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Mechanical Engineering and Theater Blend for Success
As an engineer at L'Oreal, Cassidy DeSchryver '11 uses her Mechanical Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology to support Technical Packaging Development, but her job is about much more than diagrams and project management. In working with marketers, manufacturers, and designers to provide holistic guidance in product development, Cassidy sees her role as primarily a creative one.
"It's my job to bring these worlds together and create something beautiful," she says.
Cassidy sees this combination of technical and managerial duties as a natural outgrowth of her Mechanical Engineering education, which requires students to learn diverse engineering skills and coordinate different aspects of a project. After participating in Cooperative Education to experience jobs in the biomedical, automotive, and manufacturing fields, Cassidy believes that she's found the perfect balance of hard and soft skills in her career.
This is a blend reinforced in the performing arts at Stevens. "One of the great things about working in the Stevens Dramatic Society is how much you can learn. There's practical things and there's also teamwork and learning how to teach others what you know how to do."
Cassidy became interested in both engineering and theater during high school. While she was active in stage productions her senior year, she also had a teacher that encouraged her to consider a technical field when selecting a college. She chose Mechanical Engineering as her major, "because it's very hands-on and requires knowledge from many different fields."
Even though she will be working with CAD drawings and not stage lights, going on stage has had definite returns for her professional career. "Performing has given me the comfort and confidence to give a technical talk at work. I know that if something goes wrong, then I can recover and keep going on. It's been invaluable preparation for talking to executives or giving a company presentation."
While at Stevens, Cassidy also found performing to be a stress reliever. "Theater is like my sport. Theater lets me exercise another part of my personality, express myself creatively, and participate in something bigger than myself."
For students concerned about theater affecting their academics, Cassidy is a great example of how to successfully balance schoolwork, co-op jobs, and extracurriculars. "When you concentrate only on one thing, I think you pigeon-hole yourself," she advises. "You get enriched by trying something new and pushing your comfort zone, by exploring new horizons of what you can do."
Cassidy invites anyone curious about performing to give it a try. "Some of our most successful members had never done it before Stevens. If you have any interest at all in doing theater, I say you definitely have to do it. Even if you're not sure, you should try it, because you never know what you are going to fall in love with."


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Two graduation cakes for a gal from church. Jenna is headed to college on a Tennis Scholarship!! Felicitaciones Jenna! She is also a Spanish major. I was so thankful for Stampin' Ups! Spanish version of the Catalog and Idea Book so I could look up the correct spelling for her cake.
It was so cute to see Jenna jump up and down, so excited when her cakes arrived. I love being a special part of their special days.
Pin It Now!
Felicitaciones Jenna!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Posted by Christi Waite at 12:12 AM
Labels: Cakes, Graduation, Tennis
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subset: commoncrawl


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A new report finds that some cheap jewelry contains nasty stuff, including lead, cadmium, mercury and more. From MotherJones.com:
The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center found that 57 percent of the 99 pieces of jewelry it test contained high levels of toxic components like lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and bromine. Twenty-seven percent of pieces contained more than 300 parts per million (ppm) of lead—which far exceeds the 100 ppm limit for children's products the Consumer Product Safety Commission set last year. Forty-seven percent contained detectible levels of the "extremely toxic metal" cadmium, which is also a "probable carcinogen" according to the EPA. Thirteen percent had high levels of arsenic, and 5 percent had high levels of mercury.
The Center noted that some of these chemicals are linked to health risks like birth defects, learning disorders, liver toxicity, and cancer, or can cause allergic reactions.
The group tested 99 pieces of jewelry purchased in December 2011 from 14 retailers in six states (Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Vermont). Most of the jewelry was under $10.
The retailers: Ming 99 Cent City, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Big Lots, Claire's, Forever 21, Glitter, Walmart, H&M, Meijers, Kohl's, Justice, Icing and Hot Topic.
Of the 99 items they tested:
59% of products tested were rated as having HIGH level of concern due the presence of one or more hazardous chemical detected at high levels
47 of 99 (47%) of jewelry contained detectable levels of cadmium
27 of 99 (27%) of jewelry contained greater than 300 ppm lead in one or more components. 300 ppm is the CPSC limits of lead in children's products
Mother Jones contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission who said they only regulate children's jewelry. A new voluntary industry standard was created in November, but it also covers only children's jewelry.


