text:
A Relaxed Beach Wedding at Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California
Eliza Stephens (25 and a graduate student) and Jason Przybyla (25 and a financial analyst) go way back. "We met when he was in the second grade and I was in the first grade," Eliza says. "We belong to the same church, and we met there. We stayed friends and dated a little in high school but got serious at the end of college. We have known each other for 18 years!" After a Mormon ceremony at the LDS church in San Diego, California, the couple held a reception for 125 at Hotel del Coronado. "It is the most special place in the world to me," says Eliza, whose family has a condo and many memories there. Eliza loosely followed a subdued palette of blue, white, green, blush and gray, which matched the beach setting and promised to age well. "Because we chose a variety of colors, nothing was matchy-matchy," Eliza says. "It was important for me to stay classic because I wanted to look back at my pictures in 30 years and have everything still be in good taste." After some competitive cornhole, dinner and mocktails, the newlyweds passed out monogrammed blankets to their guests (to ward off the postsunset chill) and exited under the glow of sparklers. Eliza's approach to the wedding day helped her stay present: "I told myself I could worry until the day, then I had to just enjoy every moment of the wedding day," she says. "Whenever I was stressed or overwhelmed, I would just remember that I picked the perfect man, and that was the most important thing." —Carolyn Meers
Farm Tables and More
La Tavola


text:
Major League Baseball recently released its rankings of the top 10 prospects at each position, and they're lists that make Steve Trombly smile.
Trombly, the founder and head of the Anaheim-based Trombly Baseball Academy, looked over the rankings and saw that six players who were with his program as youngsters were ranked in the top 10 at their respective positions. Two are ranked in the top 33 overall, regardless of position.
And that doesn't include No. 3 top prospect Bryce Harper – the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Nationals – who played in two tournaments with Trombly Baseball as a high school sophomore.
All six of the former Trombly players – first baseman Freddie Freeman (Braves), left-hander Tyler Matzek (Rockies), catcher Austin Romine (Yankees), second baseman Danny Espinoza (Nationals), third baseman Josh Vitters (Cubs) and shortstop Grant Green (Athletics) – were with Trombly Baseball in the mid-2000s and played in the minor leagues at various levels in 2010.
Freeman, Matzek, Vitters and Green were Aflac All-Americans and all six of the prospects participated in numerous Perfect Game events while in high school. MLB ranks Freeman as the No. 17 top prospect overall (No. 2 at 1B) and Matzek is No. 33 overall (No. 8 LHP).
Trombly can also count current Major Leaguers Hank Conger and Chris Tillman among his alumni (they were also Aflac All-Americans) and has had eight former players – Conger, Matzek, Green, Vitters, Gerrit Cole, Matt Hobgood, Kyle Skipworth and Mike Leake – selected in the 1st round of the Draft.
"I don't credit myself or our academy for turning these guys into what they are today. I consider those guys responsible for turning our program into what it is," Trombly said. "Some programs are going to tout their alumni as 'Look what we did for these guys.' I feel it's the other way around: 'Look what these guys did for us to help our program.' They're the ones who helped build us up to where we are."
Steve Trombly started his organization with a single team in December of 2002 to play in a Southern California Christmas tournament. He said seven players from that team ultimately received NCAA Division I scholarships.
"I was coaching at a high school and I had no intention of starting teams," Trombly said. "Then, as January came and February came, guys started asking, 'Hey, are you going to do a Connie Mack team?' I kept saying no and finally I said, 'Hey, let's do this.'"
Trombly decided to put together a Connie Mack 18-year-old team for the summer of 2003, and pretty soon he had friends and associates volunteering to help put together 15U and 16U teams. The program continued to build from that point and last summer Trombly Baseball fielded seven teams (15U, 16U, 17U, 18U) with about 120 players.
The organization is in the process of putting together 14U, 13U and 12U teams for 2011.
In Trombly Baseball's second year (2004) its 16U team traveled to Marietta, Ga., where it won the Super 7 World Series at the East Cobb Complex. That championship provided a big boost to the organization's reputation. Green, Freeman and Romine were members of that championship team.
Trombly Baseball sent teams to the Connie Mack World Series in 2005 and '06, and one of its teams won the 2007 Don Mattingly World Series. The six young players now ranked by MLB played prominent roles on those teams.
"We were fortunate when we started out early on that we got a couple of the (very talented) younger players," Trombly said, mentioning Conger and Tillman, who are on big league rosters with the Angels and Orioles, respectively. "They started playing with us as sophomores (in high school) and because they ended up being two of the best players in Southern California, it was guys like that who helped us recruit.
"When you have some really good players like that, there are other players they know and it's easy to ask an elite player 'Do you want to play for us' when you have that base," he continued. "Once you achieve success it's a lot easier to recruit (the elite) guys. Success breeds success."
Trombly worked with Perfect Game for a year organizing tournaments in Southern California in an effort to help PG establish more of a presence in the region.
"I'm a big believer and fan of Perfect Game and what it can do for the guys," Trombly said. "We do try to go to a couple events a year with our guys, and the ones we can't go to, I'll get guys on teams that are going. We don't go to Jupiter but I'll help get 15 or 20 players on teams each year to go an event."
It's been enjoyable for Trombly to watch his former players continue to develop and move up through the minor leagues, but he admits he didn't always see it coming.
"It just depends on the kid," he said. "Obviously, Bryce Harper came out and played in a couple of tournaments with us – it was his sophomore year – and he was already well-known. When guys like Freddie Freeman and Austin Romine started playing for me, they were 14. … The earlier age you get guys it's kind of an unknown."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona
Barcelona marches to the uptempo beat of an overzealous timpanist. Locals rush past Gaudi's dripping marvels and Jean Nouvel's frankly phallic Torre Agbar on their way to Ricardo Bofill's sail-shaped W Barcelona or dinner at one of a thousand bustling cafés. Attractive as it is, the unrelenting pace and eccentricity of Catalonia's capital can be overwhelming, which is why well-to-do locals flock to the stately Gran Hotel La Florida, a 1920s estate perched at 1,600 feet above sea level in the Serra de Collserola coastal range. The 10-year-old, 70-room boutique property overlooks Barcelona's mazelike downtown and the tantalizing blue water of the Mediterranean Sea from the green slopes of scenic Mount Tibidabo.
The best seats in the house are at the hotel's GastroBar Miramar, which serves up Spanish cavas and light, white albariños from an open-air, multitiered terrace. Guests can look out over the simmering metropolis from cushioned patio chairs or the shallow end of a wraparound infinity pool while listening to the light techno streaming from ubiquitous, but discrete speakers. The commotion of the 1.6 million people rushing around below is dampened to a minor echo that lingers eerily at the edge of the compound.
Mount Tibidabo, seven switchbacking miles northwest of downtown, boasts an ornate neo-Gothic basilica, an oddly placed amusement park, and little else. And that's the point: Gran Hotel La Florida was designed to be self-sustaining, a luxurious urban retreat with a menu full of foie gras and steak tartare and a world-class spa. In fact, the property was first opened in 1924 as a haven for Barcelona's wealthy before serving as a military hospital during the Spanish Civil War. Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Stewart stayed here in the fifties before the hotel ran into trouble. After shuttering in 1979 and remaining closed for 25 years, the hotel underwent an extensive renovation before reopening its doors to welcome celebs like Harrison Ford and Shakira (In Spain, she's a way bigger deal).
Most of the hotel's rooms are simple: Sturdy hardwood floors lead into spare all-marble bathrooms. Some suites open onto balconies facing the Pyrenees or the sea and eight design suites are decorated with muscular paintings and sculptures by the distinguished Catalan artist Isabel Cruellas. Still, visitors always find themselves gravitating back towards the view. Barcelona is perpetually engaging, even from afar.
More information: Rooms at the Gran Hotel La Florida begin at $250 a night. Taxis can drive visitors from the airport or downtown up to the hotel.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!Back to top


