2015年4月12日星期日

Characteristics of an Eccentric Person

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Eccentric personalities are rare. Associated with intelligence and creativity, their behavior is said to reflect their genius in a fearless manner. Buzzle tells you about the different characteristics of an eccentric person.
Characteristics of an eccentric person
Soap Bubble Math
Bernhard Einstein, grandson of Albert Einstein, had received a three-hour long lecture on the mathematical properties of soap bubbles from his grandfather, when he was only 8 years old.
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Elagabulus, a third century Roman Emperor, served his guests freaky meals: meat, fruits, and other food made from glass, ivory, and gem stones. Bound by etiquette, guests were not allowed to deny such expensive servings.

During the 1700s, a person summoned by King George III to attend his court had apologized for being late, as he was busy teaching an otter how to swim. James Hirst or Jimmy, was this eccentric person, and also the famous business man of York.

Eccentricity

Eccentric people are always better known by their eccentricities. Explained to be an unusually odd behavior, eccentricity tends to reflect from various aspects of a human personality. There is no definition to classifying someone as 'eccentric', and neither is there a limit to the very many facets of individual expression which may get labeled as eccentric. It is neither insanity nor a disorder.

Well, it is definitely interesting to get to know what makes one 'an eccentric of a kind'. So, here is a list of attributes that could help you understand this unique behavioral trait, and also spot some examples around. I know you must be wondering, how do I know that I am (not) one of them! Of course, there is no remedy to explain and convince an eccentric of he, himself being one! Happy finding!

Traits of an Eccentric Person

According to psychologist Dr. David Weeks, there are around fifteen characteristics that can distinguish between a normal person and an eccentric individual. Further, he also says that individuals having a mental illness 'suffer' from their behavior, however, eccentrics are rather happy.

◼ Nonconforming attitude

◼ Creative

◼ Highly motivated by curiosity

◼ Idealistic

◼ Happily obsessed with hobbyhorses (one or more)

◼ Not interested in the company or opinions of others

◼ Knowing since childhood that he or she is different from others

◼ Opinionated and outspoken; believing that I am always right, and the rest of the world is wrong

◼ Single

◼ Usually the only child or the eldest child

◼ Unusual in eating habits and living arrangements

◼ Possessed of a mischievous sense of humor

◼ Bad speller

◼ Noncompetitive, and not needing reassurance from society

Out of these, five attributes: nonconformity, creativity, strongly motivated by curiosity, being idealistic, and the obsession with one or more hobbyhorses are said to be present in every eccentric person.

There are also other common traits describing the nature of these people. They show compassion, are geniuses and intelligent, preoccupied with a purpose in their life, and analytical. However, some are notorious for their quirky, cranky, bizarre, erratic, or weird behavior.

Signs of an eccentric person are evident from things like dressing style, speech, peculiar tastes, or an offbeat thinking. Though it is not abnormal, there is a definite deviation in their conduct from the general cultural or societal norms. Doing things in unconventional and strange ways highlights their different perceptions. Being highly creative, multifaceted, and also quaint at times, lets them defy the 'so-called' rules.
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Louise Elisabeth de Meuron, who was also known as Madame de Meuron, was an aristocrat and an eccentric personality in Bern, Switzerland. She never used to buy a ticket while traveling by tram. She would say, "I was here before the tram". Albert Einstein used to deliberately go out sailing when there was no wind. He believed that was more challenging for a sailor. So may be it was!

2015年4月9日星期四

10 Applications of the SixthSense Technology

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The future belongs to augmented reality projected through wearable technology. An enhanced digital lifestyle and a device that tracks gestures to capture the world around us sounds nothing less than surreal. This Buzzle article lists out the applications of the SixthSense Technology in various fields.
Application of the SixthSense technology
Interesting Piece of Trivia
Pranav Mistry, the maker of SixthSense was inspired by futuristic movies like Minority Report and Robocop while creating the device.
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Canadian researcher and inventor Steve Mann created the first wearable computer as a neck worn projecting device with camera system known as the Telepointer in 1990 when he was a media lab student. He is thus regarded as the Father of SixthSense Technology and also as the Father of Wearable Computing. The first prototype of the SixthSense technology was larger and heavier in size and hence caused hindrance in daily life usability. Besides it stood steeped in price making it scarcely available for commercial purpose.

