Today's Spiritual Message: Waiting on Our Road to Damascus

Sometimes we expect to have a Pauline experience before we take steps forward in our life.

 

Today's Spiritual Message: Sharing Testimony through Music

I hope you enjoy this video about one of America's most accomplished classical violinists.

For more, please see this article on the lds.org website.

NEWLY UNEARTHED (& UNDOCUMENTED) KEYBOARD SHORTCUT FOR HYPERLINKS IN GMAIL

Well keyboard shortcut lovers, I often grumbled to myself about why Gmail lacked a keyboard shortcut (unlike Docs) for creating a hyperlink.

GRUMBLE NO MORE!

Ctrl + k = create a hyperlink in Gmail

W00t.

As this lovely keyboard shortcut was new to me, I assumed it was part of the new look Gmail.  Take heart, ye traditionalists, ctrl + k works in the "old" Gmail, as well.

May all your hyperlinks be brighter and faster with ctrl + k.

\m/

Yesterday's Spiritual Message: The Temple - A Beacon

I hope you enjoy this message from President Monson on temples.

For more about temples, see http://mormon.org/faq/church-and-temple/

Saving Gobs of Money in Textbook Purchases: upcdatabase.com -- the ULTIMATE Textbook Deal Finder

I think many of you will agree with this statement:  A textbook (or, for me, a casebook) is a textbook is a textbook.

Sometime in the past year or two, I discovered what I consider the ultimate student's tool to finding low-cost textbooks:  upcdatabase.com

Who knew acquiring textbooks could be so painless, both in terms of time spent researching and money spent purchasing?

The site provides a meta search of countless textbook providers, sortable by total price (my personal favorite), merchant, condition, book price, or shipping cost.  There's even a direct link to the merchant's webpage where the book is offered.

I'm ashamed I just recently thought to post about this remarkable tool, seeing as I'm already wrapping up my third and final year of law school . . .  For those of you still braving the east wind of textbook expenditures, may this offering provide you peace of mind, fatness of wallet, and a refuge from the storm.

I <3 upcdatabase.com and the free, open market.  GO CAPITALISM!!

(Oh, and if you're curious just how much you could save on a given purchase, determine the UPC code for the book, click on "Look Up" (found under Actions:), enter the UPC code, and compare the various results.  I'm confident you'll be very happy with the cost separation.)

Eating Crow and Liking (er, +1ing) the New Gmail

Gasp!  Yes, CA readers, it's true:  About last Friday or so, I decided I would take the new Gmail challenge and dive into the new interface.  In other words, I decided to use the new look for at least a day or two to decide whether I would really get used to it, as I had heard others report they did.

As a former critic of the new appearance, let me say I now strongly prefer it to the old look.  DOUBLE GASP!!  Ironically, one of my biggest hangups became, perhaps, my favorite feature:  The minimalism.

In the new-look Gmail, t's all about the emails, peepers.

That's right, kids, the new interface cuts straight to the email.  Some complain there's too much white space.  I'll tell you what, click on the big gear and select Compact -- that will display plenty of emails.  On the other hand, I really like the "Cozy" density and cringe to think of the stress on my eyes, reverting back to compact-style.

And, talking of white space, here's a further irony:  Getting rid of many "buttons and knobs" (thank you, Arthur Weasley), I feel more comfortable and focused on my email.

In short, when I went back to take a peek at the old Gmail, my eyes felt strained, and I felt stranded in a cluttered garage.

Yes, the old look's more traditional and has less "white space," yet, consider its comparative clutter.

Ahhh.  Now my eyes focus on the email (because, seriously, why would I want to focus on my chat search box, etc.?)

I'll be candid in saying I feel hesitant about the degree of transparency on some themes, like Turf.  Yet, maybe that's just me or, like my conversion experience, simply an initial, gut reaction.

I imagine some might like less turf behind their email.

At the end of the day, users still must opt-in to use the new-look Gmail, and this after about two or three months out of the gate . . .  I'm unsure what the hold up is.  On the other hand, I definitely suggest giving the new look a shot for a couple days and then comparing/contrasting.  I definitely think old habits can die hard, especially in Gmail land (see the comments and be warned of some potty mouths).  So, take a chance, and if you also decide to make the switch, I hope your diet will be crow free, unlike mine.  Provecho!

Today's Spiritual Message: Power of God

Today's spiritual message centers on the priesthood and follows the life of a young man at around age 12 (when he receives the priesthood) up until shortly before his death.  I'm very impressed with the message and the cinematography (3D images?).

Today's Spiritual Message: We Can Live with God Again

I think anyone who has lost a loved one will enjoy this video.

