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* Docking of ship ends ill-fated voyage
* Ship lost power and toilets overflowed
* First lawsuit against Carnival Corp filed
By Kaija Wilkinson
MOBILE, Ala., Feb 15 (Reuters) - Thousands of passengers who spent nearly five days stuck on a disabled cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico headed home on Friday by bus, plane or car, relishing the chance for a warm shower and working toilets after finally arriving back on land.
"I got some sleep. I got a shower. A working toilet was really nice," said Nancy Petrone, 58, who was flying to southern California after spending the night in Mobile, Alabama, where tugboats had pulled the stricken Carnival Triumph into port.
It took several hours for more than 3,000 vacationers to make their way off the ship after it arrived late on Thursday. Some travelers kissed the ground when they arrived, while others disembarked wearing the ship's white bath robes - part souvenir and part protection against the chilly night air.
About 100 buses carried passengers on the seven-hour journey to Galveston, Texas, while other buses departed for shorter rides to New Orleans or to hotels in Mobile.
One bus broke down on its way to New Orleans, said passenger Jacob Combs, an Austin, Texas-based sales executive with a healthcare and hospice company.
Carnival officials said the Triumph, which entered service in 1999, would be towed on Friday to a Mobile shipyard for a damage assessment.
The 893-foot (272-meter) vessel was returning to Galveston from Cozumel, Mexico, on the third day of a four-day cruise when an engine-room fire knocked out power and plumbing across most of the ship on Sunday.
Passengers described an overpowering stench on parts of the ship and complained to relatives and media via cellphones that toilets and drainpipes had overflowed, soaking many cabins and interior passages in raw sewage.
The saga, which received extensive coverage on U.S. cable news programs, was another public relations disaster for Carnival Corp, the world's largest cruise company. Last year, its Costa Concordia luxury liner ran aground off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people.
The nature of the troubles aboard the Triumph inspired bathroom-humor banter among late-night comedy shows and the amateur comedians who took to Twitter with poop puns.
But not everyone was in a joking mood. One passenger, Cassie Terry, of Brazoria County, Texas, filed a lawsuit against the company in federal court in Miami, describing the ship as "a floating toilet, a floating Petri dish, a floating hell."
Still, lawyers warned passengers could have a difficult time winning damages in court, while industry analysts said the lure of inexpensive vacations at sea is likely to keep the booming worldwide cruise industry on course toward strong profits.
Passengers had some harsh words for Carnival, but praised the efforts of the ship's crew during the ordeal.
"Just imagine the filth," said Combs, 30. "People were doing crazy things and going to the bathroom in sinks and showers. It was inhuman. The stewards would go in and clean it all up."
Facing criticism over the company's response, Carnival Cruise Lines Chief Executive Gerry Cahill boarded the ship after it arrived in Mobile to personally apologize to passengers.
"We pride ourselves with providing our guests with a great vacation experience and, clearly, we failed in this particular case," Cahill said.
Some passengers said conditions deteriorated rapidly on the Triumph earlier in the week, with people getting sick and being told to use plastic "biohazard" bags as makeshift toilets.
Smoke from the engine fire was so thick that passengers on the lower decks in the rear of the ship had to be evacuated and relocated to other decks of the 14-story ship, where passengers said they slept under sheets for the rest of the voyage.
Some said they tried to pass the time playing cards and organizing Bible study groups, as well as scavenger hunts for the children who were on board.
Conditions improved on Thursday after a generator was delivered to the ship, providing power for a grill to cook hot meals. Passengers said toilets began flushing again and the ship served steaks and lobster - a welcome relief after a steady diet of cold cucumber and cheese sandwiches.
Cahill has issued several apologies and Carnival said passengers will be reimbursed in full, plus transportation expenses, a future cruise credit equal to the amount paid for this voyage, and an additional payment of $500 per person to help compensate them for the ordeal.
Several passengers scoffed at the offer.
"If I go on another cruise, it will not be with Carnival," Petrone said on Friday. "I plan to return their voucher for a free cruise."
Carnival Corp Chief Executive Micky Arison drew criticism in January 2012 for failing to travel to Italy and take personal charge during the Costa Concordia crisis. The tragedy resulted in numerous lawsuits being filed against his company.
Arison made his first public comment about the Triumph incident on Friday via Twitter.
"We are very sorry for the difficult conditions experienced by our guests on Carnival Triumph, but glad that all guests are off safe and sound," he said.
Carnival Corp shares on Friday closed down 43 cents, or 1.15 percent, at $36.92 on the New York Stock Exchange.


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Keselowski-Kyle Busch feud will continue to drive incredible interest—and anticipation
The Brad Keselowski-Kyle Busch feud won't benefit the drivers, but it will benefit the fans as a fun one to watch race after race, season after season.
Both brash in their own way, bordering on childish and immature, their passionate personalities engage fans. They both have given back to the sport as owners of race teams, which earns them respect as well as delivers the message that they don't just compete in NASCAR, they are invested in the sport.
MORE: Fighting words between Keselowski, Busch | Two crashes for Kyle Busch
So their rivalry generates incredible interest and with the likelihood of continued battles, the anticipation grows for their next one.
Keselowski races with a chip on his shoulder, refusing to get pushed around. He likes to prove other people wrong. It appears he wants to make the point that he won't allow Busch to make aggressive moves that rely on Keselowski lifting without causing an accident.
PHOTOS: 2013 Sprint Cup winners | Best of Kyle Busch | Toughest drivers
If Keselowski feels wronged, he will crowd the offender and not give an inch.
Busch doesn't race as much with a chip on his shoulder as much as with the knowledge of his talent, his ability to nearly will the car to where it needs to go. Combined with an insane hatred of losing, he sometimes makes moves such as the one Saturday, determined to get that second-place spot. He probably knew he would make the move stick or possibly bang a door with Keselowski and whatever happened, happened.
Busch took the blame for their wreck Saturday, as the debate continues of whether he should have backed off or whether he had gone beyond the point of no return as far as trying to avoid an accident.
Some believe Busch did it on purpose, that he possesses enough talent to wreck someone intentionally but make it look accidental.
At least in theory, that requires motivation to pull off such a move. Known to let emotions take over, did Busch just lose control of the car with Keselowski crowding him or did he lose control of his emotions because Keselowski was racing him so tight?
Keselowski tends to let his emotions show more after events than behind the wheel. He will reach the deep end, letting the curse words fly and say what he thinks -- or maybe what he feels without really thinking.
He has the luxury of the sponsorship from Miller Lite, which doesn't mind a little outspokenness.
Busch doesn't have that luxury. Cognizant that kids cheer the M&M's car puts Busch in a little bind, requiring him to remain mindful of what he says. That's not the easiest task for a driver whose emotions and ego sometimes get the best of him, leading to a lack of respect of others in the garage and wrecking at least a couple of drivers in retaliation in dangerous fashion.
Both drivers probably would just love to punch the other and get any hard feelings out that way. But both know that they just can't go out and throw haymakers, that they remain better off doing their talking on the racetrack.
For Keselowski, the question remains of where does he do the talking. He could bring the latest Nationwide fracas into Cup races, but then he could face retaliation in Cup. Considering he plans to race in many more Chases, concerns about whether Busch will wreck him won't help him much with a championship on the line.
For Busch, the question remains how he will handle it. Keselowski appears to thrive in the drama because he views it as a challenge. Busch appears to hate the drama because he views it as an annoyance. Keselowski's lame attempt to get into Busch's head by asking about intentional wrecking at the drivers meeting hovered like a gnat around Busch.
Keselowski grew up in a racing family and was taught to fight for everything or someone will take advantage of him. In other words, it's better to race as the intimidator than the intimidated. He knows all the ways to be quietly dirty on the racetrack, as he has seen it for years. He didn't win as much as Busch at a young age and always appears trying to prove himself as a tough guy.
Busch grew up in an atmosphere that promoted an us-versus-the-world type attitude. Fight for it because no one will give a young driver from Las Vegas the benefit of the doubt.
Those two philosophies will make this a thrilling rivalry. They might differ on what rates as clean and what rates as dirty racing, but they don't differ on the mind-set that every race, every position remains a fight to the finish.
That attitude could win them championships. But that attitude could make Kansas just one of a long list of tracks where they will trade fenders and barbs while creating a potential distraction to what they truly hope to accomplish.

subset: commoncrawl


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I said something to a person recently that I know would floor some regular churchgoers – maybe you as well.
I said, "How we feel in our relationship with God is not all that important. "
Feelings come, and feelings go. They just aren't what the spiritual life is about. That's not to say feelings can't give us a clue about where we are on the spiritual journey, but they aren't predictive of anything. They certainly aren't reliable.
Even though having "good" spiritual feelings can encourage us along in our spiritual life, those feelings can be seductive. It's easy to become fixated on the next "spiritual high" instead of on emptying ourselves more to make room for God. Feelings are overrated.
Since the day of that conversation, I've been wondering why we place so much value on the feelings we associate with faith. Whether joy or gratitude or connection or awe, if we aren't feeling what we think we ought to feel or what we think we ought to get to feel, the tendency nowadays is to go church shopping or worse yet, give up on faith. It makes me wonder if many of us participate in Sunday morning worship because we expect that we'll get what we aren't finding other days of the week.
I know the work-a-day world leaves many of us spent. Many of us have lives that are so full there is little room for richness or beauty/for meaningful relationships or occasions of deep joy. Doesn't it seem right that God would give that to us – that if we were to just show up on Sunday mornings? When we don't have that spiritual boost we're looking for, it's easy to think it's someone else's fault. We'd far rather think that than to think that God's just lying down on the job. But maybe what's really going on is that our expectations are misplaced.
During this Lent, I've found myself wondering if there isn't something we've lost, or that has changed, or that we have simply begun to ignore that gives us the notion that Sunday morning should be about our feelings. The older folks in our congregations have been faithful through decades of change to their Sunday worship. It never occurred to them that the church should cater to their likes and dislikes. Folk Masses? Women clergy? Modern paraphrases of scripture? It didn't matter – those folks were there. But when you or I aren't entertained or soothed or acknowledged … well, to heck with putting ourselves before the Creator of the cosmos. We'll just sleep in.
Those who are called "The Greatest Generation," they are different. They may not know about the historical-critical method of reading Biblical scripture like many of us do, but they read their Bibles. They know that God loves them. They know that when two or three of us are gathered, we are the Body of Christ. And they know that humility, service and faithfulness always will be part of the spiritual life. How you and I feel? ... not so much.
Worship designed to move us has its place, I suppose. But the focus of this type of worship is on us. Reverence, however, borne of silence of speech and mind, and humility – these are states of being that decentralize us and that place us before the Great Mystery we call God in a posture of receptivity. Younger generations have their spiritual strengths, for sure. But I wonder what will happen to the Church when those whose worship does not include a search for feelings, whose knees no longer allow them to kneel, what will happen when they are gone?
Leigh Waggoner is priest at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 565-7865.