Therefore Indian computer scientist and inventor Pranav Mistry felt the need to improve the existing technology and invent a futuristic device that would seamlessly integrate the digital and physical world through gesture identification, image capturing, processing, and manipulation.

About the Inventor

Computer scientist and inventor Pranav Mistry hails from Palanpur, Gujarat, India. While as a student he sort inspiration from futuristic sci-fi movies and visions of a computer-free world, he furthered his quest to introduce to the world a technology that would revolutionize the future. He first tried out the idea of a simple sixth sense prototype on a computer mouse by putting two rollers into one mouse and trying to obtain data by guiding the movements of the mouse. The venture of two rollers did not work out so he decided to improve the design by using four rollers which eventually gave him the idea to integrate gesture movements through fingers.

While being a PhD student in the Fluid Interfaces Group at the MIT Media Lab, he designed the wearable gestural interface known as the Wear Ur World (WuW) or SixthSense. He is currently positioned as the Head of Think Tank Team and Director of Research of Samsung Research America. He has been embellished with many awards for his invention including Young Global Leader 2013 Award, by World Economic Forum, 50 Most Creative People of the Year 2010, by CREATIVITY 50, and INVENTION OF THE YEAR 2009 award, by Popular Science.


About the SixthSense Technology

The prototype which is the blend of a computer and cell phone consists of a pocket projector, a mirror, and a camera. The hardware components are integrated into a pendant-like mobile wearable device connected to the mobile computing device of the user. Colored magic marker caps (red, blue, green and yellow) worn on the four fingers aide the camera to identify the four fingers and discern the hand gestures through an in-built software.

The webcam acts like a digital eye that captures and distinguishes an object in view and courses the user's hand gestures using computer-vision based techniques to transmit data to the smartphone. The tiny LED projector projects visual information altering surfaces, walls, and physical objects to be used as interfaces. The usage of the mirror is important as a reflector as the projector swings downwards from the neck. A Web-enabled smartphone processes the video data by interpreting the hand gestures. The movements and arrangements of the colored makers are translated into gestures that act as interaction commands for the projected application interfaces.

The in-built software program analyzes the video data viewed by the camera and also tracks down the positioning of the colored markers by utilizing single computer vision techniques. The user can command multiple hand gestures and movements as long as they are visually identified and differentiated by the system. This is possible because the 'SixthSense' device supports multi-touch and multi-user interaction.

The software distinguishes 3 kinds of gestures: Multitouch gestures - Gestures that involve pinching and dragging, Freehand gestures - Free hand movements to start the projection, and Iconic gestures - Creating an image in the air.


Advantages

✏ Highly portable device that can be carried around due to its minuscule pocket-size.
✏ It costs only $350 which is quite cheap considering its technological application.
✏ Its main characteristic is that it acts as a connective instrument between the real and digital world.
✏ The user can gain access to high-speed data from any machine and from any corner of the world with just simple hand movements.
✏ The software that is used to render and analyze the data compiled by the device is made open source. This facility enables other developers to impart additional development to the system.


Disadvantages

✏ While capturing images from this small device the user might invade the privacy of others without the person's consent, of course no one likes to be clicked in the pictures of any random person.
✏ A deadly device if it comes in the hands of criminals as it can gain access to any information without being tagged or supervised as suspicious. Criminals can use Open Source Intelligence to use public sources such as 'Facebook Face' to extract personal information about anyone.
✏ Hackers can use it for their potential hacking targets.
✏ Malware and viruses can easily be installed in other systems through this device.
✏ The data projected is never private as it will displayed on a surface for everyone to see. Also it can be viewed with clarity during the nighttime as opposed to the daytime hence causing vision problems.


Applications

✏ Make Calls
It allows the user to project the dial pad unto the palm as a virtual keypad to make calls without the presence of an actual mobile device.

✏ Track Flight Updates
An excellent on-the-go feature that allows you to check your flight timings without logging into any of the related travel sites, the device recognizes your boarding pass to project the required information anytime anywhere.

