Watch the Miami Heat do the 'Harlem Shake'

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ir2TdfSwH8g?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The Miami Heat joined the recent "Harlem Shake" craze, making a team video that they released Thursday that showcases their dance skills and sense of humor.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">Their version features Chris "Birdman" Anderson dancing around the locker room while the other players stretch or sit by their lockers. Then the camera cuts to the whole team dancing in costume. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">LeBron James</a> is dressed up like a king, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3419/mario-chalmers" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">Mario Chalmers</a> is dressed as Super Mario, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1135/chris-andersen" style="color: #2262cc; text-decoration: none;">Chris "Birdman" Andersen</a> dons a bird ensemble, <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/dwyane-wade-PESPT008417.topic" id="PESPT008417" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Dwyane Wade">Dwyane Wade</a> is wearing a bear head, and <a class="taxInlineTagLink" href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/ray-allen-PESPT000116.topic" id="PESPT000116" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;" title="Ray Allen">Ray Allen</a> has a "Phantom of the Opera"-style mask</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">As of Friday morning, the video had over 2 million views. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">"In life u gotta figure out how to have fun and enjoy it. Hope y'all enjoy," Chalmers wrote on Twitter.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">The Heat, which has won 12 games in a row, host Memphis on Friday at 5 p.m. PST.</div></div>

Miami Heat do the 'Harlem Shake' Watch the Miami Heat do the 'Harlem Shake'

The Miami Heat joined the recent "Harlem Shake" craze, making a team video that they released Thursday that showcases their dance ...

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Obama, congressional leaders fail to reach deal on sequester

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><h1 property="dc.title" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 2.5em; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px;"><img src="http://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_606w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/03/01/National-Politics/Videos/Images/517824840.jpg" /></h1><div><div class="module byline" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-style: none; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 17px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><h3 property="dc.creator" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: normal; margin: 17px 0px; padding: 0px;">By <span class="author vcard" style="color: #666666;"><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/zachary-a-goldfarb/2011/03/09/AB1OHIQ_page.html" rel="author" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Zachary A. Goldfarb</a></span></span>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-meets-congressional-leaders-on-sequester/2013/03/01/fa25a440-827b-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html#license-fa25a440-827b-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df" id="license-fa25a440-827b-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df" rel="item-license" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a><span class="timestamp updated processed" comparetime="1362189420000" contenttype="article" datetitle="published" epochtime="1362150240000" pagetype="leaf" style="color: #6e6e6e;"></span><span class="timestamp updated processed" comparetime="1362150240000" contenttype="article" datetitle="updated" epochtime="1362189420000" pagetype="leaf" style="color: #6e6e6e;">Updated: Friday, March 1, <span class="time special" style="color: #cc131e;">5:57 PM</span></span></h3></div><div class="relative" id="article" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div id="article_body" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="article_body entry-content" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><article><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;"><span class="dateline"></span>President Obama acknowledged Friday that deep federal budget cuts are here with no end in sight, an outcome that he warned would harm the economy but said he lacked the power to stop.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">A final attempt to find common ground with congressional leaders at a White House meeting proved fruitless. The president continued to press for higher taxes as part of a deal, and Republicans continued to refuse — clearing the way for $85 billion in cuts this fiscal year and $1.2 trillion over the next decade.</div></article></div><div class="article_body entry-content" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><article><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;"><br />The reductions, which Obama formally ordered late Friday, are likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. There had been speculation that they might be adjusted later this month, when lawmakers must agree on a new deal to fund the government or risk a shutdown. But Obama made clear Friday that he would seek to avoid a shutdown even if that means allowing the across-the-board cuts, known as the sequester, to continue.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">The failure to reach a deal to turn off the sequester after years of clashes over spending and taxes will usher in an era of deeper austerity in the United States. To date, the country has resisted the sharp pullback in federal spending that has occurred in much of Europe.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">The onset of the sequester also will introduce a new level of uncertainty for Americans who rely on the government for employment or services, with an outsize impact in the Washington region.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">For Obama, the failure to reach a deal is a setback. He has spent years arguing that efforts to tame the nation’s debt should involve a balance of spending cuts and tax revenues. As things stand now, the onset of the sequester means that balance tilts heavily toward cuts.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">Polls shows Obama has broad support among Americans for his approach to taxes and spending. Over coming weeks, senior administration officials said, he will highlight people and localities hurt by the sequester, with the intention of creating pressure to force Republicans to concede. But the president said that could take months.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">“It’s happening because of a choice that Republicans in Congress have made,” Obama said in the White House briefing room after the meeting with congressional leaders broke up. “They’ve allowed these cuts to happen because they refuse to budge on closing a single wasteful loophole to help reduce the deficit.”</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">The GOP is able to say it defied the president, avoiding his demand for new tax revenue. The standoff comes after deep intraparty divisions nearly tore House Republicans apart late last year in battles about whether to support tax increases.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">Republicans can say they have forced greater restraint in government spending — although it is far from the arrangement most GOP leaders wanted. Republican leaders have warned that the sequester could damage national defense and expressed frustration that it does not apply to social programs such as Medicaid and Social Security.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">Nonetheless, they say the cuts are preferable to tax increases.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 22px; padding: 0px;">“Let’s make it clear that the president got his tax hikes on January 1st,” House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said outside the White House, referring to new taxes on the wealthy approved in January. “This discussion about revenue, in my view, is over. It’s about taking on the spending problem here in Washington.<br />”</div></article></div></div></div></div></div>

