no princípio era o verbo
depois veio a verba

I leave in 2 days and I'm SOOOO excited!! I absolutely can't wait to go and be there and yay!! I'm leaving from Kamloops on Wednesday (I'm flying out of Kelowna) but leaving early so I'll only have the rest of today and tomorrow to see people. YAAAAAY I'm going to Regina.. haha okay I'll stop now.

there really isn't a whole lot else to update on, so I'll stop here!

Test your knowledge of the English language!

Check out this fun word quiz. Try to guess as many of 100 most common words in English as you can in 5 minutes!

I'm leaving for Regina in 11 days which is really exciting for me! I really can't wait to go and would like the next week to be over with already. not that things are going badly here or anything, but because it's getting so close I just want it to come already. I come back the 28th and then school will be starting not too long after that.

work is okay as well, I'm just trying my best to put up with it and this next week is my last full week before I leave so good riddence! I'll be down to 2 or 3 days a week once school starts so I won't be there as much luckily, and maybe my attitude towards my job will change? but working there definitely makes you realize how there are so many inconsiderate and rude people and how many people REALLY DON'T pay attention to signs or to anything. I could honestly make a list of the things that annoy me about the stupid customers we get.

Ema's in Vancouver right now and is coming back sometime this week. it's been different not having her around, which Amanda is liking right now and isn't really looking forward to Ema coming back. her annoyance with Ema is a lot like my annoyance with Miranda, who I actually haven't talked to in awhile. I'm guessing that she's gotten the hint about my not really wanting to hang out. I know that this isn't a good way at all for a friendship to end by me ignoring and avoiding talking to her but if I had just done it out of the blue and said "well I prefer not be friends with you anymore" then all hell would have broken loose. I don't know.. I'm not any good at ending friendships with people. I never really ever want to be the one to do it, so I kind of just make it easier for it to end. it sounds pretty corwardly I know but yeah, like I said, I suck at doing this.

anyways, I think I'm done.

Thankfully, the judge wasn't swayed by the tears of the defendant or by the parents of the victim asking for leniency.

Hopefully, the child's all too forgiving parents will make sure that he is never alone with her again.

Nu stiu ce parere aveti voi dar mie chiar imi place ideea asta de legi tampite asa ca o sa continui.

Sper ca cititul lor va amuza si pe voi cel putin cat m-a amuzat pe mine sa le caut.

In caz ca nu sunteti in tema pe acelasi subiect a mai aparut:

Sex-ul in codul penal

Alte legi tampite (in Singapore)

Si acum incepem :d

Nu mai ramane de zis decat... ENJOY:

Este interzis decesul in cladirea Parlamentului. Chiar sunt curios sa aflu cum e pedepsit cel care comite aceasta "atrocitate"

Timbrele cu chipul reginei nu pot fi lipite cu capul in jos. Poate i se face rau... ce aveti

Femeilor le este interzis sa faca topless... ghininon baieti o sa curga mai putine bale pe plaja dar in schimb ne putem clati ochii cu sanii vanzatoarelor din magazinele in care se comercializeaza pesti tropicali.

Desi e democratie legea le interzice britanicilor sa consume placinta cu carne de Craciun. De ce am impresia ca legea asta e incalcata in fiecare an....

Daca cumva sunteti in Scotia si aveti nevoie urgent la toaleta puteti bate la usa oricarei case proprietarul fiind obligat sa va puna la dispozitie baia.

Nu stiu de unde a plecat asta dar o femeie insarcinata poate sa nasca oriunde inclusiv in casca unui politist. What the fuck....

Capetele balenelor ucise pe coasta britanica apartin regelui, in timp ce cozile cetaceului apartin reginei. Care naiba e justificarea????

Intrarea persoanelor imbracate in armura in cladirea Parlamentului este interzisa.

Este ilegal sa ucizi un scotian in orasul York, daca acesta poarta arc si sageti. Si daca nu....CARMAGEDDON

Stiti care e partea cea mai interesanta la aceste legi? Sunt de actualitate.Adica sunt trecute in constitutie.

Dar noi traim in Romania si asta ne ocupa tot timpul © Mircea Badea

La casa se encuentra en Heras de Ayuso, un pueblecito a orilla del rio Badiel que perteneció desde la Reconquista a la Tierra y Común de Hita, siendo lugar de abundante cultivo agrícola, de cereal y regadío, y viendo lo mejor de su término en posesión siempre de los señores del lugar, que desde el siglo XIV lo fue la casa de Mendoza, y de los monjes benedictinos de Sopetrán.

