Of course it was all due to the papal transition. Over 80,000 of the hits came in just two days.

Popes and Papacy (↓)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Papam (↓)

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Papam has done 70,794 so far this year. So together they got 271,047 in the first 133 days of 2013. Last year it was 245,892 for the whole year. 

This was to be expected given the sede vacante and the 17 days leading up to it.

The hits obviously have slowed down now that I am not blogging on popes. A few times a week I see pope related news items and I am tempted to blog. But, I resist the temptation. I was really tempted with Schönborn’s revelations of his hallucinations. I wonder what he is taking. Also that pope impersonator being arrested. Come on, we have all these pedophiles and they don’t get arrested for impersonating clergy. I am also beginning to realize that Francis might be all talk and gestures but no real action. But, all that can wait. Oh, the ‘Last 10 Conclaves: 2013 to 1903′ should be available as a cheap paperback soon. Just published it today, which is why I had time to check the hits!

I am blogging, ‘daily’, on my ‘NH Life‘ blog. Getting a fair number of hits on that — but I do blog about nudity, sex, orgasms etc. and there is a bigger audience for those topics than popes.

I only re-started blogging on that blog last Summer, just prior to the Summer Olympics. But, ended up with 32K hits for the 1/2 year. Already surpassed that this year.

Between October 2009 and April 2010, I used that blog to write about ‘Windows 7′, which came out in November 2009 — before I started my dedicated ‘Windows 7 Professional‘ blog. That explains the early hits and a few of the residuals.

I do have plans for another pope book later this year. Must finish the book I have been working on, on asteroids. That is nearly done. That will be sole-author, book #18. Then another quick book on comets with Comet ISON hurtling towards us. Then the next book on popes. It will be a quick book. I will keep you posted.

Have a great Summer. Cheers.

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      by Anura Guruge

A full update, refresh and augmentation to ‘The Last 9 Conclaves‘ I published during the sede vacante. Here is the TOC. 152 Kindle pages. Available all platforms: PC, Mac, iPhones, iPads, Andoroids …

Click for more details.

FREE, yes gratis, for 3 days, May 10 to May 13, 2013 from Amazon.

Click to get FREE Kindle reading APP from Amazon for whatever device you have whether it be iAnything, PC, Android, Palm etc. etc.

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      by Anura Guruge

++++ See Category ‘ISON Books’ on sidebar for my other book posts >>>>

As I was writing the the first book on ISON I realized that it was too detailed for today’s always in a hurry, habitually time-challenged folks. I was, however, not going to carve up the first book because somebody will find all that detail useful. But, I knew I had to do a Reader’s Digest ‘condensed book’ version of it. So, that is what this 2nd Comet ISON book is about: a cut-to-the-chase, mainly in bullet-point form, Quick Reference for busy people.

It was also designed to be as conducive as possible for mobile device small screen perusal. As such it is like an APP for Comet ISON. Keep it tucked away inside a smart phone (e.g., iPhone or Android) or a pad and whip it out anytime one wants information about ISON, such as dates, times, speeds etc.

Since my goal is to make this as accessible as possible I have priced it at 99 cents. [If you can't afford that just send me an e-mail and I will gift a copy to you per my commitment to charity and acts of random kindness.]

My very artistic sister-in-law, Leanne Davis Caires did the original artwork for the cover. As far as I know this is the FIRST ISON specific artwork — and it is for sale. Check out Leanne’s Etsy craft store.

Remember Kindle reader apps are available for ALL devices, including PCs.
See below.

New, Quick Reference book. Click to access Amazon description and Look Inside.

Click to ‘Look Inside’ for more.

Somebody just this morning asked about dates and distances. All of that is covered. Click to learn more.

Do you really know everything you should about ISON’s name. It is all in here. Click for more.

Click to access book description at Amazon.com

Click to get FREE Kindle reading APP from Amazon for whatever device you have whether it be iAnything, PC, Android, Palm etc. etc.

Click to access. It will be worth it. Have I ever let you down?

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  by Anura Guruge

Click to access.

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  by Anura Guruge

Click to access book description at Amazon.com

I had to get this book out before the Comet, covering millions of miles a day, got ahead of me.

I started working on it on December 29, 2012, when Deanna forwarded an e-mail from one of her cousins about the comet. That e-mail just had a link. And, as soon as I read the newspaper article about it (per that link), in the British ‘The Independent’, I knew I had to write about this comet. I felt it was destined in my stars — as they would say in Sri Lanka. I had been working for over a year on a book on asteroids. So the transition was pretty easy. I was working on that book when I got the e-mail. I just saved that book. Opened a new copy of it, and used it as the template for the new book. Yes, I started writing that day itself. I don’t mess around.

