2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 Review

Based on the experience and unique abilities together in the racing world, Aprilia continues its powerful ability, high performance. Dorsoduro 1200 is a cocktail of power, agility and precision - which is synonymous with pleasure on a motorcycle.

Extreme, a powerful and inspiring than anything in its class, the new Dorsoduro 1200 is simply the best maximotard is to give the rider precision performance and excitement.

Dorsoduro 1200 is the new benchmark in the class rider Max. A record breaking completely new two-cylinder producing 130 hp at an amazing chassis incredibly light and agile. With its elegant shape, wide track, attention to detail and excellent premium componentry, this bike is the zenith of the class maximotard two cylinders. Dorsoduro 1200 is an explosive cocktail

horse power, agility and precision that takes the concept of driving pleasure of Dorsoduro 750 to the next level.

1200 Aprilia Dorsoduro combines power and agility, sportiness and the material, which combines the best aspects of street sports bike and the kinds of Supermoto.

The result is a distillation of basic services and technology, to reward the pilot unprecedented driving pleasure and fun. Wheel, which is unbeatable in the corners, like all Dorsoduros - which also offers high-performance power of a true sports car. This is a unique, special and elite bike, which integrates the capabilities of the pilot and take them to extraordinary new heights.

The heart of Dorsoduro is the new 1200 Aprilia 1200cc V 2 90 ° V-twin engine, which has the most advanced technology in the segment. Excellent mechanical and perfection in terms of chassis design is the hallmark of all Aprilia machines, and the same is obviously true with Dorsoduro 1200, which was also boasts incredibly sporty and sophisticated look, great new trim levels and finish, and levels of flexibility and softness never experienced before on a double that size.

And the main lines of unmistakable personality exudes pure design of the new Dorsoduro 1200 will stand out in any crowd. Finishing and cutting sets new standards in exclusivity, the tail-painted details such as equalization, the body and two blacks Twotone exhaust heat shields.

The wind deflector and handguard offer additional protection from the wind on a bike that is not only fast curves, but is also capable of considerable speed.

Naturally, Dorsoduro 1200 has to gain the kind of technical solutions, as well. Radial Brembo brake calipers, hydraulic clutch, Ride by Wire, with three different engine maps and Matrix panel with trip computer, are elements that define the Dorsoduro apart as a. Unique and exclusive The Dorsoduro is also available with ABS and traction control Aprilia (ATC) for the total enjoyment in complete safety.

2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 Features

The most significant features of the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 in detail:

• New 90 ° V-twin engine with four valves per cylinder, dual overhead cam, liquid-cooled dual ignition;

• Triple Roll brief by Wire technology (with the card Sport, Touring and Rain)

• Electronic fuel injection;

• mixed gear / chain valve in the system of distribution;

• Exhaust system Three-way catalytic converter and oxygen sensor;

• Ultralight modular framework of tubular steel trellis / cast aluminum provide excellent torsional rigidity;

• saddle fitting aluminum;

• aluminum swing arm with the soft side;

• Fully adjustable 43 mm upside down front and piggy-back style rear shock;

• Brembo brakes with radial caliper racing.

DESIGN:

Dorsoduro 1200 is a radical, outrageously athletic and agile bike. Do not make concessions of any kind of ornament or anything directly from the functional to get all the performance and driving pleasure. Therefore, all the body parts are cut to a minimum, just like a real race car, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 to remove anything that has something for the benefit of the pilot. It is not normal, because

prefer to keep your bike and mechanical componentry site show superlative. Every detail is minimized and focused on the role pure as hand protection and the new style dorsal Motard panel, which also offers speeds of wind protection. These items complement the design of Dorsoduro 1200 to pure perfection, with attention to detail evident in the characteristics

such as two-tone paint image, color rear fascia with other elements of the dual exhaust with new body and black heat shields. Even the fuel tank of 15 liters is fully integrated into the slim Dorsoduro 1200.

1200 Dorsoduro motard bike race pure soul. A central part very narrow and the wheel - an area that interacts with most of the body movements of the driver while driving difficult - highlights an extremely small size of the wheel. Pilot becomes an integral part of the machine and can move freely in the saddle thin and perfectly straight brute force to dominate all engines

situations. No acrobatics in the style typical biker is out of range of this bike.

