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This afternoon, I received a request for prayers, which I now recommend to you, for the Christians in Iraq. The following note was sent by Sister Donna Markham, the Prioress of the Adrian Dominicans:
This afternoon, I received a request for prayers, which I now recommend to you, for the Christians in Iraq. The following note was sent by Sister Donna Markham, the Prioress of the Adrian Dominicans:
I marveled at the Pope's General Audience address on Saint Francis of Assisi last week. He's given us more food to digest this week. Of course, I believe both of these addresses are the Pope's corrective of the two great Orders of the Church. In many places both the Dominicans and the Franciscans have unhinged themselves from the living architecture of the Church and the Pope recognizes that we need these two charisms (and others, as well) to help the faith really thrive. I hope the Dominicans and Franciscans get the hint: if not, then we're in trouble. Benedict XVI is telling us what's in his heart and on his mind in these addresses, I hope the readers can read between the lines and do the hard work in reforming both groups of Friars.
Last week I
presented the luminous figure of Francis of Assisi; today I would like to speak
to you of another saint who, in the same period, made an essential contribution
to the renewal of the Church of his time. It is St. Dominic, the founder of the
Order of Preachers, known also as the Dominican Friars.
His successor in the
leadership of the order, Blessed Giordano di Saxony, gives a complete portrait
of St. Dominic in the text of a famous prayer: "Inflamed by zeal for God
and supernatural ardor, by your limitless charity and the fervor of a vehement
spirit, you consecrated yourself wholly with the vow of perpetual poverty to apostolic
observance and to evangelical preaching." It is in fact this essential
feature of Dominic's witness that is underlined: He always spoke with God and
about God. In the life of saints, love of the Lord and of neighbor, the seeking
of God's glory and the salvation of souls always go together.
Dominic was born
in Spain, in Caleruega, around 1170. He belonged to a noble family of Old
Castille and, supported by an uncle priest, he was educated in a famous school
of Palencia. He was distinguished immediately for his interest in the study of
sacred Scripture and for his love of the poor, to the point of selling books,
which in his time constituted a good of great value, to help victims of famine
with what he collected.
Ordained a priest, he was elected canon of the chapter
of the cathedral in his native diocese, Osma. Although this appointment could
represent for him some motive of prestige in the Church and in society, he did
not interpret it as a personal privilege, or as the beginning of a brilliant ecclesiastical
career, but as a service to render with dedication and humility. Is not perhaps
the temptation to a career, to power, a temptation to which not even those who
have a role of leadership and governance in the Church are immune? I recalled
this a few months ago, during the consecration of some bishops: "We do not
seek power, prestige or esteem for ourselves. […] We know how in civil
society and often also in the Church things suffer because many people on whom
responsibility has been conferred work for themselves rather than for the
community" (Homily, Cappella Papale per l'Ordinazione episcopale di cinque
Ecc. mi Presuli, Sept. 12, 2009).
The bishop of Osma, who was named Diego, a
true and zealous pastor, very soon noticed the spiritual quality of Dominic,
and wished to make use of his collaboration. Together they went to Northern
Europe to carry out diplomatic missions entrusted to them by the king of
While traveling, Dominic became aware of two great challenges for
the Church of his time: the existence of people who were not yet evangelized,
in the northern limits of the European continent, and the religious scourge
that weakened Christian life in southern France, where the action of some
heretical groups created disturbance and a falling away from the truth of the
faith. Missionary work on behalf of those who do not know the light of the
Gospel and the work of re-evangelization of the Christian community thus became
the apostolic goals that Dominic intended to pursue. It was the Pope, to whom
Bishop Diego and Dominic went to ask advice, who requested the latter to
dedicate himself to preaching to the Albigensians, a heretical group which held
a dualistic concept of reality, that is, of two equally powerful creative
principles, Good and Evil. This group, consequently, had contempt for matter as
coming from the principle of evil, even rejecting marriage, and reaching the
point of denying the incarnation of Christ, the sacraments in which the Lord
"touches" us through matter, and the resurrection of bodies. The
Albigensians esteemed a poor and austere life — in this sense they were even
exemplary — and they criticized the wealth of the clergy of that time.
accepted this mission enthusiastically, which he carried out precisely with the
example of his poor and austere existence, with the preaching of the Gospel and
with public debates. He dedicated the rest of his life to this mission of
preaching the Good News. His sons would fulfill St. Dominic's other dreams: the
mission ad gentes, that is, to those who did not yet know Jesus, and the
mission to those who lived in the city, especially in the universities, where
new intellectual tendencies were a challenge for the faith of the
This great saint reminds us that a missionary fire must always
burn in the heart of the Church, which drives incessantly to take the first
proclamation of the Gospel and, where necessary, to a new evangelization:
Christ is, in fact, the most precious good that men and women of all times and
all places have the right to know and to love! And it is consoling to see how
also in the Church of today there are so many — pastors and lay faithful,
members of old religious orders and of new ecclesial movements — that with joy
spend their life for this supreme ideal: to proclaim and witness the Gospel!
men associated themselves to Dominic Guzmán, attracted by the same aspiration.
Thus, gradually, from the first foundation of Tolosa, was born the Order of
Preachers. Dominic, in fact, in full obedience to the directives of the Popes
of his time, Innocent III and Honorius III, adopted the ancient Rule of St.
Augustine, adapting it to the needs of apostolic life, which led him and his
companions to preach, moving from one post to another, but returning, later, to
their own monasteries, places of study, prayer and community life. In a
particular way, Dominic wished to highlight two values considered indispensable
for the success of the evangelizing mission: community life in poverty and
First of all, Dominic and the Friars Preachers presented themselves as
mendicants, that is, without vast properties of land to administer. This
element rendered them more available for study and itinerant preaching and
constituted a concrete witness for the people. The internal government of the
Dominican monasteries and provinces was structured on the system of chapters,
which elected their own superiors, confirmed later by major superiors; hence,
an organization that stimulated fraternal life and the responsibility of all
the members of the community, exacting strong personal convictions. The choice
of this system stemmed precisely from the fact that the Dominicans, as preachers
of the truth of God, had to be consistent with what they proclaimed. Truth
studied and shared in charity with brothers is the most profound foundation of
joy. Blessed Giordano of Saxony said of St. Dominic: "He received every
man in the great bosom of charity and, because he loved everyone, everyone
loved him. He made a personal law for himself of being joyful with happy
persons and of weeping with those who wept" (Libellus de principiis
Ordinis Praedicatorum autore Iordano de Saxonia, ed. H.C. Scheeben, [Monumenta
Historica Sancti Patris Nostri Dominici, Romae, 1935]).
In the second place,
with a courageous gesture Dominic wished that his followers acquire a solid
theological formation, and he did not hesitate to send them to the universities
of the time, even though not a few ecclesiastics regarded with diffidence these
cultural institutions. The Constitutions of the Order of Preachers give great
importance to study as preparation for the apostolate. Dominic wanted his
friars to dedicate themselves to study, sparing no effort, with diligence and
compassion — to study founded on the soul of all theological learning, that
is, on sacred Scripture, and respectful of the questions posed by reason.
development of culture imposes on those who carry out the ministry of the Word,
at various levels, to be well prepared. Hence I exhort all, pastors and laity,
to cultivate this "cultural dimension" of faith, so that the beauty
of the Christian truth can be better understood and faith can be truly nourished,
reinforced and also defended. In this Year for Priests, I invite seminarians
and priests to appreciate the spiritual value of study. The quality of the
priestly ministry depends also on the generosity with which one applies oneself
to the study of revealed truths.
Dominic, who wished to found a religious Order
of Preachers-Theologians, reminds us that theology has a spiritual and pastoral
dimension, which enriches the spirit and life. Priests, consecrated persons and
also all the faithful can find a profound "interior joy" in
contemplating the beauty of the truth that comes from God, truth that is always
up-to-date and always living. Hence, the motto of the Friars Preachers —
contemplata aliis tradere — helps us to discover a pastoral yearning in the
contemplative study of such truth, by the need to communicate to others the
fruit of one's contemplation.
When Dominic died in 1221 in Bologna, the city
that declared him its patron, his work had already had great success. The Order
of Preachers, with the support of the Holy See, had spread to many countries of
Europe to the benefit of the whole Church. Dominic was canonized in 1234, and
it is he himself, with his sanctity, who indicates to us two indispensable
means for apostolic action to be incisive. First of all, Marian devotion, which
he cultivated with tenderness and which he left as precious legacy to his
spiritual children, who in the history of the Church have had the great merit
of spreading the prayer of the holy rosary, so dear to the Christian people and
so rich in evangelical values, a true school of faith and piety. In the second
place, Dominic, who took care of some women's convents in France and in Rome,
believed profoundly in the value of intercessory prayer for the success of
apostolic work. Only in Paradise will we understand how much the prayer of the
cloistered effectively supports apostolic action! To each one of them I direct
my grateful and affectionate thoughts.
Dear brothers and sisters, may Dominic
Guzmán's life spur all of us to be fervent in prayer, courageous in living the
faith, profoundly in love with Jesus Christ. Through his intercession, we ask
God to enrich the Church always with genuine preachers of the Gospel.