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Back from his European tour, Hudhur delivered his Friday Sermon from Baitul Futuh today.
Hudhur said the Tabshir department had been planning a trip of Western African countries for Hudhur. However, earlier this year it came to light that the internal political situation of the region was not conducive to a trip and the plan was cancelled. There was no plan to visit any other country after this cancellation. When Hudhur was informed about the dates of Jalsa Salana in Spain he wished to visit the country and also considered visiting Italy. When the Swiss Jama'at came to know of this, they requested Hudhur that as he would be in the neighbouring countries could he visit them as well.
Thus these visits came to pass without any planning and with the grace of God were extremely blessed. While Hudhur's visits were a source of enhancing the faith of people of the Jama'ats he went to, Hudhur felt they were the same for him and he had a heightened perception of wisdom in all that God wills.
Hudhur said although a programme to visit Spain had been made, he had not informed the Spanish Jama'at that he would attend their Jalsa and their Ameer sahib requested that owing to Hudhur's visit should they move the Jalsa forward. This is when Hudhur explained to them that he was aware of the Jalsa dates and that is why he chose the particular time to visit. Hudhur said he was relating all this to specify the spontaneity of the plan.
Hudhur said the first stay of the tour was in France. Many from Algerian and Moroccan backgrounds as well as people from old French colonies are been drawn to the Jama'at here and are taking their bai'ats. With the grace of God they are integrating and active in the Jama'at and many are part of the national amila. While Hudhur was there a few bai'ats took place amidst extremely emotional conditions. When Hudhur spoke with them, all they asked was that prayers be made for the strengthening of their faith. Hudhur said their eyes and their gestures conveyed their deep sincerity and connection with Khilafat and it is most difficult to express that in words. Hudhur said we may have read about it in reports but in Hudhur's view it is difficult to express the sincerity of the new converts in words. Hudhur also said that in whichever country he went Arab-speaking Ahmadis told him that they had heard the message of Ahmadiyyat via MTA Al Arabia. They had prayed after listening to the message and God guided them. Some of them were guided by God through dreams in which they either saw the blessed face of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) or one of his Khulafa. The Arab Ahmadis would pray for every single Ahmadi presenter on MTA Al Arabia by name, especially those who participate in the Question and Answer sessions. Hudhur prayed that may God reward those who spend night and day in broadcasting the message of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and may He enhance their faith as well as those who work on the other channels of MTA, those who stay behind the scenes but render extraordinary services.
Hudhur said two days in France were spent as if in the blinking of the eye. Hudhur arrived in Pedro Abad, Spain after travelling for two days. Here, quite a few Ahmadis from Portugal and Morocco have settled. Portugal is still under the Jama'at of Spain but following Hudhur's visit a missionary sahib has now arrived there. They are trying to seek land to build a mosque there, may God enable them to achieve this soon as this helps greatly in taking care of the new converts and further Tabligh. The Sadr sahib from Morocco had also come there. Morocco was also under the Spanish Jama'at but now they are progressing. Many Arab-speaking people took their bai'at and guests in general had a very good impression of the Jalsa in Spain. During his last Spanish visit Hudhur had drawn attention to building a mosque in Valencia. A property was soon purchased and used as a mission house but the local authorities restricted the building of a mosque. Now, the situation seems to be improving in this regard and on this hope Hudhur has laid the foundation stone for a mosque. Hudhur said we should pray that may God remove any impediment in the bureaucracy. Hudhur said Valencia is a beautiful region and here Muslims adhered to their faith three to four hundred years after Islamic governance in Europe. May God bring it in the embrace of Islam once again. Hudhur said his ten to twelve days stay in Spain was quite busy. They reached their next stop, Italy, after travelling for three days.
Here too God's grace was experienced. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) had sent a missionary, Malik Sharif sahib, to Rome in Italy in 1937 and he did some successful Tabligh there. When WWII broke out Malik sahib spent time in a POW camp. Later, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Ibrahim Khalil sahib and Maulwi Muhammad Usman sahib to Italy and appointed Malik sahib the Ameer. Malik sahib sent the duo to Sicily. After some difficulties as well as some faith-inspiring successes, the mission closed down in Italy. Malik Sharif sahib continued his work in Italy till 1955 by arranging his own means of livelihood but Ahmadiyyat did not remain established. Now some Pakistani as well as some Ghanaian Ahmadis have settled here as well as some extremely devoted Arabs. Hudhur said as he had explained in his Friday Sermon, the Jama'at here is being enabled to build a mosque. The local mayor and councillors are very supportive, may God reward them for this. Here too a few bai'ats took place. At a reception the local mayor as well as dignitaries from neighbouring areas expressed their support and Hudhur informed them about the beautiful teachings of Islam in light of the Holy Qur'an and drew their attention to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). At the reception Hudhur also cited the initial protest regarding our centre and then with God's grace, the mayor's support as well as the architect's who is doing renovating work for us.
Hudhur said next was the trip to Switzerland. Before leaving London, Hudhur had come to know about the current Turin Shroud Exhibition. The sadr sahib asked if Hudhur wished to see it and Hudhur readily agreed. Sadr sahib spoke to the Church officials who were happy to arrange for Hudhur to visit. On the way to Switzerland, Hudhur's cavalcade stopped at Turin. Hudhur said he believes this arrangement was through God. Mir Mahmood sahib had informed Hudhur beforehand about this exhibition and had suggested to send a scholar to view it so that he could be witness to it. However, God facilitated Hudhur himself to view the exhibition. Upon reaching the exhibition Hudhur was greeted by the director of the exhibition and they went in through a special entrance. Although photography is not allowed but when Hudhur asked they allowed photographs to be taken without the use of flash. Initially images of the shroud were shown on a large screen with explanation about all the various images. It was also explained that the location of the shroud can be traced back to the fourteenth century but some facts also point to where the shroud was kept dating back to the fifth century. The exact measurements of the cloth of the shroud were given and the director of the exhibition said that the image on the shroud is that of a very pious person and on deliberation we find that it is the image of Jesus (on whom be peace). The first ever photograph taken of the shroud was by Seconda Pia in 1898 in which a positive image could be seen through the negative.
Next the director took Hudhur to the Church where the relic is exhibited [on the alter] in a large glass case which is filled with certain gases to conserve the cloth. The public viewing was discontinued while Hudhur's entourage viewed the glass case from the nearest aisle and some photographs were taken. Hudhur said had we sent someone else to view the shroud they may not have had such a chance to observe. The exhibition brochure read that the pollens found on the shroud indicate that the cloth originates from Palestine and the Middle East and that it is the burial cloth of Jesus (on whom be peace).
Hudhur said prior to 1898 when its photograph was taken the cloth was considered sacred, but after the photographic image it was considered the burial cloth of Jesus (on whom be peace). The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote his book Jesus in India in 1899 in which he cites Jesus escaping death on the Cross and gives a detailed account. Up till that time perhaps nothing was available about the burial cloth in English language therefore the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has not mentioned it. However it was during his lifetime that God had facilitated further evidence about Jesus (on whom be peace) escaping death on the Cross.
Next the director took Hudhur to the Cathedral and onto the library. In the library Hudhur was introduced to their resident expert on Islamic knowledge. Hudhur was greeted most courteously and conversation ensued. Hudhur told them the visit was spontaneously planned when Hudhur came to know of the exhibition. He told them that we definitely consider this cloth to belong to Jesus (on whom be peace), however, our viewpoint differs to theirs in that we believe when the Jews wanted to crucify Jesus (on whom be peace) God saved him and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has proved that Jesus (on whom be peace) survived the Cross and this cloth is not a testimony of his death rather it is a testimony of his staying alive, escaping death on the Cross, therefore it is a blessed cloth. Hudhur was asked if he too considered that Jesus (on whom be peace) had passed away in Kashmir. Hudhur explained that it was indeed the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who had proved this. Hudhur told them he considered it his good fortune that he could see the burial cloth. They mentioned the suffering of Jesus (on whom be peace) and Hudhur told them that Prophets of God endure much hardship, in this age the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) too endured suffering. They enquired about the Jama'at and wanted to know why we maintained connections with other religions and believed in dialogue. Hudhur explained that we believe there is no compulsion in religion, God has sent His teaching and it is our task to take its message to others. Besides, in light of human values we respect people of all religions and communicate with them.
Hudhur said the current exhibition has taken place after ten years and God had connected Hudhur's trip to it. The Pope is visiting the exhibition on 2 May but God enabled Hudhur to see it beforehand. During conversation Hudhur mentioned that the Christian world is progressing in worldly terms and this is due to the suffering of Jesus (on whom be peace) and due to God's promises and that it was Hudhur's prayer that may they understand the real message of Jesus (on whom be peace) and spread it. During his visit of the library Hudhur offered if they would accept five volume translation and commentary of the Qur'an in English as well as a detailed Arabic translation done by Momin Tahir sahib for the library and they replied in the affirmative. Hudhur said thus we had the opportunity to introduce Islam and Jama'at during this educational visit. He prayed that may the Christian world accept that the Turin Shroud is in fact a proof of a miraculous sign of Jesus (on whom be peace) escaping death on the Cross.
Hudhur said in Rabwah research is being carried out under the supervision of Mir Mahmood sahib on the ointment used by Jesus (on whom be peace) at the time of crucifixion. The research has proved that its usage under certain temperature and conditions can produce images on cloth, they experimented this on a boy. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) had said that chemical reactions also cause images to occur on cloth.
Hudhur said a Christian scholar Norma Weller had written most favourably about the research of Mir Mahmood sahib's team. He said in order to prove the truth of Islam God makes Christians articulate matters which support our beliefs. The research is being carried out to furnish further facts to the world, as for our belief, it is definite that Jesus died a natural death. Hudhur said currently there is yet another drive to disqualify the burial cloth as a fake because the images on it prove that Jesus (on whom be peace) was alive and that is not acceptable to the Christian world. In fact now Muslims too have put a restriction on viewing the grave of Hadhrat Isa (on whom be peace) in Kashmir, perhaps a link in a wider conspiracy. If only the Muslims would prove the superiority of Islam through what is in their hands.
Next Hudhur read a few extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on the ointment of Jesus and his journey to India. About his book 'Jesus in India' the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that he would prove in the book that neither Jesus (on whom be peace) died on the Cross, nor was he raised bodily to the heavens. In fact, he reached the old age of 120 years and passed away in Sri Nagar, India. He first proves this through Biblical proves, then with reference to Qur'an and Hadith, then medical testimonies regarding the properties of the ointment and finally through historical testimonies. He said that it is not possible that any person, regardless of his belief, who read the book from cover to cover, would not be inclined that the concept that Jesus (on whom be peace) was raised to the heavens as idle and false.
Hudhur said he met with a very level-headed young Italian man in Switzerland who has translated some of our literature in Italian and is currently translating 'Jesus in India' in Italian. May God increase his knowledge and insight.
After Jummah Hudhur left Switzerland for France, here he stayed at Strasbourg. This is the centre of European parliament and we have about two hundred Ahmadis residing here. Hudhur said the delightful aspect of this is that 70% of them are non-Pakistani Ahmadis and are most sincere. Two bai'ats took place here, Hudhur met with some local personalities and also met with the representative of the Archbishop. Hudhur said he was a most decent person who has lived in some Arab countries. He said to Hudhur that the three religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam share one common belief that there is One God. Hudhur told him if that is what he believes it is very good. The Qur'an informs us:'…'O People of the Book! come to a word equal between us and you…' (3:65). Hudhur said he was amazed that he mentioned One God. He also told Hudhur that he often listens to Hudhur's sermons on MTA. Hudhur said majority of the Ahmadis in Strasburg are Arabic-speakers and many had been informed through dreams that Hudhur was passing by the area. Ameer sahib France wrote to Hudhur that when Hudhur was travelling to Spain from France on 29 March, he received a bai'at form in the post from a French national lady of Moroccan origin. She wrote that she watched MTA regularly and had dreamed that an Ahmadi cavalcade passes here and she joins them. Ameer sahib asked her where she lived in response she named the exact area from where Hudhur had passed en route Spain, that was the very day she had filled her bai'at form.
Hudhur said although this trip was planned spontaneously, yet it received many blessings of God and many bai'ats took place. May God enhance the faith of new Ahmadis and may we always experience progress of our Jama'at. This grace of God is in support of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and in accordance to Divine promises made to him and it strengthens our faith. May God always bestow His grace on us.
Related Resources