sequester Obama, congressional leaders fail to reach deal on sequester

By  Zachary A. Goldfarb ,  Updated: Friday, March 1,  5:57 PM President Obama acknowledged Friday that deep federal budget cuts are here wit...

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Chase after stolen car ends in crash in Niles

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="&nbsp;" src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-5106c157/turbine/chi-crime-report-image/580/580x314" /><br /><span class="toolSet" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; width: 335px;"></span><br /><div class="byline" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="byline bordered">By Peter Nickeas</span> <span class="titleline">Tribune reporter</span><br /><div class="date" style="color: #757575; font-family: 'Helevetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;"><span class="timeString">2:02 a.m. CST</span><span class="dateTimeSeparator">, </span><span class="dateString">March 1, 2013</span></div></div><div class="clear" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></div><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"></span><br /><div id="story-body-text" style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">A car stolen in Burbank and spotted in downtown Chicago twice fled police before crashing into a tree in Niles, according to authorities.<br /><br />The owner of the car contacted OnStar Thursday night and a representative told her the car was in downtown Chicago, authorities said. The woman went downtown and flagged down an officer to report the theft, police said.<br /><br />Near North District officers tried to stop the car but it fled onto the Kennedy Expressway and a supervisor called off the chase, police said. The car was again spotted near Devon and Milwaukee avenues in the Norwood Park East neighborhood a short time later.<br /><br />Jefferson Park District officers tried to stop the car, which fled up Milwaukee and crashed into a tree in neighboring Niles, near the intersection with Newark Avenue.<br /><br />Two men inside, 21 and 23, were taken to hospitals and are in police custody, police said. Police said they appear to be related to the woman, though the relationship is unclear.<br /><br />One of the man is on parole, but details were not available.</div><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">- See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/park_ridge_niles/chi-stolen-car-downtown-northwest-side-chicago-crime-niles-burbank-20130228,0,542858.story#sthash.GPuk3zmH.dpuf</span></div>

Chase Chase after stolen car ends in crash in Niles

By Peter Nickeas   Tribune reporter 2:02 a.m. CST ,  March 1, 2013 A car stolen in Burbank and spotted in downtown Chicago twice fled police...

