83rd Annual Academy Awards Night 2011
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Randy Newman won the Best Original Song, with his composition “We Belong Together during the 83^rd Annual Academy Awards night, February 27, 2011.  As reported by entertainment sites, it was Randy Newman’s first Oscar nomination and his second win. He created “We Belong Together” for Toy Story 3.

The other 83^rd Annual Academy Awards winners  2011 are:

Best Picture- King’s Speech

Best Director – Tom Hooper for The Kings Speech

Best Actress – Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Best Actor – Colin Firth for the King’s Speech

Best Supporting Actress- Melissa Leo for The Fighter

Best Supporting Actor – Christian Bale for The Fighter

Best Adapted Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin for  The Social Network

Best Original Screenplay – David Seidler for The King’s Speech

Randy Newman received his award with a pleasant disposition, displaying humor with taste.  He became a songwriter Hall of Famer in 2002. He have had 11 nominations for Best Original Song, and had also had made the film scores for Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

For the complete set of winners you can visit oscar.com.

Spartacus Season 3: “Gods of the Arena” prequel is an engaging series to watch. Although the series is perceived by many as about sex, violence and gore, the story is meaty and explores credibly that barbaric time when the Romans used gladiators to entertain them.

The rise of Spartacus in the House of Batiatus against Crixus another gladiator is a fascinating story. Gaia was a beauty to behold in spite of her non-satiable appetite for physical pleasure.  All the actors in the series are outstanding as each of them was able to depict a sterling performance for each of her or his role.

This is a trailer uploaded by Starz of Spartacus Season 3: Gods of the Arena.

Let’s place ourselves in the presence of our almighty God. (Pause for a few seconds)

Dear God, we are now about to start a vital conference that would permanently change our lives in one way or another. We ask for your blessings that all the activities in this conference will bring us fulfillment as well as give greater glory to your name.

May all participants feel they are welcome and would take active participation in the programs set out for them. May you endow the Holy Spirit to all the speakers, facilitators, and working committees, so that all their plans succeed.

Bless us that whatever we learned from this conference will be brought home to serve better our brothers and the community in which we exist.

We ask all these through your mighty name. Amen.

Marine Corps Marathon
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The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) registration for 2011 will open on February 23, 2011, according to marinemarathon.com.

With 30,000 participants, the marathon starts at Arlington and ends at Iwo Jima Memorial. The slots are quickly filled, so participants are encourage registering earlier. The age requirement is 14 years by the time the Marine Corps Marathon or MCM is held on October 30^, 2011. The marathon covers 26.2 miles and seasoned marathon players will not have any problem with this, but tyros will have difficulties meeting this challenge.

The Marine Corps Marathon also marks the Iwo Jima battle with the momentous flag raising. Confirmation of registration can be done at marinemarathon.com

New Zealand Earthquake
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Local authorities in New Zealand confirm 65 deaths due to the 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The quake shocked the residents of Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, February 21, 12:50 p.m., local time. Frantic rescuers continue to rescue other victims who were trapped in collapsed buildings, buckled streets and buses and ruined cathedral.

The quake’s epicenter is in Lyttelton but the powerful earth’s movements were also felt in Wellington, Dunedin and Canterbury region. There were a series of aftershocks that occurred including the 5.6 magnitude just 15 minutes after.

According to local and international reports, the 147-year old Christchurch Cathedral toppled, the city’s airport was forced to close and phone lines including the emergency number are knocked out. Further reports confirm water running through the streets and building in serious damage. Another entry is on a building collapsing on a bus, injuring passengers.

Even when the number of injuries and extent of damages are still unknown, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker declared a state of emergency. Although the lines of communications are slowly being restored by authorities, New Zealand Minister John Carter still urged the residents of Christchurch to help in preventing overloading of lines by sending text messages instead of calls.

The devastating effect of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake does not end with the increasing reports of deaths. The New Zealand dollar dropped to its lowest level against the US currency today. The devaluation is the result of the numerous reported deaths and the overwhelming collapse of infrastructures.