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State Rep. Sylvester Turner, the Houston Democrat who's served his northwestern Houston district since 1989, will run again, his office announced today.
A former speaker pro tem and currently chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Turner found himself playing defense almost daily in the just-concluded session. Known for his eloquence on the House floor, he fought — usually in a losing cause — to hold the line against GOP budget-cutters determined to reduce funding for education and social service programs.
"Despite the divisiveness in Austin and Washington, D.C., I still want to participate in what I consider the greatest democracy in the world," Turner said in a statement.


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Mass Flow Communicator communication software
Mass Flow Communicator communication software
- Customers can configure and parameterize the instrument using the Mass Flow Communicator PC software via the RS-232, e.g. configuration of binary inputs and outputs, LEDs, limit values, etc.
- Limit value switches (limits) for set-point/actual value, control signal and integrated totalizer can be configured.
- The dynamics of the instrument can be adjusted to the application.
- Instrument behavior can be defined in the event of an error, for example: go to safety value, fully open or close valve.
- Autotune function: automatic adjustment of the controller to the system conditions
- Adjustable ramp function for the set-point value can be configured.
- Set-point profile can be defined and stored. Set-point values with the relevant time intervals can be entered in the required order in which the instrument automatically moves to them at a later time (for example, after activating a binary input)


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Get a custom-looking website without putting a custom-sized dent in your wallet.
Video banners and moving backgrounds are available for ALL website layouts upon request, at no additional cost.
Over 300 designs to choose from, all infinitely customizable.
Check out our full selection in the design gallery, or view real customer websites in our client portfolio.
Close more leads with powerful CRM tools. Follow up faster with automated responses. Instant lead alerts, follow-up reminders, and simple task scheduling keep you on-track from lead capture to closing day. Review website activity to learn about each lead's budget, neighborhood, and feature preferences. Send beautiful listing flyers, automated HouseTrack email updates, and long-term drip email campaigns through our MailChimp integration. Google Cloud email and G Suite apps also included.
Enter your listings at your MLS, and we'll automatically import them to your real estate website. With an Elite Pro Website® you can set it and forget it.
Wondering if we have your MLS? Chances are pretty good. We currently have 574 MLS's and we're adding more all the time. Check our MLS coverage map to see if we have yours or contact us to see about adding it.
Leverage your MLS data and rank for local search engine keywords using our dynamic Saved Search landing pages. As new homes are added to your MLS, your landing pages update themselves so your content is always fresh and relevant. We've even adopted Google's AMP (Accelerated Mobile Page) technology to help you rank higher for mobile searches.
Want to freshen up your homepage? Need to add a new page? Have a new agent to add to your website's roster? Simply call, email or schedule an appointment with our ELITE Service Team, and we'll take care of these changes for you.
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" Thanks to Lenny! About a month ago we had a person contact us after searching Realtors in Oklahoma City. He came across our website, liked what he saw and hired us to sell his $3.7million dollar listing!!!! The home is 2.5 hours away from our market, but he wanted an Oklahoma City Realtor and after reviewing several websites from our market, he chose us!!!! So I just wanted to say 'thank you' for making us look like rock stars here in Oklahoma City. "
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What is the difference between typical aircraft ownership and fractional ownership of aircraft? As the term implies, with fractional ownership of aircraft, customers purchase but a share of an aircraft as opposed to the aircraft in its entirety. The price of the aircraft is then pro-rated based on the market price of a whole aircraft (more details on sing-jets.com website)
Another term that is commonly used to pertain to fractional ownership of aircraft is "fractional jets". Its inception began in 1986 by the pioneer in private business jet charter and aircraft management, NetJets. Back then, they were known as Executive Jet Aviation.
Other providers that offer fractional ownership of aircraft include Flexjet and Flight Options. It is also possible to engage in fractional aviation for non-jet aircraft. Such aircraft include PlaneSense's Pilatus PC-12 fleet, Executive AirShare's Embraer Phenom 100/300s, King Air 90/350, AirSpirit's Cessna Citation Excels, Pilatus PC-12s, and Beechcraft King Air 90s and 200s.
Fractional ownership of aircraft changed the landscape of private aviation at an unparalleled scope due to the affordability and convenience that it offers. In fractional ownership of aircraft, an owner is entitled to 50 to 400 hours each year or a specific number of days annually. The specific terms are dependent on the share size purchased or the final agreement reached by the owners. A monthly maintenance fee is required for payment by the fractional owners. In addition to this, there is also a required "occupied" hourly operating fee. The hourly operating fee is required only when the owner is aboard the aircraft and not when the aircraft is in flight and en route to the pickup point or on its way back to the base.
Owners are granted accessibility to the entire fleet of aircraft owned by the aircraft company. It may be possible to upgrade or downgrade the aircraft for certain trips. Once the contract comes to an end, the owner can opt for either selling the share back to the company or to a prospective owner on the waiting list for a position. However, for the latter option, there may be a re-marketing fee that needs to be paid.
What are the most vital components of a fractional contract? These include:
- Binder/Deposit Agreement
- Purchase Agreement
- Master Dry Lease Exchange Agreement
- Management Agreement
What are some of the benefits of fractional ownership of aircraft?
- One leg journeys – You only pay for the time that you use the plane. This offers a significant advantage to flying a charted plane where you are essentially covering the cost of the chartered plane's return to its destination.
- Consistency – In contrast to charter programs, you fly the same model of aircraft each and every time. While it may be possible to upgrade or downgrade the aircraft, that choice is entirely yours. In other words, with fractional ownership of aircraft, you are paying for familiarity and comfort.
- Flight plans from the edge of a region or a continent – Obviously, this isn't something you will be able to do when flying commercially.


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This product has been discontinued and will no longer be restocked. Please browse the site as we have many alternatives.
Forest Garden Half Burford Arbour
We don't think that you will find the garden products sold on our website cheaper elsewhere, however in the unlikely event that you do please let us know and we will always try to beat the price. Click to find out more.
This product is available for free delivery throughout mainland England and Wales. Click to find out more.
Product Description
This beautiful half timber garden arbour comes complete with integral floor and three flat packed wooden benches
Flat packed direct from the supplier Forest Garden.
Manufactured from pressure treated softwood.
Planed for a smooth finish.
This product has been pressure treated with a preservative and carries a 15 year guarantee against rot. This means that the item will never need to be treated, saving both time and money and helping the environment by reducing the amount of chemicals used annually. The product can still be painted or coloured if desired as the preservative and dye is pressure impregnated within the wood at the manufacture stage and will not be affected by further painting or colouring. Please note the guarantee will only apply if the product is installed and maintained in accordance with Forest Garden guidelines.
Full instruction and assembly guide plus details of the Forest Garden technical help line will be included with this item.
Forest Garden is committed to preserving the environment and all products are sourced from British timber wherever possible. The entire product range is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Every product carries the FSC logo, ensuring that their timber comes from properly managed forests and controlled sources.
Free delivery on this item within mainland UK however the following postcodes may be excluded from free delivery. Please call us for a postage quote before ordering. AB, BT, FK, GY, HS, IM, IB, IV, JE, KA, KW, PA, PH, PO, TR, ZE.
Forest Garden will contact you to advise the delivery date for your item and other terms and conditions of delivery.
Please note this item is made to order and not available for next day delivery.
Please note that our Arbours to do not come with the photographic props (planters, arbour feet and garden ornaments) used in our pictures, unless stated. But most of these props, such as planters, are available on our website to purchase separately.
Product Specifications
|Forest Garden
|Instructions Included
|Flat packed
|Manufacturers Guarantee
|15 years against rot
|Pressure treated
|Floor Construction
|Integral timber floor
|FSC Softwood
|Smooth planed
|Roof Construction
|Tongue and Groove
Availability: Not Available
Delivery Options
England & Wales Rates:
|Order Value Greater than £50
|Standard Delivery
|Delivery Info:
|This item is shipped directly from the manufacturer and is currently taking 6 WEEKS lead time. We cannot offer Next Day on this item


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Mantra is a ritualized form of singing where a particular intention is held and a particular state is invoked. Mantras have been used for thousands of years by many cultures across human history. The Vedic sciences are one of the most ardent and consistent users of mantra. Mantra is done for a purpose and is sacred. Mantras should never be done casually or irreverently, and students benefit most by having a teacher initiate them into the use of mantra.
Join us in chanting Vedic sanskrit mantras for the sheer joy of it—as well as the transformation that they bring.
Instruction will be provided.
Beginners are encouraged.
Drop-ins are welcome.
$10.00 suggested donation.


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I have just had an Email from James at the Coffee Project informing me that he has plenty of this years La Minita in stock. Mailing from the USA is expensive, the cheapest option is an 18 pound box. This with delivery costs is $204.00 (£137.00). At around £8.00 for the coffee I love I paid at once.
lesser amounts with postage is uneconomical.
I would be even happier if Steve could get a supply.