Bien pues allí se encuentra la casa de los Gomez Seco, una casona amplia, con sus arboles, su piscina, su pista de tenis, defendida en todo momento por Neska, la perrita de la familia.

Es la casa familiar, la casa de descanso, la casa de juegos, de barbacoas, el tipo de casa que nuestros padres querían para sus hijos, pero que una vez que crecimos nunca más quisimos ir. Sin embargo, a esta casa, da gusto venir, se duerme de maravilla, y sobretodo la compañia es agradable, sana, amigable.

No es una mansion, no es una casa de ricos, no, no, no es eso, es mucho más que eso, es la casa construida con el esfuerzo de una familia, construida a base de sudor, lágrimas, sinsabores, alegrías, etc, etc, y un largo etcetera. Quienes conocemos a esta familia sabemos de que hablamos.

En septiembre hay encierros...

ROME, JUNE 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: Are there special norms for the celebration of Mass when priests of different rites concelebrate? -- A.E., New York

A: The 1983 Code of Canon Law for the Latin rite is silent regarding this subject, but it was specifically addressed in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches promulgated in 19--

Canon 701 of this code states: "For a just cause and with the permission of the eparchial bishop, bishops and presbyters of different churches 'sui iuris' can concelebrate, especially to foster love and to manifest the unity of the Churches. All follow the prescripts of the liturgical books of the principal celebrant, avoiding any liturgical syncretism whatever, and preferably with all wearing the liturgical vestments and insignia of their own Church 'sui iuris.'"

Unlike most canons, this one lists no sources for its indications in earlier documents, thus confirming that it was specifically composed to address a relatively new situation. As it is the only norm available, its indications are also applicable to Roman-rite priests.

To this may be added the injunction of the instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," No. 113: "Where it happens that some of the Priests who are present do not know the language of the celebration and therefore are not capable of pronouncing the parts of the Eucharistic Prayer proper to them, they should not concelebrate, but instead should attend the celebration in choral dress in accordance with the norms."

Therefore a priest, with sufficient dominion of the language, may receive permission to concelebrate in a Mass of a rite different from his own. This permission may be for a specific situation or habitual, as may be the case of some Eastern priests studying or residing in Latin-rite institutes or priestly residences.

The priest should normally participate in the vestments of his own rite, as was clearly visible in Pope John Paul II's funeral and Benedict XVI's installation Mass where each of the Eastern cardinals who concelebrated wore his own proper vestments.

Canon 7--2 of the Eastern code, however, allows for exceptions to be made to this rule if proper vestments are unavailable. This could easily happen to an Eastern priest traveling in Europe or America or, less likely, a Latin-rite priest in an Eastern country. In such cases he may concelebrate using Latin or Eastern vestments.

As the canon says, there should be no attempt to syncretize or mix elements of different rites. Only one rite may be followed.

The texts and rubrics of some Eastern rites have been translated into several languages. In some cases these translations are for study purposes only, and priests may never concelebrate using a translation that has not been formally approved for liturgical use by the proper authorities.

* * *

Follow-up: When a Host Isn't Swallowed

Some readers took umbrage toward the affirmation in our June 12 column on corruption of the host: that Christ's real presence would no longer subsist in a microscopic fragment of the host.

A clarifying link to an earlier reply was provided in the earlier piece. However, given that not all of our readers have access to the Internet, I will restate the essential point here.

My reply was principally based on an application of the doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas' "Summa Theologiae" III pars q -- In the corpus of the fourth article of this question, "Whether the sacramental species can be corrupted," the Angelic Doctor affirms:

"An accident can be corrupted in another way, through the corruption of its subject, and in this way also they can be corrupted after consecration; for although the subject does not remain, still the being which they had in the subject does remain, which being is proper, and suited to the subject. And therefore such being can be corrupted by a contrary agent, as the substance of the bread or wine was subject to corruption, and, moreover, was not corrupted except by a preceding alteration regarding the accidents.