The renewal of religious life is also one of Pope Benedict's priorities. AND boy does it need it. The general state of religious life in this country at least, is circling the drain. Religious life's sad state is not merely about gaining new recruits, or wearing habits or working with the marginalized, but being faithful to Christ and the Church today, not some fantasy of what one "guru" hopes the Church to be. There are notable exceptions to this evaluation, but even those orders getting vocations there are concerns with the institutional rot in the ranks, and therefore they are fragile. Benedict's general audience address yesterday shows us the breadth and depth of the work needed to be done AND the desire to see the mendicant life thrive and contribute to the upbuilding of the Kingdom. Being faithful to the charism of the order and to the Magisterium of the Church are essential components to any hope of renewal. The Pope said:
At the beginning of the new year, we look at the history of Christianity, to see how a history develops and how it can be renewed. In it we can see that it is the saints, guided by the light of God, who are the genuine reformers of the life of the Church and of society. Teachers by their word and witnesses with their example, they know how to promote a stable and profound ecclesial renewal, because they themselves are profoundly renewed, they are in contact with the true novelty: the presence of God in the world.
Such a consoling reality — that in every generation saints are born and bear the creativity of renewal — constantly accompanies the history of the Church in the midst of the sorrows and the negative aspects of her journey. We also see come forth, century by century, the forces of reform and of renewal, because the novelty of God is inexorable and always gives new strength to go forward.
This was what happened in the 13th century, with the birth and the extraordinary development of the Mendicant Orders: a model of great renewal in a new historic period. They were called thus because of their characteristic of "begging," namely, of going to the people humbly for economic support to live the vow of poverty and to carry out their evangelizing mission. Of the Mendicant Orders that arose in that period, the most notable and most important are the Friars Minor and the Preaching Friars, known as Franciscans and Dominicans. They have these names because of their founders, Francis of Assisi and Dominic de Guzmán, respectively. These two great saints had the capacity to wisely read "the signs of the times," intuiting the challenges that the Church of their time had to face.
A first challenge was represented by the spread of several groups and movements of faithful that, although inspired in a legitimate desire for authentic Christian life, often placed themselves outside of ecclesial communion. They were in profound opposition to the rich and beautiful Church that developed precisely with the flourishing of monasticism. In recent catecheses I reflected on the monastic community of
This brought about the so-called pauper movements of the Medieval Age. They harshly contested the lifestyles of priests and monks of the time, accused of having betrayed the Gospel and of not practicing poverty as the first Christians, and these movements counterpoised to the ministry of the bishops their own "parallel hierarchy." Moreover, to justify their choices, they spread doctrines that were incompatible with the Catholic faith. For example, the movement of the Cathars or Albigensians proposed again old heresies, such as depreciation and contempt of the material world — opposition to wealth quickly became opposition to material reality as such — the negation of free will, and then dualism, the existence of a second principle of evil equated with God. These movements had success, especially in
With an altogether original choice in the history of consecrated life, the members of these orders not only gave up possession of personal goods, as monks had since antiquity, but even wanted real estate and goods put in the name of the community. In this way they intended to give witness of an extremely sober life, to be in solidarity with the poor and trust only in
And fruits were not lacking: The poor groups that had separated from the Church returned to ecclesial communion or, gradually, were re-dimensioned until they disappeared. Also today, though living in a society in which "having" often prevails over "being," there is great sensitivity to examples of poverty and solidarity, which believers give with courageous choices. Also today, similar initiatives are not lacking: movements, which really begin from the novelty of the Gospel and live it radically today, putting themselves in God's hands, to serve their neighbor. The world, as Paul VI recalled in Evangelii Nuntiandi, willingly listens to teachers when they are also witnesses. This is a lesson that must never be forgotten in the endeavor of spreading the Gospel: to live first of all what is proclaimed, to be a mirror of divine charity.
Franciscans and Dominicans were witnesses, but also teachers. In fact, another widespread need in their time was that of religious instruction. Not a few lay faithful, who lived in greatly expanding cities, wished to practice a spiritually intense Christian life. Hence they sought to deepen their knowledge of the faith and to be guided in the arduous but exciting path of holiness. Happily, the Mendicant Orders were also able to meet this need: the proclamation of the Gospel in simplicity and in its depth and greatness was one objective, perhaps the main objective of this movement. In fact, with great zeal they dedicated themselves to preaching. The faithful were very numerous, often real and veritable crowds, which gathered to hear the preachers in the churches and in places outdoors — let us think of St. Anthony, for example. They dealt with themes close to the life of the people, especially the practice of the theological and moral virtues, with concrete examples, easily understood. Moreover, they taught ways to nourish the life of prayer and piety. For example, the Franciscans greatly spread devotion to the humanity of Christ, with the commitment of imitating the Lord. Hence it is not surprising that the faithful were numerous, women and men, who chose to be supported in their Christian journey by the Franciscan and Dominican friars, sought after and appreciated spiritual directors and confessors.
Thus were born associations of lay faithful that were inspired by the spirituality of Sts. Francis and Dominic, adapted to their state of life. It was the Third Order, whether Franciscan or Dominican. In other words, the proposal of a "lay sanctity" won many people. As the Second Vatican Council recalled, the call to holiness is not reserved to some, but is universal (cf. Lumen Gentium, 40). In every state of life, according to the needs of each, there is the possibility of living the Gospel. Also today every Christian must tend to the "lofty measure of Christian life," no matter what state of life he belongs to!
The importance of the Mendicant Orders grew so much in the Middle Ages that lay institutions, such as labor organizations, ancient corporations and even civil authorities, often took recourse to the spiritual consultation of members of such orders for the writing of their regulations and, at times, for the solution of internal and external opposition. The Franciscans and Dominicans became the spiritual leaders of the Medieval city. With great intuition, they put into practice a pastoral strategy adapted to the transformation of society. Because many people were moving from the countryside to the cities, they placed their monasteries no longer in rural but in urban areas. Moreover, to carry out their activity for the benefit of souls, it was necessary to move in keeping with pastoral needs.
With another altogether innovative choice, the Mendicant Orders abandoned the principle of stability, a classic of ancient monasticism, to choose another way. Friars and Preachers traveled from one place to another, with missionary zeal. As a consequence, they gave themselves an organization that was different from that of the majority of monastic orders. In place of the traditional autonomy that every monastery enjoyed, they gave greater importance to the order as such and to the superior-general, as well as to the structure of the provinces. Thus the mendicants were in general available for the needs of the universal Church. This flexibility made it possible to send friars more adapted to specific missions and the Mendicant Orders reached
Another great challenge was represented by the cultural transformations taking place at that time. New questions made for lively discussions in the universities, which arose at the end of the 12th century. Friars and Preachers did not hesitate to assume this commitment as well and, as students and professors, they entered the most famous universities of the time, founded centers of study, produced texts of great value, gave life to true and proper schools of thought, were protagonists of scholastic theology in its greatest period, and significantly influenced the development of thought.
The greatest thinkers, Sts. Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure, were mendicants, operating in fact with this dynamism of the new evangelization, which also renewed the courage of thought, of dialogue between reason and faith. Today also there is a "charity of and in truth," an "intellectual charity" to exercise, to enlighten intelligences and combine faith with culture. The widespread commitment of the Franciscans and Dominicans in the Medieval universities is an invitation, dear faithful, to make oneself present in places of the elaboration of learning, to propose, with respect and conviction, the light of the Gospel on the fundamental questions that concern man, his dignity, and his eternal destiny. Thinking of the role of the Franciscans and Dominicans in the Middle Ages, of the spiritual renewal they aroused, of the breath of new life that they communicated in the world, a monk says: "At that time the world was growing old. Two orders arose in the Church, from which it renewed its youth, like that of an eagle" (Burchard d'Ursperg, Chronicon).
Dear brothers and sisters, let us indeed invoke at the beginning of this year the Holy Spirit, eternal youth of the Church: May he make each one of us feel the urgency of giving a consistent and courageous witness of the Gospel, so that saints will never be lacking, who make the Church shine as a Bride always pure and beautiful, without stain and without wrinkle, able to attract the world irresistibly to Christ, to his salvation.
O God, who for the salvation of souls didst place the Order
of Preachers under the special protection of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and
wast please to pour out upon it her constant benefits: grant unto thy
suppliants that we may be led unto the joy of heaven through the aid of that
same protectress whose memory we revere today. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray for the Friars Preachers on the anniversary of papal approval in 1216.


