Blog by-the-Sea

Happy Thanksgiving!

Why I don't have an iPhone

I love my Mac laptop, but when I bought a new PDA about a month before the iPhone came out, I picked a phone that would not require a change of mobile carriers.  I am sure the phone I bought does not compare with the iPhone for quality, but I am thankful that my mobile bill lists one flat monthly rate for internet and e-mail service with no roaming charges (within the U.S.), and it takes up one line on my phone bill. The 300 page AT&T bill in the YouTube video apparently lists every time the owner went on and off the internet and so forth.  So, just this once, here's what I bought instead:

 

Which Church Father Are You?: Oh no! Not Origen!

I have to admit, Origen makes me a little bit nervous.  I realize that much of his thinking was greatly influential in the thinking of other Church Fathers, including some who defended orthodoxy through the period of the Arian heresy.  I realize, too, that to the extent that his thinking would now be considered unorthodox, it was not yet contrary to Church teaching at the time when he wrote it.  For a good look at what is excellent in Origin, try Hans Urs von Balthasar's Origen: Spirit & Fire.  Or read the Holy Father's two General Audience presentations of Origen here and here.

And he does make me thankful that God made me a woman (see below).

The association of some of his ideas with the thinking of Arius, and the ensuing Arian heresy, still make me nervous.

But: Which Church Father Am I? . . .

You’re Origen! You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

 

Archaeologists Who've Been Working Too Hard . . . Or Not . . .

In honor of next month's opening of the San Diego Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit: Videos of archeologists who've been working too hard, and somebody had a camera . . .  or on the other hand . . .

At a medieval French church:

In an unknown field:

Mystery of the Cursor Revealed

How does the cursor arrow in the screen of the computer work when you move the mouse? Haven't you ever wondered?  Now, through the miracle of high technology, we can see how it is done.

The secret is revealed here.

On that new high tech Japanese website, featuring a screen magnifying lens, the mechanism becomes apparent.  Be sure to move your mouse.  Then move your mouse in rapid circle.  Then stop quickly.  Try making the mouse fly quickly to the top of the screen and then fall just as quickly to the bottom.  Note too the sound effects.

Early Technical Support

"Does this crown of thorns make me look fat? "

Hat tip to Michael Liccione on Pontifications for this hilarious view of a revisionist Episcopalian woman at the General Convention, from "Dr. Mabuse" at a new blog called The Kraalspace.

The Penitent Blogger: "Areopagite Idol"

A clever post today on A Penitent Blogger, timely for tonight's crowning of the new American Idol on TV: St. Paul's sermon at the Areopagus imagined as being critiqued by 3 judges whose comments are familiar ("kinda pitchy for me").  And yet it bore fruit.  Penitens concludes:

"An important point to remember is what underlies St. Paul's words to the Athenians: that even the most highly educated and intellectually gifted people may be, on some deep level, essentially ignorant of the true content of faith.

"We need to be careful, to develop all the insight we can, to seek the grace from God we need, and to be unafraid in speaking the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Deep Trouble

From Nick:  "When you are in deep trouble, say nothing, and try to look like you know what you're doing."

(Now, off to work for me.)