"Nevertheless, a distinction must be made between each of the aforesaid corruptions; because, when the body and the blood of Christ succeed in this sacrament to the substance of the bread and wine, if there be such change on the part of the accidents as would not have sufficed for the corruption of the bread and wine, then the body and blood of Christ do not cease to be under this sacrament on account of such change, whether the change be on the part of the quality, as for instance, when the color or the savor of the bread or wine is slightly modified; or on the part of the quantity, as when the bread or the wine is divided into such parts as to keep in them the nature of bread or of wine. But if the change be so great that the substance of the bread or wine would have been corrupted, then Christ's body and blood do not remain under this sacrament; and this either on the part of the qualities, as when the color, savor, and other qualities of the bread and wine are so altered as to be incompatible with the nature of bread or of wine; or else on the part of the quantity, as, for instance, if the bread be reduced to fine particles, or the wine divided into such tiny drops that the species of bread or wine no longer remain."

Thus, our discussion dealt specifically with the theme of corruption of the host by reduction "to fine particles … that the species of bread no longer remain."

This is a different question to that of Christ being really present in small particles or fragments of a host while retaining the species of bread. So long as the species of bread remains, Christ is really present and it is even possible to administer Communion to the sick or persecuted using very small pieces of hosts or even drops of Precious Blood.

Thus, while Christ would certainly not be present in microscopic or no longer visible fragments, it is almost impossible to establish a dividing line when dealing with small but visible particles -- and the Church has never wished to pronounce on this theme.

In part this is due to the objective difficulty and danger in making such a demarcation, but also so as avoid giving any justification whatsoever for a lackadaisical manner of treating the sacred species.

Even when specifically asked about this question in the 1960s, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith merely recalled the necessity of observing due reverence for all fragments by carefully following all Church norms regarding the purification of sacred vessels and altar linens as well as the proper procedure for cleansing the area if a host should happen to fall to the floor.

I hope that this clarifies Church doctrine on this matter for our concerned readers. As for me, my intention is always to coincide with the Church's teachings.

]]> http://ironicclown.wordpress.com/?p=41 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:04:58 +0000 ironicclown http://ironicclown.wordpress.com/?p=41

  1. Fidelity

  2. Better

  3. Samson

  4. On the Radio

  5. Field Below

  6. Hotel Song

  7. Après Moi

  8. 20 Years of Snow

  9. That Time

  10. Edit

  11. Lady

12. Summer in the City

[Bonus Tracks:]

13. Another Town

14. Uh-merica

15. Baobabs

16. Düsseldorf

17. Music Box

“Begin to Hope” is Regina’s fourth album, but second since being on a major label. It debuted at 20 on the Billboard, and was certified Gold in America, Australia and New Zealand.

Shake things up with the hit single “Fidelity”. From the first note you can tell that Regina is not your average singer. Her voice is soft and relaxed, but very powerful and emotionally charged. This song talks about – you guessed it, Love, and how she never fully commits. This song is likable, but honestly I can’t see why it was the major single of the album, there are better songs on this album, but still a catchy song.

Opening “Better” are some soothing piano chords; however the piano soon turns into an electric guitar and the tapping of a high-hat. The song sounds pretty average. The lyrics are quite fun though, but nothing stellar.

Regina changes vocal styles in “Samson” and from the first minute, you can tell. This ballad is so calm, but Regina’s voice showcases a lot of emotion, which I think is vital in a ballad. The lyrics are slightly quirky, but extraordinary and poetic. Regina is an amazing lyric writer!

Catchy beats open “On the Radio” followed by some sweet “Ah’s” by Regina. From the moment Regina sings you can tell that these lyrics will be wonderful. The piano isn’t as prominent as some of her other songs, instead it is replaced with synthesised beats, which are extremely catchy. An excellent song!

“Field Below” is a mysterious song, with a mysterious opening, mysterious (not the mention poetic) lyrics, and mysterious vocals. I don’t really know what this song is about, but I can tell you that it is beautiful.

Come in and listen to “Hotel Song”, I’ve got to show, show, show you. This catchy song is clever and definitely shows Regina’s eccentric style. The soft backing drums, bells and Regina’s voice create a sad, but at the same time happy atmosphere, something I can’t really describe.

One of the highlights on the album is definitely “Après Moi”. This dramatic track has very deep and extremely poetic. It is quite repetitive, but in this case it really adds to the overall atmosphere. This song is one of the most dramatic songs I’ve ever heard, (perhaps not as much as “Destiny -太陽の花-” – by Hitomi Shimitani, which I have to say is a probably the most dramatic song I’ve ever heard, anyway I got a bit sidetracked then didn’t I? – moving on…) which is a real treat because not many songs are emotionally dramatic. I can’t get over how good this song is, it really just is amazing.