1200 cc V90 ENGINE: STATE Twin Cylinder Technology

The Aprilia V90 is a completely new design. This is a modern technologically advanced unit with a geometry very over square cylinder for a time much sports and DC power.

Each extension Dorsoduro 1200 is designed to optimize power delivery and access to an incredible 130 hp motor 8700 rpm for the attacks. Every detail is designed to integrate the nature of the bike stunt scandalously.

• 90 ° V-twin with the architecture;

• Triple Wire Technology Ride map (maps Sport, Touring and Rain);

• very boring squarer / stroke ratio;

• offset cylinders for maximum compactness side;

• Four valves per cylinder;

• camshafts driven by a double timing chain / gear combination;

• dual ignition for smooth power delivery, but full bore;

• Electronic fuel injection with dual throttle body;

• Stick-coils integrated with the spark plug boots;

• Three-way catalytic converter;

• hydraulic clutch.

The latest generation of micro-injection system used for nebuliser solution administered intravenously. Together with a perfect fluid, this solution ensures optimal combustion, the engine, which is not only effective but also very clean. Two spark plugs also contribute to cleaner emissions, and to ensure full

Smooth delivery.

Thanks to the sophisticated electronic engine management, the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 is the new benchmark for technology and performance in its class.

Aprilia was the first manufacturer to believe in the potential of the Cavalcade cable, a very sophisticated technology that allows the pilot to extract every last drop of performance from the bike. The electronic management system of the accelerator used in the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 represents the current state of the art. Cards even more precise and sophisticated engine management to ensure optimum, keeping the engine in perfect condition for maximum acceleration at all times in a driving experience like you've never seen before. This solution also offers the power delivery smoother, fuller low and medium speed for optimum performance even in the engine load conditions of the accelerator.

With their triple card (Rain, Touring and Sport), the bike has three distinct personalities that the driver can choose at any time to respond immediately all conditions and preferences. Just close the throttle and push a button to select the desired setting.

SPORTS: extreme, when you want to test with an immediate and direct explosive.

TOURISM: soft, to maximize the breakdown of 1200 cc engine power in all conditions.

RAIN: a balanced, dominated by the power of 100 hp is also the most fun on slippery or wet.

With its state of advanced technology, allows the class to beat the Aprilia V90 levels of power. No other rider Max approaches the performance of Dorsoduro 1200: With 130 hp at 8700 rpm and maximum torque of 115 Nm at 7200 rpm, this engine sets new records for the kind of biker. To further emphasize the efficiency of the engine, a new 2-in-1-into-2 exhaust system was designed specifically for the bike. Made entirely of stainless steel, generous internal volume of the system provides a thrill and a distinctive sound.

Part: light as a feather, but ultra-rigid
Aprilia has always been considered the benchmark for excellence in housing as we know. And true to tradition, Dorsoduro 1200 is the most powerful, most balanced bike in its class.

Although tailored to the size of the driving pleasure, like all Aprilia motorcycles, the frame layout Dorsoduro deserves respect for his enormous dynamic equilibrium. With the Dorsoduro, agility does not come at the price of extreme nervous temperament, and a highly effective platform for the layout of perfect precision and the feeling is directly connected to the front wheel. And this is something that can only say that the motorcyclist just there.

Mixed frame structure, built on a robust steel tube trellis coupled with aluminum side panels, is acclaimed both amateurs and experts, while the aluminum caliper mounting help reduce the wheel. Experience Aprilia Supermoto World Championship, the structure offers the perfect balance of stiffness to handle also provide the Supreme

with the explosive power of the new 1200 cc V90.

The lateral position and very inclined rear shock is a precise technical choices, determined after testing a variety of configurations. This solution frees up valuable space for the exhaust manifolds with generous dimensions that are necessary to fully exploit the potential of the 1200 cc engine. This helped to optimize the layout of the exhaust system without adding unnecessarily to the length of the cycle, while protecting the shock - a vital component in itself - from high temperatures.