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Below are the confirmed and scheduled talks at Strata + Hadoop World 2013. Note: The schedule is subject to change.
Create your own conference schedule using the personal scheduler function. Mark the Tutorials, Sessions, Keynotes, and Events you want to attend by clicking on the calendar icon next to each listing. Then go to your personal schedule and get your own customized schedule generated.
For exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, contact Susan Stewart at firstname.lastname@example.com
For information on trade opportunities with O'Reilly conferences email mediapartners
For media-related inquiries, contact Maureen Jennings at firstname.lastname@example.com
View a complete list of Strata + Hadoop World 2013 contacts


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I am actually very embarrassed posts about SEO, because my blog itself was still a beginner once and in the development, but not why it is important to share because I think this article is very useful ..
100 ways to get more traffic :..
1.Write and submit articles . It is a classic, but it works. This will be indefinite traffic stuck in the search engines for you. Write quality unique articles, not
articles that are rehashed or provide no insight to readers, which is a huge problem these days.
2.Write and submit press releases, think prweb after you do one.
3.Write and ping blog entries. Always make sure to link back to your website with your blog posts. Try making multiple blogs and have them all link back to
one main site.
4.Make sure your website is listed in DMOZ: http://dmoz.org/.
5.Advertise your website in the appropriate categories at Craigslist. Try posting your ads in the most populated cities in the world.
6.If a niche related forum that you frequently visit allows signatures, then make sure to add your website url in there.
7.Make sure to view related products on Amazon.com. You can try and take some customers from your competitors here by providing your own url if the
product is similar.
8.Review websites in your niche on Alexa to try to take some of their traffic by including a reference back to your site.
9.Review some related products on epinion.
10.If you purchase a product that you actually like, then feel free to give an individual respect when respect is due and leave a testimonial. You should be
able to get some traffic from that website if your testimonial is left with a url.
11.Whenever you send an email to someone, always add your website url as a signature.
12.Keep updating content on your websites/blogs … try at least once per week.
13.Tag blog posts at social bookmarking sites, especially at http://del.icio.us/.
14.Add photos to your blog with appropriate keywords.
15.Tag blog photos at Flickr.
16.Politely ask your readers to subscribe to your rss feeds.
17.Try coining your own term. Might want to trademark it if you smell that it will become popular.
18.Encourage readers to comment on your blogs.
19.Include translation for your websites/blogs, especially in Chinese.
20.Do not be boring, write about something that a wide select of people would want to know about.
21.Make sure to edit your writing (unlike what im doing ).
22.Comment on other related blogs.
23.Make a custom 404-error page for your website. You can provide a link back to your main website or even try to monetize it by offering a related affiliate
program within your niche.
24.Sponsor a charity, most charities will link back to your website, and you are also doing a good deed .
25.Sell an item on eBay as a charity auction. Most charities will link back to both your auction and your main website.
26.Start a publicity campaign, do something that individuals in your niche will take note of.
27.Brand your website with a logo and a slogan/catch phrase. Think IBM.
28.Hold a crazy contest that people in your niche will talk about. This will equal more links and traffic to your website.
29.Build a tool that individuals in your niche will love and enjoy. Then give it away for free. If the tool is helpful, then you will get quality one-way links to your
30.Contact small newsletters sources offline and submit articles to them.
31.Become friends with editors of an offline publication.
32.Give speeches offline. Start small and local. Also, do not forget to participate in toastmasters meetings in your area.
33.Have a GREAT product. All of the marketing/advertising in the world will do you NO good if your product is sub par.
34.Make something innovative. If you are selling information, what makes your content something you cannot get from the local bookstore, Barnes and
noble or even eBay for that matter?
35.Is your product groundbreaking? Will you leave individuals with no choice but to talk about your product or service?
36.Are you selling something that wide groups of people want to know about but there is limited/scarce knowledge?
37.Write good content, if your writing is good then people will share it with their friends. In addition, webmasters will use it as content on their website with
a reference back to your article, or at least they should.
38.Spark emotions. If you get people emotional about something then they will most likely talk about it.
39.Get a custom t-shirt made with your website url on it, and wear it often.
40.Build a list of subscribers. Your list is like a golden asset to you if utilized correctly.
41.Write tip articles, such as "Ten easy tips to blank-blank-blank."
42.Buy traffic from the search engines by utilizing one of their PPC campaigns.
43.Open up a myspace account and find targeted friends so that you can promote your services to them. Do not spam people, myspace is cracking down
on spammers and are starting to sue people.
44.Solicit a link from your local chamber of commerce.
45.Have an easy to remember domain name. If your domain name is too long or not memorable then people may forget your site.
46.Add a bookmark option to your website/blogs.
47.Purchase the misspelled versions of your domain name and have it redirect to your main one.
48.Use keywords in your image alt tags. For example,
49.Make sure to include appropriate keywords in your title tag, search engines show more prominence or importance to keywords here.
50.Place appropriate keywords in your anchor text when linking.
51.If you have a profile anywhere online, always include appropriate keywords and link back to your website.
52.Try to get links from websites within your niche with a high pr (pagerank). Some The more one-way links (inbound links/backlinks) you have to your
website, the higher your pr will become. Pagerank is important because websites with higher prs tend to have a higher search results in Google. It is a no
brainier that if you can get number one for a competitive keyword then you will have enough traffic that you can handle … oh by the way its all free targeted
traffic to remind you.
53.Outsource grunt work. Time is in essence money…. you can hire individuals at freelance services to send emails, request JV proposals, or to answer
questions from prospective or current customers.
54.Offer something for FREE. Abracadabra is not the magic word, FREE is. It is like a worm on a pole for a fish in the water…. its bait! Offer a free mini
course or free ebook to help collect more subscribers. You can always offer a backend to monetize on this opportunity, such as an affiliate product for
55.After someone orders from you offer a one-time offer that compliments your product. For example, if I offered a traffic ebook, then after the individual
purchase it would make sense for me to offer a traffic conversion bonus for a limited time only.
56.Become the virus within your niche. Make yourself the bug and have people talking about your product. When people talk about your product then you
can induce the viral effect. However, you must give people a reason to talk about you, and being like everyone else is not one.
57.Do your research and find expensive niches to tap into. A good way to do this is to find how expensive someone is paying for a keyword on a PPC
search engine. If you can sell items that are more expensive more often then it is a quicker way to get rich .
58.Become an active respected member of niche related forums. You can do this by offering quality posts.
Hint Hint, it is not the number of posts you
make, it is the quality. Remember, quality or quantity. Many useless or negative posts will have people looking at you funny.
59.Test, test, test. Your flushing money down the toilet if your not testing to see what campaigns are bringing you in the most money compared to which
ones are costing you money. When you test, you can eliminate the campaigns that are costing you dollars so that you can properly maximize your
marketing efforts. Without proper testing, you are pretty much lost and can't improve. You can only guess to what has or what is working. With proper
testing, you do not guess, you know.
60.Stay up to date on what is going on in the world, you can monetize off hot topic trends.
61.Network, when you know more people you can find people that can help you get what you need.
62.Offer an affiliate program for your product or service. Make sure to let your satisfied customers know that you have one, if they like your product then
they will be even more delighted to know that they will get money for referring you.
63.Write and give away a free ebook or report. It does not have to be long as long as its quality information neatly formatted and put together. You can also
make a brandable ebook or report and allow affiliates the opportunity to brand their affiliate links in there to pass on to the next individual. You can then
send this ebook to your subscribers or submit it to ebook directories.
64.Add viral components to your blog such as social bookmarking options, and a refer a friend option.
65.Be funny, people like something that will make them laugh and they will spread it for you if it is a genius idea.
66.Syndicate your content by using an RSS feeds on your website.
67.Answer people 's questions on Yahoo! answers with a link to your website in the sources area.
68.Put a link in the "about me" section of your eBay profile.
69.Make and upload a viral video to you tube. Use appropriate keywords in the video description for your target audience.
70.Record an informative podcast and submit them to poplar podcast directories.
71.Provide helpful answers for Google adsense on their help forum with a link back to your website. Go here to check it out: http://groups.google.com/
72.Get people to comment and add content to your site. When they do this, they will provide you unique content, no need to pay for ghostwritten articles.
73.If you cannot get JVs, then try to bribe webmasters for sponsored advertising space on their newsletters.
74.Include a media section on your website so that you will give the media an easy way to stay up to date on what your company is doing.
75.Try to teach a class at your local community college or university. The more exposure you get in the public, the more credibility you will receive.
76.Make a screensaver and make it easy for individuals in your niche to download it. Have eye candy graphics combined with your company logo to brand
77.Write something controversial and spread it freely to your target market. It can be something as idiotic as
the Da Vinci code, but as long people talk
about it, its a successful campaign. A few hints, something controversial is something that goes against established beliefs in your market.
78.Write and publish a book. Having your own book is a quick way to gain credibility.
79.Take a guru in your niche out to lunch, and pay for it.
80.Start an organization or club about something. This can be done online through Yahoo! or Google groups.
81.Volunteer. Donate your time to a good clause …you can always network with people and form connections at the same time.
82.Get involved in your community and try to run some type of outreach program.
83.Offer good customer service, you may be surprised on how many referrals you get just be having a reliable one.
84.Consider adding a direct mail marketing campaign to your marketing ****nal.
85.Put an ad in your local yellow pages to get some local customers. Yellow pages tend to be more successful then newspaper ads because individuals
are looking for a particular service when they are browsing through the yellow pages as opposed to newspapers.
86.Post bulletins in your local supermarket. However, since not everyone may carry a pen or pencil, place your contact information and url on strips on the
bottom so that individuals can rip it off and take it with them.
87.Host your own commercial so you can put "as seen on TV" on your products.
88.Conduct surveys and publish them. These make you appear as an expert in your field of study.
89.Break a record or shoot to be in the Guinness world records for something.
90.Make a sitemap for your website.
91.Use a favicon for your site.
92.Make your visitors more involved in your website. You can help accomplish this by adding CGI scripts to your site.
93.Make sure you have no broken links on your site, and make sure that your website shows clearly in all browsers.
94.Find domain names that get traffic, purchase them, and have them redirect to your website.
95.Spell correctly whenever using keywords in writing.
96.Look at sites related to your niche to try to figure out how they get their traffic.
97.Properly optimize your website for the right keywords.
98.Try to avoid java scripts on your website as much as possible.
99.Do not use frames on your website.
100. If your website becomes popular and starts getting lots of traffic, try switching to a dedicated server. The longer you site is down equals the more lost
visitors you will have.
101. Write a quality 101 article about a steamy topic that people want to know more about in your niche .
{of variety of sources that I rather forget}