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Lacoupe Review

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQlTfsykw-EFQi6FHxnxzhjtUZD7cIA14yZ1qAQZMHj3UqjNG0iYsreW_s2li3v5dyXKgdNxpc1i5l1LAI4Dn66469GHTMDHXdWrTngS_8NTbofORchb71WqByHj1NDPQ-nq0KMsR4I4/s1600/header_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQlTfsykw-EFQi6FHxnxzhjtUZD7cIA14yZ1qAQZMHj3UqjNG0iYsreW_s2li3v5dyXKgdNxpc1i5l1LAI4Dn66469GHTMDHXdWrTngS_8NTbofORchb71WqByHj1NDPQ-nq0KMsR4I4/s1600/header_logo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I can't get enough of is beauty products especially for my hair!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love using products that are new and all natural.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was sent a sample of </span><a href="http://lacoupe.com/home/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lacoupe</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> shampoo and conditioner for review.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sulfate and paraben free that's packed with keratin proteins to keep your hair hydrated longer due to the oils.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes your hair silky, smooth and smells wonderful!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They offer a wide selection of products on their site.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlC5Y46vAZ9sBQdz4ioBNz9a9hzrSiJIZcyyz-XGZQVSvCmfWcNmokLd9kVFFUGTgDamKDU84dkfEHRq5YVu2vg9kc5kNKrNIbWLWSCJ3OZmHFb8GPhA2WUzGMRvWIhJjekU_-oXQOHw/s1600/lacoupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlC5Y46vAZ9sBQdz4ioBNz9a9hzrSiJIZcyyz-XGZQVSvCmfWcNmokLd9kVFFUGTgDamKDU84dkfEHRq5YVu2vg9kc5kNKrNIbWLWSCJ3OZmHFb8GPhA2WUzGMRvWIhJjekU_-oXQOHw/s320/lacoupe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thoughts:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep in mind I only received a small sachet of shampoo and conditioner so here it goes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I liked the smell of it but I do have long hair and it just wasn't enough for my hair.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made my hair silky and smooth as well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://lacoupe.com/orgnx/orgnx_brazilian">http://lacoupe.com/orgnx/orgnx_brazilian</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or check them out online and connect with them!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LaCoupe/186110168124663?ref=ts&fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/pages/LaCoupe/186110168124663?ref=ts&fref=ts</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LaCoupeHairCare"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://twitter.com/LaCoupeHairCare</span></a></div>

Lacoupe Review

One thing I can't get enough of is beauty products especially for my hair! I love using products that are new and all natural. I was sen...

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Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Dry Oil

<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/tripleNutritionOil.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=0606756736&Campaign=2222899272&Uid=1264101&token=620ec08d691bba8b21c2c79f1ba538b2" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a buzzagent and got to test out a new product from Garnier!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All year round my hair and skin can be dry, itchy and dull.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not anymore!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With just a spritz of Garnier Fructis's Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil my hair and skin has never felt more alive!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only does it transform dry hair to silky smooth hair it smells great too!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's perfect for an everyday application not just when your going out for a hot date with your sweetie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's stocked at your local Target and Wal-mart as well for just $5.99! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Dry Oil

I am a buzzagent and got to test out a new product from Garnier! All year round my hair and skin can be dry, itchy and dull. Not anymore! Wi...

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This Is How You Healthcare: American Death In London - Not Safe For Work Corporation

