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Michael Beasley dominated in his one and only year in college. At Kanas State, Beasley scored on anyone and everyone that tried to check him. That offensive ability is what led to the Miami Heat taking him with the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
However, after his first four years in the NBA, he still hasn't figured things out. Beasley spent his first two years in Miami playing power forward and the last two seasons in Minnesota as a small forward, but things didn't really click for him in either place or at either position.
In reviewing some of his plays, it is pretty clear why he has struggled. A huge part of his poor play is on him and his decision-making. However, I believe the position he was put in, particularly in Minnesota, has played a large part as well.
As I wrote when Beasley was signed, he is not the guy many think he is. He is not a go-to offensive player in the traditional sense of someone you can give the ball to and expect a bucket or a foul. He's not a great creator of offense from the perimeter. For a small forward, Beasley is not a particularly good ball-handler, nor is he a good passer.
That being said, the talent that made him a high pick is still there. He can still put points on the board and when he heats up, he is tough to slow down. The task the Suns are faced with is putting Beasley in position to play to his strengths without him trying to do too much.
Beasley's isolation ability separates him from the other wings on the roster, and this is an area that he certainly can help Phoenix's offense. However, to feature him in this role would be a mistake.
Here's an example of a positive isolation play by Beasley (all screen caps taken from footage from MySynergySports.com).
In this play we see Beasley isolated in the corner. He has the entire left side of the court with which to work since the other four Wolves and their defenders were on the other side.
Beasley gives his defender a jab-step then uses his long strides to blow by his defender. As you can see, the only defender in position to help is Indiana's diminutive point guard Darren Collison.
At this point Beasley has already beaten his man. He sweeps in and uses his length to finish over the help defense. Great play by Beasley, two points for Minnesota.
However, when you give the ball to Beasley in isolation, prepare for plenty of derps as well. Here's a play showing a shot that Beasley takes far too often.
There are a few things that needed to be pointed out here. First, take a look at the shot clock: there are still 20 seconds left, so no need to hurry. Second, by my count all five Nuggets are back on defense, while Beasley only has two of his teammates up the court with him.
Instead of waiting for his teammates to get down the court to set up the offense, Beasley decides to take it himself. Making things even worse, he decides to drive to his right - where the help defense is – instead of going left – where the court is wide open. His drive gets shut down by two Nuggets, and the other three are also hanging around the paint. That means Beasley has three teammates wide open around the perimeter. So what does he do?
He takes a step-back, fade-away, 19-foot jump shot. Clank.
This is a recurring problem with Beasley. First, he does not move the ball nearly as often as he should. Second, he settles for far too many jump shots. Part of that is the lack of quickness and advanced ball-handling; he just can't beat his man off the dribble all that often. And I don't know if it's an ego thing or poor basketball IQ, but it seems to me Beasley thinks those are good shots.
This is the area the Suns will want to get Beasley plenty of touches this year. Beasley can be a mismatch while posting up, either operating out of the high post or taking advantage of his size down on the block.
Here's an example of a play where Beasley gets the ball in the high post.
Beasley sets up at the elbow and receives the pass from J.J. Barea, who runs to the corner to give Beasley space to go to work on Corey Brewer.
Beasley turns and faces up on Brewer. He has a size and strength advantage here, and with an explosive first step and long strides he gets past him. The other Nuggets defenders have to respect the shooting ability of Anthony Tolliver and Martell Webster on the weak side and are too slow in rotating to help out their teammate.
Again, Beasley uses his length and explosiveness to go up and finish over the top of the defense for two points.
As a former power forward, Beasley can also be effective down on the block. Here's a smart play by Beasley down low.
Beasley has a big mismatch here with shooting guard Courtney Lee trying to check him in the post. Houston's Kyle Lowry is in no man's land defensively right now, looking to double but not coming hard or fully committing.
Beasley recognizes the mismatch and backs the smaller Lee down. Lowry left Ricky Rubio and is coming down to double, while Samuel Dalembert is waiting in the lane. But neither are in position to stop a quick move by Beasley.
Beasley uses a drop step and spins baseline, away from the defense. He then elevates over the top and finishes at the basket. Lowry is too late to stop him and by going baseline he takes Dalembert out of the play. It's a one-on-one with Lee, and the 6-foot-5 shooting guard is just too small to stop Beasley.
With Beasley's length, athleticism and shooting touch he can be very effective slashing off the ball. The last play I have here is Beasley cutting in for an easy two points.
This play starts after an offensive rebound by the Timberwolves. The Minnesota player has the ball in the corner and is surveying the court. Beasley realizes A) that his defender is playing off of him and B) that the middle of the floor is wide open. Beasley cuts hard to the paint and gives his teammate an open target.
Beasley catches the ball as Dunleavy tries to recover and get back in front of him. However, Beasley is too explosive and keeps his momentum going towards the hoop.
Beasley again elevates and finishes over the top of both Dunleavy and the big man under the basket who tried to help.
Although Beasley is not so adept at creating offense off the dribble, he can be devastating when you get him on the move. His size and athleticism make him tough to stop. He's much more effective when he only has to use one or two dribbles to get to the rim.
Putting it all Together
There is no doubting Michael Beasley's talent. He's capable of heating up and dominating like no one else on this Suns roster.
However, for him to be that guy more often than he has been thus far it is going to take a joint effort by Beasley and the team. Alvin Gentry and Goran Dragic must put Beasley in position to play to his strengths, but Beasley also has to be willing to be used in that way.
If the Suns let Beasley stand out on the wing most of the game and just do whatever he wants, nothing will change. Asking him to create offense off the dribble on a regular basis is a recipe for disaster.
Beasley needs to do his work off the ball. He needs to get his shots in the post and on the move rather than on the wing. He needs to be a finisher more than a creator.
The ball-stopping and bad jump shots need to stop. There is definitely a place for Beasley in this new Suns offense, but Beasley has to be willing to make the necessary adjustments.
What say you Bright Side of the Sun? How will Gentry use Beasley? Will we see a new man, or the same old Beasley? The answers to these questions could be the difference between hope for the future and a disappointing season.


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Discussions about batteries often revolve around energy density. What we want is a battery that stores a whole lot of energy in a very tiny volume, preferably in a manner that doesn't involve explosions or fire. At the cutting edge of research, what we get are batteries that are a mix of amazing and amazingly bad.
Modern batteries are, quite frankly, a miracle compared to ye olde lead acid battery. Yet they still contain less energy per unit mass than the equivalent mass of wood. Essentially, we simply don't pack enough atoms into a small enough volume to compete with hydrocarbons. But, now it seems that graphene—it's always graphene—might help pack lithium in.
The invisible metal
Although there are many ways to make a lithium-ion battery, the chemistry boils down to the following: lithium is stored in some form at one electrode. The lithium is released as an ion, where it travels to another electrode and reacts. At the same time, the electrons that complete the reaction travel out into the world via one electrode, do some work, and end up at the other electrode, where they complete the reaction.
The key here is that the lithium is usually stored as a light and low-density lithium carbide. Finding materials that increase the density of lithium is one way to increase battery capacity.
Here is where battery research often runs into problems. Lithium is a very light element. Carbon, the other main constituent of a battery, is also a very light element. When viewed through an electron microscope, they look almost identical. That makes it very difficult to examine how lithium builds up at an electrode and makes it hard to see the variations in structures that it forms as it is stored (or how those structures come apart as it is removed).
It is worse than that, though. Electron microscopes usually use quite energetic electrons to create an image. The electrons have more than enough energy to knock carbon and lithium atoms out of the structure being examined. By the time you have created your image, you have destroyed the structure you imaged. Not ideal.
Enter a group of scientists with a transmission electron microscope that has been designed to work with low-energy electrons. The microscope still has sufficient resolution to see single atoms, so structures can be determined. By examining how much energy the electrons lose as they go through the sample, the researchers can also figure out the sample contents. Finally, the time it takes to gather the image is short enough (about one second) that the researchers can observe the build up and decay of structures as the battery is used.
A lithium sandwich
Since transmission electron microscopy requires that electrons pass through the sample, the carbon-lithium layer had to be very thin. The researchers chose to use a ribbon of a graphene double-layer (graphene is a single layer of graphene with the carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern). A blob of electrolyte-containing lithium ions was placed at one end of the graphene ribbon.
A series of electrodes were placed along the ribbon to measure and set voltages. The voltages were used to drive lithium into the ribbon and allow it to leave again. When lithium accumulates in the ribbon, the resistance drops, allowing a second set of electrodes to detect the presence of lithium.
The researchers don't say it, but I think they were quite surprised by what happened. The lithium moves quite rapidly in the gap between the two graphene ribbons. On the scale of their graph, lithium appears between the electrodes instantly. From the movie, it looks like it takes about 14s to travel 50 micrometers, which I think is shockingly fast.
The amount of lithium is also pretty surprising. By examining the structure and elemental composition, the researchers found that the lithium was not forming a lithium carbide, as expected. Instead, it was forming multiple layers of crystalline lithium with only the outermost layer binding to the carbon. But the metallic lithium was not in its usual form. Instead, the lithium forms a high-density state that is normally found at low temperature or very high pressure.
