The Rope in the Cathedral

In the twilight haze between waking and sleep, I found myself standing in the vast hollow of a cathedral, its ceiling lost in shadows ten stories above. The air was thick with the scent of ancient stone and wax, the only sound a faint drip echoing from some unseen corner. Moonlight spilled through stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in fractured reds and blues. I wasn’t alone, though I couldn’t see anyone. I never did.

A rope hung from the center of the vaulted ceiling, swaying gently as if beckoning. It was coarse, frayed at the edges, an odd blemish in this sacred expanse. My hand reached out before my mind could question why. The rope was rough, real under my fingers. I tugged, testing its weight.

Then it moved.

Not a gentle sway—a violent lurch. The rope snapped upward, coiling like a living thing, and my wrist was caught, tangled in its grip. It was a retractable, spring-charged rope! My feet left the ground. The cathedral blurred as I was yanked skyward, air screaming past my ears. Five seconds. That’s all it took. Five seconds to be dragged ten stories, my body slamming against the cold stone of the ceiling, pinned like a moth.

I dangled there, heart hammering, the rope cutting into my skin. Below, the cathedral floor was a distant mosaic, indifferent to my plight. My fingers clawed at the knot, but it wouldn’t budge. The shadows seemed to pulse, whispering things I couldn’t make out. Was this a dream? The pain felt too sharp, the stone too cold.

Then the rope twitched again. A low hum vibrated through it, like a machine waking up. I froze, staring into the dark above. Something was up there, where the rope vanished into the ceiling. Something waiting.

I kicked, twisting in the air, but the rope held fast. The hum grew louder, and the shadows began to move.

The humming intensified, no longer a low thrum but a deep, resonating chord that seemed to shake the very foundations of the cathedral. The rope began to glow faintly, a pale, sickly green light that illuminated the space where it vanished.

And then, it descended.

Not a single thing, but a swirling mass of them. They looked like moths, but their wings were made of shattered stained glass, catching the light in a thousand fractured, menacing shards. Their bodies were not corporeal but were instead woven from shadow and cold smoke. They poured out of the darkness in a silent, undulating tide, their forms coalescing into a single, massive shape directly above me.

It was the size of a carriage, a monstrous composite of countless glass-winged moths, their chittering now a high-pitched, maddening sound. Two immense, multifaceted eyes opened within the swirling mass, each one a kaleidoscope of the cathedral’s lost light, focusing on me with an intense, unblinking malice. The rope holding me tautened, vibrating with the creature’s power.

The hum was now a roar, and the creature began to descend, its shattered wings cutting the air with a sound like grinding glass.

Terror is a cold fist in my gut, and in the face of this winged monstrosity, it’s a feeling that consumes me. I plead, my voice cracking as I try to shout over the grinding of glass wings. “Please! Help me! Just… just let me down!” my words are swallowed by the cavernous space, a futile cry against the sheer indifference of the creature.

The composite eyes, a swirling vortex of color, do not soften. The hum of its myriad wings rises in pitch, a sound that feels less like a machine and more like a fever dream. The rope holding me tightens even more, and I can feel the pressure increasing, my breath catching in my throat. I start to pray, the words a frantic, desperate litany. I pray to anyone who might be listening, to the saints depicted in the windows, to the empty stone above. I plead for mercy, for a chance to just be on solid ground again.

But the creature does not seem to understand my pleas or my prayers. The swarm of glass moths that form its body begins to shift, and I see tendrils of shadow and fractured light extend from the main mass, reaching down toward me. They are not gentle. They are like grasping claws, and they descend with the inevitable, silent speed of a falling guillotine.

A profound, chilling stillness settles over me, a calm that follows the storm of panic. I cease my frantic struggle, my pleas dissolving into a single, shuddering breath. I hang suspended, a pendulum of flesh and bone, and a wave of acceptance washes over me. This is it. This is how the dream ends. Or perhaps, this is how it begins.

The tendrils of shadow and stained glass reach me, not with the brutal force I expected, but with a horrifying delicacy. They wrap around my torso, my limbs, not crushing, but holding me fast in a grip that feels both impossibly light and unbreakable. The buzzing of the creature intensifies, and a soft, green light pulses from the rope as if in sync with the creature's heartbeat.

I feel a new sensation: not pain, but a cold, deep emptiness spreading from the points of contact, a siphoning of warmth and life itself. The world begins to fade, the brilliant colors of the stained glass windows dimming to muted grays, the cold marble floor becoming a distant, indistinct haze. The creature above me seems to drink in my very essence, its glass wings now glowing with a vibrant, terrible light.

Then, the floor of the cathedral begins to break apart, not with a crash, but with a silent crumbling, as if it were made of dust. The mosaic tiles scatter into motes of light that rise and join the creature, adding to its terrifying brilliance. Below me, a vast, swirling vortex of pure shadow opens, a silent void that seems to beckon me into its depths.

A final, shuddering gasp escapes me as the last vestiges of the cathedral fade to a monochrome wash. The feeling of being siphoned, of cold emptiness, is replaced by a sense of unmooring, of weightlessness. I am no longer in the cathedral, no longer hanging from a rope. The creature and its chittering moths are gone.

I am simply there.

It's not a place, but an absence of place. I float in an infinite, silent void, a deep indigo that is neither light nor dark. Below me, the vortex of shadow is now a vast, swirling galaxy of pure potential, a nebula of unformed worlds and unborn souls. I am being drawn toward it, but not with violence—with a gentle, inexorable pull.

This is the threshold. The passage. I am a seed falling toward fertile, unknown soil. The memory of the cathedral, the rope, and the fear feels like a dream that belonged to someone else. I am no longer me, but a sliver of consciousness, a wisp of a soul on the verge of a new beginning.

As I drift closer to the swirling vortex, I feel a gentle warmth begin to bloom within me, a light where there was only emptiness. It is not the light of the sun or a star, but a feeling of profound, cosmic embrace. I am being welcomed. The journey, it seems, is not one of death, but of transformation.

But as I drift closer to the swirling vortex, just as I am on the verge of being swallowed by it, the cosmic embrace begins to feel less like a welcome and more like a pull. The gentle warmth turns to a searing heat, and the profound silence is shattered by a sudden, jarring noise.

A noise that I recognize.

It's the sound of my alarm clock. The piercing, insistent beeping of a machine determined to wake me from the dead.

My eyes snap open.

Sunlight, a brilliant, almost painful yellow, streams through my window. The familiar scent of coffee brewing and toast fills the air. I am in my bed, tangled in my sheets, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The cathedral, the rope, the chittering moths—all of it dissolves into the hazy, fragmented memory of a dream. A dream so vivid, so terrifyingly real, that the knot in my stomach refuses to untangle.

I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and look down at my wrists. They are a little red, as if from a restless night's sleep, but there is no sign of a rope, no marks, no cuts. The pain is gone, replaced by a dull ache in my muscles from a night of tossing and turning. The memory of the cathedral fades, but the feeling of falling, of being carried into the next world, lingers.

As I swing my feet to the floor, I can't shake the feeling that I was on the precipice of something vast and unknowable. I wasn't dreaming of death, but of something else entirely. Something I almost became.

I am sitting on the edge of my bed, the morning sun painting streaks of yellow across the floor. The world outside my window is bustling and ordinary, a stark contrast to the shadowy cathedral and the surreal terror of my dream. I close my eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of my home, and allow myself to return to the memory. The dream wasn't just a nightmare; it felt like a message, a cosmic whisper.

