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Second largest aquarium tank in the world

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:53:13 -0400

Kuroshio Sea

Letter to the Washington Post

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 22:57:46 -0400

So........I have been buying the Post for thirty years�..I have been doing the crossword for the same amount of time�..Now�..I get the Express�the Examiner�and Politico�..I can certainly appreciate the cost saving measures which have been implemented by the Post....but NOT when it comes to the size of the crossword.

The solver needs the space so that the numbers are not covered by the INK all the time.....this is not possible anymore. Making the comics smaller....changing the format of the business section....slashing pages is meaningless to me and probably other solvers...

I no longer buy the Post.....and I miss it very much.......but the Post bit me in the ass with the increase in the cost and the declination of its' value to me

Well......that's off my chest......Thank you for reading this...if ya did???.....Fredd Fezzo

Extend to read the response below:

Response:

Fredd,

Thanks for writing. I've heard from quite a few readers who think the size of the crossword puzzle is too small. Alas, I don't think the editors plan to change it. Space is at a premium. They're trying to preserve as much content as possible.

Sorry you've abandoned The Post. Despite all the cutbacks (affecting every newspaper), most Post readers have remained loyal. Year-over-year first quarter daily circulation actually grew slightly (perhaps because of the inauguration).

Best wishes,
Andy Alexander
Washington Post Ombudsman

Miami Priest: Father Alberto Cuti� Caught In Sex Scandal

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0400

Updated

Revised, June 19, 2009

MIAMI (Reuters) - A former Roman Catholic priest and media celebrity who left the Catholic Church last month after he was photographed cuddling a woman on a Florida beach has married his girlfriend, local media reported on Wednesday.

Alberto Cutie, 40, who joined the Episcopalian Church after the photos scandal stoked debate over the Catholic celibacy requirement for priests, married 35-year-old Ruhama Buni Canellis on Tuesday in a civil ceremony, the Miami Herald reported.

Source: Reuters

Updated

Revised, June 1, 2009

Albert Cuti�

Father Albert Cuti� and Ruhama Canellis
Splash News

Embattled priest, Father Albert Cuti� left the Roman Catholic Archdiose for the Episcopal church and announced that he will marry Ruhama Canellis, the woman at the center of the religious scandal that has rocked the Miami area.

Cuti� and Canellis had apparently been having an affair for two years when they were photographed frolicking on the beach and kissing. Those photos, which ran in TV Notas a few weeks ago, led to the Father being forced to leave his congregation and posts in the Archdiocese of Miami. At the time, Cuti� said he wasn't sure which direction his life would take, or whether he would continue being a Catholic priest. The whole ordeal had been the cause of much soul searching on his part, especially since the woman at the heart of the matter was not a fling, but rather someone he loved.

Cuti� and Canellis participated in a small, private cermony yesterday surrounded by Priests and deacons from the Episcopal church, many of whom were accompanied by their wives. Bishop Leo Frade, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, led the ceremony as the couple were officially accepted into the Episcopal church.

"I am continuing the call to spread God's love," Cuti� told the Miami Herald, pointing out that he had experienced a "deep spiritual and ideological struggle."

Should catholic Priests be allowed to marry?

Father Alberto Cuti� � a celebrity priest dubbed �Father Oprah� by devoted fans followers � has been relieved of his holy duties after a Spanish-language magazine published steamy photos of him breaking his vow of celibacy by kissing, fondling, and embracing a woman on a Miami beach.
�First photos of a priest �in flagrante� with his lover,� reads the cover of TV Notas.

On Tuesday, the Archdiocese of Miami removed Father Cuti� as head of the St. Francis de Sales parish in Miami Beach and at the Catholic radio station Radio Peace and Radio Paz.

