By their fruits you'll know them. Good trees bear good fruit; rotten trees, bad fruit. Every tree that doesn't bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
Creighton: Josiah "did what was right in the Lord's sight." He waged a campaign against idolatrous practices. He ordered the restoration of the temple, leading to the discovery of a book of God's law. Hearing it read, he realized how Judah had strayed and decided to lead in a new direction. He directed the High Priest to seek God's guidance. God spoke through Huldah: Because Josiah's heart was responsive and he had humbled himself, God postponed his punishment against Judah. The gospel warns against being tempted by false prophets, whose message is inconsistent with the greatest commandments (love of God and neighbor) or Jesus' "new commandment" (to love like Jesus). Jesus tells us to look at their "fruits." Do my priorities distract me from loving God? Do I care for others, or do I view God's gifts as mine? Do I love God's children, or show prejudice? Do I judge? Do I listen to God, following Jesus' example and the Spirit's prompting? May we humble ourselves, seek God, and respond like Josiah.
One Bread, One Body: "Fruit inspection": Many, even Christians, deny Jesus' commands in the Sermon on the Mount, such as poverty of spirit and love of enemies. Jesus said: "Know them by their deeds." Look at the fruit. Not following God leads to broken lives, marriages, and hearts, war, and slavery, not love....
Passionist: Imagine the fear of apostles walking unprotected through deserts, then seeking a receptive audience as enemies sought to trap them. Beware of false prophets; judge from their fruits. Lord, help us combat evil and flourish....
DailyScripture.net: "You'll know them by their fruits": Jesus' audience was familiar with his 'fruit-imagery.' As berries on a thorn bush can resemble grapes and a flower can resemble a fig, what we "hear" might resemble the truth but actually be false. Jesus connects good fruit with sound living. Isaiah warned against falsehood; it produces 'Christianity' without the cross, Jesus' hard sayings, or a sense of sin. We avoid falsehood by being true to God, his word, and his grace. Disciples' fruit is marked by faith, hope, and love, justice, prudence, fortitude, and temperance.
St. John Fisher/ Gwyneth Thompson Briggs
St. Thomas More/ Holbein
St. Paulinus of Nola
Thomas More, lawyer, reformer, author of Utopia, depicting a society regulated by natural virtues, impartial judge, martyr, "the king's good servant, but God's first." "May we in heaven merrily all meet together to everlasting salvation."
Prayer for enemies: Almighty God, have mercy on ...., and on all that bear me evil will, and wish me harm, and their faults and mine by such tender, merciful means as your wisdom can devise; amend and redress and make us saved souls in heaven together, where we may live and love with you and your saints, for the passion of our sweet Savior Christ. Lord, give me patience in tribulation and grace in everything, to conform my will to yours, that I may truly say, "Your will be done on earth as in heaven." Give me the grace to labor for what I pray for. –St. Thomas More
John Fisher, bishop, martyr: "I condemn no one's conscience: their conscience may save them, and mine must save me. "We should remember... to treat opponents as if they were acting in good faith, even if they seem to us to be acting out of spite or self-interest."
Paulinus of Nola, bishop, monk, cared for sick and poor.
Metal accessories: "Your servants have smelted down the metals..." (1st reading)
'Heart' pin: King made covenant that they'd follow the Lord with all their heart (1st reading); incline my heart to your decrees (psalm)
'Celebrate teaching' pin: "Teach me the way of your decrees" (psalm)
'Eyeball' pin: Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain (psalm)
'Sheep' tie bar: "Beware false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing" (gospel)
'Chalice with grapes' tie pin: "Do people pick grapes from thornbushes?" (gospel)
'Fruits' tie: "By their fruits you will know them." (gospel)
NEW 'Trees' suspenders: "Every good tree bears good fruit" (gospel)
'Blood drop' pin: SS. Thomas More and John Fisher, martyrs
Green shirt: Ordinary Time season
June 21, 2022: St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
Can you find 20 connections with today?
To God be the glory/ Crosby: lyrics+ (v. 1 for gospel)
Believe not those who say/ Bronte: lyrics+ (gospel)
Psalm 48/ Silver
To First Meeting of States Parties: Since the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons went into effect last January, 65 states have signed on, but no nuclear-armed countries. We need to remain aware of the dangers of short-sighted approaches to security and the risks of nuclear proliferation. I renew my appeal to silence weapons and to negotiate to eliminate the causes of conflict. Peace and security must be universal; and that we must all be responsible for our brothers' and sisters' well-being. A nuclear weapon-free world is necessary and possible. Nuclear weapons are a costly and dangerous liability. Their use, even their possession, is immoral. Mutual deterrence poisons relationships and obstructs dialogue. Using them is a repugnant form of blackmail. Disarmament must be complete, reaching our very souls. There's a global, pressing need for public and personal responsibility and examination of conscience. Disarmament treaties are both legal obligations and moral commitments, rooted in the trust citizens put in their governments, with consequences for current and future generations. Adherence to disarmament agreements is strength, not weakness. Promote a culture of life and peace based on the dignity of the human person, aware that we're all brothers and sisters. The Church remains irrevocably committed to promoting peace....
2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent envoys to Hezekiah: "The kings of Assyria have doomed all other countries! Will you be saved?'" Hezekiah read the letter, then prayed, "You alone are God. Hear Sennacherib taunting you. The kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and cast their gods into the fire because they were the work of human hands. Save us from this man, that all may know you alone are God." Isaiah told him, "The Lord answers your prayer. Out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant. The king of Assyria won't reach this city. I'll save this city...." That night the Lord struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp, and Sennacherib went back home.
Ps 48:2-4, 10-11 "God upholds his city for ever." Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised. We ponder Your mercy and justice.
Mt 7:6, 12-14 "Don't give what's holy to dogs, or your pearls to swine, lest they trample them then tear you to pieces. Do to others what you'd have them do to you. Enter through the narrow gate; many take the wide gate to destruction, but few find the narrow gate to life."