Suspension: Performance Control

The suspension of the Dorsoduro 1200 is designed to fully exploit the incredible performance of the engine and the best solutions that we can ever want in an extreme biker. The 43 mm inverted fork with Sachs shell cast support bracket features adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound. In addition to setting total, this component advanced class to beat the progressive and full wheel travel 160 mm, in perfect conformity with the Supermoto riding style.

The side-mounted gas shock absorbers Sachs shock absorber with separate tank, is pivoted directly on the swingarm in a cantilever configuration, and adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound. Element allows experienced riders to explore the full potential performance of the bike, even on the ground. Race of the rear wheel is 155mm, again in line with the philosophy that aims to Supermoto efficiency, suspension control, but with a long run.

Brakes: Racing Technology - also available with ABS

The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 adopt state of the art in technology for braking the front 4-piston radial calipers Brembo floating discs, 320 mm deep. The 240 mm rear disc is also hampered by a Brembo caliper - in this case a single piston unit.

Both front and rear brake systems use aeronautical metal braid hoses grade, which removes harmful traditional variation of pressure tubes maximum braking, the accuracy and performance of the players really stop class.

Dorsoduro 1200 is also available in two-channel ABS system that can be disabled by the user directly on the dashboard. The ABS is specifically calibrated to allow the rider to fully exploit the power brakes and the tires grip on dry, so as not to diminish the enormous fun with this bike.

Dorsoduro 1200 is also the maxi motard only today, traction control Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), the exclusive traction control system to work together with a sophisticated ABS system, which allows drivers to use the exuberant performance 1200 cc engine to address even the most difficult terrain and in extremely difficult conditions in a safe manner.

When activated, the system offers three different levels of traction control, adjustable to fit each of the dynamic parameters of the bike to meet the needs and preferences of the driver:

Level 1: for a ride extreme and maximum fun and adrenaline in amazing stop the engine is the last thing on your mind.
Level 2: for total control of all factors of the terrain and maximum excitement.
Level 3: ideal to cope with difficult conditions such as slippery roads where traction is poor.

Componentry: First Class

Motard is by definition essential, even spartan. This does not mean having to miss class to beat premium content. Aprilia moves the bar even higher for rivals with components high-end features. The most important of these are:

• Matrix instrument panel: mixed panel digital-analog receive data over the CAN line, and with its own memory dedicated event log is an integral part of self-diagnosis. Particularly compact with a contemporary design and a significantly reduced weight. All functions are accessible from a control on the handlebars. Backlight LED - white for the analog area and

red digital display - three different brightness levels.

• Anodized aluminum tapered handlebars is an unequivocal reference motorcycle supermoto competition. Incredibly lightweight component, which aims to ensure the start of a dynamic cycle.

• Ensure a consistent commitment to the smoothness and precise example, a hydraulic clutch is smooth himself, and as a result, maintenance-free.

COLORS

Dorsoduro 1200 is available in two colors to enhance new kinds of biker incredibly powerful and presentation of technical sophistication: Competition Glam White and Black.