Since 1998, c, who was ordained as a priest 15 years ago, has hosted several Spanish-language talk shows and programs, seen in 24 million homes in 22 countries. He also writes a syndicated newspaper advice column called �Advice From a Friend.�

Read Father Alberto Cuti� On-line Statement below

STATEMENT FROM FATHER ALBERT CUTI�

Before God - full of love and mercy - I ask for the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions. Since I entered the seminary at the age of 18, the priesthood has brought me great joy. The commitment that I made to serve God will remain intact. I am grateful for the love and support I have received today from so many in our community, especially my parishioners and the supporters of the radio stations who have demonstrated great compassion and understanding toward me as a human being.
I will spend several days on a personal retreat and I ask for your continued prayers and support for me and my family.

Father Albert Cuti�

..........................................................................................................................................

DECLARACI�N DEL PADRE ALBERTO CUTI�

Ante Dios - lleno de amor y misericordia - y ante toda nuestra comunidad, quiero pedir perd�n si mis acciones les han causado dolor y tristeza. Desde mi ingreso al seminario a los 18 a�os, el sacerdocio me ha tra�do gran alegr�a. Les aseguro que mi servicio y dedicaci�n a Dios continuar�n intactos. Doy gracias a Dios por la compasi�n y el apoyo humano que he recibido en el d�a de hoy de tantas personas en nuestra comunidad, especialmente mis feligreses y oyentes de nuestras emisoras.
Estar� haciendo un retiro espiritual durante varios dias y pido sus oraciones.

Padre Alberto Cuti�

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"20 Seconds of Joy" Documentary Spotlight

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:51:24 -0400

Winner of the Best Film on Mountain Sport and People�s Choice Award

Watch Trailer
Click on Image to Watch Trailer

Running time: 60 minutes
Director: Jens Hoffmann
Genre: Documentary

"I don't want to die, I want to live. I'm pretty good at running away, and this is my escape." This is how Karina Hollekim describes her dedication to BASE jumping. Documentary filmmaker Jens Hoffman first met the now 30-year-old Norwegian in 2002. He immediately started to film, planning to follow Karina over a long period, trying to understand why a young woman would challenge herself mentally and physically in such an extreme sport. Jens accompanies her through many stages of her BASE-jumping career, until it comes to a sudden stop and changes all aspects of her life.

Jumping for Joy

It takes a certain type of person to jump off a cliff, and a BASE jumper would definitely be considered one type. BASE jumping entails jumping off of a fixed object (a building, antenna, span or earth, according to the acronym) and free-falling hundreds to thousands of feet before releasing the parachute. It is possibly the most dangerous and fatal extreme sport there is. According to one BASE jumper, three things will happen if you BASE jump long enough: you will get hurt, you will watch people die jumping, and BASE jumping will eventually kill you as well.

20 Seconds of Joy

So why would anyone willingly accept the possibility of death just for the thrill of jumping? 20 Seconds of Joy is a documentary about professional athlete Karina Hollekim. The title comes from Hollekim herself when she asks if it is really that important to jump off a cliff and get 20 seconds of joy. To answer these questions, Director Jens Hoffman takes viewers on a journey through five years of Hollekim�s BASE jumping career, delving into her life and trying to explain her yearning to continually be involved in increasingly risky situations. He does so brilliantly, presenting Hollekim as a complex person who is simply doing what she loves, but also recognizes the dangers of her job and the strain she places upon her loved ones. Her struggle to reconcile these two aspects is dealt with sympathetically and you find yourself admiring her and wishing her the best.

With gorgeous shots of breathtaking views, the documentary itself is pretty well made. Watching the jumps was a little suspenseful for me, knowing that I could be witnessing a person�s last moments and the mostly tasteful soundtrack built upon that suspense. There were times that I thought the music was too overpowering though. Some of the interviews were a little hard to understand due to the foreign accents of the interviewees and differences in the sound quality occasionally made sections sound awkward when they were spliced together. The timeline is also a little confusing because the film jumps around a lot; however, this is all minor. 20 Seconds of Joy lets you experience the sense of joy Hollekim receives from her life, yet it also left me pondering deeper subjects like life, death and fear.

Sources: Official Website :: Where to see

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The $40,000 Funeral

Sun, 31 May 2009 01:26:38 -0400

Larry died. His will provided $40,000 for an elaborate funeral.

