Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween-colored lobster caught off Mass. coast

{ttle}

{cptn}","template_name":"ss_thmb_play_ttle","i18n":{"end_of_gallery_header":"End of Gallery","end_of_gallery_next":"View Again"},"metadata":{"pagination":"{firstVisible} - {lastVisible} of {numItems}","ult":{"spaceid":"7664811","sec":""}}},{"id": "hcm-carousel-869572916", "dataManager": C.dmgr, "mediator": C.mdtr, "group_name":"hcm-carousel-869572916", "track_item_selected":1,"tracking":{ "spaceid" : "7664811", "events" : { "click" : { "any" : { "yui-carousel-prev" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"prev","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } }, "yui-carousel-next" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"next","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // no more pages, don't beacon again // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } } } } } } })); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {(function() { try{ if (Math.floor(Math.random()*10) == 1) { var loc = window.location, decoded = decodeURI(loc.pathname), encoded = encodeURI(decoded), uri = loc.protocol + "//" + loc.host + encoded + ((loc.search.length > 0) ? loc.search + '&' : '?') + "_cacheable=1", xmlhttp; if (window.XMLHttpRequest) xmlhttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); else xmlhttp = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP"); xmlhttp.open("GET",uri,true); xmlhttp.send(); } }catch(e){} })(); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings = '"projectId": "10001256862979", "documentName": "", "documentGroup": "", "ywaColo" : "vscale3", "spaceId" : "7664811" ,"customFields" : { "12" : "classic", "13" : "story" }'; Y.Media.YWA.init(Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {if(document.onclick===YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.newClick){document.onclick=YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.oldClick;} }); }); });

Monday, October 29, 2012

Shanghai Sonshine: Love, Peace & Chocolate Cake

Love, peace, & chocolate cake...what a day celebrating Abigail and her 8th birthday!?

For late breakfast, Abigail, Joseph & I went out for pork buns (one of Abigail's favorite Chinese foods!). ?Then we added in Baba & Zoe to go play at the playground before heading to get some street food (outside HuaShan Hospital so it has to be safe right?!?!) - Shanghai fried noodles and fried rice - to eat at Bubble Tea, where Abigail got a bubble coke no bubbles (yes that makes it Coke with 'Sonic-like' ice!). ?She opened presents after returning home...her first comment was "They are all in bags, I thought at least one of them would be wrapped." ?Now I know...bags don't count as wrapping to Abigail! ?We had chocolate cake (compliments of Lindsey) and then played some card games & an intense game of CLUE. ?To wrap up the day we went to Johnny Moos for dinner (another favorite to get chicken wings) before a great night at ?church. ?


Quality time and all her favorite foods...right up our 8 year old's alley! ?How sweet it is to watch Abigail grow & be her unique, fun loving self!

Source: http://shanghaisonshine.blogspot.com/2012/10/love-peace-chocolate-cake.html

paulina gretzky toy story 4 toy story 4 steam kristin chenoweth Robert Blake BLK Water

Friday, October 26, 2012

India's Kingfisher to arrange own funds to restart airline-regulator

{ttle}

{cptn}","template_name":"ss_thmb_play_ttle","i18n":{"end_of_gallery_header":"End of Gallery","end_of_gallery_next":"View Again"},"metadata":{"pagination":"{firstVisible} - {lastVisible} of {numItems}","ult":{"spaceid":"7663536","sec":""}}},{"id": "hcm-carousel-710869355", "dataManager": C.dmgr, "mediator": C.mdtr, "group_name":"hcm-carousel-710869355", "track_item_selected":1,"tracking":{ "spaceid" : "7663536", "events" : { "click" : { "any" : { "yui-carousel-prev" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"prev","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } }, "yui-carousel-next" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"next","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // no more pages, don't beacon again // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } } } } } } })); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {(function() { try{ if (Math.floor(Math.random()*10) == 1) { var loc = window.location, decoded = decodeURI(loc.pathname), encoded = encodeURI(decoded), uri = loc.protocol + "//" + loc.host + encoded + ((loc.search.length > 0) ? loc.search + '&' : '?') + "_cacheable=1", xmlhttp; if (window.XMLHttpRequest) xmlhttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); else xmlhttp = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP"); xmlhttp.open("GET",uri,true); xmlhttp.send(); } }catch(e){} })(); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings = '"projectId": "10001256862979", "documentName": "", "documentGroup": "", "ywaColo" : "vscale3", "spaceId" : "7663536" ,"customFields" : { "12" : "classic", "13" : "story" }'; Y.Media.YWA.init(Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {if(document.onclick===YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.newClick){document.onclick=YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.oldClick;} }); }); });

Business Marketing Event Planning | FreeThinkBham

Business Marketing Event Planning

you can find customers who are near, but in reality you can grow your business by opening up the marketing of their environment through online networks.

2. Start small ? Reviews of each marketing technique before making a full blown campaign, with his face. If you are a beginner, avoid large marketing and expensive advertising campaigns in magazines and radio ads. Continue marketing techniques you can try first before making a full blown campaign.

3. Build a website ? If you build a web identity you have a place for people to find you online. You can really sell you here. If you create a link to your site from your social network for people who intend to work with, go to your website and sold on your services.

4.

Attend weddings, events and other related shooting ? It helps to be able to meet new people who might be potential customers. It also helps to meet the event planners and others to know what they have achieved and what does not work for them.

5. Ask former clients for references ? sometimes even forget satisfied customers refer business to their friends and family. Send an e-mail from former clients and thank you for your business and tell them that you appreciate all the references you could provide.

In recent years, economic recession, the event?s organization has felt the pressure. Now more than ever it is crucial to the success of an event planning business to get online and start being aggressive marketing through all the different places that online marketing has to offer. Do not be afraid to invest some money to get your business online. Local advertising can go a long way, networks can go far, but the Internet technology can skyrocket the number of tracks, you can get for your event planning business.

If your marketing budget is tight, be sure to test each method of marketing carefully before you begin to pay the money in a single procedure. If this Expo will be too expensive, consider some of the online advertising, which are directly related services.

You can follow any responses to this entry

Source: http://www.freethinkbham.com/37/business-marketing-event-planning

linkedin linkedin Samsung Galaxy S3 usps ups bachelor pad bachelor pad

Cast defends timing of bin Laden raid movie

This film image released by National Geographic Channels shows actors portraying members of the SEAL Team Six soldiers who raided the compound of Osama Bin Laden in "SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden." The TV film premieres on Nov. 4. (AP Photo/National Geographic Channels, Geronimo Nevada, LLC.)

This film image released by National Geographic Channels shows actors portraying members of the SEAL Team Six soldiers who raided the compound of Osama Bin Laden in "SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden." The TV film premieres on Nov. 4. (AP Photo/National Geographic Channels, Geronimo Nevada, LLC.)