“20 Years of Snow” is another mysterious song, right from the beginning to the end, you don’t know what to expect. I have a vague idea of what Regina is talking about in this song, the lyrics are really deep. I love it towards the end when Regina sings “Feel the waltz”. It really is epic!

The opening of “That Time” is possibly the most catchy opening I have ever heard, and the lyrics are equally catchy and very quirky, so if you’re not into weird music then this is definitely not for you, but if you do (like me) then you’ll love this song and I highly recommend it to you.

“Edit” opens with a fuzzy sounding amplifier/speaker and then moves into a catchy piano tune. The lyrics are quite short for a full length song. The lyrics for the whole song is as below, and as usual, this song is very quirky and clever.

“White lines on your mind
Keep it steady
You were never ready for the lies

You don't have no doctor Robert
You don't have no uncle Albert
You don't even have good credit
You can write but you can't edit.”

 Pretty cool 'eh?

“Lady sings the blues so well”. Wow this opening line is so powerful. Regina’s lyrics, vocals and style in this song remind me of something by Amy Winehouse, I guess it does a slight resemblance. Regina’s vocals are truly at their best here! This is one of the longest songs on the album clocking in at 4:45.

“Summer in the City” is full of clever lyrics and a soft piano line. However nothing really caught my attention in this song is pretty average, but nonetheless it has above average lyrics, however Regina has written better songs before.

“Another Town” is another extremely catchy song, I love how Regina clicks her tongue at the end of lines. “Another Town” has a beautiful chorus consisting of the words “I love you…”  In this chorus mellow and deep guitars are added, which I think is really sweet! I really like this song!

“Uh-merica” I have to say is a very weird song. I don’t really mind that however I know that some of you will hate this song, especially when Regina emphasised the phrase “UH” in “Uh-merica”. And the crowd screaming with the “UH’s” will annoy some people, however I think that this song is very sweet. It is probably one of Regina’s most melancholy songs.

Baobabs is another, hmm how shall we say -unique song, but nevertheless very clever, as are all of Regina’s songs. The lyrics are melancholy, but amazing talking flowers and thorns (metaphorically) and not raising children in “this” city, because of the negative effects.  

“Düsseldorf” is strange and charming. The lyrics are of great quality and follow a very simple and affective structure, the same type of structure as in “That Time” and “Another Town”, however this song is more appealing. One of Regina’s best.

Besides the first and last verse this song has nothing to do with a “Music Box”. It’s more about washing up the dishes – Regina style, such as “setting all the bottle caps she owns afloat”. Yes, it’s quirky and fun and that’s how I like Regina.

“Begin to Hope” I believe is an improvement from “Soviet Kitsch” which was still an excellent album. “Begin to Hope” is more “polished” and smoother in terms of lyrics, instruments and transitions. All of the tracks were thoughtfully placed, and I can tell Regina gave it everything she’s got! This is one of the most unique albums I have heard and definitely fits into the “Alternative” category. I am looking forward to Regina’s new album, as this album was a pleasure to listen to and I don’t have any regrets buying it!

Standout Tracks: Samson, On The Radio, Après Moi, Edit, Lady, Another Town, Düsseldorf

Rating: 91%

Artist: Regina
Album: Oi Miten Suuria Voimia! (2007)
Genre: Electropop, Synthpop, Female Vocalists
Similar Artists: Belanova, , Dragonette, Ladytron, Au Revoir Simone
Link to album: divshare.com 47.49 MB [mp3 | rar | 10 files ]
Tracklisting: last.fm
Sample: myspace.com
Comments: Regina is a Finnish electropop band from Helsinki, Finland.

"Regina's electronic pop avoids musical calculating and meaningless distance. Simultaneously grotesque and beautiful backgrounds blend in shameless melodies in their music. The result is sure to evoke strong feelings from either end of the emotional spectrum."

Artist: Blindside
Album: The Black Rose Ep (2007)
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore
Similar Artists: Dead Poetic, Spoken, Skillet
Link to album: divshare.com 69.66 MB mb [mp3 | rar | 8 files ]
Tracklisting: wikipedia.org
Sample: myspace.com
Comments: Blindside is a 'rock' band from Sweden. As of their last full album, they've started to mix genres. I think it really works out for them. =D

Artist: Belanova
Album: Dulce Beat (2005)
Genre: Electro, Lounge, Pop, Electropop
Similar Artists: Regina, Reverie Sound Revue, Clazziquai
Link to album: divshare.com (RAR | MP3 | 81. 41 MB / 11 Files)
Tracklisting: wikipedia.org
Sample: "Me Pregunto" @ youtube.com
Comments: Belanova is a Latin Grammy-nominated Mexican synth-pop band from the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. If you downloaded Regina from me previously and liked it, chances are you will like Belanova.