2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 - Specifications
Aprilia Engine Type Four-stroke longitudinal 90 <V-twin, liquid-cooled, twin cam timing system with mixed gear / chain and four valves per cylinder.
Unleaded
Bore and stroke 106 x 67.8
Total displacement 1197 cc
Compression ratio 12.0 0.5}: 1
Maximum power 130 hp (96 kW) at 8700 rpm
Maximum torque at 11.7 kgm (115 Nm) at 7200 rpm
Integrated fuel engine management system. Ride map triple injection throttle wire: Sport (S), Tourism (T), Rain (R)
Ignition Digital electronic ignition integrated with fuel injection system
Electric Starter
Exhaust 100% stainless steel 2-into-2 exhaust system with dual catalytic converter and lambda probe
450 W/6000 rpm generator
The wet sump lubrication
6-speed gearbox, transmission ratio: 14/36, 17/32, 20/30, 22/28, 23/26, 24/25
Wet multiplate clutch hydraulic clutch
Primary drive gears straight cut, transmission ratio: 40/69
Secondary chain. Transmission ratio: 16/40
Tubes modular steel frame attached to the aluminum side plates by high-strength bolts. Removable aluminum rear cradle
Front suspension. 43 mm inverted fork with Sachs, fully adjustable compression and rebound damping and spring preload.
Wheel travel 160 mm.
Rear swingarm in aluminum alloy suspension
Piggy-back shock absorber design, fully adjustable hydraulic damping compression and rebound damping and spring
preload. Wheel travel 155 mm.
Brakes: Dual. 320 mm floating disc in stainless steel. Brembo four-piston radial. Metallic coating brake hose.
Rear. 240 mm stainless steel disc. Brembo single-piston gauge. Metal braided brake line. Continental two-channel
Aprilia ABS with traction control (ATC) (special version)
Aluminum alloy wheels
Front: 3.50 x 17 "Rear: 6.00 x 17"
Tyres Radial tubeless Front: 120/70 ZR 17 rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Max. Length 2248 mm
Max. width 925 mm (the outer limit of the hand protection)
Max. Height 1205 mm (on the front panel)
Seat height 870 mm
Wheelbase 1528 mm
Trail 118 mm
Steering angle 27.3 <
Tank of 15 liters (including 3.5 liters reserve)

2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 - Specifications for Europe
Engine: Aprilia Four stroke longitudinal 90 ° V-twin, liquid-cooled, dual overhead camshaft with mixed gear / chain timing system and four valves per cylinder.
Fuel: unleaded gasoline
Bore x stroke: 67.8 x 106
Total displacement: 1197 cc
Compression ratio: 12.0 ± 0.5: 1
Maximum power at crank: 130 bhp (96 kW) at 8700 rpm
Of torque at the crank: 11.7 kgm (115 Nm) at 7200 rpm
Fuel system: Integrated engine management system. Ride map triple injection throttle wire: Sport (S), Tourism (T), Rain (R)
Ignition: Digital electronic ignition integrated with fuel injection system.
Starting: Electric
Exhaust: 100% stainless steel 2-into-2 exhaust system with dual catalytic converter and oxygen sensors.
Generator: 450 W/6000 rpm
Lubrication: Wet sump
Transmission: 6-speed transmission ratio: 14/36, 17/32, 20/30, 22/28, 23/26, 24/25
Clutch: Wet multi-plate clutch, hydraulic.
Primary drive: Straight cut gears, transmission ratio: 40/69
Final drive: Chain. Transmission ratio: 16/40
Setting: in acciaio ad traliccio Scomponibile high Bulloni collegato resistenza alluminio With the dollar side. Posteriore Telaietto smontabile in aluminum.
Front suspension: Sachs Æ 43 mm inverted front fork with fully adjustable compression and rebound damping and spring preload. Wheel travel 160 mm.
Rear Suspension: Swingarm aluminum alloy piggy-back design with Sachs shock absorber fully adjustable hydraulic compression and rebound damping and spring preload. Wheel travel 155 mm.
Brakes: Front: Double floating disc, Æ 320 mm stainless steel. Brembo four-piston radial calipers. Metal braided brake line. Rear: disc Ø 240 mm stainless steel. Brembo single-piston gauge. Metal braided brake line. Continental two-channel ABS with traction control Aprilia (ATC) (special edition)
Wheels: Aluminium alloy Front: 3.50 x 17 "Rear: 6.00 x 17"
Tyres: Radial tubeless tires, front: 120/70 ZR 17 rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Dimensions: Max. Max length 2248 mm. width 925 mm (on the outer edge of the guard hand) Max. Height 1205 mm (on the front panel) Seat height 870 mm Wheelbase 1528 mm Trail 118 mm Steering Angle 27.3 °
Fuel tank capacity: 15 liters (including 3.5 liters reserve)

Our Amazing Modern World

I posted the following story yesterday on Clan of Mahlou and, upon after thought, figure it might have some interest for readers of 100th Lamb, so here it is.