text:
When you visit Hawaii you are likely to hear of something called the Aloha Spirit. More than the phrase "Aloha," this spirit is undefined; you could take it as welcoming, caring, almost like a family. Tourists can find themselves thousands of miles from home so finding that Aloha Spirit is special and in Waikiki it does not exist stronger anywhere than Tiki's Grill & Bar. A view for your photo album, amazing food and of course that Aloha Spirit.
A revamped menu at the hands of recently hired Executive Chef Ronnie Nasuti has turned a grill and bar into something much more, a dining experience that can be compared with any on the entire island. But what has been created within Tiki's is an environment that is for everyone. You can find large groups, romantic couples, friends, buddies throwing back some amazing Tiki's cocktails while enjoying live music, it doesn't matter what you are looking for it is here.
Chef Ronnie has certainly put his signature on this menu with an amazing assortment of dishes, but if you are coming from the mainland, there is one dish that you will never forget. It is hard to say that about an appetizer, but the calamari katsu is just that memorable. Described fittingly as being served in steak strips, this thick version of calamari is more tender and flavorful than any version you have likely tried before. When the calamari is this good it really can stand by itself, so the very light panko-crust is perfect and the blue crab and bay shrimp salsa has just a slight sense of heat and flavor to accent the calamari perfectly. Those heavily breaded and deep fried versions that you are used to should not even be mentioned in the same sentence with the Tiki's version of calamari.
Chef Ronnie takes advantage of the fresh seafood that he has at his disposal with a menu that always incorporates what is seasonal and fresh. If you love a tender and flaky fish that the moment you take a bite of it you know it has been painstakingly prepared, the miso butterfish is the fish you must order. The fish is marinated for a lengthy time in a soy sauce allowing it to tenderize as well as absorb all of the soy, then it is roasted to a perfect finish. Eating it as is would leave you satisfied but Chef Ronnie gives it a great finishing kick with a miso hot mustard vinaigreThis is such a perfect dish that you will have a hard time ordering anything else at Tiki's.
There are plenty of other directions to go with this menu, not only in terms of fish, but also with a wide assortment of flavors. If you enjoy salmon this is an enhanced version of the typical grilled salmon. Chef Ronnie is again bringing you in-depth flavor with his marinades as this time he marinades the salmon with teriyaki, the flavor really bursts throughout the salmon. Giving you a little more of the island flavor, Tiki's has a seared mahi that has a nice macadamia nut coating to provide a slightly crunchy texture and then the dish is completed with a rich lemongrass cream sauce. Finally I would have to suggest the Beachboy seafood combo, not only does this provide you a combination of seared shrimp and scallops but what sets it apart is the risotto. Anyone who enjoys risotto knows that finding it prepared well is a challenge and Chef Ronnie does an amazing job.
At some point, no matter how fresh and flavorful the fish is while you in Waikiki, you might want a little change and Chef Ronnie has plenty of other choices for you. Who can go wrong with St. Louis style baby back ribs that are so tender they are falling off the rib and they our glazed with a lightly sweet guava barbeque sauce, quite a creative twist. For those of you who don't like to get messy, the boneless ribs are slow cooked to a tenderness that matches the baby back version. The boneless ribs however are a little spicier with a Japanese curry spice incorporated and they are served with a wasabi potato puree. Finally if you are a vegetarian or vegan you can order Tiki's Ratatouille Tower. Tower is an understatement as you are treated to almost every vegetable you can imagine including; grilled portabella mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant and many more.
The drink that populates Waikiki is the Mai Tai, but Tiki's has a creation that that you are going to enjoy even more, the Tropical Torch. A trio of Skyy infusions including; pineapple, wild strawberry and coconut along with peach schnapps. A great island feel that is strong enough you will feel it and the best part is that you purchase it in an amazing folk-art looking ceramic mug that you can take home. Probably the best souvenir on the island. And the drink comes to your table smoking. The rest of the cocktail menu is equally creative and you can enjoy it while taking in some of the live music that is offered at Tiki's.
A scenic view of Waikiki to go along with some of the best food on the entire island, Tiki's is sure to provide you more than any other grill and bar experience can provide. If you want to have a Waikiki experience that will leave you with a sense of the Aloha Spirit, Tiki's Grill & Bar is stop you must add to your to-do list.
For more information on Tiki's Grill & Bar, visit: www.tikisgrill.com


text:
The Lafayette owner of Denver-based company Disaster Restoration Inc. was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison on Wednesday, March 13, for conspiracy and mail fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Michael Arthur Griggs, 58, also was ordered to pay $977,643.49 in fines and restitution by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger.
Disaster Restoration Inc. acted as a general contractor that regularly hired and paid subcontractors to restore damaged properties and then submitted the cost of the repairs made by these subcontractors to insurance companies for payment.
Griggs and co-defendant Charles Sharp, 52, of Broomfield, who was the CEO of Disaster Restoration Inc., conspired to commit mail fraud beginning in 2003 and continuing through 2007.
The two defendants would meet every week in which they discussed how to instruct their subcontractors to submit two different bid proposals, one inflated by 20 percent to 30 percent. The company would submit the inflated bid to the insurance company for payment but pay the subcontractor the non-inflated amount.
Griggs was found guilty by a jury in August 2012 of one count of conspiracy and 13 counts of mail fraud. Sharp was found guilty of one count of conspiracy and nine counts of mail fraud and sentenced Monday to 36 months in prison.
"Insurance fraud results in higher premiums for everyone," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh in a statement. "I would like to recognize the hard work of the prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office, for obtaining a conviction in this case. I would also like to thank the Postal Inspectors who worked so diligently preparing this case for prosecution."
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pegeen Rhyne.
"Insurance fraud, like many financial crimes, erodes the integrity of our Insurance Industry, and threatens the financial health of our communities," said Adam P. Behnen, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division, in a statement. "It is critical we make every effort to protect the public from insurance fraud and its impact on our consumers by ensuring the integrity of the U.S. Mail."


text:
Alpha Gear Phoenix Rising
$ 26.99
Clothing typically ships via USPS First Class or Priority Mail within 5 business days of your order.
Equipment typically ships via USPS First Class, Priority Mail, or UPS within 2 business days of your order.
All orders will receive valid tracking information in a shipment confirmation email when shipped.
Products are able to be returned within 7 days of purchase as long as they are unused and in the exact same condition as when shipped.
Please contact us for an RMA number before returning. Without an RMA number, no refunds will be given.
Actual product cost (not including shipping charges) is the maximum value of return credit.
Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
In addition, a 15% restocking fee will be deducted before credit is issued.


text:
Naturally, the next step in WiFiChron's evolution was to upgrade to Atmega644P/1284P. Since there was no room on the board for the 40-pin DIP package, I settled for the SMD version.
The schematic is shown below.
Although functional, the board I designed is far from perfect:
- requires pull-up resistors for buttons; I relied on software pull-up, but that does not work in the current Sanguino library;
- requires a couple of more decoupling capacitors;
The WiFiChron-1284 board has the same dimensions as the previous revision, and it still fits in the Serpac A20 box.
I burned the bootloader using the on-board ICSP header.
Thanks again to MikeM, who contributed the software (Arduino 1.6.7 - compatible), featuring:
- proverb display;
- moon phases;
- a few new menu options for user settings;
- improved support for ESP8266;
- integrated support for GPS module.
More on the code later.


text:
Why definitions matter.
A few minutes a day, I indulge in a Tweet treat where I scan my relatively small network (I only follow about 75 people) to see what's going on. In barely five minutes I can get a clear snapshot of the topics both broad and specific to my work.
Yesterday (March 7), during my mid-day Twitter snack, I catch this tweet from Klout's PhilipHotchkiss -"@Scobleizer unleashes on Steve Cheney in strong defense that FB Comments promotes authenticity http://scoble.it/fkicaJ"
Kinda of provocative since I've never heard Robert Scoble (well respected tech blogger) "unleashing" on anyone. He will disagree with folks – but "unleash!" Well that's another kettle of fish so I checked it out. The more I read, the more I wanted to respond thoughtfully – not just scream and shout.
The "unleashing" it seems was prompted by a blog posting from Steve Cheney entitled; How Facebook is Killing Your Authenticity. It provocatively opens: "Facebook's sheer scale is pushing it in a new direction, one that encroaches on your authenticity." He explains that since more and more sites are using Facebook's commenting platform it is likely to blunt people's authenticity because they will naturally censor themselves given the broad audience. "The problem with tying internet-wide identity to a broadcast network like Facebook is that people don't want one normalized identity, either in real life, or virtually."
So far – I was agreeing with Mr Cheney.
But then he states: "A uniform identity defies us." And this is where I must jump off the bandwagon because that's just not the case. In the real world, we have one identity with all the attributes in there which we naturally adjust to the situation. Some attributes we apply to our legal ID, other attributes for social situations and so on. One identity – just different expressions of it.
The trouble is, in fact, we have few technologies to achieve this layered equivalent in the binary, digital world where we can only have one identity. It's not that Facebook is bad for looking to be the singular identity but it is a mismatch between how we want to live and what technology can let us do – especially given Facebook's reach.
IMHO Cheney confuses "authenticity" (as in a "real and unbiased POV") with a verified identity which is an entirely a different point.
Scoble then disagreed utterly with Cheney with his opening salvo: "Steve Cheney has never written something that so pissed me off than the blog he wrote today stating that Techcrunch's switch to Facebook comments has killed authenticity." Tough words indeed (hence Hotchkiss' "unleashing" reference).
He goes on to explain that today "authenticity" means being identifiable and having the courage to go public with your opinions – no matter the cost. I found myself agreeing with Scoble here especially when he highlighted the idea that the medium and the message are merging in the social/ digital space. He explains quite correctly that the exact same message can be uttered by two different people which makes all the difference as to its "authenticity." This is very true and a point many marketers continue to miss.
But despite the fact that, generally speaking, I agree with Scoble's mandate to have the courage to be "authentic," IMHO he seems to argue the wrong point. "Being truly anonymous and untrackable on the Web is very difficult." is one reason why he argues everyone should be authentic. Also true but that argument speaks to the notion of transparency not authenticity which was Cheney's point. Scoble's heartfelt lengthy explanation about how people should be "authentic" by using their real name is really important but frankly not really about authenticity. You can be "authentic" and still not be transparent.
Then, as read ALL the comments and the cross comments, I could see this general confusion around terms like trust, authenticity, transparency. Everyone seemed to toss these terms around as though they were synonyms – they are not. And with so much unleashing going on largely because everyone was cross talking – there little possibility of understanding.
So, let's try and nail down some basic, common definitions of key terms (these definitions are grounded in my years spent in security software at AT&T, Bell Labs, Lucent, Computer Associates and Comodo. You may quibble with my terms – so feel free to suggest alternatives):
Transparency – Typically, this is used to describe a lack of "cloaking" where we hide behind a fake persona. When we let people see our identity, we say our identity is "transparent." The rub here though is that there is no "standard" identity that we can use to simultaneously enable transparency, allow us to adapt our identity to the situation and do it safely while balancing desire/ need for privacy. Just ask Facebook. This is easy to say –but hard to achieve technologically.
One approach is around creating a "transparency layer" where a single signon (SSO) platform could apply. Lots of people are in this space actually (FB notwithstanding) but I would argue that Twitter has emerged as the most effective version of SSO today. I can control (sorta) what Twitter has about me and thus manage what percolates out there about me. Not ideal by a long shot but the other contenders are still quite early in their development (e.g. Diaspora).
Authenticity – Ah this is a tar pit of interpretation, a mucky business altogether. It usually means that a person can be vetted or an opinion is real and unbiased. Well, that is certainly riddled with subjective interpretation further complicated by time and context. Within this bucket, we encounter challenges of author disclosures, planted "customer" feedback and the trolls who are hired by competitors to disrupt user forums.
The technologies to address this are diverse and fragmented and include encryption, digital authentication, e.g. digital signatures, SSL security and two factor authentication typically used in banking security. Common to this "authenticity layer" is that it would be activated when interactions "on the edge" have a high transactional or information risk factor. Given its relative high infrastructure cost, these technologies are reserved for relatively high requirements authentication requirements as would be needed in ecommerce.
Trust – This is the hardest to achieve in the online world because many of the cues we instinctively use in the real world are gone. If we see a store in a mall versus a stand on the side of the road – it utterly shapes how much we are willing to risk in the transaction. That's what makes trust so hard to duplicate in the online world since the online world is very "flat" – just a bunch of pixels on a screen – little context or other reference points we normally use.
Here is where we can create a "Trust layer" to fill the context void – a middleware layer (Cloud based or not) that delivers trust indicators – digital identity management, content verification, real time feedback and social connectivity vetting at the precise moment of need. This is a sophisticated level of interaction that has a way to go before we can create this type of online trust.
At this point, you may be tempted to dismiss this whole post as a semantic exercise. But that would be a mistake because with proper framing of the problem – we can begin to see solutions. We also can see how our gaps are impacting how all this connectivity technology is evolving today.
So what's the real prize here beyond the English lesson?
For me the end goal is something I call The Trust Web. Trust is the foundation of any productive civilization and this concept must apply meaningfully in our digital world too. Today we do not approach this topic systematically nor do we consider carefully how can we confer trust – in all its rich meanings and nuances – to the digital world, in some measure, because we do not frame the questions clearly (this whole unleashing makes my point).
If there is any "unleashing" to be done – let's unleash the technologists to crack the code on transparency, trust and authenticity. How do we coordinate all the fragmented pieces of the trust puzzle being worked on by many companies … from content verification technologies to rich, semantic based technology to deliver more trusted content. From intelligent agents who will scour the internet for verified, trusted ecommerce sites to new approaches to digital identities.
I wish it were as simple as throwing a single powerhouse company to push a single solution through. I almost wish I could wave a magic wand and Facebook could drive this question forward. But that is daydreaming especially since TBH Facebook has not yet demonstrated the business maturity to go down this road. In fact, most moves lately have been antithetical toward helping shape a Trust Web.
I'll end by hoping I've made one clear point – language matters, definitions matter because without clarify we can't imagine another vision.
And then we have to hear a lot of unleashing without a lot of traction.
Judy Shapiro
Author's disclosure: I have been tracking Facebook's evolution from communications platform to an uber social hub in Ad Age for just over a year now. My latest article in Ad Age "Has Facebook Jumped the Shark?" is the basis for an upcoming panel discussion at SXSWi.
Filed under: Privacy, security, The Trust Web, Trusted Web | Tagged: Ad Age, digital identity, Facebook, judy shapiro, Online Trust, privacy in the digital age, Robert Scoble, steve cheney, sxsw | 4 Comments »