Creighton: Matthew places Jesus as the new Moses. The New Law is Jesus extending his teaching to be written in our hearts. The first gospel image is taken from the practice of sacrificing sheep and goats in the "holy" temple, not throwing them to dogs and pigs. The "road" and "narrow gate" is an image of the spiritual life. The road leading to destruction is paved with self-expectations, self-satisfying, self-constructing. If it's all about me, that's all I get, isolated, leading to chaos. Jesus' spirituality is centered in our being created in Christ, to continue creation within and through us, to be constantly created, to enter into relationships as a blessing of creation. Life flows into us and out as God's creative Love. Spiritual life isn't just about my and self-improvement; prayer and sacraments prepare us to be a creational presence and gift from God to others. The "narrow way" is counter-cultural. We receive to live and give. The more I say yes, the less I'm mine and more yours.
One Bread, One Body: King Sennacherib trusted in earthly power, particularly his army. King Hezekiah trusted in God's power and protection, spreading out his problems before the Lord, surrendering all to God's mercy. Many kings didn't trust God like he did. Hezekiah entered "through the narrow gate"; God answered, "I've listened," acted in power, and rescued Jerusalem. Hezekiah came to the Lord, trusting in God's providence. Prefiguring Jesus in the garden, he, holding nothing back, asked that God's will, not his, be done. Spread out your problems before the Lord, and pray....
Passionist: In Jesus' time, pearls were precious, and swine and wild dogs were regarded as unclean. Holiness is faithfulness to God's love in our thought, word, and deed. Jesus encourages us to stay away from spiritually or morally unclean things and be prudent stewards of God's gifts, including our health and wellness. Today's gospel includes the golden rule. God calls us to unconditional love. Jesus' use of the narrow gate is about making right choices. What choices am I making? How do I steward God's gifts? How do I live the golden rule?....
DailyScripture.net: "Don't throw your pearls before swine": Pearls were of great value, worn as jewels to make one appear more beautiful. Holiness, likewise, is a jewel that radiates the beauty of God's truth and goodness through how we think, speak, act, and treat others. The Talmud calls something that appears incongruous an "ear ring in a swine's snout"; Jesus' "pearls before swine" and "not giving dogs what is holy" expressions are similar. Swine were considered unclean, and wild dogs were considered unfit for close contact. Jesus' concern is with keeping the faith and way of life God entrusted to us. Before Communion the early church proclaimed: Holy things to the holy, and the Didache stated, "Only the baptized may eat or drink of your Eucharist; the Lord has said, 'Don't give what's holy to dogs.'"
Jesus summed up and upgraded Old Testament law and prophets with the golden rule. God's law of love requires more than not hurting others but rather seeking others' good and giving our best for them. God's love fuels our love for others. If we empty ourselves of what's unkind, unloving, and unforgiving, we'll have room for kindness, goodness, mercy, and charity. May we love others and treat them like we want God to treat us. Holy Spirit, transform my life with the fire of God's love.
Jesus reinforced his lesson about choosing the way to peace with God with the illustration of a narrow gate opening to a life of security and happiness. Psalms begins with an image of one who has chosen to follow the way of those obedient to God's word, not those who act contrary to it. Our choices affect our lives. Do my choices move me towards loving and following God? "Let me love you, Lord, and see myself as I am, a pilgrim, a Christian called to respect and love all I touch.... Help me conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me forget myself and reach out." (Clement XI)
St. Aloysius Gonzaga and...
St. "Luigi"
Gonzaga is more than basketball: what you need to know about St. Aloysius, by Fr. James Martin, SJ
Aloysius Gonzaga, Jesuit, cared for plague-stricken, died of plague
John Rigby, martyr
DISC lanyard: DISC 2022 is in session!
'Crown' tie bar: Kings Sennacherib and Hezekiah et al. (1st reading); Zion, city of the great King (psalm)
'Letter' tie bar: Hezekiah took the letter... (1st reading)
'Hand' tie pin: ...from the messengers' hand; the gods were the work of human hands,... (1st reading); Your hand is full... (psalm)
'Scales' brooch: ...of justice (psalm)
'Wood block' and 'stone' tie pins: Wood and stone (1st reading)
'Eyeball' pin: Open your eyes, O Lord, and see! (1st reading)
'Angel' pin: The Angel of the Lord struck down 185,000... (1st reading)
'Arrow' pin: He won't shoot an arrow at this city (1st reading)
'Alps' pin: Survivors will come from Mount Zion (1st reading); The Lord's holy mountain... (psalm)
'Musical notes with "joy"' pin: ...is the joy of all the earth (psalm)
'Boundless mercy' button: God, we ponder your mercy (psalm)
'Castle' button: God is with his city's castles (psalm)
"Prayer: the original wireless connection" T-shirt (faint under dress shirt; see here though mine has black text on grey background): Hezekiah's prayer (1st reading)
'Dogs' tie: Don't give dogs what's holy... (gospel)
'Pearl' tie pin: ...or throw your pearls... (gospel)
'Swine' suspenders: ...before swine... (gospel)
'Precious feet' pin: ...lest they be trampled underfoot (gospel)
Gold-colored accessories: Golden rule (gospel)
White shirt: Liturgical color for St. Aloysius memorial

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Last week I posted an editorial extolling the virtues of Apple-branded routers: I think the AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule and AirPort Express make a lot of sense, even if their price and performance can be trumped by other products. There are loads of other cases where I wouldn't even think twice to go with a third party instead. Here are some of them.


It has been almost 13 years since the first episode of the American version of The Office has aired on NBC. The program started as a reboot of the British comedy with the same title created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, but would move on to become a longer-running, and more successful series. Both versions are equally loved by audiences on both sides of the world.
Since 2005, The Office has turned into more than just a comedy series about white collar office workers at a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Office has become one of the most iconic series to date, with relatable quotes and a variety of memes for every situation. From displaying your love for bears, beets, and Battlestar Galactica, to sharing your personal disdain for a certain HR representative - The Office anticipates your meme-needs.
While many of the best jokes are punchy one-liners, others have gone on and on for seasons. No matter how often we rewatch the often dramatic stories revolving around Michael, Dwight, Jim and company, our favorite running gags remain the backbone of the series. So read on to revisit The Office: 20 Insanely Long Running Jokes.
Michael Scott is the heart of the series. Without his often insensitive and downright inappropriate remarks, the show would not be the same. His remarks are completely out of place in a professional environment, but man do they make us laugh.