LONDON, UK: It's just after 9.30pm on a Tuesday in the intensive care unit of a hospital in south-west London. A vast spaceship dashboard of drug delivery systems is silent, monitors displaying the word 'Privacy'. I sit by the foot of the bed while the other four crowd around the top. An empty bottle of scotch is propped in the sheets that cover the stricken, thin form of my father, along with a crucifix on a chain and a Dr Seuss book. I gradually become aware that he has died.<br /><br><br /><br>My father's de facto nephew Charlie, a boisterous Irish lad in his mid-twenties, starts up a Hail Mary over the body of an atheist of Jewish extraction as if it might push life back into him. My aunt weeps. My half-sister in a red woolly hat, herself on six different types of medication, is on the phone to her mother, brightly telling her what she had for dinner. (It was stuffed aubergine.)<br /><br><br /><br>Charlie's younger brother Tommy, a sweet skinny boy of 20 who I last saw when he was a six-year-old potential serial killer, dissolves into my arms, sobbing. Positively radiating serenity, I stroke his head and let his grief wash over me. I have a headache from the scotch we've all been sneaking around the bed. I hate scotch. It was Bill's drink. It was Charlie's idea. I look at my father's body. He looks very dead, but then he has looked dead to me this last week, from the first time I saw him crumpled in the sheets, plastic tendrils curling from his head, one green eye stuck half-open.<br /><br><br /><br>I am quite aware as this is happening that it probably represents the single biggest headfuck and heartfuck of my life, and also that if it were happening in the US, the place of my father's birth, it would probably be considerably worse.<br /><br><br /><br>In the UK, we treat any old fucker for free. This is why that is important.<br /><br><br /><br>* * * *<br /><br><br /><br>The place of Bill's death is a foundation hospital, not directed by the government. It's a beautiful building, with open corridors around a vast central atrium filled with natural light and dotted with sculptures and fish tanks. You can't get lost in it, nor can you feel that antiseptic claustrophobia you get in hospitals.<br /><br><br /><br>The tax-funded UK National Health Service is now 65 years old. Foreign nationals get free treatment when they've been here for a year or otherwise have legal residency. A San Francisco native, Bill rocked up and made a home for himself in London in 1976. Since then he's had three (count 'em) artificial hips and been treated for cancer of the larynx, and is now spending his final week in intensive care. When I saw him last year for the first time in ten years, to interview him about the election for NSFWCORP, he mused on how much this country has shelled out to keep him upright: "Oh man, if you were to add up what the NHS has spent on me, it's phenomenal."<br /><br><br /><br>He was a charming, damaged, charismatic, fiercely intelligent, dissolute individual, who lived entirely on his own terms. As a professional gambler, it is unlikely he paid much if any tax in 37 years. He had no will, no funeral plan. He never did fill out the forms necessary to vote in the last election, or the one before that, as I discovered. He just hated forms. I could sympathise. Had he stayed in the US, it is – how you say – dollars to doughnuts he wouldn't have got it together to fill out the forms, and would have had no health insurance. He considered the US system "absolutely unmanageable".<br /><br><br /><br>* * * *<br /><br><br /><br>Bill goes into hospital on Tuesday complaining of dizziness and disorientation. We talk briefly on the phone and he sounds chipper as a chip. Some little heart arrhythmia thing, chest infection, in overnight for observation, no biggie. By Thursday he has plummeted into the subterranean limbo of the gravely ill, having most likely suffered a heart attack. He is being hauled from acute assessment up to the ICU.<br /><br><br /><br>Thursday afternoon I sit by his bed. Talk to him, say the nurses, he can probably hear you. With this type of sedation, the hearing is the last thing to go and the first to come back. I try. Hi, Bill. An inveterate gasbag, I find I've got nothing. I am accustomed to showers of aphorisms and miles of monologue from him. There's nothing to respond to.<br /><br><br /><br>An hour by a bed in the ICU is long. I bring some Vonnegut to read to him – I figure it's the sort of thing he might go for. I don't even open it. I just sit.<br /><br><br /><br>Late in the evening the doctor comes to talk to me. I'm the only one here so far. The friend who brought him in has yet to return, my aunt is on her way from Washington.<br /><br><br /><br>Bill's heart is fucked, hammering away at 150, 160, and it's fucked everything else. The kidneys are fucked. The liver is fucked. This could go on for days or weeks, the doctor says: "But my feeling is that he will pass away tonight."<br /><br><br /><br>So this is how it ends. I had always figured this fighty bastard – whose own father died two months ago almost to the day, aged 96 – was impervious to the usual quotidian sources of bodily doom. He beat cancer, shrugged off booze, swore that "when they come for me, which they will, I'll get 'em with my stick". When he goes, of course he's going down a manhole, under a Mercedes driven by a coked-up supermodel, into the belly of an escaped jaguar.<br /><br><br /><br>I'm prepared for this. I am sad, but ready. The distance from absence to departure doesn't seem so far, and it sucks, but it's OK. I go to bed in the small, snug visitors' room – the existence of which amazes me – in assurance they will wake me when it's time. Next morning he's still there. He will cling on for five more days. The notices will say 'a short illness', but they don't give any sense of how long and hard that can be.<br /><br><br /><br>More ...<br /><br><br /><br><a href="https://www.nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/this-is-how-you-healthcare">https://www.nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/this-is-how-you-healthcare</a>

This Is How You Healthcare: American Death In London - Not Safe For Work Corporation

LONDON, UK: It's just after 9.30pm on a Tuesday in the intensive care unit of a hospital in south-west London. A vast spaceship dashboar...