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Normally, I don't listen to music in order to influence my mood. However, there are undoubtedly many songs out there that can easily brighten my day. Even if I do tend to prefer darker/atmospheric stuff.
The first things that come to mind for this topic would be half of the songs from K-ON!, specifically Ho-kago Tea Time's songs or the opening themes. Plenty are overwhelmingly cheerful and energetic, dragging you into the music and bringing a smile to your face.
From the first time I watched through the series, the music was a highlight not only as a focal point of the show, but simply to listen to on its own. I think it would be nearly impossible for me to get upset while listening through the band's tracks. Except Tenshi ni Fureta Yo. :(
Another example would be Devin Townsend's Life, from his first (proper) album, Ocean Machine: Biomech. While better known for his variety of styles, this song is a bit more conventional, but with an uplifting tone and vibrance not captured elsewhere. The lyrics may not be the most optimistic, but the music itself does more than enough to get the job done.
The featured image is from the K-ON! Movie.

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To many of us, it's become apparent that mirrorless is the future for cameras. The huge advancements in short period of time have made them very popular. Companies like Fuji, Sony, and Panasonic have developed some fantastic cameras, and their respective ecosystems are growing fast with new lenses and accessories. Currently, Canon and Nikon have remained behind when it comes to effective and professional mirrorless systems and many disappointed professionals have already jumped ship to other manufacturers. As it becomes clear that Canon is developing their own model, here's what I think it needs to compete with those alread out there.
Keep The EF Mount
I really can't stress how important it is for Canon to keep the EF mount for its pro-level mirrorless system. The EF-M mount can be used for mid-range and entry-level mirrorless cameras, but the EF mount must remain for their pro system. Canon's main advantage is the fact that they have such a vast number of incredible lenses. They may, in fact, have the best lens lineup on the market. If they develop another mount for their pro-level mirrorless system, that will spark the beginning of the end for the EF mount. Getting rid of this major advantage is extremely ill-advised and one of the worst decisions they could ever make. Canon is already a few years behind companies like Sony and Fuji when it comes to sensor technology and camera features. An incredible amount of money will be required to develop all the new lenses, only for them to end up in second or maybe even third place. Moving away from the EF mount will also potentially make all of their current customers free agents, and I'm sure Sony would love to tap into that market. Sony should be praying that Canon does not continue with the EF mount. Nikon, on the other hand, has needed to update their mount for some time now, and this is why they've had to go for what is currently being described as the "Z-Mount." Canon needs to capitalize on its strengths. The EF mount is a major strength and will put them far ahead of the competition. With this one point, they could secure their position for decades to come.
For the love of god, no. Adapters are not convenient. They are horrible, ineffective, bad solutions for a problem that doesn't need to exist. Stick with the EF mount! The way to do this is to create somewhat of a hybrid camera. Keeping a similar body design with the same flange distance will save a ton of money. Get rid of the prism and the mirror and simply add in an EVF. Whatever potential space is left can be used for something more useful like better cooling, maybe more internal storage, more powerful processors, or maybe even features currently in development that we may not know about. You may be asking the questions: "What about adapting other lenses? Won't a shorter flange distance be better"? The most popular adapters currently available are for EF lenses, and if Canon sticks with the EF mount, then there's very little need to adapt. Many professionals that have switched over to Sony only do so for the body and continue using Canon lenses; therefore, keep the EF mount.
Size and Weight?
Weight is important, but as discussed above, get rid of the prism and the mirror; this will automatically reduce the weight of the camera by a very noticeable amount. Also, maybe lighter-weight materials could be an option, although that may require more investment than it's worth. Size, on the other hand, really isn't that important. In fact, having a smaller camera is a disadvantage for a number of reasons. Many tech companies seem to think that having a smaller device is somehow a great achievement when it's actually a compromise and potentially a flaw. Ergonomics are far more important than having a smaller camera, and smaller cameras are generally terrible for ergonomics. Some may suggest using a battery grip, but then, what was the point of making it smaller in the first place? Also, lenses can't exactly get much smaller, and only the flange distance is going to be different. The trend seems to be pointing towards tiny bodies and huge lenses; eventually, maybe your 50mm will need a tripod collar.
Battery life is another major disadvantage for smaller cameras. The fact remains that mainstream battery technology has not progressed very much and bigger batteries will have better battery life. Mirrorless cameras also require more energy, which only compounds the problem. Even batteries from bigger mirrorless cameras such as the Fuji GFX 50S can't compare to batteries from a 1D series camera. It's extremely difficult or not at all possible to keep the same battery performance with a smaller body. Bigger is without a doubt better. Canon should save themselves some money by keeping to a similar body design and sticking with the EF mount.
Expected Features
Canon really needs to step up their game when it comes to features. Aside from the 1D X II, all of their other new releases have been underwhelming at best. Here is a quick list of features that Canon needs to have as standard:
- Full-frame 4K capability with a more efficient codec
- 1080p at 120 fps
- Better dynamic range of at least 14 stops
- Log profiles as standard
- Focus peaking
- Flip-out touchscreen
- Dual card slots
- Focus stacking
- A fully developed time-lapse feature
- A minimum of 9 frames per second continuous shooting spped
Yes, DSLRs are meant for video too, and Canon needs to start taking it more seriously. They are the company that made it popular; it's only fitting they continue to develop this.
Recommended Features
There are some features that I strongly recommend Canon consider; however, I doubt these are features we will see in a Canon camera anytime soon.
- Built-in sensor stabilization (not just an electronic version of this)
- Pixel Shift technology coupled with Dual Pixel raw files
- 16-bit raw files (seriously though, this would be amazing)
- Better Wi-Fi with a better app
- Native ISO 50
- 15 stops of dynamic range or more
Final Thoughts
"This is now an era when latecomer manufacturers stand to gain." This specific quote from Canon's CEO sums things up pretty well. The stars couldn't have aligned themselves any better. A few key decisions that Canon makes in the next year or so could have a huge impact on the company. I doubt that Canon will be releasing anything earth-shattering, as they are very reserved in many cases, but whether or not they continue with the EF mount may determine their future. Nikon may have a tough road ahead of them when it comes to developing their mirrorless system. This, however, is something they will need to do in order to compete. It may take them up to a decade before they have a fully developed ecosystem, and the amount of investment required puts them at a great disadvantage. Nikon may have to settle for third place. Sony, on the other hand, is growing their mirrorless division very well, and the market sentiment seems to be in their favor. Effectively, this has become a race for two companies, and Canon potentially has the upper hand. Not only does Canon have a significantly larger range of lenses available, they are also cheaper and have better third-party options. The overall sentiment seems to be against Canon; however, the practicalities of their system outweigh the sentiment. Many professionals will simply continue with them. They already hold the number one spot in various key areas, and if they stick with the EF mount, it's going to be very difficult for other companies to compete.
87 Comments
I do not necessarily envy Canon's decision here. Like you said leaving EF behind would be crazy as that is one of their main competitive advantages. Part of the draw though for mirrorless for some is losing that mirror box and ultimately slimming down body size, which the native EF lenses may not allow to happen as much. It will be interesting to see how this goes!
If you do location shooting, smaller is definitely better. If you fly for work, being able to get lights and camera plus lenses in carry on is gold.
Travel photography is not "niche". Nor is having a camera small enough to carry every day or on social occasions. This is one of reasons Fuji sold so many X100's to people who already have full-frame systems.
I disagree. A camera that you don't bring it out is as good as not existing. I never bring my d750 for casual purpose, after switching to sony, i found my passion in photography again. Bring the small primes and adapted lens is the biggest appeal of mirrorless
>> Canon have small primes too that's not unique to mirrorless.
Again, it's obvious that you don't know anything about optical design. Canon's "small" primes have to use designs that don't require an element close to the sensor, which means that they have to accept other trade-offs - lower aperture and lower optical performance. If you compare the Canon 40mm to the tiny lenses on high-end film compacts like the Contax T2, they kick the hell out of the thing - they shoot like Canon's best L glass or better. Or try comparing the Ricoh GR lens to the Canon equivalent "small" prime.
Again you demonstrate your lack of knowledge and thought. WHICH Sony 50mm f1.4???
...The SAL50F14 weighs 220g and the Canon weighs 600g. The Sony actually has substantially better image quality and costs about 1/3 what the Canon does.
I suspect you were thinking of the Sony 50mm f1.4 Planar - but that lens is in the same quality range as an Otus. (In fact in the lensrentals tests it outscored the Otus 55mm.) And trust me, it's a lot lighter than an Otus. And half the cost. Because it doesn't have to work around a mirror box.
>> SAL50F14 is an A mount lens why would you even bring that up??
Because you didn't ask the right question.
The correct comparison would have been the Sony vs the Otus. They're the same quality - much better than the Canon - and the same aperture. And the Sony is lighter (700g to +1kg) and half the price, because not having to work around a mirror box allows a cleaner designer. They're both super-high resolution designs intended to let +40MP sensors compete with medium format; comparing them to a much lower resolution walk-around lens like the f1.2 is something only a person who doesn't understand what he is talking about would do. Building lenses for high sensor resolution is expensive in terms of cost and weight.
..To brutally hammer home to you how silly your comparison is, look at the dxo tests for these lenses. The Canon only achieves an effective 21MP on a 50MP sensor! The Planar gets 41MP of resolution - yes, ***double***. You simply can't compare them - you have to compare Planar to a DSLR lens in its own resolution class.
Oh - and if you want to be taken seriously in a discussion about optics stop using meaningless words like "very good performer". The LX7 is a very good performer - that doesn't make it sensible to criticise a 5Div for weighing more...
>> I discuss lens line-up, not design.
Yes, that's the problem. You can't intelligently discuss a lens line-up or camera mount without understanding at least very basic optical design issues. You don't. You haven't even considered something as basic as the fact that every SLR lens wider than 35mm needs to be a retrofocus design. Which adds enough complexity to a prime but is much worse when you try to build a wide-to-tele zoom. You've made it clear that you don't even understand that different lenses have different resolutions and building for higher resolution adds weight and cost. So why on earth did you think you could write this article? Bizarre.
>> You've cherry picked points to serve your arguments.
Now you are being a hypocrite. No, you were the one who chose the f1.4 Planar. I compared it to the only other lens - or at least the most obvious - in the same resolution class. So the only person who could possibly be cherrypicking is you. I can hardly be cherrypicking for providing the only possible like-for-like lens for the Sony lens you selected, hmm?
>> The Otus is much better for vignetting,
It's somewhat better, yes.
>> it has a much better T Stop,
The Otus and the Planar tested by dxo are about 7% apart for their t-stop. That's not only virtually identical rather "much better" it's also one with the sort of range you get for acceptable samples of the same lens...
Again, why the hell do you think the rest of the world needs to be told what to do by you on a subject you know nothing about?
I'm not sure I really understand the desire for mirror-less. Is it to compete against iPhones? For anyone with a range of lenses, what's the advantage? (For me, with a bunch of lenses weighing between 600g and 1500g, the last thing I think about is a smaller camera body. I really don't want anything smaller than a 5d-sized body, since the grip on that is only just deep enough as it is. I'm also not sure I understand the video phenomenon; if I wanted a video camera I'd buy a camera specifically for video.)
The removal of the mirror and viewfinder leaves more space for IBIS, processors, more efficient thermal management, etc. So you can stuff more in the same body, or make it smaller. The lens size won't change much though (see the FE lens).
The mirrorless also remove the need to have two different AF systems (one for liveview direct to the sensor and one in traditional viewfinder/mirror down). AF on DSLR is a delicate thing and you have to manage back /front focus adjustement and variation between lenses whereas mirrorless is more nominal (what you see is what you get on the AF).
On the pro side for DSLR is the direct link between the subject and viewfinder, no lag, no low light issue, etc. Even though this point is not very relevant with the lastest generation of mirrorless cameras.
Mirrorless also need more power compared to traditional DSLR.
Finally, having a mirror in front of the sensor helps to protect against sensor dust. Mirrorless camera tend to get dirty much faster (but again, you can swab your sensor).
Mirrorless camera's are expensive, Fuji XT-20 + 35mm 1.4 = $1298 , Nikon D5600 + 35MM1.8dx =$843 .
You're comparing an 1.4 vs 1.8 lens. I'm not into fuji x, but surely this is the pro grade lens.
>> You're comparing an 1.4 vs 1.8 lens. I'm not into fuji x, but surely this is the pro grade lens
Yes. The 1.4 is as good or better than Canon L.
While Canon certainly has good glass in their EF lineup, I disagree about the lens mount. In fact, if Canon doesn't have a new mount that would allow them to create more compact lenses, I don't think I would purchase one. A big draw, for me at least, with mirrorless cameras is a more compact and lightweight system. A mirrorless camera with the current 50mm 1.2 L or 85mm 1.2 L would be imbalanced and likely feel a bit awkward. However, I don't know how long it would take them to engineer equivalent lenses in a new mount...
The comparison you're making is totally off, it surprises me coming from an editor who, at least, should be a bit educated.
Lens designs benefit from the reduced flange distance at focal lengths of aprox the flange distance. So, lenses on the >40mm focal length are about the same weight and size and differences in those kinds of lenses are a matter of tradeoffs given same skills of the engineers.
I can give you an example: Sony 12-24G vs Canon 11-24L. No size benefit? No weight saving?
You might say, Sony engineers were inspired. Zeiss Loxia 21 2.8 vs Zeiss milvus 21 2.8.
And then you compare the Canon 50mm 1.4 vs the Sony Zeiss 50 1.4. It's like comparing a Chevrolet Corvette C4 of 1993 with the top of the line Corvette 2016 C7. If you don't get it I'll put it plain and simple: the canon 50mm 1.4 was marketed on 1993 and is screaming for a replacement.
The only thing missing in the mirrorless lineup are supertelephotos. And mirrorless mounts allow more space for super wide, wide and normal lens designs. Like the before mentioned lenses or the 55 1.8 which design is impossible on a DSLR mount.
Even the Sony 85 1.8 last element sits so close to the sensor that its design would be impossible on a dslr mount.
After 85mm the flange distance advantage vanishes.
You just picked the lenses you needed tovalidate your own beliefs.
GM lenses are aiming to get a good bokeh, sharpness, contrast and very good optical correction. That's why they're made bigger but you can have a very good pro-grade system with a big saving in size and weight vs the Canon counterpart.
11 and 12 give 4.5° of difference in field of view. It's like going from 18 to 19 is 3.1° and from 19 to 20mm 2,9°.
So, they're different, but they're comparable. Take the sigma 12-24 f4 if you want to.
I'll give you the real differences and a link to lensrentals blog, where Roger Cicala does a MTF comparison.
The specs:
Sony weight (565g)
Canon weight (1,15 kg) +102% aprox
Sigma weight (1,15 kg) +102% aprox
Sony diameter (87mm)
Sigma diameter (102mm) +17%
Canon diameter (109mm) +25%
Sigma price (1599$)
Sony price ( 1698$) +6,1%
Canon price (2699$) +68%
Canon max fov (126,5°) +3,68%
Sony max fov (122°)
Sigma max fov (122°) +0%
Again, the difference
Lastly the link to the comparison/review of the MTF's to show you that the canon isn't better than the sony, it's actually a tiny bit worse. But we will give it like a tie because it goes to 11mm.
I think probably the more salient point here is that a shorter flange distance will likely allow sharper wides to be created. Small is probably out the window. The trend has been towards sharper lenses and those tend to be bigger as we've so clearly seen in recent years. Maybe they're a little less big for mirrorless but eh...
The comparison I have in mind here comes from the medium format world where flange distance is something of a flexible thing. It is commonly accepted that if you want a really sharp wide you get a tech cam which has no mirror box. Even modern phase lenses can't touch what's possible on a tech cam even with the same digital back.
For wides on a tech cam you do not use bellows because the lenses are designed with very little sensor to lens distance in mind because apparently that is optimal engineering wise.
>> It seems you've really latched on to one bit of information and you're using that to determine your points.
It's called "using facts". You haven't used a single one.