(AP) ? The team behind "SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden" is saying the television movie was not recut to give a starring role to President Barack Obama two days before the presidential election.

National Geographic Channels CEO David Lyle says the film was indeed recut ? but to show less footage of the president than an earlier version of the film.

"I think the end titles run longer than Obama's time on screen," Lyle said.

The movie has been accused by conservatives of having a political agenda in part because of its Nov. 4 premiere date and its backing by Obama supporter Harvey Weinstein. On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that a copy of the film provided to the paper showed that it had been recut to strengthen Obama's role.

Lyle said the movie was "well timed for us because we believe the topic is interesting at all times" and called the notion that two minutes of screen time would affect the election laughable.

"People that haven't seen the movie have decided that it's a political event. Believe me, in 85 million homes, a movie from National Geographic is not going to change the outcome of the election in a country of 300 million," Lyle said.

Produced by Weinstein and National Geographic, the 90-minute film depicts the mission that took down bin Laden. It mixes interviews with flashbacks and archival footage that leads the famed SEAL Team Six squad to a fortified compound where a mysterious 6-foot-5-inch bearded figure was believed to be staying.

It's the first original film to come out of the National Geographic Channel, which has about 85 million viewers, and it's slotted to come out a few weeks before "Zero Dark Thirty," another film about the raid by "Hurt Locker" director Kathryn Bigelow.

Freddy Rodriguez, who plays a Navy SEAL in "SEAL Team Six," said there was no political agenda behind the film.

"I think people who are in the opposing party are going to say that, of course. It's bound to happen because it fell on Obama's watch. And there's footage of him in the film, so how could people not have that criticism? It's almost expected," Rodriguez said.

His co-star, Kathleen Robertson doesn't believe the criticism is fair.

"It's impossible to make a film about the killing of Osama bin Laden without the president being a part of that film," Robertson said.

___

John Carucci covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him at ?http://www.twitter.com/jcarucci_ap.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-10-25-Seal%20Team%20Six/id-f87ca873886b4b4a9d113cf2c4bca8a6

paulina gretzky paulina gretzky toy story 4 toy story 4 steam kristin chenoweth Robert Blake

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Video Game News & Reviews - GAMEBREAKER.TV All Your ...

First and foremost, Ghostcrawler announced via Twitter that, come patch 5.1, it is highly likely that Lesser Charms of Good Fortune will become a currency rather than an item. This is a boon for players who are running a huge amount of daily quests, and thereby amassing thousands of Lesser Charms of Good Fortune, of which only a tiny percentage can be handed in every week, as discussed in Legendary Episode 98. These currently occupy bag space, stacking to a paltry 180, and can only be spent 90 at a time, once a week. In Patch 5.1, these will likely be converted to a currency, meaning that they will move to occupy the same space as honor points, Darkmoon Faire tickets and gold, freeing up valuable bag space. It is unfortunate that players have to wait until 5.1 for this to happen. However, as with most currencies, this may mean that a cap is imposed.

Secondly, while breaking the first rule of Brawler?s Guild by talking about it, new achievements relating to this new feature have started to appear. All the new Brawler?s Guild achievements datamined so far are listed below, and while this is far from an exhaustive list, some are more interesting than others.

These achievement titles are fantastic, really exciting stuff for the Brawler?s Guild. The most interesting one to me is Dirty Fighter. I want to know just exactly what fighting dirty entails!

Content from this point forward contains spoilers! If you don?t want spoilers, stop reading here.

Moving on, four new audio files have been datamined. One features Vol?jin in what appears to be an event or a scenario, in which he says, tellingly, ?This is what the Horde have come to, killing their own.? Vol?jin seems to be one of the first prominent Horde characters to rise up against Garrosh?s rule, which, leading from our post on the Horde going bad last week, seems to point to a widening rift withing the Horde.

Additionally, the Alliance appear to finally be fighting back, with audio featuring Varian Wrynn promising retaliation against the Horde following their attack on his son, Prince Anduin Wrynn. This would point to Anduin being alive after the Horde attack, and it?s great for Alliance players to feel their faction leaders aren?t going to stand for the Horde?s antics any longer.

The latter two audio files contain information about a new in-game item, which has not previously had a great deal of information attached to it. They both pertain to an item called the Divine Bell, which, we learn, was crafted for the Thunder King, an ancient ruler of Pandaria who questers may have seen being reawoken by Zulian Trolls. The bell is said to be ?cast from the maker?s flesh and shaped by stars? fire, and bound by the breath of darkest shadow. When rung, it could shake the world and call to the heavens. Taken to war, it stirs warriors hearts, lending them strength on the field of battle, and struck fear and doubt into the hearts of its enemies?? In the second audio file, we learn that the Horde are too late, the Alliance have already captured the bell and transported it to Darnassus, where they are securing its safety. Could this be how the Alliance retaliate? By using the Divine Bell as some kind of Azerothian WMD?

Source: http://www.gamebreaker.tv/mmorpg/world-of-warcraft-mmorpg/world-of-warcraft-news/patch-5-1-ptr-news/

whitney houston i will always love you breaking news whitney houston carmen whitney houston last performance cpac straw poll breaking dawn part 2 breaking dawn part 2

Forbes Presents Collection of Estate Planning Articles - The Wiewel ...

With all the noise these days about taxing the rich and the future of the federal estate tax, the message that ordinary folks also need to plan, to protect themselves and their families, gets drowned out.

Did you know we just passed National Estate Planning Awareness Week (Oct. 15-21)? Don?t worry if you missed it, estate planning is a continuous endeavor and one that is never out of season.

While proper estate planning is no Do-It-Yourself project and competent legal counsel should be retained, there is plenty of literature available to help you learn the basics of estate planning and beyond. Leave it to Forbes to compile ?The Forbes Guide To Estate Planning? from its storehouse of past estate planning articles. Of course, these 40 some articles give only the Forbes perspective, but it?s a quick glimpse at the panoply of topics and worth a read.

If you still need information on estate planning topics and strategies, contact your legal and financial counselors in order to gain knowledge about protecting your family and your assets.

Reference: Forbes (October 14, 2012) ?The Forbes Guide To Estate Planning?