Don't get overexcited
This is quite interesting, and it may even prove useful. But not yet. For one thing, the high-density lithium only forms between two sheets of very nearly perfect graphene, not the sort of graphene that you can buy from a manufacturer. Indeed, near the edges of imperfections, the energy imparted by the electrons in the electron microscope was enough to boil off the lithium metal.
Even if we could get large amounts of high-quality, double-layer graphene sheets, there is no certainty that the lithium will diffuse as deeply as required during a charging cycle. It is pretty easy to imagine the first lithium ion building up in a clump that blocks the rest of the lithium from moving into the sandwich.
It is also not certain that the graphene survives the process for very long. This is one of the main problems with batteries involving metallic lithium: the electrodes destroy themselves over multiple cycles. We've no idea if graphene will last any longer than current electrode designs.
That said, the researchers are not presenting this as a battery-ready technology. Rather, it is an excellent example of how an experimental necessity has led to an interesting new set of observations that we will probably learn a lot from. And, if we are lucky, it will eventually help make batteries better.
Nature, 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0754-2 (About DOIs)

subset: commoncrawl


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TD Smart Homes Inc
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Paramus ( pə-RAM-əs) is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately 8 miles (13 km) west of Upper Manhattan. The Wall Street Journal characterized Paramus as "quintessentially suburban".As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 26,342, reflecting an increase of 605 (+2.4%) from the 25,737 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 670 (+2.7%) from the 25,067 counted in the 1990 Census.Paramus was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1922, and ratified by a referendum held on April 4, 1922, that passed by a vote of 238 to 10. Paramus was created from portions of Midland Township, which now exists as Rochelle Park. The name is usually said to be of Native American origin, derived from words meaning "land of the turkeys" or meaning "pleasant stream."Paramus has some of the most restrictive blue laws in the nation, banning nearly all white-collar and retail businesses from opening on Sundays except for gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores, and a limited number of other businesses.
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- 75% nylon, 25% lycra
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- Revolve Style No. VARR-WP121
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- Modeled in size S.
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Varley is a performance fashion and wellness brand for the modern woman. It was founded with the goal of creating a brand with quality and community at the very heart of everything it does. With headquarters split between London and Los Angeles, Varley draws inspiration from both to create collections that are highly technical in nature with an elevated yet understated aesthetic. It prides itself on creating products that women will come back to time and time again. The form and function of each piece has to support the modern-day multi-tasking lifestyle.
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Community, Nonprofits and Businesses sharing Information
April 12, 2014 to May 31, 2014 – Alling Memorial Golf Course, New Haven The First Tee of Connecticut works to Impact, Influence & Inspire young people across the state through its Life Skills Curriculum and the game of golf! Sign up this week for Spring Group Lessons… Organized by Mark Moriarty, Program Director | Type: spring, 2014, weekly, group, lessons, at, alling, memorial, golf, course
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Priscilla Handkerchief Top Bundle
The Priscilla Handkerchief top is the new "classy comfortable" top of the season! You'll find that the fit is spot on, and that your curves are in all the right places. Wear the shirt for a classy blouse, or as a comfortable garden top. With sleeves or tank options, this will be a favorite in your wardrobe. This handkerchief top is excellent to use during maternity and postpartum, as well as anytime to hide any tummy problem areas. The modest neckline will also keep you classy and comfortable.
This pattern is designed for use with knit fabrics.
All of these size ranges are available:
Priscilla Handkerchief Top Pattern
Sewing Level: Beginner!
The Priscilla Handkerchief Top Pattern Includes:
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- "Layered" simply means that you can choose to only print one size if you wish.
- Choose to print on size 8.5x11, A4, or send to a copyshop with A0
- Pattern pieces and tutorial for a long sleeve
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Don't worry about sewing with slippery fabrics or knits. I have a short video on the easiest way to fix frustrations that we all have with using knit fabric. Click here to view the video.
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Lace Eyelash Detail Zip-Back Mini Dress
Lace Eyelash Detail Zip-Back Mini Dress
- Type: Cocktail dresses
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- Material: 100% polyester
- Stretch: No stretch
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- Care instructions: Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low.
- Imported
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One size: length 34 in, bust 32 in, waist 26 in, hip 37 in
EillyBazar is the leading brand for young women's trendiest and most fashionable styles. They strive to provide the most unique styles with the best prices, allowing every woman to enjoy their online shopping experience.
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happy new year!
Since I didn't do any "Whats in my Earbuds" posts throughout my musical adventures I figured I'd kinda recap the year in terms of new music that I've been listening to, and my personal favorites. Now this isn't a "best of" because I just like what I like, and… of course you can tell ME what you think is best but that doesn't mean I'll agree, or vice versa. I mean, I'm not an authority. Just a girl with an opinion.
There was a LOT of decent material to hit the streets in 2012. And to be clear, by decent I mean it didn't absolutely suck. Pretty low bar set there right? Catchy tunes full of popular catchphrases, clever wordplay, solid vocals and/or lyrics. The issue at hand is that, most of it isn't very memorable.
This is the first time I've noticed that as music consumers, we listen to an album the entire leak week: the 4 or 5 days or so before it's in store release, maybe throughout the official release week, and by the time 15 days or so if that long have passed, we're off it. On to the next! This is a horrible for music consumption! But who's to blame? Maybe us fans for having short attention spans? But HOW did this happen? Has to be the ease of access via technology. We no longer have to WAIT to release day and go to a brick and mortar record store. EYE still buy CDs from time to time, but it's usually a purchase among other purchases at Target or Best Buy. Rarely do we make specific trips for albums anymore. I also blame artists for making such disposable music; for making mixtapes better than their actual studio albums, but that's another topic. Just save that material and put it on the album–I KNOW THATS SOOOO EASIER SAID THAN DONE, BUT LET ME VENT. Record labels should allow artist to be their creative selves and put out the music they REALLY want on their albums so they don't NEED mixtapes to do that. But I'm old and maybe I just don't want to accept this is the new way of life for artists. I don't need all these "mixtapes" though. I really don't.
Also, it must be noted that Spotify really got its burn in my life in 2012. I'm not so quick to download new projects anymore before previewing them on Spotify first. A couple artists don't want us to be great with Spotify–I'm looking at you Rihanna and Taylor Swift (yes I was curious to hear what the hype was about, not enough to dl or pay for it though 😛 )– and want to force you to buy their music–or you know, just not stream it. WHATEVS.
One of the highly anticipated releases in 2012 was Frank Ocean's Channel ORANGE. I had been a fan of his since Nostalgia/Ultra and wanted to catch him live in DC this year –but his show sold out in less than 48 hours. I wasn't very moved with his features on WTT to be honest. But I liked the previous "album" and the songs I've heard under his former moniker Lonny Breaux, so I definitely was looking forward to Channel ORANGE. "Thinking Bout You" was a song I immediately liked. I listen to albums in tracklisting order and on shuffle. I need to know if the music flows as formatted and if it also sounds good in the mix of their other projects and my other randomness. One thing about me when I love an album–I listen to it so much and its seems like every couple days or so I discover a new "favorite" song. My favorites on this album went in this order: Thinking Bout You, Sweet Life, Pilot Jones, Pyramids. I think I tweeted last week sometime how "Pyramids" still does it for me, well actually the whole album does. I'm not hyping him because its the "in" thing to do, but rather because I still listen to this album and rarely skip a song when they come on shuffle. Its solidified its place on my list.
Emile Sande: Our Version of Events
I have to thank a couple of my fellow musical girlfriends for putting me on to Emile. Its very rare that I just buy an album off iTunes willy nilly but I heard one song of hers and did that. That song was "Hope." I wanted more. I really really felt drawn to her vocals and at the time of this release it was all I listened to. Even now, when my music shuffles to any of these songs I don't hesitate to take them in. I also love "Clown" "Maybe" and "Breaking the Law"
Nas: Life Is Good
Oh Nasir, my homie, lover friend (in my head). We didn't think you could do it. Well, true fans KNEW you COULD, but we didn't think you would. You made a solid album with production that truly matched the lyricism. You made an album with just the right amount of features, allowing us to remember what we love about you, yet staying relevant. 2012 was definitely your year, sir. I actually regret not buying a ticket to see you in DC. Or going to stand with the groupies when you performed at The Park. Okay not really but I heard you were worth the price of admission at DAR Constitution Hall. Nas "The Don" "Bye Baby" " Black Bond" "Cherry Wine" obvious radio Swizz Beat joint "Summer on Smash" and all. I LOVE THIS ALBUM. whew!