Michael uses this line continuously throughout the series to add a suggestive undertone to the dialogue in the office. In the season two episode "Sexual Harassment," the employees review the policies and find that Michael's line is considered harassment. This prompts Jim to go on a tangent: "Wow, that is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling". There really was only one way for Michael to respond.
Throughout the years, the audience witnessed Jim playing countless pranks on his desk buddy Dwight. Jim has shown his true colors from the start, quickly establishing their rivalry in the pilot. His very first pranks included putting Dwight's stapler in jello, but he later went on to put his entire stationery in the vending machine, and tricked him into thinking he was part of a CIA mission.
However, one of the best pranks occurs in one of the later seasons of The Office. In the season nine episode "Andy's Ancestry," Jim and Pam ask their asian actor friend, Steve, to take Jim's place for a day. They go as far as replacing pictures to pull off this coup, and eventually manage to make Dwight question himself.
Everybody adores their pets, but Angela Martin takes the love she has for her furry friends a bit too far. Not only does she own at least 15 cats throughout the series, but she goes above and beyond to protect them - for example when she saved Bandit from the fire in the office in season five.
Her obsession with cats goes even further: she sells her engagement ring from Andy to buy Princess Lady, a $7,000 cat, and also names her son after her favorite cat, Philip. Angela has also freely admitted to liking cats better than people, and judges Oscar for being a dog person in season nine.
Apparently Michael's hatred of Toby relates to his agenda of making the office lame, but Toby never seems to respond to the hate he receives. For a short time, Michael is able to replace Toby as HR rep with Holly, who he promptly falls in love with. However in season five, Holly is transferred to Nashua and Toby returns.
Most romantic relationships have their ups and downs, but Ryan Howard and Kelly Kapoor's rollercoaster romance is a bit too much to handle. What initially started as a fling, at least for Ryan, would turn into one of the longest running gags of the series. Kelly has always voiced her interest in a more exclusive relationship with Ryan, while he would break it off on a whim as he saw fit.
Throughout the series the two break up and make up several times.
Ryan left for New York, then Kelly started dating Daryl, Ryan came back and they became a will-they-won't-they couple, before Ryan left again for Thailand, and Kelly started dating Ravi. It is only in the final episode that they run away together.
As if anyone could forget, Andy Bernard attended the Ivy League college Cornell, and during his studies was an active member of an a capella group. Not only does he constantly mention his vocal talent on the show, we even get a glimpse or two of the musical group. For one, Andy uses their services in season four to serenade Angela, and the season nine episode fittingly titled "Here Comes Treble", focuses entirely on the group.
In this episode, Stephen Colbert guest stars as Broccoli Rob, a former classmate and member of the a capella group, who turns out to be Andy's biggest frenemy. Prior to his appearance in the final season, Broccoli Rob had been mentioned several times, for example in relation to a rumor that Andy was gay.
Some television shows are very conscious not to break the fourth wall - The Office is not one of those. The program is very deliberately following the format of a documentary, with separate individual interviews for each staff member thrown into the mix.
No other occurrence has become such a staple of the series than Jim staring directly into the camera.
Urban Dictionary defines "The Jim Look" as an expression "usually seen when Michael does something ridiculous; or after a successful prank on Dwight; sometimes in look of desperation of normalcy." Jim even gives his first stare into the camera as early as in the pilot episode after putting Dwight's stapler in jello, and continues to do so throughout all nine seasons.
Dwight K. Schrute is nothing if not persistent. He is ambitious, enduring, and hard-working, which has earned him the title of top salesman year after year. However, there is one thing that Dwight couldn't seem to reach, career-wise. While being Michael's right-hand man throughout the first few seasons of the series, he remains the Assistant TO THE Regional Manager, rather than the Assistant Regional Manager.
It's an important distinction for both Michael and Dwight, as it indicates a much lower ranking, and it is frequently mentioned throughout the series. After Michael's departure, Dwight served as assistant to a variety of characters including Nellie Bertram, Robert California, and even Andy, until he finally takes on the Regional Manager position for himself at the end of the ninth season.
At the end of season two, defeated by Pam's rejection and her decision to set a wedding date with Roy, Jim decides to transfer to the Stamford branch of Dunder Mifflin. He quickly makes new friends there, among them Andy Bernard. In the season three premiere, Jim brings along a tuna sandwich for lunch, which prompts Andy to give him the nickname Big Tuna.
This joke goes on and on throughout the years up until the final season.
Andy does modify his nickname for Jim at times, calling him "Wet Tuna", "Canned Tuna", "Tuna Turner", or "Big Haircut" from the iconic episode in which Jim got a haircut. In the season eight episode "Garden Party," Andy even gets his brother Walter to call Jim "Big Tuna."
Her alcoholism has her co-workers worried, and Michael even goes as far as planning an intervention, and when this fails, tries to have her committed into a rehab facility. While Meredith's addiction is not as fun a gag as others, it is an important personality trait of her character, and often lands her in unexpected yet comical situations.
Everyone loves awards shows, but no one loves them quite as much as Michael Scott. The Dundies are a night of fun and employee appreciation hosted by the Regional Manager himself. The Dundies are handed out once a year, and the audience is allowed to witness the ceremony once in season two, and once in season seven. However, they are often mentioned throughout the whole series.
To boost morale, everyone receives an award.
Some of the awards given out were the "Extreme Repulsiveness Award" to Toby, the "Whitest Sneakers Award" to Pam, the "Don't Go In There After Me Award" to Kevin and, of course, the "Hottest in the Office Award," which Ryan was able to secure six years in a row (from 2005-2010).
Without the Party Planning Committee, the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin would be a lot less cheerful. The Party Planning Committee is responsible for the successful execution of office events and parties, such as birthdays, Christmas parties, or anniversaries. The original core members of the Party Planning Committee included Angela, Phyllis, and Pam, but the women often found it difficult to agree on a specific theme, decoration, or even occasion.
In the season three episode "A Benihana Christmas," Pam and Karen decide to form their own event-related group, the Committee to Plan Parties. After one very successful Christmas party, which included Karaoke and margaritas, the committee was disbanded. However, the original Party Planning Committee would continue to come together to organize events throughout the remaining seasons.