During the days of the Cold War, when my oldest daughter Lizzie (for some insights into Lizzie, see Lessons from Mom) and I were traveling and living in Russia (see Back in the USSR), we would always say goodbye to friends when we left, realizing that the likelihood of seeing them again was slim, of keeping in contact by writing difficult, and of seeing them in the United States totally impossible. Likewise, a decade later, while living and working in Uzbekistan, I stayed with an elderly teacher by the name of Lida. She was the aunt of one of my colleagues, an immigrant from Moscow, and I became the conduit of information, money, and gifts between them. Both knew that they would never be able to see each other again, politics being what they were, and so I became a living link. Lida always referred to me as "rodnaya," which is a term that one uses with one's flesh-and-blood to demonstrate bonding and love.

It has been ten years since I last saw Lida. When politics became even worse between the USA and Uzbekistan, my consults for the Uzbekistan Ministry of Education dried up. I, too, became resigned to the fact that Lida was part of my history, no longer a part of my life.

Then, the wall fell, and the Soviet Union dissolved. Still, relations with Uzbekistan have remained poor.

Somehow, though, the thaw between the USA and the former Soviet countries in general has had a meliorating effect on tourist visas, and I learned two weeks ago that Lida had received a 3-month visa to visit her relatives in the USA. Today they showed up on my doorstep!

San Ignatio held its annual fiesta today, and I had clean-up duty. None of that deterred us, however. We all got together at the fiesta, enjoying the extraordinary experience of being together in one country, even in San Ignatio. We will, of course, get together again -- and again -- over the next three months in San Ignatio and in the nearby town where Lida's relatives live.

The weather was balmy with a slight breeze today. The sun shone upon us in all senses of that word. A perfect day! One that began with a big hug from Lida and the greeting to "rodnaya." One that ended, as well, with a big hug from Lida and the parting to "rodnaya."

What I learned this day (and have always known): one does not need to share blood to share blood! I also learned something that I have not always known: our modern world is amazing and marvelous. Whoever would have thought that Lida, who befriended me so kindly in Tashkent a decade ago, would be sitting on my sofa today!

Monday Morning Meditation #83: God Sends Us Angels

Having finished the Book of Jeremiah, I decided rather than continuing forward in the King James Bible, I would go back and pick up those books in the Catholic Bible which are not in the King James. I know them less well, and I find them intriguing. This week I began the book of Tobit, another interesting individual, like Jeremiah, from whom we can all learn. To me, so far into the chapters, it is not clear whether Tobit is a historical figure or the hero of a religious tale (novel/novella). I believe most scholars would label Tobit the latter. (For making such determinations of Biblical genre, I have found very helpful a book by a leader of religious education, Margaret Nutting Ralph: And God Said What?)

I find the writing very synoptic. Whole stories are expressed by just 1-2 sentences. Yet, one knows that much transpired and wishes to know the ins and outs of what happened, as well as the emotions associated with the happenings. Oh, well, one has to take the tale as the author presents it.

Because of this synoptic approach, every verse is rich and full and leads one to reflection. The two verses that pulled me into reflection this week were:

16 At that very time, the prayer of these two suppliants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.

17 So Raphael was sent to heal them both: to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes, so that he might again see God's sunlight; and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah, and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. For Tobiah had the right to claim her before any other who might wish to marry her.In the very moment that Tobit returned from the courtyard to his house, Raguel's daughter Sarah came downstairs from her room.

Reading: Tobit 3: 16-17.

Meditation: I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen it in the lives of those around me, and I have felt it in my own life. Like Tobit and Sarah, there have been times when an angel has been sent to help. I have written about these times before in this blog, but, reading these verses this morning, I cannot help but once again think about those instances. The easiest way to share them with readers who have not read about them earlier or who have forgotten them is to provide the links.

(1) Twice, God sent me a special being to help. Once, I was in agony with a urine infection and hours from any kind of medical help. I prayed only for an increase in my normally high threshold of pain. Instead, God sent me warm hands that took away not only the pain but also the infection and gave me two hours of sleep in all that remained of the night that totally refreshed me. Another time, I had fallen and torn the rotator cuff of my right arm. I did not ask for help, other than to make the right medical decisions, but God sent help, anyway. A touch on my arm during Mass completely healed the injury -- and spooked the orthopedic surgeon. The link is here: Healings.