✏ Navigate a Virtual Map
Stuck in traffic or simply exploring uncharted territories and wishing you had a virtual route plan, then don't worry this device allows the feature of navigating through any map of choice with the simple gesture of your thumb and index fingers. Zoom in or out and plan the map along any surface with just the swipe of your fingers.

✏ Construct 3D Drawings
Architects, graphic designers, and simply art enthusiasts can use this feature for drawing, storing, shuffling, and resurfacing virtual pictures anywhere. This feature allows the user to create pictures by tracking the index fingertip movements.

✏ Time Management
Check time by gesturing a circle on your wrist and a virtual clock with the current timings will be displayed.

✏ Motion Camera
Capture wonderful moments on the go with the device's gestural feature by placing your fingers as a frame to captivate an image. These images can be edited, shared, and stored without the additional use of a camera or any other photo capturing device.

✏ Motion Newspapers
Stay connected with the outside world through this device by creating and reading virtual newspapers by projecting them on any surface, watch streaming videos, and live news updates from anywhere.

✏ Bookish Knowledge
Book lovers can enjoy a good read by getting to know the reviews of latest books, analyzing ratings, jumping to any page while reading, and browsing through additional information.

✏ Accumulate People Data
It will be easier to stay in touch with people through this device as the facial recognition technique of this technology allows the user to store data about the people they meet daily, project their relevant information anywhere, creates reminders or appointments with their contacts, and gain additional access on their information. This feature would be very helpful for business personnel's who meet clients on a daily basis, it would help them to stay organized about their business agendas.

✏ Product Knowledge
Boon to the shoppers who would love to know a little extra about the products they pick off the shelves. This device recognizes the objects that are being picked and projects its related information onto any screen.
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This avant-garde technology attempts to improve itself in the coming years by withdrawing the colored markers, incorporating projector in the mobile device, allowing a flat surface to be used as a multi-touch user interface, applying it for gaming and education purpose, adding 3D gesture tracking, and making it available for disabled people.

2015年4月8日星期三

Henry David Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience': Summary and Analysis

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David Henry Thoreau's essay Civil Disobedience argues that if a government is being unfair, it is an individual's duty to stand up against it. This Buzzle article briefs you on the Civil Disobedience summary for you in an effort to explain Thoreau's ideas better.
Summary of Henry David Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience'
Inspirational
Henry David Thoreau's thoughts in his essay inspired Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha or non-violent resistance against the British government.
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Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American writer, philosopher, abolitionist, and historian. He was outspoken against slavery and American imperialism. He was truly disgusted with the American government. As a result, he refused to pay his poll taxes in 1848. He had to spend a night in jail for his actions. However, he was released from jail the next morning when a friend paid his taxes.

In the same year, he gave lectures in schools in Concord, Massachusetts. The lectures were titled as The Rights and Duties of the Individual in relation to Government. These lectures formed the base of his 1849 published essay Resistance to Civil Government. The essay was published in an anthology called Æsthetic Papers. The word "Resistance" from the title was apt for Thoreau's metaphor of comparing the government to a machine. According to him, if the machine is producing injustice, citizens should work as a resistance to stop the machine.

The essay was reprinted in 1866, four years after Thoreau's death, in the collection of his work named A Yankee in Canada: With Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers. The essay was printed with a new title called Civil Disobedience. The essay appears under titles On the Duty of Civil Disobedience and On Civil Disobedience as well.

The essay primary deals with slavery crisis in America in the 1840s and 1850s. It also condemns the Mexican-American war. Let us find out more about it.

Summary and Analysis

► Thoreau opens his essay with a saying "That government is best which governs least," which he believes to be true. He speaks favorably about a government that does not intrude in citizens' lives. The government is chosen by people to achieve certain ends. According to Thoreau, it is in existence to execute citizens' will. It exists to ensure an individual's freedom. However, it is prone to be misused. Thoreau gives examples of slavery practice and the Mexican-American war to establish his point further. He asserts that the government itself becomes an obstacle between achieving its purpose, the purpose for which it was created.

► However, Thoreau makes it clear that he is against abolishing the government, but wished for a better one. He did not believe that there should be no government at all. He believed that if the government fails to improve, people should not support it. According to Thoreau, a person cannot accept the government's authority unquestioningly.