I highly recommend downloading this one, and even purchasing it. If you guys like them, I will post their other albums. :)

Artist: Clazziquai Album: Color My Soul (2006) Genre: Jazz, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Electronic, Acid Pop Similar Artists: Instant Romantic Floor, Belanova, Regina Link to album: divshare.com (RAR | MP3 | 76. 4 MB / 11 Files) Tracklisting: hanbooks.com Sample: "Salesman" @ myflashfetish.com Comments: Clazziquai (Hangul: 클래지콰이; Classic+Jazz+Groove) is a Korean/Canadian fusion band that combines several genres including electronica, classical, groove, chill-out lounge, acid jazz and house. They sing in both English and Korean. TAKE IT, it's worth it, I assure you !!

As I wait there laying in the delivery room, many thoughts came rushing through my head. I haven't spoken to my husband again and I haven't seen him since yesterday and I know in my mind that I won't once I'm in the labor room, I was in desperate need of his support then. I was then accompanied to a wheel chair and into the labor room and they just told my cousin that I will be admitted. I was very anxious by then, I knew somebody has to pay for my admission, my room is not ready for my baby yet etc., but most of all I was 1cm dilated only! But I knew I have to relax and keep my mind out of any worries and just think of how me and my baby go through this process. As the nurses asked me all the necessary questions, did the IV, all the skin tests, I was induced while my baby being monitored well I tried to go to sleep as I feel the contractions getting painful.

I woke up at around 230PM and Dra. Manahan just arrived to check how I was. I was still 1cm dilated and still not effaced, she tried to reach for my baby's head but she have to reach far that it hurt and she said my baby's floating. He was not at all engaged in my cervix and couldn't help me dilate, so she ask me if I still want to wait a few more hours to see how I progress. Dreading what happened to ate lot and her son with fetal distress, I immediately told her that I just want to have a caesarian delivery, although she said that the baby is very well I was very afraid of all the complications my baby could get while loosing water and as I was being induced. She then called me out of the labor room to go talk to my husband outside. As I was glided to the my husband I'm already in tears as I just wanted to see him, he let me decide but the first question out his mouth as I told Dra. Manahan I now opt to have c-section was "Dra. pag ceasarian ba hangang 3 lang ang anak?" Dra. Manahan and I just bursted into laughter!

Dra. Manahan then called in for a ceasarian and ask for anesthesiologist who came in after 30 minutes(damn! I hate myself right now cause I can't remember his name! when he was uber nice) anyway, I was glided back to the labor room for all the surgery preps and the uber nice anesthesiologist came in to orient me with what he will do. At around 345 or maybe 4, I am just estimating time from the last that I had a look at that wall clock which was the one aside from the fetal monitor making noise then at the labor room, I was brought to delivery room number2.

Then came the team of nurses and interns my OB and anes, then I was injected with epidural, mind you this was the most painful injection I ever got! and after 5mins or so as I was trying to stay awake I slip into nothingness.

I woke up from the sound of my anes' voice as he just beside me all the time and he was saying "carla, you'll feel pressure..you're baby's coming out.."then the pressure! Dear me! I felt like my intenstines are coming out then I heard "baby out!" and a little cry! As I tried to lift my head to peek I saw a little thing brought to the arms of 3 OB interns and nurses as they wipe him with cloth under a yellow light and brought to me crying. As I talked to him and kissed him in the forehead he stopped crying and the nurse announced:

"Tetangco Boy of Maria Carla Bisares june 7, 2008 1655hours physician Dra Maria Regina Manahan"

I cried as he was taken out of the delivery room and brought to his father outside waiting, my anes told me that I will fall asleep again and in a minute I did. I slip into awakeness once in a while but unwillingly fall asleep again. I gain control over my sleep once I felt I was transferred to another bed and my tummy was being binded. I then was transferred to the recovery room and found a wall clock. It was exactly 6PM.