text:
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has arrested Jewish suspects in the abduction and killing of a Palestinian teen whose death touched off violent protests in Jerusalem and in Israeli Arab towns, a security source said on Sunday.
Six suspects were in custody, the source said, but added the number may change as the investigation into the killing of Mohammed Abu Khudair, 16, progressed.
The source gave no other details about the suspects other than to say they were Jews. There was no official comment from the police.
Investigators believe Mohammed Abu Khudair was slain out of "nationalist motives", the source said, in comments that appeared to confirm Palestinian suspicions that far-right Jews were involved and that his death was a vengeance killing.
Abu Khudair's burnt body was discovered in a Jerusalem forest on Wednesday, a day after the burial of three Jewish teens who were abducted while hitchhiking in the occupied West Bank on June 12.
Their bodies were found on Monday, near the road where they had gone missing, and Israel blames Hamas militants for their kidnapping and killing. The Islamist group has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem over the past several days. The violence spread on Saturday to Arab towns and villages in central and northern Israel.
The areas were largely quiet on Sunday, but police remained on high alert.
(Writing by Jeffrey Heller Editing by Ori Lewis and Mark Potter)


text:
Through his bravura – and Golden Globe-winning – dramatic turn on Starz's "Boss," playing the power-hungry Chicago mayor hiding a disease that might force him from office, Kelsey Grammer showed viewers his full intensity and broad range. Now Grammer's ready to bring Tom Kane back to city hall for a second season, beginning Friday. He promises that, along with the hardball politics, equally play will be given to Kane's ebbing emotional life.
"Tom, in this part of the story, has discovered there are gaps in his life that maybe he would like to fill in – or at least try to," reveals Grammer. "He realizes that he's not a fully realized human being and only has so many avenues to explore to actually make that different; one, of course, being his daughter – and even his wife. So he makes some attempt. Whether or not they're successful, of course, is left up to conjecture and whatever future we may find, but it doesn't go so well."
The actor reveals even more to PopcornBiz, including his now-happy personal life, reflections on his "Cheers" and "Frasier" success and a candid admission about wishing he'd made the Emmy short list for "Boss."
You'vie said that you don't wish to immerse yourself too much in the real version of the world Mayor Kane inhabits because politics are "disgusting" – can you elaborate?
Well, it's an interesting world. I'm actually saying that more for entertainment value than anything else. It's a very complex world. I think some good can be accomplished in it, but I think you have to make a lot of bad choices to get there.
You're very menacing when you want to be, on the show. Did you have to work on that skill, having played likeable for so long?
No. I just think I've always had a theory about a career and you just don't show every note that you can play until it's time to play it. So it was always in there, something that I was capable of doing, but I didn't have the role to pull it out and show it yet. You keep your cards close to the vest and play them when it's time…I wouldn't say that it's something that I had to work on, necessarily, but I just had to access it. Tom is a very capable and palpable force and it also helps that other people think so in the show. If you're surrounded by a group of people that are scared of you, like when you play Macbeth, for instance, if the surrounding population of the show gives him that reverence then you believe it as well. So, I think that I'm getting help from my fellow actors as well, but yeah, Tom is menacing. It just seemed to come naturally.
Is it better to go in and read straight from the page, to not know the colorful, controversial history of Chicago politics, or is it better to have the historical perspective?
It's great to have the historical perspective for the foundation of the show. For my performance it has no value. This character is a man that believes he is all the mayors in Chicago, not just some recent one. So this character that we play and write for is a guy as big as the mayors of Chicago. He's not a guy is specific to one or two mayors. It's more of an amalgam, a collection of them.
He seems very self-aware of who he is.
Yeah, I love that.
Was Frasier Crane ever that self-aware?
I think that Frasier was self-aware, but he was suffering under delusion most of the time because Frasier was always being dealt a disappointing blow and his ego was very fragile, but somehow he survived. He kept going. So, I think he needed to sort of delude himself to get up every morning, like, 'Today is going to be a good day.' That's what made him funny. He was a hero in many ways, to get up the next day and say, 'I'm still going to give love a try. I'm still going to give this a chance.' Watching him fail was what made Frasier fun. Watching Tom die will be an interesting battle because he's a real fighter and he doesn't take no for an answer which is fascinating and great to play that part.
What part of Tom came out of Kelsey Grammer?
There's that part in everybody: if there's something that I like about Tom Kane that was my story is that I'd be more of a fighter.
What do you dislike the most about him?
Gosh, there's almost nothing. I mean, you have to fall in love with the characters that you play. If I was playing Iago I'd love him to.
Do you find that the heart of comedy and drama are similar?
I think the work is similar in that you actually have to earn the big moments. You have to believe. Take comedy, for instance: if you don't lay the foundation in something that you don't believe is a real situation it doesn't seem possible that two guys can stand on a piano doing Gilbert and Sullivan songs while their lives are crumbling; or in this case, that a man who's the elected mayor of a city would actually grab an alderman's ear and rip it off. But given the circumstances...And if you buy into the first one, it's almost like logistics, you have a first premise, a second premise – It's very thrilling. It's thrilling to play.
When you read the script for the last episode in the first season, where Kane was going to sell out his daughter, how did you feel?
Well, I kind of knew that was coming because we had talked about it, but that's a bit [King] Lear-ish: Lear banishes his daughter in the first act. It's tough, but it's because he's not thinking straight. In this case, Tom had no other card to play. Power at that point was more important than that allegiance. Would he make the same choice three years from now? Who knows?
What about parenting in real life?
Parenting in real life is actually a wonderful trip. You're bound to fail, but I guess that's why we keep going. That failure just becomes an opportunity for them to thrive. I think that kids are fantastic and they do shape themselves very much, and hopefully you lay a couple of good things in their head and they can actually find a way to navigate the universe based on, hopefully, one or two times you told them something good.
What's different about this time around?
This is the first time…oh, gosh, this is very hard to say. It's the first time I was in a place with someone in my life that having a child was the best thing that both of us could do. That's new for me and it's fantastic. I love being a dad.
'Cheers' was just honored with the Television Critics Association's prestigious Heritage award. In the moment that you were doing that show what did it mean to you?
'Cheers' was like the best gift of my life, honestly. You look back on it and say, 'Wow!' I never wanted to try and make it in L.A. and so I was very fortunate to get plucked out of New York and get the job, but that's how I wanted it. I wasn't going to come any other way because I was a happy, kind of legit theater guy. I was fine to just stay there. I did think it was going to change my life – It did. I was really glad that towards the end of 'Cheers' that they gave me that vote of confidence, that they wanted to do give me my own show at Paramount. Then it became a spin-off. That was the beginning of a career that's been extraordinary.
Is there a type of role you haven't been able to play?
Oh, a couple. I'd love to do a Western. I'd love to be a gunslinger. There's a couple of other guys I'd love to do. There's a guy named Emmet Fox, my wife and I have been talking about maybe trying to do a biopic of him, that we find so interesting and engaging, a guy about faith. One of the reasons we named our daughter Faith is his writings.
Were you a little surprised that you didn't receive an Emmy nomination for "Boss," even after winning the Golden Globe?
Well, I actually kind of took it personally, but that's for me to wrestle with. To me it's just a mystery at this point. Listen, my relationship with Emmy up to this point has been pretty great. 'Frasier' is the most successful show with Emmys: I think it's 37 – I got four myself for 'Frasier.' If this is the best work that I've ever done it seems a little funny that I wouldn't get nominated, but there must be some criteria out there that I'm not aware of. You know what? – life's been pretty good to me, so it's okay.
"Boss" airs Fridays on Starz at 9 p.m. ET


text:
Very nice mention / review
September 12, 2009
We have just discovered a really nice piece of writing about the Hard Line Industrial Distortion written by Mark A. Galang for GearWire. Great writing, very professional: http://www.gearwire.com/noisesoft-softhardlinefull.html
Thank you and a warning
September 12, 2009
Thanks to everyone who downloaded the Hard Line Industrial Distortion! It has been a great success and we've had some great comments and a few very nice musicians tell us how much they like the effect.
Please remember that our website and official partners are the ONLY websites that are authorized to offer our software for download (see http://www.noisesoft.com )
If you download our software from a different website, we cannot be responsible for any damage to your computer because of viruses and spyware (and yes, there are such websites 'offering' our VST already…).
The software offered on our website has absolutely none of these problems.


text:
Wasn't this done last Thursday?
Growing up in Orlando, Colonel Joe was a local hero. He was the sort of "forgotten" hero that damnit, we were going to keep touting.So, while I'm sad to see Joe's record broken, I'm glad he was part of the whole attempt and was the voice of good ole boy calmness for Felix.


