Trivia Night - A Success!

This year's Trivia Night at the Seminary went very well, and I'm glad to have heard that many people had a great time. There was a little bit of a scare when, just after I had turned on all the lights and the computer projectors, those of us setting up were told there was a very strong thunderstorm barreling through St. Louis. (Typically, even a smaller storm can knock out power to the Seminary for many hours). Needless to say, the power did not go out.

The next big happening this summer will be the end of summer break and the beginning of a new academic year. I've heard so far that there are twenty or more new seminarians coming in for St. Louis, with (I think) eight in the college!

Microsoft's Attempt at Voice Recognition

This video's [Google Video] being passed around the Internet today. It's a video of Microsoft's attempt at speech recognition in Windows Vista (Microsoft's future OS) during a demo for press and investors. Apparently, Microsoft didn't do a great job setting up their live demo.

Basically, Microsoft's representative tried to speak 'Dear Mom,' to the computer, but the computer typed 'Dear Aunt,' instead. Once the representative tried to replace or delete the text, the computer took a little time to think, then output: "Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all."

Perhaps there's a reason why Apple has not endeavored to make a full 'speech typing' utility for their system. Apple has probably realized by now that the built-in speech recognition they currently employ in OSX is plenty adequate and very robust for most users, and that they don't need to delve into markets where they will waste tons of time for not-so-great return on investment.

Blogroll, Links Updates

A few updates to my blogroll will be happening soon (after our College Seminary's Trivia Night, most likely), including the addition of the REAP Team's Podcast and a blog from a fellow Missourian, Missouri Catholic.

Most of the last week has been spent organizing the Trivia Night, so I haven't had time to post the information on my blog (other than a comment in the previous post) about how the wedding between my sister and her (new) husband went. Basically, we went through both the wedding Mass and the reception without power, except for a generator that powered the sound systems. But, as my sister has said, the wedding went on with the 'power of the Holy Spirit,' and it was awesome! I pray they may be married for many joyous years, and that their marriage may be blessed.

P.S. For those interested, the Priestie Boyz CD's release date is less than one month away!

St. Louis Storm Damage Takes Its Toll

Today another large storm front moved through the St. Louis area, causing many who recently had their power restored to again lose power. In addition (and quite unfortunately), the church where my sister's wedding is scheduled to take place has also lost power... we're praying that power is restored within the next 18 hours, or else we'll be using a generator for the sound system and going without A/C!

I am sure that this is a frustrating time for the 400,000+ homes and businesses without power. Kenrick-Glennon Seminary is without power and phone services at this time, and most of my relatives are, too. The storms have even crippled many area radio stations; 550 AM (KTRS) had two of its four radio towers fall due to high winds, and a few of the FM stations are having problems keeping their signals on-air.

Big Storms, Heat Wave in St. Louis

(Image courtesy of stltoday.com)

Please pray for the many residents of St. Louis today who are without power. Last night, a massive storm, with wind gusts reportedly up to 95 mph, and a few confirmed tornadoes, ripped through the St. Louis metro area, putting at least 350,000 residents and businesses out of power. Meanwhile, temperatures today are expected to exceed 100°F (with about 80% relative humidity), and many St. Louisans will be without air conditioning (the whole St. Louis area is under an excessive heat warning).

Many others have had trees come down on their houses and/or cars, and have sustained other wind-related damages. Please spare a prayer for any of the families that have been negatively affected by this storm.

Steubenville 2006 - Weekend 2 Finished (Pictures)

I have returned from Steubenville St. Louis 2006 [stlyouth.org], and I have posted my pictures from the second weekend. Even though the conferences were awesome, and an inspiration to me and all my seminary bretheren, I can speak for them all when I say that I am relieved that it is over and that I'll be able to sleep in my own bed tonight!

Priestie Boyz Updates

Today I posted song previews for the whole Lost in Ecstasy album on the Priestie Boyz website. Check them out!

The CDs should be coming out in less than a month (I always say should... because I'm never 100% sure), and there will be more information concerning how you can get a copy (it will be available as a CD and on iTunes) posted on www.priestieboyz.com in the month of August.

Crossroads - In St. Louis July 14-16

Crossroads, a group of pro-life walkers on a mission to save the lives of those endangered by abortion, euthenasia and other attacks against human dignity and life, will be marching through St. Louis this weekend, July 14-16. On Saturday morning, they will be at the monthly Pro-Life Mass and March at the New Cathedral in St. Louis.

Mass begins at 8 a.m. at the New Cathedral, and is followed by a Rosary/walk to the nearby Planned Parenthood abortion mill on Forest Park Pkwy. Everyone is invited to participate, and you will be able to speak with some of the walkers after Mass and the march.

UPDATED - Steubenville 2006 - Weekend 1 Over - Pictures & News

Today I'm in Branson, MO, after having experienced the unchanging love of God at Steubenville St. Louis Mid-America [stlyouth.org] in Springfield, MO. It's great to have a few days to breathe after working on Kenrick-Glennon Days, Christpower, and now the Steubenville Youth Conference. You can view some of my pictures from the conference (held at Southwest Missouri State University) here.

This year will be the first that the OYM and Steubenville will be holding two weekends of conferences in St. Louis; I have been told that the 'St. Louis Mid-America' conference is the first nationwide (besides the one held in Steubenville, OH) to incorporate two weekends because of the number of participants! For a teen in high school, this conference is a very uplifiting and spiritually enriching event!

This past weekend, I helped with the production crew, mostly using the video camera to record the events and for display during the events. There is so much work that goes into preparing and running the Steubenville conference (not only the technical things, but also registration, meals, organization, liturgy, etc.), that I am amazed at how efficiently and smoothly it all happens. Even though I've been to two of these conferences now, I am looking forward excitedly to my third next weekend—and I'm not even one of the 'participants!'

Please pray that all those participants who were at the conference this past weekend, that they may arrive home safely, and that they may take the strong faith and spiritual growth they have gained with them. Also, please pray that all those coming to next week's Steubenville conference may arrive safely, and be open to God's calling!

[UPDATE:] Matthew Baute has posted pictures from Steubenville as well.

Whew! So Much Going On...

Tonight I attended a bachelor party (my first ever) for my future brother-in-law, Seth, and had a great time! We played in a world-championship beanbag toss tournament, played basketball, barbecued, and had great fun with a cat and various cat toys. We also discussed many issues, including the re-evangelization of Europe, and our firsthand experience of it on our World Youth Day pilgrimage.

During the past two weeks of Christpower, I helped a group of teens and seminarians build a sprinkler system and lighting to help complete a new St. Joseph's grotto on the Seminary grounds. It was a very satisfying job, and I think the grotto will be one of the 'showcase' areas of the Seminary, as well as a great place to go and pray. Christpower is over now, and I am glad to have a few days to relax before Steubenville Mid-America 2006, in Springfield, MO.

In other news, the evil squirrel has perished, because he decided to eat some ant poison we had placed in our back yard. In his last days, he became rather quirky, jumping around crazily and chasing his tail quite often. We found him this morning in our squirrel trap sprawled out and not breathing. May he rest in peace.