The Fun Place

As the last guests departed the affair, his wife Sarah turned to her oldest and dearest friend. "Well, I'm sure Larry would be pleased," she said.

"I'm sure you're right," replied Jody, who lowered her voice and leaned in close. "How much did this really cost?"

"All of it," said Sarah. "Forty-thousand."

"No!" Jody exclaimed. "I mean, it was very nice, but $40,000?"

Sarah answered, "The funeral was $6,500. I donated $500 to church. The whiskey, wine and snacks were another $500. The rest went for the Memorial Stone."

Jody computed quickly. "$32,500 for a Memorial Stone? My God, how big is it?"
"Four and a half carats."

Asexuality

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:14:33 -0400

Not Gay, Not Straight, Not Bisexual. A New Sexual Identity Emerges.

First Asexual Trailer - 2/14/08

Asexuality. Is it a real thing? If so, what does it actually mean?

In an article by David Jay in American Sexuality Magazine, he explains what asexuality is, and how a person can have a satisfying relationship while identifying as an asexual individual. Jay should know�he�s speaking from first hand experience.

�One of the quirks of being asexual� Jay says, �is that classifying and prioritizing relationships becomes a mite tricky.� In his article, Jay explains how he sees himself as a bit of an �intimacy ho�. Unlike some asexuals who prefer a solitary lifestyle, Jay admits to desiring relationships (sans the sex) from many, many different people.

Upon learning early on that a meaningful relationship had to include sex, Jay rebelled. There had to be a way, he thought, to feel what he wanted to feel without the socially inflicted constraints.

�It wasn�t long before my close friendships started to look and act like dating, and it wasn�t much longer until they broke away from that and started to become something else entirely� he writes. �Relationships, I realized, can be fun, in much the same way that I imagine sex is fun for sexual folk. New types of pleasure started popping up all over, and it seemed like there would never be time to explore them all. They ran the gamut�from the intellectual to the physical, from the deeply empowering to the utterly frivolous.�

Asexuality is a sexual orientation describing individuals who do not experience sexual attraction or do not have interest in or desire for sex. Sometimes, it is considered a lack of a sexual orientation. One commonly cited study placed the incidence rate of asexuality at 1%.
Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity. Some asexuals do have sex. ”

Jay makes a rather revolutionary argument about intimate relating when he states �when everything else works, sex just isn�t as important�, completely flying against everything we�ve come to learn about why we fall in love with certain people and are just friends with others. Considering how much we focus on sex in this country, I�m not sure I believe the argument he makes about its inconsequence, but I�m willing to listen, because it�s a statement you almost never hear�especially coming from a man.

On Jay�s website, asexuality.org, he tries to further educate the public about his rare sexual condition. Asexual people feel attraction, he writes, and what�s more, some even feel arousal.

�For some sexual arousal is a fairly regular occurrence, though it is not associated with a desire to find a sexual partner or partners. Some will occasionally masturbate, but feel no desire for partnered sexuality. Other asexual people experience little or no arousal.�

Jay is very nonchalant in both his personal article and website, seeming perfectly happy in his body and desires. I�m not sure what I imagined when I heard the word asexual, but the picture certainly didn�t include a happy-go-lucky personality. Because I�m decidedly not without sexual desire, the personality accompanying my imagined thoughts was depressed, confused, and for some reason, completely miserable. Obviously, Jay proves this isn�t the case. Most likely I was doing what any sexually charged Twenty-Something would do when urged to consider such an orientation: projecting my own feelings of sexual frustration onto a individual who�s never had to go through such torture.

I don�t think I�d ever want to trade places with David Jay, and I doubt he�d ever want to trade places with me. What you grow up feeling is who you are, who you�re comfortable with, and who you�ll always want to stay. Jay may never be able to understand the amazing feeling of being intimate with someone he cares about, but he�ll also never have to suffer the stupid mistakes a libido can cause.