text:
Green Water Bottle Sling Holder
By H204K9
Please Note: Scotland, Highlands & Islands & Non Mainland UK please allow extra time for delivery
Thirsty pups on the go are in need of constant hydration. Whether you're hiking in the hills with a backpack or strutting down the high street with a diamante clutch, your pampered pooch's water bottle is always in easy reach with this neoprene water bottle sling. Designed to fit the H204K9 9.5oz and 25oz water bottles, the soft and stretchy fabric means it's compatible with most other water bottles too. Available in a range of stylish colours, the sleek and durable sling has an adjustable strap for your comfort and convenience. This bold green design looks great teamed with either matching or contrasting coloured water bottles, for a fashion-forward yet practical approach to puppy pit stops.
Product code: PJP-00025
- UK Delivery (Mainland) - Courier or Signed for - £4.65 (Free for orders over £35.00) - Delivery Time: 2 to 3 days
- UK Delivery (Non-Mainland) - Courier or Signed for - £6.95 - Delivery Time: 3 to 5 days
This item will be dispatched to you direct by our partner seller PJ Pet Products who follows the general PetsPyjamas returns policy:
Please check your items on delivery. If you wish to return an item, it should be returned to our partner seller directly and not to PetsPyjamas. If you wish to organise a return, exchange or refund of any item, please go to the returns page on our website at www.petspyjamas.com/returns. For standard items, you have 7 days, from receipt of goods, to notify our partner and you must return goods at your own cost within 14 days of receiving the item.
For damaged/faulty items, you must contact us within 48 hours at firstname.lastname@example.com. To help speed up the returns process, we recommend you send us photographic evidence of the relevant item. You will then be issued with return guidance from us.
You must return items unused, in a saleable condition, with any labels still attached and in the original packaging that you received them in. Any items that do not comply with these guidelines, we hold the right to not refund. You should use a 'signed for' delivery method and obtain proof of postage.
Please note any exemptions and exceptions to the standard returns procedure, where the following items are likely to be non-returnable and non-refundable: personalised/customised items, perishable products (such as food), grooming products, large items of furniture which are often custom made and custom homewares. Please make sure you understand the relevant partner sellers' policies whenever you buy.
Please see www.petspyjamas.com/petspyjamas-returns/ for full PetsPyjamas general returns information.
Please click here for full PetsPyjamas general returns information.
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text:
Astros weighing McHugh, Oberholtzer for rotation
OAKLAND -- The Astros have a tough decision to make in the next few days when it comes to their pitching rotation.
With right-hander Collin McHugh coming through his Minor League rehab start on Tuesday at Triple-A Oklahoma City with no problems and left-hander Brett Oberholtzer throwing seven strong innings in McHugh's place Tuesday in Oakland, one of them will get to start again for Houston on Sunday.
The Astros announced their rotation for the first two games of this weekend's series against Miami, but Sunday remains TBA.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow spoke with Triple-A manager Tony DeFrancesco late Tuesday about McHugh, who threw 80 pitches in five innings. He was placed on the DL this month when the fingernail on the middle finger of his right hand pulled away from the skin.
"He threw the ball very well," Luhnow said. "The pitches were sharp and he felt good. He's ready to be plugged back in and we just need to figure out what we're going to do. We're in this advantageous position of having six healthy, valuable starters who are all pitching well. It's a good spot to be in."
After going 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven starts before being sent down, Oberholtzer has gone 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in the six starts in which he's bounced between Houston and the Minor Leagues while filling in as a spot starter.
"The way he competes and his attitude throughout this whole thing has been extraordinary," Luhnow said. "He deserves to be pitching in the big leagues, all of them do, and that's a process [manager] Bo [Porter] and I are going to have to sort out somehow."


text:
"On page 46 of the new draft, HR 2885, the prohibition on using the E-Verify database for other purposes is removed and replaced with a new section that allows the system to be used to "protect critical infrastructure". That term is broadly defined and it's not clear what this would mean in practice – screening air travelers, controlling access to federal facilities – but it is a clearly huge step expansion of the program. In one paragraph the government has said that E-Verify is not just for employment but also can be used for verifying identify for national security. You would now have to have your information correct in E-Verify not just to get a job but also potentially if you need to access "critical infrastructure". Ironically this comes right after the paragraph saying there will be no National ID card."
– Chris Calabrese, ACLU Technology Counsel
WHO : House Committee on the Judiciary
WHAT: Full Committee Markup of HR 2885: The Legal Workforce Act
WHEN: Thursday 9/15/2011 9:30 AM EST/10:30 CST/ 6:30 AM PST
WHERE: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building
WHY: Considering integrating drivers license records with E-Verify data management


text:
It is the time of year where you swear to yourself you will complete a task for the following year. Normally it is the same thing each year. My favorite one I say each year is to lose weight or get healthy. This year I have a few. I don't really expect to complete all of them but at least I plan to try.
1. Try to hold my temper and be more patient with my kids, especially with a certain 3 year old that loves to say...Mommy, I WANT IT NOW! I will try to speak calmly instead of stomping and itching when I would get frustrated
2. I will try not to get irritated when The Husband criticizes me on how I made something. Of course Honey, you are right. I'm sure I'm doing it wrong even through you have no idea what is puff pastry or a macaron is. (He actually knows these since I have made them enough times. A marcaron is a little hamburger)
3. Of course, to lose weight and eat healthier (sucks when all I want to cook involves frying or sugar).
4. I will make time for myself somehow: like reading, cooking, exercising, and attempting to relax
5. My main one is to be organized. I have a feeling that if I was more organized, I wouldn't be scrambling in the last minute and I wouldn't get irritated when someone would criticize me or bug me for my attention. I might even get a chance to plan stuff where I could eat healthier and exercise.
I know this may be a lot of stuff but one could hope and there is always next year.
I do hope that I will be able to do more recipe development and blog more often. I just need an extra 4 hours of my day. If anybody have some extra time handy, please pass it my way. Thanks!
I hope you have a wonderful and safe New years. Please eat for me since I "should" eat healthier starting now.


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Sunday, September 7, 2008
"RaceDay" Pulls Out All The Bells And Whistles
The edition of RaceDay from Richmond is showing all kinds of extras and is going to get a post for today. Two stages inside and outside the track, two sets of announcers and two pit road reporters who are being worked like never before.
John Roberts and his team of Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace have a new addition in the infield. Steve Byrnes is hosting Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds from a second set that seems to be located adjacent to Victory Lane.
In addition, both Wendy Venturini and Hermie Sadler are being used to set-up the individual driver and teams stories as they review The Chase and the race.
If you are watching RaceDay, please take a moment to post a comment. Just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the easy instructions. The rules for posting are located on the right side of the main page. Thanks.
26 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Its so very good to see Wendy out on pit road before the race, reporting & the crowd behind her.
- September 7, 2008 at 11:39 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
What a show this group is putting on. I am frankly amazed.
- September 7, 2008 at 11:46 AM
- Newracefan said...
JD I am assuming you are amazed in a good way. They are really on it today and I just love Wendy and Hermie by cars on pit road instead of a fairly empty garage (at least driver wise) or in the bus lot.
- September 7, 2008 at 11:49 AM
- inkthatpaints said...
ESPN has updated the programing on my DVR and now reads the NASCAR race at its scheduled time today as well as reads the Nationwide race on ESPN2, however SPEED never did that with RaceDay, it still shows different programing being scheduled right now. I wonder how that works?
- September 7, 2008 at 11:49 AM
- Anonymous said...
ink, I just Tivo'd the shows they listed on the Direct TV channel guide. That way, I won't miss race day. I'm not home right now, but I don't want to miss Race Day
- September 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM
- Newracefan said...
Ink I think it's more your provider than ESPN/Speed here with Comcast I have no corrections
- September 7, 2008 at 11:52 AM
- Unknown said...
Am enjoying the Raceday. I was wondering though, why did they put the Cup race on at 1pm on ESPN up against 2 football games, a basketball game and pga golf, and then the Wide race at 7 on espn2, when it would have made more sense to leave the cup race on ABC at 7pm, drop the funniest home video rerun, the home makeover and some singers saluting the troops and be up against only 1 football game, simpsons and big brother 10. Then have the wide race at 1pm on Espn. Is ABC so inflexible that the race had to be on last night or not at all?
Bill H
- September 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM
- Lou said...
Signing off for NFL countdown. Watched the first 30 minutes of raceday. Good show, Wendy great as usual.
Will check in during the race. Enjoy all, look forward to your comments to keep us who are not watching the race up to date.(and to think I have hotpass from Direct TV)
- September 7, 2008 at 11:58 AM
- bevo said...
Tivo does have a record by time option and also remote scheduling
- September 7, 2008 at 11:59 AM
- Lou said...
Hey , Hermie, did not mean to leave you out when I mentioned Wendy. Thanks for all you do.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I like the approach of having one panel of crew chiefs and one of drivers. It has also got Kenny and Jimmy on their toes. No table dancing today.
Venturini and Sadler have been knocking it out of the park on this show.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:09 PM
- Anonymous said...
Is it me or do Hermie & Wendy just ask better questions than the other network reporters? It seems way better today.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM
- Lou said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
- Lou said...
Jo, yes they ask better questions.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:26 PM
- Newracefan said...
Jo it's not you, they always seem to ask the questions I would like answers to and when they ask that same annoying question (like Wendy with Kasey re pressure getting into the chase) they do it right with that insider I know this is a pain but I have to ask attitude
- September 7, 2008 at 12:27 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
ESPN2 is on the air with a unannounced version of NASCAR Countdown......how about that one?
- September 7, 2008 at 12:34 PM
- Newracefan said...
Well I'm stayig with Wendy and the boys. I wonder what hapened to the Indy lights race not to mention no one knows it's on
- September 7, 2008 at 12:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
WOW JD - shame they never bothered to let anyone in on the "secret" LOL
Nope I'm stayin' w/SPEED
- September 7, 2008 at 12:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
billH, I don't think ABC/ESPN had any say in which race was first on today....those Cup boys want to get home!
And I agree - Wendy is a rock star!
PS - I have a ticket to the Nationwide race, could have gone, but got a computerized call from RIR telling me the race was postponed, and that if I wanted to be assured to be in my seat by 7pm, I'd have to be at the track by 4pm! But with all the Cup traffic still at the track, where the heck as I supposed to park?!
RIR and Nascar have had a tough weekend, there is not doubt about that.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:46 PM
- Haus14 said...
I wish Speed understood how much better their Race Day show is when it runs right up to green flag coverage.
Who cares about ESPN...they don't seem to mind running their NFL pre-game show right up to kick off even though FOX and CBS have their own pre-game shows before the games they are covering. Mabye there is quid pro quo with the Speed videos on Nascar.com, but I would certainly trade the Nascar.com videos for the best pre-race coverage on TV.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:53 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Great comment, what a difference.
This might be the best RaceDay ever.
- September 7, 2008 at 12:54 PM
- Newracefan said...
Great show, this is what made this the best prerace show, moving it back an hour sucked the life out of it and today it was back and I loved it. I agree compete with the other prerace shows (I guess except Fox that might be a little problematic). I'll watch Raceday and record the other in case someone actually says something profound
- September 7, 2008 at 1:02 PM
- Anonymous said...
September 7, 2008 12:04 PM
Blogger Daly Planet Editor said...
I like the approach of having one panel of crew chiefs and one of drivers. It has also got Kenny and Jimmy on their toes. No table dancing today.
JD, I had that same thought--it just seemed to work well. I switched over just to check the ESPN networks at 12:40 and was surprised to see NASCAR countdown. I ended up just leaving it there, but it was nothing special. Same old interviews, but Raceday did that too so I can't say much about that. Rusty & Brad going on about how exciting it was gonna be...Brad *tries* a bit too hard sometimes...
- September 7, 2008 at 1:05 PM
- Sophia said...
just caught part of the last hour of Raceday. Agree with all the positive comments.
Indeed, pushing this show to END hours before the race does suck the energy out of it.
WHY does ESPN get "TOP BILLING" for the pre-race when their entire handling of NASCAR FOR REAL FANS, is a sham in many opinions? SPEED gives the sport and fans the real deal (no pun intended but what the heck)
I had no clue ESPN had a preshow but just turned on the laptop. Don't care...will only have the race on for background today but will not be giving it my full attention.
This blog tells me more about the race and it's a pretty day here. :)
- September 7, 2008 at 1:40 PM
- Anonymous said...
I always watch part of & enjoy Race Day - especially today. I'm also an NFL fan, so I was also checking the FOX & CBS NFL pre-game shows. Since my Time Warner digital schedule had no update of NASCAR race, etc. schedule, it never even occurred to me to see if ESPN had decided to have a pre-race show.
Besides avoiding competition for ESPN, why again has SPEED backed up Race Day an hour?
- September 7, 2008 at 4:36 PM
- Anonymous said...
I always enjoy watching RaceDay on Speed. Everyone knows what they are talking about and they give good information. Speed's entire team seems to work well together. Wendy's brother Billy' ARCA team won today too. They are a true race car family.
- September 7, 2008 at 8:17 PM