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West Can Be Best On Lake Nipissing
Go west young man the old timer stated as he checked his line and leader before heading out on an early morning fishing adventure on one of Ontario's most productive lakes. Lake Nipissing located in Ontario's near north provides unlimited angling potential and it's no wonder. This lake is huge. Originating from the Algonquin name this is definitely 'big water' country. Over 330 square miles gives this water body the distinction of being the provinces fifth largest and sustains a fishery that is world class and second to none.
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8 Ways to go on a fun vacation with the kids and grandparents
Asians are no stranger to family togetherness, from living arrangements to taking trips together, but it doesn't mean that it's a walk in the park. Make your vacation a great experience for the entire family with these easy to do tips
Getting ready for the summer season means figuring out where to bring your family for some much needed vacation time. Why not let the grandparents come with you? It takes a little bit more planning, but having the whole family together will make all the effort worth it.
Here are some tips to make your next vacation with kids and grandparents more fun!
Plan and block the dates ahead of time.
This might sound like stating the obvious, but spur of the moment vacation with kids and grandparents in tow might sound adventurous, but it adds unnecessary stress (especially for grandparents who are set in their ways.) Planning ahead also shows consideration for everyone's schedule, giving time to file leaves, move appointments, and give notice to your children's schools.
Pick a place that mostly everyone will enjoy.
Unless all of you are made of the same mould, your idea of an awesome vacation may be different from each other. One could be a beach bunny, while one would rather snuggle in and stay in an air-conditioned hotel room (staycations, anyone?). Take note of the word mostly. It's going to be difficult to choose just one location that will please everybody, so choose a location that you can do all sorts of activities, from the adventurous (bungee-jumping, anyone?) to the safety first crowd (think museum crawling.)
Take out the element of the unknown, as much as possible.
There's peace of mind that comes with knowing what happens next. Have a clear itinerary for your whole vacation. Even if some points might fall away or it won't be followed to a T, having a schedule lessens your need to worry if you're missing out on something, or thinking of a way to entertain everyone when they complain that they're bored.
Pack something from home.
Everyone thrives in routines, no matter their age bracket. Besides keeping your family's health top of mind (like bringing your daughter's medicines and nebulizer kit), their comfort is also very important. Don't think twice if the grandparents want to bring their own pillows or food.
Don't scrimp on the accommodations.
Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a sub-standard room, especially for grandparents who need more restful times in between activities. Make sure to inspect beds and bathrooms for cleanliness and comfort, and don't hesitate to ask for a room change if it's not up to your liking.
Let the comments slide.
Even the most detailed and magical vacation will get less than stellar comments, from your kids complaining that the sand is not "white enough", to the grandparents complaining about the less than fluffy pillows. If the complaints are things that you can't do anything about (like really, the sand will stay the same forever), just smile, say you'll choose a better spot next time, and let it go. There's no use obsessing over something you can't change as of the moment.
Ditch togetherness...for a few hours.
Not all kids will be patient enough to walk around a museum aimlessly, and perhaps you and your partner would like to take some drinks during happy hour. Not all experiences are PG, and you shouldn't feel guilty about that.
Set the pace for your "slowest" member.
Have you ever heard of that saying, "You're only as fast as your slowest runner"? Whether it's you because of you and your baby's stroller, or it's the grandparents' leisure walking with a stick, keep the pace safe and comfortable. Stay away from challenging ways, like walking uphill or a 100 steps to a grotto—you don't need that kind of stress!
Also READ: Travelling with a baby: Janet Hsieh shares 14 super-useful tips!
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.