Miguel: Kaleidoscope Dream
It began with the first Art Dealer Chic. As soon as I heard "Adorn" I knew it was a hit. Unfortunately its been played soooo much on radio, I've long been over it. I'm not sure if Miguel knew this would happen but I'm glad it's the first track on the album so you can skip it and move on with your life lol. When I heard "Use Me" on the Water Preview I knew then that Miguel was not playing around! "…All" reminds me of someone special and just the whimsical yet simple view of doing whatever makes you happy. Like the Frank Ocean album, this one provided weekly favorites. Without even listening to the album in its entirety, "Arch & Point" was my first fave–and actually the last song I blogged about before my hiatus. other favorites are "The Thrill" "Where's the Fun in Forever" and "Do You." Actually there is not a song I don't like…and while it has not topped his debut in my affinity, it lends nicely to his musical catalog.
Joss Stone: The Soul Sessions Vol. 2
This is a cover album like her 2003 debut. When I tell you the very first time I queued this up in Spotify I PARTIED at my desk at work. Classic soul jams by a SANGER. If you love classic music you'll love this album, I mean there is no way around it. Instant mood lifter! "The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)" is my favorite. I don't have much to say because it's not original music but that doesn't mean it's not great.
Kendrick Lamar: good kid MAAD City
I really wasn't checking for KDot much. I kinda explain that reasoning regarding new rappers later in the post but I heard Section80 and even though I enjoyed it, it wasn't like WOW he's my new favorite person. That is NOT to say it's not good, it's just that at the time I wasn't really in a space to really appreciate it. I'm moody with music as I am with life and maybe I was in a deep soul music mood. I can't call it. So when GKMC came out I'll admit I really hopped on it purely because of the buzz. And then I loved it!! It immediately gave me an Outkast ATLiens vibe. I appreciate the cohesiveness of the tracks and the story its telling. I actually felt like I KNEW Kendrick because of this. Concept albums aren't for everyone, and actually aren't always done well but I liked this a lot. Of course "Poetic Justice" was an immediate banger to me, sample alone. and yall know I "do" Drizzy. "Backseat Freestyle" "Sing About Me" "Swimming Pools" (a great lead single, btw) and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" round out my favorites.
Brandy: Two Eleven.
Miss Norwood came back on the scene with a banger! "Put it Down" was a bubble gum pop song that I didn't think suited her OR MY age– but I must admit in true radio spin fashion, it grew on me. Hands down my favorite single on the album is "Wildest Dreams." considering she just got engaged I'm gonna assume this song was written about her Beau. I'm happy for her like she's my big sis that after many ups and downs in love found the real thing. Other favorites include "Music" "Do You Know What You Have Here" "What You Need" and "Slower". The auto-tunesy vocals aren't really my thing, I wish she'd sang full out more on this album but I do appreciate the writing and production. very well done.
Honorable Mentions:
Keyshia Cole: Woman to Woman
you didn't expect this right? ha! me neither. Really, I've been down for Keyshia since she was singing she "changed her mind" with Kanye West. What can I say, I needed me a hood R&B chick to sice my life and she did it. Keyshia Cole is the kind of artist if you loved her first album, or even the second you kinda hoped she'd continue to put out quality R&B gems, and then she didn't. We were more familiar with her for her family drama and tv antics than her music. Her third album was actually pretty good to me, but I may be the only one that thinks so. The fourth? lets forget that exists. She became real sporadic giving in to typical features for radio spins but nothing really meaty enough or catchy or inspiring. And lets not make any mistake, Keysh is not a power vocal singer but she doesn't have to be. She just has to give me some gems that make me want to sing along to in the car. As soon as I heard "Trust and Believe" I knew she accomplished that. The album flows well and is typical relationship ups and downs but like I said, thats all I need from my homegirl. You also have to be impressed with her vocal improvement, well at least I am.Other favorites include: "I Choose You" "Wonderland" "Stubborn" and "Zero"
Melanie Fiona: The MF LIfe
So many people either really like Mel or really are indifferent. I like her. I enjoyed her debut and when MF Life came out I listened to it constantly. Then… I stopped. not sure why. Probably just going through the rigmarole of previewing new music and didn't come back to it. Mel can sing, and while I'm still not sure why she doesn't get the shine she deserves or isnt' marketed that well, this is a solid album. Every time I hear "Bones" I get chills. "Rock Paper Scissors" "The Wrong Side of a Love Song" and "I Been That Girl" yesss ma'am! I used to think Mel was boring until I saw her perform live. Now I know she's got the skills she just needs to work on her packaging.
Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio was really really good. Because of the R&B and hip hop features, I think it can be included in the genre. It's not an album I listened to much in recent months as it was released earlier in the year, but I have revisit it from time to time, and unlike many of the others mentioned, the music is timeless. I adore the cover of "Cherish The Day" by Lalah Hathaway which I was initially iffy on. Another favorite is "Ah Yea" with Chrisette Michelle and Musiq. I REALLY wanted a special appearance by one or both of these artist at the Glasper show I went to JUST to hear this song. ah well.
I pretty much listened to most if not all of the mainstream R&B and hip hop releases this year. I've heard Elle, Rozay, Usher, Alicia Keys, Lupe, Meek Mill, GOOD Music, etc. but none of these got super replay value in my life. Okay the first two have, but just not enough to be favorites. I have favorite SONGS on those albums, like "I Don't Care" is theeee best Elle Varner song to me. I enjoyed her album and her earlier mixtape Conversational Lush a lot. Her voice starts to grate on my nerves though. I appreciate her music more on shuffle, lol. Rick Ross isn't a favorite– not because it's not good, but because it sounds like everything else he's done and Teflon Don is the only album I'll claim as a favorite of his in my life. People are also telling me this Rihanna album is dope but eh… they all have started to run together too me. A new album every 9-10 months is WAY TOO MUCH. "Power it Up" knocks in the club though.
I admit that I stay in a particular lane with my regular spins just based on whats on my iPhone/iPod/iTunes, but this year I did branch out into other genres thanks to Spotify. Some days you just want to mix it up a bit and get out of the R&B or Rap lane. It wasn't all released in 2012 but I listened to A LOT of Quadron, Lana Del Rey, Kimbra, Gotye, Allen Stone, Gary Clark Jr. to name a few. And I'm still discovering more. My ears need something fresh and I'm enjoying the process.
This was also the year of the EP it seems like. I love any good music so I'll take it I guess, but 5-7 songs just don't do it for me! However a couple favorites were Solange's True and Daley's Alone Together. His cover of "Love is a Losing Game" is everything.
I will also admit I don't really listen to many "underground" rappers because… well I don't know why. This year has just been as I said before full of listenable but not memorable music. I lose interest quickly with rappers unless it's just remarkable to my ears. And I'm kinda lazy too. So unless someone (some of you?) drops a link directly on me I prob won't know where to look. or care to. I did recently listen to the latest Action Bronson joint though… and I checked out Dom Kennedy's Yellow Album and Long Live ASAP (both which I liked) and the latest offering from Pac Div. so that's something!
For 2013 off the top of my head I'm looking forward to the new projects from J. Cole, Jhene Aiko, Alice Smith, Justin Timberlake (a girl can dream right? I heard he's recording!) and actually The Dream. I think he has something coming out this year. I love that bitter black man music. lawd knows I do!
I know this was long. I'm sorry. I've had a lot to say, it been awhile. 🙂
What are your favorites from 2012? I listed studio albums but you can share mixtapes/EPs as well. What are you looking forward to this year?


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Saturday, June 22, 12:13 p.m. EDT: On Saturday morning, Judge Debra Nelson ruled that while the audiotape of the 911 call can be played during the upcoming trial, which begins on Monday, the findings of audio will not be admissable. CBS News reports that this decision will likely shorten the proceedings by one week.
Thursday, June 20, 3:32 p.m. EDT: A jury has been selected to decide if George Zimmerman is guilty of murdering Trayvon Martin. According to Raw Story, here are the stats: The six jurors are all women. Five are white, and one is Hispanic. All are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. That's right, in the racially charged case of the unarmed teen's murder, not a single person responsible for deciding on the outcome of the case will be African American.
Thursday, June 20, 11:02 a.m. EDT: After eight days of jury selection, during which 40 potential jurors have been culled from a group of hundreds, a final jury of six people will soon be seated in the second-degree-murder trial of George Zimmerman, the New York Times reports. Of that pool of 40 people, 27 are white. That, the Times reports, makes the group more racially diverse than Florida's Seminole County, where 4 out of 5 residents are white; and Sanford, where 57 percent of residents identify as white.
Wednesday, June 19, 12:39 p.m. EDT: Trayvon Martin's family has "every confidence" that a jury will convict George Zimmerman, a family attorney said today. Trayvon's family, including his mother, Sybrina Fulton, and father, Tracy Martin, have attended jury-selection proceedings in the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center over the past week. That process moves into its second phase today.
Tuesday, June 18, 10:57 a.m. EDT: As jury selection in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial continues, lawyers are looking to select jurors who can be fair and impartial despite what they know or believe about the case; they are also looking to root out the occasional "stealth juror" with a hidden agenda. That means spending about 30 minutes grilling each one. Reuters explains how that time-consuming process is unfolding.
