My older brother sent me an email today that contained, among other things, proposed answers to two questions I posed in earlier posts. One had to do with what, if any difference exists between microwaving something for 60 seconds at 50% power vs. nuking it for 30 seconds at 100% power. The other asked why the average temps for January and February are lower than those for December despite the fact that after the winter solstice in late December the sun is moving closer to the northern hemisphere.
My older brother is very smart, which itself raises interesting questions about apples and trees. But never mind that, his solution to both issues (turns out they're related) was just this side of sheer genius. I'd repeat them here but I figure those two questions weren't keeping you awake, so you can get through the rest of the week without the answers. But if your life will be incomplete without the info let me know and I'll forward his answers.
An African proverb says, "Not every truth needs to be told." A western equivalent could go something like, "Not everyone who can wear spandex should wear spandex."
As I write this I have the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on. They're into the second quarter so it's been on for awhile. I think this is the next-to-last college bowl game and I haven't watched but bits and pieces of a few. But about 5 minutes into the first quarter I realized one of the things that bothers me about televised sports in general, and these bowl games particularly. For this game they have three announcers, and they are talking without a second's pause. It's almost choreographed, their dialog is so tight. Add to that the background noise of each college's band and I've decided the only way to watch this game is to hit the mute button. The announcers aren't saying anything essential to watching the action and their non-stop drivel has become annoying.
Do the producers ever do any post-game analysis of their broadcast, looking at viewer reactions? 'cause if they call me I'm going to tell them that next year they should encourage their announcers to SHUT UP for at least a moment or two.
Apparently there's a new Superman movie coming out, and they've already started their web promotion. Here's a entertaining game that provides a few moments of distraction. But you're going to want to use a mouse, not the touch pad on your laptop.
http://hk.promo.yahoo.com/movie/superman/Stop_Press_Game/
On January 3, 1521 Pope Leo X issued a decree that officially excommunicated Martin Luther for refusing to recant the things he put in his 95 theses, the document Luther nailed to the door of the church in Wittenburg. OK, that one didn't work out quite like the Pope planned.
When a Pope wants to issue an order that is binding on all the faithful he puts on special garments and sits in his special chair. What he then decrees (reading from a document prepared for the occasion) carries the same authority as Scripture. Rarely used these days, this published decree is called a Papal Bull.
I don't make 'em up, I just report 'em.
But I think we should celebrate the anniversary of this event. I think I'm going to put on my best blue jeans and a clean T-shirt, sit in the wingback, and decree that the sun no longer rises in the east.
The more I read and learn about Martin Luther the more I'm impressed with both his intellect and his courage. He stood up against the most powerful man in the world, the Pope, and when put on trial and ordered to recant, replied, "Unless I am convinced of error by the testimony of Scripture...I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me."
We should all have a tenth of his conviction and courage.
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