Source: http://blog.texastrustlaw.com/2012/10/forbes-presents-collection-of-estate-planning-articles.html

ostara andy kaufman masters 2012 tom watson kawasaki disease resurrection masters tickets

Somali reporter killed, raising toll to 16

{ttle}

{cptn}","template_name":"ss_thmb_play_ttle","i18n":{"end_of_gallery_header":"End of Gallery","end_of_gallery_next":"View Again"},"metadata":{"pagination":"{firstVisible} - {lastVisible} of {numItems}","ult":{"spaceid":"84896252","sec":""}}},{"id": "hcm-carousel-2084000160", "dataManager": C.dmgr, "mediator": C.mdtr, "group_name":"hcm-carousel-2084000160", "track_item_selected":1,"tracking":{ "spaceid" : "84896252", "events" : { "click" : { "any" : { "yui-carousel-prev" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"prev","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } }, "yui-carousel-next" : { "node" : "a", "data" : {"sec":"HCMOL on article right rail","slk":"next","itc":"1" }, "bubbles" : true, "test": function(params){ var carousel = params.obj.getCarousel(); var pages = carousel._pages; // no more pages, don't beacon again // if same page, don't beacon if(("_ult_current_page" in carousel) && carousel._ult_current_page==pages.cur) return false; // keep track of current position within this closure carousel._ult_current_page = pages.cur; return true; } } } } } } })); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {(function() { try{ if (Math.floor(Math.random()*10) == 1) { var loc = window.location, decoded = decodeURI(loc.pathname), encoded = encodeURI(decoded), uri = loc.protocol + "//" + loc.host + encoded + ((loc.search.length > 0) ? loc.search + '&' : '?') + "_cacheable=1", xmlhttp; if (window.XMLHttpRequest) xmlhttp = new XMLHttpRequest(); else xmlhttp = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP"); xmlhttp.open("GET",uri,true); xmlhttp.send(); } }catch(e){} })(); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings = '"projectId": "10001256862979", "documentName": "", "documentGroup": "", "ywaColo" : "vscale3", "spaceId" : "84896252" ,"customFields" : { "12" : "classic", "13" : "story" }'; Y.Media.YWA.init(Y.namespace("Media").ywaSettings); }); Y.later(10, this, function() {if(document.onclick===YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.newClick){document.onclick=YAHOO.Media.PreventDefaultHandler.oldClick;} }); }); });

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Stoner Channel: Arcane Dangers, Antique Synthesizers, and Albert Kings

More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Ne4M_B5rPmI/

vernal equinox mr rogers jamie lee curtis spring equinox audacious pollen count mexico city

An intelligent autoreply bot for SMS chit-chat - Hexilou

Over half around the globe has mobile phones which behave as peoples? everyday mode of communication making use of their family people, for texts and calls, or changing sexy messages and heartaches. Before extended, that routine will get boring. You?ll find occasions that doesn?t only one text or call involves your phone, which results in your being stricken with monotony. That?s the most effective problems with obtaining a cell phone remaining along with you. Just in case you simply receive simple texts like &ldquoHow are you currently presently presently presently?&rdquo, &ldquoHey!&rdquo, &ldquoHi&rdquo, &ldquoWhat are you currently presently presently presently doing?&rdquo making replies like &ldquoI?m OK,&rdquo &ldquoYeah!,&rdquo &ldquoHello,&rdquo and &ldquoI?m fine,&rdquo it?ll get kind of boring, too.It is really an positive ingredient that particular great Android developer heard our voices. Dat Pham has created a credit card applicatoin recognized to as SmallTalk, particularly made only to prevent SMS monotony. More precisely, it?s made to create &ldquosmall talk.&rdquo The SmallTalk application might be a random speaking application. It sends intelligent responses for your incoming SMS messages within the blink within the eye in the humorous and polite way.

An intelligent autoreply bot for SMS chit chat1 An intelligent autoreply bot for SMS chit chat

SmallTalk already includes several pre-setup chatbots (e.g. CleverBot, JabberWacky, Spock, A.L.I.C.E., Captain Kirk, and AfroBot) and each bot offers its personality. You?ll be capable of choose your chatbot within the drop-lower list within the upper-left corner however screen.You may even configure SmallTalk to avoid delivering out automatic replies-this is often actually the default setting. Or, you?ll be capable of set the using to autoreply to everyone, to retort simply to particular quantity of contacts, to be capable of mark contacts being excluded from autoreplies. This can be done by selecting the best option within the drop-lower list within the upper-right corner inside the app?s primary screen.

When an SMS message arrives (and provided you set SmallTalk to supply autoreplies for your sender), the using will immediately answer the writing message. Inside your Texting application, you will notice the conversation. Messages sent by SmallTalk begin with &ldquoSmallTalk:&rdquo to indicate it?s the chatbot?s message. The &ldquoSmallTalk:&rdquo text, however, is not sent along with the SMS and will not display around the recipient?s phone. It?s just you need to identify which sent messages are bot-created and which ones are human .Many people find SmallTalk an expedient application to help with small talk. Others still find it useful for remaining from requiring to deal with directly with certain contacts (who, most most likely, are bored in addition to make small talk). If you are a active person and don?t possess the time for you to create small talk-otherwise you are essentially the kind of person that disdains small talk-the using typically takes proper proper proper proper care of that to satisfy your needs.

Even though many individuals uncover SmallTalk an excellent application for such fundamental reasons, others simply inside a couple of days it a enjoyable application to take full advantage of with pals. We attempted creating SmallTalk on two Android phones, and every phone to autoreply to a different. The final outcome result? Automatic, non-stop SMS conversation between two chatbots-which was quite amusing and may well be a great conversation starter. Hearken towards the carrier?s charges for SMS messages, though.Proceed and check for that using. Begin with small talk creating inside a large conversation. You are receiving SmallTalk totally free within the Google Play Store.

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

VN:F [1.9.20_1166]

Source: http://www.hexilou.com/an-intelligent-autoreply-bot-for-sms-chit-chat/

ufc 145 fight card ufc145 chimpanzee chimpanzee the lucky one pittsburgh pirates mariners

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

When Microsoft unveiled its Surface tablets with a flashy, top secret Los Angeles event, it didn't just mark the beginning of a new (and utterly critical) phase for the history of the company. It marked the repurposing of a name that was already quite familiar to us -- though in the guise of a big table. That device lives on as PixelSense, thus putting a period at the end of on one definition of the word, a definition Microsoft kindly requests we put behind us as we move on to something that is wholly different.

This new Surface device could be said to relate more closely to the active form of the word in question. That is, the verb: to rise up -- for something to appear that was not there before. It's a very apt definition for what Microsoft is doing, attempting to go from zero to hero on the tablet hardware front in just one shot. Is this, the Surface for Windows RT, good enough to erase decades of mediocre touchscreen Windows devices? Will it help Microsoft and its latest operating systems float up to the top of the tablet hierarchy? Your answers lie just below the break.

Hardware

It's not an easy feat to make a tablet that looks or feels different from those hundreds of slabs that have come before, yet this Surface is indeed quite distinctive on both fronts. It's genuinely hard to differentiate our visual impressions from our tactile ones.