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An Invitation to a Birthday Party My daughter's twelfth-birthday party was a nightmare, a social train wreck. It was, of course, a sleepover. I still have the photos of the group at breakfast, seated around the dining room table: sluggish, cranky, ready to go home. And I was ready for them to go. There had been moments during the party the night before when I wanted to send them all packing instantly. "Get out," I wanted to shout. "You're all mean! You're all horrible." My daughter, Joanna, now sixteen, has long since forgotten that party. It's ancient history to her; she has moved on with her life. When I reminded her recently of the events of that night, she gave a shrug of acknowledgment and went back to what she was doing. I can't forget it that easily. Let me set the scenetime, place, and charactersfor the drama. Joanna's birthday is in late June. That's a good month for birthdays, close enough to the end of the school year so that most of the kids you might want to invite are still around town. At the same time, late-June birthdays don't conflict with the inevitable round of end-of-school events. Best of all, the weather is usually good, which means we can hold a swimming party in our backyard, which borders a lake. When Joanna was nine or ten years old all we needed to throw a successful birthday party were some water balloons, a dock for kids to jump off, and of course cake and ice cream. But parties for twelve-year-olds are a lot more complicated than swimming and cake. My wife, Theresa, and I had a sense of foreboding about the party when we saw Joanna's guest list. That year our daughter was leaving her public school to go to a private school that offered extensive support for her reading difficulties. Her departure made it inevitable that she was going to lose some friends. Her final social gesture as she left her public school was to invite the entire cool group from her class to her birthday party. One girl who came to the party was Maria. Maria, like Joanna, was a little different from the mainstream of the class. Her mother was Irish Catholic, her father Korean. They represented an unusual diversity in the town. Maria wasn't absolutely at the center of the cool group either, but she was eager to be, and we had sensed in the past that Maria felt competitive with Joanna. Therein lies the tale of the birthday party. Twelve girls arrived over about a forty-minute span: Maria and ten other schoolmates, joined by Joanna's lifelong friend, Erin-Claire. Erin-Claire is the daughter of dear friends. She has never gone to school with Joanna, but they have known each other since infancy and share a great loyalty. It would be unthinkable for Joanna to have a birthday party without Erin-Claire, and vice versa. E.C., as she is known, occupies a special category in Joanna's life, that of absolutely trustworthy friend. Almost as soon as the girls arrived, the political machinations started. There was the usual discomfort and stiffness that afflicts most partieschild and adultat the start. But there was more than just ice-breaking discomfort here. An invisible divider was up. The wall crystallized when the girls were shown two adjoining rooms, Joanna's bedroom and the guest room. Maria immediately began to designate which girls should sleep in which room. Naturally, she picked the four coolest girls and said that they would be with her in the guest room. The girls obediently dropped their sleeping bags and backpacks where Maria told them to. While Maria was upstairs orchestrating the sleeping arrangements, Joanna was downstairs trying to organize some games. The party was slowly beginning to warm up. Girls were swimming, jumping off the dock, and talking. TThompson, Michael is the author of 'Best Friends, Worst Enemies Understanding the Social Lives of Children', published 2002 under ISBN 9780345442895 and ISBN 034544289X.[read more]
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Piers Morgan is out as judge on "America's Got Talent."
The host of "Piers Morgan Tonight" announced he wouldn't return for another season, saying he needs more time to focus on his own show, especially with the upcoming election year.
"I've been there since the show began six years ago and have loved every second of it, but discovered that juggling it is a bit more difficult than I thought," Morgan said on "Piers Morgan Tonight."
U.S. & World
The 46-year-old British journalist took over Larry King's weeknight time slot on CNN in January, after the great late night pundit retired. According to Deadline, his ratings haven't been up to King's numbers.
"America's Got Talent" ended its latest season in September.


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Happy National Soup Month! Few things warm your body and soul quite like a bowl of hot and hearty soup on a chilly day. Celebrate this culinary holiday with these easy-to-prepare and moutherwatering recipes — Roasted Winter Vegetable and Ham Soup and an Easy Cassoulet — using Smithfield ham and sausage.
Got leftovers? These dishes are also a great (and delicious!) way to incorporate the protein left in your fridge.
Serves: 6
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large leek, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 � teaspoons ground cumin
3 cups vegetable broth
4 cups diced butternut squash
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
2 cups leftover Smithfield ham, chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups chopped escarole
In medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in broth, butternut squash, carrots, potatoes, parsnip, Smithfield ham and pepper. Over high heat, heat to boiling; reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes until vegetables are almost tender, stirring occasionally. Add escarole; cook 5 minutes longer.
Serves: 6
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces Smithfield hickory smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
3 stalks celery, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into �-inch-thick slices
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups leftover Smithfield ham, roughly chopped
3 cups vegetable broth
1 16-ounce can small white beans, drained and rinsed
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
� teaspoon ground black pepper
Tabasco sauce
In 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, in 1 tablespoon hot oil, cook Smithfield smoked sausage until browned on both sides, stirring occasionally. Remove to plate.
Add remaining tablespoon oil to saucepan; add celery, carrots, onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Add Smithfield ham, vegetable broth, small white beans, diced tomatoes, bay leaf and black pepper. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve with Tabasco sauce.


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Contact Tresco Island
We're all islanders, so Tresco is our specialist subject. If you need any help, don't hesitate to get in touch.
We can help you book your perfect break to Tresco. We all live here, so it's our specialist subject!
Call us on +44 (0)1720 422 849 or email us.
For shorter stays on Tresco choose from our Rooms & Apartments. Staying a little longer? Take a look at our self catering holiday Cottages available by the week.
You're searching for four or more nights, which means you may be able to save money with one of our packages. Before you book, take a look at our Offers and Breaks or call the Island Office on +44 (0)1720 422 849 to speak to an islander.


