Town accustomed to pontiffs welcomes ex-pope

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Reuters) - The Italian hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, summer host to popes for centuries, took on a new mission on Thursday as it became the temporary home of the first "pope emeritus".

Pope Benedict will spend the first few months of his retirement in the papal summer residence, a complex of villas boasting lush gardens, a farm and stunning views over Lake Albano in the volcanic crater below the town.

Locals set up banners and balloons in the square outside the Papal Palace on Thursday to welcome the pontiff, whose papacy was due to end at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) with Swiss Guards outside the main gate handing over security to Vatican police. Some saw it as an honor for the town, others as an opportunity.

"It's a big surprise that he is resigning, but we will offer him solidarity," said Pietro Diletti, the parish priest of San Tommaso da Villanova where the pope traditionally says mass on August 15, the Christian feast day marking the Assumption of Mary.

"We are very happy he is coming, we know how much he likes it here, and he will be able to relax," Diletti said. "We consider him a citizen of Castel Gandolfo."

Nineteen-year-old Gianmarco Pelli, who works in a recently opened pasta factory in the town, had a slightly different view.

"When I heard he was coming here, I knew we were going to be the center of the world for a while," he said. "The place is completely transformed in summer, it becomes a spectacle. I hope it will be like that in the next few months."

ARRIVAL BY HELICOPTER

Benedict was due to arrive by helicopter in the late afternoon and make one last public appearance to town residents before entering the final phase of his life "hidden from the world", as he put it recently.

He will spend roughly two months at Castel Gandolfo, whose 55 hectare (136 acre) grounds are larger than the Vatican City, before moving to his permanent new home in a renovated monastery behind St. Peter's Basilica.

While cardinals meet in the Vatican to choose his successor, he will be able to relax in the hilltop papal palace, visit two other villas on the grounds or inspect the working farm, which produces fruit and vegetables, oil, eggs and milk.

Local butcher Franco Berretta, 69, said residents had been unsure about the quiet and reserved Benedict when he first came, but had warmed to him after his frequent stays.

"At first everyone said he is German and cold, but when he came here, he embraced us all. We are happy he is starting his retirement here," he said.

While he plans to live in monk-like isolation as a retired pope, some of Castel Gandolfo's more than 8,000 residents were hoping they might still catch a glimpse of him now and then.

"I would like it if he came out, especially considering he won't be the pope any more," said 58-year-old giftshop owner Lucia Viterbini.

"It is beautiful here, and you live well. He can carry on his passions and his studies in peace and tranquility."

TOURISTS

Other locals were preparing for an influx of tourists of the kind they see during the summer season when popes traditionally come to stay. At 425 meters (1,394 feet) above sea level, the town offers cool relief from the stifling heat of Rome.

The Vatican first took possession of the main villa in 1596, and popes have used it as a summer residence since 1626.

For centuries, the life of the town has been intertwined with the pontiffs who have stayed there. A special bond formed during World War Two, when thousands of inhabitants sought shelter in the villas during the Allied invasion.

"Women in labor were cared for in the apartment of the pope," said Saverio Petrillo, director of the Pontifical Villas, adding that many of the newborn children were named Pio after Pius XII, the pope at the time.

Residents said Benedict, 85, had formed a particularly strong connection with the town, about 24 km (15 miles) southeast of Rome.

"He came here a lot more than the previous pope, he liked to escape the noise and bustle of Rome," said 67-year-old pensioner Nicolai Giustino, who was strolling through the town observing a swarm of reporters gathering in the central square.

Not far away, a plaque on the town hall close to the papal palace bears words that Benedict uttered in 2011 about a town where "I find everything: a mountain, a lake, I even see the sea".

(Reporting By Catherine Hornby)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/town-accustomed-pontiffs-welcomes-ex-pope-154321030.html

Bb&t Lane Goodwin Romnesia eminem eminem yankees Tagg Romney

Apple Blogger: Sorry, The Only People Excited ... - Business Insider

The prevalent thought in the tech press right now is that Apple has lost its innovative edge and that Google has gained one.

People point to the excitement around Google's computerized glasses, self-driving cars, and new laptop, the Chrome Pixel.