Monday, June 17, 10:10 a.m. EDT: As jury selection in the murder trial of George Zimmerman resumes today for a second week, there's a heavy police presence provided by about two dozen uniformed officers who patrol the parking lots, surround an outdoor public gathering space and staff two separate security checkpoints, Reuters reports. However, inside the courtroom, most of the public seating has reportedly been vacant. The Martin family's attorney, Benjamin Crump, blamed that on the jury-selection process, which he said was as exciting as "watching paint dry."
Friday, June 14, 2013, 9:32 a.m. EDT: The jury in Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial will be sequestered for the period of time needed to try the case, the judge assigned to the case announced Thursday. She predicted that the trial would take two to four weeks once jury selection is complete, the Miami Herald reports.
Thursday, June 13, 11:33 a.m. EDT: Jury selection continues in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder case, and you can see all it live at NBC News.
Thursday, June 13, 9:21 a.m. EDT: After yesterday's jury-selection proceedings, Martin-family attorney Ben Crump said to reporters, "Trayvon Martin is not on trial here; he is the victim. George Zimmerman, his killer, is the man who is on trial." He also took issue with a comment made by former New York City police Detective Harry Houck Tuesday on a FoxNews.com live panel that Trayvon would be alive if he didn't have "street attitude." Crump called the remark "reprehensible and extremely reminiscent of the victim-blaming rhetoric we saw a year ago."
Tuesday, June 11, 8:44 a.m. EDT: On the first day of George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial, members of both his family and Trayvon Martin's told the court that they have received death threats, ABC News reports. "We have an issue with security," Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton, said yesterday. "We have decided that we would not wear bulletproof vests. Are we taking a chance with our lives? Yes, we certainly are, but we're putting our faith in God." Zimmerman's brother Robert Zimmerman also mentioned death threats his family has received when he addressed the court in the morning.
Monday, June 10, 2013, 7:28 p.m. EDT: Potential jurors met George Zimmerman on Monday before filling out questionnaires for the lawyers picking a panel that will decide if he's guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, NBC News reports. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to take about two weeks to find six jurors and some alternates. Five hundred people received summonses for the high-profile trial, and 100 of them reported on Monday.
Monday, June 10, 2013, 7:02 a.m. EDT: As jury selection begins today in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial, legal experts preduct that race may be a focus, ABC News reports. "Each side will try to stack the deck in their favor," said Jose Baez, who successfully defended Casey Anthony in 2011. "It's going to be an issue of what type of jurors will sit in the judgment of George Zimmerman. What political backgrounds do they come from? What are their views on racism? What are their views on gun control? All of these important modern issues that we're facing … and that's what jury selection will be about in this case." Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin in Florida, has claimed self-defense, and his attorney plans to portray the unarmed teen as a troublemaker.
Friday, June 7, 11:12 a.m. EDT: A new video from Trayvon Martin's cellphone publicly reveals his voice for the first time. Listen to it at ABC News.
Thursday, June 6, 11 a.m. EDT: At a hearing today, Judge Debra Nelson of Seminole County Circuit Court in Florida rejected a request from a lawyer for George Zimmerman to shield the identities of as many as seven witnesses at Zimmerman's upcoming trial, NBC reports. Attorney O'Mara said that the concerns of the potential trial witnesses included "personal concerns for their safety," but Nelson seemingly agreed with prosecutors who worried that it would be "alarming and confusing to a juror and might otherwise highlight their testimony when it shouldn't be highlighted."
Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 8:22 a.m. EDT: The 5th District Court of Appeal ruled yesterday that Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, must answer questions under oath from George Zimmerman's attorneys. The defense will have a right to depose Crump about his dealings with a woman who was on the phone with Trayvon moments before he was shot and is expected to be the state's most important witness, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Monday, June 3, 11:05 a.m. EDT: George Zimmerman's lawyers said on Sunday that a video found on Trayvon Martin's cellphone actually shows two homeless men fighting over a bicycle, not two of Trayvon's friends beating up a homeless man, as defense attorney Mark O'Mara described it in court last week. O'Mara described his mischaracterization in court as unintentional and said, "We have been committed to disputing misinformation in every aspect of this case, not causing it," the Los Angeles Times reports.
Wednesday, May 29, 6:13 p.m. EDT: George Zimmerman's defense fund is almost depleted, just under two weeks before the scheduled beginning of his second-degree-murder trial in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, the Huffington Post reports. Zimmerman's attorneys posted on their website Wednesday that the fund had less than $5,000 left. The fund had almost $315,000 in January.
Tuesday, May 28, 6 p.m. EDT: At a hearing today, U.S. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson ruled that George Zimmerman's defense will be barred from mentioning Trayvon Martin's marijuana use, history of fights or high school suspension during opening statements in Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial, which begins June 10. She also denied the defense's requests for more time to prepare for the trial. Read more at the Orlando Sentinel.
Tuesday, May 28, 9:54 a.m. EDT: Today Mark O'Mara, George Zimmerman's defense attorney, will ask U.S. Circuit Judge Debra Nelson to postpone George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial in order to assess whether voice-identification experts should be allowed to testify, and to allow the jury to learn about Trayvon's drug use, fights and school history. Watch the pretrial hearing live at NBC News.
Friday, May 24, 12:20 p.m. EDT: Photos and text messages provided by George Zimmerman's defense attorney have been added to evidence in his second-degree-murder case in the death of Trayvon Martin, the Chicago Tribune reports. The information, which was pulled from the teen's cellphone, includes images of plants that appear to be marijuana and a .40 Smith & Wesson handgun, as well as text messages that Trayvon wrote about being a fighter, smoking marijuana and quarreling with his mother. The prosecution says the evidence should be barred. Circuit Judge Debra S. Nelson may decide on this issue during a court date on May 28.
Tuesday, May 21, 8:10 a.m. EDT: Audio experts in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder case in the death of Trayvon Martin disagree about the source of the screams for help captured on 911 calls, the Associated Press reports. One audio expert says in a report released today that the screams came from Trayvon, while another audio expert says the shouts were a mix of Trayvon and Zimmerman.
Thursday, May 16, 7:04 p.m. EDT: George Zimmerman's wife, Shellie, who is facing a perjury charge (prosecutors contend that she lied during her husband's April 20, 2012, bond hearing when she told a judge they were broke), has filed a witness list in her case. The list includes her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, the couple who helped her husband set up a fundraising website and manage the money they received, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Tuesday, May 14, 12:41 p.m. EDT: Florida prosecutors on Monday asked a judge to block George Zimmerman's attorneys from presenting information about Trayvon Martin's troubles at school and his marijuana smoking at the trial for the former Sanford, Fla., neighborhood-watch volunteer, calling it irrelevant, according to WFTV. Prosecutors also moved to bar any social media screen names that Trayvon used, the contents of his text messages and his school records.
Thursday, May 9, 10:43 a.m. EDT: In a May Daily Caller op-ed, George Zimmerman's brother, Robert, asserts that the NAACP "thrives off racially divisive controversies" and accuses the organization of "spewing fabrications laced with racial innuendo." The piece doesn't mention his own explicitly racist Twitter tirade against "black teens," in which he linked Trayvon to a 17-year-old accused of killing an infant. Read more at Media Matters.
Wednesday, May 8, 12:14 p.m. EDT: George Zimmerman, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder for fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year, is challenging the expected use of a voice-recognition expert at his upcoming murder trial. Trayvon's family claims that a voice heard on 911 calls made by neighbors during the struggle is Trayvon's. But Zimmerman's attorney filed a motion asking for a hearing to determine whether testimony from the expert would be allowed, and arguing that it could confuse jurors, Fox News reports.
Read our last set of updates on the Trayvon Martin case here.
Read all of The Root's news and commentary about the Trayvon Martin case here.


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(COMMENT: I am not sure if this is more a work of religion or philosophy, but since it was connected to the Oracle of Delphi, and I wrote the comment in service to Apollo, I put my humble interpretation here. I shall post it in 3 parts.)
Based on the
147 Delphic Maxims
In the interpretation of
Gaius Florius Aetius
Sacerdos Apollon
I am not going to write any lengthy historical background of these Maxims. In the early days they were believed to have come from the God Apollo, later on they were ascribed to the Seven Sages of myth, though it may be both, maybe Apollo spoke through these Sages. Whatever the case, the 147 Delphic Maxims give an interesting insight in the wisdom and ethics of Antiquity.
I have purposefully avoided reading too much info about this. I prayed and meditated at the Shrine of Apollo I am tending, and wanted to comment on these Maxims uninfluenced by any other source, to look at them with a fresh eye, praying for inspiration of Lord Apollon and using my knowledge as practical Philosopher. So of course, some of the interpretations will differ from how a Historian with detailed knowledge will comment on the Maxims. But that was not the intend here to present a reflection on historic views, but how these sentences can inspire us.
When you go over the maxims, you will realize how often they have various levels of meaning, different ways to look at them, and sometimes meditating upon them, I found myself amazed how many levels of detail are hidden inside such short phrases. When Gods speak or inspire, we can only approximate to the idea, for the views of Gods are lofty. So I wrote down what I thought about each maxim after meditating and thinking over them, hoping to give the reader an angle to follow his own thoughts.