text:
• A daily summary of global reports on security issues.
As forces loyal to Libya's Muammar Qaddafi struck back at rebels on Sunday, the United Nations called for an end to the "indiscriminate" violence being perpetrated by pro-government troops.
Concern is growing about a possible protracted civil war, the Guardian reports. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Abdelilah Al-Khatib, Jordan's former foreign minister, as his special envoy to Libya and has dispatched a team to Tripoli to investigate the humanitarian situation.
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the fighting in western Libya, which is claiming large numbers of lives and threatens even more carnage in the days ahead," said a statement on the UN website. "He notes that civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, and calls for an immediate halt to the Government's disproportionate use of force and indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets."
In addition to concern for Libyan citizens, the UN has also expressed concern about foreign nationals and other individuals trying to flee the country, reports the Guardian. During the peak of people fleeing, as many as 20,000 people left the country per day. Now that number has dropped to several hundred per day and there are reports of harassment by government forces.
As the UN works to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need throughout Libya, Valerie Amos, the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief has requested access to the city of Misratah after it was reportedly retaken by government forces. It is the third largest city in Libya, reports Xinhua.
"Humanitarian organizations need urgent access now. People are injured and dying and need help immediately," said Ms. Amos. "I call on the authorities to provide access without delay to allow aid workers to help save lives."
The UN's efforts come amid calls from prominent Republicans in US to increase American assistance to rebel forces. Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona said the US should provide humanitarian assistance, in addition to potentially "providing technical assistance, intelligence and training; and by declaring support for a provisional government," reports the Wall Street Journal. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky has suggested that providing insurgents with munitions could also be an option.
But the Obama administration is hesitant to provide support to antigovernment forces who presently lack clear leadership and may not prove to be trustworthy allies in the long run. The Washington Post reports that the White House is considering a variety of options, including humanitarian support and different levels of military intervention, but it also recognizes that there may be no immediate end to the violence.
The US may also have difficulty getting international support for any kind of intervention. Russia, China, and Brazil have said they would not support a UN-backed military intervention and the Arab League is also strongly opposed to any Western-backed military interventions. It has floated the idea of taking action in conjunction with the African Union.
Western powers are likely to be especially cautious with any military interventions after a botched British mission resulted in the detention of six soldiers believed to be part of the elite British Special Air Services unit. The team, which was likely accompanying a British diplomat trying to make contact with opposition leaders, has since been released.
The BBC's Jon Leyne called the operation a "embarrassing miscalculation" and said that Britain was "obviously unaware of the reaction likely to be provoked in this tense situation by a group of armed men arriving on a helicopter, in the dead of night."


text:
D-backs committed to keeping Montero fresh
PHOENIX -- Despite his competitive inclinations, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson rested catcher Miguel Montero, who was subbed in the starting lineup by Tuffy Gosewisch for Thursday afternoon's day game after a night game against the Giants at Chase Field.
Montero missed more than a month last year with back problems after Gibson played him incessantly during the first half of the season. At the same time, the Giants rested catcher Buster Posey, starting backup Hector Sanchez.
"It's kind of hard to do because [Montero's] our guy," Gibson said before the closer of the four-game Opening Series. "But we said we were going to do it and it should go a long way for him. You could always bring him off the bench."
Gibson said he expected to start Montero in all three games of this weekend's series against the Rockies in Denver, beginning Friday with their home opener at Coors Field.
Montero played in 116 games last year after 140 in 2011 and 141 in 2012. He batted .230 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs, a big dip from his 88 RBIs in 2012. The D-backs are trying to find a way this year of keeping the 30-year-old Montero both healthy and productive.
"Anybody can get beaten down, but catching is a very demanding job," Gibson said. "I think that he's not getting younger, he's getting older. He wants to catch a lot of innings. It's kind of a fine line because when you catch more you get better at it, you get a better feel for what [a pitcher] should throw. Like this would be his fourth game against the Giants. So he's got a real good idea of what their hitters are doing, how to get them out.
"But at the same time, all that playing can contribute to him breaking down. He went through a streak before last year of catching more innings than any catcher in the game. We just know he can't keep that pace up. We made an investment in him as an organization and you want to preserve that."


text:
"Introversion – along with its cousins sensitivity, seriousness, and shyness – is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology. Introverts living under the Extrovert Ideal are like women in a man's world, discounted because of a trait that goes to the core of who they are. Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we've turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform.
We like to think that we value individuality, but all too often we admire one type of individual – the kind who is comfortable "putting himself out there".
But we make a grave mistake to embrace the Extrovert Ideal so unthinkingly. Some of our greatest ideas, art, and inventions – from the theory of evolution to Van Gogh's sunflowers to the personal computer – came from quiet and cerebral people who knew how to tune in to their inner worlds and the treasures to be found there."
The quotes above are from an article by Susan Cain who has just come out with a book called "Quiet: The Power of introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" (out in the UK on the 29th March), which I have nearly finished devouring. Cain's TED talk also further strengthens her case for the quiet, the contemplative and those that feel reproached for feeling this way. Without wanting to delve into an emo-heavy spiel about relating to Cain's words, all I can say is that I found myself nodding quite vigorously with each page. I don't subscribe to self-help through text and although there are faint tones of life-coaching in the book, the overall message is that "deploying the powers of quiet" and using "soft power" may just get us further in this world than shouting out from the roof tops and giving stellar boardroom presentations.
I know. Says the girl who puts herself out there on a fashion blog and has in effect been self-promoting through an online for the past six years. You might be chortling right about now. Still, it's my own perspective that Style Bubble has been part-therapy, part-relief for someone like me, who as Cain describes in her tome, found myself cripplingly uncomfortable in social situations and spent my formative years wondering whether wanting to be by myself all the time was abnormal and whether it was going to kill career prospects.
Now how to work a pithy non-descriptive review of what is in fact a heavy weight, potentially life-changing book? Oh, I know! Talk up its beautiful aesthetics and link it back to FAS-WAN!! After winter's white out, and in contrast to last week's rainbow bonanza, I'm due for another dose of white. It just so happens to tie in with Cain's book landing on my desk. What I appreciate most about her book is that her definition of introverts isn't concrete or damning. They're not necessarily hermits nor are they painfully shy. Likewise, I may express myself outwardly through what I wear but this doesn't necessarily mean I'm as in yer' face or bolshy as my multitude of colours and prints suggest.
In this second installment of the white out, I'm equipped with a few protective elements to shield me from small talk and social natter, namely my headphones that are as bright as you find just to make it clear that I'm plugged in to another world. Then there are the pre-requisite shades and a sturdy big bag to hold other devices to turn to if I'm not up for chit-chat (Kindle, MacBook Air, books, The New Yorker). Everything else is of course a purely aesthetic proposition, that conveniently matches up with the smooth uninterupted surface of Cain's book cover. Fortunately, there's a lot more to recommend from this book that goes beyond the cover. Introvert or not, there's a lot to glean from Cain's words at a time when power in the more traditional sense doesn't seem to be working anymore.
(Wearing Molami Twine headphones in white and gold, Illesteva Leonard sunglasses, Comme des Garcons sequinned tuxedo demi-jacket, Hussein Chalayan white twisted jacket, Uniqlo heat tech poloneck, Balenciaga white patent button down skirt, Simone Rocha wedges, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli in Polished White)
(From top to bottom: Holga 135BC, Apple adaptor plug, Chanel lip balm UrbanEars white headphones, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain, SanDisk ImageMate card reader, Illesteva Leonard sunglasses, Balenciaga Paris Purse Spray, Panasonic DMC-LX5, Apple iPhone 4S, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli in Polished White)