Meanwhile, they look at Apple and note that it hasn't invented a new product category since 2010, when it launched the iPad.

Daring Fireball's John Gruber has had enough of it. He says the only people getting excited about Google's innovations are "nerds" ? while normal people still love Apple.

Plus, says Gruber, Apple is actually shipping its products.?

Gruber:

Google Glass absolutely is generating buzz, but it?s not ?the sort of buzz usually reserved for Apple products?. Glass has nerds excited; Apple products get the general public excited, and often?annoy?nerds by being iterative improvements that press the ?familiar but better? button instead of the ?new and different? button.

On the one hand, we have actual shipping products from Apple that are critically acclaimed and selling in record numbers (and for record profits); on the other, a $1300 laptop that only runs a web browser and a HUD headset that will supposedly ship at the end of the year from Google. And this somehow shows that Apple is slumping.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-blogger-sorry-the-only-people-excited-about-google-glass-are-nerds-2013-2

2001 a space odyssey barefoot bandit polar bear plunge lovelace antioch the grey review demi moore 911 call

ScienceDaily: Living Well News

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/living_well/ Stories about health and wellness, lifestyle issues and trends, family concerns and other topics about everyday life.en-usWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:01:01 ESTWed, 27 Feb 2013 15:01:01 EST60http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gifhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/news/living_well/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113100.htm New research is the first to systematically examine the role of trust in biasing memories of transgressions in romantic partnerships. People who are highly trusting tended to remember transgressions in a way that benefits the relationship, remembering partner transgressions as less severe than they originally reported. People low on trust demonstrated the opposite pattern, remembering partner transgressions as being more severe than how they originally reported.?Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:31:31 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113100.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113058.htm Researcher says terms such as "normal," "healthy" or "successful" aging can prejudice our views of seniors.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227113058.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htm Most parents would agree that raising a generous child is an admirable goal -- but how, exactly, is that accomplished? New results shed light on how generosity and related behaviors -- such as kindness, caring and empathy -- develop, or don't develop, in children from 2 years old through adolescence.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:29:29 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102940.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102100.htm Same-sex couples who live together have worse health than married opposite-sex couples and similar health as opposite-sex couples who are living together (after adjusting for socioeconomic differences), according to a new study.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227102100.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227101929.htm Older people who have low expectations for a satisfying future may be more likely to live longer, healthier lives than those who see brighter days ahead, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:19:19 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227101929.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085840.htm Advertisers who put images of female celebrities and models next to their products spark scorn rather than shopping, according to new research.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:58:58 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085840.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085838.htm Pregnant women should avoid taking vitamin D supplements, new research suggests. Substitution appears to raise the risk of children developing a food allergy after birth.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:58:58 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085838.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085706.htm Same-sex cohabitors report worse health than people of the same socioeconomic status who are in heterosexual marriages, according to a new study, which may provide fuel for gay marriage proponents.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:57:57 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130227085706.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htm A study finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:40:40 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226194006.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226141235.htm Fingers are one of the first body parts to suffer from the cold and popular fingerless texting gloves can lead to frostbite and in worst cases, amputation, says an expert.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226141235.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226101259.htm Orthopedic surgeon, spine specialist says excessive leaning head forward and down, while looking at a phone or other mobile device could result in what some people call ?text neck.?Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226101259.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htm During sleep, our brains store what we have learned during the day a process even more effective in children than in adults, new research shows.Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:11:11 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130226081155.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225181536.htm Results of a major study aimed at assessing the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases show that such a diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or tree nuts reduces by 30 percent the risk of suffering a cardiovascular death, a myocardial infarction or a stroke.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225181536.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htm Giving back through volunteering is good for your heart, even at a young age, according to researchers.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225162229.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153046.htm Targeting CPR education in high-risk neighborhoods could increase the number of bystanders giving CPR and decrease deaths from cardiac arrest, according to a new statement.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153046.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153029.htm The idea that boys are better at math and in competitions has persisted for a long time - primarily because of the competition format. A new study shows that competitions that extend beyond a single round result in parity between the sexes.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:30:30 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225153029.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131541.htm A newly released international study reveals that the issue of climate change is not a priority for people in the United States and around the world. The surveys showed that when asked to rank priority worries, people were five times more likely to point to the economy over the environment.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131541.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131532.htm People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers have found.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225131532.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122047.htm New research highlights a memory strategy that may help people who suffer from depression in recalling positive day-to-day experiences.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:20:20 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225122047.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112320.htm All employees are accountable for something, but very few fully understand exactly what they are accountable for, according to a new study.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:23:23 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225112320.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225092248.htm A new study suggests troubling perceptions exist when it comes to women involved in disputes at work.