Beets are an important part of the show, especially in the iconic quote related to Dwight's beloved home and second source of income, Schrute Farms. The farm is owned and operated by Dwight and his cousin Mose. They use the land to grow beets, offer a bed and breakfast experience, and the farm even includes a slaughterhouse.
Schrute Farm is mentioned, and even visited frequently throughout the series, as Andy hosts a garden party there, and Dwight and Angela eventually tie the knot there. In season four, Jim and Pam actually do spend a night at the bed and breakfast, where they are introduced to the craft of table-making, watch Mose make wine, and work in the fields - it is an extraordinary experience, indeed.
Speaking of Schrute Farms, Dwight would be lost without his right-hand man. Mose is very quiet, rather socially awkward, and seems to have never left the farm. He often behaves in an extremely unnerving manner, and is described as a weirdo more than just once.
Mose appears in several episodes from season two to season nine, assisting Dwight in all sorts of shenanigans - from bringing a raccoon to the office to terrorize Holly as the new HR representative, to kidnapping Angela from her bachelorette party. Dwight even interviews him for a salesman position at Dunder Mifflin in season nine, but Mose's fear of paper eventually costs him the job. Fun fact: Mose is played by The Office writer, and more recently, The Good Place creator Michael Schur!
Scranton may not be as safe a place as you had thought. The audience is introduced to Scranton's most notorious criminal, the Scranton Strangler, in the series' sixth season. To celebrate the birth of Jim and Pam's daughter Cece, Andy gifts her with a copy of the daily newspaper of the day.
In the following season, Toby takes a leave of absence to as he was called to jury duty, which turns out to be for the Scranton Strangler case. The jury eventually finds the strangler guilty and passes a verdict that will end his days. The man's real name, George Howard Skub, is only revealed in the show's final season, when Toby voices suspicion whether the man was guilty or not. He visits him in prison, is attacked himself, and therefore finally accepts that the man was the criminal.
Jim and Pam's daughter Cecelia Marie Halpert was born on March 4th 2010, in the season six episode "The Delivery." She is named after Pam's grandmother Cecelia, and Jim's grandmother Marie. In the season seven finale titled "Search Committee," Dunder Mifflin is looking to appoint a Regional Manager after Deangelo Vickers ends up in a coma. This prompts Dwight to make small talk with Jim, who is part of the committee interviewing candidates. He asks Jim about his daughter, who they lovingly call Cece, but confuses her name for Peepee.
Ryan Howard has won the award for "Hottest in the Office" several years in a row, which speaks for itself. From the start, it seems that Michael shows a particular interest in the young man, who is everything he himself would like to be - hip, good-looking, and full of promise.
Michael seems to live vicariously through him.
He also wants to become a mentor to him, and guide him towards success. Michael's obsession with Ryan has many faces, from finding him attractive and wanting to sleep with him to being a loyal friend and protecting him fiercely. After Ryan joins corporate in a senior management role and spirals out of control, Michael is the only one willing to take a chance on him.
In season two of The Office, we are introduced to Bob Vance, of Vance Refrigeration. The company shares a floor with Dunder Mifflin, and attends their Christmas party where he meets Phyllis. He proceeds to court Phyllis, and they eventually tie the knot in season three. The couple is sickeningly sweet, which allows them to remain happy and in love throughout the whole series.
Bob Vance is one of the five owners of the businesses in the Scranton Business Park, and his profession is an important part of his identity. He only ever refers to himself as Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration - even during his wedding ceremony. Whether this is a tactic to advertise his company through the documentary, or simply what he wants to be remembered for is unclear.
In the season five episode "Frame Toby," Jim reveals to the office that he bought his parents house as a wedding present for Pam, without consulting her in the decision. When he shows her the house, her facial expression is questionable. When Jim tells her he started converting the garage into an art studio though, she tells him she loves it.
One of the house's most noticeable features is a large picture of a clown.
Glued to the wall, seemingly integral to the structure, you'd think it would be with the little family forever. However, in the season seven episode "Garage Sale," we see the scary clown picture in a corner of the warehouse. Two years after moving into their new home, Jim and Pam finally got rid of the clown!
Who is Creed Bratton? Dunder Mifflin's Quality Assurance Director is one of the most mysterious characters of the series. Throughout the years, the series offers its audience many contradictory and bizarre snippets of information about Creed. In season four, he reveals to have been a member of several religious cults, all the while developing kleptomaniac tendencies.
Creed also tries to fake passing away, lies about his age, and is in possession of a passport with the name William Charles Schneider. One of the most bizarre moments of The Office occurs in an Halloween-themed episode of season nine, in which Creed wears a blood-covered shirt, but claims to have forgotten it was Halloween. Who is this man really?
What was your favorite joke from The Office? Let us know in the comments!


The two 1st stage PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournaments finished up on Friday, November 16, and the Canadian content qualifying for the finals has doubled over last year.
At the site in Lakeland, Florida (The Club at Eaglebrooke), David Morland IV (-17) finished in 2nd place while fellow Canadian Danny King (-12) shared 8th place. Also qualifying for the final stage of the tournament was Dennis Hendersott of Brantford, Ontario (-5) in a share of 24th place. We spoke with Hendershott right after he left the course and will share some of his thoughts on the event and the journey to the PGA TOUR Champions later this week.
Other Canadians at the Florida site who did not advance were: Mike Woodcock (t-55), Danny Mijovic (t-59), and Mike Dagenais (t-59).
At the California qualifying site it was a lone Canadian, Jim Rutledge, who tied for 10th place to advance to the finals. B.C.'s Kendal Yanomoto played valiantly in the final round with a 64 but he narrowly missed qualifying in a share of 26th.
Rutledge and King were the lone Canadians to advance to Final Stage Qualifying in 2017 for 2018. King tied for 23rd while Rutledge finished in a share of 51st.
The Final Stage of the 2019 PGA Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament will take place at the TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, Florida, starting on November 27th. The top 5 players earn quality status on the TOUR while the next 25 players earn Associate status and earn access to the Monday Qualifying tournaments.