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- Storm Shelters
- Recycle Center
- Splash Pad and Pavilion Rentals
- VFW Building (Event Rental)
- Springville Maps (School Locator, Flood, Zoning, etc.)
- Main Street Historic Guidelines
As Mayor of the City of Springville, I welcome you to our City website.
This historic city was formed in 1877 and was originally known as Big Springs; named after an underground spring which provided a source of drinking water in this area.
It was this underground spring that inspired previous City leaders to change the name of this City from Big Springs to Springville.
Springville is known throughout the area for its federally registered downtown historic district and numerous historic homes. As Mayor I take great pride in the excellent schools, friendly churches, and civic spirit that the citizens of this great City display on a daily basis.
Our City is home to a thriving Chamber of Commerce that provides numerous opportunities for our businesses and citizens to become involved in several annual events and activities that are held in Springville.
If you would like more information about the City of Springville, Alabama feel free to contact me by telephone at (205) 467-6133.
Mayor Isley


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Great for brunch, lunch, and dinner!
Summer break is upon us and someone is always hungry or constantly opening the refrigerator, looking for a snack. My plan over the summer to keep the hunger pangs at bay and to keep the snacks relatively healthy, is to regularly have a frittata handy. The variations are endless and with bounty of summer vegetables, I am sure we will come up with many new concoctions. Frittatas are also a good vehicle for various odds and ends and cooked leftovers. In fact, in Italy, occasionally before serving lunch or dinner, a small amount of the meal is purposely set aside for a frittata the next day. Leftover frittatas also make the best school lunch/summer camp sandwiches.
Here are some combinations I am considering – please share your ideas and favorite combinations with us as well in the comments section. Kids will enjoy coming up with their own special combinations/masterpieces. Have…
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Last night in the 3rd show of Rising Star 2017, the jury and the audience decided that five acts worth going through the next stage of the show.
We remind you that in order to qualify for the next round, the artist had to score over 70% of votes. Each of the four judges had 10% while the rest of the votes came from the audience in the TV studios during the filming.
The five qualifiers from last night are:
- Yosef Gal (91%)
- Helen (90%)
- Yonit Zaidenberg (85%)
- Yona Shabin (79%)
- Julietta (72%)
They join the nine acts who qualified during shows 1 and 2:
- Beatbox Element
- Diana Golbi
- Hallelujah (Halli) Lewis
- Imri Ziv
- Judy Layne
- Lee Sabach
- Osher Biton
- Sapir Nahon
- Ta-La-Te
Rising Star will continue with the 5th show on Monday 16th January.
Author: Bogdan Stefan
Source: Facebook, mako.co.il, Eurovision Ireland
Categories: Eurovision 2017


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The other thing I liked about these eps is that they actually gave Frank some good stuff - during the whole "third wheel" speech, you really got a sense of how lonely Frank actually is, and it's that loneliness that is forcing him to rush into this marriage with Natalia, even though he has a very clear idea that something's not right. It reminds me of the Frank we saw with Eleni, back when Melinda Kanakaredes was on the show and Frank actually had a storyline!!
Also, Olivia calling him "Frankie" - good memories!!
In other Springfield news, Shayne and Dinah continue to be hot.
I like the new James - he looks like he could be the son of Grant Aleksander and Beth Chamberlain.
However, I do NOT like the whole James and Daisy thing - seriously, I spent most of their scenes shrieking "HE USED TO BE YOUR BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Working Together
Jonathan Lehmann
This Work is Not For the Faint Hearted
It has been my great privilege to personally coach a wide variety of extraordinary human beings. I have worked with individuals as young as 17 and as old as 65. I work with individuals from different walks of life whether they be professionals, artists, sports people, creatives business owners, employees and corporate executives.
If you need medication, get a good psychiatrist. If you need therapy, get a good psychologist. If you want to be in a thinking environment, a creative space that will allow you to think, go deep, and see clearly, then work with someone like me.
If you are seriously interested in this work and in exploring the possibilities of what you might create for your life, and have the commitment and focus to do so, please e-mail:
The Practicalities
Arrangements can be made to conduct sessions at a mutually agreeable location once relevant travel time, outlay, accommodation and session location costs are covered by the client. In addition, Thinking Sessions can be conducted via the internet using communications tools such as Zoom.
I work with most clients between one to three years and in particular, with those people whose word is more powerful than any contract or legal commitment.
Fees will be invoiced monthly in advance and must be paid prior to the sessions taking place, and are non-refundable.


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Triangle I
Triangle I, is an acrylic on canvas painting by Sarah El Sawy. She represented Egypt in a collaboration workshop between Egypt and Germany, as well as another between Egypt and the USA. she considers herself a plastic artist and conceptual designer and credits Hassan Soliman, Adel El Sewy, Klimt, Alfonse Muche and Munch as her greatest influences.
- 32.72
- Size:
- 25w x 25h cm
- Medium:
- Acrylic Painting
USD 206Prices include international shipping to the nearest port or airport


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What happens when you've had sexual trauma and then, after years of abstinence by choice, you meet someone you like and whom you want to be with? I'll tell you what happens. The trauma may not be at the front of your mind but your body remembers. Oh, does it remember!
The Physical Reaction
I had a first kiss with my new beau. I can't say it wasn't passionate, because it was. We had this instant connection. He gets my sarcastic sense of humour and he is patient when I put up walls to guard myself. I have come to realize that the two most important things I value in a relationship are safety and respect. The respect must be mutual and I need to feel safe. Here's the thing though. While we were kissing my body went into shock mode. Something like this kiss hasn't happened to me in a long while. My body started to shake uncontrollably. "My body does that. I can't control it," I explained after the kiss while I was still trembling. Later he explained to me he was worried I was having a seizure or that it was something serious related to my health.
Hiding the Truth
I was feeling very emotional at that moment. "You're not going to cry, are you? Because that would be like the worst reaction," he said. "No," I replied, "I just need to compose myself." The truth is, I was about to cry but I didn't want to. There are different reasons why people cry. If I had cried he could have taken it as some sort of rejection, as if he had done something bad or wrong. The thing is, I had liked that kiss a lot, but my body and emotional sensory systems were completely overwhelmed at that moment. I never did finish that cry later, because, in the end, I really didn't need to cry.
Navigating Relationships
I have been seeing my therapist twice or thrice a week for the last year or more. It just depends on how much support I feel that I need. Lately, we have been trying to titrate down to therapy only once a week. This is a huge deal for me. Now that I am in the dating world it seems that I actually don't have time to see my therapist more than once a week. I know that my therapist is going to help me to navigate through this new relationship. It's a bit scary, but at the same time, it's more exciting than anything. I can't stop thinking about him.
Confusion: When to Do What?
I have a dilemma. It's about physical touch. I honestly don't know much about dating and so all I know are the two extremes. I have one friend who jumped right into bed with her now fiancé. They have been together for years, they are trying to have a baby, and the sex is amazing. It worked out for them. Then I have the other extreme. I have a Catholic friend who doesn't believe in sex before marriage. Now she is happily married with a fourth child on the way. Do other people have this dilemma too? You see, historically my body was used as an object and I was only valued for my looks and my sexuality. I was, for lack of better words, completely sexualized. So, there's that history and of not waiting, jumping right into sex. Then there's the part of me which has moral values and people who love me like my Mum are telling me to "go slow." Even my brother told me not to have sex on the first date!
Sexual Attraction
My morals and my physical desires are in conflict. I am extremely attracted to this man and I want to have sex with him soon, yet I know, or at least I'm told, that I should wait. How long do you wait? I think it's up to the couple themselves to mutually make that decision. But according to my Catholic friend it is my responsibility to be strong and help both the man I am interested and myself to resist physical temptation. This new beau and me, we were quite physical on the second date. I probably got carried away and he didn't object. There was only one instance when I said no and he did respect that boundary. We were in public walking and kissing on the busy streets but we did find a dark back street and did a little bit more than just kissing. And now I don't know if I should be feeling guilty or not. My Catholic friend said that the physical pleasure takes away from him getting to know me for me and not for my body. Will he respect me less for having allowed more than a kiss? I want this to work out. I want to do this the right way. Only, I don't know which way is right. I don't know how to censor my physical attraction to this man.
I Get to Decide
This is going to be a work in progress. Just as each individual is unique, each couple is unique as well. Today he called me his "special snowflake." I am so flattered! I don't believe there is just one right way to nurture a budding relationship. There is a right way, and that way is what the couple decides is right together. It's about communication. If I can speak with him about my fears and reservations then he can be aware of them and respond to them. He doesn't need to know about my traumatic sexual history. No one needs to know. This is my story and it's up to me to decide on when to share this information. No one will ever tell me what to do again. I will never let anyone take advantage of me again. Yes, maybe I come off as a little bit controlling, but I believe that is me compensating for the years where I had no say about what was done to my body. Now I am in control of my life and I choose to put myself into situations of safety rather than trying to harm myself as a form of punishment for the bad person I thought I was.
Finding Your Self-Worth
If those things happened to me, it must have been because I was a bad person and therefore I deserved it. Or so my thinking went for years. That is, until, through years of therapy, I discovered that I am worthy. I am worthy of a good life and I am worthy enough to live. And here I am, reaping the benefits of having healed from the painful trauma. Things always get better, even if it doesn't seem like they will. You have to have patience with yourself and be willing to forgive yourself because the healing takes a long time. There is no set time limit for healing. I will always be healing as well as growing, with each new experience that I have, and with each new year that passes by. If I can do this, then so can you.