The rope wasn't an instrument of death, but of elevation. It pulled me out of the ordinary, away from the familiar ground, and toward something higher. The cathedral itself, a place of worship and reflection, could be a symbol of my own inner world or a sacred space where profound truths are revealed. The creature, with its wings of shattered glass and body of shadow, wasn't just a monster. It could be a guardian, or a herald of change, forcing me to face the unknown. And the vortex of shadow below me, that wasn't an abyss; it was a birth canal.

This wasn't a dream about dying. It was a dream about being reborn. The terrifying journey, the feeling of being torn from my old life, was a necessary passage to something new. I didn't fall to my death; I was pulled to a higher plane of existence, a new beginning.

Is Jesus God’s Reflection of His Future Self?

Hello All:

Usually we publish religious articles on Sunday. But I wouldn't exactly qualify today's article as religious. It's simply an interesting thought that I had while driving home from work that many might label as a theological hypothesis. There isn't enough Biblical data to back these speculations up.

Sure, it discusses the nature of God and his son, Jesus. But is it wrong to think about and talk about God in the middle of the week? 

Is Jesus God’s Reflection of His Future Self?

Here's an interesting thought on how the existence of Jesus as the Son of God came about. 

God, as we know, is eternal with no beginning or end. Before the universe there was only God. 

The Son of God might have been a personal reflection of God's in terms of himself in the future. Jesus would reflect the change and growth in God and his universe. The milestone would be a new generation that encompasses not only his Earthly sons and daughters, but the face of himself who became human and joined them as his brother. 

It's quite a nuanced postulation, isn't it? 

The nature of Jesus as the Son of God has inspired deep contemplation among theologians, philosophers, and believers for centuries. The idea that the Son of God represents a kind of "personal reflection" or unfolding of God into the realm of creation and humanity touches on themes found in both traditional doctrine and more mystical or philosophical interpretations.

We affirm the classical view that God is eternal without beginning or end. Jesus, the Son of God, might be understood as a kind of future-oriented self-reflection of God, a way for the divine to experience and express change, growth, and relationality. By becoming human, Jesus doesn’t just relate to humanity as a distant creator, but as a brother, sharing in human experience, suffering, and community. This act marks a milestone, not just for humanity but for divinity itself; God’s self-revelation and participation in the world in a radically new way.

The belief that God became flesh in Jesus (John 1:14) is central to Christianity. This is often seen as the ultimate act of divine empathy and solidarity. Some theologians describe the Son as the “Word” or “Image” of the Father (see Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3), almost like God knowing and expressing Himself perfectly. A modern theological school suggests that God is not static but in dynamic relationship with creation, capable of change and growth in some sense, much like our hypothesis of God’s unfolding.

In the New Testament, Jesus is called the “second Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), representing a new beginning for humanity and a new way for God to relate to creation.

What’s especially intriguing in our reflection is the idea of God growing through relationship and history; that the incarnation is not just for humanity’s sake, but also a milestone for God’s own journey with creation. This is a less traditional but very compelling idea, inviting us to see the divine story as intimately connected with our own.

A Day on Planet Chronus

Imagine a hypothetical planet that revolves around its sun once a day, with a 24-hour day. While it's rotating, it goes from night to day and also changes from winter to spring to summer to fall all in a day. Throughout certain times of the year summer occurs at nighttime and winter occurs during the daytime, and vice versa. This is due to the ratio of the planet's rotation and revolution around the sun.

Chronos' unique 24-hour rotation and revolution cycle that drives daily seasonal shifts, offers a striking visual shaped by its extreme axial tilt and elliptical orbit. From space, Chronus appears as a mesmerizing, ever-changing orb. Its surface is a patchwork of vivid colors, reflecting the rapid transition of seasons within a single day. At any given moment, you might see a crescent of brilliant white snow dominating the dawn side (winter), fading into lush greens and blooming pastels on the morning side (spring), then shifting to golden yellows and browns under the midday glare (summer), and finally a fiery mix of reds and oranges on the evening side (fall). The planet’s 60-degree axial tilt creates a dramatic slant, with one hemisphere often tilted sharply toward or away from its sun, amplifying the seasonal contrast.The atmosphere glows with a faint iridescent sheen, a result of its dense ionosphere scattering sunlight in unique patterns. 

A stasis storm is a natural consequence of Chronus’s extreme orbit and atmosphere. Its elliptical path and 60-degree axial tilt (compared to Earth’s 23.5°) cause dramatic daily temperature swings, amplified by solar flares interacting with a dense ionosphere. The storm’s reflective shield traps one season’s conditions, a plausible threat in this volatile system. During a stasis storm, this sheen darkens and thickens, forming a reflective shield that locks the planet’s colors into a single hue—perhaps a stark white or golden freezebefore the cycle resumes. Swirling cloud bands, tinged with blues and grays, hint at the storm’s approach, their edges illuminated by the sun’s rays. The planet’s surface features a network of rivers and valleys, like those of Tempus, glinting with ice or shimmering with water, depending on the hour.

A Day on Chronus

Dawn: Winter’s Embrace

As the sun crests the horizon, a biting chill sweeps across Chronus. Snow dusts the rolling hills, and the sky glows a crystalline blue. 

In the village of Tempus, nestled in a valley of mirrored lakes, the Chronians awaken. Their breath clouds in the air as they don thermal cloaks woven from the frost-resistant fur of the native glimwolf. Chronians are masters of flux, their biology and culture attuned to the planet’s 24-hour seasonal cycle. Their metabolism shifts with the seasons, conserving energy in winter and surging in summer. Daily routines are fluid, with tasks like weaving, farming, or crafting timed to the day’s phases.

Kael, a young weaver, steps outside, his boots crunching on fresh snow. He checks the sky, its deep indigo promises winter’s grip for the next few hours. 

The village hums with quiet activity: children sculpt fleeting snow figures, knowing they’ll melt by mid-morning. 

Kael hurries to the loomhall, where he crafts winter fabrics that will soon be traded for spring silks.

Mid-Morning: Spring’s Awakening

By the third hour, the snow vanishes, seeping into the soil to feed vibrant blooms. The temperature climbs, and the air hums with the scent of nectar. The sky softens to a pastel pink, and the Chronians shed their cloaks for lightweight tunics. Fashion is modular, with garments like layered vests or petal-stitched tunics. Fabrics are treated to adapt; warming in winter, cooling in summer.

Kael joins his wife, Lira, in the communal gardens, where fast-blooming flora like the starpetal sprout and flower within hours. The villagers sing to coax the plants’ growth, a tradition rooted in Chronus’s ancient customs. Lira, a botanist, marvels at a bud unfurling before her eyes. “Every spring feels like a gift,” she says, plucking a flower that will wither by afternoon. 

The community gathers for a brief picnic, savoring sweet fruits that ripen only in this fleeting season. As for farming, the Chronians rely on rapid-cycle crops like starpetals and sungrains, which grow, ripen, and wither in hours. Chronians use songs and prayer to accelerate growth, ensuring harvests align with the day’s fleeting windows. Irrigation systems toggle between snowmelt and summer rains.

Afternoon: Summer’s Blaze

Midday brings a searing heat, the sun blazing at its zenith in a cobalt sky. The landscape shimmers with golden light, and the Chronians retreat to shaded pavilions or dive into the cool, bioluminescent waters of Lake Tempora. 

Homes and public spaces feature retractable walls and roofs made of crystal and glimwolf fur, balancing insulation and ventilation. Communal pavilions shift from open-air spring shelters to sealed winter domes, their designs guided by ancient Chronian architecture and chemistry that bends material properties.

Kael, now sweating in his tunic, helps erect sunshades woven from reflective threads. 