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225092248.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225092246.htm New research shows that most babies who are slow to put on weight in the first nine months of life have caught up to within the normal range by the age of 13, but remain lighter and shorter than many of their peers. There are significant differences in the pattern of "catchup," depending on the infant's age when the slow weight gain occurs.Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:22:22 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130225092246.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083127.htm Parents know that one day they will have to talk to their children about drug use. The hardest part is to decide whether or not talking about ones own drug use will be useful in communicating an antidrug message. Recent research found that children whose parents did not disclose drug use, but delivered a strong antidrug message, were more likely to exhibit antidrug attitudes.Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:31:31 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083127.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083125.htm In Jan. 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture passed a series of regulations designed to make school lunches more nutritious, which included requiring schools to increase whole grain offerings and making students select either a fruit or vegetable with their purchased lunch. However, children cannot be forced to eat these healthier lunches. In a new study, researchers determined that small, inexpensive changes to school cafeterias influenced the choice and consumption of healthier foods.Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:31:31 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222083125.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221194241.htm Virologists have discovered a new class of molecular compounds capable of killing the influenza virus. Working on the premise that too much of a good thing can be a killer, the scientists have advanced previous researchers' methods of manipulating an enzyme that is key to how influenza replicates and spreads. The new compounds will lead to a new generation of anti-influenza drugs that the virus' strains can't adapt to, and resist, as easily as they do Tamiflu.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:42:42 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221194241.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143946.htm Scientists have found compelling evidence that older adults can eliminate forgetfulness and perform as well as younger adults on memory tests. The cognitive boost comes from a surprising source -- a distraction learning strategy.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143946.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143912.htm Preliminary research findings suggest learning to use Facebook may help give adults older than 65 a cognitive boost. The study shows that seniors who learned to use Facebook saw improvements in their ability to continuously monitor and quickly add or delete the contents of their working memory.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:39:39 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221143912.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221141604.htm Damage to muscles and the skeleton is the frequent consequence of carrying heavy backpacks and occupational gear on our backs. New research confirms that damage to the nerves that travel through the neck and shoulders is also a serious risk.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:16:16 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221141604.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221115801.htm New research suggests the growing number of workers who are single and without children have trouble finding the time or energy to participate in non-work interests, just like those with spouses and kids.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:58:58 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221115801.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104357.htm Feeling good about spending money on someone else rather than for personal benefit may be a universal response among people in both impoverished countries and rich nations, according to new research.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:43:43 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104357.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104157.htm An increasing number of people die from unintentional home injury, in large part due to accidental drug overdose, according to a new study.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:41:41 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221104157.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221084618.htm Intense Facebook usage is found to have a positive effect on psychological well-being, according to a new study.?Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:46:46 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221084618.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221084602.htm Researchers have determined normative data for different exercises such as hopping or running. This enables parents and experts to gauge the motor skills of young children for the first time objectively and thus identify abnormalities at an early stage.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:46:46 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130221084602.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220203711.htm Similar to talking about being fat, talking about being old is an important an indicator of body dissatisfaction, shows new research. Body dissatisfaction is known to be correlated with, and predictive of, physical and mental health problems including binge eating, emotional eating, stress, low self-esteem, depression, and use of unhealthy weight control behaviors. High levels of talking about weight and being fat, ?fat talk?, is known to be a good indicator of body dissatisfaction.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:37:37 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220203711.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220184955.htm Governments around the world should stop squandering resources fighting an "unwinnable war" against illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Instead, they should use the cash to curb antibiotic misuse, which poses a far more serious threat to human health, claims a leading ethicist.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:49:49 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220184955.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220184949.htm Mosquitoes are able to ignore the smell of the insect repellent DEET within a few hours of being exposed to it, according to new research.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:49:49 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220184949.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163633.htm Gun violence in the United States can be substantially reduced if Congress expands requirements for background checks on retail gun sales to cover firearm transfers between private parties, a new report concludes.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:36:36 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163633.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163629.htm Bullied children grow into adults who are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:36:36 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163629.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163557.htm Workplace-based programs that include dietary advice coupled with behavioral counseling appear to be a promising approach for men and women with significant weight loss goals, based on the results of a pilot study. Employees enrolled in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial lost on average, 18 pounds over a six-month period compared to a two pound weight gain in a control group.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:35 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220163557.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220131744.htm Using your bicycle to commute to work has numerous health and environmental benefits. Yet, the largest Canadian study on cycling injuries suggests cyclists are at risk of injury due to the lack of cycling infrastructure in large urban centers.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:17:17 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220131744.