The exterior of the slate is a cool, matte surface that looks dark and feels quite strong and durable.

The exterior of the slate is a cool, matte surface that looks dark and feels quite strong and durable. It's constructed using Microsoft's Vapor Mg process, which relies on vapor deposition to create this distinctive tactility, which we found ourselves quite drawn to. The material feels amazing in the hand and here it's used to create a structure that is quite complex, flat on the front and back of course but with the sides angling outward, connecting a facade slightly wider than the rear.

This inclination makes for a very reassuring feel when walking around carrying this tablet under one arm, and also gives room for a display that is slightly larger than your average 9.7- or 10.1-inch slates. In fact, its display clocks in at 10.6 inches, nearly a full notch greater than the new iPad, but its resolution is far lower, at just 1,366 x 768. As we saw when we got to go behind the scenes of the device's design and development, that 16:9 display and size were custom-crafted to make the most of Windows RT's ideal orientation and, as we'll detail in the next section, the quality of this panel mostly makes up for its relative lack of resolution.

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

That rim around the edge is perforated in many places, much more than your average tablet, including two new proprietary magnetic connectors. The first, and biggest, is on the bottom of the tablet. It has six contacts, providing power and data connectivity for Microsoft's first party keyboard covers and, hopefully, more peripherals down the road. On the lower-right is another, similar but incompatible magnetic connector, this one with only five pins. It's here that the device's AC adapter plugs in, that custom plug meaning you'll have to bring it with you whenever you hit the road, but this does at least mean it pushes more juice through than your average USB connector and therefore charges faster. We do, though, wish that connector was a bit more grabby. With MagSafe it seems like if you get the plug anywhere near the connector the two pull themselves together. Microsoft's option requires a good bit more precision and doesn't hold nearly as tightly.

Following up the right edge the next port you'll find is a full-size USB 2.0 connector that's ready and waiting for thumb drives, keyboards, hubs, mice and anything else you can throw at it. We can't help but be slightly disappointed it isn't USB 3.0, but having this port is incredibly useful -- as is the micro-HDMI connector that sits above. Then comes the right speaker, with its mate to be found over on the other side. Up top you'll find a pair of microphones along with the power button, which can be found toward the right edge. On the left side is the 3.5mm headphone jack positioned just above a volume rocker. Finally, tucked behind the fold-out kickstand on the rear is a microSDHC port, which means near-infinitely expandable storage is just one tiny little chip away.

Fitting all those ports means this slate is on the large side, and not just because of the display. Full dimensions are 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 inches (275 x 172 x 9.4mm), considerably wider and taller than the new iPad, but only 0.2mm thicker -- not bad, considering you get that full-sized USB port out of the equation. Its 1.5 pounds means it hits the scales at 0.1 pounds greater than the latest iPad, but for some reason it feels heavier still.

When combined with either of the keyboards that Microsoft offers at launch, this becomes a surprisingly capable laptop replacement. Or surrogate, at least.

It's around the back that one of the most distinctive hardware features is found -- the kickstand. While useful, we typically find ourselves deriding the presence of such appendages when they spring out of phones and tablets. Here, though, it comprises a major part of the DNA of the device. Yes, it can be used to prop this thing up and watch a movie, but when combined with either of the keyboards that Microsoft offers at launch, the $120 Touch Cover or $130 Type Cover, this becomes a surprisingly capable laptop replacement. Or surrogate, at least. Its hinge is complex but feels durable, though we do wish Microsoft had put a notch on either side of the stand, instead of just the one on the left. Flipping it out with your right hand can be a little tricky at times.

And while we're focusing on look and feel, we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss the sounds of the device, too -- if only because Microsoft is making such a big deal out of the acoustic nature of the thing in its commercial. Indeed, the kickstand flips out with a very satisfying click and the Touch Cover magnetically pops on to the bottom with a reassuring "thunk." Reassuring, because that magnetic connection is strong enough to comfortably support the weight of the tablet dangling below -- though we wouldn't recommend swinging it around with too much verve.

When it comes to the other sounds this thing can make, those that you might actually want to listen to through the built-in stereo speakers, the Surface is merely adequate. Despite having twice as many speakers as the iPad, it actually can't match that product's maximum volume output. But, it does at least offer stereo separation, and overall audio quality is average for tablets -- that is to say, completely lacking in bass.

And when it's time to reach out and get this thing online, as it is, of course, of limited use when disconnected, you have WiFi and... that's it. Microsoft is not offering a 3G- or LTE-equipped model, at least not yet, but you do get a comprehensive suite of 802.11 interconnects: a/b/g/n with 2x2 MIMO sending and receiving. There's Bluetooth 4.0, too.

Display

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

As any digital camera aficionado will tell you, there's more to image quality than resolution.

Back when Surface for RT was first revealed, Microsoft shied away from confirming the tablet's screen resolution. We can now understand why: if people knew then that it had a 1,366 x 768 pixel count, they might have pooh-poohed it for not having a 1,920 x 1,200 panel, or better. And that would have been a shame; as any digital camera aficionado will tell you, there's more to image quality than resolution. For starters, Surface uses Microsoft's ClearType sub-pixel rendering technology to help smooth out jagged edges. Additionally, the Surface has an optically bonded display, in which the touch panel and LCD comprise a single layer, all protected behind Gorilla Glass. A technique already used in smartphone manufacturing, this allows for the panel to be thinner, and also creates fewer opportunities for light to refract. As a result, there are some pleasantly versatile viewing angles here.

It helps, too, that the screen has an impressively high 400-nit brightness rating; thanks to that spec, in particular, outdoor visibility won't be a problem. (And with such robust battery life, as you'll see below, you needn't worry about temporarily cranking up that brightness slider; you'll still have plenty of charge to spare.) Viewing angles are also world-class. You could watch a movie with this slate lying face-up on a table in front of you, but that kickstand means you'll probably have an easy time keeping it perpendicular to your gaze.

All told, the Surface's display stands up well against the competition. We still consider the new iPad panel to be the best on the market, but there is noticeably less glare on Microsoft's latest and, when placed side by side, the Surface also shows slightly deeper blacks. (The color temperature is generally cooler, too -- we're not sure that's good, per se, just different.)

That said, there's no escaping that this is indeed a lower-resolution tablet. In viewing an eye chart on the Surface and the new iPad, the smaller text elements (the ones you may find yourself squinting hopefully at while standing at the DMV) are noticeably cleaner on the iPad's 2,048 x 1,536 display. Still, since the iPad scales up all its content to match the older, lower-res tablets, much of that resolution is going to waste. In fact, load up the same webpage on both tablets and you'll see far more content on the Surface than the iPad, thanks at least in part to the 16:9 aspect ratio here.