May Apollo grand you wisdom.
Gaius Florius Aetius
November 2770 AUC
1. Follow God (Επου θεω)
One can assume that the first sentence may be the most important, because if you have a message, a canon, a creed, you start with the most basic, most vital first. Both words, follow and God are chosen with great care, and it becomes more clear, when we see what is NOT said. Apollo speaks in the singular, God. Of course he does not refer to the monotheistic principle, or merely to himself, but the Platonic Idea of the Divine. It is vital to note, what is not said. It is not said, obey God. The Gods are apparently no power to enslave humanity, they are an ideal to follow. They inspire us and are regarded as Patrons. Follow the Divine. It is an advise, a good council, not a commandment, that is important, as it sets the tone of the entire Canon: Apollo comes to us with these Maxims as Adviser, as Guide and Councillor, not as overlord or commander.
2. Obey the law (Νομω πειθου)
This 2nd Maxim stands in contrast to the first. Obey the law. The law is man made; we give it ourselves, based on reason, under the guidance of the Divine, as agreement or contract among ourselves. That is how law was made in Athens and in the Roman Republic, later, and that is how we have to assume the concept of law here: as something man made. But once we agreed on it, once we set it in place, society is based on lawfulness. So it is not an advise, a law is something that binds us, or Civilization falls apart. It is like the tale of Romulus and Remus: once the line in the sand was drawn, it was no longer an arbitrary place, but the realm of law. Ignoring the principle of law, means to destroy civilization itself. Right after the guidance of the Gods, comes the importance of the law, like the Gods are arbiters of Civilization.
3. Worship the Gods (Θεους σεβου)
Here the duty towards the Gods is defined, it comes apparently in third order. After we are asked to seek the guidance of the Divine, and to obey the man made laws, we are asked to bring worship to the Gods. In the Roman Religion, the Cultus is defined by the maxim "do et des" - I give so you give. It is a relation of a contract and of cooperation. That is what worship means to the Roman Cultor: find a connection to the Gods, with the Cultus as a formalized basis of give and take. The Gods guide and council, we give offerings and pray in respect.
4. Respect your parents (Γονεις αιδου)
Naturally very high ranking is, right after Gods and Laws, our relation to our parents. The family is the core of any society, of any civilization. The relation of parents and children is the primordial system of order. The parents: caring, protecting, commanding, loving, being just; the children: respectful, obedient, trusting, loyal. It is not a set of equals. Your Parents sacrificed so you came to exist and you had the chance to grow, and as such we owe our parents respect. This difference of status is of importance to understand and to be able to accept, for it is the foundation of all societies. Without filial love, society will end in chaos. It means to be able to be grateful, to be able to follow the wiser and the senior, in the broader sense. Even if you find you have harsh, cruel or depraved parents, you may wisely distance yourself from them, of course. But they will always be your parents and as such deserve your childlike respect.
5. Be overcome by justice (Ηττω υπο δικαιου)
Being overcome by justice seems at first as a strange wording. The Maxims of Apollo are all brief, as the God wanted to put as much information into a short sentence, and be as clear as possible. Overcome by justice seems to insinuate that justice is something that we do not naturally follow; by heart, we are all selfish beings, often first and foremost being driven by our own individual desires. And that is not wrong, but we have to open ourselves to the idea of Justice, which can transcend or purify the egotism and enable the common good, the Res Publica, the society where all benefit from. It also puts the emphasis on you: give yourself to justice, for it is all too common that people demand justice from others, but never subject themselves to it. So the wording hints that one is to practice justice by becoming a just person yourself, first.
6. Know what you have learned (Γνωθι μαθων)
Learning is important, and we learn through many different ways. By intellectual schooling, by watching others, by the examples from history, and through failure of course. But alas, in the everyday haste of life, all too quickly we forget what we have learned. The knowledge and wisdom is there, we have heard it, but what good is such wisdom, when we forget it at the most important time? That demands intellectual training, training to be aware of what is going on, and to take the time, not to be taken over by a hasty stream of events, that makes us forget and ignore what we know. If you remain calm and focused, you can remember that, what you have learned, and act right in the time of crisis.
7. Perceive what you have heard (Ακουσας νοει)
This 7th Maxim is closely tied to the 6th; both speak of variants of awareness. They have similar form, and cover a similar topic. While the 6th Maxim deals with knowledge of which we are aware – the inner awareness – the 7th Maxim refers to the outer awareness: Perceive, listen. Only if we look both inward and outward, can our understanding truly grow. We must not only be full with knowledge and information, we must listen and perceive. That will put knowledge in place and help us correct false perspectives. Observe the world. Listen and Perceive.
8. Know (or Be) Yourself (Σαυτον ισθι)
This is probably the most well known of the Delphic Maxims, Know Yourself, or also Be Yourself. Knowing yourself and Being yourself are here one and the same, or, two expressions of the same idea. If you look at the former two maxims, looking inward in knowledge and being aware of the world around you, you can then as the next step develop an understanding of who you are, and what your place in the world is. In the teachings of Platonism and Stoicism it is assumed that people have a sort of a True Nature, and we can find inner peace, when we understand and follow this Inner True Nature, when we refine it. Knowing yourself and being authentic are the true pathways of the Light. Thus the Eighth Maxim is one of the most vital ones: if you do not know yourself, every other understanding is dimmed to you.
9. Intend to get married (Γαμειν μελλε)
I really like the subtlety of this maxim. Intend. It is, again, not a commandment, it is an advise. Since only a God or an Animal can live alone, we should form bonds, and marrying a partner is the most sacred and intimate bond, so seeking a partner for your life, a loved one to marry, is something everyone should intend. But, sometimes, despite our best efforts, it does not work out. So here is no blame put at your feet. It is the advise of a God, who means well: try your best to get married.
10. Know your opportunity (Καιρον γνωθι)
Opportunity is very capitalistic term, and it is fascinating and refreshing that such a maxim is so high on the list to belong to the first ten. Life is full of chances, of opportunities. You can seek them, sometimes they come to us, but often we miss the chance, because we are not aware, we are too busy with too many things. That is what makes the difference between a very successful and a regular person: the people of great success have a high awareness of opportunities. Life is always to a degree, what you make of it. Sure, there are elements of destiny, both given by the Gods and then by the biological limitations of your inherited body. But beyond that, there are always possibilities, chances to make something. We are not supposed to remain in the perspective of a slave or a victim of the doings of others. No, we have opportunities, chances, and we must be aware of them and use them. Apollo does not advise a life of passive idleness, but of activity, of seeking opportunities and making the best of them, to live a worthy life.
11. Think as a mortal (Φρονει θνητα)
At first, it feels like this sentence is a bit putting one down. But then, the reality is that our lifetime as mortals is limited. Apollo is a God who values frugality. All too quickly we idle away time, we feel like we have endless time. When we are young, we think so especially. But we are mortals. So we must look at the quality of the time we spend. Do you waste your time with mindless and wicked people? People who only drag you down or waste your time with idle gossip? Or do you rather seek worthy company to spend your limited lifetime with? That does not mean we should run from any difficulty. Often we can achieve things only by facing challenges. But we must do so aware of what we want, and what is within our grasp. Do not waste the time given to you, for it is not endless.
12. If you are a stranger act like one (Ξepsilon;νος ων ισθι)
Being a guest where you are not at home, demands that you act with special care. When at home, you can do as you please, for it is your home. But out in the streets we are strangers all to another, and when we visit someone, we do so by the graciousness of our host, and we have to behave. Be calm and humble; things outside of your own realm do not belong to you. You have no right upon them. While the streets outside may belong to the public, nothing here is for your private fancy. You are not alone, but you have to share the public space with everyone else, so train yourself to speak soft, to walk with care and respect, and not grab everything, as if it were yours. When you are guest in another one's house, be aware of it. Likewise, if you enter a foreign country, adapt to the habits and do not disturb the people, for you are there only through the goodwill of them.
13. Honour the hearth [or Hestia] (Εστιαν τιμα)
The Hearth and the fire were in ancient time the centre of the house. And while for us the modern kitchen no longer has this central role, we are advised to have an awareness of respect to all aspects connected to it. The hearth is the place of cooking. So what we eat and drink is stored and prepared for the meal. Hestia, or in Rome Vesta, is the great Goddess of the Hearth, and the Sacred Fire of it. Call her regularly to bless your house. Today we may do so with candles, which always create a very soothing atmosphere. Honouring Vesta and being aware of the sphere of food and drink are equally prudent. Look that you eat and drink healthy, and with good measure. Do not fill yourself with cheap and bad food, just for the lust, but honour your bodily needs. You may have a feast, enjoy wine or beer, cake or anything that is pleasurable, but in good measure. Honour the Goddess of the Hearth but also honour yourself by putting awareness into your eating and drinking.
