Rock and Rollin'

More on Chris Rock from Charlie Rose.

The first clip is the most accurate response to the difference between black and white audiences' appreciation of a performance that I've heard.

Check them all out.

They're good.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/chris_rock_to_charlie_rose_black_people_laugh_better_than_white_people/?source=newsletter

Arrogance Personified

The air must truly be rarified among the young, gifted and outrageously rich.

One of the Silicon Valley rich kids bought "The New Republic" magazine a few years back, and according to many, completely destroyed it.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/downright_contemptuous_and_hostile_5_takeaways_from_the_behind_the_scenes_drama_at_the_new_republic/?source=newsletter

The entitled arrogance of this crop of rich kids usually takes center stage.

What they have in genius intellect, can often be measure against their lack, many times over, of common sense and simple social etiquette.

Genius + Common Sense = Rarer Than a Blue Moon

Proven Fact

From Salon comes an article entitled, "Science Says Men Are Idiots."

Present male company excluded, of course.

Did we really need a scientific study to validate that many more men, to a much greater degree than women (by a long shot) do stupid things that end in death?

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/science_says_men_are_idiots/?source=newsletter

More on the Genius of Einstein

With the release of his papers from Princeton University, come a treasure trove of information and a peak into Einstein's incredible mind and thought processes.

Decades later, his musings are timeless.

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/09/albert-einstein-fame-letter/

Clarification

The post entitled "Setting the Mood With Apps" from yesterday, refers to apps used on Apple TV and Amazon FireTV.

The fireplace apps turn your TV into a virtual fireplace that is quite realistic, and the rain app creates the illusion of a storm.  The graphics aren't great on the rain one I downloaded, but it was the sound effects I am interested in anyway.

Hope this helps.

Great Gift Ideas for Under $20

From Quirky

https://www.quirky.com/shop/markdowns?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=All%20Users%20and%20Subscribers%20Overlap&utm_campaign=14-12-12%20-%20Markdowns%20-%20Overlap

How to Digitalize Old Photos

Here's a great "how to" article from USA Today on getting all of our old pictures saved onto your computer.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/12/12/easy-ways-to-digitize-your-old-photos/20072417/?csp=tech

Straight No Chaser - Who Spiked The Eggnog?

Another favorite.

Enjoy!

Setting the Mood with Apps

I just discovered apps that simulate a fireplace with the crackling sounds of wood burning.  You can even add music to really make it cozy.

It's chilly here this morning and I swear having this on help to warm the place up.

The power of suggestion is real people.

Then, I found another app that simulates rain and rain storms.

One of the things I miss the most being here is the theatrics of rain, with the thunder and lightning.

Now, I've got that too, without the dripping, soggy mess that actual rain brings with it.

Oh, how I love the folks who come up with these things!

I downloaded these from Amazon, but similar ones are also available on iTunes.

Check them out below and enjoy the soothing, oh so satisfying ambience.

http://www.amazon.com/Relaxing-Sounds-Rain-Relaxation-Meditation/dp/B00DY5MBCI/ref=pd_sim_mas_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0V1A130J3MT4JQZG0JY4

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fireplace-live-hd-free-relaxing/id469329213?mt=8

She's Behind the Greatness

Check out Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder.

This is one smart lady.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/shonda-rhimes-glass-ceiling-speech_n_6305104.html

Did You Know About Her?

I didn't.

Fascinating bit of history.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/us/dollree-mapp-who-defied-police-search-in-landmark-case-is-dead.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Sam Smith - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I love this kid!

An Invisible Sound

This speaker is the coolest thing around.  Perfect for that person who has everything, if you're willing to shell out the $350 bucks for it.

https://www.thegrommet.com/clio

Einstein's Thoughts

Just release personal papers from Einstein reveal the broad scope of his genius and courage.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/09/albert_einsteins_profound_observations_on_entrenched_racism_in_america/?source=newsletter

Powerful Messages

Words of wisdom for future generations of black boys.

http://www.upworthy.com/10-pictures-you-may-need-to-show-your-kids-but-i-really-hope-you-dont-have-to?c=upw1

Terrific Idea!

Here's a car for wheelchair-bound folks.