(2) My daughter, Lizzie, never asked for help, either, but God sent her an angel, anyway. In this case, the angel was a construction worker -- who did not exist. I related the facts as a story in a collection of tales from the Middle East (I was living there at the time). Everything before the dotted line is fact; the ending (after the dotted line) was added for narrative effect. The link is here: The Merging.

Contemplation: That is far as I can go with you this Monday morning. I now retire to private prayer to thank God again for the angels that have been sent to us and the kind help that we have received -- not always in the way we envisioned and not always as a result of our asking but of our need. I will promise God to do everything to make myself worthy of such love although I know that God's love is freely given and there is nothing I can do to earn it; all I can really do is live as God would have me live, to make my life a love song to God. Then I will move on to contemplation, my favorite part of the day, letting God take over the direction in which my relationship with Him moves.

I will leave you now to your prayer and contemplation. First, though, I would like to bring to your attention a Monday morning prayer post that you might enjoy:

Fr. Austin Fleming, priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor in Concord, Massachusetts, posts a prayer each Monday morning that he calls "Monday Morning Offering." I enjoy his prayers very much. I think you also will find them inspirational. He has graciously given me permission to include a link to his blog on my Monday Morning Meditation posts. (During the week, he also posts great homilies and other thoughtful discussions. I enjoy reading those, too, as do readers of this blog who have taken the stroll over to his blog.)

For additional inspiration throughout the week, I would point out two sets of blogs: (1) the list of devotional blogs on my sidebar and (2) my blogroll, where I am following a number of inspirational priests and writers about spiritual matters. I learn so very much from all these people. I highly recommend them to you.

Monday Morning Meditation #82: Christopher Interrupted

Rather than my usual Monday Morning Meditation, I feel compelled to give an update on Christopher, the disturbed young man living behind our church, attending our prayer group, and hearing what he things are directives from God that seem very much in contradiction to Scripture at least some of the time (see MMM #81). The issue of how to interact with Christopher has received some clarification this past week.

Last Monday evening, Christopher came to our prayer group. Fr. Jim peeked in and even spent a little time talking to us, but unfortunately Christopher was not there at the time. He arrived late. We conducted our regular activities, which included praying, singing, discussing a spiritual book we are reading, talking to Christopher, and praying again.

The part about talking to Christopher was quite disturbing. We told him that we were coming from a position of love for him and were concerned about his welfare. We pointed out where some of his statements were contrary to Scripture. We suggested that he check his locutions with a priest. His response was always the same. He was happy that he could be among us. God told him to live this way and so he would. He could not talk to a priest because priests did not understand him when he told him that he was God. (Say again?!) He insisted that he did not need to go confession because he never sins. (Yes, say again?!)

We were left nonplussed, but we do love Christopher and are concerned about him. My co-leader and I each decided to ask a priest's opinion other than that of our interim parish priest, who either knows and is doing nothing or is unaware because he is remaining so detached (while our parish priest is in trial for false allegations of sexual misconduct -- see earlier posts on that) from our parish, providing minimal services so as not to "edge in" on our beloved priest, whom we are all actively supporting.

I spoke with Fr. Peter at the chapel near where I work. I attend daily Mass, when I can, with him. He felt strongly that I should bring the full situation to Fr. Jim's situation, including information that Christopher had shared with us in confidence. I caught Fr. Jim after vespers on Saturday and made arrangements to discuss the matter with him on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Christopher will be at our prayer group meeting tonight. I am praying that God will lead us in any discussions with him.

That is far as I can go with you this Monday morning. I now retire to private prayer to ask for guidance this evening and for grace and help for Christopher and for Fr. Jim. Then I will move on to contemplation, my favorite part of the day, letting God take over the direction in which my relationship with Him moves.

I will leave you now to your prayer and contemplation. First, though, I would like to bring to your attention a Monday morning prayer post that you might enjoy:

Fr. Austin Fleming, priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor in Concord, Massachusetts, posts a prayer each Monday morning that he calls "Monday Morning Offering." I enjoy his prayers very much. I think you also will find them inspirational. He has graciously given me permission to include a link to his blog on my Monday Morning Meditation posts. (During the week, he also posts great homilies and other thoughtful discussions. I enjoy reading those, too, as do readers of this blog who have taken the stroll over to his blog.)