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You will be responsible for paying your own shipping costs for returning your item. If you are shipping an item over $30, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We do not guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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Once your return is received and inspected we will issue the refund. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
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Upon purchase of your order, you will have up to 24 hours to cancel your order. We will provide full refund if you cancel your order within 24 hours. However if 24 hours has passed since you made the order, you will have to wait for your parcel to arrive before you can return them to us.


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Half-Life 2: Episode Two
This being the landmark 50th edition of The Memory Card (wow!), I decided to focus on something special. And by "special" I mean a videogame moment that affected me more than any other in the last five years. Now, I know I say that all the time (see: Lost Odyssey), but, in this case, I am not exaggerating.
While I originally suspected the severe emotional punch in the gut this moment gave to me resulted from its surprising development, looking back that is not giving the sequence enough credit. By combining traditional, highly effective storytelling techniques with the advanced technology of videogames, moments such as this prove why the unique interaction of a videogame can exponentially heighten the emotional investment of what is happening on-screen. In this regard, videogames can easily be even more powerful that any other form of art.
But enough with all this pseudo-intellectual mumbo jumbo; let's get to this week's moment, shall we?
Celebrate this gold installment of The Memory Card by reliving an unbelievably tragic and haunting moment from timeless classic Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
The Set-Up
While all the episodes of Half-Life 2 are exceptional, the most recent Episode Two -- while short -- offers the most gameplay variety and shocking revelations of any other in the series. Because of this, most gamers -- including me -- rank it as the best iteration Half-Life 2 has to offer. (For more detailed information of how Half-Life 2: Episode Two unfolds, you can check out one of last season's Memory Card moments.)
One thing the Half-Life series does well is feature shockingly deep characters in the context of a first-person shooter. And not just any first-person shooter -- the Half-Life games don't have normal cutscenes that most gamers expect. Instead of cutting away to show a third-person view of the action, the cutscenes in Half-Life all occur in real-time, with everything being viewed from main character Gordon Freeman's perspective. A videogame that produces characters so amazingly well-rounded using a technique like this is beyond impressive.
Two of the most popular characters in the Half-Life series are Gordon's companion Alyx Vance and her father, Dr. Eli Vance.
While Dr. Vance plays a much bigger role in the first Half-Life, his presence is definitely felt in Episode Two, mostly through Alyx -- Gordon's partner during most of the game -- and her passionate urge to reunite with her father.
After an epic adventure that involves a train crash, a journey through a dark, complex cavern, and even Alyx almost dying (click here for that hardcore scene), the two allies eventually meet up with Dr. Vance in a place called the White Forest. In addition to Eli, Alyx and Gordon also reunite with Dog, their robotic friend and one of the most popular and incredible characters in the Half-Life universe.
Here in the White Forest, Dr. Vance informs Gordon that his small team of scientists is working on a giant rocket that will be used to close the Combine super portal that looms over the horizon. (For the Half-Life virgins, the Combine is the evil alien race that is hell-bent on taking over the world.)
While the rocket is being prepared, the White Forest facility comes under attack by an army of Combine forces. What occurs now is almost a Memory Card moment unto itself, an open-world battle that involves Gordon taking on, literally, more than a dozen giant spider-like Striders and fast-moving Hunters all by himself. It is truly a jaw-dropping sequence and one of the most impressive action set pieces in videogame history.
After a (very!) tough fight, Gordon emerges victorious and returns to the confines of White Forest. With the army wiped out, Dr. Vance launches the completed rocket and Gordon and his companions watch as the Combine portal is successfully closed!
Before celebrating, though, Dr. Vance informs Gordon that some mysterious cargo aboard a ship called the Borealis has disappeared. This cargo, Eli suggests, could have the power to destroy the world if obtained by the wrong hands. Dag.
With this news, Gordon, Alyx, and her father Dr. Vance head to a nearby hangar to board a helicopter and head off to find and destroy the Borealis.
What happens next rightfully earns its place as the 50th Memory Card moment.
The Moment
After the epic battle outside White Forest, it is pretty evident to the player that Episode Two is coming to a close. Everything -- from the story to the triumphant music -- suggests Gordon's victory.
But, strangely, no closing credits commence.
Instead, the player is rewarded with a beautiful, although simple, sequence involving Gordon, Alyx, and Dr. Vance walking towards the hangar to continue their journey aboard a waiting helicopter.
As they walk to their destination, Dr. Vance pulls Gordon aside and tells him how proud of him he is. He even mentions that he loves Gordon "like a son."
The three continue closer to the hangar, stopping once to watch the Combine portal explode into the cloud-covered sky.
Dog suddenly joins the group. Even though he is a robot, Gordon can tell from his metallic expression that he is happy that the portal has finally been destroyed.
Alyx hugs her father as the two celebrate as father and daughter. The rocket is a success!
As the group takes their final steps towards the hangar, Dr. Vance can be overheard telling Alyx how sad he is to see her go. Even though he is proud to see his own daughter showing the courage to find the Borealis, he is depressed that they have to say goodbye once more.
Dr. Vance enters a special code and the door to the hangar swings open.
The group walks forward and gets closer to the waiting helicopter. It is time for Alyx and Gordon to part ways with the wise old doctor. Eli Vance leans forward, kisses his daughter on the forehead and says: "Your mother would be so proud."
Suddenly, as the friends are within feet of the helicopter, there is a loud crash. Gordon, Alyx, and Eli are knocked to the ground.
As they shake off the jolt, Gordon looks up and sees a pair of Advisors -- the most powerful of all the Combine -- floating towards them from a broken window at the back of the hangar.
Using their mind control powers, the Advisors pin Gordon and Alyx against the wall as Eli remains on the floor, completely helpless.
One of the Advisor swoops down and picks up Dr. Vance.
Eli looks up at his screaming, pleading daughter and says two lines that will haunt me for the rest of my life:
"I love you sweetheart. Close your eyes, honey."
Before a paralyzed Alyx can even return an "I love you," the long sharp tongue of the Advisor pierces into the back of Eli's skull.
Dr. Vance dies instantly.
The other Advisor grabs Alyx and moves her closer to receive the same, violent fate.
Suddenly, Dog appears at a window on the roof and dives into the hangar. He immediately begins to fight with the Advisor, causing the horrible alien to drop Alyx to the ground. Because of Dog's jarring intervention, the two Advisors turn around and fly out of the hangar, leaving the body of Eli Vance behind.
As Alyx uncontrollably cries over her dead father and a mourning Dog lowers its head, the game fades out and Half-Life 2: Episode Two ends.
You can watch the tragic final chapter of Episode Two right here:
The Impact
I am not going to lie: I just cried from watching the YouTube of this scene.
"I love you sweetheart. Close your eyes, honey."
That part gets me every time.
While it is obvious the subject matter of this scene is one of the saddest thing to ever happen in a videogame, let's get to the bottom of what really makes this moment so emotionally effective.
First off, the tried and true, revolutionary story presentation prevalent in all of Half-Life makes a flawless appearance here. It goes without saying that viewing all of this from Gordon's perspective makes the scene that much more heartbreaking. The fact that Gordon (and, in turn, the player) is paralyzed and can do nothing to stop what is happening is almost too much to handle.
But besides this glorious cutscene presentation, a lot of other brilliant stuff happens during this tragic sequence.
When the player defeats the Combine army, the game ingeniously leads Gordon back into the White Forest facility to reunite with Dr. Vance and Alyx. By extending this scene, the player gets a sense of security and truly feels that everything is going to be okay. In a way, the player is coming down from the previous adrenaline rush and metaphorically putting down their controller in anticipation of a calm, rewarding ending sequence.
While in White Forest, Dr. Vance informs Gordon of his next mission: to find and destroy the ship Borealis. Fine. Even now, the player assumes this will be the goal of the next game. Everything is still okay. The closing credits will soon roll.
But the credits don't roll.
Brilliantly, the game follows Alyx, Dr. Vance, and Gordon as they make a seemingly simple journey to the helicopter hangar. Small details that other games wouldn't even think about adding -- like the muted dialogue between Alyx and her father -- are added to make the upcoming powerhouse plot point all the more dramatic.
Essentially, this extended "build up" to the awful event is what makes the moment so horribly sad and so shockingly unexpected.
Even the actual moment contains some of the best direction I have ever seen in a videogame.
If you can emotionally handle it (I can't!), watch the scene again and notice how everything is composed perfectly on the screen. Notice the way Gordon is placed against the wall so he has the perfect view of the helpless Eli and the screaming Alyx. When he falls and is pinned to the floor, observe the brilliant way Dog pops up into the shot right before he jumps on top of the Advisor.
Every beat is perfectly planned out and every camera angle is expertly composed.
I don't know if there will be any other moment in this current generation of videogames that emotionally affects me the way this one did. I still can't get Dr. Vance's final words to his daughter out of my head. Wow. Dr. Eli Vance is such a likeable, helpful character; I was genuinely shocked when he was killed in such a shocking and violent manner.
Although tragic, this scene truly is a work of art.
Half-Life: Episode Three cannot come soon enough. Gordon and Alyx have to get their revenge on those Advisor bastards. They just have to.
Dr. Vance's death will go down in history as one of the most memorable videogame moments of all time. Rest well, good doctor. You will always be in my thoughts.
The Memory Card Save Files
.01 - .20 (Season 1)
.21 - .40 (Season 2)
.41: The tadpole prince (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)
.42: Pyramid Head! (Silent Hill 2)
.43: Waiting for Shadow (Final Fantasy VI)
.44: Solid vs. Liquid (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)
.45: The birth of the cutscene (Ninja Gaiden)
.46: Insult swordfighting (The Secret of Monkey Island)
.47: A castle stuck in time (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker)
.48: 'That's the magic flute!' (The Wizard)
.49: Saving Santa (Secret of Mana)