Staying across the street from The Royal Ontario Museum (aka the ROM) allowed us to get some needed sleep before it opened. But in a blink of an eye, the place had a lineup out the door and was bustling with activity. After a few hours there, it was no wonder why since there was so much to see! It was established that we had to grab some lunch and come back in the afternoon to see the rest. We made the short walk (or long walk according to the whining kids...) over to Burger's Priest on Bloor. When they say TO is a burger town, they aren't kidding as we spotted many different joints around as well as many restaurants offering a good one on their menus.
But over at BP, it was all about the Vatican City sporting a double-cheeseburger sandwiched in between 2 grilled cheese sammies with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo and ketchup. Due to the large amount of processed cheese, the burger ate on the saltier side (probably exceeds one's sodium intake for the day), but was still enjoyable since the meat was moist and juicy. The grilled cheese was on point with crispy and buttery surfaces while melty on the inside. It was good, but really, the shock factor was more impressive than the burger because my Double-Cheeseburger was much more tasty as it was less salty and the soft bun served as the perfect vessel for the moist and well-seared meat.
Viv went for something a bit different in Peter's Denial featuring a fried breast that was moist and nicely brined. The batter was crispy and appealingly spicy. It was balanced out by the sweet creamed corn (yes really) and gravy on the same soft bun. This was actually quite good despite the weird corn concoction. Along with my cheeseburger, I had the Chili Cheese Fries which were overloaded with meaty chili and melted cheddar. I found the chili to be overly mild for my own tastes, but okay overall. There was enough of it to coat every fry. About those fries, they were crispy, starchy and really good.
Lastly, we added a Chocolate Milkshake for good measure and it was good as well. Lightly creamy and totally drinkable, it was more airy than thick. It was chocolatey without being overly sweet. Due to the airiness of the shake, it melted rather quickly and became a rich chocolate milk. So did Burger's Priest live up to the hype (well, the hype about it for a visitor that is)? For us, it was a yes as we enjoyed the double-cheeseburger with its simplicity and being well-executed all-around. As I said before, the Vatican City was more for the novelty than anything else.


I know, you're thinking, who?
You can see how that might grab a young man's attention, eh? Especially, when his father introduces him to it. Well, if you click on the link, you can read the rest for yourself. I think it's worth it.
Just something that touched me.
I read a lot about a lot of things. One subject that I tend to enjoy reading about online is conlanging. One of the more well known people in conlanging is Jeffrey Henning, who runs Langmaker.com. But, he has a whole other side that a lot of us don't really know. I stumbled across it the other day. As an example of how deep a person he is, I offer his Forgiveness Prayer.
Well, why not? I was looking for something on haiku online today and found, indirectly, SciFaiku.com. It's a relatively new form of haiku that is inspired by, obviously, science fiction. There are some differences, of course. Traditional haiku usually has a reference to the seasons and nature, but scifaiku refers to something science-fictional. The site has some examples and a bit of the history. It's neat. Check it out!
Comments Off on SciFi Haiku?


Mega Bank is a Chinese American community bank opening for business in February 2008. Our board of directors is composed of experienced bankers who have had successful careers with community banks in the San Gabriel Valley. Five of our board members are former bank directors and three of them served as bank presidents and chief executive officers. Our senior management team is also composed of experienced bankers with an average of 20 years of banking experience. We truly understand the needs of the community and will be able to provide top-notch personal service.
We offer a full complement of banking services, including competitive deposit products, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and commercial and industrial loans. We are committed to supporting the credit needs of small and medium size businesses and business service professionals within our community.


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NAS 10 Questions with Rod Fritz
This time, we get to know Rod Fritz. His brand new track "Take the World With Me" now featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
https://www.newartistspotlight.org/playlists
𝟭. Where are you from and what is your hobby?
I'm from the little Island south of Australia called Tasmania. I currently reside in Germany where I met my girlfriend whilst on world tour. My hobbies are many but my main focus is my music, songwriting, performing and all that's associated with it.
𝟮. How did your get into music?
I was unemployed/between jobs at the time when I hooked up with a local cover band who needed a roadie. On this one occasion I was working for them at a gig in Launceston (Northern Tasmania) The support band was pretty cool but what blew me away was the Sax player. From that moment on all I wanted to do was to play Saxophone. That lasted about five years and after the band I was in split up I gave up the saxophone. I picked up an old guitar my brother gave me and from that moment on I started learning to play guitar and writing songs.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
I grew up in the 80's with Elton John, Prince and the such. Later in the 90's the grunge scene set in and it was Nirvana and Pearl Jam. I never owned a cd collection or listened to the same albums over and over, instead I usually just listened to the radio and whatever was playing at the time, This was a conscious decisions as I didn't want to be overly influenced by the one thing. I think that shows in my songwriting because it's very diverse and spans several genres. Each song is an entity of its own and not connected or related to the previous song.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
I don't have any goals in the music industry. Music has a life of it's own and I'm just along for the ride. Music has already exceeded all my life's expectations far beyond any goals I could have ever imagined both personally and professionally. I'm just going along for the ride and see where it takes me. It's kind of like rafting down a wild river without and paddles.
5. If you could choose a location to perform at, what would it be?
I've played a lot of gigs during my time. Some really cool places too, like House of Blues and The Viper Room in Hollywood. I think Edinburgh music festival would be cool, or maybe even another Woodstock. Maybe there will even be another live aid at Wembley Stadium. I'd like that :)
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Oh there are too many to mention but if I had to I would chose In the Ghetto by Den Mack, performed by Elvis. I don't know, I just like the message.
7. Most embarrassing moment?
Oh I had lots of embarrassing moments, but the one I shame myself most for was getting too drunk at a gig in San Francisco. I'd just arrived in the U.S and was not at all used to ppl free pouring drinks. I guess the ppl at the bar were happy to have me there too cause the glasses were filled with Bourbon and only a dash of coke. After 4 or five of those I was gone. Can't remember what happened but I don't think it was good. Oh, I also got kicked off stage at a big venue in Nashville for singing the F U song but that wasn't really embarrassing.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Becoming a dad! Which is just about to happen. Other than that being a finalist at the European Songwriting awards in 2019 and 2020 and performing at the Frankfurt music Messe was pretty cool too. But I think having the courage to step out the door and out of my comfort zone to travel and play through the U.S, U.K and Europe and really challenge myself was a huge effort.