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FORT WAYNE, IN — The YWCA of Fort Wayne, IN, recently closed the sports club portion of its center due to declining usage and increased costs for maintenance staffing.
Closing the sports club will save the facility about $1.3 million of its annual $3.5 million budget. The YWCA closed its pool last June after which membership plunged from 2,500 to 1,500.
After that, the Y opted to reduce the space for its sports club from 93,000 square feet to 84,700 square feet, eliminate about 20 aquatic staff jobs and put the 23-acre campus up for sale. Becky Hill, executive director of the YWCA, said the changes were made to not only cut costs at the location but also to focus more on the YWCA's national branding campaign of "Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women."


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TMC Blue and closed toe shoes!
Street parking available
Rain or Shine!
Your tax-deductible donation provides opportunities for veterans to refocus their military skill
sets so they can continue serving our country as leaders in their communities.
Become a service leader through a six-month community-based leadership program. Learn through
real-world application by partnering with a community organization.
Serve and share peer support regularly with a team of veterans and civilians while tackling
serious local issues and building stronger communities.


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You are here
Ed. Note cross post from Brookhaven National Laboratory
When you think of the Department of Energy, what do you think of? The national laboratories? The Department's leadership role in reliable, clean and affordable energy? Scientific discovery and innovation? Nuclear security? DOE has a role in all of these things, and more. Now, do you think about the Department of Energy's connection with higher education? Probably not, but we want to change that.
EDUconnections is a year old project, and through it we celebrate our university partners, spotlighting a different higher education institution every month.
The Department of Energy supports a diverse portfolio of research at colleges, universities, research facilities and institutions across the nation. Big science and interdisciplinary teams are balanced with investments in research projects. The Department also supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and almost half of the Department's Office of Science's research funding goes each year to support research at more than 300 colleges, universities and research institutions nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) connects with university research departments and libraries across the nation to increase awareness of DOE's valuable scientific and technical information. Since 1947 OSTI's mission has been to advance science and sustain technological creativity by making research and development findings available to Department of Energy researchers, the American public and internationally. OSTI believes that shared knowledge is the enabler of scientific progress, and that accelerating the sharing of knowledge will accelerate discovery. The internet has had a large impact on access to research; our databases are the largest national sources of energy and science R&D information in the world and can be used by anyone who has access to the internet. Through ".EDUconnections", OSTI "spotlights" individual universities with connections to DOE scientific research programs. We encourage everyone to visit the "Spotlight" Page to see the wide variety of universities that are supporting and advancing scientific research and discovery.
In August we featured Michigan State University. For over 150 years, Michigan State University has advanced knowledge and transformed lives through innovative academic programs, research and outreach. MSU is recognized internationally as a top research university and as a leader in international engagement, and the progress made on the conceptual design and research and development at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams is a prime example of this leadership and expertise.
".EDUconnections" is expanding and improving every month as we receive feedback from our university partners. MSU enthusiastically responded to its Spotlight by announcing it on Twitter and on Facebook (with several positive comments and over 100 "Like" responses). In addition, it was highlighted at by the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at Michigan State University and by a letter from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.
We thank the Spartans for their enthusiastic support and hope to continue to work with them in the future. Mesalands Community College is spotlighted in September…stay connected to .EDUconnections to see when your institution is spotlighted.