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about Nimue skin technology
Nimue was developed by plastic surgeons with professional formulas and carefully selected active ingredients. It's simply the most amazing brand I have ever tried, and I have tried many. I waited long enough for the review, to make sure that It's relevant, and here it comes after more than a month and a half of using them. Some products I like more than others of course, but my general opinion is, that this is hands-down, the best brand I have ever tried.
This is a picture of my current skin condition. I am not wearing any makeup, just cleaned and moisturized my skin. There are some scarring and redness, but in general, I am very happy with this condition of my skin <3. I still get breakouts around my time of the month or when I eat junk food, but the general state of my skin is way better than with my previous skincare routine.
For the sake of the full disclosure, I have to say that all my Nimue products were sponsored but not my review and opinions. All Nimue products can be purchased from Aalborg Beauty in town. I am no longer in collaboration with Aalborg Beauty, but I will most certainly continue to use the products :). So by saying that I hope I made clear that I was not paid to say any of the things and you can trust in this review to be honest :).
NIMUE Active Exfoliating Enzyme
NIMUE purifier
NIMUE Cleansing Gel Light
It's definitely the best cleansing gel I have tried yet, but also the first fruit acid based cleanser I have tried. I guess for the relevance of my review, it's important to say that I have never before tried high-end brands like this. The most "high end" I have tried is probably Origins.
It has acid content that kills the bacteria that causes breakouts and removes any excess oils and impurities. It's really great if you usually experience any breakouts and blemishes. Because of its acidic content, the skin can get dried out so it's important to moisturize well. Mine didn't, I guess lucky me! But my sister tried it and it dried her skin out. So if you try that one, make sure you have a good moisturizer to follow with.
NIMUE Conditioner Light
NIMUE Moisturiser Plus
If I had to pick favourites, I wouldn't pick this one. I mean it's still an amazing product, but not the best one from the line for me. One thing is that it doesn't make much difference to my skin and also doesn't work well with my CC cream. I absolutely love my CC, so If I had to choose, sorry NIMUE, you are going down.
What I don't like about it is that it doesn't feel moisturizing enough for me. What I like about it, is that it's really lightweight and leaves my skin bright and fresh. It has anti-inflammatory effects as well, and it's oil-free, so really good for combination skin. But with the more aggressive cleaning routine I have, I need a better moisturizer. I tried combining it with a phyto replenishing oil at night, and then it works wonders, but I am pretty sure it's the oil.
Currently, my skin is in it's best state. I still get breakouts, but in general, I am very happy with how my skin feels lately, and I am certain the reason is it the improved routine I have. If I cut out all the junk food (I know, horrible) and continue on my improved skin routine, I am sure I will be blemish free for good.
That was it for my Nimue review :). So far this is the best line I have tried, and I will continue using it until I find something better. I am starting to run out on some of my Nimue products and I am considering trying another high-end brand. Hope you enjoyed this review, and if you did so I would love to share my next experiences with you.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend and talk to you soon!


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Data analysis, AI will drive HR executives' toolkit
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Change is afoot in the human resource technology space. So says Josh Bersin, founder and principal of Bersin by Deloitte, the market research firm's HR technology wing. Employee Benefit News spoke with Bersin for his insights on the coming wave of HR technology and how 2018 will be the year that HR executives need to deliver consumer-level services to their employees.
Employee Benefit News: What will be the biggest HR technology disruptor of 2018?
Josh Bersin: The entire HR technology market is in the middle of reinvention, with a whole new set of tools for continuous performance management, continuous learning, agile career development, AI-based recruiting, intelligent sourcing, real-time feedback and AI-based analysis of bias. The concept that a company can buy an integrated end-to-end cloud-based HCM system is starting to fade, as companies now buy more new tools than ever.
Over the next year AI and data-driven HR will be the most powerful new disruptor, as almost every HR product is now using AI and algorithms to give managers and HR professionals more intelligence about their organization. We just published a report that details how important analytics has become: HR truly is becoming a data-driven business function.
EBN: What are HR executives looking for in terms of technology? Is it ease-of-use or comprehensive data analytics? What about social media?
Bersin: Generally, HR professionals want an easy-to-use, integrated platform with a set of employee applications that run on mobile devices, are simple to learn and improve productivity. They are far less integrated in integrated talent management than ever before, because the job market is so competitive.
Rather they are looking for systems that make the work experience easier and better, they are looking for apps that let employees give managers instant feedback, and they are very interested in monitoring [social media] websites to understand their employment brand.
EBN: Can technology play a role in boosting employee engagement and productivity?
Bersin: Very much so. The new breed of apps that offer pulse surveys, open text feedback, sentiment analysis and organizational network analysis all help managers and HR professionals understand where and why certain employee groups are unhappy. By capturing this information in an open way, and encouraging a transparent leadership style, companies can easily see where engagement problems are occurring, and help managers and business leaders immediately address them. These systems are among the most useful and well received systems among all HR products.
EBN: How would you gauge HR as a whole when it comes to adopting new tech? Are they overly cautious?
Bersin: Most HR departments are somewhat skeptical about technology so they look for proven solutions, but today more than ever we see HR teams experimenting with new platforms because the workforce is so technologically savvy. Workers now expect a consumer-like experience at work, so HR is free to buy best of breed products as long as they are easy to use and they truly help make employees more productive, healthy and engaged at work.


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When it comes to kids and money, many parents and caregivers are full of uncertainty. You may not consider yourself a financial literacy expert, or you might be concerned that your child will copy your financial mistakes. Here is the truth: we all make money mistakes at some point in our lives, and this doesn't make you a bad parent.
All of your money choices, both good and bad, can be turned into positive learning experiences for your child. Research consistently indicates that the most important thing you can do to prepare children for their financial future is to have honest, thoughtful and regular conversations about money.
Continuing your own financial education is a great way to prepare, so we've put together answers to four of parents' most popular money "kids and money" questions.
How should my kid spend money?
Your child should divide up money for different purposes, just like you do. Sesame Street encourages young children to set aside their money in three jars: one for short-term spending, one for saving and one for charity donations. It's very important for young children to work with cash, as it reinforces the idea that money is a tangible item that comes and goes. When your child puts money in a savings jar or piggy bank, it teaches them that saved money is real, too. Plus, they can experience the fun of watching the money grow before their eyes.
How much should your child put in each jar? That's a decision you should make together. Some experts recommend putting 20% in the savings jar and 10% in the charity jar, but your child may decide to contribute more, especially if you encourage some exciting savings goals.
Don't just advise saving for the future. That's good, but too abstract. Instead, have the child pick out a fun item to save for, such as a new bike, a video game or a concert ticket. This helps teach that patience leads to enjoyable rewards. You can also introduce your child to different charities and have him or her pick one based on personal interests. If your child loves dogs, for example, donating money to the local humane society could be fun.
Does my kid need a bank account?
When the child is old enough, absolutely! A savings account is perfect for older children who have already practiced spending, saving and giving real money away.
Savings accounts give kids (and teens) a safe place to store their money. Savings accounts also pay interest, so your child will get extra money as an added reward for saving it. Most banks will let your child open a savings account if you co-sign the application and assume full responsibility, but we recommend checking with your local credit union or community bank to see if it has a savings account just for kids. Kid-friendly accounts offer extra perks like prizes, money for good grades, financial literacy newsletters, and more.
When your child enters high school and has more opportunities to make regular purchases, consider adding a checking account. Checking accounts allow teens to practice adult money management skills while still under your watchful eye.
Should I give my kid a regular allowance?
Financial literacy expert Jean Chatzky says yes, noting that an allowance serves two purposes. First, an allowance forces your child to work with a limited amount of money and make choices about the best ways to use it. Second, it gives you an escape from the "I wannas" when you and your child walk into a store. When your child asks for a toy or a candy bar, you default answer can be, "If you want it, you can buy it with your own money."
However, not everyone believes that allowances benefit children. Lewis Mandell, professor emeritus of finance and managerial economics at SUNY Buffalo, has claimed that a regular allowance, with no strings attached, is "akin to cruelty." His views may sound extreme, but they are based on survey results suggesting that a regular allowance is an ineffective tool for teaching financial literacy. It's worth noting, however, that even Mandell agrees that allowances are effective when combined with regular financial literacy discussions.
No matter what you decide, you should talk about money with your kids whenever you get the chance. For more allowance information, check out How to Raise a Money Smart Child, the Jump$tart Coalition's guide for parents and caregivers.
How much should kids know about money?
Just like you, your child should learn as much as possible, and it's never too early to start. Even basic lessons have a long-term impact. Your 2-year-old may not be old enough to count pennies, but is old enough to practice being patient and making choices. These skills will help build toward making smart money decisions throughout life. When your child handles real money, it helps set a solid foundation for understanding money in more abstract terms. Over time, credit cards, loans and investments will be easier for your child to understand.
Speaking of credit cards and loans, you might be wondering when it's appropriate to bring them up in conservation. Your child will learn the most if you talk about financial products while you're using them. For example, you can talk about how a credit card works while you're paying a bill at a restaurant. You can talk about how a debit card works when you're getting money from the ATM. When you're making your monthly auto loan payment, talk about how you pay for the family car. You make important money decisions every day. If you involve your child, each one can become a teachable moment.