text:
Revelers at 1860 Period Ball at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Celebrate Lincoln's 200th With Eli's Cheesecake
Eli's Cheesecake created a 42 inch, 250 pound apple cinnamon cheesecake for the 1860 Period Ball at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, a tribute to Lincoln's love of apples, topped with an exact edible replica of Lincoln's Springfield home, the only home he ever owned. Eli's Master Pastry Chef Laurel Boger consulted actual architectural drawings and photos from all angles to create the two-story t-shaped colonial with green shutters, made of gingerbread, fondant, chocolate and royal icing.
The mind boggling grocery list included: 60 pounds of cream cheese, 40 cups of sugar, 30 cups of sour cream, 6 dozen eggs, 24 cups of flour, 40 cups of butter, 10 tablespoons of vanilla, 50 pounds of Michigan apples, 20 cups of brown sugar, and 12 tablespoons of cinnamon, 20 pounds of gingerbread. The cake served more than 400 guests, and was on display in the Lincoln Presidential Museum's Rotunda.


text:
Information updated as of: 27/11/12
The Lowdown on Dissection
There comes a time during most school careers when you will be confronted with a dissection experiment in science class. But did you know it's your right to refuse to participate? That's right! The school, the teachers and fellow pupils can't force you to do it if you don't want to! And why would you want to? Dissection is cruel, cruel, cruel! Not to mention outdated! So if you ever feel pressured please remember that NO state education department in Australia has made dissection compulsory.
Credit: robstephaustralia
A few reasons why dissection is wrong…
1. Animals die
Obvious, yes… but an inexcusable fact. HRA says that the most used animals are rats, mice, cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, frogs, toads and fish. Many of these animals are bred for the sole purpose of being experimented on. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sit too well with us! Nothing should have to die for educational purposes, especially when there are so many alternatives that don't involve the death or suffering of a living being.
Credit: OakleyOriginals
2. Not essential
You really don't need to hack open an animal to learn! In fact, Animals Australia say students using non-animal alternatives have been shown to perform better than those participating in dissection.
3. Facilitates the idea that animals are merely 'things'
Encourages the idea that animals can be used in whatever capacity for the convenience of human beings, this can then cause indifference in young people towards all living creatures. A slippery slope indeed.
4. Just a waste of life!
Hands up who studied biology in high school? Hands up who has left school, and is still pursuing a career in science/biology? Chances are many student's science studies were left behind when high school finished, meaning the dissection was just a waste of the animals' lives! The very idea of dissection devalues what it means to "be alive" and the respect for fellow life forms.
Credit: biologycorner
4. It's outdated
Think back to how the 1920s might have looked - women in long dresses, no television, no Facebook, old-school cars and generally poorer living conditions. Well, it's also the same era that dissection was introduced! And boy oh boy has society changed a HELL of a lot since then! This also includes the advancement in technology and science. Science is constantly growing and evolving – and so should our attitudes towards dissection. It's time to literally get out of the dark ages!
What you can do…
Voice your feelings to your teacher. Tell him/her that you don't feel comfortable partaking in the dissection and alert him/her that there are plenty of non-animal alternatives that can be used to achieve the same objectives. Humane Research Australia (http://www.humaneresearch.org.au/help/index.htm) has up to date information and alternatives to experimenting on animals.
As always – we are here for help as well!
You can also email your Minister for Education and tell them how you feel! Politicians are there to listen to us, take advantage of this!
The Hon. Andrew Barr MLA
Minister for Education and Training
ACT Legislative Assembly
GPO Box 1020
The Hon Verity Firth MP
Minister for Education and Training
Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Dr Christopher Burns MLA
Minister for Education and Training
GPO Box 3146
The Hon. Geoff Wilson MP
Minister for Education and Training
PO Box 102
Ferny Hills DC, Queensland 4055
The Hon Jay Weatherill
Minister for Education
GPO Box 778
The Hon. Lin Thorp MLC
Minister for Education and Skills
10 Murray Street
The Hon. Bronwyn Pike
Minister for Education
146-148 Peel Street
North Melbourne, Vic. 3051
The Hon. Dr Elizabeth Constable MLC
Minister for Education
19th floor, Governor Stirling Tower
197 St Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
Real life…
When I was in year 11 we were asked to dissect a rat for biology class. Sadly, I was the only one who objected. I was so surprised that I was the only one who felt this conviction. In fact, most people were excited to do it! But in an ironic turn of events when the day came for the dissection and the class began hacking away, I watched as the excitement turned to revulsion – it's like it finally sunk in what everyone was doing…. playing with a dead animal's carcus! Gross! One girl had to leave the classroom to be sick and many stopped halfway through the allocated time. I guess the reality was far different from what they originally thought it would be like. Not to mention the smell was disgusting! But what do you expect when twenty or so dead animals are being cut open? Six years on I still remember that day and the smell, and the fantastic feeling I still have knowing no animals died for me to learn that day!
credit: Columbia College
What's happening around the world? (from Animals Australia)
- In 1987, the Argentinian government banned dissection in schools and stated that ...Biology is the science of life, and it is not consistent to teach it at the expense of the death of other beings ... experiments on animals are part of a dangerous process which tends to desensitize the mind to pain, suffering, to respect and to life itself.
- In Britain, "invasive uses of vertebrates" in schools is illegal. It is believed that the harm caused to animals through dissection outweighs any slight educational benefit. The University of London School Examinations Board has removed from the A-Level Biology course work the requirement to dissect a small mammal. Liverpool City Council has banned dissection totally.
- The Dutch Ministry established a project to reduce the number of animals in universities, and provided grants for the development of alternatives. They have archived a 40 per cent reduction so far.
- Four American states, New York, California, Pennsylvania and Florida, now guarantee students the legal right to be given a humane alternative to classroom dissection without compromising their grade.
- In India the Blus Cross has developed an interactive computer program for biology education. Compufrog simulates dissections which are routinely carried out in Indian schools.


text: How to Proactively Prepare for a Blizzard December 11, 2018 Winter storms can range in severity from a moderate snow fall over a few hours to a blinding blizzard that lasts for several days. Blizzards are severe winter storms that are defined as a combination of blowing snow and winds (in excess of 35 mph) – often resulting in very low visibilities. Being prepared for a winter storm is critical, as strong winds paired with heavy snow accumulation can paralyze a city, strand motorists, stop the flow of supplies and disrupt emergency services. A lot can happen when a dangerous winter storm strikes: Street and Interstate closures Loss of internet and cable Power outages Severe weather preparation is key. Read on for ways to keep yourself, your family and your home warm and safe before a blizzard strikes. Preparing for a Blizzard Here are some items to have on hand so you are prepared when the snow starts falling hard: Shovels or a snow blower: Have a few shovels in case you need to dig your way out. If you have a snow blower, make sure that it's filled with gas and is fully functional so you're not left buried. Stock up at the grocery store: It's a good idea to have a three-day supply of water and food on hand in case your power is wiped out by a big winter storm. While you're there, grab some salt/sand for your driveway and sidewalk! Extra blankets and warm coats: Keep these items on hand for each family member as a blizzard safety precaution. You don't want to be left in the cold if your power is taken out. An emergency radio and extra batteries: If you don't already have an emergency radio, now is a good time to get one. They're affordable and readily available and will keep you updated on weather alerts and winter storm warnings. Car safety kit: Traveling during a blizzard is highly discouraged but if you must, it's vital to have a car safety kit with you. This kit can include things like extra blankets and warm clothing, a flashlight, a shovel, a windshield scraper, and water and snacks. Even if you aren't traveling during the storm, it's still a good idea to put together a car safety kit, weather can be unpredictable! Be sure to winterize your car in case you need to be out during the storm. What to Do During a Blizzard Now that you're properly equipped, you might be wondering what to do when the storm hits. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep you safe. Tune in to a weather radio station or other local news channels to keep up to date on the winter storm. Bring your pets inside during severe winter weather and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas. If you're concerned about your pipes freezing, running the water, even at a trickle, can help prevent frozen pipes. Keep your thermostat set to the same temperate during the day and night. This can help prevent frozen pipes. Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around your plumbing. If your home loses power or heat during extreme cold, go to a designated public shelter. Avoid driving in harsh winter conditions. If travel is absolutely necessary, make sure you have a car safety kit with you. Big Blizzard Storm Facts Winter storms are nothing to mess around with. There have been some snow storms that have managed to shut down entire cities! In February 2003, cities from Washington DC to Boston were hit by a blizzard that dropped between 15-30 inches of snow began on February 14 and didn't stop until February 19. Dubbed the President's Day Blizzard, it caused $20 million in damage. In February 2010, two blizzards broke snowfall records across the mid-Atlantic region. A whopping 32.4 inches of snow fell at Washington's Dulles International Airport. After the second snowstorm hit in February, 68.1 percent of the country was covered by snow. This storm was referred to as Snowmageddon. The first blizzard to be declared a Federal Emergency was in 1977 when a storm hit upstate New York and Southern Ohio. Although only about 12 inches of snow over 5 days accumulated, the winds were considered deadly. Now that you're ready to handle that winter storm headed your way, stay inside, sip a warm drink, and watch the snow fall. For more helpful articles like this, visit the Farm Bureau Financial Services Learning Center. Resources: nssl.noaa.gov redcross.org livescience.com dosomething.org