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Sunday, May 9, 2010
Momma Final Installment
"Whatever you do don't fall asleep. I know your body wants to but trust me, stay up. Get out and walk around, take a shower, call home or whatever but just stay awake if you have any hope to fall asleep tonight" I was standing in the lobby of a hotel on the other side of the world. A room that was saturated with more history than I could even imagine and Michael Sullivan of Beaune Imports was instructing us on what to do with our time before we were to meet back in that same history soaked lobby before heading out to dinner. I looked down at my large bags then to the very narrow and slightly winding staircase and thought, "Well shit it's going to take me an hour to lug those things up to my room". My body felt heavier than it ever had, the excess booze the night before leaving, the more booze on the flight over and flying for eleven or so hours with about two hours sleep total…heavy. "Hey, while it's still light why don't we go see a bit of the city? It's your first time here…let's go take a little walk and maybe share a bottle of Champagne. Meet me back here in an hour" I heard the words and was thankful for the direction in my fuzzy headed, fuzzy hearted condition.
I met Sonya my sales rep for Beaune Imports in the lobby as instructed one hour later, my eyes even puffier from crying once I dropped my bags in my ultra tiny room. Jeans, sneakers and a black hooded sweatshirt to protect my skin from the cold March air, I headed out behind my tiny little leader. The sweatshirt was so not needed…I couldn't feel anything. We weaved our way through the crowded streets, streets teaming with pink cheeked, scarf clad people walking so quickly I feared getting swallowed up or lost amongst them. We found a corner bistro and weaved our bodies around tables full of folks talking, drinking, smoking and intently spearing little bits of food on their forks and then using their knives to distribute sauce on the selected bite. We settled into our little corner table asked for wine list and as I leaned back in my too-small-for-me chair…I felt. Felt the cold iron back of my chair pressed against my sweatshirt covered back. Felt the noise and energy of the room. Felt that my little companion was talking although my head was swimming, trying to doggy paddle through the wave that was coming over me. Her words muffled in a way that reminded me of my summers spent with my legs locked on the side of the pool, my whole body underwater listening to the voices of the other kids at camp…the kids I didn't quite fit in with. As I floated there in that Paris bistro, muffled voices, once again feeling just a bit out of place I wondered if she had been here before. If forty years ago she had stopped into this restaurant for a bite, a cup of coffee…a rum and coke, sitting there is that space in the city that always seemed to hold an almost mystical "What if" for my mother I felt an old familiar feeling. Would she be angry, hurt or disappointed that I was here? Was I once again taking something that was hers? I'm not sure when the glass of Champagne appeared but as I felt my heart sinking, my spirit plummeting, my chest feeling like it was about to burst open I saw it. I grabbed the glass at first in an attempt to wash or stuff down the swell of emotions that threatened to take over me but….it ended up being yet another life line in the shape of a glass.
As I felt the tiny bubbles tickle my lips and the broad yeasty flavor spread across my palate it occurred to me, my mother wasn't there making me feel guilty, saying hurtful things or demanding that I be more concerned with her feeling than mine…I was. As that first glass of Champagne slipped into my body I felt myself coming up for air. Everything became so clear to me; the bustle of a busy Pairs bistro, the cold iron chair against my back, the conversation happing at my table…I was a million miles away from that life, that hurt and if I wanted to move on I needed to stop plunging myself under water. "Oh Sam are you cold?" Sonya asked as she grabbed my hand….shaking, I was shaking.
My mother was never going to be a woman that would throw one of her children out of the house. We were the only real happiness she had and all the love she had ever felt came from us but my brother's addiction was becoming a cancer that was slowly eating away at us all. For so much of my life my mother was the only person I had, we were unbelievably close and for some reason I was always so afraid that I was going to lose her. Not for some reason, she created that fear through her dramatic outbursts and fits of rage. I was convinced that if I left her side that she would either run away….or worse. I began sleeping with her when I was little not because I was afraid of the dark but because I was afraid of her dark.
As things hit the boiling point at the "thousand square feet" I was gone as much as I could be, doing anything I could to just be away from the sickness that felt like it was choking the life out of each and every one of us. My newfound sensuality had me taking the easiest way out, the cheapest way out and a way out that almost destroyed my just beginning family, another man. I sought comfort, peace and sanctuary in the arms of another man. I hated myself for it, hated my then boyfriend for ignoring it but no one hated it more than my mother. In this house of sadness, loneliness, rage and addiction I became the villain…the most loathsome character in a cast of pretty dark figures. One night while explaining to Jeremy that the hole knocked in his piggybank, the reason all his collected coins and given dollars were gone was because his uncle was very very sick I saw something in my mother's face…a light and strength that I could not remember seeing in years.
"I'm moving to Boulder. Tessa and I are going to go live with my sister until I can find a job and get my own place" she was moving. She could never throw us out but her disappointment in me and feeling powerless as to what to do with my brother gave her reason enough to do what she had to in order to salvage a life for she and my sister. As terrified as I was to be without her it was the day when I was the most proud that she was my mother. My family moved out first, into the apartment we still live in…my home, this is my real home. I raised my son here, restored and rebuilt my relationship with my boyfriend now husband here. I figured out who I am as woman here. No longer giving in to the pull of my mother's fears or sadness I was able to build a life that I am very proud of. She saved my life by cutting herself free.
My mother and my sister moved back two years later but rather than move back to Long Beach they moved to the high desert, the hope being that someday mom would be able to attain her one and only dream, to buy a house. When she returned things were different, our relationship strained a bit by the sting of me enjoying my life without her and my healing scars from what I saw as abandonment.
"Happy Mother's Day & Happy Birthday!" we all said with glasses high. My mother sitting in her favorite restaurant in Long Beach, the place where she had her first legal drink and had taken us for every special occasion. We had all gathered there, my family, my brother's wife and her two sons, my sister and my mother, to celebrate her. The waitress, the same damn waitress I had seen my whole life remembered our orders and rattled them off before we had a chance to say a thing. My mother was so happy that night, so proud and her power as a woman, as a mother was there sitting around the table, her years of loneliness and sacrifice now before her, happy healthy and raising our glasses to her. Her light was back, the light I used to see when I was four years old and she was holding my tiny hands while teaching me to dance…Stevie Wonder blaring in the background, that light was back.
Three days later as I was getting ready to climb into bed my phone rang, "Sam you need to get up here, now. "
Dear Momma,
I am sorry that I didn't make it. I'm sorry that I was not there to say goodbye. I am sorry that I didn't go into that cold room to see your body one last time. We drove as fast as we could. I still refuse to say goodbye and I was unwilling to let go of my last memory of you…lit up and being adored by your children and grandchildren….as you still very much are.
I'm not sorry we fought. I'm not sorry that I took it upon myself to feel your pain, be your safe place and at times your victim, without all of that I would not be the me that I am now. The woman that ten years later finds herself still so powerfully connected to your life that I find myself here on Mother's Day, glass of Rose as my side…writing you. You were a stronger woman than you ever believed you were and to this day, in front of all the people that read this stoopid blog of mine I proudly say, "Nancy Dugan was my mother. She spent her life struggling with a sadness that could at times make her difficult, but she did the best that she could. Loved with an intensity that gave her children and grandson the strength to overcome some amazing obstacles. She was a mother before she was anything else and it was the one thing she was most proud of. Her fight was one brought on by many unwise choices on her part but she never gave up, never quit and even waited until my baby sister had turned 18, (19 days before she died) to let go. Her struggling heart stopped by a blood clot. She called 911 complaining that she was having trouble breathing, she was gone by the time the paramedics arrived."
Mom, I think of you often. Not every day as I am sure you would prefer but often. When the towers came down on September 11th I ached for you. When I was in that Paris bistro I wished I could call you. When Jeremy graduated high school you should have been there. When Tessa graduated from college we felt as if you were there. Just wanted you to know that we are doing fine. Tessa and I are both married to wonderfully sweet men, (you met Carl…you loved him and he you…he is now my husband) she is now in Grad school and continues to astonish me with how smart and funny she has become. Jeremy, your beloved Jeremy is doing great and just completed his junior year at the University of Louisville…his distance while painful at times makes me so proud of the mother that I have been to him. He is handsome, smart; funny as hell…a smart ass I am sure you are surprised, and just as sweet and gentle as he was when we first brought him home from the hospital. Oh and Mom…Mike is clean, has been for a few years now. He still struggles with holding a job but has found a home where he is adored and feels needed. Seems to be working for now and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
As for me, well I'm the same I guess. I'm still at The Wine Country, still loving it and between the store, my family and this amazing group of people I find myself surrounded by I feel as safe and as loved as I ever have before. I've discovered that I have a love for writing that does at times consume me but in a very good way and as it turns out….this wine thing and this writing thing, pretty good combination for me. I still love music, still dance just like you taught me and still think of you every time I pass a bottle of Vouvray at the store. Vouvray night…the first night I felt that we were two women, not mother and daughter…just two women drinking too much and getting lost in a fit of giggles.
Just know it was not all for nothing Mom. We are all very proud to be your children. You done good lady.
I miss you
We all miss you and….
I guess more than anything I just wanted to say
Thank you.
Nancy Dugan May 17th 1945 – May 20th 2000
The End
19 comments:
- The Woo said...
More comments from far away places Sam... I'm now here in the lounge at Narita/Tokyo airport waiting for my next flight. Let's see how many continents/countries I can post comments from!
I have been waiting to comment on this series of posts until you were done with the series, but now that you have posted them all, I find myself without words. Suffice it to say that what you have written is an extremely moving and powerful tribute to you mother and all mothers. Just imagine how your heart would feel if Jeremy wrote words like this, that were this heartfelt and filled with affection and compassion. Wouldn't your heart just explode in pride and love?
You have delivered this to you mother. Be proud. She would be.
- May 10, 2010 at 1:44 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
I just awoke on my couch to find this comment waiting for me and I am feeling a little "Rock Star" right now...not sure how many bloggers get to say that their readers check in with them while sitting in a Tokyo airport. Check me out.
I will tell you that as read your last line I began crying, Woo my dear....I hope you are right. My mother was raised in a very private family and sharing as much as I have here would have been devastating to her in a way. She would have(and I am sure of this) stopped talking to me for a bit, wounded that I spilled and maybe a little peeved if it was well written. Mom had a love for reading and I am sure that part of that was because it took her away from a life she was less than pleased about, but she never instilled that in her kids. I think it was much like driving, (which she also never taught us to do) in that it would take us away from her. She never read anything I wrote, I never really wrote before she died...our cycle, our thing...me holding back for fear that she would be hurt. To this day I am unsure if whatever writing abilities I have would make her proud. I hope so, I really do.
For now I write for me, the store and the handful of readers I have. I'm not that far removed from that little girl holding her mother's hands....seeking, I am still seeking but have been able to find the adoration I always longed for within the walls of The Wine Country and here. People always sneer at blogs, make fun of them and the people that write them....hell one of my biggest supporters writes a blog doing just that but, this blog has given me far more than I could have ever imagined, could have ever dreamed of. None of this could have ever happened without my mother. I owed her this tribute and as exhausted as it made me...I'm glad I did.
Thank you my dear friend. Thank you for reading...from all your far off places, and thank you for being one of the people that make me feel adored for just being me.
- May 10, 2010 at 4:43 AM
- Ron Washam said...
My Gorgeous Samantha,
It must have been brutally painful to write these posts, to shine a Light in so many dark places, but you've done it admirably and brilliantly and movingly. I think so many of us see our mothers as the broken dreams they were unable to live. How can we not feel a little responsible for their pain?
You're lucky to be able to see and write about your emotional past in ways your mother may not have been able to. Your Mom taught you to dance. That's what mothers do. Teach us to dance.
I love you!
Your HoseMaster
- May 10, 2010 at 9:11 AM
- John M. Kelly said...
Sam the "Momma" series has been your most evocative writing yet. There is nothing I can say about it that has not already been said better by Charlie and Ron, so I'm going to take the easy way out and simply second that emotion.
- May 10, 2010 at 9:40 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Ron My Love,
I have to confess that these posts were very difficult for me to write. They came out so easily, I wrote the first three before work in like an hour from start to publish but I found that I was so tired when I was done...just beat. The last one, the one I wrote on Mother's Day kind of wrecked me, started crying when I typed Dear Momma and cried each time I went back to read it....so please forgive the many typos I know there must be, just can't really get through it myself. My mother did teach me to dance, she loved dancing and although there are only about 6 pictures of me as a little girl I remembered that I had the one of the two of us dancing, think that picture sums up these posts far better than anything I could write. Oh and Sweet Man, I so loved the piece you wrote about your mother...so very loving. I adore you!
Awe c'mon, you are an amazingly articulate man, you must feed my ego and say something wonderful about me!!! I am kidding of course baby and I am just grateful that the posts touched you and I was so very honored that you shared your story as well. I cherish you and am thankful that you come visit.
- May 10, 2010 at 9:53 AM
- Charlie Olken said...
I stand with Ron and John and Woo and everyone else when I say "Thank you".
Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Thank you for getting us in touch with our moms (and dads).
Thank you for allowing your voice, your muse, your gift to grow in such a wonderful way.
Thank you for the community of wonderful folks (yes, wine folks, of course) whom you have attracted here and, in whose company. we have become community.
Thank you, Sam.
- May 10, 2010 at 9:59 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Sir Charles,
Thanking me. You're thanking me?! You guys all share your time with me, come visit, read my silly crap and take the time to add your voice....and YOU are thanking ME? That's just crazy to me. It is I my dear friend, that should be thanking you for the gift of your time. I am always so thrilled when I read that someone is pleased with something I wrote and you Sir are always so giving of your praise here so, thank you Charlie...from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
- May 10, 2010 at 10:25 AM
- Sip with Me! said...
Girl, you are THE master wordsmith. Aside from delivering the most poignant and moving piece I've read in a long time (how exactly do you do it?), you've done an amazing job portraying your mother (faults and all) in a very beautiful light. You've also made me question my own abilities; while I always thought I was a writer, I know you are. Fantastic series!
- May 10, 2010 at 6:40 PM
- Sara Louise said...
Beautiful, moving, heartfelt, and utterly amazing. No words I could write here would possibly do justice to what I read so I'll just say wow.
- May 10, 2010 at 11:57 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Sip & Sara,
You are both so very kind. I just returned and email from a dear friend and reader that asked where I go from here, damn fine question that. I didn't mean for this to turn into a series but when I ran out of time on my first post, (had to get to work) "To be continued" bought me more time which let me kind of develop the story a bit. In the end I must admit that I was kind of proud with how it turned out...AND no one hollered at me for making them cry this time, Woo Hoo!
I'm honored that everyone enjoyed it and touched by all the very sweet words people have been sharing with me about it. When I can make people feel something then I really feel like I have done a good job. So thank you so much....all of you for letting me know that I was able to touch you...makes me very proud.
Now back to silly wine crap....
- May 11, 2010 at 7:29 AM
- Sip with Me! said...
Yeah, well I left out the fact that I had to take several hours to compose myself before coming back to comment and the people at my son's school probably thought I was stoned when I came to pick him up with my red and swollen eyes. So there, damn you for making me cry again!!
- May 11, 2010 at 10:20 AM
- Samantha Dugan said...
Oh dammit!
- May 11, 2010 at 10:54 AM
- The Woo said...
Dude! You are the rock star! This time, I'm coming at you from the Vegas of Asia, also known as the city of Macao. We have an office here and I'm here for a couple of days before heading back to Hong Kong then home again.
You're awesome. Word. Yes, I did just say "word".
- May 12, 2010 at 1:55 AM
- Nancy Deprez said...
Okay, I lost it there. I know you don't love it when we cry reading your blog so I tried to stop that but the final installment - that did it!!!!!!
- May 12, 2010 at 5:42 PM
- Michael Hughes said...
You're three part series was beautiful. I wish I could better express how wonderfully bittersweet it was to me.
- May 12, 2010 at 7:02 PM
- Samantha Dugan said...
You are making me look all bad ass!
(Sighing) I am sorry girlie but if it makes you feel any better it made me cry too.
Thanks darlin' I am glad it was able to touch you. It was bittersweet but in the end, it's just about love...and everything that comes with that. I'm glad you liked it, really.
- May 12, 2010 at 8:35 PM
- Nancy Deprez said...
No need to apologize - just wanted you to know how your words moved me. :)
- May 12, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Dear Momma, these articles rule, even though I only got to spend 11 years knowing Grandma, they were an awesome 11 years. The memories we have of her we live for ever and I know if she was still around she'd be very proud of all of us. Love you ma.
- May 13, 2010 at 7:46 AM
- Griffin Song said...
- October 31, 2014 at 11:25 PM