 

Merry Christmas!!

Sorry this is a day belated.  Also, I think I've shared this message before.  On the other hand, I love how it captures the kind of true worship so often missing from the Christmas season these days.



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Holiday Newsflash: Michael Bublé is Mel Tormé

Yep, folks, this revelation hit me like a ton of bricks.  While I blissfully thought (for years) that Michael Bublé was simply a chip off the much, much older Harry Connick Jr.'s block (Jr.'s 44, Bublé's 36), a one-time glimpse and whisper of another jazz singer on Pandora, today, unearthed the truth that ¡Bublé's actually a wax reproduction of The Velvet Frog, Mel Tormé!  Behold.  (I will divulge the nitty-gritty details, later.)

Bublé and Tormé: 

Too Close for Comfort

And for you skeptics, you so-called "intellectuals," who think even seeing is insufficient for believing, sink your teeth into this nugget of solid gold FACT:  Both guys sing jazz and have French-sounding last names that end in "é."  Faaaaact.  Are you kidding me?  What are the chances?  My exceptional training in the statistical law of large numbers tells me the p-value (random chance or mere coincidence) in this French connection is too striking to ignore or simply dismiss, offhand.  (For all you egg heads, all I'm trying to say is the connection's "statistically significant," all right?  Now that I've mouthed the magic academic words, can we please move on?  Thank you.)

And for all you stingy audiophiles who unrelentingly insist that the proof is in the production, listen to this:

Click the image for Tormé's rendition of Too Close for Comfort

Setting aside the corniness of the razor joke, how can anyone who has ever seriously listened to Bublé tell me anything other than he kidnapped The Velvet Frog, locked him up in his, The Frog's, own seven-lock trunk, regularly cut off locks of his hair, and drank polyjuice potion on the hour, every hour, until he finally assumed Tormé's appearance and vocal structure?  How do you like 'dem kippers!?!

Polyjuice potion is, of course, banned among jazz singers, and no doubt the F-Word (master of conspiracy theories and illicit mixtures) will want to investigate these claims.  In the meantime, Bublé's well-wishers must hope that, next time, he bestows his avarice on a dude with a less awkward nickname (seriously, The Velvet Frog?).

Disclaimer:  Yes, I realize having a two song comparison of the same song (Too Close for Comfort) would have been much cooler than expecting readers to actually use their imagination and comparative sound skills.  On the other hand, some guy whose last name ends with é apparently felt that would have been too close for comfort . . .  Oh, and this is NOT a legal advertisement.  Please consult a licensed abogado for that sort of thing.

Yesterday's Spiritual Message: The Coat - A Story of Charity

While I think you might be amused with the (unintentional?) humor from this cartoon, I think you'll also feel warmed by its message.

 

Today's Spiritual Message: Acting as Bible Characters

I enjoyed this interview with a handful of actors from the new Bible videos I posted about, last Sunday.

I principally love the message they share that God lives and loves us.

(P.S. for you Apple lovers, you might want to check out the free Bible Videos iPad app.)

Today's Spiritual Message: Ringing in the Christmas Season with Free Bible Videos

Tonight, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a Christmas devotional.  In it, President Henry B. Eyring announced the Church is making available a number of free Bible videos, online.

I'm unsure how to (or if I even can) embed a video, yet, so you'll need to visit the site, to see them.

These videos can be accessed at BibleVideos.lds.org.

“It is our hope that these New Testament videos will help people to visualize what they have only been able to imagine, and to more deeply feel the truths of the New Testament as they witness the Savior’s life and not just as they read about it,” said Elder Lynn G. Robbins, executive director of the Media Services Department. “Hopefully, there will be entirely new insights into the Savior’s character that will help viewers feel of His love and inspire them to want to be more like Him.”

I hope you enjoy the new site and videos!

How to get the new Google bar (early)

Cross-posted from my Google+ account.

For everyone who shares my Google nerdery. (Note: Deleting my cache and cookies was insufficient for me; I had to enter the proffered code.)

The trick is to enter some code into your browser's JavaScript's console, as described on Google Operating System.

Thanks to Alex Chitu for the screenshot and instructions.

What are your initial reactions? I like the streamlining. The menu rollover's more time consuming for me than I hoped. I think I agree with many comments I've seen about Google bar's size . . . maybe it will go on a diet, soon. Finally, I assumed the top-right section of the bar would dangle more Google+ bait for the non-initiated:  Maybe Google's content with the Sign in button, coupled with +You being the first option on the new (and automatically displayed on google.com) rollover/drop-down menu.