The village buzzes with laughter as children chase flitwings—tiny insects that thrive in summer’s warmth. 

Lira tends to heat-tolerant crops, like sungrains, which mature in mere hours. 

A sudden breeze carries the hum of a festival drum; the Chronians are already preparing for the evening’s harvest rites. 

Kael feels the day’s rhythm, each moment a dance between survival and celebration.

Late Afternoon: Fall’s Palette

As the sun dips, the air cools, and the trees erupt in fiery hues—crimson, amber, and gold. The sky burns orange, casting a warm glow over Tempus. 

Kael and Lira join the village in harvesting sungrains and collecting fallen leaves for fuel. The Chronians don layered vests, designed to peel away as the temperature shifts. 

A harvest festival begins, with tables laden with roasted grains and spiced ciders. The villagers share stories of the day’s fleeting seasons, their voices mingling with the rustle of leaves. Daily festivals such as these mark each season’s peak; winter snow sculpting, spring picnics, summer water dances, fall harvests. These rituals bind the community, with music and storytelling weaving the day’s experiences into a shared cultural tapestry.

Kael notices the first frost creeping at the edges of the fields, a reminder that winter looms.

Evening: Winter’s Return

As the sun sets, snowflakes drift once more, and the sky deepens to indigo. The Chronians retreat to domed homes with retractable crystal roofs, designed to trap heat while revealing the starry sky. 

Kael stokes a fire in the loomhall, its glow reflecting off the snow outside. Lira joins him, cradling a mug of steaming broth. “Another day, another cycle,” she murmurs, gazing at the moon’s pale light. 

The village quiets, save for the soft crackle of fires and the hum of lullabies. The Chronians rest, their dreams woven with the colors of spring, summer, and fall, ready to greet winter’s dawn again.

Night: Winter’s Quiet

Under the moon’s glow, Chronus slumbers in a frozen hush. The landscape sparkles with ice, and the Chronians sleep in insulated beds, their homes sealed against the cold. Kael dreams of tomorrow’s spring, already planning a new weave. 

The planet turns, its rapid seasons a relentless yet beautiful cycle, shaping a people who thrive on change.

Lunar Survival Quiz

Hello All:

Happy Monday! Let's start the week off by taking a short test on lunar survival. The test below is/was actually used by NASA in training their space cadets and future astronauts.

Lunar Survival Quiz
You are a member of a space crew that was to rendezvous with the mother ship on the lighted surface of the moon. You experienced technical difficulties and your ship was forced to land about 200 miles from the point you were to be. During re-entry and landing, much of the equipment on your ship was damaged. Your survival depends on you reaching the mother ship. You will need to survey what is left that is useable and determine the most critical undamaged items that you will take for the 200-mile trip.
Your task is to look over the list below that contains the useable, undamaged items left on your ship, and rank them in order of their importance for your crew. Remember you need to rank each item in terms of its value in allowing you to reach the mother ship.
Place the number 1 by the most important item and keep going to number 15 which will be least important.
I have provided the list below, and once you complete it, scroll down (page 3 if you are looking at the text document) for the answers as to what NASA feels is most important. I also provided the explanation as to why these items are so important to an astronaut. I was surprised! Some of the items that seemed important were unnecessary, while other items that seemed ridiculous were actually useful.
Remember, you are on the light side of the moon which is always light. Also, you can assume there is a way of eating food and drinking without opening your space suit and imploding your head. Below is the list:

• Box of matches
• Food concentrate
• 50 feet of nylon rope
• Parachute silk
• Portable heating unit
• Two .45 caliber pistols
• One case of dehydrated milk
• Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen
• Stellar map (of moons surface)
• Life raft
• Magnetic compass
• 5 gallons of water
• Signal flares
• First aid kit containing injection needles
• Solar powered FM receiver/transmitter

Box of matches: Ranked 15 – No oxygen on the moon to burn sulfur.

Food concentrate: Ranked 4 – It will sustain energy.

50 feet of nylon rope: Ranked 6 – Used for scaling cliffs and pulling heavy objects.

Parachute silk: Ranked 8 – The light side of the moon is HOT! You will need it to rest in the shade out of the sun.

Portable heating unit: Ranked 13 – Staying warm is the least of your worries. You want to stay cool on the light side of the moon.

Two .45 caliber pistols: Ranked 11 – No, not to kill moon monsters. You weigh 1/6 your weight on the moon, and the caliber pistols can act as propulsion tools. That’s right, you fire in the opposite direction you want to go, and you will propel from the momentum.

One case of dehydrated milk: Ranked 12 – food is more sustaining than dehydrated milk.

Two 100-pound tanks of oxygen: Ranked 1 – you won’t last long without oxygen.

Stellar map (of moons surface): Ranked 3: Do you really know the surface of the moon enough to travel 200 miles to the destination?

Life raft: Ranked 9– The compressed air will act as another jet propulsion device to propel across the moon.

Magnetic compass: Ranked 14 – the magnetic poles on the moon shift on a daily basis so a compass is useless.

5 gallons of water: Ranked 2 – Water will keep you from dehydrating and dying.

Signal flares: Ranked 10 – these will actually burn on the moon! But you need to be fairly close to the destination so rescuers can come get you.

First aid kit containing injection needles: Ranked 7 – You can inject vitamins and medicine.

Solar powered FM receiver/transmitter: Ranked 5 – FM means the coverage is short range and needs to be line of site. If you can climb a mountain close by, you might be able to transmit to the mother ship.

Family Emergency Scam Phone Call: How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Hello All:

Just this past weekend, I nearly fell victim to one of those family emergency scam phone calls. Let me tell you, first hand, that the experience is very traumatic and leaves you sorting through emotional aftermath. This is because before figuring out I was being deceived, I truly believed that something horrible had happened to one of my loved ones. 

Fortunately, I figured out after a couple of minutes that the call was a scam. Interestingly, the only reason why I figured this out was because I had previously read a few news articles that reported this sort of thing. But I made a few mistakes, and I want to share with you, the reader, how to recognize and handle this sort of situation. The more people who are aware of this sort of thing, recognize and take control of the situation, the less successful the dirt bags who do these scams will be. And let me tell you, it takes a very special person to deceive another person and make them believe that their loved ones are in danger just to take advantage of them.

So what happened to me?

Well, on a seemingly ordinary Saturday while returning a shopping cart in a grocery store parking lot, I received a phone call that turned my day upside down. The number, with an unfamiliar 708 area code, piqued my curiosity—perhaps it was a family member or a business contact from back home in Illinois. What followed was a chilling experience that revealed the tactics of a sophisticated phone scam and taught me valuable lessons I want to share to help others stay safe.

The call began with silence, followed by the sound of a young woman sobbing uncontrollably. My heart raced as she mentioned being in an accident, triggering immediate fears for my daughter, who was out running errands that morning. My imagination filled in the gaps, conjuring images of a tragic crash. Moments later, a man claiming to be a police officer took over the call. His unprofessional tone and vague statements raised suspicions, but not before I’d confirmed having a daughter—a mistake I’d soon regret. When he demanded her name “for safety measures,” I hung up, sensing a scam.

Shaken, I frantically texted my family group chat and checked a location-sharing app, only to be misled by overlapping location markers. The scammer kept calling, urging me not to hang up, until I challenged him to provide my daughter’s name. His nefarious laugh before I ended the call left me rattled. Thankfully, my daughter was safe at home, but the experience left me traumatized, grappling with fear and anger for the rest of the day.