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The fury sparked in Israel by the UN Human Rights Council's passage of a resolution Thursday – which ordered a fact-finding inquiry into Israeli settlements and their infringement on the rights of Palestinians – has shown no signs of abating, as the Israeli security cabinet is set to meet Sunday afternoon to discuss possible punitive measures.
The UN body resolved "to dispatch an independent international fact-finding mission" to "investigate the implications of Israeli settlements on the…right of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including east Jerusalem." The resolution, the first 'fact-finding mission' authorized by the 47-member Council, was adopted by a vote of 36 to 1, with 10 abstentions. The United States was the lone dissenter. Beyond the predictable reflexive anti-Israel votes (Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Norway), Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium were among those that voted for the resolution. Even those countries that have stood with Israel in past UN votes (Czech Republic, Poland, Guatemala, Hungary) only managed to cast abstentions, which in UN forums is often the closest Israel can get to an expression of support.
In the same session, the Council also approved four other resolutions against Israel: on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (44 for, 1 against [USA], two abstentions [Cameroon, Guatemala]); on the Right of the Palestinian People to Self-Determination (46 for, 1 against [USA]); on the Follow-up to UN Fact-Finding Mission to Gaza (29 for, 1 against [USA], and 17 abstentions); and on Human Rights in the Occupied Syrian Golan (33 for, 1 against [USA], and 13 abstentions). All except for the last resolution were submitted by 'Palestine'.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said that Israel would not be cooperating with the Council: "We have no reason to continue cooperating with a hypocritical organization which specializes in double-speak and has a mission to smear us…We know in advance what their conclusions will be." Israel Radio reported that Israel is considering simply barring entry to delegates of the Council. Ayalon also warned the Palestinian Authority that it should not expect "cooperation" from Israel "while it is fighting it in international forums."
Israel Radio also reported on Sunday that Israel was considering punitive measures against the Palestinians like suspending tax transfers and, according to a report in Yediot Ahronot, freezing an initiative to allocate 5,000 new work permits to Palestinians.
"We have many resources but we will act with discretion and will not shoot from the hip," Ayalon responded when asked what measures Israel might take.
PM Binyamin Netanyahu responded angrily to the vote, saying the Council "should be ashamed of itself…the Council has made 91 decisions, 39 of which dealt with Israel, three with Syria and one with Iran."
Avigdor lieberman, speaking to Israel Radio while on a visit to Singapore said, "[t]his hypocritical organization has nothing to do with human rights. Its bias and lack of objectivity are obvious…We will not be actors in this theatre of the absurd, where 70 percent of the council's decisions are hostile to Israel."
Lieberman continued to blast the Council on Sunday, saying: "We are considering asking free countries like the United States to withdraw from this organization." But the US State Department quickly quashed this possibility by issuing a statement that appeared to defend the Council's work, saying that it had "helped spur action on a series of important human rights situations around the world," but added that the US condemns the Council's anti-Israel bias which "continues to unnecessarily politicize the Council's human rights agenda."


text: the remains of the five most complete North American male early Holocene skeletons to examine patterns of human morphology at the earliest observable time period.... Results indicate that early Holocene males have variable postcranial morphologies, but all share the common trait of wide bodies. This trait, which is retained in more recent indigenous North American groups, is associated with adaptations to cold climates. Peoples from the Americas exhibit wider bodies than other populations sampled globally. This pattern suggests the common ancestral population of all of these indigenous American groups had reduced morphological variation in this trait. Furthermore, this provides support for a single, possibly high latitude location for the genetic isolation of ancestors of the human colonizers of the Americas.