1. You will pay more than you anticipated. It's not to Alberta levels yet but housing on the prairies don't come cheap. You cannot buy a half-decent house in a good area for less than $200,000 and there are very few in the $200,000-$250,000 range. (Note: This seems exorbitant to me only because we are moving from the Maritimes and not Upper Canada.) Be prepared to loosen your purse strings because it is a sellers market and they are not in a negotiating mood.
2. There are fixer-uppers :)...and there are fixer-uppers :(. We are a fairly handy couple but we abandoned this idea when we discovered that people were asking $250,000 for houses that should have been condemned. We looked at a few homes which could only be improved through the use of a bulldozer.
3. There are no rocks upon which to build your house. This phenomena was described to us as "gumbo" soil and is entirely outside of my experience living on the East Coast and Ontario. Generally when you're buying a home, cracks in a foundation = trouble. However, in Regina they have no choice but to build on soil which expands and contracts constantly. This means that every foundation in the city has shifted at one point or another and features varying degrees of damage depending on age, location and general upkeep. If you want a house without cracks in the basement, you're moving to the wrong place.

All of this is not to say that I'm unhappy with the place we got. We ended up with a cute little place in a good location; it's big enough to suit with lots of good inclusions and only minor work to be done. I really can't ask for much more than that. When I compare it where we are now, I just have to keep reminding myself...sure it's smaller but at least it was more expensive.

“I would like my pottery given to the Centre for Arts. They have a wonderful program that my friend Cheryl has been spearheading, and I think that my work may be a satisfactory guide to Early Government era ceramics. My books, those that you or Regina don’t want, may be given to the library.” Michael’s mother in law was a tiny woman that stood barely as tall as Michael’s abdomen. While he was average height in the modern world, his mother in law was from an entirely different age. Although she had seen two centuries pass, Michael’s mother in law looked surprisingly young; due to at least three dermal replacement surgeries, a dozen bio-mechanical additions, and an unknown amount of other medical treatments, she appeared about thirty or forty years old. Her mind was more computer than tissue, and while she hadn’t become as cold and logical as other cyborgs, she was not terribly warm either.

“Mother, are you sure you want to do this?” Regina called from the stairs as she descended them, looking splendid in a gown made of a shimmering cloth that Michael only knew as “the expensive sort.” Regina was nearly breathless as she dramatically fell into her mother’s arms. She was the youngest of Michael’s mother in law’s ten daughters, only twenty years old and the product of the Government’s “Better Children Through Genetic Planning” program. As such, she was genetically engineered from her mother’s DNA spliced with that of various donors as selected by the Government.

“I’m sure, my sweet child. I have seen too much in this life.” replied Michael’s mother in law with practiced precision. Seventy percent confidence, twenty percent love, and ten percent uncertainty. “I know being without me will be hard on you. We have been very close over the years, but I have grown weary of the world, even one made as special as this one has been by your presence.” Michael listened to the sweet sentiments his mother in law was spilling into his wife’s ear. He knew that she was just saying what his wife wanted to hear, and it frustrated him. He knew the real reason that his mother in law was going to the center on Chapel street; she had run out of money to keep her life going.

“Please, don’t tell anyone,” she had pleaded, “I know I can trust you, even more than my own sons. You have always been loyal and true.” It had been two weeks ago since she told Michael the grim news. It was that same afternoon that she told him that she would like him as her attendant. He had agreed, but under the circumstances that he and Regina be named as sole heirs to what remained of her estate. Grudgingly, Michael’s mother in law agreed.

“Mother, when you meet with the Father in the next life, please give him my love.” pleaded Regina tearfully as her mother held her close.

“I will tell the Father that you love him dearly, and that you’ve grown into a beautiful woman; I will tell him that you are loyal and true, just like the Great Ones that built our society.” replied Michael’s mother in law with a mechanical warmth in her voice. Michael was old enough to know that it was the calculated machinations of the computer inside of his mother in law speaking. He knew that no purely biological creature would spout such reaffirming gibberish.

“I love you Mother!” cried Regina, embracing her mother tightly for one last time. Tears flowed from her eyes as her face was slowly transformed into a mask of pain and grief. Michael calmed his grieving wife as best he could, clasping her on the shoulder and pulling her into a hug.

“You will see that they treat her well, won’t you, darling?” She looked at him with pleading eyes, as though somewhere within her she believed they would toss her mother off a bridge in the country to let her drown.