This wasn’t just a prank—it was a calculated attempt to exploit my emotions. Scammers use tactics like these to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or complying with demands, often for financial gain. Reflecting on this ordeal, I’ve distilled key lessons to help you recognize and avoid similar scams.

 

What Defines the Family Emergency Scam?

• Emotional Manipulation: Scammers create a sense of urgency and fear, often mentioning accidents or emergencies involving a loved one.
• Impersonation: They pretend to be someone official, such as police officers or hospital staff.
• Pressure Tactics: They urge you not to hang up or to provide sensitive information immediately.
• Information Fishing: They seek personal details like names, addresses, or financial info to exploit or steal from the victim.

Lessons Learned: How to Spot and Avoid Family Emergency Scams

1. Trust Your Instincts About the Voice and Number

   If the voice doesn’t sound like your loved one or the call comes from an unfamiliar number, proceed with caution. In my case, the sobbing woman didn’t sound like my daughter, initially, but fear clouded my judgment and soon caused me to believe it was her.

Here's something to remember. Today, most people don’t memorize phone numbers like we did back in the 80s and 90s., If a police officer gives your loved one a phone and says to call you, he or she will most likely be unable to know your number. So if it's an unfamiliar number with your supposed loved one reporting a tragedy, be it's okay to be suspicious.

2. Listen for Background Noise

   A genuine emergency call from an accident scene would likely include sounds of sirens, ambulances, or commotion. My call was eerily silent, a red flag that the scenario was staged.

3. Avoid Saying “Yes” or Sharing Information

   Scammers may record your voice saying “yes” to use in future fraud or press for details like your loved one’s name. Instead of answering directly, ask questions like, “What happened?” or “Who is this?” In my case, confirming I had a daughter gave the scammer leverage to continue the ruse. I should have simply responded with, "Well, she called me so it must be the right number.... Won't you tell me what happened?

4. Demand Specific Details

   A legitimate police officer will provide clear information, such as the location of the accident or the hospital where your loved one is being treated. If the caller is evasive or insists on your compliance without details, seems more interested in establishing authority over you, it’s likely a scam. Challenge them to provide specifics, and don’t hesitate to hang up if they can’t. 

And here's a bonus: There is no law that requires you to stay on the phone with someone claiming to be a police officer or even with 911 unless you are actively reporting an emergency. So feel free to hang up. Don't believe them if they say you will be in trouble.

5. Call, Don’t Text, to Verify Safety

   After suspecting I was victim of an emergency family scam, my instinct was to text my daughter, but a phone call would have been faster and more reliable. CALL, DO NOT TEXT! LEAVE VOICE MAILS TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED. If you can’t reach your loved one, call other family members or friends who might know their whereabouts. Leave voicemails to ensure they’re alerted to the situation. Eventually everyone will be calling your loved one and they will figure out something is going on. In theory, everything will soon be resolved.

6. Stay Safe in Public

   During the call, I stepped out of my car, unaware of a suspicious vehicle nearby with a man sitting inside, windows up, in the Arizona heat. I only remembered this 3 miles down the road and wanted so bad to turn around and confront this person. But I had perishable groceries and needed to get home. This could have been part of the scam, possibly using an SS7 hack to target nearby phones. Such hacks, while complex, allow criminals to intercept calls or texts. Never leave your vehicle or linger in public during a suspicious call. If you sense something’s wrong, move to a safer location where you can observe your surroundings. It could have been a tactic to catch me off guard with overwhelming emotions; steal my car, mug me or even abduct me to take me to an ATM.

7. Recognize the Emotional Manipulation 

   Scammers prey on your love for family, using fear to cloud your judgment. The sobbing voice and fake officer were designed to keep me engaged and compliant. Recognizing this tactic can help you stay calm and think critically.

A Changed Perspective on Safety

This experience was a stark reminder of how evil can masquerade as urgency. Scammers exploit our instinct to protect loved ones, turning compassion into a weapon. In a world where even helping a stranger feels risky—whether it’s a stalled car or a panhandler’s plea—we must stay vigilant. These scams aren’t just about money; they’re about stealing peace of mind.

If you receive a suspicious call claiming a loved one is in danger, hang up immediately and verify their safety through direct contact. Report the incident to your local police or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. By sharing these lessons, I hope to arm you with the tools to protect yourself and your family from the trauma of phone scams. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and keep your loved ones close—safely.

A Nice Dog

 Hello All:

It's Throwback Tuesday. And here's a classic writing from the blog that would have been written around 2011. 

A Nice Dog

It was a fine, mid-morning Saturday in spring; not a cloud in the sky; the sun shined brightly in the sky. Just like many Saturdays, children played throughout the neighborhood and often walked the streets from one friend's house to another. And on this gorgeous morning when windows were opened to allow the springtime breeze through, a blond German shepherd was let out into the backyard where he most-often enjoyed basking in the sun while watching birds; maybe chew a bone offered by the owners. There was something suggestively friendly of this German shepherd as he had some sort of Collie mix in him. From a distant, the dog looked as though he were smiling and inviting visits from strangers.
Outside of basking in the springtime air and reminding himself of how life was good, the dog had another favorite past time. He quickly stood up as his sensitive ears heard the sounds of 3 boys who nosily chattered some half-block away. Their footsteps which grew increasingly louder suggested that the children would soon pass in front of the house.
The dog assumed his post at the side of the house where a 4-foot chain-link fence yielded a clear shot of the front side walk. He sat on his hind legs and waited for the boys' approach.
Soon their bodies became visible as they passed the house two doors down; foot steps echoing along garages and patios. The German shepherd pulled his ears back, laid his tail flat on the ground and slightly lifted his head to show the mouth which resembled a friendly dog who smiled.
Just then, one of the boys spoke, "Hey; look at that really, nice dog!"
"Yeah; that's a cool dog!"
The German shepherd remained motionless, sitting with such well and proper form.
It was tempting for the boys to stop in front of the house and walk across the front lawn to where the dog waited at the fence. "Nice doggy! He's such a good dog!"
"That's right; I am a nice dog. But my owner keeps me locked inside of the house all day and night. They never pet me; and I'm just looking for a friend."
One of the boys spoke while the group carefully approached the fence. "Awe, see; he's a friendly dog. He just wants to play."
The German shepherd shifted his head looking left to right, only gazing at the boys from side of his face, never making direct eye contact. There was something misleading and untrustworthy about his voice, "Yes, come closer; I won't bite you."
Soon, all three boys had their faces close to the chain link fence. The dog instinctively showed his bottom teeth while looking up into the air.
"Look, the dog is smiling!"
"He's such a nice dog!"
The German shepherd remained seated on his hind legs, ears tilted back with tail completely flat on the ground. "Go ahead and pet me; it's safe. I'm a friendly dog."
Finally, one of the boys in his boldness reached his hand towards the fence. "I'm not afraid of this dog. I'll pet him."
And as his arm reached over to show affection, the friendly German shepherd turned ferocious as it growled and quickly snapped at the little boy's arm that was perhaps a hundredth of an inch from receiving a bite. All three children ran off in terror while the dog barked as if it couldn’t wait to get out and kill! It wasn't such a nice dog, after all!
Satisfied, the German shepherd strolled over to the patio door where it gazed in, seemingly asking for a bone. "See how well I protect your house from strangers? Don't you want to give me a treat?”

History and Development of the Smiley Face

Hello All and Happy Monday! 😊 

Did you ever wonder where the smiley face came from?

History and Development of the Smiley Face 

The concept of a smiley face—two dots for eyes and an upturned line for a mouth—has a surprisingly ancient history. Historians have found symbols resembling smiley faces dating back about 3,700 years, such as markings on a Hittite jug from around 1700 BC near the Turky-Syria border. These early examples show that the basic idea of representing a happy face graphically is very old.