text:
Lemi did not have any formal training, but chose to sustain his ingenuity, following Fela's advice : 'He had advised me against compromising my pristine initiatives through institutional training' . Lemi talks about first learning European drawing techniques and then adding the African touch, but as Fela told him, you could learn the basics yourself from a book, but when it comes to creating, the start should be fresh and non-impoverished by the past. Fela himself was trained to play classics, but the musician ended up playing original Afro.
'Fela told us that education will stick on us a post-colonial mentality which will blind us from seeing the social reality in Africa'.
So much for education's power to free minds. Lemi proudly declares:
'I am a student of the University of Life'.
As for inspiring the upcoming generations, Lemi promises he will continue to give free training to all the apprentices who come his way.


text:
Mon 10
Section 8 ponies up again
Good news for my Jennifer Government stock holdings on the Hollywood Stock Exchange: Section 8 and Warner Bros. just renewed their option on the film rights! This means they've got another 18 months to turn it into the world's first movie with negative product placement. (Where companies pay to have their products not mentioned. I still say it can be done.)
This also means I get paid for doing nothing at all, a new experience for me, but one I could definitely get used to. I would work towards having this happen more often, but I think that defeats the point.


text:
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Issues of using Longer Heavier Vehicles on Roads
(IOP Publishing, 2018-04-13)
Many logistics companies aim to save on freight costs. Recently, not only on Czech roads and on motorways, longer and heavier vehicles that exceed dimensions' limits appeared. For these vehicles, it is necessary to apply ...


text:
Responsibility for departmental and University curricula at Oregon State University rests with the faculty. The Faculty Senate Curriculum Council has the primary role in reviewing and approving all graduate and undergraduate curricular changes for the University. The Curriculum Council has delegated responsibility for certain routine curriculum matters to the Director of Academic Planning and Assessment. The Director facilitates the work of the Curriculum Council to directly oversee the curriculum.
University curriculum procedures are described in detail under Curricular Procedures and Policies at http://oregonstate.edu/admin/aa/apaa/curricular-policies-and-procedures.


text:
[Verse 1]
John Brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all
His mama's face broke out all in a grin
[Verse 2]
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine
You make me proud to know you hold a gun
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home"
[Verse 3]
As that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout
Telling' everyone in the neighborhood:
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know"
She made well sure her neighbors understood
[Verse 4]
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
As she showed them to the people from next door
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war
Oh! Good old-fashioned war!
[Verse 5]
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come
They ceased to come for about ten months or more
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train
Your son's a-coming home from the war"
[Verse 6]
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
But she could not see her soldier son in sight
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes
[Verse 7]
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
And he wore a metal brace around his waist
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
Oh! Lord! Not even recognize his face
[Verse 8]
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done
How is it you come to be this way?"
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
And the mother had to turn her face away
[Verse 9]
"Don't you remember, Ma, when I went off to war
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
I was on the battleground, you were home. Acting proud
You wasn't there standing in my shoes"
[Verse 10]
"Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
And I saw that his face looked just like mine"
Oh! Lord! Just like mine!
[Verse 11]
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink
That I was just a puppet in a play
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke
And a cannon ball blew my eyes away"
[Verse 12]
As he turned away to walk, his Ma was still in shock
At seeing' the metal brace that helped him stand
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
And he dropped his medals down into her hand


text:
SNOW HILL — More cases were heard last week in Circuit Court stemming from arrests made over the winter during Operation Sand Dollar, including one repeat offender who was sentenced to 14 years in jail and another defendant who received a 10-year sentence.
Two months after the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) announced the results of a major, two-year sting operation involving an undercover narcotics officer posing as the owner and operator of a taxi cab, the first batch of cases hit the Circuit Court in the last two weeks with varied results based on the severity of the charges.
Operation Sand Dollar culminated in grand jury indictments for 34 suspects, resulting in 119 total counts including 91 distribution charges and 28 conspiracy to distribute charges. During the operation targeting drug trafficking in the resort area, an undercover narcotics officer posed as a cab driver to infiltrate Ocean City's shadowy social circles.
During the operation, which included cooperation from allied law enforcement agencies along with the State's Attorney's Office, the officer turned cab driver made some purchases and sales out of the taxi, but also established connections that led to further indictments. With the cooperation of the city, the department was able to set up a legitimate can complete with one of Ocean City's limited taxi medallions operating as the "Tipsy Taxi."
Over the last two weeks, the ongoing court cases have shown a vast disparity in the charges and ultimate outcomes. For example, last Friday, Vernon Spence, 46, of Snow Hill, who has prior drug convictions, was found guilty of distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to 14 years in jail, the first 10 of which are to be served without the possibility of parole.
Earlier last week, Brian Harmon, 39, of Westover, was found guilty of distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years in jail. In the middle of the spectrum, Orean Kennedy, 52, of Ocean City, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine and was sentenced to two years in jail, all but six months of which was suspended. Dawn Ramashka, 49, of Ocean City, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to 18 months in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of probation and a fine.
In addition, James Camper, 49, of Trappe, was found guilty of distribution of marijuana and was sentenced to a year in jail and fined $500. Glynis Sullivan, 54, of Ocean City, was found guilty of distribution of oxycodone and hydrocodone and was sentenced to 18 months and fined $1,000. One defendant, Geraldine Woodland, 49, of Ocean City, had the charges against her dismissed.


text:
Site used by sodium to control sensitivity of certain potassium ion channels
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have uncovered how sodium is able to control specific potassium ion channels in cells, according to new study findings published online this week in Nature Chemical Biology.
These findings, published Sept. 14, may help researchers gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in ion channel gating and may one day set the stage for new approaches in drug design.
Intracellular-sodium is known to control the opening and closing of certain potassium channels. Using a computational-experimental approach, researchers examined the interaction between sodium and a group of potassium channels known as Kir channel proteins. The team had previously shown that Kir3 channels are sensitive to sodium, but had not shown how sodium is coordinated by specific amino acids found in several Kir channel proteins.
"We have a fairly good molecular understanding of how the sodium ions are coordinated and we have a compelling hypothesis of how the coordination of sodium may be affecting this particular type of potassium ion channel to open it," said Diomedes Logothetis, Ph.D., an internationally recognized leader in the study of ion channels and chair of the VCU School of Medicine's Department of Physiology and Biophysics.
According to Logothetis, ion channel proteins are found in the plasma membrane of cells and provide a path for hydrated cations such as calcium, potassium or sodium to pass through the membrane and travel in and out of the cell. Generally, hydrated ions do not travel through the lypophillic, or fat-based, plasma membrane because they are surrounded with water and require a pathway to travel from one side of the membrane to the other.
"By applying the knowledge of the sodium coordination site, we identified the Kir5.1 channel that was not previously suspected to be sodium-sensitive. By examining in which cells these sodium-sensitive channels are expressed and how sodium may be critical for the function of these cells, we hope to uncover the physiological importance of sodium-mediated activation of potassium channels," Logothetis said. Cells in the kidney and specific areas in the brain express the Kir5.1 channel, he added. In kidney cells, the Kir channel is expressed in cells that are responsible for reabsorbing sodium, a process relevant in hypertension as sodium and water are retained in blood vessels.
One critical characteristic of the sodium-reabsorbing kidney cells is that they maintain a negative-membrane potential, meaning the inside is more negative than the outside, which creates a driving force for sodium entry into the cells. This negative membrane potential is accomplished by potassium flowing out of the cell through potassium channels.
If Kir5.1 is linked to sodium reabsorption, then malfunctions of this channel could interfere with the sodium uptake mechanisms from blood vessels through the kidney cells and lead to hypertension. Logothetis and his collaborators in New York and Oxford, England, are in the process of testing this hypothesis.
"Once we understand the importance of sodium regulation of ion channels, then we can start thinking about how we design drugs that may mimic the net effect of sodium regulation of channel activity and ultimately help any pathophysiology dependent on these processes," he said.
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University


text: The good folks over at Slate put together a nice little glossary of terms from the show which may leave some folks scratching their heads. You may be a whiz at navigating your way around M-brane theory but do you know what a 419 is? What about the "psychosphere"? That sexy someone at the party might be impressed by your knowledge of Carcosa but when you tell them their body is a paraphilic lovemap you are getting laid for sure.