“At times like these, we must remember that the Government always does well by us. They will make her passing comfortable and quiet.” Michael hated saying passing instead of death. He hated hiding the reality of the situation from his wife, but then he remembered that he had promised that he would protect her always, even if it meant being untruthful. “They will assure her passage into the next life.” He tried not to snicker, as he didn’t believe that the Government issued passports would instantly allow someone into Heaven. He maintained a straight face, reminding himself of his wife’s pain. He also reminded himself of the machine in his head, and remembered that he must not give in to its cold logic.

When Regina had cried herself into a fatigued stupor, Michael brought her into the bedroom to let her rest comfortably, insisting that he would take good care of her mother. When she fell asleep, Michael felt exhausted from the emotional trauma. He would need to calm down before he went to sleep, but first, he would need to take his mother in law to the center on Chapel street. When he descended into the foyer, he saw his mother in law looking through one of the boxes she had marked for destruction. She had a photograph in her hands, which sent Michael reeling. He hadn’t seen such a relic in person.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asked.

“It is a photograph of my husband.” she replied sadly.

“Do you want to take it with you?” Michael asked, feeling foolish for asking. He knew that the Government wouldn’t allow a museum quality relic to be destroyed in a cremation.

“I want you to have it.”

“But it should be in a museum,” complained Michael. “Were you going to let me destroy these things? It would have been wrong to do so. They are priceless treasures.”

“Yet they are mine to do with as I may, and I want you to have this.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a good man, and he was a good man. I want him to be remembered.”

“But a museum would allow so many more to remember him.” said Michael as his mother in law picked at a section of skin at the base of her skull. After some effort, and Michael’s assistance, she produced a paper thin disc from the drive in her skull. The disc bore an embedded title, J.L. Kandor, which was the name of her first husband.

“With my memories of him, you will know him better than anyone. I want you to learn from our life together. You and he are so similar, I think that you would like to know him as I knew him.”

“It would feel wrong.” Michael replied, “Though I will keep it safe. And I will be sure to look at it, if only once.” Michael’s mother in law smiled a thin lipped grin.

“It’s time to go.” she said, and the two left into the brisk autumn night.

***

The center on Chapel street was full to bursting with people from a thousand different lives. Michael felt a heavy air of depression fall over him as he gazed at the wretches that had come to die. A dozen homeless men, drunk and stinking of urine were crowded in one corner, cheering for one of their own.

“Jake! You’re gonna tear down Heaven’s Gates and let all the Devils in to play!” one cried out loudly as the others laughed boisterously. A young priest called for their silence and continued helping a small child recite her prayers. A parade of young women, all of them appearing the same at a glace, were herded by, lead by a burly orderly in a dirty smock.

“I didn’t expect so many people.” said Michael’s mother in law, fear in her voice. Michael wondered if it was her talking, or if it was the machine in her head trying to preserve itself. “So many lives.” she said, trailing off, her grip on the suitcase she brought with her tightening. She saw the homeless men lift up their friend and let out a cheer as a voice from the loudspeaker called for Jorgen Jones.

“Leave a few angels virgins for us!” yelled one that stayed behind as the others helped their friend through a door at the end of the hallway. Michael watched as they passed through the door. He watched as it snapped shut behind them and sealed away their drunken reverie. A lump formed in his stomach and boiled up into his throat. He was so disgusted, he felt as though he would retch. As an hour passed, the room emptied slowly. The priest remained behind, watching the little girl pass through the door at the end of the hallway alone. His eyes revealed that his heart was breaking. He sat beside Michael and asked if he wanted any prayers.

“I don’t. Well, maybe for strength. This place is hard to be.” he responded, less eloquently than he would have liked. The priest noticed that Michael’s mother in law was sitting across the room with her suitcase on her lap.

“You are here to help someone else?” he asked in a professional, impersonal tone.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll give you a prayer for strength.” said the priest as he started reciting a chant in a language that Michael understood little of. He thanked the priest and the priest moved on. Michael’s mother in law stood up and approached the priest, asking for a prayer. The priest sat with her and started to recite prayers.

“Hey man, are you going in?” asked a man dressed in a shabby suit that was the hip thing to wear a year ago.

“No.” Michael replied coldly.

“Too bad. I’m going. I got my passport, I got my suitcase, and I have my prayers in line. I’m kind of excited, you know?” the man was nearly trembling, his smile wide.

“You are excited to die?” Michael asked bluntly.