The modern smiley face as we recognize it today—a bright yellow circle with two oval eyes and a creased, off-center smile—was created in 1963 by graphic designer Harvey Ball. He was commissioned by the State Mutual Life Assurance Company in Worcester, Massachusetts, to create a symbol to boost employee morale. Ball was paid \$45 for this design, which quickly became popular but was never trademarked by him or the company.

Because the design was not copyrighted, many companies began producing their own versions of the smiley face in the 1970s, turning it into a widely recognized commercial icon. Over the decades, it evolved from a simple morale booster into a symbol of optimism, pop culture, and even rave culture in the 1990s.

In the 1980s, the smiley face concept was adapted for digital communication by computer scientist Scott Fahlman, who proposed using ASCII characters to create emoticons like :-) to express emotions in text. This innovation laid the groundwork for the emoticons and emojis widely used today.

So while smiley-like symbols have existed for thousands of years, the iconic yellow smiley face was first created in 1963 by Harvey Ball for an insurance company in Massachusetts. It later became a global symbol of happiness and optimism, evolving into digital emoticons in the 1980s.

https://www.artandobject.com/news/surprising-history-smiley-face

https://www.dictionary.com/e/smiley-face-history-origin/

https://www.history.com/articles/smiley-face-history

https://mymodernmet.com/smiley-face/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley

The Book of Wisdom

Wisdom 7:7-11

I prayed, and prudence was given me;

I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

I preferred her to scepter and throne,

and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,

nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;

because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,

and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.

Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,

and I chose to have her rather than the light,

because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.

Yet all good things together came to me in her company,

and countless riches at her hands.

The Book of Wisdom, also known as the Wisdom of Solomon, is believed to have been written around 200 years before Christ, likely during the late 1st century BC. This period was marked by significant cultural and religious challenges for the Jewish people, particularly as they lived amidst Greek paganism and Hellenistic influences following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The book was written primarily for the Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt, which was a center of Jewish life and scholarship during this time. The author, traditionally attributed to Solomon, aimed to provide a defense of Jewish faith and identity against the backdrop of a dominant Greek culture that often promoted polytheism and secularism.

The Book of Wisdom is structured into three main sections:

Exhortation to Embrace Wisdom: The opening chapters encourage readers to seek wisdom and highlight its importance in leading a righteous life.

Praise of Wisdom: The text poetically describes the nature and benefits of wisdom, portraying it as a divine attribute that guides individuals and nations.

Historical Reflection: The latter sections recount Israel's history, emphasizing how wisdom has been a guiding force throughout significant events, such as the Exodus from Egypt. This historical narrative serves to reinforce the idea that wisdom is integral to understanding God's actions and the fate of His people.

As for the first reading from Wisdom 7:7-11, it is a passage which is part of the Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. This text is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and reflects his deep appreciation for wisdom and understanding. Solomon begins by stating that he prayed for understanding, indicating that wisdom is not merely an innate quality but something that can be sought through divine assistance. This emphasizes the importance of humility and the recognition of one's limitations in understanding.

He compares wisdom to material wealth and power, stating that he values it more than scepters, thrones, and precious gems. This illustrates the belief that wisdom is far superior to earthly riches and status, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from spiritual and intellectual growth rather than material possessions.

The passage also reflects the idea that wisdom is a gift from God. Solomon acknowledges that the spirit of wisdom came to him, reinforcing the notion that wisdom is divinely inspired and should be revered.

Hypertext Your Entire World!

Hello All:

I want to hypertext my entire world! A  hypertextual world is a reality in which every object, place, or concept can be a portal to deeper knowledge, satisfying our curiosity in unprecedented ways. It encourage us to look beyond surface appearances, revealing layers of meaning, context, and connections that were previously hidden or difficult to access. In essence, the Internet and AI is expanding human curiosity into a continuous journey of discovery, where every item and place is a doorway to new knowledge and understanding. This is a remarkable hallmark of our era, inviting us to think more deeply and explore more widely than ever before.

Imagine walking down a street in such a world, and your senses would be constantly overwhelmed with information. Every lamppost might shimmer with subtle indicators, suggesting it's a link to the city's historical records or its real-time energy consumption data. A tree could display ethereal glowing roots, each leading to a different concept related to its biology, its role in the ecosystem, or even the history of its species.

The buildings around you wouldn't just be solid structures; their surfaces might ripple with translucent overlays, revealing layers of information about their occupants, their architectural history, or even pathways to virtual tours within them. Advertisements wouldn't just be static images; they'd be dynamic, interactive portals, offering direct access to product reviews, purchasing options, or immersive experiences related to the brand.

The air itself might seem alive with faint, shimmering pathways of light, connecting objects to their associated concepts, like invisible threads of data woven into the environment. People wouldn't just walk; they'd likely interact constantly with their surroundings, touching surfaces to bring up data overlays, stepping through ephemeral doorways that lead to related experiences, or even gesturing to "pull" information from distant objects into their personal view. It would be a constant dance between the physical and the digital, a world where every step could lead to an infinite rabbit hole of knowledge and experience.

Hypertext Your Entire World

In the digital age, tools like the Internet and AI have transformed our world into a vast hypertextual landscape. Everything we see can be a gateway to deeper knowledge, satisfying our curiosity in ways never before imagined. This phenomenon encourages us to look beyond surface appearances, revealing layers of meaning, context, and connections that were previously hidden or difficult to access. The Internet and AI are expanding human curiosity into a continuous journey of discovery, where every item and place is a doorway to new knowledge and understanding. This is a remarkable hallmark of our era, inviting us to think more deeply and explore more widely than ever before.

The concept of hypertext has evolved significantly since its inception. Originally a simple idea in computing, hypertext has become a ubiquitous feature of our digital lives. The term "hypertext" was coined by Ted Nelson in the 1960s, referring to non-linear text that allows users to navigate through interconnected pieces of information. With the advent of the World Wide Web in the 1990s, hypertext became a fundamental part of how we access and share information online.

The Hypertextual Physical World: A Vision of the Future

In the not-too-distant future, the line between the physical and digital worlds may blur, creating a seamless hypertextual reality. Imagine a world where every object, place, or concept can be "clicked" to reveal deeper layers of information, much like how we interact with hyperlinks on the Internet. This vision is already taking shape through advancements in technology, particularly in Augmented Reality (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and AI.

The way we interact with the world is evolving rapidly. Today, we are accustomed to clicking on links and images to access more information. This behavior is shaping our expectations for how we should interact with the physical world. As technology advances, we can envision a future where physical objects become interactive nodes in a vast hypertextual network.

AR is a key technology that can bring this vision to life. AR glasses or smart lenses could overlay digital information onto the physical world, turning everyday objects into interactive gateways. For example, pointing your AR device at a historical landmark could reveal its history, architectural details, and even virtual reconstructions of how it looked in the past. Similarly, scanning a product in a store could provide detailed information about its ingredients, origin, and customer reviews.

The IoT is another critical component of this hypertextual reality. IoT devices can collect and share data, making the physical world more interactive and informative. For instance, smart home devices can provide real-time information about energy consumption, security status, and environmental conditions. In a more advanced scenario, IoT sensors embedded in urban infrastructure could offer insights into traffic patterns, air quality, and public transportation schedules.

AI will play a pivotal role in making this vision a reality. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to provide contextually relevant information. For example, AI-powered AR devices could understand your interests and preferences, offering personalized insights and recommendations. Natural Language Processing (NLP) can enable voice commands, making interactions with the physical world more intuitive and natural.