text:
The Geography We is a story.It's a story told by Caldera youth.It's a story that comes to life with voices, imagination, and creativity.It's a story of connection to Caldera, school, family, community, and each other.It's a story expressed through artwork and the power of the creative process.
Air is Earth's living breath. Birds hitch to the sky. Lungs fill, windmills turn, jungles and cities draw life from the sweep of the same invisible air. We glimpse it in the spilling colors of sunset and the heights of the northern lights. We can feel it and taste it when we run. Air is forever changing, forever filling in the dark and playing in the light. What makes you feel free as a bird? What do you want to release into the air?
The universe is born of fire. Some fires we conjure, some we capture, and some grow wild. Others transform. A forest begins to heal itself after a fire; a once-still volcano erupts with power and beauty; soft, moldable clay becomes a sturdy structure in the heat of a kiln. How do you transform? What sparks you? How are you a part of transformation around you?
The sun is central to all living things on Earth. It is constant.We each move through life with a spark of sun inside us and our gathered light intensifies when we are together. Like the sun, we are dynamic and powerfully bright.Where is your brilliance? What is your energy source? How do you respond to flares and outages in your power? How do you shine?
Life is wild, and it is all around us.Among the animals, we learn to be tender, tough, and creative. Their beauty and diversity inspires us to great works of compassion and art. Wildlife helps us understand our unique position in the world–and to treasure nature everywhere it flourishes, even within ourselves.
The land is a great gift–and a great responsibility.It has always been our home and our most important resource. Our food, our water and our shelter all come from the earth. Its beauty inspires us–from its soaring, snow-capped mountains and deep blue lakes to its vast plains and rolling green hills. There are new mysteries to discover every day in the ground beneath our feet.
Combining myths from American Indians and the Bushonga people of Central Africa, Open School North students staged a shadow puppet play that tells a story of why there is day and night. The process included creating paper puppets and environments, experimenting with light and shadow, and recording audio.
Students: Rayanna, Larisa, Abdul, Omar, Daniel, Natasha, Aaliyah, Jaytee, Jazmine, Taylor, Jesse, Terez, Sadie, Felipee
Location: Open School East
Year: 2016


text:
A public preview version of foobar2000 for Windows 10 (Universal Windows Platform) and Windows Phone 8.1 has been released.
The codebase is the same as the current beta version available to testers, with some features disabled until decisions on free/premium functionality are made.
Notable changes from the beta series
- Windows 10: No FFmpeg used for decoding - Microsoft codecs used for MP3 & AAC. FFmpeg is used on Windows Phone 8.1 though.
- No ReplayGain scanner
For additional information, see foobar2000 for Windows Phone readme


text:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) Luis Jacobo scored 22 points Wednesday night and IPFW defeated Navy 68-63.
Jacobo also had three steals and was 5 for 9 from beyond the 3-point line. Frank Gaines added 17 points and Joe Edwards scored 15 for the Mastodons (7-9), who shot 50 percent in each half.
Worth Smith and Brandon Venturini scored 17 points apiece for the Midshipmen (6-9). Venturini was 5 for 8 from behind the arc and Navy was 10 of 19 from long range. Overall the Midshipmen shot 49 percent.
Neither team led by more than eight points and the lead changed hands six times.


text:
- Prayer and Worship
- Beliefs and Teachings
- Issues and Action
- Media
- Bible
- Catholic Giving
- About USCCB
WASHINGTON—Catholic Bishops dealing with interfaith, domestic and
international concerns voiced concern for anti-Muslim prejudice surrounding the
threat of Koran burnings in Florida.
"All acts of intolerance aimed at a religious community should find no place in our world, let alone in our nation which is founded on the principle of religious freedom," said
Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, Chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; and Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
They issued their remarks September 9.
In their remarks they also endorsed a September 7 statement titled "Beyond Park 51," issued in Washington by an interfaith group that included Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop-emeritus of Washington, and Father James Massa, director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Ecumenical and interreligious Affairs.
By accepting this message, you will be leaving the website of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This link is provided
solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for,
nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or
sponsoring organizations.


text:
A poignant and highly accessible account of an ongoing story that transcends all telling. (Harold Bloom)
Remarkable . . . It is certainly the best one-volume overview of Jewish history and identity available today. (Sander L. Gilman, Director of the Program in Jewish Studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago)
1. Genesis: How the Jews Were Born in Israel
2. Kingdom Come: How the Israelites Became a Nation
3. Babylon: How the Kingdom Fell and the Culture Channged
4. Roman Ruin: How the Jews Lost Their Land
5. Diaspora: How the Jews Dispersed Among Their Enemies
6. Crossed Swords: How Christian Power Vanquished the Jews
7. Under the Minaret: How Islam (Partly) Tolerated the Jews
8. Spain and Beyond: How the Sephardic Jews Found Romance
9. Brightness: How Jewish Genius Changed and Grew
10. Ends of the Earth: How Jews Thrived in Exotic Places
11. Yidn: How the Jews helped Create Modern Europe
12. Mamesh-Loshn: How the Ashkenazic Jews Spoke and Thought
13. Smoke: How the Germans Gave the Jews Graves in the Air
14. Fire: How the Jews Fought Back
15. The Golden Land: How the Jews Helped Make America
16. Ha'aretz: How the Jews Came Home
17. Women of Valor: How Jewish Women Broke the Patriarchal Bonds
18. Conclusion: A Drop of Red Wine: How the Jews Will Face the Future
A Jewish Time Line
For Further Reading


text:
One of the all-time classics of science fiction could be getting a movie adaptation at long last. After a few failed attempts by different producers to make a Martian Chronicles film, Paramount has greenlit a version with producer John Davis.
Getting Martian Chronicles onto the screen has been a tricky process. There was a disappointing 1980 miniseries adaptation of Ray Bradbury's short story collection, which Bradbury himself panned. But nobody's been able to get a movie version started, despite a few attempts since 1997. Can this version successfully translate Bradbury's sprawling masterpiece, in which the stories are only loosely connected by the Martian setting, into a cohesive film?
Davis has put out some great films in the past, including the original Predator. But he was most recently the producer of Gulliver's Travels and Marmaduke (along with Predators). [The Hollywood Reporter]


text:
The search found 184 results in 0.01 seconds.
Randol Contreras' drug-robber respondents were not born criminals or torturers, so how did they become "stick-up kids"?
Although research has established a very strong relationship between the presence of a psychiatric disorder and victimization in prisons, some gaps remain in our understanding. This study considers the importance of gender differences in this relationship. Estimates based on the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities show that psychiatric disorders have a stronger relationship with victimization among male inmates than among female inmates. Yet the size of the gender difference varies greatly depending on the specific disorder.
A growing trend in the criminal justice system is the move toward problem-solving courts, including mental health courts. Using case studies of two mental health courts in a West Coast city, this article seeks to explore how mental health courts may operate by reducing stigma among clients. From observations of the court process in mental health courts and qualitative interviews with mental health court professional staff and mental health court clients, ritual process emerged as a powerful theme that underscores the management of social stigma.
Durkheim's model of suicide famously includes four types: anomic, egoistic, altruistic, and fatalistic suicides; however, sociology has primarily focused on anomic and egoistic suicides and neglected suicides predicated on too much integration or regulation. This article addresses this gap. We begin by elaborating Durkheim's concepts of integration and regulation using insights from contemporary social psychology, the sociology of emotions, and cultural sociology.
This article is about behavioral variation in genocide. Research frequently suggests that violent behaviors can be explained by or treated as synonymous with ethnic categories. This literature also tends to pre-group actors as perpetrators, victims, or bystanders for research purposes. However, evidence that individuals cross boundaries from killing to desistance and saving throughout genocide indicates that the relationship between behaviors and categories is often in flux.
The purpose of this paper is to move research on racial attitudes away from studying intraindividual attitudes toward studying broader structural factors that contribute to the attitudes and feelings of U.S. citizens. We focus on how interest groups and elite actors play a role in shaping the discourse on immigrants and the immigration debate in the twenty-first century. Herbert Blumer posed that over time, the dominant group develops certain feelings toward subordinate group members and that these feelings form the basis of racial prejudice.
Prior U.S.-based research examining the collective remembrance of racially charged events has focused on the black-white binary, largely bypassing such remembrance among U.S. Hispanics. In this article, I ask how a group of Mexican-origin Hispanics in an historic Houston barrio remember two racially charged events as well as whether and how these events are publicly commemorated. Additionally, race and collective memory research has often highlighted the role of collective memory in shaping race relations.
This article describes a class project designed to develop students' abilities to use their sociological imagination to better understand the structural sources of racial inequality. The event consisted of a memorial reading of the names of more than 4,000 documented lynch victims in the United States. Authors conducted a pretest and posttest on racial attitudes in large Introduction to Sociology courses. Posttest responses evidenced less support for "colorblind" ideologies and greater support for structural sources of inequality.


text:
Korean Restaurant in London
Bibimbap Soho is one of the most modern London Korean restaurants in the heart of Soho. We bring a new and modern take on Korea's national dish, bibimbap. The nearest station to get to us is Tottenham Court Rd, which is only a few minutes walk.
Bibimbap Soho is tasty, healthy and affordable
for that quick working lunch or a pre-theatre


text:
This beautiful stretch of coast is composed of the rocks of the Franciscan Complex, a chaotic mix of deep sea sands and muds, fragments of ocean crust and mantle, and even the occasional limestone reef deposit. The rocks formed in the trench of a subduction zone that lay off the coast of California in the time of the dinosaurs. The subduction zone is long gone, but the geologic violence that contributed to their origin continues in the lateral movement of the San Andreas fault which passes a short distance offshore. Large earthquakes like the one that devastated San Francisco in 1906 (close to magnitude 8) can tear the fault over a distance of 200 miles, and shift the crust 10-20 feet over much of that distance. The quakes occur every 100-150 years or so (do the math...).
The San Andreas has been active for more than 20 million years, and in that time has transported a wide swath of California and Baja California northward some 200 miles. Part of the evidence can be seen in the gratuitous sunset picture below, as one can pick out some small islands on the horizon. These are the Farallon Islands, which are composed of granitic rock related to the Sierra Nevada batholith exposed far to the south. The small islands are an important bird rookery, and the only human inhabitants are a few biology researchers.
The storm that threatened to wash out our field trip yesterday (but conveniently waited until the evening to let loose) cleaned up the sky and the gave us a beautiful sunset.