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text:
It's a good time to be a good young skeptic. We're working to make some of them heard, but a number of blog networks/group blogs are coming together to give them a platform like they've never had.
I've linked to The Heresy Club before, lots of times on Twitter and Facebook, where I do much more linking (hint). They're an impressive, diverse bunch who manage to hold positions that are both strong and nuanced while still remaining open to debate. This network has a strong atheist bent, but the inclusion of Hayley Stevens (ghost hunter) and Rhys Morgan (anti-homeopathy activist) means the skepticism here isn't limited to religion.
Originally organized as a group blog with space for students to blog occasionally, Skeptic Freethought has recently reorganized as a blog network. It is still very much centered on students, and it is still eager for guest posts from students who have something to say but don't necessarily want to start a blog to say it. You'll see familiar writers there like Dave Muscato and Ellen Lundgren. I expect they'll grow quickly as they find out how supportive a network can be.
The Young Australian Skeptics have been around for quite a while, but more recently, they've been the home of The Pseudoscientists podcast and not a lot more. They've just changed this, however, with their relaunch yesterday. You will once again find regular, written science and skeptical content on their site.
These bloggers are the future of our movements. Go pay them some nice attention.
Update: Heh. Following this blog post and some funny chatter on Twitter, representatives from all three of the networks featured here are doing a Google hangout to talk about the current skeptical and atheist communities and about being our future. Alex has the details at The Heresy Club.


text:
Certificates in Construction Trades
Career summary: Electricians
Average Salary
National Average, Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook
Very Good
20% job growth by 2022, which is much faster than average
Earn a degree in construction trades from an accredited college
One of the best ways to prepare for a career in construction trades is through a college education. A Certificate will help you develop entry level skills, general construction trades know how and the basic construction trades experience you need to start your career off right. You may also consider a Bachelor's in Construction Trades to help you take your education and career to the next level. Please select construction trades school below.
Why would I want a construction trades degree?
A degree in construction trades will give you the skills needed to work in one of America's largest, and most lucrative, industries. There are also plenty of job opportunities for people who have the right credentials in construction. If you like to work with your hands and enjoy being outside, this may be the perfect field for you.
Job Description
What do people with construction trade degrees do?
Construction trades is a broad, general degree. Some of the things that are studied in a construction trades program include how to plan and direct the completion of construction projects, the use of different tools and machines, construction law, and many other subjects. Due to this broad education, there are a number of different jobs that people with this degree do. Some of the most common jobs that people do after getting a construction trades degree are listed below.
- Building Inspectors: Examine buildings, highways, streets, sewer and water systems, dams, bridges, and other structures to ensure that their construction, alteration, or repairs comply with zoning regulations, building codes, city ordinances, and contract specifications.
- Cost Estimators: They forecast the cost, size, and duration of future projects of various businesses, particularly in construction. Business owners and managers use these estimations to make decisions on whether or not to move forward with projects, and how to bid out projects to make sure they are profitable.
- Construction Managers: They plan, direct, and coordinate all kinds of building projects. Some of their duties include creating master plans, coordinating schedules, supervising sub-contractors, tracking cost overrides, devising reports, obtaining building permits, scheduling deliveries, monitoring progress, checking for compliance with building codes, and meeting with architects, owners, and engineers.
- Masons: They build various structures using bricks, natural stone, and concrete blocks. Some of the most common structures they build include buildings, houses, fences, roads, walkways, and walls.
- Carpenters: They build, install, and repair various structures and fixtures that are primarily made of wood and similar materials. These structures and fixtures may vary widely from bridges to kitchen cabinets.
How much to people in construction trades make?
Salaries in construction trades have a large variation. Some of the variables that determine the level of salaries include the trade, the size of the business (since many people in construction trades run their own business), and the number of hours worked. Below are median salaries for 5 of the most common trades that people with a construction trades degree go into. These figures were taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Building Inspectors: The median annual salary was $50,180 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,070 and $63,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,070.
- Cost Estimators: The median annual salary was $56,510 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,720 and $74,320. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,470.
- Construction Managers: The median annual salary was $79,860 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $60,650 and $107,140. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $47,000, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $145,920.
- Masons: The median wage was $21.94 per hour in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $16.77 and $28.46 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.26/hour, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $35.63/hour.
- Carpenters: The median wage was $18.72 per hour in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.42 and $25.37 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.66/hour, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.34/hour.
Career Outlook
How popular are construction trade jobs?
Construction trade jobs have always been popular, and they will continue to be popular into the foreseeable future. The job growth rate varies depending on the trade, but almost all construction trades will have either an average to above average growth rate through the year 2018. The growth rate ranges from about 12% to 25%.
Career Path
How do I become a professional in construction trades?
Some trades can be learned through apprenticeship or on-the-job training, but others should be learned through a combination of training in the classroom and from experience on the job. No matter which trade you are thinking about going into, you could benefit from formal, in-class training. One of the best degrees for people aspiring to have a career in construction is a construction trades degree, since it gives you a good education on a broad spectrum of subjects related to construction and its various trades.
Salary and career outlook data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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text:
"Slain SC woman was 'loved by everybody' stunned friends, family say," a Wbtv.com headline reads. But, according to Chesterfield County Black Foot Soldier Hampton McKenny Melton wasn't not only not loved by everybody, but she was not loved by those it's most important to be loved by: God, Karma and her (black) neighbors.
"That these filthy creatures who call themselves humans that are white could and do think they are above the universal laws of nature, God and karma bespeaks the psychological sickness that is now inherent in them because of their unwillingness to change.
"Generation, after generation, after generation after generation of their kind have had opportunity to change and abandon the morally degenerate thinking of their conscienceless forefathers," McKenny says.
"Yet, with their denials that restitution is owed for their racially terroristic atrocities against blacks and other members of those within the family of the people of color, every generation of these hypocrites has embraced their forefathers' racism."
"Beverly was a Holocaust denier and a reparations offender who denied restitution is owed too. Those who live off their fore-bearers' crimes yet tell the victims who are the descendants of their forefathers' crimes they are owed nothing and to get over it are the worst kind of hypocrites on the planet.
After allegedly being kidnapped, rapped and beaten to death with a baseball bat, Melton's body was found in a field near the Mount Pisgah area of Kershaw County.
"The wrath of our ancestors, whose justice continues to be denied, is released, our God says. The hunger of spiritual & sincere young, black men like Nickolas Miller who aspire to do the will of God is great. The kidnapping, rape & baseball bat beating your forefathers purchased for her, white America.
"Your continued denial of restitution sealed her fate. Not only according to God did she deserve it, her blood is on your hands. The white race has broken all of the Universe's Divine Laws & will be held accountable for this," South Carolina Penitentiary Islam elder Denmark Vesey is quoted as saying.
"According to the laws of racial karma, Beverly Hope Melton deserved to be kidnapped, raped and beaten to death with a baseball bat. We are confident that brother Nicholas Miller will be greatly rewarded in Heaven for allowing himself to be used as the vessel of karmic retribution God sought to testify to her."
According to National Penitiary Islam elders, the wrath of Laura Nelson, who was viciously & unjustly lynched on May 23, 1911 in Okemah, Oklahoma by racially terroristic whites, has been poured into the land of the living to satisfy God's fulfillment of the prophesy against evil which has manifested itself as vengeance against whites for their failure to make restitution for their race's crimes. Elders allege Nickolas Miller (left) accepted God's Holy Ghost to satisfy His calling.


text:
The Sony Xperia SP, which we got for a quick hands-on last month, has finally arrived in our office.
We've decided to take some quick snaps of it before our review monkeys take it away. Take a look!
Sony's latest offering in the midrange, the Xperia SP, features a 4.6-inch 720p display powered by a dual-core 1.7GHz MSM9860Pro chipset, 1GB of RAM, and Adreno 320 graphics. If you're tired of all the 5-inch flagships floating around, the SP's 4.6-incher comes in at a comfortable size, and its 720p resolution still adds for a respectable pixel density of 319ppi.
The Xperia SP runs the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean build from Sony. Check out our brief video of the device in action, including its unboxing:
The transparent LED strip at the bottom marks a return of a design element first introduced in the Xperia NXT series, and provides notifications in various color combinations.
Be sure to check back with us soon for our full review of the Xperia SP.