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220131742.htm Resveratrol, a substance found in red grapes and red wine, may have the potential to protect against hearing and cognitive decline, according to a new study.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:17:17 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220131742.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220114337.htm In a discovery that could promise a quick fix to the common hangover, a team of engineers has identified a method for speeding up the body's reaction to the consumption of alcohol.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:43:43 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220114337.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220113859.htm New research shows that people can recover from poor performance when rivals comment on their failures. The research shows that while criticism from team members sends individuals into downward performance spirals, external criticism can be a trigger that boosts performance as people try to prove the outsiders wrong.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:38:38 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220113859.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220113235.htm A new psychology study suggests the glue that cements the unique relationship between gay men and straight women is honest, unbiased relationship advice.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:32:32 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220113235.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084703.htm Days after the initial announcement by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) on the 15th January that horse and pig DNA were found in beef burgers, researchers conducted an online consumer study, as part of the EU-funded project FoodRisC. This study took place before the latest developments about the widespread presence of horsemeat in certain beef products within some European countries.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:47:47 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084703.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084701.htm New research shows that sleep-deprived people select greater portion sizes of energy-dense snacks and meals than they do after one night of normal sleep. Poor sleep habits can therefore affect people?s risk of becoming overweight in the long run.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:47:47 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084701.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084444.htm Bilingual children develop a better working memory ?- which holds, processes and updates information over short periods of time -? than monolingual children, according to new research. The working memory plays a major role in the execution of a wide range of activities, such as mental calculation (since we have to remember numbers and operate with them) or reading comprehension (given that it requires associating the successive concepts in a text).Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:44:44 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084444.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084442.htm Small but mighty Xenon flash for mobile phones - great shots in the dark soon to be a reality.Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:44:44 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130220084442.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219201523.htm Adding movement to mental rehearsal can improve performance finds a new study. For high jumpers the study shows that dynamic imagery improves the number of successful attempts and the technical performance of jumps The technique of mental rehearsal is used to consolidate performance in many disciplines including music and sport. Motor imagery and physical practice use overlapping neural networks in the brain and the two together can improve performance as well as promoting recovery from injury.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219201523.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172159.htm Researchers believe they have discovered a biological marker of dyslexia, a disorder affecting up to one out of 10 children that makes learning to read difficult. The researchers found a systematic relationship between reading ability and the consistency with which the brain encodes sounds. The good news: Response consistency can be improved with auditory training.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172159.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172157.htm Researchers have identified a biological marker in the immune system that -- beginning at about age 22 -- predicts our ability to fight off the common cold. The study found that the length of telomeres -- protective cap-like protein complexes at the ends of chromosomes -- predicts resistance to upper respiratory infections in young and midlife adults.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:21:21 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219172157.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219161254.htm Would you prefer $120 today or $154 in one year? Your answer may depend on how powerful you feel, according to new research.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219161254.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219161246.htm Using a grown-up version of the rock-paper-scissors game, cognitive scientists offer a new theory of the group dynamics that arise in situations as varied as cycles of fashion, fluctuations of financial markets, eBay bidding wars and political campaign strategies. "People playing this kind of game subtly influence each other, converging on similar ways of reasoning over time. The natural analogy for the process is to a flock of birds veering in concert."Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219161246.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219141016.htm Some infants raised in poverty exhibit physical traits that make them more vulnerable to poor care-giving, according to new research. The combination of physiological vulnerability and poor care-giving may lead these children to show increased problem behaviors later in childhood.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:10:10 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219141016.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219140250.htm Scientists have analyzed 60 years of Academy Awards acceptance speeches as part of a research project that focused on gratitude.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:02:02 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219140250.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121503.htm Researchers have discovered that decisions about where to live and how to get from home to work happen simultaneously. What's more, your commuting choices depend not only on cost and travel time, but also on who you are and where you live.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:15:15 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121503.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121218.htm Smartphone snapshots could be instantly converted into professional-looking photographs with just the touch of a button, thanks to a new processor chip.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121218.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121212.htm The most frequent turning point in father-daughter relationships is shared activity -- especially sports -- ahead of such pivotal events as when a daughter marries or leaves home, according to a new study.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:12:12 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121212.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121021.htm A new study has established a possible link between high-fat diets and such childhood brain-based conditions as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory-dependent learning disabilities.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:10:10 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121021.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102542.htm A study has gained new insight into domestic dogs' fear responses to noises. The study provides an important insight into dogs' fear of noises, and could improve our understanding of behavioral signs of fear or anxiety.Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:25:25 ESThttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219102542.htm