14. Control yourself (Αρχε σεαυτου)
Pythagoras said, a person without self-control can never be free. Too easily people become slaves of their own passions, their own emotions. That is not to say passion and emotions are bad. They make life rich, but one should not become a slave to his passions. Learning to control the passions is the first thing the child gradually learns, and it is a course we have to follow through our lifetime. Lust and Greed, Wrath and Hate, all such passions can quickly overcome us, and then lead us to paths which are no longer to our benefit. Being able to control yourself thus, is what makes the Gentleman, or Gentlewomen; it enables you to achieve, that what you truly want, instead of being a wanton slave to your emotional ups and downs.
15. Help your friends (Φιλοις βοηθει)
It is not really an advise that needs much comment. Bonds of friendship are important, for as it is said, you can chose friends, but not family. Friends are not only there for kind words, but to stick together when push comes to shove. It should however, not be a free pass to manipulate people. A friend is not a slave to someone else's whims. Help is what you decide to give, not what someone obliges you to give.
16. Control anger (Θυμου κρατει)
Seneca the Stoic philosopher wrote extensively about the harm of anger. And indeed, it is only a hindrance. If you need to punish someone rightfully, it should be justice that guides us, not anger. Anger blinds us, we become slaves to anger and often act way over the top. It is not that you are not allowed to be angry, but you are advised not to be controlled, but control it yourself. It is also a habituation. If you often give into anger, the more likely it becomes your master, and the more you train yourself to control it, the more calm and reasonable you can act.
17. Exercise prudence (Φρονησιν ασκει)
To be prudent means to be careful, but also think, to act intelligently. The wise person will always be careful in the things he does. Otherwise he would be reckless and endanger others and himself. This is not to say one has to be a coward, on the contrary. Daring has its time and place. But even then, one has to reflect before. You have only so many means, so much skill, and you must weight these against the situation at hand, otherwise you act in the hubris of powers, you do not have. The opposite of prudent action is hubris, you take more that you can bear or manage. Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves, indeed. But that is a reaction to extreme and strange situations, not a rule for everyday life. Often enough the prudent, the careful and the planning outsmart and defeat the powerful and reckless, who have no patience.
18. Honour providence (Προνοιαν τιμα)
Providence is a difficult topic to cover. What is destiny? How can we be sure? Honouring providence means, not to act lightly with the idea. There are events and people who are destined to be or to unfold. There are times, even in the smallest life, which have a power of destiny, of providence; a chance is given to you, an opportunity or challenge, and your decisions will shape you or the life around you. Not all moments are equal of impact and quality. Sometimes we spend years in learning, training ourselves, and then a fleeting moment of divine providence tests our ability and our insight. And then we waste it away, or we are up to the task, and one way or the other, a new road is set in your life. Be grateful for such moments of challenge and always train your mind and your skills to be up to such moments. Honour the moments of trial by becoming the best you can be.
19. Do not use an oath (Ορκω μη χρω)
It is a very old motif that we are warned against swearing an oath. An oath is a sacred bond, guarded by the Gods themselves, and who swears thoughtless, will bring great calamity upon himself. Oath-breakers are always the most harshly punished, for civilization itself depends on everyone keeping an oath, and speaking honest under oath. But who can know his self from tomorrow? Can you know what you want next month, next year? What will be? You know not. So, do not swear at all. Say yes, or say no. Be aware of your limitations as a mortal. You are not wise enough to know all things, so how can you swear standing on the quicksand of eternal change? Nay, swear you not at all.
20. Love friendship (Φιλιαν αγαπα)
It is interesting that Apollo would bring a second sentence about friendship just so quickly. Friendship has been a motif of greatest importance even in the oldest human myth and stories, like Enkidu and Gilgamesh, the old Sumerian tale of two friends. Often men regarded their male friendship even in higher regard than their wives; for friends of the same gender are bound by special understanding, being similar, and going through the same trials and issues together. So was the bond of warriors for example, men who faced deadly trials together, but also friends in spiritual development, where people go deep in the inner realms and share them with people of confident. It is not good that someone should live alone, so seek worthy and good company, ease the life of others by being their friend and strife to become worthy of being a friend to others.
21. Cling to discipline (Παιδειας αντεχου)
A person without discipline may have great intentions, but he will carry out nothing. And then what are all your good intentions worth, if you finish nothing which you start? When you do not plan and just randomly go hither and thither? So do not be wasteful, but focus on what you really want to achieve. What is it you really desire to manifest in life? So often people want many different and opposing things, and they reach little or nothing, where one who focuses on a few things, or one thing, may achieve much. Too many people look for example at great artists and marvel, oh what great talent did they have! What a foolish thought! Most of what they achieved was through hard work, diligence and discipline; they trained and improved themselves and their skills, and only through that did they accomplish great works.
22. Pursue honour (Δοξαν διωκε)
Honour is one of the most difficult ideas to grasp. For many people think of something else, when they think of honour. Some say, it is the good name, and when someone slanders you, he or she damaged your honour; but I do not think so. Honour is what you do, for true honour is not diminished if nobody knows, nor would it be true honour when you get praise for something you falsely claim. The Gods see your actions, and only actions count. You can hold speeches and say idle words what you plan and desire, but only the test of action proves what sort of person you are. Your actions define your honour! Not your idle words, and not the petty words of others. Let thine actions speak for you!
23. Long for wisdom (Σοφιαν ζηλου)
The wise man is he who seeks wisdom. I find it remarkable that Apollo tells us to long for wisdom, for here it is the path that counts, more than any achievement we can name. Who can define what wisdom is? We seek it, we develop it, let it grow. We can study the sages of old, the philosophers, and indeed it is prudent to listen to the great minds who were there before, to seek many different views to broaden our horizon, lest you become slave of one dogmatic view. With training, one day you yourself can turn into a teacher. And teaching others will teach you things, as well. Without wisdom all the strength and power of the world will be useless to you, for you will not know where and how to apply your powers, you will fall to ill council. Seeking wisdom should therefore be among the highest aims of anyone.
24. Praise the good (Καλον ευ λεγε)
Praise the good, oh an easy word, and yet too often forgotten among men! How sad is the nature of many, that they are all too quickly to open their mouth, when something goes wrong. When another makes a mistake, look how fast we are ready to speak up, to criticize and to condemn! But when things are good, we take it all for granted in the shortest time. Much that is good in life, is the hard work of other people. People in the past who built your world, people in the present around you. Praise the good. It is such a small thing, and yet it can make the world so much better, this small gesture of being thankful, to praising that what is good.
25. Find fault with no one (Ψεγε μηδενα)
This seems like a very high demand. How can we find fault with no one! But then, it is said that our focus influences our life. And look how many focus on the flaws of others, the shortcomings. So quickly they are ready to slander, to drag down, and especially in public. See the good in others. Learn to give trust, and people can improve and prosper. To the sceptic, the critic and cynic, all people are fools and thieves, and over time their view will manifest as reality. But give people credit, and see how they grow! And have we not been given the benefit of the doubt time and again? Even when it were small things, maybe we didn't even notice. Assuming always the worst, that everyone is a scoundrel is the easiest thing to do. And it will drag you down and everyone around you. Lifting up people by believing in them, that is the hard way. Your focus influences your life, so focus on the good, and not on the faults in people.
26. Praise virtue (Επαινει αρετην)
Praise virtue – in what way does that differ from "praise what is good"? Good is many things; what is useful in relation to you. That was a maxim focused more on the concrete: people, events, developments. Virtue however is an ideal, something that is never reached, but always aimed for. So praising virtue means, to speak up about what is virtuous. It is more an abstract thing, in contrast to praising what is good, which refers to concrete, manifested things, virtue refers to what is not manifested, but what you aim for. Justice, Mercy, Discipline, Honour, Humility. These are never perfected, they are not so much concrete things, but ideals. Even if some ideal is so high, we know we can never achieve it in perfection, like for example Justice, we praise the idea, we promote it. Speak about what is right.
27. Practice what is just (Πραττε δικαια)
It is not enough to speak up about virtues, we have to practice them, or we would only be charlatans and sophists. Justice, like Virtue, has no clear and simple concept to be defined by. So it is something we seek to understand all our lifetime. Someone else may think of what is just very different than you, and so you need to listen to the other. You can not push Justice as if it was your right only! Justice is what is equal to all, and it said that Lady Justice is blind; she does not judge you based on any exterior description, but only and alone through the merit of your actions. If you demand justice only for yourself, you are not just at all. Practice to be just to everyone, for only if you act just to all alike, is it truly justice; otherwise it would only be favouritism and corruption.
28. Be kind to friends (Θιλοις ευνοει)
Kindness is a small thing, and yet it betters the world in limitless ways. We take so many things for granted, until they are gone. Even if someone just does his job, thank him. Even when it is something trivial, be kind. The world is moved through the sum of many such small actions, so be mindful of the small actions. If you are cruel or cold in small things, it will add up; it will sour someone else, who may be more unkind in turn, and step by step the world turns darker. But often can you see people are lifted up, when you act kind and polite even in small things, words of thank you and please, excuse me and you are welcome. If your life is a fountain, filled by many small drops, ask yourself: what drops did you fill in day by day? Kindness and good nature, or anger and spite? Be mindful, be kind.