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Principal system Design Engineer(E-beam | electron optics OR electro-mechanical | subsystems | Error Budgeting)(#109146)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Principal system Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">This new position will involve the development of next-generation e-beam products. The job requires significant experience in a number of the following: electronics, vacuum and wafer handling, complex electro-mechanical systems, photon optics or (preferably) electron optics, X-ray spectroscopy, inspection technology. Experience with the definition and implementation of complex systems within a systems engineering design process will be expected. It is an individual contributor position with significant technical leadership expectations. The successful individual will be expected to join a small group of highly analytical engineers, lead next generation product definition, development, system integration and characterization. The position will include project management work on new and existing products.  This will require an ability to solve complex technical problems and sound technical decision-making during product development. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Other duties include:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Help create, manage and communicate top-level system error budgets by integrating and performing trade-off analysis of contributions from various sub-systems. Create and test performance models (e.g. throughput, noise, sensitivity, location accuracy). Set and own various system level specifications. Characterize aspects of system and sub-system performance using existing and prototype equipment. Collaborate with external vendors to develop designs. Drive design review activities and development of associated engineering documentation. Manage system integration plans and testing plans to a tight schedule. Troubleshoot issues using data driven techniques. Contribute know-how and manage engineering activities for escalated manufacturing and field issues. In the course of the above duties, interact and work with other groups: marketing; applications, hardware and software engineering; manufacturing and field support.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The individual should have demonstrated past success in design and implementing systems in one or more of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">High speed imaging systems for the laboratory or industrial work place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Vacuum and wafer handling, Complex electro-mechanical systems,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Systems based around one or more of: electron optics, SEM-based spectroscopy techniques.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The candidate should have demonstrated strong skills debugging complex system problems involving optics, mechanics, electronics, and software. Past experience closely collaborating with outside consultants and vendors to solve development problems is also desired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The candidate should have shown an ability to manage complex technical projects through the design lifecycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Doctorate (Academic) with at least 7 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Master's Level Degree with at least 8 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 10 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div></div></div>

Principal system Design Engineer(E-beam | electron optics OR electro-mechanical | subsystems | Error Budgeting)(#109146)

Job Title: Principal system Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities: This new positio...

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Manager, system Design Engineer ( Imaging systems | optical OR opto-mechanical | Subsystems |hardware) (#109170)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Manager, System Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description: <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The candidate is expected to lead the system development team and will be actively engaged in system-level engineering, test and release of the Surfscan next generation high-speed unpatterned wafer inspection tools. The activities include: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">1.Model system operation and define subsystem performance specifications<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2.Develop subsystem architectures and collaborate with mechanical, optical, electrical and software engineers to realize these subsystems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3.Specify and test new or improved hardware components and software features. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4.Lead integration and test of subsystems and validation of system performance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5.Identify and resolve problems and recommend improvements relating to system optics, electronics, software, and mechanics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">6.Develop and improve diagnostic and calibration procedures. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">7.Investigate abnormal system behaviors by performing experiments and analyzing system data.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">8.Support manufacturing and field personnel with troubleshooting help in the form of plans of action or hands-on assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">9.Conducts feasibility studies on engineering proposals and related technical data for new equipment or modification to existing equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">In addition to the basic qualifications (listed below), the candidate should have a knowledge of optics, electronics, software, and/or mechanical systems.  Programming skills/experience are a definitely plus.  Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and to take on a leadership role when needed is desired.  In addition, the candidate should have a quick grasp of challenging, complex technical information and be able to travel both domestically and internationally.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 7 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Master's Level Degree with at least 6 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Doctorate (Academic) with at least 5 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;"><b>Kindly send in your resumes to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</b><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>

Manager, system Design Engineer ( Imaging systems | optical OR opto-mechanical | Subsystems |hardware) (#109170)

Job Title: Manager, System Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities: The candidate is...