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/rss/living_well.xml

winning mega million numbers bruce weber boston globe google maps 8 bit mirror mirror robyn texas relays

Edmonton Writers Group: Writer Platform: What Is It and Why Do I ...

Possessing an author or writer platform is becoming increasingly important in marketing your book to agents, publishers and your future readers.

In fact, much of the responsibility of promotion is now left squarely on the shoulders of the writer, with both your ability to write?and your ability to attract an audience, under scrutiny.

A successful writing career now combines art and business?with strong marketing and networking chops added to your brilliant writing skills.

Great. Like you didn't have enough on your plate.

Who has time for platform building, when you can barely eek out a few hours of writing time per week?

Good point, but here's the dilemma:

Authors with platforms sell books.

The bigger your reach, the more books your are likely to sell. The more likely your books are to sell, the more interested agents and publishers become. ?If you reduce the publisher's risk (or yours, if you are self-publishing), your proposal becomes much more enticing.

It's that simple.

So what exactly is an author platform?

Your 'platform' represents who you are and how you are perceived by your audience.

?The word platform simply describes all the ways you are visible and appealing to your future, potential, or actual readership?.

Your platform is how you are seen, the authority you wield, and the influence you carry on a topic or genre. Developing your platform requires time and effort, but it is just as necessary to your career as an author as honing and perfecting your writing skills.

Tools to help you build your platform may include things like setting up your author blog or website, guest posting, writing articles for magazines, effectively utilizing?social media, attending networking events, speaking engagements or pitching the media.?

By conscientiously developing your author brand?and?clarifying your ideal readership, you can then potentially attract and engage with those people who are aligned with your ideology and your work.

When is the best time to start building your writer platform?

Yesterday.

Second best time? Right now. Start by discovering your "why"?(for inspiration, check out this video on knowing your why and?how leaders inspire action, with Simon Sinek).

Then envision your brand, create your author blog or 'homebase' and begin sharing. ?Find your voice and let the world here what you have to say.

Have you started building your writer platform? Any tips for those just starting out? Note them in the comments.

For more platform building tips, resources and inspiration, check out YourWriterPlatform.com and sign up for free updates!

Source: http://edmontonwritersgroup.blogspot.com/2013/02/writer-platform-what-is-it-and-why-do-i.html

brady quinn bloom box obama sweet home chicago accenture match play george washington carver king cake fun.