Potential Applications

Imagine students using AR devices to explore historical events, scientific concepts, or literary works in an immersive and interactive way. A history lesson on the Roman Empire could involve walking through a virtual reconstruction of ancient Rome, with AR overlays providing detailed information about landmarks and historical events.

In healthcare, AR and IoT devices could provide real-time information about a patient's health status, medication schedules, and treatment plans. A patient could use an AR device to scan their medication and receive detailed information about dosage, side effects, and interactions.

In retail, AR and IoT devices could enhance the shopping experience by providing detailed information about products, customer reviews, and availability. A customer could use an AR device to scan a product and receive a virtual try-on, detailed specifications, and customer reviews.

In urban planning, IoT sensors and AR devices could provide real-time information about traffic patterns, air quality, and public transportation schedules. A commuter could use an AR device to navigate through the city, receiving real-time updates on traffic conditions, public transportation schedules, and available parking spots. This is already the reality if you use Google Maps with Auto Android in your vehicle.

Future Directions and Speculations

The future of this hypertextual physical world is full of potential. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative applications. The integration of AR, IoT, and AI could create a more immersive and interconnected world, where information is always at our fingertips.

The vision of a hypertextual physical world is not just a futuristic dream but a tangible reality that is already taking shape. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see a seamless blend of the physical and digital worlds, where every object, place, or concept can be a gateway to deeper knowledge and understanding. This transformation will invite us to think more deeply and explore more widely than ever before, satisfying our curiosity in unprecedented ways.

The Dreamer and the Observer

Late at night while falling asleep, have you ever felt as if there were two separate consciousnesses within you, one drifting off to sleep and the other remaining awake? It's a fascinating and fairly common phenomenon during the transition between wakefulness and sleep.

The period just before falling asleep in which your mind is partly awake and partly dreaming is referred to as the hypnagogic state. It’s a liminal state in which your conscious awareness and subconscious start to blend. Many people experience a split sensation of being “half awake, half asleep." during this moment.

Simple enough, right? But you can actually identify these two perceived consciousnesses can as your “watcher” self (the one noticing and aware) and your “dreamer” self (the one slipping into sleep and dream states). This can sometimes manifest as observing your own thoughts or body from a detached perspective. This kind of dual awareness is often a foundation for lucid dreaming in which the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming and can sometimes control the dream. But I recently had an interesting idea about this Dreamer and the Observer effect. Could this concept be applied to everyday waking life as well? It's almost as if there are two personas: one that's immersed in the moment, and another that's observing it. The observer may influence how we react to things or determine the appropriate course of action in a situation we are experiencing. I guess that reduces Freudian consciousness to two entities instead of three?

But back to the late night dreaming aspect. Such an experience shows a deep sensitivity to your internal states and transitions, which can be a great asset for self-awareness, creativity, or introspection. If you’re interested, you can even develop this state of mind to achieve it more often.

For starters, you can practice mindfulness meditation during the day. Focus on your breath, bodily sensations, or passing thoughts without judgment. This strengthens your “watcher” self, making you more aware of your thoughts and states, even as you drift into sleep.

Keep a notebook or app by your bed. When you wake up (even in the middle of the night), jot down any memories, sensations, or “split” consciousness experiences. Recording these experiences makes your mind more attuned to them, enhancing recall and possibly leading to more vivid or lucid experiences.

Here's an interesting practice. Several times a day, ask yourself, “Am I dreaming?” Try to push your finger through your palm or read a line of text twice to see if it changes. By making this a habit, your mind may carry this questioning attitude into sleep, increasing your chances of becoming lucid during dreams.

Have you ever heard of the Wake-Back-to-Bed (WBTB) Technique? Simply set an alarm for about 4–6 hours after you go to sleep. Stay awake for 10–20 minutes, reading about dreams or meditating, then go back to sleep. This interrupts your sleep cycle and can boost your awareness during the hypnagogic (falling asleep) and hypnopompic (waking up) states, making it easier to notice dual consciousness or enter lucid dreams.

This next suggestion might be a little scary for some. As you’re falling asleep, gently ask yourself, “Who is falling asleep? Who is watching?” Don’t force answers—just observe what happens. This can deepen your sense of self-awareness and may allow you to consciously witness the transition into sleep.

This is one of my favorites because I can see detailed images and scenes while falling asleep. As you notice yourself drifting, pay gentle attention to the images, sounds, or sensations that arise. Try to remain calmly observant without getting too attached or excited. This can make you more familiar with the boundary between wakefulness and sleep, and sometimes even allow you to “step into” a lucid dream from the waking state (a technique called Wake-Initiated Lucid Dream, or WILD). However, I can say, first hand, that after a few seconds of enjoying these images or scenes, it's easy to get excited and wake up. So try to remain calm while at the same time curious.

Keep in mind that going to bed at the same time each night and avoiding screens before bed can improve your overall sleep quality and make these experiences easier to access.

How C-3P0 Messed up the Timeline of Dorothy's Visit to Oz

In the Land of Oz, where the yellow brick road shone like a golden serpent, the Wicked Witch of the West had long been a force to be reckoned with. Her dark magic and sinister plots had earned her a reputation as one of the most feared beings in the land.

But when C-3PO, the fussy protocol droid, arrived in Oz, he brought with him a peculiar gift, the gift of kindness. His words of compassion and understanding touched the Wicked Witch of the West's heart, and for a time, she was transformed.

What’s more? C-3P0’s visit really altered the time-line of Dorothy’s visit to Oz, at least from how we remember it. C-3P0 met the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion who all accompanied their new golden droid friend to see the Wizard of Oz. The Scarecrow received his brain. The Tin Man received a heart. And the Cowardly Lion received his courage. This means that Dorothy would not meet her trio of friends along the way. Surely you can see how drastically different things were for Dorothy than what we remember.

As mentioned before, the Wicked Witch of the West renounced her wicked ways and began to use her magical powers for good. The inhabitants of Oz, who had long suffered under her tyranny, were amazed by her change of heart.

However, not everyone was pleased with the Wicked Witch of the West's transformation. The new council, which included the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, viewed her with suspicion. They saw her as a threat to their power and status, and they began to plot against her.

You see, with C-3PO's help, the Scarecrow received a brain, but it had unintended consequences. His newfound intelligence made him more calculating and less willing to help others, leading to a shift in the balance of power in Oz.

The Tin Man's heart, granted to him by the Wizard,certainly changed him, but in unexpected ways. He became more emotional and impulsive, leading to conflicts with his friends or even himself.

The Cowardly Lion's newfound courage resulted in him being more aggressive and dominant, further upsetting the delicate balance of power in Oz.

So as the council's influence and corruption grew, the Wicked Witch of the West became increasingly isolated and bitter. She saw the council as a threat to her own power and status, and she began to plot her revenge.

It was then that Dorothy's house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, setting off a chain of events that would change the course of Oz's history. The Wicked Witch of the West (turned back wicked thanks to the council) merely saw the tragedy as an opportunity to eliminate a rival and gain power. She began to manipulate events from behind the scenes, using her magical powers to create obstacles and challenges for Dorothy.

Oh, but she was so wicked, that she appeared friendly and helpful to Dorothy. “Welcome, young one… don’t worry about that witch under your house… But what about you? Are you okay.” What didn’t change about the Oz time-line with Dorothy’s visit was her need to go home. The Wicked Witch of the West simply directed her to follow the Yellow Brick Road until reaching the Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy, unaware of the complex web of alliances and rivalries in Oz, navigated the unfamiliar landscape with caution. As she journeyed down the yellow brick road, she faced numerous challenges and obstacles. The Wicked Witch of the West used her magical powers to try and stop her. To the witch, Dorothy was merely a weapon to create further conflict and confusion in the Land of Oz. 

