Medieval Latin Paleography

Does anyone recommend Elements of Abbreviation in Medieval Latin Paleography by Adriano Cappelli as a good resource for the study of medieval abbreviation in manuscript texts? Are there better resources available?

University Daycare

When a man steals to satisfy hunger, we may safely conclude that there is something wrong in society - so when a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is an evidence that either by education or circumstances she has been greatly wronged.

Mattie Brinkerhoff, published in The Revolution, 4(9):138-9 September 2, 1869

One social reality that drives young women toward abortion is the lack of life-affirming options and support, particularly in places of employment as well as at schools and universities. Many high schools have day care programs and help for single mothers, but many universities do not(!). Many universities don't even provide opportunities for distance learning. That's why I'm glad to see some universities step in the right direction.

UC Santa Barbara is finally opening a daycare center in a building that will serve many functions. It'll be interesting to see how good it is, but is a good first step.

We must continue to fight against the exploitation of women and for the rights of the unborn through the elimination of unjust laws that protect abortion in this country, but we must also fight for social change to eliminate the pressures that are placed on young women to have abortions - to feel that they have no other choice. Thanks to organizations such as Feminists For Life for heading up this important cause by engaging universities and institutions around the country.

I'm who?

And for something completely different from the usual...


You are - Marius!
You're full of intrigue and mystery. You're seen as a wise person, always there to help people with their problems and always the first to forgive and forget. You enjoy the good life, which you share with your close companions. In other words, you're everyone's best friend.

Which Anne Rice Vampire are you?
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Maria Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii

Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae,
Vita dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes,
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Jesum benedictum fructum ventris tui
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Abortion Survivor Tells Her Story

Testimony of abortion survivor Gianna Jessen before the Constitution Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on April 22, 1996.

My name is Gianna Jessen. I am 19 years of age. I am originally from California, but now reside in Franklin, Tennessee. I am adopted. I have cerebral palsy. My biological mother was 17 years old and seven and one-half months pregnant when she made the decision to have a saline abortion. I am the person she aborted. I lived instead of died.

Fortunately for me the abortionist was not in the clinic when I arrived alive, instead of dead, at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of April 6, 1977... There were many witnesses to my entry into this world. My biological mother and other young girls in the clinic, who also awaited the death of their babies, were the first to greet me. I am told this was a hysterical moment. Next was a staff nurse who apparently called emergency medical services and had me transferred to a hospital.

Gianna Jessen is now 28 years old... and is still glad that she is alive.

UCSB Lagoon smells better today

Because of bioswells.

While the Lagoon behind the UCen has no Loch Ness creature to its name, it has been known to have a monster smell... Since August 2002, employees and interns from the UCSB's Museum of Systematics and Ecology (MSE), which oversees management of the lagoon, have designed and constructed an organic system of "bioswells" to naturally filter surface water runoff before it deposits odor-causing chemicals in the lagoon.

It might smell better, but I still wouldn't swim in it.