Keyboard covers

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

You wouldn't think a 3mm-thick piece of polyurethane could make for a comfy keyboard, but the pressure-sensitive Touch Cover is a compelling companion to your written missives.

You wouldn't think a 3mm-thick piece of polyurethane could make for a comfy keyboard, but the pressure-sensitive Touch Cover is a compelling companion to your written missives. Just give yourself a little time to get used to it. Microsoft warns it could take four to five days to reach your peak touch-typing speed. That sounds about right to us, which is a bit unfortunate; you'll need to pay up to buy one before you know for sure whether you'll really like it, even if you get a chance to sample Surface at a Microsoft Store.

But, if you're on the fence, we'd recommend making the extra investment for the cover. The first 30 seconds or so will feel mighty disorienting, a sensation that evolves into uneasiness over the next few minutes as you figure out how to successfully insert an exclamation point and experiment with how much pressure is really necessary. It's also a matter of trust: think about how gingerly you used your first BlackBerry's keyboard, or how carefully you typed out text messages on your first touchscreen phone. It took time to figure those typing systems out, and there's another learning curve to ride here.

It's worth it, though. Within minutes we were typing at a brisk clip, making surprisingly few errors along the way. It helps that there are small indentations on the F and J keys just like a proper keyboard, marking the home position for each of your index fingers. The keys are also spaced well enough that you're unlikely to hit the wrong letter by mistake. It's no sweat if you do: the backspace and spacebar keys are easily found without looking down. In fact, as Microsoft was developing the product, it gradually widened the spacebar after some large-handed focus group testers found themselves mistakenly striking the touchpad instead.

We're inclined to think that touch typists will come to grips with the Touch Cover more quickly than with a more tactile keyboard on another tablet OS.

It's the familiar layout and functionality that's the best part of the Touch Cover. If you're a regular PC user you'll quickly and happily find that all your typical keyboard shortcuts work exactly as you'd expect them. Arrow keys make for quick and easy navigation through text files, like the one in which this review was written. We're inclined to think that touch typists will come to grips with the Touch Cover more quickly than with a more tactile keyboard on another tablet OS.

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

Still, that tactility is something to overcome. The biggest challenge we had in acclimating to the Touch Cover was learning just how much pressure to apply. Use it for a few minutes and you'll realize you can tap the "keys" lightly and quickly while watching as full, perfectly spelled sentences flow onto the screen. Get too cavalier, though, and a letter will fail to register, forcing you to back up and try again with a little more force. Again, though, you'll likely overcome such missteps after practicing for the prescribed business week.

Because the Touch Cover is so photogenic -- it is available in five colors, after all -- you might not have known about the Surface's other keyboard, the Type Cover, so named for its tactile, conventional-looking keys. Here, too, there's a slight learning curve, though perhaps gentler than the Touch Cover's. Once again, we found we could type quickly with a low error rate, though we never totally got used to the closeness of the keys -- they're packed very tightly and feature flat caps, meaning they very nearly bleed into one another. We wouldn't be surprised if you came to prefer the Touch Cover once you got used to it -- provided, of course, you were willing to spend an extra $130 on a spare keyboard for comparison's sake. It's a bit of a shame that there aren't more Microsoft Stores: the ideal solution would be to wander in, play with both keyboards and see if you're a more of a Touch or a Type fan.

In either case, you'll find a small elf of a touchpad sitting beneath the spacebar. Our prediction: you won't bother with it much. It comes in handy if you're working in a desktop app like Explorer or Microsoft Word and need the kind of precision finger input can't offer. Most of the time, though, we followed our intuition and just tapped on the far more responsive touchscreen. The trackpad does support two-finger scrolls, which you might use if you're looking at a website and don't want to get your finger in the way while you're reading -- or if you're a stickler for staying as close to the home row as possible. Just don't expect such gestures to be recognized in the smoothest of manners.

And, in case you were wondering, closing either cover will disable the display on the Surface, much like the magnetic iPad covers from Apple. But, we were rather disappointed by the lag here. There's a good three seconds wait before the display pops back on after flipping open the cover. That compares unfavorably to the one second or less time on Apple's option. Not the end of the world, but a bit annoying if you're just flipping it open to take a quick peek at something.

Performance and battery life

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

Under the hood, the Surface purrs along on 2GB of RAM and a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra T30 chip, the same SoC powering other Windows RT tablets, like the ASUS VivoTab RT. Since we're not yet aware of any benchmarks tailored to this operating system, we'll stand on this: Tegra 3 is more than capable of handling Windows RT's Live Tiles and Modern UI. The tablet cold-boots in just under 25 seconds and launches apps briskly. It responds smoothly to taps and swipes, and we also found that the tablet is quick to respond if you open an app, change your mind and hit the home button before the app is finished loading.

That said, we did notice some occasional pauses when quickly swiping the left side of the screen to toggle between open apps. To be clear, it didn't matter how many apps we had open: in fact, we frequently lost count of how many were running. We rarely bothered to manually close any and the machine never seemed to suffer for it. In short, the performance has a few limitations, but overall, Surface is fast, responsive and stable.

Battery Life
Microsoft Surface for Windows RT 9:36
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 12:01
Apple iPad 2 10:26
Acer Iconia Tab A510 10:23
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime 10:17 / 16:34 (keyboard dock)
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 9:57
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 9:55
Apple iPad (2012) 9:52 (HSPA) / 9:37 (LTE)
Apple iPad 9:33
ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 9:25 / 14:43 (keyboard dock)
Motorola Xoom 2 8:57
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) 8:56
HP TouchPad 8:33
ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 8:29 / 12:04 (keyboard dock)
Acer Iconia Tab A700 8:22
Acer Iconia Tab A200 8:16
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus 8:09
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 8:00
Amazon Kindle Fire 7:42
Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 7:38
Acer Iconia Tab A500 6:55
Archos 101 XS 5:36

The only benchmark we felt comfortable running is the browser-based and platform-agnostic SunSpider JavaScript benchmark. Here the Surface returned a very, very healthy average score of 994ms. That's nearly twice as fast as the latest iPad and nearly as quick as our record holder, the iPhone 5, which burned through the test in 924ms when we reviewed it. Indeed, the initial rendering of webpages is far faster than the iPad, with the main content and text popping in earlier. But, if you wait for all the content to filter in, overall page load times are comparable between the two.

You caught the part earlier where we said this thing has robust battery life, right? How does nearly 10 hours sound? In our standard battery rundown test for tablets, which involves looping a locally stored video with WiFi on and brightness fixed at 50 percent, the Surface's 31.5 watt-hour battery held out nine hours and 36 minutes, which puts it just short of the new iPad (9:52) and just ahead of ASUS' high-end Transformer Pad Infinity (9:25).