I finished the text of the book on March 29, 2013. So exactly 3 months to write 50,000(+) words — and I had the 5 weeks of craziness with the papal transition, during which I did publish 3 other Kindle eBooks.

So, yes, this is my 4th book in 2013. I did three books in 2011 and was getting worried that I would never equal that again.

Lot more yet to be done.

Yes, a companion blog, ‘Comet ISON‘, went live just now! What can I say. I was in sales and marketing for better part of my life. But, today was stressful. 

++++ Do a search on ‘Anthony’ for ALL his other posts and comments (—>>).
There are quite a few, including Feb. 16, 2013 on ‘Initial Thoughts on Coming Conclave‘.

The decision of Pope Benedict to resign opened the way for much public soul searching on the part of many Cardinals. Benedict indicated that he felt no longer able to do what needed to be done. This seems to have given the green light to Cardinals from different parts of the world to express frustration with the way things had been going. The various scandals and apparent misjudgements on the part of the Curia contributed to a widespread sense that “business as usual” would not be enough.

Real changes were needed. This concern has little to do with perceived controversial issues as seen by the media. There was a feeling that the work of the Church and the proclamation of the message of the Church was being hampered by a not very competent Roman Curia. There was particular criticism of the Secretariat of State under Cardinal Bertone.

Rightly or wrongly Cardinal Bertone was held responsible for many of the problems of the past few years. The fact that he had not come from the diplomatic service of the Holy See made him an unpopular choice as Secretary of State from the outset. Tensions between Bertone and those with a background in diplomacy were there all through his time in office.

There was also the conviction of many Cardinals who strongly supported Pope Benedict’s efforts for reform, and spiritual and liturgical renewal, that a number of people in the Curia were undermining the Pope and were resisting what he wanted to do.

This created an atmosphere where people felt free to speak out and to demand changes. It was clear that there was no one obvious “front runner“, and a large number of names surfaced, perhaps more than would normally be the case.

The Italian media saw Cardinal Scola of Milan as perhaps the leading candidate, possibly the only serious Italian possibility. Others were Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil.

It seems clear now that the mood was against an Italian. It was also clear from the outset that the Italians would never be able to unite around one candidate, even an Italian. It is ironic that with an even larger block of Italian electors this time they could not influence their brethren in the direction of an Italian Pope. It also seems clear now that there was a strong desire to choose someone from outside Europe.

There were several African Cardinals who might have been chosen. I can immediately think of three. However the strength of the Church in Latin America suggested that the new Pope might well come from there.

Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Brazil would have been a serious contender, but the perception that he was the choice of Cardinal Bertone’s supporters and those of Cardinal Sodano made him “the Curia’s candidate“, and thus in 2013 apparently unelectable. When it emerged in the Italian media that Bertone and Sodano and supporters were now in agreement despite years of open disagreement, it led some to recall the words of the Gospel when “Pilate and Herod became friends“. Whatever may be said about that, it clearly meant that Cardinal Sherer would not be acceptable.

We cannot be sure exactly how things developed once the Cardinals had entered the Conclave, at least not until a few more indiscretions emerge. The notions of “secrecy” clearly differ from one culture to another! It is suggested by the Italian media, to whom at least some Cardinals are happy to talk “off the record“, that it became clear early on that Cardinal Scola did not have the support needed and that the same was true for Scherer and Ouellet, and that one of the “outsiders” would have to emerge.

It is interesting to speculate on why exactly it was Cardinal Bergoglio who came through so quickly, but the fact that he had a solid body of support in 2005 ( if reports are to be believed ) must have been significant. It has been said by a number of Cardinals that his brief intervention at one of the last General Congregations on the Saturday before the Conclave had made an impact on many of them.

The outcome is now well known. The concern for real change was obvious. The new Pope clearly has a”mandate” for reform and especially in the central government of the Church. It is also clear that he is expected to do something substantial to make collegiality a reality, and to involve the Bishops around the world more effectively in the central administration of the Church. The Curia must be at the service of the Pope and the Bishops, and not their masters. This, at least to me, is the key issue.

The election of a 76 year old Pope with a reputation for simplicity of life, but also effective government of a large Archdiocese is a highly significant event. The challenges facing him are enormous. Like Pope John XXIII, he must be an “old man in a hurry“. Much will depend on his ability to choose people who share his vision and who have the capacity to implement real change. There is not too much time. He certainly needs our prayers.

Tony C.

April 3rd 2013

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…by Anura Guruge

My latest all consuming interest lies in here.

My job is done. And I am pretty damn happy with what I accomplished. My goal was to become “Mr. Next Pope” – and that I did.

Time to move on. Actually I had already moved on prior to the papal resignation, as some of you knew.