► Thoreau introduces common people's right to revolution against an unjust government. To establish this thought, he compares the government with a machine. As a machine, the government may not do a good job in producing justice. Instead, it might produce injustice only. He encourages people be a counter friction or a resistance to stop such a machine. He encourages rebellion. He believes that mere expression of objection is not enough; it requires action. Thoreau asserts that an individual must not support the government structure. An individual must act with principle and break the law if necessary.

► To establish this thought further, he gives his own example. He recalls the time when he was imprisoned for non-payment of taxes on his part. With his own example, he establishes that non-payment of taxes is a means to withdraw support from the government. It constitutes "peaceable revolution." Thoreau also advocates a simple and self-reliant lifestyle to achieve individual freedom. He urges people to be free from the corrupting powers of money and property. He goes on to describe details about his stay in the jail and the treatment meted out to a person by the state as if he is only a physical entity and not an intellectual individual.

► Thoreau maintains that he does not want to quarrel. He says that he wants to honor the laws of the land. However, he states that the current laws are not honorable. He believes that the government is in transition from absolute monarchy to democracy. However, he also notes that democracy may not be the final stage of the process. In the end, he again lays emphasis on respecting an individual. A state cannot be absolutely free and enlightened until the government recognizes the importance of an individual.

Thoreau's essay revolves around three main themes: (i) civil government vs. higher law, (ii) government vs. an individual, and (iii) materialism vs. simple life. He uses logos, ethos, and pathos to explain and peruse the readers to support his ideas of the government. The essay explains to us the intentions and principles of the government. However, the principles turned into actions, which are called laws, are often unjust. Unjust laws do not work for people, whether they are in majority or minority. To change unjust laws and the unjust government, people should stand up. It is every citizen's duty to resist unfairness shown by the government.
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Thoreau's thoughts were never restricted to the Massachusetts area. They spread across the world, inspired several movements, and influenced leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, etc. Thoreau's essay definitely brought about a change in the state of affairs to turn them into the world as we know it today.

2015年4月7日星期二

Color of Law - Meaning and Examples

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The term 'color of law' relates to the use of authority conferred upon public officials as law enforcement agents of the government. Violations of the color of law are punishable under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This article explains the term, along with a few examples.
Color of Law meaning
Pending Issues
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In 2012, around 42% of the FBI's total civil rights caseload included color of law issues.
Looking at the term 'color of law' makes us think about its meaning. If one is not a legal expert, or someone who has studied law, it is not even possible to make a guess as to what it means. But before getting down to its meaning, let us try to understand why it exists in first place.

Legislation or law making is the cornerstone of a nation's successful governance. It gives a framework to and organizes all constitutional ideals and principles. The next important thing is effective implementation of these laws. Public offices have been created for this. The people who serve these crucial offices are thus given ample powers for maintaining a just and lawful society. So, to prevent abuse of this immense power, there have been provisions made to protect and uphold the rights of the citizens of the country.

Meaning of Color of Law

Color of law is the use of authority by a person given to him by a local, state, or federal government. It also means a semblance or mere appearance of a legal right, which actually may not exist.

Firstly, let us understand that the term 'color of law' pertains mostly to authorities exercised by public officials, who are entrusted the responsibility of ensuring justice and enforcement of law.

Appearance of a Legal Right

The action of an official, whether within the field of given authority or outside it, may appear to be his legal right. This appearance is ascribed mainly to the official's position or post. Commoners view all acts by a public official to be legal and just. For example, a police officer can arrest an individual. This is an authority given to the police. However, arrests need to have a valid cause. If the officer arrests or detains an individual willfully, without an appropriate cause, it violates the law. Thus, color of law, here, becomes a mere appearance of a legal right, when it does not exist actually.

As per the Civil Rights Act of 1871, color of law is synonymous with State action. The action of the official is considered to be an action by the government.

Persons acting under the color of law include: police officers, prison guards, other law enforcement officials, judges, care providers in public health facilities, and all others who are acting as public officials. Color of law is synonymous with state action.

Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law

Section 242, Title 18 of the U.S. Code makes it a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. The acts under the 'color of law' for this section, include those done by officials within their lawful authority; and also acts done beyond their authority, if they pretend to have done the acts as a performance of their official duties.