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Alan Renwick
In Part 1 of this post, I outlined the basics of Hungary's new electoral law. Now I turn to the question of what we should make of the changes introduced.
Before I get going, I should say that others have been following Hungary's electoral reform debates over recent months and years more closely than I have. I offer my impressions here partly because I know many non-Hungarian-speakers want to know more than they can at present about what has happened, and partly in the hope of initiating conversation with those in Hungary who know much more than I do. I hope you will point out errors, omissions, and points that I ought to think about in more detail.
The key question in thinking about an electoral reform concerns whose interests it is designed to serve. Is it imposed by the government to protect its own interests (what I have elsewhere called elite majority imposition)? Is it agreed among politicians more widely (elite settlement)? Or does it reflect pressure from below, which politicians feel compelled in greater or lesser measure to accommodate (elite–mass interaction)?
A quick look at the final parliamentary vote on the bill shows that this was not a case of elite settlement: the governing parties (the centre-right Fidesz and its Christian Democratic vassal, the KDNP) were united in support of the new electoral law, while the opposition parties were equally united against it. One opposition party – the far-right Jobbik – voted against the bill. The other two – the socialist MSZP and the green/liberal LMP – boycotted the session and headed instead for a demonstration outside parliament.
That's not to say, however, that all aspects of the bill were contested. The opposition parties all supported a sharp reduction in the number of deputies: as government supporters frequently pointed out during the main debate on the principles of the bill on 2nd December, Hungary's parties have long promised a reduction in the size of Parliament without delivering. There was also general agreement on the introduction of special representation for minorities. Four of the five parliamentary parties – all except the LMP – supported the shift to single-round elections in the single-member districts. And all agreed that, if single-member districts were to be retained, there was an urgent need to redraw constituency boundaries. No redistricting had taken place since 1990, with the result that the largest districts were three times the size of the smallest. The Constitutional Court had ruled in December 2010 that the prevailing district structure was unconstitutional.
Nevertheless, two aspects of the bill appear designed to serve Fidesz's own party interests. The first is that the new system is more majoritarian than the old. As I noted in Part 1 of this post, that is partly because the proportion of single-member districts (SMDs) is greater than in the old system and partly because winners' surplus votes are now included in the transfer of remainder votes from SMDs to lists. One estimate, which seems to be widely accepted, is that, whereas the old system translated Fidesz's 53 per cent vote share in 2010 into a 68 per cent share of the seats in Parliament, the new system would have given it 76 per cent of the seats.
Fidesz justifies this move in two ways (I'm drawing again here and in the next few paragraphs on the parliamentary debates on 2nd December). First, in terms of the mechanics of the new system, it argues that including winners' surplus votes in the transfer ensures that all "wasted" votes from the SMDs are treated equally. Fidesz's Lajos Kósa said:
The goal of the new method of counting remainder votes is that no vote should be lost – that every citizen's vote should count. The bill thus treats all votes that are not used in the single-member districts equally. Only some of the votes cast in single-member districts are needed to win a seat. The bill's goal is that every vote should be used: those cast for losing candidates in the same way as those cast for the winner that were not needed to obtain the seat.
This part of the bill was ridiculed by opposition deputies: the MSZP's Zsolt Molnár, for example, likened it to giving social security benefits to bank directors. And, indeed, the government's reasoning is very strange. If the equality of votes is an aim, that surely needs to be gauged across the outcome of the election as a whole: few voters pay much attention to how their votes are treated at particular stages of the count process. And in terms of the outcome of the election, the new system manifestly treats votes more unequally than the old: disproportionality, as already noted, is markedly higher.
Of course, disproportionality can be justified if it produces more effective or more accountable government. And this is Fidesz's second argument. Lajos Kósa continued:
The question of proportionality and governability is a key question for every electoral system. In considering it, we must recognize that each of these values can be realized only at the expense of the other. Increased proportionality endangers the formation of a governing majority, while realization of the majoritarian perspective reduces proportionality. … I believe that the bill offers an appropriate solution to this.
But none of Fidesz's speakers explained why governability requires even greater disproportionality than already exists in Hungary. Every parliament in Hungary over the last twenty years has lasted its full four-year term. No election has been followed by problems in government formation. Voters have been able to throw out the existing government and replace it with a wholly new coalition in four out of the five elections since the first post-communist election in 1990. As the far right's Dóra Dúró said in Parliament on 2nd December, "Election results have not caused problems for governability in Hungary, whereas proportionality – or, rather, disproportionality – has been much more of a problem".
Fidesz points out that some European countries have entirely majoritarian systems, and if these are classed as democratic then, a fortiori, so too must be a system that combines majoritarian and proportional elements. But this argument is again tendentious. The UK – the example most commonly cited – has relatively entrenched parties that retain stable bastions of support even in lean times. As a result, no government has commanded two-thirds of the seats in the House of Commons since 1945 – never mind the three-quarters share that Fidesz could have won under the new Hungarian rules in 2010. By contrast, the parties' weaker entrenchment and the greater homogeneity in voting patterns in Hungary mean that a popular party can virtually sweep the board in the SMDs: Fidesz won all but two SMDs under the old rules in 2010; the MSZP and their allies won all but ten in 1994.
In Hungary's circumstances, therefore, a pure SMD system would be wholly indefensible: it could at some elections prevent the existence of any meaningful parliamentary opposition. The new mixed system also risks leaving Hungary without adequate checks against majority power. No justification has been offered for why that might be needed.
The second highly contentious aspect of the system that seems designed to serve Fidesz's interests is the new structure of single-member districts. Article 4 of the new electoral law states that SMDs must not cross county boundaries, must comprise contiguous territory, and must contain roughly equal numbers of eligible voters. It goes on to state that district electorates should deviate by no more than 15 per cent from the average (unless that is necessary to respect county boundaries and maintain contiguity) and that Parliament must act if any deviation rises above 20 per cent. An annex to the bill then sets out each district in precise detail.
The general principles set out in the bill are perfectly reasonable. As government speakers repeatedly pointed out during the parliamentary debate, they conform to the principles laid down by the Council of Europe's Venice Commission in its Code of Good Practice in Electoral Matters.
What none of those speakers cared to point out, however, is that the Code of Good Practice goes on also to suggest procedures for drawing up precise boundaries. It says:
When constituency boundaries are redefined – which they must be in a
single-member system – it must be done:
- impartially;
- without detriment to national minorities;
- taking account of the opinion of a committee, the majority of whose members are independent; this committee should preferably include a geographer, a sociologist and a balanced representation of the parties and, if necessary, representatives of national minorities.
The third of these points has not been followed: there is no information at all on how the government has drawn the map described in the new law. Furthermore, it appears that the first principle has been violated too. During the parliamentary debates, the LMP's Gergely Karácsony showed two graphs: you can watch the clip here and see the graphs here. The first graph plots Fidesz's share of the votes in 2010 in the new SMDs on the y-axis against each SMD's population on the x-axis. It shows that the districts are smaller where Fidesz's vote is higher, suggesting that the boundaries have been manipulated to Fidesz's advantage. Interestingly, the second graph (obtainable by clicking on the arrow to the right of the first graph), which plots the same data using the old SMDs, suggests that, although variation in district size was much greater under the old system, the bias against Fidesz was smaller than the bias in Fidesz's favour that has now been introduced.
I have not been able to verify these figures – which do, of course, come from one of the opposition parties. Nevertheless, they fit closely with others: analysts writing on the Haza és Haladás blog find, simulating 2006 election data with the new SMDs, that the average number of voters in districts where Fidesz were ahead by more than 5 per cent is 74,639, while that in districts where the MSZP were ahead by the same amount is 80,428. They find evidence of various other boundary manipulations in Fidesz's favour and conclude, largely on this basis, that "this is not a democratic electoral system".
To draw up district boundaries in a non-transparent and partisan way is a gross abuse of democratic principle. Fidesz will probably get away with it: such abuses are common in several other SMD-based systems, and Hungarian politicians have a depressing tendency to compare Hungarian practice with what happens elsewhere rather than with what should happen. But we should be clear all the same that Fidesz is skewing the system to its own advantage. Furthermore, by placing the district boundaries in the electoral law – a law that can be changed only with a two-thirds parliamentary majority – it is seeking to entrench its unfair advantage for the future.
Overall, then, this is basically a case of reform by elite majority imposition: the government has designed an electoral law that will serve its own power interests against the opposition of all parties outside government and with little real involvement from the wider public. Everyone agreed that an overhaul of the electoral system was necessary, but the government has used this opportunity ruthlessly for its own purposes.
The only possible qualification to this picture concerns the reduction in the size of Parliament from 386 to 199 members: why would Fidesz deputies back such a change if they were thinking only of their own electoral interests?
I look forward to hearing others' thoughts on this. One point may be that the unanimous support for the bill from the government benches shows how far Fidesz is controlled by its leadership. But is there also a concession here to public opinion? In other countries, including the UK and Ireland, reductions in the number of deputies in the past year have been justified on the basis that, when public services are being cut sharply, politicians should feel the pinch too. The same reasoning was expressed in the Hungarian Parliament on 2nd December: Fidesz's Gergely Gulyás, for example, said, "At a time when the country's difficult economic situation demands sacrifices from numerous parts of society, it is particularly justified and rational for Parliament to set a good example". More often, however, Fidesz deputies simply pointed out that parliamentary downsizing has been promised for twenty years but never achieved. This justification appeals to a populist discourse according to which Fidesz is the party that can slice through the lethargy of a corrupt and self-serving elite to act in the interests of the ordinary people of Hungary.
In this respect then, Fidesz is pandering to popular distaste for politicians. But it is doing so in a way that does the party's leadership no harm. To use the language introduced by political scientists Steven Reed and Michael Thies, act- as well as outcome-contingent considerations matter here. In all respects, however, it appears that the government has worked out what will serve its own power interests and has taken as much of this as it thinks itself able to get away with.