“Yeah! Who wouldn’t be? There’s room in Heaven, friend. The President said so, just last week. ’We need to march proudly into the next horizon; settle the Heavens and keep the enemy at bay!’ Man, I even bought a house! Imagine that man! A house! I even have a wife over there. It will be so much better than here.” the man’s eyes gleamed with near madness. Michael thought that the man was stoned, maybe on drugs given to him by some cult leader. He just shook his head as the man raved about his rewards.

“Captain Marshal Camp.” called out the loudspeaker. The man in the shabby suit sprang up, excitedly skipping to the door at the end of the hallway. When the door snapped shut, Michael noticed that the man forgot his suitcase.

Michael’s mother in law walked over to Michael and sat down next to him.

“I don’t think I’m really ready for this.” she said sorrowfully. “I talked with the priest, and all I could think of was poor Regina. She’s still just a girl. How could I be so selfish?” Michael listened patiently as his mother in law went on and on about how lucky she was to have a loving family, and how maybe she wanted to die naturally. Michael picked up her suitcase and gave her a smile.

“Let’s go home then.” he said, still suspicious that it was the machine in her head talking. She took Michael by the arm and leaned on his shoulder.

“I feel old, Michael. But I think I still have something to do. I think there may be another horizon for me. The priest warned me that if I have just one more thing I want to do, that I should leave. I do have one more thing I want to do.”

Michael didn’t ask his mother in law what she wanted to do. He simply let her lean on him as they walked out of the center on Chapel street.

“Lakota Skylark Kandor.” called the loudspeaker.

“Mrs. Lakota Skylark Kandor.” it called again, yet there was no one to walk through the doors at the end of the hallway.

“Father Sean Reading.” called the loudspeaker…

Il "Secret Spot Beach Volley Challenge" già alla prima edizione si è rivelato un successo, 56 atleti (32 nel maschile e 24 nel femminile)  e un totale di 56 partite disputate in 2 giorni, il tutto contornato da una splendida cornice e un numerosissimo pubblico fatto di appassionati e semplici curiosi. La manifestazione si è conclusa con una spettacolare finale fra Paris-Zurini e i locali Dell'Aquila-Guidozzi, ambedue le coppie provenienti dal tabellone perdenti, il che significa aver disputato 3 partite prima della finale nella sola giornata di domenica, ma nonostante la stanchezza i numeri visti nella finalissima sono stati di assoluto livello, ai primi la vittoria nel torneo con il punteggio di 2-1 (17-15 al tie-break!!). Al terzo posto la solida coppia Chetta-Griffith, che ha mancato la finalissima cedendo solo al tie-brak per 15-13, e al quarto i capitolini Bottan-Dulbecco, sconfitti nella semi-finale con il medesimo punteggio degli italo-americani. Un plauso particolare da parte dell'organizzazione va alle due coppie Mancini-Trapanesi e De Angelis-Maggiori, che con molta umiltà e coraggio da vendere, a soli 16 anni si sono buttati nel confronto con coppie molto più blasonate ed esperte, avete lo spirito giusto per imparare in fretta, BRAVI!

In campo femminile formula diversa, ma stesso finale dalle mille emozioni, De Vietro-Gargiulli si impongono per 2-1 sulle fortissime Gasbarra-Regina in una finale dai mille significati dove, alla maggiore preparazione fisica delle prime, veniva contrapposta l'esperienza delle seconde, dopo due giornate di tonreo e tanto sole forse la differenza l'hanno fatta proprio le gambe e gli allenamenti. Al terzo posto la coppia Di Iorio Bongiovanni che battono nella finalina il duo Bonelli-Nirta. Anche qui molte coppie giovani con la presenza, fra le 24 atlete di ben 7 U16 e 8 U18.

Gli organizzatori hanno deciso di assegnare i simbolici premi MVP a Brad Griffith e Claudia Regina.

Vorremmo ribadire qui i ringraziamenti fatti puù volte alle persone ed associazioni che ci hanno supportato, a Giancarlo De Gennaro, alla Fitness Evolution, allo sponsor "Secret Spot" e a Manrico e Claudia, a Pino Scotti e il suo service, a tutti gli atleti che si sono cimentati nell'arbitraggio, Daniela, Patrizio, l'immancabile Marzia, Peppe (e la lasagna della mamma :)), Cristiano, Federica, Elisa, Roberto, Alessio, Cinzia e Andrea.