Software

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

We're still a little unclear on how Microsoft plans to educate consumers on the difference between Windows RT and Windows 8.

We'll be honest: we're still a little unclear on how Microsoft plans to educate consumers on the difference between Windows RT (for ARM-based devices) and Windows 8 (for full x86 machines), especially since there's going to be a whole lot of similar-looking tablet / laptop hybrids running Windows 8. Case-in-point? The Surface with Windows Professional, which comes out in a few months andwill cost a bunch more than the RT, but looks nigh-identical, both on the outside and in the OS.

So, it might be useful, then, to start by addressing some common misconceptions about Windows RT. First of all, contrary to what some readers might believe, it does, indeed, have a desktop, just like regular Windows. Pinned to the Taskbar are various apps from Office Home & Student 2013 RT: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

That said, you won't be spending much time down here on the desktop, since Windows RT can't run legacy programs written for traditional, x86-based Windows systems. In other words, while you can install an app like Photoshop on a full Windows 8 machine, you can't do it here, nor any other Windows application written since the dawn of the OS. Additionally, we have our doubts about whether anyone going forward will bother to write desktop apps versus those more optimized for running in the de facto Live Tile interface.

It really is lovely to plug in a USB drive and start dragging and dropping files.

Still, the desktop can be a godsend in certain situations. For one, that USB port is a perfect match for Windows RT. Though this isn't "full" Windows, per se, it's still compatible with almost any USB-powered storage device or peripheral that you'd normally use with a Windows machine, a massive pile of legacy devices. It really is lovely to plug in a USB drive and start dragging and dropping files. Or, feel free to connect that comfortable keyboard you've been using for a decade, or that old tank of an HP LaserJet that's still doing the business after all these years. These are the sorts of luxuries you might take for granted but will appreciate more as you start comparing the Surface to other tablets. In short, that USB connection isn't just a spec or a talking point: it means you can use this Windows tablet like a PC, whenever it's convenient for you.

Other than the fact that Windows RT can't run legacy apps, it looks and feels like Windows 8. As you probably know, there's no Start button, and the Start Menu is comprised of Windows Phone-esque Live Tiles. Here, you'll find all the usual native apps, such as Mail, Calendar, People, Camera and Internet Explorer 10. (There are two versions of IE, by the way: one on the desktop, and a more touch-friendly one that exists as a Live Tile. They do, at least, share bookmarks now.) The desktop, too, is an app unto itself on the Start screen. What's more, all the same gestures apply: swipe from the right to expose the Charm Bar, which contains options for searching content and adjusting system settings. Swipe from the left to toggle apps, and swipe from the top or bottom to view certain app-specific options, like playing a movie on loop. That these options are all hidden means there is a bit of learning users will have to do before making the best use of their tablets, but once mastered you'll find options and commands are usually just a few taps away.

From the Start Screen, you can just start typing to begin a search for something -- a trick you can use on the Windows Store home screen, too. On the desktop, windows have a flatter, two-dimensional feel, meaning the old transparent bordering is a thing of the past. Things are, by default, a bit more finger-friendly than your average Windows desktop, with bigger buttons and menu options.

There's nothing stopping you from downloading legacy apps from the browser, but none will run on Windows RT.

Video playback support is rather limited at this point. The system will play WMV and MK4 files, but the system has no idea what to do with MKV files by default, and even an old AVI file we tried to play failed miserably. So, if you were hoping this machine would be as adept at playing back video files in any 'ol format you throw at it, like the x86 version of Windows is, you're bound for disappointment. At least, until someone ports VLC over to ARM.

When they do, you'll have to download it from the Windows Store. In fact, you'll be getting everything from the Windows Store. Mind you, there's nothing stopping you from downloading legacy apps from the browser, but none will run on Windows RT. As we discovered, you can go so far as to create desktop shortcuts for apps. But when you try and load them, a banner will stretch across the screen, telling you the app won't run on your device. As for apps you can run, the selection is small, but growing. Netflix, for instance, just arrived in the Windows Store, and we expect plenty more soon (including our own app). So far, there's a comforting group of heavy hitters, including Skitch, Box.net, Associated Press, Evernote, eBay, StumbleUpon, Pandora and Slacker Radio. We'd like to believe that bodes well for other major apps that still haven't arrived on the platform.

There is, at least, a Kindle app, but it's decidedly less than optimal at this point. Page-turning is sometimes done very quickly, sometimes met with five seconds of a spinning progress indicator. Voice playback (and, therefore, Whispersync for Voice) are unsupported and we got an error whenever we tried to open a comic, and what's the point of having such a nice display if you can't read Watchmen?

We searched on for other popular apps, more often than not coming up empty-handed. Notables we're still waiting for include: Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Dropbox, Mint, PageOnce, TripIt, NPR, NYTimes, Angry Birds, Draw Something, Words with Friends, Temple Run, Spotify, Springpad, Remember the Milk, Amazon, Instapaper, Pocket (formerly Read it Later), Flipboard, Steam, Instagram, Nook, Zinio and Rdio. You can't even install Microsoft's own Silverlight browser plugin, which should be the final nail in that platform's coffin.

We also couldn't find any airline apps. Now, we can't make any guarantees, but it seems to us that Twitter, Foursquare and Rovio would be nuts not to develop for Windows RT and Windows 8. This is, basically, a new ecosystem and it will certainly grow -- we're just advising patience if you insist on buying the Surface as an early adopter.

Cameras

The Surface has dual 720p cameras, but unless you're in the mood for video chatting, you probably won't be using them much. Even by tablet standards, the image quality here is pretty poor. Our full-res, 1,280 x 720 shots look awfully pixelated, even in brightly lit environments that shouldn't have yielded any noise. You'll also notice a good deal of color saturation (take a look at those fire-engine-red peppers in the sample gallery to see what we mean). As for the Surface's 720p video recording, we noticed some motion blur, but we were pleasantly surprised by how gentle the audio rendering was. Too often, our clips taken with tablets have a buzzing, distorted quality. In this case, the tablet didn't pick up any stray gusts of wind that might have otherwise spoiled our recording.

Configuration options and the competition

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

The Surface is available in just two flavors, one with 32GB of built-in storage and the other with 64 gigs. The 32GB version starts at $499. That entry-level kit doesn't include a keyboard, but for $599, you can get one in the box. As for that 64GB model, Microsoft is selling it as a bundle with the Touch Cover keyboard for $699. If you do buy the tablet by itself and later decide you want a keyboard to go with it, the Touch will sell for $120, while the Type Cover (the one with physical keys) will retail for $130. As a side note, Microsoft will only ever bundle the black Touch Cover, so start saving your pennies if you just have to have it in blue.