For additional inspiration throughout the week, I would point out two sets of blogs: (1) the list of devotional blogs on my sidebar and (2) my blogroll, where I am following a number of inspirational priests and writers about spiritual matters. I learn so very much from all these people. I highly recommend them to you.

Turnaround Foreclosure

And one more interesting story from the Internet, this one reported by CBS News --

Collier County, Florida -- Have you heard the one about a homeowner foreclosing on a bank?

Well, it has happened in Florida and involves a North Carolina based bank.

Instead of Bank of America foreclosing on some Florida homeowner, the homeowners had sheriff's deputies foreclose on the bank.

It started five months ago when Bank of America filed foreclosure papers on the home of a couple, who didn't owe a dime on their home.

The couple said they paid cash for the house.

The case went to court and the homeowners were able to prove they didn't owe Bank of America anything on the house. In fact, it was proven that the couple never even had a mortgage bill to pay.

A Collier County Judge agreed and after the hearing, Bank of America was ordered, by the court to pay the legal fees of the homeowners', Maurenn Nyergers and her husband.

The Judge said the bank wrongfully tried to foreclose on the Nyergers' house.

So, how did it end with bank being foreclosed on? After more than 5 months of the judge's ruling, the bank still hadn't paid the legal fees, and the homeowner's attorney did exactly what the bank tried to do to the homeowners. He seized the bank's assets.

"They've ignored our calls, ignored our letters, legally this is the next step to get my clients compensated, " attorney Todd Allen told CBS.

Sheriff's deputies, movers, and the Nyergers' attorney went to the bank and foreclosed on it. The attorney gave instructions to to remove desks, computers, copiers, filing cabinets and any cash in the teller's drawers.

After about an hour of being locked out of the bank, the bank manager handed the attorney a check for the legal fees.

"As a foreclosure defense attorney this is sweet justice" says Allen.

Allen says this is something that he sees often in court, banks making errors because they didn't investigate the foreclosure and it becomes a lengthy and expensive battle for the homeowner.

CBS News

Peace

Another goodie from the Internet, passed along by a friend:

Peace:

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

...Then You Are Probably .........


The Family Dog!

Monday Morning Meditation #81: "Christ Bearer"

Rather than sharing my usual Scripture-based Monday morning meditation, I would like to take the opportunity this morning to ask readers' opinion on a dilemma that our prayer group will be facing at our meeting this evening (Monday). It involves a new member of the group, named Christopher, about whom my co-leader, I, and several members of the group are concerned. Christopher appeared one evening in our group, and, as with everyone else who has appeared unbidden at our door, we have welcomed him into our midst. He is in his early twenties; we have no idea where he came from for he shares little personal history. Once he mentioned a school in Seattle, and we think that may be his home area. He dresses in rosaries, literally, He wears one as a handband, another as a bracelet, and a third is wrapped around his left hand and fingers.

Christopher attends every Mass. Yes, literally, every Mass. He also attends every activity that is happening at Old Church: prayer group, Bible Study, rosary, and even came to my high schoolers' catechism class. He contributes to the discussion in every instant and seems sincere in his faith.

Christopher, however, has made some statements that have had us scratching our heads. Moreover, we have learned that Christopher has been sleeping behind the church. One member of our parish offered Christopher a place to stay in exchange for work, but Christopher turned that down. Behind the church is a Franciscan convent, and in true Franciscan style, the nuns have been caring for Christopher, feeding him, and trying to counsel him. When they have asked him to help them with some work, he has refused. He is always clean and sometimes hungry. He has a strange way, though, of looking at us individually seemingly from anther dimension, as if he is not altogether in the present and present with us. That look, as if he is examining us for some unspecified intent, has made each of us uneasy.