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
I'm almost 52 and I'm about to become a father. My new single which drops on the 16th April which is also my birthday is purely inspired from the upcoming birth of my son.
𝟭𝟬. What is your dream collaboration?
I met Ed Sheeran once and spoke to him for about 20 minutes. He seemed like a really down to earth cool guy. I guess I could imaging doing a song with him. Other than that I just hope that I'm fit enough to Jam on stage with my son when he's old enough. if he wants :)
Stream "Take the World With Me" now
https://fugapromo.fm/taketheworldwithme
and follow his socials
https://linktr.ee/RodFritz
NAS 10 Questions with Simone Vignini
NAS 10 Questions with Marken
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆'𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 - this week: I'd Rather Be Dying in a Fairytale - ya


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Cameron Says Obama 'Clearly Delighted' by UK's New Defense Plans
by lhtek | Nov 23, 2015 | Latest News, Uncategorized
By Andrew Chuter
EST November 23, 2015
RAF NORTHOLT, UK — US President Barack Obama has given his seal of approval to Britain's Strategic Defence and Security Review, Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday morning.
"I talked to President Obama at the recent G20 meeting in Turkey and he was clearly delighted with the choices we are making," Cameron told Defense News in an exclusive interview. "I hope they will be pleased as they see their most capable European ally is investing in equipment which will be able to work alongside the Americans extremely well."
The prime minister, returning from an early morning meeting in Paris with French President Francois Hollande, said the review "absolutely" met the concerns voiced by senior US administration officials and military officers that Britain had been significantly weakened by capability cuts caused by severe defense budget cuts as Britain sought to repair its public finances in the wake of the financial crisis.
"I have never accepted the strategic shrinkage argument for a minute," Cameron said. "We needed to make sure we got our economy back on track but even so we have the second-largest defense budget in NATO."
The British prime minister said the SDSR "sends out a clear message that Britain is an engaged nation with global reach and global influence, not for national vanity but for reasons of clear-sighted national interest. We are a player in the world."
Cameron, speaking just after he had landed at the RAF Northholt air base just outside London, said the new SDSR showed there was going to be growth not just for the next five years but beyond that as two new Royal Navy aircraft carriers and additional F-35 strike jets for the warships come into service.
Key among the capability hikes revealed ahead of the SRSR's unveiling later Monday is a program to buy nine Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft in a foreign military sales deal with the US.
Cameron said the decision to acquire the P-8 showed the SDSR was not just about combating non-state actors and the Islamic State group, but potential threats from state-on-state violence.
Asked whether US Navy P-8s with British crews might be used to plug the gaps in UK maritime defenses until the Royal Air Force gets its new jets, Cameron said: "We are now going to be talking to our allies about how to bring these aircraft into service and maintain our capability. All these things can be looked at, today is about the future capabilities we are ordering. We have always worked seamlessly with the US in these areas and I'm sure we will continue to do so."
Britain has found an additional £12 billion (US$18.2 billion) to increase the procurement and support budget to £178 billion over the next 10 years, the prime minister's office said in a statement released earlier Monday.
"It's a very big statement; the extra money is a deliberate choice to invest in security and maintain our global reach with our allies. We are investing in a range of very important capabilities, which will make us a stronger ally for the US and our other NATO allies," he said.
Cameron also said he would consider boosting British capabilities in the war against the Islamic State group in the event Parliament gave the government a mandate to attack targets in Syria. At the moment, the RAF is limited to hitting Islamic State targets in Iraq.
A parliamentary vote on the issue is expected before Christmas.
"Obviously if we do more in Syria we will … obviously need to increase the capabilities we have," he said.
The British currently have eight Tornado strike jets, 10 Reaper remotely piloted vehicles and a number of support aircraft involved in the mission against the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Email: achuter@defensenews.com.
Shared From Defensenews.com.


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text:
FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
http://www.forum18.org/ The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
View as web page
Search the Forum 18 Archive
AZERBAIJAN: Four mosques remain closed, Georgian Orthodox still with no priest
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
Four mosques in the village of Nardaran near Azerbaijan's capital Baku remain closed as the authorities work to bring them under state control. They can resume worship only if they submit to the state-backed Muslim Board and get registration with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations. They were forcibly closed immediately after the November 2015 armed assault on the village to suppress the Muslim Unity Movement and arrest its leader Taleh Bagirov. The imam of Nardaran's closed Rahima Hanum Mosque is also among those in pre-trial imprisonment. Meanwhile, parishioners of the two Georgian Orthodox parishes which the government allows to exist remain without a priest, seven months after their previous priest was denied re-entry to Azerbaijan. "There is no news for us to be joyful about," a Georgian diplomat familiar with the negotiations told Forum 18 News Service. The State Committee has yet to allow Georgian citizen Fr Petre Khumarashvili to begin serving in Azerbaijan. The regional State Committee representative repeatedly refused to give Forum 18 any date for permission to be given or explain why it has been withheld so far.
Two months after an armed assault on the village of Nardaran north-east of Azerbaijan's capital Baku, at least four of the village's mosques remain closed. State officials are determined to subjugate them to the state-backed Caucasian Muslim Board. Only once they submit to the Board will the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations allow them to gain the compulsory state registration which will allow them to reopen. No official at the State Committee in Baku would explain to Forum 18 News Service why the mosques cannot hold worship freely.
The armed assault on Nardaran on 26 November 2015 left at least seven people dead – two police officers and five villagers. The authorities were determined to crush the Muslim Unity Movement, led by Shia Muslim theologian and prisoner of conscience Taleh Bagirov (also known as Bagirzade). He was among dozens of Muslims arrested during and after the assault. Bagirov was tortured while in prison awaiting trial (see F18News 27 January 2016 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2143).
Nuhbala Rahimov, imam of Rahima Hanum Mosque, one of Nardaran's closed Mosques, was arrested on 9 December 2015 and given an administrative term of imprisonment (see F18News 9 December 2015 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2131).
However, Rahimov was subsequently ordered held in four months' pre-trial detention after a criminal case was opened against him (see F18News 27 January 2016 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2143).