Examples of Violations of Color of Law

Officials have been given certain powers, like making an arrest, stopping and searching with a search warrant, traffic stops, seizure of belongings, etc. However, there are occurrences when they misuse their powers, and cases of 'color of law' abuse come up. Most of these cases investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation involve crimes of the following nature:

1. False Arrest
According to the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, citizens have a right against unreasonable searches and seizures. A law enforcement officer can, due to the authority under color of law, stop individuals, and in certain cases also search them and keep their property. If the official illegally holds onto your property, or detains you unlawfully, it is an abuse of the color of law. This may result in the violation of a person's civil rights.

An arrests made by fabricating some evidence against someone counts as a false arrest, and also amounts to an abuse of color of law.

2. Excessive Force
Government officials are allowed to use force in certain circumstances. They can use force wherever it is 'reasonably' necessary while making arrests, maintaining order, or even as defense. Federal law is violated when it is observed and proven that the force used in a particular situation was excessive or unreasonable. Use of undue force during an arrest or detention is punishable.
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3. Sexual Assault
If officials use their positions of authority to force an individual into sexual acts, in jails, during traffic stops, or in similar instances, it violates the color of law. Compliance by the victim in such cases comes out of the fear of the authoritative position of the official.

2015年4月6日星期一

Nutritional Information About Straw Mushrooms

Mushrooms are usually an excellent choice for people who are big on eating healthy as they have great nutritional value. A great option that is popular throughout the Far East, is straw mushrooms. This article provides nutritional information about these mushrooms.
Nutritional fact about straw mushrooms
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Caution!
The edible and non-poisonous straw mushrooms are easily mistaken for the poisonous death cap mushrooms, because they are similar in shape, color, and size. The only difference being that death caps have a white spore print, while straw mushrooms have a pink spore print.
Straw mushrooms are a species of edible mushrooms cultivated all over East and Southeast Asia. This mushroom forms an integral part of almost all Asian cuisines and is cultivated extensively for food and export. The fresh varieties of these mushrooms have a relatively small shelf life, and are thus usually available in dried or canned forms.

These mushrooms are grown on a bed of rice straws (hence the name) that provides a moist, earthy environment required for the optimum growth of the fungus. They are about 1.5 inches in diameter and egg-shaped when immature and are pale tan in color. The matured mushrooms have a bulbous base, long stem, and caps with drooping veils that are brown to almost charcoal gray in color. These are usually picked in the immature egg-like phase and take about four to five days to mature.

These mushrooms have a very delicate, earthy, and musty flavor that echoes with the aromas of the paddy. It makes an excellent addition to soups, stir fries, gravies as well as stuffing. These mushrooms absorb a lot of flavor from the medium that they are cooked in and every bite of it is scrumptious.

Straw Mushrooms in Egg Phase
Straw mushrooms in the immature egg phase.

If that reason wasn't good enough, straw mushrooms provide excellent nutrition too! We now elaborate on the health benefits of consuming these mushrooms.

Nutrition in Straw Mushrooms

Source: USDA
▶ We could call these mushrooms a Weight Watcher's dream food, packed with flavors and low in calories, they can surely works wonders on your hips as well as your tongue. 100 g of dried straw mushrooms contain only about 32 calories. These mushrooms can be easily rehydrated with some hot water and will yield you a good quantity.

▶ A downside to canned straw mushrooms is that they have higher sodium content, about 384 mg per 100 g., though some manufacturers of the dried varieties claim to produce sodium-free canned mushrooms. Another difference between the canned and dried varieties is that while canned mushrooms contain good amount of calcium, the dried ones contain none. 100 g of canned mushrooms contain around 10 g of calcium. Other nutrients remain almost the same in both varieties.

▶ These mushroom are a good source of iron, they contain about 1.43 mg of iron per 100 g of mushroom, and help in the formation of hemoglobin in the red blood cells of our body. This improves the oxygen carrying capacity of blood and increases our stamina. These mushrooms are also rich in riboflavin, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B6. We can call it an excellent source of vitamin B complex. It aids in breaking down the glycogen stored in our body. These vitamins are required for the maintenance of healthy eyes and skin. Folate is also needed in the formation of red blood cells, development of the fetal nervous system, and regular cell growth.