29. Watch out for your enemies (Εχθρους αμυνου)
That you are kind and see the good in others should, however, not blind you to bad people. There are people who, for whatever reason, are harmful to you: either because they desire the same you have, or just because who you are is antithetical to them. So while you focus on good, you must understand there are people who are unkind and mean, who enjoy cruelty and dragging down others. Being nice should not make you naive and blind. We focus on the good and the productive, but we are ready to stand up for ourselves in the face of enemies and slanderers. Let no one attack you unguarded, for you have the right and the duty to defend your name, your integrity and your freedom. There lies no virtue in suffering harm, when you can protect yourself. Defend yourself, when you are attacked, for not doing so would just encourage a lowlife to continue his ways more and to others just as well. Hindering the enemy, without wrath and fanaticism, but proportionate and with determination is necessary and righteous.
30. Exercise nobility of character (Ευγενειαν ασκει)
The noble character is build by exercise. Character is not something that is given to you, or something you can decide upon, it is built, over time. A noble character is one who acts like a gentleman – or gentlewomen. One who is not slave of his passions, but neither cold and apathetic. One with sympathy, but does not fall into childish emotions. One who is firm but not harsh; decisive, but not stubborn; one who acts in grandeur of thinking and humble politeness. It is not an easy task to be explained in few words. Being noble is something you can learn; as you can develop character. But these things have to be exercised. Especially in children. We have to teach our children these things early on, then it will more likely endure. A person with noble character will be pleasant to others, but not common. He does his own way, but is not isolating himself. The noble character is a lifelong challenge, and we are obliged to teach this our children, or they will become gross, spoiled people as adults, and their lives will be all the harder.
31. Shun evil (Κακιας απεχου)
It is said that a person of good character shuns people of bad character. When you can chose your company, avoid bad people, for the company you chose will either elevate you or drag you down. This is of course especially the case with evil people and criminals, but it goes down to more mundane things: negative people, who drag everyone down, people who are always sarcastic and value nothing, people who love to mock, and without any respect have to slander people. Beware people who are so mean spirited, even when it seems like small things. Over time it may drag you down to their level, or at the best they drain you of energy you need to get back to a more positive level. Learn to identify people who drag you down, either confront them about it, or, should that be fruitless, avoid their company. Shun bad people.
32. Be impartial (Κοινος γινου)
It is said that the root wisdom, knowledge and justice is impartiality. If you are unable to be impartial, you can achieve neither of these. Now of course, none of us is able to be perfectly impartial, for we all are driven by needs and fears, some we are aware of, others we do not know. But like virtue, impartiality is a goal, an ideal we aim for as best as we can. We must learn to see ourselves form the outside, how others see us. At one time we may understand we are not as grand as we see ourselves, but it may also be we are overly critical with ourselves, were others see flaws much less, or some we may even just imagine. Be impartial to knowledge, to information. Try you best to see everything you hear and see first from a neutral point of view. You then still can follow your own interests, but if you are confined to your know own interests only, you are blinding yourself to the bigger picture, and ultimately you will be more likely to make mistakes. Cultivate impartial thinking.
33. Guard what is yours (Ιδια φυλαττε)
This is a warning, that we should not be blind to risk and danger, even when we are people of goodwill and trust. The idea of "what is yours" has a more extensive meaning than merely your material property. You have your interests, you intellectual property, your dignity. All these things shape and make you, and it is prudent and just to look after your interests. Being good does not mean you have to give away all that is yours and thus ruin yourself through unlimited generosity and kindness. It is too often the misunderstood zeal of being good, whereby people ruin themselves; they give all away, open their doors to strangers and find themselves robbed for the foolish trust. The wise man looks after his interests and his belongings.
34. Shun what belongs to others (Αλλοτριων απεχου)
In reverse, do respect the property and interests of others. Just as you have the right on what is yours, so they have it for theirs. Society functions in balance, when both sides are respected. The righteous does not take away what belongs to others. Too easy we fabricate justifications why we are entitled to the belongings of others, and is a nefarious thinking. All societies require a certain balance and an avoidance of extremes, and there is a common good, but that is a matter of agreement, not robbery, a trade, if you will. There is a fine line, especially in matter of the state, and many will think this line lies differently. The property is a sacred right, which we should never violate as individuals, and for the Common Good only after the most thorough reflection and debate.
35. Listen to everyone (Ακουε παντα)
The sage hears everything and listens to all. Wisdom and insight often comes from small things and simple people. Learn to understand different ways than just your own, and you will broaden your horizon. Know what is alien to you and the pathway of the stranger, so your wisdom and justice can grow. Only the fool thinks he knows it all, already. No person is so wise, to need no council, to be above learning new things. It is proper humility that you have time and an open ear for everyone, low and high. The petty, who listens only to his own, or to his underlings, will bury himself in his own folly and short-sightedness. Be open minded, give everyone an ear.
36. Be (religiously) silent (Ευφημος ιοθι)
Be silent, or be silent in religion. Silence is a spiritual quality. We all are so talkative, so in love with our own voice and our own words. The wise avoids this, he hems his words, and speaks less, so what he says has the greater impact. The sage knows to explain things in few words, while only the fool needs many words to explain himself. Wisdom is often, to know when not to speak. Often we break friendships, loves and positive developments, because we speak up too early. Untimely speech can cost you. Also in religious matters: better few words, than endless litanies. The Gods will listen to you, if you are serious, not because you make many words. They will look at your actions, more than what you proclaim you will do. There is also the element that in religious rite, we are supposed to be attentive. Whether you deal with the Gods or your fellow men: silence allows you to listen.
37. Do a favour for a friend (Φιλω χαριζου)
Favours have always been a thing of great importance in Antiquity, especially in Rome. Do ut des, I give so that you give, is the maxim of the Roman Religion. But also the social life between people falls under this maxim. We do a favour, and gain a favour, even if it may just be friendship, kindness or a thankful person. There is a difference between help and a favour. Help is free, but favours have to be repaid, that is what keeps society going, therefore it may be prudent to do rather less, do give rather smaller, lest you put the other in shame, if he cannot do the favour back in the same measure. And aren't it often small favours through which we find the best friends? Buying a friend a beer, thinking of someone's birthday, inviting someone for a dinner. Small favours are easy to give, and since they are small, they put people less under strenuous obligation. Keep your friendships alive through small gestures as such.
38. Nothing in excess (Μηδεν αγαν)
Nothing in excess, or "All in Moderation" is one of the most well known of the Delphic Maxims, and sort of the heart of the virtues of Apollo. The great Aristotle wrote at great length about the principle of moderation as a guideline to pragmatic virtue. Guided by such a virtue one will act out of principle, but he will also heed the outcome, and will refrain of zealous puritanism. Even goodness itself must be moderated, for a man who relentlessly speaks the truth may be cruel or unsocial; a man who always demands exact justice, may be seen as selfish or pernickety. Look not only at rules for the sake of rules, but understand that rules serve us, serve the common good, and not we serve the rules, for all rules and systems are man made, and we must seek to be wise and balanced in any approach. Over-zeal, even when someone is in the right, can easily destroy rather that which one seeks to preserve. Also in your pleasures. Enjoy life with all the pleasures it offers, but keep healthy moderation. Balance is the key to wisdom.
39. Use time sparingly (Χρονου φειδου)
This is another suggestion to be efficient in your doings. Do not idle time away or procrastinate endlessly. Duties, especially painful ones, do not get easier the longer you wait, often on the contrary. Think of a painful medical issue, which grows worse the longer you wait, and so with many affairs we delay. While there is a time for leisure and relaxation, we have our time as mortals, so be mindful and think how you want to spend that limited time. Time is fleeting, and all too soon passed away, and then what have to done with the time given? But that also means, that you do not let others rob your time without end. While it may sound harsh, there are people who just steal our time, they ask you many things, but never really learn; they want to debate, and yet they never really want a true dialogue, but only push their own view upon you. People can steal your time in many ways, and you must learn to be aware, when someone wastes your time. Treat the time you are given as a great treasure.
40. Foresee the future (Ορα το μελλον)
The fool lives only in the here and now, the sad man lives only in the past, but the wise and the hero look toward the future. What chances they have, what opportunities, what they can manifest in the future. Now while it is wise to appreciate the moment and to ponder the past, people can easily get lost in both. There are those, who dwell only in the past; mostly sad and negative, they see only the good that was, and gradually develop an apathy that undermines all their efforts. And then others are fools. They live only for the pleasures and the trivialities of the present; they are like little children, unaware of the consequences of their actions. And even in the ways you do not act, it will have consequences. The wise person takes responsibility for the future. See what you do now, tend to difficulties while they are small, solve problems now, before they grow larger tomorrow. Think of the consequences.