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LONDON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Novak Djokovic outlasted Andy Murray for a three-set win and Tomas Berdych also won Wednesday at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Djokovic had an 11th-game break in the third set and then survived two break-point opportunities for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory that gave him a 2-0 record in Group A play. Murray, seeded third, is 1-1 in the round-robin section of the tournament.
Berdych, who has to go against Djokovic in his final group match Friday, won the final five games of a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 decision over seventh-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Berdych has drawn even with Murray at 1-1 in Group A, leaving Tsonga (0-2) a long shot to earn spot in the semifinals. The top two players in each group advance.
Murray played a very strong first half of the match, using a first-game break to claim the first set as he lost just three points serving in the set. But Djokovic got his first break-point chance in the sixth game of the second set and was able to even the match.
Djokovic took his first lead with a break in the third game of the final set. Murray pulled even with a break, helped by two challenged calls, at 4-4. Two games later Djokovic got his third break of the day. Murray had two break chances in the final game but Djokovic won four straight points and the match.
Berdych had a break in the 11th game of the first set and Tsonga was able to even the match with a break in the fourth game of the second set. However, that was his only break of the match.
Berdych used a break for a 3-1 lead in the third set and, after a hold, seemed to put the match away with a break at love in the sixth game. Five points later the match was over.
Thursday's schedule has second-ranked Roger Federer taking on No. 4-seeded David Ferrer. They are both 1-0 in Group B. The second match has sixth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro playing Janko Tipsarevic, the eighth-seed.
The ATP announced Wednesday the Tour Finals would be contested in London's O2 arena at least through 2015 and Barclays would continue sponsoring the event.


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Remember the old joke about the atheist at his own funeral, all dressed up but nowhere to go? This letter is in response to Robert Bart's refutation (Dec. 30) of my letter (Dec 19) where I stated that Secular Humanism is at the heart of tragedies like the Newtown massacre.
Mr. Barth chooses to call out behavior by Irish Catholics during the Civil War and Catholic families in a Polish town who burned to death their own Jewish neighbors, as reasons religion should not be part of the equation. He also mentions those Southern Baptists who were all, according to Mr. Barth, members of the KKK? Then he goes on to say that the Secular Humanists are actually "some of the most tolerant, rational, peaceful and accepting individuals as they certainly do not contribute to the violence in our schools or otherwise. "
I am sure that there are many wonderful Secular Humanists, who live good, clean, moral lives and make a meaningful contribution to the communities they live in. And I am also sure that there are many corrupt religious people, who, by their actions, contaminate the doctrines they claim to live by. But to make the leap that first group is by its very nature enlightened while the other is somehow steeped in hatred, is in itself a form of bigotry and intolerance. Merely because a percentage of corrupt people follow a religion doesn't mean the religion itself is a sham. The truth of a position is not determined by the morality of those who profess to believe it.
While there is undoubtedly, truth to Mr. Barth's claim that the sorry state of the mental health services in this state combined with bullying and easy access to guns, are contributing factors to incidents like the Newtown shootings, these explanations do not get to the heart of the matter. I truly believe that our young people are experiencing an existential crisis — that there is a shortage of hope. Adolescents are extremely self-centered by nature, and need to be guided outside of themselves through spiritual practices and service. This by far, is the best antidote to the widespread depression we see in our young people, as they grapple to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Our focus in the schools for so long has been on developing the "self-esteem" of our children, a practice which resonates with the individual self-focus common to secular Humanism. But studies have shown that violent offenders are more likely to have very high self-esteem as well as high IQs. What does that tell us? Our best recourse to this alarming rise in narcissism is to give our young people a spiritual context to their lives, a belief system that is community and service based, a purpose that is beyond their scope, toward something greater than themselves.
As Mike Huckabee has said, "the cause and effect we see in the dramatic changes of what our children are capable of is part of a cultural shift from a God-centered culture to a self-centered culture. We have glorified uninhibited self-expression and individualism and are shocked that we have a generation of loners …. We dismiss the notion of natural law and the notion that there are moral absolutes and seem amazed when some kids make it their own morality to kill innocent children …. And we don't teach them there is a Creator God who sets immutable rules, a God who is knowable, and to whom we are ultimately responsible. Instead we teach that God was not involved in our origins, that our very lives are biological happenstances and in fact are disposable should they be inconvenient to us, and that any outrageous behaviors are not sin, but disorders for which we should be excused and accommodated. "
Lastly, what Mr. Barth calls "superstitions based on Bronze-age mythologies", are tried and true tenets of Western Civilization. It is time to go back to teaching our children that they are not the belly button of the world.
Sylvie M. Butler


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@AllOn 09 May 2017 at 11:08 AM, Paul Mackerras wrote:
> On Tue, May 09, 2017 at 10:42:51AM +0200, Christian Zigotzky wrote:
>> Hi All,
>> After the first batch of KVM changes for 4.12 merge window I get the
>> following error message if I want to configure the Linux kernel with KVM PR
>> support on my P.A. Semi board.
>> warning: (KVM_BOOK3S_64) selects SPAPR_TCE_IOMMU which has unmet direct
>> dependencies (IOMMU_SUPPORT && (PPC_POWERNV || PPC_PSERIES))
>> Did you change the system requirements for KVM? Does it only work on IBM
>> pSeries machines now?
> That probably came in with Alexey Kardashevskiy's patches to
> accelerate the TCE (IOMMU) hypercalls. There was no deliberate
> intention to restrict PR KVM to IBM machines. I'll fix it.
> However, I expect that at least for now we will not support PCI
> pass-through on machines other than IBM pSeries, because the KVM vfio
> code needs some specific services from the iommu layer which are
> platform-dependent and probably not implemented on other platforms
> (maple, pasemi, powermac). If you have been using PCI pass-through
> successfully in the past with PR KVM then please let me know and we'll
> look at what is needed to keep it working.
> Paul.
Do you use PCI pass-through with KVM?
-- Christian