With no pope, Catholic Church leaderless for now

Faithful watch a giant screen showing Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Faithful watch a giant screen showing Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI to greet the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

In this photo provided Friday, March 1, 2013 by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, at center with red skull cap, officially takes over the vacant See as camerlengo, chamberlain, before sealing Pope Benedict XVI's apartment, after Benedict left the Vatican, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign Thursday, ending an eight-year pontificate shaped by struggles to move the church past sex abuse scandals and to reawaken Christianity in an indifferent world. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

In this photo provided Friday, March 1, 2013 by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, at center with red skull cap, officially takes over the vacant See as camerlengo, chamberlain, before sealing Pope Benedict XVI's apartment, after Benedict left the Vatican, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign Thursday, ending an eight-year pontificate shaped by struggles to move the church past sex abuse scandals and to reawaken Christianity in an indifferent world. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

In this photo provided Friday, March 1, 2013, then Pope Benedict XVI is saluted by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, left, as leaves Piazza San Damaso inside the Vatican to board a car which will take him to a helipad where he will depart to the pontiff's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Benedict XVI left the Catholic Church in unprecedented limbo Thursday as he became the first pope in 600 years to resign, capping a tearful day of farewells that included an extraordinary pledge of obedience to his successor. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho)

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? The Catholic Church awoke Friday with no leader following the resignation of Benedict XVI, who pledged obedience to his successor and described himself as "simply a pilgrim" starting the final journey of his life.

Now begins a period known as the "sede vacante" or "vacant see" ? the transition between the end of one papacy and the start of another.

During this limited time, several key players take charge of running the Holy See, guiding the College of Cardinals in their deliberations and organizing the conclave of cardinals whose votes elect Benedict's successor.

With the 8 p.m. Thursday end of Benedict's papacy, every department head in the Vatican lost his job ? except for those whose offices are considered crucial for the smooth running of the transition period.

On Monday, the cardinals begin meetings to set the conclave date and discuss problems facing the Catholic church.

Here are the top figures who will run the church in the coming days:

___

THE CAMERLENGO: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The camerlengo, or chamberlain, takes over the day-to-day running the Holy See as soon as the papacy ends. He places the seal on the pope's study and bedroom and takes possession of the Apostolic Palace, "safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See" until a new pope is elected. On Thursday night, Bertone sealed the papal apartment, which will not be reopened until a new pope is elected.

Benedict in 2007 gave the camerlengo job to Bertone, 78, a natural choice given that Bertone is currently the Vatican No. 2 as secretary of state and runs the Vatican bureaucracy anyway. A priest of the Salesian order, Bertone was trained as a canon lawyer and taught in various Roman universities for several years before coming to work for the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Vatican's doctrine office in 1995.

As secretary of state, Bertone has had Benedict's unwavering trust, but his legacy has been mixed. He had no diplomatic training coming into the Holy See's most important diplomatic and administrative post, and critics blame the gaffes of Benedict's papacy and current state of the Vatican's dysfunction on Bertone's managerial shortcomings. The 2012 leaks of papal documents appeared aimed at undermining his authority further, by exposing the power struggles and turf battles that festered under his watch. In his last speech as pope, however, Benedict singled Bertone out for thanks.

___

THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS: Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The dean is the senior member of the College of Cardinals, the so-called "princes" of the church whose main task is to elect a pope. In one of his first official acts as dean, Sodano on Friday officially summoned cardinals to Rome to participate in the pre-conclave meetings, a formality given that most were already here. The first starts Monday at 9:30 a.m.

The dean oversees these meetings, at which the problems of the church are discussed, and has duties inside the conclave itself, including asking the newly elected pontiff if he accepts the job. But Sodano is 85 and cannot vote, so some of those duties shift to the sub-dean.

Burly and sociable, the Italian Sodano was Pope John Paul II's longtime secretary of state. As dean, he spoke on behalf of all the cardinals in giving a final farewell to Benedict on Thursday, thanking him for his "selfless service."

Still, Sodano and Benedict were known to have clashed when Benedict was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, particularly over the scandal-plagued Legion of Christ religious order. Sodano was a chief backer and protector of the Legion's late founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, even though the Vatican had known for years of solid allegations that he was sexually molesting his seminarians. Within Benedict's first year in office, Maciel was sentenced by the Vatican to a lifetime of penance and prayers for his crimes. That same year Benedict named Bertone to replace the retiring Sodano as secretary of state.

___

THE MASTER OF LITURGICAL CEREMONIES: Monsignor Guido Marini.

The master of liturgical ceremonies runs the religious side of the conclave and the installation Mass for the new pope, all of them carefully choreographed rituals. He is by the side of the dean when the newly elected pope is asked if he accepts the election. And as the main witness and notary, he draws up the formal document certifying that the new pope's name and that he has accepted the job.