Here are some of the statements that Christopher has made that have us worried about him:

1. My name means Christ Bearer [this is true], and therefore I feel like I am one with Christ.
2. I am like Christ; sometimes I feel like I am Christ.
3. Sometimes I play chess with God. Sometimes I am God playing chess with me.
4. God talks to me; God told me to live without a wallet and not to work. [This is why he turned down work from the nuns and from the parish member willing to give him a place to stay.]
5. I do not have a soul. I gave me soul to God.
6. I cannot go to confession. I have not been to confession for a very long time, and I won't go.
7. I have asked God to send me women so that I will not be alone. [He asked one of the young women in our group to "join [him] in prayer;" by that he meant that she should leave her home and live behind the church with him.]
8. I don't want to hurt myself. [We are pretty sure he is speaking about spiritual, not physical, harm.]
9. People don't want to be with me. [He sees himself as a loner.]

None of us are psychologists or social workers. The most we have in the way of spiritual guidance is one of the nuns who attends our meetings faithfully and is great at guidance. We are not even sure whether our interim priest (our regular priest is fighting a sexual misconduct lawsuit, about which I have blogged in the past) is at all aware of any of this since he is only occasionally in the office. (He was retired and brought back to fill the gap until our regular priest is back -- it is pretty clear that the claim is bogus, but the court case has to be fought; the diocese has already made the determination that there is no legitimacy to it, but nonetheless we won't give back the priest who knows our parish and parishioners for some time yet, so there seems to be no local help here for us in dealing with Christopher.) We are relying on Sister for guidance tonight, and we are hoping that a former parish priest, who will be back in town in a couple of weeks for a retreat at our local retreat center, will be willing to talk to Christopher (if Christopher agrees); he is an especially appropriate person because he has a master's in psychology and a doctorate in theology and was the priest who guided me through my initial experience with locutions.

Without pointing out some of the obviously troubling statements made by Christopher, there is the issue of his claimed locutions (e.g., God tells him not to work). His unwillingness to have these examined by a priest is out of keeping with the guidance of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the contemporary expert on locutions, the late Fr. Thomas Dubay. It seems unlikely that these are true locations because they are out of keeping with Scripture, which is the number one test that all who have dealt with locutions use and have used. Second, it could be simply something he is telling himself because it is what he wants to do and then has interpreted it as being from God when it is not. (This is a danger of which both St. Teresa and St. John warn. In my personal experience, locutions have required me to do what I do NOT want to do and often don't believe I can do, but somehow, once it becomes clear that the locution is real, I end up with the resources or new skills that I need.) I don't believe any of us, including Sister, can provide him help in discernment of what God wants of him, but we would like to get him to agree to talk to a priest, either via confession or just as a personal meeting.

None of us are qualified to determine or even make a guess as to whether Christopher is under the influence of evil spirits (or God's protection), psychotic, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (we don't know any of his bio), has a personality disorder, or is experiencing the results of previous drug use (he does not appear to be using alcohol or drugs now -- is always sober, just displays truly odd behavior at times).

I have shared all of this in in hopes that some reader will have had an experience with something like this. Or, perhaps there is a better approach than the one we have chosen: talking to him about our concerns for him (from the point of view of loving him and wanting to help) and trying to get him to agree to discuss all aspects of his current life (and especially his contention that God does not want him to work) with a priest.

That is far as I can go with you this Monday morning. I now retire to private prayer to ask for guidance this evening and for grace and help for Christopher. Then I will move on to contemplation, my favorite part of the day, letting God take over the direction in which my relationship with Him moves.

I will leave you now to your prayer and contemplation. First, though, I would like to bring to your attention a Monday morning prayer post that you might enjoy:

Fr. Austin Fleming, priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor in Concord, Massachusetts, posts a prayer each Monday morning that he calls "Monday Morning Offering." I enjoy his prayers very much. I think you also will find them inspirational. He has graciously given me permission to include a link to his blog on my Monday Morning Meditation posts. (During the week, he also posts great homilies and other thoughtful discussions. I enjoy reading those, too, as do readers of this blog who have taken the stroll over to his blog.)

For additional inspiration throughout the week, I would point out two sets of blogs: (1) the list of devotional blogs on my sidebar and (2) my blogroll, where I am following a number of inspirational priests and writers about spiritual matters. I learn so very much from all these people. I highly recommend them to you.