My wife has been bugging me for over a year to stop this pope ‘nonsense’ because it cost us money, rather than make us any. It was but an expensive hobby.

So moving onto pastures greener. Yes, my wife wants me to do some ‘adult‘ writing because there is always money in that and she is convinced that I will be exceptional at that. Who am I to argue.

But, first priority is astronomy. I have a couple on ongoing ‘near Earth‘ projects to complete. NEOs are so much fun, so much data to crunch, and there is no ‘child abuse‘ to get in the way.

So, unless there is an unexpected sede vacante there will be no more posts on this blog for the remainder of 2013 — other than notification of new books. Yes, there are a couple of more pope books I plan to write, hopefully in 2014. I might blog a bit during that time just to get my hand back in.

I am hoping to continue blogging daily, on my personal blog, as I do now, on a variety of topics ranging from U.S. GDP and investments to adult topics that might make many of you cringe.

In case you hadn’t sussed it out I am not a Catholic. Never was and never will be. Since I was about 18, which was 42 years ago, I have not believed in an afterlife, soul, spirit or anything like that. I totally believe that my life is immaterial, accidental and inconsequential. Here today, gone tomorrow and that is it. Kaput. So, I have no particular affinity to popes or Catholicism. Papal history was just a subject to study and master. Now time to move. Need to conquer NEOs. Need to write ‘adult’ stuff to keep the wife even happier.

It has, indubitably, been a lot of fun. I learned a lot. That was the raison d’être. I met a few really decent people. That was a bonus. I had fun. Kept me from getting into other trouble.

So now I part company with my favorite farewell in such scenarios:

“So long, and thanks for all the fish”.

No, that is not from the Bible (as far as I know).

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…by Anura Guruge

Yes, Bergoglio WAS on my published ‘top 10′ list in ‘The Next Pope 2011′, page 4. That is indisputable.

So, lets go through what I did get right:

1/ I did list Jorge Mario Bergoglio as one of my ‘top 10′, though he was my last. But, better than those that did not have him at all in their lists. Proof: pages 4 & 29 of  ‘The Book‘.

2/ I said on December 6, 2010, I said: “The Next Pope Is Also Likely To Be Over 75”. Proof: this post & page 7 of ‘The Book‘.

3/ On April 20, 2010, I said: “The Next Pope: Non-European, Non-Curial With ‘Clean Hands’”. Proof: this post & page 11 of ‘The Book‘.

4/ I adamantly maintained that the next pope will not be from Africa, Asia or the U.S.A. Proof: this ‘pigs will fly’ post at a minimum & page 12 of ‘The Book‘.

5/ I was beyond categorical that the next pope will not be ‘Peter anything‘. Proof: this post as a start & page 221 of ‘The Book‘.

6/ I did foresee that the new pope might assume a brand new name. Proof: page 226 of ‘The Book‘.

Find me anybody else who got as much right … in published, verifiable form.

Page 226.

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…by Anura Guruge

Related post from earlier today:
>> Is This A Re-Run Of 1978 I — With John Paul I (Last Pope With A New Name).
>> Have This Weird Feeling — Mar. 14, 2013.

Last night I was already beginning to have some weird feelings.

Then this morning I heard, on CNN, albeit retold by a U.S. cardinal known to be unreliable (at best), that the new pope, Francis, at dinner last night, at the Domus, with the cardinals, retold the FATEFUL John Paul I remark:

“May God forgive you for what you have done in my regard“.

That send a shiver down my spine. I worry for this kindly, new pope — reminds me of may favorite Celestine V (#193).

The U.S. cardinal who was boastfully retelling this on CNN probably had never heard of John Paul I — let alone appreciate the significance of that fateful remark.

John Paul I immediately apologized for it.

Pope Francis was not at that conclave.

But, that he retold that statement, albeit only per an unreliable cardinal, worries.

Just adds to a growing list of coincidences:

1/ Another pope with a previously unused papal name. You know that John Paul I was the ONLY pope to have taken an assumed name that had not previously been a pope name? Another way to think of it. It was the first time an assumed name was ‘I’. In all other instances of a papal ‘I’, explicit or implicit, the name had been their original name, ‘John I’ was ‘John’ before becoming pope.

2/ Another pastoral pope elected because he was pastoral.

3/ Despite obvious commitment to social justice and the well being of all, is steadfastly conservative on all matters affecting people.

4/ Eschews the gold, the tiara, the trappings, the pomp and the ceremony.

5/ Is not a Vatican insider.

6/ Is supposed to reform the curia!

7/ Is supposed to fix the Vatican’s financial dealings!

8/ Health issue, blood pressure in one case, one lung in the other, gets publicized immediately after the election.

9/ Indicates that he is going to be a simple pope.

10/ Utters the fateful words!