Abulafia

Abulafia, Abraham (Link to Wiki explanation)
_{Abraham Abulafia (1240-1291) is the most important figure in the prophetic Kabbalah, and among the most fascinating Kabbalists in our historical record.}

So what does this guy have to do with me. Well, I just finished reading the book “Foucault’s Pendulum”, by Umberto Eco (link to Wiki site) and one of the main characters of the book, was sort of “Abulafia”. The story is about three book editors who decided to research the Knights Templar. It takes place primarily in Italy but also in many places throughout Europe. They devise a scheme to create their research. Instead of going out and trying to find information about stuff that they know will not be easy, they decide to create a book deal whereby authors submit manuscripts for perusal for this feature they are putting together. The editors gladly accept anything and everything on any remote mythical topic as well as about the Templars themselves and through their own efforts start to piece together the mysteries of the world through all of these bits and pieces that they receive. After many years of reading all of the compelling information that has been submitted to them, they realize that they are now part of it all but no further closer to discovering the ultimate goal, that being the “Master of the world”. Because they know so much they postulate a direction of the ultimate goal only to be sucked into it all, further than they ever expected. Abulafia, in the story, is the name given to the computer that one of them uses to help decipher the wonders they discover. It also helps one of them, to help one who has gotten in over his head. At times the story is funny, other times so bizarre you wonder where it is all going. What caught my interest with it all is the amount of history that is detailed in the book. I never learned so much from reading so few pages, in general about secrete societies and underground organizations, as I have with this book. As I was reading it, I couldn’t help but wonder if any of it were actually true. I think I wanted it to be, but there was a nagging reality that this story is just that…a fictional story. It starts out about the Templars and ends with the culmination of every secrete society throughout history and what it is they are seeking. No it is not the Holy Grail, or as whom Dan Brown suggests it is, Mary Magdellan. It is something so powerful that anyone and everyone ignorant of it all, isn’t even worthy of being alive in its presence. I can’t understand why this hasn’t been made into a movie!

Sometimes it takes me a long time to finish reading a book. This one was no different, although I finished most of it this past weekend. I don’t know what happened. It seemed like I got to a certain point in the book and I couldn’t put it down any more until I was done. This book was recommended to me by my friend A-ron. I can’t wait to see what he has for me next. If you know the name Umberto Eco and are familiar with any of his other works then this will also be of interest to you. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I would recommend it to anyone.

Sole Animator Creates CG Animated Feature Film

Former lead animator of Matrix Reloaded, Jeff Lew, spent 4 years working at home to create his independent animated feature film. Killer Bean Forever combines action, drama, and comedy into one visually stunning CG movie. The trailer is now on-line.

Check this out, this guys video(s) are amazing!

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A Joke from my Sister

The husband leans over and asks his wife, “Do you remember the first time we had sex together over fifty years ago? We went behind this very tavern where you leaned against the back fence and I made love to you.”

“Yes, she says, “I remember it well.”

“OK,” he says, “How about taking a stroll around there again and we  can do it for old time’s sake?”

“Oh Charlie, you old devil, that sounds like a crazy, but good idea!”

A police officer sitting in the next booth heard their conversation and, having a chuckle to himself, he thinks to himself, I’ve got to see these two old-timers having sex against a fence. I’ll just keep an eye on them so there’s no trouble. So he follows them.

The elderly couple walks haltingly along, leaning on each other for  support aided by walking sticks. Finally, they get to the back of the tavern and make their way to the fence.

As she leans against the fence, the old man moves in. Then suddenly they erupt into the most furious sex that the policeman has ever seen. This goes on for about ten minutes while both are making loud noises and moaning and screaming. Finally, they both collapse, panting on the ground.

The policeman is amazed. He thinks he has learned something about life and old age that he didn’t know.

After about half an hour of lying on the ground recovering, the old couple struggle to their feet and put their clothes back on.

The Policeman, is still watching and thinks to himself, this is truly amazing, I’ve got to ask them what their secret is. So, as the couple passes, he says to them, “Excuse me, but that was something else. You must have had a fantastic sex life together. Is there some sort of secret to this?”

Shaking the old man is barely able to reply, “Fifty years ago that wasn’t an electric fence.”

Canadian Study: Piracy Boosts CD Sales

A recent study on the impact of filesharing on CD sales shows that the more music people download on P2P-networks, the more CDs they buy.

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A New Adventure

I woke up early this morning to see my son off.   Off on a new adventure that, as a parent, I don’t think he’s ready for.  I imagine all parents think that of their kids when such a thing happens, but you have to trust that they’ll be alright.  He had six months of high school remaining but felt an uncontrollable urge to venture off on his journey of life before completing it.  I think I now have an idea of what my parents must have gone through when I told them I was moving away, across the country.  Am I surprised my son is doing that now?  No, but compared to when I did it, I had at least finished high school, been out in the world working for a few years and then had started back doing some post secondary schooling.  Thats the main reason why I am concerned.  Because of that, things won’t be easy for him and with him being so far away, it almost conpletely removes us from being able to help him at all.

He has left eveything and everyone that he knows to travel out to a distant part of the country that aside from travelling through a few times myself, am totally unfamiliar with.  Saskatchewan to me is nothing more than vast amounts of farmland, and is very flat.  He’s travelling to a pretty rural area where he is hoping to secure work at an oil refinery.  He has some acquaintence’s out there that will provide him with a place to stay.  As a parent I can’t help but feel so useless in all of this.  You always want so much for your kids.  I feel like I have so much to give him but that he won’t ever be around for me to give it to him.  I guess the cycle repeats itself.

I have never felt so much regret as when I stood there and watched my fathers life expire before me and wished I had been around him more.  I miss him.  I didn’t want this for my son, but it seems he has taken on the exact same path.  What can I do other than wish him the best and hope that he stays in contact with us. 

Christmas and New Years will be very different for us this year.