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WEATHER: Somewhat humid. Which for DC in July, is completely gloriously beautiful, compared to the usual heavy urban fug of unnatural, can't-fan-yourself-without-dripping-with-sweat humidity plus bus-farts plus garbage truck waftings.
MILES THIS WEEK: Enough.
WHERE TO: A little past the C&O Towpath 6-mile marker, then back.
MOOD: Life is beautiful.
TODAY'S RUNNING SONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdrFBwwWJ44
Guys, it's taking a lot of ibuprofen, ice, physical therapy, heel lifts, orthotics, yoga, and elbow grease, but we are back in business <pumps fist, does gratuitous pelvic thrust>.
Currently the tentative goal is to do the On the Road for Education (Mason City, IA) marathon in October, assuming my various foot tendons don't snap/swell to the size of golf balls/punch me in the face. But the REAL goal — dropping the expensive gym membership, throwing a few gels in the sports bra, and occasionally nearly-heaving in the bushes next to the C&O towpath — well, that has been met. And there is much rejoicing.
I will now take questions from the audience.
Q: How well do you expect to do in the Mason City marathon?
A: Very well — top 30 among women, I'm thinking.
Q: That's ambitious. Are you sure you can do it?
A: Positive.
Q: Wait. Weren't there only 26 female finishers last year?
A: Shut up.
Q: How are your feet?
A: The tendons are sort of sore, but I did today have my first broken-off toenail incident in years.
Q: How did it feel?
A: Like drinking the blood of a unicorn-magical koala hybrid. Like staring Sauron in the face and then kneeing him in the balls. Like going on a piggyback ride on Sasquatch through the peppermint forest. Like victory.
Also, like knowing I'll have one hell of an ingrown toenail in a few weeks.
Q: Uh-huh. Are you, as we speak, sitting on your futon and barely breathing as you attempt to slowly lower your heels into the absolute-effing-zero-ice-bucket-of-pain?
A: I prefer to refer to it as the absolute-effing-zero-ice-bucket-of-pain-and-redemption.
Q: Have you written a song about recovery?
A: Yes I have.
<to the tune of "Goodnight Ladies">
I got my feet back.
I got my feet back.
I got my feet back.
Popping my blisters now.
Q: <wipes tears> That's very moving.
A: You're telling me.
It's good to be back, y'all.


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Dear customers,
For more of pictures viewing, please go to http://www.facebook.com/jocakes to select whichever categories you are interested in. Please don't forget to click "LIKE" on my page and I promise to keep you update with more interesting pictures of our upcoming cake creations!
If you like to order or make inquiries, I would suggest you pm me in my facebook page or whatsapp me at 0123681287. Please make booking at least 2 to 3 weeks before or more for a more complexity design to ensure I devote more times to make a nice cake. Last minute order will be considered and accepted if there is allocation on the slot. You may whatsapp me for immediate response regarding your customized cakes.
As again, our cake pricing is basically based on design and then on the sizes. We do not sell our cakes by weight but by number of servings as our the handmade sugar designs are heavy!
Thank you for your interest in Jocakes and I hope you enjoy viewing!


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With the June 3 release of "X-Men: First Class" just around the corner, the studio is cranking up the publicity machine.
We've been a little down on the things we've seen thus far, but we started feeling better with the unveiling of a few character-specific clips that recently dropped. But a lot of that goodwill was washed away by the sight of a 7-year-old Mystique.
Anywho--here's what's come out in the past week or so, starting with the X-Men: First Grade TV spot:
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
More recently, there was Mystique showing off for the CIA:
Here are trailers for Beast, Havok, Banshee and Mystique:
And then there as these other TV spots:


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Ropewalk Tavern, Maryland
Located in the charming Federal Hill section of downtown Baltimore, Ropewalk Tavern is the intersection where your favorite college hangout meets the cigar scene. On a deliciously cool Saturday evening in November, it felt a bit like a grown-up fraternity social where conversation turned to aging sorority girls and new-found disposable income. In short, this is not your daddy's cigar bar, unless your daddy likes women half his age and body shots of Jägermeister.
Brothers Marc, 28, and Bill McFaul, 33, never intended to own a cigar bar. Marc, in fact, was looking at a career in law enforcement when his brother convinced him to become a partner in the then-dilapidated pre-Prohibition site. They quickly shucked the nude portraits and velvet wall coverings and placed a humidor (which fluctuates between 25 and 30 brands) and a refrigerator (filled with 182 different beers) in the informal but handsome space. Finished with a natural brick interior, the room houses two solid oak bars stocked with as many as 52 single malt Scotches.
The effect? Never have an authentic cigar-store Indian and a "Golden Tee '99" video golf game seemed so in harmony.
"We had started with a cigar night," said Marc. "I found myself selling so many cigars that we figured, Why not make cigar night every night."
Your first sign of Ropewalk's cigar friendliness is one of nine hand-carved cigar store Indians — all imported from Thailand — who greets you upon entry (all the Indian figures are for sale, according to management; it might be fun to ask, "Hey, how much is that Indian in the window, the one with the tomahawk in hand?"). Your second are premium cigar boxes used as part of the décor. Your third sign is an assortment of hand-rolled cigars ranging from $4 Don Tomáses to $16 Arturo Fuente Reservas; Montecristo Kilimanjaros and Cohiba Crystals go for $10, just to name a few. A $5 cigar-and-pint deal is offered on certain brands.
Fire up an Ashton 8-9-8 ($10), order a dark, rich Spaten Optimator ($3) or, on the lighter side, a locally brewed and virile-sounding Oliver's Iron Man Pale Ale ($3). Use the beer to wash down a big bowl of steamed jumbo shrimp seasoned in Old Bay seasoning — a Maryland gastronomic tradition (the bowl is big enough for two hungry honchos). Resist the temptation, however, to try the Wyatt's Wild agave beer, which looks as if it's in an Arizona iced tea bottle — it will have you thinking that you sucked down some suntan lotion with those fresh shrimp. (Tequiza might be a better bet if you're in the market for crossover suds.)
Your hands will get plenty greasy from the generous bowl of the shrimp, the tavern's only delicacy, so chalk up well before you pick up a pool cue. You might feel crowded on a weekend night trying to move around one of the two coin-operated pool tables — one of which looks like a dried cesspool of spilled drinks. But after the eight ball has succumbed to gravity's pull, you'll find yourself shaking hands with locals who'll tell you the best places in the city to party. Whether or not you smoke them on the pool table.
Ropewalk Tavern
1209 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland
(410) 727-1298
Mondays, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 2 a.m.


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I tried to login to my gmail, hotmail, and facebook accounts today. I could not login to those three because they said that my password is incorrect. So I tried to think what I did yesterday. I only used those three websites on my iPad.
One thing I noticed with iPad's safari is that it does not warn me for suspicious websites like Chrome or Firefox do.
I concluded that either someone hacked my facebook account and found primary email accounts from facebook and hacked my emails (since they all use same passwords) or my iPad has been hacked. Is it possible that my iPad was hacked?


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News — common ground country fair 2018
Summer 2018 Craft Fair Schedule
art fair art fairs bamboo scarves cgcf2018 common ground 2018 common ground country fair common ground country fair 2018 common ground craft vendors common ground fair common ground fair 2018 craft craft fair craft fairs craft shows craft vendors crafts design design process eliza jane curtis enamelware etsy maine team etsymaineteam event schedule floral gifts gifts for girls gifts for women gifts from maine gifts under 50 greeting cards hand-printed scarves handmade handmade events handmade gifts handmade in maine home decor hostess gift hygge gifts made in maine maine maine craft events maine craft fairs maine craft shows maine design maine designer maine made maine made gifts maine makers maine summer events mainemakers makers movement morris & essex craft fairs morris & essex craft shows morris + essex morris and essex morrisandessex mother's day gift nature inspiration nature inspired new products ossipee valley music festival ossipee valley music festival 2018 ovmf2018 pattern pattern design presents retail screenprint silkscreen soft hand-printed scarf sustainable sustainable fashion sustainable gifting tea towel textile design textiles yarmouth clam festival yarmouth clam festival 2018 ycf2018
I am feeling SO very spring-sunshine-y this week, it's glorious! And that's got me thinking about this coming summer craft fair season... yay! I've cut back on my craft fair commitments now that we've got TWO little running, climbing, wild, mischievous and delightful assistants on our little team. It was always a lot of work to pull off a big craft fair when it was just me, but now that we've got two little kids to look after, it's a HUGE undertaking! Someday the kids will be older and they'll be thrilled to spend the occasional weekend away from us and we'll get back to doing more fairs then,...


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Funny Blog Friday @Hellis' Blog
So it seems that I am the subject of another interview over at H.E. Ellis' blog this Friday, October 31st for a blog hop called Funny Blog Friday. Like I don't have enough to do. Doesn't this woman know it's Halloween?!? The one day a year the souls of the dead are allowed to walk the Earth? That means I've got to open the gates to Heaven, Hell and Purgatory and undo an entire lifetime of work thanks to the Archangel Board violating their contract with the God Damn Reapers Union. I know it's only for one night, but have you ever tried forcing a disembodied soul back to Hell? Yeah, that's what I thought.
There are other bloggers participating as well (hence the "hop") who will be giving out various prizes along with their funny blogs. Here are a few confirmed Bloggers:
Alanna of White Girls Be Like…
Jamie of Fits of Wit
Jessie of Jessie Reyna
Alice of Alice at Wonderland
Ben of Ben's Bitter Blog
Jenn of Properly Ridiculous
So what does this mean for you? You get a chance to win a paperback copy of my book, REAPERS WITH ISSUES, signed by all four contributing authors. All you need to do is be the first one to guess who or what it is I am ranting about. Those of you who guess wrong will be immediately dispatched by a team of Reapers standing by.
Hold on….What's that? I can't reap them?


