A while back I saw a program on APT discussing a massive undertaking by renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to redesign the St. John’s Bible into the first handwritten, illuminated bible commisioned since the invention of the printing press. Jackson approached the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s University and Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, who advised him on the interpretations of the text to which Jackson himself would illustrate. A small team of professional calligraphers under Jackson would aid in transcriptions. The completed volume was commisioned by Mary and Eugene Frey as a gift to Archbishop Harry Flynn to celebrate his 11 years of pastoral service to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The presentation took place back on April 24, 2008. Continue »

holy guacamole! apparently we have a family with 5 of 12 siblings tucked away in southern Turkey that actually walks on all fours. scientists are looking at everything from genetic makeup to the history of bipedalism in hopes of finding the reasons why some humans are quadrupeds. if you missed the show, then i recommend you run over to NOVA and read up on the companion site.

so anyway, i’m back from seminar. despite the many warnings, i found it was rather enjoyable. kinda like a field trip, which i haven’t had many since grade school. anyway, i learned a few things on what it takes to be a successful GM and intend to implement that knowledge to its fullest. only time will tell. Continue »