Other than the sex thing, Jay and I don�t seem so different. We�re optimists, enjoy spending time with lots of different people, and don�t mind examining ourselves for the reading pleasure of others. Someday we�ll both fall in love, albeit differently, and the person we fall for is going to be okay with our character complications.

Hopefully you�ll find someone who doesn�t mind cuddling for hours and nothing more, Mr. Jay. Hopefully I�ll find someone who doesn�t mind my penchant for eating popsicles for dinner while watching horrible TV. Either way, I wish us both luck.

10 Things You Probably Didn�t Know About Asexuality

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photo by davidgljay

A recent article by the director of a new documentary about asexuality reminded us that �asexual� is one of those terms that gets thrown around in casual conversation so much that it�s easy to forget what it really means (kind of like �passive-aggressive�). So here�s a brief primer for you.

1.Asexuality is not a choice. Celibacy is a choice; asexuality is a sexual orientation, just like being straight or gay.
2.The official definition of asexuality is �someone who does not experience sexual attraction.� (Being too tired to have sex or too closeted to have the kind of sex you really want doesn�t count.)
3.Being asexual doesn�t necessarily mean you don�t masturbate. Many asexuals have a sex drive, it just doesn�t translate into wanting sex with someone else.
4.Being asexual doesn�t necessarily mean you don�t experience attraction, either � it just means you just don�t feel the need to act on it sexually.
5.When Kinsey created his scale of sexual orientation, where 0 was completely homosexual and 6 was completely heterosexual, he included a separate category, �X,� for those who weren�t either one � or anything in between. They just plain didn�t care about sex. He labeled 1.5% of adult males �X�.

Read the rest of this post

Sources: College Candy :: The Sundance Channel Blog :: Wikipedia :: AVEN

Album Review - Paul Simon - "Surprise"

Sun, 17 May 2009 20:59:51 -0400

Surprise (Warner Brothers �06)

After another long 6-year layoff, during which he again toured with Garfunkel, resulting in the Old Friends Live On Stage CD and DVD, Paul improbably teamed with "sonic landscaper" Brian Eno for the aptly titled Surprise.

It seemed an odd marriage, the two seeming to have little in common beyond their shared love of world music, and I didn't know what to make of this album at first. As with all of his albums, however, this one grew on me with repeat listens, once I got used to the Eno-ized contrasts, as distorted guitars, electronic rhythms, and a highly modernized funkiness aren't the types of things I'm used to hearing on a Paul Simon album. Yet Eno and Simon are smart enough that Simon's melodies are still front and center; they're merely (mostly) enhanced by Eno's moody electronic embellishments in the background. And good melodies they are, accompanied as per usual by a fine batch of lyrics (he asks lots of questions about family, aging, politics, and life in general).

Yet Eno and Simon are smart enough that Simon's melodies are still front and center; they're merely (mostly) enhanced by Eno's moody electronic embellishments in the background.”

"Outrageous," which has funky, almost rap-like verses (it works better than it sounds) before launching into a light, catchy chorus (undeniable hook: "who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?"), should by all rights be a smash hit, "Wartime Prayers" is a prayerful call for peace that's alternately somberly moving and all out anthemic, and "Father And Daughter" (written for The Wild Thronberrys movie before Eno came on board) is a delightful love song that any parent can easily relate to. I could describe several other songs as well, some of which are quite pretty ("Everything About It Is A Love Song," "Beautiful"), lightly funky ("Sure Don't Feel Like Love," Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean"), moody ("I Don't Believe," "Another Galaxy"), or simply unlike anything else he's ever done ("How Can You Live In The Northeast," on which Simon laments our lack of sympathy for and understanding of one another).
Of course, those descriptions are oversimplifications, as some songs are pretty, funky, catchy, and moody, or at least they're one or another at various times, and it should also be noted that this is Simon's most rocking album, though I suppose that's not saying much. Perhaps the album gets a bit sluggish at times on side two ("I Don't Believe" and "That's Me" are probably the weakest entries), much as You're The One had done, but by and large this album is indeed a surprising success, as Simon remains the rare '60s artist who has remained relevant into the '70s, '80s (when he was getting better as almost all of his peers were losing their way), and beyond. Now in his '60s, Simon still makes the effort to make every album sound different yet still recognizably like Paul Simon, and though this album sounds so different at first that it'll likely be off putting to some, eventually I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results of this unlikely pairing.