▶ These mushrooms are not only a good source of proteins (3.83 g for 100 g), but also assist in the uptake of proteins by the body. These are loaded with selenium and antioxidants, like L-ergothioneine, which help to fight cancer and prevent premature aging.

▶ In addition to these, straw mushrooms contain minerals like phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium that are required for the normal functioning of various metabolic processes of the body. Another good thing about these mushrooms (like other mushrooms) is that they contain no cholesterol and almost negligible amount of fats.

▶ It is also believed that these mushrooms help remove excess heat from the body. They are believed to have blood thinning qualities and may function in lowering high blood pressure. They have also been observed to help in the treatment of cancer and diabetes. Some claim that these mushrooms helps in managing various autoimmune diseases.
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Straw mushrooms can be an ideal source of nutrition (taste wise as well as health wise) not only to vegans, vegetarians, and those following a restricted diet, but even for hardcore carnivores.

2015年4月2日星期四

How to Observe Maundy Thursday

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The solemn feast of the Lord's Passover marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Christians the world over are called to partake in the sacred feast of Christ.
Observation in the Roman Catholic Church
Maundy Thursday is a day when Catholics commemorate the institution of the three most important pillars of faith―Sacrament of Communion, the Mass, and Priesthood.
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Maundy Thursday is the day reserved to celebrate the Passover or the Lord's last meal with His disciples. It is the day to remember and venerate Christ's offering of himself to the disciples in the upper room. Simply put, Holy Thursday is the prelude to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the Mount Calvary.

It is also a day to be spent in quiet contemplation and self-examination. Besides, it is a day to share whatever little we have with those that are less fortunate. While celebrating Maundy Thursday, it is mandatory to bear in mind the commandment given by Christ to his disciples in the upper room the night before His final walk up the mount. Christ, in all his humbleness, became a servant to serve his disciples, that like Christ, we too may follow the same and love our brethren as ourselves. Here's what you can do to observe this day.

Prepare Yourself

Holy Thursday is best remembered as the feast of the Passover. In order to partake in this feast, we the commoners need to prepare ourselves. Take it as an opportunity to clean not just your homes, your surrounding, and yourselves, but also your minds. It is time you left behind your hurt feelings, negative vibrations, and prejudices and wash yourself clean of all that you have been holding on to.

Fasting and Penance

It may be called a feast, but do make it a point to abstain from eating and merrymaking on this day. Instead, offer your saving for those that are less fortunate. Avoid switching on the television, radio, and music for the three days. Resort instead to praying, singing hymns, and reading the word of God.

Participate in the Chrism Mass

Once in your life, partake in the Chrism mass held at the diocese. This day is dedicated to celebrating the institution of priesthood, which is why partaking in the high mass is something you should do at least once in your lifetime. The Chrism Mass (followed by the Roman Catholic Church) or the Mass of the Holy Oils is a celebration of communion of the priests of a given diocese with their Bishop. Holy oil is used for anointing the sick during sacraments and Holy Orders is blessed at this mass.

Attend the Passover Service

Although it is not a day of obligation, you can make some time and visit your church in the evening. Doing so will ensure you partake in the Lord's feast, as well as witness how Christ humbled himself to wash the feet of his disciples. Besides, you get the chance to share your communion with Christ himself. The service commemorates the very first Holy Communion of the disciples with Christ offering himself through bread and wine to his disciples.

Kneel Before His Holy Presence

Take a moment to bow your head in prayer before the Altar of Repose in your church. The consecrated body of Christ, which is enclosed there, should be venerated in perfect silence. You can volunteer to lead the worship in your church. Ideally, a candlelight worship service should suffice.

Visit 7 Churches

Conduct the Stations of the Cross by visiting at least seven churches in your area. Ideally, you should visit the altar of repose of seven churches before midnight on Maundy Thursday.

Say a Family Prayer

A family that prayers together sticks together. While at home, you can gather your family together and read the Bible. You get to spend quality time together as well as spend the time praying for one another, thus, strengthening your bond.