The Surface arrives in lockstep with several other tablets running Windows RT. We've been testing the ASUS VivoTab RT, which is priced identically to the Surface with a thinner, lighter design but slightly shorter battery life and a less comfortable typing experience. Dell's XPS 10 should also go on sale soon, though we unfortunately don't know yet how much it will cost. We're also intensely curious about the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11, which has a screen that folds all the way backward, but that won't go on sale until December. When it does, it will come at a premium: it will start at $799.

As an ARM-based tablet promising healthy battery life, the Surface goes to toe-to-toe with the iPad.

As an ARM-based tablet promising healthy battery life, the Surface goes to toe-to-toe with the iPad, along with a handful of high-end Android tablets. Starting with the iPad, both tablets start at $499, though for that price the Surface offers twice as much built-in storage (not to mention a memory card slot and support for USB storage). The iPad is thinner and lighter, but perceived build quality is comparable. (Besides, if you dig the Surface's kickstand and USB port, it probably couldn't have been much skinnier anyway.) As we've said, the displays are both nice, though neither completely bests the other: the iPad looks crisper and cleaner while the Surface is less prone to glare. When it comes to typing, Surface has the advantage of full keyboard support built into the OS and two keyboards designed by Microsoft itself. They're comfortable -- more so than many of the third-party offerings for iPad -- but it remains to be seen how many tablet buyers will truly value the typing experience.

Other than that, the key difference between the two isn't about millimeters or pixels. It's about software. We've already established, we hope, that Windows RT is easy to use, and well-suited for this form factor as well as for designs of productivity. The problem is app selection: as of this writing, the iPad has over 250,000 available that are optimized for its display. Don't get us wrong: Windows 8 and Windows RT are quickly gaining momentum, but until your favorites do show up in the Windows Store you'll have to show a little patience -- or be willing to find new favorites.

Finally, on the Android front you've obviously got many more choices, including a bunch offered with optional keyboard docks. If you're looking for something with just as nice a display as the Surface, we'd recommend the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity, a 10-inch tablet with a 1,920 x 1,200 IPS panel, excellent battery life and a solid spun metal build. Be warned, though, that ASUS' keyboard docks tend to have relatively cramped layouts. For a better typing experience, we'd suggest the new Lenovo IdeaTab S2210 ($430), though as a mid-range tablet it makes do with a lower-res screen than the Infinity. It also offers shorter battery life than ASUS' Transformer tablets, and most 10-inch slates, really.

Wrap-up

DNP Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review

The Microsoft Surface with Windows RT's $499 starting MSRP means those thinking about making the investment here will be carefully cross-shopping against same-priced offerings from Apple, ASUS and others. Where does this one rate? Very well -- but very differently. While those devices are primarily targeted at content-hungry consumers, the Surface is a slate upon which you can get some serious work done, and do so comfortably. You can't always say that of the competition.

It's in the other half of the equation, that of the content consumption and entertainment, where the Surface is currently lacking. It needs a bigger pile of apps and games to make up for that and, while we're sure they're coming, we don't know when. If those apps arrive soon, then early adopters will feel vindicated. If, however, the Windows RT market is slow to mature, not truly getting hot for another six months or so, holding off will prove to have been the smarter option.

So, if gaming and music and movies and reading are what you're looking to enjoy, then we might advise sitting this one out for a few months just to make sure that all your bases will indeed be covered. If, however, you're looking for an impeccably engineered tablet upon which you can do some serious work, a device that doesn't look, feel or act like a toy, then you should get yourself a Surface with Windows RT.

Dana Wollman contributed to this review.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/23/microsoft-surface-rt-review/

duggars peter facinelli bobby rush supreme court justices 19 kids and counting danny o brien alicia silverstone

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New American Saints Canonized in Rome

Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

Women religious hold a banner that reads 'Long Live the Pope' as they wait for Pope Benedict XVI to arrive to celebrate a special Mass to canonize seven new saints Oct. 21 at St. Peter's Square.

? Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

VATICAN CITY ? An estimated 80,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter?s Square to witness and celebrate the canonizations of seven new saints on Oct. 21, including the first American Indian, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

Also canonized was a second American, St. Marianne Cope.

Under a clear blue sky and warm, sunny weather in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI praised each saint for their exceptional lives, stressing that the words of Mark ? ?the Son of Man came to serve and give his life for many? ? were ?the blueprint for living? for each of the newly canonized.

?May the witness of these new saints, and their lives generously spent for love of Christ, speak today to the whole Church, and may their intercession strengthen and sustain her in her mission to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world,? the Pope said.

The new saints? ? Jacques Berthieu, Pedro Calungsod, Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Mar?a Carmen Sall?s y Barangueras, Marianne Cope, Kateri Tekakwitha, and Anna Sch?ffer ? were ?different in origin, language, nationality and social condition,? the Pope said, but they ?are united among themselves and with the whole people of God in the mystery of salvation of Christ the Redeemer.?

As the Holy Father declared in Latin each of the seven saints of the Church, St. Peter?s Square resounded with cheers.

Sunday?s Mass was also noteworthy in that the rite that was used restored some of the traditional rite of canonization that was lost after the Second Vatican Council. And in a further nod to Tradition, the Holy Father also became the first pope since Pope John Paul II in the early 1980s to wear the papal fanon ? an ancient papal vestment used exclusively by the Pope when celebrating a solemn pontifical Mass.

?

?St. Kateri, Pray for Us?

In his homily, Benedict recalled how St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), daughter of a Mohawk father and Christian mother, sought refuge in a Jesuit mission to escape persecution after her baptism and lived a life ?radiant with faith and purity? before her death at just 24.

?Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life, in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation, so unusual in her culture,? the Pope said.

?In her, faith and culture enrich each other!? the Holy Father added, and he entrusted to her ?the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in all of North America.?

?May God bless the First Nations!? the Pope said.

Glenn and Shirley Stoner from a Navajo reservation in Arizona were particularly excited to witness the canonization and also make a first trip to Rome. ?This is our first time, but for what an occasion,? Glenn Stoner told Catholic News Agency.

In comments to the Register after the ceremony, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia ? himself a descendent of American Indians ? said the canonization ?was a great moment of joy in the history of?Native-American Catholics.?

?Every canonization is a gift from God, but it is also the time of a gift to the Church,? he said, adding that ?the Mohawk people ? and, through them, all Native-American people ? have given the Church the gift of St. Kateri, who brings with her into the Church the wonderful gifts of Native-American culture.?

?Every saint is an expression of the inculturation of the Gospel in every time, place and race,? he said. ?St. Kateri, pray for us.?

?

