iPhone image on 2013-12-09 at 09:57:07.jpeg
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Just a beautiful wallpaper I came across via the social networks.
Links
It’s Every Fan’s Job to Police FIFA and the Olympics Committee
Neither World Cup nor Olympics authorities seem to mind Qatar’s and Russia’s human rights violations, so it’s up to consumers, players, and sponsors to take action themselves.Yes. This. Call them out.
All the time.
I am not a soccer fan. But I’m a fan of liberty, and no one deserves to live as a slave.
Amnesty International report yet another reminder that Qatar can be horrible, horrible place
Among other abuses, 90 percent of Qatar’s 1.35 million foreign workers have their passports withheld by employers.It’s called slavery.
Memories of a Cover Story – The Photo Society
Joe McNally recounts shooting Tom Clancy for the cover of Newsweek, at The Photo Society.
His (presumably) last novel will be released on my birthday later this year. We’ll see how quickly I get through it, though this go-around, a certain relishing and remembering may be in order.
The Big Bang Theory Video – From The Moment That I Met You – CBS.com
Look, I know there’s a lot of conflict about TBBT, but this moment from last night was really lovely.
Due to prep for the Cub Scout fall campout, then the actual campout this weekend, I didn’t get around to seeing this episode until last night. It was worth the wait. Certainly the best so far this season, and because of this scene, the heartfelt love from Howard, a character who has shown so much growth when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, has vaulted past the competition to my #2 all-time favorite Big Bang Theory episode.
Well done, writers, cast and crew.
Reporters for “Le Monde” spent two months clandestinely in the Damascus area alongside Syrian rebels. On the scene during chemical weapons attacks, they bear witness to the use of toxic arms by the government.This article contains graphic descriptions and some very powerful and disturbing photographs. You have been warned.
One the one hand, something must be done. On the other hand, what that something should be isn’t all that clear. For now, prayers for those affected, which doesn’t feel sufficient, is all we can offer.
Access to the makers | 52 Tiger
Understand: I’m a fan. That way a person is a fan of a rock band.
Yep. Me too. Having worked in software development for a few years, one would think I would not think of these guys as mysterious demigods. But, seriously, I get giddy as a school girl whenever I get to even exchange emails with a developer of one of my favorite apps.
You can count me in that group. Which made this lunch last year pretty cool:
“Proof that @tapbot_paul (left) does leave his hermit hole. @agiletortoise checking live blog of iPad mini announcement.”
And off camera was Patrick Burleson (@pbur), whom I’m proud to call friend.
Ronald Reagan Riding a Velociraptor by *SharpWriter on deviantART
The Velociraptor is carrying an American flag. And Reagan is firing an automatic weapon.
Because: America!
There are some little touches in this that make it even more awesome than the big premise Tom notes.
LSUverse: The Origin of LSU’s Mascot
Way back in the fall of 1896, coach A.W. Jeardeau’s LSU football team posted a perfect 6-0 record, and it was in that pigskin campaign that LSU first adopted its nickname, Tigers.
“Tigers” seemed a logical choice since most collegiate teams in that year bore the names of ferocious animals,…
patrickrhone / journal » Blog Archive » Remembering Rodney
Every year, on this day, I take some time out to remember my friend Rodney. Rodney committed suicide via a gunshot to the head on June 15th, 2002 after a long struggle with depression. He was a dear friend, Mac fan, and talented writer. I miss him dearly.
Every time Apple releases something incredible or posts record sales, I can’t help but think about how much he would have been enjoying it. That is, as much as depression or the medicines used to treat it allow you to enjoy anything.
Some who know me know that I live with bi-polar disorder (manic depression). I have spoken about it before. I have been hospitalized for attempted suicide myself many years ago.
There is no real cure. After many years of medication and therapy treatment that had varying degrees of success, I now use a combination of mindfulness meditation and non-violent communication to help me navigate through it. It has been the most successful of all.
That said, there are struggles. I would be a liar if I said that I don’t understand what it was that made Rodney ultimately pull the trigger. Despite having a successful job, a loving wife, a nice house, and being a respected writer for several sites, none of those things matter when the chemistry in your brain decides it is time to go and that it will never get any better.
This day also happens to be my wedding anniversary so it is always a bit bittersweet. In fact, I normally wait until the 16th to post this but, for some reason, that did not feel right this year. I guess because the fact is that he died today. That there is no glossing over it. That denying such is in some way denying that life is filled with both things gained and loss. That both are OK and deserve all of the emotions appropriate for each.
Finally, if you or someone you know is suffering from a mental disorder, I urge you to use compassion and empathy when speaking with them about it. But, please do so. Ask them to seek whatever help they can. Let them know how you feel.
Not sure what more to say other than thank you for listening to me fight through the tears once again.
Fuck suicide. Fuck it to hell.
P.S. The best way to celebrate a writer is to read his writing, most of which is linked or archived on Low End Mac.
Note: For a few who have asked, here is the book that has guided me on using mindfulness meditation to treat my mania and depression: The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn
Also, I would be an idiot for not mentioning… National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – With Help Comes Hope
I had the pleasure of several e-mail exchanges with Rodney, and had hoped to meet up with him at a Macworld Expo some time in those very early Aughts. I wouldn’t say we were friends, but I certainly miss his wit and writing.
I will echo Patrick: suicide is not the answer. There are people who want to help you. Please utilize those resources.