Benedict appointed Marini to the job in 2007, replacing Monsignor Piero Marini who for two decades was Pope John Paul II's right-hand man for all things liturgical. The shift was intentional. Under Guido Marini, papal Masses became far more reverent, with more Latin, Gregorian chants and the use of heavy silk-brocaded vestments of the pre-Vatican II church.

In changes introduced just before he resigned, Benedict made clear he wanted this more traditional vision of his papacy carried forward for the installation of a new pope. He called for the rites of installation to be separate from the liturgy itself and for the cardinals to make a public pledge of obedience to the new pope during the Mass. Previously, their pledge of obedience was done in private in the Sistine Chapel immediately after the election.

In keeping with Benedict's classical musical tastes, the new rites also allow for more flexibility in musical choices rather than the modern selections previously in favor. The aim, Marini recently told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, was to make "the most of the rich musical repertoire of church history."

___

THE PROTO-DEACON: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.

The proto-deacon's main task is to announce to the world that a pope has been elected. He shouts "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!") from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square after the white smoke has snaked up from the Sistine Chapel chimney. He then introduces the new pope ? in Latin ? along with the name the pope has chosen.

The French-born Tauran is a veteran Vatican diplomat who served in the Dominican Republic and Lebanon. He currently heads the Vatican's office for interreligious dialogue ? in other words the Vatican's primary point man for Catholic-Muslim relations. Benedict appointed him proto-deacon in 2011.

___

Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-03-01-EU-Vatican-Pope/id-f6e04a6d9a994215aebf8126abe0cb50

airhead atherosclerosis steven tyler tropic thunder carnie wilson missing reese witherspoon pregnant

Major Sports Park Named for Former Mayor Ivor Dent :: City of ...

February 28, 2013

The City of Edmonton is naming a major outdoor sports complex after a former mayor who was instrumental in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Edmonton 35 years ago.

The multi-sport site will now bear the name of former Edmonton alderman and mayor Dr. Ivor Dent, recognizing his many important civic contributions and his key role in securing the 1978 Commonwealth Games for Edmonton.

?The naming of the sports park is a fitting tribute to such an influential figure whose vision and drive brought many benefits to Edmonton. The Ivor Dent Sports Park is a permanent reminder of his many contributions to our community,? said Mayor Stephen Mandel.

?Our dad was a big believer in the value of physical activity. He was always proud of the growth in public recreation facilities while he was an alderman and mayor, and would be in awe at the size of this new sports park. Our family is very pleased to see his name on the park,? said his son, Charles Dent.

The Ivor Dent Sports Park, located at Ellerslie Road and 50 Street just off Anthony Henday Drive, was used as a shooting range during Commonwealth Games, and for many years afterward. The site has been transformed into a 138-acre, multi-sport facility that will house 24 sports fields. The facility will host local games and a wide range of seasonal tournaments on a municipal, provincial, national and international scale.

The site will host a multicultural blend of sports including soccer, rugby, cricket, kabaddi, football and lacrosse. It is leased, developed and operated by a partnership of 4 non-profit Edmonton sports organizations: Edmonton Minor Soccer Association, Nor?Wester Athletic Association, Punjab United Sports & Heritage Association (PUSHA), and the MTRS Club Soccer Society. The majority of the site is to be completed later this summer with all fields anticipated to be open in 2014.

Dr. Dent was a teacher and educational administrator who served as an Edmonton alderman for?2 terms before becoming mayor in 1968. Among many accomplishments during his 7 year tenure as mayor, he championed LRT development and expansion of the river valley trails. In 1984, Dr. Dent was awarded the Order of Canada. He passed away on March 30, 2009.

The City of Edmonton?s Naming Committee, composed of appointed citizens, approved the name selection following an application from Community Services. The Naming Committee is responsible for approving the names of development areas, honorary roads, municipal facilities, parks and roads in Edmonton.

?