Missionary to the Lepers

The Holy Father also canonized a second American during the ceremony: Marianne Cope (1838-1918). Although born in Germany, Marianne was taken to the United States when she was only 1-year-old and settled in Syracuse, N.Y., with her parents before going to care for lepers and assist St. Damien of Molokai in Hawaii.

Recalling how she ?willingly embraced a call? to care for the lepers, the Pope highlighted how she founded a hospital, opened a home for girls whose parents were lepers, and nursed Father Damien.

?At a time when little could be done for those suffering from this terrible disease, Marianne Cope showed the highest love, courage and enthusiasm,? the Pope said. ?She is a shining and energetic example of the best of the tradition of Catholic nursing sisters and of the spirit of her beloved St. Francis.?

Darlene Delacruz, a journalist for the Hawaii Catholic Herald, pointed out that Father Damien and Mother Marianne worked with a relatively small population on a small, remote five-mile stretch of land. Now, their lives of heroic virtue have led to them being honored by millions. It just shows ?what good you can do,? she told CNA. ?It's been amazing, a whirlwind, but amazing.?

A large number of Americans and Canadians were present at the canonization ceremony, but even greater numbers of pilgrims from the Philippines were in attendance to celebrate the life and canonization of Pedro Calungsod (1654-1672).

Facing persecution when helping to evangelize the Chamorro people, Pedro displayed ?deep faith and charity and continued to catechize his many converts, giving witness to Christ by a life of purity and dedication to the Gospel,? the Pope said. ?Uppermost was his desire to win souls for Christ, and this made him resolute in accepting martyrdom.?

Benedict said he hoped the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod would ?inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God!?

The Pope also praised the life of Jacques Bertieu (1838-1896), a French Jesuit missionary who struggled against injustice and helped the poor and the sick in Sainte Marie and Madagascar, eventually dying a martyr; Mar?a Carmelo Sall?s y Barangueras (1848-1911), a religious from Spain who founded the Congregation of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching and was renowned for her teaching; and Anna Sch?ffer (1882-1925) of Mindelstetten, Germany, a laywoman who became ?an untiring intercessor in prayer and mirror of God?s love? after a serious accident prevented her from entering a convent and forced her to be bed-ridden for the rest of her life.

Recalling the life of Giovanni Battista Piamarta of Brescia, Italy, renowned as a great apostle of charity and of young people, the Pope said: ?The secret of his intense and busy life is found in the long hours he gave to prayer. When he was overburdened with work, he increased the length of his encounter, heart to heart, with the Lord. He preferred to pause before the Blessed Sacrament, meditating upon the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, to gain spiritual fortitude and return to gaining people?s hearts, especially the young, to bring them back to the sources of life with fresh pastoral initiatives.?

?

World Mission Sunday

The Holy Father pointed out the Church was also celebrating World Mission Sunday, and he noted the ?[happy] coincidence? that it should fall during the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization, which ends this week.?

The faithful ?are called to bear witness and to proclaim the Christian message, configuring ourselves to Christ and following his same way of life,? the Pope said. ?This is true both for the mission ad Gentes and for the New Evangelization in places with ancient Christian roots.?

Edward Pentin is the Register?s Rome correspondent.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NCRegisterDailyBlog/~3/KkoXQaVq6bs/new-american-saints-canonized-in-rome

railgun jk rowling new book between two ferns ihop statins chardon sean young

KU B-School Blog: Students learn professionalism at etiquette dinner

BY DAN DUTCHER & STEPH STOSS, KU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION INTERNS

Teaching students to act professionally during meals is no easy task, even if food is involved. The University of Kansas Career Center and the Student Alumni Association host the Etiquette Dinner twice a year, one in the fall and spring, to teach students how to conduct themselves with professional etiquette during a business dinner.??

Tuesday, Oct. 2, marked the first event of the 2012-2013 school year.

We had the opportunity to attend an etiquette dinner, which was nerve-wracking, informational and fun.?

Not only do a resume, cover letter and interview with a company demonstrate an individual?s professionalism success, but the real test comes with proper use of table manners. This isn?t a rundown of mom-and-pop?s table manners from keeping elbows off the table, it goes beyond that. Business dinners are less about the food and more about the business and manners.

The dinner featured a business attire fashion show and discussion panel before the meal. Much like opening a can of soda in a quiet room, the first question of the evening is asked and directs the panel toward resume, interviews, social media portrayal and how to land a great job after graduation.?

?The more well-rounded a person is,? said Joe Burke, retail recruiting specialist at Hy-Vee, ?the better that person will transfer into the workforce.?

Most of the panel members agree that experience and involvement are more important than what kind of degree you have. Employers are more interested in an applicant?s ability to take on real world tasks in the professional world, the kind of experience that isn?t found in a textbook.?

Presentation is also important to an employer, not specifically at a dinner, but also how the individual dresses, talks and represents himself or herself on social media outlets. Anything posted to Facebook, Twitter and blogs reflects the kind of person the individual is and represents the company for which he works.

?I enjoyed the question and answer panel portion at the beginning of the evening the most,? said Kelsey McConnell, a junior in accounting from Overland Park, Kan. ?They were all recruiters and provided awesome insights about the keys to interview success.?

Panel guests provided answers that stemmed beyond the questions. The answers taught students how to apply classroom knowledge and skills to position themselves as better candidates for a job.?

After the discussion panel was the business dinner, where not only the students had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with a panel member, but everyone learned appropriate table manners.

The rules flowed like wild fire, such as how to fold your napkin when it?s on the lap and rules about how to pass items on the table. When offering bread, fake left then continue to pass to the right until it reaches full circle. Each item on the table has a specific place, and when positioned in particular ways gives notion to the server how to act. There are more silverware pieces surrounding a plate than fingers on any one individual?s hand.?

?It would have been nice to have a print out of the etiquette rules, ?McConnell said. ?I feel like I forgot some of the things she said after the dinner.?

Practice does make perfect, which is why we created an easy-on-the-go cheat sheet, or I mean, memory bank, for back pocket access.

Dan?s advice: BMW: If you?re wondering which glass of water is yours, just remember BMW. From left to right, it?s bread, meal, water. Your bread plate, is on the left side of your plate and your water is on the right.

Steph?s advice: Only cut two or three bites at a time. Rest the knife across the top of your plate, sharp edge toward you, for easy access. When finished with the meal, place the knife down in 4 o?clock position on your plate with the fork, tines down, below it. This tells your server you have finished with your meal and he may take your plate.

Source: http://kubschool.blogspot.com/2012/10/students-learn-professionalism-at.html

grizzlies bronx zoo crash april 30 wwe extreme rules 2012 vontaze burfict jimmy kimmel amzn