Invite a Stranger for Dinner

If the Lord can share his meal with you and me, we as his children should do the same to those around us. Share your meal with a homeless stranger or even a poor soul; this way, you will be assured of their goodwill as well as blessings from the Almighty.
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On the night of His arrest, Jesus said to His disciples, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Make this Holy Triduum special by keeping the mandate or command that Christ himself gave to us, his disciples, on the night of his arrest.

2015年4月1日星期三

How to Get Rid of Kissing Bugs

Also referred to as assassin bugs, these blood-sucking insects are a troublesome lot wherever they decide to reside. However, eliminating these bugs is not as difficult as it seems. The following  article discusses how to get rid of kissing bugs.
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Tips to get rid of kissing bugs
Did You Know?
These insects, that are around 1 to 3 cm long, are christened as kissing bugs since they tend to bite their sleeping victims near the mouth.
When kissing bugs are camping in your house, it is very difficult to get some quality sleep. Thanks to their blood-sucking ability, they are sure to create a nuisance and give a harrowing night to their hosts. Moreover their feces carry Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan known to cause Chagas disease―a condition that is typically marked by swelling at the site of bite, rash, fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Considering the health risks linked to their association with homes, getting rid of these kissing bugs at the earliest should be your top priority.

Eliminating Kissing Bugs

Vacuum the Area
Thoroughly vacuuming your home can contribute immensely in getting rid of kissing bugs. You need to vacuum all the possible areas that include mattresses, pillows, carpets, floors, drawers, bed frames and other furniture items. When vacuuming, do make it a point to get rid of rat nests (if any) that are known to attract these bugs. Keeping the surrounding clean can certainly discourage these pets from infesting your home. So make sure your house is clutter-free to keep these insects out of your sight.

Mop the Floor
Household bleach can prove lethal for kissing bugs. Hence, mopping your floor with bleach-water solution can also help to exterminate these bugs. However, if you are not comfortable using household bleach, go for a steam mop to eliminate these pests. You can also steam clean all the surfaces and cracks. Steam cleaning devices generate heat, which these insects find difficult to withstand.

Use the Right Product
Well, using the right insecticide or bug spray can go a long way in keeping these bugs out of your house. Look for products that do not emanate a strong odor but at the same time are effective in destroying the pests. Products like Phantom Aerosal spray are practically odorless, and moreover, work against these notoriously difficult pest. A pyrethroid insecticide spray can be deadly against these bugs.

Using home insect foggers, also referred to as bug bombs or fleas bombs that contain active ingredients like tralomethrin or pyrethrins, may also contribute in eradicating these insects. Whichever product you choose, make sure the windows are all open and also ensure that you spray all the infested areas of your house including cracks and crevices.

Insect Repellents
Pyrethrin, which is similar to pyrethroid, is a powerful natural insecticide. It has been used all over the world to control infestation of a variety of insects including kissing bugs. However, when used in lower concentrations, pyrethrin has shown insect repellent properties. So you can use it in small amounts to get rid of these bugs. Generally, an insecticide formulation containing 2% concentration of pyrethrin demonstrates effective repellent activity.

Prevention

Even after getting rid of kissing bugs, your house may get re-infested with these insects, if you do not implement the following preventive steps:

    Firstly, it is necessary to prevent these bug from re-entering your home. For this, use sealants such as caulk and foam to close (seal) all the cracks and gaps in your home. So check all the nooks and crannies in your house and make sure they are sealed completely. When done properly, it can be extremely difficult for these bugs to take refuge in your home.
    Installing insect screens is yet another way to protect your house from a kissing bug infestation. Insect screen protection that includes window screen and door screen can immensely contribute in preventing those bugs from crawling into your home.
    Like your house, you also need to keep your backyard clean. Get rid of dead leaves or other garden debris as any clutter in your yard can prove to be a haven for bugs and insects. In short, ensure that garbage or trash is disposed off on a daily basis. Also, if you have a lawn, make sure it is trimmed on a regular basis so that these insects do not hide in overgrown grass.
    Hanging a mosquito net over your sleeping area can also prevent these insects from biting you, thereby ensuring a sound and a bug-free sleep.
Prom-Dresses
On the whole, calling an exterminator may not be necessary if you follow these remedies to the T. However, in case these pest control treatment options do not work, seek professional help.