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Rocky Mountain Popcorn Review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q8PpQ3K3kQonLbfhYlU9UIMd5SFigJjee6_gqy_NE0YfwvM9xFS535U695MhcXM3x8FV29Y90AkBrSNR5-jd6O3UEIfAevE-DZXKZwAjjUURPQlRPU4EzB4a6qWOeJxlA9l6aRNRg3E/s1600/rocky+mountain+popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q8PpQ3K3kQonLbfhYlU9UIMd5SFigJjee6_gqy_NE0YfwvM9xFS535U695MhcXM3x8FV29Y90AkBrSNR5-jd6O3UEIfAevE-DZXKZwAjjUURPQlRPU4EzB4a6qWOeJxlA9l6aRNRg3E/s320/rocky+mountain+popcorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If there is one thing I love to eat when watching a good movie it is popcorn!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time my family and I went to see a movie we would always buy some popcorn, what's not to love with the fluffy texture and the saltiness of the butter drizzled on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I am more health conscious and aware of just how much bad stuff is in the popcorn offered at showcases.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when I want a movie theater themed type of popcorn I reach for something more healthier and most importantly all natural.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which brought me to a wonderful company that sent me bags of popcorn to review by the name of <a href="http://rockymountainpopcorn.com/">Rocky Mountain Popcorn</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their popcorn let's you snack responsibly without the guilt of popcorn that's loaded in butter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not in the buttery flavor kind of mood?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't worry they have sweet and zesty flavors as well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my review I was sent these flavors:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">white cheddar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">butter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">naked</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jalapeno</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">southwest cheddar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kettle corn</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cinnamon sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and caramel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love that they have more than one flavor!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I have tried three of the flavors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">White Cheddar:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved the little bag, made for the perfect snack.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cheese taste was just right.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very light and airy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naked:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basically plain popcorn with a hint of sweetness to it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved it!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butter:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoa, insane butter flavor!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So good, and is the perfect movie time snack!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southwest Cheddar:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great cheesy flavor but then you get a bit of an overwhelming spicy flavor.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not a big fan of spicy foods.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have got to check out their popcorn line below!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://rockymountainpopcorn.com/">http://rockymountainpopcorn.com/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Connect with them on these social networking sites!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to like their face book page!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocky-Mountain-Popcorn-Company/169279963085862"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocky-Mountain-Popcorn-Company/169279963085862</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/RockyMtnPopcorn">https://twitter.com/RockyMtnPopcorn</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disclosure:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I received popcorn for reviewing purposes only. All thoughts are strictly my own.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Rocky Mountain Popcorn Review

If there is one thing I love to eat when watching a good movie it is popcorn! Every time my family and I went to see a movie we would always...

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Children’s Library Assistant - Wilton Library

<strong>Children’s Library Assistant - </strong><strong></strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Wilton Library</span></strong> is seeking an energetic, creative individual to assist with collections, perform reference duties, create and assist with programs, and promote materials and programs using social media. Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Publisher and Social Media are required, as well as attention to detail and the ability to work well with other team members in a creative and vibrant environment. Applicants must also demonstrate an interest in reading children’s literature. Artistic and/or creative skills are a plus. Library knowledge and/or experience in working with children ages birth – 12 is required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Part-time, hourly position. The schedule is Tuesdays 1-8, Wednesdays 9-5, and Fridays 10-5, plus the fourth Saturday of each month. Salary range between $14.00 - $17.00 per hour commensurate with experience. Email resume, cover letter and WLA application (available at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/about/jobs-wla/" href="http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/about/jobs-wla/" target="_blank">www.wiltonlibrary.org/about/jobs-wla/</a>) to Andrea Falkner <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:afalkner@wiltonlibrary.org" href="mailto:afalkner@wiltonlibrary.org">afalkner@wiltonlibrary.org</a>. Wilton Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897. 203.762.3950, <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.wiltonlibrary.org" href="http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/" target="_blank">www.wiltonlibrary.org</a>.

Children’s Library Assistant - Wilton Library

Children’s Library Assistant - Wilton Library is seeking an energetic, creative individual to assist with collections, perform reference d...