Meanwhile, parishioners of the two Georgian Orthodox parishes which the government allows to exist in the north-western Gakh [Qax] Region still remain without a priest, seven months after their previous priest was denied re-entry to Azerbaijan. "There is no news for us to be joyful about," a Georgian diplomat familiar with the negotiations told Forum 18 on 26 January (see below).
Registration compulsory – if you can get it
Religious communities have repeatedly complained of arbitrary registration and re-registration denials. Azerbaijan insists that state permission is needed for people to meet together to exercise freedom of religion or belief, in defiance of its international human rights obligations. Lack of state registration can lead to police raids, confiscations of religious literature, fines and even criminal prosecutions.
Azerbaijan's harsh Religion Law also imposes specific restrictions on Muslim communities which are not imposed on communities of other faiths. Mosques cannot gain state registration independently and must be subject to the Muslim Board, which has to appoint the clergy (see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2081).
The State Committee – which is supposed to register religious communities – has persistently refused to process registration applications by communities it does not like. Particular targets of obstruction to registration or re-registration attempts are Sunni Muslim communities, other Muslim communities outside the control of the state-backed Caucasian Muslim Board, Protestant churches and Jehovah's Witness communities.
Four Nardaran Mosques still forcibly closed
The village of Nardaran has a population of about 8,000 and is located on the northern shore of the Absheron peninsula 25 kms (15 miles) north of Baku. It is known as a stronghold of Shia Islam (see F18News 3 November 2005 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=681).
Immediately following the November 2015 assault, officials closed down at least four of Nardaran's Shia Mosques - Rahima Hanum, Gulam Ali, Kichik and Aga – because they did not have the compulsory state registration and were not subject to the state-backed Muslim Board.
Mubariz Qurbanli, chair of the State Committee, told the APA news agency on 21 January that Rahima Hanum Mosque is in the process of state registration. He said 53 mosque members (just above the legal minimum of 50 adult citizen members) had prepared documents and applied to the administration of Baku's Sabunchu District, where Nardaran is located.
Qurbanli added that Sabunchu District Administration will provide a certificate confirming the Mosque's legal address and send it together with the application to the Caucasian Muslim Board and the State Committee. "The application is now being considered and Inshallah [God willing] the community will be registered," he told APA.
He said that only once Rahima Hanum Mosque – and other Mosques in Nardaran - have been registered will they be allowed to resume worship.
Qurbanli insisted to APA that the other Mosques in the village forcibly closed for lack of state registration - including Gulam Ali, Kichik and Aga Mosques - similarly need to collect and lodge the necessary documents. Only Nardaran's Juma (Friday) Mosque has state registration.
Official "help"
State officials have repeatedly pressured Nardaran's Muslims to register their Mosques since the November 2015 armed assault on the village. On 13 January 2016, Qurbanli – together with Kamal Abdullayev, the Presidential advisor on inter-ethnic, multicultural and religious affairs, and the head of Sabunchu District Administration, Adil Valiyev - gathered villagers in Rahima Hanum Mosque.
Officials reminded the villagers that Mosques in Nardaran have to abide by the law, which requires state registration before any religious community is allowed to exist. Officials offered "help" in gaining registration, the State Committee noted on its website the same day.
Assistants to Anar Kazimov, the representative for Baku of the State Committee, told Forum 18 on 26 January that they "have no right to respond" to Forum 18's questions about the enforced closure of the Nardaran Mosques. They referred Forum 18 to the State Committee Press Service.
However, the official who answered the phone the same day at the State Committee Press Service refused to answer any questions and put the phone down. When Forum 18 called back immediately the line had been transferred to a fax machine.
More than 1,000 Mosques functioning "illegally"
Qurbanli complained that more than a thousand Mosques are functioning "illegally" in Azerbaijan. Of the 1,500 Mosques which are functioning, only 450 have an imam appointed by the Muslim Board. He put the number of Mosque communities at 620.
"Each of the 1,500 Mosques must have a [registered] religious community and in each of them clergy must be appointed," he told the Russian Interfax news agency on 12 January. "If a Mosque is functioning without a [registered] community, its activity is considered to be incorrect. The presence of a [registered] community is obligatory."
Martyrs' Mosque to reopen "in near future" or never?
In addition to closing Nardaran's Shia mosques, the authorities have also consistently closed down Sunni Muslim mosques in recent years on various pretexts, including several in Baku and one in Gyanja (see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2081). Another example is the Lezgin Mosque in Baku's Old City, which has repeatedly been threatened with closure and from whose congregation five men – including the Imam – have been jailed as prisoners of conscience (see F18News 8 October 2015 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2109).
An unnamed official of Baku City Administration told "Bizim Yol" (Our Way) newspaper on 18 January that the city's long-closed Sunni Muslim Martyrs' (Shehidler) Mosque near Parliament will be reopened for worship "in the near future". The official gave no date and did not say whether it might reopen as a Sunni or a Shia mosque.
The Martyrs' Mosque was built by the Turkish government's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and opened for worship in June 1996. Officials closed it in 2008, claiming it needed to be repaired.
Repairs – under the supervision of the City Administration's Architecture and Urban Planning Department – are supposedly underway on the 20-year-old Mosque. However, "Bizim Yol" noted that "no work has been done for a long time".
Officials at the City Administration's Architecture and Urban Planning Department confirmed that repairs to the Martyrs' Mosque are under the supervision of their Department. But they refused to discuss what progress they are making – if any – and said they do not know when the Mosque will be allowed to reopen. "It won't be soon," one told Forum 18 on 21 January.
The telephone of Akif Abdullayev, head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department, went unanswered when Forum 18 called the same day.
Sarkhan Halilov, the then Baku representative for the State Committee, told Forum 18 in August 2014 that the Martyrs' Mosque will never be reopened, given its location (see F18News 11 August 2014 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1984).
Seven months with no resident priest
The Georgian Orthodox Church's only two parishes allowed to exist in the country – St George's Church in Gakh and St Nino's Church in the nearby village of Alibeyli – are still without a resident priest, the Georgian diplomat told Forum 18. Documents for a new priest, Georgian citizen Fr Petre Khumarashvili, have been lodged with the State Committee in Baku, the diplomat added. "We are waiting for an answer."