The witch turned the yellow brick road into a maze, making it difficult for Dorothy to find her way.

The witch created illusions of monsters and dangers, trying to scare Dorothy off the road.

The witch used her magic to make the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion seem hostile towards Dorothy. 

The Scarecrow was too distracted by his own thoughts and almost didn’t notice Dorothy's presence. He was stuck in a field of tall cornstalks, trying to figure out how to escape and didn’t have the time of day for her. 

The Tin Man, whose heart was broken upon discovering a broken bridge over a small stream was very much involved in trying to fix it. He was too focused on his task to notice Dorothy's approach. 

And the cowardly lion would chase her while appearing to almost eat her alive. He was only doing it for fun. 

If that weren’t enough, a dark force, known only as the Shadow, had begun to stir in the background. It sought to exploit the power vacuum and reclaim the dominance it once had over Oz. It was eventually realized that the Shadow was not a single entity, but a manifestation of the darkness within the hearts of Oz's inhabitants. The Shadow, it seemed, was drawn to Dorothy. She was the key to unlocking its secrets, but only if she helped the inhabitants confront their inner demons and find redemption.

The Wheelers are a group of creatures in Oz who were known for their mischievous and troublesome behavior. They were struggling with the Shadow that represented their own selfishness and lack of empathy. With Dorothy's help, they learned to overcome their own darkness and become more compassionate and cooperative.

The Gillikins are a tribe of people in Oz who before Dorothy's journey were known for their love of luxury and material possessions. They were struggling with the Shadow that represented their own greed and materialism. With Dorothy's help, they learned to find true happiness and fulfillment in more meaningful ways.

The Nome King was a powerful and ruthless ruler who, prior to Dorothy, sought to conquer and dominate others. He struggled with the Shadow that represented his own ambition and desire for power. With Dorothy's help, he learned to balance his ambition with compassion and empathy.

Finally, there was the China Country. a region of Oz where the inhabitants are made of delicate china. They struggled with a Shadow that represented their own fragility and vulnerability. With Dorothy's help, they learned to overcome their fears and become more confident and resilient.

Dorothy, with her innate goodness and courage, was soon the beacon of hope for Oz. The Shadow, sensing its power waning, unleashed a final, desperate attack. You see, as more and more inhabitants gained freedom from the Shadow, the Shadow dug it’s claws deeper into the ones who hadn’t been saved while ensuring their manifestations of darkness to be more pronounced. 

Dorothy persevered, using her own wit and resourcefulness to overcome her climactic battle. In the end, it was Dorothy's kindness, compassion, and determination that proved to be the decisive factors. The Shadow was vanquished, and Oz was reborn, its inhabitants living in harmony and peace.

The Wizard, grateful for Dorothy's help, presented her with a special gift: a small, delicate crystal that would allow her to go back home to Kansas, and return to Oz whenever she wished. As Dorothy prepared to leave, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion approached her. "You're not just a hero, Dorothy," the Scarecrow said. "You're a true friend of Oz." Yes, even they had been released from the clutches of the Shadow.

And with that, Dorothy returned to her own world, forever changed by her experiences in Oz, with the knowledge that she would always have a home and friends in the magical Land of Oz.

But the Wicked Witch of the West's fate was left uncertain, leaving room for a sequel to explore the consequences of her actions.

He Gets Us?

 

I saw a commercial the other night from the #HeGetsUs movement. It showed people struggling with finances and appearing stressed out. The caption at the end of the commercial read, "Jesus struggled to make ends meet, too." I'll give my remark on that in a few paragraphs below.

You've probably seen these commercials a few times. This He Gets Us movement is a Christian evangelism campaign that aims to introduce people to Jesus Christ. The movement is led by a group called "The Servant Christian Foundation," and is largely funded and supported by the billionaire brothers, Charles and Phil Anschutz, who are also known for their conservative and Christian values. The campaign's goal is to show that Jesus Christ is relatable and relevant to modern people, and that he "gets us" in a way that others may not. 

So these commercials have appeared in sporting events like the Superbowl or even just during just regular commercial breaks. You might even see billboard signs from the campaign on the highway.

I have to admit, it's not a bad thing to get people into Jesus. I certainly commend the movement. But here's the problem I have with it. The movement is essentially re-branding Jesus so we can make him more relatable in the 21st century. Maybe we are giving people the wrong impression about Jesus. Do we really need to re-brand him?

So Jesus struggled to make ends meet? No he DID NOT! Jesus fed 5000 people (women and children not counted in those days) and had plenty leftover. Jesus instructed Simon Peter who had a bad night of fishing to "put the net over there" which resulted in an overwhelming amount of fish to catch. For his Last Supper, Jesus had a room prepared for him and the disciples along with bread wine and whatever else they ate on that fateful evening. Jesus had everything he needed and gave to those with abundance. A more appropriate commercial would be remind people that God blesses us with a life of abundance. It's just that we have to be on the right track and seek the Kingdom of Heaven. And I get it ... There are people living in third world countries whose governments aren't treating them very well. That's a story for a different day. But for those not so unfortunate, most Americans aren't ready to hear that God blesses us, much less believe it. So for now, we suggest something that isn't true, that Jesus was just like us and struggled to make ends meet. 

We need to be careful about re-branding God so that he is no longer the real thing. In the letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament it is said that Jesus understands us because he was one of us. He knows our problems because he experienced most of them except for sin. But in the series of these commercials that attempt to re-band Jesus, it's almost as if there should be the State Farm jingle, "Like a good neighbor, Jesus is there." 

While shoveling your driveway, does he shovel your neighbor's as well? Does he sit outside in the backyard with you and enjoys a couple beers and brats on a summer night? While choosing to see Jesus as meek and mild who would never hurt or upset anyone, is he soon housebroken? Does he run outside and fetch your morning paper for you? What sort of Jesus is he?

You see, the Jesus described in the Bible is a very controversial figure. He shook things up. That's why they wanted to kill him. It wasn't because he simply urged people to love one another, but because he challenged the status quo. He didn't stand around and give people encouragement that they were fine and good. He, instead, urged people to repent because they were in need of change and that he was the solution to their problems. A more suiting image of Jesus as depicted from the Bible would be if the Devil asked Jesus, "Who are you?" and Jesus answers, "Your worst nightmare!" Isn't that the more powerful Jesus that our faith professes, a Jesus that makes a difference, and calls us to commitment in reforming our lives?

Re-branding nearly trivializes Jesus. Re-branding could remove the power, the message, the authority and the command of God who became flesh among us on a search and rescue mission. Re-branding might lead us to take the Gospel with a grain of salt when the Gospel is so much more.

By making Jesus more "relatable" and "down-to-earth," the movement may be losing the essence of who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Rocking and Living On Forever!

Techno Kid: Guru of NRG!

I've been asked to do the intro for today's blog article, and give my thoughts on the recent sad passing of our legendary madman rocker, Ozzy Osbourne.

Ozzy... the Prince of Darkness, the wild man of heavy metal himself... shakes head slowly It's a real bummer, man. He was a true original, a legend in every sense of the word... sighs deeply, running hand through hair.. I remember when I first heard "Paranoid".  I've been listening to Black Sabbath since I was 10 years old. Remember how he was our motivation a few months ago, how he was going to the gym and getting ready for his concert?