text:
Neurogenesis or the growth of new brain cells has become a seemingly trending topic in the past few years – partly because I think, it just sounds healthy. Everyone is looking for some sort of hack/edge on the competition and growing new brain cells sounds pretty advantageous, right? The reality is that we don't exactly know what the benefits of growing these new cells are, but generating new cells certainly sounds favorable over killing brain cells. Anyways, I'm not going to bore you to death with some long winded intro, below is a compilation of some interesting ways to grow new brain cells.
11 Ways to Grow New Brain Cells
1. Running
Going for runs and aerobic activity in general has been linked to neurogenesis. Interestingly enough it is also a great way to reduce stress if done in moderation. Although it is most beneficial to run with other people (e.g. a group run) to maximize mood boosting affects, running alone will still help your brain give birth to some neurons. If you already run, your brain is probably in pretty good shape in regards to neurogenesis. Read more: "Psychological Benefits of Exercise on the Brain."
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17374720
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452208015558
2. Curcumin
Curcumin is found in the popular Indian spice Turmeric – part of the ginger family. It has been documented that curcuminoids have been shown to have brain boosting and cognition enhancing properties. Recently it has been shown that this substance now is linked to neurogenesis in animal models. In models of aging rats, supplementation with curcumin improved their memory and cell proliferation (birth of new neurons) in the dentate gyrate. Exact affects on humans aren't well documented.
Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0031211
3. Sexual Experience
I think most people agree that sex is one of the best mood boosters and pleasurable activities of all. A study conducted by Leuner, Glasper, and Gould, discovered that sexual experience promotes adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. If you are already having regular sex, your brain is likely growing some new neurons as a result. Although sex does produce an initial stress response, the final result is more neurons. Based on most studies, sex is a good thing for your brain.
Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0011597
4. Psilocybin
Magic mushrooms. Funny thing is they have been linked to having a long lasting antidepressant affect too. Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos has conducted research supporting the claims that the (illegal) substance Psilocybin has been linked to the growth of new neurons. He and his research team also found that these shrooms were linked to a boost in overall cognition and mood. Further reading: Psilocybin for Depression.
5. Caloric Restriction
There is significant evidence linking caloric restriction in adult mice with the growth of new brain cells. In humans caloric restriction works a little bit differently, but in general it has been shown to increase lifespan and have healthy long term affects. Specifically it is linked to increased production of BDNF. Basically restricting your calories and not overeating produces somewhat of a stress response in the body. Following this stress response is the production of new neurons. Just because CR produces new neurons, does not mean it is physically healthy – keep this in mind if you were just about to starve yourself.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15123339
6. Cannabinoids
This is basically synthetic marijuana that scientists have found to be linked to the birth of new neurons. There aren't any findings demonstrating that regular grade marijuana is linked to neurogenesis; keep this in mind. The study that was conducted in regards to cannabinoids was done at the University of Saskatchewan. Interestingly enough, they found that these cannabinoids also had an antidepressant-like effect on subjects.
Source: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/25509
7. Enrichment of Environment
Living in an enriched environment is beneficial to the development of the brain. Studies have been done comparing individuals that have grown up in an impoverished environment vs. those in an enriched one. The findings were able to clearly demonstrate that those growing up in the enriched environment were happier, healthier, and higher functioning than those in the impoverished one. According to findings, enriching the environment as much as possible can lead to the birth of new neurons.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9547229
8. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
It has been found that Omega-3 fatty acids can upregulate neurogenesis in adults. Omega 3's are made up of two primary components: EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are both polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the body's central nervous system. Supplementation has been linked to a whole heap of neuro-protective and cognitive benefits, in addition to the enhancement of neurogenesis. If you aren't sure where to get these fatty acids, think fishy foods. Many people are turning to supplementation – I would personally recommend high grade Krill Oil if you are going the supplement route.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17240063
Source: http://www.pnas.org/content/106/27/11370.abstract
9. Antidepressants
The reason antidepressants help some people has been thought to be by inhibiting the re-uptake of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin. I have been on basically the full heap of SSRIs on the market today and I feel like they killed more of my brain than anything. Anyways, when researchers looked at what affects these drugs were having on the brain, a discovery that they made was that SSRI's like Prozac were generating new neurons in the hippocampal region. Interestingly enough though, neurogenesis isn't necessarily linked to improvements in mood – you could be growing new brain cells and still feel depressed.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19606083
10. Green Tea
Green tea is known to contain a substance called "ECGC." This substance has been confirmed to enhance neurogenesis in the brains of adult mice. Although there are no conclusive studies in humans regarding ECGC's ability to promote growth of new cells, most evidence supports the fact that green tea has positive effects on mental performance. I would hypothesize that ECGC would be a catalyst to the growth of new cells in humans as well.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22692966
11. Blueberries
The blue coloring in blueberries is a result of the anthocyanin dye that they contain. This dye is what scientists have found to be directly linked to neurogenesis. This is a fruit that is well documented to have a lot of health benefits, and now you know that every time you snack on these, you're growing some new neurons.
The above list is strictly for a reference and is not meant to be used as a guide to load your brain up with new neurons. Don't think you should go for a run, eat mounds of blueberries, have some crazy sex, or do psilocybin in the next 5 hour period. You'll probably wind up just looking like a total nut. Many of the studies involving neurogenesis were conducted using mice, but to make this article as accurate as possible, I tried including studies utilizing human subjects.
Is neurogenesis really that important?
At the moment, I'm not aware of any institute that is specifically honing in on neurogenesis as a primary research focus. As more studies are conducted and science advances, more breakthroughs in this area will come. I'm not sure if this is an area that should be an exclusive focus either, because as of now, there aren't necessarily major cognitive benefits associated with growing new brain cells. What do you think? Should scientists directly focus on studying this trend in neuroscience? If so, why?
Additional reading:


text:
The Pheasant
Welcome to the official guide to Chudleigh in Devon, brought to you by the Chudleigh Business Guild.
This site is dedicated to helping both residents and visitors alike in supporting our local businesses. Unlike other web sites, the information here is provided and kept up to date by local people.
Please do explore this web site; there is lots to see! If there is anything else you would like to see on this web site then please do let us know.


text:
Boot 12.1 using the old System V init
In my first journal entry, I complained the lack of "chattiness" during boot since the adoption of Systemd. You can easily switch to the old System V init on boot. At the grub boot loader screen (usual 8 seconds delay) and before you hit Enter to boot, press the F5 button to switch from default to System V. Now, press Enter to boot and press the Esc key during the splash screen to see the familiar System V init messages.
[Update on 6 Dec 2011]: Tired of pressing F5 every time on boot? Append the following to the end of the line:
For example, in /boot/grub/menu.lst, at the end of the line starting with "kernel /boot/vmlinuz-3.1.0-1.2-desktop...", append the line above and save the file. On the next boot, you can verify the change in the Boot Options field. Press Enter and you will boot up 12.1 under the old System V init.
Where is
We used to get both
The good news is I was able to download and install Oracle Java 64-bit on 12.1 and it works. However, this manual method implies that I will need to watch out for Oracle Java updates and apply them on my own. The steps are very well documented HERE so there is no need for me to write more on this subject.
12.1 hangs/waits on boot till Ethernet cable is connected
This happened to my Thinkpad W520 after the first week. On boot, 12.1 will hang indefinitely (okay, I waited for 10 minutes) until I physically connect a Ethernet/LAN cable... and in less than 5 seconds, KDE4 appears and all is well. I can unplug the LAN cable thereafter and everything continued to work. It just needed a LAN connection on boot.
I am using NetworkManager on my Thinkpad.
Worked around this challenge by switching to System V init on boot (see my first section in this entry). I do not know much about the differences between Systemd and System V init but this did the trick... until I got tired of constantly pressing F5 on boot...
Next, I disabled the network and network-remotefs services. As root, execute yast2 runlevel. In the Systems Services GUI, go into the Expert mode and locate network and network-remotefs. Disable the two services from starting at boot by un-checking the boxes next to 3 and 5.
Now, I can boot up 12.1 with the default Systemd and NetworkManager takes care of connecting to different Wifi and LAN connection. The drawback for me is my NFS targets do not get mounted automatically on boot. A minor annoyance... yet, I am sure there will be more because I intend to use KVM and its bridged networking interface will not start without rcnetwork started.
vm-install wizard fail to mount ISO during VM installation on KVM
This is a really annoying one because you would least expect a silly error of being unable to mount an ISO.
KVM installed smoothly using YaST. The natural next step is to create a virtual machine (ie a virtualized 12.1). In openSUSE, we use the vm-install GUI. You either invoke this GUI directly or it gets triggered from the virt-manager GUI. Everything seems to work well until I hit the OK button to create the VM. vm-install complains about being unable to mount the 12.1 DVD ISO and claims it does not have sufficient permission! Is there a higher level than root?
To overcome this, I installed apache2 webserver and manually mounted the 12.1 DVD ISO into /srv/www/htdocs/software/openSUSE12.1/x86_64/. This is described in my previous post in more detail HERE.
In vm-install, instead of mounting the ISO, I use the Network Installation option and pointed it to my local apache2 webserver serving up the binaries. It worked of course but this feels like using my right index finger, reaching around the back of my neck, to scratch my left ear. Hmmmmm.....
A cooler alternative, as suggested by James, was to use SUSE Studio to create a 12.1 KVM image, download it and run it locally. :)
That's it for this entry.