For more information:

Mark Torjusen

Source: http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2013/major-sports-park-named-for-former-mayor-ivor-dent.aspx

hopkins hopkins dear john derrick rose torn acl pacers undrafted free agents braveheart

Dialogic Fuels Networks, Augments WebRTC

Having covered Dialogic for about two decades I can tell you they were an integral player in the converging world of communications and technology. When you leave a voicemail, call into a call center or benefit from a telecom advancement quite often a Dialogic product is involved by providing an interface and performing some sort of processing behind the scenes.

After rolling up much of the competitive space and other telecom vendors as well, the company found itself in a situation where much of its core business was being eliminated as many of the tasks you once needed proprietary boards to handle could be taken care of through software on ever-more powerful Intel CPUs.

If this challenge wasn't enough of an issue, Asterisk made it easy to have a standardized base of solutions to build on top of when looking to solve the problems you once had to rely exclusively on Dialogic to provide.

In response to this pressure the company has relaunched itself with a new branding campaign titled "Network Fuel" which is designed to remind carriers the company can help it solve a myriad of networking challenges for them.

Andrew Goldberg, Dialogic Senior VP of Strategy & Marketing proudly stands in front of signs depicting thee company's rebranding efforts

Andrew Goldberg, the company's Senior VP of Strategy & Marketing took me through the company's new reorganized product line but started by saying the goal of the company is to make networks better. The three pillars of the Network Fuel paradigm are as follows:

Any to any networking/interconnection which includes gateways, control switch, SBCs, session-management, signaling management which allows for roaming, etc.

Network congestion - which is a rebrand of bandwidth optimization. They refer to this new area as "amplifying capacity" which includes VoIP, video and more recently, data. He explains that Dialogic has new products coming which will sit in network core and backhaul, optimize and amplify capacity - even if the data is currently optimized. He says carriers can build more network or deploy the company's technology and amplify what they have. He says the ROI gets even better in developing markets where backhaul is handled by satellite and microwave. "Capacity is at a premium," he emphasized. He continued to say their solutions are a better CAPEX and OPEX solution.

Finally there is application enablement which as you may recall harkens back to the company's long-history of being the underlying technology of the app-gen business of the 1990s which allowed developers for the first time to use a GUI to write telecom applications. Sure, this seems like its no big deal now but when you consider PBXs and central office switches of the time wouldn't imagine the concept of open APIs on their systems, you see why Dialogic's entry into the open telecom space was a game-changer.

Speaking of game-changing this is what he said about WebRTC - the company knows this is a huge area of opportunity and envisions having its PowerMedia solutions be the integration layer allowing additions like voicemail, video-mail, collaboration, multi-party-conferencing, call recording and more. He said in fact PowerMedia as a software media server fits in the middle and turns WebRTC into something people want "beyond a novelty."

The reason this is interesting has to do with the IP telephony space which first emerged in the late 1990s. As some of you recall, in 1997 I went to the then-prevalent COMDEX trade show to tell people my company, TMC was about to launch a magazine called Internet Telephony. The reaction was unanimous - why do we need a magazine on a hobbyist toy? They may as well have called it a "novelty" right?

What most didn't see coming was a thriving IP telephony/VoIP gateway business enabled by companies providing boards and software such as Dialogic. It turns out, it only took a fe modifications to adapt current boards used in voicemail systems to handle real-time IP communications. From there, the calling card market started to adopt VoIP and we soon saw IP-based PBX and ACD solutions emerge. Amazingly this simple concept of transporting communications over IP is responsible for the FCC discussing the sunsetting of the PSTN or traditional telephone network later this decade.

The point is WebRTC as Goldberg describes it sounds exactly like the VoIP market when it emerged more than 15 years ago. Will it be as big? Bigger? No one knows for sure but Dialogic is once again positioning itself to be in the middle of the action - "fueling" not only your network but development efforts as investors, developers, carriers, web portals and start-ups try to strike it rich in this new and exciting market.

To learn more about WebRTC see the recent TMC webinar Dialogic recently held on the matter and visit them live at WebRTC Conference & Expo in Atlanta, June 25-27, 2013.

?

Source: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/conference/dialogic-fuels-networks-augments-webrtc.html

Pro Bowl 2013 ariana grande Kick Ass Torrents jamarcus russell Lone Star College Sloane Stephens Beyonce Lip Sync