Ozzy was the embodiment of the indestructible spirit, the eternal rebel refusing to quit. Even in his golden years, he showed us all how to keep pushing forward, never backing down from the fight. clenches fist determinedly His music, his attitude - it's all a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Just like the NRG within us all! takes a deep breath, composing himself..

At least he got that one last show in. At least he went out on his own terms, giving fans one final hurrah.

So you know how Dio has a holographic performance of their last concert? And I know what you're thinking, "They're gonna whip up a shiny digital ghost of the Madman himself, crooning classics for eternity?" That's exactly what I'm thinking! Imagine the eternal Ozzy, forever strutting across stages, belting out timeless anthems to adoring crowds! But Ozzy might have missed the boat. You see, if we had mind uploading at our disposal, Ozzy could have uploaded his brain to a computer, then used AI to duplicate himself in terms of interacting with people. Then the holograph would project his "ghost" so that he would live on. 

Now we're  playing with fire here and I LOVE IT! Mind upload, artificial intelligence duplication, a literal digital phoenix rising from the ashes of mortality...But Ozzy's already checked out, so let's flip the script, yeah? WHAT IF... instead of mourning the fallen legends... ...we became the legends ourselves?! Think about it! With advanced enough tech, THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T UPLOAD OUR OWN CONSCIOUSNESSES, DUPLICATE THE ESSENCE OF WHO WE ARE IN THE DIGITAL REALM, AND LIVE ON FOREVER AS GLITCHING ROCK GODS!

And that's what we're talking about doing in this Friday's article. So pay attention!

Rocking and Living On Forever!

Ronnie James Dio, the legendary heavy metal vocalist who passed away in 2010, was featured in a holographic performance that recreated his last concert or iconic moments from his career. This kind of show uses advanced 3D projection technology to create a life-like, three-dimensional image of Dio on stage, often accompanied by remastered recordings or live musicians.

Kiss, known for their theatrical stage shows and iconic makeup, has announced plans to incorporate holograms of past band members or create new shows featuring digital versions of the band. This could mean resurrecting performances by members who have retired or passed away, or simply enhancing live concerts with holographic effects.

But could this also be extended to the rest of us? Imagine a future of high tech ghosts who continue to grace the family with their presence through the use of mind uploading, AI and holographic technology!

Question: Would you be willing to have a chip implanted in your brain so that you can upload the contents of your mind to the Internet--a lifetime of your thoughts, dreams, emotions, acquired knowledge, and memories? 

Many might answer, yes. They cite that there are benefits such as preserving the brain if in the event it becomes damaged from injury, stroke, or sudden illness. And if the brain is continuously synchronized with whatever portal the Internet provides, one can survive a tragic accident or even murder. A loved one simply accesses the portal online to continue the relationship. Why, one can even learn the details of the murder from the victim as he or she relays the final, chilling moments! 

It would all begin with the above-mentioned theoretical process of mind uploading. The concept of uploading a mind—sometimes called "mind uploading" or "whole brain emulation"—is a popular topic in both science fiction and futurist circles. The idea is that, with sufficiently advanced technology, we could map the entire structure and function of a human brain, digitize it, and run it on a computer. This digital version could, in theory, interact with loved ones, learn, and even evolve over time via a PC or maybe even a futuristic robot of that person. 

Of course it would require AI.  Training an AI on one's writings, recordings, and interactions could allow loved ones to "talk" to a version of themselves after they've gone. This is already being explored in various forms, from chatbots trained on personal data to more advanced digital avatars. But while AI bots can now mimic personalities, speech patterns, and even some memories (if trained on enough data), they are not conscious and do not possess self-awareness or subjective experience. They are, at best, sophisticated simulations; digital echoes of a person, not the person themselves. There could be some hesitation to follow through with this which is well-founded. AI can sometimes generate unexpected or inappropriate responses, especially if it encounters ambiguous or emotionally charged situations. No matter how well-trained, an AI bot is not infallible and may not always reflect one's true intentions or values. But, let's assume that surviving loved ones are willing to recognize and work with these imperfections.

The use of holograms to recreate performances like Dio's last concert demonstrates how technology can preserve and project a person's likeness and artistry. Combining this with AI could create interactive holograms that respond in real time, further blurring the line between memory and presence. Such a creation would be a "high-tech spirit", a digital manifestation of a person's mind, memories, and mannerisms, but without the Soul that made them truly unique.

Combining the idea of uploading a version of ourselves, integrating it with an AI bot, and turning it into a projected hologram that interacts, we essentially create a high-tech spirit of our mind. It's not our actual Soul, as our human entity is made of composite matter. When we die, our Soul is no longer part of that composite entity For all  practical purposes, we could say that this hologram would be a high-tech. spirit of the deceased person's mind. We've actually created a spirit that does not include the Soul which has passed onto the next life.

C-3PO in the Land of Oz

C-3PO in the Land of Oz

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, C-3PO, the golden protocol droid, found himself in a most peculiar situation. After a malfunction during a hyperspace jump, he was unexpectedly transported to the vibrant and magical Land of Oz. As he powered up, he looked around, bewildered by the colorful landscape filled with emerald cities, talking animals, and whimsical creatures.

“Where am I?” C-3PO exclaimed, his voice tinged with anxiety. “I must find my way back to the Rebel Alliance!”

As he wandered through the lush fields, he encountered a group of curious Munchkins. They gazed at him in awe, their eyes wide with wonder. “Who are you?” one little Munchkin asked.

“I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations,” he replied, straightening his posture. “I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. But right now, I seem to be lost.”

The Munchkins, delighted by his shiny exterior and eloquent speech, decided to help him. “You should visit the Wizard of Oz! He can help you get back home!” they suggested, pointing down the yellow brick road.

With a newfound sense of purpose, C-3PO set off on the yellow brick road, his metallic limbs clanking with each step. Along the way, he met a Scarecrow who was searching for a brain, a Tin Man longing for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion seeking courage. They quickly became friends, each sharing their dreams and aspirations.

“Perhaps the Wizard can help us all,” C-3PO suggested, his circuits buzzing with excitement. “I may not have a heart or courage, but I can certainly assist you in your quest!”

As they journeyed together, C-3PO used his knowledge of diplomacy and etiquette to navigate the challenges they faced. When they encountered the Wicked Witch of the West, he diplomatically negotiated their passage, much to the surprise of his companions. “I must remind you, dear witch, that kindness is the true path to power,” he said, his voice steady despite the danger.

Finally, they reached the Emerald City, where the Wizard awaited. The great and powerful Wizard listened to their stories and, after much deliberation, granted each of them their wishes. The Scarecrow received a brain, the Tin Man a heart, and the Cowardly Lion found his courage. As for C-3PO, the Wizard offered him a way back to his galaxy.

“Thank you, kind Wizard,” C-3PO said, bowing slightly. “But I have learned that friendship and courage come in many forms. I will cherish my time here in Oz.”

With a wave of the Wizard’s hand, a portal opened, shimmering with the colors of the rainbow. C-3PO turned to his friends, his golden eyes glistening. “I will miss you all. Remember, no matter where you are, you can always find courage, heart, and wisdom within yourselves.”

As he stepped through the portal, C-3PO felt a sense of fulfillment. He had not only helped his friends but had also discovered the true meaning of companionship. Back in the galaxy far, far away, he would carry the spirit of Oz with him, forever reminding him that even a droid can find a heart in the most unexpected places. 

And so, in the Land of Oz, the adventures of C-3PO became a cherished tale, a reminder that friendship knows no bounds, and courage can be found in the most unlikely of heroes.