Azerbaijan's State Border Service suddenly denied re-entry to Azerbaijan in June 2015 with no explanation to the parishes' previous priest - Fr Demetre (secular name Levan Tetruashvili), who had previously been allowed to serve in Azerbaijan. A Georgian citizen, he was also the bishop-designate for the Georgian Church's new Azerbaijan Diocese created in 2014. Officials claimed afterwards that they cannot allow a foreign citizen to lead a religious community, despite the fact that other religious communities are led by foreign citizens with no problem.
The Georgian Orthodox Church has long struggled to gain permission to re-open churches in Azerbaijan (see F18News 8 September 2015 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2097).
The State Committee's persistent refusal to allow a new priest meant that the parishes had no opportunity to hold liturgies to celebrate the feast of Christmas on 7 January. Bishop Demetre Kapanadze of the Diocese of Khornabuji and Hereti (who has oversight of Azerbaijan's parishes) had told Forum 18 from neighbouring Georgia in December 2015 of his hopes that the problem would have been resolved by Christmas (see F18News 18 December 2015 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2135).
Bishop Demetre was able to visit the Gakh parishes on St George's day, 23 November 2015, and serve the liturgy in the churches. He also took the opportunity to conduct weddings and baptisms, which had had to be postponed in the absence of a priest (see F18News 18 December 2015 http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2135).
Neither the bishop nor other clergy have been able to visit the parishes again since the November 2015 visit, the Georgian diplomat lamented to Forum 18.
Mehman Ismayilov, senior north-west regional official for the State Committee, who is based in Zakatala [Zaqatala], insisted to Forum 18 on 26 January 2016 that a Georgian Orthodox priest will be allowed to serve in Gakh once again. However, he repeatedly refused to give any date for permission to be given or to explain why it has been withheld so far.
The refusal of the press office at the State Committee in Baku to answer any questions also meant Forum 18 was unable to find out what is preventing the State Committee allowing Fr Khumarashvili or any other priest chosen by the Georgian Orthodox Church from serving in the Gakh parishes.
Official warning for former mosque leader
The former imam of the Juma (Friday) Mosque in Qum in Gakh Region, Jeyhun Baliyev, complained to Radio Free Europe's Azerbaijani Service on 14 December 2015 that he had been ousted because police and the local authorities were unhappy that Friday prayers that he led had become too popular. He said officials had also renamed the Mosque after he was ousted.
Armed with a search warrant approved by Gakh Regional Court on 31 July 2015, police searched Baliyev's home on 12 August 2015 and seized "illegal" religious literature and the community's founding documents. A case was then prepared against him under Administrative Code Article 299.0.2. This punishes "violating legislation on holding religious meetings, marches, and other religious ceremonies", with fines for individuals of between 1,500 and 2,000 Manats.
On 13 October 2015, Judge Atabay Kichibayov of Gakh Regional Court found Baliyev guilty and issued him with an official warning, according to the decision seen by Forum 18. The Judge ruled that Baliyev had conducted "illegal" religious meetings in his home, something he denied. He explained he had bought the confiscated books in a bookshop in Baku during his university studies and had given them to people on request at the mosque. He added that he had not known that they were "illegal". The court decision records Baliyev as being sorry for any violations he had committed.
"The National Security Ministry handed the materials to the court," Judge Kichibayov told Forum 18 from Gakh on 21 January. "He had ten or twelve books and I had to find him guilty because of the nature of the material." The Judge refused to say what was unlawful about the books. "Baliyev didn't appeal against the warning – he agreed with the decision," he claimed.
It remains unclear why the then National Security Ministry secret police (now the State Security Service SSS) was involved in the case.
Baliyev complained to Radio Free Europe that the books and founding documents were not returned after the trial. He also complained that the mosque was no longer open for daily prayer.
The State Committee registered the Juma Mosque in September 2010, according to the State Committee website.
Regional State Committee representative Ismayilov put the phone down when Forum 18 began to ask about Baliyev's case. (END)
For more background information see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom survey at http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2081.
More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan is at http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?query=&religion=all&country=23.
For a personal commentary, by an Azeri Protestant, on how the international community can help establish religious freedom in Azerbaijan, see http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=482.
A printer-friendly map of Azerbaijan is available at http://education.nationalgeographic.org/mapping/outline-map/?map=Azerbaijan.
All Forum 18 News Service material may be referred to, quoted from, or republished in full, if Forum 18 is credited as the source.


One of the biggest announcements from this year's Google I/O developer conference was Google's plan to launch a new platform called Google Assistant. Building on the company's existing search-by-voice technology, Google Assistant lets you use natural language to ask questions, issue commands, and generally interact with a wide range of devices including smart home products, phones, computers, cars, and wearables.
Google already announced plans to launch a new device called Google Home which lets you interact with the software… at home. But according to Android Police, Google is also working on two new smartwatches with Google Assistant baked in.
You probably won't need to buy a Google-branded device to use Assistant on a wearable. It's likely that most smartwatches that run the latest version of Android Wear will support the feature.
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The larger model is said to be code-named "Angelfish," while the smaller one is called "Swordfish," but it's likely that the smartwatches will be sold under different names. Both are said to have round displays, and Angelfish will have a larger battery than Swordfish in order to power all the extra sensors in that watch.
Android Police obtained details about the watches from an unnamed source, which the website says is pretty reliable. But Google hasn't actually announced anything yet, so it's possible that some or all of the information is inaccurate… or that it's accurate now, but that Google's plans could change. The watches aren't expected to be available until after Google launches the upcoming 2016 Nexus smartphones… which the company also hasn't officially announced yet.
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"The Chevrolet Malibu ECO is a smart choice for customers who want excellent fuel economy without the price premium of popular hybrid sedans," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "The Malibu ECO's 38mpg highway estimate is comparable with those hybrids."
In the U.S, the Malibu will arrive in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, with 10 exterior colours and four interior colour combinations. It will be built in multiple locations around the globe, including the Fairfax, Kansas. and Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plants in United States.
While European sales will commence sometime in 2012, UK sales may be unlikely due to the initial lack of a diesel engine.
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