Residents of Southern New Zealand are no longer new to earthquakes. September last year, they experienced a quake with a magnitude of 7.1. This is the most damaging earthquake since 1931.

Dear Lord, we are all present in this venue to celebrate this  ____ (mention the type) party. We thank you for the blessings you have made possible for its successful preparation.

Bless the hands that had prepared this place, to make it comfortable and safe for us. Bless the people who have prepared the food diligently and lovingly with their hands.

Bless the organizers of this party so they may have more strength and zest to continue bringing your love through parties like these.

We also pray that you bestow your blessing to everyone present in this room and all our loved ones left at home. We know that you will keep them safe for us.

May we find joy and love through our meaningful interaction in this event.

We are aware that nothing is possible without your blessings. May we ask therefore that your generosity be accorded to all those who are sick, lost and lonely.

As we enjoy our party, we are rest assured that you will be there for them, as you are here with us in our celebration and joy.

We ask all these blessings in your might name, Oh Lord. Amen.

Blake Griffin
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The Slam Dunk Contest will be the highlight of National Basketball Association (NBA) Celebrity Game 2011, as seasoned players from NBA teams compete for this event.

According to Sports news sites on February 19, the strong contenders for the Slam Dunk Contest are Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers, JaVale Mcgee of Washington’s Wizards,  DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, and Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Among the contestants, Blake Griffin is a favorite to win this 2011 Slam Dunk Contest. On the other hand, McGee had an impressive slam dunk performance during the Orlando Games and could win the contest with his “creativity,” as McGee calls his uncommon display of style.

Millions of fans await this NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest 2011 not only because they are rooting for their basketball stars but also because they are now given the chance to buy tickets and watch the event with all the amenities that go with it.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge the past academic year’s achievements through your blessings. We thank you for granting successes to our endeavors. This academic year, may you bestow anew your abounding love and generosity for all the challenges that would come our way. We know that these are not problems to worry about, but challenges to be hurdled that would develop us into stronger and better mentors.

We fervently pray also for our administrators, deans and staff members of the different colleges, that they may fulfill your will through their vision and mission. May they realize that education goes hand in hand with a heart and a conscience, and that the ultimate goal in life is to serve you, through other people.

We also pray for our students that may they see you in their mentors and school officials. May students, faculty members and administrators share a common vision of Christian learning and love. We pray for all these in your mighty name. Amen.

Prayer for Academic Events
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Let’s bow our heads and place ourselves in the presence of the Lord. (Allow a few seconds of silence) Lord we gather before you with the purpose of celebrating _______ (state the event/program). We are thankful that you have given us the chance to spend time to rejoice in this momentous activity.

As we learn and enjoy our time with each other, may we not forget that all this is possible only through your all abounding love and generosity. May we spend each moment with the knowledge that you have made this all possible, that we could not lift even a finger without your guidance and knowledge .

As we leave this event, may we also bring home with us the spirit of joy and love that you have always encouraged us to share with others.

We offer all that we do in this event for the glorification of your name, amen.

Pope Benedict XVI
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The iPhone/iPad Application, featuring “Confession:  A Roman Catholic App,” has been allegedly approved by an unnamed bishop of the Catholic Church, as reported by International technology sites, February 11, 2011.

The application is a pre-confession preparation gadget that Catholics can refer to when preparing for the Sacrament of Penance. The app contains a checklist of the Ten Commandments and other pertinent questions to determine what sins have been committed.

Pope Benedict XVI went public on January 24, 2011 to acknowledge the crucial role of social media sites in people’s lives. Pope Benedict approves of Facebook, but stressed that virtual relationships should not undermine the importance of face to face encounters.

Now, Catholic applications are created by enterprising people, like the iPulpit, which can help priests deliver their homilies and provide several significant, helpful features.

The recent iPad Confession application would be useful to the millions of Catholics worldwide, who want to be guided when in doubt of what transgressions to confess.