text:
Neapolitan Basil: A Flavor That Stands Up Well to High Heat
The man known 'round this parts as Pizzablogger (Pizzablogger.org) emailed yesterday, saying:
Any of you eaten or grown Neapolitan basil?
I've grown Sweet, Genovese, Greek, and Thai before, but never Neapolitan. I got some seeds this year and started the seeds seven weeks ago. Today was the first day I really needed to do some serious pinching to encourage a bushier, more compact habit. Got five going in plastic 5-gallon paint buckets.
What's New On Serious Eats
Only about 5 hours of direct sun in my "backyard," but they are doing quite well (I think the Madonna—plastic trailer-park light-up version at that—helps the growth). The leaves are quite large and the flavor is very different....with a pronounced licorice flavor and some pepperiness. The strong flavors stand up well to the heat of an oven during pizza making.
Hmmm. Unless some wily pizza-maker has slipped Neapolitan basil on a pizza I've eaten without making a big deal about it, I don't think I've had Neapolitan basil. I, too, have grown Thai basil and whatever passes for the "standard" basil you get at the hardware store in the seed-packet display but never specifically Neapolitan basil. Thanks for sharing, Pizzablogger!
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


text:
Thousands of Syrians rallied Thursday in Damascus in a display of loyalty to President Bashar Assad, waving flags under a slate gray sky to protest the anniversary of a rebellion that the government says is driven by terrorists, gangsters and extremists.
Outside the Syrian capital, however, tanks and snipers besieged opposition areas, including the southern city of Daraa where the uprising began a year ago, touched off by the arrest of a group of youths who scrawled anti-regime graffiti on a wall.
One year into the Syrian revolt, the fight to oust Assad is cascading toward civil war with more than 8,000 killed and no end in sight to the bloodshed. Worst-case scenarios are playing out in a country where many remain shackled by corruption, a suffocating security apparatus and a family dictatorship that rules over 22 million people.
"We know that this is a criminal regime, but we didn't expect it to reach this amount of killing," Amer Mattar, a 26-year-old activist, told The Associated Press from Jordan, where he fled to safety after being arrested twice in Syria.
Despite widening international condemnation and biting sanctions, Assad's regime has remained intact and intelligence analysts say the rebels have yet to pose a serious challenge to his powerful military.
Assad also has retained the support of many in Syria's business classes and minority communities, who worry they would lose protections under a new regime. Still others harbor an understandable fear of the unknown, given the rampant divisions within the opposition.
The threat of sectarianism is omnipresent. Assad has played on fears of sectarian strife — which were so destructive in neighboring Iraq and Lebanon — to persuade the public that protests will bring nothing but chaos.
Syria's regional allegiances to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have raised fears of wider violence.
Western and Arab countries have struggled to stop the bloodshed by calling on Assad to step down and imposing sanctions. But Russia and China have protected Syria from censure by the U.N. Security Council. Many in the opposition say only military aid can stop the killing and bring Assad down, but no countries are openly arming the opposition.
The most potent armed force opposing Assad is the rebel Free Syrian Army, made up largely of army defectors. But the force remains highly decentralized, with its leaders living in neighboring countries, and it cannot create a zone akin to the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi that was the center of the successful uprising against Moammar Gadhafi last year.
In the past year, the Syrian rebels briefly seized small amounts of territory, most recently in the Baba Amr district of Homs and the city of Idlib in northern Syria. But both areas came under a ferocious siege by government troops and were retaken with heavy rebel and civilian losses.
Rebels held out for nearly four weeks of relentless shelling and sniper fire in Baba Amr, transforming the neighborhood into a symbol of the uprising. The humanitarian situation in the district, part of the third-largest city in Syria, remains catastrophic for civilians.
The Assad regime has blocked most foreign media from the country to report on the uprising, but some have sneaked in anyway — and several Western journalists have been killed in the fighting. Damascus allowed in a group of Arab League observers in December, but the mission was halted amid accelerating bloodshed.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon used Thursday's anniversary to report that well over 8,000 people have died in the past 12 months because of what his spokesman called the Syrian government's decision "to choose violent repression over peaceful political dialogue."
U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said a Syrian government-led mission will visit Homs, Hama, Daraa and other cities at the center of the uprising this weekend, accompanied by U.N. and Organization of Islamic Cooperation staff who will assess humanitarian needs.
Thursday's pro-regime rallies were orchestrated by the government to overshadow opposition plans to mark the anniversary. Syria postponed the observance of Arab Teacher Day — a holiday — for one week, apparently to make it easier to bus in state employees and students to the rallies.
Still, the attendance was significant and a reminder that while the opposition movement has attracted an extraordinary backing, Assad still enjoys support.
As the wave of Arab Spring protests got under way in Tunisia and Egypt last year, Assad insisted that his country was different. In January 2011, he told the Wall Street Journal that the wave of uprisings — which had not yet reached Syria — signaled a "new era."
But he said his country was insulated from the upheaval because he understood his people's needs and had united them in common cause against Israel.
His early optimism quickly appeared wildly misplaced.
The arrest of a group of teenagers in Daraa for scrawling anti-regime graffiti on a wall sparked a wave of anger in the impoverished southern province. The government responded swiftly with force, setting off a cycle of rage and reprisal that spread across the country.
In the early days, protesters carried olive branches and shouted, "Peaceful, peaceful."
But the regime insisted it was fighting foreign terrorists and armed gangs, denying there was a popular will behind the revolt. Thousands poured into the streets despite the certainty that they would be met with force.
Activists and human rights groups say tens of thousands of Syrians have been arrested, imprisoned or tortured as the regime tries to crush its opponents. Refugees leave their homes daily, often under fire, to set out for neighboring Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.
A Turkish official said Thursday that violence in the north had sent more than 1,000 Syrians crossed into Turkey in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of Syrian refugees there to at least 14,700.
As the conflict continued, an increasing number of Syrians took up arms. According to activists, Assad's opponents have been forced to carry weapons because the government used tanks, snipers and machine guns to crush peaceful protests.
Omar, a 17-year-old who asked that his full name not be published for fear of reprisal, was shot in the shoulder and chest in Daraa on March 23, 2011. He estimated that hundreds were wounded, and many killed, in the assault.
"They laughed at us, instead of helping us," the slightly built youth said of the security forces. "Some of the wounded were left to die."
Doctors removed bullets from his body at a hospital, but he and other patients had to flee as news spread that government forces were about to enter the facility.
"I quickly dressed and was told to say that I just had my appendix removed, if someone questioned me," he said, citing fear that anybody believed to have been protesting would face reprisals — even if they were wounded.
"The injured prefer to die rather than go to public hospitals because they can be arrested, possibly tortured, and even killed there," said Abdelrazzaq al-Saiedi, a Mideast researcher for Physicians for Human Rights, based in Cambridge, Mass.
Mazen, 33, was treated at a private home after he was shot by security forces in Daraa. He was hit during a funeral for a doctor who apparently was killed for treating the wounded.
"All of us were injured in our upper bodies. Their aim was shoot to kill," said Mazen, who also asked that his full name not be used.
Both Omar and Mazen are being treated in Jordan due to complications from their wounds.
Mattar, the Syrian activist living in Jordan, said he still expects the regime will fall, but he is prepared for a long slog.
"For sure, the country will take a long time to put itself back together after all this killing and destruction," he said. "Syria will need lots of psychological repair after all of this."


text:
I've recently become quite interested in climbing, and I have been frequenting a local gym. As I become more serious, I'm curious how to most quickly improve.
For example,
- Should I focus on improving strength or technique?
- What is the best way to go about such improvement?
- Are there any essential books or reference sites?
Any advice is appreciated.


text:
Roper Music is proud to be an authorized instrument dealer for the Fender® brand. From amateurs to seasoned musicians alike, Fender® is highly prized world-wide for their sound, their name and their history.
With an illustrious history dating back to 1946, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in nearly every genre: rock 'n' roll, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues, and many others. Everyone from beginners and hobbyists to the world's most acclaimed artists and performers have used Fender instruments and amps, and legendary Fender instruments such as the Telecaster® and Stratocaster® guitars and Precision® and Jazz® bass guitars are universally acclaimed as design classics.
From the first mass produced solid-body Spanish-style Electric in the Fender® Telecaster® to the revolutionary Precision Bass guitar, Fender® has remained a creative force in the music scene. Fender® uses innovation to build instruments that are leaders in sound, quality, playability and versatility.
Fender® had always recognized the importance of an open-door policy for professional musicians, accommodating their requests for specific features on an individual basis. The Fender® Custom Shop has since become known worldwide and industry-wide as the pinnacle of craftsmanship and sheer instrumental artistry.
Price: $499.00
Price: $624.00
Price: $524.99
Price: $1,499.00
Price: $849.99
Price: $599.99
Price: $599.99
Price: $624.00
Price: $624.00


text:
As a producer of Duck products you have some key challenges:
- How can you minimize giveaway and downtime?
- How can you increase packing line efficiency?
- How can you improve pack presentation?
SF Engineering provides high quality process line solutions for duck processing plants across Europe. We design and implement automated systems for each step of the journey, from weighing and packing to grading and distribution.
SF Engineering develops our own precision-engineered food processing systems, and we also supply and install systems from Ishida, Ceia and other leading partners. You benefit from integrated systems designed to work together efficiently and reliably.
Learn about the systems we provide for these key production processes:
Talk to SF Engineering Now
Call us now at +353 (0) 71 91 63334 or +44 (0) 1487 740131 or email email@example.com or email@example.com to discuss your requirements with us. Alternatively click on the Request a Callback button below to arrange for one of our team to contact you.