Sources: Scott Floman

The Backroom

BOYS

Sun, 17 May 2009 19:55:48 -0400

The Fun Place

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad.'

With the worst premonition he opened the envelope
with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.

I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice..

But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it' s not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant..

Stacy said that we will be very happy.

She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone.
We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.

In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so
Stacy can get better. She deserves it.

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself.
Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son John

PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house.
I Just wanted t o remind you that there are worse things in life than aReport card That's in my center desk drawer.
I love you.

Call me when it's safe to come home.

Charles Manson

Fri, 15 May 2009 23:12:14 -0400

A&E Biography - Charles Manson - 5 part documentary

Sources: A&E Biography

Disclaimer: The articles posted in this Blog are the responsibility of every author; The Developer is not responsible for the contents within the article or follow-up comments left by users.

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"X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)" NYT Popular Movie Review

Fri, 8 May 2009 21:56:20 -0400

Wolverine

Length: 107 min
Rated: PG-13
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 2009-05-01
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Ryan Reynolds, Lynn Collins, Will.i.Am

Directed by Gavin Hood
Produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, John Palermo
Written by David Benioff and Skip Woods

The first big summer release of 2009 delivers big action, big special effects and big mutants. Unfortunately it doesn�t address some big questions. How are Wolverine and Sabertooth growing up as kids at the beginning of the film, but ageless after the first 20 minutes? How does adamantium change the shape and look of Wolverine�s claws? How many Twinkies did the Blob have to eat to get that big, that quick? And why, every time I say or hear �Wolverine�, do I think of Red Dawn. (Which I just learned is set to be remade next year.)

Look, the bottom line is this: if you love comic book movies, you�re going to love Wolverine. If you�re a comic book purist and pick apart every comic book movie, you�re going to be frustrated and complaining about the demise of the franchise. I loved the movie. I thought it was fun and had great pacing to the tension between story and action. It gives you just enough back story to make it worth telling. And it introduced some new (to the movie goer, not the comic reader) characters that were pretty awesome like the well played tough but mysterious Gambit (Taylor Kitsch, Friday Night Lights TV show), an interesting but too quickly disappearing Wraith (Will Am I of Black Eyed Peas band fame) and the makes-the-movie fun, wise-cracking Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds, Adventureland and Van Wilder). But overall it focuses on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, X-Men 1,2 and 3, and Australia) and his brother/buddy/enemy Sabertooth (Liv Schreiber, Defiance). Here�s hoping that we get to see a future film with a lot more Gambit and Deadpool involved in the story. Wolverine and Sabertooth get top billing and do a great job carrying the movie. But Gambit and Deadpool give it the intrigue that gets a little lost as they focus on one hero.

Wolverine

There are a ton of great action sequences beginning with a fantastic war montage at the beginning of the movie that shows you just how old Wolverine and Sabertooth really are. The fighting continues as you see a special unit of super heroes formed for a secret branch of the military. And then the darkness begins as the true nature of what is being done is revealed. As the gap between the X-Men movies and Wolverine�s story is bridged, there is plenty of brooding, anguish and destruction to keep you from feeling like this is just a fun stroll down memory lane for our hero.

But memory lane is what Wolverine is searching for in his X-Men role. And while Origins provides some clarity to the audience, the answer to Wolverine�s amnesia at the end of the movie is pretty weak. I left wondering how Colonel Stryker is able to shoot so confidently that he can erase Wolverine�s memory of his past, but not impact any other brain functions�So, there are definitely some plot holes. But if you are looking for tight plot lines and deep congruent stories, you probably aren�t a comic book fan in the first place.

Go see this on the big screen. It�s meant to be enjoyed for what it is: an action packed escape from reality.

Sources: Visit the movie's Official Site