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Jerusalem, My Happy Home: Part 4

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QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It has been an exhausting and overwhelming day of seeing holy places associated with the birth of Jesus. After a lecture on the Magnificat and the Benedictus, we headed out by bus to the hill country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Somewhere in the hill country Mary and Elizabeth met, Elizabeth praised Mary, and Mary passed the praise on to God with the Magnificat, based on the Song of Hannah, praising God for the great reversal of fortunes in which the downtrodden would be raised up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">There we visited two churches, not that far from each other. First we visited Ain Kerem, a church near a spring where Elizabeth might have gone to draw water. The church there commemorated the Visitation. Brother Mark, SSJE, led us in a reflection on the two women seeing God acting in each other and suggested the import of that story and the artistic representations of the Visitation convey a message that is profoundly ethical and political. The challenge is to watch for God at work, sometimes invisibly, always mysteriously, in each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Did Mary and Elizabeth actually meet at this place? Maybe. No one knows. But they met somewhere like this, somewhere nearby. Not far away, we stopped at a Franciscan Church purporting to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. It would seem likely that the place of the Visitation and the place where John was born would both have been the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah. But both churches were in the same area. Each artistically expressed a different part of the story. A slight difference in space actually represented a three-month difference in chronology in the narrative. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the first church, we sang the Magnificat. At the second, we recited the Benedictus, both canticles from Luke, both believed to be based on songs of the anawim, the community of poor and powerless people who first welcomed the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">From there we drove to Beth Shakur, House of the Night Watch. There are three different locations around Beth Shakur purporting to be the field where lowly shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of Christ, the first to hear the evangelion (which can mean a birth announcement). One is Orthodox, one Franciscan, one Anglican. We went to the Anglican Shepherd’s Field. In the field was a cave as old as the time of Christ, much older really, but reinforced with pillars. In such caves the Shepherds would take shelter. In this cave we sang Angels We Have Heard On High. Brother Mark spoke of the meaning of the night in which God’s salvation is proclaimed. What does night mean for us spiritually? What does it mean in the context of a darkened world? In this town a few years ago, a tax resistance protest by Palestinian Christians was met with a forceful Israeli response that culminated in violence. There is a sense in which it is night here. It is into such nights that the gospel breaks, a light shining in the darkness, a light dawning on people who walk in deep darkness. Surge illuminare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">This afternoon we went to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Holy Nativity. This church dates from the 6^th Century. It is a holy, ancient house of worship built over a group of caves. Was Jesus born here? Or was he born in a similar cave nearby? Does it matter? If so, not much. People have been coming here to reflect on the Incarnation and worship Christ for centuries. St. Jerome lived in one of these caves. He translated the Bible into Latin here, the exclusive translation used in Western Christianity for a thousand years. He is buried in one of these caves. We visited his tomb and the chapel dedicated to Jerome, his successor Eusebius, and the two women who helped him with his work – deservedly canonized as saints these women since Jerome was a decidedly unpleasant man and a misogynist. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church of the Nativity is maintained by different brands of Christians. The Greeks and the Armenians are not friends. Again, the complexity and imperfection of the Church as a people of God. We are more visibly people, more mysteriously of God. The entrance was once large but to make it harder for Persian invaders to charge into the church on horses, the entrance was bricked up to make it very small. One now has to do a solemn bow to enter the church. We begin with humility. Frescoes once covered the walls but most of them have faded away. Others remain. Lamps hang from chains. To enter the cave where Jesus may have been born, one stands in a long jumbled line as throngs of people wait their turn to enter through a narrow door and descend narrow steps. As fate would have it, we were jammed in between a group of Russians and a group of Poles. Somehow that seemed fitting. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Eventually we made it though the door into a narrow stone stairway covered with rich red tapestries. At the point in the cave that represents the birthplace of Jesus we kneel to kiss a 14 point star with a hole in the center, and emptiness, a mystery – the 14 points representing 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the Exile, and 14 from the Exile to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is an exhausting kind of learning we are doing. It is a sensate rather than conceptual learning. It is visual images, sounds, textures. It is an incarnate engagement with the story of incarnation. It will take some time to assimilate this day. I hope when I have sorted through it, I will find myself better able to see God at work in the lives of others, better able to shine gospel into someone’s night, and better attuned to God’s presence in this material world of ordinary life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->

Jerusalem, My Happy Home: Part 4

It has been an exhausting and overwhelming day of seeing holy places associated with the birth of Jesus. After a lecture on the Magnif...