Ingenius!

http://www.upworthy.com/at-first-it-looks-like-a-smart-car-open-the-hatch-and-it-becomes-a-holy-crap-thats-genius-car?c=upw1

Jericho

By the time we reached Jericho, we were tired and hungry.

We ate at a gift shop / restaurant, then we headed up to Mount of Temptation where Jesus is believed to have fasted for forty days and forty nights.

We walked a ways, and then we were picked up by a jeep /van to take us way up.

High above us sits the Mount of Temptation Monastery that is built into the mountain.

The signs claims that Jericho is the oldest city in the world.

This plaque declares that Jericho is the lowest place on earth.

Although the picture is not great, it is a
replica of the city of Jericho carved out of rocks.

These tiles are on the floor of the outdoor area.

A view of the luscious gardens in Jericho.
It is a very rich agricultural area growing lots of fruits and vegetables.

A couple of our guys walking along the cliff of the mountain.
No thanks.

Another closeup view of the mountain.

These buildings are part of the monastery.

 Wow!

What a day!

What an experience!

What a dream come true!

Jerusalem

Someone is entering the walled Old City of Jerusalem

The round disk with the number one symbolizes the first station of the cross,
where Jesus begins his journey of carrying the cross he was to be crucified on.

A path within the walls.

The view of the Dome of the Rock is a Muslim shrine,
as seen from the window of a Muslim school.
Spectacular!

Another view of the Dome of the Rock.

This is the place where Jesus is believed
to have been crowned with thorns.

This is where Jesus is believed to have been nailed to the cross.

Another confessional

The ceiling of this church features a crown of thorns.

This is the fifth station of the cross where
Simon is believed to have carried the cross for Jesus.

The seventh station of the cross.

The eighth station of the cross.

This is the ninth station of the cross.

The last four stations of the cross are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
It is believed to be where Jesus was crucified and buried.

View of a courtyard

The area where people are kneeling is believed to be where
Jesus was laid after being taken down from the cross.

This is believed to be the tomb of Jesus.

Another view of the tomb.

Another view of where Jesus was laid after his death.

 To walk where Jesus walked was an amazing experience.  You knew you were walking on sacred ground.

I'll remember this always.

Bethlehem

Here are some of the sights from this Holy City.

Across the street from the Church of the Nativity

Manger Square

"Humble Door" where you must bend down to enter / exit

Beautiful stonework in the ceiling of the walkway entering the church.

This diagram shows where Jesus is believed to have been born,
and the churches that are built around the area.

This the entryway to the descending staircase that ends at the birthplace of Jesus.

These steps lead down to the nativity scene.

This star marks the spot where it is believe Jesus was born.

This is a better picture - online photo

This is a wide view of the area - online photo

This symbolizes where the manger is believed to have been.

The manager is straight head draped behind those curtains.

These is a line of people waiting to kiss the star
where Jesus is believed to have been born.
The lady on the left is bending down to kiss it.
The lady with her back to the camera with the blue backpack is in front of the manager.
This area is quite small and compact.

An altar

This picture doesn't capture the absolute beauty of this wall / altar.

Entryway to the Church of the Nativity - online photo

Closeup of the columns in the entryway where
you can see where they were burn in a fire centuries ago.

Another "Humble Door" 

In the courtyard of the church.

A view inside of the Church of the Nativity

A confessional inside the Church of the Nativity

A door with the Jerusalem Cross

Bethlehem Peace Center

A street around the Church of the Nativity

Narrow alleys

I'm thinking Starbucks might not be happy with this.

The Wailing Wall.
This is the place where people write things on small pieces of paper and
stuff them into the cracks and crevices of the wall.
The lattice barrier on the left separates the men's side from the women's.
Interesting, when you're finished praying,
you back away from the wall, instead of turning around and walking away.
It is a sign of disrespect to turn your back to the wall.

A view from Mount Olive.  The things you see up close are tombs,
as this is a burial ground for Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Another view from Mount Olive.

On the left is our driver.
The other is the young man from America that I'm sharing the day with.

Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane,
where Jesus is believed to have prayed  in agony before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

Church of All Nations, next to the Garden of Gethsemane.

I'm admiring the magnificent craftsmanship in the Church of Al  Nations.

A tree in the garden propped up with rocks.

The trunk of this tree was incredible.

Next stop - Jerusalem.