I was expecting to see + baiting like, "Ready for some real sharing?  Try Google+!"  Maybe Google's trying a less-aggressive approach.  Maybe the aggression lies in a Google bar that's about three times bigger than the black bar.

For comparison:  The now-old black bar, before taking size-enlarging steroids.

Sunday's Spiritual Message: Men’s Hearts Shall Fail Them

"And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people" (Doctrine & Covenants 88:91).

Happy Thanksgiving!

First, let me say to one and all, Happy Thanksgiving!  I really enjoyed my day off with family and friends.  My daughter ran around (trying to escape her parents' restrictive arms) so much, she fell asleep with pie in her mouth, on the way home.  Good times.

In addition to my family, I'm very grateful for this nation and the religious freedom we enjoy.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

To that end, I highly recommend this article on the pilgrims and religious freedom, from the LDS newsroom.

Today's Spiritual Message: Eastern European Youths Discuss Their Experience with the Book of Mormon

A number of young people (I assume members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) accepted the challenge to read from the Book of Mormon for 20 minutes each day.  Below, they share their experience.

Rugby Star Gives Up Millions for Missionary Service

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (Doctrine & Covenants 18:10).  In my mind, this scripture is one of the principal answers to the question, "Why would a 19-year-old leave behind millions of dollars to serve a mission?"  The story of young rugby player Will Hopoate is just one such example:

There is another inspiring story of a young man who gave up two years of his life and, in his case, an opportunity to play on the best rugby team in the world.  His name was Sidney Going.  He is widely recognized as one of the best rugby players to ever play the game and is often referred to as "Super Sid."  His story begins at 2:15 in the video below.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Tangled Hairless

Tangled.  I've been hinting to the F-Word I would do this post, for some time, now.

Back when I saw previews for Tangled, I more or less shrugged and went on with my life.  Then, about two or three months ago, I believe my wife was losing her sanity with our daughter, so she purchased an iSomething version of Tangled.

I'm surprised to say I was quite delighted with the film.  Being a father of a daughter, now, I'm much more concerned about the modesty (or lack thereof) and innuendos in princess movies than I used to be.

I enjoyed this film's plot-line and particularly the rare fact that, for once, the princess actually had a mother and a father.  Yes, I know things can happen to parents:  My father passed away when I was seven.  On the other hand, I've been dazed and confused about parental-princess situations for so long, now, it's true.  Regarding Tangled and as the F-Word described, nearly one year ago, I felt rather choked up, during the movie, especially to see the king lament the ongoing absence of his sweet princess, after some seventeen years.  I still feel pained to think of losing my own daughter and how devastated I would feel.

So, as the F-Word did, I strongly recommend this film to anyone seeking out a wholesome and uplifting princess movie (or simply a Disney movie with a decent plot, some adventure, emotion, and a lot of laughs).

Hairless.  Now to the part of this post's title I'd actually been hinting at:  Hairless 7 Part Dos.  While I'm generally inclined to give my every last thought on something, today, I'll try to keep it short and sweet for you:  I disliked this movie.

Call me a purist. Call me boring.  All I ask is that you, gentle reader, consider what the film did to an exceptional novel:  In the words of Paul, "As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Hairless unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

Okay, okay, I'm the first to admit a movie is incapable of capturing every marvelous detail from such a glorios novel (even in 276 minutes or 4.6 hours, combining the two movies).  On the other hand, why is it the filmmakers have constantly changed the plot-line, broken the everlasting goodness?

Rather than produce a ten-page, bullet-point list of serious infractions, I'll simply recount three, here, that come immediately to mind:  1) Hairless and V-Mart grabbing each other around the neck, jumping off a tower, and zooming all through the castle.  What in the wide, wide world of sports?  2) Rather than V-Mart leaving Snape in a cold and pitiless manner, we have Hollywood gore, with blood splattered walls and Snape convulsing against them.  Honestly.  3) Hermoine and Ron try to kill the snake by chucking rocks at it, and it dodges them, just getting annoyed.  Wow.  In my mind, 3) and 1) are almost up there with Vader screaming, "Noooo!" after Emperor Palpatine almost nervously informs him he killed Padme.

In sum, I was revolted with how often the film tangled up the novel's previously crisp story or gratuitously added unnecessary Tom-foolery (wink, wink).  In a day where movies drip with extravagant bursts of action and brief tweets of plot, I suppose what I've written is exactly why the film is one of the highest grossing productions of all time . . .

Today's Spiritual Message: A Book of Mormon Story

I hope you enjoy today's spiritual message about an English bishop from Jamaica's experience with the Book of Mormon.