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Jerusalem, My Happy Home: Part 4

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QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It has been an exhausting and overwhelming day of seeing holy places associated with the birth of Jesus. After a lecture on the Magnificat and the Benedictus, we headed out by bus to the hill country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Somewhere in the hill country Mary and Elizabeth met, Elizabeth praised Mary, and Mary passed the praise on to God with the Magnificat, based on the Song of Hannah, praising God for the great reversal of fortunes in which the downtrodden would be raised up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">There we visited two churches, not that far from each other. First we visited Ain Kerem, a church near a spring where Elizabeth might have gone to draw water. The church there commemorated the Visitation. Brother Mark, SSJE, led us in a reflection on the two women seeing God acting in each other and suggested the import of that story and the artistic representations of the Visitation convey a message that is profoundly ethical and political. The challenge is to watch for God at work, sometimes invisibly, always mysteriously, in each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Did Mary and Elizabeth actually meet at this place? Maybe. No one knows. But they met somewhere like this, somewhere nearby. Not far away, we stopped at a Franciscan Church purporting to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. It would seem likely that the place of the Visitation and the place where John was born would both have been the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah. But both churches were in the same area. Each artistically expressed a different part of the story. A slight difference in space actually represented a three-month difference in chronology in the narrative. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the first church, we sang the Magnificat. At the second, we recited the Benedictus, both canticles from Luke, both believed to be based on songs of the anawim, the community of poor and powerless people who first welcomed the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">From there we drove to Beth Shakur, House of the Night Watch. There are three different locations around Beth Shakur purporting to be the field where lowly shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of Christ, the first to hear the evangelion (which can mean a birth announcement). One is Orthodox, one Franciscan, one Anglican. We went to the Anglican Shepherd’s Field. In the field was a cave as old as the time of Christ, much older really, but reinforced with pillars. In such caves the Shepherds would take shelter. In this cave we sang Angels We Have Heard On High. Brother Mark spoke of the meaning of the night in which God’s salvation is proclaimed. What does night mean for us spiritually? What does it mean in the context of a darkened world? In this town a few years ago, a tax resistance protest by Palestinian Christians was met with a forceful Israeli response that culminated in violence. There is a sense in with it is night here. It is into such nights that the gospel breaks, a light shining in the darkness, a light dawning on people who walk in deep darkness. Surge illuminare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">This afternoon we went to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Holy Nativity. This Church dates from the 6^th Century. It is a holy, ancient house of worship built over a group of caves. Was Jesus born here? Or was he born in a similar cave nearby? Doe it matter? If so, not much. People have been coming here to reflect on the Incarnation and worship Christ for centuries. St. Jerome lived in one of these caves. He translated the Bible into Latin here, the exclusive translation used in Western Christianity for a thousand years. He is buried in one of these caves. We visited his tomb and the chapel dedicated to Jerome, his successor Eusebius, and the two women who helped him with his work – deservedly canonized as saints these women since Jerome was a decidedly unpleasant man and a misogynist. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Church of the Nativity is maintained by different brands of Christians. The Greeks and the Armenians are not friends. Again, the complexity and imperfection of the Church as a people of God. We are more visibly people, more mysteriously of God. The entrance was once large but to make it harder for Persian invaders to charge into the church on horses, the entrance was bricked up to make it very small. One now has to do a solemn bow to enter the church. We begin with humility. Frescoes once covered the walls but most of them have faded away. Others remain. Lamps hang from chains. To enter the cave where Jesus may have been born, one stands in a long jumbled like as throngs of people wait their turn to enter through a narrow door and descend narrow steps. As fate would have it, we were jammed in between a group of Russians and a group of Poles. Somehow that seemed fitting. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">Eventually we made it though the door into a narrow stone stairway covered with rich red tapestries. At the point in the cave that represents the birthplace of Jesus we kneel to kiss a 14 point star with a hole in the center, and emptiness, a mystery – the 14 points representing 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the Exile, and 14 from the Exile to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is an exhausting kind of learning we are doing. It is a sensate rather than conceptual learning. It is visual images, sounds, textures. It is an incarnate engagement with the story of incarnation. It will take some time to assimilate this day. I hope when I have sorted through it, I will find myself better able to see God at work in the lives of others, better able to shine gospel into someone’s night, and better attuned to God’s presence in this material world of ordinary life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--EndFragment-->

Jerusalem, My Happy Home: Part 4

It has been an exhausting and overwhelming day of seeing holy places associated with the birth of Jesus. After a lecture on the Magnif...

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