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The Sweet Life Apparel and Gifts
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM @TheSweetLifeApparel
Bake Me a Cake Onesie- 24M pink, 1 left!
Regular price $5.00 Sale price
Our signature Bake Me a Cake design on a baby onesie in the signature grey & pink!
Ultra soft cotton/poly/jersey
Ethically made overseas.
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM @TheSweetLifeApparel
Show us how you rock your 'Sweet Life' tees, by tagging us and using #thesweetlife
A portion of all sales will be donated to Share Family & Community Services Food Bank, serving the Tri-Cities :)


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GOP to African-Americans: If we can't get your vote, no one can
You gotta wonder what Newt Gingrich eats for breakfast.
According to the thrice married, much derided former House Speaker, "No administration in modern times has failed younger blacks more than the Obama administration."
And he said it with a straight face.
Without the benefit of a laugh track, Gingrich pronounced the African-American vote up for grabs. It's time, he believes, for the Grand Old Party to campaign in black communities across the country. "We have to have the courage to walk into that neighborhood, to talk to that preacher, to visit that small business, to talk to that mother. And we have to have a convincing case that we actually know how to create jobs."
[NBCVIDEO source="UNIWIDGET" video="http://widgets.nbcuni.com/singleclip/singleclip_v1.swf?CXNID=1000004.08052NXC&WID=4a784acd2b1a7e80&clipID=1336913″ w="400″ h="400″]
Courage is one thing. But Gingrich will have to dust off his magic time machine and effectively undo a history of policy decisions and political shenanigans that have negatively impacted black communities in ways that have and will span generations.
For instance, President Ronald Reagan never supported the use of federal power to provide blacks with civil rights. In fact, he opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 1980, Reagan called the landmark legislation "humiliating to the South." It was Reagan who extolled the virtues of "states rights" when announced his bid for the presidency in Philadelphia, Mississippi where civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and James Cheney were tortured and murdered. "States rights" and, by extension, the south's ability to continue the slave trade, was the very issue that lit the fuel on the Civil War.
For Gingrich to be right, we would have to forget about Willie Horton. We'd have to forget a now infamous television ad run by the late North Carolina Senator Jesse Holmes in which he attacked Affirmative Action by saying it took away jobs from hard working, more qualified white people and his 16-hour filibuster against honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday.
We don't have to go that far back to remember that it was President George W. Bush who left thousands of largely black people to languish and die in New Orlean. It was under the so-called compassionate conservative's watch that Wall Street bankers pushed credit default swaps and other financial instruments that eventually led to the collapse of the housing marketing and soaring unemployment. The black middle class was effectively obliterated, as African-American wealth dried up.
Gingrich likes to refer to President Obama as the "most successful food stamp president" when it has been historically Republican programs that have forced people into the welfare line. He isn't alone.
Rep. Michele Bachmann pointed to double-digit unemployment rates among African Americans and Hispanics when she said, "This president has failed the Hispanic community. He has failed the African-American community" when it comes to jobs.
Let's be clear. President Obama is not guaranteed re-election. There are many plausible roads back to Chicago for the first family. Losing the African American vote to any one the many GOP candidates currently on the stage is not one of them. What's really at stake here is voter turnout.
If there is one time-honored tactic GOP politicians have mastered, it's voter suppression. If they can convince black voters that President Obama is a waste of their time, they will stay home. If they lose confidence that the first African-American president can be trusted to deliver change in their lives, to enact policies that create meaningful jobs and pave the road to a better future for their children, they simply will not show up.
Gingrich, Bachmann and others are betting on just that. They're betting that they can infuse just enough distrust to move the needle their way. Ironically, the very same people who trumpet the power of the democracy, the Constitutional guarantee to participate at the ballot box, would rather have you stay home.


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The Sullenger Dialogues are a tribute to the wonderful work of a dedicated university employee. Joanne Sullenger was the architect of the Frances Willson Thompson Critical Issues Forum. Charged with bringing to life the vision of Mrs. Thompson, it was Joanne who created the Critical Issues Forum speaker series and turned it into a great Flint tradition.
Different than the lecture during the luncheon presentation, the Sullenger Dialogues are designed to encourage an intimate, candid conversation between the visiting experts, distinguished UM-Flint faculty, students, and the community. The Sullenger Dialogues are free and open to anyone who wishes to engage in the spirited discussion of ideas.
**The Sullenger Dialogues are currently on hold while Critical Issues is being held virtually.**


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"It's not the end of the world at all", he said. "It's only the end of us. The world will go on just the same, only we shan't be in it. I dare say it will get along all right without us "
On the Beach – Nevil Shute
The characters in Nevil Shute's Cold War bestseller On the Beach are living out the last days of humankind. A radiological war fought with thermonuclear weapons and cobalt bombs has extinguished life in the northern hemisphere. Now a lethal airborne front of radiation drifts inevitably and inexorably southwards. There is no reprieve. Most choose suicide.
"We're all going to get it," he said. "Every living thing. Dogs and cats and babies – everyone. I'm going to get it. You're going to get it."
At first glance it is not altogether clear why Richard Misrach should have explicitly adopted Shute's title for his own recently completed series of photographs. Admittedly they are all pictures of beaches or seaside; but the limitless expanses of Hawaiian sand, the ravishing colours and the crystal Pacific waters do not immediately conjure a dystopia. Indeed, taken individually, they could be smuggled with ease into a luxury travel supplement. "I get called by all the travel magazines wanting to use them in a context like that," he says, "and I just say no."
The photographs are all taken from the same elevated viewpoint (a hotel balcony) and feature human figures dwarfed by the epic scale of the beaches and seascapes against which they are set. Though there are several more crowded compositions, the most effective and compelling images are of lone bathers or couples. The disjunction in scale between figure and vista is enhanced by the size of the reproductions, the largest of which measures almost one metre across. The book is not so much big as
it is vast.
A cumulative effect of Misrach's deliberate attenuation – but not elimination – of any human presence is, on the one hand, an impression of insignificance and vulnerability. And on the other, a sense of the sublime – the awe and even terror felt in the face of overwhelming power – pervades the work. This is augmented by the marked impotence of the bathers. The swimmers don't swim; their bodies float upturned, arms outstretched. And the sunbathers lie lifeless beneath towelling shrouds.
The combination of Misrach's aerial vantage point and the astonishing detail achieved by use of an 8 x 10 Deardorff camera often works here to confound the conventions of perspectival recession. So, in some of the book's most powerful pictures, the human figures appear strangely dislocated from their surroundings. Two floating bathers, when viewed from above, appear to be falling with arms and hair outspread. Likewise, a prostrate sunbather could be in headlong freefall.
Such effects are intentional. Misrach started the series while haunted by photographs of Americans jumping from the stricken World Trade Centre: "The world was changed after 9/11 for me… and I had on my studio wall the pictures of people falling from the towers. Those gestures of the people falling – I suddenly saw them everywhere." Further, he was struck by the disparity between the apparently cataclysmic events of contemporary history and the prosaic routines of life on the beach.
"Nevil Shute's book is very much about that – you know a lot of people in it end up going picnicking or going to the beach in the face of imminent death. I mean they all knew they were going to die. They knew it was coming: it was just a matter of time. And in the end it reverts to: 'Well, what are you going to do?' You could either commit suicide or go and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. And, to me, it was right after 9/11 and everybody was traumatised by it, you know. But yes, people were able to go to the beach and enjoy themselves as if nothing had happened."
The frequently stunning images in On the Beach resist easy categorisation. Whatever the topicality of Misrach's concerns, the pictures are manifestly not political statements. Neither wholly documentary nor art, his photographs derive their richness from the ambiguities, the complexities and the subtleties of their fusion of moral content, aesthetic quality and historical contingency.
Guy Lane


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Studio Development
"Mistakes and trouble shooting build the best learning foundations." Scott Mullane, Owner: Aisle 6 Productions.
To be able to complete new music pilot programs and their subsequent serries required even more development in the studio.
It would never have happened without my sound mentor Scott Mullane.
For a long time there were jumbles of cables, microphones and instruments (Pictured) and it's was Scott's advice at crutial times that was a driving force in the build.
While starting with the core recording flow of the Allen&Heath sound desk, much more was needed to complete the workflow.
There has been hours of painstaking work and learning to develop the associated computer system to work in conjuction with the desk.
Now we have a new multi track recording facility that we are immencely proud of and will compliment the video recording done in the stuio.