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Last Sunday, teenage New Zealand singer-songwriting prodigy Lorde won two Grammys (Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance) for her song "Royals". In fact, "Royals" is not only a great pop song, it's perfect for teaching English (useful vocabulary, interesting lyrics which actually make sense, and plenty of discussion material), so I did a lesson on it. You can download the worksheets here.
1. First, I showed this video from The Grammys award ceremony.
2. Next, I got the students to do the Lorde Biography Dictation activity in groups of 3.
3. I then took them to the multimedia lab to watch the above video of "Royals" and do the lyric gap-fill worksheet.
4. Finally, I went through the lyrics line by line using this PowerPoint, and got the students to discuss the meaning of the song.
5. Check out the links below for more "Royals" worksheets and discussion.
• Song Worksheet: Royals by Lorde (Busy Teacher)
• Lorde: Royals (worksheet)
• Song Review: "Royals" by Lorde (eslflow.com)
• Lorde Royals Lyrics Analysis (Popdust)
• Royals by Lorde (Songfacts)
• Lorde - Royals (Song Meanings)
• What Does the Song 'Royals' by Lorde Mean? (Quora)
• Lorde's song Royals deserves nuanced critique (The Guardian)


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Find the best Jeep Liberty KJ mods, parts and accessories at the best possible prices for your Liberty KJ. Select the category you are interested in and browse our wide selection of KJ Jeep Liberty mods. You can use our filtering options within each product category to sort by popularity, price, or ratings. We care about our customers and we want you to be able to find high quality Jeep modifications, Jeep parts and Jeep Accessories at the best possible prices.
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Flowers are blooming….In Fashion! Here are 20 floral outfits to awaken your Spring style inspiration!
Sammi Gayle
Nanette Lepore top and skirt; Christian Louboutin shoes.
Taylor Tomasi Hill
Oscar de la Renta S/S 14
Polka Dot Botanical Silk Faille Dress ($3390)
Diane Kruger
Erdem Vala Eames Garden-Print Silk Jumpsuit ($1596); Charlotte Olympia Frog Prince Pandora Clutch ($995); Celine shoes.
Street Style
Dries Van Noten S/S 14
Freida Pinto
Michael Kors dress.
Street Style
Harley Viera Newton
Honor top and skirt.
BCBG Maxazria S/S 14
Runway Jude Dress ($648)
Street Style
Matthew Williamson S/S 14
Similar style here
Elenora Carisi
Moschino coat and shirt; Michael Kors skirt; Benedetta Buzziches bag; Topshop shoes.
Lupita Nyong'o
Carolina Herrera Resort 2014 dress.
Giovanna Battaglia
Joanna Hillman
Street Style
Alberta Ferretti S/S 14
Similar style here
Street Style
Alexa Chung
Miu Miu dress.
Get the Look
Suno Cropped Jacquard Top ($285) Crop tops are having a moment, so why not make it a floral one?
Zara Floral Print Trousers ($60) Lighten up your work wardrobe with these cheerful trousers.
H&M Patterned Coat ($50) Throw this over your favorite light wash jeans and you're set.
Topshop X-Ray Flower Embellished Shift Dress ($200) In typical Topshop fashion, this frock has high-end fashion appeal.
Blessing-Co Sundance Floral Shorts ($30) These would be the perfect shorts to bring on a tropical vacation.
Pixie Market Muse Short Set ($65) A matching set for under $100? Hallelujah!
How are you Blooming?
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With only two weeks to go until the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Allocation Draw is held in London, the battle to secure the best possible IRB World Ranking could go right down to the wire after Samoa upset Wales again in Cardiff.
Samoa's 26-19 victory over Six Nations champions Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Friday lifts them one place to ninth and just 0.16 rating points away from a place in the second band of seeds for RWC 2015.
Cardiff has been a happy hunting ground for Samoa with two wins over Wales in Rugby World Cup matches, and the Welsh are now in danger of slipping out of band two after falling two places to sixth on the back of a fifth successive Test defeat.
They now travel to France to play Les Bleus – again the only northern hemisphere side to beat a touring side over the weekend – knowing that another upset could see them climb to a new high in the rankings and condemn Wales or Ireland to a band three spot.
On 3 December, the IRB World Rankings will be used to determine the seeding of the 12 directly qualified teams from RWC 2011 with the top four teams becoming band one and guaranteed to avoid each other until the knockout stages of England 2015.
The teams ranked five to eight will form band two and the remaining four teams band three with each band drawn randomly across the four pools for RWC 2015.
If the draw was to take place today, the bands would be as follows:
Band 1: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France
Band 2: England, Argentina, Ireland, Wales
Band 3: Samoa, Scotland, Italy, Tonga
France currently hold the coveted fourth spot after backing up their 33-6 rout of Australia with a hard-fought 39-22 victory over Argentina in Lille, Frédéric Michalak's last penalty ensuring Les Bleus secured the maximum gain with victory by more than 15 points.
That kick – taking the returning fly half's tally to 24 points – means France now have a 3.03 rating point cushion over England after the RWC 2015 hosts slipped to a 20-14 loss to Australia at Twickenham.
England had been the bookmakers' favourites to beat the Wallabies on Saturday, but they missed their chance to return to the top seeding bracket, falling short against an Australian team determined to get their European tour back on track.
England have the opportunity to determine their own fate but it's a tall order as their two remaining Tests are against the top two sides in the world with South Africa next up following by New Zealand on 1 December.
South Africa strengthened their grip on second place with a 21-10 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. The defeat, allied with Samoa's win, means Scotland have slipped to 10th place in the rankings.
There was better news for Ireland, despite them not being able to influence the rankings as a result of playing a non-cap match with Fiji. Argentina and Ireland both climb one place to sixth and seventh respectively as a result of Wales' fall.
Biggest climbers of the week
However, the sides ranked sixth to ninth are separated by just 1.1 rating points going into this weekend's matches when Ireland tackle Argentina in Dublin, Wales host New Zealand in Cardiff and Samoa tackle France.
New Zealand marked their third anniversary atop the IRB World Rankings with a 42-10 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, but the result at no impact on either side's rating given the difference between them.
Tonga were also in action this weekend in the IRB International Rugby Series in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, and narrowly edged the USA Eagles 22-13. Tonga remain 12th, albeit now slightly closer to Italy above them and further above Canada below them.
The USA climb one place to 15th despite the defeat, albeit only by virtue the fact that Georgia suffered a last gasp 25-22 loss to Japan in the first meeting between the two sides on Georgian soil. Japan remains 15th after the win and slightly closer to Fiji above them.
Canada were also victorious in Colwyn Bay after beating Russia 35-3 but the two sides remain 13th and 20th respectively.
Another European side on the move was Portugal, who have climbed three places to 21st on the back of a 28-22 victory over Chile in Santiago on Saturday to complete a successful South American tour, having beaten Uruguay a week earlier.
Portugal - the biggest climbers of the week - have effectively swapped places with Namibia, who drop to 24th after losing 38-37 to Spain in the final match of the Tri Nations series on home soil in Windhoek. It has also been a good week for Spain with victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday and helped them cut the deficit to Romania in 18th.
RWC 2015 qualifier focus
While the race to secure the best seeding for RWC 2015 among the directly qualified teams may be dominating headlines in Europe, the continent's qualification process for England 2015 continued over the weekend with five matches.
Only three had any impact on the rankings with Cyprus' 54-20 win over Austria in Division 2C of the European Nations Cup and Greece's narrow 22-17 defeat of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Division 2D not as a result of one or both teams not being IRB Full Member Unions and therefore not ranked.
Ukraine's 42-15 win over the Czech Republic in Division 1B did not improve their position of 31st, but it did consign their visitors to a three place fall to 47th. Ukraine, though, are now only just over two tenths behind Zimbabwe above them after they lost 47-14 to Spain in midweek.
That loss, allied with Germany's 32-14 win over Moldova in the weekend's other Division 1B fixture means the two sides swap places with the Germans taking over 29th position. Moldova fall one to 39th as a result of their loss and the Netherlands' 24-7 win over Switzerland.
While the Netherlands climb one to 38th, the defeat sees Switzerland drop below Bermuda and Papua New Guinea to 52nd.
The IRB World Rankings update every Monday at12:00 UK time.


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Lately there seems to be an increase in anti-smoking advertising on Iowa television channels. In South Dakota, there is a huge campaign to institute a smoking ban similar to the ones already in place in Minnesota and Iowa.
I have no problem with these ads or these campaigns. What I have a problem with is the manner in which they're getting their message out.
The Truth Campaign generally has some excellent advertising. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're serious, but they get their message across in a tasteful way. Truth is behind the latest clever campaign, the Shards O' Glass company.
However, in Iowa, there is a campaign called Just Eliminate Lies (JEL) that eschews tasteful and reasonable in their advertising. The commercial that bothers me every time I see it has a man who is supposed to be a Big Tobacco executive. One commercial has the exec saying that he wants to make billions off of people trying to look cool. In another commercial, the exec dismisses the ill effects of chewing tobacco by saying, "So what if it causes mouth cancer and you have to have part of your jaw surgically removed? Are you a man? Or are you a coward?"
This commercial bothers me, only because it demonizes tobacco executives. It seems to be a common trend in these anti-smoking campaigns. Rather than trying to inform the people about the ill effects, and offering some sort of reasonable way to quit, they resort to scare tactics and portraying smokers and anyone associated with them as evil, disgusting, or otherwise terrible people.
In all honesty, I'm wondering why these groups even exist. By the time I was in ninth grade, I knew so much about the ill effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs that I could have made anti-smoking commericals myself. But if these tactics were so effective, why do people still smoke? Why are there still smokers in the world if everyone knows it's so bad for you?
Surprise, surprise, it's personal preference.
I have many friends who get reminded by other people that smoking is bad for their health. And all they can say back is, "I know," and take another drag.
People who smoke are going to smoke. Short of getting rid of every pack of cigarettes in the world, no amount of campaigning is going to get everyone to stop smoking. Even though, in ninth grade, I knew all about how bad smoking was for my health, it still didn't stop me from buying a pack and trying them out when I turned 18.
Singling out and demonizing smokers is an in effective way to make a point. If you truly cared about the well-being and health of people who smoke, you wouldn't attack them and ridicule them, destroying their sense of self and making them feel worse.
Make your point, just eliminate any sort of hostility and animosity toward smokers that are so obvious in these advertisings.


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Narciso Contreras / AP
Night falls on a Syrian rebel-controlled area as destroyed buildings, including Dar Al-Shifa hospital, are seen on Sa'ar street after airstrikes targeted the area last week, killing dozens in Aleppo, Syria.
Narciso Contreras / AP
Men warm themselves by a fire in a Syrian rebel controlled area in where residents are trying to get back to their daily lives after months of heavy fighting in Aleppo, Syria.
Narciso Contreras / AP
On Sa'ar street in Aleppo, an apartment is illuminated by fire used to keep warm.
More photos from Syria on PhotoBlog
Slideshow: Syria uprising