41. Despise insolence (Υβριν μισει)
Politeness, good manners make the man, or the woman too. No matter how harsh you may struggle with a competitor or even an enemy, a sense of manners, of limits you do not overstep, is vital for society to function. Manners are not superficial; people can not look inside your mind, so the gestures of good form show your respect, your good upbringing. Insolence, bad manner, rude behaviour, being gross is averse to the wise and the good. Practice good manners, respect and humility, and avoid the insolent.
42. Have respect for suppliants (Ικετας αιδου)
Everyone may fall out of luck, no matter what the reasons are. For some it is ill fortune, others were pressured and put down by those stronger than them, and some may also have brought themselves into calamity by folly. It does not behove the gentleman to look down on the pleading. Look at their request with generosity and fairness. Give people who fell a chance, for that too shows your great character. You are as great as you are able to respect those below your status. Only the fool looks down on others.
43. Be accommodating in everything (Παςιν αρμοζου)
Do not always insist in your right to the full extend. You may be in the right, but people who always push their advantage, who never compromise, become the people who are soon hated by everyone. Your right is your right, and you do well to stand up for it. But there is a point where you only see your own interest, and create endless numbers of fanatic enemies. Be generous. The great person can allow an exception to rules now and then, giving people a breathing room, and they may rise out of their own aspiration, whereas the rule-monger can suffocate all initiative, and will in the end only be surrounded by fearful cronies.
44. Educate your sons (Υιους παιδευε)
We knew the old days were societies were most the education of the sons counted, but we can quite well translate the idea in modern times that people should care for the education of their children of either sex. Education is so much more that just pumping knowledge into young minds. It means to raise a proper and independent person. Do not neglect the classic education! History, Philosophy, especially the Sages of Old! For in their knowledge lies deep and useful insight. Let your children learn the classics again, and they learn intellectual tools to master their life. That is the greatest gift you can give your children, far beyond any material or purely intellectual things you give them. Educate them in the ability to learn!
45. Give what you have (Εχων χαριζου)
The great man is always the generous man, not the miser. Be mindful of the calamities of the less fortunate, help up the fallen, reach out to those who are alone. Cicero writes about the necessity of generosity and compassion at length, though it should always aim to empower the people you help to help themselves! It should not aim to keep them dependent. Also understand, people fall ill, people get old, such is the lot in life. Be compassionate and give to those who are needy, for that is the way of the Light and the virtue of Apollon, and the Gods shall look pleased upon you!
46. Fear deceit (Δολον φοβου)
Of all the great evils, lying and deceit are among the worst, for without the knowledge of truth, we are aimless and can not make any decisions, so if you lie to another, it is like you destroy a part of reality. If you deceive others, you become a person who cannot be trusted, a quicksand in which everyone is endangered to fall. Fear deceit, for the liar and the deceiver have the friendly face often, while who is truly your friend may say, what you do not like to hear, whereas the deceiver always seems nice and friendly to your face, while he mocks you in front of others. Therefore be mindful of the mocker: as he mocks others to you, he mocks you to others.
47. Speak well of everyone (Ευλογει παντας)
Encouraging others can motivate them to do more. People these days are often starved just for a friendly word, and it makes your day so much better, when someone says a good word to you. Focus on the positive, encourage people and reinforce what is good in people around you, and you will see people grow.
48. Be a seeker of wisdom (Φιλοσοφος γινου)
Philosophy means literally "lover of wisdom". We who learn philosophy are seekers, we are not people who "are wise", but we love and seek wisdom. It is a process, not something that is ever finished or completed. Only that makes a person truly wise: know you are on an endless journey, a road, a search, but you do not have not a finial answer which is at some point complete. It is like the saying of Socrates, I know that I know nothing, and so I know more than those who don't know they know nothing. Be a seeker.
49. Choose what is divine (Οσια κρινε)
The divine is waiting for you, it is there for you to reach out to it, but you must do the act of choosing. The Gods do you force themselves upon you. If you neglect them, they just retreat. The Divine comes in many forms, and who can say whose way is more true. The Gods are mysterious, and so every Polytheist will accept the Gods of every other, even when they are alien to himself. Put the Divine into your life, let it not just be an arbitrary duty, but something that becomes part of your life, to seek its guidance, to be close to the Divines, and they will guide you in turn.
50. Act when you know (Γνους πραττε)
What worse sin could there be, than acting against your better knowledge, than to reject the truth, because it is uncomfortable, because it does not fit to your prejudices? Act when you know what to do. Do not dawdle away when things must be done! Act when, implies timely action, so there is a time for everything. Be quick. Be decisive. If you wait, often other people or events will decide for you. Seeking intellectual knowledge is one thing, but we also need to act on what we know, and act in time. If you wait too much, too often the opportunity to act is past altogether! Act when you know in time.


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In the latest news on space exploration, NASA's Mars rover found what looks like the image of a Great Pyramid found back on Earth. The images are part of a series of anomalies found on the Red Planet. This May 7 "pyramid" image has stargazers believing that intelligent life exists or once thrived on Mars.
In a June 20 report, ExoPolitics said NASA's Curiosity Rover discovered a large triangle-shaped stone structure that conjures up images of pyramids. While the exact size of the Mars sighting is unclear – some suggest the image could be an outcropping of rocks made to resemble the familiar formation, a grave marker or even a "capstone."
More in depth look from WhatsUpInTheSky37
Others say it rivals the size of a small car. Theories abound that suggest the peak is just the tip of a much larger structure buried by layers of strewn debris.
User, ParanormalCrucible, hosts the video footage of the Mars pyramid on YouTube. Reportedly, Curiosity Rover's Mastcam on its right side took the photo. What stands out about the photograph is the symmetry. A telltale sign that differentiates a natural formation from a manmade one is its angles and lines.
In this case, the pic resembles smooth angular shapes that are equivalent in scope. Further still is the fact that the original timeframes spanned over 20 to 30-second intervals. But moments later, the operators of the NASA rover omitted any images of the so-called pyramid taken by Curiosity.
Conspiracy theorists claim this is further evidence from the space program of its deliberate attempts to cover up any evidence of life forms on Mars – present or past. They point to other images that emerged over time.
One such was a Global Surveyor Image from 2000 that depicted the base of a "flying saucer" that is nestled on a cliff, and has no discernible damage. Again, symmetry offers a hint. Allegedly, this spacecraft had what appeared to be observation windows.
As stated by previous NASA employees, the agency operates under a veil of secrecy, and much of what really is taking place on Mars and other planets is shielded from many workers, except those on a need-to-know basis. There are even stories from past staff members who claim to have knowledge of covert Martian programs and space bases.
It's unclear if what the rover Curiosity found on the dusty planet is an artificial creation or an alien pyramid. However, one thing is clear: there will be no shortage of pessimists who believe the government is covering up evidence of life, perhaps, even in galaxies far, far away.
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Oakland County Medical Examiners expect to complete the autopsy today of a body found in Montrose Township on Friday — the body that police said they believe to be the Troy father who has been missing the past two weeks.
Authorities say they believe 55-year-old Patrick Mikes Sr. was killed by his son Patrick Mikes Jr. in the family's basement in late July, then was transported to Montrose.
Troy Police said they found evidence of a violent altercation in the home, and recently announced DNA tests showed the father and son's blood mixed at the scene.
Police announced finding the body Friday. Teams of searchers, including police and press volunteers, gathered in Montrose Township, near Flint, to look for a body this week in a 25-square-mile area.
The body was located at 11 a.m. Friday above ground, 15 feet inside the edge of a cornfield on Morrish Road north of Lake Road, Troy Police Capt. Robert Redmond said.
The location is about three miles west of Interstate 75.
A bicycle matching the description of the Cannondale bike Mikes Sr. owned was found about 15 feet away from the body.
Police had gone door to door looking for a charcoal-gray Infiniti they believed Mikes Jr. had been driving.
"It was about two miles from where (residents) identified they saw the car cruising up and down the street," Redmond said.
He would not state what condition the body was in.
Mikes Jr. was arrested in Rochester Hills Wednesday, following confirmation of the blood's DNA and issuance of an arrest warrant.
Asked if others might have helped dispose of the body, Redmond said, "We have no evidence of that but we haven't ruled that out."
Troy Police Evidence technicians and members of the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office were at the scene Friday. Identity confirmation will be determined by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, Redmond said.
He said the search team was within about 30 feet of the body on Thursday evening.
"When we recently arrested and charged Patrick Mikes Jr. with murder, we did not give up the search for his father," he said. "We continued to search because it was the right thing to do."
Troy police have not spoken with Mikes Jr. since their first interview with him on July 29, the day he reported his father missing.
Redmond acknowledged the many people who took part in the search "including the citizens of Montrose Township, and the Montrose Police and Fire Departments for their help in our efforts to locate Mr. Mikes.
"The citizens provided numerous tips to us that we followed up on that helped us in our efforts," he said.
When asked if the body may have been attacked in a location other than the Troy basement, Redmond said,
"Whatever happened, happened in that basement."
Contact Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @OPCarolHopkins or on Facebook @OPcarolhopkins.